T-Minus by Shannon Greenland

Today we’re proud to be a part of the Blog Tour for T-Minus by Shannon Greenland as sponsored by XPRESSO Tours. 

A terror with no answer needs a girl with no limits.
I am the daughter of the first female POTUS, and today is about to become the longest day of my life…
24 hours—that’s how much time I have to save my mother before terrorists assassinate her. But now my father and brother are missing, too. This goes deeper than anyone thinks. Only someone on the inside would know how to pull this off—how to make the entire First Family disappear.
I can’t trust anyone, so it’s up to me to uncover the conspiracy and stop these madmen. Because little do they know, they picked the wrong person to terrorize.
My name is Sophie Washington, and I will not be a victim. No one, I repeat no one, is taking me or my family down. But the clock is ticking…

I am a huge fan of the Jack Reacher novels by Lee Child. Sophie reminded me of a young Reacher in her renegade efforts to protect her family at all costs. While this novel is YA, it doesn’t hold back in its delivery of action packed thrills. Sophie takes a lot of risks (including a couple of foolish choices) but what teenager doesn’t? Definitely check out T-Minus by Shannon Greenland and meet Sophie Washington - one of the strongest YA heroines I’ve seen! 🌟🌟🌟.5/5 

Click here for a Tour Wide giveaway of (3) $5 Amazon Gift Cards.

For purchasing information, visit: Kobo, Amazon, B&N, and iBooks. 

Click here to visit the other stops on the tour and learn more about the book! 

Thank you NetGalley, XpressoTours and the publisher, Entangled Teen for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for a fair, honest review. 

Clear Confusion by Kathy M. Howard

 

Today we’re proud to be part of the Blog Tour for Clear Confusion by Kathy M. Howard hosted by JustRead PublicityTours.

Book Blurb:What am I going to do, God? Who am I? Charlotte Hallaway needs to come to terms with her father's death. He had been her only family, and she wasn't handling her grief well. It was just supposed to be a few weeks of peace and quiet to process it all, but then she saw them-a drug deal and a murder within seconds of each other. And they saw her. Now running for her life, Charlotte boards a bus to escape her pursuers and wakes up the next morning in the woods of Jennings, Georgia, without a memory of how she got there or of who she is. All she knows is an underlying fear she can't seem to shake. When two hunters find her battered and scared, can she put aside the clear confusion she's experiencing to trust them? She wants to trust them, especially Nicholas, but fear is holding her back. Trust is incredibly hard when one is so clearly confused. Could it be he and his friend are not who they claim to be? Who are they really . . . and who is she?

Review:

I was expecting more of a thriller instead of a romance but that’s not a bad thing.  The burgeoning romance relationship between Charlotte and Nicholas is the true heart of this story.  It read like a movie you might see on the Hallmark Channel. Charlotte, Nicholas and Nicholas’ sister Nellie are very passionate about their Christian faith and their love for the Lord guides their choices as Charlotte tries to regain her memory.  Nellie is actually my favorite character in the story. I hope Ms. Howard considers a follow-up featuring her as I’d love to see what comes next for her. If you love romantic suspense stories that steer away from gore and chaste romance with a huge dash of faith then Clear Confusion by Kathy M. Howard is the book for you! 

Giveaway: 

JustRead Tours is sponsoring a Giveaway! One winner will receive a print copy of Clear Confusion (US Only) and a second winner will receive an e-book of Clear Confusion (Int’l).  Enter to win a copy of Clear Confusion by clicking here. 

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, ChristianBook

Connect with Author Kathy M. Howard:

Website, Facebook, Twitter 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT the OTHER BLOGS/SITES ON THE TOUR!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Summer Bucket List by T.K. Rapp

Today we’re proud to be part of the “Book Blitz” for Summer Bucket List by T.K. Rapp

Recently graduated from high school, Holland Monroe had no expectations for her last summer before heading off to college to be anything but ordinary.
Until she got a job as a waitress at the local country club to make extra money for school.

Milo Davis was smart, cute, and absolutely not interested in Holland. At least that was what she believed. But the day she started working at the restaurant, everything changed.

Finally together, they were left with only three months to spend time together before she moved away.
Good thing they decided to make their time as memorable as possible.
But will they remain friends? Or will checking off items on their summer bucket list lead them to something they didn’t expect — Falling in love.

This was a sweet contemporary YA romance. Holland and Milo made a cute couple. I appreciated that the cost of college was a concern. That’s a reality I don’t see in many YA books but I do wish that Milo’s initial interest in what was referred to as a “junior college” was not stigmatized as being inferior. I obtained an Associates Degree at my local community college and it provided me with the study skills and drive needed to earn my Bachelors. Also, I was a little turned off by all the underage drinking but I was relieved that at least the important of designated drivers was stressed. Overall, the true heart of this story of two teenagers falling in love and really getting to know each other and their families was well done. 

🌟🌟🌟.5/5 

Xpresso Book Tours is Sponsoring a Giveaway for a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card and a Signed Copy of Summer Bucket List by T.K.Rapp.  Click here to enter.

For more information visit the book’s Goodreads page: 

For purchasing info, check out the following links:

Amazon 
Barnes and Noble

iBooks

Kobo

Thanks to Xpresso Book tours and the author for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for a fair, honest review. 

Blog Tour: As You Lay Sleeping by Katlyn Duncan

Today we're proud to be one of the stops on the "As You Lay Sleeping," by Katlyn Duncan blog tour.

As You Lay Sleeping 
by Katlyn Duncan 
Published by: HQ Digital
Publication date: February 20th 2017
Genres: Thriller, Young Adult

I did it all for you…

Cara’s boyfriend is dead.

When fingers start pointing at her, she knows she’s in more trouble than she originally thought. Because Cara can see that something isn’t right.

As her carefully constructed life begins to crumble, Cara isn’t sure who she is anymore.

But maybe that’s exactly what someone wants her to think…

"As You Lay Sleeping," is a great teen mystery.  The action is fast paced and you're kept guessing as to who the killer really is until the very end as there are a lot of red herrings throughout the book.  I especially loved Cara's character growth throughout the novel.  At the onset, she's unnecessarily mean and selfish but once she connects with Ryan, she starts to change for the better and the story really takes off.  What I would've liked to have seen was more background involving Cara's sister Alice.  Alice's secret is revealed but not really explored. Overall this was a fun, quick read that I'd recommend to fans of contemporary YA mysteries.

For additional reviews and information of "As You Lay Sleeping," please visit the rest of the stops on the blog tour.

Xpresso Book Tours is also sponsoring a tour wide giveaway. Visit Rafflecopter for your chance to win!

Tour-wide giveaway (INTL) ends March 2, 2017

• 1st prize: $25 Barnes & Noble egift card
• 2nd prize: ecopy of Soul Taken, This Summer, or Darkest Dawn
• 3rd prize: ecopy of Elixir Bound by Katie Carroll
• 4th prize: ecopy of Cruel Summer by K.R. Conway
• PLUS:
• 1000 entries will unlock: paperback copy of That Moment When: An Anthology of Young Adult Fiction (Katlyn's short story 'Reflection' is included among 40 other stories from YA authors in all different genres)
• 2000 entries will unlock: signed paperback copy of Undertow by K.R. Conway
• 3000 entries will unlock: paperback copy of Tell Me No Lies by Lisa Hall
• 4000 entries will unlock: paperback copy of Unnatural Deeds by Cyn Balog 

Special Thanks to Xpresso Book Tours, NetGalley, and HQ Digital for providing an ARC in exchange for a free and honest review.

TLC Blog Tour: The Sun in Your Eyes by Deborah Shapiro

A witty and winning new voice comes alive in this infectious road-trip adventure with a rock-and-roll twist. Shapiro’s debut blends the emotional nuance of Elena Ferrante with the potent nostalgia of High Fidelity, in a story of two women—one rich and alluring, the other just another planet in her dazzling orbit—and their fervid and troubled friendship.From the distance of a few yards, there might be nothing distinctive about Lee Parrish, nothing you could put your finger on, and yet, if she were to walk into a room, you would notice her. And if you were with her, I’d always thought, you could walk into any room.For quiet, cautious, and restless college freshman Vivian Feld, real life begins the day she moves in with the enigmatic Lee Parrish—daughter of died-too-young troubadour Jesse Parrish and model-turned-fashion designer Linda West—and her audiophile roommate Andy Elliott.When a one-night stand fractures Lee and Andy’s intimate rapport, Lee turns to Viv, inviting her into her glamorous fly-by-night world: an intoxicating mix of Hollywood directors, ambitious artists, and first-class everything. It is the beginning of a friendship that will inexorably shape both women as they embark on the rocky road to adulthood.More than a decade later, Viv is married to Andy and hasn’t heard from Lee in three years. Suddenly Lee reappears, begging for a favor: she wants Viv to help her find the lost album Jesse was recording before his death. Holding on to a life-altering secret and ambivalent about her path, Viv allows herself to be pulled into Lee’s world once again. But the chance to rekindle the magic and mystery of their youth might come with a painful lesson: while the sun dazzles us with its warmth and brilliance, it may also blind us from seeing what we really need.What begins as a familiar story of two girls falling under each other’s spell evolves into an evocative, and at times irrepressibly funny, study of female friendship in all its glorious intensity and heartbreaking complexity.

The Sun in Your Eyes is a brilliant mash-up of road-trip story, mystery and social commentary.

This book reminded me a lot of one of my all-time favorite novels, Summer Sisters by Judy Blume which also spanned decades of a female friendship in all its greatness and the sorrow when it falls apart.  I loved that this book also had this extra layer that gave you a lot to think about fame.  Lee's dad was a famous musician but since he died when she was so young, she barely got to know him yet millions fans believed they knew him and felt they even loved him.  Of course they didn't really know him but who hasn't felt a sense of love and kinship toward a celebrity?  I had my suspicions as to the mystery surrounding Jesse's car crash but it was a great ride exploring it with Lee and Viv.

Pick up The Sun in Your Eyes, at your favorite local bookstore or online book retailer.

Visit the rest of the stops on the blog tour for additional reviews and information about The Sun in Your Eyes.

Blog Tour: Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman

Three girls went into the woods; two came out.
It sounds like a joke, or a riddle. But it was only, would ever after be, the rest of our life.
Shortly after Halloween, 1991, the local high-school basketball star is found in the woods near Battle Creek, Pennsylvania, with a bullet in his head and a gun in his hand—a discovery that sends tremors through this conservative community, already unnerved by growing rumors of satanic worship in the region.
In the wake of this incident, bright but lonely Hannah Dexter is befriended by Lacey Champlain, a dark-eyed, Cobain-worshipping bad influence. Lacey forges a fast, intimate bond with the impressionable Dex, making her over in her own image—and unleashing a fierce defiance with unexpected and harrowing consequences. By turns a shocking story of love and violence and an addictive portrait of the intoxication of female friendship, Girls on Fire is an incendiary and unforgettable snapshot of girlhood: girls lost and found, girls weak and strong, girls who burn bright and brighter—and girls who flicker away.

Just like Dex and Lacey's friendship, this book is all consuming and not for the faint of heart.

Wasserman does a fantastic job of plopping the reader in the midst of the 90's grunge area. I was in middle school in 1991 but I remembered all of the pop culture and musical references.  In high school, I even wore the thick rubber heeled lace up boots like Lacey and Dex love.  Aside from a similar love of grunge footwear, I had little in common Lacey, Dex or anyone in this novel.

I'm struggling to describe this book.  It's not that I didn't like the book, the setting and characters were so vividly described that it all seemed real, it just seemed all too real.  It was dark and twisted, a tragic story full of emotionally lost people.  Not only do Lacey and Dex lose their sense of self in their obsession with each other but Dex's father is also a tragic figure who lost himself decades ago.  

***/5 stars

About Robin Wasserman

Robin Wasserman is a graduate of Harvard University and the author of several successful novels for young adults. A recent recipient of a MacDowell fellowship, she lives in Brooklyn, New York. Girls on Fire is her first novel for adults.

Find out more about Robin at her website and connect with her on Twitter.

For additional reviews of Girls on Fire, please visit the rest of the stops on the TLC Blog Tour.

Blog Tour: The Turning Point by Freya North

Today we are proud to be one of the stops on the blog tour to promote The Turning Point by Freya North.

"Rich, romantic, beautifully drawn and utterly compelling" Jane Green, New York Times bestselling author

 Life is short. Sometimes you have to take a chance…

Two single parents, Scott and Frankie, meet by chance.
Their homes are thousands of miles apart: Frankie lives somewhat chaotically with her children on the shoreline of North Norfolk, while Scott's life is in the mountains of British Columbia. Distance divides them – but it seems that a million little things connect them. A spark ignites, one so strong that it dares them to take a risk.
But fate has one more trick in store…
There are some truths about life and family we only learn when we grow up. There are some we never thought we'd have to.

What I loved about this book was how real the characters felt.  The author did an amazing job of making them seem real by describing little realistic details and quirks about them.  I cracked up when Frankie worried that her love of Duran Duran may considered a deal breaker for Scott when she was about to welcome into her home for the first time.  As Duranie, Duran Duran is never a deal breaker unless you hate them, lol.

I appreciated that this was a story about two independent people falling in love and respecting each other by not pressuring one another to change who they are.  This was a love story, a story of true love, not a mere romance novel. The point of view changes periodically throughout the course of the story between Frankie, Scott, and their family which really fleshed out the familiarity you come to feel for all the characters. I strive to provide spoiler free reviews but I must caution you to have a tissue handy for this book.  The synopsis promised a trick and a trick you get.  Don't let that put you off  though, definitely pick this book up.  It's the perfect book to escape with this weekend.

****/5 stars

For more on The Turning Point by Freya North, please visit the rest of the stops on the blog tour and visit the author's website.

Tangled Up/Cosmo Red Hot Reads Blog Tour

Today, we're proud to be one of the tour stops on the "Cosmo Red Hot Reads" tour as sponsored by AToMR Tours.  Every month Cosmopolitan Magazine and Harlequin team up to publish two erotic novellas.  This month's selections are "Crossing the Line" by Megan Hart and "Burned" by Sarah Morgan.  They're available separately for your e-reader or bound together in print as "Tangled Up."

I read both of these on my lunch break and they gave new meaning to a "hot lunch."

Burned by Sarah Morgan

Every girl needs some self-defense. But at Fit and Physical, you'll learn martial arts and get fit at the same time. Look great, feel better and kick a little butt! Check out one-on-one personal training with our favourite karate black belt, Rosie Miller. She loves her job, the world of martial arts, and her life is just…well, brilliant.

Trainer and martial artist Rosie Miller's zen is seriously compromised when Hunter Black—her former coach and lover—becomes her new boss. With all the sexual energy still crackling between them, her poor little zen doesn't stand a chance. So this time, Rosie is determined to do more than put up self-defense. She and Hunter are going to play by her rules…. 
(synopsis provided by publisher)

"Burned" was my favorite of the two.  I loved Rosie's fierce personality.  She's smart and confident but not domineering.  I also loved that this book is set in London.  The thought of all those sexy accents really added to the punches both in the martial arts and in the banter between Rosie and Hunter.  This is a quick, frisky, fun read. Definitely check it out.

Crossing the Line by Megan Hart—Caitlyn Fox has one chance to prove to her outrageously hot—and ridiculously controlling—boss that she's got the chops to succeed. But Jamison Wolfe isn't quite what he seems. And once they cross the line between business and pleasure, Caitlyn discovers the one place where she's in control....
(synopsis provided by publisher)

Rosie may not be domineering but Caitlyn is and in all the right ways.  I loved that Caitlyn is literally the dominant one in her relationship.  It was a nice change from the traditional billionaire dominant male stories that seem to be everywhere.  Heat wise, I found this tale to milder than "Burned" but it was still a fun, sexy, and worth reading.

Download "Crossing the Line," by Megan Hart and "Burned," by Sarah Morgan from your favorite e-bookseller or head to your local bookstore for "Tangled Up."  For more information, please visit the rest of the stops on the blog tour.

You can also try your luck at winning a copy of "Tangled Up," by heading down to the Rafflecopter.  Harlequin has 5 copies up for grabs!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to AtoMR Tours and Cosmo Red Hot Reads From Harlequin for providing me a review copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Sail Away With Me by Kate Deveaux

Today we are pleased to be one of the stops on the "Sail Away With Me," by Kate Deveaux blog tour as sponsored by TLC Book Tours.

"Sizzling shipboard romance — Jody throws caution to the wind as she lets go of her inhibitions and indulges in one magnificent week of pleasure. Passions surge, lovers tangle and two lives will never be the same again.

Jody knew she was in trouble the minute she stepped on board the gleaming cruise ship and into the arms of the sexy celebrity guest, Taggart Keith. For just one week, Jody gives into the seductive flames of desire and succumbs to Taggart’s charms. But when she returns to land, can Jody resist the temptation of even more pleasure." - goodreads.com

Just in time for Valentine's Day, "Sail Away With Me," by Kate Deveaux provides a fantastical romantic escape from the winter blahs.  The on-board romance develops quickly with a lot of heat and explicit sex scenes which will draw readers in.  However, once Taggert and Jody left the ship and decided to pursue their relationship, things got really interesting.  You'll have to read this book yourself to find out if Jody and Taggert's relationship is strong enough to survive long distance, meddling exes, kids and more. 

In addition to Jody and Taggert, I also loved Jody's interestingly named friends Cricket and Petunia.  Especially Petunia - she was hilarious.  I hope Ms. Deveaux has plans for more stories featuring Jody's friends in the future. 

If you love Erotica/Romance, check out "Sail Away With Me," by Kate Deveaux.  For details on where to purchase the novel, please visit the author's website.  For more reviews, please visit the rest of the tour stops. 

Please note that I received no financial compensation for this review.  I was provided with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

The Fixer by T.E. Woods

Today, we're happy to be a part of the blog tour from "The Fixer," by T.E. Woods.  "The Fixer," is one of several new titles available from Random House's new imprint, Alibi Books.

"Never a doubt. Never a mistake. Always for justice. Never for revenge. She’s the person you hire when you need something fixed—permanently. With a strict set of criteria, she evaluates every request and chooses only a few. No more than one job per country, per year. She will only step in if it’s clear that justice will not be served any other way. Her jobs are completed with skill and precision, and never result in inquiry or police investigation. The Fixer is invisible—and quite deadly. 

In the office of a clinical psychologist in Olympia, Washington, a beautiful young woman is in terrible emotional pain. She puts up walls, tells lies, and seems to speak in riddles, but the doctor is determined to help her heal, despite the fact that she claims to have hurt many people. As their sessions escalate, the psychologist feels compelled to reach out to the police . . . but it might be too late.

In Seattle, a detective gets a call from his son. A dedicated journalist, he wants his father’s expertise as he looks into a suspicious death. Together they follow the trail of leads toward a stone-cold hired killer—only to find that death has been closer than either could have imagined." - tewoodswrites.com

"The Fixer," is a fantastic read.  It's a multi-layered mystery.  First you're wondering just who is The Fixer.  Once you learn that you're wondering just who put The Fixer in the fix she finds herself in.  Outside of the mystery I also loved the moral questions raised when considering The Fixer's line of work.  Despite her strict rules and her desire for justice, the reader has to decide for themselves if The Fixer is working for a greater good or is just as bad as the criminals she goes after.  I found myself struggling with this long after I finished the book.

In addition to musing the morality of The Fixer herself, I also found myself thinking of the detective, Mort, who investigated the case.  Like The Fixer, Mort has a heartbreaking history that propels his motives.  At the novel's conclusion, life is still unsettled for him but fortunately he returns in "The Red Hot Fix."

 If you love thrillers or great stories that make you think, definitely download "The Fixer," by T.E. Woods.  For information on where to buy it, please visit the author's website.  Or, click here for the Rafflecopter where you can enter to win a copy of "The Fixer," "The Red Hot Fix," and a $25 e-giftcard to the e-book retailer of your choice.  For more reviews and information on "The Fixer," by T.E. Woods, please visit the rest of the tour stops.

Please note that I received no financial compensation for this review.  I received a digital advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.  Special thanks to NetGalley, Alibi, and TLC Book Tours.

Hard Glamour by Maggie Marr

 

Today, we're proud to be one of the stops on the "Glamour Series" blog tour as hosted by AToMR tours.  "Hard Glamour," is the first book in the sexy "New Adult," series.

 

"A promise to keep….

Honoring her mother’s last wish, Lane Channing vows to follow her dreams. She takes the ‘big risk’ and leaves her small Kansas town behind and heads to LA, the city of dreams. She’s got a stellar job lined up, an old jeep, and 20 bucks to last her to her first paycheck. Her hopes shatter when she arrives to find her job’s been given to someone else. Now she’s broke and will soon be living on the streets if she doesn’t do something fast. Welcome to cutthroat – Lane is most certainly not in Kansas anymore.

On the cusp of success…

Dillon MacAvoy has one goal–to become a star–whatever it takes. Even if it
means honing his bad-boy can’t-be-tamed-and-forever-single image. Besides the image isn’t far from the truth. Dillon cares only about his younger brother and his career. He’s on the brink of superstardom if he can just decide on the next right script. But for that, he needs a script reader he can trust.

In a strange twist of fate…

Lane Channing is Dillon’s last chance. If Lane lasts the summer without becoming MacAvoy’s latest conquest, she’s guaranteed a job in entertainment. No problem, as long as she can ignore the heat that pulses through her every time Dillon is in the room. After all, love and commitment with a sweet, hometown girl would only ruin the Dillon MacAvoy brand." 
- summary provided by AToMR tours.

This is a quick, entertaining and very hot read.  If it was summer time, I'd say it would make the perfect beach read. 

I loved the initial premise.  When I was in high school, I had similar goals to Lane's.  I always dreamed of going to LA and working as a television producer.  Lane took the leap that I was too broke and chicken to make. So, it was fun to live the LA dream vicariously through her.   Lane is a very strong and intelligent character.  However her initial naivete about what exactly an internship entails and doesn't entail seemed improbable to me but perhaps her age excuses that. 

While Dillon had his charms and a back story that explained his flaws, I found that his issues didn't always justify his actions.  I also had a hard time understanding how the success of his career seemed to rest solely on his wild bachelor image.  Despite this, I found Dillon to be a likeable leading man in this tale.

I was also really intrigued by the subplots and secondary characters such as Amanda, Lane's LA friend and Dillon's brother Choo. The second, forthcoming novel in the "Glamour," series, "Broken Glamour," features Amanda.  I suspect and hope subsequent novels in the series will focus on additional characters mentioned in "Hard Glamour," as I'd love to re-visit them and learn more about them.

As "Hard Glamour," contains explicit sexual scenes, I'd recommended it for New Adult and adult Romance fans only.  For additional reviews of "Hard Glamour" by Maggie Marr, please visit the rest of the stops on the tour and for more information on Maggie Marr and her books please visit her blog. 

Please note that I received no financial compensation for this review.  I received an advanced reader's copy of the novel from the tour hosts in exchange for a fair and honest review.
 
If you're a resident of the USA or Canada, you can enter to win a copy of "Hard Glamour," by Maggie Marr from our tour hosts!!

a Rafflecopter

giveaway

All My Restless Life to Live by Dee DeTarsio

Today, we're proud to be a stop on the blog tour for "All My Restless Life to Live," by Dee DeTarsio, as sponsored by AToMR tours.

Life is a soap opera, especially for Elle Miller, who writes for one.  (Ellen dropped the “n” in her name in hopes of finding a better ending for herself.) When her laptop crashes, she borrows her recently deceased dad’s computer and gets way more than she bargained for.

Elle unravels mysterious communications from his computer, while her mom
to give Internet dating a try. As Elle tries to save her career at "I’d Rather Be Loved" with a storyline featuring a trip through Atlantis, she takes a trip to the Emmy's, and finds herself in the middle of a romance between a real doctor and a hunk who just plays one on TV. Friends, family, and clues from “the other side” all help Elle figure out the difference between living the good life and living a good life. - goodreads.com

The title and premise alone drew me to this book.  I've been a fan of "General Hospital" for 19 years and mourn the loss of "All My Children," every day at 1pm.  I hate that soap operas are rarely given respect.  So, it was refreshing to read a novel set in the world of soap operas.  I loved that Elle took her job as a soap opera writer seriously and that she was passionate about the genre.  My favorite scenes in the novel were the ones that took place at her work.  The behind the scenes drama at "I'd Rather Be Loved," such as fears of cancellations and budget cuts, mirrored the problems I read about in "Soap Opera Digest."  I also loved her comical co-workers, especially "Dr. Brad."  The trip to the Daytime Emmy Awards was great, if only the real telecast was as action packed. The unique way Elle communicated with her deceased father could've come off as goofy but DeTarsio made it very touching.  I loved the love/hate relationship Elle had with her mother. I must admit that I am guilty of many of the things Elle faulted her mother for including greeting card envelope theft.  Read the book to see what I mean.  Elle's romantic life also featured some touching and comical moments.  I was quite surprised by her lover's secret and I wouldn't have handled it the way she did.  However, this was a great read and I look forward to the sequel that the book's close seems to set up for.

I recommend "All My Restless Life to Live," by Dee DeTarsio not just to soap opera fans but for anyone who loves a good, lighthearted romance or touching tale.
 
For more information, please visit the rest of the stops of the blog tour and visit the author's personal website.




Our tour hosts are raffling off 2 print copies of "All My Restless Life to Live," by Dee DeTarsio.  Check out the Rafflecopter for your chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fighting Fate by Linda Kage

Today, we are proud to be one of the stops on the blog tour for "Fighting  Fate," by Linda Kage, as sponsored by AToMR Tours.

Forgiving your brother's murderer may be noble, but falling in love with him borders on betrayal.

When Paige Zukowski enrolls at Granton University in honor of her dead brother, she has no idea fate will land her on the same campus with the very guy who killed him. But Logan Xander isn't quite the murderer she's always believed him to be.

A day hasn't passed since the tragedy that Logan doesn't wish he could go back and undo everything. It doesn't take Paige long to realize he's suffered as much as she has. Forgiving him for ruining her life might not be so impossible after all. But when she actually starts to like him and realizes he likes her in return, their true anguish begins.

What I loved most about "Fighting Fate," was the way the novel showcased the importance of forgiveness.  Failing to forgive oneself and others will only bring you more grief.  This is evident in the depiction of Logan's angst and remorse for his role in the death of Paige's brother and Paige's father's struggles with alcohol.  Similarly, Kage did a great job of illustrating how holding on to grief can hold one back.  In order to grow as an individual, Paige had to move past the grief she carried since her brother's death.  I also appreciated the fact that Paige worked with a "grief group," rather trying to resolve things by herself. 

I also enjoyed the realistic way that Paige and Logan's relationship grew as the two of them strengthened and grew as individuals.  The progression of their relationship was slow and natural.

I could've done without the subplot involving Paige's friend "Einstein."  This plot point seemed over the top to me.  I would've liked it if the author explored a particular incident that Paige had a party more.

Regardless, "Fighting Fate," was a great read with some important life lessons.  I'd definitely recommend it to teens and college-age readers. I look forward to reading more by Linda Kage.

If you'd like to win a copy of "Fighting Fate," by Linda Kage, head on down to the Rafflecopter for a contest sponsored by our tour hosts.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



For more information on Linda Kage, please visit her website.

Finally, for alternate reviews, excepts and interviews with the author, please check out the rest of the tour stops.

Please note that I received no financial compensation for this review.  I was provided with a digital ARC of "Fighting Fate," by the tour hosts in exchange for an honest review.

Heaven Should Fall

Today, we are one of the stops on the "Heaven Should Fall" blog tour,  hosted by BookTrib.  They have provided the following synopsis for Rebecca Coleman's latest novel.

Alone since her mother’s death, Jill Wagner wants to eat, sleep and breathe Cade Olmstead when he bursts upon her life—golden, handsome and ambitious. Even putting college on hold feels like a minor sacrifice when she discovers she’s pregnant with Cade’s baby. But it won’t be the last sacrifice she’ll have to make.

Retreating to the Olmsteads’ New England farm seems sensible, if not ideal: Jill and Cade will regroup and welcome the baby, surrounded by Cade’s family. But the remote, ramshackle place already feels crowded. Cade’s mother tends to his ailing father, while Cade’s pious sister, her bigoted husband and their rowdy sons overrun the house. Only Cade’s brother, Elias, a combat veteran with a damaged spirit, gives Jill an ally amidst the chaos, along with a glimpse into his disturbing childhood. But his burden is heavy, and she alone cannot kindle his will to live.

The tragedy of Elias is like a killing frost, withering Cade in particular, transforming his idealism into bitterness and paranoia. Taking solace in caring for her newborn son, Jill looks up to find her golden boy is gone. In Cade’s place is a desperate man willing to endanger them all in the name of vengeance…unless Jill can find a way out.

This is a thought provoking novel with a lot, perhaps too much, too say.  This novel is told through alternating voices of Jill and the dysfunctional Olmstead family.  Elias' PTSD isn't the only issue the family struggles with.  Cade's father emotionally abused his mother and brother for years.  Cade's sister entered into a sexual relationship with a much older man when she was just 16 and may have had something to do with a rival's death.  Meanwhile Cade struggles to own up to his new found responsibilites and is unable to cope after Elias' suicide.  While the focus of this book is Elias' PTSD and the aftermath of his actions, I think every character in this novel could've benefited from mental health counseling.  The climax of the novel is intense but unfortunately the ending leaves the reader with a lot of unanswered questions.  Despite this, "Heaven Should Fall," is an intriguing novel worth checking out.

We have also been provided with a small excerpt from Cade and Jill's happier days. 

“Yeah, but it’s almost gone.”

I reached into the neatly arranged “auto office” box at my

feet and retrieved the Altoids tin from a side pocket.

“Cade, you’re a mint addict.”

“Usually you’re not complaining.”

“The first step is admitting you have a problem.”

For more excerpts, please visit the rest of the stops on the blog tour.  "Heaven Should Fall," by Rebecca Coleman is available now at bookstores everywhere.

Note: I received no financial compensation for this review.