Monday, July 28, 2014

RELEASE DAY BLITZ, Brenda Rothert's DRIVE

Available NOW! Look for my review as part of the blog tour on Friday, August 1st!




REVIEW and AUTHOR PLAYLIST for Trista Jaszczak's LITTLE RED


Review


Goodreads/Amazon rating: 4 out of 5 stars
In Patti's Imagination rating: 8.5 out of 10 stars


I like paranormal and fantasy stories, but I don't tend to read a lot of them compared to romance or straight fiction. Little Red seemed like it might be another typical paranormal story, so I was prepared for that. What I didn't expect was the fascinating twist that sets this story apart from so many others. If you like zero spoilers, stop reading and know that it's a good surprise and the story is well worth a read if you're into paranormal.



SPOILER SPACE







Now, for the rest of you who can handle a spoiler or two, male lead, Ethan - who plays the Big Bad Wolf in this paranormal/fairytale story - is part of a pack, which consists of him and his six brothers. I expected this to be a typical shifter story, where these guys were cursed werewolves. Nope. Not even close. Which is what made this so interesting.

Ethan and his brothers all have the curse of the wolf - they have dog-like skills while still retaining their human forms. Their curse is not to shape-shift into a wolf and be consumed by the beast at a full moon, but to be forced to endure those same feelings without the benefit of being an animal at the time it takes place. The primal feelings, the rage, the passion, these things overwhelm the Parker brothers each full moon, and they have to control their urges.

On one such night, Ethan comes across Samantha, a woman on the run from an abusive man. The pull between them is intense and it turns out, Sam - or Red, as Ethan calls her because of her red leather jacket - is destined to be Ethan's mate. If I tell you more than that, well, I'll ruin the rest of the story for you, and I don't want to do that. It's a great read, compelling and easy, action-packed and well-paced. The details are abundant but not overwhelming and the settings, though in the south, could probably have been anywhere and still work. Little twists and turns here and there added to the narrative.

I really liked these characters, and anyone who knows my reviews can recall that I love a story with characters that make me feel. Ethan and Red were a great couple, chemistry that burned the pages and a love that was amplified by the pull of the moon. But what made this story for me were the supporting characters - the brothers Parker made me laugh, cry, swoon and shake my head. I thought that Trista did an amazing job illustrating how it might actually feel to BE a wolf in human skin. For this alone, the story automatically gets 3 stars from me, even if the rest is awful. It wasn't.

Given that I had an ARC version, I think the quality of the manuscript was excellent and that bumped it up another whole star. I'll admit that my personal biases probably prevent me from giving it a full 5-star rating, so that's why, in the rating on my blog, I'm giving it another half star. For anyone who likes paranormal or fairy tales, I'd recommend the book and suggest that you'll probably feel inclined to bump the rating above mine.

Overall, a quick, exciting and rewarding read. I'd definitely be interested in reading more from this author.


Author Playlist

Here's Trista Jaszczak's playlist for the book. I was especially interested in this because I make playlists for every story I write and I listen to them on repeat as I work whenever that's possible. I can't wait to check out the songs and artists on Spotify! With the hard pace and adrenaline that pumps through this story, I have a feeling that some of these songs will be making it onto playlists for an upcoming story I'm writing.

Please share your favorite songs you listen to when you are writing:

I just have a list of A7X and Coheed and Cambria and it plays at random. But these three are always on every one I make

So Far Away by Avenged Sevenfold

The Suffering by Coheed and Cambria

Welcome Home by Coheed and Cambria

But anything A7X and Coheed honestly.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

SYNOPSIS for TIME TO BEGIN

For the launch of my next book, Time to Begin (Ward Sisters, #5), I'm doing a blog tour with My Family's Heart Book Reviews and Tours. To prep for it, Tonya needed the cover and synopsis, which I sent her this morning. That's mostly so that the reviewers and bloggers know what they're getting into if they sign up for the tour. It's not top-secret, so, I'm going to share with my blog because I can. Tentative release date is August 29. In case you forgot, here's the cover:




Synopsis


She'd been dealt too many blows to count. He'd always lived life on easy street. Are they Yin and Yang or a mistake of epic proportions?

Makeup artist Reggie Reynolds has endured a life as colorful as her ever-changing hair. After a painful childhood and a tragic adolescence, by sheer force of will, she found success – first in Hollywood, then on Broadway. Returning to her hometown offers a chance to help her aging grandfather and realize her dreams, not to mention soothe a broken heart. But even her storied past won't prepare Reggie for what happens in her next chapter.

When reporter Eddie Besson meets Reggie on a flight to New York City, he thinks he's at an all-time high-point in his cushy, perpetual-youth life. Twenty-four hours with Reggie changes Eddie's perspective. Despite the fact that she doesn't want anything to do with him when he leaves, Eddie can't stop thinking about the girl from New York City long after he's gone from the Big Apple.

As Eddie's perfectly-orchestrated life falls apart, he has some tough decisions to make, with only one thing certain: there will be consequences to pay for his lackadaisical approach to adulthood. Reggie's own soul-searching reveals some painful truths, including guilt about passing judgment on the guy from Maine. When she runs into Eddie again – this time on his home turf – sparks fly and decisions must be made, choices that aren't universally well-received. Will this unlikely pair go all-in, find a way to balance the scales and live life on their own terms? Or will tragedy tear them apart?




Monday, July 21, 2014

RELEASE DAY BLITZ for CLARISSA WILD'S MR. X

RDL Banner

Mr. X

Publication Date: July 21, 2014 
Genres: ContemporaryDarkEroticaRomance 


Cover_MrX

Add to Goodreads.

Synopsis

*Author Note: This is not your average romance story. Some people will kill for love.*


He’s come to kill me. I’m a user and abuser of my own body. In the darkest hour I sold my soul to the devil and now I must pay the price. With his gun to my head I have no choice but to listen and obey, but I refuse to go down easily. Nothing is stronger than the will to survive. My instincts kicked into full gear the second he stepped into my motel room. Except when I look at him I see my own heart staring back at me. A history tainted by blood. I don’t know his name, but I know he wants me. To save myself I’ll sacrifice my sanity. My body. My soul. Something tells me the x-shaped scar that marks his eye is the only escape I have. He is Mr. X; the man who comes to claim my life. Can I save myself before he demands my heart?

WARNING: This book contains very disturbing situations, dubious consent, breath depravation, strong language, drugs and alcohol, and graphic violence, which may be considered triggers.


About the Author


Clarissa Wild is the Amazon Bestselling Romance author of FIERCE, a top 200 and top 15 New Adult Romance novel. She is also a writer of erotic romance such as the Blissful Series, The Billionaire's Bet series, the Doing It Series and the Enflamed Series. She is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.

Want to get an email when Clarissa's next book is released? Sign up here to receive a FREE short story: http://eepurl.com/FdY71

COVER REVEAL - Campus Cravings M/M boxed set




Welcome to Cathia University, where school is in session! Nine of today's hottest gay romance authors have crafted brand-new interrelated novellas celebrating everything wonderful about college, with over 200,000 words featuring sophisticated professors, sexy teaching assistants, ambitious grad students, and spirited undergraduates, all looking for the same thing: an A+ in true love.


Annabeth Albert: Winning Bracket

Cassandra Carr: The Eloquent Jock

Dalton Diaz: Lesson Learned

Mia Downing: Switching Leads

Whitley Gray: Artistic Endeavor

Bianca Sommerland: Solid Education

KyAnn Waters: Private Lessons

LA Witt: Did Somebody Order a Pizza?

Sara York: The Dust Of Everyday Life


Add Campus Cravings to your Goodreads to-be-read-list here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22738703-campus-cravings

Friday, July 18, 2014

BLOG TOUR and REVIEW for AVERY HALE'S LOVEFOOLS


Author: Avery Hale
Title: Lovefools, (Fools in Love Series, Book 1)
Genre:  A New Adult Contemporary Romance
 Event Organized by:  Drue's Random Chatter

Here is the synopsis for LOVEFOOLS. Since I also read the book for review, it'll be posted after the synopsis. More information about Avery Hale and about the blog tour will follow my review.


We are all fools in love. Twenty-two year old Phinegan Swift is no exception to that rule.  In fact, she’s been accused of being a certifiable lovefool.  But she’s proud to wear her heart on her sleeve and risk it all for love.

That is, until her high-powered lawyer boyfriend betrays her, breaks her heart, and causes her to question everything she ever believed in.  Devastated by his betrayal, Phin escapes to Costa Rica for a week with her best gal pal, hoping to give her heart a chance to heal.

Dez—a foul-mouthed, man-eating sex-pot—makes it her mission to distract Phin from her breakup woes with a healthy dose of sun, fun,…and Costa Rican man-candy.

But the only man who catches Phin’s eye is a handsome and mysterious stranger she meets at the airport.
Byron is a guy whose angle Phin just can't figure out.  All she knows is that he’s a thief... First, he tries to steal her luggage. Then, he tries to steals her massage.  Finally, he tries to steal her heart.

But Byron has his own secrets—the real reason he’s in Costa Rica being one of them.  When Phin uncovers his duplicity, she is faced with yet another heartbreak.
  
Things take a dramatic turn when a ghost from Phin’s past resurfaces to win her back...or so he claims.

Will Phin learn to believe in love again…or will love play her like a fool?




In Patti's Imagination Review



Amazon/Goodreads rating: 4.5/5 stars (listed as 5 stars)
In Patti's Imagination rating: 9/10 stars

As a reader, this is one of the best first novels I've read since I discovered Brenda Rothert and Cora Carmack. Like I did with both of those authors, I will eagerly anticipate what Avery brings to the table next, and I think anyone who likes either of those authors will enjoy this book. I know I did!


Not only did I fall in love with Byron, like Phin, I fell for Costa Rica, too. Avery infuses her stories with humor and still keeps the heat in the equation. And yes, there is definitely heat here. Byron and Phin have a palpable chemistry. Pool scene, anyone? Love does often make you a fool, but for a love like theirs, I think I'd gladly hop on board the train.

Secondary characters were very well fleshed-out here without taking over the story. Dez is fabulous and easily deserves her own book. The wonderful Estevan, questionable Carlito and jerk-extraordinaire, Douglas, were all perfectly rendered and served their purposes well. And though not a character, Costa Rica proved equally memorable.

When you're a writer, it seems like you should hate meeting other talented writers, but it's exactly the opposite for most of us. We love discovering talented people who share our obsession with fictional people and their lives. Avery is one of those people for me. Her natural talent is evident even in this first work (and I originally saw an earlier version, so I'm not speaking of just the great changes she made to the final product). I can't wait to read more from her.





AMAZON    ~    B&N    ~    SMASHWORDS




“Take it from me—love is a bitch. The biggest bitch you’ll ever meet. So it’s best to stay out of her way.” - Dez, Lovefools by Avery Hale




Avery Hale is a small town girl who lives in the big city of Chicago.  She holds down a day job and spends the rest of her time cooking, laughing, yoga-ing…and, of course, indulging in her ridiculous obsession with love stories!  She writes Romance and YA Paranormal (under the pen name Jane Lively.)

Connect with Avery:
Facebook Profile Page:  https://www.facebook.com/avery.hale.77



Thursday, July 17, 2014

BLOG TOUR and REVIEW for Lisa Survillas' PROJECT LEXI

Project Lexi - Tour Banner

Title – Project Lexi Series – The Lexi Series Author – Lisa Survillas Genre – NA/Contemporary Romance Publication Date – June 19, 2014 Publisher – Lisa Survillas Cover Artist – Cover design by Kimberly Knight Photographs for cover - Geanette Trumbull of www.TLCbyG.com


This will include my review for the book following the blurb, with teasers and buy links further down the page.


  Project Lexi - Cover    

Book Blurb/Synopsis

Lexi Crandall’s, world is turned upside down junior year of high school. Her confession tears her family apart and leaves them broken. Looking for escape, she heads out of town for college. Wracked with guilt and shame, she keeps to herself, befriending only her roommate, Paige.

Derek Fressen experiences one tragedy after another. After learning to cope with being raised by a single mom, he and his sister, Tiffany, become closer than ever. When Tiffany escapes Seattle for college, Derek takes the opportunity to leave his past behind as well.San Francisco State University is where Lexi and Derek find themselves junior year, thrown into the most uncomfortable situation possible, a group project that requires each to open up about their past. Their grade depends upon the ability to prove to the professor through a class presentation that they truly learned about one another.

Painful memories and terrifying tests of courage propel Lexi to learn how to take baby steps in the healing process and give her hope of one day feeling normal. Although he feels he’s pretty well healed from the horrible events of his past, Derek is lonely and longing for a life of more. Will they be able to share enough of their lives with each other to pass this class? How much will Lexi let Derek help her in the process? Are their tragic pasts too much to overcome, or will love be in their future?


In Patti's Imagination REVIEW

Amazon/Goodreads rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
In Patti's Imagination rating: 7.5 out of 10 stars

There were a lot of things to like about this story. I've long said that characters can influence my enjoyment of a book, and this was a perfect example of that concept. Derek was a great lead male, an alpha in beta clothing with a lot of his own baggage. He has come a lot further in his recovery than Lexi has, in part, because he had a good support network. Lexi, like Derek, suffered a life-altering tragedy in her formative years, and she is still struggling to get past it. Her only real support is her roommate, Paige. I thought Derek and Lexi had great chemistry and it was most evident in the scenes where they're engaging in intimacy - not sex, per se, but actual emotional and physical intimacy. It is in those scenes where the characters shine the most, and there were some where my tears told me that I'd connected with the them.

As for the rest, there are some very heavy topics addressed here - including death, suicide, and abuse - which the author handles with care. I look forward to more of Lexi and Derek's journey to a full life, and to watching the author's innate talent grow.


BUY & TBR LINKS

Amazon USAmazon CAAmazon UK - Barnes & Noble NookiTunesGoodreads

Project Lexi Teaser 4  

EXCERPT

I can’t get her to look at me, I think she’s ashamed that she has no experience to go with. When I’m finally begging, she looks up and I can’t help it. She looks so lost, so sad. I know that she just needs the courage, but how will she ever find it if she doesn’t know what the reward is like? So I lean over, I place my hand on her cheek, and my lips on hers. She doesn’t freak out, so I use my tongue to entice her. I run it along her lower lip. I feel her breathing pick up and I’m nervous she’ll push me away, but when she doesn’t I try to coax her lips apart so I can really kiss her. When she opens them, her tongue meets mine and I have to keep repeating to myself, “Slow, slow, slow,” or my body might take over and try to push her past her limits. She’s not ready for more than this.
I don’t let myself linger too long. I would love to kiss her all night, but she needs baby steps. I need to give her that or this won’t work. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself, but I should’ve made sure it was okay first.” I say it knowing that she needed the surprise of it or it would’ve never happened.
Her response takes me by surprise, “Don’t. Be. Sorry.” She is breathing hard and can’t form a sentence. I love it. That means she loved it. When she brings her hand up to touch her lips, I know I can make this better for her. I stop her hand with mine and leaving the other on her cheek, I lean back in for a deeper kiss. She responds immediately. I make this one longer, but not much. This time when I pull back, we are both panting for air.
“Wow.” A simple statement from her confirming that she liked it.
  Project Lexi Teaser 5      

Project Lexi - Author Photo  

AUTHOR BIO

I'm Lisa. I live in sunny southern California with my wonderful husband and two teenage children. Hubbyis a high school PE teacher and is the coach of three different high school sports. With two kids in high school and involved in activities both inside and outside of school, I have a lot to juggle. When home, I lock myself inside the office to write. I've always loved to write, but life always seemed to be too busy. When inspiration finally hit, I made the most of the time hubby and kids were busy and published my first book in February 2014. It's a teen/young adult book and the first in a series. I'm currently working on a New Adult/Contemporary Romance series with the first book due out end of June 2014. Be on the look-out for more.
 

STALKER LINKS

Amazon Author PageWebsite/BlogFacebookTwitterGoodreads

  Project Lexi Teaser  

GIVEAWAY PRIZES

$5.00 amazon gift card e-book keychain postcard – signed bookmark - signed

a Rafflecopter giveaway


  Project Lexi - Teaser 1


Project Lexi - Full Wrap

  Tour Organized By:

myfamilyheartbutton

Monday, July 7, 2014

REVIEW of TALK TO ME by STEPHANIE REID

Most of you know that I've been doing book reviews on my blog in recent months. I'm always up for helping other authors and if I can give them a review that will expand their exposure, I'll gladly do it. Today's spotlight author was introduced to me by the amazing Brenda Rothert, and I definitely think that her faith in this writer's ability is well-placed. Below is my review for Stephanie Reid's debut novel, Talk to Me. If you've read reviews here before, I usually list my Amazon/Goodreads review score, which are limited to whole numbers between 1-5 stars. Yeah, I think that's bogus. The other thing that I try to do differently at my blog reviews is give a more specific opinion. If a review is too long on Amazon or Goodreads, some people won't bother read them, and I try to consider that. With all this in mind, here's my official In Patti's Imagination blog review! Oh, and I received an ARC of this book for an honest review, so that's what you're getting, people!



Amazon Rating: 4 Stars rated/4.5 actual out of 5
Goodreads Rating: 4 Stars rated/4.5 actual out of 5
In Patti's Imagination Rating: 9 out of 10 Stars

I enjoyed this story. It took me a bit to get into the groove of it, but that was partly my fault. My critique partner launched her book today, and I was trying to help with the lead up to that, so I had to keep putting down this book and picking up Laurie's manuscript when she gave me new material. I was also on vacation and it wasn't until the end that I was able to concentrate on Talk to Me (I know, makes no sense to normal people, but I live with a husband who does not think that sitting and reading a book qualifies as vacation). So there is that, and I'm accounting for my deficiencies in my review.

But even still, I've been pressed for time before and loathed actually putting a book down, so I have to weigh that in my discussion of the story. By the time I was about 75% into the book, I didn't want to stop reading it, but I'd say it took me to about 50% before I began to feel that way and another 25% before the book had its hooks in me.

That said, the end of the story had me on the edge of my seat (er, Kindle), wondering what was next. I think a lot of it might have had to do with the slower build to the official coupling of Mac and Emily. I think that probably correlates well to where I became more invested in the story. And also, to be fair, there is some element of mystery/suspense in this story, which isn't always my cup of tea.

Nonetheless, I'm very excited to read more from Stephanie. Her style appeals to me and I think you'd be hard-pressed to call her out as a first-time published author, but she's just that. The quality is there in her work and I think that deserves to be rewarded, especially since I know from first-hand experience what a tough road it is to get to this point, particularly the first time. She does so with aplomb.

The high points for me? There were several twists that I thought helped make the story more powerful and more interesting. I won't give them away because I think that they're not completely obvious and not everyone likes spoilers. And the other high point for me was Mac. He was a great hero - one of my favorite types, a uniformed alpha with a big heart and a big sexual appetite. Did I mention he's hot? Or that the love scenes were fan-worthy? Like all great male leads, Mac boosted the story for me.

I really enjoyed the book and can't wait to hear more from Stephanie Reid. I predict great things in her future!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Update on my writing... VEGA BROTHERS series

Mandy asked on my Facebook author page about Christopher's story. If you're unfamiliar with my Ward Sisters series, Christopher Pilling is a secondary character, the stylist to movie star Deac Roberts. Christopher is a fan favorite, and by the time I finished book #2, I knew he'd be getting his own story, even outside his appearances in the rest of the Ward Sisters series. He first appears in Back to December (#1), makes an even bigger splash in Only One (#2) (because he's Jenna's best friend from high school), gets ignored in Right Here Waiting (#3) (because there really was no place for him in that story), and made a very brief appearance in the epilogue of This Year's Love (#4). He'll show up again in Time to Begin (#5), since he's friends with and the employer of Reggie Reynolds (she used to be the makeup artist for Deac Roberts, aka Rob Deacon). He'll make a brief appearance in Just Realized (#6), at a couple of weddings. I anticipate seeing him in Think of Me (#7), which is Mary Cate Neely's story (and if you've read Only One, you know she and Jenna were friends in college, thus, she knew Christopher through Jenna). I don't see why he'd ever be in Tell Me What It Takes (#8), which is the story of Annie's ex, Aaron, and Biogen rep/Liam's former lover, Ally. But he will most certainly make an appearance in Better Be Home Soon (#9), because Charlie Ward will get her chance to attend some Hollywood events with her brother-in-law, and she'll need Christopher.

Ward Sisters is currently at four complete stories. I'm working on books 5 and 6 right now, and you can see in the image below the covers for all of the stories, so you know there are a total of nine currently.


Now, while I was writing Right Here Waiting (Ward Sisters, #3), I realized that I loved Nico and Carlos Vega - Meg's ex and her other bff - and I wanted to write for them. Instead of sandwiching them into Ward Sisters, they're getting a spinoff called Vega Brothers. At the moment, the stories are as follows:

Steal Your Heart (#1), Nico Vega and Sarah Neely (yes, Liam's oldest sister)
You Got Me (#2), Carlos Vega and Christopher Pilling - yes, THE Christoper.
All I Want (#3), Peyton Hawthorne and Alex Vega - these two are Sarah's baby she gave up for adoption and the boy Carlos rescued from the gang in Miami, who was then adopted by the Vegas.
Never a Question (#4), Ariel Vega (Carlos' daughter) and Jesse Hillman (Yes, Annie's ex. Yes, he's a decade older than her. Yes, that's part of the story.)

So, that's where we're at with the spinoff series and where Christopher's story will happen. As for WHEN it will be published (it has already been started), to some degree, it will depend upon how quickly I get the rest of Ward Sisters completed and out there. The two series are technically separate and will be able to be read independently, but to be fair to the fans who will read both, I don't want to spoil anyone unintentionally - there will be details in one that will reveal plot from the other and vice versa. On the Ward Sisters timeline, 'present day' for Nico and Sarah is technically five months after the conclusion of Time to Begin, so I can publish their story any point after that is out - in other words, any time after this summer, it could be possible to launch Vega Brothers. Nico's story comes first, then Carlos and Christopher's story can happen. The internal, Vega Brothers timeline has Carlos and Christopher getting together after Nico and Sarah, but sometime within that year. As the schedule progresses, I'll reveal more details!






Tuesday, July 1, 2014

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