Book Review, Tour, Giveaway: NASH by Jay Crownover



Nash by Jay Crownover
Marked Men #4
April 29, 2014
William Morrow Paperbacks
400 pages
Genre: New Adult/ Coming of Age 18+
(Contains: strong language, detailed sex)
Source: Personal paperback purchase
Event Organized By: Literati Author Services, Inc.

 

Synopsis:

 

Will their past determine their future?

Saint Ford has worked hard to achieve her childhood dream of becoming of nurse. Focused on her work and devoted to her patients, there’s no room for love. She doesn’t need a guy making waves in her calm, serene life—especially when he’s the unforgettable hottie who nearly destroyed her in high school. Dark, brooding Nash Donovan might not remember her or the terrible pain he caused. But he turned her world upside down . . . and now he’s trying to do it again.

Saint has no idea that Nash isn’t the cocky player he once was. Uncovering a devastating family secret has rocked his world, and now he’s struggling to figure out his future. He can’t be distracted by the pretty nurse he seems to meet everywhere. Still, he can’t ignore the sparks that fly between them —or how she seems so desperate to get away from him. But the funny, sweet, and drop-dead gorgeous Saint is far too amazing to give up on—especially since she’s the only thing in his life that seems to make sense.

 

When Nash discovers the truth about their past, he realizes he may have lost her heart before he could even fight for it. Now, Saint has to decide: is Nash worth risking herself for all over again?

 

My 4-Star Review:

 

I genuinely loved getting to know Nash. His story, particularly what we see during this book's time period, is quite intense. He has to experience so many emotions and feelings, so many internal and external struggles, that all test the very depths of his heart and soul. And he does it all with such remarkable humanity. While Nash is going through so much personally, he is also drawn into Saint's life. His patience with Saint was admirable and I loved the honesty with which he was able to self-reflect but also help her. I really liked Nash, and was thrilled that he didn't become a doormat. Instead, Nash grew into such an exceptional character, and I hope we get to see more glimpses of him in future books.

 

While Saint's struggles may have not been as concrete as Nash's, she certainly had to tackle and overcome many things within her heart and soul. Things that were holding her back. Things she didn't want to let go. I could completely relate to Saint's insecurities and shyness. But I will say that there comes a point where you need to deal with things, move forward, learn and grown and move on, and after a while it was frustrating that Saint took so long to get there. But with the hang-ups, Saint also has the endearing qualities of compassion and kindness, and I loved how she and Nash were able to create such beauty together.

 

While I certainly enjoyed Nash, this is my least favorite of the Marked Men so far. I thought there was too much telling and not enough showing, which was not a problem in previous books. I also lost patience with Saint and felt she got repetitive. But I still really enjoyed getting to know Nash and his story, and all the wonderful depths within.

 

I am a huge fan of the Marked Men series. The way Jay Crownover writes and creates characters, and brings their stories to life, has had me intrigued and entertained from the very start with Rule, and has continued with each book since, with Rome being my favorite so far. In each book we get to meet new characters and also catch up with old ones, and the "family" they've created, and I love them all. I can't wait to read the next one!

 

 

 

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books A Million | Indie Bound

 

About the Author:

I'm supposed to share interesting details about myself so that my readers get to know me so here we go in no particular order: I'm an natural redhead even though I haven't seen my real hair color in years, I'm a big fan of tattoos and have a half sleeve on either arm and various other pieces all over the place, I've been in the bar industry since I was in college and it has always offered interesting insight into how men and women interact with each other, I have 3 dogs that are all crazy, I live in Colorado and love the snow, I love music and in all reality wish I could be a rock star not a writer or a bartender but I have zero talent so there is that. I love to write, love to read and all I'm interested in is a good story with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. Thanks for taking the time to check my stuff out...

Connect with Jay: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

 

Giveaway Time!

Enter below for a chance to win:

 

1st $100 amazon gift card and signed book,

 

2nd $50 amazon gift card & signed book,

 

3rd $25 gift card & book

 

4th and 5th  signed books and swag

Entry-Form

Teaser Tuesday (37): I Am The Weapon

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read    
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I AM THE WEAPON
(aka BOY NOBODY)
By Allen Zadoff
Book 1: The Unknown Assassin
June 11, 2013
 

 

 

Teaser from page 36:

 

"Where are my parents?" I said.

"Dead."

That was the first word I ever heard out of her mouth. I didn't know that death would become the basis of our relationship.

 

Book Blurb:

 

Previously published under the title Boy Nobody

 

They needed the perfect assassin.

Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school in a new town under a new name, makes a few friends, and doesn't stay long. Just long enough for someone in his new friend's family to die-of "natural causes." Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, moving on to the next target.

But when he's assigned to the mayor of New York City, things change. The daughter is unlike anyone he has encountered before; the mayor reminds him of his father. And when memories and questions surface, his handlers at The Program are watching. Because somewhere deep inside, Boy Nobody is somebody: the kid he once was; the teen who wants normal things, like a real home and parents; a young man who wants out. And who just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program's mission.

In this action-packed series debut, author Allen Zadoff pens a page-turning thriller that is as thought-provoking as it is gripping, introducing an utterly original and unforgettable antihero.

Book Review: Truce by R.L. Mathewson



Truce by R.L. Mathewson
Neighbor From Hell #4
November 1, 2013
291 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Contains: sex
Source: Gifted from friend

Book Blurb:

This is the story before everything...

Elizabeth knows what’s expected of her, perfection. She’s the daughter of an Earl and expected to marry well, say and do the right things with a smile on her face when inside she’s dying for a chance to escape. Thanks to an inheritance her godmother left her years ago, her chance will come with her next birthday. Her hopes of escape abruptly end when Robert, her childhood nemesis that she hasn’t seen in over fourteen years, comes back into her life and does everything he can to drive her out of her mind even as he steals her heart.

He hated her.

At least, he tried to hate her, but it was so damn difficult to hate someone that he couldn’t live without. He tried to ignore her, tried to focus on anything but her, but nothing worked. Somehow she made her way into his heart and started to make him want things that he never though possible, made him smile and laugh even while she drove him out of his mind and started a legacy by turning him into…..

A Bradford.

My Review:

I absolutely LOVED TRUCE!! This is my favorite of this series. The epilogue and prologue tie it into the rest of the Neighbor From Hell series beautifully, but this can easily be read as a standalone. It ties in perfectly to the way this series has been set up, but it also integrates historical aspects wonderfully, giving it that extra special spark.

I completely loved the build up Elizabeth and Robert's story. The way their story developed took some unexpected twists and turns, and while I believed in my heart they would get their HEA, I was wondering where this wild ride was going to take me next. The combination of Robert and Elizabeth's past with where their present has landed them was so entertaining and so engaging and I couldn't get enough of it. There was excitement, trepidation, heartache, suspense, humor, and passion. The way Mathewson took two characters who hated each other to something else was brilliantly done, and I completely fell in love with them and their story.

I highly recommend TRUCE to anyone who loves a romance filled with humor and passion. This is historical fiction, but it is not overly done for those who aren't huge fans of this genre, but it is well done for those who do like this genre. I love Mathewson's writing and character development, her combination of drama with lots of humor and witty banter, and I could not get enough of this story. It ended perfectly, and when I finished I immediately wanted to read it all over again.

 

5+ STARS

 

BOOK LINKS:

GOODREADS  *  AMAZON  *  B&N

Stacking the Shelves (56) & Weekly Wrap-Up

Weekly Wrap-Up

What I Read:

Nash by Jay Crownover
Just The Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James
 

Reviews I Posted:

Marked By Hades by Reese Monroe (my review)

(Light on the postings this week due to a busy week with birthday celebrations and family visiting from out of town.)
 

Stacking The Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

For My Kindle:

  

  

Love a Little Sideways by Shannon Stacey

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

Finding My Way by Heidi McLaughlin

Room for You by Beth Ehemann

Room for More by Beth Ehemann

I Am Midnight by Samantha Young

 

Teaser Tuesday (36): Legal Briefs

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read    
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

LEGAL BRIEFS
By N.M. Silber
April 22, 2014

This book is so funny and so sexy! I'm laughing then swooning then laughing again.

 

Teaser from Loc 955 of eARC:

 

"Do you know why the characters in my book look like us?"

"Pure coincidence?" he asked with a smile.

"Because I was fantasizing about us doing all those things together when I wrote it."

"Are you trying to make me cry?"

 

 

Book Blurb:

Once upon a time, childhood enemies grew up and fell in love ...

Smart and sassy lawyer, Lily Adler, has been waging an epic battle with handsome and cocky Assistant District Attorney, Adam Roth since "the glitter incident" in preschool when they were four. Their friends' marriage, a mysterious neighbor, a federal trial, and some bossy big sisters guarantee they'll be spending plenty of time together. When they try to play nicely, will they discover that their reaction to each other is even more volatile? Can they manage to date without anyone sustaining injury? Can they avoid the mobsters trying to kill them without killing each other first? Find out in Legal Briefs.

"Hot and sexy romance that will make you laugh out loud." Mimi Strong, New York Times bestselling author of the the Peaches Monroe Trilogy

"Legal Briefs is equal parts sexy and funny. N.M. Silber is becoming my go to author when I want to laugh and swoon at the same time." Sawyer Bennett, USA Today bestselling author of the Legal Affairs serial.

NOTICE: This book contains explicit descriptions of sexual situations and adult language. It is intended for readers over the age of 18.

 

**Release Day Sale 99 cents**

AMAZON

 

Add to GOODREADS

 

Book Review: Marked by Hades by Reese Monroe



Marked By Hades by Reese Monroe
Bound By Hades #2
April 14, 2014
Entangled Embrace
380 pages
Genre: Paranormal Romance 18+
Contains: Strong language, consensual sex, sexual assault
Source: eARC for Honest review

Book Blurb:

One choice away from eternity…

For 911 years, Gatekeeper companion Justin Bradford has denied the possibility of being mated to only one woman. He enjoys them all too much to settle down. So when he feels his mate’s Ahavah mark surface, his first instinct is to ignore it. But when he sees the leather-clad beauty in need of his help that’s easier said than done…

Yvonne wakes up naked on a cold park bench in a small town with no memory of who—or what—she is. All she knows is the gentle man who woke her was turned to dust when she touched him. And now the strange mark that appeared on her shoulder throbs in the presence of the raven-haired man now offering to help her…

As Justin and Yvonne navigate the mystery of her past, their bond grows, but the secrets they discover and the sacrifices that must be made could be enough to rip them apart for eternity.

My Review:
 
I loved the first book in this series, Forged By Fate (see my review), so I was excited to continue on with the dramatic overall storyline, as well as get into Justin's story. Justin is Theo's brother and Gatekeeper companion. But unlike Theo, Justin has never desired a Mate, and has been content with his purpose as a companion and with 900 years of casual hook-ups. While he is happy Theo finally found the love of his life, he's ignored any call toward that for himself. Besides, Theo and Justin have been busy enough sending demons back to hell. So when he meets Yvonne, a woman with a lethal touch and unknown past, the contentedness of his life is suddenly turned upside-down. But there is nothing simple in this world, and though he may have found something new in Yvonne, there is nothing simple to their bond, and there are evil forces at work that will stop at nothing to keep them apart and work their own nefarious plot to fruition.
 
This was a very exciting read. I was completely drawn into the overall storyline all over again from the first book. Though I've heard of some reading this as a standalone, I would recommend reading the books in this complex series in order. I don't want to give away all the details, because there is a lot of mystery, secrets, and suspense involved. Though there were a few times where the story/plot seemed a bit repetitive, overall I had a hard time putting it down, and felt on edge with how the whole thing would turn out. Some of these scenes were just painful to read, while others were so genuinely sweet. The mix of emotions ran the gamut. But just like the first book, this was a total page-turner.

I must also say that my heart was on edge throughout this book, watching all the things that Justin and Yvonne had to go through. Especially Yvonne! This is certainly a darker read than the first book, and though the details are not overly egregious, there is still sensitive subject matter exposed, and it was difficult to take in. But Yvonne's amazing strength of character, love, sacrifice, and determination shone through immensely. Then there was Justin, who had so much to deal with as well, but in a completely different manner. You could feel the confusion and frustration with his situation, then the sheer desperation when difficulty after difficulty got in the way. I couldn't help but root for them.

Marked By Hades is a very exciting, action-packed story, filled with good and evil, love and fear, purpose and passion, twists and turns, and told through beautiful, complex characters that have stolen my heart. I look forward to the continuation of this series and what will happen next.

4-1/2 STARS

 

BOOK LINKS:

GOODREADS  *  AMAZON  *  B&N

Stacking the Shelves (55) & Weekly Wrap-Up

Weekly Wrap-Up

What I Read:

Marked By Hades by Reese Monroe
Legal Briefs by N.M. Silber
Truce by R.L. Mathewson

Audiobook I'm Listening To:
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon  
 

Reviews I Posted:

Taken With You by Shannon Stacey (my review)
Plus One by Elizabeth Fama (my review)

Attended:
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 


Our stack of 86 signed books, including John Green, Laurie Halse Anderson, Tony DiTerlizzi, Eoin Colfer, Rainbow Rowell, Sarah J. Maas, Tomie dePaola, Lemony Snicket, Neal Schusterman, Laini Taylor, Marissa Meyer, Leigh Bardugo, Oliver Jeffers, Drew Daywalt, Andrea Cremer, John Boyne, John Corey Whaley,  Lauren Oliver, Jonathan Stroud, Kelley Armstrong, Kaite Alender, E. Lockhart, Cecil Castellucci, D.J. MacHale, Ridley Pearson, Nancy Holder

Stacking The Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Books Purchased:

 

 

 

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt & Oliver Jeffers (signed)

Strega Nona Her Story by Tomie dePaola (signed)

The Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie dePaola (signed)

Book of Bible Stories by Tomie dePaola (signed)

The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud (signed)
The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

 

eARCs for Review:

  
 

Legal Briefs by N.M. Silber

Bird After Bird by Leslea Tash

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne
Loving Liberty by Belinda Boring

For My Kindle:
  
  
Reckless Abandon by Andrea Randall
Sweet Forty-Two by Andrea Randall
The Pairing by Katie Ashley
Fade In by M. Mabie
Seeking Havok by Lila Felix
Golden Hour by Steph Campbell & Liz Reinhardt

Used Book Finds:
 
The Exile by Diana Gabaldon
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

 

Book Review: Plus One by Elizabeth Fama



Plus One by Elizabeth Fama
April 8, 2014
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
373 pages
Genre: Mature Young Adult Science Fiction
Contains: strong language, sexual references, sex
Source: eARC for Honest review

Book Blurb:

Divided by day and night and on the run from authorities, star-crossed young lovers unearth a sinister conspiracy in this compelling romantic thriller.

Seventeen-year-old Soleil Le Coeur is a Smudge—a night dweller prohibited by law from going out during the day. When she fakes an injury in order to get access to and kidnap her newborn niece—a day dweller, or Ray—she sets in motion a fast-paced adventure that will bring her into conflict with the powerful lawmakers who order her world, and draw her together with the boy she was destined to fall in love with, but who is also a Ray.

Set in a vivid alternate reality and peopled with complex, deeply human characters on both sides of the day-night divide, Plus One is a brilliantly imagined drama of individual liberty and civil rights, and a fast-paced romantic adventure story.

My Review:

This was a fascinating read into a world divided by day and night. I'll admit at first I wasn't sure I was going to buy into why the world was divided this way, but the way Fama set it all up was truly interesting. Using the flu pandemic of 1918, society split in two - Night (Smudges) and Day (Rays). Of course there are strict rules separating the two, and the Smudges are less privileged than the Rays. But this is just the background, because there are so many layers to this story.

The first half of the book goes back and forth between past and present, and it slowed the pacing down for me a bit, but I'll tell you that the second half was hard to put down. I had to know what was going on and felt at the edge of my seat until the very end. The entire story had such amazing twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I loved not knowing what to expect. I loved the action sequences intermixed with the heartfelt moments. The entire story was put together fantastically.

Sol, our female protagonist, was amazing, kind-hearted, sacrificial, feisty, tough, and everything you want in a heroine. I loved her. D'Arcy, our male protagonist, was a mystery to get to know, but quickly became swoon-worthy. The way Fama blended their story together was so sweet and beautiful and a real treat to read. I felt their connection. I did have one issue, but otherwise completely loved Sol and D'Arcy and their story. And then there is a terrific blend of secondary characters that complete this unique story.

Elizabeth Fama has written a really incredible standalone dystopian novel. I didn't realize until I finished it that it was a standalone, and was only disappointed in the end that there wouldn't be another book because I loved getting to know these characters so much. The ending may not wrap everything up in a pretty pink bow, but it does leave the reader with a complete story and a hopeful ending, and I loved it.

4-1/2 STARS

Book Links:

Amazon  *  Goodreads

Book Review: Taken With You by Shannon Stacey

Taken With You by Shannon Stacey
Kowalski Family #8
March 25, 2014
Carina Press
336 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance 18+
(Contains: sex, strong language)
Source: eARC for Honest review

Book Blurb:

Hailey Genest has seen most of her friends marry and have babies, and she's happy for them, but it was a lot easier before she hit forty. She's spent her entire life in Whitford, Maine, and if she hasn't found her Prince Charming by now, she has to accept she's probably not going to. When a new friend suggests they go on an adventure and embrace being single, Hailey agrees.

Surviving in the woods is game warden Matt Barnett's idea of a relaxing vacation. But when he meets two women in need of help, he leads them back to safety - a task that proves more fun than expected, thanks to a certain hot blonde. He can't resist pushing her buttons, even though she's made it clear that the rugged, outdoorsy type just isn't for her.

Hailey is glad to see the back of her tempting-tour-guide-slash-pain-in-the-ass. When he shows up in her life again, she's determined to avoid him, no matter how good he looks in his uniform. But that's easier said than done in Whitford, especially when he's renting the house right next door...

My Review:

This is the second Kowalski Family Series book I've read, but it won't be my last. I read the first one, and now I've read the eighth. Fortunately, these are written very well, and can easily be read as standalones. I could tell there were a few characters from previous books involved in this story, but I didn't feel like it hurt my enjoyment of this novel having not read these characters' stories before. If anything, it just makes me look forward to reading their books when I get to them. And I do plan on reading them, because I really enjoy the way Shannon Stacey tells a story.

As for Taken With You, we get the sweet story of the local librarian and the new game warden. Hailey is 40, has watched her friends fall in love, has considered moving to a bigger town to meet more single people, but loves her town and her job. Matt, the game warden, begins the story as Hailey's seeming opposite. Outdoorsy and rugged, he is not what she imagined for her future, or even her present. But circumstances have thrown them together, more than once, and despite some glaring differences, they are more compatible than they thought.

Watching their friendship/relationship develop was well thought out and well written. Hailey and Matt had great chemistry, terrific banter, humorous situations, and the honesty to tackle the real questions. The situations they were put in tested many levels of themselves individually, as well as together. Neither of them are perfect, and they had a bit of baggage and preconceived notions that needed to be torn down. They also needed some assistance from others when they were too stubborn or oblivious to see with clarity. Fortunately, they are surrounded by a great community of characters who add just the right amount of sweetness and seriousness.

Overall, Taken With You is a sweet, romantic story, full of just the right amount of humor, sass, chemistry, and reality. It's not too heavy, not too light, and with characters in their late 30s to early 40s who are really wonderful getting to know and watching fall in love, it's just the right escape for the adult romantic reader.

4 STARS

 

BOOK LINKS:

GOODREADS  *  AMAZON  *  B&N

Book Tour & Excerpt: Finding My Way by Heidi McLaughlin

 

Finding My Way
by Heidi McLaughlin

 Release Date: April 14, 2014

New Adult Contemporary Romance

The Beaumont Series, #4

 

EXCERPT:

 

I slide my hand up the outside of her thigh, adjusting myself in the process. She glances at me with her beautiful blue eyes. They drop to my lips and back again as my hand moves into the slit of her dress. Like I said, this is what she wanted when she bought this bad boy.

 Her forehead rests on mine as our bodies move to the lyrics that Prince sings so passionately. I want her and she knows it, she wants me too. I can feel it in the way her body is pressed against mine. My fingers brush against her, moving what little scrap of fabric that she calls panties out of the way. I shield her as much as possible from prying eyes as my fingers dip into her folds. I stifle a groan when I feel how wet she is. Her head moves down to my neck, she bites me lightly as I increase my movements. She moans softly in my ear as she grinds against my hand.

 

BOOK SUMMARY:

Liam Westbury has the world at his feet. He’s the quintessential golden boy. He’s the superstar quarterback for Beaumont High. His girl, Josie, is head cheerleader. He has his choice of colleges just waiting for him.  Except he’s suffocating from all the pressure he’s under and no one understands.

Liam Page is the heartthrob he never wanted to be. He’s successful, smart and in demand by record companies and his adoring fans. Music is his passion, his love, but something’s missing. His nights are lonely and he longs for the girl he left behind. Seeing her in every face in the crowd haunts him with the knowledge that she hates him. Going home has never been an option until now.

Be there when Liam Westbury becomes Liam Page and follow the highs and lows of the Quarterback turned Rockstar as he finds a way back to Beaumont in this prequel to Forever My Girl.

BOOK LINKS:

GOODREADS  *  AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE  *  iBOOKS

THE BEAUMONT SERIES:

 

FOREVER MY GIRL (The Beaumont Series, #1)

My Review / Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iBooks

 

MY EVERYTHING  (The Beaumont Series, #1.5)

My Review / Amazon

 

MY UNEXPECTED FOREVER (The Beaumont Series, #2)

My Review / Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iBooks

 

FINDING MY FOREVER  (The Beaumont Series, #3)

My Review / Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iBooks

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Heidi is the author of USA Today, Digital Book World, Amazon and Barnes& amp; Noble Bestselling novel, Forever My Girl.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting court-side during either daughter's basketball games.

Author Links:

Website:  http://heidimclaughlin.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HeidiMcLaughlinAuthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/HeidiJoVT

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6568302.Heidi_McLaughlin

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