Monday, October 31, 2016

New Release & Excerpt: The True Story of Atticus and Hazel by Fisher Amelie

The True Story of Atticus and Hazel
By Fisher Amelie
Coming: October 31, 2016

If you enjoyed Fisher Amelie's Callum and Harper (which I did!!!), then you'll love Atticus and Hazel!

It only took a second.

Overwhelming chemistry isn't something anyone ever prepares you for. It's not like your mama sits you down and warns you one day you might stumble upon someone impossible to resist, someone who sets your soul on fire. Combustible, explosive attraction is just the tip of the iceberg for Atticus Kelly and Hazel Stone. One touch between them can set them on fire, one word from their lips can send them careening, one look can cripple them to their knees. They are an inferno and they're approaching the end of their wick.

Burning too fast, way too fast.

Except there's nothing to temper the fever.

And the ramifications may be more than they can afford.

Everyone knows when it goes up in flames, there's no saving the kindling.

The decision only took a second. Just a second.

"Hazel, what happened?"



Come read the FIRST CHAPTER of The True Story of Atticus and Hazel! Start at Vilma's Book Blog for the FIRST HALF and end at Natasha is a Book Junkie for the SECOND HALF!

Book Trailer link:


I looked over at my equally beautiful friend. She was holding Simon’s hand, and I felt so happy for her. I looked down at Atticus’s hands as they swung at his sides. I found myself wanting one of his to take one of mine. My eyes followed up his arms, his shoulders, the side of his neck, over his tattoo of Juniper’s name, and settled on his face. I wonder, I thought, if we could ever be as we were, if it we could ever be simple, if he could ever love me. I wondered many more things as we followed the sinking path toward the open iron gates below, toward the stalactites and the stalagmites, reaching toward each other, desperate to connect, just like Atticus and me. They had much time to wait, though. I could only hope that wasn’t the case for Atticus and me. I didn’t know if I wanted to wait anymore. I was tired. Tired of suffering without him, tired of the weight of how I felt for him, tired of dragging it around with me, heavy, and begging to be lifted.

The sun had disappeared as we nestled deeper and deeper into the recesses of God’s earth and we found each other in the dull light of the scattered lanterns in a part of the caverns where the ceilings were barely eight feet high. Etta and Simon had gone ahead about a hundred yards where the cavern lifted a hundred feet into the air, studying the nature surrounding them more quickly than Atticus and I could absorb it.

We came upon a stalactite and a stalagmite separated by mere inches. They too looked tired to me. We circled them twice, each of us on opposite sides. Atticus bent his head to peer at me through the gap. I leaned forward and smiled at him but the smile quickly fell.

“So close yet so far,” I told him quietly, my whisper betraying me and echoing against the cavern walls. It bounced off our ears over and over.

“At least another thousand years,” his answer repeated.

“Such a long time to wait,” I said.

“They’ll get there,” he said.

“Will they, though?” I asked him.

Atticus’s eyes softened and he stood upright. He followed the base of the stalagmite around until he was standing about a yard away from me. He stuck his hands in the pockets of his jeans, his T-shirt straining against his shoulders and biceps.

“You know something, Hazel?” he asked me.

“What’s that, Atticus?”

“When they meet, those two points, when they finally come together after the wars, the battles, the wrong that has surrounded them in the ripples of their existence, after the longing, the misery, the torture of seeing each other as their future complete, that moment, that second, that instant will be their most vindicating time. It will be quiet; it will be unassuming. No one who sees it will be aware of their perfect collision, but it will be an explosion amongst themselves, for only them to know, for only them to feel. It will be proof they can weather anything, absolutely anything that comes their way. Even if it meant the end of the earth, Hazel Stone, it would not mean the end of the world. They are perpetual. They are forever.”
My heart pounded. He took a step closer to me. Another. Another. Until the chasm between us matched theirs.

“I have missed you more than you could possibly comprehend, Atticus.”

His eyes filled with something, an emotion. “I think I could,” he revealed.

Tears spilled over my cheeks. “But I don’t deserve you.”

He shook his head back and forth slowly; the backs of his fingers found my cheeks and dragged across. I turned my head into his skin, desperate to feel him for as long as possible. “No, I don’t deserve you.”

I shook my head in disagreement, tears coming stronger. “But I pushed you away.”

“You were trying to protect yourself, protect Juniper. I don’t blame you for any of it, Haze. It was what it was and it made us who we are.”

I nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. “Can you forgive me, still?”

“Only if you forgive me?”

“Of course. Of course I do. You know I do.”

He placed my face in the palms of his hands. “All is forgiven. All of it. All, Hazel.” He took a deep breath.

“Do you still hate my face?” I asked him.

His head lolled softly side to side. His thumbs started at my forehead and dragged down the sides of my face. “No, Hazel, I no longer see my pain there. I only see my future happiness, our future hope.”

I let out a groan of emotion, unable to hear that without a physical reaction. “I feel guilty admitting this—”

“Don’t. Juniper wouldn’t want that for us, Haze.”

I nodded. “I don’t feel the despair anymore. I feel calm now. I feel the memory without the searing pain. I think— no, I know it’s because of you.”

Atticus brought me into him, wrapping his arms around my shoulders, and I wrapped mine around his neck.

“You’re my best friend, Hazel,” he whispered to me.

“You’re mine, Atticus, my favorite friend, my forever friend."

Fisher Amelie resides in the South with her kick ace husband slash soul mate. She earned her first 'mama' patch in 2009. She also lives with her Weim, 'Jonah', and her Beta, 'Whale'. All these living creatures keep the belly of her life full, sometimes to the point of gluttony, but she doesn't mind all that much because life isn't worth living if it isn't entertaining, right?

Fisher grew up writing. She secretly hid notebooks and notebooks of dribble in a large Tupperware storage container in her closet as a kid. She didn't put two and two together until after college where it suddenly dawned on her, "Hey, I like writing". She's a bit dense. "No, I'm not." "Yes, you are. Put down that Oreo, your butt can't take any more." "You're rude." "Yeah, yeah." Anyway, she likes to write and has finally beaten her self-esteem into submission enough to allow herself to be scrutinized under the 'other readers' microscope. "No! No! Not a cover slip! Last time it gave me a ra...." (mumbling)

Find Fisher Amelie on Amazon!
Find Fisher Amelie on Barnes & Noble!
Find Fisher Amelie on iTunes!
Find Fisher Amelie on Kobo!
Visit Fisher Amelie on her Website!
See Fisher's Book Trailers!
Find Fisher on Facebook!
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Find Fisher on Tumblr!
Find Fisher on Twitter!

Subscribe to Fisher Amelie's release Newsletter!

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Sunday Post: Weekly Wrap-Up (10.30)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news, recap the past week on your blog, showcase books, share upcoming news, etc. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme 

What I Read Last Week:
  
 
Deadly Silence by Rebecca Zanetti
Destined by Blood by CC Wood
Shopping for a Billionaire's Fiancee by Julia Kent
Tempted by a Vampire by Susan Griscom
IQ by Joe Ide

My Reviews Last Week:
 
 
Beard Science by Penny Reid (my 5+ star review)
Searching for Disaster by Jennifer Probst (my 4 star review)
Marry Me Mad by Katy Regnery (my 4 star review)
Tempted by a Vampire by Susan Griscom (my 2.75 star review)

What I'm Listening To:

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

What I'm Reading Next:

Edward Unspooled by Craig Lancaster

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Stacking The Shelves (183)

STSmall_thumb[2][2]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!

Just one new book this week, but it's a good one!!

Paperback Pretty:

Marriage Games by CD Reiss

Friday, October 28, 2016

Cover & Blurb Reveal: The True Story of Atticus and Hazel

The True Story of Atticus and Hazel
By Fisher Amelie
Coming: October 31, 2016

If you enjoyed Fisher Amelie's Callum and Harper (which I did!!!), then you'll love Atticus and Hazel!

It only took a second.

Overwhelming chemistry isn't something anyone ever prepares you for. It's not like your mama sits you down and warns you one day you might stumble upon someone impossible to resist, someone who sets your soul on fire. Combustible, explosive attraction is just the tip of the iceberg for Atticus Kelly and Hazel Stone. One touch between them can set them on fire, one word from their lips can send them careening, one look can cripple them to their knees. They are an inferno and they're approaching the end of their wick.

Burning too fast, way too fast.

Except there's nothing to temper the fever.

And the ramifications may be more than they can afford.

Everyone knows when it goes up in flames, there's no saving the kindling.

The decision only took a second. Just a second.

"Hazel, what happened?"

Add The True Story of Atticus and Hazel to your Goodreads!
Find Fisher Amelie on Amazon!
Find Fisher Amelie on Barnes & Noble!
Find Fisher Amelie on iTunes!
Find Fisher Amelie on Kobo!
Visit Fisher Amelie on her Website!
See Fisher's Book Trailers!
Find Fisher on Facebook!
Find Fisher on Instagram!
Find Fisher on Tumblr!
Find Fisher on Twitter!

Subscribe to Fisher Amelie's release Newsletter!

Come read the FIRST CHAPTER of The True Story of Atticus and Hazel! Start at Vilma's Book Blog for the FIRST HALF and end at Natasha is a Book Junkie for the SECOND HALF!

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Review: Tempted by a Vampire by Susan Griscom

Tempted by a Vampire by Susan Griscom
(Immortal Hearts of San Francisco #1)
October 27, 2015
196 pages
Genre: Paranormal Romance 18+
Contains: explicit sex, language

Cian DeMarco, a sexy, rockstar billionaire vampire has lived in San Francisco's prestigious Cliff Side neighborhood in his beautiful mansion overlooking both the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean for seventy years. Happily—or so he thought. Until the rare beauty that is Magdalena De la Rosa sits down at one of the front-row tables in Club Royal where he and his band perform once a week.

Magdalena De la Rosa has it all—Bachelor's degree in journalism, a job she loves in California, a gorgeous apartment in San Francisco, and a dream guy. Except her boyfriend lives and works in Sacramento—an hour and a half drive from the city Magdalena has always fantasized about living in. All her dreams change, however, when she and her girlfriend find their way into an upscale nightclub and she's suddenly swept off her feet by the lead singer of that night's performing rock band, The Lost Boys.
Sparks ignite between the two until a threat that was thought to no longer exist returns to wreak havoc on Cian's and Magdalena's lives. Will the temptation to be together outweigh the reality of what Cian must do to keep Magdalena safe from harm?

A stand-alone book. The first in the all-new Immortal Hearts of San Francisco series. 18+ due to adult content.

'Tempted by a Vampire' is a quick read. I flew through the pages, compelled to get to the end and see Cian and Maggie's story through. So for that I give this story great readability. Maggie is new to the city where Cian has been living as a vampire for years. From their first meeting to the final scene, we get a fairly straight-forward love story with some interesting twists thrown in for good measure. We also have additional side characters who add a little something to the story, and I imagine at least a few of them will later get their own books. So, though my rating isn't super high, I will say that I was entertained.

There were some things that kept me from loving this book. For one, I almost DNF'd it in the first chapter. Cian did something that I felt was entirely unnecessary and felt like it was added in for shock value. It worked. I was shocked and bothered by his actions and the author's justification. Had this scene been modified, I would have liked this story so much more. But this was my first impression of Cian, and it remained in the back of my mind for the entire book. Though Cian did remain entirely faithful to Maggie from the moment he met her, and he has some other great qualities. So I blame the author on trying to be shocking, but instead casting shade on a hero.

Otherwise, the story really drew me in. But with the quick pace of the story, I would have liked a little more character and relationship development. This was insta-love through and through. Now, I don't entirely object to insta-love, but I wanted to see more in their relationship than the physical attraction. I feel like they could have developed emotionally better. It also took a bit to like Maggie. She was a weak character in the beginning. It was nice to see her grow a backbone. I've already said why I didn't like Cian in the beginning. He did grow on me, however. And I'm a sucker (pun intended) for a vampire love story. Oh, and one more thing: this story was pretty sexy. I'll admit to jumping my husband in the middle of the night when I was reading this book ;)

For spoilers, see my review on Goodreads.

2.5 to 3 Stars


Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Review: Marry Me Mad by Katy Regnery

madnytimesebookcover
Marry Me Mad by Katy Regnery
(The Rousseau #2)
October 21, 2016
Genre: Adult Romance
Contains: explicit sex, language


Playing piano

Did you fall in love with The English Brothers? Were you hot for the Winslows? Katy Regnery's New York Times bestselling Blueberry Lane series continues with The Rousseau siblings in 2016!

For as long as Madeleine “Mad” Rousseau can remember, she’s been the “sweet” twin to her sister Jax’s “sassy.” But after an especially painful break-up, Mad decides she’s had enough of being sweet. Children’s librarian during the day, she begins visiting Philly’s seedier nightspots on a quest for adventure. When Cortlandt “Cort” Ambler, the ex-boyfriend of Mad’s sister, Jax, saves her from disaster on one such evening, an unlikely friendship is born between the rebellious librarian and the moonlighting pianist…and two broken hearts begin a journey toward being whole again. Get to know the families of Blueberry Lane!

*All books in The Blueberry Lane Series can be enjoyed as standalone novels.*


  Portrait of charming model lovingly looks at tattooed man
'Marry Me Mad' is a great second chance romance that's not exactly a second chance. What it is is a sweet love story of two people who were meant to be together. Life just had a funny way of getting them there. But in all honesty, had they been given the real chance at a relationship beforehand, they probably wouldn't have made it. They had to experience their own paths, whether good or bad, and let life get them back to where they needed to be. And that was with each other. With that one other person who brings out the best in you, believes in you, and loves you for you. Mad and Cort were so incredibly sweet together. Cort stole the show with his sweetness and genuine heart for Mad. And while I was nervous about the whole "he's my sister's ex" thing, trust me, it wasn't a big deal. I'm pretty sensitive about stuff like that, but Katy made the story and the situation work really well. It actually added an interesting layer to the story, and forced some character growth that might not have happened otherwise. Overall, I really enjoyed Mad and Cort's story and the sweetness of their love. So far, the Rousseaus have been a fantastic family to fall in love with!

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Make sure you don't miss the start of the Rousseau series! Jonquils for Jax is now available!

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BUY NOW:

PREORDER JC AND THE BIJOUIX JOLIS! releasing November 29, 2016

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authorphoto 
 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Regnery started her writing career by enrolling in a short story class in January 2012. One year later, she signed her first contract and Katy’s first novel was published in September 2013. Twenty-five books later, Katy claims authorship of the multi-titled, New York Times and USA Today Blueberry Lane Series, which follows the English, Winslow, Rousseau, Story, and Ambler families of Philadelphia; the six-book, bestselling ~a modern fairytale~ series; and several other standalone novels and novellas. Katy’s first modern fairytale romance, The Vixen and the Vet, was nominated for a RITA® in 2015 and won the 2015 Kindle Book Award for romance. Katy’s boxed set, The English Brothers Boxed Set, Books #1–4, hit the USA Today bestseller list in 2015, and her Christmas story, Marrying Mr. English, appeared on the list a week later. In May 2016, Katy’s Blueberry Lane collection, The Winslow Brothers Boxed Set, Books #1-4, became a New York Times E-book bestseller. In 2016, Katy signed a print-only agreement with Spencerhill Press. As a result, her Blueberry Lane paperback books will now be distributed to brick and mortar bookstores all over the United States. Katy lives in the relative wilds of northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, where her writing room looks out at the woods, and her husband, two young children, two dogs, and one Blue Tonkinese kitten create just enough cheerful chaos to remind her that the very best love stories begin at home
Author Links:

Website/Newsletter SignupGoodreads | AmazonFacebookTwitterPinterest

Monday, October 24, 2016

Review: Searching for Disaster by Jennifer Probst

Searching for Disaster by Jennifer Probst
(Searhing For #4.6)
October 10, 2016
208 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance 18+
Contains: sex, language

The next highly anticipated novella in the Searching For series, a romantic spin-off of the Marriage to a Billionaire series from New York Times bestselling sensation Jennifer Probst.

When Isabella MacKenzie tries to move on from her disastrous past, Officer William Devine is determined to show her that love is the only way to heal. This sexy enovella, the final installment in Jennifer Probst’s heartwarming Searching For series, follows the high-powered women of the popular matchmaking agency Kinnections, located in the small, picturesque town of Verily, NY.

For a novella, this story sure packed a lot in it. From the prologue to the epilogue, I was completely hooked on this story. On one hand, we've got Isabella, who has a past filled with addiction and heartache, mostly caused by herself. She's clean now, with her life back on track, but her fear is still crippling her. On the other hand, we've got Officer Devine, who is a law-abiding police officer, whose path to now has been surefooted and confident. But sometimes there's nothing you can do to stop opposites attracting, whether in the past or the present. Fate has a way of intervening, bringing love and healing together at last.

Izzy and Liam's love story was terrific. I was not expecting that prologue, but it really set the stage for the novella. The anticipation of what would bring these two together was great. Izzy's fears were completely understandable, even when it felt like she was being unreasonable. Liam's persistence and compassion was admirable and just what you'd want in a boyfriend. He had a heart of gold. Probst thoughtfully conveyed the struggles of Izzy as a recovering addict. But with the seriousness of addiction, there was a lot of humor in this story, and vast amounts of sexiness. Han and Leia were hilarious and adorable additions to the action. And Izzy and Liam's chemistry was off the charts. I fell in love wth this little family. Izzy and Devine's story was a perfect way to end out this series.


Saturday, October 22, 2016

Review: Beard Science by Penny Reid

Beard Science by Penny Reid
(Winston Brothers #3)
October 11, 2016
400 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Contains: sexual references, sex, some language

Make a deal with the devil and you might get what you want, but will it be what you need?

Jennifer Sylvester wants one thing, and that one thing is NOT to be Tennessee’s reigning Banana Cake Queen. Ever the perpetual good girl and obedient daughter, Jennifer is buckling under the weight of her social media celebrity, her mother’s ambitions, and her father’s puritanical mandates. Jennifer is officially desperate.

And desperate times call for Cletus Winston.

Cletus Winston is a puzzle wrapped in a mystery covered in conundrum sauce, and now he’s in a pickle. Despite being convinced of his own omniscience, extortion by the exalted Banana Cake Queen of Green Valley has taken him completely by surprise. So... what’s a maniacal mastermind to do?

Likely, the last thing you expect.

'Beard Science' is the third book in the Winston Brothers series, is a full-length romantic comedy novel, and can be read as a standalone.

'Beard Science' was quite simply... AMAZING! To say that I had high hopes for Cletus's book would be an understatement. My anticipation level was off the charts. And Penny Reid NAILED it! Cletus and Jennifer's story rocked my socks off. I can't imagine this story going any other way. I absolutely fell in love with Cletus and Jennifer. Well, I was already in love with Cletus, but mostly as a quirky sidekick who would always keep me on my toes. But Cletus in love brings it all to a whole new level.

Cletus meeting his match, losing control, and having his very determined and plotted course radically changed, all because a woman surprised him and blew him away - now that's a whole new level of Cletus I love, Love, LOVED! What I really and truly loved about this novel was the gorgeous character development. This wasn't some cardboard cut-out romance where two people simply fell in love and had some fun events getting there. These were two people whose lives radically changed. But the fascinating part was that they didn't even know they needed to change. Cletus was challenged by this woman who was far from his comfortable ideal. Jennifer was challenged by this man who forced her to question the control she had over her life. And the result was not only a couple in the beautiful depths of love, but two individuals who simply blossomed into new creations of themselves. I could wax poetic about how much I loved Cletus and Jennifer.

Why did this book have to end? I want to read about Cletus and Jennifer all the time! I want to read more stories about them. I want all the novellas and stories about them. Wedding? Yes! Pregnant Jenn and doting Cletus? Yes please! Cletus as a dad trying to reason with a toddler? Definitely! All the mini Cletuses and Jenns gardening in their overalls? Yes yes yes!


Stacking The Shelves (182)

STSmall_thumb[2][2]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!

*SIGNED* Paperback Pretty:

Honor by Jay Crownover 

Hardcover Happiness:

The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan 

eARC Love:

The Siren's Dream by Amber Belldene

For My Kindle:

Zachary Taylor by John Eisenhower