Thursday, June 26, 2014

Say When to Ridge ~ NA Crush Tourney 2014 Round #1 Match #7


Howdy y'all!  Alana here from Dark Obsession Chronicles, A Diva a Day, GoodReads, and all-around book pimp.  Not only that, but I live in Austin, TX where my crush from the NA Crush Tourney 2014 -Ridge from  Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover - lives.  Seems fitting that Ridge lives in the live music capital of the world; I'm not just whistling Dixie about his swoon-worthiness, so let me show you why...

One Word: Guitar


Y'all know if a guy can play a guitar, his swoon factor always goes up.  It's a universal 'boy-truth'.  But pair that with the fact that just the sheer fact of Ridge to be able to do that?  *knees grow weak*  I would venture a guess that every modern women has had at least one 'musical' crush at some point.  It's practically encoded into our DNA to melt when a guy plays a guitar.  And boy, oh, boy - the way he plays it!
"I realize he's playing with both hands, one from underneath my head and one over me,  his head is against my chest, and I can heel his hair brush my neck.  He's pretty much sprawled across me in order to reach his guitar with both arms."

I wish I could make a video half has wonderful as this one, and instead of making a mediocre attempt, let's just see Ridge in action in this video created by MollieK featuring music from the book's soundtrack.




SONGWRITER
That brings me to hot fact #2, not only does Ridge play the guitar, but he writes his own music and lyrics (when not plagued by writer's block.)  OK, now picture, if you will Ridge writing these words, for you...

"But I must confess my interest
The way that you move when you’re in that dress
It’s making me feel like I want to be
The only man that you ever see "
-  I'm in Trouble
"I want to be your end
But you gotta let it begin

So won’t you
Won’t you let it begin
So won’t you
Won’t you just say when"
- Let It Begin

Writing lyrics is a very intimate thing...
 "Oh, Lord. What is he about to do?  Put his hands on me?  Does he want to feel me sing this song?  Feeling requires touching, and touching required hands.  His hands.  Feeling me."
Now that you've got another peek at the oh-so-talented Ridge, let's catch another video of my favorite song written by Sydney and Ridge (during Maybe, Someday), performed by the actual writer Griffin Peterson.  This beautiful man is the voice behind the soundtrack, and I think he makes a great Ridge himself (with the obvious main difference).  This song, of all the music from Maybe, Someday, makes me think of Ridge and swoon.



“… holy crap.  He’s beautiful.”
I know, you're saying, "OK, we get it, but what does he look like?  Is he funny?"

 He was hot enough to make Sydney gasp, full-on gasp, when she first saw him up close and personal.
 "I don't think I've ever seen eyes that can actually speak."  Unruly light brown hair, even the 'whore' thinks Ridge is "hot", his arms "look as if they were built for the sole purpose of carrying a guitar" and he looks "incredible" on stage.  *Sigh*  So, he's not an unattainably famous rock star, but rather a really hot boy-next-door with some serious talent.  He's considerate enough to let you lounge on the bed while he sits on the uncomfortable floor.  Funny?  Considering the long-standing prank war in the apartment, he is ready to create humor at a moment's notice.  Got an ex-boyfriend that needs punishing?  Ridge will show you the merits of duct tape and fish; just don't leave any Sharpie markers lying around in his arm's reach.

“I failed miserably at trying not to fall in love with you."  Me too, Ridge, me too.



To quote Sydney, “Oh, my dear sweet baby Jesus in a wicker basket."

He is the total package here ladies!  Smart, dedicated, loyal, talented, funny, he's one fast texter, and he's a little bit evil.  The evil bit is one of my favorite parts.  There is simply not enough time and space to contain the enormous swoon of Ridge.  He even finally 'gets' us girls...
“I've done nothing for the past five years but try to be the hero who protects her. The problem? Heroines don't need protecting.”
See how great he is?  There is no doubt you can see!
Won't you say 'When' and Vote for Ridge?
Show your support on Twitter #SayWhenToRidge

.... And after all this (which I tried Oh-So-Hard NOT to include spoilers) you still haven't read Maybe, Someday.  Stop.  Whatever you are doing... stop.  (Well, unless you're driving and that would cause an accident, but in that case- you shouldn't be reading this right now anyway!)  Go immediately to your bookseller of choice, and get the book.  Seriously.  *Taps foot*  You don't wanna miss this!

My Thoughts on Maybe, Someday:

Just read it. If you like New Adult, and if you've liked Colleen Hoover before... just stop bothering with reviews and read it (or listen to it- great narration!)

If you MUST have some kind of idea going in: I will warn you, this touches (and more) upon the subject of cheating. Don't get your panties in a wad yet, though. Even if you don't generally read 'cheating' romances, this may well still be the book for you. It gave me chills. I was rooting for EVERYONE. Even the bitchy roommate, but not the evil slut former roommate. My heart both bent and broke, and I didn't want it to end. Exquisite pain that was worth every second.

Just do it. Just read it. Grab the seat of your pants, swoon, and mouth "I Love You."




Thursday, June 19, 2014

Undercover Chick Making Connections Blog Tour

 photo 4f89c9ea-c700-48c2-abf7-d83de87b12a2.jpg
Cluck The Undercover Chicken: 
A Fowl Tale

Blurb:


It's a story about a rooster who can't stand being called a rooster, who also spends his time arguing with the writer of the book, while trying to save his planet(made of a mutated egg shell) from a crazed hen who wants equal rights...as long as she is absolute ruler.

And you think you have problems.

"Cluck" is a book that middle aged-kids (and perhaps some adults) will enjoy. An agent with "The Eggency", Cluck is the best at what he does. Sadly, his ego is as massive as his skills.

Besides being blinded by his arrogance, Cluck is helped along by "ST", the writer of his adventures and a voice only he can hear. While this causes some to question his sanity, together they make an uneasy, but successful partnership.
When a hen named "The Fan" (named because she has a deadly hand fan with her at all times) forms a worldwide cult in order to take over the planet, it's up to Cluck to toss a feather in her plans...if his ego doesn't trip him up first. 

A Kindle Direct Publishing/Createspace Release

Goodreads Link: 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21482884-cluck-the-undercover-chicken

Amazon Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J1P8AGQ


G. Eric Francis

About the Author: (from GR ‘About the Author’)


I always have crazy idea floating through my head, whether it be about undercover chickens, kids who discover the cure for some deadly disease, or other ideas that I hope to bring to life if (show some confidence, G...WHEN) folks like you continue to support my work. 
I was born in NYC in the late 1960's (so I remember when "Scooby Doo" actually was good). I graduated from Syracuse University in the 1990s, and moved out to the MidWestern US when I figured making sandwiches for a living wasn't my intended purpose in life.  

I met my wife while at a club called "Gators", and I have two As for what I like to read, anything that will take me on a grand adventure works for me...so "The Hunger Games" series is a big plus.  

When I am not writing (or commenting on the world around me), I am a huge movie fan (summertime is my favorite time of the year), I collect music (over 19k on my iPod, with Prince being my favorite) and cheering for (and banging my head against the wall) my favorite baseball team, those 27 time World Champion Yankees (hope there aren't any Red Sox fans reading this :) 

Well, that's it. Simple guy who hopes to write books that entertain you, all the while hoping to one day make a living out of it.

Goodreads Profile Link: 
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6523952.G_Eric_Francis

Twitter: 
https://twitter.com/gefauthor

Facebook: 
www.facebook.com/clucktheundercoverchicken


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Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Justice: Book One of the Galilee Falls Trilogy Making Connections Tour


Author:  Jennifer Harlow
Genre:  Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Romance



Synopsis:  It’s hard being a regular police officer in Galilee Falls, a city with the highest concentration of superheroes and villains in the country. It’s even harder watching your best friend, the man you’re secretly in love with your whole life, planning to marry another woman. Detective Joanna Fallon has to contend with both. When the vilest supervillain in the city’s history, Alkaline, the former crime boss who can shoot acid from his wrists, escapes from the maximum security prison, the whole city is gripped by panic. Leading the pursuit is Captain Harry O’Hara, Joanna’s boss and secret lover, and the city’s champion superhero Justice, who caught the villain last time, much to Joanna’s chagrin. Before her father was murdered in a mugging twenty years earlier, Joanna worshiped the hero, but when he disappeared and failed to save her father, that adoration turned to contempt for all supers. After Alkaline attacks too close to home and targets Joanna as his next victim, tough-as-nail Joanna has to contend with her increasing fear while struggling to choose between her life-long crush and her new-found love.  At turns vulnerable and fierce, equally mordant and winsome, Joanna is an earnest yet emotionally damaged heroine, who despite the tough breaks of her childhood sees the good in people and vow to protect her beloved city at all costs. An ass-kicking petite firecracker with no superpowers of her own, she charges after supervillains unflinchingly, never losing her wit even when facing her toughest fight. With a coy blend of whimsy and vivid imagination, she delivers both humor and thrills in an action-packed and edgy blend of comic book cool, fantasy-noir, and bitter-sweet romance.

BUY LINKS:



Jennifer Harlow spent her restless childhood fighting with her three brothers and scaring the heck out of herself with horror movies and books. She grew up to earn a degree at the University of Virginia which she put to use as a radio DJ, crisis hotline volunteer, bookseller, lab assistant, wedding coordinator, and government investigator. Currently she calls Northern Virgina home but that restless itch is ever present. In her free time she continues to scare the beejepers out of herself watching scary movies and opening her credit card bills.
Contact Details for Jennifer Harlow:

Find me on Facebook at Jennifer Harlow 
Twitter at jenharlowbooks, 

Goodreads at Jennifer Harlow
or e-mail me at jenniferharlowbooks@yahoo.com. 

Be sure to check out her playlist for Justice as well!

GALILEE RISING (BOOK 2) blurb:
Love in the time of superheroes...
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” -Confucius 


The year since Galilee Falls lost its reigning superhero Justice has not been kind to Joanna Fallon. She's lost her best friend, her boyfriend, her badge, even her mind. The city of Galilee Falls hasn't fared much better with supervillain related crime skyrocketing to cataclysmic proportions. Deliverance for the city arrives in the guise of The Royal Triumvirate--King Tempest, Lady Liberty, and Lord Nightingale--who vow to be the heroes the city needs. Salvation for Joanna appears in the brilliant form of Dr. Jem Ambrose, another lost soul in need of saving. But salvation comes with a high price. When Emperor Cain, an old nemesis of The Triumvirate, decides he will stop at nothing to make sure there is no city left to defend, it is up to Joanna to rise not only for her city, for her new love, but for herself as well…

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Monday, June 9, 2014

First Look at The Donor by Nikki Rae

Casey Williams and her family are poor. Her parents work non-stop and so does she, just so they can keep the trailer roof from leaking.
They’re getting by fine enough when the headaches start. Then there’s the nosebleeds. And the inevitable doctor’s bills. Fortunately for Casey, there’s MyTrueMatch.com: an exclusive, quick, and almost easy way to pay it all back before her parents even have to know.
All she has to do is give a man she’s never met whatever he wants from her body. Inside or out.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6751095.Nikki_Rae

Friday, June 6, 2014

Losing Control ~ New Serial Romance ~ Last Day!

Title: Losing Control
Author: Jen Frederick
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Digital serial via newsletter
Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/TCLAaA
Serial Begins Releasing: May 27, 2014
Price: Free

Summary

I’d do anything to keep my mother alive.

Anything, including ask Ian Kerr for help. I don’t know much about him, except that he has more money than some small countries. And he’s willing to spend it on me. Just one catch: there’s a string attached, and not just the one I feel pulling me into his arms and his bed. There’s also the plan for revenge he wants my help with.

Every time he says my name, it makes my body shiver and my heart stutter. I know he’s going to wreck me, know there won’t be anything left of me but lust and sensation by the time he’s done with me, but even though I can see the heartbreak coming towards me like a train, ready to crash into me, I can’t get out of the way. I want what he makes me feel. Want what he’s offering.

This may have started out as something to save my mother, but now…now it’s about what he makes me feel. I’m in danger of losing everything that’s important. Worse? Ian's whispered words and hot caresses are making me believe that's okay.


Author Biography

Bestselling author Jen Frederick lives with her husband, child, and one rambunctious dog. She's been reading stories all her life but never imagined writing one of her own. Jen loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at jensfrederick@gmail.com.

Social Networking Links

Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/TCLAaA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JensFred

Excerpt

“Bad morning?”

The question comes from a rich deep voice to my right. Some stupid actor, probably. The notes of his voice are perfectly modulated as if he spent years perfecting the tone and depth to reach the biggest audience.

“Yeah, what’s it to you?” I challenge because I’m not in the mood to be chatted up by some wannabe in an off, off Broadway production who wants to try out some new lines on a messenger girl.

My sneering gaze melts right off my face when it lands on the owner of the voice. Dark haired and dark eyed, the stranger gives me a slow smile as I take him in. He’s tall, much taller than my five foot four inch frame. I have to trek upward to see the entire package.

And there’s so much to appreciate from his trim waist to the wide shoulders encased in a gray wool suit coat that fits him so well I wonder if he was sewn into it. Tiny stitches on the lapel mark it’s expensive provenance. A dark tanned neck gives way to a firm chin and lush lips.
Bee stung is the description that I’ve heard used to describe the same look on super models. Those lips are about the only soft thing on his face. Those lips and a hollow on the side of his face that appears when those plush lips curve upward. The divot is too shallow and wide to be termed a dimple, but it’s just as devastating.

One hand is stuck in a pocket and his jacket is pushed behind the hand to reveal a flat stomach. No desk paunch on this guy. There’s an intense sexual aura about him. The nonchalant stance, the dark gaze, the lush lips are all an invitation to rip the buttons of his snowy white shirt apart and see exactly what lies underneath all of those fabrics.

I stick a thumb under my jaw under the guise of giving my chin a scratch just to make sure my mouth is closed. This guy? He can practice lines with me all he wants.

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Saturday, May 24, 2014

Equity Is Here ~ Equal Amounts of Excited and Anxious!

It actually came out earlier this week... but I had to be 'fashionably late'.  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!  Now the first book I just LOVED in this series; book two was *awkward flail* - let's just stick with it was.  There are too many 'feels' to unravel at the moment on Liabilities.  At one point, I was brazenly saying, "I don't care what happens now!"  
Bull. Shit.  I care; I can't help but care.  I must know what happens, and I really won't be able to stay away.  Let's just sum it up for me in two words: 
Team Kalen.  
*RahRahRah*

Equity Book Blurb

The conclusion to the trilogy…

Caught in a deadly game, all Bailey’s mistakes seem like mere useless moments. If she could to go back in time, would she make the same choices? All these thoughts are hopeless if she doesn’t survive the game where she is a mere pawn.

Kalen is resolute to save Bailey no matter the cost to his bank account or his heart. He’s forced into a partnership with unlikely allies and comes face to face with foes from his past. None of it matters if he loses the woman he loves.

Can love balance the scales of two hearts torn asunder? Equity is the difference between their assets and the liabilities they’ve created. Will desire be the glue to bind them together or the catalyst that tears them apart?

This installment is told from both POV of Bailey and Kalen.

Amazon links for




Author Bio and Links

Shannon’s first love is reading, diving into other realities to explore and brave new worlds. To share her writing is the best experience of all. She writes books about teen romance whether paranormal or contemporary. She also has a steamy adult series. When Shannon isn't writing she loves to shop and watch horror movies that make turning out the lights seem like a stupid idea. You can explore more about her at her website www.shannondermott.com, on facebook, goodreads and twitter.



Twitter: @shannondermott

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/5121644.Shannon_Dermott
 

Check Out My Review for Beg for Mercy 
(another series by Shannon Dermott) 

Friday, May 16, 2014

We've Got Spirit ~ And a Pajama Party!


Get your 'footie' pajamas and pillows ready 
for a Pajama Party! 

It's the final Spirit Week Bash!


Guest Authors!


 Today's Scavenger Hunt Clue #3
Giveaway!



Find Other Clues!
Clue #1 - http://withabook.blogspot.com     

 

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Stamp of Approval ~ All Lined Up Blog Tour + Giveaway!


ALL LINED UP Synopsis:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack follows up her trio of hits—Losing It, Faking It, and Finding It—with this thrilling first novel in an explosive series bursting with the Texas flavor, edge, and steamy romance of Friday Night Lights.

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

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Buy Links:


My Review:

By now, if you've been following my reviews, you should know that I am a BIG fan of Cora Carmack.  (If you didn't - now you do.)  I love the real, awkward characters she brings to life.  I love that I feel like these characters could walk right off the pages and be a (former) dorm neighbor, someone you bumped into at a party or a football game, or even church.  I always feel connected and sympathetic, if not empathetic to Cora's heroes and heroines... sometimes, it's like Cora reached right into my head and pulled stuff out.

OK, so I'm going to try to put my 'fan-girling' aside for a moment to give some solid reasons why I adore All Lined Up:

♦ College - It was one of the best times of my life, and I adore reading about college.  It reminds me of all the fun and shenanigans I used to get into!
♦ Awkward - I adore that Dallas is not perfect, not a virgin, not socially adept, bookish; she and I  (and Stella, too, for that matter) totally would have been friends.
♦ No 'Insta-Love' - Insta-attraction, yes.  But how often in life are you really going to find people that really do that insta-love thing, slim to none is how often.  Attraction, extreme attraction, if totally swallow-able and believable.
♦ Banter - I love me some snarky banter.  Love it like dogs love peanut butter.  Romeo IS a tool!

I just can't shout it from the rooftops loud enough - I LOVE ALL LINED UP!  

Have I mentioned yet- even the 'support' cast is awesome beyond belief.  Now, this man or may not be 'controversial' ... but I can see Silas finding the pathway to pants, er, heart, in the future.  Sure, there is some early asshattery - but I can already feel the future scorch he'll likely leave on me.  And Stella.   STELLA!  Stella puts the awesome in awesomesauce.  She is irreverent, and snarky, and a 'good' bad girl.  I'm totally jiggy with her 'Stamps of Approval' and absolutely hope we see her again (maybe with a book of her own someday?)

Now on to Carson and Dallas.  *Sigh*  First off, I have this 'thing' for red hair (my mother was a red-head) - there are not enough stories out there with gingers - so Dallas, you rock those fiery locks!  Okay, time to move on to Mr. Responsible Carson.  It's like he's that 'bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks' but he's not really that bad boy, he was just pigeon-holed that way because of circumstance.  And while you cannot fault his ethics, or his heart despite his own fight against it... he's such a good guy.  I'm not talking that 'kiss-of-death' designation that thereby destroys relationships; he really is jut so heart-felt, so driven, but also believes he has to earn his rewards.  I'm rooting for Dallas and Carson.  I WANT them to be each other's reward.  They deserve it, and even fight against it.  I think ultimately, above all else, it's their battle against giving in to their own attraction and distraction that wins me over.  Well, that, and the snark; "sweet baby Jesus riding a unicorn", the snark is a heady, heady thing.

*I was gifted a copy of All Lined Up from Cora Carmack in exchange for my unbiased opinion.  While I am a self-promclaimed Cora Carmack fangirl, I will not say I loved a book unless I loved the darned book.  I've purchased my own copy, and I won't spend my hard-earned money on books I don't love, or think I'll love.*


OK... I also have to share a quick *SQUEE* moment...

Guess what is at the back of the book?  No really, guess.


Did you see the underline?  I almost peed!  That is me!  *Starts chanting* Cora knows my full name!  Cora knows my full name!  *Awkward Flail*  Cora Carmack has reached (long ago, really) auto-buy status with me - as soon as I get wind of a new release it's added to my 'TBR' mountain.  Well, more like the short list than the mountain.  She is my rock star, and I her tenacious stalker, er, fangirl.


Cora Carmack Bio:

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Author Goodreads ** Novel Goodreads


or click the link here for the giveaway


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