Monday, November 30, 2015

BLOG TOUR REVIEW ~All That's Left To Hold Onto by Ella Fox~

Title: All That's Left to Hold Onto
Author: Ella Fox
Release Date: November 22, 2015

My Rating: 3.5 Stars
When Ronan Sharpe unexpectedly left Colorado for parts unknown, he took a piece of Keely Carmichael's heart with him.

After leaving his hellish roots behind him, Ronan found contentment when he started over. Thoughts of the past had been pushed down for so long; he hardly thought about it at all.

He intended to keep it that way.

When unexpected circumstances force Ronan to return to Colorado, the Keely he finds is no longer the adolescent girl he remembered. Torn between desire and fear, 

Ronan struggles with his feelings for Keely and his need to escape the town that scarred him so deeply years ago.

Letting go is all Ronan's ever known. Will he realize a life with Keely is something he should hold onto at any cost?

PROLOGUE

There were nasty looking bruises on his cheek and jaw, his lip was swollen and his knuckles were scraped and bloody. The instant I got a good look at his face I knew something was horribly wrong. It only went downhill from there.

My attempts to contain my panic weren’t working. Choking back a sob I blubbered, “Why do you have to go?”

The anger was all but pouring off of him. Not toward me—he’d never once been angry with me. I knew anger though, and it was more than obvious he was furious about something. A permanent grimace seemed to have set up camp on his face. For him, it was highly unusual. Even in the toughest of times, he kept his cool.

Suddenly, he wasn't calm at all. He was angrier than I’d ever seen him. It was obvious he’d been in a fight, but it didn’t change his status as the most attractive guy alive, in my opinion.

I saw his jaw clenching and unclenching which I figured meant he was trying to control himself.

“Because this piece of shit town is like a fucking cancer,” he spat. “I’m so done with the crazy assholes around here. People like us aren’t normal—we’re the freaks for trying to be good people.”

I didn’t know how to argue with his words. He wasn’t wrong—there was a lot wrong with many of the people in our town. Most of the crazy people were either my family members or his. I knew it and so did he. There wasn’t a response to erase the reality of the kind of people we dealt with.

“Are you going alone?”

His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he nodded stiffly. “Yes.”

“Even though you live with—”

His hand shot up into a stop gesture to keep me from finishing the sentence.

“Don’t say her fucking name. If I never hear it again, it’ll be too soon. I don’t live with that crazy bitch anymore.”

I couldn’t stand her so it wasn’t like I was going to push. She was an evil troll. If he had to go, I was glad he wasn’t taking her with him. It would’ve made me ill. She pretended to be sweetness and light when he was around but it was nothing but a charade. She was terrible. I was glad he wasn’t taking her, but the fact he wouldn’t say her name told me his leaving was somehow her responsibility. I hated her more than ever.

“Where will you go?”

He gestured back over his shoulder toward the street with his thumb.

“Wherever my car takes me once I pull out,” he said.

I couldn’t imagine life without him, nor did I want to. Not only had he been my crush for as long as I could remember, he was the only person who ever really listened to me.

“Will you ever visit?” I asked hopefully.

He was shaking his head in the negative before I’d even fully finished asking the question. I knew he wouldn’t. The bone-deep hatred he had for everything about where we lived was stamped all over his face. I wanted so badly to know what, exactly, had sent him over the edge, but when I asked, he’d refused to tell me.

It sucked being fourteen because he treated me like a kid. My age said I was a child, but I was so different than any of my peers it wasn’t even funny. Because of this, they teased me often, referring to me as Granny Carmichael. I hated it. It wasn’t as though I’d had a choice. My childhood was over the moment my mother got sick.

His expression softened when he looked me over. “You need to get back inside before you get pneumonia.”

The frigid Colorado air wasn’t even making an impression on me until he pointed it out. I realized my tears were leaving cold trails on my face, but I couldn’t walk away. All I cared about was how much I didn’t want him to leave.

“I don’t care about the cold or getting pneumonia. I don’t want you to go!” I cried anxiously.

He hugged me then, his strong arms wrapping around me to give comfort. I hadn’t hugged him since I’d been much younger—probably five or six. Those hugs had mostly involved me wrapping myself around one of his legs. This was different. I wrapped my arms tight around him and cried against his chest, holding on for as long as he allowed me to.

“I’m sorry,” he said as he ended the embrace and stepped back. “I have to leave.”

Knowing my denial and resistance weren’t going to make any difference, I swiped at my tears as I nodded.

“I’ll miss you,” I said on a choked sob. “Take care of yourself.”

“I’ll miss you too,” he replied softly. “You’re one of the few good people here.”

My heart galloped in my chest. I loved him for saying what he did—but hated that it came at such a horrible price. Losing him was unbearable.

He turned as if to leave, then stopped. Spinning back my way, he stared at me intently for a few moments before he spoke again.

“You’re so much better than any of these people. Don’t ever let them change who you are. The world needs a lot more you and a lot less them. No matter what anyone tells you—you’re perfect. Got it?”

I nodded as I wiped at the tears running unchecked down my face.

He hugged me again, very briefly. My heart skipped a few beats when he dropped a kiss on top of my head.

“Don’t ever forget your worth—not even for a minute,” he murmured.

When he let go, he said nothing else. He just turned and walked to his car. As he went, the chill in the air suddenly took hold of me. Hugging my arms around myself, I watched as he got into the car, turned it on and then pulled out of my driveway. He looked at me one last time before putting his hand up in a goodbye gesture. I did the same. A few seconds passed before he put the car in drive then sped off into the night.

I stayed outside for two or three minutes, hoping against hope he would change his mind and come back.

He didn’t.

Hours later when I got into bed, I prayed fate would bring him back one day. I said the same prayer most nights for a long, long time. Eventually I had no choice but to accept reality.

Hell would freeze over before he returned.
This was my first Ella Fox book and she is definitely a peculiar and unique writer. She has a way of writing that makes the characters seems untypically fresh and personal. You will not find any cookie cutter elements in this novel, as it stems from a singularly unique concept. As a whole this story transfixed me. I couldn't pinpoint the mysteries and the romance, once it started rolling, was breathtaking.

All in all this book was a joy to read. Not because it's lighthearted, far from it. It's dark gritty, and angsty at times. But because it's a whole package deal. One that all romance readers may not click with, but a reader looking for an enthralling read will. I absolutely connected with Ronan and Keely on different levels. Their sole focus is on something much bigger during the course of the book, and while I can absolutely understand and even expected that, I was lacking a touch more chemistry between the two. Although, once their relationship began is was touching, steamy and all kinds of goodness that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The book was relatable yet sucked me into a new realm away from reality. The kind of book I crave to read. I highly suggest if you're looking for a well put together and engaging read to try this book out!

Happy Reading!
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Links to Buy:

Meet Ella:

Ella Fox writes like a woman possessed whenever she gets the chance! She is the author of The Hart Family Series, The Renegade Saints Series and The Catch Series.

When she’s not writing, Ella indulges the gypsy in her blood and travels the country. Ella loves reading, movies, music, buying make-up, reading Tmz, Twitter and pedicures… not necessarily in that order. She has a wild sense of humor and loves to laugh. Her favorite thing in the world is hanging out with her family and watching comedy movies.

Connect with Ella:


Wednesday, November 25, 2015

RELEASE BLITZ ~All That's Left To Hold Onto by Ella Fox~

Title: All That's Left to Hold Onto
Author: Ella Fox
Release Date: November 22, 2015
When Ronan Sharpe unexpectedly left Colorado for parts unknown, he took a piece of Keely Carmichael's heart with him.

After leaving his hellish roots behind him, Ronan found contentment when he started over. Thoughts of the past had been pushed down for so long; he hardly thought about it at all.

He intended to keep it that way.

When unexpected circumstances force Ronan to return to Colorado, the Keely he finds is no longer the adolescent girl he remembered. Torn between desire and fear, Ronan struggles with his feelings for Keely and his need to escape the town that scarred him so deeply years ago.

Letting go is all Ronan's ever known. Will he realize a life with Keely is something he should hold onto at any cost?

Links to Buy:

Meet Ella:

Ella Fox writes like a woman possessed whenever she gets the chance! She is the author of The Hart Family Series, The Renegade Saints Series and The Catch Series.

When she’s not writing, Ella indulges the gypsy in her blood and travels the country. Ella loves reading, movies, music, buying make-up, reading Tmz, Twitter and pedicures… not necessarily in that order. She has a wild sense of humor and loves to laugh. Her favorite thing in the world is hanging out with her family and watching comedy movies.

Connect with Ella:


Friday, November 20, 2015

BLOG TOUR REVIEW + GIVEAWAY ~Perfectly Imperfect by Harper Sloan~

Title: Perfectly Imperfect
Author: Harper Sloan
Release Date: November 17, 2015

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Mirror, mirror ... who's the fairest of them all?

I still cringe when I hear that line. A fairy tale that had girls pretending they were the fairest, the most beautiful, and the most entitled. A fairy tale most couldn't grow out of turned my haunted childhood memories into a living nightmare. Girls who grew up believing that pile of garbage became the meanest of all 'mean girls.'

And those mean girls were right - it was a line meant for all the beautiful people in the world - and I knew the answer would never be me.

The women with long legs, flat stomachs, and perfect chests.

The type of women Kane Masters gravitated toward.

Well, that's definitely not Willow Tate.

No. That will never be me.

Because I'm completely imperfect.

And ... I hate myself.I have no idea what Kane could possibly see in someone like me when he could have them.
“Are you nervous right now?”

I nod.

“Tell me why.” His demand, steady and calm, gives me the courage I need to tell him. To open a vein and bleed my insecurities.

“I’m not perfect,” I whisper.

“And neither am I, Willow. I don’t want perfect. What so many see as perfect, to me, is fake. Perfect isn’t achievable naturally. No one, and I mean no one, is perfect.”

I’m shaking my head before he’s even done speaking, but one long finger comes up and presses against my lips before I can speak.

“No, let me finish. There isn’t beauty in perfection. It’s as fake as the image the word projects. Beauty is found in imperfection, Willow, because to admit you’re not perfect means you’re admitting you’re not whole and absolute. When I think of myself, I see someone willing to admit he’s as far from complete as it gets because, in order to get to that perfection, I need to find the other part of me who will make my life better. To take all the faults I have and fill them, and only then will I be there. You see, the way I see it, the only way to become perfect is to find that perfectly imperfect person who brings it out of you.”

When he stops, I swear I might have stopped breathing. How am I supposed to respond to that?

“Do you trust me?” he asks, his voice strong and sure.

“Yes, Kane. Nerves or not, I do.”

“Then let me show you what I see when I look at you.”

He brings his hands up, framing my face once again in a way I’m quickly becoming addicted to the feeling of. His warm eyes implore, begging me without words to let him continue. I do not intend to stop him, regardless of the butterflies currently taking over my system. I’m all in.
Perfectly Imperfect is one of those coloring outside the lines book. It bleeds passion, depth and emotions. Yet, it deals with topics no one likes to talk about. It forces the reader out of their comfort zone and into a messy pit, that will turn into fuzzy warm blanket as the character embrace themselves, flaws and all. It's truly about acceptance and survival. We each deal with the hard thigns in life differently, but this book instills fierceness and strength into anyone who reads it. 

It's truly a wowzer book. One that will stick to your thoughts and worm its way into our heart. Kane and Willow are both together and apart perfectly imperfect. You have Willow who has been taught that she was never good enough her whole life, and Kane that as a superstar actor has been applauded his whole life. With their own set of doubts, they know one thing is true. They are right for each other, and they will fight their demons head on to progress in this realtionship, because nothing has ever felt so right. 

And such is why this book was like catching up with an old friend. It's the true and tried method of believe in yourself, with a flair and consuming aspect a reader won't expect. If you're looking for an enticing, seductive, and heart-wrenching story this is it. #allthefeels

Happy Reading!
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Links to Buy:


Meet Harper:

Harper lives in small town Georgia just a short drive from her hometown of Peachtree City. She (and her 3 daughters) enjoy ruling the house they dubbed 'Estrogen Ocean', much to her husband’s chagrin. Harper has a borderline unhealthy obsession with books; you can almost ALWAYS find her with her eReader attached. She enjoys bad reality TV and cheesy romantic flicks. Her favorite kind of hero--the super alpha kind!

Harper started using writing as a way to unwind when the house went to sleep at night; and with a house full of crazy it was the perfect way to just relax. It didn't take long before a head full of very demanding alphas would stop at nothing to have their story told.

Connect with Harper:

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

BLOG TOUR REVIEW + GIVEAWAY ~Crush by Kim Karr~

~ A STORY OF TAINTED LOVE ~

The story continues. Will Love Conquer All?

Title: Crush
Author: Kim Karr
Series: Tainted Love #2
Release Date: November 16, 2015

My Rating: 5+ Stars
The danger isn’t over.

It’s only just begun.

Circumstances brought them together and their undeniable connection won’t let them part. But when the past and the present collide, emotions run high—things are said, lines are crossed, and rules are broken. Both focused on crushing the enemy, the retribution is almost too much to bear. Still, there’s no undoing what has already been done, and every action has a consequence.

He loves her and she loves him, but love isn’t a shield.

Sometimes your only choice is the one you’d rather not make. Pushed to the limit, the tainted love of Logan and Elle is in jeopardy. With outside forces driving a wedge between them, they have to dig deep within their souls to release the ghosts of their pasts, and fight even harder for what neither knew they needed—each other.

Can love really conquer all?

‪#‎taintedlove‬ ‪#‎weshouldhaveknownbetter‬

Elle Sterling


The coolness of the night air had begun to set in. With the suddenly harsher wind, Lindsay and I both felt the chill and even in our heels, we hastened our pace.

As soon as we walked into the hotel suite, I was assaulted by the tang of a sticky, sweet scent. It was the smell of pot. Never one to try it myself, in my travels I’d come across many people who had. Moldy grass was how I’d always described the smell.

Lindsay shot me a glance and confirmed my suspicion.

Hard rock blared through the open space. The patio doors were open and I saw the back of two heads flopped on the lounge chairs. Even over the music, I heard laughter rumbling into the room. I was glad that at least Logan was upbeat.

Lindsay started for them and looked at me. “Shhh.”

I followed, keeping my mouth shut.

We both approached, eager to see our men, but stopped at the edge of door to watch them. They were playing cards and a baggie of pot was on the floor.

James had changed and was now wearing sleep pants and a T-shirt. He had a cigar gripped between his teeth while he tossed two piles of cards onto the table between them.

Logan was still in his suit pants but had removed everything else. Everything. Outside in his pants only, I wondered how he wasn’t freezing until I looked up and saw the heat lamps were on.

“Baby, you’re going to stink,” Lindsay said loudly, breaking the silence.

Both men jerked their heads back.

The smile that spread across Logan’s face was slow and seductive.

Sexy.

The sight of him dried my throat and made my heart pound. Right then I didn’t care about anything but comforting him through kisses.

Lindsay was still talking, saying something about the rancid smell of the cigar.

Me, I was already leaning over Logan and placing my lips very close to his. “Are you okay?”

“I am now.”

“You sure?”

He nodded and said, “Don’t listen to James. He likes to be a drama queen.”

“I heard that.”

Ignoring James, Logan gave me a single tug and pulled me onto his lap. I found myself provocatively straddling him. His cards fell to the floor, but I heard no one complain. And then his hands anchored my hips as his mouth attacked mine, while my hands gripped his shoulders for support.

“Where are your clothes?” I managed to ask.

The corners of his lips tilted up. “We had a small wrestling match and my shirt took the brunt of the action.”

I laughed.

Boys will be boys.

My dress had ridden up and if anyone was looking, they could see my panties. I just didn’t care enough right then to see what James and Lindsay were doing.

I should have cared. I should have cared just how inebriated or high Logan was. I should have, but his primal response to my presence did something to me that made me want to be what he needed. Made me want to be wild and free for once in my entire life.

Maybe it was the Lindsay effect.

His kiss traveled from the corner of my mouth, along my jaw, to my throat.

My hands moved higher to toy with his hair behind his neck.

His teeth were sharp as they skidded across my skin, but the soft heat from his tongue soothed the burn.

I turned my head to give him full access, and that was when I saw Lindsay’s head moving towards James’s lap.

Again, I should have cared, but I just didn’t.

I wasn’t sure if Logan noticed, but he turned my chin to look at him. “We should go home,” he slurred. The way his eyes flickered over me so intensely made the idea of waiting for a cab and then riding home in one seem like it would take a lifetime.

With my hands flat on his bare chest, I found myself scooting up his body, stopping only when the soft fabric of my wet panties aligned perfectly with the tented fabric of his slacks. “I want you now,” I whispered.

Logan’s tongue flicked out to wet his lips. “I’m drunk, probably not the best idea.”

I raised myself ever so slightly and lowered my body, making the most exquisite contact with his erection. “I’m not and you seem just fine.”

His hand stroked my hair and pulled out the clip holding it up. “You want this? Here?”

My breath was wild. My nipples taut. My clit was pulsing. I realized I was excited. “Yes, I want you to take me here.”

His gaze slid to the side and so did mine. James was thrusting into Lindsay’s mouth. “James!” Logan shouted.

A grunt was his only reply.

“Hurry up and get the fuck inside, will you.”

Again, a grunt was his response.

Logan’s attention back on me, his hands threaded through my hair and slid over my shoulders and down my arms to capture my hands. He pressed our palms together so that our fingers were linked and drew in a shuddering breath. “You’re so beautiful. You know that?”

“I love you.” I’m not sure why I felt compelled to tell him that, but the way he looked at me when I did made me feel like we’d both found true love in each other, and all the worries that messed with my thoughts evaporated as his gaze flared. All that mattered was him. Comforting him. Getting him through this. Being here—for him.

He brought me to him with a hand to the back of my head, holding me in place while he kissed me breathless, maybe hard enough that he might have bruised my mouth.

Again, I didn’t care.

The kiss went on and on and when he finally pulled away, I hadn’t had nearly enough of him. It was when my eyes fell to the bag of joints on the ground that I realized Logan did not taste of thyme or moldy grass or smell like skunk, and I was a little glad that he hadn’t gotten high. I had a feeling he had struggled with drugs during his life and with my own father being an alcoholic, I was all too familiar with the claim that addictive habits were hereditary.

Another sideways glance on his part had my gaze following. “Finally,” he muttered. The lounge beside us was now empty, as was the living area. James and Lindsay must have gone into the bedroom. Logan must have been waiting for them to leave.

Knowing we were alone, lust won out over good sense and I stood and stripped myself naked.

Logan drew in a shuddering breath and stood as well, shedding his pants and underwear quickly.

I stared at him, naked and beautiful, and licked my lips. That card I’d seen in the store came to mind. Just because my issues might never allow me to be submissive didn’t mean I couldn’t be the dominant type.

He held out his hand for me to take it and instead I pointed to a chair next to the lounger. “Sit down.”

“Don’t you want to go inside?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No, sit down.”

He raised a brow.

I kept my finger pointed.

No one could see us up this high and with the heat lamps on, something about fucking outside felt incredibly erotic.

A slow, seductive smile spread across his lips, and as he sat his eyes looked like dark flames. The hazel was gone, replaced by dilated pupils that bled pure lust.

Since I was already drenched, he easily slid inside me as I sat on his cock.

The sensation of him filling me made me shout out, and Logan wasn’t exactly quiet himself. I heard pleasurable groans escape his throat.

This was what we both needed.

Each other.

I just hoped it would be like this forever.

My hands were not bound but they gripped the chair, my back was to his chest, and my legs were spread wide. I was open to him. Fully and completely open to him. In this position, I was his to do with whatever he pleased.

It was then I realized that in our relationship we didn’t need a dominant or a submissive. We only needed each other.

And as his palm found my breast and his fingers pressed against my clit, I closed my eyes and relished what I had with him.

For us…give and take was all we needed.
With each Kim Karr book my excitement and enjoyment reaches new levels. Crush had big shoes to fill on the heels of Blow. The beginning to this twisty, dark and thrilling series sure made an impact on me and I could not wait for the follow-up. So many unanswered questions, so much, mystery and so much romance left to explore. And holy hell, did Ms. Karr deliver. Crush fulfilled every ounce of my need for something bigger and better to read. With a unique and utterly devious plot, this book astounded me to no end. And let us not forget the devil himself, Logan, who brought all the dirty talking, and full-on eroticism that one would expect from a novel as sexy and intense as this one.

I will say, yet again, you will never see the end coming. You just won't. I say that about all of Kim Karr's books, I pride myself on spotting a hint a mile away, but this lady gives off NOTHING. While also making the surprises make utterly perfect sense. I don't know how she manages it, but I was left flabbergasted, befuddled and giddy when I read "The End". Logan and Elle were left with the worst of all circumstances at the end of Blow, yet somehow it ended up going downhill from there. Well, from a "is this seriously happening" way, as far as their relationship was concerned they've got bonds that tie them so tight together the most renowned scientists wouldn't be able to break them apart.

Crush is one of those books that's high-tension, action-packed, and the only way to read it is to devour it. Which of course is what I did. I inhaled this book. From the gasp-worthy turns the plot took, to the sigh-worthy moments that made up Elle and Logan's relationship both in and out of bed. I couldn't get enough, and it was truly like a bad habit I couldn't kick. I had to know what, who when, where and above all else WHY. I got those answers and so much more. It was heart-achingly, breathtakingly, mind-numbingly good. THIS my dear readers is how you get a book hangover. It's a well versed read, and a marvelous one on top of that. I highly encourage you all to pick of the Tainted Love duet and lose yourself in this seductive and dangerous world.

Happy Reading!
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

START THE SERIES NOW! 
BLOW (book 1) 
Title: Blow
Author: Kim Karr
Series: Tainted Love #1
Release Date: September 19, 2015
2 fatal sides.
1 epic love.
7 days to survive.

They met in the face of danger. They weren’t looking for love. They both knew better. But they couldn’t stay away, and they fell hard.

He is heart-stopping handsome, fearless—and haunted by deadly ties.

She is breathtakingly beautiful, determined—and in harm’s way.

They should have parted. They didn't. They never should have fucked. They did. And now time is running out. One hundred sixty eight hours. That’s all that remains. While Logan McPherson fights to save them, Elle Sterling is forced to make a choice that could change everything.

When torn between right and wrong, tainted love doesn’t have a chance… or does it?
And don't forget if you want to receive additional content, stay up to date with what’s next, and participate in exclusive giveaways, make sure you're on Kim's mailing list! ➜ http://bit.ly/1RzcHz3

Meet Kim:

I live in Florida with my husband and four kids. I've always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, I wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. I went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise my family. I currently work part-time with my husband and full-time embracing one of my biggest passions—writing.







Connect with Kim: