REVIEW ~Unbroken by R.E. Hunter~

Title: Unbroken

Author: R.E. Hunter

Series: Disclosure #2

Release Date: November 6, 2014

My Rating: 5+ STARS!

She was running toward her future. He was running from his past. When their worlds collided, nothing could prepare them for what was to come.

Reeling from Luke’s betrayal, Embry Jacobs is lost and looking for answers. His lies have ripped them apart, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew about the man she loves. But to give Luke another chance, she’ll have to forgive his lies and risk her already fragile heart.

Luke Brody’s past has finally caught up to him — in more ways than one. After losing the only woman he’s ever loved, he’ll do anything to get her back. But when he finally has the chance to make things right, unforeseen circumstances threaten to tear them apart once more.

When the truth comes out, will it set them free or break them both?

If I had to pick a conclusion for Bree and Southern Sexy's story this is 100% how it would go. Angst, Passion, Heartbreak, Love. All wrapped up in one mind blowing and perfect ending. I absolutely waxed poetic about book 1, Undone, and without a doubt R.E. Hunter is making me swoon to the max once again with her innate ability to make me fall head over heels in love with her characters and story. Unbroken picks up pretty much where Undone left off. I'll try to avoid spoilers, but it's looking pretty grim for Luke Brody and Embry Jacobs right about now. His lies have once again torn them apart and Embry is forced to weigh the hurt he's caused, and as the ability to cause, against her undying love for this man. 

In short they don't have an easy road in Unbroken. A lot of trust has to be re-built, a lot of relationships are tested, and the monkey-wrench of all monkey-wrenches just won't take its skanky ass back to where it came from. Luke and Embry do a lot of growing in this book. It was a thrill to see them grow closer, and adjust to the changes they experienced. And good heavens I. NEED. MY. OWN SOUTHERN. SEXY. Imagine me pouting like a two year old. It's just not fair. This man, while he may have flaws, owns said flaws, has a dirty mouth that's oddly endearing, and is just a complete package. Embry, in all of her superwoman power, stands up for herself and is a great heroine to read. She's someone incredibly relatable and lovable. Together they're unstoppable. Until someone decides to try to ruin all their hard work. And to that I say - "Aww, you must be new here." Let me repeat myself - THEY'RE. UNSTOPPABLE. Didn't you hear me the first time? These two are the epitome of meant to be, forever and ever amen, enter all cheesy love stereotypes here.  I mean their tenacity and all-consuming love just leaves no room for them to be apart. And I love it. 

I love that they're obsessed, in a healthy way, with each other. I also love that they don't actually consume one another, so much as their love consumes them as a couple. It's hard to explain. Just know, these two are in the top 3 of my favorite book couples ever. Because while the sex is blush-worthy, and the two together can melt you heart, the story is also amazing. Every aspect of this book is a winner for me. And let us not forget that one of the best BFFs ever, Jeremy, is still expecting his story. Which he SO deserves. After this book, I feel like baking that man a cake. And I wouldn't be opposed to a prequel of how Morgan and Brett got together. That would sure to be a killer read as well. Basically, Ms. Hunter whatever you pen, I'll devour. As for now, Embry and Luke are leaving up the life with the sweetest, and most well-deserved HEA and I think everyone should march those one-clicking digits over and buy this AMAZING book!

Happy Reading!

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

Links to buy: 

UNDONE (book #1)

ON SALE FOR 99 CENTS!

Five years ago, Embry Jacobs ran...

She ran from a past that still hasn’t let her go, but her dream of becoming a lawyer is stronger than her fear of confronting that past. Embry’s sole focus is to get through law school—with the help of her best friend, Morgan—and make something of the broken girl she became. Not thinking about falling in love, being in a relationship or even entertaining the idea of romance, Embry is moving forward one day at a time.

Luke Brody is charming and sexy, and has a past of his own. He wants nothing more than to put his demons to rest and move on with his life. But, when Embry enters the picture, is he destined to repeat those same mistakes?

Blindsided by their instant attraction, neither Luke nor Embry are prepared for the feelings they’re developing. But will it all be for nothing?

Will they let their pasts destroy them, or will they risk everything to fight for their relationship when it all comes undone?

Links to Buy:

Meet R.E. Hunter:

Rose Hunter is a native New Yorker currently living in Austin, Texas with her husband and their crazy kitten. Surviving solely on Iced Chai and KIND bars, she spends her days writing angsty romance and chasing happily ever afters. When she’s not writing, you can find her on the beach with a glass of wine and a book in her hand.

Connect with:

GUEST POST + REVIEW + GIVEAWAY ~Rival by Penelope Douglas~

Title: Rival

Author: Penelope Douglas

Series: Fall Away #2

Release Date: August 26, 2014

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the New Adult sensation and New York Times bestselling author of Until You

Madoc and Fallon. Two estranged teenagers playing games that push the boundaries between love and war…

She’s back.

For the three years she’s been away at boarding school, there was no word from her. Back when we lived in the same house, she used to cut me down during the day and then leave her door open for me at night.

I was stupid then, but now I’m ready to beat her at her own game…

I’m back.

Three years and I can tell he still wants me, even if he acts like he’s better than me.

But I won’t be scared away. Or pushed down. I’ll call his bluff and fight back. That’s what he wants, right? As long as I keep my guard up, he’ll never know how much he affects me….

Links to Buy:

Top 10 Best Moments of Madoc’s Life

10. First time I ever touched a piano.

9. The first soccer game my father ever made it to.

8. Driving my car for the first time. Jared bought his Boss just so he could keep up. 

7. When Tate broke my nose. I knew things were going to be very interesting that year. 

6. That split second in Jax’s office when he showed me Fallon’s bill. That moment right before I realized it had been taken away. For a moment, I was happy. 

5. When Fallon came home again. Seeing her was like new life coming into me. 

4. After my parents’ divorce, Addie and I had a party. Just the two of us. We messed up the house, ate junk food, and then she cleaned it all up before my mom got home. 

3. My first time—being so close to her, finally, was so good. 

2. When she said “yes”.

1. When she said “I do”.

The only thing keeping me from claiming Madoc as my own is that fact the Fallon could kick me to Timbuktu. Rival takes a hate/love relationship to a whole new level. Madoc and Fallon thrive off of their contempt for one another... at first. Until they see there's more to their relationship, if they can just put the past behind them. 

Rival brings all the feels. Madoc and Fallon were just beginning to explore their relationship when they were torn apart. Or in their eyes, when the other turned their backs on them. After being lied to, and a long heartbreaking road in front of her, Fallon as put the pieces back together and come back to exact revenge on everyone. Until she learns the truth. The truth that could alter how she views Madoc, and that could excuse her guilty feelings of still being head over heels for this tough guy. As the story unfolds, they continue to hurt one another based on the lies the past has been built on. As Fallon, continues with part of her revenge plan, the dominoes fall and her life with Madoc is once again put on shaky ground. Even at their age, can they survive the hurt and betrayal, and with their family still be there to support them when it's all over?

I love that Fallon is equal parts a bada*s and softy. As she begins to feel the emotions that only Madoc can evoke, she lets her guard down, and we see a glimpse of the girl that has experienced a very tough few years and has had no one to shoulder the pain and guilt with her. I may have loved Madoc throughout thse series so far, but when he was clued in to Fallon's difficult past, oh the admiration I had for this guy. I FLOVE them both. So much. Their story was much more emotional, and heated than I was expecting. Definitely a pleasant surprise. And of course, Ms. Douglas has me absolutely enamored with Jax and I can't wait for his story!! All around, an absolutely FANTASTIC addition to this amazing series! Could not have loved it more!

Happy Reading!

*ARC provided by the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Title: Bully

Author: Penelope Douglas

Series: Fall Away #1

Release Date: June 17, 2013

My name is Tate.

He doesn't call me that, though. He’ll barely refer to me at all, and he’ll hardly ever speak to me.

But he still won't leave me alone.

We were best friends once. Then he turned on me and made it his mission to ruin my life. I've been humiliated, shut out, and gossiped about all through high school. His pranks and rumors got worse as time wore on. I even went to Europe for a year, just to avoid him.

But I'm done hiding from him now, and there's no way I'll allow him to ruin another year. He might not have changed, but I have.

It's time to fight back.

When one brave young woman stands up to her best friend Jared, now tormenter, the consequences go beyond anything either of them ever would have imagined….

Links to Buy:

Title: Until You

Author: Penelope Douglas

Series: Fall Away #1.5

Release Date: December 5, 2013

Have you ever been so angry that hitting things felt good? Or numb to all emotions? The past few years have been like that for me. Traveling between fury and indifference with no stops in between. Some people hate me for it, while others are scared of me. But none of them can hurt me, because I don't care about anything or anyone.

Except Tatum.

I love her so much that I hate her. I hate that I can't let her go. We used to be friends, but I found out that I couldn't trust her—or anyone else. So I hurt her. I pushed her away. But I still need her. She centers me. Engaging her, challenging her, pushing her—it’s the one last part of me that feels anything anymore.

But then she went and screwed everything up. She left for a year and came back a different girl. Now, when I push, she pushes back…and I’m not sure either one of us will ever be the same.

Links to Buy:

Meet Penelope:

Penelope Douglas is a writer and teacher in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to "just get the degree!" She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she hated Public Administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later they were married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, the show Sons of Anarchy, and she shops at Target almost daily.

  Connect with Penelope:

For more exclusive content and excerpts follow the rest of the Rival blog tour (click the picture)

RELEASE DAY EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY ~Rival by Penelope Douglas~

Title: Rival

Author: Penelope Douglas

Series: Fall Away #2

Release Date: August 26, 2014

From the New Adult sensation and New York Times bestselling author of Until You

Madoc and Fallon. Two estranged teenagers playing games that push the boundaries between love and war…

She’s back.

For the three years she’s been away at boarding school, there was no word from her. Back when we lived in the same house, she used to cut me down during the day and then leave her door open for me at night.

I was stupid then, but now I’m ready to beat her at her own game…

I’m back.

Three years and I can tell he still wants me, even if he acts like he’s better than me.

But I won’t be scared away. Or pushed down. I’ll call his bluff and fight back. That’s what he wants, right? As long as I keep my guard up, he’ll never know how much he affects me….

Links to Buy:

Madoc jumped out of the car, not even caring to close the door behind him. “You stole my car?!” he shouted, peering down into the bowl.

With the headlights behind him, the area was well lit, and I tried to breath against the flutter in my chest.

He was here. We were alone. We were angry. Déjà vu.

This is what I wanted. It’s what I’d planned.

But I turned my back on him anyway.

I’d told myself time and again that I didn’t care what he thought of me. I didn’t want his heart after all. It wasn’t part of the equation. He didn’t need to love me or respect me for this to work. I would use him—get what I wanted—without worrying about whatever was in his head. It. Did. Not. Matter.

So why couldn’t I just draw him in like I’d planned? Why did I want to spit back?

“I didn’t steal it. I borrowed it, Princess,” I shot back.

He jumped down into the bowl, his flip flops slapping against the wet cement. “Don’t touch my shit, Fallon!”

“Oh, but you got to come into my room last night and touch me? You don’t get to have everything, Madoc.”

He stopped a few feet from me, and I felt the walls of the bowl close in as he stared. I expected more yelling and insults, but he just stood there, looking like everything that could destroy me without even speaking. Looking like everything that nearly did destroy me.

He was still dressed in only his board shorts and flip flops. No shirt. I guess he would’ve left the house in a hurry if he was coming after me. He’d changed so much in the years I’d been gone. His shoulders and arms were works of art. Madoc always liked to work out, and it paid off. He had a build like a quarterback, and he was tall. I wished I didn’t feel the invisible cord pulling me to him, wanting to touch him again, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. We always want what’s bad for us.

Madoc was hot. He knew it. And he knew everyone else knew it.

But what was underneath the blonde hair, boyish blue eyes, and toned body was bad. He was bad.

And someday, his looks would fade, and his wife would just have someone bad. I had to remind myself of that. There was nothing in him that I should want.

The light rain blew around his face, and he blinked away the water dripping down his face. “You know? Whatever,” he sneered, looking like he was about to turn away. “I’m so over your bullshit, Fallon. I wish I knew what the hell you wanted from me.” His voice got stronger. “You act like everything’s fine around Addie and then you show up to my party dressed to impress down to your underwear around all of my friends, and then you bring up my party two years ago.” He got in my face. “What do you want from me?” His bellow reared up from deep inside of him.

“Nothing!” I shouted, my eyes burning with anger. “I want nothing from you. Nothing ever again!”

He reared back just a little as if I’d surprised him.

“Again? Is that what this is about?” he asked. “Us fucking three years ago?”

Fucking. I averted my eyes.

I’d rather shove a drumstick up my nose than let him see how that hurt. I wiped the water off my forehead and smoothed my hair over the top of my head.

“You know what?” He narrowed his eyes, speaking up before I got a chance. “You can go to hell, Fallon. I was sixteen, too. I was a virgin, same as you. You were all over me, too, and you know it. I didn’t force you! You didn’t have to go and complain to our parents. Jesus Christ!”

Huh?

He breathed hard and kept folding his lips between his teeth. “They treated me like I was pressuring you or some shit!” he shouted, throwing his hand out into the air. “You told them that I was forcing you?”

Title: Bully

Author: Penelope Douglas

Series: Fall Away #1

Release Date: June 17, 2013

My name is Tate.

He doesn't call me that, though. He’ll barely refer to me at all, and he’ll hardly ever speak to me.

But he still won't leave me alone.

We were best friends once. Then he turned on me and made it his mission to ruin my life. I've been humiliated, shut out, and gossiped about all through high school. His pranks and rumors got worse as time wore on. I even went to Europe for a year, just to avoid him.

But I'm done hiding from him now, and there's no way I'll allow him to ruin another year. He might not have changed, but I have.

It's time to fight back.

When one brave young woman stands up to her best friend Jared, now tormenter, the consequences go beyond anything either of them ever would have imagined….

Links to Buy:

Title: Until You

Author: Penelope Douglas

Series: Fall Away #1.5

Release Date: December 5, 2013

Have you ever been so angry that hitting things felt good? Or numb to all emotions? The past few years have been like that for me. Traveling between fury and indifference with no stops in between. Some people hate me for it, while others are scared of me. But none of them can hurt me, because I don't care about anything or anyone.

Except Tatum.

I love her so much that I hate her. I hate that I can't let her go. We used to be friends, but I found out that I couldn't trust her—or anyone else. So I hurt her. I pushed her away. But I still need her. She centers me. Engaging her, challenging her, pushing her—it’s the one last part of me that feels anything anymore.

But then she went and screwed everything up. She left for a year and came back a different girl. Now, when I push, she pushes back…and I’m not sure either one of us will ever be the same.

Links to Buy:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meet Penelope:

Penelope Douglas is a writer and teacher in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to "just get the degree!" She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she hated Public Administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later they were married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, the show Sons of Anarchy, and she shops at Target almost daily.

  Connect with Penelope: