HOUSTON BOOK RAVE

Where: ZOTZ EDUCATION CENTER 13801 Holly Park Drive Houston, Texas 77015

When: November 2, 2013

What: A HUGE Book Signing Event

Who: Click here to see the long  list of authors that are attending

Price: FREE!! But make sure you claim your free ticket here

This is going to be a huge, fnatastic event for readers. There will be YA, NA and Aduly novelists there with all of your favorite books to sign. Visit the FAQ Page for more details. Can't make the signing? Today (9/30) is the last day to order your signed books. Missed ordering your books? You might be able to win them! The Houston Book Rave is generously offering 10 signed books of your choice: enter to win here.

Help spread the word about this fantastic signing!

http://houstonbookrave.blogspot.com/

REVIEW ~Shadowed by Rebecca Zanetti~ (ARC)

*Spoilers; If you have not read the previous books in this series there are spoilers*

Title: Shadowed
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Series: Dark Protectors #6
Release Date: October 3, 2013

My Rating: 4 Stars

Jase Kayrs was the fun brother. The warm, charming, easy-going brother of the vampire leaders. Until he was taken and tortured by demons with their evil mind tricks for nearly five years. Upon his return, he’s dark, violent, and not the man they all thought they knew. Not the man he once was. He’s haunted that the only reason the demons would have let him live was to use him as a weapon against his family—but he can’t figure out when or how he’ll explode. Plus, once again the demons are after Jase with a vengeance…or rather, a female demon he rejected is out to destroy him.

Then the king asks Jase for a favor…a big one. To mate with one of their allies in order to save her. She’s everything that’s good and light in the world…while he’s at home with darkness. Yet he agrees…knowing mating may be the only chance to save them both.

Oh how I love it when two of my longtime favorite characters fall for each other! Until the last book, Provoked, I did not foresee Jase and Brenna being a couple. There might have been hints in previous books but I get so caught up in the main couple I tend to not commit little nuances like that to memory sometimes. These two could not have been more made for each other. They both hold an enormous amount of responsibility, some of it self-assigned, some of it a product of the war and their families. Jase is still trying to recover from being help captive by the demons for 5 years. Brenna, on the other hand, is dealing with a sickness that will kill her by her next birthday. Jase's torture and Brenna's illness have rendered them powerless. There's a loophole though. Isn't there always? If they enter into a mating Brenna could be healed and they could both gain their powers back. Everyone wins! Except Brenna, a romantic at heart, does not want to enter into a marriage of convenience.

"I'm damaged, and I'm determined to kill."

~Jase

Well, the one thing these two have in common is that they have families that would do anything to save them. More than not wanting to marry for anything but love, Brenna does not want to see her family suffer. The mating is advantageous in many ways and Jase and Brenna both realize that. Jase has ulterior motives though. While he wants to save Brenna from certain death, what he wants more is to gain his powers back and take revenge on the demons who held him captive, which is his certain death. Jase and Brenna struggle throughout Shadowed with their feelings for one another. Their mating was supposed to solve their problems not create more with their undeniable passion. As much as they fight believing they can have a future together, Jase and Brenna cannot fight their attraction. And let me tell you, Jase is alpha all over! I find that couples who try to push each other away, tend to have way hotter sex. It's so impulsive, gasping and groping hands. I love it.

"I love you with everything I am, everything I'll ever be, and with every hope I could ever dream."

~Jase

I had a soft spot for Brenna since she was introduced in the earlier books, she was the eighth daughter of a seventh daughter. She isn't even supposed to exist, and she has always felt like an outcast. But Jase makes her feel like she belongs... with him. So, how is she supposed to let him gain his revenge, when it almost certainly means his death? And Jase... well he made me wonder if I even wanted to finish Shadowed. I was afraid after his trauma, that even Brenna could not keep him from self destructing. Of course I finished it but, Jase about broke my heart in the process. I am going to go out on a limb and say Shadowed was the most action packed out of the Dark Predators series. There are no slow parts, and if you start to gloss over a sentence you miss a huge plot twist. I thought with Jase's story I would feel a sense of calm, but no. Rebecca Zanetti built this story up to a peak, with several different lose ends. It's not necessarily a cliffhanger, but several story arcs are still left unanswered. We get closure for the couple, but not for the group as a whole. I have said this before, and I'm going to say it again... I am SO excited for Janie's story. She played a bigger role in Shadowed than the last couple of books. And I will say this, Ms. Zanetti about caused me heart failure at one point. Shadowed does not necessarily wrap up in nice, pretty bows. After all, it is Jase's story.. he has never been a simple character. I have no doubt that fans of the Dark Predators will love this addition, and that new comers will be intrigued enough by the hype that they will pick up the series at the beginning :)

Happy Reading!
*This ARC was provided by the published in exchange for an honest review*


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ARC REVIEW ~Secret Surrender by Priscilla West~

Title: Secret Surrender
Author: Priscilla West
Series: Surrender #2
Release Date: September 30, 2013

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

“What gives you a thrill Kristen?”

I knew that giving in to Vincent Sorenson was a risk, but it was one I was willing to take. I had hidden my heart for so long and for the first time in a long time, Vincent was close to breaking down the walls.

When a trip to Vincent’s exclusive private island reveals the real Vincent underneath the layers of suave nonchalance, I thought we were close to the start of something special.

Just when things were looking up for us, I would discover the one secret that Vincent never intended for me to find.

So, I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of the second book in the Surrender as well. And can I just say that Secret Surrender is magnificent! I said the Forbidden Surrender was a great start to the series, and Secret Surrender was Forbidden ten-fold. We get much more sexy time for Kristen and Vincent, and a real look at how their relationship will function. 

"How could he go from having passionate sex to being all business so quickly?

~Kristen

Secret Surrender brought forward the real worry of Kristen fraternizing with a client and how it began to effect her work life. We also see more "dates", if you can even call a weekend island getaway a date. I love the chemistry between Kristen and Vincent. They have this real quality to them, despite the extravagant dates they don't have a fairy tale quality to them. Vincent works hard as the CEO of his company, and Kristen proves her intelligence at her firm. With the exception of their world-wind romance, I was able to connect with these two and actually see a relationship with open communication, for the most part, and work put into it. But, then out come the secrets. Kristen has to be understanding, in a situation where she'd rather spit nails.  And Vincent has to tread carefully, or risk losing her.  Despite their troubles, I was jealous of these two for having such an abundance of fantastic sex. Seriously? Share with the rest of us please! 

"Spunky on the outside, soft on the inside, You're quite the combination."

~Vincent

I think Secret Surrender solidified this series as a must-read. The emotions evoked in this book are so much more dynamic, than in the previous one. And for those of you wondering, it is still on the short side, BUT with so much going on it didn't feel lacking at all! I will warn you though, there is a cliff hanger, and I kind of saw it coming but that didn't stop my heart from almost beating out of my chest, and there is a possibility that I yelled "Oh, come on! Seriously?!?!" Yes, I was a bit angsty with this ending. HOWEVER, the finale is coming out in late October! Yay!!! I am in love with this series, and cannot wait for the conclusion!

Happy Reading!

*ARC provided by the author, no review required, I just really wanted to share my love of this book!*

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COVER REVEAL ~Far Too Tempting by Lauren Blakely~

Title: Far Too Tempting

Author: Lauren Blakely

Release Date: October 21, 2013

Jane Black has written the break-up album of the century, earning her a Grammy, a huge legion of new fans, and the pressure to repeat her success. Sure, the heartbreak from her husband’s unconventional abandonment might have been her inspiration, but it hasn't done her any favors in the dating department. So when Matthew Harrigan, the toughest music journalist out there, asks for an interview, Jane agrees—as long as her personal life is completely off-limits. 

British, gorgeous, and way too tempting, Matthew’s the first guy Jane’s been attracted to since her husband. As she spends more time with him and their relationship heats up, though, so does her writer’s block. How can the queen of the break-up pen the perfect follow-up when she’s seriously in love?

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Meet Lauren:

Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in FAR TOO TEMPTING, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. Her novels include Caught Up In Us, Pretending He’s Mine, Playing With Her Heart, and Trophy Husband. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney.

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REVIEW ~Fixed On You by Laurelin Paige~

Title: Fixed On You
Author: Laurelin Paige
Series: Fixed #1
Release Date: June 22, 2013

My Rating:  5 Stars

Synopsis:
Stalking and restraining orders are a thing of Alayna Wither’s past. With her MBA newly in hand, she has her future figured out—move up at the nightclub she works at and stay away from any guy who might trigger her obsessive love disorder. A perfect plan.

But what Alayna didn't figure on is Hudson Pierce, the new owner of the nightclub. He’s smart, rich, and gorgeous—the kind of guy Alayna knows to stay away from if she wants to keep her past tendencies in check. Except, Hudson’s fixed his sights on her. He wants her in his bed and makes no secret of it.

Avoiding him isn't an option after he offers a business proposition she can’t turn down and she’s drawn further into his universe, unable to resist his gravitational pull. When she learns Hudson has a dark history of his own, she realizes too late that she’s fallen for the worst man she could possibly get involved with. Or maybe their less than ideal pasts give them an opportunity to heal each other and finally find the love their lives have been missing.

Review:

Oh I love it, I love it, I loooove it! Fixed On You is a new twist on a favorite trope of mine. Alayna Withers has just graduated and is ready to take her place on the management team of the club she has worked at for years. She is not looking to climb the corporate ladder, not caring who she steps on to get to the top. She has ideas to make The Sky Launch the next big club. It is a comfort to her, she can function in the club atmosphere and with her co-workers, without worries of her obsessive tendencies taking over her life. Her OCD tendencies usually cause her to obsess over men, and it has only ever caused her trouble. She has learned to recognize her triggers, and she only has physical relationships with men now. Then Hudson Pierce shows up. He's got a grocery list of his own problems, and he believes Alayna is a solution to a couple of them. If he can get her to agree to his relationship of convenience he can get his mother off his back, won't be forced to marry Celia, and can satisfy his hunger for Alayna.

"I will have you beneath me. In a bed. Where I can adore you properly."

~Hudson

I love who Hudson and Alayna are as a couple. When they are "off duty" they consume one another. Alayna has trouble curbing her obsessive actions throughout most of the book, but the OCD aspect of this book was so clever and it was very enlightening. Alayna can fully admit she has a problem, and she finds solace in Hudson, he doesn't ostracize her for her illness like others have. Hudson even has a touch of OCD, but his tendencies are much different than Laynie's. These two work so well together, in part because they can focus on each other's compulsions. In this relationship neither one is in the spotlight, as being "a problem", they both realize they have issues to work through, but they work through them together. For Laynie, it helps her to focus on Hudson's problems so she doesn't have time to obsess over him and their relationship.

"Because it changes everything. I did that. That's who I am. It's my past and it's very ugly." ~Hudson

"Do you think your ugly is any different than mine?" 

~Alayna

In Fixed On You we have two versions of Alayna and Hudson, "off duty" and "on duty." However, Laynie's personality is just not structured in a way to keep up with Hudson's twists and turns. She is such a hellcat, I love that she stands up for herself, but has no qualms about opening up to him either. Hudson on the other hand has some markings of a typical alpha, but he has much more depth. The sex scenes are definitely fan worthy, but I think the foreplay might be even hotter! These two cannot keep their hands off one another. So how are they supposed to keep their feelings out of it? Well I'm not going to spoil their journey for you, but I'll just say that it is quite a ride :)

"Turns out you make me better. And I think I do the same for you."

~Alayna

Hudson and Laynie truly fit perfectly together, they complete each other in ways they did not even know were missing. They become a very open couple, and become each other's balancing factors. It was a really hypnotizing book. I kept wanting more and more. And my busy schedule has finally rewarded me, because Found In You comes out in 1 week! Yes, I did this--> *SQUEE* when I found out :) Anywho, Fixed On You is now available in ebook AND paperback so make sure to pick up a copy, it really is a must read!

Happy Reading!


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*BLOG TOUR* Withstanding Me by Crystal Spears + *GIVEAWAY*

Title: Withstanding Me
Author: Crystal Spears
Series: Breakneck #2
Release Date: September 2, 2013

My Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis:
While the chaos and bloodshed have slowed for a short period, life is never quiet in the world of Breakneck. The club is taking time to regroup from internal betrayal and the changing of the guard in a rival group.
Zig Zag became a father at the age of thirteen. While raising a child has never been easy, now his eighteen year old daughter Tatiana makes his life downright hard. She has caught the eye of Travis, the new President of the rival MC Gunners, but all she really wants is Shadow, the newest addition to the Breakneck family. When Shadow’s rejection sends Tatiana running from the only family, home, and safety she’s ever known, ZZ is crazy with worry. The distraction caused by Tatiana’s disappearance could prove to be Zig Zag’s downfall.

If that isn’t enough, ZZ finds himself rampantly attracted to the one and only Storm. She’s beautiful, quick and witty. Their friendship is the one thing that keeps him from growing crazy, and Storm stands by ZZ through all the turmoil. Zig Zag is not accustomed to hearing the word no, so Storm’s constant withstanding just draws him in deeper. Their friendship is one thing keeping him from going crazy, until one night…

The club is regrouping and rebuilding from the mayhem known as the Russian Mafia. A hit is ordered on Tatiana, Storm, Winter, and Piper.

Tatiana’s egg donor reveals secrets that a thirteen year old Zig Zag was too young to understand.

Braxxon is out of reach while he helps Greg Cage deal with some dirty business.

Bloodshed… Secrets… Betrayal… Trauma… Welcome back to the Breakneck world.

My Review:

When you pick up Withstanding Me be prepared to withdrawal from the real world and sit on your ass until you finish it. It's the only way. There is so much going on that you can't put it down! I'm a newbie to the Breakneck series, but everyone was gushing about it so I just had to read it! Let me tell you, if you are not prepared for or have not read about motorcycle clubs then this will be a culture shock for you. It was for me, and I was a little put off at first. But then it just draws you in. I got so invested in each of the members' lives that I could not stop reading. The momentum in Withstanding Me did not stop, it swings from one dilemma to the next. Even though I knew nothing about MCs, I didn't feel that I was left in the dark. There is enough back story and development that I got the gist of the norm within Breakneck. 

We start off with ZZ, a gruff, badass member who was a father at 13. Dealing with his errant daughter, rival clubs, and Russians is more than his stress level can handle. He wants to alleviate that stress the only way he knows how... sex. Anyone woman would work, but he wants Storm. Storm may have lived a fucked up life up until now, but she refuses to ever have sex again without deeper feelings being attached to it. ZZ on the other hand can't look past the shit world he lives in, and can't believe a feeling such as love exists, nor does he want to engage in it if it did. These two have so much chemistry on pages that it almost hurt to read sometimes. They want each other, but they won't fulfill the complete needs of one another.

Withstanding Me had me on the verge of tears, laughing then cringing and all around completely absorbed. It is completely unforgiving in its portrayal of motorcycle clubs and the lives of their members. These women and men play hard, love hard and fight hard. They protect each other at any cost. There are some gruesome scenes, but it just plays into the reality of the book. If you are not a fan of violence, cussing, sex, and crude humor then you may not want to pick this one up. BUT, you will be missing out. This is not just a couples story, there are ongoing story arcs and several secondary plots that I'm sure will play out later in the series. Ms. Spears builds a gritty, merciless world with characters that are so honest and raw. It blurs the line between fiction and reality, I could definitely see this as a life people lead and it was very insightful. I will be recommending this book and the rest of the series to anyone who will listen. Seize Me (Breakneck #1) is already out, so you may want to start with that, if this series intrigues you. I will say that, there are story arcs that connect the books, but starting with Withstanding Me I didn't really feel left out. However, when given the chance you should always start at the beginning :)

Happy Reading!

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