Blog Tour ~ Review & Giveaway ~ Tattood & Tatas (Chocoholics #2.5) by Tara Sivec

 

Tattoos & Tatas (Chocoholics #2.5)

Release Date: October 1, 2014

By Tara Sivec

Book Description:

During the month of October, 100% of the proceeds from Tattoos and Tatas will be donated to breast cancer awareness.

Claire and Liz have always had a friendship that defied the test of time, but when one of them is diagnosed with a disease that every woman fears, their bond is put through the wringer. How do you cope knowing your soul mate could be taken from you?

Filled with memories of their life long friendship, inappropriate behavior, bad tattoos and shaving cats, the two friends will realize that laughter really is the best medicine.Tattoos and TaTas is not your typical love story; it's a story of friendship and learning how to let go when something is beyond your control.

 

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22728057-tattoos-and-tatas

Our Review:

Reviewed by Willow & Donna

What Willow says ~ 5 Stars

"This is the story of the day everything changed, the day we all began looking at life a little differently than we did before"

Let me start off by saying that this is a little novella of about 100 pages, so it is an extremely quick read, but don't let that put you off. Its full of laughter and of course it centres around a devastating time for one of them as they are diagnosed and go through treatment for cancer. With so much in it, it does not feel a short novella at all.

This book is told from Liz's point of view as she is told by her best friend,

"so I have Cancer. Who wants more wine"

and it spans through Claire's treatment. During this time Liz has a hard time thinking that she's going to lose her friend and not knowing how to fix it. She reminisces about their past together, and so the chapters alternate between the present and the past.

"It's also the story of how we almost got kicked out of hospital, a funeral home, a tattoo shop and a small handful of bars"

I loved the past chapters getting a bit more background to Claire and Liz, how they met and also how Liz met Jim. It was great getting to see all the characters again, it was like going back to see old friends. It was extremely funny in parts, but it is totally balanced out with all the emotion and fears that Liz must deal with and lets not forget we see through Liz's eyes how Carter is dealing with his wife's illness and one part in particular really got me choked up, but then Tara does it again and is able to bring laughter to the situation.

This is a story of friendship, a story about struggling with your own fears, when you should be focusing on as many good things, good memories as you can, about remembering that sometimes friends don't want you to fix something, they just want you there for them.

Personally I stay away from books about cancer, It's too emotional for me, but Tara has done an amazing job of keeping the emotion in check, balancing it out with humour, all the while whilst not down playing the severity of the illness or what those who have suffered or seen someone they love suffering with it must go through.

Tara will be donating all the proceeds from the month of October to breast cancer awareness charities so go and grab you copy now!

"I think people forget just how powerful laughter is"

What Donna says ~ 4 Stars

“I’m going to have to fire you from your position as president of the Itty Bitty Titty Club. This is a sad, sad day in Titty Club history.”

I have never felt guilty laughing while reading a book…until now. Tara touches on some really sensitive and heart breaking subjects in this book but in usual Tara Sivec style she manages to combine the serious with the humorous. This book is a looking in from the outside book, touching upon how cancer not only affects the sufferer but also close family and friends.

It is that feeling of life being out of control and even if you are a “fixer” this is something far beyond your control and no matter how hard you try it cannot be fixed. The end result is out of your hands, you have to leave it to the doctors and the patient and that can be hard to deal with for some people, especially Claire’s best friend, Liz.

“She doesn’t need you to fix her, Liz. She just needs you to be there for her.”

Liz and Claire are soul mates, these two were meant to be together, and they truly are the best of friends. So when Claire is diagnosed with breast cancer, Liz struggles. Liz feels helpless, devastated and extremely sorry for herself. She cannot believe that this is happening to her best friend and the fact that she is powerless to have any effect on what happens in the future. Liz has a lot of thoughts and feelings to overcome, but sheltering yourself away from your best friend when all she needs is you, is not the way forward. After some soul searching Liz finally finds herself and recovers to be the best, best friend that Claire could need. This also leads to some seriously hilarious shenanigans as we have come to truly love from this crazy crazy group of friends.

We have shaved legs, balls and pussy’s (get your head out the gutter) this is the feline variety, melons and tattoo’s. This book has the perfect balance of the serious, emotional side and the light hearted f**k cancer side. It goes to show that friends and laughter can help in even the direst of circumstances and that as long as you have friends, life itself, never seems that bad.

A great quick read that will have you laughing even though you feel you shouldn’t, with a great message to those suffering with cancer and those supporting those sufferers. Every October a portion of the sales of this book goes to two fantastic cancer charities, so if ever that was the nudge to buy it, then do, because you won’t be disappointed.

“F**k cancer. Save second base. Fight like a girl. Do it all and do it with a few laughs because you are amazing, you are strong and you are a fighter, just like my best friend.” 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1x8NJbH

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1xNPMVK

About the Author:

 

 Tara Sivec is a USA Today best-selling author, wife, mother, chauffeur, maid, short-order cook, baby-sitter, and sarcasm expert. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two children and looks forward to the day when all three of them become adults and move out.

After working in the brokerage business for fourteen years, Tara decided to pick up a pen and write instead of shoving it in her eye out of boredom. She is the author of the Playing with Fire series, the Chocolate Lovers series , the Chocoholics series, the Fool Me Once series, Burned and Watch Over Me. Her novel Seduction and Snacks won first place in the Indie Romance Convention Reader's Choice Awards 2013 for Best Indie First Book and she was voted Best Indie Author in the Indie Romance convention Reader's Choice Awards 2014.

In her spare time, Tara loves to dream about all of the baking she'll do and naps she'll take when she ever gets spare time.

Giveaway:

1 Breast Cancer Awareness Scentsy Warmer
2 Signed Paperbacks of Tattoos and Tatas
3 Tattoos and Tats themed swag bags
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour ~ Review ~ Burying Water by K.A Tucker

 Reviewed by Willow ~ 5 Stars

 

**ARC received for honest review**

 

"I don't believe in fairy tales. Or at least, not the happily ever after that Disney brainwashed us all with"

 

I have to say that I totally loved this book. I'll admit, it took a while for it to get me totally engrossed so that I wouldn't put it down, but once I got into the flow of the book I was completely hooked.

 

If you've read our release post today you'll have seen the excerpt, which was the prologue. As you've seen the book starts by being told by Jesse's point of view. He is frantically looking for someone - Alex and when he finally finds her she is bloodied and beaten and barely alive. He claims that it is his fault and you are immediately drawn in, wondering what he could have done to trigger this.

 

The first chapter begins being told from "Jane Doe's" point of view. Waking up in hospital not knowing where she is or why. It soon becomes clear that "Jane" cannot remember anything, not just about why she was there, but who she was and her entire life.  

 

The interesting thing is that Jesse appears, and although we, the reader, know he knows who Jane really is, the fact that he does not tell her, or admits that he was the one who found her and saved her, really makes you wonder why the secrecy? It makes you yurn to understand what has happened leading up to this point.

 

Fear not though because this book is told in alternative chapters, Jane Doe in the present, working out who she is and Jesse in the past as we learn how these two are connected and ultimately what leads them to this point. You see what you are actually getting here is two love stories being told along side each other and they are very different. Worlds apart in fact, you have the very dark, sad story of Jesse and Alex and then the story of hope, rebirth and resilience with Jesse and Jane/Water.  For me that's what made this an amazing story. The contrast between the two.

 

I don't want to say too much about Jesse and Alex's story from the past, but it is dark and there are elements involving abuse. It is a sad tale and one, that as it develops you realise that it can't end with a happy ending at all. You do start to put pieces of the puzzle together and fairly early on you get an idea of what happened, however, even though you know what the picture is painting, you still have a desire to see it all through and get every single tiny scrap of the story out.

 

"Was I a person who laughed at lot? Did I laugh at myself? At others?"

 

With Jesse and Jane's story, although it is sad reading from Jane's point of view as she tries to remember who she is, what she likes and struggles to come to terms with the fact that she may never know, the slate has been wiped clean and she can go about building a life she wants, starting with naming herself since she hates Jane Doe. She picks the name Water and it has an important meaning for her.

 

Water ends up living with a grouchy old woman Ginny. I loved Ginny's character and I also loved the fact that Ginny has a reason for being the way she is and has her own back story. Water and Ginny are bonded by a understanding of an experience, but at the same time their shared experience does worry Water how it will shape her future.   

 

"Will this be me one day? Will I find comfort in the locks and chains, will I wish the bars across my window"

 

But Water is resilient and hopeful and she has an amazing family looking out for her and with their support she can shape her life and learn to live and love again.

 

Until she finally remembers and it all comes crashing down....

 

I am actually a bit lost for words about this book, it was unexpected. There are emotional parts, including a hugely sad bit near the end that put a lump in my throat. All I can say is I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for more from K.A. Tucker.    

 

Buy Links:

Ebooks:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1BJHBaR

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/10Gw8xp
Kindle: http://amzn.to/1rg4mjT
Google Play: http://bit.ly/Unw5mA
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1B1Chiy
Blinkbox: http://bit.ly/1od5uBe
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1kTiOcy

Paperback:
Waterstones: http://bit.ly/1p9WI6F
Foyles: http://bit.ly/UnuUU4
WHSmith: http://bit.ly/1pom3cM
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1rdUp2V

Amazon: http://amzn.to/ZPo0dK

Review ~ Unhinged (Unhinged #1) by Timberlyn Scott

Reviewed by Willow ~ 3.5 - 4 Stars

"Whoever he was, there was something about him....
Something that Unhinged me."

 I picked this book up because I had heard that it was actually a book by Nicole Edwards just written under a different name. The reason for this is because Nicole did not want her fans to think that it was going to be a traditional Nicole Edwards book which sit firmly in the erotica category. This book is completely different, it was much more of a sweet romance.

The book starts with Peyton having a dream about a guy, but not knowing who he is, although she's had the dream before. All she knows is she doesn't want it to end. But alas, she has to get up to go to the new job she has just started.

The new job is working for Mr Conrad Trovato, CEO of Trovato inc, a high end car/ engine designer. Wait, I know what you're thinking - nope this isn't one of those books! Payton is sent to Mr Trovato's house one day on an errand. There she literally meets the guy of her dreams.

"Holy crap.
He was the guy from my dream. The dream I'd had for the last couple of weeks. He was the guy I couldn't look away from, the one I would try to call back just before I would awaken abruptly"

He introduces himself as Sebastian and Payton assumes that he is Mr Trovato's mechanic.

The book is told from dual POV, so we get inside Sebastian's head too. He has also had a dream a about a girl who unhinged him, and yep you've guessed it, it's Payton.

Sebastian is not who Payton thinks he is though, he has a secret.

I really did enjoy reading this book, it was an easy read, the words flowed well and it kept me engaged. It was funny in parts and Sebastian is HOT! As the story progress' Sebastian emerges as having a bit of a bad boy persona. Did I also mention he has Tats and piercings? Hell yes, he's definitely hot! He's also told to stay away from Payton, but he can't get her out of his head either and so definitely breaks that rule!

"There was only one problem. She unhinged me. And I wasn't strong enough to resist her."

 The book is a really short read though at only 184 or so pages and I was disappointed to find just as I was really immersed in the book it ended. On top of that it ends on a massive cliffhanger. Sebastian is just about to tell Payton a huge secret, not the one we as readers know already of who he really is, but a new secret and although you kind of get the gist of what he's about to say, it is shocking and you don't know the how, why or what Payton's reaction will be. So the book definitely leaves you wanting more, but I'll admit I found this hugely frustrating. Luckily the second book in the series is now out.

In summary, overall this was a good book that had me laughing in places and definitely lusting after Sebastian. The secrets he held added mystery to the book and kept it engaging. Although I said this is a sweeter Romance, there were still a couple of hot scenes that left you wanting more, just don't expect Nicole Edwards hot. Although there is the element of them both dreaming about the other before they met, this is not a paranormal book in any way. The disappointment for me came in the shortness of the book and it feeling like it ended just as it started to get going. That said it is a reasonably priced book and with the next one already out, It is worth having a read. I've started book two Unraveling and my review of that will be up shortly.

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1xtrzUI

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1vnHIZo

Review ~ On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves

Reviewed by Willow ~ 4.5 Stars

"Thinking that our relationship was about to get complicated might have been an understatement"

So it has taken me a while to actually read this book. I kept putting it off. I had read that T.J is in remission from Cancer. I thought this was going to feature heavily in the book and I usually steer clear of books involving the big C, but some book friends said this was a must read, so on holiday, whilst sunbathing by an amazing pool, I finally took the plunge.

They were totally right, it is a must read and I really don't know why I waited so long to read it. Because of the hype, so many people telling me telling me to read it, I had set the bar high and it was amazing, but maybe I had set the bar too high because I can't quite bring myself to give it 5 stars.

The book is about T.J and Anna. Anna has accepted a job for the summer tutoring T.J whilst he is on a family holiday in the Maldives. T.J's family have gone on ahead and for different reasons T.J and Anna take a later flight. Unfortunately the pilot on their seaplane has a heart attack and it goes down. They luckily both wash up on an island and have to learn how to live there whilst awaiting rescue, which may not arrive.

Another reason that I was slightly put of the book was the ages of the characters. T.J is 16 years old at the start of the book and Anna is older at 30 years old. However a lot of time spans in this book and you can feel the characters growing and evolving during it. Nothing happens between the characters until T.J is older and towards the end of the book I no longer thought of T.J the young boy but T.J the man.    

I have to say that the book wasn't quite what I was expecting and whilst I loved T.J and Anna's relationship develop whilst they are on the Island, it was actually the aftermath that gripped me most. Tracey did an amazing job of getting the feelings and opinions I would imagine would follow that experience for those effected.

There was a lot of emotion in the book, not enough to make me cry, but I am known as the Ice Queen, so you may find that you do cry at parts.

"the hope I'd clung to since our plane went down splintered into a million tiny shards that day, like a glass block someone pounded with a sledgehammer."

One thing I loved about this book is that it is told from dual POVs which really helps you understand what they are both going through and really makes you feel connected to the characters.

I totally got lost in this book and it was an extremely easy read. If you still haven't read it, you really must, it is a book that will stay with you and you will be thinking about it for many days, and from what others have said, months later too. Go and one click it now!

"You weren't supposed to fall in love" she whispered. "Well, I did" I said.

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1yiCMsB

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1BQSHg7

Dust to Dust (Experiment in Terror 9) by Karina Halle

Reviewed by Willow ~ 4 Stars

"I felt like every single ghost and paranormal beast we had encountered up to this point was preparing me for this"

I've loved the EIT series and I was feeling both excited and sad about reading this book. I had put off reading it as I didn't want Dex and Perry's story to end. It's been epic. The sexual tension, the will they won't they that has had me on the edge of my seat, along with the crazy situations they've got themselves into has made this series an amazing series.

If the previous books are anything to go by I was expecting a crazy huge blast of an ending. Did I get that? Well no, not quite, not in the way I was expecting anyway.  Don't get me wrong it was a very good book, but for me it wasn't quite an amazing book.  That said there were some amazing bits in the book, particularly Dex doing something so selfless to save those he loves.

The story picks up straight from where we left it in Ashes to Ashes. Michael has Dex and Perry sets out to find him. With a Ada and Ginger Balls in tow she heads to New York, where it all started for Dex and Michael.

Through the first part of this book it's told from alternate POVs - something unusual for EiT books - but I loved it. I loved getting inside Dex's head again, although he was not as witty and funny as usual, but given the situation he was in that was totally understandable and there were still a lot of Dex lines that made me smile.

"I don't believe I requested a chaperone from District Ginge"

"I woke up feeling like a nun's ass - all dried out and tight as a rubber band"  

I really don't want to say much about what happens in the story is I don't want to give away anything. What I will say is that we kind of come full circle and there are lots of characters and references from previous books that play a part in the story. We get answers to several things concerning Dex's past and we get to see what all Pippa's cryptic messages have meant.

Something we did get in this book, especially towards the end was some very emotional scenes. I was extremely saddened at some parts and I although I personally was never bought to tears, I can see others easily could be. As much as I love "Derry" and would love to see them again, Karina made a good choice ending this series now. The overall ending to the series was perfect, though sad and though it wasn't quite the all out crazy huge blast I was hoping for, it certainly packed quite a punch in parts. EiT will remain one of my favourite series and I can't wait for Karina's next series about Ada.

Dust to Dust is a must for all EiT fans but those of you who haven't read any EiT books now you can knowing that the series is complete. Book 1, Darkhouse, is currently free so what are you waiting for?

"I Love you," I whimpered. "Always. Beyond death."

Blog Tour ~ Review ~ Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Reviewed by Willow and Donna

**ARC received for honest review**

Instead of doing a joint review for this one, we 've done separate reviews. These were written totally independently yet the book evoked the same thoughts and opinions in us, which is testament to what a fantastic book this was, that you may find similarities in our reviews. Happy reading!

What Willow says  ~ 5 I loved it to life Stars

" Love isn't always pretty, Tate. Sometimes you spend all your time hoping it'll eventually be something different. Something better. Then, before you know it, you're back to square one, and you lost your heart somewhere along the way."

Wow, Wow, Wow! Yep, It's that good! Emotionally charged and beautifully written, you will laugh - a lot, and you will cry - big fat ugly tears. Colleen is a master with words that suck you in and make you FEEL everything. I don't think my review can do this book justice and convey just how much I loved it! I went into this book not knowing anything except the title and that it was by Colleen Hoover. I was totally unprepared for the emotional rollercoaster I would go through over the next few hours ~  I couldn't put it down!

There were so many scenes and favourite lines in this book that made me swoon, laugh out loud and make my heart break and I marked them all. Here's what my book looked like when I finished it.....

The main characters in this book are Miles & Tate ~ "The Invader and the Infiltrator." The book starts being told from Tate's pov. She is moving in with her brother for a while whilst she looks for a job. Only when she gets to her brothers apartment, she can't get in - there's a drunk guy asleep, propped up against the apartment door, after a very funny scene that had me laughing and smiling, Tate eventually gets into the apartment. However drunk guy - named Miles - seems to think Tate is someone named Rachel and something he feels he has done to Rachel is obviously eating him up inside.

The book jumps back 6 years earlier and is then told from Miles' pov. We get to see when Miles met Rachel. The chapters alternate between Tate, here in present and Miles,  6 years in the past. You see what you are actually getting here is two stories. The story of Tate & Miles and the story of Miles & Rachel. Both of them have highs and lows with plenty of laughter and plenty of heart break!

Back in the present, once Miles is sober, Tate & Miles do not get off to a flying start. Tate finds Miles non expressive, unfriendly and closed off.

"Jesus Christ, this man. Does he not realize that facial expressions are supposed to accompany speech?"

But it soon becomes undeniable that they are attracted to each other....

"You make it so hard to breathe" 

Miles does not want a relationship though, he can't, but he still wants to taste Tate. They agree to a sexual relationship only and Miles sets two rules for Tate ~ don't ask about his past and never expect a future. When they finally give into attraction there are some very hot sex scenes and a very hot kissing scene up against a bathroom wall! But this book isn't really about sex. Its all about the emotion!

Although Tate agreed to Miles' rules, Its harder than she thought it would be, she desperately wants to know his past, know about Rachel and the scars Miles carries, but more than that,  she is slowly hoping for a future that Miles is continuing to remind her she can't have.

"If I were capable of loving someone..... it would be you. But i'm not capable"

Colleen has done an amazing job of making you feel the highs and the heart breaking moments Tate goes through whilst trying to justify and work through the decisions that keep her continuing to see Miles. Now I realise I've not mentioned much about Miles and Rachel's story, but make no mistake this is not just a side story, this is a brilliant story in it's own right and pivotal to Tate and Miles' journey. I just don't want to give anything away so I'm keeping quiet about it!

I can't finish this review without mentioning Cap, an eightyish year old man who assists people with the lifts in Tate's apartment building. I loved his character, he was funny and wise and I'm sure will remind some people of a sweet old man they used to know.

Once again Colleen has delivered a beautiful complex story, well two stories, that will suck you in and spit you out once its got every single emotion out of you. I know I'm going to have a book hangover now and it's become one of my favourite reads. I cannot recommend it enough.

"I feel it. All the Ugly parts of it. It's in my pores. My Veins. My memories. My future."

What Donna Says ~ 5 stars!!!

“Sometimes a man’s spirit just ain’t strong enough to withstand the ghosts from his past…maybe that boy just lost his spirit somewhere along the way.”

OMG, just WOW and WOW and WOW, I just didn’t think that Colleen could get better but each and every book she writes just manages to elicit more, more emotion, more angst, more love, more pain just more. This book is all about “the feels,” my favourite part of a book, as I have said many a time in my reviews, I want to live and breathe a book, I want to feel it all, the passion, the heart break, the angst, the love, just give me sensory overload…it is what I crave, what I love and this book delivered it in spades. I was emotioned out by the end, devoid of all emotion, just that ache, that feeling deep down in your gut when you know you have read something amazing, something that is going to take a while to recover from, something that will eat at your brain and you won’t stop thinking about it for days…yep you get it…major book hangover! This book decimated my heart, it was shattered, scattered tiny fragments that were slowly pieced back together as this book progressed, but it was so worth it. This is a piece of literary genius, something that Colleen always manages to deliver, something so unique, so thought provoking and a book that I can say with 100% certainty is her best book yet.

“He leads. I let him. Because he’s a solid and I’m a liquid and right now, I’m just his wake.”

This isn’t just a book, it is a journey, a journey that you will live and breathe for the hours that it takes you to devour. Make sure you have the time set aside to read this in one hit as you will not be able to put it down. Miles will steal you away, you will “fly” with him and his heart breaking story, you cannot help but be sucked into this emotional vortex that disguises itself as a book, this book deserves your undivided attention, live it, breathe it, inhale it and devour it. I did.

“…don’t you dare try to tell me you’ve been clear from day one, because you are the murkiest goddamn man I’ve ever met.”

This book centres around Miles and Tate, Miles is a pilot and Tate is a student nurse. This book starts with Tate moving in with her brother until she can find a job to support herself while she is training and studying. Her brother is also a pilot and is Miles’s best friend. When she arrives at her brothers apartment there is a drunk propped up at the door and she cannot get in. Scared for her safety she calls her brother and finally manages to get herself in. It turns out her brother knows the said “drunk” and tells her to drag him in and make sure that he is OK. Between the sight of him and his drunken ramblings, Tate realises that there is something eating away at him, something so bad that he has tried to mask it with alcohol. After caring for him and making sure that he cannot choke should he be sick, she goes to bed. The next morning “the drunk” is awake and the mask is in place, totally devoid of any emotion, Tate is finally introduced to Miles. To say they don’t hit it off in the beginning is a bit of an understatement, but there is an undercurrent of simmering chemistry, Tate knows it but does Miles? Is Miles willing to recognise it? Can Miles even recognise it?


“Don’t ask about my past,” he says firmly. “And never expect a future.”

This book is like two stories in one, the present is told in Tate’s POV and the past in Miles’s POV. There is a reason for Miles’s mask and slowly but surely Colleen eeeks this out. It is obvious that something happened to him in his past, something that was so bad that he felt that he didn’t have a future and that he didn’t deserve a future. It was painful to read at times, because you felt so bad for him. Through the glimpses of his past, you saw the real Miles, you knew what he was capable of, and you knew that the “present” Miles was in no way a true representation of the “past” Miles. You just wanted to get inside his head and tell him, you deserve this, you need this, and you are so much more than “this”. He had a fortress around his heart, guarded by heavy artillery, he was letting no-one in, he was impenetrable…or was he? Could that special someone manage to “Infiltrate” his defences? What would it take for someone to make Miles realise that he does in fact have a future and that he is worthy. He was so worthy, he was just damn perfect!

“You make it so hard to breathe.”

Tate was totally and utterly adorable. Throughout this book, she puts her own feelings and heartache on the back burner while she tries to get to know Miles better. She knows there is more to the man than the little slithers and scraps he throws out there. He is the master of “the mask” but every now and then she sees little glimmers, little shards of light that give her that faint ray of hope that maybe just maybe Miles feels the same about her as she does about him. Miles has “Invaded” her heart and her head, she cannot help it, her heart calls for him, she wants him, she needs him, she loves him, but is he capable, can he give her what she craves, can she fix him?

“If I were capable of loving someone…it would be you.”

This is a heart breaking story about a man that is so caught up in his past he cannot live, he just exists. A barren apartment that is a complete reflection of his heart and his soul…barren, nothing, just desolation, empty, devoid and bereft, so twisted and tangled he cannot escape the “Ugly Love” the invader needs to be infiltrated, but is Tate the woman for the job?

“I didn’t fall in love with you, Tate. I flew.”

This book is flawlessly written, it packs such an emotional punch, one that will leave you breathless. But this book is also a new side to Colleen, this is hot…there are some steamy scenes in there and she nails them, not too much and not too little, that perfect balance, just enough for you to connect to the characters even more, you feel their passion, their chemistry, you just feel, feel and more feel.

Once again I cannot salute Colleen enough; this woman amazes me every time she puts pen to paper or fingers to keys. I went into this book blind, all I knew was that it was Colleen Hoover and it was called Ugly Love, but that is enough, it says it all, it says 1click now, it screams perfection and it was. SO DAMN PERFECT!

“I love you to life.”

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1zy97sH
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1twoAsD

Review ~ Lady Luck (Colorado Mountain 3) by Kristen Ashley

Reviewed by Willow ~ 4 Stars

I'm going to start off by saying this was my least favourite Colorado Mountain book, but that's not a negative, I just found The Gamble & Sweet Dreams had an edge to them that I felt this one didn't.

I found the beginning really interesting. Initially told from Lexie's POV, she is sent to pick up a guy from prison and take him where he needs to go. You see this is a favour for an acquaintance who just doesn't say no, so she agrees to this favour get him off her back for a while. The guy she has to pick up? Ty Walker - a man with little words.

I really struggled with Ty at first, he really doesn't say a lot, a few one word answers or commands here and there. I guess I just didn't get him. I was worried that I would feel like this for the duration of the book, but the mystery of why Ty was in prison and why Lexie was caught up doing her acquaintance's bidding kept me reading on.  

What I loved about this book was that, unlike the previous two Colorado Mountain books I'd read, this one is told in alternative POV, which you really need so you can understand Ty much better. I found his parts made it a lot easier for me to connect to him and soon I was loving every part of this book.

Lexie's acquaintance owes Ty and Ty is cashing in, He needs a woman to marry and go back with him to his home whilst he works on his revenge plan for the people who were responsible for getting him sent to prison. The woman he's sent is Lexie. It becomes clear to Ty that Lexie isn't aware of the whole story of why she has been sent to him. Ty lays a deal on the table for Lexie, marry him whilst he gets his shit done, then she can go on her merry way. In return, she gets cash, jewellery but most importantly protection from her acquaintance and a way to escape a life that she's been trying to get away from.

We get to see Ty and Lexie's relationship develop and they start to become a "real" couple. Lexie's back story is revealed and we get to meet some of her family/friends. Back in Ty's home in Carnal, he is intent on getting revenge, but he's up against not only criminals but dirty cops and we start to learn why and by who Ty was set up.

I have to say that whilst the first part of the book was interesting and engaging, I kind of lost my way half way through, it didn't feel like a lot was happening and I ended up putting it down to go off and read other books, though I kept dipping in and out of it.  Eventually it picked up for me again and towards the end, it felt like everything was happening and I couldn't put it down.

Ty and Lexie do have a bumpy road, there are highs and lows. My heart broke for Lexie on more than one occasion. I totally loved Lexie, she's probably my favourite Mountain lady. She was so understanding and open and was willing to put herself out there, she seemed sweet and unsure at times, but other times, she was "throwing sass" and being super "goofy"

You have the added bonus of this being mainly set in Carnal so all the favourites were there, with Tate & Laurie, Krystal, Maggie, Deke, Jim Billy and more plus mentions of Max and Nina and Shambles cakes! (which the descriptions always make me so hungry!)

Although I lost my way half way through, this was still another good read from Kristen, and I know that for some people Ty is their favourite so this book is definitely worth a read!   

Friday Frights Review ~ Ashes to Ashes (EiT 8) by Karina Halle

Reviewed by Willow ~ 4.5 Stars

So the other day I was reading through some of my EiT reviews and I realised that I never actually posted a review for Ashes to Ashes! So here it is for our Friday Frights, and believe me its certainly has some Frights in it!

"We're going back to the beginning, baby" he said, wagging his brows. "Only there's no lighthouse this time. As shit-your-pants scary as that Old Roddy fucker was, we've got a school of dead children. But we can handle it. And if we can't, well that's what Jack Daniels is for"

Dex, Perry and the new addition to the team, Rebecca head back to the Oregon Coast, but this time to a School, which used to be a hospital for children with TB. Yep that's right - a school filled with ghost children! I knew this one was going to give Dead Sky Morning a run for it's money, up to this point I thought that was the scariest EiT book, but this one is definitely on par!

You know it doesn't bode well for Perry when Pippa turns up giving her some cryptic messages and warning her not to go, but although Perry is concerned about the warnings, that doesn't stop her!

Once at the School, they meet the teachers and children and get given a tour with the history of the building and what happened back when it was a hospital.

"The skin on the back of my neck puckered. Just great. Not only did we have the potential ghosts of kids who died from TB but also their nurses who went crazy and killed themselves"

The children tell Dex and Perry about some of their "friends", including a little boy who likes to throw a ball down the hall and Shawna who seems to want attention, especially Perry's.

Make no mistake, this is a scary book, the school is complete with a morgue and a body shoot and with balls rolling down the hall, doors mysteriously being closed behind the team and faces at windows, you will be suitably frightened and I haven't even told you about Shawna's "pet" yet, who is known as the bad thing and has a thirst for Perry. In fact I started writing this review late at night whilst in my house alone, but had to stop, because just thinking about the book brought back the creepy feelings!  

You do get respite from this creepiness though, as once again Dex is there with his witty and funny lines and also a bit of romance for Perry. Things are not plain sailing for the two though and there is some bumps in the road for them and some moments where my heart felt like it was dying!

OMG the ending......... but you have to read the book to find out what happens there!

Another amazing book from Karina that is just as creepy as Dead Sky Morning. It has everything you could possibly want from an EiT book and the ending leaves you wanting more.

"I was speechless. Speachless and scared absolutely shitless, sitting here on a picnic table in a sunny fucking meadow"

If you haven't read this series yet, you really should you can find all my EiT reviews on our previous book reviews here: http://www.theromancecover.com/p/blog-page_19.html

Review ~ Beautiful Oblivion (Maddox Brothers 1) by Jamie McGuire

Reviewed by Willow & Donna ~ 4 Stars

We totally loved Beautiful Disaster, but we felt that Walking Disaster & Beautiful Wedding weren't on the same level so we were interested to see where Jamie would take us for Beautiful Oblivion.

"Instead of feeling ashamed of where we weren't, we could be proud of where we were going and what we would overcome to get there"

Willow: I have to start off by saying I’m in love with Trenton Maddox! I never thought any Maddox brother would come close to Travis, but Trenton certainly comes close.

Donna: For me Trenton was definitely the better man for me, I was one of the rare few that didn't fall madly for Travis, but I may have tripped for Trenton 

Willow: The Story is about Cam (Camille), who has a long distance relationship with a guy named TJ. This means nothing to Trenton though, because once a Maddox boy gets you in their sight that's it! I loved this part of the book where Trent is trying to do anything to get Cam to spend time with him, he is relentless and the banter they have is very entertaining.

"I was just thinking now was as good a time as any to acknowledge you're perfect and it wouldn't suck if you fell madly in love with me anytime soon"
"I have a boyfriend" I reminded him
He waved me away "Speed bump"

Donna: The courtship was definitely entertaining. He has that Maddox charm and swagger and he has to ramp it up full throttle with Cam. He has to fire on all cylinders to make an impression. But you could tell that the charm offensive was working. The banter these two had, had me in stitches at times, but you could also tell that Trenton was sincere. I loved that he wore his heart on his sleeve and his relationship with the neighbours little girl had me melting.

Willow: oh, little Olive, it was genius how he used her to guilt trip Cam into going out for food with him. I loved Trent & Olive's relationship too! As you say Trent wears his heart on his sleeve. I’m definitely in love! One thing I noticed with this book is that Jamie had managed to capture the feel of  Beautiful Disaster, I felt like she'd gone back to the roots in that respect with the story, and just like Beautiful Disaster I was sucked in.

Donna: I totally agree, Walking Disaster and Beautiful Wedding didn't have that ambience and that page turning addiction that Beautiful Disaster did and now Beautiful Oblivion has recaptured. I was totally captivated and read it in one sitting. So many entertaining side characters in this one too. The tattoo shop is one place I would love to work.

Willow: Totally agree about the Tattoo shop!
Although we can’t give too much away we have to talk a bit about TJ. Through the story you are made aware that TJ has a secret, which Cam knows, but feels it’s not her secret to tell. You are left wondering what the secret is and why it appears to be holding Cam back from Trent. Donna I know you and I had similar theories, but I have to say when you actually get the big reveal its kind of flat, and for me it kind of ruined the story a bit. I was left with a few questions I wanted Cam to answer!

Donna: I must admit my conspiracy theories were much better than what actually transpired. Like you, when all I was revealed I felt a bit urggghhhh. I think I read too many books because my brain was going overtime.

Willow: In summary for the most part I thought it was a really good book, I loved that we'd gone back to a Beautiful Disaster feel, the banter was funny and Trenton is yummy, but the ending didn't cut it for me. It could have been a 5 star, but because of the ending I’m giving it a 4.

Donna: I totally agree, I loved the book, I loved the characters, I love the balance of angst, humour and love, I laughed, I swooned but I deflated at the end and for that reason I am giving it a 4, but it could have easily been a 5.

"Just remember later that I'm sorry for whatever happens after this, and I'm sorry that when you walked away like I asked, I didn't let you go"

Review ~ Playing in the Rain by Jane Harvey-Berrick

Reviewed by Willow ~ 4.5 Stars


"He crashed into my life, like an ocean wave out of a millpond sea. He changed everything"

OMG what just happened? Jane Harvey-Berrick made me cry! I rarely cry at books! And with a Novella too!

I am ashamed to say that this was my first Jane Harvey-Berrick read, but I can assure you, it won't be my last. Although this was a novella, I did not feel that Ava and Cody's relationship was rushed. I soaked it all in. This was a beautiful story, with some very wise words and an important meaning behind it that will get you all reflecting.

After having to leave her job, Ava is not having a good time of it. Stuck in traffic in the rain she is handed a note by a guy that appears to be enjoying the rain far too much. That note starts a friendship between the two of them.

As Ava starts to get to know Cody she sees his thirst for life, his willingness to try new things and to live life to the full. She's sucked in and together they create a "wish list" of 10 things they want to experience over the next few months.

I really enjoyed seeing them tick things of their list. This part of the book was fun and fresh and I could feel myself smiling whilst reading. It had a different light feel to it and even though you know in the back of your mind that all good things must come to an end, you are totally drawn into the excitement and adventure they have. To top that off, during this time their relationship is developing, becoming more.

There are little things that you pick up on that make you think that the story is going a certain way, but even so BAM when it happened it was not quite what I expected and it hit me like a freight train. Jane has done a great job to get you sucked in so much that it hits you really hard and all in a little Novella!

This is a great little book, that will take you no time to read, but will have a lasting effect on you. I highlighted quite a few lines, especially towards the end, that really make you stop and think.

"Because Life is a journey, not a destination."

What are you waiting for? Go an 1-click this book now!

Blog Tour ~ Review ~ Collide (Collide 1) by Gail McHugh

Book Description:

Her mind tried to fight a bloody battle against what her body already knew. She wanted him, and she wanted him bad.

On the heels of college graduation and the unexpected death of her mother, Emily Cooper moves to New York City to join her boyfriend for a fresh start. Dillon Parker has been sweet, thoughtful, and generous through Emily’s loss, and she can’t imagine her life without him—even as her inner voice tells her to go slow.

Then she meets Gavin Blake. A rich and notorious playboy, Gavin is dangerously sexy and charming as hell. Their first encounter is brief, but it’s enough to inflame Emily’s senses. When their paths cross again through an unexpected mutual acquaintance, she tries to deny the connection she feels, but Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome won’t let go so easily.

As she discovers Gavin’s pain-filled past and Dillon’s true nature begins to surface, Emily knows she must take action or risk destroying everyone—including herself. But how can she choose when she can’t trust her own heart?

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17158596-collide

 

Our Review:

 

**ARC Received for honest review**

 

Reviewed by Willow ~ 4 Stars

"She's out there, son, and when you find her, you'll know it the second you see her. She'll pull at your every instinct . Without any regard to the natural order of things, she'll just....appear"

After the death of her mother, Emily has moved to New York to be closer to her boyfriend Dillon. Dillon has cared for her and her mother during her mothers fight with cancer, he's the perfect boyfriend, but something is holding her back from moving in with him.

My impression of Dillon at this stage was that he was a nice caring guys, but was a bit cocky, but given his job, he had to be self assured and confident.

One evening just as Emily is leaving her shift at a new job she landed, the owner explains that the delivery boy is sick and they need to make a regular delivery, so Emily agrees to make the delivery on her way home. As she steps into the lobby of the office building, "Mr Tall, Dark & Handsome" greets her and offers to take her to the correct floor. It turns out the delivery is for him, but he's totally attracted to her so wants to spend time with her, getting her to ride the elevator with him.

The next day Mr Tall, Dark & Handsome turns up at Emily's work, he has to see her again. Sure Emily is attracted to him - who wouldn't be - but she has the lovely Dillon, so brushing off his advances she tells him her name is Molly and leaves it at that.

Requested by Dillon, Emily goes down to a bar to meet Dillon and some friends & clients of his. As she enters the bar Mr Tall, Dark & Handsome notices her, this cant be his luck cant it? Her, here, now, walking towards him? As he is staring at her making her way across the room, he hears his friend, Dillon speak about his girlfriend Emily approaching - wait what? Molly is Emily? Molly and Mr Tall, Dark & Handsome are introduced to each other by Dillon - Gavin, one of his best friends and Emily, his girlfriend. Neither of them can believe it's happening.

As the book progresses we see Emily trying to stay away from Gavin, she doesn't need her senses assaulted every time she sees him and Gavin is constantly battling with himself that he wants this girl but not only is she taken, she is taken by a close friend. Unfortunately though, with both of them running in the same circle, there are times when their worlds collide.

As Dillon's kind caring nature starts to disappear and his true colours start to show, he becomes possessive, aggressive and his faithfulness is questioned. Although they try to fight it and Emily tries to stay away from him, Gavin and Emily become friends.

"With bloodshot eyes, Gavin watched her chest rise and fall peacefully. As each one of those seconds, minutes or possible hours passed, Gavin knew - and not for the sake of what he wanted for him and Emily, but for the sake of Emily alone - he needed to get her away from Dillon."

There are many ups and downs in this book and many misunderstandings. There are times you want to scream at Emily for being blind when it comes to Dillon and times you want Gavin to try harder. There are definitely times when you want to yell at Dillon. The author did a brilliant Job of making you think Dillon was a decent guy, then slowly his façade is peeled away and his true nature surfaces, and that's usually how it all starts in real life too.

Gails writing is extremely easy to read, and the book had me hooked very early on. It's not a slow book, it seemed packed with things happening, and not in a bad way, as I got to the half way point I was surprised that so much had happened in the first half of the book and I wanted more. Gail didn't disappoint, there was still plenty of ups and downs to go! I will warn you, it does end on a cliff hanger and although it does give you the first chapter of the next book Pulse, it actually leaves you in a worse place if you read it! I am totally hooked and need to know what's going to happen. Fortunately for us kindle readers, the ebook of Pulse is out now, but if you're waiting for the paperback that appears to be due for release on 12th August.

I definitely recommend this book, I know Donna loves this book too and I'd be surprised if you read it and don't fall in love with Gavin Blake (to the Amazon Forum girls - just don't google him whilst at work ;-) )

So what are you waiting for? Go order your copy now!
 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon UK Kindle: http://amzn.to/1mpvPOg

Amazon UK Paperback: http://amzn.to/1nHSwPV - available 22nd May

Blog Tour ~ Review, Teaser & Giveaway ~ Perfectly Damaged by E.L. Montes

 

Along with E.L. Montes, we are very excited to share with you her new release "Perfectly Damaged". Make sure to watch the TRAILER, read our REVIEW, check out the TEASERS & enter the GIVEAWAY for Amazon Gift Cards below!

 

Author: E.L. Montes

Book Title: Perfectly Damaged

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Stand-alone Novel

 

Book Description:
 

Schizoaffective disorder: a mental illness in which a person experiences a combination of mood disorder and schizophrenia symptoms.

 I know about this illness—very well—because I suffer from it. It’s been four years since my diagnosis, and ever since, I’ve been living in a dark hole. Voices constantly invading my thoughts. Hallucinations. All of which force me to question if what I’m experiencing is even reality.

But here I am, still hanging on, still breathing and living through it.

 That is, until he stumbled into my life. Logan Reed. I don’t want any part of him. I’ve pushed him away, but he isn’t easily deterred. I’ve told him I’m different, but he doesn’t care. He’s trying to slowly break me down. I’m trying just as hard not to let him. He doesn’t know how truly damaged I am; what will happen when he does?

 I know the truth—he’ll never be able to look at me the same way again. Just like everybody else.

 

Teaser:

 

 

Our Review:

 

**ARC received for honest review**

 

Reviewed by Willow ~ 5 Stars

 "Everyone suffers from their own struggles, whether they're big or small. There's no such thing as having a flawless life."

Two things I absolutely love in books - something a little different from the norm and something we can all relate to in some way. This book has both. Yes we've all read books before where one of the main characters has issues, but I've not read a romance book where the main character has mental health issues and for me this book was more about this and the road to recovery than the romance. As for things we can all relate to, the line I quoted at the start is just one of many (I went highlighter crazy!) I think we will all relate to on some level - it's true, no matter how perfect someone's life appears to be, you never know what they are truly going through.

The book starts in true EL Montes style, with something that will keep you guessing what's happened. Jenna McDaniel has woken up from a nightmare and rushes to her sisters room, only to be met with what she expected, but hoped not to be true - it's empty. Brooke is no longer there. Through the book we learn that Brooke has died, however we are left guessing for sometime as to the how and why. Brooke's death has had a huge impact on Jenna as you can imagine and she is struggling with her grief:

"Grief never goes away. It haunts you, takes over your mind, body and soul. Before you know it, it has won."

 

But grief isn't all Jenna is going though. Jenna suffers from Schizoaffective disorder. She's depressed and suffers from hallucinations and occasionally voices in her head. This has lead her to be a closed person, she tries not to feel emotion, shutting herself off from the world.

 "Fear is one of my most battled emotions. Fear of the unknown, of never knowing where each step will lead..... It terrifies me."

 

Jenna's mum has decided to build a guest house and on the construction team is Logan Reed.

 

"A truck. Tats. And a cocky attitude."

 

I totally loved Logan and his cocky attitude and I loved the banter that they had. On their first meeting he helps Jenna out of a difficult situation which ends up with them kissing.  

 "He's a good kisser. He tastes like an apple-flavoured Jolly Rancher, which is usually the one flavour I ditch in the pack; after this it may become my favourite."

Sure, Jenna enjoyed it and she is attracted to Logan, but she knows it was just a one off , it can never be anymore, no one will ever want to get close to her when they know all about her. Logan on the other hand thinks a little different. He can't stop thinking about the kiss and wants a repeat performance. As they see each other more, they become friends, Logan wants more though and knows that Jenna is hiding something, if only he can just peel her layers.

 

Jenna has a real struggle here, she knows what people think of her when they find out about her illness. Will it make Logan run too?

"Jenna McDaniel, the girl with more issues than she can carry. No man will ever be able to handle them. Not even Logan Reed."

 

As I said before, yes this is a romance book, but it's more about a person suffering with mental illness and the struggles they go through, not only do we watch Jenna struggling with her feeling for Logan, trying to keep him away, but wanting him close, Thinking it's best for him not to know about her illness and the everyday struggles she faces, but we see her dealing with her mother who is a major trigger for her. Readers, make no mistake, this woman is a total bitch, the way she treats Jenna by not supporting, but actually contributing to triggering episodes for Jenna will have you seething. Luckily she does have a best friend on her side, Charlie. Charlie was actually Jenna's sister, Brooke's best friend, but knowing of Jenna's illness Charlie looks out for her and the two became friends. I totally love Charlie, she adds some humour to the book.

 

The book is told from alternating points of view between Jenna and Logan, which was great seeing not only what Jenna was going through, but how Logan perceived her behaviour and how he felt about it. There was one part of the book though where I would have liked to have seen what Logan was going through but alas, we just got Jenna's pov. I understand why the author chose to do this though ~ I'm just greedy!

 

I think EL did a fantastic job of portraying the darkness a person feels they have in them and the fear that people might find out and what they would think of them. Also what others around them might have to deal with. There are several things in this book that anyone suffering with, or is supporting someone with depression or other mental illness will relate to.

 

I do want to just share one of my favourite lines ~ there's hope for us all:

 

" ..everyone has issues and there's someone out there, regardless of what you may think, who can handle anything you're dealing with - because maybe that person needs you as much as you need them."

 

In summary this book has got the right balance of being a great romance book, that highlights mental illness' and the struggles that those suffering with or trying to support someone with an illness has to go through, without it being too heavy.

 "That's why I just live for today, and push for tomorrow."

 

Buy Links

  

Book Trailer:


 

About the Author:
 

Author Links:

Facebook & Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter, Authorgraph

Other books by E.L. Montes:

Buy on Amazon: http://amzn.to/12wBrwi

Buy on B&N: http://bit.ly/1925cFT

Buy on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1cEGPlQ

Buy on B&N: http://bit.ly/1cZP8ZU

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Review ~ Love, in English by Karina Halle

Book Description:

He’s thirty-eight. I’m twenty-three.
He speaks Spanish. I speak English.
He lives in Spain. I live in Canada.
He dresses in thousand-dollar suits. I’m covered in tattoos.
He’s married and has a five-year old daughter. I’m single and can’t commit to anyone or anything.
Until now.

Because when they say you can’t choose who you fall in love with, boy ain’t that the f*#king truth.

 

 

Our Review:

 

Reviewed by Willow ~ 5 Stars

 

"Love causes war and causes death, breaks souls and breaks lives. It runs people into the ground, makes them behave like moronic, immoral beasts, before it dances off, leaving only destruction in its wake -  hearts blown wide open for the whole world to see."

It's no secret that I am a huge Karina Halle fan so I usually dive right into her books and speed read them because I'm desperate to see what happens in the end. This book was totally different. It took me a long time to read, but it's because It was so good, I wanted to soak up every single word. In short, I thought it was the best book Karina has written.

It has a different feel to what she has written before, no paranormal and no suspense, it's not an "action" book like the Artist Trilogy. It's all about the journey the main character makes and about love. This book does contain cheating but it's like nothing I've ever read. Usually the main character is the one being cheated on, or perhaps is the cheater, but in this book we see what it's like to be "the other woman".

Canadian Vera Miles has never felt she belonged anywhere and so wants to get away, experience something new and so she signs up for teaching conversational English to Spanish business men and women in Spain during her summer break. A piece of advice is given to her before she arrives at the resort - don't fall in love, and she doesn't intend to, that's not her style....

Until she meets Mateo Casalles that is. Totally gorgeous, confident and unfortunately married Mateo. Although Vera is attracted to him, she would never want to be involved in cheating - she's seen the results of that.

As Vera settles in she starts to understand what the advice meant as she sees other people on the program hooking up together. She builds friendships and starts to feel like she belongs. One of the close friendships she forms is with Mateo, she looks forward to her teaching sessions with him (well who wouldn't!!) and spends time with him during their free time. Although nothing physical has happened between them, people start assuming they are sleeping together because of their close friendship. This leads Vera to question whether what they are doing is really as innocent as she once thought.

"Sometimes I thought I was a terrible person"

Vera does struggle with her feelings towards Mateo and sometimes questions whether their friendship and actions are morally wrong. I think that is why this book has so much power. Everyone usually sees "the other woman" as just as much to blame, and they do need to take some responsibility, but it does makes you stop and think how she sometimes may feel and what she might be going through.

It isn't all about Mateo and Vera, it's also about Vera finding herself, finding friends and finding a place to belong. It's about a journey Vera is on, but all journeys must come to an end.

"There will be nights when you will feel alone and lost" he murmured in my hair. "Where I will feel alone and lost. When that happens, I want us both to remember this, right now. Bring our thoughts back to this room, this moment. Where we aren't lonely. Where we are both found."

So what happens after the program is over and everyone has to go back to their lives? When reality hits? When you realise there is a world outside the program? I loved that this book is spilt into three parts, which include part 1 which is in Spain and part 2 which follows Vera in the aftermath of the program.

"Don't you ever think that sometimes love isn't enough? That it can't over come everything?"

This book is definitely an emotional roller coaster ride. It has many ups and downs and there will be many of you that cry. Did I cry? Yes, but for me it's because I felt that Karina did such an amazing job at making you feel what the characters are going through, it did open old wounds.

The characters are well written and anyone who has been cheated on, been a cheater, been "the other woman", or has fallen in love or lost in love, will find a connection to one or more of the characters in this book and let's face it, that pretty much covers all of us!!

I will warn you, you will definitely fall in love with Mateo. You will love Vera. You may get frustrated at some of the decisions they make, you will feel pain and you will feel love, but those are the best books aren't they? If your looking for a story about perfect love this isn't it. But if you're looking for a book that has real life love, that often doesn't come at the right time, this book is for you. It's a definite must read in my opinion, but take your time, savour each word, each feeling.

"What is love in English"
I raised my brows. "Love, in English, is love"
"What is it in Spanish?"
I was so enthralled by his hypnotic eyes, I could barely remember. "Amore"
He shook his head ever so slightly. "No. Love in Spanish is you"

Blog Tour ~ Review, Excerpt & Giveaway ~ Deliver by Pam Godwin

Book Description: 

His name was Joshua Carter. Now it's whatever she wants it to be.

She is a Deliverer.

She lures young men and delivers them to be sold. She delivers the strikes that enforce their obedience. She delivers the sexual training that determines their purchase price.

As long as she delivers, the arrangement that protects her family will hold.

Delivering is all she knows.

The one thing she can't deliver is a captive from slavery.

Until him.

And her stubborn slave thinks he can deliver her...from herself.

Romantic Thriller

Stand Alone (no cliff-hanger). The sequel is coming Summer 2014.

Content warning: Graphic sex, violence, and psychological abuse. Age 18+ only.

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18621929-deliver

Trailer: 

Our Review: 

**ARC received for honest review**

Reviewed by Willow ~ 3.5 Stars

 

When I read the synopsis of this book it really piqued my interest. The idea of a female slave trainer and male slave was something I had not read before so I was looking forward to this touch of originality.

 

The book begins with the "Deliverer", Liv stalking her pray, Joshua Carter. Only Josh isn't the usual pray Liv goes for. Josh is a star line-backer. He will be missed. But then the client requirements aren't the usual either, so Liv thinks she has no choice.

 

We learn that Liv is not working alone and we meet Van, who, in my opinion, from the outset seems a nasty piece of work and who is extremely possessive of Liv.

 

Although the writing style was a little different than I was used to, the plot unfolding before me really captured my attention and drew me into the story. I had so many questions I wanted answering!

 

Once captured, Josh's training begins. Understandably he is not willing to just accept his fate and he is put through some pretty cruel and torturous things.

 

"He grunted, tried to scream at her to stop. Breathless. Constricted. Fire lit his lungs and his heart exploded with terror."

 

It is a requirement of the client that the slave hate women, but instead of Josh hating Liv like he should, he starts to see past some of her masks and starts to understand that she is just as much a slave as he is, she just has no visible chains like him.

 

We do learn how Liv ended up becoming a Deliverer and the significance of her relationship with Van and we also meet her boss the very mysterious, masked, Mr E.

 

If there is any doubt in your mind whether this is a "dark" story or not I can tell you it definitely is. There are many unpleasant things in this book, but all relevant to building the story and explaining the characters reactions.

 

It isn't all dark though. There are lots of hot sex scenes and the development of the relationship and connection that Liv and Josh end up having is strong and you really do feel it. 

 

"I stand here without rope of chains Liv, tethered to you by my own will"

 

I have to admit that I did think this book was going to be a simple they fall in love and find away to set each other free story and I thought I knew where it was all heading, but then BAM! A twist in the story I was not expecting.... and then another!

 

I thought the twists were brilliant, but one of them, for me seemed to go a bit to far and I think that took the edge off and disappointed me a bit. I did also find that I lost a bit of interest about a quarter of the way in, but after pushing through a couple of chapters new complexities to the story brought me back again.

 

A friend told me that this book had left her with a few questions at the end and I have to agree with her. There are definitely things I wanted to know more about, but there is  another book in the series coming in the summer so hopefully we'll find out the answers then! I will definitely be picking that book up!

 

Excerpt: 

 

On his back, muscles bared, bound, and stretched the full length of the box, he was an erotic picture. She was a criminal, and as ashamed as she was by that, the disgusting, fucked-up part of her anticipated spending the next ten weeks touching every inch of this man.

She dragged her gaze from his body to his face, and guilt slammed into her.

He stared up at her with so much pain in his eyes. “Don’t hurt my parents.”

Her gut twisted. She knew that pain, lived it every day. She leaned in, lips hovering a breath away, and repeated what Mr. E had said to her. “That’s up to you.”

Resolve hardened his face. She knew that emotion, too. Her time in the box was permanently carved in memory, which had made Van’s threats of returning her there an effective form of control in her training.

Tendrils of resentment coiled around her throat. To dwell on her or the boy’s predicament would only bring irresponsible hesitation. So she did what she always did to distract her thoughts.

She reached into the cold place inside her, searching for something yearning she could sing with dispassion. The beginning verses of “What It Is” by Kodaline fell past her lips and shivered through the room. She sang with an icy pitch as she removed a blindfold from the trunk by the box and tied it over his wide, glaring eyes.

To deprive smell, a swimmer’s nose plug went on next. He could breathe through his mouth, and the cracks in the box allowed airflow, but it wouldn’t feel that way to him once she shut the lid.

The skin on his face was hot and damp, the muscles beneath jerking against her fingers. She continued to sing as she cuffed headphones over his ears, plugged them into the tablet outside of the box, and activated the timer. Twenty minutes of heart-hammering silence.

The music in her voice strangled, stopped. Twenty minutes alone with his thoughts. Then the misery would begin.

“It’s just the way it is,” she murmured with an ache in her throat.

His body was motionless, but she didn’t miss the goosebumps creeping across his skin or the slight tremor in his cheeks. The sudden desire to comfort him drew her closer, bending her at the waist, until her mouth brushed his, softly, unjustly. His lips pulled away in a quiver that she felt throughout her body.

She straightened and rubbed her breastbone, unable to soothe the ache beneath it. “I’m so sorry.” A whisper, too low to pass through the earphones.

Then she closed the lid.

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