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Author Spotlight on Scott Shinberg's Confessions of Eden

8/16/2019

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Confessions of Eden 
(A Michelle Reagan Novel)
by Scott Shinberg
Genre: Thriller
Release Date: May 6, 2019

​Michelle Reagan—code name Eden—is the CIA Special Activities Division's newest covert action operator, an assassin, who struggles between wanting to succeed in her new profession for herself and her charismatic boss, and the moral quandaries of what she must do to innocent people who are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Although she faces seemingly intractable decisions as she executes her missions across the globe, the adversary most difficult to overcome may very well be her own conscience.
Through it all, only one man has ever called her an 'assassin' to her face. Someday, if she has her way, she'll marry him—if she lives that long.

BUY LINKS:

​Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Eden-Riveting-Thriller-Michelle-ebook/dp/B07PTPHTXS/
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/confessions-of-eden-scott-shinberg/1131293571?ean=9781622536658
Publisher’s website: https://evolvedpub.com/books/confessions-of-eden/#mbt-book-purchase-anchor
​Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=bImNDwAAQBAJ

Meet The Author 

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​Scott Shinberg has served in leadership positions across the US Government and industry for over twenty-five years. He has worked in and with the US Air Force, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and most “Three-Letter Agencies.” While in government service, he served as an Air Force Intelligence Operations Officer and a Special Agent with the FBI. He lives in Virginia with his wife and sons.
 
Stalk Scott:
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_Scott
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottShinbergAuthor/
  • GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19091868.Scott_Shinberg
  • BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/scott-shinberg

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Author Spotlight ~ Insanity by Kira Moericke

8/16/2019

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Insanity by Kira Moericke sounds like my kind read!  And it's free on KU! #oneclick
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Insanity 
By Kira Moericke
Genre: Y/A paranormal/mystery/romance

For the past five years, Em Knightly has had the same reoccurring nightmare that leaves her gasping for air. No doctors have been able to help her with these nightmares without leaving her numb or unlike herself...except for one, one that sends her to Brier Hall, an old Victorian manor that is now a place for troubled teens.

But there is something peculiar about Brier Hall, something not right. There is a terrible legend about the manor - a legend of true love, death, and magic. A legend of witches and ghosts. But Em doesn't believe in ghosts...at least not until she meets Casey, a mysterious boy who seems to know something about her that even she doesn't know. And Em plans on finding out what exactly that something is.
AMAZON

Meet the Author

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Kira Moericke grew up in a small city in Wisconsin where her love for reading blossomed. She’s currently attending UW Oshkosh to work on earning a degree in Journalism.

Author Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/Author-Kira-Moericke-1646817562041522/
Kira Moericke (@kiramoericke) • Instagram photos and videos
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Release Blitz ~ Letting Go by Kate L. Mary

8/16/2019

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Title: Letting Go
Author: Kate L Mary
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Editor: Kensington Press
Publication Date: August 16th, 2019
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR
Blurb:
Some people like a little chaos. Not Sarah. Growing up in a house of humiliating filth means she has three crystal-clear goals:
1. Get through college, however she can.
2. Keep her four-year-old sister away from her mom’s hoarding.
3. Never, never let disorder take over her life.
Of course, studying, working, and taking care of a toddler mean Sarah has no time for fun. Until she meets Zac.
He’s sweet, he’s funny, they have compatible plans for the zombie apocalypse. But Sarah can’t let him in. It’s not just his three drooly, sloppy dogs—with him in her life, the pristine future she’s working for would be shredded before you can say Down, boy!
Sometimes falling in love is really all about letting go.
Kate L. Mary is an award-winning author of Adult, New Adult, and Young Adult fiction, ranging from Post-apocalyptic tales of the undead to Speculative Fiction and Contemporary Romance! Her YA book, When We Were Human, was a 2015 Children’s Moonbeam Book Awards Silver Medal winner for Young Adult Fantasy/Sci-Fi Fiction, and a 2016 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal winner for Young Adult Science Fiction. Her book, Outliers, was a Top 10 Finalist in the 2018 Author Academy Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction, and a First Place Winner in the 2018 Kindle Book Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction.
Author Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateLMaryauthor
Website: http://KateLMary.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmary0622
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombieauthormom/
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2FQl4m1
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kate-L.-Mary/e/B00K48N5EQ/
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1utg3pW
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kate-l-mary
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8185415.Kate_L_Mary
Buy Links:
The List: https://amzn.to/2Jach2K
No Regrets: https://amzn.to/2Jf4i4F
Moving On: https://amzn.to/30kA9GP
Letting Go: https://amzn.to/2RR0yZJ
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Audiobook Review ~ Some Can See by J.R. Erickson

8/15/2019

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By: J.R. Erickson
Narrated by: Allyson Voller

​The dead have stories to tell. Are you listening?
On a sunny August morning, in 1935, 13-year-old Sophia Gray finds her friend Rosemary wandering in the woods. Rosemary’s yellow dress is tattered and stained, she walks with a strange lurch, and her eyes are vacant and glassy. She beckons to Sophia, desperate to show her something, and Sophia follows. 
In an abandoned cabin, beneath a tattered blanket, Sophia discovers Rosemary’s body. It was not Rosemary who led her there, but Rosemary’s ghost. 
Step into the Northern Michigan Asylum for the Insane
Twenty years after Sophia discovers Rosemary’s body, she finds herself trapped in the sprawling, and eerily beautiful, Northern Michigan Asylum for the Insane, in the hands of a malevolent doctor who preys on patients who exhibit paranormal abilities. 
Sometimes the dead don’t rest
In 1965, Hattie, much like her mother, 30 years before, is led by a ghost. A newspaper hidden in an attic reveals a secret that has shaped the lives of Hattie and her siblings. Hattie with her sister, Jude, embark on a crusade to remedy the wrongs of the past and discover the tale of deception that stole their mother a decade before. 
Hattie and Jude are in a race against time to discover a murderer and save their mother from a horrific fate. 
Get lost in a uniquely chilling story that spans the life of a family and the ghosts who haunt them.

Ebooks and paperbacks available on the author's website. 
Audiobook available through Audible.

BUY HERE
Audible

~~~REVIEW~~~

Audiobook Review

Some Can See weaves the past and present into a truly twisted, haunting tale that is a total mind warp. I am still trying to wrap my head around it all.  To be honest it took several chapters for me to get into the story. With the author floating between multiple decades and several POV's it was a bit confusing and I was unsure where she was going with the story.  However, around Chapter 10 or so it all came together and I was hooked.  Erickson is a genius to have pulled this off. 

The narrator, Allyson Voller, lends a unique voice to each character and took me on an emotional ride.

MEET THE AUTHOR 

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​I’m JR Erickson, also known as Jacki Riegle in a slightly more tangible reality. I’m the author of the paranormal Northern Michigan Asylum Series and the urban fantasy series Born of Shadows.
Like most writers, I have a million ideas competing for the page so rather than stifle any of that juicy creativity, I try to let it flow. Sometimes that includes painting in the bathtub with my toddler and other times it turns into actual words on a page. I was born and raised near Mason, Michigan, but I wandered to the north in my mid twenties and I have never looked back. These days, I pass my time in the Traverse City area with my fabulous excavator husband, our wild little boy, and our two crazy kitties, Beast and Mamoo.
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Crystal's Reviews ~ Havenwood Falls (31-40 in order of release)

8/14/2019

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I am going to do this a little differently, since I have been lost in Havenwood Falls for a few weeks now! If you have never been introduced, please stick around! 

Welcome to Havenwood Falls, a small town in the majestic mountains of Colorado.
A town where legacies began centuries ago, bloodlines run deep, and dark secrets abound.
A town where nobody is what you think, where truths pose as lies, and where myths blend with reality.
A place where everyone has a story. ​
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Click the image above to get more information from the official site. ​

​Reviews of Book 31 - 40 in order of release date

Blood and Damnation (Legends of Havenwood Falls #5)Blood and Damnation by Belinda Boring
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars

This one was hard for me for most of it. Mainly because it really had NOTHING to do with Havenwood Falls. This is explained and concluded with a cliffy. I liked the idea behind it but it's more of a prequel. I will be jumping right to Wrath and Retribution to see what's up, but all in all this is just back story of a person/people in London.

View all my reviews
Curse the Night (Havenwood Falls High #13)Curse the Night by R.K. Ryals
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good girl meets bad boy, what more could we ask for! Oh yes, something fishy is going on with her, and her family. Can you figure out what's going on? I sure didn't until the end! Loved it!

View all my reviews
Gypsy Heart (Havenwood Falls #15)Gypsy Heart by Randi Cooley Wilson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Callie is a sassy one!
Ronan, I don't even know. Rawr
The Bishop boys walk the fine line.

View all my reviews
Fated Beginnings (Legends of Havenwood Falls #6)Fated Beginnings by E.J. Fechenda
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Daniel and Colleen's story was so heartwarming! Daniel overcame so many fears that were ingrained into him by his father. Mom has a sassy side too! Loved it all.

View all my reviews
Blood & Iron (Havenwood Falls High #14)Blood & Iron by Amy Hale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love, love, love! Holy crap! This was fast paced and amazing! I love how we met Miranda in Zoey's story so the characters were familiar to us. SIN was a new angle that I LOVED. Kai, oh Kai, what can I say. Then that ending!?!?! Wow.

View all my reviews
Break Me Not (Havenwood Falls #16)Break Me Not by Kristie Cook
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I did NOT see that coming! So many secrets revealed towards the end. I was speechless!

View all my reviews
Emeline (Legends of Havenwood Falls #7)Emeline by Katie M. John
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This wasn't bad, but it was a little slow moving. Maybe it was because we had already heard their ending a few times already. This is the real story though, not passed down with what people think happened. Drayan (Dragan) is the Bishop Boys' uncle. It shed some light on them, but whew. I can't wait to go deeper into the Bishop family.

View all my reviews
Shadows & Spells (Havenwood Falls High #15)Shadows & Spells by Cameo Renae
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Make sure to read Bound by Shadows first!
This continuation is amazing. Eris and Rylan come into their own more and deal with some struggles. I love watching returning characters grow!

View all my reviews
Taming the Beast (Havenwood Falls Sin & Silk #1)Taming the Beast by Nadirah Foxx
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hot, hot, hot!
We learn so much more about SIN & Silk in this. Funny I know since it's the first in the series but I am really talking more about the MC club and secret night club! Izzie and Hunter, whew! Their chemistry! Senora has me curious. Not sure what to think of her yet.

View all my reviews
Plans Laid Bare (Havenwood Falls Sin & Silk #2)Plans Laid Bare by J.D. Nelson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Cam and Mavis! I can't wait to read more in the sequel!

View all my reviews
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New Release ~ Midnight by Melanie Gilbert

8/13/2019

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Happy Release Day, Melanie Gilbert! While retellings are not normally my thing, this one is unique and offers a twist that I loved! Definitely one-click this one! ~ Lynn 
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BUY HERE
If you were thrown into a war between a Fae clan and a witch coven, would you be able to uncover the truth before the stroke of Midnight?
Nova Kramer blames herself for the death of her mother and sister—so does her father. When he moves them to Danville City to escape the reminders of what they lost, Nova is thrown right back into a world full of anxiety when their new neighbor, Stella, and her twin brothers make it their mission to bring Nova to her knees—after all, they know her secret—and blackmail is just the start.
Kent Danville and his brothers have a secret, too—their clan is working to take down a coven of witches and find the other five clans of Fae, but when Nova walks into his life, the Fae can’t seem to stop thinking about her. He can’t risk falling for the new girl—he has a soulmate out there somewhere, and a mission to complete…if the coven doesn’t kill him first.
A war is brewing between the coven and the clan—each side a little less human than the other—and Nova may get caught in the crossfire if she can’t discover the truth before the clock strikes Midnight.
Can your heart handle this magical shifter retelling of Cinderella and Prince Charming? Read now to find out!

~~~REVIEW~~~

​Melanie Gilbert creates a symbolic retelling of Cinderella in her first Fae Brothers Ever After Novel, Midnight. While there is no glass slipper or evil step-mother, the cast of Midnight is representative of the classic story as it is told in this modern fantasy. With the introduction of fae, shifters, and other magics, Gilbert delivers a unique twist on this retelling. The characters are diverse and multi-dimensional, each with their own story waiting to be told. Did I mention that the fellas are hot? Well, they are smoking hot! And what fairytale is complete with a villain. Gilbert’s villain is a ruthless snake but you have to have to admire her tenacity. Midnight is a well-written, fast paced fantasy novel.  I cannot wait to see what Gilbert’s take is on the other fairytales she tackles in this series.

​~ Lynn 

​

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Release Blitz ~ Dragon Fire Academy by Rachel Jonas

8/13/2019

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Title: Dragon Fire Academy
Authors: Rachel Jonas
Genre: Upper YA/NA reverse harem/academy/paranormal romance
Cover Designer: Jay R Villalobos of Covers by Juan
Publication Date: August 13th, 2019
Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR
Blurb: Seriously? Four dragon warriors need to stalk my every move?
I get it. They think I’m dangerous, but I’m only on their island to learn. Not to destroy it.
This is another unfortunate side-effect of being the freak who descended from all three supernatural lineages. The bloodthirsty dragons, the destructive wolves, and the disloyal witches. Some believe that, when I transition in a few months, there’s a slight, teeny tiny chance I could unleash hell on the supernatural world. Call me crazy, but I’d know if I harbored that kind of power inside me.
… Wouldn’t I?
My entire life, all I’ve wanted was to be normal. Hence the reason I didn’t think twice about trading in my crown for a stack of books. I’ve got three terms on this island to prove the naysayers wrong, including my chaperones—Kai, Ori, Paulo, and Rayen.
These four are gorgeous, but also ominous as heck. Babysitting me has clearly taken their focus off something they’ve deemed more important. So, now they go out of their way to make my life a living hell, with hopes that I’ll give up and leave.
Thanks, guys.
You could cut the tension between us with a knife, but what’s weird is I don’t hate them all the time. There are even odd moments when I catch them watching me. And not in their usual “wish-you-were-dead” sort of way.
Even if I survive the academy, there’s still no guarantee these four and I won’t kill each other before graduation.
Hey! I'm Rachel, a Michigan native with a passion for writing. I have several young adult releases on my schedule. Those releases will be within the genres of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and dystopian fiction, so I hope you stick with me and check out my future work!
Aside from the many hours spent happily pecking away at my keyboard, I'm a wife, mother of three, an avid reader, and a gamer with a penchant for all things Sims. There will always be a keyboard at my fingertips and I look forward to the words that will flow from them for many years to come. As a self-proclaimed nerd, there's not a more satisfying career choice I could have made. Happy reading!
Author Links: Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YXK4VA
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16788419.Rachel_Jonas
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorracheljonas/
Website: https://racheljonaswrites.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/author_R_Jonas
Buy Link:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YYzIAE
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Release Blitz ~ Pricked by Scott Mooney

8/13/2019

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Title: Pricked
Authors: Scott Mooney
Genre: Fairy Retelling
Publisher: Bleeding Ink Publishing
Publication Date: August 13th, 2019
Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR
Blurb:
Briar Pryce has the power to change the emotions of others by handing
them a rose. It is a talent that has done surprisingly little for her,
besides landing her a dead-end enchantment delivery job and killing any
chance she had with her childhood-crush-turned-roommate. Worst of all,
her ability might be responsible for getting her best friend transformed
into a cat via a cursed muffin basket. Needless to say, Briar is nowhere
near happily-ever-after. But that’s just life as a twentysomething in
the Poisoned Apple, New York City’s lost borough of fairy-tale wonder
and rent-controlled magic.
When Briar reluctantly agrees to help find a princess’s kidnapped
boyfriend in exchange for reversing the curse on her friend, she gets
the heroic quest she never really wanted. Unfortunately, the life of a
noble heroine is not all it’s cracked up­­ to be – the hours blow, and
Briar suspects that the Royal family employing her might be evil,
Republican, or both. To complete the suckage, a killer smoke magician is
stalking Briar as she searches both the Poisoned Apple and Manhattan for
the missing boy. As tensions between the Poisoned Apple royalty ignite
and civil war looms, Briar must figure out how to write her own happy
ending--or she’ll just be ending.
Scott Mooney is a writer, improviser, and director from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Even before he could hold a pencil, he dictated stories to his parents. He currently lives in Chicago after time in New York, Los Angeles, England, and a dozen fantasy worlds of his own creation. His debut novel, Pricked, was written during his studies at Cornell University and Oxford University.
Author Links: Web: https://scottmooneywriter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scottmooneywriter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/scottmoonshine
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19198864.Scott_Mooney
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/4NQQMz
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New Release & Review ~ Then There Was You Anthology

8/13/2019

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Make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see my review! ~Crystal 

THEN THERE WAS YOU is LIVE!

One-Click today for just $.99! http://books2read.com/thentherewasyou
A Single Parent Collection 

14 Authors. 14 Stories. 

Sexy Single Dads. Strong Single Moms.

Whispered Prayers of a Girl by Alex Grayson 
A lonely man, a widowed woman, a carefree boy, and a broken girl... Can the four come together and help heal each other?

 Boss of Me by Angel Devlin
Single dad Jude's icy exterior keeps women at a safe distance; but fiery Pippa could be about to start a thaw...

 Heartbreaker by Anna Brooks
She was never supposed to happen, and her baby girl sure as hell wasn't part of my plans.

Back to Life by Dani René
Both having been heartbroken in very different ways, Kayla and Caleb find themselves in a very unlikely situation where they can't deny the electricity coursing between them. Can love really bring them back to life?

 Chester by Esther E. Schmidt
Some issues cut deep; they are hard to face and even harder to find a solution for.

 Ripple Effect by Evan Grace
One night changed everything.

When Hope Ends (life begins) by Freya Barker
It's the best day of his life--the worst of hers--when one moment in time leaves their paths unavoidably connected by the single heart beating between them.

Just Because of You by Gianna Gabriela
He broke me. I left. He stayed. Now I'm back.

Fighting For Us by Heather Lyn
She rescued me when I didn't even know I needed saving. But now lives are on the line, and we might lose our forever, before we even get the chance to start.

Resisting Rayne by HL Nighbor
Their worlds collide and an unlikely friendship forms, but will they continue to fight the pull for something more or give into the pull and take a chance at love?

Tempt Me by Kally Ash
Temptation comes in many forms. Can Gianna or Max resist?

Riddick by Kathy Coopmans
Do you believe in heaven on earth? I did until one day, she vanished.

Wicked Truths by L.A. Cotton
The truth won't fix anything... it'll only hurt more. Won't it?

Hunter by Lauren Dawes
A mate's death. A rogue wolf. A new life.

THEN THERE WAS YOU features single parents who weren't looking--didn't need anyone--until the right someone came along. Experience the highs and lows of parenthood, love lost and gained, and new beginnings with this collection of stories. They're sure to leave you with a full heart and a smile on your face.

AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME

One-Click today for just $.99! http://books2read.com/thentherewasyou

Proceeds will be donated to Family Promise, a non-profit organization which addresses family homelessness.
 












GIVEAWAY!
To enter the giveaway of a HARDBACK version of the collection click HERE!




Then There Was You: A Single Parent CollectionThen There Was You: A Single Parent Collection by Gianna Gabriela
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chester by Esther E. Schmidt
5 Stars
What an amazing beginning to this anthology!
This is a new to me Author, but I loved every minute of this novella! I am adding the rest of the series to my TBR for sure!

Riddick by Kathy Coopmans
Original Review - February 2, 2017
4 Stars
I really loved this story. There were a few minor editing issues, but easily read over. This is my first book by Kathy, I will for sure be looking up more! I can't wait to read Jude! Tyson's story will be great too. There was just something so real about this book. The emotions. Love, hate, rage. It was described so well. The thoughts were believable. The second chance meeting, just amazing.

Back to Life by Dani René
4 Stars
Holy emotions! What a way to grab the reader. The beginning was so heartbreaking! The only reason this is a 4 star instead of 5 is because there were some small inconsistencies. Ages, teachers, etc. I really loved the story though.

Ripple Effect by Evan Grace
4 Stars
Wow, I don't even know what to say about this one. I did not see that coming, any of it. The last bit was intense, disturbing but intense!

Heartbreaker by Anna Brooks
4 Stars
I enjoyed Opal and Ryan's story. There was so much backstory to them. They had to overcome so much to get to where they are. Will they stand in their own way? Don't forget the suspense, I wasn't expecting that!

Whispered Prayers of a Girl by Alex Grayson
5 Stars
How many times can your heart be ripped out and stomped on! Holy crap. This is a new to me Author but she sure knows how to break you. I can't wait to read more of her work!

Wicked Truths by L.A. Cotton
4 Stars
This is my first look into Wicked Bay, I love the characters and will be looking into the series for sure. Vin and Mags story is full of heartbreak.

When Hope Ends (Life Begins) by Freya Barker
5 Stars
What a heartbreaking story, filled with raw emotion. I don't know how many times I almost broke out in tears. Freya is a new to me author but dang! She ripped out my heart so many times and stomped on it, just to do it again. Mika, Jude, and Kelty have something special.

Boss of Me by Angel Devlin
4 Stars
I freaking loved Pippa, that is all!

Tempt Me by Kally Ash
4 Stars
I'm not usually one for insta-love but I enjoyed this story. Max was dealt a crappy hand, and tried to make the best of it. Gigi just wanted to pay on her loans. Jen sure makes the story more interesting too!

Just Because of You by Gianna Gabriela
I skipped this one for now, because of the cliffhanger warning. I thank you for that! I don't mind cliffys if I can move right on to the next one but hate waiting because I end up forgetting anyways.

Fighting for Us by Heather Lyn
Original Review -January 10, 2018
5 Stars
What an emotional ride! The suspense starting about half way through was a bit unexpected but holy cow! This is a must read.

Hunter by Lauren Dawes
4 Stars
This was different from most wolf shifter books I have read, but not bad at all! I enjoyed the roller coaster that was Hunter. His emotions were all over the place, rightfully so after what he had gone through! Ava is a force to be reckoned with.

Resisting Rayne by HL Nighbor
4 Stars
This was a fast, fun, insta-lust. I loved Travis and Rayne! Perfect ending for this Anthology.

View all my reviews
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Release Blitz ~ Not Without You by A.P. Watson

8/10/2019

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Title: Not Without You
Author: A.P. Watson
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Designer: Regina Wamba
Editors: Tamara Beard
Publication Date: August 7th, 2019
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR
Blurb:
I have one rule in life—never fall in love. Sure, I loved my father and my best friend, but being in love with someone? Out of the question . . . It just wasn’t worth the risk. I saw the agony my father went through as my mother’s coffin was lowered into the ground, and he has never fully recovered from the depths of those sorrows. I won’t put myself through the same misery. I can’t.
Instead, I lose myself in my art. As a painter, I push my emotions into the colors I paint with. I usually put my entire being into every single painting, driving my fingers past the breaking point, but lately, my creative well has run dry. For over a year, my mind has taken a creative sabbatical, locking me out of my own reprieve. But everything changed when I met him. One glance into those bright blue eyes had my hands twitching with the desire to paint again.
If I thought remaining friends with my new muse was going to be easy, I was in for one hell of a letdown, because I was falling for him—fast. Handsome as hell, funny, and kind, he was everything I didn’t need, couldn’t have. I needed to remember my philosophy—live a happy, fulfilling life without falling in love. But deep down, I’m beginning to realize such a fate isn’t possible . . . Not Without You.
NOW LIVE ON AMAZON
A.P. Watson is a contemporary and paranormal romance author who discovered her love for reading at a very young age due to her rural upbringing. She enjoys a variety of genres and authors, from Jane Austen to Charlaine Harris. When she isn’t reading or writing, she loves to dance. A.P. has been an avid pole dancer for several years and thoroughly enjoys the challenging nature of the sport and the thrill of performing onstage. Professionally, she has worked as a registered nurse for several years, and she graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing in 2019. Her goal is to combine her love for aesthetics and skincare by utilizing her Family Nurse Practitioner certification in the field of dermatology. A.P. currently resides in Johnson City, Tennessee, with her adorable rescue pup, Elle. 
 
Author Links:
Web:  http://www.apwatsonauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AP-Watson-Author-580498742137787/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apwatsonauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16102410.A_P_Watson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/APwatsonauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/a-p-watson
Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/914065365413127/
NOW LIVE ON AMAZON
Chapter One: White
White. That was the color that reigned supreme in places like this, places promising all the enlightenment that follows a higher education. Frankly, I would rather be surrounded by any other color in the crayon box. Yes, that meant puke green, sunshine yellow, and even the bright orange screaming at us from every inch of campus. In my opinion, anything was better than white. White was the color of a blank canvas, a stark reminder of the creative sabbatical my soul was currently taking.
“Why do you look like your grandma just flipped you off?”
The sound of Wren’s voice threw me out of my train of thought.
“Because I hate this class. Anything not related to art is a waste of my time.”
“Yeah, that might be true, but everybody is required to take Probability & Statistics.”
“And the probability of me passing this class is slim, so as you can see, no further instruction is needed,” I quipped, sticking my tongue out at her.
She flung her long copper locks over her shoulder and plopped in the seat to my left, pulling out a spiral notebook and a green pen. She was feeling sassy today, and that was an incredible sign. If I had to deal with everything she’d been through the past few weeks, I would have curled up in a ball and flipped the world the middle finger. But not Wren. She was a damn force to be reckoned with.
Placing my hand on her arm, I gave it a little squeeze. Instantly, her body stilled. Although I didn’t reveal my thoughts, my gesture meant she could count on me. It meant she wasn’t alone.
“Thanks, babe,” she whispered, setting her hand on my knee. “You’re the best.”
“Ditto, babe.”
To my right, I could just make out the form of the hot blond guy who had been staring at me for half the class on Tuesday. Not that I hadn’t done my fair share of staring. My eyes had wandered in his direction more than a couple of times since the start of the semester. After all, no harm ever came from looking. He stepped closer, intent on occupying the empty chair next to me.
“If you’re going to sit there, you’d better have a good handle on what the hell is going on in this class,” I stated. My less-than-stellar performance on our first test meant I needed to get my ass in gear if I had any hopes of making it through this class with my GPA intact.
“You mean you don’t?” he asked, humor evident in his tone. “Because you seem like the type of person who has a handle on everything.”
I glanced up at him. Most of the time whenever a guy hit on me, I would dismiss them with little more than a wave of my hand. But his comment had more than piqued my interest. His shaggy blond hair and golden skin tone were so much hotter than I remembered. “Oh,” I whispered with a smile, “you’re good.”
He sat down next to me, sliding a pen out of the pocket of his jeans. “That’s what I hear.” And Hottie was apparently telling the truth, because when he opened his notebook, the first test we took slid out, landing in my lap. “Sorry.” He leaned in my direction.
But I was too quick for him. I grabbed the paper, completely at a loss for words, which was really fucking rare for me. Holy hell. Hottie got a ninety-six? “Look, we got the same grade!”
Wren snickered at my exclamation, trying her best to keep from laughing, since Professor Leigh had already started passing out the attendance roster.
“Really?” asked Hottie.
“Yeah, if you reverse the numbers on your test, that’s what I got.”
The bitchy chick who always wore a red headband turned around to glare at me. “Shh,” she spat, holding her finger over her lips.
“Oh, shut up. It’s not like we’re going to use this fucking bullshit in everyday life.” My retort either offended or shocked her, because she scoffed at me before spinning back around. God, I hated that fucking headband.
“That girl annoys the shit out of me,” Wren mumbled.
“Me too, babe.”
“Eh, she’s just pissed because she got the second-best grade in the class,” Hottie said.
“That seat is yours for the rest of the semester if you want it.”
“I may hold you to that. And my name is Ryan Evanston, by the way.” He held out his hand for me to shake. Crystal blue eyes met mine—the color so pure and pristine my fingers twitched with the need to recreate it.
Well, fuck.
For some people, sexual dry spells ruled their existence. For me, my artistic dry spell was worse than being stranded in the Sahara without a canteen. Sure, I’d been creating art projects for school, but my desire to paint—to let the world fall away and just create—had been non-existent. Wren believed I was uninspired, and she was probably right. But here, at this moment, all I wanted to do was paint those eyes.
Eventually, I slid my hand into his, noting the warmth radiating from his flesh. “Terayn Andrews.”
“And you?” he asked, leaning toward Wren.
“Wren Williams,” she answered.
“Nice to meet both of you.”
“Likewise,” I muttered for both of us.
Professor Leigh droned on for what felt like an eternity. So the guy had his passions, and they all happened to lie within statistics, but that still didn’t warrant the need for him to subject each of us to said passions. Alas, the board of this higher education establishment somehow feels we will benefit from taking a statistics course. And it was a load of freaking bull too.
I tried to concentrate on the sound of Leigh’s voice, but my brain was only capable of withstanding so much torture. I copied down a few notes from the lecture, but my willpower was obliterated by the color periwinkle. My hand had been twitching since I caught sight of those blue eyes. Pulling a few colored pens from my purse, I decided to let my fingers do their bidding.
 Line after line flowed together, forming a perfect representation of the human eye. That iris and the multitude of colors it possessed were astounding. I used not one but three different blues in order to capture the intricacy of the hue. And I still wasn’t done. Something about his expression when he had looked at me caught my interest. It needed to be captured too. Now, the drawing had a set of eyebrows to accompany those eyes.
A sharp elbow to my side pulled my attention from the growing portrait in front of me.
“If you keep at it, you’re going to wind up drawing a full portrait,” Wren whispered in my ear.
“What?”
“And you might want to stop before you get to Hottie’s body.”
“Fuck,” I muttered, the momentary enchantment his eyes had cast over me finally breaking.
I scrambled to cover the drawing that had now taken up over three-fourths of my notebook paper, but my efforts were too late. Hottie had already caught sight of my sudden artistic breakthrough.
He pointed to my drawing. “You’re really talented.”
“Thanks. Art major, so I have a bad habit of doodling all the time.”
“I like it.”
I swept a strand of hair behind my ear and glanced at the clock. Thank God, this hell pit of a class was nearly over. I was in the middle of straightening my papers when a page full of notes landed right on top of my stack.
I glanced to my right, staring at Hottie, or rather, Ryan. “What’s this?”
“Notes for today’s lecture.”
“Don’t you need these?” I asked.
“Not really. This class is almost fun for me. I’m double majoring in corporate finance and business.”
“Holy shit.”
He laughed, turning that blue gaze on me. “That’s one way to put it.”
“Thank you for the notes.”
“No problem.”
To my left, I could just make out Wren’s body stiffening. Her phone was clutched in her hands, and she squeezed the plastic case dangerously.
That couldn’t be good. I glanced at her and the phone. A text from Liam lit up the screen.
Fuck that fucking jackass.
Even after all the shit he had pulled on her birthday, he was still trying to fuck with her life. I was just about to throw my arm around her when she stood and bolted from the class. I grabbed my stuff and flew after her, ignoring the astonished stares of our fellow classmates. The moment I reached the doorway, my head turned in either direction. Wren was at the end of the hall, clearly fighting back tears. The girl didn’t cry. In fact, the only time I’d seen her cry—other than at my mother’s funeral—was on her birthday last week when she caught Liam fucking his ex.
I approached her with caution. “Hey, babe. Talk to me about it?”
She shook her head, water shining in her brown eyes. “I am so over him and all his bullshit! Why can’t he just leave me the fuck alone?”
Her raised voice garnered a few curious stares. Not thinking, I grabbed her hand and pulled her into what I thought would be an empty room. Instead, we were met with a wall of urinals. Oh well, it would do.
“What is he doing now?”
“Trying to apologize. As if I would even take his lying, cheating ass back.”
“The nerve of that fucker.”
“Hey! This is the men’s restroom!” A guy I’d never seen before held the door open, staring at us in shock.
“Ask me if I care,” I replied, glaring at him with nothing but hatred in my eyes.
“But—” the guy began.
“Find another restroom. This one is occupied.” Hottie from our statistics class loomed over the guy. All right, he wasn’t just another pretty face. He had some nicely muscled arms to back up his threat.
“My mistake.” The guy scurried away a second later.
“Are both of you okay?”
“Wren?” I questioned in a soft voice.
“Not really,” she replied, her fingers twisting around a long strand of her hair. Her eyes were glued to the floor, but the faint trace of tears still lingered on the curves of her cheeks.  
“I see.” He nodded, looking thoughtful as he shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “You guys hungry?”
“Yeah,” Wren answered.
“I could eat,” I added.
“My Jeep is parked right outside this building. Why don’t I take you guys to get something to eat?”
I looked to Wren so she would know this was her call.
“Okay,” she muttered.
He held the door open for us while Wren and I filed out of the men’s restroom. The three of us exited the building, stepping out into the overcast day. Yesterday was nearly seventy degrees. Today, it was barely above fifty. I really wished Tennessee would decide what the hell it wanted to do with the weather.
Hottie drove us to a diner not far from campus. I’d always been told not to get in the car with a stranger, but Ryan put off nothing but good vibes. He had opened and closed the car doors for Wren and I, and he even held open the door to the diner. Everything in my gut informed me he was a nice guy.
We slid into an empty booth just as our waiter arrived. He handed each of us a menu and a glass of water before he scurried away, stating he’d be back in a minute to take our order. I sipped on my water, watching Wren out of the corner of my eye.
“Do you have any more classes today?” I asked Ryan.
“Nope. I’m free. What about you two?”
“I’ve got art history tonight at seven but that’s it.”
“I’m done too,” Wren stated.
“And you’re an art major. What about you, Wren?”
“Nursing. I’m still getting a few requirements in now, though.”
“That’s awesome.”
“What about you?” she asked. She’d been too distracted by Liam’s earlier message to hear Ryan’s answer in class.  
“I’m double majoring in corporate finance and business.”
“Damn. Guess that explains the A you got on the first statistics exam.”
“If either of you need help in that class, just ask. I really don’t mind.”
“Thanks,” she answered.
“I think I’m the only one who really needs the help,” I added.
Wren grinned, nudging me with her shoulder. “Numbers so aren’t your thing.”
“I’m tragically left-brained.”
No sooner than the words left my mouth, and our waiter popped up out of nowhere to take our order.
“Alright. What can I get y’all to eat?” He turned in my direction first, awaiting my order.
            â€œI’ll have a burger with a side of onion rings.”
            He jotted down my order. “And for you?”
           
            â€œI’ll have two pancakes and a double side of bacon.”
            â€œOh, we stopped serving breakfast at noon.”
            Wren’s expression dropped at his words. It was only two in the afternoon. I figured this place served breakfast all day, and she must have too. She picked the menu back up, scanning through the lunch dishes.
            â€œGive her whatever she wants,” Ryan ordered, pulling out his wallet.
            â€œI wish I could, but we stopped serving breakfast two hours ago.”
           
            Ryan set a fifty-dollar bill on top of the guy’s order pad. “Surely a few pancakes and two sides of bacon won’t be too much trouble, right?”
            â€œIt’s okay! I’ll just order something else,” Wren said.
            â€œNope, you want pancakes and bacon, and you’ll get it.” Ryan’s voice wasn’t angry, but it did err on the side of being extremely dominant. And I kind of liked it.
            â€œTwo pancakes and two sides of bacon it is,” the waiter agreed, scribbling on his pad.
            â€œWe really appreciate you being so accommodating,” Ryan stated.
            â€œAnd for you?” the waiter asked.
            â€œA burger with a side of fries and a strawberry milkshake.”
            â€œOkay. I’ll have that out to you as soon as possible.”
            â€œThank you,” Ryan answered, collecting all the menus to hand back to the waiter.
“Thank you so much for what you did, but you didn’t need to do it,” Wren said once our waiter was out of earshot.
Ryan shrugged, acting like it wasn’t a big deal. “You seemed like you weren’t having the best day, so it’s the least I can do.”
“Thank you,” I added, staring into those sapphire eyes.
“It’s nothing.”
“I really do appreciate it,” Wren replied.
“Happy to help. Besides, what kind of diner doesn’t serve breakfast all day?”
           
“I was thinking the same thing!”
I nodded, completely in agreement with Wren. “I thought it did too. Kind of weird that it doesn’t.”
“I suppose next time we eat out, it’ll have to be at Street City Grill. They serve breakfast all day.”
“Bacon should always be served all day.”
“I agree wholeheartedly.” Ryan smiled at her. “So, how long have the two of you been friends?”
“Since we were six,” Wren and I answered in unison.
Ryan nodded. “I can tell.”
“This copper-haired beauty is my number one babe.” I slid my arm around her neck and squeezed tight.
“No boyfriend?”
“What the hell would I want one of those for?”
“I don’t mean to put down my own gender, but you’re probably better off without one,” Ryan joked.
“No kidding,” Wren agreed.
“Look, I’m not one to pry, but if you want to talk about whatever has been making your day so shitty, feel free to get it off your chest.”
“I appreciate the thought.”
“It’s either about relationship or family troubles. And while I’m well-versed with the latter, I’m also a good listener if you ever need to vent about it.”
Wren gave him a slight smile. “Thank you. I’ll definitely keep your offer in mind. It might be nice to have a guy’s perspective on everything.”
“Relationship trouble then,” Ryan muttered more to himself than to Wren and me.
“What was that?” I asked.
“Sorry, I figured it was guy trouble, but I didn’t want to pry.”
“Oh,” Wren breathed. “Yeah, it is.”
“Figures. Men are dicks most of the time.”
“Oh, so you’re gay?” I questioned. The way Ryan had been staring at me in class led me to believe he fell to the charms of the female population, so I couldn’t help but be curious.
I blamed his eyes.
“What?” His eyebrows pinched together as he quickly shifted his attention from Wren to me. “I’m not gay.”
“If you are, we don’t care. Actually, it will probably make us like you more.”
“Sorry to burst your bubble, but I like pussy.”
His reply caught me off guard. Those periwinkle irises held my gaze for a second before tearing through me like a damn power drill. “Um, I-I . . .” What the hell was I even going to say? I was not the type of woman to be at a loss for words, so this development was pretty strange for me. And Hottie’s looks were definitely responsible.
Wren burst into a fit of laughter beside me. “Oh my God! You made her blush! Jesus Christ, Ter, I don’t think you’ve blushed since ninth grade.” She leaned across the table and held out her hand, giving Ryan a high five. “You are crass and awesome! We can be friends.”
Ryan licked his lips and grinned like the freaking Cheshire cat. “Happy to have your approval.”
Thank God, my embarrassing moment was cut short by the arrival of our food. Our waiter placed a plate in front of each of us before scurrying away. 
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