Cover Reveal- MENDING HEARTSTRINGS by Aria Glazki

The long-awaited release of the gorgeous new cover for Mending Heartstrings is here! What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Cover design: Christa Holland at Paper & Sage

Publication date: February 9, 2016

Kane’s a country singer who’s tangled with too many deceitful women. He’s learned his lesson: girls are for flirting and fun; emotions are for his music. But after spending a night with an earnest woman unlike any he’s known, he can’t force her out of his mind. So he goes in search of the woman he knows only as “Elle.” On her last night in Nashville, the staunchly pragmatic Sabella found herself in a situation more suited to a romance novel than reality. Swept away, she ignored her rigidly self-imposed rules, succumbing to the fantasy just this once. But she knows real-world relationships have nothing in common with their fictionalized portrayals. When Kane unexpectedly shows up at her Portland apartment, she must choose between the practical truths she has learned and the desire for a passionate love she has struggled to suppress. Despite the distance, Kane’s tour schedule, and their meddling friends, both are drawn to the chance for a romance neither quite believes is possible.

Preorder Your Copy! Amazon US - UK - CAN |  Smashwords  |  iBooks

About Aria:

Aria’s writing story started when her seventh-grade English teacher encouraged her to submit a class assignment for publication. That piece was printed, and let’s just say, she was hooked!

Since then, Aria has run a literary magazine, earned her degree in Creative Writing (as well as in French and Russian literatures), and been published here and there. Though her first kiss technically came from a bear cub, and no fairytale transformation followed, Aria still believes magic can happen when the right people come together—if they don’t get in their own way, that is.

Other than all things literary, Aria loves spending time with her family, including her two unbearably adorable nieces. She also dabbles in painting, dancing, playing violin, and, given the opportunity, Epicureanism.

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Review- The Girlfriend Request by Jodie Andrefski

Publisher- Entangled Crush

Pub. Date- January 11, 2015

Genre- YA Contemporary Romance 

Source- E-ARC

Rating- 2.5 Stars

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1MJZcnw

Blurb:

Updating best friend to girlfriend is more than a change of status…

Emma has been best friends with Eli since she moved to his neighborhood ten years ago. Tired of being cast in the role of the girl next door, Emma creates a fake Facebook profile in the hopes of starting an online friendship with Eli, which would hopefully lead to more. Like...way more. From friend request to In a Relationship--it all seemed so completely logical when she'd planned it.

Eli can't figure out what Emma is up to. He’s pretty sure she's the one behind the Facebook profile, but then again, why would she do something so drastic instead of just admitting she wants to be more than friends? And who the heck is this new guy he saw her with? Eli starts to think that just maybe...he missed his chance with the girl next door.

Two best friends, one outlandish ruse. Their status is about to become way more than It’s Complicated…

This Entangled Teen Crush book contains one fake Facebook profile, two best friends who secretly crave each other, and a dreaded sex talk with parents…boy crush in the room included. Pushing a relationship beyond the friend zone has never been so crazy… 

Review:

"My best friend Sarah thought I was nuts."

These were my exact thoughts too when first starting the book. Like wth, dude? This book depicts the perfect reason why teenagers are stupid. Even me, well when I was a teenager anyway. But that's beside the point. My main point is that Emma is an idiot. Like a huge fucking idiot. 'Scuse me for the "F" bomb but I really wanted to get my point across about her. I can't possibly imagine ever doing something so embarrassing as Emma did by making a fake profile. 

On one hand I enjoyed the book but on the other hand I'm thinking that it's actually quite dumb. Something that I've already reiterated several times already. The gist? A girl sets up a fake Facebook page because she's too scared to tell her best friend that she loves him. And has been in love with him since she first met him. I LOVE best friends to lovers storylines. But I can't help but think that the execution of cat-fishing someone is the stupidest idea one can do. Like for real it's STUPID!!!

Redeeming qualities were her level headed best friend who constantly tells Emma what a horrible idea everything is. And the cherry on top? Eli pretty much a knows right away that Emma is the mysterious "Kelli". Get this. He started seeing Emma in a new light all of a sudden. Please. How convenient is that? I know my review is bordering on anger but I can promise you I felt no anger while reading.

It's only now as I write my review that I'm getting mad. I know exactly what I was to be getting when I first read the synopsis. But here I am...mad. Mad that the heroine of the story was so blind and whiny throughout the book. Take out the Facebook factor and I think I would have liked it so much better. I have no idea what she thought she would accomplish by setting up a Fakebook. 

One point in the story, Emma goes and tells Eli they should have a double date. So Emma goes and gets a fake boyfriend that gives her great advice. "Why not just tell him you like him?" It would have saved her and Eli so much trouble. 

Aside from those problems and a few others not worth mentioning, the story is cute. Some of the dialogue is cheesy, while others were bordering on smokin. You could definitely feel the chemistry at times. Emma's family and the people in her life were great. I liked how supportive and fun her parents were and I already mentioned how much I liked her other best friend, Sarah. 

Overall, this is fast, easy read and it's okay that it's not realistic. It's obvious certain parts of the storyline aren't my cup of tea. If you're looking for a book to pass the time, by all means, don't let my review stop you. 

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Buy the Book!!

Amazon- http://amzn.to/1MK00sw

Amazon UK- http://amzn.to/1MK03o7

About the Author:

I've been passionate about reading since I was a little girl, which lead to a love of writing. I write YA--especially if it involves at least some kissing.

I have my B.S. in Secondary Education-English from Penn State University, and am also pursuing my M.S. in Mental Health Counseling.

I live in a small town in Pennsylvania with my teenage daughter.

Review- One-Eyed Dukes Are Wild (A Dukes Behaving Badly Novel, #3) by Megan Frampton

Publisher- Avon

Pub. Date- December 29, 2015

Genre- Historical Romance 

Source- Print ARC

Rating- 3.5

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1JirM4x

Blurb:

When does proper behavior deserve a deliciously improper reward?

The scandalously unmarried Lady Margaret Sawford is looking for adventure—and is always up for a challenge. Her curiosity is aroused by a dangerous-looking stranger with an eye patch, an ideal companion for the life she longs for, no matter what Society might say. So when the piratical gentleman turns out to be a duke—and just as boringly proper as any other nobleman—she can't help but incite him to walk on the wild side.

Well-heeled, well-mannered, and well beyond any interest in society's expectations, the Duke of Lasham is tired of being perfect. Margaret's lush beauty and gently laughing eyes are an irresistible temptation to embrace the imperfect—and her. But if a little misbehavior is appealing, unleashing his wild side is completely seductive—as long as the lovely Margaret is the object of his passion. 

Review:

One-Eyes Dukes Are Wild is the third book in the Dukes Behaving Badly series but I haven't yet ventured into the first two. Yet. The story started off kind of slow for my taste but it eventually got to a point where I enjoyed both the storyline and the characters that slowly earned their way into my heart. Lady Margaret has some serious spunk; one that I think most ladies will appreciate. The Duke of Lasham is dreamy, broody, off-limits, and utterly proper. In short, the dude is a "good" boy. 

Lady Margaret is known to society as scandalous for the main reason being, she refused to marry the man her parents set up for her. Why be with a man who doesn't love you? And vise versa? To make matters worse (or better) she's the author under the name of A Lady of Mystery, writing serials. Lady Margaret doesn't care what people think of her, she just wants to be happy. Since her parents disowned her after the whole refusing to marry situation, she starts playing cards. 

She finds she's quite good at playing cards too. It's how she makes her living to survive and she also uses the money for good. Lady Margaret saves women who are in terrible distress. It makes her
character that much more amazing. The moment she spots a delicious man with an eye patch, well let's just say that the rest is history. The poor Duke never really stood a chance once Lady Margaret set her eyes on him. 

If it helps any, I don't think the Duke minded all that much. He's very proper, very by the books, and never, I repeat never, has time for fun. And why would he? He's the Duke and he's got a million and one responsibilities to take care of. But the more time he starts spending with Lady Margaret, the more his walls start to come down. The love, the passion, and the thrill of such a beautiful woman, who also happens to be forbidden, is just what he needs to let go. 

I deeply enjoyed the the witty banter, the slow burn romance, and characters who were able to prove that love is worth it. I don't know when I started loving historical romance because I used to hate the genre. But ever since I started reading and enjoying the books, I can't get enough. I want more. Overall, I recommend this classically told romance book too all starry-eyed readers who're in need of some loving. 

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Buy the Book!

Amazon- http://amzn.to/1MJXbI2

Amazon UK- http://amzn.to/1MJXeUi

About the Author:

Megan Frampton's love affair with books began when her parents moved her to a remote town in New Hampshire where there was only one television station. And then the TV broke. She devoured every book of fiction in her well-read parents' library, finding special joy in Georgette Heyer and the fairy tales collected and translated by Andrew Lang. Megan majored in English literature at Barnard College and worked in teh music industry for fifteen years. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband (her former intern) and her son. (Book jacket, "A Singular Lady")

Review: The Violinist of Venice by Alyssa Palombo

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Pub. Date: December 15, 2015

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source: Print ARC

Rating: 4.5 Stars

GOODREADS

Blurb:

A sweeping historical novel of composer and priest Antonio Vivaldi, a secret wealthy mistress, and their passion for music and each other

Like most 18th century Venetians, Adriana d'Amato adores music-except her strict merchant father has forbidden her to cultivate her gift for the violin. But she refuses to let that stop her from living her dreams and begins sneaking out of her family's palazzo under the cover of night to take violin lessons from virtuoso violinist and composer Antonio Vivaldi. However, what begins as secret lessons swiftly evolves into a passionate, consuming love affair.

Adriana's father is intent on seeing her married to a wealthy, prominent member of Venice's patrician class-and a handsome, charming suitor, whom she knows she could love, only complicates matters-but Vivaldi is a priest, making their relationship forbidden in the eyes of the Church and of society. They both know their affair will end upon Adriana's marriage, but she cannot anticipate the events that will force Vivaldi to choose between her and his music. The repercussions of his choice-and of Adriana's own choices-will haunt both of their lives in ways they never imagined.

Spanning more than 30 years of Adriana's life, Alyssa Palombo's The Violinist of Venice is a story of passion, music, ambition, and finding the strength to both fall in love and to carry on when it ends.

Review:

Secret trysts. Lovers. Music. Betrayal. And the forbidden love of a priest and girl. The Violinist of Venice isn't anywhere near what I thought it would be. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect which is why I chose to review it. I like Vivaldi' music so I thought, why not? This could be interesting. It was a little more than interesting. There are pages and pages of beautiful description, whether it be Venice or music, it was absolutely lovely. 

Adrianna loves playing the violin but her father forbids her from her one and only passion. In turn, she seeks out Antonio Vivaldi for secret violin lessons. What starts off as innocent lessons, turns into a beautiful affair filled with so much love and passion. But since Adrianna has a strict father intent on finding her a wealthy husband, Adrianna and Vivaldi know they are on borrowed time. The more the world tries to pull them apart, the more they cling on to each other. 

Also vying for our dear Adrianna's hand is very prominent young boy who's both charming and comes from a very promising family. But Adrianna can't give her whole heart to him due to the fact that she's in love with one and one alone. I'm not going to lie, I found this book hauntingly beautiful but majorly depressing. Women were treated so badly back then and it just makes me appreciate living in present day America where I am free to have a voice. I'm free to choose whom I love, the profession I want to do...

Adrianna didn't have those choices. They were all taken away from her the moment she was born. I want to stomp my feet and cry out about how unfair it all was. Having to sneak around with the one you love can be thrilling for a time. But what happens when you don't want to hide anymore? Or worse, what happens when you have to give that person up in order to fill family obligations. Such as marrying a man who you don't love. Sure, you could grow to love them but it would never be the same as if you got to choose for yourself. 

I really didn't expect to read such a profound and engaging story. It's bittersweet, it gorgeously told, and the research the author to get everything right is so amazing to me. I felt like I was in Venice. Overall, this is a book for all music lovers and historical romance fans. The book will make you feel so many different kind of emotions and I guarantee you that you won't be able to put this down. 

*Thank you the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Buy the BOOK!

Amazon 

Amazon UK 

About the Author:

My name is Alyssa Palombo, and I am a writer living and working in Buffalo, NY. My debut novel, The Violinist of Venice, will be out on December 15th, 2015 from St. Martin’s Press. I am represented by Brianne Johnson of Writer’s House.

You can follow me at Twitter at @AlyssInWnderlnd.

Review- MASTERED (The Enforcers, #1) by Maya Banks

Published- Berkeley 

Pub. Date- December 29, 2015

Genre- Erotica

Source- Print ARC 

Rating- 2 Stars

Goodreads- http://bit.ly/1meQoRP

Blurb-

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Breathless Trilogy comes the first novel in the Enforcers series—a bold new direction in erotic romance that explores the games men and women play, and the price they’re willing to pay for pleasure.

What he wants, he takes with no remorse or guilt.

She stood out in his club like a gem, unspoiled and untouched. A lamb among wolves, she clearly didn’t belong. Drawn to her innocence he watched as she was surrounded by men who saw what he did—but no one but him could touch her. He summoned her to his private quarters. He sensed her fear. He also recognized the desire in her eyes. And he knew she wouldn’t leave before he possessed her. She had no need to know his secrets. Not until he had her under his complete and utter control.

What he wants, she isn’t sure she can give him.

The moment he told her want he wanted, she couldn’t resist. Instinct told her to run, but her heart said stay and walk the fine line between pleasure and pain. Though she wasn’t sure she could ever completely surrender, the primal part of her wanted to try, even knowing this man could break her in ways she never imagined. Because once he possessed her, he owned her and it would be too late to turn back. She can only pray that he doesn’t destroy her in the end.

Coming May 2016: The Enforcers Book II: Dominated 

Review-

"He was in control. Always. No exceptions. Not a woman. Not anyone. And he planned to keep it that way."

Mastered could have been good if it weren't for the fact that the heroine was always bringing up how she wasn't beautiful. Even though we're led to believe she's insanely gorgeous and turns heads
everywhere she goes. Yeah, she's one of "those". You know the one; she doesn't "know" she's
beautiful and that's what makes her beautiful? And heroines like that aren't the ones that get on my last nerve. No. It's the ones that have such low self esteem and are like poor me, poor me. It felt like every page we had to be reminded that she didn't belong and that she wasn't that beautiful. 

WE GET IT. 

I knew once I finished the first chapter that I would not be connecting to the story. For one, I feel like I've read it before. Girl meets boy; boy is insanely rich while girl is insanely naïve; girl might as well be a virgin; guy wants her to submit to him; girl basically does...no questions asked. Yawn. Give me something new. I'm okay with storylines being used over and over again if I can actually connect to the story that's being written. Drake Donovan definitely had that Christian Grey appeal; and I always was a sucker for Mr. Grey. 

I honestly wished I had enjoyed this more. It's a book I was very much looking forward to. I just like my heroines to have a little more confidence and more back bone. I also like a story to have a little more if you can look past a door-mat main character that thinks very lowly of herself, don't let my words sway you the other way. Everyone has different tastes in books. Unfortunately, this one was one that made me happy. I spent a lot of time wanting to throw my book across the room. I'm disappointed. 

"If it made him arrogant to consider himself God, so be it, because he was God. At least in his world."

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Buy the Book!

Kindle: bit.ly/MasteredKindle

Amazon Paperback: bit.ly/MasteredAmazon

Nook: bit.ly/MasteredNook

B&N Paperback: bit.ly/MasteredBN

BAM: bit.ly/MasteredBAM

Google: bit.ly/MasteredGoogle

Kobo: bit.ly/MasteredKobo

About the Author-

Maya Banks is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today and international bestselling author of over 50 novels. A wife and mother of three, she lives in Texas.

Website

http://www.mayabanks.com/

Twitter

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Review: Between a Vamp and a Hard Place by Jessica Sims

Publisher- Pocket Books

Pub.Date- December 29, 2015

Genre- Paranormal 

Source- print ARC

Rating- 3 Stars

Goodreads- http://bit.ly/1mmH7Xp

Blurb-

In the wickedly funny spirit of bestselling authors Kerrelyn Sparks and Molly Harper, this sexy paranormal romance features an estate broker and a 600-year-old vampire out for revenge.

Lindsey Hughes loves antiques and couldn’t be happier to make a living in the estate sale business. But when her assistant accidentally buys an entire estate without her approval, Lindsey is forced to clean up the mess herself.

Lindsey travels to the newly purchased, age-old house in Venice, Italy, and soon discovers more than she (never) bargained for. While digging through the hoarder’s trove that fills every floor, she finds a secret staircase behind a wall that leads to a strange coffin…with an even stranger inhabitant.

Vampire Rand FitzWulf has been in his coffin for 600 years. But now that he’s awake, he’s ravenous, and there’s a delicious-smelling woman with a rare blood type in his basement. Luckily, Lindsey has more to offer than blood: she agrees to travel throughout Europe with Rand to help him get revenge on the one who turned him. But as the unlikely pair grows closer, will the billionaire vampire be overtaken by his thirst for blood—or his thirst for love? 

Review-

3.5 stars 

I liked this. It was funny, sexy, and all around interesting read. Girl discovers hot as sin vampire, vampire and girl get chased by evil, and along the way they fall in love. Easy enough, right? It was. The book was very easy to read. If you haven't sensed it already, there's going to be a "but". But I think the story lacked passion and at certain points, it was kind of boring. Not boring enough to make me stop obviously, still caught myself skimming some pages. 

Lindsey and her best friend, Gemma, are both in the estate sale business. While majorly down on their luck, they snag a house in Venice, Italy that will surely have quite the priceless gems they seek.
What they find instead is a 600 year old gorgeous vampire who is still stuck in a different time. It was
so  fun watching him adjust to the modern world. Rand is immediately attracted to Lindsey's blood. Sort of reminded me of Edward and Bella, but whatever. 

Lindsey has agreed to help Rand in his quest to seek revenge on those that betrayed him. Easier said than done. Especially when those they are trying to find are hunting down Lindsey and Rand as well. The plot is fun, the characters were funny, and the action was mediocre. I think the story was good but not great. Readers will without a doubt get a kick out of Lindsey and Rand. 

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Buy the Book!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QSNleT

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1QSNsqG

About the author-

Jessica Sims lives in Texas. She hates writing a bio, so something cool will undoubtedly go here later when she actually thinks of something interesting to write. She has some cats, but what writer doesn’t? She plays video games and confesses to reading comic books. And she likes writing, but that one was pretty obvious.

New Year's Giveaway

2015 is coming to an end even though it feels like it's only just begun. My life has been filled up with laughs, cries, and happiness whether it be through books, movies, or my family. Since I can't give away my kids, I'll give away books that have touched me in every kind of ways that count. (That sounds really sexual but I promise it's not intended to!) 

I'm so ready to begin a new year and see what 2016 brings both my family and me. Below are the books that ONE winner may receive once the contest is over. I'll be giving away a box of ten books. Yes, this will be an international giveaway. Oh, and it could pretty much be any ten books of my choosing in the pic! Okay, and then I'll throw in two bonus books of your choosing :)

Break a leg, lovelies. 

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