Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Tracks Review + Alternate POV + Giveaway

Tracks
Author: Sarah Biermann
Genre: New Adult
 

When Harvard Law student, Dylan Ackhart, moves to Boston with her best friend- the last thing she expects to find is Jeremy Mason. Jeremy is sexy, smart, and passionate- and currently the most famous rock star in the world.
 
From the first moment Dylan meets Jeremy, she's attracted to him. But she soon finds the fame and press can wear on you. Plus, Jeremy seems to be hiding things from her- including his relationship with the mysterious blue-haired girl.
 
Tracks takes you on a ride through the not so glamorous side of dating a rock star- sex, drugs, rock and roll.

 
This was definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time. I rated Tracks with FOUR AND ONE HALF LEAVES! I had no idea where this book was going to take me. The characters took me on an emotional rollercoaster and just when I figured the big free fall drop was over, they threw me through another loop.
 
Dylan has just moved to Boston to go to Harvard Law School with her best friend, Theresa. Jeremy Mason is a famous child prodigy who now happens to be a famous rock star. Jeremy is in Boston on his major tour. When fate plays it's card, they meet and are forever changed. Their lives mingle and it is a whirlwind from there.
 
I was completely wrapped up in this book while reading and could not put it down. I think what I loved most about Tracks was that it was not predictable at all. I thought I knew where the story was going when I first started reading and by the end I was turned upside down. Even though this story is based with a normal girl and a rock star boy, I feel like the life lessons from this book are real life. This book is very real and I enjoyed that as a nice change. I recommed Tracks to anyone who loves reading a good book and at the end is begging for more!
 
I make a disgusted sound in my throat. “I am totally fucked up by what my mother did to me,” I say, still aghast at his reaction to my story.
    “Fucked up?” he questions, confused. “Why? Because you’re shy? Because you’re private? Because you don’t like to be vulnerable? Because you strive to achieve great things to prove you’re good enough to be worth something?”
    The way he instantly knows me makes me very uncomfortable. I freeze, wide eyed and unable to speak for a moment. How could he see me so clearly? How did this connection between us go so deeply? It was disturbing to me, the understanding between us. It’s deeper than even the physical pull between us, as if the air that separates our bodies is electrically charged. I had worked my whole life to push people away, building up this wall of protection. And yet here is this man, tearing it down and seeing who I am through all the bullshit. Maybe I'm not as good at hiding myself as I thought.
    “Yeah,” I finally muttered. “Those reasons are pretty much why.”
    “It makes you beautiful. The things you say it created in you... are what attract me to you in this unbelievable way. You’re timid, shy, brilliant, and completely unaware of how amazing you are.”
    I go statue still. My heart feels like it’s going to explode at his words. How did our conversation change course so quickly? I don’t know if I’m prepared for this. “Amazing?” I repeat in disbelief.
    He smiles a catlike smile, like he’s hunting again. Immediately, my breathing increases. “Oh yes. When I first saw your eyes from the stage,” he leans closer to me. I want to both back away and lean toward him at the same time. “I wanted to make them roll back into your head. I wanted to grab your round hips and pull you close to me.” He crouches on the couch, one leg on and one leg off, leaning over me. With his face against my cheek again, he whispers in my ear, “You. Are. Breathtaking.”
 
Alternate POV
 
Unexpected Hero
Chapter 2
Jeremy’s POV

I down the cold can of beer in my hand until the last drop falls on my tongue. I’ve had seven beers, and it’s just barely enough to hold me over. I’m tired of drinking fucking beer backstage every goddamned night and could really use the hard stuff. But I guess I have to be at least able to fucking walk when I’m on stage.

I crumple the can and throw it on the floor. I know one of my assistants will pick it up. Ever since I fucked the two of them- in the same night- they’d do anything to get back in my pants. It’s sad, really. Pathetic.

Then again, I guess it’s really fucking hypocritical of me to call anyone else pathetic.

I stretch my neck from side to side before lifting my baby’s strap up and over my head. I love the feel of her cold neck against my hand. She glimmers in the faint light, her strings perfectly tuned and tight. To me, it’s like I’m a priest holding the Holy Bible in my hands. The fucking word of God.

I close my eyes, trying to get into the half meditation state I’m in when I perform. Trying to let the music take over me and my emotions instead of the constant drugs and alcohol pumping through my veins. I raise my arm above my head and bring my fingers down across her precious strings. The sound she makes over the sound systems is strikingly beautiful. It immediately quiets the loud crowd down before they start cheering for me again.

I love how my baby and I have the power to quiet a room full of thousands of people, even without being seen. The moments I have backstage, when I’m not visible to anyone or dancing around like an idiot for anyone, when just the sound of my guitar can silence the crowd…that’s fucking music.

I start doing a general, simple guitar riff. I make it more and more complex the longer I play. The sound is blaring through the venue, and it’s beautiful. I take it all in before I have to walk out onto the stage, the lights hitting me and the crowd screaming for me all at once.

The band kicks in and my riff changes into one of my latest singles. I don’t even have to pay attention to the notes or lyrics anymore. I could play them in my goddamned sleep. Sober or not.

I walk to the microphone, trying to look at every girl in the front row in the eyes. I’m doing this obviously to keep them in love with me like the record company wants, as if my brilliant music can’t or won’t speak for itself (those assholes), but also because I’m restless today and bored with my normal girl groupies. Surely, there’s got to be one, two, or three hot women in the front row.

Midway through the first song, as I’m hunting through the crowd, I see someone jerk forward as if they’re about to jump onto the stage. My eyes are drawn subconsciously towards the movement, and I look down to see her. And then, our eyes lock.

Holy shit. Holy. Fucking. Shit.

I’m initially frozen by the most powerful, beautiful, greenish-blue eyes I’ve ever seen. I feel like she’s staring straight through me. The electricity I feel pulsing through my body is something I’ve never felt without the alcohol or drugs before. Suddenly, I have to concentrate on what I’m playing and singing. I’m so stunned I may actually screw up. I have to look away from her before I make myself look like an idiot. Somehow, I manage to tear my eyes away from her gorgeous face. But my heart is still pulsing so loud I can hear it in my ears.

Throughout the concert, I have to will myself to stop from staring at the gorgeous girl the entire night. Every once in a while, I slip up and look at her. And every goddamned time, she’s staring right back at me. With those eyes. Those eyes I’m going to make roll back in her head. Those lips I’m going to make red and swollen. I have to touch her. I have to feel her. Now. I have to know if this electricity will continue if our proximity is closer.

I can’t believe I’m fucking doing it, and Rich and the rest of the security team is going to have my fucking head, but I find myself leaning over the stage and reaching towards the crowd. Not towards the crowd, but towards her. I stare at her, willing her to grab my hand.

But instead, about fifteen other hands reach out to grab mine. And then more and then more. Girls from every direction are rushing the stage, and no matter how fast security pulls them off, more come. I pull my hand back as soon as I can get it free. They almost pulled me off the stage.

I look down to find the girl again and realize she’s no longer standing in front of me. I look around the crowd, confused as to where she went. I see the girl she was talking to during the show frantically trying to push a bunch of girls away and get down towards the floor. I follow her line of sight to the floor and see arms covering a head of blonde hair. Girls are trampling on her, stepping all over her body. Heels are digging into her legs and back. One is dangerously close to her head.

No! Not her…

My blood pressure and adrenaline rise so fast, I think I’m going to fucking pass out. I drop my hands from my guitar. “Stop!” I scream loudly. The idiot band continues to play. “Stop, stop, stop!” I growl. Almost the whole auditorium falls dead silent. I breathe a short sigh of relief. I glance to my right and see Richie standing by the stage door. “Help her. Now!” I say, pointing to where she’s lying on the floor.

God, please be okay. Fuck! Fuck fuck…I need her.

Need? Fucking sick, right? But I knew the second I saw her goddamned face, she was the answer for me. She’s the woman. The one I’ve been searching for. I just…I just know it. She’s…she’s my present. My future. She’s the girl I’m going to fucking marry. She just doesn’t know it yet.

As I see Rich pick her up and carry her backstage, I know she’ll be mine. But I know she’ll be different than the other girls, so for the rest of the concert I’m thinking about how I may have to change for her. And by the way she looked at me, with her fucking innocent eyes and modest-but-seductive as hell clothing, the changes I may have to make scare the shit out of me.

 
 
Sarah Biermann, RN, BSN was born Wilmington, Delaware and grew up in Claymont. She attended Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Wilmington for high school, majoring in creative writing. She went on to Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, PA for her Associates Degree in Nursing. She recently graduated Drexel University with her BSN in nursing and is currently in their Masters program for nursing education. Sarah's nursing specialty is in drugs and alcohol detox and rehab.
Sarah has been married to her husband, Jon, for 8 years. She has two beautiful daughters: Anna, age 7, and Quinn, age 2. They live in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
She enjoys reading, singing, art, music, television, going to the movies, Hershey Park, and writing. "Tracks"- the first book in the "Rock Bottom" series- is her first book.
Sarah is currently working on the second book in the "Rock Bottom" series- titled "Trials"- coming soon.

 
 
 
Playlist
1. Kiss From a Rose- Seal
2. Hallelujah- Jeff Buckley
3. In Your Eyes- Peter Gabriel
4. Mirrors- Justin Timberlake
5. Big Shot- Billy Joel
6. Happiness is a Warm Gun- Beatles
7. Baby's on Fire- Jonathan Rhys Meyers
8. Barely Breathing- Dunkin Sheik
9. Behind Blue Eyes- The Who
10. Breaking the Habit- Linkin Park
11. Extraterrestrial- Katie Perry
12. Circle The Drain- Katy Perry
13. Hummingbird Heartbeat- Katy Perry
14. Heroin- The Velvet Underground
15. Come To Your Senses- show "Tick Tick Boom!"
16. I Want You/She's So Heavy- Beatles
17. Locked Out Of Heaven- Bruno Mars
18. Your Song- Elton John
19. I Drink Alone- George Thorogood
20. Take A Bow- Rihanna
21. This Time- Jonathan Rhys Meyers
22. While My Guitar Gently Weeps- Beatles
  
 

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Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Exception Cover Reveal + Giveaway


Exception
Author: Patty Maximini
Expected release: October 24, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Cover designed by: Okay Creations  
 
 
With her life packed in boxes in the back of a U-Haul truck and a promise to her sister, Charlotte, that she’d find a way to let go and be happy, Emily crossed the country to escape the haunting memories of her past. As she settles into her new life, Emily holds true to her promise and begins to open her walls to those around her and overtime, she selectively begins to trust again. However, some wounds are too great to overcome, and between her recurring nightmares and her fear of even the slightest physical contact, she wonders if she will ever heal completely. In walks Taylor, a handsome out of towner, with his own past to overcome. Against all odds, an undeniable special friendship forms almost instantly between the two. Not minding his company or touch, Emily is jolted into realization that he is her healing, her strength, her protection and her escape from her daunting past. He is her exception.
 


I’m Patty, and words have always been a passion of mine. I’ve always loved to read them, write them and learn them in other languages. Last year, I’ve decided to take that passion and turn it into a book, the result was Exception, my very first novel due this October. Whenever I’m not sitting behind my computer, I’m either enjoying the company of my dear hubby, Alex, and our four four-legged babies or reading. I’m a firm believer in long hand written letters, love of any kind and good stories.
 
 
 
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Love Request Review + Character Interview + Giveaway


Love Request

Author: Tara Chevrestt 
When Ciara Littleton takes the plunge and finally joins Facebook to socialize without the limits that her hearing impairment gives her, on a whim, she looks up a childhood friend. In sending him that first message, she ignites the memories of a crush from twenty years ago. But can a simple friend request fix all that stands between them and lead to something more?

Hunter has a lot on his plate. A recent divorce, a pregnant sister, and now, he realizes he's in love with a woman who lives states away. Can he overcome the boundaries of Internet romance to make this desire turn into something real, or will adversity and distance be their undoing--adversity being in the form of his very own sister--the woman who bullied Ciara so mercilessly long ago? 

At its beginning, Love Request is really original and intriguing, because it features Ciara Litteton, a hearing impaired female lead 

"I'm a grown woman, I'm attractive and sucessful. I'm hearing impaired and I'm okay with it. They have the problem."  

After Ciara's mother passes away from cancer, Tammy, Ciara’s best friend, wants her to get back in the dating world. Ciara finally joins the 21st Century and signs up for Facebook. While on Facebook, she thinks of people she could send friend requests to. Enter Hunter, her first crush from second grade. Hunter and Ciara send messages back and forth, and when the two decide to meet, the chemistry is off the charts.   The story flips back and forth from when Ciara was a child to present day. We experience everything right alongside Ciara as she is bullied by other kids in her class. Throughout these sad experiences, there was one boy that was always nice to her. Hunter. Ironically, it was Hunter’s twin sister that bullied Ciara. I literally cried my eyes out for Ciara. I felt so connected to her on so many levels. Being a kid that was bullied, it's hard to read situations such as these and makes you think twice 
 The characters are what made this book a page turner. The storyline moves the reader to become emotionally invested. Tara Chevrestt did an excellent job!



~Character Interview~
Jodie Rae: Thank you so much Ciara for joining me in this chat!

Ciara: Happy to be here!

Jodie Rae: If you could describe your feelings for Hunter as a kid in one word, what word would that be?

Ciara: Flustered. It was so nice and  yet so strange to have a cute boy pay attention to me--the good kind, I mean. I wasn't used to it. He flustered me. And when he was around, I felt happy. I could forget about the mean girls.

Jodie Rae: Before you joined Facebook, did Hunter ever wonder through your mind? 

Ciara: Yes. He was the first boy I ever "loved". You never forget your first crush.Jodie Rae: How does it feel to have everyone reading your and Hunters' story?

Ciara: Weird! It's very personal....especially certain scenes...but I hope people learn from our story, about bullying, about forgiveness, about letting bygones be bygones.
Jodie Rae: Last question, so prepare yourself. When you hear the name "Caitlin," what's the first thing that pops into your mind?

Ciara: I imagine the sound of my palm slapping her face. I suppose it's something I would feel more than hear, but I'll take it regardless! I guess some things can't be bygones...

Jodie Rae: I just want to wrap up by saying your story touched me more than any story I've ever read. I feel so connected to your character, because I also have a disability. Thank you for letting me interview you!

Ciara: I'm so glad you enjoyed it! As for disabilities...it's only a handicap if you let it be one. I hope you have not only overcome it, but proved to everyone how strong you are because of it. :) They say everything happens for a reason. Once you find that reason, it's so easy to come to terms with it. Take care, and thanks for having me today.

Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, writer, and an editor. She is most passionate about planes, motorcycles, dogs, and above all, reading. That led to her love of writing. Between her writing and her editing, which allows her to be home with her little canine kids, she believes she has the greatest job in the world. She is very happily married.
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Monday, July 29, 2013

Lyon on a Leash Spotlight


Lyon on a Leash
Author: Erosa Knowles
Hosted by: Nevermore PR
 
 
 
Successful attorney Vera Knight has it all – an exciting career, a stunning home, and all the money she needs to travel the world in style. The only thing she doesn’t have is a man - and not just any man will do. She needs a submissive who will let her be as successful in the bedroom as she is in the courtroom.
Innovative graphic artist Marcus Lyon is on the hunt for the right woman to serve. Pleasing a Dominate and keeping her happy rocks his world. But a former D/s relationship has left him with emotional scars and a new attitude. The next woman he pleases will need to follow a few rules…
When Vera and Marcus meet at a slave auction in New York City, sparks fly, and she corners her man. Vera is sure she’s found the Alpha Submissive she’s been looking for, but will Marcus agree to give her the key to his heart as well as his collar?

 
Erosa Knowles has a love for the written word. Originally from Miami, Florida, Ms. Knowles now resides in North Carolina with her teenaged son. Two older children are married and live in North Carolina as well. An avid reader since college, Ms. Knowles is one of those people who keeps her books as old friends and has re-read all of them at least once. Many have been read more often.
Writing stories, creating worlds and characters fuels her imagination. It is both physically relaxing and mentally invigorating. Although life got in the way and she had to postpone her writing, it is the one career she always craved. As a full time writer, her days are just as full, except now she is doing what she loves; reading exciting stories from talented authors from various genres, and writing the stories that tickle her imagination.

 
~*~


~*Other Titles by Erosa Knowles*~
Promises Kept
Loving a Bad Boy
Secrets
Special Forces
Nikki’s Challenge
The Ultimate Breed
Have I Told You Lately?*
Ready for Love*
Where There’s Smoke*
Not This Time*
Run to You *
Lawked Flame
Jaleesa’s Pleasure