Melted & Shattered Series Review

Emily Eck invites you to celebrate the tour of Melted & Shattered (L&J #2) with an awesome giveaway and a free download of J Speaks (L&J #1.5)

Melted & Shattered (L & J #2)

By: Emily Eck

Publication Date: April 21, 2014

Genre: Romance/Trilogy

Cover Designer: Melody Simmons

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Synopsis

Elle was never broken.

She wasn't shattered.

And she sure as hell never needed to be saved.

That is,

until she found out what the aftermath of love was capable of causing.

Doing her best to stay afloat amidst the sh!t storm that has become her life, Elle is hanging on by a thread. Between worrying about Fernie’s precarious future, an incident with a Shemar Moore look-alike gone terribly wrong, and an inability to let go of her feelings for J, Elle just can’t seem to get her head straight. Deciding a change of atmosphere is what she needs, Elle heads to Mexico to study abroad for a semester. She has no idea that she is walking into an even worse storm. One that involves a pissed off MC President, a ruthless drug cartel, and a man willing to die to have her light. ***This is the 2nd book in the series L&J – cannot be read as a stand-alone***

Purchase Links

Melted & Shattered (L&J #2)

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J Speaks (L&J #1.5)

FREE * FREE * FREE

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Smashwords /  Kobo

Amazon UK / Amazon CA

Steel & Ice (L&J #1)

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Amazon UK / Amazon CA

Excerpt

“I came here, baby, to tell you I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.” He inhaled sharply, but said in an even voice. “And I can’t lose you before the greatest fight I will ever wage.”

Redemption. Could I absolve him? I lay in a hospital bed for two weeks. All of it at his hands. I’d been marred, though the scar on my skin was not the worst damage. It was a reminder of the scar I’d carried inside. Could he erase that scar? Could he heal a wound one could not see?

There was silence, deafening silence. I tried to keep it together. I used every ounce of energy I had to keep the fire at a low flame, but it blazed through me. He would’ve shot my kid, and I couldn’t let that happen. These kids, they’d become my lifeline. My light.

“Without those kids, I’m just as dark as you.” I said emotionlessly, empty. These last few weeks of pretending during the day, only to come home and sob until sleep graced me was maddening. “I’ve got nothing left to give you, J. Nothing.”

 I hung my head, losing the fight with the tears that had been threatening to erupt since J arrived. “I can’t be your light, when I have none.”

We lay on the floor, two damaged bodies searching for the light. J pulled my head into his hands, bringing us face to face. I could feel his breath against my lips. “You were a comet that bust into my life out of no where” he whispered. “I begged for you. On my knees in the dirt, I groveled to the sky to bring me light. And there you were, at Eight Oh Eight, staring up at me, even though I knew you couldn’t see through the window. I saw you, though. Elle, I saw you long before you saw me.”

“How could I love a killer?”

“How much pain was worth loving this man?

“Please, baby. Please. I need you. I love you. I can’t go into this without knowing you’ll be here when I return.” 

“I’m not sure what to say. I want to tell you I’ll wait. That I’ll be here, waiting like a good girl for you. I want to because I love you. Fuck, I love you.” I turned, finally ready to look him in the eye. “I don’t know where I’ll be. I can’t tell you that. But I can tell you that I love the fuck out of you, and no matter how much I try to stop,” I paused. Fuck this mother fucker. Fuck! God, why was he doing this to me? Angry tears, sad tears, hopeless tears, tears filled with longing fell from my eyes. J caught then with his thumb, but there were too many. They ran over his fingers like a waterfall.

“Fuck, J. I don’t want you to die.”

He pulled me to him, and I inhaled his scent. I’d never be able to smell Acqua di mother fucking Gio again and not think of him. Today it was mixed with the smell of exhaust, like he’d been riding around all night. For what felt like the gazillionth time, I crumbled into his arms. How did two times come to be a number exponentially higher?

“I don’t want to die, baby. I want to fall asleep next to you. I want to wake up next to you. I’m fighting this war for you. To be with you.”

Play List

L & J Series by Emily Eck

Playlist

Steel & Ice Playlist

Love Hate Thing – Wale

Dissolved Girl – Massive Attack (Sex at J's place)

Fire We Make – Alicia Keys feat Maxwell (at 808 with J)

Do You Like Drugs – Miguel (at 808 with J)

Animals (the whole album) – Pink Floyd (At Checks)

Power Trip – J Cole (New Years)

Yeah – Usher (New Years)

Raise Up – Petey Pablo (New Years)

Wanna Be a Balla – Lil Troy (New Years)

Salt Shaker – Ying Yang Twins (New Years)

Jesus Walks – Kanye West (When Genesis texts)

J Speaks

Killing In The Name Of – Rage Against the Machine

Melted & Shattered Playlist

Love Hate Thing – Wale

Soldier of Love – Sade (Elle wallows)

The Moon and the Sky – Sade (Elle wallows)

Otis – Jay Z & Kanye West (Operation Swagger Retrival)

Usher – Scream (Elle and Donte/Shamar Moore)

Aire – Golden Ganga (Elle & J's Mexico Song – Happy Times)

New World Order - Buenos Inquilinos (Cartel business – Not Happy Times)

J Roars

Yo Te Quiero – Wisin y Yandel  (J Missing Elle)

Don't Cry – G 'n R (Elle's confession)

Author Bio

Emily is a Midwestern Gal, but could be anywhere as you read this. She gypsy's the country, as well as south of the border. Adventure feeds her soul, and offers great writing material. She loves kids and working with kids, but can only handle caring for four-legged furry friends. A crazy dog and laid back cat have trained her to be their partner in life. Vices include Swedish Fish, ignoring chores in favor of reading, and caring too much for people in her life. She chose to write this bio in third person as she is an Aries, and found writing in first person ended up with her writing an excessively long life story. Aries like to talk about themselves. It is something Emily is working on being more mindful of.

Blog * Facebook * Goodreads * Twitter  

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Reviews:

Steel & Ice: 

Steel & Ice is the first in the series and it is a must read.  I gave this one 5 stars.  Emily Eck did an awesome job telling this story and I fell in love with Elle, J, and all the characters of this story.  I was drawn into this book within the first few pages.  I absolutely loved the dialect and slang that Emily used.  I felt just like I was back in high school and talking to some of my friends.  It brought back a lot of good memories.  I understand the different sides of Elle.  I feel the same way.  There so many different sides of me but only one person gets to experience the REAL me with them all the time and “it’s home.”  "Home wasn't a building or structure one lived in.  Home was an idea, a phenomenon, an unexplainable feeling, a peace and contentment with the universe."

The REAL Elle is shared only with her close friends Chris & Aaron.  There is Kitchen Elle, Clubbing Elle, and School Elle & REAL Elle.  Elle volunteers at a Spanish children’s center where she forms a bond with some teenagers she thought she would never enjoy.  She cooks for them once a week to give them a break from their nightly pizza.  She has been through a rough life with not the typical loving mother figure.  She is headstrong and is used to taking charge of every room, and making her presence shine.  She has guarded her heart with ice and doesn’t allow anyone to melt those walls down.

J is the typical bad boy that everyone would go after.  He is tall, dark and handsome.  He spots Elle and decides he just can’t stay away from her.  He is drawn to his light and decided he has to have her.  J has also guarded his heart but with steel. He has been burnt in the past as well.  What sacrifices will J make to be a part of Elle’s life?

Will Elle’s love for her teens make or break her relationship with J? 

The ending of this book is definitely not anything I expected to happen and it is a total cliff hanger and will make you begging to read the next part of this series.  You should read J Speaks to get J’s point of view on everything that happens.  

J Speaks:

This novella (1.5) really ties some loose ends with information that is not given about J in the first book and helps you understand more of his story and where he is coming from.  I really enjoyed reading this book and seeing more into J’s eyes of the story.  I’m so excited that the “giant hottie” has a soft side.  I know J has been through a lot too and he deserves to be with his light.  I can’t believe what he was planning the night that his plans and world crashed down.  After reading this story, I hope both J & Elle learn that “starfishing” will build up the walls around both of their hearts again.  This is a must read and you have to read in order.

Melted & Shattered:

This is book #2 in the series.  I gave it 4 stars.  You must read the series in order and I recommend including the novella for better understanding of background information.  Elle went from a squealer to a cryer.  She never knew what love had in story for her and the pain love can cause. "Love isn't easy.  Love isn't Fair.  Loves chooses you, not the other way around."

Chris is the best friend a girl could ask for. She is even like a motherly figure that she never had because her mom was not there for her the way she wished it was.   I know there is only one person in my life that is my BFF that would treat me just like Chris treated Elle after her incident.  After several mishaps, Elle Realizes that Chris is there for her and has her back no matter what.

Elle tries to get over J, but their “love bond” burns her the way that J’s eagle talon’s grips his shoulder.

Elle decides to study abroad in Mexico for one semester.  She doesn’t know what she is walking into…

Just as I think I have this whole story and love bond figured out, sometime takes another turn and leaves you with a cliff hanger to pull you into the next story.  I absolutely loved this series and can’t wait to read the next in the series.

I took extra time to do these reviews because it's important to me that they are honest and I do put my heart into them.  So I hope you enjoyed them and thanks Emily Eck for sharing your wonderful stories!
**ARC given in exchange for Honest Review**

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Forged by Fate #1 & Marked by Hades #2 (Bound by Hades Series Review)

Review:

Forged by Fate is the first book of the Bound by Hades Series.  I really liked it and gave it four stars.  I kept on wanting to come back to this story and finish it, but I had a hard time staying on track.  At first I felt like I had to make myself read until I finally hit a certain point that had me hooked.  Once I got into it, I had to know what was going to happen.  Theo is the gatekeeper to Hades.  He has waited almost a millennium to meet his mate.  Can you imagine saving yourself for that long waiting for THE ONE?  Once Theo’s Ahavah mark has appeared, he knows it is time to find his mate and unite as one.  Finding her is easy; trying to get her to “come home” is another story. 

Sadie is a college student beyond smart for her age.  She is graduating from college at the age of 18.  Sadie’s mark appears and suddenly her whole world changes.  Sadie is also a black belt and has abnormal strength for a human.  It isn’t until she talks with Theo about mates and her supernatural background that she realizes how her place in life and what her purpose of what she has accomplished and achieved will come into factor. 

I wish as mortals we experienced the attraction & sensation of knowing who your mate is and the connection that Theo & Sadie share.  It is a wonderful bond that can never be broken.  Without each other, they become weak, but is their connection what can save them and the fate of the gatekeepers?  This was a sweet and clean story without too much relationship drama.  I really liked Theo but he was a little too nice for me.  He didn’t have enough bad boy appeal.  I’m hoping Justin is going to do my heart Justin in the next book.  Check out this awesome read and get prepared for Justin’s story in Marked by Hades.

Goodreads | Amazon

Review:

Marked by Hades is the second book of Bound by Hades series. This was another four star read for me.  Justin is the main character in this book and he is the brother & companion of Theo.  He has that bad boy appeal that I am so drawn to.  Justin has denied since his existence the idea of having or wanting a mate.  He says there is not just one woman for him.  Justin’s Ahavah mark appears and he is torn between saying no and finding that one person that he can’t pinpoint who is calling to him. 

Yvonne is sent to earth with no memory and a deadly touch, literally.  What is the sensation she feels in her neck at that mark that just appeared out of nowhere?  Who is the raven haired goddess that she dreams of?  Why does he want to help her?  Yvonne is a part of Sadie’s past.  Will Sadie step up to help Yvonne and Justin or push them apart?  Is their bond strong enough to overcome Yvonne’s past to build their future or is Justin truly not a woman man?

Check out this awesome read and I can’t wait to see what Reese Monroe has in store for the continuation of the series.  I look forward to reading and sharing.    

Goodreads | Amazon

About the Author: Originally from Minnesota, Reese Monroe currently enjoys living in the sunny Arizona desert with her husband of seventeen years and her loveable Shetland Sheep dog, Maddux. Monroe holds a degree in psychology from Southwest Minnesota State University and a master’s degree from the University of Iowa. When she’s not busy writing her next trilogy, she can be found pounding the pavement, training to run her first marathon.

Reese Monroe is a contributing blogger at the widely popular site New Adult Alley and has been part of the New Adult revolution for years having penned over twenty-five novels in the exciting new category.

Connect with Reese on Twitter, through Facebook or her website. Reese also writes as Lynn Rush and you can find her alter ego here.

Goodreads | Website

**ARCs given in exchange for honest reviews**

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Review: In The Now (In The Moments #2) by Joan Duszynski

First of all, if you have not read In The Stars, you need to stop now and go read it.

Done? Ok, good. Proceed.

After I read the final page of this book, I found myself just sitting there, shaking my head, saying "that's it?". So I sat there for a little bit longer, just thinking about it. Then, out of nowhere, it hit me -- "That's It!!!"

Does that make sense to you? Probably not. Let me explain.

Lately, the books I've been reading are full of high octane drama, have a major angst factor and all other kinds of craziness that I thoroughly enjoy.

In The Now does not have those things!

I found myself nitpicking at parts trying to find hidden meanings and clues to some surprise plot twist and trying to force this into that type of stressful, over the top, but fun read. What I realized while I was mulling over this book is that, it has this comfortable normalcy to it. That is what sets it apart from the rest. It just screams "I'm different! Try me!"

What kind of book is In The Now?

Its a beautiful love story about two young people who know what they want and finally decide to take it. Throw in some hot monkey lovin' and there you go.

I can read this book and know right away that these are things that could (and some did) happen to me and my friends. Its kind of like revisiting that time in my own life. Just like with In The Stars, this book feels like an old friend, like going home.

I was 3% into this and I started crying. I wanted to crawl in a hole and curl up in a ball. Now, if this wasn't one of "those" books, why was I crying? Oh well, because I'm insane. Seriously, though, I was crying because since these characters are like my friends, I internalized their heartache and disappointment and it really hit me hard.

Now, all that being said, throw out all of your preconceived notions about Adam and Tara. I really got to know them here, and they are not what I was expecting. They are so much better. Joan's characters speak to me in a way that other characters don't.

Ok, I'm gonna go all Caroline here, and say that there is a song for my feelings towards Joan's books: "These Are My People" by Rodney Atkins

Expected Release Date: May 1, 2014

*Copy received from author in exchange for an honest review.

***And because I want to spread the In The Moments love, there's a giveaway under the about the author section.***


About The Author
Joan Duszynski lives in Virginia with her husband and their three kids. Woods surround her home and she loves the privacy and quiet it brings. She wasn’t always a reader, so that moment when she picked up a book and found herself engrossed in its pages and unable to put it down will never be forgotten. It eventually led her to want to try and write and share stories of her own, in hopes that others will find themselves reading and getting lost inside of them. Thanks can’t be expressed enough for your time and interest. Please feel free to connect with the author either through Email, Twitter, or Facebook.

Email: Joanduszynskiauthor@gmail.com
Twitter: @JoanDuszynski
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DreamingJoan


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Do anything Review

Do Anything

By Wendy Owens

Blurb:

A broken heart is only the beginning for her.

Bookworm Annabelle Hart thinks she’s found the love of her life. But when her fiancé's philandering ways shatter their happy future, she decides she’s through playing the victim. Now, rather than read about life, she wants to live it—starting with a sabbatical from her editing job in Chicago to travel the world. But the past refuses to let her go so easily.

He thinks he has his life figured out.

After watching the woman he thought he loved walk away from him, Holden Blackburn is still picking up the pieces. Content with his life as the owner of an English Inn, just outside the sleepy town of Alton, he’s living his new and peaceful normal. That is, at least, until Annabelle stumbles into his life, and he’s overwhelmed by a desire to learn all he can about her. Now if only he can get her to stay in one place long enough.

Will they risk their hearts on a new chance at love?

When her past returns in a way she can’t ignore, Anna panics, running from any possible future with Holden. She’s determined to keep her life from falling apart again, but she soon discovers the only place she feels safe is in Holden’s arms.

But some things even he can’t protect her from.

Buy Links

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1hhdUmn

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1h2eVEF

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1dQxlSG

B&N: http://bit.ly/1pbMm8C

Author Bio

Wendy Owens was born in the small college town, Oxford Ohio. After attending Miami University, Wendy went onto a career in the visual arts. After several years of creating and selling her own artwork she gave her first love, writing, a try. Her first novel flowed from her in only two weeks time (then the real work started with four months of editing). That moment was when she knew she had found her calling. Wendy now happily spends her days writing the stories her characters guide her to tell, admitting even she doesn't always know where that might lead. Her first series, The Guardians, consists of five books, Sacred Bloodlines, Cursed, The Prophecy, The Lost Years, and The Guardians Crown.

She is better known for her romance books, Stubborn Love and Only In Dreams, both released in 2013. Coming in 2014 is her Wandering Hearts Series to include, Do Anything, It Matters To Me, and Jack’s Redemption.

When she's not writing, this dog lover can be found spending time with her tech geek husband, their three amazing kids, and two pups. She loves to cook and is a film fanatic.

For more info on Wendy's young adult fiction and NA Romance visit http://wendy-owens.com/

If you want to follow her on social media you can visit:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendyLOwens

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendy-L-Owens/191731754221996?fref=ts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5038955.Wendy_Owens

Giveaway

5-ebooks of Do Anything

3-signed copies of Do Anything (US ONLY)

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4 Star Review:

I feel like there is someone for everyone, that special someone who would do anything for you and as Anna says in the book "he would do anything to make me smile."  I read this book in one day.  It is an easy read and flows really well.  You won't want to put it down until you finish.  Anna is the main character who has a low self-esteem and not sure where she wants to go in life or what she wants to do.  She thinks she has it made, getting married to her dream man, having her dream job, etc.  But all of this is torn apart and her world is turned upside down.  

I can totally relate to Anna's story.  She has her job that she thought she always wanted, but when she runs away to truly figure things out.  What is it that she wants to do or which way to turn now?  Is it into someone else's arms?  Sometimes I think am I doing what I really want to do?  But that one person is there to encourage you in the area where you think you aren't willing to push yourself to go.  Holden is that person for Anna.

This would definitely be a book that I would want turned into a movie strictly to hear Holden talk and see what kind of strapping young lad he is.  “All American women love British Men.”

Jack is the creeper of this story and he tries hard to fight for what he wants but will the truth be revealed to get what he is fighting for?    

Both Holden & Annabelle have had heartache but will they see it in them to come together?  Or will the villain show up to complicate their lives even more?

I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the second book in the series about Kenzie’s story.  It Matters to Me#2 (The Wandering Heart Series) Coming Fall 2014.  I can't wait to share with all my reader/book buddies!!

**This ARC was given in exchange for an honest review**

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Review: Wilde Riders & The Wilde One (Old Town Country Romance #1 & #2) by Savannah Young

FOUR WILDE BROTHERS...ONE WILDE COUNTRY BAND

WILDE RIDERS is the first novel in a spicy new contemporary romance series about four sexy brothers, their small-town bar and their local country band. WILDE RIDERS can be read as a STAND ALONE NOVEL or as part of the SERIES.

Cooper Wilde spent his entire adolescence counting the days until he could escape rural northwest New Jersey. Now at 26, he can't believe he's coming back. But his late father's bar, Haymakers, is in financial trouble and his older brother, Jake, has asked for Cooper's help.

Riley Smith, 25, is fresh out of her Ivy League MBA program and wants to make an impression on her employer, H & C Bank. Her first solo assignment is a fraud investigation on a business loan they made to Haymakers.

Even though Old Town is less than 90 minutes from New York City, Riley feels like she's stepped into another world in this remote, one-bar town. Riley can't wait to do her business and get back to the city as quickly as her sports car will take her...until she meets Cooper Wilde. He's not like the other guys in this rural town and Riley feels inexplicably attracted to him.

If you like your trucks loud, your beer cold and your men hot...you'll love WILDE RIDERS.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 11th 2014

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 



I've noticed that for some reason the first book in most of the series that I read, I've rated 3 stars.  And almost always, the following books are rated higher and the series gets better and better.

That is how I feel about Wilde Riders.  It was good, not the best, but it did leave some interesting things open for following books.  So interesting that I will be reading them.

So, New Jersey... not what I picture when I think small country town.  I just have a hard time picturing cowboy boots and country boys in NJ.  That being said, it worked.

I enjoyed the Wilde brothers and the way they interacted with each other.  Of course, all siblings have their issues.  Riley and her best friend were great too.

I enjoyed the story and the chemistry between Riley and Cooper was great.  My only issue was the conflict.  I really thought that the Riley's job and investigation would be the main conflict and was a little disappointed that it wasn't.

With all of that, though, I am interested in the all of the Wilde brothers' stories and will read on with this series.

*Copy received in exchange for an honest review

---

THE WILDE ONE is the second novel in the spicy contemporary romance series about four sexy brothers, their small-town bar and their local country band. Each novel in the OLD TOWN COUNTRY ROMANCE series can be read as a STAND ALONE NOVEL or as part of the SERIES.

FOUR WILDE BROTHERS...ONE WILDE COUNTRY BAND

Tucker Wilde joined the United States Army right out of high school and was injured in Iraq. But more than just his leg was shattered in the Middle East. The war also crushed his spirit and damaged his soul. When a strange couple arrives at his family’s bar, Haymakers, Tucker can see signs of mental and emotional abuse and is immediately drawn to the lovely but fragile girl seated at his bar.

Gracie Parker has been a victim of abuse her entire life. When her boyfriend, Dex, beats her in the parking lot of Haymakers and abandons her, it’s almost too much for the nineteen-year-old to bear. That is until Tucker appears like a warrior knight from the darkness to save her.

Tucker and Gracie are two broken people who are immediately drawn together. But their relationship and even their very lives are threatened by Dex who will stop at nothing to get Gracie back.

If you like your trucks loud, your beer cold and your men hot...you'll love THE WILDE ONE.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 10th 2014

Goodreads | Amazon



So, I'm consistent... or predictable. Eh, whatever.

I was so wanting to read Tucker's story.  I was hoping that his would be the last of the brothers' stories though.  I think it would have drawn out his torment and self-loathing over his injury and brought more emotion into the story.  That being said, there was enough emotion and torment with Gracie to pretty much carry throughout.

I have to admit that Tucker is my favorite.  I think I have a thing for the "broken boys".  I liked Gracie and Tucker together and I can see them being drawn together because of their "brokenness" and then being able to heal each other.

I just feel a little hollow with the whole Dex thing.  Nothing else was said about it, but I would've liked to see a little justice for Gracie.  Besides assault charges, how about kidnapping and rape?

As far as the series,  I don't really know where its going.  We don't know a whole lot about Hunter, so again, I am curious as to his story.  Jake and Harley... *sigh* That is going to be a tough one.  Unless Jake has some serious, and I mean serious issues, I don't know if he can be redeemed.  Someone remind me I said that when I write the review for that one.

*Copy received in exchange for an honest review.

---

Romance novelist Savannah Young grew up in rural northwest New Jersey in a place very similar to the fictional Old Town, which is featured in her books. When she's not at her computer creating spicy stories, Savannah is traveling to exotic locales or spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds.

Connect with Savannah Young!

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

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In The Now

Review:

In the Now is Book 2 of In the Moment Series.  You must read these in order. I gave it 5 stars.  This book has a tough guy that loves his woman, and a great love story without all the unnecessary heart-aching drama that most couples experience.  It is very nice to read a story without having to endure all the drama that most books carry.  I fully enjoyed their story just as it was. Some things are explained in this book that were left unknown from book one. You will know what I'm talking about as you read this story.  

I feel like I know these characters.  Every time I sat down to read I felt like I was calling my best friend to listen to more of her story she was telling me.  I can't wait to see what book three is about and how the story continues.  I hope you enjoy this series as much as I have and look forward to the continuation.

Add to Goodreads (In the Stars) #1 | Add to Goodreads (In the Now) #2 | Add to Goodreads (In the Fairytale) #3

Amazon (In the Stars)

About the Author: I live in Virginia with my husband and our three wonderful (at least typically wonderful) children. I love the privacy I have back in the woods surrounding our home. Honestly thru out my school years I was not a big reader then something amazing happened and I finally opened up my mind to the world of stories. I have some of the greatest and most supportive friends ever that without my sanity might be gone ;)

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Lost in me Review

Get ready for NYT Bestselling Author Lexi Ryan’s new series Here and Now! The first novel in the series, LOST IN ME, is a sexy New Adult contemporary romance released April 7^th!

Amazon  | Barnes & Noble

LOST IN ME is on SALE for just .99 cents the first week of release as a fan appreciation from the author!

LOST IN ME is the first book in the Here and Now series, a spin-off of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Hope series. This sexy amnesia love triangle is intended for mature readers.

The last thing I remember is having drinks at Brady’s and trying to avoid eye-contact with my life-long crush—the gorgeous, unattainable Maximilian Hallowell. They tell me that was a year ago, but I have no memories of anything since then. What I do have is this ring on my finger that Max says he gave me, and this much-thinner body I’ve dreamed of most of my life. Aside from a case of retrograde amnesia, everything seems almost…perfect.

But the deeper I immerse myself into this new world of mine—planning a wedding to a man I don’t remember dating, attempting to run a business I don’t remember starting—the clearer it becomes that nothing is as it seems. Do I have the life I’ve always wanted or is it a facade propped up by secrets I don’t even know I have?

I need answers before I marry Max, and the only person who seems to have them is the angry, tatted, sexy-as-sin rocker Nate Crane. And Nate wants me for himself.

LOST IN ME is not a standalone novel, as the story continues in Here and Now book two, FALL TO YOU, releasing in June.

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Review:

Lost in me is part of the Here & Now Series and must be read in order.  I gave it 5 stars.  This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat.  

Being a nurse helped a lot to understand this book and had me intrigued.  I think Lexi Ryan did an awesome job explaining Retrograde Amnesia.  I was totally sucked in from the first page.  I love how all the information is pieced together to show memories as they come back to her.  Retrograde Amnesia is a type of amnesia where you can only remember events before a certain time frame.  

In the case of Hannah, she can only remembered 1 year prior to the event that caused the amnesia and prior.  The past year leading up to her event is unclear.  Will her memory return or will she always wonder what happened to her?  Hannah wakes up thinking: I have everything I want, did this happen to me to make me not take for granted the things I have always wanted?  But is what she has now truly what she wants?  She has the man she was wanted all her life, the business she always dreamed of opening is now up and running.  But is the sexy rocker, Nate Crane, a part of her life that she wants to include or block out?  Is her memory loss in her favor or against her?  Her heart flutters at both men but which will you choose for her?  Are you Team Max or Team Nate?  

Just going go to warn you, this book is a total cliff hanger and you will be dying to read the next book in the series.  I can't wait for the next book in the series Fall to you, it's scheduled release day is June 2014.

About the Author

Once a college English professor, I now write full time. I live in rural Indiana, where, when I’m not writing, I get to hang out with my husband and two kids–a six-year-old boy and a two-year-old hellion, er, girl. Not surprisingly, reading and writing remain my favorite activities, though both come in bits and pieces these days, not the big hunks of time I enjoyed before I had children. When I’m feeling virtuous, I like to go running (I use that word liberally. I’m really, really slow) or do yoga. Don’t worry, I’m always careful to balance out such activities with a hearty serving of ice cream or a chocolate martini.

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**ARC given in exchange for honest review**

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Review: In The Stars (In The Moments #1) by Joan Duszynski

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There is so much about this book I want to say, but where do I start?

Ok, I think I'm going to do this backwards and start with the not so good.  Don't worry, there's not much, and I want to get it out of the way so I can talk about all the good stuff.

1.  desirable - ack!  Too much desirable.  That word was everywhere.
2.  contractions - lack of; dialogue felt a little unnatural because no one ever used contractions. (its ok though, the movie in my mind made them use contractions)
3.  Eric - I would've liked to see more interaction with him throughout.
4.  unfinished business - alright, there were a few scenes where things happened and they seemed like they could be important, but then it was never mentioned again.

Ok, now, lets get to the good stuff... the great stuff... the awesome stuff.

This book had me hooked within the first three chapters.

Deranged Tara!  OMG... I would so do that!  I think I may have actually tried to do that once... or twice.

I'm a music person -- meaning I like music, not that I can sing or play.  Most of my memories come with songs attached to them.  You know, the whole "soundtrack of my life" thing. (totally off-topic, but I once asked my husband, if we were in a movie, what song would play in the background when I walked in the room... His answer:  Crazy Bitch by Buckcherry -so, umm... yeah)
Anyhow, so the musical references in this book were great for me, especially when they are ones that actually are attached to some of my memories.

If you've never heard this, you must listen to it... NOW!


Seriously, this is taking me entirely too long to write... because... well, I had to watch that.  It always makes me smile.

I don't know if its a Virginia thing or not, but this book just felt comfortable to me.  It felt like home and I loved it for that.

Caroline didn't talk about her Dad, she talked about her Daddy and if you're from Virginia you say it real fast so it sounds like you're saying Diddy.

There were the weekly family dinners and the closeness with extended family that you don't see much anymore.  Its familiar to me, its the way I was raised and the way I live.

The college roommate from hell.  Guess what?  I had one of those too.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that its relate-able to me on many levels.

I did find myself wondering which college they were at and what town they lived in.  Duh!  I have to know where the hot cops and physical therapists reside.

The story itself, who hasn't been there?  Unsure and torn.  Young, hormonal and confused.

And the naughty parts... Oooh... they were naughty, I specifically like the ones toward the end.

And then you have two great big pieces of man candy... even if I think one is slightly psycho-stalkerish, he's still nice to look at.

At any rate, let me try to put this into a little better perspective because I'm starting to think everything up there is a bit all over the place.

This book felt like an old friend.  Like the whole story is a private joke between me and them and it doesn't matter who else reads it, the only ones who will get it are us.

That being said, I can't wait for In The Now.  I'll have another private joke to share with a new "old friend".

*Copy received from author in exchange for an honest review.

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I live in Virginia with my husband and our three wonderful (at least typically wonderful) children. I love the privacy I have back in the woods surrounding our home. Honestly thru out my school years I was not a big reader then something amazing happened and I finally opened up my mind to the world of stories. I have some of the greatest and most supportive friends ever that without my sanity might be gone ;)

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Review: Last Heartbeat by T.R. Lykins

Alexia has fought hard to over come a tragic illness in her past. Barely getting on with her life, she finally leaves home to enter the real world. This first big step makes her appreciate all that she has struggled with. This next step in her life, also leads her to a possible heartbreak. How can Alexia keep up with all of her struggles and keep going on?

Phillip has lost someone close to him when he was younger. This person was the most important person in his life. He has struggled to get past this loss, and once he does, he finds out something about his favorite person that makes him feel the hurt all over again. Why can’t Phillip move on for good? Can he really forgive someone in the past, if they no longer live?

A chance meeting has Alexia and Phillip spending hours talking. This sparks an attraction for each other. Every day, running into each other makes the attraction grow stronger until they finally give in to it. When another accident strikes, both of their pasts come barreling back to haunt them. Can they move forward knowing the secrets they now know about one another? How much more can two broken people endure? Will they find their way back into one another's arms or have they finally come to a breaking point in life?

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Review:

**ARC given in exchange for honest review**

This story is very special to me and really hits home.  I gave it 5 stars.  One of my friends/coworkers is a organ donor, Bonnie Flexon.  She donated her kidney to her sister.  Her sister was on dialysis for 1 year before receiving Bonnie's kidney.  The doctors said ideally it would've been 3 years before she received a cadaver kidney.  Both are doing well and it has been 18 years since their surgery.  I hope this story makes you realize how special being a organ donor can be and that you will take the time to consider becoming a donor if you aren't already.  You would be amazed how many lives you can save by allowing your organs to be donated upon your passing.    

I knew what I wanted to happen from the very start of this book.  I was very pleased with the way it turned out.  I'm not going to give any spoilers.  Alexia is literally on her last heartbeat when she receives a donor heart.  She goes to college and falls hard for Phillip. Both of them think they are broken but will another accident make them closer or completely break them both?

About T.R. Lykins

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Being a stay at home mom, I became a reader who loves and reads most genres. I’ve read over a thousand books in the past five years. The love of these books spiked my interest to learn more about the book world and the process it took to become an author. Ive had this story building in my head for over a year and I just needed to share it. So, educating myself in this industry has made me work hard to obtain my goals of writing and becoming an author. The learning process has made me appreciate what all these authors have accomplished and all the hard work they put in. I can’t wait to share my story with you!!!

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