Review: Last Heartbeat (Last Heartbeat #1) 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?

Alright, so 2 things before I start on this.

1.  This is a clean romance.  If you're looking for some dirty, dirty, bow-chicka-wow-wow, forget about it.  It ain't gonna happen in this book.  If you can't enjoy a romance without sex, then this is NOT for you.  Move along.

2.  If you take issue with editing errors, I will warn you now -- This book has them.  They do bother me, but they weren't bad enough to completely put me off of finishing.

Now, lets do this.

Alexia and Phillip are in college and are determined to avoid each other.  That doesn't work out quite so well for them and they end up dating.  They're both still alive through the gift of organ donation. Alexia knows about Phillip's but he doesn't know about hers.  This story tells how their relationship forms and grows.  You see the struggles and you also see them overcome them.

The story itself, I really had no issue with at all.  The execution, however, threw me a little bit.  Last Heartbeat is written in dual POVs with alternating chapters between Alexia and Phillip.  Most of the time I don't really mind this, but in this case, for the first half of the book Phillip's chapters were basically a repetition of Alexia's chapters with no new information.  It really did throw me off and I didn't think I would be able to finish the book.

I stuck it out though, and I am so glad I did.  Around 60%, something switched gears and Phillip's chapters became more defined and less repetitive and that greatly improved my reading experience.

The last half of this book is what really grabs you.  When you realize what has actually happened and the connection they have, it kind of blows your mind a little bit.  To me, the whys of their relationship don't really bother me, if its because of their connection, doesn't that just make it all the more spectacular?

And when everything fell apart, my heart was broken.  Watching the lengths that Phillip went to in order to fix it was so sweet.

I have to say, if the first half of the book had been written a little differently, this could have been a 4 - 4.5 star read for me.

This was T.R. Lykins debut, and for that I think she did a great job.  I'm confident, with time and experience her writing will only get better.

Last Heartbeat

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Smashwords | Add To Goodreads

T.R. Lykins

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Website

Last Heartbeat

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Smashwords | Add To Goodreads

The Life Gift

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Smashwords | Add To Goodreads

Read More

Share:

Review: Laurie's Time (Fairfield #2) by Maryann Jordan

Beautiful Laurie Dodd was perfectly happy with her life. Raised by her loving aunt, she was ready to discover life out on her own. A new town, a new teaching job, a new apartment, and new friends. Finding a new man was not on her list, especially not one with the reputation of a player.

Rob McDonald, a local firefighter, had grown tired of one-night stands, but had no desire to be paired with the new woman in town. Until he met her. One look was all it took and Rob knew that Laurie was the one for him, but he was going to have to work to convince her that he was a changed man. One that was worthy of her.

A fire at the elementary school brought them together, but illness and deceit threatened to tear them apart.

Will Rob be able to find the missing pieces of Laurie’s past to help her fight for her future?

Will Laurie be able to forgive Rob’s deceit in order to have a future with him?

The prologue for Laurie's Time was at the end of Emma's Home and reading that really pulled at me and made me want to read Laurie's Time.  I was excited to start it.  But just like with Emma's Home, I was having trouble connecting to the characters for the first part of the book.  I'm willing to bet money that this is just something that is happening to me because I've heard very good things about this series.

I did expect this story to focus more on Laurie and her biological father.  That part of story is what really got me.  There was a lot of reference to him, but he actually didn't come into play until later in the book.  I was just really hoping he would play a larger role throughout the book and that there would be a lot more emotion tied in.

Once the action picked up, I was completely drawn in and didn't want to stop reading.  All in all, not a bad read.  I almost think if I had read these in reverse order I may have been able to connect better. The series sort of goes backwards.  You start out with the last couple and backtrack to how the first got together.  These can be read as standalones but they are part of a series and if you are going to read all of them, I suggest you do them in reverse order.

**After the fact:  I went to find the author links and buy links for this and ended up looking at some of the reviews and ratings.  What I've surmised is that it really is me.  Something is wrong with me, maybe I've been emotionally stunted.  I don't know?  I'm kind of frustrated with myself now.

Laurie's Time

Amazon | Add To Goodreads

Maryann Jordan

Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Website | Email

Emma's Home

Amazon | Add To Goodreads

Laurie's Time

Amazon | Add To Goodreads

Carol's Image

Amazon | Add To Goodreads

Read More

Share:

Review: Ink Deep by Renee Lovins

Most of Briony Carmichael's body was tragically burned as a child. Deeply hurt by the reactions of those closest to her, Briony believes her scars render her unlovable. She hides in her apartment, secluding herself from the outside world.

Tattoo artist Corbin Franklin has everything - including a brain tumor that will kill him. Determined to not let his art die with him, he seeks someone to become his living legacy, a walking canvas for his art.

Drawn in by the idea of having her scars covered with beauty, Briony enters Corbin's studio and changes both their lives. However, when concerned loved ones interfere in their blossoming romance, the resulting chaos could cost them everything.

Author's Note: In this reimagined version of Beauty and the Beast, readers should expect a happy ending that doesn't follow a HEA as expected in a traditional romance."

Just from reading the synopsis, you pretty much get that you will need tissues for this one.

I'm not sure what to say about this.  The cover and title intrigued me, the synopsis screamed "feels", so I said yes and proceeded to read.  I mean, yeah, on the surface I knew what was going to happen, but below that surface, I had no idea.

Briony has got to be one of the strongest characters I've ever had the pleasure of reading.  Even though she doesn't see herself that way, she is truly amazing.  I only wish her parents could see her for what she is.  She has this inner beauty that makes her shine.  The world took a giant shit on her and even though she has closed herself off, she keeps pushing on.

Corbin... I don't even have words for him.  Really, I don't.

Briony and Corbin changed each other in remarkable ways.  This is just a beautiful story and I'm going to start crying again trying to write this review.

While I was reading this, I was angry and I was sad.  I was elated at some points, but there was still an underlying sadness, then I would get angry all over again.  And when I finished this, I won't say I was happy, but I was content and at the same time a little empty.  I only wish that Corbin's legacy included one other thing.

*Copy received from Novel Reviewers in exchange for an honest review.

Ink Deep

Amazon | B & N | Kobo | iBooks | Add To Goodreads

Renee Lovins

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Website

Read More

Share:

Review: Once Upon A Time by S.K. Hartley

Synopsis

I don't believe in fairy tales. I don't believe in glass slippers. I don't believe in Prince-Freaking-Charming.

Cinderella can kiss my ass.

I kiss frogs, sometimes even toads. I've given up on meeting Mr. Right, instead it seems all I meet is Mr. Wrong, Mr. Very-Wrong and even, Mr. Lets-Not-Even-Go-There.

Fairy tales are for morons.

Well, that's what I thought until Gabriel Black barged through my life, turning everything upside down. He's hot, sexy and little rough around the edges. But, he's hiding something, something deep. I can feel it, taste it and smell it.

Now I'm left wondering if he's my Prince Charming or my fairy tale villain. Will I ride away safely into the night, dreaming of happily ever afters? Or, will I stumble and fall in ridiculously high heels only meant for women with a death wish?

Once Upon A Time... I met Gabriel Black.

AmazonUS | AmazonUK | Kobo | B&N | iBooks

Review

**ARC given in exchange for honest review**

To start off, I am so glad to say that this is a standalone, not a cliffhanger and it is a romantic comedy with a twist.  I gave it 5 stars.  I always start with a summary of the book and then explain what I loved, so here it goes. 

Payton Miller doesn’t believe in fairytales, glass slippers or prince-freaking-charming.  She has yet to kiss a frog that has turned into her prince.  Mr. Right has not made himself known.  In the meantime, she has met Mr. Wrong, Mr. Very-Wrong and Mr. Let’s-Not-Even-Go-There.  She thinks fairytales are for morons up until she met Gabriel Black. 

Gabriel Black is tall, dark and dangerous.  He’s sexy and has something that he is hiding.  Does Prince Charming really exist?  If not, Gabriel Black does. 

Will Payton get her happily ever after or do they only exist in fairytales? 

Payton Miller is a stubborn, independent woman that when she sets her mind to something, she achieves it.  She has worked hard to get where she is and make it in the big city life.  She has an ogre for a boss.  What is it about her boss that makes her so hostile?  Why is Payton given lead to the one account she if offered?  Something just isn’t right with her boss.   Where would she be without her two best friends?  She works her butt off and doesn’t have any life outside of work. 

Gabriel Black is every woman’s dream.  He exudes sex and masculinity and is the megalomaniac, multimillionaire of Black Enterprises.  What is it about him?  What is his secret?  How will it affect Payton when she finds out? 

This book had me all over the place.  I was laughing, I was pissed off, and saying “OMG you have to read this.”  There were so many emotions throughout this book.  One night I was wide awake from 1-3am just reading because I couldn’t sleep and I almost finished the book.  I loved how there were quotes or analogies that made you understand exactly what was going on.  There were references that fit perfect.  I loved Payton and her relationship with her two best friends.  I definitely want a piece of Gabriel.  He is an enigma that you will only understand my reading this book.  He has good reason for keeping his secret.  But guess what?  Not only is there one Black, there is 2!!  I hope S.K. Hartley will give us some of Luca, Gabriele’s brother in another book.  I highly recommend this book.  Thanks SK for another awesome read.  It was fabulous!! 

Favorite Quotes:

“Well, you know what they say, once you go black you never –“

“Don’t worry, this isn’t Fifty Shades, I’m not about to screw you in an elevator.  Although being balls deep in your pussy sounds amazing right now, no matter the location.”

“What?  Just because you don’t believe in fairy tales, it doesn’t mean they aren’t real.  Come on, Pay, from what you’ve told me this guy is pretty much you but with a dick.” 

“Do you know how much I crave my fairy tale?  Here you are, the workaholic, the woman who doesn’t believe in love and romance and happily ever after, and your Prince Charming is staring you right in the face.  They say a woman gets two loves in their lives.  First, their daddy, because no matter how many princes walk into your life, your daddy will always be your king.  Second is your true love.  The one.  I want that.  You have it, so stop being so frightened of something that could ultimately make you happier than you ever imagined.”

“Sometimes, in the middle of everyday life, a fairy tale appears.  This is yours, princess.  I’m your fairy tale.  Stop looking for happily ever after and start looking at once upon a time.”

S.K. Hartley is a wife and mother to an oil soaked husband and a tomato sauce covered son by day, by night an International Bestselling Author who's first novel, Finding You, quickly shot up the charts in fall 2013, winning blog awards for the tear inducing writing and breath catching ending.

Since releasing her first novel, she then went on to release two more books in the series, Finding Me & Finding Us, proving that New Adult is vastly popular among readers and writers a like.

Located in the not so sunny North West of England, UK, S.K. Hartley deals with daily battles against Microsoft Office Word translations. Working as a British author who writes in American English is a challenge that's both frustrating and fulfilling.

When she's not doing all the above, S.K. Hartley spends the rest of her time interacting with her readers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and also via her newsletter.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Amazon | Goodreads

Read More

Share:

Dual Review: In The Fairytale (In The Moments #3) by Joan Duszynski

In Every fairytale there's anger, hurt, and love. For Raleigh Jefferson her fairytale is no different.

Since she was a little girl, watching Snow White meet her prince as she frolicked through the forest, the idea of Happily Ever After was embedded in Raleigh's mind. Her heart skipped a beat over the Beast's love of Belle, and she knew she'd swim the ocean to save her black haired prince from drowning, even without a mermaid tail. Destiny and forever. She wouldn't settle for anything less.

She wasn't looking for a man to frolic in the forest for her. If she were to actually witness such a thing she'd probably smack the man for acting a fool. But she did want her own Cinderella story. She wanted to glide down the aisle in her own glass slippers toward the man she loved, the one who returned that love unconditionally.

She never knew how hard this dream of hers would be until she met Him. Will the truth of the world around her and the pain that can be carried in someone's heart be too much to handle, or can Raleigh find a way to truly live... In The Fairytale?

---

*Complimentary copy received for review purposes.

Let me start off by saying thank you to Joan Duszynski, I love you for giving me Buzz. He is by far the best addition in my book boyfriends. Buzz is mine, even I have to change my name to Raleigh to lay claim to him. I am completely smitten.

This book can be read as a standalone, but I suggest reading it after In the Stars (book #1), and In the Now (book#2), just to get a better understanding of all the characters and how they connect. Otherwise, if you read this book first, it will spoil reading the other two. So, just read them in order. Each one gets better. Joan has really outdone herself with this one. The journey you go on with all these characters will make you appreciate them even more while reading this book.

Raleigh Jefferson was the little girl who dreamed of meeting her prince charming, and living happily ever after together. She is feisty, independent, and hasn’t felt the confidence of her beauty in a while. Her personality reminds me so much of myself. I am not an artist, but her whole attitude and how she carries herself screams my name. All of her friends have found happiness, but when is going to happen for her?

Buzz is a tattoo artist that Raleigh meets when Caroline gets a tattoo. Something about him intrigues Raleigh. He is sexy, strong, and confident but also has a soft side. Who doesn’t love a man with a beard? He puts himself fully into everything he does in. He is either all in or all out. He always know the right thing to say to make you feel good about yourself.

I loved this book for the drama Raleigh allows herself to get into. She assumes the worst before asking, again like me. There were definitely some hot and steamy moments that made me want to reenact every single detail. I could not read this book fast enough to see what was going to happen. I am sad that this series is over. All of these characters have become a part of me. I feel so connected and so at home. All I have to say is, Joan please give us some more of Keith.

Some of my favorite quotes:

“Raleigh, please don’t feel you ever have to try and hide yourself from me. We all have scars, you know? Not all of them are visible to the eye, but every one of them help make up who we are. I really like who you are and all your markings are beautiful to me.”

“You and that … mouth of yours. I’d like to see what you can do with that mouth.”

“You’re amazing, you know that, right? I mean, the way you are to me… it’s just like a dream coming true.”

---

*Complimentary copy received for review purposes.

Alright, I'm not gonna beat around the bush here, I'm just gonna come right out and say it.

This book was FREAKIN' AWESOME!

I don't care if you ever read In The Stars or In The Now (ok, I do care a little bit), but you definitely must read In The Fairytale.

I have read the others and while they were good in their own right, this is just... just... so much more.

There is such a difference in Joan's writing as the series progresses. You can see her style develop and grow over the series and the story's flow is more natural. It's a wonderful thing to watch.

Now, this story... I think that Raleigh is just one of those characters that people are just drawn to. Even in book 1, I was pulled in by her. Her strength, sass, insecurity, talent, optimism and her tendency to go just a little too far make her someone everyone wants to know. Raleigh is just Raleigh, she says what she wants and jumps to conclusions and makes an ass out of herself more times than I can count, and I cringed in mortification every time she did that.

Buzz, he is her perfect match. He can handle all the shit Raleigh is throwing and he does it without being a dick. And, oh, ain't he just lick-a-licious. I kinda heart Buzz.

Buzz and Raleigh both have their demons and they heal each other so beautifully.

So, where were my emotions while I was reading this? Let's see, I laughed, I cried, I cringed, I got angry and I mean really angry and had my heart broken. I also had my heart healed and fell in love and kinda wanted to believe in fairytales again.

I do have to say, I am sad that this is the last book in the series. Everyone's gotten their happily ever after... well, almost everyone. I mean, if you didn't know, I have a thing for Keith. He has some special attributes that I find appealing. Somewhere, sometime, down the road, in the future, but not too far in the future I would like to see Keith find his happily ever after with someone who has equally appealing attributes. *hint, hint*

Joan Duszynski

Email | Goodreads | Youtube | Twitter | Facebook

Spotify | Pinterest | Amazon | Website/Blog

Read More

Share: