Sunday, August 10, 2014

Book Review : The Man Plan (The Graysons, #2) by Tracy Anne Warren


The Man Plan
The Graysons, #2
by Tracy Anne Warren

Released:
August 5th, 2014

Publisher:
Signet

Source:
Publisher

Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Man on Earth comes a delicious new novel about a young woman’s dreams of finding grand romance and success in the big city—and her schemes to make both come true... 

What’s a girl to do when the man she’s loved her entire life thinks of her as a little sister? Worse, her own big sister was the one who broke his heart years earlier. For Ivy Grayson, the chance to get him to see her in a different light comes when she receives an unexpected invitation to move into his luxury New York apartment building. Manhattan also just happens to be the perfect place to pursue her wish to become a successful artist. But how many dreams can one woman expect to come true? 


Billionaire financier James Jordon has everything a man could want—except love. When Ivy’s family asks him to keep an eye on their “little girl” in the big city, he agrees. But the innocent girl he knew is now a dynamic woman who knows what she wants, and how to get it. He may have promised himself to keep things platonic, but ignoring the game of love isn’t an option. Especially when Ivy is so eager to play.



Purchase At:



The Graysons Series on Goodreads
My review of The Last Man on Earth HERE


Review:


I have been waiting for James and Ivy's book since I finished reading The Last Man on Earth a couple of months ago. I connected with them immediately and I was super excited when I found out that the second installment in The Graysons Series was about them! I have to be honest and admit that I had a hard time connecting with James for a good part of this book. I was a bit disappointed of the lack of connection with him since I liked him so much in The Last Man on Earth. It took me a while to understand his character, but I finally ended up cheering for his HEA with Ivy.

The Man Plan is the story of Ivy and James. Ivy has been in love with James since FOREVER. Her feelings have grown over the years and the moment she sees him again she decides that it's time to make her move and make him understand the way she feels about him. When Ivy unexpectedly reappears in his life, James is confused about these new feelings he has for Ivy. He can't stop thinking about her, and he's going to find out soon enough that the little girl he once knew, transformed into a tempting woman.

This second installment of The Graysons Series was a great addition! Once again the book left me wanting to know more about the characters that will be featured in the next book. What I really liked about Tracy Anne Warren's writing style is that even if I had trouble connecting with one of the main characters, I never lost interest in the story. She kept me turning the pages until the very end! I wanted to find out how Ivy was going to seduce James, how he was going to react, and most of all how they would overcome the obstacles in their way.  One of these obstacles was their age difference. They have about a fifteen year difference. For Ivy their age was just a number, but I could see that James was struggling with it. It took him a while to feel comfortable about the way he felt about Ivy. She was like a little sister to him and all of a sudden BAM!!!!! He starts having different kinds of feelings for her. 

I really liked Ivy. I was cheering for her from beginning to end. She knew she loved James and it was not just some crush. She was real, sincere and most of all she took big steps to change her life. She proved to James, and all the member of her family that she's a strong independent woman. Her chemistry with James was intense and she knew exactly how to get under his skin. You go girl!

Overall, this story was very enjoyable and a quick reading escape. Madelyn and Zach from The Last Man on Earth have some scenes in this book, and I was really happy to check-in with them. They were great characters as well. I can't wait to see what's in store for Brie, which is Madelyn and Ivy's sister. She's next!!!! :)

Rating:

I give, The Man Plan, by Tracy Anne Warren 3.5 sweet and delightful stars!





About the Author


New York Times and USA Today bestseller Tracy Anne Warren is the author of more than a dozen Regency historical romance novels and novellas. She penned her first manuscript at age 17. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from The Ohio State University, she worked for several years in finance before finally achieving her dream of publication. 

Her debut novel, The Husband Trap, was an instant success, landing on the USA Today bestseller’s list and garnering acclaim from both readers and critics alike. A recipient of the romance industry’s prestigious RITA®award, Warren's subsequent novels have continued to earn praise, while delighting and entertaining her growing circle of fans. She is also the winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award, the HOLT Medallion, the Golden Quill and several other writing awards and honors. 

Currently, Warren is at work on two new romance series: The Rakes of Cavendish Square, in which the younger Byron family siblings (Leo, Lawrence, and Esme) make their return; and The Graysons, her new contemporary romance series. Warren’s newest historical romance release, The Trouble with Princesses (Princess Brides Book #3) is available now. Also in stores is her debut contemporary romance novel, The Last Man on Earth (Book 1 in The Graysons series) with The Man Plan (Book 2 in the Graysons series) coming in August 2014. 

Warren lives in Maryland with a small but exuberant clowder of Siamese rescue cats. When she's not busy writing or enjoying the antics of her cats, she loves watching movies, expanding her music collection and, of course, reading romance novels.





Saturday, August 9, 2014

Chapter Reveal & Giveaway : Forget You (A Coldcreek Novel, #4) by Jennifer Snyder




Forget You
A Coldcreek Novel, #4
by Jennifer Snyder

Release Date:
September 2nd, 2014

Genres:
New Adult
Contemporary 
Romance

Synopsis:

Eva Bennett might be known for her candid approach and sharp tongue, but on the inside she’s still a vulnerable twenty-four year old who’s sick of kissing toads and being habitually single.

Full of comical one-liners and wielding a charming smile, Sawyer Keeton is more than meets the eye. After the news of his brother’s tragic death, however, Sawyer is pulled into a place filled with crippling emotions and pain—a place no one can seem to reach him…until the moment Eva steps into his life. 


A twist of fate will bring them together and then tear them apart, forcing the two to learn there are people in life whom you cherish and pray will never forget you.



Pre-order:



Coldcreek Series on Goodreads

Forget You is the fourth novel in the Coldcreek Companion Series. While this novel can be read as a standalone, you will gain more story wise if you read them each in order of release.



Sneak Peek of Forget You! 

PROLOGUE 

People enter our lives at random…or so we often think. For others, though, they believe sometimes it’s a stroke of luck, or a simple twist of fate, that forces this seemingly chance meeting to occur; that it was simply meant to be. 

It’s the people we meet this way whom we tuck into our hearts, never wanting to let go. It’s these people that leave an imprint larger than we ever thought possible on our souls, these people who are forever tattooed into the essence of who we are, because after meeting them, we’re never the same. 

These are the people whom you never wish to see harmed. The people you hope and pray will never forget you… 

CHAPTER ONE 
EVA 

Incredible eyes I couldn’t quite determine the color of stared at me across the distance. Never being one to break eye contact first, I held the guy’s stare. When his lips twisted into a sinful smile as he grew closer, I arched an eyebrow. I knew his type. Cocky, arrogant, self-centered—well, maybe not self-centered, considering he was obviously part of the National Guard—just the type of guy who would get under my skin, and toy with my heart strings more than I deserved before dropping me.

He was trouble. That was all I needed to remember. 

My eyes remained focused on him as he continued to jog with his group toward the bench I was sitting on. Before the group reached me, the guy’s pace slowed, and he went from near the front to the back in a single controlled motion. Sweat glistened his muscular chest in the afternoon sunlight, and I couldn’t force my eyes away from him. 

Who the hell was this guy, but more importantly, why the hell was I reacting this way to him? 

Had my libido been so neglected it was ready to pounce on the first nearly naked piece of eye candy it saw in the flesh? 

As the stragglers of his group passed, his sergeant in command—or whatever the guy was—barked for him to pick up the pace. Soldier Boy grinned wider, and shifted his gaze away from me for the first time in ninety seconds. A sensation I couldn’t name trickled through me at the sudden shift of his eyes. As I stared after his retreating form, I pursed my lips together and wondered what the hell I was feeling. Whatever it was, it mingled and intertwined with an ever-present sense of loneliness that had been inside of me for far too long. 

Slapping my notebook closed, I decided I’d had enough fresh air and tepidly warm sunshine for one day. After gathering my textbooks, I scooped up my coffee before heading to my vehicle.

Gareth’s Park may have been beside the local National Guard post in Norhurst, but I wasn’t the type to study there for that reason. Although, the slight chance of seeing built hotties running laps all sweaty and sexy-like should have been enough enticement to make it a studying staple. I studied there because it was quiet—for the most part—and no one would stare at me as though I were crazy. 

There was a set of picnic tables designated for studying in my apartment complex courtyard, but apparently, when I moved in someone forgot to attach the memo to my lease about it being taboo to use them. This resorted in me being stared at through mini-blinds for about twenty minutes by various neighbors before I finally let the awkwardness of the moment win and headed back inside. 

From that point on, I tried a variety of places to cram besides my living room. None of them could hold a candle to Gareth’s Park. The library was too eerily quiet, and the coffee shop down the street was filled with too many noisy people wondering what you were studying and why such a pretty girl had her nose stuck in a book all the time. 

Here, no one asked questions and no one stared—until Soldier Boy. 

As I hoisted the straps of my tote bag higher onto my shoulder, I spotted my green Ford Escape and dug my keys out of my front pocket. After unlocking the doors, I tossed my bag in the back, and climbed into the driver’s seat. Soldier Boy’s face flashed through my mind, and I took in a deep breath. He was sexy as hell—there was no doubt about it—but it wasn’t his good looks that had him flashing through my mind on repeat. It was the way he’d locked his eyes on mine, how he’d been just as unwilling as I was to be the first to look away. 

It took a confident person not to be afraid of eye contact. 

The list of characteristics I’d thought about upon first seeing him and his wayward smile blasted through my mind, reminding me of why I shouldn’t give him a second more of my time. His image might be a good one to pleasure myself to during a dry spell, but that was about as far as I would allow him to consume me mentally. 

Starting now. 

Pulling up my grocery list on my phone, I checked it again for anything else I might need to add. A text popped up as soon as I closed my notepad app. I smiled at the sight of Mindy’s name. 

Hey! Hope studying is going well. There’s a party happening tonight at Wes’s house. Wanna come? 

Mindy Pendergrass had taken my title of newest waitress at The Point—the pub I worked at—about three weeks ago. I’d worked at another local diner for over a year, but when the owner died and the place was left in the hands of her slimy son, I couldn’t handle working there anymore, so I quit. The Point had been hiring, and it paid more hourly. It was a no-brainier to apply. I’d gotten the job on the spot, and I was grateful beyond belief.

Rereading Mindy’s text, I thought about how to answer. Tonight we both were off. I’d already done all the studying I could handle for one day, but I wasn’t sure I felt up to a party at Wes’s, of all people, frat house. Wes was exactly what Soldier Boy was—arrogant, cocky, full of himself—and I preferred to avoid guys who fell in that category.

I’d learned in my Human Behavior and Social Environment section of study that sometimes people find themselves in vicious cycles. My vicious cycle happened to be dating guys who fit the sexy, bad boy stereotype, which always seemed to resort in my heart getting trampled. When I broke down each of the guys, I concluded there was a certain thread of traits they each had in common. If I avoided those traits, my theory was that I might be able to find someone worth a damn. 

So far, that presumption had attracted guys who were obsessed with their cell phones, socially awkward, or ordered a Cosmo when I did…for themselves. 

Another text came through, and I glanced at the screen of my cell. 

Well? I don’t know. I’ll think about it and get back to you. Okay? ~ Eva 

It didn’t take her but a second to respond. 

Please! I don’t want to go alone. 

Mindy’s words burned through my mind, and my subconscious whispered for me to answer with a three-lettered response—yes. 

Going to parties solo sucked. I knew this from personal experience. So I caved. 

What time is it? ~ Eva 

It couldn’t hurt to go to this thing and attempt to have some fun. Hell, maybe I’d even find a one-night stand that would turn into something more, exactly like I was always reading about. Just because it was a college party didn’t mean it would be completely devoid of boyfriend-worthy guys. From the way images of Soldier Boy were flashing through my mind on repeat, I’d apparently starved my libido long enough. Maybe it was time to go on the prowl again. 

Yay! I’m so glad you’re gonna come! It starts at nine. Wanna carpool? Carpool? 

I hated carpooling to parties. If I wanted to get the hell out of there for whatever reason, then I didn’t want to have to wait on anyone. 

No. I’ll drive myself. I won’t be able to stay too late, because I’ve got plans tomorrow morning. ~ Eva 

Complete and total lie. All I had planned to do was my laundry and more studying. 

I was in such a funk. I blamed it on my friend Blaire’s approaching wedding. There was nothing that could make a girl feel worse about her single status than being invited to a wedding and having to stare at the box where you were supposed to check plus one. I didn’t have a plus one, but damn if I didn’t want one. At least as a date to the wedding. I was the habitually single friend. Sure, I dated, but it never seemed to pan out as anything. All of my friends were in monogamous, long-lasting relationships. Even my best friend had traded in his playboy ways for the girl of his dreams. 

I’d hit that point in my life where everyone was either married, in a serious relationship, or having babies, and here I was nearing twenty-five, and still kissing through a crap ton of frogs looking for Prince Charming. 

No biggie. I’ll see you there! 

I tossed my phone into the cup holder, and didn’t bother responding. I’d only known Mindy for as long as she’d worked at The Point, which was for about three weeks. She was from someplace in Florida. Her uncle lived in Coldcreek, and he recently had some major health scare. She’d transferred her credits to Norhurst University in an effort to be closer to him. That was the gist of what I knew of her—other than the fact that she was nice. 

As I shifted into reverse, I sighed and backed out of the parking space I’d been idling in for way too long. Movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention; it was a guy dashing out of the way behind me. I’d nearly plowed him over as he crossed behind my vehicle. I slammed on my breaks, and a flush of heat crept across my checks as my heart palpitated ferociously inside my chest. 

“Whoa, whoa!” the guy shouted, throwing his arms up in a what-the-fuck-are-you-thinking gesture. 

Rolling down my window, I leaned out. “I’m sorry! My bad!” 

It was Soldier Boy. Awesome. 

He stood behind my vehicle, dressed in black basketball shorts with the National Guard emblem printed at the edge and a duffle bag slung over his right shoulder. His torso—that would be etched into my memory for weeks to come—was now covered with a plain white long-sleeved T-shirt. 

A wide smile stretched across his face. “The girl who can handle some serious eye contact.” He pointed his finger at me. “Hey.” 

Rolling my eyes, I did a little wave of my hand. “That would be me. Look, sorry for nearly running you over, but I need to get going. Could you please remove yourself from behind my vehicle? I need a wide berth to get out of this jam thanks to the douches on either side of me.” 

“Is that an order?” He grinned. 

What? Was he seriously flirting with me, even after I’d almost killed him with my Escape? A smile matching his played across my face as a thought came to me. 

“Not really.” I gradually let my foot off the break, and locked eyes with him. “More like stating a choice.” 

He chuckled and dashed out of the way. “I see how you are,” he shouted at the back of my vehicle as I continued out of my spot. “Can I take you to dinner sometime?” 

I slammed the brake pedal all the way to the floor, and stared at him in my rearview mirror. Obviously taking my vehicle’s sudden jerk to a standstill as a good sign, he was at my driver side window within seconds. 

“You were almost run over by me, twice, and yet you want to take me to dinner? You have some sort of death wish or something, don’t you?” The words flew from my lips, twisted with bemusement. 

I shouldn’t have asked him that. I shouldn’t have even stopped and allowed him to jog to my window. I was not going to psychoanalyze this guy; I wasn’t. I was going to gas it, and drive away. Nothing more, nothing less. 

Soldier Boy licked his lips, and smirked. “Hence the reason I signed up for the National Guard.”

His words kept my brake pedal pinned to the floorboard. My eyes locked on his, and I studied the sincerity swirling within them. That was when I noticed their color—blue. A gray blue, rimmed and speckled with a deeper, darker shade of blue than I’d ever seen on anyone. Cobalt would be the word to describe it.

“So, is that a yes?” he asked, his gaze becoming more intense. Obviously, he knew the effect his eyes had on a woman. He batted his thick, long lashes that framing them—lashes I would kill for—as he continued to stare at me with an orchestrated smile tugging at the corners of his lips just so. 

“No, that’s not a yes.” I gassed it. 

The fact that he had the most beautiful eyes I’d ever seen on a man, and some twisted death wish I wanted to analyze right down to the nitty-gritty, didn’t revoke the characteristics I’d compiled against him, moving him onto my worthy of dating list. Not even close. 

I glanced in my rearview mirror, looking back at him. His simple grin had turned into an intensely sexy smirk, and he was shaking his head. As I paused at the exit of the parking lot, I noticed his fingertips come up to his lips, and he kissed them before making a sweeping motion as though he were blowing me a kiss. 

Seriously, dude? 

Great, I’d managed to attract someone who was the epitome of what I was striving not to date. He was cocky, self-assured, had some sort of death wish—which meant he was probably reckless—knew how to weaken a girl’s knees and wet the sensitive area between her thighs with one calculated glance, and blew kisses. Fan-fricking-tastic. 

Rolling my eyes, I pressed my foot harder than necessary against the gas pedal, and zoomed away, my tires chirping on the pavement.



About the Author



Jennifer Snyder lives in North Carolina were she spends most of her time writing New Adult and Young Adult Fiction, reading, and struggling to stay on top of housework. She is a tea lover with an obsession for Post-it notes and smooth writing pens. Jennifer lives with her husband and two children, who endure listening to songs that spur inspiration on repeat and tolerate her love for all paranormal, teenage-targeted TV shows.





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Friday, August 8, 2014

Book Review: In Too Deep (Due South #1) & Melting Into You (Due South #2) by Tracey Alvarez




In Too Deep 
(Due South #1)
by 
Pub December 19th 2013
by Icon Publishing
ARC for Review

Summary 
Love small-town romance with an unforgettable cast of characters? The Due South series will transport you to an unspoilt, wild island off the coast of New Zealand. Meet Piper and West...

She vowed never to return.

To save her brother from financial ruin, Piper Harland must do the one thing she swore she'd never do—return to the tiny island hometown where Ryan "West" Westlake crushed her heart. Piper is tough, resilient and a little wild—much like the remote and beautiful Stewart Island where she grew up. As a cop who's part of the elite New Zealand Police National Dive Squad, bringing the dead back to their families still doesn't stop the guilt she feels over her father's drowning death. Now nine years later she's obligated to return to a hostile community as the outsider, and forced to work with the man who was once her best friend and first lover.

She's a risk he can't take.

West is an Island man, through and through. As owner of the local pub, he lives and breathes the local community, and sure as hell can't imagine living anywhere else. But most of all he refuses to ever fall for a woman like his flighty mother. He lost Piper once to give her the chance to fulfil her dreams of becoming a cop. But now she's back for an unexpected six week visit to help her brother—his best mate. Maybe West wants her a little bit, maybe he can't resist the temptation to tease and touch her, but can he fall in love with such a flight risk?

Saying goodbye for the second time might just destroy them both.


Fresh...Seductive...Heart-warming...
And enough steaminess to make your toes curl! Intended for mature 18+ aged readers. 









Watch out for Sharks!

In Too Deep was a solid read for me. Just enough drama some heavy petting and lots of tension until the final blowout. The story centralizes around Piper and West and let me tell you these two characters have some serious history. There is a bit of mystery in the book because as I was reading it I knew Piper blamed herself for her father’s death but the why came towards the end of the story. Piper grew up in a tight nit family within a tight nit community. Her father dies in a tragic accident and shortly after she disappeared to follow her dreams and hasn’t been back since. Now her family needs her and she needs a break so she returns to do what she can for her brother. She knows she isn’t ready to  see West again but she also knows she will never be ready to see him. I enjoyed watching these two dance around each other and try to hide how they feel though everyone else saw right through their charade.

I-nvestigation, working for a prestigious dive team is a dream come true for Piper but more so because she feels the need to atone for her past mistakes.
N-aïve, out running her past was a bad idea now the ghosts threaten to bring her under. The panic she feels isn’t something that can be treated lightly Piper knows something must be done.


T-ime, so much has passed but coming home it seems not much has changed. Determined to help her brother Piper will do what it takes even if it means working with the person who destroyed her heart so long ago.
O-pportunity, while Ben is out due to an injury West and Piper will work together on different types of charters to help him out of a debt that could cause him to lose everything.
O-bligation, living together was not something Piper had in mind to do with West but being so close growing up neither of them have a choice. The tension is becoming palpable and soon their resolve will break.


D-reams, so long ago Piper wanted one thing and West knew she couldn’t accomplish it at home so he did the unthinkable and destroyed the heart of the girl who held his. Piper’s devastation is something West has carried all of these years he knows what must be done but is too scared of the outcome.
E-lude, the feelings Piper has tried to run from have come surfacing back with a force. Through community she knows where she belongs but she has been broken before and the fear is what pushes her away.
E-vents, bringing the past to light is something Piper never imagined but so many things happened that she was unaware of things may have been different had she known. Though it was hard for her family to bare everything now that the truth is out dealing with the pain of her past is something she knows she will accomplish.
P-ursue, fear has crippled both Piper and West but a future without the other is worse than any heart break. Both of them will do what it takes and swallow their pride because loving each other is what they most need. Beyond everything else.

The ending was absolutely adorable I loved seeing the community together and I felt as though West finally tore down his walls for Piper which was really nice to see. The job for Piper became something that wasn’t really her, this story was the telling of her self discovery. West was an amazing character I really enjoyed him because although he hurt Piper it was something he did for her as well as self preservation, we come to find out the how and why but best of all he finds a way to let go of his own demons for her. Piper’s brother was a total jerk to her throughout the book but by the end he makes his amends and we come to understand why he is the way he is. The writing was solid and kept me engaged so I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from Ms Alvarez and the Due South Series. Next up we have Ben’s story which I’m totally looking forward to being in his head!


My Rating
4.0 Dive, Death, Ferry, Broken Ankle, Sharks, Romantic Cruise, Family Meetings, Rugby Game, Beached Whales, Charity Event, 500$, 2000$, Sugared Engine, Funeral, Confessions, Two Rings, Last chance, Life Long Love filled stars! For a good romance with plenty of sun water and sharks check out this book!






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Melting Into You 
(Due South #2)
by 
Pub June 8th 2014
by Icon Publishing 
ARC for Review


Summary
Big, sexy men who don’t relate well to kids need not apply…

Kezia Murphy plays her widow card well. When you don’t trust people not to let you down, it’s easier to not get involved—and getting involved with a man who makes her skin sizzle just by looking at him would be una pazzia—crazy! Four years ago while Kezia’s daughter, Zoe, battled leukaemia, a tragic accident stole her husband’s life. Starting over in the little town of Oban where she’s adopted into the close knit community on Stewart Island, Kezia and her daughter are all the family the other needs. Except Zoe yearns for more.

New Zealand’s worst candidate for instant fatherhood…

Ben doesn’t do gooey emotional stuff. He doesn’t do cosy home and family. And he sure isn’t the big teddy-bear Kezia Murphy, the woman he secretly fantasises about, thinks he is. So when Jade, his surprise eight-year-old daughter arrives on his doorstep, he’s a D-minus student struggling to pass a crash-course in parenting.

They’ll either melt or raze their lives to the ground…

When the sparks of attraction between Kezia and Ben fan into an inferno, Ben doesn’t know how much longer the layers of resistance around his heart can resist melting into the gooey mess he fears. The more he fights it the harder it is to make the choice that will destroy the family he now longs to claim.







Purchase Through

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About The Author

Tracey Alvarez lives in the Coolest Little Capital in the World (a.k.a Wellington, New Zealand) where she’s yet to be buried under her to-be-read book pile by Wellington’s infamous wind—her Kindle’s a lifesaver! Married to a wonderfully supportive IT guy, she has two teens who would love to be surgically linked to their electronic devices.

Fuelled by copious amounts of coffee, she’s the author of contemporary romantic fiction set predominantly in New Zealand. Small-towns, close communities, and families are a big part of the heart-warming stories she writes. Oh, and hot, down-to-earth heroes—Kiwi men, in other words.

When she’s not writing, thinking about writing, or procrastinating about writing, Tracey can be found reading sexy books of all romance genres, nibbling on smuggled chocolate bars, or bribing her kids to take over the housework.



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