Blog Tour & Giveaway : Fighting Silence (On the Ropes, #1) by Aly Martinez

Fighting Silence

On the Ropes, #1
by Aly Martinez

Release Date:
February 23rd, 2015

Genres:
New Adult
Contemporary Romance

Source:
Author via Blog Tour Host

eARC received in exchange of honest review

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Synopsis:

Sound is an abstract concept for most people. We spend our lives blocking out the static in order to focus on what we believe is important. But what if, when the clarity fades into silence, it's the obscure background noise that you would give anything to hold on to? 

I've always been a fighter. With parents who barely managed to stay out of jail and two little brothers who narrowly avoided foster care, I became skilled at dodging the punches life threw at me. Growing up, I didn’t have anything I could call my own, but from the moment I met Eliza Reynolds, she was always mine. I became utterly addicted to her and the escape from reality we provided each other. Throughout the years, she had boyfriends and I had girlfriends, but there wasn't a single night that I didn’t hear her voice. 

You see, meeting the love of my life at age thirteen was never part of my plan. However, neither was gradually going deaf at the age of twenty-one. 

They both happened anyway. 

Now, I'm on the ropes during the toughest battles of my life. Fighting for my career. 
Fighting the impending silence. 
Fighting for her. 

Every night, just before falling asleep, she sighs as a final conscious breath leaves her. 

I think that's the sound I'll miss the most.

Purchase links:
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Excerpt:

"That wasn't yours to take away," he exploded into the otherwise silent night. His words echoed off the surrounding buildings, each wave slicing me to the quick all over again. "That was our place. Not yours." His voice cracked right alongside my heart. 

"Yeah, well, there was a lot of stuff that wasn't yours to take either." I held his gaze, desperately trying to be strong, but as his eyes grew wide, I whimpered. 

His long legs strode forward, stopping only inches away from me. He was crowding me, but he still leaned in closer to my face. "There is nothing in this world that was ever more mine than you," he stated. Though it was the absolute truth, I wished with all my heart that it were a lie. 

"Till," I cried, swiping the tears from my eyes. 

"Why!" he shouted, causing his muscles to tense under the force. "Goddamn it! I needed that place." 

Porch lights flashed on from the surrounding apartments, illuminating not only the dark but also my rage. 

I shoved my hands into his chest. "What about what I needed? You left! I waited in that fucking apartment for weeks." 

He didn't budge, but my bare feet slipped, sending me toward the ground. Impossibly fast, Till's hand snaked out and caught my arm. I didn't let his chivalrous gesture douse my fire. I had six months’ worth of words to say to the man I was irrevocably in love with. 

"You took what you wanted. Then you left me." 

"Doodle," he whispered. 

I had been perilously close to the edge of insanity, and with one single word, he’d pushed me over. 

I lost it completely. 

Pounding my fists against his chest, I screamed at the top of my lungs, "It's Eliza! My name is fucking Eliza! Not Doodle!" I spun to march away, but Till's arms folded around me, lifting me off my feet to restrain me. 

I was miniscule compared to him. There was no use in fighting, but I still kicked my legs, irrationally desperate to get away from him—but only because I knew I couldn't keep him for forever. 

"Stop it!" he growled into my ear. "I know your Goddamn name—probably better than I know my own."

Review:

I can't freakin' believe that I waited all this time to read a book by Aly Martinez!!!! What in the world is wrong with me?!?!?! I learned my lesson. This stops RIGHT NOW! No more keeping books by Aly Martinez on my TBR. No freakin' way! Some vacation time is coming up and it's the perfect occasion to have a reading marathon. I am hooked! I can't even begin to describe what a sublime and breathtaking story Fighting Silence was. A perfect escapism into the lives of two of the most memorable characters that I have ever met! Make sure you have some free time to read this book because, trust me, you won't be able to put it down for a single second!!

Eliza and Till are teenagers when they first meet. A strong and sincere friendship was born between them after their first meeting. Being together is their safe place. When they are together nothing else matters. Just the two of them. Forever. As time goes by, their friendship turns into love. Eliza is everything to Till. She is the light in the darkness and the most important person in his life. Every day is a new challenge, but Till will do whatever it takes to keep the woman that he loves, and his brothers, happy and safe. 

I really don't want to give anything away about Eliza and Till's story. You have to FEEL the impact of every scene. This book took me on a roller coaster ride of a lifetime! OMG!!! The feels that I got while reading this book?!?!?! I swooned, I laughed, I screamed and I cried. I was an emotional mess when Eliza and Till were going through rough times. I wanted them to find happiness and peace of mind. They were such amazing characters to follow. I connected with them from the very beginning until the very end. Their chemistry is out of this world! It's intense, passionate and simply UNFORGETTABLE. They fit perfectly together. Both of them had struggles to overcome, but they did it together. Side by side they grew to become who they wanted to be. It was a tough road with difficult battles, but most of all it was a learning journey for all these characters. A journey that gave a meaning to the words family and love.

I want to take a moment to welcome a new member to my Masters of Swoon Club. ---> Mr. Till Page 

Oh.my.God

I can't even begin to tell you how much he made my heart skip a beat. The way he takes care of not only his brothers, but of Eliza as well is simply heart-melting! He's a top-notch book boyfriend. *Swoon* 

Fighting Silence is the kind of book that will make you want to read it all over again the moment you finish. Few books have made me feel this way. I fell in love with all of these characters and I can't wait to see what happens next! Flint is the next Page sibling to get a story. He's the middle child and my heart absolutely broke for him in Fighting Silence. His book is going to be very emotional. I can feel it! There is so much he needs to say. June can't come fast enough! Gahhhhhh!!!!!

Rating:

I give, Fighting Silence, by Aly Martinez, 5 spectacular, unforgettable, emotional, breathtaking stars!

Teasers:

Giveaway:

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About the Author:

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in South Carolina, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side. 

After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. Five books later, she shows no signs of slowing. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.

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Book Tour: The Return (Titan #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Return

Titan #1

By: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published:
February 16, 2015 

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Source:
Finished Copy for a honest review

Add to Goodreads 
Here


Summary:

The Fates are cackling their bony asses off... 

It's been a year since Seth made the deal with the gods that pledged his life to them. And so far, the jobs they've given him have been violent and bloody--which is kind of all right with him. 

But now Apollo has something else in mind for Seth. He's got to play protector while keeping his hands and fingers off, and for someone who really has a problem with restraint, this new assignment might be the most challenging yet. 

Josie has no idea what this crazy hot guy's deal might be, but it's a good bet that his arrival means the new life she started after leaving home is about to be thrown into an Olympian-sized blender turned up to puree. Either Josie is going insane or a nightmare straight out of ancient myth is gunning for her.

But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and the golden-eyed, secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all. Because history has once again been flipped to repeat.

My Thoughts:

The Return, by Jennifer L. Armentrout is the first book in the Titan Series, and a spinoff from the Covenant Series.  It is a book that I have been highly anticipating, because the Covenant Series is my favorite fictional series based on Greek Mythology.  The Return was everything that I had hoped for, dreamed of, and more.  It was a brilliant, breathtaking, romantic, and passion filled read.

The Return is Seth and Josie's story.  Seth has been taking orders from the Gods of Olympus for a year now.  His newest orders come from Apollo, and are to retrieve college student Josie, protect her with his life, and take her to the University/Covenant in South Dakota.  He has no idea why a human is so important to the Gods, but when he meets Josie, he quickly realizes that there is more to her than meets the eye.

When Josie see's Seth for the first time, she is blown away by his beauty.  However, when he starts talking about Olympus, The Gods, and her purpose in everything, she quickly decides that he is crazy.  Eventually, when she see's and experiences things out of the realm of her reality, she begins to realize he is speaking the truth.  As Seth and Josie begin their journey to South Dakota, they begin to develop deep and passionate feelings for one another, and are trying to survive the danger all around them...

The Return was a story filled with Ms. Armentrout's gorgeous imagination.  It delivered everything that I wish for in a story; relatable and likable characters, an addictive plot full of surprises, romance, passion, intensity, and anticipation.  It is the kind of book you devour, and after you finish it, you beg for the next installment.  I loved Seth in this story.  He shows his vulnerability, opens up to Josie, and every moment they share left me breathless, and eager for the next.  Josie is the kind of woman Seth needs.  She is very nurturing, caring, compassionate, and patient.  She gave him unconditional caring, friendship, and acceptance.  When these two are on the page together, magic happens.  

I'm ecstatic that Ms. Armentrout decided to make this title New Adult.  It had all of the imagination, anticipation, and great storytelling as the Covenant Series, with the added bonus of more!  We get more passion, intensity, anticipation, and detailed love scenes!!!  It was a wonderful surprise to me when I got to be reunited with secondary characters from the Covenant Series.  My favorite interactions were with Apollo, Luke, and Deacon.  I love these characters so much, and have missed them.

My Rating:

The Return is a brilliant beginning to the Titan Series.  For readers that love romantic fiction based on Greek Mythology that is fun, passionate, relatable, and addictive, you must read this book.  Also, for those fans of the Covenant Series, you are going to LOVE The Return!!!  I give, The Return, by Jennifer L. Armentrout, 5 Visceral, All-Consuming, Pulse Racing, Seth's Salvation Filled Stars!!!  

My Favorite Quotes:

"His touch...I don't know if it was because of what he was or because of who he was, it was like lightening in a bottle for my senses.  From the moment he'd touch me, my body warmed--liquid heat pooled deep in my core and simmered in my veins.  My breathing became more shallow with each passing moment and a different kind of ache invaded my body."  

~Josie

"I wanted what I'd never had.  Real companionship.  Loyalty.  Friendship.  Her.  Me.  No third parties.  Just us.  A future. A tomorrow.  Salvation.  And that made my fucking chest compress, because I didn't even know what to do with all of that."    

~Seth

Book Excerpt:

This was so not normal. I squeezed my eyes shut, and when I reopened them, Seth was still there. My palms were getting clammy, and in the back of my head, a horrible little voice had picked up in the background. You’ve gone off the deep end. This is it. You’re totally crazy. “Is this real?” 

His brows knitted. “This is real.” 

It couldn’t be. There was no way any of this was real. I dragged in a breath, but it got stuck, and I looked around wildly as a flutter of panic began in my chest. We were outside, but there were invisible walls closing in. Schizophrenia—one of the main symptoms was hallucinations—seeing things that weren’t there. I could’ve totally conjured up a hot guy who thought he was a polly- poo. “I need air.” 

He was frowning. “You have air. You’re—” 

“No!” My voice exploded harshly. “I need air. Space. I need space!” 

For a moment, he didn’t move, and the flutter of panic in my chest turned into a freaking bird of prey, clawing at me from the inside. He must’ve read something in my expression, because he actually backed off. 

Flying off the wall, I took a step to my left and tripped over my forgotten bag. I wheeled around, my foot getting tangled up in the strap. Seth shot forward, catching my arm before I turned into a flailing Muppet. 

“Hold on,” he said gruffly, bending over. Within a second, he had my bag detached from my foot. “There you go.” 

The moment I was free, I yanked on my arm and he let go. I started backing up, trying to get my throat and chest to unconstrict. “This isn’t real.” 

This whole thing was a hallucination. My head had drummed up this Seth. Maybe Jesse hadn’t even been meeting me in the library. Maybe none of this was real. I knew—I knew—it was possible. I’d witnessed week-long episodes where Mom thought we were in NYC or in China, even though we hadn’t left the house. Or when she would talk to people who weren’t there, hold entire conversations with them. 

Holding my bag in his hand, he straightened. “Josie—” 

I spun around and ran. I ran faster than I ever had before, maybe even faster than Erin could run, and I didn’t look back to see if the apolloanna gave chase. Muscles strained and my arms pumped. People I passed were blurs. I thought I heard someone shout my name. I didn’t stop running when I hit the steps leading to my dorm or when I barreled past the occupied couches in the lobby. I only skidded to a stop once I’d slammed my hand on the elevator button. 

I was going crazy. My brain had just shit the bed on me.

Purchase At:

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About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. 

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. 

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

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48 Hour Giveaway:

A Signed Copy of The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Blog Tour Organized By:

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Release Day Blitz: An Indecent Proposal by J.C. Reed & Jackie Steele

An Indecent Proposal by J.C. Reed & Jackie Steele

Release date: February 23rd, 2015

It was supposed to be easy. 
Hire a professional actor to play my fake fiancé. 
But when he steps in front of my door to pick me up for The Interview, my heart stops. Chase Wright is perfect. And hot. I mean like, burn up your dress hot. However, Chase isn't professional at all. I hate what he does to me with his sinfully sexy blue eyes. I hate that he wants me in his bed. 

One month…that’s all I need him for. All I have to do is stay out of his bed. But the rules slowly begin to change. My fake fiancé suddenly becomes my fake husband. When Chase offers me an indecent proposal, it's too late to fire him. It's too late to decline. 

Full-length novel. Includes free prequel novella THAT GUY.

Buy An Indecent Proposal:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

Connect with J.C. Reed:

  Website | Facebook | Twitter 

Connect with Jackie Steele

  Website | Facebook | Twitter

GIVEAWAY (open worldwide)

$50 Amazon Gift Card & signed print copy

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EXCERPT

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Blog Tour: The Girls of Mischief Bay (Mischief Bay #1) by Susan Mallery

The Girls of Mischief Bay

Mischief Bay #1

By:
Susan Mallery

Published:
February 24, 2015

Publisher:
Mira

Source: A Copy of the Book from the publisher for a honest review

Add to Goodreads

Summary:

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery is world renowned for her “insightful, funny, and poignant” stories (Booklist). With her brand-new Mischief Bay series, Susan brings to vivid color the story of three friends on the brink of a new life. 

Nicole Lord wants to be a good wife, but there’s a difference between being supportive and supporting her husband, who quit his job to write a screenplay she’s never seen. He won’t even help take care of their son, leaving Nicole to run the house and work full-time. 

Sacrificing a personal life for her career is how Shannon Rigg became a VP at her firm, but she wonders now whether she made the right choice. An exciting new relationship with a great guy convinces her that it might not be too late—until he drops a bombshell that has her questioning whether she really can have it all. 

Although Pam Eiland adores her husband, she feels restless now that the kids are grown. Finding sexy new ways to surprise him brings the heat and humor back to their marriage, but when unexpected change turns her life upside down, she’ll have to redefine herself. Again. 

Through romance and heartbreak, laughter and tears, the girls of Mischief Bay will discover that life is richer with friends at your side. 

My Thoughts:

The Girls of Mischief Bay was a poignant and realistic view of life. It involves three good friends, Nicole, Shannon, and Pam, who are all dealing with different trials and challenges in their lives. Yet, through all of their ups and downs, they know that they can always lean on each other.  This story made me think of my own close friends, and how important it is to not take them for granted.

Nicole is a young mother to an adorable, almost-five-year-old Tyler.  She has her own business, and met Shannon and Pam in one of her Pilates courses.  Unfortunately, her marriage is unraveling, and she doesn't recognize the man she married anymore.  He has become selfish, arrogant, and doesn't participate with Nicole or Tyler anymore.  He up and quit his stable career, to write a screen play, leaving the financial burden on Nicole's shoulders.

Pam is in an excellent marriage with the love of her life John.  Her children are all grown up and leading their own lives now.  She has become use to the same routine day in and day out, that now she feels stuck in a rut.  To top it off, she is struggling with the aging process, and the fact that she is fifty years old.

Shannon is a successful CFO and a wizard in the business of finance.  She is independent, intelligent, self-reliant, financially set, and for all purposes successful.  However, she desperately longs for love, marriage, and children.  

As Nicole, Pam, and Shannon navigate their lives, they give each other unconditional support, love, advice, friendship, and understanding.  They are their for each other through the darkest of times, when everyone else seems to disappear.

I really enjoyed, The Girls of Mischief Bay, by Susan Mallery.  It had friendship, love, romance, and was very realistic and relatable.  These women could very easily exist in our world, and I found myself relating to all three of them in different ways.

My Rating:

If you are looking for a realistic, relatable and authentic story on friendship, and life, look no further!  I give, The Girls of Mischief Bay, by Susan Mallery 4 Charming, Deep, Emotional, Special Friendship Filled Stars!

Book Teaser:

Book Excerpt

*For an Excerpt of the book click Here

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes | Kobo | BAM!

About Susan Mallery:

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has won the hearts of millions of readers around the world with books described as “immensely entertaining, intensely emotional” (RT Book Reviews), “hilarious” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram), and “heartwarming” (Publishers Weekly). One major retailer recently described her as “the queen of romantic fiction.” While she deeply appreciates the accolades of critics and booksellers, Mallery is even more honored by the enthusiasm of her readers and the word-of-mouth that catapults her toward the top of the bestsellers lists time and again.

Mallery lives in not-so-sunny Seattle with her husband and a toy poodle who makes her laugh every day and who’s not even a little bit impressed by her growing fame.

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Giveaway:

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Blog Tour Organized By:

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Release Day Launch & Giveaway : A Stone in the Sea (Bleeding Stars, #1) by A.L. Jackson

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A Stone in the Sea

Bleeding Stars, #1 by A.L. Jackson

Release Date:
February 23rd, 2015

Genres:
New Adult 
Contemporary Romance

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis:

He wanted nothing at all… 

Until he found she had everything to give… 

Sunder lead singer and guitarist Sebastian Stone has everything—fans, fame, and fortune. He also has a heart full of bitterness and a reputation for a short-fused temper. But an outward reputation rarely reveals the true man inside. Facing assault charges after trying to protect his younger brother, Sebastian is sent to Savannah, Georgia to lie low until the dust settles in L.A. 

Shea Bentley is beautiful, kind, and hiding from the very lifestyle Sebastian has always embraced. 

When the mysterious, tattooed stranger begins hanging out at the bar where she works, Shea is quick to recognize he is nothing but trouble, but she's helpless to the way her body lights up every time his intense gray eyes tangle with hers. 

They both soon find themselves drowning in a sea of desire and passion that won’t let them up for air. 

Sebastian knows firsthand secrets never die, and he’s not the only one who’s hiding them. 

Loving someone always comes with a price. But will it be Shea’s past that costs them everything?

Exclusive pre-order link ---> iBooks 

Facebook Release Party 4pm-9pm ---> HERE

Excerpt:

With a smile, I turned around, then froze when my sight registered the obscured figure leaning against the wall. A strangled gasp caught in my throat, and my heart took off at a sprint, blood pounding hard in my ears. 

Pushing from the wall, he stepped from the shadows, his hands again stuffed deep in his pockets. 

My heart rate only increased, the energy radiating from him almost as strong as the disappointment he’d left me with when he’d gone. 

I pressed my hand to my chest to try to still the panic thundering against my ribs. “You scared me.” 

“I’m sorry.” The words were soft. “That’s the last thing I want to do.” 

But he did. I was scared of what he was capable of doing to me, the way I knew he held the power to trounce all over this hammering heart, to hold it in his hand and crush it into a million unrecognizable pieces. 

“What are you doing here?” I asked on a shaky breath. 

He looked to the sky and exhaled heavily, before he leveled his gaze back on me. “The same thing I’m doing every night, Shea. Thinking about you and wondering why the hell I can’t stop.” 

My stomach flipped, and I gulped for air. 

“What do you want from me?” 

He laughed, lifted his elbows out to his sides in a helpless gesture without pulling his hands free. “Dinner?” 

Nonsensical laughter shot from me. “At three in the morning?”

“Breakfast?” he amended, a coy smile pulling at his full, crooked lips. 

Tingles spread across my skin, and I ran my hands up my bare arms. “I already told you I don’t have time for distractions.” 

“Come on, Shea. It’s just food. Go out with me. Just tonight.” 

Somehow I knew it was a lie, even though he wanted to believe it was true. 

Nervously, I glanced to the back door all the while being inexplicably drawn to this man I didn’t even know. I knew I should make a break for it, run for the safety of my little world and give him no opportunity to rip it apart. 

“I am hungry,” I found myself saying. After a long night of work, it was true. But it had nothing to do with the reason I was giving in. 

Because I just wanted to… I shook my head. 

That was it. I just wanted. I wanted to be in his space. I wanted to understand why he had this pull on me. I wanted him. 

Even though I’d never allow myself to have him.

Teasers: 

Giveaway:

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About the Author:

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Come to Me Quietly, Come to Me Softly, Pulled, When We Collide, and If Forever Comes. 

She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life. 

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves. 

To stay up to date with important news on A.L. Jackson, including new releases, sales, and exclusive specials and excerpts, text “jackson” to 96000 to subscribe! 

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