Tuesday, September 30, 2014

September was a bust for me...

But only in the sense that I didn't complete what I wanted to. Even though I didn't get far into my September reading series I did read some terrific books, so I can't complain. I just finished Sweet Addiction (Sweet Addiction, #1) and I will review soon. I started Stepbrother Dearest and everyone knows I'm excited about this one. After that I will try to challenge myself again for October and go back to finishing series I've started. Also always be on the look out for new book releases, giveaways, reviews and cover reveals.

Happy Reading!!

Monday, September 29, 2014

Stepbrother Dearest releases today!


Woohoo! I have been waiting for this one, I can't wait to read it. I have loved every book by this author so I'm sure this one will not dissappoint. Check it out.

 

 Synopsis:


You’re not supposed to want the one who torments you.

When my stepbrother, Elec, came to live with us my senior year, I wasn’t prepared for how much of a jerk he’d be.

I hated that he took it out on me because he didn’t want to be here.
I hated that he brought girls from our high school back to his room.
But what I hated the most was the unwanted way my body reacted to him.

At first, I thought all he had going for him were his rock-hard tattooed abs and chiseled face. Then, things started changing between us, and it all came to a head one night.

Just as quickly as he’d come into my life, he was gone back to California.

It had been years since I’d seen Elec.

When tragedy struck our family, I’d have to face him again.

And holy hell, the teenager who made me crazy was now a man that drove me insane.

I had a feeling my heart was about to get broken again.

Stepbrother Dearest is a standalone novel.

**Contains graphic sexual content and harsh language. It is only appropriate for adult readers age 18+
  

On sale today only for $2.99 regular price is $3.99 

Amazon / B&N / ITunes





Penelope Ward:


When you write do you outline everything or just let the story unfold as you write it? The stories are a combination of thoughts and ideas generated at random parts of the day, like in the shower or on the treadmill or in the middle of the night. I think long and hard about how the plot will play out from start to finish before I start writing. First, I generate a basic outline using pen and a notepad (with lots of scribble and cross outs). Then, I build upon it. In the meantime, I fantasize about the story for good portions of the day with clear images and dialog running in my head. Bullet points turn into pages that eventually turn into chapters once I start moving the process over to the computer. I take notes all day as ideas pop into my head. I feel like my mind is sometimes half in this world and half in the fantasy one simultaneously.


What inspired you to write your first novel? 
I majored in broadcast journalism in college and spent most of my twenties as a morning news anchor. While it was fun and rewarding, I needed to give it up in order to start a family. In tv news, I was getting up at two in the morning and sleeping at 6:30 at night. It was not conducive to having children. It was a fun career while it lasted, but it was never a passion. There is no one clear source of inspiration. Writing simply became a therapy and an escape in my mid-thirites and a way to finally engage all of the thoughts and fantasies that had been playing in my head like little movies almost my entire life.

What was your inspiration behind this book? I just thought it was a fun idea…a little taboo but not over the top at all. I honestly just came up with the idea one day and started writing and never stopped. The character of Elec just wouldn’t shut up in my head and wanted to come out!
  
 
Penelope Ward is a USA Today Bestselling author.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers. She spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career.

Penelope lives for reading books in the new adult genre, coffee and hanging out with her friends and family on weekends.

She is the proud mother of a beautiful 10-year-old girl with autism (the inspiration for the character Callie in Gemini) and a 8-year-old boy, both of whom are the lights of her life.

Penelope, her husband and kids reside in Rhode Island.

She is currently working on her fifth novel, Jake Understood. She is the author of Gemini, Jake Undone, My Skylar and Stepbrother Dearest.


Check out Penelope's Facebook page for giveaways today!

Review to come!


Sunday, September 28, 2014

Review...An Aria in Venice by:KaSonndra Leigh

An Aria in Venice (A Musical Interlude, #1.5) Review copy provided. 4-4.5 stars! First let me say I want to go back to Italy! This book painted a perfect picture of Venice and now has me itching to revisit. The detail in this book is amazing but not over done.

Adriana has been in love with her savior and her brother's best friend for years. Everyone sees Nikolai like a brother to Adriana but she doesn't see him that way. She is tired of holding back her feelings and decides to let him know what she wants. Nikolai has felt the same feelings towards Adriana but is too scared to act upon them for fear of what her family and essentially his family will think. His number one priority lies with his job and protecting Adriana comes in a close second, getting involved with her is not an option.

After Adriana meets the talented, sexy, Italian designer Luca she decides to play a little game with Nikolai. What Adriana isn't prepared for, is for Nikolai to practically throw her into Luca's arms. 

Adriana is sick of being a virgin and is planning to give Luca her virginity but Luca has his own ideas. Luca introduces Adriana to his mother Simona who falls in love with the beautiful Russian ballet dancer. Simona believing (under false pretenses) that Luca and Adriana are a couple invites Adriana to spend time in Venice with her family.

His goal…One night with the ballerina.
Her goal…To beat the player at his game.
The outcome...Something completely unexpected.


Nikolai soon regretting his decision to push Adriana away tries to make amends with Adriana. Will he be too late? Has Adriana fallen for the Italian designer?

This is a different kind of love triangle. I always always root for the first love and in this book I found myself actually rooting for Luca, sigh, but still feeling sorry for Nikolai too. I'm not going to tell you who she ends up with because that just takes all the fun away. Who knew all this was going on while reading The Prelude? The Prelude (A Musical Interlude, #1)  I really enjoyed this book and I don't think I've ever loved a heroine as much as I love Adriana, she was awesome! I felt so bad for her and what she had to deal with growing up. Her mom was awful and she didn't have a father. She was such a strong character but not a bitch. She was sweet and compassionate but not a doormat and she was one hell of a friend. Actually she's pretty bad ass. I hope to get more of her in future books. 

So far I recommend the first two books in this series and I'll definitely be reading the next ones!

HEA? (3) <<<click here if you want to know.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

New Series...The Washington Triplet Novella's

The third book Love Found in California comes out October 1st!

Love Found in California (The Washington Triplets)       

 Synopsis:

This is a stand alone novella that is part of The Washington Triplet Novella's:

The Quiet One

Mikaela Washington, the middle Triplet, has always been labeled the quiet one. Her parents claim her as the introvert or just shy. Of course she was, what other role could she take? All the others had been fulfilled.

Going away to college with her sisters was always the plan until unforeseen circumstances push Mikaela into a dark corner she can’t get out of. Her sisters think she’s just being more unusual than normal and her dad barely notices. The only person she can trust and confide in is her mom.

She stays back and lives at home with her parents. These years are difficult, but she manages to find a career and go to therapy. During this time she learns her family home is not what it seems. She sees and hears things that her sisters know nothing about. Then when her mom suddenly dies she’s left to deal with not only her tragedy, but also the secrets of her family.
Finally Mikaela realizes it’s time… time to move on, live on her own like her sisters and try to start new. When she moves to California she finds the job of her dreams and the man of her dreams attached to it… Ryan Chambers.

To read more about the Washington Triplet's check out Love Discovered in New York and Love Grows in Alaska.


Melissa Rolka

About this author
:
 

Melissa Rolka grew up in the Chicagoland area all of her childhood and has always had a love of writing. She started by keeping a journal at a young age and then in high school she started writing poetry. A couple poems were published anonymously. Then in college she majored in Philosophy, which required lots and lots of writing. After graduating from Marquette University she traveled west to Los Angeles. There she worked for the Writers Guild of America and found herself submerged in the writers world. She worked on small writings, but never pursued them. On the side she became involved with a small theater group. Eventually she made her way back to the Midwest, where her heart belongs, and worked in business for several years. She found love, got married and has two beautiful children. Being at home has allowed her to keep following her love of reading and writing.

The Perfect Distraction is her first full length novel. When Melissa is not writing she is caring for, playing with and loving her two kids. In between taking care of her family and writing she almost always has her nose buried in her Kindle.

Check her out on Goodreads







Friday, September 26, 2014

Reading...An Aria In Venice by: KaSonndra Leigh

An Aria in Venice (A Musical Interlude, #1.5)<<< I am currently reading this. So far it is such a beautiful read and makes me feel like I'm in Venice all over again. I absolutely love the heroine! I will post my review shortly. This was a review copy given to me along with the first book to this series The Prelude The Prelude (A Musical Interlude, #1) here is my review. This author just has a way with her words that make you feel like you are right there.

Have a great weekend and happy reading!!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Books and releases I'm super excited about!

Captivated by You (Crossfire, #4) The 4th book in Sylvia Day's Crossfire series...releases November 18th!!

B&N / Amazon

What If New by Rebecca Donovan...out now!!

B&N / Amazon

Stepbrother Dearest New by Penelope Ward...releases September 29th! Remember this one? I did the cover reveal.

Not available for pre-order on Amazon.  
Kobo

Closer to the Edge (Playing with Fire, #4) Book 4 in Tara Sivec's Playing with Fire series...out now!

Amazon / B&N


Can't Wait! Happy Reading!!

Cover Reveal: Stepbrother Dearest by: Penelope Ward


STEPBROTHER DEAREST

By: Penelope Ward
Release Date: September 2014

  

 

Add to Goodreads TBR:

Stepbrother Dearest






Blurb:

You’re not supposed to want the one who torments you.

When my stepbrother, Elec, came to live with us my senior year, I wasn’t prepared for how much of a jerk he’d be.

I hated that he took it out on me because he didn’t want to be here.
I hated that he brought girls from our high school back to his room.
But what I hated the most was the unwanted way my body reacted to him.

At first, I thought all he had going for him were his rock-hard tattooed abs and chiseled face. Then, things started changing between us, and it all came to a head one night.

Just as quickly as he’d come into my life, he was gone back to California.

It had been years since I’d seen Elec.

When tragedy struck our family, I’d have to face him again.

And holy hell, the teenager who made me crazy was now a man that drove me insane.

I had a feeling my heart was about to get broken again.

Stepbrother Dearest is a standalone novel.


Penelope Ward Bio:
Penelope Ward is a USA Today Bestselling author.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers. She spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family friendly career.

Penelope lives for reading books in the new adult genre, coffee and hanging out with her friends and family on weekends.

She is the proud mother of a beautiful 9-year-old girl with autism (the inspiration for the character Callie in Gemini) and a 7-year-old boy, both of whom are the lights of her life.

Penelope, her husband and kids reside in Rhode Island.

She is currently working on her third novel and loves friend requests from readers!

Connect with Penelope Ward: