Blog Tour: Losing Her by Cori Williams

TITLE: Losing Her

SERIES: Broken Road (Book 1)

GENRE: Contemporary Romance 

AUTHOR: Cori Williams

PUBLISHER: Booktrope Publishing

Release Date: November 7th, 2015

AMAZON:  http://amzn.to/1JAwOmi

Love. I’d hated love for most of my life. I saw how it destroyed the one person I thought I could count on as it sucked him under, leaving him not to care about anything else in the world—including me. But when I didn’t close myself off, I let love consume me. Love and hate, two words that don’t often go together but that’s what I felt for him. Beneath the prince lurked a monster. Lawson Reynolds fell in love with Campbell Wynn the minute he laid eyes on her—even though he was clueless to the fact. Maybe if he had realized it sooner, he wouldn’t have lost her. Campbell Wynn had no interest in becoming another one of Lawson Reynold’s groupies. She thought she found her own happily ever after when she didn’t think they even existed. But the perfectly painted picture soon turned ugly behind closed doors. Will Lawson’s unconditional love be able to save her from the downward cycle that she refuses to break? Or will she reach the point of no return?

Losing Her is mainly set around two characters, Campbell and Lawson. They meet when Campbell is in her last year of high school and Lawson is just getting famous with his band, Jensen Outlaws. Campbell is dragged to one of their concerts and then to a Meet and Greet. They hit if off and become friends right away. This story spans their friendship and deeper feelings through the years.

I enjoyed Lawson and Campbell's relationship. The banter between the two was fun, easy, and very natural. It was soon apparent that Lawson was in it for more than an easy lay, especially since Cammie didn't give in. There were several times that I just wanted to bop both of them in the head to wake up and quit being so stubborn. Lawson was so bent on protecting Cammie, even from himself. Campbell was also trying to protect herself. GAH! They just couldn't see past protecting her. Even when they are adults, they were in their own way to the road of happiness. Lawson gave and gave and gave. Campbell, to me, seems to take and take it for granted that he would always be there ready to pick up the pieces, to protect her, and for anything else she needs, all while trying not to take from him. I know that sounds contradictory, but Campbell is very proud and independent. It is hard for her to accept help, so she tried not to, but sometimes, she just really needed it. She had some tough times from that last year of high school.

My main feeling while reading this book is frustration. I was just so dang frustrated with, mainly, Campbell. There were bits of annoyance in regards, Lawson, but mainly just Campbell. I honestly can't pinpoint what about her rubbed me wrong from the get go, but she did. I respected her decision to not spread her legs as soon as she met Lawson, but I think maybe her attitude. I just don't know. The prologue pulled me right in to the story, but I'll be honest, I had a hard time relating it to the rest of the story. It kept floating in the back of my mind... "What did it have to do with what is going on?" It was always there, nagging at me. I will say that the further I read, the more it started to make sense. I was very curious to see how it played out, though.

There were some twist that I didn't see coming, which, in hindsight, makes total sense. The overall flow of the book and the dialogue is what kept me reading. I could understand some of the decisions that Campbell made, and they made her relatable. As an outsider looking in, you want to fix situations and of course you know the best way, because you're objective. I couldn't help to root for these 2 characters. I just wanted everything to work out in their favor.

Keep in mind that this story is so far from over. A cliffy? Yes. This story kept me reading especially towards the end. I had to know the outcome. I still NEED it! I cannot, Can. Not. Wait for more!

 

Cori Williams is a contemporary romance writer who recently relocated from Michigan to southern living in the mountains of North Carolina. When she’s not busy taking care of her three young children and sometimes fourth, aka as her husband, you’ll find her tapping away at the keyboard with music blaring and endless amounts of candy fuel at hand. Her love of reading from a very young age transferred over to a love of writing and now the stories are never ending as she creates the happily ever afters for her characters with sometimes bumpy journeys along the way. “Forever isn’t always easy.”

WEBSITE: www.authorcoriwilliams.com

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/authorcawilliams

TWITTER: @CAWilliams00

 

Blog Tour: The Ghost Host by DelSherree Gladden

Everyone thinks Echo Simmons is crazy, but being The Ghost Host isn’t just a YouTube hoax like people think. It’s the only way to control the ghosts haunting her…at least until the FBI shows up asking questions.

The first eighteen years of Echo Simmons’ life have been less than ideal. On more than one occasion her parents have considered committing her. They don’t believe she sees ghosts or that they harass her on a daily basis. So when a rogue ghost begins tormenting her, they’re the last people she’s going to tell. Her best friends Holden and Zara are doing their best to help, but ghost attacks are only the beginning of Echo’s problems.

Handling the ghosts by giving them a voice on YouTube through her webshow has been her saving grace—even if her parents think it’s all a hoax—but that gets a little complicated when the ghost of Madeline Crew reveals a little too much about her previous life and the FBI shows up at her door wanting to know how she gained access to long-buried government secrets.

It just keeps getting worse from there. Madeline’s message to her great grandson sparks a strange connection between Echo and Malachi, which leads to Georgia, secrets, mistakes, love, lies, and life changing revelations.

I had really high hopes for this book. The synopsis sounded great and I love a good paranormal/physic medium book. This seemed right up my alley, but it wasn't quite what I was hoping for. I wasn't totally disappointed, the storyline held, I just had a really hard time connecting with the characters. 

Echo is the ghost medium in this story. She controls her ability/situation with the ghosts by hosting an online show, The Ghost Host, in order for the ghosts to get their messages across. The ghosts have to adhere to certain rules in order to be guests on her show. It is one of the ghosts with a message to her grandson Malachi that helps set this story in motion. Malachi sees that particular episode and reaches out to Echo for more information, especially to find out if she is a fake. He isn't quite sold on the idea of ghosts and mediums. Malachi and Echo feel an instant connection on the phone. They are separated by distance, so they talk on the phone, Skype, and text.  

Echo kinda drifts along life. She doesn't have a plan, her parents pretty much rule her life, and what they can't control (the ghost aspect, which they don't believe in), her friend Holden makes decisions for her and protects her. She finally starts getting a backbone when it comes to Malachi. I enjoyed watching her come out of her shell and figuring out things for herself. She is really starting to become a strong solid character. 

Malachi is a freshman in college. He is pretty much a rock solid character. He knows who he is and pretty much where he is going in life. I liked him right away. One issue I have with him is his dialogue. I felt the author threw in phrases to make him seem more "Southern" since he is from Georgia. Yes, different regions have different phrases and ways of saying things, but I felt like it was too much. They aren't always spouting off these saying whenever they can. Also, his need to not push Echo in their relationship. While I respect it, it didn't seem very realistic. He is an experience guy in college, and suddenly he holds himself back (for a while) without even kissing Echo when they are in a relationship. I understand not pushing sex, but kissing... It seemed pretty juvenile.  

All in all, this book was pretty good. There was a good amount of mystery that kept me reading. The relationships between the main and secondary characters were fun and believable. There was also quite a bit of action. Keep in mind that this is the first book in the series, and it is not really a stand alone. The story of the Ghost Host is far from over!

Amazon

Somehow, I always knew the people I saw hovering around looking aimless were ghosts, and it never really bothered me. Sometimes I talked to them when I was little. They never talked back. Sometimes they would play with me, though. My mom used to tell people what a good baby I was, how I never cried or fussed. She thought she had just lucked out with an easy first kid. Really, I always had someone standing over my crib smiling at me or making silly faces. Ghosts really seem to like being around babies for some reason.

It wasn’t until I got a little older that I realized some of my ghostly friends were hanging around for a reason. A few of them were just lonely and either weren’t ready to move on or didn’t know how. I haven’t got a clue about how to send them on their way, so I figure the least I can do is keep them company.

Others, they had messages they wanted to pass on. At first, I didn’t know how to do that without getting into trouble. My mom refused to make phone calls or send my letters to who she deemed were random strangers. I found ways to get the letters in the mail, at least, without her knowing, but it wasn’t easy and they occasionally got sent back to us when the address proved inaccurate. Mom wasn’t happy when she found one and realized what I’d been doing.

Holden was the one who came up with the idea for the webshow. It made things a lot easier since my parents think it’s just a funny hoax we like to pull, and it gives us a hobby and keeps me out of trouble for the most part. That’s the biggest reason they let me do it. As I got older and more capable, more able to help the ghosts, they became more insistent. That’s when things got really bad.

Up until that point, I didn’t know the ghosts could affect my dreams, and not in a good way. The nightmares got progressively worse, morphing into full on night terrors. The headaches followed, though I’m still not sure if the ghosts were trying to talk to me, or just doing whatever they could to get my attention. Sometimes, their presence would become so oppressive as they tried to communicate that I would completely zone out… which sent my grades into the toilet and my behavior into the realm of unmanageable. The worst by far is when they try to touch me.

DelSheree Gladden lives in New Mexico with her husband and two children. The Southwest is a big influence in her writing because of its culture, beauty, and mythology. Local folk lore is strongly rooted in her writing, particularly ideas of prophecy, destiny, and talents born from natural abilities. When she is not writing, DelSheree is usually reading, painting, sewing, or working as a Dental Hygienist.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Blog Tour: Whatever You Do by Stephanie Smith

How do you trust someone who is everything you’re trying to avoid? Harper Lindell is having a bad day. You know, if a bad day consists of getting fired from your cushy job and then catching your boyfriend red handed playing hide the salami. Sick of meeting the same guys over and over, Harper decides to try her luck at Internet dating. How bad could it be? Right? Tate Washington wasn’t looking to meet anyone. Still dealing with the consequences of his one serious relationship, all he’s interested in is revamping his family’s behind-the-times café. He didn’t plan on seeing the beautiful receptionist from Argo again, walking into his life to use his café as a dating hub, and using him as a BFF. Can Harper really trust Tate, who is everything she thinks she needs to steer clear of? Can Tate wait while Harper works through her insecurities and fears?  

Whatever You Do is a perfect read for those lazy, rainy days. It's light, fun, and sexy. While the characters' relationship progresses quickly, it seems natural. The author gave the story a nice pace.

The story starts out and poor Harper has a very, very bad day. However, I did find myself chuckling at her expense. Wait. Let me back up a little... It actually starts out when Harper is working and she first meets the delicious Tate. I was honestly a little confused at the way the book started out. This is the second book in the series and while this can be read as a stand alone, it took me a second to catch up. (I did not read the first book.) Fast forward several book months and we are at Harper's bad day.

Her bad day leads her to give online dating a go. This leads her to the café that Tate works at. The café it's her meeting place for all her disastrous, hilarious dates. Poor Tate just sits back and watched the girl he wants go through it. Well, kinda. He finally takes matters into his own hands and decides to go for her.

Through lots of bumps, and holy moly, a lot of hot sex the two navigate their new found relationship. These two are great for each other. There are many funny moments with them. Their feelings jump off the page and pull you right into their story. I really enjoyed this book. The author's tone was great and I can't wait to read more by her.

Tate chuckles as he picks up a tomato and throws it to me. Thanking my quick reflexes, I catch it mid-air. “Here, cut those,” he says, gesturing to the pile of tomatoes already stacked on the bench next to where he is preparing bacon. I pop the tomato down and head to wash my hands. Once I return to the counter, Tate approaches me with an apron and wraps his arms around me as he ties the strings in front. We get stuck into it and work in companionable silence for the next few minutes. “I’m sorry about the other day,” he says, not pausing for a second from the bacon he is cutting. “I know,” I respond. “I’m glad we’re okay.” “Me, too.” Silence descends once more, and we continue our tasks before Tate speaks again. “The other day, you said how you’ve never felt an instant connection with someone before.” “Yeah?” I ask warily, wondering if I freaked him out. “I didn’t get to tell you that I feel the same. When we’re together, it feels right.” “Yeah … it does.” Even though we don’t mention another thing about it, the silence doesn’t come again as the shots keep flowing and the music on the old radio gets louder and louder. We are laughing and carrying on and there is more ‘accidental’ touching on both sides. ‘Black Widow’ by Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora flows through the speakers and I sigh in happiness. “I love this song.” I leave my tomatoes behind to shake my hips all over the kitchen to the beat, singing along with the lyrics. Warmth covers my back as two strong hands land on my hips. Tate pushes into me from behind and moves his hips along with my own or forces my hips to move along with his—I’m not sure. “You’re so fucking sexy, Harper,” he whispers into my ear. “I won’t be able to keep this friendship platonic if you keep shaking your ass like that in my kitchen.” His warm breath flows over my collarbone as he nuzzles my neck and goosebumps break out across my skin. Tate must notice as he lifts his head and slowly peppers small, light kisses along the crease of my shoulder. My head rolls back onto his shoulder, and my body liquefies at the intimate and sensual touch. He’s breaking down my walls. My common sense. He’s slowly softening me, melting me so he can mould me as he pleases, and it’s working. As the realisation hits me, I jump out of Tate’s arms, grab hold of his hand, and pull him to the middle of the kitchen. I smile seductively at him and wink. “I’ll just have to keep you in line and focused then.” He throws his head back and laughs, allowing me to ignore the moment and lead him around the centre workbench as we shake, shimmy, and wiggle to ‘Shake it Off’ by Taylor Swift, which is now playing on the stereo. 

  

Wherever You Will Go (Try Again, #1)

Amazon US | Amazon UK

 

Whatever You Do (Try Again, #2)

Amazon US | Amazon UK

   

I'm first & foremost a reader & fangirl, I will always be first & foremost a reader & fangirl. I am on street teams, I pimp and I brag. I LOVE my Authors!! I have recently started writing as a way to relax and spend some time for me. My first novel Wherever You Will Go is due to release later this year. I'm having so much fun writing my first story and I'm looking forward to the journey it is taking me on.  

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Blog Tour: What the Heart Wants by Kelli McCracken

Do dreams foretell the future? Are there soul connections that go deeper than love?

He can sense her emotions at any place and time. Their bond is powerful but a mystery. One thing he does know: She's plagued his dreams for months. Maybe even longer.

Being involved with a celebrity is the last things she imagined...or wanted. Can she forget the pain from the past? Can he let go of his fears?

What the Heart Wants is a light, quick read. This is a story about fate and soul mates and learning to accept what is.

Dylan is a famous rock star, but he is growing weary of the lifestyle. To add to his weariness, he is losing sleep due to his dreams. He dreams of a woman he has never met. Both in his sleep and when he is awake, he longs for her. So much so, that he doesn't see any other woman. Every one he sees gets compared to his dream girl. Heaven is also having strange, vivid dreams about a mysterious man. These dreams leave her wanting and longing for him, even if he isn't real.

When they meet face to face, it is a dream come true for Dylan. He is determined to get the girl and won't let anyone stand in his way. Heaven is more resistant. While she feels a strong pull and connection to Dylan, she isn't sure she wants to get involved with a rock star and everything it entails. At their first meeting, he had to save her from the paparazzi, and she is also convinced he has a line of girls waiting to get into his bed. Dylan tries to be patient so that he doesn't scare her off. However, his longing for her becomes unbearable and he decides to make a move.

The author created very likable, realistic characters. While the two main characters had an instant connection, the road to their relationship was set at a good pace. They didn't rush into anything, though Dylan wanted to. This, aside from the soul mate connection, made their relationship more believable. All in all, I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to read the other books in this series.

As a curator of characters, you'll normally find Kelli McCracken sitting at her desk, working hard on her next novel. When she's not arguing with those persistent people inside her head, you can find her hanging out on Facebook, chatting with readers about books and upcoming writing projects.

"It seems like all I ever do is write...and listen to Layne. He's always whispering something naughty in my ear, like being dipped in chocolate. Now I'm craving a Kit-Kat. Welcome to my zany life, where sanity is optional, romance is required, and liquor is most definitely quicker. Jack Daniels keeps me sane, my characters, not so much."

Kelli lives with her husband, four children, and her German Shepherd fur baby in the Ohio Valley region in the United States.

Twitter    Amazon    Website

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

Review: Anew by Josie Litton

In this erotic retelling of “Sleeping Beauty” set in the near future, a beautiful young woman awakens in the garden of a secluded palazzo with no knowledge of who she is or how she came to be there. For the man who walks out of the darkness to claim her, she is at once the ultimate challenge and the greatest temptation.

Haunted by terrifying memories of another existence, Amelia is caught between passionate desire for Ian and longing to discover her true self. Even as he is determined to possess her body and soul, Ian’s need to protect Amelia leads him into a confrontation with his tormented past. 

Together, they face the challenges that lie beyond the sanctuary of the palazzo in the glittering world city on the edge of cataclysmic change. In the midst of sensual excess that conceals seething rebellion, Amelia and Ian will discover that love has become the ultimate threat to survival.

Anew is definitely an original story. I was really excited to read this book after reading the synopsis. It is different than what I thought it would be. I was expecting a paranormal story or a retelling of a classic fairy tale, I didn't get either of those things. This story is more of a Sci-Fi/Contemporary Romance, if I had to put it in a genre. However, I can't say I was disappointed.

Amelia awakes in a new existence. She finds herself in a strange new world, but she somehow knows about the world around her. She was encoded with information about almost how the world works, current events, etc. See, Amelia is a clone. She was "made" to be the perfect woman for her new "owner" Ian. He is the first person she meets and immediately has an intense stirring for him.

Ian was unaware of Amelia's existence until he acquires her. She was left in his care by his recently deceased girlfriend. It is up to him to protect her and care for her. What he wasn't expecting was his reaction to her. He wants her, wants to care and cherish her, and to keep her safe. Not only does he need to keep her safe from a group that is bent on ridding the world of clones, but he needs to keep her away from his own demons.

This book does not disappoint on the hotness scale, either. I mean, HOLY MOLY! Ian and Amelia sure do know how to steam it up. He is so dominate, but he shows her care. A part of her wants to submit to him, but it is her own stubbornness that makes it interesting. If you like steam, you will LOVE this book.

This book has an original setting in the near future. The author created a world where the social classes are not equal. The wealthy is definitely privileged and takes enjoyment to the extremes. It's in this world of privilege that Amelia tries to find her true self. This books has a something for everyone. I can't wait to read the next book in the series and continue the journey with Amelia and Ian.

Josie Litton is the author of several NY Times and USA Today bestselling romances.

After taking time off to raise a family and get a master’s degree, she is delighted to be writing again. Inspired by the story of “Sleeping Beauty”, her new erotic romance, ANEW: Book One: Awakened will be published on January 12, 2015.

Married and living in Connecticut, she is the parent of two grown children. Becoming an empty nester has left her plenty of time to write, think about writing, plan what to write next, and read. When she isn’t doing that, she’s cooking, gardening, and traveling.

Goodreads