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Happy Mother’s Day!! (plus a few Mother’s Day ebook bargains)…

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My mom and me. ♥ I love her! 😀

Tons of authors are celebrating Mother’s Day with ebook deals for all (and Amazon is having a “Mother’s Day Sale” too), so I’ve compiled a list!

And I thought I’d share one of my favorite “mommy and me” pictures from way back when. This is the woman that taught me how to read, would read to me every night, and would snuggle with me on the couch while we’d read together every weekend. She had her Harlequins and Horror, and I had my Sweet Valley Highs, Judy Blume and… horror. 😉 And!! This is the woman that introduced me to Twilight. The rest, as they say… is history. ♥ I love you mom!! ♥

“Mother’s Day sale on SHIFTING DREAMS! You can get the book from now until Sunday.”

                 

Book Review – Promise Me Darkness by Paige Weaver

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Promise Me Darkness
Okay, so I see where you guys were going with the “just stick with it, it totally changes” thing. I was reading along, and even put it down for a week, ’cause I wasn’t seeing anything different yet. I wasn’t “hooked”. I was almost at 30% and it just wasn’t different enough for me to get excited to the point of not putting it down. But so many LOVED it, so I was curious (and excited).

Good girl crushing on bad boy best friend. Bad boy friend is a total player and she “thinks” he sees her as his sister while it’s so obvious he’s bein’ all “MINE” over her. She has a “nice boy” boyfriend on the outside, who’s pretty “twisted” on the inside. Bad boy best friend defends her… bad decisions, he wants her, he doesn’t want her… you get the picture.

“… if we tried to make this work, I would just screw it up like I do everything else. Everything I touch turns to crap, Maddie. I can’t let that happen to us. No matter how much I want you, I’m not willing to lose you.”

And in theory, while I usually love the whole “bad boy is best friends with the good girl” college angst, I wasn’t sure I was in the mood for this theme, yet again. Unless something… anything… changed it up for me. Sometimes it’s simply in the writing. There’s just *something* about the author’s voice, or the character’s personal introspection and character interactions, that captures me. A raw honesty to it that I live with them. Even if I think I already know where it’s going, even if it has similar characteristics, I can still latch on and not let go. I can still love it, even if in theory, it’s similar to... (insert favorite book name here).

Or maybe, I have to space ’em out to really appreciate them. Yep. It’s possible I’ve been gulping down too many of these, lately. Apparently, too much of a sweet thing and/or guilty pleasure… gives me a stomach ache. I love chocolate. I love cupcakes (mmmmm … great. Now I want a cupcake so bad!!). 😉 I love bad boys. But too many in a row makes me cranky. Maybe I just wanted something completely different. Wholesome and deep to give me that “whole package” feel? Dystopian and dread to make me scared and ponder the what ifs…? But I still want the romance within all of that.

And that’s where, at 30% of this book, that comes in.

Janet: I just got through reading Promise Me Darkness by Paige Weaver and I wanted to share with you how AMAZING it was. Starts off similar to other plots we’ve read before, boy and girl are best friends and have feelings for each other but don’t want to ruin the friendship, yada yada. But then about 25% percent in there’s a major change in the direction of the book (I don’t want to say too much). The hero in the book is Ryder and talk about alpha male, major HOTNESS. If you have it on your TBR list I highly recommend that you move it up, I think you will love it.

Maryse: Cooooool!!! I know some were iffy about the start but am definitely interested in the plot change. Thanks Janet!!

Jen: That book really went places I wasn’t expecting and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Julie: Maryse, You are going to love Promise Me Darkness.

Andrea: I loved it…it was definitely out of the norm, but it pulled me in and hooked me

Barbara: PROMISE ME DARKNESS OMG I LOVED THAT BOOK CAN’T WAIT FOR BOOK 2.

I liked where it went. I liked the risk it took and the total switcheroo ’cause I was scared, curious and read it with interest.

“Go home, kids. Lock your doors and don’t leave. Something’s happening and it’s not good. Not good at all.”

An ominous warning that had my attention.

The dire circumstances were there. The painful detail of the immediate “aftermath” … where nobody really knew what was going on but it was obvious this was the start to something big… yep. It was there. Their lives were forever changed, in a bad way. Survival of the fittest and the need to adapt to social change (or more like societal collapse) was a must.

My mind went numb. This seemed too surreal, like something out of a sci-fi movie.

And I would have likely loved this book, if that was the focus. The romance too, YES (I must have the love!), but I think I would have appreciated it more with an almost “deeper” approach. A more mature feel to the theme that this book took on. Because what a huge subject matter it was, and the opportunities to explore it (and the issues to be faced) were taken, but I almost felt as if the “new adult angst” feel of the main characters was interfering with the depth potential.

This was not the time to play games, and while “new adult” insecurities aren’t just going to disappear in times of social anguish (of course I realize that crushes, and the need to connect will still be there, along with the fear of those feelings not being reciprocated), these characters took their mind-games too far, for me to truly connect to them. There was an obviousness to their feelings for one another (nobody needed to guess, here) and yet they still insisted the other didn’t… well. I’ll stop there. Let’s just say he was just a little too hot and cold, for me and she kept convincing herself that… okay, right. I’ll stop here. 😉

So there you have it. College student angst with a terrifying twist. And no worries. No spoilers here, ’cause at this point… ANYTHING could happen. Yes, you guessed it. Major cliffhanger.

Still though, it was a good twist at 30%, and it certainly kept me reading until the very end, once “that” kicked in.

P.S. THIS BOOK IS STEAMY!!!! I can’t put my finger on why this one seemed steamier than some, but there was a definite sizzle to some of the scenes. Affecting. Yes. 😉 *waggles eyebrows*

3.5 stars

Laurie Breton – Jackson Falls Series Reading Order

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Rock star romance series but I hear it’s not just that. Maybe even… better? After reading these recommendations, and then the synopsis of book #1, I’m tempted to start it tonight! This one looks… different. And I’m looking for different.

Recommended by T.A.

“… am writing again to suggest a Laurie Bretonbook (Coming Home). I got this as a freebie…and boy, it was delicious. It was one of the few books that I loved and hated at the same time. And at the end, I had to admit it was one helluva story. I think you would like it b/c it has elements in it that you like (rock star, angst, etc) although by no means is it JUST that. The story is so full and complete, it’s about almost everything BUT that. Hopefully it’s in your cue. I saw where the book was going and just HATED it for the longest, but it made me appreciate life and love…and the possibility that you can experience a deep love, albeit a different love, in more than one way. I hope that doesn’t ruin it for ya! Check it out :)”

and Angela:

“Hey there!  I just finished the 1st book in the Jackson Fall’s Series- Coming Home.  Author is Laurie Breton.  I honestly didn’t know if I would like the book or not, but it was a free download and I thought I would give it a shot.  I’m so glad I did because it’s now one that I absolutely adore.  With tragedy, heart break, uncertainty, sacrifice and romance it’s definitely a must read!  I feel like i’ve just spent years with the characters and It only took me less than a week to read the book.  It’s amazing how their journey is packed into 1 book!  I’m thoroughly impressed and just bought the 2nd one.  🙂  Just thought I’d share :)”

And they were just talking about book #1!!! There are two more, after it (already released).

About book #1:

Songwriter Casey Bradley is just eighteen years old on the day that handsome, charismatic singer Danny Fiore blows into her life and sets her heart on fire.  Good girl Casey has never done anything her dad would disapprove of, but the first time she looks into those turbulent blue eyes, the first time she hears that golden voice, she’s ready to give up everything — home, family, fiancé — to follow Danny wherever his dreams lead them.

Together with guitar wizard Rob MacKenzie, Casey writes the songs that catapult Danny to a fame beyond their wildest imaginings.  Through the lean years, when there isn’t enough to eat, and the fat years, when life comes at them so quickly there’s no time to breathe, they’re an unstoppable hit-making machine, the holy trinity of rock and roll.  But the road to success is littered with land mines.  Rivers of darkness flow through her troubled marriage, and every time Danny breaks her heart, it’s Rob who picks her up, dusts her off, and glues the pieces back together.

It isn’t until an unimaginable tragedy rocks their solid foundation that Casey is forced to question who she is and what she really wants from life.  As she searches for herself amid the wreckage, she discovers the bittersweet truth that the choices a woman makes at thirty may differ vastly from those she made at eighteen.

COMING HOME is a poignant story about the seasons of a woman’s heart, and the roundabout route we sometimes have to take to get to where we’re meant to be.

     

Latest Bargain e-Books – May 10th 2013

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<— Since I’ve already read this book and loved it, I’d say this is my highlight of this bargain list. A great, refreshing read. Book #2 will be out soon! Ends on a “more about about this couple” feel, but not necessarily a cliffhanger. Totally worth it!

Okay so I really didn’t stick to last week’s TBR list at all. I was bad. I flitted all over the place. Sampled stuff, and read other stuff. 😉 Let’s see if I can stick to it, this week.

Here’s my NEW TBR LIST (shifted with a few new additions) —-> Listed: Volumes I-VI, Rules of Entanglement, The End of Me (The Single Lady Spy Series), Taken by Storm (Give & Take), Sweet Thing, Promise Me Darkness, Obsession: Darkness Falls, Diamond Girl, Elite, Everything Changes, By a Thread,

  • Always Been Mine (The Moreno Brothers) by Elizabeth Reyes —> Kathy found us this deal, saying: “I have read a couple of books in the Moreno Brothers Series and love them.”
  • Falling Into You by Jasinda Wilder —> Aimee found us this bargain and Lori says: “One of my favorites!”
  • Waiting on Forever (The Forever Series) by Ashlee Wilcox –> thanks Kathy!
  • The End of Me (The Single Lady Spy Series) by Tara Brown –> recommended by Meghan “I just finished “The End of Me” by Tara Brown. It was so different and amazing – I loved it. 4 stars!!!” – Emma says: “I am at 24% and loving it. Very refreshing and different from the same ol’ same ol’!” and Jenn agrees! “Only 15% in and LOVING it so far! Not the mushy romance I have been reading so much of lately. Different and not about college kids.”
  • Strange Fits of Passion by Anita Shreve –> Sharon found us this deal saying: “A friend of mine recommended this book to me a while ago so I have been watching it to see if it goes on sale and it’s finally on sale!!!! She said it was a story that was unforgettable and was unable to put the book down….hope she’s right! :)”
  • Thursday Nights (The Charistown Series) by Lisa N. Paul —> recommended by Kristin: “Thursday Nights by Lisa N. Paul was awesome!!! Grab it if you haven’t already! no cliff hanger…it was really good!”
  • The Upside of Letting Go by Nacole Stayton —> Sharon says: “This one has been on my wish list, on sale with good reviews!”
  • Restore Me (Wrecked) by J.L. Mac is on sale and Kelsey liked it! “I read this last week. It’s a good easy read, not too long but it’s book two. Slight cliffhanger as there’s another book on its way. I liked it”
  • Me Before You: A Novel by Jojo Moyes. Okay, to be fair this isn’t our usual “bargain price”. This is one I reviewed and loved and it is deep, and heart wrenching. (my review). And here’s what other fellow readers are saying: Alicia – “such an amazing book! I know its expensive but it is one of those books that stays with you.” Sharon – “I agree! I read this book 5 or 6 months ago and still remember little details about this book.” and Claudia: “One of my favorite books!!!”
  • Love Unmatched (Unexpected) by Anne Leigh <— Aimee found us this deal!
  • Her Something Impetuous by Kim Hunt Harris —> recommended by Debbie: “This is one of the funniest books that I have read in awhile. The bonus is that is doesn’t have teenage protagonists, and it does not end in a cliffhanger.”
  • Lost in You by Heidi Mclaughlan <— Jodie likes this one! “I read Lost in you by Heidi McLaughlin the other day and I have to say it is that warm fuzzy first love, first kiss passion that sometimes you just need in a book 🙂 and of course it has a little Drama but isn’t that a requirement”
  • Listed: Volumes I-VI (or you can by them individually) by Noelle Adams <— Donya recommends this one: “Okay, I just finished reading “Listed” by Noelle Adams. Let me say – I Loved It! I would get so upset & frustrated that I would have to stop reading for a while. My husband looked over at me a t one point and asked “Are you crying? Over a book?”” Ashley loved ’em, too: “It’s a series so they have to be read in order but they’re very good. Noelle Adams is the pen name of Claire Kent (Escorted and Nameless)”
  • Unbroken (Cedar Cove) by Melody Grace: Marie found it right now and Meghan says: ” I read this – I really enjoyed it – it was sweet and entertaining. I give it 4 stars”
  • Skin Deep by J.M. Stone <— this one’s been brought up a few times this week! Melissa says: “Im reading Skin Deep by J.M. Stone. Really enjoying it..Hot tattooed boys and plenty of steam!!” and Josephine says: “I’m almost done!!!!!!! I can’t put it down!!!” And then… someone mentioned a hot tub. 😉
  • Saving Dallas by Kim Jones <— and here’s another very new release that has been brought up a few times… “Here is a MC book I came across that has good reviews. Has anyone read this one yet?” The cover sure has my attention.
  • Ask For It (Georgian) by Sylvia Day —> Historical romance (thanks Jennifer!!)
  • Breach (Breach #1) by K.I. Lynn <— Jules loved this one: “Just finished Breach. I really liked this book. Wow, it was intense, raw, dirty and heartbreaking. Their relationship was dysfunctional but I was sucked in from the beginning. Couldn’t stop reading to figure out what his secret was. At the end, we still don’t know the whole story. Big cliffhanger! Thank goodness the author showed us a preview of the sequel, Infraction. Can’t wait for the next book! 4 stars for me.”
  • Blessed Tragedy by HB Heinzer <— rock star book (thanks Kat!!)
  • Layover Rules by Kate Dawes <— Aimee found us this deal. Does actually sound interesting…
  • Undeclared (The Woodlands) by Jen Frederick <— Jen likes this one: “Very good. This was recommended by Katy Evans, author of everyone’s favorite book Real. My only problem was that I wanted more of them. It ended too soon but this is the first book in a series. No cliffhanger the rest of the books focus on other members.” (He’s a marine!)
  • Feral Instincts (Feral Desires Series) by Erin Ashley <— (thanks Aimee!)
  • Arouse: A Spiral of Bliss Novel (Book One) by Nina Lane <— for me, this is the hit of today’s bargain list. I LOVED it, and it was about a married couple! (my review) – Book #2 is coming out soon!
  • Zoey Rogue (Incubatti Series) by Lizzy Ford <— paranormal bargain
  • Dreamer (The Kali Lockton Trilogy) by J.L. Durfey <— Almost 400 pages and it looks good!
  • In Spades (Mirrored) by K. Pinson <— another bargain find. Not paranormal but a childhood abuse survivor, and her young future… also looks good.
  • Destiny Ever-changing by Tasha Ivey –  222 pages. I love that number. I dunno why, but it’s my favorite. Just thought I’d tell y’all. Nope I haven’t read it yet, but maybe that’s a sign that I should? 😉
  • Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines <— just found out from Anissa that this one is on sale! It was one of my bad-boy favorites!!

                         

Book Review – A Moment by Marie Hall

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A Moment (Moments Series, New Adult Romance: Book 1)
Labelled new adult, and has all of the characteristics of a “new adult” read (young twenty-somethings with past struggles making their way into their adulthood). And the hero was a hardened ex-military now MMA fighter (yep, that sold me and I one-clicked it on Amazon without even downloading the sample ;)), struggling with depression due to a traumatic event from his childhood. You’ll “get” what happened, soon into the read.

So yes, it is “NA” (new adult) but it has a more mature feel. A beautiful, sorrowful, well-written piece with extremely dark moments, but with bittersweet and extremely sweet moments, too. Even occasionally lighthearted, relieving some of that extreme tension. But it’s a serious read. The angst is not so much “misunderstandings” and boyfriend/girlfriend/triangle relationship drama, but stems from believable feelings of unworthiness and absolute terror and personal destruction forced upon him at an influencable age. His trust, abused. His innocence, ravaged. Breaking him completely.

And while the most affecting part of the book’s focus is on the hero, the heroine also has had a bad break at a young age. Together, they are healing. Comforting. Finding something that neither ever expected they’d have the right to have again. A deep friendship. True happiness. Joy. Maybe even one day… unconditional love?

Ryan and I had a convergence; we met in a place and time that would forever leave an indelible mark in the road map of my life.

But nothing is truly unconditional is it? His fear (and her fear) encompasses a wide range of understandable worries, exposing scars that they are so desperate to pretend don’t exist. The drama builds, emotional pain and doubts always lurking just beneath the surface.

… she can never know who I really am. I’ll treat her so good she’ll never wonder or care. I’ll make her forget she’d ever met the darker side of me and maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll forget too.

So what’s it about?

Liliana gave birth to a severely autistic child as a very young teen.

My father’s look is full of hate.

An hour later he won’t even look at me.

The test is positive.

At fourteen, my life is over.

Having been abandoned by the child’s father, and then her own father, Lili and her sick mother raise her son (Javi) together, their focus, solely on each other. And while she struggles with thinking her son may never truly love her (he can’t stand to be touched, hugged, cuddled), and he won’t ever fully look at her, she loves him completely.

Hard enough having a baby at fourteen but that hadn’t been the worst. The worse was falling so in love with him only to discover he’ll never feel the same for me in return.

One night, as she leaves Javi with her mother, and goes out with friends, she meets Ryan (her friend’s gorgeous but sulking cousin). At first, he ignores her, brooding in his obvious misery, drinking himself into a stupor…

… trying hard not to let the demons knocking on my door crash through. Not yet. Tonight I just want to forget. Sink deep into an eighty proof fog and pretend that for once I’m normal.

… but soon she finds herself worrying about him. And discovers him in a dire situation. She realizes his “jerk” attitude comes from something much deeper, and she insists on being there for him.

I need to help, to try and save. And Ryan needs saving.

And the friendship builds, but on shaky ground.

At times, it’s gorgeous. At times it’s grim. And while I was able to put it down, I was also invested in seeing them through to the end, and am glad to have read this one.

My favorite moments? Ryan and her son, “Javi’s” connection. Ryan noticing Javi’s reaction as his mom sings to him with her eyes closed. My. heart. melted.

Just as she sings that line, Javi looks at her. Dead in her face and I feel like a bastard, because I get to see what I know she hasn’t.

Love.

It’s all around him, and it’s all for her.

That part still puts a bittersweet lump in my throat. *tears*

3.5 stars overall, but with a few touching moments that were absolutely 4-star plus, for me.

 

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