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Latest Paranormal & Contemporary Romance Book Releases – November 6th 2012

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<—- HEL-LO!!!!! Do I need to say anymore? I think not. The lonnnng awaited next in the (The Ross Siblings) Series by Cherrie Lynn is HERE!! “Ross siblings?” I hear some of you may asking… (only some, ’cause I know TONS of you know EXACTLY who I’m *squeeing* about). Yep!!! I’m speaking of BRIAN *swooooooon* I HEART HIM! His book (Rock Me) was one of my absolute FAVORITE books, one that helped cinch my love for bad boy contemporary romance (check out my Book Review here). And while “Seth/Ghost” may not be his brother in blood (not an official “Ross”), they are absolute brothers in life. And now this tattooed, muscly, foul-mouthed bad boy’s heart of steel is going to melt. What am I reading? Yep! You guessed it. Well, actually I’m almost done as we speak, 😉 so review to come very shortly. But I’m loving it!! Gorgeous cover… gorgeous bad boy!

Oh and!!! *squeeeeee* again ’cause here’s the very series that started me on my rock star rush. This one introduced me to contemporary bad boy ROCK stars (actually it was my absolute very first in the genre altogether) and I was HOOKED. Here is book #3 (Double Time) in the Sinners on Tour Series (FINALLY!!!) and what am I reading after the book above? THIS ONE!! It feels like I’m going “old school” again! YAY!—–>

Annnnnd and!!! Happy voting day!! And happy HUGE awesome book release day!

Paranormal:

          

Contemporary

                               

R.L. Mathewson – Hollywood Heart Series Reading Order

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In honor of meeting the wonderful author, R.L. Mathewson today, I’m putting up a reading order guide for one of her series (while I prepare a separate “meet & greet” post with pictures and a giveaway!)

When we were going crazy for this author’s “Neighbors From Hell” series, Jodi recommended this one, too!

“… try Humble Heart and Reclusive Heart by the same author. Humble Heart rocked although don’t judge by the first chapter or two. They were a completely different tone than the rest of the book that I didn’t quite get but the rest of the book was awesome!

About the series:

Being rich and famous is great. Everyone loves you and wants to be you. Life should be perfect, and it is, except for a few minor issues like not being able to make a run down to the corner store without being the target of paparazzi, fans harass you wherever you go, you can’t go anywhere without a bodyguard, you can’t figure out who your real friends are or if you even have any and the fake smile you plaster on your face every morning is starting to hurt.
No matter what you do, how much money you have and how many fans scream your name you can’t help but feel like something is missing. A Hollywood Hearts series just might be the answer to all of your problems. If you don’t mind a few genuine smiles, a few laughs, steamy love scenes and maybe a tear or two then this series just might be what you’re looking for.

 

Book Review – Rock Star by Ginger Voight

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Rock Star (Groupie Book 2)
<— The sequel to “Groupie” (my latest 4.5 star “frenzy-inducing” read that had me up all night, freaking out – check out my review for it, here). Rock Star delivered tons of angst with a few punches to the gut, and put me through the ringer, too. Oh boy did it put me through the ringer. But for me, it was more of a 4 star read (and occasionally less, when I found myself over-exasperated).

I liked it, but I lost some of that famous rock star fantasy, in the process. Some of those larger than life, “OMG I can’t believe this is happening to me” moments. The “I told you so’s” that re-inforced my belief (and provided relief) that my love for rock stars and the whole fantasy of it, was best left in my blog posts. Because sure enough, there could only be pain in that kind of “reality”.

And LOVED that side of Groupie. That “feel”. And while we’re dealing with mostly the same characters in Rock Star, the mood changed somewhat. Now don’t get me wrong, Rock Star was still a gut-wrenching read with a lot of the same “issues”. Just deeper, more of ’em, more drawn out (sometimes a little too long) and well… nuttier. Sometimes it made sense. I “knew” where the characters were coming from, what was guiding (or misguiding) their decisions. I understood the dilemma, but sometimes it was just… too much. Ohhhh the manipulation. ROAR!!!!

So what’s it about? That ongoing mismatched love “triangle” that gets distorted and unbalanced, as “the heart wants what the heart wants” struggles with guilt, loyalties and a sense if duty.

“Because it’s the right thing to do,”

Stupid duty!! Since when does “duty” have anything to do with real love? Er. No. Wait. I take that back. Mostly, it has EVERYTHING to do with it, and sometimes it’s all wrong, too. And that’s the problem here.

But that’s not the only issue at hand. There are new characters that come into play, and some are “good guys”, loving, patient and nurturing, while others are opportunistic sharks that swim around their already bleeding triangle and try to attack it at it’s weak spots.

And as they try to decipher the good parts, the true parts from the bad parts, their reactions can really wreck havoc on an already unstable situation. And each of the characters have their own way of coping with the angst. Often causing more angst in the process. Oh yes. They practically drown in it. And again.. watch out for those sharks!!

Good, angsty as all get-out, and perfectly angrifying. But Groupie’s realistic edge still wins out in this rock ‘n roll angst-fest for me. “Rock Star’s” over-the-top drama was such, that I didn’t truly lose myself in it. And I know we’re dealing with “fiction” and because of that, going crazy is fun, so it works on many levels. But the fact is, I needed to put this one down a few times, thinking to myself, “Come on!! *spoiler*, tell the truth already!!!” or… “Come on, *spoiler* stop self-sacrificing SO much!!!” to “Oh come on *spoiler*… you didn’t even think to check….???” Ah. Right. 😉 I’ll stop there.

Oh and there were LOTS of things to “check”, or “talk about” in this one, but as in all extreme angst, the reader is going to know the “coulda, shoulda, woulda’s” but the characters just keep walking right into the crazy!

So that’s my “take” on it, but let me point out that to many fellow readers, this was just as great as Groupie and some even liked this one better! But beware. The ending… ok no. I’ll say it this way. While I REALLY LOVED the ending (for a few reasons, the ending really *made* the book for me), there is a book #3 coming, and for good reason. Here’s yet another sample of the frenzied reactions (from our Facebook & blog comments) that these two books incited:

Julie: Oh Maryse, just wait!! I’m almost done with book 2 and about to pull my hair out!! Wait there’s a book 3!!? Oh help me! When’s it come out?? The 2nd one is killing me and its almost over

Maryse’s Book Blog: Julie, author just told me Feb/March. And I think it’ll be called Mogul. That’s a good hint. 😉

Traci: Im almost done rock star….is there going to be a 3rd book??? Love them..

Sherry: They were both awesome books!! Not sure how I feel about waiting till Feb/Mar, but It’ll do for now 😉

Shannon: Yeah, it has been a bit since I finished the two books and yet I still can’t get them out of my head. I don’t know how on earth I am going to wait until Feb/March!!! I feel bad for the books that I have read since because nothing is really making me *feel* like Rock Star did.

Becky: Ok, now that I devoured BOTH books in 24 hrs (and neglected my family); I’m totally team Vanni!… I completely loved these books. I was going through a book depression and this was what I was missing. Ohhhh, the angst, it was perfect. I read several books a week and none in the last month have captured me quite like this one. I hope for a spoiler thread because I have my own theories about book 3. BTW, Feb/Mar is way too long to wait for book 3.

Michelle: Just finished both books in 1 day after you recommended them.. These books were excellent! I can’t wait for the 3rd! Team Vanni!

Emily: Just finished Rock Star!! I LOOOVED them both!!!! But from now on I am not starting a series, until it is complete!!! I HATE waiting for the end to the story!!!! TEAM VANNI for sure, but I went back, and forth til the end! Because he pissed me off a lot

Sherry: Maryse, you have to tell me WHO you pick now!!!!

Maryse’s Book Blog: Ok I’m finally done! Haha…. What a mess. And it’s obvious who I pick. 😉 Now… I have to review that crazy book!

Debbie: Wow.. just finished… can’t anyone just end a book “happily ever after” I hate the waiting…

Julie: You said it , Maryse! What a mess!! Just wow! Good luck with that! Lol jk you’re more than capable :))

Ivannie: almost done with rockstar and I can’t even finish this book!! I’m so mad I want to cry!!  can you please tell me if the ending is bad ???

Sorry Ivannie. 😉 All I can say is the ending was well worth the crazy, and then… shhhhhhh. No more from me. Okay. One more thing from me. You’ll get TWO feelings from this ending. And a book that can create that many emotions at one time, was worth the read!

3.5 stars. And 4.5 stars for that ending.

P.S. Most of us purchased this as a bargain bundle!  “Groupie/Rock Star Bundle”

Latest Author & Book News – November 4th 2012

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So much awesome upcoming book news (and sequels!! *squeeee*), author hosted contests, snippets and teasers, I can’t contain myself! Where to start?

“… there’ll be at least another two books in the Flesh series. We’re hoping to have Skin out by 1st of February. Same world, different, characters. Though Dan, Finn and Ali will show up.”
  • The 2012 Goodreads awards have started and SO many of our favorite books and authors are nominated! Tough choices all around since we can only choose one per category. ACK!! Still though, no shortage of excellent choices!!
  • Kristen Ashley announces another book release date!! Book #2 (“With Everything I am”) in “The Three” series will be out soon (expected release date November 23rd 2012)!!  Remember book #1? —> Until the Sun Falls from the Sky… alpha male vampire and some SERIOUS romance! The next will be werewolves. 😉
  • Jamie McGuire announces a limited “Beautiful Disaster Special Signed Edition: A Novel” (only 5000 copies)! Hrmmm…. I think I need this. BADLY! It will be released November 27th 2o12 (but it is available for preorder now).
“… special hardcover limited edition of Jamie McGuire’s bestselling Beautiful Disaster is enhanced with silver foil butterfly stamping on the case, gorgeous four-color endpapers, and is signed by the author.”
  • J.M. Darhower, author of “Sempre (Forever)” (check out my Book Review) updates us on the sequel! No title yet, and no release date (yet) and she says “I’m working on it and hope to have news soon.” BUT! She provides us a short but sweet teaser.
  • Raine Miller (author of the very sexy “The Blackstone Affair Series“) has just announced the release date for the 2nd installment, “All In”! (Thanks Becky!!)
“My dear friends.  I have good news.  Part 2 of The Blackstone Affair is complete and in the final editing stage.  We have a release date of Friday, November 9th…”
  • Ginger Voight updates us on the third book in her “Groupie” series (check out my review of book #1): “…Book 3 – MOGUL – which I’m writing as fast as my little fingers can carry out all my diabolical plans for Andy, Vanni and Graham.“
And these were mentioned on our Facebook page last week, but MUST be included here in this author news post:

  • Congratulations to author M. Leighton for making the NYT Best Sellers list!! “Down to You” made it in at #12 in e-books!!! (check out my review). Author also confirms she is working on the sequel: —> “There will be actually. I’m not certain of either the title or the date yet, though. I can tell you book 2 will be in early 2013:)“
  • Congratulations to Cora Carmack!! LOSING IT made #15 on the NYT Best Sellers List (ebook fiction)!! (check out my review)
  • Congratulations to author S.H. Kolee for making the NYT Best Sellers list!! “Love Left Behind” is in at #17 in e-books!!! (check out my review)
Okay that was way fun! Now onto more news. 😉
  • Molly McAdams is working on the sequel to “Taking Chances“. It will be called “Stealing Harper”. Author says: “I am doing Chase’s POV, I’m shooting for March 1st.”
  • Alice Clayton (Author of the hilarious “The Redhead Series” series announces another upcoming book! It’s called “Wallbanger” (yep!! a umm… *ahem* “noisy” neighbor 😉 ) and it is scheduled to be released November 27th 2012. 😉
  • Caroline Hanson fans (that includes me!) — the third book in her “Valerie Dearborn Series” (Love is Mortal) is expected to be released November 15th 2012! Plus, there’s extra news! She says:
“I have good news, it looks like Love is Mortal will be out in November. Most likely November 15!! I am super excited and hope you guys like it. I knew from very early on that this was how the story would go, and therefore I expected it to be fairly easy to write. But it wasn’t. This book will wrap up the trilogy, but there will be one more book afterwards that will deal with certain people and their certain bullsh&t.”
  • Katja Millay, author of one of my absolute favorite books ever, The Sea of Tranquility (check out my review) answers a few questions about what she is currently working on (and answers the “sequel” question):
 “… I feel like I put these characters through a true amount of hell and the only way to write a sequel would be to put them through more. Without going into detail as to avoid ruining it for anyone who hasn’t read, I will say that I believe I left the characters exactly where they were supposed to be and to manufacture conflict for them at this point would be to negate the ending of the story.I am working on a concept now that may be connected, though in no means a sequel, to The Sea of Tranquility. I need to make sure that the story is there and that I can tell it properly before I make any announcements about it… “
  • Sherrilyn Kenyon‘s Dark-Hunter spin-off, “Chronicles of Nick” is being produced into a movie and her staff confirms that Sherrilyn will be working directly with the producer:
“Breaking news on the movie front: Sherri has the script and is working on it in conjunction with the producer so for all of you who are worried about it being true to the books, Sherri is assuring me that it’s as important to the producer as it is to all of the fans that it be as true as possible to the characters and books that all of us love so much.”
Ok that’s it for now, but if I find more, I’ll add it! 🙂

               

Kristen Ashley – The Fantasyland Series Reading Order

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I am in a serious mood for a Kristen Ashley read these days. There is still tons to choose from in her repertoire that I haven’t read yet, and am thinking this sounds good!!

Recommended by:

Talltree: Wildest Dreams (Fantasyland) by Kristen Ashley… VERY hot , lots of fantasy and Finnie is amazing! Frey was wonderful, an alpha who adores and cherishes Finnie. Loved everything about the book (except 1 tiny thing which bugged me , but I’ll not bore you with it – its nothing that would reduce your enjoyment of this fantasy romance)

Georgia: I do recommend her other two series as well. The Ghosts and Reincarnation, Fantasyland, and The Three Series. AWESOME !!!

About the series:

The Fantasyland Series will be a series of five novels that take place in our world and a parellel universe where fantasies are true… but perhaps not all you would expect.

About book #1:

Seoafin “Finnie” Wilde was taught by her parents that every breath was a treasure and to seek every adventure she could find. And she learns this lesson the hard way when they perish in a plane crash. But she never forgets and when she discovers there is a parallel universe where every person has a twin, she finds a witch who can send her there so she can have the adventure of a lifetime.

But upon arrival in the Winter Wonderland of Lunwyn, she realizes she’s been played by her twin and finds herself walking down the aisle to be wed to The Drakkar.

Thrown into inauspicious circumstances, with years of practice, Finnie bests the challenges and digs into her adventure. But as Frey Drakkar discovers the woman who is his new wife is not Princess Sjofn, a woman he dislikes but instead, his Finnie, a free-spirit with a thirst for venture just like him, without her knowledge he orders his new bride bound to his frozen world, everlasting.

But at the same time Frey plunges Finnie into a web of political intrigue that includes assassination plots, poison, magic, mystery and… dragons.

    

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