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Book Review – The Mighty Storm by Samantha Towle

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The Mighty Storm
*visible adrenaline induced excited-shivers run up my spine* See them? Whoooooo!!!! Is this going to be the first one of the year where I blog-scream again… “I found it!!! I found another one!!!!?” (okay many of us found it at the same time, considering we’ve been reading it together), but you know what I mean. I am absolutely adding it to my favorites list. And, we found what, exactly? Another tear-your-heart out book-of-angst. That’s what! Is it? YES!!!!!

Have I done it already this year? Screaming at the top of my lungs about this kind of angst? Have I? Oh right. Yes… a couple of them for sure. I’ve been excited over some great ones (and even a few 5-star plus’ers – that remain at the top of my favorites list, I’ll remind you soon enough in an upcoming list), but it’s been a while since I’ve really freaked out hasn’t it? Well consider me freaking.  This one skyrockets to the top, with my favorites. It might not take their place, but it sits right there with them.

Admittedly, I’ve been quietly whining that my latest good/great reads are not hurting me enough… and OMG this one TOTALLY TOTALLLLLLY tore my heart out.

I cried. I did. At a VERY sad part. Full on tears. I was highlighting this book like crazy, all my favorite parts, and then when I hit *that* part (well… one of *those* parts because there are quite a few), I noted this:

I can’t even highlight this, it hurts me so bad.

It’s as if highlighting it would “brighten” it, and, I suppose symbolically, I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t put digital yellow highlighter on it. I couldn’t bring myself to feature any of it, it hurt too bad.  I’ll give you my location… 57%. And there are more after that, but even here, right now with it… it hurts. And then… it hurts worse.

Maryse: 73% and I’m crying … Gah. And now my husband is trying to show me videos of land speeders from star wars while I try to hide the crying…

It’s amazing… Loving it. So much raw emotion, especially once it hit 40%. I feel everything.

And at other parts, I couldn’t cry at all, because my shock was too great. Shaking from emotion, cold fingertips, trembling from anger, tears of heart-wrenching sadness and regret, and moments of exhilarating overwhelming soul-deep love. In that order? I’m not sayin’ But lemme tell you. This book runs the gamut. In fact. I think I need a drink after this one. You know. To calm me down a touch ’cause I’m still feeling way too hyper. That lump is still in my throat, and it hurts… sooooooo good. Remember that one time… when I went off on a rant in one of my reviews, about a certain author who tried to killed me with heartache? No? (here, to refresh your memory).

Well… this poor author almost got one of those, too. Tee hee!! *blush* Instead I gave it to Jenny.

Maryse: Oh god. Kill. Me. Now. Do it!! I’m cold. I just… Oh. … it’s so good, even though I hate it!!!

Ohhh me running around saying I like a book to hurt me. Ha! Be careful what you wish for, cause this one did it. And yet… I’m not regretting a moment of it. I love it.

She was a good buffer, and I was able to control myself somewhat where, instead, I only demanded a book #2. Demand I tell you! Not saying that this one has a cliffhanger or not… just saying… I WANT MORE!!!!!!

Maryse’s Book Blog: Omg I’m so tense. My fingers are cold. I love when I physically have a reaction while reading.my heart! Gah!

Jenny: Yes! Maryse! I know where you are! (hugs) xx

Maryse’s Book Blog: ‎”I feel sick and stupid, dizzy and my heart is physically hurting in my chest” …. ummmm, yep. I feel that.

Jenny: Oh good!! And I mean that in the nicest possible way you understand lol! Be sure to keep going after the end…. There’s something extra. 😉

Maryse’s Book Blog: tears…. Darn.

Jenny: (hugs) x

Samantha Towle Hugs from me too x

Maryse’s Book Blog: ‎Samantha Towle without sounding rude… Book # 2 NOW!! (please?)

Samantha Towle: Lol! I’m on it 😉

Jennifer: Just finished The Mighty Storm…..I’m pissed I read it so fast cuz I’m already done :(. It was excellent!!!!!

Kristin: Loved it too!!! I could so enjoy a Jake in my life…YUMMY!!!

Sabrina: Loved it!!! This is my favorite book of 2012!!! It had a little of everything in it!!!! Ahhhhh loved it!!!!!

Maryse’s Book Blog: I am speechlessly happy. However I need to regain my speech so I can review… Loved!!! Loooooved!

And this one will be a tough one, but if you enjoyed Thoughtless and Effortless, this one will be right up your alley!

So what’s it about?

Trudy and Jake were best childhood friends. Every moment of their lives together until they were teens. She knew his childhood secrets (some very sad) and he knew all of her hopes and dreams. They adored each other. But one day, Jake moved away, and he moved on with his teenage bad-boy life. They lost touch. He became a HUGELY famous notorious bad-boy rock star (key words right there!! bad-boy and rock star. Oh and here… lemme throw in another for maximum effect… TATTOOED 😉) hehe…

Anyway. She is a small time music journalist, and is granted an unexpected opportunity to interview him. And whoa boy!! Her nerves are through the roof. Will he remember her? Will he be the same Jake that she once knew? Or will he be the infamous ass that he’s known for?

The world has him now, and I don’t want to share the Jake I had with anyone, because now, well… from what I see and read in the news, Jake’s not so much like the Jake I knew back then anymore.

He is now the epitome of the rock star he is meant to be.

It may have been years since they’ve seen each other, but Trudy has been pining for him since the day he left her. She may have moved on with her life. She may have a wonderful boyfriend that she loves. But Jake was bone-deep for her. And now here. He. Is.

WOW!!! Sparks fly from the start…

I wasn’t exactly sure why I was so terrified and nervous about seeing him. I just figured it was because of who he is now, his stature. But looking at him here, now, I know why I was so scared.

I was afraid that seeing him again after all this time would cause my old feelings to resurface. And seeing Jake, looking like this, I just know that I am so completely and totally f*&ked.

… tension mounts, things… happen.

When she is asked by her boss to tour with them to write his biography, her life changes drastically. She tries to control it. Things. Her “normal” with her boyfriend who is patiently trying to accept this…

He suddenly sounds all territorial. Not like Will at all.

“It’s not a date, silly. It’s just two old friends catching up.”

“Yes, and one half of those old friends happens to be my very beautiful girlfriend, and the other, the man-whore of the rock world.”

… vs. the mighty storm that takes place in her life, in her heart, while being in such close proximity to her once, best friend. His entourage, his fans, his magnetism, his rock star persona…. his real self. And she gets to experience it all, front row and center. What a whirlwind. And what a mighty storm it is.

And guess what? You get to experience every single bit of it, through her eyes.

Okay well you get to experience *most* of it. And that is my only complaint. At times I felt chunks were missing to skip us ahead to important parts of the story. Which is fine, every once in awhile, but there were two particular occasions where we were told what was happening, or what had just happened in the span of a few days that I would have preferred experiencing (even just a little). Perhaps might have connected me even more to the story in the beginning when things were… moving along. 😉 Once I hit the 30-40% mark though, the story found it’s pacing (or maybe I did), and I was in and feeling it all (although it’s good from the start. No worries. There is nothing boring about this one – at least not to me).

And there was one part that sort of skipped to the middle of something important (I wont say what) had me a touch surprised in regards to a sudden “tone-change”. Had I experienced it building, (even in bits and pieces), it might have had even more of an effect on my emotional turmoil.

Ahhhh emotional turmoil. Another keyword! ‘Cause this one is not an easy lighthearted read. These characters are far from perfect, and you will encounter some very raw and gritty situations. The author’s attention to detail, and I mean every little touch during integral parts, reactions and conversations… perfect!!! So REAL. There are cringe-worthy scenes, and MANY moments that make you feel bad for enjoying such an angsty read. Mistakes, heartbreaks, misunderstandings, the works. But if you like that kind of read (and soooo many of us do), THIS IS IT!!!!!!! MUST READ. MUST!!!

“You’re mine, Tru. I’m not sharing you with him anymore.”

*sob*

5 stars PLUS!!!

P.S. Next up: My What to Read After Thoughtless List (should I give you a quick hint here? This book is pretty much first on the list.)

Here is a shortform version – I’m preparing my real version of the list and it will follow my usual format (with my reasons for picking them which is namely SUPER ANGSTY (<—key word) intense do-anything-for-love including deception, lies, secrets, involving love triangles and/or bad-boys or famous boys that will tear themselves apart for the one woman they can’t live without):

➔➔➔ Love this trope? Browse more rock star romance features and reviews on my blog. 😀

➔➔➔ Looking for more of my must-read recommendations? Browse my 5 star and 4.5 star and 4 star reviews. 😀

JD Nixon – Heller Series Reading Order

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Recommended by Shayna:

“If anyone is looking for a new series to read thats hilarious and has a bad boy lead character that will make you swoon, check out JD Nixon’s series ‘Heller'”.

And Kate & Tiffany adamantly agree!!

Kate: Thank you Shayna Thompson for sharing about that Heller book. I read it all in one sitting. Could NOT put it down for anything (my poor kids) and after I finished I got straight onto to amazon and bought up the next three books in the series. Can’t wait to start the rest of them! Yay!

Tiffany: Almost done with Heller by JD Nixon…Shayna recommended this book to Maryse and she was soooo RIGHT….This book is AWESOME!! Its a series of 4 so far..I love Heller and Tilly…I love when you happen on a book and its a GOOD ONE!! Maryse its gonna be a great series….Check it out..You won’t be let down..Loving it so far…..Its a story that makes you feel good stuff and bad..lol!!

Okay, and now my friend Christina is absolutely flipping over it, too… I must read this ASAP!

“OH PLEASE WOMAN, IF YOU DON’T READ HELLER AND THE BOOKS FOLLOWING IT, SO YOU CAN SEE ALL THE FREAKING TENSION, AND WANT TO SMACK TILLY IN THE HEAD, SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT I’VE BEEN DEALING WITH, well, I may be upset.”

*giggle* I’m on it, Christina. Soon, I promise!

About the series (as per the author):

The Heller series of books features the crazy and sizzling adventures of Tilly Chalmers as a security officer and her very complicated relationship with her beautiful, mysterious (and scary) boss, Heller, owner of Heller’s Security & Surveillance. The Heller books are fairly tongue-in-cheek and not for people who want serious and important themes in their reading. Sorry.

     

ALSO!! For those who have read the series and want to discuss it in detail, I’ve created a Heller Discussion Thread in the “spoiler forum” (Enter at your own risk if you have not read the series yet…)

Book Review – Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Onyx: A Lux Novel
An excellent follow up to a book that already had me *squeeing* with delight, back in January! I gave Obsidian (book #1) 5 stars, and Onyx gets that too!! It may be a YA series, but the energy, excitement and emotion are felt intensely no matter what your age.

Remember how amazingly addictive Vampire Academy was? (P.S. —> if you haven’t read it, you MUST!!) To me, I considered that YA for adults ;). This one is like that. Oh sure, the overall story isn’t remotely similar (there are no vampires in this series) but the feel of it is. They may be only 18 (or 17/18) but they’ve had to grow up quickly considering the dangers they face.

Still though, it’s not all about fight scenes, and dark alley supernaturals, because there is plenty of downtime, too. Responsibilities, life choices, love-interests and all the infuriating circumstances that come with that (fun!! Especially the push and pull angsty “friendship” that develops between Daemon and Katy). And of course, a bit of older YA high school drama to really mess with them!

I know… we’ve read this “push pull friendship” story many times before. But when done right, I can’t get enough of it. And Jennifer Armentrout does it wholeheartedly. *squeezes* your heart over and over again, at just the perfect consistency to keep us wanting more. Perfectly paced.

I was so into this. Daemon had me chuckling. His arrogant confidence and teasing sarcasm is hard to beat.

Daemon was a total babe, but he was stab-worthy, which, at times, zeroed out the babe part. Not always though.

But what I like most about him? His alpha-male ways. But of course!! 😉 They were in full effect, in this one. He may be cool and aloof even (strike that…) especially around Katy, but when Katy starts looking at someone else… ooooh *swoon*. Forget it! He may not outright say it, but it’s obvious, and I love that heartwrenching pressure!

And sometimes I’d be all… Oh come on Katy!! It’s so obvious! Argh!! The angst and resistance was a little over the top.

“I don’t want you.”

“Uh, now is not the time to get into that conversation.”

This was just a dream. I sighed, wrapping my arms around his taut waist.

“But I do want you.”

Daemon’s arms tightened around me. “I know, Kitten. You aren’t fooling anyone.”

Tee hee! Awwwww!!

But when I’d let myself “go with it”, I could see where she was coming from. Her concerns for him, his people, her “normal”, and a connection that *may* or may not be real. I get you, Katy. I don’t think I could have had that kind of restraint, but… yah. Ok. I get it.

Ever since Daemon healed me after the battle with the Arum, we were connected, and while that seemed to be enough fro him to jump into a relationship, it wasn’t for me.

It wasn’t real.

I wanted what my parents had. Undying love. Powerful. True. A whacked-out alien bond couldn’t do that for me.

Kitty, I mean, Katy… you’re a stronger girl than me. 😉 And you guys are in for that very realization!

So what’s it about? For those who haven’t read book #1 yet, go read my review and avoid this one (because of slight spoilers) until you’re ready to move on to #2. Book #1 & 2 are equally amazing, so I HIGHLY recommend it!!

—

—

So remember the first book, at the end when Daemon had to heal Katy after that big crazy battle? Well… Katy is experiencing some weird effects from it.

“I think i’m coming down with something.”

His brows furrowed. The concept of being sick was foreign to Daemon. The Luxen didn’t get sick. Like, ever. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I don’t know. I probably got alien cooties.”

Things are changing for her, physically and she seems to be exhibiting some of the Luxen’s powers. When emotions get the best of her, things… *happen*.

Daemon poked me with his pen. I twisted around.

“What was that?” he whispered, eyes narrowed. There was no mistaking the amusement in the tilt to his lips, though.

“Very bad kitty…”

OMG PLEASE!!! You guys have to read this in it’s full context!!! Hilarious, I’m still laughing from this scene (and many others). But this one… priceless!!!

But she mustn’t draw attention to herself, as that could expose her best friends and their true alien nature. And while she tries to hide her new abilities (hard to do when she gets emotional), a hottie surfer-boy guys (Blake) shows up in school. He thinks Katy is pretty. And Daemon starts growling.

The smirk on his face faded. A muscle in his jaw popped. He looked…pissed. Whoa.

And as Katy’s world expands to include this new guy, she begins learning about herself, and gets a little extra insight into Daemon and… others.

There’s way more to her “alien entourage” than she knew. More, even, than Daemon knew. And there are also some DOD revelations (a division of the government that is aware of the aliens), and well. Lots of stuff happens. LOTS of stuff comes to light. Oh yes… everything is starting to make sense, now, it’s all coming together, but at the same time, has the potential to really blow up.

I won’t say anymore, but this: go for the ride!! While it may not be “adult-steamy” in that sense, your “crush-button” will be fully activated (and it’s plenty… steamy in it’s own way). This series is a “butterflies-in-your-stomach-maker”. It totally is.

5 stars!!!

Reading order guide: Jennifer L. Armentrout – Lux Series Reading Order

P.S. I think Katy rocks. She’s tough, she’s emotional, she has cool alien friends, and she’s a book blogger!!! I loved her book blogging moments. They made me giggle. I felt like she was me. Oh I know, I always say that… I’m predictable. 😉 But I’m tellin’ ya! When the book is really good, and I suddenly feel like I’m the heroine, then I am hooked!

➔➔➔  Looking for more of my must-read recommendations? Browse my 5 star and 4.5 star and 4 star reviews. 😀

➔➔➔  Love this author? Browse more Jennifer L. Armentrout features and reviews on my blog. 😀

Two New Book Releases & What I Am Currently Reading…

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TWO BIG releases (at least for me) because both of these books look right up my alley! THESE are what I am reading this weekend! Where’s my DO NOT DISTURB sign? Can I call in sick today? *sigh* *grumbles again* stupid responsibilities….

Who’s in the mood for…:

If I were You (Inside Out Trilogy) by Lisa Renee Jones
Synopsis:
Shades of Grey meets Basic Instinct
He is rich and famous, and dark in ways I shouldn’t find intriguing, but I do. I so do. I don’t understand why his dark side appeals to me, but the attraction between us is rich with velvety promises of satisfaction. Chris is dark, and so are his desires, but I cannot turn away. He is damaged beneath his confident good looks and need for control, and in some way, I feel he needs me. I need him.

Sidenote from Maryse —-> I’m already feeling exhilarated!!!

 

The Mighty Storm by Samantha Towle <—– IT’S LIVE on Amazon right now!!!

Rock Star book!!!
It’s been twelve years since Tru Bennett last saw Jake Wethers, her former best friend and boy she once loved.

Jake Wethers, sexy, tattooed and deliciously bad lead singer, and brains behind The Mighty Storm, one of biggest bands in the world, left Tru with a broken heart when he moved from England to America with his family when they were both fourteen.

Sent to interview Jake for her music column by the magazine she works for, they are both unprepared for the sparks that fly the instant they reconnect. Only, there’s a complication to their instant feelings for one another – Will, Tru’s boyfriend of two years.

Then Jake makes Tru a job offer she can’t refuse – travelling the world with him and his band…

Sidenote from Maryse —> oooooh it sounds like it’s gonna hurt!!! Bring on the angst!!!

My Facebook Crew Found Us Some Freebie e-books!! August 23rd 2012

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My Facebook crew has found us tons of great looking freebies!! I gathered their “finds” together in an impromptu blog post!! Get ’em while they last!!

NOTE: Free and bargain priced when I added them, but prices can change on Amazon, so make sure to check before you finalize your order.

Free and bargain e-books that you can read on your Kindle, or even on your computer with the Kindle software. (NOOK USERS: I’ve been told that often, many of these freebies and bargains are also available on the Nook).

      

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