eARC Review: Bastard's Brew (Family Portrait #3) by Gillian Felix

Title: Bastard's Brew
Author: Gillian Felix
Publisher: Gillian Felix
Pages: 160
Series: Family Portrait #3
Release Date: April 13th 2014
Where I Got It: Author, Gillian Felix

Synopsis: When L'Wren's ex-boyfriend Jeff suddenly disappears, she turns to Kevin to help her find him. With one phone call, Kevin makes sure that Jeff stays hidden and that L'Wren's heart is broken, leaving the door open for Kevin to pursue her. But Kevin is not as free as L'Wren thinks; she is in the dark about his affair with her stepmother, Savi. Savi constantly reminds Kevin of his devious ways and uses their secret to keep him as her toyfriend. 

“You don’t deserve to be loved, and you don’t deserve to be happy. You and I are the same … we’re broken inside. Everything we touch, we destroy. We don’t get happily ever after … we don’t get to ride off into the sunset. You know who gets that? L’Wren … she gets it, she gets the guy, and she deserves a decent guy.”- Savi

Kevin desires to be the man that L'Wren deserves, but before he can assume the role of white knight, he brews one last plan to get rid of Savi for good. Will L'Wren, the innocent victim in their twisted game, become a casualty?

Kevin may have sold his body to the devil in stilettos, but he'd be damned if he let her have his heart. 

Suitable for young adult readers 18+

Gillian Felix

Gillian Felix has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She enjoys creating characters that could be your next-door neighbor, but would you want them as your neighbor is another story.

Originally from the island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Miss Felix moved to the United States in 1998. Since then she has been involved in the entertainment industry for over ten years. Her experience ranges from script supervisor to production manager on many independent features. She is trained in the Meisner and Stanislavski technique of acting, which she credits as an asset to her character development and writing.

Miss Felix is also an entrepreneur and advocate for children's and women's rights.

Review

I read this book on April 9th 2014.

I received this book for a book tour from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This book was slightly awkward to read. I believe this was because I didn't read the first two yet (however, I plan to do so). It seemed as if there was so much going on in the story which made me confused for half the book. I did an interview with the author, and she said she wrote it as if it where a show. I found this interesting and think that it would be a fantastic show. It had so many story lines that sort of confused me, but was fun to read.

Kevin is a drug dealer who is trying to protect his family. He loves L'Wren. He's having an affair with L'Wren's stepmother Savi. His sister is 15 and is dating an employee of theirs, who thinks she is his age (he's around 25). His brother was a more minor character but affected the story.

It was entertaining to see what was going to happen next and I enjoyed it. I recommend the series to readers who enjoy mystery-like romances.

Ages: 17+

Grades: 12 and up

Review: Red at Night by Katie McGarry

Title: Red at Night
Author: Katie McGarry
Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
Pages: 84
Release Date: April 1st 2014
Series: -
Where I Got It: Amazon.com (Free)

Synopsis: In Red at Night, Stella and Jonah are total opposites. She's the girl with purple hair from the wrong part of town. He's a high school senior who hangs with the cool crowd. Until a car accident leaves him haunted by guilt, and Jonah starts spending time at Stella's favorite refuge…the local cemetery.

Stella knows she should keep her distance—after all, she spent her girlhood being bullied by Jonah's friends. Once he's sorted out his tangled emotions, Jonah won't have time for her anymore. Too bad she's already fallen for him.

Katie McGarry

KATIE MCGARRY was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, katielmcgarry.com, follow her on Twitter @KatieMcGarry, or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.

Review

I read this book on April 6th 2014.

Red at Night was a touching story with romance, bullying, and friendships.

This book goes to show that you don't always know who your friends are. As we see with Jonah and his friend, you don't know who your friends are really until something dire happens. His friends changed when he was at the car crash and we see that that really affected him and changed him for the better.

Jonah's character was well written and was sweet and I think that he was amazing in standing up for Stella whether she wanted him to or not.
Stella was a strong female lead, reminded me of many people I know wrapped up in one. It was amazingly sad what this girl went and goes through at such a young age!

I thought it was great that HarlequinTEEN did this collection of stories to help people be aware of things that really happen in the world. Katie McGarry did a shoe company that provides unfortunate kids with shoes for free. I think this is amazing and just loved everything going on in the story. However, I found Stella could be stubborn at times but it all worked out for the best!

Ages: 14+
Grades: 9 and up

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Hey ya'll! So Flawed Perfection is on sale on many sights for a few days for only 99 pennies! Go buy it while its on sale! You never know... it could be your new favourite book.

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Synopsis:Bobby Beckerson was the American All-Star hockey player--he was the spitting image of perfection to his family. Goofy, sweet and undeniably gorgeous, he had everything but the one girl he wanted: River Ahlers.

River Ahlers is successful in everything but love. She's been in love with Adam Beckerson since they were kids. Worst of all she's stuck right in the middle of the brothers dueling over everything and anything, and she doesn't even know she's the ultimate prize.

Adam Beckerson was a boy with a guitar, a smile that sunk girls' hearts and a stone wall around his own. He was anything but perfect, and no matter how hard he tried he was nothing compared to Bobby. Sweet, damaged, with boyish good-looks, nobody thought Adam loved anyone but himself.

Bobby loved River, River loved Adam and Adam only loved himself--or so everyone thought. Then one night everything changes, and as it threatens to destroy everyone involved a tragedy strikes that will break them all...

The Romeo Club Release Day Blitiz

The Romeo Club

by Rebekah L Purdy

Release Date: 04/08/14

YA CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Summary from Goodreads:

THE ROMEO CLUB is Hitch meets The Secret of My Success.

What happens when you agree to help your brother “de-nerdify” so he can catch the attention of the popular Chloe Anders, and to everyone's surprise, he actually lands her?

And what if his equally geeky friends come running with girl wish lists of their own, offering money for your services?

Well, if you’re sixteen-year-old, Delyla Denson, then you start The Romeo Club. A secret club where she’ll teach these guys how talk, act, and be cool around girls. It’s a win-win situation.

She’ll get enough money for the awesome prom dress she’s had her eye on, and the guys, well, they’ll get dates and maybe learn how to do something other than beat the next level on their video games.

There are only two problems with this plan. One, her quarterback/track star boyfriend is getting jealous of how much time she’s spending away from him and decides to try and figure out what’s going on. And two, Delyla is kind of falling for her brother’s BFF, Trey who she’s been hanging out with a lot more. And who thanks to her help, has caught the attention of the beautiful, perfect, and popular, Portia Rickard. With Portia and Trey heating up, Delyla realizes that maybe the person she’s meant to be with has been in front of her all this time.

But falling for Trey means she’ll have to take drastic measures including sabotage, with a capital S.

Available from:

Amazon * Amazon UK

About the Author

Rebekah Purdy grew up in Michigan, where she spent many late nights armed with a good book and a flashlight. When not hiding at her computer and getting lost in her stories, she enjoys reading, singing, soccer, swimming, football, camping, playing video games and hanging out with her kids. She loves the unexplainable like Bigfoot, the Dogman, and the Loch Ness Monster (lots of good story material)! She admits to still having all the books she bought throughout her childhood and teen years, and she may or may not have an obsession with anything chocolate…

Author Links
Goodreads
Blog
Twitter
Facebook

EXCERPT
A few minutes later we arrived at Bogarty’s. We went inside and found Kevin working 

the counter.

“Hey,” he said. “I thought you had a date tonight?”

“I do. But I wanted to treat Del out for helping me.” Trey took some cash from his 

pocket. “Can we get two chocolate vanilla swirl ice creams?”

Warmth spread through my chest. He remembered my favorite flavor. How is it he knew 

more about me than my boyfriend?

“Coming right up.” Kevin took his money then gave him the change. He waved me 

closer to the counter then leaned forward. “Melanie’s working tonight.” He nodded to a petite 

girl making milkshakes. She had black hair with a shock of electric blue highlights. Her ears had 

numerous piercings, and she wore dark eyeliner. She had the whole rocker chick thing going on.

“She’s pretty,” I said. And to say I was surprised was an understatement. She didn’t seem 

like his type, but then again, who was I to judge.

He grinned. “Yeah. She is.” He handed us our ice cream. “I’ll see you guys later.”

I licked the side of my cone to keep the chocolate from dripping. Trey and I sat down in a 

corner booth and devoured our food. When I finished, I wiped my mouth with a napkin. My eyes 

shifted to the window. No way. Did he have GPS attached to me or something?

I shot to my feet. “Crap.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Rex is here with his friends. I told him I was having a Science Club meeting today.”

Trey followed my gaze. “They’re coming in.”

We rushed toward the counter. Maybe there was a back way out. “Kevin. We need to 

“What?”

“Rex.” I nodded over my shoulder. “Please, Kev. There’s gotta be a back way out.”

“I can’t let you go through the kitchen. I’ll get fired.” He glanced behind him.

“Ah, I’m so dead.”

“Wait, I have an idea. Hey, Melanie can you watch the register for a second?”

She looked up. “Sure. But hurry.”

“Thanks.” He came around the counter. “Quick, follow me.” He led us down a narrow 

hall toward the bathrooms. But before we got there, he opened a door and pulled out two 

costumes.

“Oh brother. I’m not gonna like this, am I?” Trey took a giant ice cream cone costume 

from him.

“Nope. In fact, you’ll probably hate it. But it’s the only thing I got.” He handed me a 

Poppy the Popsicle costume.

I groaned. “This day just keeps getting better and better.”

“Hurry up, he’s coming in.” Kevin shoved the giant popsicle over my head.

I put my arms in, while he tugged it down. He then put big rubber shoes on me. I 

attempted to adjust the top so I could see out the eyeholes. Next to me I saw Trey and giggled. 

His head looked like a giant vanilla swirl ice cream. The cone part came down to his ankles so he 

had to waddle while he walked. 

Kevin, shut the closet. “Just go out in the lobby area and dance around or something. 

When he leaves, you can get out of here.”

“You owe me big,” Trey said from beside me.

Just then a group of elementary kids saw us. “Look it’s Poppy the Popsicle and Icy the 

Ice Cream.” 

In that moment, I wanted to die. Kids screeched at our legs. I hopped around in circles, 

giving them high fives. I attempted a booty shake dance and nearly toppled over, right into Rex’s 

“Hey, Rex. Looks like Poppy has a thing for track stars.” Bart laughed and slapped his 

back. “If you want to dance with the popsicle, I won’t tell Delyla.”

Rex grinned, grabbed my giant rubber hands and twirled me around. “Hey, can I get my 

picture taken with you?”

Holy balls. This wasn’t good. “Sure,” I said in a high-pitched Minnie Mouse type voice. 

He held up his phone and leaned in close. Wow, this would be one for the memory books. 

“I think the popsicle is melting at your touch,” Bart said. “Maybe you should go for the 

ice cream cone instead.”

If he made one more popsicle comment, I was gonna shove my stick somewhere where 

the sun didn’t shine. Behind me, I heard Trey mutter something about a jack ass.

At last, Kevin called them up to the counter for their order. 

“See you, Poppy.” Rex patted my back.

“Yeah, see you,” I said in the same high-pitched voice from before.

When they left, Trey and I raced to take the costumes off. 

“Remind me never to come to the ice cream shop with you again,” Trey said. “I swear, if 

one more kid hit me in the crotch, I was gonna shove them in a trash can.”

“At least you didn’t have to deal with my boyfriend.” I laughed.

“Yeah, there’s that. But I think I’m ready to go now.”


He didn’t have to tell me twice. Goodbye ice cream, hello world.

***GIVEAWAY***

1 ebook of The Romeo Club + $10 Amazon Gift Card (UNT)

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Book Blitz Organized by:

Lost in Me by Lexi Ryan Release Day & GIVEAWAY

Get ready for NYT Bestselling Author Lexi Ryan’s new series Here and Now! The first novel in the series, LOST IN ME, is a sexy New Adult contemporary romance released April 7^th!

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

LOST IN ME is on SALE for just .99 cents the first week of release as a fan appreciation from the author!

LOST IN ME is the first book in the Here and Now series, a spin-off of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Hope series. This sexy amnesia love triangle is intended for mature readers.

The last thing I remember is having drinks at Brady’s and trying to avoid eye-contact with my life-long crush—the gorgeous, unattainable Maximilian Hallowell. They tell me that was a year ago, but I have no memories of anything since then. What I do have is this ring on my finger that Max says he gave me, and this much-thinner body I’ve dreamed of most of my life. Aside from a case of retrograde amnesia, everything seems almost…perfect.</ div>

But the deeper I immerse myself into this new world of mine—planning a wedding to a man I don’t remember dating, attempting to run a business I don’t remember starting—the clearer it becomes that nothing is as it seems. Do I have the life I’ve always wanted or is it a facade propped up by secrets I don’t even know I have?

I need answers before I marry Max, and the only person who seems to have them is the angry, tatted, sexy-as-sin rocker Nate Crane. And Nate wants me for himself.

LOST IN ME is not a standalone novel, as the story continues in Here and Now book two, FALL TO YOU, releasing in June.

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JICUQZ0

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1lKI2OD

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1g8lseX

BN: http://bit.ly/1lKI4Gs

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1fVA5SX

About the Author

Once a college English professor, I now write full time. I live in rural Indiana, where, when I’m not writing, I get to hang out with my husband and two kids–a six-year-old boy and a two-year-old hellion, er, girl. Not surprisingly, reading and writing remain my favorite activities, though both come in bits and pieces these days, not the big hunks of time I enjoyed before I had children. When I’m feeling virtuous, I like to go running (I use that word liberally. I’m really, really slow) or do yoga. Don’t worry, I’m always careful to balance out such activities with a hearty serving of ice cream or a chocolate martini.

Website |  Facebook | Twitter

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The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen ~ GIVEAWAY

Book Description:

The sport she loves is out of reach. The boy she loves has someone else. What now?

She expected to start Harkness College as a varsity ice hockey player. But a serious accident means that Corey Callahan will start school in a wheelchair instead.

Across the hall, in the other handicapped-accessible dorm room, lives the too-delicious-to-be real Adam Hartley, another would-be hockey star with his leg broken in two places. He’s way out of Corey’s league.

Also, he’s taken.

Nevertheless, an unlikely alliance blooms between Corey and Hartley in the “gimp ghetto” of McHerrin Hall. Over tequila, perilously balanced dining hall trays, and video games, the two cope with disappointments that nobody else understands.

They’re just friends, of course, until one night when things fall apart. Or fall together. All Corey knows is that she’s falling. Hard.

But will Hartley set aside his trophy girl to love someone as broken as Corey? If he won’t, she will need to find the courage to make a life for herself at Harkness — one which does not revolve around the sport she can no longer play, or the brown-eyed boy who’s afraid to love her back.

~~~

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YA Little Black Book by 10 Bestselling Authors

YA Readers Little Black Book

Young Adult Paranormal and Contemporary Anthology

By: Shelly Crane – M. Leighton – Quinn Loftis – Lila Felix – Julia Crane – Amber Garza – AM Hargrove – Jamie Magee – Cambria Hebert – Rachel Higginson

    10 Contemporary, Paranormal, and Sci-Fi young adult full-length novels from bestselling authors compiled into one hot little black book. 

Collide - Sherry has an abusive ex-boyfriend who shows up on her doorstep and claims to be one of these beings. He's no longer the same person in that body.   

Survival - Her mysterious rescuer introduces her to a world that Maddie has difficulty accepting as reality. Will this strikingly gorgeous stranger be the key to her future or will she return to her mundane world, scarred from her experience? 

Love & Skate - He meets Nellie Forrester and thinks he can let it go for her. But how can you love someone when the wounds from your past are still wide open? 

See - Charlie knew then that part of her was stolen. She was missing memories. Those memories were sacred. They held the key to her sanity. They told her that the sinister whispers, and the shadows that came to life before her, were not as ominous as she felt they were. 

Dazzle - All Delaney wants is to be normal. That's why she is drawn to Sam. He can offer her the life she's always desired. Only Sam has secrets of his own. Secrets that are deadly. 

Madly - Madly has loved Jackson as long as she can remember, but he is the one thing even a princess can’t have. Can she resist love to become the queen she was fated to be? Or can she find a way to have both? 

Coexist - Rourk finds himself drawn to Keegan's side every time she thinks his name. He wants to talk to her but remains in the shadows, silently guarding her every time she mentally beckons him. A twist of fate thrusts the two of them together when Rourk is forced to step up his protection and make his presence known.

Starbright - With her parents and Seth, the boy intended to be her Counterpart, by her side she faces down demons and fallen angels in an effort to protect the last inhabited planet in the universe. But evil is not her only enemy. She also fights her future as she tries to decide if she’s willing to give up her human relationships, especially that of her best friend Tristan, in order to save humanity. 

Prince of Wolves - From the moment Jacque sets eyes on Fane she feels an instant connection, a pull like a moth to a flame. Little does she know that the flame she is drawn to is actually a Canis Lupus, werewolf, and she just happens to be his mate; the other half of his soul. 

Masquerade - When I look in the mirror, I see a stranger. When I look over my shoulder, no one's there… Yet I feel watched. Hunted. Afraid. And then he tells me I’m beautiful. He tells me I’m safe. I believe him. Until someone tries to kill me.    

About the Authors The YA Readers Little Black Book is compiled of 10 New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling authors.

Shelly Crane 

Quinn Loftis 

Lila Felix 

AM Hargrove 

Jamie Magee 

Cambria Hebert 

Michelle Leighton 

Julia Crane 

Rachel Higginson 

Amber Garza

I've actually read one of these books, Prince of Wolves by Quinn Loftis, and I will post my review some time this week, but here's my review:

An interesting take of the paranormal realm - where guys are smokin' hot and there's enough romance to make you squeal!

First off, I never realized that this book was only a span of 6 whole days! I have a feeling these books are going to feel really short, because I know this one did.

They knew each other for a total of about 5 days and they couldn't get enough of each other. I thought this was very strange. I know that wolf stuff definitely speeds stuff up, but 5 days is way to fast for this to be happening. Jacque just met him and was always saying she wanted him around and stuff.

This book would have gotten a higher rating if it had better spell check and if some of the characters weren't so annoying. I really disliked Lucas and Fane's father. To make a long story short, there where somethings I liked, some things I didn't like.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good, short paranormal (wolves) romance novel.

Giveaway Time!

Want to be entered to win a copy of this anthology? I would! All you have to do to enter, is comment telling me why you want to read this, or (if you've reviewed one of the books) link to your review!

Want an extra entry? Here's what to do: reply to your comment telling me you followed me on GFC, Bloglovin', or added me to your circles. You can also do all three to get three entries! Ready for a chance to win?

Review: Beautiful Bitch (Beautiful Bastard #1.5) by Christina Lauren

Title: Beautiful Bitch

Author: Christina Lauren

Publisher: Gallery Books

Pages: 160

Series: Beautiful Bastard #1.5

Release Date: July 9th 2013

Where I Got It: Library

Synopsis: Picking up where Beautiful Bastard left off, Chloe Mills and Bennett Ryan continue their steamy, combative relationship.

Just when Chloe’s career starts to take off, Bennett wishes it would all slow down long enough to spend a wild night alone with his girlfriend. But after he refuses to take no for an answer, Chloe and Bennett find themselves with two plane tickets, one French Villa, and a surprising conversation that, predictably, leaves them wrestling under the covers.

Christina LaurenChristina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/besties/soulmates and brain-twins, Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, NYT/USA Today/#1 International bestselling authors of several Young Adult and Adult Fiction titles. Some of their books have kissing. Some of their books have A LOT of kissing.

Review

A hot novella that fans will not want to miss!

Chloe and Bennett are having a hard time getting time alone and when they do it always seems to be interrupted. Some of you know that I didn't like Beautiful Bastard very much, but I figured why not read the next one? It's short so I gave it a shot. And I've decided I'm going to finish the series. I'm intrigued at Sara's part of the story and figured out the next book is her's!

Bennett calls in a favor from a friend after to many interruptions and makes arrangements for him and Chloe to go to a French villa. Then they discover they have to go separately. And Chloe's flight is canceled. I mean, after reading this book, I think they have some serious bad luck!

Overall, I enjoyed the novella and enjoyed the humor in it.

Ages: 17+

Raining Romance Giveaway HOP

This giveaway HOP is about Romance books! Yay, because I love romance books, they have got to be my favourite genre to read! The host of this giveaway hop is Valerie from Stuck in Books!

So are you guys ready to see what I'm giving away today?

Frigid by J. Lynn

This giveaway is international as long as you can accept kindle books.

ATTENTION: A great place to comment on is my YA Little Black Book post! You can be entered to win the book there just by commenting!

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Read Along

Hey all! Vonnie's Reading Corner is hosting a read along and I think it would be awesome if you guys signed up! The book is Of Beast and Beauty!

I'd love to join myself but, as I've mentioned before, I am behind on my reviews for publishers. But, that doesn't mean you guys can't join! So go on and join, it'll be fun!

Plus, it was mentioned that if 10 blogs join, there will be a giveaway and if YOU bring in participants, you'll get 3 free entries in the rafflecopter! So if you guys join and can get many others in, than that would be wonderfully fantastic!

JOIN HERE