Becca the Bibliophile

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

2000 FB Likes Giveaway!

Ok, so I'm not quite to 2000 likes. Can a girl help it if she is SO excited about giving away all these great books and swag! So I started it a little early. If you are a big fan of Olivia Cunning, Cora Carmack, Raine Miller, Terese Mummert, Molly McAdams, Kelly Elliott, Tasha Ivey, Gina Maxwell, L.B. Simmons, S.L. Jennings, Nikki Worrell and there could be more! I have signed books, pre-orders of books we have all been waiting for, swag and GCs. For every 100 likes over 2000 - I will add another package. Make sure to tell your friends!

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Sunday, March 17, 2013

BLOG TOUR STOP: Always There by Carol Ann Albright-Eastman

For readers who loved The Five People You Meet in Heaven, For One More Day, or The Shack.

“People walked up the front steps of the funeral home, preparing themselves to see the grieving orphaned children of the woman who passed, but what did they find instead? The youngest orphaned child was snacking on a Quarter Pounder with cheese, drinking a medium Diet Coke, and laughing in a chair with her friends.”

In this fresh, poignant novel, Always There, Shelby Lynn LeeMaster grapples with her recent “orphaned” life and how to let down her guard to fully experience true love, allowing it in to her heart without fear. The mother, Betheny LeeMaster, struggles with dying before she could teach and guide her children into adulthood. The daughter cannot break from her own fears, while the mother cannot forgive herself for leaving her children too soon. The different narrators, the mother in Heaven and the daughter on Earth, tell their stories in alternating chapters. Can the two women reconcile their fears and remorse being worlds and lifetimes apart?

Eastman’s honesty explores the tragic ending to a mother-daughter relationship, revealing the pain a motherless daughter experiences. The two vantage points allow the reader to find a connection with the mother and/or the daughter, personalizing the loss that a dying mother and grieving daughter often face. The novel portrays the truth behind the death of a loved one, while glorifying the mystery of Heaven, proving that love does not die when a person does. The channels of love are still open, going in both directions. Love goes on when life does not. The novel bridges the tragic with the comedic, giving audiences a lighter, more enjoyable, sentimental read. You will laugh while you cry, and cry while you laugh, but in the end, you’ll hug your loved ones for dear life.

This book was truly an amazing ride that I think most would be able to relate to. Not only does it make you think, it also makes you feel in ways that maybe you have never thought before. I loved this book because it was told in two points of view - Here and There. Shelby Lynn is having a hard time adjusting to life after almost everyone that she hold dear is taken from cancer. Cancer...the one thing that you have no control over. At 29 she has lost all five aunts, her mother and her father. More heartache, more pain. She is there and she is loosing what control she has of her life, so she shuts down. Here, her mother Betheny, is struggling with her children being left there, with no one to love and care for them. To teach them about the things in life that are hard enough to handle even with a helping hand. This is an amazing love story. And one that you will want to read and treasure.

Carol Ann Albright-Eastman is a wife and mother of four, crazy, adorable, incorrigible, intelligent, kind, and athletic children. She’s taught high school English for fifteen years. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from The Ohio State University, a teaching license and a communications minor from the University of Akron, and holds a Master’s in Education from the University of Akron.

Eastman spends the majority of her time grading papers, reading, but not as voraciously as other “indie” authors and their devout followers, watching her sons play baseball (or whatever seasonal sport they’re in at the time), negotiating futilely with a toddler, and falling deeper in love with her husband every day. Eastman is a motherless and fatherless daughter, but a day doesn’t go by that she doesn’t think of them

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Friday, March 15, 2013

BLOG TOUR: Shattered Promises by Jessica Sorensen

For twenty-one year-old Gemma, life has never been normal. She knows nothing about her past and has been haunted by the same monsters in her nightmares for the last few months. Unemotional and numb to life, she feels disconnected from everyone. Until the very first day she cries. After that, nothing in her life is the same.

Her emotions slowly surface and she starts experiencing love, happiness, and anger, feelings she never knew existed. But they leave her confused and she doesn’t know whether to embrace them or run away from them.

Her life only gets more complicated when she meets Alex. Sexy, arrogant, and secretive, Alex can get under Gemma’s skin like no one can. Yet she’s drawn to him by an invisible connection she has no control over. She’s also seen him before. In her nightmares.

Every part of Gemma’s mind is screaming at her to stay away from Alex, but every other part of her is begging to get close to him. But the closer she gets, the more she realizes Alex knows more about her than he originally let on.

As secrets about her past unravel, Gemma’s life becomes threatened. She needs to figure out what’s going on, before she winds up dead. But the only person she can turn to for answers is the one person she isn’t sure she can trust.

Mystery, magic and energy is what you will get from Shattered Promises by Jessica Sorenson. The story begins in Wyoming where Gemma has grown up in a isolated home with her grandparents. Not knowing the truths about her Mother and the facts that surround her life and death, her grandparents don't' give her much to go on.

Then one day in college her life changes and turns upside down when she meets a brother sister pair, Aislin and Alex. Gemma is instantly and electrically attracted to Alex but he seems cold at best to her. What is he hiding from her? As the time goes by, will he open up and befriend her.

There are many secrets to be found in this magical book. For those who are into magic and intrigue this is a great book. There is great character development and you really get to feel for the people and their lives. I give this book 4 stars for its well written words. I am excited to see what the next book has for us ~ Debi S.

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

http://open.spotify.com/user/1257469060/playlist/2oFH406lokrKR9N5LS5cev

1. “Wonderwall” by Oasis

2. “Stellar” by Incubus

3. “Icky Thump” by The White Stripes

4. “Wicked Game by Three Days Grace

5. “Save Me” by Unwritten Law

6. “All the Same” by Sick Puppies

7. “Meant to Live” by Swtichfoot

8. “Play Crack the Sky” by Brand New

9. “Change” by Deftones

10. “The Hand that Feeds” by Nine Inch Nails

11. “Into the Ocean” by Blue October

12. “So Cold” by Breaking Benjamin

Website http://jessicasorensensblog.blogspot.com/

Jessica Sorensen

Adult Contemporary Books

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Thursday, March 14, 2013

BLOG TOUR STOP: Hound Dog (Vol. 4 of the Savannah Rossi Chronicles)

The "Savannah Rossi Chronicles" is a series of erotica/erotic romance short stories that pave the way to an eventual full length novel. Each story is a stand alone and follow the steamy adventures of sexy, independent, musically-gifted singer/songwriter Savannah Rossi, who is teetering on the verge of national success. This is no spoiled brat pop princess looking to be saved. Confident, driven, intelligent and unabashed in her sexuality, Savannah has created her own success and enjoys a vibrant sex life on her own terms with men of her choosing. Is it possible that any one man could tame such an independent free spirit? Who says she even needs to be tamed?

In 'Hound Dog', volume 4 of the series, Savannah lands a major studio gig singing for one of the music industry's hottest songwriter/producers. However, she is blindsided when she shows up to to the job to find that the only man she ever gave her heart to - the one who also demolished it several years prior - is the sound engineer on the recording sessions. As painful memories are revisited, Savannah and Jax struggle to behave professionally in spite of the deep-seated hatred and intense desire they still hold for each other. Time does not necessarily heal all wounds -- and new ones can still be inflicted...

*Contains graphic sexual content, language and mild violence.*

Although this was a short read, I was totally sucked into the life of Savannah Rossi. I have not read the other volumes to this series but after reading Hound Dog, I will definitely be going back to catch up on Ms. Rossi. Savannah is a strong woman, who knows exactly what she wants. Like every heroine though, she has her weakness. Her weakness is also the man who ruined her - Jax Taylor. They are explosive together and there is a reason they have been apart for so many years. I loved this short story that was full of vibrato and hot steamy raw sexual power. Most definitely a series I will continue to watch. ~ 4 stars ~ Becca

Deliza Rafferty is a new erotic romance writer (spicier than traditional romance without hardcore BDSM - always super hot!) located in Hollywood. She's written all sorts of stories and poems for personal enjoyment since she was a little girl, but has spent most of her career in the music business. She is venturing into sharing her musings publicly for the very first time and is excited that modern day technology allows her to do it at her leisure.

Deliza means "gives pleasure" and Rafferty means "rich and prosperous." With a name like that, what else could she do? Like...legally?

Click on Cover to Buy

COVER REVEAL: Just One Song by Stacey Lynn

Nicole Parsons had the perfect life, made complete with the suburban home and the proverbial white picket fence. When tragedy struck and she lost the most important people in her life, she turned away from everything she loved before; shutting out every reminder of the perfect life she lost.

It has been one year, three months, one week and six days since the accident; and Nicole is ready to stop counting the days she’s survived, and begin living again.

On a dare from her best friend, Nicole encounters Zack Walters - the popular alternative rock star and man who signifies so much of her past – and suddenly everything in Nicole’s safe and quiet life changes.

When she’s forced to face the pain she’s carried for so long, will she truly be able to heal from her past and begin to live again?

Or will her new adventure ruin her completely?

EXPECTED RELEASE DATE: June 24, 2013

http://staceylynnbooks.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

BLOG TOUR: Reckless

Can love survive when life gets Reckless?

When the band hits it big, Kiera and Kellan must ask themselves: Can their love for each other survive the constant pressures of superstardom? The friendships they've formed, the new family they've found, and the history they've forged will all play a part in helping them navigate the turbulent waters of the band's exploding popularity. A greedy executive hell-bent on success, a declining pop star looking for an edge, and a media circus that twists lies into truths are just some of the obstacles the lovers will have to overcome if they are going to remain together. Fame comes with a price-but will it cost Kiera and Kellan everything?

Teaser #1

Kellan’s fingers paused on his track pants. Roused from my melancholy thoughts, I glanced up at his face; he was frowning. “Am I making a mistake?” he whispered, over the sound of the shower.

With no frame of reference, I wasn’t sure what he meant by that. Seeing my lost expression, Kellan clarified. “Making an album, going on tour…am I making a mistake?”

The room filled with steam as I hopped off of the counter. Kellan grabbed my hand when I stepped in front of him. “All I want is a quiet life with you. What I just signed up for…isn’t exactly a quiet life.”

Wondering how to comfort him, when I often thought the same thing, I reached up and ran my thumb over his cheek. “Kellan, your life will never be quiet, no matter what you do.” He chuckled at my reference, the confusion on his face lifting. I placed my hand on his chest and looked him square in the eye. “You belong on a stage. It’s what you were born to do.”

Teaser #2

"Please, you guys aren’t married.” Griffin crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Kellan. “No bachelor party…no marriage. That’s the law.” 

I matched Griffin’s posture. “That is not a law, Griffin.” 

He swung his head around to look at me. “Well, it should be. No T and A, no ball and chain.” There was an annoying smirk on his face and I really wanted to smack it off of him. I resisted, though.

Anna helped me out by smacking the back of his head. He narrowed his eyes at her. “What? It’s a fair sacrifice. If you’ve got to be with one chick for the rest of your life, then you should at least get to go out with a bang. Or two. Or three.” 

Anna raised a perfectly arched brow. “Really? Would you want some jackass to do that with our daughter?” 

Her hand caressed her belly and Griffin’s eyes shifted to where his child was peacefully growing. His lips in a scowl, he told her, “Fuck no. I’ll chop the little bastard’s balls off if he tries that kind of shit on my girl.”

Teaser #3

By the time Bridgette and her merry maids were finished with the D-Bags, I had to admit, they looked good. Every single one of them was stunning, even Griffin. But Kellan…was drop-dead gorgeous. Smoldering. My jaw dropped when he stepped in front of the plain backdrop. He’d come into the studio wearing loose, faded blue jeans and a white t-shirt. They’d dressed him in slim jeans that were frayed in all the right places, and they’d layered his basic white shirt with a dark brown leather jacket. It was tight to his body, so it looked more like a fitted shirt, and it was zipped open to his mid-chest. It stopped right above his waist, so that his entire studded belt was visible; a trace amount of skin was visible too. It was…hot. His hair was usually a rumpled, sexy mess, but Bridgette had flawlessly styled it so that every strand was in the most appealing place possible. There was one strand hanging down by his eye that just about did me in. 

He looked the part of the sexy bad boy rock star that worried my father on a daily basis, but he was frowning as he walked over to me.  

“You look great. What’s wrong?” 

“I’m wearing makeup. I feel like an idiot.” 

I examined his skin, but I couldn’t really tell that he was wearing anything, maybe just some definition around his eyes; the blueness was popping out at me so much that my heart was beating a little faster. “I can’t even tell. You’re fine.” 

He started to run a hand through his hair, then stopped himself. “I’m wearing eyeliner…and I’m pretty sure she put lipstick on me.” 

My smile was impossible to hide. “You look incredible…darn near delectable.” 

Cocking his head, Kellan wrapped his arms around me. “Yeah? Would you like a bite?” As I felt heat staining my cheeks, Kellan glanced around, then leaned down to my ear; the smell of the leather jacket mixing with his scent was intoxicating. “We could disappear for a few minutes.”