Book Review and Giveaway for Slow Dancing by Stylo Fantome

SLOW DANCING
by STYLO FANTOME

A rising pop star who can't let go of her emotional baggage, and a cocky dance partner who doesn't know what monogamy is.

She's inhibited.

He's free-spirited.

She doesn't want a relationship.

He doesn't believe in them.

She can't believe that anyone would love her.

He can't seem to stop himself from loving her.

When their differences collide and sparks start to fly, he's sure it's the start of something amazing.

And she's sure it's the end of her career.

Who will be right?

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REVIEW: 4+ STARS

"I want this more than I'm afraid of it."

I have always said I love when a book challenges me. Whether it's my thought process or my emotions, I want to read a book that makes me think about the consequences or the possibilities of what may be or what could have been. So when I originally saw the words that Stylo Fantôme put out about this book, I knew it was just the challenge I needed from her. She originally wrote: 

“𝑺𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒕, 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒇𝒇. 𝑰𝒕'𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒙𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 - 𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔.”

So, naturally, I was drawn to it. What would make me question my sexuality? Like, where is she going with this, right? So I signed up and jumped in and let me tell you, I have never been more happy to jump into a book without a full description before. And she didn't let me down. After reading the excerpt (HERE) that I posted on my blog before the tour started, I knew there was more to this story than we were given, and I *LOVE* that side of reading. The discovery is always my favorite part, and this book seriously made me smile. This one will stay with me a long while. The implications, the discovery, the journey these characters took made me think about a lot. 

Woods was so intuitive....he was a watcher. So when he was there for Logan at all the right times, I got to see this protective side that could just about melt anyone, me included. I really, really loved his truth. His real truth. Unapologetic in every right, but sincere in the truest form - and if that didn't endear me to him, I don't know what can. LOVED him. Loved. He always saw the joke or the happy side of a comment; never the angry side. I loved his banter in that respect. His comebacks were on point and his mentality was written exactly how I feel I needed to read him because that's what made the book actually work for me. His strength mixed with his vulnerability was the perfect infusion.

"I hope you're happy with yourself, Logan Cassidy. You broke my sex drive."

Logan, poor thing. I felt like she was definitely a puppet in her own world and I felt bad for her. I wanted to see her break out of her shell, and it seemed to work for Logan with Woods. I love that there is sort of a release that Logan gets with the comfort - although different - that Woods gives her. The dynamic between them was strong and his intuition was spot on. Their intimacy was so sexy and so intense in the calm times, I can only imagine it at the peak of passion. Soooo delicious, like - give me more of them!!!! Everything about them worked for me in that aspect. 

I know it’s always easier to feel safe and let your guard down when there is no chance of emotions coming to light.....right? It's easier to hide in person, but let loose behind a sort of "wall." That energy danced within this story and I could feel Logan feeling freer in the ability to let loose around Woods because of who he was. It added an element of curiosity that there was no way I could explain away. I wanted to know e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. I read with interest beyond my wildest of understandings, and that discovery (there I go using that word again, but it's so true!!) was the best part about their world. Navigating their "relationship" was so much fun. The give and take was even compelling. There was just enough tension to give me the anxiety pangs deep within, but just enough ease to calm that nervousness as well. There wasn't any angst, but it was just a really great story to enjoy. 

This book was perfect for exploring a love with different.... boundaries. It showed the fluid side of love and labels. I really enjoyed it. Whether it’s a real depiction of life or just one I thoroughly enjoyed reading about, she still gave a voice to a type of relationship I’ve never encountered, and for that I’m thankful. I loved this story so much.

So why is it a four if I loved it SO HARD? Because I felt like one of the sex scenes (of all things to complain about, I know) felt forced. And with that comes some forced connection issues for me. Were they hot? Holy hell, yes. They were on fire. But, ONE scene in particular pulled me completely out and it made me wonder where it came from - left field with no explanation or understanding. It was just....there. BUT!! I honestly cannot complain about much, because when it comes down to it, the insecurities were real, the drama was real....and the reality behind their situation was the most real. I LOVED THIS BOOK. I absolutely loved it. If I ever meet her, this book will be signed on my shelf and I will recommend it to anyone that will listen to me gush about a true love story. 

I love the power of a real and true love; a place your heart can call home. This book was the perfect example of that.

"Everyone pushing me to do more, to be more. I just want to be enough."

~BEE

"I'll always like all the crayons, I can't change that, you're right. Wouldn't want to even if I could. But you will always, always be my favorite color."

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 ~MEET STYLO FANTÔME~

Crazy woman from a remote location in Alaska (where the need for a creative mind is a necessity!), I have been writing since ... forever? Yeah, that sounds about right. I have been told that I remind people of Lucille Ball - I also see shades of Jennifer Saunders, and Denis Leary. So basically, I laugh a lot, I'm clumsy a lot, and I say the F-word A LOT.

I like dogs more than I like most people, and I don't trust anyone who doesn't drink. No, I do not live in an igloo, and no, the sun does not set for six months out of the year, there's your Alaska lesson for the day. I have mermaid hair - both a curse and a blessing - and most of the time I talk so fast, even I can't understand me.

Yeah. I think that about sums me up.

~CONNECT WITH STYLO~

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Book Review and Giveaway for The Life You Stole by Jewel E Ann

 

THE LIFE YOU STOLE

by JEWEL E ANN

Sex. Lies. Revenge.

On the heels of a devastating loss, Evelyn fights to put her life back together.
Only … part of her husband belongs to another woman, and the devil owns her soul.

“If you tell her the lie, I will tell her the truth.”

When her best friend goes to great lengths to protect Evelyn from destruction and devastation, mistakes are made, lines are crossed, and all trust is shattered.

“We weren’t unbreakable.
I just needed to believe we weren’t unrepairable.”

Don’t miss the explosive conclusion to this unforgettable thriller by Jewel E. Ann, bestselling author of The Transcend Series.

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Confession: I am not one to read reviews for a book until after I have written mine. This time, I wrote mine, read some reviews - and then I came back to add my confession to it because there was a lot of chatter about this book. Lots of it is positive, but some of it isn't. I love that we all have an outlet and can tell others how a book made us feel. To feel otherwise would be very hypocritical of me. But I will start this review off with this note: just because our opinions differ, it does not make me rude, stupid, "making excuses", a liar, or anything else along those lines. Not everyone reads the same book, or has the same feelings about cheating in a book. Yes, this is still considered romance. Just because cheating was involved does not make it NOT a romance, it just doesn't make it "safe" or "desirable" for a certain crowd. There just happens to be another side to every story, whether one wants to accept it or not. Let's please celebrate a book that has started discussions, emotional ones at that. Kthxbye.

REVIEW: 4.5 STARS
"The truth could right the wrong of a lie, but nothing fixed the truth."

It always says something when you finish a book, set it down, and walk away - but your heart hasn't even left the pages, right? Jewel E Ann does that for me with every story. I love the twists she throws in there, and the emotions she garners with each one always leave me gasping. Gosh, this one was rough on me, but the ride was a story of painstaking perfection. Finally finding euphoria in the wrong place....? How do you justify those kinds of wrongs? I knew why. I saw why. I felt why. But it was still so very hard!!!

But I knew I had to trust JEA. I’ve never not trusted her, so I wasn’t going to start now....but my gosh, the temptation to put it down and run away was very intense with this one! This was the kind of book I couldn't look away from. It was an epic story of betrayal, confusion, hate, and delusion. I can't and won't deny the betrayal that was weaved throughout the turmoil these characters were tumbling through, but I also understand getting caught up in the wrong situation. I understand why what happened did happen, and holy crap! This was an eye-opening moment spanning 376 pages. 

"Sometimes we loved with lies and protected with sins."

So much anger and vitriol....I was yelling at my kindle! I mean, those pushy people in your life that pretend to be well meaning, but you know they’re not? RIPE. This story was RIPE with that. I was fuming while reading this one because of the trust and truth that was hidden behind well-meaning. But, it was all circumstantial. Every bit of it. One piece of the puzzle didn’t mean much, but a few pieces here and there painted a not-so-pretty, very different picture.

If a character chooses the 'wrong' direction, I like to find out why. I don't want to question their actions, but I want to find out why they felt compelled to take said action. I love that with Jewel. She is forever giving me something to debate, discuss, decipher, or decry. This book provided so many discussions, different routes I could have considered, different stances I could have argued - and that's exactly what I love about her writing. Always have and always will. I was chatting with another reader the other day, and I said something that kinda made me giggle. Yes, Jewel is a favorite of mine, so I'm always going to go into one of her stories with a fresh mind and a willingness to feel a whole new discussion. {{Yes, feel a discussion - because her words have always provoked a discussion worthy of aggressive thoughts.}} My words the other day were, "I’m pretty sure if Jewel told me the alphabet was originally backwards because apples are bananas and taste like purple smells, I would believe it." And that's no lie, because I am here for her stories, all day - any day. I love the journey she takes me on and I will unapologetically read any book of hers with vigor because I know she will always have a lesson or a moral-line-tip-toeing. It also shows that while I can and do try to provide an unbiased review when I read a book, I also know that her since writing works so well for me, I'm always going to be open to her theories and ready for the ride and will most likely love them too.

Make no mistake: this book is totally signature JEA. It's got some elements to it that will shock even the most die-hard fan. I was shocked, but I knew that the journey she was going to take me on was going to be one that had one hundred different angles anyone could look at differently and still come up with contrasting reasons for why things happened the way they did. But that is the beauty of her mind. Of her books. Of her stories. I was over here saying, "no, don’t do that" and things were happening and it was angering. But I could also see four persons' thoughts so I knew the variables - I knew what was going on to some degree and could connect the dots. It made me sad to see the road some of these actions were taking them down, but it wasn't anything that I saw coming either. Nothing was easily explainable...not one thing. But this book was also picture proof of the power of her words and the visual she can give me while allowing me to live inside this world of wonder and chaos. 

"We are created in the likeness of perfection but thrust into a world of sin."

This one was such a departure from book one. If you think you’re going into the same love story, you need to read the description again. More specifically, the trope this book sits in. It wasn't her normal genre, but I'm beginning to think there is no "normal" for her either. With Jewel telling a story and pushing envelopes like she always does, she sets up her own reality like a creative genius. How many people did she piss off with WLH? A METRIC SHIT TON. Perfect example. But, I also knew there was another side to that book. To some, death of a character is the "no way no how" factor. To others, it’s a cheating character. She will always cross the lines, and I am thankful for that. I love the fact that I never know what's coming from one page to the next, because she makes me THINK ABOUT the story and the circumstances. Not just the actions and the consequences. I love it!! 

Jewel E Ann always makes me want to discuss her books. I want to hear opposing views. I want to discuss why something makes me feel a certain way. I always want to have the "you tell me what you think and I'll tell you what I think" talk with anyone that reads her, good and bad. I want to have those arguments and I want someone to tell me why they feel differently. Her writing amazes me for this very reason. She never fails to wring the emotions out of me. This was a painful read with some answering moments, but there was light. I knew there was. I just didn’t know how long the tunnel was....

"Revenge made me the temptress."
~BEE

"Words had many powers. They shaped perception. Sometimes they cut. Sometimes they healed."

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~MEET JEWEL E ANN~

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree a a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course . . .heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

~CONNECT WITH JEWEL~

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Book Review and Giveaway for Beautifully Broken Control by Catherine Cowles

BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN CONTROL

by CATHERINE COWLES

A woman trying to rebuild her life.

Kennedy is doing all she can to escape, to prove that she’s not the monster her father was. A simple life of peace and service is all she needs.

A man haunted by a past he can’t forget.

Cain has buried his demons under layers of control and success. The only thing he needs is his company and his solitude. Certainly not a woman with captivating green eyes filled with ghosts so similar to his own.

He’s a reminder of the life she’s left behind. And she’s a threat to his tightly guarded control. As sparks fly between them, they discover that what they might need most is each other.

But with pasts like theirs...you never know when darkness might descend.

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REVIEW: 4.5 STARS
"Whether we like it or not, grief is sometimes our greatest teacher."

Ahhh....for the final book in this series, I don't think Catherine Cowles left anything out. It had emotion. It had peeks back at the other characters. It had drama. It really just made me smile while I read it. I knew of Cain from the previous books because he had "helped out" and he had a certain "set of skills" (I giggled at that) that had been useful in each of the previous storylines, so I knew his story was going to be a good one. Right, I was. It was good!! I barreled through this one and didn't put it down. Pure smiles on my face.

This is one of those “knight in shining armor” books, but not one bit of it was boring and the words were so easy and fun to read. Smiling, laughing, easy-going and fun, this book had everything I needed for Cain and Kennedy’s story to resonate with me. But sadly, it's the last in the series. As sad as that makes me, I feel like she did their story justice.

What do you do when morals trump loyalty and you’re chastised for it? Kennedy had that reality and it's one that happens more often than not. I know from personal experience, so seeing her guilt and seeing her punish herself the way she did was all too real and very relatable. I felt so sorry for her but her character didn't allow for that. She was so strong and so determined to do good in the world. There was not one thing I didn't admire about her because she had some fierceness to her and I admired her tenacity. She was living the life she was because of something she had no control over - but I truly loved that she was so self sufficient and strong. She was also stubborn, and I probably loved that just as much as her strength. HA!

"She was a storm wrapped in beauty and grace."

I loved seeing the softer side of Cain and I feel like Cowles did a really good job with him. His temperament and his confidence mixed really well with his business sense and sexiness. He was a visual that I didn't mind having - that's for sure! He had a way with his "suave" that most men merely attempt, and Cowles did him justice. No lie, having Kennedy bring out another side of him sure made me sigh. Some of him was super soft, to the point of it sounding a little too soft, but I loved him all the same because he had his demons, but he was trying to keep them in check. I'll hold my thumb and forefinger reeeeally close for this visual, because yes - it was a little feminine in the hero's descriptive words to a certain degree, but not distractingly so. Sliiightly. Not jarringly.

"My control always seemed to slip a bit around Kennedy."

I feel like Cowles sits down and thinks up the BEST characters and then writes her stories around them. The supporting cast of characters in this series made for an amazing round of stories. But that Gramma Irma.....she was a character that I could visualize and "hear" in every single book. She had me in stitches!!! OhMyGosh, she was hilarious. I loved her old world knowledge mixed with her woman's intuition. She seriously was the best. 

I don't like to expect anything happening in a book, and sometimes these "romantic suspense" books are eerily predictable - only because we all know soooomething is going to happen to the heroine and we need someone to save the day. So the anticipation is out for the extra bit of drama added into these books, but I need to keep in mind this is the trope in its truest form, but I can sum it up with ease because her writing flows. It's effortless and it reads really clean. The great thing is, I think Catherine Cowles is synonymous with "Small Town Romance" and I love that she can put me in that little mountain town in Oregon and I can relate with it all the way down to the little shops that know your name and your food order before you ever walk in. That small town feel is paraded through this book with comfort and knowledge. It has to be one of my favorite parts about her series.

Cowles has beauty and grace; an ease with her words. It’s always a joy to read her stories and she gives an honest, feel-good story about love triumphing a past that has too much control over the future. She gives me the emotions I crave in a lighter story. I really enjoy her words and look forward to reading more from her.

"Kennedy lived with a joy I didn't think I'd ever witness before. It was the simple things that gave her the most pleasure."
~BEE

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~MEET CATHERINE COWLES~

Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she's not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.

~FOLLOW CATHERINE~

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Book Review and Giveaway for HOOK by Gina L Maxwell

HOOK

by GINA MAXWELL

Journey back to Neverland, NC with NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author Gina L. Maxwell as she turns your favorite villain into the hero you never knew you needed.

THEY CALL ME HOOK
I’m Captain of the Pirates; a villain by design and a loner by nature.

I don’t need anyone. More than that, I don’t want anyone. Especially Officer John Darling who insists on seeing the good in everything, including me. If there was ever any good inside of me, it was snuffed out long ago.

I’ve avoided him for years, but now I need his help to save my brother’s life and take down Fred Croc, the monster from my childhood and my current employer.

Now Darling is undercover in my crew, living in my loft and forever working out shirtless. Taking Croc’s operation down from the inside is dangerous as hell, but Darling’s probing gaze and the natural way he defers to my dominant side might just be the end of me.

But I’ve lived in the dark for too long, and no amount of light can save me. Not even one as bright as Johnathan Darling.

HE CALLS ME DARLING
I’m a Task Force Officer with the FBI; a protector of the innocent and a man in love with a villain.

Before I was even old enough to understand it, I had a crush on the broody teen called Captain Hook, following him around like a puppy and hoping he’d show me the slightest bit of attention.

He never did, though, not for years. Not until I became his only viable option for getting his crew member back and throwing Croc behind bars. Now he can’t ignore me, and he can’t hide the desire burning in his eyes when I sink to my knees, eager to serve my Captain however he needs.

But secrets are hard to keep in close quarters, and when I discover the darkness lurking in his past, eradicating the evil in Neverland is no longer my only mission. Come hell or high water, I’ll make Hook see that he’s never been the villain of this story…he’s the hero.

*Trigger Warning for readers sensitive to characters with sexual assault in their pasts. Please read the Author’s Note in the beginning of the book for more details.

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REVIEW: 4 STARS
"For such a hard-bodied guy, you're awfully soft on the inside."

I *finally* sat down to devour Hook and I am so glad I took the time on this one. I was anxiously anticipating this one, but I was almost scared to start it because of all the hopes I had for it. Crazy, I know. THIS LONG awaited followup to Pan was a great book. It’s not your run-of-the-mill "cop falls for the bad guy" kind of story. Yes, it followed the narrative of "I'm not good enough for you/you're too good compared to my bad" kind of story, but there was so much more to it. It’s so much more in-depth when it comes to the storyline because of, believe it or not, the backstory that goes with it. Now, to be fair, going into this story after finishing Pan, I knew there was something going on with Hook that I absolutely knew was going to be painful to witness. I wanted this one to be written .... heavier. I wanted Maxwell to give me the pain, the anger, the sorrow and the shame that I knew came with this type of storyline, to be more of a heavy read for me to embrace the background that I knew was coming. She definitely gave me that. I felt all of it, and I knew Hook was internally battling some wounds that only the right love would be able to help him, but the right man.

First and foremost: HOT. These two were HOT. The truths that came from the pain that is leveled in this story are soul-deep. Certainly ones to be read with emotion and intention, and not with a light thought - and I'm glad I had the buildup from Pan to work with. I knew this was a heavier read and I wanted to appreciate the gravity of the situation this book presented, but I also knew their white-hot chemistry was something to watch mature through the pages, and that part I really enjoyed - as well as their humor.

"If I'm not meant to be happy and John's destined to be my downfall, then I'm going to enjoy every sweet minute of my descent."

I just loved the dynamic between John and Hook. There’s so much desire and lust in between the two - palpable even - but it’s not anything that they can actually act upon, which makes it even more daring because it’s a hard line to cross. I love when something uncontrollable is stepping in the way, whether it be moral, emotional, physical, or mental. I appreciated that Maxwell gave me a little bit of each with this storyline. Having said that, here was a softer tone to the voice of Hook than I originally anticipated there would be. It’s not bad, it just made me see him in a whole new light. There was a lot more to discover about him; definitely not a surface scratching character. Even though I was hoping for more grrrr and less purr, their story really worked for me.

If I loved it so much, why is it a four star? There were some forced parts that were bothering me. I only say forced as in some things felt pushed-upon, instead of happening organically. It wasn't bad and it wasn't all forced, but some parts felt out of place. I found that they worked after the fact - so that was a little bit of a different approach for me, but since Maxwell is still a very new author to me, I'm still learning her voice and her storytelling style. 

In the beginning, the hardest part for me was that I didn’t feel their connection immediately, but I certainly read it  but I wanted to feel it!! They burned hot for each other and there was no denying that. I just wish I ‘felt’ it earlier on. It grew over the course of the book, and it most definitely manifested itself well by the end of the book, I just had to catch up with her thought process while reading it. 

The writing was smooth, but overtly wordy at times. I know, I know. That sounds funny when it's obviously a book I'm reading! I just think her words gave enough oomph to not really need the ‘extra’, but sometimes it was overly descriptive where there wasn't really a reason for it. Maxwell sold the scenes wonderfully. She gave me the excitement of a secret, the anticipation of a kiss....but what she gave me most was a love worth following. I knew that Hook hid his emotions, but I also felt that he couldn’t hide from Darling. His pain was spelled out fairly clearly - and that opened the flood gates for a better understanding of Hook. I volleyed between John and Hook being too soft and "this is so perfect!!" I loved their dynamic. I loved their relationship. It was the perfect delivery of give and take. John and Hook had my heart by the end of this story. The calm John gave Hook was refreshing. I felt the release of tension every time Jonathan was there to hold James’s hand...or heart. It really was a test of patience, of will, and of love.

"As much as I wanted to let him run the show, my control is slipping."

While I've enjoyed her stories so far, her voice does lend a very feminine-esque emotion/voice to these very alpha males. Not nitpicking, but a rough and tumble guy doesn’t usually say “the water sluices over me” so it just came out as a very thesaurus-using description, even for a well read man. Yes, he’s smart and he reads - but this isn’t everyday language. So the words and descriptions had me shaking my head a few times, but not enough to take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. I do like that Maxwell can give me a story that I can get lost in and her story can transport me to another world, but I war with the the difference in the tones that her voice lends versus the story that I’m actually reading. Definitely not bad, because as women we are emotional beings, but I hear her voice and not necessarily John’s or James’. Again, not bad because I’m being handed the emotions on a platter, but I wanted to feel it from their POV with their grittiness, not necessarily her emotions.

Something crazy to think about, but this was the kind of book I could put down, think about, come back to, put down to do something else, only to come back again and continue reading as if there weren't any breaks. This book was like an old friend; I could step away and come back like nothing changed in time. They’re comfy reads for me. I really enjoy them. All in all, seriously, a great storyteller. I enjoy these books and am looking forward to more.

Confession: I think I went in with a predetermined perfection in my head based on what others were saying, and I usually don’t do that because I like to form my own opinions. I set it aside and then picked it back up - with renewed eyes and an open mind. Much better. I’ll be honest, I was almost too worried about this read and review. It’s such a great story, but her voice didn't originally project the heaviness the story required - in.my.mind. She’s a solid 4 star writer for me and I most definitely want more. So far, her stories have pulled me in. She’s got great stories to tell and I will continue to follow this entire series. I’m really enjoying the trip down memory lane into Neverland that she’s providing me.

Remember, this is her tentative schedule of books she plans on releasing (in no order) and I will be reading every single one of them. 

Thomas

Silas

The Twins + Tiger Lily (MFM)

Nick

Carlos

Chief

Smee + Starkey + female (MMF).

"I know what I like and what I want, and I don't see the point in tap-dancing around that."

~BEE

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~MEET GINA L MAXWELL~

Gina L. Maxwell is a full-time writer, wife, and mother living in the upper Midwest, despite her scathing hatred of snow and cold weather. An avid romance novel addict, she began writing as an alternate way of enjoying the romance stories she loves to read. Her debut novel, Seducing Cinderella, hit both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists in less than four weeks, and she’s been living her newfound dream ever since.

When she’s not reading or writing steamy romance novels, she spends her time losing at Scrabble (and every other game) to her high school sweetheart, doing her best to hang out with their teenagers before they fly the coop, and dreaming about her move to sunny Florida once they do.

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Book Review and Signed Book Giveaway for The Life That Mattered by Jewel E Ann

THE LIFE THAT MATTERED
by JEWEL E ANN

Sex isn’t love.
Love isn’t sex.
And friendship is neither.

The son of a French Olympic skier and a Malaysian fashion designer, Ronin Alexander has lived the life of a nomad, traveling the world to find his next adventure.

Life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Evelyn, a beautiful scientist who owns a bath shop in Aspen, Colorado. They defy all the rules of relationships, falling hard and quickly in love.

Their world intertwines with Evelyn’s two best friends, the Governor and his soon-to-be wife. The four become close—very close.

When tragedy strikes, things from their pasts are unveiled—unimaginable truths and the grim realization that life will never be the same.

Jewel E. Ann steps into another dimension with this mind-bending thriller, a provocative story that pushes boundaries and tests the true meaning of love.

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REVIEW: 5 STARS
"Don't ever tell me what you can show me."

Double edged sword: I never want my JEA recommendation to be lost in a sea of glowing reviews because I want to share with you WHY one of her books did what it did to me and why you should read it. But then, there is obviously a very good reason I will get buried in all those reviews: she is an amazing storyteller full of life and unbelievable love that undoubtedly always makes me think. However, don't let her sweet self fool you, she’s brutal. She can wrestle your emotions quicker long before you would ever begin to realize. Trust me.

I can repeat myself, over and over every time I read one of her books, about how amazing her stories are. How they make me feel. How her writing is transcendent. Or that she tells an amazing story....blah blah blah. Right? Today, I want to be your reason. I want to share with you why this is the book you need in your life right now. She gives me moments. Moments I’m falling in love. Moments I’m laughing. Moments I’m swooning. Moments I’m anxious. She fills her books with my favorite moments. But sometimes, moments are filled with the desperate times. So very ... hard times.

Jewel always gives me a heroine with so much reality infused into her character; not perfect, but real. Living life, giving a love to this character that is unparalleled with any other book. Clearly Evelyn had a certain something to her. She was a very easy loving, clean living, good gal. I loved her demeanor and her personality. She was strong in her beliefs and didn't let anything sway her opinion. However, with the weight of the world on her shoulders, she'll inevitably crumble. The question is, does she have the right person to pick up the pieces and put her back together?

"Fate in perfect form."

Well, I personally believe that her Ronin is just that man. Perfection at every turn. He is the stuff book boyfriends are made of. Even though there is something going on with him, something that's unexplainable, something incomprehensible - it pulls at me, at my conscience, to recognize his good in every light. To understand solid, indescribable love beyond any inconceivable doubt - he knows how to love with his whole being. And my gosh, does he show it and does she feel it. They were simply delicious together. Seriously sooooo sexy, the two of them.

Their love was absolute. While I can pinpoint when their love started, in the whole scheme of things, there was no end and no beginning - it just was. Infinity. That love makes me sigh. That love makes me smile, my heart flutter - it allows for an easy read. But you know that's not the end of it, right?  Noooo. Jewel isn't going to make it easy on us. Ever. Everrrr. And that is exactly why I love her writing. Their love was not without its own set of issues, and they had real, everyday issues. I love that she made them so relatable and put us in their shoes every.single.day. With the highs came the lows, with the easy came the hard, with the happy came the angry. Not only was this one so very different than her other stories, she made it signature Jewel with her angst and her truth. THAT is what I love about her stories. The journey is always a means of discovery.

I hate always using the same words for books - you know, the emotional, perfectly fitting ones? But Jewel can always make me feel a book more than anything. It’s a friend sitting on the couch with me. It’s a lover biting on my earlobe and giving me the chills up and down my arms. It’s a whisper that raises the hair on the back of my neck. Jewel gives me everything I need in a book - and puts me IN the space between the covers. She sets me up and feeds me the halted breath I need to understand the emotion at hand.

With this book, she set me up....and now I have so many questions! Being able to feel what I feel each time I read one of her books is always a pleasure, whether it’s ripe with pain, agony, joy, or exhilaration. But I aways know I’m guaranteed a love worth swooning over. A love worth fighting for til the bitter end. She always gives me that. But the ending of this one gives me a very scary feeling.....and I know I’m in for a rude awakening when I jump into the next book. There is going to be some damage control.

So not only did she give me a story that had me excited to see what the next page held, she now has me questioning everything I read. I have more questions than answers at this point and I’m questioning my own logic!

This was very hard for me to read. It hit very close to home and was very emotional. I closed the book with tears in my eyes. But, knowing that I have the next book to make it through as well, I know that my uphill battle isn’t over yet....yet. Because she's bound to put me through the wringer even more, making me hurt that much more. I'm looking forward to it! I seem to find this happens more often than not with a Jewel E Ann book, and for good reason. Her books never follow a straight line. She never does anything twice. She's original in her thinking and every time she brings me to my knees.....even with her epic cliffhangers.

MOMENT TO LOOK FOR: Firewood has never been so sexy. You're welcome.

"Wanting her felt like an honor."
~BEE

"Evelyn made me feel more vulnerable than I ever thought humanly possible. She was the beginning and the end, the mother of my children, the keeper of my heart, the reason my lungs took breaths, my absolute favorite....everything."

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---

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THE LIFE YOU STOLE

Releasing Febrary 20th

Sex. Lies. Revenge.

On the heels of a devastating loss, Evelyn fights to put her life back together.
Only … part of her husband belongs to another woman, and the devil owns her soul.

“If you tell her the lie, I will tell her the truth.”

When her best friend goes to great lengths to protect Evelyn from destruction and devastation, mistakes are made, lines are crossed, and all trust is shattered.

“We weren’t unbreakable.
I just needed to believe we weren’t unrepairable.”

Don’t miss the explosive conclusion to this unforgettable thriller by Jewel E. Ann, bestselling author of The Transcend Series.

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Releases February 20th

~MEET JEWEL E ANN~

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree a a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course . . .heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

~CONNECT WITH JEWEL~

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Book Review and Giveaway for Treyton by J Nathan

 

TREYTON
by J NATHAN

Treyton Collins is Savage Beast’s drummer.
He’s the rock band’s resident bad boy
with the troubled past, tattoos, and tongue ring to prove it.
No woman has yet to be immune to Treyton’s charm.
That’s why he’s fascinated by the one who is...
She couldn’t be any more different than him.
She’s business suits and he’s torn jeans.
She’s bossy and he’s fun-loving.
She’s got an attitude and he can’t stand it.

Brielle Patrick is Savage Beasts’ publicist.
Her latest publicity stunt left her on the outs with the band.
But, if nothing else, Brielle is persistent.
And she’ll prove it by spending the summer on tour with the band.
She’s convinced herself she’s there to keep Treyton out of trouble.
But that isn’t the only reason she’s overseas for two months.
She’s searching for something her life is missing.
Something she might find when she least expects it.
With the guy she least expects to find it with.

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REVIEW: 3.5 STARS

"I tried not to gawk, but he was built like an athlete, tatted up like the rock star he was, and so freaking hot."

Treyton is a feel good story ripe with drama and moments of bliss, followed up with some heartfelt actions. Predictable? Maybe. Formulaic? Somewhat. Cheesy? Not really, but it definitely had some tear-jerk moments that really socked it to my gut. I love this band, and I have enjoyed J Nathan's books in the past, so this was a natural grab for me. I am definitely looking forward to more of these guys' stories in this series.

As sweet as this one was, I struggled far more than I wanted to. When Trey and Brielle were being stubborn and working through their attraction, I was on board and getting all the anxiety pangs that I love when you're fighting destiny. When they were battling it out, I was right there with them, pointing my finger....but some of it was a little rough around the edges.

I don't feel that Brielle was thoroughly fleshed out, so I got more of a surface type background that didn't totally jive with the abilities and actions of her in this current stage of her life. She was able to do things that didn't necessarily line up with who she was now.....and those "certain set of skills" weren't things you just retained. Definitely not muscle memory. Does that make me hate the book? Noooo. It just added a level of separation for me that I didn't want to feel with this story, as well as a little side-eye action. I wanted better details and more familiarity.

"I needed him to regret hurting me. I needed him to feel the pain I'd felt after overhearing him and Z talk about me. I needed him to realize what he'd lost when he didn't trust me. And I need him to prove I was the only person in the world for him."

I also struggled immensely with Brielle's immaturity in some aspects. I don't want to confuse immaturity with emotional pain, because I am not that cold hearted and can completely understand the variables that each emotion possesses. I grappled with her professional persona and her personal life - and how they played into her relationship with Trey. Those didn't blend very well, nor was there very much crossover in the common sense department. But, I enjoyed her carefree side when she let loose. I loved when she was able to be giddy with him and fall hard for him and allow her heart to open up. I really did enjoy their dynamic and how hard he sought her out and how hard he worked at breaking her down. One of my favorite things to see.

The other side to that was that Treyton felt very developed and I connected with him a lot easier. I got a background on him. His quirks, his free personality, but also his vulnerability. She gave me that. I read him with confidence and I knew where he stood. He definitely made me weak in the knees. He gave me the anxiety pangs I so desperately crave. His pleading and his eyes, his heart and his vulnerability....mixed with his whispered truths. *bites nails* It was so perfectly "Trey" and I absolutely adored him.

PIVOT!! There is absolutely nothing I hate more than abhorrent parenting and the evil way they treat their kids and I definitely don't like reading it. I feel like it's a drama that is completely unnecessary in a story - no matter how bad you need to set up a hurting childhood background. It honestly ruins things for me, and unfortunately that happened with this one. Gosh, it really took me completely out of the story and it bothered me a lot, and not in the good way of eliciting emotions. I think it's immature and petty and I find myself pushing that anger onto the storyline itself instead of compartmentalizing it. I just don't like that drama and I most definitely don't like how it always plays out and it just leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth.

So, even though I struggled more with this one than I wanted to, it was still a great addition to the Savage Beasts series and I cannot wait for more books with this band. With every negative, there was definitely a positive - so this review will sit squarely in the middle with me but I am still very excited for more. 

"This was getting real. This was getting really freaking real."

~BEE

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KOZART

Kozart Savage is the world's biggest rock star. At twenty-five, he's got it all. Money. Fame. And the adoration of fans everywhere. He thought that was enough to make him forget his past. Enough to transform his distrusting heart. Turns out that's not how it works...Then he meets a bridesmaid hiding out in a hotel bar. Probably the only girl on the planet who doesn't know who he is. But she seems to be the one girl who can give him something no one else can.

College senior, Aubrey Prescott, is trying to escape humiliation. While drowning her sorrows in a hotel bar, she meets a handsome stranger. One who quickly makes her forget why she's there. One who, after an unforgettable night, disappears without a second glance.

But you know what they say about things that disappear...

Kozart is book one in the Savage Beasts series and is a complete standalone. 

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My Review: http://bit.ly/2xIYRnW

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~MEET J NATHAN~

J. Nathan is the author of the new adult romances For Finlay, Before Hadley, Until Alex, and Since Drew. When she's not writing, she's a total romance junkie! Add an alpha male who's unlikable in the beginning... even better. Happy endings are a must. Love triangles and negative people are the bane of her existence. Her family, friends, guys in backwards hats, and watermelon margaritas are the light…

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