Thursday, February 25, 2021

Book Review and Giveaway for Everlast by Alex Grayson





From USA Today Bestselling Author, Alex Grayson, comes an emotionally captivating love story that rivals time....

Lincoln was my once in a lifetime, my destiny.

I was his happily ever after, his kismet.

I met him when I was eight, and he saved me from the bullies on the school playground.

The next day, he called me his girl.

When we were thirteen, we began to look at each other differently.

At fourteen, we shared our first kiss.

We were sixteen the first time we made love and promised we’d always be together.

The night before we graduated high-school, he asked me to marry him, and the day before we left for college, I became his wife.

Our first child came when we were just twenty-three. And our second, five years later.

Our future was forevermore written in the stars. We had that indescribable kind of love everyone searches for, but rarely ever find. A love so strong, one lifetime wouldn’t be enough.

His soul was my mate, and mine was his.

Our life was perfect. Until it wasn’t.

Fate brought us together... would it dare tear us apart?


REVIEW: 6 STARS
"We might make it through this, but we'll never be whole again."  

First and foremost, there is a warning at the beginning of this book specifically stating this isn't a normal romance, but it's Molly and Lincoln's love story - and so after reading it, I agree with her labeling it as a romance. It will upset many, but this was one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read and will maintain that forever and always. Well......Forevermore.

I don't think I can adequately explain how beautiful this love story of Molly and Lincoln's was. It was moving and intimate, but it was intense with a quite painful reality attached to it.

Having said all that, I am a wreck. It is not often I hand out a SIX STAR review, and I can probably count on one hand how many I've given. I find it's usually the super emotional ones that make me feel something beyond my normal perceived emotional limitations - an author that's gone out of a comfort zone of sorts and told the really hard story. Because, I really don't ever cry while reading a book. A few have hit me on that emotional level - I admit, but usually it's just tears - not outright, audible crying. This book had me hiccuping and crying and wiping my tears for 75% of the book. I even cried when I called my friend to tell her exactly how beautiful it was....but I cried practically the whole damn time I was reading it. You guys, this book broke me. It honestly broke me. But I loved it and couldn't walk away from it. But man, it broke me...

"I figured if there ever was a time to wish upon a star, now is the time."

I felt like a million possibilities were running through my head with every potential outcome while I was reading this. This was one of those stories that will irrevocably twist my heart and I will be thinking about it for a very long time. This one will sit on my shelf signed - mark my words. It will also go down as one of my favorites. I know that I will be following Alex Grayson a little more closely now because I loved her voice in this one. I always want more heartrending stories like this and she seems to have a strength in spades for heartfelt love.

The possibilities we find ourselves clinging to in our darkest, most desperate hours, while they may sound crazy, they sure seem to be a lifeline for positivity sometimes. The love between Molly and Lincoln definitely spanned generations and their thought processes were quite interesting / intriguing to look in on. I mean, what’s the real possibility of their internal speculation being probable? Plausible? It was neat to ponder, I won’t lie. And what exactly is fate? I believe Molly and Lincoln are the true definition of just that. Because, my gosh - it still hurts, but they were everything I needed in a new couple from a new-to-me author. The ability to sink into this book and ignore the outside world for the little time I get to read daily, this one filled me with all the reasons as to why I love to read. Emotional. Painful. Heartfelt. Real-life. It engaged my emotional self on every level while I read it. I’m still reeling, but I’m also smiling.

They are times I wish I met my husband when we were younger.... high school sweethearts, something along those lines. Molly and Lincoln’s life long love is exactly how our love is - just a shorter version, per se. I oftentimes compare book boyfriends to my husband because, well, he’s literally perfect in my eyes. So when I come across a love, or a man that loves his woman just as deeply (never mind the fact that an author can make me feel my love on their pages), it puts the book on a whole new emotional level for me. This one really hit me square in the jaw. My heart took a beating with this one....I’m not sure I’ll recover from it anytime soon. Gosh, my heart hurts. It physically aches. This entire story is a powerful lesson in taking life one day at a time and enjoying it to the fullest. It’s about looking for joy in every little thing you do. 

I found myself questioning this: I don’t know how Grayson wrote this. I can only imagine she was curled up in the fetal position with about 40 boxes of tissues spread around her, completely used up. I’m bawling just reading it. I can’t imagine living it, breathing it, pouring it out on the pages for everyone to read - let alone write it. Talk about laying your soul bare for others to see. 

This book is the written manual for the purest of true loves....and I will never be the same again.

My poor heart.

"There's no beginning or end to our love. It's simply always existed, and it always will."
~BEE



 
AMAZON     B&N     KOBO     APPLE

NO GIVEAWAY SINCE THE PREQUEL IS FREE - GRAB IT!!


Everything has a reason for being, and you are mine. Without you, there is no me.

Every love story has a beginning.

Some are dark and painful.

Some are bright and beautiful.

And for some, fate intervenes, setting two people on the right path.

Our love has no ending. It's forevermore and everlasting.

This is our story.

Forevermore is a prequel novella to Everlast and is the beginning of Lincoln and Molly's story. Is does end on a cliffhanger.



~MEET ALEX GRAYSON~

Alex Grayson is a USA Today bestselling author of heart pounding, emotionally gripping contemporary romances including the Jaded Series, the Consumed Series, the Hell Night Series, and multiple standalone novels. Her passion for books was reignited by a gift from her sister-in-law. After spending several years as a devoted reader and blogger, Alex decided to write and independently publish her first novel in 2014 (an endeavor that took a little longer than expected). The rest, as they say, is history.

Originally a southern girl, Alex now lives in Ohio with her husband, daughter, three cats and one dog. She loves the color blue, homemade lasagna, casually browsing real estate, and interacting with her readers. Visit her website, www.alexgraysonbooks.com, or find her on social media!


~CONNECT WITH ALEX~





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Monday, February 22, 2021

Book Review and Giveaway for Dirty Little Secrets by Trilina Pucci



Everyone has a dirty little secret...I just have two.
Welcome to Hillcrest--old money, new blood.
Prep School's never been so scandalous.

Trilina Pucci gives you a naughty little novella, introducing new characters: Jackson, Holt and Ava.
With guest appearances by some of your favorites from Filthy Little Pretties as well as an Easter egg or two.

This story was originally included in an anthology and has been enhanced with new chapters as well as a bonus epilogue.

It does not need to be read to understand the series, but may enhance your reading experience for Vicious Little Snakes.


REVIEW: 5 QUICK NAUGHTY STARS
"I'm swimming in her, and she might be the most intoxicating fucking concoction I've ever encountered."

I was so excited to see this novella when Trilina Pucci announced it - the grab for me, no lie, was the fact that it was brothers. Glutton for punishment? Maybe. But I smiled the entire time I read this one. Naughty. Delicious. Innocent. (Don't laugh!) Fun. The easiest reason for my screaming this one from my page as much as I have, though, was for the simple fact that I loved this little escape. The naughtiness of a few brand new characters - but also the peeks of some of our favorite characters from Filthy Little Pretties and the snippet for Vicious Little Snakes. Super fun read!! 

"To bad ideas and the boys who get me into trouble."

I can tell you: it's not just the words - it's the symmetry of the story. It's the way their love unfolds and the way it makes ME feel about everything that's happening. THAT is what made this story great for me - because it encompasses all my senses, all my emotions - and it makes me seek more of their story. I highlighted so many lines that are still bringing smiles to my face when I think about them. I'm just sayin'....naughty, but fun. They vibe off each other so well. 

"It's not good enough to be her first or last love. I want to be the only."

I just swoon. I sigh. I smile. This little diddy was a fun wander through three young hearts finding out who owned them and made them come alive. And that epilogue?? Just proof that unconventional can and does work, and the only person/people that need to be ok with it are the hearts involved. But also, why settle? Why conform to the norm? Yeah, this was such an easy one, I can't stop smiling. Easily recommended. I love this throuple. They were so much fun!!

Never fret, this is a standalone - a complete and ridiculously sexy standalone, but we do see Grey, Liam and Donovan in this one as back/side characters. It was just enough to make me smile, but nothing was given away AT ALL and nothing was lost in translation with it. If anything, this will give you that much more of a push to jump into the Prep Series she has going right now. You're going to want Grey, Liam, and Donovan's story if you haven't already read it. Trust me.

Trilina Pucci is, in her stripped down - barest of bare self, one of my go-to authors. She has a bold voice with her words, but there is always a give and take with the love she's sharing. There is a scent of sweet with the tart of audacity in all her characters. I like it. I like it a lot. And I'm here for more. 

"To firsts, lasts, and onlys."
~BEE





Exclusive Excerpt and Trailer: http://bit.ly/3cQuJKo







~MEET TRILINA PUCCI~
 
It all started when…

Trilina decided, 3 years ago, that between making grilled cheese sandwiches and running carpool she was going to write saucy novels for readers to titillate and excite them. She hasn't slowed down since!

Trilina has always had a love of writing; as a child she would journal and typically change the ending of whatever she was writing to suit her daydream. A knack for storytelling has translated into her debut, as an author, being met with rave reviews.

She lives in California where she multitasks the roles of wifey, mama and author. She hopes you enjoy her words and keep coming back for more!

Read Sexy, Stay Sexy!

xoxo, Trilina

~CONNECT WITH TRILINA~

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Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Book Review and Giveaway for When We Met by Marni Mann



If you knew beyond all doubt that one chance encounter would change the course of your future, what would you choose?

There's nothing like a spring day in Boston to make your heart sing. I'm out with my girls, having drinks in a bar, enjoying the bright pulse of our beautiful city, when I see Caleb. The second my eyes meet his, I know this is the moment when everything will change. All I have to do is choose him.

I meet Whitney on the worst day of my life. I've always been an adrenaline junkie, but I never knew how fast things could change. Her soft gaze melts my cynicism, makes me forget the bitter man I was becoming. She makes me want to be the version of myself that I see in her eyes. All she has to do is choose this life.

When We Met takes Whitney and Caleb on the ride of their lives, hitting every note on the scale of beauty and tragedy along the way. USA Today best-selling author Marni Mann will make you question everything you thought you knew about love and fate, and this unforgettable story will leave you certain that destiny always finds a way.


** SPOILER FREE REVIEW **

REVIEW: 5 STARS
"Nothing is unattainable - you're going to learn that very soon."

I'm just gonna be one of those crazy, cheerleading, screaming-because-you-loved-it kind of reviews. This is also one of those ones that I'm afraid I just won't do it justice based on the effect it had on me alone ....and how I want to convey that to you. Because, ONCE AGAIN, Marni Mann has taken my easy thinking world and turned it upside down. She caused me to think deeper than I imagined I would have to just by reading a book. This was the BIGGEST CASE of WHAT-IF. A coulda-shoulda-woulda kind of read. This was a rough one and I was pretty sure I was going to be mean-messaging Marni at 1:30 am, but alas - I calmed myself down. Self negotiating skills in full effect.

I CAN’T STOPPING THINKING ABOUT THIS BOOK. This story. These characters. I really can't...

I think Mann invites real discussion with her vision and her words and the way in which she lays out and tells her stories. She’s not very up front and transparent with the journey in the beginning because I feel like she’s allowing my mind to wander, but she’s very well versed in providing a visual before she reins me in and gives me a clearer picture. And I think that is brilliant. To allow my mind to ponder and go into overdrive thinking about the possibilities with the storyline, only to pull me back and center me with her truth. Oh my gosh. I can't!! I just can't! I loved this book so much...

I love reads that make me think. Or feel. But mostly think. Because my perspective is fluid on many things, steadfast on others - but there’s always that in between on things you just don’t quite think about enough. Dare I say, things we all take for granted. This one had me tearing up. Quite a bit actually...but she gave me perspective. She gave me understanding. She gave me hope. And she gave me a love to savor. Caleb and Whitney showed me two halves of a whole, and they didn’t quite fit together, but they melded well. Her personality and his were polar opposites, and that’s what I loved about them. Without giving too much away, broody and driven, those two moved mountains.

The gravity of the situation these characters were dealing with, you’d think it wouldn’t lend time for laughs and giggles and winks - but between Whitney’s personality, Caleb's finesse, and Marni’s writing, I couldn’t help myself. I want to read books with this much depth all. the. time. Is that too much to ask? I am so in love and still thinking about them. {{love}}

I LOVE writing a review while I'm still hopped up on my emotions. I feel like it allows me to share my words with a little more oomph and depth - a real truth behind my feelings about just how much the book affected me. With this one, I wrote it while I read it. I met every turn with a comment, with a gasp, with serious confusion but immense amounts of love. I honestly wish I could have read this one with someone sitting right next to me because the discussions would have been EPIC. This was a heart gripping, pain-intensifying, mind-boggling read. Mann conjures up a sense of gratitude, a sense of thankfulness that I always feel like I have....but then she puts into perspective something so real and visceral that it draws the emotion out of me. It was real, all encompassing. It was real world drama with so much truth to back it up. It afforded me a massive book hangover, that's for sure. It was literally life unfolding before my eyes and so well written. My gosh, so well written. 

This book was the type of read that once you’re done, you want to go back and immediately read it again just to see how many clues you can pick up on and see what you missed. I *wish* I could re-read books because that is exactly what I would do with this one. This one, my gosh, this one.... {{sigh}} I would love to sit down and say 'come here', pat the couch and watch you while you read it just so I can react to your reactions. #StalkerBee

Fate. Serendipity. That’s what this was. Once again, Marni Mann provided a lesson in fate and why I’ve always loved its charm. It's definitely a book about fate; the kind of book that once I finished it, I could have stared at the wall and replayed in my head all that happened and pondered. Wondered. Daydreamed about. It's just going to sit there on repeat because the ramifications of one decision can have life altering effects...and Marni Mann put that into words with an emotional and moving outcome. I loved this book so very much and I am pretty sure I will not ever forget this feeling I'm feeling right now.

This book will have emotional repercussions for a while to come. Thank you, Marni. Thank you for the journey. Thank you for the eye opening reality. Thank you for the love. Thank you. I'll never make another decision without thinking about....what if?

"They say that every tragedy is met with pain. But once you survive, why does it still hurt?"



~MEET MARNI MANN~

Bestselling author Marni Mann knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Marni was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts sexy, titillating stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotions. A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida, with her husband and their two dogs, who have been characters in her books. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop, working on her next novel, she’s scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling, or devouring fabulous books.

~CONNECT WITH MARNI~

FACEBOOK     AMAZON     GOODREADS     TWITTER


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