Book Review and Series Giveaway for It's You #2 by Katy Regnery

IT'S YOU

by KATY REGNERY

The second book in New York Times bestselling author Katy Regnery’s first duo of paranormal romances! You can find book ONE HERE.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER...
To some, they’re just words signifying a fairytale ending.
For me, Jack Beauloup, they represent an unyielding desire:
Forever with Darcy Turner, the unexpected love of my life.
A love that has placed her human life in danger.

According to Pack Law, my binding is an abomination that must be severed.
It’s ignited a fiery hatred that I must confront and control.
But what is bound cannot be broken.
I will keep Darcy safe.
Even if it means giving up on my dreams.
Even if it means giving up my life.

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REVIEW: 5 MAGICAL STARS AGAIN!!!

"Her body screamed for his and her heart beat for him with the same fierce, unspeakable longing she heard in his voice."

I JUST DON'T THINK I am ready to admit and accept that this duet is over. I just don't....I mean, I am honestly seriously SAD about this. I am showing all the signs of a book hangover and I am going to blame Katy Regnery. It's her fault. It just is. I would never lie about something so important. Or true. Or real. HAHAHA! Once I sat down to read book 2, I knew that I was in for some more of Katy's epic words. Granted, I go on and on in every review I write about one of her books saying her words are lyrical. They flow beautifully, blah blah blah. I am sure you don't want to keep hearing/reading this, but it's true. Seriously, I am shaking my head, because when I try to think of a way to describe her books, I am not entirely sure how anymore. She has a beautiful way with her words and she is so good at it. Period.

It's just....I dunno....I'm now broken. Katy Regnery BROKE me. I wanna curl up in a ball, because if this is the way my reading year has started, I am in some serious trouble. We all know I am not a PNR reader, but when I read It's You (book 1), I was hooked. My heart was literally man-handled and I was immediately addicted to this series. I was left in a state of panic and wasn't too sure how it was all going to work out. You can read my review HERE. I was immediately ready for the next book, and I ~loved~ it.

Anyway....back to Jack and Darcy. This book took some monumental leaps with my heart and I was panicked at one point because of the way the story was going. I wasn't too sure how it was going to play out, but I knew that I was anxious while reading it. Now, mind you, this is Katy, so we all know we will get a beautiful love story with a very well deserved HEA, but the journey there is what it's all about. This one put me through the wringer and I knew that I was going to love it, but the end result has me hung over. The strength in Jack and Darcy's bond was legit. We got so many emotions in this book. Darcy was so strong and stubborn, and completely conflicted. I loved discovering her emotions about a new world with her while she navigated the unknown. Her strength came through on many different occasions, but it was her strength near the end that had me scared. I'm irrevocably in love with Jack and Darcy.

The emotions offered up in this series are magnanimous....bigger than I can even begin to describe. I felt it all between them, and I loved being able to experience everything!! The chills. The heartache. The pain. The joy. I really felt it all. It all boiled down to the heart knew what the soul needed, what it craved, in order to survive and it won!

I loved the escape this series provided me. I always like my books to be true, real, honest to a fault. I don't take many liberties with my imagination in that aspect so when I read this one, I just let go. What a treat. I loved the storyline, the characters and the flow of this series. Book hangover alert....just know that this series will appeal to anyone that likes reading, Paranormal Romance reader or not.

"If I am your soul, then you are my heart. You are the strength of my life beating in my chest, and if you die, I die."
~BEE

I WILL BE GIFTING THIS ENTIRE DUET. ENTER HERE. 

YOU CAN PURCHASE BOOK ONE HERE

* My review: http://bit.ly/2isDLAl

YOU CAN PURCHASE BOOK TWO HERE

~ABOUT KATY REGNERY~

Katy Regnery, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author, started her writing career by enrolling in a short story class in January 2012. One year later, she signed her first contract for a winter romance entitled By Proxy. 

Now exclusively self-published, Katy claims authorship of the multi-titled Blueberry Lane Series which follows the English, Winslow, Rousseau, Story and Ambler families of Philadelphia, the four-book, bestselling a modern fairytale series, the standalone novel, Playing for Love at Deep Haven and a standalone novella, Frosted. 

Katy’s first modern fairytale romance, The Vixen and the Vet, was nominated for a RITA® in 2015, and four of her books: The Vixen and the Vet (a modern fairytale), Never Let You Go (a modern fairytale), Falling for Fitz(The English Brothers #2) and By Proxy (Heart of Montana #1) have been #1 genre bestsellers on Amazon. 

Katy lives in the relative wilds of northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, where her writing room looks out at the woods, and her husband, two young children, and two dogs create just enough cheerful chaos to remind her that the very best love stories begin at home.

~CONNECT WITH KATY~

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Excerpt for Stay by AL Jackson

~EXCERPT~

She stared back at me with big chocolate eyes.

Molten.

Her gaze washed over me like lava.

Burning up everything in its path.

“You are so beautiful,” she said, voice hoarse.

“Peaches,” I whispered as a warning. Wasn’t sure I trusted myself with her right then.

“You are. Did you know…did you know the first time I saw you…when you were lying covered in blood and you opened your eyes and looked at me, that I saw it? Something so beautiful and raw and powerful. Even when you’d been broken. The way you looked at me shook me straight to my bones. And then tonight…what you did for me…I don’t…”

I roughed a hand through my thrashing hair, a perfect mirror to my thrashing heart.

“Peaches.”

Another warning.

I didn’t deserve the way she was looking at me. Like I was good and right when I was no better than the bastard we’d left lying back there on the floor.

So slowly, she reached out, shaking fingers gentle as she traced them along the scar that marked that night beneath my eye.

A tremble took me whole.

Energy pulsed and shivered and shook.

Shit.

I gripped her by the wrist and pressed the underside to my nose. “You’re killing me, darlin’.”

“And you’re saving me.”

A hard frown hit me. “It was you who did all the saving.”

Sitting back a fraction, she shook her head. “If it weren’t for you, I’d be home tonight, hiding in the dark.” Her tongue darted out to sweep across her lips. “I never would have been brave enough to go there or to stand up to him. To say those things.”

“But that’s where I think you’re wrong, darlin’.” This time it was my turn to reach out and touch her. I cupped the side of her face, glancing between her and the road. “I think you’re so much braver than you’ve been giving yourself credit for. I see it there. Feel it every time I look at you. You’re incredible, Willow. Every time you walk through my door, I know it. So good that I know I shouldn’t be doing whatever the fuck it is I think I’m doin’ with you.”

She was still panting those breathy pants, and she leaned into my touch.

“I…” she attempted before she looked down, averted her gaze. Even with her head downturned, there was no missing the blush creeping to her cheeks. She hesitated before she spoke. “When you kiss me…it doesn’t feel like pretending. It feels like the best thing I’ve ever felt.”

I swallowed hard, crossing a line. Pushing into the boundaries that should have been firmly set in place. “That’s because when I kiss you? It’s not pretend. When I tell you you’re gorgeous—the best thing I’ve ever seen? I mean it. And when I look at you…”

I touched the center of my chest, feeling ripped open wide. Exposed. Maybe telling her the truth when it wouldn’t do either of us any good was wrong. But there was no hiding when this girl was looking at me that way. “I feel it right here. We might be pretending, but you can’t fake this.”

Like she didn’t trust herself, she pressed farther against the door. “You make me want things…things I know I shouldn’t want.”

“And what is it you want, Peaches?” I prodded low, knowing full well I was pointing us in the direction of no return. “Told you when I came into your store that I’d give you anything.”

“I want…” She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth, nervous or unsure whether to give me the truth.

Blood pounded mercilessly through my veins. Thickened with lust. All of it clouded my judgment, knocking loose my center of gravity.

Because I knew the look on her face. Desire was written across her like a musical score.

The way her body rocked and trembled and silently pled.

Desperate to be played.

I knew I should close my mouth. Shut this down. Drop her at home. Instead, I let the words slide free. “Tell me, Peaches.”

The needy rasp fell from between her lips. “I want you to touch me.”

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STAY

by AL JACKSON

I’m Ash Evans.
The life of the party.
Hot. Rich. Charismatic.
A tattooed rock star with the world at my feet.
I burn through women faster than the strike of a match.

I’ve embraced my lifestyle and live it to the fullest.
Until the day my lifestyle caught up to me.

Willow Langston found me at my lowest.
Literally.
Facedown in a puddle of my own blood.

I owe her my life and I have three months to repay that debt.
What I never should have done was touch her. Kiss her. Take her to my bed.

Love wasn’t supposed to be a part of the equation.
I gave up that nasty complication a long damned time ago.
Now I want her more than my next breath.
But she doesn’t know what I know.

Do I leave to protect her? Or can I face my demons and ask her to Stay?

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~MEET AL JACKSON~

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled, When We Collide, If Forever Comes, Come to Me Quietly, and Come to Me Softly.

She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children.

~CONNECT WITH AMY~

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Book Review for Finding Kyle by Sawyer Bennett

FINDING KYLE
by SAWYER BENNETT

When you’ve lived your life as a criminal…
When you’ve done unspeakable things …
When your soul has become dark and stained…

The path to redemption begins where you least expect it.

Kyle Sommerville is in hiding and doesn’t want to be found by anyone. Certainly not by his quirky, free-spirited neighbor who’s managed to push her way past the walls he’s built around him. But Jane Cresson’s indomitable will and insatiable curiosity about her reclusive neighbor makes it impossible for Kyle to stay immersed in his dark world.

Little by little, she claws through his shell.
Day by day, she gets him to smile a little more.
Night by night, they both find pleasure they never knew existed.

When Kyle’s terrible past is exposed, Jane begins to think she’s in over her head. Can her love for this broken man finally clear his path to redemption, or will Kyle’s darkness finally extinguish every bit of hope she’s put into him?

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REVIEW: 4 GRUMPY STARS!

"The tug-of-war this man plays on my emotions from second to second is disorienting to say the least."

I don't know how else to explain Kyle....but grumpy!!! Ok, probably not grumpy, but surly for sure. He had a two foot thick wall between his heart and his head and he was stubborn AF!! I mean, I completely understand he dealt with pure hell when he was undercover messing with Mayhem's Mission and all the stuff he had to do to infiltrate them, but...wooh!! He was dealing with some stuff. He had nightmares and he was constantly looking over his shoulder. He lost his moral compass at one point and he had a very bad self-image because of the horrors he saw and crimes he committed. I cannot imagine the demons he wrestles with on a daily basis.

But, little does he know Jane is there and she's going to break into his heart and mind and make him smile more than he wants. And let me tell ya, I loved Jane!! Jane was a quirky and fun introverted extrovert. What? Yes, sounds funny, I know, but I don't know how else to explain her. She was very secure in who she was and put herself out there with quiet confidence, and I loved the way she made Kyle shake his head. I laughed quite a bit during this book because of her quirkiness and her determination. She had a certain innocent naïveté to her and I know that scared Kyle away....but she was undeterred and the fact that she kept on wiggling herself right on into his life was too funny!

I want to point out that the buildup of these two characters was pure.
She's so happy
He's so gruff
They meshed really well!!!

I honestly questioned Jane's reactions when all hell broke loose, but I had to make myself stop and think from her point of view. Was it hard? Yes. Very much so, but again....that wasn't my reaction, it was hers. I wish she was a little more understanding of him and the reason he was so secretive. Clearly it worked out in the end. Overall, the story was a great story and I loved the epilogue. It gave me the chills and a goofy grin.

Finding Kyle was classic Sawyer Bennett. A guaranteed good read with a story that will make you fall in love with the characters and allow you the quick escape you are accustomed to. Once again, I got caught up in the world of Sawyer's men and their walled off hearts. I love it!

"Goddamn it, she's cute. That makes her seriously dangerous to a man like me."
~BEE

PURCHASE:

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/2jUcPOH

Paperback: http://amzn.to/2ivsdfl

B&N: http://bit.ly/2fN6iSB

iBooks: http://apple.co/2g2cuE4

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ENTER HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE AT AN ECOPY.

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~ABOUT SAWYER BENNETT~

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Sawyer Bennett is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Sawyer is the author of several contemporary romances including the popular Off Series, the Legal Affairs Series, the Last Call Series and the Carolina Cold Fury Hockey Series.

~CONNECT WITH SAWYER~

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ARC REVIEW

Review for The Wake Series by M Mabie

BAIT
by M MABIE

He was trouble from the start, but I couldn't resist.
She was the best kind of trouble. The kind that was so wrong, it felt right.

I’ve tried and failed to stay away from him.
I’ve done everything in my power to make her mine and keep her.

He’s almost impossible to say no to.
She never tells me yes.

We’re always fighting.
When we’re not fighting, we’re… well… making up.

He makes me laugh so hard.
I miss her laugh the most.

I'm a liar.
She knows the truth, but won’t admit it.

Sometimes, I wish I'd never met him.
I wish we could meet all over again. I'd do better.

His girlfriend knows.
The guy she’s with is a fool.

I’ll never love anyone like I love him.
She doesn’t love me enough to choose us.

It was the wrong place.
It was the wrong time.

It should have been him.
It will always be her.

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REVIEW: 5 Angsty Fantastic Stars!!
"I've already warned you. You won't be able to get enough. Now, here's your chance to stop this, while you still have the willpower." He was both menacing and tempting.

Sometimes a book is recommended to me and I say, "Wow! That looks really good. I want to read that." So, that was me....and this was the book. I saw it when it was releasing and was really intrigued by the synopsis. I knew it was a series, and I knew to wait until the rest of the books were out before I started it.

I *knew* this.
Words: Marked.

Well, a dear friend gifted it to me, begging me to read it. She was exclaiming how great it was and how much she loved it. It was on her "Best Books of 2014" list. Ok....I guess I should read it, right? Yeah....I'm now sitting in the corner, rocking myself and holding my knees up to my chest, begging for more. I want more.

MORE TORTURE
Yes, I said torture.

I've said time and time again, angst is what I need/crave/have-to-have in a book to make me fall in love with it. I just need that heart-stopping, heart-racing, push and pull that makes you bite your fingernails while you hold your kindle and feverishly read and devour the words on the pages.

This book was UH-mazing. Phenomenal. WOW.

And now I can be considered a stalker. I literally stalk M Mabie's page while I anxiously await Sail being released. I am obsessed....I'm sure, clinically.

Why does something that is so wrong.....feel so right? Sometimes, what we know as wrong, is actually right. I believe in true love...I believe in deep, soul-crushing, mind blowing love. I believe in doing right....but I also understand guilty feelings and curiosity. Sometimes our heart speaks louder than our mind....and sometimes we have to listen to it. Rationale be damned.

The way in which this story was told was the *perfect* way to tell it....the POV change was perfect and seamless and it really worked The amount of angst in the book was off the charts good. The heroine was strong, but weak against her own desires. Blake knew right from wrong, but her draw to Casey was undeniable and she was powerless against it. While I read this book, I felt the want and the need....the desire for more.

What was so different about this book was the fact that when things didn't go their way, they didn't throw some fit....nope, they FOUGHT for their love, after some deep thinking and harsh realities. Their pull towards each other was two sided. They both needed each other and wanted each other. I really enjoyed this push and pull they had and this is what I crave in a really good book. I felt their pain, their reasoning, their love....I felt it all and this book was one that will go down as a favorite for me in 2015.

Blake knew what she was doing. Casey knew what he was doing. This is a story about the depths of desire and truth your heart will put you through for your one true love. The one you're meant to be with. Love will drag you through the depths of hell to get you where you need to go....it isn't always hearts and flowers.

To say that I am anxiously awaiting Sail, that would be a gross understatement. That book is high up on my list of 'push everything aside to read'. I need more Casey and Blake. Their relationship was one of a kind....and I need more of it.

"There was no rational reason for any of this. Even I knew that. But I wanted her. That was fact."

~BEE

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SAIL

by M MABIE

This isn’t just a two-year long one-night stand. It’s my life.
This is my life. Our life. It isn’t just some careless affair.

I’ve made the worst decisions a woman could, but I’ll earn my second chance.
She can try keeping all the guilt for herself, but I’m just as much to blame.

Loving Casey wasn’t my biggest mistake. Fighting it for so long was.
I’ll show her how fearless our love makes me. I’ll protect her torn heart.

He still has magic in his eyes. He’s the man who makes me happy.
Her voice still brings me to my knees. She says my name like it’s sacred.

I live for the day when I’m his. To take care of him. To love him the way he deserves.
I can’t wait to be all she needs. I can give her a happy life, security and so much love.

Sometimes two ships never meet in the night, but ours did.
Sometimes the water is rough. It beats you all to hell, until you have no choice but get stronger.

Our love story reads more like a tragedy, but to me it’s clean and pure.
Let them point their fingers. Without a love like ours, they haven’t really lived. I pity them.

I’m a cheating wife and a villain. I am his honeybee.
I’m a snake in the grass and I sleep best when I’m lying next to his wife.

I want to be his everything.
I’m nothing without her anyway.

This isn’t even close to over.
It’ll never be over.

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REVIEW: 4.5 stars

"I trusted his heart, my heart's other half, but I needed to be his. Needed him to be mine."

Fair warning....I highlighted SO much during this book...it was hard to get all my feelings in ONE spot just to sit down to write this review. To say that I was happy with this book....I can't say it enough. I loved it. I want more...I don't ever want to leave Casey and Blake's world. It is so full of love and emotion and depth and feeling. It is FULL. It is overflowing. It is complete. It is WOW in a book.

If I didn't love Casey by the end of book one, Bait, then I certainly was head over heels in love with him after this book!!! Holy hotness! If I ever wanted a follow up to an angsty, rocking-in-the-corner-after-finishing-a-book, this book would be it. Let me say this, the tempo in this one was so very different. It was the balm to the burn. This book was a slow, sensual rocking motion in the water, whereas Bait was the stormy rocking sea. The different tempo in this book was such a huge transition, it said so much about their relationship. Unquestionably and undeniably, this was an amazing story. Superbly written and executed.

I loved how Casey decided he was going to finally step up and be the man that Blake needed...not the normal one-night stand guy he had been for the two years prior. His character grew so much...it was so great to see him transform before our very eyes.

The push and pull and angst that we experienced in Bait was NOT in this book....however, the slow burning love with anticipation was very prevalent in this book. I loved it! Absolutely loved it. It was a slower, easier read and I didn't feel like I was on the edge of my seat with worry about what was going to happen. I will admit, I was waiting for the ball to drop....I was waiting for something to happen. But, like I said....this was the balm to soothe the evil, aching burn Ms. Mabie left us with after Bait. This book made EVERYTHING better....I absolutely fell deeper in love with Casey. Blake found her 'self' and actually came out of her shell....this book was full of revelations, growing and understanding. It was, simply put, beautiful.

The exploration we took with Casey and Blake was amazing....we got to learn more about what made him tick and what sparked feelings and emotions in him. We learned what made Blake purr and what pushed her to the limits that she needed to push to get to where she needed to be. They are SO hot with each other...they are the type that burns with anticipation and slow deep feeling. The fight in these two to become to each other what they had tried to deny for so long, but realized was impossible, was an amazing feeling to read. I loved their relationship and the direction it took.

Ms. Mabie has a way with her words....she uses them to evoke such emotion and power over your heart that you can't help but get lost in Casey and Blake's story. I laughed during this book, I swooned and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. I am more in love than ever with these two, and can't believe I have another book to look forward to!

The end of this book had me frantically messaging the author asking for an understanding....so to say that I can't wait for book #3, that is a gross misunderstanding. To put it bluntly, the next book shall be nothing short of amazing, knowing Ms. Mabie.

"The best things are worth waiting a little for, honeybee. Otherwise, fairy tales would start with happily ever after."

~BEE

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ANCHOR

by M MABIE

I believe in love at first sight.
Now I know soulmates exist.

Nothing has ever been easy for us.
Every fight, every struggle, has been worth it.

I’m stubborn, but what woman isn’t?
She’s hard work and I love the overtime.

He’s frustrating and unpredictable. I hope he never changes.
I love driving her crazy. That’s half the fun.

Lou’s sexy curls.
Honeybee’s pink nose.

He still looks at me like I’m precious and unflawed.
She treats me like I’m the center of her world.

Our future will be full of happiness.
Despite everything, we’re two of the lucky ones.

I took the bait.
She was a lucky catch.

He is the wind in my sail.
She’s the anchor that grounds me.

The wake our love made is beautiful.
Every day I thank God for her.

No matter the hurdles, we’ve jumped them side-by-side.
No matter the obstacles, we’ve made it through together.

For better or for worse, I’d do it again.
I’ll love and protect her all the days of my life.

We made it.
We always will.

Anchor is the third book in the bestselling Wake Series. In this widely anticipated series finale, you'll see Lou and Honeybee get all they've ever wanted and more.

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REVIEW
"Love doesn't give a fuck about a piece of paper. When are you going to realize that this isn't just love? There isn't even a word for this."

So, if you read my review of SAIL, you would know that I freaked out and messaged the author asking WHY?? WHAT?? How was there another book??? I got my HEA in SAIL, but was surely convinced that I was missing something. So, I eagerly anticipated this book....I was SO excited it was coming out and I couldn't WAIT to read it!!!

The book came. I started it. Truthfully? I was LOVING Casey and Blake. They are THE perfect couple....problems and all. I have them on my 2015 Favorites List for just that. I love them....beyond reason. This couple puts the smile on my face and the sigh in my heart. They really are perfect.

This book mainly focused on (no surprise) the planning and time leading up to their wedding and all the 'fun' that goes with it. There wasn't the angst we got in Bait, or the drama we got in Sail....but I will say my FAVORITE parts about this whole book were:

◆ The alternating and DIFFERENT points of view; not typical and I LOVED it
◆ The desire and sexiness of these two; never-ending
◆ The epilogue was phenomenal

I loved what Mabie did in the POV's in this book and I seriously got overly excited at the 'possibilities' as to what she will do next. I loved the story within the story. I am anxious for more of that.

The desire these two characters had for each other? I can definitively say, without a doubt, that these two had a magnetism that no other characters have ever had....that I have ever read. It really showed what honest, true, soul-crushing love will do to you/for you/with you.

This epilogue was IT. I loved it. It was literally the frosting on the cake. The be-all and end-all to this amazing story.

Something to note: I found this book somewhat slow in the beginning and I really needed to focus to read and stay engaged, but after I actually got into it more, I couldn't put it down. Even though Sail left off at a completed story for ME, this book was chock full of fluff and love with no expectations. The best part was seeing Casey's emotions take over him. Good and Bad. Also, a little but of some other characters....hmmm????

If I ever felt like a series was done and finished PERFECTLY, this series was it. M Mabie really found a place on my must-reads list and I will continue to read her after what she did with my heart with this series. I will truly miss Casey and Blake....they took me by surprise and wrapped me up in their love.

"My thoughts were stained with him, the same as my heart."
~BEE

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~MEET M MABIE~

M. Mabie lives in Illinois with her husband. She writes unconventional love stories and tries to embody "real-life romance."

She cares about politics, but will not discuss them in public. She uses the same fork at every meal, watches Wayne's World while cleaning, and lets her dog sleep on her head. She has always been a writer. In fact, she was born with a pen in her hand, which almost never happens. Almost. 

M. Mabie usually doesn't speak in third-person. She promises.

~CONNECT WITH MO~

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ARC REVIEW of the LAST TWO BOOKS

Book Review and Giveaway for Lucian Divine by Renee Carlino

LUCIAN DIVINE
by RENEE CARLINO

“My guardian angel is a drunk.”
Evelyn Casey's life is at a standstill. She's in her mid-twenties, struggling with the dating scene in San Francisco. Nothing seems to be working out, and she’s starting to think that she’ll live out her days in her crummy apartment with her overbearing roommate, Brooklyn. It's absurd, but sometimes Evey longs for a guardian angel to show up and save the day.

And then he does. Seriously. His name is Lucian and he's a guardian angel, been on the job for two thousand years. His sudden presence in her life is both good—he's brilliant, witty, and warm—and bad—he's brilliant, witty, warm, and hot as ----. But as perfect as Lucian seems, he’s got problems of his own. He’s taken up drinking and he’s brazenly inserted himself into Evey’s life, going against the greatest cosmic law ever created.

For Evey, the rules are simple: You are not allowed to hook up with your guardian angel. But sometimes fulfilling your destiny requires a leap of faith, a confrontation with God.

Yes, God as in God.

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REVIEW: 3 STARS
"Angels ignored me, God ignored me, I couldn't even get a retweet on Twitter....but at least I had Evey."

Sitting down and reading this story was what I was looking forward to doing with my New Years Day....call me boring, I know, but I was excited to have a day all to myself for just reading. Going in, I knew this was a PNR book related to angels and mystical beings. Simple enough. I have read one other like this so I was excited to see another take on it. This is my third book by Renee Carlino and while I am glad I finished this one, I am confused and saddened by how I feel about it. Unfortunately, the broken flow of the wording and the gaping holes in the storyline made for a rough read for about 40% of the book. I enjoyed the book up until about 35% and then started to see the flow return around the 80% mark, but the in between part was tedious and stilted. It started out really strong and ended really strong, but I truly struggled in the middle.

From what I've read of Renee already, I know she has a penchant for writing beautiful love stories that are heartfelt and emotional with a deep meaning behind them.  This one had all that....it truly did, it just felt like it lacked a little fine tuning and content evaluation. This didn't feel like Renee's writing to me and I am hoping it was just me.

I don't know if this was supposed to be funny, but it definitely provided some giggle-worthy moments and some smiles, for sure. I also couldn't decide if it was supposed to be a serious book because while there were some serious moments, many of them left me shaking my head. Like, how did we go from happy to pissed off with our roommate? Or with Lucian? Or her mother? Where was the misunderstanding? I seriously missed what caused any of the issues that caused problems between the characters in this book. Evey's emotions were all over the place, and so were Brooklyn's. It was as if none of the reactions and emotions made any sense to me, yet there they were in word form. I had a serious case of whiplash trying to figure out how we went from best friends to hurtling insults at each other. Or from new acquaintances (although their hearts knew they were meant for each other) to being immediately in love. No buildup or discovery to their relationship, but it was written, so it shall be. So when I say that it felt stilted or disjointed, I just feel like we missed some parts of the story all together and that made reading it a little awkward. It almost felt like we were getting a line by line description about the happenings of the book instead of an actual story to sink into and absorb. I didn't feel a part of it. I didn't really connect...

I'll admit I almost quit reading this book, but it was suggested that I continue because the ending was worth it. That's the honest truth....the ending *IS* worth it and I am glad I saw it through. Some of the curiosities that surround guardian angels and who believes what were really interesting to read. I liked the little nuances Carlino threw in to make the angels more relatable, and somewhat comical. I can imagine some people might get offended about angels using Tinder to hook up with other angels, but take it for what it was worth. Some descriptions and explanations were pretty neat to imagine as seen through Carlino's words. Definitely some good with the bad.

I don't want this to be a negative review, because for all that I didn't enjoy about it, I found other things that I did like. Again, the love Lucian had for Evey was heartfelt and pure and I loved watching him work through everything going on with him. I want to gift a copy of this out because I know without a doubt that someone will love this book. To enter, go HERE.

"Love is selfish, isn't it?"
~BEE

PURCHASE: http://amzn.to/2iPToSW

~MEET RENEE CARLINO~

Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of contemporary women's novels and new adult fiction. Her books have been featured in national publications, including USA TODAY, Huffington Post, Latina magazine, and Publisher's Weekly. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she's not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate. Learn more at www.reneecarlino.com

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