Review and Giveaway: Ready to Wed by Cindi Madsen

Whether you’re looking for a romance that makes you laugh, makes you ‘walk the plank’, keeps you guessing, or stars your favorite paranormal, look no further. Select books have the single-title stories you crave, and the longer length you need to really get ‘lost’ in a great book. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books are coming next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page.

Today I'm happy to be featuring Ready to Wed by Cindi Madsen!

Dakota Halifax loves to be in love. In fact, as one of Las Vegas’s premier wedding planners, she’s built a whole career around romance. Which is why her own wedding has to be nothing short of perfect. And then her fiancé jilts her. While she’s waiting in her wedding dress. On a cruise ship already out at sea.

Once back on dry land, Dakota tries to pour her heart into her business and weekly wedding advice column, Get Ready to Wed. But how can the heartbroken celebrate others’ true love? When she reconnects with her childhood best friend, surprisingly sexy and all-grown-up casino bouncer Brendan West, Dakota wonders if maybe she can fall back in love with being in love.

But then her ex reappears, begging for another chance and suddenly Dakota questions if she’ll ever understand love. Can someone once-burned and twice-shy ever find her way down the aisle again?

 

Find Out More!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

My (Mini) Review

 

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Madsen's. Whether it's YA with a paranormal or gothic twist, a swoony, slightly wacky and heart-tugging romance, or a story that has a strong chick lit feel, if she writes it, the chances are excellent that I'm going to love it.

 

Ready to Wed was no exception. This was a story of Dakota Halifax, jilted bride and newly-turned skeptical wedding planner. Dakota had quite the emotionally-challenging journey in this story, with her beliefs on love and weddings challenged at every turn. Add in a swoony guy, Dakota's former best friend Brendan, and you have a recipe for the kind of love story that will make you smile and make you believe. 

 

Dakota was a lot of fun. Like a lot of Madsen's heroines, she's a sweetheart, but also really snarky and witty. Jake was another of Madsen's good-guy heroes, which happen to be a favorite of mine. Kind, charming, sexy and not afraid to make Dakota his, Brendan had me from the beginning.

 

If you're looking for a strong, character-driven story that will make you smile throughout, once again, you can't go wrong with Madsen. Ready to Wed was great!

 

 

 

Favorite Quotes

 

 

   "Men are like puppies...you will get attached, bring them home, and they will shit all over everything you love."

 

 

  Brendan lowered his forehead to mine. "I've loved you one way or the other since the first day we met, Dakota Jane Halifax, and I'll keep doing it, no matter what happens. Even if we find out we're better as friends." 

 

 

About Cindi Madsen

 

Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the author of YA books All the Broken Pieces, Cipher, and Demons of the Sun and adult romances Falling for Her Fiancé, Act Like You Love Me, and Cinderella Screwed Me Over.

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REVIEW: CINDERELLA SCREWED ME OVER by CINDI MADSEN

Genre: Women's Fiction/Romance

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Publication Date: 10/22/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 308
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 5 stars

Darby Quinn has a bone to pick with Cinderella. Burned one too many times by ex-boyfriends, Darby has lost all belief in the happily-ever-after that the fairy-tale princess promised her. She's sworn off love, Prince Charmings, and happy endings and she's happy about it. Really. Or at least she was…until she met Jake, her gorgeous neighbor and the manager of her favorite restaurant. But Darby has rules about dating, ones she's culled from her years spent with so-called “princes,” and starting something with Jake would break all of them.

Charming, fun, and unwilling to give up on her, Jake doesn’t fit any of the profiles Darby has created from her case studies of ex-princes-gone-bad. Finally presented with her own Prince Charming, can Darby take a chance on a happily-ever-after?

Full of wit and sarcastic humor, Cinderella Screwed Me Over proves that sometimes the perfect love, like a perfect pair of shoes, is just within your grasp.

 

Cinderella Screwed Me Over is a book I have been waiting on for months. From the vibrant and eye-catching cover to the promise of a funny and charming story of a woman who's over the promise of fairy tales, I just knew that I would enjoy this book. And I did.

Cinderella Screwed Me Over (is that not the best title?!) was written in such a clever manner. Darby Quinn has had enough of the Disney-fed fairy tales we've all grown up on. After years of looking for a Prince and landing a frog, Darby is no longer buying the promise of a Prince and Happily Ever After. Over the years of heartache and disappointment, Darby has accumulated case files, comparing the men in her life to Disney Princes. From Prince Charming to Robin Hood to The Beast, you name a Disney man, Darby's boyfriends can be compared to each in some way, along with the lesson she learned. When she meets charming, gorgeous, and sweet Jake, Darby has a difficult time fitting him into a place in her case files. Jake wants a relationship, Darby insists she doesn't believe in long-term love. And though Jake proves himself time and again, she just can't quite take the leap and admit that maybe love isn't a bad word. Will Darby begin to believe in fairy tales, or will she push true love away for good?

Besides the romantic story, this really is a personal journey for Darby. I loved that Madsen took the time to focus on her as an individual and not just make this a story on winning a guy. Darby was a funny and winsome heroine, but also very headstrong and set in her ways. She was tough yet sweet, and I liked that she never lost either aspect to her personality even as she began to change. Jake was really a great leading man. I liked that he was so nice and charming, and especially that he was patient with Darby. These two had great banter, which is really a strong point for Madsen. A story that can make me laugh and swoon is always going to win with me.

At this point, I think it is fairly established that I am a big fan of Madsen's work. Although I go in certain I will enjoy the book, I am surprised again and again by just how much. It seems that her writing suits me perfectly, or maybe I am perfectly suited to her writing. Either way, Cinderella Screwed Me Over is another charming book from Cindi Madsen. My favorite yet.



Favorite Quotes:


  "I have to admit," I said when he finished a lengthy discussion on the types of drivers, "I've been golfing and it's about the most boring thing I've ever done. Old men drive around in golf carts pretending they're sporty and getting grouchy if there's any noise. It's like the nursing-home Olympics."
  Nick's mouth dropped open. "It takes great athletic ability to know how to aim and drive the ball that far."
  "I get more exercise shopping at the mall," I joked. "I don't come home and tell everyone I won at shopping." Although those red shoes I got on sale the other day felt like a win.   ~eARC, 8%



  "I like you, too," I said, my voice coming out breathy. "But I always choose the wrong guys. Always. Trust me, I've studied all my relationships in and out, and no matter how much I learn, I still choose wrong."
  Jake put his hand on my hip, like he'd done so many times before, and slid his thumb between my shirt and pants, brushing the skin underneath. "I guess it's a good thing I chose you, then."  
 ~eARC, 50%

Purchase Cinderella Screwed Me Over

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository

About the author:

Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the author of YA books All the Broken Pieces, Cipher, and Demons of the Sun and adult romances Falling for Her Fiancé, Act Like You Love Me, and Cinderella Screwed Me Over.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Blog

 

 

REVIEW: OUT OF PLAY by JOLENE PERRY and NYRAE DAWN

Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: 8/6/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 320
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 4 stars

Rock star drummer Bishop Riley doesn't have a drug problem. Celebrities—especially ones suffering from anxiety—just need a little help taking the edge off sometimes. After downing a few too many pills, Bishop wakes up in the hospital facing an intervention. If he wants to stay in the band, he’ll have to detox while under house arrest in Seldon, Alaska.　

Hockey player Penny Jones can't imagine a life outside of Seldon. Though she has tons of scholarship offers to all the best schools, the last thing she wants is to leave. Who'll take care of her absentminded gramps? Not her mother, who can’t even be bothered to come home from work, let alone deal with their new tenants next door.

Penny’s not interested in dealing with Bishop’s crappy attitude, and Bishop’s too busy sneaking pills to care. Until he starts hanging out with Gramps and begins to see what he’s been missing. If Bishop wants a chance with the fiery girl next door, he’ll have to admit he has a problem and kick it. Too bad addiction is hard to kick…and Bishop’s about to run out of time.

 

So, I've read almost all of Nyrae Dawn's books, and have truly enjoyed them. She's one of the authors I always make time for. However, this is the first of Jolene Perry's books I've read (though I own several) and I have to say that I really enjoy her writing as well. Out of Play also happens to be the first book I've read written by more than one author. This is what really had me curious. The story blended together so well that I would have never realized otherwise.

Well, I say it blended, but there was one way Out of Play most certainly did not blend and that is in the characters' voice. Because one character is a male teen rock star and the other is a female teen hockey player, obviously this is a good thing. Dawn wrote Bishop Riley, and as always, her knack for writing the male point-of-view amazes me. Bishop is a guy with some heavy issues, but he never felt like a cliche, to me. He was troubled, but still had a lot of humor. I love the emotional and physical journey Bishop undergoes on his way to becoming a better, stronger man.

Out of Play's heroine, Penny Jones, was a pleasant surprise. Penny was an independent, tough, brave young woman. I mean, she's a hockey player! Penny's world revolves around her team, and her family. I absolutely adored the way the team was written as a good bunch of guys who respect Penny. Penny is a force. Her strength, determination and heart makes her a stand out character.

Out of Play is not only about an emerging relationship, but also deals with substance abuse. I appreciate that this was handled so responsibly, with a strong focus on accountability and proper treatment. But honestly, I could basically say the same for the rest of the book. Whether dealing with family issues, friend issues, or love, Dawn and Perry handled each issue with care, and I loved that.

Out of Play is a very strong Young Adult story. It has humor, a love story, and depicts two young people at a crossroads. And though Bishop and Penny seem meant to be together, they must ultimately choose their paths and hope they once again converge. And that makes Out of Play a responsible and beautiful story.



Favorite Quote:

    Are all Alaskans this nosey? The only thing I know about the state is it's cold, full of trees, and Sarah Palin can see Russia from here.   ~eARC, 20%
 

  "There's more to you. And once I decide I need to know, I'll figure you out."
  Whatever hint of a smile he used to have is gone. "I don't doubt it."
  I spin and move back toward the exit, feeling a bit like we've talked a step too deep on both ends, and I don't think that's what either of us wants today.
  "But Penny?"
  When I turn to face him, he actually looks vulnerable. I stop and suck in a breath, afraid to speak. "Don't dig, okay? Not yet."   ~eARC, 35%


  So this is why people say they "melt together." I've always wondered. Like melting candle wax, and blending colors -- the more we're together and kissing, the less I can tell where I stop and he starts.  ~eARC, 70%

Purchase Out of Play

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble


 

About the authors

Jolene Perry
I wear juvenile T-shirts, worn-out chucks, and eat too much chocolate. I write. A lot. I make up words, drink Shirley Temples, and suffocate a little without my iPod.

Website  |  Blog  |  Tumblr  |  Facebook  |  Twitter


Nyrae Dawn
I am a compulsive · and writer who loves YA fiction.

I love nothing more than writing about young adults. There is something so fresh and fun about it. You can pretty much always find me with a book in my hand or open document in front of me.


I live in Southern California with my husband and two children.

Connect with Nyrae:
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  GoodReads


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BLOG TOUR: SOUTH OF SURRENDER by LAURA KAYE ~ REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Welcome to The Bookish Babe's stop on the South of Surrender Blog Tour!

You can follow the tour at Entangled in Romance. My stop includes a review, excerpt and blog tour giveaway.

 

Series: Hearts of the Anemoi #3
Category/Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Publication Date: 5/28/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 400
Source: Received from publisher for review

She’s the only one who can see through his golden boy façade to the broken god within…

Chrysander Notos, Supreme God of the South Wind and Summer, is on a mission: save Eurus from his death sentence and prove his troubled brother can be redeemed. But Eurus fights back, triggering vicious summer storms that threaten the mortal realm, dangerously drain Chrys, and earn the ire of the Olympic gods who ordered Eurus dead.

Laney Summerlyn refuses to give up her grandfather’s horse farm, despite her deteriorating vision. More than ever, she needs the organized routine of her life at Summerlyn Stables, until a ferocious storm brings an impossible—and beautiful—creature crashing down from the heavens.

Injured while fighting Eurus, Chrys finds himself at the mercy of a mortal woman whose compassion and acceptance he can’t resist. As they surrender to the passion flaring between them, immortal enemies close in, forcing Chrys to choose between his brother and the only woman who’s ever loved the real him.

I am a huge fan of Laura Kaye's, but had yet to read any of her paranormal books. I was very excited to have the opportunity to read South of Surrender, and I will confess that I haven't read the first two books in the series, though I own them. I think having read North of Need and West of Want would have made the experience even better, and knowing the characters like I do now, I am very anxious to go back and read them. But I can say, for me, that Kaye did such a great job of giving the back story on the series without info-dumping, and I wasn't lost reading South of Surrender.

 

South of Surrender was a treat! I have always loved mythology and many of the various re-tellings, but I can say that I have not come across a re-telling like this. Not only do you have standard gods and goddesses, but what I loved was the Anemoi. You have the Cardinal: North, South, East, and West; the Ordinal, such as: Southwest, Southeast, etc.; and the Inter-Ordinal Anemoi, who are in charge of the half-winds like North-Northwest. (I took this info from the book to help explain.) These gods are in charge of seasons and the cause of the weather patterns. I loved this aspect of the story and found it really inventive and cool.

 

Chrysander "Chrys" Notos is the god of Summer. He thrives on heat and growth and life. I kind of expected Chrys to be this really nice guy, which is weird because he's a god/Element. Chrys was nice, essentially, but he was really complicated, with a long and troubled backstory. He's a little harsh, down to business, and a really dominant guy. He's set on bringing his brother safely to justice, no easy task, and this leads him crashing into Laney Summerlyn's life.

 

Laney Summerlyn was such an endearing heroine. She has a horse farm in Virginia, and leads a very quiet and sheltered life, due to a degenerative eye disease. When Chrys crashes into her barn, and life, Laney gets the chance to help him, get to him, and fall in love. I loved that she forged ahead despite her condition and the fact that Chrys is a god in the midst of an epic battle. The relationship between the two was romantic, complicated, and heated. The two seem to have impossible odds against them, but you just know love will overcome all.

 

South of Surrender is another great book from Laura Kaye. With her books, you always know that you will get fabulous characters, an exciting story, and super hot romance. This book is no exception. Having read it, I am dying to read the first two, and the fourth books in the Hearts of the Anemoi series. If you're looking for a great Paranormal Romance series, this is it.

 

Favorite Quote: 

  He covered her hands with his against the edge of the spa. "What are you doing to me, Laney?" he rasped.
  She turned her face against his. "Loving you," she whispered.
  The words slayed him.
  She loved him. This smart, brave, sexy-as-all-hell woman loved him.
  He couldn't wait another moment.  ~eARC, 81%

Purchase South of Surrender at:

 

      

 

Kobo | iBooks

 

 

Excerpt

 Hey everyone! I’m very happy to be visiting here at The Bookish Babe as I celebrate the release of my tenth novel, South of Surrender, the third book in my Greek-mythology-inspired Hearts of the Anemoi series. One of my favorite things about writing this series was the intensity of the hero, Chrysander Notos, the Supreme God of the South Wind and Summer. Chrys goes at life with both barrels blazing in everything he does, and I just loved that about him. Here’s an exclusive excerpt from the book that gives you a little taste of that:



   “Don’t look at me that way, Laney. I’m so damn close to lifting your hips and burying myself inside you that I’m afraid to move.”
  Heat roared through her, but this time it wasn’t from whatever had attacked her. It was from her pounding desire for the god currently kneeling behind her.

 He was safe. And she was okay. Mostly okay, anyway. And he’d done that for her. He’d taken care of her, just as he promised.

 She didn’t know what had happened in the moments after she saw that awful black light, but she did know they were damn lucky to be alive. And that made Laney not want to waste another moment. There’d be time for explanations later. Now, she wanted him. She wanted him wanting her.
  “Chrys,” she croaked, her throat sore and parched. “Don’t be afraid. I’m not.” Shoving away her nerves, she pushed up onto her hands and knees, the carpet soft underneath. She stopped just shy of grinding herself into what she knew from how he’d laid on her moments before was a massive erection. Adrenaline roared through her until the room spun. His thighs straddling her calves were all she knew, all she could feel.

  Rough hands settled on her hips. “Don’t. Move.” He spat out a curse in that odd language. “Jesus, woman. I’m trying not to hurt you here.”

  She started to turn to him, wanting him to see the sincerity and trust in her face and eyes. Next thing she knew, he’d halted her movement by pinning her wrists against her lower back in one of his big fists. Fear and lust shot through in equal measure. She spoke over her shoulder, “You wouldn’t hurt me, Chrys. You healed me. Again.”

  He tugged her upper body back against his chest, forcing her to arch against him. “You don’t understand what’s about to happen here,” he whispered, his voice low and gritty. “I don’t make love. I don’t do soft and romantic. I fuck. I dominate. And I restrain my lovers because I can’t stand to be touched. Sure, I get my partners off good, but then I walk out the door. So, whatever fantasy about us you’ve got playing in your head right now is whole solar systems away from my ugly reality.”

  For a long moment, Laney was sure her heart stopped. And then it took off at a full-out gallop that left her breathless.

   No one had ever talked to her that way. He was just trying to scare her away. Had to be. And, truth be told, she was a little scared. But she was also wetter for him than she’d ever been for another man. Right at this moment, she couldn’t really think about why his tight grip, rough tone, and coarse words set her body on fire, but there it was. Her nipples puckered. The emptiness between her legs ached. After what’d happened, she needed to connect with him, in every way.

 Arousal flowed so thick through her blood, she’d take him any way she could have him.

 

See why I adored this book?!

 

 

GIVEAWAY 

There are two blog tour giveaways!

Did you have a favorite line from the excerpt? One commenter who leaves their email address will win an ebook of all THREE books in the Hearts of the Anemoi series!

This giveaway will run 48 hours. Open to international! Good luck!

 

The winner was KimCaffeinated!

 

Laura is giving away 3 - $100 gift cards to Amazon, B&N, or iTunes (winner’s choice) as well as 1 set of signed Hearts of the Anemoi books! The giveaway is open internationally and ends at 11:59pm on 6/23 .

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

“A fast-paced thrill ride.” ~New York Journal of Book


"Sexy, emotional stories, powerful, evocative writing, a vivid and unique vision, and enough magic and mysticism to keep the most demanding reader satisfied, Laura Kaye delivers it all. I love this series!" ~Maggie Shayne, NYT Bestselling Author

 

 

Visit all the stops on the South of Surrender Blog Tour for more ways to win!

Official Tour Stops

June 3 - Reading Between the Wines

June 4 - Literary Escapism

June 4 - Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies. Oh My!

June 5 - Bitten by Books

June 6 - Under the Covers

June 7 - Savvy Authors

June 10 - Book Monster Reviews

June 10 - Love Romance Passion

June 11 - Fade Into Fantasy

June 12 - Cocktails and Books

June 13 - Reading Reality

June 14 - Grave Tells

June 17 - The Bookish Babe

June 18 - Bad Ass Book Reviews

June 19 - Parajunkee

June 20 - Feeling Fictional

June 21 - Literati Literature Lovers

About Laura Kaye:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

 

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

 

 

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY ~ CINDERELLA SCREWED ME OVER

 

 Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selection is...

 

 

 

 

Series: n/a

Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Publication Date: 10/22/13

 

Darby Quinn has a bone to pick with Cinderella. Burned one too many times by ex-boyfriends, Darby has lost all belief in the happily-ever-after that the fairy-tale princess promised her. She's sworn off love, Prince Charmings, and happy endings and she's happy about it. Really. Or at least she was…until she met Jake, her gorgeous neighbor and the manager of her favorite restaurant. But Darby has rules about dating, ones she's culled from her years spent with so-called “princes,” and starting something with Jake would break all of them.

Charming, fun, and unwilling to give up on her, Jake doesn’t fit any of the profiles Darby has created from her case studies of ex-princes-gone-bad. Finally presented with her own Prince Charming, can Darby take a chance on a happily-ever-after?

Full of wit and sarcastic humor, Cinderella Screwed Me Over proves that sometimes the perfect love, like a perfect pair of shoes, is just within your grasp.

 

 

 

Why I'm Waiting ~  I adore author Cindi Madsen, and her writing. I am positive this book will leave me smiling and swooning. Plus, that cover ROCKS.

 

 

Preorder Cinderella Screwed Me Over at:

     

 

 

BLOG TOUR: TEMPTATION by KATHRYN BARRETT ~ REVIEW AND INTERVIEW

 

 

Welcome to the Temptation Blog Tour! My stop includes a review of Temptation, an interview with author Kathryn Barrett, and giveaways.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Edge
Publication Date: 2/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 322
Source: Received from publisher for review

Laura Hayes has been acting since she was an infant, making Hollywood the only home she has ever known. But when she moves to Pennsylvania's Amish country to film her next movie, she discovers there's more to life than a pair of Jimmy Choos and a Marie Claire cover.

Intrigued by the Amish simplicity, she's soon gardening and baking plum pies—and enjoying it. And when her neighbor turns out to be the local heartthrob and a talented furniture maker, she realizes that what's missing from her life might be the love of a good man—not to mention the perfect heirloom tomato.

Jacob fights the urge to question the teachings of his Amish beliefs—despite his desire to create furniture that is beautiful as well as useful—and struggles with his longing for the sexy stranger who makes him feel truly alive for the first time. As his attraction grows, so do his doubts, until he's forced to face temptation and decide once and for all what is truly worth the fight.

A story of forbidden love, self-discovery and following your heart.

 

 

I had a good feeling about Temptation from the moment I read the synopsis. I mean, what's better than reading a tale of forbidden love, right? But Temptation is more than a story of two people who should have never crossed paths, let alone fall in love. It is a story of questioning: questioning your choices, your path, and your faith. I found it to be quite beautiful and intensely provocative.

 

Temptation asks "What happens when a Hollywood actress falls in love with the Amish man next door?" The answer? "It's complicated."  One of the many aspects I loved about the story was, it never felt contrived, or like a huge stretch to believe Laura and Jacob could actually fall in love. Laura, who is in town to shoot a movie, isn't the conventional starlet. Acting since she was a baby, she wants more; a home, personal fulfillment, love. Sensing should might find this in Pennsylvania, she buys a home among the Amish community. Jacob, being a kind man who wants to be a good neighbor, helps Laura as she learns to take care of a home and garden. A talented furniture maker, Laura buys some of his pieces, and they begin to form a friendship. This is frowned upon among an unmarried man and woman, forbidden between an Amish man and English woman. As Jacob and Laura become closer friends, it's apparent that the two could, are, fall in love. Laura wants to be with Jacob, to build a life with him. Jacob, though he loves Laura, is bound by his duties to God, family and faith.

 

I was so wrapped up in Laura and Jacob. Laura is looked upon as a temptress, and she sometimes is. She quickly falls in love with Jacob, and is desperate to be with him. She walked a fine line of showing him what they could have together, and pushing him too far. Laura is so lonely. She should have this huge, glamorous life, but what she wants is true love. What's really interesting, and helped keep her from becoming a too much was that she didn't want Jacob to leave his religion for her, she wanted him to do it for himself.

 

Jacob was simply wonderful. I feel weird saying this, but I've never considered a deeply religious man to be a really good leading man in a story. That's not a knock towards religion, I grew up in a religion that is very strict (no dancing, no music in church, etc.). But the author did a wonderful job of portraying Jacob as simply a man. A man who is ruled by his beliefs and duties, but still human, with doubts and desires. Jacob has always been content with his life. A widower with a young son, he has found his calling in building magnificent pieces of furniture. When he meets Laura, Jacob feels the passion that has always been missing in his life. And when the church elders forbid his making of beautiful furniture, Jacob obeys, but loses a piece of his soul. He begins to question everything in his life. Does God really care if his work isn't Plain? Is what is on the outside (approved clothing) more important than what is in a person's heart? Why can't he love a woman outside of his faith? Jacob's spiritual journey was so beautifully written, showing a man who decides whether or not to follow his heart.

 

Temptation held my heart while I read it. I know that sounds melodramatic, but guys, I put my whole heart into reading books this good. I wanted Jacob and Laura to get their happy ending, but I also wanted Jacob to be true to himself. To make the decision not only for the woman he loves, but also because it is what's right for him. Doing otherwise wouldn't have him being the man Laura has fallen in love with. Kathryn Barrett handled these decisions perfectly, and did her characters justice. It's unclear until almost the very end what Jacob decides, but once that time comes, it is perfect for the characters and the story. And what an epilogue!

 

Temptation was a enchanting story of a forbidden love, and choosing to take a bite.

 



Favorite Quotes: 

  He didn't want it to end, the afternoon, or the kiss. He brought his hand up, holding her chin in place while he kissed her more thoroughly. If he was giving in to temptation, he'd darn well get a good taste of it. ~eARC, 26% 


  His eyes opened slowly, his clear blue gaze settling on her.
  Laura looked right into his soul, and saw something she'd never seen before: honesty, and honor, and uncompromising integrity.
  She could spend her life with him--wanted to spend her life with him. The knowledge rocked her, then settled over her life warmth from the sun. ~eARC, 48%
 

  "Do I scare you?"
  His eyes raked her, lingering on her belly, her breasts. "Yes, you scare me, Laura Hayes. Ever since I first saw you, I knew I was in trouble."
  A grin crawled across her face. "I know," she said, circling his nipple with a delicate fingertip, "and you are..." ~eARC, 80%

 

 

INTERVIEW with KATHRYN BARRETT

Describe Temptation, Twitter-style
KB:  What happens when a Hollywood sweetheart falls for the guy next door, a talented Amish furniture maker?


Did you have a specific inspiration for Temptation?
KB:  I didn’t have any specific inspiration for Temptation, but as I wrote, bits and pieces of inspiration came to me almost serendipitously. For instance, when I wrote the first scene in Jacob’s workshop, I wondered what book might be on his desk, and it turned out to be a biography of Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect. This told me a lot about Jacob, and what sort of furniture and homes he dreamed of building.


The Amish culture seems to be receiving a lot of attention now, especially from reality shows. Did you do a lot of research into the lifestyle?
KB:  Yes, I did, but all my research was before the current crop of reality shows. I was quite surprised, and saddened, to see what seems like exploitation of the Amish in those shows. I actually visited Amish country in Ohio and spent some time in their homes and even got a buggy driving lesson! They were all very polite and kind, even when they learned I was writing a book about them.


Do you have a favorite genre to read? Can you recommend a book?
KB:  My favorite genre is contemporary romantic comedies, a la Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I devour her books! My favorite is First Lady, or maybe The Great Escape. Or Dream a Little Dream. Or maybe This Heart of Mine…


Is there a message you'd like readers to take away from Temptation?
KB:  Follow your dream. It took Laura tempting him to convince Jacob to follow his dream of making furniture that wasn’t Plain, and to build the house that he dreamed about during long church sermons.

Have any of your readers had to be urged to follow their dream? I’d love to hear their thoughts in the comments!

 
 Thanks to Kathryn for stopping by. I loved her answers, which are as thoughtful as her book.



About the author
Kathryn Barrett has been writing women’s fiction since the day her youngest daughter left for pre-school. All was going well, until she read a book called “30 Mistakes In Fiction Writing” and realized she was making all of them.

One by one, she’s overcome the mistakes and learned to make a few more along the way. “The best way to learn to write is to write,” she says. “Period.”

Kathryn lives near London in the enchanting countryside of England. When she’s not writing, she’s busy training a rescue dog, tramping around archeological ruins, and occasionally making wine runs to France. Because nothing fuels the imagination like a good Bordeaux.
Connect with Kathryn at:
Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook 

Purchase Temptation at:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

 

GIVEAWAYS

First up, Kathryn is giving away signed bookmarks. I will select one random commenter for that prize. Open Intl.

 

Kathryn is also giving away a Kindle Paperwhite. Fill out the form to enter.

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THE NEXT FOREVER BLOG TOUR ~ REVIEW and INTERVIEW WITH LISA BURSTEIN

Welcome to The Bookish Babe's stop on The Next Forever Blog Tour. You can find the complete tour schedule here. My stop includes a review and interview with author Lisa Burstein.

 

Series: Pretty Amy #1.5

Genre: Contemporary New Adult

Publisher: Entangled Ever After

Publication Date: 1/13/13

Format: ebook

Pages: 97

Source: Bought

 

One night in college can change everything…

Away at college, Amy just wants one night alone without her high school sweetheart, Joe. So when he invites her to go to the library, she heads off on her own instead. How she ended up at a house party with the mysterious bad-boy Trevor is another story…

Joe so isn’t going to the library. He needs space from Amy, too, so he’s decided to rush a fraternity, to get back the swagger he had in high school. But it doesn’t take long for the brothers to invite him to the real rush here the beer is flowing and one particular girl has set her eyes on Joe.

Over the course of one wild night, both Amy and Joe will have to decide if their futures belong with two new people, or whether the next forever will have their first loves in it.

"The next forever was all that mattered."

I am truly at a loss with my review. I want to talk about The Next Forever, and how amazingly honest and insightful I found it to be, but I can't make my heart go there.

Lisa Burstein is a gift to young women, and the people who love these girls. I wish, so much, that Pretty Amy and The Next Forever had been around when I was younger. How much easier my life might have been if I had been able to hand my mom, dad, or boyfriend (now husband) one of these books and said "You truly want to know me? What's going on inside my head? Here, read this." I find so much of myself in Amy that it is scary. And the way in which Burstein is able to convey the angst, the questions, the doubts that consume Amy's thoughts... it truly blows my mind.

The Next Forever is not "Pretty Amy 1.5: Amy and Joe Live Happily Ever After". What it is is a honest, sometimes heartbreaking look at what happens next. The doubts Amy has about her choices, her ability to think and speak for herself. Joe has his own worries. He's a "saver". What will he become to Amy if she no longer needs him to rescue her from herself. For this, I give Burstein major love. So often in books, we want that happy ever after, wrapped up nice and neat. But that's not life, and it's not fair to always portray it as such. Like we all do, Amy and Joe realize that each day is takes work, each day is a gift, and each day is it's own forever.

Once again, Lisa Burstein has proved to me that her books are invaluable, must-reads if you were, have ever or will ever love an "Amy". THANKS, Lisa, for giving all of us a voice.


Favorite Quote:

  ...but I felt like I'd gone from the shadow of Lila and Cassie to the shadow of Joe. Not that Joe ever made me feel like I was in his shadow.
  He made me feel like the sun.
  But I was still measuring my significance because he was in my orbit. If I said yes to him, would I ever stand on my own?  ~24%

 
  "Wow," she said, her whole body hunching. "You really love her, huh?"
  "I'm trying," I said.
  "Well." She licked the top of her bottle. "When you get tired of trying, you can always call me."
  The thing was that I knew, for Amy, I would always try.  ~67%

Interview with Lisa Burstein 

 

 

Was it difficult to get back into Amy's head for this novella?

Lisa: A little, but also Amy is so close to who I was in high school and college that she is kind of just me.

I love that Joe gets his own point of view. How was it writing a guy?

Lisa:  Easier than I thought. Luckily I had my editor letting me know when he was being too girly. Also, I lucked out in that Joe is a sensitive guy which allowed me to be able to let him be in touch with his feelings. The one thing I am amazed by is that in every review, love or hate the book, no one has said that Joe didn't ring true as a guy. I am proud of that.

 

I loved the fact Amy still faces her "bad girl" past, and her feelings of inadequacy. Was that something you knew you were going to touch on going into writing The Next Forever?

Lisa:  I did. Her and Joe needed to still be facing that conflict and she also needed to still be facing it internally. I understood that this would give the novella the depth it needed. When you are writing something shorter giving it depth can be hard because you only have a finite number of pages. I also knew that Amy's struggle with all these things wouldn't be solved at the end of The Next Forever, nothing about Amy is ever tied up in a neat, little bow.

I like that Amy and Joe, even though they're a couple, need space. That's something I don't find a lot in books. Was that an important point for you?

Lisa: I think it is real. I know that when my husband and I were in college (yes, we met there), it was something we struggled with. It is important to have your own life as well as have a life together. I think this is an issue couples face at all stages of their relationship. How to keep that delicate balance between me and we.

Okay...How was it writing your first intimate scene?

Lisa: HA! Well, scary. I had never written anything beyond heavy make-out so writing actual SEX was totally new and different and terrifying. I just thought what would I want to read in a sex scene and I went with the tender rather than the explicit. For Joe and Amy, I think it couldn't be any other way.

 

Thanks to Lisa for taking the time to answer my questions. I think her answers help explain why I love her books so much.  

 

 

About the author:

 

Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Fiction from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University and is glad to finally have it be worth more than the paper it was printed on. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats.

Connect with Lisa at:

Facebook  |  Twitter  |  GoodReads  |  Blog  |  Website

 

 

Purchase The Next Forever at:

 

BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE BLOG TOUR ~ REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Welcome to The Bookish Babe's stop on the last day of the Baby, It's Cold Outside Blog Tour! This book is an anthology from Entangled Publishing's Indulgence line, and features four amazing authors. You can find the complete tour schedule at the home page. I also have two giveaways for you!

Four novellas from four of the biggest names in romantic fiction!

Kate Hardy's 'TIS THE SEASON TO KISS SANTA

With the help of a sprig of mistletoe and some snow angels, a recently single pastry chef teaches a highly successful and sexy Scrooge the true meaning of the holidays on a snowy Christmas Eve that quickly heats up.

Heidi Rice's 'TIS THE SEASON TO GO SHOPPING

When a Christmas Day blizzard strands an up-and-coming marketing manager and her boss's very off-limits, very hot playboy son in his department store, the two toe the line between naughty and nice as they unwrap their holiday presents—and each other!

Amy Andrews’s ‘TIS THE SEASON FOR KISSING

A down-on-her-romantic-luck kindergarten teacher plans to drown her New Year’s Eve sorrows in a gallon of spiked eggnog, but the arrival of her best friend's sexy brother threatens to melt the snow piling up outside the tiny Vermont cabin.

Aimee Carson’s ‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE TEMPTED

After the worst year ever, a jilted music manager rings in the New Year alone, swearing off men forever. But things get complicated when her brother's best friend, the perfect man with the perfect body, tempts her to break her vow—if only for one hot night!

 

 

 

Kate Hardy's 'TIS THE SEASON TO KISS SANTA

 This was a sweet story of two lonely people who find themselves together, snowed in, on Christmas Eve. Ellie and Mitch meet while volunteering at a hospital, giving the siblings of terminal patients gifts and moments to forget what their families are going through. Both are basically alone in the world, planning to spend the holidays alone. Though the initially do not like one another, close quarters force Ellie and Mitch to take a closer look and they discover that the only Christmas gifts they need may be right there in front of them.
 

 

Favorite Quote:

  He actually smiled then - and Ellie discovered that he was breathtaking when he did. He had a mouth that promised sin and made her libido sit up and start begging.

 

 

Heidi Rice's 'TIS THE SEASON TO GO SHOPPING

It's Christmas Eve, and Kate is stuck at her job at an upscale department store with the boss' son. Not a bad prospect when the store has everything you could possibly need and the son is a world-traveling hottie. It's always been a dream of mine to get locked in a cool department store overnight (yes, I've watched many 80s movies with that scenario!). But not only was it super fun, it was also super steamy. Let's just so that alpha male Ryder knows how to thaw Kate out. And though their lives may seem worlds apart, these two will find a way to make it work.

 

Favorite Quote:

  "Food first, fornication later."
  She laughed, a little breathless as she raced to keep up with him.
  "I happen to know, he added, "it takes stamina to do Santa's naughty list justice."

 

 

Amy Andrews’s ‘TIS THE SEASON FOR KISSING

<happy sigh> This was my favorite story in the anthology! Tamara and Luke were funny, sexy, and sometimes funny while being sexy. Here's what you need to know about this story: Tamara has abstained from sex for a year. Luke has been deployed overseas for nine months. A snowed in cabin on New Year's Eve. You do the math. This was a slow burn build-up and I enjoyed every second. Loved it!
 

Favorite Quote:

  His hand stilled as her intoxicating scent wafted toward him. Damn, but she smelled good. With the mint from the mouthwash mixing with the nutmeg and rum from earlier, she didn't smell like Christmas anymore. She definitely smelled like New Year's Eve. With a pinch of Halloween and a large dose of crazy. But after nine months and a strangely arousing non-striptease, his body had decided that Christmas was overrated.

 

 

Aimee Carson’s ‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE TEMPTED

  Wes and Evie are opposites. Wes is the total package, perfect body, job, life. Things aren't going so well for Evie. Her career and love life are not where she'd hoped. Wes has always considered Evie off limits, she's his best friend's little sister. But when they're snowed in on New Year's, Wes and Evie can fight that feeling no longer. I loved that Evie was wild, a non-conformist who is loud and proud. I also liked Wes, that though he exudes perfection, when he's finally pushed to the limit, Evie causes him to unleash years of pent-up attraction. This was a sweet story of a long-awaited connection between two people who seem all wrong for one another, but turn out to be just right.

 

Favorite Quote:

  Wes was just what she craved. A man she could trust, who was dependable. The kind of guy who watched over her when she was at her most vulnerable, but who burned with a passion so powerful it slayed all thoughts of treating her with kid gloves. He took her to places she'd never been before. Pushed her to the very edge of her limits. Protective when he had to be protective. Fierce when she needed him to be fierce.

 

You can purchase Baby, It's Cold Outside at:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble 

 

 

Follow Kate Hardy

Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

 

 

Follow Heidi Rice

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 

Follow Amy Andrews

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow Aimee Carson 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GIVEAWAYS

 

I have one ecopy of Baby, It's Cold Outside up for grabs. Just enter the form below.

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Aimee Carson is giving away one $10 Amazon Gift Card. Hurry! It ends today!

 

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{REVIEW} FLAWED by KATE AVELYNN

Series: Stand alone
Genre: Contemporary YA
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Publication Date: 12/11/12
Format: ebook
Pages: 336
Source: Received from publisher for review.

Sarah O’Brien is alive because of the pact she and her brother made twelve years ago — James will protect her from their violent father if she promises to never leave him. For years, she’s watched James destroy his life to save hers. If all he asks for in return is her affection, she’ll give it freely.

Until, with a tiny kiss and a broken mind, he asks for more than she can give.

Sam Donavon has been James’ best friend — and the boy Sarah’s had a crush on — for as long as she can remember. As their forbidden relationship deepens, Sarah knows she’s in trouble. Quiet, serious Sam has decided he’s going to save her. Neither of them realizes James is far more unstable than her father ever was, or that he’s not about to let Sarah forget her half of the pact . . .

Flawed is a brutal, unflinchingly painful, yet beautifully told story of broken psyches and broken hearts.

This is a really, really difficult review to write. Maybe that's fitting because Flawed was a difficult story to read. I can only imagine how painful it must have been to bring to life. I want to start by commending author Kate Avelynn for her talent and courage in writing such a unique book.

I think, by reading the synopsis, the basics of the story are clear. Sarah O'Brien is the victim of a horrific home life. Her brother James is her savior, taking her pain at one price, her love. All of her love. When James' friend Sam makes a long-awaited connection with Sarah, a chain of horrific events is set off that will leave lives destroyed. Amid the insanity, there is a beautiful love story. The moments of peace, acceptance and love between Sam and Sarah were my favorites in Flawed.

Almost every other moment, though beautifully written, was painful to read. And you know, that's okay. I absolutely believe that Flawed is a story that is meant to make you uncomfortable...how could it not? I wanted to put the book away in the times of extreme brutality. It was almost too much to take. There were so many wrong decisions made by the characters. But who can judge two children who have lived such a brutal existence? As hard as it is to believe, there are people in the world, far too many, who actually live the life of Sarah, and James. So to say that I can't stand to bear witness to a story like this is a cop out. If someone can endure it, at the very least, I can read it. And I think it says I lot that I've just sat here and written an entire paragraph, treating Flawed as a work of non-fiction and the characters as real beings. This goes to shows what a remarkable job Avelynn did in pulling me so deeply into her story.

At the end, I'm still at a loss with this review. Did I enjoy Flawed? Yes, I enjoyed the writing, and definitely the lovely moments between Sam and Sarah. But no, I didn't enjoy much of the story. I wasn't meant to. I felt deeply, thought hard, and ended with a broken heart. But I promise one thing. I won't forget Flawed.


Favorite Quote:

  "The more I'm around you, the more I realize just how much James didn't tell me," he says. "How much I don't know."
  He closes his eyes. When he opens them, they're the dark, thunderstorm gray I love best. "If I had any idea, I never would've waited this long."    (34%)



You can purchase Flawed at:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository