BLOG TOUR STOP eARC REVIEW- Breathless by Rose J. Bell

Title: Breathless
Author: Rose J. Bell
Publication Date: September 30th 2013
Ebook/Book Copy Source: Author
Plot: 
Some truths can leave you breathless... 

Two years ago Ree Coleman’s life imploded, when her life was taken away from her. Now Ree is a "living dead girl", trying to survive each day, when it’s just a struggle to breathe.

After the unexpected death of her father, Ree and her family lose everything. As they are forced to leave the rich Upper East Side, they find themselves living in the slums of Bronx. Ree must figure out ways for her family to get by, and she tries to accept her father’s death. However, his death prompts many questions, including what really happened to him.

Meanwhile she meets Logan Marquez, a boy with a dangerous reputation. Knowing that boys are dangerous, Ree tries to stay away from him, but Logan insists on trying to earn her trust and friendship. 

Soon, dark and dangerous secrets are revealed, and one explosive secret will shatter both their worlds. 

Due to heavy subject matter, graphic scenes and sexual content this book is intended for mature readers.

BRIEF:

"You can be broken inside, but you can still be a strong person. Appearance doesn't have anything to do with the soul. You should know that, Ree."

Coming into reading this I knew that there was going to be some heavy themes. The only thing is, is while I understood the female protagonist's plight and struggles, I had a hard time connecting with her on a deeper level.

Ree feels "broken" due to a horrific three month kidnapping experience that's shattered her faith in people (particularly men). She lives her life day to day still feeling the after effects of the trauma she had endured and is unwilling to let anyone in.

One day, her dad goes on a business trip and is later found dead. Police rule that it was a suicide while Ree knows that it was an act of foul play.

With her dad dead, Ree and her family lose everything and have to move from their rich Upper East Side of New York to the slums of the Bronx.

Only, with Ree's kidnapper still at large, a mysterious love interest named Logan now in the mix, and explosive secrets turning up, what will become of Ree?

.....

MY REVIEW:

The precipice of "Breathless" is good but the story line kind of lagged for me and the pace was too slow for my taste. I'm the type of reader that needs constant action or revelations to keep me interested and "Breathless" isn't that type of read. It's more so an emotional journey for Ree and therefore it took time to manifold.

Also, so like I said in the beginning, connecting to Ree was probably the hardest part for me. While I get why she is the way she is I still couldn't stand her self-pity and redundant statements claiming that she was "broken." Seriously, if I were in your shoes and went through the same ordeals I would definitely feel the same way but I wouldn't keep telling myself and others constantly that I'm "broken" constantly. It's very annoying and made me want to throw something at her. After all, some unfortunate people also go through the same ordeal only to not escape or survive. Be happy you're alive and well.

As for the admission on identity of the kidnapper, or "Psycho," as Ree liked to call him was just shocking. I was so not expecting that. Is it so terrible that I mostly paid attention to the back flashes of Ree's kidnapping with Psycho the most appealing parts of the book? Gosh, I feel so wrong and demented for admitting that! lol.

That said, I'm sure that you other readers will find this book pulling at your heartstrings but for me it just wasn't for me. 

Thanks so much to Rose J. Bell for allowing me to read the ARC of "Breathless"! It was not a bad read but I guess I needed something more to hold my attention.

My Rating:

-Overall : 8
-Plot : 8
-Writing : 8
-Characters : 8
-Cover : 7



Where to get your copy!
Amazon
Smashwords

BOOK LAUNCH!- Worth the Fight (MMA Fighter, #1) by Vi Keeland

Title: Worth the Fight
Author: Vi Keeland
Publication date: October 3, 2013
Summary: Standalone, HEA
Blurb: It didn’t matter that the ref called it a clean hit. Nico Hunter would never be the same. Elle has a good life. A job she loves, a great apartment, and the guy she’s been dating for more than two years is a catch and a half. But it’s boring…and she strives to keep it that way. Too many emotions are dangerous. Her own past is living proof of what can happen when you lose control. Then Nico walks into Elle’s office and everything changes…for both of them. But what can the tattooed, hard-bodied MMA fighter and the beautiful and always steady attorney have in common? A lot more than they bargained for.

Add Worth the Fight to your TBR list on Goodreads here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18080889-worth-the-fight

Short Bio:
Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work.  She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting USA Today Best Selling smut author by night!

Contact info:
Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Vi-Keeland/435952616513958
Website -     http://www.vikeeland.com
Twitter -     @vikeeland
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6887119.Vi_Keeland
Email -          vikeeland@gmail.com

*MY REVIEW HERE*'

Where to get your copy!
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords

BOOK REVIEW...Lash (The Skulls #1) by Sam Crescent

Title: Lash (The Skulls #1)
Author: S.K. Hartley
Publication Date: September 26th 2013
Ebook/Book Copy Source: Personally Bought
Plot: No one messes with The Skulls and gets away with it! The last thing Angel Marston ever wanted was be at the mercy of The Skulls. They’re the local bikers and the club that helps keep the town safe, but they have their own kind of rules. They party hard and do whatever the hell they want. But her father’s debts to the club mean Angel has no choice. Lash loves his club, but he wants a woman who hasn’t slept with all the crew. Angel is just what he’s looking for. She’s sweet, young … and a virgin. He wants her more than anything and has already staked his claim on her. When Lash touches her, Angel can’t help but melt. He sets fires inside her body with his wandering hands and sinful lips. She can’t say no, and she wants him desperately. But when all seems to be going so well for Angel and Lash, their pasts catch up to them. The Skulls have enemies who want the town and their women. Lash must decide who to put first, the club or his woman. Is Angel strong enough to stand by his side when the going gets tough? And what will happen when tragedy and pain both hit at once?

MY REVIEW:

The good: Fast, sexy read.  

The bad: The build up of the characters' relationship didn't add up.

My thoughts:  While I did enjoy this book, I have to point out that I did not get the supposed chemistry between Angel and Lash. I get that there's this whole opposites attract kind of aura but what I do not understand is how they fell in love and how fast it was!

I mean, Angel didn't know much about Lash other than he was ridiculously handsome and the "muscle" of The Skulls MC.

As for Lash, I kind of thought of him as a semi-stalker. How could he not be? He watched and observed Angel for a year before mustering up courage to even talk to her! And then one night he finally grows some balls and decides to claim her?! Heh? 

You know, I get the whole physical attraction between the characters: both are appealing and where I can see Angel digging the whole bad boy thing, I can also see Lash falling for the whole innocent, girl next door persona. But, in the end, what I didn't follow is how they fell so hard for each other in such a short span of time.

Lash, I can see how his feelings might have started but as for Angel I'm a bit flabbergasted. One second she was trying to push Lash away but the next she's all hot all over him. Kind of gave me whiplash ALTHOUGH it didn't help that Lash would also manipulate her through stimulating sexual caresses. CHEATER!! ;)

GAH, this book is pretty unrealistic BUT I'd be lying to say that I didn't enjoy it over all! Buahahahaha!! Now, who's giving you whiplash?!? LOL.


SO, MY VERDICT: 

Despite my criticisms, I still would recommend this book to those of you looking for a good MC read.

I liked the story, I liked the characters, but I just did not get the "falling in love" aspect is all.

I'm now hoping that the author will make the next installment Tate and Murphy's book as that couple has a lot of sh*t they need to work out.

Perhaps then for book three it can be Tiny and Eva??

Oh, and book four be on Blaine and his baby mama? I know that this is probably NEVER going to happen but I can still have some wishful thinking. I grew to LOVE Blaine even if he was only in the story for like 5-10 minutes. IDK what it is about him that I grew attached to but I liked him and would definitely read a story upon him!!

Anyways, I'll stop my useless babbling now! Lol! Enjoy the book ladies and gents! I'm out!!



MY RATING:
-Overall : 8
-Plot : 8
-Writing : 8
-Characters : 8
-Cover : 8.5


Where to get your copy!
Amazon
Smashwords

BOOK REVIEW...Finding You (Bad Boy, #1) by S.K. Hartley

Title: Finding You (Bad Boy, #1)
Author: S.K. Hartley
Publication Date: October 1st, 2013
Ebook/Book Copy Source: Personally Bought
Plot: 'I will always take care of you' My pain started when I was just ten years old, it was the day my mom got that dreaded phone call. Life has never been the same.... 'I will always protect you' I am all kinds of broken.... I have known Logan White since forever, he is my brothers best friend and my secret protector. I used to have nightmares that drew me into a dark place and when the nightmares got too much, Logan was by my side. The nightmares are few and far between now, but my life is centered around the tragedy of my past. Logan is the definition of 'man whore', with girls lining around the block to drop their panties at the click of his fingers. But after an unexpected moment things change. Now Logan is somebody else; hot, sexy and so damn delicious and I want to know him. Desperately. But then there is Angel Walker who is far from the angelic nature of his name, with eyes so hypnotic that I lose my inhabitation’s just by staring into them. But he is a broken man who just screams sin. He doesn't want to protect me or care for me, He just wants me. Do I want the man who can cut through all of my pain or the man who could cause me more? Fists will fly, hearts will shatter and desire will be fueled.

MY REVIEW:

"Cluster f*ck doesn't even describe what I am thinking right now." -Yep Neva, you literally took the words right out of my mouth regarding this book!

Before going into this I already knew that there was going to be a love triangle. What I did not expect was: 

1)ALL OF THE CONSTANT CRYING AND SHEDDING OF TEARS BY NEVA, LOGAN, AND ANGEL

2)Neva to frustrate me to no ends!! "I love him but I love him too."

She admits that she loves both guys but whenever she's with Angel (e.g. kissing, having sex) she is thinking of Logan. WTH? 

3) AND, EVEN MORE CRYING!!

SO....
What team am I on? Team Logan or Team Angel? Sorry, but I've always been a hopeless romantic with the whole falling in love with your friend thing so I'd have to pick Logan. Plus too, I felt really bad for him during the course of the book. Yeah, he may be the manwhore of the campus BUT Neva really puts him through the ringer and it made me angry. Her defense?

1) He deserves much better than me
2) I need to protect him and yet I love him
3) My issues will tear us apart.

Sister, he ALREADY knows of your demons and has been there every step of the way yet he still chooses to love you.

As for Angel, I liked him too but Logan won this for me. I know Neva likes the fact that when she's with him she can just "be her" without all the nightmares and drama. BUT, like her brother Tate points out:

"You are basing your relationship with Angel on a lie, he is going to find out eventually." 

Gah, Neva!! You are playing with fire. Haven't you ever heard of the idiom, "Play with fire, you'll get burned"?

AND SHE DOES!! Wait to your learn the shocking cliffhanger at the end!! What a game changer!!


MY RATING:
-Overall : 8
-Plot : 7
-Writing : 8
-Characters : 7.5
-Cover : 8


Where to get your copy!
Amazon
Smashwords

BOOK REVIEW...Straydog by Kodilynn Calhoun

Title:  Straydog
Author: Kodilynn Calhoun
Publication Date: September 15th 2013
Ebook/Book Copy Source:  Author

Plot:    Book 1 of the Straydog Trilogy

17-year-old Remie Winters dreams of graduating high school, marrying her boyfriend, and starting a family of her own, so when she ends up pregnant, she’s ecstatic. Sure she’s young, but she wants this baby more than anything—but upon spilling the news, her world is flipped upside down. Her boyfriend dumps her, her dad flips his lid and kicks her out and nothing seems ease the ache in her heart.

Until Torsten Stone comes back into her life—charming, gentle, and oh, so sweet, he’s exactly what she needs.

Torsten’s loved Remie his entire life, but he was never brave enough to tell her. Now he has the chance to make up for lost time, to hold her fragile heart in his hands, and as he falls deeper in love with Remie and the little life growing inside of her, he knows he wants her. Not just for a little while; he wants her by his side, forever.

But Torsten has a secret—one that could shatter their newfound relationship if she ever found out. Because Remie’s all too human and Tor isn’t human at all…


MY REVIEW:

The good: Interesting plot; decent pacing; likable characters

The bad: I wouldn't say this is bad, but there was a bit too much "drama" at times that made me either become overwhelmed or feel super bad for the main heroine.

My thoughts:
Over all, I did like this book but I agree with the other reviewer, Road, that Ms. Calhoun puts Reine through so much!!

Albeit, I liked the plot and the colorful array of characters, I just felt that certain things could have been lessened a bit.

LOVE LOVED TORSTEN! <3



My Rating:

-Overall : 8
-Plot : 8
-Writing : 8
-Characters : 8
-Cover : 8



Where to Get Your Copy!
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords

Cover Reveal!- Escape in You by Rachel Schurig

Escape In You by Rachel Schurig 
Publication date: October 15th 2013 
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult 
Synopsis: Jet Taylor is the quintessential bad boy. A womanizer. A fighter. Dangerous. The type of guy most girls do their best to avoid. But Zoe Janes is no saint herself. In fact, she sees in Jet the perfect opportunity to distract herself from her responsibilities at home and the mistakes that keep her trapped there. He’s gorgeous, likes to party, and is clearly only interested in having fun—just like Zoe. But the more time they spend together the harder it is to stick to her “fun only” mantra. Jet is getting under her skin, making her believe things could actually be different. She knows they’re both trapped by the sins of their past but Jet is starting to make her think freedom might actually be possible. And that makes him the most dangerous boy of all. 
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18520475-escape-in-you

AUTHOR BIO
Rachel Schurig lives in the metro Detroit area with her dog, Lucy. She loves to watch reality TV and she reads as many books as she can get her hands on. In her spare time, Rachel decorates cakes. Her THREE GIRLS series is available now from Amazon!

Website: http://rachelschurig.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelSchurigAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rems330
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5049499.Rachel_Schurig

Cover Reveal!- Crashing Into You by B.D. Rowe

CRASHING INTO YOU

By B.D. Rowe

Release: November 5, 2013

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Bookish college sophomore Sydney Baker wants Evan Taylor with every ounce of her being. The hottest stud on campus, Evan is six foot four, ripped, stacked with muscles. He's even easy to talk to. There's just one problem: he's her roommate Melanie's boyfriend. But when Melanie tragically dies after a night of wild partying, Sydney and Evan turn to each other in a time of intense grief. And it doesn't take long for their close friendship to blossom into something more. Unfortunately for Sydney, secrets from the past soon put her relationship with Evan to the test. Especially when a sexy blonde freshman makes her way into Evan's life, and tries to rip away everything Sydney holds close to her heart. 
**Mature Situations and Sexual Content - Recommended for Ages 17+** 
  
About the Author: B.D. Rowe is a writing fiend, book devotee, film fanatic, and constant dreamer. Rowe is currently working toward an MA in English-Writing at the University of Nevada, Reno, and is hard at work on another novel. 
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