Review: HOLD MY HAND by Paloma Beck

Cover Design: Erin Dameron-Hill Graphics

HOLD MY HAND
by Paloma Beck
Published: April 1, 2013
Editor: Perk It Up Editing
Source: E-book provided by author in exchange for honest review.
*Warning: This book contain adult themes including sexual acts and language that may not be appropriate for all readers.
A book about Aubrey and William. They are navigating through a relationship that may have too many hurdles... or perhaps not, as long as she can hold his hand.

Aubrey has been hurt in the past, discouraged and degraded. Still, William sees something in her that won't allow him to walk away. Instantly drawn to her but intuitive enough to take it slowly, he courts her. Then he bargains, persuades and seduces until Aubrey becomes ensnared by his commanding nature. Despite the fight she puts up in accepting William's lifestyle, the bonds he places on Aubrey give her a freedom she desperately needs. And together, they heal old wounds and find their perfect love.

*****

REVIEW:

The best description I can come up with for this read would be that it's a lighter, shorter version of Fifty Shades of Grey. HOLD MY HAND contains some of the same themes, especially the BDSM nature of the relationship; however, this book is more focused on the female's, Aubrey's, growth. I really like the way the book revolves around what Aubrey needs, feels, and struggles with in her daily life. I really wanted more detail about her past, especially her father. Of course, this could come into play in the sequel. 

The story flowed pretty well, chronicling Aubrey's journey through this exciting and challenging new lifestyle with William. Aubrey's character was quite fascinating to me. I'm not usually a fan of the women who constantly belittle themselves and find worth in a man (I know, I know... why the hell do I read BDSM then. That's for a later time. I have issues. Lol), but Aubrey's insecurities obviously stem from past emotional abuse. Which I find much more complex than prior sexual abuse. I just wish there was more of this element in the story. A little more history given.

That being said, William is a complete freakin' mystery! He reveal very little throughout the book, and what he does reveal just left me want more of his history as well. However, he didn't feel incomplete. It simply added to mystery that is William, and made him more appealing to me as the reader. It helped me relate to Aubrey's feelings toward him.

I only have one complaint, and honestly, many readers probably wouldn't pick up on it, but I'm crazy obsessed with grammar... you can thank my English degree. At times, there were tense shifts within sentences and inaccurate verb usage. Like I said, this is a small thing that most readers probably wouldn't notice. It didn't affect my love of the story at all, it only slowed down my reading, because, like I said, I'm obsessed.

Overall, I was very happy with this story, but I also think there is plenty of room to expand on the details that would just make it that much better. Given a little more depth and insight, for example, showing more of Aubrey's feelings and actions while she is away from William, would make this a great read for me. It would just take the story to the next level. I'm looking forward to more of Aubrey and William's story in book 2, HEAL MY SOUL. If you enjoy erotic romance, give HOLD MY HAND a read. 

*****

BUY HOLD MY HAND

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THE ETERNITY CURE by Julie Kagawa ARC Review

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2)

By Julie Kagawa

Published by: Harlequin Teen

Publication Date: April 30, 2013Source: Digital ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.

How do you face the end of eternity?  

In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one rule left: Blood calls to blood.  

She has done the unthinkable: died so that she might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever-and possibly end human and vampire existence. 

There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago-and this strain is deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries, if Allie can get to him in time. 

Allison thought that immortality was forever. But now, with eternity itself hanging in the balance, the lines between human and monster will blur even further, and Allie must face another choice she could never have imagined having to make. 

*****

Review:

I absolutely LOVE Julie Kagawa! She takes a popular and well known genre, and weaves a new and inventive web of paranormal and dystopian awesomeness! The Blood of Eden series completely captivated me from the minute I started The Immortal Rules to the last sentence that left me craving more of Allie and her crazy world. Much like in her Iron Fey series, Julie has developed an amazingly strong and appealing female heroine who makes you proud. Allie is a character full of depth and passion and determination, and The Eternity Cure delves into these characteristics and explores the struggle between her humanity and the monster within.

This sequel took me places I didn’t expect, yet also left me hungry for more of the unexpected. With Julie, I never know what to expect next, but The Eternity Cure took that expectation to the next level. We get to know existing characters better, meet new characters, and even have some surprises that might, if you’re like me, make you want to snap the little mongrel’s neck! And then, of course, there’s a colossal cliff-hanger that left me thinking…. “No! I can’t wait another year to know what’s going to happen!” And left my husband concerned as I covertly, or so I thought, talked through all the things that could possibly happen in book 3 while in the shower. I’m still considering all this as I sit here writing this review too. I know Julie couldn’t possibly let me down. She never has before, and I expect book 3 to completely blow me away just like books 1 and 2.

So, as I patiently (yea right!) wait for book 3, I will consider what could possibly happen to Allie. Or actually, I will most likely try to distract myself and re-read The Immortal Rules and The Eternity Cure. If you like supernatural, paranormal and/or dystopians, you should definitely pick up the fresh and enticing twist of a series. You won’t be disappointed… in fact, you’ll just hunger for more!

*****

Read my review of The Immortal Rules, book 1 in the Blood of Eden series.

Pre-Order The Eternity Cure

Buy The Immortal Rules

LINKS

Harlequin's Website

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Blood Of Eden series website

Julie Kagawa's Blood of Eden optioned for movie

Review: BEAUTIFUL STRANGER by Christina Lauren

BEAUTIFUL STRANGER (BEAUTIFUL BASTARD #2)
By: Christina Lauren
Published by: Gallery Books
Publication Date: April 16, 2013 (e-book, Target exclusive paperback only)
**Warning: This is an adult title. It contains explicit sex and adult language.

A charming British Playboy. A girl determined to finally live. And a secret liaison revealed in all too vivid color. Book two in the NYT Bestselling series. 

Escaping a cheating ex, finance whiz Sara Dillon's moved to New York City and is looking for excitement without a lot of strings attached. So meeting the irresistible, sexy Brit at a dance club should have meant nothing more than a night's fun. But the manner--and speed--with which he melts her inhibitions turns him from a one-time hookup and into her Beautiful Stranger.

The whole city knows Max Stella loves women, not that he's ever found one he particularly wants to keep around. Despite pulling in plenty with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it's not until Sara--and the wild photos she lets him take of her--that he starts wondering if there's someone for him outside of the bedroom.

Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private.

*****

Review:

Wow, what a perfect follow up to the amazing Beautiful Bastard! The authors did a great job of keeping the feel of Beautiful Bastard without making Beautiful Stranger a re-telling of Chloe and Bennett's story. You could tell how much the authors loved writing Max and Sara, and thank the Lord they gave them their own story! I was a little worried we might get the same story with a different location and characters. You know, kind of like watching The Hangover 2. I hate feeling like I'm re-reading the same story with different characters. 

But I sooo should have known better than to expect that from this fabulous author duo! They did such an amazing job with Beautiful Bastard, that I don't know how I ever could have worried about Beautiful Stranger. The only similarities were, well, it involves sex and a love story. Both very good things! But Max and Sara completely hold there own. 

Max is like none other! He's tall and British... which in itself is amazing, but he's also kind and honest and attentive. His attention to every little detail is heartwarming and he puts his heart right out there. 

Sara is interesting too. She's not a Chloe, all hard and confident. She's sort of soft and fragile, despite her adventurous streak that she explores with Max. Don't get me wrong, she not weak, not at all. She's just been hurt and while I expected the love story to go one way... well it surprised me and took a different turn. Lets just say, sometimes even the strong get hurt.

You definitely want to check out this fabulous sequel! And if by some crazy chance you have read Beautiful Bastard yet, go on and climb on the band wagon... NOW! You don't want to miss these contemporary love stories!

*****

LINKS

Buy Beautiful Stranger on Amazon

Buy Beautiful Stranger at B&N

Author Website

Facebook

Christina on Twitter

Lauren on Twitter

The Beautiful Bastard Movie

My review of Beautiful Bastard

EARLY Review: DEATH REJOICES by A.J. Aalto

DEATH REJOICES
By: A.J. Aalto
Publication Date: April 30, 2013
Source: Digital ARC provided for honest review

Marnie Baranuik is back, and this time, the Great White Shark of psychic investigations has “people skills” and a new assistant who seems to harbor an unhealthy curiosity about Harry, her revenant companion. Together, they’ve got a whole lot of questions that need answering. Is an ancient vampire hunting in Denver? Who is stalking Lord Dreppenstedt? How do you cure a slipper-humping bat, ditch an ogre, or give a demon king the slip? And what the hell was she thinking, swearing off cookies?

Teaming up with her sexual nemesis, Special Agent Mark Batten, and their long-suffering supervisor, Gary Chapel, Marnie discovers that vampire hunters aren’t easy to rescue, secrets don’t stay buried, and zombies sure are a pain in the ass to kill.

*****

REVIEW

OMG! OMG! OMG! So, I was kinda already obsessed with Marnie and Harry and Mark Batten, but now, I am totally and utterly enraptured by this snarky, witty, and at times completely obscene threesome! They all drive me insane, yet I can never seem to pull myself away from them, and DEATH REJOICES was consuming. 

At times, Marnie's responses to events left me belly laughing so hard I was nearly in tears. You just cannot find her humor anywhere else. AJ Aalto has produced such an amazing character in Marnie and I just wish that I could pull her out of the pages and introduce myself. You know, maybe bake some cookies, or well brownies since I'm kind of attached to Batten, and pick her brain. Not in the zombie sense! I really don't want a zombie Marnie, the conversation just wouldn't be the same! Anyhoo... what was I saying? Oh yea, chatting with Marnie would be the most fascinating conversation of my life. While I love her humor and innuendo, I think it's quite obvious she uses it as a shield against her insecurities, and I'm really hoping that eventually someone cracks that nut. 

I'm curious to see where things go in the next book... so I might have to hunt AJ down and threaten her with zombie infection to make sure book 3 gets here sooner rather than later. I'm not sure how long I could possibly wait. There are just sooo many questions I want answers to! I'm kind of demanding that way! I can tell how much fun AJ has writing these books, because I have so much fun reading them. The writing is creative and captivating, and I have to admit that I've never, ever read another book/author that had me so enthralled and invested in the characters. 

AND... while this is an adult novel complete with sex and plenty of sexual innuendo (which I don't mind in the least) the story can complete stand on its own without those elements. It's not all about the sex, although the innuendo and desire is an integral part of Marnie's character, the sexual themes do not drive the story. This is not erotica and I wouldn't even classify it as romance, it's Supernatural, Paranormal, Fantasy, and Mystery with a "lust triangle" build in. A "lust triangle" that I really hope gets explored even more deeply in the future, because I'm extremely interested in the feelings that Marnie appears to be hiding. 

Ok ok, I will quit rambling. But seriously, this is one of my favorite series! And an amazing sequel! I'm so excited to be able to share it with all of you. So, if you've been hiding under a rock or just haven't stumbled on to THE MARNIE BARANUIK FILES yet, please please please pick up a copy of book 1, TOUCHED! Oh, and A.J. assures me that Book 3, titled LAST IMPRESSIONS is in the works and coming soon, complete with new team members! By now, you are all probably aware that I RARELY ramble on this long about a book, so take the hint please and check it out. 

*****

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TOUCHED 

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DEATH REJOICES

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RELEASE DAY Review: CLAIM ME - by J. Kenner

Claim Me (Stark Trilogy #2)
by: J. Kenner
Published by: Random House Publishing Group - Bantam Dell
Publication Date: April 23, 2013

For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You comes the second novel in the erotic, fast-paced trilogy that started with Release Me. This sexy, emotionally charged romance continues the story of Damien Stark, the powerful multimillionaire who’s never had to take “no” for an answer, and Nikki Fairchild, the Southern belle who only says “yes” on her own terms.

For Damien, our obsession is a game. For me, it is fiercely, blindingly, real.
 
Damien Stark’s need is palpable—his need for pleasure, his need for control, his need for me. Beautiful and brilliant yet tortured at his core, he is in every way my match.
 
I have agreed to be his alone, and now I want him to be fully mine. I want us to possess each other beyond the sweetest edge of our ecstasy, into the deepest desires of our souls. To let the fire that burns between us consume us both.
 
But there are dark places within Damien that not even our wildest passion can touch. I yearn to know his secrets, yearn for him to surrender to me as I have surrendered to him. But our troubled pasts will either bind us close . . . or shatter us completely.
 
Claim Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

*****

REVIEW:

Well, I thought book one had me hooked, but after reading this steamy sequel, I'm all wrapped up in Damien and Nikki! One thing I really love about this series so far is that Damien, while definitely falling on the male dominant side of the spectrum, is so very obviously trying to do right by Nikki. The relationship between these two characters is HOT but sweet at the same time. This follow up to Release Me opens so many doors to secrets and truly astonishing truths. 

While this book is very heavy on the sex, it's not what drives the story. Yes, there is a lot of very descriptive and erotic action; however, the story is more character driven in my opinion. Everything is revolving around the secrets and blossoming relationship between Damien and Nikki. I love the way his actions revolve around her and his need to protect her, even from himself, but what really captured me was Nikki's determination to face everything (when you read the book you'll understand what I mean by "everything") and basically plow through it head on in order to be by Damien's side when he needs her most. The devotion to each other is endearing, but add in the ferocious sexual appetite between them and DAMN, look out, because here comes the next fictional powerhouse couple!

*****

Read my review of Book 1: Release Me

BUY Claim Me

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COVER REVEAL, GIVEAWAY AND EXCERPT: ALL MY LIFE by Rucy Ban

ALL MY LIFE 

By: Rucy Ban

Release date: May 2013
Full length New Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Blurb

Seventeen-year-old Kari meets Neil Mars. “Neil as in Armstrong and Mars…as in Bruno.” A boy who beats every vampire, werewolf, highlander fantasy Kari has ever had. But she knows can’t get close to him. Not ever. Because that would mean telling him everything. Coming clean. And Kari can’t bear the idea of changing the way Neil looks at her. Like she’s the only girl in the world. His reverence is something too precious to lose. Perhaps even at the cost of losing him. 

But Kari doesn't know why Neil calls her his ‘Angel’ and when she finds out, she realizes what love is all about. Boundless joy, unending longing and a fuckload of heartache. 

******

Ahem... that is one SEXY cover! I absolutely CANNOT wait to read this one. I'm a cover girl, and this one has me SOLD! Not to mention that synopsis. It definitely has my attention. If the above isn't enough to reel you in, check out the excerpt below. *fans self* I'm feeling grabby at the moment... this is a MUST READ for me!

*****

EXCERPT from All My Life:

Maybe I’ll forget this feeling someday. Maybe it’ll just be reduced to a memory made up of a flickering gas heater, the salty dew of his skin and the love in his dark, inky eyes. This feeling of pure unadulterated joy. Of reaching a high so potent that your spirit feels like it’s soaring across the universe…and falling from that glorious peak only to find yourself enveloped in someone’s warm caring hands. When you feel like you’ve just died or been born, right at the same time. It could be that I’ll forget this feeling someday. But I’m sure it won’t be anytime soon. Maybe when I’m a hundred and looking forward to my lunch of mashed bread. Not one single day before. 

******

AUTHOR PROFILE 

Rucy Ban was born in 1978 and still continues to thrive. Ever since she first met Francine (the protagonist of her favorite novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn), Rucy fell in love with the written word. Rucy has a B-school degree in Marketing which she now puts to good use teaching lovable rowdy rogues and negotiating with her equally belligerent adolescent. In her previous avatar, she handled corporate communications for companies. At present, Rucy lives in Sao Paulo, travels often, speaks decent, if not quite fluent, Portuguese and really hates talking about herself in third person. 

FIND RUCY ONLINE

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******

And now for the fabulous giveaway! Rucy is giving away an ARC(epub/mobi) of ALL MY LIFE and $35 as Paypal credit. Enter through the rafflecopter form below.

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COVER REVEAL & Excerpt: ARE YOU MINE by N.K. Smith

Title: Are You Mine?

Author: N.K. Smith

Genre: New Adult Contemporary

Expected release date: 7 August 2013

Cover Design by Regina Wamba at MaeIDesign.com

Photography by Poly Mendes at www.polymendesphotography.com

Cover Reveal hosted by: Natasha at www.natashaisabookjunkie.com

[This is a self-published title so no pre-order purchase links will be available prior to publication.]

Isn't that a lovely cover?! And here is the full jacket. 

Book synopsis:

Human connection? Who needs it?

Ever since she can remember, wealthy but weary Saige Armstrong has felt different from her peers in Pechimu, New Jersey. With only one good friend to her name, she has navigated the complicated halls of high school and is now faced with the timeless question: Now what?

Fox Harrington, a fun-loving, socially charismatic graffiti artist uses his passions to color his world exactly how he wants it. He knows exactly where his life is headed. That is, until he meets Saige.

A summer project links the two together, making a tentative friendship bloom into romance, but despite their affection for each other, fundamental beliefs and ways of thinking threaten to destroy all they have built.

In this tender story of young love, N.K. Smith delivers a striking tale of two people standing on the precipice of adult life.

*****

Book Excerpt:

His weight on me is new and wonderful, and when his lips find mine, I’m sure there’s nothing better in the universe. He moves his mouth lower and his tongue touches the hollow of my neck. I can’t stop shivering. I close my eyes when his lips are back to mine, and I tighten my arms around him.

There’s something frenetic, yet measured in the way he kisses me. It’s not hard to figure out that I’m the wild frenzy, and he’s the calm, dignified restraint. I can’t move much because the weight of him limits me, but I’m able shift just enough to free my legs. It’s instinctive to wrap them around his waist, but that brings about a whole other rush of sensations.

I inhale deeply the moment his lips part from mine, but it’s only a moment of freedom. Fox’s tongue sweeps out over my bottom lip, and it’s all I can do to let out my breath in a slow, but stuttered exhale.

It’s crazy how much I want him. It’s insane how just being with him changes everything.

*****

Author bio:

Based in the American Midwest, N.K. Smith is a Technical Writer for a Fortune 100 company. The author of the Old Wounds Series, Ghosts of Our Pasts, and My Only, she is a mother of two who finds the time to write very early in the morning when the rest of the world is still fast asleep.

An avid lover of history, art, music, books, and people, she is interested in telling stories that speak to the human condition.

Author contact links:

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Review: PARADISE HOPS by Liz Crowe

Paradise Hops

By: Liz Crowe

Published by: Tri Destiny Publishing

Pub Date: October 15, 2012

Source: Tri Destiny Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

**WARNING: THIS IS AN ADULT NOVEL. Recommended for 18+ only. This title contains mature themes, explicit language, and sexual scenes that are not suitable for everyone.

A brutal attack  left Lori  Brockton convinced she was damaged goods. By the time she emerges from hiding two years later, ready to run her family’s famous  brewery, she’s determined to be independent–never rely on anyone ever again. Nearly a year of working in every corner of Brockton Brewing Company, from warehouse to pub, front office to kitchen, teaches her all she needs to know about the business. Then, she comes face-to-face with masculine perfection in a suit and her world is rocked in more ways than one. Garret Hunter is the new Brockton business manager who takes one look at the beautiful, sad young woman and his entire existence coalesces  around winning her heart.

But standing between Garrett and what he believes is his true love, is a six-feet six-inch blond-haired bad boy brewer.

Eli Buchannan is a craft beer rock star, recently hired by Brockton to drag the company into the 21st century. He brings innovation and attitude plus a prima donna ladies’ man reputation.  But he’s sworn off anything resembling commitment, personal or professional, after getting burned at his last job on both fronts.

Garret Hunter is “The Perfect Man” — handsome, successful, stable, eager to settle down. Eli Buchannan… is not.  Compelling, smoking hot, creative and elusive, he represents everything Lori Brockton should avoid.  But just as  she makes a difficult choice, a drastic life-changing shift occurs, and nothing is ever the same again.

*******

Review:

Ok, this one blew me away! I bawled, actually sobbed my eyes out as my poor husband looked on with abject terror. He doesn't do weepy women, and I was one extremely weepy woman. I don't know that any other book has ever made be cry that hard. I actually had to put the book down for about 5 minutes (that's as long as I could bare to pull myself away from it) so that I could compose myself and find out what was going to happen next.

The characters in Paradise Hops (just the title makes my eyes misty now) are incredible and the love triangle is truly complex. Both male characters, Garrett and Eli, are so well developed that in combination with Lori's past her indecision, mistakes, and confusion are very believable. My heart reached out to her during all her confusion and mixed up feelings and, as I've already said, I bawled like a freakin' baby. 

This is the second book the I've read by Liz Crowe and I love how brewing and craft beer are so central to these stories. It's fascinating, and well, I love beer! So it's totally a plus for me. But the brilliant thing is that while the story is built around the brewing, it's not ... well, about the beer. It's about the characters and their relationships to each other and the beer. 

Paradise Hops is a stand alone novel so if you haven't read any of Liz's work before, it's a great place to start. I will warn you, there is sex. And lots of it, along with details and language. So, if you are sensitive to these issues, this might not be the book for you. Personally, I love it! And if you enjoy a semi nontraditional romance, with some vulgarity thrown in, you should definitely pick this one up. And then, pick up some more of her books because she is absolutely fabulous!

********

LINKS

BUY PARADISE HOPS

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