Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Review Tour for The Secret of Flying by Margaret Buckhanon



Synopsis
People in the village of Upstate New York find the McClary family to be a peculiar bunch. Some call them eccentric; others call them crazy, but the strangest McClary is Endive, the middle child, nearing forty, and living in a basement above a mortuary.

Endive is a frustrated social worker in a bureaucratic hog tie rendering her helpless to those in need. Invisible to her family, and boyfriend Neil, she comes undone when he ended the relationship. The plot to win him back is foiled by Davin Gray, rodeo star whose bravado and straight talk repels her but it masks the pain of a troubled past.
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Interesting book about a woman's journey to find acceptance, love and most of all herself! The characters were well described and had fantastic interaction. The story was a bit difficult to follow at times as it flipped from dream to present and from character to character rather quickly. All in all, I enjoyed the book very much.
4 stars

Reviewed By: Linda Como
Excerpt
And she watched him hungrily for any signs he still loved her as he had professed so many times before it scared her. Was it false bliss for the last six months? So what if it was, Endive was grateful to be the delusional fool because being loved made her life purposeful, something that filled the void and she did not want it gone. She did not want the “before Neil” of her life back, but unable to bear the emptiness of “after Neil” that was sure to follow.
Her temples pulsated to the verge of rupture. What to do, what to say, think, think, and think. The calm, rational side said to shut up, go to the bathroom, then reason with him to give the relationship a chance. Jesus, it’s only been six months. What could one possibly know about a person in half a year, 26 weeks, 120 days, 4,368 hours? Relationships have to be cultivated, a history must establish. What if the previous owner of the checkered sofa had gotten rid of it after six months?

"Would you excuse me for a minute?" Endive finally pushed herself up, steadied wobbly knees. "I'll be back, have to tinkle. Be right back," she repeated, curtsied and smiled, then walked briskly to the bathroom hunched over as if holding a full bladder.

A crazed woman about to crash off a cliff with a malfunctioning seatbelt, she pushed and shoved the medicine cabinet contents in search of the Valium. Okay, think, think, think, she repeated. Endive’s lovely brown eyes tripled in size when she grasped the empty bottle. "Oh God,” she freaked out mindful of Neil a few steps past the bathroom door, “right in the middle of a crisis.“

Intuitively, she grabbed the Midol box ripping it apart. A pill was taped inside the lid and above it, in a frenzied scrawled was written: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
MeetTheAuthor
Margaret Buckhanon's fiction has appeared in Birmingham Arts Journal, The Delmarva Review, Mississippi Crow and Shalla magazine. The Delmarva Review selected her short story,The Homecoming, for reading on NPR in 2009. Her debut novel, SIREN, was published in 2001.
   

 

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SLADE by Adriane Leigh ♥ COVER REVEAL

webslade
Title: SLADE (Wild, #3)
Author: Adriane Leigh
Expected Publication Date: September 2014
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Cover Designer:Cover It! Designs
Cover Model: Marcel Snyman
goodreads
 
Synopsis
Behind every beautiful thing, there is some kind of pain...

Always overlooked. Always just there. That's what Dillon was to me.

Until one night.

In one night she flipped my world on its axis and there's no going back. But she has secrets, and secrets fester like an open wound. They color the past and forecast the future, but I'm determined to open her up; free her from her memories so she can live in the light and have the life she deserves.

It's just too bad that she wants nothing to do with me. But I'm nothing if not persistent and I'm not a man that gives up without a fight. I've had a taste and there's no walking away.
I just have to convince her that I'm not what she fears, I'm what she wants.

EXCERPT

Slade, like Wild and Ridge, is a standalone.
Reading Wild and Ridge first will provide some back story, but is not required to read Slade.

“I guess I should have talked to you about…the other weekend. I get the sense that you wanted to do those things to me. Fair assumption?”
Fair.” I nodded, afraid of the next words to come out of her mouth.
“Well, I’m not sure I’m into that. It looks pretty fucking terrifying.”
“It’s all about trust. I’ll never take you farther than you want to go.”
She huffed and averted her hardened gaze. “I have issues with that.”
“No shit.” I mumbled. Her eyes cut to mine. “I read you like a book, Dillon. You think I didn’t realize that you have trust issues when you can't even look me in the eye when I’m inside you?” I ran a lock of her champagne hair between my callused fingers. 
She scrunched her nose and looked out to white-capped waves crashing against grey stone. 
“I want to earn your trust.” I took a step closer.
“Who says I want you to? I never asked you to. We were just messing around, Slade. If you hadn’t noticed, I mess around with a lot of people.”
Red flames licked my vision. My fists clenched at my sides and every muscle in my body went rigid. “You still fucking around with other people?”
“If I was?”
“Fuck, Dillon. I haven’t been with anyone since we started–”
“Started what? Started fucking? I’m just the town slut. Down for a fun time, nothing more. Surprised one of your buddies didn't warn you not to get involved with me.” 
“Oh, they did.” I grumbled, thinking back on Wild's warning not to get wrapped up in Dillon. Too little, too late. That ship had sailed. 
She arched full eyebrows at me, gnawed her lips between her teeth until they turned winter white while anger flared in her indignant eyes. “Don’t fucking come back to my house, Slade. Don’t fucking do it. From the beginning you've acted like you have some sort of macho bullshit claim on me, why is that?” She nailed me with her pointer finger.
“Because you’re mine.”

©Adriane Leigh - 2014

  Adriane Leigh WILD series
Wild (Wild, #1)
Ridge (Wild, #2)
 
About the Author
Adriane Leigh
Adriane Leigh was born and raised in a snowbank in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and now lives amongst the sand dunes of the Lake Michigan lakeshore. She graduated with a Literature degree but never particularly enjoyed reading Shakespeare or Chaucer. Adriane is married to a tall, dark and handsome guy, plays mama to two sweet baby girls, and is a voracious reader and knitter.  
Connect with Adriane
 
Additional Book series by Adriane Leigh
 
Giveaway!
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Tour - The Bondage Club by Alexandrea Weis


Synopsis
A man looking for a new beginning

Hunter Donovan is a writer who dreamed of penning the great American novel but settled for a job running the family business, Donovan Books. Trapped publishing other people’s stories, Hunter buries his frustrations in vodka and an endless parade of one-night stands. 

A woman with a secret

Cary Anderson is the perky, petite, and staunchly determined editor who is well versed in erotica fiction. But Cary has a kinky side that she is struggling to keep hidden from the world.

Fed up with dwindling sales, Hunter hopes to breathe new life into his publishing house by breaking into the risqué world of erotica. He hires Cary to rescue his company and she is keen to show her new boss everything she knows. But what starts out as a lesson in sexual fiction turns into an unexpected roller coaster ride of disastrous romantic encounters. And just when Cary helps stir Hunter’s creative voice, he uncovers the truth about her wicked ways. 

Some ties that bind can cut right to the heart in…The Bondage Club.
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The Bondage Club
5 stars

So not what you expect when you pick up this book. There were lots of surprises and twists.  I really enjoyed reading about how it is behind the scenes of creating a book. The sparks fly between Donovan and Cary and it's fun to watch. The things those two get into. I laughed so hard. One of my favorites was Donovan's father. As much as you want to hate him he redeems himself. This was my first Alexandrea We is read but I look forward to getting the other books in this line. - Tara

Excerpt
The veil of evening was reaching across his office window when Hunter’s cell phone on the side of his desk rang. Checking the caller ID, he frowned when he saw that the number was blocked.

“This is Hunter Donovan,” he barked into the phone.

“Do you always answer the phone in such a cheerful manner?” a seductive female voice reprimanded.

“That depends on who this is.”

“Cary told me of your little meeting today, and your interest in my next book. You don’t waste any time do you?”

Hunter’s heart skipped a beat. “Well, well, Ms. Slut. Nice to hear your voice again. I hope your time at the Book Expo was worthwhile.”

“You were the highlight of my trip, Mr. Donovan.”

Hunter smiled as he sat back in his creaky desk chair. “I’m so glad. I was beginning to think you didn’t like me.”

“Have you ever met a woman who didn’t like you?”

The question made Hunter chuckle. “Which answer will get me your next book, Ms. Slut?”

A high-pitched tinkling laugh came through the speaker of his iPhone, making Hunter’s stomach flutter ever so lightly. “I like a man who doesn’t waste time with sweet talk. Check your email. I just sent you the manuscript. It’s called The Bondage Club, and if you’re interested, e-mail me a contract, and I will look it over.”

“Can I ask what it’s about? I mean, with a title like that I can guess, but….” His voice faded as his curiosity rose.

“There are many different kinds of bondage, Mr. Donovan, that don’t involve ropes, chains, or even handcuffs.”

Hunter gaped at his cell phone. “I don’t get it.”

“Love can be a form of bondage,” she explained. “We can get tied to someone just as easily as we can be tied up by someone. The book is about bondage in all of its forms.”

“Then I look forward to reading it.” He paused as he thought of an idea. “But why not come to my office? We can discuss the details of the contract over lunch,” he pursued with a hint of insistence in his voice.

“I don’t think so. Lunch with you would be dangerous.”

Hunter coyly smiled. “For which one of us, Ms. Slut?”

“I’m not your type, Mr. Donovan.”

Hunter’s body rippled with the hint of a challenge. “You never know; if Donovan Books handles your novel, we may grow on each other.”

“I hope not. Getting involved with the man who publishes my book would complicate matters. I’m also a very demanding author. I might get on your nerves after a time.”

“I have a lot of demanding authors. You would fit right in.”

“Do you usually try and date your authors, or will I be the first?”

He fingered a corner of the manuscript open on the desk before him as his imagination began to wander. “You would be the first. I never date clients.”

“I heard a nasty little rumor to the contrary, about your brother and Monique Delome. They were engaged and then she up and married some Texas oil man. Lucky girl.”

“Lucky to be rid of my brother,” Hunter returned, pushing the manuscript in front of him to the side.

“Oh, do I detect a note of sibling rivalry, Mr. Donovan?”

He leaned back in his chair and turned his eyes to his arched window. “Rivalry, nah. More like deep-seated hatred. And if I’m going to bare my soul to you, you should start calling me, Hunter.”

“Let me guess, Hunter.” Her voice was throaty and delicious, spurring on his desire. “He stole your Legos when you were six and you have never forgiven him.”

Hunter ran his hand over his face, feeling the conversation was getting a little too personal. “Never mind my brother. Let’s talk about you.”

“I make it a practice never to talk about myself. The less people know about me, the better.”

“I don’t agree, Ms. Sl….” Hunter crinkled his brow. “What else can I call you? Ms. Slut is too—”

“Call me Smuttie, if you like.”

“Smuttie…don’t you have a real name?”

“Smuttie is all you need to know.” The sound of voices in the background broke in. “Let me know what you think of my manuscript, Hunter. I’ll be waiting to hear from you.” Then the line went dead.
Teaser


MeetTheAuthor
Alexandrea Weis is an advanced practice registered nurse who was born and raised in New Orleans. Having been brought up in the motion picture industry, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her award-winning novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story memorable. A permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured wildlife. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans.



Tie-In Novels:
(Each Novel is a Stand-Alone read)


GOODREADS
AMAZON
AMAZON CA
AMAZON UK
AMAZON AU
B&N




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The Fragile Fall by Kristy Love - August 6th


Synopsis
I've destroyed everything in my life and now I'm left with nothing. 

Alone and scared. 
Broken and shattered.
But I’ve found a way to deal with it. 
Instead of all the pain being on the inside, I make the outside ache too. Anything to make it easier to breathe.
Until one beautiful morning when I look outside and see her.

She tries to help me…
But I’m lost.

And I'm not sure I can ever be found
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** spoiler alert ** 
OMG I have never wanted to hug a male leading character so much in a book, poor Will. His life is turned upside down at the death of his parents but not only is he grieving for them, he carries a huge amount of guilt. He moves in with his Aunt and meets the two kids that live next door. Will has had a very sheltered church life, but Ryanne and Jax slowly help him come out if his shell although, he never truly lets them in fully.

The connection between Ryanne and Will is very sweet, they both feel the pull but Jax is none to happy about it so they both hold off. Will knows he will never be enough for Ry and she is worried about hurting Jax. After a sweet school dance that doesn't end well, Will's world spirals out of control and he starts to self harm to cope with his grief and guilt. Like I said I just wanted to hug him and keep him safe. 

Will seeks help and comes home to try again, but are they ready for the rough journey to freedom and happiness?

5 stars

Amy
Eye Candy Bookstore (Manager)


Excerpt
August was winding down. School had started and I was spending some time with Will and Jax before my night class.

Well, that had been the plan.

Jax ended up leaving early to go hang out with his girlfriend, which left me alone with Will, something I avoided at all costs. I couldn’t fight my feelings if I were alone with him. He had offered to leave with Jax, but it wasn’t his fault that I couldn’t control my feelings, so instead, I sat by the pool while Will swam laps. I loved watching the way his muscles flexed under his skin. I could watch him move all day.

I felt like I was baking in the sun, so I moved to the side of the pool, dangling my feet in the water. I didn’t want to disturb Will, so I bent over and cupped some water in my hand, then rubbed it over my skin to cool off. Pouring some water over my neck and back, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the cool water against my hot skin. When my eyes opened, Will was standing in the middle of the pool, staring at me. His eyes were heated as he watched the water drip down my skin. I bit my lip, not wanting to break his trance. I liked the way his eyes felt on me. I liked that I didn’t have to pretend that I didn’t want him.

“Hot?” he asked. His voice was huskier, sexier.

“Yeah, a little.” He swam over to the side of the pool and put his hands on my thighs. My breath caught in my throat.

His eyes never left mine as he rubbed his thumbs over my skin. “I could help you cool off.”

“Oh, yeah?” I asked breathlessly. I didn’t recognize my own voice.

His hands moved further up my thighs until they were on my hips. He moved me closer to him until he was standing between my parted thighs. “Yeah.”

Our eyes never left each other. Chills raced over my skin even though the sun was intense, but when his hands moved behind me, I realized what he was trying to do.
“No, no, no!” I squealed, attempting to get out of his grip. He overpowered me and threw me in the pool. I resurfaced, spitting and wiping water from my eyes. Will smirked as I tried to swim away, but he caught me and pulled me closer, tucking a strand of hair over my shoulder. My entire body was pressed up against his. I could feel his breath skating over my skin … his heart pounding … his muscles moving…

It took my breath away.

He brushed more hair out of my face and ran a finger down my cheek. “Are you cooled off?” I nodded and leaned closer to him, wanting to curl up in his arms and never leave. “Good.”

His eyes studied my lips as they parted. I wondered if he would kiss me. I wanted him to. God, I wanted him to kiss me so badly it had become a physical ache. His arms tightened around me and I found it harder to breathe. I was dizzy with the closeness of Will and how incredible it felt to be in his arms. I had never felt this way before.

I didn’t want it to end.

The sliding glass door opened, pulling Will and me out of our trance. Jax and his girlfriend Lindsey stood on the deck. Lindsey was smirking, but Jax had his arms crossed over his chest and his eyebrow raised, a slight scowl on his lips. Will dropped his arms and moved away. I missed him immediately. I wanted to move closer to him and tell Jax to leave, but I couldn’t.

I had to be strong.
Teaser


MeetTheAuthor

From the time she was old enough to form words into sentences, Kristy Love has been writing stories. She attended La Roche College and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Professional Writing. When she's not writing, Kristy can be found with her nose stuck in a book or spending time with her family and friends.

She lives with her husband and two girls in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.





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