{Hiatus} Surgery.....it's a Scary Thing....

 

 

Have no fear....I'll be back quicker then you know it!

 

 

Most of you are probably not even remotely aware of what I'm talking about, but it's ok because I'm going to explain it in great gory detail.

 

 

It all started roughly 8 weeks ago, it was just another typical Tuesday night at softball....there I was running the bases when an outfielder caught a one hopper slightly more gracefully than I had expected. Stopping to go back to first base it happened, POP! Falling to the ground in agonizing pain, all while screaming like a girl, I held my knee in hopes that the burning sentation would go away.

 

Guess what, it didn't....after an ER trip, follow-up MRI's & robot braces, I am now preparing to have complete ACL reconstructive surgery in roughly a week.

 

 

 

Very few things about this excite me, I am actually the opposite. Terrified.

Never in my life have I had surgery, so the whole thought of being put to sleep only to wake up in with a screws in my knee & stitches scarring my leg isn't pleasant. But the thought of being able to bend my knee again after 8 weeks of not being able to physically do it almost brings me to tears.

 

(In this picture you can see how much atrophy I have in my injured leg, on the right, compared to my non-injured leg)

 

So, I'm hoping for only the best & a quick healing process. Thought I know this will entail roughly 6 months of hard physical therapy & won't be able to do activities on it until the 8-10 month mark, it's a light at the end of my tunnel.

 



{Blog Tour: Review Giveaway} Dirty Little Misery - By Tracey Martin



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Author: Tracey Martin 

Website 

Release Date: 8/12/2014  

Purchase Info: Amazon ~ B&N  

Thanks to her freakish, satyr-like power, Jessica Moore was denied her dream to join the Gryphons, the magical law-enforcement officers protecting humanity from the pred races. But after the Gryphons tried to arrest her for murders she didn’t commit, Jess is no longer interested. Too bad—they are.
Now that they know what she can do, they want Jess on their side. If she doesn’t agree to help them solve a new case, they’ll charge her with every magical crime she’s ever committed.
Nine people are dead. The cause? Exhaustion. The activity? Never-ending sex. Someone sold them tainted F, an illegal aphrodisiac made by satyrs. No surprise, Jess’s satyr allies aren’t pleased with her investigation. Worse, it strains her tenuous relationship with Lucen, the one satyr she counts as a friend.
As Jess delves into the shady satyr business world, she unravels a scheme more sinister than dirty drugs—and her relationship with Lucen unravels right along with it. Only the truth will save their friendship. But not before it turns Jess into an ambitious killer’s next target.

Warning: Contains blackmail, betrayal, and sex that’s literally to die for. Plus plenty of bad stiff jokes to go with it. Remember, just say no to magical drugs

 

 

Hot steamy action, and it was just my cup of tea!

 

 

 

Oh how I've missed your Urban Fantasy....it's been far too long since I've read a book that had me enthralled like this one.

 

Jumping into this series I was blindsided with how gritty it was, and I mean that it a great way. Jess the main character was smart, frustrated, witty, sarcastic, truly all the things that I love in a heroine. Getting to know her was fantastic, even if she has some issues with self hating. I mean her gift, or curse, is going to be such a great asset for her as this series goes along. Having a trick like that up your sleeve is going to be something to watch for.

 

Besides the thought out plot line, let's talk about the way females are dropping like flies....exhaustion...from sex...I mean sounds like the best way to go, but not necessarily when you're being drugged into it. As Jess learns more and more about this case, where these tainted drugs are coming from she truly starts to shine. Using her gift allowed her to own her uniqueness, it was awesome.

 

Lately I've been finding quiet a few series' that I would follow to the ends of the literary earth, and this is one that I'm adding onto that pile. Writing style, fast paced, edge of your seat writing is something I admire so much, and Tracey was able to combine all of these things into this action packed book.

 

 

4/5

 

 

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About the Author:

 

 

Tracey Martin grew up outside of Philadelphia, the lucky recipient of a drama-free childhood, which is why she spent so much time reading about other people’s lives. It was while she was working on her doctorate in psychology that she had an epiphany–imaginary people are way more fun than real ones. And so she began writing. Never able to choose just one of anything, she currently writes both urban fantasy for adults and contemporary stories for teens.
She likes her coffee simple, her music epic, and her movies to contain explosions. A city girl at heart, she doesn't understand how she and her husband ended up living in New Hampshire, but writing keeps her off the mean, small town streets.
Media: tracey-martin.com, @TA-Martin 

 

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GIVEAWAY

 

 

 

 

{Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway} Descend - By Skye Malone



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Author: Skye Malone  

Website  

Release Date: 8/4/2014 

Purchase Info: Amazon ~ B&N  

Chloe always dreamed of visiting the ocean, and now the ocean is the only place she has left to go. Trapped in the form of a mermaid and on the run from the Sylphaen, her best chance for safety lies in traveling with Zeke to his underwater home and staying under his protection there.

Leaving isn't easy, however. Her best friend doesn't know where she's gone, and her family doesn't either. She's been forced to abandon Noah, the boy she's liked for years and who she's just discovered likes her too. She only hopes Zeke's people will help her so she can return soon.

But when conspiracies follow her and people start to die, safety becomes harder to find than ever. The Sylphaen are coming. They're more powerful than she could have imagined.

And they're not through with Chloe yet.

 

 

 

 

If the picture above doesn't say it all, allow me to elaborate!

 

Chloe+Noah+Zeke+Bad Guys+Shirtless Mermen+Danger+Love= UH-MAZE-ING!

 

Leaving off immediately where Awaken did, Descend took no time in creating fabulous story lines. Chloe is trying to accept her fate, which also means she could die because of what her parents were. Within the history of this Mermaid type race no one has ever survived with her condition. So not only is trying to avoid a super crazy cult, staying alive has just become her biggest obstacle.

 

 I would love nothing more than to write this super detailed, spoiler filled review...but at the same time I want to shake my compute like an etch-a-sketch because there is SO much I can't tell you. If you read this first book then you know how delicious Noah is, and also how important he is to Chloe. They not only share secrets, but feel like they don't have to hide who they are with each other. Yes in this book Zeke plays a major roll in Chloe's development as a character, but I will always and forever be #TeamNoah!

 

One of the things that I truly enjoyed about Skye's writing style is the detail, not only with the appearance of the characters, but how she truly thought out all the little details. For instance, in the beginning a group of characters are camping underwater and every single thing just

felt true. From the camouflage bubble, to the "fire", to the reasoning behind it all.

Skye has such grace & natural talent when it comes to writing, this series will be one that I will follow and fight for until it comes to an end.

 

5/5

 



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Author Bio

 

 

Skye Malone is a fantasy and paranormal romance author, which means she spends most of her time not-quite-convinced that the things she imagines couldn't actually exist.

 

Born and raised in central Illinois, she hopes someday to travel the world – though in the meantime she’ll take any story that whisks her off to a place where the fantastic lives inside the everyday. She loves strong and passionate characters, complex villains, and satisfying endings that stay with you long after the book is done. An inveterate writer, she can’t go a day without getting her hands on a keyboard, and can usually be found typing away while she listens to all the adventures unfolding in her head.

 

Skye also writes YA urban fantasy as Megan Joel Peterson and is the author of The Children and the Blood trilogy.

 

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | Tumblr

 

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GIVEAWAY:

 

 

{Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway} Not Quite Dead - By Lyla Payne

 

Author: Lyla Payne 

Website 

Release Date: 4/1/2014 

Purchase Info: Amazon ~ B&N  

A broken engagement sends Graciela Harper crawling back to Heron Creek with her tail between her legs, but finds the sleepy little town too changed to set her life right. Not even her budding drinking problem can obscure her Gramps’s failing health, or erase the mental picture of her first love happily married to her childhood best friend. To top it all off, she’s having a heck of time convincing the town’s dashing young mayor of her unfit-for-dating status.

When the ghost of 18th century lady pirate Anne Bonny starts insisting on a near daily audience, Graciela has to confront something else she never expected—being certifiably nuts at twenty-five years old.

Her brand new "I don't give a crap" attitude makes it easy to dismiss the mysterious threats that seem to be tied to her search for more information on the long dead pirate, but when her family becomes a target, Gracie knows she needs to find out why the ghost insists on being a constant, reeking companion.

If Graciela can put aside her prejudice against people without a pulse, she may discover that Anne Bonny’s problems are intricately linked with her own. The past harbors answers could help the cantankerous spirit find closure, but she is, after all, already dead. If Graciela doesn’t move fast, she might find herself doing the haunting, instead of the other way around.

 

Bump in the night!

 

Jumping into Not Quite Dead I was super excited to get my creepy ghost story on, but was pleasantly surprised when it developed into more than your typical ghost mystery!

 

 

 

It was main character love at first sight for me & Gracie.

 Drunk in a driveway with your nosey neighbor beating on the window was the perfect introduction. She's sass, smarts and just enough stubborn to touch my heart. The only hiccup I had was at times she threw herself 1 too many pity parties....but after those were all over she bucked up and saw that there were bigger issues to deal with....like ghost! Having a ghost stalk you isn't easy, but hearing details of death & secrets absolutely will mess with a girls mind.

 

One thing that I have to point out is all the rumors that surrounded Gracie....some of them cracked me up, but others made me want to cry for her. She went through so much, I can understand how hard life is and it shows how small town folk can just talk. So when everything came to light at the end of the book I found myself throwing a, "hell yeah" fist in the air for her. Like Win One For The Good Guys!

 

Through out this book I loved how all these small tiny details from the past linked up to complete the future. The author definitely had a fantastic way of blending all the plot lines without them bleeding into complete nonsense. Bottom line I loved this book, a few hitches, but it was an extremely satisfying read! This series is one that I will continue to read simply for the fact that it gives

 

 

4/5

 

 

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AUTHOR BIO:

 

 

 

Lyla Payne has been publishing New Adult romance novels for a little over a year, starting with Broken at Love and continuing with the rest of the Whitman University series. She loves telling stories, discovering the little reasons people fall in love, and uncovering hidden truths in the world around us - past and present. In her spare time she cuddles her two dogs, pretends to enjoy exercising so that she can eat as much Chipotle as she wants, and harbors a deep and abiding hope that Zac Efron likes older women. She loves reading, of course, along with movies, traveling, and Irish whiskey. Lyla's hard at work, ALWAYS, and hopes to bring you more Whitman University antics and at least one more Lowcountry ghost tale before the end of the year.

Lyla Payne is represented by Kathleen Rushall at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

If you want to know more, please visit her at http://lylapayne.com

If you're a fan of Young Adult fiction--science fiction or otherwise--please check out her work that's published under the name Trisha Leigh. http://trishaleigh.com

Author links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lyla-Payne/355992971175349

https://twitter.com/lyla_payne
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6903785.Lyla_Payne

http://lylapayne.com/

 

 

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GIVEAWAY

 

 

Open to US and Canada

$10 Amazon gift card, signed copy of Not Quite Dead, plus swag

{Book Blast + Teaser} Wild Dreams - By Dawn Pendleton

Happy Monday!!

How about we kick this day off with a BANG...and a great steamy teaser?!?!

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Title: Wild Dreams
Author: Dawn Pendleton
Series: Dreams Series #2
Publication: September 1, 2014

Dallas Montgomery doesn't do relationships. He bounces around from woman to woman, happy to live life as a bachelor. But a surprise excursion into the jungles of Africa has him wondering if “settling down” isn’t so bad after all - especially if it’s with the sexy Nicole Griffin.

Nicole can't stand Dallas. He's arrogant, full of himself, and drop-dead gorgeous - everything she vowed to avoid after her last relationship crashed and burned. Resisting him shouldn’t be a problem, until one wrong turn in the middle of the jungle puts her face to face with the real Dallas. The one who isn't such a jerk after all.

When they are brought together by a terrifying tragedy that threatens a friend’s life, Dallas and Nicole won't be able to escape their own demons. As one reconsiders life as a bachelor and the other struggles to put aside the past, they will ignite a desire as hot as the African jungle.

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Look for Crazy Dreams, available now!

Amazon | B&N

{Release Day Blitz + Giveaway} Upside Down - By Lia Riley

Upside Down
Author: Lia Riley
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Series: Off the Map #1
Publication: August 5th, 2014 by Grand Central

If You Never Get Lost, You’ll Never Be Found

Twenty-one-year-old Natalia Stolfi is saying good-bye to the past-and turning her life upside down with a trip to the land down under. For the next six months, she'll act like a carefree exchange student, not a girl sinking under the weight of painful memories. Everything is going according to plan until she meets a brooding surfer with hypnotic green eyes and the troubling ability to see straight through her act.

Bran Lockhart is having the worst year on record. After the girl of his dreams turned into a nightmare, he moved back home to Melbourne to piece his life together. Yet no amount of disappointment could blind him to the pretty California girl who gets past all his defenses. He's never wanted anyone the way he wants Talia. But when Bran gets a stark reminder of why he stopped believing in love, he and Talia must decide if what they have is once in a lifetime . . . or if they were meant to live a world apart.

Purchase

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

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About Lia

Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult Romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about as-of-yet unwritten books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. She and her family live in Northern California.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

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Excerpt

“That’s it, Talia,” Bran’s voice is encouraging. “You’re holding tight, that’s great. Now, I’m going to need you to release your left hand and reach up a few inches to grab the next hold.”

I grit my teeth. The way he talks, you’d think I’m scaling Everest. Or at least Kilimanjaro. Instead—

“’Scuse, us, we’ll be by in a tic. That’s the way, Andy, right around the lady.”

I’m the lady. Andy is a kid who doesn’t look a day over seven who scrambles past me in a flurry of Spider-Man shoes and gap-toothed smiles. His parents bring up the rear, smiling up at their wild monkey child with obvious pride.

And they aren’t the first group to pass me.

Five Swedish women, a couple, and a guy who looked to be in his mid-seventies have also shot past me during the course of the last quarter hour.

The top is so close I can taste it. Bran is being nothing but encouraging, but below me is a twenty-foot drop. Not enough to kill me, unless I fall with some sort of suicidal intent, but enough to make me feel incredibly uneasy about the boulder field.

Bran eases toward me. “Talia, take my hand.”

“Can’t let go.”

“Talia.”

“No.” This is it; this is the reason. Bran isn’t going to admit it here, while I’m bordering on a panic attack on a trail being conquered by elementary school children and senior citizens, but there’s no doubt this is A REASON to lose interest in me. I’m giving him a big capital-lettered reason, but I can’t stop. I physically can’t let go.

“Talia. Take a deep breath.”

“Breath taken.”

“Another.”

“Okay.”

“Give me your hand, no bullshit. I want your fingers in mine. You’ll be safe. I’m going to keep you safe. I need you to trust me.”

Somehow I do it. I give him my fingers. He assists me up. We’re doing this together. My head clears the boulder and I can see the steel marker that identifies the summit ahead. Holy shit, he’s right. I’m going to reach the top.

A few more steps, easy now, and we’re there. The kid in the Spider-Man shoes munches a Vegemite sandwich. I want to scoop him up in a smooshy squeeze. Except his parents would likely object, so I switch gears to give Bran a long and passionate kiss.

“I knew you’d get here,” he says.

“I didn’t.”

He turns me to see the view, his hands tight around my waist. “Your place is here, Captain, in the sun,” he whispers in my ear. “Don’t ever forget that.”

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Giveaway

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Hosted by Good Choice Reading Blog Tours

{Blog Tour: Review} Horde Without End - By Nazaera Andrews

Author: Nazaera Andrews  

Website 

Release Date: 8/24/2014  

Purchase Info: Amazon ~ B&N 

It was supposed to be over…

Returning from Haven 18 was supposed to be the end. But nothing is ever easy—and in a world full of zombies, finding the missing is next to impossible. There are breadcrumbs. Tiny clues. But what are a few tiny clues in a world of the dead?

Nurrin is desperate to find her brother, but that will mean trusting Finn O’Malley. A man shrouded in secrets, who kills as easily as breathing. And the more she learns about him, the more questions she has. But she has learned one thing—the zombies are changing. Adapting. And this time, the Haven walls won’t keep them out.

F.I.N.N.



His name explains it all; Fierce, Intense, Nonstop, Necessary.

After reading the first book in this series I absolutely could not wait for the second book. It was just my cup of zombie tea!
Finn, Ren, secrets, death, cults...a whole lot of awesome!

Ren (Nurrin) and Finn have some of the best chemistry I have ever read about. Their mutual disgust for each other turns into complete hotness & desire. To me when you have 2 characters who claim to hate each other that much it's only a matter of time before they get it on. Both of them are stubborn enough to pretend this lust they is simply human instinct and need...HA!

Besides the high amount of sexual tension, these two are on a mission to find Collin, Ren's brother, after they come back to their hideout to find him gone. They know he must be on the move....but the question is to where. Now it's about using Finn's connections, knowledge and gut to locate Ren's brother before something bad happens to him. 
Several times I thought that they were hot on Collin's trail only to be stopped in their tracks by the undead.

I truly, truly, loved how the last quarter of this book went. Traveling to a place Finn swore he would never go again just to keep his promise to Ren made me melt. (See, he really is a sweetheart)
But this just opened up an entirely different can of worms. Worms that led to secrets of Finn's past, how his family was truly involved in the break-out, and why he feels the way he does about the government. Oh, and I have to touch on Kendall....he's the current President, but I can not wait until zombies rip his flesh off wait until he dies! This may seem harsh, but once you meet this charming creature you'll understand why I feel there's a special place in Hell for him.

So if you couldn't tell by now I am madly in love with this book, author, her characters & the gruesomely beautiful world she's allowed me sink into. I will be stalking her until #3 is ready!
Nazaera has truly become that author who makes me loath advanced copies, simply for the fact that I selfishly have to wait that much longer for the next book in the series.


5/5