Sunday, January 31, 2016

Audiobook Blog Tour: Anyone But Him by Cassie Graham

Title: Anyone But Him
Author: Cassie Graham
Audiobook Release Date: Nov 30, 2015
Find on Goodreads
Whitley Hayes is an ordinary girl with a gypsy heart. College is the only constant in her life. She’s made a lot of mistakes and she intends on keeping them in the past. 

Move on and forget. 
That’s her motto. 

Jennings Cohen is no ordinary man—not at all. He would have never imagined his life would turn into such a spectacle. The tabloids exploit him, fans stalk him and the paparazzi are relentless. It’s not always fun being Jennings. 
It doesn’t help that he has a secret. One that comes at a price he’s not sure he can pay.

Relationships get complicated and hearts shatter.

It’s not easy living a lie, but it’s easier than telling the truth.

“I very desperately want to kiss you.”
My mouth forms into a line. “And that’s bad because…?”
He takes a deep intake of air into his lungs and looks at me. I mean—really looks at me. Deep into my being. “Because I’m afraid if do, I won’t be able to stop.”
I elevate my body and collapse onto his chest. “Then, don’t.” If anything is like his previous kisses, I’m in for a passionate road ahead.
His hand reaches behind my head and I watch in slow motion as his beautiful face moves toward mine. The moment our lips touch, all of my other senses go haywire, feeling everything. Pleasure, need, hunger…want. So much want. I want everything he has to offer. In this moment, I don’t care what the future holds. I don’t care if he finds out about my shattered past and hates it. In this instant, I only care about him and the feelings he’s unleashing in and on my body.
His grip on my hair tightens as the kiss deepens. We moan together, feeling the pleasure poring from our bodies. His lips are sweet at first. Restrained and guarded. Almost as if he’s willing himself to slow down. But, I don’t want him controlled. I want him wild. I want him like the rain pours down. Taking no prisoners. The rain doesn’t care who it drenches; it just comes down, down, down. Soaking you. I want him forceful and firm, taking me how he wants. Just like the rain.
The thought of stopping makes me physically ill. This moment, being with him, in his warm, comforting embrace might be the most beautiful moment of my life. It’s heated and perfect. Stopping isn’t an option.
My hands move down his torso, taut and hard. His muscles move and bend under my touch and I feel myself growing wet as every second passes. The swirl of his tongue sends me high and I bite his bottom lip.
“I don’t think I’ve wanted anything or anyone as much as I want you, my Pretty Girl,” he hums in between kissing up and down my neck. “Nothing is as good as being with you. You have me soaring.”
He doesn’t have much time to say anything else before I’m pulling him up by his shirt, lifting it up and over his head. He grabs at my blouse, unbuttoning every button with detailed precision. When he opens my shirt, he simply stares, eyes electric. He puts his hand in between my breasts and just touches—feels.
“Come to bed with me. As much as I want you. Here. Now, I’ve gotta have you in bed. Slowly.”
I nod my head, unable to form any coherent words. It’s almost as if the hand that’s resting on my chest is somehow digging into my body, willing my heart to beat violently. He’s able to control me.
I wonder if I do the same.
I gently move off of his body and stand, watching him swing his legs off the couch. His body lifts and like a peacock, he looks big and alarming. Proud.
Grabbing my hand, he leads me up the stairs, stopping half way to pin me against the wall to thoroughly kiss me.
Hauling me to his room, he opens the door, turns on a small light on his nightstand and the cool air whooshes against my face. The blindingly white down blanket shines bright, but the dark, patterned pillows offset the brightness of the covers.
 “Christ, you’re beautiful.”


audio sample





Anyone But Him by Cassie Graham audiobook: the book was good and I recommend, but the audio was lacking. I always find audiobooks intriguing and when the opportunity to review this book as an audiobook presented itself, I grabbed it. I tend to find that the readers authors hire to read their books are many times hit or miss…and this one was so-so. I’ll get to that in a moment.

Whitley is working on her master’s degree in teaching while going to school when someone suddenly highjacks her cab one day. She had been shopping earlier with her best friend and television star, Holly and decided to take a taxi home. That would prove to be the moment when her life would change forever. Here was a man that she was instantly attracted to, someone she couldn’t stop thinking about, and someone who could be a problem for her heart. She believed in living in the moment and never getting too attached. It was a lesson she learned as a teenager, that and she’s hiding from something or someone.

Jennings was a big shot actor trying to get away from a horde of fans who were stampeding after him and he dove into the first cab he found in an effort to escape. Inside he found a girl that drew his attention and intrigued him. She wasn’t star struck like most people that met him were and she was more beautiful than any actress he had ever met. Something about her drew him to her like a moth to a flame. But things changed when he decided to go to her school and pretend to be someone else in order to live a normal life for a while. Little did he know it would become more complicated if that was possible.

Their lives seemed to revolve around each other. They were in class together, Jennings or Oliver knew Whitley’s boyfriend, and they couldn’t stay away from each other. They were falling in love. I do have to say that I feel like Whitley is a bit of a whiner and a hypocrite. She had her secrets and then got upset that Jennings had his own and he didn’t divulge. She also likes to run away. It is easier than trying to face the hurt and difficulties. Will love be enough to conquer all? Will Jennings remain by her side? Will she face her past and her future?

The story was intriguing and fun to listen to. It had love, angst, twists and turns. There were times you were rolling your eyes wondering when Whitley would get a clue, but you found yourself liking both characters. I give the story 3.5 stars and can't wait to see the next book in this series in addition to any other work from the author.

The audio book was okay. There were two readers: Angel Clark reading Whitley’s POV and Terrence Bayes reading Jennings’ POV. Angel’s interpretation sounded choppy and almost like a valley girl at times even though the character is from Kansas and living in Oregon. It almost sounded as if I was listening to a newbie actor in a high school play. Dialogue was handled better than the narration though. Terrance’s reading of Jennings was much better, flowed, and seemed to fit the character. There were a couple of awkward passages as well, but those were few and far between. Another problem was the editing. In chapter 24, Angel pulls away from the mic to ask a question and the editor did not catch it. Overall, I would rate the audio part of the book a 2.5.




Anyone But Him was a twisted story about lies that will shatter everything. I would give this story a 3.5 star. I really did enjoy this book but there was apart of me that couldn't quite grasp how the lie wasn't discovered sooner, it was pretty obvious so that being said I still enjoyed the story and would recommend it to others. This book did take me surprise at the end because I though it was done and the epilogue will blow that right out of the water... so now I am curious as to where this story will go from here. 

Whitley is going to college to make something of herself, this is all she has left and she won't let anything distract her. She does have a boyfriend Lark but she doesn't feel for him what she should and he doesn't treat her the way she should be treated but she tolerates it because he is just a means to and end. When Whitley is going home one night a stranger will jump into her cab and she doesn't realize it but this stranger is a famous movie star running from his fans-- Jennings Cohen. Her world will get turned upside down... 

Jennings is tired of the repercussions of being famous.. he always wanted a normal life where he went to college.. but acting is a passion.. so when he is running from fans and ends up in a cab with the most gorgeous woman he has ever met he will try to find a way to be normal... but one problem she has a boyfriend so he has to be put in the friend zone. 

When things don't work out for Whitley and Lark because she finds out a huge secret he has been hiding things will start to pick up with Jennings. Neither know how to handle it because of his career so Jennings will make a decision and this will become a lie and a secret that could destroy everything they have built. Or will Jennings's career and famous status break them before the secret comes out? Or does Whitley's ex Lark break them apart?

Go get this book you will still enjoy it and I look forward to reading more by Cassie Graham especially the next one in this series.



Cassie Graham is the author of Unable to Resist and Anyone But Him. She also hates talking about herself. It makes her nervous and somewhat sweaty. So, she’s going to make this short.

While writing is her true passion, her family is even more important. Her ultimate happy place is sitting in her house with her husband and daughter while writing stories about lovers who are meant to be together. She’d live in that world forever if she could.

She lives in Arizona with her husband, daughter and two crazy puppies.


Cover Reveal: Karma by A. E. Woodward

Karma_Amazon_iBooks_Smash

Synopsis

At thirty-two Tommy Garvin never thought he’d be playing house. Especially not with his best friend. But when life throws lemons at you, it hurts. Then once the pain subsides you adjust and figure out how to make lemonade. It was apparent to everyone that Parker and
Khloe needed Tommy, but in a strange way he needed them just as much. 

None of them could have imagined what a life without Katie would be like and they certainly couldn’t have predicted what would come from the gaping hole she left behind. No one knew what would rise from the ashes, but one thing is for certain-life sure has a way of knowing what’s needed. It’s karma.

Karma_Full

The Series

Kismet

CURRENTLY ONLY $.99!!!!



About the Author

A.E. lives in Vacationland with her husband and two children. Between her real job and writing she finds little time to enjoy life's finer things. However in the free time she does manage to steal, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, and reading. A.E. is the author of Kismet and A Series of Imperfections: Imperfectly Perfect, Imperfectly Real, and Imperfectly Bad. She is currently writing her fifth book, Working Girl.


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Sale Blitz: Ksmet by A.E. Woodward

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Kismet

Goodreads

  Synopsis

Katie’s world came crashing down in an instant.

Her husband, daughter, and unborn baby. . . all gone in a flash. The life that she’d come to know, gone before she ever really got to live it.

With a broken heart, she deals the only way she knows how, by shutting it all off. No communicating, no feelings, just pure nothingness.

Alone with nothing but her own thoughts and a well meaning family, she moves back to her childhood home, a horse farm. It’s there that she finds herself healing along with the horses her family rehabilitates. But when Parker McKenzie comes back into her life she’s reminded of all that went wrong, and all that she lost.

Will Katie ever begin to heal? Or will her secrets and loss be too much for her to overcome?

Perhaps, this is her kismet.

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Promo

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About the Author

A.E. lives in Vacationland with her husband and two children. Between her real job and writing she finds little time to enjoy life's finer things. However in the free time she does manage to steal, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, and reading. A.E. is the author of Kismet and A Series of Imperfections: Imperfectly Perfect, Imperfectly Real, and Imperfectly Bad. She is currently writing her fifth book, Working Girl.


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Saturday, January 30, 2016

Release Day Blitz: Into the Fire by EL Todd

INTO THE FIRE BY E.L TODD IS NOW AVAILABLE



Ash
Despite everything I've done for my parents, I'll never be good enough for them. Instead of seeing a man to be proud of, they just see an embarrassment. I served four tours in Afghanistan but that doesn't mean anything to them. They only see the ink, the party life, and my short stint in jail.
And nothing else.

When they were in trouble, I handed over my life savings. I didn't think twice about it because they're my family, my blood. They raised me to be my own man and gave me everything I needed. It didn't matter that it was every penny I had. It didn't matter that the money was set aside for my future. My dreams.
Because they needed me.
But now they refuse to pay me back until I become the man they think I should be.
Alessandra
I have an unusual professional.
I escort men, acting as their date to family functions or work parties. It's my job to act deeply in love with my client. And I always nail it.
But it's not what you think.
I'm not a prostitute.
I'm not a call girl.
I'm an actress.
Get it right.
There are strict rules when it comes to my profession. There is no touching, kissing, or anything but hand-holding. Those who choose not to comply will get a swift kick in the nuts.
But all this goes to hell when Ash walks into my life.








Amazon Bestselling author, E. L. Todd, was raised in sunny California where she still lives today, claiming it’s the best place in the country. Easily hypothermic and hateful of the cold, she prefers to be warm all year round. She attended California State University, Stanislaus and received her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, but still pursued her dream to be a writer. She’s written several novels and many series’, and her imagination can’t seem to stop. She tries to find the good in people and she exploits that in her writing, proving that people can make mistakes and rise above their past. Her hobbies include sunbathing, swimming, eating at Surf Taco in San Diego, reading, and learning everything she can about hippopotamuses’, her favorite creature. Her greatest dream is to make people forget about the harshness of reality and dive into a good story with lovable people. When fans tell her they love her work, it gives her the greatest sense of accomplishment.

Blitz, Giveaway: Illicit Desires by Rose B. Mashal





Illicit Desires
Rose B. Mashal
Publication date: January 27th 2016
Genres: Erotica, Romance
Her smiles brought my own to life. Her beautiful face was what made me get out of bed every morning. Looking into her eyes was my favorite part of the day.
She was in my every thought, in every passing second.
My lips craved her lips, and my hands yearned to touch her beautiful skin. My heart called out her name with every beat, and I only had eyes for her.
Her. My life, my soul, my personal Heaven-on-Earth.
She was everything I had ever wanted, but everything I could never have.
She was my flesh and blood.
She was my sister.





PROLOGUE:

Adrian
My heart started beating fast as I saw her coming down the stairs. Wearing her white, strapless sundress, with her hair down caressing her shoulders, she looked like an angel.

Her green eyes caught mine, and I saw the sadness filling them. She masked it right away, replacing it with a furious stare—trying to tell me that she was mad at me for what I did with her a while ago in her room.

Well, she could fool anyone else she wanted, but not me. She liked it, and I fucking knew it.

The hem of her short dress danced along her upper thighs as she took one hurried step after another. Ignoring her angry look, I licked my lips, knowing that it would make her look away because she wouldn’t want me to see the need in her eyes.

And that was exactly what she did. But she was helpless against the redness of the blush which covered her face and neck as she passed me.

“Daddy?” she began as she approached our father, who was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking his coffee while he read the newspaper.

“Hmm?” He looked up from the papers in his hand, facing her.

“I… Um, I want to talk with you about something,” she said, looking at the floor—her blush growing more intense.

“Sure. What is it?”

“I…Uh, I…” As Lily stood there, hesitant to say what she wanted to say, she looked at our mom, who was sitting at the table across from where Lily was standing. She even caught my eyes for a quick second, but then looked down right away.

“Do you want to go into my office, Lily?” he asked, placing the paper on the table.

“Uh, no… It’s fine. I just… Uh, well, I’m going to graduate soon, and … uh, there is that guy in my school—”

Fucking what?

“H—he asked me out more than one time and … uh, I want to say yes.”

“Lily, sweetheart, we’ve talked about this before, and you know the rule,” he said in his calm voice.
“But, Dad, I’m almost eighteen; I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m the only one my age who’s not allowed to date!”

“Lily, I—”

“Dave,” Mom interrupted, “I think Lily is mature enough to make good decisions.”

Fuck that, she doesn’t know shit.

“But, Beth, she’s not even eighteen yet.”

“Honey, it’s just a matter of a few months before she leaves for college. It’s better that she starts dating now and learns more about the kind of relationship she wants before she starts a new phase in her life. Don’t you think?”

My blood started to boil in my veins. My own mother was convincing my dad with logic. Now he was actually thinking about it. I didn’t want him to fucking think about it; I want him to say a clear no.

“Sweetheart, I don’t think it’s—”

“Please, Dad. Even Adrian is allowed to date, and we’re the same age. It’s not fair,” She pointed in my direction without looking.

“I’m older!” I called out, correcting her.

“By ten minutes, asshole!” she yelled back at me.

“Language, Lillian,” Mom warned.

“Sorry.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! They were actually considering this bullshit? I had to set my glass of orange juice down on the table so I didn’t end up throwing it at one of them.

“The only reason I don’t want you to date is that you’re so innocent, and I don’t want someone to break your heart, sweetie.”

Or break your fucking hymen.

“I’m old enough to know how to choose, and I’m mature enough to face the responsibilities of my choices, Dad.”

My Dad let out a long sigh, and then I saw the hint of a smile forming on his lips.

No! No! No! No fucking way. Come on!

“Okay.”

“So… That’s a yes?”

“Yes, Lily, you can say yes.” He smiled.

Fuck! A million fucking fucks!

“Thanks, Dad. You’re awesome.” She bent down and placed a kiss on his cheek.

“You’re welcome, sweetie.“

She did the same with Mom. “Thanks, Mom.”

She walked over and stood right in front of me. She was so close I could smell her soft peach shampoo as she leaned in a little bit, picking my glass up off the small table.

“I’ll take that if you don’t want it,” she smiled softly, not waiting for me to reply as she took a sip without taking her eyes off of mine. I’m sure that the green in them was replaced with the darkness of my anger.

I only snarled at her.

She leaned forward again, her lips just an inch away from my face. She was so close I could feel her warm breath on my cheek. It took everything in me not to moan.

“I win, Dear Brother, “she whispered and then touched her soft lips to my cheek.

Fuck!

She thought she was going to date now that she had permission?
She thought that she’d go out with a guy and kiss and hug and fuck?
She thought I’d ever allow anyone to touch what was mine?
No fucking way in hell!

When she was about to back off after kissing me, I gripped her forearm and whispered back. “Over my dead body, little sister.


Author Bio:
Rose is a loved mother, wife, and a stay at home lawyer. Writing is her passion, and reading is her obsession. Music is her best friend and sarcasm is her speaking trend. One of her joys is bringing happiness to others and her biggest wish is that they stay true to one another. Through her stories, she wants to spread nothing except understanding, peace and love.




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