HOLLYWOOD HOMECOMING–Review and GIVEAWAY!

Hollywood Homecoming (Red Carpet Series, #3)
by Sasha Summers
Available now from Inkspell Publishing

Summary from Goodreads:
Make-up artist to the stars. The favorite aunt. Dance teacher. Baby sister. Talented musician and song-writer.

Single.

Why did that word rank above the rest? Helen loved her family and understood they wanted her to have the real love they’d all found. It’s just that she’d found her someone special and learned to live without him. She’d been too young for the quirky, idealistic doctor-off to save the world-to notice. And, really, if she had it her way, he’d never know how she’d felt. Now, he was one of her best friends, a pen pal, losing him would be too much.

Seeing him at their parents wedding, Helen realizes the horrible truth: she still loves Joseph… which wouldn’t be so bad if she wasn’t in the situation she was in.

But she was. And her secret will change everything. Will it destroy hope for a Hollywood happy ending too?

My review:

This well-paced contemporary romance is a prime read. I’m a sucker for series fiction and in this third Red Carpet novel we get the best of Josh and Clarie (Hollywood Ever After), as well as Gunner and Jenny (Hollywood Holiday) as their relationships intertwine with the budding romance between Josh’s sister, Helen, and Claire’s brother, Joe.

Helen’s admired Joe from afar for years. Now he’s moved to LA and wants to make Helen the center of his world, yet one medical scare after another forces her to push Joe away. Having his love is all she ever dreamed of, but she’s afraid he’s only sticking beside her out of convenience, or worse…honor.

And, having their family’s blessing is only adding to the pressure.

Helen’s a pure spirit and her love for family is truly all-encompassing. It’s impossible not to root for her, in spite of her predicament. Add in the love triangle–competition for her affection by Jenny’s co-star, Chris, only magnifies the tension.

Honestly, I wanted to be right there, holding Helen’s hand, telling her it was all going to be okay. And I’ll be a liar if I didn’t say I wanted to reach through the pages and hug her at that terrible moment she experienced at the airport, praying Joe would come back.

Summers weaves some delightful romance. Not too nitty-gritty-down-and-dirty, but readers will feel the heart in the scenes.

Buy Links:

About this Fantastic Author:
Sasha is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, romance, and travel. She writes both lyrical romantic fantasy AND steamy contemporary romance. Her first play was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She’s been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she’s doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

***Author Links***

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***GIVEAWAY***
5-ebook copies of Hollywood Homecoming (INT)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t Wait UNTIL NEXT TIME…

Squished peas! Justine Dell writes a good book.

How does a grief counselor fall in love with an undertaker?

Absolutely, that’s how.

Piper Downing, sole proprietor of Downing & Sons Mortuary, is done dealing with the living. See, this family business has no family. Her parents died years ago leaving her alone. Her first boyfriend died in high school. After spending the past decade embalming people and arranging funerals, Piper knows that love is just plain selfish.

And Piper doesn’t do selfish.

Macy “Quinn” Oliver is a discharged Air Force pilot who works as a grief counselor for the VA. He’s seen his share of bad times. He vowed to never remarry when first love died one month following their wedding. He’ll love, but only temporarily. Twelve years later, he’s still single.

Piper and Quinn meet at Quinn’s grandmother’s wake and are drawn to each other. Piper senses she should keep Quinn at arm’s length, but can’t resist his gentle charm. Piper’s only interested in flings—no strings—and Quinn, terribly attracted to the elegant, aloof Piper, agrees.

Mother of chocolate! Sizzle. That’s what they do.

In bed, and in person—because when these two forces connect it’s a bit of an emotional tornado. Lots of break-up-with-delayed-make-up debris scattered around the countryside.

And, (GOODY!) there’s a convincing love triangle. The Challenger, Gavin—a mortuary supply salesman—makes no effort to hide his interest in Piper. He’s all set to swoop if Quinn messes up. Which, naturally, Quinn does.

I’m a sucker for a first-hand account of two adorable characters, so I love the dual viewpoint. Quinn is delicious. Such a relentless wooing! Piper eventually caves, realizing Quinn has invaded her heart despite her carefully constructed emotional barriers. Everything would be so easy if only she could accept Gavin’s offers, but well, Piper’s starting to feel a mite…selfish.

Justine Dell promised me a Happily Ever After.

Until Next Time delivers.

Don’t forget to let me know if you like this one! Comment at will…

Have a HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAY? Sure!

Hollywood Holiday (Red Carpet, #2) Sasha Summers spins a stellar sequel.

Try saying that three times, fast!

Yes dear ones, HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAY is everything we can expect coming off the HOLLYWOOD EVER AFTER high. In a delightful twist, the second book of the Red Carpet series focuses on two fresh characters—Jenny Fleming, and actress and good friend of Claire and Josh Wiley—and Claire’s younger brother Ben “Gunner” Foster, a combat veteran who lost a limb.

This unlikely pair meets en flight to LA. Jenny, a recovering alcoholic, is terrified of flying and Gunner comforts her through a panic attack…or two. Traveling under an alias to avoid paparazzi, Jenny is unsure if she should reveal herself to Gunner. Plus, she’s not interested in becoming another tabloid scandal. The spark they ignite isn’t wasted when they disembark, however.

They reunite at a community center where Jenny is completing service for a DUI conviction. Gunner is a volunteer helping the disabled athletes program. A few fits and starts as each character aims to self-defend, but soon we realize why Gunner won’t take off his clothes. Jenny is able to assuage his fear—OMG Thank Goodness!!—but he discovers her true identity in Jenny’s characteristically humiliating fashion and freaks out.

Without Gunner’s constancy, Jenny fears she’ll hit the sauce again, so she throws herself into training for her new action movie. And fending off the advances of her co-star, Chris Gibson—who I’ll call McGrabbyhands for the duration as this seems more accurate.

Oh! Guess who pops onto the set as a technical stunt coordinator…Gunner! Yea!

Jen’s determined to rebuild her career, McGrabbyhands is determined to capitalize on Jen’s notoriety, and Gunner’s determined to avoid the drama despite his attraction to Jen. Oh, and Gunner’s mom hates Jen for some drunken smooching months back. Thinks she’s a home wrecker. So, yeah, it’s complicated. Jenny’s heartbroken and takes off to a mountain retreat to rethink her life. Unexpected arrivals bring on the HEA.

In the end, we get a bit of separation and then no separation at all. And, really, I’m relieved I didn’t have to reach inside the book and smack sense into Gunner!

HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAY is a fast-paced contemporary romance with some sizzling scenes sure to please.

It’s available at all the usual spots, and probably your local bookstore as well…

Giveaway Round-up #1 on V’s Reads

Things have gotten rather busy here on the V’s Reads blog.

In case you’ve missed them, there are three giveaways still open on recent posts.

All you need to do is hit the Rafflecopter link on the bottom of these three posts!

HEAVENLY HELL STUDENT BODIES ABERRANT

Thanks for checking out the blog, and as always–comment if you gotta! 🙂

Cover Reveal…OFF CHANCE by Sawyer Bennett

Off Chance

a (smoking hot) New Adult Contemporary Romance
by (the incomparable) Sawyer Bennett
Coming: October 21, 2013

He is seeking absolution.

Flynn Caldwell has a hero complex and it’s one of the reasons he joined the New York City Fire Department. He has spent his entire professional career trying to atone for that one person he failed to save. Because, if he can do that, then perhaps he can be worthy of love again.

She is seeking escape.

Rowan Page’s life is nothing short of a disaster. Always immersed in trouble, she has only herself to depend on. She’s determined to pull herself out of this mess and make something of her life, despite the hard years she has lived on the streets of New York.

Together, they have the chance to become complete.

Flynn and Rowan’s worlds exist miles apart, but when a chance meeting brings them together, neither of them can deny the instant pull that connects them to each other. What starts as a tiny spark eventually flares into a fire so hot, it refuses to be extinguished.

Both are willing to jump feet first into the flames to see where it takes them, despite the risk of being burned.

About the Author
USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.
Website | Facebook | Twitter

I Heart BEATS

I’ve had this talk with you folks before. About Kendall Grey and her erotica genius. STRINGS was a killer read.

And, the sequel BEATS released last week?

Lightning damn well struck twice.

It is not for the tame, nor timid–though it’s not nearly as down-n-dirty as STRINGS. Mostly because Jinx isn’t one-tenth the potty-mouth-sex-fiend that Letty was.

So, what happens?

If you’ve read STRINGS, you know Killer Buzz Float drummer Jinx Hardwick has it bad for bandmate Toombs Badcock (yes, the name is significant. Lord, the things men can do to embellish their, their…things!)

Problem? Toombs comes as a package deal with another member of the band, Rax Wrathbone. Yeah. Toombs is a sub to Rax’s Dom. Poor Jinx. But, Rax has an idea. A dastardly plan to let the rather-timid-Catholic-good-girl Jinx have a piece of Toombs–all she has to do is share him with Rax.

One night, two men, no inhibitions.

Jinx would never agree to such a plan, normally. But she knows her inability to write new songs is linked to her frustration over Toombs. The band is set to record it’s first demo for the record label but Jinx’s creative block is killing their chance. She won’t get paid if she can’t contribute, and her large family is counting on some money now that Mom lost her job. With her position in Killer Buzz Float on the line if she doesn’t get her beats down, Jinx opts for this one night. It’s hot and wet and Jinx nearly steals Rax’s lovely sub Toombs away. Nearly.

He and Rax have been together for a loooong time.

The heartbreak would have Jinx looking back through her rearview if only she had a place to go. Learning Jinx’s family is on the brink of bankruptcy Rax offers another exchange. Even more nasty than the first.

Jinx will do anything to help her family. Even trade her body out to Rax. Maybe.

Good thing, right? Nope. No upsides to this plan.

And, yet, it all turns out exactly as we’d want.

I’m so glad to say that I loved this sequel. It lives up to the promise of STRINGS yet sets it’s own tone, own pace. Jinx is a fantastic POV character. We feel the anguish she lives each day, watching her love find pleasure in others, or hearing how her family is so close to the financial brink and knowing she just can’t help. BEATS is more of a deep-tissue erotic massage than it’s big sister, STRINGS, but just as captivating.

You can find BEATS in the usual spots…

If you pick it up, let me know your thoughts in the comments!

HOLLYWOOD EVER AFTER…yes please!

Hollywood Ever After (Red Carpet, #1) I happened across this lovely title by Sasha Summers, and, wow. It reads like a script…go figure!

This contemporary romance tracks the budding relationship between divorced, mother of two, Claire Foster, and Hollywood leading man, Josh Wiley.

And…ACTION!

Here’s how it goes: Claire visits LA for the premiere of her BFF, Shannon’s, first big movie. Shannon is a studio exec. On the red carpet Claire stumbles and is assisted by the gallant, several-years-younger-than-Claire, Josh. For a change, it’s the blockbuster actor who’s star struck!

Josh seeks out Claire during the afterparty, and woos her successfully. But Claire isn’t looking for more. She’s a mom, after all. And she’s dealing with her ex–a serial batterer who continues to invade her life begging for another chance.

That Josh is smitten, well, that’s pretty hard for solid, dependable Claire to believe. Oh how fun it is to watch Josh dig his heels in! Especially so because Claire’s teenage daughter finds Josh terribly attractive. And, the paparazzi are relentless.

Still, one transcontinental extended family holiday convinces Claire that Josh is in this for the long haul. Marriage, parenthood, the whole ball of chocolate. Unfortunately, Claire’s past kicks back with a vengeance nearly stealing her HEA…

Sometimes I’m tempted to call a book like this a fantasy–only because it’s such a happily ever after–but I’ll tell you I was so rooting for Claire to find love again! Her little family really needs to be whole again and the dynamic between Claire’s mother and Josh’s father makes a nice subplot that sets the stage for future story lines.

Sasha Summers ties up the loose ends here, with the second book drawing on accessory character stories–so no need to fear The Cliffhanger.

You can find HOLLYWOOD EVER AFTER in the usual places:

HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAY (out already) and HOLLYWOOD HOMECOMING (coming soon) are both excellent reads, as well. Reviews to follow!

HEAVENLY HELL Blog Tour and GIVEAWAY

Welcome to my stop on the Heavenly Hell blog tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours. Click HERE to see the full blog tour schedule!

Heavenly Hell

by Aria Williams

Release Date: 04/24/13

Summary from Goodreads:
You’d think being stuck in the body of a beautiful seventeen year old girl forever would be a gift. But when you are fallen, it is more like a curse.
Indiana was a beautiful angel, enjoying the perks of Heaven, until she was tricked by a demon to fall in love with him. She was forced to fall from Heaven and remain in her seventeen year old form, banished to Earth, for all of eternity.
Now, unable to cope with her banishment, she is a seemingly normal seventeen year old girl by day, while she spends her nights punishing men for the wrongs they have committed against women.
Although Indiana has lived on Earth for thousands of years, she recently settled into a small town, where she has finally been able to make some lasting friendships. When a handsome, mysterious boy comes to town, Indiana knows something is not right. He might end up her ally, or she might end up in the fight of her life.

Excerpt:

This unknown person was pointing toward the jumps, then the pipes. Brandon took off down the side, attempting the half pipe. As he reached the top, he grabbed the bottom of his board and did a tiny aerial. Coming back to the boys, the stranger slapped him on the back nodding his head; now it was his turn. As he jumped down the side of the ramp, he pumped his leg on the ground over and over and up the other side, without even touching the bottom of his board. He went up into the air a good two metres then down again. His hair had fallen over his face, leaving only a glimpse of his smile, as he looked my direction. He whipped his hair back over. My knees went weak.

“Close your mouth, Indy.”

What the hell? This boy was hot—unbelievably hot. He looked to be around our age and had a killer body; I could see the ripples of a six-pack under his white shirt. It was hard not to stare at him. “Shut your mouth, Mark.”

“Or what, you’re going to shut it for me?” suggested Mark.

“You had better believe it.”

HEAVENLY HELL is available NOW!

And the sequel, HEAVENLY HUNTED, is out soon, as well.

About the Author
Aria Williams is an author with Limitless Publishing who loves to write YA and paranormal romance.
You can catch up with her here:
Author Links

***GIVEAWAY***
1-ebook copy of Heavenly Hell and swag pack (1 canvas print bag, 2 bookmarks, 1 key ring and 1charm bracelet) (INT)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

STUDENT BODIES –Review and Giveaway

Student Bodies (Poltergeeks #2)
by Sean Cummings
Available NOW!

Summary from Goodreads:

Whoever said being a teenage witch would be easy? For fifteen-year-old Julie Richardson and the city’s resident protector from supernatural evil, the Left Hand Path doesn’t give a damn if you’ve found true love for the first time in your life. There’s someone lurking the halls of Crescent Ridge High School with enough malice to unleash an epidemic of Soul Worms – supernatural larvae that feed on the very fabric of a victim’s humanity.

After witnessing the death of one of the most popular kids at school, Julie and über genius boyfriend Marcus are in a race against time to find out who is behind the attacks. All the evidence points to a horrifying plot at the City Weir during the Winter Solstice; the place where icy waters of the Bow River and a thunderous spillway will mean the deaths of more than a hundred of Julie’s classmates.

If she has any hope of saving their lives, she’ll need a little help from a coven of white witches and an Aboriginal mage whose snarky attitude is matched only by her magical prowess.

My Review:

Last week I reviewed the first book in this series, Poltergeeks, and I loved it.

Now we’re catching up with Julie and Marcus a few weeks later. They’ve just gotten un-grounded following capers from the last story and are dating. Julie’s mom is as protective as ever, urging Julie in ways subtle and not-at-all-subtle to break things off with Marcus. Ultimately it comes down to a simple principle: Marcus isn’t magical. Which means, despite his knowledge and his love for Julie, he’s defenseless against other magic practicioners.

Julie, of course, rebels against the thought. But when she sees the raw effects of dark magic on several of her classmates, she knows Mom’s…right (Don’t we all hate when that happens?!) Marcus isn’t pleased but he respects Julie’s pleas to simply stay out of danger.

Good thing Julie has a new sidekick in this story! Or, should I say partner? Because anyone who can summon a spirit Grizzly to kick tail? Yeah, that’s some fierce magic, my friends. First Nation mages, Twyla Standingready and her grandfather, are formidable allies in this quest against dark magic.

The climax is heavy–and more than one white witch sacrifices everything to save Julie’s schoolmates from death. Kind of a kick in the ass when Marcus is corrupted by the very evil Julie is hunting, though.

I was so shocked at Marcus in the end. I mean, sure, it’s no fun having a dark spirit turn your thoughts evil, but…but…come on, man!

True love?

Ring a freakin’ bell??

STUDENT BODIES wraps completely, so no cliffhangers…(except for that one part, where the kids nearly pull a lemming)…but anywho, only the emotional ties remain to be re-woven in a possible third installment.

Again, this novel has a yellow light for cussing, but, hey, it ain’t no thing but a chicken wing, baby. Kids cuss.

Strong themes of tolerance and anti-bullying plot elements outweigh a stray F-bomb, IMHO. I’d recommend STUDENT BODIES to any reader who enjoys YA paranormal adventure or romance fiction.

Buy Links:

About the Author
Sean Cummings, of Saskatoon Canada, is a fantasy author with a penchant for writing quirky, humorous and dark novels featuring characters that are larger than life. His debut was the gritty urban fantasy SHADE FRIGHT published in 2010. He followed up later in the year with the sequel FUNERAL PALLOR. His urban fantasy/superhero thriller UNSEEN WORLD was published in 2011.

2012 saw the publication of Sean’s first urban fantasy for young adults. POLTERGEEKS is a rollicking story about teen witch Julie Richards, her dorky boyfriend and race against time to save her mother’s life. The first sequel, STUDENT BODIES is OUT NOW!!!

*Author Links*

***GIVEAWAY***
STUDENT BODIES GIVEAWAY:

CANADA/US Prize Pack:
1 Signed Copy of STUDENT BODIES
1 Signed Copy of POLTERGEEKS
1 Signed Copy of FUNERAL PALLOR
1 Signed Copy of SHADE FRIGHT
1 Amazon Kindle

UK Prize Pack
1 Signed Copy of STUDENT BODIES
1 Signed Copy of POLTERGEEKS
1 Signed Copy of FUNERAL PALLOR
1 Signed Copy of SHADE FRIGHT
1 Amazon Kindle
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This Blog tour is brought to you by:

The Cephalopod Coffeehouse: August 2013

I’ve joined up with The Armchair Squid‘s once-monthly book review to link with other bloggers and offer suggestions of the best books read in the course of the month. We’re linking blogs on the final Friday of each month and each bringing you the ‘Best of our Best’ just in case it strikes your fancy.

For my selection this month I’m discussing two novellas I found to be surprisingly good, the first two episodes in the Deadly Liaisons serial by Leigh Wilder.

Maybe it’s me, but when I hear of vampire erotica that’s ‘gayer than Twilight’ I get the giggles something fierce. I just had to bite… 😉

First up: DRAIN ME DRY

See, I’ve read erotica. And I’ve read vampire. And I read a ton of romance. I’ve even read homoerotic tales…and I never expected this to work.

But it so did.

I really loved how Wilder created compassionate, and passionate, characters here. The setting is alt-history, small-town Pennsylvania where vampires exist openly and are allowed to feed, but not kill or turn a victim into a vampire. (Spoiler: um, yeah, sometimes either or both happens…)

Jamie is a nineteen y/o human with homoerotic desires, but has never tested himself. He’s also very insecure, undersized, and regularly abused by his alcoholic father. His Taco King job sucks and he’d like to die, but he’s too timid to kill himself. Working with a vampire, Jamie concocts a plan to have a vampire drain his blood. Reluctantly, his co-worker gives Jamie the name of a place where such a plan can become a reality.

Damian is THE vampire. The eldest of all vampires in town, he’s slumming in a blood den when Jamie approaches him, struck by Damian’s beauty.

Jamie wants this beautiful ‘angel’ to suck the life from him, but Damian realizes that Jamie’s something rather special. The result is a very well-written, tender interlude. Though it is a short read (this is the first of a serial) the end is satisfying for the reader as well as the characters.

Soon as I finished DRAIN ME DRY I downloaded Episode 2, ADDICTED TO THE BITE.

In this second episode, Damian and his Jamie-boy are back.
After one night in Damian’s bed, Jamie wants more. Especially now that his abusive father has been sorted. He is not happy to learn that he can’t be Damian’s steady lover…mostly because Damian must feed more regularly than Jamie’s body can withstand.
Damian, as head vampire, is prevailed upon to find a serial drainer–a vamp who has killed two young men in as many nights by sucking every drop of blood from their bodies. Law enforcement is on his case about the murders, meanwhile the Daybreakers, humans who hate vampires, plot to destroy Damian’s club.

Jamie, out to prove that he can survive frequent bleedings, meets a strange vampire in Damian’s club and get caught in the Daybreakers strike…

This episode moves quickly. While building upon the first story, its plot stands alone as well. Definitely more here than biting and screwing, and I’m intrigued to read on.

Next month I’ll get the linky-links for my fellow Coffeehousers–so hopefully you’ll check those out Sept 27th!

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V's Reads…

Reviews, Rants and Rambles from a mom and pre-published author

Author: Veronica Rundell