Stacey Rourke

Love…ADAPTED FOR FILM–Review and Giveaway

AdaptedForFilmTourBanner copyHi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a newly-released book from Stacey Rourke. I’ve really enjoyed Stacey’s YA Urban Fantasy and New Adult contemporary horror (CRANE and RAVEN), but ADAPTED FOR FILM is a contemporary romance that is right in my wheelhouse.

AdaptedAbout the book:
Aubrey Evans is living every author’s dream; her sizzling romance novel is being turned into a blockbuster film. She would be celebrating this momentous event, if she wasn’t busy fighting over every tiny production detail with the maddeningly cavalier director, Kole Camden.

When news of their heated rivalry hits the gossip columns, drastic measures must be taken to save their sinking project. In an elaborate PR hoax, she is publicly linked to Greyson Meyers, the swoon-worthy star of her movie. A whirl-wind love affair is staged for the couple to mirror the steamy chapters of her own books.

Can the introverted author resist the charms of Hollywood’s sexiest leading man? Or will love find her in the City of Angels?

My Review:
I love me some humorous romance. And this book fits the bill!

Aubrey is a romance author who–gasp!–doesn’t believe in happy endings. She was head over heels for her first love and husband, but he did her wrong, and left her brokenhearted. It didn’t stop her rise in the world of romance fiction, and now Aubrey’s first novel is being made into a movie, and she’s a producer!

Aubrey and her BFF Tandy head out to LA to be a part of the action. There Aubrey learns that the part of her 6’6″ Russian bodyguard has been given to a 5’3″ Mexican rap star. Because, reasons.

Oh, and they have written a new intro scene for her main characters, and the female lead drives a Prius–product placement. Wardrobe? Unsuitable. Everything, absolutely everything, about the production is wrong, wrong, wrong in Aubrey’s eyes…so she takes it up with the director, Kole Camden.

With each stomped step I rehashed the script changes, prop, swaps, recasting and inferior costuming. Or, as I liked to refer to them, the elements that pushed me over the brink to finally achieving full-blown, bat-shit crazy status.

“Camden! Camden!” I shouted, loud enough to strain my throat, the instant I caught a glimpse of him.

His thumbs were looped in his front pockets, and his denim shirt rolled up his forearms. An annoyingly charming smile curled across his face as her turned my way. That lone dimple plunged deep into his cheek.

Between heaving pants, I recited the speech I’d mentally prepared on my long journey across the extensively large lot. “Hey, I’ve got a question for you. If we hit a local bookstore we could probably finde every book I’ve ever released. If you want, I could gather them all up in a big pile so you can take a shit right on them. Would you like that?

Kole’s eyes narrowed while his amused smile held steady, as if he was struggling to find his place in an argument I’d jumped a few chapters ahead in. “I feel like I know the right answer here, but there’s a chance this is a trick question.”

“No, I’m serious!” I ranted, flicking a stray lock of hair from my eyes. “Because you seem so hell bent on destroying everything I’ve created, maybe we could try this as a time-saver!”

Yep, Aubrey’s got a wicked mouth. Kole, for his part, doesn’t mind riling her up all that much. Their banter is all fun and games, well, until some author loses her eye. Or, her free will…

Art bounced in his chair. “You and Camden had this movie spiraling into absolute failure.”

“And that’s him sugarcoating it,” Kole interjected.

“You nearly killed this project.” Steepling his fingers, Art fiddled with his obnoxious pinkie ring. “Now, my beautiful little swan, you have the chance to make things right.”

“Let’s agree to never call me that again.” Finding my legs suddenly heavy with dread, I sank into the chair I had been leaning against.

“Fair enough,” Art relented. Leaning one elbow on the table, he rested his chin on his closed fist. “To put plainly, Ms. Evans, you made magic for us yesterday. We believe you have created a very unique opportunity–”

Greyson leaned forward in his chair, his elbows resting on his knees. Golden brows hiked up, a light-hearted grin adding a mischievous flare to his appeal. “They want you to be my girlfriend. You up for it?”

For the sake of her novel-turned-movie dreams, Aubrey agrees, but the tension between her and Kole is palpable. And, this only gets more intense when the studio ups the ante, causing Aubrey and Greyson to co-habitate…

The production goes on. Aubrey knows she can’t accept any of Greyson’s affectionate overtures–not when he’s on the studio’s dime. And, she won’t take any of Kole’s advice–to get the heck out of LA with her soul and sanity in tact. Thing is, Kole is so very tempting. He’s also edging his way deep into her heart, and that Aubrey will never allow.

Spoiler alert: He does.

This is a fun, fast read with lots of flirtation and little on-page sexytimes. The pace is brisk and the HEA is delayed enough to keep the pages flying. I really enjoyed!

Interested? You can find ADAPTED FOR FILM on Goodreads and Amazon. It’s currently $.99–a total steal!

****GIVEAWAY****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win some of the many prizes including: A signed copy of Adapted For Film (US only), A DVD of P.S. I Love You (US only), A swag pack full of goodies (US only), An ebook copy of Adapted For Film (INTL) and a $5 Amazon gift card (INTL).
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Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Stacey RourkeAbout the Author:
Stacey Rourke lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, dogs. She loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head. Mark your calendars! Her latest literary adventure, Crane, will release May 26, 2014. She is currently hard at work on the continuations of this thrilling Legends Saga, as well as other literary projects.

Catch up with Stacey on her website, Facebook, twitter and Goodreads.
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Get a Look at RAVEN!

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New release

covergifTitle: Raven

Series: Legends Saga # 2
Author: Stacey Rourke
Audience: NA Paranormal
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Formats: E-book and Paperback  
Publisher: Anchor Group Publishing
NOW AVAILABLE!

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An infamous love, destined nevermore,

For death could not claim, the enchanting Lenore.

Cursed by the malevolent spirit of the Headless Horseman, Ireland Crane ventures to Manhattan in search of a way to break her soul crushing bond. Instead, she discovers the lines between fact and fiction are blurring once more. Croaking ravens. Telltale hearts. Could the works of Poe be coming to pass with handsome Wall Street Midas Ridley Peolte as their unwilling target?

She walks the Earth, a plague on mankind,

searching for he, her rotted heart doth pine.

Together, the two unknowingly release a dark force death itself could not tame. Surrounded by the unrelenting violence and mayhem they’ve unleashed, Ireland feels her control over the Horseman slipping. Before the beast within consumes her, she and her crew must follow the clues of the dead to right a centuries’ old wrong. Will it be enough to sate the Horseman’s appetite?

Hell hath no fury like a ghoul scorned.

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Goodreads / Amazon / Smashwords / Barnes & Noble

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excerpt

Clamping her eyes on the wash of tears that threatened, Ireland ignored the wailing of her heart … and laid a palm to each of their cheeks. One lone tear snuck between her lashes at the cascade of tingles seeping up her arms.

“You can’t blame them for not understanding,” a familiar voice drawled behind her.

She spun as he neared, leaving Rip and Noah wheezing for breath—or, more likely, completion of her task.

Techno-colored flowers bloomed in a colorless world each time the sole of Ridley’s shoes met the earth. The crisp cut of his white, tailored suit was accented by a burst of color from the button-down shirt beneath that changed in hue to match the species of flowers that sprung to life. Hydrangeas blue. Orchid purple. Lily fuchsia. Rose coral. As he neared, Ireland noticed his eyes morphed to match as well. The result hypnotic.

His haggard and troubled façade was a thing of the past. The man before her exuded confidence and a zest for life from every pore. The draw of which was so magnetic Ireland had to fight to keep her feet planted while her body insisted she close the distance between them.

“To them this is a thrill, a game of chicken against the Reaper himself.” Ridley paused beside her, his shoulder skimming hers. Even then he didn’t grace her with a glance, his attention fixed on Rip and Noah. Tipping his head toward her, the warmth of his breath teased over her breast bone. “For us, it’s destiny.”

The moment he stepped away from her, the chill of solitude lashed at Ireland’s soul and cut deep. Bending eye-level with her withering subjects, Ridley pursed his rose petal lips to blow a soft, healing breath over both of them. Wan complexions of the dying were ripened to plump apricot. Both men blinked away their disappointment before dipping in a low bow—foreheads to the ground in a show of respect.

“No need for that, boys.” Ridley smoothed the front of his suit coat, a self-depreciating chuckle playing over his lips.

Neither humbled servant budged.

“You’re like me?” Pacing in a slow circle around him, Ireland’s eye narrowed.

He matched her steps, leading them in an intimate waltz normally reserved for predators—or lovers.

“Like you?” He tsked. “Oh no, my darling flower. There is no other like you. Our only similarity is being pawns in a game that began centuries before either of our fathers got an amorous gleam in their eyes.”

Ireland’s gaze lingered over the soft curve of his mouth, wondering if his lips could possibly taste as delectable as they looked. “How do we play?”

Curling one finger into a ruffled tuft of her skirt, Ridley pulled her to him. Bowing his head, he brushed his cheek over the delicate curve of her collarbone. “The game is already in motion,” he murmured. “The rule sheet not meant for our eyes. All we can do now is stay alive.” 

Ireland weaved her fingers into his hair, yanking his head back with a passion driven force that bordered on violent. “I’ve taken lives. I’m a monster,” she snarled against his lips, tormenting them both with the agonizing veil of energy that denied their touch.

His hand snaked up her arm to find her fingers and loosen her grasp. Palm to palm. Fingers entwined with fingers. “Does granting it make me any better?”

Ridley didn’t give her time to answer. With one hand pressed to the small of her back he crushed her to him.  Their lips met with a desperate urgency that caused Heaven and Earth to quake in nervous anticipation of what was coming … 

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I personally loved CRANE. What a great concept–that a young woman could be the long-lost descendant of Ichabod Crane and channel his spirit to achieve balance in the historical novel. Rip Van Winkle was her trusty…er, informant. Except when he got scared and passed out. He was a total hoot! Check out my review here.

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The Horseman is unending,

his presence shan’t lessen.

If you break the curse,

you become the legend.

Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle had no choice but to cover up the deadly truth behind Ichabod Crane’s disappearance. Centuries later, a Crane returns to Sleepy Hollow awakening macabre secrets once believed to be buried deep.

What if the monster that spawned the legend lived within you?

Now, Ireland Crane, reeling from a break-up and seeking a fresh start, must rely on the newly awakened Rip Van Winkle to discover the key to channeling the darkness swirling within her. Bodies are piling high and Ireland is the only one that can save Sleepy Hollow by embracing her own damning curse.

But is anyone truly safe when the Horseman rides?

 

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authorgifThe Gryphon Series is written by Stacey Rourke. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, drooly dogs. Stacey loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head. She is currently hard at work on the continuations of this series as well as other literary projects. The Gryphon Series is available wherever fine books are sold.

Contact Info: Visit the author at www.staceyrourke.com

Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/staceyrourkeauthor

Twitter @Rourkewrites

Email anchorgrouppublishing@gmail.com

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CRANE is Killer–A Review

Legends Saga Book 1

Hi all! Thought I’d share with you my thoughts on a New Adult Horror/Romance from Stacey Rourke. I really liked her Gryphon series, and wanted to get her latest books so bad, I went to, perhaps, extremes.

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Yessss….that’s me donning my “Crane-face” in support of the book’s release a few weeks back and to win some swag. I’m a goof, I freely admit that.

CRANE is a modern reimagination of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Stacey Rourke is “bringing it back” and, yes, heads do roll…

CraneAbout the book:
The Horseman is unending,
his presence shan’t lessen.
If you break the curse,
you become the legend.

Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle had no choice but to cover up the deadly truth behind Ichabod Crane’s disappearance. Centuries later, a Crane returns to Sleepy Hollow awakening macabre secrets once believed to be buried deep.

What if the monster that spawned the legend lived within you?

Now, Ireland Crane, reeling from a break-up and seeking a fresh start, must rely on the newly awakened Rip Van Winkle to discover the key to channeling the darkness swirling within her. Bodies are piling high and Ireland is the only one that can save Sleepy Hollow by embracing her own damning curse.

But is anyone truly safe when the Horseman rides?

My Review:
Ireland Crane has just taken a job in Tarrytown. She’s a high school counselor escaping her former lover–a rich, egotistical, cheating jack wagon named Brantley. So, she’s not really keen on a new romance with her delicious landlord/neighbor Noah Van Tassel. They opt for “friendship” which is good, because life is about to get very complicated for Ireland.

Ichabod Crane is looking for a fresh start. Joined by his fellow Revolutionary War veterans, Rip Van Winkle and Washington Irving, Ichabod is set to become schoolmaster in Tarrytown. He’s totally attracted to Katrina Van Tassel, but knows he could never woo such a wealthy beautiful girl. Plus, she’s spoken for.

These two stories intersect. When Ichabod and Ireland arrive in Tarrytown so does The Headless Horseman and his fearsome sword and axe.

Weeks following Ireland’s arrival a Van Tassel is killed, the name “Crane” carved into his chest. Instant suspect, anyone? And, when Ireland finds a squatter in her home, she’s more than freaked. Yes, waking a real-live Rip Van Winkle after a 200+ year sleep would give any modern gal quite a turn.

Ichabod experiences a different horror–the woman he admires greatly seems to be the target of the Horseman’s hunt. Katrina loses her father, her stepmother and a servant, before we learn who is pulling the Horseman’s reins–but it is Ichabod’s heroism that ends the cycle of violence in his time.

For Ireland, she’s losing time. Periods of it, usually at night, seem to disappear in a haze of night terrors–until Rip finds the cause. Meanwhile, one of Ireland’s students is killed, and D-bag Brantley is attacked, too. It soon becomes clear that someone is using Ireland’s blood to call the Horseman forth and, before long, Noah’s life is on the block. Rip’s steadfast desire to save Ireland is only matched by his humor and his narcolepsy–the dude passes out cold whenever he gets spooked leading to some laugh-worthy moments. With Ichabod’s history repeating in Ireland’s present, can she gain control of the monster within, or will she replace Ichabod in a tragic horrific turn?

The story is fast-paced and chock full of quick humor–at times I felt like I was reading a Mel Brooks screenplay–all the deadpan digs just cut me up. There are lots of breadcrumbs left behind to be woven into the sequel, RAVEN, but this story ends with a satisfactory resolution. RAVEN will be a new journey, for Ireland, Rip and a love interest. All romantic interludes are conducted behind closed doors, so it’s YA-safe…

Interested? You can find CRANE on Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

black&whiteimageAbout the Author:

RONE Award Winner for Best YA Paranormal Work of 2012 for Embrace, a Gryphon Series Novel.

Young Adult and Teen Reader voted Author of the Year 2012.

Stacey Rourke is the author of the YA Fantasy Gryphon Series and the nonfiction autobiographical I’m Not Crazy, I’m on Lupron; a Journey Through Infertility. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, drooly dogs. Stacey loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head. She is currently hard at work on the continuations of the Gryphon Series as well as other literary projects.

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Thanks for stopping in! And, keep reading my friends! 🙂

The Gryphon Series by Stacey Rourke–Reviews and Giveaway!

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Hi there and welcome to my stop on the tour for the Gryphon Series by Stacey Rourke sponsored by AToMR Book Tours. For other stops on the tour, click here. Because there are four books in the series, I’ve attached links to my Goodreads reviews–and just a snippet of my overall impressions to give you a flavor of the series. (Otherwise this post would be fo-eva… long!)

The Conduit (Gryphon, #1)The Conduit (Book, #1)

All 18-year-old Celeste Garrett wants is to head off to college and make those fun, yet ill-advised, choices college kids are known for. And maybe to spend some time with the hot cameraman she just met. Instead, because of a pact her ancestors made in the 17th century with a mythical creature, she has to save the world.

While normal kids are slamming energy drinks and cramming for exams, Celeste will get her adrenaline rush fighting a fire breathing dragon. She wants to meet friends in the quad to exchange lecture notes, but first she must exchange blows with a shapeshifting demon on the rooftop. Life isn’t always fair for a superhero, but at least she doesn’t have to do it alone. With her brother and sister as sidekicks, they alternate between saving lives and getting on each others’ nerves. Together the trio encounters unspeakable odds, mystical forces and comes face-to-face with an image that will haunt them forever—their grandmother in a leopard print bikini.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

 Embrace (Gryphon, #2)Embrace (Book, #2) Find my review HERE.

RONE Award Winner Best YA Paranormal Work of 2012

Whether she likes it or not, eighteen year old Celeste Garrett has come to terms with being the Chosen One. She knew having a “normal life” would be tricky, between intense training sessions and epic demonic battles, but she didn’t know at what cost it would come. That is, until a dear friend is harmed by the malicious forces hunting her.

Now, she’d like nothing more than to retreat into a hermit lifestyle to prevent anyone else from getting hurt. But startling revelations, amazing new abilities, and mortifying moments in front of insanely hot guys won’t allow time for that. Soon, Celeste finds herself surrounded by darkness and wondering who she can trust—if anyone.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Sacrifice (Gryphon, #3)Sacrifice (Book, #3) Find my review HERE.

Celeste Garrett has finally found a happy balance in her life as the Chosen One, thanks in large part to a certain hunky Irishman. But if there’s any lesson she should heed since receiving her calling it’s that everything can change in the blink of an eye. Soon a terrible new threat, unlike anything she’s ever encountered, causes her to make a gut-wrenching choice that will strip her of someone she holds dear.

As much as she’d like to have a pity party for one, there’s no time for that now because wedding bells are ringing in Gainesboro! In between dress fittings and rehearsal dinners Celeste will have to fend off attacking demons and leering pirates. As if the Dark Army wasn’t scary enough our heroine is faced with the horrifying trauma of attending a bachelorette party with her mom and watching Grams do Jello shots. Is a walk down the aisle even possible for a member of the Garrett family when the Dark Army is out to destroy them? More importantly, will the Dark Army Glee Club sing at the reception?

Raise your glass to the happy couple, and get ready for a wedding…Conduit-style.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Ascension (Gryphon Series #4)Ascension (Book, #4) Read my review HERE.

From best selling and award winning author Stacey Rourke comes the heart-pounding continuation of the acclaimed Gryphon Series.

The turning point of the Gryphon saga is at hand …

Battle looms. Three unstoppable forces prepare to clash in a colossal explosion that could wipe Gainesboro off the map. Fate and a sacred calling have landed nineteen year old Celeste Garrett in the middle with nowhere to run.

Her trust wavers as she uncovers dark secrets of the Council, powerful enough to test her loyalty and turn her against those she swore to protect. Playing to the longing of her heart, a malevolent enemy uses her weakness against her to form an alliance.

With the trumpets of war about to sound, which side will the Conduit choose, and who will be left standing?

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Having read books 2, 3, and 4–I’ll tell you I just really enjoyed the series. It’s a fast-paced imaginative adventure that pits a down-to-Earth gal against the forces of evil. Celeste didn’t choose this fate, but she embraces it, works with it, struggles through it and in the end more than survives it.

It’s a great read with epic battles and a plucky heroine whose deadpan humor often made me laugh out loud. I highly recommend it for YA readers–and though it’s technically got a romance, I’d give it 3 bars of Dial soap for being so squeaky-clean.

About the Author

RONE Award Winner for Best YA Paranormal Work of 2012 for Embrace, a Gryphon Series Novel.

Young Adult and Teen Reader voted Author of the Year 2012.

Stacey Rourke is the author of the YA Fantasy Gryphon Series and the nonfiction autobiographical I’m Not Crazy, I’m on Lupron; a Journey Through Infertility. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, drooly dogs. Stacey loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head. She is currently hard at work on the continuations of the Gryphon Series as well as other literary projects.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win
1 Set of The Gryphon Series in eBook format – International
or 1 $25 USD Amazon Gift Card – International
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Good luck, and keep reading my friends!

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