*BOOK REVIEW* Overwhelmed By You (Tear Asunder, #2) by: Nashoda Rose + Giveaway

Title: Overwhelmed By You (Tear Asunder, #2)
Author: Nashoda Rose
ASIN: B00KKVN5BK
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Theme(s): Rockstar, child abuse, sexual abuse, MS
Length: 321 pgs
Binding: E-book, Paperback
Published: 25 May 2014
Buy: Amazon, B&N, Goodreads

Synopsis:

Love is ugly and secrets will destroy you.

KAT

I don’t beg. I don’t cry. And I don’t give second chances.

Ream, the lead guitarist of the rock band Tear Asunder, deserves a gold medal for best dick move ever when he ran the moment he discovered my secret after two days of hot sex. Then he brings some chick to my coming home party from the hospital—after being shot. I hate him.

Until …

Ream’s six foot two frame unfolds out of the car after being gone on tour for eight months. I stared. And in my defense, any girl would stare. It would almost be rude not to because Ream was the type of guy who stood out. Not because he was loud and obnoxious. No, it was because he was the complete opposite. Subtle and dangerously quiet. If he spoke, you’d better hope he liked you because otherwise you’d be falling at his feet begging for mercy. Except me … I don’t beg—ever. But when our eyes locked, it was Ream’s steady confidence that had my nerves shooting off like jet sprinklers.

Then…

Ream told me he didn’t need a second chance because he was still working on his first.

REAM

Sex is ugly. It’s using someone for your own narcissistic pleasure. I did it and I hated it—until her. She was unfuckinexpected. Then I had to wreck our beginning with my screwed up past. I don’t deserve her, but I’m selfish and I’m taking her anyway. This is who I am and it’s too late to change me.

My Rating:

When a book proclaims to be dark and filled with angst, I sometimes become a little skeptical. Maybe that's because every author out there seems to be using that label now. The good news is, Overwhelmed By You truly is a dark and angsty novel. It was quite an intense read and the first book I've read by Nashoda Rose. Although Overwhelmed by You, book 2 in the Tear Asunder series is technically a standalone, I found the beginning of the story very confusing. It felt like the author just throws you in and you are expected to understand who these characters are and their troubled history together. Obviously the story does smooth out and things start to make sense, but I found myself wishing that I had read Torn From You first for an easier transition.

After two days of explosive sex, Ream is ready to explore things further with Kat. Sex has always been meaningless and completely on his terms because of his horrific past. But Kat makes him feel things, allows her to do things in the bedroom that he would never allow with another woman. But that all comes to a crashing halt when he sees a needle come flying out of Kat's bag and instantly flies into a rage thinking she is an addict. And Ream doesn't do addicts. Kat is hurt and pissed off that Ream won't give her the chance to explain, that not all is what it seems. Once he does find out what the needles are for, Kat is beyond forgiveness and Ream has no choice but to put their tumultuous relationship on hold as he goes on tour with his band Tear Asunder.  Eight months later, he returns and while Kat has spent the time apart building up her defenses and preparing for verbal sparring, Ream completely does the unexpected. He confesses that there is definitely something between them and he refuses to ignore their magnetic pull. Kat is in for a rude awakening because once Ream puts his mind to something, there is no going back..

Without giving away a major spoiler, one of the things I really liked is how the author didn't shy away from giving one of her main characters-- in this case Kat-- a serious illness/disease. Many authors will try to build suspense by giving a character an illness or ailment but when it is finally revealed, you're left feeling disappointed. Oh, the character has an ingrown toe nail? That's it? Haha, okay maybe it is not that lame, but you get my point. In Overwhelmed By You, Kat's illness is serious and because of this element, it makes her more realistic and human, more relatable as a character.

Since I am on the topic of Kat, I really love her strength-- and her connection with horses. She's stubborn but not naive-- she actually reminds me a little of myself. I may not have a disease but I've had many medical conditions, surgeries at a young age. Kat never cries, she can't afford to break down and she is always used to being the strong one. That's exactly how I used to be. I never wanted anyone to treat me differently, just like Kat. Another interesting aspect about her character is when her face gets cut and plastic surgery never crosses her mind. After being attacked, she is rushed to the hospital and has several ugly cuts on her face. I thought to myself, well she can always go get plastic surgery. Why is she stressing over it? But strangely enough, it never pops up in the story. Kat carries the scars proudly, a survivor, to match the ones on Ream's back. I thought that sent a very powerful message.

Ream--where do I start? I'm not going to lie. At first I did think he was a d*ckhead, but as the story unfolded and the puzzle pieces started clicking into place, I realized Ream has many, many layers, that the wall he has built around himself as a form of protection is damn near impenetrable. This man has major baggage, skeletons in his closet that even I was scared to know about. Recently, I read a book with a similar hero (Rex from Fighting to Forget by JB Salsbury) and prayed Nashoda was going to be able to give a different twist to this type of character-- apparently I had nothing to worry about. Ream was quite swoon worthy even though you wanted to throat punch him a few times because of his attitude. When you find out that he spent every moment he could while he was on tour to learn about Kat's illness, visiting doctors from city to city-- that his disappearance acts after shows was not him running off to sleep with random girls--totally made my heart melt. Ream is very dominant and possessive, but it totally makes sense once you learn why. I also enjoyed how he tried to break down Kat's walls. He knows she is strong and independent, but he also knows what kind of burden it can be to try to carry it all on your own. He wants to prove to her that she isn't alone, that if she wants to cry, yell, scream, even feel sorry for herself, that it is okay and natural. However, I understood Kat's frustration-- how is it fair that Ream expects her to open up when he won't?

If you haven't guessed it already, the chemistry between Ream and Kat  is explosive. Literally. They are both stubborn people. Kat isn't afraid or intimidated by Ream's dominant behavior and I love when she puts him in his place. There is no denial between them-- they have no doubt that they will argue and disagree frequently, but look forward to making up. They are a completely believable, realistic couple because they knew they have issues and that they are going to have to work on their relationship. Oh, and did I forget to mention the sex between them is out of this world hot?

I think what makes Overwhelmed By You stand out even more is Nashoda Rose's ability to create interesting secondary characters. They play a HUGE role in this book, which tells me they will do so in the next. Ream's bandmates are more like a family to him. Logan is almost like the patriarch--dominant, alpha, what he says is law--getting glimpses of Logan throughout Overwhelmed By You defnitely made me want to stop so I could go read Torn From You which is his and Emily's story. Then there is Ream's best friend Crisis who is the comedian/manwhore of the bunch. But I absolutely love him because of his loyalty. Okay, and because he is funny as hell! Kite is quite interesting as well, a little mysterious--I definitely can't wait to see who he gets paired up with. Then you have Deck. Oh my. My absolute favorite hands down. His book is next which I believe is a spinoff and let me tell you...Georgie is supposed to be his heroine. She is bubbly and sweet-- Deck is so serious, the ultimate alpha male. I can only imagine how hot their story is going to be. If you want a little taste of Deck, check out the excerpt I posted below.

Here is what I had problems with. Other than mentioning that Ream is over 6 feet tall, has some tattoos, and pink hair, there is no real description of what he actually looks like. Does he have long pink hair, short pink hair? What kind of tattoos? Authors need to remember that the characters are in their head. Their job is to create a vision for us.

I have a couple of pet peeves, one is consistency. Kat gets beat up really badly, kicked in the ribs, choked, face cut up. She is in the hospital, in and out of consciousness for a couple of days. Ream gets this idea to take her away so they have time to deal with their problems. But what drives me crazy is she was beat up so badly, yet there is no mention of her bruises or soreness (other then her face). It's one thing if they waited a couple of weeks to go on this little trip, but they go straight from the hospital. I guess what I am trying to say is, authors need to be more aware of timing and do the proper medical research. The scene where Kat is attacked was brutal to read, so for me, it made no sense that she was able to walk around, go swimming, etc. if she was hurt that bad.

Another pet peeve of mine is when an author makes a character vomit and they forget to have them brush their teeth. Then the next thing you know they are kissing another character and it kills me, because all I keep thinking about is ewww, she just threw up!!! Don't kiss her! I know this may be a strange thing to complain about but I have read so many romances where the heroine vomits and then her and the hero are making out. Most authors will remember, but unfortunately, there is a scene where Kat has emptied her stomach a few times, her and Ream are in the bathroom, and he kisses her...*shudders* I'll leave it at that.

The story starts out in Ream's POV. Then it switches to Kat's perspective and that is where it stays. I found this a little disappointing. Yes, at the beginning of each chapter are little snippets of Ream's dreams or past, but it's not the same. I think the story could have been more effective if we were able to see more through his eyes.

Overwhelmed By You was quite a roller coaster ride. I won't say that it was completely original, BUT there is a quality to Nashoda Rose's writing that is unique and refreshing. She writes interesting characters and she isn't afraid to push them to the brink of darkness. While there were a few things that were predictable, she also threw in a few shocker moments. I definitely will be going back to read Torn From You, book 1 and I absolutely cannot wait to read Deck and Georgie's story in Perfect Chaos.

best wishes,mia

Excerpt

"You love him?"

Now that was a surprising question coming from Deck. I did't think he would even know about the emotion love. "He cheated on me."

"Harsh for a girl who cheated her best friend the truth for seven years."

"What?" Clifford started shifting his feet and pulling on the crossties. "What the hell, Deck. This isn't my problem. I didn't promise to love someone, care for them, protect them, and then shit all over them. That wasn't me. He did this. Don't you dare turn this around on me." Screw his scariness and the way his jaw clenched. Screw all of this. I went to walk past him but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back around.

"I didn't tell you that fuckin' story for the hell of it. No one knows that fuckin' story. No one except you now. He didn't cheat on you." I jerked, but it only pissed him off more and tightened his grip as he repeated, "He didn't cheat on you."

"I saw--"

"I don't give a fuck what you saw. Ream would never cheat on you. It's not in his makeup."

"Well, maybe, Deck...you think a little too highly of yourself to really know what the truth is this time."

"Probably do, but even if we bet on that point one percent chance I'm wrong, you owe it to him. You know why? Because he gave you more than he has anyone, and after his fucked up past, that was damn hard for him to do. Now you're going to save him because I have no doubt he needs saving right now. He should've crumbled down a real bad path a long time ago, but he didn't. For some reason he came back from that shit and found you. I'm not wrong, he'd never ruin that."

"You don't know that."

"Damn right I do." His harsh voice hit me--hard. "Let's go."

"Now?"

"I have men in the fuckin' desert waiting on me to get back so we can go in and kill some motherfucker who tortures innocent women and children. So yeah. Now. Car in five minutes."

He strode out of the barn.

Shit...

about the author

 

Nashoda Rose lives in Toronto with her assortment of pets. She writes contemporary romance with a splash of darkness, or maybe it’s a tidal wave. Her novella "With You" is the first in the Tear Asunder series, followed by the novel "Torn from You" and "Overwhelmed by You". When she isn’t writing, she can be found sitting in a field reading with her dog at her side while her horses graze nearby. She loves interacting with her readers on Facebook and chatting about her addiction—books.

Connect With Nashoda

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway

Enter to win a signed paperback copy of Overwhelmed By You (Tear Asunder, #2) by: Nashoda Rose! Worldwide Giveaway!
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*BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY* Lost on the Edge of Tomorrow by: MIchael Haley ~Blog Tour~

synopsis

Leila Sepehri, an ambitious and brilliant student determined to cure cancer, is murdered during her final semester at college, yet discovers she’s been reborn as a spirit, resigned to haunt a school that can no longer see or hear her. The following semester, incoming freshman Alejandro Velásquez arrives on campus, eager to reinvent himself after eighteen years of awkwardness, as well as a devastating family tragedy, shake his sense of worth and faith to their cores.

The two lonely souls meet under the auspice of moonlit rain, and soon find themselves passionately, irrevocably attracted to each other. Leila discovers her spiritual body reawakening with sensations that make her feel alive once again, and Alejandro discovers a kindred spirit who understands his pain like no one else. The fast friends become intense lovers, and become determined to find a way to hold onto their own private miracle forever.

Yet troublesome questions linger. How can Alejandro possibly explain to skeptical friends and family that his soul-mate is a ghost? Why does Leila get the nagging suspicion that their relationship might hold the key to understanding her existence as a spirit? Intoxicated with each other, Leila and Alejandro evade these questions, only to have them explode once an act of evil causes both of them to clearly see the true meaning of their destiny together. Will their love give them the courage to accept a destiny that surpasses time and perhaps even God, or is their love destined to die loud and young?

 

book info & buy links

Title: Lost on the Edge of Forever

Author: Michael Haley

Genre: NA, Spiritual/Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

Release Date: 3rd February 2014

Buy Links

Amazon | Amazon (UK) | B&N | KOBO

about the author

Michael Haley was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and cultivated in its neighboring vicinities. He graduated with a degree in Psychology from Iowa State University, and now lives with his wife and little-dude-to-be in Bloomington, Illinois. When not writing, he loves indulging and dissecting books, film, and pop art from all canons and genres. Lost on the Edge of Forever is his first novel.

Connect With Michael

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+

Giveaway

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*BOOK REVIEW & EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW* Within Temptation by: Tanya Holmes + Giveaway ~Blog Tour~

Title: Within Temptation (Sons of Temptation, #1)
Author: Tanya Holmes
ASIN: B00K91U118
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Romantic Mystery/Romantic Suspense
Length: 350 pages
Binding: Ebook; Paperback
Published: 9th May 2014
Buy: Amazon , B&N

Synopsis:

Love, betrayal and murder in a small town…

Twelve years after her mother's murder, Shannon Bradford fears she may have helped convict an innocent man. Even worse, her prominent family may have had something to do with it. Desperate for answers, she seeks help from the one person least likely to give it. Her best friend and childhood crush, Trace Dawson. The man she sent to prison.

Serving hard time for murder has left Trace angry and bitter. As far as he's concerned, digging into the past won't replace the years he's lost or erase the hell he's lived. Now that he's free, Shannon Bradford tops his list of bad memories. But he never counted on falling in love.

Set in a sleepy little town during the dead of winter, this award-winning romance novel is a tale of one woman's quest for truth and a man's struggle to forgive.

My Rating:

The fascinating thing about being an avid reader is just when you think you've read every kind of story imaginable, one will totally creep up and catch you by surprise. I went into reading Within Temptation thinking it was going to be an erotic contemporary romance mixed in with a little "whodunit"/suspense. What it actually turned out to be is a well crafted mystery, and the romance/love story was the icing on the cake. While this may sound like a turn off to those readers looking for a hot romance, don't let my words discourage you. Within Temptation is one of those novels that has it all; I just wasn't expecting the mystery aspect of the story to be what captivated me more than the actual romance.

Shannon Bradford and Trace Dawson have history...a connection thought dead and buried when she accused him of murdering her mother that puts him in prison for 12 years. But on the very day of his release, the two come face to face, and while he is bitter and she is wondering if she made the right call all those many years ago, it is quite obvious the flame between them is still there. The author does a great job building sexual chemistry between Trace and Shannon. Rather than tons of sex scenes, Holmes uses some really hot "close encounters", a few self stimulation sessions (wink wink) that packed plenty of heat. I was really surprised that the couple didn't actually hit the sack until about the last 90 pages of the book (kindle/e-book pages) and I was absolutely okay with it. I think it is a fine art when an author can maintain sexual tension throughout the majority of a story before a major sex scene happens.

"You don't know the first thing about humility."

"Really."

"Yes, 'really'. You're too full of yourself."

A slow, wicked grin eased across his lips. "Maybe so. But I'd bet the farm you wouldn't mind being full of me too."

Trace was a very interesting hero. Intense, bitter, angry, sexually frustrated. Combine all of those things with a rough childhood and 12 years in the joint, and you have yourself a deeply layered character. Known as the "Butcher Boy" by the whole town, I really felt for him as he tried to adjust back into society.

Many romantic mysteries are very predictable but I must give Tanya Holmes credit--I was clueless until the very end.  Every time I thought I had it figured out, someone else would start to look like a prime suspect. The story is so well written that it is extremely difficult for me to believe this is not only a debut novel, but that Holmes is considered an indie author. The caliber of her writing is right up there with veteran romance authors and it's quite shocking that this novel hasn't been picked up by a major publishing company. I suspect that this won't last long considering the crazy buzz Within Temptation is getting.

I can't move on until I mention another interesting aspect of the novel which is the many themes that I came across while reading the story-- child abuse, mental illness, fear of aging, suppressed memory, hypnosis. With any other writer this could have been a hot mess. I've read plenty of books where authors try to cram pack so many topics that it becomes hard to focus on what the true purpose of the story is. Holmes weaves these themes in seamlessly like a pro.

While I am a huge fan of Within Temptation, there were a few things that bothered me. Overall, I liked Shannon and as her story unfolds, my sympathy grew--I am being vague so I can stay away from spoilers. However, her wishy washy attitude towards Trace annoyed me after awhile. Once she realizes that she may have made a mistake in accusing him of her mother's murder, it's like she expects him to just forgive her and jump at the chance to work with her to help clear his name. Trace spent TWELVE years in the prison! I think he has a right to be a mad, bitter, pissed off, even if it wasn't technically her fault.

Another thing that didn't seem realistic is the timeline. Trace went to prison when he was 18-- yet he was a stripper, became an expert on dance, taught dance lessons in prison, knows how to work on cars, knows how to renovate a whole house, has several associates degrees (that he worked on while he was in the joint) -- how the hell did he learn all these things by 18 (aside from the associate degrees)? Especially while in high school and with an abusive childhood? Maybe if the author gave us some more background information on how he learned these skills, it would have been more believable.

Lastly, again, Trace spent 12 years in prison but comes out and suffers no kind of PST. After watching shows like RECTIFY--about a man who serves 19 years on death row for the murder of his high school girlfriend and later is released upon new DNA evidence--I became more aware of how traumatic it can be for inmates as they struggle to acclimate back into society after serving years in prison. Yes, the author does a good job of showing how the town reacts to Trace's release, calling him "Butcher Boy" and ostracizing him and the people that support him. However, it would have been more realistic if he had some kind of symptoms of PST, perhaps nightmares or panic attacks.

Within Temptation is a smartly written mystery romance with plenty of nail biting suspense that keeps you riveted until the very end. I think this quote I found sums up the romance aspect of the novel: "The sexual tension is high, and the burn is slow. Sex is character-driven, rather than plot-driven."  While there were a few minor issues dealing mostly with Trace and the believability of his many, many skills, the story is quite remarkable, especially when you have to keep reminding yourself that it was written by a debut author. Read below for my exclusive interview with Tanya Holmes.

best wishes,mia

Excerpt

The beginning notes of Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy" filled the silence. He nudged my chin up with a finger, and what I saw stole my breath. His eyes burned. Instinct made me back away until a wall appeared out of nowhere, and just as he'd done at the garage, he moved in on me. His muscles expanded when he rested his forearm above my head to box me in. Unlike the wall at my back, the wall of muscle in front of me didn't hold me steady, and the more I stared at it, the weaker I became. Trace touched my mouth with his fingertip, pressing past the barrier of my lips until my teeth parted. My breath rushed in on a gasp as he penetrated and explored. All the while, he stared down at me, his intent sure. Before I could stop myself, I'd sucked and drawn his finger in deeper. He swore softly and his nostrils flared. After I realized what I'd done, I shamefully jerked my head away, dislodging him, but the seductive taste and feel of him remained.

"Look at me," he commanded.

I obeyed, giving in to the carnal awareness whittling my breath down to short, audible pants. My heart stopped once he lifted his glistening finger and sucked it into his mouth. He kept his eyes trained on me while he lowered his hand to my lips and reverently painted his wetness across them. His chest expanded when I sampled his gift: warmth, sweetness, and fire. That's how he tasted. Like heaven and hell, darkness and light.

He hadn't kissed me, yet I knew his touch. Hadn't swept his tongue inside, yet I knew his taste. Hadn't done anything except toy with my mouth, but in my imagination he'd done everything and then some. Heat scalded my loins, made me ache so badly I wanted to cry, and like clockwork, the rain came, salving the blaze with a weepy dampness familiar to every woman.

"Please, j-just let me leave," I begged.

He shook his head as if to say, No mercy.

I couldn't breathe. "Trace...I'm scared."

"I know." He slowly cradled my jaw. "Me too."

Author Interview

1. Within Temptation is one of the best mystery romances I have ever read, mostly because it kept me guessing until the big reveal. What inspired you to write this story?

​Trace Dawson, actually. He (the hero in Within Temptation) came to me fully formed. I knew this guy from day one.

So where did he come from? What shaped his personality and circumstances? In looking back, I can think of several direct influences.

Book-wise, I'd say my biggest inspirations were Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence and Catherine Cookson's The Moth. Both novels have an upper class/lower class H/h pairing that produced very juicy conflicts. These are characters who see the world through different eyes because they live in completely different worlds, yet their hearts come together despite these societal road blocks.

Other influences include film and TV. I'm a movie buff and I totally use actors for character inspiration. This is why I love movies, (especially older ones) because they provide a great creative well to drink from. For instance, Clive Owen's BMW Films' character was the physical model for Trace, but that evolved over time to the point where I began adding certain physical traits and personality ticks from various actors. I also started piecing together plot ideas.

There was a film called Captives starring Tim Roth and Julia Ormond. Roth played the bad boy convict to Ormand's good girl. The differences between him and Trace Dawson are stark, especially when it comes to what Roth's character was convicted of (and admitted to doing)---but Roth's edginess intrigued me. He had a dark and gritty intensity in his performance that I wanted to capture on the page.

​Another film that inspired me was Past Midnight starring Rutger Hauer and the late Natasha Richardson. This was a romantic suspense movie about a man convicted of killing his pregnant wife. Hauer's portrayal of the socially awkward ex-con was very nuanced, in that, although he had a darkness about him, he also had a sweetness that Tim Roth's character lacked. So that's what I drew from for Trace's softer side.

And finally, there's Disney's Sleeping Beauty & Snow White. The whole evil queen/evil step-mother thing fascinated me because I always wondered what motivated them. With Snow White's villainess, vanity seemed to be her driving force, but it was a tad too one dimensional for me. They never really explained her deeper motivations. You know, like why was she so vain? What happened in her life to shape her unstable personality? Same with the villainess in Sleeping Beauty.

After giving it some thought, I came up with: Fear of rejection. Fear of growing old. A need for control and a flawed sense of self-worth. Those seemed to be the likely deeper motivations for both Disney villainesses. And that's what I used to create Lilith. So as you can see, Within Temptation is a patchwork quilt of various influences. 

2. I was really surprised at the many themes I came across while reading Within Temptation--child abuse, mental illness, fear of aging, suppressed memory, hypnosis-- why did you incorporate these specific themes into the story? Were any of them written because of personal experience?

The seed for this story began as a study in class distinctions, and how the heart is blind to them, but that wasn't enough. I needed more.

Then Trace showed up.

I remember writing the initial draft of the first chapter in one sitting, feeling everything he felt. He was an angry, bitter ex-con who'd just been released from prison---that's all I had initially. So I had to figure out what he was so angry about. Sure being in prison can make you bitter, but his rage went deeper than that. It was all consuming. A character interview (which I usually don't do) provided the answer. That's when he told me Shannon had betrayed him in the worst possible way.

As for personal experience, sure. Like most people, I know what betrayal and disappointment feels like. That was enough to get the creative juices flowing. The only other theme that I could directly relate to was the aging thing. There's a flashback scene with 40-year-old Lilith where she takes issue with a life insurance commercial. Well, that actually happened to me. :-)

It was about 1 or 2 in the morning and I was watching a really awful Dracula movie when this life insurance commercial came on. I was like, really? Who the heck wants to think about that before they go to bed? lol It was surreal, and left an indelible impression on me. So I used it for Lilith and added a ton of crazy.

3. At the end of Within Temptation, you tease us with a sneak peak of Temptation's Edge, book 2 in the Sons of Temptation series which can be read as a standalone. When can fans expect this next installment? Do you know how many more books are planned in the Sons of Temptation series?

​I'm currently writing Book 2 (Temptation's Edge). It's got a tentative 2015 release date. Unlike Within Temptation, which is romantic suspense, Temptation's Edge will be a straight contemporary romance.

The third book in the trilogy (Beyond Temptation) will also be a contemporary romance. The hero's name is Declan Michael North (Dex for short), but that could change. What I know so far is that he's British, rich, very cheeky, and he's an ex-porn star turned serious actor. I also know his troubled backstory and his secret agenda.

So what possible connection does an ex-porn star (and a Brit to boot) possibly have with Temptation, West Virginia?

Stay tuned. :-) ​

About the Author

Tanya Holmes is a former Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist, a recipient of the Maggie Award, the MICA Award, as well as Overall Winner of the Sandy Haddad Award and a two-time finalist and one-time winner of The Emily (Best of the Best). She's happily married with children and loves reading, writing and a good cup of coffee---but not necessarily in that order. Her debut novel, Within Temptation was released on May 12, 2014.

Connect With Tanya

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway

Three Grand Prize winners (U.S. Only)

Winner A 

Signed copy of Within Temptation 

Within Temptation pen 

Within Temptation rack card 

Within Temptation magnet 

Poison perfume-scented hanky 

 Playing For Keeps by Jamie Denton, paperback 

Skin Deep by Megan D. Martin, ebook

Winner B 

Signed copy of Within Temptation 

Within Temptation pen 

Within Temptation magnet 

Within Temptation keychain 

Within Temptation rack card 

The Matchmaker by Jamie Denton, paperback 

Drowning in Rapture by Megan D. Martin, ebook

Winner C 

Signed copy of Within Temptation 

Within Temptation rack card 

Within Temptation keychain 

Within Temptation magnet 

Sample of Poison perfume by Dior 

Paving Paradise by Nerika Parke, e-book 

Dead Stop by Jamie Denton, paperback

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*BLOG TOUR RELEASE BLITZ* The Artful by: Wilbert Stanton + Giveaway

Synopsis

New York City, 2025: Everything is changed. The city that never sleeps is now a land of death and decay. A rampant virus has taken over and the survivors have become carriers, quarantined from the rest of the world.

Twist and Dodger grew up in the streets, the sewers and underground tunnels – their playground. They aren’t heroes. They just like attention; and stealing meds from the rich and giving them to the poor is their golden ticket.

On their latest raid, they unknowingly steal a cure that puts them square between the ailing Emperor of Manhattan and the war hungry Governor of Brooklyn and forces them on a quest into the darkest shadows of their putrefying world.

Book Trailer

book info & buy links

Title: The Artful (Shadows of the City, #1)

Author: Wilbert Stanton

Genre: YA, Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Sci-Fi

Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

Release Date: 27th May 2014

 Buy Links

Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | B&N | Kobo

About the Author

Wilbert Stanton was born and raised in New York City. From an early age, Wilbert decided he would either write books or take over the world; everything else was just a precursor to his end game. Along the way, he has studied Psychology, English, and Computer Science. He's held jobs in a wide range of fields and met people from all walks of life. Wilbert is constantly learning and growing as a person, in order to solidify his dreams. In the end world domination was a bit tedious, so he decided to focus on writing books.

Connect with Wilbert

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BOOK REVIEW: Fighting to Forget (Fighting, #3) by: JB Salsbury + Giveaway

Title: Fighting to Forget (Fighting, #3)
Author: JB Salsbury
ISBN/ASIN: B00JBSJ4W2
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: New Adult Romance
Theme(s): MMA Fighting, Rock Star, Child abuse
Length: 381 pgs
Binding: E-book, Paperback
Published: 15 April 2014
Buy: Amazon.com, BN.com

Synopsis:

Every fighter is drawn to the violence, the release that a perfect hit can bring.

But very few are drawn to the pain.

Rex Carter lives behind a wall of indifference. The demons from his childhood act as an anesthetic, keeping him distant from emotional connections. Only the ache from a knock to the jaw, sting of a tattoo needles, or heat from a piercing, can jolt him back from the numbness. The fiery pain is all he can feel, and nothing compares to the burn. 

Or so he thought. 

Working in a Las Vegas bar isn't Georgia McIntyre's dream. But she hopes it'll be an end to the nightmare.

Over a decade she's watched him. Followed his career and kept tabs, all in preparation for this moment. To make amends, repair the wrong. But she didn't count on the feelings that seeing him again would stir up. The vacant look in his stormy-blue eyes, his perfect body now mutilated by ink and metal. 

And she knows why. She's lived his pain, every single day, since the day he left.

Changed by time, Rex doesn't remember the girl from his past. If only she could do the same. Will she get the absolution she's spent her life seeking?

Or will he continue, Fighting to Forget?

My Rating:

Is it just me, or have I hit the lottery? If you follow my reviews, then I must apologize for sounding like a broken record. I just can't believe I've dished out yet another 5 star rating in such a short period of time. The only difference is I've been a fan of J.B. Salsbury's Fighting series since the beginning and know the caliber of her writing. Because of this, maybe I was expecting a grand slam. Or maybe not... In Fighting for Flight, book 1 in the series, Salsbury gave us Jonah and Raven's story which blew me away with its unique plot, interesting cast of characters, and dark undertones. Then there was Fighting to Forgive, Blake and Layla's story. While I enjoyed their narrative, it didn't come across as intense as its predecessor. I'm not saying it wasn't good, it just offered a bit more comic relief, mainly because of Blake's personality and his overall way of handling situations with humor. Now we have the highly anticipated Fighting to Forget, Rex and Gia's story and while I was expecting a solid, well written romance, I NEVER expected the places this book would take me. The novel has set a very high bar for the rest of the series, and has skyrocketed Salsbury's writing to a whole new level.

So here are the reasons behind my 5 star rating. Fighting to Forget is a deeply emotional roller coaster ride with twists I didn't see coming. I'm going to try my hardest to stay away from spoilers, but I think it is safe and only right to warn people that this novel focuses on child abuse, some of the worst kind. It may serve as a trigger for those who have suffered from similar experiences. That being said, I commend Salsbury for digging deep and not sugarcoating Rex's horrific childhood.

On the outside, Rex is a successful MMA Fighter and musician. Covered in tattoos and quite a few piercings, he is known as a bit of a daredevil, a thrill seeker that doesn't shy away from the bite of pain. On the inside, there are days he's barely keeping it together, haunted by a childhood he can't remember, suffering from nightmares that he fears are all too real. Jumping from foster home to group home, Rex was assigned a shrink by the name of Darren Gale (whom I really like) and has been seeing him ever since. Over the years he has made progress, but there is no denying Rex's lack of memory drives him crazy, which has developed into a major OCD. No one has ever stepped foot in his apartment and when he is intimate with a woman--which is very rare and only out of pure necessity--there is a very specific way he handles the situation and the reaction is always followed by becoming physically ill. Like I said above, I really admire Salsbury because it is so apparent in the details how much research and thought was put into Rex's character. The pain from body modification and the daredevil, adrenaline junkie stunts help him to FEEL something other than remaining numb. The OCD is more of a way for him to feel in control since he had no control over his childhood and lack of memory. The only comfort he receives is from the colors of gray and red and the vague memory of a little girl with fiery hair and stormy eyes...

For over half of the book, each chapter opens with a piece of lyric that Rex has written with his band Ataxia. Again, this different form of literary prose shows how amazingly talented the author is. But the true purpose of the lyrics are to give us insight into Rex's tormented psyche. They are beautiful yet haunting, revealing yet heartbreaking. Here are a few examples:

Because inside my shell I'm that boy

Who was never given a say

The real me I'll cover and destroy

To keep the worst of the pain away. ~Ataxia

Vivid dreams, different faces

Waves of hate and lust in traces

Festering sickness, my insides rot

There's no pill for what I've got. ~Ataxia

Blue is the sky that I now see

A freedom the dark cannot touch

But the gray is the one that consumes me

And the comfort I miss so much. ~Ataxia

Then there is Gia, who we know as Mac at the beginning of the story. Gia has been working as a waitress at the bar/club that Rex's band Ataxia plays every week. Her past is obviously deeply entwined with his and her motives for moving to Vegas has everything to do with Rex. But thanks to her new identity and his lack of memory, Gia has had plenty of time to keep a watchful eye over him and it has given her the chance to play her cards just right. She wants to avenge him at the same time bring him a measure of peace. But once their paths finally cross and she comes to learn that he doesn't remember her or his traumatic childhood, she is torn as to what exactly is the right thing to do. Gia is a beautifully flawed young woman. I could feel her turmoil through the pages and could understand her indecision.

Later in the novel, Rex's lyrics at the top of each chapter turn into journal-like entries but this time in Gia's POV. Just like with the lyrics, these little snippets give us a better understanding of her past and how determined she was to find Rex and avenge him. Examples below:

"They can lock me up, but they can't keep me in here forever. I'll find my way back to him. Always." 

Georgia McIntyre- age 10

Georgia McIntyre

Gia McIntyre

Mac In Tire

Mac Entire

Mac Ellenshire

RIP Georgia McIntyre

~Mac Ellenshire, Age 17

Due to the serious tone surrounding these two fractured main characters, especially Rex and his intimacy issues, you can imagine how deeply emotional Rex and Gia's love scenes are once they begin to happen. Somehow, Salsbury still gives us all the heat and intensity that we expect from the alpha males she is so great at creating, but with Rex, she gives us MORE. This time, I wasn't just getting turned on while reading these love scenes, but my heart was aching as well.

"Her bare, pale skin beckons my touch. I run my hands from her ankles to her thighs, reading her resulting goose bumps like Braille. I record to memory the places I touch that make her tense and the others that make her melt into the bed. My mouth waters, a familiar feeling when I hook up with a chick, but this time it's not the nausea-accompanied saliva that rushes to my mouth. This is hunger, pure, simple, animalistic starvation."

As with the other two novels in the series, I love the fact that previous characters we have come to enjoy seeing make an appearance and each plays an important role in the story. They are all there, Jonah and Raven, Blake and Layla, Caleb--and Salsbury subtly hints at possible prospects for the next book in the series. I also like how Rex's boys have his back--he may think he is all alone, but the loyalty these guys have for each other really shines through in this book.

Fighting to Forget far exceeded my expectations. It's the type of story that catches you by surprise, rich in plot and character development. There are quite a few twists that I absolutely did not see coming and just when I thought the story couldn't get any more darker, it does. And I am not going to lie, I wasn't sure if I was completely sold on the twist that happens in the later half of the book in regards to one particular character's disturbing journey. Yet somehow Salsbury reigns it in and creates a completely satisfying ending. I very much look forward to reading the fourth book in the series, Fighting the Fall, although I can't help but feel nervous since her latest story has set the bar so high.

best wishes,mia

About the Author

JB Salsbury, USA Today Best Selling author of the Fighting series, lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and two kids. She spends the majority of her day as a domestic engineer. But while she works through her daily chores, a world of battling alphas, budding romance, and impossible obstacles claws away at her subconscious, begging to be released to the page. 

 Her love of good storytelling led her to earn a degree in Media Communications. With her journalistic background, writing has always been at the forefront, and her love of romance prompted her to sink her free time into novel writing. 

 Fighting for Flight, Fighting to Forgive, and Fighting to Forget are the first three novels in the MMA romance series. Fighting the Fall is due to be released in October 2014.

Connect With JB Salsbury:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

Giveaway

Is this your first time hearing about the Fighting series by JB Salsbury? Haven't read the first two books, but would like to before jumping into Fighting to Forget? Well here is your chance! Enter for a chance to win an e-copy of Fighting for Flight AND Fighting to Forgive, books 1 & 2! Who can enter? Everyone! It's a worldwide giveaway! Ends 5/4.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

good luck,mia