Sunday 29 September 2013

Review - Gypsy Rain by Garrett Leigh

Gypsy Rain - Garrett Leigh photo GypsyRain-GarrettLeigh_zpsebbd2e5f.jpg

Gypsy Rain by Garrett Leigh

Genre - Romance, m/m

My rating = A Rainfall Rainbow FIVE!

This was a wonderful short story that captivated me from the first page. It was a sweet and tender love story set in the beautiful Cornish town of Padstow, which is one of my most favourite parts of the World so was an instant page turner for me. 

Seb runs his traditional family business of fudge making (yum) where his days are long and his nights even longer and getting lonelier. He is getting ready for the tourist season and wondering if the sexy fisherman from overseas will be calling into Padstow again this summer. With his mind on other things after a hectic day in the shop he doesn't realise he has dropped his wallet until he gets a tap on the shoulder from Dex who is kindly returning it to him. Dex is a traveller who touts for business on the beach braiding hair for the tourists. At first Seb is wary of trusting this ‘vagrant’ but then he realises his misconceptions are totally misplaced and so begins a beautiful friendship that turns into so much more.

I really loved the writing style of this and how beautifully it flowed for such a short story. There was no feeling of being rushed or of tailoring it to fit into a diluted novel. The characters were so well developed that you were instantly drawn into their world and wanting them to complete this gorgeous pairing. Even without a HEA as such, I finished the book feeling extremely satisfied and content. 

I would definitely recommend this short read. It was a story that left me thinking about it hours afterwards. Very thought provoking and memorable. Brilliant.

Tuesday 24 September 2013

Blog Tour and Review - No More Wasted Time - Beverly Preston



No More Wasted Time by Beverly Preston

Genre = Contemporary Romance (m/f)

SYNOPSIS:

After losing her husband to a sudden heart attack, Tess Mathews escapes to Bora Bora to lay her husband and sorrow to rest. What she doesn't expect is a new beginning.

Tom Clemmins is an A-list actor whose life revolves around work and an onslaught of women. He travels to Bora Bora for a much-needed break. Tom has a few ideas of how he'll enjoy his vacation, but love isn't one of them. Until he sees Tess.

Reserving a private shark-feeding excursion to scatter her husband's ashes into the lagoon, Tess is furious when Mr. Hollywood bribes his way onto the boat, leaving her no other choice but to share the boat ride.

Tess is torn between tremendous guilt and zealous lust when their boat ride turns into a week full of romance and desire neither thought imaginable. Utterly smitten with a woman for the first time in his life, Tom casts his commitment phobia aside and whisks Tess off to Malibu where he introduces her as his "girlfriend" on the red carpet.

As the paparazzi besiege, can Tess survive the media blitz that ensues in order to find her second chance at love?  

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REVIEW

My rating = A lustful FOUR!

I have now read this book twice and it still has the power to transfer me to a wonderful place of happiness with a scattering of contented sighs as I flip through the kindle pages.  

The first time I read it was back in 2012 when it was first released and my initial thought was how lovely to find a book that is not all about the young but this is about a woman who has gone through that first flush of youth, first love, happy marriage and children. But also a woman who has learnt to cope with loss, bereavement and utter desolation.

Tess Matthews is returning to Bora Bora, a place that held special memories for her, where she and her husband spent such happy times. It is here she finds herself again, a year after his death, to scatter his ashes and where she first sets eyes on the famous movie star, Tom Clemmins.

Tom is at the peak of his career, he has worked his way to the top with little or no time for a personal life. That’s when he decides to take a long deserved break, which brings him to Bora Bora and he meets the entrancing Tess on a boat trip.

The book is all about their developing romance with all the trials and tribulations that brings. As in all good love stories there are outside influences that are a threat to the couple and trying to break them apart. This is not helped by their vast differences – Tessa with her ‘normal’ life with her three grown up kids and Tom with his fame and fortune and all that brings with it, especially the press.

I really loved getting lost in this book (both times!) and I instantly fell for Mr Clemmins. He was so badly portrayed in the press as a player and was constantly having his picture snapped all over the globe with a bevy of beauties on his arm. But what the public did not know was this was all part of his public life, yet away from all these trappings of fame was an ordinary man. A man so lonely, so hungry for love yet he had little time to meet anyone and the people he was surrounded by were not the type he wanted to live his life with.

Tess was a woman who knew who she was and was comfortable in her own skin. She had lived a wonderful life with her husband of 25 years and her children. After a year on her own in her grief she now knew it was time to move on and get back into the world and take a chance.  But throwing herself into the world Tom lived in? Was this a step too far for her?

I loved the raunchy bits! Who said sexy time was for the under forty? Huh – lessons to be learnt here. Tom Clemmins is a sexy, gorgeous man. He’s got the moves, yeah baby! Ha ha. Just check out that wall in Greece!

The development of the romance was intense and detailed and had me in bits in some parts. I loved Tess’s relationship with her kids and how they were routing for her to get herself out there but at the same time very protective of her.

It was a lovely journey to be on, to read about life, love and family and all that that entails. It left me with a warm and squishy feeling after I had read it. Always a nice feeling to finish a book on.



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AUTHOR BIO


For the past twenty-one years, Beverly Preston has been a stay at home mom, although she prefers the title Domestic Engineer, raising her four amazing kids. Along the way, Beverly worked side by side with her husband Don, the love of her life, designing, building and selling custom homes. As her children begin to venture out on their own, she’s left to shed a tear—for a minute—wonder what’s next in life, and embrace the feeling of empowerment that surely must've been wrapped in a present she received on her fortieth birthday.

If Beverly isn't at home riding her spin bike, you'll find her spinning richly emotional and sinfully sexy romance stories. 

Follow Beverly:
Twitter: @BeverlyPreston
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BUY LINK




 PLAYLIST

Single Ladies - Beyonce

Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson

Barely Breathing - Duncan Sheik

First Time - Lifehouse

Whatever it Takes - Lifehouse

Brass Bed - Josh Gracin

Nickelback - How You Remind Me
Someday
Figured You Out

Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

Must Be Doing Something Right - Billy Currington

Rude Boy - Rhiana

All I want to Do - Sugarland

I Go Blind - Hootie and the Blowfish

Sexy Back - Justin Timberline

Ta douleur - Camille

I Hate Boys - Christina Aguilera

Madness - Muse

My Sacrifice - Creed

Maybe I'm Amazed - Paul McCartney

Amazed - Lonestar

Monday 23 September 2013

Blog Tour and Review - Forged in Dreams and Magic - Kat Bastion





Forged in Dreams and Magic by Kat Bastion

Release date: September 23, 2013

Age Group:  Adult

Genre: Paranormal Romance / Time Travel

Book Synopsis

Isobel MacInnes wakes up in present-day California, lunches in medieval Scotland, and by ten day's end, falls in love with a man and his country, only to lose them in a heart-wrenching twist of fate . . .

       Found in the arms of her second soul mate . . .

       Forced to balance the delicate strands of time between two millennia . . .

       Shocked by revelations rewriting the very foundations of history . . . of everything.

Isobel, a rising-star archaeology student, is dropped into two ancient worlds without warning . . . or her permission. Her fiery spirit resists the dependency thrust upon her. Amid frustration at her lack of control, she helplessly falls in love. Twice.

She struggles to adjust to the unimaginable demands of two leaders of men—a laird in the thirteenth-century Highlands and a Pict chieftain in a more ancient Scotland. Isobel transforms from an academic, hell-bent on obtaining archaeological recognition, to a woman striving to care for those she loves, and ultimately . . . into a fearless warrior risking everything to protect them.

My Review

My rating = A High (lander) Four

It has been a while since I read paranormal books and they used to be the only books I read. For now though they are few and far between all the other genres I read so to receive this as an ARC request as part of a blog tour I was intrigued due to the time travel aspect but mainly it was all about Highlanders. Books about the Highlands for some reason just grab me and give me that flutter of anticipation that I know is going to ensnare me. I was therefore not disappointed with this book as it totally ensnared me!

This book was wonderfully written and an absolute pleasure to devour in one day. The writer has a huge depth of knowledge of the subject matter and Scotland which just shines through the flow and development of the plot across the pages. It really grabs your attention and keeps you grasping for more.

Isobel MacInnes was an instantly likeable woman for me. I really cannot stress enough how fantastic it is to read a story with a wonderfully strong and decisive female character in it. She would need to be to execute this plotline of a current day American woman being transported back in time to two separate eras in history to two different hot alpha men! Before you read into that a threesome, it is not, although both men know about each other it is not a m̩nage a trois. This is how the writing is so clever to evolve the relationship with Isobel and her soul mates РIain and Velloc.

The sex scenes were off the charts but sensually done and integral to the plot and evolvement of the story. The romance was wonderful to escape into and the erotica just added the spice.

Overall I found this book to be captivating, with its descriptive prose, intriguing storyline and wonderful characters, how could it not be. I see this is part of a series and I shall look forward to the next book. Highly recommend you read this. 

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About the Author

Kat Bastion is an award-winning paranormal romance writer, poetic warrior, and eternal optimist who loves getting lost in the beauty of nature.
On a never-ending, wondrous path of self-discovery, Kat throws her characters into incredible situations with the hope that readers join her in learning more about the meaning of life and love.

Her first published work, Utterly Loved, was shared with the world to benefit others. All proceeds from Utterly Loved, and a portion of the proceeds of all her other books, support charities who help those lost in this world.

Kat lives with her husband amid the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Arizona.

Visit her blog at www.talktotheshoe.com
 her website at www.katbastion.com
 Twitter account at https://twitter.com/KatBastion 

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Giveaway

Your chance to win! All you need to do is enter the Rafflecopter below. Look at what you could win:-

(5) Signed Paperback Copies of Forged in Dreams and Magick

(5) eBook copies of Forged in Dreams and Magick

(1) Pandora sterling silver Happily Ever After charm with a Pandora sterling silver bracelet.



Cover Reveal - Ripping Pages by Rachel Rae

FB COVER RP GRAPHIC FINAL

RippingPagesecoverCoverReveal
Release Date: October 25th


Synopsis

Sweet, shy and a bit goofy, Tinley Michaels has it all: a great mother, a wonderful, sexy, loving boyfriend, and her whole life ahead of her. One day her world is turned upside down when the love of her life suddenly leaves her without reason. She is left broken and vulnerable and vows to never let a man destroy her again. Months later, she decides to dust herself off and finally realize her dream of being a Broadway star. With nothing holding her back, she leaves everything she's ever known in Texas to start her new life in New York City. She moves in with her cousin, makes some great new friends, gets a steady job and an audition for a part in a small theater. Things are heading in the right direction.

Tinley isn’t looking for anyone. She is jaded but still hopelessly in love with her first love. That’s when, by chance, she meets Van Whitaker, the smooth talking sexy lead singer of the best-selling rock band, Ripping Pages. She labels him a man-whore/rock-n-roll douchebag immediately. Van tries to show her that he’s no longer that guy and that he sees something in Tinley worth trying to be better for. Even though he makes her feel things she’s only read about in the hundreds of romance novels she’s shamelessly addicted to, she is scared he will leave her even more broken than she already is. Should she give this gorgeous rock star the time of day? And what will she do when she comes face to face with her past and she must make a decision that will change her future and her forever?

What happens when the page you ripped out of the book of your life suddenly tries to put itself back into the story?
Excerpt

I felt great after my audition. I had done better this time than when I had rehearsed, so I was feeling pretty confident about it. It was a beautiful early fall day outside, so I decided to catch a cab, grab a treat and walk around Central Park. I wanted to breathe in the New York air and take in my surroundings. I stopped by a little bakery off of Columbus Avenue and ordered a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese icing, my guilty pleasure, and a hot chocolate. I entered the park and found a bench to sit down and enjoy my treats and people watch, which was another one of my guilty pleasures.

I loved this city. It was unlike anything I could ever imagine. The crowds and the traffic, everything about it excited me. I was from the outskirts of Houston and our downtown was nothing like this spectacular place. I finished my goodies and closed my eyes listening to the sounds around me. Birds chirping and people talking. Soon, the faint sound of a guitar filled my ears followed by a low, sexy, almost tortured voice singing lyrics that I couldn't quite make out. Being my nosy self, I wanted to know who was behind that sound. I headed toward, Bow Bridge I think it was called, and the music grew louder, as did the sexy voice.

I spotted a young guy sitting against a tree by the water near the bridge. His right leg was bent in front of him while his left leg was straight out on the ground. He had a guitar resting in his lap and he was smoking a cigarette which normally I would find repulsing, but on him it made him even sexier for some reason. He wore faded jeans that were frayed a bit at the cuff and a plain black t-shirt that, from what I could see, hugged his well-defined body just right. His arms were covered in tattoos, though I couldn’t make out the intricate designs from where I stood. He had messy dark brown hair that hung in his eyes which held long, thick eyelashes that would make any woman jealous. His face was chiseled showing a hint of scruff and he had full lush lips but his bottom lip was just a little fuller than the top. He was seriously breathtaking.  He looked vaguely familiar but I couldn’t place him.

I never really was attracted to guys like this one. I was usually drawn to the clean cut, all American type guys. Guys like James. James was gorgeous but he had nothing on this man. This guy had the bad boy look down pat. They surely didn't make them like that back home.

He was singing and strumming the guitar and writing something that I assumed were lyrics, down in a notebook near his right hip. I couldn’t stop staring at him. His voice made me feel warm and cozy for some strange reason. It, too, was familiar and oddly comforting. It was deep, rough and provocative and I wanted to hear more of it. This guy could sing me the telephone book for all I cared as long as he kept singing.

Teasers

Teaser 4 RP 2

Teaser 3 RP

Teaser 2 RP

RP Teaser 1

Book Trailer



About Rachel

Author Pic

Rachel Rae is a devoted wife to her high school sweetheart and momma to three unbelievably gorgeous children. She enjoys reading all things romance and writing about love and happily ever afters. When she’s not engrossed in a good book and obsessing over fictional boyfriends, you can find her gossiping over coffee or wine with frozen berries, goofing around with her sister, watching trashy reality TV and facebooking entirely too much. She is addicted to music, chocolate, Christmas, lip gloss, glitter and all things girly. She lives in Texas with her family.

Social Links:




KRBB BUTTON 4


Friday 20 September 2013


Blog Tour and Review - Crossroads by Megan Keith


Book Title - Crossroads (book #2)
Author - Megan Keith
Genre - New Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date - 13th September 2013


SYNOPSIS

Nick is about to head overseas on an adventure of a lifetime.  It’s what he has always wanted, to travel the world, to experience new cultures, see the places he’s dreamed of for so long.  He should be over the moon.  Instead, he’s been in a slump ever since he lost his friend Em.
Nick is a player, always has been.  The first time he ever wanted more from a girl he was shot down.  So now he’s left licking his wounds.  Emma made her choice and now Nick has to live with it.
Or does he?  When he finds out that Emma is single after all, will he fight for her?  Will he be able to convince her to give him a chance?  And if he does, what will happen when he leaves?
Nick has reached a crossroads in his life - the girl or the dream.  Seems like an easy choice when the girl of his dreams is Emma.  But what if she doesn't see things the same way? 


COVER DESIGN

The fantastic book cover for Crossroads was designed by Kari Ayasha at Cover to Cover Designs



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AUTHOR BIO


Megan Keith is a married, mother of three, living in a small country town in New South Wales, Australia.  She has a constant thirst for a good story, whether it is in books, music, movies, on TV, or just plain old-fashioned gossip.  She has always had a creative side and loves to let her imagination run wild.   On a few occasions over the years, Megan has put those imaginings into a written story, but never dreamed of publishing.  She has always loved to read, but it wasn’t until she got given a Kindle that it became a full-blown addiction.  Her introduction to the world of Indie Authors re-ignited her passion for writing.  Megan published her first book Finding My Way in June 2013.  Crossroads is the sequel and the second book to the Finding My Way trilogy.


AUTHOR CONTACT INFO

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MY REVIEW

My Rating = A life changing FIVE!
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for my honest review 



Please do NOT read this review if you have not read the first book in the seriesFinding my Way as it full of spoilers and outlines what happened. Book one sets up the plot line and back story so is imperative for the reading of this second book.

When reading Finding My Way it exhausting reading all the POVs, the history and family entanglements but it was upon starting this second book that I found it was well worth the investment of time and understanding.  It gave the most intense background that made the reading of this second book like a necessity and I just had to make sure Emma, Nick and Seth got their HEA. It was like coming home and curling up with your most favourite people – in this case Emma and Nick. We were left with Emma ending her relationship with Seth because even though she knew she loved him on some level and he ticked all the boxes she should need to tick but he wasn't for her. On the other hand Nick was totally not right for her, he had no solid background, he was a player and man whore but he made her feel alive and something so much more!

 So it was with a heavy heart we left the first book with Seth moving to another part of the country and Nick breaking all contact. So Emma was right back where she started, on her own but this time with a wealth of understanding who she was and what she finally wanted out of life. She would no longer ever be the amenable and compliant girl she had been, this time she was all for herself and making her life what she wanted it to be. But then she sees Nick in a nightclub with his arms around another girl and it sucker punches her in the heart. 



Oh I loved this book! I loved both Seth and Nick in book one, obviously for different reasons as they were entirely different types of people but Nick was what Emma needs.  This book doesn't really refer to Seth at all (he will get his story in New Beginnings – the third book) but was entirely Emma and Nick POVs. It delved into both their trials and tribulations, their wants and their needs. They really opened up their feelings and although there were still some misunderstandings and insecurities, both were willing to fight for a relationship together and live for now. The only blot on the landscape was that Nick had, whilst they were apart, booked to go on his travels to Europe. So how would a separation again so soon impact on their new and fragile relationship? 



We finally get to see some action between the sheets with Em and Nick and oh my wordy how HAWT it was! Nick is a Greek god with a body to die for and the way the author has written the erotic action and intensity was amazing. I want a Nick! Ems is so effing lucky!

I cannot recommend this series any higher, it really is a fabulous storyline. Yes book one is a lot to get through but book two totally rocks it! Brilliant and a well-deserved five star rating from me!


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PURCHASE LINKS


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BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY

There is a tour-wide Rafflecopter giveaway.
 It begins at 12:00 AM AEST 13th September and ends at 12:00 AM AEST 21st September.  Open internationally.

Prizes 1 x $10 Amazon Gift Card
1 x $5 Amazon Gift Card
3 x Crossroads ebooks



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TRAILER AND PLAYLIST


 

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I hope you've enjoyed the stop here on Foxylutely Book Reviews. 
Check out the other stops on the tour for further reviews and teasers etc



Monday 16 September 2013

Cover Reveal - Catch My Fall (Catch #1) by Ella Fox


Title : Catch My Fall (Catch #1)
Author : Ella Fox
Genre: New Adult
Release: October 15 2013
Cover Designed By : Melissa Gill



Blurb:
Mia Reeve’s faith, trust and sense of security were all taken away in the blink of an eye.  In need of a fresh start, she settles into a new town and begins to make a new life.
Tristan Chamberlain has always kept girls at arms length and he has no intention of changing. He’s caring, smart, handsome, but he’s also dealing with a lifetime of guilt that’s slowly but surely destroying him.
Sometimes the thing that you run from is the one thing that will save you.
Separately, they’re both free-falling. Together, they’re about to find that love can create the strongest safety net of all.


Author Bio:
Ella Fox is a thirty-something (not that far off from forty) author who writes like a woman possessed whenever she gets the chance!  She is the author of The Hart Family Series, The Renegade Saints Series and The Catch Series.
When she’s not writing, Ella indulges the gypsy in her blood and travels the country.  Ella loves reading, movies, music, buying make-up, reading Tmz, Twitter and pedicures… not necessarily in that order. She has a wild sense of humor and loves to laugh.  Her favorite thing in the world is hanging out with her family and watching comedy movies.

Giveaway:


Sunday 15 September 2013

Review - Love Life & Circumstance by VL Moon and JT Cheyanne


Love Life & Circumstances by V.L Moon & J.T Cheyanne

The Blurb
Born the son of a preacher man, Elijah Deacon always conformed to his father’s strict religious teachings. He worked hard, devoting his time and energy to the family owned construction firm, leaving little time to focus on the deplorable state of his private life. Small town America was no place to be when all a man craved was the touch of another man. Elijah hid his sexuality and tried in vain to convince himself he could be happy with a woman. Urged on by the dream of having the family he craved, Elijah couldn’t know a drunken one night stand would see him pay the ultimate price.

Leaving the bright lights of Atlanta and placing his own life on hold, paralegal, Seth Jacobs, moved to Alabama hopeful that with a baby on the way, his twin sister Bethany would settle down. His older sister by five minutes, she gave him the confidence he needed while growing to come out and be proud of who he was. It was his turn to return the support. On arrival in Headland, Seth endeavored to make her see the dangers her behavior presented to her and her unborn child. But, to no avail.

When destiny deals a cruel blow, and the life of a newborn baby hangs by a thread, Seth and Elijah are flung together to deal with the tragic circumstances. The grief threatens to consume them, while joy and fear work to unite them. Jealousy, love, lies and bitter truths rise to the surface and threaten to tear them apart. Can the powers of love and life bring them together and heal the loneliness that death leaves behind? Or will circumstance prevail and fuel the embers of love that draw them together?

Review

My rating = A life giving FOUR!
I was looking forward to this story and when I finally grabbed it I was not disappointed. It was an easy read and one that I shall happily read again.

There were some areas that I did whistle between my teeth at but I didn’t let them detract from my enjoyment of this book.

The main MCs are Elijah Deacon (love that name!) and Seth Jacobs who’s first meeting was one born from a tragedy both were pushed into. Neither one would be able to comprehend what this would lead to.

Elijah is the son of a preacher man and for all his life had hidden his sexuality to protect his father from the reality. He was on the way to meet his father to visit his mother’s grave when the tragedy struck and his father killed in a traffic accident. To lose his father the same day as his mother twenty-five years apart was difficult to bear as it was but what he also discovers in the aftermath was something beyond the scope of possibility and his life as he knew it.

Seth was new in town after leaving the big city, Atlanta, to come live with his pregnant sister, Bethany, and to try to keep her safe from herself as she had gone off the rails in recent times, hence her unwanted pregnancy. To lose Bethany but be left with his beautiful baby niece was an emotional punch from both ends of the scale, it left him in a scary and unknown place he didn’t know if he would be able to cope with. What he learns later has him freaking out even more.

The things I loved about this book were the development of the relationship of Elijah and Seth as this would be difficult with the circumstances it had risen from but was nicely done, with all the angst, jealousy, passion and love that brought forth. I liked the secondary characters too, even Elijah’s best friend who started off with me wanting to punch him!

The baby scenario gave some touching scenes with Elijah and Seth and did have me dabbing my eyes. But I would have preferred if it could have been done (for a child to be in the picture) without it having to lead to the death of one the MCs siblings. Not that that doesn’t or hasn’t happened in real life but it’s just that it appears far too frequently in m/m reads. But it was nicely done and the situation around how that happened did throw in some startling surprises to the plotline.

So would I recommend this book? I certainly would as it had me enthralled from start to finish and when I end a book on a contented sigh you know the author (or authors in this case) have got me. A good, solid 4 stars read for me.



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