Books for Nothing (5) Knotted Roots & Only For You

 

Books for Nothing is where I’ll be updating you guys on free Kindle reads.

 

I download tons of Freebies weekly and sometimes I’m too lazy to let you guys know about the tons of books I get on I am a Book Hoarder, so I decided to create this! That way you guys can enjoy the awesomeness too as who doesn’t love the word free!

*Note: If some aren't free they became non-free after I scheduled this post

 

 

Knotted Roots (Knotted Roots #1) by Ruthi Kight

Publication Date: March 26th 2013

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

Partying with friends and scoring a flawless tan is about all Roxie has on her list of things to make her Hampton's summer perfect.

Her parents, however, have other plans and Grandma Betty's farm is just one of them.

Just as her life is in shambles and the quaint town is suffocating her, she meets Chase.

Somewhere in the mix of bummer summer and small town doldrums, he becomes the boy she can't seem to avoid falling for. Just adding him to the picture, her stay starts to get better, even if she knows it has to end with the summer holidays.

That is until Betty drops a life-shattering bomb.
Roxie must make a choice that will change her life forever. What happens when a spoiled brat from New York learns the true meaning of love, loss, and forgiveness?

Can Chase and Roxie find a way to be together or is this just another summer romance?

 

Amazon / BN / Kobo

 

 

Only For You (Forever and Always #1) by E.L Todd

Publication Date: November 15th 2013

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

When Scarlet realized Penelope was dumping Sean, her best friend, she was devastated. Penelope was the love of his life, the woman of his dreams. Scarlet knew how far her best friend was going to fall and she had to catch him. Scarlet became Sean’s rock and helped him through a very painful breakup, but her own hidden desires bubbled to the surface in the process. When they finally gave in and slept together, she thought it was the start of their new relationship. Unfortunately, Sean didn’t feel the same.

Humiliated and heartbroken, Scarlet moved across the country and found what she least expected. She rekindled her damaged relationship with her brother, who she hadn’t spoken to in a year, and her brother’s best friend was attractive and interesting. Their relationship was natural and unforced, and she was immediately drawn to him. Would she be able to get over Sean, forget about him, by sleeping with Cortland, or would that just be another repeated mistake?

THIS IS NOT A CLIFFHANGER

*Recommended for mature audiences 17+ due to strong language and sexual content.*

 

Amazon

 

 

Sweet Readings Everybody!



Book Spotlight: Witch Hunt (Preternatural Affairs #1) by S.M Reine

Witch Hunt (Preternatural Affairs #1) by S.M Reine

Publication Date: January 31st 2014

Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

A brutal murder.

There are scratches on Cèsar Hawke’s arms, a discharged Glock on his coffee table, and a dead woman in his bathtub. Yeah, maybe he brought the waitress home for some fun — he was too drunk to remember it — but he knows for a fact that he didn’t kill her. He’s an agent with the Office of Preternatural Affairs. He doesn’t hurt people. He saves them.

The cops disagree. Now Cèsar is running.

The search for a shaman.

Isobel Stonecrow speaks with the dead…for the right price. She brings closure to the bereaved and heals broken hearts. But when she resurrects someone for the wrong client, she ends up on the OPA’s most wanted list.

One risky solution.

Tracking down Isobel is the last case assigned to Cèsar before he bolts. If he finds her, he can prove that he didn’t kill that waitress. He can clear his name, get his job back, and bring justice to the victim.

She’s just one witch. Cèsar has bagged a dozen witches before.

How hard can one more be?

 

Free:

 

Amazon / BN / iTunes / Kobo

 

 

~Excerpt~

 

Hell of a night.

 

It was my first thought when I peeled my eyelids open—an immediate precursor to “everything hurts” and “screw tequila, I’m never drinking alcohol again.” My mouth was dry like I’d licked that brown apartment carpeting that every sadistic landlord inflicts on his tenants, including mine. My muscles were petrified into knots.

Somehow, I stretched my legs out, flexed my toes, twisted my hips. My spine popped a few times. My body creaked.

And something jangled.

Would you look at that? A pair of open handcuffs dangled from my headboard. The key glistened on the bedside table, reflecting a sunbeam right into my aching eyeballs. I didn’t make a habit of decorating my bedroom with my work equipment, so I assumed that recreational use of my cuffs meant I had company. The best kind of company.

I swatted it with a finger and grinned at the clatter of chains.

My eyes traveled from the cuffs to my arm. Four bloody scratches spanned the space between wrist and elbow.

I’ve handled enough crime scenes to recognize fingernail marks. And I’ve been with enough women to know that some wildcats like it like that.

Yeah, definitely a hell of a night.

Too bad I couldn’t remember it.

Grabbing at the scraps of memory made them float away faster. I thought I remembered a beautiful woman with beautiful curves and the kind of throaty giggle that would make me instantly hard. I had half a stalk just trying to remember her.

I sat up, checked the clock. I was late for work. Twenty minutes late, in fact. Should have woken up hours ago, showered, put on my monkey suit, gone into the office. No way I would be in before lunch now. Talk about an instant boner-killer.

Standing hurt in all the bad ways. My throbbing skull made my nuts shrivel into my body. Worst hangover I’ve ever had? Probably. There wasn’t much competition. I wasn’t a drinking guy. If I’d been partying this hard last night, she must have been really worth it.

Where was she, anyway?

I was alone in my bedroom. The open windows cast unforgiving beams of yellow light on the wall, cut into slices by my mini-blinds. The curtains were open. The neighborhood must have gotten a pretty good show.

But there was no woman in sight—no souvenirs but a misused pair of cuffs and a back ache.
Out of habit, I opened my side drawer and grabbed a poultice that I’d prepared last full moon. Only two of them left. I’d need to do another ritual soon. I popped one into my mouth, chewed the grave dirt and oak, felt my muscles warm with magic. I grimaced as I swallowed. It was about as pleasant as drinking the clumps at the bottom of a protein shake.

I scratched a few unflattering itches as I snagged a suit out of my closet. Looked like I needed to steam out the wrinkles while I showered. Always did. I wasn’t good at getting my clothes out of the drier in time, and government work didn’t pay well enough to justify the dry cleaner’s.

I hung it over my arm and dismantled the wards on my bedroom door with a wave of my hand. Or at least, I tried to dismantle the wards, but they weren’t active. I must have forgotten to turn them on during my drunken haze.

As soon as I stepped out and saw the rest of my apartment, I gave a low whistle.

My kitchen was a wreck. The contents of the counters had been dumped on the linoleum. The toaster and microwave were unplugged and upside down on top of each other like they were the ones having a hot tryst. My jar of dried beans had shattered and spilled its guts all the way into the living room. The Blurays were everywhere. Oh man, even my eight-track collection had been screwed up.

There were stains on my couch and I didn’t want to know what they were. Lubricant or bodily fluids or whatever. The damn thing was from IKEA anyway. I would just toss it and get another one.
Again, I tried to remember the night before, and failed.

“Hope you were worth it,” I muttered, mentally tallying the cost of restoring my collections.
Fortunately, my fire safe was untouched, and my badge for work and wallet were still on the bookshelf. I took a quick inventory of the contents. Cash, driver’s license, genuine counterfeit FBI identification, unmarked key card, St. Benedict’s medallion. Everything in its proper place.

My apartment had been turned upside down by a mysterious woman, but at least she had been honest about it.

Something out of place caught my eye. Not something that had gone missing, but something that didn’t belong to me.

A Glock.

I was already right in front of the bathroom when I saw the gun on my coffee table, so the unpleasant shock of possessing a firearm I didn’t recognize was interrupted by another kind of shock.

The floor in front of the bathroom door squished. I stepped back and lifted a foot to see what I’d touched.

It was red. It was slick. It smelled like a slab of rare steak.

It definitely wasn’t lubricant.

Once I realized that I smelled meat, I smelled more of it. It was thick in my sinuses. I wasn’t just nauseous because of the stiff neck and the hangover; I was nauseous because I smelled something dead.

In my apartment.

Funny how much faster I could move once I’d stepped in a puddle of blood.

I slipped back into the living room, dropped my suit on the chair, grabbed the Louisville Slugger from where it was propped on the wall. Everything was so much brighter and clearer than it had been a few seconds ago. My heart was hammering and every beat was a shot of adrenaline.

As I curled my fists around the bat, my peripheral vision seemed like it widened. The whole world was quiet. The air conditioning clicked on and cool air whispered against my ankles.

The apartment narrowed to the bathroom door as I approached. I didn’t hear anything moving on the other side.

I opened it.

The blood in the carpet was the end of a smear that crossed the linoleum and terminated at the other end of my bathroom—which, until that second, had been my favorite room in the apartment. The toilet and counter and fluorescent lights were standard Home Depot cheapies, but the bathtub was not. It was one of those big corner tubs with the jets that feel like sin after a hard workout at the gym. I’m enough of a man to admit to loving a hot bath. Sometimes even with bubbles and fizzy salts.

And there was the woman that gave me such a wild ride. Legs like a colt. Firm, perky breasts. The kind of pouty lips my eldest brother, Domingo, used to call “beejay mouth” until I punched him hard enough to shut his stupid face.

The mystery woman was real pretty. I knew her name—I was sure I knew her name. For sure, she worked at The Olive Pit, a favorite bar for my office. It was where we relaxed on Fridays at six o’clock and held retirement parties and the annual Christmas gift exchange.

This waitress had laughed at me the first time I asked for her name, and the second time, and the third, but eventually I wised up and just took a look at the schedule in the kitchen. I couldn’t remember making love to those long legs and perfect breasts but I remembered her ridiculously feminine handwriting.

Erin. Her name was Erin, punctuated with a smiley face encircled by a heart.

She was dead in my bathtub.

Hell of a night.

 

~About The Author~


Hi everyone! My name is Sara, and I write urban fantasy and paranormal novels as SM Reine. I collect swords, cat hair, and typewriters (which I do use for writing!). It's a good day when those three things have nothing to do with each other.

If you would like to know the instant my next book is available, you should enlist in my Army of Evil! We have a wicked cool secret handshake, but you'll have to sign up to learn it. ;) Check it out -- http://smarturl.it/armyofevil

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!







{Cover Reveal} Walled (The Line #2) by Anne Tibbets

Walled (The Line #2) by Anne Tibbets

Publication Date: December 1st 2014

Genre: New Adult Dystopia

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

Freedom means brutal choices.

Rebel lovers Naya and Ric have survived one year in hiding, raising Naya’s twins from infants to toddlers in the shadow of the brutal Auberge dictatorship.  They’re alive, and they’re together, but the city is crumbling around them and the haunting memory of Naya’s dark days on The Line have never fully left them. Living in isolation won’t be an option forever.

When a mysterious revolutionary seeks their help to infiltrate  Auberge’s electronic heart and shut it down, it’s an opportunity—it’s risky, yes, but if it works they’ll get out of the city and taste freedom for the first time. Naya needs this. They need this.

Beyond the broken walls of Auberge, Naya and Ric find the paradise they’ve always longed for. But with anarchy reigning and Naya’s children lost amidst the chaos, they’ll need to forfeit their post-apocalyptic Eden…or commit an unspeakable act.


~About The Author~

 

 

Anne Tibbets is an SCBWI award-winning and Smashwords.com Best Selling author. After writing for Children’s television, Anne found her way to young/new adult fiction by following what she loves: books, strong female characters, twisted family dynamics, magic, sword fights, quick moving plots, and ferocious and cuddly animals.

Along with CARRIER, Anne is also the author of the young adult fantasy novella, THE BEAST CALL and the young adult contemporary, SHUT UP.

Anne divides her time between writing, her family, and three furry creatures that she secretly believes are plotting her assassination.

Find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AnneTibbetsAuthor or on Twitter @WriteforCoffee. To contact Anne, visit www.annetibbets.com and click the ‘CONTACT’ tab.

 

 

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!



Ashley's Review: Deer in Headlights (Good Gods #1) by Staci Hart

Deer in Headlights (Good Gods #1) by Staci Hart

Publication Date: February 14th 2013

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Pages: 326

Format: Kindle

Source: Author

Read: August 21 to 25, 2014

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

**18+**

Aphrodite never loses, not when it comes to love.

Immortality has its perks and its downsides. Boredom, for one, is unavoidable, but instead of playing Backgammon, the Greek gods devised a game using humans as pawns. Remember Shakespeare? That was Apollo. Bonnie and Clyde? Aphrodite versus Ares.

Aphrodite is on deck, and she’ll defend her domain of love by using her magic to get the two human players together. Time is not on her side, and she’ll have her work cut out for her as her opponent does everything in his power to keep the players apart.

Game one is against Apollo, who chooses the loner Dean, a rock star who takes dark and brooding to the next level. His band has finally gotten a break, and he can’t screw it up, not for another one night stand, and especially not with his new drummer’s girlfriend. He swore to the band that he’d keep it together, but from the minute he first sees Lex, it takes every bit of willpower he has to stay away. But Dean’s will is nothing for the Goddess of Love, who’s certain she has a fighting chance to win with Lex as her player. The artist and poet is perfect for Dean, if only she can open her heart and find a way to love for the first time.

There’s always more at stake than winning the game when you’ve lived for thousands of years. The Olympians are the original dysfunctional family, surviving eons of love and lust, betrayal and lies, as friends and enemies, through feuds and wars. From the douchebag Ares, who’s forever trying get Aphrodite into bed, to her best friend Persephone, who she can always count on for a hearty helping of bacon on a bad day, the gods will take you on a lighthearted trip as they toy with humans, laugh and fight, lose love and gain power

 

 

~My Thoughts~

 

I read the first edition earlier this year and it was only 100 something pages, compared to this being 326. I liked it but something was missing, details and depth. Mrs. Hart contacted me after I posted my torn review and gave me a copy of the latest edition (including the sequel, Snake in the Grass). I was excited to see the changes because I believe she really had something here.

 

I would have started reading this when she gave me a copy back in March, but with going to school full time, I was just too tired to. I'm glad I just got to it, because if I got to it then then I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it as much and wouldn't have devoured it like I did this week. I was so consumed by it, I was turning page after page! I loved seeing scenes from the first edition and then seeing them being extended. Truly beautiful!

 

In the first edition, I didn't believe Aphrodite truly loved Adonis but in this one, I saw it and felt that she did. Even though she has her share of a couple lovers (what do you expect, she's the goddess of Love) but her heart only beat for one. I was glad to see this and when she had a realization about him, I felt her hurt. With the details and depth I was able to feel and connect to the multiple characters, a whole lot better than the first edition. I applaud you Mrs. Hart!

 

Lex and Dean are both broken and the lucky ones to be chosen to be apart of the Gods games. Lex is in an relationship but one she knows it isn't going to go anywhere, she's one that likes to run. She's been running her whole life that when something unexpected comes her way she doesn't know if she wants to bolt or not. A part of her actually wants to take a chance and this scares her.

 

Dean has had his fair share of women, a total man whore and it's because of his past. His never had a true relationship before but something inside him wants to finally try with Lex. He's used to women throwing themselves at him, you get to see this in the beginning, but Lex is different. Instead she pushes back and is sarcastic towards him, showing him that not all girls want him (even though she's hiding how much she's attracted to him). But Lex knows she can't act on it because she's in a relationship, even if it is doom. Total respect to her and this attracts Dean to her even more.

 

I was happy with how Lex and Dean's relationship bloomed! In the first edition, it felt like it just happened. But here, it's slow and steady. And along the way we got to go deeper into Dean's past and I was so excited to see it, more than we got in the first one. And when something got in between them, I truly felt the hurt. After all they learned about each other, and still wanted to be with each other, it killed me when Apollo made that move. Lex finally wanted to stay and not run, but something superstitious came along and spooked her. 

 

Apollo is one determined player. Aphrodite is a undefeated champion when it comes to the game of love but Apollo believes it'll be different this time because he's seen the future of his love being back in his arms again. That was such a devastating scene of him losing his love, Daphne. And with the hope of her coming home he fights the hardest he's ever fought and you can't help but hope a little that he might win, even though you're rooting for Lex and Dean to get together.

 

Overall this was such a beautiful tale and one series I can't wait to get back to! I knew Mrs. Hart had a story here and I'm so glad she went back and added to it! Gave it a whole new life and I'm truly grateful Mrs. Hart sent me a copy of the latest edition! I'm sad to have to say good-bye to Lex and Dean but their story has ended, in such a romantic way ever too, and I'm excited to dive into the next competition of Love. 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Readings Everybody!

            

 

  

Ashley's Review: Just a Little Promise (Just a Little #4) by Tracie Puckett

Just a Little Promise (Just a Little #4) by Tracie Puckett

Publication Date: January 1st 2012

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance

Format: Kindle

Source: Free on Amazon

Read: August 23, 2014

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

In the beginning, all she wanted was a sense of direction. Now, she’s fighting in the name of love.

Seventeen-year-old Julie Little is under constant scrutiny. Try as she might, she can’t make a single move without her uncle’s permission—and Charlie will stop at nothing to keep her from Luke (even if that means putting her behind bars for an hour or two). But Charlie’s overbearing behavior is the least of her worries. Derek is consumed with guilt. Luke is struggling to overcome his past. And Julie is on a diehard mission to change things that are completely out of her control… even if that means betraying the man she loves.

 

 

~My Thoughts~

 

Just a Little Promise, I read so many great reviews for this installment that I was afraid my high expectations would be shattered. But they weren't! Yay!

 

Seriously, this was by far the best! The author noted this was supposed to be the last one in the series (but there's like six more haha) so expect everything to come together at the end. This one was absolutely charming! Julie and Luke are trying to spend time with each other, after in Just a Little Sincerity Luke finally just lets go, but Charlie (Julie's uncle and Luke's boss) will do anything to make sure they can't get a second together. And why Charlie is so persistent is absolutely heartbreaking. Prepare yourself for a very emotional ride with this one.

 

So many feels goes on in this book. With Julie trying to get Luke to just be in the same room with his father but the two men are just stubborn and this leads Julie to cause disturbance and to end up in a jail cell for a day haha. But in the end this helps Luke in finally trying to make things right again.

 

So much goes on in just a few pages and Luke finally yells out to the world (literally) how much he cares for Julie. And oh my god, that scene was absolutely adorable! I was grinning from ear to ear and my hopeless romantic heart was about to fly away, just like Julie thought she was.

 

Overall this one was absolutely (I keep saying that word haha) perfect! I could not put down this book. I didn't want it to end! I was drawn in by Julie's determination and her will to bug her uncle until he told her why he was being so strict. I was swept off my feet by Luke finally letting go of this wall he built up and letting Julie in, giving them a chance. With the charismatics of this installment I couldn't help swim along the words and forget the world around me, I just had to keep reading! With the different emotions (anger, hurt, lost, and love) pulling at my heart strings how could I put this book down?

 

I'm seriously dying for the second box set! The first box set, Just a Little Series (1-4) is free!

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Readings Everybody!



{Cover Reveal} AlibiZ (Afterworld #2) by Karice Bolton

AlibiZ (Afterworld #2) by Karice Bolton

Publication Date: October 2014

Genre: New Adult Post-Apocalyptic

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

Rebekah vows to expose the truth behind the RecruitZ that are killing the innocents. These creatures must be stopped, but so should the people controlling them. When Rebekah uncovers who is behind the uprisings, her own life becomes in danger.

Rebekah knows that she is not alone in this fight but vengeance alone won’t help her and the others to victory. Forced to build a battalion with the very creatures she needs to destroy, it is up to her to uncover the truth for the public before the world is turned over to an elite few.

Regardless of what may happen to her, she knows it’s a race against time to destroy these creatures and the monsters controlling them before there is no one left worth saving.

 

 

~Sequel To~

 

RecruitZ (Afterworld #1)

 

 

~About The Author~

 

 

Karice received an MFA in Creative Writing from the U of W. She has written fifteen novels and has several exciting projects in the works. Karice lives with her husband and two English Bulldogs in rainy Washington.

Books currently available:
Luke Fletcher Series: Hidden Sins (Book 1), Buried Sins (Book 2) – coming soon
Beyond Love Series: Beyond Control (Book 1) Beyond Doubt (Book 2) Beyond Reason (Book 3) Beyond Intent (Book 4) Beyond Chance, Beyond Promise, and Beyond the Mistletoe coming soon
Afterworld Series: RecruitZ (Book 1) AlibiZ (Book 2) – October 2014
The Witch Avenue Series: Lonely Souls (Book 1), Altered Souls (Book 2), Released Souls (Book 3) Shattered Souls (Book 4)
The Watchers Trilogy: Awakening (Book 1), Legions (Book 2), Cataclysm (Book 3), Taken Novella (Watchers Prequel)
The Camp

 

 

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!



Ashley's Review: Killer Cupcakes (Lexy Baker Bakery Mystery #1) by Leighann Dobbs

Killer Cupcakes (Lexy Baker Bakery Mystery #1) by Leighann Dobbs

Publication Date: November 2012

Genre: Adult Mystery

Pages: 146

Format: Kindle

Source: Free on Amazon

Read: August 16 to 18, 2014

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

Things are going great for Lexy Baker. She's finally opened her dream bakery, gotten rid of her cheating boyfriend and settled into her grandmothers house with her perky dog Sprinkles at her side.

But her blissful life doesn't last long. When her ex boyfriend is found poisoned with cupcakes from her bakery, Lexy finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation headed up by her hunky neighbor detective Jack Perillo.

With the help of a gang of iPad toting, would-be detective grandmothers, Lexy decides to take it upon herself to find the real murderer in order to clear her name and get her bakery back in business.

As things heat up on the murder trail, in the kitchen and between Lexy and the hunky detective, it's a race against time to put the real murderer behind bars and get back to baking.

Will Lexy get her man?

 

 

~My Thoughts~

 

Killer Cupcakes has a cute premise, which is why I downloaded it as it's free. I've been going crazy with free books lately and going for things that I don't normally read because I'm looking for something fresh. This was something fresh for me and it was adorable!

 

Though if you're looking for an in depth, 300 page mystery, then this book isn't for you. But if you're looking for something fun, quick, and cute with iPad detective granny's then this is for you! The granny's were absolutely adorable, had me grinning so hard! They cracked me up! Definitely made it more of an enjoyable read and gave this book a little more charm for sure!

 

Lexy was a fun character and one very determined women. Someone thought it was genius to use her famous cupcake tops as the weapon of choice, so of course she's the first suspect. And since she's number one on their list her business gets shut down until the case is solved. So of course, this means she must solve it before the detectives do haha.

 

Detective Perillo, I don't know, he was charming in the beginning but once he was leading the investigation he kind of bugged me. Why? Because if you're investigating someone you should not get involved with that someone. Yes, this is the romance element of the book but even when you, in your head, knows what you're doing is wrong then you should stop! At least until you know for sure she isn't the murderer, after you know she isn't then yeah, go right ahead and kiss her! But not before, especially when you're feeling guilty about it afterwards.

 

Besides that, this was overall an entertaining read and I honestly didn't know who it was, until the character did and she was adding up all the clues. I certainly didn't see it (maybe cause this was a quicky or I'm just not used to reading mysteries haha) and the reasoning why this person did it was even more unknown to me, kind of. I was quite shocked actually to why they had used her cupcake tops, that was definitely a twist and it made since once it was spelled out haha. Now I see more of the clues Mrs. Dobbs put out there in subtlety. Good job Mrs. Dobbs. Can't wait to read more of this fun series!

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Readings Everybody!



Books for Nothing (4) Killer Cupcakes & Macaron Murder

Books for Nothing is where I’ll be updating you guys on free Kindle reads, sorry Nook lovers.

I download tons of Freebies weekly and sometimes I’m too lazy to let you guys know about the tons of books I get on I am a Book Hoarder, so I decided to create this! That way you guys can enjoy the awesomeness too as who doesn’t love the word free!

*Note: If some aren't free they became non-free after I scheduled this post* 



Killer Cupcakes (Lexy Baker Bakery Mystery #1) by Laighann Dobbs

Publication Date: November 2012

Genre: Adult Mystery

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

Things are going great for Lexy Baker. She's finally opened her dream bakery, gotten rid of her cheating boyfriend and settled into her grandmothers house with her perky dog Sprinkles at her side.

But her blissful life doesn't last long. When her ex boyfriend is found poisoned with cupcakes from her bakery, Lexy finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation headed up by her hunky neighbor detective Jack Perillo.

With the help of a gang of iPad toting, would-be detective grandmothers, Lexy decides to take it upon herself to find the real murderer in order to clear her name and get her bakery back in business.

As things heat up on the murder trail, in the kitchen and between Lexy and the hunky detective, it's a race against time to put the real murderer behind bars and get back to baking.

Will Lexy get her man?

 

Amazon

 

 

Macaron Murder (Patisserie Mystery #1) by Harper Lin

Publication Date: February 24th 2014

Genre: Adult Mystery

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

Includes 5 Special Macaron Recipes!

French native Clémence Damour returns to Paris after traveling around the world for two years. She’s dog-sitting for her parents in the posh 16th arrondissement and overseeing the family patisserie, a famous franchise known for their delectable gourmet pastries and sweets in Paris and around the world.

To get off on the right foot with la gardienne, the caretaker of the apartment building, Clémence gives her a box of their luxury macarons. The next morning however, the half-eaten box of macarons is found near la gardienne's dead body. An incompetent inspector accuses Clémence of being the killer, which prompts her to clear her name and solve the case herself.

Join Clémence and her friends as they solve murder cases, bake macarons and other treats, and fall in love in The City of Lights.

If you like Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen mysteries or Leighann Dobb's Lexy Baker series, you'll also enjoy The Patisserie Mysteries. Macaron Murder is the first book in this new cozy series with an international twist, featuring delicious recipes of French pastries and desserts.

 

Amazon

 

Sweet Readings Everybody!

 



Book Spotlight: Hunter's Trap by Anne Michaud

Hunter's Trap by Anne Michaud

Publication Date: September 9th 2014

Genre: Young Adult Horror

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

"Ghosts don't believe in you, either."

Seventeen-year-old Dayton Mulligan is stuck looking after his little brother Jeremy when their father goes off on his annual hunting trip. But when Dad’s last phone call ends in a shotgun blast, it's enough to send both boys out into a blizzard to search for him.

Caught in the killer weather, Dayton and Jeremy take refuge in an abandoned hunting cabin, which isn't as empty as it first seems. A ghost inhabits its walls and promises to reveal the truth behind their father's disappearance, but the brothers doubt their host's sincerity as the spirit demonstrates its hatred for anyone who trespasses on its land.

Far from the safety of civilization, Dayton must swallow his fears, fight for himself and for his family before it’s too late and Hunter’s Trap claims them all, forever.

 

 

~Blog Post by Author~

 

Sad Ghost Press

By Anne Michaud

 

I wrote Hunter’s Trap two years and a half ago, for some new print press opening their doors to unagented authors; it got to the final round but ended up rejected, for reasons unknown. In between the ten queried agents, seven asked for the full manuscript to read; bold, daring and creepy as hell were mentioned attributes, but none of them bit the bait. So I let the book rest, thinking it could always be suggested as a second project in case an agent decided to represent me and asked to read something else that was ready.

 

And then, things happened, things that made me realize that maybe I don’t always play well with others, maybe I do have a tendency to want things my way, and maybe I want more creative control over my books. And why shouldn’t I want it all? Ten years of working hard, getting cramps from twisted fingers for luck, sacrificing a virgin every full moon spells for someone else to change my writer’s life… until I got fed up and decided to take charge.

 

It’s not easy letting go of my traditionally published dream: seeing my name printed on a hardcover, going on an in-store book tour, having a team backing me up if I fall, that kind of thing. It also comes with having no say over your cover design, editing to other people’s directions, and once again, being told what to do. I’m a rebel, it’s anchored within me to always question authority, to always wonder if I could have done it better by myself, with my own means, with nobody else controlling me.

 

 

So I founded Sad Ghost Press – an adequate imagery reflecting the main theme throughout my books. I’m scared, I’m a tad melancholy and a lot excited, because on September 9th, 2014, HUNTER’S TRAP will hit the virtual shelves and be available for people to read. My way, the way I want it. There will be a blog tour, giveaways, Skellies and Ghosties and paperbacks to win, and I can promise you this: this book, my first self-published novel, will be all me ♥

 

 

*Hope you don't mind me using this post Anne, absolutely inspiring and I totally know the feel! I think all self-published authors know the feels and being in control, well that's just a big perk of being a self-published author ^_^

 

If you'd like to win a copy of the Hunter's Trap, then go to the top of the post and click Goodreads underneath the cover and you'll have a chance to win one out of three copies! Goes on till Oct. 10th!

 

 

~About The Author~

 

 

 

She who likes dark things never grew up. She never stopped listening to gothic, industrial and alternative bands like when she was fifteen. She always loved to read horror and dystopia and fantasy, where doom and gloom drip from the pages.

 

She, who was supposed to make films, decided to write short stories, novelettes and novels instead. She, who’s had her films listed on festival programs, has been printed in a dozen anthologies and magazines since.

 

She who likes dark things prefers night to day, rain to sun, and reading to anything else.

 

She blogs http://annecmichaud.wordpress.com

 

She Facebooks: http://www.facebook.com/annecmichaud

 

She tweets @annecmichaud

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!





Ashley's Review: Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #2) by Maggie Stiefvater

Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #2) by Maggie Stiefvater

Publication Date: May 1st 2011

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Pages: 362

Format: Paperback

Bought: Used Book Store

Read: August 04 to 17, 2014

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

 

the longing.
Once Grace and Sam have found each other, they know they must fight to stay together. For Sam, this means a reckoning with his werewolf past. For Grace, it means facing a future that is less and less certain.

the loss.
Into their world comes a new wolf named Cole, whose past is full of hurt and danger. He is wrestling with his own demons, embracing the life of a wolf while denying the ties of a human.

the linger.
For Grace, Sam, and Cole, life is a constant struggle between two forces--wolf and human--with love baring its two sides as well. It is harrowing and euphoric, freeing and entrapping, enticing and alarming. As their world falls apart, love is what lingers. But will it be enough?

 

 

~My Thoughts~

 

Is it sad that even the author knew that Grace and Sam can't hold up the story alone and had to bring in two other characters points of view? Yeah, I thought so.....

 

From the first page you knew what was going to happen to Grace and it sucks that it took the characters 360 pages to figure it out and solve it. Like seriously? Sam and Grace's story drags. Sam is learning to be human and Grace is fighting to curse. And that's about it. Just curious, when the publishers picked this up was it a slow time for them and they needed to make their quota? No offense.

 

There's literally not much to say about this book. Yes the writing is beautiful and poetic but there's really no story here. The author should have ended Grace and Sam's story in the first one (like it did) and just continued this series with Isabel and Cole (one of the new wolves Beck created). Their story was three times more better!! If it wasn't for them I would have definitely DNF Linger.

 

Some moments I did enjoy in Sam and Grace's story but it just dragged. It was so slow moving. I mean, it took half way through the book for anything exciting to happen to them! This is certainly not a fast-paced series because after that, their story slowed down again! At least Isabel and Cole's story had some meat to it.

 

Cole is a newly created wolf so he's a bit unstable right now as spring is slowly approaching. His control over the wolf inside him is unbelievable. However he wishes to just fade away and only be a wolf. He doesn't want to be Cole anymore and along the way you get to see why. So he tries to figure this curse out so he can be a wolf and only a wolf. As he's trying Isabel comes into his life and how they met is absolutely hilarious. Oh my god!

 

These two clicked and not even knowing it, help each other along. Linger seriously feels like there's two stories going on and it took the last few chapters for them to become one. Again, this is not a fast-paced read. I think it would have been faster if it was just Cole and Isabel (if you can't tell, I loved them and they made this story more bearable). I still feel strongly that this series should have ended with Shiver. I mean, it did have an ending and there wasn't a point to continue.       

 

 

 

 

Sweet Reading Everybody!





Ashley's Review: Just a Little Sincerity (Just a Little #3) by Tracie Puckett

Just a Little Sincerity (Just a Little #3) by Tracie Puckett

Publication Date: November 7th 2012

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance

Format: Kindle

Source: Free on Amazon

Read: August 13 to 14, 2014

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

Plans for the Oakland Fall Ball are officially underway, and it’s up to seventeen-year-old Julie Little to pull off a night her classmates will never forget. But with the recent tragedies that have torn through her life, Julie can’t stay focused on the task at hand. With the added stress of the dance, family, and fragile friendships, she continues to struggle with the pain that comes with love and loss. And with the fate of her love life hanging in the balance, a close friend finally lays it all on the line; Julie will never be happy… until she finally lets Luke go…

~My Thoughts~

 

In this installment we finally get some revelations from Luke! But before then of course he's still showing mix signals and they're stronger this time but the truth comes out in the end! We also get to see where he comes from and hints of his past, a painful one at that.

 

Sometimes I felt this to be a little slow after the explosion of the end of Just a Little Embrace but it moved the story along and I can't wait to see where their love story goes in Just a Little Promise.

 

Overall this series is just too cute and I'm glad the love triangle from book 2 is still not a love triangle, Julie's heart still only has eyes for Luke and I'm so happy about it! I love seeing her fight for her chance at love! These short stories are addicting, fast paced, yet full of depth and heart. I love how this relationship is blooming, slow and steady, as some are afraid of having these feelings, completely relatable and just perfect if you're looking for a fun contemporary.

 

 

 

 

Sweet Readings Everybody!



{Cover Reveal + Giveaway} Captured Love by Juliana Haygert

Captured Love by Juliana Haygert

Publication Date: November 2014

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

Warning: strong language, sex scenes
Word count: ~70,000
 

It’s been four years since twenty-year-old Jessica Hayes has been home, but when she discovers her father is dying, she must return to her hometown in South Carolina and face her past. Jessica thought patching up her relationship with her father would be her biggest challenge, but when she runs into Ryan Dawson—the catalyst of all her problems—she wonders if coming home was a mistake.

 

Ryan knows he screwed up. Hell, he paid the price…with interest. But when he runs into his best friend’s little sister, Jessica, he’s reminded that his debt will never truly be paid. He may have turned his life around, but he can’t undo the damage. So, he does what he should have done all those years ago. He stays away from Jessica, and all the other personal demons that still haunt him.

 

Jessica thought she wanted nothing to do with Ryan, but something is different about him and she needs to know why. When she discovers the truth behind his change, she puts her troubles aside and tries to help him. But is putting her heart back in the line of fire worth disrupting her stable life back in Ohio, or will the past repeat itself, leaving her brokenhearted once again?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~About The Author~

 

 

New Adult author and contributor at NA Alley blog.
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

 

Goodreads / Twitter / Website

 

 

~Giveaway~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

I absolutely love this author! Juliana's work is so amazing and her New Adult Contemporary Romance, Breaking the Reins, is absolutely beautiful and breathtaking!! She is also such a sweet person, you should definitely check out her work!!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Ashley's Review: Breaking the Reins (Breaking #1) by Juliana Haygert

Breaking the Reins (Breaking #1) by Juliana Haygert

Publication Date: August 14th 2013

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance 

Pages: 382

Format: Paperback

Source: Author

Read: July 26-31, 2014

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

Horses, mansions, tea parties, and lies are twenty-year-old Hannah Taylor’s life. To others, her family and her relationship with Eric is perfect. But she knows the truth. She lives it.

After a fire takes her grandma's life and kills her horse, Hannah's immaculate life spirals out of control. Her father disapproves of her decision to run her grandma’s ranch instead of focusing solely on learning the family business; Animal Control brings her Argus, a mistreated horse that she can't turn away even though she's not ready for another horse; and her boyfriend, Eric Bennett, a world famous polo player, becomes possessive and authoritarian. Despite her best efforts to disguise it, Hannah grows wary of him.

Then, Leonardo Fernandes struts onto the polo scene. A cocky rookie with a messy life of his own, he’s drawn to Hannah and isn’t afraid of showing it, even when Eric makes it clear she is his and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Hannah suffers for Eric’s jealousy. The abuse only gets worse when Leo steals the title of best polo player in the world from Eric.

But the title isn’t enough for Leo. He wants Hannah too, and she can’t deny her attraction to him either. Somehow, she must find a way to break free from abusive Eric before he breaks every bone in her body.


Genre: NA contemporary romance
Warning: strong language, domestic violence, sex scene
Word Count: 110,000

 

 

~My Thoughts~

 

I've be grudging to do this review for so long because there's so much amazingness in just 382 pages and I don't want to spoil any of it! Yet I don't know how to express my feelings for it or didn't know if I could do it justice and help paint a picture for you by just saying "Oh my god! Oh my god! You must read this freaking fantastic book!" haha. So here I am writing it and I'm doing a pretty good job at it. So here you go..... 

 

Breaking the Reins is breathtaking and absolutely beautifully written. Just, wow! It's so human and real, one of the best New Adult Contemporaries I have read! It surely stands out in a crowd!

 

When I requested this as a research project for one of my own writings I was so excited that Juliana said yes! I knew this would be an intense read as it involves an abusive relationship but I had no idea that this was going to be a powerful and strong read that Mrs. Haygert has crated for us. I was truly swept away! I got lost in the words as she pulled at my heart strings. This was a crazy emotional ride and throughout I was rooting for Hannah and Leo.

 

Hannah is such a tough chick and throughout the book too. Though I loved her and her strength when everyone was against her and her dreams, I wanted to slap her when things were getting bad and she needed help. Like most abuse victims they deny it and that just bugged me she did! But that's real, this book is so real and I can't believe how much Juliana has me wrapped around her finger! haha

 

When I started this read I did not think I would get so attached and once I finished the last page, I felt like I lost all my friends. I wanted so badly to go back to this world! To get lost and feel the love that Leo and Hannah had for each other, reminds me of me and my Marine fiancé. The ending especially haha. They were so cute and their blooming relationship felt so natural! I couldn't put down this book! It's one you would have to pry from my dead hands. I couldn't get enough! I devoured it and though I wanted to savor it, I just couldn't stop!

 

Leo, oh Leo. You're my new book boyfriend! You're so charming and handsome, but you bring strength to Hannah too. An added strength to her tough exterior and that's exactly what everybody needs. You had me swept off my feet throughout the book and it seriously killed me when you weren't in every single page and chapter. I missed you as much as Hannah missed you. Again, Juliana, you had me so hooked that it felt like I fell down the rabbit hole and wasn't in my world anymore. I loved it!

 

Overall if you're looking for a refreshing New Adult Contemporary Romance then pick this one up! It will take a hold of you and once you're done, you'll still be thinking about it weeks later. Most definitely left a foot print in my book worm heart! I just.....so many emotions! The feels people! Leo had me laughing out loud, had me falling for him when he showed affection towards Hannah, and he had me weak at the knees when he showed her his passion. Oh my god, their first kiss was so hot! So much passion! Again, so many feels! And don't get me started on her abusive boyfriend.....ooh, if I was there I would have shot his ass if I got a chance.....

 

 

*Was provided with a copy from the author but this had no influence on my honest review*

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Readings Everybody!