Cover Reveal and Giveaway: Ending a Broken Journey by Melissa L. Delgado

Title: Ending a Broken Journey

Author: Melissa L. Delgado

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date:   August 3, 2013

Blurb

A childhood crush who moved away. An adult love that shattered her world. Twenty-seven year old Mackenzie Tillson hasn't been living for quite some time, rather, just existing. Life is passing her by and even with the love of her friends and family she can’t quite seem to snap out of the disconnected bubble she has created around her. Moving day by day as a shell of a person who once knew what it meant to live.

Until one day, the boy who first had her heart comes back. With a vengeance...Drew Dean has been apart from the girl he loved all of those years ago for far too long and now that fate has provided them with a second chance, he will make it clear to her that she is, and always has been the one for him. But what Drew discovers in the process, is Mackenzie may just end up being completely unreachable.

Is it possible to get through to someone who has no intentions of ever letting anyone in again? Can a person find their way through the darkness and emptiness they've created? For Mackenzie, trudging along in life alone is where she feels she deserves to be. But will she find it in her to fight and break the barrier of the internal distorted view she has of herself? Or will she let everyone and everything slip away?

As Mackenzie tries to piece together the remnants of her shattered existence, she inadvertently discovers life, love and loss are one in the same. A hopeful journey to be taken with an ending to fill the emptiness she's carried for too long.

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About The Author

I love anything and everything pertaining to make up or beauty. I love to write and shop. I love going to the movies and spending time with my friends and family. I love to dance. I love to laugh and to make others laugh. I'm inspired by dance, music, poetry, and photography. I feel there is beauty in everything. I believe to get respect you have to give respect and to treat others how you want to be treated. I love everything and anything vintage. I love Jesus and believe in having faith in the unseen and unheard. I love to have fun and make new memories. But mostly, I love life. Enjoying the road I'm on, and making the most of it. 

 Author Links

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Review: The Siren by Tiffany Reisz

  

Notorious Nora Sutherlin is famous for her delicious works of erotica, each one more popular with readers than the last. But her latest manuscript is different—more serious, more personal—and she's sure it'll be her breakout book...if it ever sees the light of day.

Zachary Easton holds Nora's fate in his well-manicured hands. The demanding British editor agrees to handle the book on one condition: he wants complete control. Nora must rewrite the entire novel to his exacting standards—in six weeks—or it's no deal.

Nora's grueling writing sessions with Zach are draining…and shockingly arousing. And a dangerous former lover has her wondering which is more torturous—staying away from him...or returning to his bed?

Nora thought she knew everything about being pushed to your limits. But in a world where passion is pain, nothing is ever that simple.

 

 

AMAZON

Review:

W H O A!

While reading this I felt like a kid busted with my hand in the cookie jar or a teenage boy caught trying to sneak a peek at the dirty magazines hidden under my bed. You know you should stop, but you just can't. I mean really...

Do kids stop sneaking into the cookie jar? No!
Do teenage boys quit looking at their dirty magazines? Hell no!
Did I stop reading?? Not a freaking chance!

I am just fascinated right now...If you are sensitive to naughty things, just walk away. This is not your typical romance novel. It's not romance. It's...I don't even know what it is...I have never read anything so forbidden, erotic, dark, captivating, provocative, dangerous...just wow. I went into this completely blind, so at every turn my. mind. was. blown. twisted. and. blown. again!! You are entering a completely different world when you pick up The Siren.

Nora...the siren and the goddess, the ship and the wine-dark sea. She would either save him or end him.

I'm not even going to try to summarize the story. I'm so glad I didn't read anything other than the synopsis before I dove in, so I'm not spoiling anything for you. I will say that it took me a couple of chapters to get used to the writing style, but confusion turned into fascination when I did. Nora is a captivating character to say the least. I didn't make any emotional connection to the any of Nora's relationships until I was well into the book. Even then, it wasn't a typical emotional connection. NOTHING about this book is typical. Nora is involved several different relationships (if you call them that) and each one is unique and enthralling in it's own way. No one rides off into the sunset. These characters follow their own set of rules, so you'll have to go into this with an open mind!

Just a note: I can see how some people would be completely offended by the content of this book. If you are easily offended, it's probably not for you. You need to be an objective person that can get lost in a story regardless of personal preferences.  These characters do what they do, are who they are, and love who they love.

I know it's bad...but I can't help it. I'm going to go ahead and call it now...

Team Søren!

"If you come back to me, will you run or will you crawl?"

"I'll fly."

My rating: 5 stars

 

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Review: Left Drowning by Jessica Park

Left Drowning by Jessica Park
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When we first meet Blythe McGuire, she's not living, she's barely existing at a small college in Wisconsin. Still grieving over the loss of her parents in a tragic fire four years ago, she shuts everyone out, spending her time going to class and drinking her nights away. She has an estranged relationship with her brother as she believes he blames her for the loss of their parents, so she is, on all accounts, alone.

Enter the Shepherd family. Y'all, if there's ever a fictional family that I want to be a part of, it's the Shepherds. The first Shepherd Blythe meets is Sabin, the flamboyant theatre major who helps draw Blythe out of her shell. In the same day, she meets his sexy older brother, Chris, and they fall into an easy friendship that soon turns to more.

Blythe and Chris are both jaded due to circumstances of their past. As Blythe begins to fall for Chris, it's evident that he feels the same, but it continuously resistant to pursue anything further than a friendship. He's so hot and cold that it's exhausting wondering which Chris is going to show up.

Can Blythe and Chris get over their tragic pasts in order to have a beautiful future, or has too much damage been done for them to overcome it in the name of love?

*****
A five star rating is NOT enough for this book. 

I finished Left Drowning three days ago and I am still literally at a loss as to what to say about this book. No words that I can type could ever give this book the justice that it deserves. This book resonated so deeply within my soul that I will never forget a single moment of it, and I don't want to. Jessica Park did an amazing job in bringing every emotion I could ever possibly feel to the surface. She took my heart, ripped it out of my chest, stomped on it, stabbed it, and tore it apart. When I didn't think it was possible, she repaired my heart in the most beautiful fashion and I finished this book with the cheesiest, largest grin that could ever grace my face, while crying tears of joy at the same time. Seriously. This. Book. Is. Incredible.

Blythe and Chris have undeniable chemistry that sizzles through the pages. The way that they are immediately drawn to each other is beautiful, as is the progression of their relationship. They truly are each other's saving graces. They're like puzzle pieces; they're meant solely for each other to create the perfect fit. I can't begin to form the words to express how much I love the relationship of Blythe and Chris.

At one point Chris utterly and totally destroys me and I was left wondering...

Blythe's strength as she continued to heal was extremely admirable. She's now at the top of my list of favorite female heroines. I felt everything she did. I felt her pain, her sorrow, and her angst. I also felt her falling in love, her pain healing, and the familial love she felt for Sabin, Estella, Eric, and James. She may have been a zombie for the past four years, but with a little bit of help, she rejoined the land of the living, and I loved going on this journey with her.

I also need to give a special shout out to Sabin. He was probably the best secondary character that I've ever encountered in the literary world. He was just as important of a puzzle piece in putting Blythe back together again. He was the instigator, the push, the spark that she needed to begin living her life again. He was her person. And it was undeniably beautiful.

I read Left Drowning on my birthday, and I'm pretty sure I freaked my husband out. If there's ever a book to make you ugly cry, this one is it! After crying on the couch for over an hour, I made my husband go to the store and buy me a bottle of wine because my heart seriously needed some liquid courage to continue this story. Jessica Park's writing style is so effortless, and she writes in such a way that the characters pop off of the page and instantly grasp onto your heart. I connected with this book in a way that I haven't experienced in a very long time.

Don't let me scare you with my talks of all the crying and emotional wreck that I was while reading this book. This payoff is more than worth it in the end. If you take only one recommendation from me for the rest of my blogging life, Left Drowning needs to be your choice. I'll even mail you a gift package of Kleenex tissues and chocolate to help you cope. I'd send wine, but I'm not really good at sharing that. I'll even send a few free hugs your way. You're going to need them.

Amazing, heartbreaking, devastating, tear-inducing, beautiful story.
THANK YOU, NETGALLEY!!!!!!! *Received a copy of Left Drowning in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Out of Breath by Rebecca Donovan

Warning: Contains spoilers if you have not read Reason to Breathe or Barely Breathing!

Out of Breath by Rebecca Donovan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Out of Breath begins a year and some odd months after Emma left Evan, bloodied and broken, and never looked back. She's entered her sophomore year at Stanford where she lives with three other girls, Meg, Serena, and Peyton. Emma's still withdrawn as she continues to be plagued by her past, and she's still very alone. Sara's studying abroad, so all Emma has are her roommates, who on New Year's Eve are able to talk to her into going out. Not usually a drinker, she finds herself seeking solace at the bottom of a bottle, and ends up in a precarious position.

Over time, she continues to go out with her roommates and she begins to use alcohol and adrenaline rushes to numb the pain of her past that has been threatening to come to the surface. During this time, she also begins a friendship with Cole, who wants to be more. Emma's insistent that she has no interest in a relationship, and Cole will take her any
way he can get her.

Tragedy strikes, sending Emma back to Weslyn, landing Evan back into her orbit. It's apparent that they still harbor deep feelings for each other as they try to mask the pain that their separation has caused them. Emma expects Evan to hate her. Evan just wants the answers he's been seeking for two years.

Can Emma let go of her past and be honest with Evan, no matter how painful it may be? And in learning the truth, will Evan walk away forever, or will he be able to whole-heartedly forgive the only girl he's ever loved?

*****

I have been waiting for Out of Breath for months, and I was not disappointed. Every book in this series has been increasingly emotional, but this one touched my heart in a very different way. As you can imagine, Emma's still reeling from the whirlwind mess created by the actions of herself and Jonathan. She's tried her hardest to bury the plethora of emotions that she's feeling, but she's a ticking time bomb. Guilt. Anguish. Heartbreak. Sorrow. Loneliness. These are all just a few components of the inner volcano that's bound to erupt.

As Emma goes down the path of self-destruction, I found myself holding my breath. This is where Rebecca Donovan's writing is so impressive. She showcases the pain and heartache that Emma is feeling, without leading her completely down a dark path. There's a perfect balance here of self-destruction and self-awareness.

Possibly for the first time in her life, Emma has an amazing support system. Sara, of course, is Emma's main pillar of strength, but in her absence Emma's roommates do an amazing job keeping her head above water. As a Team Evan original, I didn't want to like Cole. However, I just couldn't help myself. He was good for Emma on a superficial level. He gave her a much needed escape so that she didn't have to turn to the bottle. He was what she needed at the time, but not who she needed forever.

I can't even begin to express how much I love Evan Mathews. There are no words. And this review is already long enough, so just trust me when I say that we get Evan at his absolute BEST in this book.

It's bittersweet to end this story. As much as I loved the journey, I'm unsatisfied with the ending, which is why it's getting a 4 from me. There's so much more to Evan and Emma's story that we won't get to witness. The epilogue was a let down, but I won't let that overshadow this incredibly emotional, heartbreaking, and eventually heartwarming series that will stick with me for a very long time.

This song came on my iPod today while I was reading...and it just seemed perfectly fitting.

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Review & Giveaway: Impossible by Laurel Ulen Curtis

 

SYNOPSIS

 

One Accident. Two losses. Three years.

Veronica Russo chases storms, but runs from her past by staying firmly in the present. Unwilling to consider the possibility of a future, she’s checked out of life by using solitude and standoffishness as her armor and a sharp tongue and quick wit as her weapons.

Coleman Cade is a walking contradiction- just like his mismatched eyes. A rough and manly bull rider with a playful side. A ladies man with thousands of willing victims, but what he really wants is one woman. The right woman.

Will Roni be able to let go, move on, and find a way to fulfill her dream of having everything? Or will unsubstantiated choices and unresolved demons stand in the way of their happily ever after?

In order to overcome past tragedies and find true happiness- in order to have Everything- Roni needs to do one thing. Find the impossible.

*Explicit Language and Sexual Content

Cover Design by Stephanie White of Steph's Cover Design

 

PURCHASE LINK:

AMAZON
B&N

 

 

Review:

 

What do you get when the lives of a storm chaser and bull rider collide? The perfect storm.

I love a book that pulls me in right off the bat. Impossible had me with its chilling opening! Tragedy struck and I just had to know what happened next.

“If you asked me, denial was the best stage of grief. If prompted, the Wicked Queen’s mirror would definitely say it was the fairest of them all.”

The main character, Roni, has buried herself so deep in her own grief that she can't face reality anymore. She's trying to stash her pain away in a faraway place so that it can’t hurt her. She runs and never slows down until she meets CJ one day. CJ’s just a kid, but, for some reason, Roni is drawn to him. I like to think that it was intuition, because with every cute kid comes a cute dad, right? Enter…Coleman Cade. He’s a famous bull rider and a thousand different kinds of dreamy. She doesn’t make his pursuit of her very easy though. She’s a stubborn woman, and that’s what Cade likes about her!

"Finding the right woman is a lot like ridin’ a bull. You’ll know in a little over eight seconds whether they’re worth a second ride or not. And, as you know, the best ones usually buck you off a few times before givin’ you the ride of your life.”

While Roni is lost and unsure of herself, Cade is a man that knows exactly what wants. He’s definitely had his playboy days as a bull rider, but he’s ready to trade all that in for Roni. The big question is…can he convince her that he and his family are what she needs? Can get her to stop running and face the life she ran away from?

“You’re like a Banty Rooster, sweetheart. Tiny little thing, but you don’t hesitate to puff out your chest, lookin’ for a fight.”

“Banty. Only thing you do more than fight, is run.”

Overall, I really dug this story! The characters had LOTS of personality. I also really loved the strong sense of family that was conveyed throughout the whole book. I had a little trouble with believability in a couple of places. Specifically, some of the relationships seemed a little rushed at the beginning. Also, the twist at the end threw me for a loop. My head was spinning because it went against everything I thought Roni represented. That was the point though. Even Roni has trouble coming to grips with what happens. In the end, my reservations with the twist were definitely outweighed by the good things that came out of it! I thought it was beautiful to see Roni piece her life back together with the help of the Cade’s.

I definitely recommend this unique and emotional read! Laurel Ulen Curtis is a new author to be on the lookout for!

*I received an ARC from Laurel Ulen Curtis in exchange for an honest review.*

 

MY RATING: 4 stars

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FULL WRAP COVER

Cover by Stephanie White of Steph's Cover Design

 

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Laurel Ulen Curtis

 

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Cover Reveal: Girl on Tour by Caisey Quinn

   

Title: Girl on Tour: A Kylie Ryans Novel

Author: Caisey Quinn

Expected release date: August 27, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: New Adult

Cover designed by: E.M. Tippetts Book Designs

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

   Book #2 (of 3) in the Kylie Ryans series

An up and comer trying to make a name for herself... Kylie never imagined she'd be stuck on a bus with a pampered princess and her boyfriend's ex. A troubled artist struggling to hold onto his career... Trace thought he was finally getting to do his tour his way, but the label has other plans. Surrounded by relentless paparazzi, tabloid rumors, and people they can't trust, they need each other more than ever. But the choices they make will change everything. Because chasing your dreams and following your heart don't always lead you to the same place.

If you haven't read the first of the Kylie Ryans Novels, Girl with Guitar, add it to your TBR now!

About the Author
 Caisey Quinn is a wearer of cowgirl boots, writer and avid reader of New Adult romance, lover of wine, who is addicted to chai tea lattes. She is the author of Girl with Guitar and soon to be released Girl on Tour. A Gemini, wife, mom, and former high school English teacher living in Birmingham, Alabama, she spends her days chasing a three-year-old and her nights hiding away with her Macbook.  

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

LAUNCH GIVEAWAY

Hey y'all!  We are so excited to launch our new site, Gutter Girls Book Reviews! Take a look around and tell us what you think. We'll be adding to the blog as we go and are dying to know what everyone would like to see from us on here. Send your ideas our way!

You'll be seeing reviews and such from Ashley, Erica, and Tessa. We all met on twitter and are convinced it was meant to be! The whole Gutter Girl thing started as a joke, because...well...our heads are in the gutter 99% of the time. We have no shame! We have two amazing authors who are also a part of the Gutter Girls who will be guest posting; Elizabeth Lee and Caisey Quinn! Hopefully, through this site, we will be able to send tons of book recommendations your way!

Also, we love to talk books & share pictures of hot country men, so connect with us on this site, facebook, or twitter! We LOVE to chat. Trust me!  Fair warning: We're a little crazy.

Now, lets get to the good stuff. To celebrate our launch we put together a giveaway for the readers that follow us from the beginning! We love y'all are are so excited to share our new blog! Here's to ALL the gutter girls out there!

L <3 V E,

The Gutter Girls

All books are Amazon Kindle e-books! 

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