Book Blitz: Toward the Sound of Chaos by Carmen Jenner‏- Excerpt

Congrats to Aussie author Carmen Jenner on the release of her latest book, Toward the Sound of Chaos today across Amazon.com. This book sounds really great and Carmen is just fabulous so I'm happy to help her celebrate this release today :)

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Jake Tucker is broken. At twenty-two, he went into the Marine Corps a naïve, troubled youth. Nine years and four tours later, Jake finds himself back on US soil, though his mind remains firmly planted in the sands of Afghanistan with the men he left behind.

Wounded, chewed up and spat out by war, Jake has only his dog, Nuke, PTSD, and survivor’s guilt to keep him company. He’s lived every day for nine years wondering when it will be his last, but there’s little comfort in the fact that he’s still standing when his platoon isn’t.

Ellie Mason doesn’t have time for broken. She’s too busy trying to put food on the table. And keeping up with the demands of her autistic son, Spencer, is sometimes like fighting behind enemy lines. As if navigating the minefields of single parenthood isn’t enough, Ellie finds herself drawn to the quiet Marine who’s just as lonely as she is. But she’s loved damaged men before, and it left her wounded.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Fairhope, Alabama, Ellie and Jake find themselves running toward the sound of chaos.

Love is war.

Only the strong survive, and surrender is inevitable.

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I ease her down on her feet, before the bed and take a step back. I want this, God do I want this, but I’m terrified. Elle’s eyes roam over me and she takes in a deep breath, and I won’t lie—it hurts like hell. I don’t want pity, and I don’t want the woman I care about looking at me like a monster just sprouted from my back. She reaches out a hand and trails her fingertips over my scarred flesh, feeling the hard, ugly edges. I flinch a little, and she pulls away as if she’s been burned.

"Did I hurt you?" she whispers.

"Angel, it hurts just looking at you."

She smiles and continues her exploration of my body, openin’ old wounds with every scar she touches, and yet it’s as if she’s tenderly sewing them shut at the same time. I haven’t felt the touch of a woman for a very long time, and never again did I think I would, especially not one as perfect and kind-hearted as this.

"What did they do to you, Jake?" Her eyes are bright with tears, and I grab her hands and hold them flat to my chest.

"I don’t want your pity, Elle."

"You think that’s why I’m here?" she says, staring up at me with those incredible eyes. "You think that’s all this is between us?"

"I thought about it." I nod. "I can’t see much other reason that a woman like you would want someone like me. I’m a freak and a drunk, and you? You’re so goddamn beautiful it hurts."

 

 

Carmen Jenner is a thirty-something, USA TODAY and international bestselling author.

Her dark romance, KICK (Savage Saints MC #1), won Best Dark Romance Read in the Reader’s Choice Awards at RWDU 2015.

A tattoo enthusiast, hardcore lipstick addict and zombie fangirl, Carmen lives on the sunny north coast of New South Wales, Australia, where she spends her time indoors wrangling her two wildling children, a dog named Pikelet, and her very own man-child.

A romantic at heart, Carmen strives to give her characters the HEA they deserve, but not before ruining their lives completely first … because what’s a happily ever after without a little torture?

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Book Shelf: Visions of Heat (Psy-Changeling #2) by Nalini Singh

Used to cold silence, Faith NightStar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous - aching need...exquisite pleasure. But so powerful is her sight, so fragile the state of her mind, that the very emotions she yearns to embrace could be the end of her.

Changeling Vaughn D'Angelo can take the form of either man or jaguar, but it is his animal side that is overwhelmingly drawn to Faith. The jaguar's instinct is to claim this woman it finds so utterly fascinating and the man has no argument. But while Vaughn craves sensation and hungers to pleasure Faith in every way, desire is a danger that could snap the last threads of her sanity. And there are Psy who need Faith's sight for their own purposes. They must keep her silenced - and keep her from Vaughn.

More info on Goodreads......


Review:

Visions of Heat is the second book in the Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh and gives its predecessor a run for its money where sensuality, romance and daring excitement are concerned!

Visions of Heat follows DarkRiver sentential and jaguar Vaughn D’Angelo, a changeling more animal than man, and Faith NightStar, a F-Psy who has visions of the future and whose business predictions have made her the most valued F-Psy in existence. Kept in a heavily guarded compound for her protection, when Faith begins have visions of horrible murders she makes the difficult choice to venture into DarkRiver territory in the hopes of finding assistance, unaware that everything she knows about herself and her world is about to change forever.

Having enjoyed the first book, Slave to Sensation so much, I was delighted to discover that Visions of Heat was as good as the first book, and maybe even better. In fact, I think I liked it better than the first! Nalini Singh continues to sweep me up with this series and I find myself more excited about the prospect of delving further into Singh’s world and her other characters. Sometimes that’s the beauty of reading a series long after it’s been released—I know who I will have the pleasure of reading about and I can jump straight from one book to the next.

I really loved both the main characters in this book. Faith was a real sweetie who grew and began to learn more than her Psy conditioning taught her. I loved seeing her become stronger with the more time she spent with Vaughn and the DarkRiver Pack and felt she was a very fitting mate for Vaughn.

As for Vaughn, well, in the first novel, Vaughn was someone I wasn’t completely sure about. He seemed wild and cold, but as I got to know him in Visions of Heat, I absolutely fell in love with him. Vaughn is awesome! Seriously. He’s fierce, dependable and dangerous, but he’s also so kind when it comes to Faith and this quickly won me over.

There’s something so thrilling about seeing a powerful and dangerous male brought to his knees by a female. Seeing the internal fight they often experience against what they want and what they can’t deny—it’s delectable. Especially when the two involved are from opposing sides or races; it adds this added extra of forbidden and then satisfaction when the two eventually give in. And that’s exactly what happens during Visions of Heat—Vaughn and Faith can’t help but be drawn to one another, regardless of the fact he’s changeling and she’s Psy.

Faith and Vaughn were a great couple to read about. They had good, solid chemistry and Nalini Sinbgh writes some very sensual sex scenes between them. I really loved seeing Vaughn introduce Faith to touch and see her begin to yearn for the jaguar in him.

Another great book in the Psy-Changeling series, Nalini Singh is currently two from two and I can’t wait to jump straight into the next novel and discover Judd and Brenna’s story next!

Rating:
Source: I bought from The Book Depository
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: For fans of brilliant PNR!
Cover: Decent, but not anything spectacular.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Yes!

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Book Blitz: The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse

Welcome to the Book Blitz for The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse thanks to Xpresso Book Tours! Gotta love a Peter Pan retelling. Enjoy the excerpt and the tour wide giveaway I have for you today.

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Magic can do a lot—give you flight, show you mermaids, help you taste the stars, and… solve the budget crisis? That’s what the grown-ups will do with it if they ever make it to Neverland to steal its magic and bring their children home.

However, Gwen doesn’t know this. She’s just a sixteen-year-old girl with a place on the debate team and a powerful crush on Jay, the soon-to-be homecoming king. She doesn’t know her little sister could actually run away with Peter Pan, or that she might have to chase after her to bring her home safe. Gwen will find out though—and when she does, she’ll discover she’s in the middle of a looming war between Neverland and reality.

She’ll be out of place as a teenager in Neverland, but she won’t be the only one. Peter Pan’s constant treks back to the mainland have slowly aged him into adolescence as well. Soon, Gwen will have to decide whether she’s going to join impish, playful Peter in his fight for eternal youth… or if she’s going to scramble back to reality in time for the homecoming dance.

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 From The Neverland Wars......

A chill crept down Gwen’s spine, and her eyes could not refocus fast enough. She clutched fistfuls of Rosemary’s quilt, instinctively preparing to throw herself under it if there was a monster lurking in the dark. Gwen wasn’t afraid in the normal sense of the term, but her heart raced as she noticed the boy sitting on the rocking chair in the corner of the room.

 The chair rocked with a squeak as he stood up from it. Walking slowly toward the window, he came into view as he entered the moonlight. He stared at Gwen, and she stared back.

His eyes were steady in their intensity, but impish in all other manners. They impulsively surveyed the room, never lingering on any particular aspect of it, but always coming back to Gwen. A vine of ivy was wrapped around his waist and strewn across his shoulder like a belt and sash, just barely holding his tattered shirt and shorts to him. His clothes seemed held together with bits of twine and magic. He moved fluidly in his own skin. Gwen wasn’t even conscious of how much she envied his playful motion. Even with his gangly, broad shoulders, he stood tall with a childish sense of confidence.

 Gwen wasn’t sure, but he looked like a freshman. He couldn’t have been younger than fourteen.

He wore hemp bracelets and braided jewelry around his wrists; pine-cone chips and wooden beads were woven into his necklace. They jangled as he walked.

 “This is your sister?” he asked, his question seemed rudely incredulous. “Hollyhock, let me see her.”

Before Gwen could make sense of this remark, an exploding light burst from an inexplicable place in the darkness. Gwen was disoriented when the light came so quickly at her. Circling up around her, the golden light left a trail of fast dissolving glitter that rained down on her. What little of it touched her glowed faintly on her skin before disappearing. It felt like a pins-and-needles numbness in the best possible way.

The bright light that radiated from Hollyhock’s little body half-blinded Gwen in the otherwise dark room, but Hollyhock flitted in front of her, and Gwen caught a glimpse of the creature. Her eyes were unusually wide, and her massive irises were an otherworldly color for which Gwen had no name. Her itty-bitty lips and nose were hardly there at all, but her sunny hair was pulled back in two long, dangling braids. Her limbs were like twigs, and she wore a leaf draped over her like a tunic. Gwen didn’t need to be told that she was looking at a fairy.

 “Huh,” he responded, sitting down on the hardwood floor of Rosemary’s room. “You said your sister was a kid.”

“She is, Peter!” Rosemary defended. “I told you—she’s a big kid.”

 Finally addressing her properly, Peter spoke to Gwen in a condescending tone. “I expected you to be younger.”

“As did I of you,” Gwen curtly returned.

 Peter, the young man, shrugged with his eyebrows and looked away, indicating that he was not going to bother engaging a hostile girl.

 Gwen didn’t care. She couldn’t have cared. While Hollyhock played in the fish mobile above the bed like an aquatic merry-go-round, Gwen clutched Rosemary close to her. “Rosemary, we were so worried! Thank God you came back.”

 “I had to come back, Gwenny,” Rosemary told her. “I had to come back for you.” Hollyhock, tiring of the mobile, zipped back down and buried herself in Rosemary’s hair, poking her head out of it and trying to part it like curtains. Rosemary giggled, taking Gwen’s hand. “Let’s go.”

 “Whoa, wait, no.” Gwen grabbed hold of Rosemary’s arm. “We’re not going anywhere. Mom and Dad are worried about you. The cops were here… You can’t go—where?”

 Hollyhock, on Rosemary’s shoulder, said something that sounded like a sneeze and a hum. Rosemary translated the one word she had already learned in the fairy tongue. “Neverland.”

Audrey Greathouse is a lost child in a perpetual and footloose quest for her own post-adolescent Neverland. Originally from Seattle, she earned her English B.A. from Southern New Hampshire University's online program while backpacking around the west coast and pretending to be a student at Stanford. A pianist, circus artist, fire-eater, street mime, swing dancer, and novelist, Audrey wears many hats wherever she is. She has grand hopes for the future which include publishing more books and owning a crockpot. You can find her at audreygreathouse.com

 

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Waiting on Wednesday #133

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....  

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

Releases on: August 30th 2016
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A Torch Against the Night takes readers into the heart of the Empire as Laia and Elias fight their way north to liberate Laia’s brother from the horrors of Kauf Prison. Hunted by Empire soldiers, manipulated by the Commandant, and haunted by their pasts, Laia and Elias must outfox their enemies and confront the treacherousness of their own hearts.

In the city of Serra, Helene Aquilla finds herself bound to the will of the Empire’s twisted new leader, Marcus. When her loyalty is questioned, Helene finds herself taking on a mission to prove herself—a mission that might destroy her, instead.

 

Thoughts:

I absolutely adored the first book in this series An Ember in the Ashes last year. It quickly became an unexpected favourite and I am beyond excited to read this sequel. Sabaa Tahir did a fantastic job with the first novel and I'm really excited to see what happens to Laia, Elias and even Helene next!

 

What are you waiting on this week?

 

 

Book Shelf: The Redhead Plays Her Hand (Redhead #3) by Alice Clayton

The third sexy novel in USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton’s playful and erotic Redhead series continues the sizzling romance between actress Grace Sheridan and Hollywood’s hottest leading man Jack Hamilton.

Grace has landed the lead in a new TV series—but when the director asks her to lose fifteen pounds, she goes public with her weight struggles and suddenly develops a huge fan club who support her right to have curves. But between that and the public’s continuing fascination with her “are they or aren’t they” relationship with Jack, Grace begins to wonder if anyone’s really interested in her because of her upcoming TV series, or if it’s all speculation about the size of her ass and her bedroom partner.

Meanwhile, Jack is voted the Sexiest Man Alive and becomes a little too enamored with the party-hard lifestyle. Grace vows to give him the space he needs to find himself, but then he begins to spiral down from lovable Brit to Hollywood brat. People are talking, but are Jack and Grace? Her career is on the rise, and his continues into the stratosphere, but will she be able to catch him if he falls? Will they ever be able to just be a couple who can hold hands when they walk down the street?

More info on Goodreads......


Review:

The Redhead Plays Her Hand is the third and final book in Alice Clayton’s Redhead series and concludes what has been a brilliant series in spectacular fashion, full of all the laughs, fun and romance that has made this series so great!

Grace Sheridan is floating on cloud nine; her relationship with Jack continues to remain strong, her off-Broadway show has just been picked up for TV with Grace in the lead role and she’s finally being recognized for her acting. Her career may be on the rise, but everything quickly goes downhill after Grace is asked by her director to loose fifteen pounds and her weight issue quickly becomes a media spotlight. Thrown by the both the backlash and support she receives, Grace sets out to prove her doubters wrong, while Jack begins to spend a little too much time partying and drinking. Quickly beginning to spiral down thanks to a bad influence and the media circus that accompanies his stardom, Jack soon begins shirking his responsibilities, mistreating his fans and getting into fights. As Grace scrambles to help the man she loves get back on his feet, Jack and Grace go head to head in a move that could see their relationship crumble…..

Man, have I loved this series! Having been lucky to own all the books, I read one after the other and devoured Grace and Jack’s tale. Alice Clayton has kept me highly entertained and eagerly reading along with each instalment. There’s always been a perfect amount of romance, tension and conflict to keep the books interesting and Grace and Jack’s relationship progressing while their careers grew.

I’ve loved following Grace and Jack and have only come to love them individually, and as a couple more with each book. Grace has always been spunky and Jack so darn sexy and cute in his dedication and love for Grace and that hasn’t changed with this instalment. Clayton adds a new conflict to Grace and Jack’s relationship through the downward spiral Jack finds himself in as he struggles with the fame and lack of privacy his career brings.

I think The Redhead Plays Her Hand showcases how human Jack actually is. Prior to this book, he’s always seemed so infallible and took everything in stride—in The Redhead Plays Her Hand, Jack struggles and makes the mistakes a lot of people in Hollywood do. It was nice seeing those around him rally, but I still think Alice Clayton offered a realistic representation of how I imagine life must be for those in the spotlight.

Aside from her sassy and easy nature, I have to commend Alice Clayton for writing Grace to be such a positive role-model where health and weight loss is concerned. Grace really does represent today’s modern woman. She likes to have a drink, and a burger and all bets are off if there’s candy involved. Clayton shows through Grace how much pressure the media and show business can put on a person to be thin and the impact it can have on an individual. Even though Grace exercised and ate healthily, she was still criticized for her curvier figure and seeing how she reacts, and then ultimately embraces who is, was great to read about.

Jack and Grace are still sizzling between the sheets, and in the kitchen, and on the patio…..and, well, you get the gist, as ever. Clayton continues to write scorching sex scenes and sweet, endearing moments as these two build their home together. They’ve made me smile and laugh and continue to do so all the way until the very end with their easy teasing, banter and devotion to one another.

Alice Clayton details Grace and Jack’s final story wonderfully with The Red Head Plays Her Hand. I’ve so enjoyed following them and their friends from beginning to end and although I’m sad to see them go, I think Clayton gives them a well written and well-deserved ending.

Fans of Christina Lauren, Abbi Glines and Sylvia Day are sure to love this series and if you’re a NA fan who likes sass, humor, romance and fun, the Redhead series is one you’re sure to love. Brilliant and sexy from start to finish, I highly suggest you check it out!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Simon & Schuster (Thank you guys!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: Perfect for fans of well written NA full of laughs and fun.
Cover: Goes perfect with the first too.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: This is the final book in the Redhead series but I'll read whatever Alice Clayton releases in the future.

Book Blitz: Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers

I'm super excited to be participating in the book blitz for Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers presented by YA Bound Book Tours! Tone Deaf has been a book I've been eagerly awaiting and I really hope to have the chance to read it myself. It was actually my WoW a few weeks back! Hope you enjoy the fabulous excerpt I have :)

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His world is music. Her world is silent.

Ali Collins was a child prodigy destined to become one of the greatest musicians of the twenty-first century—until she was diagnosed with a life-changing brain tumor. Now, at seventeen, Ali lives in a soundless world where she gets by with American Sign Language and lip-reading. She’s a constant disappointment to her father, a retired cop fighting his own demons, and the bruises are getting harder to hide.

When Ali accidentally wins a backstage tour with the chart-topping band Tone Deaf, she’s swept back into the world of music. Jace Beckett, the nineteen-year-old lead singer of the band, has a reputation. He’s a jerk and a player, and Ali wants nothing to do with him. But there’s more to Jace than the tabloids let on. When Jace notices Ali’s bruises and offers to help her escape to New York, Ali can’t turn down the chance at freedom and a fresh start. Soon she’s traveling cross-country, hidden away in Jace’s RV as the band finishes their nationwide tour. With the help of Jace, Ali sets out to reboot her life and rediscover the music she once loved.

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From Tone Deaf....

I take a deep breath and close my eyes, just for a moment, just long enough to regain my composure. When I open them, I'll be calm. I'll forget about Jace's insults and the memories he stirred up. I'll take the check and run far, far away.

Something lightly touches my shoulder, making me yelp in surprise. I snap my eyes open and find Jace in front of me. He has his hands nervously stuffed in the pockets of his jeans, and he's wearing a long-sleeved shirt now. Why did he change into that, of all things? It's still like eighty degrees outside, and his forehead is already covered in sweat. Maybe the dude is some sort of masochist; he hurts everything and everyone, including himself.

His throat bobs as he clears it, and he shuffles around for a couple seconds, his eyes glued to his feet. I stay exactly where I am, doing my best to look intimidating as I stare up at him. I think of how my mom used to laugh when I was learning a new song; she said I looked ferocious when I concentrated that hard. I try to channel that expression and glare straight at Jace.

Jace stares down at his hands, holding them far in front of him, like they have some sort of terrible disease he's afraid to catch. Then he pushes up his sleeves, even though they're already scrunched up around his muscular biceps. He takes a deep breath, and I step to the side, wondering what in the hell is going on. He's not even talking. He's just standing there, occasionally shooting me little glances that almost look . . . scared.

He keeps staring at his hands for a bit longer, and then he takes a shuddering breath. “Hey.”

“I want my check, ” I say, trying to keep my voice calm.

"I'll give it to you in a second, ” he mutters.

“No, now.”

Jace shakes his head and takes a step toward me. He keeps coming closer, until he's only a foot away. He peers closely at me, his eyes squinting as he examines my face. I unconsciously reach up and cover my cheek with my hand, hiding the bruised area from sight.

“It looks like someone hit you,” Jace says, gesturing to my cheek. '

“ No,” I quickly say, shaking my head.

He points to my arm. “ You're bruised there, too.”

“It was just an accident,” I insist.

“And it's definitely not your business.”

Jace takes another half-step toward me, bringing us impossibly closer. Finally, he looks into my eyes, and I'm able to see his full expression. It's not right. Jace is supposed to be angry and condemning and pitiless. But his eyes are . . . sad.

He raises his hands, gives them one more disgusted glance, and then signs,  "Let me help you.”

Want more? I do! Be sure to get your copy today.....

 

Olivia Rivers is a hybrid author of Young Adult fiction. Her works include the independently published “Tortured Elements” and “Duplicity” series, along with the traditionally published novel “Tone Deaf” (Skyhorse 2016.) As a certified geek, she enjoys experimenting with new publishing technologies, and her online serials have received over 1,000,000 hits on Wattpad.com. When Olivia isn’t working as a writer, she’s a typical teen attending college in Northern California. Olivia is represented by Laurie McLean of Fuse Literary, and nothing thrills her more than hearing from readers.

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