Rockin' & Reviewing: August 2015

Monday, August 31, 2015

Spotlight: Severed Justice Series by KT Fisher and Ava Manello

photo Severed birthday banner_zpspy0fcqwv.jpg

Book: Severed Justice

Series: Severed MC
Author: KT Fisher & Ava Manello
Genre: MC Romance
Hosted By:Francessca's Romance Reviews

Synopsis

Your favorite Severed MC returns with more chaos, more danger and more fireworks.
Satan may be gone but the danger isn't.
With revenge on the cards from more than one player and hot blooded new comer Justice stirring things up, the people in the town of Severed are in for one hell of a ride.

Purchase Links

What Others Are Saying

OMFG totally speechless, U ladies KT fisher and Ava Manello definitely want to go into hiding Wowzer what have u done to me!!!!! ~ Goodreads Review

I am in love with the Severed MC extended family. The men and the women are bada$$, funny, and fierce. I would so enjoy hanging with the women on 'Girl's Night', I'm sure I would learn some tasty 'dessert' recipes. The friendship ties are strong, withstanding loss after loss, and remaining strong. The suspense will keep you guessing, cussing, sweating, and gasping. ~ iScream

WOW just wow!! I love this series but this book has got to be the best yet. It's got twists and turns galore, so many unexpected NOOOOO!!!! moments and a fantastic story. ~ Goodreads Review

please be warned that you will need kleenex at hand i laughed i cried and i wanted to throttle him sometimes but u see that through this book the pinnacle comes and when i comes you will know it.
A must read i could not put this book down from start to finish i was lost in the story. ~ Amazon UK

Trailer

About The Authors

Ava Manello

Ava is a passionate reader, blogger, publisher, and author who loves nothing more than helping other Indie authors publish their books be that reviewing, beta reading, formatting or proofreading. She will always be a reader first and foremost.
She loves erotic suspense that's well written and engages the reader, and loves promoting the heck out of it for her favourite authors.
As Ava says: “I took a chance and followed a dream when I wrote my first book. It was scary, challenging and hard work, but above all it was worth it.”

Stalk Ava

KT FISHER

I love reading, it's my favourite hobby. I've always had ideas for my own books packed into my head so I thought I would write them out for people to enjoy

Stalker Links

Other Books In The Series

Severed Angel

Severed MC #1

CURRENTLY ON SALE 99p/c

Carnal Desire

Severed MC #2

Carnal Persuasion

Severed MC #4

Interview with Ava’s Triple A’s

1) Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be part of Ava’s Street team?

Emma - Won a competition to become a character in Carnal Desire after Severed Angel released. Yes, Emma whose been with Ink and Justice that's me *Winks*

Francessca – Oooooh so Emma had a bit of Ink *Winks* Was he any good Emma?

Emma – oooooh He was good!!! Very good and that chair of his is a fave of mine!

Francessca – Sounds intriguing Emma, You will have to give us the run down?

Emma – You’ll have to read Carnal Desire its all there. One Dirty Tattooist!

Francessca – You Spoil Sport Emma!

Jane - I'm Jane! I became part of Ava's street team when I made her a fan picture one day! I believe it was her first and since then we have become great friends! I'm even flying all the way to England new year from New Zealand to support the tbb author signing!

Patti - I am Patti, I am part of the street team and I met her after reading Severed and wanted to choke her for the cliff hanger!...I loved it and couldn't wait till the next one came out...she almost cost me a IPAD

Wendy - I"m from Surrey, BC and it's stinking cold here right now... so a warm thing to do is to cuddle up beneath a blanket on the couch with a glass of wine and my Kindle... A friend sent me a request to join Ava's street team and I thought why not?? I loved Severed Angel so off the request went!

Alison - Here's my answers my name is Alison I live in Texas where the weather changes everyday. I follow Ava Manello on Amazon and when I bought her book it had a link to follow her on Facebook. So I found her on here and saw that she had a street team so I requested to join

2) So are you a MC fan? Had you read MC before Severed MC Series?

Emma - I adore MC books Joanna Wylde, lili Saint Germain Kim Jones and Nina Levine are great authors.

Jane - Huge MC fan! By far my favourite genre. I read it a lot before severed but severed is way up there on the favourites!

Patti - HUGE MC FAN been reading them for two years

Wendy - I'm a huge MC fan - I've read Madeline Sheehan, Joanne Wylde and Kristen Ashley before the Severed series

Alison - I love MC books I have like over 140 on my kindle right now some of them I have read and the others are waiting to be read

3) Your favourite character and why?

Emma - My fave Severed living character is Ink, he's so flirty and fun, dominant but caring.

Jane - My favourite character would probably be cowboy! I just had a thing for him from the starts.

Patti - I can't pick love them all

Wendy - OMGod... Angel I think... he's just so well, Alpha! haha

Alison - Angel is my favorite character by far in the series he is one hot alpha male and with a dirty sexy mouth

4) If Angel could do anything to you what would it be?

Emma - Angel doesn't work for me, he's sweet but not a patch on Ink and your either one team or the other in this group.

Jane - Well it would absolutely involve his bike. Fantasy much.

Francessca – Oooh Ava Looks like the next book will have to include a bike scene for our Jane.

Patti - sex on a bike NO DOUBT

Wendy - How about anything... everything! haha

Alison - I wish Angel would take me on a ride somewhere and do nasty yummy things to me *Winks*

5) If you could play any part in the book what would it be?

Jane - I would totally be Eve, as a single mother, watching a man care for and love my baby girl is a major turn on!

Patti - I would be EVE and have some fun

Wendy - I would probably be Eve...her life is never dull!

Alison - Meeting Angel lol

6) Are you likely to bitch slap anyone to come close to Angel if he was yours?

Jane - I'm not the bitch slapping type, but I'm not against flaunting what's mine in front of some chick who wants him.

Patti - would have no issue taking a skank down if she disrespected me or my man

Francessca – Have you thought at great length About how you might take a skank down?

Patti - she or he would get a straight punch to the face...now that would have to push every single one of my buttons because I would likely have more words to scare them then my fists...but again YA never know

Wendy - Absolutely! Don't touch what's not yours!

Alison - Yes most defintely would bitch someone that comes between me and Angel.

7) Your favourite quote of the series?

Jane - "don't worry father, I'm not a bad man..... But I'm not a good man either."

Patti - I like Janes quote above...

Wendy - "I'm not a bad man... not a good man either"

8) Favourite cover of the series?

Emma - Favourite cover is Severed Justice.

Jane - Carnal Persuasion is my fav so far!

Patti - No doubt Carnal Persuasion

Wendy - The new one - Carnal Persuasion

Alison - The blond guy drinking wine who is standing on the bed.

9) Do you have a tattoo and if so what does it signify?

Emma - My tattoos are listed in Carnal and Severed Justice as Ink does them lol!!

Jane - I have a tramp stamp lol. But I drew it myself, it's a Celtic knot and represents my family.

Francessca – Me Too! Your Sounds way prettier than mine can we take a peek?

Jane - **IMAGE** If Im allowed LOL

Patti - getting the Infinity Knot with my kids names intertwined

Francessca – We need piccys Patti?

Patti -

Wendy - No... but I'd like one but I'd have to figure that one out - needs to have significance or why get one at all?

Alison - I have one tattoo that is of a panther no meaning to it.

10) Ok your feelings towards Ava and KT at the end of Severed Justice?

Emma - I was not a happy bunny at the end of Severed Justice asAva Manelloa knows.

Jane - "I hate you, we are no longer friends."

Patti - I hated them both

Wendy - I was a little bit wowed at the cliffy but overall I loved the book so I hold no ill will

Alison - No hard feelings to both authors it was a good book.

11) Favourite book of the series so far?

Emma - Carnal Desire is my fave so far

Jane - totally severed angel!

Patti - Severed Angel because it's started this roller coaster of emotions!

Wendy - I think Severed Angel because that was the beginning of my new obsession! haha

Alison - The first one Severed Angel

Francessca – WELL AS YOU CAN IMAGINE OUR LADIES GOT WAY OUTTA HAND WHEN SPEAKING TO INK!!! So if you fancy some fun BUT are also willing to pimp AVA stop by her street team!!

Book Review: Accidents of Marriage by Randy Susan Meyers

ACCIDENTS OF MARRIAGE
by Randy Susan Meyers

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Washington Square Press; Reprint edition (June 9, 2015)

For Madeline Illica, the love of her husband Ben was her greatest blessing and biggest curse. Brilliant and charming, Ben could turn into a raging bull when crossed—and despite her training as a social worker Maddy never knew what would cross him. When Ben was in a conciliatory mood, they worked on techniques for communication and anger management, but on the day of the accident, nothing seemed to help. Accidents of Marriage holds readers from the first page to the last.

“This novel’s unsparing look at emotional abuse and its devastating consequences gives it gravity and bite, while a glimpse into a physically damaged mind both surprises and fascinates.”—People Magazine

“A complex, captivating tale.”—Boston Globe

“A deft exploration of the borders of abuse and the aftermath of tragedy, the triumphs and disappointments of recovery, and the possibilities of faith and forgiveness.”—Star Tribune

“Unputdownable and unforgettable. I just loved it—and I’ll now read everything Randy Susan Meyers writes.”—Liane Moriarty, NYT bestselling author of The Husband’s Secret

Purchase Links

Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

“Sabine belonged to the Wednesday Blues Club. Some members still wore their black-and-blues; some only carried the memories of being beaten.”

“Time had a new meaning – before and after. When she’d looked at a calendar that morning, it didn’t seem possible it was only two weeks since the accident. It seemed like forever.”

“She couldn’t possibly be bringing good news, right? Hospitals were citadels of horror, with nurses bearing the early warnings. Compassionate canaries in the health mine – that’s what they were.”

“When she was twelve, Emma had asked to go to Hebrew School, just like her classmate, Gillian, who was preparing for her bat mitzvah. Emma had imagined it being like an Israeli Girl Scout. The Diary of Anne Frank had haunted her; after reading it, she’d gone online and read all the horrifying possibilities of being Jewish. Going to Hebrew School seemed a way to prevent being sent to a concentration camp and having to run around naked in front of laughing soldiers.”

“Words popped into her mind without grounding. Her brain seemed like a half-filled trunk. Where once it was packed with rows of facts and thoughts, now things rolled around, came out of nowhere.”

“Maddy tried to do more when he wasn’t home, but her mother hovered every time she turned around. It was like having your shadow sewn to your shirt.”

“Zelda’s beautiful clothes hung off her dime thin body like woven money.”

“Waves of rage made everything inside her tumble, knocking her heart into her guts. How could such hatred stay inside a body? She waited to erupt in boiling pus-filled hives of anger.”

“Maybe I don’t know how. To give up on someone I love. But if I need to, I can learn.”

My Review:

I was engrossed in this smartly written family drama from beginning to end. It is not a thrill ride or an action adventure, nor is it romantic, steamy, or salacious. It is deftly written with cringe-worthy real-life disappointments, and I found it to be fascinatingly insightful and relevant. To have the skill and capacity to write such specific details so clearly and in such an entertaining and crafty manner, Ms. Meyers is obviously a keen observer to have digested and understood the feelings, thoughts, patterns and particular tendencies of these unusual people of varying ages and stages of their relationships. I am in awe and transfixed, she has mad skills! I could not stop reading and resented any interruption that involved having to put down my beloved kindle and attend to my real-life – specifically those pesky things known as employment and sleep.

The Illica family is common, yet each family member was unique and greatly intrigued me. While well-educated, successful, and professional, neither parent in this home was fully functional on their own – either before or after the accident. They are both selfish, immature, deeply flawed, and prone to blaming and setting each other off. Although they both seemed to have some niggling self-awareness and concerns, they quickly diverted themselves from these troublesome and unwelcome thoughts of personal responsibility whenever they arose. The lawyer father’s typical manner appeared to be moody, agitated, hostile, or on-edge, and he is prone to ranting and throwing things when provoked. The social worker mother knows all the right things to do, but doesn’t do them; she dithers and lives in a state of partial denial and addled self-medicated numbness. She is disorganized - although she makes lists, she doesn’t follow them. She is concerned and apparently performs well on the job, but lacks follow through at home and allows important details to fall through the cracks. Her various and extensive drug stashes indicates she is a functioning junkie. In my opinion, the most mature person in the home is the nine-year old middle child. The eldest being a surly teenager, who is unfortunately thrust into domestic slave mode after the accident, and the youngest, being the only son and male grandchild, is an over indulged brat.

Things are not going well and trouble is already brewing when a horrible accident occurs that results in a head injury, and the need for a long and involved recuperation for mom. She noted to the doctor that being a social worker - at one time she was the one writing the charts rather than being in one. This devastating trauma was far-reaching in many aspects with deep impact on every family member; and was actually be the best thing to happen to this family – I know that is an awful thing to say - but sometimes it takes an extreme event to finally obtain a stubborn person’s attention. The accident also rallied the extended family and circle of friends to wake up and discuss other issues and secrets coming to light, that really weren’t secrets after all.

Though writing about disturbing and unpleasant memories and emotional events, Ms. Meyers sneaks in humorous asides and ancillary observations that lessens the horror and typically adds to the story in an entertaining yet thoughtful manner. My favorite scene involves the three young children attempting to seek out religion by attending temple. Their talk with the rabbi was humorous, spot on, and touching.

Although deeply damaged and questionable about their marriage, both adults are better people at the end of the book. While some readers may not see the author’s conclusion to the story as a happy ending, it appears to be the best possible outcome and left me satisfied and hopeful for their future.

Empress DJ

About Randy Susan Meyers

The drama of Randy Susan Meyers’ novels is informed by her work with families impacted by emotional and family violence.

Her newest novel, Accidents of Marriage, examines the slippery definitions of emotional abuse and explores tragic circumstances forcing a family to challenge the dynamics that have long-defined them.

Randy is a founding member of Beyond The Margins, a site dedicated to the craft of writing and the business of publishing, and coauthored the guide, What To Do Before Your Book Launch, with writer M.J. Rose. She lives in Boston with her husband, where she teaches at Grub Street Writer’s Center.

Find out more about Randy at her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

New Release: Broken Crown by Susan Ward

Title: Broken Crown
(The first of 3 stand-alone books.)

Series: Sand & Fog Series

Author: Susan Ward

Release Date: August 30th

Broken Crown is the first of three Stand-Alone books in the Sand & Fog series. The new sequel to the Amazon Top # 100 Bestselling The Girl on the Half Shell, Half Shell Series. This book has a HEA.

To achieve iconic fame and extraordinary wealth, legendary rocker Alan Manzone was willing to make sacrifices along the way. But his greatest regret is losing the love of his life, Chrissie Parker. There is no other woman on this earth for him. But wanting her, getting her, and keeping her aren’t things Alan has ever been able to do well. Again and again, he loses her.

Now alone, bitter, and filled with regret, he examines his life with Chrissie. Every moment of love. Every glorious moment of passion. Every torturous moment of parting. Finding happiness with a Parker is not an easily achievable thing, but he is desperate to have the future he's always struggled for and wanted with Chrissie.

Now that the timing is perfect for them both, can Alan finally claim the only woman he has ever truly loved, or has the past made her lost to him forever? Can his unrelenting love for her survive the web of secrets that have at last been revealed? Is love enough for him to find forgiveness and happiness with Chrissie?

The Author:

Amazon top 100 Bestselling in Contemporary Romance/ Coming-of-Age/Historical Romance/Historical Romance Regency/ Erotica Humorous

I'm addicted to writing. I've written 41 romance novels My current releases include: The Girl on the Half Shell; The Girl of Tokens & Tears; The Girl of Diamonds & Rust; The Girl in the Comfortable Quiet; The Signature; Rewind; One Last Kiss; One More Kiss; One Long Kiss; When the Perfect Comes; Face to Face; Love’s Patient Fury.

I've been in love with the Romance novel since I read my first Kathleen Woodiwiss book, and it seems to me that beyond a steamy fun read, a good romance novel is so much more: it is women empowering women. We share. We learn.

So about me? I'm as eclectic as my books. A mom. A grandmother. A business owner. A writer of romance. An advocate for clean air and the environment. A wife and an animal lover. The best way to explain me is that once in a talent contest I played classical piano followed by a chopsticks duet with my toes. That pretty much sums up how I've lived my life!

Social Media Links:

Teasers:

Other Titles by Susan Ward:

Book 1:

People think Chrissie Parker has a picture-perfect life. She leads an opulent lifestyle in Santa Barbara, her father, Jack, is a beloved music icon from the sixties, and she possesses a wealth of musical talent that will certainly lead to a promising future. But behind the façade, everything is far from perfect.

When Chrissie journeys from Santa Barbara to New York City for an audition at Juilliard, romance is the last thing on her mind. She never anticipated encountering British Superstar Alan Manzone, a musician fresh out of Rehab, tormented by his own weakness and troubled past. Alan's life is everything Chrissie's is not; exciting, glitzy, and an all-out train wreck.

Chrissie is soon consumed by Alan's shocking pursuit of her, his dark secrets, and his desires. Determined to save Alan from himself, is it possible Alan, this beautiful and brilliant musician, is really rescuing Chrissie from her artfully concealed secret addiction that even her best friend is unaware of?

Can two lost people find a love meant to last a life time in only three weeks?

Book 2:

“I should never had fallen in love with Alan. He is like a drug, my secret addiction, and I am trapped in the hold of him.” ~~Chrissie Parker

“When I call, you’ll come. You won’t be able to stop yourself. We’re spending the rest of our lives together in bed, Chrissie. Get used to the idea.” ~~Alan Manzone

“We’re both in love with people who are not good for us. People we can’t be with. I think that makes us perfect together.” ~~Neil Stanton

Chrissie Parker is not an ordinary college freshman. Her father, Jack, is a beloved music icon from the sixties. She was raised in a sheltered world of privilege. Then a whirl-wind spring romance with British superstar Alan Manzone rockets her into a tabloid media frenzy. Some loves prove impossible to leave behind, even at UC Berkeley, though Chrissie is determined to live a normal life as a college girl.

Just when things start getting on track for Chrissie, Alan storms back into her world, desperate to reclaim the love of the girl he should have never have let go of and cannot forget. Chrissie must also contend with Neil Stanton, a guy from her hometown who she never wanted to see again, working as a campus janitor, and as irritating and unavoidable as ever.

Chrissie fast learns what it means to be a girl of tokens and tears: the clandestine girlfriend of a famous man, and the loved friend of a guy who is perfect for her, but unable to claim her heart.

As Chrissie fights to build her own future, she is caught between the love of a friend and the love of her life.

Book 3:

“Maybe this is love. Protecting the part of yourself most important to you and knowing when to let go so that you can keep a small piece of that person alive and real in your heart.”~~Chrissie Parker

“He will never need you the way I need you. He will never want you as I want you. He will never love you the way I love you. I don’t care if you are in love with Alan. I am in love with you.”~~Neil Stanton

“Just stay and be good to me.”~~Alan Manzone

Chrissie decides her fate by choosing the man she will marry. But which love does she pick? The love of a friend, or the great love of her life?

Does it matter the turns Chrissie takes? Or will her life be as it should? Can a woman fight her own fate? And is her perfect guy, as perfect as he seems? Does happily ever after come simply for Chrissie?

Secrets are revealed as The Half Shell universe collides with the Affair Without End series in a dramatic, unexpected, emotionally intense journey of a rich girl with dark secrets finding love with a troubled rocker.

Book 4:

“Some secrets are meant to be kept forever. What no one ever tells you is that secrets hurt you and never the ones you lie to. They are your solitary hurt and shame. The people you withhold them from go on with their lives. They live. They fuck. They love. They are unharmed by your silence and the words you haven’t yet shared.” ~Chrissie Parker

“We have a perfect life together. Don’t let the past ruin it, Chrissie.” ~Neil Stanton

“We are the farthest thing from enemies, Chrissie. I will always love you.” ~Alan Manzone

Married to her gorgeous superstar husband, Neil, and living a picture-perfect life should have put the past to rest forever for Chrissie. But some mistakes you can’t escape from, the truth always comes out in time, and some loves refuse to go away.

As she starts the family she’s longed for and builds her own career as a singer-songwriter, Chrissie is confronted with more unexpected changes. Truths about her loving father, Jack. Neil’s shocking secret. Alan’s unrelenting love for her.

Caught in a web of lies, with everything she believes coming crashing down around her, will she fight to save her marriage to Neil or will she fight for the love of her life, Alan? And will Chrissie find her happy ending at last?

___________________________________________________________________

Hosted by:

New Release: The American and The Brit by K.A. Young & Julie Bromley

The American and The Brit ~ K.A. Young & Julie Bromley.

Available NOW!

Special offer ~ 0.99c. for a limited time.

K.A. Young has joined forces with her hilarious PA Julie Bromley to bring us a light hearted comedy that you won't ever forget.

Life isn’t easy.

Just ask American born Phoebe Hawkins and British born Lizbeth Bates, two insecure women in their mid twenties who are trying to stay positive in the face of their own awkwardness, chaos, and utter humiliation.

Friends for nearly ten years, Phoebe and Liz are well aware that neither of their brains possesses a filter. After Liz moves from the UK to America the two accidentally land jobs at an up and coming media company that is testing their very own version of a modern day Dear Abby/Agony Aunt advice column.

Laughter, tears and inappropriate behavior follow as the two desperately try to live up to their role as The American and The Brit.

~~~~~

Links –

Amazon US - http://amzn.to/1Ivdyv1

Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/1NyGFxk

Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1GytRBp

iBooks - http://apple.co/1J9Xvnq

Nook UK - http://bit.ly/1SJHOF7

Kobo - http://bit.ly/1JA5Oq9

Smashwords - http://bit.ly/1K2El1u

~~~~~

Foreword

Penning a foreword is something that I can now cross off on my bucket list. This book is a perfect fit for me. Why you ask? My Dad is a Yank, aka American and my Mum is a Limey, aka Brit. Yes, I'm very blessed to have my feet in both worlds.

The co-authored The American and The Brit is seamlessly written and I appreciate this as I’ve collaborated on four books with my son, Adam and can understand how difficult these type projects can be.

Hilarious from start to finish, you will surely be entertained. Phoebe and Liz draw you in from the first page with their relatable situational dilemmas.

I wish the authors, a real American and a real Brit much success, what am I saying? It will be a success.

~ Carol Kunz aka USA Today Bestselling Author Amanda Jason aka the C. in C.A. Kunz

~~~~~

Authors

K.A. Young

K.A. Young writes fantasy. Dark, edgy and sexy fantasy books with a strong female lead for adults, exciting adventurous fantasy books for teens and a fun comedy series for New Adults. K.A. is a non-conformist with a coffee and dark chocolate addiction. She loves the ocean, the sun, traveling, reading and spending time with her kids and hubby.

You can keep up with her at...

Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/pages/KAYoung/275242202579809

Website ~ https://www.kayoungbooks.com

Adult 18+
The Nephilim Warrior Series is available: Prophecy Of The Female Warrior, Destiny Of The Female Warrior, Blood Kiss and Warrior Redeemed. Wicked Night (A Nephilim Warrior Novella) Should be read after Blood Moon.

The Elise Michaels Series: Coven, Dead Spell and Blood Moon

The Molly Maddison Series: Crypt Keeper, Legends Of The Crypt and This Side of The Crypt

(Stand Alone) Eternally Bound

YA 14+
The Valkyrie Diaries: Awakening and Revealing

Comedy series:
The American and The Brit: Unsolicited Advice (Releasing August 30, 2015)

~~~~~

Julie Bromley

Julie lives in the West Midlands, UK with her husband and two young boys.

She has never once thought of becoming a writer until K.A. twisted her arm up her back and convinced her that it was a great idea. K.A and Julie have been friends for just over two years and believe that they are each others Doppelganger.

Happy to be behind the scenes, Julie owns Signed Books and Stuff, a boutique UK marketing and distribution service along with support services to authors all around the globe. She P.A's for several authors and manages Street Teams and author pages.

You can follow her here...

Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieBromley

Website ~ https://www.signedbooksandstuff.co.uk

You can also keep up to date with Phoebe and Lizbeth (The American and The Brit) here...

Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/TheAmericanandTheBrit

Website ~ http://www.theamericanandthebrit.com