Series Review, Giveaway: Matters of the Heart by Velvet Reed

Book Two - Saving Our Hearts

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SYNOPSIS:  ,** This series must be read in order from book 1. They are not stand alones. **

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. **This book is recommended for people over 18 years due to strong language and sexual content.**

 When your whole world shatters and time stands still, recovery is never easy. Plans and dreams, ripped apart now seem impossible and finding a steady rhythm for your beating heart seems unattainable. Cole Tierney and Grace Rivers had a bright, uncomplicated future ahead of them, but the accident changed that. In the aftermath, there are wide reaching consequences, not only for Cole and Grace, but their loved ones too. Only together can they battle to survive the impact. Is it enough for them to heal and fight for their future? With just one glimmer of hope before them, will a small miracle have the strength to save their hearts?

 GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS:

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US: http://amzn.com/B00PUS7U1O
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00PUS7U1O AUS: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00PUS7U1O 

CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00PUS7U1O 

iBooks: 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id943468949

EXCERPT:

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Saving Our Hearts by Velvet Reed His little chest rises and falls with each breath he struggles to take. The wires and tubes attached to his body are things I see every day, but somehow, the sight of them attached to this little body… my son’s body… well, it takes on a completely new meaning and tears at my heart in a way I never imagined. Laying in the incubator, even with all the medical supplies on him, he’s perfect. The mass of dark hair just like mine was surprising; I honestly thought our baby would have auburn hair like his gorgeous mother… my Gracie. His button nose and precious lips ensure he’s without doubt the cutest baby in existence. Although, that may just be the biased opinion of a father who is completely smitten and undeniably head over heels in love with his first born child. I wish Gracie were here to see how beautiful he is. With a heavy sigh, I take my seat beside his crib and continue my vigil over my son. Everyone’s growing frustrated with me because they want to know his name. They’re sick of calling the baby him, or baby Tierney, and I understand their annoyance. I really do, but there’s no way I’m going to make that decision on my own. I guess three days without a name isn’t normal, but then the way he arrived into the world wasn’t normal. It certainly wasn’t the way Gracie and I envisioned things would go.  

 Book One: The Rhythm of  my Heart

SYNOPSIS:

** This book is recommended for people over 18 years due to strong language and sexual content.**

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Grace Rivers is your everyday twenty-five year old. She could have the world at her feet, but instead chooses to help run the family business. After experiencing great loss early in her life, Grace values what's most important: her family and friends. But she aches to find that certain someone—that one great, passionate love who values family as much as she does.Cole Tierney loves his life. He has a wonderful family, a loyal best friend and a successful career as an ER doctor. The only downside is he wants someone to share it with. After being used and left heartbroken, he wants to find someone who will love him for him and not his or his family's status."Every beat my heart makes is for you. Every time it beats faster it's because of you—because you're near me, because of your smile—because you take my breath away."Their two hearts collide by chance and an undeniable connection is quickly made.But when others are plotting against their happiness, will their love flatline, or will the rhythm of their hearts continue to beat as one?

  GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS:

Currently $0.99

US Link: http://amzn.com/B00L9L8K9C 
UK Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00L9L8K9C 
B&N Link: http://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rhythm-of-my-heart-velvet-reed/1119870120?ean=9781501440175 
iBooks Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id892809442

My Rating:

  

Favorite Quotes:

 Book 1: 

“It’s not lost on me that he just used my nickname; hearing it come from his lips, evokes a longing I’ve never experienced before.”

“The amount of love I have for you is more than you could possibly imagine or understand.  You are the reason my heart beats.  You Grace Rivers, set the rhythm of my heart.”

“I didn’t say I was an expert on females, but I do know a thing or two about hormonal women, considering I deal with them every day.  Thank God, I don’t have to deal with you when it’s that time of the month; I’m sure it would be like summoning Satan,”

Book 2:

“Oh good Lord, Gracie.  You’re like an Amazon woman.  I never even gave a thought about the fact that you couldn’t shave or wax.  I think we’re going to have to get out the Weed Wacker to tackle that jungle.” …“My leg could seriously be mistaken for Chewbacca’s or Cousin It’s.  I have somehow defined the evolution of man and regressed millions of years to become an ape.”

“You’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of and everything I never thought I’d have.”

“You do realize that after pulling off a wedding proposal like that, you are going to get seriously laid for the next decade, right?”

My Review:

A new author find for me and I am adding her to my list of those to watch.  The writing was entertaining, witty, sensitive, and heartfelt.  The sensual scenes had me gasping and humming.  Velvet Reed - love that name - writes emotion so very well and managed to suck me in and hold me down.  When Gracie felt betrayed, I was devastated.  When she was listless and heartbroken, so was I.  When the characters opened up to each other, I was elated.  I felt drawn to this group of quirky and varied personalities and enjoyed getting to know them.  When I signed on to review the series, I did not realize the series was not yet complete – oh happy day – there will be more.  

Empress DJ

AUTHOR BIO:

Velvet Reed is the pen name of an avid book lover, reviewer and blogger who has turned writer.Born and raised in Sydney, Australia; she is a city girl at heart but loves the laid back lifestyle of living in country New South Wales. Married to her first and only love, she is a devoted mother of three who juggles her very active children and their many extracurricular activities, working in the middle of the night, running a blog, and writing.Velvet's love of reading was realized after the death of her amazing father. She used the escape into the fictional world to help her through her grief and post natal depression, not releasing the great impact so many talented authors would have on her life.

SOCIAL LINKS:

FACEBOOK  http://www.facebook.com/VelvetReedAuthor

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE  http://www.amazon.com/Velvet-Reed

GOODREADS  https://www.goodreads.com/Velvetreed 

TWITTER:  http://www.twitter.com/Velvet_Reed1

PINTEREST:  http://www.pinterest.com/VelvetReed1/

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Series Review, Giveaway: PLAY ME series by Tracy Wolff

All FIVE novellas in PLAY ME by Tracy Wolff, a sizzling new serial from Random House Loveswept, releases TODAY!

Synopsis: In the seductive all new eBook original serial from the New York Times bestselling author of Ruined and Addicted, a woman running from her past has finally found a bit of control . . . until her powerful new boss makes her go wild.

My name is Aria Winston. I’ve fought desperately to make my own life, away from the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. Now I’m on my own, in control of my own life and my own destiny . . . just the way I like it. Until Sebastian Caine changes everything.

Working as a cocktail waitress at one of Vegas’s hottest five-star casinos means putting up with a ton of bad behavior from the big spenders. But it pays the bills—and that’s all that matters to Aria as she needs every last dollar to escape from her father’s destructive grasp and the brutal man he expects her to marry. But when she lashes out against a billionaire who won’t take no for an answer, she nearly loses everything—until Sebastian, steps in.  The owner’s son and handpicked successor, Sebastian is dark, sexy and kinder than any rich, powerful man should be.  And when he apologizes and offers to keep her job safe, , Aria can’t help the way her body reacts to his. But if the way her body instantly responds to his touch is any indication, what Aria really wants is Sebastian.  Suddenly her job, and the security it brings her, isn’t all that Aria wants …

Play Me is an erotic serial intended for mature audiences. Aria and Sebastian’s story continues in Play Me: Hot.

Check out all five serials releasing TODAY!

Play Me 1: Wild

Play Me 2: Hot

Play Me 3: Hard

Play Me 4: Real

Play Me 5: Right

Release Day Exclusive Sneak Peek at PLAY ME featuring a cameo with Ethan Frost from the NYT Bestselling RUINED and ADDICTED!

“What are you thinking?” Ethan asks after a minute and I’m just opening my mouth to tell him when there’s a sudden commotion at the door. I turn around just in time to see Aria burst through it, looking wilder and hotter than I’ve ever seen her.

She’s dressed in a crimson sundress that hugs every one of her curves even as it makes her olive skin glow. One of the straps has slid down her arm and her hair is a just-rolled-out-of-bed mess. But it’s a captivating look on her, one that has my mind flashing to about a million different things I’d like to do with her—all of which start with plopping her firm, lush ass on my desk and burying my face between her thighs. For hours.

I’m so distracted by the thought of making her come that I almost miss the upset on her face, confusion mixed with hurt and panic and fear. Once I get past her breasts and it sinks in, though, I’m off the couch and heading toward her in an instant. “What’s wrong, Aria? Are you—”

“Fuck me.”

I freeze in my tracks. “What did you say?”

“I want you to fuck me. Right now. Please.”

Ethan rockets up from his chair, shoots me a look that is half-amused, half-concerned. “I will take that as my cue to leave.”

The fact that Aria doesn’t even glance his way tells me all I need to know about her state of mind. All thoughts of Valducci and revenge disappear in my sudden worry for her.

“Baby.” I cross the last of the distance between us and pull her body flush against mine. “What’s going on? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. I’ve just been thinking about what you said on the phone earlier and I want it. I want all of it now.”


My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

“It’s my experience that guys like this have trouble keeping up the letch act when they’re looking straight into your eyes.  It’s a lesson I learned from my mother years ago: rich men will only give you respect if you demand it.”

“But life is full of mysteries and this is one I’m just going to have to be okay with not understanding.  Because the only other option – sticking around for a while to try and figure him out – isn’t an option at all.  Not for me.”

“This is the bad part of Vegas – the way bad part – and my building is one of the worst.   Broken down, ill-repaired in desperate need of a couple coats of paint – or an arsonist to burn it to the ground – it’s not a good place to live.”

“It’s the please that does it.  He’s standing there in the middle of my bathroom looking half GQ, half bad-ass and all gorgeous, and he’s asking to take care of me.”

“This is Sebastian controlling me because he can’t control what happened.  About hurting me because he’s hurting.  About using me to stave off the pain of everything that came before.”

“He says it again, a little more clearly this time.  ‘I’m sorry.’  The two words I’ve never heard from him before.  The two words I’ve wanted to hear for ten years but never thought I actually would.” 

“And that’s when it hits me, what I wanted to teach Aria all along but what I had never internalized myself.  Control doesn’t have to be about power any more than losing control has to be about weakness.”

“It’s not enough.  Not nearly enough.  But it’s a start, and for now, I’ll take what I can get.”

My Review:

I am conflicted.  I enjoyed the series, but am more than a bit irritated about the ending… as there really wasn’t one.  The story seems to be on pause for the next series to start.  Grrr.  I call foul.  I need closure and feel discontented.  The installments were well written, intriguing, entertaining, and deliciously steamy.  Secrets were slowly revealed and I was anxious to uncover them.  I did grow annoyed with both main characters at different times… enough to want to throw my precious kindle and call them unflattering names.  But I actually liked and cared for them – most of the time.  I just wish I knew how their tale ends.

 Empress DJ

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Author Bio: Tracy Wolff collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. Now an English professor at her local community college, she writes romances that run the gamut from contemporary to paranormal to erotic suspense.

Find out more about Tracy at www.tracywolffbooks.com.

Follow Tracy: Facebook      Twitter        Goodreads

Buy Links: Order Links for all 5 Play Me Serials

Play Me 1: Wild     Amazon     Goodreads   B&N

Play Me 2: Hot     Amazon    Goodreads   B&N

Play Me 3: Hard   Amazon     Goodreads   B&N

Play Me 4: Real   Amazon     Goodreads   B&N

Play Me 5: Right   Amazon     Goodreads   B&N

Blog Tour, Review: Giveaway: Let Me Love You by Megan Smith

RELEASE DATE: JULY 21st

SYNOPSIS:

Jaylinn McCormick is determined to forget that one terrifying night which left her feeling broken and tainted. There is one person who can make her whole again… but he is hell bent on keeping her at arm’s length. She has loved him her entire life but can she wait for him to step up to the plate?

Cooper Cahill has loved Jaylinn for years. He wants nothing more than to put all her pieces back together but he deems himself unworthy. Choosing between his baseball career and Jaylinn has him feeling lost. Does he have what it takes to put Jaylinn’s heart back together again?

When their paths cross will they intersect or blindly pass each other by?

Will their lives take them in different directions?

(Let Me Love You is the fourth novel in the Love Series)

Add Let Me Love You to your TBR Goodreads List: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18873138-let-me-love-you?ac=1

Excerpt:

“Yo man, have you seen Jay?” I ask Eli who came to the party with us.

He shakes his head, “Last I saw she was sitting on the couch over there with Kevin.”

My stomach drops. Kevin’s the campus drug dealer. He used to be a tight end for the football team in our freshman year at college but was kicked off the team after drugs were found in his dorm. He’s from New Jersey too, but he lived up north and actually went to high school with Eli in Hoboken. Eli said he used to be really popular until he started hanging out with the wrong crowd.

I drop my arm from around Courtney, the girl I was planning on taking home, and go to try and find Jaylinn. Fuck, I knew I shouldn’t have brought her with me but I couldn’t tell her no. All that girl has to do is bat her eye lashes and I’d cave.

I search the whole downstairs of the frat house for her and Kevin but they are nowhere to be seen. Panic starts to set in, chilling me to the bone. I race up the stairs, three on the right, three on the left and one straight back. The first door opens and some guy is standing there that I don’t recognize, pulling a shirt over his head. I check the bed to make sure Jaylinn isn’t there. I do this to the next five doors; all were opened and occupied but Jaylinn wasn’t in any of them. I get to the last door on the left; it’s dark so I reach around the wall for a light switch. I flick it on and the room is empty.

“Where the fuck is she?” I roar.

I slam the door shut and stamp to the last door. My heart rate spikes causing a swooshing sound in my ears, my body shakes with rage. I turn the door knob, it’s locked. I bang on it, “Jaylinn,” Nothing, complete silence.

Something isn’t right. My stomach knots and I try banging on the door a few times, hoping someone is just passed out and can’t hear me. After a minute I can’t take it anymore and I ram my shoulder into the door. Once, twice, and finally it gives way.

My heart stops, I can’t breathe and my vision blurs.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

I’ll never forget that face or the sound of his voice.  It will forever haunt me for the rest of my life.  Forever a monster under my bed.”

My Review:

I am new to Megan Smith, and since this book is the fourth of a series, I needed to read the first three books to be able to write the review.  It is now 1036 pages later, and I have become a Megan Smith fan.  This series keeps getting better and better with the drama amping up each installment.  It is not just a New Adult or Contemporary Romance, but also a Family Drama.  Of course they are all handsome/beautiful, athletic, fit, funny, and reasonably smart - yet remain insecure, overly sensitive, and easily confused about their relationships.  They are annoying and immature, the men are cocky and conceited, and they don’t treat each other all that well, yet I continue to be interested in what is happening.  This book works addresses the phenomenon of the self-fulfilling prophecy, when you fear something so much you do all you can to avoid it, yet your actions cause it to happen anyway.  Cooper fears intimacy will ruin his relationship, but his lack of intimacy does that for him.  The writing is entertaining, salty, steamy, and easily to follow.  I hope I am paying attention when the next installment is published, I fear I have a new addiction.  

Empress DJ

AUTHOR BIO:

USA TODAY bestselling author Megan Smith is a New Jersey native managing purchasing for an award-winning business IT and software development firm - and by night creating the memorable characters her fans have grown to adore. Smith's The Love Series introduces readers to MacKenzie Cahill - a hopeful young woman who experiences adversity, challenges and the bittersweet triumph of true, authentic love.

Smith is a wife and mother, who makes time for her family, professional life and the creation of the Cahill's world. Fans of The Love Series - Trying Not To Love You, Easy To Love You, Hard To Love You - are captivated by relationships, special bonds and family ties pervasive in Smith's emotional, energized and engaging work. Smith is also the author of the 2014 releases, Let Me Love You - continuations of The Love Series, Finding Us (Finding Series) and a few top secret projects.

Books available now: 

The Love Series

"Trying Not To Love You"

"Easy To Love You"

"Hard To Love You"

Finding Series

"Finding Us"

Coming Soon...

Let Me Love You

Finding Ours

Finding Happiness

STAY CONNECTED WITH MEGAN SMITH:

Website: www.authormegansmith.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authormegansmith

Twitter @AuthorMSmith

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6959231.Megan_Smith?from_search=true

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Megan-Smith/e/B00D90I9HE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

TRYING NOT TO LOVE YOU:

PURCHASING LINKS:

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EASY TO LOVE YOU

PURCHASING LINKS:

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HARD TO LOVE YOU

PURCHASING LINKS:

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LET ME LOVE YOU

PURCHASING LINKS:

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