Center Point by R.M. Clark

I had no idea what I was expecting from this book (maybe a National Treasure sort of vibe) but the book ended up being more of a Wicker Man type of book. Holy plot twists, Batman. I am so glad I stuck with it because it turned out to be a really good read. When I reached the second half of the book... I could not put it down. At all.

The main character is trying to put together a crazy puzzle (names, a map, and a portrait of a Native American warrior) his father gave to him on his 25^th birthday (15 years after his father passed). That’s a cool plot. But I found myself putting it down. However, I was intrigued by other reviewers from Goodreads as they kept referring to Center Point as a suspenseful novel. I was not finding that in the beginning, but I’m really glad I stuck with it. I understand that the first half was setting the ambiance for the rest of the book but I felt it could have gone a little faster. Center Point is Clark's debut adult novel and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Review by Amber

Where to buy

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SNEAK PEAK: All For This (Here and Now #3) by Lexi Ryan

**ALL FOR THIS is book three in the Here and Now series. It is not a stand-alone and it’s intended to be read after LOST IN ME and FALL TO YOU.**

What if you would never remember the day you made the most important decision of your life?

That’s what they’re telling me about the day of my accident—the day I put on Max’s ring and chose him over Nate. I’m counting on the wisdom behind a decision I don’t remember making.

Max is amazing—sexy, sweet, and kind. I was starting to believe happily-ever-after might be in my future after all. Then the unthinkable happened and my world imploded. If I’m going to make this work with Max, I need my missing memories, or at least answers from about those five days before my accident.

But what does my future hold if those answers aren’t anything like I imagined?

EXCERPT:

The following excerpt from ALL FOR THIS by its very nature contains spoilers for the first two books in the Here and Now series, LOST IN ME and FALL TO YOU. If you hate spoilers and haven’t read the first two books, I recommend you don’t read any further.

Max
“How are you holding up? Did it go okay with Nate last night?”
She stiffens at his name. “He asked me to move to LA.”
Of course he did. “And what did you say?”
She blinks at me. “I’m not leaving New Hope. This is my home.”
“He wanted more than for you to move to LA.” I take a step closer. I need to touch her. I wonder if she knows she’s pulling away from me, if she can feel it like I can. It’s as if we’re connected by a thousand little threads like those in a woven rug and they’ve been breaking one at a time since the moment Nate came back into town. With every breath, I feel another thread snap. “He wanted you.”
She shrugs. “I’m already taken.”
I draw in a deep breath. She lifts her hand to my face and skims her fingers along my jaw.
I groan softly and slide my hand into her hair as I lower my mouth to hers. She’s soft and sweet, and I need more of her.
Taking a fistful of her skirt, I yank her dress up around her waist and find the cotton of her panties. She gasps, and I rub her through the fabric as her fingers curl into my back. My lips find her neck and the skin in the sensitive juncture of neck and shoulder.
“Max,” she says. But it’s not the normal breathy, needy whispering of my name. The word is a warning. A yield sign. “Max.”
My hand stills and I pull back to look into her eyes. I’m blindsided by the apology I see there. “Let’s move in together.”
“What?” She blinks at me. If she’s thinking I have the world’s worst timing with important proposals, she’s not wrong.
“We could rent out our apartments and use the money to rent a little place together. Someplace without those stairs that scare the living shit out of me every time I think of you climbing them. Someplace we can make our own.” I take her hand and squeeze. “You didn’t want to move in together last spring because you knew your mom would flip if you lived with a guy before marriage, but we’re not trying to maintain appearances anymore, are we?” She looks at the floor, and I tilt her chin back up so her eyes meet mine. “I could give two shits about appearances. I want to wake up with you in my arms, Hanna. I want to know I’m going to be right there when you need me, every time you need me. You and Claire are all that matter in my world. I want everything that matters to be what I come home to every night.”
“I’m sorry.” She steps back. “I just can’t. I’m too confused right now.”
My lungs burn as I fill them—it hurts to breathe in a world where Hanna isn’t mine.
“I know it’s not fair. And I want a future with you, but…”
“But you can’t stop thinking about him.”
“I can’t move in with you right now,” she says softly. “That wouldn’t be fair to either of us. It’s not that simple.”
“You keep saying that.”
I swallow back the rest of what I want to say right along with my anger, frustration, and the betrayal I’ve never allowed myself to feel. While I was waiting for her to take my ring, she was with another man, and I was never allowed to be angry because that man died and she needed to grieve.
I drag a hand through my hair and look at the ceiling. “Was it that simple when you made love to him?”
“Can we not do this?”
Torment is etched across her face, and I can’t stand to know I’m the one who put it there. I pull her against my chest.
“I won’t rush you, but remember something for me,” I whisper into her hair. “You put on my ring.”

About the Author

Once a college English professor, I now write full time. I live in rural Indiana, where, when I’m not writing, I get to hang out with my husband and two kids–a six-year-old boy and a two-year-old hellion, er, girl. Not surprisingly, reading and writing remain my favorite activities, though both come in bits and pieces these days, not the big hunks of time I enjoyed before I had children. When I’m feeling virtuous, I like to go running (I use that word liberally. I’m really, really slow) or do yoga. Don’t worry, I’m always careful to balance out such activities with a hearty serving of ice cream or a chocolate martini.
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Burned (Ignite Trilogy, #1) by Tara Sivec

Collin and Finley are HOT HOT HOT. Let me just say that Tara Sivec never ceases to amaze me. The fact that she can jump from genre to genre so seamlessly and make each one better than the last is a real talent.  I have not read one book by her that I haven't LOVED!!

Burned had suspense, romance, humor, and had the added bonus of being scorching hot!!!! And not just because it was about firefighters!! I loved the back story of both Collin and Finley and their friends. I think Collin definitely has book boyfriend potential. He had the perfect mixture of sweetness and confidence but with just enough insecurity to make me want to hug him!! And I felt so proud of Finley for standing her ground and taking control of her life, no matter the consequences.

I can't WAIT to jump right into Branded and Scorched this fall and winter!! I have no doubt that they will keep me warm during the cold months!!

Review by Jillian

COVER REVEAL: Fate's Mistake (Los Rancheros #2) by Brandace Morrow

        

Book Title: Fate's Mistake Author: Brandace Morrow Genre: New Adult/Contemporary Romance Release Date: August 19, 2014 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

He was the perfect gentleman, and my parents adored him. In time, I learned to adore him too. I married him. He was my forever.

Until the day he hit me.

Five years went by with the speed of a ticking clock, counting down my life one painful second at a time.

Until Danny. Danny saw me. Danny was my hero.

Danny was the one I was supposed to be with. But now I’m broken, shattered into pieces too jagged to fit back together.Isn’t that what fate is? Puzzles fit together by an unseen hand to form a life worth living. So when fate makes a mistake, who fixes it?

Brandace Morrow is a full time mom of four, and currently stationed overseas with her sexy soldier. Her recent obsessions are Maroon 5, Luke Bryan, The Pretty Reckless, rum and coke, and reading, in no particular order. Despite being terribly awkward with social media, she's everywhere. Frequently subjecting the public to pictures of her minion's messes, and everything that is momdom in the Morrow house.

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Looking for Alaska by John Green

Back when I was a teenager, I used to dream about all the freedom I'd have if my mom sent me to boarding school.  I imagined an experience very much like the one in Finding Alaska, actually!

I really liked Miles. I really connected to him.  Its very uncommon for me to connect to male characters the way I did with Miles and it was a welcomed change of pace. Miles felt awkward and nerdy in his old school but he really uses his new boarding school to find a way to fit in.
Alaska is the crazy friend with the zest for life that we all wish we had.  She seems to hold nothing back and acts on her first impulses.  There is nothing shy or reserved about her.

Sadly, the downside to this story was that it was rather predictable.  While I enjoyed the read and the writing, I saw what was to come around the 25% mark.  I even remember thinking to myself, "no way that will happen, its way too obvious."  But, alas, I was wrong; it did happen just as I expected.  I think figuring things out so early the book did not have the emotional impact for me that this type of story line tends to.

Overall, I enjoyed Finding Alaska and living out my teenage fantasy though John Green's eyes.  I think this would be a great book to introduce your teen into the world of reading!
Review by Danielle

Where to buy 

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Let Love Live (The Love Series #5) by Melissa Collins

I have loved the Love Series since book one.  When I first learned about Dylan's story I wanted, no NEEDED, him to get his HEA.  I'm so glad Melissa Collins gave him that chance in Let Love Live.

For those of you considering reading Let Love Live as a stand alone, which it could really be read as (if you don't mind small spoilers for the rest of the series) I will let you know now that it is a M/M romance.   Melissa does an amazing job balancing three POVs in this novel, Dylan, Shane (Reid's brother), and Collin.  The book is written in two parts (POV wise) Dylan/Shane and then Dylan/Collin, so you are never juggling more than two POVs at one time.  This was something I really appreciated as a reader.  Sometimes it gets confusing when your reading along and trying to remember who is speaking, but I didn't find that to be the case here.

I was REALLY anxious about reading from Shane's POV.  Because I have read the rest of the Love Series, I knew a thing or two about Shane that I wasn't sure I could handle from his POV.  Shane's story was even more heart wrenching that I ever could of imagined it was.  Things are revealed in Let Love Live that I did not expect and they made my heart break even more for Shane!

You really need to read this series in its entirety.  The Love Series explores love from so many different angles its hard to describe.  I would have a hard time picking my favorite couple in this series, but Let Love Live is by far my favorite book of the series!
Review by Danielle

BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY: Let Love Live (The Love Series #5) by Melissa Collins

Who would you become if you lost the only person who ever mattered?

For twenty-six year old Dylan Hopkins, the answer is easy. He’s become no one. Memories of the happier times are all he has left as he finds himself meandering numbly through his now dull life. Though he cares about his work and family dearly, he’s yet to let himself find love again. Afraid of letting go of what he once had, Dylan chooses to keep his heart buried, where it belongs, having died a long time ago. 

Conner Michelson is about to change everything Dylan knows. He’s every bit the bad boy persona - tatted up, ex-MMA fighter, but after an injury leaves him unable to fight, he has to rethink his goals. Having just opened his own gym, Conner can cross his first major life accomplishment off his very short list. Next up: find a man he can settle down with and build a family. Seems simple enough - a dream most people have, but when he meets Dylan, his carefree, easy-going life is thrown into a tailspin. 

Determined to keep Dylan in his life, Conner vows to resurrect Dylan's long ago buried heart and let love live once more.

Where to buy

Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Review

I have loved the Love Series since book one.  When I first learned about Dylan's story I wanted, no NEEDED, him to get his HEA.  I'm so glad Melissa Collins gave him that chance in Let Love Live.

For those of you considering reading Let Love Live as a stand alone, which it could really be read as (if you don't mind small spoilers for the rest of the series) I will let you know now that it is a M/M romance.   Melissa does an amazing job balancing three POVs in this novel, Dylan, Shane (Reid's brother), and Collin.  The book is written in two parts (POV wise) Dylan/Shane and then Dylan/Collin, so you are never juggling more than two POVs at one time.  This was something I really appreciated as a reader.  Sometimes it gets confusing when your reading along and trying to remember who is speaking, but I didn't find that to be the case here.

I was REALLY anxious about reading from Shane's POV.  Because I have read the rest of the Love Series, I knew a thing or two about Shane that I wasn't sure I could handle from his POV.  Shane's story was even more heart wrenching that I ever could of imagined it was.  Things are revealed in Let Love Live that I did not expect and they made my heart break even more for Shane!

You really need to read this series in its entirety.  The Love Series explores love from so many different angles its hard to describe.  I would have a hard time picking my favorite couple in this series, but Let Love Live is by far my favorite book of the series!
Review by Danielle

About the author

Melissa Collins has always been a book worm. Studying Literature in college ensured that her nose was always stuck in a book. She followed her passion for reading to the most logical career choice: English teacher. Her hope was to share her passion for reading and the escapism of books to her students. Having spent more than a decade in front of a classroom, she can easily say that it’s been a dream. 

Her passion for writing didn’t start until more recently. When she was home on maternity leave in early 2012, she read her first romance novel and her head filled with the passion, angst and laughter of the characters who she read about it. It wasn’t long before characters of her own took shape in her mind. Their lives took over Melissa’s brain and The Love Series was born.

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COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY: Uncivilized by Sawyer Bennett

**Warning: This book is a wild, sexy beast of a read. 18+**

Putting a woman on her knees before me is what really makes my cock hard. I fuck with dominant force and absolute control. I demand complete surrender from my conquests.
  Savage man, loner, warrior… I am dangerous at my core. I have lived amidst the untamed wild of the rainforest, in a society that reveres me and where every woman falls before me in subjugation.
Now I’ve been discovered. Forced to return to a world that I have forgotten about and to a culture that is only vaguely familiar to my senses.
Dr. Moira Reed is an anthropologist who has been hired to help me transition back into modern society. It’s her job to smooth away my rough edges… to teach me how to navigate properly through this new life of mine. She wants to tame me.
She’ll never win.
I am wild, free and raw, and the only thing I want from the beautiful Moira Reed is to fuck her into submission.
She wants it, I am certain.
I will give it to her soon.
Yes, very soon, I will become the teacher and she will become my student. And when I am finished showing her body pleasure like no other, she’ll know what it feels like to be claimed by an uncivilized man.

Add to your Goodreads TBR list!

About the author

USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

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Busy Dizzy by Orly Katz

This is a really cute children's E book with a great message.  Baby Girl frequently requests to read about the "dizzies."  Katz does a good job of explaining negative feelings in a way kids can understand while giving them a coping mechanism to deal with those feelings, or "dizzies."

This book opened up a discussion for me and Baby Girl (well as much of a discussion you have with a 4 year old) about some of the more frequent dizzies that bother her.  Since Baby Girl LOVES to do crafts we took the book's suggestion on drawing a few dizzies of our own and she really loved putting a "face" to the emotions.  She loves to tell her dizzies to go away, tossing the pictures helped too. :)

If your just looking for a cute read or looking for help learning to manage feelings, Busy Dizzy is a fun, nicely illustrated read for your toddler or pre-schooler.
Review by Danielle

COVER REVEAL: Sugar on the Edge (On The Rocks #3) by Sawyer Bennett

He’s utterly alone…
Tortured and existing in a dark spiral of despair, bestselling British author, Gavin Cooke, has come to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to escape the seedy lifestyle he had been living in London and in a desperate attempt to regain his writing focus. He’s twisted, bitter and angry at the world. He’s a loner… needing not a single thing other than his Scotch and a laptop upon which he can bang out his next erotic, dark thriller.

She’s running in place and getting nowhere…
Savannah Shepherd’s life is falling apart. Her dream of being a wildlife photographer seems a distant memory and she’s barely able to make ends meet. Driving herself forward with no clear goals apparent, she’s about ready to pack up her bags and head home with her tail between her legs.

Two unlikely lovers…
He’s raw, forceful and a dirty talker. She’s a flowers and romance type of girl. Yet within each other, they find a mutual craving that can only be satisfied by giving in to their desires for one another.
Lust turns into something more… something they were not looking for but tentatively accept. Will it be enough to push them past the obstacles of Gavin’s bitter past?

*SUGAR ON THE EDGE can be read as a stand-alone*

Adult Contemporary Romance

Releasing July 28, 2014

Add to your Goodreads TBR list!

About the author

USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

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The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

I purchased the audiobook of The Storyteller and was hooked from the very beginning, just as I expected from a Jodi Picoult novel. I absolutely love this author. She weaves an intricate web of plot twists that make it almost impossible to discuss the book without revealing spoilers. I found myself hurrying up my daily plans so I could spare some time to listen to this audio (even volunteering to go to the store solo so I could listen to it on my ipod in the car). Picoult always proposes controversial “what if” topics. In this book, she writes about a  former Nazi SS guard of Auschwitz who asks a woman (whose grandmother is a survivor of the holocaust) to kill him but only after forgiving him of his past. There are a lot of side plots (including a vampire story) that all come together at the end. I was very grateful that the audiobook had several narrators so I was able to understand more readily when a side story came about.

This is the second audiobook by Jodi Picoult that I have listened to even though I prefer to read her books so I can create the voices and characters more easily in my head. However, I was not disappointed and I seriously loved this book. I usually try to form my own theories while I read, but I found myself being controlled like a puppet while the puppeteer (Picoult) led me along on a wonderful journey and I kept wondering what other twist she was about to throw my way. I didn’t want to guess because I didn’t want to ruin it for myself later on in case I was right. I just wanted to experience the journey how she intended us to: to trust her to let the characters determine what they felt was justifiable (kill Josef, forgive him, or call the authorities and let him answer to the law). Picoult’s books don’t necessarily have a HEA; they are more humanistic (real and raw and perhaps bittersweet) and I expected nothing less from this book. I’ll let you read/listen to The Storyteller and let me know if you think justice was served. Personally, I’m not sure what I would do in that scenario, especially after learning all Sage learned throughout the book. It’s definitely a what if that will get you thinking. 

Review by Amber