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Release Day - Fire Destined, Book Three of the Alyx Rayer Trilogy

Happy Monday, Angels! In case you haven't heard, my amazing publisher, Foundations, LLC, has released Fire Destined, the third and FINAL book of the Alyx Rayer Trilogy, and today's the big day! Please see below for links to purchase your shiny new copies.

Love to all
xoxo

SJ

Here's the Summary:

Fire… this was her destiny. She would leave this world in fire and hopefully right all of these terrible wrongs.

In this final installment of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles, follow Alyx and Micah as they travel back to the hell that once was Earth in search of Serpious and his legion, as well as the only thing they have left to care about now - revenge.

May not be suitable for YA.

Available at the following retailers for $2.99:

AMAZON | AMAZON UK | BARNES AND NOBLE | APPLE | KOBO

Release Day - Fate Tethered, Book Two of the Alyx Rayer Trilogy

Happy Monday, Angels! In case you haven't heard, my amazing publisher, Foundations, LLC, has released Fate Tethered, Book Two of the Alyx Rayer Trilogy, and today's the big day! Please see below for links to purchase your shiny new copies.

Love to all
xoxo

SJ

Here's the Summary:

Where fate would take the both of them now, Isaac wasn't sure, but either way their paths were irrevocably tethered.

Hurled into the midst of a holy war between the sinister fallen Angel of War and their beloved Creator, gifted humans, Angels, and Spirit Guides unite to create a formidable, ethereal army. With the imminent battle only days away, continue to follow the story that captivated your hearts as a Protector Angel named Alyx struggles with her own inner conflicts between right and wrong, love and honor.

Passionate, engaging, and filled with surprising twists and turns -- see where fate will lead our beloved Angel next in this second installment of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles.

May not be suitable for YA.

Available at the following retailers for $2.99:

AMAZON | AMAZON UK | BARNES AND NOBLE | APPLE | KOBO

Cover Reveal - Fate Tethered, The Alyx Rayer Trilogy Book Two

Angels! I won't bore you with a bunch of blah blah blah in this post so I can get right to the good stuff - the HAWT cover below for Book Two of the Alyx Rayer Trilogy (releases August 7th)! Who's the guy on the cover, you ask? That's a new love interest for our fantastically flawed Angel, Alyx. Isn't she a lucky little minx?

And don't forget to follow my Facebook Page for all the latest updates and giveaways! A BIG THANKS to my publisher Foundations, LLC and their amazing cover designer, Dawne Dominique of DusktilDawn Designs, for giving this previously released series a face lift!

Love to all xoxo

SJ

Here's the Summary:

"Where fate would take the both of them now, Isaac wasn’t sure, but either way their paths were irrevocably tethered." 

Hurled into the midst of a holy war between the sinister fallen Angel of War and their beloved Creator, gifted humans, Angels, and Spirit Guides unite to create a formidable, ethereal army. With the imminent battle only days away, continue to follow the story that captivated your hearts as a Protector Angel named Alyx struggles with her own inner conflicts between right and wrong, love and honor.

Passionate, engaging, and filled with surprising twists and turns -- see where fate will lead our beloved Angel next in this second installment of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles.

May not be suitable for YA.

Release Day - Vengeance Marked, Book One of the Alyx Rayer Trilogy

Happy Monday, Angels! In case you haven't heard, my amazing publisher, Foundations, LLC, has released Vengeance Marked, Book One the Alyx Rayer Trilogy, and today's the big day! Please see below for links to purchase your shiny new copies.

Love to all
xoxo

SJ

Here's the Summary:

Her Marked was more than just precious to her, he was precious in ways the world could only fathom. If she failed, she failed everyone.

Alyx Rayer's existence in Atlanta, the eternally bustling capital of Georgia, is one of routine and blending in among the worker bees. But her 'normal' life is a facade for a higher calling. She's a three-hundred-year-old soul, sent from the darkness to capture her Marked when summoned by her superiors. Until then, she'd supposed to keep her distance.Except... something about him makes it hard to stay away.

While already trapped between honor and desire, a man in a black suit continually shows up when she least expects it, his presence evoking a strange response from the scar she was branded with at birth. Because her superiors never told her what this would mean, or much of anything except what to do when they summon, she can only conclude to try and keep her sanity-and her life-from completely shattering to pieces.

This engaging first book of the series is a Paranormal Romance novel interlaced with twists, turns and thrilling suspense that is sure to satisfy readers of any genre.

Available at the following retailers for $2.99:

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | APPLE | KOBO 

Cover Reveal - Vengeance Marked, The Alyx Rayer Trilogy Book One

Angels! If you've read my Alyx Rayer Series, you know it's closely tied to my bestselling Captivated Series, and now it's getting a face lift! Same story, new cover. EEEK! And yes, all of the Alyx Rayer books have been pulled from online so my publisher can re-release them, but never fear, these will all be released again by Feb 2018. That's a new release every other month! You're welcome. ;)

Now... feast your eyes on the pretty little cover baby below for Book One (which releases June 5th) and don't forget to follow my Facebook Page for all the latest updates! A BIG THANKS to my publisher Foundations, LLC and their amazing cover designer, Dawne Dominique of DusktilDawn Designs. I couldn't have imagined a better cover!

Love to all xoxo

SJ

Release Day - Shine with Me, Book Three of the Captivated Series

Happy Monday, Angels! In case you haven't heard, my amazing publisher, Foundations, LLC, has released Shine with Me, the third and FINAL book of the Captivated Series, and today's the big day! Please see below for links to purchase your shiny new copies.

Also, don't forget to join us on Facebook here for the release party! I'll have some lovely little teasers, games, giveaways, and more!

Love to all
xoxo

SJ

Here's the Summary:

The darkness is coming...

After Lilliana threatens to come back and extinguish everyone at the compound, their leadership decides to take a final stand against the woman whose family has been terrorizing them for years. In this last installment of the bestselling Captivated Series, follow Kat and Gabriel as they help prepare for battle against a conjurer who has become darker than anyone could have fathomed. Will their love be enough to shine through it?

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.

Available at the following retailers for $2.99:

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | APPLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS

New Release Spotlight - War and Pieces by Tia Silverthorne Bach and N.L. Greene!

Happy Monday, Angels! Guess what? Today's the big day for some fabulous author friends of mine! There's a ton of info in this post, so stay with it until the end! But let's get to the good stuff: War and Pieces release day information!

Title: War and Pieces ~ Frayed Fairy Tales - Season 1: Episode 1

Authors: Tia Silverthorne Bach and N. L. Greene

Genre: Mature YA

Length: ~10k words

Buy Links: AMAZON | SMASHWORDS | BARNES AND NOBLE | APPLE

All are just $0.99! 

Blurb:

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there were zombies…

That’s how it all started. Authors have created a major problem with stories like Cinder, The Dark Queen, and Asleep, and it’s wreaking havoc here in Ever After. Our queens are fighting for their lives.

Rather like Mother Nature, keeper of the fine balance that’s life in
your world, tales that begin with “Once upon a time” were never meant to be messed with.

Now, Ariel is underwater with all the defenses she’s been launching, Aurora hasn’t slept in weeks, and Rapunzel is tangled in… Well, I can’t even begin to tell you.

Rather than try, I’ll let you see for yourself. You and I will talk
again afterward—if I survive long enough. So, as our fateful story
begins:

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away…

~~~

Start the serial series now, and get ready for a wild ride. We have 10k words scheduled to release every other day through the end of June. Yeah, it's a big story! But you don't wanna miss it.

Join our fan group on Facebook to keep up with the books, join the release day party, and enter to win some cool prizes this week while we release all of Season 1.

Join the Federation of the Ferocious 5

Pop on over to the voting group (you don't have to join to vote), and vote on your favorite fan art shoe entry!

War and Pieces POPUP Voting Group

Upcoming Release - Shine with Me, Book Three of the Captivated Series!

Angels! In just a little over two weeks, you'll get to see how it all ends! Shine with Me is jam-packed with action, suspense, and a whole lot of feels! Don't forget to check back here on my website or sign up for my mailing list if you want a reminder when it releases on the 8th.

And, of course, follow my Facebook page for teasers and upcoming giveaways!

Love to all xoxo

COMING MAY 8TH:

Re-release Day - Lilliana, Book 1.5 of the Captivated Series

Happy Monday, Angels! In case you haven't heard, my amazing publisher, Foundations, LLC, is re-releasing Lilliana, and today is the big day! Please see below for links to purchase your shiny new copies.

Also, don't forget to join us on Facebook here for the release party! I'll post a book trailer, some teasers, games, and giveaways!

Love to all
xoxo

SJ

Here's the Summary:

This novella is meant to be read after Fight for Me.

The last living LaRoux sister is pissed and out for revenge. In "Lilliana," the second and final novella to the Captivated Series, follow the brazen, immortal dark conjurer as she sets out on a quest to make her sisters' killers pay.

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.

Available at the following retailers for $2.99:

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | APPLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS

New Release and Giveaway - War and Pieces Adult Coloring Book by the Ferocious 5

Angels, I have something super cool to share with you today! The Ferocious 5 (a grouping of ferociously talented authors) are coming out with the first season of their Frayed Fairy Tales serial collection in April! Until then, they've released an adult coloring book... and are holding a COLORING CONTEST! Yes, you heard that right! See below for all the details.

xoxo
SJ

War and Pieces: Adult Coloring Book

Summary:

Inside the pages of this fun, adult coloring book, you'll find all the shoes from the covers of the Frayed Fairy Tales books, a name page for each of the queens, a page where you can design your own awesome shoe, and a cool F5 logo.

Be sure you grab Season 1: Episode 1 - You don't want to miss this series!

About the books:

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there were zombies...

That's how it all started. Authors have created a major problem with stories like Cinder, The Dark Queen, and Asleep, and it's wreaking havoc here in Ever After. Our queens are fighting for their lives.

Rather like Mother Nature, keeper of the fine balance that's life in your world, tales that begin with "Once upon a time" were never meant to be messed with.

Now, Ariel is underwater with all the defenses she's been launching, Aurora hasn't slept in weeks, and Rapunzel is tangled in... Well, I can't even begin to tell you.

Rather than try, I'll let you see for yourself. You and I will talk again afterward--if I survive long enough. So, as our fateful story begins:

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away...

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

How to Enter:

From the publication of the War and Pieces coloring book until April 14, 2017, color as many shoe pages as you like (name pages won’t count, nor will the design your own royal shoe), scan or photograph them, and post them on Instagram, Twitter, and/or Pinterest. Be sure to tag your posts with:

#Frayed5 and #F5PinToWin

Each social media instance will count as one entry.

The Ferocious Five will review all entries and pick our three favorites for each cover.

On April 22, 2017, we’ll announce the finalists and share your images with the public.

From April 24, 2017 – April 30, 2017, the public will vote via social media likes and shares and select the winner for each cover.

Winners will be contacted by social media and will have one week to respond with their mailing address. If you don’t answer, the prize will go to the second place winner, and so on. Please add SevenAuthors@yahoo.com to your approved sender list.

What You'll Win:

Winners will receive a 5.5”x8.5” print of the book cover for their winning season, signed by all the F5 authors, permanent display of their artwork on frayedfairytales.com, and an exclusive War and Pieces swag pack.

Open internationally!

My Giveaway:

I'm holding a giveaway for a copy of this fabulous coloring book on my author Facebook page! Just look for the pinned post. The giveaway will run two weeks!

All the Pretty Covers:

Pre-order the first season NOW for $0.99:

AMAZON

Join the Facebook Group:

JOIN HERE!

Check out the Trailer:

Re-release Day - Iris, Book 1.5 of the Captivated Series

Happy Monday, Angels! In case you haven't heard, my amazing publisher, Foundations, LLC, is re-releasing Iris, and today is the big day! Please see below for links to purchase your shiny new copies.

Also, don't forget to join us on Facebook here for the release party! I'll post a book trailer, some teasers, games, and giveaways!

Love to all
xoxo

SJ

Here's the Summary:

"I really loved this book. You never think you'll feel something for the bad guy, but this book sticks it to you." ~ Amazon Reviewer

***This novella is meant to be read after Captivate Me***

Set before the events in Book One of the Captivated Series, Iris explores the depths of family bonds, new bonds, and the lengths a person would go to save the life of a dying sibling. In this novella, get to know Iris and her two sisters more intimately, as well as Gabriel, the first angel-human hybrid who agrees to live under her protection.

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.

Where to Buy:

Available at the following retailers for $2.99:

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | APPLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS

Book Review - Distant Thunder by Dennis Sharpe

Publication Date: August 21st, 2016

Genre: Paranormal Thriller/ Horror

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

Here's the Summary:

You can take the dead girl out of the country…

Veronica Fischer, small-town bloodsucking madam, is an orphan or at least she finally feels that way. Jules, the one who made her, is gone and cleaning up after him isn't something she ever thought she'd have to do.

While her hometown seems to be turning against her, she’s forced to set off for the bright lights of the big city with a carload of her dysfunctional supernatural family, hoping not to have to face the Dragon of Chicago.

Now she has to rescue a sister she didn't know she had, keep Rachel—her adopted 8-year-old ghost—safe, and try to keep Pekin from unraveling under the onset of the coming storm. 

Sex, violence, and cryptic undead prophecy—all for fun and profit.

My Thoughts:

Wow! What a wild ride this was. There were a lot more elements to the story this time around, and while there was also more to keep up with, and by nature a lot of jumping around, Mr. Sharpe made it easy for us to follow what was going on. So not only were the different story lines well-crafted and entertaining, it was well-written. Bravo!

So lets get down to specifics, shall we? V was just as bad-ass and lovable this time around! I simply adore her character. And her scenes and romance with Garrett, while kind of sporadic in this one, felt a good bit deeper and a lot steamier! I was happy to see their relationship evolve.

Speaking of evolving - the antagonists in this one were a lot more sinister, and when we finally see who's behind it all (the coming storm, that is),  it's a complete shocker! And I'm not saying that with sarcasm. I seriously didn't see it coming. And to make things just a touch harrier, there's a crazy cat lady thrown in there too (pun intended), as well as an ancient vampire nicknamed the Dragon. I was glued to the pages to see how it would all end!

And of course, I can't end the review without talking about the supporting characters! We're introduced to some new ones like Lorelei, who, if I'm completely honest, was a fantastic addition to the story. She added unintentional humor and levity to otherwise bleak situations, but she was also a tad haunting. Her naive, childlike spirit in combination with her advanced gift of reading people made for one of the most interesting characters I've ever read. Frank, V's right-hand-man, was as broody and conflicted as ever, and Sunny was her typical petulant bad-ass self, as well! I really hope Mr. Sharpe continues this series forever and ever. Consider that my formal request ;)

So in short, if you were thinking Book Two would be just as riveting and entertaining as the first, you'd be wrong! It was so much more!

Favorite quote: 

"Fingers move like flames, dancing over exposed flesh, and I'm awash. Just touching him and being touched is a thousand little releases. I realize that there are now parts of my mind and my emotions, normally so well-guarded, that are completely open to him. I'm laid bare before him and thrusting myself upon him and yet I'm completely unafraid."

About the Author:

Born and raised in the middle of the American Midwest, Dennis Sharpe has been a writer as long as he can remember. His mother has told many people about the fantasy and science fiction stories he'd write on scraps of paper, and staple together as his 'books', before he'd attended his first day of formal education.

He has spent many late nights at diners and dives, drinking coffee with a tattered notebook to put a voice to his feelings of himself and the world around him, and other worlds that can exist only in fiction. The voices in his head don't ever stop talking to him, and so sooner or later he has to get out onto a page all that they've filled him up with.

Inspired by Neil Gaiman, Kurt Vonnegut, Frank Miller, Chrissie Pappas, Charles Bukowski, Stephen King, Issac Asimov, and countless classic literary influences, Dennis continues with the ability to write what at a glance might seem absurd, but quickly begins to resonate with our own thoughts and emotions. He writes people we know, love we've known and lost (and found again), and places we've been in our lives and in our heads. Even his fictional characters and worlds carry enough of the grey areas we experience in day-to-day life, to let us find the truth in his words, no matter how fantastic.

These days he can be found still writing, drinking coffee with friends, or spending time with his children (the true joys of his life), in Western Kentucky.

Blog: http://witlesslackey.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDennisSharpe

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Witlesslackey

Re-relase Day - Fight for Me, Book Two of the Captivated Series

Happy Friday, Angels! In case you haven't heard, my amazing publisher, Foundations, LLC, is re-releasing Fight for Me, and today is the big day! Please see below for links to purchase your shiny new copies.

Also, don't forget to join us on Facebook here for the release party! I'll post a book trailer, some teasers, games, and giveaways!

Love to all
xoxo

SJ

Here's the Summary:

"Fight for Me is an electrifying mix of sweet romance and riveting fantasy." - Alyssa, Book Huntress' World Blog

A fresh start - something Kat and Gabriel thought they would find when they left their pasts behind at Midland Pines High and moved to a compound for hybrids. Or at least safety from a witch seeking revenge. But... that's all changed. Thanks to a flirty hybrid hell-bent on winning Gabriel's attention, the terrifying visions of another prophetic Gifted, and the strange and worrisome behavior of one of their closest friends, Kat finds herself fighting for things that had once come so easily, including her relationship with her soulmate. And now she's afraid.

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.

Where to Buy:

Available at the following retailers for $2.99:

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | APPLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS

Book Review - Emancipation by Jo Michaels

Publication Date: March 19th, 2016

Genre: Psychological Thriller

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

Here's the Summary:

Tobias Butler has been sitting on death row since being sentenced for a gruesome murder in 2007. Bored out of his mind, he decided to apply to the online penpal program in 2012. It's a pleasant distraction—nothing more, nothing less—for three years, until he's contacted by a beautiful, smart young lawyer named Jess. She's convinced he's innocent and wants to see him freed. As they organize their attack on the judicial system, he wonders how she plans to get his conviction overturned—because he's guilty, and he knows it. Jess is desperate to release him—and he's desperate to feel his hands squeeze the life out of her once she does.

My Thoughts:

Emancipation was easily one of my top reads for 2016. I would even go so far as to say it was my FAVORITE read of 2016. Why? Because I rate a book based on how much it pulls me in and makes me forget it's fiction, and Ms. Jo Michaels succeeded by leaps and bounds. Not once was I jarred out of the story because of typos, inconsistencies, sloppy prose, or unrealistic writing. I BELIEVED I was in Tobias' mind. For the duration of the book, I was in the mind of a serial killer. Now that's not to say that at times the story didn't jar me in some way and I had to set the book down for a moment and catch my breath, but it wasn't because of anything other than because Tobias is a sick, sick man. And if you read this book looking for ANY type of "love conquers all" or "bad boy romance" type stuff, you'll be sorely disappointed. The only way you need to approach this book is with an open mind and a stiff drink, because after the last couple of chapters, you're going to need it. Also, not that this really needs to be said since you've been warned about being in the mind of a serial killer, but if you can't take cussing, dark thoughts, or disturbing imagery, then I would pick up a nice little cozy mystery or something.

Lets move on to the other characters in the story. I've already covered that Tobias is a sick man and how well Ms. Michaels portrays him, but lets not let that overshadow the leading lady, Jessica Phang (love the name, by the way!). Ms. Phang is a rich, busty attorney whose life goal is to get Tobias out of prison. Why? Because she's followed his case since law school and knows in her marrow he's innocent... even though he's not. She's feisty and driven, and even a little slutty, but don't let that fool you; Ms. Phang has secrets too, and by the end of it all you'll realize she's much, much more. The other character worth mentioning is Tobias' cell mate, Hector (aka Rooster). On the outside, he's a rough-around-the-edges gangster, on the inside, he's a scared man just trying to not make enemies or be on the wrong end of a shank. That's good character development, my lovelies, and it also gives us a character to relate to. Who wouldn't be scared out of their mind in prison?

Lastly, the pacing was perfect for a Psychological Thriller. Not at any point was I bored. All elements of the story were also nicely layered and pieced together. But like I said before, this was my favorite read of 2016. There wasn't a thing about it I didn't like.

So in short, if you're looking for an entertaining, dark and twisty read, this novel is for you!

Favorite quote: 

“There was no other feeling like it. He'd done research on drug addicts and what drove them, and his body reacted in much the same way. It wasn't just the pleasure driving him, it was the relief from the agony.”

About the Author:

Hi, I'm Jo. Let's forget all the "Jo Michaels is blah, blah, blah" stuff and just go with it. I'm a voracious reader (often reading more than one book at a time), a writer, a book reviewer, a mom, a wife, and one of the EICs at INDIE Books Gone Wild. I have an almost photographic memory and tend to make people cringe at the number of details I can recall about them and/or their book(s). My imagination follows me around like a conjoined twin and causes me to space out pretty often or laugh out loud randomly in completely inappropriate situations.

I have a degree in graphic design, and my journey to the end was one few students who begin that program ever complete. However, this was one case where my memory and OCD tendencies helped me. Graduation was one of the most amazing days of my life. But, my most amazing day was when my now husband proposed. Every little girl dreams of being Cinderella someday, and he pulled off the proposal of fantasies.

Find her at: http://jomichaels.blogspot.com/

Re-release Day - Captivate Me

Happy Monday, Angels! In case you haven't heard, my amazing publisher, Foundations, LLC, is re-releasing Captivate Me, and today is the big day! Please see below for links to purchase your shiny new copies.

Also, don't forget to join us on Facebook here for the release party! I'll post a book trailer, some teasers, games, and giveaways!

Love to all
xoxo

SJ

Here's the Summary:

All seventeen-year-old Kathrin Walsh wanted when she transferred to a school for the Gifted was to feel accepted and normal, and she does... mostly. But when dreams of another boy make her question her relationship, kids go missing, and she learns something troubling about what she is and why her future will forever be altered, she quickly realizes that 'normal' is only an illusion, and that love can walk a fine line between captivating and maddening, or even worse - it can make you abandon all trace of reason. Love can be deadly.

From the bestselling author of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles, comes a refreshingly different Young Adult series with plenty of love, suspense, and a new take on the Paranormal.

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.

Where to Buy:

Captivate Me is at the following retailers for $2.99:

AMAZON | AMAZON UK| BARNES AND NOBLE| KOBO| SMASHWORDS

Book Review - Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

Publication Date: April 2016

Genre: Mystery/ Thriller

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

Here's the Summary:

HER PERFECT LIFE IS A PERFECT LIE.

As a teenager at the prestigious Bradley School, Ani FaNelli endured a shocking, public humiliation that left her desperate to reinvent herself. Now, with a glamorous job, expensive wardrobe, and handsome blue blood fiancé, she’s this close to living the perfect life she’s worked so hard to achieve.

But Ani has a secret.

There’s something else buried in her past that still haunts her, something private and painful that threatens to bubble to the surface and destroy everything.

With a singular voice and twists you won’t see coming, Luckiest Girl Alive explores the unbearable pressure that so many women feel to “have it all” and introduces a heroine whose sharp edges and cutthroat ambition have been protecting a scandalous truth, and a heart that's bigger than it first appears.

The question remains: will breaking her silence destroy all that she has worked for—or, will it at long last, set Ani free?

My Thoughts:

I have to admit, the book was hard for me to get into at first. Ani isn't a character you instantly warm to. She's materialistic, judgmental, and has a perpetual chip on her shoulder. There wasn't a single part of her personality I could relate to. HOWEVER, the deeper you delve into the story, the more you realize why she is the was she is. It was because of the tragedy and humiliation she had to overcome. She wanted to reinvent herself. And really, who could blame her!

What I WILL say about Mrs. Knoll's writing is that it's richly textured and razor-sharp. It's something to be admired! Her knack for descriptions and character development are what kept me hooked. And when you get to the scene that everything builds to (and believe me, you'll know what scene I'm talking about), you'll be glued to the pages until the end. Not to mention, even though the flashbacks in the book were set in the 90's, there are several relevant life lessons that every teenager needs to hear. Well done, Ms. Knoll!

Favorite quote: 

“Moving on doesn’t mean you don’t talk about it. Or hurt about it. It’s always going to hurt.”

About the Author:

Jessica Knoll has been a senior editor at Cosmopolitan, and the articles editor at SELF. She grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and graduated from The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. She lives in New York City with her husband.

Find her at: http://www.jessicaknoll.com

Music Crush Monday - Running From the Night by GAIT

Happy Monday, angels! It's the beginning of a new week (hooray!) and today I have a treat for all of your pretty little ears - the song I've officially dubbed as the theme song for Book Three of the Captivated Series. And yes, I'm still hard at work to bring you a killer conclusion to the series, but I had to take a break from my writing dungeon to share this with you.

Why is this song so perfect, you ask? Because it's about deciding not to run from the dark anymore and face it head on. How incredibly perfect, right???

So have a little listen below, and don't forget to hop on over to my Facebook page and check out the giveaway for it (you'll have to scroll down a bit)! GAITS is offering over a free download of the song! How amazing are they?

Love to all
xoxo

SJ

Running From the Night by GAITS

Book Review - Harley and Rose by Carmen Jenner

Publication Date: October 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

Here's the Summary:

Ever since she was a little girl, thirty-year-old Rose dreamed of the day Harley would carry her across the threshold on their honeymoon. So what if this isn’t her actual wedding day, and that she’s only here because Harley was left at the altar just a few hours earlier?

Trading San Francisco for paradise and swapping her bridesmaid’s bouquet for a Blue Hawaii, Rose hopes she can finally escape the friend zone.

Once upon a time they had been more than friends, but life got in the way. She’s spent every day since wishing Harley would get a clue.

She’s always been his best friend.

He’s always been hers.

She’s in love with him.

He’s … not in love with her.

He’s … marrying someone else.

He’s … hiding something.

He’s … well—it’s complicated.

My Thoughts:

Okay so let me preface this review with saying that I didn't realize what I was getting myself into with this book. This is the very first story I've delved into from the author. I'd heard great things about her, saw great things about her work, and when the opportunity came up to review her recent novel, I took the plunge. And if you know me well, you know that I typically don't invest in stories that aren't paranormal or supernatural in nature (and certainly not to the point of committing time to review one) unless I feel like it's worth my precious time. I'd bore you with the details of my oh so busy life, but you all get it because we're all busy, and I'm knee deep in writing my last novel of my current series, so time. is. precious.

So what made me commit? I kept hearing how this story would tear my heart out, and how wonderfully strong and broken the heroine (Rose) is, so I knew immediately this story had the promise of depth. And that's something, whether paranormal or not, that can make anyone appreciate the ride, so I thought "why not? I'd love to see what this is about."

And I'm glad I never looked back.

There aren't many stories out there that make me cry, but holy cow, did this one achieve that. Again, Rose is so beautifully broken and strong (which someone could only be after being so broken), and she shares a relationship with "Lost Boy" Harley that most people long for their entire lives, but yet... they can't ever seem to quite get in sync (despite their sizzling chemistry),  and so the story spirals them into a roller coaster of hurt and desperation. I had an idea of what I thought this book was going to be and left it completely shattered. Despite how much I was rooting for them, this is not a happy, feel good romance. This is real. This is LIFE, people. But Carmen also knows how to weave a story with just enough humor to keep it balanced.

And because I don't want to give ANY part of this book away, I'll have to stop there, but I beg you... read this book!

PS - LOVE all the references to Peter Pan! It gives it that extra layer of magic that makes it so special.

Favorite quote: 

"It’s why I call him Pan. He’s the original lost boy, and he’s always been so damn good at getting me to follow behind him like a lovesick Wendy with Peter."

About the Author:

Carmen Jenner is a thirty-something, USA TODAY and international bestselling author of the Sugartown, Savage Saints, and Taint series.
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 MAC 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?

Find her here: http://www.carmenjenner.com/

Book Review and Giveaway - Edge of Wild by Danika Stone

Publication Date: May 2016

Genre: Mystery/ Thriller

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

Here's the Summary:

Transplanted from New York City to the tiny mountain town of Waterton, Alberta with the task of saving a floundering new hotel, Rich Evans is desperate to return to the city as soon as he can. The locals seem unusually hostile towards his efforts, or maybe even menacing, and was that a cougar on his door-step last night? As Rich begins to wonder whether his predecessor disappeared of his own accord, he finds himself strongly drawn to Louise Newman, the garage mechanic who is fixing his suddenly unreliable BMW, and the only person in Waterton who doesn’t seem desperate to run him out of town. As Rich works on the hotel, the town is torn apart by a series of gruesome, unsolved murders. With Louise as his only ally in a town that seems set against him, Rich can’t help but wonder: will he be the next victim?

My Thoughts:

Holy cow! Where do I start with this one? First, the author can write descriptions like nobody's business. Case in point:

"Unlike the marinas in larger communities, Waterton's waterfront had no life after the sun went down. The main walkway was bare, spectral shadows cast from the trees overhead dancing in the the golden circles of street lamps. The shoreline, with its slope-roofed buildings, was eerily abandoned; a circular parking lot, bustling during daylight hours was empty save for a single motorcycle."

Ms. Stone has some writing chops, and that always makes it easier to get into a story when your eyes aren't constantly fumbling over sentences. I also liked the richness of the setting and her characters. Her lead female, Lou, is an attractive auto mechanic with visions of past lives and is funny and caring and sweet. And Rich... a go-get-em business man who's just trying to keep it together while he cleans up the messes his predecessor made with the new hotel in town, all while he's being stalked and his cabin broken into... and oh, yeah - as he deals with the prickly townspeople who don't want anything to do with the changes he wants to make to their beloved small town. Throw in some murders, some determined cops, some sweet, steamy scenes between Lou and Rich, and you've got one heck of a Crime Thriller. But I'll stop there, because us authors work really hard to give you the best story possible, and I can't stand the thought of ruining anything. But what I will say is that the ending won't disappoint!

Well done, Danika! Can't wait to read the rest of the books in your catalog!

Favorite quote: 

“Sometimes you have to wait out the night,” she said quietly “Morning always comes.”

GIVEAWAY! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

Danika Stone is an author, artist, and educator who discovered a passion for writing fiction while in the throes of her Masters thesis. A self-declared bibliophile, Danika now writes novels for both adults (The Intaglio Series, Edge of Wild and Ctrl Z) and teens (Icarus, and All the Feels). When not writing, Danika can be found hiking in the Rockies, planning grand adventures, and spending far too much time online. She lives with her husband, three sons, and a houseful of imaginary characters in a windy corner of Alberta, Canada.

Find her here: http://www.danikastone.com/