Genre: Contemporary Romance

Callie Mills never intended to return to New Orleans and the life she left behind more than a decade ago. There was no need to open old wounds when she had the life she’d worked hard for in Denver. But when she’s fired from her awesome job in Colorado and her father dies, she has no choice but to return home to run the derelict bar left to her in the heart of the French Quarter. Callie must not only face bad memories but turn The Odyssey into something she can be proud of.

 

And who better to help bring in crowds of people than Declan Boudreaux?

 

Declan is a sought-after musician who knows he’s good at what he does and loves doing it. Known to pack the house, he also loves women and doesn’t expect to be knocked back a step by the beautiful new owner of The Odyssey. Callie is sharp, gorgeous and funny, and makes him yearn for something he never has before… Commitment.

 

But when Callie’s able to turn the business around with renovations, making it one of the hottest bars in the Quarter, will she sell out and leave her past behind once and for all, or will Declan be able to convince her that’s she’s where she needed to be all along…in his arms.

Kristen did it again!  I am so in love with Callie and Declan it’s ridiculous.  The Boudreaux Series is absolutely addictive and I am HOOKED! Check out my review for Easy Love, the first book in the series.

Title:Easy Love (The Boudreaux Series, Book #1)

Author: Kristen Proby

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance

Eli Boudreaux’s family has built ships and boats in Louisiana for generations. He comes from a hardworking, wealthy family and his empire is growing by leaps and bounds. At thirty, he is the youngest CEO to ever head Bayou Enterprises, co-chairing with his eldest brother. His head for business and his no-nonsense work ethic is also quickly making him the best the company has seen in generations. His staff admires him, women adore him and Eli’s family is solid. But he’s recently discovered that someone on the inside of his business is stealing from him and he’s determined to find out who.

Kate O’Shaughnessy is hired by companies all over the world to slip inside and investigate every member of the organization from the CEO down to the custodial staff to find the person or persons responsible for embezzling. She’s excellent at blending, becoming part of the team, and finding the weakest link. She’s smart, quick-witted, and she’s now been hired by Bayou Enterprises, specifically Eli Boudreaux. The attraction is immediate and the chemistry is off the charts, but Kate has heard all about Eli’s playboy past and she has a job to do. Sleeping with the boss isn’t a part of that job, even if just the sound of her name rolling off that Cajun tongue and the way he fills out a designer suit does make her sweat.

Eli’s southern charms surprise Kate. The man whose reputation labels him as a ruthless, callous womanizer is not the man she’s coming to know intimately. He’s generous, protective and makes her smile. Cracking through Kate’s cool, reserved demeanor and discovering her love of sexy, expensive lingerie is a challenge Eli can’t resist, but her sweet nature, love of family and sense of humor pull at him in ways no one else ever has.

But when the person responsible for trying to single-handedly dismantle Eli’s empire comes to light, and it’s time for Kate to move on, to what lengths will Eli go to keep the woman he’s fallen in love with by his side?

The Boudreaux goodness continues with Gabby and Rhys in Easy Charm – check out my review here!

Title: Easy Charm (The Boudreaux Series, Book #2)

Author: Kristen Proby

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance

I was so excited to be able to sit down with Callie and Declan and get to know more about them!

Lisa:  Callie, I love that you and Adam have a special friendship – how did ya’ll meet and become best friends?

Callie:  We met in high school. Our parents were friends, and Adam and I just always seemed to click.

Lisa: Summarize Declan in one sentence.

Callie:  Declan is the perfect balance of sexy, romantic and playful.

Lisa:   I think your flipping houses hobby is unique and so awesome – is there a particular house that was your favorite to flip? Is there any part of the process that you love more, a certain room that you always have fun fixing up?

Callie:  I really love the whole process, but demolition is my favorite. It’s a great way to get out some aggression!

Lisa:  So Declan, what’s your favorite and least favorite thing about growing up in a large family?

Declan:  Well, there is always a lot of people around. I guess that’s both my favorite and least favorite.

Lisa:  I love your passion for music – I know you play a lot of instruments, do you have a favorite? What’s your favorite song you’ve ever written? And has Callie inspired any songs yet? 🙂

Declan:  Callie’s inspired quite a few songs. She’s heard them. 🙂 My favorite song is always the one I’m currently writing. My favorite instrument is the piano.

Lisa:  Summarize Callie in one sentence.

Declan:  Perfection.

Lisa:  Aww…how sweet!  What are your favorite five things about each other? (physical, non-physical, whatever!) Callie: His arms, his laugh, his generosity, his voice and the way he hugs me.

Declan:   There isn’t anything about her that isn’t my favorite.

Lisa:  Favorite and least favorite thing about living in New Orleans?

Callie:  My most favorite is just the energy of the city. Least favorite would be Mardi Gras.

Declan:  I also hate Mardi Gras.

Lisa:  Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

Callie:  Together.

Declan:  Absolutely

Lisa:  Alright, let’s have a little fun with some Either/Or – Soda or Tea?

Callie:  Coffee

Lisa:  Sweet or Sour?

Declan:  Sweet

Lisa:  Loud or Quiet?

Callie: It seems our lives are always full of loud, so I prefer the quiet.

Lisa:  Chocolate or Vanilla?

Declan:  Vanilla

Lisa:  Hard or soft?

Callie: *grinning* Next question.

Lisa:  Cheeky girl!  Books or movies?

Declan:  Books

Lisa:  Fast or slow?

Callie: Both

Lisa:  Alright, almost done – let’s end with some rapid fire – give me the first thing that comes to mind…Music?

Declan:  Soul

Lisa:  Family?

Callie: Complicated

Lisa:  New Orleans?

Declan:  Home

Lisa:  Shoes?

Callie: Happiness

Lisa:  Declan?

Callie: Love

Lisa:  Callie?

Declan:  My heart.

Lisa:  Love?

Callie: Unexpected

Easy Melody by Kristen Proby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*

4 “bossy” “little things” “I’ve adjusted my sails” Kisses

It’s official – I’m moving to New Orleans! I cannot stand being separated from the Boudreaux family any longer. With each and every book in the Boudreaux Series I fall more and more in love with these characters…Eli made me drool in Easy Love…Rhys made me swoon in Easy Charm and Declan just rocked my face off. Each book is based off of a different set of couples, so they can technically be read as standalones, but the story lines continue to build off of each other the further we go into the series (which is part of the wonderful magic that I love about series in the first place!), so of course I recommend reading all of them. Plus…if you love romance in any way shape or form…then you absolutely cannot go wrong with these books!

Calliope Marie Mills…this girl is hell in heels and I loved her to pieces! I really connected a lot with Callie…we actually have a lot in common…both 5’9” (yay tall girls!)…both only children (we’re a special breed…what can I say)…both blondes…she’s very independent, very strong minded and very determined, which I like to think I am as well, she just pulls it off better than I do! After basically raising herself in New Orleans, she got out the first chance she had and never really looked back…until she had to. Coming back home brings up a lot of ghosts for her…mostly the emotional kind. My heart hurt for her…she is so strong in so many ways, but emotionally she is very closed off and for good reason too. I like that once she put her mind to something, she went at it full force…she gave everything her best effort and I appreciated that about her. Her attitude and personality is what really pulled me to her…she’s kind of a bad-ass-take-the-bull-by-the-horns kind of girl and she doesn’t show her vulnerable side…like ever. But one dreamy musician got her to break down her walls.

“I want to talk with you, learn you, lose myself in you. All of those things. And I don’t have any experience in that shit, but damn it, I want it with you. Because those little things, Callie? The talking as I walk you to your car, or laughing with you as we demo my house? Eating pizza on the porch? They aren’t little things to me. I’ve never done that with any other woman that I’m not related to by blood. I never wanted to.
“Until you, and it’s confused the hell out of me. All I want is a chance to start this over with you. We did it all backwards, and that’s on me. I get it. But damn it, let me try it again, because if you don’t, it’ll be the biggest regret of my life.”

Declan Francis Boudreaux…the Boudreaux boys, they’re just made out of something special. Charmers…the lot of them! Dec is the baby boy of the family, second youngest sibling and he’s a little different from Eli and Beau – they are all business and Declan is the creative type, but that was one of the things I loved best about him. Then again I love a lot of things about Declan…he’s got the southern accent combined with the fact that he can speak French perfectly (don’t ask me why that does things to me…lots of amazingly wonderful things). He’s also a giant, just like his brothers – well, 6’4”, but still…that’s enough for me. Just yum! And the yumminess doesn’t stop there…clearly he’s got the TDH (tall, dark and handsome) thing down and the signature Boudreaux golden eyes that I could stare into all day. He’s charming and smooth, he’s funny and has so much charisma it should be illegal…but he’s also very chill and laid back. But above all things his talent and passion for music was probably the thing that made him most attractive…there is just something about a guy who can play an instrument (I’m not picky!) and sing…that’s just instant 1 million swoon factor points.

“What?” she asks with a grin.
“I love the way you shrug into your badass,” I reply before kissing her forehead. “And I love that I’m the only one who gets to see you when you take it off.”

Oh…Callie and Dec are just…fun! Fun seems like a very simple word to really describe them…but it’s the most concise description of what their relationship was and what they made me feel. There are no pretenses when it comes to Callie and Declan…they are genuine, real and down to earth…granted they have two different personalities but in this case, opposites attract very well. Their passion was insane…I mean they practically combusted and I loved how in lust they were with each other…it was addictive. I also loved the simple things…the way he walked her to her car and made her feel safe, how much she enjoyed helping him renovate his house, how they were perfectly comfortable doing anything and nothing…just as long as they were together…that’s really all that mattered. Everything with Callie and Dec just felt more…more intense, more unique, just more – and maybe it was because neither of them had really felt this kind of connection before, so it was more for them in every sense of the word. I also l-o-v-e-d more than words when there was a surprise connection to the With Me In Seattle Series…I didn’t expect it or even see it coming but it was so flippin’ awesome.

“Tonight wouldn’t have been half as special without you. And not just because of all of this, which I love, but because when I’m with you—”
He kisses my hand and squeezes it three times. “When you’re with me?”
“I just feel better. I feel more.” His eyes widen and then darken. “Emotions are brighter, and that’s the only way I can describe it.”
“I think that’s a beautiful way to describe it,” he whispers before he pulls me in and kisses the hell out of me. “You are more, Callie. We’re more.”
I nod and brush my fingertips down his cheek, his neck. “I like it.”
A slow smile spreads over his sexy face. “I like it too.”

Kristen Proby packs a deadly force…the sex and the swoon. She feeds my inner dirty book whore lover just right…every time – I don’t know how she does it but it’s fantastically sensual and never, ever gets old! And just when she lulls me into my sexy happy place, she hits me with all the right things to melt my heart – it’s the perfect combination and I simply cannot stop myself from loving it. The angst was minimal, but I don’t read Kristen for angst…I read her for pure, unadulterated, amazing romance. The relationships that she develops with her couples is one of my favorite feels of all time…it’s a very unique and indescribable experience, but my heart just feels like it’s going to burst from being so blissfully happy. The other thing she writes beautifully that I love almost as much as the romantic relationship…the family dynamic. It doesn’t matter who is involved or what they were doing…the way the Boudreaux’s interact is just one of a kind. The siblings have this wonderful and unique bond that I absolutely cannot get enough of and their mother is just as amazing as her children. Even their father…while he is not physically present in this book, his memory always serves a purpose and it just makes me adore them that much more.

“What do you need?”
He sighs and rubs his fingers over his mouth.
“I need you to talk to me too,” he replies softly. “I need your brutal honesty, always. I need your body against me every day, and I need to be inside you more than I need my next breath.”
“That sounds good to me,” I whisper.
“I need music, Callie. It’s my soul. It’s been my only constant, until you.”
“You’re damn good at it,” I reply echoing his words. “What else?”
“I need your friendship. Your patience. I need my family, even if they are a pain in my ass most of the time.” He smiles. “I need to protect you, keep you safe. And I know this is going to piss you off a little, but I need to take care of you.”
“I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I mean, I like taking care of myself because that’s all I’ve ever known, but I’m adjusting my sails, and getting used to you taking care of me.”
“Good.” He sighs, the tension finally leaving his tall, lean body. “I just need you, baby.”

The ending was magical…I mean it never really took a whole lot to take me to my happy place with these two but I was giddy over everything that happened. It was exactly what I wanted for them and I don’t think I could love it more if I tried. I never really like finishing a book I enjoy, but I can’t lie…part of the fun of getting to the end of Kristen’s books is finding out which sibling is going to be next…and it’s not who I expected but I’m still super excited. It’s Charly’s turn! And her guy is British – be still my beating heart! I’m ready to count down the days until Easy Kisses comes out in March!

View all my reviews

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New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Proby is the author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.

Make sure you check out the first book in the Make Me series,  Provoked!

When a museum executive secretary, who barely tolerates men, has a run in with an infamous BDSM Master, Neil Cannon, a man who lives to discipline women, there’s little she can do about it. Why?

The Master thinks Charlotte, a.k.a Charlie is her kink-loving, totally outrageous, and continually stirring-up-trouble twin sister. And after what Charlie just did, he has to keep thinking that. At least until she can find a way to climb out of the huge mess her well-meaning intentions have landed her in. She’ll take the punishments the Master intends for her twin. She’ll even put up with him and his misogynistic antics if it means she’ll be able to unlock the secrets that will save her family. All she has to do is behave like her sister. How hard could it be to emulate a fearless, over-confident, rebellious woman, with highly questionable sexual standards?

Neil’s been waiting months for the chance to deal with this audacious sub who’s been jacking up the testosterone levels of his vanilla crew whenever her sports car needed maintenance. That’s why he made the service call himself. He’s confident she won’t be yanking his chain, because if she tries he’s prepared to yank it right back.

Or so he thought until she turns out to be different than what he expected her to be. She starts pushing buttons he didn’t know he had. She’s flipping internal switches, lighting things up, creating a whole new level of dominant need he’s determined to explore, enjoy, and satisfy.

Unfortunately, before either of them can get a handle on the D/s chemistry exploding between them, she takes off. It’s then he discovers that she’s invited a part of his past, that he’s promised to steer clear of, right to his front door.

Now, in order to keep her safe, he must find her, and when he does he has to keep her close. Too close for either one of them to escape the inevitable truth.

“Sometimes the best pleasures in life are found at the end of a person’s comfort zone,” whispered the Master to the one woman he’s dead set on collaring…

Wow, you’ve got to read this interview!  Get a feel for Jude straight from the man himself…

 

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Riley Murphy writes sexy, humorous, and emotional romance, happy ending guaranteed. An optimist, she believes life is awesome, people are complicated, but in a good way, and we should never stop learning. Riley currently calls Florida home with her gorgeous husband. She has two phenomenal kids, One ridiculously adorable grandson, and a very bossy pooch. When Riley’s not working she enjoys reading, oil painting, and getting to the Sunday crossword before anyone else does, so she can fill-in all the easy answers first and pull the smart card with the family.

If Riley wasn’t a writer she’d be an international spy with top-level security so she could have a peek at Area 51 and decide for herself if those green guys are for real. Failing that she’d likely go with chicken sexer.

]]> https://truestorybookblog.com/2015/07/31/pushed-by-riley-murphy-character-interview-giveaway/feed/ 25 17449 https://truestorybookblog.com/2014/09/04/reluctantly-royal-by-nichole-chase-character-hop-meredith/ https://truestorybookblog.com/2014/09/04/reluctantly-royal-by-nichole-chase-character-hop-meredith/#comments Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:00:48 +0000 https://www.truestorybookblog.com/?p=9931

Genre:   New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Maxwell Jameson Trevor, prince of Lilaria, hates his royal role. Despising the limelight, he takes solace in his art studio and steers clear of any drama. But when one of the newly discovered royals passes away, Maxwell’s brother Alex asks him to break the news to the old man’s granddaughter. Though he hates to be the bearer of doom and gloom, he doesn’t want the poor girl to find out from the tabloids. For Maxwell knows all too well how devastating that could be.

Coming from a broken home and modest background, newly ordained Lady Meredith Thysmer has seized her chance to make a better life for herself and her son. She’s not afraid to use her best assets to get what she wants. But when the unpretentious yet devastatingly handsome Max delivers his news, her plans for the future come crashing to a halt. In the challenging days ahead, Max’s compassion, humor, and steadfast loyalty to Meredith and her son win her over. She quickly finds herself doing something she swore would never happen again: falling in love. And yet Maxwell still refuses to completely drop his guard. Somehow Meredith’s got to find a way to seduce this reluctant royal.

 

Have you read Suddenly Royal, the first book in the Royal Series? You need to catch up! You can check out my interview with Alex and Sam and my review here and Alex wrote Sam a ‘Love Note’ for Valentine’s Day which you can read here.

 

Title: Suddenly Royal (Royal Series Book #1)

Author: Nichole Chase

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working toward a master’s degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it’s to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed.

Alex D’Lynsal is trying to keep his name clean. As crown prince of Lilaria, he’s had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women—especially women in the public eye. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She’s stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone’s front-page news.

While Sam tries to navigate the new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders.

Title: Recklessly Royal (Royal Series Book #2)

Author: Nichole Chase

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

 

 

Catherine has spent her life being the perfect princess. She’s kept her hands clean, her head down, and most importantly-men at arm’s length. After all, most men are after only one thing, and for Cathy there’s a lot more at stake than her bed; she has to worry about the fate of an entire nation. But at the rate she’s going, Cathy is afraid she’ll give the Virgin Queen a run for her money. She is tired of waiting for someone good enough to come along. She has a plan, and it all hinges on seducing the one man who seems utterly unimpressed by all things royal. The one man she is tempted by more than any other…

When David arrives at the royal wedding of his friend, the newly ordained Duchess Samantha Rousseau, he expected to feel uncomfortable and out of his element, but he wasn’t prepared to be targeted by Prince Alex’s gorgeous younger sister. With Cathy’s giant blue eyes, killer figure, and sense of humor, it won’t take long before he gives in. But when he finds out just how innocent the crown princess really is, will he play the part of knight in shining armor or the dashing rogue?

 

Nichole Chase: Thank you for agreeing to our interview, Meredith, I know you’ve been very busy.

Meredith: I’m happy to.

Nichole Chase: Are you currently working on a show?

Meredith: I’m on break right now and focusing on the Thysmer duchy.

Nichole Chase: Did you ever think you’d be in charge of a duchy?

Meredith: *laughs* Absolutely not. I never would have imagined I’d be doing any of this.

Nichole Chase: I know you were going to school for drama and music. Was that always your plan?

Meredith: More like the dream. I didn’t think school would be an option for me. I have a young son and I was working to support us. If I was able to go to school it wouldn’t have been to a large university.

Nichole Chase: I’m glad you got the chance. I heard you sing once and was amazed. It would be a shame to have let that talent go unnoticed.

Meredith: Thank you! That’s very sweet.

Nichole Chase: There are a lot of rumors linking you with Prince Max. Care to shed any light on those?

Meredith: You know how rumors go. They could be true, but are usually just speculation.

Nichole Chase: That’s not really a yes or no.

Meredith: Correct.

Nichole Chase: I know that Max has been spending a lot of time with your son, Marty. Would you say that he is a father figure?

Meredith: Not going to give up, are you?

Nichole Chase: What kind of message would it send to people if I gave up?

Meredith: Fair enough.

Nichole Chase: I have a few more questions for you, if you don’t mind.

Meredith: Sure.

Nichole Chase: What’s your favorite type of music?

Meredith: I love all music. All of it. Just depends on my mood.

Nichole Chase: Do you have a favorite food?

Meredith: Hm. That’s tough. I really like food. Right now I’m addicted to cinnamon covered almonds.

Nichole Chase: That sounds yummy. Are you and Prince Max an item?

Meredith: Nice try.

Nichole Chase: C’mon! There are pictures of you together everywhere. Can’t you just confirm it?

Meredith: There is a saying about pictures.

Nichole Chase: That they are worth a thousand words?

Meredith: That’s the one.

Nichole Chase: Well, I guess that’s as good as I get. I look forward to your next show!

Meredith: Thanks! Let me know when you’re coming and I’ll set aside tickets for you.

Nichole Chase: That’s very sweet. Maybe I can sit with Max back stage.

Meredith: You’re tenacious.

Nichole Chase: Thanks. And thank you for coming out to our interview.

Meredith: It was my pleasure.

 

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Nichole Chase is a daydreamer. No, really, just ask any of the math teachers that had the misfortune of seeing her name appear on their class schedule.

For years she has had story lines and characters begging for attention, but she resolutely pushed them aside to focus on more normal (read, boring) jobs.

Well, no longer! She is currently heeding the voices in her head and frantically writing their stories. Ms. Chase is the author of the Dark Betrayal Trilogy, Flukes, and Suddenly Royal (including several short stories).

Nichole resides in South Georgia with her husband, energetic daughter, dog, tortoise, and two cats. When not devouring novels by the dozens, you may find her writing, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.

Check out Nichole’s Website.

Author:   R.E. Hunter

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Five years ago, Embry Jacobs ran…

She ran from a past that still hasn’t let her go, but her

dream of becoming a lawyer is stronger than her fear of confronting that past. Embry’s sole focus is to get through law school—with the help of her best friend, Morgan—and make something of the broken girl she became. Not thinking about falling in love, being in a relationship or even entertaining the idea of romance, Embry is moving forward one day at a time.

Luke Brody is charming and sexy, and has a past of his own. He wants nothing more than to put his demons to rest and move on with his life. But, when Embry enters the picture, is he destined to repeat those same mistakes?

Blindsided by their instant attraction, neither Luke nor Embry are prepared for the feelings they’re developing. But will it all be for nothing?

Will they let their pasts destroy them, or will they risk everything to fight for their relationship when it all comes undone?

Are you ready to see what Southern Sexy had to say when we got scandalous? 😉

Well…for whatever reason I got this wild hair in me – I love doing character interviews, but I wanted to do something different. Now, I’m never afraid to ask the hard questions and I’m definitely not scared of getting too dirty, but I really wanted to take it to another level. And so…I came up with ‘Sexy and Scandalous’…asking your favorite book boyfriends those scintillating questions we all secretly want to know the answers to.

So, who is up first to ‘pop my cherry’ so to speak? Well…it just so happens to be Professor Lucas James Brody. If you haven’t met the one and only Southern Sexy, you are sorely missing out. He’s TDH (tall, dark and handsome)…gorgeous blue eyes…smart (not only is he a professor…he’s a lawyer too!)…oh and did I mention he can cook? The list of Luke’s golden boy traits goes on and on for days…but I’m ready for Southern Sexy to go Dirty South (if you’ve read the book…this makes more sense).

I was lucky enough to catch Luke when he was in Texas, on business of course. We met up for drinks at a local restaurant and bar. After a long, lingering hug (where I successfully did not drool on him), we settle down and catch up over drinks…which helps loosen us both up (especially me! I do still have a little bit of embarrassment factor to get over here!). Once I feel we’re appropriately liquored up, I jump right in…

Lisa:    “Alright Luke, you know I don’t like to pull punches, so I’m going at this thing full force, are you ready for me?”

Luke:   “Ready as I’ll ever be, sweetheart.”

He winks at me as those last words leave his delicious mouth – little flirt!

Lisa:    “Mmmmhmm….careful there Professor Brody, don’t start something you can’t finish.”

Luke:   “I always finish what I start, Miss. Maurer.”

Lisa:    “All right, well I warned you. Favorite Sexual Position?”

Luke clears throat and raises his eyebrow at me.

Luke:   “Diving right in huh?”

He pauses a moment then his lip quirks up in a sexy smirk…

Luke:   “Any position between Embry’s legs.”

Lisa:    “Of course you would say that! Not trying to get on someone’s good side, are ya?”

Luke:   “I want to be on all sides of her. On top of her. Inside of her. I’m not above flattery.”

Lisa:    “Smart…sex in the morning, afternoon or night?”

Luke:   “I’ll take all three, but nothing better than starting your day inside a beautiful woman.”

Lisa:    “I approve of that answer. Have you ever taken your clothes off for money? (if you haven’t…would you…and how much money are we talkin here? 😉 )”

He chuckles at my ridiculous question (and possibly at the goofy face I’m making as well).

Luke:   “Nope, can’t say I have. But if Embry threw a few dollars at me I’d have no problem stripping down.”

Lisa:    “She doesn’t count…she’s already sampled the goods. Do you prefer someone aggressive or passive in bed?”

Luke:   “Definitely passive, but I like when my girl gets a little feisty.”

Lisa:    “Interesting…what was your high school sex fantasy?”

Luke:   “Sex with the teacher of course.”

I’m giving Luke my best did-you-really-just-say-that face…and with the corresponding wide grin he is giving me right back, I’m going to take that as a yes, he knows exactly what he just said. I don’t know whether to roll my eyes, laugh or smack him, so I do all three. After we have a good laugh at his antics, I move on.

Lisa:    “Top three favorite kinks in bed?”

Luke:   “Hmm… Spanking. Hair pulling … maybe some role play.”

Lisa:    “Ahem. Like maybe, professor/student?”

I try and stifle the giggle, but I don’t succeed much. He gives me a cocky sideways smirk as he takes a sip of his beer…intentionally not answering my question.

Lisa:    “You little kinky bastard – I’m telling Bree!”

He leans back in his chair, laughing at my attempts to poke fun at him.

Lisa:    “Where is the most romantic place you have had sex?”

Luke:   “My couch.”

I raise my eyebrow at him and think he did hear me say romantic, didn’t he? He winks at me…

Luke:   “It isn’t about the place, it was who I was with.”

Lisa:    “Awwww…turning on the swoon factor, very nice. Where is the weirdest place you have had sex?”

Luke:   “On top of a washing machine.”

I give him a confused look.

Lisa:    “I feel like there is a story there…”

Luke:   “Hey, sometimes you’ve gotta get creative.”

Lisa:    “Yeah…I might need to hear what lead up the that ‘creativity.’ Have you ever been caught having sex?”

Luke:   “I lived in a frat house, there’s no such thing as privacy.”

Lisa:    “True. Ever been to a bar just to get sex?”

Luke:   “More times than I’d like to admit.”

Lisa:    “Hmmm…I wonder if that’s related to the washing machine…”

Luke shakes his head and looks down as I laugh.

Lisa:    “Ever been picked up in a bar? (hint…hint…I know I read something quite recently that was…ahem…not good…)”

Luke:   “You’re just going to have to wait and see about that one.”

Lisa:    “Ooooh…you’re like Fort Knox, can’t get any info out of you. Alright…let’s do a little rapid fire…have you ever had sex at or in…a movie theater?”

Luke:   “Nope but fooled around.”

Lisa:    “Doesn’t count…a bathroom? (hehehe…I know the answer to that one…)”

A wicked smile crosses his gorgeous face.

Luke:   “Damn, that was a good night.”

Lisa:    “At work?”

Luke:   “I still haven’t found a better use for my desk.”

Lisa:    “In a vehicle?”

Luke:   “Yes.”

Lisa:    “While driving a vehicle?”

Luke:   “Road head is a wonderful thing.”

Lisa:    “Ha! What’s your favorite sex act?”

Luke:   “Can I just say all of the above here?”

I purse my lips and shake my head.

Lisa:    “Nope…need specifics on this one I’m afraid.”

Luke:   “All right, I love going down on my girl.”

Lisa:    “Well, in relation to that…do you think oral sex constitutes as a form of intercourse?”

Luke:   “Intercourse? No. To me it’s amazing fucking foreplay.”

Lisa:    “Good answer. Have you ever had sex with more than one person at a time?” Luke’s hand rises to rub his neck nervously and I think I see his cheeks blush.

Luke:   “Is Embry gonna see these?”

Lisa:    “It’s a possibility.”

Luke:   “Well then no, definitely not, I was a virgin before I met Bree.”

I burst out laughing, bending over at the waist and causing strange looks from people in the bar. Luke just smiles, he won this round – I’ll give him that!

Lisa:    “Would you rather…be blindfolded or blindfold your partner?

Luke:   “Blindfold Bree 🙂 ”

Lisa:    “See – kinky bastard! Have sex while someone is watching or watch a couple having sex in front of you?”

Luke:   “Neither. I don’t share and I don’t need to watch someone else. All I need is my girl.”

Lisa:    “Orgasm during oral sex or sex?”

Luke:   “That’s a tough one. Both feel amazing but I like being inside her when I come.”

Lisa:    “Have kinky sex or romantic sex?”

Luke:   “Time and a place for both.”

Lisa:    “Be on top or bottom?”

Luke:   “I’m good if I’m in control. But I like it when Embry hops on top, too.”

Lisa:    “Pay for sex or get paid to have sex?”

Luke:   “Get paid to do my favorite thing? No brainer.”

Lisa:    “Have sex with the lights on or off?”

Luke:   “On. I want to see every inch of her.”

Lisa:    “Have an excellent relationship with terrible sex or an awful relationship with incredible sex?”

Luke:   “I’m gonna get shit for this one but I have to be sappy and say excellent relationship. As long as I had her I’d be okay.”

Lisa:    “Awww…yeah, you’re totally going to get shit for that one!  😛  Get caught by your parents or catch your parents?”

Luke:   “Neither? If I had to choose, then I’d rather get caught. Lord knows that is not something I want to ever see.”

Lisa:   “Hair down there or all bare? 😉 ”

Luke:   “I like it bare 🙂 ”

Lisa:    “And the most important question of all…have you read Fifty Shades of Grey? 😛 ”

As his lips lift into a smirk, I already know I’m going to like his answer.

Luke:   “I might’ve read a few chapters here or there. He’s creative I’ll give him that.”

As much as I would like to keep Professor Brody out until the wee hours of the morning, I know he has meetings tomorrow, so we chat for a few minutes longer, finish our drinks and then get up to go our separate ways.   This is that awkward moment where I’m not sure what to do…I know what I want to do (hump him)…I know what’s professional (shake his hand with a nice smile)…and I know what the alcohol is telling me to do (lick him…possibly kidnap him…the alcohol has a lot of ideas…). While my brain is randomly processing all of these thoughts, Luke makes the first move. As he leans in slowly, synapses start firing and I am both excited and terrified because with his current trajectory he is headed straight for my lips. This is awesome and freak-out-inducing…I have seconds to decide what to do and how to act. While my inner fangirl is doing her happy dance, the small part of my brain that is still trying to be logical is flailing. As I look up into his gorgeous baby blues, a smirk quirks the corners of his delicious mouth and he smoothly plants a sweet kiss on my cheek. Of course, being the gentlemen that he is, that was his plan all along. #Embarrassing

Undone by R.E. Hunter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*

4.5 “Southern Sexy” “Beautiful” “I don’t work without you.” Kisses

I truly believe that there are some books that are meant to come into our lives. For whatever the reason…we are meant to read them…experience them…embrace them. I was meant to read Undone…I can’t explain it any other way. This book just worked for me…I adored the characters…was sucked in by the writing and the emotion…I loved the balance of angst and fluff…it just got me and that’s all there is to it.

Embry Jacobs…Bree…I love her. Like…it’s easy for me to fall in love with a good book boyfriend but I need to really connect with the girl. Whether or not I relate to her is one thing but I have to like her and I kinda sorta want Bree to be my BFF. She’s beautiful….blonde hair, green eyes…tall (Yay! Tall girl love!)…sweet, sassy and funny…smart (hello…the chick’s in law school!)…and I straight up just loved her personality. She’s got her quirks, like all girls do, but I just find that more endearing and makes her more authentic and genuine. I have to give her mad props…leaving your family and friends and basically disappearing from the only life you have known is not easy. It takes a lot of strength and bravery but she did it…and good for her because it was what was in her best interest and she came out better for it. But she’s decided to come back home…for law school…for her best friend and family…for herself.

‘Leaving Jack, Morgan, and her family hadn’t been easy. Embry moved to Florida without knowing a single person. She was determined to figure out who she was, and she came out on the other side with amazing friends, memories, and a whole new Embry.’

Lucas James Brody…or ‘Luke I’m-fucking-delish Brody’ …oh my sweet Southern Sexy (and yes…I do mean my Southern Sexy…because he is – if you doubt me, read the acknowledgements! 😉 )…what do I love about Luke. Luke’s sexiness is very classic and very understated. He’s not over the top…he’s very laid back and just like your everyday kinda guy. I think that’s what makes him so sexy, the fact that he’s very realistic in my mind. That’s not to say he doesn’t do or say some of the most über swoony things that just turn me into a pile of mush…because trust me – he does. But that’s just part of the Southern Sexy package that makes Luke F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S. Luke’s got the TDH package down nicely…scorching blue eyes…he loves mac n’ cheese…the Georgia Bull Dogs…and he can cook (excuse me while I melt into a puddle). He’s kind and considerate…thoughtful…but yet in the right situation he can take charge and be a little…cave man (which I love…come on, every girl needs a little cave man in her life). He’s intelligent and sweet…plus he’s got a tattoo of a shamrock on his butt – I mean seriously?!?! Does it get more awesome than that? Nope…I didn’t think so either. I am painting Luke out to be a dream boat and believe me…he is, but he is not perfect. Luke has his flaws…but for me it’s his actions to make up for his mistakes that show me his true character.

“I know you’ve been hurt,” he said. “I don’t know why or how, but I’d kill the fucker who did it if I met him. I know you’re not ready to talk about it yet or you would have told me by now, and that’s fine. There’s a lot we don’t know about each other yet. But the way things are going…I want to know you. I want to learn everything about you.” He brushed his knuckles across her cheek. “I want you Emry, all of you. I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t have you.”
Embry was speechless. She had hoped he had feeling for her, but she hadn’t actually considered that he’d be up front about it. As happy as she was that he felt the same way for her, it scared her ever more. She couldn’t pretend this wasn’t real anymore. Even though some small part of her told her to fight it, she wanted him enough not to run. “You have me.”

I rarely ever talk plot in my reviews…and this book is the perfect example as to why – there are so many easy ways to spoil the story – and honestly, it’s just too good to not experience and feel those emotions for the first time. So what did I love…oh where do I start? Embry and Luke together just work for me. I love their connection and their chemistry. Obviously they are attracted to each other physically…but that’s not all that their connection is based on. I love the casualness of their relationship. Luke is not a billionaire…they don’t fly across the world or go on expensive dates…not to mention, that’s just not who L&E are period…but they’re just so…’normal’ – and I mean that in a good way! It’s just very relatable and something that I could connect to. Their banter is phenomenal…so fluid…so conversational…so real. I was lulled into a sense of comfortableness with them…it’s so easy and natural. Like peanut butter and jelly…Luke and Embry! 🙂 I love their humor… I love how Luke wooed her…yes…there was woo’ing involved. I mean…Bree’s not a nun or anything but Luke’s the closest thing to a relationship the girl has had in 5 years…she’s entitled to a little woo-action. And Luke gives some good action! 😉 Hehehe…oh yes, the ‘action’…Southern Sexy knows how to make a girl swoon in many different ways, he definitely earned his title.

‘“Is this become our thing, baby?” Embry whispered teasingly. “Sex against doors?”
Luke smiled against her lips. “It’s your fault. If you weren’t so goddamn beautiful, I might have a chance at keeping it in my pants.”
“I like it that you can’t keep it in your pants, at least with me. I just think I might miss the bed a little bit.”
Luke groaned as he dragged himself out of her before pushing back in with more force. “Mmm, I have plenty planned for you later tonight, don’t you worry.”
“Is that a promise?”
“No, beautiful. That’s a guarantee,” he said as he joined his mouth with hers once more.’

Honestly…this story isn’t just about Bree and Luke, this is about Bree. You cannot go through what she did…have to make such a drastic lifestyle changes…and not have that affect you. You go through the journey with her…the ups and the downs and emotionally I felt very tied to her. The other relationship that Bree had that I loved…possibly more than her relationship with Luke (Sssh! Don’t tell Luke!) is her friendship with Morgan. Geez Louise that girl is a hoot and a half. Like…if I could I would steal both Morgan and Bree and make them both my bff’s because they just have one of those friendships that you can’t help but love. Morgan is so supportive and caring when it comes to Bree – I mean it’s her bestie, she’s supposed to! But I think she is just so glad to have Embry back in her life that she is willing to go above and beyond all laws of friendship to be there for her whenever. They have this hilarious bond and some of their antics had me laughing so hard I cried. There were a lot of laugh-out-loud moments for me in the book… ‘high five’s’…’man meat sandwiches’ …this list is endless – and I’m not talking about a giggle, I’m talking about I had to put my kindle down because I was laughing so hard. And I cannot not talk about the other man that won my love…Jeremy. Oh my…he’s a little man-whore, so instantly he has won my heart. He is an awesome friend to Bree…and that’s exactly what she needs. Plus…I think there is more to the story with Jer, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

‘She shook her head slightly, unable to speak. Luke strode right into her personal space, and his hands cupped her cheeks as he crushed his lips to hers.
“You own me, Embry,” he said, his eyes pleading. “I’m yours. I’m not letting you run.”

So…this is an angsty romance…and believe me…my poor heart was angst’d! But then the ending happened…oh yes…the ending…let’s talk about the ending. The cliff. Is it a major cliff? Hmm…yes. Not going to lie…you’re left hanging in a lot of ways. There are so many things up in the air and guess what…they could fall just about anywhere…cause at this point, Embry and Luke are not going to have it easy. There are a lot of hurt feelings and things to come back from. Do I think it’s still possible for them to get their HEA? 100%! I’m a true romantic to my core and although I am hurt by what Luke has done, I have faith in his love for Embry. I just hope R.E. Hunter writes that 2nd book very quickly! *hint hint!*

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You’ve got to check out the amazing trailer for this book – it’s one of my favorites!

Undone by R.E. Hunter from SchmexyGirl Book Blog on Vimeo.

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R.E. Hunter is a native New Yorker and lives on Long Island with her husband and their crazy kitten. She works as an attorney by day and writes every spare second she has. She’s currently working on the sequel to Undone, which will be released sometime in 2014. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her somewhere near a beach with a book in her hand.  Check our R.E. Hunter’s Website.

I couldn’t love this series any more if I tried!  Drew + Fable is one of my fav’s!

Title:     Four Years Later

Series:   Drew + Fable, Book #4

Author:     Monica Murphy

Genre:     New Adult Contemporary

Release Date:   February 25, 2014

Guilt. That is all I ever feel when I think about my mom. Now she’s back in my life, always wanting something. Having her around makes it so easy for me to fall into those bad habits that get me into trouble. Skipping class, smoking weed, fooling around with girls that mean nothing to me…I’m messing up. The last thing I need is my sister on my case.

So I keep my mom’s return a secret. But promising I’ll get my grades back up on my own isn’t enough. Fable makes me see a tutor. And Chelsea is the smartest girl I’ve ever met. She’s definitely not my type but there’s something about her that I’m drawn to. She’s sweet, she’s shy and she seems completely immune to my usual moves.

Chelsea has her own secrets and she’s not talking. Like I have any room to judge. How can I get her to open up to me? And will I ever be able to convince her that what we have could be something real?

I have already professed my undying love for this series – if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it!

Title:     One Week Girlfriend

Series:   Drew + Fable, Book #1

Author:     Monica Murphy

Genre:     New Adult Contemporary

Book 1 ♥ One Week Girlfriend ♥ Read My Review

**Mature situations and sexual content – recommended for ages 17+**

Temporary. That one single word best describes my life these last few years. I’m working at a temporary job until I can finally break free. I’m my little brother’s temporary mother since our mom doesn’t give a crap about either of us. And I’m that temporary girl all the guys want to get with because I give it up so easily. According to the rumors, at least.

But now I’m the temporary girlfriend of Drew Callahan, college football legend and all around golden guy. He’s beautiful, sweet—and he’s hiding way more secrets than I am. He’s brought me into this fake life where everyone seems to hate me. And everyone seems to want something from him. The only thing he seems to want though is…

Me.

I don’t know what to believe anymore. All I know is, I think Drew needs me. And I want to be there for him.

Forever.

Title:     Second Chance Boyfriend

Series:   Drew + Fable, Book #2

Author:     Monica Murphy

Genre:     New Adult Contemporary

Book 2 ♥Second Chance Boyfriend♥ Read My Review 

**Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual content and language, mature subject matter**

Lost. That one single word best describes my life at this very moment. I lost the last games of the season and both my team and my coach blame me. I lost the last two months because I drowned in my own despair like a complete loser. And I lost the only girl who ever mattered because I was afraid being with me would destroy her.

But now I realize how truly lost I am without her. She has become my story…and even though she acts like she’s moved on, I know she still thinks about me just as much as I think about her. She’s beautiful, sweet—and so damn vulnerable, all I want to do is help her. Be there for her.

Love her…

If only I could convince Fable to give me a second chance. Then I wouldn’t feel so lost anymore, and neither would she. We could be found together.

Forever.

Title:     Three Broken Promises

Series:   Drew + Fable, Book #3

Author:     Monica Murphy

Genre:     New Adult Contemporary

I just sat down with Colin and Jen – you can read my interview with them as well as my review right here. 

Breakout New Adult sensation Monica Murphy returns with a hot new contemporary romance—a heartfelt story of second chances, forgiveness, and redemption.

Commitment. That’s what I really want from Colin. Ever since my brother, Danny, died in Iraq, Colin’s done so much to help me, including giving me a job at his popular restaurant so I can leave my crappy waitressing job at the strip joint. But lying in bed with him every night to comfort him from his horrible nightmares isn’t enough anymore. I know he feels guilty about Danny’s death, about not going to Iraq, but I can’t keep living this double life.

I love him desperately, but he’s got so many demons, and if he can’t open up to me now, then he’ll never be the real partner I need him to be. I gave him a month, and now I’m out of here. If he truly loves me like he says, he knows where to find me.

Title:     Drew + Fable Forever

Author:     Monica Murphy

Genre:     New Adult Contemporary

Release Date:     January 14, 2014

Series:   Drew + Fable, Book #3.5

Monica Murphy returns with her most beloved characters, Drew and Fable, in this eBook original short story that brings her bestselling New Adult series full circle.

Fantasy. How I ended up with NFL player Drew Callahan, the guy every woman wants, is beyond my wildest dreams. All I know is that once he chose me as his one and only, I sure wasn’t looking back. I had past wounds and he showed patience and concern—even accepting responsibility for my messed-up kid brother. Now, yet again, he’s found a way to blow my mind: an exotic wedding and honeymoon miles and miles away from home. What else could a girl ever ask for?

Reality. Except now the honeymoon’s over. Drew’s football schedule takes him on the road constantly, while I need to stay put and look after my brother until he finishes high school—because God knows our sorry excuse for a mother won’t. I know Drew loves me with all his heart, and I’ll always be over the moon about him. This just isn’t how I imagined life as newlyweds . . . dealing with the distance, missing him constantly. But we’ve gone through hard times before. We can get through this, too, right? We’re Drew and Fable, together forever. At least I hope so. . . .

I loved Owen and Chelsea almost as much as I loved Drew and Fable!  Check out what happened when I sat down with them…

I am excited beyond words about my next interview.  I loved Owen and Chelsea’s story…their connection and feelings about one another really touched me and I’m thrilled to bits they agreed to sit down with me.  I meet them at the District (of course…because that’s where I do all my Drew + Fable interviews 😛 ) and I get their early enough to snag a table with a view.  We picked a quiet time, after the lunch rush but before the happy hour crowd, so we wouldn’t be bothered.

I haven’t been waiting long when I see them walk through the front doors and my jaw hits the table.  Owen is…delicious and Chelsea is as beautiful as ever.  I kind of would like to steal them and take them home with me…but that might be a little odd at the first meeting, so I lead with regaining my brain, standing up and introducing myself.  After we’ve sat down and ordered drinks (non-alcoholic of course), I play catch up and they fill me in on what they’ve been doing.  It’s great to hear about their success…after all they have been through, these two deserve it.  I hate to be all business, but I don’t want to take up their entire afternoon, so I get started.

 

Lisa:                “I’m so happy to be able to sit down with both of you, I really appreciate you taking the time.”

Chelsea:          “It’s not a problem at all.”

Lisa:                “Awesome…well Chelsea, I always do ladies first, is that good with you?”

Chelsea:          “Fine by me.”

Lisa:                “For someone your age, you’re extremely mature and advanced.  Not trying to dog your parents…but where did this come from?  Were you always this smart and driven or did it just come naturally?”

Chelsea:          “It sort of all just came naturally. From a very early age I wanted to learn. I liked to read and I was always curious. My parents were too wrapped up in their own drama so I got lost in my little world of reading and learning.”

Lisa:                “I hate to be nosey…butI gotta ask…have you figured football out yet?” J

Her face breaks out into a smile and we both laugh as Owen rolls his eyes at us.

Chelsea:          “I have! Owen’s been giving me lessons. He’s very patient.”

Lisa:                “Shoot…where do I sign up to get taught football by Owen. 😛  Summarize Owen in one sentence.”

Chelsea:          “Owen is the sweetest, naughtiest, smartest, sexiest boyfriend ever. She blushes and Owen brings his arm tighter around her shoulders to snuggle her to his side.  So cute…

Lisa:                “I know things weren’t great with your parents…have they gotten any better?”

Chelsea:          “I don’t talk to my dad. I refuse to. My mom has reached out to me and we’ve talked briefly but it’s just not the same.”

Lisa:                “Do you think you will ever give up hope on your mom?”

Chelsea:          “I can’t say yes or no. I don’t want to give up hope on her. It’s the last thing I want to do. But if she’s going to keep in contact with my dad and try and force me to do the same then…it’s never going to work between us.

And that hurts.”

Lisa:                “Complete understandable.  So it seems your dreams have…changed…you originally wanted to go for your masters and teach – the world is your oyster, what are your plans now?”

Chelsea:          “My original plans haven’t necessarily changed, they’ve just been put on hold. I’ve gone to school and worked hard my entire life. I’ve never done anything to relax. Owen’s taught me how to stop and look around, you know? One of my favorite things to do with Owen is…nothing. We just hang out and talk or watch TV or a movie or whatever.

After Owen graduates from college, we’ll figure out what to do next. Before I met him, the thought of having no real plan would terrify me. Now I’m excited by the possibilities, especially with Owen by my side.”

Lisa:                “That’s definitely something to be excited about.”

I return her beaming smile and she turns to Owen, planting a sweet kiss on his cheek.

Lisa:                “Your turn in the hot seat Owen, you ready for me?”

Owen:             “Yep.”

Lisa:                “What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about Fable.  (yes…we’re putting you on the spot 🙂  but we promise she won’t find out!)  Oh and best memory of growing up with your sister too…we know she can be fun.”

Owen:             “Fable is loyal without a doubt. She always took care of me. She was a better mother to me than ours ever was. So her loyalty is my favorite thing. My least favorite thing? She’s like a damn detective. She always finds out when I’ve done something wrong and it sucks. She scares me sometimes because she can be so ferocious.”

Lisa:                “She can be…so you lucked out in the sister department and turns out, the best friend department too – can you imagine your life without Wade?  And I know ya’ll got into some pretty crazy stuff when you were younger…can you tell us any stories?”

Owen:             “I can’t imagine my life without Wade. We’ve been best friends since we were eleven or twelve. Yeah, we got into a lot of trouble but we also took care of each other, you know? I love that guy like a brother.

And you want stories? I can’t tell you stories because then you’d find out all our secrets. I can’t do that to Wade. He’d kick my ass.”

Lisa:                “No fair!  Maybe I’ll have to track Wade down and get him to spill the dirt.  Summarize Chelsea in one sentence.”

Owen:             “Chelsea is the best damn thing to ever happen to me.”

Lisa:                “Wow…so true.  Love it.  Have you decided what you want to do when you graduate?  Go pro?  Start a career?  You seem to have a knack for writing…I think Chels is partial to your poems, you could always give that a go (I personally would love a poem from you 🙂  )”

Owen:             “Everyone is encouraging me to go pro. I would love to follow in Drew’s footsteps and he’s been very supportive but we’ll see. I need to know if the pros would be interested in me, you know?

I don’t mind writing but I could never make a career out of it. And I’ve only written poems for Chelsea. They’re not that great but she sure loves them.”

Lisa:                “I’m sure she adores them.  If you could tell your mom anything right now, what would it be?”

Owen:             “That I’m sorry she couldn’t get her crap together and take care of us like a real mother.”

Wow…alright, I need to change the topic before I cry.

Lisa:                “This is my favorite part of the interview – both of you together!  What are your favorite five things about each other? (physical, non-physical, whatever!)”

Owen:             “The way she smells.  Her brain.  The conversations we have.  The taste of her lips.  How she snuggles up close to me when we fall asleep.”

Aaaaand I’m swooning again.  Luckily Chelsea answers right after him or I might just be staring and Owen all googly eyed for the next 30 minutes.

Chelsea:          “His smile.  How he looks at me.  Talking to him.  His protectiveness.  How I feel when he touches me, however brief it is.”

Lisa:                “What’s your deepest regret with each other?”

Owen:             “What I said to my mom about Chelsea not being important. That was a huge mistake. I hurt her bad.”

Chelsea:          “That I was always trying to please my mom rather than what I wanted to do.”

Lisa:                “I’m loving all this honest guys!  Okay…favorite memory?”

Owen:             “When she told me she didn’t wear any panties and I had a coughing fit. She about did me in with that one statement. My imagination went wild.”

Chelsea:          “Our first kiss sitting on top of his car. Talk about a romantic night.”

Lisa:                “Very good…Owen you surprised me, not what ‘most guys’ would have said…I like!  And Chels that was so romantic!  Okay…let’s go for some tough stuff…worst flaw?”

Owen:             “She gets frustrated when she’s dealing with something she’s never done or doesn’t understand. She wants to be perfect at everything.”

Chelsea:          “I swear sometimes he’s bound and determined to screw up just because he can. He’s getting over that though.”

Lisa:                “Good points for both…most annoying pet peeve?”

Chelsea:          “Owen is a slob. He never makes his bed. He doesn’t fold his clothes. It’s annoying.”

Lisa:                “He is a boy…just saying!” 🙂

Owen:             “Chelsea is a perfectionist. Like right down to the tiniest detail and it makes me nuts. She revels in it though so I’m like whatever.”

Lisa:                “At least you’ve both learned to loved each other through the good and the bad.  What’s the hardest lesson you’ve learned?”

Owen:             “Just because someone is supposed to love and take care of you, like your mom, doesn’t mean they will.”

Chelsea:          “Amen. That’s the same hard lesson I’ve learned too.”

Lisa:                “Very hard lesson to learn…especially as young as you both are, but I’m glad you’re both strong enough to overcome it.  Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?”

Owen:             “Not sure but wherever we are, Chelsea will be with me. That’s all that matters.”

Chelsea:          “What Owen said.”

Lisa:                “Best answer ever!  Alright, we’re almost done – time for a little game of either/or!  Teacher or Student?” 😉

Owen:             “Teacher.”

Chelsea:          “Student (we’ve switched roles)”

Mmm…sexy!  I approve!

Lisa:                “Chocolate or Vanilla?”

Owen:             “Vanilla.”

Chelsea:          “Chocolate.”

Lisa:                “Warm or Cold?”

Owen:             “Warm (so I can see Chelsea wearing practically nothing)”

Spoken like a typical dude.

Chelsea:          “Cold so we can snuggle.”

Spoken like a typical chick.  These two are adorable!

Lisa:                “Hard or Soft?”

Owen:             “Soft.”

Chelsea:          “Hard.”

Hmm…well, that was surprising.

Lisa:                “Books or Movies?”

Owen:             “Books.”

Chelsea:          “Books.”

I approve of this.

Lisa:                “Fast or Slow?”

Owen:             “Can I say both?”

He gives me a sexy winks and I’m mush – at this point he can say whatever he wants.

Chelsea:          “I like slow.”

Her blush is back in full force and I smile at her indulgently.

Lisa:                “Soda or Tea?”

Owen:             “Soda.”

Chelsea:             “Soda.”

Lisa:                “Loud or Quiet?”

Owen:              “Loud.”

Chelsea:              “Quiet.”

Lisa:                “That doesn’t surprise me at all.  Okay…last set of questions, I promise.  Rapid Fire…it’s really easy, just tell me the first thing that comes to mind.  School?”

Owen:             “Almost done.”

Chelsea:          “Miss it.”

Of course she does!

Lisa:                “Pink roses?”

Owen:             “Chelsea’s…never mind.”

Chelsea:          “God. I can’t even answer after what he said.”

I giggle at both their answers but Chelsea’s embarrassment is just too cute at this point.

Lisa:                “Football?”

Owen:             “My future?”

His voice sounds a little hopeful.  🙂

Chelsea:          “Owen.”

Lisa:                “Fable?”

Owen:             “Family.”

Chelsea:          “Love her.”

Lisa:                “OMG…me too!  Trust?”

Owen:             “Chelsea.”

Chelsea:          “Owen.”

Awwww…totally love that.  A lot.

Lisa:                “Drew?”

Owen:             “Idol.”

Awww…seriously, yes, I have to ‘awww…’ again!  These answers are warming my heart.

Chelsea:          “Cute (can I say that? I’m saying it)”

Lisa:                “You can totally say that.  🙂  Parents?”

Owen:             “Nonexistent.”

Chelsea:          “Trouble.”

Sad…but true.  On both answers.

Lisa:                “Autumn?”

Owen:             “My baby girl.”

Chelsea:          “Sweet and feisty.”

Lisa:                “Just like her momma.  Tutor?” 😉

Owen:             “Chelsea.”

Chelsea:          “My old job!”

Lisa:                “Okay…this one if just for Chelsea to answer…Owen?”

Chelsea:          “The love of my life.”

He leans over and kisses her temple.

Lisa:                “Now it’s Owen’s turn…Chelsea?”

Owen:             “My girl.”

*Swoon*

Lisa:                “Love?”

Owen:             “Chelsea.”

Chelsea:          “Owen.”

Lisa:                “Wow…you guys really blew me away – thank you so much again, I really appreciate it.”

Owen:             “Of course.”

Chelsea:          “Anytime.”

 

We all walk outside together and I give them hugs before making my way back to my car to leave.  Well…this interview might be a little bittersweet because it’s the last interview that I’ll be doing with the Drew + Fable clan…but it definitely could not have ended any better.

 

Four Years Later by Monica Murphy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*

4 “uptight virgin” “rose” “Chels” Kisses

Wow…I’m honestly sad that I’m typing this review. And not because I didn’t like the book, in fact…the exact opposite…but just because I’m seriously so depressed that this series is over. These characters have been in my life for almost a year now and…I can’t believe it’s over. Four Years Later is the final book in the One Week Girlfriend Quartet…and this is a series that must be read in order…so if you haven’t read One Week Girlfriend, Second Chance Boyfriend, Three Broken Promises or Drew + Fable Forever…you have to read those first. But back to my moping…I don’t want it to be over…and yes I know I have attachment issues, don’t judge me! But in all honesty…Owen and Chelsea’s story was a beautiful way to end the series. It was emotional…angsty…and unique…just like the two of them.

Owen Maguire…who am I kidding…I’ve always had a soft spot for Owen. He’s Fable’s baby brother!!! Seriously?!? It’s just weird because part of me wants to be a big sister to him…and part of me wants to hump him – it’s a very confusing feeling…but somehow my brain works through it. He’s a mess…I mean…Fable was a mess too – they grew up with no family, an absolutely horrible mother, no structure or guidance and Fable did her best to raise Owen but it’s hard to raise a kid when you’re still a kid! My poor sweet Owen…I think all he ever wanted was for his mom to love him…and the only thing she ever did was screw with his head. He does his best, I truly believe he has good intentions in his heart…because Owen is a good guy…he’s just a little lost and confused at times. I love his relationship with Fable and Drew though…I think if it weren’t for them, he would have ended up just like his mother. It is amazing to see Owen when he really does try and applies himself….and you never see that more clearly than when he is with Chelsea.

‘So I became a carbon copy of Drew Callahan. I played football, I wrote, I studied, I tried my best to do the right thing. I’m a little more outgoing than Drew, though. Girls are my thing. So are my friends. And beer. Oh, and weed.
All of that equals not doing the right thing, despite my intentions.’

Chelsea Rose Simmons…oh Chels…I heart this girl because she and I are a lot alike. I really connected to her and some of her experiences…she’s just a very real and relatable girl overall. She’s an only child…with an absentee jerk/loser father and a mom who is depressed and can’t figure out if she loves her husband or hates all men. Poor Chelsea is brilliant…like skip years of school brilliant (she’s a junior in college and she’s 19…the chick has some mega brains!). She’s also a hard worker…not only does she take on a full load of classes, she also tutors as a side job and then works at a restaurant. She’s independent, determined and dedicated to her future because she will not let her father’s mistakes influence her life or let money stop her from fulfilling her dreams. But…a drawback to the age thing…she’s a little inexperienced. She’s not naïve, but she is sheltered and cautious…which there’s nothing wrong with that…but combine that with a gorgeous, blond bad boy football player and well…you have a recipe for awesome. 🙂

‘But I’ve never been comfortable around guys. They give me even a hint of attention and I think they have ulterior motives. They want something I don’t want to give.
My body. My mind. My soul.
They’ll take everything, then destroy me. Walk away without a backward glance.’

Chelsea brings out every positive attribute in Owen. Whether it’s because he wants to try with her or she inspires him…or it’s incentive to impress her…take it as you will but Owen is very different when she is around, and it’s all for the positive. Chels is different with Owen too – Miss. Prim-and-Proper sheds a few layers when the bad boy comes around and it’s nice to see that she can let lose and have fun. I liked that they balanced each other because…let’s face it, they’re basically polar opposites but together they worked so well. I was completely sucked into every aspect of their relationship as it developed. From tutor/student…to flirtatious…to more…and even through the awkward ‘what-are-we’ stage, I still enjoyed going through that journey with them. I loved that he opened her world to so many new things and I love even more that she let him…I like that she inspired his creative writing….I love that he called her Chels and I love even more how much she loved that he called her Chels. 🙂

‘“I thought all girls liked to write about love and sadness.”
Is that what he writes about? I doubt it, but who knows? “I’m not like most girls.”
“I know.” His smile softens as his gaze roves over my face. “That’s what I like most about you.”
Oh. I am so. Done for.’

When I say they are polar opposites…I mean it in every sense of the word…he’s the bad boy, she’s the good girl….he’s a manwhore, she’s a virgin…he’s scraping by in school, she’s a freaking braniac…he’s the jock, she’s the nerd – you getting the picture here? Maybe that’s why I loved them so much together because on paper…they do not add up – had it not been for the tutoring sessions, they would have never crossed paths, never met and this beautiful broken couple would have never healed each other. They both have so many secrets…so many things they keep hidden from the world and from each other because they don’t want to be judged or rejected for things that are out of their control…and the funny thing is they have no idea how much in common they have in that sense.

‘We need each other. I don’t know if Chelsea’s aware of it yet, but I know I am. Having her here with me makes everything right again. Makes me feel like I can breathe again. These few weeks apart from her have nearly killed me.
There’s no way I can let her go now.’

They could start their own ‘messed up parent’s club’ and swap horror stories…I think that might be what drove me crazy the most…I was glad that they found solace in each other because they so desperately needed it…but I was frustrated in some of Owen’s behavior and the fact that both of them were still hiding crucial parts of themselves from the other. But it was all part of the build up with the angst…so there is a purpose! I definitely have to give Monica Murphy credit, she angst’d the crap out of me with Owen and Chelsea, almost as much as she did with Drew and Fable. I did not see a lot of their story line coming…I was surprised, I definitely did not think it was predictable but I loved how Owen and Chelsea tied in with Drew and Fable and of course I loved seeing glimpses of them as usual (especially Autumn…and hearing Owen talk about Autumn…so freaking cute). The other thing I liked that Three Broken Promises didn’t have…and it’s something so small, so random…but the quotes at the start of each chapter. Do you know the ridiculous amount of love I have for those quotes? It’s out of control.

‘He closes his eyes, presses his lips together. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”
“Yes, you do.” My simple answer feels so freeing it lightens my heart.
His eyes crack open and he looks at me. “I don’t deserve you.”
“If you don’t deserve me then I don’t deserve you.”’

So…am I sad that it’s over? Yes…deeply saddened, but also happy because…all of the characters are happy – they’re in great places…I got all the HEA goodness I could ever hope for and I am completely thrilled at the development with these characters. I do feel like Chels and Owen could have more of a story (just like Jenn and Collin) and I will keep hope alive that maybe someday we will get it…but regardless…this book worm is very content with how this series ended.

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.

Title:  Come To Me Quietly (The Closer to You Series Book#1)

Author:  A.L. Jackson

Release Date:   January 7, 2014

Genre:   New Adult Romance

Title:  Come To Me Softly (The Closer to You Series Book#2)

Author:  A.L. Jackson

Expected Release Date:   Summer 2014

Genre:   New Adult Romance

From the New York Times bestselling author of Come to Me Quietly comes

a scorching new adult romance in the Closer to You series.

 

A second chance at life…

A second chance at love…

Jared Holt never thought he deserved either—until he found both in the arms of Aly Moore. Aly has loved Jared for as long as she can remember, and she’s more than ready for the future they’re making together. But Jared can’t help remembering his own family. And he’ll never forgive himself for what happened to them. How can he allow himself the very happiness he once destroyed?

To live a life worthy of Aly, Jared knows he has to stop running and finally put his past to rest. But when he decides to face his demons head on, he encounters more than he bargained for: a dangerous mix of jealousy, lies, and dishonest intentions. When those intentions threaten Aly, Jared loses all control, giving into the rage that earned him his bad boy reputation years before. And he’ll fight to protect her no matter what it costs…even if he destroys himself in the process.

Want to see what happens when I pick Aly and Jared’s brains?  🙂

I’m so excited to meet with Aly and Jared – I’m pretty sure I could have flown to Arizona on the energy produced from my excitement.  EEEP!   I have the uncontrollable need to hug them…possibly for 5-10 minutes…which might be a little strange, so as usual, I’m trying to restrain myself.  I arrive at the diner where Aly works and I’m right on time…because guess who is arriving at the same time as me.  Two gorgeous creatures just peeling themselves off a hot looking motorcycle and looking every bit like a dreamy couple that belongs in a commercial.  I half expect Aly to take off the helmet and throw her hair back with hard rock music playing in the background.  Hmm…that actually would be pretty hot.  I snap myself out of my day dream and get out of my car to greet them (and yes…I do get my hugs, but appropriate/normal/non-lingering hugs).  We walk inside the restaurant and luckily it’s not too busy but we find a nice booth at the back where it’s quite and we have a little bit of privacy.  After I’ve caught up with them, I decide to bite the bullet and dive in.

 

Lisa:     “Thank you both again for agreeing to do this interview with me, I appreciate you taking the time.”

Aly:      “It’s not a problem at all.”

She smiles at me sweetly, putting me at ease.

Lisa:     “Well, I always go with ladies first, are you ready for me Aly?”

Aly:      “I’m ready.”

Lisa:     “Do you think you will ever show anyone your drawings?”

Aly:      “Well, someone really special to me has been trying to convince me that I should.”

Lisa:     “I totally agree with the someone special…in case you were wondering 🙂  What name do you like Jared calling you best…Aly, Aleena or Aly Cat?  (I totally have a fav 🙂 )

Aly laughs low.

Aly:      “That would depend on what we’re doing.”

A slight blush graces her cheeks – she’s just too cute for words.

Aly:      “Hearing him call me Aleena sounds pretty good right about now.”

Lisa:     “Yup…that’s totally my fav.  Summarize Jared in one sentence.”

Aly:      “My beautifully broken man.”

Lisa:     “Oh wow…I love it!  So, I know your fond of Jared’s tattoo’s…would you ever like to get one?  If so, what would you get and where?”

Aly:      “That’s funny you asked. I’m going to get one…Jared thought I was crazy when I told him, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to like it. I’ll tell you more about it in Come to Me Softly.”

Lisa:     “I can totally deal with that.  You’re working at the diner…you love to draw…you’re going to college…what is your dream?  What do you see yourself doing in the future?  Or more appropriately what would you love to be doing in the future?”

Aly glances at Jared seated to her right.

Aly:      “I never hoped to dream that I could do what I love so much. Thinking I could draw seemed silly, something I’d imagined as a girl that I needed to let go of when I became a woman. Jared showed me I don’t have to stop dreaming.”

He leans over and kisses her temple…I love how supportive he is of her.

Lisa:     “Okay Jared, it’s your turn.”

Jared: “Sounds good.”

Lisa:     “Do you have a favorite tattoo?  Least favorite tattoo?”

Jared slowly leans forward on his knees, shakes his head as he threads his fingers together.

Jared: “I hate every sin and scar I’ve etched on my body, Lisa. All except for the one Aly left right over my heart.”

Wow…clean up…aisle one!  That would be me – the puddle of swoon!  First of all…did he just say that?  Second of all…he said my name!  God it sounded sexy…EEP!  Alright…tone it down.  And third of all…the Aly/heart thing, OMG – I just fell even more in love with him!  After I stumble out of my Jared-love-stupor, I get back into interview mode.

Lisa:     “Are you still writing?  And have you shared anymore of your writing with Aly?  And…can you share any with me?” 🙂

I hope the smile wins him over.  Maybe.  Ehh…a girl can hope.  Jared chuckles and rubs at his chin.

Jared: “Been kinda busy with my girl lately…got a ton of shit going on…taking care of her…watching out for her. Besides, Aly kind of seems to like it when I whisper those words in her ear. “

Damn!  Well…with the smile Aly is giving Jared, I guess I can be a little understanding.

Lisa:     “Summarize Aly in one sentence.”

Jared: “Don’t need a sentence. Just need one word. ‘Perfection’.”

Lisa:     “Ooooh….very nice.  So, how is your relationship with Christopher going since you came back?”

Jared: “Dude wasn’t really all too happy to see me at first. He got all protective and in my face. But I get it. My girl’s special. He doesn’t want anyone hurting her, least of all me. But he’s coming around.”

Lisa:     “I have to agree with you there, she is special – but at least she’s surrounded by men who care about her very much.  What do your mom would think of you and Aly’s relationship?”

Jared: “God…I hope she can see us…hope that she’s forgiven me and wants me to be happy. It still fucks me up, you know, thinking about her? About what I did. One of these days, I’m going to have to really face it and quit hiding in the comfort I get from Aly’s touch.”

Lisa:     “At least you’ve finally found something that gives you comfort, I’m sure your mom would have wanted that.  Okay…time for some together questions.  What are your favorite five things about each other? (physical, non-physical, whatever!)”

Aly:      “I love it all, Lisa, it’s hard to pin it down. But I’d have to say I love how passionate he is, how protective, that he has the kindest heart. I love the story he has painted on his skin. And God, I love his eyes.”

Yeah…he does have some pretty spectacular eyes.

Jared:             “Easy…have you seen her legs? And that mouth? I love her expression when she draws. I love that she’s kind and still strong. Really I just love that this girl has a good enough heart that she can love me. Still don’t get it.”

Lisa:     “You don’t have to get it…you just get to be thankful for it. 😉  Deepest regret?”

Aly:      “Waiting so long to tell Jared how I really felt.”

Jared:             “Walking out her door.”

Lisa:     “Mmmm…good ones.  Favorite memory of you two growing up together?”

Aly:      “Jared holding me in the storm.”

Jared: “Aly sitting by me, watching the fireworks. I’ll never forget it.”

Lisa:     “Gosh ya’ll are good at this!  What do you consider your worst flaw?”

Aly:      “I love too deeply.”

I scoff at her.

Lisa:     “That’s not a flaw!”

She grins at me playfully.

Jared:             “My temper.”

Lisa:     “Most annoying pet peeve?”

Aly:      “Jared’s always using up all my coconut body scrub. You’d think he had some kind of weird obsession with it, or something.”

Jared smirks.

Jared: “Christopher.”

I can’t stop my giggle at Jared’s answer.

Lisa:     “What’s the hardest lesson you’ve learned?”

Aly:      “That Jared will always be difficult. He’s not perfect. There’s always that chance that he could hurt me again.”

Jared:             “That I have to finally forgive myself if I’m ever really going to live.”

Lisa:     “Good lessons!  Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

Jared: “Together. There’s no other place for us to be.”

Awwww…

Lisa:     “I approve of that answer.  Time for a little game of either/or – Chocolate or Vanilla?”

Jared: “Vanilla.”

Lisa:     “Hard or Soft?”

Aly:      “Soft.”

Lisa:     “Books or Movies?”

Aly:      “Books.”

I knew I loved her…  🙂

Lisa:     “Fast or Slow?”

Jared: “Slow.”

Lisa:     “Soda or Tea?”

Aly:      “Tea.”

Lisa:     “Loud or Quite?”

Jared: “Quiet, definitely.”

Well…that should have been obvious Lisa!   😛

Lisa:     “Alright…last part and I’ll stop bugging you…rapid fire!  Just tell me the first thing that comes to mind…Aly cat?”

Jared: “Little girl.”

Lisa:     “Tattoo’s?”

Aly:      “Rose at the center of Jared’s chest.”

Lisa:     “Christopher?”

Jared: “Boy’s got some issues.”

Lisa:     “Forgiveness?”

Aly:      “It’s about time Jared forgave himself.”

Lisa:     “Couldn’t agree more.  Family?”

Jared: “We’re always gonna be.”

Lisa:     “Alright, this one is specifically for Jared…Aly?”

Jared: “My life.”

Lisa:     “Love?”

Aly:      “Us.”

Lisa:     “Wow…you guys, this was great.  Thank you again.”

Jared: “Sure thing.”

We stay a little longer at the diner, grabbing a bite to eat now that we can relax since the ‘work’ is over.  We have a completely enjoyable afternoon and I’m sorry to see that it’s over.  We walk outside to say our goodbyes and I can’t lie…I linger on my hugs this time.  😛

 

Come to Me Quietly by A.L. Jackson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*

4 “Aly Cat” ‘Motherfucking trigger.’ ‘I don’t get to have this.’ “Stay.” Kisses

Wow…so heads up – this book is angsty to the max! Like…I didn’t expect a cake walk or anything but I feel like my emotions just got put through the ringer. Aly and Jared consumed my brain and I feel like I just went on the insanely impactful journey with them…and I was not prepared.

Aleena Moore…oh my dear little Aly Cat. Aly is a good, sweet, sad girl…she’s kind and gentle…she’s talented…I love that she draws, and for some reason I find it cute that she won’t show anyone else her drawings. I loved her relationship with her family…especially her mom. I also loved her bestie and their friendship. So…I already said she was sad…but there was just something about Aly that really tugged at my soul…she was so sad she almost broke my heart. Like…if it was possible, I would have reached through my kindle just to hug her…cause good Lord knows she needed the comfort. But she’s sad for a good reason (which I know sounds weird…but go with me on this)…a reason I thought I understood but really didn’t get until the very end of the book. I think when you love someone as much and as wholly as Aly loved Jared, it changes you…whether you intend it to or not. And without Jared in her life for the past few years, Aly really hasn’t been living. I dunno if that makes any sense but I just kept getting this feeling with Aly that she was missing something…something that made her happier, more complete, more fulfilled. Turns out that thing was Jared.

‘Jared Holt was here.
A whisper of a smile curved my lips. He was real, no longer a veiled mystery that I’d hidden away in my heart. He lived. He breathed.
And God, it he wasn’t the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.’

 

Jared Zachary Holt…picture the ultimate bad boy. Motorcycle…bad reputation…tons of tattoo’s and an attitude that’s bigger than he is. Then put all that on a man who looks like an angel…blonde hair…blue eyes…tall and muscular…gorgeous All American boy. Then…give him one of the most heartbreakingly painful experiences I think I have ever read. And there you have Jared…in a nutshell. I love my broken boys…I break with them, I break for them and I want to watch them get put back together. Jared might be the first one that I was really wondering if it was going to happen. His guilt is bigger than this world and he lets it eat him up all the way to his core. He is no longer Jared…he is the sum of all his mistakes, his penance for his actions and he refuses to forgive himself. It’s so insanely painful to watch…and if I could have reached thru and hugged Aly then I would have simultaneously reached thru and shook the stuffing out of Jared because his refusal to forgive himself is not only punishing him…it’s punishing the people around him. Everyone is suffering and it’s so sad.

‘I didn’t think I’d ever felt intrigued by a girl before the way I was now, had never wanted to crawl inside someone’s mind to dig through her thoughts, to find out who she was. Why she was. Aly’s green eyes were both fierce and soft, her touch both intent and gentle. She was kind, yet she didn’t hesitate to call me out on my shit. She made me itch and squirm, made me want to run and want to stay.’

I am an emotional reader…whatever the characters are feeling, I feel…that’s just how my crazy brain translates it. CTMQ is an angsty…sad…emotional book…which translates to me reading slower than I normally do because I don’t like it when my characters are in pain, because then I am in pain with them. And Aly and Jared have a lot of painful stuff to go through. It is really hard stuff and even when I thought I knew it all…I sooooo totally didn’t. I love it when books throw a curveball at me and when I was in tears because of CTMQ’s curveball…I knew this book got me. The reality of what Jared and Aly had hit me full force. I truly felt Aly’s love so strongly throughout the book…second to their separate pain, the other emotion that I felt like I could reach out and touch it was so real, was Aly’s love for Jared. I couldn’t get enough of it but at the same time, it was hurting me so much that she couldn’t really express it and enjoy it with Jared. Their restraint pained me. When I say Jared and Aly don’t have it easy that might be the understatement of the century. The fact that Jared is Christopher’s best friend complicates things even more than they already are…but Aly and Jared have always had a special relationship. I am such a sucker for a couple having history and Aly and Jared’s history is amazing…the little glimpses of their past warmed my heart so much and seeing that uncomplicated side of Jared just made me swoon for him that much more.

‘I groaned. “I’ve wanted to kiss you every single second of every single day since the moment I opened my eyes to find you standing over me, Aly. But you know we can’t do this.” My voice cracked. “I don’t get to have this. I already told you…you deserve someone who can love you, someone who will be good for you, and you know that’s not me.”’

Okay…deep dark confession time – this is my first A.L. Jackson book. *gasp* I know…I know – but better late than never and boy! Did I ever pick a fantastic book to be my first A.L. Jackson read because I learned one solid fact. A.L. Jackson could write about what the inside of a paper bag looks like and I would probably love every second of it. Why? Because holy banana’s she’s a phenomenal writer! Her level of description and clarity was enrapturing. Her pace and flow was amazing…I didn’t feel like I was reading, I felt like I was experiencing. Most of all…the depth of the emotion in all her characters, not just Aly and Jared, was spot on IMO. I really loved being in both Aly and Jared’s POV’s…and normally, I prefer the girl over the guy POV…I just usually connect better (maybe it’s because I’m swooning over the male too much lol) – but for whatever reason, I felt Jared’s was stronger in CTMQ. Maybe it’s because of his personality and that is just how Jared is…and not to say that I didn’t enjoy Aly’s as well, but being in Jared Holt’s head is just…wow…and I tip my hat to A.L. for pulling that one off. It’s not easy to get into the brain of a man, let alone a man who’s got as many issues as poor Jared does.

‘Loving someone is one of the biggest chances we ever take. Maybe the most unfair part of it is that it’s rarely a conscious decision we’ve made. It’s something that blossoms slow to hits us hard, something that stirs and builds gradually, or something that shocks us with its sudden intensity. And sometimes it’s something that’s been a part of us our entire lives.
But almost always, it’s inevitable.’

I could not have loved the ending more if I tried. There is still so much that Aly and Jared need to overcome and work on…so many hopes that I have for both of them…so many things that Jared needs to deal with. But that’s why we have Come to Me Softly! EEEEP! Yay for series! I need Aly and Jared to have their complete and final HEA because both of them have suffered too long…they deserve to be happy! And I can’t lie…I really hope Christopher gets his own book, he’s a little bit of a man whore and I have weakness for man whores. Also, there were two characters that we get a taste of and it was enough of a taste to make me want more…Megan, Aly’s bestie….and Augustyn, Aly’s little brother…so I might be crossing my fingers that they get books too. 🙂

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A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled, When We Collide, and If Forever Comes.

She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student.  She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children.

Look for Come to Me Quietly and Come to Me Softly coming soon.

Title:   Worn Me Down (Playing With Fire Book #3)

Author:   T.E. Sivec

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Release Date:   January 21, 2014

“Worn me down like a road. I did everything you told. Worn me down to my knees.
I did everything to please.”

Austin Conrad has never taken his personal life seriously. As a Navy SEAL, he spends all of his time in dangerous, life-threatening situations. The only way to leave behind the horrors he’s seen throughout his career, is to turn it all off when he gets home. He’s too much of a playboy to settle down; even if he did find a woman he could stand to be around for more than one night, he would never taint her life with the demons of his past.

When his best friend and SEAL team member, Brady Marshall asks him to keep an eye on his baby sister, Gwen, Austin figures it will be a walk in the park. The only thing Austin likes more than flirting his way under a beautiful woman’s skin, is walking away with a smile on his face. Austin never expects that the single mom and her little girl will be the ones getting under his skin.

Gwen Stratford knows all too well about living in a nightmare. After taking her daughter and fleeing from her abusive husband in the middle of the night several months ago, she’s worked hard to get her life back on track and forget about the man who tried to break her. Growing up under the iron thumb of her parents and then moving right on with a man who ruled their marriage with his fists, Gwen is finally able to breathe and live her life the way she wants.

When scary, mysterious things begin to happen to Gwen and her daughter, she realizes you can never outrun your past; it always has a way of catching up with you. As she struggles with the desire to keep her newfound independence, she knows she won’t be able to protect herself and her child alone. She’ll need to lean on the one man who drives her crazy.

Can Gwen really put her trust in a man who thinks life is one big joke, or will he be just another man in her life who tries to wear her down?

Have you read the other amazing books in the Playing With Fire Series?  While each book can be read as a stand alone, I totally recommend reading all the books in the series!  🙂

Title:   A Beautiful Lie (Playing With Fire Book #1)

Author:   T.E. Sivec

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

USA Today Best Seller.

The Playing With Fire Series will include 4 books. Some of the characters will reappear in the books, but each book can be read as a stand alone.

He saw her first, but his friend made the move.

She settled for the safer choice, but her heart knew the truth.

They love, they crave, they lie.

Garrett McCarthy, Annabelle Parker, and Milo Roberts were as close as friends could get. They shared in each other’s joy during graduations, promotions, and engagements. They consoled one another through heartache and loss.

When one of the friend’s life is tragically cut short, it’s up to the two left behind to pick up the pieces and find out the truth – no matter the cost. As they slowly start to uncover the nature of his deception, and the very powerful people behind it, they begin to question everyone and everything, even themselves.

Everyone has secrets – some do it for love while others do it for power. Those secrets can change perceptions, alter reality and sometimes destroy lives.

What do you do when you find out your whole life has been a lie?

Title:   Because of You (Playing With Fire Book #2)

Author:   T.E. Sivec

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Brady Marshall has made a career of playing it safe. When he decides to do something rash and becomes a Navy SEAL, he thinks he’s finally escaped the rigid structure of the high society life his parents forced down his throat. All he does is trade in one set of rules for another. He follows military protocol to a T, but it still results in the death of an entire team of Navy SEALS and puts his best friends directly in harm’s way. He’s struggled to stay afloat and not drown in grief, guilt, and booze, but he’s losing that battle quickly. When his baby sister flees her abusive husband and shows up on his doorstep with his young niece in tow, he has no choice but to clean up his act. He will stop at nothing to protect them and never let them down again, even if it means taking a job that goes against everything he believes in. If protecting a pop star princess who thinks she’s better than everyone means he can keep a roof over their head, what other choice does he have?

Layla Carlysle has lived a life of luxury. She’s been a star since the young age of fifteen, and every record she releases shoots straight to the top of the charts. She has people surrounding her every single day telling her how amazing she is, how beautiful she is, and how lucky she is, but she’s never felt more alone in her entire life. She wants nothing more than to break free and do what she really wants to do: write her own music, sing her own songs, and find a way to finally be happy with her life. The only thing standing in her way is her mother, Eve Carlysle. Eve has controlled every single aspect of her daughter’s life and will stop at nothing to achieve fame and fortune, even if that means using her daughter to get there. When an overly-amorous fan’s letters become increasingly more sinister, Brady will have to suck up his opinion of how the other half lives to take the job seriously. The pair will need to learn to trust each other and put aside their differences before the letters become a reality and someone’s life is in jeopardy.

Brady has been to hell and back, and he refuses to let anyone else get close to him again. Layla has never lived her life for herself, and the emptiness is threatening to break her for good.

Sometimes our lives are already planned for us, but because of you, all of that could change in an instant.

Welcome everyone for the final portion of our group interview. Today we find out a little something about Emma. Find out what Garrett and Parker have been up to, and get a little tease of Cole. To get the full story, check out all of my interview blog partners:

Part 1 – Ana’s Attic Book Blog

Part 2 – Straight Shootin’ Book Reviews

Part 3 – A Love Affair With Books

How much money has Emma collected for her swear jar and do you think she gets more when Austin is in town or out of town, Gwen?

At last count, she had enough for her first two semesters at school. I’d like to say that she gets more when Austin is in town, but that’s a lie. He’s been really good at watching his language when he’s around her. I have yet to learn this skill.

Do you guys keep in touch with Garrett and Parker? What are they up to?

Actually, Garrett and Parker are planning a trip out here to visit next month. We’re trying to put together a party with Brady and Layla and Cole and Olivia. It’s been a while since we were all in the same place at the same time.

So, Cole – what’s his story?

Cole…oh Cole.  He’s a tortured soul and he’s keeping some secrets.  I can’t give away too much, but it’s going to be a crazy story – a lot of lies, a lot of misconceptions and a lot of pain. Cole and Olivia are going to travel to hell and back, but I have a feeling they’ll get a happy ending…unless someone decides otherwise.

Worn Me Down by Tara Sivec

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*

4 “pipsqueak” Kisses

There are a few things I can guarantee I will get when I read a book in the Playing With Fire series. One…it will captivate and hold my attention. Two…it will have insanely amazing bad ass characters. Three…I will never see anything coming plot wise. Four…I will fall helplessly and hopelessly in love with the couple and never want the story to end. Well…mission accomplished Tara Sivec…mission accomplished. I am hooked like a crack addict on this series and I have no shame in admitting it. Now…Worn Me Down can be read as a stand alone and it would make perfect sense but…I think the series means more if you read the books in order since each book builds off the other.

Gwen Marshall…she goes by many names. Gwendolyn to her parents who built her into their idea of perfection…Gwen Stratford to her ass hole soon to be ex-husband…Gwenny to her friends growing up…and her favorite name ever…Mom. But after living her life the same way for over 10 years…being the ‘good daughter’ and the ‘good wife’…Gwen is finally standing up for herself and doing what she needs to do for her daughter and for herself. She’s shed her ‘perfect’ image…got rid of the long blonde hair in exchange for dark hair with blue and purple (which I think is bad ass for the record) and she has decided to stop living behind the scars of her past. Gwen won me over in Because of You and I knew I was not going to have any problems falling more in love with her character. There are a lot of layers to Gwen and from the little I gathered in BoY, I couldn’t wait to find out about. I knew it was tragic…but it was worse than I thought. No one deserves to go through the amount of pain that she went through and my heart broke for her. With that said Gwen is not the sum of her mistakes. She is a mother, she is a fighter, she is smart, she is brave and she has a great big brother that is willing to help her through the hardest time in her life. Above all what I loved the most about Gwen is she is the most amazing mother. I loved her relationship with Emma and I could not get enough of seeing them together. Her entire purpose is to keep that little girl safe and I saw that time and time again.

‘It’s always easy to judge other people when you have no idea what kind of life they live behind closed doors, when you’ve never walked one footstep in their shoes or when you’ve never given your heart to a man you believe when he told you it would never happen again.’

Austin Conrad is the quintessential career SEAL. He’s a badass and unfortunately…he knows it. This makes for an interesting combination of cocky and arrogant while also infuriatingly hot. He’s also a bit of a manwhore…which we all know is one of my all-time weaknesses. All of Austin’s behavior stems from his upbringing. He was raised in the foster system and never knew what it meant to have a family…he never had a home, he never had stability or love or consistency. He joined the Navy as soon as he could and that has been his family and all he has known…and the SEALS are not exactly known for being warm and fuzzy. Of course that broke my heart but it makes the situation with Gwenn and Emma that much harder because he wants something with them…but he doesn’t know how to make it happen. Heck, he doesn’t even know how to process how he feels about everything because it’s so foreign for him. It’s hard to want something so bad but not know anything about it.

‘I knew from the first moment she called me an ass that kissing her would be like a fiery explosion, neither one of us surviving without getting burned. She’s mouthy and she’s stubborn, but there’s a vulnerability buried deep down inside that makes me want to take care of her, consume her and protect her at all costs.’

Gwen and Austin should never have been. He’s the hot-shot career SEAL who is never going to settle down and she’s the mom with a horrible past who has trust issues. Both of them don’t want to want each other (something I will never get enough of!) but are completely drawn together. I loved how combative they both are…like if they weren’t so turned on by each other they would probably kill one another. I bet it makes for some awesome angry sex…but I digress. I mean…on paper…they are complete opposites…which is another reason why I was even more drawn to them. I love that he can’t get enough of her sassy mouth and I love even more how much her heart melts when she sees Austin interact with Emma…and the thing I loved the most was watching his heart open up to accept the fact that he could love someone and have a family. While I’m on the topic of family can I just state for the record that Emma stole my heart. I mean…she’s a loveable little girl, so of course she was going to win me over, but her interactions with Austin, especially at the very end…omg…it’s impossible not to fall in love with their relationship and the bond that she and Austin form.

‘Gwen turns her face towards me and our noses are practically touching. I can feel her breath on my face and I know if I don’t move away, I’m going to be hard as a rock in two seconds. This woman drives me fucking insane, but she’s also hot as hell and the strongest person I’ve ever been around considering what her life has been like. Even though I don’t like the direction of my thoughts lately where Gwen’s concerned, there’s nothing this woman does that can’t turn me one.’

Holy banana’s…I never ever in a million years thought I would like action and suspense to level that is in this books mixed with my romance…but I really do. The fact that this series broke the mold for me is kind of monumental. It excites me! I could not get enough of Worn Me Down…I finished it in less than 24 hours and every second that I couldn’t read it, it was pure torture! Completely addictive…but that’s what this series is. It sucks you in, you’re compelled by the story line but it’s also relatable and natural. There is so much angst and drama but mixed in with just the right amount of sweet and swoony moments and good lord have mercy don’t even get me started on the sex…it’s just fabulous. Like hot damn…apparently I need to go find me a SEAL because I am sorely missing out. 😉 If I had anything to complain about it would be that I wished Gwen and Austin had more time to connect. I loved seeing them together…whether it involved Emma or just the two of them but with everything that was going on, it’s obviously really hard for them to focus on just them. I saw and felt their connection even with what we did get…which is why I craved more – so that’s just me being a hopeless romantic and always wanting more.

‘“Jesus, you’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispers.
There’s conviction and awe in his voice as he looks at every inch of my body. For the first time in years, I don’t feel the need to cover myself, to hid my scars to look away in embarrassment – I feel beautiful with Austin.’

So…let’s just talk about the writing real quick. I love Tara’s writing – whether it’s as Tara Sivec or T.E. Sivec…the fact that all that brilliance is packed into one brain just flaws me and makes me feel like an insufficient human. Like maybe if I rub up on her, some of the genius will brush off onto me. Maybe? It could happen, right? Her style is one of a kind…because even with the Playing With Fire series, it’s obviously a more serious/dramatic series, but it’s still got that little edge of humor and sarcasm blended in there…which when dealing with high anxiety situations is completely necessary, needed and appropriate. I really enjoyed the pacing, it was never rushed and the transitions were smooth and something I really appreciate in Worn Me Down, as well as in the other two books, is how complete they all feel. The plot is not simple and the end result cannot just be wrapped up in a nice neat bow where everything is hunky-dory and wonderful. No…the characters go thru some heavy shit and it’s not easy or fun but we go through it with them to the very end. Even if that means we don’t get an HEA till the very last page, I at least know that that HEA is complete and logical and flows with the rest of the story.

‘I didn’t know until I was gone that everything I’d ever wanted was right here in front of me. I was afraid. I was afraid to tell you how much I wanted you only to have you tell me that you couldn’t handle a life with me because of the job I have. You and Emma are important to me, I love you both, but my job is also important. I don’t want to let you and Emma down, but I also can’t let my men down and I don’t know how the fuck to have both. I don’t know how to do this, but I want to try. I want to wake up to you every day when I’m home and I want to play fucking Barbies with Emma every night before bed. I want to take away every one of your bad memories and replace them with good ones. I can’t promise you when I’ll be here or when I’ll have to go away on a mission, but I can promise you that every second I spend with you, I will never let you forget how much you mean to me.”

So the fifth thing I didn’t mention that I can guarantee with this series is that I need the next book in the series, in my hands, ready to read…like right now. I was able to go from A Beautiful Lie to Because of You to Worn Me Down…and now I’m stuck. Because I’m craving another sexy SEAL and…I have to wait. This is a problem. So I will impatiently tap my foot until Closer to the Edge arrives…because I need it desperately. These books are the perfection when it comes to romance blended with action – absolutely gripping and completely heartwarming.

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Tara Sivec is a USA Today best-selling author, wife, mother, chauffeur, maid, short-order cook, baby-sitter, and sarcasm expert. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two children and looks forward to the day when they all three of them become adults and move out.

After working in the brokerage business for fourteen years, Tara decided to pick up a pen and write instead of shoving it in her eye out of boredom. She is the author of the Playing with Fire series and the Chocolate Lovers series. Her novel Seduction and Snacks won first place in the Indie Romance Convention Reader’s Choice Awards 2013 for Best Indie First Book.

In her spare time, Tara loves to dream about all of the baking she’ll do and naps she’ll take when she ever gets spare time.

Tara also writes under the pen name T.E. Sivec.

Title:   Loving Cara (Love Under the Big Sky Series, Book #1)

Author:    Kristen Proby

Release Date:   January 21, 2014

Genre:    Contemporary Romance

CHEMISTRY WAS NEVER THIS SEXY IN HIGH SCHOOL.

In her sizzling new series, USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby sets the stage for a passionate reunion under the breathtaking Montana sky.

Cara Donovan’s summer tutoring job is turning out to be a challenge—and not just because of her troubled twelve-year-old student. It’s his uncle Josh who’s the real problem. If problem is the word for an irresistibly cocky, muscle-bound rancher with a taste for tight Levi’s and shameless flirtation. . . .

Cara is nothing like the wallflower Josh King remembers good-naturedly teasing in high school. This Cara is gorgeous, confident, fun. From the moment the fiery teacher steps foot on his family’s Lazy K Ranch, the stubborn playboy is determined to corral her. So what happens when his luscious lover takes over the reins?

The first in a steamy trilogy, Kristen Proby’s enthralling novel is filled to the brim with one hardworking family’s triumphs and challenges, all the wild adventure of the modern West, and a whole lot of titillating fun.

 I am SO excited for this series and cannot wait for the next book, Seducing Lauren!

Title: Seducing Lauren (Love Under the Big Sky Series, Book #2)

Author: Kristen Proby

Release Date: August 19, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

In the second book in the Love Under the Big Sky series from this USA TODAY bestselling author of the With Me in Seattle series, life in Montana gets spicy when a woman and her divorce lawyer sign off the papers—and sign on to love.

Now that his best friend, Josh, has happily settled down with his true love on a Montana ranch, small-town lawyer Ty Sullivan starts thinking that maybe single life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And when Lauren Cunningham’s no-good ex-husband comes after her for an unexpected trust fund, Ty steps in to protect her. But soon he can’t help but think of her as more than a client. Lauren’s in no mood to jump into another relationship, so how can Ty convince her that her mistake wasn’t getting married, but marrying the wrong guy?

It’s the little things that make me giddy…and something that makes me very giddy is being able to sit down with two my most favorite characters!  I am absolutely over the moon in love with Cara and Josh and cannot believe I lucked out in getting a chance to pick their brains. Plus I did say I wanted to go to Montana, maybe I can bring some of these Cowboys back with me to Texas and see how they handle it! 😛

I arrive at the Lazy K Ranch where I am greeted by a gorgeous Cara and even-more-delicious-than-I-imagined Josh.  They take me for a wonderful tour around the property and it’s absolutely breathtaking.  When we come back around to the main house there is a lovely picnic set up outside and I’m really considering a move to Montana if this is what is in store for me!

Lisa:    “Well thank you again for sitting down with me, I really appreciate it.”

Cara: “Of course!”

Lisa:    “Shall we get started?”

Josh:  “Sure.”

Lisa:    “Well, I’ll start with Cara – I love love LOVE your relationship with Jill…how exactly did ya’ll meet and become best buds?  I feel like there is a good story there…”

Cara: “Jill and I have been best friends since kindergarten, when she punched a boy for pulling my hair.”

Lisa:    “Awww…how sweet.  What made you want to be a teacher?”

Cara: “Kids are awesome. I love their honesty, even when I don’t necessarily want to hear what they have to say. They’re also challenging.”

Lisa:    “Summarize Josh in one sentence.”

Cara: “Sexiest damn thing I’ve ever seen.”

Lisa:    “Well, I definitely can’t argue with that.  Would you ever go back to wearing your hair curly if Josh asked you?   🙂  (very nicely and of course involving chocolate…)”

Cara: “Well, right now it’s at that in-between stage, where I really need to have it straightened again, so it’s wavy. He likes it, but I won’t let it get any curlier. It starts to take on a life of its own.”

Lisa:    “Gotcha – what do your parents think of Josh?”

Cara: “My parents have always loved the King family. They like Josh very much.”

Lisa:    “Well that’s awesome.  Alright Josh, it’s your turn.”

Josh:   “I’m ready.”

Lisa:    “You seem to be fascinated by Cara’s hair…which I kind of love…why is that?” 🙂

Josh:   “Cara has the sexiest damn hair. It’s soft and smells great. I prefer it curly, but she’s under some impression that it should be straight.”

Lisa:    “Best and worst thing about being a twin?”

Josh:   “Best thing: someone to blame shit on. Worst thing: getting blamed for every damn thing.”

Lisa:    “Hmm…good point there!  Summarize Cara in one sentence.”

Josh:   “Everything.”

*Swoon*

Lisa:    “What do you love most about working on the ranch?  Anything you hate or…not particularly care to much for?” J

Josh:   “I love that my family has owned and made the ranch successful for so long. Shoveling shit sucks, but now we have Seth around for that.” 😉

Lisa:    “Poor Seth!  Speaking of…I’m so over the moon for Zach and Seth and their relationship – totally made me cry at the fireworks – how are they doing?”

Josh:   “They seem to be doing great. They’re learning each other and they have their moments, but I think their relationship is the strongest it’s been in a long time.”

Lisa:    “Good to hear.  Okay, let’s do a few questions together – what are your favorite five things about each other? (physical, non-physical, whatever!)”

Cara: “His ass.  His smile.  The way he hugs me.  His love of his family.  He has this thing he does when he…”

Josh immediately cuts her off before she can utter another syllable.

Josh:  “My turn!  The way she looks in my T-shirts.  Waking her up in the morning.  Watching her teach Seth.  Playing word games on the couch.  Her ass.

Lisa:    “Oooh…good lists!  What’s your most annoying pet peeve?”

Cara: “When he doesn’t clean up his whiskers in the sink.”

Josh:  “I love everything about her.”

*Swoon again*

Lisa:    “What do you consider your worst flaw?”

Cara: “My thighs.”

Josh:  “Shut up. I like your thighs.”

Cara: “Answer the question. What’s your worst flaw?”

Josh:  “I have flaws?”

OMG these two are too much!

Lisa:    “I’m sure each of you has a favorite memory of you two growing up together…what is it?”

Cara: “He would smile and say hi to me whenever he passed me in the hall in school.”

Josh:  “I liked to tug on her hair. I still do.”

Lisa:    “Yes…and I think it’s too cute for words.  Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?”

Cara: “Together.”

Josh:  “For sure. With babies.”

Lisa:    “Sounds good!  Alright…almost done, let’s do a little game of either/or…Soda or Tea?”

Josh:  “Tea.”

Lisa:    “Sweet or Sour?”

Cara: “Both.”

Lisa:    “Loud or Quiet?”

Cara: “Quiet.”

Lisa:    “Chocolate or Vanilla?”

Cara: “Chocolate.”

Lisa:    “Hard or soft?”

Josh laughs…

Josh:  “Hard.”

Mmm…well that sounds promising.  😛

Lisa:    “Books or movies?”

Josh:  “Movies.”

Lisa:    “Fast or slow?”

Josh looks over at Cara with a devilish gleam in his eye and winks…

Josh:  “Both.”

Lisa:    “Nice!  Alright, last round and I know you guys will like this…rapid fire – tell me the first thing that comes to mind…horses?”

Josh:  “Yes.”

Lisa:    “Zach?”

Josh:  “Pain in the ass.”

Lisa:    “Montana?”

Cara: “Home.”

Lisa:    “Seth?”

Josh:  “Where he needs to be.”

Lisa:    “Early Mornings?”

Cara: “Let me sleep!”

Lisa:    “Misty?”

Josh:  “No comment.”

Lisa:    “Chocolate?”

Cara: “Gimme.”

She’s so cute!

Lisa:    “Ty?”

Cara: “Friend.”

Lisa:    “Family?

Josh:  “The best.”

Lisa:    “Josh?”

Cara: “Mine.”

Lisa:    “Cara?”

Josh:  “Love.”

Lisa:    “Love?”

Cara: “Always.”

*Swoon….again*  Gosh I love these two to bits and pieces.

Lisa:    “Well I really appreciate you indulging me.   This was such a treat.”

Cara: “You’re welcome back anytime.”

I give them both hugs…Josh gives amazing hugs BTW…and unfortunately drag myself away from the gorgeous ranch and the gorgeous couple.  #MovingToMontana

Loving Cara by Kristen Proby

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*

4.5 “So beautiful” “happy place” “caveman” Kisses

I love what just happened to me. Like…more than love it, I live for it. When I don’t just read a book…when it consumes me. Literally sucks me into this lovely little world with characters I can’t get enough of, a story that both intrigues me and entertains me and then when it’s over just spits me out and leaves a happy little book worm in my place. That’s what Loving Cara just did to me…that’s what I can guarantee will happen when I read Kristen Proby…and that’s why I love reading as much as I do. For these moments and these feelings.

Carolina Donovan…I totally have a girl crush on Cara – she is seriously one of the most likeable characters I have ever read. She’s a cute-n-tiny little thing…blonde with hazel eyes that change color based on her mood. She’s down to earth and genuine…kind and sweet….smart with a huge heart and a lovable personality. I loved her passion for teaching and the way she handled Seth, Josh’s nephew. I loved her spunk, tenacity & she’s a sassy! I absolutely loved the relationships she had with the people in this book but my second favorite relationship she has was with her best friend Jill – of course her and Josh were my favorite (duh!). Carebear and Jillybean! (they’re nicknames for each other – hello?!? Awesome…) Even living in two different states they have a very strong bond and I loved it. But…let’s talk about the bond I loved more… 🙂

‘Only with great effort does my jaw not drop.
Jesus, we breed hot men in Montana.’

Joshua King…oh my yummy cowboy goodness – saddle up girls cause Josh is a million different kinds of delicious. He is just hotness personified…and he’s so scrumptious…he needs a list:
1. He’s TDH (Tall…mmmm – 6’3”, yes please! Dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes…and oh-so-handsome!)
2. He’s a cowboy…hot tight Levi’s (not Wranglers!)…sounds good to me
3. He’s a dominating caveman…
4. He has an equally delicious twin
5. He can say the most amazingly swoontastic things that melt me to my core
6. He’s got muscles for days
7. He’s a morning person 🙂
8. He’s got a kind heart
9. He’s got a nice ass that looks amazing in a pair of those Levi’s I mentioned earlier 😉
10. And I saved the best one for last…he’s got a weakness for Cara
Pick just about every characteristic I love in a book boyfriend, shake it up and out would pop Josh King. There just aren’t enough words in the English language for how much I adore him. Everything from his looks to his personality are just spot on perfection in my eyes…more than what my list covers. He’s an awesome brother/uncle/son, he’s an incredible boyfriend to Cara, he’s a hard worker, he’s romantic and thoughtful and sweet…and yes he’s a guy so he does some dumb stuff on occasion but then he turns it around and makes it better. More than better…he makes it perfect. He’s just flat out wonderful and I want to eat all 6’3” of him up!

‘“Your eyes are amazing, Cara.”
“They’re kind of weird,” I whisper.
“No, they’re not weird.” He shakes his head slowly. “I’ve just never seen eyes that go from amber to hazel to green. I wonder what color they are when you’re turned on?”
Whatever color they are right now!’

This book left me ‘a panty-soaked, gasping-for-breath mess.’ And yes…I just used a quote from the book to describe how the book made me feel. 🙂 Cause it fits! Freakin Cara and Josh are deliciously smoking hot…I felt their chemistry and connection in every cell of my being and I craved more of it. They’re not just sexual and primal…which….they were that too and I freaking loved that….but it was more than that. I knew they were attracted to each other which is what hooked me but the fact that they cared about each other is what kept me going. The things they said and their actions pulled me in and kept me begging for more and more of them. I’m like a Cara and Josh fiend now begging for my next fix – they’re that addictive! It doesn’t hurt the fact that they have a certain factor that always is guaranteed to get me. History. It does it every time. I mean…it’s not like they were BFF or anything…but they weren’t perfect strangers. And don’t even get me started on his whole fascination with her hair thing…he used to pull on her curls when they were in school – it’s just the cutest thing ever.

“So tired,” I mutter, and yawn deeply.
“So beautiful.”
“You say that a lot.” I lean back and look up into his dark face. I can see his smile in the moonlight. “I think it a lot.”

Kristen Proby has a knack for writing romance novels that just get me – they have the perfect blend of steam and romance, humor and angst, with characters that I straight up love to bits a pieces and cannot get enough of. All of the characters in this book are so freaking real I feel like I know them. I want to know them. Well…I don’t want to know Misty…in fact, I’d really like to slap that bitch – but everyone else freaking rocks my face off. And speaking of feeling…the love and passion that her characters have for each other is palpable. All of the emotions are – heck the angst with Cara and Josh brought me to tears because I was in such a ball of knots over what was happening. But that’s what her writing does to me…every time. One thing I can almost always guarantee with Kristen’s book is getting sucked into this lull of comfortability. I don’t feel like I’m reading, I feel like I am experiencing and yes there are ups and downs, highs and lows but it’s an insanely pleasurable ride through it all and coming out the other side with that gorgeous HEA to greet me. I cannot get enough of her writing, her flow, her style – the dialogue is spot on, there is a terrific blend of fact and fluff with a healthy sprinkling of this incredible sexiness…it just does it for me.

“I love you, Carolina Donovan, more than I ever thought was possible.” He nudges his nose against mine and then rests his forehead on my forehead, sighing deeply. “I don’t remember what my life was like before you.”

I seriously feel like I’ve been holding my breath for Loving Cara since I heard about it and my expectations were more than met…I am thrilled and positively giddy over what the rest of the Love Under the Big Sky series will bring and might be looking into taking a trip up to Montana. Maybe. 🙂 So now I’ll be anxiously awaiting Seducing Lauren because the tease that is in the back of LC only made me want it more. Ty is a sexy, tatt’d up bad boy lawyer that is making me drool already and I really like Lauren’s attitude.

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Kristen is the author of the Amazon and USA Today bestselling With Me In Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves.

Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps. Check out Kristen’s Website

Last summer I had the pleasure of being on the blog tour for One Tiny Lie.  I absolutely loved Ten Tiny Breaths, so I was VERY excited to be on this tour.  OTL blew me away more than TTB did – and that’s saying a lot!  I was lucky enough to get an interview with Ashton and Livie…and of course I had to sneak in a few questions for K.A. too! 🙂

Livie has always been the stable one of the two Cleary sisters, handling her parents’ tragic death and Kacey’s self-destructive phase with strength and maturity. But underneath that exterior is a little girl hanging onto the last words her father ever spoke to her. “Make me proud,” he had said. She promised she would…and she’s done her best over the past seven years with every choice, with every word, with every action.

Livie walks into Princeton with a solid plan, and she’s dead set on delivering on it: Rock her classes, set herself up for medical school, and meet a good, respectable guy that she’s going to someday marry. What isn’t part of her plan are Jell-O shots, a lovable, party animal roommate she can’t say ‘no’ to, and Ashton, the gorgeous captain of the men’s rowing team. Definitely him. He’s an arrogant ass who makes Livie’s usually non-existent temper flare and everything she doesn’t want in a guy. Worse, he’s best friends and roommates with Connor, who happens to fits Livie’s criteria perfectly. So why does she keep thinking about Ashton?

As Livie finds herself facing mediocre grades, career aspirations she no longer thinks she can handle, and feelings for Ashton that she shouldn’t have, she’s forced to let go of her last promise to her father and, with it, the only identity that she knows.

We were lucky enough to get an Ashton Alternate POV Scene – check it out here!

Have you read the other books in the Ten Tiny Breaths Series?

Kacey Cleary’s whole life imploded four years ago in a drunk-driving accident. Now she’s working hard to bury the pieces left behind—all but one. Her little sister, Livie. Kacey can swallow the constant disapproval from her born-again aunt Darla over her self-destructive lifestyle; she can stop herself from going kick-boxer crazy on Uncle Raymond when he loses the girls’ college funds at a blackjack table. She just needs to keep it together until Livie is no longer a minor, and then they can get the hell out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

But when Uncle Raymond slides into bed next to Livie one night, Kacey decides it’s time to run. Armed with two bus tickets and dreams of living near the coast, Kacey and Livie start their new lives in a Miami apartment complex, complete with a grumpy landlord, a pervert upstairs, and a neighbor with a stage name perfectly matched to her chosen “profession.” But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle all of them. What she can’t handle is Trent Emerson in apartment 1D.

Kacey doesn’t want to feel. She doesn’t. It’s safer that way. For everyone. But sexy Trent finds a way into her numb heart, reigniting her ability to love again. She starts to believe that maybe she can leave the past where it belongs and start over. Maybe she’s not beyond repair.

But Kacey isn’t the only one who’s broken. Seemingly perfect Trent has an unforgiveable past of his own; one that, when discovered, will shatter Kacey’s newly constructed life and send her back into suffocating darkness.

You can read my review and an interview with Trent and K.A. Tucker here.

Owning a strip club isn’t the fantasy most guys expect it to be. With long hours, a staff with enough issues to keep a psych ward in business, and the police regularly on his case, twenty-nine year old Cain is starting to second guess his unspoken mission to save the women he employs. And then blond, brown-eyed Charlie Rourke walks through his door, and things get really complicated. Cain abides by a strict “no sleeping with the staff” rule. But being around Charlie challenges Cain’s self-control…and it’s been a long time since any woman has done that.

Twenty-two-year old Charlie Rourke needs a lot of money, really fast, in order to vanish before it’s too late. Taking her clothes off for men makes her stomach curl but Charlie tells herself that at least she’s putting her acting and dancing skills to good use. And though her fellow dancers seem eager to nab their sexy, sophisticated, and genuinely caring boss, she’s not interested. After all, Charlie Rourke doesn’t really exist—and the girl pretending to be her doesn’t need to complicate her life with romance.

Unfortunately, Charlie soon discovers that developing feelings for Cain is inevitable, that those feelings may not be unrequited—but losing him when he finds out what she’s involved with will be more painful than any other sentence awaiting her.

Check out what happens when I got Ashton and Livie all to myself… 🙂

Wow…wow wow wow wow wow…yeah…I don’t know how to handle my emotions right now. Of course I’m excited – hello?!?! I’m one-upping my TTB interview. How? Well…this time I’m getting a three-for-one special! Not just KA and Ashton but I’m also getting Livie too. SQUEEE!!! I think I love Livie just as much as Ashton. Okay…I prolly love Livie more.

Anywho…I arrive at ‘Chez Ryder’ in time for my interview, march straight up to the door with the entire mindset of having a perfectly calm and professional interview. Yeah right! I’m practically skipping with glee all the way to the front door and I might be bouncing as I wait for someone to answer. First surprise: K.A. answers! Squeee!!! (#2 for those of your keeping count) All professionalism is completely thrown out the window as I all but tackle her in a huge hug. I’ve met her once, that means we’re besties, right? :-\ Luckily she’s very accepting of my overly friendly hello and kindly laughs. After exchanging pleasantries, she leads me out back to the glorious deck I’ve read so much about. And my pulse starts to pick up as I see the cutest couple ever…Ashton and Livie *sigh*

They are sitting at a wooden picnic table, Ashton is straddling the bench seat while Livie nestles as close as she can be between his legs…like two puzzle pieces. Two incredibly adorable puzzle pieces that I want to squeeze to death. I just heart them so much! As they see us approaching the door, they both stand to greet me, I reach Livie first and give her the same enthusiastic hello hug I gave K.A. (apparently it doesn’t matter if I have met you at all…I’m a hugger…be warned…), Livie is sweet and hugs me back, a giant smile on her face.

And next…is Ashton. We’ve been here, done this folks. I don’t need to re-hash my behavior with Trent. And don’t worry…I won’t fail you now, this is equally embarrassing… I lunge at him – like, I’m almost positive if he wasn’t so strong from crew, I would have knocked him over…but God bless the inventor of crew because all those muscles feel like heaven. Livie is a very very lucky girl. So…at this point, my wits decide to come back to me and I realize I’m attached to someones boyfriend and three voices are calmly laughing at me. Oh good…they know to expect this behavior, that saves me from apologizing! I decide it’s time to rip myself off Ashton, unfortunate because I do so like being affixed to him in any manner, and we all sit down at the table, Livie and Ashton back in their places and KA and I on the other side of the table.

Lisa: “I have to thank all of you so much for meeting with me today, I really appreciate it. The girls and I had so much fun with Trent last time, I was really looking forward to this interview.”

Ashton: “Of course.”

Livie: “No problem.”

Lisa: “Great…so Ashton…you get the hot seat first, you ready?”

Ashton: “Bring it on.”

Lisa: “How hard was it to see Livie with Connor? How did you do it? It was in your face, every day…OMG… :-(“

Ashton: “Brutal. Fucking brutal. Though, I had no right given my own circumstances. And the guilt was eating me up. I know people wouldn’t believe I felt guilty but I did. I just couldn’t stay away from her. I knew exactly what I was doing every time I let things happen but I kept allowing it. Yeah, I’m a selfish prick.”

Livie scoots a little closer on the bench seat, wrapping her arms around Ashton’s waist for comfort. His arm comes down around her shoulder and a sad smile graces his lips. They’re silent support of each other is touching.

Lisa: “I don’t think you’re a selfish prick, I think you were a guy in an impossible situation. Alright, happier topic, why do you want to be a pilot?”

Ashton: “Flying high in the open skies with nothing but space around you? Who wouldn’t want that?”

Lisa: “Hmm…sounds like your own little piece of freedom. So, what do you think your mom would think about Livie?”

Ashton: “She’d love her, no doubt. How could she not? How could anyone not love Livie?”

Livie snuggles even closer to Ashton and gives him a quick peck on the cheek.

Lisa: “True story…I don’t know anyone who can say they don’t love Livie. Top three things you can’t live without.”

Ashton: “I’m not a materialistic guy, despite what you may think. I don’t really care about all the stuff I have. One thing got me through these last few years and it’s crew. Now, there’s only one thing I can’t live without. Okay, she’s not a thing but I sure as hell can’t live without her.”

Ashton steals a sideways glance at Livie who is beaming at him. It’s his turn to sneak a kiss on her cheek…OMGEE! How can you not love HIM! Gah…he’s just amazing…if I didn’t love Livie so much, I’d hate her.

Lisa: Awww…isn’t he sweet Livie?

Livie: “The sweetest.”

Lisa: “You ready for your turn?”

Livie: “I think so.”

Lisa: “What’s your favorite thing about Princeton? And your favorite thing about Miami?”

Livie: “It’s nice to see the fall leaves again. I haven’t seen those in years. It reminds me of pumpkin pies and cozy fires with my parents. Miami? Miami’s home for me now. Home, when I didn’t think Kacey and I would ever belong anywhere again.”

Lisa: “Aww…well if you ever need a new home, come to Texas! 🙂 So…you sure took a liking to alcoholic beverages, high five on that by the way…”

I lean across the table and she actually reciprocates my high five with a giggle – see?? How can you not love Livie??

Lisa: “So I’m taking it that you enjoy letting out your ‘inner beast’ if you will 😉 – so what’s your drink of choice?”

Livie: “Ugh. I’m living proof of why underage drinking is a bad idea. All those hormones, no experience, and booze? Disastrous combination. I’ll admit things got a little out of control. Now that I’m back home, I’ve toned down the partying a bit. It helps that Reagan’s not around. I miss her but she’s a bit too much animal for my kind of party. I’ll still have a Jack and Coke every now and then, but not when Dan’s around. He is the law, after all. I need to respect him in his own house.”

Lisa: “What fun are hormones and no experience if you don’t add a little alcohol! Lol 😛 Well…and speaking of one of the alcohol instigators…Dr. Stayner = most brilliant man alive, just sayin’. Where do you think you would be if you hadn’t listened to him and what’s the best piece of advice he gave you?”

Livie: “Oh, Dr. Stayner. Without him? I’ve thought about that. Over and over again, I’ve wondered. I wouldn’t have had that volunteer position without his interference and so I never would have met the twins. I’d probably still be in blissful ignorance, ace’ing my classes at Princeton. I don’t know if I would have met Connor. If I did, I would’ve inevitably met Ashton and I don’t know how that would have gone. Honestly? I get sad, thinking about what would have happened had I not picked up that phone the day Stayner called me. His best advice? Aside from the pigtails, which Ashton really likes, his push to embrace ambiguity for a while put things into perspective for me. Ambiguity has never been my friend but, in this case, it allowed me to make decisions with my eyes wide open.”

Lisa: “Wow…”

I have to (and I literally do) slow golf clap for Livie. She gives me the big smile I am starting to grow accustomed to.

Lisa: “Seriously Liv, for your age – that’s pretty deep. I wish I had been half as smart as you are when I was your age. Alright, what do you think your parents would have to say about Ashton?”

Livie: “Depends on which Ashton they saw first. If it was the Ashton that stands tall and respectful when his coach speaks, I think they’d like him right away. If it’s the Ashton that I met that first night, or the second night, or the third night… I think my dad would have packed me up and shipped me away. In time, I know they’d love him, regardless. They always were very tolerant of others.”

Lisa: “Well…even at his worst, it is really hard not to love Ashton. Okay now it’s time to have fun with BOTH of you! 🙂 What are your favorite 5 qualities about the other”

Livie: “Ugh! The dreaded five qualities. Have you been talking to Stayner?”

Lisa: “Possibly…I refuse to name my sources…quit stalling :-P”

I smile at her playfully and she giggles as she turns to look at Ashton.

Livie: “Let’s see… He’s a great listener, he’s very attentive, he’s driven, he has a great sense of humor, and though most people don’t see this side of him, he’s one of the most thoughtful people you’ll ever meet.”

Lisa: “Insightful…Ashton?”

Ashton: “Her eyes, her face, her…”

Livie slaps his arm playfully and he smiles deviously at her and I’m giggling like a 5 year old – come on, that was pretty funny!

Ashton: “Kidding. Livie is the most compassionate person you’ll ever meet, to a fault. She’s also the strongest person you’ll ever meet. She’s trustworthy, despite all that happened this past year. She’s tolerant of everyone, whether they deserve it or not. And she’s kind. She showed me kindness when I didn’t deserve it.”

Lisa: “Awww…so sweet. Well, you’ve both been thru so much pain in your past, different kinds, but still…how does it feel to be at this point in your lives, to have found each other…to finally have your ‘freedom’…your ‘forever’ :-)”

Livie: “I’m still shocked by how much has changed from one year ago.”

With her loving gaze falling on Ashton, you can tell how blissfully happy she is with the way life has taken her. Ashton on the other hand has a crooked grin plastered on his insanely gorgeous face.

Ashton: “Livie feels damn good.”

Lisa: “You guys have got to stop, you’re giving me a toothache from all your sweetness. Do ya’ll have plans for anymore tattoo’s? ;-)”

Ashton: “Seeing as I have Livie’s name on me, she’s getting my name on her”

That devilish grin is back

Ashton: “And we all know exactly where it’s going…”

Livie just shakes head, giving him a coy smile of her own

Livie: “I’ve said ‘no’ a thousand times but he’s got Kacey on the bandwagon and we all know what happens when Kacey gets involved…”

Lisa: “Where do I sign up for the bandwagon? :-)”

Livie keeps shaking her head and Ashton gives me a wink

Lisa: “Okay, possibly tough question, but the gloves are coming off…the end result of where you are today is the same – what is one thing you would have possibly done/said differently from your past? No cop outs! :-P”

Livie: “I never would have dated Connor. Or I would have ended it right away. I would have been completely honest upfront. Hurting him the way I did was awful. I’m just thankful that he’s talking to me.” again.

Ashton: “If everything would have ended the same way –me, with Livie, and that other “situation” with my dad—I would have ended it with Dana the day I woke up in Livie’s room. Dana’s a nice girl. She didn’t deserve any of that. If I had a choice, I wouldn’t have been with her in the first place, though…”

Lisa: “Good, honest answers. Thank you! So, where do you see yourselves in 5 years?”

They both look at each other and smile and in unison answer…

Livie & Ashton: “Together.”

AAAAAAAAND I just fell in love with them even more.

Livie: “I’m not planning too far ahead right now. I’ve done enough of that for a while. I’m taking a few years off and just enjoying life.”

Lisa: “Good plan. Time for a little word association – give me the first thing that comes to mind…Princeton”

Ashton: “Crew”

Livie: “Ashton”

Lisa: “Jell-O Shots”

I can’t stifle my giggle at that one – Ashton smirks while Livie rolls her eyes

Ashton: “Livie”

Livie: “Puke”

Lisa: “Regan”

Ashton: “Trouble”

Livie: “Hyper”

Lisa: “Irish”

Ashton: “Livie”

Livie: “Dad”

Lisa: “Connor”

Ashton: “Buddy”

Livie: “Smile”

Lisa: “Tattoo’s”

Ashton: “Scars”

Livie: “Drunk”

Lisa: “Family”

Ashton: “Mom”

Livie: “Miami”

Lisa: “Ashton”

I ask, staring at Livie

Livie: “Body…”

Before I can blink, Livie slaps her hand over mouth as her face turns red – I hold back another giggle, she’s just too cute for words

Lisa: “Livie”

This time my focus is directed at Ashton

Ashton: “Love”

Lisa: “Freedom”

Ashton: “Livie”

Livie: “Ashton”

OMG I’m about to explode from the amount of love I have for these two!!! As I sit there with a goofy grin on my face looking at the pair of them, we hear some noise coming from inside the house. It appears we have company! Kacey, Trent, Storm, Dan and Ben have arrive – SWEET! Beach party! WOO! 😀 Ashton and Livie go inside to help get things ready, which gives me time to pester K.A.

Lisa: “So…you’re brilliant and when can I come live in your head?”

K.A.: “LOL. You don’t want to live in my head, trust me. It’s full of self-doubt and confusion. The squirrels are running rabid in there.”

Lisa: “That’s awesome – I love squirrels. 😛 What are three things that surprised/shocked/excited you while writing OTL“

K.A.: “Let’s see…1) How big a role Dr. Stayner ended up playing. I knew he’d be in it, however he ended up being so critical to the story. 2) The extent of cheating in this book. I knew Livie would have to make a choice between the two men but I didn’t know how long it would drag out. As the story unfolded, it became clear to me that Livie would need to make some serious mistakes before figuring out how to get back to being the Livie we all know and love, though more mature. Thinking about Ashton but doing nothing or breaking things off with Connor right away is what we all expected of Livie. For the story and for her character growth, I had to do the unthinkable and push her over that line. I had to test her character. 3) The “scenes” between Livie and Ashton. I wanted them done tastefully (anyone who knows my writing style will have picked up on the fact that I don’t use graphic language). They were extremely difficult for me to write but I feel like they turned out well.”

Lisa: Very interesting. Who did you like writing better Kacey/Trent or Livie/Ashton? 🙂

K.A.: “That’s impossible to answer. I can’t answer that 🙂 I will say Livie and Ashton were harder to write. They took a long time to get comfortable around each other.”

Lisa: “Wow…really? Hmm…again, very interesting. What scene you enjoyed writing the most? Scene that kicked your butt?”

K.A.: “My Favorite scene? The first meeting with Livie and Ashton, where Ashton slips and tells her he regretted what happened. Awkward to the nth degree! Scene that kicked my butt? The bunk bed scene. That took me two days and I do believe I was sweating through it.”

Lisa: “Both AMAZING scenes by the way…and the bunk bed scene was worth every drop of sweat. So, not that TTB wasn’t amazing and brilliant in a million different ways, but did you intentionally mean to make OTL one of the funniest books I have ever read? It was possibly one of the best surprises of my life…made me love it that much more…”

K.A.: “Really? LOL. I like to balance the humor with the serious side of things. Without the humor, OTL would have been quite depressing. I love funny characters. Putting Livie in awkward situations was probably the most fun I’ve had writing, ever. She can handle it :-)”

Lisa: “OMG Livie is a pro at awkward…she deserves a medal. So Cain is next…another pleasant surprise…giving away any details? 🙂 (I am a GREAT secret keeper… 😛 )”

K.A.: 🙂 “Yes, Cain is next. The book is called Four Seconds To Lose and it will be a duo POV between Cain and a new leading lady with one hell of a bad situation. I’ve had a lot of questions around Cain. I think people are curious to see what his story is. I can tell you that it’s dark (and if I’m saying it is dark then… eeesh). As different as OTL was from TTB, this book will be different as well. Expect to see a lot of your favorite characters again 🙂 (especially Ben and Storm).”

I clap my hands with glee – the permanent goofy grin ever present and I’m TOTALLY holding back from tackling K.A….again. Barely. 🙂

At this point, everyone spills out onto the deck with armloads of food, drinks and the pièce de résistance – Jell-O Shots! 😀 #BestInterviewEver

One Tiny Lie by K.A. Tucker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*

5+++ “Jell-O Thief” “Irish” “Livie Girl” “Freedom” Kisses!!!!

OMG OMG OMG! Are you FREAKING kidding me. You’ve got to be. I loved TTB…loved it…and I was thinking, wow…it’s going to take a lot to top those emotions that you get with Kacey and Trent. HA! In my face. Big time. This book surprised me in all the best ways possible – if you think you know what to expect…you don’t, so just hang on. Oh my angsty goodness, I had no idea I was going to get as swept off my feet with this book as I did…but wow…okay…focus Lisa, you can do this.

So One Tiny Lie is Livie Cleary’s story (if you haven’t read Ten Tiny Breaths…stop the presses immediately, read it ASAP and then hop on One Tiny Lie…sound like a plan?) My Sweet…young…innocent…naïve…Livie. The girl is a saint – I mean, really, do you remember all that happened with Kacey? Of course you do…and somehow Livie survived loosing her parents, surviving her head case sister (and I say that with all the love in my heart because Kacey is the most awesome head case on the planet 🙂 ), the drama with her Aunt and Uncle, moving across the country, new school, more drama with Kacey….and she keeps up her record of never getting anything less than an A. REALLY?!?! Hello world, I feel like a complete and utter failure at life when compared to her perfection. But Livie has an excellent reason and motivation behind her perfection…seven little words… “That’s my Livie Girl. Make me proud.” The last seven words her father spoke to her. Are you crying yet? Cause I teared up typing it, let alone when I read it for the first time. *sigh*

“You’re too perfect, Livie. Everything you do, everything you say. You can do no wrong. If someone slapped you across the face, you’d apologize to them. I can’t believe you don’t deck me for some of the stuff I say. It’s like you’re not capable of getting angry. You could be the love child of Mother Teresa and Gandhi. You’re…” Kacey pauses as if searching for the right word. She settles with, “Too fucking perfect!”

So Livie is off to college, dealing with Dr. Stayner’s outlandish tactics at breaking out of her perfect shell, and of course Kacey’s assistance in this process…and what happens her first night out? She gets to experience a lot of firsts…shall we count them?
1. She gets totally wasted on Jell-O shots – first night at college is also her first time getting drunk! Woo!
2. First toga party – what a way to kick off the school year! 🙂
3. She had her first kiss ever – well, ‘had’ is a very loose term, it was kinda ‘stolen’ – there was a lot of thievery going on at the time, we’ll just call the kiss collateral damage
4. She got her first tattoo – and it was video taped for posterity and culpability purposes
Needless to say there were other epically awesome firsts had throughout the night and the next morning, but those are the top of the list and the only ones I wish to divulge without spoiling. And…it gets better.

‘I’m attracted to my drunken one-night stand, who also happens to be an unavailable whore and my kind-of boyfriend’s roommate and best friend.’

The aforementioned ‘stolen kiss’ was stolen by a Jell-O thief (told ya the kiss was collateral damage) – and let me tell you he can steal anything he wants from me as long as it involves a kiss in return. ‘…this tall, giant Adonis with dark wavy hair, tanned skin, and a body to tempt a blind nun…had his tongue in my mouth.’ Umm….with that description, I’m not seeing the problem Livie. Say thank you to the party gods and keep shooting those Jell-O shots and pray for a repeat.

“I was managing okay, thought.” He pauses. “And then the most beautiful girl on this planet punched me in the jaw.”
A small half-giggle slips out. “You deserved that, Jell-O thief.”

Gah…I’m getting bogged down, but I swear…one of the best ‘first meetings’ I have ever read…I was hooked from that point forward. And believe me…it got better…and better…and better. I was all over the board – so shocked my jaw hit the table…laughing so hard I was crying…and then of course crying and clutching my chest because I was so torn up…GAH! The ANGST people…I tell you, I was not prepared. TTB was a very emotional read for me, and I did feel some angst, but not like this. This was a level of angst I really wasn’t ready for. And all because of one…freaking…man.

“Because you’re not a one-night-girl, Irish.” Leaning in to place a kiss on my jawline, he whispers, “You’re my forever girl.”

I am literally overcome with emotion at how amazing Ashton Fucking Henley is…tears in my eyes, lump in my throat, butterflies in my belly and the insane desire to kidnap him and keep him all to myself. He’s amazing. There is no other way to describe him. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot to not like about Ashton, but the fact that you can see past all that is wrong to all that is right, is what makes him that much more amazing. If Kacey was a head case, Ashton is a train wreck. A beautiful broken train wreck that only needs one thing to make him better….Livie. OMGEEEE! His feelings and emotions for her…they just take my breath away. You. Have. No. Idea.

‘1. I’m brilliant
2. I’m charming
3. I’m hung like a thoroughbred
4. I’ve stopped all philandering
5. I’m highly skilled, as you’ve learned the other night.

P.S. Stop staring at my hands. I know what you want me to do with them.’

The connection that is built between Ashton and Livie is beyond words for me. It wasn’t insta-love, but there was always something there for them, and they both knew it. But it wasn’t easy…it’s never easy. Oh and the ‘surprise’ factor I mentioned…well try this on for size…there’s a love triangle. Actually, it’s kind of a square, but not really? I dunno what shape you wanna call it, but I was super excited for that aspect. It all ties in with the super angst I wasn’t expecting either. And then to really boggle my mind and make me fall in love more, KA Tucker throws in some of the funniest shit I’ve ever read…perfect example…

‘My nervous giggle is the only answer I can give him. Forget? My brain went blank. I forgot about my problems, his problems, and the potential zombie apocalypse. If that’s what orgasms do, then I can’t believe people ever leave their houses. Or cars.’

First of all…#truth on the power of orgasms, for the record. Second of all, it’s out of context – but trust me when I tell you I was hysterically laughing for like 10 minutes after I read this. Oh you want another one…try this this golden nugget from Kacey…

“Sometimes you’re as graceful as a one-legged flamingo in a pit of quicksand.”

And this happened multiple times. The wit, the humor, the sarcasm – it was all spot on for me. Loved it.

So, if Kacey’s head is full of turmoil, sadness and pain….Livie’s head is full of purpose, hilarity and confusion. It’s hard to remember that Livie is 18 years old…but she doesn’t act like it. Not even close. That’s part of what and why Dr. Stayner is around and doing what he is doing – Kacey needed to be put back together, Livie needs to be set free. And going thru the process of being on her own for the first time in her life, working things out, making mistakes and figuring out who she wants to be, is a phenomenal journey.

‘If there is one mistake I will never regret for the rest of my life, it is Ashton Henley.’

“Irish, if there’s one thing I’ve never been able to forget, it’s a single second with you.”

I have a bad habit of figuring out books…I just do…not once in reading OTL did I ever stop, sit back and think about what was going to happen next. I couldn’t have even if you asked me to. Mainly because I was so engrossed in the story, I couldn’t stop reading long enough to think about what was going to happen next. And then of course there’s the fact that even in my wildest dreams I never expected Livie and Ashton’s story to play out like it did. It was natural and fluid, logical…every aspect of this book from the plot to the characters was beautifully put together and I really can’t think of one thing that didn’t work for me. Brilliance…every word of it was engrossing, powerful, sheer brilliance. And…if you can’t tell I loved it.

‘Once all the confusion, the pressure, and the lies were gone, I was left with nothing but choices. Small, large, easy, hard – all of them mine to make. For me.’

Clearly I could babble all day long about all things TTB and OTL. These characters are absolutely amazing…and if KA Tucker doesn’t stop writing the most amazing tall dreamboat men, I might loose my mind. Oh wait…cause Cain’s story is next and lord knows I love a deep dark mysterious man like a fat kid loves cake. Bring on Four Seconds to Lose !

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Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

Title:     Three Broken Promises

Series:   Drew + Fable, Book #3

Author:     Monica Murphy

Genre:     New Adult Contemporary

Release Date:   December 31, 2013

Breakout New Adult sensation Monica Murphy returns with a hot new contemporary romance—a heartfelt story of second chances, forgiveness, and redemption.

Commitment. That’s what I really want from Colin. Ever since my brother, Danny, died in Iraq, Colin’s done so much to help me, including giving me a job at his popular restaurant so I can leave my crappy waitressing job at the strip joint. But lying in bed with him every night to comfort him from his horrible nightmares isn’t enough anymore. I know he feels guilty about Danny’s death, about not going to Iraq, but I can’t keep living this double life.

I love him desperately, but he’s got so many demons, and if he can’t open up to me now, then he’ll never be the real partner I need him to be. I gave him a month, and now I’m out of here. If he truly loves me like he says, he knows where to find me.

I have already professed my undying love for this series – if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it!

Title:     One Week Girlfriend

Series:   Drew + Fable, Book #1

Author:     Monica Murphy

Genre:     New Adult Contemporary

Book 1 ♥ One Week Girlfriend ♥ Read My Review

**Mature situations and sexual content – recommended for ages 17+**

Temporary. That one single word best describes my life these last few years. I’m working at a temporary job until I can finally break free. I’m my little brother’s temporary mother since our mom doesn’t give a crap about either of us. And I’m that temporary girl all the guys want to get with because I give it up so easily. According to the rumors, at least.

But now I’m the temporary girlfriend of Drew Callahan, college football legend and all around golden guy. He’s beautiful, sweet—and he’s hiding way more secrets than I am. He’s brought me into this fake life where everyone seems to hate me. And everyone seems to want something from him. The only thing he seems to want though is…

Me.

I don’t know what to believe anymore. All I know is, I think Drew needs me. And I want to be there for him.

Forever.

Title:     Second Chance Boyfriend

Series:   Drew + Fable, Book #2

Author:     Monica Murphy

Genre:     New Adult Contemporary

Book 2 ♥Second Chance Boyfriend♥ Read My Review 

**Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual content and language, mature subject matter**

Lost. That one single word best describes my life at this very moment. I lost the last games of the season and both my team and my coach blame me. I lost the last two months because I drowned in my own despair like a complete loser. And I lost the only girl who ever mattered because I was afraid being with me would destroy her.

But now I realize how truly lost I am without her. She has become my story…and even though she acts like she’s moved on, I know she still thinks about me just as much as I think about her. She’s beautiful, sweet—and so damn vulnerable, all I want to do is help her. Be there for her.

Love her…

If only I could convince Fable to give me a second chance. Then I wouldn’t feel so lost anymore, and neither would she. We could be found together.

Forever.

Title:     Drew + Fable Forever

Series:   Drew + Fable, Book #3.5

Author:     Monica Murphy

Genre:     New Adult Contemporary

Release Date:     January 14, 2014

Monica Murphy returns with her most beloved characters, Drew and Fable, in this eBook original short story that brings her bestselling New Adult series full circle.

Fantasy. How I ended up with NFL player Drew Callahan, the guy every woman wants, is beyond my wildest dreams. All I know is that once he chose me as his one and only, I sure wasn’t looking back. I had past wounds and he showed patience and concern—even accepting responsibility for my messed-up kid brother. Now, yet again, he’s found a way to blow my mind: an exotic wedding and honeymoon miles and miles away from home. What else could a girl ever ask for?

Reality. Except now the honeymoon’s over. Drew’s football schedule takes him on the road constantly, while I need to stay put and look after my brother until he finishes high school—because God knows our sorry excuse for a mother won’t. I know Drew loves me with all his heart, and I’ll always be over the moon about him. This just isn’t how I imagined life as newlyweds . . . dealing with the distance, missing him constantly. But we’ve gone through hard times before. We can get through this, too, right? We’re Drew and Fable, together forever. At least I hope so. . . .

Title:     Four Years Later

Series:   Drew + Fable, Book #4

Author:     Monica Murphy

Genre:     New Adult Contemporary

Release Date:   February 25, 2014

Guilt. That is all I ever feel when I think about my mom. Now she’s back in my life, always wanting something. Having her around makes it so easy for me to fall into those bad habits that get me into trouble. Skipping class, smoking weed, fooling around with girls that mean nothing to me…I’m messing up. The last thing I need is my sister on my case.

So I keep my mom’s return a secret. But promising I’ll get my grades back up on my own isn’t enough. Fable makes me see a tutor. And Chelsea is the smartest girl I’ve ever met. She’s definitely not my type but there’s something about her that I’m drawn to. She’s sweet, she’s shy and she seems completely immune to my usual moves.

Chelsea has her own secrets and she’s not talking. Like I have any room to judge. How can I get her to open up to me? And will I ever be able to convince her that what we have could be something real?

 

I was so excited to get to sit down and have a heart to heart with Jen and Colin…check out what they had to say!

 SQUEEEE!!!!!  Not only do I get to sit down with Jen and Colin and ask them all the questions that I have rattling around in my brain…but I get to do it at The District!!!!  I arrive on time and walk in only to be greeted by the two people I’m here to see.  Standing at the hostess stand looking like they were plucked out of a magazine are Jen and Colin.  Damn…they make a good looking couple.  Jen looks stunning in a LBD and Colin just looks lickable – as usual – in black pants and a white button down.  *Sigh*  I have to restrain my desire to want to leap at them, so I give them a warm smile and reach out my hand to shake Colin’s.  He pulls me in and kisses my cheek and I die a little inside (and maybe drool).  Jen is glowing and I give her a quick friendly hug which she returns.  They lead me to the back of the restaurant, to a more secluded area – away from all the noise.  Sitting at a table, we order wine and appetizers and they catch me up on what’s been going on.  They’re so happy…which makes me happy.

Lisa:       “Well…I guess I better stop stalling and get to why I’m here.”

Colin:     “We’re ready whenever you are.”

Lisa:       “Awesome…well tradition states, ladies first – Jen…how are things going with your parents?”

Jen:        “They’re going. Our relationship isn’t perfect yet but we’re working on it. Colin is a big help, trying to bridge the gap between us. I appreciate what he does for me.”

Lisa:       “That’s awesome and very sweet of him.  So…I have to ask – what’s your favorite name that Colin calls you – Jen, Jenny or Jennifer? (I can’t lie – I have a favorite!)”

Jen:        “Well, I’m used to Jen because that’s what everyone calls us but I really like it when he calls me Jenny. It’s sweet.”

Lisa:       “EEEP!  I know!  It totally is…I love it when he calls you Jenny.  Summarize Colin in one sentence.”

Jen:        “Colin Wilder is sweet, sexy, smart and frustrating as hell.”

She says with a sassy little wink.

Lisa:       “Oooh…very nice.  I approve!  What do you think Danny would think about you and Colin?”

Jen:        “He might’ve had a problem with it at first (because he knew Colin better probably than anyone else on this planet) but ultimately I believe we would’ve been given his blessing. He would’ve seen how much Colin means to me and how much I mean to Colin. Plus, it would make him and Colin brothers which he would’ve loved. I wish he was here to see this…”

Colin reaches his arm around her shoulder and gives her a squeeze as she nestles into his side.  Such an understanding boyfriend, but the looks on their faces show their pain.  I need to change the topic quick before we’re all in tears.

Lisa:       “So…how’s the job going?  Are you feeling more confident and enjoying the…perks of your position (specifically the office  🙂  )”

Jen:        “I think I’m a damn good boss. Don’t tell Colin but I think I might be an even better boss than he is! I love running The District and Colin and I have big plans for its future. I’m excited. Life is finally good, you know?”

Lisa:       “That’s awesome!  Exactly what I needed to hear.  And I have no doubt you’re a better boss than Colin.”

I say giving her a wink.  She smiles radiantly and Colin rolls his eyes, but smiles indulgently at Jen.

Lisa:       “Alright Colin, I’m coming after you now.”

Colin:     “I can take it.”

Mmm…promising.  😀

Lisa:       “Okay…seriously, I have to know – what took you so long?!?!  J (I say that with all the love in my heart…I promise)”

Colin:     “Um, because I’m an idiot? I didn’t want to screw up the one thing that means the most to me—Jen’s friendship. Having her with me, I never felt more complete. I was blind to not see she felt the same way I did and wanted more. But I finally got around to it so…go me?”

He laughs and it’s Jens turn to roll her eyes at him.

Lisa:       “Alright…I’ll give it to you.  That was a good answer.  Go you.”

I stick my tongue out at him playfully and he laughs louder.

Lisa:       “What’s the best and worst thing about The District?”

Colin:     “Best thing—it’s mine. I created that and I’m damn proud of it. Worst thing? All the gossip. I can’t believe what goes on there, what’s said there. It’s sort of ridiculous.”

Lisa:       “I think that’s just any work environment!  But I can imagine some of the creativity that comes out of The District.  Summarize Jen in one sentence.”

Colin:     “She’s beautiful, strong, giving, frustrating…and incredibly real.”

Lisa:       “Ooooh…very accurate.  Well, I asked Jen, so I have to ask you – what do you think Danny would think about you and Jen?”

Colin:     “He probably would’ve tried to kick my ass at first. I probably would’ve let him get a punch in too before I defended myself. I do think he would’ve approved though. He knows all my faults but he also knows my strengths too and I hope he’d believe that Jen and I are good for each other.”

Lisa:       “I agree…I also think he would have wanted you both to be happy…and clearly you’re happier together.  Alright…curiosity has gotten the better of me…how is Con?  And your mom?  I know they’re a little…different, but even different people deserve HEA’s!”

Colin:     “My parents are…strange. I think they secretly still want each other. I don’t get it. I never really have. But yeah, they’re good. Weird but good.”

Lisa:       “Weird/Good is better than not good at all.  I’ll take that.  Okay – can you handle some questions together?”

Jen:        “Sure.”

Jen says with a smile as Colin nods.

Lisa:       “What are your favorite five things about each other? (physical, non-physical, whatever!)”

Colin:     “I love Jen’s…”

Colin starts off as he holds up his hand, ticking off each trait on the fingers on his left hand.

Colin:      “Strength, Sense of humor, Body (just went for all parts you know?)”

His flirtatious wink makes me giggle.  Jesus, am I twelve?  Nope…that’s just the power of Colin.  He continues.

Colin:     “Laugh and Smile”

Lisa:       “Hmm…good list.  Jen?”

She turns to face him a little, giving him a once over and looks back at me.

Jen:        “I love Colin’s Intelligence, Drive, Eyes, Voice and Heart.”

Lisa:       “Damn…I think I like Jen’s list better.  Sorry Colin.  Okay, let’s get the tough question out of the way – what’s your deepest regret?”

Jen:        “What I did when I worked at Gold Diggers. Not my proudest moment and something I wish I could forget.”

Colin:     “That I didn’t tell Jen how I felt about her soon enough. I wasted a lot of time when I could’ve been honest from the beginning.”

Lisa:       “Both very honest answers, ya’ll are rockin’ my face off.  Do either of you have a favorite memory?”

Jen:        “When Colin gave me my graduation present. I realized then that I was attracted to him but I couldn’t do anything about it. I should’ve jumped him.”

Lisa:       “I think that would have been a great plan.” 🙂

Colin:     “Ha, I probably wouldn’t have turned her away either. My favorite memory? When I first met Jen and she was a little girl in a fancy dress, telling me to leave her brother alone. She was a fierce little thing.”

Lisa:       “So…she hasn’t changed much, has she?  What do you consider the others worst flaw?”

Jen:        “He has commitment issues.”

Lisa:       “Ya think?”

Colin:     “The way she runs from her problems.”

Lisa:       “I am in love with all this honestly.  Okay…hardest lesson you’ve learned?”

Jen:        “Don’t run away from your problems. They only get worse. Best to face them head on.”

Lisa:       “Mmm…very good lesson.”

Colin:     “Don’t be scared to admit what you feel. It’s not the end of the world to show someone you’re vulnerable.”

Lisa:       “OMG that’s a good one toooooo!  Alright – last one – where do you see yourselves in 5 years?”

Colin:     “Running a hugely successful chain of restaurants with my wife.”

The huge grin that envelopes his face radiates the joy that being with Jen has brought to his life.  I can’t help but smile back.

Jen:        “And with at least one little baby cradled in my arms while we run that restaurant chain.”

Her matching grin and words turn me into a pile of lovey-mushy goo.  I love them!

Lisa:       “Okay…let’s have a little fun shall we…a little game of Either/Or – high school or college?”

Colin:     “High School.”

Jen:        “High school.”

Lisa:       “Chocolate or Vanilla?”

Colin:     “Chocolate.”

Jen:        “Chocolate.”

Lisa:       “Hard or Soft?”

Colin:     “Both?”

Lisa:       “I accept that.”

Jen:        “What Colin said.”

Lisa:       “Nice!  Books or Movies?”

Colin:     “Movies.”

Jen:        “Books.”

Lisa:       “That’s why Jen is my favorite. 🙂  Fast or Slow?”

Colin:     “Again—both? I mean, how can I choose?”

Lisa:       “True…”

Jen:        “Yeah, fast AND slow. Both have their merits.”

Lisa:       “Point taken…can’t blame a girl for asking.  😛  Drew or Fable?”

Colin:     “Fable though she scares the shit out of me.”

Jen laughs and shakes her head.

Jen:        “Fable. She’s my best friend!”

Lisa:       “I know…I love that ya’ll are besties.  Too cute.  Soda or Tea?”

Jen:        “Soda.

Colin:      “Beer! Ha.”

Typical boy…

Lisa:       “Loud or Quiet?”

Colin:     “Loud.”

Jen:        “Loud.”

Lisa:       “Okay, I promise we’re almost done.  Last set…rapid fire – tell me the first thing that comes to mind.  Parents?”

Jen:        “Difficult.”

Colin:     “Crazy.”

Lisa:       “The District?”

Jen:        “Career.”

Colin:     “Mine.”

Lisa:       “Drew?”

Jen:        “Sweet.”

Colin:     “Decent.”

Lisa:       “Careful Colin, that was almost a compliment.  😉  Fable?”

Jen:        “Feisty.”

Colin:     “Scary.”

Lisa:       “Forgiveness?”

Jen:        “Possible.”

Colin:     “Need it.”

Lisa:       “Family?”

Jen:        “Important.”

Colin:     “Necessary.”

Lisa:       “Trust?”

Jen:        “Love.”

Colin:     “Solid relationship.”

Lisa:       “Colin?”

Jen:        “Mine.”

Lisa:       “Jen?”

Colin:     “Love.”

Lisa:       “Awww…well and speaking of…Love?”

Jen:        “Colin.”

Colin:     “Jen.”

Awwww…

Lisa:       “OMG you guys are perfect!  Thank you so much, this has been so much fun.”

Jen:        “So glad we could help.”

As we sit and chat over drinks and appetizers, a flash of blonde catches my eye.  No.  Freaking. Way.  Fable and Drew just walked into The District and I might fall out of my chair.  Drew waves over at us and Colin does the head-guy-nod thing, which he looks too damn sexy for his own good doing, while Fable is quickly headed in our direction.  Jen is beaming and she gets up to give Fable and Drew hugs.  They introduce me and I’m kinda sorta shaking because…it’s Drew and Fable!!!!!!!!  They sit down and the next thing I know…I’m having dinner with two of the most amazing couples ever.  #LifeMade   Oh…and I may have had an impromptu interview with Drew and Fable…keep your eyes peeled on Wednesday! 🙂

Three Broken Promises by Monica Murphy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*

4 ‘Freedom’ “sweet cheeks” Kisses

I love a good heartbreaking couple…I don’t know why, I just do and Jen and Colin might be one of the best I’ve ever read. Damn, they broke my heart. Three Broken Promises is such a powerful but painful story…I was not prepared for the level of angst or inner turmoil these two characters threw at me. And I felt every minute of it. While TBP ‘could’ be read as a standalone or out of order…I would not recommend it. You meet and get to know Jen and Colin a little bit in Second Chance Boyfriend, the second book in the Drew+Fable Series…plus there are other characters and references made that would make more sense (at least IMO) if you read the series in order. Alright…disclaimer over, let’s jump into some Jen and Colin goodness…

Jennifer Lynn Cade…Jen Jen Jen. My poor broken Jen. I honestly feel bad for Jen. Like the girl has hit one tough situation after another and I just want to scoop her up and take her to a happy place. And she’s only 22! Seriously! Her brother’s death crushed her family…her parents can’t stop grieving and in turn, they ruin their relationship with her. She runs away in the hopes of rebuilding her life and becoming her own person and that just ends in one heaping disaster. When Colin rescues her, she’s finally able to rebuild her life somewhat, but she is still haunted by the ghost of her brother and her past. I can understand her need for independence and freedom and I agree 100% that her brother would not want his loved ones living in the past, always grieving over his loss…but it seems like that is all Jen is surrounded by. It’s just one heartbreaking scenario after another. I totally felt her want and desire to be free…

‘But no man has ever rocked my socks off, for lack of a better term. The only guy who makes me want is the one who’s lying here with me, sleeping on my shoulder, clinging to me like I might be his lifeline.
He devastates me and he doesn’t even know it.’

Colin Wilder…oh my hunk of handsome do I love this poor man. He’s 24 and acts 10 years older…he’s the epitome of the ‘All American’ dream boat…tall, muscular, blonde hair, blue eyes….just delicious. Plus the fact that’s he’s driven, intelligent, dedicated and confident definitely works in his favor too. I love that he’s a little bit of a dominant cave man…I love how he can take charge of a situation…but it’s not all sunshine and roses with Colin. Colin carries a lot of guilt…he made a lot of promises that he has broken and he beats himself up about that constantly…between the nightmares that haunt him and his own inner thoughts this poor man cannot get a moments peace. He’s doing everything he can to make things right and it seems like all his actions backfire. The one thing that brings him even a little bit of solace is another thing he’s holding himself back from…Jennifer. The girl he’s supposed to protect, the girl he let down….if he only knew how much they needed each other.

‘”Tired.” I offer him a wan smile, wishing he’d leave me one. Also wishing he’d whisk me out of here and rescue me for good. Maybe we could run away together. He doesn’t want to face his problems and I don’t want to face mine. We could avoid everything. Together. Alone. Naked…
Yeah that sounds like my dream come true.’

There is a lot for me to love about Jen and Collin together…they’re very combustible. They have a very heated, electric kind of chemistry. They can get under each other’s skin…push buttons…it’s fun to watch them rile the other up, especially in certain context. 😉 They’ve got that one thing that can never be duplicated…history. It’s really hard to beat the fact that they have spent most of their lives knowing each other…her brother was his best friend – which adds to the complexity of the situation a little bit more. I loved his protective streak over her…and I hated that she always saw it as him sweeping into the rescue. I think it is just in Collin’s nature to be helpful, especially for the girl he cares about – plus the whole ‘promise to the brother’ thing. There is absolutely no denying the physical connection that Jen and Collin have…it’s seriously hot. Colin’s dominant cave man that I mentioned, goes into over drive whenever it comes to him and Jen sexually…freak-ing hotness! It’s even hotter because Jen loves it too! The whole boss/employee thing is also pretty sexy….I mean, the people at the restaurant have been passing rumors for months now…so why not have a little fun behind closed doors. 🙂

‘My head it spinning. Doesn’t she realize I owe her everything? I care about her, more than I want to admit. The closer we get to her leaving, the more I don’t want her to go. I need to tell her. I need to let her know what she means but me, but…
It’s fucking hard. I’m not one to blurt out my feelings. My parents aren’t touchy-feeling and rarely talk about their emotions. I hide behind a mask most of the time. Whatever people want to see, I give it to them. With the exception of Jen.
She’s the only one who sees the real me.’

I guess my only complaint…if you can even call it a complaint…was Collin and Jen do not have it easy. At all. Obviously there is a lot of history between the two of them and then after denying each other for years, they are finally going to give in…and I seriously loved them together. They were magical together when they let the barriers down and just existed the two of them. Plus their chemistry just made my heart swoon! I craved them together…I mean, come on, they’re deliciously smoking hot…and kinda sorta perfect for each other…but good gravy I just wanted to see them happy. I don’t know if it was because everything was so temporary but it never really felt like they got to enjoy each other as much as I wanted them too. They had so much baggage and to me the past just weighed them down…I was aching for some moments of joy – seeing them build on their established friendship and obvious romantic feelings…I guess I just missed that part.

‘Whoever said the truth hurts was dead on. But it’s beyond hurting. It’s like a million knives carving into my chest, tearing my heart completely apart.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to put it back together.’

Other than my desire for more happy everything else was still there…everything I loved about One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend. Monica Murphy’s writing style is just…awesome. There is no other word to describe it. I love her flow, it’s very easy and effortless. She’s got the ability to weave in gut wrenching emotion with steam-your-pants-off sex and just the right amount of humor. I really enjoyed being in both Colin and Jen’s POV’s…it was never confusing and there was never any backtracking/revisiting a scene. And of course…the quintessential thing I love about series books…seeing the original characters I fell in love with. Yes please! You know I loved seeing Fable and Drew and hearing about them – Fable was actually in TBP a lot more than I thought she would be! Owen is even in it a little bit…which was a nice little set up for Four Years Later…eeep!

‘Her eyes fill with tears, and seeing them nearly rips me apart. “How did you know I needed you?”
I melt at her words. Grabbing her, I pull her in for a hug, the tension coiled right in my chest easing when she slips her arms around me and buries her face against my shirt. “Because I needed you, too. I can’t live without you,” I murmur into her silly hair.’

I loved the ending…it was classic HEA goodness for me but…and don’t ask me why…I feel like Colin and Jen aren’t over. I feel like there is/should be more. Maybe that’s wishful thinking. Usually I can tell when I’m totally good with where a couple is at and I can let them go and I really can’t with them. I want more for them…I want more happy and so…I will keep my hope for more. 🙂 In the meantime…I really cannot wait to read Drew + Fable Forever and Four Years Later…the Drew + Fable series has yet to disappoint me and I couldn’t be more excited to see what’s to come.

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.