Review & Giveaway: The Do Over by A.L. Zaun

The Do Over

by A. L. Zaun

Adult Contemporary Romance

Published May 20, 2013

*Ebook obtained in exchange for an honest review 

as part of the book tour*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Life doesn’t look like it’s supposed to for Dani Ruiz, a hopeless romantic. After a painful and sudden break-up with Rick Marin, Dani hides away from reality, retreating to a world of fiction where she prefers book boyfriends over the hassles of a relationship.

Almost two years later, Dani’s friends are tired of watching her in a holding pattern, so they stage an intervention, forcing her back into the real world of dating.

Unexpectedly, Dani meets Liam Lucas, a down-to-earth firefighter. He might be the person to show her she’s still worth something. Dani’s hesitant to trust her heart with another man, but their instant and electric chemistry is something she can’t deny.

As Dani starts to believe that she’s found her real-life book boyfriend, Rick decides that he’ll go to any lengths to get her back. Seeing Rick as a changed man makes Dani question everything.

Can Dani trust her patched-up heart with Liam?
Or has Rick transformed into the man she’s always wanted?

Written from various points of views, The Do Over is a story of second chances and new beginnings.

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About the Author:

A.L. Zaun graduated from Florida International University with a degree in English Literature a long time ago. A degree she didn’t use at all in her professional endeavors. She loves to read, write and take pictures. She walks around with her camera, and most importantly she has her e-reader available at all times. Healthcare Management by day, Mommy in the evening and most nights, you can find her sitting in front of her laptop with a bottle of Diet Pepsi, bringing the voices in her head to life on the pages of her debut novel, The Do Over.

Connect with A.L. Zaun:   Goodreads    Google+    Twitter    Website   Facebook

Click on the tour button above to find out what other stops are on the tour!

My Review:

I'm really having to sit and ponder where exactly I want to go with this review...I guess I'll just ramble a few moments and see what happens.

Right at the beginning, you realize that Dani seems to be a very dependent woman as far as being in a relationship is concerned. Maybe that's just my thoughts but the way that she feels about Rick in the beginning makes me think that she needed the relationship. She leans on her friends very heavily as far as handling her emotions goes. She's a pretty good female lead. Even though she thought things that would normally annoy me, I wasn't ever annoyed with her. I think that I didn't get annoyed because A.L. Zaun was able to write Dani's character in a way that oozed sincerity. Dani really struggled after the break up with Rick. Seriously, Rick did a number on her. Total jerkwad.

Liam - oooooh swoon. He's a great lead male character. He is the good guy that all girls should want and drool over. He's honest, upstanding, a firefighter, has great intentions and treats Dani like she's a precious rare jewel. He's had a traumatic past as far as his love life is concerned. I won't spoil what happened for the reader. I love the way he handles everything - he's such a respectful, caring man. Love him!

Alright, so this novel is about getting a "do over" - a second chance. I love that about the plot. Honestly, it's a great plot as far as how the novel moves and what the characters are facing/overcoming. I adore the fact that it's written from several different perspectives. Not only is Dani struggling with Rick coming back in the picture when she's in love with Liam, but then Rick is pretending to reinvent himself for Dani with the help of Maddy. However, what Rick doesn't realize is that he's actually, truly reinventing himself. All of his practicing and pretending is actually causing him to become a better person without him even realizing it. Then you have Liam who was in a great relationship with an unplanned, sudden ending. Liam adores Dani - it really makes your heart feel full when you read from Liam's perspective. Love him!!! Gosh!

The other characters in the novel aren't exactly eye catching - honestly, Dani's friends got on my ever-loving nerves. Liam's friend Chris was alright - although totally a douche a lot of the time. I did like Maddy though. She was a great, nearly mysterious sort of character that you don't necessarily get a good feel for since we don't know her past... but you WANT to get to know her better. I wanted to know what made her tick. I loved having her and Rick together.

Now, the best thing - great, amazing, mind blowing sex scenes. Love it! Zaun does a great job there! They're not super long, they're not super kinky, but they're hot. Very realistic & Liam... good lord man. He's just hot. Too much. *Fan myself*

Okay... focus.

When I think about what I didn't like so much... I mainly thing about how it is a realllllly long novel. I'm not sure what the page count is but it FELT like I was reading the novel forever. So much happens and I never got bored. But each time I'd see how far along I was, I'd nearly sigh because I felt like I'd been reading forever but only moved 5% or so forward. Maybe it felt like that because there were so many different things going on. I'm not sure. Plus, the constant talk about her Kindle sort of got to me because it was nearly a full blown advertisement for Kindle LOL

Overall, though, it was a good story & great ending. I look forward to seeing Rick & Maddy some more... Liam = Loved him! <3 Great, great guy.
 
I'm really glad I had a chance to read The Do Over! 

Overall Rating: 4 Stars
Cover Rating: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 3.8 Stars
Plot: 4 Stars
Climax: 4.5 Stars
Ending: 5 Stars 



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Review: Night Visions (Visions #1) by Elena Gray

Night Visions

Visions #1

by Elena Gray

Paranormal Romance

Published December 18, 2012

 

 

*Ebook obtained directly from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Plagued by visions and voices, Samantha Cade must be losing her mind. Until she realizes there's a hidden, urgent message wanting to be revealed. Just how, she'll have to figure out.

When Ian Behr reappears in her life after six long years without so much as a goodbye, dormant longing awakens. To survive this turmoil, she'll need to guard her heart.

Will Ian be her doom...or her salvation?

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About the Author:
Amidst piles of laundry you will find Elena tapping away at her laptop, escaping into her own paranormal world. Her characters are demanding and opinionated. They keep her up at all hours of the night. But she wouldn't have it any other way.

While she's not a soccer mom, she is a football, basketball and baseball mom. Two active boys, lovable dog and devoted husband round out her family.

Connect With Elena:  Goodreads   Website   Twitter   Facebook

My Review:

Night Visions was a really good debut Paranormal novel. While I'm not jumping up and down screaming "Best book ever" I'm still bouncing in my seat saying "if you like shifters + mystery + a little romance, get this book!"

While there were a few places that left me a little confused with a scrunched up face saying "huh," overall, this novel kept me on my toes and attached to the characters. Don't let me fool you by saying the entire novel focuses on shifters - that would be misleading on my part. The novel focuses on Sam, with voices constantly in her head, seeing visions here and there but not understanding them, trying to find her brother, and struggling with her feelings for Ian vs wanting to be mad because he left her. Although shifters are all around, they aren't the primary focus.

There isn't a lot of background as far as the characters go but Elena gives you just enough info to like or hate them. There are a few holes but they aren't so large that you feel like you're missing something. You learn that Sam has a brother Jason, but you never find out where their parents are or what happened to their parents... You learn that Ian lived next door and left out of the blue, but you never learn where he went in between being with his parents and then being old enough to build his own place in the mountains. Then there's Scott - you know he's been a great friend of Sam's for a while, helped pick her up after Ian ran off, but you know very little else up front. Later, you learn who Scott's father is, but the mystery aspect of the novel is really "who the heck is that guy and what does he want." So you're still a little clueless as to knowing much about him. Plus, it's hard to tell if he's a good guy or a bad guy? I mean, he wants to free Sam but then he shoots her up and knocks her out when she's trying to escape.... Anywho... these aren't deal breakers for the novel. They may sound bad but honestly, they're small little details when you're reading the novel.

The story really draws you in and the mystery keeps you wondering "what in the world...." There's also the fact that every single aspect of Sam's life has just about been a lie... it seems like everyone knew what was going on EXCEPT Sam. That was a little frustrating & I think Sam went a little easy on everyone. LoL I would've given them Hell if it was me they'd lied to for years.

I'm hoping that Elena is able to expand on these characters in book 2 even though it's going to focus on another set of characters.

The plot moves at a solid pace and I never really got bored. There was something going on constantly.

Overall, I think this is a pretty good start to a new paranormal series and I definitely want to pick up book 2 when it comes out so I can continue the story. I know I've noted areas that may sound negative, but honestly, while reading, you aren't thinking about any of that. While reading, you're entranced by what's going on. I only noted the areas above after finishing the novel and looking back.


Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars
Cover Rating: 3.5 Stars
Characters: 4 Stars
Plot: 3 Stars
Climax: 3.5 Stars
Ending: 3.5 Stars

ARC Review: Claim Me (Stark Trilogy #2) by J. Kenner

Claim Me

Stark Trilogy #2

by J. Kenner

Erotic Romance / Light BDSM

Expected Publication: April 23, 2013 by Batam

*ARC Ebook obtained via NetGalley in 

exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

For Damien, our obsession is a game. For me, it is fiercely, blindingly, real.

Damien Stark’s need is palpable—his need for pleasure, his need for control, his need for me. Beautiful and brilliant yet tortured at his core, he is in every way my match.

I have agreed to be his alone, and now I want him to be fully mine. I want us to possess each other beyond the sweetest edge of our ecstasy, into the deepest desires of our souls. To let the fire that burns between us consume us both.

But there are dark places within Damien that not even our wildest passion can touch. I yearn to know his secrets, yearn for him to surrender to me as I have surrendered to him. But our troubled pasts will either bind us close . . . or shatter us completely.

Release Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

  

Pre-Order Your Copy:

Barnes & Noble

About the Author:

J. Kenner spent more than ten years as a litigator in Southern California and Central Texas, using her rare free time to indulge her passion for writing. California born, she now lives—and writes—in Texas, with her husband and daughters.


Connect with the Author: Goodreads   Twitter    Facebook   Website







My Review:

Oh my, my, my.... I just can't get enough of Damien Stark.

Let me start out by saying that for most readers, you either like this type of novel (erotica with BDSM) or you don't. I like them... a lot.

With that being said, I won't go into detail about the actual erotic fun in this novel but I will say that Kenner didn't disappoint. Great scenes and high emotion throughout them.

Now, the rest of the deets...

I adore the characters in this novel. They seem to me to have more depth than other popular erotica novel characters do. If you read book 1, Release Me, and you enjoyed it, this novel doesn't disappoint. I will say that the first nearly half of the novel is a tad slow... great scenes, but as far as the plot unfolding, it's a tad slow. Now, I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the first half... but compared to the rest of the novel, it wasn't nearly as eventful.

All of a sudden, the novel seems to take off - it's one thing after another. You learn more about Damien's past, which breaks your heart even more for this man, and you also continue to see Nikki struggle with trying to keep herself from turning to cutting to ground her. Slowly, Damien begins to open up little by little but there's still so many mysteries yet to be unveiled. It leaves the reader on their toes waiting for "what's next?!"

The drama constantly had me biting my nails and wanting to jump through the novel. Nikki's mom - UG! - that woman makes me want to hurl... better yet, I want to punch her in her face! >_<

Now.... the ending.... jeewiz... I can't believe that Julie left us hanging where she does! Now don't get me wrong, the ending is perfect... but the events that are beginning to unfold! I wanted to scream at the book when I reached the last page! LoL I can't wait to see how this trilogy ends - I'm crossing my fingers that things work out the way I want them too ^_^


Overall Rating: 4 Stars
Cover Rating: 4 Stars --> ahh that scarf! Love that they used this as the cover image.
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Plot: 4 Stars
Climax: 4.5 Stars
Ending: 5 Stars

Review: Beauty from Pain (Beauty #1) by Georgia Cates

Beauty from Pain

(Beauty #1)

by Georgia Cates

Adult Romance

Published January 29, 2013

*Ebook won via blog giveaway*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

They agreed on three months...but their love knew no boundaries.

Jack McLachlan is a winemaking magnate and easily one of Australia’s most eligible bachelors. His success and wealth make him no stranger to the complications of romantic relationships and that’s why he goes to extreme measures to avoid the hassle. He prefers simplicity in the form of a beautiful female companion with no strings attached. He arranges relationships like business deals and they’re always the same. No long term relationships. No real names.

It’s his game and his rules. He’s content to play as usual, but when Laurelyn Prescott enters his life, his strategy must change because this player is like none he's ever encountered. His world is turned on its head after he begins a three month affair with the beautiful American musician. Nothing goes according to plan and as he breaks more and more of his own rules for her, she’s exceptionally close to becoming something he never thought possible. His ultimate game changer.

Not recommended for younger readers due to sexual content and language.

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About the Author:

Per Georgia's blog - She's a wife, mom of 2 daughters, and a L&D Nurse. Of course, now, she can add Author to that list! Her debut novel was Blood of Anteros - a Paranormal romance. She recently hit the New York Times Best Sellers List with Beauty From Pain!! Yay!

Connect with Georgia:

Goodreads       Website      Twitter      Pinterest







My Review:

 Where to start! I guess I can start from the cover to the juicy details.

Seriously - take another look at this cover. It's STUNNING! Love it!

Now, down to the rest of the juicy details within the cover... Oh boy... hold on to your knickers ;)

I LOVED this book.

First off, the characters:
You have Laurelyn, our lead female, who is getting over a rough break up (well, do you even call it that - he was freaking married & she didn't know it! Douchebag...) and decides to go with her best friend to Australia for a few months to stay at her bestie's brother's house.

Enter Jack... ooh la la. He's a hot, rich, vineyard owning, private man... did I say hot? LoL See, Jack has this quirky relationship habit (again, can I call it that?) where he scouts out a woman of his choice and they make an agreement to spend a few weeks together. He never tells them his real name, never takes them home, never tells them anything that could potentially lead them to find out who he REALLY is. It's an interesting take on a relationship - that's for sure. Definitely a creative way to have your cake, eat it, & not let anyone know who the baker is... LoL

Jack is in town for a steady three months so he decides to take a chance & change up his routine. He wants to stick with the same "relationship" for 3 months instead of just a couple weeks. While scouting for his next woman, he finds Laurelyn. I absolutely loved how he gets his information while at the bar. Too fun! Well, turns out, it's a perfect match: he wants 3 months & she's only in the country for 3 months. Win win right? Well, from the beginning, everything with Laurelyn is different.

Oh yea  - I forgot to mention... her bestie's brother has the hots for Laurelyn too. There's a lot of male testosterone being thrown around because he wants Laurelyn all to himself while they're here for 3 months. It gets ugly a few times because he definitely is a jealous type. 

Oh... and then there's one of Jack's other "girlfriends" who happened to figure out who he really is... and she's one jealous, crazy biatch. >_<

Well, I don't want to include spoilers, so I'm not going to go into much more detail with regards to the plot & outcomes.

The plot moves smoothly, the characters are extremely likable, the emotion is high, the sex is hot, and it keeps you on your toes.Of course there are a few moments of predictability but these days, there's few novels that don't have a few moments like that - especially when it comes to romance.

Overall, definitely 5 stars! Loved it. I couldn't put it down.

Cover Rating: 5 Huge Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Plot: 4.5 Stars
Climax: 4.5 Stars
Ending: 5 Stars <--I NEED BOOK 2 NOWWWWWWW





ARC Review: Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Bastard

(Beautiful Bastard #1)

by Christina & Lauren

"Christina Lauren"

Adult Erotic Romance

Expected Publication Date: Feb 12, 2013

 

*ARC Ebook obtained via Net Galley*

Synopsis Via Goodreads:

An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling. Discover the story that garnered more than two million reads online.

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He’s exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family’s massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who’d been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he’s never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe’s so tempting he’s willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office.

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they’re willing to lose in order to win each other. Originally only available online as The Office by tby789—and garnering over two million reads on fan fiction sites—Beautiful Bastard has been extensively updated for re-release.

 Pre-Order Your Copy:

 

Barnes & Noble

About the Authors:

 

Christina & Lauren have been writing all kinds of stories together since 2009. This is not the first erotic romance they’ve ever written . . . but it is the first one under this name. Separated by the pesky state of Nevada, these co-author besties talk several times a day, agree that Ruby Pumps is the best nail polish color ever, and would, if given the choice, spend all day staring at the ocean from the San Clemente pier.

Connect with the Authors:

Goodreads    Blog    Twitter (Christina)   Twitter (Lauren)

My Review:

I really enjoyed this book. I see several negative reviews and it blows my mind. It just goes to show that everyone's reading tastes are completely different. First off, this book has nothing to do with Twilight. Second, I love a man in a nice suit. This is one of those quick reads that women who work with attractive men can read and daydream about. Seriously, office sex is hot. I understand not everyone will agree. That's why there's books out there for everyone. Just pick up a new one and move...moreI really enjoyed this book. I saw several negative reviews and it blew my mind. It just goes to show that everyone's reading tastes are completely different. First off, this book has nothing to do with Twilight. Although it may have started as a "fan fiction," don't let that mislead you into thinking this has ANYTHING to do with Twilight. Not even in the same world. Smh. Second, I love a man in a nice suit. A hot, demanding, stern, did I say hot? man in a perfectly tailored suit. Especially the ones with the naughty, throw you up against the office window kinda attitude. *swoon* This is one of those quick reads that women who work with attractive men can read and daydream about. Seriously, office sex is hot. I understand not everyone will agree. That's why there's books out there for everyone. Just pick up a new one and move on. Anyway, I related to Chloe & enjoyed the dialog. Reading from Bennett's POV was great. Scenes were hot, emotion was great, loved the ending. Again, I really enjoyed this read. It was a hot getaway of sorts. Overall Rating: 4 Stars Cover Rating: 5 Stars (I LOVE this cover!) Characters: 5 Stars Plot: 4 Stars Climax: 4 Stars Ending: 4 Stars The ONLY thing I have to make a note on that's not going to be positive is the set price at this time... I have to be honest with my readers. I don't think I would've paid $7.99 for this book. That seems a bit steep - especially when the print version is only 2 dollars higher....I only pay that much for e-books that are from authors that I can't live without and who have been around for several years as successful authors. Just something to think about...

ARC Review: Platinum by Jeffe Kennedy

Platinum

by Jeffe Kennedy

Adult Erotica / Light BDSM

Expected Publication Date - Feb 25, 2013

Published by Carina Press

 

*ARC obtained via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Althea Grant's Charleston gallery might be suffering from the bad economy, and her artistic aspirations have gone nowhere, but she's doing just fine, thank you. When bad-boy sculptor Steel rides up on his motorcycle looking to rent studio space, his infusion of cash is more than welcome. But his art is raw, visceral, sexual—and completely inappropriate for her pastel world of watercolor landscapes.

Steel, fascinated by Althea's rare albino coloring, sees in her the key to his next piece: a metal satyr designed for bondage games. Moving into her gallery basement is the first step; seducing the cool Southern belle into modeling for him is the second.

As Steel peels away her careful manners and tasteful outfits, Althea begins to realize her life isn't just fine at all—it's as pale and washed-out as the watercolor paintings she's failing to sell. Can she transform her life and accept her most secret desires?

Pre-Order Your Copy:

 

 

About the Author:

Jeffe took the crooked road to writing, stopping off at neurobiology, religious studies and environmental consulting before her creative writing began appearing in places like Redbook, Puerto del Sol, Wyoming Wildlife, Under the Sun and Aeon. An erotic novella, Petals and Thorns, came out under her pen name of Jennifer Paris in 2010, heralding yet another branch of her path, into erotica and romantic fantasy fiction. Since then, an erotic short, Feeding the Vampire, and another erotic novella, Sapphire, have hit the shelves. Her contemporary fantasy novel, Rogue’s Pawn, will be published in July, 2012. Jeffe lives in Santa Fe, with two Maine coon cats, a border collie, plentiful free-range lizards and frequently serves as a guinea pig for an acupuncturist-in-training.

 

Connect with the Author:

Website      Goodreads      Twitter     

My Review:

I enjoyed this quick, hot read. It was a journey of finding and accepting one’s self and true personality.

The characters seemed more like real people rather than our fantasy/dream/billionaire characters we've grown to love & fantasize about. Okay - yea so Steel is totally my hot biker fantasy but not my billionaire CEO fantasy type. LoL

You have Althea - owner of her own art gallery that's doing quite poorly, family who obviously has money but raised her to be a "proper young lady" who follows all of society's rules. She never steps out of line. She holds herself as a completely poised, elegant woman who appears smooth as glass on the outside. She's obviously has no idea who she really is deep down - she's who she was raised to be. Due to her complexion & hair color (albino), she always wears pastel colored clothes and light colored makeup. Enter Steel - hot, rough around the edges biker, sexy, tattoos, nipple ring, and did I mention he is a completely brilliant artist. And a total Dom.

The way that Steel owns his life choices and is completely comfortable with himself is very appealing. He obviously had a not-so-great life when he was younger but with help from social workers, etc., he puts his emotions out there through his art. He's able to slowly guide Althea into realizing HER true nature & feelings. He helps her understand that it's perfectly acceptable to NOT be who everyone expects you to be. Live the way you want to live. Think the way you want to think. Throw "Society's rules" to the wind I guess I should say. He opens her eyes to primal, sexual urges in human nature. Althea has a hard time accepting it because it goes against everything that she's ever been told was proper.

Overall, great hot read of self-exploration & acceptance. I really enjoyed it. It only took a few hours to read but I didn't really feel like it was too short. This story is focused on Althea's self-exploration so it doesn't delve into the other character's reasons for why they are who they are. You only get a few glimpses but it works. You're constantly drawn back to Althea.

 

Overall Rating: 4 Stars

Cover Rating: 4.5 Stars - It really is beautiful

Characters: 5 Stars

Plot: 4 Stars

Climax: 4 Stars - Loved the charity ball

Ending: 4 Stars - I'm very happy with the ending