EXCERPT: One by Mari Arden

One by Mari Arden

Title: One

Author: Mari Arden

Publication Date: July 2013

Jules Hendricks has had a string of bad "firsts."
Embarrassing first kiss. Traumatic first date. An obsessive first boyfriend she can't understand.
It's taken her years but she's finally able to leave her small town life behind for a new start as a freshmen at UW- Madison. For Jules this chance to be independent and rebuild her life is an opportunity she won't ever let anyone take from her again. She's determined to make something of herself without a man by her side, in front, behind or anywhere near her.
Reid "Pax" Paxton is the star quarterback for the UW Badgers. His brush with death makes him understand how precious life is, and how important it is to take life by the horns, unafraid. Jules knows he's dangerous for her. Dark hair. Smoldering eyes. Killer smile. That dimple. That body. Those arms. Pax is everything she's trying to run away from, but she can't help coming back for more. Slowly he begins to show a life together can be more than just a dream. It can be their reality. The truth about reality is it's not always sunshine and butterflies.
Sometimes it's a wasteland.
Sometimes secrets can't stay buried.
Sometimes your past will find a way to hunt you down.

| Goodreads | 

I've been wanting to read this book for AGES!! I mean, the cover is AMAZING! And the blurb sounds sooo interesting. After reading the blurb, I immediately fell in love with it!!

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EXCERPT

        "Do I make you nervous?" His husky drawl drips like chocolate covering a ripe, round strawberry. Does he make me nervous? Does a simmering volcano make an ant nervous?

            I swallow. "Nervous? I'm not nervous," I babble, refusing to look at him. I'm in physical pain. What's that thing I do where I take in air, and then let it out? Oh yeah, breathing. I need to do that.

            Like right now.

            I make a strangled sound and inhale through my nostrils, taking in the smoky air like a ravenous puppy finding milk. Instantly I feel Pax's heat next to me. Soon I'll be immersed in it, wrapped in it.

            Wrapped around him.

            So does that make me nervous? Only a hundred kinds of nervous.

            "Time to begin!" Cade yells, as he jogs back to Pax and I, flashing his pearly whites. He pounds Pax on the back. "Don't drop the ball," he grins.

            "As if I ever do."

            Cade turns to me. I see the second he registers my cleavage is exposed to the world. His eyes appraise me slowly. He gives me an appreciative grin. "Well, hello there."

            "Hi," I reply. "Um, should we start now?" I don't mean to be rude, but I'm a second away from vomiting every cell inside me, and call me crazy, but I'd prefer not to start off my year known as the Vomiter.

            "Yes," Pax glares at Cade. "Let's start." He inserts himself between us, blocking Cade's view of me. His firm, half naked body is next to my face. Pax's musky cologne combined with a sweaty scent unique to him assails my nostrils until my senses are reeling out of control.

            Cade chuckles, looking amused. I want to glare at him. I don't find anything amusing about this. "Ready when you are."

            Pax turns to me, his emerald eyes dark pools in the sunlight. This close I see every glorious inch of him, from the tiny stubbles of black hair covering the lower part of his face to the rippling six pack decorating his stomach like a tattoo. I don't dare look any lower. My pulse skitters. I forget to breathe. Something hard and hot unfurls in my belly. Unable to tear my gaze from him I watch helpless as his mouth drifts closer, until he' so close his breath mingles with mine.

            "Ride me."

About The Author

I'm Mari Arden (Mari rhymes with safari). Teacher by day, author by night. When I'm not living my double life I like to hike and try foods from all over the world. Up until recently, I used to be scared of dogs. Even puppies. True story. Now I'm just afraid of anything with more than six legs. I write to soothe my soul and to, hopefully, entertain YOU.
Adventurous? Come join my double life!

RELEASE EVENT: The Do Over by A.L. Zaun

The Do Over by A.L. Zaun

Title: The Do Over

Author: A.L. Zaun

Publication Date: May 20th 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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—who  she thought was the One—Dani hides away from reality, retreating to a world of fiction, preferring book boyfriends over the hassles of a relationship.
After almost two years of watching Dani in a holding pattern, her friends stage an intervention and force 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?
Told from various points of views, The Do Over is a story of second chances and new beginnings.  

| Goodreads | 

EXCERPT from The Do Over:

Looking over at her again, I noticed she wasn’t showing any interest in this part of the class. It was my job to make sure that every student was properly trained in advanced life support. I owed it to her to engage her in this class activity.  

“Ms. Ruiz,” I called, waving for her to come up to the front.  

She straightened up, like she was startled. Shit, I hope I didn’t freak her out.  

After she sauntered to the front of the class, she got into position. Clearly, she knew what she was doing, but that didn’t stop me from assisting her. I didn’t know what had possessed me. I was drawn to her. I stood behind her as she placed her hands on the dummy. She was the perfect height. I could’ve easily rested my chin on her head. I reached over, almost leaning into her. I laid my hands over hers as we pushed down on the dummy.  

Making sure she applied the correct pressure, I said in a hushed voice, “Make sure it’s deep, hard, and steady. Yeah, that’s right. You’re doing it perfectly.”  

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.  

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BLOG STOP: Runes by Ednah Walters

Runes by Ednah Walters

Title: Runes

Author: Ednah Walters

Publication Date: May 20th 2013

Publisher: Firetrail Publishing

Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her.
Raine is drawn to Torin’s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run.
Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about Torin. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only are she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.

| Goodreads | 

My Review

This book was epic! I could not put it down at all. I love Ednah's writing and seriously, this book got me hooked from the start!! So when I finished this book, I was literally sitting there with my mouth hanging open while I wait for the last word to sink in. OH MY GAD CHRISTO!! I NEED TO THE 2ND BOOK NOW!!

So we meet Raine Cooper, she's a lively girl, aka normal. With her father's disappearance and her mother's strange behaviour, she kind of have a messed up life. Raine was the type of the girl-next-door in some ways, and she was kind of tough in another.

We also meet Torin. OOOoooo Torin!! I love Torin, and also very jealous of Raine. I mean, he ives next door to her for ef's sake. Torin sounds like the player type but really, he isn't. He's kind, a jerk in some ways, and also he has great (thick sarcasm) friends.

I love the whole plot of this book, and I also love Raine and Torin. But most of all, I LOVE ANDRIS!! Seriously! That guy is such a jerk. But he's really funny. He's the sort of guy who you would immediately hate at the beginning, then suddenly love straight away!!I love him, I love his jokes and I love the way he's so....like, you can't tell what he's going to do next.

The pacing of the story was just right, it wasn't too fast, or too slow, and it didn't miss out any parts. There were some part when I just totally wanted to shout "NOOO!!" but as if they were going to listen to me. LOL!

This book was an awesome read, but really? CLIFFHANGER? Are you trying to kill me or what? I cannot wait for book 2 and the release date better hurry up!! You need to pick up this book now!

About The Author

Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, will be released April 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN.

Ednah also writes New Adult paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. She is presently working on book 2, IMMORTALS.

Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published four more books in this series. She's presently working on book six.

You can visit her online at www.ednahwalters.com or www.ebwalters.com,. She’s also on Facebook,twitter, ya-twitter, Google-plus, and RomanceBlog, YAblog.

NEW RELEASE: Broken Gates by D.T. Dyllin

Broken Gates by D.T. Dyllin

Title: Broken Gates

Series: P.J Stone Gates Trilogy #2

Author: D.T. Dyllin

Publication Date: May 24th 2013

P.J. Stone is a Seer who saw too little, too late.
In the past, her biggest worries were boys and school—but war has a way of changing things. Now, the alien Riders are trying to overrun the world. As the last of their kind, P.J. and her friends must find a way to save humanity before there’s nothing left to save.
After choosing a mate, P.J. hoped she'd have time to enjoy her love life. But with everything changing so quickly and major secrets revealed, who knows what the future will bring?

| Goodreads | 

Buy Link

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Gates-Stone-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00CNVOJ0Q/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1369277255&sr=8-4&keywords=broken+gates

Publisher

http://www.dragonfairypress.com/dtdyllin/brokengates

About The Author

Cynical-Optimist. Chocolate-holic. Sarcasm Addict. Paranormal Believer. Romance Junkie. Self Imposed Insomniac. Animal Lover. Writer.

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REVIEW: The Originals by Cat Patrick

The Originals by Cat Patrick

Title: The Originals

Author: Cat Patrick

Publication Date: May 6th 2013

Publisher: Electric Monkey (UK)

I glance at the three baby portraits in thick wooden frames.I feel a familiar prickling on the back of my neck.Because I know there's another picture somewhere - and the baby in that photo looks identical to the babies on the wall.Somewhere, there's a photo of the original.
Ella, Betsy and I look like sisters: triplets, you might think.
But that's not what we are at all.
We are clones in hiding. We split our lives and exist as one person in the outside world. And we've always been happy.
But now I've fallen head-over-heels in love . . . and that changes everything.
Because, to let love in, I need to be allowed to be Me.

| Goodreads | 

My Review:

I found this book really interesting to read. I just bought this yesterday and started it today, finished it all in a few hours. It was such an amazing read and I could not put it down.

So the story starts with introducing these three girls who share a life. The girls: Elizabeth, Ella and Betsey are sisters, more like triplets. They look exactly the same, but they are completely different. They live the same life, each living one-third of a day. Elizabeth takes the morning classes and then she swaps with Ella as soon as lunch starts. Betsey takes the evening times. 

Of course, that's kind of a pain in the ass if you live only one-third of a day for your whole life. But that's the sort of life the girls live in. We get to read this book from Elizabeth's point of view, and I love how she was just like a normal girl. She's kind of selfish in some normal-everyday-life sort of way, which I also love, and she was the sort of girl that you would fall in love with straight away.

And also, how can I forget the love interest? Sean Kelly. Sean is the type of boy who every girl likes, but he's not a player. He's just a guy whose bedroom is neat, who loves taking photos and he runs the school's facebook page. Sean is kind, the type that supports his girlfriend. He's generous and did I mention, hot? LOL!

I love the whole plot of the story, how the girls find their way back to being themselves. And I also love how Cat made the book so unique with the triplets and clones. I love Cat's writing, and I have to say, it has been a while since I've read a good normal-life-girls book, even though their life was way more than normal.

I love the characters, the plot and the whole scene set up inside the book. I could literally picture the girls in my mind, and with a cover like that...man, the cover is amazing!! It's just so pretty!! So envious of the models!! Hehe!!

5 stars.

About The Author

Cat Patrick is an author of books for teens. Her debut novel, FORGOTTEN (available now), is about a girl who can remember the future instead of the past, and was praised by NYT bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher, as a "mindbending," one-sitting read. The book is being translated into 21 languages and Paramount bought the movie rights, with True Grit's Hailee Steinfeld attached to star as the main character, London Lane.
Patrick's second (unrelated) novel, REVIVED, is about a girl who's part of a secret government program to test a drug that brings people back from the dead. REVIVED will be available in the US May 2012, and in the UK and Australia Summer 2012.
Patrick lives near Seattle with her husband and twin 3-year-olds, and is afraid of zombies, planes, and zombies on planes.
Visit her online at www.catpatrick.com 

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY: One by Mari Arden

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine

Title: One

Author: Mari Arden

Publication Date: July 2013

Jules Hendricks has had a string of bad "firsts."
Embarrassing first kiss. Traumatic first date. An obsessive first boyfriend she can't understand.
It's taken her years but she's finally able to leave her small town life behind for a new start as a freshmen at UW- Madison. For Jules this chance to be independent and rebuild her life is an opportunity she won't ever let anyone take from her again. She's determined to make something of herself without a man by her side, in front, behind or anywhere near her.
Reid "Pax" Paxton is the star quarterback for the UW Badgers. His brush with death makes him understand how precious life is, and how important it is to take life by the horns, unafraid. Jules knows he's dangerous for her. Dark hair. Smoldering eyes. Killer smile. That dimple. That body. Those arms. Pax is everything she's trying to run away from, but she can't help coming back for more. Slowly he begins to show a life together can be more than just a dream. It can be their reality. The truth about reality is it's not always sunshine and butterflies.
Sometimes it's a wasteland.
Sometimes secrets can't stay buried.
Sometimes your past will find a way to hunt you down.

| Goodreads | 

About The Author

I'm Mari Arden (Mari rhymes with safari). Teacher by day, author by night. When I'm not living my double life I like to hike and try foods from all over the world. Up until recently, I used to be scared of dogs. Even puppies. True story. Now I'm just afraid of anything with more than six legs. I write to soothe my soul and to, hopefully, entertain YOU.
Adventurous? Come join my double life!

What's YOUR Waiting On Wednesday??