{Review} Scarred Love by M.S. Brannon

Scarred Love
by M.S. Brannon
Pages: 416
Source: Provided by Author via Reading Addiction Blog Tours
Available as of June 6, 2013
Read: July 2013
Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Darcie Claiborne spent several years of her young life living with a monster, always fearing what he would do next. Clasping onto her last ounce of hope, Darcie releases a scream. It’s her final attempt to live; to survive the villain of her reality. Sweeping her up in his arms, Darcie’s knight in shining armor rescues her from the hell she’s been living; from the stepfather she's feared for all those years.

Reggie Evans has been forced to grow up before he’s ready when his mother dies of an overdose, leaving him responsible to raise his younger brothers. One fateful night, Reggie jogs by an old, run down house and discovers a young girl clinging to life as she screams for help.

Three years later, Darcie is healing and always protected by the man who saved her, but now she's fighting with something she isn't prepared to face. The growing love for the man who saved her life three years ago, the same man who’s nine years older. All the while, Reggie fights to protect Darcie from the demons of her past and new ones of her present.

**Mature Content Warning** 17+ for language and sexual content**

M.S. Brannon has a way with words that will keep you enticed regardless of if you can guess how her story ends. It was dark, exciting, and captivating. A read you won't want to miss out on.

Darcie comes from a dark, tainted past. Rescued by Reggie, her life begins to brighten, but will she ever be able to move past the abuse, the darkness?

I loved each of the Evans brothers. In some way, they each held a special light in Darcies life. To say that Darcie was a rambunctious, foul mouthed devil would be an understatement. She was spunky and fearless.

The only reason this book isn't 5 hearts for me is because not 25% through, I could tell you exactly what was going to happen in the end. I kept reading because there were a few questions I wanted answered about Reggie's past and to see if my prediction was correct...it was. I loved that we have parts from Darcie's past, and some scenes from Reggie's point of view. 

Overall, Scarred Love was a fun, exciting, and captivating read that kept me hooked regardless of my assumption on how it would end. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good romance and a girl with a dark past. 

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising*

{Review} Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Forbidden
by Tabitha Suzuma
Publisher: Simon Pulse 
Pages: 454
Source: Purchased
Available as of June 26, 2012
Read: October 2012
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

A shocking, heartbreaking story of taboo romance that’s as compelling as it is controversial.Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As de facto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: A love this devastating has no happy ending.

I read so many great reviews for this book and picked it up knowing what it was about. Tabitha Suzuma wrote a novel that took me by surprise and made me question right and wrong.

A boy and a girl. A brother and sister. Thirteen months apart in age. Closer to each other than most siblings. Their mom is absent, leaving them to care for their three younger siblings. What neither of them expects is to fall in love with the other. The pull becoming something they can't ignore.

I think I'm one of the few people who didn't love this book. After all the rave reviews I expected to be pulled in, dying to read the next page, but I wasn't. I counted my pages wondering how many I had until the next chapter appeared. It didn't grip me. It was a good read, but not a book that left me wanting more. I didn't see the ending coming. It was unexpected and took me by surprise. The siblings, Lochan and Maya, had a lot on their plate having to raise three kids. Lochan was by far my favorite of the two. He was cautious, had social anxiety, but it worked for him. I found Maya to be forceful. She had friends outside of her home life and she went for what she wanted. 

Overall, Forbidden was a good read, but it didn't keep me interested. Because of the the content, I'm not going to say whether or not I recommend this book. For me though, it was definitely a borrow. 

{Review} The Solitude of Passion by Addison Moore

The Solitude of Passion
by Addison Moore
Publisher:
Pages: 512
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Available on: August 13, 2013
Read: August 2013
Amazon

When old love and new love collide an impossibility is born.

When Lee Townsend’s husband leaves on a community outreach to China, the last thing she expects is for him to never come back—for him to have tragically met his demise.

Lee goes on to marry his adversary and settles into life and business with him, merging her vineyard with his and creating a worldwide conglomerate.

Five years later a twist of fate brings the past back to her and forces Lee to make a decision that will change the landscape of her life forever.

Secrets emerge, forcing relationships to be examined—magnifying the surprising true underpinnings of her marriage to both Mitch and Max.

Lee’s heart is unwilling to surrender her love for either Mitch or Max.
She must choose to carry forward with the past or present.

Lee has a choice to make.
Mitch can’t figure out how to win.
Max never loses.
Worlds collide in THE SOLITUDE OF PASSION

I fell in love with Addison Moore's writing when I read Someone to Love. I was beyond thrilled when I was offered a copy of The Solitude of Passion for review. While there were many things I liked and didn't like, I'm glad I read it.

Lee Townsend married the man she loved. Less than a year in and he is sent in his brothers place to do construction work in China. He expected to be home in two week...

There were three main players in this story. Lee, Mitch, and Max. With Lee I found myself in a love/hate relationship. She was loving, sweet, and funny, but she also infuriated me with her indecisiveness. Mitch is the husband who goes to China. I wasn't his biggest fan and he acted like a petulant child. Max, on the other hand, is the shining star in my opinion. I immediately fell in love with his sweet, caring, saves-the-day demeanor. Yes, he had an ulterior motive, but either way he was the one to save the day.

The Solitude of Passion was an extremely long book. It was a great read with a well developed plot, but I found myself looking for distractions while reading. I sailed through the first 20% of the story only to find out I'd barely made any progress. The further I got the more restless I was because I got sick of Lee's indecisiveness and Mitch's "I'm the first, therefore, the only" mindset. While I found the story dragging on, I appreciated that it was told from each of their points-of-view. I loved that Max was understanding of Lee's decision and was still happy to be her rock. He was what pulled me through until the end.

Overall, The Solitude of Passion was well thought out, but left me restless and, at times, bored. If you are a fan of New Adult book and don't mind a love triangle, you'll more than likely enjoy this story.

Addison Moore is the author of young adult fiction and romance. She has worked as therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for almost a decade. She is the mother of four wonderful children. She resides on the West Coast with her family and two dogs where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she's not writing, she's reading.

You can find Addison...

Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Website

Teaser Tuesday #31

Hosted by Should Be Reading

The Solitude of Passion
by Addison Moore

     "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" She holds up her hands and backs away. "Who you gonna call? Vagina busters?"

     - Kat in Ch. 4 

Leave your Teaser Tuesday link for me!

{Book Blitz} The Solitude of Passion by Addison Moore

The Solitude of Passion
by Addison Moore
Publisher:
Pages: 512
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Available on: August 13, 2013
Amazon

When old love and new love collide an impossibility is born.

When Lee Townsend’s husband leaves on a community outreach to China, the last thing she expects is for him to never come back—for him to have tragically met his demise.

Lee goes on to marry his adversary and settles into life and business with him, merging her vineyard with his and creating a worldwide conglomerate.

Five years later a twist of fate brings the past back to her and forces Lee to make a decision that will change the landscape of her life forever.

Secrets emerge, forcing relationships to be examined—magnifying the surprising true underpinnings of her marriage to both Mitch and Max.

Lee’s heart is unwilling to surrender her love for either Mitch or Max.
She must choose to carry forward with the past or present.

Lee has a choice to make.
Mitch can’t figure out how to win.
Max never loses.
Worlds collide in THE SOLITUDE OF PASSION

Be sure to stop by later this week for my review!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Addison Moore is the author of young adult fiction and romance. She has worked as therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for almost a decade. She is the mother of four wonderful children. She resides on the West Coast with her family and two dogs where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she's not writing, she's reading.

You can find Addison...

Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Website

Blogger Days: Megan @ Paperbook Princess

Hello, hello!

Welcome to the second edition of Blogger Days!

Today I have with me Megan from Paperbook Princess!

Tell us about yourself.

I am really not very good at talking about myself… but let’s see if I can find anything nice to say shall we?

HI! I’m Megan and I run Paperbook Princess, I am also a daughter, sister, wife, aunt and friend. Oh and I am Canadian! YAY for Canadians eh? I also love hockey and I am SO happy that the NHL strike is over. I also hate the cold and the snow (weird right? Since I live in Canada and well we have snow and it’s SO cold!)

I am a very shy person until I get comfortable with you, if I am with a crowd of people that I don’t know, I have been accused of having this look of utter boredom on my face and I generally don’t say a single word the whole time.

I love McDonalds (awful right?) and I am not a fan of chocolate, but if you give me any sort of peanut butter chocolate (aka Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups) I will sit there and devour it.

I always tell people I don’t watch a lot of TV, but then I think about it a little more, and well I have so many shows set up to record on my PVR each week that it is kinda scary! I watch Hawaii Five-0, Biggest Loser, The Voice, Criminal Minds, Arrow, Nashville, the Vampire Diaries (favorite show EVER), Beauty and the Beast, and Once Upon A Time… yea see? Way too much TV!

Um… I think that’s about it… I’m pretty normal I guess eh? Other then the whole not liking chocolate thing at least.

What inspired you to start your book blog?

I started Paperbook Princess almost a year ago, and WOW I can’t believe I have been blogging since then! I started it mainly because I have always read so much, but I have a hard time rereading a book, or remembering WHAT I have read. So my blog is a way for me to keep track of what I have read, and refresh my mind when the next book in a series comes out… as well as helping me to not buy books I have already read!

What would you be doing if you never started your blog?

If I didn’t take the plunge and start Paperbook Princess, I would probably still be reading the same amount of books that I have always read, but I wouldn’t have been able to meet all the amazing bloggers that I have met, as well as been able to read or even realize that there were so many awesome authors that are self published!

Are there any bloggers that have really inspired you? Tell us about them.

Hmm… there are so many bloggers that I totally love… I Love Readers in Wonderland, and Alyse is super cool. I also love SupaGurl and she also runs some pretty awesome book tours, plus Heather, Michelle and BookGeek are so awesome to talk to on Twitter! Hmmm wow there are so many that I want to name! Booktastic Reviews, Always YA at Heart… and wow I really think I could go on FOREVER!

What are some of your favorite books?

Favorite books, this is probably one of the hardest questions I ever have to answer.. and a lot of people ask me this because everyone knows I am such an avid reader.

I honestly don’t think I have a ‘Favorite Book’ I read a lot of books from all different genres, from romance to YA, from biographies to non fiction… if it has words and a title I will read it!

But, I guess if I had to choose a book, I would say either Wings by Danielle Steel, or Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood…

Do you have any bookish pet peeves?

Bookish Pet Peeves… well I don’t have many, I probably do a lot of things that most people would want to kill me for (such as folding the corners down in books I’m reading) but the one thing that really annoys me, and my husband does ALL the time, is putting the book you are reading down, halfway through a chapter! I don’t know why, but there should be no reason to stop reading until you finish the chapter... eek! It bugs me!

If you could interview any author, dead or alive, who would choose and why?

I don’t know honestly… I don’t think anyone, its that whole I’m shy mentality.. I honestly don’t think I would be able to… but if I somehow got the chance to interview an author, and didn’t pee my pants from nervousness first… I would say Nora Roberts. She is just such a fantastic writer, and I always devour her books when they come out!

Are there any reviews that were really fun or easy to write? Difficult to write?

I think all reviews should be difficult to write, because even if you absolutely loved the book and stayed up all night to read it (which is what I have done many times) how do you even put what you thought into words? I think that’s the toughest part… writing what you thought, while not giving too much away, but also enticing others to read it too…
My favorite reviews to write have been my reviews for all the books in The Premonition Series by Amy Bartol… they are just such awesome books, and well yes I have major book crushes on the guys in them… and when I fan girl about them… she takes the time to acknowledge it… regardless of how often I do it, sooo I tend to go extra overboard because its just so FUN to pull a huge fan girl moment every once in a while.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t reading and blogging?

When am I not reading and blogging? I honestly am ALWAYS reading, I don’t go anywhere without either a book or iPad because you never know when you may have a few minutes to spend with your current read.
But I guess every once in a while I do put away my nerdiness and I watch my brothers hockey when its on TV, I also watch my millions of shows, and yea I spend some quality time with my hubby every once in a while too.

Do you have any tips for aspiring book bloggers?

I think that only thing I would tell aspiring book bloggers, is just have fun! If you have started a blog recently, or are considering it… do it for yourself, don’t do it to get free books or to make money… OH and use Twitter! It is honestly the best way to keep in touch with other bloggers from around the world, and you will meet so many awesome people always willing to give you a hand if you need it!

You can find Megan....

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

{Cover Reveal} All of You by Christina Lee

I'm excited to have the opportunity to share the cover of All of You by Christina Lee with you today. 

In this powerfully emotional debut New Adult novel, Avery has just met her hot upstairs neighbor. He's irresistible. Tattooed. And a virgin.

Nursing student Avery Michaels wants nothing to do with dating—she's perfectly happy single. Privy to too many of her mother's bad decisions and even worse taste in boyfriends, all Avery can handle is a string of uncomplicated hookups whenever the mood strikes.

When she meets smoking hot tattoo artist Bennett, she wants him—for just one night. But he won't accept a no-strings-attached arrangement. He lives by a straight-laced code of values based on his own troubled upbringing.

Bennett sees something special in Avery and he wants more from her. Way more. As Avery wrestles with her emotions for Bennett, danger and tragedy force them to open up to each other. And Avery must face the terrifying realization that she wants more from him, too.

So she needs to make a choice—let Bennett go or finally let him in.

New Adult Contemporary Romance
To Be Released on September 17, 2013

Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives near Cleveland with her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip gloss and salted caramel everything.

New Adult/Young Adult author. NA Contemporary Romance, ALL OF YOU, releases September with Penguin. BEFORE YOU BREAK in 2014. Repped by Sara Megibow.

Also the creator of Tags-n-Stones (dot com) jewelry.

You can find Christina...

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

In My Mailbox #39

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.  It is a weekly blog that allows the blogger to showcase what they received in the mail, got for review, won in contest, purchased, ect.

Books Mentioned:

Devoured by Emily Snow

Beauty From Pain by Georgia Cates
Bared to You by Sylvia Day
The Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Robin Palmer
Paper Towns by John Green
White Trash Beautiful by Teresa Mummert
Tidal by Emily Snow
Reflected in You by Sylvia Day
Entwined with You by Sylvia Day
Clash by Nicole Williams
Crush by Nicole Williams
Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan
Barely Breathing by Rebecca Donovan
Out of Breath by Rebecca Donovan
The Vincent Brothers by Abbi Glines
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
The Distance Between Us by Kasie West
Truly, Madly, Deadly by Hannah Jayne

Blogs Mentioned:

Good Choice Reading
Michelle @ Michelle Chew Writes
Annabelle @ Sparkles & Lightning

Jessirae @ Words Pages & Books

What's in your mailbox?

Random Acts of Kindness - August

RAK is a monthly meme hosted by Book Soulmates.  

Join in on the fun here.

RAK is Random Acts of Kindness. Readers, blog or not, sign up with their wishlist and then look at other people's wishlists and send them a Random Act of Kindness. It is simple and easy. Here are the rules:

COMPLETE RULES RE-CAP:

Please read carefully & follow all rules!  Thank you!

• Only sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).
• Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code can be found on the right sidebar of the Book Soulmates page).
• Create a wishlist (on Amazon, Goodreads, your blog, ect...) and post it in the Google Doc located in in each RAK post for the month.
• If you choose to do a RAK for someone, check out their wishlist and contact that blogger directly for their information.
• Once you receive a RAK, send us an email to [rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com] so that we can update the Google Doc.  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!
• E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and Barnes & Noble for Nook as well.
• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR RAK by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post.  This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well as who you RECEIVED gifts from.

OPEN TO EVERYONE including all our International brethren!

Remember, there's always The Book Depository & Fishpond.
Both offer FREE shipping!

If you're feeling super kind this month and would like to send me a book, you can view my wishlist on my blog (short list) or on Amazon (long, frequently updated list).  If you want my highlighted, top 5, would love to get my hands on, books, here they are:

{Interview & Giveaway} Shudder by Samantha Durante

Today I have Samantha Durante, author of Stitch & Shudder, with me today on the blog.

Hi Samantha! Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to be here at Doodle’s Book Blog!Thanks so much for hosting me, Emily!

Pet Peeves? Everyone has them. Could you tell us about a few of yours?

Biggest pet peeve is smoking! Especially now that I'm pregnant, it's the wors - you just can't get away from it, ugh. And penny-pinchers. Life's too short to squabble over a few dollars on the dinner bill!

If you could choose to have any superpower, what would you want and why?

Time travel - I'd love to be able to see the future and go back to meet my ancestors or experience major events for myself.

If we were to take a look at your nightstand, what book would we find?

At the moment, a whole bunch of pregnancy/parenting books! My first baby is due in October, so I've been reading up trying to prepare. :-)

When you aren't writing what do you enjoy doing?

Reading, of course, and spending time with family/friends. My DVR schedule is also quite packed...lol.

Name 3 things you always have with you when you are writing.

My laptop (that's number one!), my notes for whatever chapter I'm working on, and most likely my cat, who likes to think he's my faithful writer's assistant!

Do you listen to music when you write? If so, can you name a few songs that were playing or inspired you while writing Stitch & Shudder?

I love music, but I'm actually totally anti-music when writing - I just can't concentrate on writing when music is playing. But I was listening to a lot of Muse around the time when I came up with the idea for the trilogy, so I'd say they had an influence!

Can you describe Stitch, Shudder, or the trilogy in 10 words or less?

Dystopian sci-fi romance with some paranormal and lots of twists!

Where did you get the idea for this trilogy?

I began with the idea of doing a college ghost romance, but couldn't figure out how to get the girl and the ghost in the same time/place for a happy ending without resorting to time travel. The Stitch Trilogy is a very creative solution to that problem!

Are any of the characters based off of people you know?

Yup, they're all amalgams of people I know. Alessa in particular is a lot like me since I generally just put myself in her shoes and try to figure out how I'd respond in her situation!

Is there anything you would like to say to your readers?

THANK YOU so much for all of your support! You guys are the best, and I absolutely can't WAIT to share the final book of the trilogy with you!

Thanks again for being here with us today Samantha!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you haven't read the first book, Stitch, you can find my review here.  Only $0.99 at Amazon!

And be sure to check back later this month for my review of Shudder!

Shudder 
by Samantha Durante
Pages: 348
Available as of June 15, 2013
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

-- Book 2 in the Stitch Trilogy --

It's only been three days, and already everything is different.

Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa's life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she'd counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she'd thought she'd tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she's discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.

And then there are the visions.

The memory-altering "stitch" unlocked something in Alessa's mind, and now she can't shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers - and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world's sorry history - will soon leave Alessa reeling...

The second installment in the electrifying Stitch Trilogy, Shudder follows Samantha Durante's shocking and innovative debut with a heart-pounding, paranormal-dusted dystopian adventure sure to keep the pages turning.