Christie's review: Full Tilt by Emma Scott

Title: Full Tilt

Author: Emma Scott

Series: Full Tilt #1

Release date: June 28, 2016

Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

"I would love you forever, if I only had the chance..." 

Kacey Dawson has always lived life on the edge--impulsively, sometimes recklessly. And now, as lead guitarist for a hot up-and-coming band, she is poised at the brink of fame and fortune. But she is torn between wanting to be a serious musician, and the demons that lure her down the glittering, but alcohol-soaked path of rock stardom. A wrecked concert in Las Vegas threatens to ruin her career entirely. She wakes up with the hangover from hell and no memory of the night before, or how she ended up on her limo driver’s couch... 

Jonah Fletcher is running out of time. He knows his situation is hopeless, and he's vowed to make the most of the handful of months he has left to him. His plans include seeing the opening of his glass installation at a prestigious art gallery…they do not include falling in love with a wild, tempestuous rock musician who wound up passed out on his couch. 

Jonah sees that Kacey is on a path to self-destruction. He lets her crash with him for a few days to dry out and get her head on straight. But neither of them expected the deep connection they felt, or how that connection could grow so fast from friendship into something more. Something deep and pure and life-changing…something as fragile as glass, that they both know will shatter in the end no matter how hard they try to hold on to it. 

Full Tilt is a story about what it means to love with your whole heart, to sacrifice, to experience terrible grief and soaring joy. To live life with all its beauty, and all its pain, and in the end to be able to smile through tears and know you wouldn’t have changed a thing.

Full Tilt is a story that will reverberate in me for a long time. I feel like I've read my fair share of tear jerkers this year and they've been incredible hard hitters. I've been punched in the gut and unable to breathe past the huge knot swelling in my throat. So when I started reading this, I was determined to put on my armor and not allow myself to feel too much. I was going to cruise through this book with my eyes wide open that it would be sad, but I'd deal and let it slide off my back. That didn't happen. Emma Scott...*shakes fist* what have you done to me?

3 AM...
sniffling...
sobbing...
making grotesque faces trying to keep quiet...

I went there. I was wrecked and ruined and laying in a soggy heap.

Even with my walls put up, I couldn't help but fall for the beautiful soul named Jonah. From your first meeting you know that he sees the world as one of missed opportunities. A mixture of desperation and numbness filling him until he wants to scream but he has to stay silent. He has to soldier on and hold himself together for his family who want him to be happy. So he suffers his present walk in life and works toward his one and only goal. A legacy. He's a gifted industrial artist who doesn't have time for anything except the beautiful glass he creates.

Kacey is a musician on the precipice of fame. But success and money can't heal the hole in heart heart that eats away at her. She's in a tailspin towards destruction when she meets Jonah.

Drinking, sex with random men, and partying are her preferred methods of forgetting the abandonment and lack of love from her parents. By all counts, they were on separate paths and never should have connected. But when does love ever arrive when it's convenient? Drawn together no matter how wrong it might be, they hurtled toward the abyss in front of them. Not knowing if it would swallow them up or be their salvation.

Their future was uncertain. There was no room for guarantees, wasted words, or unused spaces. The more pages I read, the more my heart collapsed in on itself. How could any good come of what they were risking? Their love should have been devastating, but it lifted them up and made them better for experiencing it. Made me better.

She owned me. No other woman had ever made me feel like this: undone, completely unraveled and yet complete. Kacey made me whole. Healthy. Invincible. And my body was desperate to show her.

Full Tilt is a story you just soak up and let it expand in you. It fills you up with a hundred emotions and makes you hurt and want to fly all at once. I'm sitting here days after finishing this story and my eyes are welling up with tears again just thinking about Emma Scott's impactful love story. Would I recommend this if you're looking for some light reading? Most definitely not. This is a book for those looking for something unique, something unconventional that will really make you think.

This is my first book by this author and I know without a doubt I will be reading more in the future. Her writing was distinct, colorful, and rich with beautiful imagery. I was fully immersed and surrounded by the world she created. There is no HEA at the end of this book, but the following one in the series titled All In comes out in October. I look forward to seeing these characters find healing and happiness in their future.

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Sale Blitz: M. Leighton's Pretty Series

The Pretty Series books by M. Leighton have pretty new faces and a pretty new price!  From June 29-July 6, each of the Pretty Series ebooks are on sale for ONLY 99 pennies!  Get your copies here:

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She has also opened her store for the week, so you can get SIGNED PAPERBACKS with the new covers!

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Blog Tour with Giveaway: Man Candy by Melanie Harlow

Man Candy by Melanie Harlow Release Date: June 20, 2016 Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

Synopsis:

He’s back.

Not just back in town, but living in the flat right beneath mine. And he looks good enough to eat, which is just one more reason to stay away from him.

But I can’t resist.

The sex is incredible (pretty sure we’ve shaken the house right off its foundation), but he can’t fool me—not this time. A degree in marketing and five years in advertising have taught me that “true love” is a fairy tale used to sell lipstick, diamonds, and perfume. It doesn’t exist.

He thinks I’m wrong, and he wants to prove it.

I think he’s crazy, so I dare him to try.

It might be the biggest mistake of my life.

Excerpt:

“It’s so good to see you, Jaime,” he said. “You look great.” “You too,” I said before I could stop myself. I didn’t want him to think I still cared—in fact, I wanted him to know I wasn’t fooled by his charm. I wasn’t that silly little girl anymore, the one who’d doodled his name in her notebooks and blushed when he said hi at school and cried herself to sleep when he asked another girl to his prom. That silly little girl was gone, and in her place was a confident, smart, professional woman who knew her worth and, even better, the truth about love. No more stars in her eyes. But why did he have to be so hot? OK, pull yourself together. No drooling. “I’m so glad this worked out.” Quinn let me go but stood too close, his feet planted wide and his arms crossed over his chest. He wore jeans, a gray knit pullover that hugged his muscular chest and arms, and his feet were bare. His hair was damp and messy on top, just like it had been the last time I’d seen him in person. His full lower lip made me want to bite it. Maybe even draw blood. “Sorry, I just got out of the shower,” he said sheepishly, ruffling his hair. “Want to come in and catch up? Or maybe go out for a drink? I just need to throw some shoes on.” “No.” Trying desperately to shove the image of him in the shower from my mind, I elbowed past him and trudged up the stairs. My cheeks were hot, which meant they were probably turning scarlet. They ruined my poker face every time. “Come on, it’s Friday!” “I have work to do.” He was naked a few minutes ago. And wet. “Did you have a bad day?” “No.” Rivulets of water streaming over those muscles. “You already have plans tonight?” “No.” Steam rising as he stroked himself beneath the spray. “You don’t love me anymore?” I froze as the shower fantasy exploded into bits, replaced by a humiliation that paralyzed me, one foot on the top step, one hand on the banister. Slowly, I turned my head and glared at him over one shoulder. Now the grin cocked up on one side. “Because you used to, you know. You told me.” “You need to forget about that.” “Have you?” “Yes,” I snapped. “That was a long time ago. Back when I was young and impressionable and believed in love.” His brows went up. “You don’t believe in love anymore?” “Not the romantic kind. That’s a fantasy used to sell things like lipstick and roses and diamonds.” “Pretty jaded for twenty-seven, aren’t you?” I resumed heading up the stairs. “I’m not jaded, Quinn. I’m just a realist.” And I’ve been burned before, trusting guys way less attractive than you. He said nothing more, and I let myself into my flat. As soon as the door was shut behind me, I leaned back against it, exhaling and fanning my face. He still got to me. That was so aggravating. I mean, how was I supposed to sleep at night? Quinn Rusek was one fine piece of man candy, and I had a sweet tooth for him that wouldn’t quit. But he’d made fun of me! Again! A nice guy would have at least pretended not to remember what I’d said. Or maybe apologized for humiliating me. Or not have brought it up at all! What an asshole. A hot asshole—the worst kind. Curse you, Alex, and your generous heart. And curse you, Quinn, for getting under my skin again. You stay away from me. But a traitorous little part of me hoped he wouldn’t. (Bet you can guess which part.)  

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About the Author:

Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she's not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like VEEP, Game of Thrones, House of Cards, and Homeland. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.

Melanie is the author of the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, the FRENCHED series, and the sexy historical SPEAK EASY duet, set in the 1920s. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.

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Release Blitz: You and Me by Veronica Larsen

This bite-sized romance is perfect for the summer!

NOW LIVE AND FREE IN KU!

You and Me will become your new summer favorite!

BUY LINKS: FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/28Sifmz

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/28SdfQL

Blurb:

It all started in the pouring rain. His wet shirt plastered to his hard body. My drenched hair strewn across my face. We bantered. He held the door. I found out his name. And for a half a second, I fell hard. Then the record stopped. Forget his quick wit, those biceps, and insanely disarming clear blue eyes. The sexy sonofabitch proved he’d be just another mistake. But Jackson won’t give up that easily. He's determined to show me that opposites can not only attract, they can ignite. Can he and I become an us? Or did any chance we had at a future already get washed away?

 

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About the Author:

Veronica Larsen's romance novels are angst-driven and steamy. They tend to feature strong female leads who keep their male counterparts on their toes. Veronica enjoys building intense chemistry and anticipation while creating believable, down-to-earth romances. She's an avid reader of all genres, coffee addict, and a Harry Potter fanatic.

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Release Blitz with Giveaway and Christie's review: Reckless Hearts by Melody Grace

Title: Reckless Hearts

Series: Oak Harbor #2
Author: Melody Grace
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 27, 2016

Blurb

“When you’re ready for a real man to show you what it feels like, you just let me know.”

It should be the offer of a lifetime: sexy craftsman Will Montgomery wants to rock my world, and boy, does he know what to do with his hands – and that filthy, delicious mouth of his…

Only problem is, I don’t believe in relationships. And Will has ‘boyfriend material’ written all over his chiseled, hunky abs. He was supposed to be an impulse fling, but now he’s shown up in Oak Harbor, NC, to put down roots, and he’s determined to make me com…mit.

I’ve been hurt before. Love always ends in tears and tequila, but Will seems different. He’s charming and funny, and did I mention that miraculous mouth of his? Despite all my better judgment, I’m falling. Hard. But can something this good turn out to be true? Or will old scars keep us from building a future together? For the first time ever, maybe I want to be proven wrong...

A sexy, heart-felt stand-alone with a guaranteed happy ending from New York Times bestselling author, Melody Grace!

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Praise for Reckless Hearts

"Reckless Hearts is sexy, sweet, and the perfect summer read! Melody Grace has outdone herself!” - Corinne Michaels, USA Today bestselling author

"Sweet, sexy deliciousness. Reckless Hearts had me in a constant swoon! This is a summer must read!" - A.L. Jackson, NYT Bestselling Author

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Author Bio

Melody Grace is the New York Times bestselling author of the Beachwood Bay series. A small-town girl turned SoCal beach lover, after spending her life with her nose in a book, she decided it was time she wrote one herself. She loves steamy romance novels, happily-ever-afters, and lusting after fictional menfolk. She lives in LA with her two kittens, Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers.

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Giveaway

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Title: Reckless Hearts
Series: Oak Harbor #2
Author: Melody Grace
Release date: June 27, 2016
Cliffhanger: No

Rating: 4 stars

After reading and enjoying Heartbreaker, I knew I had to continue the series with the new full length novel set in Oak Harbor. This book is about Eva's best friend Delilah from the realty company where she worked. The heroine took me some time to warm up to. She's a woman who holds her father's betrayal against her trust close to her heart. After many years, she is permanently changed when his lies and dishonesty cut her so deeply. If the man who raised her and was supposed to cherish her and take care of her couldn't be trusted to keep her heart safe, how was she ever going to put her faith in any other man? So she made herself the good-time girl. The one who you can call for some no strings attached fun. But try to get close to her emotionally and she's running scared.

The one thing I've learned about guys is the good times never last. Commitment, relationships-they all fall apart in the end, ruined by cheating or lies, or just the ordinary grind of everyday existence. I've seen it happen too often to keep believing in that happily-ever-after.

I'm not saying that her actions were unrealistic or that they weren't plausible for her life experiences. They were. I just had a hard time connecting to her personality and her unwillingness to see past her prejudices about men. He was just the most delectable, patient, and sexy man and she was fortunate to have him in her life. From their first meeting he was respectful and appreciative of her and her needs. I was #TeamWill from the start.

Will had moved to town looking for a major life change. He was at a crossroads in his life and he met Delilah at the junction. He was unhappy with his job, and his lack of passion for his success on Wall Street finally took its toll after a bitter breakup. After one chance meeting and an impulsive kiss in the rain, she hadn't seen the last of him. She just didn't know it yet.

Their brief meeting spurred him to take action and shed the life that was weighing him down. He was determined to break through her tough outer shell and make her see that taking a chance on him would have rewards that were worth the risk.

Call it chemistry, call it fate, I don't need to know the name. It's the one damn thing I've been sure of after a world of confusion and doubt. I need more.

Will pursued her with a gentle, single-minded determination. He valued her as well as her goals in life, and that broke through to her like nothing else could. He treated her like she was the most important thing in the world to him, like she mattered. And she could no longer deny how much she wanted him to be different. To have someone to comfort her, someone she could depend on when she's lived her life expecting to be disappointed. If anyone could make her let go and lay her heart on the line, he could.

There was an intensity to his stare that makes something twist, an ache deep in my chest. Nobody's ever looked at me like this. Nobody's ever made me lose control, taken over my body with such command-and tenderness too.

One thing I have to applaud this author for is that she knows how to write some damn fine passionate scenes. She never disappoints in creating some incredible sexual heat and chemistry and these two were no exception. Will may have been a sweet hero, but when it came down to it, he could keep anyone's temperature rising with his confidence and wicked words.

This book was pretty drama free which I liked. It was a straightforward and realistic look at a woman who had to learn how to forgive in order to heal and let love into her life. This was a solid four star read for me and I will happily be continuing the series. I'm really interested to see who Eva's sister Lottie ends up with.

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Release Blitz: Underwater by Maayan Nahmani

Title: Underwater

Author: Maayan Nahmani

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: June 26, 2016

In an instant, my world turned upside down
Because of one incident, my life will never be the same
Every day I struggled to breathe
Every day I went through the motions
I felt too much
I was numb
I was drowning
I was lost inside the black
So they made me go there
I was already there, watching from the dark
And then I met him
And then I saw her
He scared me to death
She took my breath away
He was darkness
She was my light
They whispered he can't be touched
She was the only one I could touch
I couldn't be with him, they needed me
I fucking needed her
So I told him I would be his friend
I told her I would be her friend. For now.
But I couldn't resist him for long
She finally realized that she'll always be mine
We were a hot mess
We were the perfect kind of mess
Then reality dawned on me
Then my demons broke loose
I was underwater, trying to break through to the surface
I reached out my hand, trying to pull her to shore
Could he really help me?
Would she accept me, scars and all?
This was us
This was our story

Author's Note:
"This book is based on true events and contains sensitive subjects that may be a trigger to some readers, such as violence, abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. It also contains a parent with cancer. It is recommended for ages 18 and up." Safe. No cheating/OW.

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I pulled my car next to Dorian’s and turned off the engine. I couldn’t believe I’d actually come here. I was scared shitless to let someone in, especially now when all my attention needed to focus on one thing: my dad. Shaking my thoughts loose, I grabbed my purse, exited the car, and made my way over to where Dorian was waiting for me.

Stormy clouds drifted across the sky, hiding the moon and darkening the neighborhood. Dorian stood at the base of a street lamp where it illuminated his features, softening the rugged angles of his face. He was attractive in a rough-around-the-edges kind of way, but now – as I let myself really look at him – I thought he was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

He left me breathless.

“We should go up,” he said. “It’s getting cold.”

He took my hand and led me in the direction of his home. God, his home. The place where he lived. I was going to see where he slept, ate, and took showers.

Shut up… Don’t think about showers.

We took the stairs two floors up until we reached a wood door. After unlocking it, he waited for me to go in before him. As I passed the threshold, he said in an awful British accent, “Welcome to my humble abode.”

I looked back at him and grinned. I found myself loving playful Dorian. “Why thank you.”

When he turned on the lights, I sucked in a breath. I was here, and there was no turning back. I gave myself a moment to focus on the apartment. Floor to ceiling windows consumed the entire back wall. The living area was an open concept, providing a perfect view of the whole space. Dorian’s apartment was nothing I had expected. A Victorian chandelier with a modern twist hung from the ceiling over a rustic dining room table. And even though the space was open, it had a cozy feel. The warm tones of dark blues and light creams contrasted together beautifully to make the room feel inviting.

And beautiful.

“So, what do you think?” he asked hesitantly.

I eyed him as he looked everywhere but at me.

“I really like it.” Then I added, “I like it so much I’m afraid I might never leave.”

His eyes landed on mine in a flash and a smile spread across his full lips. “I’d love that,” he whispered.

He took a step forward and I took a step back. I knew that if he caught me, it would be the end of our friendship. I would cave. I would fall into his strong arms and never let go. I wasn’t ready for him.

He approached me, his pace steady and his steps sure. His eyes were fixed on mine, making it hard for me to breathe.

When I felt my back hit the wall behind me, I knew there was nowhere for me to go. I drew in a sharp breath.

Game over.

Waves of heat washed over me when he placed his hands on the wall beside my head. My tumultuous heart threatened to break out of my chest.

“Did you mean that?” he asked, his deep voice in my ear, rattling my thoughts.

My eyes fluttered closed. “M-mean what?”

“The song. Did you really mean that?”

His finger touched my chin and lifted my head. “Open your eyes.”

I shook my head. I wouldn’t be able to control what he would see reflected in them. And I had a feeling my eyes would tell him everything my mouth was afraid to say out loud.

That I was afraid.

That the world kept beating me down and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

That I didn’t know how to help my family.

That I wanted him. Wanted to be with him.

“Open your eyes, sweetheart.”

I gritted my teeth, refusing to give in.

Heart beats and erratic breaths were the only sounds in the room. Then I heard him mumble, “Fuck it,” and without warning, Dorian’s lips crashed against mine. My eyes flew open and then they fluttered closed again when my hands found their place on his chest. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to push him away or pull him closer. He kissed me deeply and with purpose, like he had been starving for it. Then his touch became gentle. The pad of his finger ran along my cheek, and then I felt the brush of his lips against mine as the kiss softened, caressing them lightly. When he bit my bottom lip, I gasped. He soothed the stinging pain with his tongue, slowly grazing it until it found its way back into my open mouth. His hand traveled to my thigh, lifting it up and wrapped it around his waist. He pulled me closer, until I was glued to his hard body. With my other leg, I had to stand on my tiptoes, because he was so damn tall. I could feel his hardness on my stomach.

He was hard for me.

My mind awoke from its daze, and I began to realize what was happening. Even though I loved the feel of his lips on mine, I was mad. How could he do that? How could he kiss me without my permission, after he said he would only be my friend? After he promised me we would take it slow.

Suddenly, I was furious.

I shoved him but he was a brick wall. He didn’t feel my pathetic attempts to push him away, so I pushed him harder and punched him across the chest. He brought my thigh down, grabbed my hands and pinned them to the wall above my head. He was like a man possessed. It felt like nothing in this world would make him stop kissing me.

Not even me.

An internal battle took place inside my head. I wanted to kick his ass, to punch him in the face for taking what he wanted without asking. For making me give in, for surrendering myself to the emotions that overwhelmed me. But even more than that, I wanted to cling to him as my heart stepped up its pace while his tongue circled around mine.

I needed more.

I lunged forward, but my captive hands prevented me from getting closer. I kissed him back with eagerness, my tongue connecting with his. His hands let go of mine and he cupped my face. We kissed as if we’d done this a million times before.

His fingers moved along my jaw, then up until they were buried in the roots of my hair. He tightened his grip and pulled me even closer, swallowing me whole.

My hands were busy doing their own touching. I began at the base of his stomach, feeling his abs flexing under my touch. My fingers rose until they reached his strong and broad chest, up to his collarbone, until they touched the scar on his chin. I traced its path, feeling the raw and carved place where smooth skin use to be. I tore my mouth away and kissed the jagged lines. He needed to know that it was a part of him and he was beautiful to me, scars and all.

His body stilled, but I carried on with my inspection. When I was satisfied I hadn’t missed a spot, I looked up and found him watching me, his eyes wet with unshed tears. They shined with sadness, acceptance, warmth, and affection.

I watched him intently as I braced myself to expose my soul to him. It was time. I would not run away anymore.

I opened my mouth and said, “I meant every word.”

I am twenty-six years old and I live in a small town in Israel.
My family and I were going through some difficult times not too long ago and one day I was confiding in my best-friend about everything. I didn’t know how to deal with it all. Then she suggested I should write a book about it. I looked at her as if she had grown another head and dismissed the idea on the spot. But the seed had been planted, and day after day, little by little, without realizing it – I started writing.

That’s how Underwater was born.

I found writing to be cathartic, healing. Something that helped my mind unwind and put things in perspective. I discovered a magical world where I traveled between imagination and reality. Writing became my home and I never wanted to leave.

I love to read, write, listen to music, edit videos, and play the guitar. I am always looking for the next creative thing. I also like a good movie and a glass of wine.

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