Blog Tour: Never Doubt Me by SR Grey

Title: Never Doubt Me

Series:Judge Me Not #2

Author:S.R. Grey

Release Date: April 27, 2014

Rating:4 stars

Cliffhanger:Yes

Can a tattooed, former bad boy leave his past behind? Can he find lasting happiness with the love of his life?

Gorgeous and sexy Chase Gartner hopes to do just that with Kay Stanton. But when Chase’s troubled teen brother, Will, stays on in Harmony Creek, Ohio—-after an unexpected arrival-—Chase and Kay’s bonds of love and commitment are soon tested.

Chase finds himself caught up in secrets—-and revisiting a past he thought he’d left behind—-when Will makes a number of irresponsible decisions. Despite Chase’s attempts to keep his brother out of trouble, Will’s reckless behavior continues, affecting not only Chase and Kay, but other residents in town...one disastrously so.

But it’s the final, potentially deadly decision Will makes when his girlfriend runs into trouble back in Las Vegas that leads Chase to make a fateful decision of his own. A choice that threatens his relationship with Kay.

Never Doubt Me is a touching, poignant story of love, redemption, and coming to grips with the fact that escaping the past is never easy.

New Adult/Contemporary Romance genres. 2nd novel in the Judge Me Not series.

***warning: contains explicit sexual situations, drug use, some violence, and profanity***


[HFN (hide spoiler)]

I fell in love with Kay and Chase in I Stand Before You. Not only did I love both MCs, individually, I felt they had such a seamless fit as a couple, and I was sad to see the story end. It was a definite five star read for me which I gave with no hesitation. They were both flawed people with genuine hearts that you rooted for from beginning to end. Their flaws only serve to make them more relatable to me, because after all, who out there can say they always make the right choices and decisions in life? They both went through their own struggles in order to be able to have a healthy relationship-him with his past of drug addiction and fighting, and her with her extreme guilt over things that were beyond her control.

I'm trying so hard to be the kind of man you deserve, Kay, I really am. But it seems like this shit from the past keeps popping up and leading me back to the ways I used to solve problems.

On the surface, this seems like typical NA fare: two broken people with painful pasts who help each other deal and fall in love. But the story had so much more depth-it deals with drug addiction, grief, crippling guilt and low self-worth, and trying to grow, learn and change. In this book they still have the same struggles, but they give each other strength and determination to stay on the right track. Chase is in awe that he even got a shot at a relationship with Kay but he's willing to do anything in order to live up to the ideal she has of him.

This was a great continuation of their story-though I think the struggle with Chase's little brother Will and his girlfriend too up a large chunk of the book and I wouldn't have minded getting more Kay and Chase time. The story was once again well written but it would've been nice to see the romantic side come out a little more. In book 1, Chase was a lot more affectionate with Kay. He didn't seem to use his nicknames with her as much (something I loved in the last book) which seemed a little odd to me but not enough to bother me all that much. Something that didn't change-their heated and volatile chemistry. Anyone who can dirty talk like him gets high marks from me. The man knows how to use his mouth...in more ways than one.

He really brings Kay out of her shell, helps her explore and be brave in asking for what she wants. And she brings out a softer side to him. He's also extremely protective and possessive. I liked seeing her confidence grow in her sexuality and the tender yet firm touch he had with Kay. Their chemistry was definitely still there.

The story didn't end in a similar high note like before, but it was still a pretty manageable cliffy. Overall, I continued to love this couple and was more than satisfied with the next piece to their story. I will be anxiously awaiting the third installment due out at the end of the year.

 

(3) eBook copies of NEVER DOUBT ME – Gifted - International

(1) $50.00 Amazon Gift Card (international if they can accept a gift from the US Amazon site via email) 


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Christie's Review: I Stand Before You by SR Grey

 

Title: I Stand Before You

Series: Judge Me Not #1

Author: S.R. Grey

Release Date: September, 2013

Rating:5 stars

Cliffhanger:No

A story of love, a story of hope. How can you move forward when you're anchored to the past?

When it comes to tattooed bad boys, Chase Gartner was the real deal. Partying, engaging in meaningless sex, getting into fights---Chase indulged in it all during his late teen years, thus firmly solidifying his status as a heartbreakingly gorgeous but way-too-dangerous-to-trust guy in his hometown of Harmony Creek, Ohio. Then, following one fateful night of reckless decisions, Chase's actions finally caught up to him and landed him in prison.

Now, four years have passed and Chase finds himself a free man. He returns to Harmony Creek, ready to pick up the pieces and start rebuilding his shattered life.

Things are off to a promising start when he meets Kay Stanton, a young woman with a tragic past of her own. Despite a powerful attraction, Chase and Kay are naturally hesitant to become involved. That's why friendship feels like the safest option. But when passions ignite and love blossoms, a relationship that is destined and meant to be can only be resisted for so long. When Chase and Kay finally succumb to their feelings they realize being together feels more right and true than anything they have ever experienced.

But their love is soon tested. Chase's wild past still haunts and tempts him, and Kay is keeping a secret that could tear them apart.

I Stand Before You is a journey of hope and forgiveness, coming to terms with the past and moving forward. But mostly it's a story of two damaged people who take a chance, open their hearts, and find true love.

I loved this book! This is one of those times I feel like smacking myself for waiting so long to try it out. This book was released back in September of last year and as it happens sometimes, it got lost in my growing mountain of to-be-read books. What I loved most about this book is how real it is. The characters, the challenges and tragedies they faced, and the struggle to overcome and heal from the past. It’s an eye-opening look into how life can take us in the most unexpected directions. Even those who seem to have everything going for them can suddenly be faced with bad luck and tragic events that will take them on a path they never expected to walk.

Although Chase made lots of bad choices through the despair in his life, you still understood him. His human imperfections and his struggle to not let his past define him. He wants more than anything to be a better man and do the right thing. Chase is not your typical NA bad boy, labeled “bad” simply for his ability to sleep with the most amount of women and never have a relationship. Chase IS the definition of bad. Or he was. Growing up, he had the ideal family life. Two parents deeply in love, living in an affluent neighborhood, and a little brother who idolized him and loved him. His father was a successful business owner and they were well taken care of. But after losing the business, a chain reaction started that would change his safe and happy world.

Bankruptsy.
Suicide.
Gambling.
Hopelessness and Hunger.
Anger and Helplessness.
Drugs.
Alcohol.
Prison.
Lost.

His life went on a downward spiral that was really heartbreaking to see. His days of sitting at his father’s grave asking “Why?” never produced any answers and he started seeking numbness through drugs- which led him to four years in prison. This is a guy who started out with so much hope for his future and through the consequences of his actions, now was looked at as no good. A criminal who did lots of bad things and got caught. Someone not to be trusted. The whole while reading this though, I never thought badly of him. The author had the ability to show us the good person underneath the bad choices. I still cared about him and wanted him to be strong and succeed at turning his life around.

Kay I loved as well. She is a young woman who's whole life is controlled by guilt and sadness at the perceived contribution to her little sister's death. Everyone in town looks at her as the sweet girl who tragically lost her sister and can't move on. Nobody knows the guilt she harbors or how she feels unworthy of happiness because of the past. Unlike Chase, she didn't didn't seek escape through numbness, but she has no friends or social life, nothing except a run down apartment in the worst part of town. Her mother abandoned her after her sister died and it caused her to blame herself even more. She didn't have a whole lot to look forward to-until Chase. They literally run into each other at the Church where they both work. They're seemingly two people who are complete opposites, but their lives have so many similar events that connect them.

I absolutely adored seeing these two cautiously and carefully grow a relationship together. He's this ex-con who had a past of violence and she's a sweet and quiet beautiful girl and you just see how they genuinely "get" each other. They're honest, they share their pasts, their feelings and their likes and dislikes. He treats her like she's special and she accepts him and doesn't judge him. They grow from strangers, to friends, to best friends, to quietly hoping for more. I was dying for them to admit their feelings. The comfort and happiness they gave each other was so beautiful. They gave each other hope when they thought all hope was lost.

When they finally admitted their feelings, I was ecstatic and giddy, every moment they were able to show their affection and tenderness toward each other. There was no rushing into anything and that's one of the things I loved. They had a strong foundation and it made you believe in every bit of their emotions. I loved how Chase always tried to make everything special for Kay and how he would clearly do anything for her. Their first time together was so sweet and romantic-it just illustrated how well he knew her and listened to paid attention when they talked.

Despite the perfect fit they have, their past is still causing conflict and there are many unresolved things threatening their perfect bubble. Kay hasn't told him her dark secret that she's only told to one person before and she's scared he won't understand. He still battles temptations of sinking back into drugs and fighting when life gets rough-but he has to do it-for Kay. He wants to be able to deserve her and be a man that his brother can look up to again. His brother seems to be struggling himself, and he doesn't know how to help him.

These two have a lot of healing to do and a lot of self-discovery is needed in order to accept themselves. I loved reading their journey and the fact that there wasn't a cliffhanger or a negative ending. It was left open for the continuation of their story in the next book and I was so happy to be able to jump right into it. I loved this story with these two very human and real characters trying to find happiness together. It was the perfect package. They were imperfectly perfect together.

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Release Blitz: Night Fury by Belle Aurora

Title: Night Fury: First Act (Night Fury #1)

Author: Belle Aurora

Release Date: June 2, 2014

Genre: Dark, New Adult

My name is Catarina.

Or, that’s who I was christened to be, anyways.

I live in a convent. I am a nun in training. A postulant.

I am eighteen years old.

I am a predator.

No one is safe from me.

I am protected.

No one can get to me.

By day one way, by night another. They call on me.

My name is Catarina.

Codename: Night Fury.

No one is safe from me.

I will come for you.

"I trail her down the dark, dimly-lit hall. The sounds of our footsteps echo through the narrow space.
I’m walking towards my destiny.

How poetic.
We reach the end of the hall. Frankie clicks in her keypad code. More humming and buzzing, the steel door clicks opens and finally – finally – I’m home.
I take the first step towards the rest of my life. And I do it wearing a shit-eating grin.
This is exciting.
I’m excited.
My life will be thrown one-hundred-and-eighty degrees. From boring to extraordinary.
I can’t wait.
“Welcome back to Mirage.” Frankie utters as she starts her descent down the stairs to the ground floor."

- Catarina, Night Fury

Belle Aurora is was born in the land down under.
At an early age she fell in love with reading. Boredom one summer had her scouring the bookshelves at home. She stumbled across Sandra Brown’s Breath of Scandal and fell in love with romance.
Having been brought up in a loud and boisterous family of Croatian descent, she developed a natural love for dramatics and humor. Only some years ago had she discovered a new love.
Humorous romance novels.

Kristen Ashley and R.L. Mathewson had opened a brand new world where she could lose herself yet feel safe and at home in their stories. Belle has been known to become a screeching banshee while anxiously awaiting their newest titles.

Belle never thought she would write. It had never interested her until recently. Her first novel, Friend-Zoned began to form and in February 2013 Belle typed the words Chapter One. And she fell in love.

With words.
With writing.
With a creative imagination she never knew she harbored.

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Cover Reveal: 2B or not 2B by Stephanie Witter

Title: 2B Or Not 2B?

Series: Roomies #1

Author: Stephanie Witter

Category: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: AG Publishing

Cover Artist: Cover it Designs

Full length novel.

London Reed is on the hunt for a place to live before the start of her second year in college. Either she is successful and can enjoy her student life without the pressure of her parents breathing down her neck, or she goes back home and clashes with her parents.

Because London doesn’t have a filter.

''You’re a weird one, aren’t you?''

She basically tells it as she sees it. So when she meets the hunky and scarred guy who lives in apartment 2B, the last apartment on her exhausting list, she’s sure to bring some crazy in his life.

But he’s determined to not take a girl for a roommate.

"I have nothing against you, but I don't see this working for me."

London doesn’t give up that easily and makes a deal with him. If she makes it for two months, she’s in for the whole year. If not, then she leaves to never contact him again.

Easy, right? Not so much.

"You should have told me that you wanted me to be all over you."

When a guy and a girl live under the same roof, it’s bound to complicate things. Between banters, heady games of seduction, innuendos and insecurities revealed, the life in apartment 2B isn’t simple, and a few slips in their relationship doesn’t help the matter.

"You're driving me completely nuts. That's my fucking problem."

Ebooks and paperbacks will be available on Amazon, Nook, iTunes and Smashwords late June 2014. Stay tuned!

Stephanie Witter is a French dreamer. She started learning English at three, and fell in love with the language. Always with a book, or two close by, she started reading in English when she couldn’t wait any longer for Harry Potter to be translated in French. After a while, reading wasn’t enough. She soon started writing Young Adult and New Adult Contemporary novels filled with angst, love, hope, drama and a touch of fun. PATCH UP is her first New Adult Contemporary novel.

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