Cover Reveal: Until I Break(A Twisted Novel) by M. Leighton

Author: M. Leighton

Publisher: M. Leighton

Release date: May 14, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: Adult

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

This book sounds deliciously sexy. Add it to Goodreads and mark your calender for this steamy Contemporary Romance by M. Leighton!

Book Description:

Laura Drake is an author.  She writes bestselling paranormal romances that continue to top the charts.  She is sharp.  She is confident.  She is in control. 

And she doesn’t exist.

Samantha Jansen is the woman behind the wig, the woman most of the world doesn’t know exists.  She is shy.  She is insecure.  She is nothing like her main character or her alter ego.  She is scarred—deeply scarred—by a past she can’t let go of and a present she can’t make peace with.

Samantha’s dreams are consumed by one man, the broken hero from her books.  Mason Strait is both her wildest fantasy and her most terrifying nightmare. 

When Samantha meets Alec Brand, a corporate consultant, it is as though Mason has come to life.  Alec is handsome to a fault, as elegant as he is arrogant, and more intense than any man has a right to be.

Samantha is soon sucked into a world that mirrors the fiction she writes.  Just like her main character, Daire Kirby, Samantha finds herself unable to resist the forbidden lure of Alec.  And just like Daire, she also finds that she is faced with taking a chance on a man who could either set her free or destroy her.

The scale tilts toward destruction when Samantha finds out that Alec is as much a work of fiction as Mason.  And he has scars of his own, scars that could ruin them both.

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding wild horses, skiing the slopes of Aspen or scuba diving with a hot rock star, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

Author social media links:

Blog | FB | GR | Twitter | Email | Amazon | B&N |

AToMR Blog Tour: The Space Between by Victoria H. Smith

Title: The Space Between

Author : Victoria H. Smith

Release date: April 2, 2013

Age Group:  New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tour organized by: AToMR Tours

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                                                                                 Synopsis:

When Drake started the night at his father’s campaign fundraiser, he never imagined he’d end it being conned into buying drugs on the West Side. Losing high-stakes poker has its consequences, but he’d repeatedly face them just to hear Lacey Douglas sing. Drake sees Lacey light up the stage, and he has to have her. But his intentions for being on her side of town turn out to be the reason he can’t.

Chicago native Lacey has dreams of the opera, but life has its obstacles. Lacey has come to know her hardships as part of living in the real world and accepts them fully. When Lacey meets the intense and invigorating Drake, a fire is lit inside her, unleashing those dreams again.

Two paths that should have never crossed prove to create the exact pairing the other needs. But when their worlds take time to catch up, everything they have is tested. Finding the space between the two sides that challenge them will be hard, but it’s the only place that will keep them together.

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Lacey and Drake come from opposite sides of the street, so to speak. Drake comes from a wealthy family, whereas Lacey does not.  Despite this, they are attracted to each other and their chemistry is hot.  Because of the difference in their backgrounds, Lacey is hesitant to begin a relationship with Drake.

I think they both made snap decisions about each other in the beginning, but once things got straightened out, I loved seeing them together.

This story is told from alternating POV’s, which I really enjoyed. Having that in a romance story such as this is always a good thing. At least for me it is. Being able to see both Lacey and Drake’s thoughts/feelings made them easier to understand and relate to.

This might sound totally cheesy, but they fought for their love; they fought through several challenges from their own family and friends because of their race and way of living.

The Space Between is a sweet and fun romance that was quick and easy to get into. This is not your typical romance story filled with fluff, brooding heroes, and weak heroines. If you are in the mood for an entertaining romance with a little bite to it, then The Space Between is a good candidate. 

**You can follow The Space Between Blog Tour here.

 
Rating: 3 ½ out of 5.

**I received this book from the author/AToMR Tours in exchange for nothing, but my honest review.**

There is a Giveaway going on for 1 signed print copy of ‘The Space Between’ and some awesome swag. Enter below!

About the Author

Victoria H. Smith has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. She puts it to good use writing romance all day. She resides in the Midwest with her Macbook on her lap and a cornfield to her right. She often draws inspiration for her stories from her own life experiences, and the twenty-something characters she writes give her an earful about it.

In her free time, she enjoys extreme couponing, blogging, reading, and sending off a few tweets on Twitter when she can. She writes new adult fiction romance in the sub-genres of science fiction, urban fantasy, and contemporary, but really, anywhere her pen takes her she goes.

Social Media links: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Tour Giveaway:

(2) The Space Between Necklaces and (5) The Space Between Key Chains – US addresses only.

(1) Signed Print Copiy of The Space Between. US only.

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A Murder at Rosamund's Gate by Susanna Calkins

Synopsis:

For Lucy Campion, a seventeenth-century English chambermaid serving in the household of the local magistrate, life is an endless repetition of polishing pewter, emptying chamber pots, and dealing with other household chores until a fellow servant is ruthlessly killed, and someone close to Lucy falls under suspicion. Lucy can’t believe it, but in a time where the accused are presumed guilty until proven innocent, lawyers aren’t permitted to defend their clients, and—if the plague doesn't kill the suspect first—public executions draw a large crowd of spectators, Lucy knows she may never find out what really happened. Unless, that is, she can uncover the truth herself.

Determined to do just that, Lucy finds herself venturing out of her expected station and into raucous printers’ shops, secretive gypsy camps, the foul streets of London, and even the bowels of Newgate prison on a trail that might lead her straight into the arms of the killer.

In her debut novel Murder at Rosamund's Gate, Susanna Calkins seamlessly blends historical detail, romance, and mystery in a moving and highly entertaining tale.

*********************************************************

Lucy Campion is a chambermaid for the Magistrate in London. She becomes a bit of an amateur sleuth when her brother Will is falsely accused of a servant’s murder. Or when her brother is falsely accused of a murder, she becomes a bit of an amateur sleuth. One of the things I enjoy about reading historical fiction is the history in the story. The author, Susanna Calkins, does a nice job of painting a virtual picture of London in the 17^th century and the constant struggle of women and station/class.

Trying to legally free someone of a crime without any prior law experience is one thing, but doing so as a young woman and especially as a servant, made Lucy very brave and ambitious in my eyes.

I loved her strong spirit and determination. Though for all her smarts, she tended to have some moments where her choices were questionable and not all that smart. With a killer on the loose murdering women, I thought she could have been a little more careful than she was.

All in all, A Murder at Rosamund’s Gate was an entertaining story with a mystery that wasn’t very obvious to solve and a little romance thrown in to make things a little more interesting. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a light mystery should check this book out.

Rating: 3 ½ out of 5.

**I received this book from St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books in exchange for nothing, but my honest review.**

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Feature & Follow # 4

This is round found of Feature & Follow for me, which is sponsored by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. Basically you visit, comment, make new friends, and follow as many blogs as you choose.
Make sure to leave a comment when you do, so I know to follow back.

If you want to participate, the rules and this weeks Featured Blogger can be found on Parajunkee’s blog.

This weeks Question:

Is there a song that reminds you of a book? Or vice versa? What is the song & the book?

My Answer:

When I first heard the song Ex-Factor by Lauryn Hill, I immediately thought of Lexi and Jack from Avoiding Commitment by K.A. Linde. I think it expresses their dysfunctional relationship perfectly. I absolutely love it. 

If you have trouble loading videos, here is a link to the lyrics: Ex-Factor Lyrics.

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Synopsis:

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre…to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria…to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving “the life” for a normal life proves harder than she’d expected.

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring Kat back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has a good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help.

For Kat, there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family's history--and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

**************************************************************

“Families are strange things--living things--in more ways than one. And family businesses…well, there was no limit to the oddness.”  - Ally Carter, Heist Society

This book took me a little by surprise. In a good way though. A while back I was in a bit of a reading funk. There were too many books to choose from, not enough time to read them all, and not sure what genre I felt like delving into. Someone from Goodreads recommended a ton of adventure/fantasy books, one of them being Heist Society. I kept seeing this book everywhere for a while, but finally gave it a go a few days ago. I am so glad I did, because this book was a lot of fun to read/listen to.

“Time, the greatest thief of all.”  -Ally Carter, Heist Society

And that is exactly what it feels like for Kat and her friends since they are racing against the clock in order to steal and return Arturo Taccone’s precious paintings back to him. Kat was a fun character to get to know. Her and Hale have an interesting relationship. They may not always see eye to eye on everything, but it is obvious that they trust on each other.

Heist Society is a humorous and lighthearted read/listen. I listened to this one on audio-book and I thought that the narrator did a really good job with all of the voices and also conveying the emotions of each character/situation. 

I liked the humor throughout the story. Like I said previously, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. It was easy to get into, and there was always something going on, so I never felt uninterested. Romance takes a backseat in this story, which I did not have an issue with. The bulk of the story revolves around trying to pull of the big Heist at The Henley. I just purchased the second book Uncommon Criminals,which I hope is even better than the first one. 

Rating: 4 ½ out of 5.

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Playing For Keeps by R.L. Mathewson

Synopsis:

Done with being the world's biggest pushover, Haley decides that things are going to change starting with the aggravating neighbor who has too much charm and not enough restraint. What she didn't expect was to be sucked into his world, but Haley has a game plan and she won't let herself forget just what the bad boy next door is capable of.

The last thing Jason expected was for his little shy neighbor to go Rambo on him over some ruined flowers. After he decides to take her under his wing he can't help but notice that she fits very nicely in his life. Now the only thing left is to convince her that this is anything but a game.

*******************************************************

“She spied the rolled up hose and made a snap decision. This ended here and now.
The days of being the world’s biggest pushover were over.”  -R.L Mathewson, Playing for Keeps

This book was cute and funny. There were some moments that felt a little over the top and I rolled my eyes, but other than that I enjoyed it more than expected.

Haley is on the shy side and used to not being listened to/having people walk over her. Jason is pretty confident, a little too confident at times, he can be very much like a little child, but funny also. 

They are not only next door neighbors, but they work as teachers at the same school. Despite this, they haven’t spent any real time together. Then one day after an incident involving her flowers and a swarm of bees, the two begin to strike up a friendship that pretty much takes off after that.

They have more in common that they expect like, baseball and food. Jason has this weird obsession with food, especially sweets, which turns out to be a good thing for him because Haley loves to bake goodies. From then on, they are pretty much inseparable. They do almost everything together. Their relationship eventually turns into a romantic one, but even though they were close friends before, they find that being together is not without its difficulties.

One of the main things I enjoyed about this story is that Haley and Jason become friends and their friendship grew into something more. Their chemistry and playful banter had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion. If you are in search of a light and fluffy romance that is also sweet and funny, then I would recommend you try this one out.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

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Dancing in the Dark by Robyn Bavati

Synopsis:

North American debut of the Australian award-winning drama. Ditty Cohen is passionate about ballet--she loves how it feels to stand

en-pointe, to rise and spin across the room. But her Orthodox Jewish parents want Ditty to focus on the teachings of the Torah and to marry at a young age according to their religious tradition. Although her parents forbid her to take dance lessons, Ditty secretly signs up for ballet and becomes entangled in a web of deceit. As one lie leads to another and another, Ditty knows she must stop dancing, but she can't abandon the one thing that gives her freedom. She begins to question her faith and everything her parents have taught her, realizing just how much is at stake as her two worlds collide.

****************************************************************

First I have to say that I absolutely love the cover of this book. That and the title was enough to pique my interest about it.

Ditty first falls in love with ballet, when she and her friend Sara watch it on television in secret (watching TV isn‘t allowed for them). From that very first moment she becomes mesmerized by ballet. Because of this she decides to ask her parents if she can take ballet classes a couple of times during the week and also on Saturdays. They say no due to the fact that they are Orthodox Jewish and are against dancing and Saturdays are considered the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbos).  Ditty is disappointed, but she does not let that stop her. She practices in secret and she begins to take classes without her parents knowledge.

Ditty has real promise when it comes to ballet. She shows true talent, and the classes help her to grow and improve as a dancer. She falls in love with ballet even more.  The big downside is that she is lying to her parents about what she is doing. Then before she knows it, one lie turns into another and another, until things start to spiral out of control and her lies catch up with her.

This is not the same run of the mill story about a girl who loves dancing and has to choose between a hot guy and her passion for ballet.  Dancing in the Dark is about a girl who loves her family and embraces her religious upbringing, but one day discovers something that she not only has a passion for, but is good at. And that makes her question everything, even her faith. She realizes that her dancing comes at a price. The close relationship she used to share with her family becomes strained and she has to decide if she has made the right choice. Her struggle with doing what she feels is right and living out her dream versus what her family expects her to do felt realistic and well done. The Prologue pulled me in, but the author’s fluid writing and real characters kept me reading.

Rating: 4 out of 5.  

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From Ashes by Molly McAdams

Synopsis:

When Cassidy Jameson's best friend Tyler took her to Texas with him when he left for college, she was expecting his cousin, their new roommate, to be a Stetson-wearing cowboy since his family owned a ranch; not this incredibly gorgeous guy with a husky Southern drawl that seemed to make the world stop whenever she looked at him. Because of her past, she's only ever trusted two men in her life, Tyler and her dad whom passed away when she was six. But there's something about Gage that draws her to him in a way she can't explain, only problem? He's always telling Tyler that he doesn't want Cassidy living there and sees her as nothing more than his little sister.

Gage Carson was excited his cousin Tyler was coming to live with, and go to college with him. When he'd called to ask if he could bring his friend Cassi with him, Gage didn't care. Gage had heard about this mysterious friend since they were kids and felt like he already knew her. Nothing would prepare him for watching her jump out of Ty's Jeep though. Not only was Cassi the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, but there was something about her that within seconds of meeting her, made Gage want to protect her, and make her his. Too bad Tyler made it a point to remind Gage on a daily basis that he was dating her and she was completely off limits.

For a year and a half, Gage and Cassidy dance around their feelings for each other as Tyler continues to keep them apart; until one day Tyler unknowingly pushes her right into Gage's arms. With Tyler unable to keep lying to them, they finally start a relationship both have been craving since their first meeting. But when an accident and disaster sends her back to Tyler and California, will Cassidy be able to come face to face with the demons from her past to live a life she and Gage deserve; or will the fact that she once again ran to Tyler be the final push that ends Cassidy and Gage for good?

*****************************************************

From the very first moment that they saw each other, Cassidy and Gage knew there was just something worth exploring between them. Without even knowing or comprehending why, they could feel a connection. Gage feels very protective of her and he is compelled to do anything and everything in his power to make sure she is happy and okay. Cassidy sees a gorgeous guy possibly worth getting to know.

Tyler has other plans in mind though. As Cassidy’s best friend, his feelings for her begin to run deeper than mere friendship. He is in love with Cassidy and not only enjoys being the number one guy in her life, but wants it stay that way.

Cassidy’s life was good up until her father passed away when she was six. Life started to change and her mom eventually remarried. Then her mom and step-dad began to physical abuse Cassidy. Even though she is free of that abusive family now, she still suffers some physical and emotional scars.

What I liked:

Despite this being a love at sight thing between Cassidy and Gage, I liked it. Normally I am not a huge fan of that, but with this story it worked well for me.

What I did not like:

I liked Tyler at first, but as the story progressed, I found my good opinions of him deteriorating. Total manipulator!

  

Final thoughts:

From Ashes, is a great contemporary story that is filled with drama, love, friendship, and loads of angst/emotion. I tried this book because of the synopsis and I heard good things about her previous book. It was a much more enjoyable read than I was expecting. I felt like I was on a little bit of a roller coaster ride with everything that was going on, but it was one I did not want to end. If you are a reader who enjoys the awesome feel of a physical book in your hand, you are in luck! Paperback copies of From Ashes hit the shelves on Tuesday, April 16^th.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

**I received this book courtesy of William Morrow/HarperCollins Publishing/ in exchange for nothing, but my honest opinion. Thank you.**

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Dark Tide by Elizabeth Haynes

Synopsis:

 The author of the acclaimed debut thriller Into the Darkest Corner returns with a taut, gripping murder mystery featuring a compelling heroine who unwittingly finds herself caught in an underworld of murder, corruption, and betrayal.

The first time Genevieve saw it, she knew it was the one: Revenge of the Tide, "an odd sort of a name for a boat." Genevieve had finally escaped the stressful demands of her London sales job and achieved her dream--to leave the city behind and start a new life aboard a houseboat in Kent. She left the boat's name as it was. Revenge had character after all, and living in a marina made her feel a bit safer, a little less lonely; almost as if the boat looked after her, hid her away from view.

But her dreams are shattered the night of her boat-warming party when a body washes up, and to Genevieve's horror, she recognizes the victim as a close friend from nights dancing on-stage at a private members' club, the Barclay. She isn't about to tell the police, though; next to no one knew what Genevieve did every Friday and Saturday night to save money for her escape, and she sees no reason to reveal her past. The death can't have anything to do with her. Or so she thinks.

Soon the lull of the waves against Revenge feels anything but soothing, as Genevieve begins to receive mysterious calls and can't reach the one person who links the present danger with her history at the club. And then there is the parcel on her boat she's meant to be safekeeping for an old flame, which seems to be putting her in jeopardy. As Genevieve begins to fear for her safety, she recalls the moment when it had all started to go horribly wrong: the night she recognized her day-time boss in the crowd of customers at the Barclay. . . .

With Dark Tide, Elizabeth Haynes builds on the promise of her outstanding debut Into the Darkest Corner. Told in dual narratives that interweave past and present, this dark, sexy, exquisitely chilling thriller proves her "initial success was no accident" (Sunday Express).

*****************************************************************

Genevieve has always dreamed of own and renovating her very own house boat. She attempts to work hard at her sales job in order to make the dream a reality. But in order to complete it she decides to get a second job as a dancer at a private men’s club.

She ends up purchasing a 75’ long boat called the “Revenge of the Tide.” Even though the boat needs some renovations, she is pretty confident she can handle it since her father was a carpenter and taught her the trade.

Not long after she has a part on her boat with some friends, a body washes up close to close to it and Genevieve’s recognizes it as her friend Caddy.

From then on she tries to understand what happened to Caddy and why. Her life is put in danger and she gets attacked, but she does not understand why someone would be after her. Could it be she saw something or someone she wasn’t supposed to? A mysterious package?

Genevieve was a little too naive at times. It seemed like she never completely understood that hanging around shady individuals and doing things like keeping a package for someone without even knowing what is in said package could get her into trouble.

Dark Tide was a bit slow going at first, but after the first few chapters, things began to pick up and become really interesting. The story alternates between past and present. The mystery part of the story was enjoyable to read. I liked the author’s style of writing; it made it easy to get into the story and keep reading until mystery ended.

Rating: 3½ out of 5.

**I received this book courtesy of Harper Perennial/HarperCollins Publishing, in exchange for nothing, but my honest review. Thank you.**

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