Blog Tour ~ Review ~ Holding On and Letting Go (The Ties That Bind Us #1) by Lucy A. Kelly

I'm so excited to be a part of this tour for this incredibly moving book!
I have a review for you today - enjoy! :D

Title: Holding On and Letting Go (The Ties That Bind Us #1)

Author: Lucy A. Kelly

Published: March 10, 2013

Pages: 186

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Average Rating: 4.76 / 5

My Rating: 5 / 5
Blog Tour Organized By: Irresistible Reads Book Tours
Source: Review copy from the author 

Add to Goodreads 

~ Synopsis ~
Is there a way to describe the ties that bind us together? What happens when one of those ties is unexpectedly severed? Can everything else remain the same? Will the other ties hold strong?

Two years after her little brother's death, sixteen year old Emerson Caulfield returns to a home that she spent the last two years missing. In theory, everything should be the same. Her best friend, Matt, still lives next door. Her house is in the exact same condition as they left it. The scenery and hallways haven't changed, yet for Emerson, everything is completely different. The place may be the same, but Emerson is most certainly not. She returns home hurt, angry, and miles away from the girl she once was.

~ My Thoughts ~ 

This was such a deeply emotional read for me! After losing both my mom and maternal grandfather to brain cancer before I even hit high school, I'm all too familiar with the weight of grief that manifests in anger, sadness, loneliness, and just plain hurt. Every time Emerson visited her brother's grave and spoke to him, I cried. When she heard a girl making fun of her deceased brother, I cried. Who makes fun of a deceased little boy like that by the way?? I wanted to wring that girl's neck. Every emotion Emerson felt, I felt it too. We seemed to be kindred spirits. 

The book alternates between Emerson and her best friend Matt's point of view. The way Emerson describes her pain resonated with me, and the things she said are things I've said before. I was particularly struck when she said she has a hard time even just breathing and getting out of bed in the morning - I know what she's talking about. There were times I had to put down the book to catch my own breath. There is no better way the author could have expressed the toll grief takes on a person.

Matt's deep love for Emerson shows the strength of his character. He wants to love Emerson through this time, and what else can you do when someone you love is suffering from something you can't change or take away? He isn't afraid of the depth of Emerson's despair, and he doesn't give up no matter how many times she pushes him away. It's obvious Matt is wise beyond his years and cares about what's really important in life and not the silly superficiality of high school. How many guys his age can you say that about? 

I think there are times when a person becomes comfortable in his/her own grief - not that feeling miserable is what the person prefers but rather the person is afraid to move forward and do something to alleviate the pain. One worries that by letting go and accepting what's happened, the deceased loved one will be forgotten, not to mention that taking the first step forward is the hardest. This is why it's absolutely crucial that the person has all the support he/she needs. Matt was that support system for Emerson, and his perseverance in being there for her no matter what impressed me.  

I just could not and would not put this book down. I went through the entire spectrum of emotions while reading, and it was cathartic for me. I found myself examining how much progress I've made moving forward in my own life since losing significant loved ones and was surprised to see I've come a long way from where I began. It's amazing! And this is just the beginning to a series in which I'm really looking forward to where the author takes us next. :D 

~ Purchase Links ~ 
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

~ About the Author ~ 

 

I'm not really going to write a biography. Though I am supportive of the high schools and colleges I have attended, it's probably not actually the most interesting stuff about me. I'm going to do a list of five really random things instead for now. 

1. I like making lists. It's weird, and I never actually scratch things off of the list. 
2. I sing and dance in the car like a maniac. 
3. For the first six years of my life, I truly believed a shark lived under my bed. I watched Jaws at too young of an age. 
4. Without a doubt, I am a night person. I am enormously grumpy when first woken up in the morning. 
5. When I was younger, I read almost every Nancy Drew book, both new and old. I had a notebook, and I would take notes to see if I could figure out who the "bad guy" was before Nancy did. We probably tied.  

~ Author Links ~ 

Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook 

 

Cover Reveal ~ Of Darkness and Crowns (Goddess Wars #2) by Trisha Wolfe

Of Darkness and Crowns (Goddess Wars #2)

by Trisha Wolfe

Release Date: September 1, 2013

Cover artist: Steven Novak

Cover Reveal Organized by: YA Bound Book Tours

***WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN’T READ BOOK ONE***

Summary from Goodreads:

The moon goddess has taken up residency within Prince Caben, darkening his mind and soul. Now he hunts the very women he sacrificed his life to save, his conflicting desires for love and power raging a battle within him. Kaliope possesses the key to setting Bale free, and Caben will stop at nothing to see his goddess restored. Even if that means destroying the kingdom he’s sworn to protect, and the infuriating woman who torments his thoughts.

Kaliope, now the leader to the newly formed Nactue Guard, has vowed to save Caben. But with a traitor lurking among her people, and powers she’s unable to fully control, Kaliope’s mission becomes shrouded with doubt. Her new role as watcher over Caben’s kingdom brings a burden she’s unable to bear alone, and appointing the right person in charge of the prince’s affairs has turned a kingdom against the Nactue leader. Saving her stubborn, willful prince from the darkness overtaking him will be the battle of her life, and she needs people she can trust by her side. But bad blood between members of the Nactue obscure Kaliope’s journey, while her feelings for Caben cloud her judgment.

When the time comes to do what she must to destroy the goddess of chaos, will she be able to if it means losing Caben forever?

Book two of the Goddess Wars is told in dual point of view from Kaliope and Caben. New Adult Dark Fantasy, intended for readers 17 years of age and older. 

***Excerpt (Caben’s POV)***

The Crusher grinds to a halt. I’m propelled forward, and my head smacks the low-hanging ceiling of the front compartment.

“Damn, you fool!” I palm my throbbing forehead, eyeing the driver of the Crusher—the machines I now call by their Otherworlder name.

“Sorry, my liege,” he says, backing against his seat, farther away from the glowing ribbons circling my fingers. 

Ignoring him, I study the luminous white—like the surface of the moon—crawling beneath my skin, and marvel at the power. My power. Had I possessed it that day the Cavan Army forced me from my home, they never could have done so easily. But then, I never would have obtained this power. Ironic. 

“Just drive,” I tell him. I take a seat on the front bench, away from the foul stench emanating from the back compartment—our diversion tactic that will gain me entry into my palace, where I know she’s being kept.

The glow beneath my skin illuminates brighter, reminding me of her skin. I curl my fingers into a tight ball.

The battle up ahead is only part of my plan, one that I know Kaliope will fall for. I need the reserves away from the palace. Then we’ll take care of her Nactue once we’re inside. My back molars clamp down hard at the thought of her—a mix of something like fire and nausea invading my stomach.

At one time, I felt things for the black-haired beauty. I chuckle to myself. Well, at least my groin did. Just thinking of her body makes me ache, and I have to adjust myself. But that was when I was weak, when I only thought and felt with that weakness. As much as I hated my father for thinking me too feeble to rule, he was right. I was pathetic.

Bale freed me. Released the part of me that I kept buried, locked away deep down, and I no longer fear anything. I think of everything that once made me shudder or quake with dread and laugh. It’s so simple.

Without fear, there is only freedom.

Power.

And if I free Bale completely, releasing her from within my being and making her corporeal, she’ll bestow me with even more power. I don’t care what the dark goddess does or where she goes once I restore Empress Iana’s relic. I don’t give a damn what happens to the maggoty Otherworlders or their realm.

I just want her out of my mind. And I want the power.

Then I’ll set my sights on Perinya, and on gaining what’s mine.

A deep cackle fills my head, deep and sultry.

“Quiet, woman.” I roll my eyes. We’ve come to a compromise, the goddess and I, that she may remain within my mind, but she’s to keep quiet. I got tired of her constant lectures and angry rants about her sisters. She does stay silent…for the most part. But the sooner I get her out of my head, the better.

Having a woman fill your thoughts is a weakness in itself. A sudden flash of a smiling, laughing Kal blurs my vision, and I shake my head.

There’s only one way to rid my thoughts of that woman.

Kill her.

“Burrow, leach,” I command the driver. “We’re coming up on the battle. Go underground.”

“Yes, my liege.”

Tonight, I plot. Find a way into the capital of Perinya and into my home. And then take back what’s mine. The goddess can have what she wants. I’m only interested in claiming what’s mine.

No one will ever take anything away from me again.

Don’t get in my way, Kal.

I shake my head harder, trying to quiet the pesky thoughts that always spring up when I think of her. Something left over from before—a residual feeling, an effect she has on me.

It won’t be there much longer. I smile, and Bale laughs.

***

Of Silver and Beasts (Goddess Wars #1)

by Trisha Wolfe

Release Date:  April 19th 2013

Summary from Goodreads:

In the sand-covered queendom of Cavan, the goddess once saved a young Kaliope’s life, preventing the mercury her father attempted to hide in her blood from reaching her heart. Now, a cybernetic clamp filters it, but the silver streaks swirling faintly beneath her skin are a constant reminder that she’s different.

When nineteen-year-old Kaliope is chosen as head of the Nactue Guard, she becomes the sworn protector to her empress. In the midst of an invasion on a neighboring land, Kaliope is placed in charge of guarding Prince Caben, the last heir to his kingdom. But when they’re attacked by the feared Otherworlders, Caben and Kaliope are abducted and taken below to a realm where they must fight for their life in a caged arena.

Kaliope struggles to protect her princely charge, keeping him and herself alive while battling inhumanly opponents, and trying to save the stolen, sacred relic that will restore her empress’s life force and all of Cavan. And if she can somehow awaken the goddess within her, she may save what’s most important.

New Adult Dark Fantasy: Intended for readers 17 years of age and older.

Of Silver and Beasts is on sale right now for only $.99.  Get your copy here:

Where to find Trisha:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | YouTube Channel 

***Bonus Material***

Don’t miss out on the bonus scene of Astarte’s Wrath – Bath Scene in Xarion’s POV

Feature & Follow #16 ~ Cause Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

I'm so excited to finally be joining Feature and Follow Friday!! This is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read where they each feature a blogger with an interview as well as ask a question for all participating bloggers to answer. Please click the links above to follow the hosting bloggers as well as the featured bloggers and enter your own post link in the linky. Hop around to other blogs - find new blogs to follow and gain some new followers as well. Mingle and make some new blogger friends! :D

Q: Have you broken up with a series? If so, which one and why? 

I can't really think of one to be honest. I haven't read the last two books in the Sookie Stackhouse series, but from what I'm seeing around the blogosphere, tons of people are upset with the way the last book was written. So maybe that will end up being a series I break up with. I really hope not, though, 'cause I love Sookie. I don't want to be horribly disappointed by the end of the series, eek! 

I can't wait to read everyone's answers! Have you broken up with a series?   

Think Out Loud #12 ~ "Reminder All Emergency Services Will Be Suspended"

Hey everyone! I'm now going to join the meme Think Out Loud hosted by Thinks Books. With this meme, you can post anything you want! Get to know other bloggers outside of the bookish realm. :) Click on the link to go to her blog and sign up. :) The posts go up on Thursdays or whenever you'd like. :D

I've been slacking the last couple weeks with my Think Out Louds. Sorry Thinks Books! Don't kick me out, please! LOL. :) 

Here I go again with movies. Can't help myself! Tomorrow night, one of my besties Jill and I are gonna see The Purge!!! First of all, this movie looks great and has actors Lena Headey and Ethan Hawke in it - love both of them! Secondly, I get out of the house and away for a well deserved night of scary goodness. :D 

Besides books, horror movies make me super happy. I think this movie is more thriller than horror, but I'm sure there will still be plenty of scares to go around. Jill's niece and her friend are going with us. I'm not sitting on the end, lol! 

I can't wait!!!!!!!!! I want to get out of the house - I feel like a prisoner here sometimes you know? - and it's a movie I've been dying, positively dying to see since I first saw the preview. 

Anyone going to see The Purge this weekend? 

Book Blast ~ Endure (The Protector #4) by M.R. Merrick

Available June 5th 

Endure (The Protector, #4)

Book Description:

Wrapped in darkness and woven with defeat, every action Chase has taken since being exiled from the Circle has been met with a devastating response. Now he's been burdened with a quest that seems impossible, and he needs to evolve into something more, something greater than he ever thought he could be.

Armed with magic, friendship, and an unbreakable will, Chase must build an army and find a weapon capable of defeating the ultimate evil. But he knows that nothing great comes without sacrifice. Blessed by the very gods who have abandoned him and carrying the fate of all the worlds on his shoulders, Chase Williams is about find out just how much one man can endure.

Excerpt:

I jerked up from the couch, but the repercussion that came with the motion made me curse. My chest heaved and sweat dripped down my face.

"Chase?" I heard a voice say, but it was groggy. I wasn't quite in reality yet.

I cleared my throat and threw my legs over the edge of the couch. More pain came, but I didn't care. I needed to touch the floor. I needed to ground myself.

"Chase, are you okay?" It was Rayna's voice and she ran down the stairs.

I screamed as the scabbed over skin on my back tore open when I attempted to stand. I fell to the couch and beat my fists against the cushions as though that could alleviate the pain.

"Chase, hey...calm down."

Rayna's voice soothed me. She crouched in front of me and carefully touched my shoulder. Calming energy emanated off her body and soaked into mine. The adrenaline and pain faded, leaving an empty pit stirring inside me. I went completely still. The green cat eyes staring back at me had stolen my words and my breath. Swelling had formed under Rayna's right eye and she looked tired, but she was as striking as ever.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Smashwords

About the Author:

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer, and author of Exiled, the first installment in The Protector Series. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he's usually found at the computer, between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.

M.R. Merrick | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook 

 

Book #1, Exiled is currently FREE

Chase Williams is a demon hunter in the Circle, or at least he was supposed to be. On his fifteenth birthday, Chase stepped up to the altar to claim his elemental power, but it never came. Elemental magic is passed down to a hunter through the bloodline, but on Chase's birthday, the bloodline stopped.

Exiled without the Circle's protection, Chase has spent two years trying to survive a world riddled with half-demons and magic. When he has a run in with a frightened and seemingly innocent demon, he learns the Circle's agenda has changed: the Circle plans to unlock a portal and unleash pure-blood demons into the world. Vowing to stop them, and knowing he can't do it alone, Chase forms a reluctant alliance with Rayna - a sexy witch with an attitude and a secret.

In their attempt to stop them, Chase and Rayna find themselves in the middle of the Circle's plan, leaving one of them to decide what their friendship is worth, and the other's life depending on it.

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

****GIVEAWAY****

5 winners will have their choice of eBook from the series.

1 Grand prize will win SIGNED copies of ALL FOUR BOOKS.

International

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

IWSG #9 ~ June 2013

This group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. I've met and made friends with many cool writers and have been able to share my feelings and worries about the process of writing without fear of judgement. You don't have to feel insecure to join either. You can join and give support to those of us who are having those moments of wanting to give up or those days where we're just straight up freaking out. Either way, it's definitely fun and worth it!

I've entered two flash fiction contests, which take place every Friday at the Flash Friday blog. I've missed a couple of the contests, but I'm thinking about making my own photo prompts and writing about those for practice. I really think flash fiction is very difficult - there was one story that couldn't be shorter or longer than 100 words. One hundred words for an entire story to be told! Yikes! 

My hope is this will be good practice for me and allow my writing skills to develop. On the Flash Friday blog, there's a winner plus honorable mentions. Then the following Monday another entry is chosen to be analyzed with what worked and made the story strong in so few words. I think this could really help me get a feel for what makes a good scene. 

How about you? Anything new in your writing world? :D

Book Review ~ Death Comes Home (In Darkness We Must Abide Episode #1) by Rhiannon Frater

Title: Death Comes Home (In Darkness We Must Abide #1)

Author: Rhiannon Frater

Published: March 6, 2013

Pages: 38

Genre: New Adult Modern Gothic Horror

My Rating: 5 / 5 

Add to Goodreads

~ Synopsis ~

In Darkness We Must Abide is the epic saga of one young woman caught in the dangerous world of the creatures of the night. 

Already living in the shadows due to her albinism, Vanora is just a little girl when her older brother inadvertently unleashes a terrible evil from the family crypt that changes their lives forever.

As she grows up in a world where beautiful deadly beings hunt by night, one captures her eye and her heart. Yet, can she trust the mysterious Armando? For there is a powerful entity plotting to claim her when she reaches adulthood in order to fulfill an ancient prophecy, and her enemy has enveloped her in a web of deceit, casting doubt on all she believes to be true. Soon, she will have to fight not only to save those she loves, but also for her very soul.

Rhiannon Frater delivers a chilling adventure once again with this multi-part epic serial with a dynamic cast, old school vampires, bloody action, a smoldering forbidden love, and a terrifying villain set against the backdrop of a modern day vampire war.  

Each episode will be between 10,000 and 20,000 words with new installments being published every 2 to 3 weeks. 

Episode 1: Death Comes Home

Roman Socoli inadvertently releases a terrible evil when he has his Romanian ancestors entombed on his estate in Houston, Texas.

~ My Thoughts ~ 

Vampires haven't been done this right since Anne Rice. Ethereal, dark, foreboding... I couldn't get enough! With this beginning to the series, I know great things are yet to come. The characters are fantastic and vivid, and their story is spellbinding and had me shivering. Before In Darkness We Must Abide, I hadn't yet read any of Rhiannon Frater's novels but had planned on it. Needless to say, I'll be devouring every piece of her writing from now on! 

Similar to shouting out help I feel while watching a horror movie, I wanted to jump in there with the Socolis several times and advise the characters not to look out the window, not to open the door, or not to go downstairs for fear of what might be there lurking in the shadows. I must admit there were a couple of moments when I wanted to hide under the covers! This isn't to say these aren't intelligent characters, however, because they very much are. 

I really appreciate the unconventional family structure - the two older siblings raising their younger sister. And that's just a small part of what makes this family so interesting and anything but the typical family. I mean, how cool is it that they have Romanian ancestors? Unfortunately for them, that's exactly what unleashes the nightmare they must face.  

~I received a copy of this episode in exchange for an honest review~

~ Purchase the Book Including All 5 Episodes of the First Season ~ 

Amazon ~ Paperback

Amazon ~ Kindle

Kobo

Nook

Autographed Copies at Author Store

~ About the Author ~

  

Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor), as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog), and other horror novels. Her next novel for Tor, Dead Spots, will be published in 2014. She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a. pets). She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.  

  

You can find her online at:

Website: rhiannonfrater.com & astheworlddies.com 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/astheworlddies 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/rhiannonfrater 

Blog: http://rhianonfrater.blogspot.com/ 

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/rhiannonfrater/ 

Email: rhiannonfrater at gmail dot com

Cover Reveal ~ Resilient by Patricia Vanasse

Resilient by Patricia Vanasse is garnering some great attention, even long before the release date of September 3rd, 2013. Published by Pants on Fire Press this is the story of Livia and Adam, two teens who are far from normal and have more in common than they could ever imagine.

According to the press release, Resilient has already got attention from A-list movie studios and production companies that are interested in the movie and screen rights.  Resilient was also the 4th place winner of the 2012 Golden Acorn Excellence in Writing Award.

Cover Reveal Organized by: Candace's Book Blog & CBB Book Promotions

Livia has never felt like she fits in. As normal as it sounds, Livia is anything but ordinary. She can feel every emotion of every single person around her, and it’s maddening. In pursuit of some psychic quiet, she moves with her family from New York City to Whidbey Island in the lush and sleepy Pacific Northwest. But when a horseback riding accident in her new home gives her a broken leg that heals in a day, she finds that another unexplainable ability has manifested, and her life isn’t about to get any easier. 

Adam has no problem fitting in and making friends. In fact, he’s the top of the school, the boy everyone knows and loves. However, people only see what he allows them to. No one knows what Adam is truly capable of. After witnessing Livia’s accident, Adam sees something intriguing in her quick recovery, something that gives him hope that he’s not alone.  

Adam is the only one whose emotions Livia can’t read. Afraid of not knowing what goes on behind his dark eyes, Livia decides to keep him at a distance. Yet the more she tries to ignore him, the more alluring he becomes, and while their personal quests for identity will inevitably bring them closer together, it is the confirmation of what they really are that threatens to tear them apart.  

Resilient, told in alternating point of views, is a gripping story of survival and romance, in which two teenagers face the consequences of being anything but normal.

Resilient is a YA book recommended for ages 13 and older.  It has 318 pages and will be available in ebook and paperback.

Excerpt:

He opens his eyes and sees me ogling.

         Embarrassed, I turn my attention back to the sky. “I thought you had fallen asleep.”

         “And then you’d take advantage of me.”

         “No! I was just…” I trail off, not knowing what to say. “Can we go? It’s getting late.”

         “We just got here!” He smiles in amusement. “How about we play a game?”

         “What game?”

         “I ask you a question, you answer, and then you ask me one. It’s a good way to get to know each other.” He turns his body to the right so he’s facing me. “Before you decide I’m the worse person ever, you should know the facts.”

         “As long as you tell the truth.”

         “You have my word.” I laugh despite myself as he asks, “If you had to choose between day and night, which would you pick?”

         I frown for a second, thinking. “Day,” I say “Wrestling or football?”

         “Wrestling for sure,” he answers. “Favorite cartoon character?”

         “Ha! Definitely Daria; I feel like we have something in common.” I chuckle while Adam’s eyebrows scrunch together. I guess he’s having a hard time finding the similarities. “Yours?”

         “I’ve got to say SpongeBob. No similarities there, though.” He smiles and lies back down, inspecting the stars. “Do you believe there’s life out there besides us?”

         That question has been on my mind for years, but I never had to answer it until now. “I don’t know. I hope so.”

         “You hope so?” His brows shoots up, “Wouldn’t you be afraid if aliens really existed?” He sounds sincerely curious.

         “No, I don’t think they would be the monsters Hollywood makes us believe. I think they would be just like...”

         “Us?”

         “Yeah, like us. How about you?”

         He nods, “I agree with you.”

         We fall into silence for a little while before his next question. It would be too pretentious of me to believe humans are the only ones to live in a universe so much bigger than we know. There are so many places we haven’t even begun to discover yet. In any case, other life forms could be the explanation to all of my inhuman abilities.

         “What do you like most about yourself?” he asks.

         My mind wanders; I’m not sure what my qualities are, really, but I think of something to say. “I’m stubborn.”

         “And that’s a quality?”

         “Yes. I mean, it keeps me from giving up when things gets rough.”

         He turns to look at me, probably wondering what could be so rough in my life. He doesn’t know that I don’t have everything, I don’t have what I want the most: answers to what I am.

Patricia Vanasse was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Now she lives on Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two adorable children, and two crazy dogs. She has been trough Culinary Arts, Psychology, Law School, and now has finally found her passion in creative writing. She also loves traveling, cooking, and is an avid reader. Her strength- believes that everything is possible. Her weakness- an obsessive relationship with caffeine.

 
www.patriciavanasse.com
http://patriciavanasse.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/PatriciaVanasse
https://www.facebook.com/ResilientByPatriciaVanasse

Giveaway:

Paperback ARC (early copy) of Resilient.

Open worldwide.

Ends 6/11/13

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal ~ Speak Easy by Melanie Harlow

                                                  Title: Speak Easy

Author: Melanie Harlow

Expected release date: July 22, 2013 

Genre: Historical

Age Group: New Adult

Cover Designed by: Tom Barnes Design

  

 July, 1923. The ‘20s are roaring, and twenty-year-old Tiny O’Mara is desperate for a little anything-goes excitement. But when her father is kidnapped by a mobster in Detroit's exploding organized crime scene, she’s shocked to find herself caught up in the bootlegging wars of Prohibition—and torn between two gorgeous gangsters on opposite sides. To save her father’s life, she’ll have to choose between them. But deciding whom to trust isn’t easy in a world where everyone wants something—be it booze, money, power, or sex—and no one cares what it takes to get it. Temptation is everywhere.      

  About the Author

 

Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her lipstick red, and her history with the naughty bits left in. SPEAK EASY was inspired by her cocktail-culture obsession, her affection for good gin, and the view from the end of her street. She lifts her glass to NA readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI.  


I can't wait to read this book - I've been wanting to read a book that takes place in the '20s. And look at that cover! Gorgeous! 

Melanie Harlow | Facebook | Twitter

 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Feature & Follow #15 ~ Who would you like to meet?

I'm so excited to finally be joining Feature and Follow Friday!! This is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read where they each feature a fellow blogger and ask a question which can be answered by participating bloggers. If you aren't already following the two hosting bloggers, please click the links above and follow them, the bloggers they're featuring, and enter your own blog post link in the linky. Hop around to other blogs - find new blogs to follow and gain some new followers as well. Mingle and make some new friends. :D

Q: What blogger would you most like to meet in real life? Tell us about him or her. 

This is a really tough question! There are a ton of bloggers I'd love to meet! 

I'd love to meet Robyn Jones from rob girl books. I met her through this meme, and it was like we instantly became good friends. She's a super talented writer, having published two books, Soul Bender and Soul Walker, which I devoured and highly recommend! :) No matter how busy her schedule is, she always takes time to comment on my posts, and we always have a great time discussing books and family. 

Is there a blogger you'd like to meet? :D