The Hook UP by Christen Callihan- Review!

Synopsis

The rules: no kissing on the mouth, no staying the night, no telling anyone, and above all... No falling in love

Anna Jones just wants to finish college and figure out her life. Falling for star quarterback Drew Baylor is certainly not on her to do list. Confident and charming, he lives in the limelight and is way too gorgeous for his own good. If only she could ignore his heated stares and stop thinking about doing hot and dirty things with him. Easy right?

Too bad he's committed to making her break every rule...

Football has been good to Drew. It's given him recognition, two National Championships, and the Heisman. But what he really craves is sexy yet prickly Anna Jones. Her cutting humor and blatant disregard for his fame turns him on like nothing else. But there's one problem: she's shut him down. Completely.
That is until a chance encounter leads to the hottest sex of their lives, along with the possibility of something great. Unfortunately, Anna wants it to remain a hook up. Now it's up to Drew to tempt her with more: more sex, more satisfaction, more time with him. Until she's truly hooked. It's a good thing Drew knows all about winning.

My Review

The Hook Up by Kristen Callihan
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Anna Jones is trying to finish college and decide what she wants to do with her life. Drew Baylor is a talented quarterback who knows where his life is headed. They meet in a philosophy class, and despite a very obvious draw they feel towards one another, Anna has no interest in getting involved with someone famous. Anna is determined to ignore her physical pull to Drew, while Drew is determined to explore is attraction to Anna. Anna agrees to hook up with drew on a purely physical bases, and only if they keep the hook ups secret. Drew agrees, but knows quickly that he wants a lot more and is going to try hard to get it.

I read a lot of books in this genre and a lot of books with similar plot lines to this one. I was very pleasantly surprised by just how much I liked this book. While the story line is similar to other books I've read, I found myself a lot more connected to these main characters. I was very emotionally engaged in the story and experienced a lot of strong feelings throughout this book. The sexual chemistry between Anna and Drew was off the charts hot. It was palpable. Drew and Anna were both characters I cared about and I was really hoping that they could work their way through their own issues and struggles and find a way to give each other what they both deserved. One of the things I loved about this book was that the dialogue between Anna and Drew was witty, honest, and real. Towards the end of the book their dialogue turned a little more hyperbolic than I would have liked, but it diminish my enjoyment of the book too much.

I read this nearly straight through once I started. Whenever I had to put it down to live my own life, I was thinking about when I would be able to pick it up again. I enjoyed this a lot and would gladly read more by this author in the future.

The Barter System series by @ShayneMcClendon - My Reviews of all!

The Barter System Series by Shayne McClendon is a series that I love!

I've been in love since the first book (The Barter System) came out.  Now, after finally getting to read the story I needed about a character (Gabriella) I've been attached to since book two (Hudson) I thought I'd put all my reviews of this series together in one post.

My main message here is: Read this series.

Listed below is some information about each book along with my reviews.  Enjoy  :)

Series Chronology: 
The Barter System - Book 1 
Hudson - Book 2 
Pushing the Envelope - Book 3 
Backstage - Book 4 
Liberation - Book 5 
Radiance - Book 6 

Synopsis

Some people will go to great lengths to get their research.

Riya O’Connell is working on her dissertation in Male Sexuality and decides to create a website called "The Barter System" where she requests applications from men around the country willing to participate in her research. She eventually narrows down her thousands of submissions to eight men. They will give her viable data, cover her expenses while in their company, and ensure she reaches her next destination safely. In return, Riya will give them…whatever they want.

As her project progresses, Riya realizes she’s chosen the eight men in the country who would love her well and that she could easily love in return. Subject after subject is left behind with a small piece of her heart. Driven by her need to understand male sexuality, she refuses to quit no matter how difficult it becomes to keep going. Her presence creates a ripple effect over the lives of her subjects and paths cross that might not have been possible without her.

Finding where her heart ultimately belongs may be an education she didn’t plan on.

Original Review of The Barter System

Review of the updated version of The Barter System

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Synopsis

Refuse to compromise.

Hudson Winters is in control of every aspect of his world. From his earliest memories, he’s been driven to succeed. Starting from nothing, he built an empire based on opportunity and intimidation.

Personally, professionally, and sexually – he ensures the reins are always in his hands.

He never counted on a woman like Gabriella Hernandez. 

From the moment she steps into his building, she proceeds to shake up his entire existence. Her very presence causes him to question everything about himself, his relationships, and his future. 


This story features characters readers fell in love with in "The Barter System" and gives you a chance to sit down and catch up.

NOTE: This story contains explicit sexual scenes and language and is intended for mature audiences only. Do not read this novel if intense sexual situations offend you

Review of Hudson

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Synopsis

She has things under control...for the most part. 

Tawny Ratliff is a loose cannon. She’s brash, unpredictable, and always ready to fight. 

She’s also the best friend a person could hope for, keeps an eye on the people she loves, and takes her desire to do good to the next level. 

Brilliant and devious, Tawny takes you behind the scenes of “The Barter System,” to a time when she and her best friend Riya were just kids trying to figure things out like everyone else.

Her perspective is unusual, her language is uncouth, but she is never boring. 

Find out why this character in “The Barter System” and “Hudson” won the hearts of so many. Miss Tawny has no filter... 

My Review

Pushing the Envelope: A Prequel from "The Barter System" World by Shayne McClendon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Despite being a "prequel", this is NOT a book that should be read first. I think minimally, The Barter System should be read before reading this. We know Tawny as the long time outspoken best friend of Riya, but after reading this I realized there was a whole lot about her that I didn't know. Reading this was also really helpful for me as I looked at her in a little different light moving forward. This is the kind of story that will fill in some gaps and set the stage for deeper understanding going forward. I adore this series, and will be continue to read everything that this author writes.
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Synopsis

Behind the scenes is your chance to shine... 

The day the Johannson sisters arrive to launch their play Off-Broadway in New York City, they know their lives will never be the same. 

Mikayla is confident, talented, and achingly lonely. 
Madeline is brilliant, organized, and jaded about men. 

Can these two women from Oklahoma find success, peace, and lasting love in the Big Apple? 

Visit with characters you fell in love with in the other stories set in "The Barter System" universe and meet a few you're never going to forget. 

My Review

Backstage by Shayne McClendon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Backstage- we get three stories instead of one, PLUS a little time with Gabriella, Natalia, Hudson, etc. The Johannson sisters are pretty easy to like right off the bat. As are the Zelder brothers. They work hard for what they want, and support each other through it all in a way that makes them all completely endearing. By the end of the book, we have gotten to know some wonderful people and watch them connect with one another and find happiness. The sexual chemistry between each couple is very hot, and it is difficult to do anything but cheer these people on throughout.

I adore this series, and definitely recommend that the books be read in order. THese are all characters that you are going to want to get to know and spend some time with.
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Synopsis

Freedom is intoxicating... 

Marciella Canfield is alone in the world with nothing but the company her father built. She goes through her days surrounded by security and very few reasons to smile. A love life is low on her list of priorities due to repeated disappointments and a schedule that is out of control. 

Fahad and Nuri Ghonim approach Marci one night at Trois and memories she'd buried from a trip when she was a young girl explode to the surface. 

They offer her freedom she has never experienced and passion she cannot conceive without the ridiculous behaviors she's come to expect from men. 

My Review

Liberation by Shayne McClendon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maricella (Marci) is a strong business woman with a lot of success, and a lot of loneliness. She has been running her late father's company after detaching completely from her villain of a mother. She ends up connecting with Fahad and Nuri Ghonim while attending an event at Trois, and comes to realize that she has a very interesting shared past with them. They understand the world of long hours of work and the need for high levels of security in a way that most people don't, and it helps them find the possibility of happiness when none of them thought it possible.

I love this author, and I love this series, but if I don't get Gabriella's story soon I'm going to freak the hell out.

Highly recommend this series, but read the books in order!

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Synopsis

A lightness of spirit often draws the darkness.

Gabriella Hernandez admits her irrational attraction to Harper Delkin and his bodyguard Elijah Eklund. Despite a little bit of fear about why they want her, she can’t deny her excitement. She has no doubt they'll leave her body humming but her heart shredded.

Harper Delkin didn't like her. The woman was too emotional and dangerous to his self-control. There was something about Gabriella that twisted him up and made him harder than he’d ever been in his lifetime.

Elijah Eklund knew the moment Harper mentioned Brie that things in their life were about to change drastically. He never suspected she would ultimately turn their world inside out or the lengths he would go to keep her.

Visit with characters you fell in love with in the other stories set in "The Barter System" universe and meet a few you are never going to forget. 

My Review

Radiance by Shayne McClendon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have been waiting for what feels like forever for Gabriella's (Brie) story, and FINALLY it is here!!! I became attached to Brie in Hudson's story and for the past 4 books in this series have been waiting (not so patiently) for this woman to get something for herself.

This book is even more of an emotional roller coaster than I expected and I found myself wanting to scream at everyone to just cut this woman a break! Brie goes through trials that would crush lesser beings with a grace that is impossible to comprehend. So, of course she can't just find the person/people she is meant to be with and then live happily ever after. Elijah is pretty easy to love right from the start. He's a lot of things, and those things are all great. Harper Delkin is a much tougher sell, and I had to struggle not to have my primary feelings towards him be irritation, anger, and frustration. I had to try hard and see things through Gabriella's eyes, but even then sometimes wondered how she could love him so early on when his behavior was so terrible. There is no denying the chemistry between these characters, and the added relationship layers going on in this situation made everything even more intense.

There were times when I felt that I just couldn't handle it if one more awful thing happened to Brie. Watching someone repeatedly make the lives of others better while suffering so much themselves became nearly unbearable. I'm glad I pushed through the pain and found my way through the story. I love spending time with all of these characters and hope for more of all of them in the future.

I highly recommend this series, but believe that it really needs to be read in order. Get it. Read it. Love it.

Now give me some Hollow. Soon, please. I need more.

Golden Trail by Kristen Ashley- Audiobook Review!

Tanner Layne and Raquel Merrick fell in love young, hard and fast and both of them knew a beautiful life they thought would be forever.

Until Rocky left Layne, no explanation, no going back.

Layne escapes The ‘Burg only to come back years later because his ex-wife has hooked herself to the town jerk and Layne needs to make sure his sons get raised right. Layne manages to avoid Rocky but when Layne gets three bullets drilled into him while investigating a dirty cop, he can’t do that because Rocky stops avoiding Layne. They make a deal to work together to expose the dirty cop but they have no idea the strength of their enduring attraction or the sheer evil at work in The ‘Burg.

As Tanner Layne and Raquel Merrick play their game and dance around the pull that draws them together, Layne has to discover the dark secrets buried so deep in Rocky’s heart she doesn’t even know they’re there at the same time untangle a sinister web of crime so abhorrent it has to be stopped... at all costs.

And to do it, Layne has to enlist everyone, including his ex-CIA mentor, Rocky’s detective brother, the town’s unpredictable informant and Layne’s two teenage sons all the while stopping Rocky from doing something crazy and keeping their game secret so Layne won't get himself dead. 

My Review:

Golden Trail by Kristen Ashley
Narrated by: Brian Pallino
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Tanner Layne and Raquel Merrick were once young, in love, and happy. All of a Sudden Rocky leaves Layne with no explanation, leaving him devastated. He leaves The Burg, but returns years later to help raise the sons that live with his ex-wife, who has made some bad decisions about who she spends her time with. Layne manages to avoid Rocky, until he finds himself shot after getting too close to the truth while investigating a dirty cop. Rocky comes to visit him in the hospital, and nothing afterwards. Circumstances, feelings, and connected friends and family cause Rocky and Layne to face the feelings for one another (that have not dimmed over time), as well as the past and the ordeals both have had to face.

Yet again- Ashley writes a book that hooks me fast, and keeps me entirely engaged throughout. We not only get to know a bunch of new characters- Layne and his family, Rocky and hers, but revisit old friends from the previous two books in this series, and learn how everyone's lives intersect. The chemistry between Rocky and Layne is scorching hot and it is easy to decide that these are characters who should be together if they can just straighten out whatever mysterious force is keeping them apart. In addition to all the interpersonal drama going on, there are some very serious cases that the police, and Layne (a former cop and current PI) are working on with some urgency. Generally, it is the characters that make a Kristen Ashley story what it is, but this one also had me with the various and intertwining suspense elements. Basically, I loved all of it, and I can't wait to read more in this series. The epilogue was simply wonderful and connected me even deeper with many characters that I have come to really care about. 4.5 stars.

With the audiobook version: the narrator did a great job of not only bringing Layne's voice to life, but also bringing depth to the story and characters without distracting me or bringing me out of the story.


*A copy of the audiobook was provided in exchange for an honest review

Chasing Serenity by Eden Butler- Review!

Chasing Serenity (Seeking Serenity Book 1)

Graduate student Autumn McShane has had her share of heartbreak. She's been abandoned and betrayed and she lost her beloved mother in a tragic car accident five months ago. That loss damaged her body and fractured her spirit but she's learning to recover, until her ex-boyfriend returns to town, intent on making her life miserable.

Declan Fraser hates her ex as much as Autumn does, but the last thing she needs is to put her trust in the hands of another man, especially one like Declan: his hard body and lulling Irish accent makes more than a few girls weak-kneed. The talented rugby player is rude and sarcastic, with tattooed, muscular arms and a cocky attitude, but he's the only one who can help Autumn win an ill-advised bet that, if lost, could cost her more than she's willing to pay. The reluctant alliance between Declan and Autumn stirs up cravings she doesn't want to admit, but Declan is a hard man to resist.

Just when Autumn starts letting down her carefully constructed walls to the sexy bad boy, he betrays her when she needs him most. Autumn suspects Declan has secrets, and she is determined to uncover what drove him away from her, even if that means fraternizing with the enemy. But will the truth return Declan to her arms or add to the scars on her heart?

My Review:

Chasing Serenity by Eden Butler
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Autumn McShane has had a very rough year. Her boyfriend of two years left her, and she lost her mother in a car accident where she was seriously injured. Autumn's father abandoned her and her mother years ago and Autumn has struggled to get her life together with the help of her friends. Autumn's ex-boyfriend suddenly returns to town, and Autumn is none to happy about that. She has come to realize that he was abusive and controlling before he left her devastated, and she had to work hard to put herself in working order again.

Declan Fraser hates Autumn's ex-boyfriend as well. When Tucker returned to town he resumed his place as captain of the rugby team, and moved Declan away from his position on the team to enhance his own glory. Declan is a hard-playing Irishman who doesn't take kindly to playing with a selfish captain who puts his own needs far above those of the team. Neither Declan or Autumn are in a place where they are looking for a relationship, but they have a strong attraction to one another that seems to keep pulling them together when a variety of external factors are trying hard to keep them apart.

This is one of those books that really got me feeling. I was engaged from the beginning and pretty much read it straight through once I started. There were a variety of relationships explored throughout this book, and many of the were very difficult, but very touching. Autumn was an easy character to connect with. She is definitely flawed and has a lot to work through, but I was engaged with her throughout and really wanted things to work out for her. She has some wonderful friends, and learning about how they all rallied around her to get her through some of the hardest times in her life was very endearing. Autumn's relationship with her father was very complex, and it was really interesting seeing them reconnect after years of his being absent to try and establish a way to move forward and deal with the huge void his abandonment left in her life.

Declan…whoo! It felt like the author reached in my head and plucked out everything I love and created Declan. An amazing rugby player, with lots of tattoos, and closet geek tendencies. Oh yeah, and a sexy Irish brogue. All that- and despite his own challenges, he finds a way to start breaking down the walls Autumn has built around herself during her time of grief. He too makes some stupid choices, but his thoughtful acts far outweigh the stupid ones.

The chemistry, sexual tension, and angst going on between Declan and Autumn is pretty spectacular. It is obvious that each of them is holding themselves back from a relationship for different reasons, and then we find out that there are other things keeping them apart. This book had a reveal that I didn't see coming, that added a whole extra layer of complexity to the situation. This story had me experiencing a wide range of emotions, and kept me engaged the entire time. I enjoyed this book a lot and will be seeking out more by this author in the future and recommending it to other readers.

*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review

CHASING SERENITY EXCERPT:

“What do you play?” I ask and he stops for a moment, notices me staring at his hands.

“Wing. Well, normally I’m wing. Tucker’s convinced Mullens to set me as scrumhalf.”

“Ah, so that explains it.”

“Explains what?”

“Why you hate Tucker.” He doesn’t respond, just returns to the bookshelf to grab another box and my gaze follows him, takes in the rigid set of his shoulders. “He’ll be gone at the end of the season, you know.”

“Hmm. If I’m lucky,” he says.

“Mullens is a good coach. I’ve known him forever and he’s friends with Ava.” A wrinkle forms between Declan’s eyebrows. “Dr. Winchell.”

“Thick as thieves with the president, aren’t you?”

“No. Well, yes, but it’s not what you think. She was my mom’s best friend. They’d known each other since college.”

He opens his mouth as though he wants to say something, but then just nods before he clears his throat. “Sayo mentioned it was a car crash?” When my eyes narrow, he shakes his head as though I shouldn’t be angry. “That was after she and the other two barked at me forever. Told me what an arse I was, how rude I was, how you didn’t deserve to be disrespected.” I relax and he continues. “You were hurt?”

“Yes.” My hands shake, tremble as they rest on the box in front of me and I can see myself bloody and still in the car, remembering the pain, the suffocating feeling of my mother’s loss. A breath tamps down the burn of tears in my eyes. “Three broken ribs, a completely busted up leg, and a lacerated abdomen. I had more scrapes and bruises than even you’ve probably had.”

“I’ve had many. Loads of scars as well.”

I don’t know what possesses me to do it, perhaps some subconscious need to prove how tough I am, that I’m not some sniggering girly girl, but I lift up the side of my shirt and show Declan the top of my incision from the surgery. It’s a horrid, long line still pink that runs from my hip to just below my bellybutton.

“A steel rod from the truck that hit us pinned me to the seat. Seven hour surgery.” Declan winces. The scar had faded and the doctors told me that over time it would continue to diminish, but it would never disappear completely. Five months on and it’s still quite disgusting.

Seemingly without thinking about it, Declan reaches down and rubs his thumb against my scar and at his touch, my stomach flips. I know he can see the light hairs on my stomach stand on end and how my skin covers in goose bumps. He looks at my face again and once more his eyes linger too long in my eyes, then down to my lips. But then he breaks contact and unbuttons his shirt.

“I’ve got a few nasty ones as well. See this?” He lifts his undershirt back over his left shoulder and I nod, curious of his point, his intentions. “Rory McDonald pushed me straight through the rusty, broken uprights when I was fifteen. Twenty-nine stiches that ached like a bugger. And here,” he lowers his shirt then pulls up the hem to show me a smooth gash just below his bellybutton. “Mickey Douglas forgot to ditch his watch during a practice match when I was eighteen. Fecking thing nearly ripped me in half when he lined me up and smashed me as I went for a try-scoring pass.” The scar is faint, barely noticeable and doesn’t register really as I am distracted by muscles so taut that I can see the lines across his stomach. There is a long trail of black hair below his navel that disappears beneath his belt and I can’t help the wild dip of my stomach as I watch his bare skin.

“That’s um, yeah.” I swallow against the dryness in my mouth and Declan steps closer, his shirt still raised. Again I feel him watching me, and I don’t realize how close we are standing until he drops his shirt. There is no smile on his face, no condescending little grin that tells me he thinks I’m an idiot.

I don’t react when Declan reaches for my face or when his hand cups my cheek. The tips of his fingers are smooth, not like the rough callouses on the tops and palms of his hands. I’m about to speak, say something glib, sarcastic, but just then Declan rubs his thumb across my bottom lip, a mimic of what I’d done to him Thursday night on the sidewalk. I can only manage to watch his head lower until his lips are at my ear. When he whispers, his voice is low, a soft rasp that nears a growl and instantly makes my body ache.

“Like what you see, love?”

He steps back and the crackle present in the air, the one I’d forced the other night, returns, collects into the stillness of the basement. The seconds stretch, he moves forward, and the only sound I can hear is the low hum of the lights overhead and my own heartbeat thumping in my ears.

“Yes….um, no…it’s not like that.”

“Liar.”

Author Eden Butler

Eden Butler is an editor and writer of New Adult Romance and SciFi and Fantasy novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum. Her debut novel, a New Adult, Contemporary (no cliffie) Romance, “Chasing Serenity” launched in October 2013 and quickly became an Amazon bestseller.

When she’s not writing or wondering about her possibly Jack Sparrowesque ancestor, Eden edits, reads and spends way too much time watching rugby, Doctor Who and New Orleans Saints football.

She is currently living under teenage rule alongside her husband in southeast Louisiana.

Please send help.

Hudson by Shayne McClendon- Blog Tour and Review!

HUDSON

By: Shayne McClendon

Goodreads Link:

Buy Link:


Synopsis:

Refuse to compromise.

Hudson Winters is in control of every aspect of his world. From his earliest
memories, he's been driven to succeed. Starting from nothing, he built an
empire based on opportunity and intimidation.

Personally, professionally, and sexually - he ensures the reins are always
in his hands.

He never counted on a woman like Gabriella Hernandez.

From the moment she steps into his building, she proceeds to shake up his
entire existence. Her very presence causes him to question everything about
himself, his relationships, and his future.

This story features characters readers fell in love with in "The Barter
System" and gives you a chance to sit down and catch up. Prepare to be
twisted up and knocked around a bit.  Another hot, emotional read from
Always the Good Girl, Shayne McClendon.

NOTE: This story contains explicit sexual scenes and language and is
intended for mature audiences only. Do not read this novel if intense sexual
situations offend you.

REVIEW:

Hudson by Shayne McClendon
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This is a book that I read straight through to the end, and after I finished I couldn't fall asleep because I couldn't stop thinking about the characters and what had happened and could happen in the future. It was stuck in my brain. I won't rehash the plot here, because one of the things I loved about this book was that despite me thinking I knew where things were going, I was proven wrong more than once. This author proved she was the boss of me, and I liked it.

It was fantastic getting to spend a little time with Riya, Tawny, and the M's (from The Barter System). I loved them all quite dearly and seeing how they fit into this story was fantastic. Hudson is a complex character and it was really rewarding to see his character go through a transformation. Gabriella was a completely endearing and interesting character to follow through this book. She was giving, and sweet, but not a pushover. She was definitely not afraid of telling people the straight-up truth, and also wasn't afraid of putting herself out there even when she was likely to get hurt. I am a little bit desperate to see where her story goes from here. It was one of the things I couldn't stop thinking about when this book ended. The sexy stuff in this book is phenomenally sexy, and this author has proven herself to be one that I will be keeping an eye out for in the future. In the meantime, I'll be devouring everything she has written to this point.

About the Author:

Shayne McClendon is an indie author who has received rave reviews for her premiere novel "The Barter System." Other projects recently released are "In the Service of Women," "Yes to Everything," "Damaged," "Being Delightful," "The Hermit," "Hudson" - the second book set in "The Barter System" world, and many more.
Writer, mom, and hermit...Shayne listens to the voices in her head because their ideas are awesome. Those around her have learned not to question the crazy. Coffee consumption is too high, amount of sleep is too low, but the words always feel just right.
She currently lives in Oklahoma wrangling teenagers, opening doors for her pets, and running her content writing company. She dreams of peace, quiet, travel, and always having a viable internet connection.
You can contact her by email at shayne@alwaysthegoodgirl.com, stop by her Facebook page, or visit her website and subscribe for your free story!
Shayne McClendon's work is available at all major e-book retailers. Print editions of her work are available on her website.

Official Website: 

Amazon:

Facebook Pages:
Always the good girl

Author Shayne McClendon

My Review of The Barter System

Playlist:

HUDSON PLAYLIST

Feelin’ Love – Paula Cole

Wicked Game – Chris Isaak

Closer – Nine Inch Nails

A Little Taste – Skyler Stonestreet

Satisfied – Aranda

My Demons – Starset

POWER – Kanye West

Sinner’s Prayer – Sully Erna

Madness – Muse

Personal Jesus – Depeche Mode

Kiss From A Rose – Seal

Shape Of My Heart – Sting

Simply Falling – Iyeoka

What Goes Around…/…Comes Around Interlude – Justin Timberlake

My Immortal – Evanescence

Hurt – Johnny Cash

Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor

Special Cases – Massive Attack

Far Behind – Candlebox

Stepping Stone – Duffy

Wish I Didn’t Miss You – Angie Stone

Empire State of Mind – JAY Z & Alicia Keys

Fix You – Coldplay

Just Like Honey – Jesus and Mary Chain

Bad Things – Jace Everett

Feeling Good – Nina Simone

Is This Real? – Lisahall

Oblivion – M83, Suzanne Sundfor

Lloraras – Oscar D’Leon

Feeling Good – Michael Buble

She Wants To Know – Half Moon Run

Intro – The xx

Stay – Rihanna, Mikky Ekko

Mirrors – Justin Timberlake

Lullaby – The Cure

Feel Good Inc – Gorillaz

Current Book List:

The Barter System

Hudson

Yes to Everything

In the Service of Women

A Little Bit Country - Book One

Damaged

Obsession

The Hermit

Being Delightful

Gravity

Roadside Assistance

Somebody

Permission to Come Aboard - The Great Outdoors

Special Delivery - The Great Outdoors

A Sunny Heart - The Great Outdoors

Embrace the Wild - The Great Outdoors

Ready to Rumble - Love of the Game

Breaking the Ice - Love of the Game

Time to Make the Doughnuts - Love of the Game

Woman's Best Friend

Revenge is Best Served Hot

Compilations:

Just a Little Kilted - with Alexandra Andersen

Just a Little Crazy - with Alexandra Andersen

Just a Little Extra - with Alexandra Andersen

Not a Bride - with Alexandra Andersen

All the Better To - with Christopher Southers

Books Available in Print:

The Barter System

Damaged

Not a Bride - with Alexandra Andersen

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Pieces for You by Genna Rulon- Release day Romp and Review!

Title: Pieces for You (For You #2)
Author: Genna Rulon
Genre: New Adult 18+
Publication Date: December 17, 2013
Cover Designed By: G. Relyea Designs
Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

~ Synopsis ~
"The phoenix hope, can wing her way through the desert skies, and still defying fortune's spite; revive from ashes and rise.” -Miguel de Cervantes

Samantha Whitney survived unimaginable tragedy only to discover she had been betrayed by a man who claimed to love her. Shattered, Sam spends months at a safe haven trying to piece herself back together. Ready or not, the time has come for her to return home.

As Sam struggles to resume a life that no longer feels familiar, she finds unwavering support in an unexpected, familiar face. Confronting Sam’s raw emotions and open wounds head-on, Griffin manages to take two steps forward for every step she retreats.

But when Sam is once again threatened, Griffin must decide how far he is willing to go to protect the woman he wants…knowing the cost of her safety is the risk of losing her.

Pieces For You is a captivating journey of survival, healing, and sacrifice—teeming with honesty, humor, unexpected twists, and love’s unsurpassed endurance.begin to plague Sam, it is Griffin she is forced to turn to.

Though Pieces For You is a part of the For You Series, the book can be read as a stand alone
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Pieces For You by Genna Rulon
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Samantha Whitney has suffered the kind of physical and mental torture that anyone would struggle to recover from. She has returned home after spending some time in a healing facility, but now she has to face the realities of life while struggling to put the pieces of herself back together. Her best friend Everleigh is right there with her along with Hunter and their friend Griffen to support her in any way she needs, but Sam longs to feel like her former independent confident self and not have everyone constantly worrying about her. Griffen has been in love with Samantha for years, but before he could make a move she was dating someone else, and then tragedy struck. He never stopped feeling like she was the one for him, but he was willing to wait for her in the role of supportive friend as long as she needed.

Sam works hard to put herself back together and move forward in her life in a healthy way. Griffen quickly starts stirring feelings in her that she was afraid she would never be able to feel again, but she is scared of getting into a relationship that could trigger her having flashbacks of the severe trauma she experienced. As Griffen stands by willing to be there for Sam in whatever way she needs, she finds herself falling deeper and deeper in love with him. He's beyond hot, smart, and incredibly devoted to making her feel safe. Unfortunately, some new threats and terrors bring more tension and conflict into Sam's life, and she struggles to handle the new threats and fears on top of managing her past traumatic experiences.

It was wonderful to get to spend more time with these characters. I really missed Hunter and Ev after finishing Only For You and was thrilled to get to see how their relationship was progressing and get a look at them from another character's perspective. Sam just became more amazing to me as I got to know her better and see just how hard she was working to move forward in her life and feel like herself again. She exhibited some serious emotional strength, and it was nice to see how she tried to use her experience to help other people. It was incredibly sad to learn more just how terrible her birth family was, but wonderful to see the family she created for herself. Griffen is just a spectacular man, and I think it would be hard to find much about him that was anything but desirable. This book has solidified me as a Genna Rulon fan and I will be eagerly awaiting anything she writes next (perhaps Meg's story…). Her characters are people that I would love to be friends with, and I highly recommend this book. 4.5 stars!

My Review of Only for You

~ About the Author ~
Genna Rulon is an up and coming contemporary romance author.
During her 15 years in the corporate world, Genna, inspired by her love of reading, fantasized about penning her own stories. Encouraged by her favorite authors, many of whom are indie writers and self-published, she committed to pursuing her aspirations of writing her own novels. Genna was raised in Long Island, New York, where she still resides, surrounded by the most amazing family and friends. Married to a wonderful man, who patiently tolerates her ramblings about whichever book she is currently working on, even feigning interest relatively convincingly! Genna is blessed with two little boys who do their best to thwart mommy’s writing time with their hilarious antics and charming extrapolations.

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