Books for the month of May

This month I completed 9 books.  Four of these were audiobooks, this is what I mean about them being an opportunity to increase your reading.  I also managed to cross off 4 more of the PopSugar Challenge prompts.

Left Drowning by Jessica Park
This is an amazing story of how two people overcome difficult pasts and find love and healing in each other, and each other's family. Survival can be so difficult, but finding the right person can help you overcome it and finally be whole again.

Where She Went by Gayle Forman
As the sequel to If I Stay, I loved hearing the aftermath of Mia's recovery and life after from Adam's perspective. such a great love story. 

The Library of Lost Souls by Reign Waters-Gray
This story had some great characters and a good plot. Although for me it was a bit short. I would loved to have had a bit more meat to the story.

The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon
This is another amazing inspirational romance from author Amy Harmon.  This one includes some heart break, a hint of paranormal, and horses.  Georgia is one of the few people who want to help Moses realize he is worth something.  Moses thinks that he isn't worth being loved.  For those who have already read Running Barefoot,  Josie and Samuel make an appearance in this book.

The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
A little confusing, but interesting tale about eight boys journey into the past of Halloween on Halloween.

The Honey Farm by Harriet Alida Lee
This book was intriguing. I loved the characters and the story. There was something not normal going on on the Honey Farm. Although I reached the end of the book and felt like the mystery still hadn't been solved.

How to Catch a Magical by Samuel Thews
Fans of Harry Potter, Supernatural, and other similar series are in for a great read with this book. Andromeda Nyx is like a cross between Harry Potter and the Winchester brothers. This book has excitement at every turn. I hope there are more books to follow.

The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis
This is a great story for kids.  It has many good lessons in it.  A good allegory for the creation story from the bible.

Zodiac by Robert Graysmith
I decided to read this book after watching a TV series about the Zodiac. I recently discovered an interest in unsolved serial murders like the Zodiac and Jack the Ripper. I don't often read nonfiction, but found this one very enjoyable. It was very informative.

Cover Reveal for Dane by K. Webster

Dane

A Taboo Treat by K Webster Publication Date: October 8, 2018 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, M/M, Romance

From USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes a new MM standalone novel! I’m used to being in charge. In the courtroom. In life. In the bedroom. But then I met him. He brings me literally to my knees. Handsome. Charismatic. Sexy as hell. He’s everything I desperately crave to possess. I’m burning to get him beneath me just to have a taste. Turns out, though, one taste isn’t enough. And he’s starved for me too. Two alphas fighting for dominance. He thrives on control and I can’t give it up. A battle of wills. The bedroom is the battlefield and our hearts are on the line.

About K. Webster

K Webster is the author of dozens romance books in many different genres including contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, and erotic romance. When not spending time with her husband of twelve years and two adorable children, she’s active on social media connecting with her readers. Her other passions besides writing include reading and graphic design. K can always be found in front of her computer chasing her next idea and taking action. She looks forward to the day when she will see one of her titles on the big screen.

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The Songs That Brought Me Back Cover Reveal

Coming December 4th

The Songs That Brought Me Back by Mylissa Demeyere

  Have you ever made a mistake? One so monumental you lost everything? I did, and I hate myself for it! All I want to do is close my eyes, and let the darkness consume me. Make it all go away. The end. Ainsley is drowning in the depth of her despair. One wrong decision left her alone, with only regret as her constant companion. To escape it all, she makes another choice. One she hopes will end everything. Instead, she’s thrown into a whole new world filled with opportunities she doesn’t believe she deserves. Ethan gives the appearance of breezing through life. But underneath his bright facade, he’s scarred by loss. When fate leads him into Ainsley’s world at the exact moment she needs someone the most, he can’t ignore the chance to right the wrongs of his past. Ainsley and Ethan will struggle to help each other heal and start anew. They’ll learn that the secret to conquering their pain lies within their power, if only they can do it together. Always together. Sometimes the ending is really the beginning.    
  What Readers are Saying: A heartfelt romance with a powerful message about the sanctity of human life. If you've ever simply needed a friend, The Songs That Brought Me Back will resonate--and leave you thankful for the people in your life. -Taylor Dean, author of I’m With You and Chasing Fireflies.   Another remarkable read by Mylissa Demeyere. Ethan and Ainsley had me laughing and crying as they face their own demons and fall in love while doing it. This book adds even more depth as it confronts suicide head on. Suicide has become an epidemic that some are afraid to address; Demeyere brings it to light from both the victims and the survivors giving us insight on the struggles of so many. It does not disappoint and I, again, am excited to see what comes next from this talented writer. – Amazon Reviewer   A beautiful sequel to The Songs of You and Me that cleverly illustrates that there are always two sides to every story and that it is never too late for love to overcome any challenge. – Amazon Reviewer   “This poignant redemption story about second chances and forgiveness yanked my emotions all over the place. I cried, I yearned, I hoped. A beautiful story about what true love is and does.” - Charissa Stastny, author of Between Hope and the Highway and The Ruled Out Romance Series   Author Mylissa Demeyere Mylissa Demeyere was born in Belgium, and resides in the beautiful city of Ghent. She lives in a somewhat organized home with her four beautiful children and the love of her life. If she isn’t working, she’s writing, running, reading, or enjoying time with her kids, who are growing up way too fast. The Songs That Brought Me Back is her second novel in The Songs Series, with a third book releasing in the middle of 2019.

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$25 Amazon Gift Code or $25 in PayPal Cash Ends 10/9/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can Dreams Come True by Krysten Lindsay Hager

"Sometimes I feel like everyone else got this handbook on how to fit in and I was sick that day." Cecily Taylor

If you are looking for a good clean romance, the kind where the small-town nobody girl gets the famous pop-star guy, have I got the book for you.  Can Dreams Come True? by Krysten Lindsay Hager is a beautiful story.  It would be perfect for teenage girls who want to read romances.  It is a completely clean book.  There is no foul language, no sex, honestly as I think about it, there isn't even make out scenes.  There is some kissing, but nothing heavy.  The story is super sweet.

Cecily is your every day all American girl.  She isn't super popular, but not a real outcast either.  She is true to herself, and doesn't try to fake it to make friends.  Which is probably why her friend Harlow asked her to go with her to a private audition to be in a music video.

For a famous pop-star, Andrew Holiday actually seemed really down to earth.  I loved how genuine he seemed.  He and Cecily seemed to have effortless conversations, and so much in common with one another.

I felt like this book totally got what high school felt like for me, well minus the dating a celebrity part.  How scary it can be starting to think about your future.  The drama that is dating, and teenage girls.  I felt like I could have easily been Cecily.  I truly enjoyed this book.

April Books

In April my reading seemed to slow.  I finished 8 books this month, and only marked off one prompt for the PopSugar Challenge.

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
This is a great coming of age story about a group of kids in their senior  year.  I felt that it really captured the struggles of the last year of high school.

The Nightengale by Kristin Hannah
This book does not fall into my typical genres, I read it because it was a buddy read for my book club.  I am glad I read it.  It is very well written.  It is very informative about life in France during WWII.  I admired the characters Isabelle and Vienne for how they stood against the Nazis in their own way to save others.

Slenderman by Willow Rose
This book was very interesting.  I was very impressed by the author.  There are so many different points of view.  It had to be difficult to write them all.

PS I Love You y Cecelia Ahern
I read this book after watching the movie. I loved the movie, I also loved the book. However, be prepared as there are many differences between the book and the movie. Still an incredible story of helping a loved one get over the loss of another. So romantic, heartbreaking, and beautiful.

Running Barefoot
This book is an amazing inspirational romance.  Josie and Samuel become friends on the bus to and from school.  Josie feels like it is something more, but there is a bit of an age difference, and Samuel thinks she is too young. Another amazing coming of age story.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
In this book we follow Mia while she relives her life while she watches the people who care for her rally around her while she is in a coma.  It makes you wonder if this could be something people who are in a coma go through.  Reliving good times and bad, so many different memories and experiences.  An amazing story.

Wildfell by London Clarke
This book was intense. A little bit of romance, some murder and paranormal activity, plus a whole lot of suspense. It had me on the edge of my seat. Love joining Anne on her adventure surviving Wildfell. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

Give Me Yesterday by K. Webster and Elle Christensen
When the prologue of a book breaks your heart it makes you wonder how the rest of the book will be.  This book happened to be amazing.  Carefully putting my heart back together, breaking it again, and then finally healing it.  This book was full of so many amazing feels.

Let Me In by Jordan Bates

Um, wow! Alexa has just moved to Atlanta to start a new job in the field she went to school for.  He husband, Adam, is supposed to come and join her just as soon as he finishes his work in California.  A key piece of info here, he got a job in Atlanta before she did, her's just started first.  She gets to work with her BFF, she gets offered a promotion in under a month, then Adam finally shows up and drops the biggest, worst possible bomb on her ever.

What happens in the rest of the book will have you swooning, crying (tears of joy and sad tears too), and get quite possibly get you a little worked up.  This book seems to have it all.  The sweetest, most romantic moments you could ever imagine; a bit of a forbidden romance (I mean not just her boss, but the owner!?!); and all types of sex.

This book has characters you fall in love with, others that you love to hate.  You get so lost in the world the author has created.  Alexa is such a lovable character, she battles with self confidence a little, but knows what her career goals are.  Max, he is like a dream man, he will do everything in his power to make Alexa happy and keep her safe.  This is the second book I have read by Jordan Bates, and she is quickly becoming a one-click author for me.  I just need to read them all.

Let Me In - One Year Pubiversary Sale

Hi All,  I wanted to send out an extra post this week to celebrate.  Author Jordan Bates book Let Me In is celebrating it's one year Pubiversary September 24th!!!!  To celebrate it is on sale for just $0.99 for a limited time.  Make sure you check back again later today for my review.

Let Me In by Jordan Bates

Limited time .99c Sale from September 20-September 27 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2eZoAza

Available on Kindle Unlimited

Add to TBR: http://bit.ly/LMIGoodreads

Blurb:

Love

It was something I thrived on once. Something that I longed to have in my life every day, and when I found it at a young age, I clung to it. I snatched up the boy as fast as I could, intending to make him mine forever.

Commitment

I never expected my marriage to turn out the way it did. I never expected for my husband to let me go. For that love that I had invested in to come crumbling down around me. Something that once gave me such great joy. 

Him

After the pieces of myself broke, I was surprised to find a man who was willing to pick them up, to catch me as I fell. What he wanted from me though, I didn’t know if I could give him. All he wanted was for me to let him in.

Excerpt:

“Your handwriting is immaculate.” Max startled me as he knelt down next to me. I shifted myself away from him, without trying to seem rude. I still wasn’t over the fact that he had been so forthright with his intentions of taking me out the other night. I made sure there was enough space between us for him to get the message.

“Look.” I tried to start writing again, but Max continued to speak. “I’m sorry for the way I acted. I didn’t mean to come on so strong. There’s just something about you. Something that drew me to you.” 

I ignored him and kept writing. He didn’t move. We sat in silence while everyone else moved around us. I came to the end of the chapter I was plotting out and put my pen down. Max wasn’t going anywhere, so why not get everything worked out? 

“Thank you for the apology.” I said it to my paper, not wanting to look at Max. I didn’t think I could handle another smug smile from him. 

“I didn’t know you were a writer.” Max said it with shock in his voice.

I laughed a little at Max’s comment. He didn’t know anything about me. “You don’t really know anything about me.” I looked up at him now. There wasn’t a smug look on his face. No. It was clear he was upset.

“You’re right.” He moved so that he was fully facing me, one knee propped in the air, an arm resting on it. His other hand lay perfectly on the ground next to me, holding him up. “So, tell me what I need to know.”

And that was it. That statement and the look on his face were all I needed to know—that I should steer clear of Max Wellington. 

About the Author:

Jordan Bates is an up and coming romance author from Florida, who is determined to write loves that last and are true to everyone who reads them.

Jordan graduated from UCF with a degree in English - Creative Writing. She has been writing since her freshman year in high school, where she finished her first and second book. Since then, she has pursued writing poetry, young adult novels, and romance novels.

When Jordan isn't working or writing, you can find her looking for inspiration among the forests, and finding all the new food to eat. Because what's better than writing? Eating an amazing burrito.

Connect with the Author:

Facebook: Http://Facebook.com/AuthorJordanBates

Reader Group: Http://Facebook.com/groups/jordanswildhearts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjordanbates/

Amazon: Https://www.amazon.com/author/jordanbates

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AuthorJordanBates

Book+Main: http://bit.ly/JordanBatesBookMain

Website: http://bit.ly/JordanBatesAuthor

Check out this new release!!!

The Soldier and the Siren, A Wolf Shifter Fantasy Romance

by Lorelei Moone Shifters of Black Isle, #2 Publication Date: September 20, 2018 Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Shifters, Novella, Standalone

AVAILABLE NOW!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2OxHPiO

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2w78FqC

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Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2waltw6

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Google Play: http://bit.ly/2MgA2cz

SYNOPSIS:

He’s the enemy. Our union is forbidden. That’s why I have to have him. Liliwen has all she could wish for, yet her sheltered life as Princess under the Seas leaves her unfulfilled. She goes rogue and travels to the enemy’s territory. When she sees him, she knows he’s a rare specimen. A soldier with many a battle scar. She ought to flee… but the challenge is on. Can she chisel through his defenses and seduce the enemy? Even though she risks losing her heart, or even her life, in the process?

She’s the enemy. I ought to capture the spy and throw her in the dungeon. Teaq, as General of Black Isle’s armies, has always led a life of all work and no play. Being passed over as his younger brother took the throne left him disgruntled and bitter. All this changes when he finds a mermaid in the waters surrounding his territory. Something about her enchants and awakens feelings in him which he never thought he’d have. A ray of hope lighting up the darkness in his heart.

Their meeting makes them rethink their allegiances. The war that has raged between their people, seems nothing more than a pointless squabble with neither beginning nor end in sight. But in a world so dangerous and fragile, beauty rarely lasts. If discovered, their love would spell the end for both of them.

The Soldier and the Siren is the second installment in Lorelei Moone’s brand new fantasy romance series, Shifters of Black Isle. Shifters, magic and relatable characters; set in a mysterious, distant land, where anything seems possible, and yet all its inhabitants hold dear could be destroyed in an instant. One-click now and find out what all the fuss is about!

EXCERPT

He should have caught her. Of course he should have.

Teaq knew he'd made a mistake, technically. But then why had it felt so right to let her go?

Their little encounter had stayed with him throughout the evening. After she'd left, he made his way back to the longship and sailed back to Black Mountain and the castle he called home. Even knowing that there was no chance she'd lingered around all these hours, he still caught himself scanning the waters for any sign of her.

What a magical being. Such beauty and grace. And yet such naivety.

She'd come to see the birds.

Teaq, just like the rest of his people, had lived with a constant threat of war all his life. The Sea Folk were a fierce enemy who could strike at any moment.

They considered the seas to be their domain. And of course, the Black Isles were surrounded by vast amounts of water, which the Sea Folk sought to dominate.

And then this young woman had come along, and told him she'd arrived on their shores just to see the birds.

Had she never seen birds before? He'd never seen a Mermaid before, so perhaps not. Perhaps they didn't travel like their male counterparts did.

Perhaps she'd run off from her own people to go on a little expedition of her own.

She'd seemed enterprising enough, as well as surprisingly fearless for an unarmed intruder. When she'd reached for him and grazed his arm with her fingers, Teaq had wondered for a moment if that was it. If she was hiding some secret weapon or spell that would turn him to dust at her touch.

But actually, she'd just been curious. How laughable. Laughable and in equal measures adorable as well.

He never thought he'd think this way about one of the enemy, but this Mermaid had seemed completely innocent. As if there was no war. And their people hadn't murdered each other over these rocks in the sea for generations now.

But the inconvenient truth was that they had. And what had occurred earlier on the shores of the Eastern Isle while nobody had been watching was an act of treason on both their parts.

Of course, nobody needed to know that.

Teaq was a man of few words usually. Keeping a secret, even one this big, would not be a problem for him. Hopefully she'd be equally discreet and her people wouldn't be on the warpath as a result of their interaction.

As soon as the ship arrived at the Harbor of Black Mountain, Teaq left the crew to their own devices and headed straight for his chambers in the castle. He didn't even see Broc to announce their arrival, or the report on the outcome of the hunt.

All of that stuff suddenly did not seem important anymore.

Teaq, despite his serious, almost cynical nature, was caught in the Mermaid's spell.

He simply could not forget their meeting, however short.

It wasn't just a passing infatuation either. He knew that he would carry these thoughts with him for the foreseeable future. There would be only one remedy: he had to see her again.

Would he, though?

Would she ever come back?

He himself didn't have any reason to return to the Eastern Isle any time soon, and it wasn't even very far for him. She had travelled all the way from the Deep, where the Sea Folk had made their home.

Unusually, he was feeling optimistic. Something told him that indeed, she would make the effort again. And as long as he made sure he returned to that same spot regularly, and kept any nosy onlookers at bay, they would meet again.

ABOUT LORELEI MOONE

Lorelei Moone is an author of paranormal / fantasy romance based in London. A lover of all things sweet, and caffeinated, when she’s not writing about sexy bear shifters and their strong-willed curvaceous love interests, Lorelei can be found baking cookies or cakes for her family.

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Holding on to Hurt by Charlotte Roth

So I recently finished one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful books I have read this year.  Holding on to Hurt by Charlotte Roth is told from the perspective of a mother who's son was shot in a school shooting and is now in an induced coma in ICU.  The loss she is experiencing even though he isn't technically dead.  The struggles and fights between her and her husband about whether to keep hoping, or just give up.  The information she learns about what happened prior to the event.  Truly a story about love, hope, life, and heartache.

This book held such incredible insight to what she was going through.  This is something I have never, and hope to never experience, but now have a new understanding, and compassion for those who have or are experiencing.  I admire the strength of authors who take a subject that is as difficult to talk about such as school shootings, and create beautiful novels about them.

So if this sounds like something you might be interested in please Head to Amazon to purchase this book.

The Books of March

This month I celebrated another birthday.  I suppose I have reached the age where the number no longer matters.  It's just another year, I survived more tough times, and laughed through some good times.  This month I did manage to finish 11 books, and cross 5 more prompts off of the PopSugar Challenge list.  I am really proud of myself for finishing this many books while working 40+ hours a week.  I did work a few overnight shift which helped, and 2 of the books were audiobooks.  I am telling you if you find yourself short on reading time, but have lots of driving time, you should look into audiobooks if you aren't already listening to them.

Butterfly Suicide by Mary Ann Loesch
This is an amazing tale of survival after a school shooting.  Told from the perspectives of the shooter's brother and a victim's sister.  It was very impressive and touching.  School shootings make the news when they happen, but what about the lives of the community after.  This book shed some light on the aftermath of a shooting.  It really opened my eyes to how we have a tendency to hold one persons actions against their whole family.  This book amazed me.  The author to a difficult subject and created a work of art.

Operation Fit-ish by Shannon Myers
If you are looking for a great romantic comedy look no further.  Dakota gets dumped just weeks before her wedding.  She decides not to let life get her down.  She also is not afraid to be herself.  She meets her personal trainer, Zane, and things go crazy from there.  So much happens in this story, I couldn't put it down.  It was such a fun read.  Looking forward to reading the next book in the series and checking out other books by this author.

The Mask Maker by Jody Summers
In this book we join Sean and Kira as the set out on a new adventure.  Both of their abilities are growing, with Sean developing new ones after he meets his biological father.  The parts of the story about the holocaust and death camps written from the perspective of a Jew were a little hard to read.  Those passages were so well researched and written, that you almost felt like you were the one experiencing it.  I loved the second book in the Dark Canvas series by Jody Summers.  I hope there are more books in the future.

Rise of the Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz
In this book we not only rejoin Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos, but we meet some of the other kids from the Isle of the Lost.  Once again it is a great story about how being good is a choice.  If you have seen both of the Descendants movies, but not yet read this book or the second book in the series, you might have felt a bit lost.  This book leads us into the second movie.  I hope they continue writing books for this series, even if they don't make more movies.  This whole series has been incredible.  Such a great series of books for kids.

The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred
This book was absolutely captivating.  Following the life of the character Alix from her childhood through adulthood from her point of view.  I was amazed by how well the author captured childhood innocence as well as the emotions of adulthood.  This book was so well written.  First love, given a second chance; community secrets; and the south come together to spin an amazing tale.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
While I haven't always been a fan of historical fiction, I really enjoyed this holocaust story.  Prior to this I had only read the Diary of Anne Frank.  So it was interesting to look at it from a German's point of view.  Learning what life was like for them.  The main character, Liesel, enjoys life with her foster parents.  She learns to read with the help of her foster dad.  Then she reads to others in the bomb shelters to help keep them calm.  It was interesting following the life of Liesel.  I loved the author's choice of narrator.

Whispers in the Dark by LeTeisha Newton
At the beginning of this book it didn't think I would be able to finish it. It was so dark, so wrong. But I am glad I pushed on. Once I made it through the original event and torture, the love story that began to unfold grabbed me. It's a strange love, but it works for them.

The Giver by Lois Lowry
This is set in a dystopian future where everything is the same.  Jonas has lived his life not knowing anything different.  That is until he is chosen to be the Receiver of Memories.  He learns that things weren't always the same.  He learns about colors, animals, weather, and love.  With all of these new memories, he begins to question the sameness of his world.  Should people be given choice, or is it better to take away free will?  A great book to make you think.

Brownie Points for Murder by Nicole Ellis
This book was everything you could want in a cozy mystery. Jill, a stay-at home mom of two, who's husband travels often for work, attempts to solve the mystery of her neighbor's murder to clear her pregnant sister-in-law.  There were several plot twists, and it keeps you guessing.  I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Open House by Elizabeth Berg
I loved this audiobook. such a great story told from the perspective of a middle-aged woman who's husband leaves her. The things she goes through in the aftermath help her become herself. I am not going through the same situation at all,but I am going through personal struggles. it helped me realize that things aren't as bad as they may seem. A good book to help you realize that not matter how bad things seem, you will be okay.

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
This book was quite the mystery.  I really felt the title was not at all fitting.  It actually had me a bit confused as I read the book.  The over all mastermind did surprise me.  Overall, the book was fairly well written, with a good pace, and characters.  It was an okay book.  I don't think I will be reading any other books by this author.