Now Available!!!!! My One Despair by Claudia Burgoa

Title: My One Despair

Author: Claudia Burgoa

Genre: Romance/Women's Fiction

Release Date: November 1, 2018

Blurb

Once, they shared one soul. Can hope heal years of despair and broken dreams?

Music is all I know. It saved me as a kid. It brings me fame and fortune now. But what am I, the famous Gage Rodin, doing at night when I’m on the road and can’t sleep? Googling her. Tess Hades, the girl who still haunts my dreams and my lyrics.

She arrived like a quiet storm, a wild thing with eyes guarded to the world. But she let me into the deep end of her beautifully broken soul. When we were together, life was simple. When my life got complicated, she did what she thought was the right thing. She let me go.

While she’s been out saving the wild creatures of the world, my muse has fed on the memory of our life together. But now everything in my world is shifting again, and not in a good way. I’m not certain I have the strength to bear another devastating loss, so I find myself reaching for something as rare and elusive as the perfect song lyric.

The one woman who never gave up hope…

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Author Bio

Claudia is an award-winning, international bestselling author. She lives in Colorado, working for a small IT. She has three children and manages a chaotic household of three confused dogs, and a wonderful husband who shares her love of all things geek. To survive she works continually to find purpose for the voices flitting through her head, plus she consumes high quantities of chocolate to keep the last threads of sanity intact. 

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Just For Me Reads- October

I feel that for those of you who take the time to read my blog to get the most out of it, then I need to provide you with reviews of everything I have read each month.  Some times just a couple sentences from someone who has already read a book can really help make or break a book.  The purpose of my blog is to share my thoughts on books I have read to help other readers find books they will love.

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
Was confused at first by the different points of view. I loved how they slowly intertwined until they all took their spot in the central plot.  I read this book as a buddy read for my book club.

Columbine by Dave Cullen
I was a junior in high school when Columbine happened. I found this book very informative about the event. It is well written, and the audiobook is easy to listen to. I am so glad I listened to this book. I used this for a prompt on the PopSugar Reading Challenge.

A Good Marriage by Stephen King
I think I had read Stephen King before, but it was probably close to 20 years ago. So seeing as I am not a huge fan of Horror, but love thrillers, I thought I would give it a try. I loved the storyline, and the idea. However, I feel like it had the potential to be so much more than what it was. It just didn't feel complete to me. Don't get me wrong, it has a beginning, a middle, and an end, I just felt that it needed more. 

Of Triton by Anna Banks
Picking up where Of Poseidon left off, this book again delivered an amazing story involving Emma, Galen, and their families. I loved how they worked together to help change the minds of the archives. This story shows how times change and our laws and ways of life have to change with the times. Looking forward to book 3!!!


Final Girls by Riley Sager
This book really kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. A really great thriller. The shocking twist and the real murderer completely blew me away. This was a book I had a really hard time putting down and thoroughly enjoyed. So glad my book group read this book. It was great for discussion with friends.


Books I read that have their own post:
Speak of the Devil by Britney King posted 10/10/18
The Wrong Game by Kandi Steiner posted 10/17/18
Lost in the Shadows by J.S. Green posted 10/20/18
Heath by K Webster and Nikki Ash posted 10/25/18
My One Despair by Claudia Burgoa posted 11/1/18

Cover Reveal: Side Show by Gigi Birtie

Title: Side Show

Series: Lust & Chrome Duet #1

Author: Gigi Birtie

Genre: NA Romance

Release Date: November 13, 2018 Cover Design: Maria at Steamy Designs

Sloane Nova Cates always knew when restoring a classic muscle car that there was nothing more she would want than to see it put others to shame on the city streets of Oakland California. 

It is Sloane's senior year in high school and this year of course was going to be different, with her older brother Reese away at college Sloane is finally not under his watchful eye. Sloane would be able to have more freedom to talk to who she wants, and most importantly date who she wants but she never guessed that she would fall for a guy who went to school with her over protective brother, who happened to play college football together. 

Sloane also never knew who she'd meet at these side shows or how it would change her life forever. She would come to find out what type of trouble in wanting a boyfriend would bring her, and how a past mistake will threaten to take it all away.

As I squeezed through the crowd and bellied up to the bar I was asked what I wanted right away.  The bartender came back with my beer, I threw him a twenty and called it good.

He smiled at me with a wink and I knew I was blushing, so I took a big gulp of my Pilsner. 

Just as I was looking for Mona, I saw him. 

He looked even better up close, as I was only a few feet away now, than earlier tonight at the strip. He was staring at me with those amazing green eyes. 

I felt frozen in place and couldn't move. I couldn't look away either. All I did was stand there and stare like an idiot with a stupid grin on my face, I'm sure! 

How mortifying. 

The one time, I see a man that I find remotely gorgeous, and I start to act like an idiot, but he seems to be getting closer so that means he's coming my way. I know I'm not moving as I've never been more rooted in place in all my life. 

“Hey, I saw you earlier tonight in that kick ass 442 right?” He says as he leans into me, since it's so loud with the music blaring. 

I'm completely blank out, all I can do is smell how wonderful he is and take in his features as he leans back from me. 

He puts his hand on my hip and leans in again. 

“Are you alright? Have you been roofied? Blink if you've been brought here against your will.” He smirks at me with the lopsided smile.

I shake my head snapping out of the fog he put me in and laugh at my stupidity. 

“Yes, that was me in the Olds, and no I have not been brought here against my will.” I say with a half laugh. 

Could I look more like a lame stain right now. It just goes to show you that I'm inept with flirting or attention coming from a man that I find attractive. 

“You know you're really skilled at spinning brodies! To my surprise it was a chick doing it too!” 

“What is that supposed to mean?” I glare at him. 

Like girls don't know how to spin donuts. 

“It's not bad, I'm just not use to seeing that.” He gives me his full blinding white smile. 

I couldn't help but smile back. 

“So, is that your boyfriend’s car?”

I laughed as soon as he said that. Being a woman that owns a classic car, you will get asked that every time you meet someone new. Like it's impossible that a woman would have interest in the classics all on her own. I try not to ever get mad when it happens, but sometimes I'm just not in the mood, but tonight I'm in the mood to keep this conversation going.

As a writer and photographer for publication such as magazines, television and radio, I find it easy to write an article or a jingle, but I always longed to write a romance novel. To have a challenge that’s longer than five hundred words. To really dive deep into all emotions that one gets from reading a killer novel. I can only hope I’m doing it right so that people will enjoy and feel the raw grit that I draw from in my personal experiences, that I indeed put into my work.

Though I’m starting this adventure late in my career I’m confident that this has always been the right choice and I’m thankful I finally grew a pair to make it happen. Once I started there was no stopping this crazy train! 

A few tidbits about myself is I love classic cars, motorcycles, going on crazy motorcycle runs, photography, writing and my puppy Bowie Brexlee Birtie, my dude of fifteen years, Mr Birtie who is a huge supporter of all the crazy things I get into, and of course I love reading romance novels!! Definitely not in that order. My girl Bowie is my number one above all things. She listens to all my book ideas, which basically makes her my writing partner. This is just some of what makes me who I am and I hope we all can form a rad writer/reader relationship!

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Halloween reads for the whole family!

Looking for some Halloween themed reads for you, your children, or your grandkids?  Here are some available for free from Amazon!!!  I haven't checked them all out yet, but they look pretty good, and you can't beat free!

 Happy Halloween for Little Pumpkin

In a field, there was a little pumpkin who can’t grow up like its siblings. Halloween night is coming. Everybody wants big pumpkins.

What will happen to our Little pumpkin?

 The Twelve Trick-or-Treats of Halloween

"For the first trick-or-treat of Halloween
My best friend gave to me
A pumpkin in a spooky tree."
Join along for some Halloween fun as a special boy receives Trick-or-Treats from his best friend. Count all of the different recognizable Halloween objects & characters, from 1 - 12. Inspired by Frederic Austin's "The Twelve Days of Christmas", you and your child can sing along!

 Harry's Spooky Surprise!

Harry's Spooky Surprise is set around Halloween. Harry needs to visit his friends at night time to collect items from them for a very special reason! Harry learns that there is no reason to be afraid of the dark, and the importance of saying 'Thank You!'.

 Donald Duck's Halloween Scream!

Classic Disney haunts are home for the howl-iday! In "It's In the Bag" and "Public Ugly #1," trick-or-treating Donald scares up a literal ton of candy... then is forced to get rid of it by fair means or foul!

 Mr. Boggarty the Halloween Grump

Mr. Boggarty is the neighborhood's grumpy old man. He doesn't even hand out Halloween candy. Trixie Cole and her friends are determined to teach Mr. Boggarty a lesson in Halloween etiquette. Little did they know that it would be them learning not only the true meaning of Halloween, but also the importance of helping others.

Oooh, went the wind...and out went the light...
Then out came the ghost....on Halloween night!

Mr. Boggarty the Halloween Grump! A great book choice for fans of Roald Dahl, author of The Witches & James and the Giant Peach, Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline, or Barbara Robinson, author of The Best Halloween Ever.

 The Boo Club 1: The Haunted Mansion

A group of four young children known as the Boo Club set out for an adventure on Halloween night. Milly, Spider, Jan, and Sam live in the town of Hauntsville, an unordinary town filled with many mysteries. Dressed as matching ghosts, they take off on their bicycles into the night. The Boo Club comes across a spooky old house while trick-or-treating and decides to explore. Inside, they find a thrill that they never expected.

 Halloween Hayride Murder

Tessa Schmidt was floating through life after losing her husband Peter in a car accident until her parents convinced her to return to her hometown of Shady Lake. Moving back to the small town in Minnesota where she grew up provides a welcome retreat as she helps run the B&B where her parents live while hanging out at her best friend Mandy's donut shop. She has even started to go out on a few dates, mostly with her high school boyfriend, Max and the new teacher in town, Clark.
With the annual Halloween Hayride coming up, Tessa is excited to be part of the committee that runs the town's largest fundraiser. Everything is going great, until Earl Stone tries to personally profit from it.

As everyone tries to make sure the Hayride is on track, Tessa finds something that really might shut it down for good: someone murdered Earl in the field where the Hayride takes place. And they did it by running him over with the Halloween Hayride!

Can Tessa figure out who killed Earl and get the Halloween Hayride back on track before it's too late?

 Halloween at The Graff

Starting over at thirty-two is never fun, especially in a town the size of a postage stamp. Chasing that with having to beg for a job she’s wildly over-qualified for and Walker Wilder’s pride is really burned. But now that she’s the new events director for the historic Montana Graff Hotel, she’s tasked with creating buzz and traditions to fill rooms during the off-season. Halloween may not scream touristy, but hiring a spirit-hunting TV crew will definitely grab some headlines... But when the sexy spirit hunter shows up, he haunts more than her dreams.

Calum Quest is done. He’s created an entertainment empire by chasing something he’s never seen and is tired of asking questions with no answers. His life has been defined by ghosts he needs to exorcise, yet, when a red-haired, grey-eyed beauty with a body that melts his mind pours him a double shot of Laphroaig whiskey and challenges him to one more round, how can he say no?

The Witches Big Night

The Halloween witch in this story is very perturbed by the visitors who come to her door. No candy for them, instead she offers spiders, smelly dead fish, or a handful of worms. She’s scary and grumpy. Her frustration stems from the fact that not one of the trick-or-treaters has the gumption to trick her, except for one kindly skunk. A tub of bobbing apples does the trick. How he does it is for you to find out.

This one is not free, it is currently listed on Amazon for $2.99.  I wanted to include it though, because I loved reading it to my kids.  They really enjoyed it too.

Hope you find a great Halloween read!  Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Review: Heath by K Webster and Nikki Ash

From Goodreads:

This isn’t a typical love story. This is a story of what happens when love is so powerful and all-consuming that it has the ability to destroy everyone involved. It’s definitely not pretty and it’s certainly not a fairytale, but it’s their story and it couldn’t be told any other way. 

My Thoughts:

Let me start by saying the description above, taken from Goodreads, is absolutely perfect.  It is everything I want to say about this book.  So I have read many books by K Webster.  She is currently one of my favorite authors.  If you haven't read anything by her yet, you need to.  NOW!!!!…….Are you still reading this?  Why didn't you go get one of her books yet?  I mean she is crazy amazing.  This collaboration with Nikki Ash is no exception.  Until now, I hadn't read anything by Nikki Ash, but after reading this, I know I need to remedy that.  These two authors worked together to weave and incredible tale of love, heartbreak, revenge, and greed that spans three generations.

This amazing story has it all.  I think every character in the story has at least one chapter from their point of view.  There have been many books in the past where having so many different points of view made the story line a little hard to follow at points.  However, in this case, it took what was an already amazing story and blew it out of the water.  Being able to know what exactly was going on with each character at different key points of the story really helped pull me in.

There is so much amazing love experienced in this story.  There is also pain, and heartbreak.  There were times that if I had been reading a physical copy instead of on my Kindle I probably would have thrown the book across the room.  Since I was reading on my Kindle I had to settle for slamming my Kindle cover and walking away.  I was completely amazed with how these authors were able to take me from loving a character and hoping he gets the girl, to hating him so completely.

If you are looking for a romance that is different from your typical romance I cannot recommend this one strongly enough.  It isn't a forbidden romance, it's not even enemies-to-lovers, for that matter I honestly couldn't tell you which romance trope this book would fall in.  All I can say is that it is mind blowing, amazing, and will have you completely invested in the story being told.  

August

I read 7 books in August this year.  Three of those were audiobooks, and 2 fulfilled PopSugar Challenge Prompts.

Where I Lost Her by T. Greenwood
This book tells an emotional tale. I found it when searching for a thriller, and felt like it was more of a mystery than a thriller. Still a good story and I am glad that I listened to it.

A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle
This book took me a little bit to get into. I kind of had to make myself read it. However around the middle of the book it pulled me in and kept me interested to the end. 

The Memory Box by Eva Lesko Natiello
This book was intense, and messed up. I absolutely loved it. If you need a thriller that will keep you on your toes and saying WTF regularly this is the book for you.

Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward

This book spins an incredible tale about a misunderstood boy and the girl who wants to understand him and help him. There's one problem though, he's her stepbrother. She isn't supposed to fall in love with him. He isn't supposed to feel the same. This is a forbidden love story as it's greatest. I absolutely loved the characters. Elec is the definition of a bad boy persona, but wait until you really get to know him. Greta wants to make her stepbrother's arrival an year of living with them as pleasant as she can, but he fights her in the beginning. The way Greta gains Elec's trust and uncovers the truth of his painful life is amazing. This romance is forbidden, there's second chances, enemies to lovers, it just has it all. 

Friction by Sandra BrownThis book was a good mystery with some romance. There's suspense, and times when you just don't want to stop reading it.

The Wild by K. Webster
This is a taboo romance. Banned from sale on Amazon. At first it was a little awkward. However, in typical K. Webster style, this book pulled me in and kept me hooked. Be warned if you chose to read this book, it has a warning in the beginning for a reason. If you think you are strong enough to make it through then know it is so worth it. There is so much I could say, and want to say about this book, but it is so much better to go into this book blind.

Either Side of Midnight by Tori de ClareThis book starts of with a bang, then slows down before picking up the pace again. Once it finally hooks you it doesn't let go. I look forward to reading the next book.

Lost in The Shadows by J.S. Green

Blurb

It's not uncommon for people to go missing in a vast and wild place like Alaska. But in a rainy forest just south of Juneau, it seems to happen more often than usual.

'Don't go hiking in the woods around Shadow Creek.' That's what parents in the small town of Kane have told their teenagers for nearly a hundred years. Because if ever a place deserves its name, Shadow Creek does. The trees grow taller and closer together than elsewhere, casting the forest into deep gloom. Ferns and shrubs seem to swallow trails and mosses cover everything else.

Shadow Creek is a beautiful and tempting place, but there's also something menacing about it. Everyone in town knows the story of the Witch of Shadow Creek, although few suspect it's anything more than "just a story."

When Jack Strader and his dad move from California to reopen the Shadow Creek Lodge, they're just looking for a change – a change of scenery, and a change of pace. But Jack's about to find out that Shadow Creek is a place where the border between this world and the next is sometimes thin.

My Thoughts

This book has an intriguing mystery to it.  I enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on.  With hints of paranormal, no real violence, no erotic scenes, or foul language this is a great mystery for anyone who enjoys a young adult story.  

Jake felt like your fairly typical teenage boy.  He wasn't thrilled with his dad for moving him to Alaska.  He was a little reckless, and best of all he enjoyed nature.

I will say this book didn't hook me.  It's a great book, and I am so glad I read it.  However, if you are looking for something that reaches out, grabs you, and you just can't put down, this isn't it.  I read it slowly over the course of a few weeks.  It was nice to pick up as a change of pace after finishing some of those fast moving, can't put down reads.

Exerpt reveal: Heath by K Webster and Nikki Ash

Heath

by K Webster and Nikki Ash Publication Date: October 25, 2018 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

This isn’t a typical love story. This a story of what happens when love is so powerful and all-consuming that it has the ability to destroy everyone involved. It’s definitely not pretty and it’s certainly not a fairytale, but it’s their story and it couldn’t be told any other way.

Read an Excerpt

“Heath…” My name is called out sweetly from somewhere nearby. Just down the hallway outside my room. I quickly tug off my tie and pull it from my neck. She calls for me again and I all but rip my dress shirt off me. I kick off my shoes and crack my neck. I’m coming, Catrina. I leave my undershirt and slacks on as I slip out of the room on a hunt for her. In just my socks, I creep down the hallways quiet as the mouse she claims I am. Floorboards creak nearby and I pause mid-step. Listening. Inhaling the air. I catch whiff of her lingering scent. Some sweet-smelling lotion that I love to lick straight from her skin. My mouth salivates for a taste. Salty and sweet. Mine. “Achoo!” A sniffle and then, “Shit!” I rush into the room across from hers. Hunter’s old room. It’s long been stripped to a regular guest room. “I know you’re in here, my love,” I say lowly from the doorway. Now she’s quiet as a mouse. But I can practically feel her breathing. I can practically taste her arousal. “When I find you, I’m going to suck on your throat until you scream,” I taunt. “You can’t do that. Then Daddy will know.” The closet. I step over that way. “He already knows,” I counter. “You told him?” “I don’t have to. Crenshaw’s smart.” The hangers in the closet clatter together. I twist my fingers around the knob and wrench the door open. It’s pitch black in the long walk-in closet. Shuffling can be heard as she retreats deeper inside. I close the door behind me. “Why do you always hide from me?” I ask as I run my palm along the empty hangers, letting them clack together. “Are you ashamed of me?” “No,” she grumbles, a little defensively I might add. Irritation blooms inside of me. One day I’ll prove my worth to her. I’m so close I can taste it. To all the outsiders, I’m an orphan who somehow caught the eye of a rich businessman. Unworthy. A thorn in the side of a perfect family. I don’t belong. I’ve been told that before at church. Sanctimonious bastards. And in town, I see it in their eyes. I don’t belong in their world. Soon, though, this fucking world will be mine. “We’re in the dark, sweet Catrina. You can let your dirty little secret defile you and nobody will ever know,” I growl. She squeaks and I pounce. My palms find the silky material of her nightgown as I tackle her, and together, we fall to the carpeted closet floor landing on a pile of old, unused pillows. She claws at my shirt, not because she wants to get away, but because she wants it off. Little Crenshaw likes to get caught. I nip at her jaw and her breath hitches. My cock is hard and I grind it against her thigh, reminding her just how good we are together. She moans, her fingers sliding to my gelled hair and rumpling it. Her grip tightens on my locks as she draws me to her lips. I can’t see her in the darkness but I don’t need to. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. She’s the most beautiful thing I can’t see. (Copyright Nikki Ash and K Webster)  

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.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Newsletter

About Nikki Ash

Nikki Ash resides in South Florida where she is an English teacher and mom by day and a writer by night. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand. From the Boxcar Children to Wuthering Heights to the latest Single Parent Romance, she has lived and breathed every type of book. Reading is like breathing in, writing is like breathing out. – Pam Allyn While reading and writing are her passions, her two children are her entire world. You can probably find them at a Disney park before you would find them at home on the weekends!

Website | Blog | Reader Group | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter

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Review: The Wrong Game by Kandi Steiner

Gemma is a huge fan of her hometown Chicago Bears. She buys season tickets to share with her husband for their anniversary.  Then she sees him with her, and he tells her he is dying. I can't imagine that kind of betrayal.   She throws her life into her work as her best friend's personal assistant,  and intends to drag her friend to every home game to use her second ticket.

Zach lived and breathe football as a kid, was set to go to college on a full ride scholarship and most likely go pro. Then life happens. He makes the difficult decision to leave football for the most important thing in his life. Giving up his dream to be there for his family.

Sparks fly even though the OCD Gemma has promised herself she would never fall in love again. Thanks to a brilliant plan from Gemma's friend and boss, Belle, Zach ends up with the extra ticket to the first home game with Gemma.

This book was so much fun.  I have never been to a professional ball game of any kind, but when they attended the games it felt so real. I absolutely loved Zach,  and wish more men were like him.  I could relate to Gemma in most ways, I am so far from OCD though.  They had both been hurt in their pasts,  but with some not so subtle encouragement, or should we say meddling,  from Belle the two work through their issues and find something amazing.  As far as supporting characters go, you can't beat Belle, I wish I had a best friend like her.  She truly knew Gemma better than Gemma knew herself, and wasn't afraid of doing something that might make Gemma mad at her if it would get Gemma to open her eyes and acknowledge what she wanted and needed.  Everyone needs a friend like Belle.  I so hope she gets her own book eventually.

This is the second book I have read by Kandi Steiner.  I am definitely going to have to read more of her books.  This book was well written and fast paced.  It is the perfect fall romance.