Book Review: Tempting the Best Man by Jennifer L. Armentrout (writing as J. Lynn)

Synopsis:

Madison Daniels has worshipped her brother's best friend since they were kids. Everyone thinks she and Chase Gamble would make the perfect couple, but there are two major flaws in their logic. 1) Chase has sworn off relationships of any kind, and 2) after blurring the line between friends and lovers for one night four years ago, they can't stop bickering.

Forced together for her brother's wedding getaway, Chase and Madison decide to call a truce for the happy couple. Except all bets are off when they're forced to shack up in a tacky 70's honeymoon suite and survive a multitude of "accidents" as the family tries to prove their "spark" can be used than for more than fighting. That is, if they don't strangle each other first…

 Purchase Link:

Amazon   Barnes and Nobles

Jenny's Review:

This was a great quick read. Chase and Madison have known each other forever, Chase being Madison's brother best friend. And she has been in love with him for as long ass he can remember. One night of a possible hookup years ago has changed the dynamics of their relationship. With Madison's brother getting married and Madison being the maid of honor and Chase being the best man, they can't stay away from each other. What happens is a story that show the longing that two people have for each other and the fears they have that keeps them apart.

 I really liked this book. The exchange between Chase and Madison was great to read. You could tell how much Maddie tried to keep her love for Chase in check but it was noticeable to everyone except Chase. Chase think that he is not good enough for Maddie and does everything in his power to stay clear of her but the connection between them is so fierce and being in such close proximity to each other, they can't keep their feelings in check. There was a lot of miscommunication throughout the book between Maddie and Chase and reading the book you wanted to see how everything will turn out. You are definitely rooting for Chase and Maddie to end up together.  And it has a HEA.  My only problem with the book that is was too short. But if you are looking for a short read that will make you smile, definitely pick this book up ,you won't be disappointed.

                             About the Author:

J. Lynn (also known as Jennifer L. Armentrout) is the # 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING author of WAIT FOR YOU and the Young Adult LUX and COVENANT series, among other books. She writes steamy and fun New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. She is published with Entangled Teen and Brazen, SHP, Disney/Hyperion, and Harlequin Teen. You can find her Twitter @JLArmentrout or at her website www.jenniferarmentrout.com

Connect with Author:

Facebook  Twitter  Goodreads  Website

Book Review: The Breaking of the Shell

Well it took me a few extra days to finish up The Breaking of the Shell and it took me even more days just to write the review.  The book is a parable and reminds me so very much of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.  Author Barry Durdant-Hollamby works very hard to stoke a fire of discovery in the reader and succeeds on many levels.  You’re gonna hear his lesson whether you want to or not but what you choose to take from the lesson is on the reader.

The Breaking of the Shell revolves around Alexander Baker’s life and the mysterious message left to him by his ailing father.  From his childhood, Alex is lead a sheltered and privileged life and while he seems to be doing well on the surface, following the models he believes display success, his world in shambles and his relationships failing.  Through messages from his friends and ex-wife, mystical omens and dreams, Alex is given tools and messages in order to lead a healthier and more peaceful life.  By the end of the book, Alex is well on to changing the world.

I really enjoyed reading about Alex’s ups and downs and empathized with him even when he’s at his most deplorable.  Throughout most of the book, he’s portrayed as an “every guy” kinda guy who just wants to have the respect of society.  This need drives him into shallowness.  He is a very warm person at heart who has a clear sense of right and wrong.  His wrong actions cause him deep guilt and shape him into a man who avoids the difficult choices at all costs. 

Once I finished the book, I was slightly disappointed with Durdant-Hollamby’s delivery.  It was so very literal but that’s just my personal take on this genre.  I’m not used to reading self-help books and my only other foray into anything like this was the previously mentioned The Alchemist.   

After viewing his other works, I understand his mission better.  Durdant-Hollamby is a self-help author and motivational speaker so this book isn’t really a traditional story but a self-help and counseling book written in the form of a story.

Overall, I’m rating this book 4/5 stars.  There’s a wonderful lesson here wrapped up in a good story and I don’t doubt that anyone would benefit from reading this book.  Whether or not we can all put the message to practice is another issue.

As mentioned, Barry Durdant-Hollamby is author of several self-help books and his work shows his desire for helping and guiding people to a better self.  Please feel free to check them out here on his website.

Notable Free Fiction e-Book 11-14-13

Good morning, Fiction Fans!  Here’s a look at some notable free e-books from Amazon.  As usual, all books have at least 4.5 stars and have more than 300 pages.

The Breaking of the Shell by Barry Durdant-Hollamby

The Breaking of the Shell weaves the teaching of ancient wisdoms into a modern context in classic story-telling style. Like the works of Paulo Coelho which deliver timeless truths, this book brings together the subtle energies of the awakening consciousness of the 21st Century through the sometimes dramatic, sometimes seemingly ordinary life experiences of a middle class Englishman, Alexander Baker.

When a tragedy strikes during an innocent childhood game, 6 year old Alexander's life is changed forever. It will be many years before the outcome of that day is finally discovered, an outcome only made possible by the destruction of Alexander's personal world and the humbling experience of opening his heart to the women closest to him. With consequences that will not only help Alexander to heal his deepest wounds, but also engage him in a process that could lead to global transformation, The Breaking of the Shell is a powerful story of our times, filled with hope and inspiration.

***Tiffany note: The Breaking of the Shell is a new e-book, released November 9, 2013.  It has 11 reviews and a perfect 5 star rating.  This book will be reviewed 11/17/13***

Fireblossom (The Western Novels) by Cynthia Wright

Daniel "Fox" Matthews, sent to Little Bighorn by the president to keep an eye on hot-headed General Custer, is haunted by guilt for a battle outcome he couldn't prevent. The raucous gold town of Deadwood, South Dakota seems like the perfect refuge, although it's located in the Black Hills, sacred land to the same Sioux Indians who decimated Custer's troops.

Madeleine Avery, raised to be a lady in Philadelphia, is appalled when she arrives in Deadwood with her family. Slowly she unbends, coaxed out of her shell by a powerful attraction to Fox and a journey into the world of the Sioux Indians.

FIREBLOSSOM is a compelling tale of cultures colliding and the bittersweet, tender journey of Fox and Maddie as they discover the secrets of their own hearts.

Ravage: An Apocalyptic Horror Novel by Iain Rob Wright

FIRST PEOPLE GOT SICK. THEN THEY GOT VERY SICK..
Nick Adams is just a normal guy. He loves his family, appreciates his home, and covets his car. But he absolutely hates his job. Which is what makes it so difficult that not a single customer has come by his store today. It seems as though there’s a bug going around, something that has come out of nowhere and is keeping people at home. Still, it’s probably nothing to worry about. People get sick all the time.

And besides, things are finally starting to look up. Nick’s first customer of the day has just stumbled through the door…

HIS DAY IS ABOUT TO GET WORSE..
It won’t be long before Nick’s entire life is turned upside down, sending him on a frantic journey through a ravaged world that will ultimately lead him 500 feet upwards to a hilltop amusement park. Is it the last safe place on Earth, or are the monsters at the top of the hill even worse than the ones below?

Gotcha! (Tall, Hot and Texan) by Christie Craig

Macy Tucker was five years old when her beloved grandfather dropped dead in his spaghetti. At twelve, her father left his family in the dust. At twenty-five, her husband gave his secretary a pre-Christmas bonus in bed, and Macy gave him the boot. To put things lightly, men have been undependable.

That's why dating's off the menu. Macy is focused on putting herself through law school—which means being the delivery girl for Papa's Pizza. But cheesier than her job is her pie-eyed brother, who just recently escaped from prison to protect his new girlfriend. And hotter than Texas toast is the investigating detective. Proud, sexy...inflexible, he's a man who would kiss her just to shut her up. But Jake Baldwin's a protector as much as a dish. And when he gets his man—or his woman—Macy knows it's for life.

Bonus Content:

At the end of the book, get a sneak peek at Christie Craig's new Tall, Hot & Texan short novel, The Cop Who Stole Christmas.

There's also a sneak peak at Christie's contemporary romance BLAME IT ON TEXAS, now available from Forever Books!

Read on for a preview of her recent release, MURDER, MAYHEM AND MAMA, available now in paperback and ebook!

***Another Tiffany note: Please don’t be put off by the 3 sneak peeks at the end of this book.  The book is still about 335 pages***

Book Review: Strip Me Bare by Marissa Carmel

Synopsis:

“I may have had more lovers than you, and I may take my clothes off for countless women, but you are the only one who can strip me bare.”

Do you ever stop loving someone just because they’re gone?

Five years ago Ryan Pierce disappeared from Alana Remington’s life without leaving so much as a post-it note behind. He was the one she gave her heart to, her soul to and her virginity to. So imagine her surprise when she finds him dancing at one of NYC’s hottest male reviews as Jack the Stripper.

Ryan never stopped loving Alana, and now that she serendipitously dropped back into his life, he’s vowed never to lose her again. But being together has its costs, and challenges Alana isn’t sure she can handle. She finally has Ryan back; but how in the world is she supposed to share the love of her life with half of the women in New York City?

Link to Purchase:

Amazon 

Jenny's Review:

The title of the book  and the synopsis is what drew me to purchase this book and it didn't disappoint. I really liked Alana and Ryan's story. Five years ago Ryan disappeared from Alana life with no explanation. Then the reconnect in the most unexpected way, at a Male Revue where he is a dancer.

The story is about two people from different social background, Alana is the rich girl, law student from a privileged family. And Ryan is from the wrong side of the track who Alana knows her father, who is a judge will disapprove of their relationship. And the connection that Ryan have with Alana's father was a shock and makes the reader understand what they are up against.  The story show how you can forgive someone who have hurt you, rebuilding trust and dealing with family who play is huge part in your life.

It was nice to see how the navigate through their relationship, especially with Ryan's job as a stripper and what lead him to leave Alana 5 years ago. They have a strong bond and is willing to work whatever problem they have. I really enjoyed the writing style of Marissa. I was easy to feel the pain of what Ryan and Alana goes through to be with each other. If you enjoyed book like Mine, you will like this book. It is a must read!

About the Author:

Marissa Carmel has loved writing ever since a young age. She has a duel degree in History and Political Science, but took as many creative writing classes in college as she could. She spent most of her twenties bartending which is where she met her husband and a multitude of interesting people. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s hanging out with her family, experimenting in her kitchen or doing yoga on the living room floor.

Connect with the Author:

Goodreads        Facebook     Blog     Twitter

Cover Reveal: Back to Reality by Danielle Allen

Release Day December 1st, 2013 

~ Synopsis ~

Love brought her back to life. Life brought her back to reality.

Her past: Emanuel Mills was her first love. The guitar playing, adventure seeking, IT whiz was everything she ever wanted.

Her present: Tyree Barker was her last love. The cultured, educated, successful entrepreneur was everything she needed.

But when Sahara Lee’s past and present collided, a series of events occurred that changed her life forever, leaving her future up in the air. As a college freshman, a tragic accident changed the course of Sahara’s life. Ten years later, just when she started putting her life back together, Sahara’s world was rocked again due to a similar accident. Heartbroken and guilt ridden, Sahara fell into old, familiar habits before quickly realizing that she wasn’t the same Sahara Lee anymore. Unable to live a lonely, loveless, isolated life anymore, Sahara decided that the way she coped before wasn’t going to work this time around. Time didn’t heal her wounds, but forgiveness might.

~ Back To Life (Book 1) ~

Sahara Lee has spent the last ten years living with the guilt of a tragic accident and its aftermath. That night irrevocably changed the outgoing, fun-loving college freshman into an introverted, workaholic with no social life. Sahara isolates herself from everyone and everything that reminds her of home in an effort to forget what happened. Using art as a substitute for love, Sahara throws herself into music and art as a way to feel something other than the guilt that haunts her. She accepts her lonely existence as penance for the role she played in the accident. That is, until she meets Tyree Barker, the good looking entrepreneur with baggage of his own. Blindsided by a legal loophole, Sahara is suddenly forced to confront the past she’s been running from. Juggling the guilty feelings of her past and the unexpected feelings of her present, Sahara’s future becomes complicated as she heads down a path of forgiveness, love, and heartbreak…and not in that particular order. Back to Life reminds you that living and existing are two completely different ways to go through life. Grief will break you but guilt, guilt will destroy you. And once that happens, what can bring you back to life?

~ Author Bio ~

I am a married event planner and life coach. My awesome friends and family and my amazing husband make my life sweet. I love to have fun and enjoy the life I’ve been blessed with. I love shopping and football with equal fervor. I’m an amateur movie critic (i.e. my husband and I watch and critique a lot of movies for fun). I love to read and I enjoy sharing my love of books with anyone who will listen. I love music. A good lyric with a good melody can paint a vivid picture and invoke such a range of emotions. I have a soft spot for most mediums of creative, artistic expression.

With degrees in psychology, human services, and marriage and family counseling, I have a unique perspective on life, love and the pursuit of happiness. As an author, I combine an active imagination and life experiences to create stories that are easily relatable and intentionally intriguing. I want to offer you a peek into someone else’s life and for you to get lost in their story, their trials, their triumphs. My ultimate goal is to create a character or a story that stays with you long after you’ve put the book down.

So in a nutshell: I plan. I teach. I read. I write. I watch. I critique. I shop. I play. I love.

To know me is to love me.

~ Author Links ~

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6523680.Danielle_Allen

Webpage: http://www.authordanielleallen.com/

Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDanielleAllen

Back to Life Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BacktoLifeSeries

Twitter: https://twitter.com/XOXO_DAllen