The Redemption of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorenson: Review

The Redemption of Callie & Kayden
By Jessica Sorenson
Published August 6th 2013 by Sphere
Pick up your copy at Amazon or B&N today! Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:

The dark secret Kayden has kept hidden for years is out. Worse, he's facing charges for battery. The only way he stands a chance against the charges is if Callie speaks up, something he'll never ask her to do.

Callie knows Kayden is going back to his dark place and desperately wants to save him. But saving him means admitting her secrets aloud. Callie and Kayden are stronger than they think, especially when they're together. Together they move forward, face their demons, and finally start to heal from their traumatic pasts.

Darkfallen's thoughts:

 

It completely broke my heart and then put it back together again!

Callie and Kayden haven't had any easy time since they got together. If it hasn't been one thing it's been another keeping them apart. Now Kayden is in the hospital trying to overcome being stabbed by his dad and the wounds he inflicted on himself. Everyone is saying that he tried to kill himself and that all of his wounds are self inflicted. They won't let anyone but family in to see him and it's driving Callie crazy. Can their love overcome all that's happened? Or will it finally crumble under the weight that is their life.

I cried, and I cried, and I cried some more! I just couldn't help it. I love these two so much. I completely fell in love with them in book one and I did it all over again here in book two. Callie is so strong and really stands up for Kayden when he needs her most. Even when he is pushing her away she never backs down and I love her for that.

I hate all that these two have had to go through but I couldn't be happier that they found each other in the end. Overall this is a series that will rip your heart out and make you fall in love with the idea that hope really exists.



Lymi...

 

Friday Night Alibi by Cassie Mae: Review

Friday Night Alibi
By Cassie Mae
Published July 29th 2013 by Flirt
Pick up your copy at Amazon or B&N today!
Synopsis Borrowed from Goodreads:

Rising star Cassie Mae introduces New Adult readers to a practical soon-to-be college freshman who seems to have everything—until a special guy shows her what she’s been missing.

In the wealthy town of Sundale, Kelli Pinkins has hatched the perfect plan to capitalize on her sweet reputation. For a generous fee, she will be every trust-fund baby’s dream: a Friday-night alibi, the “girlfriend” or “BFF” that parents dream about. With college approaching in the fall, Kelli’s services are in demand more than ever, which means that her social life is nonexistent. But Kelli is A-okay with that. She’s raking in cash for school. Besides, relationships are tricky, and sometimes very messy. She’d rather be at home on Xbox LIVE, anyway. Then the unexpected happens: She meets college stud Chase Maroney.

Chase isn’t like the preppy, privileged guys Kelli usually meets in Sundale. For starters, he’s twentysomething, always wears black., and he shoots back one-liners as fast as she can dish them out. But Kelli’s attempts to drive Chase away falter when she realizes that he treats her like he really knows her, like he cares about knowing her. When Kelli finally gives in to the delicious kiss she’s been fighting for so long, she faces a tough decision: make Chase a real-life boyfriend and risk her heart . . . or keep her clients and lose her first true love.

Darkfallen's thoughts:

 

This was a super cute read!! Not at all what I expected but sooooo cute!!

Kelli seems to be the perfect girl. The type of girl you can bring home to the family. That's what lead to her business of being the alibi. If you looking to sneak out with someone your family won't approve of then she's your girl. Which leads to a lot of Friday nights spent alone in her room. That is until she meets Chase and everything changes.

So first off while these characters are college age this felt like more of a YA read. It's sweet, perfect, and innocent. There's no fade to black moments because all they do is kiss. But OMG is it swoon worthy when you finally get there. This was a refreshing beach read. A book that demands you don't put it down till you're finished. And I totally fell in love with Chase! I mean once you meet him how could you not?! And then you have Kelli. She's snarky, witty, and at the same time you can't help but feel sorry for her. With both the way people use her for their alibi to the way her parents act like she's not even there.

Overall this was a great beach read and I love Chase and Kels!

 

Lymi...

 





Tough To Love: Saving Avery (Novella) by Ava Catori: Review

Tough To Love: Saving Avery Novella
By Ava Catori
Published May 28th 2013 by Ava Catori Books
Pick Up your copy at B&N or Amazon today! Synopsis borrowed from Gooreads:

Hardened from past hurts, can Avery West and Steel Brickman find the strength to heal one another? Steel’s intensity is overbearing and strong, crushing Avery’s ability to breathe. Avery’s wall is so thick – it seems almost impenetrable. Tangled in a mess of pain and desire, the two must learn to trust one another to find their own salvation.

Darkfallen's thoughts:

 

 

This was a fast good read that I really enjoyed and wanted more of.

Avery works at a bar struggling to make it through college. Her life is anything but glamorous. That is until a Tall dark and mysterious Steel walks into her bar. He's hot and seems to have a soft spot for Avery. But is his need to save her going to push her away?

I loved Avery! She was tough. She stood up for herself. And she wasn't one of those girls that is stuck on material things. In fact she lived in a disgusting one room apartment and never complained. Well maybe she complained a little bit about the disgusting shared bathroom but who wouldn't?

I loved how it wasn't all love at first sight for Avery and Steel. She made him work for it and even after he finally won her over she still made him work to keep it. The only complaint I had is that I wish it was longer. But then again I wish all novella's were longer. lol

 

Lymi...

 





Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover: Review

Losing Hope
By Colleen Hoover
Published July 8th 2013 by Atria Books
Pick up your copy today at B&N, Amazon, or your local indie!
Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:

In Hopeless, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared, and no memory forgotten, but Holder’s past remained a mystery.

Still haunted by the little girl he let walk away, Holder has spent his entire life searching for her in an attempt to finally rid himself of the crushing guilt he has felt for years. But he could not have anticipated that the moment they reconnect, even greater remorse would overwhelm him…

Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward, we must first dig deep into our past and make amends. In Losing Hope, bestselling author Colleen Hoover reveals what was going on inside Holder’s head during all those hopeless moments—and whether he can gain the peace he desperately needs.

Darkfallen' s thoughts:

 

This book was dark and twisted in the best/worst of ways.

Holder has spent his whole life looking for the little girl that was abducted as a kid. He's always felt guilty for her disappearance because he left her alone. Him and his twin sister, Les, have never forgotten Hope. But when his sister Les takes her own life Holder can't hold it together anymore. Then he meets Sky and everything starts to change. He just knows that she is Hope from all those years ago but can proving that do more hurt than good?

This book was a roller coaster of emotions. I admit that in the beginning it's a little boring and dry, but then he meets Sky and everything changes! Holder is a broken mess and you can't help but like him. I was rooting for him and Sky the entire time. And poor Sky. I can't really say much more than that without giving away the plot so I'm going to keep my mouth shut. Lol

Overall this is a great read that will haunt you long after it's over!

Lymi...

 

 

 

 



Torn By K.A. Robinson: Review

Torn
By K.A. Robinson
Published May 7th 2013 by Atria Publishing
Pick up your copy at Amazon B&N, or your local indie today!
Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:

Chloe hasn't had the best life. With a mother who is gone more often than not, she has had to raise herself. After graduating high school, she leaves to start a new life away at West Virginia University with her best friends Amber and Logan, determined to leave her demons in the past.

On her first day, she meets a stranger who takes her breath away at first sight. Until she met Drake, no one had ever sparked her interest. Now this tattooed and pierced bad boy is all she can think about, no matter how hard she fights it.

Falling for Drake was never part of her plans, but when it happens, things seem to do anything but fall into place.

Dealing with a tragic past, Drake has never cared about anyone else but himself and his band. But when Chloe takes the empty seat next to him in class, things start to change. Instantly drawn to her, he begins to wonder if one girl can take a cold hearted womanizer and change every part of him?

Long hidden feelings are revealed and friendships tested to the brink.

Darkfallen's thoughts:

 

This is going to be hard review to like. The book was just blah which makes for a blah review. lol

Chole and her friends all are finally away at college. Which is good because Choles mom is basically a piece of abusive crap. Finally not worry about her mom showing up Chole is finally starting to be able to relax. That is until she meat hot bad boy Drake. Not only does she not know what to do with him then she finds out that one of her best friends in in love with her and wants more than friendship. What will Chole do? Who will she choose? Either way hearts are bound to get broken...

Ok...alright...this was just not a very good read. It was overly predictable. Flat and two dimensional. And then there was the whole cheating factor that I just didn't like at all. Overall this book just made me roll my eyes....A LOT!

Lymi...



12 Rounds (Knockout Series) Blog Tour!

Today we sit down with author, Lauren Hammond, as we learn a little something about her latest character from her new book 12 Rounds!

 

First just let me say that Sean is super crazy, 1000 watt HOT! And since he likes to keep his body in shape I thought it would be nice to know what songs he likes to listen to while training for a fight. I mean, come on, don't you want to know what is blasting on that iPod while he is getting all sweaty and worked up?! Preferably without  a shirt on?! All tight abs, bulging muscles, and tattoos....*swwoooonnnn*

 

But before I start drooling on myself here, guess what else you get today? One lucky winner will get a paperback copy of 12 Rounds and get to spend a little more time getting to know the sexy Sean O'Riley!!!!

 

But first let me tell you what the book is about:





12 Rounds (Knockout Series #1)
By Lauren Hammond
Published July 31st 2012 by S.B. Addison Books
Pick up your own copy today at Amazon or B&N!
Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:
Sean (Right-Hook) Reilly knows a few things about himself. One, he's the middle-weight boxing champion of the world with an undefeated record. Two, women find his cocky persona, chiseled biceps, and inked body sexy. Also, the fact that it's known that he doesn't do relationships only adds to his sex appeal. And three, he's Irish, proud of it, and a member of the Braithreachas Don Saol, a branch of the Irish mafia and king pins of the drug cartel taking over the streets of Cleveland.

Connor Doyle(aka Connie) the boss and leader of the Braithreachas Don Saol, has been like a father to Sean, taking him under his wing and teaching him how to survive on the streets after the death of his parents. Sean has never been ungrateful, but has always wanted one thing...

More. More to live for. More to fight for. More to believe in. A chance at a future without drugs or guns. A chance at a future without wondering which day will be his last.

There's only one problem with that. You live by the braithreachas. You die by the braithreachas. And Sean knows whether Connie considers him to be family or not, the only way he'll be leaving the braithreachas is in a body bag.

Hadlee Flax has had a year to overcome her issues. After almost being raped and brutalized, she's putting her best foot forward, seeing a therapist, and has even(with some persuasion from her best friend, Lara) enrolled in self defense classes. And she's doing well moving on with her life until she meets the dark, and conflicted Irish boxing champion of the world, Sean Reilly.

Hadlee is immediately drawn to the gorgeous, cold, and mysterious man who speaks with a slight Irish brogue. She soon learns that there is much more to him than his darkened gaze, cool demeanor, and body covered in tattoos. He's not the type of man she thought he was. And Hadlee finds herself doing something she never thought she would do in the last year...

Falling for a guy.

Falling for Sean Reilly. A man who is on the path to becoming a boxing legend.

One thing Hadlee doesn't know is the other part of Seans' life. His life of drug running, and killing. Or the fact that when he's not boxing he's walking the streets with a gat tucked into the back of his loose jeans, and glancing over his shoulder at every turn.

But it doesn't take Hadlee long to learn that some attractions and relationships can be fatal.

And sometimes...

They just might be worth fighting for.

And now here's Lauren to tell us the top five songs on Sean's workout playlist:

 

Thanks so much for having me on the blog today!

As for what Sean works out to…

These would without a doubt be his top five picks!

1.    Stricken – Disturbed

2.    Dear God – Avenged Sevenfold

3.    Invincible – MGK

4.    The Fighter – Gym Class Heroes(feat Ryan Tedder)

5.    One Last Breath – Creed

 

Thanks again so much for having me!

If you guys get a chance be sure to check out 12 Rounds, the first book in The Knockout Series!

 

To enter to win a paperback copy of the book simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

This giveaway is open internationally!!

 

 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

About the Lauren:

It all began with a dinosaur, a T-Rex to be exact. He was the main character in my very first short story. Me and T, well, we went places. He is the reason I won my first essay contest at age ten. And he is probably one of the number one reasons, I pursued a career in writing.

Throughout highschool, I was what you would call a rebel. Someone who had convinced herself that she had life figured out at age sixteen. Still, writing was my only safe-haven during that time. I wrote notebooks full of poetry, even writing fellow classmates papers for them.

Unbeknowest to me, creative writing, seemed to be my one, true calling, my passion in life.

At age twenty, I began writing my first novel. After that, everything seemed to fall into place.

I won Best Poets and Poems of 2007, and The Editor's Choice award for my poem, Summer Days.

Also, during that time I wrote or co-wrote fifteen different screenplays, some which earned me finalist spot in various screenplay competitions.

In 2010, I've come full force, with my novel Love Sucks, that was released by Punkin House Press, in August of 2010. On top of Love Sucks, I have six novels that are slated to be released through the next five years. Also, doing some various marketing work for authors and publishers.

I pride myself in telling fellow writers to always follow their dreams. Who knows where I would be if I would have given up.

 

You can catch up with Lauren and all her other books on her website here!

 

Lymi...