Blog Tour + Review & Giveaway: Overwhelmed by You by Nashoda Rose

Posted in 4 hearts, Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

Book Title: Overwhelmed by You
Author: Nashoda Rose
Series: Tear Asunder #2 (full reading order below)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 25, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Love is ugly and secrets will destroy you.

KAT

I don’t beg.

I don’t cry.

And I don’t give second chances.

Ream, the lead guitarist of the rock band Tear Asunder, deserves a gold medal for best dick move ever when he ran the moment he discovered my secret after two days of hot sex. Then he brings some chick to my coming home party from the hospital—after being shot.

I hate him.

Until …

Ream’s six foot two frame unfolds out of the car after being gone on tour for eight months. I stared. And in my defense, any girl would stare. It would almost be rude not to because Ream was the type of guy who stood out. Not because he was loud and obnoxious. No, it was because he was the complete opposite. Subtle and dangerously quiet. If he spoke, you’d better hope he liked you because otherwise you’d be falling at his feet begging for mercy. Except me … I don’t beg—ever.

But when our eyes locked, it was Ream’s steady confidence that had my nerves shooting off like jet sprinklers.

Then…

Ream told me he didn’t need a second chance because he was still working on his first.

REAM

Sex is ugly. It’s using someone for your own narcissistic pleasure. I did it and I hated it—until her. She was unfuckinexpected. Then I had to wreck our beginning with my screwed up past.

I don’t deserve her, but I’m selfish and I’m taking her anyway. This is who I am and it’s too late to change me.

*Warning contains violence, sexual content, and coarse language. Mature audiences 18+*

A contemporary romance with lots of angst and a taste of dark.

Purchase:
Amazon US • Amazon UK • iTunes

Oh myyy!!! Overwhelmed by You is one hell of an intense book! Although I already expected that after reading the previous books in the Tear Asunder series, and I wasn’t disappointed! This next book of the series is packed with passion, angst, and action. There was never a dull moment for me while reading it, and I thoroughly enjoyed it all!

Kat and Ream were friends once, until they hooked up one time and it all fell apart. Kat was already wary of starting something more than friendship with Ream, and after the fallout, she never wanted to trust Ream again. Two years later, Ream is back in her life, and this time, he wants her back. Woot! I just love second chance romances, and especially heroes who go after what they want–and in this case, it’s the girl. There’s a fierce intensity to Ream, and he focuses it ALL on Kat and getting her back–her heart, her trust, her body, everything.

“I’m not letting you go. I can’t do it anymore.”
This time I used my palms against his abdomen and pushed. He loosened his hold, but just enough so I could meet his eyes. “Ream, it won’t work. It’s too late.”
His eyes flashed with something that I didn’t recognize. “This wasn’t a discussion.”

Can you say alpha male??? Ream is seriously one of the top alpha males I’ve ever read–when he wants something, there’s literally nothing that can stand in his way from getting it. He’s protective, possessive, sensual, raw, and sexy, but he’s also hiding something painful from his past from Kat. He may be reassured, dominating, and collected on the outside, but within there are some serious demons that need exorcising.

Kat is able to go head to head with Ream (although sometimes it’s Ream’s way or the highway, which frustrated Kat–and me–a bit, but ehh, he’s an alpha male, so what can you do?) and she fights her attraction with him. Ream broke her trust, and she’s not about to go handing it back to him so easily. I really liked Kat’s character. She’s funny, stubborn, and all-around a tough girl with a vulnerable side that made connect with her. She was a bit too stubborn at times–most of the book is her fighting against her being with Ream, and all I wanted to do was shake her and say “You two are meant for each other! Stop fighting it!” But Ream, being the determined and unrelenting man that he is, is not deterred from his goal.

I spent eight months wishing I wasn’t on tour so I could be with you. Now, I’m back and the only way I’m running again is toward you.” He lowered his voice, and the gravelly, deep tone drummed into my chest. “Fight me all you want, Kat. I’m going to keep coming.”

Ream had the determined alpha male thing down to perfection.

But there’s so much more than just winning Kat’s heart back for Ream to do. His past is coming back to haunt him, and he needs to find a way to deal with it so it doesn’t drive him and Kat apart. Add some suspense and action into this book, and you have the perfect blend of romance and thrills! I’d definitely recommend this for fans of the series–you won’t be disappointed with Kat and Ream’s story!

Reading Order: Tear Asunder series

#0.5 ~ With You: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1 ~ Torn from You: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Overwhelmed by You: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Shattered by You: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Kept from You: Goodreads (Dec. 5, 2016)

Nashoda Rose lives in Toronto with her assortment of pets. She writes contemporary romance with a splash of darkness, or maybe it’s a tidal wave. Her novella “With You” is the first in the Tear Asunder series, followed by the novel “Torn from You” and “Overwhelmed by You”.

When she isn’t writing, she can be found sitting in a field reading with her dog at her side while her horses graze nearby. She loves interacting with her readers on Facebook and chatting about her addiction—books.

Facebook • Twitter • Website • Goodreads

2 signed of Overwhelmed by You paperbacks (open internationally)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

16May2014

Blog Tour + Review & Giveaway: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

Posted in 4 hearts, Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

I’m so excited to be a part of the All Lined Up blog tour!! You can read my review below, and enter the tour-wide giveaway!

All Lined Up by Cora Carmack
Series: Rusk University #1 (full reading order below)
Release date: May 13th 2014

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack follows up her trio of hits—Losing It, Faking It, and Finding It—with this thrilling first novel in an explosive series bursting with the Texas flavor, edge, and steamy romance of Friday Night Lights.

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That’s what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn’t always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It’s obliterated.

Dallas doesn’t know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn’t know that Dallas is his new coach’s daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

Buy Links:
Amazon • Barnes and Noble

All Lined Up is too much cuteness! It’s such a sweet, quick, fun read, and I zipped through it in one sitting. I was already a fan of Cora Carmack’s after reading the Losing It series, and All Lined Up impressed me even more! Cora Carmack is spot-on as a new adult writer–I loved the way she portrayed her characters and I fell in love with her writing.

It was so easy to immerse myself into the world of All Lined Up, and into Rusk University. Football is, of course, one of the main aspects of the story, and even though i know next to nothing about football, the author was able to explain just how much football means to people without making me feel disconnected. Dallas is the daughter of one of the new coaches at Rusk University, and she’s a bit of a goody two-shoes. Her main passion has always been dancing, but she lets her father control her life and center it around football. Dallas is incredibly likable and relatable–she’s a girl who’s been stuck under her parent’s thumb for too long and doesn’t know the way out.

And I find myself thinking that church is like my kid’s sermon… It parallels my life as a whole. I show up, but I’m not in it. I go through the motions, but my mind wanders elsewhere. I dress and behave in the ways I know won’t get me in trouble. I get by. I bide my time waiting for the moment when it all ends.
But life isn’t church. It isn’t one hour during one day in the week. It’s everything, and I’m wasting it.

Carson is a transfer student trying to succeed through football, because it’s pretty much the only thing he can do. He needs to get a good spot on the football team and get a scholarship–otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to afford college. Carson is incredibly dedicated and determined, both of which are qualities that made me fall for him. He’s a good guy through and through, and even though he tries to make football his number one priority, the moment Dallas walks into his life, he can’t get her out of his mind–and he doesn’t want to.

The two of them don’t realize their relationship with one another–that Dallas is Carson’s coach’s daughter–so when they meet, sparks fly, and they allow a small moment of freedom to express their wants and desires for one another. They have this undeniable connection with one another that they’ve never experienced before, and it’s so sweet to see the two of them together.

But once the ball drops and they find out who they are, they try to become friends, but they can never get rid of their attraction to one another. Carson and Dallas spend more and more time together, and it’s easy to see how they fall for each other. I loved their relationship and how it grew slowly. They both knew there were risks to being together, so they were mature and cautious about it. But at then end of the day, they can’t deny the chemistry between them, and I wanted them to get together so badly! Carson and Dallas complement each other so well and make the perfect couple.

I loved the fact that even as their relationship developed, Dallas and Carson developed as characters as well. Individually, they have much more to learn and to grow to be the person they are most comfortable with.

All in all, All Lined Up shouldn’t be missed. It’s the perfect new adult novel with great writing, characters who have great emotional depth, and a story that keeps you hooked.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Rusk University series

#1 ~ All Lined Up: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ All Broke Down: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Oct. 7, 2014)
#3 ~ All Played Out: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Feb. 24, 2015)

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She’s done a multitude of things in her life– boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

5 signed copies of ALL LINED UP for 5 winners-US Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

29Apr2014

Release Day Review: Searching for Perfect by Jennifer Probst

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Searching for Perfect by Jennifer Probst
Series: Searching For #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: April 29th 2013
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Gallery Books) in exchange for an honest review

The up-and-coming matchmaking agency Kinnections is the hottest thing to hit Verily, New York—just like Kennedy Ashe, social director for the service she owns with her two best girlfriends. A coach, consultant, and cheerleader rolled into one super-sizzling package, Kennedy creates dream dates, encourages singles to shine, and never refuses a challenge—not even Nate Ellison Raymond Dunkle, rocket scientist, nerd extraordinaire, and Kennedy’s newest client.

Kennedy vows to work her magic and transform this hot mess in a lab coat with a disastrous relationship track record into the most wanted man on the Verily dating scene. If only she could turn the wand on herself . . .

Though she radiates confidence and sex appeal, Kennedy harbors deep-seated insecurities from a tormented past and lifelong struggle with weight issues. When she realizes she and Nate are cut from the same cloth and might be perfect together, can Kennedy learn to let her heart lead the way? Or will her fears sentence her to the sidelines as Nate finds love—with someone else?

SEXY DORKY MEN ARE THE BEST!!!!!

Ahem. Okay.

So I became a huge fan of Jennifer Probst’s recently after reading Searching for Someday (my review here!), and I had high expectations for Searching for Perfect, and Jennifer Probst delivers!! Spectacularly, if I do say so myself. I’d fallen in love with the premise of the Searching For series–the heroines are the founders of Kinnections, a matchmaking agency, and I was so, so excited for Kennedy to have her story told. She’s the one who gets the clients to socialize, to get them more comfortable with themselves, and I fell in love with her from the get-go. She’s awesome, hilarious, feisty, and all-around just the kind of person you could easily be BFFs with.

But Kennedy she doesn’t to long-term, steady relationships.

Until…

Enter Ned. Ned, who is a rocket scientist–sorry, an aerospace engineer, and hires Kinnections to find a wife. He’s really… really nerdy. Like, seriously nerdy. He has no fashion sense, he has a unibrow(!), he’s terrible at social interactions, he LOVES golf, and he’s so unprepared to interact with the opposite sex, despite the numerous Cosmo magazines he’s read.

“What’s your full name?”
“Nathan Ellison Raymond Dunkle.”
Fascinating. This just kept getting better and better. “You got stuck with a real doozy, Ned.”
His face remained deadly serious. “I know. If my mother was still around we’d sit down and have a conversation regarding her original intentions.”
“You know if you put the R in, you come up with NERD.”

Ned is a new, big challenge for Kennedy. She’s got to whip him in shape, figuratively and literally, but the first thing to go is the name. So… Nate it is. And oh my gosh, here ensues the wonderfully hilarious transformation of Nate (My Fair Lady, anyone?), from dorky nerd to dorky hottie extraordinaire.

It’s not only the looks that have changed for Nate though. Kennedy works on his social interactions, giving him practice with the opposite sex to prepare him for meeting his potential wife. It’s here that Kennedy and Nate form a deeper connection, one that Kennedy is terrified of. But Nate is relentless in his pursuit of Kennedy, despite the numerous women she throws at him.

“Ken?”
“Huh?”
“I want to kiss you.”
“Don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Agreed.” He lowered his head so his breath struck her mouth. “Don’t care.”

Honestly, Nate had me giggling and smiling like a little girl. He has truly become one sexy, enticing man, and Kennedy can’t resist him. There’s just something about his dorkiness that makes him so appealing. He’s sweet and adorable, yet seductive, and who even knew he could be as charming as he is? And he seriously charms Kennedy (and me… *sigh*) with his humor, wit, determination, and intelligence. He’s such a unique character, and I slowly fell in love with Nate.

But Kennedy’s painful past rears its head again and again, driving a wedge between the two of them and prevent a relationship that’s meant to be from forming.

“This isn’t about me, baby. It’s about you. I can chase you forever, promise you the world, but until you take the leap with me, I can’t win. I don’t just love your body. I love your incredible mind, and your sweet soul, and you inner strength. I love the life you built for yourself with your friends and your career. I love every part of you–good and bad–dark and light–and I want to share it all. But you have to let me in.”

Kennedy and Nate are so freaking perfect together, but Kennedy is stubborn. She has an internal battle to face, and I was so impressed with her character. She discovers so much about herself because of Nate and his never-ending support. I loved seeing the two interact with each other, fall in love with each other. There’s the perfect amount of sweet, charming romance to go with the hot, sexy romance, and let me tell you, Nate is a pure sex god in bed. I was blushing so much! *fans self* Nate sure as hell knows what he’s doing in bed.

Searching for Perfect is such a heartwarming story (I awwed so many times!). We have two incredible, headstrong characters falling in love, and my heart burst and broke for them over and over. I loved reading Searching for Perfect–it’s fun, sexy, funny, and oh so sweet. The story and the characters are unique, and I was hooked from the very beginning.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Searching For series

#1 ~ Searching for Someday: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Searching for Perfect: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2.5 ~ Searching for You: Ebook • Goodreads
#3 ~ Searching for Beautiful: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Searching for Always: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4.5 ~ Searching for Mine: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4.6 ~ Searching for Disaster: Ebook • Goodreads (Oct. 10, 2016)

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28Apr2014

Early Review: Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins
Series: The Sweet Trilogy #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: April 29th 2014
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (HarperTeen) in exchange for an honest review

It’s time.

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.

The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.

In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.

I have to admit, I wasn’t the biggest fan of this series at the beginning, but now… I’m so in love. Each book in the trilogy got progressively better and better, and I grew to care for these characters so much that I’m sad that it’s all over. I had high expectations for Sweet Reckoning, since it’s the last book of the series, and Wendy Higgins absolutely delivers. Sweet Reckoning is a heart-pounding, fast-paced, and fabulous conclusion to this trilogy.

Anna and the gang have one last final chance to rid the world of demons, and the action doesn’t disappoint. There’s never a dull moment in this book, though there are many instances of sweetness between Anna and Kaidan, which I adored. Sweet Reckoning is thrilling, romantic, and fast-paced, and I was able to read it in one sitting. Wendy Higgins’s writing is easy to follow and I was riveted from beginning to end. I loved the subtle humor that appeared every now and then in the book (Kaidan, in particular, is hilarious!). And I was so impressed with all the characters–with their growth development and their relationships.

Anna is an impressive heroine–she truly becomes someone stronger, more confident, and more at ease with her destiny. It did become a bit too preachy for my taste at times, but I was glad that Anna had so much faith–faith in herself, in God, and in her friends. She already lost one of her Nephilim friends, and she’s definitely not ready to lose another one, so she does everything in her power to do what it takes to save all the Neph.

Kaidan is so, so sweet! I truly loved him best in Sweet Reckoning. He and Anna have to protect their relationship from the Dukes, but when it’s safe to be alone, the two of them are so adorable. Kai is so protective and willing to show how much he loves Anna (swoon!). They make such a great couple–their romance is sweet yet very, very sexy–and I loved the direction Wendy Higgins chose for them. It was something I never would have thought of, but for Kaidan and Anna, it was perfect.

All of their friends have a strong role in the book as well, and it was so great to see how much everyone has changed throughout the series. New relationships arise, some become more steady, but overall, it was the perfect ending for them.

Sweet Reckoning was so much fun to read, but I have to admit that I’m sad the series is over. Still, it’s a brilliant conclusion to this series I’ve come to love, and it’s got an even better epilogue! The epilogue was so beautiful and heartwarming that I fell in love with Kai and Anna all over again. It was such a perfect way to end the series.

Reading Order: The Sweet Trilogy

#1 ~ Sweet Evil: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Sweet Peril: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Sweet Reckoning: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Sweet Temptaiton: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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22Apr2014

Release Day Review: Phenomenal X by Michelle A. Valentine

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Phenomenal X is LIVE!! I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this book, and I had a fabulous time reading it!

Phenomenal X by Michelle A. Valentine
Release Date: April 22, 2014
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Book #1 in the Hard Knocks Series

Good Girl. Notorious Bad-Boy. One Phenomenal Love.

From the mean streets of Detroit rises the newest superstar of professional wrestling, Xavier Cold, better known as Phenomenal X. His muscular physique makes men cower before him and woman lose their minds with desire.

Anna Cortez is fresh out of college and naive to the harsh realities of the real world. Tired of living under the thumb of her conservative family, she defies them when she accepts a job as the assistant to wrestling’s most notorious bad-boy. Phenomenal X has an animalistic nature that even good girl Anna finds hard to resist. One night forced to share a bed in a sold-out hotel, lines blur between them and they quickly learn that one lustful night changes everything and neither one of them will ever be the same.

Buy Links:
Amazon US • Amazon UK • Kobo

This is my first time reading a book by Michelle A. Valentine, and I have to say, I enjoyed Phenomenal X immensely! It had the perfect amount of intrigue, angst, sexiness, and intensity to make for a fast, fun read.

Anna is a girl who only wants to be free. She wants to be free from her oppressive family, and free to be whoever she wants to be. She is very much the good girl, and while she wants to break out from shell, it’s hard. She’s innocent, but not naive. It’s not until she meets Xavier Cold, otherwise known as Phenomenal X, that she starts to discover exactly who she’s meant to be.

We’re playing with fire, and one of us is bound to get burned.

Anna and Xavier have a very intense connection right from the very start. The bad boy and the good girl definitely have some fantastic chemistry together, but Anna refuses to be another conquest of Xavier’s. And so they settle for becoming friends, even though it’s hard to ignore the spark between them.

Xavier is so, so sweet to Anna. He may be known as a bad boy, because of the wresting and his mysterious past, but I felt he was just a man with a good heart but harsh exterior. Because of his past, Xavier believes he doesn’t deserve anything good in life, least of all Anna, but he does whatever he can to keep her in his life. It’s so sweet to see this bad boy falling in love, to see him be protective and possessive of Anna. And we can’t forget how sexy this man can be too! Even as Anna and Xavier are friends, Xavier can’t hold back his sensual self.

But eventually, they can’t remain friends. Xavier slowly breaks down those walls around Anna’s heart, and the two are explosive together.

“If we smash these fucking friendship rules there’s no going back. Once I have you–that’s it, you’re mine. I won’t allow another man to take what’s mine. Do you understand?”

Of course, Anna and Xavier don’t have an easy road ahead of them. Xavier must reconcile with his painful past, and Anna needs to be there for him as the deal with his past and his present–which involves trouble with his wrestling. Xavier is alpha-male all the way, and yet I found the story to be refreshing–the main characters don’t instantly fall into bed with each other and instead, they grow to learn about each other. The wrestling aspect is one I’ve never read before, so it was new and intriguing. Overall, Phenomenal X had me hooked and Michelle A. Valentine did a wonderful job bringing to life this story and these characters. Now I’m soooo excited for the sequel!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of erotic and New Adult romance. Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos, and sexy musicians inspired her erotic BLACK FALCON series.

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