Blog Tour + Early Review & Giveaway: Alex by Sawyer Bennett

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

Click the banner to follow the tour.

Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for ALEX by Sawyer Bennett!

Alex by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Cold Fury Hockey #1 (full reading order below)
Release Date: October 14th 2014
Loveswept

USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett scores big-time with the first novel in a sexy new series hot enough to melt the ice.

Hockey star Alexander Crossman has a reputation as a cold-hearted player on and off the rink. Pushed into the sport by an alcoholic father, Alex isn’t afraid to give fans the proverbial middle finger, relishing his role as the MVP they love to hate. Management, however, isn’t so amused. Now Alex has a choice: fix his public image through community service or ride the bench. But Alex refuses to be molded into the Carolina Cold Fury poster boy . . . not even by a tempting redhead with killer curves.

As a social worker, Sutton Price is accustomed to difficult people—like Alex, who’s been assigned to help her create a drug-abuse awareness program for at-risk youth as part of the team’s effort to clean up his image. What she doesn’t expect is the arrogant smirk from his perfect lips to stir her most heated fantasies. But Sutton isn’t one to cross professional boundaries—and besides, Alex doesn’t do relationships . . . or does he? The more she sees behind Alex’s bad-boy façade, the more Sutton craves the man she uncovers.

Buy Links:
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • iTunes • Kobo

I’m becoming a bigger and bigger fan of Sawyer Bennett’s! This is only the second book I’ve read by her, but I’m definitely going to go out of my way to read more of her books. They’re so addicting, sexy, and fun! Alex is Sawyer Bennett’s next upcoming release, and I had so much fun reading it. I highly recommend it for contemporary romance lovers and sports romance lovers.

Alex is the first book in the Cold Fury Hockey series, a series about the members of the Cold Fury hockey team. I know next to nothing about sports, but I freaking loooove sports romances. I don’t know why, but this genre just works for me. I always enjoy myself when reading a sports romance, and Alex was no exception. It’s a sweet, sexy story about a compassionate woman who shows a man who’s never had any love in his life how to love.

Alex Crossman is, to put it bluntly, a jerk. Abused all his life by his alcoholic father, Alex has a heart as cold as the ice he plays on. He has a career playing a sport he hates and he has a ton of bitterness and resentment holed up inside him. But his attitude problems have consequences – he needs to clean up his act or he won’t be able to play. To restore his public image, he’s to be the spokesperson for an anti-drug abuse campaign. Alex thinks it’s simple enough, but when he meets the woman in charge of the campaign, nothing is ever the same.

Sutton Price loves what she does as a social worker. She’s a counselor for drug abuse patients, so she’s put in charge of the anti-drug abuse campaign. What she never expects as the spokesperson is a man who fires her up like no other.

When I look up, I’m momentarily stunned speechless by what may possibly be a mirage. It has to be, because seriously. . . It’s beyond belief.
He’s beyond belief.
In fact, he’s beyond my imagination.

Sutton and Alex have an instant, hot chemistry when they meet, and while Alex wants to pursue where the chemistry will lead, Sutton is hesitant because of the business aspect of their relationship. She knows why he’s the spokesperson for the campaign, though she doesn’t seem to see Alex as the cold-hearted man everyone else does.

“So, what’s your deal? Are you the team’s bad boy or something?”
“Something like that,” I mutter, not willing to expound on the millions of reasons I’m sitting here. “Apparently I have a bit of an attitude problem.”
Then Sutton does something that I don’t think I’ll ever forget as long as I live. She smiles at me, in a mischievous way, her eyes going more gold than green. She’s so fucking beautiful in this very moment, my breath actually catches.
“I can deal with attitude,” she says with a wink. “Makes things interesting.”

Alex and Sutton are friendly and flirty, and soon, as they spend more and more time together on the campaign, they become more familiar with each other. Sutton sees more to Alex than meets the eye, and Alex warms up to Sutton, teaching her the ways of hockey, and inadvertently falling back in love with the sport himself. These two were really just the sweetest – I was smiling so much throughout this book. I loved seeing Alex and Sutton grow close together, and I loved how both of them changed something in each other for the better.

Our faces just inches apart, he tells me softly, “I lucked out when I met you, Sutton.”

The change in Alex after meeting Sutton was so sweet to read. She teaches him about love, how he’s capable of loving and worthy of being loved. It’s not easy for Alex to accept all this, but Sutton is the perfect girl for him. She doesn’t back down from him and she’s so sweet to him. I fell for their romance – it was the perfect combination of hot chemistry and sweet romance. I definitely recommend reading this book!

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

Reading Order: Cold Fury Hockey series

#1 ~ Alex: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Garrett: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Zack: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Ryker: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Hawke: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Max: Ebook • Goodreads (Dec. 13, 2016)

USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Website • Facebook • Twitter

Alex Crossman/Carolina Cold Fury Hockey Jersey

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

Subscribe to Blog via Email

7Oct2014

Release Day Review: Tied by Emma Chase

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Tied by Emma Chase
Series: Tangled #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 7th 2014
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

In the fourth sexy romance by the New York Times bestselling author of Tangled and Twisted, Drew and Kate can’t wait to tie the knot—if they can survive the pre-wedding festivities.

For most of my life, I never imagined I’d get married. But Kate did the impossible: she changed me. I think we can all agree I was pretty frigging awesome before, but now I’m even better.

The road to this day wasn’t all rainbows and boners. There were mistakes and misunderstandings worthy of a Greek tragedy. But Kate and I made it through with our inexhaustible lust, boundless admiration, and everlasting love for one another intact.

That being said, there were some unexpected incidents in Vegas last weekend that could have been a problem. It was kind of…my final test.

I know what you’re thinking—what the hell did you do this time? Relax. Let’s not judge, or call for my castration, until you’ve heard the whole story.

And hold on tight, because you’re in for a wild ride. Did you expect anything less?

I loved this! I freaking adore Drew and Kate, and I’m so glad to have one final book about them and their wedding. It’s a bittersweet ending for sure, because how can I say goodbye to the wonder that is Drew Evans’ POV? Of course, there’s tons of fun-filled hilarity that’s a must in every Emma Chase book. Tied is a wonderful finale to the Tangled series, a series I’ve come to love so much!

The road to this day wasn’t all rainbows and boners. There were some potholes–mistakes–and misunderstandings worthy of a Greek fucking tragedy. But we made it through those times with our inexhaustible lust, boundless admiration, and everlasting love for one another intact.

We’ve come a long way since Tangled, and now Drew and Kate are ready for that coveted HEA. Everyone’s in Vegas to celebrate the upcoming nuptials, and bachelor/bachelorette parties are in store. I absolutely LOVED getting to see everyone one last time before the series ends. This cast of characters Emma Chase has created will forever be in my heart, because they’re all just so wonderful, hilarious, and unforgettable.

I was really thankful that Tied wasn’t as drama-filled as Twisted. I really appreciated how much Drew has matured and grown over the years with Kate by his side. He’s still rude and hilarious, thank god, but he’s also very much a man in love. He’s a wonderful father, and he’s going to be a wonderful husband, and I’m just so glad he and Kate get their HEA they so deserve.

“I love you, Kate. I’m going to love you forever. And whatever comes after forever–I’m going to love you then too.”

If you’re a fan of the series, you absolutely must read Tied. It’s a fantastic conclusion to the series. And if you haven’t started the series yet? You’re missing out on one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. Emma Chase has a talent at writing the male POV, and it doesn’t get any better than Drew Evans.

We lived . . . the same way we loved: with passion, tenderness, and laughter. And every day–every fucking day–to the very fullest.

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

Reading Order: Tangled series

#1 ~ Tangled: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Holy Frigging Matrimony: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Twisted: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Tamed: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Tied: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

Subscribe to Blog via Email

7Oct2014

Release Day Review: Burying Water by K.A. Tucker

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Burying Water by K.A. Tucker
Series: Burying Water #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 7th 2014
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Left for dead in the fields of rural Oregon, a young woman defies all odds and survives—but she awakens with no idea who she is, or what happened to her. Refusing to answer to “Jane Doe” for another day, the woman renames herself “Water” for the tiny, hidden marking on her body—the only clue to her past. Taken in by old Ginny Fitzgerald, a crotchety but kind lady living on a nearby horse farm, Water slowly begins building a new life. But as she attempts to piece together the fleeting slivers of her memory, more questions emerge: Who is the next-door neighbor, quietly toiling under the hood of his Barracuda? Why won’t Ginny let him step foot on her property? And why does Water feel she recognizes him?

Twenty-four-year-old Jesse Welles doesn’t know how long it will be before Water gets her memory back. For her sake, Jesse hopes the answer is never. He knows that she’ll stay so much safer—and happier—that way. And that’s why, as hard as it is, he needs to keep his distance. Because getting too close could flood her with realities better left buried.

The trouble is, water always seems to find its way to the surface.

And River isn’t the kind of guy she’d want to catch.

The mind, it can be a deceitful thing.
But it is no match for the heart.

WOW!! I am so impressed with Burying Water! K.A. Tucker’s masterful storytelling in this book is filled with suspense and intrigue. Burying Water had me hooked onto every page – it was unputdownable! I was first intrigued by the genre. It’s not often I read new adult romantic suspense, so of course I had to give Burying Water a try, especially since I really liked K.A. Tucker’s Ten Tiny Breaths. I’m so glad I read this – it’s a must read for fans of romance and suspense.

I am lost and yet somehow found.
I am afraid and yet somehow comforted.
I am drifting and yet somehow . . . home.

The heroine wakes up in the hospital with no recollection of who she is or how she got admitted to the hospital. She renames herself ‘Water’ and tries to piece back the memories of her past life while trying to move on with her new one. Her next-door neighbor, Jesse Welles, is dark, sexy, and intriguing – but she feels like she knows him. Did she know him in her past life?

What I loved most about Burying Water was the fantastic storytelling. The plot is a mystery that slowly unravels in such a unique way. We have alternating chapters between Water and Jesse’s POVs, except Water’s POV is set in the present while Jesse’s is set in the past. We have two interconnecting storylines, and I loved being able to see how they would come together. K.A. Tucker does a wonderful job of seamlessly alternating both POVs and balancing the past and present. As the reader, we get to see Jesse and Water fall in love twice, all the while piecing together the hows and whys of Water’s amnesia. I don’t want to give too much of the plot away. The joy in reading Burying Water is reading and unfolding everything for yourself.

I really admired Water’s character. She’s been through so much, but she’s a survivor. I loved how she was able to make a new life for herself despite her amnesia. Jesse was a wonderful hero as well. He’s a bit of the dark and brooding type of hero, but I love those kinds so I was definitely a fan of Jesse’s. I loved the way he cared for Water and how tender he is with her when he’s usually closed off with others.

“He said the truth is like that water: it doesn’t matter how hard you try to bury it; it’ll always find some way back to the surface. It’s resilient.”
I feel her body relax into my chest. “I really like that story. I want to be like water, too. I want to be resilient, to go where I’m meant to go.”

Captivating and deeply romantic, Burying Water is a fantastic first book in a new suspense series. I highly enjoyed this one, and definitely recommend it. I can’t wait for more from this series!

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

Reading Order: Burying Water series

#1 ~ Burying Water: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Becoming Rain: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Chasing River: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Surviving Ice: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

Subscribe to Blog via Email

5Oct2014

Release Day Review: Finding Eden by Mia Sheridan

Posted in 6 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Finding Eden by Mia Sheridan
Series: A Sign of Love #6 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 5th 2014
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

When the world as you know it has ended, when all that you love has been washed away, where do you find strength?

When the new world you’ve stepped into is as isolating as the last, when your heart is broken, and your future is unclear, where do you find hope?

Finding Eden is a story of strength, discovery, forgiveness, and undying love. It is about believing in your destiny and following the path that leads to peace.

Read my review of Becoming Calder.

LORD. HAVE. MERCY.

Mia Sheridan, you kill me.

HOLY SMOKES, Finding Eden was even BETTER than Becoming Calder! I don’t even know how that was possible, but Mia Sheridan did it. Finding Eden was phenomenal, one of my favorite reads of the year! It literally is one of THE BEST books I’ve ever read. I can’t even begin to explain how Eden and Calder’s epic love story moved my heart. I loved this book – their books! I loved THEM!

Finding Eden is the second part of Calder and Eden’s story, so it SHOULD NOT be read as a standalone. You absolutely must start their story from the beginning with Becoming Calder. Both of these books are complete, full-length novels, so you’re not cheated of anything. I’m actually really glad Calder and Eden’s entire story was split into two books. It fit with the story – there needed to be a break in between, because the feel of the two books are different. It’s still Eden and Calder, but they’ve changed over the years, and they’re in an entirely different situation now than in Becoming Calder.

“Are we going to be okay, Calder? Do we even have a chance?”
… “We’re going to try our damndest, Eden. That’s all I can give you. That’s all I can promise.”

It’s been three years since Eden and Calder have left Acadia, and both Eden and Calder have managed to make something of themselves. The last time we saw them, they were so unsure of their future, but now, they actually have a future. I don’t want to spoil any part of the book, but I will say that their story becomes even more epic in Finding Eden. Again and again, I was swept away by the emotions in this book, which somehow were even more intense than they were in Becoming Calder. The writing was absolute PERFECTION – the book was mesmerizing and utterly addicting to read. I. Loved. It!

No matter where Eden and I had been placed together in this world, we would have fallen in love. Whether we’d been two college freshman, two farm hands, two gypsies, two anything, the falling in love part of our story would have been the same. She would have pulled my heart from across a gymnasium, or a cornfield, or a traveling caravan.

I’ve never been so happy with a book. The whole time I was reading Finding Eden, I was smiling, sighing, gasping so hard, hand clutched to my heart, nearly crying tears of joy. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve been so swept away by a book, but Finding Eden did just that. I was swept away by Calder and Eden’s beautiful, heart-wrenching, heart-warming, emotional love story. I loved Becoming Calder, but Finding Eden was the truly remarkable and unforgettable one for me. I fell in love even more with Eden and Calder in this book (which, again, I had no idea was possible). Their journey towards a well-deserved happily ever after gets a round of applause from me. Mia Sheridan, you rocked Calder and Eden’s story.

If you love love stories, this is as epic as they come. I wholeheartedly recommend Becoming Calder and Finding Eden. This is Mia Sheridan at her finest, and you don’t want to miss it.

“You, just you, with nothing else, no job, no house, no money, nothing. Stripped bare. You will always be enough for me. You will always be my dream come true, my destiny.”

6 hearts!!! Looooved!!! One of the best books I’ve read all year!

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

Reading Order: A Sign of Love series

Note: Each of the books in the A Sign of Love series can be read as complete standalones that have no connection with each other, with the exception of Leo’s Chance, which is the hero’s POV of Leo, and Becoming Calder and Finding Eden, a two-book story featuring the same cast of characters. None of the characters in the different Sign of Love books are connected.

#1 ~ Leo: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Leo’s Chance: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Stinger: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Archer’s Voice: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Becoming Calder: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Finding Eden: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Kyland: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#8 ~ Grayson’s Vow: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#9 ~ Midnight Lily: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

Subscribe to Blog via Email

5Oct2014

Release Day Review: Becoming Calder by Mia Sheridan

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Becoming Calder by Mia Sheridan
Series: A Sign of Love #5 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 5th 2014
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

There is a place in modern day America with no electricity, no plumbing, and no modern conveniences. In this place, there is no room for dreams, no space for self-expression, and no tolerance for ambition.

In this place, there is a boy with the body of a God and the heart of a warrior. He is strong and faithful and serves his family honorably. But he dares to dream of more.

In this place, there is a girl with the face of an angel and a heart full of courage. To her family, she is the vision of obedient perfection. But she dares to want that which she has been told can never be hers.

Becoming Calder is the story of good versus evil, fear versus bravery, and the truth that the light of love has always found its way into even the darkest of places… From the beginning of time, to the end of the world.

Wow. WOW WOW WOW!!! I am just stunned by this book. I honestly had no idea what I was in for… Becoming Calder simply blew me away – it’s a truly unforgettable, unputdownable story.

I’ve read Mia Sheridan’s previous books and enjoyed them so much, but this, THIS book made me fall madly and deeply with this author. The writing, the characters, the EMOTIONS, everything in this book was absolutely phenomenal. I was hooked onto this story from start to finish. I can’t say enough good things about Becoming Calder – I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

We begin the story with a girl for whom it seems almost all hope is lost. She’s alone, desperate, in need of some help. She’s lost in this world… but why? How did she get into this situation? The entire prologue makes you question and wonder – it basically hooks you onto this story and won’t let you go. You want to know this girl’s story, how it came to be. So we go back to the start of this girl’s story. Back to where it all began – in a place that is separate, different, from society.

The setting Mia Sheridan uses in Calder and Eden’s beautiful story is truly unique and remarkably well-written. It’s a community of people who have removed themselves from modern society in order to live out more simple lives. This is the place known as Acadia, the place where Calder is born and grows up in. He has never known anything different than this simple community and has never needed to know anything different – until a young girl named Eden arrives and his outlook on life is forever changed.

She was mesmerizing. Gracefully beautiful. Ethereal. Mine. That’s the girl I choose. Mine, my mind insisted.

Eden doesn’t know where she is when she’s taken to Acadia, but she’s been given a destiny that she doesn’t want to fulfill. She’s told she must marry Hector, the leader of Acadia, and she has no say in her future. I felt for this girl so much – her fear and confusion comes so clearly off the pages, I just wanted to reach out into the book and comfort her. Becoming Calder spans many years, and throughout these years, Eden has to live separate from everyone else because of her supposed ‘destiny’. She’s being forced into a destiny she doesn’t want, but secretly meeting Calder at their spring, becoming friends with him, falling in love with him, are the best things to have ever happened to her.

He was perfect. And I loved him. I loved him desperately.
And I was destined to marry Hector. Or so I was told. Only destiny hadn’t check with me first. If she had, I would have told her that I was pretty sure Calder Raynes was my destiny–or at least I would have begged for it to be made so.

I feel that an author is truly gifted when I can feel every emotion running through their characters. As Eden and Calder fall in love, it felt like I was falling in love for the first time. I truly experienced everything alongside these characters. My heart was racing, I was breathless, my palms were sweating – this is a book you don’t just read, but experience.

“If I were just a boy, and you were just a girl, I wouldn’t kiss you once like you asked.” He paused and my heart dropped. Oh.
“Eden, I’d kiss you long, and I’d kiss you often.”

Eden and Calder are one of my FAVORITE couples ever. I could read about them forever. They are sweet, heartwarming, intense, beautiful, mesmerizing, and unforgettable together. I wanted so badly for them to get a happily ever after they so rightly deserved. They make plans to leave Acadia, along with Calder’s best friend Xander, but it’s not easy. They really have nothing that would help them survive in modern society, but they won’t give up. They want to have a better life, and they can’t have that in Acadia.

“Do you think there’s a life out there for us?”
Calder paused for a few beats, looking down at me. “I’m going to make a life for us out there. A place for you and me. And until then, yes, I’m going to believe that there is.”

Becoming Calder is a thought-provoking, intense, gorgeous read. So many emotions were running through me while reading this book, and I never wanted it to end. And the writing!! I feel like with each book Mia Sheridan releases, the writing gets better and better, and the writing in Becoming Calder was simply stunning! I loved this book so, so much. Please, please, please read Calder and Eden’s epic story. I promise you won’t regret it. 5 perfect hearts!

Note: Becoming Calder is the first part of Calder and Eden’s story. It is a full length novel, but the story continues in Finding Eden, which releases simultaneously with Becoming Calder (so you don’t have to wait for the sequel). Psst – you’ll want to get your hands on Finding Eden as soon as you finish Becoming Calder!

Read my review of Finding Eden.

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

Reading Order: A Sign of Love series

#1 ~ Leo: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Leo’s Chance: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Stinger: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Archer’s Voice: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Becoming Calder: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Finding Eden: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Kyland: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#8 ~ Grayson’s Vow: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#9 ~ Midnight Lily: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

	Unlocking the Magic… on Review: A Promise of Fire by A…
	Lucas Middleton on Blog Tour // Review + Excerpt:…
	Van on Blog Tour + Release Day Review…
	Amber Elise @ Du Liv… on Audiobook Review: The Stand-In…
	daisyknox on Release Day Review: Tryst Six…

Booklovers For Life

Falling in love with romance one page at a time

Tag Archives: book review