Blog Tour + Release Day Review & Giveaway: Killer Queen by L.H. Cosway

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

Welcome to today’s stop on the KILLER QUEEN blog tour! It’s KILLER QUEEN’s release day today, so make sure to get reading!

The Killer Queen by L.H. Cosway
Release Date: October 20th 2014
Companion novel to Painted Faces

Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome…

Come inside The Glamour Patch club to see the star of our show, Miss Vivica Blue.

Do you want to read my diary you nosy little devils? Have a glass of champagne (you’ll need it) and get comfortable because you’re in for some crazy shenanigans brought to you straight from the horse’s mouth.

I can be whatever you want me to be: boy, girl, a little bit of both.

If you have a problem with a man in a dress then best be off with you. If males in make-up give you the willies, then I’ll say au revoir and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

So, who are we left with? Ah, a fine collection of curious souls. I want to tell you a tale of love, because those are the most glorious kind. I want to tell you about real love, a love that transcends labels and gender stereotypes.

The moment I first laid eyes on my Freda I knew that we were kindred. Well okay, I also knew I wanted to get into her pants, but that’s beside the point. My world was a grey place. I was at my lowest ebb. Then she came along and patches of colour began to spring forth. One day the daffodils were yellow and before I knew it, colour was everywhere, lighting up my life.

Love is not about how we appear on the outside, it’s about the soul contained within.

Our story was not a conventional one, but it was ours, and that’s what made it shine.

Killer Queen is a companion novel to L.H. Cosway’s contemporary romance, Painted Faces. It contains scenes that take place before, during and after the original story. It can also be read as a standalone.

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

Killer Queen is a fantastic companion novel to Painted Faces! I really enjoyed Painted Faces, but I think I have to admit that I liked Killer Queen slightly better. Most likely because it was narrated by the fabulous Nicholas Turner.

Killer Queen can be read as a standalone novel, but I highly recommend reading Painted Faces first. Killer Queen recounts only parts of Painted Faces, though we also get some of Nicholas’s story before and after. I really liked that we got to see how Nicholas was before he met Freda – you can see how he truly does hit rock bottom. I felt for this man, this man who doesn’t believe he has any self-worth. Nicholas’s past still haunts him and he drowns his past by becoming a woman.

The world was full of all sorts, and I was definitely one of them.
We human beings are strange creatures, and that strangeness makes us fascinating.

When Nicholas gets up on stage and becomes Vivica Blue, he doesn’t have an abusive past. He becomes an entirely different person and he loves it. Some people may think his quirks are strange, but he doesn’t care what people think. I loved being in Nicholas’s head, reading his thoughts. His mind goes back and forth, confident one moment, and then hitting rock bottom the next. And despite traveling around the world, performing shows, meeting all sorts of people, he’s lonely. It’s not until he meets Freda that Nicholas’s world is brought back to life.

Every morning I woke up looking forward to the day because I knew she was going to be in it. I didn’t dwell on the past so much anymore; now I found myself constantly looking to the future. And I didn’t mind being alone with my thoughts so much, either, because my thoughts were often about her.

Nicholas is one horny little devil. He absolutely adores Freda and her body – you think you know how much Nicholas wants Freda in Painted Faces, but you truly don’t know the extent of it until you read Killer Queen. It was adorable seeing Nicholas being so taken and enamored with Freda. You can clearly see how Nicholas falls in love with her, even though he doesn’t see it himself. His demons won’t allow love in his life, and it takes much heartbreak for Nicholas to finally realize he is more than worthy of loving and being loved.

“I feel like I need her more than air. Is that love?”

It was such a delight being in Nicholas’s head, reading his POV on certain parts of Painted Faces. I was just really happy overall with Killer Queen. We get a much clearer view on who Nicholas is, and I loved seeing how sweet he is to Freda. The ending of the book had me smiling so much! If you’re a fan of Painted Faces, you definitely won’t want to miss this companion novel – you’ll be falling all over again for Nicholas and Freda’s story!

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

Reading Order: Painted Faces series

#1 ~ Painted Faces: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Killer Queen: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads • Amazon Page

Prize one: Signed copy of Killer Queen, Killer Queen tote bag, Limited edition MAC Rocky Horror Make-Up, Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack CD signed by Nicholas.
Prize two: Signed copy of Killer Queen & Killer Queen tote bag.

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14Oct2014

Release Day Review: Sublime by Christina Lauren

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Sublime by Christina Lauren
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: October 14th 2014
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

True love may mean certain death in a ghostly affair of risk and passion from New York Times bestselling duo Christina Lauren, authors of Beautiful Bastard. Tahereh Mafi, New York Times bestselling author of Shatter Me calls Sublime “a beautiful, haunting read.”

When Lucy walks out of a frozen forest, wearing only a silk dress and sandals, she isn’t sure how she got there. But when she sees Colin, she knows for sure that she’s here for him.

Colin has never been captivated by a girl the way he is by Lucy. With each passing day their lives intertwine, and even as Lucy begins to remember more of her life–and her death–neither of them is willing to give up what they have, no matter how impossible it is. And when Colin finds a way to physically be with Lucy, taking himself to the brink of death where his reality and Lucy’s overlap, the joy of being together for those brief stolen moments drowns out everything in the outside world. But some lines weren’t meant to be crossed…

I’m very… conflicted about this book. On one hand, it’s gorgeously written – Christina Lauren’s writing is poetic. It makes Sublime feel haunting and mysterious. But on the other… I was NOT a fan of the romance. Still, it’s a fascinating read, no doubt, but Sublime wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. I wanted an epic ghost romance, but the romance fell flat. I mean, I knew that a story about a boy and a ghost girl couldn’t exactly end well, but I wanted something more substantial for the plot. For the most part, the writing was what kept me hooked.

“I think I’m here for you.”

Lucy is a ghost. She doesn’t realize she’s a ghost at first – she wakes up at a school with no memories, no idea who she is, and it’s only when she tries to interact with others and they ignore her, don’t see her, that she realizes something is off. But it turns out Lucy’s not invisible to everyone, because Colin can see her.

As if she can feel him staring, she turns, an involuntary smile lifting the corner of her mouth. Her dimple makes him think of giggled pleas, mischievous promises, and the taste of sugar on his tongue. Gunmetal eyes meet his, and the color is alive, churning like an angry ocean, pulling him in.
He lets himself drown.

Colin and Lucy have an instant connection with each other. They are drawn to each other and neither are hesitant about forming a relationship, even though they don’t understand what that connection is or why Lucy is there as a ghost. I was a bit skeptical about their insta-love, but I was rooting for them to find a way to be together. It was pretty innocent at first – boy and ghost girl fall in love, they want to be together, it seems like they’re meant to be together. It’s only when they actually TRY to be together, in the physical sense, that things started turning a bit dark, even sinister.

Lucy and Colin become slightly obsessed with one another. It didn’t bother me at first – I wanted them to find a way to be together, but there’s a point where you have to pause and think, exactly WHAT will you do to be together? Their relationship started turning unhealthy – Colin kept putting himself in harm’s way to be with Lucy. At this point, their romance was a bust for me. So I turned my focus on the why’s and how’s of the story. Why was Lucy there? What happened to her? How was she a ghost?

Every step of the way, I wasn’t sure what was going on, which was a good and bad thing. Sublime intrigued me to no end – I expected some answers, but all I got were more questions. None of my questions were answered, and I was really disappointed about that.

So yeah, the writing was what kept me reading. And I have to say, the writing was beautifully written, even though I didn’t exactly like the content. I liked HOW Sublime was written, not WHAT was written. Christina Lauren really have outdone themselves with the writing in Sublime – it’s hauntingly gorgeous and elegant.

The premise held a lot of potential but I’m sad to say Sublime was only an okay read for me. There were some aspects I loved, some aspects I hated. I expected a lot more than I got. The romance just did not sit right with me, so I wouldn’t recommend reading this for the romance. Mainly, you should try Sublime out for the writing.

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

13Oct2014

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

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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

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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

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