Friday, May 30, 2014

Author Interview: Abbi Glines in Atlanta, Georgia

On Friday, May 9th we were so excited to be in Atlanta for 2 major book signings! First we went to Belles on Wheels (see the interviews here!).  Then we were booking it (pun intended) to Eagle Eye Books to see and interview Abbi Glines.   

A huge thank you to Ariele at Atria Books for helping organize our interview with Abbi. We knew that Abbi’s signing was supposed to end at 8:30 and we left BOW at 7:45 to make it over.  We were seriously panicking that we might miss our chance since traffic in Atlanta on a Friday evening is anything other than desirable.  When we finally saw the store, it was 8:28 and I actually got out of the car in the road while my blog partner parked and ran the way to the store to ensure we didn’t miss her.    To say we were having a fangirl moment is a bit of an understatement!  



Once we got in the book store though, she was still happily signing and we even got to chat with some of her fans and interviewed them about why they love her!  See their answers below and comment with your favorites.  









We have read every single one of Abbi’s books from The Vincent Boys to Rush Too Far and everything, including paranormal, in between and fell in love with them all.  She is an amazingly talented author and is so fun to be around!  It was like speaking to a friend you haven’t seen for a while. Watch our interview below and let us know how excited you are to read her upcoming books!  



We also happened to get some Rush Too Far swag while we were there!  Don’t you just love these autographed Rush T-shirts??  I know you all will want to wear them to bed and dream of Rush!  Enter the Rafflecopter for a chance at one of 2 t-shirts and an autographed copy of Rush Too Far.  Thank you again to Abbi for taking the time to chat with us and to Atria for allowing us the opportunity!



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Cover Reveal: The Only One, by Meg Collett

Cover Reveal for The Only One

The Only One Cover-good res  

Title: The Only One
Series: End of Days, Book 3
Author: Meg Collett
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Brief Synopsis:
In the final installment to the popular End of Days series, a heavenly civil war breaks out amongst the angels, and the stakes are higher than ever before. It’s the war Michaela wanted, but she’s realizing it might not be the one she’s meant to fight. What is mercy and sacrifice in the face of tyranny and madness? It’s a lesson Michaela might not live long enough to fully understand.

the only one teaser 1

Start the End of Days journey now...

The Hunted One (Book 1)

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wattpad cover THE HUNTED ONE

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The Lost One (Book 2)

$2.99

cover reveal TOO

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About the Author

Meg Collett

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Meg Collett lives deep in the hills of Tennessee where there the cell phone service is a blessing and internet is a myth of epic proportions. She is the mother of one giant horse named Elle and two dogs named Wylla and Mandy. Her husband is a saint for putting up with her ragtag life. End of Days is her first series.

Promo Tour: Autumn and Summer, by Danielle Allen


Synopsis 


Is it better to have loved and lost or to have never loved at all?

Sexy, successful and stylish, Autumn Jones believes in love. She believes in the all-consuming, mind blowing enormity of love. She believes in the euphoric state of loving and being loved. She believes in it because she’s had it once. And when it was lost, she was devastated, but she never stopped believing in the existence of love. Unwilling to settle, she learned from the past and moved on with the expectation that she’ll love again. 

Beautiful, talented, and slightly jaded, Summer Wilson believes in sex. She believes in the all-consuming, mind blowing enormity of good sex. She believes that love exists, but Prince Charming does not. At least not for her. She’s seen the downside of love—insanity, heartbreak, infidelity, divorce—and she dates with the expectation that she won’t ever subject herself to that type of vulnerability. Instead, she chooses to love her family, her friends, and her work. And although she enjoys the company of men, her heart is hers and hers alone. 

Best friends since elementary school, Autumn and Summer kick off the summer by embarking on a dating experiment. Unfortunately, expecting the unexpected doesn’t prepare them for what the dating world has in store.


Teasers 





















Dreamcast 






 Autumn and Summer Playlist 

“Back to Black”
Amy Winehouse

“Light Years Away”
Mozella

“Ready For Love”
India.Aire

“We Might Be Dead By Tomorrow”
Soko

“Everything Has Changed”
Taylor Swift

“Can’t Be Love”
Laura Izibor

“Hometown Glory”
Adele

“The Worst”
Jhene Aiko

“Turning Tables”
Adele

“Sweet Thing”
Mary J. Blige

“Take Away”
Missy Elliott

“Sunday Afternoon”
Rachael Yamagata

“My Heart Still Beats For You”
Anna Ternheim

“The Love We Had (Stays On My Mind)”
Joss Stone

“Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready)”
Alicia Keys

“I Shall Believe”
Sheryl Crow

“The Words”
Christina Perri

“I Will Be There”
Odessa

“For Real”
Amel Larrieux






  Author Bio 

Life is good! 

I am a married event planner and life coach. My awesome friends and family and my amazing husband make my life sweet. I love to have fun and enjoy the life I’ve been blessed with. I love shopping and football with equal fervor. I’m an amateur movie critic (i.e. my husband and I watch and critique a lot of movies for fun). I love to read and I enjoy sharing my love of books with anyone who will listen. I love music. A good lyric with a good melody can paint a vivid picture and invoke such a range of emotions. I have a soft spot for most mediums of creative, artistic expression.
With degrees in psychology, human services, and marriage and family counseling, I have a unique perspective on life, love and the pursuit of happiness. As an author, I combine an active imagination and life experiences to create stories that are easily relatable and intentionally intriguing. I want to offer you a peek into someone else’s life and for you to get lost in their story, their trials, their triumphs. My ultimate goal is to create a character or a story that stays with you long after you’ve put the book down.
So in a nutshell: I plan. I teach. I read. I write. I watch. I critique. I shop. I play. I love.
To know me is to love me.


XOXO
 Social Media Links 







Thursday, May 29, 2014

Blog Tour: For the Love of a Lush, by Selena Laurence





For the Love of a Lush (Lush No. 2)
by Selena Laurence
Genre: Edgy Contemporary Romance
Release Date:  May 29, 2014
Hosted by:  The REAL Housewives of Romance



Synopsis
Six months ago, Walsh Clark was the drummer of America’s hottest rock sensation, Lush. Now he’s living at the Double A Ranch in north Texas, home to cows, cowboys, and lushes—like him. He’s survived alcoholism, rehab, and the breakup of his band. But the one thing Walsh might not survive is the return of his ex fiancée Tammy DiLorenzo.

Tammy and Walsh met at fourteen, and she was with him on every step to fame and fortune—until one fateful night when she betrayed him. Now she’s back, begging for forgiveness and ready to fight for her man. But some betrayals are too painful to forget, some mistakes can’t be repaired, and Walsh is certain that he and Tammy can’t ever be together again.


But DiLorenzo women don’t back down, and Tammy always gets what she wants. In the wake of the lies and losses, she’s prepared to do whatever it takes for a second chance. She’ll give it all—for the love of a lush.




Review
4.25 out of 5 stars

For The Love of a Lush begins where A Lush Betrayal ends.  If you have read this book (which I recommend) you already know all about Walsh and Tammy and their horrible break up.  I am not gonna lie, I wasn’t sure how much I was going to enjoy this book based on my encounters with Walsh and Tammy in A Lush Betrayal.  Tammy came across as a really bossy witch and Walsh was totally clueless.  I am happy to say though, that I actually enjoyed their story more than Joss and Mel’s!
 
Walsh is struggling with his sobriety and his on the Double A ranch in Texas.  Once Tammy shows up on the scene to try and win Walsh back, the fun begins.  I could definitely connect more with Walsh and feel his struggles and pain more than I could before.  He really has a great story and I enjoyed some of the back story of the he and Tammy’s relationship, such as their meeting when Tammy was 14 and losing their virginity to each other.  They really had a sweet relationship and I was rooting for them to find their way back to each other.
 
Tammy came across as a really selfish, bossy person before, but in FTLOL she really made me like her and see her insecurities.  She has been with Walsh since she was a teenager and really doesn’t know how to function in life without him in it.  She has learned patience and how to hold her tongue since her breakdown.  I really felt sorry for her because I know that she regretted sleeping with Joss from day 1.  Will she push Walsh too much too fast?  Or can they learn to forgive each other and more importantly themselves for their mistakes?
 
Side note:  I really hated Mike in the first book; he was a total douchebag the entire time.  I was floored by him in this book.  I am so excited to see what Ms. Laurence has in store for us with his story.  I love his sarcastic attitude and his loyalty to his friends and I adore his chemistry with Jenny.  I can’t wait to read his back story!
 
Overall, if you love a good story with rock stars and drama, this is the series for you!





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A Lush Betrayal
(Lush No. 1)




Joss Jamison has it all. He's the lead singer for the world's hottest rock band, Lush. He's wealthy, sexy, talented...and miserable. Twelve months ago, Joss lost his finely honed control and made a mistake he can't undo. A mistake that could end up costing him his best friend, his band, and maybe his heart.

Mel DiLorenzo has it all. She's been hired to document the world tour of her sister's fiance's rock band. She's gorgeous, talented, loved...and sick of being the little sister. When she agrees to the summer job, Mel has no idea she's walking into a minefield of friendships lost and hearts destroyed. She also has no idea what it means to be the object of Joss Jamison's affections.

One hot rock star plus one life-altering mistake, add a dash of sexy younger sister and a handful of broken hearts, and you've got a recipe for fire. Life on the road can be hot, but for the boys of Lush, it's about to get a whole hell of a lot hotter.


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About Author Selena Laurence
Selena Laurence lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and spends a lot of time at soccer games, on her laptop, and reading. She is a full-time romance author who loves nothing more than a good love story, whether it be about rock stars or college kids. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Colorado Romance Writers. Her books have been on Amazon Topselling lists in Military Romance, Contemporary Romance, Hispanic fiction and Multicultural Romance. She requires a Mocha Latte every day to function, keeps a goldendoodle at her feet most of the time, and has more kids than she knows what to do with.


Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  Web



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Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Blog Tour and Review: Falling Stars, by JL Brooks

falling stars full cover

Synopsis
It had all the makings of a perfect plot, and for bestselling author Lila Keaton-it was a hedonistic past she kept hidden far away. Many nights were spent crossing the velvet rope, dancing until dawn and bedding one of the worlds biggest DJ’s, Hunter Michaels AKA Arial Assault. When Lila’s agent uncovers her thrilling secret, it appears as if nothing is off limits when it comes to pitching the story, whether Lila wants to tell it or not. Despite knowing her reluctance is career suicide, she cannot bring herself to open her heart once more to the man who nearly destroyed it. Given the opportunity to escape her predicament, Hunter attempts to reconcile the pain he has caused, and rekindle the passion that was abandoned long ago. When a series of events causes history to repeat itself, Lila sets off unaccompanied through out the west to test her boundaries with the sensual and surreal, and ultimately come face to face with the only thing that can keep her from falling.

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Review
3.75 out of 5 stars

I absolutely loved the idea and concept of this book.  Lila Keaton, is a best selling author, one who not only writes erotica but also pushes the boundaries.  She's always known her time in the spotlight may be fleeting, so when plagued with writer's block and void of any inspiration she willing resigns with her publisher.  Unfortunately, her agent uncovers secretes from her past and pushes Lila to turn those memories into her next bestseller.  When she refuses, her agent further tries force her hand when she publicly announces her famous ex-boyfriend's support of the new book.  Infuriated and fearful of opening the doors to her painful past she commits career suicide, running away from Hunter and their memories, she drops her agent, publisher, and refuses to do the book with plans to give up and move back home.  But nothing ever goes as planned and one weekend built on the hope of a second chance, leads her down a road she never expected.

Reading a story about a book character who was an author struggling for their next masterpiece was an incredibly unique experience.  Being able to see the ups and downs of their lives, getting an idea as to how a story is born, even watching the lines of reality and fantasy blur was all very interesting.  Of course Falling Stars is a work of fiction, and I'm not an author, so who knows if this is what life is really like for most authors, but my point is JL Brooks convinced me of Lila Keaton's character.

I found myself struggling with my feelings for Hunter and his relationship with Lila.  It felt too all consuming, and being just in Lila's head, having to slowly piece together the story of their past.  I just wasn't sure.  I think a part of me wanted them to work it out, and I think I certainly was pulling for the mysteriousness of Hunter to lift, for their relationship to make sense and for them to find a HEA.  But then Grant entered the picture.

I immediately fell for Grant.  He seemed to be able to bring out all the best parts of Lila.  He guided her to a better place, he opened her eyes up to the possibility of true and equal happiness.  I appreciated her time and experiences with him because the end result was an even stronger, certainly more confident, with a better idea of what she wants out of life Lila Keaton.

I was on cloud nine for my characters when I started the epilogue, only to come crashing down when the last word was read.  I should have realized this was the first book in a new series, but I didn't so when I was left with a cliff hanger I found myself frustrated.  Of course this is not JL Brooks fault, and if I hadn't been invested in the characters and story it wouldn't have affected me.  So, that alone is a testament to this author's ability to tell an intriguing story.  And looking back the randomness of a few of the scenes in the book make more sense now, knowing there will be another book.  But, even 24 hours later I am still wondering why some things transpired the way they did, yet while parts of the book may have felt choppy I overall enjoyed the read and would recommend you read Falling Stars for yourselves.


Excerpt
He was sitting in a roped off area of an elegant night club and I was standing at the edge unable to reach him. From across the space he stared venomously in my direction for daring to intrude on his territory. Grasping for the pass around my neck, I remembered that I gave it to his girlfriend, the one who was down on her knees, sucking his cock for everyone to see. When she turned around, she smiled and thick black liquid seeped from the corners of her mouth and down her chin. Hunter's hand stroked the top of her head as if she were a beloved dog. Then again, to men like him, that is how women were supposed to act, like good little bitches.


About Author JL Brooks 
JL Brooks is a former columnist turned novelist. What started as a bet changed her entire course in life. With a passion for adventure, she believes everyone has a story to tell. Chances are she will try to convince you to tell yours. Books by JL Brooks: Distractions 2013 Rotten 2013 Stories for Amanda-2013 (Contributor) Pink Shades of Words-2014 (Contributor) Follow JL at: Twitter- @Authorjlbrooks Facebook- www.facebook.com/authorjlbrooks Email- Authorjlbrooks@gmail.com  

Monday, May 26, 2014

Blog Tour: Bang, by E.K. Blair

 
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Synopsis
They say when you take revenge against another you lose a part of your innocence. But I’m not innocent. I haven’t been for a very long time. My innocence was stolen from me. Taken was the life I was supposed to have. The soul I was born with. The ruby heart embedded in a life full of hopes and dreams. Gone. Vanished. I never even had a choice. I mourn that life. Mourn the what-ifs. Until now. I’m ready to take back what was always meant to be mine. But every plan has a fatal flaw. Sometimes it’s the heart. **Due to the dark and explicit nature of this book, it is recommended for mature audiences only as some scenes may be particularly disturbing.**

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Excerpt
He thinks, in this moment, that we’re making love. He fills me slowly as I lie beneath him. Arms laced around his neck. Legs spread open wide, inviting him in deeper as he makes a meal out of my tits. He believes everything I want him to. He always has. But this is merely a game for me. A game he foolishly has fallen into. He never questions my love for him, and now my body writhes underneath his and moans in mock pleasure as he comes hard, jerking his hips into me, telling me how much he loves me, and I give his words right back. “God, I love you so much,” I pant. His head is nestled in the yoke of my neck as he tries to calm his breathing, and when he lifts up, I run my fingers through his hair and over his damp scalp as he looks into my eyes. “You’re so stunning like this.” “Like what?” I question softly. “Sated.” Idiot.




About Author E.K. Blair
cebfce356b860a82390823.L._V361037620_USA Today bestselling author and International bestselling author, E.K. Blair takes her readers on an emotional roller coaster with her dynamic and intense writing style. Noted for her ability to create fleshed-out characters that will evoke a realm of reactions, you can be assured that her stories will linger with you far beyond the last word. A former first grade teacher with an imagination that runs wild. Daydreaming and zoning out is how she was often found in high school. Blair tends to drift towards everything dark and moody. Give her a character and she will take pleasure in breaking them down, digging into their core to find what lies underneath. Aside from writing, E.K. Blair finds pleasure in music, drinking her Starbucks in peace, and spending time with her friends. She’s a thinker, an artist, a wife, a mom, and everything in between. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

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Blog Tour and Review: Mended, by Kim Karr




Synopsis
MUSIC HAS THE POWER TO HEAL ALL…BUT NOT ALL BROKEN HEARTS CAN BE MENDED.

Always in control, Xander Wilde considered life on the road to be a perfect fit for him. But when disaster strikes on the Wilde Ones’ latest tour, fate intervenes…and a newly single Ivy Taylor, the only girl he has ever loved, steps back into his life.

After moving past her painful breakup with Xander years ago, Ivy was poised to become the next big name in pop music…when suddenly she withdrew from the limelight—the same day she announced her engagement to her controlling agent, Damon Wolf.

Xander knows he should keep his distance. But once they’re on the road, he can’t resist pursuing her for a second chance. Yet a jealous Damon can’t let her go—and he’s keeping dangerous secrets that could destroy them all. 

When the three of them come together, everything falls apart. But if Xander and Ivy can hold tight to the bond that connects them, they just might have a chance at reclaiming the powerful love they thought they had lost forever....


Excerpt

Xander Wilde
Excerpt from Mended Connections #3 by Kim Karr © 2013 by Kim Karr
Published by the Penguin Group Release date: June 3, 2014
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The magic of rock and roll—it casts a spell on you. I’m no exception. I’m a band manager and I’m living the dream, touring with The Wilde Ones, helping them secure their well-deserved place in the music industry. I love being a part of it all, especially watching the band perform live—the crowds, the cheers, the music. It’s a high and a low all at once and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Every step of the way with this band has been fun, exciting, stressful—every possible emotion. Obviously we’ve had some breaks but mostly we all put in a lot of hard work—myself, Garrett Flynn, Phoenix Harper, River Wilde, and now Zane Perry.
“Can you hear me now?” he bellows.
I nod my head as my heart pounds in my chest. My hands feel cold and clammy and a nervousness that makes me weak and shaky takes over. Doubts race through my head and I’m questioning if he’s going to make it through this. A vague awareness that something bad could happen kicks around in my mind and I can’t shake it. The Wilde Ones are doing a sound check on stage and Zane’s not on his game.
It’s July and the weather has been brutally hot. But today it seems cooler. Maybe it’s the California weather maybe it’s the excitement of being home. The Beautiful Lies Tour bus finally rolled back into our home state of California after six months away. When we pulled into the amphitheater, we could see tanned kids in board shorts and bikini tops already lined up at the will call window. Security guards in polo shirts directed us to the artist parking lot, and we were officially home. Tonight we’ll be headlining our biggest show to date. We’re on tour without my brother, River, and still more than half of the shows are sold out, including tonight’s. River quit the band—touring just wasn’t for him but even so the album is on its way up the charts. Who knows it may even hit gold status.
The songs on the album were written and sung by River but are performed in concert by Zane. Having him as my brother’s replacement has been the key to our successful transition in a world where replacing leads is normally unsuccessful—simply put, we’re lucky as hell to have him. River promised to make a surprise appearance at our next stop. It’s going to be epic.
But tonight is all about the arena—Mountain View and the Shoreline. “That’s enough,” I yell to the band and call rehearsal. This place is the biggest outdoor venue we’ve played and I couldn’t be more stoked—or more nervous. A sold out show and a rocking opening band—what a combination. But a lead singer with another cold and a weakened voice that can’t be heard throughout an amphitheater scares the shit out of me.
I head straight for the bus and spend the next few hours hashing out a song with Nix that he calls a jumbled mess of muscular sense and big-riff sunshine—whatever the hell that means. All I know is that it needs help and that’s why he’s turning to me. I hadn’t played guitar since I was eighteen but for some reason over the course of this tour I’ve picked it back up. At first I used whatever was lying around but last month I had my mother mail my old one to me and it feels like home. It’s a light blue and brown Gibson and I had to have it because it was the guitar that Slash played on. Playing again seems to help pass the time and brings a calm over me that I haven’t felt in awhile.
Hours pass and before I know it, it’s almost show time. We make our way over to the Amphitheater, do the typical festival schmooze fest, and then settle back to wait. Waiting for them to take the stage is always the most nerve-racking time. I’m sitting in the practically vacant makeshift meet and greet area back stage and sipping a beer in a worthless effort to calm my nerves when a voice travels through the sound system. It’s a powerful and emotive mezzo-soprano range that is nothing short of explosive. She sounds unlike any singer I’ve ever heard before—with only one exception, Ivy Taylor. I push back the memory of her name and the emotions it evokes—the memories are just too painful. I can’t see her on stage but I know that the voice belongs to Jane Mommsen. Her band Breathless is playing right before The Wilde Ones.
A hand on my shoulder startles me. I twist and glance up as Amy sits down beside me, crossing her legs. “Hi, Xander. I thought I saw you earlier at the hotel.”
She’s a beautiful woman—long, wavy dark hair, petite figure, very natural looking. She’s wearing jeans, a blue shirt with some kind of foil design, and silver sandals. Grinning at her I say, “Finally we catch up. Can I get you a drink?”
“I’d love that. How’s life on the road been?”
“You know, it has its ups and downs but actually not bad. You?”
“Jane’s been going full-force for a while now. But the tour ends with the summer.

I’ll be glad to be back in LA.”
Standing up, I laugh. “I know the feeling. I’ll be right back, let me grab us that

drink.” Tossing my empty bottle, I make my way to the coolers lined up under the tent and grab two beers. I know she’d rather have a glass of Chardonnay but beer it is. Amy is Jane’s assistant and I’ve taken her out more than a few times. We went to high school together and Amy and I know most of the same people so whenever I need a date, I ask her. Last time I saw her was almost nine months ago when I took her to River and Dahlia’s wedding.
Heading back to the table I hear Jane yell out to the crowd, “Are you ready for three of the hottest guys in music?” The audience starts screaming and the stage lights dim cuing the guys that it’s the fifteen-minute countdown until they take the stage. The band huddles together in their typical pre-performance stance. I’ll have a quick drink with Amy and then join them. As I hand her the bottle my fingers touch hers and we both grin, knowing that we will end up alone by the end of the night.
“You sticking around for the whole show?”
“I think I might,” she smiles.
“How about we ride back to the hotel together and grab a real drink at the bar?” “Sounds like a plan.”
“Great. Time for me to get back to work.”

She rises from the table, I do the same. She stands up on her toes and kisses me quickly on the lips. “See you tonight,” she smiles.
“Catch you later,” I say and then cross the room to join the band.
“You’re late,” Nix snickers. “What’s with you two anyway?” he asks.
I shrug my shoulders. “Nothing. We casually see each other once in a while.” Garrett raises an eyebrow. “Chicks are never cool with casual.”
Shaking my head at him, I don’t bother to disagree. Amy and I have been doing this for years. It works for her and for me. We like each other’s company but only see each other sporadically. I’ll call her once in a while and we’ll go out but we are in no way exclusive. I don’t ask her about other men and she doesn’t ask me about other women. I grab the bottle and pour the amber liquid into the shot glasses stacked on the cap. It’s our pre-show routine. A shot and a prayer, so to say. It’s Garrett’s turn tonight to ‘pray’ so this should be good.
He raises his glass. “Here’s to hoping Xander gets laid so he’ll get off our backs.”
Tipping my glass back, I quickly down the amber liquid. It burns as it makes its way down my throat. Once we’ve all drank our two shot maximum before a show Garrett follows his toast up with, “Seriously man, you need to get laid.”
The guys laugh and I actually join in. Jerking off in the small bathroom on the bus is definitely one of the downsides of touring. I’ve slept with a few girls at some of our stops but screwing groupies isn’t really my thing. I’m not one to have time for a girlfriend but I’m also not about to pull my dick out backstage, so it’s been a long six months.
Zane coughs after he slings back the shot and I look at him with concern. “You’re going to a doctor tomorrow.”
He shakes his head. “Yes, Mom, if you say so.”
“I’m not kidding. Your voice sounds like shit.”
“It’s a fucking cold. I took some medicine. I’ll be fine.”
“Doctor. Tomorrow. I mean it. I’ll have Ena set it up.”
“I can always sing,” Garrett chimes in and I smack the back of his head.
“Hey. I can.”
The lights start to flicker and I look at Zane with that feeling of uneasiness again.

Second time this tour he’s coughing and hacking. We’re screwed if he really gets sick. He nods at me as I pat him on the back. Slinging his guitar over his shoulder, he heads out first raising his arm in the air. The crowd goes crazy. The six foot guy is a chick magnet and no one misses my brother tonight. Garrett heads out next yelling, “Great to be here Mountain View!” and Nix follows with his trademark nod. Zane skips his normal charming banter and I know he must be saving his voice. Again, I think about how we’re fucked if he gets sick.
I stand at the edge of the stage all night until they finally come to their last song. “It Wasn’t Days Ago,” is a simple but crowd affecting ballad and Zane belts it out. Shouts from nearly thirty thousand fans call for an encore. Turning away from the microphone Zane coughs again. Biting his thumbnail he looks over at me and I slice my finger across my neck.
“One more song for tonight,” he tells the screaming fans and my blood pressure rises. “This one is a cover, an ‘ode to’ I’ll call it. It’s for Xander Wilde, the band’s manager and it’s his favorite song. Everyone ready?” As he starts to sing Linkin Park’s “Iridescent,” I close my eyes and listen. When he hits the chorus his voice gets so low my eyes snap open. Zane turns to grab a bottle of water while the guys continue to play but I can tell something isn’t right.
***
Last night definitely didn’t go as planned—a visit to the ER, then sleeping in a chair next to Zane all night on the bus because the steroids he was given freaked him out. It’s noon and Amy and I are just arriving at the Pelican Hill Resort. Breathless was leaving right after the show last night so Amy had already planned to ride with us and meet up with them in Irvine. She invited me to some party being thrown by her band’s label that I would have rather not gone to but Ellie, the tour manager, insisted we all go for the good PR.
I’m exhausted and really need some sleep before dealing with the press and tomorrow night’s show. The paparazzi have been everywhere—by the bus as we exited to the waiting car in LA, outside the doctor’s office, at the gates of Zane’s father’s house, and now they’re here in Irvine at the hotel.
To avoid the chaos awaiting us in the lobby, I call Ellie, who is already here, and ask her to check me in and meet me at the pool bar with the key. Draping my arm around Amy, we head that way. I’ve been here a few times so I know my way around. Cutting through the grotto and over to the pool and cabanas, I steer Amy to the right and stop in my tracks as all the air rushes from my lungs.
My body floods with adrenaline and my gut twists. I don’t even have to do a double take because I’d know her anywhere. There’s no mistaking her. She’s just so beautiful— the elegant planes of her face, those high cheekbones, red lipstick, her platinum blonde hair shorter than it used to be tucked behind her ear, that face of an angel. She looks the same. No, she looks better. Her skin glistens in the sun and my gaze automatically follows the shape of her long legs. They look smooth and tan against her white bathing suit. An ache forms in my chest as I think about running my fingers up them. She’s still that eighteen-year-old girl I once knew but now she has the body of a woman—lean and toned and full of curves. When she moves it’s so familiar it doesn’t seem like a day has passed—and everything I ever felt for her, it’s all still inside me.
My pulse races at the mere sight of her. She’s lounging in the cushioned chair reading a magazine just outside a cabana. My heart slams harder in my chest when she sticks her earphones in her ears like she always used to do and it transports me back to the last time I saw her do the very same thing. We’d skipped school and were at my grandparents’ house—their pool. She was lying on the lounge chair listening to music and singing along—her voice so full of soul. I’d moved to sit with her under the guise of putting lotion of her back. She sat up and smiled that shy smile she didn’t need to have when she was with me. I squeezed the tube into my hand and after rubbing them together I slowly applied it to her back kneading my way up and down, touching every inch of her that I could.
It brings me back to the here and now when she suddenly sits up and looks over at me. Her eyes pin me in place. She looks at me as if she remembers me for who I was, what we were, not what I did to her. With my chest pounding, memories of us keep flashing through my mind. Fighting a smile, I wonder if she’s thinking the same thing— remembering what we were, what we shared, how we loved.
She quickly breaks our connection when she averts her eyes over to the man handing her a drink. I suck in a deep breath trying not to feel sick at the sight. He’s nearing fifty, wearing a terrycloth robe. He’s about my height, dark brown hair, meticulously groomed facial hair, and not exactly ripped but fit. He’s Damon Wolf, a man I’ve never actually met but hate all the same. I’ve seen their picture on TV and in magazines. He’s her agent, her fiancé, and I’m sure he’s the reason she’s not singing anymore.
She looks up at him with that same forced smile she used to give people she just wanted to appease and mouths “thank you.” I have a sudden urge to go over and deck him when her gaze shifts back to mine and he pulls her chin back to look at him. I can sense a discomfort between them. We could sense each other’s feelings even when we weren’t near each other.
Amy’s hand slides down my face and I have to blink a few times before I can hear what she’s saying. Glancing one last time at Ivy I see that she’s staring at me again. Then suddenly her mouth forms a scowl and she flicks her attention toward him. Hooking her arm around his neck, she pulls him down for a kiss and I think I might throw up.
“Are you okay?”
I nod. Not able to say a word.
“Isn’t that Ivy Taylor over there? The girl you used to date in high school?” Amy

asks. There’s an irritated tone to her voice I’m not used to hearing and it makes me agitated.
“Yeah, it is,” is all I say. She’s not just a girl I used to date...she’s the only girl I ever really loved. She’s also the girl whose heart I broke. Seeing her now brings back all those feelings I blocked, ignored, tucked aside. So many times over the years I wanted to go after her and tell her the truth—but I never did. Why I don’t know. Then one day it was too late—she had gotten engaged.
Amy chatters on. “I think that’s Damon Wolf with her. We should go say hi.”
My body goes cold and my face blank at the thought. I straighten and just as I’m about to say, “No fucking way,” my phone vibrates in my pocket. Squinting at the screen, I see that it’s my brother. I look over to Amy and motion toward the bar. “Hey, this is River. I need to take it. I’ll meet you over there in a minute.”
“That’s fine. We can catch up with them later. I’ll go order us a drink.” She smiles and starts toward the bar.
Turning around to avoid staring at Ivy, I answer the phone. “It took you long enough to call me back.”
“I was in a meeting and stepped out as soon as I could, so don’t start. What did the doctor say about Zane?”
“He’s out for the rest of the tour and we’re fucked.”
“You sure? You’re back in LA for almost two weeks after tomorrow night right? Isn’t that enough time for him to heal?”
“Technically yes. But his old man wants him out. The doctor said that he couldn’t be sure how long the blood that accumulated under his vocal cords had been there but obviously last night, the amount of ruptured vessels was enough to cause his voice to change. He advised at least two weeks of rest before another evaluation to see if surgery is necessary. Zeak wants his son to take a longer period of time off. He’s just afraid that if Zane keeps singing and it keeps happening, scar tissue will build up and cause his voice to change forever.”
“Do you blame him?”
“No I don’t,” I tell River and I feel like shit that I have to put him in a position to do what he didn’t want to do in the first place. But I also know that if I don’t, the band won’t survive. If I have to cancel this tour—the Wilde Ones are done. So I ask, “Did you talk to Dahlia?”
He sighs. “Yeah, I did. She’s cool with it, Xander. I’m just trying to figure it all out.” “You know I’ll do whatever you need me to do, right?”
“Shit why can’t you just be an ass and make it easy for me to say no?”
“Because you have no idea what this means to me.”

“Actually I do, and that’s why I’m going to make it happen. But Xander, remember I can’t play a twelve string.”
Laughter and relief take hold of me. I feel a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. “Right now I wouldn’t care if you only played the violin,” I joke.
He laughs and I add, “You’ll be here tonight?”
Now he sounds slightly annoyed. “I said I would. We might be a little late so don’t get your panties in a wad.”
“That’s cool. Thanks for everything. Hey, one more thing.’ “What?”
“Ivy Taylor’s here.”
“No way. Have you talked to her?”

“Fuck no. You know she won’t talk to me. And besides she’s with that asshole.” “You should talk to her. Tell her the truth.”
“What’s that going to do now? She’ll just think I’m lying.”
“You want me to talk to her? I can explain everything.”
“No. I don’t need my little brother to fight my battles. I’ll talk to her if I feel the time

is right. Do you hear me?”
“Whatever you say. Look, I have to run but I want to discuss this later. And

Xander...you don’t know he’s an asshole. Just because Dad said his name once doesn’t mean shit.”
“Right. Okay, see you tonight,” I say and end the call. My head is spinning knowing that after all these years I’m actually in the same place she is. I want to talk to her, tell her everything but what would it matter now anyway. Glancing behind me, I catch another glimpse of her with him that turns my stomach. He’s such a slime ball. Since his father was hospitalized and he took over the business, he’s been scooping up labels, tearing them apart, and rebuilding them with bands he thinks are better fits. My guess is he picked up Jane’s label—that’s why he’s here. I heard they were having some financial difficulty and he’s just the kind of bottom feeder that would want to capitalize on not only being her agent but now also her producer. The sight of him touching Ivy makes my skin crawl.
Damon Wolf—two of the last words my father ever spoke to me before killing himself, and I never knew why. Of all the guys in the world Ivy had to end up with him— why him? I look up and they’re gone. But I’m anything but relieved. Rubbing my chin, I’m antsy, agitated, pissed as hell, but feel more alive than I have in years. 





Review
4.5 out of 5 stars

I have to start by saying I am a huge fan of The Connections series!  I love the way author Kim Karr weaves the lives and stories of her characters.  Her story telling is flawless and incredibly interesting.  These books always seem to be hard for me to put down.  I wondered when I began Mended if I would fall for Wilder and Ivy as much as I did River and Dahlia.  Let me tell you, it was hook, line and sinker from chapter 1!

Wilder and Ivy were those high school sweethearts who believed with all their hearts their love was more than enough to get them through anything life could offer.  I love the innocence and passion that comes with this type of story.  Unfortunately as you can expect life dished a serving and the fallout was detrimental.  Years later these two still cannot seem to escape the memories of their love and even though they've tried to move forward in life and other relationships, when circumstances bring them back into contact and fate tries to push them back together, will they be willing to give love a 2nd chance?

This story was full of passion, angst, drama, sexual tension, love, forgiveness and 2nd chances.  Wilder's character really surprised me.  Of course he is a total alpha male who loves to be in control, but there is also this sensitive, romantic side to him as well and the end result is completely irresistible.  Because Kim Karr is such an excellent storyteller and has written this book expertly weaving in flashbacks of the past, I understood the motivations behind Wilder's actions, why he continued to let Ivy believe the lies, but I was desperate for him to reveal the truth, to admit his feelings, to find his HEA with her.

As usual Kim Karr throws in some very unexpected curve balls meant to challenge her characters and the ones in this book were a huge surprise.  It allowed both of them, especially Wilder, to really grow as characters.  And for me, when reading a book, there is nothing better than to see this kind of growth.  To be able to cheer your beloved characters on and to rejoice in their well deserved happiness.  Mended isn't only about finding love again but it was also about 2nd chances in life, and what you do when fate gives you the opportunity to question and see everything you thought you already knew through different lenses.  This was a fantastic read and I'm recommending you one-click it today!



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Saturday, May 24, 2014

Release and Blog Tour: What Happens Tomorrow, by Elle Michaels


Along with Elle Michaels, we are excited to share with you her new release “What Happens Tomorrow”. Make sure to join the Facebook Release & Tour Event, read the EXCERPT & enter the Amazon Gift Card GIVEAWAY below!


No one knows what happens tomorrow...
When Brooke Adams suffers the unimaginable, she knows her heart will never be whole again. Faced with the choice of giving in to her grief, or fighting to regain a resemblance to the life she once knew, she chooses to fight.
Not ready to give up, Brooke starts a new life where no one knows her past. As she slowly puts the pieces of her life back together, Brooke meets her neighbor, Tyler Reynolds. Soon, he becomes her friend, her rock...
and her complicated constant.
Despite her best efforts, she finds herself falling for him, but what will happen if Tyler learns the truth about her past and realizes just how deep the damage is?
The risk might be too much...




About Author Elle Michaels
Elle Michaels is a professional in the tech sector, residing with her family in the Pacific Northwest. Having spent years acting in and directing stage productions, she dreamed of writing a screenplay, but at the suggestion of a friend, she decided to write a novel instead. She has always had a passion for reading and romance. There is nothing she loves more than to get lost in a sexy romance story. When not working or writing, she can be found spending time with the love of her life, her two young children and Yorkshire Terrier.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Elle-Michaels/538029962926582
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elle_michaels
Email: ellemichaels1@gmail.com


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