Blog Tour - Made the Grade: Last Second Chance by Caisey Quinn | Character Interview, Review, & Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Caisey Quinn, with a character interview and review of her novel "Last Second Chance," which is the 1st book in her Second Chance Series!!

ALSO -- Be sure to check out Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post to be able to sign up for this blog stop's GIVEAWAY(s)!! [Blog Tour will run from May 13 - 30, 2014]

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VAN RANSOM: Mad Man or Just Misunderstood?
ROLLING STONE INTERVIEW WITH VAN RANSOM
RS: Hello, Mr. Ransom. It’s nice to meet you.

Van: Is it? *leans back in chair and folds heavily inked arms* What would you say is particularly nice about it?

RS: Um, well...your band, Hostage for Ransom, has had an amazing year. That must be pretty exciting to be a part of. How has the past year been for you?

Van: *snorts* Honestly I can’t remember most of it.

RS: *checks notecards* When you say you can’t remember, you mean…

Van: I mean I was dropped on my head a lot as a kid and I have short-term memory deficit.

RS: Okay. Perhaps you should see a doctor.

Van: Perhaps I should. I’ll look right into that.

RS: Mr. Ransom, surely your aware of the rumors circulating.

Van: Can’t say I am. Don’t have a habit of paying attention to rumors.

RS: Ah well, of course not. I just meant that, with all the media speculation, surely you’re aware that there have been mumblings about the possibility of your label, Red Devil Records, dropping you due to the incident last year in Vegas.

Van: I was in Vegas last year? Well, damn. Kind of wish I did remember that.

RS: Let’s take this opportunity to lay the rumors to rest then. Did you or did you not wreck a ten thousand dollar a night hotel room?

Van: *raises and eyebrow* That’s what they tell me.

RS: Any idea why you might’ve done something like that? Did you have a fight with someone? Another member of your band perhaps?

Van: *huffs out a harsh laugh* The only person I fight with is the voice in my head. So yeah, maybe he pissed me off.

RS: And the bus?

Van: *narrows eyes* What about it?

RS: Want to tell your fans why you trashed your tour bus last week and canceled two shows in New York?

Van: There was...New York is... You know what? On top of all the shit I can’t remember, I have no recollection of agreeing to this interview. I think we’re done here.
*stands abruptly, knocking over chair and is followed out by his manager and a publicist*

Van Ransom, ladies and gentlemen. Mad man or just misunderstood? We can’t be sure. Guess you’ll just have to decide for yourself.

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About the Author :

Caisey Quinn lives in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, daughter, and other assorted animals. She is the bestselling author of the Kylie Ryans series as well as several New Adult Romance novels featuring country girls finding love in unexpected places. You can find her online at www.caiseyquinnwrites.com.

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- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 3361 KB | Release Date: May 6, 2014 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: InkSlinger PR

"Last Second Chance" [Second Chance Series, Book 1] by Caisey Quinn

Author's Book Description : When Stella Jo Chandler gets an offer to work at the Second Chance Ranch celebrity rehab facility right after graduating from Texas A&M, she’s tempted to turn it down. She wants to help real people with real problems, not spoiled celebrities going on vacation for publicity. But growing up on her family’s ranch left her with a love of horses that draws her to the opportunity. How bad can babysitting a bunch of strung out celebrities be?

What she didn’t count on was being roped into a tangled mess with infamous rocker and three-time rehab drop out Van Ransom on her first day. And she sure didn’t expect to feel the overwhelming attraction that pulls her to the man who has more issues than she can count on both hands. Like the hotel rooms and tour buses he’s famous for trashing, the havoc he could wreak on Stella’s heart would be irreparable.

Van isn’t at Second Chance for publicity or because he’s suffering from “exhaustion”. He’s on the brink of destruction, and he needs the kind of help Stella isn’t sure she can give. But without her, he'll lose everything. Because he’s on his last second chance.

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars. Profound, thought provoking, extremely intense, and one whorl wind romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. Stella Jo and Van are opposites in more ways then one, yet they are able to fight each others demons and open up to each other in ways they've never been able to before. Their romance might have started out as very reckless but as their time together increases emotions get involved and it's not a chance of if they'll be caught but when. As well as, seeing if they'll be able to handle everything that will be thrown their way once their relationship is revealed.

I liked this novel, no denying that. Yet, it was set at a slower pace then I'd have liked and, at times, the scenes went darker than I expected to read.

Overall, I recommend this novel to those who like redeeming, slightly dark, contemporary erotic romances.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

Author's Novel Extras : Pinterest: LAST SECOND CHANCE | Last Second Chance Teaser | TEASER #1: Last Second Chance | Extended Last Second Chance Teaser Excerpt! | Meet Van Ransom | LAST SECOND CHANCE IS LIVE!




Author's Book Trailer :

Book Teaser(s) :

She laughed, a light, sweet sound that warmed him in a way he’d never experienced before. “Yeah, good point. Stupid question I guess.”
“You don’t strike me as a woman who asks stupid questions.”
She met his gaze and shrugged, drawing his attention to her smooth shoulder. He clamped his mouth shut so he didn’t add that she struck him as the type of woman who kept everything under control in her day-to-day life and pretended she liked to be on top when in reality she wanted to be broken and made to beg. He had to take a deep breath in an attempt to clear the images from his mind.
“Speaking of questions, any chance you wanna tell me your name? Or I can just call you Beautiful. Either way.” He almost groaned out loud. But she rolled her eyes and smiled. She’d been crying when he found her, and he’d made her laugh and smile. Twice. Not that he was keeping track. Oh, who the fuck was he kidding? Hell yeah he was keeping track.
“It’s Stella. Stella Chandler. My family calls me Stella Jo but, um, I haven’t been home in a while.”
Even her damn name was beautiful. And good God, that sexy Southern drawl was more addicting than any drug had ever been. He could listen to her talk forever. Maybe Hell wouldn’t be so bad after all. ~ within Chapter 4

“Not a chance in hell I’m letting you go when you show up on my doorstep looking like that.”
She glanced down at the plain white dress and back at him.
“You look like a virgin being offered up for sacrifice.”
“I can assure you I’m not.” She focused on her breathing as she stepped inside. She hadn’t exactly been completely sober last time she was here. Nor had she paid much attention to the décor.
It wasn’t quite as cozy as her bungalow. She passed through a small kitchenette and spotted a black leather couch across from a fireplace. Her eyes landed on a giant buffalo head above the fireplace.
“That’s Dave,” Van informed her.
“You named him?” She couldn’t help but grin.
“He’s an excellent roommate. Never complains about noise and cleans up after himself.”
“I see.” She bit her lip to keep from giggling. ~ within Chapter 23

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Caisey, then please check out her website.

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Giveaways!! :

• Lots of easy entry options to win a signed Pretty Girls Read tote filled with signed books by Alice Clayton, Monica Murphy, Emma Chase, S.C. Stephens, & more!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ALSO -- Be sure to follow the tour around the other blog sites!

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Find Caisey Quinn :

• Caisey Quinn - Website/Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Goodreads
• Last Second Chance : Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Made the Grade: Runaway Train Series, Book 1

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 535 KB | Release Date: March 24, 2013 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Music of the Heart" [Runaway Train Series, Book 1] by Katie Ashley

Author's Book Description : For Abby Renard, the plan was supposed to be simple—join her brothers’ band on the last leg of their summer tour and decide if she’s finally ready for the limelight by becoming its fourth member. Of course, she never imagined stumbling onto the wrong tour bus at Rock Nation would accidentally land her in the bed of Jake Slater, the notorious womanizing lead singer of Runaway Train. When he mistakes her for one of his groupie’s, Abby quickly lets him know she sure as hell isn't in his bed on purpose.

Jake Slater never imagined the angel who fell into his bed would resist his charms by promptly kneeing him in the balls. Of course, the fact she seems like a prissy choir girl makes her anything but his type. So he is more than surprised when after betting Abby she wouldn't last a week on their tour bus, she is more than willing to prove him wrong. But as Jake’s personal life begins to implode around him, he finds an unlikely ally in Abby. He’s never met a woman he can talk to, joke with, or most importantly make music with.

As the week starts comes to a close, neither Abby nor Jake is ready to let go. Can a sweetheart Country songstress and a bad boy of Rock N Roll actually have a future together?

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! It's a cute novel about a very good girl meeting a bad boy rocker in unusual circumstances and their lives intertwining. It has a great beginning that leads up to some entertaining and harsh events that set an intriguing tone for this novel.

However, not long after Jake bails on Abby, in the hotel while babysitting, my respect for him plummeted and coincidentally I found that from then on the plot/story line didn't get much better. Especially since Jake seems to be the one step forward and two steps back kind of guy. He also had a knack that if bad things weren't happening to him already then he would make trouble for himself and after a while I couldn't put up with it.

Yet, with all my complaining about Jake I still read the whole novel. I finished it mostly to see what would happen next and because, even though I might have not completely liked Jake, I did like how he and Abby were together when things were good between them. In addition, it helped that the other guys in Jake's band were a riot. =0)

Overall, I think it was an interesting beginning to this series. So, I do recommend it to those who like rock star romances, especially if you don't mind reading about the hero being a big jerk sometimes.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

Author's Novel Extras : Music of the Heart - Overview & Trailers | Pinterest: Music of the Heart | A Compilation of all things Music of the Heart | The Essential Music of the Heart Playlist Part #1 | The Essential Music of the Heart Playlist #2 | Happy One Year Anniversary of Music of the Heart & Giveaway


Author's Series Extras : Beat of the Heart - Overview | Pinterest: Beat of the Heart | Pinterest: Music of the Soul | Pinterest: Strings of the Heart | Smexy Saturday Post and AJ's Muse | Teaser Tuesday: AJ and Mia do the Rumba | Valentine's with Jake and Abby from Music of the Heart and Soul

Author's Book Trailer :

Author's Teaser Video(s) :



Book Teaser(s) :

“Did I say something embarrassing to you before I puked and passed out?”
“Jake—”
His blue eyes blazed with emotion when he finally met my gaze. “I remember some of it. I know I said I wanted to fuck you, but didn’t I say something else? Something more...heartfelt, I hope?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“What was it?” he prompted.
Somehow I remembered everything he had told me verbatim, so I repeated it. Jake’s eyes widened, and he sucked in a sharp breath. “But don’t worry about the wanting someone-like-me-to-love-you part. I mean, I know you were drunk,” I quickly added. I popped out of my seat like a Jack-In-The-Box and grabbed his bowl. After hustling over to the kitchen, I put it in the sink and turned on the water.
I gasped when Jake’s body pressed into my back. “Angel,” he murmured, his breath hot against my neck. I shivered in spite of the heat. “I meant every word of what I said—the good and the bad.”
Spinning around, I stared into his eyes. When I saw the sincerity in them, my heartbeat accelerated. “You did?”
“Yes, I really want to have sex while you’re wearing cowboy boots,” he deadpanned.
I laughed in spite of myself. I knew for someone like Jake, all the feelings stuff was getting too intense for him, and he needed to lighten it. “That’s good to know, but sadly, I don’t see it happening any time soon.”
“Bummer,” he replied. He reached over to sweep a lock of hair out of my face. Once he pinned it behind my ear, he smiled. ~ within Chapter 9 - titled 'Abby'

“I look like a real gentleman, don’t I?”
She grinned. “I think even my dad would approve of you tonight.”
Part of her comment stung, but I covered up my feelings by giving her a cocky smirk. “Yeah, well, what would he have to say about his daughter’s attire tonight?”
She glanced down at her dress. “You like it?”
Considering it had flimsy little straps, showed off her fabulous rack and was almost backless, hell yes, I liked it. “I love it. You look absolutely breathtaking tonight.”
Abby’s cheeks warmed with my compliments. She leaned up to kiss my lips. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
AJ strolled up to us. At Abby’s attire, his eyes widened. “Oh my God, Angel! That is just like the dress Sookie wore in the Season Two finale of True Blood!”
Abby rolled her eyes. “AJ, you’ve got a True Blood fetish.”
He grinned. “Dude, it’s basically vamp porn!”
She laughed. “You’re impossible.” ~ within Chapter 13 - titled 'JAKE'

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Katie, then please check out her website.

Disappointmentville: Happily Ever After, Inc. Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 192; Kindle Edition - File Size: 365 KB | Expected Release Date: April 29, 2014 | Publisher: Harlequin Desire | Obtained: NetGalley

"Matched to a Billionaire" [Happily Ever After, Inc. Series, Book 1] by Kat Cantrell

Author's Book Description : Wanted: one convenient wife

Venture capitalist Leo Reynolds is married to his work, but now he needs a wife. Someone to run his home, host his parties—and accept a marriage that’s strictly business. His one rule: love will play no part in their union. At least that’s the lie he tells himself, until he meets his match....

Enter Daniella White—handpicked by the matchmaker as the perfect wife. Marriage to Leo means security, and she’s willing to give up passion for friendship. But the moment they meet, sparks fly. And now temptation—and Leo’s own heart—have the billionaire ready to change all the rules.

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars. A Cinderella-esque type of romance novel where a match making service sets up the hero and heroine and they have strong feelings when it comes to staying married no matter what. Together Leo & Dannie match up perfectly; it just takes a while for them both to believe it.

Overall, I feel this novel was a great beginning for this series. As I can't wait to see, where it'll go next!

My only wish, however, was that I liked Leo as a character more and the novel wasn't so slow that, at times, I didn't have to force myself to keep reading.

Nevertheless, I do recommend this novel and series to those who love fairy tale style romances!

- On a side note -
Tommy was my favorite character in this novel!! So I hope he'll be in this series more and/or have a novel of his own at some point.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Mindlink

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2014

Author's Novel Extras : Matched To A Billionaire - Overview

Author's Series Extras : Happily Ever After, Inc. Series - Overview | Matched To A Prince - Overview | Matched To Her Rival - Overview | Matched to a Billionaire is up on Netgalley

Book Teaser(s) :

Leo Reynolds wished he could marry his admin. It would make life so much simpler.
Unfortunately, she was already married and nearly twice his age. ~ within Chapter 1

Oh, dear God. She should be negotiating his contracts, not his lawyer.
"You're driving me bananas. No. Worse than that." He squeezed the top of his head but his brain still felt as though she'd twirled it with a spaghetti fork. "What's worse than bananas?"
"Pomegranates," she said decisively. "They're harder to eat and don't taste as good."
He bit back a laugh. Yes, exactly. His incredibly perceptive wife drove him pomegranates. "That about covers it." ~ within Chapter 7

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Jacquelyn, then please check out her website.

Idolizing In: Stage Dive Series, Book 2

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 1814 KB | Release Date: March 25, 2014 | Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Play" [Stage Dive Series, Book 2] by Kylie Scott

Author's Book Description : Kylie Scott returns with the highly anticipated follow-up to international bestseller "Lick."

Mal Ericson, drummer for the world famous rock band Stage Dive, needs to clean up his image fast—at least for a little while. Having a good girl on his arm should do the job just fine. Mal doesn’t plan on this temporary fix becoming permanent, but he didn’t count on finding the one right girl. Anne Rollins never thought she’d ever meet the rock god who plastered her teenage bedroom walls—especially not under these circumstances. Anne has money problems. Big ones. But being paid to play the pretend girlfriend to a wild life-of-the-party drummer couldn’t end well. No matter how hot he is. Or could it?

My Book Review : 5 out of 5 stars!! Wow! It had been a while since I read "Lick," book 1 of this series, that I completely forgot how much I LOVE Malcolm!!! So much so, that I finished reading this almost 300 page book in one day, which is usually hard for me to do while still looking after my 5 month old and 3 year old children. Basically, this novel had me enthralled from the beginning. Also, even though I had guessed what Mal's major issue was before the reader was told that didn't stop me from becoming so into this novel, and Mal & Anne's relationship, that I really didn't want it to end.

Mal & Anne are a unique couple that seems to roll with the punches that are thrown their way while sticking together through thick and thin. I loved that Ms. Scott found/wrote Anne for Mal, since like Mal says it might not make since for them to be together but fate stepped in and wouldn't let go. They are quite the pair!

I HIGHLY recommend this series and novel to those who love contemporary romances about rock stars!

- On a side note -
There are SOO many great parts to this novel that I kept on wanting to share more and more teasers (I believe I bookmarked about 15 pages of them) at the bottom of this review but I stopped myself at three. =0)

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 1

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2014

Author's Series Extras : Lick - Overview & Excerpt | Weekend Writing Warriors... Lick. | Weekend Writing Warriors... Lick | Weekend Writing Warriors... Lick | Weekend Writing Warriors... LICK | Weekend Writing Warriors ... LICK | Weekend Writing Warrior ... Lick | Weekend Writing Warriors... LICK | Weekend Writing Warriors... LICK | Another Sunday snippet from LICK. | A smutty snippet from LICK for your Sunday pleasure.


Book Teaser(s) :

Drummer’s arms. They were certainly nice as body parts went, covered in ink and bulging in all the right ways. I bet they felt good, too.
And I was so obviously checking him out someone should slap me.
If I kept this up, I would slap me. Hard.
“What’s your name?” he asked, joining me at the railing. God, even his voice felt good. The little hairs on the back of my neck stood on end with delight.
“My name?”
He stood close enough that our elbows bumped. His bare elbow, since he wore only jeans, a pair of Chucks, and a fitted “Queens of the Stone Age” T-shirt. Mal Ericson had touched me. I’d never wash again.
“Yeeeah, your name,” he drawled. “The point of me telling you my name, even when you already knew it, was so you’d give me yours. That’s how these things go.”
“You knew I knew?”
“The crazy eyes kinda gave it away.”
“Oh.”
A moment later, he groaned. “Never mind, this is taking too long. I’ll just make one up for you.”
“Anne.”
“Anne what?”
“Anne Rollins.”
A brilliant grin lit his face. “Anne Rollins. See, that wasn’t so tough.”
I gritted my teeth and tried to smile. Most likely I resembled a lunatic. One that had spent way too much time imagining him naked. Good god, the shame.
Gently, he tapped his bottle of beer against mine. “Cheers, Anne. Nice to meet you.” ~ within Chapter 2

Mal: Bored. Ben’s late
Mal: Let’s get a dog
Anne: Apartment has no pets rule
Mal: Nice green lace bra
Anne: Get out of my drawers, Mal.
Mal: Matching panties?
Anne: GET OUT NOW.
Mal: :)
Mal: Sext me
Mal: Come on it’ll be funny
Mal: Plz?
Mal: High level of unhealthy codependency traits exhibited by both parties relationship possibly bordering on toxic
Anne: WTF?
Mal: Did magazine quiz. We need help. Especially you
Anne: ...
Mal: Booking us couples counseling. Tues 4:15 alright?
Anne: We are not going to counseling.
Mal: What’s wrong? Don’t you love me anymore?
Anne: Turning phone off now. ~ within Chapter 6

“Pumpkin, am I in hell?” Mal walked in, sat on the edge of my bed.
“Yes. Yes, you are. I’m sorry. This is the first and worst level of all, the one where you can hear your neighbors fucking through paper-thin walls.”
Lauren made some screechy noise she was particularly prone to during such encounters. I cringed.
“Make it stop,” Mal whispered, mouth opened wide in horror. “Oh, fuck no. This is horrible.” ~ within Chapter 11

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Kylie, then please check out her website.

Disappointmentville: Eternal Mates Series, Book 1

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 1981 KB | Release Date: November 19, 2013 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Kissed by a Dark Prince" [Eternal Mates Series, Book 1] by Felicity Heaton

Author's Book Description : Olivia thinks it’s her lucky night when a dangerously handsome unconscious fae ends up on her inspection table. He’s her chance to redeem herself with her employer, the demon-hunting organisation, Archangel. But when the tall, dark and deadly immortal warrior awakes, she gets much more than she bargained for…

Attacked by his enemy in the elf kingdom, the last thing Prince Loren expects when he comes around is a beautiful angel watching over him and medical technology of the mortal realm. Hazy from his injuries, all he can focus on is the pulse ticking in her throat and the sweet allure of her blood.

One single bite reveals she is his eternal mate, triggering a bond between them that will leave him weakened until it is completed… or broken, and pulling Olivia into the crossfire of his ancient feud.

To protect his people and his mate from the machinations of a madman, Loren must risk everything by working with Olivia at Archangel to find a way to break the bond blossoming between them.

But will Loren be strong enough to place duty before desire and give up the one thing he has waited millennia for and craves above all others—his eternal mate? And will Olivia be able to resist the incredible heat that burns between them and the temptation of her dark prince’s kiss?

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars. Even though I enjoyed how Ms. Heaton setup this novel as an intriguing start for this series, I didn't like this novel as much I'd have liked too. I most felt this way because I didn't like Olivia, the heroine, she was so annoying when it came to her relationship with Leron. I mean I understand her reservations, yet she kept them up even after she learned that Loren wasn't anything like her ex. *shakes head*

I see potential for this series; therefore I only recommend it to those who love reading paranormal romances!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

Author's Novel Extras : Kissed by a Dark Prince - Overview & Excerpt | Character Biography & Interview - Loren | Character Biography & Interview - Olivia

Author's Series Extras : Eternal Mates Series - Overview | Claimed by a Demon King - Overview & Excerpt | Tempted by a Rogue Prince - Overview | Character Biography & Interview - Thorne | Character Biography & Interview - Sable


Book Teaser(s) :

He wheeled around to his right and her eyes shot to the arched door near the other end of the room, close to a low long cabinet.
It was one of the men from the other night. The one who had spoken. She recognised his face. He still wore his suit of armour, but his helmet was gone, revealing black-blue overlong wild hair. Did all of their species have the same hair and eye colour? He stared at her, purple eyes dark and cold, but laced with a touch of surprise.
“I sensed your agitation.” He switched his focus to the man who had bitten and kidnapped her. “Is everything well, my prince?”
Prince. Oh my. She had been right on the money. Her kidnapper was a prince. A prince of what though?
The other male’s eerie gaze slid back to her and narrowed, and Olivia had the dreadful feeling that he would be all too willing to kill her if she was upsetting the man he had referred to as his prince.
The prince in question shook his head and waved regally, dismissing the male. “That action will not be necessary, Bleu. The female is not a threat to me.”
Olivia bristled at that. She could have killed him when she’d had him unconscious on her inspection table. Not a threat her ass.
Both men slid deadly looks her way and Olivia realised she had said it all aloud. She shrank back, trying to make herself look as small and nonthreatening as possible. ~ within Chapter 3

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Felicity, then please check out her website.