Made the Grade: Chasing the Dream Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats: Kindle Edition | ISBN: 9780991569601 | Expected Release Date: June 17, 2014 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: NetGalley

"More Than Music" [Chasing the Dream Series, Book 1] by Elizabeth Briggs

Author's Book Description : Music major Maddie Taylor seems to have her life all figured out. She’s just finished her junior year of college, has a summer internship lined up with the LA Philharmonic, and plans to go to grad school to write movie scores. Only her roommates know she practices guitar every night and secretly dreams of a louder life. But geeky girls like her don't get to be rock stars.

Tattooed singer Jared Cross has a new girl every week, but when he catches Maddie playing one of his songs, she attracts his attention in an unexpected way. His band needs a fourth member for The Sound, a reality TV show competition—and he wants her. Though Maddie refuses to be another notch on Jared’s bedpost, she agrees to risk everything for the chance to be a rock star.

Once on the show, Maddie discovers there’s more to Jared behind his flirty smile, and with each performance their attraction becomes impossible to ignore. When the show pressures Jared to flaunt his player image, they’re forced to keep their relationship secret, but Maddie can’t help but want something real.

As the competition heats up, Jared will do whatever it takes for his band to win, and Maddie must decide if following her dream is worth losing her heart.

*** New Adult romance suitable for 17+ due to mature content. ***

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! Jared's band means everything to him. His younger brother, his best friend, and him have been building their band's following up from nothing for years, only within the past few have they had a decent amount of fans to show for it. Yet the one thing they've found hard to keep in their band is a bassist player. Therefore, two days before they plan to audition for The Sound (a competition show like The Voice only just for bands) they enlist Maddie (a close friend of Kyle's and a musical prodigy) to join their group. After they audition and land on a mentor's team their lives get turned upside down, tensions fly high, and they'll have to see what fame and winning the show is worth to them in the long run...

I LOVED all the characters in their band (Villain Complex), Maddie's best friends, and Jared's shirts! *hehee* They were all so fun and I liked how the novel built the storylines around them. In addition, Jared and Maddie are like a kindred musical couple that acted like they knew what each other was thinking (music that was playing in their heads) just by their moods. Yet even though I liked them and I enjoyed how the novel all wrapped up in the end, the big blow out between everyone in the band (but especially between Jared & Maddie) and how Maddie handles herself the few days afterwards made me not really respect her or Jared as much as I did throughout the rest of the novel.

I cannot wait to see where this series will take us next and find out who the main characters will be. Yet no matter who stars in the next novel are I really hope it starts out with the band and Maddie’s friends at Comic Con since they talked about attending it so much!

Nevertheless, I DO recommend this novel and series to anyone who likes rocker contemporary romances!

- On a side note -
I'm a huge fan of The Voice and compared to all of the other music contestant novels I've read recently I found this one's setup to be the most like that show. I just hope the mentors, producers, and contestants on The Voice are NOTHING like The Sound within this novel! =0)

@fromjesstoyou Thanks! And there will be a novella set at Comic Con. :)

— Elizabeth Briggs (@lizwrites) May 29, 2014

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

Author's Novel Extras : Pinterest: More Than Music (NA) | Announcing my book: MORE THAN MUSIC! | MORE THAN MUSIC Cover Reveal & Giveaway! | More Than Music Songs #1

Author's Series Extras : Pinterest: More Than Exes (NA)

Book Teaser(s) :

The Static Klingons sat two rows in front of us, and Sean turned around and grinned at me before saying something to his band.
Jared leaned closer to me. "He likes you."
"What?" I said it a little too loud, then blushed and lowered my voice. "Why do you say that?"
"I saw the way he looked at you."
"This is the real reason why having Maddie in the band is a bad idea," Hector said, smirking. "Now we're going to have to fight off hordes of horny guys after her."
"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll be okay," I said, but I was secretly pleased Hector thought I would attract so much attention. Or that he would actually fight them off for me. Not that he'd need to because one boy smiling at me one time did not equal "hordes of horny guys." Nor did it mean that this one guy was interested in me that way. Sean just seemed friendly.
Jared didn't seem to think Hector's comment was amusing at all. "You said it was a bad idea to let Maddie join because I'd---how'd you put it?---'bone her and then break her heart?'"
"Oh, god, you said that?" I asked Hector.
His face turned almost purple. ~ within Chapter 7

"Nice finds," Hector said. "But I'll see your dick gummies and raise you my Crunchy Nude Balls." He held up a box of Korean rice candy with that name.
"Hector, there are ladies present," Kyle said, in an overly shocked way.
I held my hand over my heart. "It's true. I'm a delicate flower who is easily offended."
Hector snorted. ~ within Chapter 15

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

Feasted On: Oklahoma Nights Series, Book 3

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 305; Kindle Edition - File Size: 930 KB | Expected Release Date: March 25, 2014 | Publisher: Kensington Books : Brava | Obtained: NetGalley

"Three Weeks With A Bull Rider" [Oklahoma Nights Series, Book 3] by Cat Johnson

Author's Book Description : One Broken Man...

Cowboy Jace Mills has suffered fewer injuries from bucking bulls than he has from his ex-girlfriend. Following his best friend Tucker’s advice, Jace is convinced it’s time to move on. But with his ex’s tight rein on him, easier said than done.

One Broken Heart...

Tara Jenkins learned a lot in her sports medicine courses, but not how to fix her broken heart. So when her brother Tucker suggests using her skills on the rodeo, it gives her the perfect opportunity to ride off into the sunset—or at least run away.

Three Weeks Together...

Only problem is, Jace and Tara have had a hate-hate relationship for over a decade, putting up with each other for Tucker’s sake. With their long history as frenemies, they know sparks will fly, they just never expect them to flare into scorching passion...

My Book Review : 4.5 out of 5 stars!! Steamy, light-hearted, and sweet this novel has everything you could ask for, if only it didn't have to end! While trying to finally break things off with his slightly abusive ex-girlfriend and move on with his life, Jace helps out his best friend's little sister (Tara) by becoming her traveling partner during her internship with the bull rider association's sports medicine team. Usually they have a hate-hate relationship but as the days go by they find they have more in common then they ever expected leaving them unsure if they should turn their relationship into something a whole lot more or not...

I really enjoyed this novel!! From the main characters to Dillon & his wife to Tara's sexual adventures, I didn't want to put this novel down! I am actually happy I hadn't read any other novel in this series so I couldn't be prejudice to any of the secondary characters, therefore I could side with Tara and Jace with their thoughts on curtain characters. I loved Tara's snarky attitude and Jace's older "wisdom." They are a great match-up!

My only wish was that this novel was longer and/or that it had more of how their relationship is going after where the book ends, like in the form of an epilogue.

Overall, though, I HIGHLY recommend this novel to anyone who loves cowboys and/or contemporary slightly erotic romances!!

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

Author's Novel Extras : Three Weeks with a Bull Rider - Overview | Three Weeks with a Bull Rider - Excerpts | April 2013 Cowboy Calendar Wallpaper & Three Weeks with a Bull Rider Excerpt! | Excerpt #1 Three Weeks with a Bull Rider (Oklahoma Nights, Book 3) | In defense of Jace EXCERPT #2 Three Weeks with a Bull Rider... | Excerpt from THREE WEEKS WITH A BULL RIDER “The Kiss” | THREE WEEKS WITH A BULL RIDER Release Day & Review Giveaway | DOWNLOAD April 2014 Hot Cowboy Quote Desktop Wallpaper


Author's Series Extras : One Night with a Cowboy - Overview & Recipe | “Fish Out of Water” in the He’s the One Anthology - Overview | Two Times as Hot - Overview | “Two for the Road” in the In A Cowboy's Bed Anthology - Overview | One Night with a Cowboy - Excerpts | “Fish Out of Water” in the He’s the One Anthology - Excerpts | Two Times as Hot - Excerpts | What’s Next? | Classic Romance Tropes: the older brother’s best friend | Behind the Book – One Night with a Cowboy | Cover Reveal: TWO TIMES AS HOT (Oklahoma Nights, Book 2)


Book Teaser(s) :

"So I have this theory..." she began.
"That worries the shit out of me."
"Shut up." Tara smacked his chest. "Just listen. I think that every time you come with another woman, you move farther along in your recovery."
Tara had taken one too many psych classes at school. She fancied herself a freaking therapist. Jace laughed. "My recovery."
"Yeah, in getting over this physical addiction you have to Jacqueline."
"That's you plan, huh? Cure by orgasm. Sometimes the way your mind works is frightening."
"Good. I like keeping you a little afraid of me. It gives me the upper hand." ~ within Chapter 17

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

Feasted On: HotFlush/Starstruck Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 909 KB | Expected Release Date: May 29, 2014 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: NetGalley

"Before He Was Famous" [HotFlush/Starstruck Series, Book 1] by Becky Wicks

Author's Book Description : ***Warning: this book contains graphic language, sex, and mature situations. Not intended for young adult readers.***

One guy, one girl. One in the spotlight. One in the shadows.

Falling in love with your best friend isn’t always a great idea, especially when he’s Noah Lockton – the sexiest, most famous new talent on the planet. When 21-year-old small-town photographer Chloe Campbell is offered the chance of a lifetime – to join her celebrity childhood friend Noah on tour as an exclusive blogger for a New York magazine – she’s certain both have put what happened four years ago behind them.

But his eyes still burn; his voice is still a jackhammer to her heartstrings; all his songs are about her. Is it possible that that night still haunts them both?

The music industry is a machine, spinning hype and rumors as much as his records. It’s not just Noah’s girlfriends who’ve got it in for Chloe (there’s no stopping the Twitter-obsessed, cat-loving pop-star Courtney Lentini for starters). Pretty soon, the jealousy and media frenzy surrounding these so-called-friends takes a life-changing turn and it seems making love means making enemies at every turn. When tragedy threatens to pull the final curtain on their relationship, both Chloe and Noah must make a choice. As much as this world leaves them starstruck, is living their dream really worth living without each other?

A story of lifelong friendships, love and hope, set in a world of celebrity, fame and social media gone very, very wrong.

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! Not what I suspected, as it was so much more! I found it to be a fun mixture of Ms. Haddow's "Tweethearts" and Ms. Ahern's "Love, Rosie" (which happens to be one of my all time faves). This is one highly intense and entertaining novel about best friends trying to keep their friendship exactly the same during their fast changing lives. Sweet, electrifying, and very dynamic Noah and Chloe's relationship is one I loved reading about even as I was never quite sure what would pull them apart next!

I recommend this to anyone who's a fan of the above novels and/or to those who love fast paced contemporary romances!

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

Author's Novel Extras : Before He Was Famous - Overview & Bonus Chapter Sign Up | Before He Was Famous Playlist | Wassup readers and romance novel fans! Before He Was Famous is now up on NetGalley... | It’s my book birthday! Before He Was Famous is out now EXCLUSIVELY on Amazon (and I’m eating pizza)

Author's Book Trailer :

Book Teaser(s) :

'Ryder Telling?' I say, willing my mind and tingling body to calm the hell down.
He grins and his eyes light up and I can feel them lighting me up, too. 'Can you believe it? We're doing Boston, Washington, Chicago, Florida, Denver, Texas, New Orleans, Vegas...'
'Vegas?'
'Yeah, and more. Denzel says if it goes well and I get the right publicity and following, I'll get to go solo, maybe even onto Europe!'
I feel my eyes bulge. His happiness is infectious -- he's a kid again, telling me he learnt A Whole New World on the guitar so I could sing Princess Jasmine's part with him as Aladdin. He was so proud. I was so impressed.
'You know what that sounds like, don't you?' I'm smiling now.
'It sounds like an awfully big adventure,' we say at the same time. ~ within Chapter 22 - titled 'Chloe'

'How about we don't even look at our phones? How about we pretend we're just...'
'Peter and Pan,' she finishes.
'Deal.'
I pull her jacket hood up over her head and do the same with my sweater before leading us out the door. We climb into the back of the waiting car. 'Second star to the right and straight on till morning,' I quote at the driver and Chloe laughs.
'What a funny address, Peter' she replies, switching off her cell. ~ within Chapter 30 - titled 'Noah'

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

Cover Reveal: Facing the Music by Andrea Laurence

"Facing the Music" by Andrea Laurence
Publisher : Pocket Star
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Novel length : 250 pages
Format : Kindle Edition
Publication Released Date : September 15, 2014
Author's Book Cover :

Author's Book Description :

In this sizzling and hilarious contemporary e-book romance, pop sensation Ivy Hudson returns to her small town to face her ex. Only trouble is, she made her Taylor-Swift-like career with the hit song “Size Matters”—and the football hero has had to live it down ever since.

Six years ago, high school sweethearts Ivy and Blake’s relationship imploded and both their lives were changed forever. Ivy became a rock star and Blake lost not only his dreams of a successful NFL career, but his reputation. Ivy’s angry song about their breakup, called “Size Matters,” hit the top of the charts and Blake became a national laughingstock. He’s salvaged his career and returned to Rosewood to be the high school football coach, regaining his status as town hero and leading the boys to the state championships.

When a tornado whips through town and destroys the high school gymnasium and stadium, a committee is formed to help rebuild and plan some charity fundraisers. Blake’s grandmother requests that Ivy return to Rosewood for the events. Forced back together for the good of their hometown and their careers, Ivy and Blake have no choice but to put aside their differences, stop running from their pasts, and finally face the music.

For fans of Kristen Proby and Colette Auclair, "Facing the Music" hits a perfect balance between small-town romance and big-time success. Follow Ivy and Blake as they fall back in love and figure out what does matter in the end...

This book is available to order on :

Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Books-A-Million

** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads! **
Book Excerpt :

God must be rewarding him for his patience. That had to be the answer. There was no other reason why he would trip over a scenario this sweet. Ivy was outside wearing nothing but a pair of bikini bottoms and a frown.

Blake killed the engine and slowly pulled his boat up to the dock. He tied it up, taking careful steps to secure his baby and make Ivy wait as long as humanly possible. From what he could see, she wasn’t going anywhere, even if she wanted to.

He climbed onto the dock and strolled causally over to the Hudson cabin with his hands thrust into his pockets. Taking his time, Blake soaked in every delicious detail, from Ivy’s irritated scowl to the full globes of her breasts pressed beneath her inadequate hands. He’d never been so jealous of a pair of hands in his life.

His jeans tightened uncomfortably as his inspection ran over her mostly bare body. He was frankly surprised by the reaction. Not because she wasn’t a beautiful and sexy woman—she was; that was a given—but because his dick had a deep, abiding hatred of Ivy. So did the rest of him, but it was his penis that had become the center of national attention for being woefully inadequate. At the moment, however, he had ample evidence to the contrary.

About the Author :

Andrea Laurence has been a lover of reading and writing stories since she learned to read at a young age. She always dreamed of seeing her work in print and is thrilled to finally be able to share her special blend of sensuality and dry, sarcastic humor with the world. A dedicated West Coast girl transplanted into the Deep South, she's working on her own "happily ever after" with her boyfriend and their collection of animals including a Siberian Husky that sheds like nobody's business.

Giveaways!! :

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Find Andrea Laurence :

• Andrea Laurence - Website/Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Goodreads

What was I thinking?: Night Games by Collette West

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 252; Kindle Edition - File Size: 1577 KB | Release Date: February 25, 2014 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: IMR Promotions

"Night Games" by Collette West

What was I thinking? : As soon as I read the Author's Book Description I thought this is exactly something I'd like to read about, I just wish it was as good as I had hoped.

Author's Book Description : The moment Grey Kelleher locks eyes with All-Star shortstop Chase Whitfield, she's a goner. For years, she's watched him play on TV, and now she's gazing at his hard, lean body across a bar in her hometown.

Grey's crush on Chase goes all the way back to his rookie season. So when she approaches him for an autograph, she's startled by what a jerk he can be.

Chase is no mood to humor his fans, even one as alluring as Grey. He's in the last year of his contract and stuck having to prove himself on a minor league team. He's only there to rehab an injury, nothing more.

But when Grey tells him off, Chase realizes her fiery spirit may be just the distraction he needs to take his mind off not being in the majors. His heart is safe. No one's going to break his streak as baseball's most eligible bachelor. Not even someone as irresistible as Grey.

My Book Review : 1.5 out of 5 stars. I tried so hard to like this novel, yet even though I forced my way through it, I was only able to thoroughly enjoy the last four chapters (chapter 28 - the epilogue). The main reason was the characters! First off Grey's sister Erin acted way to crazy for the first eight chapters for me to even like her that much (even though I will admit she had good reasons for acting that way). Then there's Grey & Chase. I liked them when they were hitting things off together, but that was about only 50% of the time during the first twenty or so chapters. So, just trying to deal with all of the stubborn attitudes made this novel a major struggle for me to like let alone to finish reading.

The twists were completely unexpected. Some twists were enjoyable, some made me mad enough that I almost stopped reading a few different times. As it is, the plot definitely keeps you on your toes.

I don't recommend this novel, as I was not a fan, yet if you're wanting to give it a try it is for those who like sports theme contemporary romances.

Purchase This Book Here :

Author's Novel Extras : New Teaser Images | 1 Day until release! New teaser images! | Release Day! | Turn the Page - InkSlinger PR blog tour review stop | Cafeobiblioart - InkSlinger PR blog tour review | Pretty Lil Page Turners - InkSlinger PR blog tour review | Sofia Loves Books - InkSlinger PR blog tour giveaway | Typical Distractions - Inkslinger PR blog tour excerpt | Check out my Tasty Tours blog tour banner! | Kindle Obsessed - InkSlinger PR blog tour excerpt | Ebook Escapes - InkSlinger PR blog tour interview & review | Rumpled Sheets Blog - InkSlinger PR blog tour review | Carol Clarke Blogs - InkSlinger PR blog tour review | Gabic Reads - InkSlinger PR blog tour exclusive excerpt | Throne of Books - InkSlinger PR blog tour - 10 Little Known Facts about Girls Who Crush On Professional Athletes | Sleep Deprived Book Lovers - InkSlinger PR blog tour review | Book Freak - InkSlinger PR blog tour review | Imagine a World - InkSlinger PR blog tour exclusive excerpt from Chase's POV | Guilty Indulgence - InkSlinger PR blog tour review | Broadway Girl Book Reviews - InkSlinger PR blog tour review | The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club - InkSlinger PR blog tour dream cast | Cocktails and Books - InkSlinger PR blog tour guest post on inspiration for NIGHT GAMES | The Indie Express - InkSlinger PR blog tour review | Ali Crean is sharing Grey's first post for The Queen of Diamonds at All Things in Between | Read That - InkSlinger PR blog tour review | I Am A Book Shark - InkSlinger PR blog tour exclusive excerpt | Stories & Swag - InkSlinger PR blog tour NIGHT GAMES official playlist | Ladies, who is the hottest athlete in professional sports? GIVEAWAY | Clutter Your Kindle - IMR Promotions blog tour sizzling hot NIGHT GAMES excerpt | Butorfleoge - another hot NIGHT GAMES excerpt from my IMR blog tour | Burning Impossibly Bright's review of NIGHT GAMES from my IMR blog tour | Books Forget Me Knot - New steamy excerpt from NIGHT GAMES | Beauty and the Book - New 4-star review of NIGHT GAMES | For Whom the Books Toll - Erin gives Grey some sisterly advice about men in this NIGHT GAMES excerpt | Paulette's Papers - Exclusive excerpt from NIGHT GAMES ... Did Chase just ask Grey to...? | One of my favorite lines from NIGHT GAMES | One of my favorite lines from Chase's POV | NIGHT GAMES review by Serena Akeroyd | Awesome NIGHT GAMES review + fun excerpt & giveaway at Lustful Literature | Sexy NIGHT GAMES excerpt at Book Reviews & More by Kathy | Why jerks deserve a place in romantic fiction - my guest post at Ever After Romance Book Blog | New NIGHT GAMES review at Jodie's W.I.N.E. List | Read a tender excerpt from NIGHT GAMES at Craves the Angst | I talk about how a jaded leading man can be redeemed at romance writer Sara Walter Elwood's blog | Would a celebrity really date a regular person? I answer this & more today at Christine Warner's blog! | New NIGHT GAMES review at Racing to Read | Is Chase Whitfield really that different from other New Adult leading men? Read my thoughts at Storm Goddess Book Reviews & More | Getting into the swing of the baseball season with a new NIGHT GAMES review at Snarky Mom Reads | NIGHT GAMES is published... What's Next? | Top 10 Reasons Why Chase Whitfield Should Be Your Next Book Boyfriend + NIGHT GAMES review at Words of Wisdom from the Scarf Princess | "With the right woman, a man can get his act together!" The Many Faces of Romance reviews NIGHT GAMES! | Why the dedication to "those who've ever had a crush on a baseball player" drew this reader in at Amazing Reading Experiences! | Read a humorous except between Grey and her sister Erin as they talk about stalking Chase at Chelsea's Reading Adventures! | Read a hot excerpt from Chase's POV at The Lustful Literate | Read a steamy excerpt from Grey's POV at Daydream Books! | New snuggly cute excerpt from Chase at The Suburban Eclectic Review! | New review of NIGHT GAMES at Literary Nook


Book Teaser(s) :

I’ve freakin’ kidnapped Chase Whitfield.
I glance over at him. He’s biting his thumbnail, his arm propped up against the partially rolled-down window. The humidity is still high even though it’s the middle of the night, but so far he hasn’t complained about my truck’s lack of air conditioning. In fact, he hasn’t said much at all since I laid down the law.
But I couldn’t resist. I mean, he was acting like a dick. ~ within Chapter 11

“Yeah, he spooked you, didn’t he? Damn it, Richie. I apologize for my husband, Chase. He gets a little high-handed when I’m not there to keep him in check.”
Grey looks away at her mom’s words, no doubt thinking of the day when her mom really won’t be there to scold her father.
“No, it’s fine, Mrs. Kelleher, really.”
“My goodness, you’re even better looking in person.”
“Mom!”
“What? Can’t I admire a handsome man when I see one?”
“Not out loud.”
“I still think you should have been named Sexiest Man Alive instead of the scrawny judge on that singing competition. A man who weighs less than most women? What’s sexy about that?”
“Oh God, Mom.”
“Chase, look at you, all nice and developed. Now that’s what I call a bicep. Come over here. Let me see for myself just how strong you are.”
Grey’s face is beet red, but I’m getting a kick out of her mother. Now I can see where Grey gets her feistiness from.
“Go ahead, Mrs. Kelleher. Be my guest.”
I move up to the side of the bed on my crutches and she reaches up to give my arm a good squeeze.
“Solid as a rock.”
“Too bad I can’t say the same for my knee.”
“Too bad I can’t say the same for my whole body.”
I immediately feel like I just stuck my foot in my mouth, comparing my trivial health problem to hers.
“I didn’t mean—”
“Of course not. Don’t even pay attention to me. But did you ever have one of those days when you’d do anything to feel normal again? Even just for a day?”
“Lately, I’m afraid I have, ma’am.” ~ within Chapter 28

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Collette, then please check her out on the Goodreads' website.