Friday 30 June 2017

Blog Tour #Review: UNTIL IT FADES by K.A. Tucker #Giveaway

Source: Received an ARC from Simon & Schuster Canada to participate in the blog tour,
and give an honest review.
Publisher: Atria Books
Release Date: June 27, 2017
Number of Pages: 356 (Paperback)


Description:

Twenty-four-year-old truck stop waitress and single mother Catherine Wright has simple goals: to give her five-year-old daughter a happy life and to never again be the talk of the town in Balsam, Pennsylvania (population three thousand outside of tourist season).

And then one foggy night, on a lonely road back from another failed date, Catherine saves a man’s life. It isn’t until after the police have arrived that Catherine realizes exactly who it is she has rescued: Brett Madden, hockey icon and media darling.

Catherine has already had her fifteen minutes of fame and the last thing she wants is to have her past dragged back into the spotlight, only this time on a national stage. So she hides her identity. It works. For a time.

But when she finds the man she saved standing on her doorstep, desperate to thank her, all that changes. There’s an immediate connection, and it’s more electric than the bond of two people who endured a traumatic event. It’s something neither of them expected. Something that Catherine isn’t sure she can handle; something she is afraid to trust.

Because how long can an extraordinary man like Brett be interested in an ordinary woman like Catherine...before the spark fades?
 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

K.A. Tucker is the author of He Will Be My Ruin and the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series. She currently resides outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and a Chug.


FIND K.A. TUCKER ONLINE:

REVIEW

As soon as I heard about UNTIL IT FADES, I knew that I wanted to read it! This was my first K.A. Tucker book, but I've been wanting to read her books for quite a while, so I thought that starting with her new sweet, contemporary romance featuring a hockey star as the leading man was the perfect place for me...if you don't know already, I have a serious soft spot for sports romances, so I was definitely here for that! Once I started the book, I was quickly swept up in Catherine's story and I'm so glad that I read it!

As far as characters go, I couldn't have asked for better ones! I loved Catherine and Brett! They were both so genuine, and I loved seeing them get to know one another. I also absolutely adored seeing them interact with the other characters. I loved Cath's relationship with her best friend, Kieth, her boss, Lou, and her brother, Jack, and I really loved seeing Brett with his parents. I also adored Cath's daughter, Brenna. All of Brenna's moments in the book were adorable and they were an absolute delight...even when she was cutting in on romantic moments, she was cute enough that you didn't mind!

I thought that the story was really interesting, and I liked that there were little twists to keep you guessing, but I did feel like the romance was a little rushed. I would've liked to see more moments between Brett and Cath where we were able to see their relationship develop. I didn't mind that the sexy bits were more fade-to-black, but I would've liked to see more of their conversations. The parts of their relationship that we did see, I absolutely loved though, and I really, really loved seeing their moments with Brenna...Brett was so adorable with her! Brett was pretty much adorable and amazing the entire book though. He's definitely major book boyfriend material. ;)

Overall, I thought that UNTIL IT FADES was a great romance! It was sweet, and had some absolutely swoon-worthy moments. It's the perfect light romance for the start of summer, and an absolute delight to read. If you're looking for a contemporary romance with an independent single mom and a hunky hockey hero, you'll love this one!


TOUR GIVEAWAY:





What do you think?
Does UNTIL IT FADES sound like something you'd like to read?

Thursday 15 June 2017

INTERNET FAMOUS Blog Tour: Guest Post & Excerpt


Happy Thursday, everybody!!!

I'm EXTREMELY excited to share this post with you all! I don't know if you recall, but last year I read Danika Stone's ALL THE FEELS and I was absolutely smitten with it, so as soon as I heard about her newest book, INTERNET FAMOUS, I was sold!

I've been eagerly waiting for it for months, and guess what?! The wait is over! INTERNET FAMOUS is now on sale, and to celebrate, I'm taking part in Raincoast Book's blog tour, and I have a guest post from Danika and an excerpt to share with you all!

Just in case you haven't been counting down the days for this book like I have, here's what it's all about:


ABOUT THE BOOK

INTERNET FAMOUS

Author: Danika Stone
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Release Date: June 6, 2017
Number of Pages: 320 (Paperback)

Description:

High school senior and internet sensation Madison Nakama seems to have it all: a happy family, good grades, and a massive online following for her pop-culture blog. But when her mother suddenly abandons the family, Madi finds herself struggling to keep up with all of her commitments.

Fandom to the rescue! As her online fans band together to help, an online/offline flirtation sparks with Laurent, a French exchange student. Their internet romance—played out in the comments section of her MadLibs blog—attracts the attention of an internet troll who threatens the separation of Madi’s real and online personas. With her carefully constructed life unraveling, Madi must uncover the hacker’s identity before he can do any more damage, or risk losing the people she loves the most… Laurent included.



GUEST POST

A BOX FULL OF CHARACTERS

By Danika Stone

       When I was a child, I watched a Canadian children’s television show called Mr. Dress-up. On it were a menagerie of puppets, Mr. Dress-up – the host, and a “tickle trunk”. Now, while I enjoyed the antics of the puppets, Casey and Finnegan, and Mr. Dress-up always felt like another grandpa, the thing I really enjoyed was that flower-painted box of goodies. In it was every type of object imaginable! It was a veritable Canadian-Mary-Poppins box of treasures.

       As a writer, I often think back to the tickle trunk. When we write, we ask our muses to come up with a whole world of details, from the particular shade of the characters hair, to the name of their long-lost love, to their absolute dislike of the taste of radishes. The small, meaningless details are what build a living, breathing character, and the ability to do so differentiates the mediocre story-teller from the weaver of words.

       Knowing that details make the difference, how might a writer apply this approach to character development?

       For me, it involves an actual box. It’s an everyday shoebox. I write the name of the character on a piece of paper, trying if I can to match the imagined handwriting. It sits in my office on a shelf. At first, it’s empty. I don’t know the character at all. But one day – while I’m doing dishes, perhaps – it strikes me that the spoon I’m drying is one of the heirlooms she’s inherited from her mother’s family. Without a second thought, I run and deposit it into the box. The character appears for a split-second, then fades.

       Another day passes, maybe more. This time, I’m in my living room, half-listening to the news as I flip through a magazine. Distracted, I run across a photograph of a house overlooking the water. My breath catches. This, I think, is where she used to spend her summers as a child. The character’s image appears like a candle in the dark, brightly glowing. Before the commercial break ends (and the character disappears), I put this object into the box, too.

       The next day it’s a scarf of iridescent pink fabric. (The one I’ve had forever, but only today noticed.) That night, it’s a half-used tube of Chapstick. The next morning, an earring back, left on the toilet tank. One by one, they arrive, quite on their own, and become part of the box. With each object, the vision of the character glows a little brighter, lasts a little longer.

       By the time the box is full, I have a snapshot of a real person. There are flea-market finds and everyday items along with the hints of their stories. I finally sit down at the computer and begin to type.

       The words that arrive on the page aren’t nebulous guesses at “who” I’m writing. They are tethered in reality, and they have a whole history attached to them. Over the months of writing that follow as I write the book, the box flexes. Some objects join it, while others – no longer needed – disappear. And in the end, the soul that has lived there becomes a living, breathing character who I know with the same intuitive rightness as myself. The tickle-trunk’s magic is real.

       So how about you? What are YOUR tricks to writing a realistic character? Do you have any other writing advice that you follow? Give your thoughts in the comments below!



EXCERPT

       Eyes closed, Madi stumbled blindly forward.

       “Where are you taking me?”

       She shivered as Laurent’s mouth brushed the shell of her ear. “Just trust me. Alright?” His fingers tightened around hers. “Almost there.”

       “Okay.”

       In the last minutes, Laurent had slipped on her backpack, taking one of her hands in his, the other hand sliding around her waist. She wasn’t sure where they were, but she could smell damp cement, mildew and decay. The sound of the city had dimmed in the last seconds, the red glow of sun through her eyelids replaced by darkness.

       “You know I don’t like scary movies, right? No screamers on my dashboard. No trolls in the dungeon.” She shuddered. “Definitely no trolls!”

       Laurent laughed. “This is good, chérie. I promise.” His scruff brushed her cheek, voice low. “Just a little further. Here. Take a step down. Don’t let go of me.”

       Madi stumbled, but he caught her, the faint scent of cologne reaching her nostrils as he helped her regain her footing.

       “And one more step,” he said. “A little to your left. Aha, almost there now. Hold on.”

       He put a hand on either shoulder, turning her slightly. When he let go of her, Madi’s arms rose in sudden fear, but Laurent came back at her side.

       “You ready?”

       Madi nodded.

       “Open your eyes.”

       Her lashes fluttered open to discover they were standing in the damaged interior of a building. She guessed it had been a brick apartment building, but a fire, sometime in the last years, had gutted the interior. Now it was a roughly rectangular box forming a massive chimney, three or four stories high, with charred beams and the wilting remains of fire-bent stairs clinging to one side. Below their feet, the floor was warped and uneven, but apparently sound. Above them, the wide open sky.

       Madi gasped as her eyes adjusted to the light.

       Light poured in from many glassless windows highlighting an explosion of imagery. Faces rose from floorboards. Intricate words twisted into strangely foreign shapes. Round and round the interior walls had been painted into a massive mosaic of light and color.
“Oh my God. Did you paint this stuff?”

       “Oh no, not me,” Laurent said. “Though I’ve met the artists who did.” His arm slid over her shoulders. “One of them is a MadLibber, actually.”

       “Who?”

       He winked. “I’m pretty sure you can figure out which artist would have the attitude to do something like this.”

       Madi’s eyes widened. “ArtWithAttitude? This was painted by Ava?!”

       “Among others.” Laurent said. “This is one of my special places. One of the hidden gems in the city. It’s one of the places I wanted to take you.” He stared up at the broken-down walls and vibrant graffiti with the reverence some people saved for church. “I love this place. I’ve photographed almost all of it.” He looked down at her and grinned. “The murals are always changing. Come back in a week, this’ll be new again.”

       Madi smiled. “This is the inspiration for your photographs.”

       He nodded.

       “And the… the feeling of it is what you want to capture?”

       Laurent’s eyes widened, gold dancing in the green. “Exactement! I want to photograph the life and spirit of a place. Not just the structure, but what a building is because people have put their lives into it.” His hand rose to cup Madi’s cheek. “Because they’ve loved it. Their vision is imprinted on it for— for— always.”

       “Forever?”

       “Yes. Forever… Inaliénable. Indélébile.”


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Danika Stone is an author, artist, and educator who discovered a passion for writing fiction while in the throes of her Masters thesis. A self-declared bibliophile, Danika now writes novels for both teens (All the Feels and Internet Famous) adults (Edge of Wild and Intaglio). When not writing, Danika can be found hiking in the Rockies, planning grand adventures, and spending far too much time online. She lives with her husband, three sons, and a houseful of imaginary characters in a windy corner of Alberta, Canada.

Follow Danika:
Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Website


Just so you don't forget after her guest post, Danika asked:
  So how about you? What are YOUR tricks to writing a realistic character? Do you have any other writing advice that you follow? Give your thoughts in the comments below!

----

 And I want to know:

Are you as excited for INTERNET FAMOUS as I am? 
What did you think of that excerpt?

Monday 12 June 2017

Double #KennedyFox Cover Reveal:
THIS IS DANGEROUS
&
THIS IS BEAUTIFUL


It's an exciting day today! Today I get to share the cover reveals for the next Duet in Kennedy Fox's Checkmate series! This duet is all about Kayla and Logan!!! :D Their books, This is Dangerous and This is Beautiful will be releasing in July and September, respectively...and you just got to see a sneak peek in the cover reveal header, but scroll down further for a better look, some teasers and excerpt, and a giveaway, too!!

Without further ado, here are the covers for CHECKMATE: THIS IS DANGEROUS and CHECKMATE: THIS IS BEAUTIFUL...keep scrolling for more details and extras!! ;)


Title: Checkmate: This is Dangerous
Series: Checkmate Duet Series (Logan & Kayla, #1)
Author: Kennedy Fox
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trope: Second Chance Romance
Photographer & Designer: Sara Eirew
Release Date: July 11, 2017

SYNOPSIS

Introducing book 1 in the Logan & Kayla saga of the Checkmate series from a secret duo of romance authors who teamed up under the USA Today Bestselling pseudonym, Kennedy Fox! This second-chance romance will have you gasping and cheering this two on from the first to the last page! Are you ready to play the final game?
***

Logan Knight is a real life knight in shining armor.

A detective godsend in a sleek black suit has me thinking less than secretive thoughts. Brooding and mysterious, he’s the kind of guy every girl instantly notices. Between his seductive smirk and charming good looks, it’s no wonder I can’t help the way he makes me feel whenever I’m near him.

Too bad he’s unavailable—or so he says.

He thinks I’m a do-gooder who shouldn’t get involved with a guy like him. His past is messy and relationships just add to that. He insists the timing is all wrong and he’s devoted to his career, but I don’t buy that excuse for a second. I see the way his body tenses and his jaw ticks every time another guy is around me. He just won’t admit it, but I’m more determined than ever to show him what he’s missing.

I’m a devoted animal rescuer and I’ll risk everything to save them, but when a dramatic turn of events puts both our lives at risk, I’m positive Logan will write me off for good. But when he asks for my help with a personal crisis, I know it’s my last chance to finally show him I can handle anything he throws my way—messy past and all.

He might think he has me all figured out, but I’ll prove him wrong no matter what he thinks. This game of push and pull has me running in circles. One wrong move and we could both lose.

Checkmate, Knight.

*Recommend for ages 18+ due to sexual content and adult language.*
**This is book 1 in the Logan & Kayla Saga–a second-chance romance. You don’t need to read any of the other Checkmate series to enjoy this one, but is always recommended as they are both introduced in the earlier books.**

TEASERS



EXCERPT

Every part of my body is on fire, fueled by the electricity between Logan and me as his lips glide across the softness of mine. The low hum in my stomach aches when he pulls us apart, and I fight the urge to press my lips back to his.

His lips are red and swollen, probably just like mine are right now. I don’t know what got into him, but Logan and I have never, ever kissed before. Hell, we’ve slow danced before at weddings, but nothing this intimate—ever.

“I think that did the trick,” he finally says, catching his breath. Fred left over two minutes ago.

“Yeah, I think so.” I take a small step back, trying to act unaffected, but the hard beating in my chest gives me away. I know he feels it, too. I just don’t understand why he pretends he doesn’t. “Thanks for your help,” I say, breaking the tension.

“Anytime. It was fun watching him sweat.” He grins, rocking back and forth on his feet, gripping the coffee cup tight in his hand. He’s just as nervous as I am.

“Don’t you get enough of that at work?” I tease.

“Can never have enough.” He flashes a pleased smile.

“You do have some sick fetish for that, don’t you?”

“I do. Gets all my juices flowing,” he quips.

And just like that, we’re back to our platonic friendship as if the kiss never happened. However, the ache between my legs knows otherwise. It happened, and it was hot as hell.

“What are you doing on a dating website anyway?” he asks after I grab another cup of coffee and sit across from him at the table.

“How else am I supposed to meet guys?” I ask, although it’s really a rhetorical question. “Guys in bars just want sex and one-night stands. I have a strict no dating guys from work rule and everyone else is taken or just wants me to be a part of their menage a trois.”

His brows lift. “What kind of people are you hanging out with?”

I sigh. “This city literally has no available, decent, single men. I might as well just move to another planet. Like Pluto. Get as far away from here as possible.”

“Actually, Pluto isn’t a planet anymore,” he tells me matter-of-factly.

I blink, unamused. “Great. I can’t escape this damn city.”

He chuckles, and I only slightly hate that he finds my pathetic dating life entertaining. “You’re still young. No need to panic until you’re like…thirty.”

I grab a piece of his pastry and throw it at him. “You suck.” I scowl. “I’m twenty-six, which means I’m almost thirty, and almost thirty means I should be with the guy I’m planning on marrying. Otherwise, I’ll be forty, my looks will be gone, my boobs will have fallen to my feet, and I’ll have gray hair,” I ramble, knowing I’m over exaggerating, but right now it feels true. Every date is a disaster. More than the last.

PURCHASE LINKS

To get a one time notification when
Checkmate: This is Dangerous is live on all platforms,
please sign up here
!

GIVEAWAY


ENTER KENNEDY FOX'S ARC GIVEAWAY: 


Title: Checkmate: This is Beautiful
Series: Checkmate Duet Series (Logan & Kayla, #2)
Author: Kennedy Fox
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trope: Second Chance Romance
Photographer & Designer: Sara Eirew
Release Date: September 12, 2017

PURCHASE LINKS

To get a one time notification when
Checkmate: This is Dangerous is live on all platforms,
please sign up here
!


GET THE PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES NOW: 
THE CHECKMATE DUET SERIES IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN AUDIO FORMAT:
CLICK HERE!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A secret duo of romance authors team up under the USA Today Bestselling pseudonym, Kennedy Fox who share a love of You’ve Got Mail and The Holiday. When they aren’t bonding over romantic comedies, they like to brainstorm new book ideas. One day, they decided to collaborate and have some fun creating new characters that’ll make your lady bits tingle and your heart melt. If you enjoy romance stories with sexy, tattooed alpha males and smart, independent women, then a Kennedy Fox book is for you!

Connect with Kennedy Fox:


What do you think?
Are you a fan of Kennedy Fox's books?
Do you love the covers for This is Dangerous and This is Beautiful?

Thursday 8 June 2017

Blog Tour Review: THE FOXE & THE HOUND by R.S. Grey

Source: Received a copy from the author to
give an honest review for the blog tour.
Release Date: June 1, 2017


Description:

When your life is a hot mess at twenty, it’s cute. At twenty-seven…well, not so much.

It’s just that my lofty dreams—making it as a real estate agent, paying rent on time, showering daily—have stayed just that: dreams. Oh, and love? I’ve decided love might be a little ambitious for me at the moment. Instead, I’ve settled for the two guys who will never leave me: Ben & Jerry.

That is, until Dr. Adam Foxe takes up residence as the town’s new vet.

With his strong jaw, easy confidence, and form-fitting scrubs, it’s not long before every housewife in Hamilton is dragging neglected tomcats in for weekly checkups.

Like everyone else, I’m intrigued. Even after I spoil my chance at a good first impression, he still offers me a proposition I can’t refuse: play his girlfriend at a family function and he’ll hire me as his real estate agent. Welcome to love in the 21st century.
It’s too bad I underestimated Adam’s irresistible charm and the undeniable attraction that burns between us. The day he pins me to the wall and silences me with a kiss, the line between reality and ruse begins to blur. Every teasing touch brings me to my knees. Every kiss promises more.

It looks like my hot mess of a life is about to get a little hotter.
Buy It Here: Amazon 

MY REVIEW

 I've been on a rom-com kick when it comes to my romance books lately and THE FOXE AND THE HOUND was just what I needed and exactly what I hoped it would be!! 

I first stumbled across R.S. Grey when she published a couple of sports romances around the Brazil Olympics. I quickly fell in love with her writing style, and I haven't looked back since! With each book she continues to blow me away and THE FOXE AND THE HOUND wasn't any different that way. Her characters are dynamic, vibrant, and they're all extremely unique! Her stories definitely have drama, but never in excess, and the romance is always swoon-worthy and steamy!

As far as THE FOXE AND THE HOUND goes, I adored the main characters and I thought their romance was utterly adorable! Madeleine and Adam were fantastic and their chemistry was soooo good!!
Their meet-cute was fabulously awkward, and I loved every single awkward meeting...and not-so awkward meeting that followed. I also loved that Adam was a vet, and that Madeleine's dog, Mouse was so big in the story...both in size (don't let the name "Mouse" fool you! haha) and in his role. I'm ALWAYS a sucker for dogs in a story. :)


Overall, I absolutely adored THE FOXE AND THE HOUND!!! If you're a fan of animals, snarky heroines and rom-coms, I think you'll love it, too!!! I also just cannot recommend R.S. Grey's books enough. She's quickly become one of my favourite romance authors and I can't put her books down once I start! If you're a romance reader, I definitely think you should give her books a shot!



ABOUT R.S. GREY

R.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of thirteen novels, including THE FOXE & THE HOUND. She lives in Texas with her husband and two dogs, and can be found reading, binge-watching reality TV, or practicing yoga!

Visit her at rsgrey.com

Follow R.S. Grey: Website | Twitter | Facebook
R.S. Grey's Little Reds Facebook GroupNewsletter | Instagram



*dreamy sigh* I love a good rom-com, and this one was soooo perfect!

What do you think?
Are you a fan of rom-com books?
Have you read THE FOXE AND THE HOUND?
If not, are you planning to?

Friday 2 June 2017

Release Day Blitz: THE FOXE & THE HOUND by R. S. Grey

Woo hoo! 

R.S. Grey's THE FOXE & THE HOUND is now available! 

I've already read this one...and trust me, if you love any kind of rom-com, you will LOVE this one!!! :D You definitely don't want to miss getting your hands on this sexy and hilarious new read from R.S. Grey. Find out more about THE FOXE & THE HOUND below and grab your copy today!


 About THE FOXE & THE HOUND

When your life is a hot mess at twenty, it’s cute. At twenty-seven…well, not so much.

It’s just that my lofty dreams—making it as a real estate agent, paying rent on time, showering daily—have stayed just that: dreams. Oh, and love? I’ve decided love might be a little ambitious for me at the moment. Instead, I’ve settled for the two guys who will never leave me: Ben & Jerry.

That is, until Dr. Adam Foxe takes up residence as the town’s new vet.

With his strong jaw, easy confidence, and form-fitting scrubs, it’s not long before every housewife in Hamilton is dragging neglected tomcats in for weekly checkups.

Like everyone else, I’m intrigued. Even after I spoil my chance at a good first impression, he still offers me a proposition I can’t refuse: play his girlfriend at a family function and he’ll hire me as his real estate agent. Welcome to love in the 21st century.
It’s too bad I underestimated Adam’s irresistible charm and the undeniable attraction that burns between us. The day he pins me to the wall and silences me with a kiss, the line between reality and ruse begins to blur. Every teasing touch brings me to my knees. Every kiss promises more.

It looks like my hot mess of a life is about to get a little hotter.
Add THE FOXE & THE HOUND to your Goodreads list here!

Get your hands on THE FOXE & THE HOUND
by R.S. Grey now!
 


Get a Sneak Peek of THE FOXE & THE HOUND

I follow his gaze to where my dress has ridden up. When I’m standing, it’s a modest length, but the leather seats in his Audi have hiked up the skirt and a few inches of my thighs are now on perfect display.

His gaze drags down, pausing on my lips for a moment before he trails down my neck and chest. He’s studying my dress—no, he’s studying my body beneath the fabric. His smile is slow to spread, a little haunting…sexual.

About R.S. Grey

R.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of thirteen novels, including THE FOXE & THE HOUND. She lives in Texas with her husband and two dogs, and can be found reading, binge-watching reality TV, or practicing yoga!

Visit her at rsgrey.com

Follow R.S. Grey: Website | Twitter | Facebook
R.S. Grey's Little Reds Facebook GroupNewsletter | Instagram


What do you think?
Does THE FOXE & THE HOUND like a book you'd like?