Yet, another Update.

Hey everyone. Hope you are all enjoying summer break :)

This is just another update. This summer, I won't be participating in many blog tours, because I just don't have that extra pocket of time, and I still have Reviews to catch up on from previous blog tours, so this summer, you will see a few new Blog Tour Posts and other Book Reviews, a few times a week. From the 23rd to the 27th of June, there will be four blog tour posts on my new blog:   My Love For Films & Novels. There will be two new reviews, and there will be two that I will post soon; I just don't think I will read those fast enough before my dates. 

Again, I haven't found the time to update this blog, and that will be happening...sometime this summer. These past couple of months, I've just been super stressful, (the neck pain I receive occasionally & headaches does not help either) and without getting personal, I'm just dealing with a few  personal matters, and I just started a course for summer semester, so reading books, writing film reviews and even writing my WIP have been the last things on my to do list, so that's been a bummer because I really want to be further along with my book, but that will have to wait a little more. I still have a lot of e-mails to catch up on, and seeing how many emails I have is crazy, but I will answer as much as I can each week. 

Giveaways...I have to still pick winners for some, so that will be happening later this week, early next week. I do have one going on right now: The Englishman By: Nina Lewis. Click below to check that one out:

http://myloveforfilmsandnovels.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-englishman-by-nina-lewis-promo-post.html

As you see above and on the side of this blog, this blog will be closing, and it will, once I have updated everything, including the tabs. All emails that I have still to answer that include review requests, interviews, giveaways etc. will be posted most likely on my new blog, we'll see... I still have to figure that one. 

Ummm....I guess that's it right now. There is one blog tour post that I forgot to post on the 16th (ah not good) but I will post that this weekend.

Have a great weekend!

~Marissa

**18+ Blog Tour Stop** Epilogue (The Dark Duet #2.5) By: C.J. Roberts *ARC Review & US Giveaway*

Hey everyone! Sorry this post is late. I'm really excited to be a part of C.J. Robert's Epilogue Blog Tour, where we finally read Caleb's POV! Below, you'll see the Book & Author Info, my Mini Review, because seriously, I don't want to give any big spoilers if you're really looking forward to this book, or if you have not read Books 1 & 2. Also, the Author is sponsoring an Autographed Copy of Epilogue (yay!). This will be available to US Readers only! I personally will gift an e-book of either Book 1, 2 OR 3, so if you win and have not read any of the books and want to start with Book 1, you can, if you win that is :) 

*I highly advise, those that are 18+ continue with this post, and participate in the Giveaway. Thank you*

Book 1 Description Via Goodreads

Caleb is a man with a singular interest in revenge. Kidnapped as a young boy and sold into slavery by a power-hungry mobster, he has thought of nothing but vengeance. For twelve years he has immersed himself in the world of pleasure slaves searching for the one man he holds ultimately responsible. Finally, the architect of his suffering has emerged with a new identity, but not a new nature. If Caleb is to get close enough to strike, he must become the very thing he abhors and kidnap a beautiful girl to train her to be all that he once was.

Eighteen-year-old Olivia Ruiz has just woken up in a strange place. Blindfolded and bound, there is only a calm male voice to welcome her. His name is Caleb, though he demands to be called Master. Olivia is young, beautiful, naïve and willful to a fault. She has a dark sensuality that cannot be hidden or denied, though she tries to accomplish both. Although she is frightened by the strong, sadistic, and arrogant man who holds her prisoner, what keeps Olivia awake in the dark is her unwelcome attraction to him.

WARNING: This book contains very disturbing situations, dubious consent, strong language, and graphic violence.

Book 2 Description Via Goodreads

BOOK TWO OF THE DARK DUET

The exciting, titillating, and action-filled conclusion to Captive in the Dark.

What is the price of redemption?

Rescued from sexual slavery by a mysterious Pakistani officer, Caleb carries the weight of a debt that must be paid in blood.

The road has been long and fraught with uncertainty, but for Caleb and Livvie, it’s all coming to an end.

Can he surrender the woman he loves for the sake of vengeance? 

Or will he make the ultimate sacrifice?

Quote: 

It seemed to Caleb, the nature of human beings revolved around one empirical truth: we want what we cannot have. For Eve, it was the fruit of the forbidden tree. For Caleb, it was Livvie.

 

Now...Book 3 Description Via Goodreads :)

BOOK 3 OF THE DARK DUET

I’m writing this because you begged. You know how I love the begging. In fact, you probably know too many things and know them far too well.

Who am I?

Well, that’s what I’m trying to figure out. I was a whore in my youth, a killer since my adolescence, and a monster as a man. I am the man who kidnapped Livvie. I am the man who held her in a dark room for weeks. But, most importantly, I am the man she loves.

She loves me. It’s quite sick, isn’t it?

Of course, there’s more to our story than can be surmised in a few short sentences, but I’m at a loss for justifying my behavior back then. I assume if you’re reading this, I don’t need to make those justifications. You’ve already made your own.

You’re reading this because you want to know about the rest of the story. You want to know what happened that warm summer night in September of 2010, the night I met Livvie at The Paseo. It was the night my life changed all over again.

It didn’t happen exactly as Livvie said. She’s been very kind to me in the retelling of our story. The truth is far more…complicated.

About The Author & Her Social Media Links

(From Goodreads)

CJ Roberts is an independent writer. She favors dark and erotic stories with taboo twists and her work has been called both sexy and disturbing in the same sentence. 

She was born and raised in Southern California. Following high school, she joined the U.S. Air Force in 1998, served ten years and traveled the world. Her favorite part of traveling is seeking out the seedy underbelly of the city. 

She is married to an amazing and talented man who never stops impressing her; they have one beautiful daughter. 

Her debut novel, Captive in the Dark (The Dark Duet, Book 1), is available in ebook and paperback. And will be followed up with Seduced in the Dark (The Dark Duet, Book 2) in September of 2012. 

She writes short stories under the name Jennifer Roberts (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...)

For more information, please visit the following:

Website:http://aboutcjroberts.com/index.php/b...

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCJRoberts

Twitter:https://twitter.com/#!/AuthorCJRoberts

My Mini Epilogue Review 

Because...I Don't Want To Give Too Many Spoilers... Until The Release :)

(Thanks to the Author for the ARC!)

While I was reading, I found myself wanting to go back and reading books 1 and 2. It's been a long time since I've read them, and perhaps later this summer, I'll write Reviews Books 1 & 2. Anyway, now to Epilogue. This novel looks into Caleb's POV and honestly, I really liked it; we finally see what his thoughts are, in the present and from the past, and I say they are so much needed! Roberts knows just what the readers want :) 

Epilogue takes place at a good length of time *not spoling it ;) * after Book 2. Yes, Caleb and Livvie meet again, but have different names now, for a reason, but I'll refer them to their real names. Anyway, they are at a different place in the world now, and again, we are in Caleb's mind and he tells and shows us from meeting a surprised Livvie, to actually them forming a somewhat normal relationship. Since the situation that separated these two, Livvie has made a nice life for herself, with new friends, and enjoying college life, but are things as nice as they seem? Especially now that Caleb is back in her life, can they really form a...relationship, with their past? You will get a lot of answers in this story, answers that you most definitely have been waiting for. 

Ok, I gotta say, I really liked this story. I also liked Book 1 & 2 and they each have their different ways of presenting an excellent dark story, and to me this story lead me to a lighter side of two characters that have faced so much in their lives. I liked the way Roberts write, as she gives a good amount of story/character background, and her writing has a flow that had me reading to the next page. I liked this side of Caleb, where he tries to act different with Livvie, but sometimes his past attitude comes out, and I'm not going to write when, but that...kinkiness does come out. I believe that the relationship they start to form is realistic and there is explanation from both sides, of how they hope things could work out, and there is of course talk of the past and that does eventually come back to haunt them at different times, especially with Caleb, and you'll read when. Overall, this was written well and the story itself kept just kept me hooked on two characters that I have been wanting to read more about, well since Book 2. Without giving away the ending, I think how this individual story concludes is good, but it did lead me to want more, and I guess I'll always want to read more, when it concerns these excellently written characters. If you read Book 1 & 2, this 3rd one is a must! 

My Rating: 4.5/5

Rated R! 18+ *Mature Language & Sexual Content...and Caleb ;)

Giveaway Rules & Details

- There are TWO Prizes. One is for US Readers & the other is US/INT!

- Ends June 17th!

- Please Be 18+ to participate; there is mature adult content in these novels.

- Prizes: 1 Autographed paperback of Epilogue (US ONLY) & 1 E-Book of either Book 1-3, Gifted BY Me through Amazon (US/INT).

- There Will Be Two Winners!

- The Winners will be picked by Rafflecopter!

- I will be Checking the Entries Regularly, so if there is Cheating, those Entries Will be Disqualified! 

- As you submit Entries, be sure to use an Email that you use Daily, as that is how I will contact you, if you Win.

- You will have 48 hours to Respond, or I will have to Choose a New Winner! Check Your Spam Folders, just in case it goes in there.

- And Good Luck! :)

*Come back to this post, when the Giveaway is over, to see who won. I usually do Facebook it as well*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

After Math By: Denise Grover Swank *Excerpt, Guest Post & Review*

*Blog Tour Schedule & Click Here For The Giveaway*

Scarlett Goodwin’s world is divided into Before and After.

Before she agreed to tutor Tucker Price, college junior Scarlett was introvert, struggling with her social anxiety disorder and determined to not end up living in a trailer park like her mother and her younger sister. A mathematics major, she goes to her classes, to her job in the tutoring lab, and then hides in the apartment she shares with her friend, Caroline.

After junior Tucker Price, Southern University’s star soccer player enters the equation, her carefully plotted life is thrown off its axis. Tucker’s failing his required College Algebra class. With his eligibility is at risk, the university chancellor dangles an expensive piece of computer software for the math department if Scarlett agrees to privately tutor him. Tucker’s bad boy, womanizer reputation makes Scarlett wary of any contact, let alone spending several hours a week in close proximity. 

But from her first encounter, she realizes Tucker isn’t the person everyone else sees. He carries a mountain of secrets which she suspects hold the reason to his self-destructive behavior. But the deeper she delves into the cause of his pain, the deeper she gets sucked into his chaos. Will Scarlett find the happiness she’s looking for, or will she be caught in Tucker’s aftermath?

Book Excerpt

I go into the bathroom and change before I get Tucker’s water. When I return, he’s snoring again. I set the water on the nightstand then turn toward the door.

“Why are you always running away from me?”

I look over my shoulder and his eyes are closed, but the back of his forearm covers his forehead. “You were asleep. I didn’t want to bother you.”

“Where are you going? This is your bed.”

“It’s okay. I’m going to sleep on the sofa.”

He pushes himself into a sitting position. “No, Scarlett. It’s your bed. You should sleep here.”

“It’s okay, really. You need to sleep it off.”

“Please. Stay.” He reaches for me, hopelessness washing off of him in thick waves.

Hypnotized by the despair in his eyes, I sink to the edge of the mattress.

He smiles, but it’s sad. He slips his hand into mine. “See? That wasn’t so hard.”

“Tucker…I can’t… I’m not…”

“I know, Scarlett. I would never ask you to. I’m still drunk, and you deserve better than that.”

The sincerity in his words freezes the air in my lungs.

He pulls me down next to him, and I find myself unable to resist.

We’re both on our sides, facing each other. He releases my hand and reaches for the side of my face, brushing the hair off my cheek. His fingertips barely touch my skin, yet send shivers down my back. My stomach clenches.

“Sweet, sweet Scarlett.” His palm presses against my cheek as his fingers dig into my hair.

I close my eyes, my stomach tightening even more.

“I’ve never felt this with anyone. Ever,” he murmurs, his words fading.

Neither have I remains unsaid, but buried in my heart.

My panic builds like a storm in the back of my head. How can I be lying next to Tucker Price? How can I let him affect me so? But part of me is tired of basing every single decision in my life on reasoned and thought-out choices. Part of me wants to live.

I can’t help thinking about my conversation with Caroline days ago, when I told her that one didn’t live a little or a lot, they simply lived.

I finally get it.

Nevertheless, I can’t give any part of myself to this man. There may be a hidden window to his soul, but it is not my job to plumb its depths. I’m neither experienced nor jaded enough to survive the attempt.

But maybe I can steal this moment. Just for tonight

*My Review Will Posted Soon*

Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese which she learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period.  Hidden talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within in two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks.  She has six children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.

You can find out more about Denise and her other books at:

www.denisegroverswank.com

or email her at denisegroverswank@gmail.com

Buy the Book!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

iTunes 

A Quick Update!

Hey everyone :) Well...last Friday was my last day of finals, so I'm happy to write that I am on Summer break!! :) this is going to last only for 2-3 weeks until I have Summer Semester (need to take some G.E. courses) but anyway, these last few days have just been great to...RELAX. Not having to do that much right now, feels well.... freaking awesome. 

Now, for this Blog, I think I will stop posting, instead of June, well it's going to be perhaps in August until I stop posting here. The reason is, well I have a few more posts in the next couple of days to post, but I have....a lot of e-mails to answer. Since about March, because with just a lot going on with School and other stuff, I had been busy and so I couldn't answer a lot of mail, about 95% of it, so what's waiting for me now, is about 2-3 months of emails, and I will get to you, if you e-mailed me concerning a review request, promo post etc. I will get a hold of you; it might take me until this week to answer everyone's emails, so yeah anyway, I want to post whatever I can by the end of the summer, until I officially stop posting here. 

What's next? Umm well...oh yeah, those that have won a Giveaway, where I have to mail books/movies to you, that will finally be mailed to you in a week or two. Sorry about the long wait, and I will e-mail those that have patiently waited, so look out for an email sometime this week. 

Ummm hmm I think that's it. Oh yeah all the Review posts, the Blog Tour Posts where you see "A Review Will Be Posted Soon" or something like that; well I will finally get to reading those wonderful books, and will be writing Reviews again. I know it's been a while since I have written one, maybe since March? Yeah wow that seems like a long time, so it's going to be great writing reviews again. I will definitely let you all know when I post a new Review. 

- I'm also excited to some of the tours I will be participating in, including on June 7th. I will be posting a review &...a Giveaway for C.J. Robert's upcoming release: Epilogue and just ahhh I'm excited for this one!!!! If you have read the first two books, you probably know what I'm talking about...ahhh :) haha so my tour stop again will be on June 7th, so hope to see you then, and before too, because I have a few other tours.

Thanks stopping by!

~Marissa

Not Quite Mine (Not Quite #2) By: Catherine Bybee *Author Interview, Review & Giveaway*

*Blog Tour Schedule*

Book Description

(From Goodreads)

Gorgeous hotel heiress Katelyn "Katie" Morrison seems to have it all. But when she crosses paths with Dean Prescott - the only man she's ever loved - at her brother's wedding, Katie realizes there's a gaping hole in her life. After the ceremony she gets an even bigger surprise when someone abandons a baby girl on her doorstep. Determined to keep the newborn until she learns who her mother is, Katie has her hands full and doesn't need Dean snooping around, especially when his presence stirs feelings she thought were long gone. 

Dean Prescott knows Katie is lying to him when he discovers a baby is living with her. He shouldn't care what the woman who broke his heart is up to...and he most certainly shouldn't still be aching for her. Yet Dean can't ignore the need to protect Katie - or the desire to be near her every chance he gets. But when he and Katie solve the mystery surrounding the baby, their second chance for happiness could be shattered forever.

Check out this Author Interview

How did you come up with the idea/concept for this story?

When writing Not Quite Dating, the first book in the series, Katie Morrison stood out as a woman I wanted to know more about. On the outside she seemed to have life put together. But seldom is that the case when you peel back the layers of the characters. When I sat down to write Katie and Dean’s story I wanted to write a ‘reunited’ story one with a baby on the doorstep twist…but not the baby left on the dad’s doorstep. I hope I mixed it enough to surprise my readers and keep them turning pages.

How long did it take to write?

I actually had written the first few chapters of this book shortly after writing Not Quite Dating…which was well over a year before I finished the book. I had several projects going at that time. When I ‘finished’ the story, it took me about six weeks. On average, my books take me six to twelve weeks to write. Just depends on the story.

Did you have to research, and if yes, how was that process?

I needed to look up laws pertaining to adoption and abandonment. Some of the information I already knew when I sat down to write the book, but I had to check some facts as I went along. As for the process… it’s called the Internet. So much easier than research of the old days. LOL

Which character was the most fun writing?

I really enjoyed writing the character of the PI in the story. Patrick was a fun player who made me want to write mystery novels.

Which actors do you see playing the main characters?

I can see Gwyneth Paltrow as Katie… as for Dean… Hard to say. All I see is some of those yummy pictures on Pintrest for him.

What do you want readers to get from your story?

I want my readers to come away with the knowledge that it takes more than having a child to be a mother. Being a parent is an awesome responsibility that shouldn’t be entered into lightly. I respect those expectant mothers who know they’re not ready to be a mom and give up their infants to those who are ready but can’t. Equally, I wish more people understood the responsibility of parenthood before they have children.

On Writing …

Do you mostly write during the day or night?

Yes! *wink* - If I’m writing a book in six weeks, I’m writing day and night.

Is there a place you especially like to write? Ultimate place to write?

I have an amazing office with a fabulous view. Love it. My best brainstorming for new stories is when I’m exercising, however.

What are you currently working on?

I’m finishing up my discovery draft of Single by Saturday. Which is the forth book in my Weekday Bride Series.

For Fun …

All time favorite film that you can see endlessly, and you have practically memorized all the lines?

Romancing the Stone

Favorite guilty pleasure television show?

Drum roll… Duck Dynasty – I’m happy, happy, happy!

Hot Chocolate, Tea or Coffee?

Wine… oh, wait, that wasn’t on there… Coffee.

Mac or PC?

PC – But Mac for my phone and tablet

  

England or Scotland?

Yes, please…when shall I pack?

Print or E-Book?

Both

Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream?

Ice Cream

Spring or Fall?

Both

Sunny or Rainy Weather?

Sunny in summer, Rainy in winter. I’m not picky.

Christmas or New Years?

Christmas 

About The Author

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned novels Wife by Wednesday, Married by Monday, and Not Quite Dating. Bybee lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Southern California.

My Review

*Will Be Posted Soon*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Extreme Love By: Abby Niles *Guest Post & Review*

*Ahh Sorry just posting this now, but hope you enjoy the Author's lovely Guest Post!

Book Description

New body. New clothes. New men.

Used to the average Joe, Caitlyn Moore is overwhelmed when the supremely masculine Dante Jones walks into her life and expresses an interest in her. At first she pushes him away, refusing to encourage the attention of a cage fighter. Then she learns Dante has a love ‘em and leave ‘em reputation. What better way to fine-tune her non-existent flirting skills than with a male who won’t stick around? But Dante has no intention of being a practice dummy; he’s out for all or nothing. Now Caitlyn must accept Dante—violent career and all—or let him go.

Dante “Inferno” Jones has one goal: win the Welterweight Championship. At a time when focus is crucial, the last thing he needs is a distraction. Yet Caitlyn Moore becomes a challenge he can’t resist. When the light-hearted pursuit shifts to a battle to win her heart, his focus is shot. Faced with losing the biggest match of his career, Dante must decide if his extreme life also has room for Extreme Love.

The Author's Guest Post

Ten Things I’ve Given Up.

We all have to give things up from time to time. It might be to avoid going insane or to have more time in your day. Most of the things I’ve given up here lately have been because of my writing. Some of them I hope to one day get back, but the others I’m glad I kicked to the curb. So the top ten things I’ve given up:

Sleep. I’ve given this up twice. I don’t think I slept a full night for eighteen months after my twins came home from the hospital. Things calmed down a little after that, but then, a little over a year ago, I had to go back to living off little sleep. Between juggling a day job, being a single mom, keeping my nephew, and my deadlines the only way I was going to get any proper amount of writing time was by cutting into my sleep schedule. I don’t regret it, never will, but I do have my crash and burn points. And when those days comes, my body shuts down and I’ll sleep for twelve hours.

Cleaning.  I grew up in a household where an immaculate house was essential. My parents, still to this day, believe a home should always be tidy and clean just in case someone stops by. I carried this into my adulthood and always kept a spotless home. Over the years, as my time became more restrictive, I had to teach myself not to worry about the dishes piling up in the sink, or the laundry spilling over in the basket. Now I settle for one day a week, right before the weekend, where everything gets a thorough cleaning. And, even then, everything doesn’t have to be perfect.

Social life.  I think I’m close to getting this one back. I’ve had to put a social life on hold to get my priority done: writing. I’ve spent many, many weekends doing writing marathons instead of enjoying the great outdoors with my friends. After almost a year of being disciplined with my time, I see a little more free time in my future.

TV time.  I’m a TV junkie. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I would like to say I’ve given up TV all together, but, yeah, that’s not happening. What I have done is cut it back a lot. I used to have the TV on while I wrote, I envy writers who can do this, but I found that I spent more time distracted by the television than actually writing. So I no longer attempt it. I watch two hours of TV at night after the kids go to bed. It’s my unwind time after a very long day.

Writing at night. I used to be able to write during the day, pick up the kids from school, do all my mommy duties and then write again after the kids went to bed. I can’t anymore. By night, my brain is incapable of producing a coherent sentence much less being creative. If I’m on a deadline, I don’t try to get it done after all is quiet in the house, I set the alarm to go off even earlier because I know once I hit a certain point in the afternoon, writing is done for me. I’m still not a morning person. I don’t think I ever will be, but I’m the most clear-headed and focused in the morning. I never thought I’d say that.

Writing a perfect first draft. Giving this up was the best thing for my writing. I used to agonize over every word during the first draft, which is really counterproductive for a pantser. When I’d reach the middle of the book, I’d always see my beginning was all wrong and instead of waiting, I’d immediately go back and fix it and agonize all over again. After I had it where I believed it was perfect, I start writing again, get two-thirds of the way through the book, see that something else didn’t jive and immediately go back again. I wasted so much time doing this. It would take me months to finish a first draft as I rewrote scenes, over and over again. I don’t do this anymore. I write the draft, knowing I’ve got some major issues I’m going to have to tackle, but I’ll go back to them after I know the entire story. I save myself a TON of writing and time this way.

Trying to get my to-do list done. It never fails that I have this list of things I HAVE to get done for the day, and the first thing on that list takes me way longer to finish that I’d anticipated. Which makes it impossible to get everything else done. I used to freak myself out over it. Guess what? The world didn’t end because I didn’t get that list completed. I still have a list, but I don’t fret over it as much. It will get done, and it will get done on time, I just don’t have to spaz out if it’s not when I planned on getting to it.

Focusing on the negative. As authors, we want everyone to love our books. We work really long hours and put our hearts and souls into our writing. There are days we want to cry, days we feel proud, and days we doubt. The truth is it doesn’t matter if we’ve written the best dang book of our career, someone’s not going to like it, some will even hate it. I had to accept that I can’t write the perfect book. There are so many different personalities out there, so many different ways a person would tackle a conflict, that it’s just not possible. Now this isn’t saying I pish-posh away negative reviews. That’s not the case. I have gotten invaluable insight that has helped me grow as a writer from them. I just don’t obsess over them anymore.

Being the Yes-Man. Learning to say no wasn’t easy for me. I’ve always been the type of person anyone could come to and ask a favor of and I’d do it in a heartbeat, even if it spread me too thin. It was a struggle to stop this. I love to lend my help no matter if it’s to my family, friends or my job. But I can’t do everything, I wish I could, but it’s not possible. So allowing myself to say, “I wish I could, but I can’t,” was a freeing experience.

Refusing help. Now this is probably going to sound extremely hypocritical, since I just said I love to help. I do love to help. I don’t like ASKING for help. I’m a classic Type A personality. I’m supposed to be able to do everything. Yeah, well, even Type A’s have to suck it up and ask for help from time to time and I’ve learned to do that. It’s amazing how someone stepping in a taking one thing off my hands, truly does help me.

So what have you given up?

Thanks so much for having me today!

Abby

About The Author

Abby Niles has always loved to read. After having twins and becoming a stay-at-home mom, she started doodling stories to keep her sanity. She didn’t plan for writing to become an obsession, but it did. Today, she juggles work, home life, and writing. It’s not always easy, but hey, who said life was easy?

When Abby’s not writing, you can find her playing ‘Just Dance’ with her kids or trying to catch up on her never-ending to-be-read list. She also loves Zumba, and refuses to admit she looks more like Animal doing his Muppet flail than a sensual Latin dancer.

My Review

*Will Be Posted Soon*

Stripped By: Brooklyn Skye *Book Excerpt & Giveaway*

*Blog Tour Schedule*

Stripped

by Brooklyn Skye

Release Date: 05/14/13

Summary from Goodreads: 

“I like you.” His voice is low and soft, which I don’t deserve. I look away, down the rutted parking lot.

“Don’t…waste those words on me.”

He touches my cheek. “You just need someone to show you.”

“No.” I ease back again. “I don’t. So please, Torrin, stop trying to swoop in and save me. I don’t need saving.”

College freshman Quinn Montgomery will do anything to avoid the mistake her sister made—killing herself over a boy. But when she is forced into nude modeling at a local college to support her family after a bankruptcy, she begins to crack, just enough to let Torrin, the university’s top varsity oarsman, see that the real Quinn is not as feisty and unapproachable as she wants everyone to think. But letting someone in comes at a steep cost and, it turns out, Torrin is connected to Quinn’s family in more ways than she could ever imagine.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17452316-stripped

Book Excerpt

Please help me welcome Brooklyn Skye, author of STRIPPED! She’s stopping by today to share her writing play list for the STRIPPED Blog Tour hosted by YA Bound. As part of the tour Brooklyn is giving away a signed copy of STRIPPED; read on for more details!

From STRIPPED:

Muscles. That’s all I see walking toward me. Rock-hard muscles.

“No chance I’m changin’ your name now,” Torrin says. Eyeing the cigarette pinched between my fingertips, he lifts a teasing smirk. I grimace and hide the cigarette behind my back because, really, I’m not in the mood for this.

Okay, that’s not true. I’m sort of in the mood for it because it is loosely fascinating. I’ve obviously charmed the guy out of his mind.

“I only took one drag. This cigarette shouldn’t count.” 

“Still does.” He sits on the wall next to me. A camera swings under his arm.

“What if I’m really stressed?”

Jutting out his chin, he slips the camera strap off his shoulder. “Get rid of that thing and check this out.”

I take another drag and blow it out in front of me. He waves the smoke away from his face.

“That’s disgusting.”

I grin. “Someone twisting your arm to sit here?”

He ignores my question and sets the camera in my lap. I’m no camera expert, but I do know this one’s probably over a thousand dollars by how heavy it is and the overabundance of buttons and dials and digital screens. I should run with it, sell it to pay for my tuition—

“A Nikon D300. Ever use one of these?”

I shake the thought away. It’s crazy. And I doubt I’d be able to outrun him.

“No.”

“Check out the LCD screen. Three inches.”

I pick it up. At the same time he leans in and presses a button on top. An intricate menu displays on the screen with words and acronyms that may as well be a foreign language: JPEG compression, NEF (RAW) something or other.

I am so stupid. So stupid. I told him I was into photography, and that’s why he’s here trying to camera-talk with me, but maybe I should’ve said I like to look at photos. He’s obviously much more experienced and equipped and, God, I hope he doesn’t expect me to be the same.

“I’ve had this for a few months,” he says. “I’m still learning how to use it. The manual is over four hundred pages.”

I lift the camera to my face, peer through the lens at a teacher walking in the distance. Jackie McNamara. Science department. She spoke to my dad once about funding for telescopes. Bet she didn’t do something ridiculously illegal to get them.

Lowering the heavy black box, I meet his gaze. “I’ve never held such a fancy camera before.”

He nudges me with his elbow. “C’mon. I’ll show you how to use it.”

My stomach twists.

“No.”

He blinks. “No? Why not?”

I stand. Because I’m not at Pacific Rim to make friends. I’m here to earn money and I’m done doing that for the day and should be heading back to school for whatever ghastly concoction Loyola’s cafeteria decides to call dinner.

I return the camera to his hand.

“I can’t.”

“Why?” He stands too, looks down at me. “You have somewhere else to be?” His head cocks curiously to the side. “A boyfriend’s house?”

“No.” The word comes out too fast. Dammit. I grab my bag. “I mean, yes.”

“Well, which is it?” He grins. “You seem a little unsure.”

My head is telling me I need to walk away right now. Right now. Before I have to say anything more, but my hands are the only ones listening, and they’re shaking and my feet won’t move.

I need to kill this conversation.

“Listen, Torrin. You’re not getting in my pants. Not today. Not ever. So you can go

About the Author

Brooklyn Skye is just your average awkward girl who's obsessed with words. She grew up in a small California town where she quickly realized writing was an easy escape from small town life.

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

***GIVEAWAY*** 

One signed paperback copy of Stripped (US only) or one e-book copy with authorgraph (INT)

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