Monthly Archives: October 2015

Release Day Spotlight: When Leaves Stop Falling by Kelly Moran

when leavesTitle: When Leaves Stop Falling by Kelly Moran
Publisher: KDP
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Length: 199 pages

Summary:

Best Books Award Finalist!

Ten years ago, Courtney Morgan had somehow found the courage to escape a life of abuse and run. Now living a comfortable–albeit lonely–existence, she’s determined to make the most of her second chance. But when a newcomer strolls into the diner where she works, a series of events lands her on a road trip from Arizona to Georgia. After she learns her travel companion has been given a terminal diagnosis and is returning home, Courtney sees this as an opportunity to pay it forward and help, like someone had once done for her. Yet, despite her good intentions, it seems fate is determined to put love and friendship in her path, forcing her to evaluate her own future and what she desires most. Offering forgiveness is hard, especially when that person needing it most is herself. And she’s discovering the important things in life are about the people along her journey, not the destination.

Add to Goodreads.

Purchase Links: Amazon * B&N * iTunes * Kobo * Google Play

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The Week Ahead Oct. 12-17

Here’s a look at what’s happening this week at Book Reviews & More by Kathy:

This week’s book reviews:

October 12: Murder at Redwood Cove by Janet Finsilver (New Release)
October 13: Everything I Left Unsaid by M. O’Keefe (New Release)
October 13: Need You for Always by Marina Adair (New Release)
October 13: Silent City by Carrie Smith (New Release)
October 15: All the Things We Never Knew by Shelia Hamilton (New Release)
October 15: A Firefighter for Christmas by Kim Redford (Recent Release)

Blog Tours:

October 12: Alexandra Brown
October 12: Kelly Moran
October 13: Lindsay McKenna
October 13: Lynne Silver
October 14: Chelsea Camaron & M.J. Fields
October 15: Lauren Layne
October 16: Undercover Lovers

Winning Wednesdays (Oct. 14) eBooks up for grabs are:

Revved by Sherilee Gray
Major Misconduct by Kelly Jamieson
How to Be a Normal Person by TJ Klune

Click here for more info on entering the eBook contests.

This week’s Friday Feature: Lia Riley.

This week’s Saturday Series Spotlight is Marina Adair Heroes of St. Helena and contest for one of the books in the series (winner’s choice).

Have a great week!!

***All the eBooks in this week’s Winning Wednesday giveaway have been purchased by Book Reviews & More by Kathy.***

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Saturday Series Spotlight & Giveaway: Michaela Grey’s Coffee Cake

coffee cakeTitle: Coffee Cake by Michaela Grey
Coffee Cake Series Book One
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense, M/M, Romance
Length: 220 pages

Summary:

Coffee Cake: Book One

Bran Kendrick never expected to fall in love. He’s asexual, after all. What chance does he have of finding someone who’ll see past that? So when Malachi Warren catches his eye, Bran tells himself his crush will pass. Malachi disagrees. He has been attracted to Bran for some time, something he is delighted to find Bran reciprocating. They begin to date and feel their way through an intimate relationship that meets both their needs.

Suddenly Bran finds himself juggling a new boyfriend, a demanding job, and a college degree he’s not sure he wants, but he couldn’t be happier—until a series of seemingly random accidents befall Malachi. When they escalate, Bran realizes someone is trying to take away the best thing that ever happened to him, and he must scramble to keep Malachi safe while they search for the would-be killer.


beignetsTitle: Beignets by Michaela Grey
Coffee Cake Series Book Two
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Romance
Length: 200 pages

Summary:

Coffee Cake: Book Two

Malachi Warren barely survived a series of assaults on his life. But survive he did, though not without baggage. Now, Malachi must pick up the pieces of his shattered life—the most important piece being his boyfriend, Bran Kendrick, who is dealing with problems of his own.

Stagnating at his job at a small-town café, Bran’s pride keeps him from asking Malachi—or anyone—for help. Desperate to do something, Malachi secretly pays a celebrity chef with a bakery in New Orleans to take on Bran as his apprentice.

As Malachi and Bran begin to make a new life in New Orleans, the specter of Malachi’s PTSD and the growing stress over the secret he hides from Bran threaten their relationship. Before it’s too late, Malachi must confront his past and face his fears about the future, all without losing himself—and Bran—in the process.


Giveaway

I am giving away one eBook from the Coffee Cake series-WINNER’S CHOICE. Here’s how to enter the Saturday Series Spotlight contest:

You must Do TWO of the Following:

1. Sign up for e-mail updates (upper left corner). One email daily with the day’s posts.

OR:

2. Be or become a fan of Book Reviews & More by Kathy Facebook page

OR:

3. Follow me on Twitter (@BookReviewsMore)

Make sure you have filled out the contest entry form:

4. To be eligible to enter contests on Book Reviews and More by Kathy you MUST fill out the contest entry form (found HERE). This form only needs to be filled out ONCE. Your privacy is important to me, and I will not share your information.

And don’t forget to:

5. Fill out the form below by 5 PM Mountain Time Monday afternoon.

CONTEST OVER

*I am the only person who will have access to info that is submitted to me UNLESS a publisher or author has donated an eBook for the giveaway. For a prize donated by an author or publisher, I will forward your e-mail and format selection to the person responsible for distributing the eBook. In the event the contest form is not working, please leave your book selection in the comments below.*

It’s that easy! The winner will be selected using random.org. I will e-mail one lucky winner the eBook of their choice in their preferred format. The winner will be posted HERE on Tuesday.

***The eBooks in this giveaway have been purchased by Book Reviews & More by Kathy.***

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Friday Feature & Giveaway: Signs of Life by Melanie Hansen

signs lifeTitle: Signs of Life by Melanie Hansen
Resilient Love Series Book Two
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Erotic, Romance
Length: 234 page

Summary:

A Resilient Love Story

Successful lawyer Jeremy Speer has it all—a loving husband, a beautiful home, and a cherished dream that’s about to become reality. He’s learned not to take happiness for granted, meeting the challenges of life and love head-on with unwavering commitment and fierce devotion. A series of tragic events leave Jeremy shattered, adrift on a sea of unimaginable pain. He’s able to piece his life back together, but instead of embracing it, he merely exists, using isolation and punishing physical exertion to keep the world at bay.

High school teacher Kai Daniels has a heart for at-risk kids—he was one himself, and a teenage brush with the law and some troubled years behind bars left him scarred inside and out. With courage, hard work, and the support of friends, he’s built a fulfilling life that leaves no time for a relationship.

An intense encounter with Kai at a gay club ignites a spark in Jeremy that he thought was extinguished forever, but he’s unwilling to destroy the fragile peace he’s managed to create, and he leaves Kai humiliated and disappointed. Things should have ended there, but a bizarre occurrence brings the two together in a way neither of them expected.

Read my review HERE.

Add series to Goodreads.

Add to Goodreads.

Purchase Links: Dreamspinner Press * Amazon * B&N * iTunes * Kobo

Purchase Links for Everything Changes (Book One in the Resilient Love series): Dreamspinner Press * Amazon * B&N * iTunes * Kobo


Author Bio

m hansenMelanie Hansen has spent time in Texas and Florida prisons…for work. She’s been in a room with a 17-year-old mass murderer who was also one of the most soft-spoken and polite teenagers she’s ever met. After a 13-year career as a court reporter, she can tell many stories both hilarious and heartbreaking.

She grew up with an Air Force dad, and ended up marrying a Navy man. After living and working all over the country, she hopes to bring these rich and varied life experiences to her stories about people finding love amidst real-life struggles.

Melanie left the stressful world of the courtroom behind and now enjoys a rewarding career transcribing for a deaf student. She currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons.

Author Links: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads


Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the rest of the tour HERE.

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Spotlight, Excerpt & PRINT Giveaway: See Me by Nicholas Sparks

see meTitle: See Me by Nicholas Sparks
Release Date: October 13, 2015
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 496 pages

Summary:

See me just as I see you . . .

Colin Hancock is giving his second chance his best shot. With a history of violence and bad decisions behind him and the threat of prison dogging his every step, he’s determined to walk a straight line. To Colin, that means applying himself single-mindedly toward his teaching degree and avoiding everything that proved destructive in his earlier life. Reminding himself daily of his hard-earned lessons, the last thing he is looking for is a serious relationship.

Maria Sanchez, the hardworking daughter of Mexican immigrants, is the picture of conventional success. With a degree from Duke Law School and a job at a prestigious firm in Wilmington, she is a dark-haired beauty with a seemingly flawless professional track record. And yet Maria has a traumatic history of her own, one that compelled her to return to her hometown and left her questioning so much of what she once believed.

A chance encounter on a rain-swept road will alter the course of both Colin and Maria’s lives, challenging deeply held assumptions about each other and ultimately, themselves. As love unexpectedly takes hold between them, they dare to envision what a future together could possibly look like . . . until menacing reminders of events in Maria’s past begin to surface.

As a series of threatening incidents wreaks chaos in Maria’s life, Maria and Colin will be tested in increasingly terrifying ways. Will demons from their past destroy the tenuous relationship they’ve begun to build, or will their love protect them, even in the darkest hour?

Add to Goodreads.

Purchase Links (Available Oct. 13): Amazon * B&N * Kobo * iTunes * Google Play


Excerpt

Colin was leaning against the side of his car as she pulled in behind him, and when he waved, all she could do was stare. He wore a gray T‑shirt that clung from his sculpted shoulders all the way down to his narrow waist. The sleeves could barely contain his well-defined arms, and even from a distance, the deep blue-gray color of his eyes was visible, set off by his sharp cheekbones.

As improbable as it seemed, her first thought was that he was getting more handsome by the day. When he pushed away from the car and smiled, she felt something jump inside her while a little voice whispered, If I’m not careful, I could get in serious trouble with this guy.

Forcing the thought away, she waved from inside the car, then took a deep breath as she shut the engine down. When she opened the door, the heat assailed her almost immediately. Thankfully, the humidity was minimal and a slight breeze stirred the air, making it a bit more bearable.

“Hey there,” she called out. “You’re right on time.”

She saw that he had brought a backpack, a small cooler, and a pair of towels. He leaned over, picking up the backpack and flinging it over his shoulder. “I got here early,” he said. “I wasn’t sure that I was parking in the right place. There aren’t any other cars around.”

“It’s always quieter on the tip of the island,” she said. “People don’t like to feed the meters, which is good, since it means we don’t have so far to walk.” She shaded her eyes. “How did sparring go?”

“It was a little more intense than usual, but no bruising or broken noses.”

“I can tell,” she said with a smile. “How about the other guys? You didn’t hurt them, did you?”

“They’re fine.” He squinted into the glare. “Your turn. How was brunch with your family?”

“No broken noses or bruising, either,” she teased, and when she heard him laugh, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, reminding herself not to get too carried away. “On a more serious note, though, I should probably warn you that I told Serena we were going out on the water today. In case she hunts you down after class and asks you for lots of personal details.”

“Will she do that?”

For sure, Maria thought. “Probably.”

“Why doesn’t she ask you?”

“I’m sure she’ll be calling me later. She considers it her duty to be heavily involved in my personal life.”

“Okay.” He grinned. “You look beautiful, by the way.”

She felt a flash of heat in her cheeks. “Thank you,” she said. Then, trying to keep things light, she added, “You ready for today?”

“I can’t wait.”


Author Bio

n sparksWith over 100 million copies of his books sold, Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. His novels include 12 #1 New York Times bestsellers. All his books have been New York Times and international bestsellers, and were translated into more than 50 languages. Ten Sparks novels have been adapted into major motion pictures, with The Choice coming in February 2016.

Author Links: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads


Giveaway

I am giving away TWO PRINT copies of See Me. To enter today’s contest, fill out the form below. PLEASE NOTE: Contest is open to US/Canadian mailing address ONLY. Contest ends 5 PM mountain time Friday October 16th.

CONTEST OVER

The books in this giveaway were generously provided by Grand Central Publishing. GCP will ship the novel to the winners.

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Review: Signs of Life by Melanie Hansen

signs lifeTitle: Signs of Life by Melanie Hansen
Resilient Love Series Book Two
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Erotic Romance
Length: 234 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Blog Blog Tour Company

Summary:

A Resilient Love Story

Successful lawyer Jeremy Speer has it all—a loving husband, a beautiful home, and a cherished dream that’s about to become reality. He’s learned not to take happiness for granted, meeting the challenges of life and love head-on with unwavering commitment and fierce devotion. A series of tragic events leave Jeremy shattered, adrift on a sea of unimaginable pain. He’s able to piece his life back together, but instead of embracing it, he merely exists, using isolation and punishing physical exertion to keep the world at bay.

High school teacher Kai Daniels has a heart for at-risk kids—he was one himself, and a teenage brush with the law and some troubled years behind bars left him scarred inside and out. With courage, hard work, and the support of friends, he’s built a fulfilling life that leaves no time for a relationship.

An intense encounter with Kai at a gay club ignites a spark in Jeremy that he thought was extinguished forever, but he’s unwilling to destroy the fragile peace he’s managed to create, and he leaves Kai humiliated and disappointed. Things should have ended there, but a bizarre occurrence brings the two together in a way neither of them expected.

Review:

Signs of Life is a poignant, heartwarming and scorching hot romance. Although it is the second installment in Melanie Hansen’s Resilient Love series, it can be read as a standalone.

Jeremy Speer is incredibly happy when his life takes an unexpectedly tragic turn. Unable to cope with his deep sorrow, he goes down a very dark and pain-filled road but once he finally hits rock bottom, his best friend Jase DeSantis is there to help him turn his life around. Two long and lonely years later, Jeremy is still picking up the pieces of his life when he has a one night stand with Kai Dainels. Surprised by the heartrending memories this encounter stirs up, Jeremy abruptly abandons Kai but a surprising twist of fate brings the two men a few months later. With their attraction for one another burning hotter than ever, Jeremy and Kai agree to a friends with benefits arrangement that soon transitions into something deeper. After suffering such a shattering loss will Jeremy open his heart to the possibility of love?

Jeremy is slow to recover from his loss and he is sometimes his own worst enemy. Meeting Kai is just what he needs to jump start his life but Jeremy is not in any rush to make big changes. He is finally getting his professional life back on track but he is still very hesitant to step out of his self-imposed isolation. An act of vandalism shakes him up and sets the stage for his unanticipated reunion with Kai. Still not ready to open himself up to further hurt, Jeremy is honest about not wanting an emotional entanglement but his relationship with Kai provides him with startling insight into just how far he has come in the past few years.

Kai is caring, compassionate and so bighearted it is impossible not to like him. He has come a long way from his dysfunctional and troubled youth and now a teacher for at risk teenagers, he hopes that he can be a positive influence in their lives. Kai has also had his fair share of heartache but his good Loren helped him overcome the abuse in his past. Their friendship has become a bit of a crutch for both men but neither of them realize this until Kai’s relationship with Jeremy goes through a bit of a rough spot.

The first chapter in the novel is full of gut wrenching and tear-inducing angst. Thankfully, by the second chapter, the worst of the heartbreak is over and Jeremy is truly moving on with his life. His first interlude with Kai is dirty and raunchy and it takes him totally off guard since he has never had sex like that in his life. Their down and dirty, no holds barred sex continues and their sex scenes remain blistering hot and plentiful for the rest of the novel.

Jeremy and Kai’s no strings arrangement progresses naturally into a real relationship. This shift is gradual and although Jeremy is still reluctant to risk his heart again, he does not let his fears hold him back. Despite his occasional annoyance, Kai is very understanding of Jeremy’s anxiety over his safety. But this also leads to Kai trying to protect Jeremy from further upset and this leads to tension in their relationship. This conflict is resolved fairly quickly with very little angst or unnecessary drama.

Signs of Life is a wonderful novel of healing and love. The characters are superbly developed, multi-faceted and likeable despite their flaws and imperfections. The storyline is complex and Melanie Hansen strikes the perfect balance between heartache, incredibly hot sex and genuine emotion. A wonderful addition to the Resilient Love series that old and new fans are sure to love.

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