Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Review - Shuttergirl - CD Reiss


Shuttergirl - CD Reiss

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25373546-shuttergirl

Release Date: 20th May 2015


Synopsis:

I am not hurt.

I don’t need a second chance with him, or a life I thought I had.

While he was out forgetting me to become a movie star, I was building a career out of nothing. A career as a paparazzi, but a career. For a foster kid who bounced around every home in Los Angeles, that wasn’t easy.

This camera is all I have.

He’s nothing to me. Every time I take his picture and sell it, I remind myself that I did it all without him or his approval, his cinnamon smell or his clear green eyes. He lights up the screen like a celestial body, but he’s nothing but a paycheck to me.

He can throw my camera off a balcony, and nothing has to change. We can stay king and queen of the same city, and different worlds.

Except this is Hollywood, and here, anything can happen.


My Review:

Well, this was a completely different read.
So before I even start, I probably should point out, that the Songs of Submission/Corruption/Perdition are some of my favorite series, ever!

Short Review:


Shuttergirl, is a unique and different story. It's a standalone, and not the usual dark and dirty stuff that CD Reiss usually writes.
Of course there is still a hot element to it, and some grit around the edges, but it's a lot more focused on the story, with an incredible romance.
The writing style, is still the same addictive style as anything else of this authors, that I have read. You can tell straight away, with certain tell-tale signs that come through strong.
But this book has taken a different direction. It is far more focused on underlying messages. Second chance love. The actual person that lays beneath the persona the world sees. What you are willing to give up, and what you would be prepared to do, for love.
A lot of quite deep and meaningful subject matter, underneath the flashing lights of the pap's, and the lure of the famous.
It shows a different take, on the life of the rich and famous, and those who live to share them with the world.
Fantastic story, and awesome ending, for the sap that I am. :)




Longer Review:


So, I had heard that CD Reiss was releasing a new standalone, and it was going to be very different from the Songs series, and her trademark style. I was very nervous, but also really excited.
One thing I absolutely adore about CD Reiss' books is her style of writing. It floored me from the very first book I read, and it never faltered. It was captivating and raw, dragged you along with the characters, and left you questioning everything.
So I had no doubts about trying something new, as I knew CD would bring it. Her writing style, and incredible characters, could rock a book on their own, just reading the tv guide.

The subject was a tricky one for me. And probably what made me nervous. Actors and Paparazzi. Not something I generally care for. It always feels fake, forced and too much showing off. Hard to see the real people behind it all. So with that in mind, I started reading, peeking through my fingers. (Not really, my eye sight is rubbish)
Not that I really needed to worry, this is a CD Reiss book. It's like she took the actor and stripped him down, and found the person and soul beneath the glam, glitz, money, and fame.
Surprisingly, I actually really loved Micheal (the hot actor) he didn't seem like how you would imagine an actor of this generation to be.
He was obviously ticking along from day to day, doing what he was good at, and what was expected of him. But he didn't seem truly happy. Not until his past came back to surprise him.

Then there is paparazzi girl, Laine. Beautiful, determined, hungry for what she was good at. She'd had an awful start in life, but it only made her stronger and determined. I thought she was incredible. Loved her, and her attitude. She rocked at what she did, knew absolutely everything, there was to know, about her profession. She never let anything get in her way, unless she saw him. Her past.

Michael and Laine, knew each other from way back when. He was in a private school, placed there by actor parents. He was rich, entitled, and expected to perform as required.
She was in between foster homes. Having been taken in by her latest, a rich couple, looking for something to keep them together. They placed her in this private school, and out of her depth. She hated it, and struggled to keep up, with where she was placed.
They met in the hours that she studied to catch up, and he played Tennis. She would sit and watch him, he tried not to watch her back. That lasted for 6 months, then he left. Accepted for a role in a film. Moved on.
That's where everything changed for Laine. Life would never be the same, and she would pay the price, for some of the choices, she was about to make.

Fast forward 9 years. He is the golden boy of movies, she is one of the best, and most famous in her circles, of Paparazzi. She see's him, and loses focus when he is in front of her lens.
He sees her, but doesn't say anything. Just looks. Until one day, he acknowledges her. It all changes from there.

Like I said, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this story. But my own personal tastes aside, this was a fantastic story. When you don't focus on anything, and just read the story, you realise there is so much to take in, and this story is so much  more than what you first imagined.

Stripping the characters of their work, and everything they know. You are left with an incredible love story, a second chance to beat all other second chances. Plenty of angst, and drama. Also some grit and shady parts, that give this book it's edge. Making it not just a quirky and unique romance, but so much more. Making it stand out from all other books in the genre. Whatever genre it actually falls in to. I have no idea. I just know, this is a book that stands out. I've not read anything else like it, and lately, that statement is getting harder to say. Not with Shuttergirl though, it was an easy observation to make. It really is a fresh and new story, with addictive characters, and the reliable, addictive writing style, that I love and never tire of.

Being that it is a standalone, and the fact that above all else, it's a romance. The ending was bound to be important, and to be honest I didn't really have a clue where it was going. You never really can tell with a book written by CD Reiss, but I'm happy to say, after all the angst and drama, the ending was perfect. A hugely satisfying end.

Definitely recommended to not just fans of this Author, but to everyone who loves a good romance. With drama, intrigue, secrets & reveals, but with a huge feel good vibe, by the end. 


'I believed love was forever.'

**I was kindly given an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review**


Reverb (Blue Phoenix #5) Lisa Swallow - Release Day Blitz!!









TITLE: REVERB

SERIES: BLUE PHOENIX, #5

AUTHOR: LISA SWALLOW

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!!

COVER ARTIST:  Najla Qamber at Najla Qamber Designs

IMAGE Stock Photo




PURCHASE LINKS:




BLURB:


Blue Phoenix drummer, Bryn Hughes, prefers a quiet life away from the spotlight. But that’s proving difficult when his life is complicated by three very different girls: 

Mia, the girl who doesn’t understand the word no. 


Avery, who wishes she’d said yes. 
And his forever girl

Add to this a secret that threatens to take decisions about the future out of Bryn’s hands, and Bryn’s reputation as the uncomplicated band member is over. 

The world of Blue Phoenix is changing and Bryn is on the edge. Following a failed attempt to win back the girl he loved and lost as a teen, a broken-hearted Bryn returns to England and discovers heiress, Mia Jordan, has moved herself into his apartment while he was away. Life just got hard. 

When Avery spills soup on a rock star at a wedding and suggests he removes his trousers, she doesn’t expect to see Bryn Hughes again unless he’s carrying a law suit. 
So when Bryn gatecrashes an evening with her friends the following day, what he does stuns her. 

Avery and Bryn begin an unlikely relationship but their growing closeness looks set to end. If Bryn’s heart still belongs to a different girl, and he’s about to tour with Blue Phoenix, a future together looks doubtful. 

But when a secret explodes, the effects reverberate through every aspect of Bryn’s world and deciding where his heart belongs becomes the least of Bryn’s problems.




EXCERPT:



“I can find plenty of girls to do whatever I want, but I want to do those things with you.” Bryn raises the eyebrow that accompanies any comment along these lines and my stomach tightens.

“Is that why you asked me out again, to see if I changed my mind?”

He sips his hot chocolate. “No. I mean yeah. Oh crap, stop confusing me.”

“Have you changed your mind, Bryn?”

“Nothing to change my mind about. I like you. I just warned you about me, that’s all.”

“And then kissed me.” I fix him with a steady gaze.

“You can tell a lot about how somebody feels if you kiss them.” Bryn returns my look and I refuse to back down even though my hormones go haywire at the promise held in his eyes.

“Was the kiss a test? 'How to tell if Avery likes me'?” I ask.

A smile slowly curves across his lips. “I'm already sure you like me, cariad.”

“Don't be so conceited!”

“Do you kiss every guy you meet like that? I’m shocked!”

“You kissed me!”

“And you kissed me back,” he says quietly. “Then you pinned me to the sofa. I was defenceless!”

I throw a chip at Bryn's head, hoping to diffuse the tension he's creating. “Stop it!”

Under the table, Bryn traps my leg between his, the strength of the muscled thigh holding me in place. “I want to keep seeing you while we're both in London, then we can see what happens at the end of the two weeks. What do you think?”

What do I think? Two weeks isn’t enough with a man who empties my head of everything but us when I’m with him, and who still runs red-hot through my blood when he’s not around. Each minute with Bryn is one closer to losing him again, each kiss sealing my fate. I’m in over my head, and I’m going to get hurt.

I spoon a melted marshmallow from my mug and slip it into my mouth. Bryn watches, eyes darkening before he reaches across and wipes chocolate from my lips. The sensation of his rough skin against my mouth vibrates the sexual tension into every nerve fibre and when he licks the chocolate from his finger, eyes focused on mine, the world drops away from everything but us.

There is no mistaking this man's intentions.

“I'm telling you right now, I will not have sex with you,” I blurt.

I sound like a broken record. Why do I have to keep telling him this? Because I’m telling myself at the same time?

He leans across the table. “Not even a little bit? I'll make sure you enjoy it.” His curls tickle my face and I shift back because his mouth is dangerously close to mine and I won't be able to keep my lips off him.

“Bryn! No! If that's why you want to see me, you're wasting your time.”

Bryn's expression smugly says 'I bet I'll change your mind'. With a few more kisses like the one earlier, I'm pretty sure he will.

“Okay, cariad.”

“Don't call me...” I huff. “Never mind. Can we talk about something else?”

Bryn looks around the restaurant as I force myself to keep eating, his natural ease around me not matched by the sick giddiness I slip into whenever I’m around him.

What is this we're doing? And more importantly, can I spend time with a man who I can't look at without remembering him semi-naked in a hotel room, and regret that I wasn't?

I don't know who's confusing me more, myself or Bryn. One thing is certain; I am not going home with this man tonight.

BLUE PHOENIX SERIES LINKS:




SUMMER SKY #1
AMAZON I  iTUNES I B&N I KOBO



SUMMER STAR #1.5
FALLING SKY #2
AMAZON I iTUNES I B&N I KOBO



UNPLUGGED #3
AMAZON I iTUNES I B&N I KOBO



RISING #4
AMAZON I iTUNES I B&N I KOBO



REVERB #5





AUTHOR INFORMATION: 



Lisa is an author of new adult romance and writes both paranormal and contemporary, including the best-selling Blue Phoenix series. 
Lisa is originally from the UK but moved to Australia in 2001 and now lives in Perth in Western Australia with her husband, three children and dog.



AUTHOR LINKS:



FACEBOOK ACCOUNT





  

(Sign up to my newsletter for a FREE and EXCLUSIVE serial – 
go on tour with Blue Phoenix and Ruby Riot!)





Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Be The One (Crave #2) Nina Levine - Cover Reveal!!




Title: Be the One
Series: Crave #2
Author: Nina Levine
 Release Date: June 26, 2015


Synopsis


Jett Vaughn has one thing on his mind these days - Presley Hart. He will do anything it takes to make her his. At least, he thinks he will.

Presley Hart wants one thing in life - a man who will make her his number one. After being married to a man who never put her first, she swore she'd never settle for second best again. At least, she thought she wouldn't.

When Jett's life comes crashing down around him, his flaws are laid bare for all to see. Presley stands by her man but there's only so much she can do to help him. She loves him and wants to be with him but she has her limits and Jett's about to reach them.


In the midst of hurt, loss and destruction, can love win out? Can a man who is struggling to find his way, show the woman he loves just how much he wants her to be the one? Or is there only so much a heart can take before enough's enough?








Pre-order Links

iBOOKS / KOBO / B&N 



Available Now


Title: All Your Reasons
Series: Crave #1
Author: Nina Levine
 Release Date: March 2, 2015


Synopsis


When heartbreaker meets ball breaker, sparks will fly.

Rockstar, Jett Vaughn, isn’t against settling down, but no woman has ever held his attention long enough for a relationship to develop. That is until he meets Presley Hart. She’s confident, opinionated and headstrong. She drives him to the edge of crazy, but he can’t deny how she makes him feel.

He wants her heart, but she only wants his body.

Presley’s not against giving her heart to a man, but she has too many reasons why he’s not the one to give it to. Jett isn’t a man who will take no for an answer though. He’s about to declare war on her reasons and take what he wants.








Links to Buy

99c

AMAZON US / UK





Author Bio

Dreamer.

Coffee Lover.

Gypsy at heart.

Bad boy addict.

USA Today Bestselling author who writes about alpha men & the women they love.

When I'm not creating with words you will find me either creating with paper or curled up with a good book and chocolate.

I love Keith Urban, Maroon 5, Pink, Florida Georgia Line, Bon Jovi, Matchbox 20, Lady Antebellum and pretty much any singer/band that is country or rock.

My favourite word.  If this offends you, you won't like my books...



 
I love to chat with the readers of my book so please visit me or contact me here:



Author Links

Monday, April 27, 2015

Devil On Your Back (A Butcher Boys Novel) - Max Henry - Release Day Blitz!



Devil on Your Back is Now Available! 






SYNOPSIS 

When all you have left is choice, how do you ensure you make the right one?

I thought that losing my family was the linchpin to my suffering; the thing which would forever hold my head under the dark waters of regret.

But I was wrong … so wrong.

What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, and what threatens us only serves to feed the beast.

My boy is in trouble, and it’s time this father stood up for what he should have a long time ago.

Only, after years of believing I deserved to spend my days alone, punishing myself for the mistakes I made, I’ve finally found the truth—her.

When she needs me as much as my son, how will I decide which path to take? Will I be doomed to forever make the wrong choice?

And will I, once again, lose everything I love and drown in my regret?









ABOUT THE AUTHOR 



 Originally born and bred in Canterbury, New Zealand, Max now resides with her family in beautiful and sunny Queensland, Australia.
Life with two young children can be hectic at times, and although she may not write as often as she would like, Max wouldn’t change a thing.



BE SURE TO FOLLOW HER AT 

Twitter & Instagram: @maxhenryauthor 


 JOIN THE MADHOUSE! 



Friday, April 24, 2015

Review - Enthrall Sessions - Vanessa Fewings

Enthrall Sessions - Vanessa Fewings

Synopsis:

From bestselling author Vanessa Fewings comes the highly acclaimed Enthrall Sessions.

Included in the box set are the three erotic romance novels:

Enthrall (Session I)

This is the world of the forbidden. This is the embrace of Enthrall.

Enthrall Her (Session II)

This is the escalation of the forbidden. This is the power of Enthrall.

Enthrall Him (Session III)

This is true obsession. This is the time for Mia to Enthrall Him.

 

 

 

My Review:


This series is hands down, one of my favourite series.
From the very first page, I was captivated and addicted. It's not often that a book, or series grips in such a way, that you are left thinking about it for months. I think the last time that happened to me, was when I read the Fifty Shades series. Well this series had even more of an impact on me than the Fifty series.

The story of three people whose lives are all intertwined, in one way or another, was incredible.

The background to this love story, was intriguing, sexy, and completely addictive. An exclusive and premier fetish club for the rich, is where the story begins.

Mia, a stunning yet somewhat innocent 21 year old, accepts a position working as a secretary, in Enthrall. It's here that she meets two gorgeous, dominant men. Both similar yet completely different. Both hard to resist.

The Enthrall Sessions tells Mia's story, and her journey from starting working at Enthrall club, and her sexual awakening at the hands of those she meets there.
Mix this sexy and somewhat taboo background with an incredibly potent love story, and this is one hell of a book, that will forever stick with you.

Where everything starts off simple and exciting for Mia, it soon turns to some difficult decisions, with three people involved, one is always going to end up hurt.
But whilst making these decisions, Mia finds out a lot about herself, and has a lot of fun in the process.

I absolutely fell in love with Cameron, one of the two men in Mia's life. He is rich, dominant, oozes sex, charisma, power, everything that is irresistible in a man. But also hides his feelings, and remains in control 24/7. I loved how Mia breezed along and started to chip at this control.

On the reverse of that is Richard, he too is completely gorgeous, in different ways from Cameron. He also is rich, and dominant, but with his troubled past, and bruised heart. He works the torn and brooding to perfection.
But it was never a hard decision for me. Cameron stole the pages, and the story.
Even writing this review now, I want to go and re-read the whole series, and I've already read it twice in a year, it's that addictive.

I could really just keep going on, and on about this series, but if you have got to this point in my review, you must be somewhat interested, so go and buy this series, you will not be disappointed. Be warned, all three books in one, will possibly take over your life for a few days. There is no way it can be put down. At the end you will be saying, "Christian Grey who?"

Not enough stars to adequately review this series correctly. 5 will have to do. ;)





Links to my full review of each book in the Enthrall Series.

Review - Luke Part 1: Mirror - Cassia Leo

 
 

 Luke, Part 1: Mirror - Cassia Leo

Synopsis:


At twenty-eight, Luke Maxwell is the hottest eligible bachelor in America and the billionaire CEO of Maxwell Computers. When Brina Kingston is hired by Luke’s competitor as a corporate spy, Brina successfully works her way into a position as Luke Maxwell’s new executive assistant. What Brina doesn’t expect is to find herself in a compromising position in his bed.

Brina thinks she has the savvy to see past Luke’s cunning intellect and extract the trade secrets she was hired to acquire. But she soon finds herself falling for his charms and risking the most important assignment of her career and, possibly, the greatest love of her life.

 

My Review:

 
So, I'm still sat here trying to make my mind up about this book. It's the first part in a series of very short novellas. In fact I think they aren't even novellas. Anyway, I don't mind the length, sometimes short instalments can be just what you need, when you don't have the time for a long read.
Now, I absolutely love what I have read of author Cassia Leo's so far. Her writing is gripping, and her characters are totally addictive. This still felt like one of her books, from the style of the writing. It is sharp and packs a punch. He sex scenes were intense and smoking hot!
It had potential to be amazing, but I felt like there was one thing, that kept me from becoming fully invested in the story.
The speed at which things happened. It felt like chunks were missing, or maybe I had picked up the second book instead of the first one.
It started off great, Brina is going for a job interview at the biggest, most lucrative, most innovative computer company in America. She already works at the competition, she had risen up and earned herself the position she has got, but she wants a promotion. She needs a promotion, to help out with her family. She has her reasons. To get the promotion she has to earn it, get a position at the opposition, and be a spy.
But from the minute she meets billionaire CEO Luke Maxwell, who also happens to be the hottest eligible bachelor in America. Things go a little crazy, and get a bit confusing. Don't get me wrong, the writing is still fantastic, and the characters with their secrets and bad memories, have the potential to be amazing. But, it seems to jump at warp speed, and get a little confusing at the same time.
I'm not sure why Luke is practically jumping on Brina within seconds of meeting her, I know she's gorgeous, but he literally pounces on her with little to no conversation before hand. By then I'm lost, the sex is fantastic, but I can't concentrate on the hot scenes, as I'm still trying to work out why, and how come.
By the end of the 30 something pages, I'm baffled and not sure what I think. I wanted to love it, and parts of it I still do. But I also wanted it to slow down, and build up to things, rather than jump in with no real explanations.
I will still read on to the next part, as I feel I want to understand things better and I'm hoping it will make more sense. The characters have some secrets and pain they are holding on to, they should be coming out soon enough.

4 stars, because the potential is still huge.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

HELP NEEDED - Various positions available.

SERAPHIM BOOK REVIEWS

&

DARK SERAPH BOOK BLOG

AVAILABLE ROLES





So, this blog is almost a year old, and I've loved every single minute of keeping it going. Yes, It's been hard at times, when my time has been a bit crazy. But, I'm so glad I started it.
Anyway, it's at the point where it ticks over fine from day to day, but I have taken on some work on other projects etc, and I could do with a little help on this blog now.
I'm firstly looking for a guest reviewer. Someone who perhaps reads similar genres, and books, but can add some reviews, of books that I haven't read, or got around to reading yet. Or even just a different opinion of any I have. All is welcome.
I read fast, but sometimes not fast enough. And sometimes the requests come in quicker, than my busy net time, or real time allows.
My blog covers many different genres, so nothing is struck out. But have a look through my reviews here, or on Goodreads if you prefer, to see what I like.
If you think you would like to have a go, ask me some more questions. Or even throw some suggestions at me, anything is welcome. :)
Click on the below link, which will take you to the list of my social media places, to contact me.
I would love to hear from you! :)





**UPDATE**

If you aren't up for reviewing, but would love to get involved with a blog. We have a number of roles available on Dark Seraph Book Blog. The promo blog linked to Seraphim Book Reviews. This blog is purely book and author promotion. Anything goes on there!
The roles available include, blog admin, Facebook page admin. Or Social Media Admin, if you wish to take on all connected accounts. To be honest there is an available role for just about anything. So if you only have the time to do a little, there is more than likely a role available for that. But, if you are a social media genius or addict ;) then there is an even bigger role just waiting to be yours. ;) 
Feel free to contact us at any of the places, in the link below. I'm always around and would be happy to have a chat about anything.
Louise. xx


CONTACT ME

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Do Not Disturb - A.R. Torre - Release Day Launch!

 
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Title: Do Not Disturb (Deanna Madden, #2)
Author: A. R. Torre (Alessandra Torre)
Genre: Erotic Suspense
Releasing: April 21st

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Equal parts Dexter and 50 Shades, this is the eagerly awaited follow-up to the daring erotic thriller, The Girl in 6E, by A.R. Torre.


My rules:


1. Don't leave the apartment.
2. Never let anyone in.
3. Don't kill anyone.
The rules were simple and I broke them.
Now I must face the consequences.
Everyone else must face me.











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DND - teaser 2




DND - consequences

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A New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Alessandra Torre has written nine novels, four of which became #1 Erotic Bestsellers.
Her first book, Blindfolded Innocence, became a breakout hit, rising to the top of the charts on Kindle and Amazon where it attracted the interest of major publishing houses and garnered Torre her first print deal with Harlequin HQN. Less than twelve months later, Torre signed a second print deal, this time with Redhook (Hachette) for her erotic thriller The Girl in 6E.
From her home near the warm waters of the Emerald Coast in Florida, she devotes several hours each day to various writing projects and interacting with her fans on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Happily married and with one son, she loves watching SEC football games, horseback riding, reading and watching movies.





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Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon Page


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◘ Are you part of Alessandra's fan group on Goodreads? Here is the link to JOIN TODAY...

 

◘ Goodreads Buddy Read for Do Not Disturb : Here is the link to JOIN THE BUDDY READ...


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PLEASE ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE ------> a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Tuesday April 21st 9:30PM - 11:00PM EST - Facebook Party (www.facebook.com/AlessandraTorre0/)
Wednesday April 22nd 11:00 PM - Midnight EST - Twitter party -
Make sure to use #DoNotDisturb to participate (@ReadAlessandra)

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