Review
Book Review: Rock Bottom by R.K. Lilley
Rock Bottom is a completely captivating, breathtakingly bittersweet love story. I don’t think I took a single breath between the first and last page and I loved every second of it. R.K. Lilley has masterfully created a piece that I will never get tired of re-reading. Every line, every dialogue is packed in every single scene, it’s sooooo good!
The premise is simple enough but Ms. Lilley seems bent on injecting it with her usual angst, you cant help but to be sucked in.
I loved Danika and Tristan.
They are two of the most endearing characters I’ve ever encountered. They are so admirable, so real, and so human. The tragedy of the story made my heart ache in a happy and in a sad way, as I struggled with them through their self-doubts and fought the battle within to regain the faith they had in their love and each other. I held my breath as I watched the doubt and insecurity creep into their minds, tempered by the frustrations which life often brings, praying that they wouldn’t surrender, that their love and faith in each other would prevail.
Did I want to smack Tristan for being a jerk and giving up on Danika’s love after all they have been through? Oh! More than you can imagine! But to be honest, after a few days bawling my eyes out, pulling my hair and trying to figure out why things happened the way it did, I finally came to understand why. That’s the only perfect way to end it…and im only hoping but good things for the next book.
I could go on and on about this book and how much I connected with it, but I want potential readers to discover it’s joys for themselves.
This a great love story, full of angst and emotions from one end of the scale to the other, and a very fulfilling conclusion. I could not recommend this book enough. So if you haven’t started the series yet, please, in the name of everything holy go one-click this series. 6 words! THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
Book Review: Forever & Always and After Forever by Jasinda Wilder (Pam)
Here are some things you will need to know before you pick up book one in the Ever Trilogy.
- This book will be read in one sitting
- From page one a rollercoaster of emotions will whip you from sad to happy to hope to well…just about every emotion in between.
- Stop by your local super store and pick up a case of tissues.
- You may or may not dislike Mrs. Wilder for about 24 hours (or more).
- You will long for the simple beauty of the written word. The lost of pen pal friends and the simple joy that a stamped square envelope can bring.
Extraordinary! This is the one word that will sum up Forever and Always for me.
“That summer we met, Interlochen. The lake. Drawing all day. Sitting on the dock together. It was the last day of my childhood, I think. The last happy days of my life.”
Beautifully painful, this story paints a picture of love, uncertainly, growth, and the strength to live life no matter where it may lead. Ever and Cade meet as children and although their time was limited it bonded them forever. Pen to paper, they both created a connection stronger then either of them thought possible.
They both become each others life line…
“It really was a drug. The more I got, the more I needed. And I didn’t know where the endpoint was. I was afraid I’d reached the event horizon, the point from which I’d never escape the inexorable gravity of needing him.”
Just as the strokes of a painting or sketched lines of a drawing, life will never be predictable. The beauty of existence is that in a moment, a split second, the unbearable can and will happen. Forever altering the reality we thought we knew.
“I also knew I’d never be the same. I felt the scars on my heart and in my mind. I’d been cut deep and the wounds would never really heal… I’d been painted by pain. Several coats of it, a deep, thick varnish that wouldn’t ever fade.”
This book, really this series, is a game changer. Jasinda writes exquisite stories that overwhelm the reader, pulling them into a world of emotions. I find it hard to explain what this book is all about. Simply put my words will never do justice explaining why you need to read Forever and Always. Read! This! Book! If you are already a Wilder fan or if this is the first book of hers you pick up know that you are promised no less then a wild ride of pure literary genius.
Ever,
I don’t know who I am anymore. I’m a castaway. Lost. Drowning. I love you. That’s the only true thing I know, and it’s all I have to hold on to. I love you. I’ll love you forever. Until the day I die, and I’ll love you in whatever world comes after this one. I love you so much, Ever. I miss you. Dear Jesus, I miss you. Come back to me.
For forever, and after forever,
Caden
A spoiler free review is complicated for After Forever. The twist in this book is earth shattering. Up until the last words I was jaw dropped (and I still am). I felt the twist. I did! The words flowed and I keep giving myself a mental pep talk…Will it? NO! Really? REALLY? Well it did and I will say I am still on the fence about my feelings. I keep looking at the big picture and I am emotionally mapping out book three in my head. I know what I want but one very wicked Wilder may have other plans.
Jasinda Wilder writes one hell of a story! You may love or hate her but you can not deny the basic fact that her stories provoke emotions. So my lack of a review is the best review I can produce. As I, not so patiently, wait for February 14th I hope you pick up the first two books of the trilogy and hop on the emotional rollercoaster with me!
Forever & Always Buy Links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/18WCGFL
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1cgL0WT
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/18WDLgO
ITUNES: http://bit.ly/18WENcF
Kobo: http://bit.ly/18WEWg5
After Forever Buy Links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/Jbr9eJ
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/192Yv9E
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/192Yzq4
Book Review: Rock Bottom by R.K. Lilley
*Taps mic*
Sung in the key of D minor in my best Miley voice…
R.K. came in like a wrecking ball…
“What was left of a woman when she gave a man everything?”
“Tragedy never took its full chunk out of you right away. It always took a while to hit you head on, and sink in and for something substantial, some hint of the real feeling, the real reaction, to come to the surface…”
“Always. Every second of every day.”
“Every misstep that led us down the path to our destruction was our own doing…”
“I can’t ever lose you Danika. I’m not sure I’d survive.”
“Talk to me, sweetheart,” he rasped into my ear. “I want you to tell me just what you want. Make it dirty.”
“This was the kind of love that only hit you once in your life.”
Blog Tour: Gabriel’s Redemption by Sylvain Reynard (Review)
I’m interested in the way literature can help us explore aspects of the human condition – particularly suffering, sex, love, faith, and redemption. My favourite stories are those in which a character takes a journey, either a physical journey to a new and exciting place, or a personal journey in which he or she learns something about himself/herself.
I’m also interested in how aesthetic elements such as art, architecture, and music can be used to tell a story or to illuminate the traits of a particular character. In my writing, I combine all of these elements with the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the transformative power of goodness.
I try to use my platform as an author to raise awareness about the following charities: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation, WorldVision, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and Covenant House. For more information, see my Twitter account.
Blog Tour: Fighting Redemption by Kate McCarthy (review and giveaways)
“For six years I fought every day not to think of you and I lost, because every day you were all I could see. You were the best thing in my life–so sweet and innocent, and so goddamn tempting.”
Blog Tour: Remy by Katy Evans (Review, Excerpt and Giveaways)
New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans expands upon the intense love story begun in Real–this time from Remington “Riptide” Tate’s point of view.
Underground fighter Remington Tate is a mystery, even to himself. His mind is dark and light, complex and enlightening. At times his actions and moods are carefully measured, and at others, they spin out of control.
Through it all, there’s been one constant: wanting, needing, loving, and protecting Brooke Dumas. This is his story; from the first moment he laid eyes on her and knew, without a doubt, she would be the realest thing he’s ever had to fight for.
“…the ring awaits. Twenty – three feet by twenty – three feet, four ropes parallel on each side, four fucking posts, and that’s about it.”
TKO! Third time is a charm! Remy! Remy! Remy!
“That ring is a home to me. When I’m not on it, I miss it. When I train, I think about it. Every step I take in its direction pumps me up and gets me going…It’s my ring. My crowd. My fight. My fucking night.”
Katy Evans has done a wonderful job of bringing this story full circle, or maybe full ring, by gifting the readers what we wanted most…more Remy. This beautifully complicated man could fill hundreds of pages. A stone cold stance, loaded iPod, one two punch, and an undeniable ache for his Little Firecracker, Brooke, confirm that the story is never complete till we read it through a male point of view.
“Mine. If I’d even known she existed before, I would have hunted her. I would have caught and conquered her.”
Learning what was inside the gentle giant gave this series a new twist. Like many other book boyfriend alpha males, Remy’s inner monologue provided a heart breaking rewind on the first two books. Although I knew the story I still enjoyed what Remy had to offer. It was a great recap with a little more. This series makes me want to pull out my Rocky box set! That moment when Rocky calls out for Adrian so reminds me of Remy and Brooke! True love will never suffer a TKO.
We go toe-to-toe. I feint and Hammer swings, opening his side. So I jab his ribs, feel the satisfying punch race up my arm, and we bounce apart. Hammer is stupid in the head. He falls for all my feints and never covers right. I ram him hard enough to make him bounce on the ropes and drop to his knees. He shakes his head and hops to his feet after a moment. I love this. My heart pumps slowly. My every muscle knows where to move, what to do, where to send my power—right from my center, up my chest, shoulder, down the length of my arms, to the tips of my fucking knuckles that hit with the force of a charging bull.
I take him down, and then I do the same with the next foe. And the next.
A powerful energy takes over me as I fight, and I fight knowing that Brooke Dumas watches me. If there’s anything in my head other than winning, it’s that I want her to think inside that lovely round head of hers that she has never, ever, seen a man like me.
By the time the tenth guy falls, sweat coats my chest, and as the ringmaster raises my arm, I’m anxious to see the look in her eyes. I want to see that she liked it, that she—like everyone else in this room—thinks I’m the shit. Our eyes lock, my gut goes hard and twisted and wild with desire, and I smile at her as I try to catch my breath.
When the ringmaster releases my arm, I cross the ring, jump over the cord, and land in the aisle, watching her part her lips in shock as I come over.
People go crazy when I go outside the ring, and they’re losing their shit right now.
The whole room screams with their applause and cheers. And I know they all can see where my gaze rests and where I’m headed.
“Kiss his heart out, woman!”
“You don’t deserve him, you bitch!”
“You go, girl!”
I smile down at this woman who has stolen my thoughts, and as I wonder if she wants me to, she looks pleadingly up at me, almost begging me not to kiss her here. My blood simmers as I remember her lips on mine, but it won’t be happening again.
Not until you’re ready, Brooke Dumas.
I bend to her and scent her hair, whispering at her temple, “Sit tight. I’ll send someone over for you.”
I back off before I lose it, and climbing up into the ring, I steal one last look at her. My chest does all kinds of strange things when our eyes lock.
“Riptide, people!” the announcer screams.
The yells feed me. I suck them in with a smile, full of pride and satisfaction. I can see in every one of these people’s eyes that I’m the man. But I want to see it in her eyes. That. I’m. The Man.
The man who wants to be hers.
Book Review: Four Seconds to Lose by K.A. Tucker
K.A. Tucker’s writing is phenomenal, amazing, worth hours of sitting in the couch to read the whole book. Just as I thought she can’t do any more, she writes a brilliant book that leaves me wound up and tangled in all sorts of emotions – happy, sad, upset, hot…everything.
Cain is a twenty nine year old who owns a strip club and is a good guy but knows how to throw it down! After all his past has made him tough and hard knuckled. He’s a good owner, a fair and not one of those sleazy types of strip club owners. Enter Charlie Rourke, a woman shrouded in mystery who under her dire circumstances need to work as a stripper. When Cain and Charlie meet, sparks fly and boy, do they burn the pages! There are so many intricacies, so many twists and turns in this book that I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen…and I loved every single moment of it!!
My favorite quotes are:
“I believe you don’t weeks or months or years to make an impact on a person’s life. You have seconds.”
“I only have tonight, I remind myself…”
“It took this man – a stranger – mere seconds to decide he will protect me.”
I loved the cover! The secondary characters – Ben, Dan,Storm, Livie, Kacey- everyone is just as great! It’s truly an engaging, unique read! K.A. Tucker can write as many novels as she can and I will devour every single one of them!
Book Review: The Final Piece by Maggi Myers
Life shouldn’t be about picking up the pieces.
Beth Bradshaw has spent her life hiding from her tragic past. From the moment a trusted family friend steals her innocence until the moment another rescues her, she struggles to just survive.
Surrounded by the comfort and protection of her extended family, Beth embarks on a journey of healing far from the horrors of her home. In her darkest moments, she meets a boy named Ryan. For one incredible summer, Ryan shows Beth what it’s like to act her own age.
To feel free and let go.
If only for a while.
Years later, another tragedy threatens to shatter the life Beth has carefully crafted. When faced, yet again, with more pieces to pick up, Beth begins to question what her choices have cost her.
Leaving her old life behind, she sets forth on a pilgrimage that will bring her back to the boy she could never forget. He wants to help her pick up the pieces of her life, but is she willing to do what it takes to become whole again?
Can she trust him with a piece of herself?
“The world is a great puzzle that hasn’t been put together yet, and we’re trying to find the other piece of the puzzle that goes with us.” ~ EE Cummings
“Life shouldn’t be about picking up the pieces. We are all broken in one way or another. It’s about how we put those pieces together that matters.”
Born in West Des Moines, IA and raised in Miami, FL, I have an appreciation for the heartland and really good cuban food.
I want to write stories that make people think. The things you thought you knew about other people and their lives? I want to twist those perceptions and make you question everything.
I am a big fan of the underdog. The one that everyone else has written off? That’s where my heart is and where my most inspired writing happens.
BLOG TOUR: MINE BY KATY EVANS (REVIEW)
“The heart is a hollow muscle, and it will beat billions of times during our lives…All I know is that I feel this love in every molecule in my body, every breath I take, all the infinity in my soul. I learned that you can’t run if you tear a ligament, but your heart can be broken into a million pieces, and you can still love with your whole being. I’ve been broken and put together again…but now I dream solely of a blue-eyed fighter who one day changed my life, when he put his lips on mine…”
“My every cell knows this is my mate and prepares me for him. Just him.”
“Baby, the way you need me can only barely cover half of the way I need you.”
“Remy, take care of her! She plays a tough little cookie, but her melted chocolate center is for you, you know!”
“Nobody ever taught him how to love. He does it instinctively.”
“Every second that you and I breath, you belong to me.”
“When everything’s made to be broken I just want you to know who I am” GooGoo Dolls Iris