Showing posts with label Blog Tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blog Tour. Show all posts

July 29, 2014

Blog Tour: TEACHING ROMAN by Gennifer Albin



TEACHING ROMAN by Gennifer Albin (Good Girls Don't #2)
Publication Date: June 26, 2014
Rating: 5/5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N
Jessica Stone has her life in perfect order until her perfectly boring boyfriend Brett puts things in perspective. So when she receives a call to action from her heartbroken best friend Cassie, she ditches her plans for Winter Break in gloomy Olympic Falls and sets off to Mexico for some fun in the sun.

Determined to use her oceanview to prep for her MCATS, she doesn't plan to run into anyone from Olympic State, least of all the cute communications prof she's been crushing on for a year. When he unexpectedly saves the day, the two are thrown together in a distinctly extracurricular activity.

Roman Markson doesn’t expect to run into anyone he knows from Olympic Falls while visiting his family in Puerto Vallarta, especially not a former student. Although Jess Stone has a way of catching men’s attention, a relationship with her is strictly off-limits. However, the rules feel less strict in Mexico, so they agree to a plan: one week in paradise and nothing more.

But avoiding each other back on campus is harder than they anticipated, especially when they can’t stay away from one another. Neither is sure what they have to learn—and lose—before life teaches them a lesson they’ll never forget.

My thoughts, feelings, and reactions
It’s no secret that I absolutely unconditionally love and adore and cherish Gennifer Albin’s Catching Liam so freaking much. I love that book so much that I have been waiting anxiously for the next book in the Good Girls Don’t series for what seems like ever and I have to say that the wait was well worth it and more. 


Teaching Roman was everything I was hoping it would be and gossssssh, I was so so happy by how everything went down with Jess and Roman. These two characters were amazing and holy crap on a cracker, I was so taken by Roman like cray. He was nothing and all the things. He was gentle and intelligent and sexy and caring. Roman was so effing irresistible. 

Jess was a sweet girl who loved organization and lists and was very driven to be a doctor. She took a chance and a risk to be with Roman. It was so out of her character, something she thought she would never do, but I thought it really put her love life in perspective. I loved that she gave in to what she was feeling even though she was scared of the unknown. She made mistakes and did her fair share of running, but she made me proud in the end. Jess was a tough girl who knew what she wanted and she made sure of it when the time was right.

Roman and Jess were so adorbs, like no joke. I always love when flings turns into the real deal and with these two, it definitely was the real deal. They were so sweet and warm towards each other. They were the type of couple where it hurt to look at them yet you couldn't look away because they were perfection. I have to be honest that their romance development was pretty fast, but Roman and Jess just felt like they knew each other for so long. They clicked in some cosmic way both intelligently and romantically. And I have to say that Roman in bed...wow, can I be teacher’s pet? I was slightly jealous of Jess. What I loved about their relationship was the equality of it. Both of their dreams and ambitions were important to one another and there was a level of maturity that both had that a lot of relationships lacked. They were both willing to sacrifice something so that the other could fulfill their goals and I was touched by that a lot. Their relationship was very genuine, something I could tell that would last and not be fleeting.

Teaching Roman had its ups and downs and angst and drama and the best of tenderest moments with some really intense ones as well. The Roman and Jess love story was not easy, but it wasn’t as difficult as they thought it would be either and I was so throughly enamored by these two I was up for their back and forth anyhow. While no one can ever hold a candle and birthday cake towards by beloved Liam McAvoy, Roman does come real close.

All in all, I loved Teaching Roman with just the amount of enthusiasm as I did with Catching Liam. Gennifer Albin did not disappoint and I’m hoping to get Cassie’s book real real soon! 

Favorite Quotes

"Have you discovered some type of magic potion that reduces your need for sleep?"
"Hours and hours of amazing sex"

"Your shows? Are you a sixty year-old woman? Gonna do some Sudoku and start adopting cats?"
"Don't be a bitch."
"Don't be a sixty year-old woman!"

"...and I want a size report. What's Professor Markson packing under those khakis? Inquiring minds want to know."

"What on earth do we need batteries for?"
"I thought I would loan you my vibrator. It seems like you need it more than I do."

"I cook better than I screw." 


About the Author
Gennifer Albin holds a Masters degree in English Literature from the University of Missouri. A recovering academic, she turned to writing her own books.  In her free time she sits on the National Novel Writing Month Advisory Board, laughs (and cries) with her mom writers group, and watches too much Doctor Who (if that's possible). Gennifer lives in Poulsbo Washington with her family.






This blog tour was brought to you by InksSlinger PR

April 29, 2014

BLOG TOUR: Without You by Julie Prestater Review


Without You by Julie Prestsater
Publication Date: February 14th, 2014
Genre: NA/adult contemporary romance
Source: Author
Rating: 4/5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N
When two people connect, they can make beautiful music together. But what happens when music is the thing that tears them apart?

Evan James had it all. Drop-dead sexy, brilliantly talented musician, a skyrocketing career and his high school sweetheart by his side. When he’s offered a golden opportunity to go on tour, he never imagined she wouldn’t go with him. Without her, he found his dream meant nothing. Three years later, bereft and alone, Evan stops at an open mic night and spots someone sitting in the audience, the beautiful face of a woman he’d never forget...Maddy, his one true love.

Madison Grey had only ever loved one man. When Evan broke her heart she had no choice but to move on with her life, start a career of her own, and she even finds a new love. Still, thoughts of Evan were never put to rest. And on one fateful night, she unexpectedly hears him pour his heart out into a new song. A song about broken hearts, lost love, and second chances. A song about her.

With the help of their scheming friends, Maddy and Evan are thrown into each other’s lives once more. While learning to love and trust again, there is only one thing left on both of their minds... Is life better with or without you?

My Review
Without You by Julie Prestsater was half part second chance romance and half part love for music. 

In three words it was simple, lovely and heart-warming.



For Evan and Madison, fate has given them a second chance at true love. Evan comes back to his hometown hoping to redeem himself in Madison’s eyes and heart. He’s a famous musician, but ready to trade it all for Madison because he felt incomplete without her. I found Evan to be romantic and swoon worthy. He cared deeply about Madison. Evan finally understood what was more important than fame and it was to love and be with Madison. I adored Evan because he did all these little things for Madison to win her back.


Madison tried to forget Evan, but continued to ache for him even when she tried to move one with another. When he comes back to town, she didn’t know what to think or feel. She obviously still loved Evan and was very wary of trusting her heart again when it came to him. Madison was a sweet girl who loved teaching kids and appreciated music. She was silly and care free and a really good friend. I liked her just as much as I liked Evan, even though she was a tad bit dramatic during some parts. 



This book was pretty short. I certainly enjoyed it and felt the feels when Madison and Evan got their sweet moments on, but I did wish that there was a little more tension in the beginning. The way they got back together was pretty quick for me. However, these two were just perfect together. They had this natural vibe and connection. I believed and felt their love because it was right there in their emotions and actions. 

Prestsater didn't just add in tension and angst, but also the sweetest of moments. I also liked that this story was centrally focused on Madison and Evan and a very strong support system to back them both up. It was nice to see a very strong connection between two people and among friends. And although this book had some steamy parts and sexual innuendoes here and there, I really found Without You to be wholesome and uplifting. 

All in all, Without You really captured the importance and meaning of true love. Evan and Madison’s story left me completely content.



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About the Author
I'm a mom, a wife, a teacher, a reader, and a writer. I'm also an lunatic when it comes to the NFL and playing Fantasy football, especially if I don't get my first pick quarterback: Tony Romo. When I'm not at home or work, you can probably catch me on the 15 freeway singing my heart out and dancing away in my car.  



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TOUR SCHEDULE

April 21st
Bridger Bitches Book Blog (www.bridgerbitchesbookblog.com) | Review
Booksniffer Book Reviews (http://booksnifferbookreviews.blogspot.com/) | Review
Anna's Book Blog (http://www.annabookblog.com) | Excerpt/Teaser
Paulette's Papers (http://paulettespapers.com/) | Excerpt/Teaser


April 22nd
2Bookaholics (http://2bookaholics.com) | Review
{Books She Reads} (http://booksshereads.com) | Excerpt/Teaser
Deal Sharing Aunt (http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/) | Excerpt/Teaser


April 23rd
My Favorite Things (http://heffroberts.blogspot.com) | Review
Addicted to Books (http://imaddicted2yabooks.blogspot.com/) | Review
Musings of Immortals (http://readers2212.blogspot.in/) | Excerpt/Teaser


April 24th
Busy Moms Book Reviews (busymomsbookreviews.blogspot.com/) | Review
Total Book Geek (http://totalbookgeek.blogspot.com/) | Review
PEACE LOVE BOOKS (http://dorkstatus.blogspot.com) | Excerpt/Teaser


April 25th
Bibliophile Mystery (http://bibliophilemystery.blogspot.ro/) | Review
WOrkS of FiCTioN<3 (http://bkwrm29.wordpress.com) | Review
Curling Up With A Good Book (http://curling-up-with-a-good-book.blogspot.com)  | Review

April 28th
Sassy Mum Book Blog (sassymumbookblog.blogspot.com.au/) | Review
Once Upon a YA Book (http://onceuponayabook.blogspot.com) | Review
Book Club Sisters (http://bookclubsisters84.blogspot.com) | Review


April 29th
Cocktails and Books (http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com) | Review
Words, Pages, and Books (http://jessiraelloyd.blogspot.com/) | Review
Bookwyrming Thoughts (bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com) | Excerpt


April 30th
Three Chicks and Their Books(www.threechicksandtheirbooks.com) | Review
Books are Love (http://hello-booklover.tumblr.com) | Review
Reviews By Molly (http://reviewsbymolly.com) | Excerpt/Teaser


May 1st
A Life Bound By Books (http://alifeboundbybooks.blogspot.com/) | Review
Ginger-Read Reviews (Gingerread@blogspot.com) | Excerpt/Teaser
Fathomless Reveries (http://www.fathomlessreveries.blogspot.com) | Review


May 2nd
Southern Belle Book Blog (http://southernbellebookblog.com) | Review
Coull Critiques (http://coullcritiques.blogspot.co.nz/) | Review
Platypire Reviews (http://platypire.com) | Review


August 30, 2013

Blog Tour: Breaking the Reins by Juliana Haygert

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Breaking the Reins by Juliana Haygert
Publication Date: August 14, 2013
Source: eARC via Xpresso Book Tours via author
Get it: Amazon | B&N | Kobo
Horses, mansions, tea parties, and lies are twenty-year-old Hannah Taylor’s life. To others, her family and her relationship with Eric is perfect. But she knows the truth. She lives it.

After a fire takes her grandma’s life and kills her horse, Hannah’s immaculate life spirals out of control. Her father disapproves of her decision to run her grandma’s ranch instead of focusing solely on learning the family business; Animal Control brings her Argus, a mistreated horse that she can’t turn away even though she’s not ready for another horse; and her boyfriend, Eric Bennett, a world famous polo player, becomes possessive and authoritarian. Despite her best efforts to disguise it, Hannah grows wary of him.

Then, Leonardo Fernandes struts onto the polo scene. A cocky rookie with a messy life of his own, he’s drawn to Hannah and isn’t afraid of showing it, even when Eric makes it clear she is his and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Hannah suffers for Eric’s jealousy. The abuse only gets worse when Leo steals the title of best polo player in the world from Eric.

But the title isn’t enough for Leo. He wants Hannah too, and she can’t deny her attraction to him either. Somehow, she must find a way to break free from abusive Eric before he breaks every bone in her body.

My Review
Breaking the Reins by Juliana Haygert is what I call one outstanding and well thought New Adult novel!



I’m going to start with Hannah. She wanted a simple life. She wanted to attend college and keep her grandmother’s ranch. She wasn’t into the money and fancy things that was part of her life. I liked Hannah for simply being Hannah. She wanted to do what she wanted to do and she didn’t let her father, mother, boyfriend, or anybody else tell her what she should or shouldn’t do. She was noble, wanting to give those she loved the care and help she thought she could give. I thought she was an amazing character for the all these things and for the way she handled herself and the situations she was in. 



The romance in Breaking the Reins was a very complicated one. There was Eric, Hannah’s extremely jealous boyfriend and Leo, kind and big hearted polo player from Brazil. Leo wasn’t perfect but the way he helped and cared for Hannah and his patience for her and his love for horses and passion for polo was what really made me adore him. Eric was a different character altogether. It was hard for me in beginning because I saw how kind and sweet Eric could be. I saw why Hannah fell in love with him in the first place. It wasn’t until he slowly started to show his abusive, evil true colors was when my emotions went in the other direction from like to absolute hateful rage. He was the worst person ever and it was so hard to take in who he was and what he did because of my initial impression of him. I completely commend Haygert for the way she created, built up and developed Eric’s character all the way.


My favorite part of this book is the work Hannah and Leo put into healing Argus. With Leo’s help, Hannah really stepped it up with Argus. There were many many set backs that even had me frustrated, but Hannah learned to be patient and not only gave her dedication, but her love to the horse. The scenes with Hannah and Argus having small breakthroughs had my heart bursting with love and joy and brought tears to my eyes. The relationship they slowly built with each other was the most beautiful thing I have ever read. I was so completely touched by what Hannah did for Argus, but especially was he did for Hannah. I loved that horse so much!



Haygert did an awesome job at packing in the emotions and reactions that Hannah was feeling. I totally felt her anger, fear, pain, love and turmoil throughout the book. The plot moved along nicely, it wasn’t slow or rushed either and I liked that. The book wasn’t entirely unpredictable, but it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the book. I was still surprised by other things that were revealed along the way. There was a realistic feel to the novel and nothing felt forced, especially what Hannah went through and how she and Leo fell in love. She balanced the romance with her plot giving both equal importance without one overshadowing the other. My only complaint was some of Portuguese words and phrases that weren’t translated. I used my imagination to fill it in and got too lazy to keep checking the glossary. Other than that, I really loved Breaking the Reins. 



All in all, Haygert brings something unique not just to NA, but to other contemporaries as well. Breaking the Reins has a bit of everything a contemporary romance needs from sweetness to darkness and just the right amount of Argus to truly steal your heart away.


*Thanks so Xpresso Book Tours and Juliana for sending a copy for review purposes 
I was not compensated for my opinion 

About the Author
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.


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