BLOG TOUR: Leaving Amarillo by Caisey Quinn

Dixie Lark hasn’t had it easy. She lost her parents in an accident when she was young and grew up in a ramshackle house on a dirt road in Amarillo with her ailing grandparents and overprotective older brother. Thanks to her grandfather, Dixie learned to play a mean fiddle, inspired by the sounds of the greats—Johnny and June, Waylon, and Hank. Her grandfather’s fiddle changed Dixie’s life forever, giving her an outlet for the turmoil of her broken heart and inspiring a daring dream.
            Ten years later, Dixie and her brother Dallas are creating the music they love and chasing fame with their hot band, LEAVING AMARILLO. But Dixie isn’t enjoying the ride. All she can think about is Gavin Garrison, the band’s tattooed, tortured drummer who she’s loved since they were kids. She knows he feels the connection between them, but he refuses see her as more than his best friend’s little sister.
            Convinced that one night with Gavin will get him out of her system, Dixie devises a plan. She doesn’t know that her brother has forbidden Gavin from making a move on her—a promise he swore he’d always keep—a promise that once broken will unexpectedly change the future for Dixie, Gavin and the band. Will Dixie and Gavin risk it all for a possible love neither has ever thought possible?

            Complex and full of emotion, Quinn’s beautifully crafted novel perfectly interweaves a mix of engaging characters, a heartfelt love story, and an incredible tribute to musicians—their ambition, dreams, and love of music. LEAVING AMARILLO will have readers eager to turn the next page and root for Dixie and the band as success and fame are only a few steps away. 

COVER REVEAL: Tool by Sabrina Paige!

Are you ready?

 

You Sure?

 

Sunday Spotlight: Movie vs. Book....Part 3

I’ll admit that it’s been a while since I read the book. I first read Insurgent prior to seeing the first movie, Divergent. I always knew I was going to see the movie but I only decided to read the books a month before the release of Divergent. I became an instant fan of Four (played by Theo James) 

I couldn’t get enough of him. I devoured the series and all the little Four stories the author put out. Then came the movie. I was completely in love. Theo James plays him perfectly!

I will follow him anywhere!

So, I’ve been looking forward to Insurgent since seeing Divergent. I couldn’t wait for more of Four. From what I remember of the book, I was really frustrated and irritated with Tris. Since the book was from her POV, we were forced to endure constant guilty from her about the death of her parents and her friend Will. While I was sorry that those deaths occurred at all, and I got Tris’s guilt, it became monotonous to read about for 300+ pages. Add to the fact that Tris seemed to have a death wish due to her guilt and that she and Four fought for most of the book…well…she was annoying and diminished my enjoyment of the actual book. So while I was looking forward to the movie, I wasn’t looking forward to more Tris.

So color me surprised to find that I loved this movie. It really helped that as the viewer, you were watching everything play out as an observant 3^rd party instead of being in Tris’s head. Yes, she still had guilt and she there was still the self sacrifice death wish present in the movie, but  it was lessened.

I think the biggest difference between the book and the movie was the end. Without giving anything away, in the book, it basically ends on a cliffhanger that picks up in book 3. However with the movie, I loved the ending and felt like it was a great place to end the series. I didn’t feel like there was more to the story, that there was nothing more to do so there’s no need for movies 3 & 4.

However, I’ll also admit that book 3 wasn’t my favorite. I hated the division between Four and Tris. I hated how the author totally jacked up everything we knew and ripped Four apart. I hated what she did to Four. And the end…well…that sucked. No doubt I’ll see movies 3 & 4, hoping that changes will be made. Because the Four you meet in the first book wasn’t the same guy in book 3. He was torn down and broken and acted immature…nothing like the Four I’d come to know and love. And it didn’t help that Tris was still on her quest to sacrifice her life out of guilt.

Overall, I think this was a rare instance where I loved the movie more than the book. I mean seriously, how can you NOT love this guy!? I <4 

Vincent by Sarah Brianne!

Vincent
Made Men # 2

By: Sarah Brianne

Releasing March 16, 2015

Young Ink Press 

Vincent knows the glamorous side of the Mafia, being born a soldier.

Lake lives on the opposite side of the tracks, born the daughter of a soldier.

The light and dark side of him are at constant war, but he is letting his darkness reign.

She is trying to find peace, and she will soon be far enough away to find it.

Discovering that his boss owns her, showed him how little he knew her.

Knowing all about him only makes her want to hate him.

I’m a fu**ing made man.

I’m just fu**ing trailer trash.

REVIEW: Damaged In-Law by Colleen Masters

Damaged In-Law by Colleen Masters
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Book Description: 

After high school I left my family and the world I grew up in, vowing never to return to such a screwed up place…but I also left behind him… 

Jackson Cole—he was my childhood crush, the most popular guy in school, and the heir to a billion dollar estate. He also happens to be a devilishly handsome movie star, a cocky, chauvinist prick…and my identical twin sister’s fiancé. 

When I get the devastating call that my sister Avery has died suddenly from a drug overdose, I have to go back home and face the people who’ve caused me so much pain—my parents, neighbors, family friends…Jackson.

When I see him again it’s like no time has passed. It’s sickening to think that after all these years, after all that’s happened, he still has so much power over me. I try to deny my feelings, to tell myself that I hate him…after all, what kind of monster crushes on her sister’s fiancé? 

Then he lays a bombshell on me: He and Avery were in the middle of filming a new movie, his magnum opus, and he wants me to pick up where she left off. 

The role comes with a million-dollar salary. I’ll play his co-lead, his romantic love interest…sex scenes and all. 

But Jackson leaves out one little detail… 

…Filming starts this week. 

This is a stand-alone Contemporary New Adult Romance novel. No Cliffhanger. Content suitable for mature readers, contains sexual content and harsh language.

REVIEW: Ares' Temptation by Aubrie Dionne

Ares' Temptation by Aubrie Dionne
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Book Description: 

At the wedding of two Greek gods, Kaye Underhill is the only mortal in a sea of scantily clad nymphs and fickle satyrs. And worse — she’s dateless. The only bright side is the hot, muscled hunkiness of the God of War, who’s seated next to her. But there’s no way Kaye could ever grab a god’s attention... Is there?

Ares is in big trouble. A vengeful witch curses him, and the first person he touches will steal his strengths, while he receives their weaknesses. When Kaye trips, Ares catches her and poof! His powers disappear, and Kaye suddenly has the strength and coordination of a Greek god. To break the curse and regain his powers, Ares must get Kaye to fall in love with him.

But for the god who makes war, making love presents a whole new set of problems...

Sunday Spotlight: Book Signings

Book Signings!!!!!

We love them. There's nothing better than being able to fan girl at your favorite authors up close and personal. Over the years, we've been to a few and represented Co2BL at 4 over the past year. 

Well, this weekend Confessions of 2 Book Lovers was represented at the Indie Mashup in Michigan. There were loads of great authors there! Some we've interacted with and/or read before, and many others that we're just now discovering! 

So, here's a little recap of the signing:

Lots of authors we didn't know! Honestly, I felt bad having not read any of their books prior to the signing but...there were so many authors & books, not to mention the books we've committed to reviewing here, that it just wasn't possible to read all of them. But, I found some books that sound awesome and I can't wait to read them! 

Something else I learned, there are quite a few local (i.e. from Michigan) authors! I always think of authors living someplace other than the state I'm in but...there were a bunch at this signing! Some of them even have their books set in various locations in Michigan. 

Some huge highlights: 

Meeting Ashley Suzanne, she's totally awesome in person! She's just like she is on social media and she's so nice! Ashley Suzanne's mom (I'm embarrassed I don't remember her name) but she is awesome and so cool to talk to.  

Angela Graham, I've only read one of her books but can't wait to read more. 

Meghan March looked great and totally sold me on a couple of her books that I haven't read yet (and it doesn't hurt that they've got hot covers ;) ). 

I also got to meet Michelle Lynn. We've worked with her in the past and it was totally awesome to meet her. She's so sweet! 

I also found countless authors that sold me on books that sound amazing! I can't remember all the books offhand, but that's what all the swag is for! 

Plus, I got to meet some other bloggers and it's always fun talking shop with them! We traded war stories of living in the blogging trenches. Ok, there aren't any trenches, but I couldn't resist the history reference. ;)

My trip around the tables to meet the Mashup authors! 

And just because it seems to be tradition, here's the booty I came home with! (Alas, it wasn't an actual guy :( )

Right: Books; Center: Swag; Left: Whole kit & caboodle 

So, to recap...I met a lot of great authors, found some new books to add to my TBR list, collected some new favorite books in paperback, collected lots and lots of swag and had a great weekend. 

Next place you'll find Co2BL: the Cleveland Author Event next month! Can't wait to meet Jessie Lane, Sarah Brianne, Lani Lynn Vale, Chelsea Cameron, Mia Sheridan and many others! 

HAPPY RELEASE DAY to Vincent by Sarah Brianne!!!!

Vincent
Made Men # 2

By: Sarah Brianne

Releasing March 16, 2015

Young Ink Press

Happy Release Day to Feeding the Fire by Andrea Laurence!

Title: Feeding the Fire

Author: Andrea Laurence

Release Date: March 16, 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pepper has no interest in Grant Chamberlain…until she accidentally wins him at a school auction and finds the mega-hot firefighter impossible to ignore. Find out what happens next in the second playful and sexy ebook romance in the Rosewood series!

Living in the small town of Rosewood, Alabama, hairdresser Pepper Anthony has one rule—never date a Chamberlain. She’s always said, “the only thing worse than being ignored by a Chamberlain is being dumped by one.” But Grant Chamberlain, town fireman, isn’t used to rejection, and Pepper has consistently turned him down since high school. She isn’t intimidated by his family; she’s one of the few who refuses to take their crap.

When Grant volunteers at the charity bachelor auction, to his surprise, Pepper buys him. She hadn’t meant to, but Adelia Chamberlain dropped a cold drink in her lap, sending her leaping into the air at precisely the wrong moment. Suddenly she had a massive bill to the town and Grant at her disposal. Since the money has to come from her “restore the house” fund, she decides to use Grant for manual labor instead of romantic dinners. Grant is happy to help, sweaty and shirtless, because one way or another, he’s going to get Pepper to admit she’s attracted to him. All it takes is a small spark, and soon they’ll be fanning the flames.

Invaluable by Alana Albertson Cover Reveal

Invaluable by Alana Albertson 

Publication Date: Spring 2015 

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

I’ll be honest with you—I'm no saint. Sure, when I turned down my 3.6 million dollar football contract to join the SEAL Teams, the media had a field day. Selfless, patriotic, an American hero. But the God's honest truth was that I was bored with that world, the playboy lifestyle, the ass kissing, the lack of integrity. There’s even a line in one of our cadences: “When I go to heaven St. Peter he will say ‘Did you earn your living? Did you earn your pay?’ My reply was with a little bit of thunder ‘I earned my living killing down under.’” You've read the tabloids—I'm infallible, invincible, invaluable. But it wasn't that deep—I just wanted some action.

A one night stand with a San Diego coed, no promise for tomorrow. I picked her out of a steamy nightclub—sexy blonde hair, curvy hips, nice ass. After she rode me all night, I took in the ocean view from my condo, thankful for the blissful moments she gave me to get me through my long deployment—I savored the warm touch of a woman, the scent of her perfume and the sound of her laughter. As fate would have it, I crossed paths with Miss San Diego again, halfway across the world in Afghanistan. Turns out she was a NFL Cheerleader sent on a USO tour to entertain my Team. Her convoy was ambushed, and insurgents held her hostage deep in the mountains. I'd gazed into her beautiful blue eyes and given her my word that she'd be safe. And my word is my bond. I'll never win MVP, never get the Super Bowl ring, but some heroes don't play games.

BLOG TOUR: Soaring by Kristen Ashley

Welcome! We are once again beyond honored to be a part of the blog tour for a Kristen Ashley book! 

American heiress Amelia Hathaway needs to start anew. 

Her husband cheated on her, and when everything she wanted in life slipped through her fingers, she fell apart. When she did, she took another heart wrenching hit as she lost the respect of her children. 

When her ex took her family from California to live in the small town of Magdalene in Maine, Amelia decided it was time to sort herself out. In order to do that and win her children back, she moves to Cliff Blue, an architectural masterpiece on the rocky coast of Magdalene. 

Her boxes aren’t even unpacked when she meets Mickey Donovan, a man who lives across the street, a man so beautiful Amelia takes one look at Mickey and knows she wants everything from him. 

The problem is, she finds out swiftly that he’s friendly, he’s kind, but he doesn’t want everything back. 

Amelia struggles to right past wrongs in her life at the same time find out who she wants to be. She also struggles with her attraction to the handsome firefighter who lives across the street. 

But Amelia will face a surprise when her friendly neighbor becomes not-so-friendly. As Amelia and Mickey go head to head, Amelia must focus on winning back the hearts of her children. 

She soon discovers she also must focus on winning the heart of a handsome firefighter who understands down to his soul the beautiful heiress who lives across the street is used to a life he cannot provide.

REVIEW: Matched by S.E. Hall

Matched by S.E. Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book Description: 

Date, Mate, Fate. The reality show like no other. 
Celebrity edition. 

Eight men and eight women thrown together in paradise, their every move filmed. 

Thorough compatibility testing says everyone’s soul mate is here, in the house with them…but would you know “the one” if you saw them? 
One thing a computer can’t do is manufacture love. But in this house, anything’s possible. 

Rated NC-17 for foul language, heavy drinking, and graphic sex . 

*Full length stand alone novel with no cliffhanger.*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!!!! WE'RE 2!

Does everybody know what time it is?! 

Tool Time! 

Uhhh...no. 

Oh. Then what time is it?

It's OUR BIRTHDAY!!!!

 WE'RE 2!!!!! 

Yeah we are! 

Hey, why do I feel like we've done the tool time thing before? 

I have no idea. Have we? 



So, looking back over the past two years, does anything really awesome stand out to you? 

Well, for me, it's definitely some of the authors we've met and tours we've worked on. Never in my life did I think we'd get to participate in a Kristen Ashley tour. And one of my most favorite moments was the moment I fell in love. That's right, it's because of this blog that I met the fictional man of my dreams. I'm still holding out hope that he'll come to life for me. 

I would have to agree about the blog tours and authors we've met and posted for! Especially Kristen Ashley! I always have a lot of fun doing joint reviews with Lindsay so I especially enjoyed doing the ones for my all time favorite author!  And when I actually got to meet her IN PERSON!!! At the Book Bash in Orlando. That was my first book signing and it was a great one to start with.

Dude! I'm still so jealous that you got to go to Book Bash!!!

I don't want to hear it! WHERE are YOU going next hmmmm?!?!?!?!

LOL. I'm going to a small-ish signing a few hours away from where I live. 

Yeahhhh and WHO is gonna be there?!!??!!!

Uh...the creator of the man I love (Sarah Brianne) and Jessie Lane. :D

Exactly! So I don't wanna hear it! You get to meet my other all time favorite author, and my #1 favorite paranormal author! That would be the awesomesauce Jessie Lane! ❤

LOL. :-> Hey, I can still be jealous! YOU got to meet Aly Martinez! 

>:) I did. And she was awesome! 

Mean. :P

o:-)

Here's the deal. We wanted to do a huge birthday extravaganza with a giant giveaway but...the last giveaway we did didn't get many entries. We're a small time blog and don't have a huge following so we decided to keep it low key this year. We WILL have a giveaway of a few small things but it's going to be nothing huge.

Since this post is getting a late post today, we're going to make things easy and do a flash giveaways on FB. We'll have two winners. One person will win a Amazon copy of Amour Amour by Becca and Krista Ritchie. A second winner will win a $0.99 Amazon book of their choice. 

To enter, just follow the link below to the FB post! 

GIVEAWAY LINK