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Thursday, February 4, 2016

Fighting Solitude by Aly Martinez Blog Tour Review




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Fighting Solitude is Book Three in the On The Ropes Series by Aly Martinez and is Quarry’s highly anticipated story.


Now Available!
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1NU89lo


**Each book in the series can be read as a standalone**


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Blurb


I was born a fighter. Abandoned by my parents, I spent my life forging my own path—one guided by my fists and paved with pain.
Untouchable in the ring, I destroyed everyone who faced me, but that’s where my victories ended. Outside the ropes, I repeatedly failed the few people who loved me. Including my best friend, Liv James—the one person I’d die to protect.
Even though I didn’t deserve her, Liv never stopped believing in me. Never gave up. Never let go. After all, she understood what I’d lost, because she’d lost it too.
Liv was everything to me, but she was never truly mine.
That was going to change.
I lost my first love, but I refused to lose my soulmate.
Now, I’m on the ropes during the toughest battles of my life.
Fighting to be the man she deserves.
Fighting the solitude of our pasts.
Fighting for her.



Excerpt


Fighting Solitude
Prologue


“Mia!” I shouted.
It was worthless. She’d been deaf since the day I met her.
She’d never once heard my voice.
She’d never heard the deep rumble of my laugh when she was excited, signing so fast I could barely keep up.
She’d never heard my content sigh when she barged into the locker room after a fight—just her presence soothed the lingering madness brewing within me.
She’d never heard me whispering my deepest fears into her ear as she fell asleep on top of me.
She’d never heard the reverence in which I cried her name each and every time I took her body.
And she’d never once heard the ease in which the words I love you tumbled from my lips as I stared into her deep, jade green eyes.  
But as I screamed her name while watching her petite body seizing in the passenger seat beside me, I’d never needed her to hear me more.
“Mia. Oh God. I’ve got you, baby.”
She was still thrashing violently as I made my way around to her door, yanking it open while pleading with whatever god was willing to help.
When she stilled, a whole new level of silence filled the air around us. It wasn’t the absence of sound.
It was the absence of life.
“Mia, breathe!” I roared as her chest remained agonizingly still. “Help me!” I screamed at the closed emergency room doors, but no medical savior rushed out with the miracle I so desperately needed.
My hands shook wildly as I released her lifeless body from the seatbelt.
“I’ve got you, just hang on. Please just hang on, Mia,” I whispered lifting her into my arms and sprinting through the sliding doors. “I need a doctor! She’s not breathing!”
Nurses rushed towards me in slow motion as the seconds without air in her lungs passed at a terrifying speed.
Breathe.
A doctor appeared with a gurney and quickly took her from my arms.
The immediate loss was staggering.  
Hope became my only solace.
She needed help that I wasn’t capable of giving her, but that didn’t stop me from following close behind as they rolled her away. I was on the verge of self-destructing; letting her out of my sight wasn’t an option.
I stood motionless in the doorway while doctors and nurses swarmed around her. Their mouths moved frantically, but without my hearing aids I was worthless to make out the words their faint voices carried.
I never wore my hearing aids when I was with Mia. There was no point. She rarely spoke with her voice.
We’d spent four years building a relationship with our hands.
Those hands had told me animated stories that made me laugh until my face hurt from smiling.
They’d fought with me relentlessly, but always ended the night raking down my back in silent ecstasy.
Her fingers had fluidly signed I love you more times than I could ever count—or forget.
But as I felt the nurse attempting to physically remove me from the room, my eyes became fixated on her limp hand dangling off the side of the bed. It was the only sight more frightening than watching her flail mid-seizure.
It ripped the heart straight from my chest.
That hand was supposed to be full of life.
It was the very essence of Mia.
Pale.
White.
Still.
Oh God.
Sucking in a deep breath, I held it until the room began to spin.
It provided me no relief even as it forced me to my knees.
There would be no distraction from this.
I was going to lose her.
Yet another woman I couldn’t save.  


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Fighting Silence (Book One) On the Ropes
ONLY $0.99


Fighting Shadows (Book Two) On The Ropes


About the Author

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Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in South Carolina, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.
After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. Five books later, she shows no signs of slowing. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.



GIVEAWAY
$50 (Winners Choice) Book Retailer Gift Card

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REVIEW

Fighting Solitude (On the Ropes, #3)



4.75 stars

I've loved this whole series. The Page brothers truly are something special, and as Q states, they know how to love.

I really like how the story of Liv and Q is complete. We get all the way back to the first meeting as kids, the HEA and all the ups and down in between. Liv and Q are cute partners in crime as kids. Both had tragic beginnings with their parents and home life, which left them a little damaged. A friendship between them just clicks. Teenage heightened emotions including hurts and insecurities cause disruptions, but despite distance and time, their connection is permanent. As adults they have to overcome more loss and indecision on the way to seeing if their relationship can become something more. Grown up Q is so sweet and sexy. I adore him. I felt every emotion these two endured.

It's like my heart wants to take off soaring out of my chest to see these three brothers stories all fall into place, and getting updates on all the others in this book is like the icing on the cake. Fighting Solitude is a perfectly great standalone, but if you read the series, you get the full emotional impact. The ending section from everyone is a real my cup runneth over deal for me.



***copy given in exchange for an honest review***

FGMAMTC 

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents 





Cardeno C. Audio Tour Review



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Jesse's Diner AudiobookJesse's Diner: Hope, Book 2

    • Written by: Cardeno C.
    • Narrated by: Paul Morey
    • Length: 2 hrs and 49 mins 
    • Unabridged Audiobook

LISTEN TO AN AUDIO CLIP

Two men with a shared history and a mutual attraction must be honest with themselves and each other so both their dreams come true.
Quiet, unassuming Tanner Sellers spends his time running a diner in Hope, Arizona. Not particularly social, 22-year-old Tanner keeps to himself and enjoys his simple life, but he longs for someone to call his own. In his most secret fantasy, that someone is sexy Steve Faus. But Steve is his friend's father and mentor's widower and therefore off-limits.
Despite some challenges, 39-year-old Steve Faus has had a good life. He's extremely successful at work, has a great relationship with his college-age son, and lives in a wonderful town. Eighteen months after losing his partner, the one thing Steve lacks is someone to share his life with. If Steve is honest with himself, that someone is the young man he has known and cared about for years. Steve and Tanner want one another; all they need is a little push in the right direction to make both their dreams come true.

 US / UK / iTunes

ebook links

 

The Half of Us AudiobookThe Half of Us: Family Collection

    • Written by: Cardeno C.
    • Narrated by: Ezekiel Robison
    • Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins 
    • Unabridged Audiobook



LISTEN TO AN AUDIO CLIP

Short-tempered, arrogant heart surgeon Jason Garcia grew up wanting a close-knit family, but believes he ruined those dreams when he broke up his marriage. The benefit of divorce is having as much random sex as he wants, and it's a benefit Jason is exploiting when he meets a sweet, shy man at a bar and convinces him to go home for a no-strings-attached night of fun.
Eight years living in Las Vegas hasn't dimmed Abe Green's optimism, earnestness, or desire to find the one. When a sexy man with lonely eyes propositions him, Abe decides to give himself a birthday present - one night of spontaneous fun with no thoughts of the future. But one night turns into two and then three, and Abe realizes his heart is involved.
For the first time, Abe feels safe enough with someone he respects and adores to let go of his inhibitions in the bedroom. If Jason can get past his own inhibitions and open his heart and his life to Abe, he might finally find the family he craves.

US / UK / iTunes

ebook links

 

Something in the Way He Needs AudiobookSomething in the Way He Needs: Family Collection

  • Written by: Cardeno C.
  • Narrated by: Ezekiel Robison
  • Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins 
  • Unabridged Audiobook

LISTEN TO AN AUDIO CLIP

Controlled Asher didn't expect to fall for free-spirited Daniel, but they'll find what they desperately need in one another.
Police captain Asher Penaz's staunch professionalism bleeds into his home life, down to his neatly pressed attire and Spartan apartment. He enjoys being in charge and in control, so his sudden and powerful attraction to the lighthearted, free-spirited Daniel Tover throws him for a loop. In his entire life, Daniel has never gotten what he needs, so he moves to the next place, the next job, the next attempt to find something worth staying for, always landing at the top of his game, but never feeling like he belongs.
The chemistry between Asher and Daniel sizzles, but with all that fire comes the risk of getting burned. As both men struggle to learn themselves while getting to know each other, the lines of desire and control blur. If Daniel and Asher can walk through the flames together, they might find what they desperately need.

US / UK / iTunes

ebook links

Where He Ends & I Begin AudiobookWhere He Ends & I Begin: Home Collection, Book 3

  • Written by: Cardeno C.
  • Narrated by: Alexander Collins
  • Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
  • Series: Home, Book 3
  • Unabridged Audiobook

LISTEN TO AN AUDIO CLIP

Aggressive, physical, and brave, Jake Owens is a small town football hero turned big city cop who passes his time with meaningless encounters believing he can't have who he really wants: Nate Richardson, his best friend since before forever. Thoughtful, quiet, and kind, Nate is a brilliant doctor who has always known who he is and has never been able to shake his crush on loyal, courageous, straight Jake.
After a passionate night together, Nate realizes Jake isn't as straight as he assumed, but he worries that what they shared was a fluke, a result of too much closeness for too long. For Jake, the question isn't how they ended up in bed together because he has always known that Nate holds his heart; it's how he'll convince Nate that he wants and needs to stay there.

US / UK 

ebook links


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Cardeno C. - CC to friends - is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few "awwws" into a reader's day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno's stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever- after sunset.
Cardeno's Home, Family, and Mates series have received awards from Love Romances and More Golden Roses, Rainbow Awards, the Goodreads M/M Romance Group, and various reviewers. But even more special to CC are heartfelt reactions from readers, like, "You bring joy and love and make it part of the every day."

 

GIVEAWAY

presented by WLKBookPromotions.com




REVIEWS

Where He Ends and I Begin (Home, #3)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is pure sweetness, awww to the max. It definitely hit the spot for the mood I was in.

Nate and Jake were destined to be together. They were raised as one big family. It's like both have a second set of parents and a brother. They aren't alike in the sense that one is a jock and the other a nerd, but they both form their life around and follow the other. The way they base their entire existence on one another makes an epic romance inevitable. They do have a few bumps to pass on the way, but this is mostly a drama free, smooth read.

If you're looking for an adorable couple who are all about their love for each other, this is the story for you.





The Half of Us (Family, #4)



I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Many stories are about the meeting and trying to hook up, the excitement of it all. This volume already has that. It's about the actual settling down. 

Jason tried marriage with a woman, but couldn't stay faithful. His reason for not being able to commit to the marriage is that he's gay, but in his mind, he believes that monogamy wasn't meant for him.


Jason has already lived it up, slept with more men than he can count, but after meeting Abe that lifestyle doesn't appear as glamorous as he thought it was.

This change in his feelings also opens his eyes to other areas of his life that need work. I adore the whole family aspect of this story. It has plenty of heat, but we get the sweetness and real life problems as well. And I love how he has a great relationship with his ex-wife. So often the exes are portrayed as bitches, but his ex is lovely. They're still best friends. This book has a cast of likable and relatable characters which I think is wonderful.

I give it 4.5 stars and a whole lot of heart.





Jesse's Diner (Hope, #2)



This is a feel good story. It has so many factors which could have caused major dramatics, but they're handled with grace. Steve is a 39 year old HIV-positive man who lost his life partner. Tanner is a socially awkward virgin who is in love with his friend's dad (Steve).

These two smoothly ease into a relationship and handle everything maturely. I'm a fan of not having manufactured drama. I love the sweetness. McFarland's Farm (book 1) was better for me, but I do recommend Jesse's Diner to someone looking for a cute, pleasant, lovable read.





Something in the Way He Needs (Family, #1)



I really had trouble finding any sense of connection with these characters. More than anything I felt aggravation or apathy with their relationship. My recommendation is not to start with this book if you haven't read Cardeno C. before. Then again, plenty of people love this one so it may be your type of read.








***copy given in exchange for an honest review***

FGMAMTC 

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents 





Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Catch a Tiger by the Tail Blog Tour Review


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Hello all! Thank you for joining me on the second stop of the Catch a Tiger by the Tail blog tour, celebrating the release of book 6 in the THIRDS series out February 5th!

Music features heavily in the THIRDS series, whether through Dex’s obsession with 80s music, karaoke night at Dekatria, or a tender scene between characters. All of the THIRDS books have playlists which I listened to while I was writing and represent a good deal of what’s happening in the book. Catch a Tiger by the Tail is no different. Although Calvin and Ethan aren’t as enthusiastic about 80s music as Dex, they still very much enjoy listening to a few tunes. They’re more into Alternative, R&B, and Rock. Here’s the Catch a Tiger by the Tail Playlist:
  1. This Kids Not Alright – AWOLNATION
  2. Colorblind – Counting Crows
  3. Sweet Dreams – Beyoncé
  4. My Tiger My Heart – The Boy Least Likely To
  5. Casualty of Love – Jessie J
  6. I’m Gonna Do My Thing – Royal Deluxe
  7. Make You Feel my Love – Adele
  8. Shiver Shiver – Walk the Moon
  9. Love Me Harder – Ariana Grande, The Weekend
  10. Stand by Me – Ben E. King
  11. Renegades – X Ambassadors
All my THIRDS playlists can be found on Spotify here. You can also find the playlists on THIRDSHQ.



ABOUT THE BOOK


CatchATigerByTheTail300Genre: Gay Paranormal Romance, Shifters
Length: Novel, 216 Pages
Published: Feb 5th, 2016
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase
Ebook ISBN-13: 9781634769099
Paperback ISBN-13: 9781634769082

Calvin Summers and Ethan Hobbs have been best friends since childhood, but somewhere along the line, their friendship evolved into something more. With the Therian Youth Center bombing, Calvin realizes just how short life can be and no longer keeps his feelings for his best friend a secret. Unfortunately, change is difficult for Ethan; most days he does well to deal with his Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety. Calvin’s confession adds a new struggle for Ethan, one he fears might cost him the friendship that’s been his whole world for as long as he can remember.
As partners and Defense Agents at the THIRDS, being on Destructive Delta is tough at the best of times, but between call-outs and life-threatening situations, Calvin and Ethan not only face traversing the challenges of their job, but also working toward a future as more than friends.

ADD TO GOODREADS



PURCHASE LINKS



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charlie_Cochet_by_madison_parker150Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From Historical to Fantasy, Contemporary to Science Fiction, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!
Currently residing in South Florida, Charlie looks forward to migrating to a land where the weather includes seasons other than hot, hotter, and boy, it’s hot! When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.






GIVEAWAY

TOUR SCHEDULE

Feb 1st - Prism Book Alliance 
Feb 4th - It's About the Book 
Feb 5th - Man2Mantastic 
Feb 9th - Diverse Reader 
Feb 10th - Joyfully Jay 
Feb 11th - The Novel Approach 
Feb 12th - TTC Books and More





REVIEW


Catch a Tiger by the Tail (THIRDS #6)


4.5 stars

I've loved every book in the THIRDS series including this one.

The main couple in Catch a Tiger by the Tail is Calvin and Ethan. They have been best friends since they were children. I adore best friends to lovers stories, such deep and layered love. C&E aren't just best friends. They grew up almost like family. Even their mothers became best friends. First Ethan gave me the feels when I saw inside his head. Expressing himself is sometimes such a burden, but Cal's faith in him gives him courage. He wants so much to be strong in return. Then, I saw the real Cal. He has always been the strong one for everyone. It's tough to pick who I love more.

If you're missing the other guys, don't worry. The whole gang is very present in this installment. The heart and humor floating in the air when the team is together are joy overload for me. I can't get enough of their interactions. Romances, friendships and family relationships get those emotions flowing.

Of course, THIRDS has drama to manage in the outside world also. There's still something going on in the overall series, a big unknown with pieces in each book. Several instances of citizen unrest fall on the shoulders of the gang as well.

One of my favorite scenes is the Felids Gone Wild bit while they're moving. It ticked me so much. The sex scenes are super yummy, hot and sweet. And that ending! I can't wait for the next installment.



***copy given in exchange for an honest review***

FGMAMTC 

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents