Category Archives: Self Published
A Change for the Good by Melanie Jayne: Excerpt & Giveaway
Blurb:
Two people starting over, making much needed changes in their lives.
Zoe Crawford has moved to a new city after being dumped and humiliated by her ex-husband. She is going to put her wants and needs first and get her life in order.
Tony Alessi has returned to his hometown to rehab his body and soul, leaving his ATF career behind.
When Tony meets Zoe, he likes what he sees. She appreciates the attention from the younger man but doesn’t want to participate in a cougar challenge. As Zoe learns to trust Tony, she admits to some odd happenings in her life. The feelings of being followed, call hang ups and an apartment break-in. When the attacks turn physical, she accepts Tony’s help.
Soon Zoe’s life is threatened, the couple hides in Tony’s cabin and grow closer as they discover who they were and who they hope to be.
Will Zoe’s past ruin her chance to change her life for the good?
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25671007-a-change-for-the-good?ac=1
Excerpt:
Patty cleaned the area. “So, you’ve caught on that the Alessi men are tough on the outside but mush on the inside when it comes to those that they love?”
“I don’t know about love.” Zoe started bouncing her foot. Talking about love and their relationship made her uncomfortable.
“Stay still,” Patty scolded. “Who are you trying to fool? Tony loves you. He’s a great guy and he’s getting back on track. What’s the matter? Isn’t he good enough for you?”
“No. That’s not it at all. He is a good man. I mean, don’t you worry that I am so much older?” Zoe dreaded the answer.
“Listen, the age thing is hard to avoid but you can’t help when you were born any more than Tony can. You two fit together like puzzle pieces. Wouldn’t you want him to be in your life every damn day?”
Patty stopped working on Zoe’s forehead and stepped back to stare into her eyes.
Zoe blinked, fighting the threatening tears.
Patty knelt in front of her, her tone softened, “Look Zoe, I had cancer and it changed my outlook on life. I appreciate what I have so much more. It was a terrible way to learn that lesson.” She took Zoe’s hand and held it between both of hers. “You seem to be a good person and Tony cares about you. He told me that, straight up. I know him and he’ll be a good partner. When he gives his word, he means it. He won’t screw around behind your back. In fact, if he is anything like his brother, he’ll drive you crazy trying to make you happy. Would that be such a terrible fate?”
“No,” Zoe whispered.” No, it wouldn’t be.”
Buy links:
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Change-Good-Melanie-Jayne-ebook/dp/B0106UQOTE/ref=sr_1_2_twi_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1435516072&sr=8-2&keywords=a+change+for+the+good
About the Author:
I live on a grain farm southeast of Indianapolis, Indiana with my very patient husband of twenty-five years and our two English Mastiffs, Buster Brown and Ginger. I graduated from Indiana University when it was the #1 party school in the country and I took great pride in helping the school achieve that ranking.
I haven’t figured out what I want to be when I grow up. I change careers every decade. I have worked in retail, a federal courtroom, travelled across the state closing loans, and behind the scenes in a casino.
I’ve always had an active imagination so when a good friend suggested that I try writing a book, I thought why not, it should be fun. It has, but I have had to work very hard to learn how to do it. I am so lucky for the outpouring of advice and education from so many in the industry, plus the hand-holding and cheerleading from My Gurls. I also have an incredible Ad-man-istrative Assistant, who tries to keep me under control. He rolls his eyes so much that I worry about a permanent condition.
When I ‘m not working or writing type stuff, I sleep, watch courtroom TV shows, and sports. I was a competitive pro-am ballroom dancer for ten years and I read as many books as I can.
I love to attend Author-Reader Conventions and look forward to meeting you.
Website: http://www.readmelaniejayne.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjsmut
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mjsmut
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25028145-the-party-plan?from_search=true
GIVEAWAY
$20 Gift Card
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Review: Random and Rare by Cat Porter
Random and Rare
Kindle Edition, 262 pages
Published March 10th 2015
I am that gash in her soul.
Once I loved Grace, really loved her.
And she loved me, and it was so fucking beautiful.
Once.
That pendulum swings to and fro.
We’re here,
and then we’re—
No.
How can that rare beautiful be rendered irrelevant, intangible when I still feel so damn much?
Does all that energy, that glory, that significance simply dissolve?
Turn to smoke?
To nothing?
It can’t. It just can’t.
Are the moments that shape us absolutely random?
Is time not fluid?
I made promises to them, to her.
Especially to her.
Promises I still burn to keep
4.5 Stars
Sometimes you have to go backwards to move forward.
Random and Rare is just that. A series of moments and events seen from another side in a completely different light. Changing memories and deepening love both past and present. Not shedding a new light, but definitely adding a new perspective a crazy story.
Dig was a hard living, badass man with a heart I would not mind having a piece of. Seeing things through his eyes made him a completely different character than I had perceived from the prior book. He had conscience to him that we don’t see in all the bikers we read about. He broken my heart and made me love him over and over.
Please note: You should read Lock and Key, book 1. As Random and Rare is a prelude and an extension of the first book. I don’t think a read could truly appreciate what the story is without reading the first book.
A complimentary copy of this title was provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
Review: Before I Fall by Jessica Scott
Before I Fall
Jessica Scott
Stay focused. Get a job. Save her father’s life.
Beth Lamont knows far too much about the harsh realities of life her gilded classmates have only read about in class. She’ll do whatever it takes to take care of her father, even if that means tutoring a guy like Noah – a guy who represents everything she hates about the war, soldiers and what the Army has done to her family.
Noah Warren doesn’t know how to be a student. All he knows is war. But he’s going to college now to fulfill a promise and he doesn’t break his promises. Except he doesn’t count on his tutor being drop dead gorgeous and distracting as hell. One look at Beth threatens to unravel the careful lies Noah has constructed around him.
A simple arrangement turns into something neither of them can deny. And a war that neither of them can forget could destroy them both.
4 Stars
As I started reading Before I Fall, I thought this was going to be another one of those New Adult books. Boy was I wrong. Before I Fall is one of those too close to real life romance that I have read in a very long time.
Beth is a struggling student. Classes are the easy part for her. It’s make sure she has money for rent, trying to keep the lights on and taking care of a parent who is in pain constantly and an addict. A girl that had to grow up to fast. Beth is saint, survivor and a damn smart woman. I related to her all too well.
Noah carries mental and physical scars from war. Trying to live life as a college student is more than a challenge for him. Somedays it hard to tell if the anxiety is worse than the pain. The thing I loved about Noah is, one he knows his issues. Two, he wants to change himself and not rely on pharmaceutical means to get through a day. And three, he’s sweet, caring and willing. That’s a good man.
Where do I begin. Before I Fall is an emotional ride to say the least. This book is going to make you think. This is not a story where the hero comes in and makes it all better. Many social issues play a big part in this book. Addiction, poverty, health care and PTSD, just to name a few. Just like in real life when everything is in utter chaos there will be these moments and people you meet that make you stop and pause in life. A breath of fresh air. That’s Noah and Beth! They struggle everyday and keep going! The characters will pull you in and their stories will get your heart.
Ms. Scott gave me an unexpected thought provoking read.
A complementary copy of this book was provided for an honest review.
BLUE COLLA MAKE YA HOLLA ♥ ♥ RELEASE BLITZ
Blue Colla Make Ya Holla Box Set
Ten novellas featuring sexy blue collar men.
Brand new stories – never before released!
March 1, 2015
Featuring
Laramie Briscoe (Amazon Best Selling Author of the Heaven Hill Series)
Title: Hot, Summer Nights
Heat Level: Steamy
Blue Collar Hero: Dirt Track Racer
Chelsea Camaron (Amazon Best Selling Author of the Hellions Series)
Title: Heath
Heat Level: Steamy
Blue Collar Hero: Oil Rigger
Carian Cole
Title: Twist
Heat Level: Very Steamy
Blue Collar Hero: Motorcycle Fabricator & Airbrusher
Seraphina Donavan
Title: Nobody But You
Heat Level: Very Steamy
Blue Collar Hero: Tattoo Artist
Aimie Grey
Title: Never to Hope
Heat Level: Very Steamy
Blue Collar Hero: Road Crew Worker
Bijou Hunter
Title: Rebound Biker
Heat Level: Steamy
Blue Collar Hero: Construction Worker
Stella Hunter
Title: Rescuing the Bridesmaid
Heat Level: Moderately Steamy
Blue Collar Hero: Tow Truck Driver
Cat Mason
Title: Unhinged
Heat Level: Steamy
Blue Collar Hero: Roofer
Christina Tomes
Title: Defending Her Turf
Heat Level: Steamy
Blue Collar Hero: Owner of a Landscaping Business
Laramie Briscoe
Title: Rough Patch (Heaven Hill Series 6.5 – Jagger)
Heat Level: Steamy
Blue Collar Hero: Mechanic
Purchase the Book!
Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo
Giveaway!
Review: Standing By by Claudia Y. Burgoa
Standing By
Claudia Y. Burgoa
A Knight’s Tale, Book 2
Published September 23rd 2014
Mitch Knight
1. Loves a good challenge
2. Never turns his back on a dare
3. Loves to create nicknames
4. Nobody cooks better than him
5. Doesn’t believe in love
When Parker Welsh sells Mitch Knight his organic restaurant, Willows, he not only gives Mitch ownership; but everything entangled with it. Including the annoying pastry chef who supplies the muffins and cupcakes.
Hayley Roth-Welsh
1. Loves To-Do Lists and Five-Year Plans
2. Has her dream job of baking sweets
3. Always tries to make others happy
4. Never seems to succeed with her family
5. Is still a virgin, waiting for love
Hayley played by her mother’s rules for the first eighteen years of her life, instead of heading to college as her family expected, she rebelled and opened a bakery, Pieces of Heaven. Her family expects her to fail and head back to school and their wish may come true once Parker sells his restaurant to the handsome, arrogant Mitchel Knight. It’s either join forces with him or lose her dream
3.5 Stars
Take a fly by the seat of his pants kind a guy and a girl who lives by taking notes and keeping lists. Throw in a lot of snark, sarcasm, some push and pull, you get two people are so perfect for each other.
Mitch and Hayley have a bit of a bumpy past together. Causing a bit of animosity between stubborn people. They are alike but in opposite ways. Kinda hard to explain but very funny to watch. For people who did not want to be around each other, they found a way to love one another.
A fast paced story with some comical characters and some plot twists. My one issues with Standing By, there were instances where I was confused as to who was talking. An overall good quick contemporary read.
A complimentary copy of this title was provided by the author/publisher for an honest review review.
Review: Immortal Heat by Loni Lynne
Immortal Heat
Loni Lynne
The Guardians of Dacia #1
Determined to study ancient Dacian folk lore abroad, Marilyn Reddlin’s plans are cut short when she is abducted by a dark haired stranger who insists she’s in danger. The only danger she’s in is losing herself to her abductor’s inexplicable seductive energy. Draylon Conier teaches her there is more to Romania than myth and fairy tales while sweeping her into a wild adventure of paranormal mystery and intrigue.
Dacian History…
Thousands of years trying to pay back a debt, Draylon Conier is finally able to do so. Sent to capture a young, American student who is in danger while in Romania, he just has to send her back home. Easy enough for him. Unfortunately, Marilyn Reddlin is determined to thwart his every attempt—even telepathy. But there is more to her than meets the eye and the closer he gets to her, the more danger she is in, not only from the ancient immortal Dacian clans he’s trying to protect her from, but also his own sexual need.
History just got a lot harder.
They must find out what connection Marilyn has to Dacian history before Draylon destroys her when she succumbs to Immortal Heat
An almost dream like adventure wrapped with paranormal mystery and lore.
Marilyn grew on me during the reading of Immortal Heat. A well read young woman, but sheltered. A bit of a geek, however there is something fiery with in this beauty. Marilyn smart, willing and brave. When the history of myths and legends that she loves so much becomes a reality, Marilyn’s inner strength rises and pieces start to fit in place. From what should have been a trip to finish her studies quickly became an adventure in keeping her life. we see Marilyn make some amazing transformatios that not only change her from child to woman, she truly changes herself completely.
Draylon is a fierce warrior and protector. He’s straight from myth and legend. One of a kind. The man has a body that is sexy as sin. Draylon sheer presence is enough to make you weak in the knees. His presence on the page make sure kind of feel like you’re in a dream state where every fantasy can come true. Draylon made this story for me.
Ms. Lynne created a story that I truly got lost in. I had to read the book twice before I could sit down to write this review. The story was almost like a dream, not sure where reality and fantasy began or ended. She created a world with all the paranormal creatures that I love. She gave us interesting characters that captured your heart and allowed you to get sucked into their story. Heat and passion fill the page while getting lost in the amazing world Ms. Lynne has allowed the reader to play in.
Whatever your paranormal tastes are in the romance world, Immoral Heat will have something for you. I look forward to seeing what happens in the Guardians of Dacia series.
A complementary copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
Review: Storm by Carian Cole
Storm
Ashes and Embers Series, Book 1
Carian Cole
I felt the wind rustle, warning me, telling me to get out of its path.
But I didn’t.
I never stood a chance.
A series of weather and road mishaps leaves me trapped in the middle of a blizzard with a complete stranger. In the back of a pickup truck. For forty-eight freakin’ hours.
A stranger with long hair, tattoos, and rippling with muscle.
A stranger with an insanely sexy voice and a wicked smile that turned my insides to jelly. A stranger who held me in his arms, calmed me, and then set a fire in me that I couldn’t put out.
Storm lives up to his name. Beautiful. Dangerously inviting. Tumultuous. Dark. A clash of hot and cold.
He’s used to getting everything he wants.
And now he wants me.
Some people chase storms for the beautiful thrill. What happens when the storm chases you?
4.5 StarsStorm is let me grab a hold of something and hang on tight because my heart just skipped a beat, oh my God I think Im drooling, somebody slap me, good looking. With hair that most women wish for, mussels that want your eyes to be plastered to and a body covered in tats. Let’s not forget the most intense eyes. I am a such sucker for man with long hair and tattoos. I fell in love with Storm from the moment he banged on the window. Commanding yet caring. Demanding yet giving. Beyond complex yet simple. Storm is more that what meets the eye. As I got to know Storm, I realize he is everything I would want my fantasy man to be.
Evelyn becomes completely conflicted by what she knows of life and love like a flip of a switch. Having played the same tale on repeat for the past twelve, it’s truly all she knows. When what started as a business trip quickly turns into Evelyn putting her car into a ditch and changing her life. The dangerous looking, sexy stranger opens the little box of world to a new light in forty eight hours. A timid woman who got a taste of what letting go is like. A woman who makes herself find the strength to have what she wants. Things she never knew she could have. Things it now seems possible she can’t live with out.
Storm, the first book of the Ashes and Embers series flippin ROCKS! I pretty sure I was lost to this book by page ten. Intense characters that make you laugh, yell and love! Great story line that is layered in romance and being romanced. My favorite quote from the book that really sums itself up.
“Evie, you gotta stop living in fear. You can’t see the stars unless you go out in the dark. “
A great beginning for a wonderful new author!!
A complementary copy of this title was provided by the author/publisher for an honest review!
A Little Harmless Secret by Melissa Schroeder Release Day Blast
Just because you love someone doesn’t mean you can trust them.
Devon Stryker is a man with no past—not one anyone can dig up that is. His made up identity has kept him safe from everyone, except one woman. Five years earlier he let his guard down once, one night of unforgettable passion. He has yet to get her out of his mind. When he thinks he sees her in Seattle, he becomes obsessed with finding her.
Alicia Hughes hasn’t forgotten Devon either. She had been on assignment from MI-6 to find him. Since he disappeared, her life has fallen apart. When she comes face to face with the one man she loved—and the one she fears the most—she panics. When he catches up to her, he finds the woman he has always loved—and the child they made together.
As the old lovers form a tentative alliance, the feelings they both had for each other rise to the surface. They have to let those things go to protect everything they hold dear in the world because someone is intent on destroying them…by any means possible.
WARNING: This title includes secrets, guns, a sexy know-it-all hero, spies, a heroine who doesn’t trust the hero, meddling inlaws, even more spies, double crosses, cool computer things, and two people who can’t seem to keep their hands off each other even though they know it isn’t the right thing to do.
From an early age, USA Today Bestselling Author Melissa loved to read. First, it was the books her mother read to her including her two favorites, Winnie the Pooh and the Beatrix Potter books. She cut her preteen teeth on Trixie Belden and read and reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird in middle school. It wasn’t until she was in college that she tried to write her first stories, which were full of angst and pain, and really not that fun to read or write. After trying several different genres, she found romance in a Linda Howard book.
Since the publication of her first book in 2004, Melissa has had close to fifty romances published. She writes in genres from historical suspense to modern day erotic romance to futuristics and paranormals. Included in those releases is the bestselling Harmless series. In 2011, Melissa branched out into self-publishing with A Little Harmless Submission and the popular military spinoff, Infatuation: A Little Harmless Military Romance. Along the way she has garnered an epic nomination, a multitude of reviewer’s recommended reads, over five Capa nods from TRS, three nominations for AAD Bookies and regularly tops the best seller lists on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Since she spent her childhood as a military brat, Melissa swore never to marry military. But, as we all know, Fate has her way with mortals. She is married to now retired AF major and is raising her own brats, both human and canine. She spends her days giving in to her addiction to Twitter and spends her days thankful for their new home and the short trip to Wegmans.
Coffee Books Life 