Stick Girl Book Reviews

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Phenomenal X by Michelle Valentine Review & Giveaway

Good Girl. Notorious Bad-Boy. One Phenomenal Love.

From the mean streets of Detroit rises the newest superstar of professional wrestling, Xavier Cold, better known as Phenomenal X. His muscular physique makes men cower before him and women lose their minds with desire.

Anna Cortez is fresh out of college and naïve to the harsh realities of the real world. Tired of living under the thumb of her conservative family, she defies them when she accepts a job as the assistant to wrestling’s most notorious bad-boy. Phenomenal X has an animalistic nature that even good girl Anna finds hard to resist.

One night forced to share a bed in a sold-out hotel, lines blur between them and they quickly learn that one lustful night changes everything and neither one of them will ever be the same.

Click here to add to your Goodreads TBR: Phenomenal X

Phenomenal X was released TODAY! You can purchase it at the following links:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Amazon UK
Kobo

~ Kim's Review ~

Admittedly I know NOTHING about the world of professional wrestling. So going into Phenomenal X the only thing I had going through my mind was......

Yes, that's what I thought about. Admittedly, there was a time or two while reading the book I seriously considered standing on the back of my couch as if it was the top rope of the ring and fling myself off. Alas, I'm not really into broken bones so I refrained. That's a guaranteed one way ride in .....

and that my friends would interrupt my reading time and NOTHING interrupts my reading time.

Michelle did a fantastic job developing the characters of Anna & Xavier "X". Anna is the quintessential good girl that's branching out by herself, expanding her wings and leaving home. She comes from a controlling environment which leads to her "growing" once she is out from under her father's control.

Xavier well he's a bad boy and once he meets Anna, in quite an unusual way, he just knows..

He admits to it but he can't give up the little bit of good Anna brings into his life. You will see when you read this one exactly how their relationship develops.

I experienced quite a range of emotions while reading Phenomenal X. Our first glimpse of X through Anna's eyes made me want to .......

Oh this bad boy is HOT!!!! and he also is quite endearing in his own unique way. I loved the fact he couldn't stay away from her despite what he "thought" was for the best. I also had a few moments where I...

There were a couple parts in this book where something's were misunderstood and some things were just plain ......

even with an explanation I felt like that. As with any good book there's always a character you just can't stand and if we're lucky there's two. Well there were definitely a couple ladies that I wanted to smack around but then I thought....

why waste my energy on them... When Michelle delved deeper into the character of Xavier there were points where I thought...

there were so many....

There's a time in the book where something comes up and what it was had me....

and I kept telling Anna just.....

and.....

I was so really angry at this point of the book. I saw what could go down and knew it would be a recipe for disaster. Let me just say what I thought would go down didn't and what did left me....

Oh boy!! It was about this time I noticed that I didn't have that much more left to read of Phenomenal X. I would have to say I started to...

and when I got to the end I realized okay there's an ending but I need more and I want ....

What's going to happen next? I have this deep rooted feeling that Anna & Xavier's journey has just started and that it's going to be a very bumpy road for the two of them. There are definite issues these two well need to work out and face and I'm praying they face these together!

Phenomenal X was a 5 star read for me. I love to watch a character grow and become in charge of themselves and take a stand. I loved how beautifully the relationship developed between the two. Nothing is supposed to be easy and it definitely wasn't that. X recognizes Anna for who she is, good, and it just broke my heart that he doesn't recognize who he is. His image of himself is one that was formed as a result of his past and when you learn his reasoning's behind why he wrestles professionally for a living, besides money, I swear it will break your heart.

I have to say for an author who just wrapped up a fabulous series that I immensely loved she has really showed me that she can bring it! There is depth in this book. It's not all about the.....

sex and believe me there is PLENTY of that! I think in the end we are going to find two characters who find themselves, each other and the opportunity to break free from horrific pasts. I can't wait.....

An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. I also purchased the book because this one I highly recommend and if you don't read this then Killa Kim is going to...

HA! Just kidding :)

~ About the Author ~

New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned author of erotic romance and New Adult novels. Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos and sexy musicians inspired her BLACK FALCON series. You can connect with Michelle via the following links:

Michelle's Facebook Author Page

Goodreads

Michelle's Blog Site

Twitter

Michelle's Amazon Author Page

~ Giveaway ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Embrace the Moment Cover Reveal

by Andrea Michelle

Release Date= May 2, 2014

Torn apart by a tragedy, pushed together by fate. Nothing is coincidence.

Riley and Josh have been through it all together, first as best friends and now as a couple.

Faced with a decision that will test their relationship, these two learn to fight harder than ever before to keep their hearts intact. Once the decision is made, there is no going back. With the past creeping into their present, and miles between them, they learn nothing is easy. Every moment matters.

Can Riley and Josh survive the first year of college apart? Will their love remain strong enough to embrace every moment that belongs to them? Or will someone from the past interfere, take what he wants and ruin them forever?

"For each star in the sky, I have a reason why I love you. When you look up at night, never forget this truth." ~Josh Parker

Warning: Not recommended for anyone under the age of 17 due to underage drinking, sexual content and adult language.

***This is book two in a series and is not a standalone.***

You may add Embrace the Moment to your Goodreads TBR here:

Embrace the Moment ~ Goodreads

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Those of you who have followed me since I started blogging back in November of 2012, yes I was with another blog or two, or if you are a friend of mine on Facebook knows of my OBSESSION with anything related to rock stars, music or musician romance reads. I search for these daily on Amazon! When I came across the sign-up for the cover reveal of this one I about FLIPPED! I knew I found another series that I just HAD to read!

Now, if you are like me and haven't had an opportunity to read the first book in the series Escape the Doubt (Shifting #1) you will obviously need to do so prior to reading Embrace the Moment (Shifting #2). Here's the links to check out Escape the Doubt:

Escape the Doubt ~ Goodreads

Escape the Doubt ~ $2.99 ~ Amazon

Escape the Doubt ~ $2.99 ~ B&N

~ About the Author ~

Michelle was born and raised in Louisiana. She spent years in Tennessee, and in Texas, and has made it full circle back to the boot she loves so much. She currently lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She is a mother to three beautiful daughters, and married her best friend at the young age of nineteen. She is a Coming of age, YA/NA Romance author with a debut, Escape the Doubt, available now. She is a dreamer, a true Gemini at heart and has a fascination with love stories. She finds inspirations in all things (friends beware) and loves poetry and music. Her writing journey began as a young teen where she used to escape into a world of fiction and poetry just to cope with emotions she didn't understand. Shhh... she has a secret. > She wasn't an avid reader until her adult years. Once she realized she loved this escape, her addiction to the one clicker became an obsession that cannot be tamed. It's an issue... she is a one-clickaholic and has no intention of kicking this habit. She is not genre specific as a reader and will read anything and everything. She will not be genre specific as a writer, either. So expect to see her outside the box, too. She is excited yet nervous to share her passion with you, but looks forward to the journey ahead. She loves to hear from her readers and encourages those connections. Links below so you can friend her, like her, follow and support her.

~ Stalk the Author ~

The Cover Reveal is being hosted by:

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

E.K. Blair's Bang Cover Reveal

We are excited to present the cover for book #1 in E.K. Blair's (author of the Fading Series) new Black Lotus Series, BANG! Filled with suspense, sexiness and romance, this is sure to take us on an indescribable thrill.

TITLE: Bang

SERIES: The Black Lotus Series (book #1)

GENRE: Psychosexual Suspense / Romance

RELEASE DATE: May 22nd, 2014

GOODREADS: Add Bang to your Goodreads TBR

They say when you take revenge against another you lose a part of your innocence.

But I’m not innocent.

I haven’t been for a very long time.

My innocence was stolen from me. Taken was the life I was supposed to have. The soul I was born with. The ruby heart embedded in a life full of hopes and dreams.

Gone.
Vanished.

I never even had a choice.
I mourn that life. Mourn the what-ifs.
Until now.
I’m ready to take back what was always meant to be mine.

But every plan has a fatal flaw. Sometimes it’s the heart.

**Due to the dark and explicit nature of this book, it is recommended for mature audiences only as some scenes may be particularly disturbing.**

In an instant, he's crouched down before me, hands spreading me open wider before dipping his tongue inside me. I continue massaging myself as he laps me up like I’m the only one who can quench his thirst. He sickens me, and as soon as I feel the swirl of hate manifest, I turn every part of me off and simply go through the movements I know he likes. I’m a well-oiled machine at this point, flawless in my performance.

He has no idea that I’m the poison in his bones, making my home in his soul. I’ve crept under his skin, and he never suspected a thing other than everything I’ve wanted him to, but he’s made my life a hell, and payback is a wicked bitch that comes in the form of me. I’m the devil seeped within the cracks of him. What he doesn’t know, is that it’s because of him that I am what I am, and he’s fallen into the cobwebs of my lies like a fool. I guess I should love him for that, because when he least suspects it, he’s going to give me everything I’ve been seeking—vengeance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Whoa! This one is right up my alley! I'm a huge fan of "Dark Reads" and I absolutely positively cannot wait for May 22, 2014! I'm sure once I read this one I will be having a more than few "freaking out" moments on my Facebook Page!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Tainted K.A. Robinson

Tainted Blog Tour & Giveaway

I was very excited to be invited to take part in Tainted Blog Tour! I haven't really done anything with my blog in awhile and as far as Blog Tours go I'm only willing to do those for Author's I truly enjoy their work.

Tainted by K.A. Robinson is one of those books that was on my TBR that I just couldn't wait for! I've been in love with the Torn series since the beginning! Tainted is the third book in the series and the final book that features Drake & Chloe ( I sure hope as the series continues we get "glimpses" of these two down the line)

Part One: Facing My Demons

Drake lost everything the day Chloe walked away from him. Feeling angry and hurt by her abandonment, he dives deeper into his cocaine use. Each day becomes a struggle for him. After his band is picked up by a recording studio in Los Angeles, things go from bad to worse. What happens to a man who has lost everything he ever truly cared about?

Part Two: Learning to Love Again

When Drake showed up on Chloe’s doorstep, begging for forgiveness, she couldn’t turn him away. To Chloe, loving Drake is like breathing and she couldn’t bring herself to let him go again.

But what happens next? Follow Chloe and Drake as they learn to forgive and heal together.

Will Drake’s fame get in the way of their happily ever after? Or is love enough to keep them together?

The epic conclusion to Drake and Chloe’s story.

If you haven't added Tainted to your Goodreads TBR you may do so here TAINTED (TORN 3)

Now for my 4 star review of Tainted...........

I have to admit when I had Tainted in my hands I was torn between....

and ......

because this is the last book for Drake & Chloe not saying we may or may not see them in the future but as far as them being the focus of the book this was it. I was sad to say goodbye to them and I sure hope we get little glimpses of them in the future! I honestly was surprised to see the third book was about them. I thought the Twisted was it given the Epilogue but the author gives us the in between period that wasn't revealed in Twisted. The book is broken into 3 parts consisting kicking off with Drake's POV during the 6 months following all hell breaking lose. If you read the series it was the time frame where I seriously wanted to.....

Drake! We were treated with Chloe's POV following what occurred PRIOR to the Epilogue in Twisted and finally we have Drake's POV after the Epilogue from Twisted.... When we enter the first part of Drake's POV things are just .......

Oh hell the issues that he needed to face and he truly needed to face them alone but don't you have to admit to them first? Well, I could very well sit here and said I .....

and wanted to beat Drake but you know what I didn't. I think the author did a great job describing the issues. We've known from the get go that Drake has never been "vocal" per se or completely opened up. He was damn good at.....

rather than face his problems head on. Chloe made her position on these problems very clear in Twisted and Tainted opens with that scene but from Drake's eyes and I had to .....

Chloe on for taking a stand and STICKING to it! We got to watch the band get the big break we all of us have wanted and they were truly on their way to being .....

Yes that was great! I also loved that Jade, Eric and Adam finally just put everything on the line for Drake but of course it ultimately took him......

before he followed through. When you read it from Drake's POV and see everything he kept bottled up for so long you will be like I was....

How one person could keep that all to themselves for all that time is astounding but then again Drake is a MAN and we all know when it comes to men......

I loved the way Chloe's POV was presented and how she handled things and of course them coming together......

was like a ......

There is one part in all this where I was ........

and I seriously wanted to .......

someone's arse! The ENDING was PERFECTION! OMG!!! Drake was just.....

his last show on that tour and when he stepped off stage I was .....

telling that poor man to ...

When I got done I had to do my typical ...

I knew what their ending was from the Epilogue of Twisted but Tainted gave me further insight and a way sweeter Epilogue and I was totally..

Overall Tainted was a 4 star read for me. I'm glad I got to see the "behind the scenes" portions of Twisted and how everything ended up for Drake & Chloe. If you've read Torn & Twisted then you have to read TAINTED now.

If you haven't read this series I recommend you do so Torn was by far my favorite of the series followed by Twisted. Tainted was a good read but it didn't pull the emotions out of me the first two did and I think that's due to the Epilogue of Twisted.

I'm really looking forward to Logan's book I've really liked him all along (although Drake was ALWAYS my favorite between them). I will continue reading any books that spin off from this series. There are so many awesome secondary characters that I would love for the author to delve further into!

If you haven't had the opportunity to purchase Tainted (OMG!) you may purchase the book from one of the following links:

Amazon ~ Tainted

Smashwords ~ Tainted

Kobo ~ Tainted

iTunes ~ Tainted

B&N ~ Tainted

Haven't had an opportunity to read any of the books in the Torn series? Oh you so have to start this one I guarantee you will totally enjoy it! You can add Torn (Torn 1) and Twisted (Torn 2) to your Goodreads TBR and purchase by following these links:

Torn: Amazon ~ Torn
Goodreads ~ Torn
Kim's review of Torn

Twisted: Amazon ~ Twisted
Goodreads ~ Twisted
Kim's Review of Twisted

About the Author

K.A. Robinson is the New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author of The Torn Series and Shattered Ties. She lives in West Virginia with her husband and toddler son. When she isn't writing, she loves to read dystopian, zombie, and New Adult books. She has an addiction to Caribou and Starbucks coffee.

Author Links:

Facebook

@KARobinsonAutho

authorkarobinson.blogspot.com

Novelisting: http://bit.ly/1fThlls

Another book by K.A. that you need to check out is Shattered Ties.

Goodreads ~ Shattered Ties (Ties 1)
Shattered Ties: Amazon ~ Shattered Ties

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, January 16, 2014

~ Cover Reveal & Giveaway ~

Enticing Interlude by Michelle Mankin

~ Okay Ladies I just have to say this is one book I'm SUPER DUPER excited to read! I've read all of Michelle's books published to date and if you haven't, OMG get on it NOW!

This series is awesome and I can't wait to see what bad boy Justin is going to bring to the table!

Be sure and follow the links to add this one to your GR TBR and join the FB Release Day Party! Release date February 4th!

Make sure to check out the TEASER & enter the GIVEAWAY for a paperback of Irresistible Refrain with a Black Cat Records tattoo, a BS and Tempest concert bracelet, and a Tempest lanyard!

Release date: Expected February 4, 2014

Come join our Facebook Release Day & Blog Tour Event

Author: Michelle Mankin

Title: Enticing Interlude ~ Series: Tempest Series # 2

Cover Designer: Cover created by Michelle Preast of Indie Book Covers

Genre ~ New Adult

To the talented vocalist Justin Jones, love is merely a game that he plays by his own rules.

But to Bridget Dubois, love and heartache are one and the same.

Broken too many times before, the delicate beauty keeps her emotions carefully concealed. Bridget has her own set of rigid rules when it comes to men. She prefers to avoid them altogether, especially dangerously seductive auburn haired emerald eyed players like Justin.

But the new lead singer of the rising rock band Tempest doesn’t like to be ignored. Justin is used to getting what he wants, and now he’s set his sights on Bridget.

Suddenly, it’s no longer a game.

What do you do when the one you can’t have turns out to be the one you can’t live without?

As the pressure builds, will it temper them or will it shatter them both like fragile crystal?

*Each book in the Tempest series features a different band member. They can stand alone, of course, but why not enjoy each one?*

“It is working.” I threw back at her. “This isn’t about Carter, and you know it. This is about you being afraid.” It took a great deal of effort to ignore how fantastic it felt to have her in my arms.

“I talked with Lace.” She tilted her head back and rapidly blinked her eyes as if she had something in them. “She thinks you’re a good guy. So do I. That’s why I’ve been trying to ignore that little voice inside my head that keeps telling me it isn’t smart to get involved with you. But I’ve got a son, Justin. I can’t afford to play around. I need someone steady. Someone I can trust to be in it with us for the long haul. And we both know that’s not your kind of scene.”

“Bullshit.” My fingers curled into her upper arms and I yanked her to me. My body didn’t get the message that I was angry and responded instantly to the feel of her soft curves. I should have been upset, but all I really wanted to do was kiss her… badly. My eyes dropped to her mouth. I felt a tremor flow through her body.

Yeah, she wanted that too.

There was more than one way to convince her we were right for each other.

Michelle Mankin is a young/new adult romance writer as well as a self-proclaimed giant... inside of her own mind!

For many years she worked in the insurance industry as an underwriter. Somehow, the boredom didn't kill her but the hour and hours of looking at facts and figures provided ample time for her mind to wander.

Black Cat Records in Vancouver provides the central backdrop for all of Michelle’s current novels. Love Evolution, Love Revolution, and Love Resolution are a Brutal Strength centered trilogy, combining the plot underpinnings of Shakespeare with the drama, excitement, and indisputable sexiness of the rock 'n roll industry.

Things take a bit of a darker, edgier turn with the Tempest series. These pierced, tatted, and troubled Seattle rockers are young and on the cusp of making it big, but with serious obstacles to overcome that may prevent them from ever getting there.

When Michelle is not prowling the streets of her Texas town listening to her rock music much too loud, she is putting her daydreams down on paper or traveling the world with her family and friends, sometimes for real, and sometimes just for pretend as she takes the children to school and back.

Connect with Michelle Mankin on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-Mankin/233503403414065

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichelleMankin

On her website: http://www.michellemankin.com/

Irresistible Refrain - Tempest Series (Book #1)

Genre: New Adult

Two years ago everything changed for the remaining members of the Seattle rock band Tempest.

Two years is a long time.

Too long to keep on remembering.

Not nearly long enough to forget.

In trouble with nowhere else to go songstress Lace Lowell seeks refuge with the band during their stop in New York City. It's a risky move for her because they are both there, two impossibly good looking men whose lives are inseparably entwined with hers. One who bruised her heart and one who smashed it into pieces.

Warren “War” Jinkins, the mercurial lead singer of Tempest, has always had a thing for Lace. But then again so does his best friend and band mate.

Bryan “Bullet” Jackson, the sinfully handsome tat-sleeved lead guitarist, has a bad boy reputation befitting his nickname. For the past two years Bullet’s had a rule with the groupies: one time, never twice, leave ‘em satisfied, but always leave ‘em.

Two guys, one woman, and a host of dark secrets all together within the tight confines of a tour bus as the group travels cross country.

Can the past be forgotten and buried?

Will friendships prevail?

Or will the three of them succumb to seductive impulses too addictive to resist?

** Irresistible Refrain is a gritty rock and roll tale intended for mature readers seventeen and up. Contains sexual situations, strong language, and drug use. **