Review & Giveaway ~*~ Hudson by Shayne McClendon

HUDSON

By: Shayne McClendon

Synopsis:

Refuse to compromise.

Hudson Winters is in control of every aspect of his world. From his earliest

memories, he's been driven to succeed. Starting from nothing, he built an

empire based on opportunity and intimidation.

Personally, professionally, and sexually - he ensures the reins are always

in his hands.

He never counted on a woman like Gabriella Hernandez.

From the moment she steps into his building, she proceeds to shake up his

entire existence. Her very presence causes him to question everything about

himself, his relationships, and his future.

This story features characters readers fell in love with in "The Barter

System" and gives you a chance to sit down and catch up. Prepare to be

twisted up and knocked around a bit.  Another hot, emotional read from

Always the Good Girl, Shayne McClendon.

NOTE: This story contains explicit sexual scenes and language and is

intended for mature audiences only. Do not read this novel if intense sexual

situations offend you.

Goodreads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18913280-hudson

Buy Links ~
Amazon   ~  Smashwords   ~  

Review ~

First, I have to tell you if you don't follow Shayne on FB or Tumblr or through her website, you are missing out.  I've been following her for awhile and was lucky enough to meet her in Vegas last summer.  Where I readily admitted I had her books on my Kindle but hadn't read them yet.  She should have kicked me to get me reading them faster because I was missing out on good stuff! But she is super sweet and funny!  Definitely a what you see if what you get kind of lady!  I wish I had caught up with her sooner in Vegas, but maybe another time!

As I sit here to write this review I keep hearing the little girl from a cable commercial telling me "use your words."  I'm not sure I have enough words to appropriately describe this story.  Hudson is the second book in The Barter System Series and can be read as a stand alone and thoroughly enjoyed.  But it does have spoilers to The Barter System so I highly recommend you read that one first! (If you are interested, my review for The Barter System can be found HERE)

Hudson ~ How can I describe Hudson so you want to read the book?!?!  That is the difficult part. I love Hudson, I want Hudson for my own so I'm staking my claim here and now! LOL  He is a difficult man, used to having his own way and not caring about the little things in between.  He says it, it gets done.  He's controlling and overbearing, yet loyal and giving.  He's blunt and obnoxious most of the time and you can't help but want to love this man. 

Gabriella is a woman who does the unexpected.  She is a sweet naive person who goes to the big city for love.  And encounters obstacles that she never imagined.  But she is stronger and more determined than most people give her credit for and I adored how she took the bull by the horns and made life work for her instead of the other way around. 

Shayne creates stories that will touch your heart.  I think I found a little of myself or who I want to be in each of her characters while falling head over heels for each of the male characters for different reasons.  While I am eagerly awaiting book three ~ Backstage ~ I am enjoying Hudson kind of rattling around in my head still.  Without teaching you anything Shayne's stories have left me with a feeling of contentment with myself and how individualistic we each are and can be.  She also manages to leave me looking deeper at me and what I want to change and gives me a sense of empowerment to go out and conquer the world.  

Not that my TBR pile isn't big enough, but I have a lot of catching up to do with Shayne's books so expect to see a lot of her here.  She is a must buy for me from now on and should be for you too.  I know you won't be disappointed.

About the Author:

Shayne McClendon is an indie author who has received rave reviews for her premiere novel "The Barter System." Other projects recently released are "In the Service of Women," "Yes to Everything," "Damaged," "Being Delightful," "The Hermit," "Hudson" - the second book set in "The Barter System" world, and many more.
Writer, mom, and hermit...Shayne listens to the voices in her head because their ideas are awesome. Those around her have learned not to question the crazy. Coffee consumption is too high, amount of sleep is too low, but the words always feel just right.
She currently lives in Oklahoma wrangling teenagers, opening doors for her pets, and running her content writing company. She dreams of peace, quiet, travel, and always having a viable internet connection.
You can contact her by email at shayne@alwaysthegoodgirl.com, stop by her Facebook page, or visit her website and subscribe for your free story!
Shayne McClendon's work is available at all major e-book retailers. Print editions of her work are available on her website.

Official Website:
www.alwaysthegoodgirl.com

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008CJHKEK

Facebook Pages:
https://www.facebook.com/AlwaystheGoodGirl

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorShayneMcClendon

Current Book List:
The Barter System
Hudson
Yes to Everything
In the Service of Women
A Little Bit Country - Book One
Damaged
Obsession
The Hermit
Being Delightful
Gravity
Roadside Assistance
Somebody
Permission to Come Aboard - The Great Outdoors
Special Delivery - The Great Outdoors
A Sunny Heart - The Great Outdoors
Embrace the Wild - The Great Outdoors
Ready to Rumble - Love of the Game
Breaking the Ice - Love of the Game
Time to Make the Doughnuts - Love of the Game
Woman's Best Friend
Revenge is Best Served Hot
Compilations:
Just a Little Kilted - with Alexandra Andersen
Just a Little Crazy - with Alexandra Andersen
Just a Little Extra - with Alexandra Andersen
Not a Bride - with Alexandra Andersen
All the Better To - with Christopher Southers
Books Available in Print:
The Barter System
Damaged
Not a Bride - with Alexandra Andersen

Playlist:

HUDSON PLAYLIST

Feelin’ Love – Paula Cole

Wicked Game – Chris Isaak

Closer – Nine Inch Nails

A Little Taste – Skyler Stonestreet

Satisfied – Aranda

My Demons – Starset

POWER – Kanye West

Sinner’s Prayer – Sully Erna

Madness – Muse

Person Jesus – Depeche Mode

Kiss From A Rose – Seal

Shape Of My Heart – Sting

Simply Falling – Iyeoka

What Goes Around…/…Comes Around Interlude – Justin Timberlake

My Immortal – Evanescence

Hurt – Johnny Cash

Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor

Special Cases – Massive Attack

Far Behind – Candlebox

Stepping Stone – Duffy

Wish I Didn’t Miss You – Angie Stone

Empire State of Mind – JAY Z & Alicia Keys

Fix You – Coldplay

Just Like Honey – Jesus and Mary Chain

Bad Things – Jace Everett

Feeling Good – Nina Simone

Is This Real? – Lisahall

Oblivion – M83, Suzanne Sundfor

Lloraras – Oscar D’Leon

Feeling Good – Michael Buble

She Wants To Know – Half Moon Run

Intro – The xx

Stay – Rihanna, Mikky Ekko

Mirrors – Justin Timberlake

Lullaby – The Cure

Feel Good Inc – Gorillaz

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Double Review ~*~ King Hill & King Cave by Scarlett Dawn

A fresh, meaty, sink-your-teeth-in-and-hold-on-tight new adult fantasy series kicks off with King Hall…

King Hall — where the Mysticals go to learn their craft, get their degrees, and transition into adulthood. And where four new Rulers will rise and meet their destinies.

Lily Ruckler is adept at one thing: survival. Born a Mystical hybrid, her mere existence is forbidden, but her nightmare is only about to start. Fluke, happenstance, and a deep personal loss finds Lily deeply entrenched with those who would destroy her simply for existing — The Mystical Kings. Being named future Queen of the Shifters shoves Lily into the spotlight, making her one of the most visible Mysticals in the world. But with risk comes a certain solace — her burgeoning friendships with the other three Rulers: a wicked Vampire, a wild-child Mage, and a playboy Elemental. Backed by their faith and trust, Lily begins to relax into her new life.

Then chaos erupts as the fragile peace between Commoners and Mysticals is broken, and suddenly Lily realises the greatest threat was never from within, and her fear takes on a new name: the Revolution.


The long-awaited sequel to the bestselling, award-winning King Hall: the revolution is here, but the most dangerous attack may come from within...

The safe, comfortable world of Lily Ruckler and her fellow Mystical Kings and Queens is rocked to the core by the attacks at King Hall. Not only does Lily have to kill the Commoners attacking her people, she also has to assume the mantle of leadership, and bring the surviving Mysticals to King Cave.

It should have been too much, but she is not alone. Ezra becomes her rock, her best friend, the one person who understands. As Pearl and Jack struggle with inconsolable loss, Ezra and Lily work to keep the Mys community safe in their new home, and plan a deadly retaliation.

Their friendship saves them both...but it also draws attention. Whispers. Judgment. It's not normal for Shifters and Vampires to be friends, and when a horrifying truth is revealed, their relationship morphs from unusual to unspeakable. Lily is good at keeping secrets that could get her killed. Is she willing to risk Ezra's life as well?

 ~ Buy Links ~
Amazon   ~   B&N 

Review ~
First, I apologize for totally slacking on writing this review.  But in my defense, I needed to calm down after wanting to through my kindle across the room finishing King Cave and then the holidays were upon us.  I am going to write this review about both books, with little to no spoilers.

I do have to say these are two of the best books I have read in a long, long time. Especially considering they are out of my normal reading genres. This series is a fantasy, paranormal, new-adult series that has a little of everything in it to keep you on the edge of your seat.

There is passion, murder, mayhem, romance, royalty, and so much more.  You have Lily who is thrust into a new life in King Hall and has to make decisions - good and bad- that will not only affect her life but the lives of those around her.  Her best friends, Ezra, Pearl, and Jack, have tough decisions of their own to deal with as they all try protect their loved ones.

I was seriously sucked into King Hall immediately and while it ends with a cliff hanger it wasn't too bad.  King Cave made me want to through my kindle and message Scarlett ranting and raving.  but I refrained.  (LOL - I did really)  Now that these two books have had time to simmer and i have come to grips with how she left me ravaged at the end of King Cave.  I can not wait until she gets us the next book in this series. 

These characters, while young, are growing up fast as they are thrust into their royal positions.  You get a book full of vampires, shifters, mages and elementals.  There is such a variety of the paranormal and how they work together for the greater good.  Lily and her friends will make some tough choices.  Some of them will lead to things getting worse instead of better but it is all part of the learning process.

I highly recommend this book.  If you enjoy paranormal stories, you will enjoy this one for sure.  If you only read erotic stories, you will still enjoy the world Scarlett creates and Kind Cave has more passionate scenes than King Hill!  Read this series, I promise you won't be disappointed no matter what your usual genre is.

Promo & Giveaway ~*~ The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard

Title: The Forgotten Ones
Author: Laura Howard
Genre: New Adult Fantasy
Series: The Danaan Trilogy #1
Published: April 28, 2013

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

Amazon | B&N

Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.

Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

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Review & Giveaway ~*~ Tousle Me by Lucy V Morgan

Blurb

He’s exquisitely hot. Exquisitely tousled. Exquisitely screwed in the head.

Cammibelle Hicks just wants to survive her first year of college. Desperate to forget her troubled past, she throws herself into her degree and book review blog. So what if her life is one long tumblr page of grumpy cat GIFs? She doesn’t need to get out more, and she definitely doesn’t need a man.

Hunter von Styles approaches life like he’s spoiling for a fight: with a tempting scowl. A cage-fighting, ex-rocker billionaire, it’s unclear why Hunter’s at college. Frankly, it makes no sense. Then Cammie falls into him—literally—at a party, and he’s obsessed. He needs her more than a moist towelette at a barbecue.

Though Cammie’s friends warn her against Hunter, she can’t resist his charms; especially not when he buys her shoes. And GoodReads. And a unicorn. But when her handsome best friend, medieval reenactor Archer Riddick, makes a play for her heart—and challenges Hunter to a jousting match—it turns out that Hunter has demons of his own. Demons that aren’t real ones, but metaphorical ones—which are MUCH WORSE, when you think about it…

Join Hunter and Cammie on an emotionally exhausting journey into love.

And co-dependence.

And probably therapy.

Buy Links ~
  Amazon   ~   Smashwords   ~   B&N

Review ~

First, I had to read this story when I read Lucy's bio....I don't know anyone outside of my family that eats lebkucken! Although she is a lot closer than I am to be able to get her hands on it!! 

Okay on to Tousle Me ~ this is a parody ~ I will state this over and over because I don't want you to forget when you buy it that it is meant to be a snarky fun look at the New Adult genre. As they saw humor always starts with a grain of truth and is blown to outrageous and ridiculous proportions to make it funny.  Lucy does this well.

The descriptions and over the top scenes will probably make you laugh so hard you'll cry.  There is a still a story behind it but I admit I had to read it in several sittings.  Personally I can only take so much of a parody before I need a break.  I still loved it and really did burst out laughing at some descriptions.  and I'm not a highlighter on my Kindle, but I did highlight parts of Tousle me jsut to share or go back and read for a giggle.

While I love angst and passion in a story, Tousle Me was just what I needed to break up the monotony of some of the genres I read.  When you get stuck in one genre over and over, all the stories start to feel very much the same and Tousle Me provides a great break in the flow.  It actually refreshed my brain (is that possible?) ...and made me want to read more and remember what I loved about it.  As a blogger reading hundreds of books a year only half for pure enjoyment, this was a nice interlude that brought the passion back for me.  

So, all in all, yeah go read it, enjoy the snark, humor, fun loving poking with unicorns, Goodreads, a book worm and a rich frat boy!  You'll laugh, I promise :)

Author Info

Lucy V. Morgan writes sharp contemporary fiction, usually with a liberal splatter of filth. She is the author of the new adult WHORED series and the stand-alones TWISTED SUMMER and BEAUTIFUL MESS. 

In her new adult parody, TOUSLE ME, Lucy pays homage to her genre in the best way she knows how: by mocking it mercilessly.

Lucy lives in England, where she also works as an editor. She spends her spare time consuming lebkuchen, working through her TBR pile, and pretending she's an urban fantasy heroine in body combat classes.

Author Links

www.lucyvmorgan.com https://www.facebook.com/LucyVMorganAuthor

https://www.goodreads.com/LucyVMorgan

@Rhiannon_Edits

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Guest Post & Giveaway ~*~ The Forbidden Flower Series by Diane Rinella

Controversial With A Purpose

By Diane Rinella

“Why?” I have been asked may times. “Why would I use such a controversial subject for a debut novel?”

Honestly, I never thought of it that way. Maybe I should have chosen a different subject, or waited until I was more established. The truth is, the universe guided me to do it, and I haven’t a single regret.

One chilly fall afternoon I curled up and watched an obscure counter culture film called The Buttercup Chain. In it, two cousins, related through identical twins—thus making them genetic half-siblings—have a strong attraction. She is fine with the situation, while he is a huge ball of denial. The entire film I waited for the obvious to happen. When the film ended and the man was heartbroken, I felt a huge opportunity had been squandered. Clearly they were soul mates, and never once did we find out why he was so freaked out by his emotions. All you could believe was that he hid from who he was because of society. What a horrible world we live in where love is wrong.

The sadness of the situation stayed with me, as did my anger at the author for not taking the story where it needed to go, either by explaining the problem or by facing it. The proverbial gloves came off and I started writing Love’s Forbidden Flower. What started as a story ended as a chalice in which I placed my heart, all the while asking why we make love laws. How we can tell others it is wrong to love, I will never understand.

*** Please note: This is a New Adult Romance novel involving two siblings who struggle with their emotions. This is not a work of erotica.***
The heart cares not what society forbids.
Lily nurtures a secret love for a flawless man—the one who is her soul mate. Donovan is gorgeous, charismatic, and delights in all of Lily’s talents and quirks. Their innate knowledge of each other is almost telepathic. Together they interlock like fine threads creating luxurious silk.
But society dictates this picture-perfect adoration is the ghastliest of all possibilities.
As Lily embarks on a quest for the romance the heavens intended, her suitor turns reluctant. Desperate to uncover why Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hiding decayed from a tender-hearted gentleman into a ferociously self-serving, cocky bastard, Lily is prepared for battle when it comes to the salvation of her soul mate. However, Donovan traps Lily in a mental game of chess, leaving her to question his sanity. When Lily’s revelations about Donovan’s destructive alter ego lead to an inconceivable truth, can she help Donovan survive fate’s cruel joke?
Impassioned, witty, and deeply moving, Love’s Forbidden Flower is filled with stunning controversies that will forever haunt your heart.

Click HERE to read chapter one of Love’s Forbidden Flower!

 

 Amazon

Smashwords 

**********************************

Society’s torch only illuminates our path.
Very disturbing or somewhat intriguing? That is the question Donovan asks himself over his soul mate’s latest idea for bedroom antics. Undecided, he enters into a bet. If Lily wins, Donovan will become a willing participant in an unsettling new adventure. If she loses… Well, does Donovan really want her to lose?
Love’s Erotic Flower is an erotic, stand-alone, short story featuring the characters from the controversial New Adult Romance novel, Love’s Forbidden Flower. This piece is approximately 8000 words.
Warning: This title contains graphic language and raunchy sexual situations. It is intended for those 18 years of age and older.

 Amazon

 Smashwords 
********************************

An eternity of passion cannot be quelled by society. 
Once upon a time Donovan assured Lily all of her dreams would come true. But how could he keep the promise of a fairy tale when her truest goals could not involve him, though her deepest desires did? Now, Lily has it all—love, passion, a family, and the career of her dreams—with Christopher. But something is lacking. She and Donovan have spent the last ten years living apart, and the soul mates are eager to reunite. Can Donovan keep his promise to give Lily all she desires, even with Christopher in the way?  
For Lily and Donovan, the past is a mirror to the future that cannot be shattered.  
Donovan is convinced Lily has been his love for all eternity. Determined to unravel the past, they embark on a journey to discover where it all began. For centuries Donovan has stolen Lily’s heart while forced to suffer for his love. How much can a soul endure before the breaking point is reached and a monster emerges? Can the demons of the past be combated to pave the way for happiness in the next life? Or has the abuse suffered in this life already turned Donovan hell bound? Time and again, one woman has destroyed their happiness. It’s time to silence her once and for all.

The light of the alarm clock covers my face in a soft glow while its progressing numbers remind me that life is passing by. Finally, Christopher's breath deepens into a low snore. Like a paranoid ninja I slip out of bed and head down the stairs.

Is the frigidity of the knob on the library door brought about by the weather outside, or the betrayal I feel stepping through this portal, knowing a letter from a former lover awaits?

Grabbing the designated book off of the shelf, excitement and apprehension course through my nervous system. Hidden in the section on making gum paste lilies is a sheet of stationary that bares an uncanny resemblance to the stationary on which I once wrote letters to Donovan, sharing in the madness of an alternate reality.

To My Lovely Lady,

You are, and will always be, the force that drives and inspires me. On my brightest days, you are the warmth that shines upon me. In the darkest nights, you provide the voice that soothes me. Because of you I face each day knowing who I am and the good I bring into the world. Because of you, I am whole.

Until the end of forever,
Donovan

Placing the book back on the shelf, I head for the family room, unable to bring myself to return to Christopher. Curling up on the sofa I turn on the TV where the A Christmas Story marathon continues. Quickly I change the channel, only to return to it, and then flee again. Finally I settle on an infomercial, staring blankly, striving to force myself into panic over the details of the New Year’s Eve party to come. The diversion proves to be a terrible idea. This will be the first New Year’s Eve Donovan and I have spent together since we split. How do I move past the impending pain of the night while finding a way to heal?

“Cannoli,” I softly mutter aloud. “I’ll switch from cream puffs to cannoli. Maybe I should stuff the cream puffs with cannoli filling…”

 Amazon

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*****************************

Enjoying San Francisco as a backdrop, the ghosts in Diane’s 150-year old Victorian home augment the chorus in her head. With insomnia as their catalyst, these voices have become multifarious characters that haunt her well into the sun’s crowning hours, refusing to let go until they have manipulated her into succumbing to their whims. Her experiences as an actress, business owner, artisan cake designer, software project manager, Internet radio disc jockey, vintage rock n’ roll journalist/fan girl, and lover of dark and quirky personalities influence her idiosyncratic writing.
 

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