Wednesday, April 29, 2015

"Wednesday's, Wonderings & Wanderings": My Thoughts On Sex in Books.


Recently I've had several debates and lengthy conversations with various friends, family members, and co-workers concerning sex in books. I've grown increasingly weary and guarded about the subject for a couple of reasons, but I like to hash things out loud with people, so I don't end up thinking my opinion is the best and therefore the ONLY opinion. That would be, as my friend says ridonkulous, which is worst than ridiculous.

So it appears that more and more books now a days have sex scenes in them, almost in ever genre. From Historical Fiction to Y.A., Contemporary to SciFi. Now, the foremost reason always seems to point back to the fact that basically sex sells, case and point. One could scoff at that notion calling me prudish or any number of things, mainly naive, but it's the know fact for the majority of people. I however am not most people and find sex in books to be a distraction, especially to the actual story. 

Now, I won't be labeled a hypocrite and will state the fact that some of my absolute favorite authors write really lengthy and sometimes rather explicit sex scenes. So why do I still endorse and read those books and authors works if I don't condone other authors books with sex scenes? My answer is balance. For me the books will always be about plot substance. That is why we read right? To escape and enter a world not of our own but an others? We read to enjoy, learn and see past ourselves in order to better the world we actually live in. Or am I alone in that concept of reading?

Back to my point of balance. What I mean by balance is the plot and character development should be written first and always foremost for the sex to be even remotely viable to the actual story, otherwise it's just a book full of sex scenes and oh a story line to highlight said sex scenes, that's Erotica, which is a genre just for that purpose. I may be mistaken in my synopsis concerning Erotica, but it's not my cup of tea, so yeah. Now, thinking back on the beautiful elements that made up the classic romance novels, and I'm not talking within the last decade here. No, I'm talking about the Bronte sister's writings and Austen's novels, the best moments were the tension filled and flirtation sparring between characters that made you swoon, the words themselves make you feel, not the actions portrayed, well some actions, but none were explicit in nature. 

Today you may say, "well that was then this is now, duh!" I'd disagree, those moments of tension and flirtations can be just as fueling to the characters relationship and will deepen character development soo much more than a sex scene could. There's this author I read, whom at first I found it rather funny, but on second thought I found their method on writing a "sex scene" ingenious. The author would write his couple into a heated moment and when they were about to proceed to the bedroom, the scene would tamper off into "and time would stop" or "they stopped time together." I never once felt cheated, I got what I wanted the tension and build up between the characters and knowing they had their relationship, did I really need the detailed rest? In fact, I really love when authors, especially in the action and adventure genre, will really develop the characters relationship on a deeper level with words not physical actions. The reader gets an insight into their lives and the plot flow isn't cut by a sex scene thrown in just cause the author could make it happen. And really haven't you noticed how most authors end up having to write words and speeches thrown into those sexual intimate moments, because if they didn't the book would be empty and their characters flat? 

Now, in talking to others the point came up that sex between characters is real life, and an author should be allowed to portray their characters in all aspects. And yes, even in the Y.A. genre sex would be inevitable for some of it's characters and should be portrayed too. Ultimately I always comes back to the same question: Must it actually be portrayed?" I'd be okay with a hinting or alluding to the act, I'm not naive in thinking no one in the world has sex, especially teenagers. Like Duh! However, sometimes when reading a book I feel like it's more of a how to guide as opposed to a novel. I end up asking where's the story, mystery, intrigue, the plot and character development all the literary devices any student learned back in *gulp, high school English class. It's as if the art of writing has been eaten by the art of making a story for pleasure, but not in a holistic and bettering society kind of way.

I understand writing is another form of art and that like art, which is still having it's reinvention of showcasing sex in it's various presentations, writing too is having an awakening of sorts. So perhaps in the next decade or century it won't seem so odd or new to have sex be so explicitly written about in any genre. But for now, I guess my concluding thoughts on the subject is I'll live with it as long as you give me my story. That is what I'm paying for after all. The book needs the balance of plot and character development, if an author thinks a sex scene will enhance those two aspects, fine, but more than 3 scenes in the book, I always begin to wonder why? I guess hate or love my lengthy opinion, but it's just food for thought. 

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Hey, NEW BOOK OUT!!- Blood and Bone by Tara Brown

 !! NEW RELEASE !!
by Tara Brown
Author links: FacebookBlogTwitterAmazon

Released: April 28, 2015 
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Romance. 236 pages.
Available in ebook $3.99 and paperback $9.99
Book link--> http://amzn.to/1D0sdtA 

Join the FB Release Party: Click Here

Help spread the word: Thunderclap
*Synopsis* 
What would you do if your life was a lie—and everyone knew but you? 

Jane has come a long way from the dark days of the horrific car accident that robbed her of many memories. Living the life of a shopgirl with a charming boyfriend—a handsome, green-eyed doctor named Derek—is so satisfying that she doesn’t want to revisit her past. 

But the past insists on revisiting Jane. People keep thinking she’s Samantha, a dead girl who looks exactly like her. Now, Jane is determined to discover her connection to the girl, leading her to question everything from her relationship with Derek to her own sanity. Should she believe Rory, the man who insists she actually is Samantha? Or should she depend on Derek, who offers her love and shelter …. but who may have other reasons for keeping her under wraps? 

Who is telling her the truth—and what are the others hiding?

Monday, April 27, 2015

"Y.A. or N.A. Tuesday": Protecting Shaylee by Elle Christensen

***I know, It's not Tuesday, but I just had to post about this book, especially since I promoted it. I feel it only right to honestly give my opinion concerning a book I promoted on my blog, as I've promised to give my word on all books good or bad, in my humble opinion.***


Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance.  202 pages.
Price: $ 2.99 ebook, $ 11.00 paperback (at time of post)
Publisher & Date: Elle Christensen. April 24, 2015
Book Link: Click Here
Listed Rating: ðŸ“”📔📔📔. 9
Price I Paid: Zip,**I received a free copy in return for an honest review**
My Rating: ðŸ“”


My Thoughts: No Protection, Basically More Sex Focused Than Plot Written

***Review Revision and Apology (3/28/15)***
Elle Christensen, the author of this book, has kindly notified me of an error I've made. For which I must apologize to her and make a note of. My error was in noticing the book was categorized with New Adult and Young Adult books. She has double checked that her book is not listed with those genres to ensure her content is viewed by the appropriate readers. I thank her greatly for that, as most authors hit publish and are done. Leaving it up to just the reader to know what they are buying into, but Elle Christensen has done a wonderful job in checking up and ensuring her book is properly labeled in the correct genre. I commend her greatly for looking further into a matter that she could have other wise let be. I wish her a great career and hope she gains many readers in her chosen genre.

     I was REALLY looking forward to reading this book, but was greatly disappointed. When a book has a very detailed hot and heavy scene in the second chapter, I'm immediately turned off, especially when the book is labels N.A. and Y.A. This story is soooo not Y. A. maybe N.A. but only due to main female's age being 19 and then 21, other than that the language is rather explicit and two thirds of the book is sex.
     Shaylee is half human and half fae, but she is unaware of her nature until her 21st birthday when all is revealed to her by her protector and forever crush Aden. Shaylee and Aden have a strange history as he was always the family friend when she was growing up, but when she became a woman, their relationship shifted. Aden wants her as his own and leaves her no choice in the matter. He decides the best way to protect her from the evil Fae is to keep her by his side. It also helps that they are meant to be fated and he'll take that advantage to woe his woman.
     Overall, did not love the book. Sure I enjoyed Shaylee's wit and snarkiness, but it was quickly overshadowed by Aden's caveman tendencies. The dialogue seemed to consist mainly of Shaylee talking to her libido and Aden talking to his, rhymes with dock, every single page. I mean I get that they have lust for each other, but build up the tension for the readers, don't feature it all the time, it got old. I truly felt like there could have been a great story under all the sex, but the story was to little to make me really care. The book felt like it was leading somewhere and then the ending felt me feeling disappointed, when there could have been a great fight scene written there, instead it ends and then fast forward to a ending then a spliced up epilogue. I could go on and on about my dislikes, but I'll refrain. So basically if you want to read a book that's more erotic than story filled with Alpha male smothering female into a happy family all set in a supernatural world where they can't "lie" but lie by omission, than you may like this book, but I didn't.

Hey, CHECK IT OUT!!- FOR THE SAVE (Playing for Keeps #4) by Amber Garza

!! COVER REVEAL !!
FOR THE SAVE (Playing for Keeps #4) 
by Amber Garza
Author's Links: Amazon Page, Facebook, Twitter, Blog.

**Release Date TBA**

Book Blurb:  
Addison West is broken. 

Last year tragedy struck her family, destroying everything she loved. Now she’s trying desperately to pick up the pieces after her brother’s suicide, hiding her wounds behind piercings and a tough, aloof exterior. But she knows she’s fighting a losing battle. 

Sawyer Ridley is lost. 

After witnessing his teammate’s murder, he’s plagued by nightmares and panic attacks. With the nickname Riddles, Sawyer was always one for a joke, but he can’t find anything to laugh about anymore. He’s devastated, and not even football offers him comfort or solace. 

On the outside, Addison and Sawyer have nothing in common. But when they meet in group counseling, their shared grief immediately bonds them. As their relationship grows, the walls they’ve built around themselves begin to come down. 

But just as old wounds begin to heal, new, more painful ones emerge. 

Can Addison and Sawyer save each other from the grief that threatens to destroy them both?
------------------------------------------------------
Now Available ....
For the Win (Book #1)- Click Here
For the Game (Book #2)- Click Here
For the Rush (Book #3)- Click Here

Saturday, April 25, 2015

No, "Spotlight Saturday" Today . . .

Reason being, there are just sooo many new releases out at the moment and few to come this next week. I thought it just a shame to do a single spotlight on any one series or author, when you could check out any of the books that just released this past week. It would seem spring brings out more than weddings, it brings forth books too and all readers should be really excited for that.

So, just click on any of these titles below and perhaps you'll find a new author or series.

"Everything"(Songbird Novel Book #3) by Melissa Pearl

The Book of Phoenix Trilogy Box Set by Kristie Cook

Protecting Shaylee by Elle Christensen


And Don't forget . . .

Hey, COMING SOON!!- Blood and Bone by Tara Brown



Also !! SALE ALERT !!. . . 
King Sized Beds and Happy Trails (Beds Series Book 1) by Becca Ann and Tessa Marie
Price dropped as of April 16, 2015
from $2.99 to $0.99 (that's a 66% Price Drop)
My Blog Review: January 20, 2015
**Note: The whole series has dropped to $0.99, but I don't know for how long**


Love's True Second Chance by Jeff Dawson
Price dropped as of April 15, 2015
from $4.27 to $3.27 (that's a 23% price drop)
My Blog Review: March 30, 2015

**Note these two books have been on sale for a little over a week, so hurry before they are back to full price!**

Friday, April 24, 2015

Hey, NEW BOOK OUT!!- Protecting Shaylee by Elle Christensen

!! NEW RELEASE !! 
ProtectingShayleeBlitz

Protecting Shaylee by: Elle Christensen Fae Guard #1 
Publication Date: April 24, 2015
  Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance 
Book Links: AmazonNook - Kobo - iBooks

Protecting Shaylee Cover

Synopsis

Shaylee-
As a child, I believed in the fairytales my father told me. Until he was gone and with him, that belief. As a girl, I believed in the friendship and protection of Aden. He made me begin to believe again. As a woman, I believed in the possibility of love and passion between myself and Aden. Until he was gone and with him, my belief in magic and happy endings. 

Aden- 
 When she was a child, I was tasked with her protection. As a girl, I became her friend. As a woman, I could no longer see the child I knew and was forced to fight a growing attraction. Unable to lie and unable to tell the truth, I left. Now I’ve returned to give the knowledge I couldn’t before, that she is half Fae. The darkness is stalking her and I am desperate to teach her what she needs to know to protect herself. And determined to make her mine.
Add to Goodreads
Protecting Shaylee Teaser 3

About Elle Christensen

Elle Christensen

I'm a lover of all things books, I've been an obsessive reader since I learned how to spell! I've been writing novels and short stories since I was twelve, but they say to write the genre you love the most, so as an adult, I fell easily into writing romance. My husband is my biggest supporter and he's a great sport when it comes to fighting the people in my imagination for my attention. I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them!
IndieSage PR

Thursday, April 23, 2015

"Romance Thursday": The Billionaire Wins the Game (Billionaire Bachelors Book 1) by Melody Anne

Genre: Contemporary Romance.  307 pages
Price: $0 FREE (at time of post)
Publisher & Date: Gossamer Publishing [5/28/12] {2nd Edition}. August 17, 2011
Book Link: Click Here
Listed Rating: ðŸ“”📔📔📔 . 2
Price I Paid:  $0 (got it FREE on April 3, 2012)
My Rating: ðŸ“”📔

My Thoughts: From Insta Lust to Love, And The Woman Ultimately Wins A Family

     From Insta Lust to Love. That's the basic plot line behind the story. Sure the writer had non-cliche extras to make the story have more substance, but I just couldn't connect with the book or it's characters. In fact I really just couldn't accept much of the books concepts, except that in the end it all worked out.
     Amy Harper is hired by the Anderson Company patriarch, Joseph, as a secretary for his  eldest son Lucas. However, Joseph hired Amy with a second intention; he plans for her to become his daughter in law by marrying Lucas. Unbeknownst to Joseph's meddling and motives, Lucas and Amy, find themselves fighting attraction, lust and ultimately love.
    Overall, the story is rather a simple and a bit racy. Like I stated the core of story is Lust to Love, so you can guess what that leads to when you have a hot alpha male guy mixing with a fiery sexually naive girl. Amy was always described as strong but was sexually weak which seemed liked opposite characteristics to me, especially when she just couldn't resist the dominant Lucas (who was more bark than bite). So if you want a simple read with sex thrown in that then leads to complications then try the book, but I wouldn't be reading more from the series.

Hey, NEW BOOK OUT!!- Everything (Songbird Novel Book #3) by Melissa Pearl


!! NEW RELEASE !!
Everything (A Songbird novel, Book 3) by Melissa Pearl
Release Day Blitz
April 23, 2015

Synopsis:

Jody Pritchett had a dream...but life had other plans. Instead of singing and dancing on Broadway, Jody's a twenty-year-old single mom, living at home with her disapproving father and overbearing sister. The choice to keep her little Angelia came with a high price and although she adores her baby girl, it doesn't take away the sting of kissing goodbye her chance at a career on the stage. 

 Leo Sinclair had his own dream...but got lost along the way. After a failed marriage that left him hollow and downtrodden, the Australian songwriter wonders what joy his future could possibly hold. Encouraged by the one family member who doesn't think he's a failure, Leo decides to stop living the life everyone expects him to and start chasing his dreams again. When the perfect opportunity comes knocking, Leo leaves Australia behind and hops a flight to LA. With his sights set on selling a musical to a Broadway producer, Leo is determined to finally realize his life-long dream. 


But life gets in the way again, when he spots a young mother outside his apartment in tears. He never realized how one person, one voice, and one Angel could have him contemplating abandoning his dreams once again. As these two burned hearts wrestle to overcome their past struggles, Leo and Jody must decide what dreams are worth clinging to...because, sometimes, everything you want is not everything you need.


Book Links:
Amazon: Click Here
iTunes: Click Here 
Kobo: Click Here
Smashwords: Click Here 
BN: Click Here 

AND, 
***Limited Time Offer*** 
"Fever" (Book 1) in the Songbird series, 
is on sale for ONLY $0.99!
Book Link: Click Here
Listed Rating: ðŸ“”📔📔📔 ðŸ“–

"Bulletproof" (Book #2) 
Price: $2.99 (at time of post)
Book Link: Click Here
Listed Rating: 📔📔📔📔 . 7
------------------------------------------------------------
About the Author:
Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" 
She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has continued to produce a steady stream of books. 
Recently she signed with Evatopia Press and her first Evatopia book is coming out in February 2014 - True Colors, The Masks Series #1. She is very excited to be trying out new things this year while continuing to publish under her own name as well. She has six books planned for 2014 and is excited about writing each and every one of them.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

"Y.A.Tuesday": Prove Me Wrong by Tessa Marie

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance. 235 pages
Price: $2.99 (at time of post)
Publisher & Date: Tessa Marie. February 27, 2015
Book Link: Click Here
Listed Rating: ðŸ“”📔📔📔 ðŸ“–
Price I Paid: Zip,**I received a free copy in return for an honest review**
My Rating: ðŸ“”📔📔📔

My Thoughts: Second Chances and A Chance At Love

     This story was super sweet and such an uncommon plot that I was very interested to see how the story would end for the characters. The story was not your typical high school drama line of boy meets new girl and instanta crush then HEA. Nope, this book had new points and twists that made the story engaging in a way other typical plots lose it's audience in being cliché.
     Luke Hannon is the bad boy on the exterior, but is secretly a sweetheart on the inside. Luke is tired of his same old life and then there she is on his first day of senior year. She isn't a girl he's known from middle school and is definitely different than his normal, shall we say conquests. But that's what begins his intrigue into wanting to get to know who Hailey Saldino. Meanwhile, Hailey just wants to have a normal senior year, which was something she couldn't have in her old high school due to her exposed secret, she has a son. Now Hailey is conflicted because her resolve to be relationship free for the sake of her son may be harder to keep, now that she's met the charming Luke.
      Overall, I loved how the author chose to go the route not written by having Hailey having a son. That isn't an uncommon occurrence now a days and showing the conflict a character would have in trying to balance a life and taking care of a child while trying to date is an affecting read. Then there is Luke's side and life which makes the story all the more interesting. The story was a mix of sweet, thought-provoking and angsty moments, but the end made it all worth reading. 




Monday, April 20, 2015

Hey, NEW BOOK OUT!!- The Book of Phoenix Trilogy Box Set by Kristie Cook

!! NEW Trilogy Box Set Release !!
Price: $4.99 
(AT TIME OF POST)

Amazon US: Click Here
Amazon UK: Click Here
Nook: Click Here
Kobo: Click Here

by Kristie Cook

Series Penned: "Soul Savers" and "The Book of Phoenix"
Website: kristiecook.com
Other Social Media: TwitterFacebookBlog, Amazon Author Page

**For more information on Kristie check out her,  
"Spotlight Saturday" Post: Click Here

The Book of Phoenix—a leather-bound journal full of secrets, but only if you read between the lines. Discover those secrets and more in these three books with four love stories and an unexpected paranormal twist that will take your breath and have you flipping through the pages to learn more.


My thoughts: Great Series Now Packaged At A Great Price
       A reader can't go wrong when they spend less money buying a whole trilogy in 1-click than they would if they bought each book individually. That's bargain book buying 101. Kristie Cook has made her BOOKS of Phoenix into a BOOK. You can now have them all at once, together in a bundle, instead of waiting around impatiently for the next one, like those of us early on fans. The price is the best part too, besides the story within that is, because even if you haven't read Kristie's books before, than this is a low stake gamble for buying some great books. And for those Soul Saver Fans you even get a little series cross over in book . . . . Hey, I won't spill any beans, cause you'll just have to read and see.

                  

The Space Between (Part 1) 
After a month-long dance tour overseas, Leni returns to Georgia to care for her great-uncle, only to find him gone, their home empty, and any evidence he ever existed wiped out. All that remains is her truck and a leather-bound book she can’t open. Nearly as disturbing, she keeps running into the deaf and dangerously sexy model she’d met in Italy, and no matter how hard she tries to shake him, her soul won’t let her. 

Jeric has traveled the world in search of a piece of his past for over a year, only to reach a dead-end in Georgia … in the exact town where the beautiful dancer from Italy lives. He’s drawn to her like a moth to a flame, but his life as a loner in his silent world allows no room for girlfriends, and he tries to leave her. Except outside forces won’t let him. 

When the same “tattoos” suddenly appear on their arms and the book’s lock falls open, Leni and Jeric realize there’s more between them than physical fascination. They must embark on a journey together to discover their connection to each other and their ties to the Book of Phoenix. 

And they must figure it all out fast. Shadowy forms that are more monsters than men are closing in, while their own existences are crumbling around them. 


 The Space Beyond (Part 2)
As members of the Phoenix, Jeric and Leni are thrust into their new lives, expected to lead Earth’s Guardians. But Leni struggles with trusting her own soul, and Jeric is more concerned about keeping Leni safe than meeting others’ demands. When Darkness swarms Lake Haven, they embark on their first mission with little preparation and no idea which soul the Dark hunts. 

Born and raised in Lake Haven, Bex hopes to escape her small-town life, ideally in the arms of her soul mate. She knows he exists, and her heart aches with the need to find him. When her long-lost mama calls to announce she's knockin' on death's door, Bex reluctantly makes the trip to see the uncaring bitch (bless her heart), only to be knocked off her feet by the sexy and charming Dr. Mason Hayes. Is he really The One? 

Leni’s soul felt an instant connection to Bex, but if Bex found her soul mate, she isn’t their mission. So who is, and why does Leni instinctively feel drawn to her? Can Leni even trust her intuition? And will Jeric step up and lead when the time comes or continue to hold them back?

If they don't learn to trust themselves and each other quickly, Darkness will claim them all…along with the rest of Earth’s souls. 


 The Space Within (Part 3) 
Completing a mission that reunites Guardian Twin Flames turns devastating when the Book of Phoenix throws Leni and Brock into a Dark world, leaving Jeric and Asia behind. They count on their other halves to rescue them, but when that doesn’t happen, they must fight through the Darkness and find a Gate that will take them home. 

Except all of Earth’s Gates are sealed. 

Enyxa, ruler of Darkness, and her horde of Dark souls storm the Gates to push their way through to Earth. While Leni and Brock fight Enyxa on their side, Jeric and Asia must figure out how to save their Twin Flames without jeopardizing all of Earth’s souls. Through it all—and with a little help from Enyxa—Brock and Asia begin questioning their relationship and whether they’re truly meant to be together…or if they’re two Lost souls forced to become one. 

If the Broken dyads don’t find each other fast, they’ll be lost to the Dark forever. But to reunite means choosing themselves over all of Earth’s souls. Can Jeric make that decision? And will Brock and Asia find the love they both desperately crave? Or are they all doomed to perpetual Darkness?