The Edge of Always by J A Redmerski

Available for preorder at Amazon

Once upon a time, on a greyhound bus, fate brought together Camryn and Andrew.

In the book The Edge of Never, we meet Camryn Bennett, who considers her entire life one big long experience with bad luck.  Camryn has lost a parent, caught her boyfriend cheating, and just gives her life the ole heave ho by getting on a bus to wherever.  Enter Andrew Parrish; sexy man she meets on the bus.  Their adventures take them through hell and half of Georgia, including his near death from a brain tumor, and her discovery that she is pregnant.  This brings us to the Edge of Always...

In the first book the two of them get intertwining tattoos of Greek mythological lovers Orpheus and Eurydice.  In a similar fashion, much of this book is spent with Andrew bringing Camryn back from her emotional death after miscarrying their child.  She is torn with grief and loss, and in an attempt to bring them back to each other, they embark on another road trip.  This trip takes them from family, to strangers, to danger, to memories of their past.  They recapture each other in mind and in heart. 

This story is full of untold emotion.  Redmerski transports her reader into the hearts and minds of her characters and through their engaging characterizations and traits embeds them in the soul.  This reviewer openly admits, I cried, I laughed, and I sighed.  The only caveat I would give to the author, and point of note to the reader is that the point of view of the characters changes quickly and abruptly.  It is like a tennis match, so sometimes it is hard to keep up.

It is very hard to live life on the edge of anything.  Camryn and Andrew make it look fun.

ARC provided by NetGalley

No Flag by Liz Borino

No Flag by Liz Borino

 For Mike and Will, “No Flag” meant “come home alive”, but will their love survive what happens next?

Captain Mike Kelley does not ignore his intuition, so when sexy bartender Will Hayes captures his heart, Mike embarks on a mission to win him over to a Domestic Discipline relationship. Will accepts with one caveat: Mike must promise not to renew his Army contract. Mike agrees, and they spend a year building a life together, getting married, and

starting a business.

Only days before their café’s grand opening, Mike receives news that threatens everything he and Will have built. The Army invokes the Stop Loss military policy to involuntarily extend his commission and send him back overseas. Will, left alone to cope with the café, must rely on the support of old friends who may be no longer be trustworthy. Through emails and Skype calls, Mike and Will keep their love and structure alive…until the day a horrific terrorist attack occurs on Mike’s outpost.

Mike awakens in a hospital with a devastating injury and no his memory of the attack. As the only survivor, Mike’s memory may be the key to national security. Mike struggles to cope with his injury and Will struggles to support the man who always held him up. Both fear they have lost their previous relationship. Will has Mike back rather than a folded flag, but in the aftermath of war, can they rebuild the life they had before? Especially when those closest to them may not have their best interests at heart?

 I never heard of Domestic Discipline.  The characters were very good, Mike the military intelligence officer with problem OCD and Will the funny loving bartender who is not OCD.  Mike teaches Will how to sort and wash clothes, how the organize the kitchen and funniest shit ever is that you cannot have sex with dirty dishes in the sink.  Mike with all his manic problems was such a delight to read and Will as the troublesome (always getting into trouble) DD partner was a riot. The problem I had was with the unanswered questions with the best friend Casey.  Why was she trying to wreck Will and Mike's marriage?  Would have loved to have knew the story behind her drugging and getting Will drunk, when she knew for years that he was gay.  Will and Mike's open gay marriage with Mike still in the Army after the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was very enlightening in the way that the military look at gay married couples.  I liked the story just did not love it .

  The problem I had was with the unanswered questions with the best friend Casey.  Why was she trying to wreck Will and Mike's marriage?  Would have loved to have knew the story behind her drugging and getting Will drunk, when she knew for years that he was gay.  Will and Mike's open gay marriage with Mike still in the Army after the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was very enlightening in the way that the military look at gay married couples.  I liked the story just did not love it .

I give this book ★★★'s

****Was given this book through NetGalley for my honest review

@lizborino

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A Righteous Kill by Kerrigan Byrne

                                O.M.G. If I wasn't a recovering Catholic already, I'd be one now!



When a serial killer who calls himself John the Baptist is crucifying and ‘baptizing’ prostitutes in Portland's Willamette River, FBI Special Agent Luca Ramirez is desperate to find him before the next girl is killed. After the call comes that another victim is found, Luca responds to the scene only to find the latest victim is still barely clinging to life. Agent Ramirez is assigned to keep Hero Katrova-Conner safe when John the Baptist threatens to finish the job he failed. Luca and Hero are thrown into a cat and mouse game with a psychopath while also trying to fight a growing attraction that neither can deny....


                                                         

 

 

                                                                      



This book was given to me as an ARC with the agreement that I'd write an honest personal review.

Let me begin by saying I didn't know what to expect from this author as I've never read her before, but I was quickly sucked into the story and found I couldn't read fast enough. As serious as the storyline is, there is some very witty banter between the characters that had me laughing several times. The gay best friend of Hero teasing Agent Ramirez's partner, Vince, telling him to "...relax. I can tell you're strictly for innies, not outies...." And the phrase "twat waffle" even made its appearance in this book. Hero comes from a large family with strong Irish Catholic values and several alpha personality brothers who want to protect her by any means necessary. Throw in a couple of Catholic priests, a super creepy ex-boyfriend, the description of Asmodeus (king of the demons),  and lets not forget the psychopath serial killer, and you got yourself the makings of a very good book! All in all I will say I'm not at all disappointed that I read this book and I would definitely recommend it to you as one to read!

                                                                            
                                                                                         


                       (depiction of Asmodeus)
             

Beyond Pain, Beyond series by Kit Rocha

Six and Bren. This is their story. And it's one hell of a story too!

We've already established that Dallas O'Kane is now the leader of Sector Three too. But it's not all rainbows and sunshine and unicorns over there. It's pretty much slum and people are fighting to survive, in the dirty way. Dallas gets Bren and Six over there to see what's going on and how it can be solved.

Bren. This character has amazed me. In Beyond Shame and Beyond Control, we catch glimpses of him. One of Dallas' Lieutenants, he's the quiet, controlled one. His sense of humor cracked me up. Well, the little that he has. So, imagine my surprise when I read of a totally different side of his. One that's still in control but he's more vocal, he's sharing different things with us, the readers. There's this one scene... Or two. Okay, several but really, one scene with Ace in it... Wow.

Don't get me wrong, he still has his demons. But the quote above says it all.

Six. When we first met her, she was scared. She was wary, she was confused and didn't trust anyone. We find out why. We also see her developing, changing with the help of Bren, mostly but the women of Sector Four can be stubborn. Starting with the Queen herself, to Noelle, who is always giving out hugs. She finally learns how to be an O'Kane and I love the scene where she gets into the cage - a first in fight night history - and kicks Elvis' ass, thus exorcising a few of her demons. The rest are in Bren's hands.

Fight nights. Parties. Threesomes and voyeurism. Whippings. Rescue mission that ends in shooting. Book three does not disappoint.

But oh! Bren isn't the only character that amazed me. Cruz. Remember him? Got to Sector Four for helping Dallas and in this book, he gets his O'Kane ink. Him and Ace are partnered up and well *fanning myself* there's this one scene with them... You'll have to read the book to see what I'm talking about.

"People always think the broody bastards like Bren are the broken ones, but being tough is how you survive the sectors. It's the easygoing ones you have to watch out for, because they're the ones so scarred up on the inside that they can't feel, or they're so far past broken they just don't care."

Mad. The charming but lethal Maddox. He broke my heart in this part. What is it with all the Maddox's breaking my heart? I can't wait for the fourth part, so I can learn more and more about him.


We're introduced to new characters. Emma, Ace's apprentice. Noah, a genius of some sort that lives in the underground of Sector Three and resurfaces when someone needs him. Him and Emma  have a past, history and we'll find out all about it in their novella, Beyond Temptation.

So, all in all, this series is definitely getting better and better. And it's definitely a favorite of mine.

"This is Sector Four, sweetness. No such thing as too much sex."---> I rest my case.


Beyond Pain can be found on Amazon UK and US.

Kit Rocha are two best friends, Bree and Donna. You can find them here.

http://www.kitrocha.com
http://www.facebook.com/TheBrokenCircle
http://twitter.com/kitrocha
http://twitter.com/mostlybree
http://twitter.com/donnajherren

Office Toy by Cleo Peitsche

Well, if you are looking for a book that doesn't have much of a story (cum to think about it, there really isn't one) but hot, sweaty, balls all up in your face, every hole on your body stuffed kinda sex...with three guys, then Office Toy is your book.

Seriously, this book is like 98.9999% sex.

Annnnndd that's my review folks.

***Office Toy was provided by Netgalley***



Surrender to Me by Monica James (Review and Giveaway)

Surrender to Me by Monica James

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Surrender to Me is book 2 of the series.
I waited on the edge of my seat for book 2 to come out.  It did not disappoint.  Jasper is still totally swoon-worthy. Harper is still a dick.  Ava is still lost.  Indie and Jasper’s mom are still bitches.  Harmony is iffy.  V is still the most awesome chica ever.

This book begins with Ava coming back to LA for V's wedding after being gone 6 months.  So many things have changed since the ending of book 1.  The story takes us through the changes and the dramas before and after her return to Los Angeles.

OK let’s back up…
This is me at the end of book 1 when Ava flies to Singapore leaving Jasper behind in LA.

This is how I looked from July 30, 2013 (the day after book one came out) until October 20, 2013 the day book 2 came out.

Immediately after I began Surrender to Me, when I find out Ava is back with that dirty dog Harper

Next, finding out what lead up to this point in the story — feeling sad

Then, if I could just get them to at least talk to each other — feeling hopeful

Later, possibly the cold war is over? — feeling love

Nearing the end, feeling murderous, bleepin bleepin bleep bleep bleeeeep — feeling angry

Finished, so much is right, so much is wrong, so many answers I need...
When is book 3 out?!
The finale was great, but with those huge surprises near the climax of book 2, my mind is going crazy with conspiracy theories.  I see several snakes in the grass for Ava and Jasper’s future.

Monica James Author Links
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Stories for Amanda



An anthology collection benefit for the fight against bullying by sixteen of today's bestselling authors in romance and young adult.

Jessica Prince, E.K. Blair, Michelle Valentine, Raine Miller, Madeline Sheehan, Karen Avivi, Kahlen Aymes, Claire Contreras, Kelly Elliot, Kailin Gow, Nina Lane, E.L. Montes, Alexa Navarro, Nikki Worrell, Karina Halle and J.L. Brooks

*****

Amanda was 15yrs old, a 10th grader at CABE Secondary in Coquitlam, BC when she committed suicide. Before her death, she posted a video on YouTube that she made out of flash cards telling us of her experience of being blackmailed, bullied and physically assaulted.

 

Seeing the videos and pictures of Amanda and reading what she went through just ripped my heart to shreds. No one, especially a child, should ever be treated that way. Yes, she made some terrible choices and decisions which some might say lead to certain circumstances but what teenager (and some adults) hasn't done something that they shouldn't have because of personal issues or for being pressured into doing so? That doesn't give anybody...ANYBODY... I don't care who you are or who you think you are, the right to bully someone so evilly and so cruelly that that person's life is total hell and the only way they know how to find peace is by taking their own life.

As I was looking up pictures of Amanda today, I got angry, upset, nauseated and then plain out disgusted by the people who still have hateful and degrading pictures of her up. I just want to yank the pictures out so that they are no longer out there for her family and friends to see. How can people be so cruel? What has the world come to? What can we do as a nation to put a stop to such hate?

Buy purchasing Stories for Amanda, you will be contributing to the amazing foundation that her mother created in honor of her beautiful daughter to help reach out to kids in need, educate them about the harmful effects of bullying and provide resources that can make a real difference.

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If you are being bullied or know someone who is, please voice what is going on. Do not keep silent.

Do not become another victim or face on the news.

Please visit:

Amanda Todd Legacy



All proceeds go to the Amanda Todd Legacy.

Links provided for more information about ATL.

ATL Twitter

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Carol Todd Snowfalkes Blog

Amanda Todds Safe Haven FB Page

Rest Amanda Todd FB Page

*****

~My story~

My story and brief encounter with bullying/harassment/being picked on for literally no reason what-so-ever is nothing compared to other peoples stories but I remember being scared at one point and it has been something that I still think about to this very day (almost 20 years later).

I remember I was in the 6th grade and during P.E. class I was sitting down on the gym floor along with everyone else, ranging from 6th to 8th graders, waiting for our coach to walk in and to start the day. I was sitting by myself looking around to see if I knew anyone when I saw a group of 8th graders sitting together just laughing and having fun. One of the girls saw me looking at them and decided, for some unknown reason, to start picking on me. They would call me names and would try to scare me during class by playing rough when we did an activity or whatever. All because I looked at their group (pretty stupid and silly huh?) while searching for a familiar face. I told my mom what was going on and she then went to the school and talked with my principal. The next day or the following day, I was called into the office and was told that the students who were giving me a hard time would be be brought in and dealt with and that if any of them ever says or does something to me that was negative, for me to report them immediatley. I never knew what the principal told them but whatever it was, it worked because I was never bothered by them again.

I sometimes wonder back and think 'What if?'. What if I didn't tell my mom what was going on? What if I told my mom and she didn't go up to the school and brought it to their attention? What if my mom did go talk to the principle and she said "We will look into it Mrs. Cantu." but did nothing about the situation? What if there was social media when I was being picked on? Would it have been worse? I believe so.

  I am just glad that I voiced what was going on and that I had people who handled a situation for me that I didn't know how to handle myself.

*****

Amanda Todd

(11.27.96-10.10.12)



Beyond Control, Beyond series by Kit Rocha

Beyond Control is the second book of this amazing dystopian erotic series. It is the story of Dallas O'Kane and Alexa Parrino.

Dallas O'Kane. Real name Declan O'Kane. He uses Dallas because of his origins and his mother's rough lifestyle is deeply rooted in him and I believe formed him to be the leader he is. The Big Kahuna of Sector Four, he also becomes leader of Sector Three. You'll have to see how!

Alexa Parrino. She's originally from Sector Two, run by Cerys, trained to be a sophisticated whore. Runs away before getting sold, ends up in Sector Four, where Dallas catches her stealing. The rest is history you'll have to read about.

Stubborn the both of them, they may be in love with each other but they don't necessarily see eye-to-eye. Ever since Lexie set foot in Sector Four, Dallas had wanted her and had had her - physically - but it takes more for Alexa Parrino to yield. Well, not yield per se. That she doesn't do. All she really wants is for them to be equals. By collaring her, he claims her as his. The next and last step would be the ink, marking her as his.

Seeking vengeance for Lexie and Noelle getting shot. Trip to Sector Two. Dallas waking up he's leader of the Godforsaken Sector Three. New responsibilities. Recruits. Parties. O'Kane orgy. Scorching hot sex scenes. Lexie getting into trouble to save others.

Just another ordinary day in the Broken Circle, for sure.


You can purchase Beyond Control on Amazon US and UK

 Kit Rocha are two best friends, Bree and Donna

http://www.kitrocha.com
http://www.facebook.com/TheBrokenCircle
http://twitter.com/kitrocha
http://twitter.com/mostlybree
http://twitter.com/donnajherren

"I'll give you everything," he promised each word a panting rasp as his tempo increased. "Everyone. It's all yours, even me." Especially him.

"I'll be any man you want. A king or a beggar or a farmer or a killer. But I'll never be the man who can let you walk away."

Q&A For Rachael Wade and Character Interview

About the Author: Rachael Wade, Preservations Series

Favorite color? - red
Food? - pizza
Drink? - cafe mocha
Band/Song? - Brandi Carlile / The Story
Movie? - Edward Scissorhands or Beetlejuice (anything Tim Burton)
Actor? - Johnny Depp
Actress? - Marion Cotillard
Book Boy Friend? - Camden McQueen (Artists Trilogy by Karina Halle)
Place to visit? - Seattle, WA
Abs or buns (lol)? - Abs!

Declarations Character Interview: 

[Flat Iza] Ryan,  Why did you keep thinking Kate was too good for you? Why did you think you weren't what she wanted?

         

   

   She wasn't into playing games. She was serious about writing, about her academic career, about her job....about everything. I did nothing but play games with women. I thought she'd see right through that and want no part of it. She needed someone who had their shit together. 

[Stephanie GooglyEyes] Kate, Can you tell us a little more about your mysterious mentor, the one that gave you the rabbit necklace? 

  

      

She took care of me in a way my mom never could. My mom wasn't very reliable, so I looked up to her. She taught me to believe in myself and made me want to be a better person. 

[Stephanie] Ryan, Knowing that there was something "off" with Danny, why did you still decide to sign with him?

      

    

The entertainment side of this business was something foreign to me. My publisher insisted Danny was the best of the best, and I decided to trust his judgment. I just figured I had to accept the media side of things, and everything that came with signing a big deal. I tried compromising. I learned my lesson.

[Flat Iza] Kate, After finding out Will had answered your phone while you were asleep, how did you handle that with him?

   I don't like talking about that. You know how Ryan can be...he gets worked up. I'll just say Will was on the receiving end of my wrath when I found out. 

          

[Stephanie] Ryan,  Did you think It was possible Kate wouldn't agree to try again?

  

I was fully prepared for her to shoot me down. It's a miracle she took me back. Some people still get pissed when they hear we're together again, and I get it. I screwed up. I don't need anyone to remind me of that. I remind myself every day. But I had to fight for her. I had to try. If I didn't, I'd never be able to forgive myself. And Kate and I wouldn't be where we are right now. So, you know, I'm just thankful she gave me a chance. I had a taste of what life was like without Kate. I never want to feel that again.

[Flat Iza] Carter, how did you really feel knowing Dean had the same feelings about Kate as you did?

  

I never took it too seriously. I knew Dean had a crush on her, but he's easily distracted. If he sees something shiny? Forget it. It's all over. I mean, I felt for the dude, because Kate's easy to love, but I always knew my feelings ran deeper than his ever would.

[Flat Iza] Carter, Did you believe for one second Kate was actually done with Ryan?

  

I think I wanted to believe it, yeah. But deep down...no. I knew she was always seconds away from running back into his arms. She was crazy about him. I couldn't compete with that.

[Stephanie] We love that you were such a loyal friend, but how come you stayed around knowing that you were in love and that you could never have Kate? Obviously it was hard, how did you cope?

    

  

Seattle's my home. I love it. Always have, always will. I had other reasons to stay in town--my friends, The Hellions--and I never saw myself living anywhere else, you know? I thought I could deal with being around Kate and Ryan for a while, thought I could just suck it up and keep doing my thing. But things change. People change. I also think there was a small part of me that hoped she'd change her mind someday. That maybe she'd wake up one day and see me in a different light. That she'd feel the way I felt.

Kate, what did you do for the 2 days on the island by yourself when you went to visit Carter?

    

Spent some time by myself, moseyed around the beach, and got some writing done. There was a lot to process after talking to Carter...yeah. He gave me a lot to reflect on. I needed some alone time. 

[Stephanie] For Carter and Whit- Do you guys have songs for each other?

 Do we?

Oh my God, we do!

We do?

Yes, Montgomery! Have you been living under a rock?

I hope not...rocks are uncomfortable.

Come on, you know we do!

I do?

Yes! I told you my song for us is Fade Into You by Mazzy Star.

Oh, yeah, I think I have yours as my ring tone. Hold on. *plays with phone*

*Tapping foot*

Here we go. *Wizard of Oz Wicked Witch theme plays loudly* Um...about that.

*glares* you are so busted.

But you love me, sweetheart.

*turns to interviewer* I think we're done here.

     

[Flat Iza] Carter,  Now that you have a studio, and have been recording yourself, do you feel you will make and release an album?

    I'm working on my first full-length album now, actually. I'm hoping to release it soon. It'll feature a few songs with The Hellions. I wrote some songs with Dean and the guys, so I'm really excited about that. 

[Stephanie] Whitney, what would you think if Carter made it big and wanted to tour?

  

  I'd hate for him to travel so much. I'd miss him. But if Elizabeth and I get to go on the road with him sometimes, I'd be okay with that. We'd just go with the flow and make it work.

And lastly for Rachael- will we get to see a book for Dean/Chrystal and Jack/Emma??

    

   Jack and Emma already have a book called Love and Relativity (it's a companion novel that runs parallel with Declaration), but I don't know about Dean and Crystal. Maybe someday. :) 

[Stephanie]Thank you all for taking the time to chat with us. 

[Flat Iza] Yes, thank you for stopping by. It was a pleasure.