Love Unscripted by Tina Reber

I cannot believe my review of LU1 is not up! Okay, It's been quite some time since I read this, but it still is one of my all time favorites. Tina Reber knows how to write romance. This is literally the book all authors should be getting their inspiration from.
Love Unscripted was the first indie I ever read. Ryan and Taryn pulled me into the world community I now review for. I read Love long before Ms. Reber signed her books to Atria, I remember being hesitant to read something without a label, best decision ever! Ryan is still the ultimate book boyfriend, Taryn is still strong and feisty. I miss them, I miss Ryan fleeing the paparazzi in the alley, I miss the pool table, I miss the REAL connection. (FYI, I will have to re-read after posting this!)

Ryan Christensen is the ultimate package, he is dead sexy, a movie star, wanted by all. He is filming a movie in a small town, Taryn lives there, she owns a bar, has her life planned out, she has no need for a man right now, let alone one that comes with all the baggage of somebody famous. That is, until Ryan is running from the photogs right past Taryn's back door, she lets him in. Reading how nervous he is that she's going to fangirl on him was one of my favorite parts. I wonder if this would be Tina's reaction to meeting me face to face?! Haha. We embark on a journey of the ultimate true love story. It's taken at a real-life pace, it's not a love-at-first site, let's go make babies and have no problems ever, kind of book. We feel every emotion, see real issues play out, and get a front row seat to the growth of a relationship.
Be ready for a long read, I mean really long, I believe it took me around a week to read #1. Every single word was necessary, and keeping a reader involved the entire time is quite the talented author. Tina Reber is an incredible writer, woman, and I do not doubt for one moment that she has experienced her own great-love story, nobody can write a character like Ryan without knowing those emotions first-hand. Make sure you all check out Love Unrehearsed next!

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Truth by Aleatha Romig

Truth

By: Aleatha Romig

**5 MindFucking Stars... again**

What happened in the past that was painful has a great deal to do with what we are today.

-William Glasser

The moment I think there's no possible way Aleatha can do it again, she shocks me and surprises me with more twists that not even the most wicked could predict. Holy shit, she's good. How does an author come out of absolute nowhere and deliver not just one, but two insanely amazing psychological thrillers, with a third coming?!

This time around, we see a new side of Claire. She is no longer a Rawlings, she has much more will to survive. She is making a new life for herself that does not include Anthony Rawlings. Too bad Tony has other plans for them. 

Claire has made new friends, has a place to live and is ready to move on. We see Claire struggle to find her own identity which is somewhere in between Claire Nichols and Claire Rawlings. Making day to day decisions is a struggle, and she must figure out who she can trust, and how far she is willing to go to prove the truth.

I am still reeling from the ending. There are certain elements I was able to figure out earlier in the story, but the big picture was a huge shock. It is a cliffhanger for sure, but my overall dying to know what happens has mellowed out a bit. We get to see a bit of what we want (or at least I hope so, you never can tell what's going on, with Aleatha, looks are deceiving.) But this is another great read! Cannot wait for Convicted!

You cannot make the same mistake twice. Because the second time you make it, it is not a mistake, it is a choice.

-Unknown

The Perpetual Quest for The Perfect Life by Michelle Pace and Tammy Coons

Review:
5 heart-stopping Stars**

 I was lucky enough to beta for Quest. This is a story I am so excited to share with the world. This is not simply a romance, it has every element I need. We felt the love, the pain, the heartache, the redemption. It’s not often an author hits every element. Quest does have a larger cast than the average book, which was concerning when I began, but quickly found it added to the story, there is just enough of everyone to make the novel complete.

 Nicole and Aaron were the main characters, with an excellent supporting cast. Nic has lost her husband and is starting over with her son Ike, in her hometown with her friends and family near. We see her struggles with getting over her husband’s death, realizing what could have been, and getting her life back. It takes so much to move on, every single one of these characters felt so real and relatable.

Aaron and Nicole were meant to be, he was her husband’s best friend, and her closest confidant for years. You can feel it from the moment they see each other again after all these years that there is a major love there. But Aaron is in a new relationship (with a hilarious crazy, Joy), and he has a hard time admitting his feelings. There is a loyalty to Ryan, and trying to do what’s right.

            Avery is Nicole’s best friend, and Ryan’s sister. She is strong-minded and not looking to settle down anytime soon. She is always freshly polished and manicured, has a great job, and just wants to have fun. Until she meets Shilah. Shilah is down-to-earth, a man’s man, kind-hearted, and ready to take on the world for the woman he wants.

            Then we have Lauren and Jack, who are already married, have a family, and trying to make it work. I loved Jack, he has his flaws, but loves his wife, and is willing to do what it takes to keep her.

            The Perpetual Quest for The Perfect Life is one of the best books I have EVER read. I am re-reading (for the third time) right now. I cried, I laughed, and told every single one of my book friends about this incredible story. I am so lucky Michelle asked me to help with this. It was such an honor. <3 you M.

Dream Cast:

Haven From The Storm by Sarah Dosher

Review:  

**4.75 Stars**

First thought. WOW! I cannot believe this book! These type of books are the reason I wanted to begin blogging, to find the diamond in the rough. The new authors that I can push and pimp and tell others about. The reading world knows I can't stand bubblegum. This is anti-bubblegum. Haven makes you feel and think about your life. You realize what you have really isn't as bad as it could be. We can feel the strength in this young girl, we are crying for a fictional character, and are on the edge of our seats trying to read as quickly as we can to make sure she gets the HEA she deserves. 

Lilly Grace is a sweet, innocent teenage girl whose life is turned upside-down when her mom and brother are killed in a tornado, and she is left with the most abusive father I have ever read. She hides out in her room until he's gone. You see her inner strength shine through. She is fighting through each and every day until she is old enough to get out of there and never look back.

Dean Haven was Lilly's first love, but he left her alone to escape his past. As we all know, you can't escape it forever. Dean comes back with a mission. To win Lilly back and show her what he is, and can be. He knows he messed up, and wants to right his wrongs. Dean is the type of hero I enjoy reading about. He was real, and never tried to act perfect. He just wanted to win the girl's heart back. 

Haven From The Storm has everything I love and need while reading. This is extremely high up on my recommendation list. When an author writes a story about such trivial topics, such as physical and verbal abuse, it needs to be accurate. Sarah did her research here. She pulled it off perfectly. This novel is out on March 30th, make sure you pick it us as soon as it's available, it will not disappoint! Finding a story with strong characters, supportive friends, and a major hunk is rare. Be ready world, Dean and Lilly are about to take over the indie world!

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Heather's Dream casting:

Dean Haven

Lilly Grace

Metamorphosis by Erin Noelle

Metamorphosis

                                         By: Erin Noelle

**2 Stars**

 

 

 

This was a book that I bought based on cover, which I really need to quit doing, BTW. I wanted to love it, but it ended up being the same exact book I’ve read 20 times before.L Virgin meets schmexy badboy, and wants to get funky between the sheets asap.

Scarlett goes from an overly-sheltered childhood to college in a dorm with her best friend Evie. She meets three guys she falls for. Mason, the sweet one (and the obvious choice in my eyes.) Ash, the badboy manwhore. And Dylan. I don’t know why a love-square was even necessary, but to each her own, I guess. The word instalove was so overused in this story. I’m not a fan of love at first site in general (sometimes it works, but most cases, it doesn’t) but here, it was used with three different boys.

Our protagonist, Scarlett was the virgin that saw nothing special in herself, then goes out and makes every boy drool. She couldn’t make a decision about who she wanted. This was supposed to be a girl morphing into a woman, but honestly, there was no morphing until the last chapter, and then it was just rushed. I wasn’t feeling her at all. Her best friend Evie, on the other hand seemed like lots of fun!
The boys… Ash was the everybook manwhore. He immediately felt something “different” about Scarlett, of course. And wanted to change for her within two minutes of meeting. There wasn’t really any buildup, it was so rushed and I couldn’t feel anything for their relationship. Mason was sweet and made her feel special, I don’t understand why we couldn’t have just had a bit of a triangle between Mason and Ashton. Why did we have to add another? Dylan, he was a pointless character. Enough said.
The book itself… It needed a professional editor. Every book does. I know people will disagree with that statement, but I stand behind my words 100%. Every book needs an editor. You’re presenting yourself as a professional writer; the material needs to be up to par. A lot of the sentences were choppy, needed to be re-fragmented.
Now for what I did like… I loved the book references, which added an edge, and gave Scarlett a little personality I could relate with. All the talk about BBF’s was great. And I adored Evie. She was what a protagonist should be. She had personality, spunk, sass, edge, and was comfortable in her own skin.

So, all-in-all, this was not the book for me, it was just too bubblegum and unoriginal for my tastes. I tried, I read it, I kept an open mind, hoping the end would appeal, but I just couldn’t get into it. Here was the quote that kept me reading:
“That’s just the thing, I love so many of our book boyfriends, ALL of them actually,” I giggled as the wine was definitely starting to have some effect on me. “Sometimes I think I’d like the All-American, college frat boy, maybe even one with a bit of a wild side. But then I think about our beloved tattooed bad boy rockers and I think about tracing their tattoos with my tongue… yummy indeed.”

Break Her by S.G. Harlen

Break Her

By: B.G. Harlen

**4 Stars**

 

It’s the illusions we have about ourselves that destroy us. If we don’t have them, we can’t be destroyed.

Let me begin by saying this… Holy shitballs batman. That was one insane read. This novel is definitely not for the weak-stomached. It revolves around raping, which is not something everyone can handle. I admit, I had to skim a few spots, it gets extremely graphic and haunting. I was shocked it was able to keep my attention, the timeframe is pretty short, but you can feel there is more to the story than meets the eye. The characters are nameless. There is a victim, and a sadist/rapist/hitman/crazyassmotherfucker.

The victim is a woman. She has endured more loss in 2 years than most people experience in a lifetime. She is strong. Too strong. She wants to break, to not feel any longer. Love and loss are front and center in her brain. The girl wakes up one morning to the worst imaginable scenario, a penis inside of her. That would be quite the shocker, for the record. She must do whatever it takes to play the game and win.

All she was left with was the determination that she was going to come out of this alive, not because she had any particular desire to go on living, but because she sure as shit wasn’t going to let this asshole or any other be the one doing the deciding.

The rapist, he is the singlemost fucked up character I have ever read. It was an experience trying to figure him out. He was hired by somebody he refers to as “they,” to rape the girl until she breaks. He is experienced and is a pro. He says he is not there to kill her. Just do his job and get out. He never realized he was walking into the hardest job he’s had.

He’d believe he was winning no matter what she did. That was it. That was the secret. He always believed he was winning. Somewhere in there was his weakness.

This victim has already been brought to the brink of sanity, she has yet to break. She is strong and smart. It is a battle of the wits; there are times we have no idea who is playing who. The rapist might be holding the key, but the victim is holding some ammunition.

We follow their story for the time they are together trying to find out who wins at the end. Does the rapist end up breaking her, killing her? Does the girl appeal to his human side and get away? Does she hold any secrets? Will we ever find out who hired him?

This book is a very dark read. So be ready. It’s you stumbling around in a pitch black room with landmines everywhere to avoid. It is the epitome of psychological thrillers. This is NOT a romance. I don’t even know what to classify it as. Messed up, that’s what. Be ready to google the movies they reference, there are a lot of movie quotes used throughout, which gave such a creepy story a sense of humor. Perfect book for me, I enjoyed the whole thing (minus the butt-licking.)

Everyone wants to be a survivor, but they seldom realize how very high the cost is.

 

Wreck Me by J.L. Mac

Wreck Me

By J.L. Mac

 **4.5 MajorSexy Stars**

 

 

 

 

 

I know him but I don't. I want him but I don't. I need him but I don't.

J.L. Mac is a newer author that has some pretty major storytelling skills. Wow! I was swept so far into this story, before I knew it, three hours had passed, and my kids were begging for dinner. I had to finish it in one sitting! I felt so attached to Jo. She was me. She had something very rare to see in a book character. Realism. She had one of the sexiest book boyfriends going after her heart, Damon. He knew what he wanted and was not afraid to go get it, no matter the cost.

Jo and Damon have a past that neither one of them can remember. Readers know what it is, and the story is based around them figuring out why they seem so familiar to each other.

Jo had a great mom and dad that died in a tragic accident, and with no family to take her in, she is forced to survive the system. The street is where she learns to live. Jo does not trust, is loyal, and knows how to get the things she needs for life. She rose above it all and is working at a struggling bookstore, she has a small apartment to live and clothes on her back. She has no plans to ever fall in love. Well, until she bumps into a familiar stranger…

Damon is rich and powerful, but harboring some secrets of his own. He was raised by a POS single father, and became the man he is today by striving to be nothing like the man that his father was. He own his own business, likes the finer things in life and has no problems getting women into bed. He has no plans to ever be more than a one-night-stand type of guy. Well, until he runs into a gorgeous girl kicking a thieves ass at a bookstore…

 

This novella had the best scenes I have ever read, and that’s saying a lot. Some scenes border on S&M, but they never cross the line. It’s simply super-hot naughty-time. I felt for Jo the whole way through, while you watch her walls slowly fall around her. There is a scene where Damon buys her a closet full of clothes, and you want to cry for her. This is a girl that barely has money to eat, and she is given everything by a man that obviously cares deeply about her. He wants her to have everything she didn’t get growing up. He wants to replace the hurt with love, and there is no way to not fall in love with Damon while you read it. Major swoon.  This book is a major cliffhanger, but the second comes out very soon, I highly recommend this book to everyone!