Cover Reveal: I Stand Before You by S.R. Grey

Title: I Stand Before You (Judge Me Not #1)

Author: S.R. Grey

Expected release date: September 12-19, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: New Adult

When it comes to tattooed bad boys, Chase Gartner is the real deal. Partying, engaging in meaningless sex, getting into fights—Chase indulges in it all during his late teen years, thus firmly solidifying his status as a heartbreakingly gorgeous but way-too-dangerous-to-trust guy in his hometown of Harmony Creek, Ohio. Then, following one fateful night of reckless decisions, Chase’s actions finally catch up to him and land him in prison.

Now, four years have passed and Chase finds himself a free man. He returns to Harmony Creek, ready to pick up the pieces and start rebuilding his shattered life.

Things are off to a promising start when he meets Kay Stanton, a young woman with a tragic past of her own. Despite a powerful attraction, Chase and Kay are naturally hesitant to become involved. That’s why friendship feels like the safest option. But when passions ignite and love blossoms, a relationship that is destined and meant to be can only be resisted for so long. When Chase and Kay finally succumb to their feelings they realize being together feels more right and true than anything they have ever experienced. But their love is soon tested. Chase’s wild past still haunts and tempts him, and Kay is keeping a secret that could tear them apart.

I Stand Before You is a journey of hope and forgiveness, coming to terms with the past and moving forward. But mostly it’s a story of two damaged people who take a chance, open their hearts, and find true love.

New Adult/Contemporary Romance genres. First in a series.

***Warning: contains graphic sexual situations, drug use, some violence, and profanity***

Goodreads: I Stand Before You

About the Author

S.R. Grey is the author of Harbour Falls and Willow Point, first and second novels in A Harbour Falls Mystery series. She is also the author of I Stand Before You, first novel in the Judge Me Not series (New Adult/Contemporary Romance), to be released September 2013.

Ms. Grey resides in western Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Robert Morris College, as well as an MBA from Duquesne University.

She is currently working on Wickingham Way, the third installment in A Harbour Falls Mystery series, to be released in January 2014.  Other interests include reading, traveling, running, and cheering for her hometown sports teams.

Links

Website  /  Facebook  /  Twitter  /  Goodreads

Cover designed by: Damonza

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

Cover Reveal for Mine (Real #2) by Katy Evans

Release Date: November 5, 2013

In the international bestseller REAL, the unstoppable bad boy of the Underground fighting circuit finally met his match. Hired to keep him in prime condition, Brooke Dumas unleashed a primal desire in Remington live without her. “Riptide” Tate as vital as the air he breathes . . . and now he can’t. 

Brooke never imagined she would end up with the man who is every woman’s dream, but not all dreams end happily ever after, and just when Remington needs her the most, Brooke makes a discovery that forces her away from the ringside. Now with distance and darkness between them, the only thing left is to fight for the love of the man she calls MINE.

About the Author

Katy Evans Website / Goodreads / Facebook

Mine (Real #2) Pre-order Links

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks

Add to your TBR on Goodreads

Real (Real #1) Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks

Add to your TBR on Goodreads

Remy (Real #3) Pre-order Links

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks

Add to your TBR on Goodreads

Check out Thessa's Review of Real (Real #1)

via Sweet Spot Book Blog

via Goodreads

Josh & Hannah (Redwood Falls #1) by Lynda Chance

Josh Turner wants Hannah more than life itself. She's perfect and new . . . but she's a McIntyre. She's from the richest family in the county, and he's a Turner, from the wrong side of the proverbial tracks. And to make matters worse, there's no love lost between their families.

New Adult 92K words / suitable for 18+ AN ALPHA-MALE IN THE MAKING

Four Stars

“You belong to me now, understand? You’re mine; we’re exclusive. Nobody else gets to touch you, and I mean not at all.” His nostrils flared and Hannah’s heart stopped before taking up a faster cadence. “I own you.” His eyes searched hers. “I hope like hell you can handle it.” 

Saw this book last night while surfing GR last night and when I saw the words Alpha-Male in the making, I was sold. God, I’m so easy. This was pretty simple read, nothing too complex or anything, though it was a bit repetitive at times. 

For those looking for an adult, steamy novel, this isn’t really what you want. I guess it’s more of a New Adult – with just a little bit of steam, lots of making out which led to a whole lot of sexual frustration. But that’s okay. The main reason why I picked it up was because of Josh – the Alpha-Male in the making. 

Josh was stunned when his kiss of compassion derailed against his will, because a kiss of hunger and need. 

Hannah McIntyre and Josh Turner have been neighbors for most of their life, but their lives are nothing alike. Hannah comes from a wealthy, loving family. Josh spent most of his childhood with his abusive, low-life drunk of father. At the age of thirteen, his aunt and uncle took him away from that life, but he constantly worried that the reputation of his father would follow him. 

Hannah was only fifteen when her and Josh’s life would change forever. When he witnessed beautiful young Hannah being shunned by the mean girls at this high school, he felt the need to intervene. He kissed her in front of everyone. He soon found out that he was her first kiss. After that revelation, he instant felt the need to protect her; to possess her. He has never felt this way about anyone before, not in his eighteen years of his life. Women have always come easy. She turned his world upside down, but there was a catch: She was a McIntyre and she was only fifteen.

He wanted her with an ache in his gut that he knew couldn’t be appeased by someone else. There was no sense in even trying. It had to be Hannah. Only Hannah. And with turmoil settling in his stomach, he knew that he couldn’t have her. At least not yet. 

As much as Josh wanted Hannah, he knew he had to set some limits. He was eighteen, she fifteen. She was a girl with a good reputation, good family background, and he was the son of drunk. What could he possibly give her? But no matter what, he couldn’t stay away from her. Their connection strong, their hold on each other was beyond anything either could comprehend. They were infatuated with one another. Could two people with so many roadblocks (family, money, age) have a chance at a relationship? 

All he could think about was the fact that no one would ever have Hannah but him. He would have all her kisses, he would be the guy who took her out and held her clamped to his side; he would be the one who eventually took her virginity 

It’s no secret that the biggest reason why I enjoyed this story so much was because of Josh and his extreme Alpha-ness; he was possessive, strong, and oh so protective of Hannah. I will never tire of Alpha Heroes. NEVER. I’m sure guys who are like this in real life aren’t as charming, but that’s why I love immersing myself in these types of books where I know, well at least the majority of the time, that they have a soft spot for the women they love. **sigh** Yea, I can’t get enough of them. 

The story did get a little repetitive at times, especially in regards to why Josh was so adamant on waiting. It felt like every chapter it had to be repeated that he was waiting for her to become of age. Not only that, but he was fixated at how Hannah had come from a family of wealth. Oh the pride of men. Very repetitive. 

I will definitely be checking out the next book in the series about Hannah’s brother, Zach and Josh’s cousin, Katie. I had an inkling that these two had some chemistry brewing. I’m so looking forward to reading that. 

Cover Reveal for Sweet Home by Tillie Cole

This author took me by surprise with her book, Eternally North, which was one of my top reads of the year. Now Ms. Cole is back with a brand new story and I just cannot wait to dive into it. The cover is gorgeous and the blurb sounds amazing! **Sigh** October is just too far away. 

Genre: Mature New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher/Release Date: To be self published on 14^th October 2013

Cover Designer: Damon @ Damonza

Cover Reveal Organised By: Kelly @ Have Book Will Read

ABOUT SWEET HOME

Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18105011-sweet-home?ac=1    

BLURB:

"I had never put much thought into the story of Romeo and Juliet. Never once truly considered the plight of the ill-fated lovers or what they went through to be together. All that changed when my life spiralled onto a similar path." 

The University of Alabama.

Crimson Tide Football.

One unattainable senior star Quarterback.

And, me, Molly Shakespeare, an English transfer student.

All it took was one look. One fateful gaze into a set of chocolate brown eyes and my world shifted on its axis. Only weeks into life at a new American College and he entered my world -- Romeo Prince. 

Romeo's devastating bad-boy façade and stern tone captured my heart in an instant and for the first time in years, I'd found someone who ripped through my defences, I'd found my home, I'd found someone who made me... feel.

A darkness.

An uncontrollable anger.

An almost-realised NFL dream.

Romeo Prince, on the surface, had it all; looks, money and talent in abundance. In reality he was a pawn, a puppet tied to his parent’s rigid and masterful strings, casting his seemingly perfect life in misery. 

One fateful meeting with the new English transfer student, and his life was thrust into turmoil. His choice was simple, choose duty or choose love. Both came with consequences, but one would change his life forever. 

Mature New Adult novel – contains adult content, highly sexual situations and mature topics. Suited for ages 18 and up*

ABOUT TILLIE COLE

Tillie Cole is a Northern girl through and through. She originates from a place called Teesside on that little but awesomely sunny (okay I exaggerate) Isle called Great Britain. She was brought up surrounded by her English rose mother -- a farmer's daughter, her crazy Scottish father, a savagely sarcastic sister and a multitude of rescue animals and horses. 

Being a scary blend of Scottish and English, Tillie embraces both cultures; her English heritage through her love of HP sauce and freshly made Yorkshire Puddings, and her Scottish which is mostly demonstrated by her frighteningly foul-mouthed episodes of pure rage and her much loved dirty jokes.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tilliecoleauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7074846.Tillie_Cole

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/tillie_cole

Author Website: http://tilliecole.com/

Freeing Asia by E.M. Abel

How does a tomboy raised in a house full of men find the sensual woman inside of her? Growing up with a widowed, retired Marine as a father and two older brothers taught Asia to be tough. But how does she stop being one of the guys and learn to find the right one? 

Finding herself won't be easy, finding love will be even harder. 

Meeting Jay opens Asia's eyes to the possibility of love and unbelievable sex but can his country club world accept the woman more comfortable in torn jeans and flip flops? Or will she find the love she yearns for in the tattooed arms of her first love, a pro skater who has come back into her life? 

With the possibility of new love or closure from a painful first love, finding her path is riddled with uncertainty and discoveries but before she can follow her heart she must first set it free.

**Not recommended for younger readers due to sexual content, recreational use of marijuana and language.**

4.5-4.75 Stars

No more tears. 

Thank you Ms. Abel for bringing an end to my book funk. I fucking loved this book; I consumed it in one day. I saw this book around GR and was awaiting its release, so as soon as it came out, I was all over it like white on rice. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. I can totally relate to the heroine and her insecurities, I guess dressing like a tomboy and having two older brothers can do that to a girl. To me, this story is about figuring out how to accept and love the person you are, flaws and all. It’s then, and only then, can you truly be happy. 

It was one thing for someone to insult you or hurt you, but it was an entirely different thing when the one person who didn’t believe in you and didn’t think you were anything special was…you. 

Asia was raised in a house full of men: Two brothers and her father. Growing up, her brothers were her main influences, which included smoking the occasional weed and drinking. She surfs, skates and likes to wear baggy clothing; the typical tomboy. Because of her older brothers’ über protectiveness, no guy in high school could even approach her, but unfortunately, Asia didn’t know this was happening leading her to believe that she was just one of the guys and nobody special. The one boy she felt a connection with was Marcus, her brother Shaun’s best friend. 

My insecurity around men hadn’t been created all on my own. I had help, and that help had come from my first love, Marcus – the guy I’d lost my virginity to. 

Marcus was her everything. After his father passed away, her alcoholic mother raised Marcus. Needless to say, Marcus spent a lot of time with Asia and her family. She secretly admired him, fearing his reaction as well as her brother’s. However one night changed all that. She lost herself in Marcus, but it wasn’t meant to be. Marcus moved away wanting to chase his dream of being a pro skater, leaving Asia devastatingly heartbroken. 

“If you wanna be free, Asia, all you have to do is see yourself through my eyes.” ~ Marcus 

Fast forward seven years, and she still hasn’t quite gotten over Marcus, but she’s trying. She’s decided to let her friend make her over. Whether it’s permanent has yet to be determined. Her new look catches the eye of Jay Clarke, a very wealthy and handsome gentleman. She starts to fall for him, but a two important things hold her back: One – she constantly hides her true self around him. He doesn’t know she use to be quite a bad girl, who use to smoke weed, dislikes wearing dresses; always opting for the comfy jeans and shirts. Will she ever fit into his world? Two – she still quite hasn’t gotten over Marcus, who now is a famous professional skater. She really can’t catch a break. Is she willing to change who she is for Jay? What happens when Marcus comes back into her life? Will she ever be free of her insecurities and be truly happy?

“You’re sexy as hell. You’re sweet. You surf, you skate. You’re so fuckin’ talented that I can’t even pick one of your damn paintings to hang in my room because they’re all so fuckin’ good. And the best part is you have no clue how special you are.” 

My eyebrows furrowed. “Why is that the best part?”

“Because that means I’m the one who gets to watch you figure it out.” 

I loved the drama in this book. Though there was a small love-triangle, it didn’t overpower the story, nor make it so angsty that my blood pressure would rise. No. It was just perfect. I loved Asia’s journey. Every time you think she’s down for the count, she would pick herself back up and try again (no matter how hurt she was.) I truly admired her character. As for Marcus, well, there aren’t really any words to describe how I feel about him. I loved watching him change too. He doesn’t do relationships, but once Asia re-enters his life, he was a goner. The way he helped Asia see her true value was just plain ole beautiful. Loved this book and I’m really looking forward to Shaun’s story next. Highly recommend!