Book Blitz: A Horse Named Dog

A Horse Named Dog by Theresa Oliver
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: October 21, 2015
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N

Book Description:

Sam is a typical twelve-year-old boy who works on his parent’s farm, but is not as interested in horses as his horse-training family. 

However, he does his best to help out until an incident when he is riding with his mother. After saving her from becoming nearly trampled, his viewpoint changes … until a strange horse comes to their farm with quirks, earning him the name Dog.

Dog likes Sam right away, but Sam wants nothing to do with him, as he is the son of Trumpeter, the horse that nearly maimed his mother for life. Sam has a hard time dealing with not only the memory of the accident, but the extra chores and responsibilities suddenly thrust upon him, one of which is training Dog.

Because his mother is out of work and people are canceling orders, money is scarce. With the Indiana Classic coming up—a local horse race with a huge purse—will Sam be able to befriend Dog and save their farm, or will Dog go back to his present owner, never to be seen again?

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Excerpt:

His father slid the reins once again on either side of Dog’s neck and then held them on the saddle horn. Once again, he stood with one foot in the stirrup and Dog paced around the corral, but soon came to a stop. “Good boy!” Frank cooed, rubbing his back just behind the saddle with his other hand in a soothing gesture. “Now, let’s try this again.”

He quickly swung himself into the saddle and got his foot into the stirrup just as Dog started bucking wildly. He held on to the saddle as he started giving him voice commands, trying to settle him down, but Dog wanted no part of it. A moment later, Frank was lying face down in the dirt again.

Dog ran toward the other side of the corral, whinnying loudly as he paced nervously along the fence row, the reins dragging along the ground behind him. Then, he looked over at Sam and looked at him as if telling him what the humans were trying to do to him.

Book Blitz: Hustle

Hustle by Ashley Claudy
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Romance
Release Date: November 19, 2015
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

South Eastern University: Where the football players are royalty and Andrew Fayden is king.

College was supposed to be Brook’s chance to escape the rumors and the harassment that plagued her at home, but she hadn’t planned on meeting Andrew Fayden.

Now, she’s finding it hard to think of anything else or anyone else. She’s determined to wipe him from her mind though because he is the definition of unavailable. He’s got an on and off again girlfriend always on the sidelines and a flood of girls willing to take over that position.

And his popularity makes it hard to keep a low profile, something she needs to do if she doesn’t want to be pulled back into the drama of her past.

Despite all the warnings, she’s finding it hard to resist– and he’s making it hard to say no.

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Excerpt:

“—But they seemed like they were fighting,” I'm trying to explain to Rose what I saw.

“And he kissed you last night,” she wraps her arm around the pillow under her head, still sleepy.

“I don't want to even think about last night,” I groan and lean against my headboard. “Especially now. He might be in a relationship with a girl I have to see almost everyday.”

“You don't know that. I've never heard that he has a girlfriend. All I hear is that he has lots of girls.” She stretches and sits up, hair a tangled mess around her head. “Chin up. You kissed one of the most sought after guys on campus in your first month at school.” Her eyebrow pops up with the corner of her mouth. “This has to be a good sign. This is going to be a bomb ass school year.”

Book Blitz: The Phoenix Born (A Dance of Dragons #3)

The Phoenix Born (A Dance of Dragons #3) by Kaitlyn Davis
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: November 17, 2015
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N

Book Description:

From bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis comes the final book in the thrilling A Dance of Dragons series—perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, Graceling, and Game of Thrones!

For the first time in a thousand years, the fire dragon has been awakened and Rhen is its rider. But after destroying the armies that threatened the city of Rayfort, Rhen is shown a vision in flames that changes everything. The shadow's phantom armies are coming and the dragons are the only things that might stop them.

High in the castle at the top of the Gates, Jinji has learned something of her own. Janu, her long lost twin, is alive. And just as the spirit shares her body, the shadow shares his. In the blink of an eye, her quest for vengeance against the evil that killed her family has changed to one of protection. Because she knows that if Rhen learns the truth he will do what she cannot—end the shadow, and end her brother in the process.

As the shadow grows more aggressive, Jinji and Rhen fight to find the rest of the dragon riders. But with time running out, they are forced to face the impossible decision between honor and love. Alliances are formed, promises are broken, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance…

♥ ♥ ♥
Excerpt:

Jinji stopped him by grabbing his cheeks and pulling his face against hers, kissing him urgently. Rhen tried to pull away, to understand why she wasn't thrilled by the news, but her hands traveled to the back of his neck, grip tight, and he couldn't break her hold.

Her lips moved fast against his, pleading with him silently. Everything about her was desperately trying to hold on to the moment, to stop time, as though she were drowning and the air from his lungs was the only thing that might save her, as though he were her tether to life.

Rhen wanted to give in. More than anything, he wanted to melt beneath her touch and forget the world, to kiss her until the sun rose the next morning, and even then maybe not stop. He could so easily get lost in the fire of her touch, the silkiness of her skin. But he couldn't let himself.

Book Blitz: Love Is An Action

Love Is An Action by Bry Foster
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 17, 2015
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Khloe Hudson is all out of everything.

All out of patience for her alcoholic father. All out of money from her summer job savings. All out of scholarship essay ideas. And all out of room in her heart for people who don’t care to see her for who she really is.

But even she has to admit that the French jerk attending her academy is starting to worm his way in just a bit.

Cash Castille couldn’t care less about what Khloe thinks she knows. None of her advanced classes have taught her that love isn’t something that can be measured or figured out using scientific methods. Actions often speak louder than words. And although he gets a rise out of driving her crazy, he can’t help but wonder when her brain will stop arguing with what their hearts already know.

When Cash drops a bomb and asks for the favor of a lifetime, Khloe reluctantly agrees because despite the terms, she needs the benefits of their arrangement. However, as Cash and Khloe navigate through their new found relationship, she can’t help but wonder if the cost of this ploy will be another expense she can’t afford to give. Her heart.

♥ ♥ ♥
Teasers:

“…Every inch of your skin is like a perfect brush stroke on a painting no man could create. The honey flecks in your eyes like little pieces of caramel in a sea of chocolate. The curves of your body...”

His fingers gently trace my body.

“And, of course, the more carnal things. The way you smell, the way you taste…When I tell you I love you, it’s because I mean it, unconditionally…because love is a verb to me, Khloe.”

Book Blitz: Rebel (Rebel #1)

Rebel (Rebel #1) by Elle Casey
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N

Book Description:

Teagan Cross, college senior, rebel, and wiseass extraordinaire, goes from princess to pauper in a single phone call. 

Overnight, her life of privilege becomes one of survival, and no matter where she turns, it seems like the world is out to get her. She’s not going to fall apart, though.

She’s a rebel and she’s strong … determined to live life on her own terms … and nothing’s going to stop her from getting things done and making things right. 

But when a twist of fate brings her to the doorstep of a different kind of Rebel, she’s forced to figure out when something’s worth fighting for and when something’s worth letting go.


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Excerpt:

I’m packing up the last of my crap from my dorm room when I get the call. I moved in here for my last semester and a half to make life easier. Six months ago my lease was up on my apartment, and the douchebags who run the place didn’t want to extend it; apparently, my parties annoyed the old farts who also lived there.

 I tried to tell my dad at the time he moved me in there that the condo wasn’t a good place for a college student’s living arrangements, but he didn’t listen. He liked the gated security and the living-breathing guard in the lobby; and besides, he never listens to anyone under the age of twenty-five. I’m still three years away from having anything of value to say in his world.

The Call. The one that changes my life forever. It comes as I’m sitting on my suitcase, trying to get it to zip up. Stupid cell phones. They sit there on the desk or in your pocket or purse, tiny and black, taking up so little space, but sometimes they carry messages that show how incredibly powerful they really are. Bastard fucking cell phone.

Book Blitz: Somewhere in Between

Somewhere in Between by Samatha Harris
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Romance
Release Date: November 10, 2015
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Alexandra McCabe is disconnected from the world, grieving the loss of her parents…

Content with studying and keeping to herself, Alex has no interest in the campus playboy, Drew Collins, trying to get close to her. But even dousing him with beer doesn’t deter the easy-going charmer, and against her better judgment, the pair fall into a reluctant friendship.

Drew is bored with college life, and Alex’s romantic rejection intrigues him…

Their friendship is good for both of them, but Drew is used to getting what he wants, and he’s tired of shallow sorority girls. He’s much more interested in the feisty redhead, but despite his growing feeling, Alex keeps him firmly in the friend zone.

Old heartaches and new tragedies deepen a complicated relationship…

Whatever life throws their way, Alex and Drew remain best friends with their own traditions. Drew is Alex’s family, her rock, and Alex keeps Drew grounded, always challenging him to better himself.

When years of buried feelings rush to the surface, they threaten to change everything…

Drew promised his mother he’d tell Alex how he feels, when the time is right-but how will he know when that is? Alex is terrified to reveal those ‘three little words’ certain Drew doesn’t feel the same, and she’ll lose the only family she has.

Should Alex and Drew open their hearts, and risk being crushed? Should they be satisfied with a deep, lifelong friendship? Or does the only chance for happiness lie…

Somewhere In Between?

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Excerpt:

I walked into Spike’s a half hour later and David was already there with a pitcher of beer and a huge plate of nachos. I gave him a hug, clapping him on the back.

“You look like shit,” he said.

"Thanks."

“What’s up? Rough night?” He didn’t even know the half of it.

“If we are going to get into this, I’m going to need a shot.” I flagged down the waitress and ordered a shot of Jack Daniels.

“This is serious,” David said.

Review: The Devious Dr. Jekyll

The Devious Dr. Jekyll by Viola Carr
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Steam Punk/Fantasy
Release Date: October 27th, 2015
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Barnes and Noble

Book Description:

Dr. Eliza Jekyll, heroine of the electrifying The Diabolical Miss Hyde—an edgy
steampunk retelling of the classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde—investigates a bizarre
murder case in an alternate Victorian London while battling her treacherous secret
half: Lizzie Hyde.

Solving the infamous Chopper case has helped crime scene physician Dr. Eliza
Jekyll establish her fledgling career in the chauvinistic world of Victorian law
enforcement. But the scrutiny that comes with her newfound fame is unwelcome
for a woman with a diabolical secret. And there is the mercurial Royal Society
agent and wolf man Remy Lafayette. Does he want to marry her, eat her, or burn
her at the stake? Though Eliza is uncertain about Remy, her dark and jealous
shadow self, Lizzie, wants to steal the magnetic and persistent agent, and usurp
Eliza’s life.

It’s impossible to push Remy away when he tempts her with the one thing she
can’t resist: a bizarre crime. The search for a bloodthirsty ritual torturer dubbed the
Pentacle Killer draws them into a terrifying world of spies, art thieves, and evil
alchemy, where the price of immortality is madness—or damnation—and only
Lizzie’s dark ingenuity can help Eliza survive.

As Eliza and Remy race to thwart a foul conspiracy involving the sorcerous
French, they must also overcome a sinister enemy who is all too close: the
vengeful Lizzie, determined to dispose of Eliza for good.

♥ ♥ ♥

"The Devious Dr. Jekyll" by Viola Carr was a bit of a different read for me. Although I'm familiar with the aspects of the Steam Punk genre, I've never actually read any before. It took me a bit to get familiar with the culture and language being used, but once I was properly acclimated I was able to enjoy Carr's story.

This is actually the second book in Carr's "Electric Empire" series. This is another series that I'm not starting at the beginning, but it was enough of a standalone book that I was able to read the second in the series and not feel completely lost. However, there were a lot of characters in this electric Victorian world that sometimes seemed to all run together for me. This is possibly something that would have been easier to keep track if I had read the previous book.