Cover Reveal! Chasing Spring by R.S. Grey! (@AuthorRSGrey)

Title: Chasing Spring

Author: R.S. Grey

Release Date: Feb 1, 2016

Find on Goodreads

I thought I’d left Blackwater, Texas behind for good. I didn’t belong in the small town, but my dad wouldn’t listen. He dragged me back home in his beat-up truck and dropped a bomb along the way: Chase Matthews was moving in with us. He was the golden boy of my high school, my former best friend, and the last person I wanted sleeping across the hall. His presence was too great a reminder of the ghosts I was trying to forget.

I didn’t ask for a hero. I don’t want to be saved.

To me, Lilah Calloway meant late nights sneakin’ out, moonlit hair, and sparklers in July. She was my best friend until the day she left and I’d assumed Blackwater had seen the last of her. Then, like a tempest, she rolled back into town for the final half of senior year. The chopped hair and dark devil-may-care attitude warned most people away, but I knew if I fought hard enough, I could find the lost girl.

I didn’t want to be her hero. Some girls don’t need to be saved.

I am a lover of books, chocolate, reality TV, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way, I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things... everyday.

I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors include Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm a comedy geek and love all things "funny". Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.

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Book Review: The Air He Breathes by Brittainy C. Cherry! (@brittainycherry)

The Air He Breathes (Elements #1)
Author: Brittainy C. Cherry
Publication Date: September 25, 2015
Published: Self Published

My Rating:

I was warned about Tristan Cole.
“Stay away from him,” people said.
“He’s cruel.”
“He’s cold.”
“He’s damaged.”
It’s easy to judge a man because of his past. To look at Tristan and see a monster.
But I couldn’t do that. I had to accept the wreckage that lived inside of him because it also lived inside of me.
We were both empty.
We were both looking for something else. Something more.
We both wanted to put together the shattered pieces of our yesterdays.
Then perhaps we could finally remember how to breathe.

Sometimes I can’t even be sorry for myself, because at times like these, when it comes to books like this one, I knew it was going to gut me. Just like the synopsis says, I was warned. I was told that this was going to be a heart tugging one and that the tears would come. What I wasn’t ready for was the beauty in the sadness.

Waiting On Wednesday #31

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Today is Wednesday. TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY! Yes!!! Awesome day it is. Anyway... I wanted to pick a book today that I'm really waiting for. Like pulling my hair out waiting for. So, since it's my birthday and I'm going to my first hockey game tonight, the book is going to reflect all the yumminess of that.

Title: The Score (Off-Campus #3)
Author: Elle Kennedy
Release Date: January 11, 2016

He knows how to score, on and off the ice
Allie Hayes is in crisis mode. With graduation looming, she still doesn’t have the first clue about what she's going to do after college. To make matters worse, she’s nursing a broken heart thanks to the end of her longtime relationship. Wild rebound sex is definitely not the solution to her problems, but gorgeous hockey star Dean Di-Laurentis is impossible to resist. Just once, though, because even if her future is uncertain, it sure as heck won’t include the king of one-night stands.

It’ll take more than flashy moves to win her over
Dean always gets what he wants. Girls, grades, girls, recognition, girls…he’s a ladies man, all right, and he’s yet to meet a woman who’s immune to his charms. Until Allie. For one night, the feisty blonde rocked his entire world—and now she wants to be friends? Nope. It’s not over until he says it’s over. Dean is in full-on pursuit, but when life-rocking changes strike, he starts to wonder if maybe it’s time to stop focusing on scoring…and shoot for love.

There aren't enough words to describe how much I love this series. It sucks that the wait feels like a century but I'm pretty sure it's going to be worth it. Hard to resist hot hockey boys.

What has you waiting!?

Book Review: Nuts by Alice Clayton! (@alice_clayton)

Nuts (Hudson Valley #1)
Author: Alice Clayton
Publication Date: October 20, 2015
Published: Gallery Books

My Rating:

From New York Times bestselling author Alice Clayton, the first in a brand-new romance series telling the humorously sexy tale of Roxie, a private chef who gets a taste of love—but is it to stay, or to go?
After losing almost all of her clients in one fell swoop following an accident involving whipped cream, private chef to Hollywood’s elite Roxie Callahan gets a call from her flighty mother, saying she’s needed home in upstate New York to run the family diner. Once she's back in the Hudson Valley, local organic farmer Leo delivers Roxie a lovely bunch of walnuts, and soon sparks—and clothing—begin to fly. Leo believes that everything worth doing is worth doing slowly…and how! But will Roxie stay upstate, or will the lure of West Coast redemption tempt her back to Tinseltown?

Leave it to Alice Clayton to give me a funny, sexy book with a bunch of food in it. When I first heard about Nuts, I knew I was going to love it. Even if it was horrible (not possible), I was going to find something in it to love. Enter Roxie and Farmer Leo (and his nuts!).

Book Review: The Mistake by Elle Kennedy! (@ElleKennedy)

The Mistake (Off-Campus #2)
Author: Elle Kennedy
Publication Date: May 6, 2015
Published: Self Published

My Rating:

He’s a player in more ways than one…
College junior John Logan can get any girl he wants. For this hockey star, life is a parade of parties and hook-ups, but behind his killer grins and easygoing charm, he hides growing despair about the dead-end road he’ll be forced to walk after graduation. A sexy encounter with freshman Grace Ivers is just the distraction he needs, but when a thoughtless mistake pushes her away, Logan plans to spend his final year proving to her that he’s worth a second chance.
Now he’s going to need to up his game…
After a less than stellar freshman year, Grace is back at Briar University, older, wiser, and so over the arrogant hockey player she nearly handed her V-card to. She’s not a charity case, and she’s not the quiet butterfly she was when they first hooked up. If Logan expects her to roll over and beg like all his other puck bunnies, he can think again. He wants her back? He’ll have to work for it. This time around, she’ll be the one in the driver’s seat…and she plans on driving him wild.

Originally, I thought The Deal was going to be it for me. That it was the best hockey book that I had ever read in the world. Okay, maybe not, but I loved it so much. Then The Mistake happened. Usually when it comes to follow up books, they’re either hit or miss. There is no mistake that this was a hit!

Waiting On Wednesday #30

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Starting today, WoW will be back weekly! At least till April or so. Anyway! Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I hope all of you that celebrate are getting ready!

Also, us here at LBL, are getting ready to celebrate our second birthday! In two days, it marks the first post we had here and it's crazy to think that it's only been 2 years! Thank you for going on this little journey with us. Anyway, it's Wednesday and you're not here for all that. On to the book!

Title: Not If I See You First
Author: Eric Lindstrom
Release Date: December 1, 2015

The Rules:

Don't deceive me. Ever. Especially using my blindness. Especially in public.
Don't help me unless I ask. Otherwise you're just getting in my way or bothering me.
Don't be weird. Seriously, other than having my eyes closed all the time, I'm just like you only smarter.
Parker Grant doesn't need 20/20 vision to see right through you. That's why she created the Rules: Don't treat her any differently just because she's blind, and never take advantage. There will be no second chances. Just ask Scott Kilpatrick, the boy who broke her heart.
When Scott suddenly reappears in her life after being gone for years, Parker knows there's only one way to react-shun him so hard it hurts. She has enough on her mind already, like trying out for the track team (that's right, her eyes don't work but her legs still do), doling out tough-love advice to her painfully naive classmates, and giving herself gold stars for every day she hasn't cried since her dad's death three months ago. But avoiding her past quickly proves impossible, and the more Parker learns about what really happened--both with Scott, and her dad--the more she starts to question if things are always as they seem. Maybe, just maybe, some Rules are meant to be broken.

Usually this isn't something I would pick up. But something about Parker drew me to it. I'm really excited to see how this one comes out. I had requested an ARC but got turned down, was a little sad but either way, still going to read.

What has you on edge waiting?!

Top Ten Tuesday! Quotes I Loved From Books I Read In The Past Year Or So

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

I'm horrible at remembering quotes but while I'm reading, there are ones that choke me up or ones that make me bust a gut laughing. Either way, they are the things that keep us coming back to keep going or even reread. Here are a few of my favorites. I plucked them from Goodreads because again, I suck at quotes.

“Just because I don't feel calm, doesn't mean I cant' be calm.” 

― Penny Reid, Elements of Chemistry

“There weren't any time-outs, though. Not in life, and not in hockey.” 

― Sarina Bowen, The Understatement of the Year

“Did he use tongue? Did he growl? Was he shirtless? Did he motorboat you? Did you touch his abs? Did you lick his sharp jaw? Is he the size of a horse? Did you giddy up? Did you find his Nemo? Did you Grace his Frankie? Did you Justin his Timberlake?” 

― Brittainy C. Cherry, The Air He Breathes

“Year—I can’t even find it in myself to look forward to the next day, let alone three hundred and sixty-five of them. ” 

― Jay McLean, Kick, Push

“Not sure if it was compliment, or an insult, or a complisult;” 

― Penny Reid, Truth or Beard

“I can pay you."

He raised his eyebrows. "I'm sure there are services for that.Maybe you can try calling 1-800-HOOKERS or something?"

"You know the number well?” 

― Kasie West, The Fill-In Boyfriend

“You can’t just go around giving people cars. You’re not Oprah.” 

― Penny Reid, Truth or Beard

“Maybe you’ll show up at my back door with your nuts again.” 

― Alice Clayton, Nuts

“It is. I’m your boyfriend now, which

means there’s no room for your hipster admirer. He’ll just have to lick his wounds while we lick other things.” 

― Kylie Scott, Play

“If only we actually were in Harry Potter. I’d totally Crucio her ass. Yeah, that’s right, I’d use one of the Unforgivable Curses. Come at me, Ministry of Magic.” 

― R.S. Grey, Scoring Wilder

So many tears and laughs!!

Book Review: After The Rain by Renée Carlino!

After the Rain
Author: Renée Carlino
Publication Date: November 11, 2014
Published: Atria Books
Source: NetGalley

My Rating:

From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Sweet Thing and Nowhere But Here comes a deeply emotional contemporary romance about the second chances waiting beyond the shattered dreams of youth.
Under the bright arena lights of a rodeo show, young Avelina Belo falls for a handsome cowboy with a larger-than-life personality. After a whirlwind courtship, she happily moves away from her family in northern California and settles into married life with her cowboy on a seven-thousand-acre cattle ranch in Montana. One freak accident later, Avelina’s hopes for the future come to an end.
Nate Myers graduated from UCLA medical school at the top of his class, ready to follow in the footsteps of his father, a superstar cardiothoracic surgeon. Six years later, Nate’s career is being ruined by a malpractice suit. Questioning himself for the first time, he retreats to a Montana cattle ranch to visit his uncle and gain perspective. There, he meets a beautiful young woman named Avelina who teaches him more than he ever knew about matters of the heart.

When I first picked up this book I was extremely excited. Having read previous books by Renee Carlino, my expectations were extremely high. What I was ready for was an emotional journey of two people who were looking for second chances at life.

Cora Carmack's Muse Series Cover Reveal!

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the dual cover reveal for Cora Carmack’s Muse Series! INSPIRE and INFLICT are New Adult Paranormal Romance novels and are book 1 and 2 in the Muse Series. INFLICT is due to be released in January 2016! These beautiful covers were designed by Regina Wamba of Mae I Design. Be sure to grab your copy of INSPIRE today!

Amazon Ebook | Amazon Paperback

INSPIRE (Book 1):

Kalliope lives with one purpose.

To inspire.

As an immortal muse, she doesn’t have any other choice. It’s part of how she was made. Musicians, artists, actors—they use her to advance their art, and she uses them to survive. She moves from one artist to the next, never staying long enough to get attached. But all she wants is a different life— a normal one. She’s spent thousands of years living lie after lie, and now she’s ready for something real.

Sweet, sexy, and steady, Wilder Bell feels more real than anything else in her long existence. And most importantly… he’s not an artist. He doesn’t want her for her ability. But she can’t turn off the way she influences people, not even to save a man she might love. Because in small doses, she can help make something beautiful, but her ability has just as much capacity to destroy as it does to create. The longer she stays, the more obsessed Wilder will become. It’s happened before, and it never turns out well for the mortal.

Her presence may inspire genius.

But it breeds madness, too.

And check out the gorgeous cover for INFLICT, coming January 2016!

About INFLICT (Book 2):

Wilder Bell made a dangerous bargain...

For a chance at love, he gave up his life.

History knew Kalliope as an ancient Greek muse, but to Wilder, she was simply the woman he wanted to fall asleep with every night and wake up next to every morning. He made a deal with Hades, but the only thing the Lord of the Underworld deals in is death. Now Wilder is wasting away in a cold and wretched afterlife, waiting for Kalli to come for him. She will come. He has to believe that. Because the alternative is worse than death.

Kalliope lived her entire existence knowing that she was both a blessing and a curse to anyone she encountered. Wilder was no different. She loved him, and she got him killed. Now to get him back, she’ll have to face a scheming god, a perilous task, and death itself. But before it’s done, the Underworld will take more from her than she ever thought possible.

To be made whole, all must first be lost.

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She’s done a multitude of things in her life– boring jobs (like working retail), fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). Raised in a small Texas town, she now lives in New York City and spends her time writing, traveling, and marathoning various television shows on Netflix. In her books, you can expect to find humor, heart, and a whole lot of awkward. Because let’s face it . . . awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times andUSA Today bestseller.

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INSPIRE Goodreads | INFLICT Goodreads