Wednesday, August 31, 2016

The Wolf Road by Beth Lewis

The Wolf Road: A Novel

by Beth Lewis

Released July 5, 2016

 

 

BLURB

ELKA BARELY REMEMBERS a time before she knew Trapper. She was just seven years old, wandering lost and hungry in the wilderness, when the solitary hunter took her in. In the years since then, he’s taught her how to survive in this desolate land where civilization has been destroyed and men are at the mercy of the elements and each other.

But the man Elka thought she knew has been harboring a terrible secret. He’s a killer. A monster. And now that Elka knows the truth, she may be his next victim.

Armed with nothing but her knife and the hard lessons Trapper’s drilled into her, Elka flees into the frozen north in search of her real parents. But judging by the trail of blood dogging her footsteps, she hasn’t left Trapper behind—and he won’t be letting his little girl go without a fight. If she’s going to survive, Elka will have to turn and confront not just him, but the truth about the dark road she’s been set on.

The Wolf Road is an intimate cat-and-mouse tale of revenge and redemption, played out against a vast, unforgiving landscape—told by an indomitable young heroine fighting to escape her past and rejoin humanity.



PURCHASE LINK

Amazon





MY REVIEW

The book starts out with the conclusion of the main character's desperate voyage through the wilderness. As much of the book is Elka's dangerous journey pursued by a serial killer she once called Daddy, a lot of tension is diminished knowing the end right off the bat. Half the fun of books, especially thriller/suspense books, is that lead to the dramatic ending.

The dialect and speech of the character Elka felt off. She sounds more like an Appalachian English speaker although she lives in the northwest Canadian backwoods. Also, she speaks more articulately - Elka knows words and terms she'd have been unlikely to have ever heard more than once, if at all - than you'd expect from an illiterate teenager raised almost in complete isolation by an often absent "father." The First Person viewpoint also was a bit annoying as Elka had to describe so much that, honestly, I just wished she'd shut up. It just got to be too much for me. I almost felt like I was being talked down to.

The Wolf Road is still a good read with a compellingly novel plot. I think a solid three star rating is fair. 


I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
 


First day of second grade!!

Look at this beauty....

 

 

 

how is she starting a new journey into second grade?

Besides her starting second grade and her completely adorable look, I wanted to share the keepsake I made for her.

Here's a close up...

 

 

Isn't it pretty cool? 

I was thinking of selling them for $20 a pop.

What do you all think....would you buy one?

 

 I thought besides a cute photo op, 

that it would be a great keepsake to keep in her school box. 

It would be super fun for her to through when she's older.

 

If you would like one, send me an email at

nextbookreviewblog@gmail.com 

 

 

The Killer in You by Dakota Madison

 
RELEASE BLITZ
Title: The Killer in You
Series: Love in Midlife #3
Author: Dakota Madison
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 5, 2016
BLURB
Falling in love with your boss's wife is never a good idea, especially when you're a mobster.

Mia Corrado can't remember the last time she had sex with her husband, Nicky. He's been preoccupied with his job as the head of New Jersey's most powerful crime family, and all of the wild oats he sows on the side.

When Nicky tells Mia he's too busy to attend her college reunion, and wants to send one of his underlings to accompany her, Mia is completely fed up.

Until she discovers it is Luka Russo who will be escorting her. He's handsome, charming and sensitive, definitely not the typical mobster.

Mia is completely captivated by him.

And Luka is just as smitten with Mia.

But if they act on their feelings for each other Luka may end up sleeping with the fishes.

GOODREADS LINK:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31286726-the-killer-in-you
PURCHASE LINKS


US: http://amzn.to/2bxonCn
UK: http://amzn.to/2bS9IRY
Books2read: http://bit.ly/2bCwQBl
EXCERPT

Luka

What I think might be a quiet day turns out to be anything but. As soon as the boss enters our small office I can see he’s got something on his mind. The lines etched on his forehead are more prominent than usual and his lips are puckered.
I know better than to ask what’s wrong. He’ll tell me when he’s ready. Then he’ll make me solve whatever difficulties he’s dealing with.
That’s the way it works in this business. As the underboss I’m the one who makes all of the boss’s problems go away.
Nicky likes to keep his legitimate business, the Pizza King, separate from his not-so-legal business dealings, so the office we use for our mob activities is located in a strip mall between a nail salon and a copy shop. Our front is a real estate office, but we never actually have any listings or sell houses. But we do have a broker, who makes a nice salary for sitting out front and handling any walk-ins or phone calls.
Nicky takes a gulp of his black coffee before he turns his attention to me. 
“There’s something I’d like for you to do.” He points a finger at me. “You’re the only person I can really trust.”
Good morning to you too. “Anything. You know you just have to ask.”
A few months ago someone tried to whack Nicky. Luckily the shooter botched the hit. We all thought the Philly-South Jersey crew was responsible, but we haven’t found any proof yet.
Maybe Nicky discovered something and he’s ready for retaliation.  
 “I’d like you to escort my wife to her college reunion.”
That’s completely out of left field. “What?”
“Her reunion,” he repeats a little louder, as if hearing him was the problem.
The problem is the request is ridiculous. As fond as I may be of Mia, babysitting his wife isn’t in my job description.
“Why can’t you accompany her?” I realize my question may come across as insubordination, which is definitely frowned upon in our line of work, but his request goes above and beyond my job requirements.
Break a guy’s legs; that’s something I can do in my sleep. Take his wife to some dance; I don’t think so.  
“I don’t remember this being a democracy. I give the orders and you carry them out. That’s the way this thing of ours works.”
I blow out air hoping to make his request somehow magically disappear. No such luck. He’s looking at me with anticipation. 
“When is her reunion?”
“Labor Day weekend.” He gives me a sly grin.
He’s been talking our ears off about going to Tampa for the holiday weekend to spend time with his new comare. Apparently she’s a hot young nurse and he’s crazy about her.
Even though it’s common for guys like us to have mistresses it’s not something I approve of. I’ve never been a believer in multitasking, especially with affairs of the heart.
I believe a man should cherish the woman he has at home, especially if she’s the mother of his children.
On this point I differ from nearly all of my friends. Most of the guys in our crew want to have their cannoli and eat them too.
“It’s the whole weekend?” I ask.
He nods. “Bookman is a small town. The hotel was sold out, but I was able to talk the owners into renting Mia one of their suites. It has a separate bedroom and you get the sleeper couch in the living room.”
I remember driving through Bookman once on my way to Old Town. I blinked twice and missed the place.
“Why do you need for me to go with her?”
“Because I said so. Isn’t that reason enough?”
“Of course, but is there anything specific I should be doing while I’m there?”
He nods. “You need to make sure no one touches Mia. Capisce?”
“Do you really think that’s going to be a problem?” Not that I don’t think his wife is an attractive woman, but she seems to be devoted to Nicky.
The two of them were high school sweethearts. They’ve been together for years. 
“I attended one of my high school reunions.” He holds up his index finger for emphasis. “I know what goes on. A lot of reconnecting with old flames. I don’t want any of those guys even thinking about reconnecting with Mia.”
“Got it, boss.”
“If anyone lays a hand on my wife, make sure he loses his hand. If anyone puts any other body parts where they don’t belong make sure he loses those too.”
He makes a point of staring at my crotch, as if I’d engage in any type of indiscretion with his wife. I value my job, and my body parts, too much.
“Anything else?”
“Have fun dancing to Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.”



AUTHOR BIO

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Dakota Madison is known for writing new adult, love in midlife, and contemporary romance with a little spice and lots of heart. Dakota is a winner of the prestigious RONE Award for Excellence in the Indie and Small Publishing Industry. When she's not at her computer creating spicy stories Dakota likes to spend time with her husband and their bloodhounds. Dakota also writes under the pen names SAVANNAH YOUNG, SIERRA AVALON and REN MONTERREY.
 

AUTHOR LINKS



GIVEAWAY
There is a giveaway for 5 ecopies of California Dreamers: The Complete Series by Dakota Madison


Direct Link


MY REVIEW

Looking through other reviews...I must have been the only one not happy with this book. It was a mob book and there wasn’t any violence in it....no real suspense. There wasn’t any even any real problems. For me this book was very anticlimactic.

The cover is stunning. I also believe this book has the possibility of being a 5-star read, it just wasn’t for me. It barely reaches the 3 star rating I am giving it. I hate to do that too but once I got to the end I was so disappointed in this book.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.



 





Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Last Chance by L.P. Dover


RELEASE BLITZ
Title: Last Chance
Series: Second Chances #8 (Standalone)
Author: L.P. Dover
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: August 30, 2016


BLURB

One last chance.

That's all Luke Collins, local bad boy and motocross champion, has to not only find his redemption, but win back the girl he lost. He'll stop at nothing to make her his, even if it means playing dirty.

Lara Jacobs doesn't want her heart broken again and refuses to give Luke a second chance. After he left her after their one night stand, she ran right into the arms of her close friend, Grayson Moore. He's always loved her, and he's determined to make her see he's what she needs.

However, in life nothing goes as planned and tragedy strikes. After a fatal accident nearly claims Lara's life, she's left inside a world she can't remember. Her memories are gone, including those of the men vying for her heart. Grayson sees her loss as a possibility to forget her love for Luke, but Luke sees it as an opportunity to start over. All he wants is one last chance to show her that she's the one he's been in love with all along.

*** An updated version of One Taste has been included in Last Chance with all new scenes. I highly recommend reading it again. ***


GOODREADS LINK:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30113729-last-chance


TRAILER


 


PURCHASE LINKS



EXCERPT

“Why can’t I go in there and tell her I’m sorry? She needs to hear it from me.”

“No, she doesn’t because she won’t believe it. You need to do a lot more than tell her you’re sorry. Actions speak louder than words. And until you can show everyone you’ve changed, it’s best you stay away from her. It’ll only make things worse.”

“What if I go in there anyway?” I questioned, crossing my arms over my chest. I didn’t want to fight Evan, but I was getting desperate. I needed her forgiveness, for her to know I never meant to hurt her.

Evan huffed and closed his eyes. “You’ll have to go through me first. Lara doesn’t want to see you. She’s with someone else now.”

It was as if someone had sucker punched me in the gut, the air being ripped out of my lungs as I took the hit. Summer groaned and I glared at her. “Is that true?”

“Yes, but I don’t see how that is any of your business. She’s happy, so leave her be.”

“Fuck that,” I shouted. “I’m going inside.” I tried to push past Evan, but he blocked me. We faced off with each other, the tension rising.

Summer stepped between us with a hand on each of our chests. “Guys, this is stupid. You’re friends.”

I scoffed and backed away. “That’s where I beg to differ,” I said, glaring at Evan. “If our situations were reversed and it was Summer inside, I’d let you go to her. I would give you the benefit of the doubt and accept that you’ve changed. But you’re not going to do that, are you?”

Evan’s face softened and he sighed. “I would, brother, but this night is special for Summer and Lara. The last thing they need is you and Grayson battling it out. I have no doubt he’ll come after you if you go in there.”

I faltered, the anger welling in my chest. “Fucking Grayson? That’s who she’s with?”

“Can you blame her? He was there for her, after everything you put her through,” Summer said.

Peering down at her, I hoped she could see the determination in my face. “You tell her it’s not over. I’m not going to give up.” With those final words, I jumped in my truck and sped out of the parking lot. The thought of Grayson touching her made me so goddamn furious. I didn’t care if she was with him . . . I wasn’t going to give up.


ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE SECOND CHANCES SERIES (Interconnected Standalones)

#1 Love's Second Chance






#2 Trusting You





#3 Meant for Me





#4 Fighting for Love





#5 Intercepting Love 





#6 Catching Summer 




Google Play:  http://bit.ly/1PYWy3H

#7 Defending Hayden 




US: http://amzn.to/28Q72De
UK: http://amzn.to/28TkCI3
B&N: http://bit.ly/28Q3fXZ
Kobo: http://bit.ly/28TkOqM
iBooks: http://apple.co/28PV21C
Google Play: http://bit.ly/290gLGP

#9 Intended for Bristol (Pre-order for December 6)





AUTHOR BIO

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she began her literary journey she worked in periodontics, enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

She loves to write, but she also loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes and white water rafting, and has a passion for singing. Her two youngest fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime, usually Christmas carols.

Dover has written countless novels, including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, the Gloves Off series, the Armed & Dangerous series, the Royal Shifters series, and her standalone novel Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense, but if she got to choose a setting in which to live, it would be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.




AUTHOR LINKS



GIVEAWAY

There is a giveaway for a $15 Amazon gift card


Direct Link


MY REVIEW

I love second chance love stories or in this case….a last chance!! This book was so much more than I would have thought. It had everything love, jealousy, anger, betrayal, friendship, sex, and even suspense! Another thing I loved about this book is that it’s part of a series...although I wouldn’t have known by looking at the cover. I do wish it was clearly marked. I like to go into the books without a clue of what the storyline is so without a sign on the cover I don’t know. It’s a shame...I hate reading out of order! But that won’t stop me, Dover has a great way with words and an excellent flow. I never once felt bored in this book. It was a nice pace and very entertaining!


I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.