Paradise City CJ Duggan - Review & Blog Tour

 

Blurb:

There's bound to be trouble in Paradise . . .

When her parents decide a change will be good for her, seventeen-year-old Lexie Atkinson never expected they'd send her all the way to Paradise City. Coming from a predictable life of home schooling on a rural Australian property, she's sure that Paradise will be amazing. But when she's thrust into a public school without a friendly face in sight, and forced to share a room with her insipid, hateful cousin Amanda, Lexie's not so sure.

Hanging out with the self-proclaimed beach bums of the city, sneaking out, late night parties and parking with boys are all things Lexie's never experienced, but all that's about to change. It's new, terrifying . . . and exciting. But when she meets Luke Ballantine, exciting doesn't even come close to describing her new life. Trouble with a capital T, Luke is impulsive, charming and answers to no one. The resident bad-boy leader of the group, he's sexier than any boy Lexie has ever known.

Amidst the stolen moments of knowing looks and heated touches, Lexie can't help but wonder if Luke is going to be good for her . . . or very, very bad?

 

Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: April 2015.



I was a newbie to CJ Duggan before picking up Paradise City, I have her Boys of Summer series sitting on my bookshelf and on my kindle, just waiting on some down time to start making my way through them. I went into Paradise City completely blind, knowing very little about the story. Overall I enjoyed this story, but unfortunately it didn't wow me, despite how much I wanted it to.

 CJ Duggan writes with such passion, creating such a beautiful sense of imagery, I could smell the salt air, feel the sun beat down on my face, I was easily lost in Paradise City, with Duggan's word jumping off the page, and while I was wowed by her writing style, and the images she creates unfurling through my mind like a movie reel playing, I wasn't lost in the characters the way I had hoped. Lexie intrigued me, she made me want to know more, this young girl used to small town country life, finally getting to experience city life, getting to experience everything that comes along with normal teenage life, with meeting boys and going to an actual high school. Luke Ballantine had me swooning and wanting to know more, but I was never quite invested enough to be desperate for new information. I wanted to be so completely invested that I couldn't put Paradise City down, that I couldn't step away for even a second but I never quite got there.

 There's a simmering chemistry between Lexie and Luke, a slow burn as these two learn more about one another, while there are moments of heat, a hint of a spark, it felt as though it never quite reached that peak, I never felt that connection that comes with intricate love scenes, I expected more heat with a NA book, I was left feeling like Paradise City veers very definitely within the YA genre. I feel like that may have been a big part of my disconnect, where I can usually find a connection to characters in more intimate scenes, I never found that here.

As much as Lexie and Luke seemed to be building towards something bigger which intrigued me, Dean always seems to hover on the side lines making me think there will be far more to their story, with Amanda, Boon and Laura rounding out the cast I was intrigued but again never quite felt that desperation that I was hoping for. For fans of CJ Duggan I have no doubt you will be swept away by her unique voice, and for readers who enjoy their NA a little sweeter this will hit the spot, while ultimately I enjoyed Paradise City, I needed something more, I needed that spark to ignite to grab hold of me by the collar, demanding I sit up and pay attention.

Purchase Links:

Google Play

 iBooks

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

 Kobo

About CJ Duggan:

 

 

C.J. DUGGAN is an internationally bestselling author who lives with her husband in Mathoura, a rural border town of New South Wales. Her self-published Summer series has sold over 180,000 copies worldwide, and PARADISE CITY is her eighth book, and the first in a new series of New Adult romance.

When she isn't writing books about swoony boys and 90s pop culture you will find her renovating her hundred-year-old Victorian homestead or annoying her local travel agent for a quote to escape the chaos.

 o   https://www.facebook.com/CJDugganAuthor  https://www.facebook.com/HachetteAustralia  

o   Twitter: @CJ_Duggan & @HachetteAus

o   Instagram: @cj_duggan & @hachetteaus    

o   http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5779034.C_J_Duggan

Mothers Love (Mercy's Angels #4) by Kirsty Dallas - COVER REVEAL

TITLE: Mother's Love (Mercy's Angels, #4) 

AUTHOR: Kirsty Dallas 

GENRE: Contemporary Romance, Action, Suspense

RELEASED: May 10th, 2015

Add to: GOODREADS

SYNOPSIS:

Annie Lonergan had lived through hell, she survived, now it was back and this time it wanted her son. After spending far too long cowering in fear Annie is no longer the timid little flower she once was and will do whatever it takes to protect what is hers.

Dillon Montgomery knows what it takes to kill another human being, he knows the taint it leaves on your soul. But to protect those he loves Dillon is prepared to do whatever necessary, even if it means more blood on his hands.

How far would you go to protect your child?

Note: Can be read as standalone but it is recommended to read previous books in the series to have a more rewarding reading experience.

AUTHOR BIO & LINKS: 

I grew up on the beaches of North Queensland, Australia before migrating south to the iconic Gold Coast in 1995. I traded the surf and my bikini for pajama's and a computer when I embarked on writing professionally in 2012. 

I write first and foremost for myself. I write characters and ideas that come from my heart, then take shape and evolve into entire landscapes in my mind. 

I am fascinated with most creative outlets --- photography, art, music, you name it, I love it. I don't take life too seriously and I love to hear from fans and other like-minded, creative people. So drop me a line or come hang out on Facey or over at the Twitter-verse!

www.kirstydallasauthor.com 

Facebook I Twitter I Pinterest I Goodreads I Amazon

Love Bites (Bitten #4) CC Wood - ARC Review

Blurb:

I didn’t think one night could change the course of my entire life.

With his piercing green eyes, Calder Atwood sees straight through my defenses. He’s more than sexy; he’s a werewolf. Though he says he wants more than a one night stand, I can’t believe him. I learned long ago that men lie, and I vowed not to follow in my mother’s footsteps, pining away for a man who doesn’t know the meaning of the word fidelity. The only way I trust myself not to break that promise is to avoid Calder completely.

Eluding him becomes impossible when I’m thrust into a world of danger and darkness. Despite my resistance, Calder forces his way into my life and my resolve weakens with each day we’re together. After an attack leaves me on the edge of death, I find myself bound to him, body and soul.

Now, I can’t walk away, regardless of how badly I yearn to do just that.

Goodreads

 Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: April 2015.



Let me preface this by saying I'm not a huge paranormal fan, with the exception of Twilight by Stephanie Meyer and the Undead series by Mary Janice Davidson and of course the holy grail of fantasy books The Lord of the Rings I don't particularly venture into this genre. I've never really enjoyed reading paranormal, I get too bogged down in whether it's believable enough despite the fact that yes I know it's paranormal, as a result I struggle to connect with characters, with the story, with the world the author has created. I'm not afraid to admit it, I'm a paranormal snob of sorts, and to be honest I've never really had the overwhelming urge to dive into this genre as a result. So you're probably wondering why I picked up Love Bites (Bitten #4), I was given an arc in exchange for an honest review, and to be honest despite loving other works by CC Wood, this series was still a hard sell, for all of the aforementioned reasons. I went beyond my preconceived ideas and within three pages I was utterly hooked. I was desperate for more, and as I sit here writing this review, I have already purchased the other books in the series ready to dive in.

Who would of thought a self confessed pnr non lover would find herself so emerced in this story. Calder is all types of hot, smokin' sexy beta of his wolf pack, and Ricki, smart, sexy and independent. The chemistry between these two was off the charts, the push and pull of attraction between them jumped right off the page. The more I read the more I wanted to know, the more desperate I was for more of their story, more of this story, of this series.

I hadn't read any of the previous books in the series, and whilst I think knowing the backstory would of been a nice addition to the reading experience, I didn't need it to understand what was going on, or the dynamics of the supernatural world Wood has created.

For lovers of this series about vampires, witches and wolves and the humans they inhabit the earth with, Love Bites will be a great addition, and to readers new to the series, and even pnr snobs like myself I urge you to dive in and take a chance like I did, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Written with Wood's unique blend of snark and wit, humour and heat, Love Bites was exactly the book I needed without even realising it. Kudos CC Wood, your talent knows no bounds, once again you have proved why you're an author I adore reading.

 

 

Purchase Links: 

Amazon

 iBooks

B&N

Kobo
Amazon UK
Amazon AUS

 

About CC Wood:

 

A native Texan, C.C. grew up either reading or playing the piano. Years later, she’s still not grown up and doing the same ...things. Since the voices in her head never shut up, C.C. decided to try and profit from their crazy stories and started writing books.

Now that she has a baby girl at home, C.C.’s non-writing time is usually spent cleaning up poopy diapers or feeding the poop machine. Sometimes she teaches piano, cooks, or spends time bugging her hubby and two beagles.

Email
Website

Breaking The Ice - T Torrest - Review

 

Blurb:

A Reader-Generated Love Story

Zachary McAllister's entire life revolves around hockey and sex, in that order.
When a career-ending injury changes everything, he’s left mourning the life that could have been. Now the owner of a rundown local pub, the ex-NHL star finds himself grappling with his "ordinary" existence, trying to come to terms with a very uncertain future.

His former team is on track to win the 2003 Stanley Cup Championship without him, and preparations are being made for a victory party at the bar.

Enter Avery Brooks.
She’s the straitlaced event planner hired to arrange the party, thanks to her father's connections.
Her father who just happens to be the General Manager for the NJ Devils…
and the guy who handed Zac his walking papers four years ago.

Suddenly, Avery finds herself face-to-face with her teenage crush.
The two had a minor flirtation going on back in the day, when Zac was just an arrogant, womanizing rookie and Avery was a naive, starry-eyed fan.

Their chemistry is undeniable, but both are completely different people than they were all those years ago.

In order for this fiery Devil to melt the heart of an ice princess, Zac will need to up his game.
All he needs to do is relearn everything he ever thought he knew about how to play.


Breaking the Ice was written based on the input and suggestions from readers.
From the characters’ names to their occupations to the years this story takes place, the entirety of this narrative has been created by (and for) readers like you.


***This book is intended for readers 18+ due to some offensive language, underage drinking, and graphic sex/sexual situations***


READ WHEN YOU’RE IN THE MOOD FOR:
Sweet, inspiring, a little funny, a little angsty, a little sexy

Goodreads



Credit - Schmexy Girl Book Blog
 

Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: April 2015.



It's a strange concept with Breaking the Ice, I remember following Torrest while she was writing this, the tag line of "our love story" couldn't be more appropriate, this was a reader/fan directed story, the author accepting suggestions and thoughts along the way, granted Torrest had first and final say in how the story would progress, but it was kind of like having the worlds biggest beta team, a task that would seem quite daunting to even the most seasoned author.

I had had this little gem sitting on my kindle for months, since release day actually, but as any avid reader or blogger will understand your TBR gets out of control and you lose track of what book is next to read. I'm kicking myself for that oversight even now as I write this review. Breaking the Ice was a little slower than Remember When or Down the Shore was for me, this is a slow burn kind of story, we slowly see the connection developing between Avery and Zac. We seem every side of both of them as friendship blooms and an unspoken chemistry grows.

Zachary McAllister "MANIAC" is a demon on the ice, he's a young, up and comer for the NJ Devils NHL team, hockey and women are his primary focuses, hockey may be involve a lot of work but women falling at his feet is certainly no hardship. What's a young guy hitting his professional stride supposed to do but take advantage of the perks that come with being an up and coming sport star.

Avery Brookes is the daughter of the GM of the NJ Devils, while off at college Avery can almost forget most of the people from her home town think of her as one of the boys, she studies, has a decent social life and enjoys the college lifestyle. When visiting home she meets her dads newest recruit, Zac McAllister and the rest they say is history...or is it... from first meetings these two aren't destined for anything past a few snarky jabs at one another. But this right here is the beauty of Torrest's writing, the way she builds her stories, layers her characters, nothing ever feels one dimensional, there's a beautiful depth to her words, a multi faceted feel to each story she puts forth.

Torrest for me proves that what I love most about reading is curling up with a book that characters feel real, that doesn't need fireworks and explosions to make me feel, a book that makes me laugh, leaves me feeling happy and content, with a smile in my face and a song in my heart.

 

 

Purchase Links: 

Amazon AUS: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00R4QFW9M

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00R4QFW9M

Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B00R4QFW9M



About T Torrest:

T. Torrest is a New Adult fiction writer from the U.S. She has written many books, but prays that only a handful of them will ever see the light of day. Her stories are geared toward readers of any age that know how to enjoy a good laugh and a dreamy romance.



Ms. Torrest was a child of the eighties, but has since traded in her Rubik's cube for a laptop and her Catholic school uniform for a comfy pair of yoga pants. She likes pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. She's not much into health food, but she does enjoy talking about herself in the third person.



A lifelong Jersey girl, she currently resides there with her husband and two sons.



She also LOVES to get friend requests on goodreads and facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/TTorres... and personal messages from readers via email ttorrest@optonline.net.

Unexpected Chance (Running into Love #6) Annalisa Nicole - ARC Reviewand Blog Tour

Title: Unexpected Chance
Series: Running Into Love Book 6
Author: Annalisa Nicole
Release: April 20, 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25201972-unexpected-chance?from_search=true

Blurb:

Aiden Wellington has it all. He has an amazing, fulfilling job as a lawyer. He has a wonderful family who are all married with children. He has fancy cars, friends, and a beautiful Seattle home. Yes, he has everything a man could ever ask for, everything except the one thing that he desires most…a woman.

Savvy Russell has led an extremely hard life. She’s learned from a very early age that good things just don’t happen to her. She’s convinced karma has it out for her. When she finds something good, ultimately she’s left with nothing except for the shirt on her back. She’s always waiting for her newly found piece of happiness to be ripped away from her.

When life literally throws Savvy into Aiden’s arms can he get past his bitterness and see what is right in front of him?
Will Savvy finally put aside her misguided feelings of self-worthlessness to see what everybody else sees?
Is it possible to replace a lifetime of hurt with something as simple as love?

Kristine's Review: 

Reviewed: April 2015.

The Running into Love series has always been an uplifting reading experience for me, stories of trials and hurt, of lost love and second chances. It's been a cathartic experience, watching these characters overcome past hurts, both physical and emotional, finding their way back to themselves, to those who love them.

Aiden Wellington has always been something of an enigma, always hiding in plain sight, he's living the seemingly perfect life, his career is coasting along, professionally he's at the top of his game, but his personal life is non existent, there's no one to come home to, no one to share his life with, and on the surface he's not even concerned about it. He's content. 

Savvy has had a long run of bad luck, growing up without a loving home, from destructive toxic relationship to the next, constantly singling out men who mistreat and hurt her, Savvy has never had any reason to believe in happy ever afters. She's witnessed her friends find it, but see's her own HEA as a far off dream, things like that couldn't possibly happen for her. 

There's a lot of heart in this story, Savvy is the kind of heroine you instantly want to cheer for, she's never expected much for herself because she's never really experienced what unconditional love is. Falling into Aiden's arms was single handedly the most unexpected and ultimately biggest moment of her life. Annalisa Nicole never fails to grab me by the heart strings, demanding my attention and willing me to feel for her beautifully broken and often flawed characters. The final book in the series left me feeling sated and content, the Wellington family feels real to me, I've watched their lives change, watched their family grow,  seen them all shaped by both joy and tragedy. Their stories touching my heart in a way very few do. 

Author Bio:

I am an “Indie” contemporary romance author. I live in California with my husband and two teenage boys. I absolutely love being a stay at home mom.
I never liked reading as a kid. I only started reading romance novels in the past few years. My Kindle and I are inseparable now. A thought occurred to me in December of 2012 that maybe I could write a romance novel. So I went to work with the encouragement of my husband and my sister-in-law. It didn’t take long to figure out that I really enjoy writing.
Today I am a self-published author and it has been an amazing journey.

Social Media Links:

Newsletter: http://www.annalisanicole.com/newsletter.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Annalisa-Nicole/536566939759103

Website: http://bit.ly/1eKMZi0

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1cud04S

e-mail: authorannalisanicole@yahoo.com

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/OO0atj

Amazon Profile: http://amzn.to/LiEbYU

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1i2B46R

Instagram: http://instagram.com/indieanicole

tsu: http://bit.ly/1DjmPVA

Book Trailer:

Embedded: <a class="embedly-card" href="https://animoto.com/play/jVFe3bU80a4ezLFinOPWLQ">Unexpected Chance</a>

<script async src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/platform.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>

Direct Link: https://animoto.com/play/jVFe3bU80a4ezLFinOPWLQ


Running Into Love Series Goodreads: 

https://www.goodreads.com/series/123735-running-into-love

Series Buy Links:
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/m6msax2

Amazon CA: http://tinyurl.com/lzdqrhx

Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/kx8bfbp

Amazon AU: http://tinyurl.com/qfuodxe

Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/pqc8c9u

Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/logdksx

iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/lg2zcto


Giveaway:
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Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/81aa7894468

Porter by David Michael - Cover Reveal

Blurb: 

Cameras don’t catch all of the action…

Porter Hale is a sex god—The Prince of Porn with dreams of grandeur.

When he meets Holly Nash, the biggest casting director in Hollywood, the doors to his future are thrown open.

Just one problem: She loathes porn.

Porter is walking into Holly’s world and the price of admission is higher than either of them could have guessed.

As sparks fly and passions blaze into something wild, they are forced to accept that someone will have to sacrifice their dreams or risk their lover’s heart.

When dreams collide, the aftermath can be messy.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25193398

Pre Order Links: 

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/David-Michael/e/B00HGUDM9S/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Barnes and Noble
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blessed-david-michael/1117786552...

iBooks
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id782895885

Shutter Girl - CD Reiss - COVER REVEAL

Author Note:  If you know me, you know my Submission and Corruption books. This is different. This is about love and loss, ambition and talent, and our commitments to ourselves and each other. I don't close the door on the expression of love, but this is not the usual dirty pleasure.

Add the Hollywood Project aka ShutterGirl to your TBR at:   http://bit.ly/1IpYCv7

Release Date: May 20th

ShutterGirl Book Trailer: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u2QJM0key0&feature=youtu.be

Blurb

I am not hurt.

I don’t need a second chance with him, or a life I thought I had.

While he was out forgetting me to become a movie star, I was building a career out of nothing. A career as a paparazzi, but a career. For a foster kid who bounced around every home in Los Angeles, that wasn’t easy. 

This camera is all I have.

He’s nothing to me. Every time I take his picture and sell it, I remind myself that I did it all without him or his approval, his cinnamon smell or his clear green eyes. He lights up the screen like a celestial body, but he’s nothing but a paycheck to me. 

He can throw my camera off a balcony, and nothing has to change. We can stay king and queen of the same city, and different worlds.

Except this is Hollywood, and here, anything can happen.

About CD Reiss

CD Reiss is a USA Today and Amazon bestseller. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn’t pick up, she’s at the well, hauling buckets.

Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master’s degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere, but it did embed TV story structure in her head well enough for her to take a big risk on a TV series structured erotic series called Songs of Submission. It’s about a kinky billionaire hung up on his ex-wife, an ingenue singer with a wisecracking mouth; art, music and sin in the city of Los Angeles.

Critics have dubbed the books “poetic,” “literary,” and “hauntingly atmospheric,” which is flattering enough for her to put it in a bio, but embarrassing enough for her not to tell her husband, or he might think she’s some sort of braggart who’s too good to give the toilets a once-over every couple of weeks or chop a cord of wood.

If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.

Stalk Her: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads | Pinterest | Intagram

The Virgin Romance Novelist - Meghan Quinn - Review

 

 

Blurb:

Her bosom heaved at an alarming rate as his rough hand found its way down to her soft, yet wiry briar patch...

Can you say briar patch in a romance novel? What about meat sword? That’s what it is…a meat sword, right, all meaty and sword like, slaying through the inner dungeons of a woman’s dark desires. What about breasts? Do bosoms really heave?

God, I have no idea what happens when private parts touch.

I’m a virgin trying to write a romance novel and can’t seem to write past a sex scene thanks to my lack of experience.

My two best friends encourage me to drop the pen for a while and gain some real life practice through multiple dating facets such as blind dates, online profiles, and random hook ups.

But losing my virginity is proving to be tougher than expected...

Goodreads

Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: April 2015.





Have you ever craved something light and funny? Something heartfelt, with just the right amount of angst, The Virgin Romance Novelist has that and more. Rosie is plodding along through life writing for a cat magazine while dreaming of writing her own books. But writing romance isn't as easy as she thought, sex scenes aren't all heaving bosoms and quivering loins, having very little experience to base her books off Rosie begins dating looking to finally have some knowledge to draw on.

Rosie's rag tag team of friends Henry, Delaney, Derk and Jenny keep you laughing, as every conceivable disastrous event could occur on her dates, from split pants to vomiting, Rosie's adventure into the world of dating and sex is laugh out loud funny.

Rosie's naivety is thoroughly endearing, her quirky friends and work place not only ensured that I was invested in her life but it was her outlook on life and her relationships with her friends that had me falling in love with her. Her honesty, her frank conversations with those around her. Her run ins with Sir Licks-a-Lot, her evil cat nemesis had me giggling.

There's so much heart in the The Virgin Romance Novelist, often I find books that do humour well are lacking in heart and story, almost as if light and funny negates having a great story, but Quinn had both in spades. Funny, often irreverent, with just the right amount of heat and heart. This was my first Meghan Quinn book, but it definitely wont be my last.

 

 

About Meghan Quinn:

 

When I was in high school I occasionally read books but was consumed by other teenage things so I didn't take the time to appreciate a good book on a cloudy day, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch. It wasn't until I received a Kindle for Christmas one year that my world completely flipped upside down. When looking for books I came across the Contemporary Romance genre and was sold and I haven't turned back since.

You can either find my head buried in my Kindle, listening to inspiring heart ripping music or typing away on the computer twisting and turning the lives of my characters while driving my readers crazy with anticipation.

​I currently reside in beautiful Colorado Springs where the sun is always shining and there is a trail waiting to be hiked on every corner. I share a lovely and warm home with the love of my life and my five, four-legged children.

Find Meghan on FB

Purchase Links:

Amazon US:  http://amzn.com/B00U9T8FUE
Amazon AUS: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00U9T8FUE
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00U9T8FUE

Down The Shore - T Torrest - ARC Review

 

 

Blurb:

Livia Chadwick is a photographer by day and a self-proclaimed rock slut by night.

Her dating life is a lack lustre parade of evasive jerks and her boss is an unrelenting nightmare of a human being. What else can a girl do but rent a beach house with her girlfriends and blow off a little steam every weekend? But hey, she’s from Jersey. Barhopping down the shore all season is sort of mandatory. All is going according to plan… until she meets Jack.

Jack Tanner is a contractor-turned-musician in a small-town cover band suddenly thrust into the limelight. He’s already had enough of the rock-and-roll lifestyle, and groupies have never been his thing. Then again… there’s a gorgeous brunette in the audience tonight, checking him out with the most incredible green eyes he’s ever seen.

She's looking for a fling.
He's looking for forever.

It’s gonna be one helluva summer.


Set in the summer of 1995, Down the Shore takes the reader on a tour through some of the Jersey shore’s hottest hot spots over one, sleepless, flannel-clad summer. It’s a look back to a time when the music was groundbreaking, the rock clubs were king, and bar bands ruled the world. Read when you're in the mood for: something light, funny, romantic, beachy, and nostalgic. For ages 18+.

***Not recommended for anyone under the age of 18, and/or any readers who are slut-shamers, guido sympathizers, beach haters or anti-music. Other people who should walk away from this book immediately: Readers who have sticks up their butts regarding offensive language, those who don't like detailed sex in their stories, idiots who think "Jersey Shore" has anything to do with actual New Jerseyans, and anyone who can't appreciate pop-culture from the mother-effing nineties.***

Goodreads

"All the other seasons pale in comparison to the excitement and freedom of summer. It’s the one time of year when I can cut loose and feel like a kid again. Before the responsibilities, before the soul-crushing pressure of trying to figure out my future. I can forget about my crappy job; I can forget about my even crappier love life.

Summer is my superpower."

 Livia Chadwick.

Excerpt:

I test the waters, skimming a hand between us and sliding my palm against the front of his shorts.

He doesn’t push me away.

Instead, he groans against my mouth and drives his hips into my hand, gripping my ass closer to his body. It’s a fairly impressive piece of equipment he’s working with over there, and I am more than thrilled to have it writhing against my palm.

Just as I tuck my thumbs into the waistband of his shorts, he tears his mouth from mine in a frustrated grunt, his hands braced against my shoulders.

He can’t even meet my eyes as he says, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have, uh...”

Goddammit. This horseshit again? I can’t take it anymore.

“What the hell, Jack? Why don’t you want to have sex with me?”

I’m trying very hard not to let any hurt show. But hurt I am.

He runs a hand through his hair and growls, “It’s not that I don’t want to. Believe me, I want to very much.”

“So, what are you? Some sort of straight-edger or something?”

Jack chuckles to himself and answers, “No.”

“Closeted gay?”

“No.”

“A virgin?”

“No. Not at all. Trust me, in the old days, there was never anything virtuous about me. But I’m done being that guy.”

“Well, then you seriously misread this situation. Because I’m not done being that girl.”

He crosses his arms over his chest and stares me down. “You don’t really mean that.”

“You don’t know me well enough to make such an assessment.”

“I know you’ve had boyfriends. It’s not always party time for you.”

Huh. Looks as though someone has been doing his recon. I put my hands on my hips and give a huff. “So... what? You want to be my boyfriend?”

A sly grin cracks his face at that. He steps too close, and I catch a whiff of his smoky, shaving-cream scent as he lowers his head and nudges his lips against my ear. “Are you asking?”

 

 Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: April 2015.

 

The Remember When series by T Torrest is still one of my favourites, Trip and Layla have engrained themselves in my heart and soul, and I have spent countless hours reading and rereading their story. When news of Down The Shore hit social media I was instantly intrigued, and I have to say that Torrest does not disappoint. From the first line I was hooked, by the third page invested, I couldn't have put this book down if I had wanted to. 

Livia Chadwick spends her days as a photographer and her nights and weekends seeking out musicians and rock shows, showing her appreciation for their ability with her body. Her life is one of mediocrity, the only bright spots are her passion for music and being part of that world. Along with her sister and girlfriends Livia, rents a house on the beach for the summer, where she can escape to every weekend to party, blow off some steam and maybe even a summer fling or two.

Jack Tanner is a contractor turned musician. His world suddenly looks very different when his cover band is thrust into the limelight, he's had enough of groupies, the rock and roll lifestyle and all that comes along with it. When he see's a gorgeous brunette in the crowd, and finally speaks to her, he's positive he's found someone he could have a real connection with. Unfortunately Livia is only looking for a little fun, and a way to say thank you for the music.

What follows is a story that had me so invested that I couldn't put Down The Shore down, the perfect blend of funny and heartfelt, of drama and angst, of quiet reflective thought and hope for the future. Livia was a heroine I could connect with, she's pretended that she's happy, that she's content with her place in the world, but until she's forced to look inward she's never really questioned her work, her lifestyle. I adored that Torrest always steps outside of the norm with her characters, I loved that Livia isn't what I would of expected, and I adored that Jack wasn't the manwhore rockstar that so many books portray. I was quick to connect with both Jack and Livia, I was instantly drawn into their world, I was transported back in time to 1995 and I loved every second of it.

Torrest has quickly become an instant 1click for me, her writing style is effortlessly engaging, I desperately want to know more about each character she writes, I'm invested immediately, and never want to let these characters go, she writes the kind of books I immediately want to start over when I finish them because I'm not ready to say goodbye yet, her stories are quirky, fun, sexy and yet always heartfelt, there's a deeper connection I feel when reading, that I know these people, that these characters could very well be my friends, creating the feeling that I'm living their journey not just a reader sitting at home turning pages on a book. Torrest has certainly cemented herself as an author to watch, and one I never fail to recommend.

 

 

 

 Purchase Links:

 US http://amzn.to/1JgTcUl

UK http://amzn.to/15kjGFc

AU http://amzn.to/1JgTcUl

 

About T Torrest:

 

T. Torrest is a New Adult fiction writer from the U.S. She has written many books, but prays that only a handful of them will ever see the light of day. Her stories are geared toward readers of any age that know how to enjoy a good laugh and a dreamy romance.

Ms. Torrest was a child of the eighties, but has since traded in her Rubik's cube for a laptop and her Catholic school uniform for a comfy pair of yoga pants. She likes pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. She's not much into health food, but she does enjoy talking about herself in the third person.

A lifelong Jersey girl, she currently resides there with her husband and two sons.

She also LOVES to get friend requests on goodreads and facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/TTorres... and personal messages from readers via email ttorrest@optonline.net.

Other Books by T Torrest: 

 

 

Remember When Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B00AUV1R42

 

Remember When Two Amazon US:  http://amzn.com/B00DHP7SEQ

 

Remember When Three Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B00DHP7SEQ

 

Breaking The Ice Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B00R4QFW9M