Duo Review – Incendiary by Amy A. Bartol

WINNER OF THE 2013 UTOPYA AWARDS FOR BEST VILLAIN & BEST BOOK COVER OF THE YEAR

Cold, fine drops of rain fall softly on my cheeks as I emerge from the darkness of the ship’s interior to the gray, overcast sky of the main deck. Pulling my dark pea coat tighter to my body, the wind lifts red tendrils of my hair. I walk slowly to the railing overlooking the water.

I catch my first sight of the Irish coastline; its craggy landscape makes me shiver in dread. I find it difficult to imagine now how the Gancanagh had made this their home for so long without anyone realizing it. The cold, moss-covered edifices practically scream their presence. As I study the shadows between the falling-down stone, I imagine creeping shapes of undead Faeries grasping the rock, waiting for our ship to draw nearer to their position.

Tipping my face up, I let the rain wash over me. It bathes away the frigid sweat of fear that has broken on my brow. “You don’t know how fiercely beautiful you are, do you?” A quiet voice behind me asks, causing me to stiffen and fix my eyes on the rocks along the shoreline.

As one of Ann and Kiersten’s real life BFF’s, Missy has been subjected to countless hours of book discussions! Over the years there is NO other series that has generated as much discussion between Missy and Kiersten as the Premonition Series by Amy Bartol. It is one of our most favorites and we love it more than is really healthy.

The 5th and FINAL book in the Premonition Series, Iniquity, will be released on December 8. In advance of this exciting event, I asked Missy to join me for another guest edition of the Duo Review to share our thoughts on this incredible series! Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be sharing our thoughts with you about the awesomeness that is the Premonition Series!

Read our Duo Review of Inescapable.

Read our Duo Review of Intuition.

Read our Duo Review of Indebted.

Duo (Guest) Review

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This is the book where s#$% got real. The End.

Just kidding….mostly…..this book is so hard to describe and review without giving away so many many details.

There’s another new character that shakes the foundation for Russell, Evie and Reed. Anya rocks. She is a fantastic character and a terrific addition to the mix. This is also the book where we meet both Evie’s father and her long time guardian. These two characters also mix up the dynamics and change the game.

Incendiary is really about unraveling and clarifying the missions and separating the characters to define them and their relationships to one another. This book is where we see Evie begin to embrace her powers and accept her mission no matter the reasons behind it.

There are really not enough usable words in the English language to tell you how fantastic this series is and all of the reasons you should read it. This is the series that convinced me (BFF K) I do love paranormal romance.

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AND Missy

Amazon Links to Purchase The Premonition Series

Kindle Copy of All 5 Books in the Premonition Series

*All links also include Audible option.

Amazon Links to Purchase The Kricket Series by Amy A Bartol

Under Different Stars (Book 1)

Sea of Stars (Book 2)

Darken the Stars (Book 3)

*All links also include Audible option.

All of Amy Bartol’s Books have an audio book option. BFF K is a HUGE audio fan!

These are all absolutely fantastic!

About the Author

I live in Michigan with my husband and our two sons. My family is very supportive of my writing. When I’m writing, they often bring me the take-out menu so that I can call and order them dinner. They listen patiently when I talk about my characters like they’re real. They rarely roll their eyes when I tell them I’ll only be a second while I finish writing a chapter…and then they take off their coats. They ask me how the story is going when I surface after living for hours in a world of my own making. They have learned to accept my “writing uniform” consisting of a slightly unflattering pink fleece jacket, t-shirt, and black yoga pants. And they smile at my nerdy bookishness whenever I try to explain urban fantasy to them. In short, they get me, so they are perfect and I am blessed. Please visit me at my website: http://www.amyabartol.com

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Review – The Allure of Dean Harper by R.S. Grey

Title: The Allure of Dean Harper (Allure #2)

Author: R.S. Grey

Release Date: Sept 28, 2015

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From: LilyNBlack@Gmail.com
To: JosephineKeller@VogueMagazine.com
Subject: You’re a flippin’ idiot

Good morning my dear, naive friend, I hope you’re enjoying a breakfast of regret and sorrow.

Why?

Because you sent me to work for Dean Harper, aka a control freak in a tailor-made suit. Sure he owns the trendiest restaurants in NYC, but c’mon Jo, his ego makes Kanye West look like the Dalai Lama.

He’s the type of guy that only hears the word “no” when it’s followed by “don’t stop.

”Working for Dean Harper would be like selling my soul to the devil…and before you say anything, I don’t care if the devil has punch-you-in-the-gut brown eyes and an ass to match. My soul isn’t for sale.

Regretfully yours,
Lily

The Allure of Dean Harper is a full-length standalone romance with overlapping characters from The Allure of Julian Lefray. Both books can be read separately. Chronologically, The Allure of Julian Lefray happens first.

Amazon

BFF K’s Review

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The Allure of Dean Harper is a BFF K Top 10 Read for 2015

I LOVE this book! The Allure of Dean Harper is a fun, hilariously-funny, endearing, blood-pumping, outstanding read!

Lily Black and Dean Harper are like oil and vinegar. It takes a whole lot of shaking to bring them together, but when they combine, the result is delicious! Lily has moved to NYC with big dreams of staking her place in the culinary world. She’s prepared to bust her a$# and work her way to the top. Dean Harper is already at the pinnacle of success in the restaurant industry. His accomplishments are the result of hard work, complete control and virtually no personal life. Both Lily and Dean are impossibly head-strong, hot-tempered, prideful, passionate people. They come together as intensely as they pull apart.

The Allure of Dean Harper is FUNNY! It is absolutely hysterical. I laughed until I cried. There were a couple of times where I teared up a bit; then I laughed some more. This is by far my favorite R.S. Grey book to date. (I love The Duet & Scoring Wilder, so that’s saying something!) There are 2 particular scenes – 1 on the yacht and 1 in the club – that had me howling with laughter. These are legitimate LOL moments!

This story is sublime. The Allure of Dean Harper reminds me of the perfect margarita – sweet and sour, sugary and salty, tasty and refreshing, and just one will never be enough. I can’t wait to read this again and I am so excited for everyone to have the chance to devour Dean and Lily’s story!

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An ARC was received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author

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 are 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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Review – Darken the Stars by Amy A. Bartol

Darken the Stars is the heart-stopping, adrenaline-fueled, hangover-inducing conclusion to the Kricket Series by Amy A. Bartol.

Kyon Ensin finally has what he’s always wanted: possession of Kricket Hollowell, the priestess who foresees the future. Together, their combined power will be unrivaled. Kricket, however, doesn’t crave the crown of Ethar—she has an unbreakable desire to live life on her own terms, a life that she desperately wants to share with her love, Trey Allairis.

As conspiracies rage in the war for Ethar, Kricket’s so-called allies want to use her as a spy. Even those held closest cannot be trusted—including Astrid, her sister, and Giffen, a member of a mysterious order with a hidden agenda. But Kricket’s resolve will not allow her to be used as anyone’s pawn, even as the Brotherhood sharpens its plans to cut out her heart.

As the destiny prophesied by her mother approaches, Kricket will backtrack through her fiery future to reshape it. For she knows one thing above all else: the only person she can truly count on is herself.

Read BFF K’s reviews of: Under Different Stars and Sea of Stars.

BFF K’s Review

I’m not sure how to write a review for a book that concludes (?) a series that I have dearly loved in a manner in which I’m still coming to terms. I’m a HUGE fan of Amy A. Bartol. I think she’s an absolute genius and her creation of worlds beyond my wildest imagination is exceptional. Darken the Stars blew me away, hence the rare 6-Rating!

If you’ve been following Amy Bartol or any of the social media hype surrounding this book, you will know that it has left many in a state of great unrest. The ending is not what many (including me) had hoped for these beloved characters.

While the conclusion to this story left me sobbing and bleeding; it’s honestly better than the worst case scenarios that ran through my head before and during my reading. The ending is better than the countless horrific outcomes I had envisioned where all my favorite characters in the series, including Kricket, die unspeakably horrible deaths. This ending is NOT what I had expected or hoped for but, in retrospect, I can’t imagine being satisfied with something different at this point.

Kricket has a life on her own terms. She belongs to no one and is controlled by no one. She also knows the truth about who she is and what her abilities allow her to do. Kricket has true friendships and a true understanding of who she is, how brilliant she is and how many people love her to the point that they will kill for her.

It is sometimes easy to forget, but this series is about Kricket. This series is about her journey, her discoveries, her fights for love and acceptance and life as she chooses. All of the other characters and plots exist to highlight and develop Kricket. Darken the Stars emphasizes all of the amazing complexities and nuances of Kricket’s character; she has proven herself over and over again.

Throughout this series, it has been no secret that I LOVE Trey (still do.) He’s been one of my all-time favorite book boyfriends. I also had a strong dislike for Kyon. I have spouted in several forums on social media my dislike for Kyon and the assertion that I would never, could never like this character……When I’m wrong, I’ll say I’m wrong. After Darken the Stars, I see Kyon differently. I valiantly fought against liking him but, through this book, I understand him so clearly. I understand Kricket’s feelings for him and his feelings for her. It is a testament to Amy Bartol’s storytelling to take a character that was so despised and completely redeem and endear him to the reader. This character exploration alone makes Darken the Stars worth reading!

This book has always been billed as the final installment in the Kricket series. If it ends today, I can live with the conclusion. I will imagine in my head countless continuations for my favorite characters as the story will continue to play out in ways I envision. However, if we raise our voices together – rant, rave and beg, maybe the publisher #47North would consider a continuation to Kricket’s story. Like so many others, I’m just not ready for this story to end.

If you have read the first two books in the Kricket series, you absolutely MUST read Darken the Stars. If you haven’t started the series, I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful it is. This series is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorites!

An ARC of this book was received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon Links to Purchase The Kricket Series

Under Different Stars – Book 1

Sea of Stars – Book 2

Sea of Stars: The Kricket Series, Book 2 – Book 2 on Audible

Darken the Stars – Book 3

About the Author

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Excerpt & New Release – Slow Burn by K. Bromberg

The Driven Series by K. Bromberg was one of BFF K’s Besties from 2014. Some of the characters from that great series are back and BFF K is excited to read Haddie and Becks story!

ONE NIGHT. THAT’S ALL IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE.

Reeling from the sudden loss of her sister, Haddie Montgomery has sworn off relationships. All she wanted from Beckett Daniels was a sexy distraction to help her escape her pain for just a little while….There weren’t supposed to be any strings attached—so why can’t she shake the memory of that unforgettable night from her thoughts? Or the taste of his kiss from her lips?

No matter how hard Haddie tries to forget about him, Becks relentlessly tries to prove that she should start living for today. But she is determined to avoid romantic commitment, and she can always use her ex-boyfriend’s reappearance to help snuff out the slow burn within her that Becks has sparked….

Or will fate force her to realize that this kind of connection doesn’t come along very often and a chance at love is worth the risk?

Excerpt

“Yeah. That’s one way to put it. Is there something else you called for besides trying to stick your nose in where it doesn’t belong?”

I open my mouth and then shut it, unsure how calling him because I just needed to hear his voice has devolved so quickly into this. Into me scrambling for words I can’t find to fix shit that doesn’t need fixing.

Because I don’t want this. Don’t want him.

“Well then, if you want to actually talk instead of pull this ridiculous bullshit, I’m here for you…but Had…? Whatever this is here…this passive aggressive crap? I don’t do too well with that. We had our one night. You made it quite clear you didn’t want anything more than that so you don’t get to call me up and question what I might or might not be doing with anybody else. You want no strings? Then cut the ties…but frankly I don’t think you know what the fuck you want so until you figure your shit out, I think it’s best that we say good night before we make a bad situation even worse.”

“Wait!” Desperation rings in my voice in the single word. And I hate myself for sounding like this but I’m so lonely, so scared and just want the comfort I know he can bring me right now.

I wait for the sound of the dial tone to assault my ears. Wait for the incessant beep that reaffirms why I have barbed wire wrapped around my heart – painful but necessary. But there is nothing for a few moments until I hear the phone scrape against the stubble on his face.

And I wait…my throat burning with the tears I want to shed but am so sick of. The ones that no longer bring me comfort.

“I’m here, Haddie. I’m not going anywhere, okay?” The timbre of his voice carries his concern and sympathy to me through the line.

The incoherent sound I make is all I can offer in thank you to him for not hanging up on me. For not giving up on me.

Buy Links

Amazon US – Amazon UK – Nook – Kobo – iTunes

Giveaway

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About the Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author K. Bromberg is that reserved woman sitting in the corner who has you all fooled about the wild child inside of her—the one she lets out every time her fingertips touch the computer keyboard.

K. lives in Southern California with her husband and three children. When she needs a break from the daily chaos of her life, you can most likely find her on the treadmill or with Kindle in hand, devouring the pages of a good, saucy book.

On a whim, K. Bromberg decided to try her hand at this writing thing. Her debut novels, Driven, Fueled, and Crashed of The Driven Trilogy were well received and went on to become multi-platform bestsellers as well as landing on the New York Times and USA Today lists. Her other works include a short story, UnRaveled, and a companion piece to The Driven Trilogy titled Raced. She is currently working on three stand alone Driven novels, Slow Burn, Sweet Ache, and Hard Beat. She also plans to release a novel addressing the 10 year gap at the ending of Crashed in late fall 2015

Review – Confessions of a Reformed Tom Cat by Daisy Prescott

I, Thomas Clifford Donnely, am a manwhore.

I’ve been told I’m irresistible to women. Like catnip for a different type of pussy-cat. I guess you could call me a Tom Cat.

This is the story about how I lost my wingman, broke all my own rules, and found myself falling in love.

Tom Donnelly isn’t the marrying kind, or the dating kind. Even after losing his #1 wingman to love, he doesn’t see the point in relationships. When his sister’s best friend returns to Whidbey Island and propositions Donnelly for a one-night stand, he breaks one of his biggest rules—no fooling around with his sisters’ friends. It’s just sex, nothing more. That’s what Tom does and does well.

What happens when “just sex” isn’t enough?

Hailey King is more than a match for Tom’s flirtations. She’s known him most of her life and has heard the rumors about his “skills” for years. When her perfectly planned future falls apart, will the last man she should ever fall for turn out to be more than a one-night stand?

BFF K’s Review

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Confession: I have a book crush on Tom Donnely! MEOW! The Tom Cat has always been one of my favorite side characters in the Modern Love Stories series, but until this book he sort of just stalked around the edges pouncing on his prey. This story brought him front and center and then turned his world upside down. Getting a glimpse of Tom (and the whole Donnely family) was a fun ride.

As a reader, you get the chance to see a different side of Tom – he’s unassuming, loyal, humble, creative, caring and generous. Though he hides many of those qualities behind his playboy image, Hailey seems to bring those best qualities to the forefront. It is fun to watch the carefully constructed walls and persona that Tom has crafted begin to crumble before he even realizes it.

This book is FUNNY, I cracked up when I went back and read quote after highlighted quote.

“Guys move shit that needs moving. I think it’s in the sacred book of being friends, especially in the men being friends with women chapter. On page forty-two: Have a penis? Thou shall move shit.”

Tom is clever and funny and his confessions are a riot. I enjoyed the banter Tom has with his friends and Hailey and I really enjoyed his internal monologue. The sex scenes are steamy, but still painted with the “book-sex-meets-reality” humor that Daisy Prescott is so skilled at capturing! All in all Confessions of a Reformed Tom Cat is a wonderful little feel good romance that adds even more characters to the beloved world of the Modern Love Stories series. The characters and stories make this series one of my all time Besties AND most recommended. It’s my kind of catnip!

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Buy Links:

Amazon iTunes Barnes and Noble

Daisy Prescott Bio:

Before writing bestselling contemporary adult romances, I dreamed of being an author while doing a lot of other things. Antiques dealer, baker, blue ribbon pie-maker, fangirl, freelance writer, gardener, pet mom and wife are a few of the other titles I’ve acquired over the years.

Born and raised in San Diego, I currently lives in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with my husband, our dog Hubbell, and an imaginary house goat.

Enter Daisy’s Giveaway!!

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2014 Besties

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WOW, what a year it has been for incredible books! We couldn’t let 2014 slip away without highlighting a few of our favorite reads.

BFF Book Blog 2014 Besties

BFF K’s 2014 Besties

Tie for #1

It was just too hard to choose my favorite between these amazing books! I loved the overall experience of reading Maybe Someday. The addition of the soundtrack made it such a complete and completely unique experience. Plus, BFF A and I had an incredible trip to Chicago to attend the concert/book signing. It’s one of my favorite books EVER!

The Collectors’ Society is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read! I adore everything about it and Alice truly has set a new standard that I hold for the very best in book heroines! The Hidden Library – Book 2 comes out in early 2015!

#2

Another top pick for its unique writing, incredible characters and 90’s pop culture references, I loved The Album by Ashley Pullo. Be sure to read the review AND our exclusive interview with the author!

#3

Another book with a KICK ASS heroine! I LOVE Kricket and Book #2, Sea of Stars is one of my most highly anticipated new releases for 2015!

#4

What an emotional ride! I hid from this book like a big baby for weeks after it came out. I was seriously, legitimately, scared of a book. But, I didn’t need to be! This book was so wonderful and I’ve thought about passages and themes from this book countless times throughout the year!

#5

A Matter of Fate is one of my favorite series of all time! I absolutely love it! I have spent way too many hours thinking and dreaming about the characters in this series. A Matter of Forever was the perfect, beautiful, emotionally raw conclusion (we’re talking snot-filled ugly cry) to this series and one of my tops for 2014!

#6

This is the twisted book that I love to hate or hate to love, I’m still not sure! Either way, it’s one of the best I read this year.

#7

Like many friends, I’m always looking for books that will give me the same feels as 50 Shades of Grey! This series comes close AND it has a smoking hot race car driver!

#8

The Deep End of the Sea is Medusa as you’ve never seen her before! I loved this modern twist on the classic mythology. And, everything Heather Lyons writes is impeccable!

#9

Reed. I should really just say that and move on. In 2014, he shot to the top of my Book Boyfriend list! I am loving this incredible storyline and can’t wait to finish the series in 2015.

#10

Lick, Play, Lead – I read them all in 2014 and I’m in love with the men of Stage Dive! These are super fun, rockstar romances filled with GREAT characters and LOL moments. Play is my fave in the series so far and Mal is definitely one of my top Book Boyfriends. (What can I say, I LOVE a guy who can make me laugh!)

BFF A’s 2014 Besties

I think I read more this year than I ever have in one year. Maybe it’s because I finally found books that intrigue me the most. Perhaps it’s because I have a purpose for reading more. I love talking to my BFF about books. I love instilling in my daughter the love of reading. I love that I can use a book to escape reality, even if for just a little bit. I hope to do more in 2015. More reading, more searching, more conversations, more focus.

It’s difficult to narrow down. There have been many books I have loved this year. I was able to immerse myself in the stories, become a part of the events and finish with serious book hangover. When I think back to those that I constantly talk about, those that brought out my emotions, and left me wanting more, these made it to the top of my list.

#1

I still have no words to describe the mind-twisting journey I took while reading this book. It is definitely at the top of my list for 2014.

#2

It’s the only book that I can remember reading twice, it’s that good! Traveling to Chicago with BFF K for the concert with Griffin and Colleen was icing on the cake!

#3

I cried. I never cry when reading. Anything that has my emotions show like that is fantastic.

#4

This was not a 2014 release, but it was a new read for me this year. The entire series is thrilling, but book 1 really gets you hooked into the characters, events, and makes you want more. The journey of Anthony and Claire will continue in January 2015 when Beyond the Consequences is released. I already have it ordered.

We thank you so much for coming along on the exciting book journey we’ve taken in 2014. We look forward to an incredible 2015 and we thank you for being our Book BFF’s!

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Review – Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons

What if all the legends you’ve learned were wrong?

Brutally attacked by one god and unfairly cursed by another she faithfully served, Medusa has spent the last two thousand years living out her punishment on an enchanted isle in the Aegean Sea. A far cry from the monster legends depict, she’s spent her time educating herself, gardening, and desperately trying to frighten away adventure seekers who occasionally end up, much to her dismay, as statues when they manage to catch her off guard. As time marches on without her, Medusa wishes for nothing more than to be given a second chance at a life stolen away at far too young an age.

But then comes a day when Hermes, one of the few friends she still has and the only deity she trusts, petitions the rest of the gods and goddesses to reverse the curse. Thus begins a journey toward healing and redemption, of reclaiming a life after tragedy, and of just how powerful friendship and love can be—because sometimes, you have to sink in the deep end of the sea before you can rise back up again.

BFF K’s Review

It’s no secret that I LOVE Heather Lyons! She’s one of my favorites. When I realized that I had never posted my review for Deep End of the Sea on the BFF Book Blog, I had to fix that immediately! Here you go:

I love the musical Wicked. (Stick with me, I have a point.) I’m particularly drawn to it because of the way it makes me think of the Wizard of Oz. I’ve known that story and watched the movie since I was a little girl, but honestly wasn’t a fan until Wicked. This re-invention of the Wizard of Oz story has forever changed the way I look at the original.

The Deep End of the Sea is EXACTLY like that but replace Medusa for Elphaba! I will never be able to think about Medusa in the same way or consider mythology without wondering what the backstory is for each of the characters I’ve long-thought `I knew’! The love story between Medusa and Hermes in TDEotS will make you re-think everything you’ve ever learned or thought about these characters. How wonderful! Isn’t that what books should do, change the way we look at the world?

I was drawn to Medusa. I could relate to her in so many ways. “A good cry, as I’ve learned over the years, is a cathartic experience. I don’t do it often, as it can be a fruitless endeavor – it changes nothing, but sometimes, there’s this sweet spot I can find where I simply feel better afterward, even if just for an hour.” or “…no matter how many times I ask myself, `Why me?’ I am never given an answer.” See what I mean? What girl hasn’t felt that way?

And Hermes? SWOON! The patience and selfless commitment to his love is remarkable. Hermes is Medusa’s best friend and they have the kind of relationship that makes both of them better. “His goodness is a beacon I can’t resist navigating toward, especially when I commit such atrocities myself.” Characters like these are why I read romance novels!

In the end, TDEotS, with a rich cast of clever and wonderful characters, is a fairytale. And, it’s one that fills you with all the hope and great emotions inspired by fairytales. “Because, like in so many fairytales, a single kiss can make all the difference. The kiss the prince and princess shared was nothing like either had ever experienced. It changed them.”

This book will change your thoughts too, don’t miss it!

About Heather Lyons:

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

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Review – The Album by Ashley Pullo

Five Friends.

Five narratives.

One Epic Soundtrack.

The Album
Location: New York City (TriBeCa, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill)

Setting: 1996-2013

Characters:
Chloe LeGrange – talented musician searching for a purpose
Natalie LeGrange – lovable bad girl chasing her dreams
Adam Ford – perceptive attorney longing for a surprise
Zach Parker – philosophical Marine defending love
Chris Brooks – charming Texan with perpetual bad timing

Objective:
Unexpected encounters and brushes with fate construct a web of stories about the journey of love and acceptance.

Themes:
Fate, acceptance, sex, drugs, and really good music.

Genre:
Indie/Romance/Humor/Drama

The Album is a journey following five friends over the course of two decades. Set against the timeless backdrop of New York City, their story is a classic retelling of what it means to follow your dreams, accept reality, and have a lot of fun in the process.

BFF K’s Review

Stop what you’re doing BFFs! This book is a must read, instant BFF Bestie! I just finished this weekend and I think I’m still in a book fog. It is so fantastic; an epic story of interwoven characters, spanning years, a few countries, countless pop culture references, heart-break, romance, incredible love, a little angst and moments that will make your heart plummet and soar. All of this set to the most amazing playlists.

This is the incredible story of characters and lives that are layered together and intertwined whether the characters know it or not. It is thoughtful, heartfelt, well-written and refreshing. The Album is the kind of book that leaves you savoring passages and re-reading highlights to embrace the characters just one more time.

In thinking about my review, I tried to decide which character I liked best or which scenes or lines I should highlight to share. I came to the conclusion that I simply LOVE it all. I adore all of the characters for the way that they’re uniquely and fully developed and shared on the page. I can’t identify one that I love more than the other, but the way it all comes together is nothing short of exquisite.

Has this ever happened to you: you’ve finished a book, but all you can do is think about it? Maybe you pick it up and re-read a few lines again? And you go about your regular day thinking about the characters in a really unhealthy way, like obsessively? And you want to get over the book, but you don’t want the experience to be over? So, you go online and obsessively look up information on the book and things related – like songs and quotes and mildly stalk the author? (Like in a fun fangirl way, not showing up on her front stoop kind of stalking….) Yeah, so that might be how I feel about The Album.

When I finished, I started frantically sending texts and messages encouraging all of my friends to buy and read this book. I want every one of my friends to have the shared experience of loving this book. Consider this a personal nudge from me to you…Read this book now! The Ballad releases on December 11 and you’ll be waiting to read it too!

I am so taken by this book and the author that we’re giving you the opportunity to win some wonderful prizes in celebration of the book.

Thank you to Ashley Pullo for donating a SIGNED COPY of The Album to one lucky U.S. winner! And, a special shout out to Daisy Prescott, another one of my favorite authors for recommending this book and gifting me a copy. Show her some love in this Rafflecopter too. Both of these women are fantastically fun and you’ll love getting to know them and getting their newsletters!

Buy it today on Amazon

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About the Author

Let me just preface by saying, I adore her. Ashley is generous, talented and funny. Check out our next post to learn more about Ashley as she answers BFF K’s questions about The Album in our VERY FIRST Author Interview, “That’s What She Said.” (Thanks for the title, Ashley!)

The Lone Star State will always be my home, but fifteen years ago, I took the plunge and became a New Yorker. NYC is an amazing place to find inspiration in my daily surroundings–the random and the ordinary that make up reality. My writing showcases inspired ideas, as well as my love for dichotomy, authenticity and humor.

When not sitting in front of the TV devouring my favorite shows, I can be found at a soccer game with my husband and two children.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AshleyPullo
Twitter: @ashpullo
My NEW AMAZING WEBSITE http://www.ashleypullo.com
Or find me at any local Starbucks around 3 p.m.

New Release – The Collectors’ Society by Heather Lyons

We are extremely excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Heather Lyons’ THE COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY!! THE COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY is an Adult Romantic Fairy Tale, full of adventure and fantasy. This is Alice as you have never seen her before…And, she kicks ass!

Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo ** iTunes

THE COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY Synopsis:

From the author of the Fate series and The Deep End of the Sea comes a fantastical romantic adventure that has Alice tumbling down the strangest rabbit hole yet.

After years in Wonderland, Alice has returned to England as an adult, desperate to reclaim sanity and control over her life. An enigmatic gentleman with an intriguing job offer too tempting to resist changes her plans for a calm existence, though. Soon, she’s whisked to New York and initiated into the Collectors’ Society, a secret organization whose members confirm that famous stories are anything but straightforward and that what she knows about the world is only a fraction of the truth.

It’s there she discovers villains are afoot—ones who want to shelve the lives of countless beings. Assigned to work with the mysterious and alluring Finn, Alice and the rest of the Collectors’ Society race against a doomsday clock in order to prevent further destruction . . . but will they make it before all their endings are erased?

Click Here to Read the 6 Rating Review from BFF K!

“Alice is the new standard that I set for all heroines.”

About Heather Lyons:

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Review – Stay With Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout

At 21, Calla hasn’t done a lot of things. She’s never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park. But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should. She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona—secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends.

But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought shed left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming.

Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from they moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn’t give them her mom.

BFF K’s Review

Oh Jax! He’s an absolutely incredible, swoon worthy, alpha male! Calla is a really fantastic female character, she’s been dealt a pretty crumby hand in life. But, I particularly appreciated the way that Calla recognized she could not fix all of the problems in her life alone. Like most novels in this genre there are a couple of misunderstandings that leave you shaking your head. But, it was remarkably free of too many of those moments.

I loved getting to know Jax and Calla and their cast of friends. (Katie the future-seeing-stripper completely cracked me up!) If you’ve read the other Wait for You novels, you’ll be thrilled to see a few key visits from Cam and Avery and Jase and Tess. And, the new characters introduced in this book make me anxious for the next in the series (Fall With Me, March 2015)

Like all of the Wait for You series, there is a little bit of mystery and suspense in this book that will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can as late as you can! You will not regret picking up this book and letting Jax have a spot on your Book Boyfriend List!

Here are links for the other books in the Wait for You Series:

Wait for You – J. Lynn (Avery & Cam)
Trust in Me – Jennifer L. Armentrout – this is Avery and Cam, but from Cam’s POV
Be With Me – Jenner Armentrout – (Tess & Jase)

About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

WINNER OF THE 2013 UTOPYA AWARDS FOR BEST VILLAIN & BEST BOOK COVER OF THE YEAR

Duo (Guest) Review

AND Missy

Amazon Links to Purchase The Premonition Series

Amazon Links to Purchase The Kricket Series by Amy A Bartol

All of Amy Bartol’s Books have an audio book option. BFF K is a HUGE audio fan!

These are all absolutely fantastic!

About the Author

BFF K’s Review

The Allure of Dean Harper is a BFF K Top 10 Read for 2015

About the Author

BFF K’s Review

Amazon Links to Purchase The Kricket Series

About the Author

Excerpt

“Yeah. That’s one way to put it. Is there something else you called for besides trying to stick your nose in where it doesn’t belong?”

I open my mouth and then shut it, unsure how calling him because I just needed to hear his voice has devolved so quickly into this. Into me scrambling for words I can’t find to fix shit that doesn’t need fixing.

Because I don’t want this. Don’t want him.

“Wait!” Desperation rings in my voice in the single word. And I hate myself for sounding like this but I’m so lonely, so scared and just want the comfort I know he can bring me right now.

I wait for the sound of the dial tone to assault my ears. Wait for the incessant beep that reaffirms why I have barbed wire wrapped around my heart – painful but necessary. But there is nothing for a few moments until I hear the phone scrape against the stubble on his face.

And I wait…my throat burning with the tears I want to shed but am so sick of. The ones that no longer bring me comfort.

“I’m here, Haddie. I’m not going anywhere, okay?” The timbre of his voice carries his concern and sympathy to me through the line.

The incoherent sound I make is all I can offer in thank you to him for not hanging up on me. For not giving up on me.

Buy Links

Giveaway

About the Author

BFF K’s Review

“Guys move shit that needs moving. I think it’s in the sacred book of being friends, especially in the men being friends with women chapter. On page forty-two: Have a penis? Thou shall move shit.”

Buy Links:

BFF Book Blog 2014 Besties

BFF K’s 2014 Besties

Tie for #1

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BFF A’s 2014 Besties

#1

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BFF K’s Review

Website ** Author Goodreads ** Twitter ** Facebook

BFF K’s Review

About the Author

We are extremely excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Heather Lyons’ THE COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY!! THE COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY is an Adult Romantic Fairy Tale, full of adventure and fantasy. This is Alice as you have never seen her before…And, she kicks ass!

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** Kobo ** iTunes

“Alice is the new standard that I set for all heroines.”

Website ** Author Goodreads ** Twitter ** Facebook ** THE COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY Goodreads

BFF K’s Review

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads

Website Author Goodreads Twitter ** Facebook

Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo ** iTunes

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