My Three Year Blog Anniversary is Coming Up Next Week!!

On November 27th I will have had this blog for three years! I've been successfully keeping up a blog for three years, I can't believe it! So this year I'm deciding to do a giveaway. I've gotten some friends to donate prizes for this year. On the list is: 

Ryan Ringbloom - a $10 Amazon giftcard

Cindy Ray Hale - an e-copy of her book Destiny 

Theresa Troutman - an e-copy of her book Life's What You Make It 

Trisha Wolfe - e-copies of both books in her Living Heartwood Series, The Darkest Part and Losing Track 

Jennifer Weiser - to be determined 

DottieJewelry - an earring and pendant set (photo to come) 

Me, Amanda Leigh - a pack of notecards with my original photography on it and some other various swag items. 

I haven't decided yet if I'm giving away everything to one person or if I'm going to break up the prizes into smaller prize packs. The giveaway is on Wednesday the 27th so stay tuned for when it comes up!! :) 

Book Blitz & Giveaway ~ Breaking the Rules by Katie McGarry

 

 

Breaking the Rules (Pushing the Limits #1.5)

by Katie McGarry 

Release Date: 12/08/14

Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

A summer road trip changes everything in this unforgettable new tale from acclaimed author Katie McGarry.

For new high school graduate Echo Emerson, a summer road trip out west with her boyfriend means getting away and forgetting what makes her so... different. It means seeing cool sights while selling her art at galleries along the way. And most of all, it means almost three months alone with Noah Hutchins, the hot, smart, soul-battered guy who’s never judged her. Echo and Noah share everything — except the one thing Echo’s just not ready for.

But when the source of Echo’s constant nightmares comes back into her life, she has to make some tough decisions about what she really wants — even as foster kid Noah’s search for his last remaining relatives forces them both to confront some serious truths about life, love, and themselves.

Now, with one week left before college orientation, jobs and real life, Echo must decide if Noah's more than the bad-boy fling everyone warned her he'd be. And the last leg of an amazing road trip will turn... seriously epic.

Add to Goodreads

Pre-Order Links for Breaking the Rules:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books│iBooks│Google Play│The Book Depository

Goodreads links for the series:

Pushing the Limits│Dare You To│Crash Into You│Take Me On

Excerpt from Echo’s Point of View

It’s like watching a horror film in slow motion. She tucks her hair behind her ears, gives Noah a hesitant smile and speaks. The girl is pretty—very pretty. I run my hand over the scars on my left arm. Sometimes I don’t understand why Noah’s with me. Especially when I’m so…

Noah answers the girl then motions at me with his chin. Both girls turn, and their faces fall. Noah waves. I wave back. Butterflies tumble in my stomach when he flashes his wicked grin.

About the Author:

KATIE MCGARRY was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, katielmcgarry.com, follow her on Twitter @KatieMcGarry, or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Book Blitz Organized by:

YA Bound Book Tours

Book Blitz ~ Books, Blogs and Reality by Ryan Ringbloom!!

Books, Blogs, Reality by Ryan Ringbloom

New Adult Contemporary

Date Published: October 2014

Life can suck…

When reality becomes overwhelming, seeking comfort in fictional fantasies keeps hope alive.  And while this escape may be a little delusional, it’s also therapeutic.

Sharing secrets is daunting, but virtual friends don’t often judge and they are always ready to share a glass of wine…or three…while typing out life’s latest endeavors.

Brooke believes obstacles only add to romance, not detract. Rachael longs for a more intense relationship, or so she thinks. Lizzie misses the excitement in her life, but sometimes new situations find you when you’re not even looking. And Jess believes a tiger can change his stripes. It can’t.

Bound by a shared passion for blogging about happily ever afters, these four young women use keyboard therapy to work through their expectations, anxieties, and inadequacies, all with the hopes of achieving the perfection found in romance novels.

Completely blinded by what they think life should be, they navigate their unique paths in search of what they envision is right. But when reality taunts them with persistent curve balls, will they be strong enough to choose wisely? Or will their happy endings escape them?

*Mature content 18+

EXCERPT

It’s not uncommon for people to have two sets of friends. The “real” friends; these are the ones who live nearby, the ones you see or talk with occasionally (less and less as time goes on). Then there are the “virtual” friends; these are the ones you talk to (well, type to) every day. The latter group comes from all over. You’ve never actually met any of them and yet you trust them with some of the deepest, most intimate thoughts and details of your life. You share way too much information and in return, they over-share way too much back.

On Brooke Bloomfield’s twenty-third birthday, she went to lunch with her real life best friend, Lauren. The two girls had a very nice time. They gossiped in between chews, catching up, because even though they lived only ten minutes away from each other, they still hadn’t seen each other in quite some time. When the bill came, Lauren grabbed it, insisting she treat Brooke on her special day. They hugged goodbye at their cars and promised to meet for lunch or a drink soon. 

Later that same night, Brooke let loose and celebrated her birthday in a much more exciting way, at a computer-generated party with her three online BF’s, Rachael-XXOO, Lizzie1214, and JessRomance93. In a relatively short time, all three of these girls had come to know more about Brooke than anyone else. 

Similar tastes in books kept connecting them through book tours and blitzes. Comments on posts and reviews turned into discussions over emails. Tweets bounced back and forth between the four of them endlessly, until one day they discovered a social website designed for readers, where they could all chat privately amongst themselves. Within no time, their virtual discussions went from benign topics such as books they all loved, hated and/or felt somewhere in between, to a hell of a lot more serious things.

It’s funny the things a person will share with people they don’t actually have to face. Like a diary into which they feed their emotions and it types back.

Brooke Bloomfield

ReaderGirlBrooke

NY  ~   Brookesbeenreading.blogspace.com

Blogger, dedicated romance reader, and reviewer. I spend a lot of time with my many fictional boyfriends. Addicted to cherry ice pops and cupcakes with pink frosting.

~

ReaderGirlBrooke: Hey guys!

Lizzie1214: Wine is open. Time to celebrate!! The big two-three!

JessRomance93: Hey, birthday girl! I just opened a beer. Does everyone have a drink now?

Rachael-XXOO: Got mine. Happy Birthday Brookey!!!  Did you get the pic of Preston’s package all wrapped up in a bow? 

ReaderGirlBrooke: Thanks guys. I just poured a glass of red. Yes, Rachael – great pic! *blushes

Rachael-XXOO: You’re not blushing. You love it. I’m sure you saved it with all the other dirty pics I send you.

Rachael-XXOO: By the way, did you guys finish Fix My Heart yet? I’m only 45% in.

ReaderGirlBrooke: Yes!! Loved! Five stars. A guy exactly like Grant is what I wished for when I blew out my birthday candles today at lunch.

Lizzie1214: I gave it five stars, too.

JessRomance93: It was good. Meh. Three stars.

ReaderGirlBrooke: Jess, are you serious? Only three stars? How did you not fall in love with Grant? He was perfect!

JessRomance93: Yeah, Grant was perfect. But a little too perfect, don’t ya think? Guys like that don’t exist.

ReaderGirlBrooke: Are you just saying that because of you-know-who?

JessRomance93: This has nothing to do with that asshole. I just thought the way Grant rescued Cassandra was a little over the top.

Rachael-XXOO: Um, hello. What part of “I haven’t finished yet” did you all not understand? Remember, we don’t discuss a book until everyone is done reading.

ReaderGirlBrooke: Sorry! We’ll stop. Just make sure to stay away from my blog until you’re done reading. My review is getting posted tonight.

Rachael-XXOO: I’m probably reading slower than usual because my own love life has been picking up lately.

JessRomance93: Nice, Rach! Do we get some dirty details later?

ReaderGirlBrooke: Wah! The only love life I have lately requires batteries.

Rachael-XXOO: Yes! I’ll give details later. And speaking of dirty details, did you get my special little birthday care package, Brooke?

ReaderGirlBrooke: Yes, but I haven’t opened it yet. I figured I’d wait till we were chatting.

Lizzie1214: Open it! Tell us what fun, twisted things Rachael sent you.

Rachael-XXOO: Yeah, go ahead and open it up, birthday girl!

ReaderGirlBrooke: HAAA! I didn’t know they made so many things in the shape of a penis. Lollipops, straws, a lipstick, pasta, and a toothbrush! OMG! Where did u find a penis toothbrush?

Rachael-XXOO: I ordered everything online. Do you like the theme??
 

ReaderGirlBrooke: I love it! Thank you!! I’m taking a pic of everything right now to send you guys.

Lizzie1214: Will you actually eat the pasta and the lollipops? I wonder what they taste like. 

JessRomance93: Ew, yuck. What do you think it tastes like? 

Rachael-XXOO: Go ahead, Brooke, try a lollipop and tell us if tastes like a pecker.

ReaderGirlBrooke: Yum. It does. ;)

About the Author

Ryan Ringbloom

Website

Facebook

Twitter: @ryanringbloom

Buy Link

Amazon

GIVEAWAY

Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review ~ Flaw (Flaw Series #1) by Ryan Ringbloom

Title: Flaw (Flaw Series #1)
Author: Ryan Ringbloom
Release Date: January 20th 2014
Published By: Ryan Ringbloom
Page Amount: 360 pages, Paperback

GoodReads Blurb:
What can be said about Josh Brewster? Nothing good, that's for sure. Just ask anyone. They'll be quick to tell you. Josh is a selfish, sweet-talking manipulator who will charm you in a minute, all the while planning his next move. He uses. He leaves. All Josh desires is things that come easy. Why actually work hard for something when you don't have to?

When Josh comes to face to face with a girl who’s doesn’t make anything easy, Josh begins questioning the game he's played so long. He’s suddenly eager to learn how to work for something he never imagined wanting. Can a player really change his ways? Better yet, will his past forgive?

Aidan Turner has had a rough life, a life that has only become harsher as he's gotten older. The scars across his face serve as a constant reminder of the haunting nightmares from his past life. Seeing himself as nothing but a monster, Aidan believes no one will ever be able to look past his flaws.
His reasoning is about to change when his very own beauty comes barreling in, sparking emotions he'd thought he'd never feel. Love sizzles between them, but his friendship with another girl complicates everything, especially after the nature of their friendship becomes confused. Will friendship overshadow his true feelings and ruin both couples’ chances at happiness?

Warning – Mature Content.

Fans of WAIT keep reading after the story ends for the bonus chapter: Tessa and Tucker – The Wait is Over.

Review:
It's a hard choice for what is my favorite in these two series of companion novels. The choice for me is between this book, Flaw, and the next book, Panic. But I think that this book has just a slight edge over Panic for me. 

I've always had this thing about understanding people; trying to figure out why they are they way that they are. In this book, I got to learn more about Josh. Who, up until now, was just the bad boy that always caused the problems. I liked that I got to know more about him, see more into his life. And yes, he ticked me off. But the thing is, he did have a lot of character development throughout the book. By the end, I even ended up liking him. 

I enjoyed the love stories in this book, as well. What was interesting about it to me, was that it was almost like a love...quandrangle, sort of. (haha). You would have to read it to understand, but I liked the dimension that it offered to the story. 

Oh and the bonus chapter was great, too. ;) 

So, I would say definitely check this one out. I gave this one 4.75 stars!! 

<3 Amanda Leigh

Cover Reveal ~ Shattered by Love (Book #3 in the Scarred by Love Series) by C.A. Harms

(Mature Content Implied)
Cover Reveal in

3

2

1

Shattered by Love

(Book #3 in the Scarred by Love Series)

by C.A. Harms

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

Release Date: November 11th 2014

Synopsis:

He was the one.

The man she wanted with all her heart.

But it took years before Bree realized she deserved more than what Max was willing to give.

Max, was cocky and arrogant…

Too strong-headed to admit that he felt more for Bree than just lust.

Then it happened…

One devastating night, and it shook Max to his very core.

That’s when he began to see life in a whole new way.

Now he’s left to sort through the mess that he’s created.

Will he be able to rise above it all and make amends with those he needs the most?

Or will the damage be irreversible and leave him longing for what could have been?

Book 1 in the Series

Scarred by Love

CURRENTLY FREE ON

AMAZON

Book 2 in the Series

Broken by Love

 

AMAZON

Book Review ~ Wait (Fast Series #2) by Ryan Ringbloom

 

Title: Wait (Fast Series #2)
Author: Ryan Rinbloom
Release Date: October 28th 2013
Published By: Ryan Rinbloom
Page Amount: 200 pages, e-book

GoodReads Blurb: 

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to wait. High school is over and Tessa is done with the drama. She wants to wait. So what? Does that mean she’s destined to never be with anyone? Probably.

Sometimes it’s possible to wait too long. Cassie’s best friend just tried to kiss her. He should have tried a year ago. Not now. Does that mean that they can’t still be friends? Maybe. 

Tessa Jameson is determined not to fall victim to the same mistakes of her past. And after meeting Tucker, she’s going to need all the help she can get.

Cassie DeMarco refuses to give her heart up to someone who is about to leave and start the next chapter in his life. So this summer it’s time to forget Mark, and focus on finding a fling instead. 

*Warning Mature Content*

Review:

I read the first book in this companion series and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed this one even more. 

I liked learning about Tessa, a character that made appearances in book one but who we did not learn much more about. She was basically the school b*$%t in high school, but in this book she is consciously trying to change that. We also have Cassie. Cassie and Tessa are counselors at a summer camp and are sharing a cabin together. Things absolutely do not get off on the right foot with these two. But over the course of the book the two of them grow to become friends. I really enjoyed reading about the friendship between these two. The two male characters were great "leads" as well. The dynamic with the girls and the issues the way that they dealt with the issues that they came upon felt very real for them. 

The story was of course very good and I loved the camp setting. But I think what really makes these books is the characters. I'm a really character driven reader and writer so when the characters feel real to me I get the most out of the story. I would definitely recommend this book for fans of young adult, new adult and romance. I gave it 4.5 stars! 

<3 Amanda Leigh

Cover Reveal ~ Shark Out of Water (Date Shark #2) by DelSheree Gladden

Shark Out of Water (Date Shark #2) 

by DelSheree Gladden

COVER HIGHLIGHT

Synopsis:

Guy Saint Laurent is too busy cursing his sister for roping him into taking over Eli's Date Shark business to prepare himself for the slew of bizarre women he's about to get involved with. This is the last venture he intended to take on, but somehow he's just become Chicago's newest, most reluctant Date Shark. 

On top of dealing with bug-toting, mothering, obsessive women, Guy faces personal tragedy that changes his outlook on life, whether he wants it to or not. He's not sure what it is about Charlotte Brooks that draws him in, but getting her off his mind after a brief encounter proves impossible. 

As Charlotte tries to help Guy deal with his loss, he begins to get the impression she's hiding something from him. He knows he could simply walk away, continue as he always has, but he suspects whatever she's hiding, she won't be able to face it alone. 

Charlotte is the one woman who can capture his attention, but she may also be the one woman capable of breaking him.