Release Day Launch: Pocketful of Sand by M. Leighton

POCKETFUL OF SAND blurb:

“She’s beauty for my ashes. And I’m hope for her heartache.”—Cole Danzer

I don’t know what makes a great love story. Is it that instant attraction when boy meets girl? The passionate kisses and the fairy-tale ending? Or is it a lifetime of tragedy, paid in advance, for a few stolen moments of pure bliss? The pain and the suffering that, in the end, you can say are worth it for having found the missing piece of your soul?

The answer is: I don’t know. I don’t know what makes a great love story. I only know what makes my love story. I only know that finding Cole when I did, when Emmy and I were running from a nightmare, was the only thing that saved me. That saved us. He was more broken than I was, but somehow we took each other’s shattered pieces and made a whole. If that is what makes a great love story, if that is what makes an epic romance, then mine…ours is the greatest of them all.

Contains material that some may find disturbing. Not intended for readers under the age of 18.

Link to my review:

For the record:

I absolutely LOVED this book!!!!

Bookworm Misfit

POCKETFUL OF SAND links:

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M. Leighton bio and links:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author M. Leighton is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you’ll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren’t roaming in that direction, she’ll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

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Review: Pocketful of Sand by M. Leighton

 Pocketful of Sand

Author: M. Leighton

Release Date: March 15^th, 2015

Summary:

“She was beauty for my ashes and I was hope for her heartache.” – Cole Danzer

I don’t know what makes a great love story.  Is it that instant attraction when boy meets girl?  The passionate kisses and the fairy-tale ending?  Or is it a lifetime of tragedy, paid in advance, for a few stolen moments of pure bliss? The pain and the suffering that, in the end, you can say are worth it for having found the missing piece of your soul?

The answer is:  I don’t know.  I don’t know what makes a great love story.  I only know what makes MY love story.  I only know that finding Cole when I did, when my world had dissolved into nothing, when I couldn’t separate nightmare from reality, was the only thing that saved me.  He was more broken than I was, but somehow we took each other’s shattered pieces and made a whole.  Without him, I wouldn’t have made it. If THAT is what makes a great love story, if THAT is what makes an epic romance, then mine…OURS is the greatest of them all.

Review:

** I was given an ARC to provide an Honest review. Thank you!!**

Pocketful of San is a Contemporary Romance. I’ve read books by M. Leighton and I have never been disappointed. After reading Pocketful of Sand, this is no exception. I couldn’t put the book down. I was so intrigued by the character that she has created. The whole story was beautifully written. I was instantly drawn in feeling a part of these characters seep into my bones.

You could instantly tell that there was going to be something bone shattering deep about her female lead, Eden. Eden is a strong, independent woman. She has a daughter, Emmy and se is fiercely protective of her. You can tell that her story was going to be sad. She has enough baggage to carry anyone into a new life and I’m not going to lie, I felt so sad for her. Her back story is one of sadness and heartache and you honestly cannot NOT feel bad for her. She is constantly running from her past. She does everything she can, not to be found. Her daughter Emmy is a sweetheart. The love she feels for her mother is so evident that it makes you smile. Emmy has her own little bag of troubles too and it breaks your heart when you find out what she has been through.

Cole’s past is just as devastating as Eden’s. He is completely broken and he carries the weight of his decision on his shoulders. His guilt eats him from the inside out. He has his own past that he is trying to hide from and because of it, everyone thinks he is crazy. Besides him being seemingly quiet, he is a strong passionate man. When Eden and Emmy make their way into his small town in Maine, his world is taken out from beneath his feet. They make their way into his heart and mind, breaking down the walls that he had so powerfully built it.

When the two meet, they are drawn to each other instantly. There is a pull between them that neither want to fight. The intimacy between the two? Yah… ridiculously HOT!!! I definitely went red in the face a few times! Their chemistry was so powerful.

The writing in this story seemed effortless. I enjoyed it so much. It was different from prior stories that I have read. The feel of it was so different and I thought for M. Leighton is showed how well of a writer she is. If you have any doubts about reading this book, I’m squashing them for you. This book was amazing. I’m not telling you if they achieved their happily ever after. The ending of this book leaves you reeling and you won’t know what hit you!

Review: The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Return

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: February 16th, 2015

Summary:

THE RETURN Synopsis:

The Fates are cackling their bony asses off...

It's been a year since Seth made the deal with the gods that pledged his life to them. And so far, the jobs they've given him have been violent and bloody--which is kind of all right with him. But now Apollo has something else in mind for Seth. He's got to play protector while keeping his hands and fingers off, and for someone who really has a problem with restraint, this new assignment might be the most challenging yet.

Josie has no idea what this crazy hot guy's deal might be, but it's a good bet that his arrival means the new life she started after leaving home is about to be thrown into an Olympian-sized blender turned up to puree. Either Josie is going insane or a nightmare straight out of ancient myth is gunning for her.

But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and the golden-eyed, secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all.

Because history has once again been flipped to repeat.

Review:

I couldn't have asked for a better start to this new series. I absolutely loved the 'new' Seth. Even though he did things I hated and he was an arrogant, egotistical jerk (lol) in the Covenant series, we see a whole new side to him. 

You still have his snarky, sarcastic, sexual self in this book and I think without it, it wouldn't have been as good. He brings so much to the table and he owns it too. There was always a little part of Seth that you had to feel bad for and when you see the vulnerability that he has, he grows on you more and more. He’s now used by the Gods and there is nothing he can do about it.

Throughout this book, Seth looks back on all the terrible things that he has done. He thinks about what his actions led too and how he is now paying for all of that. He continually feels guilty for all of it and you kind of wish that you could help him realize that sometimes things are out of our hands and power goes to our heads. When Seth first meets Josie, he's so bewildered at her appearance and it draws up feelings that he was trying to push away and to the side.

Josie is awesome. She's not timid but there is that part of her that you can just tell she wants someone to take care of her. She's definitely stubborn and a smartass like Alex and I think that is why I like her so much. She's also been given a shit hand and she carries so much burden on her shoulders that meeting Seth is just the icing on the cake. She's been thrust into a would that she knows nothing about she takes it all like a champ. She owns it. She's got her own bit of sarcasm. She also knows how to hold her own. I love it. 

Seeing a lot of the secondary characters from the covenant series was great. I loved being about to see them again. They bring a lot to the book. I love that we still get to see Apollo, Deacon, Luke, and Marcus. Deacon was one of my favorite secondary characters from the Covenant Series and I'm so happy that he was in the start of this one.

If you are a fan of Greek Gods and/or the Covenant Series then you will absolutely love this. You won't be disappointed. I'm already anxiously waiting for the second book. It can't come soon enough.   

Review: The Hidden Library by Heather Lyons

The Hidden Library

Author: Heather Lyons

Release Date:

Summary:

Sometimes, the rabbit hole is deeper than expected . . .

Alice Reeve and Finn Van Brunt have tumbled into a life of secrets. Some secrets they share, such as their employment by the clandestine organization known as The Collectors’ Society. Other secrets they carry within them, fighting to keep buried the things that could change everything they think they know.

On the hunt for an elusive villain who is hell-bent on destroying legacies, Alice, Finn, and the rest of the Society are desperate to unravel the mysteries surrounding them. But the farther they spiral down this rabbit hole, the deeper they fall into secrets that will test their loyalties and pit them against enemies both new and old.

Secrets, they come to find, can reveal the deadliest of truths.

Review:

I was given the opportunity to read this book early. Thank you!

I have to say The Collector’s Society was such an original book that I was really happy that it was getting a sequel. With that being said; I absolutely loved this book. It continued with its original feel and I was so happy with that. With this book, unlike the first one, it’s told from Alice and Finn’s point of view. I thought this was great because we were able to really get a feel of his emotions this way. The two of them seem to fit together so well. They have such a crazy connection and this allows them to work and trust each other immensely.

As with the first one, they are still put their lives on the line to save different stories and realms. This brings so much action into the storyline. You can never tell what is going to happen next. They are put into danger on multiple accounts and the always have the others back. When Finn’s past starts to come into his present, things starts to get crazy and before we know it, Alice is in big danger and no one knows what to do.

Characters from the first book make their way into this story and new ones emerge too. The steamy scenes between our favorite two got much better than the first one and I was very grateful for that. Their relationship grows so much. They tell each other things that others might now know.

We see Jace again which I loved because he was such an awesome character from the first book and we also meet tons of new ones. My favorite fairy tale, Peter Pan, begins to play a major part in the story, whether it’s good or bad, you’ll have to read to find out! There were many different twists and turns and made the anticipation of what or where the characters were going to end up next even more gratifying. The ending was such a whirlwind of emotions, suspense, and action that I couldn’t read it fast enough.

Overall, I thought that for a sequel this was done very well. I was so happy with the turn around and how everything played out. The way that Lyons' continues to weave these stories together is amazing. This isn't a new genre for me, but I haven't read anything like this is a while and it's such a breath of fresh air. You have to pay close attention the detail because something you may have disregarded could actually mean more than you think. I'm looking forward to the next book. I can't wait to see how Lyon's spins the rest of the story. I will be eagerly waiting for the next addition to this wonderful tale. 

Buy Links:

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Review: Ember by Rachel Van Dyken

Ember

Author: Rachel Van Dyken

Release Date:

Summary:

Release Date: February 19^th, 2015

I am a Killer. A Rapist. A Monster.

I know only pain and survival.

That is until the Cappo's sister walked into my life.

And changed everything.

She's a light who makes my darkness darker, her smile makes my heart turn to ice, and I can't escape the fear her seductive looks instill--knowing it's only a matter of time before I fail--again, and take her for myself.

This is the story of my redemption.

But it's not pretty...I died, and now I'm alive, but not living, breathing but not surviving. I am Phoenix De Lange, son to a murdered mob boss, estranged brother, horrible friend, monster in the making, newest leader to one of the most powerful families in the Cosa Nostra.

And I will have my vengeance.

Or die trying.

I am Phoenix De Lange.

Death is all I know.

Until she offers me a piece of life--I can't resist taking.

Review:

One word…. Phenomenal. In Elite, we met the 4 members of the Elite society. We grew to hate Phoenix; with a passion. As the series continued, we still couldn’t stand him. In Ember, that all changes. We see a completely different side of Phoenix. Knowing about Phoenix’s past prior to this book, I was really worried about how she could turn everything around and make him a good guy or if he’ll continue to be the enemy.

I knew with this book, it was going to go into his past and it was going to be difficult. However, as we have seen in many books before, EVERYONE should be given a second chance. Phoenix didn’t believe he deserved it though. He felt that with everything that he did he did not deserve that second chance, that chance at redemption. He denied himself anything that that he felt was a privilege. He didn’t need anyone to punish him because he punished himself.

We met Bianki Campisi or as everyone calls her; Bee in Elicit.  She is the Cappo’s sister. So naturally Tex is there; making me love him more. However, Bee still has her own insecurities. Before she was reunited with Tex, she was alone. Phoenix was there to ease that pain so she naturally turns to him. She feels close to him. Bee’s definitely a sweetheart. We saw her in Elicit, but definitely not as much as we see her in this book. I thought she was adorable. She knows what she wants and she knew deep down what she needed to do to get what she wanted.

Phoenix tries to ward Bee off with everything inside him. He tells her he’s no good. He tells her that he dangerous, but they are continually thrown together. They play games. Pushing and pulling toward one another. Bee wants to be with him. Phoenix won’t allow him to feel anything for her. He didn’t believe he deserved anyone and especially her. Her being the Boss’s sister just made him push her away even more.

The other guys from the series definitely make their way into this story and I continue to love them! They are hysterical and I couldn’t stop laughing whenever they made their way into the story. For such a dark story, they brought so much lightness to it. I will never be able to sit at family breakfast again without laughing ridiculously.

Would he allow himself to fall for her? Would he let himself get the happy ending that he deserved whether he thought so or not? Would secrets that have stand hidden come to light and forge something even more within the world we’ve grown to love? Rachel surprises me with every new book in this series and I hope it continues this way. I was able to enjoy this book so much. It was beautiful. It proved even the tortured has a chance at redemption. I laughed and cried and I hope you do the same! #BloodinBloodOut

Buy Links:

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