REVIEW BLOG TOUR: Down For the Count Series by Christa Cervone

Review Blog Tour: Down for the Count Series by Christa Cervone On the Ropes (Book 1) Going the Distance (Book 2)

PURCHASE TODAY!

ON THE ROPES: 

A murderer’s child…A foster child…A troubled teen…Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has never had an easy life. Being shuffled from one foster home to another after his father murdered his mother, he found himself in and out of trouble with the law. Never giving a damn about himself, let alone anyone else, his life was spiraling out of control; fast. Until one man and one sport changed everything. Frankie Carbone taught Saint how to handle his anger and rejection; by fighting it out in the ring. On his way to stardom, Saint finds himself pushed into the spotlight and into the arms of more women than he can ever imagine; he’s completely content with one night stands and random sex. Then Salem Harris comes walking into his life and changes his game plan. Saint finds himself wanting Salem in all the ways that scare him. She is off limits; taken. But that doesn’t stop Saint from going after what he wants, and he wants her. Frankie showed Saint a new way of life with Boxing, but will Salem give him the one thing he’s never known – love? Will Saint find himself fighting for the one thing he thinks he doesn’t deserve or will Salem end up breaking his heart? Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has had to fight for every good thing he’s gotten in his life.

I truly enjoyed this book!  

This story delivered on setting us up into the world of fighter Gabriel "The Saint" Vega.  I fell for him right away!  He acts tough but has a HUGE heart!

I liked it a lot that this story was more than just about a guy and girl getting together.  

Heartbreak, cheating, loyalty, finding one self, trust, making bad decisions, falling in love....yep this book has it all.

When I started the book, my heart broke for Gabriel and his brother Jase.  They don't start their lives well.  The book then goes into their lives as adults years later and we get to see how they turned out.   Being a box fighter now, Gabriel gets an opportunity to be sponsored by a big shot guy named Blaine & that is when his life changes when he meets Salem.

Salem seems like a challenge to Gabriel at first, but he soon finds out, he doesn't want to just be with her, he wants more.  Their chemistry was hot and also had me giggle at times of how they both seemed to hold back on their feelings towards one another with acting out and being over dramatic.  We all do that and can relate.

I am looking forward to Book#2 in this series.  I want to know what happens next!  

Go get this book and fall for "The Saint"!

**ARC kindly provided by AUTHOR in exchange for an honest review**

 5 Cherries Popped

    

PURCHASE TODAY!

GOING THE DISTANCE: 

Boxing saved Gabriel’s life…

From surviving a hellish childhood, to reuniting with his lost brother, only to struggle with helping him battle his drug addiction—a whirlpool of addiction that threatens to drag his brother under. Life’s been a roller coaster for Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega… Just when his career hits the fast track, he finally finds love with Salem, at least for a short time. But social differences, obligations, and misguided good intentions tore Gabriel and Salem apart before they could ever really get started. Is Salem capable of breaking away from the ropes that bind her to doing what’s expected rather than what and whom she desires? Can Gabriel convince Salem that their feelings are worth fighting for? Does their relationship have what it takes to go the distance?

Yes!!  And "The Saint" is back! 

***You should read "On The Ropes" 1st before reading this Review.***

I fell in love with him in book#1, but this book just made me love him even more with Saint.  

Christa Cervone knows how to write!  She knows how to make us the reader connect with the characters she created. 

The story picks up from where it left off in "On The Ropes", Saint & Salem are not talking to each other.  Saint is trying his hardest to forget Salem but he just can't.  He can't completely forget the only woman that has touched his heart.  He goes back to focusing on his boxing and trying to help his brother Jase stay clean.   

Salem is realizing that she has made a mistake leaving Saint.  She is learning that she can't keep trying to be what everyone else wants her to be.  She misses the way she felt being around Saint, which is being herself & feeling loved.

This book is a very good mix of finding oneself, love, a bit of WTF drama & tragedy, hot sexy times (that had me needing a cold shower more than once afterwards), and learning that love comes in many different acts and forms from everyone.

I really enjoyed how we got to see Saint & Salem find themselves and each other.  When Saint felt, I felt.  He totally made me cry, laugh & totally want him hard!

" I love you, Salem Harris.  I love you more than I've ever loved anything in my lifetime.  My heart beats for you, my body aches for you, and my soul would die without you..." -Saint

Go get this series and fall in love with being in love!

**ARC kindly provided by AUTHOR in exchange for an honest review**

 4 Cherries Popped

    

Born and raised in New England, Christa is a married mother of three. She began writing her first book, Broken, in October 2012, as a love story to her husband, Frank. During the writing process, Christa managed to keep her book a secret from the majority of her family and friends, including her mother. She finally revealed that she had written a book on her personal Facebook page just two weeks before Broken was released. Broken was released in February 2013, and within twenty-four hours of its release, it was on Amazon's Movers and Shakers list as well as in the Top 20 Erotica. Christa released her second novel, On the Ropes - Book One in the Down for the Count series, in February 2014. On the Ropes has also climbed the charts on Amazon, hitting the Top 10 Sports Fiction and the Top 20 Romance Sports Fiction lists. Book Two, Going the Distance, was released July 2014 and claimed the number 3 spot in the Interracial category as well being in the top 20 in Erotica on Amazon. Limitless Publishing has recently acquired the Down for the Count series and will be re-releasing the series under their publishing label in May 2015. Along with the Down for the Count series, Christa's new series titled, Can't Stop Lovin' You, will also be released under Limitless Publishing. The series will have at least four books, Dream On, What it Takes, Sweet Emotion and Hole in my Soul. Dream On is slated for 2015 release.

AMAZON | GOODREADS | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | WEBSITE | PUBLISHER

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: Going the Distance by Christa Cervone

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: 

Going the Distance (Down for the Count #2) 

by Christa Cervone

  From surviving a hellish childhood, to reuniting with his lost brother, only to struggle with helping him battle his drug addiction—a whirlpool of addiction that threatens to drag his brother under. Life’s been a roller coaster for Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega… Just when his career hits the fast track, he finally finds love with Salem, at least for a short time. But social differences, obligations, and misguided good intentions tore Gabriel and Salem apart before they could ever really get started. Is Salem capable of breaking away from the ropes that bind her to doing what’s expected rather than what and whom she desires? Can Gabriel convince Salem that their feelings are worth fighting for? Does their relationship have what it takes to go the distance?

PURCHASE TODAY!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born and raised in New England, Christa is a married mother of three. She began writing her first book, Broken, in October 2012, as a love story to her husband, Frank. During the writing process, Christa managed to keep her book a secret from the majority of her family and friends, including her mother. She finally revealed that she had written a book on her personal Facebook page just two weeks before Broken was released. Broken was released in February 2013, and within twenty-four hours of its release, it was on Amazon's Movers and Shakers list as well as in the Top 20 Erotica. Christa released her second novel, On the Ropes - Book One in the Down for the Count series, in February 2014. On the Ropes has also climbed the charts on Amazon, hitting the Top 10 Sports Fiction and the Top 20 Romance Sports Fiction lists. Book Two, Going the Distance, was released July 2014 and claimed the number 3 spot in the Interracial category as well being in the top 20 in Erotica on Amazon. Limitless Publishing has recently acquired the Down for the Count series and will be re-releasing the series under their publishing label in May 2015. Along with the Down for the Count series, Christa's new series titled, Can't Stop Lovin' You, will also be released under Limitless Publishing. The series will have at least four books, Dream On, What it Takes, Sweet Emotion and Hole in my Soul. Dream On is slated for 2015 release.

AMAZON | GOODREADS | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | WEBSITE | PUBLISHER

REVIEW: Untreatable by J. Laslie

Book Info-

Title- Untreatable

By- J. Laslie

Genre- YA Dystopian

Links

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25223000-untreatable?from_search=true

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Untreatable-J-Laslie-ebook/dp/B00X2S2G2M/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1431358892

Blurb

People are dying...

Tahlia and Quentin live in a world where the US population is starving to death one hundred years after a government-mandated "cure" for obesity. Tahlia's ancestors escaped genetic mutation. Now she and her tribe must hide in the wilds of South Dakota to avoid being harvested for their untainted DNA. When Tahlia is captured on a supply run, she becomes a lab rat for the scientists searching for an antidote. The fate of humanity lies buried in Tahlia's genetic code, and her own survival lies in the hands of Quentin–the only son of the very doctors who want to cut her open.

Harrowing and suspenseful, Untreatable transports readers to a dystopian future where everything is not as it seems and resilience of body–and spirit–is required to survive.

I really enjoyed this book!  I have not read a Dystopian book in a long while.  I missed reading this genre and this book brought back my love for it! 

Author J. Laslie had me hooked from the 1st page.  I immediately got into the story and characters she created.  

This story line was not what I expected from a YA book and that is what made me like this book a lot!

Obesity.... yes the government has found a cure to end it.  Well that is what they say but did they really find a cure?  Everyone has to make a decision on whether they want to be cured or not who are obese.  And so it begins with you falling into the minds of  Tahlia and Quentin and their journey of saving each other and the ones they love.  

Action, love, suspense, and some twists that had me second guessing the outcome at the end.

While reading this story, Author J. Lasile was able to bring me into her realistic world she created which I loved.  I felt as though I was there. 

Go get this book! Great read!

**ARC kindly provided by AUTHOR in exchange for an honest review**

 4 Cherries Popped

    

About the Author

J. Laslie lives in Louisville, KY with her wonderful husband, two kids, four dogs, and mother-in-law. She has always been an avid reader and now has taken the leap of faith needed to start writing her own novels.

In her spare time she loves to do digital scrapbooking, hanging out with her BFF Heather, or reading a good book. Her favorite genres to read are Young Adult and Young Adult Dystopian. Though she loves a good romance novel too.

Social Media Links

FB: http://www.facebook.com/authorjlaslie

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8162958.J_Laslie

Web: http://authorjlaslie.weebly.com

COVER REVEAL: Taste of Summer by Beverly Preston

Presents

COVER REVEAL:Taste of Summer

By Beverly Preston

Full Jacket/Cover

Laugh, cry and fall in love in the newest  standalone within the

Mathews Family Series.

Meet Ryan and Carrie in Taste of Summer releasing July 21st, 2015!

Add to your TBR list at: http://bit.ly/1IwPit4

Cover

Blurb

Most people know Hollywood heartthrob, Ryan Summer, as Ryan, no last name required. But once upon a time, he was just Summer to Carrie Ann—before a decade of blockbuster hits skyrocketed his success into superstardom.

Summer was smart, gorgeous, and cocky as hell. Nothing was out of his reach. Not even Carrie Ann Lowell. He was the love of her life—until he shattered her heart. Their breakup left more than a profound rift in her soul. It crushed her.

When Carrie Ann’s college flame forces his way back into her life, his dirty-talking, bold self-assurance re-ignites a passion she thought had long since been extinguished. Carrie Ann didn’t believe in second chances.

Not even for him.

No matter how deliciously tempting.

With sparks flying and hidden truths unraveling, will Carrie Anne be able to deny her desires to save herself from another heart break?

Excerpt

Carrie Ann tugged the earbud free from her ear, tossing the handsome young man a small smile. “Sorry, I couldn’t hear you. What did you say?”

He crossed a lanky somewhat defined arm in front of her, casually gripping the handlebar of her bike. “I said, you must be exhausted—” Before she could reply he continued, “—from running through my mind all day.”

Surely she must’ve heard him incorrectly. He was probably fifteen at most sporting a baby face and a patch of ten whiskers on his chin. Her brows tucked into a furrow. “Excuse me?”

A dose of youthful overconfidence drifted over his mouth in a sharp grin. “I seem to have forgotten my number. Can I have yours?”

“My phone number?” Carrie Ann scanned the near vicinity, row after row of workout equipment, for the practical jokester responsible for the madness. “Ha ha. Very funny. Who put you up to this?”

Her amusement only encouraged the boy’s macho bravado. “No one put me up to anything. I need a date. I just got into LA and I’ve got this Red Carpet event—”

“A date?” she scoffed at the ludicrous suggestion. Though she looked young for her age, Carrie Ann was still all of thirty-four years old.

“Yeah, you know. A date. You, me, hundreds of fans screaming as we stroll down the Red Carpet.” His voice cracked emphasizing the words Red Carpet…for the second time. A self-absorbed twinkle gleamed in his brown eyes as if he expected her to melt and drop to her knees right there in the gym.

“Kid, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

“I’m totally serious. My uncle has this movie premier and I can’t just bring anyone.” A chunk of blond hair fell on his forehead and he flipped his head to the side. My date needs to be…hot, and well, you’re the hottest girl I’ve seen since I got to LA.”

She sneered at the absurdity. Silliness turned to annoyance. Carrie Ann switched gyms a few months back, paying out the nose to invest in her fitness and more importantly her privacy. Her last gym was more crowded than a cattle call casting session.

Carrie Ann rolled her eyes. She moved around him, gathering her workout towel and reaching for her bag. “Look kid, you seem real sweet, but—“

“You’re right about one thing.” A familiar voice, deep and perfectly modulated, approached from behind. “She is the most beautiful woman you’ll ever lay eyes on. But, you’re reaching for the stars with this one, Drew. She’s a heartbreaker.”

An ice cold tickle ascended up her spine raising the hair on the back of her neck. Her head snapped, glancing over her shoulder, colliding with a pair of rich amber eyes from her past. Without breaking eye contact, Ryan Summer strolled right into her personal space sporting athletic shorts, a fitted muscle shirt and a killer smile.

Nowadays, most people knew the Hollywood heartthrob as Ryan. Just Ryan. No last name needed. But after nearly a decade of blockbuster hits and infamous relationships that skyrocketed his success into superstardom, to Carrie Ann, he was still just Summer. Her old college flame.

“Funny, I could say the same about you,” she countered his jab, marshalling a bit of annoyance in her tone to combat the rush of heat spreading to her already pink cheeks.

A sexy smile caught the curve of his wide firm mouth. “Hello, Red.”

“Hello, Summer.” Carrie Ann tossed a trivial nod toward the teenager. “Who’s this? Your new apprentice?”

“Apprentice?” Moving a step closer, he dragged his fingers through the short cropped layers of sandy blond hair. “This is Mark’s boy. Do you remember my nephew, Drew?”

“Your brother’s boy?” she questioned in surprise. Avoiding the view of his bicep curling into the size of a softball, Carrie Ann ran a quick scan over the young man at his side. “Whoa, you had to be four or five years old the last time I saw you.”

“I don’t remember meeting you.” Drew’s eyes flickered with bemusement and optimism.

She extended her hand. “I’m Carrie Ann. I knew you when you were—“

“You’re Carrie Ann? The Carrie Ann?” The boy spun toward his uncle, his blue eyes broadened in disbelief. “The One?”

Her stomach twisted hearing the title. A flash of perspiration instantaneously flooded her palms. Before she had time to renege on the clammy greeting, Drew clasped her hand, giving it a polite shake.

A low rumble of laughter simmered in Summer’s chest and a rosy shade of red burnished high on the bridge of his nose. He nodded, “This is The Carrie Ann. The One who got away.”

No matter how many years had passed, it never got any easier to see him. Each time she did, she suddenly found it harder to breath.

The pounding of her heart quickened as her gaze slipped over his rugged well-defined features. A three day scruff accentuated the slight dimple at the bottom of his chin.  The disheveled layers of hair were wet from exertion near his temple and nape. Time had been very good to him.

She felt the warmth of his hand close around the back of her bare arm. The early morning stubble of his beard brushed against her cheek as he leaned closer pressing a small kiss near her temple. Carrie Ann squirmed at his nearness, ducking to the side attempting to put some space between them.

“I’m…I’m all sweaty,” she insisted breathily.

“It’s okay,” he murmured softly in her ear. The heat of his breath brought chill bumps to the damp skin near her neck. “I remember enjoying you all sweaty.”

Ryan’s golden eyes locked onto hers, anchoring her feet to the floor. The penetration of his stare momentarily tied her tongue in a knot, turning the awkward moment even more difficult. Carrie Ann hadn’t bumped into Ryan in at least three years and she hadn’t seen him covered in sweat in ten. An image of him, gloriously naked, flashed in her mind and her thighs. Frustration mounted as her body willingly betrayed her.

Carrie Ann’s jaw set rigid contemplating the idea of flipping off her hooha for its insubordination.

“That was a long time ago,” she snipped abruptly.

“Seems like only yesterday to me.”

Series Reading Order

No More Wasted Time (bk 1)

Now ONLY $0.99

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ujwsOJ

B&N: http://bit.ly/XXj8Br

Shayla’s Story (bk 2)

Now ONLY $0.99

Amazon: http://amzn.to/Y34mt7

B&N: http://bit.ly/1oh4VGM

The Perfect Someday (bk 3)

Now ONLY $1.99

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1qrsCM5

B&N: http://bit.ly/1rmvgrD

Surviving Broken (bk 4)

Now ONLY $1.99

Amazon:http://amzn.to/Zc1xHD

B & N: http://bit.ly/1t9I8OE

About the Author:

Beverly Preston

#1 Bestselling Author, Beverly Preston has been a stay at home mom for 21 years, although she prefers the title Domestic Engineer. Along the way, Beverly worked side by side with her husband Don, the love of her life, designing, building and selling custom homes. As her children begin to venture out on their own, she’s left to shed a tear—for a minute—wonder what’s next in life, and embrace the feeling of empowerment that surely must’ve been wrapped in a present she received on her fortieth birthday.

If Beverly isn’t at home riding her spin bike, you’ll find her spinning richly emotional and sinfully sexy romance stories.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

BOOK TOUR & REVIEW: Love is Louder by Antoinette Candela

When does love fall apart? Do you see it? Do you feel it? Can you save it?

When two worlds collide it sets off an unlikely chain of events, creating temptations and feelings that did not exist and changing the course of two random strangers. A crumbling marriage to a successful husband, A man fighting to keep his family together, Two people looking to reconcile and bury their past lives. Lives comes together that would never have been, where one secret will turn their worlds upside down. What happens when the truth is finally exposed? Will both sides end up hurt and alone? When does love reappear? Do you see it? Do you feel it? Do you fight for it? Love is beautiful. Love is quiet. Love is ugly. Love is Louder.

I truly enjoyed this book.  

This is my 1st book I have read from author Antoinette Candela and I am hooked!

I was introduce to her books by my Minxy sista Donna.  Thank You Donna for telling me about Antoinette.  When I met her back in March, I knew that I was going to love her books.  I will say it again, I <3 my book friends!  They are always introducing me to new authors and I love it!

Okay, so no more mushy, LOL!

Well, I really liked this story of Mason, Brie and James.  It had a good amount of  mystery, drama and what if's and some twists that had me guessing through out the book.

Brie and James are a married couple who are having problems early in their marriage.  Brie is missing the hot sexy connection they once had.  She is having doubts that her husband is being faithful and starts to look for attention elsewhere.  

That is where Mason comes in.  He gives Brie the attention she wants but she starts to want more and feels guilty about this.   Mason is a tortured guy with a past of his sister Meadow's death that constantly  haunts him.  He meets Brie and finds himself wanting more than he ever has before. 

The characters were well developed and their emotions poured off the pages into my heart while reading.  I enjoyed how Antoinette captured us the reader into the world she created.

Being faithful as well as being untrustworthy are a big factors in this story. 

Will Brie be with Mason or will she stay faithful to her husband Jason?

You will have to read to find out.

Go get this book!  

**ARC kindly provided by AUTHOR in exchange for an honest review**

 5 Cherries Popped

    

Antoinette Candela is most likely listening to music at a very high volume right now and pondering her next book. She grew up in Upstate New York and is an avid New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys fan. As a child, she enjoyed reading and writing and penned her first story at the age of thirteen. She drives fast, is a neat freak, loves red wine, Scrabble and can't live without her iced coffee and a good pen. Currently she lives in Massachusetts with her son and daughter in her neat and tidy home. When she's not planted in front of her computer writing, she can be found at the gym or at the beach soaking up the rays and enjoying a good book.