Monday 25 July 2016

Release Day Blitz: Lavender in Bloom by Lily Velez

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  Lavender in Bloom by: Lily Velez 
Publication Date: July 25th, 2016 
Genre: Historical, Coming-of-Age Romance

       
It’s the year 1802 in Avignon, France

Noah Capet has spent most of his young life living simple and unvaried days in the hushed countryside of southern France. Quiet, reserved, and diffident, his preference for existing is to do so in solitude, keeping to himself both in town and on his family’s farm—a predilection that’s altogether disrupted when a newcomer to town by the name of Jeremie Perreault begins an unremitting quest to befriend him. Jeremie is everything Noah is not. Charismatic and gregarious, he leaves a trail of charmed admirers in his wake wherever he goes. Expressive and idealistic, he talks without end about his deep love for old books and his spirited dream to one day travel the world on a literary pilgrimage. Over the course of a single summer, the two form an unlikely friendship, but just as quickly as it develops, it soon entirely dissolves as they’re forced to face the truth of what has unexpectedly emerged between them. Lavender in Bloom is a tender and tragic coming-of-age story about first love and self-discovery, and a poignant reminder that time is fleeting and always takes with it the choices we’re too afraid to make.



   
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EXCERPT

Noah was a funeral pyre. He was burning. The flames rose to staggering heights and blazed in white, hot tongues. Jeremie had once told him a story of the burial rites of the Norse. They’d burn their dead, believing the high smoke carried their loved ones’ souls to Valhalla. 
Noah was beyond Valhalla. Beyond the creamy spaciousness above the clouds, beyond the limits of the very earth. He floated among the stars, joined them in holy communion, knew each one by name. Then they were within him, scores of them, bright and hot, turning his ribs into a furnace as they shifted and created constellations in his soul. And all the while, the summer sang in his lungs. 
There was no space between him and Jeremie. Where one ended, the other began, and still Jeremie pulled him closer like the moon pulls the tide, gripping him tightly in the same way he’d gripped Noah’s heart, had gripped his entire being. 

DSC_6040four Author Bio: Lily Velez has been writing stories since she was six years old. Not much has changed since then. She still prefers the written word and her overactive imagination over the ‘real world’ (though to be fair, her stories no longer feature talking dinosaurs). A graduate of Rollins College and a Florida native, when she's not reading or writing, she spends most of her days wrangling up her pit bulls Noah and Luna, planning exciting travel adventures, and nursing her addiction to cheese. All this when she isn’t participating in the extreme sport known as napping. You can learn more about Lily and her books at www.lilyvelezbooks.com.

Guest Post:

The Lavender in Bloom Playlist

I absolutely love music and its power to stir the heart and so deeply move us. Creating a playlist for my books is one of my go-to strategies in my writer’s toolbox because listening to that playlist is the easiest way for me to get into the mood of a scene or the headspace of a particular character. Below, check out the tracks that made it onto the playlist for Lavender in Bloom, along with commentary on why each song’s so perfect for the story.

You can listen to the entire playlist for Lavender in Bloom Here:

Frail Love by Cloves -- This song was an absolute Godsend and I’m so glad I found it, as it ended up becoming the ‘theme song’ for Lavender in Bloom. Every last lyric was just perfect for Noah and Jeremie’s story. Especially these particular lines: I can’t live it like I’m living, I can’t live a lie, I’m giving up more than I should, forgive me for my frail love.

All I Want by Kodaline -- For the longest time, this track was the theme song for Lavender in Bloom. I honestly couldn’t listen to it without getting teary-eyed, as it so perfectly captures the tragedy of Noah and Jeremie’s story. Favorite lines: When you said your last goodbye, I died a little bit inside and If you loved me, then why’d you leave me?

The Beautiful Ones by The Battle of Land and Sea -- I love this song because, for one, it’s a break from the sad songs, but also because I feel it sets the mood for Noah’s life in the countryside. It has a very rural feel to it that makes me think of a simple and tranquil living.

Say Something by A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera -- Another perfect song for Noah and Jeremie’s story. In fact, there’s a point in Lavender in Bloom where Jeremie outright tells Noah to just say the word, and he’ll be his. There’s also a point where they’re sort of at odds, waiting for the other to make the first move (or speak the first word, as it were), and this song really captures that. Favorite lines: Anywhere I would’ve followed you and I will swallow my pride: you’re the one that I love and I’m saying goodbye.

The Power of Love by Gabrielle Aplin -- I included this song because it really captured the mood for a fable that’s featured in Lavender in Bloom. In fact, it’s a fable that describes how lavender first came into bloom in France. It’s based on an ‘alternate universe’ story featuring Noah and Jeremie, and it would be the perfect song for a montage of their love. Favorite line: The power of love, a force from above, cleaning my soul.

Make it Holy by The Staves -- This is such a pretty song, and it’s perfect from Jeremie’s perspective. Favorite lines: I could make you want me, make you need me, make you mine. I could make it holy, make it special, make it right.

Forgetting by David Gray -- Another sad song. From the very first chords, this song just sets the mood for a scene of heartbreak. It kind of has a nostalgic feel to it. Despite the title of the song, it’s the type of song that makes you remember times long past.

Ashes by Madi Diaz -- This is another song I see as being from Jeremie’s perspective, especially toward the end of the book, when he asks Noah to make a certain decision. Favorite lines: Don’t you let me down and No, I won’t stand to keep watching you stay.

I Will Love You by Gin Wigmore -- One of the few happy love song on the Lavender in Bloom playlist, and the only one with a more upbeat melody. As such, it’s very much treasured. This is a cute one, too. I love every single lyric, but my favorite lines are: If you die before I do, I know that heartache will kill me, too, so if I ever lived again, it would be to find you. It’s especially perfect because I can definitely see Noah and Jeremie as living many lives and finding each other in each one.

Tell Me How to Feel by Maggie Eckford -- This song captures one of the main character’s thoughts in the wake of the book’s concluding actions, in which they just feel so blindsided, lost, and heartbroken.

Benediction by Luke Sital-Singh -- This song has a sad vibe from the start, and it’s also one I picked because it instantly makes me think of the lavender fable and Noah and Jeremie’s ‘alternate universe’ story. Favorite lines: There’s a knock in the silence, I see death at the door, But I know we’ll be alright, ‘Cause your hands are still warm and I’m sorry we don’t have forever, but come die with me.

Hengilas by Jonsi -- This song’s in another language (Icelandic!), but it has such an atmospheric quality to it that just draws you in. Favorite lines: We look into foreign eyes, yet we have always known each other. Perfect, because Jeremie has a line in Lavender in Bloom about Noah’s eyes feeling like home even from the moment he first looked into them.


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Friday 22 July 2016

RELEASE BLITZ - Hadley (The Club Girl Diaries #3) by Addison Jane


Title: Hadley
Series: The Club Girl Diaries #3  
Author: Addison Jane
Genre: Contemporary Romance

 Release Date: July 22, 2016



Book Description:

People change, it's a fact of life.

Hadley found that out the hard way after her husband came home one day with darkness in his eyes that she'd never seen before.


Realizing that she couldn't allow him to drag her into the shadows, she watched him walk away, thinking she’d be free to move on with her life.


But now she was on the run, seeking safety from a man she once vowed to love forever.


Becoming a club girl for the Brothers by Blood MC guaranteed her protection, and at the same time, allowed her to embrace her sexuality with no judgments or guilt.


Only things weren't as simple as she'd anticipated. She never expected Leo and his curly haired daughter to steal her heart, and for emotions to come into play.


Could she risk her life on the chance he might feel the same?

Leo was the Sargent at Arms for the Brothers by Blood MC.


It was his job to make sure the club was safe and their security tight.


He’d been to hell and back. Losing his wife Kim, after the birth of their daughter, had broken his heart to the point where he thought it was irreparable. She’d been his everything since he was a teenager, and he was determined to never lose her memory.


With the club around him and his baby girl at his side, he’d become content with life alone.


When Hadley showed up, he wasn't quite sure what to make of the self-confident, sweet natured brunette. He was drawn to her—a pull he struggled to escape.


He wanted her, but he was afraid to get too close, not sure that his heart was strong enough to let someone else in.

When danger comes knocking, they need to make a decision—protect themselves and move on, or stand together and risk it all.


My Review:

TITLE: Hadley
SERIES: (The Club Girl Diaries)
AUTHOR: Addison Jane
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASED: July 22, 2016
MY RATING: 5 STARS 

I am a fairly new follower of the author Addison Jane who now has become one of my favorite authors her writing is great.  The Club Girl Diaries Series is about the women who belong to the Brothers by Blood Motorcycle Club, these woman aren't the girlfriends or old ladies of the members these are the club girls who are around to satisfy the men in the MC Club.  There are rules and benefits to becoming a club girl and belonging to the Brothers by Blood.  

Drinking, partying and all the sex they want while being protected, because the Brother's by Blood MC protect what is theirs.  I really like how Addison brings in the personalities of each of the club girls in this series a very different prospective into what I have normally read about the club girls in motorcycle clubs. These three books in this series are all great reads.

Hadley (The Club Girl Diaries Book 3) joins the Brother's by Blood because she is in need of protection.  Her husband who was an undercover FBI agent has gone over to the dark side and seems to have the FBI fooled into believing he is still undercover.  Hadley enjoys the club, she has no regrets in becoming a club girl.  She knows one of these days her husband may find her so having the Brothers by Blood protecting her is the only way she can feel safe.

Leo who is the clubs Sargent of Arms is a single father, losing his wife in child birth.  Raising his daughter and protecting the club are the most important things in his life.   Leo is a hot, sexy, and strong, if you have read Harmony and/or Chelsea the first two books in this series you have already met Leo and his daughter. When Leo and Hadley meet there is a connection, but Leo knows she is a club girl and belongs to the club, even though he struggles watching her with his brothers.  Leo is still in love with his wife and unsure of his feelings for Hadley but knows he has some moving on is not easy.

Hadley and Leo are a great combination and you have hope for them right from the beginning, but of course there are some major obstacles in their way.  Leo loving his wife and  feeling like he may be betraying her? Hadley's husband is looking for her and people around her may not be safe.  This book is full of drama, suspense, even some emotional moments.  One can only hope for a happy ever after ending for these two.  

Hadley is a must read, I would say this whole series should be read.  I have rated Hadley 5 stars it is  a fantastic read and one of my favorites in this series so far. 

I highly recommend this series and Addison Jane's other books


**I was given a copy of this book in return for a honest review.**





Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK






Also Available

THE CLUB GIRL DIARIES

#1 Harmony
AMAZON US / UK

#2 Chelsea
AMAZON US / UK


THE BROTHERHOOD JOURNALS

#1 Blizzard
AMAZON US / UK

All books are FREE in Kindle Unlimited





Author Bio


Addison Jane is a born and bred kiwi girl with a passion for romance and writing.

When she gets the chance she enjoys the little things in life such as reading, dancing, music, and Facebook, but her world really revolves around the little girl who calls her Mum. It's an awkward balance between alpha males and Disney princesses but it works.

Growing up on a small farm next to the beach will always make her a country girl at heart. But since moving away to a small town close to the city she's discovered a dangerous love for shopping.

Writing stories has been something that's come naturally since she was young, and with the massive support of her friends and family, she finally decided to step out of her comfort zone and share them with the world.

She enjoys bringing her books to life with strong female leads, sexy passionate men and a rollercoaster of twists and turns that lead to the happily ever after that her readers desire.




Author Links


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Friday 8 July 2016

Cover Reveal & Pre-Order Sale - I See You by Molly McAdams

I SEE YOU by Molly McAdams





About the Book:

Futures are uncertain, unpredictable-like ink spilled across the purest surface. Nearly imperceptible ripples move and flow until a unique stain is formed. The ink is permanently embedded in the surface…

During one wild night in college, Jentry Michaels is a tidal wave of ink that brands Aurora Wilde's soul. An unparalleled stain she can't forget despite the many months that have passed-and despite the distraction she'd hoped she would find in her new relationship with Declan, the charmer who captured her heart soon after. Jentry has irrevocably touched her soul, and he is intertwined in her present and future in ways she never fathomed. Now Aurora is faced with keeping that night hidden though it feels as if the ink has indelibly etched their story across her skin.

When Declan is confronted with his own personal demons, Aurora must decide if she will continue to hold tight to their relationship and a safe, reliable future with him, or if she will turn to Jentry-the guy she can't forget no matter how hard she tries…


About the Author:

Molly McAdams grew up in California but now lives in the oh-so-amazing state of Texas with her husband, daughter, and fur babies. Her hobbies include hiking, snowboarding, traveling and long walks on the beach … which roughly translates to being a homebody with her hubby and dishing out movie quotes.






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