Naomi's Reading Palace

Naomi’s Weekly Wrap Up 179

Happy Easter everyone! I hope you all have a fabulous time with your family and friends.

On Wednesday... we are jetting off across country to visit my sister and her family, so we'll be gone for three weeks! We're all looking forward to the time away. I'm up to date with everything and the blog will run as normal. I will catch up on commenting when I return.

Tyrant by T.M. Frazier ~ Review & Quote-tastic
Seven Weeks to Forever by Jennifer Farwell ~ Review & Teaser Tuesday
Waiting On Wednesday #185 – Brave Enough / The Beast
Foolproof by Jennifer Blackwood ~ Review & Swoon Thursday
Where Lightning Strikes by A.L. Jackson ~ Excerpt & Giveaway

Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews ~ Review & Quote-tastic
Tempting the Bodyguard by J. Lynn ~ Audiobook Review & Teaser Tuesday
Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry ~ Review, Teaser & Giveaway
Waiting On Wednesday #186
Lawless by T.M. Frazier ~ Review & Swoon Thursday
Hunter by Blaire Drake ~ Excerpt & Teasers

V-Card (Sharing Spaces #1)
by Alicia Michaels
Royal Blood (Royal Blood #1)
by Amity Cross
Hard (Sexy Bastard #1)
by Eve Jagger

A Mess of a Man was a 99c pre-order. And I had to get the sequel in The Beat and the Pulse series... loved the first book.

A Mess of a Man
by A.M. Hargrove & Terri E. Laine
Pulse (The Beat and the Pulse #2)
by Amity Cross

Just for Now (Sea Breeze #4)
by Abbi Glines

I received Wicked Sexy Liar from Simon & Schuster Australia

Wicked Sexy Liar (Wild Seasons #4)
by Christina Lauren

I won Ultimate Sin and swag from Clarissa Wild's fan group. I was unable to read it earlier this year, and now I have a beautiful copy to keep!

Ultimate Sin
by Clarissa Wild

Naomi’s Weekly Wrap Up is a combined meme with the Sunday Post hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, Bought, Borrowed and Bagged hosted by Braine @ Talk Supe and Stacking The Shelves hosted by Tynga’s Reviews.

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Where Lightning Strikes by A.L. Jackson ~ Excerpt & Giveaway (@aljacksonauthor, @InkSlingerPR)

Where Lightning Strikes was released this week!! This is a series I need to catch up on! I have the first book so I think it's time to dive in, because I need to read Tamar and Lyrik’s story!

Where Lightning Strikes (Bleeding Stars, #3)

Title: Where Lightning Strikes

Author: A.L. Jackson

Series: Bleeding Stars #3

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: March 22nd 2016

Buy Now - Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Do you know what it feels like right before lightning strikes? How you can feel the current running through your veins? The trembles of warning that ripple through the air? It was a thrill Tamar King chased all her life until it became the very thing she had to escape.

For the last four years, Tamar King has hidden herself in an isolated world she created. She was safe. No one could touch her. Until Lyrik West walked through her door.

He’s the lead guitarist for Sunder and everything she can never have. The dark and beautiful rock star becomes everything she craves.

Lyrik’s life has been devoted to his band and that success has cost him. Bitter, hard, and filled with regret, he refuses to lose himself again, but from the moment he sees her, he wants one night with Tamar King.

The gorgeous bartender is more than he bargained for. Their attraction is consuming. Their desire overpowering. With one touch, they ignite.

But is it worth the cost of getting burned?

She’s a gorgeous nightmare and he’s a wicked dream…

WHERE LIGHTNING STRIKES, a Bleeding Stars Stand-Alone Novel

For one night, I wanted it. I wanted her secrets. I wanted to sink my fingers in and take for myself. She was the exact kind of contradiction I craved.

The push and pull.

But this time the pull was too great to ignore.

I traced my thumbs along the delicate slope of her neck. Dragged them across the soft, soft skin. Her pulse was racing with a violent beat. I forced her to look at me while my entire body ran hot.

“Tell me what you want, Red.” It slipped out in a rough murmur.

In the distance, thunder rolled. Those blue eyes flashed. Flashed with courage and fear.

Something about it made me shake.

Almost defiantly, she lifted her chin, and she reached up with her small hands and grasped me around the wrists.

“I want you to kiss me.”

Motherf*cker.

Leave it to Red to ask for the thing I didn’t want to give. Memories cut a path of panic through my consciousness. Reminding me of what I’d done. Of why I could never get too close.

Of where my loyalty truly lay.

Clenching my jaw, I gripped her tighter. My heart was giving its all to reject this. Screaming at me to wise up and to do it fast. To turn my back and walk away. No doubt, my feet had officially crossed into the forbidden zone. Out of bounds.

Red was trying to take me places I didn’t want to go.

On the inside, I struggled like a goddamned madman. Torn between lashing out like I’d done the last time she’d been tempting me with the need to sink inside her, to discover the countless secrets she had lying underneath, and gathering her up and letting her in on all of mine.

I was at an all-out war with my instincts. The f*cked-up thing was I didn’t even know what those were anymore.

Not when it came to her.

Wavering, I rocked forward in indecision then rocked back. Getting closer to those full red lips with each pass.

Her attention flitted over my face. They jumped from my eyes to my mouth and back again. She fisted my suit jacket.

“What do you want?” she demanded, turning the question on me. Her voice was a brazen, needy mix of the siren who had no issue with putting me in my place and the soft vulnerability that kept seeping through.

My tongue darted out and swept across my bottom lip.

Dying for a taste.

“F*ck it.”

Figured she was going to kill me, anyway.

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary and new adult romance.

She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children.

Connect with A.L. Jackson online:www.aljacksonauthor.com

To stay up to date with important news on A.L. Jackson, including new releases, sales, and exclusive specials and excerpts, text “jackson” to 96000 to subscribe!

Website / Facebook / Twitter

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Foolproof by Jennifer Blackwood ~ Review & Swoon Thursday (@Jen_Blackwood, @EPEmbrace)

If you are looking for a light NA romance, you need to pick up Foolproof! I loved Ryan and Jules, they were a flirty couple that were lucky to find one another.

Title: Foolproof

Author: Jennifer Blackwood

Series: Drexler University #2

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Published: January 8th 2015

Buy Now - Amazon | B&N | Kobo

A summer of seduction...

Jules Carmichael needs to get her life together. Pronto. School's been hell, there was that tiny stint in rehab, and worst of all, she's lost her cushy summer job. The only available work is at Office Jax, home of horrid 90s music and the biggest jerk on this side of the galaxy...

Recovering from a brutal break-up and taking a hiatus from college, Ryan DeShane has just discovered the “6 Ultimate Steps to the Perfect Summer Fling.” It's a brilliant distraction, and Jules is a tantalizing target. But the “steps” work a little too well, because he and Jules are definitely, uh, flinging. And it's only a matter of time before Ryan's foolproof plan starts to seriously unravel...

I picked up Foolproof in December last year, and decided to read it because I was after something lighter read. At the time, I didn’t realise it was the second book in a series, but because it features a different couple, it can easily be read as a standalone. And what a fun read it was! Ryan following advice about a summer fling from a girls magazine, the flirting at work and the use of 90’s songs to get their feelings across! I enjoyed every moment of reading this book!

Jules is working at Office Jax over the summer and is enrolled into medical school. I could see from the first chapter that it may not be a good fit for her, as she fumbles through a co-workers problem. Then in rocks Ryan, the boss’s son, who comes across as arrogant and spoiled, but extremely hot! Their working relationship gets off to a rocky start, but after Ryan reads an article, he decides to test out the steps to hook his sassy co-worker, Jules.

I really enjoyed the growing relationship between Jules and Ryan. There was plenty of playful banter between them, the flirting was fun and their attraction to one another continued to grow, and a few times almost went too far. But I could see that they were both struggling about what they wanted for their futures. Jules was able to help Ryan find what he needed, but Jules doesn’t want to face her parents in regards to her career decisions, and avoids conflict as much as possible.

This is the first book that I’ve read by Jennifer Blackwood, and she did a remarkable job of pulling me into her world. It’s told from the first person perspective, alternating between both Jules and Ryan. I was able to see what they were feeling for one another and what decisions they wanted to make for their futures. Jules and Ryan had sizzling chemistry, and were able to let their walls down when they were alone together. I had a smile on my face the whole time I read this book; I’m glad that I’ve found a new author to stalk!

Here's a swonnworthy moment, but still using a 90's song title to flirt!

Lowering my face within an inch of his, I said, “Hit me with your best shot.”
His breath rushed out, a swirl of mint and graham cracker caressing my face. He knocked the cap off my head, grabbing the back of my hair, and pulled me into a kiss.
Our lips met, tongues pushing, fighting for control. My fingers tugged through his curls, our fevered tempo had me fighting for breath as the world around me fell away. He nipped at my bottom lip, and a shudder wracked through my bones. I was lost in his warm lips, his tongue, falling, falling, falling, until I was sure if we stopped I would collide with the ground at earth-shattering speed. His hands cupped my ass, his erection pressing into my stomach, and as I ground my hips into him, he groaned, the sound vibrating against my lips.

Kindle Page 85
Originally inspired by YA Bound

Jennifer Blackwood is an English teacher and contemporary romance author. She lives in Oregon with her husband, son, and poorly behaved black lab puppy. When not chasing after her toddler, you can find her binging on episodes of Gilmore Girls and Supernatural, and locking herself in her office to write.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Waiting On Wednesday # 185 – Brave Enough / The Beast

I love anything that M. Leighton writes, so of course I want this one.

And I'm a couple of books behind in the BDB series, but I still want the Beast!

Brave Enough (Tall, Dark, and Dangerous, #3)

Title: Brave Enough

Author: M. Leighton

Series: Tall, Dark, and Dangerous #3

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Expected Publication: April 5th 2016

Is she brave enough to give her heart to a man she only thought she knew?

He was the most charismatic man I’d ever met. Strong, tough, brave. Bold as hell. Something told me Tag Barton could have anything—anyone—he wanted...and he wanted me. It didn’t matter that he was wrong for me in practically every way possible. It didn’t matter that my father would hate it.

I couldn’t resist him. Even if I’d known who he really was and what he was really capable of.

When he suggested we pretend to be engaged, I thought he was the answer to all my problems. He wasn’t. And, in his wake, he left nothing but scorched earth and me, just another casualty of my father’s war.

Can I believe him now when he tells me he loves me? Or is he nothing more than a beautiful, breathtaking lie?

The Beast (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #14)

Title: The Beast

Author: J.R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #14

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Expected Publication: April 5th 2016

Rhage and Mary return in a new novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, a series “so popular, I don’t think there’s a reader today who hasn’t at least heard of [it]” (USA Today).

Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself…

For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect—or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand—or control—the panic and insecurity that plague him…

And that terrifies him—as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities—and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world...and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from...

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine where I have the chance to spotlight upcoming releases that I’m eagerly anticipating.

Seven Weeks to Forever by Jennifer Farwell ~ Review & Teaser Tuesday (@jennfarwell)

Jennifer Farwell is a new to me author, but I couldn't resist picking up Seven Weeks to Forever. I really enjoyed this read and it was very well written!

Title: Seven Weeks to Forever (A Love Story)

Author: Jennifer Farwell

Genre: YA Supernatural Romance

Published: January 8th 2015

Buy Now - Amazon | B&N

Cassidy Jordan won't open her heart to anyone, and with good reason. She's a second-timer, returned from the afterlife after a devastating romance caused her death. All that stands between her and eternity is finding someone named Riley Davis and helping him get his life on track. But nobody told her helping Riley would mean dating him.

When Cassidy realizes she's falling for Riley, she's faced with a choice: give him the life he's meant for and leave this life when it's time, or give up eternity for the true love she's never had, knowing Riley will die the same way she did in her first life and that her entire existence could end at any time.

In this YA supernatural romance, author Jennifer Farwell explores the unstoppable power of young love.

I grabbed Seven Weeks to Forever when it was on sale because I loved the cover and the description had me hooked! What would I do if I knew I was going to die and had a chance to help someone before I left? I would think that I would help, but who knows what could happen! So of course I had to read it, to see what Cassidy had to do. It was such a beautiful read, and I was swept away with the fantastic writing and the story that Jennifer Farwell created.

When I first met Cassidy, she seemed quite closed off. She knew the date of her death and had pushed most people away, because she didn’t want to hurt them. She had started over in L.A. to put distance between herself and her Aunt and Uncle, but little did she know that the guy she needed to save lived there. The more time she spent with Riley, the more she opened up. He was able to get details out of her that most people haven’t been able to.

Riley, well he has his own history and I could see he was struggling with his feelings for Cassidy and what happened in his past. When these two were together, it was sweet: they would fumble through dates, say the wrong thing, but their connection became stronger.

What I really enjoyed the most was the second chance at life. Cassidy had already lived a short life before; this was her second chance and she was able to help someone before she left. She had an advisor, Noah, a kind of angel who helped her after she died, and he would appear out of nowhere to guide her on the right path. This whole aspect of what happens next, after we die, intrigues me. Just imagining that I may be able to come back, and what I would do if I could is just mind blowing!

I loved the way Jennifer Farwell pieced this story together. Cassidy gave me glimpses to her past, as well as being Anna, so I was able to understand her better. I could fell Cassidy’s frustration with the decisions that she had to make and the love she felt for Riley. It was a beautifully written journey of a girl trying to make things right before moving on to the Life After.

I loved this moment when Riley and Cassidy went star gazing... It was so sweet!

Riley reaches for my hand and we both lie back, looking up at the sky.
“I can never get over how beautiful it is,” I murmur, looking up at the millions of tiny lights against the growing darkness.
“More than beautiful.” Riley’s voice is husky. I turn my head to him and see that he’s not watching the sky. He’s staring at me. His eyes lock with mine and there’s a pull between us that grows until our bodies are curled together, my hips pressed against his.

Kindle Page 152

Hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm

Jennifer Farwell has been writing since the day she picked up a navy blue Crayola as a toddler and began scribbling on her parents' freshly painted white walls. She's the author of SEVEN WEEKS TO FOREVER, ROCK STAR'S GIRL, and HIDING OUT IN HOLLYWOOD. When not writing novels, she can often be found at a Kundalini yoga class, cheering on the L.A. Kings during hockey season, or curled up with a good book. Her love of storytelling led to completing a Bachelor of Journalism degree and a Master of Arts degree in English, both from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. She grew up in Thunder Bay, Canada, and now lives in Los Angeles with her dog, Pico.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Tyrant by T.M. Frazier ~ Review & Quote-tastic (@TM_Frazier)

Today I bring you Tyrant, the conclusion to King and Pup/Doe's story. It was a little different from the first book as they have to spend time apart, but it was still amazing!

Title: King & Tyrant: Limited Edition Collection

Author: T.M. Frazier

Series: King #1 & #2

Genre: NA Dark Romance

Published: November 23rd 2015

Buy Now - Amazon | B&N

Book one and two in the King series.

King:

Homeless. Hungry. Desperate. Doe has no memories of who she is or where she comes from. A notorious career criminal just released from prison, King is someone you don’t want to cross unless you’re prepared to pay him back in blood, sweat, sex or a combination of all three. King’s future hangs in the balance. Doe’s is written in her past. When they come crashing together, they will have to learn that sometimes in order to hold on, you have to first let go.

Tyrant:

I. Remember. Everything. But the relief I thought I would feel never comes, and I’m more afraid now than I was the morning I woke up handcuffed in King’s bed. Because with the truth comes dark secrets I was never meant to know. I will put the lives of those I love most at risk if I let on that my memory has returned, or if I seek help from the heavily tattooed felon who owns me body and soul. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to resist the magnetic pull toward King that grows stronger every day. He’s already saved me in more ways than one. Now it’s my turn to do whatever it takes to save him. Even if that means marrying someone else…

Tyrant continues immediately after the end of King, with Doe/Pup returning to her life and King being escorted away. Doe/Pup was in shock over the recent developments in her life and found it hard to settle into her old life. She learned things about her past slowly but still wanted King to come back to her.

King sure knows how to get out of any situation and soon tracked Doe/Pup down. But another situation had surfaced that he needed to deal with that would put all those he cared about in danger. Even when the crap hit the fan, King was able to focus on saving his closest friend despite the odds of survival.

There were plenty of twists and people in Tyrant that kept King and Doe/Pup apart. Her father appears to be a heartless man, Tanner the boy next door has always been in her life, and Doe/Pup’s past is slowly returning to her. But her heart belongs to King and everything she did was for him.

I loved how this story wrapped up! There were so many intense moments, but I did miss all the time that King and Doe/Pup spent together, like it the previous book. One thing remained strong and that was the love that King and Doe/Pup have for one another. It was a fantastic conclusion and I love how T.M. Frazier was able to get me emotionally attached to all the characters. I am looking forward to Bear’s story, it’s going to be hard, I know it!!

I love King's possessive streaks!!

“There is one more thing I need you to know.” His lips hovered just above mine. “You need to know that I don’t give a fuck if your memory returns while I’m gone, ’cause it doesn’t change shit for us. But from this point out there is only one thing I need you to remember.”
“What’s that?”
“This.” King gripped the back of my neck and pulled me into him, crashing his lips to mine in a kiss that had me trembling with both desire and fear.
An angry passion.
A possession.
And he was right. There was no way I would ever forget it. He pulled back reluctantly pausing to look into my eyes as we both caught our breaths. I touched my bottom lip, swollen from his kiss.

Kindle Loc 4491 of King/Tyrant duo

Hosted by Anna @ Herding Cats & Burning Soup

T.M. (Tracey Marie) Frazier resides in sunny Southwest Florida with her husband and three feisty fur kids.

She attended Florida Gulf Coast University where she specialized in public speaking. After years working in real estate and new home construction, she decided it was finally time to stop pushing her dreams to the back burner and pursue writing seriously.

In the third grade she wrote her very first story about a lost hamster. It earned rave reviews from both her teacher and her parents.

It only took her twenty years to start the next one.

It will not be about hamsters.