ALWAYS BEEN MINE - REVIEW & AUTHOR INTERVIEW

"It's been a year and Valerie and Alex are both in their destined jobs when a family wedding brings them together again, and love, passion and broken hearts are all dragged back out. Love hasn't died and even though Valerie fights to stop feeling for Alex she can't help seeing him as a changed guy."

Author: Elisabeth Reyes
Pages: aprx. 300 pages
Publisher: Self Published
Published: May, 2011
Form: E-book (from a tour for an honest review)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: The Moreno Brothers #2
Amazon: Buy / $5.47 (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see US price )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $2.99 (Nook)
Smahswords: Buy / $2.99 (E-book)

Excerpt: The First 26 pages

Valerie and Alex had a relationship, well not really a defined relationship but they hangout on and off, until Valerie had enough and went to see what happened when she wasn't around. As she witnesses his infidelity she calls it quits she wants absolutely nothing to do with him, ever again. She takes her broken heart and swears to never let Alex close again.

Alex has bit of a proud streak, with his football scholarship he has to keep his grades up with is not easy for him, he hates people viewing him as stupid so he doesn't tell Valerie just what keeps him away from her - but when she surprises him with a girl, his tutor, he tries to explain but it falls on deaf ears. And it, whatever it is, is over.

It's been a year and Valerie and Alex are both living their lives when a family wedding brings them together again, and love, passion and broken hearts are all dragged back out. Love hasn't died and even though Valerie fights to stop feeling for Alex she can't help seeing him as a changed guy. With a jealous ex ( the one she thought she'd use to get over Alex ) is threatening her and her boss wanting to date her she has more than enough on her plate, but when Alex states he wants her back...  just how much can a girl have on her plate?

Say, Hi, to deliciously passionate and intensily protective Moreno brothers! I really enjoyed this book, it's been a while since I've read just contemporary romance, and it was nice, no shifters or vampires coming out of closets. ;) This story is all about second chances, and I loved that! Things just went wrong with Valerie and Alex, and their pride kept the two apart until something just had to give when they met again. Of course the reader knows these two belong together, but reading the whole journey is still interesting with yummu elements of danger, jealousy, love and passion.

I really liked Alex even with his proud streak and his temperament he was lovable and having him pine after Valerie and reacting to her mere presence in the room was yummy reading. I wish though that I could have just shook him and go, "oh come on just tell her how you feel, what really happened!" of course that marks a good book when you can get frustrated at the characters, it means you're involved in the story. But I loved Alex even more after they decide to give things another go, sure he's possessive and jealous but in a deliciously yummy way. ,)

Valerie, oh I wish she could have just given him a chance, she harbored her ill feelings for him for a year trying to replace him ( big oh-oh ) and tried to trick him ( by saying she had a boyfriend ) and eventually she just had to open her eyes and see that was changes and hear him. I really liked her, she was fun to read and had really heartfelt emotions, lots of guts and a good sense of humor.

Alright, things that needed a little fixing were the repetition of events in the first half of the book, which slightly stalled the reading. But after the half way that didn't come up anymore and the story moved a lot more smoothly. The covers on the other Moreno Brothers books in the series are quite good, this one has something lacking it, could have used something extra, it's not a big problem as I read this on the Kindle.

What I loved was all the tension! Loved it, it's just what a good romance needs! The tension caused by Alex's passion for Valerie, tension from Valerie's boss trying to get her to date him and forget Alex, and Valerie's jealous ex that keeps threatening her and demanding she pay for leaving him and him ending up in jail. I love love love all that tension!

You'll love this if... you like your romance contemporary, if you like second chances and if you love a love story with a stalker to add an element of danger!

Rating :

 

Niina : Welcome to For The Love of Reading, Ms. Elizabeth Reyes, I’m glad you could make it!

Elizabeth Reyes : Thank you for having me glad to be here!

Niina : Let’s get started! Can you tell my readers here 4 fun unknown facts about you so we can break the ice?

Elizabeth : Sure!

1.  As my Twitter profile explains I am a mother of two teens so therefor by default this makes me a super hero!

2. I married my first love and will be married to him 18 years next month but we've been together for over 20!

3. I've upgraded my computer at least 4 times from the very first one I ever bought but I'm still using the keyboard that came with the first one because it's my lucky keyboard!

4. A lot of the funny things that happen in my stories are usually something that either happened to me in real life or happened to someone I know.    

Niina : Tell us little about you’re The Moreno Brothers Series, what’s it about?

Elizabeth : It's about the love lives of a family and group of Hispanic friends living in La Jolla California. I love reading about intense, jealous and possessive heroes so my guys tend to be very intense when it comes to that.    

Niina : I read Always Been Mine this week, now I’m a sucker for books where the guy pines over the girl. What do you think makes those stories romantic?

Elizabeth : I think seeing the vulnerability of a man especially one as big and intense as Alex is very endearing. You can't help but feel for a character like that even though at times he may be over the top because you can actually feel his pain and anxiety.   

Niina : Which way are you going with series?

Elizabeth : I honestly thought Sal would be the end but the characters have just taken a life of their own and there are so many side characters whose stories are now begging to be told. So I see a lot of spinoffs in the future.  

Niina : What are three words each that would describe the leading cast the best?

Elizabeth : Intense, loving and protective <- maybe overprotective. lol

Niina : What’s the best compliment you’ve received on your writing? And who complimented you?

Elizabeth : My readers are wonderful and very vocal so many of them go straight to my blog or FB fan page to tell me how much they loved whatever book they just happened to finish. Their compliments are by far the best and the ones I take to heart, I especially love the ones that say they will now read anything I put out. =)

Niina : Now to more personal questions! Who is your current book boyfriend?

Elizabeth : Wow that's getting real personal but it's usually whoever I'm in the middle of reading and at the moment I'm reading Junk Miles by Liz Reinhardt. It's a love triangle series. I'm Team Saxxon. As much as Jake is so loveable I'm a sucker for the bad boys.  

Niina : What is your signature dish? 

Elizabeth : It's actually one I talked about in my last book Making You Mine. Every Thanksgiving & Christmas I HAVE to make my famous green chili chicken enchilada casserole. I usually make it a few times outta the year for my family but for the holidays I take out the BIG tray and make a really big one for the family gatherings.

Niina : What's the best part about being an author? And what’s the worst?

Elizabeth : The best part is doing what I absolutely love for a living. I think that's what everybody dreams of doing in life. There is nothing like getting lost in a story especially one where you call the shots. I say that but my characters really call the shots. A lot times I'm just as shocked as the readers are I'm sure about the turns my stories sometimes take.

The worst? Self doubt. No matter how many people tell me they've loved my stories/characters it's so hard not to focus on the few that have said they hated them. It's silly really but I think I'm getting better with it now. I think the worst part about being an author will soon be not being able to write fast enough! The stories just come to me nonstop!   

Niina : If your book Always Been Mine were made into a movie who would you cast as the leads?

Elizabeth :  Wow. I've been meaning to get a page up on my blog and have the readers vote and nominate who would play them. For Valerie it would have to be someone very petite but playfully sexy. Maybe a blonde Rachel McAdams. And Alex would be tough because he has to be big and beautiful. Immediately Channing Tatum because he has the whole intense thing down, although I think he'd make a better Romero, if he buffed up some more he may just be able to pull off playing Alex.      

Niina : I luv Channing Tatum, good choice! ;) Before we finish, here are some Quick Fire Questions: 

Night or day? in the winter day in the summer night.
Pick-up or Mini-van? Pick-up
Beer or Wine? Yes please. lol
Boots or Heels? used to be heels these days its boots
M&Ms: With or Without Peanuts?  With!
Treats: Sweet or Salty? Salty
Pizza or Burger? Pizza
Date: Going to Park or Going to Movies? Park you can't talk at the movies!
Friends or Will & Grace? Friends
Drama or Comedy? Drama
Winter or Summer? Winter
Jewels or Chocolates? Jewels
Men: Alpha-male or submissive? Alpha all the way!
Men: Clean Shaven or Stubble? yes please!
Women: Talkative or wallflowers? Talkative
Women: Curvy or Slim? Curvy
Tattoos or Piercings? Tattoos
Bad boys or good guys? bad bad bad >;)
Brunettes or Blonds? Brunettes
Vampires or werewolves? Werewolves I like them hot blooded!
Cops or Cowboys? Cops
Time-Travel or Sci-fi? Time-Travel
Romance or Erotica/Erotic Romance? Depends on my mood but usually Hot romance
Male POV or Female POV (Point Of View)? Both
Times New Roman or Courier? TNR
Pens or pencils? Pens

Niina : Thanks for visiting the For The Love of Reading, Elizabeth! Any news would you like to share with your readers , or websites they can check out?

Elizabeth : Thanks for having me this was fun! For updates on all my upcoming projects including teasers and sneak peeks and covers to my new series 5th Street visit my website or blog and follow me on Twitter @AuthorElizabeth

Do you love Contemporary Romance?

This would be a great time to ask an awesome contemporary romance 

author for tips or pick her brain a little, or gush about the love of her books!

Don't hesitate to comment everyone, now is the perfect time!

I was born and raised and continue to live in sunny southern California. I'm married and have two wonderful teens. My love for writing began when I was just a kid though, I never really had any dreams or aspirations of doing it for a living. Then along came the age of eReaders and I saw an opportunity to get my writing out for the world to read without jumping through hoops and getting past the red tape of trying to get traditionally published. The Moreno Brothers series has literally changed my life. I now wake up to go to work a few yards from my bed.
Forever Mine is the first in the series and is currently still free on Amazon but I anticipate that changing real soon. Always Been Mine is the second in the series, then Sweet Sofie and recently released Romero is the fourth. Making You Mine is the fifth in the series and will be available tentatively this December 2011. I already have another series in mind that will immediately follow this one. ( No I won't be taking any vacations from writing! ) I will have more info sneak and peeks of that series which will be out in 2012. But I have so many other stories screaming to be told I only wish I could write faster!

I love hearing from my readers and try to always respond as soon as I can, so feel free to reach out!

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Follow Ms. Reyes' Tour HERE!

Check out the Character Interview tomorrow Jan. 25th @ http://ataleofmanyreviews.com/

SNOWY FATE - REVIEW AND EXCERPT

"The past is catching up with Aspyn Layton. The father she never knew passed away and she is left to deal with his estate. An unexpected snowstorm has her stranded at the one place she didn’t want to be—her father’s house—with a naked man."

Author: Marissa Dobson
Pages: 26 pages
Publisher: Ruby Lioness Press
Published: December, 2011
Form: E-book (from a tour for an honest review)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Amazon: Buy / $5.47 (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see US price )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $2.99 (Nook)
Smashwords: Buy / $2.99 (E-book)
Excerpt: Chapter 1

"Fate always knows when you're ready for love.

The past is catching up with Aspyn Layton. The father she never knew passed away and she is left to deal with his estate. An unexpected snowstorm has her stranded at the one place she didn’t want to be—her father’s house—with a naked man.

Damon Andrews has a secret, one he shared with Aspyn’s father. He must convince Aspyn there is more to life then what she knows. How will she react when she finds out he is a mountain lion, and she is his mate? Their fates are intertwined."

I liked the idea for the plot, and I do love paranormal romance, but I would have hoped this would have been a longer story so I could have gotten more inner narrative and could have built the passion needed for really steamy or emotional scenes.

You'll like this if... you're into paranormal shifter romances and you like your stories nice and short.

Rating :

She picked up the fire poker as she looked at the naked man before her. “Who are you?” Even though she was startled by the man who stood before her, she had a feeling that he meant her no harm. A man that sexy couldn’t harm anyone; except to break a girl’s heart. He looked as though he should be posing for Playgirl instead of standing in the cozy living room.

“The better question is who are you and what are you doing here?” he asked as he shook the wet snow off his body. He stood there, not the least bit concerned that he was naked, nor that he was wet from head to toe. Her heart was fluttering, and desire was heating her cheeks. She wanted to explore his toned body with her hands, and her tongue. His dark hair was wind blown into disarray; that served to make him look dangerous, and that much sexier.

“The name’s Aspyn. Now who are you?”

“You’re his daughter,” he said more out of shock, then in question. “I’m Damon Andrews. John, your dad’s lawyer, didn’t think you would be coming to the house, or I would have left.”

Once she heard this man was a friend of her father’s, she quickly squashed the attraction that was building inside her. There was no way she could pursue someone who knew her father. She didn’t want to know any more than she already did about the man who ran out on her and her mother.

“It wasn’t the plan. I agreed to sell the place and his things. I planned to head straight home, but the storm rolled in, leaving me no time to get out of town. I didn’t have anywhere else to go and I didn’t think anyone was living here. The lawyer mentioned the key under the rug if I wanted to stop.” She lowered the weapon as she spoke.

He nodded in understanding. “If there is anything of his you want, please feel free to take it. There are lots of pictures of you.”

“He never gave me anything while he was alive and I don’t want anything now.” The first tear was threatening to fall.

“Hey there, I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry,” he said, crossing the room in two strides.

“It’s not you. It’s just being here, around all this. It’s more than I can handle now. I’m not a woman who cries at the drop of the hat, I don’t know what is wrong with me. All the years he missed, and now it’s too late. This is like crying over spilled milk.”

He gently laid a hand on her shoulder. “He wouldn’t want you to be upset. He did what he thought was right when you were a child. It might not have been the best decision, but he felt it was the only way. It was the only way to give you a semi-normal childhood, and he regretted that decision every day.”

She looked him in the eye and with fire in her eyes, she lashed back. “I know this is going to sound childish and ungrateful, but then he should have come back for us.” She shook off his hand. “But none of that matters now, it’s too late. What are you doing here? Better yet, why are you naked?”

Taking a step back, he nodded to the cot made in the corner. “I’ve been staying with your father. I’m building a house on the other side of the lake and was living at the hotel. On your dad’s better days, he would come over and helped with the construction. The heat and plumbing aren’t finished yet because of the freezing weather. Your dad invited me to stay until it was finished. When he passed and I found out you didn’t want the house, I put the offer in to buy it. I couldn’t see it sold off to someone who wouldn’t appreciate the beauty of the area. As for my lack of clothing, well that is a long story. Why don’t I make us something to eat? I’m sure you’re starving.”

“That would be great.”

“On one condition … you must read your father’s journal. You need to understand why. It will affect you more than I can explain.” Before she could object he added, “Please. There is stuff in there that you really need to know. I told him time and time again that he needed to find you before it was too late and tell you. But he didn’t listen. The first page is all I am asking. After that, if you don’t want to read any more, I won’t pester you anymore today.”

IT'S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING?

Hello and welcome to another fun addition of It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well! You never know where that next “must read” book will come from! This is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey!

Last week was really good reading week, I got plenty read, most of them were spontanious grabs from the kindle and bookshelf as I didn't have much scheduled last week. What also helped was that I slipped on ice and had to stay home almost whole week, so what more is there to do than read. ;)
And next week? I'm going to Cape Verde! Vacation time for me!

Books I have read & reviewed last week...

( Superb Week! )

 (review coming 4.5 Stars)

(review coming 4.5 Stars)

(review coming 4 Stars)

 3.5 Star Review

 4 Star Review

4.5 Star Review + Ongoing Giveaway

Review

4.5 Star Review

(Review coming soon! 4 Stars)

Books that I am reading right now...

( and will most likely finish this week )

The Curse of Gremdon 

Books that are coming up next...

( these will be read this week, while I'm in Cape Verde and island on the coast of africa! )

That's it for me this week!

What are you reading right now?

Don't be afraid to leave a comment, I love getting to know fellow bloggers. ;)

REVIEW - TEXAS TWO STEP

"On a layover to Texas she figures out Robert has been cheating on her - she promises herself after she gets back they are over. In Texas though she's not welcomed by her friend Ellen but her brother Wes and his friend Shooter, both a stark contract to Robert she can't help but be attracted to them both."

Author: Cat Johnson
Pages: 129 pages
Publisher: OmniLit / All Romance eBooks, LLC
Published: February, 2011
Form: E-book (from my personal library)
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Series: Perfect Strangers #1
All Romance E-books: Buy / $2.99 (E-book)
Excerpt: Meeting at the Airport

"It takes two to tango, but three to do the two-step with these Texas cowboys…

Londoner Maryann Morrissy finds the companionship she's missing by making friends on the Internet with fellow rodeo fans in the States. Her fiancé Robert doesn't understand her new obsession. His mocking is just one more thing in a long list that convinces Maryann he's not the man for her. Perfect timing, because Maryann is flying to Texas where two rodeo cowboys are waiting to show her the ropes.

Annoyed he has to pick up his sister's British online buddy from the airport, tie-down roper Wes Griffin drags his best friend Shooter with him. Misery loves company until Wes sees Maryann get off the plane. When her sexy accent makes his heart do the two-step, Wes begins to wish he'd kept Maryann all to himself because Shooter is just as intrigued.

After the nasty end to Maryann’s engagement, she's ready to take both cowboys on, but is Wes willing to share?"

         Wes frowned at Shooter. “Hot? Her? What the hell are you talking about?”
         Then he followed his friend’s gaze and saw what Shooter had seen. Coming through the other door, also smiling in their direction was a woman about their own age and looking like nothing he’d imagined Brit Chick would look like.
         “Hello. I’m Maryann.” The lilt in her sweet voice shot straight through Wes, right down to his groin. Down below, Little Wes woke up to take notice and was apparently enjoying Maryann’s British accent from inside Wes’s jeans.
         Shooter’s face lit up with a wide, goofy grin. “Hey, Maryann. I’m Shooter. Welcome to America.”

I can't seem to keep away from Cat Johnson's cowboy novels! Why? Because they are excellent! The stories are interesting, funny, warm and the characters witty and heartwarming - and let's not forget her novels are hot as hell! I kid you not, these cowboy novels will melt much more than your heart. ;D

The plot begins with Maryann, who travels from London to Texas to see her first Rodeo, finds out her fiancée is cheating on her she wants to break all ties to him, but not through phone. Maryann soon finds she's escorted by two hunky cowboys, and few drinks later she ready to call Robert and take the two cowboys to bed. I told you it was a hot book. ;)

Maryann and Wes make a cute couple ( cute enough to make me go awwwww ), and having Shooter instigate quite few things was hilarious, especially when Wes had to come into willing Maryann's rescue. Texas Two Step is full of funny lines, witty dialogue and emotional and sexy twists - it's a perfect shorter read when you want to feel good and read some steamy romance.

You'll love this if... you love cowboys, two guys showing a girl a good time and your novels fun, feel good and smoking sexy!

Rating :

IN MY MAILBOX

1. Make your own IMM post! I post every week, but you don’t have to. You can do one week out of the month or every other week it’s up to you. Be sure to link back to The Story Siren blog, so that other people wanting to participate know where to get the information to do so!
2. I post my IMM on Sunday, but choose a day of the week that works for you.
3. Once you have your IMM posted, come back to The Story Siren on Sunday and add your link to the list.
4. Try to post a comment on other bloggers IMM posts. I don’t expect you to post a comment on every single one, but pick a few!

This week I received

 "Cat Watson managed to escape from the powerful drug lord Alvarez and right into the hands of the notorious killer—Rabid Rio. Rio promises to protect her and her baby if she becomes his mistress. With no money, what choice did she have? Then Rio's brother, Creed, shows up and vows his protection too."

 "Jeannie longs for the return of passion in her marriage. Jake craves new excitement in the form of another man. Pothos is one of the erotes and an aspect of Eros, the ancient Greek god of love, and this couple's distinctive yearning has called to him. By the power of the erotes he intends to rekindle the flame of Jake and Jeannie's passion in a night of desire that will be the ultimate platinum anniversary gift."

 "For five years, Cassie Reeser has been her brother’s personal lab rat. Peter’s experiments have made her a stronger, faster, better human. And she’s not the only one – he’s been experimenting on others as well. For five years, escape has eluded her. Until now. When she finds out he plans to sell her as a human weapon she knows it’s now or never. To make her escape she’ll sacrifice family bonds and leave behind the one person who’s ever helped her. Cassie’s learned to shrink from kindness and to never trust anyone. She knows the day Peter finally captures her will be the day she dies. To elude her brother and save the others, she’ll have to risk her body and her heart. What she doesn't expect is a chance at a normal life."

 "The past is catching up with Aspyn Layton. The father she never knew passed away and she is left to deal with his estate. An unexpected snowstorm has her stranded at the one place she didn’t want to be—her father’s house—with a naked man."

 "Broken relationships were a constant in Mae’s life, causing her to swear off men forever. Unwittingly lured to Ireland, Mae finds herself knee-deep in a hidden world she never knew existed and head over heels for the very man that tricked her to coming there. His deception is complicated by his own feelings for the one person that holds the key to merging the ancient races that once ruled the ancient word."

"Nathaniel... Icon. Celebrity. Heartthrob. Underneath the movie star's good looks is a man battling with the demons of his past. No one knows the real Nathaniel, they only see the pin-up, the man he pretends to be. Until one night he is forced to rely on Katie Field, an ordinary young woman from a very different world to Nathaniel's. She may be starstuck but she isn't blinded by the bright lights of fame. Can Nathaniel trust her enough to reveal the man behind the mask? Let the seduction begin..."

I've already read The Tortured Rake and Snowy Fate and looking forward to reading the rest!