The Whispering Pages Book Blog: September 2013

Monday, September 30, 2013

~ Book Blast ~

Someone To Listen

A.T. Douglas

~ Synopsis ~

Abby wanted a fresh start, a new life thousands of miles away from her four difficult years of high school and the rumors that followed her. As she begins her college experience in Boston, she finds friendship and love she didn’t expect, people who show her that she doesn’t have to be alone.

She is torn between two paths, inexplicably drawn to two completely different guys. One understands her and reminds her of who she used to be, the broken shadow of a person wandering through life but not truly living. The other is the key to her future, the guiding hand that she waited for years to pull her out of the darkness and into the light.

When Abby’s newfound happiness and renewed existence are threatened, everything changes. She can fall back to that dark place within her or fight to save her future.

She faces the same struggle she has all along: getting someone to hear her, finding someone to believe her.

All she ever needed was someone to listen.

~ Links to Buy ~

Amazon

~ Add to Goodreads ~

~ About the Author ~

After growing up in the Pacific Northwest, A.T. Douglas ventured away from her quiet hometown for the bustle of college in the city of Boston. Though she studied astronomy and was a science geek at heart, she always had a love for the written word and a story swirling in her head.

It wasn't until she became addicted to the Young Adult/New Adult Contemporary Romance genres that she embraced her renewed passion for reading by self-publishing her debut novel, Someone to Listen. Fueled by coffee and her love of music, she strives to turn daydreams and the realities of life into words the world can read. Her writing is inspired by personal experiences and memories from her past. She hopes to inspire others to break the silence and get their stories out into the world.

A.T. Douglas lives in New Hampshire with her husband and son and wishes desperately that there were more hours in the day for family, reading, and writing.

~ Connect with A.T. ~

https://www.facebook.com/a2tdouglas

https://twitter.com/a2tdouglas

http://www.goodreads.com/atdouglas

http://atdouglas.wordpress.com

Release Day Launch & Giveaway

No Turning Back

(Full Circle #1)

by Casey Peeler

~ Synopsis ~

After getting involved with Dylan, the bad boy of the Dixon High Swim team, Charley decides to stay close to home for college. It’s just safer that way. Later, she realizes it’s a mistake, just like dating Dylan. She decides to put the past behind her and leave the small hick town of Grassy Pond. There is only one problem; she makes this decision three weeks before the fall semester begins.

Charley packs up her Honda and heads to Southern College. On the morning she’s about to leave, Cash walks back into her life. He has been her best friend since they were four and is the only one who knows the REAL Charley. She leaves her farm in Grassy Pond with all kinds of “what if” questions.

Charley decides to live her college career to the fullest. She finds a great group of friends, joins the swim team, and meets a guy named Joe. He’s got eyes that make ya wanna melt!

At college, she encounters a new problem. Charley has been away from home for only forty-eight hours before she breaks the two promises she made to herself. Will she be able to overcome her past? Find new love? What will happen with Cash now that he is back in her life? Will she find what she is wanting in Jackalope Joe? How will her first semester of college end? Joe, Cash, or alone?

~ Excerpt ~

“I know. I don’t know what I’m going to do without y’all for a month!” Georgia exclaims.

“I could care less about exams. I’m just ready for Study Day!” Caroline squeals. Why the hell is she so excited about Study Day? You study all damn day! “It’s only the biggest party day of the year at Southern. Y’all thought Homecoming was epic. Y’all aint seen nothing yet!”

“Explain.” Tori states.

“Well, undoubtedly on Wednesday at noon the campus goes to quiet hours to study for exams. No class, practice, or anything. Pretty much people put off studying until Thursday afternoon, and spend Wednesday partying like it’s 1999 or something!”

We all look at each other, and know that it’s legit because somehow Caroline always is in the know.

Anna speaks up, “So, if Hank’s isn’t open, where does everyone go?”

Caroline gets up and walks over to her wall and points to the number eighty-eight sticker on the wall. “That’s easy, Whiskey River!”

“What’s that got to do with racing?” Anna asks. Georgia, Caroline, Tori and I look at each other like she has got to be kidding.

“Anna, hunny, bless your heart,” I speak compassionately. “Dale Jr. owns Whiskey River.”

“Awwwwwww. I don’t know anything about racing.”

“We know,” we all say in unison.

~ Review ~

What an amazing debut novel from Casey Peeler. This book had it all! I absolutely loved this book and Char-coal and Cash Money!!

Charley a/k/a Char-coal was such a compelling character. Scarred by the events of one night a year ago in an attempt to heal and find herself she leaves the small town of Grassy Pond and her childhood love to experience college life.

Cash a/k/a Cash Money has been a true friend and more to Charley over the years. He is the one person who knows what happened the night that turned her world upside down and he has made it his personal mission to protect her, even from afar.

I loved Charley’s determination to overcome the event that changed her. I enjoyed the ease of the conversation and the level of comfort that Charley and Cash found in one another. I could feel their chemistry and underlying love radiating from my kindle so you could imagine my surprise when Charley starts to experience some feelings for “Jackalope Joe” at college.

Joe and Charley meet at “Freshman Fun” Orientation. Joe seems to take every opportunity to be close to Charley and they pair up for their Freshman Seminar project. Joe seems like a nice enough guy but I just didn’t fall for him like I did for Cash. I was waiting and hoping that this was not going to become a love triangle. I hate love triangles and I found that I was already picking sides in my mind as to who Charley should be with.

Joe and Charley spend time getting to know one another at school but she lets her feelings for Cash be known. You can feel the testosterone levels rising as you see them each vying for Charley’s attention and affection. But when Charley’s past is thrust into her present Cash and Joe find a common ground to insure Charley’s safety. But is Charley really safe?

The author did a wonderful job of taking you on the journey with these characters but you will have to pick up Finding Charley (Full Circle #2) when it releases in Spring 2014 so see where it will lead. I know I will be.

~ Rating ~

~ Links to Buy~
Amazon
Createspace
Smashwords

~ About the Author ~

Casey Peeler grew up and still lives in North Carolina with her husband and daughter. Her first passion is teaching students with special needs. Over the years, she found her way to relax was in a good book.

After reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston her senior year of high school and multiple Nicholas Sparks’ novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading.

Casey is an avid reader, blogger (Hardcover Therapy,) and now author. No Turning Back (Full Circle #1) is her debut novel releasing September 30, 2013. Finding Charley (Full Circle #2) will release spring 2014.

Her goal is to one day be an author who is recognized nationwide like Jamie McGuire, Colleen Hoover, Tiffany King, and Amanda Bennett.

When Casey isn’t reading, you can find her listening to country music, spending the day at the lake, being a wife and dance mom, and spending time with friends and family.

Her perfect day consists of water, sand between her toes, a cold beverage, and a great book!

~ Connect with Casey ~

Blog: http://hardcovertherapy.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorCasey

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaseyPeelerAuthor

Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7106874.Casey_Peeler

No Turning Back Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17983607-no-turning-back?from_search=true

~ Giveaway ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, September 28, 2013

~ Book Blast & Giveaway ~

Ever Enough Series

Stacy Borel

♥ Ever Enough ♥

~ Synopsis ~

What happens when the man you thought was the one, ends up being the one that got away?

When Finley breaks her heart on graduation night, eighteen year old Emilyn is left alone to pick up the pieces of her life. After muddling through the next ten years-including immersing herself in a lifeless marriage-she is brought to her knees when she encounters Finley at her high school reunion. Long ago buried emotions and feelings bubble to the surface and when Finley kisses her, Emilyn flees the scene. Arriving home to find her husband in the arms of another woman, Emilyn is forced to return to her hometown and start again. But is it possible to start afresh when the past just won’t seem to let you go?

Finley has spent the ten years since high school focused on his career. As a songwriter, he has never had a problem getting women. But when he realizes that the woman he let go a decade ago could be his happy ever after, he decides to do whatever it takes to get her back. But are some hurdles too great to overcome?

~ Links to Buy ~

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Kobo Books

♥ Playlist ♥

First Kiss- A Rocket To the Moon

Ever Enough- A Rocket To the Moon

Turning Tables- Adele.

Don’t You Remember- Adele

One and Only- Adele

Your Guardian Angel- The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

All the Same- Sick Puppies

Hello- Evanescence

Broken- Seether

Never- Heart

Alone- Heart

Haunted- Taylor Swift

Save You- Simple Plan

Weightless- All Time Low

Break Your Little Heart- All Time Low

Sick Little Games- All Time Low

Straightjacket Feeling- The All-American Rejects

Slipped Away- Avril Lavigne

No Love- Simple Plan

Heart of Stone- Iko

Find Me- Boyce Avenue

Innocence- Avril Lavigne

Feelin’ Love- Paula Cole

Stars- Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Almost Lover-A Fine Frenzy

Near To You- A Fine Frenzy

Just A Fool- Christina Aguilera & Blake Shelton

Faded Away- Luke Bryan

Come Undone- My Darkest Days

Between the Raindrops- Lifehouse

I’m Just A Man- Jason Aldean

I Lost It- Kenny Chesney

Settle For a Slowdown- Dierks Bentley

Please Remember Me- Tim McGraw

First To Fall- Terri Clark

Don’t Leave Home- Dido

Thinking of You- Katy Perry

Makin’ Plans- Miranda Lambert

Sweet Nothing- Calvin Harris

Perfect- My Darkest Days

Radioactive-Imagine Dragons

Can’t Forget You- My Darkest Days

These Days- Rascal Flatts

I’m Moving On- Rascal Flatts

Wherever You Will Go- Charlene Soraia

The Story- Brandi Carlile

She Wolf- David Guetta

♥ Always Enough ♥

~ Synopsis ~

“There is nothing worse than pretending that you don’t care about something, when that is all you can think about.”

Harper Graham wears a mask, and not the pamper kind. She conceals her pain with shoes, shots, and lots of sex. But while her life appears fantastic to most, Harper herself knows that the most important thing in life is not financial stability, but emotional. Having been let down by her absent father for most of her life, Harper chooses to keep the men in her life at arms length. Well, that was until Kyler Morgan.

Kyler Morgan has been successful at nearly everything in his life … nearly. Traveling the country with the band Down Glory Road, Kyler has had time to reflect upon his life and in particular his relationship with feisty, drop-dead gorgeous realtor, Harper. Realizing that she is the woman of his dreams, Kyler resolves to win back Harper, and prove to her that she is, and always has been, enough.

But the path to true love rarely runs smoothly, and when their journey takes a number of twists and turns, will Harper and Kyler manage to hold tight, or fall by the wayside?

~ Links to Buy ~

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo Books

♥ Playlist ♥

Another Heart Calls- The All-American Rejects-

I Can’t Make You Love Me- Bonnie Raitt

The High Road- Three Days Grace

My Songs Know what You Did- Fall Out Boy

Touch- Josh Abbott Band

Easy- Rascal Flatts

Falling Slowly- Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

The Great Escape- Pink

Just Give Me a Reason- Pink

Have A Little Faith In Me

Ignition- Matt Stillwell

Daylight- Maroon 5

Crash My Party- Luke Bryan

Pour Some Sugar On Me- Def Leopard

Distance- Christina Perri

Two Is Better Than One- Boys Like Girls

I Can’t Love You Back- Easton Corbin

Wasting All These Tears- Cassaee Pope

How She Rolls- Chase Rice

Goodbye- Secondhand Serenade

I Will Remember You- Ryan Cabrera

36 Days- Hawk Nelson

Breathe Me- Sia

~About the Author ~

Stacy Borel lives in southeast Texas with her husband, two kids, and two dogs. She is a military wife, and prior to that, was a military brat. She loves picking up and moving somewhere new every two to four years. Stacy is a self-proclaimed Facebook addict. If she isn't online, she is either writing or being a mom or wife.

~ Connect with Stacy ~

https://www.facebook.com/stacyborelauthor

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6868657.Stacy_Borel

Next novel: Touching Scars, coming the first week of December 2013.

~ A Rafflecopter Giveaway ~

Friday, September 27, 2013

~ Cover Reveal & Giveaway ~

What's Left of Me

Amanda Maxlyn

Book Title: What’s Left of Me

Author: Amanda Maxlyn

Release date: December 13, 2013

~ Synopsis ~

Life works in mysterious ways.

Four years ago I became known as the girl with cancer.

I refuse to cry.

And I refuse to give in.

A relationship with a man is the last thing I’m looking for right now, but one night with Parker changes everything. He is persistent, and he knows what he wants. Me.

He doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile.

But he doesn’t know, and I’m not ready to tell him.

What if it changes everything?

Tragedy found me when I was seventeen.

Love found me when I was twenty-one.

My name is Aundrea McCall, and this is my journey.

~ Add to Goodreads ~

~ Excerpt ~

I’m grateful when I reach the door to the ladies room that there isn’t anyone around. I reach for the handle when I hear from behind me, “Not going to use the men’s room again?” I know that sexy voice. It’s the same one as earlier this evening in this same area.

With my heart picking up pace, I turn around smiling sweetly, “No, I’m going to sit down and pee this time.” My smile spreads a little wider and I say a silent thanks to sweet baby Jesus for letting me find my voice this time.

He doesn’t respond. He just steps closer to me with the corner of his lips spreading upward.

I don’t breathe.

I can’t breathe. Not when he is this close.

God he smells amazing. Like a mixture of spice and mint. Maybe a hint of beer too. It's the type of scent that would awaken a primal desire within any female, and good God do I feel awakened.

“You ran off before I could thank you for the dance earlier.” No, thank you. His voice is a faint whisper and his face is now so close that our noses are almost touching. I glance down at his very attractive red lips just as the corners of his mouth move up into the most beautiful smile. Shit. He knows I’m looking at his lips.

I’m transfixed by him. In this very moment, I would do whatever he said or answer to any name he called; even if it was one of those fluffy names like baby or princess. All I can think about is the desire flowing through my body for those lips to be on mine. I would take him in this hallway. There I said it. Or, did I think it?

Do something.

Anything!

I look back at his lips.

I lick my own.

I can’t think about anything but wanting to feel his lips against mine. All thoughts go out the window of me not being able to pick up a man at a bar. I don’t care, but I will say any cheesy pick up line if it means I get to go home with him.

I know he’s watching me. He has to be thinking about my lips too because just then his tongue comes out licking his own. I try to think of something else to do, but nothing comes to mind. I feel him close the distance between us. He puts a finger under my chin for the second time tonight lifting my face so I’m looking right into his eyes. Without taking his eyes off mine he speaks in a quiet, low, raspy whisper, “I’m going to kiss you now.”

Without waiting for my permission, his lips crash down against mine. He takes my top lip into his mouth tugging ever so gently. I let out a soft moan as his tongue lightly traces my lips- tasting me. I can smell the fresh mint and beer off his breath and all I can think about is tasting it. I grab his neck brining him closer -opening my mouth- inviting him in. He groans as I wrap my arms around his neck running my hands through his hair.

Shit, if I die tomorrow, I can die a happy woman knowing this was my last kiss.

His tongue enters my mouth and I meet it with my own. He reaches down to lift me up and I let him. I wrap my legs around his waist just as he slams my back against the wall in the corner of the hallway. There’s a rush of pain that shoots down my legs causing me to cry out. He must take that as a cry of pleasure because he kisses me harder.

I feel my dress rise all the way to my waist exposing myself for anyone that walks by. My head falls back against the wall and he immediately starts kissing down my chin to my neck, then up to my earlobe bringing it into his mouth biting down. “Do you want to get out of here?” He whispers so softly into my ear I almost don’t think I hear him correctly. When he asks me again I just nod in agreement. Afraid if I were to say anything it wouldn’t be yes, and I really want it to be yes.

Setting me down, he runs his hands over my dress laying it back into place, then grabs my hand and starts speed walking away heading towards the red exit sign.

Cover Designer: Mae I Design and Photography

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MaeIDesignandPhotography

~ About the Author ~

I am the mother of two little boys, married to the love of my life, and living in one of the smallest towns in Minnesota. When I’m not chasing or cleaning up after my boys (yes, all three), I can be found writing or snuggled up with my kindle, a glass of wine, and spending time with my fictional friends and family.