The Avid Book Collector: December 2014

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014 - A Year of trying something new

This was my first year at blogging about the thing I love besides my family and my pets.....BOOKS! Yep, books are my obsession....just ask my husband, but he may call it a potential episode of Hoarders. It has really been a learning experience to say the least, but I have loved every minute of it. At times, I feel as though I have taken on a second non-paying job, but you know what? I would not trade it for the world. I have made some really awesome connections and have learned quite a bit in this past year, and I know that it can only get better!

So apparently as a book blogger, I am suppose to wrap up the year with a list of my favorite reads. Well, I failed on this task....100% total fail. Call it beginners fail or whatever, but I just did not get anything pulled together.

What I do have though is a list of my favorite authors that I had the pleasure of reading their books. You can not go wrong by buying and reading their books. So go and check out their Amazon Author Pages and one-click a book or two. You can not possibly go wrong with these spectacular authors!

So, in no certain order
Drum roll please.........

Jennifer Snyder ~ Amazon Author Page - http://amzn.to/1D68qIz

Jessica Frances ~ Amazon Author Page - http://amzn.to/1D68x6E

K.B. Nelson ~ Amazon Author Page - http://amzn.to/1y85JHfa

Sunniva Dee ~ Amazon Author Page - http://amzn.to/1EL6jya

Clarissa Wild ~ Amazon Author Page - http://amzn.to/1wCaQsz

Sarah Negovetich ~ Amazon Author Page - http://amzn.to/1vGWGHe

Melinda Friesen ~ Amazon Author Page - http://amzn.to/1D6948L - My review of her first book Enslavement will be posted in February, but really you need to read this one!!!

Aprille Legacy ~ Amazon Author Page - http://amzn.to/1vuRFAF

Cecily Gates ~ Amazon Author Page - http://amzn.to/1BmQyaL

These authors have found a place in my heart and I will read anything and everything that they publish, because I think they are AMAZING!!!

There are more I am sure that I need to add to the list, so I am sorry in advance if you are not on this list. But for my readers, check out my reviews and you might quite possibly find a new favorite author (or a few) too!

So to wrap it all up, Happy New Year to you and yours. I wish everyone the best in 2015!

Happy Reading to all!!!

★★ COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY ★★ Steeling My Haart by Lizzy Roberts

Steeling My Haart

by Lizzy Roberts

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: March 2015

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions (http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com)

Eight years ago a tornado devastated the community of Glen Springs. That same night my heart was torn to shreds when he left. Now, all I have to live for is work. I’m successful and have a good life, just like he wished. So, why am I so unhappy?

A tragedy is bringing me home and I’m now finding my well ordered and successful life hurled into a whirlwind of uncertainty. The biggest threat of all comes in the shape of Charlie Haart, the number one reason I have stayed away from Glen Springs for so long.

Unedited and subject to change

After what felt like hours, Charlie could still hear the siren still blaring above them. This was one bad storm cell and it sounded like they were far from being out of the woods yet. Fumbling about the dark shelter, he could just see the outlines of a couple of boxes and a cupboard in the far corner of the small underground room. As the lightening flashes continued to light the room sporadically he was able to release a shaking Emma and attempt to find some light.

“Sweetheart, I just need to reach over there and see if there is any candles or a torch, ok? I will be right back and won’t leave you, I promise.”

He saw her nod her head in acknowledgement and fumbled across and found a box of candles and some storm matches in one of the boxes. When he has finally lit a few candles, the room looked a little less scary and was pretty well stocked. It seemed as though the old lady had kept this place provisioned with a few bits right up until she moved. Charlie saw Emma cowered in the same spot, in mild shock no doubt and he scooted towards her taking her once again into his arms.

She was quiet, almost too quiet and as he scanned around the room he saw that there was a huge, yet, comfy looking sofa covered in some beautiful handmade quilts and gently lifted her across the room and gently laid her on the sofa, covering her with a couple of the patchwork quilts. As he went to seek out the other boxes in the shelter, Emma reached out and grabbed his arm.

“Thank you.”

The tiny quivering voice echoed round the room.

“Thank you, Spark. You literally just saved my life. Twice.”

Then she burst into a heart-wrenching sobbing fit. Charlie gently climbed on to the sofa with her and took her gorgeous, tear-stained face tenderly into his hands and wiped away the tears with his thumbs. Kissing her forehead gently he replied,

“My absolute pleasure sweetheart. Knowing there could be a world without you in it would completely break me do you know that? I would die before I’d let anything happen to you Emma. I really would.”

30 - something Mum of two from the North of England (Yorkshire to be precise AKA Gods own Country) who regularly seeks refuge in fictional characters minds. Prefers the hot and hunky men with a romantic side but not averse to a dominant man, nor ones with a dark side too!

She decided, after much persuasion from both her friends and especially her husband to pursue her dream of one day publishing her own book!

So after much deliberation (and nagging from him indoors), her first book Steeling my Haart due for release March 2015!

TSU

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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Book Review ~ Seize (Delirious #2) by Clarissa Wild

Seize

(Delirious #2)

by Clarissa Wild

True darkness has only just begun …

She thought she could run, but there´s nowhere to hide. My bad side is coming out to claim what belongs to me. This hunter has found his prey, and he’s hungry for more. She’s mine now, and I’ll do everything in my power to keep her to myself.
You think I’m the monster?
Think again.
When the choices you make decide your fate, the line between good and evil blurs. In order to live, I do what must be done. Freedom is the price she pays for her safety.
She wants the truth? I’ll give her the truth.
In order to play this game, sacrifices must be made.
I will start with her.

This is Volume 2 in the Delirious Series, which contains 3 volumes and a prequel. This book is a full-length novel. These books should be read in order.

WARNING: This book contains very disturbing situations, strong language, drugs and alcohol, dubious consent, and graphic violence.

Click HERE to add to Goodreads

To me, this quote really sums up what Seize is about:

"It's the things we don't understand that excite us. The unobtainable that we seek. The hunt is what drives us, the need to ensnare our opposite and learn. Intrigued by differences, the desire to capture that which makes us unique is what seizes control of our hearts. We want each other's qualities and despise each other's weaknesses. We collide and attract. Yin and Yang."

Sebastian and Lillith's story continues in Seize, and Good Lord Almighty, what a story it is! We get to learn more about Sebastian's past and what makes him the man he is. And let me tell you....this man did not have a happy childhood. The Genesis Group really pissed me off, exploiting and blackmailing Sebastian. My heart broke for him. But in all seriousness, Sebastian is a totally fucked up man. I love him and I hate him. So in the end, I guess I am in the same predicament as Lillith. How can you love someone who inflicts so much pain, but yet can be kind and caring?

"Denying it is impossible - I've fallen for my captor. And from the way he kisses me, licks my skin, loves my very soul, I somehow know that I am in good hands. Whatever fucked-up love we have, it's still what I need."

"Confusion has taken over my soul. I'm torn between the feelings I have for Sebastian and my repulsion for what he has done. In my mind, thoughts rage about my anger and the desire for retribution grows stronger every day."

This series is so twisted, so dark and so emotional. It's a story I love and a story I hate. In the end though, this is an outstanding story that brought out so many emotions within me and took me to such a dark and tormented place I never dreamed of going. I simply can't wait for the third and final installment of this epic love story...I know it's going to be good!

5 stars

Clarissa Wild is the USA Today Bestselling author of FIERCE, a college romance series, but she's best known for the dark Romance novel Mr. X. She is also a writer of erotic romance such as the Blissful Series, The Billionaire's Bet series, the Doing It Series and the Enflamed Series. She is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.

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★★ PROMO BLITZ & GIVEAWAY★★ Playing for Love by HY Hanna

Playing for Love

(Summer Beach Vets)

by HY Hanna

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 23rd, 2014

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions (http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com)

Sara needs to escape - and an idyllic seaside town on the other side of the world seems like the perfect place. She'd always wanted to visit Australia, but the first thing she meets on the gorgeous, white sand beach is not a kangaroo but a wounded, lost Beagle!

Veterinarian Dr Craig Murray can't get the beautiful American out of his mind. They may come from different cultures - and even speak different "English" sometimes - but he knows they can have a future together. Can he convince Sara that this is more than just a vacation fling?

Then Sara discovers that Craig isn't quite what he seems and the past that she has been running away from comes back to haunt her. Now she needs to decide if she can risk it all again for another chance at love...

* EACH BOOK CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE, or read them in order for more fun! Characters you loved from past books often return to delight again in this sweet romance series set in Summer Beach, Australia.

"escape Down Under...and find love in Summer Beach, where cold noses touch warm hearts!"

H.Y. Hanna was born in Taiwan and has been a globe-trotter most of her life, from growing up in the United Arab Emirates to working in the glamorous world of London advertising to emigrating Down Under. Along the way, she somehow managed to pick up a wonderful husband, a huge, slobbery dog, two rescue cats, an assortment of cardboard boxes and a slightly dodgy "trans-atlantic" accent.

After graduating from Oxford University, she tried her hand at a variety of jobs before returning to her first love: writing. She is the author of an award-winning children's mystery series and also writes romances, mysteries and romantic thrillers for adults.