Book Review ~ A Father for Christmas (A Holiday Romance) by Rachelle Ayala

A Father for Christmas

(A Holiday Romance)

by Rachelle Ayala

Single mother Kelly Kennedy can't afford lavish gifts for her four-year-old daughter, Bree. Homeless veteran Tyler Manning doesn't believe he deserves a Merry Christmas.

When Bree asks Santa for a father and picks Tyler, both Tyler and Kelly vow to keep Bree from being hurt while fighting their feelings for each other.

Tyler struggles with frightening flashbacks that scare Kelly. Meanwhile, Kelly's criminal past threatens her chance for happiness. Tyler and Kelly must believe in the power of love to give Bree her best Christmas ever.

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All four-year old Bree wants for Christmas is a Papa.  Conceived by artificial insemination, she has never questioned the lack of not having a father until she starts noticing other children having dads.  Of course for a four-year old, asking Santa for a father under the Christmas tree shouldn't be a problem, right? 

Bree's mom, Kelly use to have it all.  A high paying, lucrative job on Wall Street and the ability to live a life of not wanting for anything.  Then one day and one bad insider trade later, she ended up losing it all.  Kelly is a great mom and does what she can to provide for her daughter.  When she and Bree are at the mall getting Bree's picture taken with Santa, her heart breaks when she hears Bree's request of the ultimate Christmas present - a father.  That one thing that has never been part of  Kelly's plan.

But the funny thing about fate is that it will come knocking on the door whether you think you are ready or not.  That day at the mall, Bree gets separated from Kelly.  Entering the scene is one Tyler Manning.  Tyler finds Bree wandering around the mall and looks after her until Mall Security locates them.  Kelly is livid thinking Tyler was trying to lure Bree to go somewhere with him.  Tyler is a little rough looking that day because you see, Tyler is homeless.  But being homeless is his choice.  He is a war vet and donates all of his benefit money to an organization that helps out Afghanistan children.  Tyler has a huge heart, but PTSD makes his life difficult at times because  images from the war overtake him without warning.  Anyway, running into Tyler by the mall Christmas Tree has Bree convince that Tyler is her new papa.  This kid is so cute!

But this story is not about Bree - no, she is just icing on the cake.  This is Kelly and Tyler's story and boy what a story it is.  Despite the bumpy start to their relationship and many setbacks, the love between Kelly and Tyler grows and it is beautiful.

A Father for Christmas is truly a wonderful, heart-warming story that will fill your heart with joy as you journey with Tyler and Kelly down their road to true love.

This story deals with real life issues and the characters are relatable.  The author really does draw you into the story with her eloquent and descriptive writing.  You just can't help but imagine yourself right smack in the story as it unfolds.

Although this is the perfect story to get you in the holiday spirit, it can be enjoyed anytime throughout the year and just reading it will lift your spirits.  I highly recommend this sweet romantic story!

5 stars

Rachelle Ayala is the author of dramatic fiction crossing genres and boundaries featuring strong but flawed characters. She writes emotionally challenging stories and is not afraid of controversial topics. However, she is an optimist and laces her stories with romance and hope.

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Blog Tour & Giveaway ~ Horror Business by Ryan Craig Bradford

Horror Business

by Ryan Craig Bradford

Publication date: February 2015

Publisher: Month9Books, LLC. 

Armed with a passion for classic B-grade horror movies, a script co-written by his twin brother, and a wicked crush on his death-obsessed neighbor; hardcore horror fan Jason Nightshade must finish his student film.

But his plans are derailed when the children of suburban Silver Creek start disappearing – his twin brother among them. Battling a possessed video camera, a crazy zombie dog, a monstrous bully, and a frighteningly broken down family life, Jason embarks on a mission to find his lost brother so the two can write an ending for his story.

As any horror fan knows, saving the day won’t be easy, as Jason finds himself forced to face the real world where death isn’t just a splash of fake blood on a camera lens.

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Ryan grew up in Park City, Utah. His fiction has appeared in Quarterly West, Paper Darts, Vice, Monkeybicycle and [PANK]. He currently lives in San Diego where he acts as Creative Director for the nonprofit literary arts organization So Say We All. He’s the co-editor of the anthology Last Night on Earth and founder of the literary horror journal, Black Candies.

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Cover Reveal ~ Taking the Fall (The Dennison Series Book 2) by W. Ferraro

Hunter Dennison has been an overachiever in all aspects of his life. He knows what he wants and goes after it, and he intends to follow suit in his love life with the young and beautiful Molly.  His patience is at its last resolve as he waits for her to come of age, but finally the time has arrived, and he prepares to tell Molly how he feels.

What he doesn’t know is that someone else has set their own selfish agenda into motion, wreaking havoc on Hunter’s intentions and his confidence in Molly’s character.

Believing the vicious lies, Hunter veers off his planned path. He finds solace and comfort in another’s arms, never realizing that he leaves in his wake a devastated Molly.

However, fate cannot be fooled.  

   

Now, twenty years later, they both have settled into their own lives in Clearwater Falls.  Hunter intends to rectify the past by letting Molly know that she is the one he wants now, just as he had wanted then.

Can passion all these years in the making overcome the weight of regret that they both carry?  Or will the price of their previous mistakes leave an insurmountable divide in their chance at forever?

WARNING: Recommended for adult readers (18+) only. Mature themes, strong language, and sexual content.

**Dennison Series**

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I live in New England with my young family.  I’m a stay at home mom to two very active children.  For all of you who are familiar with the stress of this job, I decided to complete an item on my bucket list and write a book.  When I’m not writing, you will find me cooking, reading, shopping or being silly with the kids.  In my opinion, one of life’s greatest pleasure is being able to get lost in a book.

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Book Blast & Giveaway ~ The Third Twin by CJ Omololu

The Third Twin

by C.J. Omololu

When they were little, Lexi and her identical twin, Ava, made up a third sister, Alicia. If something broke? Alicia did it. Cookies got eaten? Alicia’s guilty. Alicia was always to blame for everything.

The game is all grown up now that the girls are seniors. They use Alicia as their cover to go out with boys who are hot but not exactly dating material. Boys they’d never, ever be with in real life.

Now one of the guys Alicia went out with has turned up dead, and Lexi wants to stop the game for good. As coincidences start piling up, Ava insists that if they follow the rules for being Alicia, everything will be fine. But when another boy is killed, the DNA evidence and surveillance photos point to only one suspect—Alicia. The girl who doesn’t exist.

As she runs from the cops, Lexi has to find the truth before another boy is murdered. Because either Ava is a killer . . . or Alicia is real.

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Praise~

“[An] original, riveting thriller.” — Melissa Marr, New York Times bestselling author of Made for You

“Delicious and deceptive, The Third Twin is a twisty-turny thrill ride! I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough!” –Kimberly Derting, author of the Body Finder series and The Taking

“A classic whodunit.”–Kirkus Reviews

CJ OMOLOLU is the author of the ALA-YALSA Quick Pick Dirty Little Secrets and several other YA novels. She loved to read but never thought to write until she discovered that the voices in her head often have interesting things to say. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and their two sons.

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$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 3/19/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway ~ Adrenaline by Sunniva Dee

Adrenaline

by Sunniva Dee

Genre: New Adult

Release Date: April 30, 2015

Cover Design: CT Cover Creations

CAMERON

Life’s the shit!

Chicks squeal over how wild and yummy I am, play their silly games trying to tie me down. But I’m free as a bird, doing what makes life life: kicking extreme-sport-ass!

I base jump, snowboard, bungee jump. I do anything for the rush. 

Then, Ingela blows into town for college—a cool Swedish blast of trouble. Foulmouthed and runway-gorgeous, the girl seeps in like poison and melts the freaking brain.

To Ingela I am what chicks were to me: pastime, leisure, entertainment, pleasure. She’s killing me, and I’m digging it. There’s a new rush in town! Yeah, I hunt down my highs, and now the chase is on. I’ll catch her soon enough, just, what’s the deal with her ex?

BO

With Ingela, sex is a dance. A slow tango where skin flows over skin. It is slick readiness, a quiet welcome. It’s smooth, warm, right, and all wrong.

On and off. On and off. Again, she’s wrecked with grief. It’s a reminder of how I destroy her, how crushed relationships shouldn’t be revived.

We’ve done this for years, now, but clearly we’re in for more.

CAMERON

The chase is over. Right here, right now, this is it. Even if it only lasts thirty seconds, the rush of what I’m about to do floods me and makes me feel. It’s so intense, every muscle in my body goes rigid with anticipation.

The air is sharp and early-morning raw. I stare out from my post on an overhang off Firam Peak. Let my eyes judge the steep drop into the ravine on the backside of the mountain. Jagged granite walls form unpredictable patterns that crash to the bottom the way I will soon, and a light dusting of snow contrasts starkly with the somber stone.

I shake my arms. Not to relieve the tension but to make sure I’m nimble and ready. I didn’t invite my friends Dan and Marek along today. I’d be better off with someone else around, of course, but nothing compares to the thrill I experience as I step forward alone. I’m on the edge, now, in every sense of the word.

I draw in a breath of icy oxygen. Crack my fingers inside my gloves and adjust the strap on my helmet. I’m ready.

It’s so easy to plunge off the cliff. All I do is heave up on my toes and extend my arms. A light bend at the knees and I’m off, flying.

Ah, yes. I fly.

 Originally from Norway, I moved to the United States twelve years ago. I hold a Master’s degree in languages and taught Spanish at college level before settling in at the Savannah College of Art and Design as an adviser.

I write New Adult fiction, sometimes with a paranormal twist—like in “Shattering Halos,” published by The Wild Rose Press in February 24th 2014 and in “Stargazer,” estimated release date, November 2014. The first book I’m self-publishing is the New Adult Contemporary novel “Pandora Wild Child,” which will make me a proud indie author in October 28th 2014!

I specialize in impulsive heroines, bad-boys, and good-boys running amok. Then, there’s the intense love, physical and emotional attraction beyond reason—sensory overload for the reader as well as for the characters. Like in real life, I hope you’re unable to predict what comes next in my stories.

Yes, so I write what I love to read, and depending on the reader, you’ll find my books to be a fast-paced emotional rollercoaster—or disturbing because the struggles of love aren’t your thing. Here’s to hoping you have the same reading vice as me! 

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