Tag Archives: Contemporary Romance

Fade In

Posted in Books I love, Review Post by

Fade In Book Cover.... Be sure to check this book out asap!

Fade In by M. Mabie

Links:

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Synopsis:

Tatum Elliot is a successful writer on a hit television show, lives in an Upper East Side apartment and loves her life. She wouldn’t change a thing. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have a choice. She’s losing her sight.
Tripping over her tongue and her heels, Tatum all too quickly realizes that the things which appeared so important before are slowly slipping away leaving room for what really matters. With the support of her best friends, family and colleagues, she begins to see that there’s much more to life… and herself.
When Ben Harris enters her life as her new personal assistant, she can’t tell if it’s his good looks and charm that are working on her libido, or his kind and helpful nature working on her heart? Whatever it is, neither one of them can resist it.
As her vision fades out, a world of love and happiness just might…Fade In.
(Fade In is a contemporary-romance novel about laughing through your tears and telling life to, quite frankly, “Suck it.” This novel contains sexual situations that the author may or may not have tried at home… for your safety, of course.  Research is research.)

About the Author:

M. Mabie lives in Illinois, NOT Chicago, with her rock-star husband. (True story.)  She loves writing for Fifty5Cents Book Blog, which she owns and operates- at the moment quite poorly.  She’s a proud member of the Indie Author Romance Author Chicks writing group where she maintains a high standard of professionalism and lady-like maturity- or not. She cares about politics, but won’t discuss them in public. She uses the same fork at every meal, watches Wayne’s World while cleaning, and lets her dog sleep on her head.
M. Mabie has never been accused of being tight lipped or shy. She’s THAT girl. (She doesn’t usually speak in third-person, but surprisingly does when weirded-out about writing her bio.)
This teaser is from one of my favorite scenes in Fade In....

This teaser is from one of my favorite scenes in Fade In… (And this scene is also pretty darn phenomenal, believe me!)

Excerpt:

I only met her briefly on one occasion, but she left a pockmark in my mind. She was dynamite and she had an indefinitely long fuse that never stopped burning. Those around her never knew when she would blow up, not looking away because she was a mess who was fun to watch.
I hope she’s still like that when my mind drifts back to her through the years that pass by.
Maybe I should have shared the cab. Got in with her. Stayed with her.
I don’t know.
Who ever really knows that it is the first time, the first time you meet? It’s only the first time after there’s a second time. Up until then, it’s just an only. One moment to the next could alter everything.
Every decision pushes you or pulls you where you’re going in life.
At times, after running into her, when I felt like I was pushing every day to do better, to get further, make a bigger difference, and like I was getting nowhere and I was just spinning my tires, I’d think of her.
She pulls life along. That girl was making life keep up with her.
And that’s too special to forget.

My Review & Rating:

As many of you know, at The Never Ending Book Basket I use my OCD tendencies to list the reasons of why I loved a book I am reviewing. So staying true to form, here is what I truly adored about Fade In:
  • Tatum is a spitfire, and girl is she proud of it. Tatum says exactly what she’s thinking all the time. She tells it like it is and doesn’t hold back one bit, which added some pretty darn good humor on just about every other page. Overall though, it just made me heart her something fierce. That girl was not afraid to be her, and her spitfire attitude was electric. It ignites you, energizes you, and engages you with her and the story right away. She’s got some spark that girl, and I dare you to try and resist that spark.
  • Ben just kind of makes you swoon on just about every page. Ben’s character was pretty much to die for. Sure he’s good looking, but there’s a lot more to him than that. The things he says and does in will pretty much make you swoon, and he has a serious sweet side to him. He also compliments Tatum in a way that feels truly authentic. They just kind of fit. He has a way to see right through her, right to her core. He just gets her, and what she’s feeling and thinking. Honestly, he’s just a really good guy who you’ll love swooning for.
  • An abundance of humor. This book is bursting with humor. If it wasn’t Tatum’s spitfire attitude or Ben’s lovable big mouth, it was the outrageous moments involving everyone else. It’s chalk full of moments that’ll have you in fits of laughter. (One in particular had me almost hyperventilating because it involved a recreation of a certain Lion King scene without the animals…) Bottom line: the humor in this book will make you smile and laugh ridiculously. Enjoy that.
  • The hodge podge of charming supporting characters. These characters hit this story out of the park in so many ways. They add some lovable humor, some necessary heavy conversations, some great looks at different relationship dynamics, and some all-around entertaining moments. Winnie, Cooper, the Devons, Neil, Dr. Evil aka Dr. Meade, Ray, and pretty much every other character will definitely win you over by the end. Or by like page 15.
  • Get back into the closet! Some pretty big and defining moments happen in none other than Tatum’s closet. These moments are breathtaking with their level of emotion and what takes place. They will pull at your heart with the level of honesty and vulnerability. Almost like a come to Jesus moment, these instants define the story and its characters in the best possible ways.
  • The tangible vulnerability. A lot of the characters, especially Tatum, put up some heavy fronts. But the level of vulnerability that comes through from them is almost tangible. In those moments you see them in their most honest form. No fronts, no boundaries, no walls, just them. You truly see what they’re feeling deep down inside, which makes them all the more real and relatable. (I honestly can’t say this enough with Tatum. I could go on for days about those moments of vulnerability she had. Just utterly magnificent.)
  • Getting over the hump. When you read, you kind of have to get over a reading hump to really really get into a book, but once you’re past that “hump” you just can’t put the book down. Literally. Well you’ll be happy to know I got over that hump on page 2. So be prepared that you’ll want to devour this book. It’s so gonna suck you in, and you’re just going to love that!
Now here on The Never Ending Book Basket I typically don’t give ratings within my reviews of books. Sure I give books ratings on other sites that I post reviews to, but I’ve never put a rating within one of my posts because it just wasn’t part of my shtick. Not that I don’t love ratings, but those ratings just never made their way here. (Those ratings are typically on a 1 to 5 star scale.) Well that’s about to change. Like right now.

So if you ask me to rate Fade In using that scale I’d have to give it:

5 mind blowing stars

I honestly couldn’t recommend this book more to you. If I could I would give it like 22 stars on that same scale. It was that phenomenal. It is just an honest to god fantastic and extremely engaging story that I promise you will find shear delightment in while reading.

Interview:

So I had the amazing opportunity to ask M. Mabie herself some questions! Check out the interview below to learn more about her and Fade In!
1. What was the thing/moment/event that sparked your idea for Fade In? (Was it something specific that just came to you, or was it something that built over time? Basically what was that “aha moment.”)
I can’t really put my finger on the exact moment. I had this character, Tatum, that kept popping into my head. I thought it would be interesting to read about a girl losing her sight. Ben was different. I didn’t really have his character lined out completely until I really dissected hers. He had to be perfect for her… and he is.
2. What would be the “big thing” you would want a reader to take away from reading your book?
I love when readers message me about laughing and crying. I enjoy books that play roughly with my emotions and I’m proud, that at least for some, Fade In has been able to provoke those kinds of reactions. Also, the premise that even thought everything doesn’t always go the way you want, sometimes it is what you need. Isn’t that a Rolling Stones song? Smart men, those Stones.
3. What did you find the most surprising or interesting in writing Fade In?
Surprising? Was that I became so enveloped. I knew I’d love them, but I didn’t expect to be that obsessed. The most interesting part was in the process was learning, from my editor, that I write like a Brit. There were many notes in the side bar in my manuscript highlighting it. We laughed about it and decided that I ought to try writing a hot British guy sometimes soon. Very soon.
4. Do you have a favorite scene from Fade In? And if so, why is it your favorite?
I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn’t read it, but my favorite scene is “The Closet” scene. It’s been named that by everyone who has mentioned it, for obvious reasons. I love it, because that is when Tatum finally lets some of her guard down and finally shows her true feelings. It was the only scene I wrote out of order and one of the very first scenes I completed for the book. I also love The Epilogue, but who doesn’t love a happy ending?
5. What’s the one thing you cannot live without while writing? ( i.e. coffee, gum, etc.)
Lollipops or life savers. Chocolate if the chapter is emotional. Ha-ha. And talking out scenes with NA Alcorn. I literally couldn’t write without her. Sometimes just saying things out loud to someone else can trigger better things or bring to light when something is missing. True story

Playlist:

https://play.spotify.com/user/12120286539/playlist/6YwvLM9tsgQm6Y81gV4zVF

Giveaway: (Be sure to click to enter. YOU could win!)

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Links: (Be sure to check out M. Mabie and Fade In TODAY!) 

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One last little tease of Fade In before you leave....

One last little tease of Fade In before you leave….

 

A Title is Worth a Thousand Words (Big Girl Panties)

Posted in Books I love by

We all know the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Well while I kind of agree with that sentiment, I also think the title of a book can be worth a thousand words too. Truly good titles leap out at you, and grab your attention from the get go. They’re unforgettable, and typically their meaning fits the book like a glove.

The title of the book I’m discussing today definitely fits that bill.

The first thing I noticed about this book was its title. I was perusing the book shelves, and it just jumped out to me. It stood out. Big time.

Its title also happens to be a saying that I use more frequently than I’d probably like to admit, but I do just love saying it. Like all the time. The second thing I noticed about this book was its cover. It was just too fun, and I couldn’t help but pick the book up, and boy am I glad I did.

Long story short I bought the book, read it immediately, and I can’t wait to introduce you to today’s seriously fun and engaging book being discussed at The Never Ending Book Basket:

Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich

Big Girl Panties tells the story of Holly Brennan. She is a young widow still dealing with the many repercussions and emotions that come with the loss of her husband’s, one of which being that she’s taken to eating more than she probably should. Then you got Logan Montgomery, a well known personal trainer with a bit of an ego. And when I say a bit, it’s about the size of Texas.

Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich

Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich (I’ll apologize for the quality of the picture. Note to self: don’t forget your camera at home next time…)

These two seriously enjoyable characters meet on a plane, and have a life changing conversation for them both. Though neither of them really realizes it at that moment. Logan offers to train Holly and get her to a healthy place physically, though over the course of this seriously engaging book he’ll get her healthy on so many more levels.

Big Girl Panties follows these two as they train together, and work on building a friendship that ends up taking them to places they never really thought they’d be together or individually. Soon those inevitable sparks begin to fly, but of course nothing is as simple as it appears. Holly has to put on her big girl panties, and Logan needs to pull his head out of his ass, but watching these two phenomenal characters attempt that, makes for an extremely entertaining book you’ll just adore.

What I loved about this book:

  • The title: Titles make or break a book in my opinion. The title of this book is what made me pick it up. It hooked me in, and it just fits this book perfectly. And it’s just really fun! What more could you ask for?

    Big Girl Panties (In the sun!)

    Big Girl Panties (In the sun!)

  • Amanda and Chase Walker: Don’t know who these people are? Well let me enlighten you: they’re the couple that makes it all happen. They act kind of like a catalyst. These supporting characters make the book shine, and help the two main characters pull their heads out of their butts, so what’s no to love? (They’re even getting their own book which I can’t wait to read!)
  • Holly’s got spirit (And I don’t mean cheerleader spirit!): Holly was a genuinely vibrant character to read. She had a pretty emotional and bumpy past, but that didn’t stop her from being her, and pushing back full force with everything she had. Whatever that pushing back meant. She’s spunky, and honestly there’s nothing you won’t love about her.
  • The sarcasm: Do I really need to explain this one? We all know I heart me some sarcasm something fierce. If it wasn’t Holly and her pushing, it was Amanda’s and hers. The one liners these girls had had me cracking up. And since it was mainly at the expense of the opposite sex, that made it all the better.
  • The points of view: I love a little multiple perspective, and this book provides that in spades. It’s told in third person omniscient (which means all the thoughts and feelings of every character presented is shared. Basically you get to jump inside the head of everyone!) So since I love multiple personalities, it was fantastic to see a wide array of them here. They’re all thrown in together too so the transitions are quick, so bring on the instant gratification if you’re dying to know what a characters is thinking.
  • Logan’s attempt at redemption: Logan was kind of a dick. And when I say kind of, I mean I wanted to reach in and slap him half the time. He’s got some things he’s gotta work out personally before he even really gets to know Holly. When they start building their friendship/relationship/whatever label you want to use, those issues rear their ugly head. Logan does some pretty messed up stuff, but his fight to cut the crap and redeem himself made me actually root for him, and like him a hell of a lot more by the end.

    A sign bought for me because it held one of my favorite phrases....

    A sign bought for me because it held one of my favorite phrases….

  • The body image honesty: Holly’s journey with her weight loss and her own body image pretty much nailed it on the head. It couldn’t have been more honest and authentic, and I couldn’t help but relate to many of the emotions and thoughts she was thinking and feeling. (And I know you will too!) Seriously, try not to be a female and relate to what Holly is going through. I dare you.
  • The whole nature of starting a relationship: This book follows Holly and Logan as they build different types of relationships. First its friendship, then it’s more, and then it really gets crazy. But through it all, the emotions, self-esteem issues, doubts, and questions that are raised fit exactly what it means to be starting any kind of relationship. And that just feels right as you’re reading this book.

Big Girl Panties is an extremely fun and lovable book that will have you adoring its characters, smiling and laughing on a pretty consistent basis, and feeling an overall connection with every aspect of this book. It’ll make you smile, it’ll piss you off, and it’ll just make for a pretty fabulous reading experience.

It’s definitely full of moments that will make you swoon, but it’s still got a little spice that may or may not make you want to slap someone silly.

Like I said, a title can be worth a thousand words, and that sentiment definitely rings true here. So do yourself a favor, and find out how good those words are asap.

To check out more on the author Stephanie Evanovich, check out the following links:

Website               Twitter                 Facebook            Goodreads

You Had Me At The Sarcasm (Picking Up the Pieces)

Posted in Books I love, Review Post by

Welcome back to book addiction central. I hope time has found you well, and has provided plenty of fabulous books for you to sink your teeth into.

Today at The Never Ending Book Basket, we’re gonna focus in on one of the books I have recently devoured. (Can you tell I am writing this blog post right before dinner based on all the eating references?)

I am going to start this post off a little differently than I normally do. You all know the mumbo jumbo by now, and how my posts are typically written. I usually start off with some witty opening introducing the book, and then dive right into what I loved about it.

The not so friendly warning....

The not so friendly warning in Picking Up the Pieces….

Here’s the thing about this book though:

  1. It’s a follow up to another book that you HAVE got to read before this one. (You know that whole don’t put the cart before the horse thing…)
  2. It’s got a beyond huge ending that I can’t even hint at a smidge because it would ruin all of the epic build up in this book and its predecessor.
  3. The authors of this book have promised to hunt down anyone who spoils the way all the shit goes down in the book. (You think I’m joking? I’m not. It’s in the god damned book, and call me crazy, but I kind of really believe them.)

So what does all this mean for my review of this book?

I am going to have to reign it in big time to not reveal anything in any way, or hint at my allegiances to certain characters. (And believe me, I have them!) I am also going to focus more generally on some plot aspects because this is a follow up to another book that I don’t want to ruin for you.

It’ll be a challenge to not word vomit all over this review, but god knows I’m stubborn as hell, so let’s go!

Picking Up the Pieces by Elizabeth Hayley (photo credit: I "borrowed" this from their website elizabethhayley.blogspot.com)

Picking Up the Pieces by Elizabeth Hayley  (photo credit: I “borrowed” this from their website.)

Without further ado, let me introduce you to Picking Up the Pieces by Elizabeth Hayley.

Picking Up the Pieces is a follow up novel to Pieces of Perfect. (I read that book before I created this lovely little blog, so feel free to check out my review of that book on Goodreads.) Let me give you the low down on what’s kind of going on in this book and its predecessor: You see, there’s a love triangle. And not one of those craptastic love triangles that clearly spells out what the ultimate choice will be at the end, when you’re only like 45 pages into it. (Cough, Twilight, cough)

This is an honest to god love triangle with 3 characters who mean business. They’re also full of real world flaws and complications, so you know I absolutely adore them through and through.

In the infamous words of my favorite ridiculously bad game show, it’s time to come on down and meet the triangular counterparts that make up Picking Up the Pieces. (Wahoo!)

  • Lily: Lily is kind of hard to describe because she’s got a lot of levels to her. But that’s why I absolutely loved her, because it wasn’t necessarily all good under the hood, and that girl knew it and owned it. (Even if it took her a bit of time to get there.) Having made some pretty bad decisions lately, Lily is trying to start over. She realizes the mistakes she’s made, and she wants to be better. Lily goes through a shit ton of introspection over both books, but in Picking Up the Pieces she really hits it out of the park, and her character development is out of this world phenomenal. She’s also one lucky S.O.B. because she’s got two wholly different gentleman callers to choose from.
  • Adam: Adam is the good guy you just fall in love with. From the get go he pours everything into his relationship with Lily. He feels it all, and he just really tries. He’s romantic. He says the right things. He does the right things. He’s just right, even when he’s wrong. Adam is also a single father raising his daughter, making him pretty damn compassionate and endearing. Honestly, I dare you to not love his character. Good fucking luck. (He’s got some serious candle house potential.)
  • Max: Max is the ultimate bad boy that’ll make you schvitz in the best possible way. He’s a former professional NHL player who screams bad decisions and sex appeal. He meets Lily in a very memorable way, and their relationship has some serious ups and downs. To put it bluntly Max is an asshole. He’s rude and frank, a little bit damaged, and he does some truly questionable things. Like all the time. But through all the bs, he really tries. He puts what he thinks and feels out there, and you can’t help but love his vulnerability. Even when he’s bad, he’s just oh so good.

So those are the unique and wholly real counterparts to our love triangle. As you can see, Lily faces a choice in this book. It’s basically time to put up or shut up. She has to decide which one of these guys is for her, and who’s going to be the one she seeks the happily ever after with.

Think it’s an easy choice? As if. Like I said before, the buildup in this book is epic, and you will be guessing at who she picks until the very end.

What was truly perfect about this book:

  • The multiple perspectives. It’s told in all 3 characters perspectives, and that just works seriously well for the book. No further explanation is necessary.
  • The triangular counterparts. I seriously adored Lily, Adam, and Max for who they were. They were each different, but oh so easy to just love. All of these characters have their flaws that they are each coming to terms with, and you just can’t help but root for them. They just rock, and that’s even true when they have their heads up their asses.
  • You had me at the sarcasm. This book and its characters ooze a little bit of sarcasm. And when I say a little bit, I mean that it’s leaping off the page in bounds. The banter and one liners in this book (and all of the other books by Elizabeth Hayley) had me cracking up out loud numerous times. I couldn’t stop laughing, and that just made the book all the better.
  • The messy. This book has a love triangle in it, so of course it’s a tad messy when these 3 dynamic characters come together. But that “messy” makes it magnificent. It makes it authentic and chaotic and dysfunctional and ridiculous at times, but it works because that’s just how it is.

    Pieces of Perfect (Where it all begins...)

    Pieces of Perfect (Where it all begins…) photo credit: authorelizabethayley.BlogSpot.com

  • The moments of reason. Putting all the humor aside, this book is full of moments of reason from not only the triangular counterparts, but also from the cast of merry men and women that make up the spectacular supporting characters. These moments of true reason and clarity show a remarkable side to this book, and demonstrates what happens when you look at yourself, and make some pretty hard and defining choices.
  • The ending. I can’t and won’t tell you how it all ends. That shit don’t fly. But just know, the ending was EXACTLY what I hoped for, and it just blew it out of the water. It also makes the gut wrenching build up so much more worth it, because without all that build up, the ending wouldn’t have felt as hard fought and sweet as it was.
  • The hot and spicy. This book has a lot of hot and spicy, hanky panky, the dirty deed, or whatever else you might call it. The hot and spicy was just enough, and added another level of excitement (No pun intended) to the already extremely engaging story.
  • Amanda Bishop. I couldn’t not throw in my favorite Sex Snob into my love of this book. Amanda is her own delicious can of worms, and she’s my favorite supporting act in this book. She’s a hysterical voice of reason. She’s out there, and she knows it, and god do I love it.
  • The level of growth. Each and every character residing in the story grows and changes over the course of the book. Some changes are monumental, others more subtle. In the end though, they all just keep changing and growing. Nothing is stagnate, and that just keeps it all moving in a thoughtful and seriously engaging way.

I could continue this list for pages, but I am going to stop now. I am reigning it in…

Suffice to say Picking Up the Pieces was an extraordinary book to read, and it made for a fabulous reading experience I won’t soon forget. The characters are hilarious, authentic, raw, emotional, frank, wonderful, and they just honestly hit it out of the park. The story itself comes off the page, and you feel it through and through. It’s messy, and complicated, and dysfunctional, but trust me that’s what makes it so incredible.

All the magnificent aspects of this book make for an exceptional read. You’ll be reeling until the very end, but like I said, the buildup, the turmoil, and all the ups and downs make the after so much more worth it.

So do yourself a god damned favor, and check out every single book by Elizabeth Hayley starting with Pieces of Perfect. (Eventually you’ll get to Picking Up the Pieces, and you’ll understand this review a smidge more. I hope.)

This writing duo is also one that’ll charm your ass off in spades, so go find them. Now.

To learn more about Elizabeth Hayley and their books check out the following links:

Fan Facebook              Author Facebook               Website               Twitter                 Goodreads

Picking Up the Pieces (Pieces #2)
Perfectly Ever After (Pieces#3)

Releasing Now: On My Knees

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts by

Attention all book addicts! The next book you’ll want to devour and one-click asap is finally here!! Get ready to bow down and fall in love, because Meredith Wild does it again with On My Knees…

On My Knees

On My Knees by Meredith Wild

Contemporary Romance

Release Date: March 18, 2014

(Lucky you it already released, so buy it now. NOW!)

 Purchase Links:

Amazon    Barnes & Noble   Google Play

 Add On My Knees on Goodreads

Synopsis:

Haunted by the responsibility of caring for her troubled family, Maya Jacobs gave the only answer she could when Cameron asked her to marry him.  Years later, entrenched in a soulless professional routine, she distracts herself from the lingering regret of her decision with a “work hard, play hard” lifestyle that guarantees no man will ever find his way into her heart again.

Cameron Bridge has spent the past five years married to the military, trying to escape the painful memory of losing Maya. After fighting his own war in the desert, he starts a new life in New York City, with his siblings, Olivia and Darren, by his side.

When fate brings Maya back to him in the heart of a city filled with its own hopes and shadows, can Cameron find the girl he once loved in the woman she’s become?

OMK_500x8001

Get to Know the Author:

USA Today bestselling author, Meredith Wild, picked up her first romance novel at the tender age of twelve, and shortly after put pen to word processor and made her first attempt at writing a love story inspired by those she so enjoyed reading well past her bedtime.

Her dream of writing took a back seat to college, parenthood and eventually entrepreneurship, which led her into the fast-paced and male-dominated high tech industry.  With enough life experience for a few lifetimes, she now devotes her hours to writing contemporary adult romance with a hint of kink.

When she isn’t writing or mothering, Meredith can be found sunbathing with an adult beverage.

Meredith Wild herself.

Social Links for Meredith Wild:

Facebook   Twitter  Goodreads  Instagram Pinterest

Just a Little Tease….

It’s Giveaway Time:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/OTVjYjAyODI4NTVmZTdhMGVlYmMyYWE4N2FhZmZmOjI1 (Be Sure to click to enter!)

What I Thought of This Book:

Since I am sure my opinion matters to you (at least I hope it kind of does…), be sure to check out my review of this book on Goodreads. I’ll warn you now that the review is long in its praises, but this book was so out of this world that my review barely does it any justice.  It’s just that spectacular.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/834624462?book_show_action=false

So what are you waiting for?! Head to one of the above or below purchase links, and start reading this book today. It’ll have you on your knees in love in no time….

Purchase Links:

Amazon    Barnes & Noble   Google Play

Add On My Knees on Goodreads