Releasing Now: Affliction by River Savage

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts by mkcooke

Title: Affliction (Knights Rebels MC #2)

Author: River Savage

Release Date: November 30, 2014

Add to your TBR: Goodreads

Cover Designer: LM Creations

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1rI4hcx
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/12hXudq
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1vDEWPp
Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1yqyDjj

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1pDNUwg

Three little words are all it takes to rip his world apart. Lost in his own affliction, Sy has been living in a darkness that he doesn’t ever want to let go of.

Until she arrives and shines her light so bright that nothing else mattered.

She was only in it for the chase, for the thrill of capturing the unattainable.

But what happens when her world shatters around her, spiraling her into the darkness beside him?

Can his affliction be her resurrection?

Or will two lost souls living in the depths of deception let it destroy them?

Just a little tease…

5 Amazing Stars

After practically devouring Incandescent by River Savage a few months back, I was more than eager to dive head first into Affliction, the next book in The Rebel Knights MC Series. I cannot tell you how much I loved finding myself back with all the members of the Rebel Knights MC. That is one intriguing, highly engaging, and effing memorable group of guys, and I couldn’t get enough of them. Or their special lady friends.

This series was my first real taste of what an MC book is, and I for one was sold by everything River Savage captured in her incredible debut, Incandescent.

But I’ll let you on in a little secret: Affliction blew me away even more.

Nix Knight took me on a pretty darn fantastic dirty talking ride with Incandescent, but I was not prepared for the unforgettable ride Sy and Holly would take me on in Affliction. I wasn’t prepared for all Sy’s book would encompass. I wasn’t prepared for how much I would feel reading this book. I wasn’t prepared for the highly emotional journey this book, and Holly and Sy would give me. I wasn’t prepared for how much this book would hurt my heart, yet within those same pages how much it would try with all its might to fix that same hurt heart it helped create.

I wasn’t prepared for any of it, but I relished in all of it. Every single brilliant piece.

Holly and Sy captured my interest when I first met them both in Incandescent, but they captured my full heart and soul in Affliction.

What was brilliant about Affliction:

Sy’s past and how it’s all revealed. Sy’s past is slowly and thoughtfully revealed over the course of his story. I won’t tell you much about that past, but what I will say is that it just made sense. It explained so much about him, why he said the things he said, and did the things he did. It just helped explain Sy, and with each new piece to his past I got him more. With each new piece I loved and felt for him immensely. Even when those pieces broke my heart and made me want reach in and stop the pain, I couldn’t get enough of Sy’s past that was being unveiled.
Holly’s spunky attitude. Oh Holly. That girl is something else, and her spunky attitude was one of her best qualities. She is a firecracker who never failed to bring a smirk to my face. She’s also one hell of a fighter. After all she goes through in this book, Holly has to fight to get that attitude back. Reading her give it all she had to find her fire again was extraordinary to read, and it made it simply easy to love and accept that vibrant and remarkable fire that was Holly.
Sy’s no nonsense disposition. I don’t know if I’ve ever read a man quite like Sy. He is rough around the edges and he does not take any crap from anyone. Not even Holly. Especially not Holly. That man is raw and gritty, but he feels with every ounce that he has. Stepping into is head was nothing short of outstanding, and the more I read and learned about him, the more I loved his no nonsense self. He’s definitely a character you don’t want to mess with, but I promise you that the more you read him the more you’ll crack into that hard exterior and just love him.
The fight for the light against the darkness. Both Holly and Sy are fighting their own darkness and demons that plague their pasts and presents. Though those demons and that darkness are huge, they fight like hell for that light that they’ve both experienced. They give it their all to defeat what scares them, what pains them, and what torments them. That fight defines them in the best possible way. Their demons characterize their pasts and their presents, but both Holly and Sy try their damndest to not let it define their futures, and reading that attempt at defeating the darkness is spectacular.
The immense amount of feeling. This book is brimming with feeling and emotion. And let me tell you, that feeling and emotion is so varied and well developed that you’ll be blown away by all that this book makes you feel. You’ll feel the lows and the pain that’ll make your heart hurt for these two. You’ll also feel the serious heat and connection they share that fires off the page. You’ll feel those moments of vulnerability that show everything that’s on the line. You’ll also seriously feel how much Sy and Holly feel for each other. You’ll feel it all. The love, the pain, the fire, the hate, the connection, the light, the dark. Everything.
The gang’s all back, and it’s the best. One of the aspects I loved most about this book and series were the supporting characters that make it all whole. They are each highly unique and they each add something different to the story. Each one of them has their own story to tell, and the way that River Savage couples their stories into the main story of the book was outstanding. I couldn’t get enough of the interactions between these supporting characters and Sy and Holly. Their interactions make you laugh, smile, they make your heart feel whole, and altogether they just hit home the fact that it’s really true when they say the more the merrier.
The build and connection. This book has some serious build to it. It’s got build for days. Literally. Sy and Holly are building and building together throughout the entire book to see if they have what it takes to make it work together. There’s also the build between them as their immense connection continues to build and smolder. Their build together also couples with that build to fight that looming darkness creeping around the corner. The amount of build in this book will have you feeling these characters in your bones, and will just have your heart racing for the moment when all that build explodes on the page.
The pain you feel and understand. Holly and Sy’s stories are both filled with pain from all they experience and go through. But with what River Savage conveys in her fantastic writing in Affliction, you understand every ounce of their pain that they’re feeling. You get it. You feel it. You even kind of embrace it in a way because it sheds so much light on these two dynamic characters, and because that pain just makes you feel so much for them and their stories. That understandable pain also leads to some pretty unforgettable moments that literally take your breath away
The messy, the raw, and all the flaws. I think one of my favorite aspects of this story was the messy, the flaws, and the rawness that encompassed Holly and Sy. It made them beyond real to me because of all they went through. It also made them authentic as hell, and it made them who they are. That messiness, that rawness, those flaws are Holly and Sy. All their cracks and rough edges all serve a purpose in their story, and I guarantee that all those cracks and flaws will just sell you repeatedly on the power and magic that is them.

Affliction is a story I wasn’t prepared for. I knew I was going to love Holly and Sy’s story from how much I loved them when I first met them in Incandescent. What I wasn’t prepared for was how much these two dynamic characters would make me feel for them as I learned all about them. They dove head first into my heart, and I think they’re going to stick.

Their story isn’t one filled with rainbows and butterflies. It’s messy and visceral and downright emotional and pain filled at times, but that’s what makes it their story. You hit the ground running and you’re not going to stop until it’s all said and done. That’s what sets it apart, and that’s what made me fall head first in love with these two characters and their story that just didn’t quit.

Holly and Sy make you work for it. They make each other work for it. They make themselves work for it. But all that fight, and all that work is beyond worth it. It’s also beyond beautiful and breathtaking every step of the way.

They won’t disappoint you one bit, and in the end you’ll realize, all the darkness was worth that chance of experiencing all brightness of the light.

“What the fuck are you doing in my club?” he asks again, moving his body closer.

“Your club?” I ask, raising my brow. “Last time I checked, I came here with my best friend, not to see you, so if you’ll excuse me,” I say, trying to push off the wall, but he steps right in, his knee coming between my legs.

“You gonna fuck him?” he growls, his eyes growing angrier by the second.

“Maybe,” I tell him, knowing he’s talking about Jesse. “I wonder if he will leave me standing naked after a quick fuck up against the wall,” I continue. His hold on me gets tighter. I know I shouldn’t tease him with my words, but he’s seriously delusional if he thinks he has any claim over me.

“I knew you were a tease, but I didn’t know you wanted to be a club whore,” he replies, and I try not to let his words sting.

“Are you done?”

“Are you?” he counters.

“You left me standing there. I didn’t fucking do anything. What are you so angry about?”

“You coming into my club, throwing yourself at one of my brothers.”

“Jeez, get over yourself, Sy. Jesse was just showing me around the place. And if I decide I want to have sex with him, or anyone else for that matter, I’ll do what I want. You don’t fucking own me. You had me, fine, but it was mediocre at best, so keep your hands off me,” I snap, trying to get out of his hold.

“Mediocre?” he repeats back to me. I’m so pissed at his attitude I don’t falter in repeating it.

“At best.”

“Didn’t feel like that when your cunt was gripping my cock like a vice,” he throws back, his words causing my pussy to throb.

“That’s called pelvic floor muscle exercises,” I say, ignoring my body’s response to having him so close.

“Right,” he whispers, leaning further into me, “and what about when I dragged my tongue through that sweet pussy of yours, and lapped up your juices dripping from you?” he questions. It takes everything in me not to respond. “Now that I think about it, when you walked into my shop, all pissed off, you were walking like you had been fucked so hard. Did you feel me for days, sweetheart?” he continues, pushing into me further. “I bet your pussy is aching for me now, isn’t it, Holly?” he asks, his lips so dangerously close to my neck.

Fuck me. Two seconds ago I hated the man, and now I’m trying to squeeze my thighs together to stop the ache coming from my lady parts.

“Too bad you won’t find out,” I counter, staying strong. I might want him more than anything, but he is still an ass.

“I don’t even need to touch you to find out. It’s written all over your face, Holly.”

“Whatever, Sy. Let me go.”

“You know I’m right. You’re so fucking turned on right now and so frustrated you’re not going to get any relief,” he teases, telling me what I already know.

“There’s always Jesse,” I threaten, trying to get a reaction from him.

“Like fuck,” he spits out, pushing his hard cock against me. “You’re not gonna let that fucker touch you. Do you understand me? None of my brothers will taste your pussy. Do you hear me?” His hand runs up my leg, running along my short denim skirt and finding the outside of my panties. A small gasp leaves my lips at his feather-light touch. “This sweet pussy belongs to me. I fucking had it first. Now, it’s mine.”

“No, it’s not,” I fight back, but my mind is too busy memorizing each lazy stroke of his finger over my lace panties.

“It will be again,” he warns before taking my mouth hard, suppressing me with his tongue. His fingers pull my panties aside, slipping in and dancing over my aching heat.

“Shit,” I breathe against his lips, forgetting where I am for a moment. Forgetting we can’t stand each other.

“You want relief, Holly?” he asks as my hips start to ride the rhythm of his talented fingers.

“Yes, give it to me, Sy,” I plead, feeling myself build with each flick of his finger.

“Say please,” he demands, slipping his thick finger inside of me.

“Please, Sy,” I cry out as he pumps me harder.

“That’s it, girl. Fuck my finger,” he growls. The heat of his voice causes goose bumps to break out on my skin. A wave of impending bliss washes over me, and then my orgasm hits, hard and fast.

“Sy,” I hiss, but don’t get anything else out as his tongue is dancing with mine again, muffling my shouts of ecstasy. His taste reminds me of beer, mint, and all things Sy. He latches onto my tongue, sucking it hard into his mouth, sending pleasure and pain rolling through my body.

Fuck, this man is dangerous with his bad-boy attitude, his sexy as hell dirty mouth and his ability to take me on the highest of highs in less than a minute. He slows the kiss, lingering for a moment before resting his forehead on mine. This right here is why this man is dangerous: bringing me apart in the middle of the club, and making me forget I hate him. Removing his fingers, he brings them to his mouth and sucks them clean.

Just a bit more tease….

Previous Books in the Knights Rebels Series

Title: Incandescent (Knights Rebels MC #1)

Author: River Savage

Release Date: August 11, 2014

Add to your TBR: Goodreads

Buy Links:

Amazon US / Amazon CA

Amazon AU / Amazon UK

B&N / Kobo / iBooks

Synopsis

Phoenix ‘Nix’ Knight thought pulling his club out of the illegal shit his Pops got them into was difficult.

Until he meets Kadence.

Kadence Turner has no business lusting over a student’s father, especially the president of the Knights Rebels MC. Nix is crass, obnoxious and dangerously sexy and for some reason, Kadence can’t seem to hate him for it. The bossy biker breaks down her defenses, but unlike the old Kadence, the woman she is today won’t give in without a fight.

The tension is undeniable, the attraction fierce. A man that wants what he wants and a woman that will fight him every step of the way.

**Read my 5* review here: Incandescent Review**

USA Today Best Selling Author River Savage is the author of the Knights Rebels MC Series.

An avid reader of romance and erotic novels, her love for books and reading fueled her passion for writing. Reading no longer sated her addiction, so she started writing in secret. She never imagined that her dream of publishing a novel would ever be achievable.

With a soft spot for an alpha male and a snarky sassy woman, Kadence and Nix were born.

River would love to hear from you. You can contact and/or follow her via…

Email / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Goodreads

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18Nov2014

A Crash Course Into The Wrecked & Ruined Series by Aly Martinez

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts by mkcooke

I will be the first to admit that I am late to the game on a lot of things. Be it a movie, a new band, or every event I’m supposed to attend. I am either the first one there, or the last one to show up.

And unfortunately my same MO of being late to the game applies to books. My kindle is like a bad episode of Hoarders, and my actual never ending book basket weighs as much as I do now. So basically, I own a lot of fantastic and out of this world books that I’ve yet to read.

The Wrecked and Ruined series by Aly Martinez is a prime example of this. And I basically want to punch myself in the face for waiting so long to read these books.

I’m ashamed to admit I let these books sit on my kindle for way too long. Changing Course, has been on there since the last time it snowed. (And I’ll point out the last time it snowed was like 7 months ago.) Stolen Course founds its way on there too soon after, and now Broken Course has been burning a hole on that thing for like 2 weeks.

I finally decided enough was enough and I HAD to read these books.

I knew I was going to love them, but I in no way expected how much I would love and devour them, how much they would make me feel and think, how much they would pull me into these book’s world and refuse to let me go, or how big a book hangover all three of these exceptional books would give me.

I have one mother effing book hangover right now, but boy do I love that. I wouldn’t trade this feeling for the world, and that folks, is the reason I read books. Getting to feel so emotionally invested with a series and its dynamic characters, and fighting with them through it all is what makes a book exceptional for me.

These books were exceptional. These books were extraordinary. These books blew me away repeatedly with their amazingness.

And phenomenal. And painful as all get out. And sweet. And fun. And HOT. And more emotional than my Thursday nights when Shonda Rhimes emotionally ruins my life with her emotionally driven TV shows. (For the record, the books in this series give Shonda a real run for her money, and I FREAKING LOVED THAT.)

Aly Martinez wrote and so breathtakingly crafted some seriously emotionally driven books, and they are nothing short of magnificent. These books made me feel EVERYTHING, and I cannot rave enough about that.

As you all know I am all about spreading the book love, and the book love for these books needs to be spread immediately. So I decided to write a crash course for y’all on the Wrecked and Ruined Series.

It should be noted now that my crash course will not come close to giving these books the justice they deserve, but take my word for it: you NEED these books in your life. I ain’t kidding either.

So let’s start our crash course into this PHENOMENAL series…

Years ago one fateful night changed it all. It sliced through life as these characters knew it, and it put them all on paths they never expected to find themselves on. Those paths are ones laced with so much emotion they will take your breath away. This series follows all of these unique and thoughtfully crafted characters as they try to make sense of it all, all while trying to figure out where they go from the painful night that changed everything.

Changing Course

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N

“When I’m with you, Jess, everything else is silent. It’s magical. I can’t change anything that’s happened. I can however, try to move forward with my life.”

This is where this unforgettable story begins. It lays the foundation for it all it gives you the even that starts it all. In this book you’ll meet many key players to this series including Brett, Jesse, Sarah, and Caleb. While you meet so many of these phenomenal characters, this book is really about the swoon worthy Brett & Jesse and how they come to be, despite the crazy and pain of the past that’s lurking around the corner.

Synopsis:

I met Sarah Kate Erickson when I was twenty-one years old. I was lucky enough to keep her for seven years before a tragic accident stole her from me. She didn’t die, but sometimes I think it would have been easier if she had.

I lived in a haze for those four years after the accident. Catering to her every need, even though she hated the very sight of my face. I tried to hold on to her and the future that we were supposed to build together. But you can’t hold on to someone that doesn’t exist anymore.

It wasn’t until I met Jesse Addison, a barista at the local coffee shop, that I realized I didn’t just lose Sarah that tragic night, I lost myself as well. Jesse taught me how to let go of the past and learn to love again. But what happens when your past haunts your present and the woman you used to love refuses to accept the woman you can’t live without?

Read My 5 Star Review of Changing Course

Stolen Course

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N

“Our relationship is not simple or straightforward. It’s not perfect the way young couples dream about. It’s rough and flawed, but it’s ours. And sometimes, if you get really lucky, something truly beautiful can come from the imperfections.”

This is where you find out so many more pieces to this magnificent puzzle. You may think you know what happened that night everything changed, but let me tell you now: What you think you know isn’t as it seems, and this book gives you the whole picture. The whole damn extraordinary picture. It also allows you the chance to know and love Caleb & Emma, and let me tell you, those two are pretty darn fantastic.

Synopsis:

I fell in love with Manda Baker eight years ago, and I loved her to the core of her soul. We were supposed to have that elusive happily ever after and spend a lifetime together. But that was all before she was STOLEN from me.

Her best friend, Sarah Erickson, killed her. It wasn’t intentional. It was far worse. Everyone claims it was just an accident, but I can see through the lies. Even if it’s with my dying breath, I will make her pay for what she did.

Fate hates me. It robbed me of my first love and left me to navigate through this world emotionless and numb. Then, one day, spiteful fate gave me a woman to fill my shattered soul and make me feel again. It gave me Emma Jane Erickson. Now I spend my days searching for the answers that will ruin Sarah and my nights falling in love with her sister—the one person who is bound and determined to save her.

But what happens when everything you know to be true explodes around you? Who will be left to pick up the pieces, and who will need to be saved from the wreckage?

Read My 5 Star Review of Stolen Course

Among The Echoes

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N

“Fuck your fairytale. I just want you. I’ll make my own God damn happily ever after. But you’re the one who is mistaken. You’ll be at the end of that story, beautiful. You either come willingly or you force me into the dark after you. It doesn’t matter to me, because either way, I’ll find you.”

This book was just officially added to The Wrecked and Ruined Series. (This was also the first book I ever read by Aly Martinez, and I loved it!) This book is mainly about Slate & Erica’s love story, which isn’t to be missed, but it’s also where you get to meet the one and only Leo James. Slate & Erica’s love story is just as emotional as all the other books to this series, and I for one couldn’t get enough of either of them!

My name was Dr. Erica Hill. I was a victim, then a witness, and then I ceased to exist altogether.

I may still be breathing, but stripped of my identity, I have long since stopped living. I am invisible, and my life depends on my ability to stay in the shadows.

But he sees me.

Slate Andrews is the embodiment of everything I have been taught to avoid. He’s rich and famous, and one image of him with a woman would earn millions for any paparazzi lucky enough to snap it. He has vowed to protect me with his life, yet he exposes me with his every breath. I should be stronger and walk away. I should disappear. But I’m terrified he would come after me.

I’m on the run, determined not to take him down with me but absolutely unable to let him go.

My name is Riley Peterson…at least for today.

Read My 5 Star Review of Among the Echoes

Broken Course

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N

“I love you. I love you despite it all, and now, I’m standing here, begging you to love me despite it all too.”

This is Sarah & Leo’s story, and it is one crazy ass ride that you will never forget. This is the culmination of this entire series. This is where it all comes together. Broken Course gives you two majorly flawed characters with some serious pasts between them, but it also gives you one hell of a love story that will leave you in awe while simultaneously taking your breath away.

Seven years ago, my life changed forever. One accident and the person I saw in the mirror no longer resembled the woman I used to be. I was lost and confused inside my own body. I felt alone and disconnected from the world, carrying the incredible weight of guilt and loss that wasn’t even mine to harbor.

Then fate led me to Leo James. He taught me that crazy could be perfectly normal and it shouldn’t hurt to breathe. Don’t get me wrong. Leo isn’t perfect. He has his own cross to bear, and the truth is, that might be why I fell for him in the first place. But despite everything he does for me, learning to forgive myself is infinitely harder than overlooking the flaws of another.

Now, the secrets and lies of our past have begun to dictate our future—threatening to ruin us before we get the chance to try. Perhaps we were cursed from the start. Or maybe, just maybe, the remnants of our fractured lives will fit together to form one whole, where love isn’t questioned and being happy is…well, easy.

Can a second broken soul be enough to fill the voids of my own? Or will such scarred pasts prove too much for our love alone to overcome?

Read My 5 Star Review of Broken Course

(Oh and I dare you to not get chills or tear up when reading the epilogue to this book. I did both simultaneously. That epilogue is the epitome of this series, and let me tell you that I felt so much in that moment, but I can’t tell y’all any of it because you’ve got to read them all to get that extraordinary feeling!)

So I hope you all enjoyed our little crash course to this series. Remember this crash course does not do this series as much justice as it deserves, but I truly do hope you enjoyed it, because I sure as hell did!

Like I said before, I cannot rave enough about this phenomenal series. Each book took gave me an extraordinary reading experience that I will not soon forget. I promise you that you won’t just read and devour these books.

You will feel these books. You will love these books. You will be in awe of these books.

Each one, its characters, and its powerfully emotional stories will envelope you in whole heartedly without a doubt, and you will relish in that.

After finishing these books you will feel a lot of things. You will be sad to see the books end, you’ll feel grateful for the beyond fantastic reading experience, and most of all you’ll just be so effing happy you had the chance to experience the sheer magic within the pages of this book.

You’ll also have a new and immense appreciation for the vegetable report. And let me tell you, that is one damn fine report. (Read these books and you’ll get that.)

So what are you waiting for, drive yourself into this series today, and be sure to check out the incredible Aly Martinez today!!

Be sure to check out more about these books and the fabulous Aly Martinez at the following links!!

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

17Nov2014

Review Post: Starless Nights by Kathryn Andrews

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts by mkcooke

Starless Nights

By: Kathryn Andrews

Release Date: November 10, 2014

Beau Hale

She said that she was my best friend and then one day she wasn’t. Every day I live with the visible scars, but it’s the invisible ones that hurt the most. They are a constant reminder of everything I’ve lost as well as all the things that I’ll never have. I should be over this by now, it’s been years, but I can’t escape the memories that haunt me. Everyone around me is moving on with their life, so now I need to do the same. Tennis brought me to Columbia University, and I am quickly proving that I will not let anyone defeat me, past or present. I am in control now. Life has taught me the hard way to remember that. But after all this time, I’m still searching for an answer to the one question that is constantly burning in the back of my mind…why?

Leila Starling

He said that he was my best friend, and then one day he wasn’t. It took one moment to change my entire life. What I thought I knew became a lie and nothing was ever the same. Slowly, I picked up the pieces and focused on what I could control…me. I live in New York City and attend one of the world’s most prestigious fashion and design schools. Day after day, I am getting closer and closer to making my dreams come true. I did this all on my own and no one can ever take it from me. I know my future is bright, even if my heart is destined to stay in the dark. The dull ache that still lingers is my daily reminder to rely on no one but myself. Although, after all this time, I still can’t help but wonder…why?

* 5 Beyond Amazing Stars *

Kathryn Andrews continues to blow me away more and more with her phenomenally crafted writing that is beyond emotionally driven in such a way that is guaranteed to take your breath away from its sheer beauty.

You just don’t read her books. You feel her books.

When reading her first book, Drops of Rain, I was immediately taken in by the unforgettable characters, the highly emotional and feeling events, and their story that I literally could not get enough of. So I have to say I wasn’t surprised in the least to find that Starless Nights blew me away just as much, if not more than Drops of Rain did.

Beau and Leila made my heart hurt, they made it race, and they made it fall head over heels in love with them from the very first pages I met them. Their story is one that I felt and connected with on such a deeply magnificent level, and I cannot even begin to describe to you how much I felt for these exceptional two.

I don’t know if I have the right words to describe how beautiful and emotional and heart tugging this book was, but I am sure as hell going to try, because Kathryn Andrews phenomenal writing, story, and characters deserve that.

What was phenomenal about Starless Nights:

The fire and spark of Leila. Leila is such a vibrant, colorful, and fierce female character. She literally lights up the page she’s on, and the spark and determination that she has within herself leaps off the page. She is the color to all the black and white, and you will love her for that unique vibrancy. That girl also feels with all she has, and you will love her for it greatly. All that spirit and tenacity she has will have you understanding her, feeling for her, and loving her instantly. That fire and spark sets her apart in the best and most memorable ways.
Charming as all get out Beau. I fell in love with the charming Beau Hale when I met him in Drops of Rain. He won my heart over, again and again, and he never failed to bring a smile to my face. Stepping into his head was beyond thrilling, and it allowed me to just get him and love him more. Beau is so heartwarming, and he’s one of the most engaging character’s you’ll find. His character has so many varying and well developed thoughts and feelings that you’ll want to reach in and care for him and protect him from all the darkness of his world, all while falling under his magical spell that’ll have you loving him immensely. He is a serious gem of a male character.
Questions of the past. This book is all about the why, the past, and how things came to be. Kathryn Andrews beautifully and thoughtfully weaves that past into the present tense of Beau and Leila’s story. The more and more you read, the more you find out what led them to their present. With each new chapter you get another piece to the puzzle, and I can’t rave enough about how intricately placed those answers to all those why questions are. Those pieces explain it all, and in the end when you have the whole picture and all the answers, you will just be blown away.
The depth of love. Beau and Leila’s feelings for one another are magnificently deep. This is very much a second or third chance romance for them. With each chance they’re given you feel the depth of love and care they have for one another. You feel it in their thoughts, in the way they look at each other, in the inner feelings they have. Even when they make it hard as hell and even when they continue to get it wrong, that depth will have you believing in them with all you’ve got. It’ll have you deeply connecting with them and what they have, and it’ll just exemplify all they share together.
The fight for it all. This book is very much about the fight for the happy that both these characters rightfully deserve. This author creates such exceptional ways for these characters to fight for what they want and need. These two go through so much, and the events of this book challenge both Beau and Leila to realize what it is they’re willing to fight for. Reading and experiencing that allows you the chance to understand them and their fight on a whole new level, and it will undoubtedly make you want to fight right along with them for that happy.
The passions that make them who they are. Beau has tennis and Leila has designing. They both have such well-developed passions that really illuminate a lot about their characters. These passions brought them both to life, and showed a truly authentic and passionate side to them both. These passions were such an integral part to Beau and Leila, and Kathryn Andrews creates a world and a book where you get to experience those passions right along with them.
A seriously emotionally driven book. Kathryn Andrews knows how to write emotions. She knows how to create a world and characters that have you feeling everything they’re feeling. You have the same emotions they’re experiencing, and you just feel it all with them. You will emotionally connect to these characters on a remarkable level, and you’ll fully understand all of their varied emotions. This is an emotionally driven read at its core, and that is what hit this book out of the damn park.
The power of evolution. This book allows you the unique chance to see how these characters and their relationship changes over the course of years. You get to see them at multiple distinct times in their lives, and it’s an exceptional opportunity to see exactly how far they’ve come from where they started. This book gives you the chance to fully feel that powerful evolution with Beau and Leila, and their relationships with others. That evolution makes this book what it is, and I am in awe of the evolution Kathryn Andrews takes these characters on. It is simply superb.
The supporting characters that envelop you in. This book is bursting with supporting characters that you’ll instantly be taken away with. Drew, Ali, Charlie, Nate, Camille, and everyone else will win over your heart with their unique and very distinct little selves. They bring everything together in such a wonderful way, and they are part of the sheer magic and beauty that is this book. And I promise you’ll love every single second you get to spend with every single one of them.
The little things that really are big things. The little things added in so wonderfully to Starless Nights make the whole big picture that much brighter. These little things are incorporated in such subtle and beautiful ways, and they add up to something breathtaking. The star theme that permeates this book in a literally amazing way is beyond beautiful. The fantastic nuances of the characters that you see over and over again truly define their uniqueness. The vivid images and feelings that burst from the page. All of these little things and more combine in such an outstanding way that helps make this book truly unforgettable.
The balance of it all. Starless Nights does an outstanding job of balancing every aspect, but especially the different times of moments that so fantastically come to the page. There are moments that will literally pull at your heart while bringing tears to your eyes, moments that will speed up your heart rate, and moments that’ll make your breath catch in an instant because of the level of emotion and vulnerability they contain. Other’s will bring a smile to your face, or a blush to your cheeks in the next instant. While some will have you feeling all the happiness and joy that’ll have you beyond thrilled at the warmth you feel. This book balances all of that exceptionally, and it allows you the chance to wholly experience it all.

Starless Nights was a beyond beautiful and breathtaking book that I absolutely loved reading with everything I had. Kathryn Andrews blew me away yet again with her emotionally driven and thoughtfully crafted words.

I really don’t have enough positive words for this book. This book was so, so very good. And magnificent. And breathtaking. And beautiful. And emotional. And fantastic. And just beyond exceptional.

It was everything. It had everything. It made me feel everything right along with Beau and Leila.

Beau and Leila’s story was everything I wanted it to be, and I couldn’t love those two more. Their story is full of ups and downs, twists and turns, but I guarantee that it’ll take your breath away with all of its magnificence. It’ll also have you knowing and believing in the sheer power and spirit of feeling and love.

This book gets my highest recommendation because it truly has it all. It is an exceptional book, with extraordinary characters, and I for one am completely sold on it all.

And you will be too.

Just a little tease…

I push through the saloon doors into café and spot the customer sitting in one of the leather chairs up front by the window. My body reacts before my mind does and I freeze mid step. My heart crashes into my chest, my hands start sweating, and I am certain that my eyes are playing a trick on me. There is no way that of all the cafes in the city, he would walk into mine. It’s just not possible. But there he is looking almost like I remember him.

Ali, my best friend, must have told him that I work here. I’m going to kill her.

Instead of walking over to greet him, I stare at him. It’s been over a year since I’ve seen him and all of a sudden, all that time diminishes and it feels like it was just yesterday. I didn’t even know that he was here in the city. Ali never told me. I had just assumed that he would be coming up sometime later in July. I feel as if my world has just been thrown on a tilt. I wasn’t prepared to see him.

The morning sun hasn’t started to rise yet, so the windows behind him only serve as a dark backdrop, and the light shining down from above him has placed him in a spotlight like glow. If I was a photographer, I feel that this could be a beautiful photo. As it is, I have just taken a mental picture and will now forever see him sitting in that chair.

Drops of Rain (Hale Brothers Book 1)

Amazon

Starless Nights (Hale Brothers Book 2)

Amazon

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I seriously cannot recommend this book to y’all more so be sure to grab it today!! You will not be sorry!! I promise!

10Nov2014

Releasing Now: Starless Nights by Kathryn Andrews

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts by mkcooke

Starless Nights

By: Kathryn Andrews

Release Date: November 10, 2014

Beau Hale

Leila Starling

Just a little tease…

Ali, my best friend, must have told him that I work here. I’m going to kill her.

Drops of Rain (Hale Brothers Book 1)

Amazon

Starless Nights (Hale Brothers Book 2)

Amazon

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Be sure to stay tuned for my review of Starless Nights, which is coming very soon. I promise that this book and Beau and Leila will just blow you way immensely. This book was PHENOMENAL, and I couldn’t recommend it to you more, so be sure to grab it now!

10Nov2014

Releasing Now: Broken Course

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts by mkcooke

Title: Broken Course (Wrecked and Ruined, #3)

Author: Aly Martinez

Release Date: November 10, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Can a second broken soul be enough to fill the voids of my own? Or will such scarred pasts prove too much for our love alone to overcome?

**Each book in this series can be read as a stand alone.**

Just a little tease….

Wrecked and Ruined

Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined, #1)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N

Stolen Course (Wrecked and Ruined, #2)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N

Broken Course (Wrecked and Ruined, #3)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N

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Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in Chicago, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.

After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.

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7Nov2014

365 Days of Blogging: How in the hell did that happen?

Posted in All The Mumbo Jumbo by mkcooke

One year ago I hit publish on The Never Ending Book Basket. EEEEEKK!!

I cannot believe my blog is celebrating its first year anniversary. Seriously. How in the hell did that happen?

Where It All Began: You see, I have this idea…

This all started when I had this crazy idea that I should start a book blog. Up until that point I don’t think I had actually ever been on a book blog, but somehow that idea popped into my head. Fast forward 365 amazing days later, and this blog is still going!

I set out to write this blog as a place to talk about my biggest passion: books.

I have to admit that when I started this thing, I really didn’t think anyone would read my reviews or posts. (And I’m really not joking at all when I say that.)

As much as I hate to say that, that’s the truth. I really thought the few people who would read it would be my friends who I basically begged into reading it, or my family who I would continually bombard with blog links. And to be honest, I was fine with the fact that there was a good chance only a few people might read my blog.

How my never ending book basket grew over the last 365 days…

This blog started off as an idea to just spread the book love and talk about the many books I was reading. So many things have happened since then, and I couldn’t be more grateful for every single one, but when I started this blog, I didn’t realize a lot of things…

I didn’t realize that I would meet so many amazing people in this community. I didn’t even fathom that I would develop personal friendships and connections with so many authors and fellow readers. I didn’t know that by starting this blog I would find myself in one of the best, and I do mean the best, communities around.

It also never even occurred to me that staring this blog would lead to me beta reading. (If we’re being honest, I for some reason didn’t even realize people did that.) The fact that someone would want me to read their book and give them feedback still blows me away. It never entered my mind that starting this book blog would allow me the chance to read and experience so many phenomenal books because of this AMAZING community of authors, bloggers, and readers.

When I started this blog, I never realized the immense amount of joy it would bring me.

What I’ve Learned: And yeah, I actually learned shit!

I’ve come to learn a lot in this year of blogging. Some of the things I’ve learned revolve around the wonderful world of book reviewing and blogging, and some other things involve discovering wonderful things about my crazy ass self. But through it all I’ve really learned a lot, and I wouldn’t trade this year in for anything. It has just simply been the best.

Some of the many things I’ve learned in the last 365 days of book blogging:

This community of readers, authors, & bloggers is the best, and I couldn’t feel more welcomed in it.
When I write a book review, it will likely never be less than 1000 words. #wordyforlife
The number of Kindle books I can devour in one weekend is somewhat alarming, but this is clearly a positive.
Any type of caffeine will expedite and greatly aid in the writing and creating a blog posts and reviews.
When I love a book: I LOVE A BOOK HARD.
There is no greater feeling in the world then sharing a book you love with someone else.
Independently or self-published authors (or those authors who started off as independently published authors) set the standard for connecting with readers. Hands down.
The generosity of this community is one of its greatest assets.
That bloody Facebook algorithm sucks something fierce. My blog’s Facebook page will likely only ever reach less than 10% of its total audience, but it is what it is, and I can’t change that. So I’m going to keep posting my little heart out! Eat that, Facebook.
Nothing will rile a group of females up more so than a film adaptation of their favorite romance novel, or waiting for the release date of their next must read.
Goodreads serves a wonderful purpose if used appropriately and respectfully, and unfortunately it rarely is, but I’ve got hope that one day it’ll get its act together.
Release day is like Christmas Day. And lucky for us there’s a release day every day of the year!
The number of pictures of half naked man candy that so wonderfully permeate book blog’s Facebook pages makes my news feed look like and extended version of Magic Mike. And I like it. A lot.
My never-ending book basket has literally grown in size since I started this blog. At this point that thing is like a bad episode of hoarders. The amount of unread Kindle books I now own is almost just as bad. (Like it’s really bad.)
I own more unread books than I could possibly read in 6 months’ time, but I fucking love that. My to be read list is a mile long, and I still keep buying books like I need them to breathe, but that’s me and that’s just how it’s going to be.
A good book is well worth a sleepless night. Always.

And I could go and on, but now it’s time for what’s really important. Now comes the most important portion of this blog post:

IT’S THANK YOU TIME!!

There are so many people I have to thank immensely for helping me this past year and for encouraging me all along the way. I hope you all know how eternally thankful and grateful I am to each and every one of you.

I heart you all something fierce, and if I could, I would give you all the chocolate in the world, all the book boyfriends you’ve fallen in love with, just enough glitter to make you all the more fabulous & sparkly, and all the wine and booze you so rightfully deserve for putting up with my crazy ass.

To my friends Brittany, Amy, Taylor, Meredith, Cindy, Domo, Michelle, Aubrey: You’re the ones who encouraged me from the very beginning. (You know, when it only took 5 phone calls and countless texts with each of you to convince me that this was a good idea.) You ladies are the ones that keep me going, and you all listen to me go on and on about this blog day in and day out. You tolerate my ridiculousness and you accept my crazy text messages asking you your opinions about all blog related things, and I couldn’t love you all more for it.

Thank you to my family and especially my mother who now actually enjoys telling people about the accomplishments that my blog sometimes makes. (Now can you please stop complaining about how many books I buy?)

To all the authors who have welcomed me with open arms and made me realize why it is I do this, THANK YOU!! You are all the bees mother fucking knees!! Meredith Wild, Author M. Mabie, Kathryn Andrews, Elizabeth Hayley, Alison Bliss, and so many more. (I could honestly go on and on…) I can’t thank you enough for everything. Seriously. I don’t have the right amount of words to tell you how thankful I am for your friendships and guidance, and everything else. You are all simply the best, and it has been fabulous getting to know every single one of you. Oh, and thanks for those awesome effing book you all write superbly too because they’ve given me some amazingly awesome reading experiences that I will NEVER forget.

Thank you to all the people I’ve met this year. The fellow bloggers, readers, book addicts that have it just as bad as I do. You are all wonderful people, and it has been fantastic getting to know you. And I sincerely look forward to knowing more of you as this blog continues.

To the groups that run all those fabulous blog tours, cover reveals, release day blitzes, review tours, and everything else in between, thank you for being so flipping awesome. Special shout out to Wendy and Claire from Bare Naked Words because those two are the best, and are as nice as can be!

To the street teams that keep me sane: Team Wild, The Mo Stash, Pure Bliss, and all the rest. You’ve all been so welcoming of me and my little blog, and you all make me laugh and smile every day. And all those half naked men pictures are also equally nice.

And last but certainly not least, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read any one of the posts that I’ve done on here. It means the world to me that someone would take the time to read my words, and I can’t even begin to describe how thankful I am to each and every one of you.

You are all the best. And I wish I could give you a hug. And that might be creepy and crazy and a tad bit weird, but do you honestly expect anything less from me at this point?

Thank you all for 365 days of fun, books, crazy, and everything else in between. It’s been one helluva ride, and I for one look forward to doing many more of these anniversary posts in the future.

Oh, and did I mention I really heart you all something fierce?

Because I do.

Like a lot. ❤

4Nov2014

Review Post: Conflagration

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts by mkcooke

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Day: October 29

Conflagration is the second in an Explosive spin-off series called The Wellingtons.

Can be read as a standalone

Branson Wellington? The name, my name, is usually followed by arrogant prick or self-serving bastard, and I can’t say I haven’t earned those titles. It’s true. I’m not the good guy. I’m not the boy next door. I’m definitely not your Prince fucking Charming. Not even close.

And I never wanted to be. Until her. The day I pulled her from the wreckage was the day that my life changed.

Who would have thought that one little lie had the power to throw two lives off course?
Love has never been in the cards for me, but now that she’s here, I have no idea how I’m ever going to let her go. Even if I don’t deserve her.

Because like I said, I’m a self-serving bastard and some things never change.

Check out the Conflagration Pinterest Board

Just a little tease….

5 Fantastic Stars

The first time I met Branson Wellington in Incinerate, I wanted to punch him in the face. Hard.

When I met him again in Inflame, I still kind of wanted to punch him in the face, but I knew then that he was growing on me little by little. After reading Combust, I knew that I had to know more about him as soon as humanly possible, because more and more he was winning me and my heart over.

And those weren’t even the books about him.

By the end of Conflagration I still kind of wanted to punch him in the face, but then I wanted to hug his stubborn butt so hard. He won me over. He sold me on him.

Bottom line: I love me some Branson Wellington something fierce, and Conflagration just reiterated that fact immensely.

Conflagration is Branson’s story. It’s his chance at redemption. It’s his chance at having it all. His story is not an easy one. He has gone to hell and back, and he’s got a not so stellar past hovering closely behind him, but I guarantee that everything you think you know about him is wrong.

Branson Wellington will prove you wrong in this book. And Ari, the main girl of the hour? Be prepared to love her so hard you won’t be jealous one bit about the fact that she’s the one Branson Wellington chooses to finally risk it all for.

What was out of this world about Conflagration:

Determined as all get out Ari. I could not get enough of Ari. She is fierce. She is headstrong. She is determined through it all. There is not better lady for Branson than her. (And that is so true, no matter how much I want him for myself!) All the determination and fierceness Ari has defines her, and is simply the best. What she brings out in Branson, and herself in this book is magnificent. She is a fighter, and she is bound and determined to fight for Branson Wellington and all that she so truly deserves, and boy does she deliver one helluva fight.
The ever changing Branson Wellington. Branson goes through many changes in this book. Conflagration encapsulates all that is Branson Wellington, and it exemplifies all that is good about him. It also exemplifies how much of a major asshole he was before, and how given the right circumstances that assholeness might reappear. Branson is so many things, but his flaws make him who he is. He is stubborn, and major a butthead from time to time, but through it all he feels with everything he’s got. And rest assured that even through all those changes, he is still him through and through, and that is just the mother effing best.
The fire between Ari & Branson. These two really know how to start a major freaking fire. The passion, banter, chemistry between them is off the freaking charts. It sears off the page, and it continues to reinforce the deep felt connection between them. That fire that passion, and that connection makes their relationship spark off the page. It’s also so flipping fantastic, and Branson will have you swooning in no time. (That man knows how to seriously woo a woman.)
The lies. Ari and Branson come together because of a lie. (And a couple of other things that I won’t tell you, because you’ve got to read the book to find out.) Many more lies follow them as their story continues. These lies set these characters on a pretty interesting and event filled path, and while those lies are rooted in some not so great things, they have the power of change behind them.
There comes a time for change. Both Ari and Branson change and grow in Conflagration in a lot of ways. Some I expected, and some blew me away with how unexpected they were. Change is necessary for both of them, and it’s vital to their story together. How those changes so thoughtfully come to the page will make you really get how far these two have come from where they started to get the exact place they need and so totally deserve to be.
The Wellington’s. I would pay good money to spend just one day with the Wellington’s. They are a family that just warms my heart, and they are guaranteed to bring a smile or smirk to my face. They’ve got their issues, and the past contains some pretty messed up things for their family, but a family they are. They bring such a joy to the story, and when they’re all together, you will relish in them. They are going to envelop you in with welcoming arms, and you won’t ever want them to let you go.
The ever explosive build. This book will build for you. Ari and Branson will build for you. You will read it, and you will feel that build in your bones. Your anticipation will be on high because you know explosive things are coming. I can’t even fully begin to describe how electric and exciting it is to have that feeling. And let’s just say when that build of explosiveness finally comes to fruition, you’ll know that conflagration was the PERFECT title for this book.
Redemption. This book tells a wonderful love story, but Tessa Teevan does an extremely phenomenal job of weaving the theme of redemption ever so thoughtfully into that love story. If you’ve read any of her other books, you’ve met Branson, and you come in thinking certain things about him. Most of things are probably not so great, and honestly even though I love him something fierce, he deserves most of those negative thoughts. But this book will redeem him for you in more ways than one. I won’t tell you how, or why, or even how long it takes to get there in this book because his redemption has really been building since Incinerate, but let’s just say that theme of redemption is breathtakingly beautiful.
The page turning madness. I devoured this book in one sitting, and I guarantee you’ll want to do the same. The pacing of this book is magnificent, and it sparks right from the very first page. You’ll start reading, and you won’t stop until it’s finished. This book is pedal to the metal from the very beginning, but I expected nothing less from these two.
All the love. All the damn love. This book is bounding with love. It has it in spades. And lucky you, you get all kinds of love in Conflagration. You get the love between a man and a woman. The love between parents and children. The love that defines family. The love between brother to brother, and sister to sister. This book has all the love, and you will feel all that love deep in your heart. That love is irresistible, and it has all the feels, and it is simply the best.

Tessa Teevan’s continues to blow me away more and more with each new release. Conflagration exemplifies all you can expect from her books: they are brimming with love, bursting with heat, and filled to the brim with uniquely phenomenal characters and stories that will instantly win you over immensely.

Conflagration was the book I was waiting. This book is Branson Wellington’s time to shine, and boy does he shine brightly. His story along with Ari’s is one I instantly connected with, and instantly fought like hell for. I cannot rave enough about this book, these two dynamic characters, and their page turning and emotion and heat filled story.

I don’t have the right amount of words for what Ari and Branson have and how beautiful and powerful that is, but I will say that what they have together is built on many things, but at its core it’s built on the idea that love has the power to change you if you let it.

As Ari so brilliantly put it “If you don’t want anyone else to give up on you, you can’t give up on yourself.”

Conflagration is about one Branson Wellington not giving up. It’s also about one Ariana Covington believing those same words, and practicing what she preaches.

Give this wonderfully flawed man and his fierce lady a chance, and you’ll be oh so happy you did. Their love will revive your faith in the power of love. Their story together is the one you’ve been waiting for, so do yourself a favor and don’t wait to read it.

As the blackness starts to fade away, I see that white light, but it doesn’t really look like that tunnel. No, it’s just a scene change, and if I could muster up enough strength, I’d groan because there are things in my life I’d rather not relive. It’s bad enough that I have the memories and have been dealing with the fallout for far too long. Reliving it all over again is more agonizing than the first time around, because now, I know the truth. I betrayed my brother in the worst possible way when he’d done nothing wrong, but by the time I found out, it was far too late.

So why am I having these flashbacks playing in slow motion? I thought when you were on death’s door, your life was supposed to flash before your eyes. So why am I replaying every single mistake I’ve ever made as if it were the first time—in slow motion instead of quick bursts? Maybe my life did flash before my eyes and it happened so fast that I missed it. Maybe I’m dead after all and this? This is my hell.

The Wellingtons

Combust (The Wellingtons #1) Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N

Conflagration (The Wellingtons, #2) Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N

Additional Books by Tessa Teevan

Explosive series

Ignite (Explosive #1) – Amazon

Incinerate (Explosive #2) – Amazon | B&N

Inflame (Explosive #3) – Amazon | B&N

Sweet Southern series

Sweet Southern Sorrow (Sweet Southern #1) – Amazon

I’m a twenty something book junkie who is also obsessed with sports. Bengals, Buckeyes, Reds are my teams! I work for the government during the day, hang out with Air National Guard on the weekends, and have been married to my own book boyfriend for over seven years. We currently live right outside of Dayton, OH with our two cats.

If I’m not writing or looking through tons of photos of hot men, all in the name of research, then you can probably find me curled up with my Kindle, ignoring the rest of the world. I love my sports almost as much as I love my books. My other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter.

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2Nov2014

Review Post: Covertly Strong by NA Alcorn

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts, Review Post by mkcooke

So today at The Never Ending Book Basket I have a 2 for one special for you! Two reviews for the price of one. And lucky for you, there’s no price! Covertly Strong and Bait were both beyond fabulous, and I LOVED them both. Below you will find my review for Covertly Strong, and at the bottom of this post you’ll find a link to my review post on Bait. Be sure to check out both for all the fun because I HIGHLY recommend both of these books!!

Covertly Strong

Book One in The Strong Series

By N.A. Alcorn

Add to Goodreads TBR

She can track down the world’s most dangerous drug lords, hack into any computer, and kill a man in fifteen different ways—but when she comes face-to-face with the only man who’s ever held her heart, it might be her most dangerous mission yet… Or is it?

Sloan Walker. Dr. Felicia Santora. Agent L-55.
Three very different personas, three very different names, but all have one thing in common. They’re all controlled, acted out, and lived by one woman.

Her past has been long forgotten. Ten years have gone by since someone remembered the girl she used to be. The young girl with the big-brown eyes and beautiful dreams of happiness, dreams of love. She now lives a clandestine life. A life filled with top-secret missions and covert assignments. Only a handful of people know the true nature of her job. Her safety is constantly being pushed towards the brink of life-threatening danger.

Then one day someone unexpectedly steps back into her life…

A man who once owned her mind, body, and soul.
A man who held her heart in the palm of his hand.

He remembers. He knows.

And this knowledge could threaten everything she’s worked so hard for. Nixon West is as intelligent as they come and his Navy SEAL training has made him one of the most dangerous weapons in the United States Military. The moment she reappeared into his life he promised himself that he wouldn’t let her go.

But the true question is…what extreme lengths will Nix go to for her?

She will soon face another mission.

And it will test everything.

Time never seems all that important until your life hangs in the balance.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock…

Just a little tease…

5 Kickass Stars

Do you ever start reading book, and immediately you know you’ve never read a book quite like it before? Let me tell you, that feeling is amazing.

Well, I got that feeling on about page 4 of Covertly Strong, and that is when I knew I was going to absolutely love this book.

That’s also about the time I fell instantly in love with one Nixon West.

Covertly Strong has everything that makes a book exceptional for me, yet it really was a book unlike any other I’ve read. Its got two strong badass main characters, with a new twist on a second chance love story. It also has a strong military aspect to it that just made this book so enthralling and exciting to read. I’m telling you, my heart was racing with adrenalin and excitement reading this book.

When I read NA Alcorn’s first two books, I immediately fell love with her laugh out loud hysterical humor, along with her fun loving and outrageously witty characters. I must admit that I was very curious to see how this book would compare to those since I knew the storyline and characters were going to be different, but I was thrilled to find I positively loved this book for the unique aspects it had. Those aspects through her so wonderful crafted writing made the book such a fantastic reading experience for me.

Basically, NA Alcorn just hit it out of the damn park with this one.

What was out of this world about Covertly Strong:

Fiercely and oh so sassy Sloan. Sloan is a sassy as all get out character who instantly won me over with a highly memorable nerf game. That girl is something else, but I couldn’t get enough of how strong, sassy, and fierce she was. Sloan has some balls, and it was utterly fantastic to read such a truly strong female character who has the strength of 10 men put together. Her sassy personality shines through so wonderfully, and even in the toughest of situations she is herself through and through. Did I also mention she is a kick ass CIA agent? Major fist pump in the air for Sloan!
One charming and badass Nixon West. Nixon West is just one badass man. He not only manages to be one of the strongest and most determined male characters I’ve read, but he’s also got so many well developed and heartfelt feelings that just made me swoon. Nixon is brash, and he’s tough, and he means business with everything he does. I loved that about him. It’s also not hard to imagine his swoon worthy self, which makes it all the more enjoyable to love his character. He’s also charming as all get out, so triple dog dare you to not love this hot Navy SEAL. (FYI, you’re gonna lose that dare.)
Second chances are just the best. Sloan and Nixon are given a second chance at love in Covertly Strong. I love me a good second chance romance, and Covertly Strong just reemphasized that for me again and again. These two are thrust back together, and reading them try to make sense of all that while embracing their second chance together is just the best. The level of feeling and emotions and power behind their second chance will also just make your heart feel for both of them, and will have you rooting for them and cheering them on every step of the way.
The level of kickassery. This book has an utterly fabulous level of kickassery. (Yes I made that word up, but that’s what this book has.) This book is just oozing the kickassery with a CIA agent and a Navy SEAL as the main characters. How could you not be kickass with a combo like that? Those two are also strong as hell, they bring out the best fierceness and fight in each other, and their banter is also pretty darn fantastic. This book also has a plotline that just takes charge and means business from start to finish. And don’t even get me started on the amazingness of Black Mamba. All of these aspects combine to make one helluva story you won’t soon forget.
Young love. I absolutely loved how Covertly Strong gives you the chance to experience Nixon and Sloan when they were young and first met. It sets up their relationship and story so fantastically, and allows you the chance to see where it all began for them. You feel the ease and sweetness and magic that comes with their young love, yet you also feel the power it really has.
The military aspect. I was beyond thrilled with the military aspects of Covertly Strong. I’ve never read a book that incorporated those kinds of aspects into a story, and I couldn’t get enough of it all. The jargon, the tenacity, the fight will all envelop you into that world so easily, and I easily felt like I understood everything that was going on within that world. This also adds a whole new dynamic to these characters and their story, making it all the more remarkable to read.
The third person POV. I was kind of shocked by how much I loved the third person POV used in this book. This genre is well known for first person, but I was pleasantly surprised by what the third person POV added to how this story was told. This perspective allowed me to easily get into so many characters heads, and NA Alcorn did a magnificent job of going back and forth between them all seamlessly. It allowed me to know and love them all so easily. I honestly don’t think this story would’ve been the same without this perspective, as it just highlighted and exemplified every fantastic aspect of the book and characters.
Adrenalin pumping moments. Covertly Strong is bursting with adrenalin pumping moments. Some of those moments result from the intense action of the book, but just as many are a result of the high level of emotion and love firing through the pages and characters. Those moments were exceptional. They also made every heart pounding moment, or pulse rate inducing character feel so real to me, and with each additional adrenalin pumping moment I connected more deeply to the story and Sloan and Nixon.
Black Mamba for the win! There is no better group of guys to read, than the members of Nixon’s SEAL team, Black Mamba. I am more anxious than ever to get my hands on those guys. They are each different in their own way, but wholly engaging throughout, and I loved them all. You will get moments of them through this book that are highly memorable and will stick with you. These guys are hysterical and will leave you with one helluva smirk, but they’re also the strongest of brothers that will no doubt adhere themselves to your heart in an instant.
The tenacious power of love. I can’t describe enough to you how powerful Sloan and Nixon’s love is. It grew when they were young, and it did a lot of things when they were apart. Covertly Strong explores what happens when these two and their utterly powerful love are thrown together again. The fight that their love brings out in them, their emotions, their feelings, and their vulnerabilities, will just have you feeling the tenacious power of that love, and you’ll realize over and over again why it’s so clearly worth fighting for.

Covertly Strong blew me away with everything it had.

This book brings two fiercely strong and determined characters together in such a way that will have you feeling the intensity of all that is between them, while making you want to fight like hell right along with them. You will love Nixon and Sloan. You will want to fight for Nixon and Sloan. You will love all the pages, all the heart rate inducing moments, and all the emotion and feeling you get to experience with Nixon and Sloan.

Covertly Strong has so many aspects that set it apart from other books you’ve read. These aspects make this book, its story, and its highly engaging characters wholly unique and truly enthralling to read.

I guarantee you’ve never read a book quite like this one, but remember, that’s what makes all the difference.

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N. A. Alcorn is the author of the best-selling in humorous fiction, Infamous Series. She is excited to take this leap into the Romantic Suspense genre and hopes that you enjoy Nix & Sloan’s story as much as she did writing it. She would love to hear from you!

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Email: authornaalcorn@gmail.com

Just click the link below and you’ll magically find yourself at my review for Bait by M. Mabie. Be sure to click that link because that will send you straight into Blake & Casey land, and that is a truly wonderful place to be. Trust me.

My review of Bait by M. Mabie

And just a little more tease before you go…

2Nov2014

Review Post: Bait by M. Mabie

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts by mkcooke

So today at The Never Ending Book Basket I have a 2 for one special for you! Two reviews for the price of one. And lucky for you, there’s no price! Covertly Strong and Bait were both beyond fabulous, and I LOVED them both. Below you will find my review for Bait, and at the bottom of this post you’ll find a link to my review post on Covertly Strong. Be sure to check out both for all the fun because I HIGHLY recommend both of these books!!

Bait

Book One in The Wake Series

By M. Mabie

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He was trouble from the start, but I couldn’t resist.
She was the best kind of trouble. The kind that was so wrong, it felt right.

I’ve tried and failed to stay away from him.
I’ve done everything in my power to make her mine and keep her.

He’s almost impossible to say no to.
She never tells me yes.

We’re always fighting.
When we’re not fighting, we’re… well… making up.

He makes me laugh so hard.
I miss her laugh the most.

I’m a liar.
She knows the truth, but won’t admit it.

Sometimes, I wish I’d never met him.
I wish we could meet all over again. I’d do better.

His sweet girlfriend knows.
The guy she’s with is a fool.

I’ll never love anyone like I love him.
She doesn’t love me enough to choose us.

It was the wrong place.
It was the wrong time.

It should have been him.
It will always be her.

Just a little tease….

5 AMAZING Stars

To say that Bait by M. Mabie was phenomenal is not doing this book the immense justice it deserves. I could use every positive adjective in the mother effing dictionary, and that still wouldn’t capture all that this book is. I could even add in some choice expletives to emphasize all those adjectives, and that still wouldn’t come close to doing this writer’s magnificent book and writing what it truly warrants.

I could go on and on about the shear amazingness of this book.

Don’t believe me? When I had the amazing opportunity to test read Bait, I sent the author a whopping 21 pages of “I love your book to the moon and back” type notes.

I had notes for days. I couldn’t stop thinking about Bait. I still can’t stop thinking about Bait.

That’s how much this book got to me. That’s how much it made me feel and think with every fiber I had as I realized that Blake and Casey land, aka Bait, would be a book I’d never experienced before. That’s how I knew this book and Blake & Casey would cement themselves permanently to my heart.

This book had me hooked, lined, and sinkered. Pun intended. (Read the book and you’ll get that.)

Clearly we can surmise that I LOVED this book with everything I had. (Oh, and that brevity and subtlety and I are clearly not friends at all.)

What was exceptional & utterly outstanding about Bait:

Unconventional Blake and Casey land. Let me tell you a little bit about Blake and Casey land. It’s full of flaws, and it’s messy as all get out. It’s full of love, it’s full of heat, and it’s brimming with more passion, pain, emotion and feeling than an episode of a Shonda Rhimes TV show. It’s full of vulnerability that you’ll feel so deep in your heart. It’s also full of red pants and a honeybee, and it’s got two characters whom I adore with all I’ve got. Blake and Casey land is a pretty unconventional place to be, but that’s what makes it what it is. So strap in because Blake and Casey land is a place you’ve never really been before, but once you’re there, you’re never going to want to leave. Ever.
Choices, choices, choices. This book is all about choices: Choosing who you want to be with, and who you really want to be. Choosing what’s right and what’s wrong, and what path to follow. Choosing what you’d fight like hell for, and what you just don’t give a damn about. Choices and decisions guide this story, and Blake & Casey. Those choices aren’t easy in the least bit, and they’re laced with so much thought & emotion. Those choices define this book, and define these two in different ways that will have you looking at them in a whole new light with every choice they make.
The real Blake. Oh, Blake. I loved Blake so very much. She was real, flawed, passionate, & so much more. That girl is also stubborn as all get out. She will put you through a lot in Bait, but boy does she make all that so worth it. I can’t even tell you how much I felt for Blake, how much I cared for her, how much I wanted to slap her silly, yet still wanted to hug her tight through everything. Blake is a unique character you’ve not read or experienced before, and you’ll be surprised with how much you love her, but love her you will. Reading her try to find the real her within all the chaos and confusion that is life and expectations and desires for the known instead of the unknown was beyond outstanding. Blake is a just an exceptional gem of a female character to read.
Utterly endearing Casey. Casey is one of my favorite male characters EVER. He stole my heart with his so utterly endearing heart, and you will fully feel and experience all that he does in Bait. Casey wears his heart on his sleeve, and that man feels with all he’s got. It was truly superb to read a male character who felt like he did. Casey and his charming curly haired head will win you over in a heartbeat. In all those moments where he throws his heart into the ring and puts it all on the line, you’ll be there feeling and loving that level of heart he’s putting out. It’s impossible not to love him. It’s also impossible to not want to tug on his hair. (Trust me, I know.) Casey is going to melt your heart repeatedly with all that he is, and you will revel in that feeling in every moment.
The PHENOMENAL push and pull. I have never read a book with more push and pull than Bait. Push and pull should be the definition of this book, and boy is it phenomenal with a capital P. It characterizes Blake and Casey’s relationship, and what they feel for each other. It continues on through the book, and continues to build in such a terrific and highly engaging way that will leave you in awe of the literal push and pull you feel. I am telling you, you will be in awe of that.
All the feels. I’ll repeat: All. The. Feels. I’ve yet to stop feeling this book. The level of feeling in Bait is outstanding. You will feel the highest of highs at times filled, the heat and electricity sparking and steaming at others, and the unavoidable lows laced with so much in between. These characters experience every emotion imaginable, and you in turn experience all of those emotions through them. I don’t have the right amount of words to describe how wholly powerful and unforgettable that level of feeling is. Those feels coupled with the heart rate inducing moments that so thoughtfully occur in Bait will leave you breathless, in love and in hate, frustrated, passionate, and most of all, in amazement of it all.
Supporting characters for the win. There are some truly amazing supporting characters that burst their way through this book. I absolutely adored every single one of them, and I adored them for the uniqueness each of them brought to this book. They each added their own little spice, and I cannot tell you how much I adore all of them for the different little selves that they are. These characters weave their way through effortlessly, and what they bring to the story itself is nothing short of wonderful. They are all highly memorable, and I can’t wait for the day when I get to know each of them better. (Because I’ve also got no shame, I’ll put it out there now that Reggie is mine.)
The idiosyncrasies of Blake & Casey. Blake and Casey are kind of weird. They do their own thing, in their own ways, and it works in such a way that is just fabulously different. I adore that about them. The interesting things they do and say, along with the weird ass things that occasionally cross their minds when they’re together, all combine to make them peculiar and tad bit weird, but that is one of their greatest asset as characters. It’s just another reason you will simply love and accept them for all they are.
The fight for it all. I can’t even begin to describe how much fight is in this book. Blake is fighting to find the real her. Casey is fighting for Blake. They’re both fighting to figure out what in the world they have together, and at some point or another they’re each fighting for what they have, want, & can’t live without. These two are stubborn as all get out, but they are determined as hell to fight with everything they’ve got. By the end of the first chapter you will be fighting right along with them. You’re going to care for them, and love them through and through. Even when you want to slap them upside the head or give up on them, you will still want to fight for what they have together because it’s that powerful.

Bait is not your conventional love story. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. You’ve got to fight like hell for it all with Blake & Casey. It’s not always sunshine and roses, in fact it rarely is, but that is why this book is OUTSTANDING. I will repeat: This book is outstanding because of the remarkably intricate and crafted pieces M. Mabie creates that sets this book, story, and characters apart.

Blake and Casey might not have a typical love story but that’s why I LOVE them something fierce. They’re messy, raw, and they eff it up more often than not, but they’re trying and they’re real, and I couldn’t love them more. (Though I think M. Mabie is bound and determined to have me loving them more and more with every brilliant word she teases me with.)

When you sit down and read Bait, you won’t just be reading it; you’ll be experiencing it and feeling it all fully. You’ll. Feel. Every. Damn. Thing. That full envelopment within a book is a genuine rarity, and Bait provides that extraordinary reading experience times ten.

Bottom line: this book is a gem bursting with literal amazingness, and is not to be missed.

It is one of the best books I have ever read, so sail your butt right into Bait and anchor into Blake and Casey land as soon as humanly possible.

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M. Mabie is the author of the best-selling in humorous fiction book, Fade In.

She would love to hear from you!

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Email: mmabieauthor@live.com

Just click the link below and you’ll magically find yourself at my review for Covertly Strong by NA Alcorn. Get to clicking that link because you will want to get acquainted with one Nixon West as soon as humanly possible. Trust me.

My review of Covertly Strong by NA Alcorn

And a just a bit more tease before you go…..

30Oct2014

Releasing Now: The Hart Family Series by Ella Fox

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts by mkcooke

ONLY $0.99!!

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Broken Hart excerpt

Raising my eyes to him, I checked to see if he was noticing what was happening, only to find his eyes blazing back into mine. The look he gave me was pure combustible heat, and it left me with absolutely no doubt that he felt whatever was happening too.

He shook his head as though he was trying to clear it, and returned to massaging as I closed my eyes and tried to process what the hell was happening—and my reaction to it. When he rubbed the arch of my foot again, I couldn’t help it, and I moaned. My eyes snapped open, and I prayed that maybe he hadn’t heard me.

His hand slid from the arch of my foot up to my left ankle as his other hand gripped my right ankle. Using my ankles as leverage, he jerked me toward him. I wasn’t dumb and I knew what that meant. Clearly, he had heard me. I was trying to process all of that as he bent forward and kissed first one knee, then the other.

I took a shocked breath and my jaw dropped as I stared at the top of his head. Raising his eyes to mine, Dante asked, “Rina. I want this. Do you?”

The line was shockingly easy to cross.

Looking him straight in the eye I answered honestly and without hesitation. “Yes. God, yes.”

Loving Hart excerpt

He looked gorgeous, as always, and I struggled to remember to breathe for a minute. He works out like a mad man, and his body is to die for. After giving me a kiss and a hug, Spence escorted me into his living room. Taking a spot on his couch, I smiled when he took the seat at the other end.

“What’s up angel? What do you need?”

I’d already decided not to beat around the bush, so I dove right in. “Don’t flip out. I’m here because I need to kiss you again, and I want you to give me my first orgasm. It’s time.”

I paused when he gasped, and I could see that he was going to argue with me. “Shush Spence. Listen to me before you say no.”

He nodded tersely, so at least I knew he was listening.

“I’m a virgin, and we both know I’m saving it for you.”

The look on his face was a mixture of shock, discomfort and arousal. “Jesus, Delilah, shoot straight much? That’s… I mean… I don’t know what the fuck to even say.”

“You can cut the crap and admit that you’ve known all along that I was waiting for you. I don’t mind waiting, not that I’m going to sit on my ass forever, but before I start taking care of my needs myself, I want you to get me there. I want all my firsts to happen with you.”

“Oh, fuck. I don’t even…”

Holding up my hand, I told him to hush. “You can run from everyone else Spencer Cross, but you’ll never be able to run from me. I know you want this and you’ve wanted it for a long time. You’ve been waiting for me to come to you again. Well, here I am. Someday, you’ll have all of me. Until you’re ready to take that step, I’m asking you to give me this.”

I saw the exact moment that he accepted what I’d said as being true, and I knew he was going to do it. His eyes were like a firestorm when he looked at me. “If this is what you really want angel, then yes. You’re right. I want to give it to you. Tell me how you want me to do this.”

Standing, I took his hand in mine as I started walking toward his bedroom. I walked fast, letting go of his hands when we got in so that I could throw myself on his bed. After enjoying a little bounce, I propped myself on my elbow and stared at him as he stood over the bed.

“You can start by kissing me. How it goes from there is up to you.”

Missing Hart excerpt

Turning on my heel I ran for the door, desperate to be away from him. I swung it open at the same moment he reached a hand out and slammed it. Pivoting, I glared up at him. “What the hell are you doing? You can’t let go of the past and I’m done being your fucking punching bag. What do you want?”

Pushing me roughly against the door he wrapped his fingers in my hair and pulled me against him.

“You! Goddammit, I fucking want you.”

We met each other halfway, mouths smashing against each other in a kiss so intense that it was painful. My body went up in flames, the blood in my veins flowing hot for him. Our hands collided as we started ripping at each other’s clothes. He bunched my skirt up to my waist and tore my panties off as I struggled to get his jeans open. Finally I succeeded, reaching in and pulling his massively swollen erection out of his jeans and positioning it right at my center, marveling out how wet I was as I drenched his swollen head with my arousal.

With one hard thrust, he was in so deep that it hurt. After not being penetrated for four years, he filled me to capacity and then some. I screamed out in ecstasy and clawed at his shirt as his hips pumped into me at warp speed. My back was banging against the door with every punishing thrust and I didn’t care. I felt him in every part of my body as he pounded in and out, our mouths smashed together as we kissed like two maniacs. We were a mess of teeth and tongue, the pain turning immediately into pleasure.

Just a little tease….

Ella Fox writes like a woman possessed whenever she gets the chance! She is the author of The Hart Family Series, The Renegade Saints Series and The Catch Series.

When she’s not writing, Ella indulges the gypsy in her blood and travels the country. Ella loves reading, movies, music, buying make-up, reading Tmz, Twitter and pedicures… not necessarily in that order. She has a wild sense of humor and loves to laugh. Her favorite thing in the world is hanging out with her family and watching comedy movies.

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Click the link below to enter the giveaway! You could win a KINDLE!!!

Title: Affliction (Knights Rebels MC #2)

Author: River Savage

Release Date: November 30, 2014

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Cover Designer: LM Creations

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*****5 Amazing Stars*****

Just a bit more tease….

Read my 5* review here: Incandescent Review

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So let’s start our crash course into this PHENOMENAL series…

Changing Course

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Stolen Course

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Among The Echoes

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Broken Course

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Starless Nights

By: Kathryn Andrews

Release Date: November 10, 2014

***** 5 Beyond Amazing Stars *****

Just a little tease…

Drops of Rain (Hale Brothers Book 1)

Starless Nights (Hale Brothers Book 2)

I seriously cannot recommend this book to y’all more so be sure to grab it today!! You will not be sorry!! I promise!

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Starless Nights

By: Kathryn Andrews

Release Date: November 10, 2014

Just a little tease…

Drops of Rain (Hale Brothers Book 1)

Starless Nights (Hale Brothers Book 2)

Be sure to stay tuned for my review of Starless Nights, which is coming very soon. I promise that this book and Beau and Leila will just blow you way immensely. This book was PHENOMENAL, and I couldn’t recommend it to you more, so be sure to grab it now!

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Title: Broken Course (Wrecked and Ruined, #3)

Author: Aly Martinez

Release Date: November 10, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Just a little tease….

Wrecked and Ruined

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One year ago I hit publish on The Never Ending Book Basket. EEEEEKK!!

I cannot believe my blog is celebrating its first year anniversary. Seriously. How in the hell did that happen?

Where It All Began: You see, I have this idea…

What I’ve Learned: And yeah, I actually learned shit!

IT’S THANK YOU TIME!!

You are all the best. And I wish I could give you a hug. And that might be creepy and crazy and a tad bit weird, but do you honestly expect anything less from me at this point?

Thank you all for 365 days of fun, books, crazy, and everything else in between. It’s been one helluva ride, and I for one look forward to doing many more of these anniversary posts in the future.

Oh, and did I mention I really heart you all something fierce?

Because I do.

Like a lot. ❤

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Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Day: October 29

Conflagration is the second in an Explosive spin-off series called The Wellingtons.

Can be read as a standalone

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Just a little tease….

*****5 Fantastic Stars*****

The Wellingtons

Additional Books by Tessa Teevan

Explosive series

Sweet Southern series

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5 Amazing Stars

**Read my 5* review here: Incandescent Review**

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* 5 Beyond Amazing Stars *

5 Fantastic Stars

5 Kickass Stars

5 AMAZING Stars