Wednesday, February 12, 2014

**Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Enticing Interlude ~ Michelle Mankin**


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Title: Enticing Interlude ~ Series:  Tempest Series # 2
Genre ~ New Adult

To the talented vocalist Justin Jones, love is merely a game that he plays by his own rules.
But to Bridget Dubois, love and heartache are one and the same.
Broken too many times before, the delicate beauty keeps her emotions carefully concealed. Bridget has her own set of rigid rules when it comes to men. She prefers to avoid them altogether, especially dangerously seductive auburn haired emerald eyed players like Justin.
But the new lead singer of the rising rock band Tempest doesn’t like to be ignored. Justin is used to getting what he wants, and now he’s set his sights on Bridget.
Suddenly, it’s no longer a game.
What do you do when the one you can’t have turns out to be the one you can’t live without?
As the pressure builds, will it temper them or will it shatter them both like fragile crystal?
*Each book in the Tempest series focuses on a different band member so technically they could be read alone, BUT would be much more enjoyable if read in order because of character back stories & continuing story lines*


A portion of proceeds from this book go to Covenant House. http://www.covenanthouse.org/ They have a helping hand for single mother’s program that acknowledges that being a good mom is one of the toughest jobs in the world but also one of the most important. The program offers free on-site day care so moms can complete their education or hold down a job. “It would be so much easier with someone else to rely on.”—Bridget Dubois 




 
After reading Irresistible Refrain and the Black Cat Records series, I was excited to dive into the world of Tempest again and to get Justin's story. Enticing Interlude is very well-written, as I've come to expect from Michelle Mankin. The characters are likable and I enjoyed the story. But it lacked the 'grab you by the throat' element that Irresistible Refrain had. I felt like we missed out on something in this whirlwind courtship - it all moved a little too fast for me. I loved the story though. Seeing Justin grow up and seeing Bridget finally gain a bit of confidence and let the past go, was emotional and heartwarming.

Justin Jones, twin brother to Avery who is the lead guitarist for Brutal Strength, is still trying to find his way following a bad relationship gone wrong and a stint in drug rehab. He's a talented musician, though. Mary Timmons, CEO of Black Cat Records, decides to take a chance on him and offers him the lead singer position of Tempest. Although Justin knows he'll have big shoes to fill since Warren Jinkins left, he's nonetheless stoked at the chance.

Bridget Dubois has come to Vancouver with her 5 year old son, Carter, in tow, because she had to run from her old life in order to start anew. After losing her Meemaw, the only loving family she had left, she couldn't take dealing with her evil step-mother or the asshat father of her son. She'd met Lace Lowell in rehab and it's to Lace Bridget turns to for help. I really liked Bridget. She's kind and courageous, yet guarded, which is to be expected. She's making the best life possible for herself and Carter, despite being a young mom. I admired her desire to be a good mom and make something of herself.

When Justin and Bridget first meet, there's an immediate attraction. But Bridget doesn't date - has closed herself off from men PERIOD - since her relationship with hateful Richard left her alone and pregnant at 15. Justin has been known as a player and it's going to take a lot of work to break down Bridget's walls. But Justin is also extremely loyal and caring, and Bridget and Carter bring out the protectiveness in him.

As I said, I enjoyed seeing Justin grow into the wonderful young man he's meant to be. And I delighted in how Justin affected Bridget - helped her to blossom - to shrug off the insecurities she's carried for so long. But I would have liked for more backstory on Bridget. We were told about her horrible step-mom and the abuse she suffered at her hands and Carter's dad, but more details would have helped me connect with her better. Likewise, I felt that we didn't get to witness enough of Justin and Bridget together initially to warrant their intense feelings. Because of the dual POV format, I knew how Justin felt - and I know his history; I know the kind of man he could be. I didn't feel like I got enough of Bridget's history to really understand her on that deeper level. Also, with Avery and Marcus' presence, as well as Lace and Bryan's, the other Tempest players, and Avery and Justin's dad's health deteriorating, there was quite a bit going on. Maybe that's why Justin and Bridget's story wasn't as robust as I'd have liked.

Still, I really enjoyed Enticing Interlude. I fell in love with Carter and adored watching him charm everyone. And I was thrilled with the maturity both Justin and Bridget exhibited. And I cannot wait for Captivating Bridge, the next book in the series. It's War's story and promises to be an intense read!


 

MICHELLE MANKIN is the author of the Black Cat Records series of novels. Romance with subtext. For many years she worked in the insurance industry as an underwriter. Somehow, the boredom didn’t kill her but the hour and hours of looking at facts and figures provided ample time for her mind to wander. Black Cat Records in Vancouver provides the central backdrop for all of Michelle’s current novels. Love Evolution, Love Revolution, and Love Resolution are a Brutal Strength centered trilogy, combining the plot underpinnings of Shakespeare with the drama, excitement, and indisputable sexiness of the rock ‘n roll industry. Things take a bit of a darker, edgier, once upon a turn with the Tempest series.  These pierced, tatted, and troubled Seattle rockers are young and on the cusp of making it big, but with serious obstacles to overcome that may prevent them from ever getting there. When Michelle is not prowling the streets of her Texas town listening to her rock music much too loud, she is putting her daydreams down on paper or traveling the world with her family and friends, sometimes for real, and sometimes just for pretend as she takes the children to school and back. BRUTAL STRENGTH SERIES:   Love Evolution Love Revolution Love Resolution TEMPEST SERIES: Irresistible Refrain.
Connect with Michelle Mankin on:
On her website: http://www.michellemankin.com/   

 

Irresistible Refrain – Tempest Series (Book #1)Genre: New Adult
 
Two years ago everything changed for the remaining members of the Seattle rock band Tempest.Two years is a long time.Too long to keep on remembering.Not nearly long enough to forget.In trouble with nowhere else to go songstress Lace Lowell seeks refuge with the band during their stop in New York City. It’s a risky move for her because they are both there, two impossibly good looking men whose lives are inseparably entwined with hers. One who bruised her heart and one who smashed it into pieces.Warren “War” Jinkins, the mercurial lead singer of Tempest, has always had a thing for Lace. But then again so does his best friend and band mate.Bryan “Bullet” Jackson, the sinfully handsome tat-sleeved lead guitarist, has a bad boy reputation befitting his nickname. For the past two years Bullet’s had a rule with the groupies: one time, never twice, leave ‘em satisfied, but always leave ‘em.Two guys, one woman, and a host of dark secrets all together within the tight confines of a tour bus as the group travels cross country.Can the past be forgotten and buried?Will friendships prevail?Or will the three of them succumb to seductive impulses too addictive to resist?** Irresistible Refrain is a gritty rock and roll tale intended for mature readers seventeen and up. Contains sexual situations, strong language, and drug use. **

Brutal Strength series:

Love Evolution: Amazon: http://amzn.to/KZoJS4B&N: http://bit.ly/1j25xkP Love Revolution:Amazon: http://amzn.to/1aeXf43B&N: http://amzn.to/1aeXf43 Love Resolution:Amazon: http://amzn.to/1kwXTQSB&N: http://bit.ly/1cZkZ8T  


ultimate rocker pack” IR+ EI paperback with Black Cat Records tattoo, a BS and Tempest concert bracelet, and a Tempest lanyard with a piece of souloftherose.com rocker jewelry and concert bracelet and GNR & other band stickers.


“grand groupie pack”  IR+ EI paperback with Black Cat Records tattoo, a BS and Tempest concert bracelet, and a Tempest lanyard and an Aerosmith moto inspired black jacket with zip off sleeves & a Black Cat Records luggage tag.


An e-pack with both IR + EI





10 comments:

  1. You got me curious with your teaser yesterday and now you got me very intrigued with your review, Brandee! I always love intense reads with characters to fall for and I'm so happy this book did the magic. I'll be curious to know your thoughts on the next instalment, it definitely sounds like you're going to have a pleasurable time ;)

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    1. It was greatn Silvia! And I'm really looking forward to War's story. This series is just fantastic! I hope you'll check it out. :)

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  2. This definitely sounds like a good series! I love watching characters learn to grow and open up to others. Great review!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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    1. Thanks, Teresa! This is definitely a series you should pick up. I think you'd love it! :)

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  3. Sound like this one did not have a WoW factor but was still an enticing story! Glad it was still good :D likeable characters are always a plus to me. Plus the cover...got to love it!

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    1. It didn't have the angst, I guess, Lily. And apparently I like that! ;) But I did love it and this series is fantastic! I can't wait to see the cover for book #3 and get War's story...talk about angst!

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  4. I need to give this series a try. I'm glad you liked it, despite not feeling that huge pull like IR.
    Nice review, Brandee!

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    1. You definitely should, Andrea. I think you'd love it! And apparently I like a little more angst in my rocker stories! ;) But EI is still a great read.

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  5. Ha! You've mentioned things that I didn't think about LOL. True that surprise about Bridget was a... Surprise. I didn't see that heiress angle coming.

    I however thought they took their time although the fast part was introducing Bridget to his dad before they were an item item.

    Anyway, reading both books back to back made me want to read black cat records, Mary piqued my curiosity

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Now you know what I think...what are your thoughts??