Release Day Review ~ Tempting Tempo ~ Michelle Mankin (@MichelleMankin)

Tempting Tempo by Michelle Mankin
Tempest #5
Release Date: October 13, 2016
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on Kindle but I beta read as well
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis
HE SEES HER IN A WAY SHE COULD NEVER SEE HERSELF.
SHE HAS NEVER FELT MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN WHEN SHE WAS IN HIS ARMS.
Sager Reed, the strong and silent bassist of the rock band Tempest, is well acquainted with loss. The thoughtful artist's own tattoos only hint at his turbulent youth. He buries his guilt about it deeply within his troubled heart.
Melinda T. Belle, the daughter of a dysfunctional rock legend, as a rule avoids emotional entanglement. In fact, she has turned her back on nearly everyone and everything she has ever known. Now she is alone, trying desperately to find fulfillment in the one dream she has left, competitive skiing.
CAN SAGER OVERCOME HIS DARK PAST AND FINALLY BELIEVE THAT HE IS WORTHY OF HER LOVE?
WILL MELINDA REALIZE TOO LATE THAT HE IS THE ONE THAT REALLY MATTERS?

**PSA - The first FOUR books in The Tempest Series (Irresistible Refrain, Enticing Interlude, Captivating Bridge, and Relentless Rhythm) are currently only 99 cents each!! You're welcome!**

Also, because I love y'all and Tempting Tempo is an incredible story that works as a standalone (although I *highly* recommend you read the whole series) I'll gift a copy to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment to be entered. I'll use random.org to pick the winner.

Now, here's my review. ;)

It's been awhile since I spent time with the Tempting Men of Tempest and I must say I relished being back with them. Oh, a few of them made me want to smack 'em for their behavior but that seems standard when spending any time with these bad...er reformed bad boys of rock. Of course, for most of them their behavior significantly changed - for the better - as they've settled down with women who captured their hearts.

In Tempting Tempo, it's Sager's turn. Sager, serious Sager...who's so into Melinda aka Blue that he jumps at the second chance he's given with her. These two get first got cozy in Relentless Rhythm, the previous installment. But betrayal, misunderstandings, and hurt feelings put distance between them. With Tempest reconvening in Vancouver and Sager and Blue bumping into one another, the connection as well as the sparks rekindle.

As per usual in a Tempest novel, Mankin takes on a social issue. This time she targets anorexia. Blue, having grown up in a less than loving home, has a skewed body image. Being a ski cross competitor doesn't help as she feels a lower weight would likely aid her on the course. And then there's her impulsiveness when it comes to making decisions, which generally leads to poor ones. Essentially, Blue feels the only thing she can control is her food intake. Sager sees more though. He sees all her flaws and still seems to love her. A love she finds it difficult to trust.

Sager, naturally, has had his own share of hard times. Growing up in Southside with an abusive dad and drug dealing older brother led to no good. Luckily he found a family with King. That enabled him to get a handle on his anger. Music and art became his outlets but he never believed he'd find someone to love all parts of him. Til Blue.

Of course, the road to love and happiness is bumpy. And I appreciated how Mankin created the obstacles she threw in their way - particularly the life-altering event Blue experiences that allows her to change her perspective, especially regarding herself. I think these two have a few challenges ahead but can weather them together.

I enjoyed that the other members of Tempest and even Brutal Strength are present in varying degrees - some with integral parts. I liked getting glimpses of what life is like for them now and am extremely eager for King's story. And possibly Mary's as well. Oh, but I delighted in seeing past that woman's icy facade.

Full of emotion, a gripping story, smexy scenes that may fog up your reading glasses, and characters that are engaging and genuine, Tempting Tempo is another gem in the Tempest series.

One of the things I've always appreciated and admired about Mankin's Tempest series is her desire to bring awareness to social issues via the story. In Tempting Tempo, she wields her pen for eating disorders. Mankin's son helped her put together the book trailer and a video interview based on questions the National Eating Disorder Association recently posed to her. They worked together on the project for weeks and when they finished, he told her how proud he was of her for speaking publicly about her personal struggles. Here are the trailer video as well as the interview:

Review ~ The Strongest Steel ~ Scarlett Cole

The Strongest Steel by Scarlett Cole
Second Circle Tattoos #1
Release Date: July 7, 2015
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Source: Gift (kindle) from Lexxie <3
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Harper Connelly never expected to find herself outside of a tattoo parlor at one in the morning, summoning the nerve to take back her past. She's determined to forget her old life and is looking for an artist who can tattoo over the scars on her back.

Trent Andrews, local legend and owner of the Second Circle tattoo studio, has his own reasons for specializing in inking over scars. And in spite of her mysterious past and the difficult road ahead, he quickly realizes that Harper is funny, smart, and--under her ridiculously oversized clothing and SPF 100 sunscreen--totally hot. He's happy to take on the challenge of designing a meaningful and deadly full-back tattoo for her.

But when cryptic messages start appearing on Harper's phone, strange deliveries arrive at her door, and Second Circle is vandalized, Harper is convinced that her ex-boyfriend has tracked her down, and worse, that he knows about Trent. Running was the only thing that saved her last time, but now that she's started to put down roots in Miami, she'll have to decide if she can finally fight back instead.

"I love words. I love the structure of language and I love awe-inspiring writing." -Harper, pg 150

A girl after my own heart, I couldn't help but adore Harper!

Thank you, Lexxie, for the gift of this amazing book!! I didn't re-read the synopsis or Lexxie's review before diving in, so I went in only expecting a great read. It was a great read but it was so much more than I could have hoped. Seriously, if you have read this yet, hop to it! *wink*

Harper, as I stated, was a girl after my own heart. I'm not sure I could be as strong as she's been in the face of all she's endured though. And she'd argue the point of her being strong but she so is. Watching as she emerges from her self-imposed cocoon was beautiful. She didn't - couldn't - trust many. But there was something about Trent that spoke to her soul. And her spirit truly seems to have been forged in steel. Seeing her realize she was worth fighting for and stand on her own - *sigh* - it was something to behold.

Trent is one of the most appealing heroes I've had the pleasure to read. He's muscle-bound, tattooed, and all-man but he's soft-hearted, compassionate, and knows his Dante. *wink* He saw something in Harper, something besides the need to protect her, and he worked at getting what he wanted. He grew emotionally as well and although he'd experienced nothing as harrowing as what Harper had, he learned to let go and move past things that were putting an obstacle between them.

I can't not mention my extreme appreciation for Ms. Cole's nod to great literature. That she uses Dante as such an integral part of the series (Second Circle) and in Harper and Trent's story thrilled me...so much symbolism. And it added that much more depth and pleasure to an already incredible story.

Character development, strong plot, and an element of suspense all melded together for an excellent read. I'm beyond eager to jump into the next installment!

Traveling to the Terminus & #2015HW Review ~ Out of Breath ~ Rebecca Donovan

Part of the reason I put Out of Breath on my Reading Assignment list is because I was so moved by the first 2 in the trilogy but hadn't finished it despite owning the last one! I created the Traveling to the Terminus feature last year in an attempt to encourage myself to catch up on series I've fallen behind on. ;)

***

Out of Breath
Breathing #3
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased paperback
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
Emma leaves Weslyn and everyong in it behind to attend Stanford University, just as she always intended. A shell of her former self, she is not the same girl. She is broken, and the only way that she'll be whole again is through forgiveness. Emma must find a way to forgive herself and recognize her own worth before she can receive the love she deserves. This final installment will have readers holding their breath until the very last page.

I will do my very best to not share anything spoilery since this is the final book in the series.

I first read Reason to Breathe waaay back in 2012 and Barely Breathing shortly thereafter. I had to go back and consult my notes on specifics before starting Out of Breath but I can tell you that Emma's story, overall, is one that has stuck with me. To say it is an emotional one would be a gross understatement. The feelings of pity, terror, sympathy, horror, hope, and love - yes, they run the gamut - weren't so easily forgotten. In Out of Breath, Donovan took me right back to all those places. And she left me feeling overwhelmingly hopeful for Emma and Evan.

Emma Thomas is a young woman who was handed a rotten deck of cards in life. She's suffered traumatic loss, unfathomable abuse, and hate - all at the hands of people who should have loved and protected her. She's always had a good friend and ally in Sara, but her life really changed when she met Evan Mathews.

Evan is a young man with a plan. He is never without a gameplan - knowing what's coming next - sometimes 2 and 3 steps ahead. Emma throws a monkey-wrench in all his planning as she never does what he's expecting. However, he knows she's wroth any and all consequences. She sucker-punched him when she left.

Out of Breath takes place 2 years after the end of Barely Breathing. Emma is barely existing at Stanford and Evan is on the opposite coast. When something happens that sends Emma back to Weslyn, Evan can't keep himself from wanting to be there for Emma, to support her.

In Out of Breath, Emma and Evan try to answer the question "does love conquer all?" Can Emma learn to forgive herself, that being honest, while it can be painful, is integral to trust, and can she learn to believe she deserves to be loved? And can Evan forgive Emma for her decisions and for having taken away his choice?

Donovan delivers a powerful conclusion to Emma and Evan's story, along with all the feels. I found myself caught up in Emma's inner turmoil and sympathizing with her. I also appreciated the parts of the story told from Evan's POV. It helped me understand how intense his feelings for Emma are and the lengths he's willing to go to for her. The only thing I hoped for but didn't get (although the subject was broached) was Emma seeking professional help but I choose to believe she did.

Donovan kept me riveted throughout and left me hopeful and satisfied with where Emma and Evan landed. This series deals with some very tough topics but it's done with aplomb. Donovan has a gift, and gave readers one with Emma and Evan. I eagerly await what she releases next.

There's so much I want to say about this book - how my heart ached for Emma and Evan, how my spirit soared as well. Their's is not an easy or simple story, but it's an incredible read nonetheless.

#2015HW Review ~ Hopeless ~ Colleen Hoover

Hopeless
Hopeless #1
Release Date: December 19, 2012
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased paperback
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies...

That's what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she's never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he's nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn't at all who he's been claiming to be. When the secrets he's been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky's life will change forever.

Why, oh why did I wait so long to read this?? Colleen Hoover is an incredibly talented storyteller. She takes painful topics and weaves amazing stories around them, creating robust characters as well. Hopeless was sometimes funny,

"Relax," I say, after seeing her eye both Holder and Breckin, with concern. "Neither one of them is getting me pregnant this weekend."

sometimes painful,

Despite the fact that I want to be mad at him, I just can't. If he wasn't here right now to comfort me after the realization I just had, I don't know what I would do. He's done nothing but place blame on himself for every single thing that's ever happened to me. I'm beginning to accept the fact that maybe he needs comforting just as much as I do. For that, I allow him to steal another piece of my heart.

sometimes poignant,

"Let's not let this be your life tonight," he says. "Let's get back in the car and pretend we're driving away because we want to...not because we need to. We can pretend I'm taking you somewhere amazing...somewhere you've always wanted to go. You can snuggle up to me and we can talk about how excited we are and we'll talk about everything we'll do when we get there We can talk about the important stuff later. But tonight...let's not let this be your life."

sometimes awe-inspiring,

"Fuck all the firsts, Sky. The only thing that matters to me with you are the forevers."
I kiss him. Holy shit, do I kiss him. I kiss him with every ounce of emotion that's coursing through me. He cradles my head with his hand and lowers me back to the bed, climbing on top of me. "I love you," he says. "I've loved you for so long but I just couldn't tell you. It didn't feel right letting you love me back when I was keeping so much from you."

Both Sky and Holder have painful, traumatic pasts. Hoover wraps them in love, healing, dreams, and possibilities. She shows that there must always be darkness in order to have light.

**Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Relentless Rhythm ~ Michelle Mankin**

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Michelle Mankin's Relentless Rhythm, which releases TODAY! Y'all know how much I adore this series and Dizzy's story was awesome! I have my review for y'all as well as a giveaway! You can also join the Facebook Release Day Party here.

***

Relentless Rhythm
Tempest Series #4
Release Date: October 9, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads ~ Amazon

Synopsis
The one she really wants is out of reach.

The one he really needs is already taken.

Dizzy Lowell, rhythm man for the rising rock band Tempest is a izard on the guitar and a wonder with women. But the hookup specialist hides his emotional scars beneath his suave exterior. He never lets anyone truly touch him.

April Reynolds, the confident bartender of the Diamond Mine, knows her way around a cocktail, but Dizzy has her all mixed up. She knows what’s safe. She’s tired of settling, though. It would be so easy to fall under his spell.

Except for that ring around her finger.

Two searching souls separated by a thin metal band.

Some dreams are dangerous.

Some secrets shouldn’t be shared.


Sometimes what we wish for most can never be.

Does it say something about me that I love a story with two broken main characters? Broken but not unfixable - that's what I like. Relentless Rhythm delivered in spades. I'd been waiting for Dizzy's story and it was well worth the wait.

Dizzy Lowell is a player extraordinaire. He never makes it past a quick rendezvous in the most conveniently accessible location - bathroom stall, alley, wherever will do. We know about his childhood as he's Lace's brother. We know his mom was a crack head but in this story, we learn the extent of the abuse he suffered as a kid. And his suffering left him feeling unworthy of love and affection. When he lays eyes on April, something shifts. And as he spends more time with her, he starts to suspect April is hiding something as he alternately sees her strong side and her vulnerable side. Even more importantly, this time spent with April has Dizzy hoping that maybe he's not completely broken. However, they have a slight barrier to their progressing past friendship - April's wedding band.

April Reynolds is a bartender at The Mine. She's been watching Dizzy since he first set foot in the bar. She's seen enough to know he's a player but she can't seem to resist watching him. When Dizzy turns his attention and observant eye on her, she does her best to pull away. After all, she is married and to a dangerous man. But she can't deny the pull between them. Plus, the more time she spends getting to know him, the more she realizes there's a kind and caring man hidden beneath the rock star persona.

The relationship between Dizzy and April was a slow-burn. This made sense, as April is married, but it also made for a beautiful courtship. I liked seeing this tender side to Dizzy and April had me pulling for her - she deserved some dream fulfillment.

I really like the overarching plot that ties all these stories together. It adds another layer to the complexity as well as adding suspense. I also enjoy how Mankin weaves music into the story - it is about a rock band after all - so I appreciate the lyrics woven in, the concert scenes, etc. And I've mentioned in previous reviews that each book has its own element for social awareness. Relentless Rhythm's is abuse. 

The culmination of events was a little predictable yet still suspenseful. I'd figured out parts of what happened but was still shocked by others. Also, I enjoyed the part Sager and King played in it. Getting more time with these two was enlightening and fun. I like them so well I'll be happy no matter who gets the next book. I'm eager to learn more about the rest of Tempest and to see the bigger story's resolution.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

Connect with Michelle Mankin on:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website

Receive the Black Cat Records newsletter: http://eepurl.com/Lvgzf

**Other Books from Michelle**

Brutal Strength series:

Love Evolution

Love Revolution

Love Resolution

Tempest series:

Irresistible Refrain

Enticing Interlude

Captivating Bridge

**Promotional Event ~ Delicate Anniversary ~ Steph Campbell**

I'm thrilled to be a part of the celebration for the 2-Year Anniversary of Delicate by Steph Campbell. I have all the details for the book, a few teasers, and a giveaway for y'all today. If you've read Delicate, be sure to let me know your thoughts. :)

***

Delicate by Steph Campbell
Age: Mature YA
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 2012
Goodreads

Synopsis
Sydney Pierce has just met the guy of her dreams...just don’t tell her psycho boyfriend, Trevor.

With a gorgeous boyfriend, a thriving gymnastics career and a stellar academic record, anyone would assume that Sydney has it all. That's precisely what the seventeen-year-old perfectionist wants you to believe, and she works hard to keep up the pretense. Especially now that there are cameras following her for a documentary on Olympic hopefuls.

When Grant, the charming new student, disrupts her carefully crafted routine, the cracks beneath her perfect façade begin to rise to the surface and despite Trevor's objections to their friendship, she can't stay away from him.

As her connection to Grant pulls her closer to him, the once lighthearted relationship with Trevor takes an intense and dark turn, forcing her into a position in which not only her happiness, but her safety is at stake. Can Sydney learn to let go of everything she is clinging to in order to gain everything she has ever wanted, or will she realize her breaking point too late?

“Sydney,” he says tightly. 

“Grant,” I joke back, trying to mimic his serious tone. 

Still, I refuse to look up. I can’t. I don’t want to look into those eyes. 

“Syd, look at me,” he says. The way my name sounds coming from his lips is more than I can handle right now. 

I give nothing in response. I am frozen. 

He lets out an audible sigh and reaches out with a single finger and tilts my chin up so that he can see my face. I don’t flinch away, but I still avoid his eyes. 

“What the hell happened to you?” Grant demands. His voice is thoughtful but firm. 

“I tripped and fell down the stairs at my house,” I say with a light laugh. He’s quiet. 

Good. Let’s leave it at that. 

“I don’t believe you,” he finally says. 

“I tripped, drop it,” I say through my teeth. 

“Jesus Christ, just wait until I—” his voice is protective and full of anger. My eyes dart up at his threat. At the thought of him confronting Trevor. That would ruin everything. Forever. 

“I fell down the stairs. That’s it,” I say firmly. Tears form in my eyes. My nose and chin burn as I fight them off. I can’t cry. I’m determined to make Grant believe me. 

Grant stares back at me. I can tell by the look in his eyes that he still doesn’t buy it. 

“Please,” I say quietly. “Please. Let it go, for me.” My voice has become a tortured beg.

He finally breaks our stare and looks down at his hands. He nods his head once, then turns toward the front of the classroom. 

Not another word is spoken between Grant and me.

1 signed copy of Delicate and an audiobook of Grounding Quinn

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Steph Campbell grew up in Southern California, but now calls Southwest Louisiana home. She has one husband, four children and a serious nail polish obsession.

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