Review ~ Where We Fell ~ Amber L. Johnson

Where We Fell by Amber L. Johnson
Release Date: October 28, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on Kindle
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Oliver Bishop is having a seriously bad day. With one diagnosis, his life suddenly has an expiration date. Confused by the numbness he feels upon hearing the news, he decides that he needs some time to come to terms with it. One decision to visit his favorite diner causes him to unwittingly put himself directly in the sights of a girl that just may give him a reason to fight - and to live.

Because there's a difference between living and just being alive.

Amber (yes, we're on a first name basis - I met her at RT last year) quickly made my list of favorite authors after I read Puddle Jumping. She brilliantly crafts stories that are compelling, bring all the feels, and are inhabited with the most unique yet real characters. And she does this no matter the length of the book. Where We Fell was no exception.

Oliver has just had his world tilted off its axis. In an attempt at some normalcy, he heads over to his favorite diner. Enter Hannah - his waitress who makes quite an impression. From there, things get interesting.

As Oliver deals with his life altering diagnosis, Hannah, who knows a thing or two about living with a life altering diagnosis, goes about showing Oliver how to really live.

Amber does an amazing job in conveying the reality of the impact of such a diagnosis - on the person, their family and friends. She also wrote a lovely story of first love, wringing emotions out of me over the unfairness of life. In Oliver, we see a young man whose life just veered off course. He had path and he's not very hopeful about things getting back on track. Hannah is a breath of fresh air. She sees something in Oliver and she sets about giving him the hope he's lacking. Their story felt so real, so heartbreaking and heartwarming, and Amber did all this is such few pages!

Y'all know I'm a big believer in things happening the way they're supposed to, so I very much enjoyed Oliver and Hannah's story. They came into each other's lives for a reason and at just the right time. I'd love to see more from them. But until then, I'll content myself with reading her other backlist - the few I haven't gotten to. I have a feeling she won't disappoint.

That's What HE Said #57 ~ Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #38

That's What He Said is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely ladies @Chapter Break. Here's the deal: every Thursday, post a line from your book boyfriend to his heroine. Keep in mind, these are direct quotes from dialog in the books. The quote doesn't have to be romantic - just something our hunky hero said to his lucky lady. Be sure to link up over at Chapter Break as well.

My pick this week for That's What He Said is from:

Where We Fell by Amber L. Johnson

***

"We're not guaranteed much in this world, but if you're lucky, someone might come along and will show you exactly how much life there is to live."

*~*~*~*~*~*

Hannah, a waitress at Oliver's favorite diner, just spilled coffee all over his order, ruining his BLT and soaking him. This is how she attempts to make it up to him. :)

"We have the best pie. Ever. I'll get you a piece of that. On me. I made about three dollars in tips today, so I can cover it." She's just said she's poor but she's smiling. "You're not allergic to nuts or whatever, right? Because I swear the peanut butter pie is made by angels and kissed by Jesus before it's plated."
I actually laugh. "No. No allergies."
"Great. I'd hate to be responsible for the death of someone so damn cute."
If only she knew...
She's back in two minutes with a plate and two forks. With a heavy sigh, she takes her apron off and plants herself across from me in the booth. She slips her feet underneath her butt, leaning forward to jam her fork in the top of the pie. "You said you weren't all that hungry, so I figured I'd help you eat it. Since I'm buying and all."

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway~ For Authentication Purposes ~ Amber L. Johnson

Presents...

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Amber L. Johnson's For Authentication Purposes. I have all the details about the book and my review for y'all.

***

For Authentication Purposes

Published by The Writers Coffee Shop

Release Date: March 5 , 2015

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Source: I received a complimentary copy from TWCS in exchange for an honest review

Rating: 4 Bookworms

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis

Dawn Sims has made a name for herself writing romantic fiction online. When she's pushed to try her hand at publishing, she thinks she has everything figured out. The only problem? She's never been in a relationship, especially one that has led her to finding The Big O.

So much for writing what you know.

Warner Green has had Dawn in his sights since she walked into his class in seventh grade. She broke his teenage heart not once, but twice, so seeing her in his night class at the local community college was an unexpected surprise.

Accidentally reading her bad erotica on her laptop was a blessing from the Smut Gods themselves.

It's clear she has no idea what she's writing about, but Warner does. In fact, he knows so much that he's willing to offer her his services. The deal is simple: teach the good girl from high school everything she needs to know to write from experience. If he gets to live out a fantasy or two that he's been harboring for almost a decade, then there's no harm in that either.

The lessons turn more heated, and Dawn begins to question where Warner has learned his skills, but he's not ready to talk, until his past comes back to haunt him at the worst possible time.

It shouldn't matter when it's for authentication purposes only.

I adore Johnson's voice. She tells a story in such a relatable way, and with, what I've come to expect, her signature humor. For Authentication Purposes didn't pack quite the emotional punch that I found in previous reads from her but it was certainly a lot a fun!

Dawn and Warner, aka Bunny and Wardo, have known each other since junior high. They orbited one another for all these years - and now find themselves in a college class together.

Following an incident in class, Warner discovers that Dawn has a problem:

"Your story sucks because it's false. No one wants to read that shit because it's not real. Hell, it's not even much of a fantasy. You have nothing to go off of. The best advice a writer can have is to write what they know. And you know jack shit about sex." -Warner, eARC Loc 351

And it's a problem he's more than happy to help with. If it happens to enable him to accomplish his own goals, all the better.

Johnson referred to For Authentication Purposes as humorotica, and that's an apt description. 

"Shifting a little to look at him, I resisted the urge to kick him in the nuts and lick his neck at the same time." -Dawn, eARC Loc 750

As I said, Dawn and Warner have been in each others' lives for years but witnessing them become better acquainted, taking the time to do away with what they thought they knew about the other, to figure out what they each were all about, was a delight. The hows and whys behind they're doing it even more so.

The story is relayed through alternating POVs. Therefore, I came to care for both Dawn and Warner, getting inside both their heads. I giggle-snorted so many times over their thoughts and during the interactions. That saying, opposites attract, is certainly true of these two. Dawn was so straight-laced and Warner was, well, not so straight-laced. He loved doing and saying things to get under her skin. And Dawn was easy to rile.

For Authentication Purposes is a fun, sweet romance with some smoking sexy times. Johnson has made her way onto my favorite authors list with her dynamic characters and humor.

"Come on. Say it. I know where you're going."
Shifting a little to look at him, I resisted the urge to kick him in the nuts and lick his neck at the same time. I mean he looked pretty hot sitting in my chair eating a muffin. Stupid handsome face and fornication hair paired with what I assumed were dirty jeans and a plaid flannel.
"Fine. I'm going to buy a vibrator with the money you gave me. Happy?"
His smile was full force now. "Hell yeah, I'm happy. Ecstatic, even." He chewed around the pastry in his mouth and laughed "I'll come with you to make sure you get the right one."
"Oh, hell no. Being with you in a porn shop is on my list of Things to Never Do before I Die."

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A true child of music, Amber's parents surrounded her with the loudest beats they could find, molding her into a girl who found inspiration and meaning in lyrics and chords. Raised on John Hughes movies, Luck Dragons, and pirate ships, she dreamed of love and adventure. When Amber began to create her own world, she envisioned a place where Happy Ever Afters do exist.

Since then, she has authored several romance novels, all of which focus on songs and the way they can touch people's lives. Music may not be able to fix a broken heart, but it can provide one hell of a soundtrack for healing.

A full-time wife and mother with a full-time job, Amber finds her muse in everyday life and the
people who bring her inspiration.

Twitter * Facebook * Website

Cover Reveal ~ For Authentication Purposes ~ Amber L. Johnson

PRESENTS. . .

A Cover Reveal for

For Authentication Purposes

by Amber L. Johnson

Release Date: March 5 , 2015

Published by The Writers Coffee Shop

Dawn Sims has made a name for herself writing romantic fiction online. When she's pushed to try her hand at publishing, she thinks she has everything figured out. The only problem? She's never been in a relationship, especially one that has led her to finding The Big O.

So much for writing what you know.

Warner Green has had Dawn in his sights since she walked into his class in seventh grade. She broke his teenage heart not once, but twice, so seeing her in his night class at the local community college was an unexpected surprise.

Accidentally reading her bad erotica on her laptop was a blessing from the Smut Gods themselves.

It's clear she has no idea what she's writing about, but Warner does. In fact, he knows so much that he's willing to offer her his services. The deal is simple: teach the good girl from high school everything she needs to know to write from experience. If he gets to live out a fantasy or two that he's been harboring for almost a decade, then there's no harm in that either.

The lessons turn more heated, and Dawn begins to question where Warner has learned his skills, but he's not ready to talk, until his past comes back to haunt him at the worst possible time.

It shouldn't matter when it's for authentication purposes only.

I reached across the table and ran my index finger across the soft skin of her wrist. “Let me feel you up a little like a sophomore who just got his license.”

I loved it when she laughed because it wasn’t anything fake. Her entire body shook when she giggled, and when it was really funny there was no sound. Right now she was probably calling all the dogs in the alley.

“Yeah, okay. We can do that.” She smoothed out her hair when she’s collected herself, and I realized that I hadn’t noticed it before, but she didn’t wear ponytails anymore. It made me want to tug on the ends, fist it at the back of her neck.

Goodreads  * Add to Want To Read List

A true child of music, Amber's parents surrounded her with the loudest beats they could find, molding her into a girl who found inspiration and meaning in lyrics and chords. Raised on John Hughes movies, Luck Dragons, and pirate ships, she dreamed of love and adventure. When Amber began to create her own world, she envisioned a place where Happy Ever Afters do exist.

Since then, she has authored several romance novels, all of which focus on songs and the way they can touch people's lives. Music may not be able to fix a broken heart, but it can provide one hell of a soundtrack for healing.

A full-time wife and mother with a full-time job, Amber finds her muse in everyday life and the
people who bring her inspiration.

Twitter * Facebook * Website

**Blog Tour Early Review & Giveaway ~ Eight Days a Week ~ Amber L. Johnson**

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Amber L. Johnson's Eight Days a Week. My stop includes all the details on the book, my review, and a giveaway!

Eight Days a Week

by Amber L. Johnson
Release Date: November 6, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published by: The Writers Coffee Shop
Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, 
and TWCS PH
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms

A "manny" should always mind his own business. 

And he definitely shouldn’t fall in love with his boss.  

Synopsis

Gwen Stone has secrets she’s not ready to reveal. After a recent promotion at work, she needs a caretaker for her children. She’s frenzied and in a lurch and pretty much ready to hire the first person who comes along. So she does.

Andrew Lyons needs to get out of his sister’s apartment, and a Craigslist posting may be the answer to his prayers. But what he thought was an ad for a room rental turns into a job offer he can’t refuse. Accepting the nanny position could change his life, if only he had a clue how to be a grownup.

A working mother, a shirtless “manny” who looks good in a towel, two children who need more than a babysitter, and hours of kids’ TV can only spell disaster for everyone involved. Because a manny should always mind his own business.

And he definitely shouldn’t fall in love with his boss.

Not too long ago, I read Amber L. Johnson's Puddle Jumping and fell in love with her writing and her voice. So when I was asked if I'd like to read Eight Days a Week, I jumped at the chance. I was not disappointed.

Eight Days a Week was something a little different as Ms. Johnson wrote it from a male's POV. I think she nailed it. Andrew Lyons, when we first meet him, is cocky, rather narcissistic, but smart and talented, with a penchant for playing pranks on his older sister. I wasn't immediately enamored by him, although he did make me laugh. But it wasn't long after his taking a job as a manny that I could see the special man hidden behind the snarky prankster.

Gwen Stone is so selfless and giving, smart, beautiful, but not quite self-assured. When she hires Andrew as a manny for her two children, he, and I, got the impression things were a certain way. But you know what they say about assuming. When the truth of her situation is revealed, I along with Andrew fell even harder for Gwen.

Bree and Brady, Gwen's kids, well...I adored them! They made me laugh and cry. Bree was such an oldest child - so grown up before her time. And Brady, once he started talking to Andrew, stole my heart.

Eight Days a Week is so many things. It's a story of growing up. It's a story of forgiveness. It's a story of finding yourself and finding love. And it's a story about coming home - once you figure out where home is. It's a lovely, heartwarming, and emotional story.

Since I have an avid Beatles fan in my house, I quite enjoyed the song and album titles used as chapter headings. The way they related to the chapters was brilliant. I asked my son if there was a pattern to them but he didn't see one. I had thought maybe there was a correlation between the Beatles' growth as song writers and Andrew's growth. Whether or not it exists, I truly enjoyed watching Andrew mature - and Gwen, Bree, and Brady's role in it.

Eight Days a Week gave me another reason to love Johnson's writing. She has a way of creating rich characters and poignant stories. I look forward to reading more from her.

Goodreads * Add to Want To Read List

Amber is a full-time mom and a full-time wife who is employed full time and writes when she can. She believes in Happily Ever Afters that occur every day—despite the obstacles real life serves up on a regular basis. Or perhaps they’re sweeter simply because of them. She always has two rubber bands on her wrist, a song in her head, and too much creamer in her coffee cup that reads ‘Cocoa,’ because she’s a rebel.

If she’s not at her desk, with her boys, or behind the computer, she’s supporting live music with her arms raised above her head and her eyes closed, waiting for the drop.

Twitter * Facebook * Website

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Praise for Eight Days a Week

"Laugh-out-loud story about a guy who goes to look at a room to rent and discovers it comes with a job - that of live-in nanny to two damaged kids. So Andrew Lyons accidentally becomes the "manny". Written in his POV, this book chronicles his hilarious escapades as he looks after and grows to love Bree and Brady, and his employer, Gwen. His pranks and spot-on observations about kids' TV shows had me giggling, but there were a few serious moments worthy of a sniffle as well. The star of the show may be Don, though - you'll just have to read this book to find out about him! Highly recommended." 

 - Andrea Goodreads Review

**#COYER Review ~ Puddle Jumping ~ Amber L. Johnson**

***

Puddle Jumping
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Genre: Mature Young Adult/New Adult
Source: I purchased an ecopy via Amazon
Rating: 5 Bookworms

Synopsis
When it comes to love there's no such thing as conventional.

Everyone thinks Colton Neely is special.

Lilly Evans just thinks he's fascinating.

Once friends when they were younger, their bond is cut short due to her accident prone nature and they go their separate ways. Years later, they meet again and Lilly learns that there is something special about the boy she once knew, but she has no idea what it all means. And she's not sure if she's ready to find out.

When he walks through the corridor of her school the first day of her senior year, she knows that it's time to get to know the real Colton Neely. The more she learns, the deeper she falls.

Their friendship grows into love, even as Colton does not express it in words. But one decision threatens to break down the world that Lilly has tried so hard to integrate into and she must figure out if the relationship can survive if they are apart.

I one-clicked this book after reading a review from Courtney @The Bookish Babe. From Courtney's review, I knew Puddle Jumping was going to be fantastic and tug at my heartstrings. But I don't think I was prepared for just how much emotion I felt while reading it. There's no way I can do this story justice, but here's my attempt.

It's hard to put into words what Puddle Jumping is about, so I'm going to use some quotes to help me.

"A  true friend is one soul in two bodies."-Aristotle

And it seems as though Lilly and Colton were of one soul. 

"...I'm Lilly Grace Evans and this is the true account of how I ended up falling for a boy who made me believe love is anything but conventional.Love, for those lucky enough to experience it, is extraordinary."

At its heart, Puddle Jumping is an extraordinary love story. But I think it's is about more than just Lilly and Colton. It makes us examine our perceptions of those different from us. It is thought-provoking. 

"Society has pretty much taught us that it's inside the lines, or outside. But there's so much more in between."-Lilly

Seeing how both Lilly and Colton are affected by having known one another was incredible. Lilly's desire to become a better person because of having met Colton was endearing. Watching as they struggled to have a relationship that worked for them both was as well. These two were meant for each other. And I will admit that I ugly-cried over the beauty of their story.

I'm being purposefully vague about this story. You need to experience it without my having laid out much about it. My thoughts upon completion? Wow. Just wow. Puddle Jumping was such a powerful read - so moving - so thought-provoking. I'm not even sure what to say about it. If I had to distill it, I'd say it's about how we're all different and yet we're all the same. Our differences are what makes us who we are - and we're all beautiful.