Release Day Review ~ Troublemaker ~ Melissa Pearl

Troublemaker by Melissa Pearl
Songbird Series #6
Release Date: February 1, 2016
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease, #COYER B2B
Goodreads

Synopsis
Kelly DeMarco is out of Marcus Chapman's league. When they met in high school he was besotted with the blue-eyed goddess, but she never gave him the time of day.

High school is now over and the tide is turning.

Five years later, Kelly is job-hunting and the best she can find happens to be Marcus Chapman's personal assistant. He is thrilled by this second chance and determined to win the beauty's affections, but Kelly has no intention of falling for the "class clown."

What you're looking for can be hiding right in front of you.

In spite of her resolve, Marcus's playful charm begins to chip away at Kelly's protective veneer, and she starts to realize that tall, dark, and mysterious isn't a requirement, and sometimes Mr. I Don't Think So can actually be Mr. Perfect.

Will Kelly's obsession with keeping up appearances push Marcus away, or will he have enough drawing power to convince his favorite girl that honest love can outclass anything?

The Songbird Series is one of my favorites because it's comfortable. The writing is always easy to read, the characters feel familiar and are engaging, and the music element gives the stories that little something extra that makes them that much more enjoyable. Troublemaker is a great addition to the series with a couple I was rooting for and an excellent soundtrack!

Marcus is a manager at Torrence Records. He's an affable guy, loyal, honest, and hard-working. I loved his goofy grin, his determination to make people smile and laugh, and his kinda nerdy personality. (In other words, kinda like my hubby. ;) Things are going well for him and then his high school crush turns up to interview for a job as his personal assistant.

Kelly is something else. As the heir to a fashion company, she was raised in a cold home with certain expectations placed on her. Basically, she's always felt like an ornament. She does let a few close friends see the real Kelly, but she hasn't introduced them to her world. And Marcus is *not* her type. Too bad she'll be working for him and he's determined to change her mind.

Marcus was a sweetheart! I liked that Ms. Pearl had the story be about a guy who's been in love forever with the unattainable girl. I had a hard time connecting with Kelly because of her haughtiness. She's so entrenched in social status, seeing people according to where they fall in social circles, how they look, how they dress. It rubbed me wrong, especially considering the expectations her parents placed on her were chafing her. It took a really long time for her to grow a backbone and to realize what she could have with Marcus. Because Marcus - he always saw the real Kelly underneath all her window-dressing. It's a good thing Troublemaker is told using dual POV so that I could connect with Marcus - and see Kelly through his eyes. I did eventually warm up to her though and I was fist pumping when she finally stood up for herself against her parents, and fought for Marcus.

I have to mention how much I loved Ms. Pearl's use of music in the story - not only in Marcus' job but as an important element in both Marcus' and Kelly's lives. They use it to communicate - and it added this layer of fun to their story. Now Ms. Pearl has me anxious for the next couple's story - and I get the pleasure of going back for a few I missed in between.

Release Day Blitz & Review ~ Everything ~ Melissa Pearl

Happy Release Day, Melissa Pearl!
Everything releases today. 
To celebrate, you can grab Fever for only 99 cents!

***

Everything

A Songbird novel, Book 3

April 23, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ iTunes ~ Kobo

Synopsis

Jody Pritchett had a dream...but life had other plans. Instead of singing and dancing on Broadway, Jody's a twenty-year-old single mom, living at home with her disapproving father and overbearing sister. The choice to keep her little Angelia came with a high price and although she adores her baby girl, it doesn't take away the sting of kissing goodbye her chance at a career on the stage. 

Leo Sinclair had his own dream...but got lost along the way. After a failed marriage that left him hollow and downtrodden, the Australian songwriter wonders what joy his future could possibly hold. Encouraged by the one family member who doesn't think he's a failure, Leo decides to stop living the life everyone expects him to and start chasing his dreams again. 

When the perfect opportunity comes knocking, Leo leaves Australia behind and hops a flight to LA. With his sights set on selling a musical to a Broadway producer, Leo is determined to finally realize his life-long dream. But life gets in the way again, when he spots a young mother outside his apartment in tears. He never realized how one person, one voice, and one Angel could have him contemplating abandoning his dreams once again. 

As these two burned hearts wrestle to overcome their past struggles, Leo and Jody must decide what dreams are worth clinging to...because, sometimes, everything you want is not everything you need. 

The Songbird series continues to be a delight to read. It hits all my NA buttons and I was excited to be getting Jody's story in Everything.

I met Jody in the earlier novels, as she's Ella's best friend and Morgan's little sister, from Fever and Bulletproof respectively. Jody is an incredibly talented singer and was in school bound for Broadway until she got pregnant. My heart broke for her having to give up her education, her dreams to raise her baby. But I also really admired her decision to keep her baby and figure out a way to make a new life for herself. That took so much courage and for the most part, Jody remained positive about her situation -- a ray of sunshine.

Leo Sinclair has come to the States from Australia for a clean start and a chance to pursue his dreams. He's a composer and has his sights set on Broadway. Things seem to be falling into place but he happens upon a sad, single mom. Things change -- for the better -- at that point as Jody sparks his creative light and maybe something else.

I enjoyed Jody and Leo's story. The dynamics between them and Jody's little girl, Angel, made for an engaging read. Having Ella and Cole, and Morgan and Sean, Mr. Pritchett, and Grandma Deb also added to the realistic feel. I have to admit to not liking Mr. Pritchett, Jody's dad, all that much for awhile, as he wasn't as supportive for Jody as I felt he should be. I also felt like things moved a little too quickly for Jody and Leo, even though chronologically it didn't. I can't put my finger on why I felt that way -- it just did.

Even though this is a romance, I feel like it was more a story of Jody's finding a way to balance her wants, needs, and those of Angel. She made me very proud as she took charge of her life -- all on her own. She's a good mama and handled motherhood at her young age with maturity.

Once again, Ms. Pearl drew me into a comfortable story, with great characters. Her use of music -- a song for every moment, really ties everything (ha!) together. Music has played an important part throughout this series, but especially in Everything. And I adored the songs and their placement, as well as the original lyrics for Leo's musical. I also liked that Ms. Pearl took two characters, who were afraid their past choices meant the future they'd dreamed of was unreachable, and proved that there is always a chance to get everything you need.

Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has continued to produce a steady stream of books. Recently she signed with Evatopia Press and her first Evatopia book is coming out in February 2014 - True Colors, The Masks Series #1. She is very excited to be trying out new things this year while continuing to publish under her own name as well. She has six books planned for 2014 and is excited about writing each and every one of them.

That's What HE Said ~ #24 & Thirty Thursday & Hungry Hearts ~ #3

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:

Everything by Melissa Pearl

Pearl's Songbird series is so well done and incorporates music every step of the way. Everything is the third book in the series and features Jody Pritchett & Leo Sinclair.

In this scene, Jody and Leo are talking about the mistakes they've made in the past and Jody asks him if he had things to do over, would he do it differently. I liked what Leo had to say.

***

"I never would have come here if I hadn't been trying to get away. That crisis sparked something inside of me. It gave me the courage to break free and now I'm here, sitting underneath you and talking like we have a future."

*~*~*~*~*~*

Pushing a plate of cookies toward me, she cleared her throat and bobbed on her bare toes.
Purple nail polish. Nice.
"I baked these for you, to say thanks."
"For what?" I took them, trying not to cringe when I noticed how burnt they were around the edges.
"Making me feel better today. Giving me that song."

Jody's not known for her cooking skills, so that she'd make cookies as a thank you for Leo was entertaining. So is what he did with them but we don't find that out until later. :)

Cover Reveal ~ Everything ~ Melissa Pearl

Everything by Melissa Pearl

Jody Pritchett had a dream...but life had other plans. Instead of singing and dancing on Broadway, Jody's a twenty-year-old single mom, living at home with her disapproving father and overbearing sister. The choice to keep her little Angelia came with a high price and although she adores her baby girl, it doesn't take away the sting of kissing goodbye her chance at a career on the stage.

Leo Sinclair had his own dream...but got lost along the way. After a failed marriage that left him hollow and downtrodden, the Australian songwriter wonders what joy his future could possibly hold. Encouraged by the one family member who doesn't think he's a failure, Leo decides to stop living the life everyone expects him to and start chasing his dreams again.

When the perfect opportunity comes knocking, Leo leaves Australia behind and hops a flight to LA. With his sights set on selling a musical to a Broadway producer, Leo is determined to finally realize his life-long dream. But life gets in the way again,

when he spots a young mother outside his apartment in tears. He never realized how one person, one voice, and one Angel could have him contemplating abandoning his dreams once again.

As these two burned hearts wrestle to overcome their past struggles, Leo and Jody must decide which dreams are worth clinging to...because, sometimes, everything you want is not everything you need.

ADD IT TO YOUR GOODREADS TBR

~*~ABOUT MELISSA PEARL~*~

Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!"

She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has continued to produce a steady stream of books, ranging in genres from Fantasy to Contemporary Romance. She loves the variety

and is excited about the books she has coming up in 2015.

"I am passionate about writing. It stirs a fire in my soul that I never knew I had. I want to be the best writer I can possibly be and transport my readers into another world where they can laugh, cry and fall in love."

**Release Day Blitz, Review, & Giveaway ~ Bulletproof ~ Melissa Pearl**

Happy Release Day, Melissa Pearl!
Bulletproof is now available!

Below you'll find my review of Bulletproof and a giveaway!

Bulletproof
Songbird #2
Release Date: November 20, 2014
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Goodreads

Synopsis
Morgan Pritchett doesn't need anyone. Strong-willed and confident, she's the master of organizing and looking after everyone around her. In her mind, she's bulletproof.

But she has one weakness - men. She can't seem to live without them, yet is unable to find her perfect match. After yet another break up, Morgan promises her sister and best friend that she'll write off men for the rest of the year...but then she meets Sean Jaxon.

Sean Jaxon has worked hard to become a Hollywood actor, scoring minor roles and slowly making a name for himself as an action sidekick. After a chance encounter with the stunning Morgan Pritchett, he decides to take a risk and put his dancing skills to the test by signing on for the lead role in Superstar, a TV musical. He never thought he'd reconnect with the girl who urged him to ignore his manager and be honest with himself, but when Morgan shows up on the set as a production assistant, he realizes he's found his ultimate weakness - her.

Their passion for dance and music will bring them together, but will their relationship be able to withstand the forces determined to pull them apart? As Morgan comes face-to-face with her long-buried demons and Sean decides just how much he's willing to risk for love, these two songbirds discover something...they're not as bulletproof as they thought.

BUY IT AT:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/BulletproofAM

I was very excited to get Morgan's story. I knew from meeting her in Fever that she was a complex character. Getting to know her, what makes her tick, and seeing her in love for real was a pleasure! Bulletproof is told in alternating POV between Morgan and Sean, which I love. 

Morgan was made to grow up way before her time. Her mother walked away from their family when Morgan was 14, leaving her to step into the role of caretaker for her father and younger sister. This is how she began honing her skills in organization and in taking care of everyone around her. Morgan shaped herself into a strong woman - never letting any guy get too close. Oh, she always had a guy around but it was more for the physical release they provided. Then she meets Sean Jaxon. He's different - affects her differently than any guy before him. 

Sean Jaxon is finally making it as an actor. Having suffered a media nightmare with a girlfriend, he's looking to score a role that will polish his image. When he meets Morgan, she convinces him to take a role he's dying to take even though his manager doesn't think it's a good move. Filming begins and he's delighted to see his karaoke girl is working on set. However, dating proves to be difficult as he's always trying to protect her from the media.

One of the things I love most about NA is watching as these new adults figure out the world, their place in it, and what they want from it. Both Morgan and Sean thought they knew what they wanted - particularly when it came to personal relationships. So seeing them realize maybe they'd thought wrong, and try to mold their lives to better fit what they actually wanted was a pleasure. They both have strong family ties - people who could offer the right kind of guidance, so that helped. That the script for Sean's show closely paralleled his life was clever. And watching Morgan realize she wasn't bulletproof but make strides towards being the strong woman she wants to be was a treat. That music and dance were such integral elements to the story added to my enjoyment. Bulletproof was an engaging story. I got a glimpse of Ella and Cole (from Fever), which was nice. And I got to know Morgan's little sister, Jody, better. I'm anxious to get Jody's story next!

Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has continued to produce a steady stream of books. Recently she signed with Evatopia Press and her first Evatopia book was released in February 2014 - True Colors, The Masks Series #1. She is very excited to be trying out new things this year while continuing to publish under her own name as well. She has six books releasing in 2014 and is excited about writing each and every one of them.

"I am passionate about writing. It stirs a fire in my soul that I never knew I had. I want to be the best writer I can possibly be and transport my readers into another world where they can laugh, cry and fall in love."

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