Coffee Talk: Thirteen Reasons Why…It’s Scary to Parent Teenagers.

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Have you read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher or watched the new series on Netflix?

I had not heard of either until a few weeks ago, when my 16-year-old told me she was going to start watching the new series. Like any curious parent, I looked it up and then informed her that I thought it would be a little too much for her. She was quite angry about it, because drugs, bullying, and sex were all at her school anyway. ‘All of her friends had watched it already’ and ‘their parents let them.’ I won’t even bother to get into my thoughts right now on the whole ‘letting my kids do something because someone else’s parents let them’ bullshit. I don’t buy it. However, I was surprised to hear this was all going on at her school already.

The kicker of the whole situation occurred a few days later when my 13-year-old presented almost the exact same conversation to me about wanting to watch the show as well. This completely blew me away. How in the world are these things already happening in Middle School? Why is this show almost like a ‘fad’ amongst the teenagers? I really don’t understand it at all. There was no way his eyes needed to see this or be a part of any situation regarding a heavy topic like suicide, and I certainly wouldn’t want to put ideas into either of my kid’s heads for that matter. Of course, he got an even firmer NO.

Then I found out that the kids at his school were showing clips from it on their phones, and he had officially seen episode #13 which was the finale – the life ending one. Seriously? We try so damn hard to protect our kids from the evils of social media, but no matter how diligent we are, unfortunately, other parents aren’t. Then we’re forced to face situations like this that we try to avoid head on. So, we decided we would watch it together as a family. At least this way, we could openly discuss these difficult topics that apparently were impacting the kids in one way or another and make sure we were all on the same page with it.

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Release Blitz & Review for Who Needs Air by Cassie Graham!

Title: Who Needs Air
Author: Cassie Graham
Release Date: April 28, 2017

They fell in love at thirteen.
He wrote a book about it at twenty.
She watched him walk away at twenty-three.
And he made the New York Times Best Sellers list at twenty-four.

Campbell ‘Cam’ Potter stood idly by as August Wyatt took over the world one word at a time. Chapter by chapter, people fell in love with the story he created – the events she lived. And now the book was being made into a movie, it was only a matter of time before August was back in their small hometown in Georgia.

The problem was, when August left five years ago, Cam made a promise to herself. The ending in his book would be the conclusion to their story. There was no sequel, no second chance, no possibility of ever seeing him again. He obliterated her heart and she was determined to never let it happen again.

That is, until Cam gets a late night text from the heartbreaker himself. New chapters are written, fresh storylines are explored and Cam and August find a familiarity in one another.

Sometimes THE END doesn’t mean it’s over.

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I’ve been looking for more unique storylines in my reading lately, so I was really intrigued when I came across this synopsis featuring a young author finding stardom from a book he wrote about his teenage love and their possibility of being reunited years later. Although I haven’t read Cassie Graham’s writing before, my curiosity was definitely peaked, so I just had to snatch up this second chance romance. Who Needs Air was such a refreshing read, and August and Cam’s passionate journey was incredibly heartfelt and adorably wrapped in a seriously sweet dose of Southern charm!

Graham’s writing was beautiful, with a lot of personality and eloquence in her words that flowed smoothly and naturally. There was also a generous handful of sweet southern slang in the story, which I really enjoyed throughout. Each chapter title was a southern saying which was also really clever and cute. Although I did feel the ‘Sweet baby Jesus’ might have been a bit overused, I was completely engaged in the story’s setting of southern cultures, ideals, and lifestyles.

August and Cam were very endearing characters and faced so many challenges during their relationship! I yearned for them to be together and felt their angst when they were apart, and I loved how they never gave up on each other. Together they were whole, and it seemed to just be a given that they should be side by side all along.

I did have some contradicting feelings on whether August’s character was genuine or not. His point of view is only presented in the prologue as he finished writing their story and opened his heart in telling Cam everything that she might not know about his feelings for her. It was incredibly sweet, and I totally ate that up. However, I didn’t understand their lack of communication at times. They would go for days, weeks, months, even years, without any resolving situations, and it seemed strange to me that they shared such love and friendship but didn’t talk through their challenges more. Although Cam was incredibly patient and had an enormous amount of respect for August, I was also surprised at her acceptance of his behavior at times. I know that he was always trying to do things the ‘right’ way, but I would have just liked a little more insight, possibly from August or perhaps from Cam’s mother or Lily, rooting or reinforcing their relationship in some way. I felt like they just kind of went with the flow of his decisions, and I wanted at least one of them to be upset with their situation like I was!

I have one more mention that I’m going to put in here regarding the cover – only because it stuck with me the whole time I was reading this and taking pictures as well. While the artist did a beautiful job with the artwork, I wish I had a red ‘Wooly Willy’ pen to smooth out the woman’s face a bit as the flowers made her look hairy to me. I will just leave it at that.

None of my critiques are meant to take away from this book in any way. There were so many elements to love and twists as well. All of the angst and build-up throughout made it an incredibly passionate story, and I truly enjoyed the characters and their journey of hope and love. Although this is a standalone, I did see that there is a previous book written by Cassie Graham, Anyone But Him, which is about Jennings Cohen (who played August’s movie role in this book) and his girlfriend, Whitley Hayes. I really enjoyed their characters and friendship with August and Cam, so I will follow up with their story as well!

*** ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange of an honest review ***
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Bringing my body into his with a tug, he squeezes my shoulders. Only, this hug feels different. It doesn’t feel like all the other ones we’ve shared since he came back into town. I’m baffled at first, my arms locked around his torso. He doesn’t let me free and I think he may need this. I think he might need me. He sighs, his face falling into the crook of my neck and I finally understand why it’s so different. I don’t know why it took me so long, but my heart soars and my grip tightens. I force my eyelids closed and I breathe him in, using every ounce of my ability to give him back what he’s offering me so willingly.

He doesn’t have to say the words, but I hear them loud and clear. He’s been looking for someone to care about him in this town. Not someone to fawn over him or tell him what he wants. I’ve shown him that even without the book, he’s still important and this gesture – his foreign and surprising hug – is his way of telling me he appreciates it.

He clutches the back of my neck, his signature grasp, and breathes me in as I cling to his sweater, willing my eyes to stay closed. If I look at him or our reflection in the mirror above the headboard, I’m going to lose it.

Sighing contently, he pulls back and I do the same, opening my eyes.

“Night,” he offers with a smile, bringing his lips to my forehead for a split second before turning around and sufficiently closing me out, unzipping his bag.

I blink a few times, speechless as I watch him pull his sweater up and over his head, tossing it on the bed. His muscles strain and the dimples just above his pant line are so pronounced, my fingers ache to touch them. I turn away, reminding myself that we’re just friends. Friends only, Cam. Hands off. No touching his back dimples. It’s inappropriate and…oh, God, he’s unbuckling his pants.

Walking out of the door with embarrassed haste, I close it behind me.

My skin, tingling and hot, I trace my forehead with my fingertips. The prickle of his kiss still evident. Eager to erase the aftereffect of his touch, I scrub my head like a moron, accidentally creating a deep red spot. It doesn’t help. My skin scorches for long minutes.

After changing into pajamas, I climb into bed and wrap myself in the comforter. I need to sleep and forget the last three hours happened.

Just as I’m about to shut my eyes, my phone goes off with a text message.

August: Tonight was exactly what I needed.

Another one comes in.

August: You’re still so important to me. Please don’t ever forget that.

I chew on my lip and study the words until they become indecipherable. Turning on my side, I plug my phone into the charger and close my eyes.

I’m in so much trouble.

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Cassie Graham is a sassy redhead who lives in Arizona with her handsome husband and beautiful daughter. If she isn’t shoulder-deep in writing a book, you can find her watching Supernatural or reading a delicious romance by one of her many talented friends. She likes front porch sitting in her pink rocking chair, drinking Moscato, chocolate, reading books with her daughter and constantly dating her husband.
 

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5 Star Review for ‘Skin (A 44 Chapters Novel #1)’ by B.B. Easton!

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‘Skin’ is the follow up to the hilarious personal memoir, ‘44 Chapters About 4 Men: A Memoir’ and is the story of BB’s journey with Knight, her first love. Although I couldn’t wait to read Easton’s next novel, I’ll admit that I wasn’t really sure that I wanted to know more about Knight. He seemed so weird to me, and I couldn’t see what the angry skin head or ‘Skeletor’ could offer.  However, I have to say that I just loved this unique story that touches on…well everything really. It is edgy, gritty, angry, raw, and kinky as hell. At the same time, it is sweet, romantic, and beautiful. Definitely darker and deeper than the previous one, it was still told in Easton’s very unique writing style with her natural, witty, and ‘from the hip’ humor. Continue reading

5 Stars for ‘Hopeful’ by Louise Bay!

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Goodreads Synopsis:

I’ve spent the last eight years working hard to put my career front and center in my life, dodging any personal complications. I have a strict no-dating policy. I’ve managed to piece together a reality that works for me.

Eight years ago, Joel Wentworth, the love of my life, left for New York. I’d refused to go with him and I haven’t seen him again. Never even spoken to him.

Until now.

Now, Joel’s coming back to London.

And I need to get over him before he gets over here.

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DaisyGal’s Review:

What a beautifully touching romance of true love and second chances!

‘Hopeful’ had me pulled in right from the very start. Ava Elliot could never imagine that anyone like Joel Wentworth could be interested in her. He was charming and confident and women flocked to him unabashedly. Ava was quiet and insecure and would rather be the wallflower in her group of friends than have anyone scrutinize or judge her. Joel was very intrigued by Ava’s simple beauty and pursued her relentlessly which resulted in them falling head over heels into a natural and effortless love. However, Ava was always afraid of letting anyone down, and instead of fighting for Joel, she lost him when he went to America. She made futile attempts to try and move on, but always knew and regretted her mistake. Then Joel came back… Continue reading

Blog Tour & Review of ‘Commander in Chief’ by Katy Evans!

‘Commander in Chief’ by Katy Evans

Series: White House #2

Publication Date: January 5th, 2017

Genre: Contemporary Romance

The sizzling second installment of the White House series,
by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Evans.

Synopsis:

We fell in love during the campaign.

The stakes were high.

Reputations could have been ruined.

Scandal hovered over us like a cloud.

Now the man I love is the President of the United States of America.

And its not my vote he is after.

He wants it all.

My heart. My body. My soul.

He wants me by his side.

In the White House.

Normalcy will be gone from my life, privacy forgotten.

I am only twenty three. I just wanted to play a part in history. But it seems like history wasn’t done with me. The part where I lostmy heart to Matthew Hamilton? It was only the beginning…

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Release Tour & Review of ‘Love Unexpected’ (Previously ‘Love Rehab’) by Louise Bay!

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 Title: Love Unexpected

by Louise Bay

Previously Titled: Love Rehab
Release Date: December 7th
Genre: Contemporary Romance

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Synopsis:

Ever wanted to fast forward to your happily ever after?

My name is Mackenzie Locke and I’m a loveaholic. I haven’t got a handle on men. Not even a little bit.

So I staged an intervention and booked me and my two best friends into Love Rehab, complete with a love shaman, horse therapy and a bunch of stones that promise to change my life. I’m not leaving until I’m cured.

Lesson #1: the first night of your stay, don’t have a one night stand with the hottest guy you’ve ever seen in your life.

Fail.

Lesson #2: make sure your one night stand isn’t planning on sticking around, teasing you, tempting you right back into his Levis.

Big Fail.

Lesson #3: Whoops. I forgot this one. I was too busy daydreaming about Blake McKenna’s mouth on mine and the way his five o’clock shadow feels on my thighs.

Epic Fail.

So maybe I’m not the best student. Maybe I wasted my time and money on Love Rehab. But I can’t help that I want to spend every minute with Blake, naked under the stars. Perhaps he can teach me every lesson I ever needed to learn.

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5 Star Review for the Highly Anticipated ‘Royally Screwed’ by Emma Chase!

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Emma Chase, New York Times bestselling author of the Tangled Series & Legal Briefs Series, returns with the first of three sizzling standalone books about a family of racy, irresistible Royals.

Nicholas Arthur Frederick Edward Pembrook, Crowned Prince of Wessco, aka “His Royal Hotness”, is wickedly charming, devastatingly handsome, and unabashedly arrogant—hard not to be when people are constantly bowing down to you.

Then, one snowy night in Manhattan, the prince meets a dark haired beauty who doesn’t bow down. Instead, she throws a pie in his face.

Nicholas wants to find out if she tastes as good as her pie, and this heir apparent is used to getting what he wants.

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Dating a prince isn’t what waitress Olivia Hammond ever imagined it would be.

There’s a disapproving queen, a wildly inappropriate spare heir, relentless paparazzi, and brutal public scrutiny. While they’ve traded in horse drawn carriages for Rolls Royces and haven’t chopped anyone’s head off lately—the royals are far from accepting of this commoner.

But to Olivia—Nicholas is worth it.

***

Nicholas grew up with the whole world watching, and now Marriage Watch is in full force. In the end, Nicholas has to decide who he is, but more importantly, who he wants to be: a King… or the man who gets to love Olivia forever.

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Royally Screwed is such a fun, dreamy, and genuinely touching romance! Chase’s writing talent is impeccable as always, and I was completely drawn into this unique royal lifestyle which she conveyed so well. I love that her stories tend to lean more towards the light-hearted side and don’t torture you with angst. They seem to offer just enough of a challenge to keep you engaged and make the story more real and true to life. She has such a talent in creating arrogant and adorable alpha males and making you totally fall in love with them and then complementing them with equally strong heroines which give respect to their relationships.  Topped off with her wit, humor, and passionate characters, this romance completely touched my heart!

It’s been awhile since I’ve read more of a light hearted story that has really given me the feels, but this certainly did just that. At one point in my reading, ‘Love Song’ by The Cure (a teenage favorite of mine) played on the radio. Although I am not usually a crier, as I was singing along to the chorus, I totally teared up relating the words of the song to the depth, feeling, and love in which Olivia and Nicholas’s relationship stirred in me!

Whenever I’m alone with you
You make me feel like I am home again
Whenever I’m alone with you
You make me feel like I am whole again

Whenever I’m alone with you
You make me feel like I am young again
Whenever I’m alone with you
You make me feel like I am fun again

However far away
I will always love you
However long I stay
I will always love you
Whatever words I say
I will always love you
I will always love you…

For all of his Princely charm and cockiness, Nicholas was genuine, kind-hearted, and so down to earth.  Although very focused and career driven, he was still able to open his heart and mind to others.  I loved his caring and touching words of endearment and adoration for Olivia, and I was very pleasantly surprised at her strength and courage to go after what she wanted with no regrets. Olivia made Nicholas feel alive with a somewhat normal life, and Nicholas was able to make her dreams come true. Their relationship was fun and flowed very naturally, and they shared such a passion and true love that was worth fighting and sacrificing everything for.

So the Royal is completely dreamy!  I am always a huge fan of any books involving travel and British accents, and who could ever deny a book that includes castles, crowns, the Beastie Boys, AND Kanye? The dual POV’s really helped me to better understand Olivia and Nicholas’s individual characters and their completely different lifestyles. Simon, Henry, and Franny were so fun and provided the perfect amount of support and humor in the story. I can’t wait for more of this series!

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Check out The Royally Series today!

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“I have a plan.”

We’re in the library of the suite. Nicholas is behind the desk, his hair falling still damp over his forehead from a recent shower, while James and Tommy stand near the windows.

“Take off your clothes,” I say, dropping a stuffed backpack at my feet.

He stands, giving me a curious, dimple-flashing smile that makes my stomach tingle.

“I like this plan.”

He pulls his shirt over his head—and at the sight of that gorgeous chest and ripped abs, I have to close my mouth to stop the flow of drool.

“Should I send the lads to their room?” he asks.

I toss him a Beastie Boys T-shirt and ripped jeans from the backpack. “They can stay—I’ll get to them in a second.”

Nicholas puts on the outfit, his disguise for the day. I hold up a thick gold chain with a dangling cross, and he dips his head so I can loop it over his neck. Then I squirt gel into my hand and reach up on tiptoes to rub it through his hair—mussing it at the top and slicking the sides.

Perfect.

“Do you know how to drive a motorcycle?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent.” I pull a helmet with a full, tinted face shield out of the backpack and hold it up. “Marty’s bike is downstairs. He said to tell you: break it, you bought…a Ducati.”

Logan steps into the room from where he was stationed just outside the door, lifting his hand, like a traffic cop. “Hold on, now—”

Nicholas takes the helmet. “It’ll be fine, Logan.”

“And,” I say cautiously, turning to the three big, strong, probably-have-a-license-to-kill boys. “I want Nicholas and me to go on this outing alone. You guys stay here.”

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph.” Tommy says.

James makes the sign of the cross.

Logan takes another route. “No fuckin’ way. Not possible.”

But the look on Nicholas’s face says it’s definitely possible.

“No,” Logan insists again, his voice straining with a faint hint of desperation.

“I have an itinerary.” I take the sealed envelope out of the backpack and hand it to Logan. “I wrote everything down for you, just in case—exactly where we’ll be, every minute.” When he starts to tear it open I put my hand on his. “You can’t open it until after we’re gone—it’ll ruin the surprise. But I promise it will be all right. I swear on my life.”

My eyes drift from Logan to Nicholas. “Trust me.”

And I want him to—so much. I want to do this for him, give him something he hasn’t had. Something he’ll remember always: freedom.

Nicholas looks at the helmet, then at Logan. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Ah…you could get assassinated and the three of us will hang for treason.”

“Don’t be silly,” Nicholas scoffs. “We haven’t hung anyone in years.” He smacks Logan’s back. “It’d be the firing squad.”

**

www.dgbookblog.com/Abouttheauthor

Emma Chase is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the hot and hilarious Tangled series and The Legal Briefs series. Emma lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children and two naughty (but really cute) dogs. She has a long-standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | NEWSLETTER | TWITTER | GOODREADS

 

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5 Star Review for Wolf Bait (Wolf Cove #1) by Nina West!

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An alternate title/cover for this series has been created.

Wolf Bait / Tempt Me is the first book in the Wolf Cove / Wolf Hotel Series.

 ~ Release Date: November 16, 2015 ~ 

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When life turns to hell, most people talk about running away. Abbi Mitchell actually does it. Determined to escape her humiliating heartbreak and her overbearing mother, Abbi takes a summer job at a resort in Alaska. It’s supposed to be four months of snow-capped mountains, peaceful wilderness, and figuring out if she should wait for her lifelong sweetheart to come back, as he has promised he’ll do.

Instead, it’s Henry Wolf.

Owner of the luxury hotel chain, Henry Wolf is cool and composed, successful with everything he touches, and undeniably beautiful. And for some reason Abbi can’t fathom, he wants her—the farm girl from small town, USA with no corporate experience—as his personal assistant.

Abbi scrambles to meet his professional demands while she battles her growing attraction to him. Physical feelings she shouldn’t have because he’s her boss, because she’s way out of her league with him, and because they’ll never be reciprocated.

Until they are.

Will Abbi be able to let go of herself—her values, her dreams, and her inhibitions—to give him all that he’s demanding of her?

*** WARNING: This book has a lot of story and a lot of sex in it. Not suitable for readers under 18 years of age, or people who don’t like to read about sex. ***

www.dgbookblog.com:scrollwww.dgbookblog.com/MyReviewAll I can say is WOW!  As part of my Branching Out Series, I am so glad that I happened upon this book which is my first to read of Nina West’s writing.  I really loved it and am so excited to have found a new author to enjoy!

This is the story of Abbi Mitchell, the quietly sexy ginger and completely innocent farm girl who travels to Alaska and meets Henry Wolf, a sexy lumberjack who unexpectedly happens to also be the business tycoon and owner of Wolf Hotels.  When he offers her the job as his personal assistant, what will be the cost for her to work for this beautiful man and billionaire?

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Back to the Books – Review of ‘The Sun and the Moon (Giving You…#1)’ by Leslie McAdam!

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‘The Sun and the Moon’, by Leslie McAdam, is touching, sensual, sexy, and so romantic. Her writing style is quirky and captivating, and I was definitely drawn in right from the start. I totally fell in love with Amanda and Ryan, and I think I have found a new favorite author as well as a new book boyfriend!

Amelia Crowley is very successful in her career, but personally she has built walls of protection around herself. She is a realist and an over-thinker, and she is struggling with depression – wondering if she will ever be able to feel again.  When Amelia has a run in with a beautiful and charming ‘Sun God,’ those dormant feelings come to life, ignite, and unexpectedly everything changes.

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