Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Coming Soon: Blog Updates



I started watching this movie on Netflix called, The Secret. One of the themes that stood out to me was that thoughts become things. Basically you have to envision what you want and ultimately what you put out there will come back to you. For my blog I envision it to be much more than book recommendations and an occasional review. So in an attempt to do more and encompass some of things I am passionate about I am adding a few new pieces to the blog.
A few of the new things you can expect:

Being CoCo: I got inspired by this piece from Essences popular In the Spirit section by Susan Taylor. Mental, physical and spiritual health is important and I wanted to outline that in my blog. This could range from healthy eating choices, mediation, and all things peace.

Fierce Fashion: With a name like CoCo I couldn’t help but love all things fashion so it would be only fitting that I added a little something to reflect that in my blog. I have found so many hidden treasures by upcoming designers that I would love to share and looks that inspire me.

All in all reviews were getting daunting and in a world where fan girls are on the attack and authors are oblivious or don't care I am taking a step back from "official " reviews. This means you will have to come to this sight for unofficial reviews which are basically reviews not on Amazon or good reads. This blog was fun in the beginning and then it felt like work and I got slacker and slacker. One step I am taking toward making the blog fun and something I love to do is post what makes me happy. I hope you all can join me on this journey. Thanks for all the support.

Xoxo,

CoCo 

Monday, March 28, 2016

Broken But Breathing By Shyla Colt




Title: Broken but Breathing
Series: Jinx Tattoos #2
Author: Shyla Colt
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: March 26, 2016



Blurb

It’s time to move on.

 You’ve grieved enough.

 I’m worried about you. 

Estelle Noll has heard the same things repeatedly for the past two years. How can one put a timeline on recovery from total devastation? She lost the love of her life, child, and home in one day. Broken, depressed, and lost, she battles her way from the darkness and begins to piece together a new life. Xavier “Snake” Kolton is everything her husband wasn’t—tattooed, bold, dirty talking, and free-spirited. He makes her feel alive for the first time since the tragedy. Can the M.C. Vice President ever be more than a passing phase?

Xavier “Snake” Kolton knows what it feels like to lose. The Vice President of the Wild Ones MC has spent years dedicated to nothing but his brothers and their commitment to bettering the community. When the fragile, curly-haired blonde woman comes into his life, feelings long dormant to him awaken. Can this woman who’s lost more than anyone ever should handle his lifestyle. Should he even ask her to?

*** Broken but Breathing is Book Two in the Jinx Tattoos Series but is a STAND ALONE novel *** 















Excerpt

Estelle Noll never minded storms. The sound of the rain dancing on the rooftop made her smile. The fresh scent and the coolness it always brought were a welcome break from the sweltering summer heat. She sat on the plush grey window seat, viewing the world through the pane of glass. They cracked the screen earlier in anticipation of what was to come. The distinct aroma that came from wet concrete was nature’s perfume. She couldn’t wait to breathe in the crisp, clean scent.

I’m an unrepentant pluviophile. A total lover of rain who found joy and peace in the precipitation. The corners of her lips curled up as her mind went to her mother, Jane Abbot, and her father, James. They gifted her with her appreciation of books, rain, and whimsical things. The English-born couple loved classic literature, and wove wondrous tales about their life in Kent, England.

They’d returned to their hometown five years ago, and Estelle missed them more every day. Soon they’ll be back to prepare for your birth, little one. She rubbed her rounded belly.

A tiny foot kicked in response, and garnered a smile. There’s a living, breathing being inside of me right now. Wonderment filled her. For five years she and Everett tried to have a baby. Therefore, with his low sperm count and her endometriosis this bun in her oven was a tiny miracle.

“I can’t wait to meet you, Emma,” she whispered. Content, she glanced at the worn copy of her name inspiration, Great Expectations, in her lap.

The wail of sirens brought her from Pip and Estelle’s childhood. Tornado warning. The warnings were common this time of year. Closing her book, she studied the sky rapidly changing color. The hairs on the back of her neck and arms stood on end; a sense of unease flooded her system. She closed the book and slid off the cushion, narrowing her eyes. Had the sky taken on a green hue? The wind had picked up. The branches on the trees shook violently in the wind.

“Stell.” Everett strode into the room. The terse tone and clipped words made her hackles rise.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, standing to greet him.

“We need to go downstairs. The bathroom is the safest place. They spotted a funnel nearby.” Goosebumps covered her flesh. A fine sheen of sweat broke out on her forehead. She toyed with the hem of her maternity top, worrying the material as she rubbed it between her forefinger and thumb. He moved to the window and struggled to close it. “I’ll close this. You go downstairs, now.”

The bass in his voice put her in motion. Fear slithered its way through her body; worry sat in her stomach like a stone, cold and unyielding. A lump formed in her throat. She gripped the bannister careful not to trip as she waddled her way down the stairs. Balls of ice hit the windows, walls, and roof with loud cracks.

She jogged toward the bathroom. Fear drove her into the tiny room. She perched on the toilet seat, eager to have Everett in her line of sight. Taking deep breaths, she attempted to keep the panic forming at bay. Her stomach soured. She rocked back and forth to comfort herself and the squirming bundle in her belly. The attempt failed. His footsteps pounded on the steps.

He appeared in the doorway a few moments later. His face was pale as a sheet, and the crow’s feet in the corners of his eyes stood out. Lips drawn in a straight line, and dark eyes full of sadness, he presented a grim picture. He doesn’t think we’re going to make it. Tears blurred her vision, and her shoulders shook as she tried to hold in her sobs.

He sat on the edge of the tub and gripped her chin. “Hey. I need you to calm down for Emma, okay? I won’t let anything happen to you or the baby. We’re going to get into the tub, stay down, and pray our asses off. We’ll be interviewed on the news when all this is over. Okay?”

She swallowed the hysteria threatening to rise in her throat like carbonated bubbles full of crazy and nodded. Their lips met in a kiss that smacked of desperation. She poured every ounce of love she held for this man into their mouth mating. Surfacing for air, breathing heavily, they stared into each other’s eyes. She saw everything in his hazel orbs—the fear, the joy, and the determination. Everett Noll had never let her down when it counted. He wouldn’t start now if he could help it.

“I love you, Estelle.”

“I love you, too, Everett.” She had to yell to be heard over the roar that sounded like a massive waterfall.

“Let’s get in. It's go time.” He stood, holding her hand as she slipped into the porcelain basin and rested on her side. She held her belly, wishing she could cradle the babe moving around inside of her in her arms.


The house vibrated, shaking them violently. Her body protested and her teeth rattled. Joints creaked and moaned. He covered her body with his own. The heat from his body, the cold, smooth surface of the tub, and the terror placed her in a crazed limbo. The noise grew loud. It really does sound like a locomotive. Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. The rest of the prayer was lost to her screams as the roof ripped off, and all hell broke loose.





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Author Bio

Shyla Colt is the sassy international bestseller of the popular series Kings of Chaos and Dueling Devils M.C. This genre-hoppers stories feature three of her favorite things: strong females, pop culture, and alternate routes to happy ever after. Listening to her Romani soul, she pens from the heart, allowing the dynamic characters, eccentric interests, and travels as a former flight attendant to take her down untraveled roads.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, this mid-west girl is proud of her roots. She used her hometown and the surrounding areas as a backdrop for a number of books. So, if you're a Buckeye, keep an eye out for familiar places.

As a full-time writer, stay at home mother, and wife, there's never a dull moment in her household.

She weaves her tales in spare moments and the evenings with a cup of coffee or tea at her side and the characters in her head for company.



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Thursday, March 24, 2016

I Never Dreamed By Ashely Hampton




Title: I Never Dreamed
Series: Southern Rock Lyrics #2
Author: Ashley Hampton
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Interracial Romance




Blurb

Dr. Nate Roman

Heartbroken.

Once was enough. I'll never give my heart to another again. One night with a woman is enough for me now. As a psychologist, I deal with emotions all day long. Life gets messy when emotions are involved, and I like my life uncomplicated.

Dr. Lynsey Henderson intrigues me. Her smile makes my heart skip a beat. I want her in my bed, but she isn't proving to be an easy conquest.

Dr. Lynsey Henderson

I finally have everything I dreamed about since I was a kid. Well, almost. I have the best job as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, and I live in a beautiful historic home in a quaint small town. I'm missing someone special to share my life with. Someone special to love. The last time I tried was a colossal disaster.

My path has crossed Dr. Nate Roman's multiple times at work. He is beyond gorgeous and just the kind of guy I swore I'd stay away from.... he has a different girl every night, and I'm not going to be one of the many.

He is so damn sweet when he tries to convince me to go out with him, and I don't know how much longer I'll be able to resist.





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Author Bio


Ashley Hampton works as a Licensed Psychologist in private practice during the day. When she leaves work, she puts on her writer and photographer hats and enjoys living in the worlds created in her mind. She lives near her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama with her cat, Gemma. Ashley wanted to find a creative way to meld her love for music and psychology with writing, and the Southern Rock Lyrics series was born. With other series planned, Ashley wants to write in the romance, erotica, and psychological thriller genres.



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Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Way Back Wednesday

I was in high school advanced English and my teacher introduced me to this very adult book that started me on my journey to urban fiction. Of course my teacher forewarned me that this book had very adult themes but was good read nonetheless. I know Terri McMillian is an oldie but goodie but this book Disappearing Acts is a classic. When I tell you this book put me hip to game way before I even had an adult relationship. Ladies take a stroll down memory lane with me and pick up some of those classic books that started you on the path to many others. 



Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Heartbreaker By Kat Bastion & Stone Bastion

Title: Heartbreaker
Release:  March 22, 2016
Authors: Kat Bastion with Stone Bastion
Author contact: katbastion@aol.com
Genre: New Adult Romance / Sports Romance
 This is a standalone full-length novel at 81,500 words / 380 pages. (The 1st book in our Unbreakable series. Five standalone novels with different couples are planned for the series.)

Description: 

Kiki Michaelson wants one wild night to forget her starving-artist worries. Simple.
 
Only instead of Darren Cole becoming her one-night stand, he taunts her with a challenge. Then while she’s trying to best him at his own game, he turns out to be the last thing she’s prepared for: someone she wants to keep.
 
Which means all he can ever be…is a friend.


Darren Cole never allows a girl to get close—not close enough to matter.
 
Then storms in Kiki Michaelson, a beautiful, fearless temptation that rocks his world off-balance. But he fights their attraction, unwilling to gamble something physical with their close ties. Until the passionate sculptor exposes her heart and breaks his wide open.
 
In that moment it becomes clear: she could never be just a friend.


This was my first read by this duo and will not be my last. Going into this story I thought this would be a typical girl meets boy story. You know they play the back and forth cat and mouse game until later they are fully ready to commit after all the games. Well let me tell you Kat & Darren may have feelings for each other but the authors allow these feelings to grow into something deeper. The characters are fully fleshed out and like most people have their share of insecurities. I loved the realness of Kat’s character. Although this isn’t an insta-love type book it packs some heat!!!

What do you do when the one you want friend-zones you? Darren is portrayed as the love them and leave them type but this musician has a lot more going on than meets the eye. Wanting to focus on his music this storm known as KiKi comes into his life and things are never the same again. This book has dual p.o.v. and a hea!!! Can you say heaven? When I dove into this book I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait for the second installment. Please judge this book for yourselves and not based on one readers opinion. 

Author Bio & Contact Info: 

Kat Bastion won several awards for her bestselling debut novel Forged in Dreams and Magick.

Kat and Stone Bastion’s bestselling first novel No Weddings and the No Weddings series were named Best of 2014 by multiple romance review blogs.

When not defining love and redemption through scribed words, they enjoy spending their time mountain biking and hiking in the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Arizona.

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One lucky subscriber wins an eBook of their choice from the backlist AND a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card with each pre-order or new-release announcement.

They promise to email only a handful of times a year to announce preorders and new releases.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Way Back Wednesday

So I completely got this idea from fellow blogger @monica reeds She has this piece on her own blog called throwback Thursday. Which is where she posts old school books. When I was in undergrad one of the things that the girls and I loved to do was discuss books that really touched us. I mean we had some very lively discussions especially if that book turned into a movie. i.e Their Eyes Were Watching God You couldn’t tell us we all didn’t want a man like Tea Cake.




The point is that these “old school” books spark emotion and have the good feeling sentiment. Below I have posted an old school book Flyy Girl By: Omar Tyree. I read this book actually in high school and let me tell you this book got passed around on the bus several times. I mean Tracy was something else. The type of chick that many called ride or die and stayed fresh while doing it. List some books for you below that are what I call way back!


Monday, March 7, 2016

Beta Readers vs. Editors

Lately I have seen a trend of authors using beta readers as editors. I don’t know if this is to take out the middle man or it’s an issue of pay. In my opinion the two are very different and serve different purposes the same with readers who receive arcs. They are all very distinct roles. I have a friend who recently became an editor. By this I meant took classes and has plenty experience beta reading in which she was essentially editing without getting paid. So below I have listed a few definitions provided by google.  

Beta reader:  are not explicitly proofreaders or editors, but can serve in that context. Elements highlighted by beta readers encompass things such as plot holes, problems with continuity, characterization or believably; in fiction and non-fiction, the beta might also assist the author with fact-checking.

Editor: a person having managerial and sometimes policy-making responsibility related to the writing, compilation, and revision of content for a publishing firm or for a newspaper, magazine, or other publication.

Now this definition is subjective an editor for the purpose I am using it for which is for authors who are mainly self-published answer to the author. This means that yes a work or publication may have an editor but the author has the final say.


My issue comes in and please let me know your thoughts on this is that I have also seen authors use these small time editors ( much like themselves Indie trying to make a name for themselves) and then present the book to a publishing house. Let me go deeper there is nothing wrong with paying for a service and try to come up. But don’t use these small time editors for service cheat them in not only payments but a simple thank you. I know its business and a thank you isn’t necessarily needed but don’t cheat me and then present your work as this is all you when you got help and someone to help you write the body of work. I don’t understand the level of shadeness with these authors lately. You want to whine and complain about reviews and other authors but you yourself contribute to this foolishness?