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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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. 

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.

Stay in touch with them on their social media pages:

@KatBastion

@StoneBastion

Kat & Stone Bastion's Facebook

www.talktotheshoe.com

www.katbastion.com

Keep informed of new releases by joining their Email Subscription list:

http://www.katbastion.com/email-subscription/

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.

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!

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?

Target On Our Back By J.M. Darhower

In the words of Drake:

I know when that hotline bling
That can only mean one thing

(Once you read the story you will get the reference)

Naz is back and he is working on being a changed man for Karissa. But you know what they say about leopards and all. A man like Naz can’t stay out for long especially when new enemy’s surface and they strike a little too close for home. One of the things I loved is that we got to know more about Naz’s past and the relationship with his father. When all you know is the business how do you move forward?

Karissa….

I was really hoping that she wouldn’t be as naïve but I guess that’s a part of her charm. I felt she was too trusting. i.e. a random stranger sits with her in a restaurant and she starts revealing things she never even told her best friend. In the words of Naz, “huh?” I understand she is a college student and granted she showed it. I guess I wanted more insight or more on their relationship as a married couple. I thought sadly they were boring they never really went anywhere. Even the love scenes were a little lackluster. And Naz?! Some of his character changes like the Drake ring tone was a little funny.

What I did love is the introduction of a few new characters like Scar and his family. The way that ended hopefully the author will give Melody & Leo a story. The epilogue was great. I just felt that Naz & Karissa relationship was a little dry it didn’t have the same spark in the first book sadly. This is just the opinion of one reviewer. Please judge this book for yourselves.  

Feel Good Wednesday

Its the middle of the week hump day! For me this is always one of my hardest days. Whenever I find it hard to just get up and go I listen to music or read something inspirational to keep me going until Friday!!!! Below I have listed a few songs that get me as they say "lit."

• Beyonce: "Formation"

• Chris Brown: "Back To Sleep"

• J.Cole: "Love Yourz"

• Tupac: "Keep Ya Head Up"

• Cold Play: "Yellow"

This are just a few songs for the get up and go. What songs inspire you or get you feeling good?