OK here is my guest review blogger today Sorcha: 

 “Though we had all the money most people can only think of, we were the rejects of the plastic city of LA, where artificial is the norm and the normal is outdated”

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Book Description

Publication Date: July 10, 2013

As a pampered Los Angeles teen, Portia McGee once created a bucket list with her best friends Tarry and Niki. Though falling in love topped their list, it was the last thing she could ever imagine doing. Through the rejection of her parents, Portia learned early in life that love is elusive.

Now a famous and frivolous A-list actress, Portia has a Hollywood pedigree sealed in gold by a celebrity actress mother and New York mogul father. When Portia’s latest role requires an elaborate temporary tattoo, she meets Will, a gifted tattoo artist with a tortured past. The attraction is electric and immediate, but Will refuses to take the encounter to the next level—a decision Portia associates with the ring he so clearly wears on his wedding finger. Those old, familiar feelings of rejection take hold, and Portia now realizes that she must face the past in order to forge a new future. As their deep bond ignites in Portia an unexpected spirituality, can she finally free herself to once again chase the stars of her early days? Both richly glamorous and rich in meaning, Chasing Stars is a sparkling celebration of how faith and love can conquer even the most challenging of circumstances to uplift the human soul.

Chasing Stars is the debut work of romantic fiction by L. Duarte that charts the improbable, rousing romance between two star-crossed lovers, and the journey both must take to open their hearts to renewed hope and lasting love. At once soulful and playful, it’s certain to transport anyone who still, deep down, has faith in the abiding power of second chances.

 AUTHOR’S NOTE: Chasing Stars is intended for mature readers, containing sexual content and strong language.

By Sorcha O’Dowd
This review is from: Chasing Stars (Kindle Edition)

I’ve had `Chasing Stars’ on my to-read list for a while, eagerly awaiting its release. I was lucky enough to win a Kindle copy in a giveaway by the author, and that’s where my love affair with this book started.

Chasing Stars was a phenomenal and emotional read which has stayed with me for days after finishing it. It tells the story of Portia, a young, troubled and misunderstood actress and the journey of her growing love and relationship with Tattoo Artist Will. I was very impressed with L. Duarte’s ability to portray a character who in any other circumstances would be quite unlikeable, as a sad and lonely character whose deep rooted self-esteem issues lead her to live an empty life of drugs, sex and partying that she thinks she deserves. Discovering the inner Portia was a wonderful journey as her relationship with Will leads her to realise that she can be a better person.

Will is one of those book boyfriends who just captures you immediately and his every kind word and action tugs at the heartstrings. I felt so emotionally engaged with his journey, and liked the religious elements that were infused into his storyline, without being too in-your-face, or pushy. I loved how the author connected two very different people and had them both bring different essential aspects to their relationship. The clashes the two had as Portia travels down a route of self-destruction after believing she deserves no better was beautifully put together and I found myself on tenterhooks as I wondered whether they would be able to overcome the storm brought about by Portia’s stubborn, selfish and sensitive nature. Her reaction to Will’s ex Pamela was great fun to read as I loved seeing the jealous side of Portia that she would have always kept under wraps if it were not for Will having made her more human.

Without giving too much away, I loved the opening prologue that was set in Portia and Will’s future, and seeing how this unfolded in the later chapters. I read with tears in my eyes and my heart pounding painfully. There was some clever and frank writing by L. Duarte and it made for some exceptional read.

One of my favourite aspects of this book was how real the issues that the story dealt with were portrayed. This was particularly poignant in the epilogue where we hear of what has transpired for all the main characters in the last year. Whilst some characters get their happy endings, others still struggle with drug addiction, loss and marriage to a man who it was suggested once beat them. This gave the story a satisfying and realistic ending which was refreshing to read.

Unfortunately there were a few typos that slipped through the editing process, but this doesn’t stop `Chasing Stars’ from being a wonderful book and it was truly a pleasure to read, and one of my favourite reads for 2013.

5 Stars and a definite recommended read.

 “Though we had all the money most people can only think of, we were the rejects of the plastic city of LA, where artificial is the norm and the normal is outdated”

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Legendary rock singer Britt Jordan is at the pinnacle of his career-at least as far as the world knows. But Britt’s voice is failing and a terrible event in his past haunts him every moment. He thinks that his life is a hopeless shipwreck…until the night he is stopped dead in his tracks by a woman’s smile. With the same determination that propelled him to stardom, he begins to create a new life with Dena and her daughter, Bonnie. Britt’s presence in Dena’s life brings more than paparazzi, however. His baggage includes a brother who wants to destroy him and a stalker intent on killing his wife. Willing to sacrifice any price to save his family, he finally must find a higher plane on which to face his past and his future. Anytime I would tell someone I was writing a story about a rock star, I could see their eyes start to glaze over. Almost as if a cartoon balloon floated up, I could just about see them thinking, “Why?”

As if I had a choice! As soon as these two characters plopped down in my brain and took up housekeeping, they demanded that I tell their story.

There was Britt Jordan:  quirky, restless, determined, forgetful, genius. Losing his voice and lugging a weight of guilt. Skeptical in matters of faith.  It required a peculiar insanity on my part to house him inside my head.

And Dena:  self-assured, calm, a mother, fearless, imaginative. Rooted in her faith; positive in her trust in Britt. Her melodious voice still lilts through my thoughts at times.

Britt’s presence in Dena’s life brings more than paparazzi.  His baggage includes a brother who wants to destroy him and a stalker intent on killing Dena. To what lengths would he go to keep his family safe?  I had to find out.

After they had told their story, Britt and Dena packed up and left my brain; I must confess that I miss them some days. Their story will forever be a part of mine.

And now, I trust their voices will transport you into the higher truth of their story . . .

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Meet the author

I am perfectly flawed and I believe the best stories aren’t about perfect people. The best stories are about what happens when you back a flawed person into a corner.

I like to unravel a character until I get at the story he really wants to tell me. The story might leave us a little grimy in the telling, but we’ll find out just what he’ll risk everything for. We’ll find out whether he’s willing to let the story transform him.

Because I believe God’s story is evident even in the grimiest of tales. As for me, I’m as flawed as anyone. I can scruff along my daily walk not much different than the next person. And yet…and yet, by God’s grace, I stand perfect. Amazing truth.

I am a graduate of High Point University, I live near Mt. Airy, North Carolina, and my husband and I own a couple small businesses.

Synopsis:

In the year 2229, cash-starved prospector Mia Blancharde uncovers a valuable relic while digging around the swing zone, a shared forest area that lies between two cities. To the north is Freedale, a polluted militaristic metropolis on the cutting edge of high technology. To the south sits picturesque Lakeside, a quiet rural community of earth-loving purists.

A delicate accord between the two cities has allowed their peaceful coexistence, but as activists from Lakeside start taking potshots at Freedale, Mia’s brother, Colonel Zavier Blancharde, calls for an attack to retaliate against them. With the swing zone fast becoming a battle zone, Mia rushes to excavate her find with the help of Coltis Lawson, an archeology enthusiast from the purist side. His knowledge and almost magical capabilities only serve to confuse her further, as she finds herself unwittingly falling for a man she’s not sure she can trust. With her opinion swaying back and forth along with the tide of the conflict, Mia comes to learn there’s more at stake than she could possibly imagine. Torn between her love and her city, she struggles to uncover the mysterious truth while trying not to get trapped on the wrong side of a very dangerous line.

Review: 

This is another author I feel like people are missing. From the Homebound story to this post apocalyptic book, she needs to be recognized. The book is in the year 2229. This is after the world had almost succumbed to natural apocalypse. The city is teetering on a major conflict. Mia, the main character who is trying to discover treasures. Between her and her dad, they are depending on this money to help him survive. I really loved the character of Mia and her transformation. She becomes more and more outgoing and loses a lot of her fears. I realized that Mia was going for the gusto and she wont stop until she gets it.

As with her other books, the style and overall plot were great. She did a wonderful job of beginning the tall tale of a new society. This should be a series and I would love to experience more of Mia. I hope to get a glimpse of the conflict between the purist and the soldiers of Freedale.

Author 

Jodi McClure

I strive to create stories no one has seen before. To stand way off the beaten path, far outside the box. I want my readers to walk away thinking, “Well, that was new…” in a good way. Jersey shore native living in Durham, North Carolina. I am a novelist by nature, an artist by desire, an electronics tech by profession. Lover of large empty spaces, glass, plants, sunlight and ridiculously evil men.

Whenever I write, I try to imagine what the reader will expect and then do the exact opposite. I am always striving to create a story no one has seen before, to stand far off the beaten path…well outside the box. Beneath my stories there are debates that look at old issues from fresh perspectives. Realistic characters with all the good and bad that entails. Settings that take you someplace else and tease your imagination. I want the reader to walk away thinking, “Well, that was new.” …in a good way.

Smashwords 

Website: http://killergourmet.blogspot.com/
Facebook: Facebook profile

Blog: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6420136.Jodi_McClure/blog 

Jodi McClure

@punklit

The Cargo Man’s Tale   

A bored, young man’s life is thrown into turmoil when he hooks up with a raucous gang of boys on the docks in ancient Rome. His path thrown to fate, he struggles to succeed in a world where hierarchy is everything and he’s on the bottom rung.

Homebound   

Bedridden after an accident, ailing businessman John Adams finds himself at the mercy of Cloey Jacobs, his country bumpkin aide. Miserable and jaded, John wants little to do with the woman until she mentions an old mystery she’s been unable to solve. Determined to unravel the puzzle himself, John assists the barely literate aide in following a string of clues hidden in classic books.

Blurb

It’s the life I was born to live: billionaire’s daughters, living amongst the rich & famous. But my mom kept me a secret from my dad. Until now.

I am so out of my league. Fancy parties, expensive cars, and a private school for the elite… It sounds like a dream. But everything is not as perfect as it seems on the outside. Here, the secrets are dirty, and the lies comes easy.

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Author Bio

I am a YA/ NA author, with an addiction to NOS & Red Bull energy drinks. My guilty pleasure is the TV series The Lying Game and The Vampire Diaries. I’m 23 years old. I currently live in St Louis, with my husband of 2 years.

Blurb

It’s the life I was born to live: billionaire’s daughters, living amongst the rich & famous. But my mom kept me a secret from my dad. Until now.

I am so out of my league. Fancy parties, expensive cars, and a private school for the elite… It sounds like a dream. But everything is not as perfect as it seems on the outside. Here, the secrets are dirty, and the lies comes easy.

Stalk Links

 Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

The Fab Life Links

Goodread 

Amazon 

Author Bio

I am a YA/ NA author, with an addiction to NOS & Red Bull energy drinks. My guilty pleasure is the TV series The Lying Game and The Vampire Diaries. I’m 23 years old. I currently live in St Louis, with my husband of 2 years.

Reading Renee, Q & A with Leighton Summers: Stupid By Choice Book Blog Tour

Thank you so much for having me as a guest author.  I truly appreciate it and want to thank all of you who read this post as well as my new novel, Stupid By Choice.  I hope you enjoy it!

I know this is not really a spoiler but…Why did Melanie leave David?  He was her (first) love—and when she was told that it was him or money, she took that bracelet. Why? 

I know to some people that might have seemed harsh, but the character of Melanie was really making her first big decision of her life in that scene, and it was “one person vs. her whole future” I was looking at, for it wasn’t just the bracelet—it was her whole trust fund that it represented—and in this kind of wealthy, upscale world that’s an amount of money that can last you a lifetime.  (And you never really know if someone else is ever going to stick around for a whole lifetime, no matter how “in love” you are at the moment.)

Also, Melanie was a teenager at this point in the story, and even at that young age she would still know you wouldn’t risk your whole future on only one person for such a large amount of money—or at least in my affluent social circles I’ve never seen that happen at any age—and though this is a novel, I was still trying to reflect the characters doing what most people from my world would do in a situation like that.    *****I liked him and when she took the bracelet  

Was it hard to write Oldie? I mean, I know a writer is good when she writes a character like him and you hate the man.

Actually no, for I had never thought about Oldie as someone a reader wouldn’t like, but I do respect your opinion if you didn’t like Oldie.  (I only hope it’s the kind of “love to hate” emotion like people thought of J.R. on the TV show Dallas.) (**OMG I though JR the whole time when it first started. You loved to hate him, like Oldie he was good, then bing something was wrong and he was hard as nails)  I really loved Oldie and thought he was great fun to write.  He was a strong character with strong opinions, and in Texas you see a lot of real men just like that, so it could also be that I’m just used to this type of male personality more than other people are.

Was it hard to write Melanie? (Being a glutton for punishment… bad men and poor choices?) 

In a story you always want to see characters put in challenging situations to see how they grow or change, and I put the main character of Melanie St. John into as many interesting, challenging situations as I could to help show her overall growth as she (hopefully) learned from her past each time as the story evolved, and she then (eventually) made better decisions.

I felt Melanie was also the type of person who needed a challenge too, and she also really wanted to get out of her hometown.  She could have stayed in her “safety zone” in Texas her whole life if she wanted to and settled down with a typical “trust fund brat” like the one she was with, but instead I wanted to show how she wanted to move to NYC to get away from that truly toxic relationship in Texas.  I felt it was the best way to handle that situation in the story too, for it gave the character of Melanie a chance to really grow on her own for the first time in her young adult life when she was still in her twenties, which is important for all women to do I feel.  (And even though this is fiction, I still hope that part inspires them to also do that if they ever want to leave a bad relationship and just start over somewhere else!)

How did you come up with the acronyms like BDL (Bad Date List), FF (Fearsome Foursome), T.O.P, (Texas Oil Princess)? I loved them! 

Thank you!  I just made them up—and I’m very happy you like them! 

(They were fun to think about and ponder over too.)

Did you like writing Whitney, “Miss Barbie Doll,” and Eva, “Miss Exotic”?

What great questions, for these two characters really were written to be the opposites of each other in many ways…

Eva was very hard to write and I often got very sad when I did, for she was my most tragic character.  She was meant to show a person’s dark, painful choices and bring out their troubling emotions at times, especially if they felt they didn’t really “fit in” wherever they were in life like Eva always did… whereas Whitney was the fun, carefree “party girl” with nothing to worry about except her next glass of bubbly most of the time because everything was always handed to her easily, though I did try to show her growth too by the end.

In my upscale world there are all types of people, but I see this kind of “Whitney” character a lot, and I wanted to show that in the book.  There are also a lot of “Eva’s” in regards to how they’ll do anything to be included in this high-society world, but they actually come from all walks of life and aren’t limited to just being “exotic types.”  I mainly created Eva to be that to make her the opposite of Whitney in appearance.

Lastly, who inspired Barc?  I MUST know!

 No one in particular, for like Whitney and Eva’s character’s, there are a lot of “Barc’s” in this upscale, elite world.  I actually created the character of Barc as an example of how you can be fooled by someone’s appearance, their “story,” pedigree, or even their charisma (and even for a long time), and you have to be careful to see what is really inside the initial package you are first presented with.  For like a well-wrapped gift, it could look lovely and shinny on the outside, but sometimes opening it up is really like opening Pandora’s box—and the actual gift you’re left with isn’t what it “appeared” to be.  I unfortunately run across this all the time in my social circles (with both men and women), so I had no trouble creating a fictional version for the book.  He’s a character I hope women will learn from though!

  This was my Barc 

 James Spader from Pretty in Pink, oldie (HA HA) but a goodie

Buy it at Amazon 

Title: Save Me From Me

Author: Erika Ashby

Release Date: October 2013

Goodreads Link:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17281558-save-me-from-me

Synopsis:

Excerpt:

 *Dani* 

     If first impressions are really everything, then my first encounter with Holden will forever be engrained into my mind. Like seriously. I will never be able to get the look of his face as that slut bag was going down on him out of my mind. The way his head dropped back against the outside wall of the bar and the moan that slowly eased its way out of his throat was the hottest damn thing ever. The thought of wishing I was the one causing it quickly passed my mind. It would have stayed a bit longer if he would have never lifted his head making eye contact with me. He wasn’t fazed at all by me checking out the show. No, instead he just griped the chicks head harder pushing her faster and deeper onto what I’m sure is a very nice cock. It’s sad and maybe a little sick that this is making me horny. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m in a desperate need to get laid. It’s been forever. So long that I can’t even remember. 

*Holden* 

      I push back the head of the girl whose name apparently is Loralee. It’s not like I would have given two-shits and even asked. I could care less to be honest. I just got into town today and was just looking for a release and she was more than willing to comply. But now, ever since that hot little thing openly watched me getting my dick sucked and enjoyed the show, this chick is just feeling like a dog licking up slop.

      “Enough.” I say trying to adjust my now deflating dick back into my boxers.

     She huffs, “Wait, why? Is it because of what Dani said?” Dani, I let the sound of her name play in my mind. “Because what she said isn’t true. I’m gonna beat her fuckin’ ass.” 

     I lift my hand to shut her up, “Listen here sweetheart. This has nothing to do with her. It has to do with me not getting anything out of your mouth. I lost interest…my dick lost interest. I could lie and say that I have a case of whiskey dick, but we both know that isn’t true. Maybe you just suck at sucking tonight. It’s okay.” I pat her shoulder, “We all have our off nights.” 

Book Trailer:Link

Social Media Links: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorEAshby

Twitter: @erikaashby

Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/ErikaAshby

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6625020.Erika_Ashby

Author Bio:

Being born an “Army Brat”, Erika Ashby has been residing in Oklahoma the last 10 years finally putting an end to the nomad tendencies she had grown accustomed to. She’s a happily married woman who has 5 kids between her and her husband. She has an insane passion for music and embraces her Inner Groupie any chance she has. It wasn’t until the age of 29 that she realized she also had a hidden passion for reading; before then she claimed to have hated it. Six months after unlocking that deep desire she never knew she held, she turned the key to another chapter of her life which has become the desire to write. And the rest is still history in the making.

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