Book Review: Two of Hearts by Christina Lee

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Two of Hearts
Author: Christina Lee
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: May 5th 2015
Review Source:NAL Trade

A gripping standalone adult contemporary romance about finding yourself while taking a second chance at your first love…

Dakota Nakos was always the resilient, strong-willed achiever. But when her father dies and she’s entrusted with the family’s casino, she feels vulnerable, scared, and more than a little emotional —not exactly the best time to see an old lover she’s never really gotten over.

Dakota once meant the world to Shane Garrity. Then suddenly he left town to train as a U.S. Marshal, and their love for each other crashed into a memory. Now he’s come home for her father’s funeral, and one look at the girl he left behind stirs up both memories and regrets, and reignites a fire he feared he’d lost forever.

Dakota may be the same driven girl she always was, but she’s also changed in ways neither could have anticipated. She’s not just a young woman searching for own identity in the Native American community in which she was raised, but one questioning her new life outside her father’s shadow. Above all she wonders if Shane can push past her weakened defenses to rekindle what they once had, or whether the intense blaze between them will ultimately reduce her heart to ashes.

Let's talk about how much I love Christina Lee. The moment I saw her title available to review, I said "YES! Another Christina Lee's novel." And once again, she delivers. Seriously, this woman has become an auto-buy for me. Within few pages of the books, I was in tears.... So if you haven't read any of her books, make sure you start today! You really do not want to miss out on her stories.

As sexy as her stories are, it is also a very inspiring, like this story. So many happy tears with Two of Hearts. We have two amazing characters, Dakota and Shane, with some serious history. Yet, no matter how powerful their love is for one another, they can be stubborn. Which lead them to a not so good terms ending years ago. Now, with a terrible tragedy, Shane is back into Dakota's life. Trying to rekindle her friendship, Shane wants to reach out to her but as he realizes she is in trouble, Shane decides it is time that he stays... for good. Stubborn as always, Dakota doesn't see this and tries to keep away from Shane. But her feelings toward him takes over and boy, do these two share some intimate moments.

I loved this story, most of all I loved Dakota. She is one heck of a strong woman. As smart and lovable, she is most of all loyal to her family. She did not let anyone step on her. She did not let anyone tell her who she is and isn't. This girl stayed firmed and fought for her rights. Such an inspiring story. Let's not even start the chemistry she shared with Shane. You just have to read it! So make sure to pick it up today!

Blog Tour: When We Met | A.L. Jackson | Molly McAdams | Tiffany King | Christina Lee | Excerpt | Giveaway

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When We Met
Burying Water # 1
Author: A.L. Jackson, Molly McAdams, Christina Lee & Tiffany King
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: November 4th 2014

Today’s premiere New Adult authors combine their talents to tell four original stories from inside one house.

When four girls decide to live off campus together as juniors at a college in Michigan, they expect it to be their best year yet. Little do they know, it’s a year that will change the rest of their lives.

BEHIND HER EYES by A.L. Jackson
Unable to live down her ex-boyfriend’s deception, Misha is determined to avoid betrayal. When, the new guy next door, Darryn starts to get under her skin, her defenses start to crumble. But trusting Darryn seems impossible, especially if he’s not sure he can trust himself.

SAVING ME by Molly McAdams
On the outside, Indy is always ready for a party—but inside she’s breaking. Kier makes a weekly routine of saving the girl next door from herself on Saturday nights… but when will she be ready to remember him on Sunday morning?

FOULING OUT by Tiffany King
Working at a sports bar, Courtney has become a pro at sidestepping propositions from arrogant jocks—which makes her a more elusive catch for campus basketball star Dalton than he expected. But when he falls for the saucy waitress, Dalton will have to rethink his game plan to prove he’s not the jerk Courtney expects.

BENEATH YOUR LAYERS by Christina Lee
In order to ace her fashion internship, Chloe must team up with local college dropout and set builder, Blake—much to her chagrin. But after some "hands-on" experience, Chloe will have to ask herself if Blake factors into her carefully laid plans…

Read Laura's 5 Trees Review 

Excerpt

Behind Her Eyes by A.L. Jackson

Now I could feel him, his eyes all over me, caressing me slowly, up and down.

I let all my insecurities drift away as I swayed in time to the music, in sync with the throb of the crowd and the intermittent lights that glowed against my lids.

A charged moment passed, before strong hands found my hips and gripped them from behind. For a beat, I stiffened, before I again gave in to this sublime release. And again, he felt good. Right. All this intense energy that ricocheted between us wrapped me up in a frenzy of nerves, alight and alive. The smell of him took me whole, all soap and man and sex.

Oh God.

My heart beat frantically, racing to keep up with my thoughts that were spiraling out of control.

A shimmer of fear slithered through me, before he pulled my back into the safety of his firm chest.

And that was what I felt.

Safe.

With him, and I didn’t know why, and I was searching inside myself for resolve, for the commitment 

I’d made to never allow myself to be so easily played again.

But it was just out of my reach.

Darryn held me close, our bodies moving in time, like we shared the same breath, the same space. 

I leaned back, my head on his shoulder as his face found the curve of my neck. Chills sped, spinning my body into a violent cataclysm of need. He let his hands roam, palms pressing hard as he ran them down the front of my legs, spanning them wide as he trailed them back up to my hips and over my stomach. 

Fingertips dipped into my ribs as he slid them up the curve of my sides, and he lifted my arms as he went, in the same fluid motion fastening my hands around the back of his neck.

All those butterflies scattered, a clash of discordant wings that fluttered haphazardly through my insides, leaving my stomach in a coiled mess of confusion and need.

Why him? Why now?

Holding me close, he brushed his mouth over the shell of my ear, his whispered words injected directly to my manic heart. “Goddamn, Misha. What are you trying to do to me?”

I suddenly found it impossible to breathe, because it was him who was slowly undoing all the fibers of reservation woven through my weakened spirit.

“Can’t get you off my mind.” He leaned in closer, his hand sweeping up my stomach. Fingers brushed between my breasts, and I released a sharp gasp.

“Been dying to touch you,” he murmured low.

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A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including If Forever Comes, Pulled and When We Collide, as well as the New Adult Romance Come To Me Quietly due out January 7, 2014.

She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.

Molly grew up in California but now lives in the oh-so-amazing state of Texas with her husband and furry four-legged daughters. When she's not diving into the world of her characters, some of her hobbies include hiking, snowboarding, traveling, and long walks on the beach … which roughly translates to being a homebody with her hubby and dishing out movie quotes. She has a weakness for crude-humored movies, fried pickles and loves curling up in a fluffy comforter during a thunderstorm ... or under one in a bathtub if there are tornados. That way she can pretend they aren't really happening.

USA Today Bestselling author Tiffany King is a lifelong reading fanatic who is now living her dream as a writer, weaving Young Adult and New Adult romance tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iPhone and iPad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, zombies and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.

Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son--her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip gloss, salted caramel everything, and believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.

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Book Review: When We Met by A.L. Jackson, Molly Adams, Tiffany King, and Christina Lee

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When We Met
Author: A.L. Jackson, Molly McAdams, Tiffany King,  Christina Lee
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: November 4, 2014
Review Source: NAL Trade

Today’s premiere New Adult authors combine their talents to tell four original stories from inside one house.

When four girls decide to live off campus together as juniors at a college in Michigan, they expect it to be their best year yet. Little do they know, it’s a year that will change the rest of their lives.

BEHIND HER EYES by A.L. Jackson
Unable to live down her ex-boyfriend’s deception, Misha is determined to avoid betrayal. When, the new guy next door, Darryn starts to get under her skin, her defenses start to crumble. But trusting Darryn seems impossible, especially if he’s not sure he can trust himself.

SAVING ME by Molly McAdams 

On the outside, Indy is always ready for a party—but inside she’s breaking. Kier makes a weekly routine of saving the girl next door from herself on Saturday nights… but when will she be ready to remember him on Sunday morning?

FOULING OUT by Tiffany King 

Working at a sports bar, Courtney has become a pro at sidestepping propositions from arrogant jocks—which makes her a more elusive catch for campus basketball star Dalton than he expected. But when he falls for the saucy waitress, Dalton will have to rethink his game plan to prove he’s not the jerk Courtney expects.

BENEATH YOUR LAYERS by Christina Lee 

In order to ace her fashion internship, Chloe must team up with local college dropout and set builder, Blake—much to her chagrin. But after some "hands-on" experience, Chloe will have to ask herself if Blake factors into her carefully laid plans…

This book may be unsuitable for people under 17 years of age due to its use of sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence.

I've been a Young Adult kick for a few months now, so when I saw this book was coming out, I thought I'd give it a try...and I'm glad I did! From page one I fell in love with all of the characters and genuinely cared about them. There were times where I was reading this book in a public area and blushed during several scenes, but I felt that it was written tastefully.

Misha is the first character we are introduced to and I immediately felt a connection with her. I've been wronged by guys in college before and there where times where I just wanted to pack up and go home. I think her situation was relatable and the relationship she forms with Darryn was believable. I was left wanting more of Misha's story, and that's always a good thing.

At first I thought, "there's no way I will like any of the characters after Misha's story"...but I was wrong! I fell in love with Indy just as fast. She's the party girl who drinks to forget her boy problems, which is something I've seen a lot of college girls do on a weekly basis. She was quirky and funny, but also sad and troubled. I think that she was perfectly matched with Kier, a quiet but also troubled boy. They needed each other to help them move on and grow. Again, I was wanting more at the end of her story!

Courtney was next and I was really curious about her because you don't really see her character in the other stories that much because she's always working. I knew shortly into her story, that we were the most alike. I grew up having the biggest crush on this guy who ended up being the captain of the football team and then we went to college together as well! I wanted to die when I saw him freshman year! I felt those same emotions again while reading Courtney's story and Dalton was the perfect fit for this story. Her part wasn't long enough either!

Chloe reminded my of Sex in the City mixed with The Devil Wears Prada. The other girls in the story were not as girly as Chloe, so it was nice surprise to see her into fashion. Finally I get the bad boy I was looking for. Don't get me wrong, the other boys were all delicious, but I was hoping for someone with a little more edge...and in comes Blake. I loved watching the relationship between Chloe and Blake change and grow.

Overall, I REALLY enjoyed this book and I know that I will be buying other books from these authors. Their writing was on point and they all fit so smoothly together.

Blog Tour: Promise Me This by Christina Lee + Giveaway

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Promise Me This
Between Breaths # 4
Author: Christina Lee
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: October 7th 2014

A new love will test the boundaries of passion between a privileged boy next door and the tattooed, blue-haired girl who helps him embrace his wild side...

Nate has developed quite a playboy reputation around campus. It's not that he doesn't respect or trust women; he doesn't trust himself. The men in Nate’s family are prone to abusive behavior—a dirty secret that Nate’s been running from his entire life—so Nate doesn't do relationships. But he can’t help himself around one girl…

Jessie is strong, independent, and works at a tattoo parlor. Nate can’t resist getting close to her, even if it’s strictly a friendship. But it doesn't take long for Nate to admit that what he wants with Jessie is more than just friendly.

With Jessie, he can be himself and explore what he’s always felt was a terrifying darkness inside him. Even when Nate begins to crave her in a way that both shocks and horrifies him, Jessie still wants to know every part of him. Testing their boundaries together will take a trust that could render them inseparable… or tear them apart.

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Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son--her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip gloss, salted caramel everything, and believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.

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Book Review: Before You Break by Christina Lee

Before You Break
Between Breaths #2
Author: Christina Lee
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Romance
Released: October 7th 2014
Review Source: NAL Trade | Penguin

New Adult sensation Christina Lee is back with a sexy and emotional tale about a bad boy on the edge and a good girl about to lose control....

A college baseball star isn’t supposed to have skeletons in his closet. But Daniel Quinn is hiding a past so dark, he refuses to let anyone get close. Except there’s something about Ella Abrams that goes beyond attraction—something that makes him want to open up.

Ella has suffered enough heartache to fill one of her psychology textbooks, but she keeps that part of herself hidden behind a bubbly exterior. Until she receives an anonymous call while working a suicide help line and the voice on the other end touches something inside of her that she can’t ignore.

Soon Ella and Quinn’s physical connection heats up, even as their revealing hotline talks intensify. But by the time Ella realizes that her seductive jock and her sensitive caller are the same guy, it might be too late to save him—or to stop herself from falling too far….

I remember browsing through Netgalley last year and first seeing All of You by Christina Lee. I loved the cover and summary… a hot.virgin.guy and in college? I was intrigued that I had to get a copy right away. Within hours, I read All of You and until this day I remember it well because I read one of the best first kiss ever! Unlike the first book, Before You Break is dark. These characters are broken. Both suffering from grief. Though  different from the first, Before You Break make a stand upon many New Adult novels.

From the very beginning of Before You Break, I was completely captivated with Quinn and Ella's world. Filled with grief, our two main characters will help each other overcome the death of their love ones. Slowly Quinn and Ella share their past without even knowing! They not only meet in person, but anonymously through a help center. I love when fate is in place - this is true love, people.

Though sometimes I had issues with Ella, at times she was a bit too clueless for my taste, this girl scored major points in my book. She is the type of people we need more in real life. There are very few that are willing to help wholeheartedly and Ella falls into this category. She is very patient and instead of judging, she sees things differently. I really like this about her. Now, Quinn... oh dang. He broke my heart many, many, many times. I wanted to hug him and never let go. Instead of living the college life, like many of his friends, this beautiful and talented but broken-hearted guy felt like he didn't deserve to be alive. Oh the tears... I loved his character so much and I felt protective of him.

Thank you Christina Lee for sharing another wonderful story. Before You Break was heartbreaking but worth reading. I highly recommend everyone to read this story! I cannot wait to contine this series.