Release Day Launch: In Her Wake by K.A. Tucker + Excerpt

We are so stoked to bring you the Paperback Release Launch for K.A. Tucker's IN HER WAKE! IN HER WAKE is a new adult contemporary romance and is a prequel novella in the Ten Tiny Breaths Series, published by Atria Press (an imprint of Simon & Schuster) and as of today you can add this beauty to your bookshelf!! Grab your copy today!

---

 

In Her Wake

Ten Tiny Breaths #0.5

Author: K.A. Tucker

Reading Level: New Adult

Genre: Romance

Publisher: Atria
  

Before you knew him as Trent in Ten Tiny Breaths, he was Cole Reynolds—and he had it all. Until one night when he makes a fatal, wrong decision…and loses everything.

When a drunken night out at a Michigan State college party results in the death of six people, Cole must come to terms with his part in the tragedy. Normally, he’d be able to lean on his best friends—the ones who have been in his life since he could barely walk. Only, they’re gone. Worse, there’s the shattered body of a sixteen-year-old girl lying somewhere in a hospital bed, her entire life ripped from her because of a case of beer and a set of keys.

Everyone assures him that they know it wasn’t intentional, and yet he can’t ignore the weight of their gazes, the whispers behind his back. Nor can he shake the all-consuming guilt he feels every time he thinks of that girl who won’t so much as allow him near her hospital room to apologize. As the months go by and the shame and loneliness festers, Cole begins to lose his grip on what once was important—college, his girlfriend, his future. His life. It’s not until Cole hits rock-bottom that he can begin to see another way out of his personal hell: forgiveness.

And there’s only one person who can give that to him…

Read Leydy's 5 Trees Review 

Excerpt

That’s how I spot her.
There’s no doubt that it’s her; I’ve memorized her face.
Leaning against a wall on the opposite side, her lips wrapped around a clear bottle filled with clear liquor, her fiery red hair a wild mane against the stark white wall, a tight black T-shirt showing off toned arms. She’s in no rush to part with that bottle, guzzling back a good portion before she hands it off to someone, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
Her eyes at half-mast.
She’s wasted.
My heart starts racing. What the hell is Kacey Cleary doing here? By my calculation, she’s probably finishing her last year of high school, having lost at least half a year while recovering.
I tug my cap down even farther, though I doubt she can see two feet in front of her.
Shit. What if she does recognize me? How would she react? Does she know my real name? What I look like? I can’t say for sure that my face wasn’t printed in a newspaper somewhere. She could have Googled my name and found a dozen game shots with me in them. I have my helmet on in most of them, but you can find a profile picture of me easily enough if you’re looking.
I don’t know that she was, though. I wonder if Kacey Cleary gives a fuck about anything anymore. Her Facebook account is inactive. She hasn’t posted a single word and the well-wishes have dwindled, as everyone moves on.
I do know that she shouldn’t be at a party in this state. I’ve heard of bad things happening when girls get that drunk. Especially when they don’t care.
But what do I do?
A blonde stumbles into my chest with two beers in hand. “Hey, do you go here? What’s your name?” She’s tipping her head back way farther than necessary to look up at me, telling me she’s trying to flirt but is too drunk to do it right.
I smile down at her anyway. She’s a good cover. I can stand right here and watch Kacey. “I’m Trent, and I used to go here.”
“Really? When’d you graduate?”
From the corner of my eye, I see Kacey shift from the wall and begin climbing the stairs, her arm hooked around the railing to help her. Two guys following her.

---

Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

Audiobook Review: In Her Wake by K.A. Tucker

In Her Wake
Ten Tiny Breaths #0.5
Author: K.A. Tucker
Narrator: Sebastian York
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Romance
Released: September 1st 2014
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Audio

Before you knew him as Trent in Ten Tiny Breaths, he was Cole Reynolds—and he had it all. Until one night when he makes a fatal, wrong decision…and loses everything.

When a drunken night out at a Michigan State college party results in the death of six people, Cole must come to terms with his part in the tragedy. Normally, he’d be able to lean on his best friends—the ones who have been in his life since he could barely walk. Only, they’re gone. Worse, there’s the shattered body of a sixteen-year-old girl lying somewhere in a hospital bed, her entire life ripped from her because of a case of beer and a set of keys.

Everyone assures him that they know it wasn’t intentional, and yet he can’t ignore the weight of their gazes, the whispers behind his back. Nor can he shake the all-consuming guilt he feels every time he thinks of that girl who won’t so much as allow him near her hospital room to apologize. As the months go by and the shame and loneliness festers, Cole begins to lose his grip on what once was important—college, his girlfriend, his future. His life. It’s not until Cole hits rock-bottom that he can begin to see another way out of his personal hell: forgiveness.

And there’s only one person who can give that to him…

Before starting this story, I knew I was in for a heartbreak. We learn from the first book, Ten Tiny Breaths, of Cole’s biggest regret. In Her Wake is Cole’s side of the story. His pain, his sorrow of the night his life and Kasey changed. Needless to say, this was very hard for me to continue. Knowing the consequences of drinking and driving can cause… I could think of was of my dear friend I lost to a drunk driver. So excuse me for saying this - when it comes to drink and drive, I can be very judgmental. Though Cole was not the one driving, he felt guilty of letting his friend drive. It triggered a cord. Please people, do not let anyone drink and drive.

I must say, I learned that one shouldn’t judge no matter what. Not knowing the other half of the story doesn’t make one right. From reading Cole’s perspective, I can guarantee that he doesn’t need more people to be judgmental. His regret alone is consuming. Cole’s a walking dead. This tragedy impacted him to a whole new level one can never thought of. I know forgiving is hard, but one cannot live life with such sorrow. I was glad he found his happily ever after. It is true, love conquers all.

Cole destroyed Kasey’s life but was caught in her wake. This was his journey of forgiveness, a road to love. In Her Wake is a story that I will always remember.

Fans of Ten Tiny Breaths, I highly recommend that you start this right now.

Read My Reviews on Ten Tiny Breaths Series

Book Review: Five Ways to Fall by K.A. Tucker

Five Ways to Fall
Ten Tiny Breaths #4
Author: K.A. Tucker
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: June 24th 2014
Review Source: Purchased

Purple-haired, sharp-tongued Reese MacKay knows all about making the wrong choice; she’s made plenty of them in her twenty-odd-years. So when her impulsive, short-lived marriage ends in heartbreak, she decides it’s time for a change. She moves to Miami with the intention of hitting reset on her irresponsible life, and she does quite well…aside from an epically humiliating one-night stand in Cancun with a hot blond bouncer named Ben. Thank God she can get on a plane and leave that mistake behind her.

Football scholarship and frat parties with hot chicks? Part of charmer Ben Morris’s plan. Blown knee that kills any hope of a professional football career? So not part of the plan. Luckily Ben has brains to go with his knockout looks and magnetism. After three long years of balancing law school with his job as a bouncer at Penny’s Palace, he’s ready to lead a more mature life—until his first day of work, when he finds himself in the office of that crazy, hot chick he met in Cancun. The one he hasn’t stopped thinking about.

If Ben truly were a smart guy, he’d stay clear of Reese. She’s the boss’s stepdaughter and it’s been made very clear that office romances are grounds for dismissal. Plus, rumor has it she’s trouble. The only problem is, he likes trouble, especially when it’s so good-looking…

I know, I know, it took me forever to post my review on this book. But let me tell you something, Five Ways to Fall is my favorite of the series! I loved it to pieces. It was funny, sexy and the love story was addicting.  I was so glad that I was able to meet K.A. Tucker at Book Bash because I freaking loved this one.

In Five Ways to Fall we are introduced to Reese Makay. The girl is badass. She may be considered as a rebel, but in my book, Reese knows who she is and doesn’t let anyone tell her how to act. And she’s HILARIOUS! Oh man, I laughed so much while reading.

After getting divorced, Reese is a mess. She lands in jail and her step-father comes to the rescue. He gives her the opportunity to do something of herself and she becomes a paralegal at his firm. Enters Ben. If you have read the previous books of this series, then you know Ben is not the type to mess with.  Before starting his new career, Ben meets Reese during a trip in Cancun. During this trip, Reese wants to have fun and Ben is completely the opposite of her ex-husband. So she hooks up with him. Reese is foreign to Ben but when he begins his new job at the law firm, Ben realizes Reese is the same girl he hooked up with. But she is off limited. She is his new boss step-daughter. But how can he resist his attraction to her?

Okay, so let’s be honest.  You may be thinking this is something you have read before. But Five Ways to Falls stands out. This book will make you laugh out loud. The attraction between Reese and Ben is oh so good. Seeing them together is addicting. These two hard-headed are meant to be. And you will want to know how they end up together. Trust me, the story is so good!

Five Ways to Fall easily became my favorite of the series. Ben is charming and very caring. One can easily fall in love with him. No need of five ways to explain his awesomeness. I loved him, loved Reese and loved Five Ways to Fall.

Book Review: Four Seconds To Lose by K.A. Tucker

Four Seconds To Lose
Ten Tiny Breaths #3
Author: K.A. Tucker
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: April 1, 2014
Review Source: Netgalley | Atria Books

When a gorgeous young dancer walks through his door, a strip club owner must decide whether to follow his rules or his heart in the third novel by the author of One Tiny Lie and Ten Tiny Breaths.

Owning a strip club isn’t the fantasy most guys expect it to be. With long hours, a staff with enough issues to keep a psych ward in business, and the police regularly on his case, twenty-nine-year-old Cain is starting to second guess his unspoken mission to save the women he employs. And then blond, brown-eyed Charlie Rourke walks through his door, and things get really complicated. Cain abides by a strict “no sleeping with the staff” rule. But being around Charlie challenges Cain’s self-control…and it’s been a long time since any woman has done that.

Twenty-two-year-old Charlie Rourke needs a lot of money, really fast, in order to vanish before it’s too late. Taking her clothes off for men makes her stomach curl but Charlie tells herself that at least she’s putting her acting and dancing skills to good use. And though her fellow dancers seem eager to nab their sexy, sophisticated, and genuinely caring boss, she’s not interested. After all, Charlie Rourke doesn’t really exist—and the girl pretending to be her can't get distracted by romance.

Unfortunately, Charlie soon discovers that developing feelings for Cain is inevitable, and that those feelings may not be unrequited—but losing him when he finds out what she’s involved with will be more painful than any other sentence awaiting her.

Cain is a guy who is letting his past define him. He's doing everything he can to make up for his wrong-doings. Like, owning a strip club. I know, I know what you're thinking. "How is owning a strip club good?" Well, he helps his employees stay off drugs and he keeps everything strictly legal in the club. He doesn't even look at his dancers "like that." Heck he doesn't even watch them "perform." In walks Charlie, who's not really Charlie, and is trying to run from her messed up world. There's something about her that Cain can't get enough of. He watches her performance every night. Let me tell you, it's totally hot. They are playing a hot, hot game. But, lies always come to light right? Will Cain be able to save Charlie?

Saying I loved this book is an understatement. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Cain is an insanely hot character. (As is his best friend who I could use more of!) I felt for Charlie! The dark path she was doing down was truly scary and every time she was in a dangerous situation I was holding my breath. But, her and Cain's interactions were hot to say the least. The tension between Charlie and Cain was insane and you can feel it through the pages. Every character was placed and contributed greatly. Nothing in this book felt out of place. Have I said I loved Four Seconds To Lose?

Honestly, I haven't read the first two books in this Ten Tiny Breaths series. But, I loved K.A. Tucker's writing so much you better believe I'm going to read them ASAP! Seriously though, do yourself a favor and read Four Seconds To Lose. So good!

Blog Tour: Four Seconds to Lose | K.A. Tucker | Review | Giveaway

Welcome to our stop on the Four Seconds to Lose review tour for K.A. Tucker.

---

Four Seconds to Lose
Ten Tiny Breaths #3
Author: K.A. Tucker
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 4th 2013
Review Source: Blog Tour
    

Owning a strip club isn’t the fantasy most guys expect it to be. With long hours, a staff with enough issues to keep a psych ward in business, and the police regularly on his case, twenty-nine year old Cain is starting to second guess his unspoken mission to save the women he employs. And then blond, brown-eyed Charlie Rourke walks through his door, and things get really complicated. Cain abides by a strict “no sleeping with the staff” rule. But being around Charlie challenges Cain’s self-control…and it’s been a long time since any woman has done that.

Twenty-two-year old Charlie Rourke needs a lot of money, really fast, in order to vanish before it’s too late. Taking her clothes off for men makes her stomach curl but Charlie tells herself that at least she’s putting her acting and dancing skills to good use. And though her fellow dancers seem eager to nab their sexy, sophisticated, and genuinely caring boss, she’s not interested. After all, Charlie Rourke doesn’t really exist—and the girl pretending to be her doesn’t need to complicate her life with romance.

Unfortunately, Charlie soon discovers that developing feelings for Cain is inevitable, that those feelings may not be unrequited—but losing him when he finds out what she’s involved with will be more painful than any other sentence awaiting her.

Finally, the story of the beautiful and tormented Cain! I truly couldn’t wait to hear about his story and now that is here – Thank you baby Jesus – Tucker you rock! This is such a heartwarming story. My heart is filled with joy and satisfaction.

In Ten Tiny Breaths we meet Cain, the strip club owner that takes pride at helping out his employees. We learned he had a troubled past and no one knew about it… until now. In Four Seconds to Lose we learn why he likes to help the girls that works for him. It is such a heartbreaking story. I couldn’t believe how wicked his parents were. I was shocked to learn about his sister. Most of all, I was stunned to learn the twist of the story – YOU GOT ME!

I’ve learned to love the characters of this series. I can connect with them at a realistic level and learn from them. I love how Tucker describes these characters and she makes you feel like you personally know them. I loved how Cain and Charlie come together in such tragic events.

Cain is such a gentleman; he is kind and very honest. I love how he always has this “serious” face but in reality he is such a sweetheart. I love him. None the less, my favorite character is Charlie. With such life - I know I would be broken and weak. Charlie is totally the opposite. She is strong, in control but most of all she is very humble. I truly enjoyed reading her character. Put these together and yes, they make the best couple of the series, in my opinion.

If you are looking for romance book, this is the one to read. It can be read as a standalone but truly the other books are worth reading. I love how you learn to know these characters.

You can read Leydy's thoughts on Ten Tiny Breaths & One Tiny Lie.

---

Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

Find K.A. Tucker: 

Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Atria

---

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: One Tiny Lie by K.A. Tucker

One Tiny Lie
Ten Tiny Breaths #2
Author: K.A. Tucker
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: June 11th 2013
Review Source: Purchased

In this follow-up novel to the top-selling Ten Tiny Breaths, Livie Cleary faces a new set of challenges as she navigates freshman year at Princeton, wild parties, and the gorgeous rowing team captain who is everything she doesn’t want in a guy, or so she thinks…

“Make me proud.” These were the last words Livie’s father ever spoke to her. In the seven years since her parents’ tragic death, Livie has done her best to keep this promise through her every choice, word, and action, while looking after her sister with strength and maturity. But with college right around the corner, unexpected challenges will test her resilience—and her heart.

Livie walks into Princeton with a solid plan, and she’s dead set on delivering on it: Rock her classes, set herself up for medical school, and meet a good, respectable guy to marry someday. What isn’t part of her plan are Jell-O shots; a lovable, party animal roommate she can’t say “no” to; and Ashton, the arrogant—and extremely attractive—captain of the men’s rowing team who makes Livie’s usually non-existent temper flare. Worse, he’s best friends and roommates with Connor, who fits Livie’s criteria perfectly. So why does she keep thinking about Ashton?

As Livie finds herself facing mediocre grades, career aspirations she no longer thinks she can handle, and feelings for Ashton that she shouldn’t have, she’s forced to let go of her last promise to her father and, with it, the only identity that she knows.

I was really excited to start this book. I really enjoyed reading the first one and I couldn’t wait to read this one. Not sure if it was my high expectations, but I just couldn’t click with the main characters. None the less, K.A. Tucker is an amazing writer.

One Tiny Lie is about the story of Live Cleary, Kacey’s sister from Ten Tiny Breaths. She is the young sister that her parents were taken away at a car accident. Not only did she experience losing them but she had to fear losing her sister as well. Livie had to grow up at such young age.

Livie is trying to follow the path her parents would approve of. She becomes the “perfect” child. Chasing her parents’ dreams, Livie heads off to Princeton.

Taking the advice of her therapy, Kacey takes Livie to a party. This is the night Livie meets Jell-O shots thief, Ashton. The next day, Livie wakes up naked along with Mr. Jell-O shot thief. Livie doesn’t remember the night at all but Ashton does and is willing to forget. Hurt from his words, she tries to move on and this is when she meets Conner. Later on, Livie finds out Conner is best friends with Ashton. Livie is stuck in a triangle love – Ashton, the manwhore everyone wants or Conner, the perfect guy her parents would approve of. What path is she willing to take - her parents or her own?

The story goes back and forth with Livie doubting herself. She is stuck with feelings toward Ashton, but she doesn’t believe her parents would approve of him. Ashton is no help, with his mood swings, making Livie more confuse. Livie believes Connor is guy her parents would approve of. I really didn’t enjoy this love triangle. Livie really didn’t have feelings for Conner. She was just conflicted; she was trying to follow the path of her parents. I don’t think the “love triangle” was well structure. Not sure, I just didn’t like it, at all.

Over all, I found the book well written. No one is perfect, no matter how hard you try. Livie had to learn her own way to realize this. I was expecting more angst. However, One Tiny Lie left me satisfied to continue reading the next book of the series.

Book Review: Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

Ten Tiny Breaths
Ten Tiny Breaths #1
Author: K.A. Tucker
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: February 12th 2013
Review Source: Purchased

Just breathe, Kacey. Ten tiny breaths. Seize them. Feel them. Love them.

Four years ago Kacey Cleary’s life imploded when her car was hit by a drunk driver, killing her parents, boyfriend, and best friend. Still haunted by memories of being trapped inside, holding her boyfriend’s lifeless hand and listening to her mother take her last breath, Kacey wants to leave her past behind. Armed with two bus tickets, twenty-year-old Kacey and her fifteen-year-old sister, Livie, escape Grand Rapids, Michigan, to start over in Miami. Struggling to make ends meet, Kacey needs to figure out how to get by. But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle anything—anything but her mysterious neighbor in apartment 1D.

Trent Emerson has smoldering blue eyes, deep dimples, and he perfectly skates that irresistible line between nice guy and bad boy. Hardened by her tragic past, Kacey is determined to keep everyone at a distance, but their mutual attraction is undeniable and Trent is determined to find a way into Kacey’s guarded heart—even if it means that an explosive secret could shatter both their worlds.

Ten Tiny Breaths is a story about second chance at life, learning how to forgive and love. There is truth within the sadness of the tragedy contained inside the pages of this book. No matter how are hard life hits you, you must get up and move on. Life is too beautiful to waste and this is what K.A. Tucker explains in this beautiful story.

The story begins when sisters, Livie and Kacey, are moving into a new city. After the death of her parents, best friend and boyfriend, Kacey has never been the same. Escaping from their tragic past, they try to start a new beginning.

Then Trent walks-in, their drop-dead gorgeous neighbor from apartment 1D. His eyes are set only on Kacey but he has a past to reveal. In denial, Kacey doesn’t want to feel and she doesn’t want anything to do with Trent. But little by little Trent will peal her hardness away but with his past, will Kacey ever let him in?

K.A. Tucker created characters that one can relate to, each and everyone one of them. Kacey is the broken child that experienced a tragic accident. From everyone in that accident, she was the only survival. She questioned herself why she wasn’t taken away to spare her pain. Livie is the young sister that her family was taken away from her. Not only was she hurt for her parents’ loss but she also had to fear losing her only sibling left. Then there is Trent. He is the person on the side of the story. With guilt and not able to forgive himself for the past, he is looking for forgiveness.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Sometimes we criticize people or situations when it comes to the topic engaged in this book. However, K.A. Tucker made me realized there are always two sides behind a story. And that living stuck in the past is not a way to live. One must learn how to forgive and live life as it is. This is a definitely recommend story.