Blog Tour & Review for Larkin's Letters by Jax Jillian

Book Title - Larkin’s Letters

Author - Jax Jillian

Publisher - Tate Publishing

Genre - Contemporary Romance

As Ryan Boone struggles to come to grips with not being able to keep a promise he made to his dying wife, Larkin's Letters propels readers into the mind of Ryan as he struggles with frequent visits from her ghost and a series of letters she left behind.

Ryan has worked hard to become one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors, but no matter how famous he became, he always remained loyal to his childhood best friend, Larkin James. When Larkin is diagnosed with leukemia, Ryan sacrifices his career to be by her side and in turn realizes how much he had always loved her. Throughout Larkin's sickness, Ryan promised her he would never let her die alone. But we learn that not all of our promises are always within our control.

Reviewed by Lynn
*****

I'm not even quite sure where to begin with this book.  I know I can say this without a doubt, if you don't cry when reading this book then you have absolutely no humanity.  This book really hit home with me because I had a good friend who passed away from cancer shortly after I finished reading this book.  It was so very difficult to put myself in his wife's place, having to mourn, and finding a way to move forward in life without him.  Granted, they had two kids together so she really didn't have any other choice.  She had to keep going and being strong for her boys. However, no matter how strong you are, you always need those around you to lift you up when you stumble and fall. 

Ryan Boone has worked incredibly hard to become a successful actor. He has made a name for himself in the film industry and is currently one of the most sought after actors. He has everything he could have ever wanted; wealth, success, fame, women- you name it. Though their lives are worlds apart, he has never once forgotten his best friend, his lullabye; his Larkin.

Larkin is a nurse at a hospital, but her true passion has always been writing. Her husband, Chris, doesn't understand her dreams of becoming a published author and sees it more as a hobby than anything. The only one who understands her and supports her is Ryan. Late at night when Ryan can't sleep, he will call Larkin and she will read the manuscript she has been working on until he is able to sleep. He could be on the other side of the world, but it doesn't matter. No matter what, Larkin is always there to answer the phone. They're bond is like no other. It is unbreakable. They are, and always will be there for each other.

"Do you think time can be timeless? Probably anyone you ask would say no.  I would have said the same thing. But these past couple of months, I have tried my hardest to turn that answer to the question into a yes. After all, love can be loveless.  Sensibility can be senseless. Morality can be virtueless. So then, why not? Why can't time be timeless? It's a long shot, I know. I guess that is why we have memories. Our memories are what makes time timeless, don't you think? Time is something, I think, everyone takes for granted.  It is a gift, a privilege.  Time is something we should mature and care for like it is a child.  Time isn't just how it is defined above.  It is also, most importantly, the best medicine we could ever have. And as you continue to read these letters, and from here on after, I want you to remember one thing:  TIME HEALS WHAT REASON CANNOT." 

When Larkin finds out that she has been diagnosed with leukemia, she knows that her life will never be the same. Some things happen for a reason, and maybe there is a light at the end of this grim tunnel. Her relationship with Ryan grows stronger as she becomes weaker. He becomes her strength when she can't stand. He gives her reason to fight this horrifying battle because she knows she won't ever have to fight alone. 

"If I am not so lucky as to beat this, if I don't live, promise me that you'll live on for me.  Promise me you will live the most incredible life, meet the most incredible people, see the most incredible places, and make the most incredible movies. And lastly, promise me you will stop all this nonsenical dating that you do and fall in love with someone that you can't imagine living without her.  Life is not incomplete without love.  Find it, catch it, hold onto it, and never let it go."

This story is written through Ryan's eyes as he discovers letters that Larkin had written to him during their time together. Through these letters, we are able to go back in time and see things from Larkin's point of view from the time she was diagnosed, leading until she took her last breath. Throughout the letters Larkin focuses on several things: time, love, courage and life.  Through it all, Larkin remains a strong tower and lets go of something that is so very dear to her only to find it to come back…stronger and more unconditional. “Our bond is bottomless, timeless, and effortless.” They say that when you stare into the eyes of death, you finally learn to appreciate and respect the life you have been given. Larkin made me see that. Our time here on Earth is a gift that should never be taken for granted. Our tomorrows are never guaranteed, so live today like it is your last.

"All I ask is that you give me today so I can prove to you that I'm your tomorrow."

This superbly written debut novel is one you should not pass up, even with the sadness it makes you feel, that connection. You just can't help feeling what Larkin and Ryan felt for each other and the feelings they have at what is happening to them, this novel overflows with emotions and that is why it has earned a 5 Star rating from me, when a book can make me feel all the emotions as the characters do, it deserves 5 Stars! 

Jax Jillian introduces her first novel, Larkin’s Letters, which was inspired by her love for modern day love stories. A graduate of La Salle University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication, she also received an Associate’s Degree for Physical Therapy Assistant from Central Pennsylvania College. She currently works as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Philadelphia, PA, where she lives with her husband and baby son.

CONNECT WITH JAX

Email jaxjillian@gmail.com

Blog http://jaxjill.wordpress.com/

Twitter @jaxjillian

Website http://jaxjillian.tateauthor.com/

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/JaxJillian

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7089784.Jax_Jillian

 

AMAZON     ~     B&N

Check out the reviews throughout the tour. Many thanks to the wonderful
reviewers below who helped make this Tour possible.

AUGUST 4

Drue & Sassy's Reviews   ~  Journey with Books  ~ Sassy Southern Book Affair~  Shelly Wygant  ~  That's What She Read

AUGUST 5

Books and Beyond Fifty Shades  ~  The Review Crew  ~  Drue's Random Chatter  ~  101 Ways to Make Love to a Spoon  ~  Red Cheeks Reads

AUGUST 6

Sassy Ray Book Reviews  ~  Drue's Random Chatter  ~  Deb Burchfield  ~  Cheekypee Reads and Reviews

AUGUST 7

Hooked On Books Forever  ~  Sportochick's Musings  ~  Lisa Zeigler  ~ Bibliophile Reviews  ~  Rockin' & Reviewing  ~  Book Worms United  ~  Romance of Daydreams    ~  AJ's Bootylicious Book Reviews

AUGUST 8

Southern Belle Book Blog  ~  Jen's Reading Obsession  ~  Undercover Book Reviews  ~  Books Are Love  ~  A Closet Full of Books  ~  Claudia Burgoa  ~  Words Turn Me On  ~  Sues Cover Reveals & Book Promotions  ~  Page By Page Inside-Out Reviews & Promotion  ~  Tsukime Reads and Reviews

 

Cover Reveal: Perfect Chemistry by Jodi Redford

Cover Reveal

Perfect Chemistry

by

Jodi Redford

Release Date August 7, 2014

Perfect Chemistry blurb:

When it comes to sexy geeks, Leo Martinez and Devlin Hawke are as hot as they get. But falling for the wrong guy has always been Sidney Chase’s forte. She’s not about to submit to her inner bad girl by giving in to her secret fantasies about her sex-on-a-stick bosses. When she’s accidentally exposed to the supercharged aphrodisiac in their lab, Sidney tosses aside her inhibitions and unknowingly provides her bosses with an eye-popping display of self lovin’ courtesy of the office security cameras.

Despite their mutual craving for Sidney, Leo and Devlin made a pact long ago to keep her off limits. The last thing they’d wanted was to scare off their best PA by overwhelming her with their kinky tendencies. Witnessing the arousing effects of their aphrodisiac elixir on Sidney changes everything. Not only is she the answer they’ve been looking for in regards to fine-tuning their formula, she’s the perfect woman for them. And with a little help from one helluva sinful science experiment, they’ll prove that love is far more potent than anything manufactured in a bottle.

Author Links:

Blog http://jodiredford.blogspot.com

Group Blog http://www.lustwithalaugh.com

Amazon Author page http://www.amazon.com/Jodi-Redford/e/B002YUEZ0U

Facebook profile https://www.facebook.com/jodi.redford.3

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodiredford

website http://jodiredford.com/

http://jodiredford.com/Coming_Soon.html

THE GROUNDBREAKING AND LAYING A FOUNDATION COMBO

START THE SERIES FOR $0.99!!!
THE GROUNDBREAKING AND LAYING A FOUNDATION COMBO

They've finally found the passion they've deserved, but will they live long enough to enjoy it? Tony and Nikki fought their way up from the bottom of despair to each other's arms, but can an ecoterrorism group bent on destroying their world separate them forever? Book 1, now in a combo volume including the series prequel, The Groundbreaking, that introduces readers to the nine main characters in the four full-length novels of the series. Get started today - Book 4, Planning an Addition, comes out November 1st!!!

Readers agree - Laying a Foundation is the one and only romance read of its kind, full of white-hot sex and characters over 50 so real that you'll forget you're just reading. Get started with the combo volume before the last book in the series is released in November!

Amazon - http://tinyurl.com/nhhhhql

B&N - http://tinyurl.com/nzmz6kv

Smashwords - http://tinyurl.com/q4t8q3a

All Romance eBooks - http://tinyurl.com/mvjdzs7

Ryker by Joanne Schwehm

Have you all meet Ryker???

Synopsis:

Sex, drums, and denial; three things that Ryker Jeffries excels at. 

Ryker buries himself in music and insignificant women, all part of his plan to keep the woman who owns his heart free from his tainted past and his darkest secret. But pretending not to want her has never been easy. 

Loyalty, honesty, and desire for Ryker; three things that Faith Bishop excels at. 

Excited about her future, Faith looks forward to finally living life on her terms. Intelligent and realistic, she knows the women who steal Ryker’s attention are all of the things she will never be. But wanting him has never been a choice. 

Will he be able to resist her, or will he finally cave to his desires? Will she be able to handle his past, or will it shatter her? 

Ryker is a standalone novel. **Due to adult content - 18+ please**

Buy Links:

Amazon US: http://tinyurl.com/RykerUS

Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/Ryker-UK

Nook: http://tinyurl.com/RykerOnNook

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/ryker-1

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id896871735

Cover Reveal: True North: Finding Now by Allie Juliette Mousseau

Synopsis

After a tragic accident that plays on an endless loop in her mind, wild child Kate Jolie died inside. She now functions only through her rigid, ironclad routine, which keeps her mind and soul in check – balancing her in a dangerously precarious position between life and death

Rocker and Master's student Sam North knows no limits and seeks out every challenge to conquer and defy. With his cocky grin, piercings, colorful tattoos, undress-you bedroom eyes and magnetic sex appeal, he has no trouble finding women to warm his bed. When he spies his new professor, the gorgeous Ms. Jolie, she’s just another summit he wants to climb in order to reach its peak. But as he begins to catch glimpses of her soul, she becomes his Everest.

Kate Jolie is the only woman who wants nothing to do with Sam North - and the only woman he can’t do without.

True

North Series:

"When you're lost... True North"

The North brothers were hell on wheels-adrenaline-junky bad boys. You’d think they had a death wish – every one of them – but they didn’t really, they just got off on the thrill of pushing every limit, that gravity or any other force told them they couldn’t conquer. What they weren't prepared for were the women that would steal their hearts.

Book #1

AMAZON

Book #2

AMAZON

About the Author

Allie Juliette Mousseau writes sexy, emotionally-charged Romance in a variety of genres and temperatures.

Her writing is passionate and angsty; and she incorporates a lot of romance and tension. Always a HEA and stand alone - even in a series.

Allie also creates captivating YA worlds through the magic of ink.

She writes brave but "human" characters, imaginative plots and complex worlds; from high octane action to exploring the deepest emotions.

Check out Allie's music soundtracks for the True North Novels on Amazon and YouTube!

She can always be found writing, playing in puddles with her children, hiking with her husband, or adventuring somewhere in the world. Her favorite place to write on warm days is outdoors, but when the weather gets too cold, she'll be inside at her desk inspired by the mountain view from her home office in Montana where she lives with her loving husband, children, and golden retriever.

She loves to travel and lived for three years in her RV with her family while visiting the national parks and forests of the U.S. and a couple Canadian provinces. She is excited to add all of Canada and Alaska in the near future!

She also writes children's stories.

You can visit her websites at:

www.alliejuliettemousseau.com

https://twitter.com/alliejuliette

Hosted By:

Cover Reveal: Shelter Me by Kathy Coopmans

Cover Reveal

Shelter Me

by

Author Kathy Coopmans

Photo taken by RLS images-https://www.facebook.com/rlsmodels

Cover designed by Sommer Stein of Perfect pear Creative- https://www.facebook.com/PerfectPearCreative

Model Del Green-https://www.facebook.com/Delgreenmodel

Synopsis

At the young age of nineteen, Shayne Andrews thought she had it all. She had the love of her life, her high school sweetheart, and a bright future ahead of her. That is, until one day he just disappeared, leaving a note as his only goodbye. With her heart shattered and broken, Shayne did the only thing she could. She left her small town on the shores of Lake Michigan to start her life over, needing to distance herself from the memories she and Luke had made. At that time, she vowed to herself that she would never return to her hometown again. Seven years later, Shayne realizes that fate is not on her side as she returns home for her aunt’s funeral, bringing back the one secret she swore to protect.

Luke Schavone has regretted every day that he had to leave Shayne behind. Though he didn’t have a choice, his heart still bore the scars from the impact. After five years, Luke returned only to find that Shayne was gone. His best friend was the only lifeline he had to finding her, but Adam wasn’t talking. When the one thing Luke has wanted everyday for the past seven years runs right into him one night, he becomes determined to make sure he doesn’t lose her again.

At first, Shayne is hesitant. She wouldn’t be able to survive losing him again, but the pull toward him is so fierce, she can’t deny herself the chance. With the decision to start over, Luke and Shayne must admit truths and come to terms with the events that forced them apart in the first place. When secrets are revealed and old threats come to pass, will Luke be able to shelter Shayne from the destruction, or will she become lost to him forever?

Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Kathy-Coopmans/1436758106573941?ref_type=bookmark

https://twitter.com/AuthorKCoopmans

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22402718-shelter-me-book?ac=1

Review of Saving Dallas Forever by Kim Jones

Synopsis:Dallas Knox finally has it all-a man who loves her unconditionally, a relationship with her new found sister and an MC family who has proven their loyalty time and again. Things are looking up for the CEO who was once a lonely woman filled with bitterness and resentment. The MC life has taught her what it means to be a part of something special. They have broken down her walls and filled her heart with empathy and compassion, resulting in Dallas becoming a person she can be proud of. But, when Luke is called to join forces with the Devil’s Renegades Lake Charles Chapter against another MC, Dallas will have to start all over-building relationships with a whole new group of ol’ ladies whose trust she has to earn. Not only is Dallas battling relationships inside the club, but ghosts of her past have come back to haunt her. Will the life she has chosen be enough to keep the demons at bay? Or is the desire for forever too far out of reach?

4 Stars!

Review:  I wanted to give this final book more credit, but it let me down a little. This series has been great, and, in many ways, it is definitely a very gritty MC series, but there are so many pieces that are trying to fit together that it seems too much. Dallas has been returned to LLC after being released from Charlie, once she made the "ultimate sacrifice". That, in itself, began to feel really unrealistic to me because, aside from a few bad dreams, she did not seem to respond appropriately AT ALL to the situation. She also reaches out to Charlie at one point, which seemed really far-fetched to me. 

A lot of the interaction between her and LLC, her and the other bikers, her and the other ol' ladies, and other people still felt realistic, but I guess I felt that she was acting completely different from when we were first introduced to Dallas in the first book. She is this completely competent and well respected business woman by day and a swearing, spanking accepting woman by night or weekend - literally over night! I know that some people develop different roles in their life over the course of time, and they do almost have different roles, depending on who they are with - but Dallas's just felt really quick and unauthentic. 

That is not to say, however, that this book is lacking in pace, drama, thrills, high speeds or sexy times! It definitely has that, and many people may be able to look beyond some of the quick changes in Dallas's character or her responses to major and traumatic life events - I just struggle with that. I will say, however, that I wouldn't mind having an LLC on my side!

Jessica