Title: The Color of Us (College Bound #2)

Authors: Laura Ward & Christine Manzari

Release Date: June 20, 2016

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Synopsis:

Eighteen year old Alexis Sinclair is lost in the darkness of grief. Since the death of her sister in a car accident, she can’t find the will to get out and enjoy life again. When she’s forced to face her biggest fear and take a summer Driver’s Ed course, she’s surprised to find hope in the most unlikely person.

Liam O’Connell is trouble. He isn’t proud of his dark past, and he knows Alexis is the one girl he has no business pursuing. Doing the right thing has never been easy for him, but this time, it just might be impossible.

The perfect girl and troubled boy are all wrong for each other, but as Liam helps Alexis cope with her grief, they realize nothing has ever felt more right.

That is, until Alexis uncovers a secret about Liam that breaks her heart.

Liam knows he can’t allow the one good thing in his life to walk away without a fight, and he’s determined to convince Alexis they can find their way out of the darkness together.

Can he prove he’s worthy of her, or is some love too tainted to be saved?

Excerpt:

He took a deep breath. “Our lives are completely different, Lex.” He raised his hand in a loose fist, running the backs of his fingers along my jaw. My breath caught in my chest as his thumb stroked over my skin in slow, gentle circles. “So different.” He stared into my eyes, and I leaned forward, mirroring his posture. I placed my hand on his jaw. His chin was rough with stubble and tight with worry.

“Help me understand.” My voice was needy, begging, but that’s only because I was desperate to figure him out, to unlock the secrets he kept close. I wanted to know how he could be the sweet, patient boy who taught me to drive and then beat the living hell out of his friend a few days later. It didn’t add up for me.

He reached up to grab my fingers that were still touching his cheek, and he adjusted them so that he was holding my hand. “I didn’t grow up the way you did. The only thing I could ever depend on were my fists. That’s how I protect myself and those I care about. Yeah, Adam’s my boy, but he crossed a line.  Said something he shouldn’t. And in my world, when that happens, you teach a lesson. That lesson usually means blood.”

I cringed at his bluntness and then felt guilty about it. He’d said our lives were different, but that didn’t mean mine was better than his. I had no right to look down at him. Too many people already did that. In my world, there were lessons and punishments too. They were more calculated and less physical, but they were no less vicious. Like Melissa’s threat to get her father to have Liam fired from the country club. When I thought about it, I wasn’t sure which lesson was more cruel—fists or social war.

“What did Adam do to make you so mad? Was it because you wanted to hang out with me instead of going to the levees?” God, I hope not. That’d be the overreaction of the century.

Liam shook his head and traced patterns on my jaw with his thumb. “It’s not important, angel. Just know that when you’re with me, you’re safe. No one hurts you. No one touches you.” He leaned forward, letting his lips hover next to mine. “If anyone tries to hurt you, I’ll make them pay. I mean it.”

A chill skittered down my spine. The passion in his words was so strong that the air around us was charged with unspoken promises. Why would Liam feel such a fierce need to protect me? It frightened me that I enjoyed it so much. I swallowed. “Why did you call me angel?”

He tilted his chin up and pressed his lips to my forehead and then trailed kisses down my face, stopping to press his mouth to the corner of mine. He leaned back to let his eyes scan the length of me, head to toe, as he grinned. “It’s hard not to think of you as an angel when you’re dressed all in white and looking so goddamn perfect. You’re so… good.” He shook his head with a sad smile. “I have no right to want you as much as I do.”

His eyes darted to my lips, and then his mouth was on mine again, stealing the words I wanted to say—I’m not perfect… I’m not good… I want you too. He sucked on my lower lip, pulling it into his mouth with such gentleness I thought I might melt into a puddle on his floorboards. How could so much rage be wrapped up in this much tenderness?

My hands snaked around the back of Liam’s neck, and I moved to bring his mouth back to mine, grazing the tip of my tongue against his. I could faintly taste the smoke of his cigarette, but I could also taste the sugar of the funnel cake we’d shared. He was a heady mix of danger and sweetness that was so uniquely Liam it made me crave more. I slid my tongue against his again, and Liam’s groan was the only warning I got before his mouth was devouring mine, demanding kisses from me that I was only too happy to return.

“You even taste good,” Liam murmured against my lips before dropping his face to the curve of my neck where he nibbled along my skin, leaving goose bumps in his wake. “I want to taste every single inch of you. I think I’m addicted.”

His lips pressed against my pulse point, and I was sure he could feel the frantic beating of my heart. My entire body felt like it was vibrating for him. I couldn’t decide what I wanted more—for him to keep whispering his precious thoughts against my neck, or for him to go back to worshipping my lips.

As if he knew my inner turmoil, Liam trailed a slow pathway of kisses up my neck toward my greedy mouth.

“You look like an angel,” he said, whispering a kiss under my ear. His quiet words trickled down my neck in a delicious shiver. “You act like an angel, too good to be true.” He left a kiss on the side of my jaw before turning my face to his, his lips hovering over mine with so much heat I thought he might burn me when he finally kissed me. “You’re my angel, Lex. And I think you just might save me.”

Laura Ward lives in Maryland with her loud and very loving three children and husband. She married her college sweetheart and is endlessly grateful for the support he has given her through all their years together, and especially toward her goal of writing books. When not picking up toy trucks, driving to lacrosse practice, or checking spelling homework, Laura is writing or reading romance novels. Her debut novel, NOT YET, is a Top 100 Amazon Bestseller.

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The first thing Christine does when she's getting ready to read a book is to crack the spine in at least five places. She wholeheartedly believes there is no place as comfy as the pages of a well-worn book. She's addicted to buying books, reading books, and writing books. Books, books, books. She also has a weakness for adventure, inappropriate humor, and coke (the caffeinated, bubbly kind). Christine is from Forest Hill, Maryland where she lives with her husband, three kids, and her library of ugly spine books.

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Henry Alexander's story in The Spiral Down by Aly Martinez is NOW LIVE!  

Download your copy of this M/M Standalone TODAY!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Xuy9Go
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1TVGmAx
iBooks: Pending
Nook: Pending
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1TQX3Kx

Blurb
I was afraid to fly.
He made me soar.

After years of climbing the ladder of success in the music industry, I finally had everything I could want.
Yet I still found myself wandering through life alone.

Captain Evan Roth was the one man I never saw coming.
Tall, dark, mysterious… Straight.

We were both damaged beyond repair and searching for something so elusive we weren’t sure it even existed.

But, when two broken souls collide in midair, falling is a given.

I just never expected to crave the spiral down.

~Excerpt~

Henry
“How about you and one of your girls come out to my show in L.A. next week? My treat. Dinner, drinks, the whole deal. Evan and I would love to take you two beautiful ladies out for an evening.”

“Excuse me?” he exclaimed, cocking his head to catch my gaze.
I leaned back into my seat and lifted a hand to massage his shoulder. I was barely able to suppress a moan when the angle of his firm trap muscle met my palm.

Fuck, this guy was built like a brick wall. And I was going to love every second of watching him crumble for me.

“Oh, come on, Evan. It’s the least we can do. Double date.” I winked at Jessica. “You can fly them out! My plane should be ready by then.”

Jessica’s eyes jumped to Evan’s. “You’re a pilot?” Her smile spread irritatingly wide.

Back off, Ginger Spice.

Snapping my fingers in her direction, I corrected, “He’s my pilot.”
Subtlety was not a virtue I possessed. Was subtlety a virtue at all?
“Your temporary pilot,” he amended before shaking his head and then tipping his beer to his lips for a long pull.
“Anyway. Do we have a date?” And, by date, I meant feeding her dinner while I attempted to work my way into Evan’s pants.
She pressed one finger to her lips and then nervously flashed her eyes around the cabin.
“Oops. Sorry.” I shrugged sheepishly. Lifting my drink to my mouth, I discreetly passed her my cocktail napkin and then not-so-discreetly brushed my forearm against Evan’s chest as I pulled away.
He offered her a tight smile just before she disappeared.
I grinned proudly.
“What the fucking hell was that?” he whisper-yelled at me.
“That was me getting a woman’s number.”
He arched an eyebrow. “A woman. Really?”
“What? Is that not allowed?” I feigned innocence.
He clenched his fist in his lap, and it made me suddenly aware that my own hands had stopped trembling—and in record time, I should note. Evan seemed to be quite useful in the art of distraction.
He leaned closer. “Don’t bullshit me. I looked you up. You’re…” He stopped, unwilling to say the big, bad “G” word.
“I’m what?” I taunted.
He rolled his eyes and chugged the rest of his beer.
We went back to silence until Jessica came back by with another drink, complete with her phone number written on the napkin.
“I’m not going on a double date,” Evan said as I tucked the napkin into my pocket. “You want me to fly them out? Not a problem. Schedule it with Jackson. But that’s the extent of my professional responsibilities. And, since I’m off the clock right now, I’d also like to mention that I think whatever play you’re planning to run on that woman is fucked up.”
My head snapped to his. “I’m sorry. Play?” I asked with more attitude than I had originally planned.
“Yes. Play,” he sneered.
I stirred my drink. “Let me get this straight. I’m offering to fly her out in a private jet, feed her dinner at one of the best restaurants in the city, and put her front row at a concert that has been sold out for over a year. That doesn’t seem like a play to me. It sounds like I’m trying to do something nice for a woman I was rude to earlier.” I casually leaned back in my seat. “My conscience doesn’t ‘play’ when it comes to apologies.”
“Right. Well, maybe you should have a chat with your conscience, because she looks like she just won the date of a lifetime. Meanwhile, you don’t even like women.” He stalled, no doubt looking for just the right word to express his disgust without sounding like a bigot. Judging by his gentleness when we’d taken off, he wasn’t the type of guy to go for the fag bomb.
I watched him intently, excited to see how he was going to handle this.
“You’re gay.”
I frowned at his lack of creativity. “Not that it’s any of your damn business. But I’ll have you know I love women.”
It wasn’t a lie. I adored women. Especially Levee and Robin.
I just didn’t like pussy. Meh. Semantics.
He gaped. “You’re bi?”
“And I’ll repeat: None of your damn business. But yeah. Do you have a problem with that?”
Again, it wasn’t necessarily a lie.
Was I bisexual? Fuck no. My cock was in no way an equal opportunity employer.
I was somewhat bilingual though. I knew how to ask for a blow job in English and Spanish. I pretended that was what he meant.
Chupame la verga.

* Author Info*

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in South Carolina, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.

After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. Five books later, she shows no signs of slowing. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.

*~*~* GIVEAWAY *~*~*

We met Henry Alexander in The Fall Up (you really need to read it if you haven't already!).  Henry is known for being a charismatic manwhore with a penchant for straight men.  But, in The Spiral Down we get a glimpse into Henry's pain and the reason he is the way he is.

Really, my life was a rags-to-riches story that could rival most Lifetime movies.

Henry has a way of climbing into your heart.  He has some insecurities and fears from his past.  One of his fears causes him to cross paths with Evan.  Evan has his own commitment issues.  Together they go through a journey of self discovery and healing. 

"Life is a struggle, but it's who you chose to take on the journey with you that matters the most.  And, if you ask me, it sounds like you already chose.  Don't let the bullshit details get in your way."

I fell in love with Aly Martinez's writing in The Fall Up and she continues to wow me in The Spiral Down.  She does an amazing job with this M/M romance.  The story is heartfelt and funny.  My heart hurt for Henry and his childhood. 

"This--tonight--is the moment where you cease to exist and we truly begin."

I highly recommend reading this book.  Don't judge this book based on it being M/M.  This is truly a love story.  Love is love no matter who is involved.  Henry and Evan are amazing and their relationship and the struggles they face are real.  I loved these characters.

The Spiral Down is a standalone and ends in a happily ever after.

Words aren't even enough to express how much I enjoyed this book!

Sparrow is thrown into a marriage with a man who has ignored her for most of her life.  She has no idea why and no one is giving her answers.  I loved how Sparrow dealt with her situation.  She is strong, stubborn, and feisty.  She is determined not to lose herself and is constantly challenging her new husband, Troy.

    She wasn't a woman who cared for superficial shit, someone who was motivated by the wrong things.  She was a blank, clean, white sheet for me to scribble on.
    And I scribbled.

Troy, oh Troy.  What a hard-headed, frustrating, stubborn, infuriating man!  He is scary and makes grown men cower.  Troy is dangerous.  Everybody recognizes him and the power he holds.  The only one to yell, push, and argue with him is his 5'3" wife, Sparrow. 

    Troy Brennan was the devil, but sometimes, even good girls wanted a healthy dose of evil in their lives.

They are an interesting married couple.  I love their angry banter.  I love how their relationship developed.  I love how much Troy developed and changed, with Sparrow anyway. 

Troy was the guy who not only broke your headboard, but also broke your heart.

The angst is perfect.  The secondary characters, Brock and Catalina, just add to the feels of this book.  Sam is adorable!

    "Is it possible to feel your heart breaking, even when you're falling in love?"

I refused to put this book down!  I read it in one sitting.  The ending was perfect and had me swooning over Troy and wanting to be one of Sparrow's best friends.

    He gave me lies, and I ate them from the palm of his hand.
    He gave me lies, and for him, I closed my eyes.

This is a standalone and does contain both Sparrow's and Troy's POV.

I highly recommend one-clicking this amazing book!!

Solid Stone: Revolving Door by EG Patrick

REVIEW BLITZ

May 2-6th

Violet Cole, a recent university graduate, is rushing to her first important business meeting when she comes face-to- face with a man she finds captivating and intimidating. His penetrating gaze makes her heart pound and her legs tremble. Violet learns that the wealthy and alluring Adam Stone is renowned for his success in the high-powered corporate world. He now consumes all of Violet’s thoughts.

A self-admitted control freak, Adam becomes intrigued by Violet's untapped beauty and fierce honesty. He is determined to possess all of her. They embark on a passionate odyssey that is exhilarating and tantalizing. As their relationship intensifies, Adam and Violet must confront serious contradictions between them. How far is Violet willing to go to keep their relationship alive? Long-kept secrets are exposed leading to a surprising and explosive climax.

"The Solid Stone series is highly arousing and totally engrossing. You will remember it forever and fantasize about it often."

~*~ABOUT EG PATRICK~*~

Bringing my secret dark fantasies to life in my stories is so therapeutic! I want my books to entertain, stimulate and evoke all kinds of emotions. My characters give me free reign to explore beyond the ordinary and believe me, I go there!

My Review:

This was my first time reading anything by E.G. Patrick.  The story was good for the most part.  It was a nice concept.  However, I felt the story reminded me A LOT of 50 Shades of Grey.  Now don't get me wrong, the story is different but there are similarities. 

The writing to me felt formal.  The conversations were stiff and too proper.  I just couldn't believe they had an actual relationship.

Violet's inner monologue was annoying at times and immature.  I don't believe you need to have sex to be considered a woman.  I also don't believe that Violet needs to moan as much as she did.  It was a tad annoying.

Adam is uptight, strict, and disconnected.  He didn't bother me as much as Violet did.  He was true to his character.  I would've liked to know his POV about certain situations, but not knowing didn't detract from the story.

I would read the next book, just to see what happens.  This ends in a slight cliffhanger.