Twosome Tuesday: The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller by L.B. Simmons

The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller

by L.B. Simmons

Synopsis:

***Standalone NA Romance with HEA***

Death.

For some, it’s simply one of life’s certainties, nothing more. For others, it’s merely a fleeting thought, one often overshadowed by the reckless delusion that they have been blessed with the gift of immortality.

For Aubrey Miller, death is the definition of her very existence. Overcome with the guilt resulting from the loss of her beloved family, she alters her appearance from the once beautiful, blonde-haired, blue-eyed little girl to that of one shrouded in complete darkness, enveloping herself in her own unbreakable fortress of solitude as a form of protection for others.

As she enters her first year of college, her goal is simple: Earn a degree with the least amount of social interaction as possible. What she never anticipates is the formation of very unlikely relationships with two people who will change her life in ways she never believed possible: Quinn Matthews, the boisterous former pageant queen, and Kaeleb McMadden, a childhood friend from her past who never really let her go.

Over the years, as their connections intertwine and grow, a seemingly indestructible bond is formed between the three…

But when death painfully reemerges, Aubrey is lost once again, burying herself deeper than ever before inside the familiar fortification of her fears.

Will the refuge of friendship, the solidarity of life-long bonds, and the power of unconditional love be enough to do the impossible?

Will they be enough to finally bring about…

The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller?


****NA Contemporary Romance****

****WARNING - Due to the graphic nature of some scenes, this book is not recommended for those who are particularly sensitive to the death of a child and/or suicide and is intended for mature audiences only. Contains adult language and themes.***

Purchase:

Amazon | B&N 

Teasers:

Reviews:

Heather's Review:

“…what people try to represent on the outside very rarely mirrors their inside. Beautiful people tend to be ugly, ugly people tend to be beautiful, storms tend to brew below a person’s cool, calm exterior, and tremendously happy people tend to be overcompensating for their own grief. Nothing is ever really what it seems.”

Aubrey is far from what she seems. She shuts herself off from the world by masking her beautiful soul with the most unappealing appearance she can muster. She has convinced herself that she is the reason that those closest to her keep dying off. This is her way of protecting them. Aubrey can’t see far enough outside of this façade to realize that in reality she is harming herself and those who love her.

That is until Kaeleb comes along and helps to bring Aubrey back to life. Let me just take a moment to gush over KAELEB!!!! Good lord, I am in love! He is a swoon-worthy BBF if there ever was one!

Unfortunately, Aubrey loses herself all over again when another series of tragic events make her regret ever opening herself up and exposing those she loves to her curse. Aubrey is deeply damaged and my GOD the things this girl has been through. It is no wonder why.

“You’ve always been my sunshine. Ever since we were kids… I know you’re still in there Bree. And I will find you.” ~Kaeleb

*sigh* Kaeleb… have I mentioned that I love him? His love for this broken girl is beyond compare.

“As long as you continue to travel through life in this darkness, you will never know how beautiful your light truly shines when you let yourself love and be loved. Trust me when I say, it’s a breathtaking sight to see. You burn as bright as the sun.” ~Kaeleb

The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller is a book that touched me deeply and one that I don’t think I will ever forget. The pain and heartache was so real. The love.. the friendships.. the FEELS… Aubrey Miller will make you FEEL. I felt every emotion from despair to giddy happiness. The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller gutted me and it gave me hope. I mourned and I fell in love. This is more than just a romance novel. This book is out of this world amazing and you MUST read it! 

Selene's Review

4.5 - Beautiful - Smooches

Aubrey Miller is just a girl.

A girl who has experienced a lot of loss, thus losing her way for a very long time by choosing to remain buried inside gloom and blackness.  

Aubrey hides away behind her goth alter ego, Raven.  Raven is dark in all respects - the way she looks, dresses, acts and even feels.  Aubrey believes everyone she cares about dies so she is determined to keep everyone at a distance.

When Aubrey goes off to college, things begin to change and Aubrey questions her entire belief system.  Her new roommate Quinn is a force to be reckoned with and sees through Raven, right to Aubrey.  And much to Aubrey's surprise, Kaeleb McMadden, a childhood friend, shows up at her door .... yet another person determined to drive away all that Raven represents.

Through these friendships, the support and encouragement of a mentor, and her guardian Linda's love, Raven disappears over time leaving Aubrey to enjoy life and the love that surrounds her.  

There is no gloom, no fear, no anguish...just the joy-filled flittering of my heart, taking flight inside of me as it rises out of the darkness and into the light.

But when tragedy strikes again, Aubrey retreats to the safety of Raven, abandoning those she loves.

This is Aubrey's journey and it really feels like a priveledge to be able to share it.  There are so many things about this book that I loved.  The characters are all unforgettable - Aubrey, Quinn, Linda, Professor Palmer and Kaeleb .... OH KAELEB!!!  Can you say perfect book boyfriend?  

"My soul breathed for the first time in ten years.  That's how I knew it was you.  It was always you." - Kaeleb

The story is full of heartbreak yet, at the end, my heart was smiling.  The tears were completely worth it.  As I read this book and expressed my fear of what was to come, L.B. asked me to "trust her."  And I didn't, LOL!  But hopefully you'll believe me when I say .... trust me, you want to read The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller.  It is a beautiful story of love, hope, friendship, pain and heartbreak, a story that I have no doubt will stay with me.

TWOSOME TUESDAY: Play by Kylie Scott

Lick

Stage Dive, #2

Kylie Scott

Synopsis:

Kylie Scott returns with the highly anticipated follow-up to international bestseller Lick.

Mal Ericson, drummer for the world famous rock band Stage Dive, needs to clean up his image fast—at least for a little while. Having a good girl on his arm should do the job just fine. Mal doesn’t plan on this temporary fix becoming permanent, but he didn’t count on finding the one right girl. Anne Rollins never thought she’d ever meet the rock god who plastered her teenage bedroom walls—especially not under these circumstances. Anne has money problems. Big ones. But being paid to play the pretend girlfriend to a wild life-of-the-party drummer couldn’t end well. No matter how hot he is. Or could it?

Purchase Play:

Amazon   | B&N

Reviews:

Heather's Review

5- “Life’s a song… Let’s Play” Smooches!

I LOOOOOOVED Play.  I’ve taken a little while to decide my star rating.  The story was a bit predictable and lacked any surprises, plot twists, and overwhelming emotions.  However I have NEVER smiled so much reading a book.  I swear I had a grin on my face from beginning to end!  Not every story has to be a tear jerker or gut wrenching to be good.  I have decided sometimes you just need a little HAPPY and Play is the perfect antidote!

The two main characters, Mal and Anne meet at a party one night and are immediately drawn to one another.  Mal is extremely taken with Anne and flirts with her mercilessly.  He literally forces his way into her life by moving himself into her apartment while she is away and simply never leaving.  While Mal can be a huge pain in the ass, he is also solving Anne’s money problems by moving in and taking over the much needed room-mate position she has recently found herself needing to fill.

God I hated people who smirked.  Apparently, I also wanted to lick them all over because my mouth started watering.

Did I mention Mal is also sex on a stick??? A girl can put up with a little annoyance for sexy right?

“Whatever you’re imagining, its bigger.”

“I’m not imagining anything.”

“I’m serious. It’s basically a monster. I cannot control it… You’re pretty much going to need a whip and a chair to tame it, Anne.”

Aaaand, he is hilarious! It is his most endearing quality. I’m giggling like a fool reading over my notes!

Who knew Kylie was so funny?  I really enjoyed Lick and I am SO glad that Play did not disappoint.  I think Kylie showed another side of her writing with this one.  Play is fun and silly with just the right amount of substance to keep it interesting.  She even had me tearing up at the end.  Great job Kylie!  I am looking forward to the rest of the Stage Dive novels!

Selene's Review

5 - HOOKER LIPS - SMOOCHES

"Hello, Anne's clitoris.  It's me, Malcolm, your lord and master."

I am so stinkin' in love with Kylie Scott!  She's done something that few authors can do .... follow up an amazing first book of a series with an equally amazing second book.  I honestly can't decide if I love Lick or Play more.  Hmmmmm....

Moving on ...

Play rocked my world!  I am officially a Stage Dive groupie ... with each book, I fall in love with another member of the band.  Play is Mal's (Malcolm) book.  He is the quick-witted, hard rocking drummer with a non-stop, in your face personality.  The night Anne and Mal meet, Anne has just been left high and dry by her roommate.  She's in a bad spot but decides a night out is just what she needs.  She gets way more than she bargained for.  Mal makes her a proposition she can't refuse .... for reasons only known to him, pretend they are a couple.

And so the charade begins ...

Lines are drawn, boundaries are established but, wouldn't you know it, things get complicated somewhere along the way.

"He kissed me sugar sweet until my head spun and my heart pounded." - Anne

Honestly, that's EXACTLY how I feel about this book.  It's just a hunk of book candy that is perfectly sweet, making me feel forever giddy.  Anne and Mal's banter is fun and witty and, seriously, had me smiling from ear to ear for most of the book.

Real life gets in the way of their happily ever after, and Anne and Mal have to decide if what started off as make believe is the real deal.

I let a little bit of time (okay a lot of time, LOL) pass between finishing the book and writing this review.  As I skimmed my highlighted notes to write this, I essentially re-read most of the book ... with just a glance I got sucked back in!  Play is the kind of book you can't help but fall in love with.  Both main characters are engaging and loveable ... especially when they are together.  Mal and Anne get each other .... it's a beautiful thing.

And Play is a beautiful thing.  Can't wait to dive into Lead ... looking forward to Jimmy's turn!

OUT OF REACH BY MISSY JOHNSON - COVER REVEAL

Title: Out of Reach 

Author: Missy Johnson

Release Date: May 8, 2014

My best friend was dying and I was in love with his girl.

Andy and I had been best friends since we were eight-years old.

Watching him slowly fade away, ever closer to his final breath, made me so incredibly angry. I knew there was nothing I could do to change it--I had given in to despair, but Andy had not. He had one last hand to play.

He wasn't going to simply sit back and wait for Death to claim him--not Andy. He was going to live life until he couldn't hold his eyes open any longer.

Andy didn't want to die in some sterile hospital and asked me to take him and Emily to the beach. It would be our last road trip together.

Emily. Emily was a problem for me.

I harbored a secret that would have torn our friendship apart. I was in love with Andy's girl, and had been since she'd walked into our sixth grade class, so many years ago.

So what kind of person am I? My best friend is dying, and it's awful--but my heart still aches for his girl. I hate myself for thinking beyond Andy's death and whether there could ever be a future for Emily and I, but I can't help it.

I'm in love with her.

ADD TO GOODREADS

~~~~~~~~~~ 

Missy lives in a small town in Central Victoria with her husband, and her confused pets (a dog who think she's a cat, a cat who thinks he's a dog...you get the picture).

When she's not writing, she can usually be found looking for something to read.

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Houston Author Event - Signed Book Giveaway

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LOVE, LEX BY AVERY ASTER RELEASE GIVEAWAY

LOVE, LEX 

(The Undergrad Years #1)

by AVERY ASTER

Contemporary New Adult Romance/Coming Of Age

Foreword by Belle Aurora

Cover Design by Cover It! Designs

Interior Page Design by IRONHORSE Formatting

eBook List Price $2.99

Paperback List Price: $8.65

218 Pages

Synopsis:

ONE-CLICK * $0.99 CENTS * LIMITED TIME ONLY

This summer, I’d planned to celebrate my eighteenth birthday in Europe with my fellow Manhattanites—Taddy Brill, Blake Morgan, and Vive Farnworth—until I caught my boyfriend screwing my mother. According to the police report, this vomit-inducing incident happened around the same time I’d supposedly blown-up my mother’s penthouse. Like I’m walking around Soho with a stick of dynamite in my Louis Vuitton purse—not! Now, my besties and I are in jail.

Officer Ford Gotti, the Harley-wheelin’ biker cop who arrested us, keeps sticking his perfectly-sculpted nose into my case. His inked body is jacked like a superhero, and he says I can trust him. He wants me to fess up. I won’t. Not again. Why should I? My friends and I had a previous stint in juvie that nearly destroyed us. I gotta protect them and keep my mouth shut. Right?

—Lex Easton, women’s studies major, motorcycle enthusiast, and virgin.

The Undergrad Years is a New Adult contemporary miniseries about first loves, independence, and everlasting friendships. Interact with Avery while reading Love, Lex on Instagram and Twitter @AveryAster using the hashtags #UndergradYears #NewAdult. Swag and reader contests can be found on Avery’s blog at:AveryAster.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20567976-love-lex?ac=1

Purchase:

Barnes & Nobles

 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lex-avery-aster/1119131189?ean=2940149227365

Kobo 

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/love-lex-the-undergrad-years-1

AUTHOR BIO

I'm a thirty-something New Yorker who lives on the Upper East Side. I write THE MANHATTANITES, a contemporary romantic soap opera of full length, stand alone novels, and it's juicy prequel, companion series THE UNDERGRAD YEARS.

My novels that are out now include UNDRESSED, UNSCRUPULOUS, LOVE LEX, and YOURS TRULY TADDY. In 2014 I'll be releasing XO BLAKE, UNSAID, and UNIQUE.

I'd love to connect with you:
FaceBook.com/AveryAster
Twitter.com/AveryAster
Goodreads.com/AveryAster
Instagram.com/averyaster
Pinterest.com/AveryAster

Blitz-wide Giveaway

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FOR THE LOVE OF A LUSH COVER REVEAL AND GIVEAWAY

For the Love of a Lush (Lush No. 2)

by Selena Laurence

Genre: Edgy Contemporary Romance

Release Date:  May 26, 2014

Hosted by:  The REAL Housewives of Romance

Synopsis

Six months ago, Walsh Clark was the drummer of America’s hottest rock sensation, Lush. Now he’s living at the Double A Ranch in north Texas, home to cows, cowboys, and lushes—like him. He’s survived alcoholism, rehab, and the breakup of his band. But the one thing Walsh might not survive is the return of his ex fiancée Tammy DiLorenzo.

Tammy and Walsh met at fourteen, and she was with him on every step to fame and fortune—until one fateful night when she betrayed him. Now she’s back, begging for forgiveness and ready to fight for her man. But some betrayals are too painful to forget, some mistakes can’t be repaired, and Walsh is certain that he and Tammy can’t ever be together again.

But DiLorenzo women don’t back down, and Tammy always gets what she wants. In the wake of the lies and losses, she’s prepared to do whatever it takes for a second chance. She’ll give it all—for the love of a lush.

Excerpt

As I get closer I see that he’s wearing a Nine Inch Nails t-shirt and a pair of jeans that really should have a belt, his boxers showing out the top of the waistband. I feel my breathing get faster, and I tell myself that it’s just adrenaline because I don’t want to have to talk to him, but it might also be because he’s taller then me. Like by a lot. He’s also got broad shoulders and really nice thick light brown hair. It makes me want to dig my fingers into it.

I walk toward my desk. He’s leaning with one hand on the back of my chair, talking to a dark-haired guy who’s sitting in the next row.

“Dude, I’m telling you, Joss can get us tickets, we just need your mom to drive and we’re set.” 

“Excuse me?” I say, trying really hard not to sound like I give a shit if he notices me or not. “I think I’m supposed to sit here.”

He turns, and I find myself staring into the softest, sweetest brown eyes I’ve ever seen. Looking into them is like being cocooned in something warm and plush. I suddenly feel safe, and peaceful and happy, things that I don’t very often feel. He must see something interesting in me too, because we both just stand, looking at one another for what feels like hours. His soft lips turn up on the ends and his smile is as gentle as his big brown eyes. He’s not looking at my chest, he’s not looking up at me, he’s looking at me. The real me, like I matter, and I think maybe I could have him look at me that way forever. Then I hear the other boy’s voice, “Dude, she needs to sit down, move your ass.”

“I’m Walsh,” he says, cutting to the heart of it all.

“Tammy,” I reply.

He steps back as the teacher walks in and asks everyone to sit down. Walsh is assigned to the seat behind me, and for the entire class I can physically feel him behind me, like a tantalizing brush of fingertips across my back. A buzzing, warm sensation that makes it nearly impossible to concentrate on quadratic equations, which, let’s get serious, I’m never going to need to know anyway.

By the end of class I’ve decided—I have to have him. There is no doubt, no indecision or need to consider it. Walsh Clark—I learn his full name when roll is called—is the one. The problem being, I don’t know exactly how to make him mine. Since I’ve hated boys for the last three years I haven’t had much practice at getting them to like me. But, I’ve always been a “woman of action” as my dad calls it, so I figure I’ll approach it like I do anything else—make a plan, and follow it through until I get what I want.

I’m contemplating all of this as the bell rings and the teacher dismisses us. I pack up my stuff, disappointed when Walsh and his friend hightail it out of class before I can catch up. But when I reach the door to the hall, there he stands, leaning up against some lockers, a smile on his face as I walk toward him.

“Where’s you next class?” he asks, moving his books to the hand furthest from me.
“Art. Annex B. You going to walk me?”

“Yeah,” he answers as he reaches over and gently lifts my backpack from my hand.

  Find Out Where It All Begins!  

A Lush Betrayal (Lush No. 1)

On Sale for 99 cents for a limited time

       

** Currently On Sale for 99 cents! **

Synopsis

Joss Jamison has it all. He's the lead singer for the world's hottest rock band, Lush. He's wealthy, sexy, talented...and miserable. Twelve months ago, Joss lost his finely honed control and made a mistake he can't undo. A mistake that could end up costing him his best friend, his band, and maybe his heart.

Mel DiLorenzo has it all. She's been hired to document the world tour of her sister's fiance's rock band. She's gorgeous, talented, loved...and sick of being the little sister. When she agrees to the summer job, Mel has no idea she's walking into a minefield of friendships lost and hearts destroyed. She also has no idea what it means to be the object of Joss Jamison's affections.

One hot rock star plus one life-altering mistake, add a dash of sexy younger sister and a handful of broken hearts, and you've got a recipe for fire. Life on the road can be hot, but for the boys of Lush, it's about to get a whole hell of a lot hotter.

About Selena Laurence

Selena Laurence lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and spends a lot of time at soccer games, on her laptop, and reading. She is a full-time romance author who loves nothing more than a good love story, whether it be about rock stars or college kids. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Colorado Romance Writers. Her books have been on Amazon Topselling lists in Military Romance, Contemporary Romance, Hispanic fiction and Multicultural Romance. She requires a Mocha Latte every day to function, keeps a goldendoodle at her feet most of the time, and has more kids than she knows what to do with.

   

Selena's Official Website

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Bang- E.K. Blair Cover Reveal

We are excited to present the cover for book #1 in E.K. Blair's (author of the Fading Series) new Black Lotus Series, BANG! Filled with suspense, sexiness and romance, this is sure to take us on an indescribable thrill.

TITLE: Bang

SERIES: The Black Lotus Series (book #1)

GENRE: Psychosexual Suspense / Romance

RELEASE DATE: May 22nd, 2014

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21459365-bang

They say when you take revenge against another you lose a part of your innocence.

But I’m not innocent. I haven’t been for a very long time. My innocence was stolen from me. Taken was the life I was supposed to have. The soul I was born with. The ruby heart embedded in a life full of hopes and dreams. Gone. Vanished. I never even had a choice. I mourn that life. Mourn the what-ifs. Until now. I’m ready to take back what was always meant to be mine. But every plan has a fatal flaw. Sometimes it’s the heart. **Due to the dark and explicit nature of this book, it is recommended for mature audiences only as some scenes may be particularly disturbing.**

In an instant, he's crouched down before me, hands spreading me open wider before dipping his tongue inside me. I continue massaging myself as he laps me up like I’m the only one who can quench his thirst. He sickens me, and as soon as I feel the swirl of hate manifest, I turn every part of me off and simply go through the movements I know he likes. I’m a well-oiled machine at this point, flawless in my performance. He has no idea that I’m the poison in his bones, making my home in his soul. I’ve crept under his skin, and he never suspected a thing other than everything I’ve wanted him to, but he’s made my life a hell, and payback is a wicked bitch that comes in the form of me. I’m the devil seeped within the cracks of him. What he doesn’t know, is that it’s because of him that I am what I am, and he’s fallen into the cobwebs of my lies like a fool. I guess I should love him for that, because when he least suspects it, he’s going to give me everything I’ve been seeking—vengeance.

SYNOPSIS: They say when you take revenge against another you lose a part of your innocence. But I’m not innocent. I haven’t been for a very long time. My innocence was stolen from me. Taken was the life I was supposed to have. The soul I was born with. The ruby heart embedded in a life full of hopes and dreams. Gone. Vanished. I never even had a choice. I mourn that life. Mourn the what-ifs. Until now. I’m ready to take back what was always meant to be mine. But every plan has a fatal flaw. Sometimes it’s the heart. **Due to the dark and explicit nature of this book, it is recommended for mature audiences only as some scenes may be particularly disturbing.** TITLE: Bang SERIES: The Black Lotus Series (book #1) GENRE: Psychosexual Suspense / Romance RELEASE DATE: TBA (Check follow-up email tomorrow for release date) GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21459365-bang EXCERPT FROM BOOK: In an instant, he's crouched down before me, hands spreading me open wider before dipping his tongue inside me. I continue massaging myself as he laps me up like I’m the only one who can quench his thirst. He sickens me, and as soon as I feel the swirl of hate manifest, I turn every part of me off and simply go through the movements I know he likes. I’m a well-oiled machine at this point, flawless in my performance. He has no idea that I’m the poison in his bones, making my home in his soul. I’ve crept under his skin, and he never suspected a thing other than everything I’ve wanted him to, but he’s made my life a hell, and payback is a wicked bitch that comes in the form of me. I’m the devil seeped within the cracks of him. What he doesn’t know, is that it’s because of him that I am what I am, and he’s fallen into the cobwebs of my lies like a fool. I guess I should love him for that, because when he least suspects it, he’s going to give me everything I’ve been seeking—vengeance