REVIEW: The Reporter & The Girl (Minus The Super Man!) by S.C.Rhyne

The Reporter & The Girl

(Minus The Super Man!)

by S.C. Rhyne

Welcome to the rabbit hole...
I am the last person in New York City who would fall head over heels in love.
Independent. Self-possessed. Why would I want to f**k that up?
My online dating profile at bd-fet.com simply reads: “Just looking.”

So why am I obsessing about Jon Sudbury?
Jon, the reporter, is vanilla as a milkshake and has probably never tasted rice and beans on the same plate before we met.

At least that’s what I thought.
Why can’t people remain simple and predictable?
All I want is control, not to be sent hurtling at maximum speed into the unknown.

Nothing about our story makes sense.
The thing is, I can handle desire, lust, passion, even betrayal...

But love is another world altogether.

And this is not a love story.

*For mature audiences only

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My Review:

Let me first start with the cover:

A drawing of a woman of color being held by a fairer skinned man. Both of them holding a pink stick. Is it a cane? Is it a walking stick? I am very curious about the stick and its significance in the book. I love the title because it is intriguing, "The Reporter & The Girl (Minus The Super Man!)."

The Book:

First I must say that this book is ONLY for mature adults. This book does reference fetish lifestyle, which includes BDSM. This is not your Fifty Shades I'm speaking of. However, please know that is is within the first few chapters then not revisited. But for me, what I did read was a bit more than I could handle, or rather I was prepared for. Author, S.C. Rhyne is a wonderful person, and when I communicated with her, she shared that it was just a small portion. I continued with the book, and I'm very glad I did.

We meet Sabrien, who is looking to meet someone to spend time with and has the same interests as she does. She meets several guys but one stood out from the rest and caught her attention, an eccentric, fowl mouth young man named Jon. 

Her and Jon hit it off and their adventure begins.

This is a story of a young New York couple who get caught up in the moment. Both enjoying a fetish lifestyle in the beginning but then learning one another. Albeit on two different pages. Sabrien is finding out more about herself as a woman in a relationship, allowing herself explore feelings that she had denied herself. However this is all within, she is showing Jon a different side.

Jon was also showing one side of him that he thought Sabrien wanted to see. 

So what happens when two sides are feeling one way, but doing something different?

Rhynes, allowed readers to get a small taste of Jon, by allowing Jon's POV come through in a couple of chapters. It was very refreshing, and honestly it had me wanting more. I really wanted to know more of what Jon was feeling.

An additional great part of the book, was watching Sabrien learn more about herself, she opened herself up to others opinions. She grew quite a bit in the book. She is what you expect for a young twenty-something trying to figure her life out.

In the end the story left me wanting more, and in my book, that is always a great thing. 

This book definitely Kept Me Interested.

 (The Hotties have a 4 flame system. For more information on our rating system, please visit Hotties Rating System)

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The Author 

 S.C. Rhyne is a world traveler, blogger, and novelist based in New York City. When she isn't writing or exploring, she enjoys swimming, reading historical fiction, and discovering new music. Her first novel, The Reporter and The Girl blurs the lines of reality and imagination, and conjures the emotions that bind us together.

Connect with the Author

Website 

Blog Tour: STIM by Kevin Berry and GIVEAWAY

STIM

by Kevin Berry

 

Kindle Edition, 176 pages

Published October 16th 2013 by Waspie Publishing

Robert is different. He has Asperger's Syndrome. He experiences the world differently to 99% of the population. Follow his entertaining and highly empathetic story as he struggles to realise and accept who he really is, try to understand other people—which he cannot—and find a girlfriend. Especially find a girlfriend—he's decided it's his special project for the year. Accompanied on this transformative journey by his quirky flatmates, Chloe (who also has Asperger's, amongst other things), Stef (who hasn't, but doesn't mind) and their oddly-named kitten, Robert endures a myriad of awkward moments in his quest to meet a nice, normal girl...and not even a major earthquake will stop him.

This absorbing and humorous story is starkly told from Robert's point of view, through the kaleidoscope of autistic experience. 

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My Review:

First the Cover: Well a young man with a book on his head looking confused? Scared? I'm not sure. But what attracted me to the book was the title "STIM" I wanted to know what on earth that meant and how it applied to the story.

The Book: We meet an young man named Robert who has Asperger's, he is at college when he happens to meet a very eccentric young lady Chloe. Chloe is beautiful, stands out in a crowd and has blue hair... she also has Asperger's.

Chloe takes Robert under her wing and helps him on his quest to find himself a "normal" girlfriend. 

The beauty of this book is that it is in the POV of a person living with Asperger's and how he thinks and sees the world is totally different than a person without Aspergers. I enjoyed his matter-of-fact attitude toward life, how his thoughts are logical, not over thought and fluffed for personal gain. The simplistic way he approaches life. 

As a reader, my heart melted with each attempt at love. And I was giving high fives to Chloe because she is a fire pistol that knows exactly what to say and do at the right moment.

A part of the book that still keeps me giggling is when they go searching for their little kitten... A MUST READ!

All in all, because this book was so different, and written from the perspective of a young man with Asperger's. The book was fantastic. Its an empathetic walk... no journey that everyone should embark upon. I promise that when you end the book, you will look at life much differently. In a more positive way. For that alone, I rate this book at HOT PAGE TURNER!

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THE AUTHOR

Kevin Berry is an indie author. His particular niche is writing Aspie New Adult contemporary novels set in an earthquake zone. The first of these is STIM, published in October 2013.

His first novels, co-written with Diane Berry, are Dragons Away!, Growing Disenchantments and Fountain of Forever (humorous fantasy). These are available as paperbacks and ebooks at Amazon and elsewhere. 

STAY CONNECTED

Kevin Berry's Website

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AMAZON GIVEAWAY
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BOOK BLITZ: When I Grow Up.. GIVEAWAYS & Character Search

When I Grow Up

I Want To Be...

a Teacher

Product Details

Age Range: 6 and up
Series: When I Grow Up I Want To Be...
Paperback: 60 pages
Publisher: Wigu Publishing; 1st edition (December 3, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1939973082
ISBN-13: 978-1939973085

Carlee had always wanted to be a teacher when she grew up, until her mother is hired as a teacher at her school! Some of her friends are even in her mother’s class. Carlee is worried. What will her friends say? Will her mother do something to embarrass her? Carlee vows never to become a teacher like her mother, but as she journeys through the first day of school with her own new teacher, Carlee makes some surprising discoveries.

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When I Grow Up

I Want To Be...

in the U.S. Army!

Product Details

Age Range: 6 and up
Series: When I Grow Up I Want To Be...
Paperback: 56 pages
Publisher: Wigu Publishing; 1st edition (August 29, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1939973058
ISBN-13: 978-1939973054
Product Dimensions: 0.2 x 6.9 x 9.8 inches

Jake Learns About the U.S. Army.

When Jake’s teacher assigns a “career” project, Jake decides he wants to be a soldier in the United States Army. Jake and his father visit an Army surplus store to find items he can use to present his project. As they search the store, each item makes the history and proud spirit of the U.S. Army come to life for Jake and readers alike. Through Jake’s discoveries, readers are introduced to the history of the U.S. Army, what soldiers’ duties include,
and the equipment they use

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 ABOUT THE PUBLISHER

Wigu Publishing is a collaboration of talented and creative individuals working together to create informative and fun books for our children.  Our titles serve to introduce children to the people in their communities who serve others through their vocations.  Wigu’s books are unique in that they help our children to visualize the abundant opportunities that exist for them to be successful and to make a difference.  Our goal is to inspire the great leaders and thinkers of tomorrow.

CONNECT WITH THE PUBLISHER:

www.whenigrowupbooks.com

   

 

 

 

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Parents, Would you like to see your childs name and likeness to be in one of Wigu's books?

Each banner below will take you to the Facebook Page so you can enter.

DETAILS

Taken from Wigu's Website: www.whenigrowupbooks.com

Enter on WIGU's FB page, OR email to socialmedia@wigupublishing.com a photo of your child between the ages of 4 and 10 years old (current age does not matter) and no more then three lines telling us what your child thinks it means to be a good person. 

Casting open January 15th through March 31st. Photos must be of children between the ages of 4 and 10 years old, however the child may currently be older. Casting is open to all nationalities, sexes, and racial backgrounds. 

Winners will be notified via mode of entry. Casting is open through March 31st, 2014 at midnight. This casting is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability. Top 5 entrants will be selected by vote, and the children selected will be  announced on Facebook and contacted by email within 48 hours after casting closes. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send us an email socialmedia@wigupublishing.com. Information collected is by Wigu Books and not Facebook. ENTER here.

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 GIVEAWAYS

  2 winners will be chosen from Rafflecopter. You will be able to choose either book to be mailed to you from the publisher.

Also, be sure to like the Hardback Book Hotties, because 2 more books will be given away via FACEBOOK

 

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Review: Love Spell by Stan Crowe

Love Spell

by Stan Crowe

(Taken from Goodreads)

ebook, 248 pages

Published July 26th 2013 by Breezy Reads

ISBN193832711X (ISBN13: 9781938327117)

Series: A Comedy of Love #2

Book Synopsis

Clint Christopherson’s love life was a running joke. When a crazed gypsy curses him with the best wish he could ever ask for, the punchline stops being funny. Now, even his barest touch drives girls mad for him.

Desperate to reverse the curse, Clint turns to his last hope: an attractive private investigator who might be able to locate his missing gypsy. If only Clint knew who it was he had just hired… 

My Review:

The Cover: The cover draws the female reader in, with a nice framed man wearing some worn and torn jeans and the Seattle backdrop. Who is the hottie in the jeans? What does Love Spell have to do with him, and does it have to do with his pants? All in all, the cover was worth cracking it open.

The Book:  I enjoyed the story of Clint Christopherson and his curse. I think the book had a great beginning learning about Clint and the women he came in contact with. And I really loved the gypsy character who gave him the curse. But the book fell flat for me. I think that for some readers, they will enjoy the love story.

I think the author, Stan Crowe did a marvelous job with the development of all the characters as well as the basic story line of Clint getting a curse from a very eccentric gypsy. The author put a spin on the basic love story which was intriguing. It was a story that had a lot of promise, but in my opinion the author fell short.  The story could have gone so many different ways but unfortunately, for me it was predictable and there was no surprises, which was the main disappointment for me. 

I will rate this book Medium - Kept Me Interested

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan had a pretty normal, middle-class American youth. He was lucky enough to change that by convincing an exceptional woman to marry him in 2000, setting him on a much more fulfilling life course.

Four years later, Brigham Young University awarded him with a Bachelors of Science in civil and environmental engineering. He then he spent several years designing homes, prescribing work for bridges, and even exploring the mortgage industry.

In the midst of all this, he produced two science fiction anthologies in 2006 and 2007. In 2012, Breezy Reads Publishing picked up his romantic comedy The Cinderella Project. And thus he transformed himself from Captain Kirk into Don Juan.

Stan lives with his wife, children (final count to be determined) and two cats in Utah.

BOOK BLITZ: The Star Catcher by Stephanie Keyes

The Star Catcher

by Stephanie Keyes

Book & Author Details:

The Star Catcher by Stephanie Keyes
(The Star Child #3)
Publication date: November 10th 2013
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Magick and destiny intertwine as he fights to save his kingdom and the goddess he loves.

Her kiss…the feel of her skin…the beat of her heart…For seventeen-year-old Kellen St. James, each memory is marred by a single sentence on a lone strip of paper.

Cali has been taken…

Armed with an amulet that channels the ultimate power of Faerie, Kellen searches for his love. However, control of the amulet’s energy comes with a price, and Kellen soon learns that Cali’s captor has plans for the stone. With the threat of the Star Catcher’s evil looming above Kellen and his kingdom, he’ll have to free the Heart of Faerie and break the curse the binds the Children of Danu to the darkness. But before that, he has to find his real father, the king. No pressure, right?

Kellen and Cali will battle bewitched armies and unknown foes as they fight to stay together. Will Kellen embrace his immortal destiny? Or will his world, and the man he is fated to become, be destroyed by The Star Catcher?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18658018-the-star-catcher?ac=1

Purchase:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.ca/s/?field-keywords=B006GEJZ8C&tag=viewbookat04-20

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-star-catcher-stephanie-keyes/1117342868?ean=2940148921486

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AUTHOR BIO

Stephanie Keyes has been addicted to Fantasy since she discovered T.H. White as a child and started drumming up incredible journeys in her head. Today, she's still doing the same thing, except now she gets to share those ideas with readers!

When she's not writing, Stephanie is also a graphic designer, international speaker, teacher, musician, avid reader, and Mom to two little boys who constantly keep her on her toes. In addition, she's best friend to her incredible husband of eleven years.

Mrs. Keyes holds an undergraduate degree in Business and Management Information Systems from Robert Morris University and a M.Ed. from Duquesne University. She is a member of the Society For Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), as well as a featured author in the global group of writers, Love a Happy Ending.com.

Keyes is the author of the YA Fantasy series, The Star Child, which currently includes The Star Child (September 2012) and The Fallen Stars (April 2013), both released by Inkspell Publishing. She is currently hard at work on the third book in the trilogy, The Star Catcher.

Author links:

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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Book Blitz - And Then I Met Margaret by Rob White

And Then I Met Margaret

Stories of Personal Transformation

by Rob White

Book Synopsis:
From humble beginnings, Rob White went on to become very successful in the real estate and restaurant business. At the same time that he began enjoying material wealth, he experienced a deepening feeling of inner emptiness. So he sought out world-class gurus to help him understand better how to live a full, rich life. However, he eventually discovered that the most helpful gurus aren't necessarily bestselling self-help authors, world-famous keynote speakers, or famous workshop leaders - they're unassuming gurus that everyone encounters on their journey through life. These "everyday" teachers awakened Rob to powerful insights and life lessons that are superb starting points for a new life. This book recaps twenty one of Rob's awakening moments in inspirational, warm, and entertaining stories. You'll read about a grade school student who, with one simple question, helped Rob gain a deeper understanding of the true meaning of life. You'll meet a Maasai mother who demonstrated that we're much more than we dare to imagine. And you'll meet a former peanut vendor who turned medical wisdom on its head by simply deciding that he wasn't going to die. And Then I Met Margaret demonstrates that life is always supporting you by sending the right and perfect person to help you learn what you next need to know in order to grow. Rob wrote this book to alert you to the many unexpected teachers who can help shatter the myths that keep you from you experiencing life to the fullest and achieving your dreams and goals. After reading And Then I Met Margaret, you'll never see the world the same way. You may even recognize an unexpected guru or two as you travel the journey of your life.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 For more information about the author, please visit his website.

Visit his website: http://robwhitemedia.com/ 

Book Blitz: Chasing Wishes by Nadia Simonenko

Chasing Wishes

by Nadia Simonenko

Book & Author Details:

Chasing Wishes by Nadia Simonenko
Publication date: Winter 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:

“I wish I didn’t have to go home. I wish I was someone else — someone with a future…”

For sixteen-year-old Nina Torres, it feels as if life is nothing but a dead end. Despised by her rich classmates and afraid that she’ll become just like her drug-addicted mother, Nina’s future seems to get dimmer every day.

There is one bright spot in her life though…

Sitting beside her one night, the only person in the world who cares about her makes a promise. No matter what happens — no matter how much Isaac’s wealthy family disapproves — he and his girlfriend Nina will be together forever.

Fate plays a cruel trick on Nina, though, and a visit from Child Protective Services the next morning turns Nina Torres into Irene Hartley, a woman with a future but who will never see her beloved Isaac again.

Nine years later, a blind and incredibly handsome young entrepreneur hires Irene to be his personal assistant. Terrence Radcliffe reminds her so much of Isaac that she can hardly believe her eyes, and she’s falling for him fast. Irene knows that fairy tales don’t come true, but she allows herself one last wish. She wishes that she could finally say goodbye to Isaac and let herself take a chance on Terrence.

What she doesn’t know is that Terrence is also searching for someone: a shooting star who streaked through his life nine years ago, and he won’t give up until he finds her…

Chasing Wishes is a powerful contemporary tale of lost love and wishes come true, recommended for ages 17+ due to adult content.

Purchase:

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AUTHOR BIO

Nadia Simonenko is a scientist and author currently living in Pennsylvania with her husband, two cats and a dog. When she isn’t writing, she develops new drug compounds and dreams about someday painting her office to look like a forest.

Author Links:

http://www.nadiaromance.com/

https://twitter.com/NadiaSimonenko

https://www.facebook.com/nadia.simonenko.14

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6940644.Nadia_Simonenko

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GIVEAWAY

 

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