Saturday, July 28, 2012

Lengths by Liz Reinhardt and Steph Campbell - Cover and Blurb Reveal!


Nineteen-year-old Whit Conrad leaves her conservative Pennsylvania home for sunny California, looking for independence, a fresh start, and a place to stash her grief. She promptly finds a job at a tattoo parlor, a craptastic first apartment, and one friend—Ryan—who is a little less friend, a little more benefits.

Deo Beckett is a soulful surfer with a passion for tattoos and beautiful women. On the eve of his twenty-second birthday, he finds himself living with his grandfather, recently unemployed, and seriously adrift. He doesn’t know much about what he wants out of life, but he does know his current situation isn't cutting it.

When Deo meets Whit, she’s all sexy makeup and fierce, smart-ass fun. It doesn’t take him long to see past her tough shell. And when he gets a good look at what's under all the superficial stuff that usually gets his attention, it leaves Deo wondering if there might be more to life than living fast and free.

Too bad Whit has a past she doesn't plan on sharing—no matter how hot Deo is. She might want him, but she knows better than to let her guard down.

Deo falls for Whit, and falls hard. But everything about her, down to that mysterious tattoo and the way she thrashes in her sleep, tells him that the girl he loves is hiding something. And the more he pushes for answers, the more Whit pulls away.

Having your guard up is one thing, but are the lengths Whit goes to to protect her secret worth throwing away the second chance she has at happiness with Deo?



LENGTHS is a Contemporary New Adult Romance by Liz Reinhardt and Steph Campbell, to be released August 2012.

Cover by Todd Maloy, http://toddmaloydesign.com.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

I don’t understand, But I will hold my tongue.

Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale

Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale

I picked up this book based on a whim considering I used to LOVE historical fiction.

 Melkorka is the oldest daughter of an Irish king. Her and her brother, Nuada, and sister, Brigid, enjoy life of royalty and privilege. On her birthday Melkorka asks to visit Dublin which is teeming with "heathen" Vikings. After a series of events,Melkorka and her younger sister, Brigid, are sent away under the dark of night to assure their safety.

Before they can reach their safe house, Melkorka and Brigid are abducted and taken aboard a slave ship. Melkorka, taking cues from her sister, doesn't announce her status but instead remains silent. Slowly this becomes her only form of control over what's happening to her. She makes a silent vow (see what i did there) to herself to "hush" causing some intrigue among her captures. From her actions they are able to see that she is not mute because of a disability but because of her own free will.

No matter what you always have free will (despite how small it maybe).

The author does a great job of developing the character of Melkorka and she is visible stronger and more confident of herself by the end of the book. Brownie points are also given for the accuracy of the historical information in the book and for adding one character that is able to educate Mel and the reader about this time in history.

Although the book was a downer (Apparently that's the author's forte), I enjoyed reading about a little known character from an Icelandic tale.