Beta Readers Wanted!

Knockout is officially done! As I move into edits, I want to get the ball rolling on finding a couple of dedicated readers with a little (or a lot) of experience in beta reading.

I feel I should mention that anyone willing to read for me will be getting the rough copy. Knockout is scheduled to be delivered to my editor's desk at the end of the month. In the meantime, I am looking for feedback that pertains to the storyline. Example: the flow of the story, it's content, and whether everything adds up.

I am looking for someone who:
-reads fast
-has an eye for detail
-ideally, knows a little something about professional MMA/UFC fighting
-enjoys reading NA (new adult) novels
-isn't afraid to tell me straight. Tell me what works and what doesn't.

If you said, "Hey, that sounds like me!" to any of the above mentioned, then please send me a message at branflake3083@gmail.com with "I want to beta read" in the subject line. THANK YOU!!

Teaser Tuesday ~ Forever Too Far by Abbi Glines

 I hope we have a few Abbi Glines fans out there today, because I couldn't resist sharing a bit of Rush and Blaire this morning. The adorable father-to-be is, well, adorable in her final installment of the Forever series, and I must say, I am sad to see it go. Here's a little taste of the sweetness between this young couple. Enjoy! 

****

"I can stay awake," she assured me and turned her chest toward mine. 

It was tempting but I knew her body needed rest. I pressed a kiss to her nose. "I'm sure you could, sweet Blaire. But right now all I want to do is massage your feet and calves while you relax and fall asleep." 

Her eyes got that pleased glow. "Oh, would you? They feel so stiff after the flight." 

"Go lay your head on the pillow and I'll get rid of tehse shoes, which by the way, are not exactly good walking footwear for a pregnant woman. You should have worn tennis shoes, not heels." 

Blaire yawned again and settled back on the pillow with a sigh. "I know. I just didn't want to arrive at LAX looking frumpy." 

She could never look frumpy. "That would be impossible."

Teaser Tuesday~Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies.In this #1 New York Times bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover, author of Slammed and Point of Retreat, Sky meets Dean Holder, a guy with a reputation that rivals her own. Holder has the ability to invoke feelings in Sky she's never had before. In just one encounter he leaves her terrified yet captivated and something about him brings up a rush of memories from the past that she’s worked so hard to bury away.

Sky knows Holder is nothing but trouble and tries to keep him at a distance, but he is adamant about learning everything he can about her. Sky finally caves to his unwavering pursuit, but she soon finds out that Holder isn't the person he's been claiming to be. When the secrets he's been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky's life changes forever.

****

I sigh and roll my eyes. "Holder, wait." 

He pauses and proudly leans against the doorframe. 

"You better come kiss your girlfriend goodbye." I say, feeling every bit as cheesy as I sound. His face washes with victory and he walks back into the living room. He slips his hand to the small of my back and pulls me against him. It's our first freestanding kiss and I love the way he's securing me protectively with his arm around my lower back. He traces his fingers along my cheek and runs them through my hair, bringing his lips closer to mine. He's not staring at my lips, though. He's looking straight into my eyes and his are full of something I can't place. It's not lust this time; it's more like a look of appreciation. 

****

Hopeless has been sitting on my Kindle for, like, ever. With all the great reviews, I can't imagine why I haven't cracked this baby open already, but I intend to remedy that tonight. Holder sounds like someone worth getting better acquainted with, right? 

Check out Hopeless on Goodreads!

Review and Giveaway of CRUSH by Nicole Williams

Football glory. A giant diamond. A wandering eye.

Jude and Lucy are happily engaged . . . but that doesn't mean life's a bed of roses.

Once again, Jude and Lucy are torn apart by football training and a summer job that creates new tensions. This time Jude's the one with trust issues. Will Lucy's life-changing news bring them back together or end their relationship for good? Can love triumph forever?


The ending to a story that had me hook, line and sinker from the very beginning. I think this warrants a moment of silence to mourn the loss of Jude Ryder.....

Okay! So, now that I am fairly certain that Ms. Williams is completely finished turning my life upside down, I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. For those of you who haven't had a chance to read the Crash series, OMG! What the H-E-double hockey sticks are you waiting for?! Anyway, it's no secret that Jude and Lucy have had their fair share of problems along the way. They've practically run the full gamut as far as ulcer-inducing life-changing/affirming issues go, and all in a record amount of time for their youthful 21 years of life. 

A walk down memory lane, shall we? 

I recall that beautiful day when I *cough* I mean Lucy, met Jude on a sandy beach and and struck up an unlikely romance to last the ages. From there I experienced the ups and downs of a life of Jude, where dates were likely to be followed by police chases and saying thank you to the soda guy was likely to result in his face being punched in. Ah, yes, Jude Jude Jude, you stormy, fly-off the handle in love man you. 

We then saw these two love birds off to college, where Jude spent his time honing his worshipful body on the field while Lucy spun on her toes on the dance floor. I was right at her side, my claws out and hissing like a feral animal when she came to blows with the girl that sought to steal him away, and I was dying inside all those too-numerous-to-count times when they hit a crossroads and went their separate ways.  

This time around, well....not much has changed. Jude is still an incredibly attentive, affectionate, lovable, sexy, I'd-slay-dragons-for-you kind of guy, and Lucy is still the same infuriating girl who can't seem to decide which way is up in life. 

Jude has just been signed to play for the Chargers, but that means moving away, and Lucy is determined to finish her degree and dance, but that means staying put in NY. Of course there is bound to be drama! Now that Jude is filthy rich, he wants to give Lucy the world he never dreamed he could offer, but she doesn't want any of it. No jewels, no expensive houses, no flashy cars. She. Just. Wants. Jude. Gotta respect a girl who knows what she wants. But the problem with Lucy is that the only thing she knows for certain that she wants IS Jude. Everything else, well, I find myself wanting to tear my hair out right along with the man. I'm never sure whether to love her or hate her. One thing is for sure, she puts him through the wringer with all her uncertainty. 

All Jude wants is for Lucy to marry him, to which I shout a very enthusiastic YES! I DO! I DO! But alas, he only has eyes for Lucy. Her answer? Soon. >:() Come again? How does a woman who is head over heels in love with a man, who knows she has that same love in return, say soon? 

There was some mild rifting along the way involving another guy, that really wasn't much if you ask me, not if you pair it with all the other drama we've been subjected to in the past. This was a freaking cake walk! The only roadblocks I could see where those set up by Lucy herself. Fabricated by her nutty little mind and blown out of proportion. 

Without giving anything way, I was glued to my seat until the very end, and what a lovely, heartwarming moment it was. It was fitting and the only way I would have been satisfied at all, because, as a hopeless romantic, it's exactly what I was rooting for. If I had to be honest, I don't think Lucy has it in her to be exactly normal in the thinking/reasoning/self-less giving dept. as Jude is, but I think Jude has enough love and unending devotion to make up for her shortcomings. 

All in all, I laughed, I cried (in anger-no tears were shed in the reading of this novel), I grinned, I frowned, and I shook my head in disbelief. Finally, I sighed with that feel good emotion of having accomplished a great feat. It's over. It was beautiful. It was worth it. And I'm giving it 5 stars because JUDE GETS 5 STARS! And, even thought I know my husband will read this, I am joining all you fan girls out there when I say: 

I LOVE YOU, JUDE! 

 
                                                           Time for the giveaway!

I am giving away 1 ebook of Crush to 1 lucky winner. Entry is simple, just choose one (or all) options to gain entries. Giveaway is INTERNATIONAL as the prize will be delivered via email. Good luck!