Friday, November 21, 2014

Blog Tour including Review - - First Debt (Book 2 Indebted Series) by Pepper Winters

First Debt by Pepper Winter is LIVE!

Read the dark & sexy continuation to Jethro & Nila’s Story!

NOW AVAILABLE

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1qFYVsn

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/11lSzbD

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1xCa17K

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1zR8JYM

View the Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2oMVFI1DPg

Join the Facebook Party on November 19th: https://www.facebook.com/events/1383301405295358/

Excerpt #1

A small gasp fell from my lips as his fingers kissed the paper-thin skin. His eyes held me hostage. The golden brown was now a swirling bronze, raging with the same demanding hunger I knew reflected in mine.

“This sort of reminds me of the forest,” I whispered. “The trees around us—no one else.” My words fell like petals, waiting for Jethro to crush them beneath his glossy shoe.

But…he didn’t.

Tracing one hand from my wrist, along the inside of my arm, and right to my throat, he fisted my ponytail. With intensity that stripped my soul to the very essence of who I was, he pulled my head back slowly, sensually, full of sexual power.

His eyes dropped to my mouth. “I’ll let you in on a little secret, Ms. Weaver.”

I panted, my neck straining against his hold, but I made no move to break the poignant awareness.

“You won that night, but I lied when I said it pissed me off.” His mouth dropped, his tongue licked my bottom lip with the barest of grazes.

Excerpt #2

My stomach churned with the promise.

I will make him love me.

My conviction wasn’t flimsy or half-hearted.

And then I’ll destroy him.

Excerpt #3

And, if I was honest, they’d transformed me into the same kind of creature. Someone who had evolved from a single dimension and now lived with so many avenues of personalities.

I was still the quiet, vertigo-stricken girl from London, but I was also the woman who liked being tormented, who thrived on a fight, and who thirsted for sex.

And that stupefied me.

***ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review***

5 Stars

Pepper Winters has given us another amazing, captivating read! First Debt is the second book in the Indebted series and cannot be read as a stand alone. I personally loved the first book but I found this one to be even better, the way the characters and plot are beginning to develop is extremely intriguing. The first book left me with a million questions and fortunately, First Debt answered some of them but of course it raised quite a few more! I will let you know that we do finally get some information about what happened between the Hawks and Weavers all those years ago and its a terrible story, still no real reason for this horrible debt inheritance but the hatred is understandable.

I love a good dark romance but I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to really see Jethro in a romantic light however this book changed my mind. In true Pepper Winters fashion there is something major going on with him that is probably going to change everything. His terrifying icy facade is hiding something and much to his surprise, Nila is cracking his frozen heart. There are so many things about him that I'm dying to know, I can't wait to find out more! Nila is quite a character, she is so different from the first book! Her character is growing, changing, adapting and becoming stronger with each passing day. This horrifying situation is allowing her to discover who she truly is and that her previous life wasn't what she actually wanted at all. She is finding freedom in captivity while finding her first true attraction to the one man she should hate. Her unwavering determination to not only survive but to win this evil game is admirable. Also we get to know Jethro's brother Kes quite a bit and he adds quite an interesting development to the story!

I think the back and forth relationship between Jethro and Nila is fascinating, their intense attraction confuses them both and threatens the entire ritualistic nature of the debt inheritance. Jethro needs to be calm, cold and ruthless while Nila needs to be subdued and submissive yet their feelings fill them with scorching hot passion that could either ruin or save them both depending on how you look at it. The heat between these two characters practically lights the pages of this book on fire and I loved every second of it!

This compelling, passionate read is filled with mystery, hot sex, crazy plot twists and revelations that leave you absolutely dying for the next book in the series, I can't wait to read more!

Storyline: Unique, riveting

Female Characters: strong

Male Characters: mysterious, confusing

Author's Writing Style: absolutely amazing!

Plot Twists: its a crazy ride!

Laugh Factor: none

Cry Factor: none

Steam Factor: hot, hot, hot

Violence: some

First Debt (Book Two) Indebted Series

Blurb

“You say I’ll never own you. If I win—you willingly give me that right. You sign not only the debt agreement, but another—one that makes me your master until your last breath is taken. You do that, and I’ll give you this.”

Nila Weaver’s family is indebted. Stolen, taken, and bound not by monsters but by an agreement written over six hundred years ago, she has no way out.

She belongs to Jethro as much as she denies it.

Jethro Hawk’s patience is running out. His inheritance gift tests, challenges, and surprises him—and not in good ways. He hasn’t leashed her but he thinks he might’ve found a way to bind her forever.

Debts are mounting. Payment waiting.

Debt Inheritance (Book One) Indebted Series

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1kMqS41

Amazon UK: http://amzn.uk.to/1kMqS41

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1ptt8wO

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1t7Qiug

Blurb

“I own you. I have the piece of paper to prove it. It’s undeniable and unbreakable. You belong to me until you’ve paid off your debts.”

Nila Weaver’s family is indebted. Being the first born daughter, her life is forfeit to the first born son of the Hawks to pay for sins of ancestors past. The dark ages might have come and gone, but debts never leave. She has no choice in the matter.

She is no longer free.

Jethro Hawk receives Nila as an inheritance present on his twenty-ninth birthday. Her life is his until she’s paid off a debt that’s centuries old. He can do what he likes with her—nothing is out of bounds—she has to obey.

There are no rules. Only payments.

A modern day Dark Erotic Romance

Author Information

Pepper Winters wears many roles. Some of them include writer, reader, sometimes wife. She loves dark, taboo stories that twist with your head. The more tortured the hero, the better, and she constantly thinks up ways to break and fix her characters. Oh, and sex... her books have sex.

She loves to travel and has an amazing, fabulous hubby who puts up with her love affair with her book boyfriends.

Her Dark Erotica books include:

Tears of Tess (Monsters in the Dark #1)

Quintessentially Q (Monsters in the Dark #2)

Her Grey Romance books include:

Destroyed

GIVEAWAY

Signed Swag Packs (2 Winners)

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THANK YOU!

Blog Tour including Review - - Bend. Don't Break by Skye Callahan

Bend don't Break

Skye Callahan

Genre: Dark Erotic Romance

Available November 18, 2014

Synopsis

I thought I was done.

my End

I couldn’t take my eyes off her as the bullet tore through me, leaving me with nothing but the hope that I had done enough to save her. The darkness tried to engulf me—to brand me as its own and drag me to my fate.

my Darkness

Waking to see her tear-stained face above me was enough to make my heart stutter. I was alive and free from that place—but not from the toll it had taken on my mind and body.

my Strength

My story should have ended, but one woman kept standing in the way of that. The only way I could have her was to find a way to put the darkness to rest.
Goodreads

Purchase Links

**Arc provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**

5 Stars

Bend, Don't Break by Skye Callahan was nothing short of phenomenal! This book is James' point of view after the retreat and of course some events from the previous novel will be gone over through his eyes. It cannot be read as a stand alone, you must read Irrevocable first. I will admit I had my doubts for a moment knowing some events would overlap but Skye did an amazing job of not just retelling the same events through a different point of view. This novel did not have one bit of the redundant feel I've gotten from many authors who have tried to do a similar sequel and this is just another reason to add her to my favorite authors list! I also couldn't imagine how a sequel could ever compare to the shocking, wild and emotional journey of Irrevocable but Bend, Don't Break managed to keep me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

The case against the traffickers didn't end when the first novel ended, there were still many criminals that needed to be dealt with and the journey to healing for James and Rose was barely beginning. These two plot points made for an intriguing, suspenseful, emotional and sexy read that I couldn't put down once I started. One of the major things I loved about this novel was reading about James' emotional battles, Skye didn't make him some tough guy cop who was able to just put the retreat behind him and move on. He had quite a few issues to work through and was struggling to make sense of the world after seeing and doing such horrible things. It made me love him even more to see that vulnerability and self doubt, it made his character seem a million times more life like and relate-able. Don't even get me started on Rose.. she is by far one of the strongest, most resilient and bravest female characters I have ever encountered, she is absolutely amazing and inspirational. I can't imagine for one second experiencing the horrors she endured but I am quite sure I would be shattered where she is stronger than ever. I can't say too much about the case of trying to round up all the major players in the trafficking ring since that would give too much away but let me say WOW. There are quite a few twists and turns that I did not expect, things went deeper and were much more complex than I could have imagined!

I really feel that this novel show cased Skye's immense talent, I have not read a sequel like this in a long time. I loved getting a feel for what James was going through at the retreat since the first novel was through Rose's eyes, for obvious reasons. Again I am thrilled that there wasn't alot of just retelling the same scenes from a different view. Bend, Don't Break was so much more than I expected when I first heard it was coming out, it was jam packed with suspense, action, emotion and of course, hot sex!! I am also glad that Skye didn't make the road easy for James and Rose, they didn't get some hearts and flowers happily ever after. They met in a terrible way, had to go through horrifying events and nightmares and travel a rocky road of healing in order to even try to be together. I could probably ramble for days about how great both these novels were and how much I love Skye Callahan but I'll end this by saying just go read these books!

Storyline: Interesting, complex, captivating

Female Characters: strongest woman ever

Male Characters: sexy and tough but vulnerable

Author's Writing Style: absolutely amazing!

Plot Twists: shocking!

Laugh Factor: none

Cry Factor: nah

Steam Factor: sooo hot!!

Violence: yes, not as much as the first but some violence

Excerpt #1

“She’s fine,” Dr. Combs assured me. “But I don’t think it would be in the best interest for either of you to see each other. You put yourself in a dangerous situation with her.”
Put myself? Last I checked I wasn’t the one to drag her into the Retreat. “I kept her alive and slightly less broken than she would have otherwise been.”
“The two of you adapted to a horrible situation, found comfort in each other—”
I didn’t want to hear it.
Stockholm Syndrome.
I wondered if the captor could get it, too. Was I even the captor? It seemed like I’d lost control of the situation long ago.
But I’d still been the one to beat her, rape her, bend her will.
Just like she’d bent mine.
I wanted her back so bad I couldn’t breathe. The more we talked about it, the worse it got. The harsh reality of it all forced me to face the possibility that I had to walk away if I wanted to do what was in her best interest.
“How long until I can talk to Trent?” I tried again, drawing back a modicum of control by changing the course of the conversation.
Dr. Combs sighed and snapped her portfolio closed. “If it’ll get you to talk, I’ll make the arrangements on one condition.”
I’d already sold my soul, there weren’t many more concessions I had left to give.
“I need to know you’re not going to try to reach out to Rose—or anyone else.”
Did that mean there was a chance she’d see me? Or was Dr. Combs convinced I’d stalk and abduct her anyway? That was quite a laughable possibility, but some sick-as-fuck part of me considered it.

Book Trailer

Excerpt #2

She came around the corner on hands and knees, and I saw her face visibly pale as soon as she saw the chain in my hands, but she approached anyway. Stubborn, belligerent, and brave.
Three traits that’d get her killed.
I dropped the chain to the floor next to the bed. “Come up here.”
She paused, but finally climbed onto the bed and straddled my lap as I directed, and damned if I didn’t feel like I was losing it. The bruises from her encounter with Gabe’s buffoons were starting to set in, but she pulled back and shut herself off as I examined her.
Such a degrading way to make sure nothing was broken, but if she didn’t believe my act, no one else would either. I realized the plug in her ass was probably growing even more uncomfortable with time, especially if she hadn’t experimented with them before.
Not that I could ask since I wasn’t supposed to care.
“Hate me all you want, Sugar,” I said, hoping to get her to walk a fine line between trust and fear where she might listen. “I’m the only ally you have.”
“Ally…?” she whispered, “You’re going to hurt me.” Her eyes filled again, but she blinked it away and held back just like she had in the basement, and I couldn’t face her any longer.
“I am,” I lifted her off of me, flipping her over. “Ass up.”
Even though she kept up her protective walls, I saw her body visibly relax when I pulled the plug free and sat it on the side table. It was going to be hard enough for her to kneel through dinner. I hoped the threat of it might make her more compliant.
The mix of vulnerability countered with her impossible stubbornness had an aphrodisiac effect on me. I had been convinced this was the only way we’d survive, but for the first time, I truly considered the effect it was going to have on both of us.

Playlist

Ten Fun Facts

I love cars, and I write most of my books while watching Top Gear. I’d prefer the sound of an Aston Martin over any music sound track.
I once based a character in a story on my husband, and the character died. He never lets me live it down, but don’t bother trying to figure it out, I never released that book.
I’m not terribly good at being girly–I don’t wear makeup, only own 4 pairs of shoes, and I’ve never had a manicure.
I learned to handle a gun before I learned long division.
While most of the people in my graduate research classes were buried in books, I was glued to the TV researching the evolving portrayal of “Indianness”.
I have a phobia of crickets.
Yuengling is my weakness.
I have penguin stuff everywhere--even a penguin snuggie because I couldn’t resist.
I enjoy long walks in the cemetery.
Nearly everyone in my family has seen a ghost in the hallway in the house I grew up in, and I was told by a Bigfoot expert that the sounds I used to hear outside my bedroom at night were likely the cries of Bigfoot.

Synopsis

Goodreads

Sometimes when you can’t go back, the only way out is to descend into the darkness.

my Captor

When I woke in that place, I just wanted to survive. But survival came at a cost, for which they demanded my will and body.

my Master

With pain came acceptance. Fully-dependent on the man who claimed me, I learned to appreciate what I had-life and relative safety.

my Protector

I watched him spill blood and tend my injuries. With betrayal came a revelation.

The only way out was to bring them all down or die trying.

Purchase Links

Reviews

"Not only did Irrevocable gut me, it took me on a roller coaster ride full of emotions that I usually don't experience while reading romances.... You start to hate, you start to sympathize, and you begin to fall in love in every way. Ms. Callahan has turned my world upside down with her writing. Dark, sensual, and at times overwhelming, Irrevocable will bring you on a dark journey that you will never forget." Shayna Renee's Spicy Reads TOP PICK of 2014!

"You HAVE to read this book. It really is one of the best that I have read in a while, and definitely one of the best of 2014. It has everything I look for in a dark read. The twist that the author throws in is, just wow. I just cannot emphasis just how much I love this book!" Alicia, Mean Girls Luv Books

"Finally a good DARK read, that has it ALL...!! Overall - the characters drew me in, the situation jangled my nerves, the sexy scenes were HOT, and the story just blew me away." Shelby, Wicked Reads

"Beautifully written! Great characters and story line. Skye made me a fan of dark reads. A must read for all who dare to step out of the light and into the darkness!" Summer's Book Blog

About the Author

Skye Callahan was born and raised in rural Ohio and has had an insatiable love of reading and writing since she was young. Thanks to the encouragement of teachers, family, and friends, she has found her passion in immersing herself in the imaginary worlds of the characters who live in her head.

Most of her early stories were paranormal, and although the paranormal world still has a special place in her imagination, her interest in BDSM and dark romance has led her to expand her writing endeavors.

Before she began writing full-time, she earned a M.A. in Public History and worked for a non-profit business consulting center. When she’s not indulging the voices in her head, she’s enjoying life with her husband and two ferrets.

Contact Skye Callahan

Other Works from Skye Callahan

Bound and Unbroken

Genre: BDSM Romance
Goodreads
Lena is about to discover pleasure in the things she can’t control.

To get even with her roommate for dragging her to a sports bar on a Friday night, Lena begins flirting with the handsome stranger who sits at the bar next to her. Their anonymous conversation leads to a shared cab ride, but Lena’s conscience puts a damper on the evening—leaving the near-fling to become a memory. Until she finds him roaming the halls of the school where she teaches.

Will she submit to his desires?

Eric’s only reason for returning to his hometown is to care for his recently orphaned nephew. He knew the return would involve dredging up his past with family and friends, but he didn't expect a lone girl to capture his interest and offer an escape within his new life.

Will his binds be enough to keep her?

Purchase Links

Amazon | B&N

Fractured Legacy

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Goodreads

Kaylyn Anderson's fascination with abandoned places and dark creatures kindled her work as a paranormal investigator. But when dreams begin to distort reality, she questions what is real and pulls away from everyone she trusts. The opportunity to investigate the Teague Hotel--a long-abandoned landmark that has always piqued her curiosity--provides a chance to redeem herself. Unraveling the hotel's secrets won't be easy, but Kaylyn soon finds herself the target of a dark entity that has been trapped in the building for decades.

If Kaylyn stands any chance of defeating the spirit, she'll have to accept that her fears are real and convince fellow investigators that she hasn't lost her mind.

Purchase Links

Amazon | B&N

Beyond the Divide

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Goodreads

Despite unanswered questions about the nameless entity that tried to steal her life, Kaylyn returns to the only kind of normal life she knows and takes on a new paranormal case.

After investing everything they have in a farm, an unsuspecting family discovers that their problems run much deeper than the poor upkeep of the house and land. Can Kaylyn and the other investigators uncover what's behind the growing malicious activity? And how will they all deal with new warnings from beyond the divide?

Purchase Links

Amazon | B&N

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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Release Day Blitz - - Bend, Don't Break by Skye Callahan

Bend, Don't Break

I thought I was done.

my End

my Darkness

Waking to see her tear-stained face above me was enough to make my heart stutter. I was alive and free from that place—but not from the toll it had taken on my mind and body.

my Strength

My story should have ended, but one woman kept standing in the way of that. The only way I could have her was to find a way to put the darkness to rest.

Goodreads

Bend, Don't Break: Nook | Amazon US, UK, CA, AU | iTunes | Kobo

Irrevocable: Nook | Amazon US, UK, CA. AU | iTunes | Kobo | ScribD

Join Skye Callahan and Pepper Winters for a Release Party on Wednesday, Nov. 19!

Spotify Playlist: Bend, Don't Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPcxdcRrElE

Excerpt:

“Did you force her to have sex with you?”

My hands clenched at my sides twisting and curling the thin hospital sheets. “Not then.”

I tried to think about anything else, but my mind betrayed me and jumped straight to that night. My heart went into overdrive, fueling the anger that already tainted my blood and sending it to the deepest part of my brain.

That first day. It seemed like it had happened years ago, only because so much had changed since the day I’d first seen her in the basement of the Retreat.

“When? Another day—or night,” Dr. Combs continued prying.

“Second night—only because it would’ve been Ross if not me.”

“How did she react to that?”

I blew out a puff of air. “I got her off if that’s what you’d like to know.”

Dr. Combs scowled.

“See there,” I said, laying my arm over my eyes. “You don’t really want to hear about it any more than I want to talk about it.”

“Be crude all you want. I’m not judging—”

I slammed my hand down on the bed to stop her lie. “Don’t fucking give me that. I was there. There is no fucking way in hell anyone hears about the things I did without some kind of opinion. I’m the bastard, the abuser, rapist, villain, liar, thief—and I get away with it all as far as the law and any official judgment are concerned. I’d be utterly convinced that I’m guaranteed a spot in the deepest pit of Hell if I wasn’t holding on to the slim hope that the time I’ve already spent there was enough to burn away my sins—at the very least it might have burned away my soul, in which case it won’t matter much once I die because there won’t even be anything left.”

She smiled—of all the fucking reactions in the world, she smiled at that?

“Finally getting an honest reaction. I do believe that’s the most you’ve said all week.”

I scowled, the distasteful sting of bile assaulted my mouth. “You’re a gem, you know that?”

“Back to the topic. Tell me what happened.”

“When?” I was done fighting, only because the smile told me that she was quite possibly more sadistic than me.

“Pick a night.”

Advance Reviews:

"Again, I am amazed, I read this in an afternoon, and I am so glad I had the time because I wouldn't have been able to put this down.... While this book is told from James's POV it gives another side to the first story yet, builds onto the current story and another part that you haven't been told." (read more...)

★★★★★ Melissa, Everything Marie

"I just finished Bend, Don't Break and what a way to finish this story! I just loved it.... " (read more...)

★★★★★ Beggin (Shay) from Mommys a Book Whore

"Now back on the outside, James and Rose have to figure out how to put the pieces back together in this next chapter of their lives. Loved them in Irrevocable and fell even harder for them in Bend, Don't Break." (read more...)

★★★★★ Vicki

"Rose and James have so much to work on recovering from their time at the Retreat, this book is filled with every emotion and it is an amazing read. I don't want to give away any part of the story but if you read Irrevocable you must read this book, it was just as good if not better." (read more...)

★★★★★ Angie, Wicked Reads Review Team

"I loved this sequel. It filled in so many holes from James POV and got us to the HEA I wanted for them both. If you loved Irrevocable, this is a must read!" (read more...)

★★★★★ Lucinda, Jezabell Girl and Friends

"Speechless! This was exactly what I needed to be happy with their story...! They fight their struggles and dark past together. And at the end are exactly what I wanted them to be.... It's a must read." (read more...)

★★★★★ Cherry, Naughty and Smutty Book Blog

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Blog Tour including Review - - Sacrifice by Emersyn Vall

For years my life was in a state of Adjournment…

Fate had constructed a plan to push me away… to save me…

There was a danger I never knew existed, one I had never sensed.

My family positioned themselves around me.

Like Hanging Pawns, they shielded me from it and I lived blissfully unaware… until now.

Now, I know there are rules to this game...

Sacrifices to be made in order to get to End Game.

What would I Sacrifice for one more moment... one last look? Touch? Kiss?

The answer is simple…

Everything.

Amazon Amazon CA Amazon UK Amazon AU

B&N Kobo

Chapter 1

Ignorance isn’t always bliss…

How did I get here? Not this specific seat
exactly… I mean here, in this part of my life, where I never would have
considered being. I know the events that led me here—my sisters moving back, my
parents’ vow renewal, and a weekend that I could have practiced better control.

Could have.

I won’t deny it to myself that I wanted it to
happen. I won’t deny it to you either…but Simon…

Well, he doesn’t need to know the truth. He’d be
smug and pompous…or should I say he’d be himself. Simon was right about one thing,
though. He said nothing about this game would be simple, and so far, it isn’t.
If it was, the game would be over by now, and I would be sitting somewhere else
having breakfast instead of waiting for him to join us.

Raising my coffee to my mouth, I sit here trying
to ignore the pleas of Mea while we wait for everyone to get here.

“Please,” she asks.

“No.” I lean back in my seat staring at her.

“Please.” I watch her cup her hands and bring them
up to her chest as she pleads.

“No.”

Here it comes…I can see the anger building, the
slight twitch in her eye starting.

“Why not?” She drops her hands and her voice
becomes louder than it was a few seconds ago.

Because bothering you is so much fun.

“Because I don’t like women…and I don’t want an
assistant,” I tell her.

“Well, you do want an assistant,” Lexi mumbles.

“See!” Mea points to Lexi. “I’ll be so good! I
follow you around anyway, and I hate women, too!” She bounces in her chair.

“I know. You’re like a lost little puppy.” My face
wrinkles when she starts the face. “Did you forget? You’re Josh’s assistant,” I
remind her for the millionth time. “How are we going to explain why you’re
suddenly mine?”

We aren’t because she has no answer to that. For
months, she’s been Josh’s assistant on set. Actually, if I’m being truthful,
she has years of being Josh’s assistant under her belt.

Am I using that as a scapegoat?

Umm, yes!

I have to put up with her all day everyday anyway.
I don’t need her as an Ass, too.

“I’m bored with Josh,” she whines, ignoring my
question.

That’s nice…I’m sure your husband would like to
know he bores you at work.

“Fine,” I
groan, taking another mouthful of coffee.

“Really?” Mea’s voice is so happy, so filled with
joy.

Stupid question.

“No,” I smirk into my mug so she can’t see me.

It’s not that I don’t like Mea…I like her a lot,
actually. She’s just so much fun to tease.

“You’re a jerk,” Mea pouts.

See? Look at that lip. So. Much. Fun.

“We’ve been coming here every Sunday for weeks and
every Sunday it starts out the same. Could you just tell her yes and be done
with it.” Lexi’s head falls over the back of her chair.

Once again, the problem isn’t her being my Ass.
It’s the fact that she is already Josh’s and further more… the girl knows
nothing about make-up.

“I don’t
know why you want to be my assistant. Like you said, it’s same thing you do
now…just follow me around and look busy. Why do you need the title?” I look out
the restaurant window, searching for the rest of our group.

“Because when I tell people I’m your assistant, it
won’t feel like a lie.” She grabs a menu to look through it.

Wait, what?

“I…you…,” I try to think of something to say.

What a freaking jerk! She just admitted to lying
to everyone about being my Ass.

Wait…this makes sense now. Every time someone
mentioned giving something to my assistant, I laughed and said yeah.

Dammit! Mea took total advantage of my ignorance!

“This doesn’t make us friends.” I glare at her,
still trying not to laugh.

Do I get a say in anything?

“Never.” Mea smiles.

I feel like that answers both my verbal and mental
question.

“It doesn’t mean we’re going to be friends,
either. We aren’t going to chitchat and gossip. I’m not about to play dress up
and do your make-up.” I put my mug down on the table to wiggle my fingers
through the air.

“So, cuddling is off the table too, then,” she
asks catching me off guard.

Beg your pardon…

“Why the hell would we need to cuddle?” I ask, and
Lexi begins to laugh.

“Well, say I’m stuck at your apartment because
there’s so much snow outside. Does a sleepover count as all of those things?”
She looks at us.

Pressing my lips together, I try to make sense of
what she just said.

“Why the frig would you be at my apartment?” I
question her.

“Well, why not?” She looks at me then Lexi, whose
body is being jolted around by laughter.

“I…I honestly have no answer that you would
accept,” I breathe out, exhausted.

“Okay. Can I ask one more question, though?” Mea
beams.

“Just one?” I wait for it, trying to mentally
prepare myself for the next bizarre thing she might spout out.

I think my eye is starting to twitch.

I need a cup.

Reaching down into my bag, I pull a few out.

“Eh, it depends on your answer…” She looks behind
me.

“Fine, go ahead.” I turn to see everyone walking
over to us, as I unwrap my medication.

“What if that did happen?” she asks.

That’s the same question with different words!

I’m going to have to make sure this girl never
gets the opportunity to come over. I’ll never get her out.

“Then you can sleep on the couch or cuddle with
Lexi.” I point to Lexi.

Sweet peanut buttery goodness…you’re the only one
who gets me.

“Sidney only cuddles when she’s drunk. Then she’ll
do all those things…play with your hair and gossip, the whole nine yards. Other
than that, she’s a stick in the mud,” Lexi laughs.

I must attract people like this.

“She’s going to make me be her friend, isn’t she?”
I ask Simon when he pulls out his seat next to me.

“I would love to tell you that you have a choice,
but I think she’s going to win this one.” He lightly pinches my cheek.

Releasing a heavy sigh, I agree.

“Thank you for
not lying to me.”

***ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review***

5 Stars.

Damn you, Emersyn Vallis! How are you just going to leave me hanging like that... (CLIFFHANGER ALERT, CLIFFHANGER ALERT!!!) Have you ever walked into a sliding glass door because you thought it was open and it totally wasn't? How did you feel? Well, that is EXACTLY how the ending of Sacrifice left me feeling... (I still can not believe that shit happened..)

But I am getting ahead of myself....

(This is the third book in the Fate Series... You MUST read Adjournment and Hanging Pawns before you pick up Sacrifice because well, for one they are both amazing and two, you are going to be hella confused if you just decide to jump into this series on the third book...)

Sacrifice returns us to Sydney and Simon's POV's and as much as I LOVED Mea and Josh in Hanging Pawns-- well, I was so stoked to get back to Syd and Simon... (Because Simon is totes my Book Boyfriend...and Sydney's snarky inner thoughts are HILARIOUS!!) Anyway, Sydney has some MAJOR revelations in this book... and thankfully, she didn't lose her shit... (I, personally, would have lost my shit..) Although she doesn't think she is strong she is.. Really fucking strong... (I love that about her... that and her snarky, hilarious inner thoughts...)

Emersyn also let's us watch Sydney and Simon fall deeper in love...(although Syd is not ready to admit it yet..) & are totally in a committed relationship but.....there are like, no titles.. gotta keep it very Sydney. She can't just be in a relationship with Simon.. That is NOT the Sydney thing to do. They also have so VERY, VERY steamy scenes... (Like holy hotness, get me a fan that was intense steamy...) There is also love in the air for another certain Chandler sister...(EEK...so cute!!)

My favorite part of this book (besides the crazy plot twist at the end) was watching Sydney and Mea's friendship grow. They were twisted together and really had no choice in the matter but.....they totally have a choice when it comes to their friendship. Emersyn managed to make Mea Sydney's perfect balance. They are both equally entertaining but in their own ways. I love how Mea practically wore Sydney down...She didn't give her much of an option even though she tried to "fight" it..friendship or continuous pestering. (But Syd really liked her the whole time... she was just being Sydney...)

There is so much in the book.. Emersyn doesn't leave any detail out. She made sure that this glorious, crazy world of Chandler and McAllister was a place her readers could escape to (and be completely entertained!!) Every character, every scene, every detail scream Emersyn. I am in love with her writing style because she writes like a friend would talk. She makes you feel included in the story she created; like Sydney and Mea are your friends, too. There are still so many answers I am dying for, still so much I want for Sydney and Simon. I can not even begin to tell you how excited I am for End Game but even more than that. I am beyond excited to see what the future holds for Emersyn and her crazy, hilarious, twisty stories...


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Emersyn Vallis is a first time author with Adjournment being the first book in the Fated Series. Currently residing on the east coast with her husband and three children she is typically mistaken for being quiet and reserved her friends often describe her as a spastic spider monkey and always the first to be there with her quick wit to pull you back up when you’re feeling down. After reading as a hobby for most of her life it wasn’t until she had discovered R. L. Mathewson’s ‘Neighbor from Hell Series’ and Tara Sivec’s ‘Playing with Fire Series’ that she came up with the idea to fuse comedy and suspense together and her passion for writing was born.