Blog Tour/Giveaway!! The Risk of Happiness, by Cathrine Goldstein

Welcome to the blog tour for 

The Risk of Happiness,

sponsored by

YA Bound Book Tours!!

For my stop, I'm featuring 
an excerpt with mini-review!

There's also a tour-wide giveaway!!

The Risk of Happiness: The 
Punk Rocker

(The New York Artists Series, Book 3)

Cathrine Goldstein

Trade Paperback, 344 pages

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

January 21, 2019

Contemporary Fiction, Humor, 
Music, Romance

Bad boy punk rock star Reale Lynxx never expected to see his ex-girlfriend, Amanda Simmons, again. And after she'd stomped on his heart and walked out on him six years ago, he's not so sure he wants to. Certainly Reale never imagined he would rescue Amanda and her son, Johnny, from drowning. But all it takes is one evening with her and Reale is ready to leave the past behind and try again.

Amanda never meant to hurt Reale and happily jumps heart-first into rebuilding their relationship. But when she confesses she left him to secretly raise their son, Reale grows livid, fighting her and gaining custody of Johnny…

When Reale realizes he was wrong for taking Johnny away, he tries to win Amanda back. But can she forgive the man who took her son? And can she ever trust Reale again, no matter how much she loves him?

Note

This is a mini-review of the excerpt below, 

and not the entire book.

I always write these when I'm 

REALLY interested in a particular novel, 

as I am in this one!

This time around, I have to mention that cover!

I don't wear ripped jeans, but this image

is really making me want to start! Lol.

As for the short excerpt, I think it's so cute!

Some readers might roll their eyes at this comment, but I find this vignette adorable. This is definitely going to be a fun read, as well as one that will tug at my emotions, too. Yes, I know this is a romance trope, but what can I say? I'm just a sucker for happy endings! Besides, each romance author

puts her own spin on these things.

Right off the bat, I like Reale. He sounds like a totally mischievous, fun-loving guy who actually has a deeper side -- well hidden, of course.

As for Amanda, I can tell she usually doesn't

let herself go as far as she obviously has in this excerpt. She's obviously a responsible person.

Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if it was Reale 

who encouraged her to "let down her hair".

I'm really looking forward to reading about 

this relationship, especially since there's a child involved. That makes it extra special! 

Reale winked. Damn, he was too happy. 

Johnny was completely locked into his tablet. She had a strict, no-tablet-at-the-table rule, but right now she’d make an exception just to find out if she had broken her own strict, do-not-sleep-with-your-rock-and-roll-ex-boyfriend-no-matter-how-sexy-he-is rule. “And um, where did we…or more specifically, did you…sleep last night?” 

“Don’t you remember?” He waltzed past her, stuffing two slices of whole grain bread into the toaster. 

“No. Uh, sorry…” 

Reale smiled, grabbing his pan and crossing to the table, expertly sliding scrambled eggs onto Johnny’s plate. “Seconds.” He nodded toward Johnny proudly. 

“But…you slept where exactly?” 

“Babe. You were drunk. I carried you in, changed you into your PJs, and slid you into bed. I slept on the couch. Scout’s honor.” He held up his peace fingers making a “V.” 

“That’s the wrong sign, dumbo.” She smirked. “So nothing happened?” 

He came closer, whispering. “As tempting as it was—what with your ruddy glow and contagious laugh, I figured after you had sung every song on my last CD to me—twice—you were perhaps a bit too intoxicated to partake in any additional activities that evening. Or morning.”

 

Purchase Links

Amazon US/Amazon UK/Amazon CA

Barnes & Noble/iTunes

Wild Rose Press

Check out the other books 
in the series!!

Click on the book covers for the Goodreads pages!

Purchase Links

Amazon US/Amazon UK/Amazon CA

Bookbub/iTunes

Barnes & Noble/Wild Rose Press

Purchase Links

Amazon US/Amazon UK/Amazon CA

Bookbub/iTunes

Barnes & Noble/Wild Rose Press

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am a bestselling author and an NYC girl at heart. I write “gritty romance,” in the genres of YA, NA; women’s fiction; and romance. I’m also the author of The Letting and The Coupling, books 1 and 2 of The Letting series. 

I began my career as an award-winning playwright, and I am a proud member of RWA, PAN. I have my BA in English and my MA in Theatre.
 
I am a fan of Luna Bars, decaf coffee, yoga, Hemingway, and Bukowski—and the loves of my life are my husband and my two young girls.
 
To find out more about me; Summer of Irreverence, the first book in The New York Artists Series—standalone novels about strong, artistic men, and the smart, unexpected women they fall for; The Letting series; and what’s coming soon, please visit my website at the link below!

Website
Blog/Twitter/Facebook
Goodreads/Instagram
Pinterest/Bookbub
Amazon Author Page



To access the complete tour schedule, just click on the button below!!

Can't Wait Wednesday No. 87: Vortex Visions, by Elise Kova

Welcome to "Can't Wait Wednesday"!

This is a weekly event hosted by

Tressa @ Wishful Endings!

This is also where we excited book bloggers showcase future releases we're eagerly anticipating! 
For more information, 
please click HERE.


There's also a Linky widget, so participating blogs can link up!

Here's my choice for this week!

 Vortex Visions

(Air Awakens: Vortex Chronicles, Book 1)

Kindle Edition,  11835 KB

Silver Wing Press

   February 4, 2019

Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult Fiction

 

A desperate princess, a magical traveler, and a watch that binds them together with the fate of a dying world.

 Vi Solaris is the heir to an Empire she’s barely seen. Her parents sacrificed a life with her to quell a rebellion and secure peace with a political alliance. Now, three years past when her wardship should’ve ended, Vi will do anything to be reunited with her family.

The Empire is faltering beneath the burden of political infighting and a deadly plague. Yet, Vi can’t help but wonder if her inability to control her magic is the true reason her parents haven’t brought her home. Suspicion becomes reality when she unleashes powers she’s not supposed to have. 

Powers that might well cost her the throne.

As Vi fights to get her magic under control, a mysterious stranger appears from across the world. He holds the keys to unlocking her full potential, but the knowledge has an unspeakable price — some truths, once seen, cannot be ignored.

All eyes are on her and Vi must make the hardest choice of her life: Play by the rules and claim her throne. Or, break them and save the world.

If you enjoy epic fantasy stories with sorcery, slow-burn romance, and expansive worlds to adventure in, then you’ll love the Vortex Chronicles!

 

 Why I can't wait for this one!

When I first came across this cover, I was hooked!
I just HAD to find out more! The only problem
is that this is is an ebook.....
Well, I'm crossing my fingers that it
will soon be out in print, as well!! 
Meanwhile, I'll go ahead and pre-order the 
Kindle Edition, because this sounds 
MUCH TOO GOOD to pass up!!!

For more information on this author, you can check out her

Goodreads profile HERE!

What do you think of my
choice this week? 
Please leave a comment and
let me know!

Book Blitz/Giveaway/Sci-Fi Month!! Neron Rising, by Keary Taylor

Welcome to the Neron Rising Blitz,

sponsored by 

XPresso Book Tours!! 

For my stop, I'm featuring an 
excerpt with mini-review!

There's also a blitz-wide giveaway!!!!

Today I'm also linking up to 
Sci-Fi Month!!  
This is an exciting event, hosted by 

Lisa @ Dear Geek Place 

and imyril @ onemore.org!!

For more information, and to 
join in, please refer 
to my Announcement Post
for this event!!

Neron Rising

(The Neron Rising Saga, Book 1)

Keary Taylor

Trade Paperback, 141 pages

Independently Published

November 20, 2018

Kindle Edition, 112 pages

Keary Taylor Book, Inc.

November 27, 2018

Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, 
Science Fiction, Suspense

“I…am nothing.”
He takes a step forward, shaking his head twice, with absolute conviction. “You’re not nothing, Nova.”

In the Eon galaxy, Dominion controls any planet with solid Neron deposits, and Nova just found out they’re coming for hers. Korpillion isn’t supposed to have any Neron—the galaxy’s purest form of energy—but Nova Ainsley has been working with the owner of a secret mine for months, building highly illegal weapons that can wield Neron. She wants off Korpillion, and selling these weapons will buy her and her father a ticket to another planet in the galaxy.

Neron is incredible on its own, but there are those who can wield it to their will, granting them the ability to read minds, see the future, and destroy worlds—the Nero. But this is a galaxy where they are ceasing to exist, and Dominion owns the last one in the known universe, using him to take over and destroy billions of lives.

An encounter with the last Nero shows Nova her future: it’s with him. She will stand by his side one day, her fingers laced through his, love and adoration in both their eyes, a dark queen to his evil, pawn king.

Fate or destiny, Nova will do whatever it takes to change their future, and that of the galaxy.

The Neron Rising Saga is a series of episodes. Episode One is 30,000 words. Neron Rising is a slow-burn space-fantasy romance.

Note

This mini-review is of the excerpt below, and not the entire book. I only do this when I'm REALLY interested in reading a book being promoted either in a blitz or blog tour!

This excerpt has a rather poignant tone to it.... It's also a nice slice of book presented to readers, to whet their appetite for more! I certainly want to find out more. I can see that the female protagonist is a strong one. And I like her telepathic interaction with the guy who's most likely the male protagonist. In addition to the romance, of which there's a hint here, we also have the philosophical aspects of the novel, and it's very clear that this is dystopian fiction, as well. 

I love it when an author combines a variety of different genres into one book! I think I'm going to DEVOUR this one!!

“What’s wrong?”

I look out over the city, and I can see everything that’s wrong.  All these people.  Suddenly I feel responsible for all of them.  “Have you ever had a secret?” I ask.

“I don’t know a single person who doesn’t have secrets,” he answers.  His voice is so calm.  There’s this low, deep timbre to it.  There’s something about it that’s unique.  I’ve never heard a voice that sounds like his.

“Well, have you ever had a secret that would affect billions of people?”

My stomach twists in knots just at the thought of it. 

“I can’t say that I ever have had a secret of that scale,” he confesses.  “Surely, you don’t actually mean billions.”

I huff one short laugh and nod my head.  “Actually, I do.  And the thing that sucks about it is that I could tell people, but it would create so much chaos, I might actually make things worse.  I hate that.  I hate it so much, because it makes me feel responsible.”

“One person can’t be held accountable for billions,” he says.  His words are like a soft touch, like a hand on my back, rubbing for comfort and support.

“Sure they can,” I argue, even though I want to accept his words.  I’m in a self-depreciating spiral right now, and I have no intent to get myself out of it at the moment.  “Look at Cyrillius.  He’s destroyed trillions of lives.  And he doesn’t even feel guilty about it.”

Just saying his name makes my mouth taste bitter.  As the heir and owner of Dominion, he makes all the calls that affect every single solar system.  He could make the galaxy a better place.  He could stop the centuries of greed and money.  But he’s only taken things twenty steps further than his father and his grandfather before him.

“Seems like a little bit of a jump, comparing yourself to him,” he says quietly.  “Just a few days ago you were complaining about your boring life, and now you’re hiding a secret that could affect everyone on your planet?”

“Pretty insane how quickly life can change,” I muse.  Though, really, nothing has changed at all.  Other than now I have to figure out how to get me and my dad, and Zayne, off-planet.  “Know of anywhere good left in the galaxy?”

“Suddenly you’re also ready to move planet?” he asks.  There’s a thoughtful probe to his tone.

I shrug, even though he can’t see it.  “Know of any place?”

This is where I hate this part of our connection.  I hear his voice.  But that’s it.  I can’t read his body language.  I get impressions sometimes, but I don’t know if those are real, or my brain filling them in.

I want to read his face right now.  I want to have something to fill these longer pauses, to decipher what he’s thinking.

But I have nothing but his voice, echoing in my brain.

“Do you really think there’s any such thing as a good place, anymore?” he finally asks.

I consider his question as I look out at Korpillion.

This is supposed to be a good place.  But, as I look at it, I see the race for credits.  I see advertisements flashing bright in my face.  I see businessmen talking to prostitutes who are only interested in their connect-link accounts.  I see jobs, so many of them, that no one takes pride in, they just do it because it allows them to survive.

I think of Reena, whose goal isn’t to save anyone but herself and her crew.

I even think of my dad, who has no joy in life.  He just puts his head down and survives.

“I don’t know, anymore,” I say.  I hate the confession, but I am honestly not sure.

“I’ve been to a lot of places, and all I’ve seen everywhere is the innate drive to survive,” he says into my head.  “People will do whatever it takes to survive.”

“I wonder when we lost everything else,” I say.  “The few books that were stored before all of that was lost talk about all these other things, these principles.  Honor, glory, love.  When did we become a galaxy full of survivors?”

He doesn’t answer, because really there isn’t an answer.  These are just the deep thoughts spoken out loud between two strangers connected by a power neither of us understands.

“I wish I was there with you,” he surprises me with his honest words.

I straighten a little, and a smile creeps onto my face.  “I wish you were here, too.”  I pause, letting that confession fill me.  “Do you think we could ever meet in real life?”

He takes a considering pause.  “I think we have to be careful what we wish for, sometimes.”

Purchase Links
Amazon US/Amazon UK/Amazon CA
Barnes & Noble
iBooks/Google Play

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keary Taylor is the USA TODAY bestselling author of over twenty novels. She grew up along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where she started creating imaginary worlds and daring characters who always fell in love. She now splits her time between a tiny island in the Pacific Northwest and Utah, with her husband and their two children. She continues to have an overactive imagination that frequently keeps her up at night.

Website/Goodreads/Twitter
Facebook
Amazon Author Page



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