Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino Review Tour

Blurb:
For fans of Jojo Moyes and the movie Before Sunrise, a sweeping love story inspired by a real-life missed connections story, from the USA Today bestselling author of the romantic women’s novels Sweet Thing, Nowhere But Here, and After the Rain.

To the Green-eyed Lovebird:

We met fifteen years ago, almost to the day, when I moved my stuff into the NYU dorm room next to yours at Senior House.

You called us fast friends. I like to think it was more.

We lived on nothing but the excitement of finding ourselves through music (you were obsessed with Jeff Buckley), photography (I couldn’t stop taking pictures of you), hanging out in Washington Square Park, and all the weird things we did to make money. I learned more about myself that year than any other.

Yet, somehow, it all fell apart. We lost touch the summer after graduation when I went to South America to work for National Geographic. When I came back, you were gone. A part of me still wonders if I pushed you too hard after the wedding…

I didn’t see you again until a month ago. It was a Wednesday. You were rocking back on your heels, balancing on that thick yellow line that runs along the subway platform, waiting for the F train. I didn’t know it was you until it was too late, and then you were gone. Again. You said my name; I saw it on your lips. I tried to will the train to stop, just so I could say hello.

After seeing you, all of the youthful feelings and memories came flooding back to me, and now I’ve spent the better part of a month wondering what your life is like. I might be totally out of my mind, but would you like to get a drink with me and catch up on the last decade and a half?

M 

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1K8Mam8
B&N:　http://bit.ly/1I2SlKd
iTunes:　http://apple.co/1D6wj1B
 

 

MY THOUGHTS:
5/5 Stars

 

Renee Carlino is a an epic story teller that captures the essence of a beautiful, aw inspiring romance. She never disappoints and that is why she is one of my go-to Authors.

 

Before We Were Strangers was nothing short of amazing. It was a one of kind story that circled around a missing connections ad on craigslist. The couple met in college and embarked on a whirlwind adventure of friendship and all consuming love. As time passed though, the inevitable happened. Life tore them apart and it took 15 years for them to reunite. The connection is still there, but the love is deep seeded. Together they have to uncover secrets to find the truth in their second chance at forever.

 

Like all other stories by Renee... This one was rich in beauty and vivid in color. Each scene pulled me in and I could literally feel the emotion seeping from the pages. The characters were well developed and being the bohemian fanatic that I am, they were perfect. It wasn't your typical college age romance, it was unique with some crazy a$$ dates. The playful banter made me smile and the lengths the characters went for one another made me swoon. I mean... It's the love story that every girl dreams of... The modern day fairytale.

 

However, with beauty comes struggle. There were some gut wrenching and frustrating parts. There was one character in particular that I wanted to reach through the book and shake a bit. Then I remembered that without her, the story wouldn't have had that "real feel". She brought the bitter to the better if that makes any sense at all. She was the added spice that kicked up the angst and pushed Matt to go digging for missing information. I never expected the huge twist he found, but the product was genius! I loved how it was the missing link that tied the characters together like two shoe laces to form a belt.

 

Overall, I LOVED this story. It was fast paced and kept me interested... While, it was packed with romance, there was just enough emotion to dilute some of the sweetness. It felt real and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

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EXCERPT:
20. You Remembered . . .

Grace

The present is our own. The right-this-second, the here-and- now, this moment before the next, is ours for the taking. It’s the only free gift the universe has to offer. The past doesn’t belong to us anymore, and the future is just a fantasy, never guaranteed. But the present is ours to own. The only way we can realize that fantasy is if we embrace the now.

I had been closed off for a long time, and I hadn’t allowed myself to imagine the future because I was still stuck in the past. Though it was impossible, I had tried to re-create what Matt and I once had. I wanted nothing else; he was all I could imagine.

But Orvin once told me that time is the currency of life. And I had lost so much of it. It was that idea of lost time that finally made me realize I needed to move on, that I would never have what I once had with Matt. I had to mourn our relationship and move on.

At least, that’s what I told myself.

Two months ago I was walking around in a thick fog of regret. I was going through the motions but wasn’t feeling anything. I’d stare at my new wrinkles in the mirror and wonder where they came from. I wasted more time, repeating the same thing day in and day out, barely present in my own life. I wasn’t looking to break out of the cycle in search of anything meaningful.

Until I saw Matt in the subway station.

Everything changed. I could see in color again, every image vivid and crisp.

Over the last fifteen years, the pain of what had happened to us waxed and waned. Many times I tried to force myself to stop thinking about him, but there were too many reminders. I thought, if I ever saw him again, he’d look right through me, like I was a ghost from his past. That’s how he made me feel that summer after college: someone who no longer existed.

But when I saw him in the station, his eyes locked on mine. He recognized me instantly, and all I could see in his face was pure wonder. It was like he was seeing the sunset over the ocean for the first time. As my train disappeared into the tunnel, his expression turned to desperation, and that’s when I knew there was a missing piece to our story. What was behind his desperation? What had happened to him in the last fifteen years that would send him running down the platform, his hand outstretched, his eyes full of longing?

I needed to find the answer. I had an idea of where I could find Matt, but I was too scared to look.

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ABOUT RENEE CARLINO:

 

Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of romantic women's novels. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorReneeCarlino?fref=ts

WEBSITE: www.reneecarlino.com

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/renayz

INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/reneecarlino1/


 

The Museum of Extraordinary Things: A Novel by Alice Hoffman Review

The "spellbinding" (People, 4 stars), New York Times bestseller from the author of The Dovekeepers: an extraordinary novel about an electric and impassioned love affair "an enchanting love story rich with history and a sense of place"; (USA TODAY).

Coralie Sardie is the daughter of the sinister impresario behind The Museum of Extraordinary Things, a Coney Island freak show that thrills the masses. An exceptional swimmer, Coralie appears as the Mermaid in her father's museum, alongside performers like the Wolfman and the Butterfly Girl. One night Coralie stumbles upon a striking young man taking pictures of moonlit trees in the woods off the Hudson River.

The dashing photographer is Eddie Cohen, a Russian immigrant who has run away from his community and his job as a tailor's apprentice. When Eddie photographs the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, he becomes embroiled in the mystery behind a young woman's disappearance. And he ignites the heart of Coralie.

Alice Hoffman weaves her trademark magic, romance, and masterful storytelling to unite Coralie and Eddie in a tender and moving story of young love in tumultuous times. The Museum of Extraordinary Things is, "a lavish tale about strange yet sympathetic people" (The New York Times Book Review).

 

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1EpZFIN

 

MY THOUGHTS:
4/5 Stars

This book was unlike anything I've ever read before... It was dark and twisted, with a subtle romance and a thick mysterious plot. While it wasn't at all what I expected... It was really good in an eerie feel kind of way.

It follows two characters through past and present. Their connection to one another isn't vivid, but it's there and it's unavoidable. Eddie sees Coralie in his dreams and she sees him in the flesh. Both are drawn to one another long before they meet face to face, but they have obstacles to overcome first. Cora's father is possessive and uses her in sick twisted ways. She is his money maker and each day she is in an exhibit, is another dark day in her life. She seeks solace in the water and makes friends with a tortoise. Her hope is that someday she will be loved as the monster she believes to be. It is Eddie that opens her eyes and heart to everything she didn't know was possible.

"Edward realized it simply was not in her nature to abandon even the lowliest creature. He felt overtaken by his love for her. Love like this wasn't what he'd planned or wanted or expected, surely it was indeed a trap, for even when you tried to run away, it followed you through the grass and lay down beside you, it overtook common sense and will-power. "

The Museum of Extraordinary Things was a well crafted story with exquisite writing. The Author did a great job at creating a solid foundation with strong character development. While at times it was a tad slow, it continued to pull me back in. The words were quick to tug at my heart strings and the emotions really poured off the pages. The life Coralie lived was hell. She was a puppet and her father was the puppeteer. He controlled every movement, action, and thought. When she finally broke free from his gripp... I couldn't have been happier. It was long tough journey, but in the end I was pleased with how everything turned out.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to all readers looking for a unique read. When I saw it had a mermaid theme I was all in. I'm definitely happy that I picked up the book and gave it a chance.

Darkest Revelations by Charlene M Martin is Live!

 

*Alert- Must have read “The Sweet Temptation of Whiskey” first as this is book two of the Whiskey books!*

Darkest revelations

Mr. Black also known as Whiskey is a victim of sexual abuse, but not in the normal sense one may think. On more than one occasion Whiskey watched his mother being sexually assaulted.  The impact of seeing those terrifying things at such a young age took him to a very dark place. He began to use whiskey and women to work through his problems, but when those stopped working, he sought out the help of a professional. 

 

Ms. Langford must find a way to stay professional while dealing with Mr. Black's darkest revelations. Her attraction to him is undeniable, but he’s a client. She can’t have these feelings for him it would be unethical.  She struggles to find an outlet for her sexual frustrations, due to Mr. Black’s explicit revelations.

 

Will she remain professional or will she give into her

 

 Darkest Temptations?

 

To buy on Amazon- Click here

        

 

  Excerpt:

 

As the hours fly by, I drive closer to my doom. I begin to notice a weight in my body as if I’m being pulled towards my fate. My throat starts to constrict and it’s becoming hard to breath, I’m struggling for each ragged breath. Sweat beings to appear on my forehead and I have to pull over and loosen my tie. What the hell is wrong with me? My palms are sweating, and my heart races with loud, strong beats. The road in front of me becomes blurry, making it hard to keep my eyes open. What’s…going on with me?

 

Picking up my cell, I fumble with the phone until I find Doc’s number and click on it. She answers on the second ring. Forcing the words out of me…“Doc, something’s wrong with me. I…didn’t know who else to call. Please help me.”

 

“Where are you?”

 

Breathless, I answer, “I’m on the side of the road about four hours into my trip.” It’s becoming very difficult to answer her. I feel like I’m going to pass out.

 

“What trip? Where are you going?”

 

I grip my chest, trying to stop the pain. “You told me to look her up.”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

Slightly frustrated at this point I force the words out. “My mother’s friend.”

            “Oh. I didn’t mean you had to visit her just yet. Can you try to explain what’s going on?”

 

I describe my symptoms, and she explains that it’s just a panic attack. That everything is going to be fine. The trip has brought back so many memories. She tells me to close my eyes and find my happy place. So I do as instructed, and I find Anaya’s beautiful face. “Now take some long, slow breaths and tell me what you see.”

 

“Anaya and her golden brown eyes. Her beautiful chocolate brown hair. That sassy smirk on her face as she gazes helplessly in my eyes.”

 

“Perfect. What are you feeling now?”

 

“Peace.”

 

“Good, now how about your other symptoms?”

 

“I’m starting to cool down and my breathing is returning to normal. My chest is loosening up too.”

 

“That’s great. You had your first panic attack. It’s probably brought on by the fact that you’re pushing yourself too fast. You needed time to warm up to the idea of going back home. But now that you’ve set yourself on this path, you need to face it. How long until you’re home?”

 

I shudder at the word home. “I should be there in about six hours or so.”

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

I am a small town girl, I currently reside in the same city that I was born and raised in. I love watching teen drama shows, reading, writing, and listening to music.

 

I have a loving family my mother who has taught me about love and lasting relationships. A father who pushes me to excel and succeed at anything I desire.  My younger sister and I have become very close over the years and she is very supportive of everything I do.

 

I have been married for ten years to my best friend. I love my husband more than anything. He is so kind, loving and supportive. It’s an on going joke, with his friends, “My wife writes porn.”

 

We have a thirteen year old daughter who is so smart and talented. I can’t believe how fast they grow up.  She is turning into quite the young lady.  She aspires to be so many things and I encourage them all. She loves to write songs, and has even tried her hand at writing a book. Maybe one day she will follow my example.

 

Being that I am from a small town, I have made some long lasting relationships. I have two best friends that I have known for most of my life. We have continued to stick together over the years and we are always there for one another. I couldn’t imagine my life without them.

 

Animal lover I’m not, but I have a headstrong dog named dozer, that is the absolute best-behaved dog I have ever seen, and a cat that drive me insane, but I love her nonetheless.

 

I have always aspired to be a neonatal nurse and I continue to work towards that goal. Maybe one day it will come true. However, writing has become my new favorite love.

 

I never would have dreamed that I would become a writer, but some really great people convinced me otherwise.  Eventually I decided to give it a try and what do you know? I just finished writing my fourth book and I couldn’t be happier. I will continue to write in my spare time with hopes of it becoming a full time career at some point in my life. And I look forward to many more years of bring you the best books that I can.

 

 

 

MY AUTHOR LINKS:

 

Amazon

 

Goodreads

 

Facebook

 

Twitter

 

Blogspot

 

TSU

 

Teasers

Editorial Review: “Darkest Revelations leaves you reeling from the hurt and emotional abuse of a child, only to see the light at the end of a dark tunnel.” ~ Sabra Barowski

 

 

Editorial Review: “Whiskey's Darkest Revelations exploit the darkest parts of him and when he's expressing his darkness he begins to lure Rebecca into wanting to explore her sexuality. Another great Erotic read from Charlene M. Martin. WARNING: Hot steamy sex sizzling up these pages.” ~ Tammie Harms - For the Love of Books blog.

 

 

 

Editorial Review: “Absolutely BRILLIANT! ...hardcore and dramatic to the finest... highly recommend it to any lover of romance. This part two opens many dark secrets and opens many more exciting doors to travel through. Darkest Revelations is an absolute MUST READ!” ~  Dianne M.

 

 

 

BUY LINKS:

 

Unexpected Love – Unexpected Destiny – The Sweet Temptation of Whiskey – Darkest Revelations

 



Night Circus by Morgenstern Review

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called "Le Cirque des Reves," and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.  

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1IHArXl

MY THOUGHTS:

4.5/5 Stars

 

Do you know the saying... "escape reality with a good book"? Well this one quickly provided that escape for me. Every time I opened the book I was pulled into a dark, magical world with lots of mysterious elements. At times I had no idea what was going on, but that's what pulled me deeper into the pages. I felt the words consume me and the illusions felt within my grasp. It was a twisted tale, but in some weird way it was also beautiful.

 

The main story was about Marco & Celia. They were chosen to compete using their talents. Neither came face to face for a while so they threw punches in the dark. They played off one another and built these magical tents that brought people joy and hope. In a subtle way their challenge drew them near and created an electric connection. When they were finally brought together in the flesh their passion was instant and in full force. They felt what was forbidden... love. Their coaches warned them and they quickly realized why. The challenge had an awful twist that left a future together out of the question.

 

When I look for books, I look for unique plots that will capture my attention and leave me craving more at the end. This one did just that. I was engrossed in the story and felt a deep rooted connection to the characters. There were multiple stories within this one and even though the Author gave them closure, I still wanted more. The writing was great and the flow was even better. I look forward to reading more by this Author and I highly recommend this one to all who like to "escape reality with a book".

The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward Review

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood delivers the first novel in an enthralling new series set amid the shifting dynamics of a Southern family defined by wealth and privilege—and compromised by secrets, deceit, and scandal.... For generations, the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege—as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall meet.

For Lizzie King, Easterly’s head gardener, crossing that divide nearly ruined her life. Falling in love with Tulane, the prodigal son of the bourbon dynasty, was nothing that she intended or wanted—and their bitter breakup only served to prove her instincts were right. Now, after two years of staying away, Tulane is finally coming home again, and he is bringing the past with him. No one will be left unmarked: not Tulane’s beautiful and ruthless wife; not his older brother, whose bitterness and bad blood know no bounds; and especially not the ironfisted Bradford patriarch, a man with few morals, fewer scruples, and many, many terrible secrets.

As family tensions—professional and intimately private—ignite, Easterly and all its inhabitants are thrown into the grips of an irrevocable transformation, and only the cunning will survive.Amazon Link- http://amzn.to/1Shy0QO

 

My Thoughts:
4.5/5 Stars

 

* Thank you NAL for the ARC *

The Bourbon Kings was Southern Charm meets The Royals... It was classy with a whole lot of drama. This was my first read by J.R. Ward and I can now understand why everyone recommends her. The writing was top of the line and the story was intricately weaved and filled with angst, romance, and drama.

The overall gist of the story is that a wealthy family is not as well off as everyone thinks. Each family member is living in their own personal hell. Secrets are being revealed left and right and scandal is behind every door. The tension within the house is thick and the staff are just as intertwined in the plot as the family.

Lizzie is the head gardener and bourbon son, Lane's, ex-lover. What they have isn't on the surface though, it’s buried deep within layers of secrets and lies. They are finally getting their second chance at love and a darkness surrounds them. It's edgy, all consuming, and at times, just plain frustrating. My heart was quickly consumed by their fast paced roller coaster ride of a relationship.

The feel is what sucked me in.  I felt like I needed a big beautiful hat on my head and a mint julep in my hand. I could feel the air blowing as I read about the statuesque mansion and when things got dark… I could feel the egg shells cracking beneath my feet. It was a thrilling story that kept me hooked with all the intense mystery. While I loved the story a lot, I did feel that the ending was lacking depth. I think the biggest issue was that it was a lot of ideas being pushed into too few words. I would have liked to see certain parts better developed, with more definition. There were a lot of great scenes that were grazed upon and I just feel like they could have been amazing if fully explored.  

With all of that being said I think it was a GREAT  book that is a MUST READ. I highly recommend it!

 

The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor

A voyage across the ocean becomes the odyssey of a lifetime for a young Irish woman. . . .

Ireland, 1912 . . .

Fourteen members of a small village set sail on RMS Titanic, hoping to find a better life in America. For seventeen-year-old Maggie Murphy, the journey is bittersweet. Though her future lies in an unknown new place, her heart remains in Ireland with Séamus, the sweetheart she left behind. When disaster strikes, Maggie is one of the few passengers in steerage to survive. Waking up alone in a New York hospital, she vows never to speak of the terror and panic of that fateful night again.

Chicago, 1982 . . .

Adrift after the death of her father, Grace Butler struggles to decide what comes next. When her great-grandmother Maggie shares the painful secret about Titanic that she's harbored for almost a lifetime, the revelation gives Grace new direction—and leads both her and Maggie to unexpected reunions with those they thought lost long ago.

Inspired by true events, The Girl Who Came Home poignantly blends fact and fiction to explore the Titanic tragedy's impact and its lasting repercussions on survivors and their descendants.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1Mui8fj

MY THOUGHTS:
4/5 Stars

 

I always love a good story with a bits of history and deep rooted romance. This one did not disappoint in that aspect. Maggie is a character that all readers will love and her romance with Séamus is understated, but beautiful. While it's not overly intimate, it's a classic love story about overcoming tragedy. I loved their journey, but I did have mixed feelings about Grace's story.

 

While I loved the historical aspect and Maggie, I wasn't a huge fan of Grace. There were multiple times I wanted to close the book during her parts, but the journal entries always pulled me back in. I know Grace was an important role in the story, but I just lacked any connection to her. Where with Maggie I felt the romance and emotion pouring off the pages... Grace's character wasn't as well developed. It wasn't until the end that I truly felt the importance of her. Speaking of an ending.... It was AMAZING! I wanted it to be true, but until it was written in ink I wasn't sure what would happen. It really answered all the questions I had.

 

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. The history sucked me in with it's rawness and the romance consumed my heart. I was pulling for a happily ever after and I feel satisfied with the way everything came together. I definitely recommend this book to all readers that have a love for history. The story of the Titanic is very important and I loved how a fiction tale captured the essence of reality.

Hit by Lorie Ann Grover

After receiving a full-ride scholarship to Mills College for Girls, it appears Sarah's future is all laid out before her that is until she walks into a poetry class led by Mr. Haddings, a student teacher from the nearby University of Washington. Suddenly, life on the UW campus seems very appealing, and Sarah finds herself using her poetry journal to subtly declare her feelings for Haddings. Convinced Mr. Haddings is flirting back, she sets off for school in the rain with a poem in her back pocket one that will declare her feelings once and for all.

Mr. Haddings has noticed Sarah's attention; the fallout from any perceived relationship with a student is too great a risk, and he has decided to end all speculation that morning.

But everything changes when Mr. Haddings feels a thud on his front bumper when he glances away from the road, and finds Sarah in the street with blood pooling beneath her."

 

Amazon- http://amzn.to/1fuIGPi

 

MY THOUGHTS:
3/5 Stars

 

The cover pulled me towards this read and surprisingly, the story was pretty good. It takes place over 3 days so not much happens, but what does is emotional, thought provoking, and a tad romantic in a poetic way. The writing was good and I loved the switching of POVs.

 

It's about a girl who gets hits by a car. She comes to realize that the person who did it is the guy she's been crushing on. While she struggles with her romantic feelings, new looks, and physical injuries... she also has to decide if she wants to forgive or not. It's a journey of self discovery and finding light in a dark situation.

 

It kind of reminded me of If I Stay by Gayle Forman in the sense that she's in a hospital drifting in and out of consciousness. She is left broken and confused after the accident. It takes a lot of truth and love to piece her back together again. 

 

I thought the Author did a great job painting vivid pictures in our mind. It was intense and even heartbreaking at times. I'm not going to say it was a great read, but it's definitely an enjoyable, quick story that I recommend to all.