Excerpt: Ruined by Tracy Wolff

Welcome to the RUINED blog tour! The first book in Tracy Wolff's hot new New Adult series. Be sure to follow the entire tour here to read more excerpts from the hot new release, and for your chance to enter to win.

Advanced Praise for RUINED (Ethan Frost #1)

“Tracy Wolff knows how to steam up the pages, and she proves it again in Ruined. If you’re looking for a hot read, curl up with Ethan Frost.”—New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J. Kenner

“Heat sizzles off the page and the oh-so-sexy Ethan Frost will make you swoon!”—USA Today bestselling author Stacey Kennedy

About The Book

An electrifying journey of emotional and sexual discovery that pushes two damaged souls to their breaking point—and beyond.

 
He’s the last man Chloe Girard should love . . . but the first she ever could.
 
Ethan Frost is a visionary, a genius, every woman’s deepest, darkest fantasy—even mine. And, somehow, I am his.
 
He stole into my life like a dream. Turned my reality upside down and made my every desire come true—especially those I never knew I had. He demanded everything I had to give and gave me everything of himself in return.
 
But dreams don’t last forever, and ours is no exception. Because my nightmares are darker, and my wounds deeper, than I could ever reveal. And as much as Ethan wants to protect me, the secrets we we share will only tear us apart.

Read an Excerpt

“I like your sepulcher. It’s a very . . . what’s the word I’m looking for here?”

“Uninterested.” I don’t bother looking up. I don’t have to see him to know I’ve got no interest in some guy trying his luck on the beach. Even if the sudden prickling of my nerve endings says otherwise.

“And here I was going to say it was interesting.” He leans down a little, puts his mouth closer to my ear so I can hear the tenor of his voice now, even over the din of the crowd. Realization sinks in and I stiffen, even before he says, “Hi, Chloe.”

The damn chills are back double time, although how I can feel both hot and cold at the same time—without having the flu—is a mystery to me. “Ethan.” I turn to look at him. I can’t help it. His presence is like a magnet I have no defense against. I want to see him. “What are you doing here?”

“Building community. Saving the oceans. You know, the usual.  

“Frost Industries is sponsoring this event.” It’s not a question. Only now do I remember reading about Ethan’s philanthropic interests. For obvious reasons, he spends a lot of time and money doing stuff for veterans, but the environment—and the oceans, in particular—is another big interest of his. I think back to the day I met him, to the board shorts and flip-flops. The Save Our Oceans stuff actually makes perfect sense.

“It’s a good event,” I tell him a little grudgingly. I guess I’m more upset about him not calling than I thought.

“I’m glad you approve.” He sits down on the other side of the sand castle, gently extricates the bucket from my sudden death grip, and starts to pack it with sand. “So, are you really building a sand tomb?”

I look at the mess in front of me. “It’s supposed to be a sand castle.”

He laughs. “I guess it’s a good thing you’re pre-law then, hmm?”

His words so perfectly echo my own thoughts from a few minutes ago that I can’t help but stare at him. It feels weird to think the same things as him.

When he sees my expression, his smile fades. “You know I’m just kidding, right?”

I force myself out of my Ethan-induced stupor. “Maybe, but you’re totally right. It’s a disaster.”

“Not a disaster. It just needs—” He breaks off when he sees my face. My lips are pursed, my brows raised, and I know I look as skeptical as I feel. “Okay, yeah. It’s a disaster. But I can fix it.”

“What if I don’t want you to fix it?”

He pauses in his sand-packing activities, his indigo eyes suddenly as deep and fathomless as the Pacific licking at my toes. “Then I should probably walk away now. I’m not very good at sitting by and doing nothing when I know there’s a problem—and how to fix it.”

Suddenly, I’m having a hard time swallowing—or breathing. My throat is tight, my hands shaky. He’s talking about a lot more than the stupid sand castle, and we both know it.

“I’m not broken.” The words come out sounding harsh and jagged.

“Oh, baby.” He reaches for my hand, rubs his thumb gently over my knuckles. “I know that. I just wasn’t sure you did.”

Buy Links:

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About the Author

Tracy Wolff lives with four men, teaches writing to local college students and spends as much time as she can manage immersed in worlds of her own creation. Married to the alpha hero of her dreams for twelve years, she is the mother of three young sons who spend most of their time trying to make her as crazy as possible.

Author Links:

Twitter | Facebook | Blog | Goodreads

The Giveaway

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Book Review: The Vow by Jessica Martinez

SUMMARY: No one has ever believed that Mo and Annie are just friends. How can a guy and a girl really be best friends?

Then the summer before senior year, Mo’s father loses his job, and by extension his work visa. Instantly, life for Annie and Mo crumbles. Although Mo has lived in America for most of his life, he’ll be forced to move to Jordan. The prospect of leaving his home is devastating, and returning to a world where he no longer belongs terrifies him.

Desperate to save him, Annie proposes they tell a colossal lie—that they are in love. Mo agrees because marrying Annie is the only way he can stay. Annie just wants to keep her best friend, but what happens when it becomes a choice between saving Mo and her own chance at real love?

OPINION: 

This book captivated me, and had me torn several times over what I wanted to happen. And if that's your definition of tension, the this book is maybe as high as tension can come. I wanted both Mo and Annie to be okay, to come out on top but, really, in such an overall impossible situation, how? I think the way Martinez handled Mo's immigrant status, and the implications of everything, had a really strong, yet sensitive to the situation, note to it. He wasn't undocumented, undeclared, etc, he did have a work visa through his father, and this book looks at the conflicts and troubles that arise when a family like this is suddenly faced with leaving the United States. 

From the start, it was rather obvious there were so many ways things could go wrong for Mo and Annie. Two teenagers, suddenly trying to be married? And convince the authorities they aren't just in this to keep Mo in the country? I really admired how there were some things the pair just couldn't foresee, without making the characters seem conveniently clueless. Rather, it's a rash decision, emotionally driven, with the pitfalls too impossible to bring in at the time. 

I think there is something amazing, as a teenager or adult, in loving a person, even just as a best friend, enough to change your life. And the flip of that, for Mo, of loving this person, and this way of life, so much to pick them, in essence, over your family. Neither are easy situations or choices to make, and the set up here has such high stakes on both sides, for both ways to go. These various elements were all woven in so beautifully, without ever feeling overdramatic or poorly planned on the author's part.

I love Annie and Mo, and more so, I think their individual and joint character arcs are so stunningly well done. This is one of those books where I rooted for Annie when I was in her head, even if it made me dislike Mo a tiny bit, yet instantly swapped that as soon as I was in his head. That little bias that comes with being thrust unfiltered in someone's mindset bleeds throughout this book, and yet I never completely disliked one or the other. 

The ending, too, makes me love this book even more. I won't say it was the inevitable conclusion, because I feel like Martinez built the book in such a way that if any other decisions were made along the way, it wouldn't have ended up like this. But was it inevitable for everything that led to it? Yes. Was it still heartbreaking and impacting? Absolutely. Even months after having read it, I still remember so much about this book. 

Details:

Source: Edelweiss

Pagecount: 432

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date: October 15, 2013

Book Review: Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

SUMMARY: It's time to meet your new roomie.

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer -- and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.

As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they've never met.

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful e-mail that assigns your college roommate.

OPINION: 

This one of those overall quiet feeling books, yet it is so captivating and memorable. I read this in one sitting, unable to put it down and loving both sides of this story. More so, though, I really loved seeing these two complete strangers get to know each other through emails only, and go through some really strong events and emotions, before they even meet in person. 

One of my favorite things about this book are the first impressions on both sides, the little things that set the other girl's hackles up without it being intentional and, of course, figuring out later, they misjudged. It's such a simple thing, and one we all do, whether we mean to or not. And while this element really wasn't played up too much, it was one of those softer, little things, it really stood out to me. 

With a nice romantic element, but plenty of much bigger things going on, this had all the makings of everything I love in contemporary. Elizabeth starts out so hopeful, both ready to escape and excited to see who her potential new closest friend is going to be, but quickly has to reel herself in due to the way Lauren initially reacts. Add in the fact Elizabeth's father lives in San Francisco, and some really awesome things that come up as a result of that, and this one really is just stunningly done, with so many quiet things to it that add up to pack a huge punch. 

This is a book where I rooted for both characters, even when they were at different ends of an issue. I didn't like one more than the other, and went through such an array of emotions myself. This book is masterful, and definitely one for the favorites shelf.

Details:

Source: Netgalley

Length: 288 pages

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: December 24, 2013

Character Interview + ARC Giveaway: Isaiah from Crash Into You

Out later this month is Katie McGarry's next (amazing) book, Crash Into You. To celebrate, I've got not only an interview with the meltingly sexy Isaiah, but a chance for you to win an ARC of the book! So let's get to it!


What do you think is the best and the worst things about you?
Best thing about me? I’m definitely loyal to the people I love. I watch their backs and have their backs at all times. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for anyone I call family.

As for the worst? Rachel would easily tell you that same loyalty streak can get me into trouble. When I see the people I love in danger, I can easily go into tunnel vision on how I can protect them. Sometimes I have a hard time seeing the whole picture if I think I can stop someone I care from being in pain.

So. Beth. I'm going to just come out and admit it. I went into your part of the story pretty dang mad at her on your behalf. Is forgiveness something you thought could ever happen for her?

I was pretty damn mad at her too. Beth and I have been complicated from the day we first met. Forgiving Beth isn’t the hard part. It’s having her in my life at times that causes the problems.

What's the most ridiculous thing you and Noah have ever done?

We went to a Halloween party that Echo was invited to. Talk about painful. Echo forced both of us to dress up like we were part of a biker gang. I felt like a damn fool, but at least Noah was in on that action.

Now let's talk about Rachel. What's your favorite thing about her?

What’s there not to like about Rachel? She’s gorgeous, smart, and she’s courageous behind the wheel of a car.

What I love about her? Rachel’s easy in a world full of hard. One look at her and all the chaos fades away. She owns a smile that causes me to forget every trouble that weighs me down. Rachel is like a piece of heaven.

What's it like to kiss her?

There’s nothing like it. While Rachel’s brave enough to take on street hustlers, there’s a shyness about her. Especially when we’re alone and the lights are turned down. Each and every touch from her is a gift and when my lips finally meet hers, there’s always a hint of hesitancy on her part. But then the kiss always transforms into something more…something heated and kissing her…I think about it—constantly.

If you met under different circumstances, and not at a street race, do you think you would've still noticed her?

Hell yeah, I would have noticed Rachel. She’s drop dead gorgeous. Now whether or not she would have noticed me, I’m not sure. Rachel’s the kind of girl every guy dreams about.

If you could race cars professionally, would you?

While I love getting behind the wheel of a fast car and letting her loose, I have to say I prefer working on those beautiful ponies. There’s a strange high I can’t explain when you hear the grumble of an engine and you know you’re the one that made it happen.

Boxers or briefs?

Boxers

What kind of cookie would you describe yourself as?

That would be a question to ask Rachel. She’s the kind of person that would have an answer to that. Me? I just eat the cookie and don’t over think it.



And to win an ARC of this awesome book (Seriously, it's my favorite of hers so far!), just fill out the Rafflecopter!

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Trailer Reveal: Foreplay by Sophie Jordan

Out next Tuesday is Sophie Jordan's (way hot) New Adult release Foreplay. And trust me when I say you need to this book in your life. A sexy, quiet, brooding bartender named Reece definitely stole my affections, and maybe had some other effects on me. Ahem. Romance and NA lovers alike need to check this one out, and to get you even more excited for it, I've got the trailer right here for you guys!



For excerpts from the book, go here. You know you want to.

About the Book: Before she goes after the life she’s always wanted, she’s about to find the one she needs.

Pepper has been hopelessly in love with her best friend’s brother, Hunter, for like ever. He’s the key to everything she’s always craved: security, stability, family. But she needs Hunter to notice her as more than just a friend. Even though she’s kissed exactly one guy, she has just the plan to go from novice to rock star in the bedroom—take a few pointers from someone who knows what he’s doing.

Her college roommates have the perfect teacher in mind. But bartender Reece is nothing like the player Pepper expects. Yes, he’s beyond gorgeous, but he’s also dangerous, deep—with a troubled past. Soon what started as lessons in attraction are turning both their worlds around, and showing just what can happen when you go past foreplay and get to what’s real…

Cover Reveal: Bleed Like Me by Christa Desir

I am so, so, so excited to bring to you guys the cover for Christa Desir's 2014 release, Bleed Like Me.

I read an early draft of this one, and so loved it. Intense, painful, and raw, it's everything I love in YA Contemporary, as well as from this author. I cannot wait to read the final. But before I gush further, here is the cover for your viewing love:

Unghhh I love this cover. It fits the book so, so, so well, and is also so simply, yet catching. Trust me when I say this is a book you do not want to miss, and it drops fall 2014 from Simon Pulse.


About the Book (This is the current blurb, but not the official one): Seventeen-year-old Amelia Gannon is overwhelmed. Her parents are pre-occupied with her high-needs adopted brothers, her best friend is more interested in bumming cigarettes than bonding, and her job at the hardware store feels more and more like a life sentence. She finds an escape in troubled new guy, Michael Brooks. He's obnoxious, possessive, and addictive. Gannon lets him insert himself into her life, and Brooks is just as addicted to her as she is to him. Swept into an intense relationship, their passion ultimately becomes dangerous to them both.