✰ Book Reviews ✰ Winters Family Series: books 1 & 2 by Brittany Jo James

~ THE WINTERS FAMILY SERIES ~ 

SECRETS OF WHITESTONE MANOR

Author: Brittany Jo James

Series: The Winters Family Series, Book #1

Genre: Young Adult Romance | Paranormal Romance

~ SYNOPSIS ~

Some secrets are too dark to ever be brought into the light. 

At least mine are.

My name is Orson Winters, and you already know too much for me to let you walk away.

A decade has passed since my parents were killed, forcing my younger siblings and me to move in with our estranged uncle. Whitestone Manor in all its grandeur was overwhelming enough. Then, we learned the family secret. 

There’s darkness in the world no one, besides a handful of fighting families, even knows exists. The Winters family is the most acclaimed of them all. However, power isn’t always pleasurable, especially considering that it’s my responsibility to keep my reckless brothers and sister from jeopardizing us all.

When an old enemy emerges from the shadows, Uncle Sebastian calls in another fighting family to assist. I didn’t need their help. I could independently protect my siblings and the rest of the world from danger. That was, until I met Lilith Shaw. Now I’m not even sure that I can protect myself.

I can’t focus on that, though. 

I’m the last one standing between you and those who wait in the darkness.

If you can keep a secret, I’ll tell you my story.

~ PURCHASE ~ 
On SALE for .99 cents for a limited time!

AMAZON | B&N | iTunes | KOBO

“The trick, as far as I could tell, was to keep our shadow separate from everyone else’s.”

Amazing. Fantastic. Talk about a page-turner!! From the moment I started reading Secrets of Whitestone Manor, I wanted nothing more than to continue reading this book. I needed to know what would happen next. Suffice it to say, I was pleased with every swipe of the page. The plot kept getting better and better, the characters kept developing wonderfully, and the overall events kept surprising me and keeping my interest completely intact. I was fully invested in this book!

Brittany Jo James wrote this installment so well that I had no trouble at all visualizing the events described. The amount of detail during the scenes allowed me to see everything unfold clearly as if I was watching a movie. AMAZING! Loved that very much!!! Also, the pace of this book was in my opinion, perfect! Nothing felt dragged or rushed.  Everything developed as it should have.

This book had a little bit of everything: drama, action, romance, humor (arguments between siblings? Yeah, they were quite funny!), and of course mystery and paranormal qualities. The character interaction was flawless and it flowed naturally. Nothing felt forced with their dialogue and they all connected really well and balanced each other out. Ellison – HA!! Badass chick!!! The typical pain-in-the-butt younger sister, funny and ‘smartassy’! I’m sure she’ll be the cause of Orson’s grey hairs in the near future, LOL!

“Lilith Shaw was meant for me, and without her I would never be whole again.”

Lilith…LOVED her. She was funny, strong, and sassy!! She challenged Orson so much and made him step out of his comfort zone – which he very well needed to do. They were so different and yet so perfect for each other precisely because of how different they were. They were what they each needed to fully live their lives as normally as they possibly could given their circumstances.

“I realized that out of all the things I’ve ever fought for in my life, this is the one that matter the most. You’re worth fight for. We’re worth fighting for.”

The paranormal aspect of this book was a first for me and wow! I was incredibly amazed and beyond intrigued by it. I won’t go into ANY of the specifics regarding this because it’s all part of their secret. But know this: seeing it all unfold kept me turning the pages at what felt like not a fast enough speed. I needed to know more and more; my curiosity was at its highest. Then, of course, leave it to Ms. James to throw in a few surprises to only solidify my love for this book and for what will surely be a phenomenal series!

I LOVE this family and their secret life and am anxiously waiting for book two already! FIVE STARS to Secrets of Whitestone Manor!!

SHADOWS OF WHITESTONE MANOR

Author: Brittany Jo James

Series: The Winters Family Series, Book Two 

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

~ SYNOPSIS ~

Some shadows are as dark as night.

At least mine are.

My name is Grayson Winters and you’ve already been introduced to my family’s story.

Four months have passed since Lilith moved into Whitestone Manor to be with my brother, Orson. Now they’re getting married and it’s all I can do not to gag when they giggle at each other. Whitestone Manor represents nothing but secrets and darkness to me. Then, light begins to pour into my bleak world.

Prater Hahn has disappeared without a trace. Not that I blamed him or his brethren. I still wasn’t entirely sure Whitestone Manor was where I belonged either. All I knew for certain was that sweet, precious Ava Prescott seduced me with every bat of her eyelashes. Too bad for me, dating her was against the rules.

When a new danger arises to test the residents of Whitestone Manor, it falls on me to eliminate the problem. I thought I didn’t need my family’s help. I thought I could protect the ones I loved. Until I realized, not all who seem harmless truly are.

Loving the seemingly angelic girl I was forbidden to date certainly isn’t innocent.

But perhaps, neither is she?

If you aren’t afraid of what lurks in the shadows, I’ll tell you my story.

ADD TO GOODREADS

~ PURCHASE ~ 
NOW LIVE and on SALE for .99 cents for a limited time!
AMAZON | B&N | KOBO 

Shadows of Whitestone Manor is a MUST READ. There. I will start with that. Go buy it and also grab book 1, Secrets of Whitestone Manor, too! I highly recommend you read them in order, although it’s not totally necessary. Okay – now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk a bit about the amazingness that is this book, because it’s just that – AMAZING. I highlighted so-many-quotes!!!! Heck, I highlighted entire SCENES!

“Life at Whitestone Manor was once again wobbling on the edge of a mountain of change, and my decisions would dictate whether I jumped into the unknown with both feet or climbed down cautiously on the other side. Then again, maybe I would screw that up, as I did practically everything else in my life…”

To be perfectly honesty, I was a bit nervous at first regarding this second installment in The Winters Family Series. You see, I LOVED the first book so much that I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to enjoy this one just as much. Well…. Brittany Jo James proved that she can very well write a darn fabulous book! Shadows was just as good, if not BETTER, as Secrets. The character dynamic…their chemistry… was on point! You can’t help but connect with ALL the characters in this series. Their interactions were funny and very natural, just like those between real-life siblings. Loved it. 

Book one was Orson’s story and now, in book two, we got Grayson’s. My heart ached for Grayson. He was so lost and lonely….

“The dark shadow following me around wasn’t simply following me. It was me.”

He didn’t think he was worthy of anyone’s love…especially Ava’s. To him, she was special, the one, but he couldn’t have her. Not only did he not deserve her (according to HIM), but it was against the rules. I could NOT help but feel for Grayson.

“Pain was something I was accustomed to. Loss wasn’t a new concept. Missing someone who wasn’t around was my daily life. Hurting was nothing I didn’t understand.”

As the drama started to unfold throughout the plot, my theories started forming – and I LOVE it when books make me wonder what will happen next!!! HUGE plus! I don’t like predictable storylines at all.

“Why is it that every cult makes it their mission to kill the Winters family?

Action, suspense, drama, romance. This book had everything. I honestly enjoyed every detail developed along the way, and I most certainly LOVED the ending! J Do I recommend this book? HECK. YES. I highly suggest you read both installments in this series. I CANNOT wait for book 3!! And the very BEST part of all is…ALL BOOKS WILL BE OUT WITHIN THIS YEAR!!!!!!! How AMAZING is Brittany Jo James????!!!! Wooo!!!!

FIVE I-want-to-be-a-part-of-the-Winters-family stars!!!!!!!!!!

Meet the author: Brittany Jo James 

Brittany Jo James was born and raised in the small town of Idabel, Oklahoma. She is happily married to her high school sweetheart, Conlee, who is currently serving as an airman in the United States Air Force. They share two rowdy sons, Jagger and Jett. Her life revolves around living for God, caring for her family and writing, writing, writing. The James family is currently residing near Anchorage, Alaska until the USAF decides otherwise.

Social media links:

Facebook | Website | Twitter | Goodreads

✰ Book Review ✰ LIGHT IN DARKNESS by Brandy L Rivers

LIGHT IN DARKNESS

Author: Brandy L Rivers

Series: Others of Edenton: Book 6

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

~ SYNOPSIS ~

Sometimes light comes from the darkest shadows…

Lincoln, having been sheltered his whole life, is finally finding his path after losing his mother. Gaining confidence isn’t easy, but he can’t resist going after the woman he craves.

Victoria believes she is a monster. Her past is full of darkness and pain, horrors she would protect Lincoln from. Pushing him away proves harder than she imagined now that his heart is set on her.

A secret is revealed when a group of Other hunters come searching for Victoria, putting Lincoln in danger.

Will darkness consume Victoria? Or will Lincoln’s light show her the truth?

 

AMAZON

Brandy L Rivers is one of the few authors that I completely trust when writing books. Anything she publishes, I will buy. Anything. Her writing style is just so…captivating, intriguing, AMAZING. I can’t help but get lost in her stories!!! It truly is wonderful. She can write some SEXY scenes like no other and at the same time, she can give you some action-packed scenes that make you feel like you are not turning the pages fast enough!! Gah!! It really feels like an escape from reality when I’m reading one of her books. Light in Darkness was no different.

That prologue!! Gosh! It made my heart MELT and then ACHE. *Sigh!* Suffice it to say, right off the bat, I was hooked. I did not want to put down my book. Nope. I wanted to sit in bed all day and read Lincoln and Victoria’s story.

 “He’s pure light and I’m shadows and evil.”

It was SO refreshing to read a book where the hero was the good guy and the heroine, the “broken” one…sort of. Victoria considered herself to be evil and all kinds of BAD. Her internal battles were very much present. She was extremely hard on herself because of her past, but Lincoln didn’t care about any of that. He was this very sexy gentleman that WANTED Victoria. He loved her for her. He saw past everything.  He saw her.

Loving someone was a new feeling for Victoria and loving Lincoln was kind of tearing her up inside. She knew he was different. He was SPECIAL and she did not want to “ruin” him. She would not allow herself to be that selfish. Thing is, she was NOT a bad person…at all. She just didn’t give herself any credit. Victoria was actually VERY nice and selfless.

“You don’t want to know my darkest secrets, Lincoln. I don’t want you to hate me as much as I hate myself.”

“Then you don’t know me very well. I can’t imagine hating you.”

*Sigh…* When it comes to romance, Brandy L Rivers can sure make her readers swoon…and squirm. ;) But when it comes to drama, action, and suspense, she nails it very well too! In this installment, we saw the Others of Edenton face a new enemy – HARP. Talk about feeling like I was at the edge of my seat!!!!!! Boy oh boy!

This series honestly, keeps getting better and better. Just when I thought the last book I read was the best, Ms. Rivers publishes another masterpiece. If you haven’t yet, one-click this SERIES. While I’ve read them out of order and that has NOT diminished the AMAZINGNESS of each book, I would recommend reading them accordingly. It will make the experience even better. Every book in this series is a MUST read!!! FIVE WONDERFUL STARS.

She looked, then leaned into him with a happy sigh. 

“My Angel.”

~ BOOK EXCERPT ~

Dazed, Lincoln stood in front of Victoria, sure he was dead. All he could see was white light, and her beautiful dark eyes filling with tears as her mouth moved.

Then she shoved him, and the world started to come back into focus, darkness seeping into the white. “Lincoln, are you all right? Are you hurt?” she yelled.

Blinking, he rolled his shoulders and the cocoon of white flexed and unwrapped. The weight of his… Wings?

Wings!

Oh boy, they’re heavy.

His head jerked to the side as his wings stretched, white feathers shimmering in the moonlight. He couldn’t do much more than stare.

Letting go of Victoria, he stumbled back and started to fall, but on instinct his wings flapped and he found himself rising into the air.

His chest heaved in great pants that did nothing to slow his heart or calm him.

Victoria caught his hands and pulled him back to the ground with a peculiar awe-struck look on her face. “Are you hurt?” she asked softly.

“Don’t think so,” he answered lamely, afraid to move and start flying? Again. “I’m not sure what happened.” Reaching up, he felt behind him, finding where the big, powerful wings connected to him. Somehow, his shirt was fine and Lincoln wasn’t sure what to think. “How?”

“Shh,” she uttered, then reached into her car to grab her phone. “Let’s find out what the hell happened. I’ll call Slater.”

~ OTHERS OF EDENTON SERIES ~

- New Beginnings, #0.5: http://amzn.to/19shmii

- In Too Deep, #1: http://amzn.to/1FsGP7j

- Shadows Fall, A Novellete #1.5: http://amzn.to/1Co7mn5

- Shadows of the Past, #2: http://amzn.to/1CmtcFV

- Fated Love, Novella #2.5: http://amzn.to/1EklEjA

- Falling Into Place, #3: http://amzn.to/1AwCzhw

- Breaking Free, #4: http://amzn.to/1MG5W6U

- Mending Scars, #5: http://amzn.to/1BwVB7T
- Light in Darkness, #6: http://amzn.to/1FonVdS

- Others of Edenton BOXSET #1

Includes: New Beginnings, In Too Deep, Shadows Fall, and Shadows of the Past: http://amzn.to/1MFma1L

- Others of Edenton BOXSET #2
Includes: Fate Love, Falling Into Place, Breaking Free, Mending Scars, and Labor of Love: http://amzn.to/1CX1Q7R

Meet the author: Brandy L Rivers

I've always loved books, especially about monsters and magic, so I started writing. I'm working on a prequel and the next few books in the Others of Edenton series, and I have a head full of stories to share.

I'm a stay at home mother with a wonderful husband who lets me write and write to my hearts content.

Social media links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Mommy Mondays - It is okay to take time for YOURSELF.

Kids are in bed and while you are exhausted, you still have to clean the kitchen, do the dishes, fold laundry.... Sound familiar? Yep. We've all been there. Whether you have a baby or older kids, we've all been there.

When you have kids and a job, your daily to-do lists may at times seem endless, and some of us really stress when we don't get everything done.

But guess what?

That's okay.

Sometimes, it is absolutely necessary to ignore the rest of your list and take time for yourself. Here's the thing - you deserve to take the night off. You work hard all day, every day. You have gone above and beyond. You've earned time for you.

There is always tomorrow and today's chores can very well wait. We're human. We need time to recharge. Being tired and stressed, puts us all in a bad mood, so leave the dirty dishes in the sink, leave the laundry unfolded... they're not going anywhere. Go take a warm bubble bath...enjoy a glass of wine...read a book. Anything YOU want - do it.  It's YOUR time. Enjoy it.

✰ Book Review ✰ LEARNING TO MOVE FORWARD by Cynthia P. O'Neill

LEARNING TO MOVE FORWARD

Author: Cynthia P. O'Neill

Series: A Learning Series #3.5

Genre: Contemporary | Erotic Romance

~ SYNOPSIS ~

Grace Hart was a force to be reckoned with. She’d fought hard in her life to overcome hurt, rejection, and humiliation and won. Her only fear was opening her heart to love. She put up a persona of dominance and kept people at a distance, in order to avoid emotion. But, secretly she craved someone to take control and move her forward in a life she seemed to be stuck in.

Jonathan Waters never believed in love at first site, even scoffed at his brother Garrett, having fallen in love with his wife Laurel at first glance. But, when Grace entered his restaurant, he knew he had to make her his, no matter what it took.

Fate would force them together, but could they overcome issues in the past to secure a future together? They say love can conquer anything, but can it help them Learn to Move Forward?

AMAZON US

Learning to Move Forward is installment 3.5 in A Learning Series and focuses on Jonathan and Grace, secondary characters in the first 3 books. While this can be read as a standalone novel, I recommend you read books 1-3 first (Laurel and Garett’s story) since ALL stories are wrapped up in this one.

“Why the need to be completely perfect in a flawed world?”

Grace was far from perfect and that was a battle she had been fighting all her life. Her parents and childhood friends expected nothing but perfection from her. After a tragic car accident, Grace’s life changed forever. Losing her hand proved to be a bigger challenge than she ever imagined. It caused all her insecurities and doubts to re-surface, and ignoring them did her no good. They caused her to have issues with Jonathan, but being the amazing man that he was, he stood by her side and along with Laurel and Garett, convinced her to get help…to seek therapy.

Therapy wasn’t easy for Grace seeing as she had to re-live those dark moments in her life. With the love and support from Jonathan, she faced and overcame her inner demons. Jonathan proved his love for her time and time again and I loved how much he loved her. Her fears of not being good enough were all put to rest, slowly but surely. Jonathan and Grace’s love was one that would last a lifetime. If you are in the mood for a quick-ish romance with a few steamy scenes, then pick this one up! A great addition to A Learning Series!

~ EXCERPT ~

My mind was befuddled from the passionate kiss Jonathan had just laid on me.  It took me a couple of minutes to get my focus back.  “I wanted to speak to you about the restaurant.”

“Okay?  What about it?”  He sat down with a curious smirk on his face.  He knew I didn’t know much about running a restaurant, though I’d helped out a time or two when he had some staff out due to illness.

I straddled his lap, which caused me to gasp, when I felt his stiff rod poking my crotch.  “I was wondering which you enjoy more, working for Garrett or working here?”

His hands came down on my hips and he rocked up into me, causing me to gasp.  “I like both, but lately I seem to enjoy the contract negotiations at Waters Medical Industries.  Why?”

Two could play this game.  I ground down against the bulge in his pants.  “Have you ever thought about keeping the restaurant, but promoting one of your chefs or staff to be a manager, so they’ll have to deal with some of the problems and not bother you as much?”

He leaned forward and plastered my neck with gentle kisses and swipes of his tongue.  “I’ve tossed around the idea, why?”

I rubbed my chest against his, feeling my nipples harden as a result.  “What if you promoted one of them, but maintained creative rights and ownership of the place, plus you gave them a small stake in the restaurant?  It would probably boost moral, make for fewer missed days, since they’d all have a small piece of the pie, so to speak, and have to work more cohesively as a team.”

What he did next happened so quickly, I didn’t have much time to react.  He locked the door, had my pants, and his, off, and had me splayed out across the desk on my back.  “Grace, I want your arms above your head.  Grab hold of the desk, if you can, and don’t let go until I tell you to.”  He reared back and in one quick thrust he’d pushed balls deep into my pussy.

His lips came down hard on mine capturing my gasp.  “I need you quiet, love.  This is a restaurant after all.”

This wasn’t making love, like we’d done earlier this morning.  This was hard, fast, dominant fucking.  He set a pace that had my body whimpering with the need to release.  “No coming until I tell you.”

Damn, him!  I needed to come, now!

~ A LEARNING SERIES ~

Learning to Trust #1 - http://bit.ly/LearningToTrust

Learning to Let Go #2 - http://bit.ly/LearningToLetGoAmzn

Learning to Love Again #3 - http://bit.ly/LearningToLoveAgain

MEET THE AUTHOR: Cynthia P. O'Neill 

I grew up in a small town in South Florida called Clewiston and moved to Central Florida to attend college. I married my friend, love, and soul mate and still reside in the area with our amazing son, and a feisty, four-legged little doggie boy.

In my books, I draw on my background in healthcare, business, and science, along with my husband's engineering and wireless technology knowledge.

I currently write on all levels of Romance. The Learning Series is for those who like a little more steam with their books, falling into the categories of Contemporary and verging on Erotica, with a hint of Suspense. The Remembrance Series encompasses Young Adult, with a touch of Paranormal activity and a hint of Historical romance. A new contemporary romance series is underway, called Need. It will be different than the others, because each book will focus on a new couple, while all of the characters will still have a large presence throughout the series.

I try to make my writing very personal and close to her heart. Regular life is the inspiration for my books, but I'm only limited by imagination taking ideas to new heights, opening up possibilities that would normally not exist.

On a more personal note...I love to cook and create in the kitchen and on the bbq grill. I sometimes lose myself in a song at the piano. I often sing with my son while we are driving or making dinner together. I enjoy crafts (flower arranging, making wreaths, painting pottery, needle point and drawing in pencil and charcoals). My music tastes are eclectic at best, ranging from classical piano to hard rock/heavy metal. It all depends on the song, group, and if it has a good beat or is a soulful ballad.

Social Media Links:

Facebook | Website | Twitter

Happy Sunday!

This morning, I came across this picture/quote on Pinterest and I absolutely loved it.

Count your blessings instead of focusing on all the bad things going on in your life. Be positive. Choose happiness. Sometimes we spend too much time complaining, and while that is completely normal, it also drains us. Everyone has problems, some bigger than others, but all important nonetheless. However, how we handle our challenges is what matters. That is what will 'make or break' us. Either we see them through and learn from them, grow as human beings, or we let those problems over-power us, beat us. 

Take a step back. Breathe. Re-evaluate the situation and see how you can make the best of what you have. Don't focus on the bad, but rather realize, you have more GOOD in your life. 

Count your BLESSINGS. 

Happy Sunday!

✰ Book Review ✰ UNPREDICTABLE by CA Harms - 5 stars!

UNPREDICTABLE

Author: C.A. Harms

Series: The Key West #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

~ SYNOPSIS ~

Have you ever wished for a moment that you could pretend to live the life of someone else? Escape the harsh reality that your own is anything but perfect?

Quinn had always been forced to put her own needs last. With an absent father and a mother who drowns herself daily in a bottle of Rum, there was no other option.

Jett was the distraction she needed, even if it was just for one night. A void filler, a chance for a freeing moment to allow herself to feel something other than emptiness.

He wasn’t what she expected…

Gentle

Her life didn’t have room for a man like Jett.

Unpredictable

But now it was too late, there was no turning back.

Desire

Nothing would ever be the same.

ADD TO GOODREADS

AMAZON US

“You were unexpected. Our first encounter was completely unpredictable…”

CA Harms is one of my all-time favorite authors and with each book that she writes, it solidifies it even more. Unpredictable was AMAZING. Jett was delicious and Quinn was so strong despite all the things she had been through. This book was written very well, the character development was on point and the plot flowed effortlessly. 5 out of 5 stars!!

“The desire to have her again was almost unbearable. I had never before had such a problem with getting things I wanted until now.”

One of Jett’s qualities that I loved so much was the fact that he wasn’t an overly controlling man where Quinn was concerned. Yes, he was alpha, but he was also patient – not a pushover by any means, though. You see, he gave Quinn her space when she needed it, but he was also persistent when she needed a little push. In my opinion, he had the perfect balance between a sweet and understanding guy and a dominant alpha male. Simply put, Jett was DELICIOUS.

Quinn had A LOT going on in her life and the last thing she needed was a distraction. She did not have the time to fall in love. But then….where love is concerned, when do we ever get our way? Quinn was fighting a losing battle. She and Jett were inevitable. They were bound to happen sooner or later. Especially after that first night….

“That night was not a mistake. It wasn’t wrong. I know you feel the same way. Something that felt that amazing can’t be a mistake. For some reason, though, you want me to believe you regret it. Why?”

 So much happened! Misunderstandings, heartache, angst – oh my! I was HOOKED and in love with not only the characters (all of them!) but the story line as well! Gah! Really. CA Harms nailed it! I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a passionate romance with steamy scenes and a swoon-worthy male lead! FIVE STARS!!!!

~ EXCERPT ~

It’d been two days. Two days of unanswered calls, unanswered texts. Two days of driving by her house day and night, only to find it empty. I spoke with her boss at Spencer’s, and he too said she had taken some time off. 

With each day my heart sank a little more with the thought that I had thrown away the best thing that had ever happened to me. This was on me, completely. I acted like the biggest dick when I should have just talked to her. 

“Hey, numb nuts, you still pouting?” Kade shouted as he exited the French doors onto the back patio. 

“I need to change my locks,” I grumbled. Resting my head back against the chair, I closed my eyes, attempting to block him out. 

“Don’t blame me for your massive amount of shit. I’m just here for the pool—oh, and the free beer.” He chuckled as he pulled his shirt up and over his head, then took off and jumped, cannonballing into the pool. 

“Whew,” he yelled out just before hitting the water. The cool splash flowed backward, drenching the entire patio. All I could do was shake my head at the ass. He was doing everything possible to pull me from my slump. I picked up my phone and checked once again for any response only to come up empty. 

“Give the girl some time. I know it’s driving you crazy, not being able to fix this, but you need to try to give her some space.” 

Kade climbed out of the pool, shaking his hair, once again spraying water in every direction. Cocky son of a bitch chuckled as I jumped from my chair and stepped back.

 MEET THE AUTHOR: CA Harms

C.A. Harms is like any other addicted reader. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. She hasn't always been a lover of Romance and had once been addicted to a good Mystery. Just recently she has taken on a new liking and now is a full blown Romance novel addict.

She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. You will always find her with her kindle or paperback in hand as it is her favorite pass time.

Social media links:

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

✰ Book Promo ✰ Monochrome My Madness by A Giannoccaro + GIVEAWAY

MONOCHROME MY MADNESS

Author: A. Giannoccaro

Series: Colour Series, Book 2 ~ Standalone Novels 

Genres: Dark Romance | Romantic Suspense | Erotica 

~ SYNOPSIS ~

“If you love something, kill it. Before it kills you.”

I am a villain, a monster and am here with a plan to execute. She is not part of my plan. She is poison and she is going to kill me.

I will let her, because my broken black heart beats with love for her.

~ Callum

Death follows me like a shadow creeping silently after me, tethered to my blackened soul. I am cursed to carry it with me everywhere I go. It is never far away from me, and I am perfectly happy with that. The dark shadow of death keeps me alive in this rotten fucking world.

Light through the grey shadow changes everything. It changes me.

He took my madness and broke me. I am going to kill him.

~ Shannon

Are you ready to love and let die with Callum and Shannon?

Add to Goodreads

AMAZON US | iTunes | B&N | KOBO

~ EXCERPT ~

★★★ ADULT CONTENT WARNING ★★★

***Exceprt from Monochrome My Madness – Unedited and subject to change. Copyright © A.Giannoccaro 2015***

★★★ Not suitable for readers under 18 and may contain triggers ★★★

  

A prologue to the madness

Callum

There was a time before this time my demons were too much to bear.

My head is pounding and my mouth feels like I ate a bowl of cotton wool for dinner. As I pull my naked self up on the couch, I can see the carnage of my night all over the apartment. The glass coffee table that should be in front of me is shattered into a million tiny pieces on my carpet that is now blood stained. I look at my hands and I just know. I swallow the dryness in my mouth and stand slowly my bare feet crunch and slice open on the glass. I don’t feel the cuts and splinters because my mind is racing full speed to what will await me when I find the person I brought home last night.

Why do beautiful girls seek me out? Do they not sense the danger? I thought girls had a sixth sense about these things?

The morning sun fills the room as a soft breeze blows in off the bay and through the open balcony doors. I can see the one glass door is shattered and the light is fractured as it shines through the cracked pane. The ocean air is cleansing and fresh in my lungs, and it eases some of the heat that sweats out of my naked skin.

I slowly step over the debris that litters my home and the dread becomes worse. I stop when I find my cell phone on the passage floor and type a text to Rowan.

Come now.

I know whatever I find will not be good, the absolute destruction around me is worse than I have ever seen before. What have I done?

I step over woman’s underwear that is shredded into pieces as I walk down the dim passageway into the aftermath of my actions. I step over more glass and the contents of a ladies' handbag, her lipstick, tampons and credit cards scattered across the white tile floor of the passage. Every step I get closer to facing the reality of what I did. Again. I step on her key chain and pain shoots up my leg. Fuck me that hurts. I kick the offending keys out the way they skitter across the floor and land against the wall.

My phone vibrates in my hand, I don’t look at it, I know it is Rowan with a slew of curse words and a message that he is on the way. Again.

I can feel my heart beating in my chest and my hands are shaking, this has to be the worst I have ever woken up to. I see theblood spatter on the wall outside of the guest bathroom and the first flashback crashes into my pounding head and consumes me.

My hands on her throat, as I slammed into her against that wall, her head hitting it over and over. I raped her sinful little body. The wailing cries that escaped her as she begged me, pleaded with me stop. I didn’t stop abusing her body or her mind. The blood smeared down the wall as she sank to the floor and sobbed before I dragged her to my room by her arm.

I cannot control it when this happens. Sweat beads down my chest as it heaves with apprehension at what I am going to see in my room. What I did? This blind rage towards woman, the lack of focus and the fact that I lose touch with reality completely is making me worry for the first time ever. I know I have something wrong with me, but no idea what or how to fix it. I am fucked up, broken and useless. I need help! Where the hell is Rowan, he needs to get here.

I slowly push the door of my bedroom completely open and brace myself for what I will see. I blink my eyes closed and open them slowly to take in what the monster within me has done – this time.

Draped across my white bedcovers that are now spattered and soaked with blood is the body of a beautiful young woman. She isn’t moving and I instantly run to see if she is alive. Please tell me I haven’t murdered her. I don’t want to start killing them. I just hurt them, hurting them helps. It fixes me. She is facing down in the sheets and her back, thighs and ass are a bloodied mess where I took to them with my belt. Her hands are still bound behind her back with a cable tie and the blood has dried where it has ripped into her delicate skin.

I try to breathe in and out, but it feels impossible the smell of blood is ripe in the air. I roll her limp body over so that I can see the face I have destroyed. She is unrecognizable my fists have melted her face into a mass of bruised broken flesh. I am sick, I did this and I don’t even remember it all. I feel her neck for a pulse, it is there, but so weak I can barely feel it. I sit on the edge of the bed hangmy head in shame and try to forget that this is what I do. Over and over, I hurt these women I need help I need to stop.

I hear the front door slam closed, thank God, Rowan is here. “Callum” he yells to find me. I cannot answer I know he can see the carnage as he walks through my home.

“Callum what the fuck!” I hear him yelling again. I just sit there naked, ashamed and completely fucking broken. I can hear him mumbling at someone on the phone. Cleaners, he will get them to clean, but what can I do with her. She is never going to be the same.This one cannot walk away and try to forget.

When he does eventually enter my room, he ignores me. The girl is his first stop I watch as he checks her pulse and shakes his head. He looks at me with that look, the look that says I have disappointed him again. Then pulls out his silenced gun and shoots her in the head that I smashed in over and over again. She is gone in second, he doesn’t even flinch or blink, she is just another number to him.

“I am not letting her live like a vegetable you fucker! Get dressed! We need to talk.” Rowan spits his words out glaring at me his anger is just a simmer he can control it so well. I cannot.

I take a shower and wash the dead girl’s blood off my body, I can hear the shuffles and gasps of the cleaners outside the bathroom door as I try to wash away the evidence of my madness. The water can clean my body, but my mind is so dirty I don’t even want to think.

I find Rowan in my kitchen barking at the men he uses to clean up after a kill, he is usually a lot less messy and this is a big job to fix. He eyes me with the blue eyes that have a hell behind them and shakes his head. “Callum, this is the last time. That in there, that was too far. What is going on? You cannot do this forever! Someone will catch you.” I run a hand over my beard and try to think what caused it, I don’t have an answer, I never do, it just happens.

“I have someone coming over to help you. She is a doctor, well a shrink; she is also a customer of mine so she knows what kind of people we are. You will listen, you will talk and you will do whatever she fucking says or I will end this. I will end you with a fucking bullet Callum. Rape is filthy fucking crime I want nothing to do with. Are we fucking clear?” Rowans deep voice bellows through the hollow kitchen and vibrates in my ears, he doesn’t make threats if he says he will kill me, he will.

I met Dr Janet that afternoon. She saved me from self-destruction; she fixed me, not all the way, but a little. I never had to call Rowan to clean up anymore. I still lost it, but never all the way. The pills and the therapy keep me from madness. Dr Janet made me into a controlled monster that could learn to run an evil empire and plot and scheme and plan.

***

Now after eighteen years I am home, no Dr Janet, no medication and a plan to end every single person that shares my filthy dirty criminal blood. I am here to take what is mine.

There is madness in me again and I need to set it free.

~ COLOUR SERIES ~
Colour My Ugly # 1 - http://bit.ly/ColourMyUglyAmzn

Meet the author: A. Giannoccaro

I live in South Africa with my husband, two daughters, five dogs, two meerkats and a parrot. I love to read usually about three books a week, and my kindle(s) are my favourite gadget. Colour My Ugly is my first book but there are so many more to come. 

I am a coffee addict and I hate purple sweets. 

I love to write next to an open window. And my desk is wherever my kids are at so I don't write in one place.

I am inspired by everything around me and I love to people watch wherever I go.

I love the beauty and flaws of my country and chose to set my stories here.

Social media links:

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Instagram: @mrsgiannoccao

~ GIVEAWAY ~

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Grand prize: ONE WINNER. Signed Paperbacks (Colour My Ugly + Monochrome My Madness), book bag, Monochrome My Madness mug and poster (see pic) (MMM book not included in pic)

3 smaller prizes: THREE WINNERS. Monochrome My Madness Poster and Mug

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