Blog Tour & Sassy Sara's Review for Three Rivers by Chloe T. Barlow

I love the Steel City.  I lived in a lovely suburb of Pittsburgh called Bethel Park while my dad worked for US Steel.  When we moved to NJ I felt like I left part of my heart behind in that city.  Reading this book brought a bit of that back for me!
A small town dressed up as a big city... 

When tragedy strikes, how do you move on?  In a strange city, with no friends living nearby, how do you continue to wake up and go on as if you aren't the broken and fragile person you feel like inside?  Well, super hot sex is one way!  Years after Althea's heart breaks she is finally ready to take some baby steps into the kiddie pool of romance.  Can she let herself go long enough to get lost with a stranger for just one night?  She won't have to worry about painful attachments or a messy romance if she only spends the one night.  Right? 

The way that Chloe treats the 3 Rivers as if it was another character in the book was beautiful!  I enjoyed that the city of Pittsburgh played as much of a part in this story as some of the smaller characters in this book.  As someone that has looked over a picture of Pittsburgh at night hanging in the hall of my parent's home, I could almost see these two lovers stealing one night to themselves.  

I'm really excited to read the next installment of this series.  It's hard to believe that this is the author's first work.  The story, editing and overall feel of this book is that of an author that has been writing for years.  Great job, Chloe!

Jenn Sterling Edition: Dare to Tell the Truth with Kayla the Bibliophile

Jenn Sterling

Let’s start with a little warm-up…

What would you say is the most embarrassing thing you have done or had done to you?

I don’t get embarrassed really, so I’d have to think about something I did…. I can’t. 
Everything I do is awesome(ly entertaining). Lol

Craziest Fan moment? (Either YOU as the fan, or a fan of yours!)

It’s only because I was recently at the Drake concert that this is on my mind… and because I was there with my 15 year old son. I felt like an ass as I was screaming Drake’s name like a little girl, freaking out every time he “looked at me” while my son stood next to me. LOL
 

Pick one!

Import or Muscle car?

I am totally not a muscle car kind of girl. At all. HA

Favorite song and/or musician?

I love WAY too many types of music and singers to pick just one.

White, Dark or Milk Chocolate?

DARK!

Commando, Boxers or Briefs?

Boxer briefs. rahr

Damon or Stephan Salvatore?

Team Stefan out of loyalty.
Team Damon out of best one liners and facial expressions ever.

Wine or Mixed drink?

Mixed drink.

Coke or Pepsi?

PEPSI!

Biker boy or Rocker dude? 

Rocker dude

Do you believe in vampires?

Seriously? No. But I do believe in ghosts. But not vampire ghosts.

If you could have a super power what power would you pick?

Time travel. Is that a super power? It is now. :-)
 

What would you do with your super power if you had it?

Obviously, I’d travel through time!!!  HA

Would you abuse your super power? How?

No. I’d just want to witness things, but I wouldn’t change them. That would be hard though. And probably hurt my heart because I’d want to change certain things, but then I’m not dumb enough to know that if you change one thing it doesn’t change a BILLION other things... you know, the whole butterfly effect. AHHHHH. I might have to rethink this whole time travel thing.

Enough warm-up, let’s play ball!

If you could see any band live, who would it be?

Why can’t I see any band live?  Lol I don’t know… I’d like to see Usher. Imagine Dragons. Florence & the Machine.

What would be your last meal?

Probably taco bell. If it’s gonna be my last, might as well go with taco bell nacho cheese in my veins.

What’s in your purse?

Wallet, gum, aspirin, allergy pills, inhaler. lol

Are any of your characters based on real people? If so, give us a hint!

Totally. We all know that Jack F’n Carter is based on a real guy. :-)

What was your favorite drink as a kid?

Water. I know, I’m weird.

If you could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be?

One dessert forever. Hmmmmmmmmmmm. That’s tough because I LOVE MY SWEETS. I get sick of ice cream and it only sounds good sometimes…. Ohhh, I love frozen yogurt. Maybe a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting. No. I think frozen yogurt with rainbow sprinkles. The soft smooshy ones, not the crunchy hard ones.

What would be your fantasy vacation?

Italy, France, England, Ireland, Scotland….  Just exploring, photographing and spending time in each place that calls to me…  *swoon*

If you could do a signing anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I did one in London and I had no idea how affected that I would be by the UK.  I am dying to go back, so I’d love to do another signing there.
 

What is your biggest fear?

I don’t know? I try to tell my fears to fuck off and then I don’t give them power. Fears should FEAR ME.  lol

That was a home run! Let’s unwind, shall we?

What would you do if you could be a guy for a day?

Jerk off so I can see what all the fuss is about. lol

How would you describe yourself so that someone could pick you out?

I’ll be the one wearing no sleeves in the snowstorm.

What is a question you refuse to answer?

Anything too personal- or that tries to pinpoint WHO the real jfc is. 

Any tats or piercings? If so, where?

I have 2 tattoos on the back of my neck.  I have my eyebrow and belly button pierced.

Favorite thing about a significant other?

Being driven, ambitious- 

Least favorite thing about a significant other?

Laziness. Complacency.

Pet peeve? 

Not picking up after yourself. How hard is it to PUT SHIT AWAY?

So tell us something nobody knows about you?

But then people will know. 

Thank you for answering my less-naughty questions. Was it as good for you as it was for me?

I need to take a shower now. Lol  no really. I just worked out.  HA

Sassy Sara's Review of Fearless ~ Reckless ~ Painless by Devon Hartford

 

In the event that you were not aware, these are three books in the Devon Hartford series The Story of Samantha Smith.  I started reading these right after putting down another book about an ostracized teenager looking to reinvent herself in college so I thought I'd give these a try.  Sometimes letting go of another book so that you can connect to a new one can be more of a challenge than you think...  I guess that's the tricky part of being a reviewer!!

~Fearless~

The first book, Fearless, brings you into the new world of Samantha Smith as she starts her first day of freshman year at SDU.  She was rescued during her drive in by a knight in shining Ducati and later found out that this man is named Adonis.  Yes, that is his real name... I struggled with this book because it seemed to go down the path of most NA stories that come across my kindle.  Young girl leaves home to escape her past.  She meets a super-hot guy when he rescues her from some fate.  She shies away from hero thinking she isn't 'beautiful'.  It's a tricky plot since most girls go through that in college.  Hell, I went through that in college.  Since it is such a universal theme, it can also be used or overused if one isn't careful.  

I guess the trouble I had was that there are so MANY issues for Samantha (or Sam to her friends) to deal with, I found it hard to focus on what was happening.  Was she worried about her patents? Her major? Her friends? This super hot man she was trying to avoid? The mega bitch who always seemed to be around?  Self image? Money? Instead of focusing on one issue at a time, I felt bombarded with issue after issue until I wasn't sure where this book would lead.  If you had no idea this would turn into a series, you may have given up and let it go after what seemed was a HEA ending.  While this book had a number of  unresolved issues, I may have stopped reading had I not already had book 2 and 3 in my possession.  But wait, there's more!

~Reckless~

This book picks up where Fearless left off with a few exceptions.  We now have more than one POV!! This was THE BEST thing Devon had done for the series up to that point.  I felt that adding in Adonis's thoughts made the book move at a better pace and while there was some EXTREME cheese in their communications, the sex scenes he wrote in this book were seriously hot.  Unrealistic, but a girl can dream!

You see a fairly narcissistic side of our 'hero' in this book.  He has a healthy ego and Sam doesn't seem to mind or call him on it.  I felt myself getting drawn into the family drama, both his AND hers but that was only part of the stress weighing heavily on this couple.  Outside influences that try to derail this destined couple make you wonder if loving someone can be enough to see you through some of the hardest decisions you ever make.  Do you walk away to give the person you love a chance at living a full life or do you hold on tight and doom them to the same fate?

~Painless~
Book three starts with our couple in a very dark place.  I was on pins and needles waiting to see what would become of these two emotionally charged lovers.  I found painless to be, well, painless!  There were still a number of things threatening to derail this couple but after everything that happened in Reckless, they are determined to hold on and see where life leads.  The sex was as steamy as ever.  Families are reunited and torn apart.  Friends are lost and found.  Then there is the ever present art that has gripped the souls of Adonis and Sam, weaving its way into the story as if it were a living breathing character.

This book of the three showed me the growth in Devon's writing style and while I was seriously tempted to give up after reading Fearless, I'm glad I kept going.  You learn to let all the immaturity go and find yourself dreaming for a love like theirs.  Everlasting, indestructible & fearless.  This series is still in the works so there will be more for these two and their merry band of misfits.


Overall, the series gets averages 3 stars for me.  I think that younger readers might connect with this series more as it is geared toward the college aged reader.  For me to still be able to connect with these books at all despite the fact that I am YEARS out of school says a lot about Devon and his ability as a writer.  If you look past all the hot men and sexy women, you will see a story about the vulnerability of youth and the strength of love... At every age.  That is what kept me reading and what I hope Devon will continue to write about.  This series was dripping with drama.  There were times that I was reading about things that I felt were unnecessary to the plot and could have been left out of the book entirely then there were other times I couldn't get to the next chapter fast enough.  If you like dramatic NA books, this one's for you!


  Much Love
~Sassy Sara

Luke Young & Victoria Wilde Edition: Dare to Tell the Truth with Kayla the Bibliophile

 

 

Luke Young & Victoria Wilde Edition

 

BACKGROUND ON VICTORIA WILDE FROM THE

“FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS” SERIES:

Victoria Wilde is sort of like Samantha from Sex and the City,… but Samantha hopped up on female Viagra! She's a strong-willed, sexy and intelligent thirty-nine-year-old woman whose motto is to “live each day to the fullest.” For her, that very much includes indulging all her sexual fantasies and encouraging her friends to follow her lead. Her devil-may-care attitude makes for lots of steamy sex, whacky adventures and crazy complications for everyone around her.

 Let’s start with a little foreplay…

1.       What would you say is the most embarrassing thing you have done or had done to you?

Victoria Wilde - I hung from a second story balcony in St. Bart’s after slipping while trying to escape from a room where my ex-boyfriend was talking with his new girlfriend. It's a long story, but he and I had just done it and while he was in the shower I was on the balcony enjoying the view when his new girlfriend walked in the room. I had to get out of there. The balconies were close enough I thought I could make it! If it weren't for my best friend’s naked fiancé coming to my rescue, I probably would have fallen. (Blush.)

Luke Young - …I definitely can't top that story so why even try!

2.       Craziest Fan moment?

Luke - I had a fan ask me a couple of times for a picture of my, um, equipment. (She was quoting a scene from the book where one of my characters comments on this guy she's admiring while he's sleeping. She comments on his boxers and his “equipment.”) Where the hell were these women when I was single?! …But now that I think about it, I remember the trouble Brett Favre got himself in when he sent pictures of his equipment to a woman, so, it's probably a good thing that didn't happen when I was single…

Pick one!

3.       Favorite book and/or author?

Luke - The Firm - Loved that book and most of the older Grisham novels.

4.       Import or Muscle car?

Luke - Import. Jaguar F-Series.

5.       Favorite song and/or musician?

Luke - Counting Crows

6.       White, Dark or Milk Chocolate?

Luke – Dark

7.       Sam or Dean Winchester?

Luke - Who?

Victoria - Why must I choose? Hell, if there were a third I think I could accommodate him as well.

8.       Commando, Boxers or Briefs?

Luke - Boxer Briefs during the day. Boxers at night.

Victoria - Commando, definitely commando.

9.       Damon or Stephan Salvatore?

Luke – Again… Who?

Victoria - Please see question 7 above!

10.   Wine or Mixed drink?

Luke - Mixed Drink.

11.   Coke or Pepsi?

Luke - Ginger Ale

12.   Biker boy or Rocker dude?

Luke - Really?

Victoria - Definitely rocker dude

13.   Do you believe in vampires?

Luke - No.

Victoria - No.

14.   If you could have a super power what power would you pick?

Luke – Invisibility

15.   What would you do with your super power if you had it?

Luke - Sit in on large corporate meetings and insider trade like crazy, baby!

16.   Would you abuse your super power? How?

Luke - Asked and answered! (see #15)

Enough foreplay, let’s get it on!

17.   Tell us about your 1^st time!

Luke - I was 17 and I must admit I was pretty amazing at it, even back then. Just kidding, we were both pretty clueless. It was clumsy and pretty lame in comparison to how it can be when you know what the hell you are doing.

Victoria - I was 20. Shocking I know, you probably thought I was going to say I was 12. But I must say, he was hot and I was pretty damn good at it for a first timer!

18.   Screamer, moaner or silent?

Luke - moaner

19.   Whips or chains?

Luke - Neither, I need both hands free.

Victoria - Neither, I need both hands free.

20.   What is your favorite alcoholic beverage?

Luke - Gin and tonic

21.   Do you ever leave home without panties on?

Luke - "Chicks dig me, because I rarely wear underwear and when I do it's usually something unusual." Sorry, I stole that from the Bill Murray movie, Stripes. I've always wanted to say that - thanks for the opportunity.

Victoria - At least every other day.

22.   Have you ever had sex while at work (any job)? If so, where?

Luke - Yes, at my first real job after college (a Beauty Supply Distributor). I had been there about a year and I had to come in on a Saturday to take care of some computer thing. We had come from a wedding and were a little tipsy. The place was empty, I thought. If it makes you feel any better, I wasn't on the clock. Later I realized someone else was walking around the office. Luckily I had my door locked.

23.   What is the strangest place you ever had sex?

Luke - A minivan in a parking lot while waiting for a pizza. And yes, I delivered in less than thirty minutes— although exactly what I delivered, I'm not sure.

Victoria - Thirty feet underwater in the hull of a shipwreck off Carlisle Bay Beach Barbados while wearing scuba gear.

 24.   What turns you on more, reading a sexual story, watching a porn or listening to sex?

Luke - watching

25.   What profession do you find the most arousing sexually?

Luke - Hot female doctors— examine me, please.

26.   Does size matter?

Luke - Oh, God yes, it matters. I hate any guy who's bigger than I am. You bet it matters!

Victoria - I can usually find a way to work with all equipment, big or small. I'm a problem solver.

27.   Do you or have you ever had a “cop” fantasy?

Luke - Uh, no.

Victoria - Almost exclusively.

28.   Do you or have you ever had a “Delivery Guy” or “Service Man” fantasy?

Luke - I don't run across too many female delivery guys or service men, so I'm going to have to say no.

Victoria -  Fantasy… no, try reality. This one time I had the service guy over fixing something when the delivery guy showed up. I didn't have to ask more than once and soon I was being delivered and serviced at the same time. It was breathtaking.

29.   If you were on a bus and got a glimpse up a pantiless girl’s skirt would you keep looking?

Luke - If I could do it undetected, yes.

30.   What is the strangest sexual experience you’ve had?

Luke - Drunk on Spring Break in college doing some light petting (if there is such a thing) in front of a couple of my friends and a couple of her friends while we both pretended to be asleep and acted as though no one was watching. Weird, I know. Drinking can lead to stupid behavior.

31.   Funniest sexual experience you've ever had?

Luke - Trying to do it on the beach dune while my girlfriend was getting attacked my a million mosquitoes. Talk about coitus interruptus!

32.   Most embarrassing sexual experience?

See #30.

33.   Dominant or Submissive?

Luke - We're all equals baby!

34.   A fantasy you haven't fulfilled yet?

Luke - Two women fighting over me in a threesome.

Victoria - Sorry, no, I've been rather busy.

35.   Your stand on sex toys?

Luke - They look good on paper, but usually are a disappointment.

Siiiigh, that was fantastic…how about some pillow talk?

36.   What would you do if you could be a guy for a day?

Luke - I'll assume I should answer this as "be a girl for a day" - I'd experiment with being a lipstick lesbian.

37.   How would you describe yourself so that someone could pick you out?

Luke - I look sorta like a younger Bruce Willis, only better looking. (I wish)

38.   What's the last thought in your head that involved someone you like?

Luke - I wonder if she wanted just a back massage or a back massage with benefits?

39.   What is a question you want me to ask you?

Luke - How did your clone-a-willy come out?

40.   What is a question you refuse to answer?

Luke - How much left over liquid rubber did you have when you made your clone-a-willy? Frankly, it's none of your business.

41.   Any tats or piercings? If so, where?

Luke - No.

Victoria - Only a small tasteful one on my ankle— a heart.

42.   Biggest turn on?

Luke - teddies that snap at the crotchal area for easy access.

Victoria - biceps

43.   Biggest turn off?

Luke - granny panties

Victoria - beer bellies

44.   Pet peeve?

Luke - Tailgaters

Victoria - Premature ejaculators

 45.   So tell us something nobody knows about you?

Luke - But then I'd have to kill you, so no, I don't think so.

 46.   What did you think while reading these questions?

Luke - Wow, I really need a gin and tonic now.

47.   Thank you for answering my naughty questions. Was it as good for you as it was for me?

Luke - I'm pretty sure it was better for you…. You weren’t very gentle.

48.   Did you have anything else you’d like to say before we go?

Luke - Please watch this Short Film, Friends With Partial Benefits, on YouTube!

Full Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzqI8wMfRgQ

 

 

 

 

 

The 'buy' link for iTunes: bit.ly/1hsC7b6

The 'buy' link for Amazon: amzn.to/1fRfOtQ

Luke on the Web: lukeyoungbooks.com

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