Little Things Excerpt - BLOG TOUR

Excerpt #1 (Sweet)

With a quick pace, I give Mrs. Robinson my test and race out of the class only to crash into Duke.

“Whoa!! Slow down!” He steadies me with his arms.

I chuckle, “Sorry, I’m just happy to get away from Jose. I’m happy this is the last class with him.”

“Me, too. He’s gotten in the way of a lot of things and I can’t fucking stand him. It’ll be alright, Raya. He won’t bother you anymore.” He caresses my arm for a few seconds and then pulls away, clearing his throat. “So, uhh, what did Taylor want?”

I glance away to avoid his eyes, “He asked me out on a date.”

“He finally did it, huh? Took him forever.”

My head snaps to look at him, “Wait. What do you mean?”

He laughs and shakes his head, “After the Halloween party, he asked me if he should ask you out and I told him to go for it. Honestly, I thought he would have asked you out weeks ago. I don’t know what took him so long.”

My heart drops and an unbearable sadness falls over me. “Oh, is that right?”

“You know he’s crazy about you. You should give him a chance. He’s a really good guy.”

I close my eyes and try to force back the tears that are threatening to escape. My heart aches at the loss of Duke’s affection. All I want is him and I know I won’t ever get it. “I’m not so sure. I like him, but not as much as he likes me. I don’t want to rush anything. Besides, I told him that I can’t make any promises. I’ll be very busy with work during the break and won’t have much free time.”

“Ehh, he’ll wait. He doesn’t have a lot going on anyway.” He glances at his phone and responds to a text message. “Okay, well I’m going to catch Melanie before she heads off to her next class. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Okay. Tell her I’ll see her in English.”

“I will.” He waves at me as he heads off to go get his girlfriend. At that moment, I realize that my feelings for Duke are purely one-sided and I need to get a grip on them. A single tear escapes and I quickly wipe it away. I promised myself that I wouldn’t stand in the way of Duke and Melanie. I’m not like that and I refuse to be the reason for a breakup. Their friendship means so much to me and I won’t ruin it.

Maybe I should go out with Taylor, but how can I with Craig being home? Hopefully, he has a conference coming up soon and will have to go out of town. I’m going to have to find a way to explain this to Taylor. I hope he’ll understand. I grab my cell phone and send a quick text to him.

Me: Meet me at work tomorrow.

I head down the hallway, making my way to endure the next final in line. A few minutes later, I hear my phone beep with an incoming text notification. I grab my cell to read the message sent from Taylor.

Taylor: So, is that a yes?

I laugh to myself. He always gets a head of himself.

Me: It’s a maybe. I’d like to take things slow so if you want come visit me at work. 

Taylor: Of course! What time is your shift?

Me: From 11-7

Taylor: Okay, I’ll see you there. Maybe we can do lunch?

Me: Yeah, that sounds good. See ya tomorrow.

Taylor: See ya then sweetie ;)

I smile at his text and think about seeing him tomorrow. He really is a nice guy and maybe I should listen to Duke and give him a chance. My hopes and wishes are slowly diminishing and I can use any bit of happiness I can get right now. Maybe Taylor is just what I need.

**************

Twenty Fun Facts About Madison Street - BLOG TOUR!

Twenty Fun Facts

1. Madison is my pen name. It is actually my daughter’s name.
2. This story is loosely based on my own experiences; for instance, the interaction between Duke and Raya was inspired from events my husband and I share.
3. I thought of the name Duke from Channing Tatum’s character in, “She’s the Man.” LOVE that movie!!!
4. The location and setting of the story are places I used to live in. I grew up in The Bronx and lived in Chicago for 2 years.
5. I have two children and a white and fluffy Pekachon (Pekinese and Bichon mix) named Chase, who I consider my 3rd child. He’s my baby!
6. I once was kicked out of a Vegas casino (Treasure Island) for gambling underage.
7. Growing up in NYC, I had the pleasure of meeting a few actors/directors on set of their movies. It was kickass awesome!! I’ve met Spike Lee, John Leguizamo, and I got to see James Franco film Spider-Man.
8. I absolutely LOVE roller coasters and always sit in the front row. The higher the drop, the better!
9. I like to race cars, especially when I’m driving long distance. A few of my co-workers refuse to let me drive for lunch as they stroke out! Ha-ha! My nickname is Tokyo Drift.
10. When I was 9, I chipped my front tooth and have had a fake one, ever since.
11. As a child, I used to write my own episodes of my favorite TV shows and still have them.
12. My vice is soda; mainly Coke. If I don’t drink soda at least once a day, I’m a raging bitch.
13. I have such a dirty mind, to the point where I honestly think like a man. My husband always tells me that he feels like he married a dude sometimes.
14. I absolutely love music!! I listen to it all day, every day. Sometimes, I will bust a quick move out in public, even when there’s no music going. It’s constantly playing in my mind. My husband laughs at me all the time for it.
15. I hate wearing clothes. I always strip naked when I’m home and just wear a robe.
16. I love everything Jane Austen. She is my idol. And Mr. Darcy…yeah, he can get it.

17. I’ve traveled to many places around the world except Australia. Hopefully, one day. 

18. Last year, I went to see Rob Schneider do stand-up comedy. He really is so tiny! I shook his hand after the set, and he’s shorter than me and his hands were so baby soft and tiny! Mind you, I’m only 5’3”. I felt like a giant next to him.

19. My husband has been my best friend, ever since high school. After being apart for 4 years, we found each other again and started dating. We eloped a month later, and have been together for 8 years.

20. I am a movie buff, especially 80s movies. I love them so much and can spit out movie lines in every day conversation. Yup, it’s a gift.

Little Things Links & Fun! - BLOG TOUR

Title: Little Things

Author: Madison Street

Release Date: June 2, 2014

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Synopsis

Everything in Duke Grayson’s life was all he could ever ask for: A loving family, loyal friends, a beautiful girlfriend, and a scholarship to his top choice college. It’s his senior year of high school, and all he needs is to focus on his grades, lacrosse, and keeping his girlfriend happy. That is until Raya walks into his life. 

From the moment they meet, Duke is drawn to her, not only for her natural beauty and her stunning crystal blue eyes, but because he’s aware there’s more to this girl than just his alluring pull to her. He senses secrecy and fear. 

Throughout the year, their bond grows stronger, and his feelings for her become undeniable. Just when he is about to express his love, tragedy strikes and Raya disappears. 

For six years, Duke is tortured by his struggles, as he’s unable to find her and blames himself for failing to protect her. Until the day, she’s found, and he’s given a second chance. Will Duke become her beacon of hope and make her see that it’s the little things that make life worthwhile? Can Raya overcome her fears and fight against the terrors that haunt her? Or will her dark and torturous past be too much for her to battle against? 

*Warning: This book contains some disturbing situations, strong language and sexual content. Suited for 18 years and over.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19370454-little-things

Buy Links

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/RUSiXG

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/U66RcZ

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Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1nWo0RB

B&N: http://bit.ly/1nFOB71

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1lP8UgM

Kobo: http://bit.ly/U9P84i

SHOW MADISON SOME LOVE!!!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madisonstreet

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Website: http://madisonstreet.me/

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Giveaway

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Lost in Me - Lexi Ryan

Lost in Me is the first book in the Here and Now series, a spin-off of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Hope series. This sexy amnesia love triangle is intended for mature readers.

The last thing I remember is having drinks at Brady’s and trying to avoid eye-contact with my life-long crush—the gorgeous, unattainable Maximilian Hallowell. They tell me that was a year ago, but I have no memories of anything since then. What I do have is this ring on my finger that Max says he gave me, and this much-thinner body I’ve dreamed of most of my life. Aside from a case of retrograde amnesia, everything seems almost...perfect.

But the deeper I immerse myself into this new world of mine—planning a wedding to a man I don't remember dating, attempting to run a business I don't remember starting—the clearer it becomes that nothing is as it seems. Do I have the life I’ve always wanted or is it a façade propped up by secrets I don't even know I have?

I need answers before I marry Max, and the only person who seems to have them is the angry, tatted, sexy-as-sin rocker Nate Crane. And Nate wants me for himself.


I was randomly scrolling through my facebook page and I see a suggested post from an author I had never heard of. I usually ignore those type of things but at that moment, I read the post. It sounded really good. I went straight to Amazon and one clicked it. I finished the book I was reading and started on this book today. I was instantly hooked. I wasn't even 30 pages into it and I am sending Catherine messages asking what she is reading and demanding that she put it down and start this one. I devoured it! Her books have been described as intense, emotional and wickedly sexy. I agree! I couldn't put into words how to describe this book, but someone else did it perfectly!

I have always been fascinated with amnesia stories. Ive even imagined what it would be like if I woke up not knowing who I was. I think it has something to do with new beginnings. I love the Harrison Ford movie Regarding Henry where he realizes he didn't like his life before and changes it. This too was like that. Hanna wakes up in the hospital with retrograde amnesia and cant remember the last 11 months of her life. She has the skinny body she has always wanted, a business of her own, and the man she has been in love with since 13. Her life seems perfect. I like Hanna a lot. I like trying to figure out what memories she has lost. I love Liz. It hurt me to see how messed up their relationship was and not knowing why. I love seeing that relationship build itself back up.

"Trying to explain to someone what its like to have a twin sister is like trying to explain to someone what its like to have a pulse. I don't know any other way.  All I know is that her smile is attached to my heart. I float when she's happy, and when she's sad, my world is a puzzle with a missing piece."

Max... Im not quite sure how I feel about him. I just had such a bad feeing about him from the very beginning. Hanna wants it to work so badly with him. I want it to work with him. Being in love with him since thirteen is a long time! I wanted that childhood crush to mean something. I wanted her life to be as perfect as she wanted it to be. I just couldn't break that bad feeling about him. He just seems too good to be true.

"I know you don't remember. Ill win your heart all over again if I have to."

Nate... Is it strange that I fell for him the moment he was introduced as a character?

"His expression goes from confused to desolate as he skims his eyes over my bruised face. "Damn. What happened to you, angel?"

I think the moment he realized that her and Max were getting married and he looked so heart broken, my heart went out to him. But what kind of person was Hanna that she had two men? Why would she be cheating on Max if he was as perfect as she had dreamed he was? If she had everything she ever wanted why was there a prescription for antidepressants in her kitchen? Which guy will she end up choosing?

"Girl, your life has gotten better than my daytime soaps. Days of Our Lives cannot compete with this shit."

When one of the men say something like this to her, my heart melts.

"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met." He swallows and braves a tentative smile. "You're like the sun - completely blind to your own beauty because you are so busy making everyone around you shin. No matter how far we hide in the shadows, you share your light."

This book had me hooked. I couldn't put it down. When memories started coming back, my heart broke . When the truth came out about everything and why she wasn't as close to her sister anymore, I cried a little. When she chose who she wanted to be with and that guy didn't want her in the way she wanted, I cried a lot. Simply put, this book was amazing. I love the mystery surrounding everything and the romance. As soon as I was done, I immediately bought the second one and started reading.  I want a conclusion. I want to know what happened the day of the accident. I want to now if it was really an accident.  I think Lexi Ryan is a new favorite of mine and I will be reading all of her books. I do have to say, I wish I would have read the other series first, just because this book gave away some of the other books.

I whole heartedly give this book a five stars!!

 

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Indiscretion: Volume 2

Elisabeth Grace continues the Indiscretion series with this 2nd installment. It picks up right where the first one left off - in a BEARY situation. This 2nd volumes hits readers EVERYWHERE on August 18th, 2014!

I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Forelsket (Norwegian):
(n.) the specific feeling experienced while falling in love, rather than simply being in love

As their friendship with benefits develops - so do some "unwanted" feelings of more. "God, I was swooning. Seriously, who actually swooned?" From the beginning of the series, we knew Max was a goner with Chloe. It was Chloe who needing some convincing. He was too much of a risk. Love was too much of a risk. After their close call, Max had "...felt like I had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel, as my grandfather used to say." His decision to live in the moment just caused him to fall even harder for this girl. A friendly favor leaves her so grateful that "She pulled away and looked up at me, and there is was - that look in her eyes that just fucking undid me." 

When Chloe's boss became aware of the friendship that was developing with Max - he insisted she call it off. Competitors in the business cannot be seen fraternizing. Worried about how he would react to the news. And then she sees a newspaper that someone wanted to ensure she saw! How would he react? How is she going to react - tears filled with anger, sorrow and frustration. But with what?

To Be Continued...

Elisabeth does it again!!! Cliffhanger...

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Indiscretion: Volume 1

F*ck and chuck. Pump and dump. Hit it and quit it. One night stand. Didn’t matter how I branded it—that’s all she had wanted it to be. That much was clear when she left me with my pants down and my dick still out.

What she hadn’t counted on was fate intervening and our worlds colliding—again.

The day I showed back up in the life of Chloe Griffins, I knew I had to have her again. My body was hungry for another taste. Like an addict, I’d been craving another hit for months, and there she was—flesh and bone, tits and ass.

The fact that she worked for the competition should’ve been reason enough for me to leave her alone. I had a job to do that summer and f*cking Chloe wasn’t part of it. But I was like a man possessed.

I’d do whatever it took to have her again

I received this an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Elisabeth Grace is the talented author of the Limelight series. Elisabeth writes swoon-worthy men in stories that flow with the ease of a romantic comedy. Indiscretion is her debut in the darker and edgier New Adult genre. Elisabeth found success in her first attempt. This book hits readers EVERYWHERE August 4th, 2014. As a reader, you feel for Chloe and the struggles she faced growing up and how she overcame them. She got an 'Atta Girl' from me when she followed Max into that VIP room. 

Max, the billionaires son, doesn't fit the mold his father wants for him - yet, he continues to try and prove himself. When he runs into HER again, all plans are lost. Chloe is all he has thought about since that night in the VIP room. 

Yuanfen (Chinese):

(n.) a relationship by fate or destiny; the binding force between two people.

Both Max and Chloe have goals they need to attain during his time in Maine, so their decision to have some fun - no strings attached - seems to be the only logical solution to ease the sexual tension that is obviously between them. Only trouble could come from this... BEAR sized trouble!

To be continued in Volume 2!

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Whatcha Gonna Do With a Cowboy

Jodi Linton brings us back to the quaint town of Pistol Rock in the 2nd installment of the Deputy Laney Briggs story. Laney is the same no nonsense cowgirl from when we first met her in Pretty Reckless. Since Gunner took a position in Odessa at the Ranger Office, he and Laney have been giving their relationship another go. "Gunner had many traits. He could be relaxing to be around. He could be bullheaded. He could be demanding. But most of all, he was my addiction." I adored watching their interactions and trust in each other grow. You always felt the love that was between them, but love alone isn't enough. Enter Floyd and Ruth - the dysfunctional couple who raised our lovely Laney. Gunner doesn't shy away from his cocky demeanor in front of the parentals. In fact, he and Floyd are drinking buddies. Ruth, on the other hand, isn't a fan of the Ranger who is occupying her daughter's bed.

A case of a missing woman, a football coach in ladies lingerie and a mysteriously good-looking U.S. Marshal who goes by the name of Colt Larsen is what we are in for in this novella. "He lounged indolently against the doorway, and when his eyes locking in on mine, he tipped his Stetson up and sent me a killer smile. In response, I flicked him the middle finger and hit the gas, blowing down FM 167. On any other given day, that level of trash talking would've made my day. Hell, there were nights when Gunner and I considered it foreplay." I will tell ya, Colt needs his own story. He has his own issues, which will all be revealed in due time, but he is one hell of a cowboy! He loves hard, and his heart is big. Colt and Laney's friendship isn't strong, but something there leaves her helping him. I think that decision showed a lot of her character, as well as his. Add my Gunner into the mix, and you see the level of commitment that black hat wearing cowboy has for his girl. "If you ever put my girl in the kind of danger she was in yesterday because your panties were in a wad, the next thing you'll see is my fist rearranging your pretty face." 

Ladies, don't fret - you have your share of Luke Wagner in this novella. He comes to Laney's rescue and maintains his sweet, Southern charm. You see a protective side of him with a humorous interaction between him and Colt that would have Gunner proud to have Luke in Laney's life. (Neither would admit it!) With snark like this: "The day I'm a princess is the day you take a girl on a second date," I fired back, smiling. - I see Luke as nothing more than a brotherly figure. I said it before, and I will say it again - I cannot wait for the woman who walks into that cowboy's life and tames him! That will be a wild ride.

Lately, romance has been my genre of choice. This genre allows for an escape that offers bumps in the road, but you almost always get your HEA. Jodi Linton is in a  group all by herself. The way she writes suspense intertwined with romance - is pure talent. One doesn't trump the other and it all flows effortlessly. Jodi's style of romance is so different from most. It is not rose petals, watermelon candles and slow songs. You get foreplay in the form of trash talk, experimenting with things she has only read about and a couple of tall cold ones. When Gunner whispers sweet nothings into his gal's ear, it is more like "It never gets old seeing my name inked on your ass."

Not her ass, but you get the idea! 

Before I let y'all wonderful folks go to read Pretty Reckless if you haven't, and wait for this novella to come out on AUGUST 18th - I will leave you with a term that made me giggle. Occasionally, I will find a word of phrase that sticks with me from a book, and the one in this book was: 

"pussy paralyzed" - LOVE THAT term, and you can only imagine what it is in reference to. 

let's show Jodi some LOVE for yet another FIVE STAR read!!!

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