Weekly Reading Update! 1/16-1/22/16!

It's time again for my Weekly Reading Update, a new feature on this blog for 2016. I missed last week, but it worked out okay since I read NOTHING last week - I was too sick to function. But now I'm (mostly) all better and back at the reading game.

This week I read and reviewed "Fighting Dirty" by Lori Foster so be sure to check out that review if you haven't already (find it HERE). Another great one by Lori, and I can't wait to see how her next series goes!

But this weekly update is for books that I have read and did not review on the blog - such as books I just read for fun or books that I received to review for Romance Reviews Today, and I am unable to cross-post.

And as always, feel free to follow me on Goodreads (link on the sidebar) to see all my status updates!

First up: MISCONDUCT by Penelope Douglas. I think what I loved most about this was the dialogue between the two. They had a playfulness that seemed so genuine and even had me smiling a few times. So thank goodness I didn't read it in public. Same goes for the sexy scenes - definitely hot. This isn't one of those "read it in the break room at work" type of books! Make sure you check it out if you like your books steamy! Click the cover to to Amazon.com and buy it today!

Last but definitely not least, I read DESCENDER, VOLUME 1: TIN STARS by Jeff Lemire. This one blew me away. Everything I have read by Jeff Lemire so far has been fantastic, but this one definitely so. If you remember the movie AI from forever ago - this has a similar feel. But it's so good. I can't wait for volume 2! Click the cover to find it at Amazon.

Well, that's it for me this week, so far! Hopefully next week I will be back in the full swing of things, with plenty of reviews and updates to keep your reading lists overflowing!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Review: FIGHTING DIRTY by Lori Foster!

Release Date: February 23rd, 2016

Type: Contemporary, Romance, UFC, Series, Book Four, Awesome Author, Fight for your love!

About the Book: With the life he's lead and the muscles he's gained, Armie Jacobsen isn't afraid of anything. Except maybe Merissa Colter's effect on him. it's not just that she's his best friend's little sister. Fact is, she deserves better. Women pursue him for one night of pleasure, and that's all he wants to offer. Until rescuing Merissa from a robbery leads to the most erotic encounter of his life. 

Good girl meets bad boy. It's a story that rarely ends well. But Merissa is taking matters into her own hands. No matter how he views himself, the Armie she knows is brace, honorable, and completely loyal. And as past demons and present-day danger collide, they're both about to learn what's truly worth fighting for. [Synopsis from back cover.]

My Review: Lori Foster is definitely a go-to author for me if I want a tough guy. She knows how to write her men strong, and just bull-headed enough to make it so much fun when they fall in love. And Armie is no different. All throughout the series, I've been desperate to find out what Armie's big secret is, why he wants to hide away from the world - and I won't spoil it for you, but my goodness - it certainly brings the drama! I expected there to be some violence in the past, but trust me, you would have never seen this coming..

At first I wasn't sure what I liked more - the drama surrounding Armie, Rissy's issues, or how the two of them work, and don't work, as a couple. But in the end, I decided it's all of that working together that makes this such a great book. There's a lot going on, but it never feels overwhelming. If anything, it's just the right amount of crazy and worry to keep you on the edge of your seat while you're reading. Honestly, I could not put this down.

I'm also super glad to see that Leese will be getting a chance to star in his own book in the future. I can't wait!

Cover Lovin': Whew. *Fans self* Armie's cover does not disappoint!

Recommendation: While Fighting Dirty can work as a stand-alone, I'd recommend reading the rest of the series first because the other characters feature heavily in this story. Also, you get more of Armie and Rissy's backstory!

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5)! Great read, I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to see what Lori Foster does next!

Read my review of book three, Tough Love, HERE!

Be sure to check out the rest of the series!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Interview: IVY SINCLAIR author of "Protect Her"!!

I enjoyed part 1 of "Protect Her" by Ivy Sinclair so much that I invited her around for an interview. Be sure to check out what she has to say, and check the bottom of the post for info about "Protect Her" and how to find Ivy!

1. Plotter or Pantser? 

I started out as a pantser, but over the years I've gained an appreciation for how helpful it can be do some plotting ahead of time. I use Pomodoro sprints to maximize the time I have to write. I recently had a guest post where I outlined how I wrote 28,000 words in 2 days that really gives the in-depth view into my writing process. (I don't do that all the time, but I the foundational pieces are always the same whether I'm writing 2000 words or 10,000 words. 

2. Go-to author for a good read?

I've been reading Stephen King since I was a kid. Although I write romance now, my first love was horror/paranormal. That's probably why I enjoy writing PNR now- it combines my love of both genres.

3. What draws you to the genre you write? 

There are a lot of things about real life that are scary and hard to understand. (Just watching the nightly news these days proves that.) I think that when you crack open a book, you want to be transported to another world where you can lose yourself in a story that tugs on your emotions, gets you invested in the characters, and provides a satisfying resolution to whatever problem has been presented. Everything is understood and gets wrapped up in a bow. Adding another layer to that- the paranormal angle are things that don't exist in the real world. I like exploring all the mythology that wrappers those kinds of experiences and being able to create my own rules for those worlds.

4. Do you write full-time or part-time? 

I write part-time. I still have a day job, but it's one that I enjoy.

5. How do you write - typing, by hand, etc? 

I write on a Surface Pro 3- so a tablet that's also a laptop. I outline/plot and journal daily by hand, though.

6. What's the hardest thing for you when it comes to writing? 

It's a toss-up between finding enough time and getting my butt in the seat. (I fall victim to procrastination far too often.)

7. Standalones or series? 

Series! I love reading them as much as I like writing them. I know a lot of readers hate cliffhangers, but they are a useful storytelling tool for a reason, and I write them all the time. When I become invested in a set of characters, I just want as much of them as I can get. (Which is also why I am a Netflix-binge junkie.)

8. What are you reading right now? 

I'm doing a lot of research in the 'bad boy' genre for some potential projects. I do review them as a write them as well (and post on Goodreads). Although I'm a writer, I was a reader first. That won't ever go away.

9. How important are covers to you as a reader and a writer? 

Important enough that I don't attempt to do my own. :)  I do research what the covers of popular/bestselling books in the genre look like and use those as a basis for feedback when I work with my cover designer. I think it's important to stick to what readers want/expect to see for the genre.

10. What advice would you give to aspiring writers? 

Get to the words "The End" however you can. Don't worry about anything else until you've typed those words because the process of writing is going to be the hardest part until you start getting some finished stories under your belt. Be ready to be vulnerable because you are exposed when you give your work to anyone else to read (critique partners, beta readers, people who buy your work, etc.). Be thoughtful about what feedback you use for tweaks and what you put to the side. (You don't need to take every bit of feedback as truth.) Keep persisting even when it gets hard- because it will get hard.

Find Ivy Sinclair online now!

Website
Facebook
Twitter: @Author_Ivy

About "Protect Her"

Her name has been Paige Matthews for the last three years. Before that, it was Jane Doe. Before that is nothing more than black hole after a mysterious accident wiped her memories away. Her dreams are filled with blurred images of terror. Something was after her and tried to kill her.

Riley Stone doesn’t care about anything but getting the job done and getting paid. There are few people who willingly associate with a Necromancer. Humans don’t even know that the demon world exists, and, on the other side of the veil, the angels and demons in charge consider someone like him a lower life form.

When Riley saves Paige from a demon bounty hunter, both are faced with an uncertain path before them. With no memory of the supernatural world that parallels her own, Paige is vulnerable and alone. Despite Riley’s natural inclination to leave, he knows that unless he helps her Paige will wind up dead.

Now Paige has a guardian who is far from an angel looking after her. Only one thing is certain. The way to save her life is first by finding out who she really is.

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~