Title: Caged in Winter
Author: Brighton Walsh
Publisher: Berkley Books, 203 Pages (November 4th, 2014)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK, iBooks, Kobo

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: In this emotional and sexy New Adult debut from Brighton Walsh, the only thing more frightening than commitment is hope…

Aspiring chef Cade Maxwell is immediately, viscerally attracted to Winter Jacobson. But it’s not her mouthwatering curves he’s drawn to—it’s the strange emptiness in her eyes. When Cade saves her from a drunken customer with grabby hands, he’s shocked at her response…

Winter doesn’t need Cade’s help. After a lifetime of getting by on her own, she’s happy to rely on herself. She’s exactly seventy-six days away from graduating college, and if she can hold it together that long, she’ll finally be able to rise above the crappy hand she was dealt.

But now, every time she turns around, Cade is there, ready to push her, smile at her, distract her from her plans. Winter knows she can’t afford to open up—especially to a man she’s terrified to actually want…

Review: 4.5 Stars - Caged in Winter by author Brighton Walsh might be the first book I’ve read from this author, but it won’t be the last! Such a memorable group of characters and their story is one that other readers will join in with me on sharing the love for this wonderfully written contemporary “New Adult” title.

Everyone who follows this blog knows I’m a HUGE fan and lover of “New Adult” titles and this one was new to me until about a month ago. Once I read the synopsis I just had to read it! Thankfully I asked and was granted an early ARC and once I started reading I couldn’t stop.

The book is well written and the characters have layers that readers will watch as those layers are peeled back throughout the story. These characters have flaws and are real and are trying to come to terms with things that have affected them from their pasts.

Winter isn’t one to open up and is stubborn to a fault when it comes to asking anyone for help. She wants to prove to herself she can do everything on her own and goes about it in a way that helps keep her isolated and alone. She’s almost finished with college and is doing everything in her power to keep a float with work and school.

Cade is in culinary school and lives with his sister and her young daughter. They both work together well in making their schedules work to give his niece everything. He’s extremely protective of them and really any woman who might be in need. So when he see’s Winter working at a bar one night, and someone’s giving her a hard time he takes matters into his own hands.

Their relationship is slow and builds without the usual insta-love which was a nice change of pace. Sometimes I can over look it, but it’s not realistic, so watching these two grow closer ever so slowly was refreshing.

Winter was a tough nut to crack and there was a few times I wanted to strangle her. As I said above she’s stubborn to a fault and she drove me crazy towards the latter part of the story. And Cade… holy hotness! I think he’s a book boyfriend who’s now in the top 10 of all time. He’s smart, cooks, and is good with kids, sweet kind and protective. Has tattoos, he’s tall and has muscles in all the right places.

These two are a great fit and they push each other far beyond their comfort zones. They want more for the other and you can see it and feel it in the way Walsh has written their story.

I loved it from beginning to end. After reading I was left feeling so many emotions and as always when you find a great group of characters, I was sad to say good bye. Thankfully there will be more from Walsh with another book, yet the next title will allow us to spend some one on one time with Cades sister and his best friend. I also hope that we’ll get to check in with Cade and Winter because I’d love to find out where they are now.

If you are looking for a book I’d recommend, well you have it right here in Cages in Winter. It has so much to offer readers with the characters and their journey. You won’t be disappointed! This is a “New Adult” title due to language, drinking and some incredibly steamy sex scenes. I can’t wait to read more from Walsh in the future!! Enjoy!

About the Author:

Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with writing. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children.

Find Brighton Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY!!!

>>>CLICK HERE TO ENTER<<<

Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet.  Often when a title is released here in the UK, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the US.  So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions.

We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier!

Before we get to this weeks Book Wars, we have a winner to announce. The Book Wars winner for Amy & Roger's Epic Detour By: Morgan Matson is... well we had a DRAW!!! YAY for BOTH covers! Thank you to everyone who voted for both books, and for picking a winner.

Also, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Title: Everything for Us (The Bad Boys #3)
Author: M. Leighton
Publisher: US - Berkley Trade, 336 Pages (September 3rd 2013) UK - Hodder & Stoughton, 336 Pages (September 12th 2013)
Add to: Goodreads USA Version | Goodreads UK Version
Order online here: USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, W H Smith, The Book Depository

Synopsis: When it comes to passion this hot, it’s all or nothing.

Olivia Townsend’s wealthy cousin Marissa had everything a girl could ask for—a great job, a privileged life, and all the friends she wanted. Or, at least, all the friends money could buy. But one case of mistaken identity has turned her privileged world upside down.

An abduction gone wrong lands her right in the lap of the sexiest, most dangerous man she’s ever met. To Marissa, he’s an enigma, but one to whom she’s irresistibly, inexplicably drawn.

With him comes a new world of freedom and passion, of dark shadows and dangerous secrets, a world where nothing is what it seems—except for the blind passion that Marissa can’t escape—or maybe even survive.

About the author: 

M. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies.  She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books.  When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

For more about M. Leighton, visit her website at www.MLeightonBooks.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter @mleightonbooks.

Find  Online: Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our favorite cover.

Michelle: US cover-- We have a different couple in this book, so I like that it has a similar style yet very different feel to the cover.  I think the positioning of the couple speaks to the intimacy they share, but also to the emotional reticence they both feel.  UK cover-- I think this cover is closest to its US counterpart. I feel that the dark quality of it is most appropriate to this book and, as always, I love the colorful spine.

Lisa I love these books! Seriously!! And these covers are SO hard to choose a favorite from. And now that I have BOTH covers sitting here in my hands makes it even that much harder to figure out which one I love the best.

I love how the UK books all fit perfectly together and as Michelle said above, the colorful spines are a nice touch. And I love the emotions in the US cover and then I look back at the UK cover and I just can't look away from it. For this week I think I'll have to go with the UK cover. It was close but there's just something about those UK covers for this trilogy that get me each and every time.

Michelle This is an easy choice for me this week. While I do like how mysterious the UK cover is, there is just something about the USA cover that draws my attention.

It could be the intimacy, like Michelle said, or that we actually see this couples face, whatever it is the USA one gets my vote this week. 

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of  NOW!

online surveys

Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet.  Often when a title is released here in the UK, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the US.  So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions.

We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier!

Before we get to this weeks Book Wars, we have a winner to announce. The Book Wars winner for The Wolf Princess By: Cathryn Constable is...... the UK Cover!!!  Thank you to everyone who voted for both books, and for picking a winner.

Also, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Title: Up to Me (The Bad Boys #2)

Author: M. Leighton
Publisher: US - Berkley Trade, 304 Pages (August 6th 2013) UK - Hodder & Stoughton General Division, 292 Pages (August 15th 2013)
Add to: Goodreads USA Version | Goodreads UK Version
Order online here: USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, W H Smith, The Book Depository

Synopsis: For Olivia, romantic bliss has never felt so right as it does with Cash. Unpredictable, except when it comes to satisfying her desires, Cash’s bad boy reputation is well-earned, but he’s turning his life around with the one woman who accepts him for who he is.

Until strangers from the past turn Olivia and Cash’s world upside down. What they want is something only Cash can give them. And if he doesn’t deliver, then they’re taking the one thing that Cash values the most.

Olivia always knew that in falling for Cash she was likely to get burned. But this new threat is beyond anything she imagined. Now she has to trust Cash with her life—and for Olivia that’s much easier than letting go, and trusting him with her heart.

Includes a teaser from Everything for Us.

About the author: 

M. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies.  She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books.  When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

For more about M. Leighton, visit her website at www.MLeightonBooks.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter @mleightonbooks.

Find  Online: Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our favorite cover.

M. Leighton: US cover-- I love the pose for this cover! I think it's sexy in a very understated way, but I think it also speaks to the way in which Cash might feel a bit like an island in this installment.  But that's just my opinion. LOL  UK cover-- This one blends perfectly with both the first and third book covers. I love the vibrant spine!

Lisa This series is one of my all time favorites and I love BOTH covers so much! And while with the first book in the series I picked the UK cover this time around I'm going with the US cover. There's just something about Cash in this cover that I can't stop looking at. So, this week goes to the US cover!

Michelle USA definitly for me this week. The UK cover does nothing for me, it looks boring and feels flat, you can't even tell is this pair is a couple. Now the US cover is definitly appealing, and makes you want to open the pages and find out about this sexy man on the cover and the girl over him.

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of  NOW!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet.  Often when a title is released here in the UK, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the US.  So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions.

We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier!

Before we get to this weeks Book Wars, we have a winner to announce. The Book Wars winner for The Blood Keeper is... the US COVER!!! The winner for the giveaway will be announced shortly. Thank you to everyone who voted for both books, and for picking a winner.

Also, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Left: US - Right: UK

Title: Down to You (The Bad Boys #1)

Author: M. Leighton
Publisher: US - Berkley Trade, 304 Pages (July 2nd 2013) UK - Hodder & Stoughton, 275 Pages (July 18th 2013)
Add to: Goodreads USA Version | Goodreads UK Version
Order online here: USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, W H Smith, The Book Depository

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: One girl. Twin brothers. An uncommon triangle.

When college student Olivia Townsend returned home to help her father run his business, she never imagined a complication like Cash and Nash Davenport—twin brothers different in so many ways but with one thing in common: an uncontrollable desire for Olivia.

Cash is dangerous, sexy, and bad to the bone—a man whose kisses make Olivia forget she is playing with fire. Nash is successful, reliable and intensely passionate—and already taken. But all it takes is one soft stroke to make Olivia forget he belongs to someone else.

However, Olivia is in for a surprise. These boys have a secret that should make her run away as far and as fast as she can. If only it wasn’t too late. A sensual game between three players has begun, and it’s about to spin deliriously out of control.

About the Author:

M. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies.  She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books.  When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.  

For more about M. Leighton, visit her website at www.MLeightonBooks.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter@mleightonbooks.

Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our favorite cover.

Lisa I LOVE theses covers and this week I picked a hard one on purpose because I have NO idea which one I like the most. If I saw either of these covers in the store I'd want to pick them up to read. Both of them are incredibly hot... UGH! I want to pick BOTH covers!

I think... by a very slim margin I'd have to choose the UK cover. There's just something more mysterious about it and maybe even a bit hotter than the US cover. So, this week I choose the UK cover which is winning by not much for me in this war.

Michelle My vote this week goes to the USA cover.
I think the UK cover look too 'cheesy' for me. I like the clean, crisp lines for the USA cover, and the cover models pose. I would definitly pick this one up from a shelf if I saw it.

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of  NOW!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Title: Wild Child (The Wild Ones #1.5)
Author: M. Leighton
Publisher: Berkley Trade, (October 22nd, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads
Pre-order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: Jenna Theopolis has always known what she wanted.  Getting out of her small hometown of Greenfield was number one on her list of priorities.  Until she met Rusty Catron.

Rusty’s fun-loving personality was the perfect match for Jenna’s inner wild child.  But what started off as a summer fling quickly turns into something more.  At least it does for Jenna.

Rusty has lived with the ghost of his father’s abandonment since he was a child, but now he’s beginning to feel the crippling effects of his scars.  He wants to trust in Jenna, but deep down he doesn’t believe someone so wild and free can ever be tamed.

But tragedy strikes, pushing Jenna out of Greenfield and leaving Rusty with a choice to make—face his inner demons or lose the love of his life.  Forever.

I'm always excited for a new title by one of my favorite authors. Anything Michelle writes I'm scrambling to read. She's a must read, auto buy author and I can't wait to check out Rusty's story! YAY! Also, holy hot covers! WOW!

M.Leighton Bio: 

M. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies.  She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books.  When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

For more about M. Leighton, visit her website at www.MLeightonBooks.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter@mleightonbooks.

Find Michelle Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Title: Everything For Us (Bad Boys, #3)
Author: M. Leighton
Publisher: Berkley Trade, 336 Pages (September 3rd, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads
Order online here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK
Check out my review: Down to You (Bad Boys, #1)
Check out my review: Up to Me (Bad Boys, #2)

Synopsis: When it comes to passion this hot, it’s all or nothing.

Olivia Townsend’s wealthy cousin Marissa had everything a girl could ask for—a great job, a privileged life, and all the friends she wanted. Or, at least, all the friends money could buy. But one case of mistaken identity has turned her privileged world upside down.

An abduction gone wrong lands her right in the lap of the sexiest, most dangerous man she’s ever met. To Marissa, he’s an enigma, but one to whom she’s irresistibly, inexplicably drawn.

With him comes a new world of freedom and passion, of dark shadows and dangerous secrets, a world where nothing is what it seems—except for the blind passion that Marissa can’t escape—or maybe even survive.

I'm SO excited for this book... I'm speechless! I CANT WAIT!!! LOVED the first two books, as you can see my checking out my reviews with the links above. I'm just sad it's the end of the trilogy!!! If you haven't checked out these books, you DON'T know what you're missing. Seriously amazing characters and a HUGE twist that will shock you! Congrats on the new release Michelle! Lots of love to you my friend <3

M.Leighton Bio: 

M. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies.  She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books.  When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

For more about M. Leighton, visit her website at www.MLeightonBooks.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter@mleightonbooks.

Find Michelle Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon| Berkley | Berkley Twitter | Berkley Facebook

GIVEAWAY!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I can't tell you all how excited I am to have a chance to talk further about one of my FAVORITE authors and Trilogies. Thankfully we now have all the new covers, blurbs and release dates for the Berkley Trade copies, which I'm thrilled to share with you all today. Take a look, let me know what you think! Also, have you read the series first two books yet? If not, you have NO idea what is in store for you once you read.

Oh and there's a little shiny excerpt from the third book at the bottom of this post too. And WOW *fans self* Michelle you are such a tease! Love ya lady!

NOTE: This trilogy is considered "New Adult". Due to mature content these title's are recommended for ages 17+

Title: Down to You (The Bad Boys #1)
Author: M. Leighton
Publisher: Berlkey Trade, 304 Pages (July 2nd, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis: One girl. Twin brothers. An uncommon triangle.

When college student Olivia Townsend returned home to help her father run his business, she never imagined a complication like Cash and Nash Davenport—twin brothers different in so many ways but with one thing in common: an uncontrollable desire for Olivia.

Cash is dangerous, sexy, and bad to the bone—a man whose kisses make Olivia forget she is playing with fire. Nash is successful, reliable and intensely passionate—and already taken. But all it takes is one soft stroke to make Olivia forget he belongs to someone else.

However, Olivia is in for a surprise. These boys have a secret that should make her run away as far and as fast as she can. If only it wasn't too late. A sensual game between three players has begun, and it’s about to spin deliriously out of control.

Title: Up to Me (The Bad Boys #2)
Author: M. Leighton
Publisher: Berkley Trade, 304 Pages (August 6th, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis: M. Leighton’s Down to You was just the beginning. Up to Me has even more shockers in store!” (Examiner.com)

For Olivia, romantic bliss has never felt so right as it does with Cash. Unpredictable, except when it comes to satisfying her desires, Cash’s bad boy’ reputation is well-earned, but he’s turning his life around with the one woman who accepts him for who he is.

Until strangers from the past turn Olivia and Cash’s world upside down. What they want is something only Cash can give them. And if he doesn't deliver, then they’re taking the one thing that Cash values the most.

Olivia always knew that in falling for Cash she was likely to get burned. But this new threat is beyond anything she imagined. Now she has to trust Cash with her life—and for Olivia that’s much easier than letting go, and trusting him with her heart.

Includes a teaser from Everything for Us.

Title: Everything For Us (The Bad Boys #3)
Author: M. Leighton
Publisher: Berkley Trade, (September 3rd, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis: When it comes to passion this hot, it’s all or nothing.

Olivia Townsend’s wealthy cousin Marissa had everything a girl could ask for—a great job, a privileged life, and all the friends she wanted. Or, at least, all the friends money could buy. But one case of mistaken identity has turned her privileged world upside down.

An abduction gone wrong lands her right in the lap of the sexiest, most dangerous man she’s ever met. To Marissa, he’s an enigma, but one to whom she’s irresistibly, inexplicably drawn.

With him comes a new world of freedom and passion, of dark shadows and dangerous secrets, a world where nothing is what it seems—except for the blind passion that Marissa can’t escape—or maybe even survive.

Excerpt from Everything For Us:

“They’re just parts, like any other woman’s,” she replies breathlessly, trying to be casual.

“I’d be willing to bet your parts are exceptional.  In fact, now might be a good time to warn you that if we come back to this library, I’ll find out for myself.  In this very spot.  I’ll push you up against the books in the corner and I’ll put my hands on you.  I’ll do things to you.  In the quiet.  And you won’t be able to make a sound.  Not a whimper, not a moan.  You’ll have to bite your lip to keep it all inside.  And you know what?” I ask, reaching up to trace my index finger along her full, trembling lower lip.

“What?” she whispers, her pupils two dilated dots of excitement.

“You’ll love every second of it.”

With a wicked grin, I take the books from her arms and turn to walk back the way I came.

I can't wait to read this book!!!!!! *grabby hands* September 3rd is way too far away, BUT it'll be the perfect birthday present, just a day early!