Second Chance Boyfriend - Monica Murphy

Rating : 4 Chirps

Lost. That one single word best describes my life at this very moment. I lost the last games of the
season and both my team and my coach blame me. I lost the last two months because I drowned in my own despair like a complete loser. And I lost the only girl who ever mattered because I was afraid being with me would destroy her.

But now I realize how truly lost I am without her. She has become my story…and even though she acts like she’s moved on, I know she still thinks about me just as much as I think about her. She’s beautiful, sweet—and so damn vulnerable, all I want to do is help her. Be there for her. Love her…

If only I could convince Fable to give me a second chance. Then I wouldn’t feel so lost anymore, and neither would she. We could be found together.

Forever.

After a romantic and heartbreaking ending to One Week Girlfriend, Drew and Fable are struggling to mend themselves, and each other.  Drew is the master of running, while Fable carries the weight of the world on her shoulders.  OWG was perfect in the sense that we got to experience what the characters did during that brief time, but SCB gives us that character development that we really need to fall head over heels for the characters.  We also see more interaction between them and the rest of the world, which allows us to even further see into their minds.

Fable Maguire holds herself responsible for herself, her mother and her younger brother.  Those that have read OWG don't find this to be a surprise.  She is a refreshingly strong, not completely innocent or naive heroine.  I personally loved that about her.  She carries herself with confidence, even though deep down she is insecure and fragile.  Only after Drew breaks her down with a bit of anger does she give in and rely on him.  

Drew Callahan...still feeling broken and sorry for himself.  I can't say that I blame him.  He's been dealt a shit hand in the stepmother department, and he felt alone.  I can't say that I was alright with his bad habit of running from his problems, but I slightly understand it.  I appreciated when he was able to see the world from Fable's perspective, and finally decided to step up and be there for someone else.  In the end it wasn't tit-for-tat with them, it was a true desire to be there for one another - despite the f*cked-up-ness of their separate lives. 

I also mentioned the supporting characters.  They were just that - supporting.  They didn't make or break the story, though one in particular did lose this book a chirp.  Adele, the evil stepmother.  The culmination of her storyline was rather disappointing for me.  Had there been a slightly different outcome for her character, I would have given this story 5 chirps.  As it stands, the bad taste she left in my mouth for her after the first book, remains in the second.  I will say, though, that it's a completely biased and personal opinion.  Some may feel that it was a well deserved ending for her character.  

Overall,  I highly recommend this book.  But be sure to read One Week Girlfriend, as it's not a stand alone series.  You will be lost if you don't go in order.  

About the Author :

Monica Murphy writes books with boys and kissing in them. She also likes to read books with boys and kissing in them. Writer of new adult contemporary romance-ish stuff. Mom and wife. Native Californian.  

You can learn more about Monica, or her characters and books, by following the links below.  Be sure to add One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend to your To-Be-Read list if you haven't already.

Website: http://www.monicamurphyauthor.com/# 

Blog: http://missmonicamurphy.blogspot.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsMonicaMurphy 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MonicaMurphyauthor 

Facebook Drew + Fable: http://www.facebook.com/SGHolster/posts/509631945744684#!/DrewAndFableOfficial?fref=ts

Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5934418.Monica_Murphy  

SECOND CHANCE BOYFRIEND Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17316075-second-chance-boyfriend?ac=1

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Monica-Murphy/e/B00AVPYIGG

  

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Release Party - Unexpected by Faith Sullivan

Title: Unexpected
Author: Faith Sullivan
Expected release date: April 2, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Category: New Adult
Ebook available at: Kindle ($1.99) 
Paperback available at: Amazon ($6.99)




Book Description:

September 11, 2001.

A day that forever changes the destiny of college overachiever, Michelle Rhodes.

Shattered, confused and alone, no one understands the trauma consuming her until she meets Connor Donnelly.

A native New Yorker, he believes he can aid in getting her life back on track. But what if he's even more broken inside?

Offering her a chance at a fresh start, Connor convinces Michelle to move in with him. Hiring her to waitress at his bar, their mutual attraction only complicates matters.

As more details surrounding Connor's past emerge, Michelle uncovers the full magnitude of the loss he's trying to hide. Refusing to let her feelings for him hinder his recovery, she makes a decision that winds up hurting them both.

By sacrificing her heart, Michelle thinks she is helping Connor come to terms with his grief. Little does she know, Connor is gambling everything for the sake of having a future with her.

What happens is truly unexpected.

Excerpt:

Chapter Six

“W...what?” I stutter despite myself.

He gives me a crooked grin. “All night, I’ve been freezing my ass off out here waiting for you. I didn’t think you were gonna show.”

If his first remark didn’t floor me, the second leaves me utterly confused. “Whoa, slow down, buddy. How do you even know my name?”

Again, he laughs. “Does it really matter? I’m here to talk some sense into you.”

The dimples in his cheeks distract me. He has such a cute smile. But I’m not letting him off that easily. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m done with New York.”

“Really? You could’ve fooled me.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because you should never run from something that scares you.” His hazel eyes catch the moonlight as they bore into mine. “And this time, you won’t be alone. I’ll be with you.”

This whole conversation is getting way too intense. Standing up, I wrap my arms around myself. I have to get out of here. This guy is crazy.

I jump as the front door opens and my ex-boyfriend Tony emerges, giving me a hopeful look. We broke up after our senior year. He understood I wasn’t planning on sticking around, so I set him free. He met someone else over the summer, and I only talked to him once on the phone when I got back. But with the way he’s looking at me now, I can tell he feels sorry for me, and that’s something I won’t tolerate.

Inching closer to the steps, I attempt to play it cool. “Oh hi, Tony. It’s good seeing you. I wish I could stay and chat, but I was just leaving.”

“I don’t think so.”

I whirl around. That’s it. Who does this guy think he is? “Listen, you little...” I begin, but Tony interrupts by grabbing my arm.

“Michelle, calm down. There’s no need to freak out,” Tony says, slowly releasing his grip on me. “Do you remember me telling you about Sal, my roommate at school, the one from New York?” I nod, but I can care less at this moment. “Well, this is his older brother, Connor. I kind of told him all about you, and I thought it’d be a good idea if you two met.”

I shake my head and sigh. “So you made him wait out here alone in the cold?”

I can tell Tony’s nervous. He’s running his fingers through his hair. “I thought you’d bolt otherwise.”

“She nearly did,” Connor chimes in.

Frustrated, I slam my fist on the porch railing. “The both of you just stop it, right now! I knew it was a bad idea to come here. I don’t need some random guy from New York giving me advice on how to live my life.”

Pushing off the swing, Connor gets to his feet. “Well, what are you doing with your life then? What’s plan B?”

I advance toward him. “I don’t have a plan B, asshole. I don’t have all the answers, but apparently you do.”

Connor closes the gap between us. “I wish I did, but I think you can figure it out. You were brave enough to take on the big, bad city once. Why not try it again under different circumstances?”

Tony clears his throat, and for a moment, I forgot he was there. “Michelle, Connor owns a bar downtown. He thought you could go back and work for him. Give it another go.”

“I’m no bartender,” I retort.

“You sure aren’t,” Connor fires back.

Tony holds up his hands in an attempt to keep the peace. “Just hear him out, Michelle.”

“Fine,” I say glaring up at him.

“Go on, Connor. Tell her about it,” Tony urges, knowing I may flee at any moment.

Connor’s eyes find mine again, but I look away as he starts speaking. “My family’s owned a pub on Beekman Street for years. Not too long ago, my dad had a heart attack, so I took over. I can offer you a waitressing job plus room and board above the bar for as long as you want it.”

For a minute, I stop and consider the possibility. It actually doesn’t sound that bad, and it’d be a welcome change from my original intention of becoming the next film school prodigy. It would be fresh start, and I wouldn’t be alone. But can I really go back there?

Sensing my trepidation, Connor pats me on the shoulder. “Listen, I know it’s not what you imagined. Tony told me how smart you are and how you were hoping to make it big at NYU. I can understand how working in a bar sounds like a letdown after that. But honestly, I think it’d be good for you.”

“And why do you care about what happens to me?” I ask, raising my eyes to his.

“Because I was there that day, and so were you.”

About the author, Faith Sullivan:

I really hate talking about myself. My goal is to have the shortest author bio imaginable. I would much rather have a conversation with my readers.

Are you able to escape within my pages?
Does my writing make you feel something?
Are there characters that you can't get out of your head?

Let me know!

Author Links: Blog | Twitter | Goodreads


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Tour : Bullet by Jade C. Jamison

A couple months ago I went BULLET crazy...you know, that EPIC rock star romance my girl Jade C. Jamison wrote?  Well, we're going back there for the day, and we're talking to Zane!  Zane may not have been one of the main characters, but he's still the lead in my heart from this book.  So, everyone, please give him a warm welcome!

It's great to have you here, Zane.  I know you're a busy guy, so I'll get right down to business.  BULLET had probably the ultimate love triangle.  What were your thoughts on it all, as someone removed from the direct drama of it all?   

Oh, no, you’re not getting me involved in that.  

But I suppose you won’t let me off the hook that easy.  Well…you know I care for Val, and Ethan’s a good friend.  I think Brad actually made the first move on her, so there was always this really weird tension there…but Ethan knew from the start that he was no good for Val.  He said it himself, and yet he just couldn’t stay away.  He always called her his “muse,” equated her to a goddess, and…he really did worship her.  He’d go on and on and on about her…unless she was around, of course.  He’d told me more than once he didn’t understand why she was so fascinated by him.  He said he didn’t deserve her.

Ethan has an addictive personality.  Val was like a drug to him too.  He’ll never admit it, though.

And then you have Brad…the guy really loved her from the beginning, I think.  And he just stood back and let her decide what she wanted.  I don’t think I ever would have had that kind of patience to wait for anyone.  But, of course, I haven’t found my soulmate yet.  Guess I can’t judge.

Hmm, so you're sayin' there's a chance?  Seriously, all flirting aside, there was a minute that you expressed an interest in Val yourself.  Did the interest fully evaporate, or do you still hold a bit of a torch?

Oh, it took a little bit to let it go, but I never loved her, you know?  I thought she was pretty cute, and I saw how Ethan just kind of shit on her, so I asked her to the dance.  She was pretty green, you know, but that was part of the attraction.  Still…I had no idea Ethan had kind of claimed her.  I thought she was fair game when he decided to take someone else to the Valentine’s dance.  Well…I found out differently.  Really, though, it was better that way, because Val only had eyes for Ethan anyway.  I was just kind of a bump in the road.  Now?  She’s a great friend.  I’m lucky to have her in my life.  And when I encounter a woman I just don’t get, Val helps me sort through it.

 

Sounds like a great friendship, but enough about Val.  I only have a few more minutes with you, and I want to know a little bit more about your thoughts.  I get that it's probably like living in a constant state of euphoria, but if you had to choose, what would you say is your favorite part about being in the band?

The endless pussy.  (Laughs.)  Just kidding.   (Still smiling.)  Mostly.

Seriously…I love being in control of my own destiny.  I love playing music and touching something in someone else.  And as the bass guy…I’m in charge of the rhythm…well, me and Nick, but it requires a lot of concentration, a lot of control.  If I fuck up, I ruin the entire song.  I know I’m important, even when others dismiss me.  But my bandmates know and appreciate me, and that’s what matters.

I could be delivering pizzas or digging ditches.  Instead, I’m making music and sharing something I love.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

 

And like a coin, there's got to be another side.  What is the worst thing for you?

The fighting.  God, the fighting.  We’re sometimes like a bunch of little kids.  And it’s not all of us all at once.  It’s usually two of us fighting while the other two just look on.  It was worse when Val was in the band…well, not the whole time, but when she and Ethan were dating.  Usually, the two of them were bickering over something or another, or it was Ethan and Brad arguing over something else, but you knew somehow Valerie was underneath it all.  We don’t fight as much anymore.  Usually, it’s just artistic differences, and I’m cool with that.  When someone’s being a dick, though…I hate that shit.

  

Well, all good things must come to an end.  Before I let you go, is there anything you want to tell readers before, or after, they read the story?

Hmmm…before.  Give it a chance.  I know a lot of people dismiss the story, because they don’t get it.  They don’t understand that Val had a lot of growing up to do, and they just don’t understand why she loved Ethan.  I guess you’d have to meet the guy.  Even when he’s fucked up, he’s charismatic.  He could be the next president, I swear to God.  And Val was so inexperienced, so trusting…it took her a few slaps in the face to get her head on straight.  But she’s a smart girl.  She figured it out.

After…guess what?  All us guys have stories, so stick around.  If you like me and my band (yeah, yeah, I know some of you girls have the hots for Jet too), then plan on finding out where our story goes.  I can’t wait for you to find out what happens to me.

That's the best news I've had all day!  Thank you so much for stopping in to chat with me.

For those of you visiting us today, check out my review of BULLET to learn a little more about this amazing story.  http://kricketschirps.blogspot.com/2013/02/arc-review-bullet-by-jade-c-jamison.html

About the author:

Jade C. Jamison was born and raised in Colorado, moved from one city/town to the next, and she’s decided she likes it so much she wants to stay…although travel is not out of the question.  She lives in a big town in Colorado (not unlike Winchester!) with her husband and four children.  She is working on becoming a crazy cat lady.  Okay, so maybe not.

Still want more?  Jade has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Theater, a master’s degree in English, and a master of fine arts in Creative Writing.  Obviously, she loves school and the student loan folks love her.  She works in human services by day, teaches English and creative writing at night, and—in between playing soccer mom and community leader—writes like a fiend.  Someday soon, she’ll narrow it down to just writing, but let’s get all those kids off to college first.

Website http://www.jadecjamison.com/

twitter username https://twitter.com/JadeCJamison

Facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/#!/JadeCJamison?fref=ts

Goodreads Page http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4876604.Jade_C_Jamison

Goodreads book link http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17182172-bullet

Dying to see what all the hype is about?  We know you are!  We're giving you all the chance to win BULLET in eBook format.  To be entered, just leave a comment below telling me how much you want to read this one!

Or, for those of you that prefer to have a book in your hands, enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win a SIGNED copy!

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