Miss Construed's Reviews

My little baby is out in the world <3

Unholy Nights, a Twisted Christmas Anthology is now for sale on Amazon for only 99 cents! Merry Christmas! Please share if you can! http://amzn.to/1hs4Osl

For folks who like their Christmas a little twisted, seven tales of charms and magic, curses and intrigue… 

Featuring novellas from popular authors Linda Barlow, Andra Brynn, Carly Carson, Alana Albertson, Kara Ashley Dey, Nicole Blanchard and Cherie Chulick. 

A Kiss is Just a Kiss by Linda Barlow 
Thinking only of love and passion, college student Holly Mathers steals an enchanted kiss beneath bewitched mistletoe, but she finds that all magic comes with a price. 

In the Bleak Midwinter by Andra Brynn 
For Ayla MacFarlane, coming home for the holidays is a prison sentence. The old gods of the solstice still listen and can answer her prayers, but old gods require old sacrifices, and power is sometimes fed in the bloodiest of ways. 

Love Charm for Dakota by Carly Carson 
Into Cabot's sedate Nantucket world blows Dakota Bishop, possessor of a wild spirit and a magical love charm. Will Cabot succumb to her charm, or will Dakota's witchcraft boomerang on her? 

The Snow Queen by Alana Albertson 
A curse follows those who perform in the Cambridge Ballet's production of The Nutcracker--every year for the past five; a cast member has gone missing. Now cast as the Snow Queen, can Nieves Alba break the curse, or will she be yet another victim of America’s favorite ballet? 

How Lovely Your Branches by Kara Ashley Dey 
When a new neighbor and his three female companions take up residence across the road in the very house her friend had vacated four months ago, recluse Katie Crowe is intrigued. Gabe’s eyes hold a promise, a way out of her exile, if Katie can break free of the past and the haunting secrets that surround her. 

The Perfect Gift by Nicole Blanchard 
When faced with the reality of a negative bank balance and a failing marriage, Sera Flaherty finds she’s willing to sacrifice anything to fix her mistakes and find her husband the perfect gift…even if doing so will cost more than she bargained for.

Until the Twelfth Night by Cherie Chulick 
Spending the holidays at an old countryside manor sounded like a good idea, but as rumors spread that the great house is haunted and sparks fly with a handsome houseguest, will Lady Elizabeth regret her decision? 

For folks who like their Christmas a little twisted, seven tales of charms and magic, curses and intrigue… 

Featuring novellas from popular authors Linda Barlow, Andra Brynn, Carly Carson, Alana Albertson, Kara Ashley Dey, Nicole Blanchard and Cherie Chulick.

Add to Goodreads. Releases December 2nd!

As someone who reads a constant stream of books, it takes a lot for one to stand out from the proverbial slush pile. You're always looking for that book with the 'it' factor. That factor being the special little something that really perks you up and makes you pay attention to what the author has to say. Alessandra Torre had that and more with this book.

Many readers hate to read a love triangle because the fact that they will have to choose between to ultimately amazing characters is heart wrenching. Who would want to say good bye to one of them? Though there is a three way relationship in Sex. Love. Repeat. I never felt that Madison was really torn between them. 

It started two years ago when she meets Stewart Brand, a driven businessman who doesn't have time for a relationship. He and Madison click, but he does not have the time to offer her more than sex and bling. She's more than willing to settle for the occasional romp in the sheets, but she won't maintain exclusivity if he can't commit more time to her. 

“Stewart loves me with a tiger’s intensity, his need taking my breath away, his confidence in our relationship strong enough to not be bothered by the presence of another man. He stares into my soul as if he owns it, and shows his love with money, sex, and rare moments of time.”

Magnanimously, Stewart proposes that instead of bed hopping to satiate her raging libido she find another man with whom she can have a steady relationship with. Basically she'll have Stewart, who she has come to love but can never fully have and another man to share her day to day life with and fulfill the emotional and sexual needs that Stewart can't. 

Enter Paul. A pro-surfer that she stumbles upon whose carefree attitude and easy smile are immensely attractive. He becomes the second man that Madison shares her life with. Though don't get it twisted, she doesn't lie to either of them. They are both aware of one another and though they each want Madison for themselves, she's not the type of woman who will be chained down. 

“Paul loves me with unconditional warmth, his affection public and obvious, his arms pulling me into him, his mouth littering my body with frequent kisses.”

She is always under the impression that one day her perfect arrangement will come to an end. Either Stewart will realize what an amazing woman he has by his side and make time for her or Paul will finally break and demand an end to sharing her with someone else. 

Which is what the mysterious woman in the background hopes will happen. Interspersed between the story of Madison, Stewart, and Paul are little snippets from the point of view of Dana, who is extremely curious about the woman who has stolen the hearts of these two men. Who is she? What does she want with them? And will they survive whatever catastrophe is waiting to happen? 

This was such a refreshing read for me. I've never had anything by Alessandra Torre before - I'd seen her serial, The Dumont Diaries, around and it's been on my TBR for the longest time. It's now been bumped way up because I loved Torre's frank, fresh voice and willingness to tackle socially controversial situations. 

Let me just say as well that Madison is one of my favorite characters. Her attitude about sex and just in general reminds me a lot of Maise from Leah Raeder's Unteachable. Direct, openly sexual, doesn't take any shit, but still laid back and in control. I adore women that don't apologize for themselves or their appetites. 

“She fucks because she loves it and loves through it. It is her gift to the world, and I am lucky enough to be a part of that world.”

A definite must read. 

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A riveting conclusion to a six-star series. I'm still thinking about it days after.

Eversea was not a book that you can easily forget and not only because of the questions we're left with after it's conclusion. For months after reading it, I found myself thinking back to the characters, the story, and the setting wanting more. I couldn't wait for the sequel Forever, Jack to release and to finally have the long awaited answers to my questions. 

Following the conclusion of Eversea, Keri Ann has spent her time bettering herself and figuring out exactly what she wants from her future. She's forgone her own desires for so long that it's high time she focus on what she wants and following her own dreams. In the five months since Jack walked out of her life, Keri Ann has furthered her career as an artist, both from being featured in major art exhibits and being accepted into art school. She didn't let the loss of the love of her life ruin her and this spoke volumes about her resilience and strength. She didn't pine for him, though his absence was palpable. 

So when Jack unexpectedly barges back into her life and threatens to upset the careful balance she worked so long to achieve she doesn't know whether to scream and rant and rave at him or kiss his face. (Personally, I vote for the latter.) There are a lot of things that they need to discuss and although she recognizes that a lot has been left unsaid, she's afraid to let Jack and the circus that surrounds him back into her life. 

I couldn't imagine how this relationship was going to do anything but bring out every single ugly insecurity I had. I'd promised Jack I'd take the bad with the good, but I wasn't sure I was strong enough for this.

When she hears his explanation as to why he's stayed away for so long she's accepting, but not as much as she had been in Eversea. Perspective, time, and lots of self reflection has shown her what a relationship with a superstar like Jack Eversea could mean for her. She's a small town girl with her own dreams and aspirations. Having to exist in Jack's shadow could quite possibly muddy everything that she's come to want and she isn't willing to give that up - even for love.

Let me stop right there. Can I get an amen?

I am so tired of women in books that bend to their mans every whim. Compromise on what to have for dinner or where to go for a movie, yes, absolutely, but in no way should a relationship affect your dreams. I loved that Keri Ann didn't automatically jump back into Jack's open arms and seriously gave consideration to what she wanted. Love love love. 

Even more, I loved that Jack gave her that option. He knew the risks that were involved with her choosing to be in a relationship with him and he let her weigh the cost without unduly influencing her. It said a lot about his character and maturity that he didn't badger her beyond admitting his feelings.

"Partly because I don't know that you want the real Jack and his crazy life and everything that goes with it." He returned. "And I'm not sure, going forward, how to keep that separate. It could still hurt you."

Which, seriously swoon.

"You are so beautiful, so talented, so honest. And you are strong. Let me be a part of your life, and be brave enough to be a part of mine. I know you can be, I've seen your strength. Please believe in us."

It was everything that I would imagine a normal, regular girl falling in love with a movie star would be like. If any girl wanted to imagine how they would react to seeing their Hollywood crush, I'd direct them to this series for inspiration. The entire time I was reading I kept thinking that this is exactly how I would react if I were Keri Ann. 

I was made to love you. I never fell, I was already there. From the very first moment.

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New Releases

Cover Reveal: THE SNOW QUEEN by Alana Albertson. Make sure you like her page as well! 

Add Unholy Nights to Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18751013-unholy-nights

Synopsis: Five years ago, Cambridge Ballet’s Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier vanished after performing The Nutcracker. Despite extensive city and statewide searches, no traces of them, besides their ballet slippers, were ever found. Every year since, another member of the cast has gone missing after closing night: the Mouse King, an Arabian Dancer, The Dew Drop Fairy, a Flower. Nieves Alba, who as a thirteen-year-old played Clara in the first ill-fated performance, is now cast as the Snow Queen. On closing night, every police officer in Boston surrounds the theater, determined to catch the perpetrator whom they’ve dubbed “The Nutcracker.” Can Nieves break the curse or will she be the next victim of America’s favorite ballet?

Synopsis

"I’d spent too long in limbo.
It was time to put The California Plan back into effect."
~Layla Warren

I’ve been in love with Trip Wiley since I was sixteen years old.
Yep. That Trip Wiley.
Academy award-winning actor, known philanthropist, People’s Sexiest Man Alive two years running…
Yeah.
It’s not like I’m some delusional stalker-fan. It just so happens that he was my high school sweetheart back in 1991.
In the years since, he’s simply been The One That Got Away.
We just can’t seem to get on the same page at the same time.
Our timing may have sucked, but the feelings had already been confirmed. Years ago.
At least his were.
He doesn’t know that I had chosen to love him back.
I need to fix that.
And I need to do it now.

 

Reading Order

 

Remember When (#1)

Remember When 2 (#2)

Remember When 3 (#3)

 

At the conclusion of the last book we were pretty much left brokenhearted when Layla let Trip slip through her fingers. After their heated reunion in New York a decade after their high school romance, Trip and Layla's connection hadn't dimmed in the slightest though their lives had new complications. After Lay breaks off her engagement to her boss and decides to follow Trip to L.A. she finds that in his haste to cover up the pain from Layla's refusal to be with him, Trip has agreed to marry someone who was not right for him.

"Every choice we'd ever made, every road we'd ever traveled brought us to this place. Every bad decision, every stupid screwup, every bit of drama. Every beautiful second together, every miserable hour apart...led us here." 

 

Now, with all that in mind we begin the final book in the series where we can hope, wish, and dream that they'll finally get their stuff together and be together for once and for all.

Thankfully, Torrest doesn't make us wait long for it as Trip's father's death brings the two back together within the first chapter. Granted, I was excited that Trip and Lay finally stopped getting in their own way to be together, but it felt way too easy.

And please, take this with a grain of salt, it's just my humble opinion. I love this series and I want to see it succeed with all my heart, but I must also be as honest as I can, even if it truly pains me to do so.

When reading a series I expect for the tension and stakes to increase with each book. The fact that I hold the first book in such high esteem may prove to be a detriment to the other two as it's a lot to live up to. However, the third didn't really deliver on quite what I was looking for in terms of conflict.

I want them to be together, sure, but I also want them to have to work for it...otherwise there's really no point in reading. For the majority of the book they are happy together, which is great and I'm glad for them, however that makes it feel more like an epilogue than it's own story.

Set four years after the conclusion in the previous book, we miss all that immediate drama - aside from Trip's prologue, so it's like everything that happened previously has already been resolved without us having to read it. This also serves as quite a let down. I mean, you cannot make that big of a build up and then just solve it within the first few pages with an undeniable 'connection'. Great for Trip and Layla, not so much to keep me interested. I wanted them to have to keep working for it. Prove to me that they wanted it. Of course they did want it, but I really wanted to see them fight for it. Neither should have been so willing to go back to a relationship, in my eyes. There would have been a whole slew of objections and justifications that they had to work through before driving off into the sunset in L.A.

What conflict there was came towards the end and it seemed like it was put there just for the sake of being conflict in their relationship. Which was fine, but to me it could have been more cleanly executed to make for a more fulfilling story. If those issues had been present from page one, then it would have been so much more satisfying. As it is, however, it felt a little contrived and therefore less believable. There was also some slut shaming present, though I get where it was coming from it's still a bit of a peeve of mine. I think with a bit of fine tuning the conflict could have been more inclusive and the ending more conclusive.

Now, don't mistake me, please. The Remember Trilogy is one of my favorites of all time and if this puts you off of the series, don't let it. If anything, read the first book. It's one of those that changes your life and will forever be one of my favorites. There are moments in the book that are pure Trip and Lay gold, the reason why I loved these books so much is present in them.

“I’ve loved him as both a girl and as a woman. I have both a history and a future with this man. This man I will love forever.” 

 

Their love story will always be epic and the pop culture reference and subtle humor is what made me love this series in the first place. Both of those elements are present along with a good love story. Trip and Layla have such a unique, playful relationship that stems from their history together - that's what makes this series unique and what I love about it.

A movie superstar and his high school sweetheart. That even sounds great.

And that's what I will always love about this series. No matter what.

Unholy Nights - Christmas boxed set featuring dark / paranormal new adult novellas from a variety of authors!

★ Tour sign up - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QEBYPCxS-lbpbVGDbpAB3j_kXdiTh0_JIzpBVk-_7g8/viewform

★ Add to Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18751013-unholy-nights?ac=1

Alana Albertson, Linda Barlow, Cherie Chulick, Kara Ashley Dey, Andra Brynn and I would like to invite you to take part in the cover reveal of our upcoming boxed set of twisted Christmas novellas. 

 

Each novella is a romance with dark / paranormal tones. A fresh take on Christmas 'spirit'. 

 

The cover reveal would take place mid-late week next week (around November 13-14), they are currently waiting on the final image from the designer, but an email will be sent out to those signed up with the date as soon as the final touches are in place, along with each novella's synopsis and title. 

 

We would be delighted if you would choose to feature the cover reveal on your blog and social media. If you're interested, please follow the attached sign up form. There is also an option on the form to show interest in the review tour / release day blitz. 

 

Thank you for your time!

 

You may add to Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Cover Reveal Sign up: 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QEBY... 

1. Carter Reed by Tijan, standalone mafia romance. 
2. Checkmate by R.L. Mathewson, hilarious enemies-to-lovers, series that can be read as standalones.
3. The Bet (#1) by Rachel Van Dyken, book one in a hilarious series - enemies to lovers. 
4. The Wager (#2) by Rachel Van Dyken, book two in the series, also enemies to lovers. 
5. When It Rains by Lisa De Jong, emotional romance. 
6. Ride by JC Emery, MC romance.
7. Animate Me by Ruth Clampett, told from amle POV, very sweet + funny FREE right now.
   
8. Him by Carey Heywood, second chance romance.
9. Beautiful Rose by Missy Johnson, dramatic romance. 
10. Defying the Odds by Kele Moon, lover is a fighter + HOT HOT HOT. 
11. Star Crossed by Kele Moon, second in the Battered Hearts series. Also a fighter, Romeo and Juliet themes. LOVE!
12. Willing Captive by Belle Aurora, captivity romance NOT a dark read. Humor abounds.
13. Bold Tricks by Karina Halle, conclusion to The Artists Trilogy. My favorite of the series. 
14. Manic by JA Huss, second book in the innovative Rook and Ronin series. 
15. Panic by JA Huss, conclusion to the Rook and Ronin series. 
16. Spiral by Mila Ferrea, a 6 star read. 
17. Little Bird by Liza Gaines, hot & sweet with slight BDSM.
18. Searching for Someday by Jennifer Probst, a little bit of magic, a little bit of love. <3

One winner will win a signed paperback copy of More Than This by Jay McLean and More Than This Swag.

Five winners will win signed bookmarks. 

US ONLY

Giveaway open through November 15th. 

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