Wallbanger by Alice Clayton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Woman in Search of Her O, And Clive the Cat Steals the Show
While I giggled throughout Alice Clayton’s debut novel The Unidentified Redhead, this book stepped up the zany fun to the point I was laughing almost every page! Added to the humor was compelling characterization, crisp dialogue, and emotional punch that made this a definite 5 star read for me.
Interior designer Caroline Reynolds (hey I just realized that’s the name of the evil vice president from the TV show Prison Break) moves into a San Francisco apartment. Her mischievous cat Clive comes with her, but her orgasm does not. It’s been missing for months after a not-so-sexy rapid-fire bed battle with her ex Cory, and Caroline is climbing the walls to get it back. It doesn’t help when her bedroom wall bangs with the sexcapades of her neighbor Simon and his “harem”, including the spankee, giggler, and meower. The meower totally turns Clive on.
They say when a soldier loses a leg in battle, sometimes, late at night, he can still feel twinges of that leg — phantom pain, they call it. I lost my O in battle, the battle of Cory Weinstein, that machine-gun fucker — and I was still feeling the aftershocks. I’d been feeling twinges of the phantom O all week long.
One night Caroline dons a pink nightie to get in the mood and starts fantasizing about George Clooney. She’s about to recapture her missing O when the banging interrupts her, and she flies next door to chew out her man-whore neighbor. It’s the beginning of a hilarious wallbanger of a romance.
Caroline has no filter, much to the delight of her best friends Sophia and Mimi:
“So, has he been wall banging at all this week?” Sophia asked.
“Relatively quiet, actually. Either he really listened to me and is being neighborly, or his dick finally broke off in one of them and he’s sought medical attention,” I said, a little too loudly.
The table of businessmen must’ve been listening pretty closely as they all choked a little just then and shifted in their seats, perhaps crossing their legs in unwitting sympathy.
Like Caroline, I am dying to visit Spain, and when she discovers that Simon is an international photographer with an upcoming trip to Spain, she likes him even more. When Simon discovers Caroline bakes bread, he goes all mushy. Clive thinks they’re both nuts.
“You smell GREAT when you’re all worked up,” he said, waggling his eyebrows at me like the devil.
“Seriously, you pick women up with lines like that?” I turned away from him to take off my jacket and squeeze my thighs together maniacally.
Clive came bounding out of the bedroom when he heard my voice and stopped short when he saw Simon. Unfortunately, he had little traction on the hardwood floor and skidded rather ungracefully under the dining room table, Trying to regain his dignity, he executed a difficult four-foot leap from a standing position onto the bookshelf and waved me over with his paw. He wanted me to come to him — typical male.
I dropped my gym bag and sauntered over. “Hi, sweet boy. How was your day? Hmm? Did you play? Did you get a good nap?” I scratched behind his ear, and he purred loudly. He gave me his dreamy cat eyes and then turned his gaze to Simon. I swear he cat-smirked at him.
“Zucchini bread, huh? You want some more, I take it?” I asked.
“I know you have more. Simon says gimme it,” he deadpanned, making his finger into a gun.
“You’re oddly into your baked goods, aren’t you? Support group for that?”
Clive gets jealous of any man pursuing “the feeder” Caroline. This balloon won’t last long.
While the last fourth of the book didn’t hold quite the screwball humor and pacing of the prior chapters, overall I loved the story. I adored the unique POV of the last chapter. I thought Clive might turn the bottles of sand into a litter box!
View all my reviews
Category: Uncategorized
#IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond & Writing Dialogue
Thank you to Alex Cavanaugh for hosting The Insecure Writers’ Support Group, where we journey together down this lonesome writing road.
Have you downloaded your free copy of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond?
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond
Tapping into the expertise of over a hundred talented authors from around the globe, The IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond contains something for every writer. Whether you are starting out and need tips on the craft of writing, looking for encouragement as an already established author, taking the plunge into self-publishing, or seeking innovative ways to market and promote your work, this guide is a useful tool. Compiled into three key areas of writing, publishing, and marketing, this valuable resource offers inspirational articles, helpful anecdotes, and excellent advice on dos and don’ts that we all wish we knew when we first started out on this writing journey.
ISBN 9781939844088
235 pages, FREE
IWSG sites – website, Facebook, and Facebook Critique Circle
Find the book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords,Goodreads.
Twelve Days of #NA New Adult #Giveaway Hop
Happy December and thanks to Valerie from Stuck in Books for hosting!
Blocked is a New Adult sports romance.
College freshman Lucia Ramirez has a secret crush on Dane Monroe. He’s a tall drink of water — blond, brash, and one hell of a volleyball player. ¡Híjole! Lucia hopes her volleyball scholarship to his school will make him notice her.
Too bad what’s noticeable is Dane’s obvious hatred for Lucia. Her family’s politics contradict everything he stands for. And politics are front and center in both their families. Dane’s mother is about to face Lucia’s father in the race for US President.
When Secret Service throws them together, Dane can’t deny his frustrating attraction to Lucia’s athletic curves and sweet faith in the world. Amid the intense pressure of college athletics and presidential politics, can opposites not just attract, but overcome overwhelming odds to be together? Or do their differences block their match from the start?
Thankfulness and #Book #Signing of #Sports #Romance BLOCKED
Happy Thanksgiving, Americans! Any vegetarians out there? I saw this fake ad for organic, free-range tofurkey on Conan and busted a gut laughing:
I’m thankful to all my readers. The fact that people actually use their precious time to read my words means so much to me.
Last weekend I hosted my third book signing in Columbus, at my favorite wine shop.
Thank you to friends for stopping by to support me!
It was great hanging out with friends from:
* Book Club
* My current psychologist job
* My former psychologist job
* Swimming
The Blocked cover cookies aka shirtless man cookies were a big hit.
Thank you to Eric and Poodle for the flowers!
Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving. Outside the US, happy almost Friday. 🙂
New Release: Desert Star by @LisetteBrodey #YA #paranormal
Larsen Davis isn’t afraid to stand up to those who bully him, but in a two-against-one situation at Mystekal High, it’s never easy. When classmate River Dalworth witnesses the abuse and intervenes, the two seniors become good friends. Larsen explains that he’s fighting another battle at home: his own mother, Raylene, bullies him for being gay.
When Larsen meets River’s mother, Arielle, and learns she is overseeing the renovation of the Desert Theater, he shares his dream for a career on stage. Soon, Arielle offers Larsen a job as her assistant, but Raylene is dead set against the idea of her son doing what she considers “gay work.” After Raylene gets a new boyfriend, Reggie, the bad situation at home worsens and Larsen has no choice but to leave.
Now working at the Desert Theater, Larsen feels the unearthly presence of someone in the long-abandoned theater. Meanwhile, as the theater nears completion, a talent show is scheduled for opening night. As it becomes more evident that the theater may have a ghost, it also comes to light that someone may be sabotaging the renovation and the show. Is the ghost real or just the handiwork of someone with a grudge?
Opening night at the Desert Theater sets the stage for a crime, never-imagined reunions, long-awaited explanations, and otherworldly miracles.
River was just leaving school for the day when Gina caught up to him. “Hi there, River.”
“Oh, hi, Gina.”
“I was just wondering …”
“What? If I’m as good-looking close up as I am from a distance?”
Gina giggled. “Well, maybe.”
Just as River was about to respond, Larsen appeared at his side. “Sorry to interrupt. I was wondering if I could speak to you for a minute. Before you head home.”
Gina looked disappointed. “Guess I’ll talk to you another time, River.”
“Sure thing.” River turned to Larsen as Gina walked away. “Let’s go outside and hang a left. I think they spray for bullies there.”
“Ha! I think they do. Thanks, Riv.”
As soon as they walked around to the side of the school, Larsen leaned against the wall and exhaled. “Man, it’s been a bad day.”
“I’m really sorry about Jax and Antonio.”
“They cornered me right after Ms. Carrow’s class.”
“Sucks, dude. Sorry I wasn’t there.”
“Listen, River. I wanted to thank you for standing up for me. People rarely do. I wasn’t so sure Jax wasn’t going to punch you out.”
“I wasn’t worried.”
“I really appreciate what you did. I just don’t want you to get caught up in my nightmare.”
River shook his head. “No. It’s everyone’s nightmare when nobody stops bullies.”
“I sure wish more people felt like you did. Wish they had your courage. I should be able to stop them without any help.”
“Reinhardt’s a big guy. Antonio is a body builder. We all need a little help now and then. Just try to go home and chillax.”
Larsen looked down and kicked the dirt. “Home. That’s a joke. I’m gonna tell you something, Riv, because I know I can trust you.”
“You can. What’s up?”
“Let’s just say that being at school is better than being at home most of the time. And considering I’ve got two jerks bullying me, that doesn’t say much, does it?”
River looked dumbfounded. “School is better than home? What’s going on?”
“I’ve got a mother who’s the biggest bully of them all.”
“Your mom bullies you for being gay?”
“That’s about right.”
She is the author of five novels. Her first-published book, Crooked Moon (General/Literary Fiction) was published in 2008. Her first-written, second-published book, Squalor, New Mexico (General Fiction/Literary Fiction) was published in 2009. Molly Hacker Is Too Picky! (Women’s Fiction/Chicklit), was published December 1, 2011.
In October 2013, Lisette’s fourth novel, Mystical High, book #1 in a YA paranormal trilogy, The Desert Series, was published. In November 2014, her fifth novel, Desert Star, book #2 in The Desert Series was published.
In January 2013, the author edited and published a book of her mother’s poetry (written 50 years earlier) called My Way to Anywhere by Jean Lisette Brodey. The author’s office website is: lisettebrodey.com. In addition to information about her books, Lisette blogs, hosts guest bloggers, and interviews fellow authors on a weekly basis.
The Kindle edition of Desert Star is available for $2.99. The paperback edition will be published in the near future, and Desert Star will soon be available at other major e-tailers. Also, don’t forget to check out Mystical High, the first book in the series, now only 99c!
You can find Desert Star (Book 2 of the on Desert Series) on Amazon.
Also available by Lisette Brodey: Mystical High (Book 1, The Desert Series)
You can connect with Lisette on:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
The Weight of Words by @georgey_girl #Review #Interview & #Giveaway
I’m pleased to welcome author Georgina Guthrie to the blog for a review of her debut novel The Weight of Words. Stick around for the interview and giveaway!
The Weight of Words by Georgina Guthrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth
What a thought-provoking romance! It’s rare for me to feel such fondness for the hero and the heroine, but I loved both Daniel and Aubrey. It’s also rare for me to understand Shakespeare, but Georgina Guthrie provides an excellent guide to the Bard in this story.
Aubrey Price starts her last year at the University of Toronto with a tight budget, a set of close friends, and a passion for all things Shakespeare. She works as an assistant to Dean Grant in addition to taking a heavy course load. The TA for her Shakespeare course is Dean Grant’s son Daniel, who’s scruffy and gorgeous. Aubrey tries to suppress her attraction to Daniel’s forbidden fruit due to the anti-fraternization policy. (Good luck, Aubrey.)
Daniel is a puzzle. He crisply calls her “Miss Price”, at times seeming standoffish and pompous. At other times he smiles warmly and appears impressed by her depth of knowledge and wit.
Daniel had been livid with me, which was definitely not without its strange appeal. Angry-Daniel was something to behold. But then he was Tail-Between-His-Legs-Daniel, followed shortly afterward by Tiny-Piece-of-Heart-on-His-Sleeve-Daniel. The episode was rounded out nicely by Dimpled-Smile-and-Lip-Biting-Daniel. Smorgasbord, right?
Aubrey has no idea how he feels about her until Dean Grant invites her to a family dinner and Daniel unexpectedly shows up. When he has one drink too many, he reveals his true feelings.
O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! that we should, with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause, transform ourselves into beasts!
~William Shakespeare, Othello
Hehe. Before Daniel makes a total beast of himself, he attempts to rein himself in, though it’s tough to avoid Aubrey’s charm. The secret that likely drives him to drink that night also ups the professional stakes to dangerous levels.
Aubrey has a winsome sense of humor which her roommate Matt draws out of her:
“I didn’t know you guys were headed in that direction,” I said. “I knew you liked each other. Some nights I could tell you really liked each other.” I rattled the headboard, and he shot me a poisonous glare.
Matt also made me laugh:
“I had to get up. My brain was screaming for Advil,” he groaned. “And I have the worst case of the zacklies.”
“What the hell are the zacklies?”
“You know, when your mouth tastes zackly like your ass.”
The banter between Aubrey and Daniel kept me grinning. Her F-bomb explosions surprise and delight him. His pair of jeans with a hole over the knee makes Aubrey swoon.
“Now tell me,” I said, eager to lighten the tone. “Am I going to get a look at one of those sweet knees tonight?”
Daniel sighed again. “Don’t worry. Mr. Ratty Pants will be making an appearance this evening.”
Instructors getting it on with students is abusive and wrong. But this story never feels icky that way. Aubrey is a strong, independent woman and Daniel does his best to exhibit self-control. Can they keep their paws off each other until semester’s end? I look forward to finding out in the next two books in the series!
A very little thief of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience.
~William Shakespeare Coriolanus, Act II, sc. 1
View all my reviews
And now onto the interview:
SAVING POUGHKEEPSIE by @Debra_Anastasia Now Available!
Saving Poughkeepsie
Debra Anastasia
Add Saving Poughkeepsie to: Goodreads
On 11/22 Buy from: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Yet with the help of this brothers—and for his brothers—Beckett won’t stop trying. He’s determined to make them all a family, to make a life they want to live, and to make Poughkeepsie a place that’s safe to live it.
He can feel their futures balanced precariously on his shoulders: Blake and Livia and their children, Cole and Kyle and the new baby they’ve just brought home, and Eve…always Eve. He wants their dreams to be real. But murderers don’t just get Happily Ever After handed to them. They have to wrench it away from Satan himself.
Good thing Beckett is prepared to do just that. After all, saving Poughkeepsie is the only way his story ends.
Prepare your heart and your head for a wild ride in this final installment of the Poughkeepsie Brotherhood series. Debra Anastasia does not disappoint as she weaves the last chapter of a story that blends true love, turbulent emotions, and life’s harsh realities into an uplifting tale that calls to the good in each of us.
Book 1 on sale for .99 cents starting 11/19/14
Excerpt 1:
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The Light Who Shines by @Lilo_Abernathy SALE #paranormal #romance
When Supernatural Investigation Bureau agent Bluebell Kildare (a.k.a. Blue) arrives at the scene of the crime, it’s obvious the grotesquely damaged body of the deceased teenage boy was caused by far more than a simple hit and run; and she vows to catch the killer. Using her innate sixth sense, Blue uncovers a powerful magical artifact nearby. She soon discovers it acts as a key to an ancient Grimoire that was instrumental in the creation of the Vampire breed and still holds the power to unravel the boundaries between Earth and the Plane of Fire.
Blue and her clever wolf Varg follow a trail that starts at the Cock and Bull Tap and leads all through the town of Crimson Hollow. Between being sidelined by a stalker who sticks to the shadows and chasing a suspect who vanishes in thin air, the case is getting complicated. If that isn’t enough, Dark Vampire activity hits a record high, and hate crimes are increasing. However, it’s Blue’s growing feelings for Jack Tanner, her sexy Daylight Vampire boss, that just might undo her.
While Blue searches for clues to nail the perpetrator, it seems someone else is conducting a search of their own. Who will find whom first?
Danger lurks in every corner, and Blue needs all her focus in this increasingly dangerous game or she risks ending up the next victim.
Bluebell Kildare: Blue is a Supernatural Homicide Detective and a gifted empath who has a pure spirit and a will of steel. She was orphaned at a young age and has had a tough life so far. Yet, she continually picks herself up by the boot straps and fights to do what is right, regardless of the cost. Just how high will the cost be?
Jack Tanner: He’s Blue’s sexy boss, the head of the Supernatural Homicide Unit in Crimson Hollow. Jack is very old and powerful Daylight Vampire with many layers. He is driven a little crazy by his desire to protect Blue in the face of her independence. Can he keep his cool when Blue needs him most?
Varg: He is a great grey wolf who comes out of nowhere and decides to be Blue’s companion. He seems to have some mysterious magical abilities and uses them to guard Blue’s life. Can he keep her safe?
Maud: She is Blue’s dear friend and mother figure. Maud used to visit Blue in the orphanage and read to her as a child. She can’t cook but she makes awesome Southern beverages. What color is her hair today? Is it blue, fuchsia, scarlet, or peach sherbet?
Alexis: She is Blue’s comrade and neighbor, as well as the sassy owner of a store called Herbal Enchantments. She is gifted in earth magic and if she isn’t busy feeding her friends, she’s telling them what to do. Does she have her hands on her hips right now, or is she waving her finger at Blue?
The Villain: Can he get any more evil? No. He is about as evil as they come . . .
One thing that never changes is Lilo’s ongoing love affair with books. A born bibliophile, by age ten she finished all the children’s books in the house and started devouring the adult section. By age 15, she was working her way through grocery store book aisles and libraries. Just as Picasso had his blue period, Lilo had her own periods of readership–urban fantasy, paranormal romance, Gothic novels, etc. Now she’s planning on creating a bookshelf for you to enjoy.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/lilojabernathy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lilo_Abernathy
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7789942.Lilo_Abernathy
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/liloabernathy/
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/lilojabernathy/home
Blog: http://lilojabernathy.blogspot.com/
Gratitude #Giveaway $10 Gift Card
Time for the Gratitude Giveaway hosted by Kathy.
What are YOU grateful for?
Positive psychology research shows that acknowledging our gratitudes can make us happier. So I’m giving you the opportunity to do just that in the giveaway.
I’m grateful for my two sisters. They’re fun, smart, kind, and beautiful. One of these days I’ll beat Laurie in Words With Friends (she cheats, I swear) and maybe I’ll cave to Susan’s constant cajoling for me to move near her in South Carolina.
I’m blessed to have siblings I call my friends. It makes all the teasing from childhood worth it!
And thank YOU, awesome readers, for making my new release Blocked a top seller among volleyball books.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
#Review Tour Wrap & #Giveaway of #NA #Sports #Romance BLOCKED
It’s been three weeks since the release of Blocked. Thank you to all who have spent some time with hero Dane and heroine Lucia!
I’ve LOVED the fun and insightful reviews from book bloggers and authors on the AToMR tour, and I want to share some of my favorites:
Reviewer Hazel from Musings of the Bookaholic Fairies made the banner above (so cute) and said, “This book reads like a movie.” It made her feel “happy, sad, and all gooey inside”.
Momina from Novelty Books said, “Filled with Sweet Romance, Pressure and Regrets, Blocked is a story of how two people with different beliefs put that aside and simply enjoy what they have.” In addition to my giveaway below, Mo hosts an ebook giveaway HERE.
Chanpreet from Confessions of a YA & NA Book Addict said, “I had no idea volleyball and politics could be so sexy!”
Patty from Bookish Wanderlove said, “Both characters were amazing” and “The ending. OMG, I loved it!”
I adore Leisha’s reviews from RoloPolo Book Blog. “Blocked is a solid, entertaining and, character-driven read. From the moment Dane and Lucia meet face-to-face it is oil and water, cats and dogs, Republicans and Democrats.”
Michelle from Hot Guys in Books said, “I devoured this book in one sitting! Dane is a HOTTIE. He was just an awesome hero who made me swoon.”
Summer’s Book Blog said, “The chemistry is so strong between these two. They play off each other very well. I love how they can help pick each other up after their weaknesses and secrets are revealed.”
Stay tuned for the Gratitude Giveaway starting 11/15.




















