Inspiring Fridays #3 ~ Photograph by Ed Sheeran

Inspiring Fridays is a post I've created to add something a little different to my blog. It's purpose is simple. Each week, it is my intention to feature a book, a song or a movie which inspires me. If you like, you can join in or just leave a comment below. I would love to see your thoughts on whatever is currently spotlighted, and to discover what inspires you.

For this weeks Inspiring Friday, I have selected a song...

Photograph
by
Ed Sheeran

My daughter is currently learning to play this song on the guitar as a project for high school. She's not bad at playing it, and I love to hear it. It also inspires me to put my fingers to the keyboard and start working more seriously on my next novel.

Swoon Thursday # 181 ~ Reckless Together (Reckless #3) by Gina Robinson

Swoon Thursday was first bought to us by YA Bound.

Since they are no longer with us, Naomi @ Naomi's Reading Palace has kindly created a central meet up point for those of us who wish to continue to share our swoons.

So ladies (and any gents who feel so inclined) please leave a comment below, and then head on over there to link up and spread the love.

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My Swoon for this week comes from:

Reckless Together
(Reckless #3)
by
Gina Robinson 

First - The Blurb:

The stunning conclusion of Ellie and Logan's love story that began on a hot August night in Reckless Longing and continued through the depths of winter in Reckless Secrets...

Ellie

My mother is a liar, a seductress, a keeper of family secrets, and a master manipulator. She took Austin from me. Now she claims she wants forgiveness. But she's after Logan. I know she is. He thinks he can protect me from her. I love him for trying, for playing hero, but he doesn't know her like I do. She'll charm him until he lets his guard down and then she'll strike so quickly he'll never see the attack coming. I may already be too late to stop it.

Logan's love is essential to me, like sunshine and deep nurturing breaths. He's my all. I can't live without him. But there's so much standing in the way of our happiness. As dangerous as she is, Mom is the least of my worries. I'm fighting the darkness Logan is struggling with, the upcoming trial, his family, and sometimes I even think I'm fighting a phantom of myself. But I won't give up. Ever.

Logan

I wish I could make El understand how much I love her, but I'm losing control. She makes me lose control. Since the abuse, that scares me shitless and brings back the guilt and the memories I want to erase. Things that have nothing to do with El, and everything because they affect the man I want to be for her.


I can't face losing her. I don't want her to hear the ugly truth about me, but I have to testify. I have to, even though I'm risking everything and fighting my dad and myself to do it. After it's over, will El still love me? I have to help her reconcile with her mom. Then maybe she'll understand.

Add to Goodreads

Second - The Swoon:

Logan was late. He knew how much I hated late. But he showed up with an apologetic smile and a bouquet of flowers.

"Bought specially for you from the grocery store." He handed them to me and brushed my lips with a kiss. "You look so hot, El."

Logan being late was kind of a joke between us. He'd been late the first time we'd met for dinner and I'd almost left without waiting for him.

He looked charmingly guilty, like a bad boy who was caught. "I'd never do something so obvious as that." He pulled me into his arms and kissed me. He tasted deliciously just like himself and smelled like the cologne he always wore.

I wasn't overly enthused with this series, but having said that, I still enjoyed it. The ending seemed a bit rushed but all the loose ends were tied up so I didn't mind that aspect.
SPOILER ALERT - After some confusion and little more angst, Ellie and Logan did manage to work everything out, and I did get my HEA.

My Rating: 4 out of 5

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Okay, so what do you think?

If you liked my Swoon, please leave a comment below!

Waiting on Wednesday # 82 ~ Unknown (Unknown #1) by Wendy Higgins

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine which spotlights highly anticipated upcoming releases.

This week I'm waiting on:

Unknown
(Unknown #1)
by
Wendy Higgins  

Expected publication: September 2016

Amber Tate believes the worst thing she’ll suffer in life is dealing with the unrequited love she feels for her brother’s best friend, Rylen Fite. She also believes war is something unfortunate that happens places far, far away from her rural Nevada town. She’s wrong on both counts.

When an unknown organization meticulously bombs major cities in the United States and across the globe, a trickle-down effect spreads to remaining towns at an alarming speed—everything from food and water sources to technological communications are compromised. Without leadership, the nation is split between paralysis and panic, but Amber isn’t one to hide or watch helplessly. She’s determined to put her nursing skills to use, despite the danger, even if it means working alongside the man she can never have. 

In this first installment of NY Times bestselling author, Wendy Higgins’s debut New Adult series, a frighteningly realistic apocalyptic America is brought to life, entwined with searing romantic tension that will leave you eager for more.

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So, what are you waiting for?

Please leave a comment below with your WoW link!

Teaser Tuesday # 186 ~ Reckless Secrets (Reckless #2) by Gina Robinson

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Reckless Secrets
(Reckless #2)
by
Gina Robinson

First - The Blurb:

The engaging continuation of Ellie and Logan's love story that began on a hot August night in Reckless Longing...

Ellie

My bitch of a mother kept a family secret from me for nineteen years. I outsmarted her and found out what it is. Now I should be deliriously happy. I am happy. Except…I have to keep it from Logan. At the same time, I know I should tell him. If he finds out by accident, he'll hate me and feel betrayed. But it's complicated and I have to wait until things fall into place or it will cause problems for my newly found dad.

And Logan is wrestling with his own demons. Because of me. Dex and I just meant to prank our hideous chem prof. We didn't mean to hurt anyone, least of all Logan. If I'd known it would expose his secret, I never would have done it. I love him so much. I can't lose him. I won't. I just hope he can forgive me.

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Second - The Tease(rs):

In Logan's arms, the world around me melted away. His mouth on mine was warm and wonderful in the cold, cold world. I wrapped my legs around his waist and kissed him back, oblivous to the snow falling on us and the snow angel beneath my back. Wanting him. Aching for him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and arched my hips up to meet his.

"I love you, El," he whispered in my ear.

Reckless Secrets is a direct continuation from Reckless Longing. I couldn't quite connect with Logan in the first book and this didn't change much for me in this second instalment. One minute he seems to be all over Ellie. The next, he is hanging out with ex-girlfriends and ex-lovers. I'm not quite sure what to make of his behaviour.

As the title suggests, there are loads of secrets. Most of them are being kept by Ellie. Halfway through, and I was wishing they both would just tell the truth and dispense with all the angst.

I'm hoping the third and final book... Reckless Together, ties up all the loose ends and gives me a HEA for these two.

My Rating: 4 out of 5

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Okay, so what do you think?

If you liked my Tease, please leave a comment below.

TBR Tuesday #144 ~ The Jewel (The Lone City #1) by Amy Ewing

My good friend Sharrice from Reese's Reviews: My Addiction to Fiction came up with the idea of 'TBR Tuesday'. 

If you want to join in the fun, then just do the following:

From your book shelf or your e-reader, pick a book that you own that is still on your TBR list. Post it however you want to, then leave a link below so others can see what's waiting to be read.

This week for me its:

The Jewel
(The Lone City #1)
by
Amy Ewing 

"Today is my last day as Violet Lasting. Tomorrow I become Lot 197."

The Jewel is a shocking and compelling new YA series from debut author, Amy Ewing.

Sold for six million diamantes, Violet is now Surrogate of the House of the Lake in the centre of the Lone City, the Jewel. Her sole purpose is to produce a healthy heir for the Duchess – a woman Violet fears and despises. 

Violet is trapped in a living death, her name and body no longer her own. She fights to hold on to her own identity and sanity, uncertain of the fate of her friends, isolated and at the mercy of the Duchess.

The Handmaid's Tale meets The Other Boleyn Girl in a world where beauty and brutality collide.

Add to Goodreads



I originally bought this book at my daughter's suggestion. It is my intention to read it, just not sure when.

So now it's your turn.

Leave a comment and tell me what's waiting on your TBR pile.