REVIEW: The Future of our Past by Kahlen Aymes

Date Published: 4/20/12

Synopsis: 

Julia Abbot and Ryan Matthews have been inseparable best friends since the moment they met. Each of them fight an internal battle, unwilling to risk their incredible friendship, but unable to quell their deep longing for the other. On the verge of Ryan’s departure to Harvard Medical School and Julia’s for her new job on the opposite coast, they are forced to face the undeniable truth of their deeper feelings and find themselves enthralled in a passion like neither has ever known.

The lovers are faced with forced separation, great distances and others who try to sabotage their relationship as both of them work to build the shared future they both dream of. When their lives begin to finally gel, Julia is offered a promotion that will jettison her career to new heights. Ryan is left angry and bereft as it will only postpone their reunion yet again. In light of the sacrifices she has made for him, he can hardly deny her, and Julia is faced with the most difficult decision of her life. Will she choose the chance of a lifetime or the love of her life?

The Future of Our Past is the first book in The Remembrance Trilogy, a truly transcendent love story of a powerful and passionate connection, like we all dream of.

Author Bio:

Kahlen Aymes grew up in the Mid-Western United States and was educated at a private university. She is divorced with one daughter, has a B.S.B.A. degree in business/marketing and began writing as a way to network a business venture. Soon, writing turned into her passion and morphed all other career goals.  Her readers have told her they want to read angsty, passionate love stories that put them into the pages.  She does her best to deliver!  Her work was described by her publisher as "...a female fantasy - the intersection of perfect love, tragedy and raging intimacy."   

Nominated for numerous writing awards in the second largest derivative fiction community in the world, she has won several, including Best Author, Best Angst, Best Love Scene, Best Indie Fiction & Best Series.   Kahlen enjoys communicating with her readers far and near, and encourages them to contact her personally!

To contact Author: 
Website 
Facebook 
Blog 
Twitter 

Links to purchase book:
B&N 
Smashwords 
Amazon 

My thoughts:

What I liked about this story:
I completely fell in love with the two main characters in this book, Ryan and Julia. Their devotion to one another is inspiring, considering all that they go through to be together. It is realistic,  I could actually believe this were a true story rather than fiction. 


What I did not like about this story:
I hate to say it, but there was far too much sexual content. It's as if the author didn't know what else to do so she threw in pages upon pages of sex..I found myself skipping over much of it. Also, Julia seemed to be brought to tears over everything. At first it was heartwarming, then it became slightly annoying. 


That being said, I did enjoy most of this book. The story ends in a heart wrenching cliffhanger, which of course makes me want to read the second book! So what's my rating? 

You will have to read the book and decide for your self on this one.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Fearless by Eric Blehm

Links

Book site
NBC On Air
Fox 5

About the Book:

FEARLESS takes you deep into SEAL Team SIX, straight to the heart of one of its most legendary operators.

When Navy SEAL Adam Brown woke up on March 17, 2010, he didn’t know he would die that night in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan, but he was ready: In a letter to his children, not meant to be seen unless the worst happened, he wrote “I’m not afraid of anything that might happen to me on this Earth, because I know no matter what, nothing can take my spirit from me.”

But long before Adam Brown became a member of the elite SEAL Team SIX—the counterterrorism unit that took down Osama bin Laden—there was a fun-loving country boy from Arkansas whose greatest goal had been to wear his high school’s football jersey. An undersized daredevil, prone to jumping off roofs into trees and off bridges into lakes, Adam was a kid who broke his own bones but would never break a promise to his parents … until he grew older, and his family watched that appetite for risk draw him into a downward spiral that eventually landed him in jail.

FEARLESS is the story of a man of extremes, whose determination was fueled by faith, family, and the love of a woman. It’s about a man who waged a war against his own worst impulses and persevered to reach the top tier of the U.S. military. Always the first to volunteer for the most dangerous assignments, Adam’s final act of bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice.

FEARLESS is the intimate story of a devoted man who was an unlikely hero but a true warrior, described by all who knew him as just that—fearless.

About the Author

Eric Blehm is the best-selling author of The Only Thing Worth Dying For, which recounts the harrowing story of the first Special Forces A-team to infiltrate Taliban-held southern Afghanistan weeks after 9/11. It was a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. The author’s The Last Season, winner of the National Outdoor Book Award, was named by Outside magazine as one of the ten “greatest adventure biographies ever written.” Blehm lives in California with his wife and children.

I received this book from Jessica of The Hollows, who in turn got it from the publisher. When Jessica first told me of it, I was leery of reading it. I do not like the idea of some author exploiting a family just to sell a few books and make a few bucks. Especially since I was a soldier in the Army and did a tour in Iraq myself. I have avoided movies and books pertaining to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, due to having PTSD from my time there. But I decided to give it a try and I can't tell you how glad I am that I read it.

The author in no way exploited Adam Brown's family or his memory.




.  

Thanks to Eric Blehm, I got to know Adam. Not just the soldier who ultimately gave his life for his beliefs, but the son, brother, husband, and father behind the uniform. No, Adam was not perfect. He had his demons like most of us. His demon came in the form of crack. And it consumed him until it finally landed him in jail and he admitted he couldn't handle it alone any longer. This is where his faith came in, and he was able to find his way out of the darkness. I will say here that although I do not share Adam's religious views, I am a Pagan, I do respect his beliefs. Without them, I don't think he would have over come his addiction and become the man he did. He was courageous, loyal, funny, loving and even a tad bit of a klutz. He gave everything he had for the love of his family, friends, brothers and sisters in arms, and his country.







I feel privileged to have gotten to know Adam through this book and while we never met, I am proud to call him brother. Adam, you will never be forgotten.This book is not getting a rating but will be able to be found under 5 stars. As a fallen HERO YES ADAM BROWN IS A HERO he gets something better.

The shield on the right is from a foundation that was started by Adam's family.  You can donate money to them.  Please click the shield to donate to this wonderful foundation.avy SEAL Chief (SOC) Adam Brown was killed in action in Komar Province, Afghanistan on March 17, 2010. In true "Adam Brown Style" he died a true hero, placing himself in the line of fire to protect other members of his unit. Adam’s Special Ops Assault Team was assaulting an enemy compound, an operation Adam had performed many times.

The U.S. Forces were engaging the enemy in a fire fight, when a portion of the U.S. soldiers were pinned down by very heavy fire from the enemy compound. In an effort to protect his men, Adam charged the enemy from a better vantage point, drawing fire away from his pinned down comrades. His selfless action relieved the fire on his men, but it unfortunately resulted in Adam being struck by enemy fire. One other member of the American Team was wounded, but Adam’s heroic action saved the other men. The enemy compound was captured and all enemy combatants were killed in the action.

Adam was a 12 year veteran of the United States Navy, with several tours of duty overseas. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Long before Adam Brown became a member of the elite SEAL Team SIX - the counterterrorism unit that took down Osama bin Laden - there was a fun-loving country boy from Arkansas whose greatest goal had been to wear his high school’s football jersey. An undersized daredevil, prone to jumping off roofs into trees and off bridges into lakes, Adam was a kid who broke his own bones but would never break a promise to his parents … until he grew older, and his family watched that appetite for risk draw him into a downward spiral that eventually landed him in jail.

Adam was a man of extremes, whose determination was fueled by faith, family, and the love and support of his wife. He was a man who waged a war against his own worst impulses and persevered to reach the top tier of the U.S. military. Always the first to volunteer for the most dangerous assignments, Adam’s final act of bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice.

Anyone who knew Adam would tell you it was important to him that his legacy be remembered and his story be told. He spent the latter part of his life helping those around him haunted by the mistakes he made years earlier. Adam was an incredibly strong christian who loved the Lord and served him until his last, mortal breath. The majority of the members in his unit perished when the Chinook helicopter transporting them was viciously shot down while on a mission in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011, only a few short months after Adam's death. Adam was always the first through the door to clear the way for other members of his team and in classic Adam fashion he was yet again the first through heavens door......only the last door he went through wasn't filled with darkness and enemies, but light, with his Lord and Savior there to meet him. A light that shines down on all that knew him as a husband, father, friend, and there is no longer a need to be fearless.
He's home.

I have 4 print copies for you to grab!  All you have to do is follow and comment on what you did.  If you donate let me know and you will get extra points.  Thanks!

Thorn Release Day Party!

Title: Thorn

Author: Intisar Khanani

Genre: YA Fantasy

Princess Alyrra’s strength lies in silence. Scorned by her family, she avoids the court, spending her time with servants. When her marriage is unexpectedly arranged with the prince of a powerful neighboring kingdom, Alyrra feels trapped. As the court celebrates her match, dark rumors spread about the unexplained deaths of the women of her new family. Alyrra begins her journey with mounting trepidation. Betrayed while traveling, she seizes an opportunity to start a life away from court.

Walking away from a prince whom she doesn’t know should have been easy. But from the moment she sets eyes on him, Alyrra realizes that her freedom could cost him his life. Without any magical defense of her own, she is plunged into a lethal game of sorcery and deceit. Now Alyrra must decide whom she can trust and what she’s willing to fight for—before her silence proves fatal. 

Author Bio:

Intisar Khanani grew up a nomad and traveler. Born in Wisconsin, she has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah on the coast of the Red Sea. She first remembers seeing snow on a wintry street in Zurich, Switzerland, and vaguely recollects having breakfast with the orangutans at the Singapore Zoo when she was five. She now resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and young daughter. Intisar writes grants and develops projects to address community health with the Cincinnati Health Department, which is as close as she can get to saving the world. Her approach to writing fantasy reflects her lifelong passion for stories from different cultures. She is currently writing a trilogy set in the same world as Thorn. This is her first novel. 

Author Website 

Author's Facebook 

Purchase from Amazon 

FREE BOOK FRIDAY'S!

Starting June 1st!

Saturday,May19, at 8:26 AM

Starting June 1st!

1 book per link will be given away every friday!

Every Friday we along with a few other sites we will hold a Free Book Giveaway.

All you have to do to win is follow. 

 Ebooks will be in ALL formats so don't worry. 

 If you win we will make sure you get a format you can use.  

We will also be giving away free print books. 

Print books will be new and used

I will also be adding ARC's which are Advanced Reading Copies. 

So you will get the book before anyone else. 

THANK THE SPONSORES!

I would like to take this time to let you know that this ongoing giveaway if sponsored by The Hollows.  Which is a two site group.  The first site deals with reviews and is called the Hollow Readers.  Where if you love to read books and want to review but don't want to deal with a website then this would be the perfect place for you. Or if you have a website you can still join our group as we are listed with Netgalley. So that will get you more titles!

The other site is our wonderful tour site Hollow Tours.  It is getting a new look, content, and prices! So again this is a wonderful way to get your info out there.  With tour stops both personal and from authors you can get more followers and all you have to do is read a book.  

So please thank The Hollows for their time and money as they Sponsor Free Book Fridays!

Ok so what is next!  

Join US!

If you want to join our giveaway you can do that to!  You may click the link and add your site.  It will cost $3.00 per link (includes twitter, Facebook, and Site links)  

You link will run with us for 6 months. After which time you may repurchase time. 

If you would like to run it for 1 year please double the cost.
All books giveaway are included. 

We are going to have a limited number of links available so get your spot now!
Click to Join!

Donate!

If you would like to help us! You can do that as well.  You don't even need a site. You may donate in two ways. The first one is by mailing us a book in print or emailing a book in ebook. 

To submit a donated book click here!

To donate money to our giveaways to be used to purchase books from Amazon.com please send an email gift card with the subject or message (Free Book Fridays Donation) to witchever82@gmail.com

Either of these will get you either a free link or we will list you as a sponsor on this page.
(Book/Donation must be work $3.00 or more)



Authors
Are you an author?  Well we have a deal for you!  If you donate 3 print books and 3 ebooks gifted via Amazon/Nook we will give you 1 link for free for 1 year. 

If you want to donate or if you are an author please contact me at Jessica@crossroadreviews.com Subject: Free Book Fridays.

Monday Note on Wednesday

Ok so I know it isn't Monday, but since I had a release day party on Monday and then a cover reveal on Tuesday, I decided to post Monday Note today. Last week I was very busy! I finished reading the following:

Thorn by Intisar Khanani
Dragon Rider's Gift by K.H. LeMoyne
Entangled by Nikki Jefferd
Taking Chances by Loni Flowers
The Future of our Past by Kahlen Aymes
The Goddess Hunt by Aimee Carter
Eve and Once by Anna Carey

Wow! That was ALOT of reading! Now onto what I am reading now:

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
Turquoise: A Love Story by Ayshe Talay-Ongan
Dark Genesis by A.D. Koboah
Firefly Beach by Meira Penterman

Books on my shelf to read:

The River Runes by Ken Lindsey
Halo of the Damned by Dina Rae
The Carny by Brooke Moss
The Miracle Chip by Stanley Grainger
Fearless by Eric Blehm
Wilde's Fire by Krystal Wade

As always, I'm sure there will be more books to add to this by next Monday's Note.

Cover Reveal: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century By Rachel Harris

 Author Bio: As a teen, I threw raging parties that shook my parents' walls and created embarrassing fodder for future YA novels. As an adult, I read and write obsessively, rehash said embarrassing fodder, and dream up characters who become my imaginary friends. When I'm not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, you can find me homeschooling my two beautiful princesses, hanging out with my amazing husband, or taking a hot bubble bath…next to a pile of chocolate. MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY is my first novel. I did have my own fantabulous Sweet Sixteen in high school. Sadly, it wasn't televised.

Blurb: On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family's trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze. Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore. Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

Never-Before-Seen Excerpt from MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY: 

“I thought I'd teach you a dance from where I come from,” I tell him. “One that's much easier than that multi-step mess inside.” 

I place my left hand on Lorenzo's shoulder and slip my right one into his. I pause to listen to the music floating over the tinkling voices and bubbling fountain, and begin counting the three-beat tempo. “One, two, three. One, two, three.” 

I stand still, only my head moving, slowly nodding with my words so he can hear the rhythm. 

When his head begins subtly bobbing with mine, I show him how to add his feet. He takes a tentative step forward with his left while I step back with my right, then we side step, close, and repeat the steps with our other feet, all while I lightly whisper the beat count. 

The breeze picks up, blowing my skirt and skimming my veil across the back of my neck. Chills run down my spine, but the warmth coursing through my veins from being in his arms provides a delicious contradiction. 

Lorenzo continues nervously darting his eyes to our feet, but he is dancing. As he relaxes into the movement, his shoulders rising and falling with the steps, the confidence he always seems to exude creeps back on his face, and he tightens the hold around me. Our faces are kissably close, our lips a hairs breadth away from touching. I stare into the chocolate depths of his eyes and the rest of the ball fades away. The only music guiding our steps is my light whisper and the erratic rhythm of our breathing. Time slows. Lorenzo grins. 

“I think you got it,” I say breathlessly, running my hand along the soft fabric of his shoulder, feeling the rock-hard muscles underneath. 

My body curls inward, pressing against his. The proper form for the waltz is a straight spine and shoulders back, but if there was ever a time to break the rules, this is it.

Links: 

Author Website 

Facebook 

Goodreads 

YouTube Trailer 

Dancing Naked in Dixie Release Day Party

Title: Dancing Naked in Dixie

Author: Lauren Clark

Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary 

Links: Twitter Facebook Lauren's Website Goodreads Purchase: Amazon KindleAmazon Paperback B&N  Synopsis: Travel writer Julia Sullivan lives life in fast-forward. She jet sets to Europe and the Caribbean with barely a moment to blink or sleep. But too many mishaps and missed deadlines have Julia on the verge of being fired. With a stern warning, and unemployment looming, she's offered one last chance to rescue her career. Julia embarks on an unlikely journey to the ‘Heart of Dixie’—Eufaula, Alabama—home to magnificent mansions, sweet tea, and the annual Pilgrimage. Julia arrives, soon charmed by the lovely city and her handsome host, but her stay is marred by a shocking discovery. Can Julia's story save her career, Eufaula, and the annual Pilgrimage?  Author Bio: Lauren Clark writes contemporary novels set in the Deep South; stories sprinkled with sunshine, suspense, and secrets. A former TV news anchor, Lauren adores flavored coffee, local book stores, and anywhere she can stick her toes in the sand. Her big loves are her family, paying it forward, and true-blue friends. 

To celebrate the release of Dancing Naked in Dixie, we’re hosting a release day party. One lucky US-based winner will receive a paperback copy of Dancing Naked in Dixie, while the other three winners will receive an eBook copy. So four winners total.

 

Shiloh Walker's Latest Project

Check out Shiloh's latest project...Blade Song. Enter to win a galley to review...and she's giving away 50! You can enter via her blog. You can tweet about it. And if you post about it to your blog, you get a couple of extra entries... Kit Colbana—half breed, assassin, thief, jack of all trades—has a new job: track down the missing ward of one of the local alpha shapeshifters. It should be a piece of cake. So why is she so nervous? It probably has something to do with the insanity that happens when you deal with shifters—especially sexy ones who come bearing promises of easy jobs and easier money. Or maybe it’s all the other missing kids that Kit discovers while working the case, or the way her gut keeps screaming she’s gotten in over her head. Or maybe it’s because if she fails—she’s dead. If she can stay just one step ahead, she should be okay. Maybe she’ll even live long to collect her fee…

Starting June 1st!

Starting June 1st!

1 book per link will be given away every friday!

Every Friday we along with a few other sites we will hold a Free Book Giveaway.

All you have to do to win is follow. 

 Ebooks will be in ALL formats so don't worry. 

 If you win we will make sure you get a format you can use.  

We will also be giving away free print books. 

Print books will be new and used

I will also be adding ARC's which are Advanced Reading Copies. 

So you will get the book before anyone else. 

THANK THE SPONSORES!

I would like to take this time to let you know that this ongoing giveaway if sponsored by The Hollows.  Which is a two site group.  The first site deals with reviews and is called the Hollow Readers.  Where if you love to read books and want to review but don't want to deal with a website then this would be the perfect place for you. Or if you have a website you can still join our group as we are listed with Netgalley. So that will get you more titles!

The other site is our wonderful tour site Hollow Tours.  It is getting a new look, content, and prices! So again this is a wonderful way to get your info out there.  With tour stops both personal and from authors you can get more followers and all you have to do is read a book.  

So please thank The Hollows for their time and money as they Sponsor Free Book Fridays!

Ok so what is next!  

Join US!

If you want to join our giveaway you can do that to!  You may click the link and add your site.  It will cost $3.00 per link (includes twitter, Facebook, and Site links)  

You link will run with us for 6 months. After which time you may repurchase time. 

If you would like to run it for 1 year please double the cost.
All books giveaway are included. 

We are going to have a limited number of links available so get your spot now!
Click to Join!

Donate!

If you would like to help us! You can do that as well.  You don't even need a site. You may donate in two ways. The first one is by mailing us a book in print or emailing a book in ebook. 

To submit a donated book click here!

To donate money to our giveaways to be used to purchase books from Amazon.com please send an email gift card with the subject or message (Free Book Fridays Donation) to witchever82@gmail.com

Either of these will get you either a free link or we will list you as a sponsor on this page.
(Book/Donation must be work $3.00 or more)



Authors
Are you an author?  Well we have a deal for you!  If you donate 3 print books and 3 ebooks gifted via Amazon/Nook we will give you 1 link for free for 1 year. 

If you want to donate or if you are an author please contact me at Jessica@crossroadreviews.com Subject: Free Book Fridays.

REVIEW: Taking Chances

 

Title – Taking Chances

Genre – Contemporary Romance

Format – eBook: February 1, 2012

Description:

At age twenty-three, Alex has had a hard life. His parents died when he was quite young, leaving his grandparents to raise him. Right before his high school graduation, his grandparents passed on too, leaving him all alone. After losing everyone he's ever loved, Alex turns to the streets in a self-destructive pattern until he finally ends up in Springhill, where he tries to make a new life for himself. 

Clair’s childhood was normal until age thirteen, when her father left the family and she never heard from him again. Consequently, her mother went into a deep depression, forcing Clair to grow up quickly. After finishing high school, Clair’s heartache over her father’s absence as well as her unbearable mother drive her to strike out on her own. But having nowhere to go and no family to speak of, Clair wanders aimlessly from town to town, homeless, and without purpose. Looking for work wherever she goes and living hand to mouth on the streets is tough, Clair discovers, but living with her mother is worse. 

Now twenty-one years old, Clair has found her way to the last place she and her family took their final vacation as a family--Springhill. While in town, she crosses paths with Alex and their ensuing relationship grows faster than expected. Soon Clair wonders if coming back to Springhill and meeting Alex was the best decision or the worst decision she ever made.

Author Bio:

 

 

Author Bio

Loni Flowers lives in Elm City, North Carolina with her video-gaming husband, who makes her laugh every day; two wild toddlers, who never slow down for a second; and three couch-potato dogs, who only raise an eye when foods around. She works a full-time professional job and when she's not playing on the internet or chatting on Twitter, she spends her free time with friends and family waiting for the next big idea strike. Taking Chances is her first novel.

Links: 

Website  http://www.loniflowers.com/index.html
Blog  http://www.loniflowersauthor.com/
Buy here http://www.loniflowers.com/where-to-buy.html

My thoughts:
This book made me smile, laugh and cry all at the same time. It was so well written and I loved the characters from the beginning. The perfect feel good story! I'm not usually one for contemporary romance, but Loni did an excellent job. I read this story from start to finish in one afternoon, I just couldn't put it down! I wouldn't recommend this for teens, do to some sex scenes but they weren't overly descriptive and were modestly written. So I would say it's more appropriate for an 18+ reader. What's my rating?

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*