Review: Girl with Guitar by Caisey Quinn

Kylie Ryans has nothing to lose. Her father has passed away. Her evil stepmother has kicked her out of her house. She’s lost her job. But she does have one thing going for her- her talent. Kylie packs it all up and buys a bus ticket to Nashville.

“Kid, you’re either crazy or desperate and you have to be both to make it here. I think you’re gonna do just fine.” Both, Kylie thought to herself. I’m both.

Kylie gets a big break after performing at an open mic night. She is invited to tour with once platinum album-selling country music superstar Trace Corbin. Trace is super talented, yet unreliable and erratic. He is quickly ruining his career by drinking too much, not showing up to his own shows and pretty much being an asshole! Every other opening gig for his tour has quit, either because they couldn’t deal with him or he broke their heart. Well, Kylie isn’t going to take his crap.

“You probably have about fifteen more minutes until some guy with deeper dimples and tighter jeans, if that’s possible, comes along and steals your thunder. Because really, you’re not all that damned special. But congratulations. I hope it makes you feel like a big man to leave me and Pauly high and dry while you go out and have a good time.”

Unfortunately, he also makes Kylie’s stomach drop and blood boil. She’s never been so attracted to anyone before. She, of course, starts to see the other side of Trace…the kind brother, vulnerable, big-hearted musician. Trace and Kylie have to fight nasty rumors, an evil stepmother, and pride before they can finally be together.

“They think I’m pink champagne, you know I’m whiskey and rage. They want love songs and romance, you know I’m get drunk and let’s dance. I try and I try, to live their lies, be what they need me to be. But you know the truth. Know I’m all scarred and bruised, on the other side of me.”

This is such a great book, I really loved reading it. There is a bit of a cliffy, but you aren’t left heartbroken or anything. I can’t wait for more of Kylie’s story!!

Sidenote- I couldn’t help but compare this book to one of my favorite TV shows, Nashville! So in my head, I imagined Kylie, Trace and everyone else as characters from that show. I know the story lines are totally different, so don’t get mad at me! But, if you love Nashville, you’ll love this book, and vice versa!

My Kylie and Trace (ala Nashville style!)

**And you don’t have to wait too much longer for book 2, Girl on Tour to come out! Release date is currently set for August 27, 2013!

Review: Killing Me Softly by Leisl Leighton

This book was exactly what I needed this last weekend! I’ve been reading a bunch of lovey-dovey books lately (not that I’m complaining)…but I loved this suspenseful romance! Parts of this book definitely reminded me of Kristen Ashley books, mainly the stalker/mysterious letters/shocking events type stuff.

Alexia Deningham guards her privacy fiercely. She lives on a secluded country estate (that sounds magical!) and uses a pseudonym, AJ, for her work as a super successful music producer. Daemon Flagherty is recovering from a messy divorce and is ready to record another album. He wants to work with the best, and that means AJ. I think this book was a little slow in the beginning, but once Alexia and Daemon admitted their attraction for each other, I enjoyed it a lot. Alexia has every right to be cautious after the nightmare she has lived through. Being with Daemon threatens to tear down the walls (literal and figurative) that she’s built up around herself. Daemon has his own demons with works through, but Alexia makes it worth it, and I liked how he pursued her during the book!

“Daemon turned, their gazes met, unspoken words shifting between them. A simple understanding. A touching of souls. A love of music. He felt shattered by the strength of the connection. He couldn’t look away. Their eyes clung to each other. This was what he’d been hoping for and yet…”

This book definitely has its nail biting moments! We get a third POV from the stalker, which is super creepy! And there are some pretty shocking things that happen! Overall, this was a great romance with a solid storyline!

**Bonus- everything in this book from the setting, estate, farm, horses and characters made me this RALPH LAUREN!! I pictured everyone with that “old money” look! This made me very happy!

**I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Beauty from Surrender by Georgia Cates

So, I’ve been waiting for this book for forever it seems! I loved Beauty from Pain so much and I sat on pins and needles until this book came out! And it didn’t disappoint.

“Every song I write from here on out will be about Jack Henry. That’s how our tale will go on and on forever- through my music. He will always be every song I sing.”

After a few months delay, while Jack Henry’s detective is searching, Laurelyn is busy making a name for herself. Now, at the end of Beauty from Pain, I put on my detective hat and figured out all the ways he could find Laurelyn…and I’m convinced I could have found her in half the time! But Jack Henry didn’t hire me. Whatever. So…three months later, Jack Henry watches her perform and sneaks backstage to see her. It wasn’t the reunion he was hoping for, but I loved how they came together! I can picture her standing in the rain yelling his name…that’s what “book magic” is made of!! *shivers*

“I knew you were the next one the second I laid my eyes on you singing in that club, but you can never imagine my surprise when I realized that you weren’t just the next one- you were the last one.”

Now that they’ve found each other, you might be wondering about the rest of the book. Well it isn’t all rainbows and kittens, though I was glad there weren’t any major hurdles. Laurelyn has to come to terms with leaving her newfound career for Jack Henry. Her mother and father aren’t supportive of her leaving, but her trusty best friend is there lending good advice. After spending one sex-filled month together, Jack Henry has to head back to Australia. The time apart is hard for them, obviously, but there’s a happy ending. I won’t give away too many details, but it’s all “book magic!”

And the very end…maybe one of my most favorite endings ever. LOVE.

Unlike most series these days, book 2 is the last book. I’m glad Cates didn’t try to stretch it out into three! But, she did say that this isn’t the end for Jack Henry and Laurelyn! I’m pretty sure we’ll see them again!

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