Eleven Weeks (Crazy in Love #2) by Lauren K. McKellar

Eleven Weeks (Crazy in Love #2)
by Lauren K. McKellar
Release Date: January 28th 2015
Rate: 4,5 stars (Enjoyed it+)

Synopsis:

Eleven weeks. 

Seven tequila shots.

Five siblings. 

Two boys.

One heartbeat.

***

Stacey is good at pretending.

She pretends that the boy she's in love with doesn't exist.

She pretends that she's happy to live and die in this small town.

She pretends that her life is carefree while her best friend's world crumbles before her very eyes.

But Stacey's got a secret ...

And it's going to ruin everything.

***

Eleven Weeks is the story of Kate's best friend, Stacey--and the whole lot of life that can happen in just eleven weeks. Second book in the Crazy in Love series.

All the Crazy in Love books held a lot of emotion and make the reader invested in the story, and Eleven Weeks was no exception. Although the first book affected me more than the second one, I still was on edge the whole time while reading Eleven Weeks and was dying to see how this one will end. 

Eleven Weeks is about Stacey, a character you might have met before if you have read The Problem With Crazy, the first book in the series. To me, Stacey, in the first book, was one of those cheerful girls with nothing to worry about and always willing to face the problems without a care of what other might think. I couldn't have been more wrong! And that's what makes this story a must read one, because what we learn from Stacey in the first book is nothing compared to what we learn in Eleven Weeks.

Her story is about being the black sheep in a family: not wanting to pursue a career and being mocked for it. It's pretty awful to feel the pressure of not really knowing what you want to do at eighteen, but imagine if you have no support whatsoever from your family. Even they mock you by not expecting great things from you. I hated her family for that because I could identify with her, even if you were never in her situation, but for the simple fact that you could've been. Moreover, the pressure of being the fifth child in a big family where all siblings have achieved great things. How can you top that? 

And Stacey's world is about to tumble even more because she's pregnant from a one night stand that she didn't even remember. What's worse? Is that she might lose the only guy she's ever loved and that has really cared for her.

But not only that, Lauren K. McKellar brought into this story the consequences of unprotected sex and the huge decision of what to do after that. What it means to keep living with the choices we make and the consequences of our actions. 

The characters are relatable and approachable. Easy to feel yourself identified and easy to love. Stacey's simply a teenager who has made some mistakes, but she's good, kind and will do anything for her friends. Michael is the perfect definition of the boy next door: sweet, gentle and real, who'll also do anything to defend his friends and to make the girl who loves that she's perfect no matter what. 

The plot is a mind-blowing one, just like the one in the first book. Not at all repetitive and with it's ups and downs. Meaning that it has it all: the funny moments, the swoon worthy moments, the sad ones and the heartbreaking ones. What I loved is how Stacey's story mixed with Kate's; like having two point of views, but two different stories at the same time. 

I truly enjoyed Eleven Weeks and hardly recommend it to anyone looking for a real, heartbreaking and emotional YA story. The only thing left to say is that I need to read the third book, because I no longer can live without this series. I simply need more! And really look forward to reading the third book in the series.

*I received this digital ARC in exchange of an honest review. Thank you so much, Lauren K. McKellar for providing me this amazing read.

Read my review for The Problem With Crazy (Crazy in Love #1) by Lauren K. McKellar

Lauren K. McKellar is an author and editor. Her debut novel, Finding Home, was released through Escape Publishing on October 1, 2013, and her second release, NA Contemporary Romance The Problem With Crazy, is self-published, and is available now. 

As well as being a magazine editor for a national audited publication on pet care, Lauren works as a freelance editor for independent authors, and was a Runner Up Editor of the Year in the Publishers Australia awards in 2013. 

Lauren is a member of the Romance Writers of Australia and is obsessed with words--she likes the way they work.

She lives on the Central Coast of New South Wales with her fiance and their two super-cute puppies.

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Prologue Reveal: Undeniable Love (Journey of Love #2) by Kelly Elliott

Undeniable Love (Journey of Love #2)

by Kelly Elliott

Synopsis:

Tristan Williams thought the path of his life was on the right journey. He had a successful career, good looks, and a carefree lifestyle. One conversation changed Tristan’s way of thinking forever as his father presented him with a bottle, representing his journey and forcing unwanted thoughts of a lasting relationship to the surface. Running from the fear of commitment, he pushed away the only woman he ever had feelings for and turned to the one girl he knew he didn’t love. 

Ryn Webster was finally putting her past behind her. Moving to Texas and concentrating on the success of her own company, she had her life almost where she wanted it. One thing was missing though…love. She thought she had found love with Tristan until he casted her aside.

After being hurt by Tristan, Ryn does whatever she can to push him from her heart, even if it means being with a man she doesn’t love. 

Regardless of the path one thinks they are on, the journey of life can cause unexpected turns, altering the planned course. Will Tristan and Ryn’s bottle be tossed about, lost in the rocky waves of life? Or will calm seas prevail to help Tristan and Ryn finally find their journey of love…together?

PROLOGUE

I had been sitting on the beach for the last hour just staring out at the black ocean. I tipped the beer bottle back and drank the last of my beer.

“Well hell. Looks like I have to go back,” I said as I got up and brushed the sand off my pants. I turned and looked back at the house. My brother Lark and his new wife, Azurdee had left two hours ago for their honeymoon and I couldn’t take watching Ryn another second.

I sucked in a deep breath of salty air and slowly let it out. My phone went off and I pulled it out of my pocket. I let out a deep breath when I saw it was Liberty.

Liberty: Just letting you know I’m thinking about you. If you want me to join you I’ll come down. Just text me back and I’ll be there.

Me: I think I just need some time to think, Liberty. We need this time apart.

Liberty: I didn’t mean to push you. I’m always pushing you, I know. I just really wanted to see your parents and would have loved to have seen the wedding but I understand you have your reasons for going alone. Things haven’t been so great with us lately. I’ll work on that. Promise.

Me: We’ll talk when I get back to Austin.

Liberty: Okay. I love you, Tristan.

I let out a sigh and shook my head. I’ve never told Liberty I loved her. I wasn’t sure anymore how I felt about her. We had been on and again and off again so many times I was beginning to lose count. Currently, we were off. All she had been doing is pushing an engagement ever since she found out Lark and Azurdee were getting married. When I thought of my future I didn’t see Liberty. I only saw ... Ryn. And that scared the piss out of me.

I turned my phone to silent and shoved it in my pocket. I started heading back to the house and began putting on my game face. The one I’d been wearing for the last ten months. The one where everyone thought I was happy, but deep down inside I was the unhappiest I’d ever been in my life.

I walked up the stairs to the deck and the first person I saw was Ryn. She was leaning against the railing with her head back and her eyes closed. There was no one else out here.

She looked tired. I smiled when I thought about what I had overheard earlier when Mom and Azurdee’s best friend, Jessie, were talking. Ryn had taken a two-week vacation and was renting a house on the beach just two houses down from here. I already began planning ways to ‘run in to her’ while we were both here.

She hadn’t talked to me in over ten months. No matter how many times I called and left her messages begging her to call me, she never would.

Her cell phone rang and she quickly answered it. I walked around to the other side of the deck and sat down to where she couldn’t see me.

“Hey, Dodge. Are you on your way? Yes. I thought I could, but I can’t. I need you.”

Dodge? Who the fuck is Dodge?

She laughed at something he said and then she let out a sigh. “Well, considering I still need my RFB, I’d say yes ... it’s been a sucky last three days.”

I peeked around the corner and saw her smiling. She reached her hand up and began playing with her nipple.

What the fuck?

“That sounds like heaven. Yes. I’m going to need it a lot. I don’t know, you’d think after all this time you’d have been able to fuck him out of my head and heart. Maybe you’re not as good as you think you are?”

My mouth dropped open and I quickly turned back and stared out in the night sky.

She laughed again and said, “I’m still at the wedding. Yes. It was hard to see him. I don’t know. Maybe, I’ve thought about that. Yes. I realize I only use you for sex to forget about Tristan, but maybe I’m falling for you and just want your company. You ever think of that?”

My heart started beating faster and I wanted to pound this asshole’s head in.

She let out a sigh and said, “Okay. I’ll see you then. Oh trust me. I’ll be waiting and I will most certainly be ready for you. Yes naked. Hey, Dodge? Hurry please. I need to be fucked in a bad way. Bye.”

She let out a sigh and then I swore I heard her crying. I slowly stood. She was looking out toward the ocean. Her shoulders were moving up and down and when I saw her wipe away her tears, my knees about buckled out from underneath me.

I started making my way toward her. I didn’t want to walk up on her crying, so I cleared my throat and asked, “May I join you?”

She quickly wiped her tears away and looked the other way. “It’s your house,” she whispered. “How have you been, Ryn?” She turned and looked at me. If looks could kill, I’d be on the floor right now. “You’ve ignored me for three days and now you ask how I’ve been?”

I shrugged my shoulders and said, “I wasn’t sure you wanted to talk to me.” She let out a small laugh. 

“Usually people attempt to talk to a person before they make that assumption.”

“Well, considering I’ve been calling you for months, and you ignore my calls—” She took a step back and shook her head. 

A look of hurt moved across Ryn’s face as she slowly said, “You’re seeing ... another ... girl.”

“It’s not like that. We are kind of off and on. I mean ... I’m not seeing her right now.” She rolled her eyes before looking into mine. 

“Do you have any idea how much you hurt me?”

My heart felt like it was physically hurting as I swallowed and said, “I just thought ... I wasn’t planning on—” I looked away and then back into her eyes. “I thought you just wanted to have fun, Ryn. Then you started acting different and I started having these feelings and ... I was confused.”

Anger replaced the hurt in her eyes. “The only thing that confused you is why you brought the wrong girl to meet mom and dad.”

She turned and began walking into the house. I wanted to call out for her but I couldn’t. My heart felt like it was squeezing in my chest as I stood there and listened to her retreating footsteps.

I turned and stared out at the dark ocean again. That’s what my heart felt like.
A dark deep sea of ... darkness.

Kelly is married to a wonderful Texas cowboy who has a knack for making her laugh almost daily and supports her crazy ideas and dreams for some unknown reason...he claims it's because he loves her!

She’s also a mom to an amazing daughter who is constantly asking for something to eat while her fingers move like mad on her cell phone sending out what is sure to be another very important text message.

In her spare time she loves to sit in her small corner overlooking the Texas hill country and write.

One of her favorite things to do is go for hikes around her property with Gus....her chocolate lab and the other man in her life, and Rose, her golden retriever. When Kelly is not outside helping the hubby haul brush, move rocks or whatever fun chore he has in store for her that day, you’ll find her inside reading, writing or watching HGTV.

Cover Reveal: Gods of Chaos (Red Magic #2) by Jen McConnel

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for Gods of Chaos (Daughter of Chaos #2) by Jen McConnel presented by Month9Books! Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Gods of Chaos (Red Magic #2)

by Jen McConnel

Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.

Release Date: March 31, 2015

Synopsis:

The gods of chaos cannot be trusted.

When Darlena Agara declared to follow Red Magic last fall, she had no idea what she was getting into. Since then, however, she's had a crash course in danger, deceit, and destruction. In an effort to gain an ally, Darlena heads to Scotland in search of another Red Witch, but she didn't count on the new obstacles (and crazy gods) that await her.

Jen McConnel first began writing poetry as a child. Since then, her words have appeared in a variety of magazines and journals, including Sagewoman, PanGaia, and The Storyteller (where she won the people’s choice 3rd place award for her poem, “Luna”).

She is also a former reviewer for Voices of Youth Advocates (VOYA), and a proud member of SCBWI, NCWN, and SCWW.

A Michigander by birth, she now lives and writes in the beautiful state of North Carolina. She's a graduate of Western Michigan University, and she also earned her MS in Library Science at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. 

When she isn't crafting worlds of fiction, she teaches writing composition at a community college. Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time.

Follow Jen on Twitter @Jen_McConnel, and visit www.jenmcconnel.com to learn more.

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