Archive for July, 2015
REVIEW: ****, OR, THE ANATOMY OF MELANCHOLY by Matthew Selwyn
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News, Reviews on July 15, 2015
Blurb:
Reality is overrated. Sex, love, power, life: it’s gone digital. Why settle for a girlfriend with cellulite? Why spend every day working a dead-end job? These are the new days, the infinite days: plug in, get connected. Life is porn, porn is life, don’t accept anything less than the electric light show that is our digital reality.
At the end of every computer screen, a mind is being formed on the material coughed up by the web that connects us all: this is the story of one of the internet’s children, told from his own warped perspective. This is the millennial generation, the Y generation: we’re horny, lonely, afraid, and self-confident.
This is our story, our reality.
Review:
This is an outstanding debut!
The direction is expertly delivered, and our protagonist befriends the reader as a novice. Though somewhat misguided to throw us from the reality of his situation, the truth is revealed in a most genius manner.
We live in a world where technology is king and our younger generation has become victim to the ease, or should I say addiction, of having the world at their fingertips. This tends to make one less inclined to involve themselves in actual social situations. Much like Robert Burton, our narrator rants about life and its inhabitants with superior prose. He’s vulgar, sexist, obnoxious, and real. He’s the kid next door, a friend of my son’s, or my nephews.
As in reality, nothing is what it seems, and I couldn’t help connecting with this character. His feigned attempts to be hard and impervious to pain slowly become translucent. While I’m a little older than the intended audience, every generation has their poison of choice. My generation birthed the internet, but our progeny has hypnotized our actual offspring.
Selwyn is an incomparable young writer that I will follow, henceforth.
Dark, entertaining, shrewd, comical, and moving! I highly recommend this to adults ages eighteen and up!
***Warning: This book contains Sex, Violence, and Profanity***
DIGITAL:
HARDCOVER:
About This Literary Chef
Matthew Selwyn is a young writer from London, England. His debut novel, ****: The Anatomy of Melancholy was released in 2014. A student and librarian, he is often to be found hiding amongst the stacks in the Victorian library where he works, surrounded by piles of books.
He writes book reviews online at www.bibliofreak.net.
LINKS:
TOUR STOP! BOUND SERIES by J.R. Gray
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Uncategorized on July 13, 2015
The last thing Daniel, a hard-working public defender, expected to see the morning after a one night stand was his hook up staring back at him from the wrong side of the law. Assigned to work his case, Daniel vows to keep things professional with Rafael but has a hard time controlling his craving for dominance, the control and the connection they shared. Rafael, a paid dominant in the Chicago underworld, has been dealing with a cop problem for far too long. Used to sex with no emotion, he’s entranced with Daniel’s submission, his innocence, and…could there be something more?
Can Daniel clear Rafael’s name, keeping him out of jail and in his life, with the odds, a cop, and the mounting evidence against them?
With the legal trouble behind them, Daniel Caplin and Rafael Argon are ready to settle into a low key d/s relationship, but life is unrelenting, when blackmail shatters their illusion of happily ever after. Pictures from one of the Rafael’s public scenes instill fear into his new Submissive, Daniel, acting as a wedge driving the new couple apart.
The building peril in George’s community weighs heavy on his shoulders as he struggles to find the culprit while hiding his feelings for his new house guest. Jesse is torn between ending his marriage, picking up a rebound he should have left fifteen years in the past, and the dangling carrot of a possible relationship with a man. He is forced to fight for what he wants most, a leap he may be too chicken to take.
In the sequel to Legally Bound George battles to take down an unknown enemy, while watching helpless, as those he cares for most are broken beyond repair. Can Rafael and Daniel rebuild their trust after it’s broken with lies?
Their world is crumbling on the King’s shoulders.
Elliot is gone.
George has failed, and his demons are threatening to swallow him whole. Jesse’s life is slipping through his fingers. He feels like he’s losing George, whom he has just gotten back. The search for Elliot is taking its toll on the pair of them, and the strain shows the cracks in their trust.
Zac is doing everything he can, but he’s been plagued with flashbacks of a life he can’t remember. Even his iron constitution must break sometime, and the search for Elliot can’t wait. Each minute could be the difference between life and death.
Can they get it together to save themselves or Elliot?
Excerpt
It was dark when he stepped out into the back entrance of the penthouse. His footsteps echoed through the halls as he walked. George should be in bed as he was generally an early riser, but Jesse half expected him to be consoling his pain with a slave.
He paused in front of the play room, swallowing hard. What if his actions had been the final straw in George moving on? What if…
It was too painful to finish the thought. He set his hand on the handle, telling himself he could face what he found inside. He turned it silently and pushed the heavy door forward. It was dark inside, only the lights of the city illuminating the toys spread over the massive wall. The door was soundproof, but now that it was open, all he heard was the light snore of a slave. He closed the door quickly and then pressed a hand into his aching chest. He stalked forward, seeing the flicker of a fire on the wall as he approached the living room.
He stepped around the corner to find George looking pensive staring into the fire, drink in hand. He paused, waiting for an invitation. One never came. George acted as though he didn’t see him. Jesse opened his mouth, but he didn’t know what to say. There wasn’t an apology that could even cover the pain he’d put George through.
He fell to his knees. “Forgive me,” he whispered.
George didn’t respond. Jesse fell forward pressing his forehead into the cool hardwood floor. Warm hands closed around his arms, dragging him to his feet, and he was enveloped in George’s arms. His eyes started to mist, and he couldn’t catch a full breath. It was all too much to bear. He’d left his heart when he left George, and there were no words for what it felt like to be back here. He buried his face in George’s neck and wrapped his arms around him. George kissed every spot he could reach on Jesse in their position.
It was so much more than dominant and submissive like this. Jesse’s heart ached. The pain radiated through his bones. He’d been holding off losing it for so long he hadn’t even realize how bad the pain had gotten, how numb he’d been.
Author Bio
When not staying up all night writing, J.R Gray can be found basking in the warm glow of the Miami sun, or at the gym where it’s half assumed Gray is a permanent resident. A dominant, pilot, and sword fighting enthusiast, Gray finds it hard to be in the passenger seat of any car. Gray frequently interrupts real life, including normal sleep patterns, to jot down nonsense. The bane of Gray’s existence are commas, and even though it’s been fully acknowledged they are necessary, they continue to baffle and bewilder.
If Gray wasn’t writing…well, that’s not possible. The buildup of untold stories would haunt Gray into an early grave or possibly a mental institution where the tales would end up on the walls in crayon and finger paint.
RELEASE DAY SALE! SOFIA (Bittersweet Familia #4) by @MJane_Author
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News on July 11, 2015
Blurb:
Everyone has a story.
For Marcela Ortiz, hers is not one she wants to remember.
Deceived by those closest to her, Marcela is thrown deep into a world of violence, corruption and trafficking. The dark, sinister world belonging to one Hector Florez, Mexico’s leading cartel boss.
What he wants is control.
What she craves is her freedom.
To survive, Marcela must overcome the demons who promise to destroy her and challenge fate to a story she has only dreamed of.
SOFIA, the final instalment of the Bittersweet series is built on heartache, revenge and redemption.
One unlikely group of people.
One common enemy.
Many stories.
SOFIA is 4th in the series and contains serious spoilers for Little Doll, Crimson Desert & Laughing Eyes.
As well as serious spoilers, SOFIA contains EXTREME adult themes and must be approached with maturity. While this is a work of fiction, there may be cause for triggers in some readers.
Excerpt:
“I was a fool tonight,” Xavier began, causing me to frown at him in confusion.
“How so?”
“I should have kissed you on the dance floor. That way I would’ve had a whole night of tasting you.”
I didn’t know what to say, the breath had been sucked clean from me. His delicious lips hovered next to mine, a magnetic pull between us becoming too hard to bear.
“I can’t wait any longer,” he whispered.
“I don’t want you to wait.” A tingling sensation roared through my body and I knew I wanted this more than anything. He answered my silent pleas by pulling me against his hard body and lowering his lips to graze mine. It was a tease. A small taster of things to come. But I was already weak at the knees. I wanted him to possess me. His hands formed tighter fists in my hair, his hooded eyes telling me he could wait no longer. Xavier’s lips came crashing onto mine, claiming the last of my strength. I melted into him, responding to his tongue while failing to disguise the gentle moan passing between us. It was everything I had fantasized it to be. It was everything I had craved. He tasted sweet from sugary mojito’s, his passion a fury that couldn’t be tamed.
Purchase Links:
Little Doll
Crimson Desert
Laughing Eyes
Sofia
Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXH8AP7aHW8&feature=youtu.be
About This Literary Chef
A recent bloomer in the writing world, Melissa Jane has delved into a complex world where light and dark clash in unforgivable ways. Romanticism takes on darker influences while malevolence attempts to interfere with courage. Jane knows no boundaries when it comes to discovering the endless personalities that exist within our world. No one is exempt from love, not even those condemned to a life of pain and betrayal where revenge is the only safe passage to true freedom.
Links:
Tour Stop! LOVING LEXI by @LisaSurvillas
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News on July 8, 2015
BOOK INFORMATION
TITLE – Loving Lexi
SERIES – The Lexi Series
AUTHOR – Lisa Survillas
GENRE – New Adult
PUBLICATION DATE – January 16, 2016
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 246 pages
PUBLISHER – Lisa Survillas
COVER ARTIST – Robin Harper with Wicked by Design
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Lexi
Reliving my past.
Confronting my mother.
Finding my family.
The summer before my senior year is a roller coaster of emotions, but I make it. I come out on the other side, stronger and ready to face my last year of San Francisco State University, when life takes another direction. The rock I’ve come to count on disappears emotionally and leaves me reeling. Will we find our way, or will I be lost and alone again?
Derek
Watching her pain.
Lifting her up.
Loving her strength.
The summer before my senior year is better than I could’ve imagined. Her strength knows no bounds and is truly inspiring to everyone around her. Then the phone call from my past comes and knocks me off my feet. Unable to look at her while dealing with this, I hide, like a coward. Will I get over this moment from my past, or will it drive a permanent wedge between us?
BUY & TBR LINKS
AMAZON KINDLE US – AMAZON KINDLE CA – AMAZON KINDLE UK – AMAZON PAPERBACK –
BARNES & NOBLES NOOK – BARNES & NOBLES PAPERBACK – ITUNES – GOODREADS
EXCERPT
“You don’t know how happy it makes me to leave here with no reason to look back. Knowing I left everything behind feels like I’ve lifted a huge weight off of my shoulders. I feel so much lighter, like I can breathe freely again. The clamp around my lungs is gone.”
In that moment, the joy on her face touches me in a way I can’t even explain, and I can’t help but pick her up and twirl her around, sharing in her excitement. I hope the expression on her face is here to stay. My stomach has been in knots for days wondering what she would have to deal with here, but this ending is more than I could’ve ever imagined.
AUTHOR BIO
Hi! I’m Lisa. I live in SUNNY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA with my wonderful husband and two teenage children. With two kids in high school and involved in activities both inside and outside of school, I have a lot to juggle. When home, I lock myself inside the office to write. I’ve always loved to write, but life always seemed to be too busy.
When inspiration finally hit, I made the most of the time hubby and kids were busy and published my first book in February 2014. I’ve published a total of 4 books in the past year and am hoping to bring you a few more before 2015 ends.
AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE / BLOG – FACEBOOK – TWITTER
Instagram – @authorlisasurvillas
GIVEAWAY PRIZES
$5 amazon gift card
Signed copy of Loving Lexi
2 kindle copies of Loving Lexi
RELEASE BLITZ! DAMAGES INCURRED by J.R.GRAY
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News on July 7, 2015
Their world is crumbling on the King’s shoulders.
Elliot is missing.
George has failed and his demons are threatening to swallow him whole.
Jesse’s life is slipping through his fingers.
Zac is doing everything he can, but he’s plagued with flash backs of a life he can’t remember.
Can they get it together to save themselves or Elliot?
Buy Now:
It was dark when he stepped out into the back entrance of the penthouse. His footsteps echoed through the halls as he walked. George should be in bed as he was generally an early riser, but Jesse half expected him to be consoling his pain with a slave.
He paused in front of the play room, swallowing hard. What if his actions had been the final straw in George moving on? What if…
It was too painful to finish the thought. He set his hand on the handle, telling himself he could face what he found inside. He turned it silently and pushed the heavy door forward. It was dark inside, only the lights of the city illuminating the toys spread over the massive wall. The door was soundproof, but now that it was open, all he heard was the light snore of a slave. He closed the door quickly and then pressed a hand into his aching chest. He stalked forward, seeing the flicker of a fire on the wall as he approached the living room.
He stepped around the corner to find George looking pensive staring into the fire, drink in hand. He paused, waiting for an invitation. One never came. George acted as though he didn’t see him. Jesse opened his mouth, but he didn’t know what to say. There wasn’t an apology that could even cover the pain he’d put George through.
He fell to his knees. “Forgive me,” he whispered.
George didn’t respond. Jesse fell forward pressing his forehead into the cool hardwood floor. Warm hands closed around his arms, dragging him to his feet, and he was enveloped in George’s arms. His eyes started to mist, and he couldn’t catch a full breath. It was all too much to bear. He’d left his heart when he left George, and there were no words for what it felt like to be back here. He buried his face in George’s neck and wrapped his arms around him. George kissed every spot he could reach on Jesse in their position.
It was so much more than dominant and submissive like this. Jesse’s heart ached. The pain radiated through his bones. He’d been holding off losing it for so long he hadn’t even realize how bad the pain had gotten, how numb he’d been.
Other books in the bestselling Bound Series by J.R. Gray
Legally Bound – UK – All Romance eBooks – Amazon
Breach of Contract – UK – All Romance eBooks – Amazon
Illicit Activity – Evernight
Author Bio
When not staying up all night writing, J.R Gray can be found basking in the warm glow of the Miami sun, or at the gym where it’s half assumed Gray is a permanent resident. A dominant, pilot, and sword fighting enthusiast, Gray finds it hard to be in the passenger seat of any car. Gray frequently interrupts real life, including normal sleep patterns, to jot down nonsense. The bane of Gray’s existence are commas, and even though it’s been fully acknowledged they are necessary, they continue to baffle and bewilder.
If Gray wasn’t writing…well, that’s not possible. The buildup of untold stories would haunt Gray into an early grave or possibly a mental institution where the tales would end up on the walls in crayon and finger paint.