Blog Tour: Near & Far (Lost & Found #2) by Nicole Williams

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Near & Far

Lost & Found #2

By:  Nicole Williams

Published:  July 30, 2013

Source:  Author

Hosted by: AToMR Tours

GR's Summary:

There’s optimistic. And there’s Jesse Walker. 

If he wasn’t so charming, his sunny disposition and incessant grin would get annoying. Fast. 

Falling in love with the girl who had at first seemed immune to it, was the best thing to happen to Jesse since the Walkers adopted him into their family when he was five. But loving the girl who has her fair share of secrets is about as easy as that same girl loving the boy who seems to have none. 

As Jesse’s life continues at the ranch, and Rowen begins making her mark in the Seattle art community, they begin to wonder where the middle ground is. Or if there even is one. 

As push comes to shove and choices aren’t only needing to be made, but forced to be made, Jesse and Rowen have to face what their lives might look like without the other. 

Can two people with such tragic pasts and different presents, go on to expect a promising future? Whatever the answer, they’ll need a lot more than love to make it.

Welcome to our tour stop of Near & Far.  To see the other tour stops, click HERE.

First Book in the Series:

Add to Goodreads HERE

*To Read Review on Lost & Found Click HERE

My Thoughts:

Near and Far begins with Rowan attending college in Seattle, and pursuing her dream of making art.  Jesse is still in Montana working long hours on the ranch.  We get the alternating perspectives of Rowan and Jesse, when they are "Near" one another, as well as when they are "far" apart.  Lost & Found was such a beautiful story, and Near & Far just deepened my love of Rowan and Jesse's journey, the characters, and Ms. Williams brilliant writing.  Rowan and Jesse try to not let more than a month go by without seeing one another.  Jesse drives the long distance in his old truck, "Old Bessie," on Friday's after work straight through the night, stays the weekend, and then drives straight through Sunday night to make it to work at the crack of dawn, forfeiting sleep to spend every possible moment with the woman that he loves.  Rowan, takes the Greyhound bus to travel to Montana on her school breaks.  It's easy to see how deeply, and madly in love these two are with one another.  

In Near & Far, Rowan and Jesse have to deal with many obstacles that challenge their relationship.  They have to deal with the long distance separation, conflicting commitments, the negative influence of other people, and their own inner demons and insecurities.  Rowan and Jesse miss each other tremendously when they are apart.  They long for one another, and try to at least speak on the phone.  Commitments also test their relationship.  Rowan's commitment to her Art, such as shows, and internships takes her away from Jesse, just as Ranch responsibilities take Jesse away from Rowan when they try to put aside quality time to spend together.  Also, they end up dealing with manipulations, from an Art T.A. named Jax, who has his sights set on Rowan, Jolene, new hired help for the ranch, and Mar, a homeless lady who gives horrible advice to Rowan, and has a deep dark secret of her own.  However, the worst challenge they face is their own insecurities, demons, and over thinking.  Jesse becomes plagued by nightmare's of his past, and thinks that Rowan would be better off without him.  He doesn't want to bring the darkness from his past in to her life.  Simultaneously, Rowan becomes tormented with the insecurity that Jesse will tire of her, and not want her anymore.  Especially, after her own family abandoned her.

I'm happy to say that Rowan and Jesse also have positives towards making their relationship work.  They have Jesse's loving family's support, good friends Garth, and Josie who offer advice, and a sounding board, and one of the deepest, most intense, passionate, and selfless relationship's that I have ever experienced in a book.  Jesse's mother, Rose is a nurturer at heart, and continuously offers sage advice to Jesse.  We get a lot more Garth Black in all his glory this time around.  Garth grew on me.  I was able to see that he truly  cared about Jesse and Rowan.  He knew they belonged together, and were miserable apart.  We get to see tremendous character growth for Garth in this sequel.  We see the black knight open up, and for all that he teases and plays around, he really is a deep thinker.  When things are tough, you want Garth in your corner.  I am thrilled to read Garth's story next, and can't wait to see a woman bring him down to his knees!  I have a pretty clear idea of who will be the one to do it, challenge him, and bring him a lifetime of happiness, and something to call his own.

Near & Far was an excellent sequel, and the Lost and Found Series has been nothing short of breathtaking!  Ms. Williams descriptions are beautiful.  They gave me great visualizations, helped me to feel the emotions of the individual characters, as well as how they felt about one another.  I connected strongly to Rowan, Jesse, and Garth, as I devoured this book in one sitting!  My favorite character was Jesse.  I didn't know that it was possible, but I fell even more in love with Jesse, in this sequel.  We all know that bad boys can be sexy, but ladies, Jesse Walker will show you just how sexy, a dreamy golden cowboy can be!

My Rating:

I give Near & Far by Nicole Williams 5 Fabulous, Favorite, Passionate, Dark, Dramatic & Drool-Worthy Cowboy Stars!  Read this series!!!  They just don't make em' like Jesse Walker!  He is every woman's dream guy come to life!  Jesse loves like he created the meaning of love.  He's swoon-worthy without even trying.  Passion, Selflessness, Loyalty, and Stud come to mind when I think of Jesse Walker.  You will fall in love with this sexy cowboy.  I know I did!  Saddle up ladies, "Save a horse, ride a cowboy!"

My Favorite Quotes:

"I had to sacrifice what I wanted for what she wanted, because ultimately, no one could control another person.  The harder one tried, the more the other slipped through their fingers."  (eARC, Loc. 65)

~Jesse

"For you, I'm a weak, weak man.  I'm so weak for you that you could break me with one word.  You could end me with one look.  You could ruin me with one touch."  (eARC, Loc. 145)

~Jesse 

"I love you for all of your pieces, not just a select few.  I love you for your dark, dirty secrets too.  I love you, Jesse.  I love...you."  (eARC, Loc. 4067)

~Rowan

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About the Author:

I’m the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the LOST & FOUND series, the CRASH series, and a handful of others. Basically, I get to do what I love. Every single day. I write romance because I’m a sucker for a good love story, and I write happy endings because there are too few of them in real life. 

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Giveaway (U.S/International)

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Swoon Thursday (29)

Hosted by YA Bound

The Rules of Swoon Thursday:

"From the book you are currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON.  What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.  Try to make the Swoon 140 characters so you can tweet it.  Add the #YABOUND hashtag when you tweet."

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Goodreads Summary:

There’s optimistic. And there’s Jesse Walker.

If he wasn’t so charming, his sunny disposition and incessant grin would get annoying. Fast.

Falling in love with the girl who had at first seemed immune to it, was the best thing to happen to Jesse since the Walkers adopted him into their family when he was five. But loving the girl who has her fair share of secrets is about as easy as that same girl loving the boy who seems to have none.

As Jesse’s life continues at the ranch, and Rowen begins making her mark in the Seattle art community, they begin to wonder where the middle ground is. Or if there even is one.

As push comes to shove and choices aren’t only needing to be made, but forced to be made, Jesse and Rowen have to face what their lives might look like without the other.

Can two people with such tragic pasts and different presents, go on to expect a promising future? Whatever the answer, they’ll need a lot more than love to make it.

What Made Me Swoon:

"I held my smile for another second before my mouth dropped to hers.  Rowan sighed again, and before I gave my body permission, I'd shifted until I was holding my weight above her.  The pace of our kissing never slowed.  Her hands moved for the buckle of my belt at the same time mine moved for the hem of her shirt.  Rowan was kissing me, touching me, and loving me in all the ways I could ever want to be loved.  She was expressing her love in ways I'd never known existed the first five years of my life.  She's love in human form, and even though I could tell she was still half-asleep and I was exhausted, I made love to her.  We went slow and locked on to every touch like it was our first time all over again.  When I moved inside of her, our combined sighs filled the room.  And when our breathing turned into something heavier, I felt her unspoken words in her touch.  She'd never loved, or never could love, anyone like she loved me.  Rowan Sterling consumed me."  (eARC, Loc. 105)

~Jesse Walker

Share Your Swoon(s) with Me!

Cover Reveal: Forever (Temptation #2) by Karen Ann Hopkins

Forever

Release: January 28th 2014 

by Harlequin Teen

Pre-Order a copy: amazon | Barnes & Nobles

Add the book to your goodreads shelf.

All I want is my happily-ever-after.

That's all I've wanted since meeting Noah Miller.

From the day we met, the world has tried to keep Noah and me from being together, but now that I'm carrying his child, no one will be able to tear us apart. Or so I hope. But Noah and I have made some mistakes along the way, and the consequences are impacting the people we love. Worse, there's a storm on the horizon, and it's sure to cause serious devastation.

If we can get through this, we'll finally be Rose and Noah; a family, forever.

But first we have to survive the road ahead. And happily-ever-after is a long way off.

Karen Ann Hopkins

A native of New York State, Karen Ann Hopkins now lives with her family on a farm in northern Kentucky, where her neighbors in all directions are members of a strict Amish community. Her unique perspective became the inspiration for the story of star-crossed lovers Rose and Noah. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, giving riding lessons or tending to a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats, she is dreaming up her next romantic novel.

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Previous Books in the Series:

Belonging

*To Read Our Review on Belonging, Click HERE

Belonging – Book 2  

 Goodreads

Get a copy of Belonging 

Amazon | B&N | Indiebound

I left everything I knew behind. 

But it was worth it. He was worth it. 

No one thought an ordinary girl like me would last two minutes living with the Amish, not even me. There are a lot more rules and a lot less freedom, and I miss my family and the life I once had. Worst of all, Noah and I aren’t even allowed to see each other. Not until I’ve proven myself. 

If I can find a way to make it work, we’ll be NOAH & ROSE  together forever. 

But not everybody believes this is where I belong. 

Temptation

*To Read Our Review on Temptation, Click HERE

Temptation – Book 1

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  Amazon | B&N | Indiebound

Your heart misleads you.

That’s what my friends and family say.

  

But I love Noah. 

And he loves me. 

We met and fell in love in the sleepy farming 

community of Meadowview, while we rode our horses 

together through the grassy fields and in those moments in each other’s arms. 

It should be  ROSE & NOAH  forever, easy. 

But it won’t be. 

Because he’s Amish. 

And I’m not.

Blog Tour : Out Of Play by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

Out Of Play
By:  Nyrae Dawn &  Jolene Perry
Release Date: August 6, 2013
Source: Author


GR's Summary:

Rock star drummer Bishop Riley doesn't have a drug problem. Celebrities—especially ones suffering from anxiety—just need a little help taking the edge off sometimes. After downing a few too many pills, Bishop wakes up in the hospital facing an intervention. If he wants to stay in the band, he’ll have to detox while under house arrest in Seldon, Alaska.　

Hockey player Penny Jones can't imagine a life outside of Seldon. Though she has tons of scholarship offers to all the best schools, the last thing she wants is to leave. Who'll take care of her absentminded gramps? Not her mother, who can’t even be bothered to come home from work, let alone deal with their new tenants next door. 

Penny’s not interested in dealing with Bishop’s crappy attitude, and Bishop’s too busy sneaking pills   to care. Until he starts hanging out with Gramps and begins to see what he’s been missing. If Bishop wants a chance with the fiery girl next door, he’ll have to admit he has a problem and kick it. Too bad addiction is hard to kick…and Bishop’s about to run out of time.

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Welcome to our stop on Out of Play.  To see the rest

of the tour schedule, click HERE.

 

Lindy's Thoughts:

I've been excited about Out of Play by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry since I first saw the book cover, and read the book synopsis.  The story begins in Bishop's point of view were we learn that he is a talented drummer in a famous band called "Burn."  Bishop doesn't do well with crowds, close spaces, and loud noises.  He develops acute anxiety when he hears the crowd of fans chanting his name, and when he's trying to get away from the paparazzi.  His method of coping, or lack thereof is pill popping, and chasing it down with hard liquor.  Unfortunately, he takes too many pills one night and almost aspirates.  He wakes up in horrible condition, and is offered an ultimatum by his band's manager (Don).  His ultimatum is Alaska with Don's brother, Paul, to try and clean up his drug addiction, or he will be forced to leave the band.  Bishop doesn't think that he has a problem, and is angry with Don, but he feels like he doesn't have much of a choice.  Drumming is his passion, and he can't imagine not being a part of the band anymore.

Then there's Penny.  She is a tough chick who plays on her high school's all male hockey team.  The best part is she's one of the top players, is independent, puts the boys in check, and is well respected by her team mates, as well as her community.  Penny's father died when she was young, so she has been brought up by her single hard working mother, and "Gramps," who is suffering from the beginning of Alzheimer's.  Penny loves to work on her retro Corvette that used to be her father's, spending quality time with Gramps, and having fun with her team mates.  Her best friend is her team mate Mitch.  She has had feelings for Mitch as more than a friend, yet Mitch is going out with Rebecca.  Rebecca is Penny's opposite in many ways, and Penny can't help but feel jealous and aggravated by Becca's constant prescence.

Paul (who has experience with working with drug addiction) ends up renting a set of mini cabins from Penny's mother for Bishop's stay in Alaska.  Bishop is not allowed to tell anyone who he really is.  He become's Penny's next door neighbor, develops a close friendship with Gramps, and gets to know Penny on an intimate level.  This story was told from Bishop and Penny's alternating point of views.  These two develop a close connection, get to know one another on a deep level, and help each other deal with the current stresses and problems in their lives.

I really loved Out of Play.  The story was smooth and seamless.  The descriptions were perfect, and gave me great visuals of the story.  Penny and Bishop were well-rounded characters that fascinated me .  I loved the uniqueness of Penny's character.  She was a refreshing change from the more typical female characters that I read about in romance novels.  She was a great role model for what females should strive to be.  I loved her strength, independence, perseverance, loyalty, and compassionate heart.  Not to mention that she was competitive, not only kept up with her teammates, but could kick series butt!  The setting of Alaska was both different than most settings I've read about, and fun!  I loved reading about all of the competitive and extreme outdoor activities!  I could feel the cold Alaska snow on my face, and the adrenaline rush from going sledding down huge hills, and using snow machines.  Out of Play was a book full of adventure, transformation, and self actualization.  I loved the themes, and deep messages contained within its pages!    

My Rating:

I give Out of Play by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry 4.5 heartfelt, Romantic, Adventurous, and Journey Filled Stars!  Ms. Dawn and Ms. Perry have proven to be a dynamic duo when it comes to creating a fabulous, gritty, and emotional story!  I loved this story, and I know Ms. Dawn and Ms. Perry's fans will love it as well!  A word of warning--get your tissues ready because you will cry with this one!  New Adult Readers, add this story to your TBR!

My Favorite Quote:

"And I want you.  I slide my lips against his, and his reaction is immediate.  I don't melt into his kiss-I dissolve into it.  Into him.  And as screwed up as everything got, it's pretty perfect right now.  And there's no way in hell I'm going to let that change."  (eARC, pg. 229)

~Penny

Mikki's Review:

Meet Penny

The way I see Penny

Hockey star in a team full of guys, Penny knows how to fit in. She has stolen the spotlight and is being offered scholarships to join some of the best hockey teams there is. The only problem is that these scholarships are all from women's hockey teams. Penny's ultimate goal is to stay in Alaska and play for the guys hockey team.

Meet Bishop

The way I see Bishop

Drummer for the famous rock band BURN, Bishop is living in a world of fame, fortune and drugs. Anxiety rules his life and he just wants to numb every emotion that comes from it. The most important things in is life are his Mom and Drumming.

When Bishop needs an escape from the real world he turns to drugs and alcohol. He does not deal well with the crowds and paparazzi that are constantly following him. The anxiety he feels is too much to handle. In an attempt to forget about everything, he submerges himself into a night of hard partying. That night, his life is changed forever. He almost overdoses and ends up in the hospital. For the sake of the band and himself, his band manager decides to send him to Alaska. This is what he needs to clear his head of all the negative in his life. After seeing what his actions have caused, he decides to go.

Penny has been playing hockey with the boys since she was a little girl. Hockey is her life. She wants to play for the guys hockey team in Alaska, but nobody gets it. Everybody around her wants her to take the plunge and discover what all these schools are offering her. Penny has many reasons to why she wants to stay and play in Alaska: Her family and her friends. She secretly hopes that one day her best friend Mitch is going to realize that he loves her. She has been in love with Mitch for as long as she can remember, but Mitch does not share her feelings. Life gets complicated for Penny at home. Her dad passed away in a tragic accident, her grandpa suffers from Mild dementia and her mom is suddenly less present in her life.

Out Of Play is the story of two young individuals who are faced with life decisions  and many obstacles in their paths. At the end of the road what they least expected was to help one another.

My Rating:

I give Out Of Play 5 MAGNIFICENT stars! I was really happy when I got the chance to review this book. I have never read a book from either of these ladies before. I know ... I know ... What was I thinking?!?!?! Their writing style is just impeccable. I went through so many emotions while reading this book. I wanted to be Penny's best friend and give her a hug when she most needed it and just tell her that everything was going to be OK. I wanted to scream at Bishop for not following his heart and taking the easy way out. I laughed, cried, screamed and swooned with this amazing story. I want more! More! More! Is it to greedy of me to ask for book 2?? I may have started a little addiction called ''NyJo'' and I am in no way looking for a cure ;)

About Nyrae:

Writing has always been Nyrae Dawn’s passion. There have been times in her life where she wasn’t able to chase that dream the way she desired, but she always found her way back to telling stories.

One of her loves has always been writing about teens. There’s something so fresh and fun about the age that she loves exploring. Her husband says it’s because she doesn’t want to grow up. She doesn’t think that’s such a bad thing and luckily for her, he doesn’t either.

Nyrae gravitates toward character-driven stories. She loves going on emotional journeys with characters whether it be reading or writing. And yes, she’s a total romantic at heart and proud.

Nyrae resides in sunny Southern California with her husband (who still makes her swoon) and her two awesome kids.

When she’s not with her family, you can be pretty sure you’ll find her with a book in her hand or her laptop and an open document in front of her.

She writes for Entangled Publishing, Grand Central Publishing and is self-published.

Nyrae is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel and Goderich Literary Management.

Nyrae Dawn also writes adult romance under the name Kelley Vitollo.Website: http://www.nyraedawn.com/

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About Jolene: 

Jolene grew up in South-central Alaska. She’s lived in Anchorage, near the Alyeska ski resort, on a cabin on an island on a lake, and then in a boring old house.

Jolene kissed a boy on her high school graduation night. One she’d wanted to kiss for a long time. They got married two years later, have built two homes together, survived military deployments, law school, student loan debt, and two children. 

Jolene plays the guitar, takes pictures, and loves to hike. She doesn’t like rivers, but loves the ocean. She loves to fly, but gets motion sick. Her ultimate vacation would be to sail through the deserted islands in The Bahamas. Two years ago, she got that wish when her parents retired on a sailboat. She taught high school French when she was only a few years older than her students, and then taught middle school math with her degree in political science and French. She spends grocery money on designer fabric, shoes, and books.

Jolene cannot express how many times she wished she could write a whole novel. And now she has. Many times. Life is good.

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**Giveaway**

An annotated bound copy of OUT OF PLAY US Only

3 eBooks of OUT OF Play (International)

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