Aestas Book Blog

LATEST NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — Week of May 10, 2016

May 10, 2016 by Aestas · 8 Comments

NEW RECOMMENDATION: The Bird And The Sword by Amy Harmon (Read my Review)
WOW!! This book was amazing! I just finished reading it. It’s a real genuine fantasy romance novel which is totally different than the contemporary romance stories I usually read. But in truth, the kinds of stories that captivate me the most are the ones that completely step outside the lines while still staying true to the elements I love and crave from the Romance genre. This book was BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN, stunningly imaginative, poetic, thrilling, romantic, and exciting. It was like going on an adventure and being swept away in a fantastical fairy tale filled with danger, magic, and woven together with a love story! I’ve loved this author’s writing for a long time and this story was exceptional!!! If you’re looking for new book to read that is captivating and UNIQUE, try this!! — “Silence, daughter. Stay alive.”

NEW REVIEW: The Debt by Tyler King (Read my Review)
This was a great standalone friends-to-lovers romance with a sexy, swoony, tattooed and pierced tortured hero who was totally fucked up but utterly lovable and who melted my heart over and over again… and a strong, sassy, feisty heroine!! This was pure old-school New Adult Romance with that delicious balance of angst, hotness, witty banter, heart-break, and healing. And it’s all told in the male POV! — “Half the time I wanted to throttle that girl. The other half I wanted to wrap her in blankets and swear my undying allegiance if she’d smile again. I cherished the rare moments when she was relaxed, laughing, and more like her old self. I had a debt to her that I’d spend the rest of my life repaying. I owed her my head on a platter. And if ever given the chance, I’d take a bullet for her.”

NEW REVIEW: The Empty Jar by M. Leighton (Read my Review)
A heartbreakingly beautiful story of love and sacrifice. Note from the author: “This book is not a romantic fairy tale. Yet, it’s the most romantic story I’ve ever told. It’s a journey of pain and loss, of hope and happiness. It’s both achingly tragic and exquisitely beautiful. It’s a love story. The kind that sees you through the night and holds you when you cry. The kind that won’t give up and never lets go. The kind we all dream about and few find. But it’s real. I promise you, it’s real. I’ve seen this kind of love, and I’ve seen this kind of heartbreak. I got to see it up close and personal, and quite honestly, I will never be the same. I hope it changes you as much as it changed me.”

WEEKLY NEW RELEASES RECAP

The Bird And The Sword by Amy Harmon (fantasy romance standalone — TOP FAVORITE)
Hetch by River Savage (first standalone romance in Men OF S.W.A.T. Book series)
The Debt by Tyler King (AWESOME standalone New Adult romance — tortured hero, feisty heroine)
The Ending I Want by Samantha Towle (at the end of hope, he makes her want to live again, standalone)
Dear Heart, I Hate You by J. Sterling (unexpected love, standalone romance)
The Empty Jar by M. Leighton (heart-breaking but beautiful standalone, my review)
Dirty Little Rendezvous by Emma Hart (“he’s hot, cocky, and British”, can standalone)
His to Love by Stacey Lynn (he’s an undercover agent who has to seduce his former lover for his latest case)
Honor Me by Chelle Bliss (Alpha male romance in the Men of Inked series)
Love Emerged by Michelle Lynn (tattooed bad boy hero, they’re co-workers, standalone in Love Surfaced series)
Country Kisses by Addison Moore (scarred heroine, and he’s her best friend’s brother, 3:AM Kisses standalone)
The Rule Book by Jennifer Blackwood (workplace romance, she falls for her sexy boss)
Cross by Cora Brent (novella in the Gentry Boys series, nothing is as it seems)
Taxi by Cambria Hebert (standalone romance, her taxi driver takes off with her)
Below The Surface by Elizabeth Lee (second chance romance (treasure hunters?), can standalone)
Rush by Shae Ross (fun standalone, ‘he wakes up in a jail cell with the corseted beauty’)
A Tempting Friendship by Kylie Gilmore (she’s a widow, he’s loved her for years, can standalone)
Rekindled by CJ McKella (second chance romance, she’s homeless now)
Behind The Hands That Kill by J.A. Redmerski (gritty suspense romance, In The Company Of Killers series)
Vampire Girl 2 by Karpov Kinrade (paranormal romance sequel to Vampire Girl)
An Introvert’s Tale by RK Ryals (standalone romance in The Embrace Yourself series)
Glitter on the Web by Ginger Voight (rock star romance, she’s his new pretend girlfriend)
Falling Under You by Laurelin Paige (erotic workplace romance novella, can standalone)
Unrivaled by Alyson Noel (YA fiction/mystery/Hollywood)
Danger, Sweetheart by Mary Janice Davidson (small town romance)

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Book Review — The Empty Jar by M. Leighton

May 7, 2016 by Aestas · 10 Comments

“I will love you forever. Dead or alive, I will be yours, wherever I am.”

Buy THE EMPTY JAR (Kindle)
Buy THE EMPTY JAR (Paperback)

I’ve loved M. Leighton’s writing for a long time and as soon as I heard about this book I was intrigued. However, counter to my norm, I actually went into this book totally blind — which is really rare for me. The moment I saw it, I one-clicked and just dive right in. Based on the blurb, I could already tell that I was in for quite a heart-breaking ride, but knowing this author I trusted that she’d covey it beautifully. And she most certainly did.

The story was about Nate and Lena, a married couple who had been together for years, and whose love for each other was soul deep. They had the kind of love that lasted beyond a lifetime and one that no measure of time or pain could ever erase. In the beginning of the book, Lena is diagnosed with terminal cancer. In an effort to bring the most joy into her remaining time, Nate books them on a three month tour of Europe — true to his caring nature, this was his way of trying to make as many one of her dreams come true in the little time they had left together. But the most unexpected thing happened on their trip… one might even call it a surprising gift. Her life might be ending, but this gave her something to live for, and a way to leave the man she loved with a part of her after she’d gone. Theirs was a painful journey of love, sacrifice, and loss. But ultimately the fulfilling ending brought happy tears to my eyes.

The reason I was so open about this book’s storyline in this review because for one thing, it’s not really a surprise — you can guess right from the start and it’s not long before it’s confirmed as true. And second because I know this kind of story is one that many romance readers would need to be in the right mindset for before reading. Luckily, today I was exactly in the mood for a deep and emotional story and so this one came along at the perfect time.

Lena’s strength and courage in the face of the most heart-breaking of circumstances was painful and yet admirable. And Nate’s undying devotion to the one woman he loved more than anything in this world was truly touching.

“My heart,” I murmer, rubbing the tip of my nose back and forth over hers, wishing I could make things right, make things better. Change them.
But knowing I can’t.
“For yours,” she replies, as she has since the night I promised to her just over sixteen years ago. One of the best nights of my life, and they’ve only gotten better with time.

I actually really loved that this story was not at all about finding new love after loss, but rather about conveying the kind of love that endured a lifetime, even after death. That kind of love is rare and pure and this story was simultaneously heart-warming and devastating. They had the kind of love that transcended everything else.

“Death might part our bodies, but it will never part our hearts, our souls. Our love. Love like ours doesn’t die. It will live long after Lena leaves me. I’ll never be free of it.
And I don’t want to be.”

This is not a romance, but it is a heartbreakingly beautiful story of a love so strong, unbreakable, and irreplaceable that it truly lasts forever. If you find yourself in the mood for an emotionally charged story of love and sacrifice, give this one a try. I could really tell what an emotionally close story this was for the author. You can really feel it as you read this book and as such, I want to finish this review with a note included in the blurb by the author…

“This book is not a romantic fairy tale. Yet, it’s the most romantic story I’ve ever told. It’s a journey of pain and loss, of hope and happiness. It’s both achingly tragic and exquisitely beautiful. It’s a love story. A true love story about real love. The kind that sees you through the night and holds you when you cry. The kind that won’t give up and never lets go. The kind we all dream about and few find. But it’s real. I promise you, it’s real. I’ve seen this kind of love, and I’ve seen this kind of heartbreak. I got to see it up close and personal, and quite honestly, I will never be the same. I hope it changes you as much as it changed me.”

Rating: 4 stars. Standalone.

Buy THE EMPTY JAR (Kindle)
Buy THE EMPTY JAR (Paperback)

Why I Don’t Run Advertising On My Blog…

May 4, 2016 by Aestas · 195 Comments

Hey everyone! I’ve held back from posting about this for a while, but recent events have made me feel that it’s time to publicly state where I stand on this topic. Here goes…

Aestas Book Blog DOES NOT charge anyone anything in exchange for any kind of promotion.
I do not sell advertising space on my blog, I do not charge for posts or featured books, and nobody can pay their way onto one of my lists (including BookDB). There is NO PAYMENT in exchange for any service on my blog. Period.

Why?

My personal feeling is that if I charged for advertising or promotion, it would compromise the integrity of my recommendations. If I were paid to promote one book, how could a reader truly trust the next book I recommended? How would you really know if I was telling you it was good because I truly believed that? Or because I was paid to promote it? I value the trust that you have in me as a blogger very highly and that is the reason why I do not charge authors/publishers for any blog service at all.

I also DO NOT charge authors/publishers to run giveaways. My policy is simple: I only give away books by authors I’ve read/loved. That’s my way of keeping what I promote focused on what I can genuinely recommend. Sometimes the prizes come from me personally, and sometimes they’re offered by authors/publishers, but I’d never charge them to run a giveaway on my blog. Never.

I also DO NOT accept free books in exchange for reviews/promotions. I purchase every book I read myself. I’d never suggest you buy a book I wouldn’t buy myself. Even when I read ARCs, I always buy a copy on release day if I reviewed it to keep my blog free of bias. And I only review books I like/love to keep my blog positive without compromising its integrity.

I also don’t believe in “exclusive” content. The only person who benefits from exclusivity is the blog, not the author. Being exclusive limits reach because the only way to access that post is from one source. I hate that. My blog is offered exclusive content all the time but my response is always the same: let everyone post it. If I like the sound of it, I’ll post it too but let it be shared and enjoyed by everyone together.

The reason I’m saying this now is that some other blogs have made public statements regarding charging authors/publishers for giveaways and advertising, and while I don’t judge how anyone else does things, I wanted you to know how I run my blog. Yes I do earn income from it and it is more than just a hobby, but I do not charge authors/publishers to do so. Over the years, I’ve been frequently asked by authors about my advertising policy (since I never had one posted on the blog) and I’ve always responded privately explaining everything you’ve read here. So I just thought it was time to make it public and tell all of you as well.

So… How do I choose which books to post, promote, review, add to lists?? There’s only ONE criteria: I have to genuinely like the sound of it. That’s it. If I like the sound of it, I’ll post it. If I don’t like the sound of it, I won’t. It’s that simple. That way EVERY SINGLE BOOK posted on Aestas Book Blog or its social media is an honest recommendation or suggestion from me that you can always trust. ♡

LATEST NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — Week of May 2, 2016

May 2, 2016 by Aestas · 8 Comments

AMAZING eREADER SALE PRICE: Amazon has a Kindle Fire tablet going for ONLY $49.99 right now!! This is a fantastic eReader and you can see the full list of it’s features at this link! If you’ve been wanting a new eReader, this is a great deal on one. Definitely be sure to check it out!

WEEKLY NEW RELEASES RECAP

The Purest Hook by Scarlett Cole (tattooed rock star hero, standalone in Second Circle Tattoos series)
Never Let You Go by Monica Murphy (sequel and conclusion to Never Tear Us Apart, complete romance duet)
Fly With Me by Chanel Cleeton (fighter pilot hero falls for sassy heroine, can standalone)
Fighting Fate by JB Salsbury (friends-to-lovers romance, he’s a famous fighter hero, can standalone)
Deception by Aleatha Romig (romantic suspense in Infidelity series — not about cheating)
Dare to Take by Carly Phillips (soldier falls for best friend’s sister, can standalone)
Whisper To Me by Nick Lake (very unique romance style, can standalone)
Mister O by Lauren Blakely (“hot and hilarious” romance standalone)
Spinning Out by Lexi Ryan (fallen football star falls for forbidden girl, sexy intense standalone)
The Wedding Agreement by Elizabeth Haley (single dad in pretend engagement for his daughter, standalone)
Blown Away by Brenda Rothert (love after loss romance, standalone)
Secret Obsession by Katie Reus (sexy cop hero, romantic suspense standalone in Red Stone Security Series)
Monday (Timeless #1) by EL Todd (complete romance series released at once — next books listed below)
Tuesday (Timeless #2) by EL Todd
Wednesday (Timeless #3) by EL Todd
Thursday (Timeless #4) by EL Todd
Friday (Timeless #5) by EL Todd
Saturday (Timeless #6) by EL Todd
Craving by Helen Hardt (unexpected romance with a former-military cowboy hero)
A Low Country Wedding by Mary Alice Monroe (heart-warming Women’s Fic, Lowcountry Summer Series)
The Trouble with Temptation by Shiloh Walker (single mom with amnesia & protective hero)
The Turning Point by Freya North (Women’s Fiction about two single parents)
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh (psychological thriller standalone)
Uninvited by Elizabeth Reyes (sexy standalone with a twist)
Seducing the Fireman by Jennifer Bonds (sexy standalone)
Leveling The Field by Megan Erickson (sexy standalone)
To Seduce a SEAL by Sara Jane Stone (sexy standalone)
Risk of Exposure by Emmy Curtis (military hero assigned to protect his boss’s daughter)
The Drowning Girls by Paula Treick DeBoard (mystery/suspense standalone)
The Apartment by Danielle Steel (Women’s Fiction, friends are family themes)
Dominated by Maya Banks (he will stop at nothing to get her back, The Enforcers series)
Big Easy Temptation by Shayla Black (he’s wealthy and she has a secret, The Perfect Gentlemen series)
Friday by Night Brides by Samantha Chase (Women’s Fiction, Four friends. Four crossroads.)
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas (YA fantasy, A Court of Thorns and Roses sequel)
The Crown by Kiera Cass (YA royalty/dystopian, The Selection series)
Night Shift by Charlaine Harris (supernatural, A Novel of Midnight, Texas series)
Her One and Only by Becky Wade (former Marine heroine hired to protect superstar hockey hero)
The Way Back to You by Michelle Andreani (“witty, heart-tugging” YA)
Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers (YA rock star romance)
The Square Root of Summer by Harriet Reuter Hapgood (YA time travel/romance, love/loss themes)
The Secrets of Flight by Maggie Leffler (female pilot during WW2)

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LATEST NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — Week of April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016 by Aestas · 6 Comments

LATEST BOOKWORM NEWS:

Mister 0 by Lauren Blakely just went live early! It’s a “hot and hilarious” standalone! — What could possibly go wrong as I give the woman I’ve secretly wanted some no-strings-attached lessons in seduction? She’s my best friend’s sister, but she’s far too tempting to resist…
Wicked Heart by Leisa Rayven had its release date moved to May 17. You guys have to pre-order this. Seriously. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!!!!! One of the best books of the year! Definitely in my Top 5! (read my review)
Spinning Out by Lexi Ryan was announced for Tuesday! A football player under house arrest is suddenly roommates with the only girl he’s ever loved and lost, who he’s now completely forbidden to be with…
Denial by Lisa Renee Jones is on sale for $1.99 (reg. $7.99) in anticipation of Demand releasing soon! —“She awakes alone in Italy, unsure of who she is, and a gorgeous man has claimed her as his own…”
Dirty Girl by Meghan March and Dirty Love (a romance duet) were announced and are coming soon. It’s a second chance romance with a Hollywood hearthrob hero. He’s back and he wants her!
Showmance by LH Cosway was announced! A romance set on stage…
The Debt by Tyler King now has a cover and blurb. I’m excited for it!! — “She saved my life… and I ruined hers. She’s my best friend. We share a house, our friends, a life. She knows all my secrets, except one…”
Truly Madly Guilty by Lianne Moriarty (author of Big Little Lies and The Husband’s Secret) now has a blurb!
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is honestly one of the most POWERFUL books of 2016. I read an early copy and was blown away so I just wanted to sneak the link into this list again to remind you to pre-order a copy!
And for a huge list of the latest new releases (that are now live), just scroll down!!

NEWEST FAVORITE: Sidebarred by Emma Chase
This companion novella to Sustained (my review) was such a sweet read! If you love romances with kids, these are must-reads!! Sustained (a standalone full novel) was one of my favorite books of 2015 and Sidebarred had the heart-warming feels you can imagine packed into a gorgeous novella about the same couple. It was swoony, hilarious, adorable, and even hot!!! It had all thing things so many of us romance readers love: family, babies, parenting, and a massive epilogue with every single detail you could ever possibly wish for… I LOVED IT!!! Definitely would recommend these!

WEEKLY NEW RELEASES RECAP

When I’m with You by Harper Sloan (Alpha romance in Hope Town series, interconnected standalones)
Ladies Man by Katy Evans (sexy friends-to-lovers romance, can standalone)
Tapping The Billionaire by Max Monroe (sexy, laugh-out-loud bad boy romance, can standalone)
Shameless by Lex Martin (he’s suddenly raising his baby niece and needs her help, standalone)
Sidebarred by Emma Chase (heart-warming companion novella to Sustained)
Ride Hard by Laura Kaye (biker MC romance, can standalone)
Bring Me Back by Micalea Smeltzer (standalone romance)
Return of the Bad Boy by Jessica Lemmon (a bad boy rock star finds out he has a son, can standalone)
Pieces of Summer by C.M. Owens (standalone romance, bad boy hero)
Mr. Perfect by JA Huss (erotic forbidden romance/romantic comedy standalone)
Survivor by Nicole Blanchard (second chance military/sports romance standalone)
Viktor by Clarissa Wild (erotic modern twist on Beauty & The Beast, standalone)
After We Fall by Marquita Valentine (sinfully sexy cop fall for the girl next door)
Ain’t She Sweet by Marie Force (she’s injured and he helps her, Green Mountain Romance standalone)
Filthy Foreign Exchange by SE Hall & Angela Graham (she’s a virgin, he’s a sexy foreign exchange student)
The Rose and the Dagger by Renée Ahdieh (YA sequel to The Wrath And The Dawn)
How to Save a Life by Kristin Harmel (unique standalone novella ‘Groundhog Day meets Grey’s Anatomy’)
Hell On Heels by Anne Jolin (romance/Women’s Fiction)
The Year We Turned Forty by Liz Fenton (Women’s Fiction/humor)
Marry Screw Kill by Liv Morris (angsty romance standalone)
Just One Touch by Jami Wagner (single dad with a secret falls for his new neighbor, standalone)
Best of My Love by Susan Mallery (small-town romance standalone, Fool’s Gold series)
Magnate (The Knickerbocker Club) by Joanna Shupe (historical millionaire romance)
Delta: Revenge by Cristin Harber (tortured hero romantic suspense, Delta series)
The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian (YA romance, their town is flooded)
Z: A Demonica Underworld Novella by Larissa Ione (paranormal romance)

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HUGE SIGNED GIVEAWAY — Win (5) “ONE WITH YOU” Prize Packs

April 22, 2016 by Aestas · 238 Comments

To celebrate the exciting release of One With You by Sylvia Day, the final novel in the passionate and addictive Crossfire series, and the fact that it hit #1 on the New York Times Best Sellers List, here is an EPIC GIVEAWAY!!!

Are you ready for the huge prize??

FIVE (5) lucky winners will be getting signed paperback copies of One With You, an audiobook copy of the book, a special One With You tote bag, and swag (a button and car USB port adapter).

If you’re new to the series or haven’t read this final book yet, I’ve linked up all the info down below. So check it out and then scroll down to the bottom of the post and ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!!! Good luck 😀

ONE WITH YOU by SYLVIA DAY

Gideon Cross. Falling in love with him was the easiest thing I’ve ever done. It happened instantly. Completely. Irrevocably.

Marrying him was a dream come true. Staying married to him is the fight of my life. Love transforms. Ours is both a refuge from the storm and the most violent of tempests. Two damaged souls entwined as one.

We have bared our deepest, ugliest secrets to one another. Gideon is the mirror that reflects all my flaws … and all the beauty I couldn’t see. He has given me everything. Now, I must prove I can be the rock, the shelter for him that he is for me. Together, we could stand against those who work so viciously to come between us.

But our greatest battle may lie within the very vows that give us strength. Committing to love was only the beginning. Fighting for it will either set us free … or break us apart.

Heartbreakingly and seductively poignant, One with You is the breathlessly awaited finale to the Crossfire saga, the searing love story that has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

Buy ONE WITH YOU (Kindle)
Buy ONE WITH YOU (Paperback)

New to the series? That’s ok! Here’s the first book: Bared To You

SIGNED PRIZE PACK GIVEAWAY

Open Internationally.
Void where prohibited by law. Must be over 18 to enter.
5 winners will get One With You Prize Packs with a signed paperback, an audiobook, a tote bag, & swag.

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WEEKLY NEW RELEASES RECAP

WEEKLY NEW RELEASES RECAP

WEEKLY NEW RELEASES RECAP