Blog Tour: Review: A Beautiful Lie by T.E. Sivec

Review

Thanks for stopping by! This tour is brought to you by Madison of Madison Says.

Don't forget to check out the other blogs participating in this tour HERE.

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review*

A Beautiful Lie
(Book #1 in the Playing with Fire series)
Amazon | Goodreads | BN
Author: T.E. Sivec
Publisher: Self published (January 2, 2013)
Genre: Romantic Suspense, 388 pages
ASIN: B00AW2KV28

SUMMARY:

He saw her first, but his friend made the move.

She settled for the safer choice, but her heart knew the truth.

They love, they crave, they lie.

Garrett McCarthy, Annabelle Parker, and Milo Roberts were as close as friends could get. They shared in each other's joy during graduations, promotions, and engagements. They consoled one another through heartache and loss.

When one of the friend's life is tragically cut short, it's up to the two left behind to pick up the pieces and find out the truth - no matter the cost. As they slowly start to uncover the nature of his deception, and the very powerful people behind it, they begin to question everyone and everything, even themselves.

Everyone has secrets - some do it for love while others do it for power. Those secrets can change perceptions, alter reality and sometimes destroy lives.

What do you do when you find out your whole life has been a lie?

MY REVIEW:

Ahhh. What to say, what to say. This is definitely different from Tara's previous works. BUT, not totally different. You can still feel the comedy pulling through, especially with some of the characters in this book. And the easy flow of the story line as well. You've got two best friends with feelings for each other, but who are freaking oblivious to it. You've also got a shit load of secrets that make the book all that more interesting and keeps you on the edge and wanting to know what the hell is going to happen next. Yeah, I had to stop reading a few times and look at my screen with a "What-The-Fuck-Was-That" kinda face, which then turned into "Unholy-Shit-That-Was-Not-Foreseen-In-My-Crystal-Ball" kinda face. And then re-reading said surprising part of the book and getting my mind blown again and again...and again. Mhm. Like I said, shit load of secrets. 

The attraction between Parker (Annabelle) & McCarthy (Garret.. *takes a minute to swoon over this character and his name*)  is definitely there, if hiding under a heavy ass blanket and is suffering from suffocation, just wanting to jump out and bring these two together so they can stop THINKING about... 

• kissing
• hard ons
• rolling around in the bed
• doing her from behind
• joining the mile high club
• on the table
• every. damn. where.

There were a few things I both liked and disliked. Let's start with the dislikes, shall we? I'll admit, it took a while to get into this book. After the first couple of pages I had to put it down. Then after a bit of pushing through, I'd grown to get more into the story. There was a bit of whiplash, the POV jumps from character to character, which was one of the downers for me. On to likes... I really liked the story as a whole. Being a Romantic Suspense, I thought the romance and the suspense tied together really well. There was a lot of suspense and just as much romance, though, the romance was starting to scare me, in a "Oh-My-Gosh-Stop-Thinking-About-Doing-Her-From-Behind-And-Do-Her-Already" kinda way. So, it was a really slow-ish kind of build up, unless you release some of that sexual tension with all the naughty thoughts running through their heads lol. The whole government aspect of it added a bit of that suspense, and of course all the asskicking weapons they got to haul around too. 

Overall, I thought the book was pretty good and flowed really well, it just took a while for me to get into it. It was good, but I wasn't jumping up an down with joy. Would I recommend this book? Yepp, go ahead and grab yourself a copy and dive into this world of secrets and suspense. T.E. Sivec gives you something new to look forward to, aside from her romantic comedies, and yepp all you series lovers out there, this bad boy is book numero uno in the Playing with Fire series. 

MY RATING:

T.E. Sivec is the pen name for Tara Sivec. Under T.E. Sivec, she delves into a more serious genre that is her absolute favorite to read - romantic suspense.  She loves reading a book and feeling her heart speed up with anticipation and wanted to be able to give that feeling to her fans.

T.E. lives in Ohio with her husband and two children, living the dream of being a full-time writer.

Goodreads | Facebook | Website

Blog Tour: Guest Post + Review: Troubles and Treats by Tara Sivec

GUEST POST + REVIEW + GIVEAWAY

Hey!! Thanks for stopping by! This tour is brought to you by: Talking Supe. Don't forget to enter in the rafflecopter below for a chance to win:

• A Signed copy of Troubles and Treats by Tara Sivec

Troubles and Treats
(Book #3 in the Chocolate Lovers series)
Amazon | GoodReads | BN
Author: Tara Sivec
Publisher: Self Published (Nov. 29, 2012)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Comedy, Adult, 228 pages
ASIN: B00AFZ7Q6G
ISBN-10: 1480186120
ISBN-13: 978-1480186125

SUMMARY:

Drew and Jenny have spent years being the envy of their friends with their out of control sex lives - well, not really. Mostly it makes their friends want to throw up in their mouths a little.

With two little kids and two busy lives, for the first time, Drew and Jenny aren't on the same page in the bedroom. Drew will stop at nothing to get his previously amorous wife back in the sack and Jenny will do anything for a full night of sleep.

Carter and Claire, and Jim and Liz are their usual (un)helpful selves and are full of advice for the disconnected duo, wanting nothing more than to help restore order to the usually happy couple's lives.

In the third and final installment of the Chocolate Lovers Series, will Drew and Jenny find the spark that's been missing in their marriage, or will the trouble they're having cause a stickier situation than the time Jenny poured honey all over Drew and he fused himself to a tree.

MY REVIEW:

Oh. My. Gosh. Tara Sivec is freaking hilarious! From the moment you start Troubles and Treats to the moment you finish the book, you will have laughed more times than you could ever remember. Drew and Jenny. Ahh, those two are pure comedy.

With Drew working his ass off to relieve his poor penis of having had no playtime with his wife's vagina for the past year, he is determined to get their sex life on and poppin'... or rather, BACK to on and poppin'. Since the birth of their son Billy, Drew and Jenny are no longer doing it like they do on the Discovery Channel. lmbo. Sorry, could't help myself. Failed attempt after failed attempt, Drew finds himself a new resident of the dog house and the only relief his shunned penis does get is the occasional visit from Mr. Hand that is doing nothing to tamp down his sexual frustration.

Troubles and Treats is a really easy book to read. Tara Sivec keeps the ball rolling and there is not a moment where there isn't any funny. I literally had to stop reading this book, because I was updating my Facebook/GoodReads statuses with every other line I read. In the first book, Seduction and Snacks, you get a good glimpse of Drew's infamous t-shirt collection. Well, there isn't a shortage of those in Troubles and Treats! I'm seriously thinking about getting my own printed. lol. There wasn't really anything I didn't like about this book. Some parts were predictable to me, but it was a Oh-My-Gosh-Cover-My-Eyes-I-Can't-Read-About-This-It's-Making-Me-Feel-Embarrassed-And-I'm-Not-Even-In-The-Book kind of predictable. I was peaking through my eyes to see if I was right... and I was. lol But... I'll let you pick up the book and read it yourself so you can have that kind of moment too ;)

Troubles and Treats is definitely a Laugh-Out-Loud Bust-Up-Laughin'-And-Watch-Random-People-Look-At-You-Weird-While-You're-Wiping-The-Laughing-Tears-From-Your-Eyes kind of book. I would most definitely recommend it. 

MY RATING:

GUEST POST:

Since it’s the Christmas season, I thought I’d share with you guys the fun activities that our Elf on the Shelf has been up to.  If you’re not familiar with the Elf on the Shelf, it’s this little stuffed elf with a plastic face dressed all in red.  He comes with a book and the book tells you all about his job as Santa’s helper.  Every night after you go to sleep, the elf goes back to the North Pole and tells Santa if you were good or bad that day.  When he comes back, he forgets where you left him and always ends up in a different place where you have to find him.

Since I’m a loser, I never actually bought the official Elf on the Shelf.  I had never even heard of it until two years ago.  It was too late in the season at that point and I couldn’t find one anywhere.  So I went out and bought a little stuffed snowman.  The kids named him Frosty and he’s been pretty good at keeping them in line.

This year, we decided to have a little more fun with Frosty instead of just putting him in different places around the house.

Yep, that’s Frosty being pinned by John Cena while everyone else watches.  What you can’t really see off to the right is slutty Barbie with her arm wrapped around Santa’s shoulders.  Santa is getting himself some skank action at the wrestling match.           ———>

Frosty decided to have a little party while we were asleep.  Yes, that’s a lampshade on his head.  And Barbie can’t hold her Mountain Dew.  Party animals!

Frosty has also removed the stockings from the fireplace and replaced them with underwear, and TP’d the living room and was found riding on the blade of the ceiling fan.

I don’t know whether the kids are having more fun with this or mom and dad are ☺

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tara Sivec is a best selling author, wife, mom, chauffeur, cheerleading coach, soccer coach, babysitter, short-order cook, genius and albino squirrel hunter. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two kids. In her spare time she likes to read, write and cover things in chocolate. Most of her material comes from real life experiences with family and friends. Lucky for them, the names have been changed to protect the innocent (aka, drunk).

Website | Facebook | GoodReads | Twitter 

CHECK OUT THE OTHER BLOGS PARTICIPATING IN THIS TOUR:

Promo Blitz + Giveaway: Troubles and Treats by Tara Sivec

Promo Blitz + Giveaway

Hey!! Thanks for stopping by! This tour is brought to you by: Talking Supe. Don't forget to enter in the rafflecopter below for a chance to win:

• Totally awesome swag bag prize pack full of goodies from Tara Sivec (Includes paperback copies of Seductions and snacks, Futures and Frostings & Troubles and Treats)

Troubles and Treats 
(Book #3 in the Chocolate Lovers series)
Author: Tara Sivec
Release Date: November 30, 2012

SUMMARY:

Drew and Jenny have spent years being the envy of their friends with their out of control sex lives - well, not really. Mostly it makes their friends want to throw up in their mouths a little.

With two little kids and two busy lives, for the first time, Drew and Jenny aren't on the same page in the bedroom. Drew will stop at nothing to get his previously amorous wife back in the sack and Jenny will do anything for a full night of sleep.

Carter and Claire, and Jim and Liz are their usual (un)helpful selves and are full of advice for the disconnected duo, wanting nothing more than to help restore order to the usually happy couple's lives.

In the third and final installment of the Chocolate Lovers Series, will Drew and Jenny find the spark that's been missing in their marriage, or will the trouble they're having cause a stickier situation than the time Jenny poured honey all over Drew and he fused himself to a tree.

EXCERPT:

I thought it would be a bunch of arguing and pointing fingers about whose fault it is that we’re not having sex anymore.

Maybe she doesn't think that’s the problem.  Shit, maybe that isn’t the problem.  Maybe it’s just my problem.  She’s not faking a work injury, she’s not cheating on me…what the hell else could it be?  A few years ago she cut me off from sex for a week because I gave her a Dutch Oven in bed one night.  While hilarious, it’s never a good idea when your wife is naked and getting ready to mount you. There was another time when I gave her a Wet Willy when she started coming.

That wasn't meant to be hilarious, I read about it in Cosmo.  When she locked me out of the bedroom I grabbed the magazine and realized two of the pages were stuck together - sex tips and practical jokes.  Well played, Cosmo.  Well played.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Seduction and Snacks 
(Book #1 in the Chocolate Lovers series)
Amazon | BN | Smashwords 

SUMMARY:

Claire is a twenty-something, single mom that grudgingly helps her best friend sell sex toys while she attempts to make enough money to start her own business to give her foul-mouthed, but extremely loveable (when he’s asleep) toddler a better life.

When Carter, the one-night-stand from her past that changed her life forever, shows up in her hometown bar without any recollection of her besides her unique chocolate scent, Claire will make it a point that he remembers her this time.

With Carter’s undisguised shock at suddenly finding out he has a four-year-old son and Claire’s panic that her stretch marks and slim to none bedroom experience will send the man of her dreams heading for the hills, the pair will do whatever they can to get their happily ever after.

Warning: includes explicit sex, profanity and enough sarcasm to choke a horse.

Futures and Frosting
(Book #2 in the Chocolate Lovers series)
Amazon | BN | Smashwords

SUMMARY:

Carter, Claire and Gavin have formed the perfect little family. Their friends are getting married and everyone is growing up, maturing and ready to face the future. Or are they?

From bachelorette party hell, porn addictions, dinner roll baseball and botched wedding proposals to finding out everyone's extended family is chock full of crazy, Carter and Claire begin to question the strength of the ties that bind them. Unfortunately, these ties have nothing to do with fuzzy handcuffs and everything to do with the mounting differences between them.

Will their friends make a mess of things with their inappropriate comments and need to know everything, or will they convince the couple that happily-ever-after sometimes really can start with beer pong?

One RANDOM commenter chosen from the entire promo blitz tour will receive a totally awesome swag bag from Tara Sivec ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tara Sivec is a best selling author, wife, mom, chauffeur, cheerleading coach, soccer coach, babysitter, short-order cook, genius and albino squirrel hunter. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two kids. In her spare time she likes to read, write and cover things in chocolate. Most of her material comes from real life experiences with family and friends. Lucky for them, the names have been changed to protect the innocent (aka, drunk).

Website | Facebook | GoodReads | Twitter 

Hot in Handcuffs Giveaway (INT)

*Hands out shots of tequila*  \_/ CHEERS! I know y'all just came from a few other blogs and are in need of some hydration, but I'm all outta water here ;) Just be happy I have my AC running on full blast right now.

Let's get started shall we? I'm going to be giving away 5 eBook copies of Seduction and Snacks by Tara Sivec. This book is funny as all hell and of course, you get your panties in a twist as well ;) I originally had another book chosen, but I just read this book and it was fan-fucking-tastic and had to share it with you guys :)

To enter in this giveaway just fill out the rafflecopter below! This is an international giveaway! Don't forget to check out the other blogs participating in this hop! (Links below)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What's In My Candy Bag #12

What's In My Beach Candy Bag will be a weekly post about all the books & other goodies that I've bought, borrowed or won :)

Woot. First haul for the month of October! October is probably my favorite month ever! Candy at my disposal!! lol. So, this month, with my haul, I'll be adding in my fave munchies from that week :) 

The Post Man Loves Me

Lookie what came in the mail this week! Thanks to Jessica @ a GREAT read. I won her 1000 follower giveaway a while back and this was the second book I picked! ^_^ This is my first J.R. Ward book for my lovely shelf! Loooove it. Again, thanks Jessica ♥

Twitter Madness

So, I won Seduction and Snacks by Tara Sivec from Cimmaron @ Talk Supe. If you were on Twitter early (well, early for me... 9am really) on Oct. 4th then you would have seen Cimmaron's tweet and could have had a chance to win an eBook copy of Seduction and Snacks...

Makeup Whore

Aside from being a book junkie, I am a makeup whore! lol. I don't wear makeup every single day, but that doesn't men I don't love it!! I've never worn foundation or concealer in my life (until a few days ago) I wanted to try it and see if I liked it. So, with Neyra @ Darkest Addictions help. I got Mabelline's Fit Me Concealer/Foundation (liquid & powder). I also bought lashes from my fave 98 cent store & adheasive for them. And I also got Mabelline's Colossal Volume Express mascara. CVS was having a sale for Mabelline products, so I had to lol. Buy one, get one half off. Pretty awesome right? I thought so. lol. 

Concealer:                 $3.49 (50% off)

Liquid Foundation:      $3.99 (50% off)

Powder Foundation:   $7.99

Mascara:                   $8.49

Lashes:                      $3.00

Adheasive:                 $2.49
                           --------------

Rewards Coupon:    -$7.50

                           --------------
                                $21.95

Munchie of the Week

Ahh. So I went to watch Pitch Perfect on Friday and instead of buying the really expensive candy from the concession stand at the theater, I went to CVS and bought my chocolate from there. I got chocolate covered pretzel balls. They were 3 for $3.00 so we got two of those and the chocolate covered raisins. CVS brand of course. They were pretty good :) And saved me a shiiiit load of money xD 

Well, that's it for my haul this week. Did you get anything awesome this week?