First Movie Review!"Stick It"

Hiya peeps! I'm super excited today, because it's my first movie review on DRR! I have previously shared this review on my UnPlugged blog, and since it's in my top 3 favorite films of all time, I thought it only fitting to cross-post it here, to kick off the movie reviews on this blog.

So, without further adieu, here we go!

Stick It

~Starring: 

Missy Peregrym, 
Jeff Bridges, 
Vanessa Lengies,  
Kellan Lutz

~Released: April 28th, 2006

~Written & Directed by: Jessica Bendinger

~Genres: Comedy, Drama, Sport

~Plot (from IMDb):

After a run-in with the law, Haley Graham (Missy Peregrym) is forced to return to the world from which she fled some years ago. Enrolled in an elite gymnastics program run by the legendary Burt Vickerman (Jeff Bridges), Haley's rebellious attitude gives way to something that just might be called team spirit.

Audiobook Review of "Gold Rush" by Jennifer Comeaux!

Hiya guys! I'm super stoked to share a new audiobook with you today! I've featured this author on my blog a few times already, but I hadn't  yet had the opportunity to read on of her books. I'm a huge fan of ice skating though, so her book topics always appeal to me.

When the chance to review this one came up, I jumped on it! Check out my review, and be sure to let me know what you think of this book in the comments below!

Gold Rush

~Released: January 9th 2017

~Length: 11 Hours, 39 Mins

~Narrator: Emily Stokes

~Parent's Rating: PG-14

~Genres: Young Adult, New Adult, Romance

Goodreads

Amazon ~ Audible

Liza Petrov’s entire life has been about skating and winning her sport’s top prize – Olympic gold. She’s stayed sheltered inside her bubble, not daring to stray from her destined path. Until she meets Braden Patrick. He makes her heart flutter with possibility, and for the first time she gets a taste of a normal teenage life. She longs to have both the boy and the gold, but stepping outside her bubble comes with a price. As Liza begins to question both her future and her past, can she stay focused on the present and realize her ultimate dream?

Audiobook Review for "Wired" by Leslie North!

Hiya peeps! I have an audiobook post for you today, with a Dream Cast I put together, and my review! There is also a giveaway at the end of the post, so be sure to read the full post for details!

Wired

The Solomon Brothers, Book 1

~Released: April 19, 2017

~Narrator: Rebecca Roberts

~Length: 3 hours 36 minutes

~Publisher: Relay Publishing

~Parent's Guide: R

~Genres: Adult Fiction, Romance

Goodreads

Amazon

Audible

Star quarterback Marcus Kingston lives and breathes football. He’s trusted his abilities and instincts to get him this far, but an injury last season nearly ended his career. When his coaches want him to wear biofeedback technology to analyze his game, Marcus thinks the idea is ridiculous. Plus, the mousy scientist behind the project knows nothing about sports, and she quickly gets under his skin. But with another QB waiting on the sidelines, Marcus can either agree to participate, or be benched—permanently.

Scientist Clare Wynifred values intellect above most things. With her brain constantly working, she has little interest in her appearance and zero interest in sports. She never imagined her wearable tech being used to improve someone’s game, but its success with the team could get her a military contract. Clare may be too late to save her brother, but her technology could save the lives of countless soldiers. She just has to make it work with the stubborn quarterback, and she’ll be one step closer to her goal.

Marcus and Clare butt heads at first, but their mutual attraction quickly grows. And yet, with everything to lose, it’s easy to ignore that together they might be able to go the distance.

"Debt" by Rachel Dunning! *Book Release Spotlight*

Hiya guys! Hope your Saturday is going great! 

As a debut author, and going through the laborious task of releasing a new book, I've got a particular soft spot for new book releases. When Rachel Dunning contacted me about spotlighting her new release, I just had to help out! =D

This particular book is stand-alone novel, fit for all you romance fans. *Content Warning: Not intended for readers under the age of seventeen.

Please check it out, and be sure to add it to your TBR lists! 

~Expected Release Date: March 30th, 2016

~Length: 400+ Pages

~Genres: New-Adult, Romance, Sports

Goodreads

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon Canada

Amazon Australia

iTunes

Barnes & Noble/Nook 

Smashwords

99c Pre-Order Sale!

The Debt Collector

I pay my debts, and I expect others to. 

I was raised in the slums of London, I knew nothing of privilege. My father was murdered when I was seventeen. Morty figured my father's passing meant I would automatically take on dad's debts. I refused. 

And I paid for that refusal. 

So did my sister. 

So now I fight. All I know how to do is fight. The best cash is in the states, so that's where I am now. A big fish called Vito came along offering me a "favor" when I arrived.

Another debt.

I paid for that one too. 

I knew Kyla Hensley would be trouble when I met her. But I wanted her. I could see through the falsehood of her wannabe-slutty clothes and her sexy legs. So I chased her. 

Besides, trouble is my middle name. 

Kyla Hensley

I was brought up in privilege, but I lacked everything else. My father is a business tycoon who buys and sells and doesn't care who gets rolled over in the process. 

I never knew my mother, and all I have of her is a photo with a note scrawled on the back in French saying "I'm sorry." The only Female Figure I had growing up is my dad's wife who is a bleach blond with seven boob jobs. We never bonded.

I drink. I party. I meet guys.

But I wasn't always like that. 

I've had a string of lovers in the last few years, the worst and most recent of which was Vince Somerset. My best friend Vera was dating a guy called Rory Cansoom who is the opposite of Vince in so many ways, and yet so the same. 

She and I hit the road for the summer, getting away from the two college psychos and just trying to have some fun. 

But there's a funny thing about trouble, the more you run from it, the more it finds you. 

Which is when I met the Debt Collector. 

It was only supposed to be sex. He made that clear. I made that clear. 

That's all it was supposed to be.

I never expected to fall in love. I never expected to fall so deeply, madly, uncomfortably in love with a man who is wrong, so wrong for me. 

And yet...so unbelievably right.

"#Poser" by Cambria Hebert! *Video, Teasers & Giveaway*

*Materials & images provided by Xpresso Book Tours.

Hashtag Series #5

~Released: August 18th, 2015 

~Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance 

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iBooks ~ Kobo

Posers gonna pose

I am a man who had nothing, but found everything.

I’ll never go back to nothing ever again.

I vowed to protect her, and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do.

The pictures I stumbled upon haunt me still, the secret I shoulder is heavy.

They say secrets put distance between two people, but the truth is far more destructive than keeping it will ever be.

I won’t ever tell. She can’t ever know.

When I look in the mirror my reflection is of who I’m afraid I’ll become and not the man I am.

It makes me feel like a poser, no better than all the others pretending to be exactly who they aren’t.

How does a man keep it together when everything is unraveling right here in his hands?

I didn’t start any of this.

I never asked for it.

But it came knocking at my door.

When secrets and threats knock, I don’t hide.

I open the door.

Because the best way to take down a poser is to be one.

"Center Ice" by Cate Cameron! *Blitz & Giveaway*

Center Ice

(Corrigan Falls Raiders #1) 

~By: Cate Cameron 

~Released: May 19th, 2015 

~Publisher: Entangled Crush 

~Length: 196 Pages 

~Genres: Young Adult, New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo ~ iBooks

The hometown hockey hero won’t know what hit him…

Karen Webber is in small-town hell. After her mother’s death, she moved to Corrigan Falls to live with strangers—her dad and his perfect, shiny new family—and there doesn’t seem to be room for a city girl with a chip on her shoulder. The only person who makes her feel like a real human being is Tyler MacDonald.

But Karen isn’t interested in starting something with a player. And that’s all she keeps hearing about Tyler.

Corrigan Falls is a hockey town, and Tyler’s the star player. But the vise-like pressure from his father and his agent are sending him dangerously close to the edge. All people see is hockey—except Karen. Now they’ve managed to find something in each other that they both desperately need. And for the first time, Tyler is playing for keeps… 

"Cure of Diabetes" Anthology! *Blitz & Giveaway*

Sweet Talk, Sweet Dreams, & Sweet Seduction 

Boxed Sets

All three sets were published on May 1st, 2015.

You can make a difference while you read! All proceeds from the sales of these boxed sets will be donated to the Diabetes Research Institute via Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research.

See all the authors and books benefiting Diabetes Research on Goodreads.

*Desert Rose Reviews does not endorse this anthology, but we support the cause.

*Cover Reveal* "#Selfie" by Cambria Hebert!

#Selfie

(Hashtag Series #4)

~Author: Cambria Hebert

~Release date: May 18, 2015

~Cover Designer: Mae I Design

~Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, College Romance, Humor

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

It’s all about the #Selfie.

She was the one girl I never wanted.

Until I had her.

One night.

One mistake.

Something we both wanted to forget.

I got rid of the proof. The one piece of evidence that could remind us both.

At least, I thought I did.

When it shows up on the school Buzzfeed, rumors fly. Friendships are tested and the feels get real.

I don’t do relationships. I don’t open my heart.

Especially for a girl everyone knows I hate.

What happens during spring break, stays in spring break.

Until it follows you home.

*Blitz & Giveaway* "Motocross Me" by Cheyanne Young!

Motocross Me

~By: Cheyanne Young

~Released: June 4th, 2013

~Length: 253 Pages

~Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports, Realistic Fiction

Goodreads

Kindle

Audiobook

Amazon Paperback

Barnes & Noble

When Hana Fisher moves to the small town of Mixon, Texas to live with her dad, she dreads having to work at the boring pile of dirt he fondly calls a motocross track. But when she gets there, she finds the rinky-dink dirt bike track from her childhood has grown into the most respected racing track in the state.

Now popular by association, Hana endures the pain and sweat of working in the summer heat in order to fit in with a sport she’s growing to love. She gets a real family, a best friend and not just one, but two of the fastest racers trying to win her heart.

When Hana abuses her status as the track owner’s daughter to help the gorgeous Ryan Russo cheat in the biggest race of the year, she risks more than just losing her job. Every good thing in her life is at stake now- her friends, her dad’s trust, and Ash Carter- the kind-hearted racer who may not be as alluring as Ryan, but is proof that nice guys don’t always finish last.

*Review* "Shredded" by Karen Avivi!

Shredded

~By: Karen Avivi

~Published: January 15th, 2013

~Length: 314 Pages

~Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Sports, Coming-of-Age

Goodreads ~ Amazon
Smashwords

Drop into the world of girls’ freestyle BMX for an action-packed summer road trip adventure.

Shredded by Karen Avivi is more than a teen girls’ sports book or a BMX biking book; it’s a motivating push-your-limits story for anyone who refuses to overlooked.

Josie Peters thinks she’ll do anything to qualify for the Ultimate BMX freestyle event the summer before her senior year so she and her friends take off on a summer road trip to hit the qualifying events in the Midwest. Late-night parties, an intimidating mega ramp, and the lure of sponsorships spark friction between the girls. When Josie’s best chance for success depends on her relationship with flashy rider R.T. Torres, she has to decide what she’s trying to win and how much she’ll sacrifice.

Shredded is a fast-paced, fun read that tackles feminism, friendship, sexism, and sibling rivalry. Even readers unfamiliar with BMX or extreme sports will be caught up in the adrenaline rush of Josie’s tricks, wipeouts, and wins. Hints of romance provide extra conflict without overtaking the main story.

Ideal for fans of realistic young adult fiction, Shredded features a strong female lead character who goes after what she wants by taking action.

Experience the rivalries, rejections, and triumphs of rule-breaking, gravity-defying girls who shred.

*Blitz & Giveaway* "Losing the Ice" by Jennifer Comeaux!

Losing the Ice

(Ice, #2)

~By: Jennifer Comeaux

~Released: February 23rd, 2015

~Length: 108 Pages

~Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Courtney and Josh are in love and excited to finally compete as skating partners. When they take the ice for their first competition, they want to show everyone, especially Josh's family, they are the perfect pair. But ice is slippery, and one misstep puts all their dreams in jeopardy. Now they must show each other both their love and their partnership are strong enough to survive.

*Book Blitz & Giveaway* "#Haters" by Cambria Hebert!!

#Hater

(The Hashtag Series #2)

~By: Cambria Hebert

~Published: January 12th 2015

~Length: 282 Pages

~Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Goodreads

Kindle

Barnes & Noble

It started with unspoken animosity. The bitter bite of jealousy. And now its full blown hate.

It was during my first football game that I first felt the first chill of hate. I looked it right in the eyes and felt its sticky tentacles reach out for me. I’d never experienced something so cold and empty before.

The effect of that look lingered, like an unspoken promise, long after it was gone. 

Becoming a couple – becoming the other half of a campus celebrity wasn’t easy. I let down walls guarding my heart and he looked past my glasses and accident prone tendencies. Romeo and I are an unlikely match, a #nerd and a jock. But we made it. 

And we’re happy. 

Zach doesn’t want us to be happy. He wants Romeo to pay for getting him kicked out of Omega and for the night he spent in jail. He’s going to use anything and everything he can to get his revenge. Including me. 

As the weather on campus grows cold and the days become dark, revenge becomes the center of someone’s life and the happiness Romeo and I worked so hard for is threatened. 

I can’t help but worry that our love is going to be overshadowed by hate.

*Cover Reveal* "The Year We Fell Down" by Sarina Bowen!

The Year We Fell Down

~By: Sarina Bowen

~Expected Release Date: March 17th, 2014

~Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

*Tour Stop & Giveaway* "Fighting for the Edge" by Jennifer Comeaux!

Fighting for the Edge
(Edge #3)

~By: Jennifer Comeaux

~Published: November 5th, 2013

~Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Two friends. Two dreams. One night that changes everything…

Ice dancer Aubrey London scoffs at romance. She’s focused on winning a medal at the upcoming Olympics and uses that as her excuse to avoid serious relationships. But when she and longtime friend Chris Grayden are thrown together by unforeseen circumstances, Aubrey finds herself questioning everything she's ever known about love, complicating her life both on and off the ice.

Pairs skater Emily Petrov embraces romance. She and her husband Sergei still act like honeymooners two years after their wedding. As Emily’s coach, Sergei provides constant support while she prepares to challenge for gold at the Olympics. But Sergei’s support might not be enough to help Emily overcome the one challenge she never saw coming.

With the Games only weeks away, Emily and Aubrey are on the verge of realizing their dreams. 

But one snowy, stormy night sets in motion a series of events that will test them in ways they never imagined, giving them more to fight for than Olympic medals.