Nothing Left to Lose

Nothing Left to Lose - Kirsty Moseley

I wish I could live in books sometimes...

Kirsty Moseley is one of my favourite authors, possibly my favourite. I have loved every single one of her books, and I am constantly checking to see if she will be writing a new one any time soon.

'Nothing Left to Lose' is so beautiful. I loved Annabelle and Ashton. This is the book description, just to give you a taster of how amazing it is.

Annabelle Spencer’s life is every girl’s dream. She has wonderful parents, great friends, and of course the perfect boyfriend, Jack Roberts. That all changes on her sixteenth birthday when her life comes crashing down around her. Her dream night turns into a nightmare when Jack is murdered right in front of her, and she’s kidnapped by his murderer, Carter Thomas, a big time drug and arms dealer. 

After ten months of being with Carter, she’s found, but the experience has totally changed her. She’s no longer the happy-go-lucky girl that everyone used to know and love; she’s now cold, hard and suffers from night terrors. It appears that Carter broke not only her body, but her spirit too. A shadow of her former self, her slogan for life is now: ‘If you don’t care about anything, then you have nothing to lose’. 

Carter is currently serving time for the murder of Jack, a conviction that Anna helped secure. But his retrial is coming up because some key evidence appears to have been tampered with. Unbeknown to Anna, death threats are being received by her father, the Senator. It appears that Carter is still interested in Anna and will stop at nothing to get her back. 

Ashton Taylor is brought in to protect her. He’s a newly qualified SWAT agent, a bright spark, the agency’s new golden boy. He is assigned undercover, posing as her boyfriend. His job is to help her through college and keep her safe until the end of the trial in eight months’ time. 

For three years she has been the broken, damaged girl, refusing to feel emotion or pain, but can Ashton help her rebuild her life and finally deal with the grief of losing her childhood sweetheart? Will he be the one to make her see that life is, in fact, worth living and that not all men will hurt her? 

All the while, the shadow of the trial looms over the both of them, taunting them, reminding them that it isn’t over yet. After all, Carter Thomas will stop at nothing to be reunited with his ‘Princess’.

Annabelle is described as cold and critical, but Ashton isn't easily scared away. I wanted to hug and kiss Ashton A LOT throughout the story, as he was so determined to take care of Annabelle and look after her. He fixed her.

Carter is a different story altogether. He is as cruel as they come. Just as you think everything is going to be okay with Annabelle and Ashton, cruel Carter strikes again, and hurts her even more.

Annabelle is a beautifully written character. Kirsty Mosely really knows how to make a character that her audience can relate to. My heart hurt for Annabelle and everything she had to suffer through. Although she finds it difficult to let Ashton in, when she does, your heart warms and she finds the one thing she hasn't had for a very long time. Hope.

This love story is definitely one you should read if it sounds like your kind of thing. I am so glad I did, as it is a story that will stay with me for a while. READ IT

Annabelle


"I sniffed and wrapped my arms around him tightly, letting his familiar smell fill my lungs. “I hate that I care about you,” I admitted, digging my fingers into his back and pressing myself closer to him.

He laughed quietly. “I know.” He kissed my temple softly."

Ashton

"My heart skipped a beat and my stomach tied in a knot. I wanted to run to her, wrap my arm around her, and tell her everything would be okay. I wanted to make her smile and make her laugh."

"I won't leave you like the others"

Walking Disaster - Jamie McGuire 

I know I haven't written a post for ages and ages, but I have just finished reading, Walking Disaster and it was absolutely fab. I loved it more than the first book, Beautiful Disaster written from Abby's perspective. Jamie McGuire is very talented, being able to write the same story from two perspectives and make each sound like a different story.

Travis, the main character, is a very difficult but beautiful character. The book starts with a 'Prologue' telling us how Travis lost his mother as a young child and it still haunts him now. He uses women on a daily... nightly basis, and throws them away afterwards. At first, I admit, you want to hit him over the head and tell him to grow up. But when he meets Abby, he becomes a changed man. Suddenly the idea of a girl 'not wanting him' makes him want her...so much more.



Abby is also a brilliant character. She gave Travis a taste of his own medicine and fell in love with him along the way. Their friendship develops into so much more, thankfully for Travis.

I don't want to give too much away about this amazing book, but I will say, it is one of my favourites. The relationship between both characters is intriguing and addictive. Once you get a taste, you won't be able to stop reading.

 Abby

 Travis

So, I just finished reading 'Beneath your beautiful' by Tasmyn Bester. I loved it!! Okay, so some of it may be a bit cheesy and way too good to be true... And that's exactly why I loved it so much. Huntley and Grayson, wow! I can honestly say they are one of my favourite book couples. The immediate connection between them and the love neither of them can stay away from just makes their story even better. The title says it all, Grayson and Huntley really do reach deeply into each other and pull out all of the not so beautiful things, the dark secrets that are hidden beneath a beautiful outside for a reason, but when they do, their love becomes even more beautiful.

The relationship between Demi and Brody was also a great add to the story and I really hope Tasmyn decides to write them there own story! It's obvious that both characters have feelings for each other, and Huntley and Grayson start to pick up on it. When disaster strikes shows just how serious they are about each other.

If you haven't read this book, I really really think you should pick it up! I read it in a day and wished I hadn't, because I didn't want their story to end! Huntley and Grayson share a love that is special. They make each others darkness disappear and allow only the light in. I shed more than a few tears thorough out this book, happy and sad. I can't say much more, other than, IT'S AMAZING!! If I carry on, I will spoil it for those who haven't read it yet!

 Huntley

 Grayson 

Smash into you

Shelly Crane - Smash into you 

I just finished another amazing book by Shelly Crane, 'Smash into you'. I can't say it was my favourite of her books, but it is deffinitely still a great read! It's hard to choose just one favourite of Shelly's books, as they are all nearly as good as each other. This book was a little different to her other stuff, but definitely good different. I like books with a bit of action and a lot of romance, and this definitely had both. 


Description - "Jude has spent the whole twenty one years of his life running. From what, he wasn't quite sure. His mother tried to keep him safe; a low profile, a constant move on the horizon, a week's pay always stashed away. She tried to instill in him that he was special somehow, though would never elaborate. He never felt different. He was so completely normal and vanilla that he wondered if it had all been in her head. But then she was murdered and all he saw was a running silhouette of a man as his mother said three final words to him. Three words that changed his whole being. 

Never stop running...
Now he's semi-settled into a big town. The college is huge and easy to blend into. It's been three months since he had to move because 'Biloxi', as he calls the man who killed his mother, found him once more. 
Then Marley, an eighteen year old girl who is as infuriating as she is blissfully ignorant of her gorgeousness, smashes into his car with hers. Then smashes into his life as he realizes that whatever it is he has that Biloxi wants, she has it, too. And now, they're after them both."

I have to say, I doubted Jude at the begining, wondering if he was ever going to let his gaurd down and open up to Marley. But when he does confide in her, and Marley confides in Jude, the connection and chemistry between them is amazing. I got so excited when Jude had no choice but to take Marley on the run with him. They had to learn to trust each other instantly, and not only did they learn to trust, but they fall in love quickly. 

I loved their relationship and the way they both had to fight there own demons, but did it together. Jude soon realised that he would do anything to protect Marley, and she would do the same for him. They face an amazing, terrifying adventure together, discovering love, hope and feelings neither of them have felt for another person before. 
5 out 5 stars for this book, just like all of Shelly Crane's other books. Brilliant!

 Jude - “You took my soul and wiped all the dirt away, sweetheart. You cured me of all that ached.” 

“Battle scars just remind us that we survived.”

Marley - 

Branded by Keary Taylor 

I read 'Branded' by, Keary Taylor, a while ago and was quickly hooked and reading the series. I loved these books, Branded especially. This is the first book in the series, and in my opinion, the best. The story is written from Jessica's point of view, and her mysterious but intriguing story unravels.We are introduced to Alex in the first chapter, who instantly captures Jessica's heart and ours. Alex is kind, handsome and patient. Just what Jessica needs in her life. At first she is determined to keep her nightmares hidden from Alex, even though they practically live together. After a while, Jessica finds it impossible to hide it, and is forced to explain her fears and what haunts her dreams. Expecting him to run a mile, he does the opposite.  He comforts her, holds her close and falls for her even more. When Jessica's nightmares start to become real, we see just how much Alex likes her, and that he would do pretty much anything to protect her and their relationship which is quickly becoming something amazing.



Jessica - "I stopped in the shower and relished in the hot water. If only it could burn the marks from my skin. Some would say my scars were beautiful, but I hated them. They were sore reminders of just exactly how abnormal my life was. I could never have a normal existence because of this. I was a freak."

"And again, those piercing blue eyes. A slight shiver worked it's way up my spine."
                
                                                                                          
     

 

Alex 

"He was tall, probably just over six feet. He was well muscled and certainly looked fit. His hair was a short, well-trimmed sandy blonde color, his features were strong and sharp. His eyes piercing blue. Had I not been so terrified I would have been tempted to stare open mouthed." - Jessica

Jessica and Alexs' story is one that you won't want to put down until the end. Is there a hot male that makes you swoon? Yes yes yes. Is the main characters story intense, beautiful and addictive? Yes. Will the storyline make you wish there was more to read? Yes! Will it make you cry, laugh, smile, and give you butterflies? YES!

The relationship between both characters is beautiful and definitely worth reading. I've read this three times now and I still love it as much as the first time I read it. Definitely in my top five favourite series. 

It's not just the storyline that makes a book, it's the detail in those intimate actions between characters and the words that tug at your heart. 

“I rested my chin on my shoulder, not quite fully looking at his face. "They don't disgust you?" I whispered, my voice shaking.
He rested one hand on my other shoulder and the other on my arm and leaned forward, gently pressing his lips into the center of my brand.
"Nothing about you could disgust me," he whispered against my neck.”

Juilliard or Else

Description:

 Abigail McCall has been accepted into Juilliard for Ballet. Being nineteen, she’s ready to move out of her tight shell at her parent’s house and in with her new roommates. Abigail finds herself distracted with things she never saw herself doing.

'Hey, I’m Tucker.
That’s all it took. His own name rolling off his tongue.'

With no job and coming from a broken home with a mother who doesn’t care what happens to him, could you blame Tucker for being so secretive? The dark and mysterious Tucker has his sights set on the prim and proper ballerina. So he knows he has to change his self destructive ways in order to keep Abigail in his life. Which means, betraying his closest friends.

Obstacles are thrown at them. 
They don’t approve of the ballerina and the poor boy.

The world won’t let Abigail and Tucker be together. What do they have to sacrifice to stay together...

Can the good come out in the bad? Or does someone always end up hurt and alone?

Tucker has nothing, but Abigail has everything to lose...

Review : 

I have to start by saying, this is another brilliant but different story of two people falling in love. Although this story does have a beautiful ending, it's not always so lovely in between. As said in the description of the book, 'obstacles are thrown at them'. 

Abigail is a very quietly beautiful character. Her father is very caring towards Abigail and you can see himself and Abi have a close relationship at the beginning. Abigail's "Mother" on the other hand, is a rather different story. She isn't happy until Abigail has done her best, even then she doesn't show much affection towards her. When Abigail discovers a secret both her parents have been hiding from her. She is more determined than ever to leave for Uni. Then she meets Tucker. 

Tucker has had a tough life, and still living one when he meets Abigail. As soon as the two start talking, you can feel their connection and can't help but get overly excited about how their relationship is going to develop. I fell in love with Tucker and his and Abigail's relationship. It's impossible not to. Nichele Reese does an amazing job of developing the characters, and giving them each their own story but showing that both characters are more similar than they realise. Although Tucker's secrets begin to ruin his relationship with Abigail, the love they share is much stronger, and not easily broken. 

The other characters flow nicely into the storyline, and you can't help but fall in love with them and their own stories as well. They each have their own individual story, bringing relationships together.

I loved this book and it is DEFINITELY worth reading. It will make you smile, laugh, cry. 

 Abigail

Tucker

A scene from something I've been working on

I like to write my own stories now and again, and I am recently working on a few different things. Any feedback would be great. Enjoy!

Description :

 Camille is 21, fresh out of university and working in the small book shop around the corner. Living in a small apartment she shares with Ivy, her best friend is safe and quiet, just the way she likes things. Ivy grew up with her Dad, as her mother died at birth... at least that's what her dad always told her. Going out with Ivy one night leads to more trouble than she expected, when she meets Chris. But it all leads to Sam. 

Sam is 24, and home after serving a few years in the army. He joined at the age of 20, unable to stay at home any longer with his abusive farther. Living in an apartment alone, except for his best friend Leo who is a regular for crashing on his sofa, Leo finds a job at an old bookstore. 

When a bad incident brings the two together, will they learn to trust? Or will secrets and the reason they find it hard to trust, tear them apart.

Sam meats Camille

Camille

“Chris, I have to go. I’m going to be late for work,” I replied as confidently as my shaky voice would allow.

Chris brought his face even closer to mine and narrowed his dull green eyes, “You mean you can’t hang out with me because you’d rather spend your time at that crappy book shop?”

“I work there, Chris. It’s not something I can change in a matter of minutes, and I like working there.” I wasn’t lying, I really did like working there. I’d rather work as a bin lady than spend time with Chris at the moment. We’d gone out on four dates before he started pushing me to do stuff that I wasn’t ready for… not with Chris anyway. I told him I wanted to take things slow, but he didn’t listen. So every Saturday morning he shows up at my doorstep as if I had already made plans with him. He’s not exactly easy to get rid of either.

“Just phone and say you don’t feel well. You agreed to go out on another date with me, and I want that date to be now.” His voice grew harsher and the hand holding my wrist tightened painfully, I found it hard not to let the whimper leave my lips.

“I’ll go on the date with you when I don’t have work,” I stated, not making eye contact. A loud ringing noise saved me. It was Chris’ phone.

“I need to take this,” he said looking at the caller ID and letting out a sigh of irritation. “Wait there.” He squeezed my already throbbing wrist once more, before turning around and taking a few steps towards his car. I moved my head to the right. I knew the book shop was about a five minute walk from here. I usually parked here when I was running late. I glanced back at Chris who was still captivated by the person on the other end of his phone. Could I run? Would he catch me? Is he a really fast runner? Could I out run him? These were the thoughts I should have probably considered before running, but I didn’t have time. My legs took me as fast as they could travel. I heard my breathing start to accelerate, more from panic than the running. I was nearly there when I looked behind to check if he was behind me, but I couldn’t see him anywhere. Checking one last time behind me, I felt my foot catch on a rough patch of pavement, my balance instantly faltering. I let out a cry and swear word as my hands slapped against the rough ground. I could feel the sting in my knees and palms, bringing tears to my eyes. The book shop was just around the corner. I pulled myself off the ground, sighing as I did so. How could I be so scared of a guy I had only been on a few dates with? Why did I agree to it in the first place? I questioned myself as I ran the last few steps, groaning at my new aches and pains.

As soon as I was inside the old book shop I let out a relieved sigh, and a strangled breath. I lent against the door, trying desperately to catch my breath and not let the tears fall from my eyes. I slowly slid down until I was sitting, resting my chin on my knees and wrapping my arms around myself. I wanted to make myself as small as possible and disappear from the rest of the world. I heard the footsteps before I saw them. Opening my tired eyes, I saw chunky, black boots. My gaze slowly travelled up the long legged person in front of me, before meeting a pair of very beautiful, very concerned blue eyes.

“Are you okay?” The God like man asked in a deep husky voice. I watched his full lips form the words. Did every word sound so beautiful coming from his mouth? He crouched down and raised an eyebrow as if waiting for me to say something. Wait, I was supposed to answer him! I was already acting like a complete idiot.

“Yes,” I whispered.

“Are you sure? You don’t look okay…”

“I was running and I… err... I tripped.” Great, now I look like more of an idiot.

A ghost of a smile appeared on his gorgeous face, and I instantly wanted to make him smile again. “I guess I should look at the ground when I run.” I looked up to find an even bigger smile, his dark, messy hair falling into his eyes. I heard my quick intake of breath as I stared at the wonderful curve on his face.

“I’m Sam. I just started working here a couple of days ago.” He held out a hand for me to shake, which I quickly accepted. As his large, warm hand enclosed mine and gently squeezed, the pain from falling earlier quickly came back. Sam must have noticed me grimace, as he was quick to let go.

“I knew you weren’t fine. Did you hurt your hand?”

Sam gently took my hand in his, examining it with an amazing amount of concentration. I looked down at my hand and noticed the graze that was bleeding.

“I think we should clean these cuts, er...” I looked at him with question in my eyes, before realising he was waiting for my name.

“Camille, but most of my friends call me Cami,”

“Wow, that’s beautiful.” His words were a whisper and a slight blush covered his cheeks. He quickly broke eye contact and placed his hand under my elbow to help me up. 

Sam 

 Camille