Sunday, June 30, 2013

MY BIG MOVE :-)



Hey y'all, I will no longer be adding new posts to this site as of today. The official launch for the joint book review blog with my girls Erica and Tessa is MONDAY, JULY 1ST. I will be posting all reviews, cover reveals, blog tour posts, etc. on the new site. I seriously can't thank y'all enough for your support and feedback on my reviews, recommendations, and for guiding me to some pretty incredible books. 

I hope y'all will follow me over to Gutter Girls and you'll be getting reviews from two amazing girls in addition to mine...so really you're gaining from this move, too! :-)

Here's the link to the new page: www.guttergirlsbookreviews.com

You can like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, too! 

AGAIN...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!! 

XOXO - Ash

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Synopsis Reveal: In Control by Crystal Serowka

Here is the official synopsis reveal for In Control, the second book in The City series!


Seriously, is this not the most creative synopsis reveal ever?! I love it!

Purchase In the Air, book one in The City series on Amazon!

Thursday, June 20, 2013

BLOG TOUR: Watch Over Me by Tara Sivec





Synopsis & My Review:

Addison Snow is your typical teenager. She has a family that loves her, friends that make her laugh, and she’s wrapped up in the excitement of graduating high school and going off to college to pursue her dream of becoming an author. When her mother, who also happens to be Addison’s best friend, dies unexpectedly, her world comes to a crashing halt.

Death changes everyone…

To make the pain go away, Addison and her father travel down separate, dark paths. She chooses to end her grief forever, while he drowns his sorrows in the bottom of a bottle. How do you learn to live again when the most important person in your life is gone?

Addison struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. Instead of getting back to being the carefree teenager she once was, she’s stuck handling all of the responsibilities that should have been her father’s. She has no time to grieve, no time for emotions, and no time for happiness…until Zander Reinhardt walks in. All it takes is one little handwritten note on a napkin to kick-start her back to life and help her realize that maybe there’s more to that life than pain.

But can it really be that simple? Can she really trust this man who makes her feel alive again for the first time in a year?

Addison and Zander both have secrets they aren’t ready to share. When the truth finally comes out, is it enough to tear them apart or has something bigger than themselves always been watching over them, pushing them together, making sure they both get their happily ever after?


This book wasn’t what I expected. It isn’t a typical young adult novel.
It’s…deeper than that. It’s dark and depressing and Jesus, is it frustrating at times; but while you’re swimming through the darkness and living in Addison’s world full of pain, loss, heartache, and loneliness – there’s an overlying sense of warmth, a quite calm. It’s that superimposing aspect of comfort that blankets you while you turn page after page and makes you want to follow Addison into the darkness…and eventually, into the light again.

I can’t lie, this book started out average for me. It wasn’t until I hit around the 40% mark that I just absolutely couldn’t put it down. The first half wasn’t bad by any means, but it was just a little slow. Now, after having finished it (with tears streaming down my face, of course) I can appreciate the pace. It was necessary. I needed to know the back story involving certain conversations with her mom, I needed to see just how close they were, I needed to understand just how broken she was in order to appreciate her journey to happiness. The flashbacks and therapy sessions that I kind of “trudged” through in the first third of this book became crucial to me.

As far as characters go, I liked both Addison and Zander. Some of the things Addison did frustrated the hell out of me, but every time I found myself cursing her I took a step back and thought to myself, what would you do if you were in her position? Now, I can’t answer that with certainty because I don’t know what I would do. I’ve never been in her shoes. But what I can say is that taking that second to step back allowed me to put her actions into perspective. I still didn’t agree or even like some of the things she did, but I could understand why she was behaving that way, even if I didn’t care for it. Now, onto Zander… *sigh*. I liked him, but I just wish we would have gotten more from him. Maybe more background, more…well, I don’t know what I wanted more of but I just felt a little shorted. That aside, the napkin notes – I DIE. I don’t know if it gets any more adorable than that, I really don’t. He was so wonderfully funny and charming and compassionate that it was impossible not to fall in love with him.

I did have a couple issues that prevented me from giving this a 5 star rating, the main one being Addison’s attitude towards her dad which was upsetting to me. Like I said, I’ve never had to deal with that type of situation so I don’t know how I would handle it…but it’s incredibly hard for me to imagine giving up on my dad, regardless of the circumstance.

Watch Over Me is clearly a very personal story for Tara and it’s one that will tug at your heartstrings. This isn’t a novel that centers on the romance – that is just an added bonus. It’s about a girl struggling with the loss of her mother and her journey to find happiness again when it never seemed possible. It’s very different from Tara’s previous novels, but her incredible writing style remains the same. This story will make you cry, make you laugh, and take you on an incredibly emotional journey; a journey that left me reaching for my phone to call my mom almost immediately after I read the words, The End. 




Enter to win a signed paperback copy of 
Watch Over Me here!

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About the Author

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. 







Blog Tour organized by:

COVER REVEAL: Escaping Me by Elizabeth Lee



Escaping Me by Elizabeth Lee

Release Date: July 30, 2013


Synopsis:

All she wanted to do was forget. Forget the memory of walking in on her boyfriend in the middle of, well, another girl. Forget how she had her entire life planned out. And, forget about being perfect all the time. Unfortunately, she was Whitney Vandaveer and despite the fact that she moved to the middle of nowhere -- she couldn't. 

He always knew he would never be more than nothing. No job, no money, no future. Cole Pritchett had accepted the fact that he would always be the screw up and he was okay with that. Until he met her. 

Here's the thing they quickly found out -- sometimes we all need a little help escaping who we think we are. 



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About the Author

When I'm not writing or playing the part of wife and mother, you can find me dancing back-up for Beyonce, singing back-up for Miranda, or sunning myself on the beach with a drink in my hand. Here's the thing about being born and raised in a small town -- you have a very vivid imagination! Now, I channel it all to create stories where the girl always ends up with the right guy, first kisses are magical, and a happy ending is just that! 









Cover Reveal organized by:


Thursday, June 13, 2013

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: Watch Over Me by Tara Sivec



RELEASE DAY BLITZ!


Synopsis:

Addison Snow is your typical teenager. She has a family that loves her, friends that make her laugh, and she's wrapped up in the excitement of graduating high school and going off to college to pursue her dream of becoming an author. When her mother, who also happens to be Addison's best friend, dies unexpectedly, her world comes to a crashing halt. 

Death changes everyone...

To make the pain go away, Addison and her father travel down separate, dark paths. She chooses to end her grief forever, while he drowns his sorrows in the bottom of a bottle. How do you learn to live again when the most important person in your life is gone?

Addison struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. Instead of getting back to being the carefree teenager she once was, she's stuck handling all the responsibilities that should have been her father's. She has no time to grieve, no time for emotions, and no time for happiness...until Zander Reinhardt walks in. All it takes is one little handwritten note on a napkin to kick-start her back to life and help her realize that maybe there's more to life than pain. 

But can it really be that simple? Can she really trust this man who makes her feel alive again for the first time in a year? 

Addison and Zander both have secrets they aren't ready to share. When the truth finally comes out, is it enough to tear them apart or has something bigger than themselves always been watching over them, pushing them together, making sure they both get their happily ever after?


Purchase on Amazon Kindle
Purchase from Barnes and Noble

*Note: purchase links aren't available as this post was created prior to the release date. I will post them as soon as I can!*


Listen to the WATCH OVER ME playlist on Spotify!

Enter the GIVEAWAY for a signed WATCH OVER ME paperback!

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About the Author

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.








Wednesday, June 12, 2013

COVER REVEAL: Perfect Regret by A. Meredith Walters


Synopsis

Riley Walker makes all the right decisions and knows exactly where her life is headed. 

Riley Walker does not make mistakes. 

Riley Walker certainly doesn't make spontaneous decisions. 

But then Riley Walker got dumped. 

Spectacularly, gut-wrenching, stomp all over her heart dumped. And she is feeling more than a little angry. And a whole lot bitter. And suddenly the girl who has always done everything right feels like doing something completely wrong. 

Garrett Bellows, lead guitarist for the local band, Generation Rejects, is going through life without a plan. Trying not to think past the next gig or the next party, he has worked hard to not become too attached to anyone or anything. So he is shocked to find himself drawn to the snarky girl with a chip on her shoulder. She pisses him off and puts him down. He knows she's nothing more than a self-entitled college brat who thinks she's better than the townie boy without a future. 

Alcohol and a hefty dose of lust leads to a night Riley and Garrett immediately regret. Her embarrassment, his pride and the weight of rumors and misconceptions convince Riley and Garrett that their one-time indiscretion will never be repeated. Particularly when their harshest critics are each other. 

But how do you reconcile a head that wants to let go with a hear that keeps holding on?

And what happens when your biggest regret begins to seem almost perfect?


Perfect Regret will be released in 2013

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About the Author

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance including the Find You in the Dark series, Bad Rep and its upcoming sequel. 

A. Meredith spent ten years as a counselor for at risk teens and children. First working at a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault program and then later a program for children with severe emotional and mental health issues. Her former clients and their stories continue to influence every aspect of her writing. 

When not writing (or being tortured with all manner of beauty products at the hand of her very imaginative and extremely girly 6 year old daughter), she is eating chocolate, watching reality television that could rot your brain and reading a smutty novel or two. 



Monday, June 10, 2013

Review/Reading Hiatus

I posted the following message regarding a reading/reviewing hiatus on my Facebook page today, but I figured I might as well post it here as well for those who don't have Facebook, and for any authors or publishers with potential review submissions.....

As of today, I am not accepting new submissions for review until further notice. There are some things going on in my personal life that could, and probably would, have a negative effect towards my view of certain characters, relationships, and/or situations. To me, that's just not fair to the author. I will honor my commitments to any blog tour, release blitz, promo post, etc. that I have signed up for, and I will do my absolute best to put my personal stuff aside for any blog tour reviews I have agreed to post in the near future. 

Hopefully I'll be able to start accepting review submissions again soon, but I won't do it until I am sure I can be objective in my opinions. I may still let y'all know about new releases, books on sale, etc. but my posts will probably be few and far between for now. I just know that reading the kind of books I typically gravitate towards would be painful for me right now, and as much as I love reading, I can't do that to myself. I'm sorry; I hope y'all understand and to everyone who reached out to me, I really appreciate it. Y'all are wonderful and I'll be okay - it's just going to take some time. 

Happy Reading and hopefully I'll talk to y'all soon. 
xo Ash


Thursday, May 30, 2013

BLOG TOUR: Girl with Guitar by Caisey Quinn





Synopsis & My Review:

After Kylie’s dad dies in a freak accident, he leaves her with nothing other than her crazy step-mother, Darla, and the ability to play guitar. When Darla kicks Kylie out and she loses her job all in the same day, she hops on a bus to Nashville determined to make her late father’s dreams come true. Waitressing and saving her pennies to record a demo, her big break comes when she’s asked to join a tour going down the tubes with once platinum album-selling country music superstar Trace Corbin. But touring with Trace is hardly a dream come true since he’s pretty much drinking his career down the drain. If Kylie can’t pull Trace out of his rut, he’ll pull her and her dreams down with him.

*The author provided me with a proof copy in exchange for an honest review*

Y'ALL CAN KEEP YOUR ROCK STARS - I'LL TAKE COUNTRY STAR TRACE CORBIN ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!

Here’s a confession: I’m obsessed with country music. *Gasp! What?! No way!* I know, I know, who would have guessed? I live in Kansas. I’ve been in the country my whole life, minus my college years. I retweet waaay too many pictures of Luke Bryan on Twitter. And my blog tagline says I love beer and cowboy boots. It should be a no-fugging-brainer that I love country music. So when the lovely Caisey Quinn offered me a proof copy of Girl with Guitar, I was sooo excited. The main reason? Because there are an enormous amount of books out there that involve a hot rock star, but not many that involve sexy as all hell country stars. And believe me, country stars are sexy as all hell. See Exhibit A below…Mr. Luke "Sexy As A Mother Fucker" Bryan.






Alright, now that you’ve wiped the drool off your face and quite possibly changed your panties, let’s get back to this incredibly country and incredibly wonderful novel. This is the story of Kylie and Trace, and their rocky road to fame, redemption, and ultimately, love. It’s not always pretty; at times, you’ll want to kick Trace in the balls and slap him across the face at the same time. You’ll want to shake Kylie and ask her what the fuck she’s thinking. But you know what? It’s 100 percent worth it, because when they’re good, they’re great. Their relationship will make you laugh, make you smile, make you love, and make you cry. It’s real. It’s imperfectly perfect. Kylie’s smartass, strong attitude made me love her from the very beginning, and Trace’s sweet side covered up by a rugged exterior immediately catapulted him into my top 5 book boyfriends. They’re perfect for each other, they balance each other out. And I think Blake Shelton describes that balance best:


Girl with Guitar is Caisey’s debut novel, but if I didn’t know that before reading this, I would never have guessed that – her writing is that good. She draws you in from the very beginning and makes you root for these characters. You’re wanting Kylie to make it, you’re wanting Trace to get his shit together, you’re wanting them to just bang it out already! You’ll find yourself so wrapped up in this world of country music and romance that you don’t want to blink, because you aren’t ready to come back to reality yet. Her writing combined with the incredible lyrics written throughout make me want to read anything and everything Caisey Quinn writes; I’ll read her fucking grocery list if she emails it to me!

Here’s a little sample of one of the songs in the novel. This one is called Waitin’ For You To Call…



I should wrap this up since I’m on my fifth Miller Lite, and y’all are probably already thinking “Jesus, this chick isn’t ever going to stop talking!” So I’ll just say this – I absolutely, positively, adore this novel and the author. Girl with Guitar isn’t just for the country music lovers out there, although it just might turn you into one, and Trace and Kylie’s romance will quickly become one of your favorites. So buy Caisey’s debut novel, put on your cowgirl boots, pour yourself a shot of Jack, and get your country on! ;) Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about this novel but damn it I need to stop, so I'm going to go finish my Miller Lite and retweet more pictures of Luke Bryan. BUT, I'll leave you with this: my casting picks for Kylie Ryans (in the infamous champagne dress) and Trace Corbin. Eat your heart out. 

             

                       







ENTER THE GIVEAWAY BELOW!






Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Beautiful Broken Rules by Kimberly Lauren

What happens when you create rules to keep others out?

One thing Emerson Moore has come to terms with is that she is the school slut. She knows her way around a frat house and how to get what she wants. She doesn’t make any excuses for her actions and she doesn’t pretend to be anything different. She is who she is and with that she knows how to have a good time. She’s made rules to keep relationships at bay and avoid the demons of her past.

When her best friend, Cole, has his two friends from back home move in with him she begins to think she has met her match with Jaxon Riley. Jax is the perfect mixture of tattooed muscle and a sweet-talking outh. With “hand” written notes, a voice that exudes sex and knowing just how to get under his skin, Jaxon learns how to break all the rules. But will he just end up breaking her heart anyway?


*The author provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review*





That was my thought when Kimberly offered me an ARC of Beautiful Broken Rules, and holy sweet Moses, I was not disappointed. In case you haven’t read any of my other reviews – well…first of all, why the eff haven’t you? Second of all, I love angst. I eat it up like Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked ice cream! I could eat a whole pint of that in one sitting, it’s fucking dangerous. I did the same with this novel – devoured it in one sitting.



Emerson is damaged. She is also the school slut and isn't ashamed or afraid to admit it. She doesn't want a relationship at all. She’s never had a boyfriend and just the thought of anyone calling her their girlfriend petrifies her. So, to make sure no one gets too close, she establishes a set of rules – one being, never sleep with the same guy more than three times. She has never made an exception to this rule and doesn't intend to; but she also doesn't intend on meeting Jaxon Riley – the one guy that makes her want to break every rule in her book, even if the thought of that terrifies the hell out of her.



Jaxon just transferred from a college in Texas and moves into an apartment with one of Emerson’s best friend, Cole. This apartment also happens to be right next to Emerson and her sister, Quinn. After a very exposed first meeting between Em and Jax, he can’t seem to shake her from his mind. He wants to be the one to show her that she doesn’t need rules, and she certainly doesn’t need any other guy occupying her time…or her bed. He is willing to help this broken girl cope with her past, but just how many times can she push him away before he decides to walk away on his own?

I was slightly worried after the first few chapters. I thought this was going to be a love at first sight-fall in love in a week- type romance, and I don’t usually care for those type of love stories. I am sooo happy to say it’s not. The connection between Jaxon and Emerson is instant, but the love isn’t. Kimberly did a fantastic job of expanding the story over a wide time frame, which allowed me to see the relationship between them grow stronger and stronger – with a few nice, big scoops of “are you fucking kidding me?!” thrown in there and some seriously steamy scenes sprinkled on top. One in particular involves the back room at the bar Emerson works at, and I mean…..JE-SUS CHRIST. It’s ridiculous. And I say that in the best way possible.

I couldn’t quite give Beautiful Broken Rules 5 stars for a couple reasons. Some of Jaxon’s actions irked me, and his constant threats to beat up every guy that talked to or touched Emerson got old. I also didn’t quite understand why everyone took Emerson’s side after one round of shit went down between her and Jaxon when it was entirely her fault. I thought the threats coming from Cole to Jaxon were kind of unnecessary – I mean, he’s best friends with both of them. But it didn’t seem like that most of the time.


Overall though, I loved this novel and I loved Emerson and Jaxon. If you want sex, angst, love, heartbreak, and quite possibly the sweetest fucking way to give someone a love note ever, read this book and read it now! I’d also highly recommend a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked ice cream…just because it’s fucking delicious and I guarantee you'll devour it, just like you will this novel. 




Saturday, May 18, 2013

Reviewer and Author Etiquette



With the recent event of M. Leighton pulling her book, Until I Break, from publication due to negative reader feedback, readers and authors alike are coming out of the woodwork to voice their opinions on reader and/or reviewer etiquette. Hence, this blog post. I just feel like it’s necessary to state my feelings on this constant battle of “how far is too far” in a review. Please keep in mind that this is STRICTLY my opinion.

I started Ashley’s Book Nook in April 2012 for a couple reasons – I read a lot, and I wanted to share my thoughts on various books with whoever wants to listen. My parents encouraged me to read at a very early age, and luckily, my love of books never faded throughout the years. I’ve always been the girl that constantly has a book in her purse. Well…now it’s an iPad and/or a book, but you get the point. Reading is something that I love. I love coming home and seeing a box from Amazon sitting on my front porch, knowing that it holds numerous books. I love going to Barnes and Noble and browsing for hours, then leaving with far more books than I intended to. I have such a passion for books and I want to share my thoughts on the stories and characters that I welcome into my life day after day.

Now, with that being said – when I started posting reviews on my blog and Goodreads, I said to myself, “I am always going to be 100% honest in my reviews. No sugarcoating.” It’s been over a year since I became a review blogger, and I’m happy to say, I kept my promise. This brings us to the hot button issue of “how far is too far” in a review. Here’s the thing: book review bloggers do this in their spare time. We don’t get paid to post positive reviews for authors. Granted, we do get free books sometimes (which to me is as good as money) but that’s not a guarantee. We take time out of our lives…whether that be time away from kids, a husband/wife, or just time to go out drinking with friends…to give our truthful opinion on the stories we read. We want to get the word out about those wonderful stories that stay with us for days, weeks, months, years; we want to share those amazing moments in a fantastic book with other readers. However, we also want to voice our dislike when a book falls short of expectations.

I have seen many negative reviews about various books that are downright hateful. Those type of negative reviews, I don’t agree with. I will never personally attack an author in my review for their story. There have been a couple instances where I have just absolutely hated the book – hated the characters, hated the plot – but never once did I attack the author. I was damn honest in my review and made it very clear that I absolutely despised the book, but you know what? That’s the point of having a book review blog. I give my opinion of your book. There is a little saying that has been floating around the internet and I’m not sure where it came from, but it goes “You get my money, you get my opinion.” I stand by this statement. Now granted, I’ve received numerous ARCs and free books from authors, but the majority of my books, I buy with my own money. I’m spending my hard earned…well, earned…money on your book. I’m spending said money on your book because it sounds interesting. If it falls short of my expectations, I have every right to say just that…and then explain why I feel that way.

The sad thing is, I have found that certain authors (who I will not name because I’m not that type of person) think it’s acceptable to critique negative reviews of their book(s). They try to tell the reader that their opinion is wrong, that they didn’t understand the premise, that they didn’t “get” the character. This pisses me off, plain and simple. I understand that you love your characters and you love your book, but just because you are the author that does not give you the right to send me a rude email regarding my review. It also doesn’t give you the right to get into arguments on Goodreads over your novel while you try and change people’s opinion. The whole point of a review is to give your honest opinion. If someone doesn’t like your book, don’t read the review. Focus on the positive, not the negative. Now, I know that’s easier said than done. I’ve been “writing” a book for six months but every time I start writing I get nervous that people will hate it, so I shelf it. I think you have to have incredibly thick skin to be an author – you’re putting your work out there to be picked apart by hundreds, thousands, millions of readers. That would scare the shit out of me! If I do ever finish my book and decide to self-publish, I will probably have several anxiety attacks leading up to, and on the release date. And clearly, I’m not ready for that pressure.

I know that some readers can be incredibly harsh, and I’m not trying to condone their behavior. I would never bully an author. I would never personally attack them. I simply give my honest opinion of their work – sometimes it’s singing praises, and other times it’s voicing sheer disappointment. But guess what? That’s why I have a book review blog. I’m entitled to my opinion and if you don’t agree with it, that’s perfectly fine. I’m not going to try and convince you otherwise, and I expect the same courtesy. If I say "I fucking hated this book and the characters in it", I'm entitled to that! If I say, "I hate the author, Johnny Writesalot, because of this shitty so-called-book he wrote", that's entirely different and entirely unacceptable. 

No one is going to write a book that everyone loves, and if you’re brave enough to put your work out there for the world to read, please know that any negative reviews aren’t a personal attack. Well, at least they aren’t from me. I’m not judging M. Leighton AT ALL for pulling her book because I don’t know what readers said to her about it. If she felt this was the necessary action, then I support her decision. It’s sad…but I support it nonetheless.

I’m going to step down my pedestal now. I hope this post doesn’t piss anyone off or offend anyone, because that wasn’t my intention. I just wish readers would make an honest effort not to personally attack the author in their reviews, and that the authors would be a little more understanding of the right a reviewer has to give their honest opinion.

Now let’s all get back to reading or writing or drinking or whatever it was you were doing and just be fucking happy that so many people in this world still appreciate a good book!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

COVER REVEAL: Girl with Guitar by Caisey Quinn


Okay - before you check out this gorrrrrgeous cover, I need y'all to know something. Caisey was an absolute sweetheart and gifted me a proof copy of Girl with Guitar a little over a month ago, and I devoured it in a day. IT. IS. AMAZING. I hope y'all buy this book when it's released next week; I promise you won't be disappointed!! 

Now, without further adieu.....here is the cover for Girl with Guitar.



Cover design by Emily Mah Tippetts

SYNOPSIS:

After Kylie's dad dies in a freak accident, he leaves her with nothing other than her crazy stepmother, Darla, and the ability to play guitar. When Darla kicks Kylie out and she loses her job all in the same day, she hops a bus to Nashville determined to make her late father's dreams come true. Waitressing and savings her pennies to record a demo, her big break comes when she's asked to join a tour going down the tubes with once-platinum album-selling country music superstar Trace Corbin. But touring with Trace is hardly a dream come true since he's pretty much drinking his career down the drain. If Kylie can't pull Trace out of his rut, he'll pull her and her dreams down with him. 



TEASER:

“Evenin’ y’all,” Kylie drawled into the microphone. “I had a song I was gonna sing and then my friend Tonya, she might be your waitress, she told me it sucked—so I guess I’m just gonna play this here guitar and see where it takes us.” She grinned at the audience and then leaned closer to the mic once more. “Oh, and I go right back to serving after this, so if you don’t clap when I’m finished, I can’t be held responsible for what might happen to your drink between the bar and your table.” Kylie winked and strummed a few cords. “Okay, here we go.”
Laughter? Did she hear laughter? She thought she did.
I know you wanna tie me down, know you wanna put a ring on it, but I ain’t never been that kinda girl, not for all the money in the world.
Kylie launched into her modified version of Trace Corbin’s latest hit, Not That Kinda Man.  It was the famous bachelor’s latest lovin’ and leavin’ single and she was attempting to turn the thing on its ear. He’d written and sang it as a sad break up ballad and Kylie had remixed and reworked it into the single girl’s party anthem.
You wanna own me but you don’t know me. Guess what darlin’? When you wake up I’ll be gone.
Kylie flashed her sexiest grin and wiggled a little at the crowd. Then she shouted, “Sing it with me girls!” into the mic and picked up the tempo, launching into the chorus.
Several waitresses, Tonya included, stopped what they were doing to sing along. Not that Kylie could really see them, but the girls in the crowd joined in too. She sang to the guitar player, whose name she was pretty sure was Andy, and he played right along, smiling and winking at her the whole time. Well I’m not that kinda girl, don’t wanna play these games, not gonna wake up in your bed or take your name. She gave Andy a playful smack on the ass and he blew her a kiss. Shrieking whistles radiated from the audience.
The music hummed and pulsed against her and somewhere in Kylie’s mind a little voice said, Holy shit you’re doing it!  
When the number was over, she practically flew off the stage, painfully aware of the pounding in her chest. Oh well, if I have a heart attack and die right this moment, I’ll die happy. The applause was loud enough to be heard over the ringing in her ears and she wanted it more than oxygen.
Clive was leaning on the bar, shaking his head but smiling. Tonya shot her two thumbs up. Kylie let out a little squeal of happiness and sent a silent thank you up to her daddy, feeling certain she was higher than any drug could ever take her.
She would let Tonya go home early tonight and do the rooms herself. She had enough energy to clean ten green rooms. When she told Tonya that, the woman hugged her. Hard. “You knocked ‘em dead, girl! That was amazing!”
“Yeah, well, I got some really good advice,” Kylie told her, unable to keep the permagrin off her face.
The next act stepped out of the shadows and took the stage. Kylie heard a deep male voice with a sexy southern drawl say, “Damn. Just my luck to have to follow that.”
The audience was still shrieking and screaming and Kylie knew she’d done well, but seriously?
“I apologize for standing y’all up a few weeks ago. Musta got my dates mixed up. Probably time to fire that manager of mine,” the handsome man on stage drawled.
Who was this guy? Whoever he was, the women in the audience were going crazy over him.
“Well, since that good looking waitress stole my number, guess I’ll have to sing something else. Where is that girl anyways?”

Oh God. Oh God,
please no. Kylie’s heart sank and her high evaporated instantly. She


turned to face the man on stage. Trace freaking Corbin was standing there with a guitar in 

one hand and the other to his eyes, scanning the crowd for…her.




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About the Author

Caisey Quinn is a wearer of cowgirl boots, writer and avid reader of New Adult romance, lover of wine, and is addicted to chai tea lattes. 

She's the brand spanking new author of soon to be released books including Girl with Guitar and Keep Me Still (which may or may not include spanking). 

Caisey lives in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, daughter, and other assorted animals. Girl with Guitar is her first novel.