Dance for Me by J.C. Valentine (Book Review)

It’s been a while since I’ve signed up to read/review a book and it’s even sweeter when you’re approached to do so. Such was the case for J.C. Valentine’s newest release titled Dance for Me. Having read and reviewed three of her previous titles in her Night Calls series, That First Kiss, Surrender to Love and Trust, I jumped at the opportunity to get lost in another one of her wildly entertaining creations. For more information on J.C. Valentine, feel free to stalk her on Facebook, Amazon, Author Page or Goodreads. To 1-Click your copy from Amazon, click here. Check out the blurb and my review below.

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BLURB: WARNING: Dance for Me is the first book in a trilogy and ends with a cliffhanger. Due to mature material, it is recommended for ages 17+.

What if the person who stole your heart wasn’t who you thought they were?

When my parents passed away, I grew up fast. Learning to stand on my own two feet has been a challenge, but I’m making it… my way. I make no apologies for the path I’ve chosen. My choices have served me well, but no one knows the real me.

Except one man.

He’s a mystery to me. He’s controlling, demanding, and he has me wrapped around his little finger. Anything he wants, I’ll give it to him. The hours we share together aren’t about love. It’s just sex. Hot, dirty, passionate sex. It was never supposed to be anything more than that.

Until everything changed.

Now, I’m more confused than ever. The more I learn about him, the less I seem to understand. What I do know is that I’m falling, and I have the feeling when I land, it’s going to hurt.

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MY REVIEW:

*ARC generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review*

*4 Night & Day Stars*

I’ve never been a fan of cliffhangers but recently discovered that when tastefully done and paired with great writing, it can turn out to be pretty amazing.

Josephine Hart has led a trying life since the loss of her parents, but she makes no excuses for her circumstances and rather takes life as it comes. A senior in college, she supports herself by dancing at a gentlemen’s club where she exercises complete control over her attentive audience, especially Him. Always observing from a darkened corner, this beautiful mystery man takes what he wants and gives her feelings she previously never entertained.

Careful not to mix business with pleasure, Joe compartmentalizes her life into work and school. Going to such measures as preferring low lighting during her performances in order to maintain a certain anonymity save someone from recognizing her outside of the club, friends included. Her so-called carefully orchestrated life becomes a whirlwind of erotic encounters bordering on dangerous and perhaps something more.

As if that wasn’t enough, her first day of Art Class takes an interesting turn once she lays eyes on Professor Scott. Gorgeous, with unforgettable piercing onyx eyes reminiscent of a certain mystery man that commands full attention, she can’t help but oscillate between thinking life is playing a cruel joke on her and making lemonade with the forbidden fruit so blatantly being offered. She’s always kept her guard up in regards to intimacy but after having the crème de la crème, right or wrong as it may be…she’s can’t deny being hot for teacher. With his Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde routine, it’s tough to know which way is up or down and get a feel for where they stand at times, but being apart is out of the question. Unfortunately, things are not always what they seem and something more lurks beneath the surface of their fragile relationship.

The electricity between Joe and Prof. Scott is tangible in every page and takes the reader for a wild ride of unexpected twists and turns that will leave you breathless and hungry for more of these great characters. I happen to be a sucker for books that involve dance and when I was offered the opportunity to review this title, I didn’t hesitate because J.C. Valentine’s writing style is a mixture of fun and sexy that always puts a smile on my face

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[Media Source: J.C. Valentine’s Facebook, Tumblr]

Hillsong – Let Hope Rise + Touch the Sky

Happy Easter! What do Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj and Broadway’s hit show RENT have in common? The answer to this random question is director, Michael John Warren. Since making his directorial debut with Jay-Z’s 2004 documentary Fade to Black, his work has involved music themed projects among other things. Most recently, he collaborated with the Australian Christian band Hillsong UNITED, in a documentary that places a genuine spotlight on their rise to fame. With an ever-growing fan base, they’re kind of a huge deal in the Christian community and their music is known around the world. Hillsong-Let Hope Rise captures the magnitude of influence that their worship songs have and how that came to be. For more information on the movie due out September 30th, 2015, click here.

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The music of Hillsong is so popular it is estimated that on any given Sunday, more than 50 million churchgoers around the world are singing their songs. Routinely performing to sold-out stadiums, the 11-member band, led by Joel Houston, are all volunteers or employees of Hillsong Church, founded by Joel’s parents, Brian and Bobbie Houston. Their mission — without exaggeration – is to make music to save souls. They are trying to get people to discover Jesus. That’s probably the most righteous reason to make music. Whether you’re religious or not, it’s hard to look at that and not feel good about it. [www.hillsongmovie.com]

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Check out the film trailer below and the first single “Touch the Sky” (not to be confused with Kanye’s song) from their upcoming album Empires.

[Media Source: www.ugather.com, www.hillsongmovie.com, www.tumblr.com]

Take Back Home by Jon R. (Book Review)

Last year, I had the pleasure and privilege of serving as a beta reader to not just any author but a friend working on his debut novel. On February 28th of this year he bravely hit publish on Amazon and became my first real author friend. Even though it’s a not a romance novel, Take Back Home is a well written and incredibly thought-provoking drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I urge you to check out this quick read (137 pages) currently on sale for only 99 pennies! Better yet, you can read it for FREE if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited. Go forth and 1-click like yesterday…here! Check out the blurb and my review which also happens to be the foreword.

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BLURB: The first book from a new author comes a non-traditionally written, thought provoking story set upon the backdrop of true events, that offers and explores an idea to a major, modern day problem.

A man faces conviction of a crime in one of the most publicly covered and well known trials in years. He fights for the safety of the people yet is accused of making it worse. There is a waging war on gun violence and how to handle it. He proposes a way although while his goals are righteous, his means are described as controversial.

All across America, mass shootings and massacres constantly inundate the news faster than you can finish mourning the last one. Innocent people are dying by ruthless, absent minded domestic terrorists. People are increasingly pushing for stricter gun regulations and laws and ultimately better overall safety. Debates about gun control are heated and are one of the most controversial topics in years. One side imposes the 2nd amendment with the right to bear arms and the other side proposes stricter laws and banishment of guns.

This ordinary man full of unordinary ideas succeeded in finding a middle ground by starting a new organization. It’s much like a neighborhood watch, but where its reach extends far beyond just your own community. Through it he found a way to help give civilians and innocents back the peace of mind that is currently held by fear of simply allowing themselves or their children to leave the house. Citizens deserve the right to be able to protect themselves, their friends and family and their way of life. Police can’t be everywhere but citizens are. Members act as extra eyes and ears to police yet are prepared for the deadliest of situations. Armed with pistols loaded with the safer, less than lethal ammunition, they increase the chances of someone being in the right place at the right time to help defend against another unpredictable attack. This organization has come to be known as the Civilian Protection Association of America, or more commonly referred to as the CPAA.

Just a bit over a year after its initial start, disaster strikes this once optimistic plan. Can the man that started it all, who now stands on trial facing the end of the CPAA prove his innocence or has his judgment been clouded and blinded him to the truth?

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MY REVIEW

*4 THIS BOOK WILL GIVE YOU AN INCEPTION-LIKE HANGOVER STARS*

*** I had the privilege of beta-reading this book ***

Take Back Home is a thought-provoking novelization of a highly controversial issue. The topic of gun control is one that has been brought to the forefront over the last decade due to an increasing occurrence of tragic events. Various settings have witnessed attacks by unstable individuals. Institutions of higher learning, a movie theater and even an elementary school have all been targets of such individuals, which leads us to think that we are not safe anywhere.

However worrisome, some believe that the answer to violent outbreaks would be to further restrict gun control laws, while others feel that in doing so would result in violation of their constitutional rights. The latter is the view taken by the protagonist who faces some pretty serious accusations and possible charges as a result of an initiative he created in order to not only protect himself but his own community. The Civilian Protection Association was founded by a man with a goal to do his part in diffusing a foreseeable threat in the hopes of preventing another tragedy. Those who shared his vision were welcome to join his organization while abiding by a set of guidelines and undergoing security measures. On paper and in theory the neighborhood watch like group sounded like an initiative in the right direction, until it all went wrong.

Author Jon R. strips the reader of literary distractions often used to connect to characters, such as names and descriptions, and by doing so conveyed more directly the book’s message. Left with the meat and bones of the story, the reader is able to become fully immersed in the protagonist’s saga. Supported by true events, the story takes on a type of pseudo non-fiction feel that makes you reflect and question your stand on gun control laws. The issue is neither a black nor white one, but rather shades of gray. This book perfectly portrays what happens when even the strictest precautions and guidelines can’t protect us from unknown variables that further complicate our chaotic world.

A refreshingly eye-opening reading experience, Take Back Home, will keep you on the edge of your seat in the best possible way and leave you wanting more. If you’re a fan of Law & Order style crime dramas, then this uniquely written book is for you.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Take Back Home is the author’s first book with hopefully more to come. He grew up and lived in the hustle and bustle of Long Island, New York for the first 25 years of his life until 2010 when he married and moved to the much more relaxing state of North Carolina. Writing was always a large part of him, even if he didn’t realize it until relatively recently, whether it’s on various online forums, excelling at school writing assignments or creating stories for his animated work in college. His creativity stems from a life with an artistic background. Much like anyone else, he wishes for the world to be more civilized and enjoyable for all. He is full of ideas and loves to improve things, and (un)fortunately the world has plenty wrong to offer. Besides having a talent for viewing things with an independent perspective, he demonstrates a strong objective outlook on life. With this he aspires to be able to contribute some good to the world in order to help make it a better place. If there is one thing he hopes for people to take away from his work is to learn to keep an open mind.

Feel free to stalk Jon R. on GoodReads and Amazon. Hurry and grab your copy of Take Back Home today before the price goes up very soon! Click here!