Relevance by Sonya Loveday – Book Blitz

This looks like a serious book. From the cover image to the blurb to the excerpt, get ready for a deep read. – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Relevance
Sonya Loveday
(The Six #2.5)
Publication date: March 21st 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Relevance

The noun form of the adjective “relevant”.

Meaning “important to the matter at hand”.

Secretly located in the tunnels under Chicago’s city streets, Cole Enterprise is home to a group of trained soldiers. Jake Aceton is their newest acquisition. Recruited from boot camp before graduation after being handpicked by Grant Jackson, Jake is plunged into the mysterious underground world, forever changing his life.

Regardless of his relevance to Cole Enterprise, Jake has a hard time looking past all he has to give up. Can he learn to live in his own shadow in order to protect those he loves?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

relevance promo teaser 2

EXCERPT:

Nothing fit right anymore, but it didn’t matter. I could close my eyes and see myself standing at the cabin watching the Six banter back and forth over fishing or swimming. Home. I smelled like home.

The serenity of the moment shattered when Riley burst through the door, swearing a blue streak until she realized she wasn’t alone. “Ace. What are you doing in here?”

She didn’t even bat an eye at what I was wearing. Had she been anyone else, I’d have had my ass ripped for being in civilian clothing. “Oliver just took me to get my clothes.”

She noticed then. “Oh!”

I put my hand out, and she stepped into my arms with a heavy sigh. “What’s wrong, Riley?” I asked, gathering her close and kissing the top of her head. Dread ran through me. I had a feeling I already knew.

She tucked her head under my chin and slid her hands down my back until her thumbs found my belt loops. “Nothing.”

I snorted at her lame-ass attempt to cover up how she felt. “You can’t bullshit a bullshitter, Riles. I know you’re not happy with any of this.”

She dropped her hands and took a step back, squaring her shoulders. “I’m fine. It’s just been an adjustment. Nothing I can’t handle.” She pulled out all the stops and managed a smile.

I caught her face in my hands and leaned down to place a kiss between her brows. Right on the spot that pulled together, telling me she was anything but happy. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m gonna prove it every day for the rest of my life. I know you’re miserable. I know this isn’t what you wanted.”

“Once we find the leak and figure out what Nicco is up to, we’ll talk with Nadia and Grant and come up with something. Maybe they’ll even want us to transfer to Scotland.”

A real smile broke through that time. “Okay.”

One word was all it took to make the knot in my chest unravel.

I didn’t want to leave Riley, but Oliver was waiting for me in the cafeteria. “I have to go meet with Oliver. Are you staying in here for a little while?”

She shook her head. “I need to meet with Oliver too. I guess we better get going then.”

Riley made it to the door and had it open before I could cross the room.

“Why do you have to meet with Oliver?” I asked, closing the door behind us.

Her hair spilled over her shoulder, hiding her face from me. It wasn’t often Riley had her hair down, so the missing presence of her ponytail seemed odd. Truth be told, seeing Riley with her hair down was like seeing her naked, as weird as that sounded. Maybe it was because the only way I really saw her hair down was when we were… “Oof.” My side ached and my hand went to the offended spot immediately. “What the hell?”

Riley scowled. “Did you hear anything I just said?”

“Um…” She’d been talking to me and I’d tuned her out as I fantasized about her hair being down. “Sorry, I was uh…” Mentally stripping you and watching the way your hair falls over your…

She snapped her fingers in front of my face. “My eyes are up here, Ace.”

I jerked my gaze up to hers, feeling my cheeks blaze. “I know.”

She rolled her eyes and pushed past me into the cafeteria where Oliver waited at one of the tables.

He looked up from the file he had opened in front of him. When he looked between the two of us, he swore. “Please tell me you two aren’t in the middle of some sort of lover’s quarrel.”

Riley flipped him off and then sat opposite of him. I kept the urge to say something smart-ass back at him locked up tight, choosing to sit down instead.

Oliver looked between us again and then back to the file. “Okay, here’s what we’re gonna do.”

My spine snapped ramrod straight. “We? What we? Because I know you don’t mean Riley too.”

Oliver leaned his elbows on the table as he crossed his arms and looked directly at Riley. “You didn’t tell him?”

“Yes, I did. He wasn’t listening though.”

“What do you mean he wasn’t listening?”

I forced myself to listen instead of drift off as I’d done earlier. Damn her hair. She needed to pull it up and get it out of my thoughts!

“…just like that,” she said, waving her hand in front of my face. “Do you think it’s a flashback?” The fear in her voice startled me.

“I’m not having a flashback,” I answered, shifting myself on the bench seat so I straddled it.

“Then what the hell is wrong with you?” Oliver demanded.

My lip curled as I swung my gaze to him. “I’m dead, so, technically, it could either be classified as everything or nothing.”

Oliver shook his head, tapping the folder in front of him. “Do you think you can keep your corporeal form focused for a minute while we go over tonight’s recon mission?”

Relevance promo img 1

 

Author Bio:

Sonya Loveday, first and foremost is a reader, an avid one. It is of that love that brought her to the realization that this was the answer to the nagging persistent feeling that ‘there’s got to be something more’.

The dream came alive in 2009 when she purchased her laptop and began the tedious step of becoming a published author.

When she’s not reading, she’s writing. When she’s not writing, she’s reading. And when she’s not doing either of those things she’s sleeping, shuttling her children back and forth to school, letting the dogs and cats in and out of the house for the umpteenth time in the last hour and dreaming of a clean house.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

 

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Hipmunk Hotels: Themed Vacations in Reno, Phoenix, Richmond, Detroit and Louisville

I thought of another twist to my bucket list, themed vacations. Who doesn’t like a good theme? All of these big cities warranted a revisit and with a cool theme it will be like visiting the city for the first time, all over again, so to speak, as it where (Seinfeld reference).

Reno, Nevada

Reno, Nevada is a destination for action and adventure, but not all action takes place in the casinos. Reno is smack dab in the desert, buckaroo. To appease my inner cow girl, I think I would like to enjoy a horseback ride through the many trails. The local hotels can put you in touch with a guide or tour group.  A leisurely trot through the nearby trails or an all day excursion will have you saying y’all and embracing the cowboy way of life in no time.

Image provided by Julie Jeffery via Trover.com

Phoenix, Arizona

I lived in Phoenix, Arizona for a summer. Yeah, I know. Summer is not the best time to visit. Let me let you in on a little secret. It wasn’t as bad as you would think. Phoenix is a dry heat. I still sweated my butt off, but I discovered that the heat didn’t keep people from enjoying outdoor activities, they just did them at night. Night golf, lighted tennis courts, moonlight hikes in the nearby mountains are great ways to enjoy the city after being cooped up in the air-conditioned hotels and resorts all day.

Richmond, Virginia

My mother grew up in Virginia so I have first hand knowledge of how this city has changed over the years. It may not be on your bucket list, but if history fascinates you, Richmond and the Capital Square area continues to embrace the city’s historic significance to the birth of our nation. Walk down the cobbled stone streets, study the fully restored capital, and wander the grounds of the Executive Mansion. Built in the 1700’s, the city of Richmond, Virginia will take you back Colonial Times, the good parts of it anyway.

 

Image provided by Megan Wright via Trover.com

Detroit, Michigan

While Detroit, Michigan and the surrounding suburbs have gone through a lot lately economically, it’s still a fascinating city with many attractions. I’ll call this my Speedster themed vacation. Detroit Auto Museum traces the history of the automobile in US history. The Model T museum shows Ford’s place in the creation of our modern-day obsession with our cars. Paying tribute to these establishments and patronizing the many hotels and casino resorts in Detroit will go a long way in bringing this city back to prominence.

Louisville, Kentucky

I’m calling my trip to Louisville, Kentucky my whiskey themed vacation. Home of Kentucky Bourbon and the Jim Beam Distillery, you can’t help but partake in the local drink. Whether you are a fan of whiskey or not. Pick a hotel near the center of town. Bar hop to sample how each establishment takes the local beverage and creates their own twist.

 

Image provided by Abby Fieldhouse via Trover.com

Who wants to join me on a Wild West, Sportster, Colonial, Speedster, Drunk road trip?

Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Contributing writer for hipmunk.com.

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Hipmunk Hotels: More California Adventures in Burlingame, Concord, Fresno, Roseville and Santa Ana

More bucket list adventures in California are on the horizon. I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of California. The earth quakes scare the ‘bejesus’ out of me. These little towns have some interesting sights I need to see before California falls into the ocean.

Burlingame, California

Known as the City of Trees, Burlingame, California has an amazing coastline and outstanding views. It’s located near San Francisco and is the largest shoreline in the San Francisco Bay. San Francisco International airport is in Burlingame, which means millions of people pass through it every day, but if they were smart like me, they would grab a room at one of the local hotels and enjoy the local sites. Burlingame is a sweet city, too, literally. See’s candy and Pez have their headquarter in Burlingame.

Images provided by William Jones via Trover.com

Concord, California

Concord, California is another city by the Bay. The city center known as the Todos Santos Plaza is a gathering place for tourist and locals. With several hotels near the area, the Plaza features restaurants and a farmers market along with free concerts in the summer. Concord’s most famous resident is Tom Hanks, so if it’s good enough for Forrest Gump, it’s good enough for me.

Image provided by la Vang via Trover.com

Fresno, California

The fifth largest city in California and in San Joaquin Valley is Fresno, California. Fresno is probably one of the safest places in the world considering it houses divisions of every unit of the military. Fresno has many great hotels, but I might push myself and partake in camping in one of the most notorious camp ground in the world.  Okay, maybe my version of camping or glamping (glamorous camping) doesn’t count. Yosemite National Park is a stones throw away from Fresno and I can’t wait to me Yogi and Bobo.

Roseville, California

I admit, it took me a minute to figure out the capital of California was Sacramento, but once I did, I couldn’t wait to explore the city and suburbs surrounding it. Roseville is one of those cities. A former railroad town, Roseville, California, formally called Roseville Junction, retains some of its history glamor. Vernon Street is a historical district with great hotels and restaurants. When you walk through The Old Downtown area it’s like stepping back in time.

Santa Ana, California

In the southern region of the great state of California, I found Santa Ana, California. I couldn’t find much about Santa Ana except for it is the birthplace of several notable athletes (Danny Espinosa and Christian Ramierez) and celebrities (Michelle Pfeiffer and Michael B. Jordan). The amazing climate and the place makes it a great destination for tourist. Beautiful hotels and resorts in and around Santa Ana serve food from all over the world. Who knew you could get Cajun food in southern California.

Image provided by Lily A. via Trover.com

What kind of California adventures have you found yourself in? 

Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Contributing writer to Hipmunk.com.

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Adventures in a Re-Visit to Denmark

When I was in high school, I took a group trip with the Student Ambassador program to Europe. Our trip hit the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Finland and my favorite, Denmark. We stuck with the main sights of Copenhagen, but I have always wanted to go back and check out some of these attractions in and around the capital city.

Aarhus, Denmark

My favorite activity when traveling is to check out the architecture. Each city has its own unique look and tells the history of the place. Weather ancient and historic and modern, I love them all. Aarhus, Denmark has a great mix of both. In the case of Aarhus Denmark, you might say it tells more about its future. You can find all sorts of unique architectural surprises that make you wonder what was the designer thinking and how did they do that.

Imaged provided by Leif Petersson via Trover.com

Aalborg, Denmark

In Aalborg, Denmark, you more apt to find traditional architecture. As a great example of Renaissance style architecture, the Jens Bangs Stonehouse is names after the riches Dane in history. Prior to the this trip, I thought northeastern America was old and I thought if I saw one old building, I had seen them all. I quickly discovered that statement was naïvely false. It seems the older the building, the more fascinating the story that goes alone with it. The Bangs family built Stonehouse in the 1600. They have owned the building for over 300 years. It is still used as a pharmacy today. Hidden in the basement is a place enjoy a cold beer and learn more about the history of this house. The rest of the house is private and not open to the public.

Image provided by Peter Frank via Trover.com

Frederiksberg, Denmark

In Frederiksberg, Denmark, the Frederiksberg Have (Gardens) is a modern and historical marvel. The house itself reminds me of the Palace of Versailles in Paris as well as the Summer Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. I was able to visit both on this trip, but I hate I missed Frederiksberg and the gardens of this beautiful place. The green landscape with is flowers, manicured lawn, and trees, is the true gem of this historic place. I could spend days wondering the sprawling gardens. The gardens included several structures, which were influences by Swedish, Chinese and Roman cultures. On any beautiful day, you will see tons of people enjoying the growns. I could nap on the grass for hours or enjoy a book.

Image provided by Sigursteinn Halldorsson via Trover.com

Kastrup, Denmark

On my search for more modern structures, Kastrup, Denmark is a city that grew out of modern and state of the art inspiration. It houses the Orestad, which is Denmark’s international airport. The train system is one of the most modern and efficient in Europe.  You can find your introduction and farewell to this beautiful country and reveil in its modern and traditional way of life the Danish have captured unlike any other city in Europe.

Image provided by Diane Fang via Trover.com.

Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Contributing writer for Hipmunk.com.

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Burning Ultimatum by Aubrey Parker – Book Blitz

Trevor’s Harem continues . . . – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Burning Ultimatum
Aubrey Parker
(Trevor’s Harem, #4)
Publication date: March 15th 2016
Genres: New Adult, Romance

With Trevor’s contest at its end, it’d be easy to say we’re three against one. And yet I’ve never felt so alone.

My heart is torn, twisted, ripped. I’m alternately hot and cold. I dream vivid dreams, no longer sure if they’re fantasy or reality.

There’s a new player in the game. He’s tall, broad, beautiful, and intimidating. Everyone is afraid of him, even the company. I’m told he has a secret, and that I’m its subject. And someone else has a secret, too — from our mystery man, and god help us if he learns it.

Everyone is loyal to something or someone in this place — though it’s seldom what it seems.

I don’t know who’s with me and who’s against me — if I’ll go home with my new protector … or be kept here forever.

I couldn’t possibly be what Eros has combed the world for … can I?

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

Trevor puts his hand on my arm, but I shake it away. I’m so frustrated. So angry. Trevor acts like my friend, but he cut Kat. I have no friends.

“Bridget, there was no choice. Keeping her wouldn’t have been fair to Kat. And it would have contradicted the purpose of everything we’re trying to do.”

I look back at him. I stand. My eyes are wet with fury, but I’m wearing an angry smile.

“What?” he says.

“They got you. They got all of you.”

“Who?”

“Kylie. Kat was a threat to her. Do you know about her and Caspian White?”

“No. What do you mean?”

“I guess we’ll never know, will we? I could tell you. I could even tell Caspian. But something tells me it won’t ring true without Kat to back me up. Something tells me convenient lies and excuses have already been put in place. She’s always ten steps ahead, isn’t she? After all, that’s her fucking superpower, isn’t it?”

“Bridget, what are you talking about?”

“And Jessica. Because second place wasn’t good enough for her. She wants to win it all. Is that what Kylie promised her? That she could come in first place once Kat was gone?” I give a cynical little smile. “I guess we’ll see what Kylie’s promises are worth with a knife in Jessica’s back.”

“You’re making too much of this. Once I learned Kat’s situation, I took care of it. It was just me. Nobody else — not Kylie, not Jessica.”

Then it hits me. My hand goes over my mouth, and I actually laugh.

“Oh my God,” I say.

“What?”

“They’re playing you, too.”

“Nobody’s playing me.”

I sit back down. I can’t help myself. I grab Trevor by the upper arms and look him right in his sweet, almost innocent eyes.

“This is about you, Trevor. Not me, not the contest, not the company. You. Kat was eliminated because you never had a choice. She backed you into it.”

“Who?” He’s getting annoyed, his face twisting.

“This whole thing is on you. It’s your name. Your company. Everything is being done for Trevor Stone.”

“So?”

“So if it fails? If it goes horribly wrong? If someone can convince some other people that certain big-name billionaires should be squeezed out?”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

But I’m not. I see it clear as day.

Trevor stands, brushing off with an air of finality, as if these last thirty seconds have made him sorry for coming to see me.

“Trevor … ”

He meets my eyes with a hard stare — no matter what I say next, our discussion is over.

“I came here because I care about you, Bridget. That hasn’t changed.”

I don’t know what else to do, so as my shoulders sag, I nod.

“Are you leaving today?”

That was the plan, yes. But now I’m not so sure. If I leave, it’ll just be Jessica, Kylie, and Daniel versus Trevor. The three against one that’s also leveled against me. But I could stick around. I could keep being a wrench in the machine. The one question that nobody, no matter how honest they are, will answer is the biggest of all: Why am I still here? I survived the first elimination after refusing to play by the rules. I survived the second and third without blinking. And if Trevor is to be believed, I survived a sex-first challenge by being nonsexual while the sluttiest slut got the axe. All by following my gut and doing nothing special. All, it seems, without help of any meaningful kind.

“I don’t know,” I say.

“You should.”

“Why?”

“Same reason as before.”

“Which is?”

“Caspian White.”

“Why, Trevor?”

“Because he likes you.”

“Then I should have no problems.”

Trevor doesn’t respond. He looks somehow punched, but I can tell he feels that affection, from Caspian White, probably isn’t a good thing.

“I’ll be fine, Trevor. Thank you for your concern, but I’ve made it this far, even without a superpower.”

I try to smile at the idea of superpowers, but Trevor stops, on his way to my door, and takes my hand.

“Daniel didn’t tell you,” he says.

“Tell me what?”

“At least on paper, he’s named a talent for you. To our board. And to Mr. White.”

I blink back up at Trevor.

“He’s been telling people that he’s figured out my superpower?”

“Yes. And going to face Caspian White, that’s what scares me.”

“What is it?”

“Technically it’s restraint, no doubt piggybacking on what the cameras saw between you in the garden, when you resisted his triggers.” Trevor purses his lips. “But Caspian has chosen to interpret your unflappability differently, if not quite literally.”

My heart beats faster. Maybe Trevor is right after all, and I should leave while I still can.

“‘Purity,’” Trevor says. “As if you were a virgin, waiting to be defiled.”

 

Author Bio:

I love to write stories with characters that feel real enough to friend on Facebook, or slap across the face. I write to make you feel, think, and burn with the thrill that can only come from getting lost in the pages. I love to write unforgettable characters who wrestle with life’s largest problems. My books may always end with a Happily Ever After, but there will always be drama on the way there.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

 

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