Lovin' los libros

A book blog dedicated to young adult and new adult novels

Welcome to my stop on the Good Sensations blog tour hosted by Just Booked!
Today I am excited to share my review, an excerpt, and a giveaway with you all!



Good Sensations (Welcome to Paradise #3)
   by: S.L. Scott

Publication Date: Jan. 9, 2014
Publisher:
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by the author and JustBooked! in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 242 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars


Evan Ashford is sex personified. He makes me feel things I never have and crave things I’m not sure I should. Time doesn’t exist when we’re together—all of our worries becoming obsolete. Our tongues touch, and as if by memory, they move in harmony, feeling at peace, feeling at home.

Despite his mother’s best efforts to drive us apart and the miles that separate us, I’m ready—ready to claim what’s mine.

In an instant, his lips are pressed firmly against mine, consuming my words as if hearing them isn’t enough. Desire turns to need as he tastes and savors every syllable ever spoken from my heart to his.

Mallory Wray caught my attention and stole my heart. The emerald of her eyes draws me in, and it’s so easy to see why I fell in love with her. I run my hand over her cheek and into her hair, admiring everything I’ve missed so much. That familiar intensity that formed our bond back in Hawaii exists again. It’s comforting, engulfing, making my chest ache in the most painfully acute way. My heart feels grounded in her. This is right, this is us, I can finally breathe again.

Her hand settles on my cheek and a soft smile appears. “My sweet surfer. What a change a month makes.”

“It’s not the month that changed me. It’s the girl.” I turn and kiss her palm. “You make me want more than I feel I deserve.”

“You deserve everything your heart desires.”

“My heart only desires you.”

“Then I’m yours. All yours. Always.”

Life has taken these two young lovers in different directions. Can their love bring them back together? Will they be able to find their paradise once again?


 
I was so happy to have S.L. contact me herself asking me if I wanted to review the final Welcome to Paradise installment! My response: YES PLEASE! I have gotten so sucked into this series and naturally I had to make sure I got the ending I wanted! And I did! Woooo!
 
At the end of the second book, Mallory and Evan are in a pretty good place. Their relationship has been a tumultuous one. These two can run very hot and cold with one another: one minute they are super hot and are head over heels crazy, passionately in love with one another and the next they tend to let their jealousy get the best of them and are storming off, pissed as hell. However, Mallory and Evan are really growing up and we definitely see that in this book. They truly love one another and will go to some pretty serious lengths to prove that to one another. We still have some jealousy issues in this book, but nothing like in the past. Evan trusts Mallory implicitly- he doesn't however, trust some of the guys hanging around her- Ryan (a friend at school who she is also working on a project with) in particular.
 
It's always funny to watch Evan stake his claim with her. I almost wondered if he was going to pull out his junk and pee in a circle around her! LOL. To be fair, Evan wasn't completely off base in believing the worst about some of those guys though. I am just glad he isn't taking his jealousy out on Mallory like he did in the past. She has given him no reason not to trust her. Mallory also handles her jealousy better and although she hates doing long distance with Evan, they are making it work.
 
My only qualm with their story is that they have too much sex. And even then, it's not a huge deal, because unlike other books out there, there is an actual storyline here. I just felt sometimes it was used as filler and could have done without so much of it.
 
I'm glad to see Sunny, Zach, Murphy, and Kate back in action in this book also, even though they play a more minor role. I was pleasantly surprised by how much interaction the couple had with both sets of parents! I enjoyed watching Mal's parents meet Evan and I liked seeing how Evan's parents evolved in this book. Sometimes you have to take off the blinders and see what's right in front of you before you lose it forever. That absolutely applied to Evan's mom.
 
As I said earlier, I am quite satisfied with the ending of this series. I felt it ended the way it was meant to and I'm glad S.L. really showed us how just how much Evan and Mallory have changed and developed since the first book.
 
 

 
She stops, and with a telling grin says, “You know, despite what you may think, I’m actually not an easy lay.”

I can’t stop the laugh. Trust me, I try. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone how fast you jumped my bones.”

“Jumped your bones? I did not jump your bones. You have clearly forgotten how the events of our first date went down.”

“Well,” I say, rubbing my chin. “It wasn’t really a date from what I recall and you still ended up in my bed… under me one time…” I close my eyes remembering how fucking sexy she was that day. “… on top of me another. Oh, and I can’t forget how hot your ass looked from behind. I clearly remember three different times.”

“I thought it was two.”

“I didn’t include the pool action, so definitely three… at least, and I wore you out, Miss I’m-Not-An-Easy-La—Ouch!” I rub my arm where she knuckles me, then laugh. “You’re feisty, Miss Wray.”

“It’s one of the reasons you fell in love with me.”

“It’s one of the many reasons I fell in love with you. Your easy ways were another.”

She jerks me to a stop in the middle of the lobby. “Oh my God, Evan, you make me sound like a whore.”

Wrapping my arms around her neck, I pull her close, and whisper, “Do you regret being with me that first day?”

“No, none of it.”

“You’re not a whore.” I kiss her on the nose. “You’re not easy. We both knew there was something more between us, something different. We did what we wanted and what felt right, and it doesn’t matter now anyway. Here we are thousands of miles away from where we started—”

“Starting a new life.”

“Our new beginning starts today.”

With a heavy sigh, she says, “Oh no.” Her smile falls away. “I let you have sex with me right when we first met. I am a total whore.”

“Only for me, baby.”She rolls her eyes. “You’ve turned me into a very bad girl, Mr. Ashford.”

“I like bad girls. Now c’mon and let’s do all this romantic stuff so I can take you home and fuck you properly.”

Laughing, she rolls her eyes again. “You’re terrible.”

“You love it.”

I love you, so yeah, I guess I do love it.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
S.L. Scott has a degree in Journalism and is the author of the novel, Naturally, Charlie, and several novellas, including Sleeping with Mr. Sexy and Morning Glory--all currently available on Amazon. Pursuing her passion for telling stories, she spends her days escaping into her characters, letting them lead her on their adventures. She is a Contributor to Huffington Post as well as writes for her own blog along with several other popular sites.
 
Travelling, music festivals, and surfing are a few of her hobbies she loves, but she doesn't get to enjoy on a regular basis. She has an obsession with movies, a varied taste in books, and collects Fitz & Floyd teapots. With a memory full of useless trivia facts, and a Keurig addiction, she loves a fun night in with her family as much as a loud night out with her friends.
Scott lives in the lively city of Austin with her husband, two young sons, and two Papillons, enjoying life in the beautiful hill country of Texas.
She welcomes your notes at sl@slscottauthor.com.
 
 
 


a Rafflecopter giveaway


 
Welcome to my stop on the Good Intentions tour hosted by AToMR tours!
To see other stops on the tour for reviews, guest posts, and excerpts click here.
 
 
Good Intentions (Welcome to Paradise #2)
   by: S.L. Scott

Publication Date: Sept. 9, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by AToMR tours and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count:  236 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars



Two words sum up my summer in paradise—Evan Ashford.

I have a life back home I must return to, though my heart battles this reality. What started as a carefree summer fling has become so much more. Evan has become so much more. He’s become everything. Cupping his face, I stare into his deep blue eyes, wanting to lose myself once more... needing to know he feels this too.

Although our connection won’t stop the summer’s end from rushing toward us or silence the demons Evan battles, I have faith our love can overcome the obstacles that will undoubtedly arise from us choosing to be together. I still worry… Will our good intentions be good enough? But I’m all in, willing to take the risk, knowing he can destroy my heart if I’m wrong.


Like a riptide, I was forever changed by one woman—Mallory Wray.

Our eyes meet and we spend a moment looking into the others’, reading the fear and the love that mingles within. I move slowly down and kiss her forehead, her nose, her eyelids, her cheeks, and her chin before I kiss her lips again—soft and gentle, not rushed, but sensual. She smiles and I die inside knowing that I won’t get to see her face every day. I’ve been spoiled by this sweet angel giving me all her days and nights. I possessively take hold of her wrists and like so many times before, the air stills as our connection intensifies. I can’t help myself when it comes to her.

I kiss her.

Rain pours down harder and I wrap my arms around her, engulfing her body, her love, her soul.
 
 
My Review:
 
You know those soap operas that you feel guilty to admitting to watch? I feel much the same way about the Welcome to Paradise series. It is reminiscent of a mini soap opera with so much angst and drama, it literally makes your head spin. And I freaking love it! I can't get enough of this series!
 
Good Intentions takes up right where Good Vibrations leaves off- Mallory is getting ready to attend her boyfriend, Evan's (well his parents') 4th of July party. The only problem? Evan's mother hates Mallory with a passion. She belittles her and treats her as if she's nothing more than a common street whore. Yeah, great lady.
 
The first book in the series was filled with drama, tension, and angst. Mallory and Evan both have so many insecurities when it comes to relationships that they were constantly back and forth. At one point I almost wanted them to give up because they were being ridiculous! We weren't even 25 pages into this book before the shit hit the fan with Evan and Mallory! Both are so hot-headed and brash- they don't sit down and hash things out like they should. Mallory flies off the handle without knowing all of the facts and makes assumptions that she shouldn't be making. In fact, I felt bad for Evan as she really just bombards him with her insecurities and jealousy. I understand Mallory has been cheated on before and clearly has some self-confidence issues, but come on girl! Give the guy a chance to explain before you go all crazy on him!
 
With that all being said and after that particular incident, I really love how this book shows the evolution of both Mallory and Evan. Yes, they still have their insecurities, but they are slowly learning to trust in one another and not let their petty jealousy come between them. This was a huge development. Evan held onto a dark secret in the first book that is now out in the open and I felt really bad for him. We finally learn why him and Noah hate each other so much.
 
Let's talk about Noah for a minute. Wow, talk about doing a complete 180? We saw a very different side to Noah in this book and I didn't care for him at all. There was one scene in particular that seemed a bit out of character for him, so I was a little befuddled over it. Regardless, he was in the wrong and I had no problem saying good riddance to him.
 
Our awesome side characters are back! I really loved Zach (Evan's best friend) even more in this book, because he was the ying to Evan's yang. Really- Zach was the voice of reason and I loved how he would talk sense into Evan. Sunny, Kate, and Murphy all make appearances and we are also introduced to some new characters- Evan's dad, however, was the biggest surprise to me. You expect him to be a douche since his wife is a complete manipulative bitch, but he was actually a good guy, who cared about his family and didn't want to lose his job. He had Evan's back on more than one occasion and I really respected him for that.
 
As the summer comes to a close and Mallory and Evan are about to part ways, the two spend their last few weeks together doing all the touristy, cheesy things- as well as having lots of sex. And I mean, LOTS of it. And they were quite creative about it too, ahem. There is one scene involving a car... while not so believable, it was definitely hot! I won't lie, I did feel the overabundance of sex did take away a bit from the plot.
 
Mallory and Evan do not have an easy road ahead of them by any means. While they are working on building a strong foundation built on trust, both of them are anxious as to what the future holds. Mallory is on her way back to school in Colorado, and Evan is slotted to start working for the family company in New York City with his sister, Kate. Evan is afraid Mallory will forget about him and embrace college life- partying, meeting other guys, etc. and Mallory is afraid Evan will slide back into his former lifestyle of a playboy amidst the glamour of NYC. The two face their greatest challenge- distance- and watching them work to make things work is definitely interesting. There are so many forces at work against them- Evan's mother, Mallory's new friend... will their relationship survive? I can't wait to find out in Book 3!
 
 
 
About the Author:
 
S.L. Scott has a degree in Journalism and is the author of Amazon bestseller, A Prior Engagement, her debut novel, Naturally, Charlie, and several novellas, including Amazon best seller, Sleeping with Mr. Sexy, and Morning Glory—all currently available on Amazon. Pursuing her passion for telling stories, she spends her days escaping into her characters, letting them lead her on their adventures. She is a Contributor to Huffington Post as well as writes for her own blog along with several other popular sites.
Travelling, music festivals, and surfing are a few of her hobbies she loves, but she doesn’t get to enjoy on a regular basis. She has an obsession with movies, a varied taste in books, and collects Fitz & Floyd teapots. With a memory full of useless trivia facts, and a Keurig addiction, she loves a fun night in with her family as much as a loud night out with her friends.
Scott lives in the lively city of Austin with her husband, two young sons, and two Papillons, enjoying life in the beautiful hill country of Texas.
Visit her website at www.slscottauthor.com.

Giveaway:

US Only:

Good Intentions signed book with bookmark and button – U. S. Only

1 Hawaiian Foods Goodie Box and a Good Intentions ebook – U. S. Only  (Pic Attached)

1 Palm Tree Necklace and a Good Intentions ebook - Sterling Silver and CZ Palm Tree Necklace value $60.00 – U. S. Only (Pic Attached)
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway


International Only:

$25 Amazon Giftcard – Internationally

Good Intentions signed book with bookmark and button – Internationally

1 Kindle or Nook ebook copy of Good Intentions – Internationally

1 Kindle or Nook ebook copy of Good Intentions – Internationally
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Intentions (Welcome to Paradise #2)
by: S.L. Scott
New Adult Contemporary Romance
Cover Design by: Okay Creations
Reveal Organized by: AToMR Tours
Expected Release: Sept. 9, 2013
 

Two words sum up my summer in paradise—Evan Ashford.

I have a life back home I must return to, though my heart battles this reality. What started as a carefree summer fling has become so much more. Evan has become so much more. He’s become everything. Cupping his face, I stare into his deep blue eyes, wanting to lose myself once more... needing to know he feels this too.

Although our connection won’t stop the summer’s end from rushing toward us or silence the demons Evan battles, I have faith our love can overcome the obstacles that will undoubtedly arise from us choosing to be together. I still worry… Will our good intentions be good enough? But I’m all in, willing to take the risk, knowing he can destroy my heart if I’m wrong.


Like a riptide, I was forever changed by one woman—Mallory Wray.

Our eyes meet and we spend a moment looking into the others’, reading the fear and the love that mingles within. I move slowly down and kiss her forehead, her nose, her eyelids, her cheeks, and her chin before I kiss her lips again—soft and gentle, not rushed, but sensual. She smiles and I die inside knowing that I won’t get to see her face every day. I’ve been spoiled by this sweet angel giving me all her days and nights. I possessively take hold of her wrists and like so many times before, the air stills as our connection intensifies. I can’t help myself when it comes to her.

I kiss her.

Rain pours down harder and I wrap my arms around her, engulfing her body, her love, her soul.

 
About the Author:
 
S.L. Scott has a degree in Journalism and is the author of Amazon bestseller, A Prior Engagement, her debut novel, Naturally, Charlie, and several novellas, including Amazon best seller, Sleeping with Mr. Sexy, and Morning Glory—all currently available on Amazon. Pursuing her passion for telling stories, she spends her days escaping into her characters, letting them lead her on their adventures. She is a Contributor to Huffington Post as well as writes for her own blog along with several other popular sites.
Travelling, music festivals, and surfing are a few of her hobbies she loves, but she doesn’t get to enjoy on a regular basis. She has an obsession with movies, a varied taste in books, and collects Fitz & Floyd teapots. With a memory full of useless trivia facts, and a Keurig addiction, she loves a fun night in with her family as much as a loud night out with her friends.
Scott lives in the lively city of Austin with her husband, two young sons, and two Papillons, enjoying life in the beautiful hill country of Texas.
 
 
 

Welcome to my stop on the Good Vibrations blog tour hosted by AToMR tours!
To see other stops on the tour for reviews, guest posts, and excerpt click here.


Good Vibrations (Welcome to Paradise #1)
   by: S.L. Scott

Publication Date: June 10, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received from AToMR tours and author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 214 pages
Order Links: Amazon| B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars


I grab her exploring finger just as it reaches my happy trail—a trail that if I let her wander down further will lead us to do things we can’t take back. Things like three-word phrases being confessed that would end me if I was rejected. Things like selfishly wanting to own her body and doing things to her that would make my fantasies blush. And things like making her promises too soon that won’t do either of us any good. She makes me want a future that’s not possible, and one I don’t deserve.

Listening to my ego got me into this situation. Will listening to my heart get me out?
               
My Review:

If you're looking for a summer read with a steamy romance and plenty of angst, that's set in the gorgeous Hawaii- this book is for you! What I wouldn't do to have a friend that lived in Hawaii who would let me come stay with her for the summer?! And- this book is dual POV! You know how I love those! We mainly get Mallory, but Evan takes the reigns quite a few times too. I loved that. Evan is definitely a character whose head you want to delve into.

Let's address the steam factor in this book. So steamy! S.L. knows how to write a good love scene, that's for sure! The chemistry between Mallory and Evan is awesome- but it drives you crazy at the same time. They are very back and forth with each other, and even though they both know they shouldn't be together (for different reasons) they can't stay away either. I think that was my main issue with this book. I was always constantly on the alert for something to go wrong- someone to mess it all up.

Mallory is our main character, who is visiting her friend in Hawaii for the summer. She meets your typical cocky, arrogant bad boy at the airport making out with another girl, but doesn't waste time in flirting with Mallory at the same time! Needless to say, she's disgusted by this display and definitely calls him out on it. He ends up giving her a ride, as her friend is unable to get her, and things progress from there. I will be honest, I was a bit surprised as to the turn of events this early in the novel. I definitely did not see that scenario playing out the way it did! (Sorry- no spoilers here!) I was a bit confused by Mallory's actions, as they completely contradicted her thought process and what she was saying to Evan. She starts off snarky and sarcastic and not going to take any crap- but then it seems like she's a bit of a pushover. Then again, if I had a hot surfer guy hitting on me, I probably would have thrown caution to the wind too.

Evan. Oh, Evan. As I said, he certainly has guts. He is quite cocky and self-assured, but I like his honesty. He doesn't hold back in saying the hard truths- that he doesn't do relationships and doesn't want anyone to rely on him for anything. He knows he can't back them. There's a lot we don't know about Evan- why he's so against relationships, why he's so closed off from his feelings, and we don't know what happened in his past. He does eventually begin to open up to Mallory, but at the end of this first book there are still a lot of things we have yet to learn about him. You can't help but feel for the guy. He is in one of those messy predicaments with his family situation- he is expected to fulfill a certain role and have a certain lifestyle, both of which he doesn't want. He wants to be free to make his own decisions.

Mallory and Evan's relationship was constantly back and forth. He made it clear from the get go he wasn't interested in a relationship and Mallory let herself be hurt time and time again by him shutting her out. Just when she said she was done letting him hurt her, he would swoop back in and turn her world upside down all over again. Watching the two learn how to trust each other and watch Evan's character grow and develop was a big positive in this book. By the end of the book, he is very different than when we were first introduced to him.

We have some great side characters in the story also. Sunny, is Mallory's sweet best friend, who she's staying with; Kate, who is Evan's fun-loving older sister; Noah- he is a local guy who frequents the bar Sunny and Mallory are working at. He expresses interest in Mallory, but also has some history with Evan. I'm looking forward to finding out exactly what this bad blood is all about in the next book. Evan's friends Zach and Murphy are also a treat to read about.

We do not have a cliffhanger, but I didn't get closure at the end of this first book. I still feel like there will be more trouble in paradise. If you don't mind a bit of angst, definitely check this one for a good read in a summer setting!


About the Author:


S.L. Scott has a degree in Journalism and is the author of the novels—Naturally, Charlie, and A Prior Engagement as well as several novellas, including Sleeping with Mr. Sexy and Morning Glory--all currently available on Amazon. Pursuing her passion for telling stories, she spends her days escaping into her characters, letting them lead her on their adventures. She is a Contributor to Huffington Post and writes for her own blog along with several other popular sites.

Travelling, music festivals, and surfing are a few of the hobbies she loves, but she doesn't get to enjoy on a regular basis. She has an obsession with movies, a varied taste in books, and collects Fitz & Floyd teapots. With a memory full of useless trivia facts, and a Keurig addiction, she loves a fun night in with her family as much as a loud night out with her friends.

Scott lives in the lively city of Austin with her husband, two young sons, and two Papillons, enjoying life in the beautiful hill country of Texas.

She welcomes your notes at sl@slscottauthor.com.

Author Social MediaLinks:

 
Giveaway:

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