Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Blog Tour and Review: Falling Stars, by JL Brooks

falling stars full cover

Synopsis
It had all the makings of a perfect plot, and for bestselling author Lila Keaton-it was a hedonistic past she kept hidden far away. Many nights were spent crossing the velvet rope, dancing until dawn and bedding one of the worlds biggest DJ’s, Hunter Michaels AKA Arial Assault. When Lila’s agent uncovers her thrilling secret, it appears as if nothing is off limits when it comes to pitching the story, whether Lila wants to tell it or not. Despite knowing her reluctance is career suicide, she cannot bring herself to open her heart once more to the man who nearly destroyed it. Given the opportunity to escape her predicament, Hunter attempts to reconcile the pain he has caused, and rekindle the passion that was abandoned long ago. When a series of events causes history to repeat itself, Lila sets off unaccompanied through out the west to test her boundaries with the sensual and surreal, and ultimately come face to face with the only thing that can keep her from falling.

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Review
3.75 out of 5 stars

I absolutely loved the idea and concept of this book.  Lila Keaton, is a best selling author, one who not only writes erotica but also pushes the boundaries.  She's always known her time in the spotlight may be fleeting, so when plagued with writer's block and void of any inspiration she willing resigns with her publisher.  Unfortunately, her agent uncovers secretes from her past and pushes Lila to turn those memories into her next bestseller.  When she refuses, her agent further tries force her hand when she publicly announces her famous ex-boyfriend's support of the new book.  Infuriated and fearful of opening the doors to her painful past she commits career suicide, running away from Hunter and their memories, she drops her agent, publisher, and refuses to do the book with plans to give up and move back home.  But nothing ever goes as planned and one weekend built on the hope of a second chance, leads her down a road she never expected.

Reading a story about a book character who was an author struggling for their next masterpiece was an incredibly unique experience.  Being able to see the ups and downs of their lives, getting an idea as to how a story is born, even watching the lines of reality and fantasy blur was all very interesting.  Of course Falling Stars is a work of fiction, and I'm not an author, so who knows if this is what life is really like for most authors, but my point is JL Brooks convinced me of Lila Keaton's character.

I found myself struggling with my feelings for Hunter and his relationship with Lila.  It felt too all consuming, and being just in Lila's head, having to slowly piece together the story of their past.  I just wasn't sure.  I think a part of me wanted them to work it out, and I think I certainly was pulling for the mysteriousness of Hunter to lift, for their relationship to make sense and for them to find a HEA.  But then Grant entered the picture.

I immediately fell for Grant.  He seemed to be able to bring out all the best parts of Lila.  He guided her to a better place, he opened her eyes up to the possibility of true and equal happiness.  I appreciated her time and experiences with him because the end result was an even stronger, certainly more confident, with a better idea of what she wants out of life Lila Keaton.

I was on cloud nine for my characters when I started the epilogue, only to come crashing down when the last word was read.  I should have realized this was the first book in a new series, but I didn't so when I was left with a cliff hanger I found myself frustrated.  Of course this is not JL Brooks fault, and if I hadn't been invested in the characters and story it wouldn't have affected me.  So, that alone is a testament to this author's ability to tell an intriguing story.  And looking back the randomness of a few of the scenes in the book make more sense now, knowing there will be another book.  But, even 24 hours later I am still wondering why some things transpired the way they did, yet while parts of the book may have felt choppy I overall enjoyed the read and would recommend you read Falling Stars for yourselves.


Excerpt
He was sitting in a roped off area of an elegant night club and I was standing at the edge unable to reach him. From across the space he stared venomously in my direction for daring to intrude on his territory. Grasping for the pass around my neck, I remembered that I gave it to his girlfriend, the one who was down on her knees, sucking his cock for everyone to see. When she turned around, she smiled and thick black liquid seeped from the corners of her mouth and down her chin. Hunter's hand stroked the top of her head as if she were a beloved dog. Then again, to men like him, that is how women were supposed to act, like good little bitches.


About Author JL Brooks 
JL Brooks is a former columnist turned novelist. What started as a bet changed her entire course in life. With a passion for adventure, she believes everyone has a story to tell. Chances are she will try to convince you to tell yours. Books by JL Brooks: Distractions 2013 Rotten 2013 Stories for Amanda-2013 (Contributor) Pink Shades of Words-2014 (Contributor) Follow JL at: Twitter- @Authorjlbrooks Facebook- www.facebook.com/authorjlbrooks Email- Authorjlbrooks@gmail.com  

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