Take a Ride with Selene Chardou's Fascinating Series

Any time you read a book based on the lives of people in a Motorcycle Club, there are some things you should expect.

1)  Lots of infidelity.
2)  Lots of language.
3)  Lots of violence.
4)  All the wives are called "old ladies".

It all is really fascinating to me.  But let's face it...I'm a wienie, so I'm not heading out to the local biker bar any time soon.  I get to learn what actually goes on inside an MC without leaving the comfort of my middle class, drug and violence free home.

What I really like about my new Diamond, Selene Chardou's take on Motorcycle Clubs in her "Rough Riders MC" series, is that she goes beyond just the intriguing stories of day to day life.  She really digs into the emotions behind those who live it.

What if someone who was born into this life, didn't really want it?  How can someone forgive himself for things he's done, when there is no way to not do them again?  Will he end up ruining his own life over it?  Or will he inadvertently take down everyone around him as well?

Throughout the series, Ms. Chardou tackles the inner demons the characters face on a daily basis.  We really get to feel what it must be like to live a life that will most likely lead to an early grave.  It's sad and scary and exhilarating, all at the same time.

I read the first two in the series, "Ride to Temptation" and "Ride to Chaos" in a 36 hour stretch.  I just couldn't put them down!  The third installment, "Ride to Vengeance" is scheduled to release on Wednesday.  According to Ms. Chardou, it's a bit darker than the first two.  But she has lofty plans for this series, including introducing us to the inner workings of rival MC's.  So she has lots of times to play with the dark side of an illegal lifestyle.

You can start on the series and check out how intriguing it is for yourself by clicking here.

Selene Chardou and her cast of Motorcycle Club characters pull in an exhilarating 

Make Sarah Dosher's Books Next in Line on Your TBR!

Writing a novel is hard.  REALLY hard.  I know, because I tried once.  60 thousand-ish words and I was pooped!

My mother said it was a brilliant work of art.  But frankly, I doubt it was all that good.  Because, let's face it...it was my mother reading it.  And of course, because debut novels many times, are an author's very first attempt writing a book.  There's lots of room for error.

But Sarah Dosher's debut novel, "Haven from the Storm" is the exception to the rule.  From the wonderfully written story to some surprisingly interesting supporting characters, this book was really well done.   Before I go on, here's the synopsis as posted on Amazon:

"'If you're going to make me cry, at least be there to wipe away the tears...'

Most were asleep in their beds the night Lily Grace's entire world was ripped apart leaving only darkness and torment in its place.  The only remaining person she depended on abandoned her without a second thought...or so that's what Lily's believed for the last four years.

Dean Haven has returned for one reason, to win Lily's love again.  He broke her heart once because of the demons that haunt him, can his desire for Lily keep him from succumbing to those demons again?

Dean has no idea what awaits him when he tries to fight his way back into Lily's life.  Everything he remembers has changed, including Lily.

Is love enough when you're forced to weather the storms life has blown your way?"

I actually listed to this book on Audible and really thought it was fantastic.  Not just because of the story, but because the narrator did a wonderful job!  She was the only voice, so she read for ALL the characters.  Including the male voices.  And she nailed it.  If you're looking for a really good audiobook, I highly recommend getting it by clicking here.

As I said, "Haven From the Storm" was Ms. Dosher's debut novel.  The second one in the series, "Before the Storm" is actually a prequel.  So it really is your choice which one you read first.  They can each be read as stand alone novels.  Be prepared, you probably aren't going to like how "Before the Storm" ends.  But it will give you lots of insight and history for "Haven".

There is a bit of room for growth in "Haven from the Storm".  But Ms. Dosher's writing level in her first book is where most authors are finally at when they publish their second or third.  So she can only get better from here and I can't wait to see it happen.  You can see what I mean by clicking here.

Sarah Dosher and "Haven From the Storm" blew right into my heart for a solid

We Have A Winner!!

Congratulations!!  

The winner of a FREE copy of "Working Girl" by A.E. Woodward, as chosen by Random.org, is.....

Anna Bowie!!

Email me at chelleauthorstalker@gmail.com with your preference of Kindle or Nook and the email address you want it gifted to.

If you didn't win, you can still pick up a copy by clicking here.

HAPPY READING!

Who Doesn't Love Winning a Free Book? Enter Here!

Yesterday I reviewed "Working Girl" by A.E. Woodward.  It's her newest release and really cements herself in the indie world as a very solid author.  She really is one to watch.

So in honor of the new release, let's giveaway a free ebook, shall we?  And in honor of release day being yesterday, here's the book we're giving away.

There are just three small things you have to do to enter to win:

1)  "Like" the Diamonds in the Rough Facebook page so you can keep up with the latest reviews by clicking here.
2)  "Like" AE Woodward's author page so you can keep up with all her latest releases, giveaways and, dare I say, special deleted scenes by clicking here.
3)  Come back here and comment that you liked both pages.

That's it!

Winner will be chosen tomorrow by Random.org.

Good luck!

Happy Release Day to A.E. Woodward!

Some books can be really hard to read.  Just because of the difficulty of the content.  If it's hard for me to read, I can't even imagine how hard it is for the author to write! 

"Working Girl" by A.E. Woodward is one of those books that must have been exhausting to write. Here's the synopsis as found on Amazon and you'll figure out why:

"Life As I Know It:
Booze
Drugs
Gambling
Easy Women
Such was my life in fabulous Las Vegas.  But what do you expect when you're the daughter of a prostitute.  This is not the life I want for myself, and I have a plan.

Life As I Want It:
Go to college.
Get a degree.
Get as far away from Vegas as possible.

But life has other plans.  Plans that include him.  Life isn't always sunshine and roses and even the best laid plans change.

This is my story.  The story of a girl who thought she had it all figured out until life threw her a curve ball.  My name is Presley and I refuse to be just another Working Girl."

After reading "Working Girl", I really struggled with writing a review.  I loved this book.  And I hated it.  I wanted Presley to get out of this terrible situation she was in so badly!  But I also knew the reality of situations like these make that almost impossible.

I had a hard enough time sorting through my feelings that I called a friend of mine, who had also previewed the book, to hash it all out.  At that point, it finally hit me.

This book resonates with you.

It resonates THROUGH you.

Once it's over, you can't stop thinking about it.  You can't stop thinking about the story and the characters and even the writing style.

That is the sign of a really well done novel.

My only critique, and Ms. Woodward and I have discussed this at length, is that is could have been grittier.  It could have been harsher.  She could have pushed it further to make me feel even more uncomfortable.  And I would have believed every second of it and loved it.

But as it stands, "Working Girl" will at minimum, stick with you.  It is sad on so many levels.  Yet the strength of the main character never, ever wavers.  So no matter how uncomfortable it makes you, you will always find hope.

Once again, A.E. Woodward proves what a great author she is.  You'll see what I mean when you pick up a copy of "Working Girl" by clicking here.  She worked hard for a solid

L.B. Simmons Rises to the Challenge with this Emotional Read

I know we're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover.  But can we all just take a moment to enjoy this most AMAZING cover!  Just beautiful.  Possibly one of my favorite book covers ever.

Ok, back to the actual blog post.

When I go to author events, I keep a certain amount of money in my pocket for books.  It's really the only way I can keep  myself on a budget.  When I start to run out of money, though, it becomes quite the challenge.

The Denton Author Event was no different.  When I started running low on cash, I turned to my good friend Kathryn Perez and said, "Ok...I've gotten everything I was dying to get.  What should I spend my last $15 on?"

She looked around the room and said, "Oh!!  L.B. Simmons!  "The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller! You'll love it!"

I am now re-evaluating my friendship with Kathryn because I'm pretty sure she is trying to kill me with all the emotions.  Because she knows I'm a crier by nature.  

I cry when someone loses on a game show.  I cry when someone wins on a game show.  If I don't cry while reading a book, it was probably a comedy.  And even then, it's a pretty good possibility that I teared up.  So for me to say I cried while reading this book isn't saying much.

So how about this....

I cried A LOT!  I mean...a WHOLE lot.  There are just so many well written elements of the story line that brought me to tears.  So much heartbreak and and drama.  At one point, I could actual envision my own 6 year old in the scene and it just about gutted me.  Seeing certain traumas from a child's perspective is enough to bring even the most hard core reader to their knees.

Now, there are a few back and forth personality transitions that I think were a bit too rushed. But even to my own critique, I have to say...

GET OVER IT!  Get over the discrepancies and read this book by clicking here.

Any book that makes me see people with more compassion and less judgement, is a book well done.  And I will be the first to admit, when I volunteer at my teen's school, I will now and forever look at the goth kids differently.

L.B. Simmons and her book, "The Resurrection of Aubry Miller" rose to the challenge for

You've Never Met a Vampire Like This Before

Vampires are all the rage right now.  And there is no shortage in conflicting information on what they are like.

We've seen vampires that sparkle in the sun (Thank you Twilight).

We've seen vampire warriors that protect the population (Love my Black Dagger Brothers).

We've seen vampires that make weird faces when they get angry.  Or hungry (A la Vampire Diaries).

But you have never met a vampire like this!

Or maybe you have.  And you just didn't know it at the time.

In C.D. Hussey's intriguing book "La Luxure: Discover Your Blood Lust", you are introduced to a small bar just off the French Quarter in New Orleans where things are not all that they seem. While being sucked into the dark and eery world of the vampire community, you don't realize you are missing what's right in front of you.

Intrigued yet?

You should be.  The story of Armand and Julia is not your average story of a vampire falling in love with a normal girl.  Oh no.  It's a story about figuring out who you are and who you want to be.  It's about being ok with yourself, even when others choose to see you as a freak.  It's about not getting stuck in the trivial, mundane moments and enjoying life to its fullest.

And then when you find out...

HA!  No way am I telling you that part!  And I'm not even going to tell you how you are going to feel about it because I don't want to prepare you too much.  Just know, no matter how you feel at the end of this book, you will FEEL something!  And you will feel it strongly!  The conflicting Amazon reviews are proof of that!  (Speaking of...please, please, PLEASE do not read any reviews!!  They are chock full of spoilers with no warning!  Don't ruin what could possibly be.....um.....just don't ruin it, ok?)

So whether you love it or hate it.  Give it a shot.  It's free, so what do you have to lose?  Get "La Luxure: Discover Your Bloodlust" by clicking here.

My newest Diamond, C.D. Hussey and her book "La Luxure" get a pleasantly surprising