23 July 2015

Outside - Tour & Review



Meet Lincoln Savage in this perfect summer read. 

Are you ready for rock stars, surf and second chances in Outside by Michelle Mankin?




NOW AVAILABLE at the following retailers:



When handsome California surf god Lincoln Savage suddenly rolls into Ocean Beach like a rogue wave, shy beauty Simone Bianchi’s foundation is shaken. No longer under the thumb of her domineering father, she’s made a simple quiet life for herself and her fluffy fourteen pound Havanese pup running a surf shop in her hometown of OB. Long ago she gave up her dreams for a future with Linc.
But now the notorious lead singer of the Dirt Dogs has returned, and Simone is reluctant to admit that she’s still vulnerable to his killer dimpled smile and easy charm. She finds that although she’s stowed away the mementos, it hasn’t been as easy to erase the memories of their epic summer love.
It seems he hasn’t forgotten, either.
Is the recording contract he’s offering merely a pretense?
Or does he have something more in mind?
Does he really believe that they can just pick up where they left off, despite all the bad luck and heartache?

And is she willing to risk everything again for one last chance at love?





I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!



What I say: Outside is my first Michelle Mankin book and I'm glad it was one about rockstars (who doesn't love a good rocker story?) and surfers (because I love surfing). Although the book mentions surfing, it's more about second chance love and difficult decisions, than actual surfing.

I'm going to keep this as spoiler free as possible: Simone aka Mona, is the girl who was left behind (well sort of, it's much more complicated than that). She still lives in the same town whilst Linc went off and became successful and rich with his band Dirt Dogs. When Linc suddenly arrives home after many years, Mona is very hesitant to even talk to him and is still deeply hurt by the past. They both hold on to a fair amount of hurt, each blaming the other.

The plot fills in the gaps of the past via flashbacks. I was desperate to know what happened all those years ago. There are many misunderstandings which haunt them along the way. I did find it a little difficult to warm to them at first, but once the story got going, I softened towards them and ended up feeling genuine empathy for them (apart from the times where I wanted to smack some sense into them). 

Doubt and insecurity play a huge part in the conflict of the book, as does outside influences. I loved the sections where they discussed music and surfing. I also really appreciated the message of the story.

I kept trying to work out the many possible explanations for the title and felt as if the real reason worked well with the characters and the story. I'd like to have had a little more about the secondary characters (a certain bandmate in particular) but perhaps this will be in a different book.

4 Stars in my Sky!





Excerpt:

“Dammit, Mona.” I leaned in closer inhaling her sweet scent and nearly brought to my knees with desire. I wanted to have her. Right here. Right now. I had to curl my fingers into fists to keep from reaching out, grabbing her and reminding her how it used to be between us. Her lids lowered and her breathing turned ragged. Was she remembering, too, or trying to forget?
“Go away, Linc.” Apparently the latter.
“Maybe I can’t,” I admitted my voice raspy with stripped down need. “Maybe I don’t want to.”
“Don’t.” She closed her eyes and her chin dropped. “Don’t do this to me.” She wet her lips. They visibly trembled. Even though I knew I had upset her I still wanted to kiss them. “I’m not one of your groupies easily flattered by your bullshit. The fact that you’re a big rock star doesn’t impress me. I know who you really are Lincoln Savage. I’ve seen you at your best and I’ve survived you at your worst. So don’t think you can come here and play games with me.”

Book Trailer:




Author Spotlight:




The bestselling author of the Black Cat Records series of novels.
Romance with subtext.
Reimagining classic stories with sexy rock stars and thought provoking issues.
Love Evolution, Love Revolution, and Love Resolution are a BRUTAL STRENGTH centered trilogy, combining the plot underpinnings of Shakespeare with the drama, excitement, and indisputable sexiness of the rock 'n roll industry.
Things take a bit of an edgier, once upon a time turn with the TEMPEST series. These pierced, tatted, and troubled Seattle rockers are young and on the cusp of making it big, but with serious obstacles to overcome that may prevent them from ever getting there.
Rock stars, myths, and legends collide with paranormal romance in a totally mesmerizing way in the MAGIC series.
When Michelle is not prowling the streets of her Texas town listening to her rock music much too loud, she is putting her daydreams down on paper or traveling the world with her family and friends, sometimes for real, and sometimes just for pretend as she takes the children to school and back.


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GIVEAWAY
Gnarly Surf Themed Prize Pack including:

Fiery Orange Striped Roxy Beach Towel
 A  signed paperback of Outside, an OB surf sticker,
Need It Now Roxy Palm tree printed Linen Beach Tote
in seafoam green to carry all of it.
(Value of $125)



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