Tuesday, September 17, 2013

BLOG TOUR + REVIEW +GIVEAWAY: GIVE ME STRENGTH BY KATE MCCARTHY



Title:   Give Me Strength (Give Me #2)
Author:  Kate McCarthy
Genre: Romantic Suspense 18+
Publication Date:  September 16, 2013
Cover Designed By:  Cover Design:  Okay Creations
Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis
Quinn Salisbury doesn't think she's cut out for this whole living thing. Even as a young girl she struggled. Just when she thinks she's found a way to leave her violent past behind her, the only thing that's kept her going is ripped away, leaving her damaged and heartbroken.
Four years later, she is slowly rebuilding her life and lands a job as an assistant band manager to Jamieson, the hot new Australian act climbing their way to the top of the charts. There she meets Travis Valentine, the charismatic older brother of her boss, Mac.
From his commanding charm to his confidence and passion, Travis is everything Quinn believes is too good for her, and despite her apprehension, she finds their attraction undeniable and intense.
When her past resurfaces, it complicates their relationship. Instead of reaching out for help, Quinn pushes Travis away, until a staggering secret is revealed that leaves her fighting for her very life.
Torn between running and opening her heart to the man determined to have her, can Quinn find the strength within herself to fight for her future?

Purchase Links



Book Trailer




About the Author
Kate McCarthy grew up in a small town outside of Port Macquarie, Australia. Raised in a house just a short walk to the beach, Kate enjoyed the peaceful, relaxed atmosphere and friendships that come from being raised in a friendly, small town area.
She now resides in Brisbane, Australia, a city in the state of Queensland where she works as an accountant, along with a sideline wedding cake business and her writing.
She is married with two children, has two dogs and house in the suburbs, and a pile of friends and family dotted all over the country that help keep her sane.
When she’s not busy running after naughty kids, filthy dogs, crunching numbers, piping buttercream and writing books, you can find her curled up in bed in the early hours of the morning reading new books and re-reading old favourites. Her favourite books are the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward in which she longs to eventually join the brotherhood and change her name to Phierce Mutha.
Connect with the Author:  Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Goodreads



Our Review:
We have a great love of books about bands, strong groups of friends, commandos, love and Kate McCarthy. Book one of this series Give Me Love was I think the second book we reviewed here together, and the first book that Shelley recommended to me...and it was fantastic. I can't rank one over the other, but Give Me Strength comes in at a tie/close second/maybe first...okay I can't make up my mind, it was just soooo good!! This series and this group of characters are funny, loud, perfectly balanced with all their personalities and they made my day seriously wonderful today. 


Yes, Courtney, we do love the adorable and brilliant Kate McCarthy. She could write the back of a shampoo bottle and make it so sexy, funny, and smart that I'd buy a case for everyone I know...that's how much I look forward to reading ANYTHING she writes!!! Give Me Strength by Kate McCarthy is a fantastic companion to Give Me Love.  I could not put this book down; I finished it the same day I started it. All of the things I loved about Give Me Love are present in Give Me Strength: the humor, the twists and turns, and the love story. 

This story begins with Quinn going through some seriously hard stuff. We don't get the gist of what her home life was like growing up and the horror that happens to her when she tries to venture out on her own after even more tragedy and it is some hard to deal with stuff. I felt a connection with her right off the bat with her strength then, and when we pick back up with her 3 1/2 years later. Quinn meets Travis in a make me proud awkward moment at a bar when her friend Lucy drags her out to dust off the cobwebs, and we get our first introduction to everything that is the sexy Chris Hemsworth looking Travis Valentine...major swoon. 



 The beginning part with Quinn and the tragedy that befalls her is horrific and heart-wrenching. When we fast forward a few years we see that while she’s not completely crippled by her past, she’s definitely been damaged.  Thank god for Lucy, her best friend, and enforcer of good times. In Quinn’s first night out in forever, her life begin to change for the better—but not before some laugh out loud moments take place. Enter Travis Valentine, one of the hot boys in what has humorously been termed The Badass Brigade, and you have a connection between him and Quinn that is pure chemistry. Neither of them can seem to avoid the magnetic pull that tugs them together and, thankfully, they don’t struggle too much against it. Travis is not tortured or damaged or anti-relationship; he is strong and clever and intuitive to Quinn’s needs.  While he’s definitely got alpha-like tendencies he does not trample all over her and his relatively normal-ish existence is a much needed counterbalance to the issues she’s been forced to grapple with.

Quinn is hard pressed to get back into another relationship, so Travis has his work cut out for him. I loved how he didn't put too much pressure on her, but always went in when she was least expecting it and knocked her socks off. And I don't mean that in a derogatory way..because trust me the tension builds for an excruciatingly long time after their first tryst..but I mean that he is always there to support and go all badass commando on anybody who tries to hurt her. He has a serious way with words..and puts it all out there for Quinn to comprehend. Like I said..socks knocked off with his putting it out there of how much he wanted to be with her. 



While Kate McCarthy can write some seriously good slow burn/build up, she can also write some seriously good commando mystery and thrills with guns and bad guys. This story is no different, since well Travis and Casey (damn, Casey is amazing, cannot wait until his book up next!!), Jared and Mitch are all involved in some sort of consulting that leads to them making rescues and taking bullets or getting stabbed. This is The Hot Bunch-Australia and I LOVE THEM! I NEED A BOOK FOR EVERY COMMANDO + BAND MEMBER! (ME TOO, COURT!!! ME TOO!) Okay. Sorry. Lost it there for a sec. 

Add in the always entertaining Mac and Evie (and the band!), the bad ass brigade—with extended mentions of Casey, Mr. Fashionista himself, Tim, and a few really bad criminals  and you have the makings of some hilarious scenes, a series of twists and turns, and a swoon-worthy ending.  I absolutely cannot wait for Give Me Grace and to read more about my favorite Australians and what trouble they’ll get into next! 

So in essence, Kate is quickly becoming one of those authors that I really could care less what the book is about. I will buy it just because she wrote it. Her writing is that good. And the story is so good. Hmpf, I wish we could take a vacay to Australia, Shelley! We will find a way; we must!


This is a definite MUST read!


Shelley: 5 Stars

Courtney: 5 Stars


Tour-Wide Giveaway 
Giveaway begins September 17, 2013, and ends at 12:00 AM on September 30, 2013.

  • $100 Amazon Gift Card
  • 2 signed paperbacks (one international & one for residents in Australia)
  • 10 ebooks of Give Me Strength
a Rafflecopter giveaway 


Tour Schedule : 




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