Finding Me ~ Stephanie Rose ~ NEW RELEASE & REVIEW

Title: Finding Me (Second Chances, #2.5)

Author: Stephanie Rose

Genre: New Adult

Release Date: May 22, 2016

 

Synopsis

I've always been lost . . . Abandoned by a father who didn't want me. Cherished by a stepfather, though I wasn’t his. Shattered by a boy who swore he loved me. But I belonged nowhere, to no one. Then I met Owen, the sweet-talking hockey player who made me love him. He gave me the courage to trust in someone besides myself. He showed me a love I longed for. When an unwanted ghost comes knocking on my door, my heartbreaking history threatens to repeat itself. But where do I turn if I lose everyone? And how do I find where I belong, when I’m still Finding Me? Finding Me is a spinoff from the Second Chances series and can be read as a standalone.  

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Excerpt

I couldn’t quite make eye contact with Ethan since the last time I came back to the apartment with Owen before Thanksgiving break. We caught Ethan naked in the hallway—on a date and thinking they had the place to themselves for a night. I was no prude, but seeing junk not belonging to my boyfriend turned me three shades of red. I hadn't even seen Owen's, but I . . . felt it . . . a lot. On my leg, against my stomach, sometimes rubbing my back if he was holding me from behind. Why I was so bashful I couldn't say, especially since I didn’t have a cherry to pop. But it was only one guy and only one time, shortly before he shredded my heart and then stomped all over it. Even though I couldn't make my virginity grow back, I wasn’t quite ready to go there again. However, not being ready for sex had absolutely nothing to do with wanting it. Our time together always ended with a scorching kiss and groping against the nearest wall. Owen’s Southern gentility was probably wearing thin these past few weeks. “Owen? The movie starts in a half hour!” I called as I strolled down the hallway. “Hey, City. Give me a minute, practice ran late.” Owen had just stepped out of the shower and was dripping freaking wet. The V on his hips disappeared into a towel cinched around his tapered waist. Water traveled from the stray tangled locks at his neck and trickled down over his ripped chest and his abs before disappearing into the bunched up material at his waist. I licked my parched lips and tried to remember how to speak. How many damn abs did he have? Six? Eight? I was gaping at a wet, half naked Owen while the corner of the bastard's mouth turned up in a smirk. I didn't have the faculties to scowl back. My tongue didn't want to work unless it was tracing the water trails across Owen's body. “Keep looking at me like that, baby. We won't be going anywhere tonight.”

Elizabeth's Review

4.5 stars - One of the best books I've read

Review Copy Provided by Author

Every now and then, you come across a book or author (or both) that you connect with. For me that is Stephanie Rose. In each of her books, she has created characters and situations that I connect and relate to as more than just interesting people on the page (or e-reader in this case).
In Finding Me, we reconnect with Bella (the little girl from Always You) and she is all grown up and headed to college. She's had her heart broken by her high school boyfriend and is leery when meeting campus heart throb/hockey star, Owen.

I appreciated the tone of this book - I know that's an odd thing to say, but let me explain. Bella and Owen are significantly younger than the other couples Ms. Rose has written (they are a college Freshman and Junior) and while they are definitely grown up and deal with grown up situations, the heat factor has been adjusted to reflect the maturity of the people involved. I would be comfortable with a teenage girl reading this :)

The romance in Finding Me is sweet! Owen is a mature 20/21 year old and I loved that he recognized something in Bella right away and his approach was just perfect. The way he pursued her without pursuing her made me like him and made it so easy to root for them as a couple.
While Finding Me is a romance between Owen and Bella, it's also the story about Bella's relationship with her family and how she identifies herself. We get to see Lucas and Sam (the couple from Always You) and Lucas has several swoon worthy moments as he reminds Bella that biology doesn't matter when it comes to family. When Bella's sperm donor rears his head, I was so grateful that Owen and Lucas were there for her.

If you have read Always You, you will love getting to catch up with Bella and her story. But, don't worry if you are new to Ms. Rose's work. Finding Me is a well crafted, well written story that stands on it's own. I know we all typically swoon over the heros in books, but for this one, the character I am a little in love with is Bella. She's smart, sassy, and does an excellent job of dealing with situations that would be challenging for someone older, much less someone who is 18 and away from home for the first time.


View all my reviews

About The Author

Stephanie Rose was born and raised in the Bronx, New York and still lives there with her superhero-obsessed husband and son. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business and a day job in marketing, but she always has a story in her head. Her books are full of swoon-worthy men and feisty heroines. This lifelong New Yorker lives for Starbucks, book boyfriends, and 80s rock. Her voice is often mistaken for a Mob Wives trailer. Goodreads |Facebook | Twitter

Purchase The Series

Always You

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

Only You

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Giveaway

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Finding Me ~ Stephanie Rose ~ Cover Reveal

Title: Finding Me (Second Chances, #2.5)

Author: Stephanie Rose

Genre: New Adult

Release Date: May 24, 2016

Cover Design: Najla Qamber at Najla Qamber Designs

 

Synopsis

I've always been lost . . . Abandoned by a father who didn't want me. Cherished by a stepfather, though I wasn’t his. Shattered by a boy who swore he loved me. But I belonged nowhere, to no one. Then I met Owen, the sweet-talking hockey player who made me love him. He gave me the courage to trust in someone besides myself. He showed me a love I longed for. When an unwanted ghost comes knocking on my door, my heartbreaking history threatens to repeat itself. But where do I turn if I lose everyone? And how do I find where I belong, when I’m still Finding Me? Finding Me is a spinoff from the Second Chances series and can be read as a standalone.  

Excerpt

“Hey, Bella, right?” My pencil dropped out of my hand as I jumped at the voice next to our table. That was the second time today I caught myself gawking at Owen as he walked away. I studied his ass so much, I’d memorized the fraying denim on his back pockets. Blinking my leering eyes, I turned to a sort of familiar face. “Yeah. I’m sorry but I don’t know your name.” “Paul. I’m in Intro to Psychology with you.” Paul was cute in a non-mentionable type of way. With his dark features and average build and height, he easily blended into a crowd—and my psych class was over three hundred people. I spent most of that class feeling like an ant. “Oh, right.” I smacked my forehead in faked recognition. “I’m sorry. That class is huge.” Paul chuckled as he nodded. “It’s a good thing Professor Brightman is interesting. It would suck for him to look out and see three hundred people sleeping.” He let out a nervous laugh as he gazed at me. I smiled back. “I guess you’re right. It’s hard to notice anything or anyone in those seats, though. I’m sure people take naps in that class anyway.” “Well,” Paul sighed as his eyes dropped to the ground. “I noticed you. From pretty much the first day.” “Oh,” I replied in a whisper. I was only here on a study date, even though I almost let myself pretend it was more. Paul seemed nice but, whether it was misplaced or not, my interest was in the hockey player waiting by the barista. Should I force myself to flirt with Paul? That wouldn’t be fair to either of us, but putting all my eggs in one unattainable basket wasn’t exactly healthy either. Paul grabbed the back of the chair next to me and raised his eyebrows in question. “Can I sit? I’d love to get to know the girl behind the pretty face.” “Seat’s taken.” A southern growl behind me made Paul’s face fall. Owen placed my iced coffee and straw in front of me as he glared at Paul. Paul let out a long sigh and nodded. “Sorry, Owen. I didn’t realize you were with Bella.” “We’re on a study—” “It’s cool, Paul. See you at practice later.” Owen sat in his chair and scooted it closer to me. Paul nodded and gave me a sheepish smile before traipsing away. Okay, what was that? “You know Paul?” He nodded without looking up. “He’s one of the third line freshmen on the team. Doesn’t seem like a bad guy, I guess.” With a sour face I wasn’t used to seeing, he dug into his bag and pulled out a notebook. If I didn’t know better, I’d have said he was jealous. I sucked in my bottom lip to fight the twitch of a satisfied smile. “I don’t really know him. He’s in my Intro to Psych class. Too many people in there to really know who anyone is.” “You know what we should do?” Owen met my gaze as he leaned back in his chair. I took a slurp of my coffee and squinted at Owen. “Enlighten me.” Owen laughed as the front legs of his chair dropped to the floor and he leaned forward. “We should go out.” With the straw still in my mouth, I froze. “Out?” Owen nodded and gave me a sideways glance. “Yeah, out. You. Me. Without books or ledgers. We can celebrate how well we both did on the midterm—or how well you did and how I got by thanks to you.” Owen’s brow raised as he awaited my answer, but I didn’t know how to reply. “I really don’t mind helping you. I get to study a little extra too, so it helps both of us.” Still ignoring his question, I opened my notes and skimmed to the midterm review questions. Owen inched closer to peer at my book, and I resented the jump in my pulse whenever he came near me. We’d been meeting twice a week for one hour at a time since the beginning of the semester, and each day I was more drawn to him than the one before. Last Thursday, Owen met me at the library straight after hockey practice when his hair was still damp from the shower. All I could think of for the first fifteen minutes was how the rest of his body looked wet, drops of water dripping across every muscle and hard ridge. Owen was the first man I had dreams of licking while I was still awake.

About The Author

Stephanie Rose was born and raised in the Bronx, New York and still lives there with her superhero-obsessed husband and son. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business and a day job in marketing, but she always has a story in her head. Her books are full of swoon-worthy men and feisty heroines. This lifelong New Yorker lives for Starbucks, book boyfriends, and 80s rock. Her voice is often mistaken for a Mob Wives trailer. Goodreads |Facebook | Twitter | TSU

Purchase The Series

Always You

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

Only You

Amazon US | Amazon UK

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Giveaway

 

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Always You ~ Stephanie Rose ~ Review

To Samantha Christensen, Lucas Hunter was always the guy—the sexy, smart and unattainable man she pined for throughout college. 

To Lucas, she was a treasured friend, a younger sister he felt the need to protect. She had a choice—to wait and hope, or to settle. 

When they meet again years later, Lucas looks at Samantha and sees a woman he wants—even though she’s not free to take. As they renew their friendship he finds he’s falling hard, and can’t accept any less than all of her. Samantha realizes there’s hope with Lucas. Will she finally have a chance to be happy with the man she’s always loved, or will obligations and insecurities stand in their way? Can Samantha and Lucas convince each other that they belong together? That it was Always You? 

 Always You is the first novel in the Second Chances series. Each novel will be an interconnected standalone about second chances at love. Due to sexual situations, its recommended for readers 18 and up.

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Elizabeth's Review

4 Stars - Would Recommend to a Friend

My Always You confession - I was a little afraid to read it. Why you ask? I knew that Samantha - our heroine was married when she started her relationship with Lucas, the hero. I was afraid that would make it hard for me to embrace her and after all of the awesome things I have heard about Lucas, I really wanted to be able to like her too.

I didn't need to worry! The way Ms. Rose told Samantha and Lucas' story, I couldn't help but cheer for them both and root for Samantha's marriage to be a thing of the past. This story is lighter than Only You (the connected follow up story), but still emotional. You are pulled into the story and can easily put yourself in the characters shoes as they move through the challenges they face. This is definitely a book I wish I had read earlier and recommend.

Only you ~ Stephanie Rose ~ New Release

Title: Only You (A Second Chance Novel)

Author: Stephanie Rose

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 14, 2015

Synopsis

Only You is a STANDALONE novel in the Second Chances Series.

I spent my life searching for love, but Evan was right there all along. As gorgeous on the inside as he was on the outside, I never had to wonder if he loved me. He showed me with every glance, every sweet touch, every scorching kiss. I wanted nothing more than to give him my forever—until I found out I may not have one. Paige was the girl of my dreams. So beautiful in every way; no one would ever compare. I feared she would never be mine, and then she became my everything. I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life. I wanted her to be my forever. But love may not be enough. Why do I have to say good-bye to the love of my life? How can I let you go—when it’s always been only you? PLEASE NOTE: Only You is a Contemporary Romance with intense language and sexual situations meant for readers 18 and up.

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Excerpt

“So, are you . . . interested in anyone now?” Evan leaned forward, his voice low and husky. “Actually, yes I am.” Oh God, I was really doing this! “He’s a friend of mine, so it’s a little weird . . . but he’s sweet and sexy . . . and it annoys me that I never noticed how amazing he was. I think he might be interested, too—but like I said, my instincts are shit so who knows.” I shrugged and took a sip of my coffee, pretending to focus my attention on my computer screen. I had never been so forward with a man in my entire life. How could I play this off that I was talking about someone else if I read him wrong? “Maybe not.” Evan scooted his chair closer to the table and slammed my laptop shut. I had nowhere to look but into his hay-colored eyes that, at the moment, seemed to burn right through me. “Maybe he’s noticed you for years, but never thought he had a shot. Maybe he’s sick of watching you waste your time with guys who don’t deserve you. Maybe if you ask, you’ll find out he’s very, very interested.” The intense expression on Evan’s face as he fixed his gaze on me made my pulse race. “Maybe he figured out who I was talking about?” I crinkled my nose and gave Evan a playful grin. He lowered his eyes and chuckled. “I need to work this weekend; the diner job starts on Saturday morning, but I’m free Thursday night. There is an awesome restaurant I know in Brooklyn if you wouldn’t mind making the drive with me.” “I would love that. But, if you’re busy, it can wait. I know you guys are trying to get as much work as you can. We can always go out when things aren’t so crazy—” “If things go the way I hope they will, business will always be busy and crazy.” Evan rose from his seat and threw away his empty cup. He sauntered over to where I sat and leaned over, one hand on my chair and one on the table—completely closing me in. He pressed a soft kiss right below my ear and whispered, “I’ve waited for this date since I was fifteen years old, and I’m not waiting anymore.” I stiffened as his wet and warm lips lingered on my skin. My breath hitched, and I was sure Evan noticed as he stood with a sweet and satisfied smile. “See you Thursday, Daisy.” I watched him stroll out the door, too tongue-tied to say anything in reply. Sweet, butter-doesn’t-melt-in-his-mouth Evan was hot as hell, and had a little alpha streak. I had a lot to learn about nice boys, and couldn’t wait for Evan to teach me.  

Elizabeth's Review

4 Stars - Would Recommend

Review Copy Provided by Author

This is a book I've been looking forward to and it didn't disappoint. Evan and Paige are a couple that definitely lived up to all of the expectations set for them leading up to the release of their story. 

One of the things I loved about this book really had to do with who the characters are. Both Evan and Paige are everyday people in their early 30's with decent jobs, friends, family, and issues to deal with. It was easy to put myself into their shoes and imagine how I would react in a given situation.

As nice as it was to be able to relate to the main characters and their situations, there were still times when I wanted to shake Paige for not realizing the wonderful man she had right in front of her. There were times when Evan seemed a little too good to be true, but he had just enough flaws to be believable. Ms. Rose does an excellent job of having her characters navigate the rocky road that is terminal illness and grief while also trying to live life to the fullest. 

This was my first book by Ms. Rose and I am looking forward to getting a chance to read her first book, Always You. 

About The Author

Stephanie is the author of the Second Chances series, stories based in New York City about second chances at love. She lives in the Bronx, New York with her superhero-obsessed husband and son. Her day job is marketing, but she always has a story in her head. This lifelong New Yorker lives for Starbucks, book boyfriends, and 80s rock. Her voice often gets mistaken for a Mob Wives trailer. After making up stories her entire life in various journals, she took her fingers to the keyboard on a dare from a friend and wrote her first novel in 2015. She's excited to finally bring the characters she's been dreaming about to life!

 

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The Second Chance Series

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Only You ~ Stephanie Rose Cover Reveal

Title: Only You (A Second Chance Novel)

Author: Stephanie Rose

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 14, 2015

Cover Design: Najla Qamber at Najla Qamber Designs

Synopsis

Only You is a STANDALONE novel in the Second Chances Series.

I spent my life searching for love, but Evan was right there all along. As gorgeous on the inside as he was on the outside, I never had to wonder if he loved me. He showed me with every glance, every sweet touch, every scorching kiss. I wanted nothing more than to give him my forever—until I found out I may not have one. Paige was the girl of my dreams. So beautiful in every way; no one would ever compare. I feared she would never be mine, and then she became my everything. I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life. I wanted her to be my forever. But love may not be enough. Why do I have to say good-bye to the love of my life? How can I let you go—when it’s always been only you? PLEASE NOTE: Only You is a Contemporary Romance with intense language and sexual situations meant for readers 18 and up.

Prologue

Paige My eyelids were weak and heavy. All I did now was sleep, but I was still too tired to wake up. I didn’t even remember how I got here. It took a pathetic amount of strength to lift my head and glance over the tray of food. I wasn’t sure what time it was, but pretty sure it was late. Why they thought I wanted crackers now was beyond me. They can’t really expect me to eat, can they? Swallowing anything was torturous thanks to the deep open sores that trailed down my throat. Water burned, so the thought of eating anything was as appealing as chowing down on sandpaper—and would probably feel the same going down. I curled into the fetal position as I shivered and rubbed at my skin to get warm and felt the pointy bone through the flesh of my arms. I reached for the covers and winced at the pain fingers as I gathered up the scratchy fabric and pulled it over my aching shoulders. It hurt to move. It hurt to breathe. Most of all, it hurt to think. The life I wanted, with the man I wanted, haunted my dreams. You own me. Can’t you see that? You’re mine. You’re everything. I…can’t see my future with anyone else but you. I finally found what I’d been looking for my entire life, but I couldn’t keep it. The sound of voices yelling outside my hospital room snatched me out of my thoughts. I pushed myself up, panting at the exertion it took to sit upright. I leaned back on my elbows and my weak heart leaped in my chest when I recognized the voice causing all the commotion outside—the voice I’d know anywhere. “I need to see her, please.” Evan? No, no, no. I didn’t want him to see me like this. How did he find out I was here? “I’m sorry, sir. Immediate family only. This is the ICU.” “I’m not leaving. Paige? Daisy, it’s me!” My heavy head dropped to my hands. The sobs that ran through me made it difficult to breathe thanks to the oxygen tubes filtering through my nose. Pushing him away was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but I did it for him. I didn’t want to let him go. I wanted him to hold me, tell me he loved me and know he would never leave me. I wanted that so fucking much it ached. “Sir, please. She’s a very sick girl.” In time, he’d see. He deserved someone who could give him a life, children, and a future. All things I can’t offer him, no matter how much I wished things were different. He deserved better than this, better than me. The door was half closed but opened with such force that it banged into the wall and made me jump. Evan marched up to my bed and took my face in his hands. His hay colored eyes filled with tears as his hands shook. “I love you, and I’m not going anywhere.” His voice quivered with emotion, but I wasn’t sure if it was sadness, rage, or a combination of the two. “Now, you’re going to tell me exactly what’s going on. And why you lied to me—”  

About The Author

Stephanie lives in the Bronx, New York with her superhero-obsessed husband and son. Her day job is marketing, but she always has a story in her head. This lifelong New Yorker lives for Starbucks, book boyfriends, and 80s rock After spending most of her youth watching soaps, Stephanie has an obsession with angsty drama and hot romance. She's excited to finally bring the characters she's been dreaming about to life!

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Always You

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Meet the Author - Stephanie Rose

Welcome to Stephanie Rose - Another one of the wonderful Indie Chicks - She is our guest for today's Meet the Author spotlight.

Published work:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1c1b36u 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1c1b6ze 

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1FvYgCB 

B&N: http://t.co/siBbGAIdIX

Goodreads 

What are you working on now?

Only You, releasing October 14 (add to Goodreads) 

Do you get to write full time or do you also have a “day” job?

I have a day job. I have a director's job in Marketing.

Favorite part of being an author?

Hearing people say how much they loved your book. I'm always surprised.

Scariest part of being an author?

Releasing a book is releasing a part of yourself, leaving yourself wide open to everything. A good friend says its like jumping off a plane and she's completely right.

Who are your favorites to read?

Mia Sheridan, Colleen Hoover, Rachel Van Dyken, Samantha Towle, Samantha Young, Mia Asher, Colleen Hoover. I also love reading books from my fellow #indiechicks

If you had $1 million to giveaway, what would you do with the money?

I would give it to a center that gives therapy to children. My son had speech therapy and it worked miracles.

(ERAM - LOVE this! We have spent lots of time with a speech pathologist and it helps so much... our guy went from hardly talking at 2 to now we wish he'd be quiet sometimes :)

One piece of advice to an aspiring writer?

Write for you and love your own story. Only way to feel proud of yourself at the end of the day.

Stalk - I mean  follow Stephanie

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Website ~ Instagram: @authorstephanierose