Today, we are pleased to welcome new indie author Gail McHugh to our blog as she promotes her new book Collide which will release on 1/21/13.
Gail McHugh will be giving an ebook copy of Collide and a bookmark at each blog stop. To enter, leave a comment on our facebook page as to why you love reading. Winner will be chosen on Tuesday January 22nd!
Enter to win a GRANDPRIZE of signed paperback of Collide and a $10 Amazon gift card below. Contest ends on 1/21/13!
3.5 STARS!!!
Summary
A missed first encounter…
Colliding with a second chance…
On the heels of graduating college and trying to cope with her mother’s death, Emily Cooper moves to New York City for a fresh start.
While harboring secrets of his own, Dillon Parker takes care of Emily through her grief. Knowing he can’t live without her by his side, he’s sweet, thoughtful, and everything Emily has ever wanted in a man.
Until she meets Gavin Blake—a rich and notorious playboy who is dangerously sexy and charming as hell. Emily tries to deny the instant connection she feels, but Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome is not inclined to let go so easily. Recovering from his own painful past, Gavin will stop at nothing to win Emily over.
This unexpected encounter compels Emily to question her decisions, forcing her to make a choice that will destroy friendships, shatter hearts, and forever change her life
Denise’s Review
This was a really well written book for a debut author.
In COLLIDE, Emily Cooper arrives in New York to live with her best friend. Her boyfriend, Dillon Parker resides in the city, and for Emily who just buried her mother, this is a fresh start. While trying to secure a teaching job, Emily takes a job waitressing and this is how she meets Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome AKA Gavin Blake.
I thoroughly enjoyed Gavin. He was a well-rounded character; you could feel his struggle with finding someone who pulls at his heart. The connection between Emily and Gavin was one the reader could feel. You felt the initial spark and then you watch their friendship develop and grow over the initial lust of attraction.
Emily’s boyfriend Dillon Parker is another story. When the book first opens, you think he is a good guy having supported Emily through the death of her Mom. You sense something is off because Olivia, Emily’s best friend can not stand him and she does not keep that a secret. I throughly enjoyed Olivia’s loud mouth, she truly had her friend’s best interest in mind.
I also enjoyed Falcon, Emily’s co-worker. She was laugh out loud funny and her interactions with Olivia’s brother could make for a great spin-off story.
The characters in this story are all interconnected in some way – Gavin, Dillion and Olivia’s brother Trevor worked together. Gavin and Trevor grew-up together. These interactions made for a very intertwined story.
I did sometimes struggle to understand why Emily allowed Dillon to treat her so poorly and I really did not understand some of Trevor’s motivations. He claimed to see Emily as a sister but then says he does not want to get involved with what he thinks might be mistreatment of her.
Ms. McHugh’s description of New York City was vivid and telling, the city itself almost felt like a character.
The last scene left me with a knot in my stomach and not just because of the ending – it leaves you wanting for a book 2. It is powerful and leaves me hoping Emily has found her voice.
I am looking forward to PULSE, the second book and completion of this story releasing later this year.
I am very much looking forward to a stronger Emily and to reading more from this author.
About the Author
I’ve always been a lover of writing, but mostly dabbled in creating poetry while raising my three beautiful children. I am grateful that my husband of fifteen years has supported me—albeit sometimes kicking and screaming—as I pursue this “hobby” of mine. Without his help, writing would be an impossible endeavor.
In late June 2012, I felt an urgent tug of my pen, and I began writing one of my first novels, Collide. Although I thought it might never see the light of day, it gave me the courage to plunge headfirst onto a path I had never considered before.
Twitter http://twitter.com/@Gail_McHugh
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGailMcHugh?ref=hl
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6860574.Gail_McHugh
Erin Hill
So excited for this book!! Go like Gail’s FB page, just heard that if she gets 2,000 likes she will release Collide early!!!!
Karen Gagnon
Thanks for your review. I have been really looking forward to this book. Thanks for the chance to win!
kgagnon@donofrio.cc
Maria Ramirez Esquivel
Cant wait to read this book. Love the cover!! Thanks for the giveaway.
Maria
mramirezesquivel @ yahoo.com
Tess
I love reading because it helps me to escape reality and destress! 🙂 Can’t wait to read Collide and “meet” Gavin! Congrats Gail and all the best love!!
Gail McHugh
Thank you everyone! I hope you enjoy!
Cynthia
Thank you for being part of the Collide Blog Tour, I’m so excited about this book. Cwill030104 at yahoo dot com
Angela Love
I want to thank all you bloggers for your reviews it really keeps us readers wanting to read more books by Great Authors!!!
angelalove40@gmail.com
Yadira A.
Nice review! LOVE the dream cast picks:)
yadkny@hotmail.com
kp
thanks for the contest! Would love a chance to win this book…
jody
I would love a chance to win this book and read it. I love to read a great book and feel the feeling the characters are having. The cast picks only help with that a whole lot better! 🙂
Amber Slagle
I love reading because it takes you away from every day life and each book is a new adventure with new Characters!
Jennifer G
Great review. I really want to read this book. I love reading because it’s a great escape to dive in a read a really great story and many authors have really great stories to tell.
jengrm82@yahoo.com
Brandy
It gives me a new perspective!
Stephanie A
Can’t wait to read this. Reading is an escape for me, makes me forget real life for a little while 🙂