Waiting on Wednesday:The Hazards of Sleeping with a Friend

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we cannot wait to get our hands on.

 I am waiting on:

<BOOK COVER>

Title: The Hazards of Sleeping with a Friend

Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Series: Hazards #5

Publication Date: March 26, 2015

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, 

Why am I waiting?

Do I even have to say it at this point? Everything by Alyssa is gold, and I absolutely love her Hazards series. I have been hoping to see Jade's story and find out who she ends up with, and as a bonus I am sure a few of the previous Hazards characters will make an appearance which always is a blast. 

What are you waiting on?

Make sure to let me know in the comments

Thank you for visiting Unabridged Bookshelf!

The Hazards of Mistletoe: Excerpt, Review and Giveaway

Welcome to the Release Day Lauch on The Hazards of Mistletoe Blog Tour!  Make sure to check out everything going on during this tour by clicking the banner above. 

About the Book

Title: The Hazards of Mistletoe

Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Series: The Hazards #4

Publication Date: November 20, 2014

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, 

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Google Play

One snowy Christmas Eve, one mistletoe kiss, one friendship changed forever.
Don’t underestimate the power of mistletoe. It looks innocent enough, but a single branch has the potential to change your life. One mistletoe kiss led to the most embarrassing night of my life, but thankfully by the next Christmas I ended up exactly where I was supposed to be.  

 About the Author

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance
and
a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

    

Excerpt From The Hazards of Mistletoe

“Ice skating and hot cocoa? What are you buttering me up for?” I sat down on the bench and unlaced my skates. The snow was falling a little bit heavier, but the flakes were still light and more pleasant than a nuisance.

“I’m just enjoying an evening with a beautiful woman. I do have a romantic side you know.”

“Romantic?” What was Glen playing at? I’d had a crush on him for years, but things had stayed completely platonic. We were good friends who saw each other once a year, and teased each other through text messages and late night phone calls. That was it.

He didn’t hear me. He was already in line to return our skates. I waited for him to return with my boots, and not for the first time I was glad I’d worn wool socks. It was cold during the day, but the nights were absolutely freezing.

“Here you go, my lady.” He bent down and proceeded to put my foot into my boot.

I pulled away from him. “Knock it off. What’s gotten into you tonight?” As charming as Glen was being something seemed off with him. I wondered if maybe I wasn’t the only one who was upset.

He proceeded to move on to my next boot. “It’s Christmas Eve. Aren’t you Miss Holiday Spirit?”

“Usually.”

“Exactly.” He put on his shoes and tugged on my hand to pull me to standing. “Let’s get those hot chocolates.”

The line at the café on the other side of the rink was nearly out the door, but I was enjoying Glen’s company so much I didn’t mind.

He insisted on buying my hot cocoa for me, and considering he’d already paid for my skate rental, I was starting to feel uncomfortable. Glen had all the money he could ever need, but I wasn’t used to guys buying me anything. My dating experience wasn’t extensive, and it involved boys who were all about going dutch. “I really don’t mind paying.”

“Yeah, but I want to pay. Stop arguing and enjoy yourself.” He lightly bumped his shoulder into mine.

“Well, thanks.”

We walked around the village sipping our hot chocolate and not saying much. After a while we took a seat on a bench. It was underneath a tree, and the pine needles blocked some of the falling snow. I closed my eyes and listened to the chatter of people walking by mixed with the low hum of holiday music.

“You guys need to kiss.”

I opened my eyes and saw a girl staring at us. “You’re sitting under mistletoe. That’s the rules. You’re under mistletoe, you kiss.”

I looked up. Sure enough there was mistletoe hanging over us from the tree. It wasn’t real, it was just the decorative stuff they used, but it had the same unmistakable appearance.

Glen put an arm around me. “I think she’s right, Savy.”

I turned to glare at him. “Don’t even start.”

“Why not? Scared to kiss me?” he teased.

Yes. I was scared. Terrified. This was Glen. Kissing him wasn’t something I was prepared to do casually while sitting on a bench in the snow with a bunch of onlookers. Of course I couldn’t tell him that though. “Why would I be scared?”

“I don’t know. Just checking.” He got a twinkle in his eye. That twinkle should have given me all the warning I needed, but it didn’t. I was wholly unprepared when his lips made contact with mine. They were warm and soft, and they moved perfectly against mine. I kissed him back, desperately wanting to know what his mouth tasted like, and if his tongue felt half as good as his lips.

My Review of The Hazards of Mistletoe

The Hazards of Mistletoe is the perfect read for contemporary romance fans that are looking for something to get them in the holiday spirit. I have to say I loved Savannah and Glen story, just as much if not more than the other Hazards stories. I think I liked this one more, simply because it is set around Christmas and it really put me in the mood for the upcoming holiday season. The best part is that as a novella it can easily fit into anyone reading schedule. 

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a favorite of mine, everything she writes is gold, and The Hazards of Mistletoe is no exception. Savannah and Glen only see each other when their families get together for Christmas. While they stay in touch and are close friends, there are feeling developing. Obviously thing do not go as planned, or it would not be called The Hazards of Mistletoe. As a love interest, I have to say that I really love Glen, because I knew he would go to any lengths to protect Savannah. 

I love so much about this novella, and I am surprise it is a shorter story, because everything packed into it really makes it feel like a full-length story. I always worry that novellas are going to leave you wanting more, and not get in all the details. The Hazards of Mistletoe defiantly left me wanting more but that is just the side effect of reading a novel from Alyssa Rose Ivy. 

I am curious to see what happens in the next Hazards novel, and even though it is most likely a different couple, I expect to get a little glimpse of where Savy and Glen are at in their relationship. I am just hoping the next Hazards book is about Jade, that girl needs her own love story. 

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book, in exchange for an honest review**

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The Hazards of Mistletoe Cover Reveal with Giveaway

**Sorry for the late post, I was having massive technical issues last night and this morning**

The Hazards of Mistletoe by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Hazards Series

Expected Publication: November 20, 2014
 Cover Design by Once Upon a Time Covers 
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance,

One snowy Christmas Eve, one mistletoe kiss, one friendship changed forever.

Don’t underestimate the power of mistletoe. It looks innocent enough, but a single branch has the potential to change your life. One mistletoe kiss led to the most embarrassing night of my life, but thankfully by the next Christmas I ended up exactly where I was supposed to be.   

 About the Author

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance
and
a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

    

My Thoughts: Obviously I will be reading this one, because I love the Hazards series by Alyssa Rose Ivy. Also, I will totally get me in the holiday spirit just in time for Christmas.

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The Hazards of Sex on the Beach Release Day: Review, Excerpt, and Giveaway!

Welcome to The Hazards of Sex on the Beach Release Day Celebration!  Today I have an excerpt, review and a giveaway for you today! Also, to celebrate the release, Hazards of Sex on the Beach is only $0.99. 

About the Book

Title: The Hazards of Sex on the Beach

Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Series: Hazards #3

Publication Date: July 21, 2014

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, 

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

One broken heart, one drink too many, one steamy night in the sand...
No one warns you about the dangers of drinking with a broken heart. At least no one warned me. I never imagined I'd fall for a musician, especially not one like Chase, but then again I never expected to have my heart broken into a million pieces by the frat guy I thought was the love of my life.
Sometimes it's the rash decisions, like hooking up in the sand, that lead you to the best places—the kinds of places where it's possible to let yourself fall in love again.

About the Author

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and

a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

   

Excerpt From THE HAZARDS OF SEX ON THE BEACH

He took a strand of my hair and studied it. “Is this your natural color?”

“Yes.”

He dropped the strand. “I’ve never dated a girl with blonde hair.”

“Well, you’re not dating me.”

He gently brushed his fingers down my bare arm. “No, but I want to kiss you.”

“Then kiss me.” I was used to pushy guys. The kind that knew what they wanted and took it.

“Okay.” He smiled before leaning in.

The kiss was hesitant at first, the kind of kiss that gets your whole body excited because you know there’s more to come. I waited—hoping he’d take it further. His hand slid just under the hem of my shirt, brushing against my skin. The touch was light, but it was still enough to get a response out of me. I moaned.

That must have been what he was waiting for. He deepened the kiss, pushing into my mouth with such force I was taken by surprise. I kissed him back, enjoying the sweet taste of his mouth, and the way his hand slowly inched its way up my stomach. Blazer moved from zero to sixty. I didn’t mind it. I moved onto his lap, welcoming the arm he put around me to pull me closer. I wrapped my arms around his neck.

His hand moved higher, cupping my breast over my bra. I was drunk and hot, and so turned on I was going to lose it.

That’s when the door to the roof opened. The loud laughter of a group of girls pulled me half out of my lustful stupor.

“Want to go for a walk?” His question was asking something else entirely. I knew that when I answered with an enthusiastic yes.

Blazer held my hand as we made our way through the crowds. I looked briefly for Gabriella, but I didn’t see her. The normal Cara would have called her to tell her I was leaving with a random guy—but was Blazer random? We had chatted for hours already.

Before I could worry about it long, we were walking along the dark and nearly vacant beach. It was January on the South Carolina coast, and the crowds were months away.

“You never told me your name.” He said it as a statement as he led me further away from the party.

“Cara.”

“Hi, Cara. I’m Chase.”

I smiled. “Isn’t it a little late for introductions?” I stopped and turned toward the ocean.

“It’s never too late.” He drew something on my arm with his finger. The sensation felt good. I closed my eyes.

“You look so gorgeous. The moonlight, that look on your face.”

I opened my eyes and his face was inches from mine. “If you’ve never dated a blonde, does that mean you’ve never had sex with one?”

“Why? Are you looking to change that?” His eyes were lidded.

“I’d like to.” I slipped a finger into the waistband of his jeans.

“Should we go back to my hotel room, or do you have one?” He looked down. “I’m going to be honest here. I haven’t done this before.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re a virgin.” That would be just my luck.

He laughed. “No. Not saying that at all. I just don’t generally hook up with girls I’ve just met.”

“At least you know my name.”

“I do know your name, don’t I, Cara?”

Something happened to me when he said my name. I needed him. I reached up again, wrapping my arms around him. I crushed my lips into his.

We came up for air only after ending up horizontal on the sand. He laughed. “Or we can just pick things up right here.”

Review of The Hazards of Sex on the Beach

The Hazards of Sex on the Beach is seriously my favorite out of all the Hazards series so far, and I really loved The Hazards of a One Night Stand. Cara’s story really explores finding yourself after a bad breakup, and I love that Cara stepped out of her comfort zone to do exactly that. There is something magnetic about the way Alyssa Rose Ivy writes her New Adult romances, because it is as if I am attached by some invisible force until I finish the story. 

Cara is reeling from a bad breakup and she is dreading going back to school and facing her ex-boyfriend. While drowning her broken heart, she decides to do something out of character, and has a one-night stand with Chase. This is where Cara really begins to distance herself from her previous life and relationship, and start to discover her own passions again. Chase is really a great influence on Cara, and I like him in The Hazards of Sex on the Beach, and his effect on Cara.  

I love the musical tone of this book versus previous books, and I liked experiencing Cara discover her new talents. If I had to pick between Aaron and Chase, it would obviously be Chase, and I think that The Hazards of a One Night Stand also address a tough topic in the midst of the beauty of the Cara’s story. As a huge fan of Alyssa Rose Ivy, I loved the way she handled this topic and I loved that it was a realistic portrayal. 

I have yet to read something by Alyssa Rose Ivy that I did not immediately love, and I cannot wait to see what she has next up her sleeve. Seriously, she produces some of the most magnificent story and across a variety of genre and each has its own separate tone so they stand out on their own. This is a great book that can be read as a standalone, and I highly recommend it and anything else Alyssa Rose Ivy has ever written. 

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book in exchange for an honest review**

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The Hazards of a One Night Stand Release Day: Excerpt, Review and Giveaway

Welcome to The Hazards of a One Night Stand Book Blitz!  Today I have an excerpt, and a review for you plus there is also a giveaway so make sure to enter! Right now for release week, The Hazards of a One Night Stand is currently on sale for only $0.99, so make sure to grab it now!

About the Book

Title: The Hazards of a One Night Stand

Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Series: Hazards #2

Publication Date: February 27, 2014

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, 

Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

One small town boy, one girl who wants more, one roll in the hay...
Hooking up with your high school crush is a bad idea, a really bad idea. It was only supposed to be one night, one brief departure from my real life, but nothing ever works out exactly the way you plan.
Colton Waters was everything from my past that didn't fit into my present, so why did he have to show up at my college and pledge the one frat I couldn't avoid?
Because nothing is ever meant to happen just once. At least not the life changing things that mean the difference between falling apart and falling in love. 

About the Author

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and
a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.     

EXCERPT FROM THE HAZARDS OF A ONE NIGHT STAND

Colt wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer. “No. I’d rather bother you.”

There was something kind of sexy about the motion, something more confident than his usual goofy flirting. His hand felt nice resting on my hip, so I let it stay. Was this really the same Colt? Since when did his touch have that kind of effect on me? “When did you get back to town?”

“About two hours ago.”

“You didn’t wait long to come out.” I took a big sip of the drink. It was starting to taste a lot better.

“I took time for a shower.”

“That was thoughtful of you.”

“Planning on getting close to me tonight?” He watched me intently.

“Maybe.” The flirtatious word flew out of my mouth without me realizing it. The alcohol and that smile of his was making me forget where I was. “Sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?” He moved his hand, turning me and wrapping his other arm around me so my body was pressed against his.

“Colton…”

“Mallory…”

I laughed. “What are you doing?”

“What am I doing? You’re the one telling me you might be getting close to me tonight.” His hand slid down slightly, settling below my hip. His touch felt so good.

“Your birthday passed, right? You’re nineteen now?”

He laughed that deep, throaty laugh of his. “I’m going to take it as a good sign that you’re checking to make sure I’m old enough.”

“I’m not supposed to be into younger guys.”

“I’m three months younger than you. I can’t help that my parents held me back a grade.” He leaned back against an old oak tree, pulling me along with him. The motion had me leaning into his chest.

“You’ve gotten hotter.” I couldn’t believe I’d said the words out loud. I also couldn’t believe I was thinking about Colton that way again.

He laughed once more. “So have you, although I wouldn’t have thought it was possible.”

I took another sip of my drink. “When did you get this cute?”

“Are you implying you haven’t been ready to jump me for the last five years?”

“I’ve never thought about it before tonight.” The words weren’t exactly true, but I hadn’t thought about it in a while.

“But you are thinking about it now?” He grinned, moving his hands even lower so they cradled my ass.

“Maybe.” His hands sent a thrill through me, reminding me of just how long it had been since a guy had touched me that way.

“That’s the second maybe you’ve given me. How am I supposed to make that into a yes?” He took the bottle from my hand and dropped it down on the ground next to his empty cup. The remaining liquid seeped out onto the dirt.

“I don’t know. It’s your job to figure that out.” I ran my now free hand down his chest. It was firmer and more muscular than I expected.

“My job, huh? I like the sound of that.” His lips tickled my ear. “I like the sound of anything involving you.” He took my hand and led me further into the grouping of trees. It wasn’t a dense forest or anything, but I knew he was looking for privacy. I didn’t object when he gently leaned me back into another tree.

I closed my eyes, ready to feel his lips and hands on my body. I was horrible at knowing what to do in those situations. I needed the guy to take control.

His lips brushed against mine as he rested his hand on my stomach. He slipped a few fingers underneath my shirt. “Am I earning a yes, or do I have more work to do?” he whispered with his lips right next to mine.

“You have more work.” I kept my eyes closed, taking in a breath as his hand moved further up my shirt.

My Review of The Hazards of a One Night Stand

The Hazards of a One Night Stand is another home run for author Alyssa Rose Ivy. Seriously, I do not know how she keeps doing it, but she sucks me into the story every time. The Hazards of a One Night Stand is the second book in the Hazards series, but it reads like a standalone book. A book that starts out with a one night stand in a hayloft with a boy named Colt, how could that not lead to an interesting story. I love Mallory’s story of coming into her own, and discovering that what your heart wants maybe more important that what other think of you. 

I love Mallory in The Hazards of a One Night Stand, she is stubborn and sarcastic, but deep down she just wants to be happy. After her “mistake” with Colton in the hayloft, Mallory is ready to move on and get back to enjoying college life. The problem is she tries it with Tanner. I do not know what it is about Tanner but he just rubbed me the wrong way every time he opened his mouth, but then again I just think that is Tanner’s personality. Sadly, nothing made me root for Colt more than Tanner’s own mouth. 

I have to say that even with the difficulty that Mallory and Colton had to face, I really loved their friendship and their relationship. It was just so much more than a quick hook up, and that history is what made me root for their relationship to work out. I have this huge soft spot for friends who grow up to fall for each other, because seriously friends know all your dirty secrets and still love you because or in spite of them. 

Alyssa Rose Ivy has had a talent for creating incredible romances with couples that complement each other’s personalities. She did it with her Crescent Chronicles, and even more so with each book in her Clayton Falls series, and now she is doing it yet again with her Hazards series. The Hazards of a One Night Stand is a marvelous read for diehard fans of Alyssa Rose Ivy, or those who have yet to get their feet wet in the Alyssa Rose Ivy obsession. Come on in the water is fine…

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book, in exchange for an honest review**

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