MakeMyDayBookClub: Changing Course Blog Tour with 5* review, excerpt & giveaway

Title: Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1)

Author: Aly Martinez

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 29, 2014

Synopsis

I met Sarah Kate Erickson when I was 21 years old. I was lucky enough to keep her for seven years before a tragic accident stole her from me. She didn’t die, but sometimes I think it would have been easier if she had.

I lived in a haze for those four years after the accident. Catering to her every need, even though she hated the very sight of my face. I tried to hold on to her and the future that we were supposed to build together. But you can’t hold on to someone that doesn’t exist anymore.

It wasn’t until I met Jesse Addison, a barista at the local coffee shop, that I realized I didn’t just lose Sarah that tragic night, I lost myself as well. Jesse taught me how to let go of the past and learn to love again. But what happens when your past haunts your present and the woman you used to love refuses to accept the woman you can’t live without?

Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Excerpt

"Shall we make a little bet?" I ask, twirling my thumbs like an evil madman. "Aren't you sick of losing yet?" She laughs so hard at her own joke, she almost rolls out of the chair. Her reaction alone is enough to make me laugh right along with her. This girl is drunk...and beautiful. And drunk. And sexy as hell. And drunk. And so very fuckable. Did I mention drunk? She isn't in the danger zone, where she is going to be hating her very existence tomorrow. She's in that loose-lipped-say-things-that-will-make-you-cringe-the-next-day stage. I would be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying the hell out of seeing her in this state. Jesse always seems to have a filter when she talks to me. It's as if, she analyzes every word in her mind twelve times before actually spitting out a sentence. Since she started drinking, she hasn't stopped talking. She has officially made the leap from best friend’s little sister, to woman I want to fuck. Jesus, what the hell am I saying? Am I drunk too? "So, is that a yes or no to the bet?" I smile, glancing down and catch a glimpse of her peaked chilled nipples. "You cold, Jess?" I ask, nodding down at her nipples noticeably showing thorough her skimpy excuse for a dress. I watch her eyes travel down her own body and her cheeks immediately redden. Oh shit! I really am drunk! Why the fuck would I say that to her? Better yet, when the hell did I lose my filter tonight? Oh God, what else have I said to her without thinking? I frantically try to think of a way to moonwalk out of this conversation. She's uncomfortable, and I'm mortified. We both know it too. It's written all over our faces, but in our drunken states, neither one of us can think of anything to say.

Andrea's Review

*ARC received in exchange of an honest review

I was so gripped with Brett, Sarah, Jesse and Caleb's lives that I read Changing Course in a day.

I was hooked from the very first page until the very last one, wow what a ride!! I have gripped my kindle so hard my knuckles turned white, shouted out loud in fear and sometimes disbelief, cried and laughed and definitely heated up (boy, is it hot?) at this wonderful, heartbreaking and amazing story of finding love when you least expect it or want it.

Sarah and Brett were happy and in love, had everything to live for until one fateful night, four years ago, when Sarah was involved in a fateful accident.

Changing Course tells the story of Brett's struggle and guilt to let go of Sarah's memory. Sarah didn't die in the accident but Brett lost her anyway, as she began to recover it was obvious things had changed. Sarah had changed, her personality had changed...for the worse. She shunned Brett at every opportunity, devastating him. Brett refused to give up on her because he loved her and he hoped she would finally remember that she loved him back but that all started to change the day he walked into a coffee shop and saw Jesse working there.

Jesse is nothing like Sarah, for a start she doesn't curse and she seems rather inexperienced when it comes to men but she proves to be just what Brett needs to bring him out of the past and start living again.

Oh, I so want to tell you all about how Sarah became such an evil bitch, how sexy police officer Brett (always a curse ready to fall from his mouth) just existed until he fell, unwillingly, for Jesse and was filled with guilt because of it, how sweet Jesse (never curses) fell for Brett's good looks and charms from day one and how Caleb, Brett's best friend and partner at work, had a hand in getting Brett to face his feelings for Jesse. But I won't as I don't want to spoil it for you but what I will tell you is this...I LOVED this book!!!
I loved the way Brett and Sarah's story unfolded over months rather than a few short weeks, like some books.

My heart went out to Brett so many times as he struggled with his guilt of his shifting feelings towards Sarah. I was on the edge of my seat so many times from about halfway through the book I felt drained by the end but oh, what a feeling! That's when you know you've read a good book. Oh and I haven't even touched on the hot steamy scenes!!!

Changing Course is one helluva a debut novel from author Aly Martinez, it's crammed packed with all kinds of emotions that will have you laughing one minute, shouting out loud in anger and frustration the next and, just when you think it's safe to put your head up it will have you gasping and reading with baited breath as the tension builds to a point where you think you can't stand it.

I can't recommend it highly enough and hope that we get to hear Caleb's story soon.

Andrea gives this a rating of...

About the Author

I’m a 32 year old wife and stay at home mom to four kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. My life is crazy, which is probably why I drink entirely too much wine. Oh who am I kidding, I had a love affair with wine long before the kids came along. I was born and raised in Savannah Georgia, but we recently moved to Chicago. Let me tell you, this southern girl was not ready for the cold weather up here! I’m an avid reader, but I haven’t always been that way. A few years ago my sister loaned me her Nook Color, and it changed my life forever. In the span of about two years, I read over 500 books. My newfound love of reading led me to start a book blog with two of my best friends. (Insert shameless plug here: WhiteZinBookends.com). Through WZ Bookends, I've had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing authors, bloggers, and readers out there. Now that I have taken the leap into writing my own book, they’ve all shown me endless amounts of encouragement and support. While driving home from Walmart one day in late October, a story embedded itself in my head and would not let go. It spiraled out of control until I finally opened my laptop and started writing. This journey has been a wild ride filled with tears, hand cramps, and tons of laughs. I love company, so follow me at one of the social links below and join me aboard this crazy train!