ALL THE PRETTY POSES by M. Leighton Blog Tour{Review/Playlist/Giveaway}

Title: ALL THE PRETTY POSES

Author: M. Leighton

Source: eARC from author for review

Release Date: Jan 26, 2014

goodreads...

He never wanted to be a hero…until she needed him to be.

Strength…

It took Kennedy Moore years to put her life back together after Reese Spencer shattered it. But she did. Now, years later, strong and independent, she is in pursuit of a single dream—to dance with the Altman American Dance Theater. Unfortunately, Kennedy is learning that a girl from nowhere with no money and no contacts might never be able to reach her goal.

That is, until Reese reappears, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Kennedy just can’t refuse. In exchange for working on his yacht for a few short weeks, he’ll get her an audition with the famous dance troupe. All Kennedy has to do is keep her head down, work hard and resist Reese. That sounds easy enough, right?

Weakness…

Reese doesn’t want to make it easy for Kennedy. Seeing her again has started a fire in his blood—an unwelcome one. It took him years to forget about her before, so this time he has a plan. It’s simple: Get Kennedy on his yacht, seduce her, get her out of his system, move on with his life. That sounds easy enough, right?

But the one thing Reese didn’t plan for was Kennedy herself—a girl so strong yet so broken, she makes him want to rescue her, to take care of her. To save her. Even if he has to save her from himself.

My take...

When I read ALL THE PRETTY LIES a couple months ago, I knew right then and there that it was my favorite book ever by Leighton. I was completely smitten with it and the story she told. I was brought to tears and so moved by the story Sloane lived. I mean, how you could not be moved by something so utterly heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time? Such an emotional read. So when given the chance to read ALL THE PRETTY POSES, I of course jumped at the opportunity. While it wasn't as emotional as ALL THE PRETTY LIES, it was still a book that blew me away.

I am going to start with Reese. We saw bits of him in the first book when dealing with Hemi while they searched for the killer in their younger brother's murder. But we really had no idea what we were in store for when it came his time to let us know all about him. This guy can be a Class A Jerkwad and a womanizer no less. But there is something deep within him that is still human and just a boy that had his world ripped away at the age of 19. Having to grow up to quickly in his father's shadow made him a man with one goal in mind and nothing else: success. But some things will only get you so far. And he realizes this when after 14 years, he lays eyes on Kennedy. A girl from his past that he never stopped thinking about.

Kennedy has one thing in the world she wants to do and that is dance. Unfortunately, dancing in a classy gentlemen's club is as close to that world as she is going to get until she can achieve her dream of dancing for the Altman American Dance Theater. When she notices Reese from across the room while performing one night, she is brought back to the past. A past she has long since tried to overcome and forget. But forgetting is easier said than done. Now she is offered a chance to make her dream one step closer. Only thing is, she must face her past and her once love for Reese to make it happen. Realizing a little too late that some loves never die.

A brilliant read if I must say so. Of course I never expect anything less from Leighton. I started this book late and read until I finished. Never pausing. Holy crap! When did it get to be 3 am? I was that hooked on the story I didn't even realize the wee morning hours snuck up on me. And here I have to get up in a few short hours to start my day. Oh well, the book hangover will definitely be worth it. I was totally entranced by Leighton's magic and her weaving of words. Yes, my affection for Leighton knows no bounds. Her books are brilliant and amazing and I can never get enough. 

I loved the romance of the story so very much. No matter that Kennedy is a simple girl, I know darn good and well that she loved being lavished by Reese. Who wouldn't? Seeing places she has only dreamed about and having the time of her life in the arms of the man she loved long ago.  The scenes were hot and the chemistry between the two made it all that much hotter. Leighton, you sure know how to make a girl blush. And yet, I couldn't help myself.

Most definitely a must read. I loved every ounce this book had to offer: the romance, the intrigue, the heartbreaking revelations. I adored it all and I expect you to love it too. If you don't, well, I don't know what to tell you. You obviously did not read the same book I did. ;)

What’s up for grabs? 

·         2- $250 Visa Gift Cards

How do I enter?

Via the Rafflecopter posted here and on each participating site, you may:

·         Like the M. Leighton, Author Facebook page (5 points, can only do once)

·         Follow @mleightonbooks on Twitter (5 points, can only do once)

·         Share the giveaway graphic on Twitter along with one reason that you’re excited to meet Reese (10 points, can do once per day)

      

·         Tag three different friends in the comments under the graphic on the M. Leighton Author Facebook page with one reason you’re excited to meet Reese (10 points, can do once per day)

Details!

The giveaway begins at 12:00 am EST on January 14, 2014 and ends at 12:00 am EST on February 3, 2014.  Winners will be randomly selected by 5:00 pm EST on February 5, 2014.  For a complete list of rules, please see the “Rules” section of the Rafflecopter. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ALL THE PRETTY POSES Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18801960-all-the-pretty-poses?ac=1

ALL THE PRETTY POSES Playlist.

You can listen along on Spotify here

Justify My Love by Madonna

In my head, when I saw Reese sitting in Exotique, a little bored with the same ole, same ole, I heard this beat begin.  At that exact moment, I knew that this would be the song that would introduce us to Kennedy.  Just like this song, out of all the others being played, grabbed Reese’s attention, so would Kennedy stand out among all other women.  To me, it was just that clear and simple.  Plus it’s one seriously sexy song. Just like the love that Reese and Kennedy share:)

Still Into You by Paramore

Waiting for Superman by Daughtry

This song reminds me of what Kennedy might’ve felt like, waiting for someone to rescue her from all the terrible events and circumstances in her life.  She was strong enough to survive without her Superman, but when he finally came along, she was more than happy to let him save her anyway.

6’2” by Marie Miller

Big Girls Don’t Cry by Fergie

Sail by Awolnation

All I Want by Kodaline

Pompeii by Bastille

Out of My Head by Theory of a Dead Man

Feeling Good by Michael Buble

Falling by Haim

Stay the Night by Zedd

Have a Little Faith in Me by Jewel

Kennedy has so many reasons not to trust, especially Reese and he finds it hard to win her over.  Her sky gets dark and her tears come again, but she finally learns that she can trust Reese. He is finally able to prove to her what she means to him.

Closer by Nine Inch Nails

There is a scene *grins* where Reese is working Kennedy out in the gym.  They are all alone and have agreed to a truce of sorts.  I will never, EVER listen to this song without thinking of them (and this scene) again.  *big, big grin*

Right There by Nicole Scherzinger

What a Feeling by Irene Cara

Feelin’ Love by Paula Cole

Let it Go by Cavo

Ice Cream by Sarah McLachlan

Called Out In the Dark by Snow Patrol

Replay by Zendaya

Fever by Michael Buble

Say Something by A Great Big World

Can’t Find My Way by Hardline

Can’t Get You Off My Mind by Lenny Kravitz

This song is perfect for Reese and Kennedy in a million ways, but there is a scene when they are separated and Reese is working so hard to get back to her that I can almost hear this song playing in the background.

Whataya Want From Me by Adam Lambert

Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus

Don’t Cry by Guns and Roses

There are a couple of different references to Reese making Kennedy cry and I found parts of this song particularly fitting.

Story of My Life by One Direction

All of Me by John Legend

How Could I Want More by Jamie Lynn Spears

Happily ever after can mean so many different things in each book, but this one is particularly poignant because Reese and Kennedy come from such devastation to find their happiness.  And when they find it, it’s perfect.  Neither of them could want a single thing more.  Well, unless you include the last line of the book, which still at this very moment brings tears to my eyes. You’ll have to read it to find out if you agree:)

M. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies.  She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books.  When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.  

For more about M. Leighton, visit her website at www.MLeightonBooks.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter@mleightonbooks.

Blog: http://mleightonbooks.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mleightonbooks

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Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1152263.M_Leighton

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/M.-Leighton/e/B004LL0TAU/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1