Saturday, 5 October 2013

Embrace by S.E. Hall ~ Blog Tour and Review by Sarah ~


SYNOPSIS
Evan Allen is a handsome, athletic, southern gentleman who now attends Georgia Southern University for no good reason.

After what he expected to be the romantic gesture of the century, Evan is looking at no friends, a year of ineligibility on the football team, and no girl.

He's starting over alone and doesn't know quite how to proceed. Certain members of The Crew refuse to let him face things by himself, taking him under their wing, and it doesn't take the ladies long to notice him, either.

Sometimes life doesn't go as you had planned. Sometimes it goes better.

Embrace it.

Embrace, the second book in the Evolve Series by S.E. Hall, follows the characters from her debut New Adult romance, Emerge


SARAH'S 4-STAR REVIEW
If you have NOT read Emerge, this review will contain spoilers for that book.  You have been warned! ;)

Evan has found himself in a situation he can hardly believe.  He has given up his scholarship and his team, opting for Laney and a year of ineligibility.  Only he doesn't have Laney.  Dane does.  But surely he can win her back, they have a history.  Except that doesn't seem likely when she tells him that the love she has for Dane is different that the love she has for him.  Dane is stuck nursing a broken heart, and the only friends that he has are Laney's.  Like that isn't awkward for him.

Then Dane meets someone who is just as broken-hearted as he is.  Someone else who thought that they had a future with someone who is now taken by another.  Their connection is instant, but he is left questioning if the attraction that he feels is just convenient.  The only thing that he knows is that he will not lose another person, in pursuit of 'more', like he did with Laney.

"Believe in me.  Trust me to love you no matter what, like I do you.  I gave it all to you, everything I am and will be, leaving behind what I was.  I'm asking you to do the same."

What can I say?  I loved Evan in Embrace.  He was great, yes he made some SERIOUS mistakes (body shots, anyone?), but he was a teenage boy.  And he was, technically, single.  Am I saying that I wanted for he and Laney to end up together?  No, absolutely not, she belongs with Dane.  What they have is a once in a lifetime thing.  But I did want for him to be happy.  When he gave up everything to be with Laney, I cried.  So, I was incredibly happy to get his story!

"He was my first love, and I'd love to keep him in my life, but you are my forever.  You're the key to unlocking parts of me I didn't know existed."

I've got to start by saying that I was super irritated with Laney at the beginning of this book.  Her jealousy of another girl being in Evan life when she was with Dane was pretty selfish.  I kind of understood where she was coming from because, for most of her life, every major event involved him, but she chose to share her life with someone else.  It was only fair that she allow him to find the same thing.  Thankfully Zach was there to talk some sense into her.  After their little talk she seemed to reevaluate what she was doing and then I was right back to liking her.

"He's here with no friends, no girl and a new team.  Sound familiar?  He's just trying to put one foot in front of the other every day, just like you did.  You got your happily ever after, so back the fuck off and let him try to find his."

Evan was just as swoon-worthy in Embrace as he was in Emerge.  Maybe more, since he had that whole 'I'm broken and sad' thing going for him.  That is a huge draw for me.  When he meets the girl, (NO SPOILERS HERE!!) I was not impressed.  I. DID. NOT. LIKE. HER.  But then, I got to actually know her and I realized that first impressions are not always right.  She was really a wonderful girl and quite perfect for Evan.  I loved what they had together.

"I wanted you to remember the night we decided our worth.  You're awesome and I have a ton of fun with you.  Everything does not go to shit when you show up, so don't believe that.  You're beautiful and kind and I'll hang out with you anytime you want.  So every time you look at that balloon, you block out their words and hear mine instead.  Okay?"

We also got to see more of Dane and Laney together, they were beautiful together.  Even when they had rough patches, like any other couple, they were still wonderful.  They also had some pretty big revelations in this book.  It was great to get to know more about their lives outside of one another.  I am glad that they were a part of this book.

"I love you.  You are my fire, my intensity, my must have, my awakening.  You're the lap I always want to cuddle in, the lips I want to kiss, the mind I want to challenge, the laugh I want to draw out."

If you've read Emerge, you'll love Embrace.  If you haven't, you should.  It's really quite wonderful.  Then read this book.  I would recommend these books for literally anyone, well anyone who likes romance.  They are sweet and the characters are endearing.  S.E. Hall has written a lovely story and has set the groundwork to continue with a beautiful series.  I cannot wait to get to Sawyer's story!!

"I want you so bad, pretty girl.  I want to love you," I wrap my arms around her waist, "I want to take care of you.  I want to hold you.  I want to be with you every chance I get.  You want me back?"


EXCERPT

Laney

“Hello?”

“Zach, don’t say my name,” I choke out, storming across the lot as fast as my shaking legs will carry me.

“What’s wrong? Where’d you-“ his voice comes loud and worried through the phone.

“Don’t say that!” I interrupt, God, how embarrassing. “Can you walk away from everyone and talk to me for a minute? Where no one can hear you.” My voice is nasally and obnoxious, getting on my own nerves.

“Yeah Mom, hang on.” Zach- not a great actor. “Okay Laney, I’m by myself now,” he whispers.

“I’m sorry I bailed on practice, and I’m sorry to bug you now, but I need a Zach of infinite wisdom fix real bad right about now.”

“Let’s pretend I don’t already know what’s up your ass and you go ahead. It’ll give you a chance to vent.”

Alright, so that almost makes me grin.

“Basically, he just hung on that bitch in front of me just to piss me off, and it worked! Seriously? I don’t do that shit to him! Nothing I did was to purposely hurt him. How long did I absolutely torture myself NOT to hurt him Zach, huh? A long ass time!” I come up for air, waiting for him to tell me how right I am while I climb in my truck.

“Laney, you know I love you, right?”

This can’t be good.

“Yes…”

“Then you know it’s with love when I say this.” Dramatic pause that makes my skin crawl. “Get over yourself! I don’t care if he fucked her on the field and asked you to film it. You may not have meant to, but you destroyed that kid. He’s here with no friends, no girl and a new team. Sound familiar? He’s just trying to put one foot in front of the other every day, just like you did. You got your happily ever after, so back the fuck off and let him try to find his.”

Well then. Zach-1. Laney-0.

It hurts, not even gonna pretend it doesn’t, but his words are honest…and absolutely dead on. It angers me at myself for being the cause of such sad, but true words, describing the crushing of my Evan. It’s a lot to think on and I have to do that now, before I cruise right out of control.

“You’re right Zach. That’s why I call you. I’ll always get the straight-up what I need to hear. Thanks.”

“I luv ya Laney. Don’t be mad at me, but much like yourself, don’t ask for my advice if you don’t want it.”

I chuckle, “God, if that isn’t the truth. You’re harsh, but right. I’m not mad, I swear. Now go coach! I’ll talk to ya later.”

“Later Laney.”

I hang up and stare out my windshield, pondering. Zach is right, I’m being a selfish bitch.

PURCHASE LINKS


 GIVEAWAYS
Ebooks of Emerge and Embrace, a signed postcard and a rubber team bracelet (International)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

2 Winners: Signed copy of Emerge, postcard, bookmark, and runner team bracelet (US Only)
1 Winner: Signed poster from Donald Criola (US Only)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

AUTHOR BIO

S.E.Hall resides in Arkansas with her husband of 17 years and 3 beautiful daughters. When not in the stands watching her ladies play softball, she enjoys reading YA and NA romance.


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