Friday 16 March 2018

BLOG TOUR - REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: THIRSTY by MIA HOPKINS


Feeling THIRSTY? Visit the Eastside Brewery…

A gangster hiding from his past. A single mom fighting for her future. Can she show this bad boy the man’s he’s meant to be? Mia Hopkins is back with the first in an all-new contemporary series, THIRSTY (Eastside Brewery #1)!


Thirsty
Eastside Brewery #1
By Mia Hopkins
Releasing March 13th, 2018
Loveswept



My name is Salvador Rosas. Back in the barrio, my past is written on the walls: ESHB. Short for East Side Hollenbeck, my father’s gang—my gang. Hell, it’s a family tradition, one that sent both my brothers away. They used to call me “Ghost” because I haunted people’s dreams. Now I’ve got nothing going for me except a hipster gringo mentoring me in a new career. An ex-con making craft beer? No mames.

Still, people in this neighborhood look out for one another. That’s how I became Vanessa Velasco’s unwelcome tenant. Chiquita pero picosa. She’s little, but with curves so sweet they’re dangerous. I remember Vanessa from the old days, the straight-A student with big plans. Plans that were derailed by another kid stupid enough to think he was bulletproof. Now Vanessa knows better than to believe in empty promises. There’s fire in her . . . and if I touch her, I might get burned.

I’m trying everything I can to go straight. But when East Side Hollenbeck comes calling, I might have to risk it all to find out if there’s a future for Vanessa and me. Because she’s the only one who can quench my thirst for something real.

On Sale in Digital: March 13, 2018




See what others are saying about THIRSTY:
Thirsty is sexy and soul-wrenching, with Sal’s irresistible voice luring you through a living, breathing Los Angeles. Vanessa and Sal’s chemistry is sizzling right off the page, and their journey will keep you on the edge of your seat. Five smoldering, tattooed stars!” - USA Today Bestselling Author Sierra Simone





In Thirsty (Eastside Brewery #1) by Mia Hopkins, after spending five years in prison, Salvador Rosas is doing his best to stay out of trouble. However, it isn't easy when he can't get free of the Eastside Hollenback gang; the gang his father was a part of and the same gang that he's done his best to stay away from. Yet, there's one bright spot in his life and that's Vanessa Valesco. Will he be able to get himself free of the gang to be able to have a future with Vanessa, or will he lose his chance at happy ever after because his past keeps coming back to haunt him?

What an absolutely enthralling, fast-paced, wonderful read Ms. Hopkins has delivered in this first book of her Eastside Brewery series where the storyline kept me entertained from start to finish because of what Salvador has been through and what he goes through with the gang that had me concerned for his well-being; the main characters were compelling and had me loving the banter between them as well as their growing relationship; and the secondary characters in the heroine's daughter and grandma had me smiling. Since the heroine's daughter is adorable while the heroine's grandmother loves to tease her. 

The way this story started with the hero had me sympathizing with him because he hasn't done anything wrong, and yet, it feels like he's in big trouble because of something his friend has done. Will he be able to smooth things over for his friend or has his friend ruined things beyond repair? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine came face-to-face for the first time that had me completely intrigued by this story because of the heroine's reaction to the hero. Why is she so against her grandmother's plan to help Salvador? Will she be able to accept what her grandmother has agreed to with the hero?

As for the main characters, I absolutely loved the hero, as he's worked hard to overcome his past, and yet, it seems it's always going to be hard to fully extricate himself from the gang. Moreover, the hero has done everything possible to start over and has worked hard to turn his life around. I also liked his confidence and how determined he was to win the heroine over, even if it means agreeing to her two-month plan. Will they be able to walk away at the end of the two months? Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero is that he's loyal and honourable and I could understand why he would do anything to make things right for the heroine especially after what happens that makes their relationship goes awry.

While the heroine, she's been through so much and I could understand why she finds it hard to give another man a chance after all that she went through with her ex. Yet, in saying that, she's resilient, courageous and I liked that she took a chance on the hero because he's a good guy, even though he finds it hard to break away from the gang; a gang that could land him in trouble again if he's not careful. Will he be willing to risk everything he's worked so hard for since getting out of jail to help the Eastside Hollenback gang again? However, what I liked most of all about the heroine was the close relationship she shared with her daughter who is adorable and her grandmother who is an absolute hoot at times with her teasing, especially since she sees how happy Salvador makes Vanessa.

Overall, this story was a worthwhile read filled with plenty of chemistry between the hero and heroine that spilled over onto the pages in steamy sex scenes that encompass a lot of heat and passion. However, it was the ending that wrapped this story up perfectly, as I felt sorry for the hero because of what he goes through, but I liked the decision he made to get his life on track without fear of repercussions. I also liked what Salvador received in the end in order to help him work towards a career. Yet, it's how things worked out for the best between the hero and heroine that I loved so much about the end of this book. I would recommend Thirsty by Mia Hopkins, if you enjoy the opposites attract trope or books by authors Sierra Simone, Alexis Daria, Kate Cantarbury and Alisha Rai.





The ride starts with a burst of music like a jack-in-the-box. We glide backward and over a couple of times. The Ferris wheel stops to let other passengers on. At the very top, our carriage swings back and forth before it goes still.

Now I can see my neighborhood from a different viewpoint, high above. The lights of the carnival are bright and beautiful. The smells of tacos, hot dogs, and popcorn fill my nose. People pack the church parking lot. Cars line the street, and in the surrounding houses, lights in the windows show where families are talking or watching TV or having dinner.

“How are you doing?” I ask.

“I’m all right.”

She’s looking at the same things I am. I wonder if she is seeing the same details. I stroke her hair and take another risk. “So what do you think?”

“About what?”

“Starting something with me?”

She takes a deep breath but doesn’t say anything.

“What are your doubts?” I say.

“Are you kidding?” She snorts. “You’re seriously asking me that?”

I laugh a little. “Okay, well. Besides the obvious.”

“You have your own life. I have mine. You’re trying to rebuild from the ground up. I’m trying to secure my daughter’s future. We’re heading in different directions.”

She isn’t wrong. Life has disappointed her in such deep and cruel ways, I don’t blame her for protecting herself. But even as she tells me this—the truth about how we’re not right for each other—I feel how right it is to talk to her, to hold her hand, to show her who I am. “I have an idea,” I say. “Probation.”

“What?”

“I’m only around for two months, right?”

“Right.”

“Spend those two months with me.” I look into her eyes. “I want to be with you, Vanessa.”

“Sal—”

“I’ll be gone before I have a chance to disappoint you.” When the words leave my mouth, I try to ignore how pathetic they sound. “We’re adults, not dumb kids. We won’t lose our heads.” I run my fingers through her silky hair. “I swear to God, every time I look at you, I feel . . .” I reach for the most honest word I can find. “Thirsty.”



Praise for titles by Mia Hopkins:

"Mia Hopkins knows how to put characters on a page."  - HEROES AND HEARTBREAKERS

"Mia Hopkins is an imaginative author who doesn’t take the easy road to a formulaic book." - USA TODAY
 

"Sweet and filthy at the same time, just the way I like it. This book made me so happy." - READ ALL THE ROMANCE

"The writing is excellent, the emotions leap off the page, and the sex is downright earthy." - JILL SORENSON, AUTHOR

"Beautifully descriptive...hot, sexy and full of yearning!"  - DELILAH DEVLIN, AUTHOR 

“Off the charts hot.”  - THE ROMANCE STUDIO

 “A tantalizing slow seduction of the senses.” - STRANGE CANDY REVIEWS

"Hopkins packs a lot of heat and romance on the pages...Caution: hot, sexy times ahead!"
- READER GIRLS BLOG

“Filled with sizzling chemistry, hot sex, and just enough sweetness to leave me wanting more…And those sex scenes…Holy hotness!”  - CRYSTAL BLOGS BOOK




Mia Hopkins writes lush romances starring fun, sexy characters who love to get down and dirty. She’s a sucker for working class heroes, brainy heroines and wisecracking best friends. She lives in Los Angeles with her roguish husband and waggish dog.


You can also visit her online at the following places:


























































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