Blog Tour: Review, Excerpt, and Giveaways for It Ain't Me Babe by Tillie Cole

About the Book

Sinning never felt so good…

A fortuitous encounter.

A meeting that should never have happened.

Many years ago, two children from completely different worlds forged a connection, a fateful connection, an unbreakable bond that would change their lives forever…

Salome knows only one way to live—under Prophet David’s rule. In the commune she calls home, Salome knows nothing of life beyond her strict faith, nor of life beyond the Fence—the fence that cages her, keeps her trapped in an endless cycle of misery. A life she believes she is destined to always lead, until a horrific event sets her free.

Fleeing the absolute safety of all she has ever known, Salome is thrust into the world outside, a frightening world full of uncertainty and sin; into the protective arms of a person she believed she would never see again.

River ‘Styx’ Nash knows one thing for certain in life—he was born and bred to wear a cut. Raised in a turbulent world of sex, Harleys, and drugs, Styx, unexpectedly has the heavy burden of the Hades Hangmen gavel thrust upon him, and all at the ripe old age of twenty-six—much to his rivals’ delight.

Haunted by a crushing speech impediment, Styx quickly learns to deal with his haters. Powerful fists, an iron jaw and the skillful use of his treasured German blade has earned him a fearsome reputation as a man not to be messed with in the shadowy world of outlaw MC’s. A reputation that successfully keeps most people far, far away.

Styx has one rule in life—never let anyone get too close. It’s a plan that he has stuck to for years, that is, until a young woman is found injured on his lot… a woman who looks uncannily familiar, a woman who clearly does not belong in his world, yet a woman he feels reluctant to let go…

Dark Contemporary Romance/New Adult Novel.  Contains sexual situations, violence, sensitive and taboo subjects, offensive language and mature topics. Recommended for age 18 years and up*

Purchase & Goodreads links

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Excerpt

I picked this excerpt to show you how powerful Tillie's storytelling is.  In this brief glimpse into the book you can see how much Styx cares for Salome, learn a lot about her life before Hades, and fall for both Styx and Salome.  

"Styx moved to the chair, sitting before me yet again, as though he could sense my dismay. He tilted his head in question, asking silently what was wrong.
I had managed to evade my reality long enough. Part of me could almost pretend it was just a horrible nightmare, more so as I sat in this strange darkened room with Styx. However, flashes of Bella, motionless, lying broken on the floor of that cell, stabbed relentlessly at my conscience, piercing emotional walls. I shook my head profusely, trying to rid my mind’s eye of those horrific scenes.
Severe punishments were common amongst my people, a necessity to prevent others from falling from the path of righteousness. But Bella was my sister, she could not love Gabriel, and that was her downfall, plain and simple. I would rather live in eternal damnation here on the outside than marry the man who sanctioned the relentless abuse of my true flesh and blood.
Awkwardly, Styx moved toward me. He gently ran his thumbs over my cheeks, wiping away the wetness. It took me a moment to realize I was crying. Emotions were forbidden in the commune, but I could not stop the tears. My chest tightened and I gripped his wrists, needing his support. Silent involuntary cries ripped from my chest and I let the pain take hold. I really cried for the first time in my life.
Styx moved beside me and an arm circled my shoulders, which made me jump. I glanced up at Styx’s rugged face: those hazel eyes, big soft lips, rough cheeks marked by a few small scars. His tongue licked at the silver ring through his bottom lip and a large set of dimples set on his cheeks. Those dark, soft delves made him seem less… severe, more human.
As I once more fixed my eyes on this big, silent man, so different from the boy I met, I crumbled. I gave in. This was everything I had been taught was wrong, but I could not help but cherish his touch. His strong arms encased me, warming me, comforting me, letting me feel safe. I held on tightly to his leather vest—he smelled of leather, soap, and smoke, and something else, something really… good. I had never ever been held like this before, never soothed. The only type of affection I had ever received was on those days. Even then, touching like this was strictly prohibited.
Styx guided my head to the crook of his neck and only then did I set my sobs free.

I cried for a long time before I gave in to exhaustion and drifted off to sleep, still unsure if I was being lured into a den of evil. But I felt completely and utterly safe in the strong arms of the only boy I had ever kissed…"

Review

Rating: ★★★★★ stars

I don't even know where to start with this book.  I'm still trying to process everything I read.  I also wish I knew how to use/make gifs cause all I can think is, "Fuuuuck,"  and how a picture might be able to explain how I'm feeling. I'm really sorry for the profanity but I'm being honest.  Having read two of Tillie's previous novels, I knew Tillie could write stories that entertained and drew you in, but I wasn't expecting to have my world rocked by this book.  I'll try not to give anything away.

The level of world building and explanation of many things that relate to both the motorcycle club (MC) and the Order astounded me.  I say world building because I literally felt like I was reading about an alien world even though the book is set in contemporary times and here on Earth.  It was hard for me to believe many of the things in this book are based off real life.  I forgot how humans can be sometimes.

I can't even begin to tell you the emotions this book evoked.  I felt emotionally exhausted after finishing this book.   I was angered, sickened, and horrified by some of the passages in the book, but there were others that made me happy and uplifted me.  The one thing that I felt came through really strongly was how people can take religious beliefs and twist scripture or teachings to where they no longer resemble their original purposes, but bring them personal and financial gains.

There's so much more I want to say about this book, but If I'm not going to ruin it for you, I have to stop now.  There's no doubt this book has given me a serious book hangover.  This book is perfect for anyone who loves a dark romance but also for anyone whose looking for a story that shows the power of love.  I'm REALLY hoping Tillie comes back to this world and these characters because I don't think readers will be done with them once they finish the last page.  I know I'm not. I also have the feeling this book is going to be polarizing.  You're going to either love it or hate it.  This book is different from Tillie's previous books, but it still manages to somehow surpass Sweet Home as my favorite of hers, and I didn't think that was possible.

*A copy of the book was provided for review.  I was not paid nor did this affect the review I wrote.*

You can follow the tour here: http://havebookwillread.com/2014/04/18/tour-schedule-it-aint-me-babe-by-tillie-cole/

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About the Author

Tillie Cole is a Northern girl through and through. She originates from a place called Teesside on that little but awesomely sunny (okay I exaggerate) Isle called Great Britain. She was brought up surrounded by her English rose mother -- a farmer's daughter, her crazy Scottish father, a savagely sarcastic sister and a multitude of rescue animals and horses. 

You can find her here:

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Website              http://tilliecole.com/