Jilly

Fall in Love With the Sullivan Family: The Sullivan Series by Bella Andre Blog Tour….My Review of The Look of Love

Keeping the fun going today in the Fall in Love With the Sullivans Blog Tour with my review of The Look of Love.

In Bella’s sexy, emotional and funny contemporary romance series, each member of the Sullivan family will eventually find true love…usually where he or she least expects it.

With THE LOOK OF LOVE, bestselling author Bella Andre introduces you the Sullivan family. In this fun and emotional contemporary romance series, when a Sullivan bad boy falls…he falls hard. And it’s forever.

Synopsis:

Chloe Peterson is having a bad night. A really bad night. The large bruise on her cheek can attest to that. And when her car skids off the side of a wet country road straight into a ditch, she’s convinced even the gorgeous guy who rescues her in the middle of the rain storm must be too good to be true. Or is he?

As a successful photographer who frequently travels around the world, Chase Sullivan has his pick of beautiful women, and whenever he’s home in San Francisco, one of his seven siblings is usually up for causing a little fun trouble. Chase thinks his life is great just as it is—until the night he finds Chloe and her totaled car on the side of the road in Napa Valley. Not only has he never met anyone so lovely, both inside and out, but he quickly realizes she has much bigger problems than her damaged car. Soon, he is willing to move mountains to love—and protect—her, but will she let him?

Chloe vows never to make the mistake of trusting a man again. Only, with every loving look Chase gives her—and every sinfully sweet caress—as the attraction between them sparks and sizzles, she can’t help but wonder if she’s met the only exception. And although Chase didn’t realize his life was going to change forever in an instant, amazingly, he isn’t the least bit interested in fighting that change. Instead, he’s gearing up for a different fight altogether…for Chloe’s heart

My review:

Poor Chloe Peterson is really, really, having a bad go of things. Upon trying to get her life in order, and leave a bad situation behind, she ends up in a ditch, in a rainstorm in the middle of who knows where. Can’t anything go her way? Maybe the handsome stranger who just offered to get her out of the rain and give her a ride into town can finally restore her faith in humanity….

Chase Sullivan is certainly not one to leave a woman stranded on the side of the road, especially knowing how he would feel if it was one of his sisters out here. Luckily, he’s in town for a photo shoot at his brother’s winery and can lend a hand to the beautiful, intriguing and waterlogged damsel in distress. The problem is, once he lays eyes on her, he knows he’ll be using the extra room at the winery’s guesthouse to his advantage….

Together they start a HOT romance that will not only restore Chloe’s faith in humanity…but will show her how to trust and love again. Could this romance also take the photographer playboy, Chase, off the market for good?

Whoa….this book was DELISH! If there’s one thing Bella Andre does very well, it’s write up some amazing romance and some ridiculously hot sex scenes. Holy hell. There were parts of this book that had me biting my lip and groaning out loud. There were also parts that had my heart hurting. Hurting for Chloe and Chase and their rocky path to happiness. Chase is seriously the perfect guy….kind, romantic, considerate, hot as hell and all male. Chloe is a girl I was rooting for from the very first page. I so wanted her to find her happy ending. She really pulled at my heartstrings from the very beginning when we met her on the side of the road. Together they have amazing chemistry that is what the stuff of good contemporary romances are made of! If you’re looking for a fun, sexy, romantic, sultry read, then I say make sure this lands on your list! Thank you, Ms. Andre, for a delicious story and I am so looking forward to meeting the other Sullivan’s!

Four Loves

Tour Notes:

The Sullivans are on tour with Novel Publicity. Follow along for your chance to win amazing prizes. We’ve got special romantic swag baskets for each book, an iPad Mini, Kindle Fire, Nook Color, and Kobo eReader, and Amazon and iTunes gift cards. WOW!

You’ll also get introduced to this amazing contemporary romance series via excerpts as well as interviews with and guest posts from New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, Bella Andre. You’ll definitely want to learn more about the family that has captured the world’s heart.

All the info you need to join the fun and enter to win amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment–easy to enter; easy to win!

To Win the Prizes:

Purchase any of the Sullivan ebooks by Bella Andre for just $4.99 (optional)
Enter the Rafflecopter contest on Novel Publicity (go here – also posted below)
Visit today’s featured social media event (that’s where the HUGE prizes are – visit http://www.novelpublicity.com/the-sullivans/ )

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fall in Love With the Sullivan Family: The Sullivan Series by Bella Andre Blog Tour….Interview with Bella Andre

Welcome to the Fall in Love With The Sullivans Blog Tour:

I will have some fun things happening this week with two reviews, an author interview and guest post! YAY!

To kick things off, please enjoy this interview with Bella Andre, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of the contemporary romance series, The Sullivans. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including special romantic swag baskets for each book, an iPad Mini, Kindle Fire, Nook Color, and Kobo eReader, and Amazon and iTunes gift cards! Information below!

1. You create characters beautifully and are an absolute master of plot twists. It seems like you could write in almost any genre and do a bang-up job of it. What made you decide to devote your efforts to the romance genre in particular?

Thank you so much for the compliments! I’ve always been a huge romance fan – I’ve been reading nearly a book a day since I was a teenager – so it was a natural fit for me when the characters starting appearing in my head one day.

2. How did the idea for this interconnected contemporary romance series first come to you? What was your inspiration?

I love the family series that have always been popular in historical romance – like Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series and Nora Roberts’s MacGregors – and I was also inspired by my husband’s large family. It seemed like a natural fit to combine the funny and sweet family dynamics into an overarching series of sexy contemporary romances with the alpha heroes that I love so much.

3. Everyone seems to have a favorite Sullivan. Now I know this is like asking you to choose between your own children, but who is your favorite? And who’s most like you?

I’ll have to plead the fifth and pick Mary Sullivan – the family matriarch – as my favorite Sullivan. She’s the heart that keeps the family together and I get emotional whenever I write a scene with her. In fact, in COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER (Smith Sullivan’s story), the scene where he calls his mother to ask for love advice is one that so many readers have told me is their absolute favorite scene in any Sullivan book.

As for who is most like me – maybe Sophie Sullivan from I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU. She loves to read (and is a librarian) and when she wants something (in her case: bad boy Jake McCann), she goes for it! Of course, I’m also a lot like Lori Sullivan (aka “Naughty”) with her big mouth and constant laughter.

4. In your opinion, what ingredients are needed to make up a good love story? Is life the same as fiction in this respect? Why or why not?

I love to love my characters and when I write a story I need two heroic, nice, good people (and why not gorgeous, too?!) who deserve love and have a lot of love to offer in return, but who are flawed partially because they haven’t found that perfect someone who complements them like no other. I like my fiction to be a little bigger than life – the Sullivans are extraordinarily hot, sensitive and attentive – but at their heart, they’re all very real.

5. How has your own love story with your husband informed the Sullivan series? Are there any scenes that are directly taken from your own life?

I have the best husband in the entire world. Sweet, loving, sensitive…and super hot! He’s always supported me in everything I’ve ever done and I think his strength and capability to love is at the core of every hero I write.

With that said, none of the scenes are ever taken directly from my own life. I have a very active imagination.

6. Let’s pretend for a second that you are a single woman living in the world of the Sullivans, which of the six brothers would you be most likely to fall in love with and why?

Ohhhh, now THAT is a fun fantasy! I would fall in love with each and every single one of them – and do, while I’m writing each of their stories! If I had to pick one, I might have my eye on Marcus (FROM THIS MOMENT ON) – because while all of my Sullivans are sweet, sexy and sensitive – Marcus is the only one with his own endless supply of wine from his winery. And there’s just something about the oldest brother…. Then again, Zach Sullivan is such a great combination of cocky and sweet. And Ryan Sullivan has all those muscles. And Gabe is such a hero as a firefighter (and I love his dirty talking between the sheets). And Chase is so sexy and protective. And then there’s Jake McCann (who falls in love with Sophie Sullivan) with his tattoos and big muscles. Not to mention Lori’s hero in the upcoming ALWAYS ON MY MIND which will be out this spring. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Lori’s hero just might be the hottest hero I’ve ever written.

See, what did I tell you earlier? I’m no good at picking just one. So let’s just say, yet again, ALL OF THEM!

7. The Sullivans and their beaux have some pretty interesting careers. From photographers and sculptors to professional actors, musicians and ball players all the way to firefighters, librarians and business owners, they lead very exciting lives! What type of research did you have to do to capture these jobs so well? Do you have any interesting research anecdotes to share?

I’ve written firefighters and athletes in previous series which helped with my firefighter, Gabe (CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE) and my baseball player, Ryan (LET ME BE THE ONE). I also live in Sonoma and have a lot of experience with wine and wineries which was ideal for winery owner Marcus (FROM THIS MOMENT ON) and as a writer I’ve been blessed to work with many librarians who served as information points for Sophie (I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU.)

For books where I need inspiration, the internet has been amazing and when needed, I also call on the help of professionals. Even though I’d written firefighters before, I still sent all my firefighting scenes to a professional and for Smith’s book (COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER) I sent all the acting-set sequences to a local film producer.

8. I was very touched by the inclusion of Yorkie puppy, Cuddles, and Great Dane rescue, Atlas, in book five, If You Were Mine. Are you a dog person yourself? If you have pets, I’d love to know more about them!

I *love* animals. I had the best time writing the two dogs in IF YOU WERE MINE. They had their own little love story in that book, which pleased me to no end. There’s a cat that plays a very important role in ALWAYS ON MY MIND (Lori Sullivan’s story, coming Spring 2013). My whole family loves animals, and we’ve recently adopted a beautiful cat. Or more accurately, the cat has adopted us, smart little minx.

9. The Sullivan series is currently seven volumes long. How many more books do you have planned, and which other family members will get the spotlight in their own books?

Lori’s book (ALWAYS ON MY MIND) is up next, and there are 5 Seattle Sullivans who are ready for love – I will start with Rafe Sullivan’s book this summer! Plus, I have something *very* special planned for Mary Sullivan, their mother, planned to release for the holidays in 2013.

10. And lastly (for a bit of random fun), what has been the most amazing/ touching/ validating interaction you’ve had with a fan of your books?

Everyone who has ever written to me on Facebook or Twitter or Goodreads or via email to tell me how much they love my books and that the Sullivans have moved them in some way has touched me. I love my fans, so, so much! I have the very best time in the world writing about my Sullivans… and knowing that I have so many absolutely wonderful people waiting to read them as soon as they’re released is a total thrill every single day.

Tour Notes:

All the info you need to join the fun and enter to win amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment–easy to enter; easy to win!

To Win the Prizes:

Purchase any of the Sullivan ebooks by Bella Andre for just $4.99 (optional)
Enter the Rafflecopter contest on Novel Publicity (go here or see the Rafflecopter posted below)
Visit today’s featured social media event (that’s where the HUGE prizes are – visit http://www.novelpublicity.com/the-sullivans/ )
a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review….Revving Her Up by Joy Daniels

Synopsis:

Sarah Lange’s career as a New York lawyer is in high gear—and the stress has left her hormones sputtering. With strict doctor’s orders to relax, she books the cure: a spa vacation in the cool, green mountains of Virginia.

When a pothole sends her Porsche to the side of the road, she finds herself stuck in small-town Rapture. She’d love nothing more than to blow this Hicksville and be on her way…until she meets sexy stockcar mechanic Cole Cassidy.

Coles knows exactly how to handle that fancy car, and its uptight driver. Sarah’s not his type, but neither can deny that their attraction is firing on all cylinders. Soon he’s introducing her to the thrill of speed at the local track—in his car, and on it.

But Sarah’s troubles aren’t so easily left in the dust. Unless she forces herself to decide if she’s willing and able to let someone else take the wheel.

Warning: Contains a false start, breakdowns of the automotive and erotic kinds, creative uses of shower massagers and silk ties, and thrill-rides in, on, and outside of a racecar.

_________________

My Review:

This is the debut novella from author Joy Daniels and let me tell you…..I finished this story last night, in one sitting, and am STILL daydreaming about Cole almost 24 hours later! Whoa, this is one hell of a read!

Sarah Lange is on a mission to get some R & R. She’s ditching her high stress job as an attorney in NYC for some spa time to decompress and try to get back to center. Not only has the stress of her job had her working way too many hours, but it’s affected her hormones…so much so that achieving the big “O” has become a distant memory for her *GASP*. Now, that last thing she needs is to nail a pothole from hell and be stuck in some Podunk town. However, the key to her *ahem* release just may be a yummy mechanic-in-shining-armor local with Southern charm and a body made for sin.

Cole Cassidy vowed he’s left the “uptight city girl” kind far behind when he broke it off with his ex. Too bad the striking blond stranded on the side of the road is too tempting to ignore…after all, his mama raised him to rescue the damsel in distress even if she does scream “city girl” like a Manhattan skyscraper in the middle of a cornfield. Now, he’s not only offered to fix her car, but give her a place to stay until he can get the parts he needs. He’s in need of fixing more than just her broken car parts…. he just doesn’t know it yet.

Yum….that about sums it up for me. I loved this novella. I find novellas sometimes are hit-or-miss. Revving Her Up was definitely a HIT! The characters are really well developed and both have a unique way about them. Total opposites attracting. Sarah starts off as rigid and unfriendly, although knowing about her “issue”, it doesn’t make her unlikable. If anything, it made me feel for her. As the story progresses, we really get to see a softer side of her and it’s really charming. Cole is a swoon-worthy Southern gentleman who also shows us a totally different side as we get to know him. He’s a grease monkey with a lot of intelligence that’s not only proven by his degrees hanging in his garage, but in the way he handles Sarah. Together they are scorching! There are scenes in this book that almost melted my e-reader.

One of the things I liked most about this story was it was hot without being trashy. I can only imagine that writing a scene to come across that way must be a challenging task. I also loved all of Cole’s car talk! I am married to a car nut…it’s what he does for work and play so trust me when I say, Joy nailed it! This wasn’t an overly flowery romance and I found it refreshing to read. This is surely a fantastic beginning for Joy and I can’t wait to see what she has on store for us next!

Five Loves

Revving Her Up releases on January 15, 2013 and is available for pre-order now!

Buy it from Barnes & Noble here Buy it from Amazon here

Fun stuff….the Revving Her Up playlist Joy put together can be found here

Happy New Year

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and book-filled 2013!

~ Jillian

Review, EXCLUSIVE excerpt & SIGNED ARC Giveaway….Prince of Power by Elisabeth Staab

Synopsis:

This Fight Is Personal…

Wizards and vampires have been mortal enemies since the beginning. Now Anton, son of the Wizard Master, has one last chance to steal the unique powers of the vampire king’s beautiful sister, Tyra…and then kill her. But when he meets Tyra face-to-face, everything changes…

Tyra will stop at nothing to defeat the wizards, until Anton saves her life and she suddenly sees an opportunity she never could have imagined…

As the sparks ignite between them, together they could bring an end to the war that’s decimating their people, but only if they can find a way to trust each other…

_______________

My Review:

This is the second book in the Chronicles of Yavyn series and follows King of Darkness. I was so looking forward to this book and the story of Anton and Tyra and I will say…Elisabeth friggin nailed it!

We first meet Anton and Tyra in King of Darkness and this book picks up where we had left off.

Vampires and Wizards have always been at war. However it is at this juncture that things have reached a critical point. Anton is the son of the Wizard Master and has been charged with the task of kidnapping the vampire king’s sister, Tyra. The Master wants to kill Tyra and absorb the unique powers and abilities she was born with. Only once Anton starts his surveillance, he realizes how amazing Tyra is. She’s caring, fierce, beautiful and strong…. there is no way Anton can kill her and deprive the world of one such as her. He’s never truly fit into the Wizard world of violence and certainly has no love for the “father” that has beaten and neglected him his entire life. He cannot continue to live a lie and he realizes he needs to act, and it must be soon. Now, he just has to figure out how to save not only Tyra’s life, but also his own.

Tyra has been lucky in finding something she truly loves…her work at the homeless shelter. In the intense, brutal war she, her brother the king, and their vampire guard have been waging against the wizards, this is the one thing that brings her peace. However, nothing like a mysterious, handsome, stranger saving your life to throw a wrench into things. Now she has to figure out who has is and why he knows so much about her…and if she can ever learn to trust a wizard.

What a fantastic book this was! We got see deeper into the wizard and vampire cultures and learn more of the web the two sides weave together to create the conflict they have been living for years. There are some intense fight scenes that had me gripping my e-reader with white knuckles and parts that I audibly gasped at. I love to feel that from a book. I love to feel like I’m there, watching it all play out in front of me. However, the parts I loved the most were the moments between Anton and Tyra. Anton broke my heart. Totally crushed it. He is a broken soul who wants nothing more than to be worthy of Tyra and her love. He has known nothing other than hurt and violence…hate and pain. I absolutely love him. Tyra is the exact amount of hard and soft in a heroine that I love. She’s a female fighter in a war but when all is laid bare…she’s a woman we can all identify with. A woman just trying to make sense of life and trying to learn to let her guard down and give love a chance.

I found this book, like King of Darkness, to be a fresh take on the vampire world. One of the things I enjoy most about all of the characters Ms. Staab has created is that they don’t have all the answers. They are vulnerable in an endearing way. They all have a weakness that we are able to see in their private moments. Hell, we get to see the strong guys cry every now and then! I appreciate that. It gives the characters an authenticity that is frequently lacking.

We also get to see more of our favorites from King of Darkness….Thad, Isabel, Lee, Alexia and Siddoh. Plus, there’s a secondary story involving Theresa and Xander that put me through the emotional wringer…and I loved every tear inducing moment! I cannot WAIT for the next book and know this is a series I will be keeping up with in the future! Thank you, Elisabeth, for another amazing read! Oh, and for getting me to cry!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

I spoke with Elisabeth and asked her what one of her favorite moments in this book was and, well, she didn’t just tell me, she is sharing it with all of you in this EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT! Enjoy!

Excerpt:

Dark shadows lingered underneath Anton’s gray eyes, and he needed a great deal of effort to hold himself up. He was worn out. Keyed up. She would bet he was running on fumes.

“I’ve been in torpor,” she said. “How long?”

On the desk lay a stack of those little two-packs of saltine crackers. The kind that came from the salad bars of restaurants. Or in this case, probably the shelter dining hall. He scratched his head, then picked each one up and counted as he slapped them back onto the desk. “One… two… three… four… five… six… seven… eight… nine… Ten days.”

Tyra squeezed her eyes shut.

He pointed to the crackers. “I brought some back for you every day from the dining hall at dinner. Stupid, but it made me feel like I was doing something for you. Other than that–and taking a piss–I didn’t go anywhere. Didn’t want to leave you alone.”

Holy cow. He’d watched over her all that time. She didn’t know quite what to say to that. And odd warmth bloomed in her chest…

And, because Elisabeth is incredibly generous and full of awesome, she has given me a SIGNED ADVANCE PAPERBACK COPY of Prince of Power to give to a lucky fan! How awesome!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

Elisabeth Staab still lives with her nose in a book and at least one foot in an imaginary world. She believes that all kinds of safe and sane love should be celebrated but she adores the fantasy-filled realm of paranormal romance the best. She lives in the Washington DC area

with her family and one big scaredy cat, where she loves to spend time with good friends, go dancing, collect wacky coffee mugs from which to drink her favorite beverage, and sing off-key in her kitchen (when she isn’t making characters fall in love, that is).

Review….Snowbound by Larissa Ione

Synopsis:

Passion hot enough to melt the slopes and their hearts.

Thanks to a devastating medical diagnosis, ski patroller Sean Trenton has endured two years of celibacy. Two long years that have chipped away at his confidence. Now, with the career opportunity of a lifetime on the line, he’s ready to remedy the celibacy situation, and sexy snow bunny Robyn Montgomery is just what the doctor ordered.

Unfortunately, the last thing reliable, intense radio station manager Robyn Montgomery wants in her suddenly turbulent professional and personal life is a thrill-seeking former Olympic skier-even if he is a total hottie. She’s had it with guys who hog the spotlight and leave her in the shadows. So why is it that even an icy blizzard cant temper the combustible heat between them?

_____________________

My review:

Being a huge Larissa Ione fan, I knew I had to read this book. Well, I finally got the chance this past week and abso-freaking-loutely loved it!

Robyn Montgomery is chairing her high school reunion’s charity auction this year and is already dreading it when her jerk of an ex, and her current boss, backs out of emceeing the event at the very last minute. Of course. It didn’t make any difference to him that she hated her high school years and that her way of getting back at all of the catty women she knew was to show off her success as a New York radio station manager. Having the ex use his fame as a media prince was going to help her shut them, and all of their hurtful teasing, up for good. Known for being the overweight, brace-face, glasses wearing nerd, this was supposed to be her chance to show off how she’d grown into a beautiful and successful woman. Now she’s stuck heading to her hometown lacking an emcee and in jeopardy of losing her battle with the emotions she’s fought off since the day she graduated.

Sean Trenton has left the world of competitive skiing behind. After a terrible medical issue two years before, he’s traded his Olympic gold medal hopes for a medical kit and a read ski patroller’s parka. He loves what he does now but there’s just something missing. He needs a woman. Sean is ready to jump back in the saddle after swearing off sex since his diagnosis. It should be easy for the self –assured, fun-spirited, sexy patroller….but what he wasn’t expecting was wanting more than a one night stand the minute he lays eyes on Robyn.

What a great story this was. The build up and sexual tension between Robyn and Sean was absolutely delicious. I do believe I groaned out loud on more than one occasion while reading this book. Sometimes I get so frustrated when the back and forth between the two characters lasts and lasts, but in Snowbound it was the perfect amount. Sean is what every hero should be…compassionate, cheeky, gorgeous, sexy, funny, kind, and a guy you want to root for. He’s not perfect, and makes his share of mistakes, but that made me love him even more. He’s believable and real in a way some characters never get to be. Robyn is no less believable than Sean. She has been put through the “mean girls” wringer, something I’m sure a lot of us can relate to. She’s not one to just jump in with both feet and tends to take things more cautiously. I really felt for her. I so wanted her to succeed and really stick it to all the morons that still act like they are in high school. The ending to this book was just *dreamy sigh* freaking perfect. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, sexy, heart-felt read! Thank you, Larissa, for yet another incredible story!

Four Loves

COVER REVEAL….Blood Vine by Amber Belldene

Today I’m excited to share with you the eagerly awaited cover forBlood Vine by author Amber Belldene!

I had no idea what to expect with this cover, but let me tell you… I think the art department at Omnific did a pretty wonderful job with this beautiful cover!! What do YOU think of this cover? Let us know in the comments!

Haven’t heard of this title? Check out more info on this soon-to-be released title!

Note: This is an adult title

Synopsis: In Blood Vine, bites are an inconvenient bliss, exiled vampires are wasting away, and the fate of their kind depends on the perfect PR campaign.

When public relations pro Zoey Porter arrives at an enchanting California winery, she discovers her sexy new client is the almost one-night stand she can’t forget. After her husband’s suicide, Zoey has vowed never to risk her heart again. But can she walk away from the intriguing winemaker a second time?

Driven from Croatia by his ancient foes, vampire Andre Maras has finally made a blood-like wine to cure his fellow refugees. Now he needs Zoey’s PR expertise to reach them. After his wife’s death, Andre has a vow of his own—never to risk another painful blood bond. And one taste of the tempting Zoey would bind him to her eternally.

His secrets stall her PR plans. Her jealousy is stoked by the blissed-out beauties leaving his bedroom. At every turn, he utterly fails to resist her. When she discovers he is a vampire, will she be lost to the golden-eyed Hunters, or lose herself to the emptiness in her heart, before she can help him save his kind?

Trailer:

Direct Link: http://youtu.be/Is-mvrLlheo

Author Bio:

Amber Belldene grew up on the Florida panhandle, swimming with alligators, climbing oak trees and diving for scallops…when she could pull herself away from a book. As a child, she hid her Nancy Drew novels inside the church bulletin and read mysteries during sermons—an irony that is not lost on her when she preaches these days.

With a B.A. in comparative religion and an M.A. in theology, Amber is a Christian minister and student of religion. She believes stories are the best way to explore human truths. Some people think it is strange for a minister to write romance, but it is perfectly natural to Amber. She believes the human desire for love is at the heart of every romance novel and God made people with that desire.

Amber is addicted to vampire stories, but loves to read all kinds of romance and literature. Her favorite books examine history and cultural origins, like Neal Stephenson’s Baroque Cycle, Anita Diamant’s The Red Tent, or Salmon Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses. And, yes, she was named after that Amber, of the classic romance novel Forever Amber.

From the wine country of Sonoma County to the foggy neighborhoods of San Francisco, all of Amber’s fiction is set in Northern California, where she lives with her husband and two children.

Find Amber Online:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY INFO!!!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Blood Vineby Amber Belldene

Giveaway ends January 08, 2013.See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

ARC Review & Blog Hop….The Winemaker’s Dinner: Entrée (The Winemaker’s Dinner, #2)

Overview:

Dr. Ivan Rusilko has got it bad. He’s in love—with life, his work, and his baby girl, Jaden Thorne. The nearly 3000 miles between Miami and L.A. that once threatened their happily-ever-after now seem nothing more than a mere geographical challenge—nothing a few hours on a plane and a sexy weekend rendezvous can’t trump. No time apart is too long to keep him from wanting her in his arms and in his bed. He’s absolutely sure Jaden is his dream come true.

Jaden Thorne is living the life she’s always wanted. She’s got her one-in-a-million job on a TV cooking show, she’s achieved celebrity chef status, and she’s in a committed relationship with her perfect guy… Then the network’s surprise decision to add a co-host to her show takes a bite out of her perfectly balanced life and career. With a new man in the mix, living the dream gets a whole lot more complicated both personally and professionally.

When the emotional, mental, and physical paths of true love’s course collide with frustration, secrets, and assumptions, will Ivan and Jaden pay the price? Does their dream-come-true cost something neither can afford?

The Winemaker’s Dinner: Entrée is a decadent meal of passion, sex, and secrets, inspired by the real romantic life of Dr. Ivan Rusilko. Authors Everly Drummond and Dr. Ivan Rusilko have turned up the heat in this emotional follow up to The Winemaker’s Dinner: Appetizers, expertly executing their unique recipe for blending fact and fantasy, with more than a dash of passion and sex.

My Review:

*long, drawn out dreamy sigh* Oh, I’m supposed to be writing my review! Must. Stop. Daydreaming. Ok, I think I’m ready now…..

The Winemaker’s Dinner: Entrée is the second book in the Winemaker’s Feast Trilogy and satisfied the palate that Appetizers whet our appetite for!

This installment picks up where TWD: Appetizers left off and puts the reader on course for a trip through the highs, and lows, of Jaden and Ivan’s blossoming relationship.

Jaden is enjoying her new career in L.A. as the host of One Hot Kitchen, her cooking show and chef’s dream. Despite the stresses of daily life in the spotlight and a new pain-in-the-ass co-host, Jaden appreciates it all and feels like the luckiest girl in the world.

Unfortunately, Ivan is still in Miami tending to his own thriving medical career. They’re both determined to make it work though. Twice monthly interludes filled with surprises, romance and lust are sure to keep this love affair on the right track. Surely nothing can come between Ivan and Jaden and ruin the amazing thing they’ve found….or can it?

I freaking loved this book. Jaden is a kick ass heroine with a strong personality with a soft side for the important things in life….family and love. Ivan is, well, Ivan! He’s delicious! I mean who doesn’t love a guy who is enchantingly romantic one minute and chopping down trees the next? Talk about the perfect combo! And, I’m sure by now you’ve all seen the package it all come in?! Hello!? *dreamy sigh….oops! Got lost in a daydream again*

This book had everything a story should have….an amazing couple, romance the oozes off the pages, HOT scenes that practically set the reader on fire, humor, a villain you love to hate and a cliffhanger at the end that leaves the reader filled with emotion and longing for the next book. Without giving any spoilers away I will say this….have a box of tissues on hand for the last quarter of the book and get ready to spend the rest of the day with puffy eyes and a book hangover (and any book that makes me feel that way is a great book in my opinion!)

Once again, Ivan and Everly have nailed this fact-based fiction and have made this reader a happy camper!! Thank you both!

Five Loves

Giveaway: Omnific Publishing is running an AMAZING giveaway that includes:

(1) Kindle Fire Pre-loaded with APPETIZERS, ENTRÉE, RSVP, and NO RESERVATION

(2) Signed Print copies of APPETIZERS and ENTRÉE

(1) Signed 18X24 Poster of Dr. Ivan

(10) Signed Winemaker’s Swag Packs

(2) Miama Beach Sea Turtle Key Chains

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Omnific is running the Rafflecopter below and will be choosing the winners)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the tour for fun interviews, guest posts and more! Here’s the list of the participating blogs:

About the authors:

Dr. Ivan Rusilko, DO, CSN, PT, is an accomplished weight loss, wellness, physical enhancement and sexual health physician in Miami, Florida. A certified sports nutritionist, champion bodybuilder, international male fitness model, and former Mr. USA 2008 & 2010, Dr. Ivan graduated from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2010 and sits as the national media and public relations expert and spokesperson on diet, exercise and sports nutrition for the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

Dr. Ivan has been a feature health writer and lifestyle coach for numerous magazines and online publications including The Washington Times and Quarter Life Health.

In addition to health and wellness, he has a variety of interests and activities including event coordination, photography, writing, and politics.

With his debut novel, “The Winemaker’s Dinner: Appetizers,” book one of a planned three book series due out in the summer of 2012, Dr. Rusilko is excited to offer a male voice in a predominantly female authored genre. Always one with a story to tell, he hopes to continue writing, exploring new genres and projects, as well as field future entertainment opportunities.

He is proud to bring two of his passions, his medical wellness and sexual health background and writing together in this unique project. He hopes that the “The Winemakers Feast Trilogy” will help spark an enthusiasm and liberation among women, inspiring them to bring their sexual health into focus and achieve a better quality of life.

Dr. Ivan Rusilko | Twitter | Facebook

As a student of the Centennial College Social Service Worker program, and the Trent University Biology program, Everly Drummond had a previous life in administration and transportation before launching her career as a writer. Everly’s other writing projects include City of the Damned, a paranormal romance series, and Blood of the Ancients, a YA paranormal romance. All four novellas in the City of the Damned series have appeared on the Amazon.com bestseller list. Everly resides in Toronto, Ontario, where she is currently working on the third installment to The Winemaker’s Dinner with co-author, Ivan Rusilko.

Everly Drummond | Twitter | Facebook

Omnific Publishing Kindle Giveaway

Omnific Publishing Kindle Giveaway:

Omnific Publishing is celebrating the Season of Giving by giving away THREE KINDLES loaded with hot, sweet, rule-breaking romance! Each day will feature a new holiday themed post by Omnific authors. Come back every day to get extra entries!

To enter, just Spread The Love! The Rafflecopter is set up to give entries each time you share about the contest, and each time you share a new post. As an added incentive, most of the posts are sexy and sweet and may just have some hot pictures of cute boys in their holiday best…or out of it!

For example, meet the boys from Nicki Elson’s Three Daves:

HERE’S THE LINK TO ENTER:

http://omnificpublishing.blogspot.com/2012/12/holidays-without-rules-kindles-full-of.html

GOOD LUCK!

A few of my favorite things….giveaway!

In the years that I’ve become a hard-core book lover I have had some truly fantastic experiences and met some unbelievably amazing authors. I’ve also been shown some amazing support from all of you. You guys have helped give Read-Love-Blog the unbelievable start it has kicked off with. Now, since it’s the holidays and as a huge thanks to the support you guys have given me, I am giving you all a change to win some of my faves from this year! This list includes works from authors I adore…not only because they are amazing writers, but because they are amazing gals. They all mean something special to me and it gives me no greater pleasure than to share their works with one lucky winner! This goodie package includes e-copies of:

~Rogue Rider by Larissa Ione ~ Heart of the Hunter by Lara Adrian ~ Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia ~ Her Forbidden Hero by Laura Kaye ~ Try Me by Diane Alberts ~ Creating Fate by Rachel Firasek ~ King of Darkness by Elisabeth Staab ~

I am also including a package of swag that will include a SIGNED copy of Lara Adrian’s Heart of the Hunter, goodies from Debra Anastasia along with some other fun things! YAY!

Happy Holidays!

xo Jillian

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review and SIGNED ARC Giveaway…Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Marina Adair

Regan Martin stopped believing in Christmas miracles six years ago when she lost everything—her house, her job, and her impeccable reputation in the wine industry—after she fell in love with a man she had no idea was married. Then Regan gets a chance for a fresh start in the Napa Valley. With her dream job, dream home, and her daughter enrolled in a wonderful new school, she starts wondering if holiday wishes really do come true.

But she soon tumbles back down to earth when she learns that her new boss is none other than Gabe DeLuca, the scorned wife’s brother. Gabe wants nothing more than home-wrecking Regan Martin out of his life, his sister’s world, and his family’s business. Mostly, he wants the lush beauty out of his head. Yet his attempts to run her out of town have him thinking twice, especially when he sees that Regan may hold the key to tracking down his sister’s stolen start-up capital. Even worse for Gabe, Regan might just be his Christmas wish and hold the key to his heart.

This is the first book in Ms. Adair’s St. Helena Vineyard Novel Series and I am so honored to have had the chance to read it before it hits the shelves!

Regan is a gal who is no stranger to disappointment. She is also no stranger to strong character and certainly isn’t one for letting the bad outweigh the good that she does have in her life. After all, she has a beautiful daughter and is about to start a new life in a new town. Things are looking up, until her past threatens to come back and ruin things yet again.

Gabe is determined to make sure the home wrecker that ruined his sister’s marriage gets pay back in spades for what she’s done. He’s been making sure her life has been less than easy for the past six years and yet here she is, in his town, working for his family’s business. Although now, he starts to think that maybe this isn’t such a bad thing. Maybe now, if he puts his charm on, he can get some info on where his cheating ex-brother in law may have run off to….with his family’s money. Too bad he has no idea that he will in fact be the one who gets charmed and not the other way around. Can he risk falling for the woman responsible for causing his sister so much pain?

From the very first page, I was brought in by the emotion coming from Regan. She is such an amazingly strong character but not in an overbearing way that some heroines can come off as. She’s strong in a way that is so admirable and has such poise and confidence that she is a character I won’t soon forget. She’s been through some difficult times but is able to maintain her dignity and reminds us that sometimes you have to keep your chin up, square your shoulders and give it another try.

Gabe is loyal to a fault. He’s been keeping his family together since the death of his parents and isn’t sure there’s any other option for him. He is fierce and protective and sexy as hell. He’s your girlfriend’s sexy, responsible older brother you would oogle when you went over to her house. He knows exactly how to push buttons…the ones that annoy and the ones that make you melt. He’s so convinced that always figuring things out and having the answers for his family is enough for him….until Regan makes him start to want more.

Together they have an emotional ride ahead that if they choose to believe in each other, and not other people’s opinions, they can have a chance at something real and something they both deserve. They also have help from unlikely allies who have big personalities and equally big hearts.

I loved this story. Ms. Adair had my heart hurting so many times throughout this book but only because she did such an amazing job at telling Gabe and Regan’s story. I felt so much for both of them and it truly was an enjoyable read with humor along with the heartache! This is a must read for any romantic! Thank you, Ms. Adair, for an amazing story and I look forward to more in this series.

Oh! One last thing…the PTA mentions and shenanigans were HILARIOUS, and not entirely false (but you never heard that from me! *wink*)

Five Loves

a Rafflecopter giveaway