August 2013 – Page 2 – Read-Love-Blog

Release Day Blitz & Giveaway…Take Me by Diane Alberts

Happy Release Day to Diane Alberts and Take Me!

To celebrate, Diane is giving away ebooks of the 3 previous books in the series. This includes TRY ME, LOVE ME, and PLAY ME, for one lucky reader. (Enter in the rafflecopter below)

Take Me by Diane Alberts

Take a Chance, #4

Entangled Publishing – August 2013

BOOK SUMMARY:

Married in the morning…

Professional heartbreaker Mike Worth thrived on the chase—and dancer Morgan Collins represented the ultimate prize. But there was no way he was going to throw away his single-man status…not even for an elusive redhead with sparkling eyes and mile-long legs. So how did he let one drunken Vegas night end with I do instead of hell no?

Morgan’s life revolved around her career and she had no intention of letting a man interfere—even if Mike made her question all her rules about love. At his urging, she reluctantly agreed to give their spur-of–moment marriage a chance. But once their trial-honeymoon ended, would she choose to follow the dance and leave her unforgettable husband behind?

Purchase from Amazon ~ Purchase from Barnes & Noble

About the author:

She is a multi-published, bestselling author with Entangled Publishing, Swoon Romance, and Decadent Publishing. ON ONE CONDITION hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble Bestseller List, and TRY ME hit #76 on Amazon. CAPTIVATED BY YOU hit #31 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list. Her goal is to write so many fantastic books that even a non-romance book fan will know her name. She also writes New Adult books under the name Jen McLaughlin. Diane is represented by Louise Fury from the L. Perkins Agency.

Website ~ Facebook Fan Page ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Indie Summer Blog Tour 2013 with T.M. Franklin

I am so happy to be a part of the Indie Summer Blog Event! There is a FABULOUS giveaway for a Kindle Fire as well as books, gift cards and MORE! (Enter to win in the rafflecopter below)

I also have the chance to introduce you to fabulous indie author T.M. Franklin! Please enjoy her guest post as well as an excerpt from her book, More!

Trying to come up with a favorite summer memory is more difficult than it sounds. At first, I thought about when I was a kid—trips to summer camp, picking blueberries with my mom and sister, running through the sprinklers. Then I thought about college, when I spent my summers working in California, and man, Sacramento is HOT (yes, all capitals) in July. I thought about after I’d had kids of my own—going to Disneyland, camping, water slides, dirt biking…too many awesome memories to count.

So instead of the favorite summer memory, I thought I’d share a favorite summer memory – one that always makes me smile and feel a little bit proud.

We used to camp out in the sand dunes of the Potholes Reservoir near Moses Lake, WA. We’d spend long weekends in the water, swimming and jet skiing. (The stand up kind. Sit downs are for wimps! And yes, that’s me in the picture above. J) One night, we were all around our camp fire talking. It was a warm night and the moon was full and bright, and I got the urge to hit the water. So I got up, stretched, said, “I’m going for a ski,” grabbed my life jacket (safety first!) and took off on my jet ski.

It was so much fun. The water was warm, and the moon cast enough light so I could see. After a few minutes, my husband and a couple of the guys we were camping with followed suit and we raced round and round a huge sand dune at top speed.

I can’t remember who won. It doesn’t matter anyway. We all had a blast, and the best part is, the guys in our group still bring it up sometimes. And they’ve got a little bit of respect in their voice that it was the mom in the group who challenged them to get on their skis in the middle of the night!

Don’t you love it when you do something outside of your comfort zone? Sure, it’s kind of scary, but it’s exhilarating too. College student Ava Michaels is definitely challenged to face some fears in my novel MORE. She learns about an ancient race of people with superhuman abilities, and they actually see her as a potential threat. How Ava deals with that, and figures out how she fits into the strange new world she discovers is definitely a challenge.

Check it out if you have a chance – and let me know your favorite summer memory in the comments!

“What is it?” she whispered, her voice catching in her throat.

Caleb turned to her, eyes wide and alarmed. “They’re coming.”

“What do we do?” Ava asked, panic setting in, not even bothering to ask how Caleb knew they were near. Because she realized she knew it as well.

“We need to go—now,” he replied abruptly, striding through the room and throwing their extra clothes and toothbrushes in a small duffle bag. “There’s a safe house in Mead. If we can get there, they won’t be able to track us.” He cracked the door, peering out and then slamming it shut suddenly. “Too late,” he muttered, grabbing her hand and dragging her into the bathroom. Ava’s heart raced, adrenaline surging through her body as Caleb shoved the window above the shower, tossing the bag through the small opening then turning to her and lacing his fingers together.

“I’ll give you a boost,” he said urgently. “When you hit the ground, run. Don’t go to the car, just run, you understand?”

“But—”

“We don’t have time,” Caleb said through gritted teeth. “They’ll be breaking down the door any second. Just run, Ava. I’ll be right behind you.”

Ava stepped into his hands, pulling herself through the window and out into the cold morning air. She landed on the ground with a grunt, rolled to her feet, and began to run. She heard Caleb hit the ground a moment later, his pounding footsteps closing in quickly. He grabbed her hand, pulling her to the right.

“This way,” he said, looking over his shoulder. She heard a shout and turned back to see Tiernan under the open window, pointing their direction. Caleb cursed under his breath, yanking her behind the motel office. “Wrap your arms around me,” he ordered.

Ava didn’t think. She just did what he asked.

“This is going to feel a little weird,” he said. “Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Don’t move, whatever you do.”

Ava inhaled deeply, clenched her eyes shut . . . and the world fell away from her feet.

-MORE, Chapter 8

About MORE

Ava Michaels used to think she was special.

As a child, she fantasized about having magical powers . . . making things happen. But Ava grew up and eventually accepted the fact that her childish dreams were just that, and maybe a normal life wasn’t so bad after all.

Now a young college student, Ava meets Caleb Foster, a brilliant and mysterious man who’s supposed to help her pass physics, but in reality has another mission in mind. What he shows Ava challenges her view of the world, shaking it to its very core.

Because Caleb isn’t quite what he seems. In fact, he’s not entirely human, and he’s not the only one.

Together, the duo faces a threat from an ancient race bound to protect humans, but only after protecting their own secrets—secrets they fear Ava may expose. Fighting to survive, Ava soon learns she’s not actually normal . . . she’s not even just special.

She’s a little bit more.

About T.M. Franklin

T.M. Franklin started out her career writing non-fiction in a television newsroom. Graduating with a B.A. in Communications specializing in broadcast journalism and production, she worked for nine years as a major market television news producer, and garnered two regional Emmy Awards, before she resigned to be a full-time mom and part-time freelance writer. After writing and unsuccessfully querying a novel that she now admits, “is not that great,” she decided to follow the advice of one of the agents who turned her down—write some more and get better at it. Her first published novel, MORE, was born during National Novel Writing month, a challenge to write a novel in thirty days.

She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Mike, is mom to two boys, Justin and Ryan, and has an enormous black dog named Rocky who’s always lying nearby while she’s writing. Whether he’s soothed by the clicking of the computer keys or just waiting for someone to rub his belly is up for debate.

In addition to MORE, Franklin penned the Amazon best-selling short story, Window, as well as another short story, A Piece of Cake, which appears in the Romantic Interludes anthology. The sequel to MORE, The Guardians, will be released November 7, 2013.

Connect with T.M. Franklin

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

August Ever After…yummy new titles from Entangled Publishing

One Night in the Spa by Kathy Lyons

Book Links:

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Synopsis

What starts out as a simple massage treatment for spa manager David’s best friend Kim, turns into a night of seduction and sexual discovery.

Always relegated to the friend zone, David is determined to show Kim what she’s been missing…one erogenous zone at a time. Sure, their friendship is on the line. And sure, David’s hiding a motive larger than either him or Kim. But the second his hands touch her smooth skin, he just doesn’t care anymore.

Kim’s been so focused on the loss of her sports career that she’s had no time for romance or sex. But her response to David can’t be denied. Is it just that her body’s been missing out, or could her heart be involved too?

Author’s Links

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

Risky Surrender by Robin Bielman

Book Links:

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Synopsis

Archeologist Lucy Davenport made a promise to retrieve an elusive piece of history buried in the walls of an iconic Indian village. But when she draws unwanted attention that interferes with her secret plans, she’s forced to risk it all with a man who threatens not only her goal, but the walls she’s carefully constructed around her heart.

Keats McCall is an environmental preservationist navigating the globe on behalf of heritage protection. When he catches Lucy at his latest project, he suspects she’s up to something. She secretive, sexy as hell—and has trouble written all over her. He devises a plan to keep her close so he can keep an eye on her. But what he isn’t prepared for is just how close he wants to get.

Author’s Bio

Robin Bielman lives in Southern California, a bike ride away from the ocean if she’s feeling really adventurous. She loves books and baking and running on the treadmill while watching her favorite TV shows. When she’s not reading or writing her next story, she’s spending time with her high school sweetheart husband and two sons, most likely watching, playing, or discussing baseball. She drives too fast, drinks too much caffeine, and if every day were Cupcake Day, she’d be a happy camper! She loves to connect with readers. You can find her online at www.robinbielman.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

Author’s Links

Website ~ Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

Take Me (Take a Chance #4) by Diane Alberts

Book Links:

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Married in the morning…

Author’s Bio:

Diane Alberts has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a cat, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another.
She is a multi-published, bestselling author with Entangled Publishing, Swoon Romance, and Decadent Publishing. She has, as of this date, four books with Entangled Publishing, one book with Swoon Romance, and five older books with Decadent Publishing. Her February release with Entangled Publishing, ON ONE CONDITION, hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble Bestseller List, and TRY ME, hit #76 on Amazon. Her Swoon Romance novella, CAPTIVATED BY YOU, hit #31 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list. Diane is represented by Louise Fury from the L. Perkins Agency.

Author’s Links

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

Read-Love-Blog’s Cowboy Summer….Selene’s review of Raising Kane by Lorelei James….

Read-Love-Blog’s Cowboy Summer continues with Selene’s review of Raising Kane by Lorelei James….

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

She surrendered the reins. Now he’s raising the stakes.

When a patch of ice sends attorney Ginger Paulson head-over-high-heels down a flight of stairs, she has no one to care for her young son and her invalid father—until lethally sexy Kane McKay shows up at the hospital, determined to prove his cowboy chivalry. Past experience has inoculated her against take-charge men, but even Ginger isn’t immune to Kane’s invasive charm and Built Ford Tough body.

For two years rancher Kane McKay has followed the Little Buddies mentoring program’s cardinal rule—hands off his Little Buddy Hayden’s mama. But one look at Ginger’s bruised body and Kane is through watching the stubborn woman take care of everyone but herself. The feisty, curvy redhead needs his help, and he’ll give her the hands-on type whether she likes it or not.

After Kane throws out doctor’s orders and issues his own demands—her full sexual submission—Ginger realizes Kane’s caring nature extends beyond just fulfilling her physical needs.

Can the former hell-raiser convince the gun-shy single mom to look beyond his past…toward a shared future?

Selene’s Review:

Very, very pleasantly surprised.

To be quite frank, Raising Kane was probably one of the books I looked forward to the least. But within just a few chapters, I was hooked and absolutely could not put it down!

Kane was such a shock, mainly because of his emotional transformation. Before, he did things only for his self-interest and couldn’t care about anyone but himself. But by the end of this book, he had more than cared for his Ginger, her son, and her father, as well as put everyone else’s needs first; generosity is probably one of the sexiest traits in a man. Though his dark good looks and big presence rank right up there, too.

Ginger I feel was very relatable. Most mothers, especially single ones at that, would understand her protectiveness and hesitancy to start a relationship with her son’s Big Buddy. But as it turns out, Kane was exactly what she needed – someone to take care of her both in and out of the bedroom. And take care of her he did…

The sex between these two was scorching hot!!! And the love between them was so natural and effortless. Another thing I loved about them is that both were in their late 30s, reminding the readers that love can be found at any age, with anyone.

Along with his twin brother Kade, Kane turned out to be one of my favorite McKays. I can’t wait to read this one again!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

From author website:

A bit about me: When I’m not squirreled away behind my laptop writing fun, sexy, contemporary erotic romances set in the modern day Wild West, I can be found reading everything under the sun, practicing yoga until I’m a pretzel, shootin’ my .22, watching the Professional Bull Riders tour on Versus, and running a kid’s taxi service, all in the guise of avoiding housework and rustlin’ up vittles.

Why do I have a particular fondness for all things western? Well, I’m a fourth generation South Dakotan, living in the Black Hills, which is chock-full of interesting characters, including cowboys, Indians, ranchers, and bikers. The geographical diversity of the surrounding area showcases mountains, plains, and badlands. Living in and writing about rural settings gives me a unique perspective, especially since I’m not writing historical westerns. Through my fictional world, I can show the ideals and the cowboy way of life are still very much alive.

ARC Review…Crash Into Me by K.M. Scott

Crash Into Me releases August 28

Book links:

Goodreads ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Kobo ~ iBooks

Synopsis:

What would you give up for everything?

Tristan Stone was powerful, commanding, sex incarnate. And he wore it all so well. From the moment his mesmerizing gaze met mine, I had no choice but surrender to everything he was. His power. His decadence. His passion. He was all I never knew I needed.

He wanted to possess me, and I wanted to be his everything. All I had to do was accept what he offered. But everything has a price.

The world he gave me fulfilled my wildest dreams, but would that be enough when the past crashed into the present?

My review:

Crash Into Me is the first in the first novel in the Heart of Stone Trilogy and certainly kicked off the series with an emotional and passionate bang!

Taking a job as the low man on the totem pole at an art gallery in SOHO wasn’t exactly what Nina Edwards had thought she’d be doing with the art degree she recently earned. But she knew this was all part of paying her dues and would hopefully lead to bigger and better things in the art world. Certainly there had to be bigger and better things than handing out cocktail weenies at art shows. Always one to appreciate the beautiful, eye catching things in life, it’s at one of these showings that she sees Tristan. He’s totally gorgeous and holds himself in a completely powerful and sexy way…he’s also totally out of her league. So when he shows up outside the gallery after she finishes cleaning up, she’s shocked that he asks her if she’d like a ride home. Nina is a pretty street smart gal, and knows she really shouldn’t accept a ride from a stranger, but deciding to take a chance, she says yes….and he ends up taking her on a ride that will ultimately change her life.

Nina and Tristan’s relationship is like a pair of magnets. If one magnet faces the wrong direction, they won’t attract to one another, but if you give that one a flip, the attraction is instant. The thing is, each magnet is just one flip away from repelling the other magnet, and it’s a delicate dance.

I started this book and, being totally honest here, I thought: “oh, another rich, gorgeous billionaire playboy meets the average looking girl and decides he has to have her. He clearly has some sort of issues and she’s going to try fix him. This has SO been done before.” Yes, that is part of the story line BUT that’s where the similarities end. Nina and Tristan’s relationship felt more real to me than any of the other similar stories I have read. They both have a painful past and they both know they have their issues to work through but the crazy intense (almost psycho) tendencies that show up in other stories wasn’t here….and I appreciated that. The steamy parts were deliciously steamy but not overly kinky and held more of a passionate feel. It was a welcome change and again, made their connection seem that much more real.

Now, there are plenty of “hmmmm” moments throughout the book that all come into to play in the last few chapters and really had be looking back and realizing the author did a fabulous job at putting the pieces into place. There is somewhat of a cliffhanger ending but not one that I minded. It was actually a great lead into the next in the series and I am DYING to get my hands on that next book!

All in all, this was a really enjoyable story and I really felt for Nina and Tristan and their situation. It’s steamy, loving, mysterious and enjoyably written. Thank you, K.M., for a kick ass beginning to what I’m sure will be a kick ass series!

Four Loves

About the author:

A writer for years in other genres, I love the sexier side of romance, both as a reader and author. Well-written erotic romance is just what a girl needs some days when the rest of the world is dumping problems on her doorstep, and I love that I can give readers that erotic escape.

I love hearing from readers, so if you want to get in touch with me, email at kmscottauthor@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter

New Review….Take Me Out by Danielle A. Elwood

Book links:

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Charlotte grew up in the Boston socialite spotlight.

Bentley grew up on the wrong side of the tracks.

One chance baseball game will change both of their lives forever.

But will their relationship stand the test of ex-lovers, arson, and Charlotte’s parents?

My review:

Take Me Out is the debut work from indie author Danielle A. Elwood and I have to say…what a great start!

Being a member of the upper echelon of Boston high society, Charlie is used to being in the spotlight….and also used to trying to avoid it. The spotlight is the very last thing on her mind when she goes out for a night with her two best friends to enjoy her favorite thing in Boston, a Red Sox game. Imagine her surprise when she’s thrust into that very spotlight when the gorgeous tattooed stranger seated in front of her decides to serenade her to Sweet Caroline…and it ends up on the jumbo-tron and likely in every local press. But there’s something about this tattooed hottie that has her acting completely unlike her normal keep-at-an-arms-length self and she soon realizes this will end up being a night that will change her life.

Bentley looks like the typical tattooed bad boy and if he’s being honest, that’s exactly what he is. Self admitted womanizer, thanks to his effed up past and his effed up mother figure not exactly being a roll model, he’s exactly the guy our mom warned you about. He’s not sorry about it either. Heading to the Red Sox game with his best friend, and roommate, he’s planning on a great night of beer and women. That’s exactly what he gets when he notices the beautiful girl sitting behind him. But something is different about her. Acting on a crazy impulse, he will barge into her life with a serenade and immediately knows she won’t be like any other girl he’s ever met.

A relationship that starts out with a crazy, on-screen, public display of impulse and fun will turn into something neither Bentley nor Charlie had ever expected…but something they both will cherish.

What. A. Book! I had no idea what to expect when I started this but immediately I was hooked. It started out really strong and kept building with emotion, heat and mystery (I totally didn’t expect the mystery and suspense this story has and it was FANTASTIC!). Charlie and Bentley are awesome characters and have a relationship that I can totally relate to! That intense, consuming connection that will take them through a whole bunch of situations…but it’s that connection that will get them through some really rough lows. Charlie is a lot of fun and almost immediately realizes her weakness when it comes to Bentley. I don’t blame her. Bentley is the ultimate bad boy. Sad past, effed up family and childhood, motorcycle, tattoos, totally yummy. He also has a soft side he didn’t even know he had until he met Charlie. His soft side makes him even more yummy! The secondary cast of characters was also a treat. Charlie’s brothers, her best friends and Bentley’s best friend all are really great to read. I’m hoping we get to see more of all of them and that this will continue on as a series.

Thank you, Danielle, for a fun, heartwarming, saucy and intense read! You’ve got a new fan in this blogger!

Four Loves

About the author:

Danielle A. Elwood is a blogger by trade who started writing her first romance novel Take Me Out as a hobby in 2012. She is a avid romance novel lover herself, which inspired her to take the leap into writing her own. She was born and raised in Connecticut and is relocating to Florida in April of 2013 with her family.

Danielle is a mother of three – Camden (5), Benjamin (4), and Addison(2) and has written for various popular publications such as Disney owned Babble.com, as well as the Online Woman’s Magazine The Broad Side where she is also the managing editor, and her own website Danielle Elwood Dot Com, which is a parenting based Mom blog.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal….On Solid Ground by Michelle Kemper Brownlow

I am so excited to be able to introduce the cover of ON SOLID GROUND by Michelle Kemper Brownlow!

On Solid Ground is the follow-up to Michelle’s In Too Deep….a book I adored and gave Four-and-a-Half Loves to!

On Solid Ground releases December 3

Synopsis:

Gracie survived an emotionally abusive relationship that wrecked her. Her ex, Noah, systematically chipped away at her self-esteem through intimidation, humiliation and infidelity which left Gracie unable to trust her own perception of his intentions. But after falling head over heels for Jake, her best friend and the man who stood by her through it all, she is ready to experience life in the way it was meant to be lived. However, Gracie may find it impossible to simultaneously heal from the trauma of abuse while navigating a relationship with Jake. Can she put her heart on hold in order to heal her soul?

The sequel to the five-star debut novel, In Too Deep, chronicles Gracie’s steps toward healing as she falls deeper in love, reaches out for help, stands on her own, steps out of her comfort zone, faces her biggest fears, and reconnects with a sensual, talented soul from her past all in hopes of finding herself on solid ground.

About the author:

Michelle Kemper Brownlow has been a storyteller her entire life. Her debut was on the high school cheerleading bus granting requests to re-tell her most embarrassing moments for a gaggle of hysterical squadmates.
Earning her Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in Art Education and then marrying her very own “Jake,” she moved to Binghamton, NY where she taught high school. After having two children she quit work and finished her Master’s degree in Elementary Education at Binghamton University.
The Brownlow family of four moved to Michelle’s hometown of Morgantown, PA while the children were still quite young. A few years after moving, her family grew by one when they welcomed a baby into their home through the gift of adoption. The family still resides in PA, just miles from where that high school cheer bus was parked.
Michelle has been an artist for as long as she can remember, always choosing pencils and crayons over toys and puzzles. As a freelance illustrator, her simple characters play the starring roles in numerous emergent reader books published by Reading Reading Books.
“Writing is my way of making sense of the world. When I give my characters life on the pages I write, it frees up space in my mind to welcome in new stories that are begging to be told,” says Brownlow.

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website

Cover Reveal…Whiskey Lullaby by Dawn Martens & Emily Minton

Introducing the cover for WHISKEY LULLABY by Dawn Martens & Emily Minton:

Whiskey Lullaby releases September 30th

Synopsis:

Julie Walker thought she found true love with Jase. Until he betrayed her in the worst way, with one of her best friends. Devastated and heartbroken she runs away,leaving behind her family and friends. She starts a new life filled with secrets.

When Julie meets Dean, she thinks he is the answer to all her prayers, but Dean isn’t who she thinks he is.

Jase Gibson is a player. Even when he had the girl of his dreams, he still played. When he lost Julie, his life fell apart. He turned to whiskey and women, to fill the void. But, only Julie will ever make him whole.

Nine years later, Julie’s back home, but shes not alone. What will happen when all of Julie’s secrets are uncovered?
Jase vowed that if he ever got her back, he would do right by her and never let her go. Will he let Julie’s secret keep them apart?

When Julie’s ex-husband refuses to be her ex, Jase must choose to help her or hang on to his anger.
Jase and Julie have to find a way to give their whiskey lullaby a happy ending.

Book link:

Goodreads ~ Series Facebook Page

Enter to win A Chase and Kade eBooks and $5.00 Amazon Gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the authors:

Dawn Martens: I’m Dawn. I co-wrote a two books(Chase and Kade) with fellow author Chantal Fernando, in the Resisting Love. We went solo on three of the books, she wrote Ryder, and she is writing James, and I’m writing Derek.

Also working on a book currently with my friend Isabella Bearden, called A Second Chance!

AND I’m currently writing a book with good friend Emily Minton called Whiskey Lullaby.

I drink too much, Swear too much, and Read too much. Yes I read too much. I don’t have a filter, and I tend to speak before I think.

I’m a beta reader for many authors, I’m on a few authors ARC list, because apparently I’m THAT awesome. 😉 And I also Edit. Not a professional, but I do help a few with that.

I have two children, 5&2, and have another on the way. They bug the shit outta me, but hey, that’s what kids are supposed to do. 😉 Married since 2007. He’s amazing, but he’s also a bigger pain in my ass than my kids are.

I love to read. and I love being able to write stories that *I* want to read!

I couldn’t do this without the help of some very special friends!

Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Website

____________________

I’m Emily. I am the proud mother of two lovable but irritating teenagers. I have been married for over twenty years, but I would gladly trade my husband for Tatumn Jackson any day!

If you are wondering who that is, you need to read Sweet Dreams by KA now. Kristen Ashley is my queen!

I love to read. I am a complete mommy porn junkie! I have more books on my kindle than most people could read in a lifetime, but I will get to them all eventually!

I am also an avid blogger. I love to share my favorite books and pimp my favorite authors.

I hope you all enjoy Whiskey Lullaby!

Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Blog

Release Day Blitz….Glitter and Gunfire by Cynthia Eden

Book Blurb:

He was assigned to protect her not make her his own in this installment of USA TODAY bestselling author Cynthia Eden’s Shadow Agents series.

Cale Lane had his orders: keep Cassidy Sherridan alive at all costs. But who sent six armed men storming the Rio ballroom to take her out? The gorgeous party girl wasn’t giving it up. Now he had a more urgent mission: uncover Cassidy’s secrets one by one.

Cassidy didn’t need the former Texas ranger to play hero and blow her cover. Using herself as bait was the first step in bringing a killer to justice. How could she do that with Cale shadowing her every move and awakening feelings that tempted her to put her life and heart on the line?

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads ~ Kobo ~ Books-A-Million ~ AbeBooks ~ IndieBound

About the Author:

USA Today Best-selling author Cynthia Eden has written over twenty-five novels and novellas. She was named as a 2013 RITA^® finalist for her paranormal romance, ANGEL IN CHAINS, and, in 2011, Cynthia Eden was a RITA finalist for her romantic suspense, DEADLY FEAR.

Cynthia is a southern girl who loves horror movies, chocolate, and happy endings. She has always wanted to write (don’t most authors say that?), and particularly enjoys creating stories about monsters–vampires, werewolves, and even the real-life monsters that populate her romantic suspense stories.

Cynthia’s foreign sales for her books include translations to Japan, Germany, Thailand, Greece, and Brazil.

(Back in the day…) Cynthia graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Alabama where she studied Sociology (because people interest her) and Communication (because she likes to write about said people). Cynthia has worked as a college admissions counselor, a teacher, and as an editor. But now, Cynthia is thrilled to be spending her days making up stories.

Website/Blog ~ Twitter ~ FB Author Page ~ Goodreads

Launch Blitz & Giveaway….Unlocked by Maya Cross

Maya Cross is celebrating the launch of Unlocked with a HUGE giveaway!

Enter in the rafflecopter below to win a Kindle Fire HD 7” (OR equivalent value in Amazon/B&N/iTunes vouchers) Or one of three $20 Amazon/B&N/iTunes vouchers. Open Internationally

The breathtaking conclusion to the USA Today best selling Alpha Group Series.

Synopsis:

Who is Sebastian Lock?

The heart can lead you to dangerous places. Abandoned by the man she loves, with nothing more than sweet words and riddles for an explanation, Sophia Pearce felt like her life was crumbling before her eyes. And then they came for her. Now, things will never be the same.

Confronted with the truth about Sebastian’s identity, she’s thrust into a high stakes world beyond anything she could have imagined. A world that threatens much more than just her feelings. Sebastian’s enemies will stop at nothing to get what they want, and they want her.

Their passion for one another consumes them, but as the danger mounts, and loyalties are tested, Sophia must answer one simple question. What is she willing to risk for love?

Excerpt:

I hadn’t expected Sophia to sleep at all, not after what she’d been through. Trauma like that can ruin a person. But somehow she’d drifted off. I had no idea where she found the strength to be that tough. She never ceased to amaze me.

For a while I lay there trying to get some rest myself, but the events of the last two days had thrown my whole world into chaos. It was all happening again. The fact that I’d averted the worst didn’t make the situation any better. I was an asshole. I should never have let it get to this point, but I was weak, and it had nearly cost the woman I love her life. How the hell could I sleep knowing that?

To make matters worse, even now I was still incapable of staying away. She was as secure here as anywhere, but the moment she’d left my sight I began to feel agitated. I still hadn’t managed to shed the mindless terror that had seized me when I first heard she’d been taken. The urge to go to her, to simply hold her and never let go, had been almost overpowering.

I’d tried to distract myself. There was certainly no shortage of work to be done — most of my colleagues were holed up together in the board room, planning things until well into the night — but I was useless there. My mind only wanted to focus on one thing, and soon I found myself propped up against the wall outside her room, nursing several fingers of scotch in a heavy crystal tumbler. I didn’t know why, but just being close to her helped. I made myself vow not to enter. It had taken an immense level of control to cut her off the first time, and every moment in her presence stretched my willpower just a little more. I would keep her safe and solve all this, and then when it was all over, I’d let her go again. It was the only way.

But the moment I heard her sobbing through the door, all sense of self-control fled. Before I knew it, I was on my feet, and then in her bed. I expected her to fight, after all, I had to be the last person she wanted to see, but she didn’t. Instead she just burrowed into me without a word. I hated how perfect that felt, the way her body fit like a missing puzzle piece against mine. I still didn’t understand how such simple contact could make me so damn content, but it did.

And now she slept. I couldn’t help but run my eyes over her again. Truth be told, I’d barely been able to stop staring since the moment I entered the room. She looked so fucking beautiful lying there, her face utterly peaceful, her curves perfectly accentuated by the thin cotton sheet. She’d taken the T-shirt I left her, but not the pants, and now in the throws of sleep she’d managed to knock part of the cover free, exposing one delicate hip. It was a tiny thing, the barest hint of pale skin and black cloth, but the sight took my breath away nonetheless. I felt impossibly low ogling her after everything I’d put her through, but I was powerless to do anything else. Her body was like a drug, a burning rush through my system that was impossible to ignore. I knew how that hip would feel if only I’d reach out and touch it. I had every inch of her body charted in my head; so perfectly soft, so perfectly feminine.

Fuck. I had to pull myself together.

Ripping my gaze free, I eased my arm out from under her. I’d done what I came to do. She was resting. There was no reason for me to stay.

She stirred briefly, and I came within a hair’s breadth of pulling her back against me once more, but after a few moments she settled. Taking one last look, I moved quietly out into the corridor and resumed my watch. I’d be there if she needed me, but anything beyond that was too hard. There was no happy ending here, and letting myself think otherwise would only destroy me more.

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Links to Other Books in the Series:

Locked (The Alpha Group Book One):

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ B&N

Lockout (The Alpha Group Book Two):

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ B&N

About the author:

Maya Cross is a writer who enjoys making people blush. Growing up with a mother who worked in a book store, she read a lot from a very young age, and soon enough picked up a pen of her own. She’s tried her hands at a whole variety of genres including horror, science fiction, and fantasy, but funnily enough, it was the sexy stuff that stuck. She has now started this pen name as an outlet for her spicier thoughts (they were starting to overflow). She likes her heroes strong but mysterious, her encounters sizzling, and her characters true to life.

She believes in writing familiar narratives told with a twist, so most of her stories will feel comfortable, but hopefully a little unique. Whatever genre she’s writing, finding a fascinating concept is the first, and most important step.

The Alpha Group is her first attempt at erotic romance.

When she’s not writing, she’s playing tennis, trawling her home town of Sydney for new inspiration, and drinking too much coffee.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Read-Love-Blog’s Cowboy Summer…..A Double feature of two Lorelei James stories reviewed by Selene

Read-Love-Blog’s Cowboy Summer continues with Selene’s review of Slow Ride and All Jacked Up by Lorelei James

Book Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Keely McKay Donohue is enduring the longest wedding reception of her life: her own.

The only saving grace is that Jack Donohue is finally hers. Usually her hunky man gives her everything she wants, so why is her groom denying her the one thing she wants right now?

Jack thought his secretive wait-for-the-honeymoon plan was romantic, until he realizes he’s only put Keely in a fighting mood. If he wants to get back on his temperamental bride’s good side, he’d better find a way to sweep his cowgirl off her boots…fast.

Selene’s Review:

A very sweet (and spicy) short by Lorelei James, it was wonderful to see the newlyweds finally hitched, as well as the dynamics between them and their families. Not only that, it made me smile often how bad these two want each other, but what’s worse – how stubborn both of them are. That made for wonderful laughs!

Something that I’m glad James does (and what I believe she does well) is revisit couples from previous books and give us glimpses into future books. Seeing Cord McKay and AJ still hot for each other in this story was very refreshing and incredibly sexy and witnessing the little tiff between Brandt and Jesse only piqued my curiosity about the two.

This read won’t take you long… my only gripe was that it wasn’t longer!

Four Loves

Book Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

…Pulling off the ultimate con… if they can keep from pulling off their clothes.

Keely McKay knows Jack—and Jack Donohue is a certified pain in her Wranglers. The lone girl in the prolific McKay family, Keely needs another man giving her orders like she needs a hole in her boot. What she does need is a restoration specialist so she can open her physical therapy clinic—and prove she’s left her wild-child days behind. That means dealing with buttoned-down, uptight Jack.

Jack is this close to securing a career make-or-break project, until he learns his lack of marital status puts him out of contention. When the notoriously hot-tempered and hot-bodied Keely begs him for help, he proposes a crazy idea. He’ll oversee her project—if she acts the part of his loving fiancée.

Their sizzling lust makes it all too easy to go from butting heads to knocking boots—but outside the bedroom they’re as mismatched as ever. The McKays remind Jack of the humble upbringing he left behind, and cowgirl Keely feels she doesn’t measure up to Jack’s big-city lifestyle.

When the dust settles, Jack and Keely must face the fact they’re not fooling anyone but themselves—or they’ll risk losing the real deal

Selene’s Review:

Top 3 of the series. Hands down.

Even though Jack Donohue isn’t a sexy, smoldering McKay cowboy, this book had me lusting after him even more than Keely McKay did! There is just something about how a man wears a suit and his level of confidence that makes him downright sexy as all get-out.

Having already been introduced to both of these characters in previous books and already having knowledge of their mutual loathing of each other, I was anticipating their story with an unrivaled eagerness… and boy did it deliver!

To say Keely and Jack between the sheets is explosive would be putting it mildly. Their first kiss alone had me turning on my little fan and setting it to full blast on my face. Talk about scorching! There was not one moment between them that wasn’t totally and completely passion-filled; that’s what happens when true feelings are squelched and not allowed to surface.

This was just such an enjoyable read and one that I know I’ll be rereading for years to come.

Five Loves

From author website: