Stripped Down by Lorelei James…ARC Review

STRIPPED DOWN - cover

 

Synopsis:

Never challenge a cowboy to a little naughty competition…
A flirty game of sexual truth or dare between best man, Wynton Grant, and maid of honor, Melissa Lockhart during their BFF’s wedding reception results in a steamy hookup.

But their plans for a one and done change when a family crisis leaves Wyn shorthanded at the Grant Ranch. Experienced horsewoman Mel volunteers to help out and gets way more than she bargained for living under the same roof as the sexy rancher. Playing house has never appealed to Wyn…until now.

But the feisty redhead is keeping secrets and Wyn’s not above stripping her bare—body and soul—to get to the bottom of it…

 

My Review:

Stripped Down is novella number 12 in the 1,001 Dark Nights 2015 lineup. All I have to say is: yeeehaw! This book was hold-on-for-the-ride-of-your-life emotional, sexy, and hot as hell. I loved it!

What starts out as an innocent enough proposition for some loving between the sheets turns into way more when fate, the fickle lady, throws a wrench in both Melissa Lockhart and Wynton Grant’s sexy plans. Neither one was looking for a long-term. Neither one believed love would find a way into their hearts. They both carried baggage of their own and they both had given up on the whole marriage thing. But it bears repeating that fate, that fickle lady, has a plan for these two…and what a plan it would be.

I’m not even sure where to begin in telling you all what I loved about this story. There was just so much! Ms. James always does such an incredible job of connecting the reader to her characters and this was no exception. Both Wynton and Melissa are beautifully multi-faceted and have so many layers making up who they are. The both have wonderful strengths and weaknesses making them so enjoyable to read. Together their mutual outlook on their sex lives is so hot, sexy, and incredibly fresh to read. They are honest with who they are when it comes to what they want from a partner and that just makes for some delicious scenes. I loved their lust for one another and for pleasure. Add to that some stressing and seriously emotional occurrences and the physical attraction they feel for each other grows deeper and deeper with each day they spend together. It was so wonderful to see unfold and I was pulling for these two from the very first kiss.

I won’t spoil anything for you but I will tell you that Ms. James gives an ending that will leave you grinning from ear to ear!

Indeed, be ready to buckle up for one heck of a delicious ride! Thank you, Ms. James, for another stellar addition of the sexy Blacktop Cowboys and the wonderul 1,001 Dark Nights!

5LovesRLB

Five Loves

J signature

Book links:

Amazon  |  1,001 Dark Nights

SSUCv3H4sIAAAAAAAEAJ2RwWrEIBCG74W+Q/AcQWPimr7K0sNopovUXSGaLWXJu1dNBM+9iPPN/M784+v9reuIhmAN+eheOUqxdW4LcYVo/SNh1p8cFxv9asFlmNleMiREiFvAkJ84kYGIt1R7wFNf+1yPuKuJkkyKlCKkb1jYdGEV7f2/lcfls1qBGz7Mbxm4MbKiQziMXGvhoPSouaLTICY6clRUgVR0mTloNjIhjaidydcsBoYzp6DlQkfDOZ1VOiY2yYtkCvEiy0jHHOT7J+J6b/f2tAv6JoZtsb5Z4dMbcFkgmrFN+i1/P83sf+JRX7DUAQAA

 

About the author:

Lorelei James is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary erotic western romances set in the modern day Wild West and also contemporary erotic romances. Lorelei’s books have been nominated for and won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s choice Award, as well as the CAPA Award. Lorelei lives in western South Dakota with her family…and a whole closet full of cow girl boots.

From Lorelei: “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.”

Visit Lorelei James’ website

Indulge yourself with modern fairytale romances for only 99¢ each from Entangled!

 

Alpha billionaires. Enigmatic playboys. Smokin’ hot bosses… you shouldn’t be attracted to. Just a few of the reasons readers absolutely love the Indulgence line. They’re the ultimate fantasy heroes. We love them so much we’re having a HUGE Indulgence imprint flash sale!

Indulge yourself with modern fairytale romances for only 99¢ each.

Take home a sensual prince, a rugged rancher, or perhaps, a thrill-seeking tycoon… at this price you can afford to have all of your fantasies fulfilled.

Find them at your favorite ebook retailers including Amazon, Kobo, B&N, and at Entangled Publishing.

Don’t forget to join us for Entangled Movie Night on Thursday, September 3rd @ 6PST/9EST while we live tweet of one of our favorite romantic movies and give away more great prizes. Just follow the #EPMovieNight hashtag.

Reveal by Elle Brooks…..Release Day Event

I used to believe in destiny.

I was six years old when I first took to the stage, and I’ve danced every day since. It’s the biggest part of who I am. The fuel that drives me forward.

My oxygen…
My life…
My soul.

The stars were perfectly aligned, and my fairy tale had slowly begun to play out like a beautifully scripted passage from a romance novel. I was all set to live my happily ever after…

Until I wasn’t.

If dancing was my heart, Daniel was the blood that kept it beating. I was content with supporting him as he worked towards his music dreams, but then he disappeared, leaving me scared, alone and suffocating under the crushing weight of his debts.

It’s said that opportunity often comes disguised as misfortune.

When one door closes, another one opens. But I wasn’t prepared for it to belong to Reveal, one of New York City’s most exclusive Burlesque Clubs.

It feels as though the universe is conspiring against me until fate thrusts two very different men into the equation. And what they have in common, no one could have predicted.

Destiny may have delivered them both, but who stays is my choice.

Elle Brooks is a little neurotic; she functions on a tiny amount of sleep and a huge amount of caffeine. Elle loves green skittles and has an irrational fear of stormy weather. When she’s not writing about super hot dreamy leading men, you can generally find her googling them… all in the name of research of course. She can be persuaded to do just about anything with the promise of a good book or a bottle of bubbles. Oh, and she also love to write.

Elle is the author of the Promises Series including Promises Hurt, Forgotten Promises and Empty Promises.

Book #1 is Promises Hurt released in August 2014.

Book #2 is Forgotten Promises released November 2014.

Book #3 is Empty Promises released February 2015

*Empty Promises is a prequel novella and can be read before or after the other books in the series. It can also be read as a standalone.

Stalk Elle at…

Email: ellebrooksauthor@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/elle.brooks.author

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/Elle_Brooks

Twitter: @Ellebrooksauthor

Web: ellebrooksauthor.com

An Alpha’s Choice by Carrie Ann Ryan….Blog Tour Stop & Excerpt

An Alpha's Choice BT Banner

 

An Alphas Choice Cover vFinal v2 72dpi

 

 

An Alpha’s Choice Synopsis:

The Bestselling Redwood Pack continues with the Talon Pack series.
A Broken Wolf. A Fractured Bond. A Fate Denied.
Brynn Brentwood has spent the whole of her life protecting the Talon Pack through terrors only she will ever know. She’s never asked for more in life other than to live to take her next breath and to ensure her family is safe. Regardless of her selfless wishes and the atrocities the former Alpha committed, she has always known that fate would provide for her as it had countless others. Fate is what has carried her through with one exception—upon meeting the one wolf who could be hers, he doesn’t feel their bond.

Finn Jamenson has been broken more than once, left beaten and half dead—and that was before he was an adult and Heir of the Redwood Pack. When called upon to work with their allies, the Talons, he finds himself intrigued with a woman who his wolf doesn’t claim as his own. Though he knows there could be something there, he refuses to tempt himself with a wolf who could never be his when his own mate could waiting for him.

The world changed in a blink of time and now the two wolves must fight as one—ignoring the burning temptation between them—when their people are threatened. With one wrong move, their homes could be destroyed and its up to Finn and Brynn to save them all…if only they could save themselves.

 

Excerpt:

Finn cleared his throat, not knowing what to say.

“And sometimes I feel as though the bond isn’t as strong as the others,” Drake said then clamped his mouth shut.

Finn blinked. “What does that mean?”

Maddox met Drake’s eyes and shook his head.

“What? Don’t keep secrets.”

Maddox let out a breath. “When you came back from near death, you told us once your wolf was different.”

Finn froze.

“Sometimes we feel that along the bonds. Or, at least what we think that is. It could be nothing. It could be that Drake and I are working too hard on one bond at a time. It could be that you’re good at hiding what you feel, and that’s fine, too. It could be nothing, Finn.”

He swallowed hard. He’d always known he was broken. Or had once been broken and sealed back together. But what if Hannah had missed something when she’d Healed him? What if she’d forgotten a key piece?

What if the broken pieces shattered under the touch of a woman he didn’t understand—the strength of a soul so vivid that he could taste it on the wind?

“I can’t talk about it,” Finn whispered. “Not right now.” He ran a hand over his face, knowing he was ducking the important things. But he couldn’t put it into words. There was something missing, and he had no idea if it was connected to the intensity that came from being around Brynn, but he didn’t want to voice his thoughts and ruin it all before it had begun. He could just be overreaching, but he didn’t know anymore.

Maddox frowned at him then reached out and patted Drake’s knee when the younger man opened his mouth to speak. “We won’t push you. Not yet. I pushed my brothers at times when it was warranted, but I might have hurt them in the process. I won’t do that to you.”

“But I might,” Drake said softly. “To save you? To make you feel whole? I’d do anything, Finn. You’re my brother. Remember that.”

Finn swallowed hard, knowing he wouldn’t be able to hide everything for much longer. He’d tell them about Brynn, about his wolf, about his path…about everything. When he could. There was no if anymore. He couldn’t hold it in for too much longer.

 

Buy Links:

 Amazon http://amzn.to/1c3tXJ9

iBooks http://bit.ly/1JquynL

Barnes & Noble http://bit.ly/1EzfCgx

Kobo http://bit.ly/1MFS7bd

Google Play http://bit.ly/1DXIWBt

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Carrie Ann Ryan Bio:

Profile2 (1)New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan never thought she’d be a writer. Not really. No, she loved math and science and even went on to graduate school in chemistry. Yes, she read as a kid and devoured teen fiction and Harry Potter, but it wasn’t until someone handed her a romance book in her late teens that she realized that there was something out there just for her. When another author suggested she use the voices in her head for good and not evil, The Redwood Pack and all her other stories were born.

Carrie Ann is a bestselling author of over twenty novels and novellas and has so much more on her mind (and on her spreadsheets *grins*) that she isn’t planning on giving up her dream anytime soon.

 

Website: http://carrieannryan.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarrieAnnRyanAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarrieAnnRyan

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/18aFEqP

 

Tough Love by Lori Foster…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Tough Love - Review & Excerpt Tour banner

 

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Review & Excerpt Tour for Lori Foster’s TOUGH LOVE! TOUGH LOVE is the next novel in her Ultimate Series published by Harlequin HQN. This amazing book releases on August 25th! If you haven’t before, make sure you grab the other books in this fantastic series today!

 

Tough Love - cover

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble **iBooks ** Kobo ** GooglePlay ** Booksamillion

 

TOUGH LOVE Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule

August 17th

A girl and her books – Review

books chocolate and lipgloss – Review

An Aussie Girls WILD Book Addiction! – Excerpt

Books, Coffee & Passion – Excerpt

Adventures in Writing – Excerpt

NightWolf Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Talk Books to Me – Review & Excerpt

August 18th

Romance Bytes – Excerpt

The Bookworms Obsession – Review

Indy Book Fairy – Excerpt

Romance Reviews and More – Review & Excerpt

Mythical Books – Excerpt

Read more sleep less – Review & Excerpt

August 19th

Reads All the Books – Review & Excerpt

Best Book Boyfriends – Excerpt

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

Tome Tender – Review

Red Cheeks Reads – Review & Excerpt

I Heart YA Books – Excerpt
From the TBR Pile – Review & Excerpt

August 20th

A Bookish Escape – Review & Excerpt

Riverina Romantics – Excerpt

Author Groupies – Review

Pages Abound – Review & Excerpt

2 Greek Girls Reading – Excerpt

BookWorm221 – Review & Excerpt

Romancing the Readers – Excerpt

August 21st

grownupfangirl – Excerpt

Friends Till The End Book Blog – Excerpt

Those Crazy Book Chicks – Review & Excerpt

Life With Two Boys – Excerpt

stories and swag – Review

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

August 22nd

Books, Booze, and BDSM – Excerpt

Wicked Babes Blog Reviews – Review

naughty Book Eden – Excerpt

The Book Review – Review & Excerpt

Nose Stuck in a Book – Excerpt

The Smut-Brarians – Review & Excerpt

Making it Happen – Review & Excerpt

August 23rd

Cruising Susan Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Ashleyz Wonderland – Excerpt

YOLOFORALIVING – Review & Excerpt

mommas secret book obsession – Excerpt

Books and Warpaint – Review & Excerpt

August 24th

Will Read for Feels – Excerpt

Wild and Dirty Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Becky on Books – Excerpt

Book Munchies – Review & Excerpt

Vera is Reading – Excerpt

Jen’s Reading Obsession – Review & Excerpt

BJ’s Reviews – Excerpt

August 25th

Naomi’s Reading Palace (Previously – Nomi’s Paranormal Palace) – Review

SnoopyDoo’s Book Reviews – Excerpt

Alleskelle Blogs – Review & Excerpt

Boundless Book Reviews – Excerpt

Obsessed With Myshelf – Review

Books Like Breathing – Review

August 26th

Oh My Growing TBR – Review & Excerpt

Stormy Day Reading Books – Review & Excerpt

Between The Lines – Review

Sultry, Steamy Reading – Review

I Bookin’ Love To Read – Review & Excerpt

Short and Sassy Book Blurbs – Review

BBF BookBoyfriends – Review & Excerpt

August 27th

KT Book reviews – Excerpt

PBC – Review

Kimmy Loves to Read – Excerpt

The Book Maven – Review

This Mom Loves Alphas – Excerpt

August 28th

Talking Books Blog – Excerpt

Fic Central – Review

Coast to Coast Book Besties – Review & Excerpt

Caroline Jane Reads – Excerpt

The Book rogue – Review

mignonmykel : reviews – Review & Excerpt

J&J’s Southern Spice Blog – Excerpt

August 29th

G&T Indie Café – Excerpt

My YA NA Book Obession – Review & Excerpt

Love, Laughter and Happily Ever Afters – Excerpt

alpha book club – Review & Excerpt

Naughty Moms’ Story Time – Excerpt

Read-Love-Blog – Review

Romantic Reads and Such – Excerpt

August 30th

JB’s Book Obsession Blog – Excerpt

Books Need TLC – Review

Margie’s Must Reads – Excerpt

Renee Entress’s Blog – Review & Excerpt

Rock ‘n’ Romance – Excerpt

Books and Friendz – Review & Excerpt

Sexy Bibliophiles – Review

 

TOUGH LOVE is part of the Ultimate series. Check out all the books in the Ultimate series today!

Ultimate Novels- cover banner

Hard Knocks

No Limits

Holding Strong

Tough Love

Fighting Dirty

 

About TOUGH LOVE:

She’s playing hard to get…to win the MMA fighter of her ultimate fantasies in a sultry new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster

Vanity Baker loves a good, clean match, but she’s not above playing a little dirty. She’s wanted Stack “The Wolf” Hannigan from day one. Seems as though the best way to corral the famously commitment-phobic fighter is to insist on keeping it casual. And her plan works—deliciously well—until Stack’s past steps out of the shadows.

Stack learned early to stay free of attachments. But with sexy, forthright Vanity, he’s the one always left wanting more. Then his troublemaking family comes back into the picture, threatening everything Stack cares about—Vanity included. Suddenly he realizes they’re much more than friends with benefits. He’s ready to go to the mat for her…but will it be in time to protect the woman who’s tamed him for good?

 

My review:

Tough Love is the third book in author Lori Foster’s Ultimate series; a series I have loved from the beginning. I was so excited for this latest installment and to visit with my favorite group of fighters and once again, Ms. Foster delivered a sexy and exciting read. I loved it!

After Vanity makes Stack an offer he can’t refuse, these two set out on a mission to get hot and heavy between the sheets. Sure, Vanity was hoping for much more than that, but she would take what Stack was wiling to give. She only hoped in the end, it would be his heart.

I loved everything about this story. I love this entire group of fighters and their love interests. I love the community Ms. Foster has built and being able to get pulled in from start to finish. One of my favorite aspects of this book, however, was Vanity herself. She is a breath of fresh air in the land of predictable heroines. She is honest and open. She is always saying exactly what she thinks and how she feels and I really appreciated those characteristics. She questions things and looks at life with a freshness that I really enjoyed. Stack was also an immensely enjoyable character. He is protective of his friends and family and has a huge heart. He’s sexy and gruff at times and I loved when he would get all alpha male. They really make a wonderful pair and the heat and chemistry between them was off the charts hot.
Of course, as with the other books in this series, we are given a big helping of drama and I love that as well. Ms. Foster always delivers a plot that is exciting and, at times, pretty suspenseful. Never over the top and always brings this group even closer together and always enjoyable.

Ms. Foster once again delivered a story I devoured and left me excited to see what’s next for this amazing group. Thank you for a fantastic read!

4LovesRLBFour Loves

 

J signature

 

Tough Love - promo banner

 

Praise for TOUGH LOVE:

“Foster brings her signature blend of heat and sweet to her addictive third Ultimate martial arts contemporary. Foster ably tosses out red herrings and also seamlessly lays the foundation for the next book in this series. This luscious tale will appeal to Foster’s legion of fans and attract new ones—even those who aren’t fans of professional fighting.”– Publishers Weekly

 

Author Photo

About Lori Foster:

Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St. Martin’s, Harlequin, Silhouette, Samhain, and Berkley/Jove. She is currently published with HQN.

Lori hosts a very special annual “Reader & Author” event in West Chester, Ohio. Proceeds from the event have benefited many worthy causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, the Animal Adoption Foundation, The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina bifida and cerebral palsy, and The One Way Farm, Children’s Home.

Each year Lori donates all proceeds from one book to charity. You can see the benefit romance books here: http://lorifoster.com/benefit-books/

WEBSITE ** FACEBOOK ** TWITTER ** GOODREADS ** PINTEREST ** YOU TUBE

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

InkSlinger PR Blogger Banner - New

Rule by CD Reiss…Release Event

rule release blitz

Antonio and Theresa live or die together in this epic, full-length conclusion to the Songs of Corruption series!

rule it's live

NOW AVAILABLE!

Amazon US – http://amzn.to/1ST673M

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1GSN58e

iBooks – http://apple.co/1E2iW7j

Nook – http://bit.ly/1ItjaUH

 

Rule Book Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KdsJCQyMWE&feature=youtu.be

rule cover

 

Blurb

Book Three in The Corruption Series. You must read SPIN and RUIN before reading RULE!

Theresa and Antonio.

They’ve been through hell. Antonio has a price on his head for turning his back on a marriage deal, and Theresa has no intention of turning her back on him. They’re devoted and strong, ready for anything….

A Love Tested To The Limit

And then, someone from Antonio’s past reappears. Someone who can give him everything he ever wanted, and who can shake them to their very core.

#livetogether

#dietogether

In this stunning conclusion to the USA Today Bestselling series, Antonio and Theresa will have their passion, their devotion and their very will to live tested.

rule rb 3

Series Reading Order

SPIN (Book One)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1DhU4JO

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1JYgpJe

iBooks: http://apple.co/1MEwcD5

Nook: http://bit.ly/1JYgHQl

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1OHuDli

Ruin (Book Two)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1OHv1Ac

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1VU2U6j

iBooks: http://apple.co/1VU2VY5

Nook: http://bit.ly/1KIKhfk

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1V8yLPp

Rule (Book Three)

Amazon US – http://amzn.to/1ST673M

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1GSN58e

iBooks – http://apple.co/1E2iW7j

Nook – http://bit.ly/1ItjaUH

rule rb 5

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

cd reiss new bioCD Reiss is a USA Today and Amazon bestseller. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn’t pick up, she’s at the well, hauling buckets.

Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master’s degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere, but it did embed TV story structure in her head well enough for her to take a big risk on a TV series structured erotic series called Songs of Submission. It’s about a kinky billionaire hung up on his ex-wife, an ingenue singer with a wisecracking mouth; art, music and sin in the city of Los Angeles.

Critics have dubbed the books “poetic,” “literary,” and “hauntingly atmospheric,” which is flattering enough for her to put it in a bio, but embarrassing enough for her not to tell her husband, or he might think she’s some sort of braggart who’s too good to give the toilets a once-over every couple of weeks or chop a cord of wood.

If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.

 

Stalk Her: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads | Pinterest | Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conscience by Cecilia London…Blog Tour Stop & Excerpt

ConscienceTour

Conscience
by Cecilia London
Bellator Saga #2
Publication Date: August 17, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Dark, Erotic, Romance, Suspense, Thriller

Tour: Conscience by Cecilia London

Amazon USAmazon UKAmazon CANookKoboiBooks

An escape plan foiled….

A determined woman….

One last tiny sliver of hope….

Jack will find me.

The Fed wants answers. And Caroline is determined not to provide them. They pull out all the stops, testing her sanity, testing her strength, testing her humanity.

Jack will find me.

Subject to cruel and merciless treatment at the hands of a government she once trusted, Caroline clings to her sole lifeline, her only chance at maintaining her tenuous hold on reality: her memories of her husband, Jack, her children, Marguerite and Sophie, and the friends who mean the world to her.

Jack will find me.

But what happens when hope starts to fade? How long until her interrogators cross over into the unspeakable sadism she fears ? How long before she finally breaks apart?

Part Two of a Six Part Saga. Conscience (approximately 115,000 words) is not a standalone and must be read after the first book in the Bellator Saga, Dissident. All books in the series end in a cliffhanger. For readers 18+. This book contains adult situations including graphic violence, explicit (consensual) sex and light BDSM, psychological and physical trauma, and an oftentimes raw, dark, and gritty plot.

Add to Goodreads

Excerpt:

They’d start out nice and then devolve if they didn’t get what they wanted. She knew better than to think that they’d abide by the policies and procedures that were in place when she was working for the DOJ. Not if they weren’t Mirandizing prisoners. It was an entirely new ballgame. And she wasn’t going to play.
Howard frowned at her. “We’ve seen the classified information you obtained.”
Stay focused. Give them basic identifying information. Talk about the furthest topic from what they want to hear.
“My legal name is Caroline Joan Gerard,” she said quietly.
His eyes narrowed. “What?”
“I was born at Highland Park Hospital in Highland Park, Illinois on September 4.”
The two agents exchanged glances.
“Who were you working with?” Bradbury asked.
More people than you think, asshole. “I graduated from St. Mary School in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.”
Bradbury glared at her. “How did you get on a government server?”
Very subtle. They thought she’d turned into a hacker in order to obtain classified information. Interesting. Were they bluffing, or did they know?
“I am an alumnus of Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois,” she said.
“Who were you working with?”
Time to have a little fun. “Adlai Stevenson was the governor of Illinois from 1949 to 1953,” Caroline said blankly.
“Excuse me?” Howard laid some papers out on the table in front of her. He was getting angry. “Where did you get these?”
She knew better than to look at the documents. She stared down at a different part of the table. “He ran for president twice on the Democratic ticket.”
Bradbury reached across the table, pulling her chin up so she was facing him. “Tell us what you know.” He turned to Howard. “This bitch is messing with us.”
Of course she was. She’d written her senior thesis on Adlai Stevenson. She could carry on for hours if she had to. She’d barely covered enough for a lame Wikipedia entry.
“He unofficially ran again in 1960 but was defeated by JFK,” Caroline said.
Bradbury punched her in the nose and tears sprang to her eyes.
“Move on,” he told Howard. “She’s fucking around.”
“Where are your children?” Howard asked.
An interesting segue. They weren’t going to play nice. At all. They probably thought they could somehow trick her into talking if they threatened her family. Caroline closed her eyes, trying to remain focused. She would never betray the ones she loved. Howard and Bradbury would figure that out quickly if they were worth their salt.
“Adlai Stevenson is widely regarded as leading the resurgence of the Democratic Party in the 1950s,” she said.
Bradbury punched her again and the blood started to flow. Fantastic. He plopped down on the table next to her, presumably to seem more intimidating.
“Where’s Senator Sullivan?” he asked. “We know she has your children.”
Caroline’s nose was bleeding profusely. She tried to wipe at it with the back of her hand and spat out some blood. “Stevenson served as ambassador to the United Nations before his death in 1965.”
Bradbury pulled her up from the chair by her hair, dragging her across the room. “Stop talking about fucking Adlai Stevenson,” he growled, shoving her up against the wall.
His threat came across as comical, for reasons she couldn’t quite understand. She again failed to hold her tongue. “Why would I want to fuck Adlai Stevenson? He’s dead. That’s gross.”
Caroline knew that laughing at her own joke would mean she’d get an even bigger ass kicking but she didn’t care. They weren’t going to start being gentle with her. Howard was sitting back in his chair quietly observing their entire exchange. Bradbury shoved her up against the wall again.
“Do you think this is funny?” he asked.
Another giggle escaped her lips. “Kinda.”
He reared back and punched her in the jaw. Her head thumped back against the concrete. She saw stars.
“Do you still want to laugh?” He kneed her in the stomach and she doubled over and fell to the floor. “Make another bullshit comment. Try it.”
She’d proven her point. He’d unfortunately done the same. “I’m finished,” she gasped.
He knelt down near her head, drawing his gun. How the hell had she missed that they were armed? Was everyone in this place packing heat?
“Where’s Governor McIntyre?” he asked. “And if you say one more fucking word about fucking Adlai Stevenson you’re getting a bullet to the brain.”
Caroline decided to test that theory. “Who’s Adlai Stevenson?” she said automatically.
Bradbury stood up and kicked Caroline in the side of the head. “If you don’t want to talk, it’s your funeral,” he said, right before she blacked out.*******Jack stood up and took her hand. “Are you going to dance with me, or what?”
Caroline got to her feet. “Of course.”
He led her toward the center of the room. It was a giant suite with a decent amount of furniture, but had a clear space suitable for dancing.
“Close your eyes,” he said. “That’s an order from your husband.”
She laughed and shut her eyes. “Yes, sir.”
“I like the sound of that,” Jack whispered, his demeanor changing. He leaned in to nip at her neck. “I want you to say it more often. But I’m not ready to capitalize on it just yet.”
Filthy, dirty man. But he was right. It wasn’t time to be naughty. Not with serious dancing business to be had.
He broke their connection for the briefest of moments, and the room soon filled with music. Caroline recognized it immediately. One of her guilty pleasures. She had many: Jack Jones’ “Wives and Lovers,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” from The Sound of Music, “Hello” by Lionel Richie (her favorite stalker song), and the selection currently playing, “Someone to Watch Over Me.” She smiled as Jack came over to take her in his arms.
“I know you prefer Ella Fitzgerald’s version of this song the best.” He started to guide her across the floor. “You can open your eyes now.”
She was quite content to keep them shut and lean in, but opened them anyway to find him smiling at her.
“Do you know how happy you make me?” he asked.
Caroline kissed him lightly. “I have a vague idea. How does it feel being married?”
“The first few hours have gone exceedingly well,” Jack said. “I love you, Mrs. McIntyre.”
“And I love you.” She kissed him again. “This lost lamb is completely yours.” She rested her chin on his shoulder as their dancing slowed. “Did you reapply your cologne?”
“I put the bottle next to the iPod. I know it’s one of the fastest ways to get into your pants.”
“You don’t need cologne for that. Although it helps.”
Jack let go of her hand and stopped moving, gently stroking her face. “I will always take care of you,” he said. “Always. Even when you don’t want me to.”
Caroline had done a good job of avoiding too many tears during the day, but she was exhausted. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could control her emotions. “I know.” She swallowed hard. “You saved me, Jack. Me and the girls. I don’t know where we’d be without you.”
“You saved me too.” He kissed her forehead. “Let’s call it a draw.”
She swayed back into him, listening to the song. “I know you’ll watch over me. My shepherd.”
Jack wrapped his arms around her again. “You’re a sucker for these old standards, aren’t you?”
Caroline laughed through her now unavoidable tears. “Don’t tell anyone.”
He brushed the tears away. “Every day I thank God he brought you to me. Every. Day.”
“I’ll always be good,” she whispered. “Just for you.”
Jack chuckled. “You take these lyrics too seriously, sweetheart. You’re getting all sappy on me.”
“I can’t help it.”
“I know you’ll be good,” he said quietly. “Because it’s who you are. I know how precious a gift that is. And I will always protect you, because I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You saved all the good lines for tonight, I see.” Caroline kissed his fingers, just above his wedding ring. “My romantic husband.”
“I like the sound of that. Caroline Gerard’s husband.”
“Now who’s being the sap?”
“I’ve got plenty more where that came from,” he said, kissing her neck.
The song was almost over. “Is this the only dance I get?” Caroline asked.
Jack pulled her toward the bedroom. “More later, I promise. Right now, let’s engage in some traditional wedding night revelry.”
“Opening our gifts and passing out in exhaustion?”
He picked her up and set her down on the bed. “Try again.”

*****

They were walking down the empty hall to the ballroom when Jack spun her up against the wall. “When we get back to our room I’m going to fuck you so hard you’re going to feel me with every move you make tomorrow,” he whispered into her hair.
She laughed lightly. “Perverted old man. Saying something like that right before I’m going to give a speech.”
“Just giving you something to think about,” he said. “If I wasn’t concerned about hidden cameras in the elevators I’d stop between floors and fuck you there too.”
“I’d do it if I didn’t think it would give those damn pundits and misogynistic male bloggers something else to leer over. And it may not be very gubernatorial,” she said. “I’m trying to be more of a lady. It doesn’t seem very ladylike to let you rip off my panties and have your way with me inside an elevator car.”
Jack laughed. “Says you.”
He pressed his hands against her backside, rubbing his palms against the soft material of her dress. Caroline knew what kind of mood he was in.
“Naughty girls get spanked,” he said in a low voice.
She smiled seductively and tugged on his tie. “Don’t make promises you won’t keep.”
“You know I’m good for it,” he breathed, squeezing her ass.
He wasn’t lying. He always followed through on what he promised in bed, as long as they both consented to it. If he was true to his word, Caroline would have a very uncomfortable flight back to Philadelphia the next day. But it would be worth it. She got excited thinking about what the rest of the evening might bring.
She brought her lips close to his. “If the public only knew, Mr. McIntyre. The dirty, nasty things you do to your wife when you know for certain that no one else is around.”
“They’re almost always at Mrs. McIntyre’s request,” Jack said, kissing her softly. “Even if they’re borderline illegal in some states. I live to make her happy.”
“I know you do,” Caroline whispered.
She wrapped one of her legs around him subtly so that no one else could see. One of her more effective tricks. She pressed up against his hip and kissed him, feeling him start to get hard.
“You’re not playing fair,” Jack said against her mouth.
“That’s what you get for distracting me,” she said silkily. “Now you’ve got something to focus on for the rest of the night. I’m going to be very, very bad. Be ready.”
He reluctantly slid his hands off her ass. “I’m always ready.”
Caroline heard voices nearby and practically jumped away from him. “I’ll see you in the ballroom, Jack,” she said in a loud singsong voice. She turned around and winked at him before striding down the hall, leaving him with a dazed grin on his face.

Tour: Dissident by Cecilia London

Read for FREE

AmazonNookKoboiBooksSmashwords

She once was important. Now she’s considered dangerous.

In a new America where almost no one can be trusted, Caroline lies unconscious in a government hospital as others decide her fate. She is a political dissident, wanted for questioning by a brutal regime that has come to power in a shockingly easy way. As she recovers from her injuries, all she has are her memories. And once she wakes up, they may not matter anymore.

Dissident is a blend of romantic suspense, contemporary romance, political thriller, and speculative fiction. Told mostly in flashback, it details the budding romantic relationship between our heroine, Caroline, and Jack, the silver fox playboy who tries to win her heart.

Part One of a Six Part Series. Each part is a full length novel between 60,000-120,000 words and ends in a cliffhanger. For readers 18+. This saga contains adult situations, including non-gratuitous violence, explicit (consensual) sex, psychological and physical trauma, and an oftentimes dark and gritty plot (particularly in part two).

Add to Goodreads

About Cecilia London

Cecilia is my pen name. I may or may not live in San Antonio, Texas. I’ve been known to apply quotes from ‘The Simpsons’ to everyday life. I live for baseball season.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dark Screams Vol. 4….Tour Stop & Review

unnamed-25

Synopsis:

Clive Barker, Heather Graham, Lisa Morton, Ray Garton, and Ed Gorman lead readers down a twisted labyrinth of terror, horror, and suspense in Dark Screams: Volume Four, from Brian James Freeman and Richard Chizmar of the revered Cemetery Dance Publications.

THE DEPARTED by Clive Barker
On All Hallows’ Eve, a dead and disembodied mother yearns to touch her young son one last time. But will making contact destroy them both?

CREATURE FEATURE by Heather Graham
What could be better publicity for a horror convention than an honest-to-goodness curse? It’s only after lights out that the hype—and the Jack the Ripper mannequin—starts to feel a little too real.

THE NEW WAR by Lisa Morton
Mike Carson is a war hero and a decorated vet. He doesn’t deserve to be trapped in a hospital with some black thing sitting on his chest as patients die all around him. His only hope is to take out the nurse—before it’s his turn.

SAMMY COMES HOME by Ray Garton
It’s what every family prays for: a lost pet returning home. But when Sammy, the Hale family sheepdog, appears on their doorstep, he brings back something no parent would ever wish upon his or her child.

THE BRASHER GIRL by Ed Gorman
Cindy Marie Brasher is the prettiest girl in the Valley, and Spence just has to have her. Unfortunately, Cindy has a “friend” . . . a friend who tells her to do things . . . bad things.

 

My Review:

Dark Screams Vol. 4 is a collection of horrifying suspense and I absolutely loved every minute of it. Talk about freaky with a capital “F”!

While each story has plentiful nail biting moments, my favorite of the collection was Heather Graham’s Creature Feature.

I am a big fan of her Krewe of Hunters series and Mo and Aidan are two of my fave in the series (from her book, The Betrayed) and Ms. Graham didn’t disappoint in this installment. It was wickedly fast paced and deliciously scary. Two of my favorite things!

This book has put me in my happy place in kicking off the start to celebrating my favorite holiday…Halloween!

If you’re a horror and suspense fan, I definitely recommend this collection!

5LovesRLBFive Loves

 

Book links:

Amazon  |  Goodreads 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS for Dark Screams, Vol. 4:
Tuesday, August 4th: It’s a Mad Mad World
Wednesday, August 5th: Wag the Fox
Thursday, August 6th: From the TBR Pile
Friday, August 7th: Kahakai Kitchen
Tuesday, August 11th: No More Grumpy Bookseller
Wednesday, August 12th: Sara’s Organized Chaos
Thursday, August 13th: Bibliophilia, Please
Monday, August 17th: Mallory Heart Reviews
Tuesday, August 18th: The Reader’s Hollow
Wednesday, August 19th: W.A.R.G. – The Writers, Artists & Readers Guild
Thursday, August 20th: The Scary Reviews
Thursday, August 27th: Bewitched Bookworms
Friday, August 28th: Read Love Blog
Date TBD: A Chick Who Reads
Date TBD: Bell, Book & Candle

tlc tour host

 

Cover Reveal….Fatal Beauty by Nazarea Andrews

COVER REVEAL

 

 

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00033]

 

Note from the Author:

I am so excited to bring you guys the cover of Fatal Beauty! It’s been a very long time since I was this excited about a book. Charlie and EJ showed up one day, all arrogant bitchy demands for me to write their story. And they never shut up. So I wrote it. I like writing in different genres—zombies and scifi and dystopian and fairytales, and contemporary. Even the odd mafia romance here and there.

But this—it’s like nothing I’ve ever written before. It’s dark and twisty and I love it. I hope you do too—it’s a crazy ride. 😉

 

Title: Fatal Beauty

Author: Nazarea Andrews

Genre: Adult Thriller

Release Day: October 6th

 

 

About Fatal Beauty:

Charlotte was a good girl. Sweet and innocent, a debutante with her Daddy’s credit card and a fiancée who doted on her.

She was destined for a perfect picture life in Charleston.

Until everything goes wrong.

EJ grew up with everything she could ever want, and bored as hell. Nothing surprises her and nothing ever changes, and she wants out—whatever it takes.

Getting involved with Anthony Jacobs is probably the worst idea she’s ever had—and that makes it irresistible.

Until Charlie needs her.

New Orleans. Los Angles. Vegas.

Beautiful girls who know just how to get exactly what they want.

It’s all fun and games, sexy nights and wild parties.

But you can only manipulate your way out of so much, and when their past catches up, not even a pretty fucking smile will get them out of trouble this time.

 

FB_Teaser1_SM

Exclusive Excerpt:

 

Wallace Bryce Talbert was dead. She was standing next to him, and distantly, she was aware of the blood spilling out, spreading to seep around her toes, sinking into the crack of her feet.

They had hardwood floors. She could mop. She should mop. Except it was a crime scene. You didn’t just mop up a crime scene. There were procedures to follow and—her stomach heaved suddenly, and she whirled, her foot sliding in the spreading blood as she scrambled for the trash bin. She’s still in the dress she wore to their engagement party, her hair half down in, makeup smudged.

Hair falls in the trashcan, and she gags as vomit catches in it.

She straightened slowly and made a face. Wonderful. There was now a dead body on the floor and vomit in her hair. The night was definitely on a downward spiral.

There is a sharp knock on the front door, but Charlie doesn’t move to answer.

She shouldn’t have called Ella, but it happened before she could think, while Wallace was still gasping, his eye shocked and angry while she fumbled for her phone and stood over him.

“Charlie?”

The voice breaks the cocoon of distance, and she draws in a shuddering breath.

“Oh holy fuck.” EJ breathes the curse like a prayer and stumbles across the room to grab Charlie, yanking her around. Her eyes and hands are frantic as she looks over the other woman, and a hysterical giggle works it’s way up Charlie’s throat and bubbles over.

EJ goes still and watchful, her sharp blue eyes locked onto Charlie’s. “Charlie, I need you to focus on me. Tell me what happened.”

The words snap her laughter off and Charlie shudders, a full body spasm that makes EJ’s hands on her shoulders tighten for a heartbeat.

11935692_10153086184983342_404145659_o

About the Author:

Nazarea Andrews (N to almost everyone) is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. Which means she writes everything from zombies and dystopia to contemporary love stories. When not writing, she can most often be found driving her kids to practice and burning dinner while she reads, or binging watching TV shows on Netflix. N loves chocolate, wine, and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, spoiled cat and overgrown dog. She is the author of World Without End series, Neverland Found, Edge of the Falls, and The University of Branton Series. Stop by her twitter (@NazareaAndrews) and tell her what fantastic book she should read next.

 

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Street Team | Newsletter | Instagram

 

 

 

 

3 Seconds by Bethany Lopez…. Review & Giveaway

5145NmS0WDL._SX317_BO1,204,203,200_ [645936]

Title: 3 Seconds

Author: Bethany Lopez Release Date: August 25, 2015

Synopsis:

A lot can happen in 3 Seconds. It’s the space of time between walking onstage and stepping up to the mic. It’s that moment when your eyes meet across a crowded room and the chemistry between you is undeniable. Bronagh has accomplished a lot in her thirty-five years. A successful pub owner and happy divorcée, she’s learned to enjoy life, but have realistic expectations. Her past has taught her that it’s best not to depend on others, but that doesn’t mean she won’t sample a tasty morsel when it’s right in front of her. After taking a break from culinary school to travel abroad, Brendan is back and eager to finish what he started. Although he relishes the nights he gets to play with his brothers in their band, and enjoys their healthy supply of groupies, he’s ready to start acting like the twenty-something that he is…a fact he craves to prove with Bronagh. What starts as a one-night-stand becomes more when Bronagh and Brendan realize that they can’t walk away. But can a younger man who’s prone to late nights and scantily-clad women convince a woman who’s been hurt that age doesn’t matter, and he’s the man she needs?

Review

This is my first time reading any books in this series.  You definitely don’t need to read any of the previous ones, to understand what is going on in this book.  However, previous characters are involved in the book, which make me curious about the other stories.

For me personally, I like my books to have more depth to them and the characters more developed.  But I knew going into this story and based on the page amount, that this book wasn’t going to be that.

I enjoyed Brendan and the family dynamics between him and his brothers.  You can sense the closeness between them all.

Bronagh (love this name!) is a very strong and confident woman who has her shit together.

When these two meet, it’s just suppose to be a hook-up and nothing more.  Well, fate wants to hand them a different plate than they both expected.  I enjoyed watching their relationship blossom quickly.

I won’t give too much about the book away aside from that.  I like this book was about people at different points in their lives and the age gap (he’s younger and she’s older)  I think will really please the readers.  And this just proves that age really is just a number.

3 Seconds is an enjoyable and quick read.  It captured my attention and definitely has me wondering about the other stories in this series.

About Author Bethany Lopez:

DSC_8909 [645935]

Award-Winning Author Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in June 2011. She’s a lover of all things romance: books, movies, music, and life, and she incorporates that into the books she writes. When she isn’t reading or writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible. Some of her favorite things are: Kristen Ashley Books, coffee in the morning, and In N Out burgers.

Bethany Lopez is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

Buy Links

iBooks – http://apple.co/1Aws6YV Kindle – http://amzn.to/1JokPPg Smashwords – http://bit.ly/1Js3keQ Nook – http://bit.ly/1E38aPl

Kobo – http://bit.ly/1h3Vzko

TAKES [645932]

Excerpt:

Brendan stepped forward, into the bar, and was immediately surrounded by greedy, shouting women.             That ugly seed of jealousy grew, even as I tried to bury it within me, but I watched as Brendan kept as smile on his face for his fans and scanned above their heads, searching for me. When he found me, his grin grew and I heard him say, “I’m glad you enjoyed the show, ladies, but I’m afraid I’ve got a hot date,” as he sauntered right to me.             I barely registered the chorus of boos and awes, his pull already taking hold of me.             He didn’t pause when he reached me; instead he came at me full force, pulling me into his arms and fusing his lips to mine. The desire that had been building throughout his performance came to a head, and I met his passion full force, opening my lips and inviting him in for a taste.             Just as we were reaching the point of no return, Brendan pulled back and smiled beautifully down at me, his eyes flashing with the heat I knew he was feeling.             “Let’s get out of here.”

3 Seconds teaser [641793]

Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway