Blog Tour – Page 81 – Read-Love-Blog

Book Birthday & GIVEAWAY…The Winemaker’s Dinner: Appetizers

Happy 1st Birthday to The Winemaker’s Dinner: Appetizers!

Omnific is celebrating in a BIG way for this very special first birthday!

There will be fun quotes and pictures on the blogs celebrating and an AMAZING giveaway with great prizes so be sure to enter to win (rafflecopter link is below) and if you haven’t already read The Winemaker’s Dinner Series, what are you waiting for?

Book links:

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Facebook

(yep….that’s me, Jilly, and the dreamy Dr. Ivan….squeeee!)

**psssst….in case you missed it, I got the opportunity to interview Dr. Ivan and you can read all the fun HERE

Synopsis:

Recently named executive chef at one of Miami Beach’s hottest restaurants, Jaden Thorne is determined to make her culinary mark and fulfill her professional dreams. When Jaden is given highly coveted tickets to the ultra-exclusive Winemaker’s Dinner, she jumps at the opportunity to meet South Florida’s wealthiest and most influential food and wine enthusiasts.

Jaden’s eyes are drawn to the VIP section even before the appetizers appear, but she soon finds herself thinking less about networking and more about the intriguingly sexy stranger eying her from across the room. After dinner, what begins as a light-hearted flirtation unexpectedly catapults into a night of explosive passion. But when morning dawns, Jaden leaves her sleeping Mr. Oh So Sexy behind, sure they’ll never see each other again.

Dr. Ivan Rusilko, a handsome, young physician, boasts an extensive resume’ and a well-established position on Miami Beach’s social scene. But despite his success and glamour, he’s routinely had to suffer uninspiring dates and doomed relationships. With a romantic heart, Ivan’s not the love-‘em-and-leave-‘em type. But when he awakens to find that the girl in the red dress has done exactly that, he resolves to find her–only if it’s just to ask why she left without even a kiss goodbye.

The Winemaker’s Dinner is a fictionalized erotic memoir inspired by the romantic triumphs and tragedies of Dr. Ivan Rusilko’s real life. Weaving fact with fantasy, authors Everly Drummond and Dr. Ivan Rusilko have gifted readers with a swoon-worthy flesh-and-blood romantic hero and the intoxicating bouquet only a heartfelt tale of passionate love can create.

About the authors:

Dr. Ivan Rusilko:

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 Winemaker’s 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.

“The best cosmetic procedure is adding a smile.” – Dr Rusilko

Everly Drummond:

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 full length Inked novel, which is scheduled to be released Spring 2013.

Enter to win the amazing contest with prizes that include:

$50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card (winner’s choice)

Custom Silver TWD-centric charm bracelet

Custom Silver TWD charm book mark

Mollydooker Baseball Cap like Ivan wears

Set (3) of signed print books

5 complete series ePack

5 Swag Packs

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Blog Tour & Giveaway….Blood Entangled by Amber Belldene

Title: Blood Entangled (Blood Vine #2)

Author: Amber Belldene

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publication Date: July 23, 2013 by Omnific Publishing

Event organized by: Literati Author Services

Purchase links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Omnific

Synopsis:

Book Two in the Blood Vine series:

KOS MARAS’s orderly life is in shambles—he must distribute Blood Vine to a population of ailing vampires, but Hunters block him at every turn. To make matters worse, each night he watches over a temptingly beautiful woman sleeping in his bed. He is convinced love cannot last a vampire-long lifetime and an entanglement will only cause them grief, but he doesn’t have the heart to send her away.

From a long line of blood servants, LENA ISAAKSON is destined to serve a vampire, but a string of humiliating rejections thwarts her pleasure. When Kos shows her kindness, she hopes he will claim her. Instead he proves himself a coward in the face of love and sends her to serve another.

Will the dark seduction of a rakish new vampire finally bring Lena the pleasure she desires or deliver her into the hands of Hunters who want to destroy everything the Maras family has worked for?

My review:

Blood Entangled is the second book in Amber Belldene’s Blood Vine Series. After falling in love with this series while reading the first book, I was so excited to get my hands on Blood Entangled….and Amber rocked the vampire world once again with this story!

Still reeling and embarrassed from Andre’s rejection, Lena Isaakson is talking solace in the comfort given to her from Andre’s son, Kos. Staying in Kos’s home after leaving the Kastle Estate Winery, and place she’s called home, she has to decide what to do with her life. Lena knows she was born to serve a vampire household as her grandmother had done before her and she thought the estate was that household. While contemplating her next move she starts to realize that her feelings for Kos run far deeper than she expected and thinks he may be the vampire she truly wants to serve.

Kos has more than enough on his plate. Hunters trying to take down his family and their winery and trying to distribute life-saving blood vine wine to dying vampires should be plenty to keep his mind occupied but Lena is all he can think about. She has always held a place in his heart and now, after he offers to take care of her until she decides what to do next, he starts to think there’s no way he can let her leave. Unfortunately, the nagging memories of his mother and Andre’s disastrous love affair can never be erased and he believes love can never last. Looks like the only solution is to find a new household and new vampire for Lena to serve…it may prove to be that hardest thing he’s ever had to do.

Their chemistry is undeniable, but old memories and too many emotions and hurt will lead to many twists in the road for Lena and Kos. Add Ethan Bennett and his hunter’s insatiable appetite for their demise and destruction and the odds are certainly stacked against them. Will what they’ve found between them prove to be worth fighting for and taking a chance?

It was SO great to get back into the Kastle Estate Winery and see where things are headed! Predictable is NOT a word I would use to describe this book, that’s for sure. I wasn’t sure how I would like Lena when I started this book, but by the end of the first chapter I loved her. She is a passionate gal with a wit about her that was unexpected and totally enjoyable. She called Andre a “big mean jerk”…..I’m still laughing at that! She was written so well that I could feel her emotions when she felt rejected and defeated. I was really pulling for her happy ending because she truly deserved it (of course, I can’t tell you if she got it – mwahaha!). Kos is so loyal and focused. He is driven and wants nothing more than to help his father, his race and Lena. He broke my heart every time he would swear off love. Men, vampire or not, can be so stubborn!

There were more than a few surprises in this book and damn, if I didn’t love them! The hunters are still relentless and there was an addition to Ethan’s crew that I’m sure we will be learning more and more about as the series continues because she’s quite a mystery. The last half of this book was packed with *gasp* moments for me. We meet someone who helps solve some old family mysteries and gives hope to Kos and Lena when they need it most but the very last fight with the hunters in this story was the biggest *gasp* moment of them all! Not gonna spoil it for you but I will say I really, REALLY, didn’t think it would play out the way it did. I love that from a book! Again, predictable is NOT a word I’d use.

Thank you, Amber, for another amazing look into the vampire world at Kastle Estate Winery. I will be looking forward to more and more from Andre, Zoey, Kos, Lena, Bel and the whole awesome cast of characters!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

Enter the amazing tour wide giveaway for a chance to win some fabulous prizes!

Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for more Blood Entangled reviews!

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About the Author

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.

Amber is an Episcopal Priest 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 her, because the human desire for love is at the heart of every romance novel and God made people with that desire. She lives with her husband and two children in San Francisco.

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Follow the tour….

Blog Tour stop & Giveaway….The Marriage Merger by Jennifer Probst

How fun is this? For Read-Love-Blog’s stop on Jennifer Probst’s blog tour for her latest release, The Marriage Merger, she gives us the playlist she listened to while writing Sawyer and Julietta’s story……

I also have a paperback copy of The Marriage Merger to giveaway to one lucky winner! Enter in the rafflecopter below!

Oh, and my review for The Marriage Merger can be found HERE

Enjoy!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

From Jennifer:

PLAYLIST FOR THE MARRIAGE MERGER!

Everyone who knows me realizes I’m a huge music lover. I adore a big variety across all genres, and music is key to creating certain characters depending on the book I’m currently working on.

The Marriage Merger was no exception.

The music I listed to over and over on my Ipod made a huge difference as I wrote and developed scenes. The kick ass metal of Guns n Roses. The gorgeous richness of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. The emotional intensity and husky drawl of Daughtry, Rob Thomas, and Bruno Mars. The seductive, sultry beat of Rhianna and Beyonce.

God, I love my job.

Writing my stories with music pounding in my ears helps me get to that magic place where the words flow and the images pop and I lose myself. Lose yourself in the music. A little Eminem there lol!

So, I’m going to share all the songs I had on loop while writing the Marriage Merger. Each means something special to me and helped create a scene or a mood. Enjoy!

1. The Start of Something Good by Daughtry

2. Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N Roses

3. Mockingbird – Rob Thomas

4. You and Me (We Wanted It All)– Frank Sinatra

5. Lose Yourself – Eminem

6. Someone Like You – Adele

7. Aint That A Kick in The Head – Dean Martin

8. I Love You – Climax Blues Band

9. My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up) – Fall Out Boy

10. Master of Puppets – Metallica

11. Overjoyed – Matchbox Twenty

12. Barely Breathing – Lifehouse

13. I Want To F**k You Like An Animal – Nine Inch Nails

14. Never Gonna Leave This Bed – Maroon 5

The Marriage Merger synopsis:

Her sisters have found wedded bliss with their wealthy, wonderful dream men, but not Julietta Conte. She’s stayed on terra firma as top executive of the family’s corporation, La Dolce Famiglia bakery. Work is her passion, and her trendy Milan apartment her sanctuary . . . until Sawyer Wells, a masculine masterpiece in a suit, lures her out of hiding with an irresistible offer: an exclusive partnership with his international chain of boutique hotels.

Julietta’s been burned before—and trusting her brother-in-law’s friend, whose powerful gaze alone has her rethinking the best use of a conference room, is the riskiest proposition. But with a once-in-a-career chance to take the bakery global, will she mix stone-cold business with red-hot seduction?
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About the author:

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. At twelve, I took a pen in hand and wrote my first love story. I haven’t stopped since. Those heroines taught me valuable lessons that served me well. I learned to keep my head up high and surge forward when I was afraid; I learned to demand respect in a relationship; I learned about compromise and dreams and independence. Those are the stories I want to write, and I can only hope I give back some of the joy I received over the years.

I live in the beautiful Hudson Valley in upstate New York. I’ve traveled to many places but always seem to be drawn back to the mountains. I graduated with a business degree, worked for Mercy College, and now spend most days dedicated to my family and my characters. I’ve pursued many career paths such as travel agent, yoga teacher and insurance salesperson. I’ve wanted to be an airline pilot, a dancer, an archaeologist, and a vineyard owner. I have been all of the above through romance novels, and intend to explore many more.

One of my turning points in my career was when I joined Romance Writers of America and met the wonderful people in my local chapter, The Hudson Valley RWA. Through supportive critique sessions, I learned how to develop my raw skills to get a publishable manuscript. I discovered my tendency for wordy prologues and passive phrases that all new writers work through, and now try to help others on their journey.

My “leisure time” is spent writing, reading, and raising two active boys. I believe animals are the other children in this world, and enjoy spending time at the local animal shelter, where I got my first “baby” Bella, a shepherd hound mix who gets into as much trouble as my son! I rescued my second dog from an abusive home, a beagle, basset hound who is the peacemaker in the household.

I met the love of my life when I had finally given up on my own romantic journey. The first time he asked me out he promised to buy my book if he could buy me dinner. We had dinner and fell in love over sushi and haven’t been apart since. We married and settled into domestic bliss. That’s when I learned it wasn’t about happy endings. It was about happy beginnings.

Visit her website

Follow Jennifer on Twitter: @jenniferprobst

Subscribe to her newsletter!

In Stone Blog Tour…..Guest Post with Louise D. Gornall

Thanks for joining us for the In Stone Blog Tour!

Today, I am lucky have Louise on the blog with a super fun guest post about writing a kissing scene and the embarrassment that came with it!

There is also a tour-wide giveaway happening with some really fun things Louise is giving away. Be sure to enter to win in the rafflecopter below.

Louise’s guest post:

That time I wrote a kissing scene and the embarrassment almost killed me…

I have this friend — she’s not one of those fictional friends that’s really me. She actually exists, I swear — anyway, she doesn’t like writing the love stuff because it makes her feel uncomfortable and this one time she asked me how I managed it. Truth is, it took practice.

I LOVE love, and I love kissing, but in real time that’s an intimate moment between two people, right? Transferring those few seconds on to paper for the world and his wife to read is a brand new ball game. In the very first draft of my book there was no kissing at all because the idea made my insides curl. But the first piece of feedback I ever got from a CP amounted to ‘Erm…why is there no lip locking in this story?’ Her disappointment was palpable and I could totally get on board with that because every book I read has a romantic element in it. I feel cheated when no one is kissing, and honestly, I do like to know how a dude kisses before I can officially add him to my book boyfriend collection. So you guys might be thinking well in that case it doesn’t make sense not to have kissing in your story, all I can tell you is reading kissing & writing kissing are two different things entirely. It’s the difference between butchering Celine Dion in your bedroom mirror and standing on stage doing it on a karaoke.

Instead of fessing up to how awkward writing kissing made feel I gave it some serious thought and decided to give it another shot.

So, there’s me, pacing up and down my bedroom, devouring everything ever written by Simone Elkeles and Jennifer Echols as my computer gives me the stinkeye from a darkened corner. When I’m done freaking out I start tapping away, writing phrases like twisting tongues and frenzied lips. Obviously I’m thinking readers are going to judge the way I kiss based on how I make my characters kiss. And then, when that thought is done turning my cheeks pink, red, scarlet, I’m thinking I hope my dear, sweet, grey-haired old Grandma doesn’t ever read this and think I was french kissing boys at sixteen. I mean, I was, but that’s besides the point. There are some things you never want your gran — who still references the tooth fairy and insists on cutting the crusts off your sandwiches — to know, you know?

The time came to submit my story to my CP and all I could think about was her reading that kiss. I’d convinced myself that my feedback was going to focus on the saliva swapping moment …so I was kind of confused when I got my feedback and the kiss wasn’t even mentioned. I was disappointed. Yep. When I asked her about it there was a definite *shrug* tone to her email, which fitted the I-don’t-know-what-you-were-worried-about feedback that followed. Turns out people weren’t thinking what I thought they were.

Writing first kisses has fast become one of my favorite things about YA. In fact, I spend more time writing and perfecting first time kissing scenes than I do writing anything else. As with everything practice makes perfect, and you know, there are worse things in writing to work on.

~Thanks so much for stopping by, Louise! xo Jillian

Book Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Kobo

Synopsis:

Beau Bailey is suffering from a post-break-up meltdown when she happens across a knife in her local park and takes it home. Less than a week later, the new boy in school has her trapped in an alley; he’s sprouted horns and is going to kill Beau unless she hands over the knife.

Until Eighteenth-century gargoyle, Jack, shows up to save her.

Jack has woken from a century-long slumber to tell Beau that she’s unwittingly been drafted into a power struggle between two immortal races: Demons and Gargoyles. The knife is the only one in existence capable of killing immortals and they’ll tear the world apart to get it back. To draw the warring immortals away from her home, Beau goes with Jack in search of the mind-bending realm known as the Underworld, a place where they’ll hopefully be able to destroy the knife and prevent all hell from breaking loose. That is, provided they can outrun the demons chasing them.
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About the author:

Louise is a graduate of Garstang Community Academy. She is currently studying for a BA (Hons) in English language and literature with special emphasis on creative writing. YA aficionado. Brit bird. Film nerd. Identical twin. Junk food enthusiast. Rumored pink Power Ranger. Zombie apocalypse 2012 survivor. She is also an avid collector of book boyfriends.

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Blog Tour & Review….This Love by Nazarea Andrews

I am so happy to be a part of the Blog Tour for THIS LOVE by Nazarea Andrews!

Hope you enjoy my review and thanks for stopping by!

Buy from Amazon ~ Buy from Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

She wants a summer job and a ride to a wedding.

He wants an assistant and a distraction from the mess life his had become.

They didn’t know they needed each other.

Avery Emili needs two grand. Two grand and a plane ticket–her sister is counting on her to get to Jamaica for her wedding. But the semester is over, and tutoring college freshman and high school students has dried up until the fall.

Atticus Grimes needs help–the messy split with his wife left the twenty-eight year old professor scrambling to keep things together as the semester winds down. Now he’s got a research grant he has to actually do research for and all he wants to do is drown himself in a tall bottle of bourbon.

When Avery sees his ad for an assistant, all she’s thinking is a summer job. But as they spend time together, in the office and out, both of them begin to realize something is there. Something that can’t happen–he’s a professor and she’s a student. And both of them have histories, pasts that won’t let go. Can two broken people pulled apart by expectations find a way to be whole?

My Review:

This Love is the first work I’ve read from author Nazarea Andrews and is the first in her University of Branton Series. Well, she’s got a new fan in this blogger. I devoured this book….it was famtastic!

Avery Emili needs two things during this summer break at college….she needs to make some good money for a plane ticket to get to her sister’s wedding and she needs a reason not to go home for summer break. Easier said than done when the college town you live in turns into a ghost town during the summer months. So when she finds an add for a research assistant in her area of study, she thinks she’s found the perfect job….until she sees who she will be working for. A deliciously handsome young professor complete with perfectly mussed dark hair and tattoos peeking out from his dress shirt. Surley she would be able to keep her mind out of the gutter and keep things professional….right?

Atticus Grimes looks around at the mess of paperwork, files, pizza boxes and realizes he’s desperately in need of some help. His lif has been turned upsidedown after he left his marriage and his work is suffering now, too. He’s relied on help from his best friend, which apparently included a Craigslist add for a research assistant he had no clue was placed. Unfortunately, as he sits across from a beautiful and charming applicant, he can’t be upset about the surprise ad. He’s gotta get focused on getting stuff back on track…he has a feeling this applicant may be exactly what he needs, in more ways than one.

Atticus and Avery both have there own versions of a painful past and in need of healing. Little do they know that they just may be able to find that in each other.

So, I started this book on a Friday night and was finished by Saturday afternoon. Yes, it was that good. It was flirty and fun and emotional and perfectly balanced. Atticus, or shall I call him Professer Hottiepants, is delectable. He is smart, sexy, playful and broken, all of which makes for a great book guy. Avery is equally smart, playful, beautiful and also broken. Together they just work. Really, really well. They play off of one another beautifully and build such exquisite sexual tension. The scenes between them are emotional and damn sexy…really well done *fans self* totally yummy. This is one of those books that pulls you in from the very beginning and doesn’t let up until the last page.

I cannot wait for this book to release so all of you can grab yourself a copy, settle in by the pool or on the beach, and enjoy some quality time with Professor Hottiepants and Avery! Thank you, Ms. Andrews, for an amazing story! I am really looking forward to more of the University of Branton Series! *cough, Dane, cough*

Five Loves

About the author:

Nazarea Andrews is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. She loves chocolate 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, and overgrown dog.

Facebook ~ Twitter.

Blog Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway…Officer Off Limits by Tessa Bailey

Happy Tuesday! As you may know, I am a huge fan of Tessa Bailey so I am super excited to be a part of the Officer Off Limits Blog Tour!

Tessa was kind enough to stop by for a guest post today and I can’t wait for you to read what she has to say about the always delicious alpha male hero.

Also, I’m giving away an eCopy of OFFICER OFF LIMITS to one lucky reader! Enter to win in the rafflecopter below.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iBooks ~ Kobo

Synopsis:

His need to possess her is non-negotiable.

Story Brooks’ fiancé just called off their wedding two weeks before the happy day. As if that isn’t bad enough, her semi-estranged father, an infamous NYPD hostage negotiator, has suffered a heart attack. Not wanting to examine her lack of emotion over the broken engagement, she hops on a plane to reconnect with her father before it’s too late.

Playboy hostage negotiator Daniel Chase has never, not once, been refused by a woman, so when a debate over hospital snack foods with a delectable kindergarten teacher ends in flat-out rejection, he makes it his mission to seduce her. His only obstacle? She’s the daughter of his mentor who implicitly forbade Daniel from pursuing her.

Despite her father’s warnings and Daniel’s troubled past, Daniel and Story can’t resist their intense attraction to one another. But when the reason for her fiancé’s abrupt wedding cancellation comes to light, can Story and Daniel’s already forbidden relationship survive?

Guest Post:

What Makes an Alpha Male so Alluring to a Gal?

“The simple answer is DNA. Hear me out.

Women can pretty much do anything. I realized this right around the time I gave birth to another human being. I was lying there thinking, oh my god, I could conquer France right now if I so desired. And still fit in an hour of Pilates. I’m like, a freaking warrior and I had no idea. As times have changed and women have moved into positions of power (I’m not just talking about in the corporate world, I’m talking about everywhere, even at home), we’ve been conditioned to meet men halfway. Pick the restaurants, pay half the check and find your own damn way home. All this on top of acting like you cringe in the face of commitment just so homeboy doesn’t freak out and make a break for it before your main course arrives. That’s if you’re lucky enough for him to spring for dinner.

So…this is what we wanted right? To be equal in all things, including love? Yes and no. In the workplace or when making household decisions, we obviously deserve to have a voice that counts. But when it comes to the dynamic in our relationships (this is where the DNA comes in) we, as women, have a built-in mechanism that…hmmm…wouldn’t mind a man taking care of us a little. Even just for an hour in bed. It’s not something that should make us ashamed or feel inadequate. It should increase our feeling of power because we’re ultimately being revered. Cherished. Yay, us.

My best friends, twenty-something girls trying to navigate the dating scene here in New York, have such a difficult time figuring out what a man wants from them. These guys flirt like crazy, then don’t ask them out, leaving the ball in the woman’s court. For once, wouldn’t it be nice to have a man tell you exactly what he’s thinking? Where the hell he wants the evening to go? Mystery is overrated, in my opinion.

Enter my heroes

They are alpha males that say very bad things. Things maybe the heroine didn’t realize she wanted to hear all along. She should be offended, but instead she’s turned on. A man who knows exactly what he wants and isn’t afraid to voice that desire is sexy as all get-out. That is why alpha males appeal to women. It eliminates the guesswork and throws in a whole lot of sexy excitement.”

Enter to win an eCopy of OFFICER OFF LIMITS here and for more stops, and more fun, on the Blog Tour, click HERE

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About the author:

Tessa lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and young daughter. When she isn’t writing or reading romance, Tessa enjoys a good argument and thirty-minute recipes.

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Blog Tour….Emerge by S.E. Hall

Welcome to the Emerge by S.E. Hall blog tour! Thank you for stopping by! Please enjoy the excerpt below and be sure to add Emerge to your to-read list…

Buy from Amazon

Synopsis:

Emerge is Laney Walker’s story; an 18 yr old quick witted, athletic, southern girl who lets few get too close and uses her sarcastic zingers to deflect most situations. This is her coming of age journey…starting at a new college, with a new softball team and a quirky roommate, all while living in a co-ed dorm.

One night.
Dane Kendrick.
It changes all which she thought she knew and awakens something, someone, within her that she didn’t know existed.

A tale of friendship, loyalty, first love, primal love and…life.

Excerpt:

This party is actually pretty fun and I like almost everyone here. Kaitlyn has obviously nominated herself the non-designated driver. She’s chugging drinks down and flirting with every guy here, including Evan. I’m happy just sitting on my bale by the fire actually giggling a bit at her, when Matt Davis quickly slides in the empty spot Evan left in search of some non-barley based drinks for us.

“Hey, Laney. To what do we owe the honor?” Matt slurs.

“You don’t owe me anything, but I’m flattered you consider it an honor,” I retort, with a snap in my voice. I’m not oblivious to the fact that Matt has always had a “thing” for me, one I do not reciprocate. I’ve often wondered if he’s the culprit behind the creepy notes, but he’s had an alibi on too many occurrences.

“You want a drink?”

“No thanks, Matt. How are you getting home tonight?” He’s not a completely bad guy and I for sure don’t want to see him hurt.

“I don’t know. Wanna gimme a ride?”

“I didn’t drive tonight.”

“That’s okay; you can still give me a ride.”

Oh, isn’t he clever? His drunken innuendo doesn’t warrant a response and it’s not the right time for Evan to walk up, I assure you. Matt’s legs are dangling in the air before I even register it completely, as he’s lifted by his shirt collar in one of Evan’s huge hands.

“You’ve got five seconds to apologize to the lady,” Evan growls.

“Geez, sorry, Laney, I was just kidding,” Matt musters insincerely.

I don’t tell him it’s okay, because it’s not, but I do say, “put him down, Ev, so not worth it.”

“You sure, Laney? Your call.”

“Yes, I’m sure, Brutus. Put him down and let’s take a walk?” I don’t have to ask him twice. Matt’s flat on his ass and Evan’s at my side in a flash. Walking away for a little breather, I latch my arm through his. “What’s up with you?” I nudge him.

He shrugs. What’s this? Evan never broods. He’s my rock, my Mr. Grain of Salt.

“Evan, it was no big deal. Just a drunk comment by a boy scorned. Why are you stressing over it?”

“I can’t stand the way he talks to you. Not to mention, he’s always staring at you and talking about you; he’s obsessed. I don’t like it one damn bit, I’m on to him. If I find out he’s the one stalking you…” He runs his hand through his hair and blows out a breath. “I’ll kill him.”

The silence seems to go on forever, but Evan needs a minute to calm down and I don’t dare chance saying the wrong thing right now.

“And the first guy brave enough to hit on you, and that’s how he goes about it?”

“What does that mean? Brave enough to hit on me?”

“You really have no idea, do you?”

I just stare at him, my expression reminiscent of my “trying to solve quadratic equations” face.

He sighs and cast his eyes down. “Laney, you’re that girl. The one guys make up in their head when they put all the best parts together to make one perfect girl. The man who gets you to actually pay attention, well, he’ll be the luckiest guy on the planet, and he’ll know it. All that, and the fact that you never date, is pretty damn intimidating.”

There’s a flutter in my chest; does he mean I’m the perfect girl made in his head? Is he intimidated by me?

He moves closer now, I can feel the heat coming off his body. Yes, Evan, find the courage. And then his hand is cupping my cheek, and I instinctively lean in to it, a little gasp of air escaping my lips.

I’ve never imagined this with Evan, it’s never occurred to me to even dare hope what he felt for me was more than a protective best friend. Good thing, I would have done the fantasy no justice. His thumb brushes my bottom lip and I realize…I could be swinging a bat, casting a reel, and driving a truck all at the same time, but I’m still 100% woman.

I think I speak out loud. “Are you intimidated, Evan?”

He leans over, touching his forehead to mine as he takes a deep breath. His nose brushes along mine, his whisper on my lips. “Not anymore, I’m done with that, and I’m done not kissing you. All you have to do is say no, precious girl. But please, please….just say yes.”

As I whisper “yes,” his mouth takes mine. His lips are soft and gentle, sending a sizzle throughout me. His hand glides from my cheek to the hair behind my ear, stroking it slowly, over and over again. He breaks contact to lean back slightly, meeting my eyes, and a whiny protest from the loss escapes me. I’m positive he sees a confusing mixture of happiness, shock, and…lust?

“Again?” he asks me in a low grumble.

I leave the question unanswered, putting one hand firmly on the back of his neck, the other over his heart, feeling that hard chest and rapid beat under my palm, and pull him hard against my lips. He groans and steps in so his body is flush against mine as I open to allow him free reign of my mouth. Our tongues tangle together, knowing each other just as Evan and I do.

My mind is racing as quickly as my pulse, but instinct takes over as my hands move all over him. His solid arms, firm shoulders, strong back…tight ass. I can’t feel enough of him in this moment and lose myself to the desire consuming me. His sweet murmurs along my neck, jaw, in my ear spur me on, almost to the point of no return, until loud squeals from the party rip through our haze.

All at once, I remember where we are and that anyone could walk upon us. It also shames me that I was careless enough to leave Kaitlyn alone this whole time while I fondle my best friend in a field, so I regretfully pull back. Evan’s eyes take a while to slowly open and find mine, but in them I see everything I need to, overpowering any inkling I might have had about regret or embarrassment. In those blue pools, there’s no second guessing, these are not the eyes of my “friend.” I know my Evan, and he liked it. I really liked it, beyond my wildest dreams that I never had.

“Come on,” I say almost painfully, “we have to get back and check on Kaitlyn.”

His shoulders slump and he rolls his eyes, but finally grabs my hand and interlaces our fingers. We’ve held hands a million times, but never like this. It feels good, I feel secure, but most of all—I start to believe what people have said here and there in recent years…I feel beautiful.

Evan tugs on my hand slightly, slowing me up some, and turns me to him. “Laney,” he barely whispers, “can you do one thing for me? “

He could say climb Mt. Everest right now and I’d agree. The look on his face is so sexy and now that I know how that mouth feels…wait, what was the question?

“Yessss?” Am I flirting?

“Can we pretend you’re really mine, just mine, Evan Mitchell Allen’s, at least for tonight?”

I think of the gentle hand on my cheek, the soft then rougher kiss, the protection from Matt, the #14 on his back every week, the Disney movie marathons, and I say, without a doubt in my mind, “with pleasure.”

The smile that spreads across his face and the fist pump I doubt he realizes he’s just thrown assure me I should feel as good about my answer as I do. At least for tonight…is that all I want? All he wants? I refuse to overanalyze right now; this is new, overwhelming, and exhilarating…I’m just gonna ride this wave without worrying; there’s a first time for everything.

I’m not sure which of us sets the pace for the walk back, but neither speeds it up. Once back, still hand in hand, I immediately notice that Kaitlyn is slow dancing with Matt, so she’s definitely way past drunk, or maybe he used a better line on her. Whatever. As long as I can see his hands, I’ll let her enjoy herself. Evan nudges me, so I look up.

“Dance with me?” Evan asks with an eyebrow raised and sexy plea in his eyes.

It’s “Big Green Tractor” by Jason Aldean in the background; we both love this song. I nod.

Evan sings the song softly in my ear as we dance. He has no idea what a good singer he is, and apparently my body just received the memo tonight as well. All the times we’ve cruised around together, singing at the top of our lungs, or played iPods while we fished…it did not have this effect on me. Why oh why could this not be the longest song ever written???

When the song ends, Evan guides us to settle in on staggered bales. Evan sits behind me and I lean back between his legs. He’s pressed against my back and his hands rest on my shoulders, hanging over slightly. His pinky moves up and down the outside of my arm, lightly, but I feel it.

Oh, do I feel it.

Turning my head to look back at him, I give him a smile. His own reflects back to me as much happiness as I’m feeling. It always feels good being around Evan, but something has shifted and now it feels even better. Consumed by these new stirrings and the cover of the night sky, I’m emboldened. I place my hand on his thigh and pull his leg in until it’s tight against me, hearing his sharp intake of breath. His body stiffens for a moment and then relaxes with his exhale.

“How long are we staying?” I ask quietly.

“We can leave whenever you’re ready. I’m only here because you are.” He tucks my hair behind one ear as he says it and I’ve never felt more feminine in my life.

“I’ll be right back,” I say as I get up to go wrangle Kaitlyn home.

I secure a ride for Matt, who again apologizes for his earlier behavior, probably because he and Kaitlyn think it’d be a great idea for her to ride with them; which I respond to with a laughing “hell no.”

Holding Kaitlyn up as we wait for Evan to bring the truck proves to be a challenge and I wonder how I’ll get her past my dad. Her rancid breath is really testing the duties of friendship right now…and if she pukes in Evan’s truck, Lord help her.

“Laney, did you have fun?!” Kaitlyn shrieks from the backseat when we’re finally loaded.

“I actually had one of the best nights of my life. Thanks for making me go,” I tell her, casting a sidelong glance at Evan. So worth it; the smile on his face as he reaches for my hand is one I will never forget.

“Me too, beautiful. Me too.”

About the author:

S.E.Hall resides in Arkansas with her husband of 17 years and 3 beautiful daughters. When not in the stands watching her ladies play softball, she enjoys reading YA and NA romance.

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Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway….Suddenly Beautiful by Boone Brux

I am super excited to be a part of the blog tour for Suddenly Beautiful by Boone Brux! If you haven’t read anything by Boone, I highly recommend you get her work on your to-read list.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the excerpt from Suddenly Beautiful below and be sure to enter the rafflecopter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Book links:

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Synopsis:

Being the son of Aphrodite isn’t a walk in the clouds. Rebelling against his demi-god status, billionaire make-up mogul Toraos Stephanos fights to separate his personal life and the immortal world by swearing off demi-god girlfriends forever. Too bad his newest employee can’t take the hint.

Though Nikki secretly pines for her smoking hot boss, no way will she jeopardize her job and independence professing her love to a guy so clearly out of her league. Too bad that leaves her with only imagining him naked and thinking evil thoughts about the new girl.

After a single bottle of Ambrosia and one night of passion… Nikki finally thinks she has a chance with the man of her dreams. But the next morning, Tor pretends like nothing happened, leaving Nikki with an emerging drive for combat—after all, turns out she is the daughter of Ares and she’s about to make her mama proud.

All is fair in love and war… and Nikki’s not about to let anyone forget it.

Excerpt:

His fingers wrapped around her upper arm and he started to walk, semi-dragging her with him. “You seemed to have hit it off nicely with Creed.”

She did a little skip to keep up with his long strides. “He’s a nice guy. I think he’ll fit in well here.”

“Do you?”

She leaned away from him. The lighting had been turned down, so it was difficult to see his face. Was he angry? His tone said he certainly wasn’t happy. “Is something wrong?”

“What would be wrong?” His hand slid from her arm to rest on her waist. “I just don’t like my assistant flirting with the new boy.”

“I wasn’t flirting.” Well, maybe she had been a little bit, but never once in the six years she’d worked for Tor had he ever shown concern in her private life or interests. What was he up to now? His fingers splayed against her lower back, pulling her a little closer to him. Her ire melted and warmth spread through her, sending butterflies up into her chest. It was odd and exhilarating to have him touch her. Contact had been minimal up until now, an elbow brush in the car, finger touches when handing him files, but nothing beyond that. A strange notion hit her. Was he jealous? She tested out the idea. “But it might be nice to go on a date if he asked. I think we have a lot in common.”

His hold tightened. “Do you?”

Okay, something was definitely wrong. His hand stopped pushing her along and began a tiny stroking motion against her waist, and a tremor of pleasure skated through her. She struggled to wrap her mind around the fact that Toraos Stephanos was jealous, which meant he must be interested in her. Wait, did it mean he was interested, or just being an overly possessive boss who was afraid of losing his underpaid, overly fervent assistant?

He stumbled and fell against her. Whether on purpose or accident, the hand on her waist made a bold move upward to her breast.

“Whoa there.” Her reaction was swift but futile. The man was strong and his hand determined. A zing of desire shot through her when his fingers found her nipple through her jacket. “We—uhhh.” His thumb pressed against her, drawing her to a tight peak. What had she been going to say? With Herculean effort, she pushed his hand down to rest at her waist. He stumbled again. “Are you drunk?”

He mumbled something she couldn’t understand into her hair. Of course he was drunk. He’d just fondled his assistant.
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About the author:

As a multi-published and an award winning author, Boone’s writing drips with experiences from real life.

Addicted to anything that might make a good story, she weaves tales that range from dark fantasy to humorous romance. Settled in the icy regions of Alaska with the love of her life and twin daughters, it’s not uncommon to find her tapping away on her iPad on a windy beach or the barren tundra.

Be warned, anyone and everything is fodder for one of Boone’s novels.

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