December 2013

Cover Reveal…Prince of Blood and Steel by Nazarea Andrew & A.J. Elmore

Welcome to the cover reveal for Prince of Blood and Steel by Nazarea Andrew & A.J. Elmore. Be sure to check out the fabulous teasers below as well as enter the giveaway…the grand prize is a signed ARC of Prince of Blood and Steel, special first-look at a deleted scene, and a swag pack (US only). And 2 Runners up will win an ebook copy. How awesome?!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

January 2014

Goodreads

Synopsis:

The exiled heir has returned home….

Seth Morgan has returned to New York to find his family’s crime syndicate in shambles and his brother, Caleb, plotting a coup. When a vicious retaliation puts Caleb in the ground, the younger prince is left to find his own answers in a family that feels like strangers.

A sheltered princess no one needs….

Emma Morgan has lived her life in the syndicate, protected and sheltered from their way of life. When her favorite cousin returns and asks for her assistance, she doesn’t hesitate—she’s been loyal to Seth most of her life. But the more they dig into the mysteries surrounding Caleb’s death, the more both are forced to realize that the most dangerous thing isn’t the crime they broker—it’s the family they’ve trusted.

Giveaway:

Grand prize: Win a signed ARC of Prince of Blood and Steel, special first-look at a deleted scene, and a swag pack (US only). 2 Runners up: Win an ebook copy.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Information

AJ and Nazarea became friends in a writers group. Drawn together by a love of fictional bad boys and good wine, they are best kept several states apart but rack up a ton of emails and text messages arguing plot points.

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.

Site – http://www.nazareaandrews.com/

Blog – http://www.nazarea-andrews.blogspot.com/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/NazareaAndrews

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nazarea-Andrews/43623123516

“The Infects” Street Team – https://www.facebook.com/groups/427502530700422/

Aj has seven tattoos, two dogs, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She enjoys live music, and a diverse range of writing styles and genres. She has been writing creatively and therapeutically since childhood. She also supports artist collaboration and cross-media projects. She is an advocate of experience as inspiration. She lives and works in southern West Virginia as a bartender novelist.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aj-Elmore-author-muse/329812783118

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MissVish

The World Without a Future by Nazarea Andrews…Blog Tour Stop & Excerpt

Welcome to my stop on The World Without a Future by Nazarea Andrews Blog Tour.

I am beyond excited to have an excerpt to share with you today as well as the tour wide giveaway information.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

The World Without a Future by Nazarea Andrews

December 2013

Book links:

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

She was born the day the world ended…

Nurrin has lived her entire life with zombies—trapped behind walls meant to keep them safe. She’s mostly happy there. But when a zombie horde breech the walls of her Haven, she has to trust her brother, Collin, and his best friend to keep her alive.

He just wants his past to die…

Finn O’Malley has given up on voicing warnings that are ignored. No one cares that the zombies are changing. Now all that matters is keeping Collin and Nurrin safe from what’s outside the walls of a Haven. But when Nurrin’s best friend picks up a contact infection, he agrees to get the medicine needed to save his life. Forced together, relying on each other in a strange Haven, zombies aren’t the most dangerous thing they’re facing.

Excerpt:

The black man takes a half step forward, but Lori stops him with a single hand. Neither says anything to me as I escort Nurrin out of the tiny room. Another fight has started, and I drag her into the crowd, tugging her until her back is pressed against my front. She’s stiff and furious,

her breasts heaving under the material of her dress. “We can’t leave—Lori is watching, and it’s safest if we enjoy the Underground before we make a departure.” “So we’ll watch men pummel each other until Lori loses interest?” she hisses. It’s the first thing she’s said since we entered the Underground, and I’m pleased to hear how steady her voice is. “Unless something else in the Underground captured your interest,” I say. She inhales sharply, licking her lips. My dick hardens, and there’s nothing I can do to keep it from her, not with her pressed against me. I’m not willing to let her go. “What the hell, Finn?” she whispers, furious. “Chemical reaction, Ren. Nothing to worry about.” My words are dismissive, my tone condescending, but she twists, staring at me with curious, probing eyes. I see a question in them, but I don’t have an answer, and if she keeps staring at me, her lips inches from mine, I’ll kiss her and the consequences be damned. “Eyes on the fight, little girl,” I murmur.

Giveaway:

Nazarea is giving away a really awesome prize! The grand prize winner will receive a zombie survival kit and 25 edited pages of the manuscript and swag — with notes from Nazarea. A runner up will receive the zombie survival kit and swag. This contest is US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Site – http://www.nazareaandrews.com/

Blog – http://www.nazarea-andrews.blogspot.com/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/NazareaAndrews

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nazarea-Andrews/43623123516

“The Infects” Street Team – https://www.facebook.com/groups/427502530700422/

Cover Reveal…Client No.5 By Joy Fulcher

Title: Client No. 5

Author: Joy Fulcher

Genre: Erotic Romance

Publication Date: January 7, 2014

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis:

Ally loves her job. She makes good money, has great work friends, and lives in the best city in the world.

Sure, being an upscale escort has its downfalls. The sex is usually bad, and it’s always about satisfying the client’s needs, not one’s own. But Ally didn’t end up in this business for lack of other opportunities. She’s good at what she does and is proud she can command a high price for it. What Ally really gets out of it, though, is a sense of freedom, of power and control that she severely lacks in her private life. She’s closed off from everyone around her, including herself.

Everything gets thrown into chaos, however, when she gets the call for a new client, her fifth of the night. Scott Walker is different. He’s a young go-getter executive accustomed to getting whatever he wants. And ultimately he doesn’t want Ally’s body; he wants her heart. But that’s the one thing she refuses to give up.

Ally is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: to stay in her comfort zone or step outside it for someone who might just be worth the risk.

If you think you’ve read every story about a hooker with a heart of gold, think again. Sexy and edgy, Client No.5 will seduce you into the intimate world of a high-class call girl, strutting its stilettos into the raw, erotic territory Pretty Woman feared to tread.

Add to Goodreads

A note from the author:

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for participating in the cover reveal of my début novel, Client No 5. I love the cover and hope it has you all curious about the book. I’ve got a fun competition running over on my website – www.joyfulcherbooks.com – where you can win some great prizes. So, come on over and get your camera ready to participate.

About the Author:

Joy is a fiery redhead who takes full advantage of the Australian lifestyle, sunning herself on tropical beaches and flirting with handsome lifeguards. She loves cats, books and chocolate, and of course the male physique. Joy started writing as a teenager and never stopped, although she writes about much more mature topics now. You can often find Joy browsing the shelves of her local bookstore or researching her favorite city, New York, in preparation of fulfilling her lifelong dream to live there one day.

Connect with Joy: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Review…Tinsel My Heart by Christi Barth

Tinsel My Heart Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Becca Huntley’s produced the Lyndale Park Players’ over-the-top Christmas show for ten years. It’s a beloved Minneapolis tradition, and the theater’s main fundraiser. But this year’s production is in danger of being canceled when their director disappears into rehab. Good thing his directing partner steps in to save the day. Except for the minor fact that he hates everything about Christmas.

Jack Whittaker wiped this town off his shoe with his graduation tassel and never looked back. But duty compels him to fulfill Tyler’s promise to direct the show. Even though it means working with Becca, the girl he always wanted, lost to Ty, but never forgot.

It’ll take more than a few handfuls of tinsel to soften Jack’s heart toward Becca’s favorite holiday. Steamy kisses that melt the snow right off his boots are a step in the right direction. They’ll both discover that Christmas is about making each other’s dreams come true. But will it require sacrificing their chance at a happily-ever-after together?

My review:

Tinsel My Heart is a holiday novella by author Christi Barth and is part of the All I’m Asking For: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology. I adored this read and, in fact, it may actually be my favorite work from Christi!

The pressure to put on the Lyndale Park Players’ annual Christmas show and fundraiser has never been greater for Becca Huntley. And of course, this is the year that the show may not go on. In an attempt to raise money for a new home for the LPP, they decided to make this year’s show into a DVD to sell. Ty, her childhood friend and famous movie director, agreed to donate his time and make it happen. Now, only a few weeks before LPP needs to make the move to a new home and have their funds raised, the director ends up in rehab. At a loss for what to do next, Becca is shocked when Ty’s directing partner and also a childhood friend, Jack Whittaker, comes to the rescue. Figures that the guy she’s had a crush on since a kid and the biggest Grinch she’s even known would be here to help. Becca’s new mission is to change Jack’s mind about Christmas and try to keep her old feelings at bay…..the latter of those two not looking promising.

Jack Whittaker couldn’t believe the mess he was in now, thanks to his best friend and business partner Ty. He never wanted to step foot in his hometown again, especially at Christmas. Now, facing all of the bad memories of being made fun of all through his childhood, he has to direct the annual Christmas play. He was going to kill Ty when he gets out of rehab. The only saving grace in this whole mess is that he would be working with Becca. The girl he’s had an insane crush on for as long as he can remember. Seeing her again may be the only thing that keeps him sane during this Christmas hell. Seeing her again also makes him realize he has to tell her how much she means to him and how much he needs her. She’s the one that could thaw out his frozen heart.

This story was fantastic from start to finish. They backstory between Ty, Jack and Becca really added to things. The way they were the three amigos when they were kids was a layer to the story that I enjoyed. I loved that Becca and Jack had a mutual hidden attraction for years and finally have a chance to act on it. Becca is a loyal and caring gal with a big heart for the ones she loves. I admired how much she put into making this show work. Jack was a tough nut to crack, if I do say so myself. Not that I didn’t love him from the very beginning, but in that Becca sure had her work cut out! He is also loyal and kind to the people he holds close which is at odds with the gruff exterior he displays. I fell in love with him even more when we learned about his childhood and how rough it was for him growing up in a small town and being labeled a poor kid. It absolutely broke my heart. Becca, knowing how difficult it was for Jack to be back, was there for him and it was beautiful to see them reconnect but in a much deeper way than they ever had….and it was sexy and hot and oh-so-delicious! Oh, and the ending scene? So. Freaking. Perfect!

I highly recommend this holiday read. So, grab some hot cocoa, sit by the fire and enjoy! Thank you, Christi, for a heartwarming story!

Five Loves

All I’m Asking For: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Put love on your wish list

This Christmas, the producer of a small-town holiday spectacular is swept away by a handsome Hollywood director. Being stranded in a snowstorm offers a couple a second chance at a future together. And an American in London helps a brooding Brit put the ghosts of Christmas past behind him. Wherever you are, however you celebrate, this collection of three festive novellas will bring warmth to your holiday season.

Edited by Angela James, this anthology includes:

Tinsel My Heart by Christi Barth
Season of Second Chances by Brighton Walsh
Mine Under the Mistletoe by Kat Latham

Stories also available for purchase separately.

About the author:

Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage.

A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance.

Christi is President of the Maryland Romance Writers and lives in Maryland with her husband.

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

ARC Review…Out of the Ashes by Diana Gardin

Out of the Ashes releases December 12

Goodreads

Synopsis:

Out of the frying pan and into the fire…

Paige Hill is discovering who she is again after losing everything she loves in a tragic fire. She’s endured a long road to recovery with the help of her best fiend Gillian and is finally beginning her life again: college, a job, and a blossoming love she never even saw coming.

Clay Forbes is the notorious campus playboy. He’s a star athlete, a senior architecture major, and the only son in a family with power and money back in his hometown. When he crashes into Paige, his whole perspective on life shifts, and his world as he knew it becomes nonexistent. He’s wrapped up in her.

They’re both learning how to love, but Clay’s ex-girlfriend Hannah won’t make it easy for them. She puts a target on Paige’s back, and won’t stop until she’s derailed their budding romance once and for all. Who will be left standing after the ashes settle for the second time?

My review:

Out of the Ashes is the first in a new series from author Diana Gardin and a book I really enjoyed.

After a horrific fire took her entire family from her, Paige Hill enrolls in college with her best friend and is trying her best to live her life. The scars that mar her skin have healed pretty well, but the scars that mar her soul will never go away. It’s those emotional scars she wants to keep buried deep. Keeping people at a distance is always a safe bet but when Paige meets a gorgeous soccer player at the beginning of the semester and, after spending more and more time with him, she finds herself wanting to share her secret pain. Can this gorgeous, blue-eyed soccer jock look past her scars and grow to love her? Not if his vindictive ex-girlfriend has anything to say about it….

Running into the beautiful stranger at the bookstore has been on Clay’s mind for the last few days. Never had he been so affected by a girl before. On a mission to find out who she is, he’s surprised when she turns up at a party at his apartment. Turning on the charm he’s known for, he can’t help but feel that she’s special and she won’t be like any other girl he’s ever been with. With her shy smile and her understated beauty, he knows he will do whatever it takes to gain her trust and her heart. Now he just has to make sure his ex-girlfriend knows it’s over between then for good.

Paige and Clay have more than a few obstacles in their way. Paige’s family tragedy, Clay’s hateful ex-girlfriend, raw emotions and navigating a new love are just a few of them. They have found something special, but will it be strong enough to withstand all that life throws at them?

Ok, so I will say it now: this book has a cliffhanger ending. Now, I don’t mind them but I know a lot of people do. If you’re one of them, I suggest waiting until the second book comes out and read both books back to back. That being said, the ending had me gasping and my eyes bugging out when I read it. Not in a bad way….quite the opposite. It was a huge twist and I loved it. Paige has been through so much and I admire her will to live and to pick up her pieces and move forward as best she can. Clay is so amazing with her and treats her exactly how she needs to be treated. He is really in-tune with her needs and emotion states. He’s gentle, loving and kind but knows when he can give her a little push. I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow. Paige’s best friend, Gillian, is a friend anyone would be lucky to have. She’s strong and loyal and is the rock Paige needs at her lowest moments. Clay’s has two close friends that also some great people. However, the ex-girlfriend, Hannah, is a raging psycho and tormented poor Paige. I wish I could hunt her down and give her a piece of my mind. Grrrrr. All of the relationship building and ups and downs leads us to an ending I never saw coming. Whoa. Diana really shocked me and I loved it!

Overall, Out of the Ashes is an enjoyable story about new love, letting go of the bad and letting in the good and overcoming the worst life can throw at you. If you don’t mind the cliffhanger ending, I definitely recommend this book. Thank you, Diana, for a fabulous story. I cannot WAIT to see what book #2 holds for us!

Four Loves

About the author:

Books are my passion. Whether I’m writing them or reading them, they have always been a big part of my life. As an adult who just entered my thirties, I realize that it’s something I can’t live without, and what I really want to do for a living every day. It’s, for me, the job that doesn’t feel like work. So now, I’m proudly able to say that I’m a crazy wife, a worrywart mama of two, and a passionate writer. Love this life!

Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Website

Theatricks by Eleanor Gwyn-Jones…Book Tour

Welcome to my stop on the Theatricks by Eleanor Gwyn-Jones Book Tour! My stop today includes the playlist for Theatricks as well as information on the tour-wide giveaway.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

Title: Theatricks

Author: Eleanor Gwyn-Jones

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction/Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: December 3, 2013

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis

Enna Petersen has never been good at making personal decisions, particularly when she has to choose between her passions. As a theater director, the stage is her world, the spotlight her vitamin D, the waft of greasepaint her oxygen. However, when her handsome American businessman boyfriend proposes and paints the picture of a luxurious life in Pennsylvania, she has to tear her heart in two and give up on her theatrical dreams.

But as she navigates the visa gauntlet at the US embassy in England, she meets Will, a charismatic, erudite actor who encourages her to not give up on her dilapidated and much beloved theater. She is torn, tormented by the thought that her departure will certainly lead to Ashtead Theatre’s demise, but she follows her heart, says goodbye to her homeland, and begins her new role as Cole’s fiancée in America.

However, homesickness soon strikes. Enna longs for the English countryside, her theater, and the passion that Will has inspired in her. After her American dreams fall apart, she is reunited with all three back in the UK, and with Will’s help, she soon finds her theater more successful than she ever thought possible. She has everything she’s ever wanted, including a gorgeous man in her bed to share it with, so why is it she can’t stop thinking about Cole?

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Tour-Wide Giveaway

Playlist:

About the Author:

Eleanor Gwyn-Jones lives in Scranton, Pennsylvania, but originally hails from Surrey, England. Huzzah! She studied biology at Southampton University before taking to the stage as an actress, agent and administrator of a touring theatre company. She performed in theatres, studios, schools and festivals across the British Isles before moving to the States. It was whilst visa-dangling and unable to take on acting work that she started to write and decided she far preferred it to anything else in the world! In 2008, Eleanor started her own ‘at home’ business to afford her more time to be with her ‘book babies.’ Now she spends her time writing by day and teaching ladies to look fabulous at night. She is a travel junkie—it’s research, darling, research!—a gourmand, a yogi, a sometime blogger and she adores her family and friends beyond all measure. She is currently putting the finishing key strokes to the sequel to Theatricks, due for release in 2014.

If she weren’t writing, she’d like to think you’d find her in Downton, The Paradise, or having a goblet of wine with Tyrion in King’s Landing.

Connect with the Author: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Out of Time by Jen McLaughlin….Blog Tour Stop & Review

Welcome to my stop on the Out of Time by Jen McLaughlin Blog Tour!

I am beyond excited to share my review with you and my Finn tattoo!

I’m also thrilled to share Jen’s AMAZING giveaway! The grand prize winner will get to help name a character in book 3 of the series, and will get their name in the acknowledgement section of the book! How exciting is that!?

Also, to celebrate the release of OUT OF TIME, book one in the series, OUT OF LINE, will be just .99¢.

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!

Buy links:

Out of Time: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Out of Line (book #1): Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Follow the rest of the tour HERE

Synopsis:

Desperate to keep him…

I’ve finally gotten everything I ever wanted: love, freedom, happiness, and, most importantly, Finn. Our love is everything I expected it to be and more. We’ve finally found each other, but the world seems determined to tear us apart. We thought my father was the only obstacle between us, but now it’s the military. With Finn’s departure looming, we’re squeezing in every moment together before we run out of time.

Trying to make every moment count…

Being Carrie’s bodyguard was one thing. Being her boyfriend is another. Every day she’s mine is a day the sun shines in my life. Yet our time together is running out. Her father will never think a tattooed Marine will be good enough, so I’ll do whatever it takes to be worthy of her love. But the road will take me away from the girl who makes me feel alive–the girl I can’t live without.

Time only gets us so far…

My review:

Out of Time is the second book in Jen McLaughlin’s Out of Line Series. After falling completely in love with Carrie and Finn in the first book, Out of Line, I was beyond eager to get my hands on this book. Well, it was everything I could have dreamed of…and more. I loved, loved, loved this book.

Carrie and Finn have overcome the obstacle of Finn being Carrie’s bodyguard and are enjoying their newfound love. Well, they’ve sort of overcome that whole bodyguard thing. Carrie’s father, a senator, still has no idea their relationship went from professional to personal. They plan on telling him, eventually, but now the more pressing problem is Finn’s role in the Marines. He’s gotten an ominous call and fears he will be deployed much sooner than he thought. Fearing he will upset her if he hides what little info he has about leaving, he has no choice but to tell her what may be in store. Finn sees an upside to this mess when he’s given the chance of a lifetime in the form of a special mission. One that will hopefully improve the senator’s view of him and ultimately the senator’s view of him as someone worthy of dating Carrie. Now, the only thing left is to just enjoy the possibly limited time they have left together. Of course, that’s when her father decides to come for a surprise visit. Now the question becomes will it be the Senator’s visit or Finn’s choice of a mission that will threaten their relationship more….

As some of you may know, I completely adore this series. So much so that I deemed it “tattoo worthy”….and got a Finn tattoo. Well, I was a nervous wreck waiting to read this book. I had an idea from the message Finn got in the last book that he would be leaving Carrie. Well, between the waiting game and Carrie’s dad visiting, I didn’t think my emotions could get any more chaotic! I was a ball of nerves from one page to the next but then I would get to a Finn and Carrie moment and I would just swoon and give a happy sigh. The heat and passion between them is scrumptious. I adore these two. I don’t know of many book couples that I enjoy this much. Finn is just, well, the perfect package. Loyal, caring, sweet, sexy and so in love with Carrie he is the perfect guy. If he didn’t already win my heart in the first book he would have won it in this one. His love for Carrie is so intense and so real. I just adore that man! Carrie is once again a girl with quite a head on her shoulders and really shows it at the very end of this book. She knows what she wants and will do what it takes to make it happen for her and Finn. The navigation from Carrie’s POV to Finn’s POV is so well done and makes his book that much better, which I didn’t think possible.

The ups and downs Carrie and Finn have to deal with in the beginning of the story are nothing compared to what they go through right before this story ends. Get tissues handy. Not a few tissues, a box of tissues. I was a complete and utter mess by the time I finished reading (I’m actually tearing up as I type this review). Not all sad tears though….there were tears of joy and relief after all the sad tears. I won’t give anything away, but I will say I would never recommend a book that ended badly….so you’ll just have to trust me on this.

Jen writes emotion so damn well. It’s raw and beautiful and makes the reader feel everything Carrie and Finn are feeling. It’s a rare gift and I appreciate every moment of it.

After all my blubbering, if you take one thing away from this review, it’s that you MUST get this book and if you haven’t read the first in the series, read it….and then read Out of Time. I am waiting on pins and needles for the next book and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Finn and Carrie. Thank you, Jen, for another amazing read and for a book dedication that still has me smiling from ear to ear! Heart you, girl!

Five Loves

My Finn tattoo!

Giveaway:

Jen is giving away 4 $10 Amazon Gift Cards and an amazing grand prize! The grand prize winner will get to help name a character in book 3 of the series, and will get their name in the acknowledgement section of the book! Contest is international.

If the book happens to hit the top 10 on amazon during the blog tour, there just might be another special surprise in the works for the fans!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Jen McLaughlin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She writes steamy New Adult books for the young and young at heart. Her first release, Out of Line, came out September 2013. She also writes bestselling Contemporary Romance under the pen name Diane Alberts.Since receiving her first contract offer under the pen name Diane Alberts, she has yet to stop writing. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, a cat, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

Website ~ Facebook Fan Page ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal & Excerpt….Savor by Monica Murphy

We are thrilled to share the cover for Monica Murphy’s SAVOR. SAVOR is a sexy Contemporary Romance novel in Monica’s The Billionaire Bachelors Series.

Check out the hot cover then read on to learn more about SAVOR and read an excerpt!

About SAVOR:

New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy concludes her sexy Billionaire Bachelors Club series with a fiery romance that refuses to be left at the office…

Bryn James can’t take much more. Smart, sexy Matthew DeLuca is everything she wants in a man, but he’s also her boss—the youngest, hottest vineyard owner in the Napa Valley—and he doesn’t see her as anything more than his shy assistant. That’s all about to change. Armed with a hot new look and an attitude to match, Bryn is determined to catch Matt’s eye… professionalism be damned.

With his winery’s grand reopening approaching, Matt is trying to stay focused, but Bryn is suddenly making it very difficult. He’s always thought her prim demeanor effortlessly sexy, but Matt can’t deny that her transformation is jaw-dropping …and going to make it very difficult to keep his hands to himself.

But when one thing leads to another and suddenly Matt is stripping Bryn bare, he’ll be faced with the biggest risk of his career—and his heart. Can he convince her—and himself—that this might just be more than a no-strings office affair?

Excerpt:

“Don’t be so cranky. It’s okay to admit you have a thing for Bryn.” Ivy leans forward in her chair, a secretive smile curling her lips. “I have a feeling she has a thing for you too, you know.”

I do know. And I can’t act on it. Bryn James works for me. She’s my assistant. She’s by my side constantly; we spend more time with each other than probably anyone else in our lives, especially lately what with the winery’s grand reopening approaching. She’s a representative of my business. If I were to fuck around with the help and the relationship fell apart, I’d be in huge trouble. She could screw me over financially every which way by suing me for sexual harassment and I’d be left with a limp dick in my hand and a ruined business.

Yeah. Not going to take the chance. Saw it happen with my father. Not going to let it happen to me.

“It doesn’t matter. Nothing can happen.” I send Ivy a stern look. “And this conversation can never leave this office.” Glancing over her shoulder, I try to see if Bryn is at her desk but the chair is empty.

Thank Christ.

Ivy’s expression goes solemn and she holds up three fingers. “This conversation stays here. Scout’s honor.”

“You were never a scout,” I mutter, afraid she’s making a promise on an untruth. She’ll probably just blab to everyone. Or specifically Archer and Gage. I don’t need to hear their shit.

And I am worrying way too much over this.

She laughs again. “I won’t say a word, I promise. But I need to tell you something, Matt.” She leans in close, her voice dropping. “She’s got a major crush on you. You might not see it but it’s there—sounding in her voice, shining in her eyes, every time she looks at you, talks about you. The way her body turns into yours every time the two of you are together . . . it’s pretty obvious. A body language expert would have a field day with you two.”

Body language expert? What the hell is Ivy talking about? “I have no idea what you’re referring to, but office crushes are just that. Crushes. Harmless attractions no one ever acts on. Period. End of story.”

This is what I keep telling myself. I can’t pursue anything with Bryn, no matter how much I’m tempted to. Not only would it be wildly inappropriate, dating my assistant, but we come from two different worlds. She seems nice and normal, quiet and unobtrusive, and I am anything but. My life has been a circus sideshow for years.

“I get it. You’re trying to do the right thing, and I admire that. So, of course you don’t see anything beyond an efficient assistant in Miss James.”

Well. Ivy’s not too far off the mark. When I first met Bryn, she hardly said two words, kept her head bent when I spoke to her and offered lots of yes–sir and no–sir answers. She had this way of almost blending in with the walls, like she didn’t want anyone to notice her.

So I didn’t.

As we got comfortable working together though, something happened. I’m thinking Ivy had a hand in Bryn’s slow transformation. She actually makes eye contact when she speaks to me, and she’s become somewhat animated. Started to wear bolder colors as well, drawing my attention to her chest though I keep my eyes averted as best I can.

These subtle changes made me notice all of the little things—like the color of her eyes (blue), how her hair looks (like silk and I want to touch it), and the tempting fullness of her lips (they’re spectacular).

Her gaze lingers when she looks at me and sometimes so does mine. Her smile softens, her voice drops lower when she speaks, sparking my imagination. Would she sound like that right before I kissed her? Took off her clothes? Took her to my bed?

Yeah. All of those are dangerous thoughts. I almost prefer the old Miss James. The one who was like the wallpaper—boring and nondescript. Mean to say, but hell, the last thing I need is a distraction.

And she’s become the biggest distraction I’m currently facing. The very last one I need.

Pre-Order Links:

ABOUT MONICA MURPHY:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.

Links:

Website: http://www.monicamurphyauthor.com/#

Blog: http://missmonicamurphy.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsMonicaMurphy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MonicaMurphyauthor

Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5934418.Monica_Murphy

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Monica-Murphy/e/B00AVPYIGG

SAVORGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17905607-savor?ac=1

ARC Review…On Solid Ground by Michelle Kemper Brownlow

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Emotional abuse can break both your heart and your spirit. Twenty-one year old Gracie is broken and weak but she’s determined to heal. With the encouragement from her best friend, Becki and her best friend-turned-boyfriend, Jake, she is ready to do what it takes to heal from the pain she suffered while with her ex, Noah. Gracie’s post-Noah days are filled with the gentle love she receives from Jake but in her sleep she is plagued by nightmares that she fears will never go away.

It’s summer on UTK’s campus and Gracie, Jake and Becki have all decided to stay at school for the summer, each for their own reason. Gracie wants to be as far away from Noah as possible, Jake knows Gracie will need him to lean on and, because of a late in the game change of major, Becki has a ton of classes to take before her senior year.

In the beginning of summer, Gracie and Jake continue to steam the windows with their beautiful love-making but Gracie’s internal struggles with self-esteem and confidence weigh heavily on their relationship. Jake’s point-of-view alternating throughout the book will have readers falling even harder for him.

When Gracie’s new counselor suggests she may have jumped into a relationship too quickly, Gracie knows what she needs to do to make a full recovery. With strength she didn’t know she had, she walks away from Jake to recover her spirit. Staying true to the promise he made her the semester before, although heart-broken, Jake remains her closest friend and support system while trying to give her the space she needs to heal.

Gracie has spent years pouring her heart into volume after volume of journals. Gracie starts writing poetry that seemingly pours from her heart, proof that writing is merely an extension of her soul. Gracie also reconnects with her musical talents and takes up guitar again, a talent not even Jake knew about. The beauty in her passion for both playing music and writing renders Jake speechless.

Gracie is inspired by what she’s learning about herself in therapy, writing poetry and lyrics. And as fate would have it, she unexpectedly runs into Calon Ridge, the lead singer of her favorite local band, Alternate Tragedy.

Memories of an evening she spent with Calon two years prior and his sudden intense interest in Gracie throws both she and Jake for a loop. Jake experiences something he’s never had to deal with. He is jealous; fist-clenching, pulse-thumping jealous.

With broken souls and passion for music in common, Calon and Gracie reconnect on a different level. Calon becomes a creative confidant for Gracie and with his cocky humor, sexy mannerisms and sensitive spirit, he convinces her to begin to explore the depths of her talent by taking the stage. Jake’s new job as a bartender gives him a front row seat to the sensual connection between Calon and Gracie as they practice. But that connection is just what Gracie needs to lift her confidence as she starts to find herself again.

Becki and Gracie spend more time together than usual because of their shared newly-single status and Becki is completely intrigued by Calon. Becki’s honesty and no-filter humor is gut-busting hysterical and keeps Gracie grounded and giggling. She’s up for a summer fling but may not be expecting the intensity Calon’s soul holds.

And when the end-of-summer festival brings the whole cast of IN TOO DEEP back, front and center for a weekend none of them will soon forget, stakes are set, tempers flare, truth prevails, and unexpected plans are made. And Gracie finally finds herself On Solid Ground.

My review:

On Solid Ground is the follow up to Michelle Kemper Browlow’s emotional debut, In Too Deep. I fell in love with Gracie and Jake in that debut and damn if I didn’t fall in love with them even more in On Solid Ground.

Gracie is just at the very beginning of her personal journey to become stronger and get back to the girl she once was. The girl she was before she experienced the emotional abuse at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, Noah. Luckily she has the amazing Jake by her side to help her realize the amazing and beautiful soul she is. But it won’t be an easy road for her and certainly not her and Jake’s relationship. Will they be able to weather the storm left behind by Noah?

Jake is bound and determined to make his Gracie see just how amazing she is. He needs to her to see herself through his eyes. She has been too broken and seeing her like that is killing him. He will give her whatever it takes to build her back up….even if it means time away from the woman who holds his heart.

Together Jake and Gracie have more hurdles to overcome than anyone they know. Determined to put the past in the past, and heal the hurt that has been caused, they will need to reach within to find the strength to be survivors…..together.

This. Book. KILLED. Me. Gracie broke my heart when she opened up and started the healing process. She is an amazing, strong, determined, resilient and beautiful person. Inside and out. She is an inspiration to anyone who reads this book. I think we can all learn something from her. To take the steps she knows she needs to get herself to a better place and admit that she needs help getting there is truly amazing and it is gift to be able to read. Now, let’s get to Jake….*dreamy sigh*. Damn, where to even begin? He is truly an amazing partner. He gives Gracie any and everything she could possibly need to get back to the girl he fell in love with all that time ago. He is a guy and girl would be lucky to call hers and had me crying too many times to count with his insight and caring soul.

Michelle also introduced us to Calon, the smoking hot lead singer of a local band and one that shares a deep connection with Gracie. He’s another beautiful and intense person with a story that broke my heart. I really, REALLY, hope he gets his own happy ending because that boy truly deserves one.

But beyond On Solid Ground, and In Too Deep, I have to say that I think Michelle Kemper Brownlow is one of the most truly unique and special authors I have come across these days. She writes from her heart and soul and I can feel it in every page. Rarely does a reader come across a gift like that. My wish is that my review reaches someone who may not have heard about Michelle and that person decides to read her work. Thank you Michelle, for another phenomenal story and I look forward to seeing more from you!

Five Loves

About the author:

Michelle Kemper Brownlow has been a storyteller her entire life. Her debut was on the high school cheerleading bus granting requests to re-tell her most embarrassing moments for a gaggle of hysterical squadmates.
Earning her Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in Art Education and then marrying her very own “Jake,” she moved to Binghamton, NY where she taught high school. After having two children she quit work and finished her Master’s degree in Elementary Education at Binghamton University.

The Brownlow family of four moved to Michelle’s hometown of Morgantown, PA while the children were still quite young. A few years after moving, her family grew by one when they welcomed a baby into their home through the gift of adoption. The family still resides in PA, just miles from where that high school cheer bus was parked.

Michelle has been an artist for as long as she can remember, always choosing pencils and crayons over toys and puzzles. As a freelance illustrator, her simple characters play the starring roles in numerous emergent reader books published by Reading Reading Books.

“Writing is my way of making sense of the world. When I give my characters life on the pages I write, it frees up space in my mind to welcome in new stories that are begging to be told,” says Brownlow.

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Out Of Time by Jen McLaughlin Release Day Blitz & AMAZING Giveaway

Out of Time by Jen McLaughlin

Buy links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Desperate to keep him…

Trying to make every moment count…

Time only gets us so far…

But first, Jen is having a PAR-TAY! You can stop by any time on Tuesday, the 3rd and join in!

She is having a giveaway for a diamond necklace, too! And, there will be several other authors stopping by to chat and give away more prizes.

Join here and please share this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/456550377788774/

Excerpt:

When he closed his mouth over mine, I shut off my mind and stopped thinking. He’d already told me all he could tell me about the call, so focusing on it wasn’t the healthiest choice. We had to wait until this weekend to hear anything more. Until then we were just sitting ducks.

And if I was going to be forced to wait, then I’d do it my way.

He picked me up and carried me to his bed. He was so hard and solid and it drove me insane every time he moved his tongue over mine like that. His teeth scraped my lower lip, and I whimpered into his mouth. His fingers moved over my butt, slipping between my legs and rubbing against the spot where I needed him most.

As he lowered me to the mattress, he started to climb on top of me, but I broke the kiss and shoved at his shoulders. “No,” I said, locking gazes with him. “It’s my turn. Just stand there.”

He stilled, instantly giving me what I wanted. “Your turn for what?”

“Control,” I said, my cheeks heating. “I want to undress you. And then I want to wrap my lips around your…your…”

When I drifted off, uncertain what to call his penis, he chuckled. “Cock. It’s a cock, Carrie. Say it.”

My cheeks heated. I knew what it was called. It just sounded so dirty and wrong. “Around your cock,” I said in a rush, my cheeks getting even hotter.

“Okay.” He fisted his hands at his hips, watching me from beneath his lowered lids. When he looked at me like that—like I was his dessert or something—it made everything inside me quiver and beg for his touch so much it hurt. I licked my lips and crawled to the edge of the bed on all fours. He twitched and took a step toward me; as if he couldn’t hold himself back anymore, but then he stopped.

He stood there because I’d asked him to.

I ran my hands over his chest, then up over his shoulders. Just touching him made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world, and I wanted to do everything to him. Everything in the romance books I read at night, and then more. Even though my mother had never figured it out, I used to sneak them out of her library after she was finished with them. I’d started it in sixth grade. Now I bought them with my own money.

And I had a lot of ideas stored away in my mind that I wanted to try out on Finn.

BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY:

Jen is giving away 4 $10 Amazon Gift Cards and an amazing grand prize!

The grand prize winner will get to help name a character in book 3 of the series, and will get their name in the acknowledgement section of the book!

Contest is international.

If the book happens to hit the top 10 on amazon during the blog tour, there just might be another special surprise in the works!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Website ~ Facebook Fan Page ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

The World Without a Future by Nazarea Andrews….Release Day Blitz & FANTASTIC Giveaway

The World Without a Future by Nazarea Andrews

December 2013

Goodreads

Buy links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

She was born the day the world ended…

He just wants his past to die…

GIVEAWAY:

Nazarea is giving away a really awesome prize! The grand prize winner will receive a zombie survival kit and 25 edited pages of the manuscript and swag — with notes from Nazarea.

A runner up will receive the zombie survival kit and swag. This contest is US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Site ~ Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ “The Infects” Street Team