February 2014 – Read-Love-Blog

In the Stars by Joan Duszynski….Blog Tour Stop & Review

Welcome to my stop on the In the Stars by Joan Duszynski Blog Tour.

I have my review to share with you all today as well as info on the tour wide giveaway and other fun things!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

Book links:

Synopsis:

Caroline Reyes is starting her second year of college nothing like the first. Following a car accident over the summer with her best friend Raleigh she is now stuck with a bitch for a roommate as Raleigh recovers at home.

One Saturday morning starts off with a bang, literally at Caroline’s door and leads to her needing to comfort a very distraught stranger. This brings Caroline into her first run in with Eric. She feels completely lust driven at just the sight of him, even though his words just piss her off. She can’t shake the sensations running thru her though even after their brief meeting is over. Then comes Kyle and he is determined to get to know Caroline better and she feels the same way dismissing her earlier run in as just crazy hormones.

Now she is left with decisions having to be made and knowing someone is going to get hurt in the process. That someone could be her alone.

Caroline has always looked into the stars for comfort and reassurance since she was a little girl with her Daddy. Now she is looking up into them praying for the right answers and hoping they can help her along with her Daddy who is amongst them now.

My review:

In the Stars is the debut work from author Joan Duszynski and kicks off her In the Moments Series. It was a sweet and hot beginning with potential to sizzle more as the series continues.

College sophomore Caroline Reyes is woken up early one morning by a very angry “other woman” and has no way of knowing it at the time, but things are about to change in almost status quo life. Turns out the angry gal, Tara, is the girlfriend of the guy her roommate has been shagging. They soon form a friendship that will introduce Caroline to a deliciously hot police detective….Tara’s brother. But before Caroline can explore that attraction, she catches the attention of a hottie physical therapist while attending one of her best friend’s therapy sessions. Torn between the two, Caroline finds herself wondering which her heart will end up choosing.

I enjoyed this book and the rock and hard place Caroline is stuck between is a pretty yummy place to be. Both of her love interests have great qualities and she certainly has a tough choice. The was a delicious build up and slow burn throughout the whole book and it ended with the choice of guy I would have made for myself. There was plenty of steamy scenes and they were written really well *fans self*. Of course, my lips are sealed and I can’t reveal who it is! I look forward to see what the rest of the series holds for Caroline, Tara and the gang as In the Stars builds a pretty good foundation for the series ahead.

Thank you, Joan, for an enjoyable read!

Three-and-a-Half Loves

Giveaway:

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

About the author:

I live inVirginia with my husband and our three wonderful (at least typically wonderful) children. I love the privacy I have back in the woods surrounding our home. Honestly thru out my school years I was not a big reader then something amazing happened and I finally opened up my mind to the world of stories. I have some of the greatest and most supportive friends ever that without my sanity might be gone.

Facebook ~ Goodreads

Cider Brook by Carla Neggers…Blog Tour Stop, Review & Excerpt

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Unlikely partners bound by circumstance…or by fate?

Being rescued by a good-looking, bad-boy firefighter isn’t how Samantha Bennett expected to start her stay in Knights Bridge, Massachusetts. Now she has everyone’s attention—especially that of Justin Sloan, her rescuer, who wants to know why she was camped out in an abandoned old New England cider mill.

Samantha is a treasure hunter who has returned to Knights Bridge to solve a 300-year-old mystery and salvage her good name. Justin remembers her well. He’s the one who alerted her late mentor to her iffy past and got her fired. But just because he doesn’t trust her doesn’t mean he can resist her. Samantha is daring, determined, seized by wanderlust—everything that strong, stoic Justin never knew he wanted. Until now…

My review:

Cider Brook is the third book in author Carla Negger’s Swift River Valley Series. It is the first in the series I have read and really enjoyed it.

Being the granddaughter of a treasure hunter grandfather, daughter of an underwater explorer father and marine archaeologist mother, you could say Samantha Bennett treasure hunting is in her blood. She has spent her childhood aboard ships and learning about all kinds of stores and artifacts and she loves every minute. After her grandfather’s death, Samantha decides to take her own adventure and look for the treasure in New England. The only problem was the possible treasure was in a small, tight-knit town and she would stick out like a sore thumb. Not normally a big deal, but it so happens she had tried this treasure hunt years before and her reputation had been tarnished back then. Her mission now is two-fold. Earn back the trust of this town and find out what mysteries are hidden. Oh, but before all that? Escape a fire in the mill she’s currently waiting out a storm in. Lucky for Samantha, a handsome firefighter happens to own the mill and was driving by at that very moment. Could it be that Sam finds a treasure other than gold coins and jewels? Could she find love as well?

This was an enjoyable story with a lot of small town history and large family ties, which I liked a lot. Samantha is like a rolling stone and has never had roots anywhere and is content living life out of her backpack, looking for lost treasure and forgotten history. I enjoyed her character in that aspect. Justin, the handsome firefighter, pulls no punches and has a bluntness about him that I liked a lot. There are a whole lot of trust issues in this story that the whole town will have to work thought if Samantha ever wants to clear her tarnished reputation. And Justin and Samantha will have the most to work on, since deeper feelings are developing almost right off the bat. But besides all of the treasure and trust, what I liked most about this story was the large family Justin comes from and the interactions between brothers, wives, fiancées, and sisters. It added a heartwarming element to the story as a whole and I really enjoyed it.

Thank you, Carla, for another terrific story!

Three-and-a-Half Loves

Excerpt:

Samantha Bennett slipped her grandfather’s antique silver flask into an outer pocket of her khaki safari jacket. He’d claimed the flask was from an old pirate chest, but she’d discovered in the three years since his death at ninety-six that not everything he’d told her had been factual. Harry Bennett had been a grand spinner of the strategic tall tale. He’d probably been drinking run from the flask when he’d spun the pirate-chest story.

No rum for me, Samantha thought, glancing around her grandfather’s cluttered office on the second floor of the Bennett house in Boston’s Back Bay. She’d filled the flask with the smoky Scotch he had left in one of his crystal decanters. If she was going to hunt pirate’s treasure, she figured she ought to have whiskey with her.

Although what could go wrong in little Knights Bridge, Massachusetts?

Her grandfather smiled at her from a framed black-and-white photograph hanging on the wood-paneled wall behind his massive oak desk. At the time of the photo, he’d been forty-seven roguishly handsome wearing a jacket much like hers. He’d just arrived back in Boston after the Antarctic trip that had sealed his reputation as a world-class explorer and adventurer. It had almost killed him, too. Her couple of nights’ camping in an out-of-the-way New England town hardly compared to an expedition to Antarctica.

She buttoned the flap of her jacket pocket. There were endless pockets inside and out. She was already forgetting where she’d put things—her phone, compass, matches, map, the earth-tone lipstick she’d grabbed at the last second, in case she went out to dinner one night during her stay in Knights Bridge.

Out to dinner? Where, with whom—and why?

If nothing else, a few days away from her grandfather’s clutter would do her good. He had been born on a struggling New England farm and had died a wealthy man, if also a hopeless pack rat. Samantha hadn’t realized just how much he’d collected in his long, active life until she’d been hired by his estate—meaning her father and her uncle—to go through his house and his Londom apartment. She swore she’d found fum wrappers from 1952. The man had saved everything.

The morning sun streamed through translucent panels that hung over bowfront windows framed by heavy charcoal velvet drapes. Her grandmother, who had died twenty-five years ago, when Samantha was four, had decorated the entire house herself, decreeing that gray and white were the perfect colors for this room, for when her husband was there, being contemplative and studious—which wasn’t often, even in his later years. He’d spent little time in his office, mostly just long enough to stack up his latest finds.

Samantha appreciated the effect of the filtered sunlight on the original oil painting that she’d unearthed from the office closet a few weeks ago. The painting was unsigned and clearly an amateur work, but it had captivated her from the moment she’d taken it out into the light. It depicted an idyllic red-painted New England cider mill, with apples in wooden crates, barrels of cider and a water wheel capturing the runoff from a small stone-and-earth dam on a woodland stream. She’d assumed it was untitled but two days ago had discovered neat, faded handwriting on the lower edge of the simple wood frame.

The Mill at Cider Brook.

Her surprise had been so complete that she’d dipped into the Scotch decanter.

She didn’t know if the mill depicted in the painting was real, but there was a Cider Brook in Knights Bridge, barely two hours west of Boston.

Of all places.

A quick internet search had produced a year-old notice that the town of Knights Bridge was selling an old cider mill in its possession. Had someone bought it? Was it still for sale?

Samantha had checked the closet for anything else her grandfather might have stuffed in there related to Cider Brook. Instead, she discovered a legal-size envelope containing about fifty yellowed, handwritten pages—the rough draft of a story called The Adventures of Captain Farraday and Lady Elizabeth.

She suspected but had no way to prove that the story was by the same hand as the painting, but it didn’t matter. It had sealed the deal, and now she had Harry Bennett’s antique silver flask tucked in her jacket and her plans made for her return to Knights Bridge—a town she had expected, and hoped, she would never have to visit again.

About the author:

Carla Neggers has been spinning stories ever since she climbed a tree with pad and pen at age 11. Now she has millions of copies of her books in print in more than 30 countries, and more than two dozen of her books have placed on the New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. Cider Brook is the third novel in her acclaimed Swift River Valley romantic mystery series that launched with Secrets of the Lost Summer and That Night on Thistle Lane. Secrets of the Lost Summer spent four weeks on theNew York Times bestseller list and garnered rave reviews, including a starred review from Booklist and a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews. Growing up in rural western Massachusetts with three brothers and three sisters, Carla developed an eye for detail and a love of a good story. Her imagination, curiosity and sense of adventure are key to creating the complex relationships, fast-paced plots and deep sense of place in her books.

Vice, Virtue & Video: Captured by Bianca Giovanni….Cover Reveal, Character Interview & Giveaway

Thanks for stopping by today to see the gorgeous cover for

Vice, Virtue & Video: Captured by Bianca Giovanni!

I also have a fantastic “interview” with James from Vice, Virtue & Video, along with a photo of Bianca’s inspiration for James, the actor Jason Momoa.

And, I have an eCopy of the first book in the series, Vice, Virtue & Video: Revealed to give away. Just comment on this blog post to be entered. I will be picking a winner on Monday, 3/3.

Enjoy and be sure to get this delicious book on your list!

Synopsis:

Lifelong best friends James Laird and Lola Caraway are reunited when Lola moves to LA after college. Lola is starting her new life, new job, and a new romance with a successful lawyer–a relationship which forces James to question the nature of his feelings for Lola.

James has always been a master at pleasuring women, so it was an easy transition to play a Master on-screen in a series of BDSM videos which have brought him fame and the promise of a lucrative career.

The films have also brought him the attention of hardcore producer Eva Satana, who wants James to be a ruthless Dominant -for real- in her brutal and extreme BDSM scenes. James soon finds himself caught in a contract he cannot break and compelled by threats to the woman who’s stood by him through everything.

There’s no way out…unless James bends to Eva’s twisted demand: seduce his virginal best friend and capture it on tape for her depraved audience. Can their friendship survive desire, deception, and one pissed off dominatrix?

Their decisions will decide who will be free and who will be

CAPTURED.

James’ Interview:

What’s the difference between porn sex and real-life sex for you?

In real life, you don’t have to worry about camera angles and stuff. I can be more in the moment, and I can concentrate on the girl a lot more. Porn sex is really exaggerated, all about putting on a good show, so you can’t really connect with your partner in the same way you can in real life.

Most people would feel pretty self-conscious being naked in a crowded room, but that’s what you do for a living. What makes you embarrassed?

I remember when I was in school, Lola used to proof a lot of my papers. She was two grades under me, but she was super smart, and I was always a little embarrassed when she’d lecture me about how I should have paid more attention in class so I wouldn’t get such crappy grades.

Do you watch your own porn movies?

I’ll usually check them out when they’re released. Porn doesn’t really turn me on anymore, though, so I usually watch them like an athlete watches game footage. I want to see where I could improve, see how I could step my game up.

Do you ever find it difficult to “perform” on set?

Sometimes it’s harder than others—no pun intended. I find that picturing something really hot that I’ve done in my past works pretty well. Thankfully, I’ve had some pretty wild experiences, so I’ve got a lot to pull from.

Chocolate or vanilla?

Neapolitan. Gotta have some variety.

Boxers or briefs?

Commando, baby! Commando.

Sound or noise that you love?

It’s a tie. I love to hear a girl moaning my name, but I think my favorite sound might be Lola laughing.

Sound or noise that you hate?

Crying—particularly if it’s someone I love who’s doing the crying.

Blond or brunette?

I’m partial to brunettes, but honestly, hair color isn’t important. I don’t care what color your hair is if you have a sexy vibe.

Favorite position?

I’m a big fan of cowgirl, but missionary is a classic, so I love that one too.

What’s one thing you can’t live without?

Lola. Without a doubt.

About the author:

Bianca Giovanni was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. She grew up with a single mother and Italian grandmother, who was an avid reader. She has had a love of writing since childhood, but self-published her first short stories in 2012. Bianca’s strong female characters and witty dialogue have struck a chord with readers and lead to her popularity on self-publishing platforms.

In 2013, Bianca signed with Omnific Publishing to bring the ‘Vice, Virtue & Video’ series to readers. The series contains First Dance (free introductory short story), Revealed (book #1), Letting Go (book #1.5), and four more novels to be released in 2014.

She currently resides in Denver, Colorado, where she can often be found jotting down story ideas in a notebook.

For more information, visit biancagiovanni.com or follow Bianca on Facebook (BiancaGiovanniAuthor) and Twitter (@BiancaGiovanni)

Wanted by You by Steph Nuss…Release Day Blitz

Steph Nuss and Bandit Publishing are excited to share with you the RELEASE of “Wanted by You” by Steph Nuss. Make sure to check out the preview on itunes, add to your Goodreads, pick up your copy and enter the GIVEAWAY below for SIGNED PAPERBACKS and Amazon & iTunes GIFT CARDS! Don’t forget to join us at the Release Day and Blog Tour Event starting on February 27th – join by clicking the below link.

NOW AVAILABLE!

Carter was captivated by Ellyson Evans the moment he laid eyes on her,

but she was the one girl who didn’t beg for his attention.

He wanted her.

Ellyson vowed to never fall in love, because love can destroy you,

but then she met Carter Jennings.

She wanted him.

Unwilling to risk their comfortable friendship, neither confessed their desires.

Losing touch after college, a chance meeting reconnects them.

They want each other.

But love in the city is never quite that easy.

Steph Nuss was born and raised in rural Kansas, where she currently resides with her black Labrador son named Gunner. She grew up with a passion for reading and writing. When she’s not immersed into the land of fiction, she enjoys listening to music that came before her time, watching movies and reruns of her favorite shows, and hanging out with her family and friends. She also has a bachelor’s degree in psychology that she’ll never use…unless she’s profiling her characters of course.

Website: http://stephnuss.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/StephNussAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephNuss13

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7392900.Steph_Nuss

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/StephNuss13/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal….Beautiful Ties by Alicia Rae

Title: Beautiful Ties (The Beautiful Series #4)

Author: Alicia Rae

Genre: Contemporary Romance 18+

Publication Date: March 25, 2014

Cover Design: Okay Creations

Event Organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis

While watching her brothers find their happily ever afters, Abbey dreams of falling in love. Smart, fun, and sexy, Abbey is also independent and works hard alongside her brother, Kyle. When Kyle joins his business ventures with his wife’s cousins, Jason and Damon, Abbey struggles with keeping things professional.

Jason is instantly enamored with Abbey, and he becomes determined to win her over. Although she does not want to mix business with pleasure, he uses his good looks and sweet charm to work his way into her heart. All the while, Abbey begins building a friendship with a neighborhood child, Pearl. Abbey’s heart warms to Pearl, and their friendship quickly blossoms into a loving relationship.

Can Abbey find a way balance her growing feelings for Jason and her need to take care of Pearl? Or will Abbey need to sacrifice one relationship for the sake of the other?

Add to Goodreads

About the Author

Alicia Rae is a Contemporary Romance Author who lives in Dekalb, Illinois, with her husband and three beautiful boys. Alicia has a passion for reading all types of romance, writing to bring a story to life, and photography.

Thank you to my dear sister, Kels, who showed me a few years ago how much I truly missed reading. And to my loving husband, for not throwing away my Nook, and planting the seed of writing into my mind. I am forever grateful. Xo

Readers, words cannot thank you enough for supporting me along this incredible journey. I hope you enjoy my novels as much as I do writing them. I thank each and every one of you.

Believe in yourself and follow your dreams…

Connect with the Author: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

My Way Series by HJ Bellus…Blitz Tour

CREE

(My Way Series, #1)

By: HJ BELLUS

Synopsis:

Whose parents abandon them in a trashy trailer when they are five years old? Oh Yeah! Mine do!

Hey Hoochies! I’m Milly, and I am tired of taking kicks to the gut. A broken family, an asshole husband and the loss of loved ones have left me crying Uncle, and declaring a serious case of the Fuck-Its!

I had my heart broken, stomped on and shattered before I ever started on my journey to find my little piece of happiness. With a bucket list, a ’66 Ford and wild dreams, I set out on an adventure that changed my life forever.

I found Cree…

A pirate with a little princess and they swept me off my ever lovin’ feet, filling my world with sprinkles, mac n’ cheese and the courage to live again.

They forced my fragile heart to trust and love without fear.

But the truth is, nobody’s past stays hidden forever. It’s an invisible monster waiting to attack and destroy. It has the capability to ruin everything you’ve worked to set right.

All it takes is one final blow to the gut to end everything…

Add on Goodreads

Purchase links:

Amazon | Paperback | B&N

_____________________________________________________________

TRIPP

(My Way Series #2)

by: HJ Bellus

Synopsis:

Lacey’s Story…

Covering up pain is easy. It’s keeping it tucked away that’s hard. I’ve always needed the cover of tattoos to hide the nasty past that leached its way into me, tainting me beneath my skin.

Not the shiny, trendy tats, but the ugly broken kind, meant to keep the world at bay. If they weren’t enough, then my piercings, foul mouth and crazy hair usually did the trick. Life had taught me to never follow the rules, because when you do, you get burned.

My life was perfectly imperfect until Tripp…

Our relationship is what most would describe as fuel meeting fire. We were both hell bent on burning each other to the ground. Tripp was sexy as hell, a charismatic beast, and soon became one of my best friends. We shared a love of ice cream and tattoos as we blazed our own path that could only lead to a beautiful train wreck.

The only question left is, will we set the countryside ablaze with our hot tempers and foul mouths? Or will we paint our own happy ending filled with all the gushy shit normal people crave?

Add on Goodreads

COMING MID MARCH!

MILES

(My Way Series #3)

Willow’s story COMING SUMMER 2014!

Add on Goodreads

About the author:

HJ BELLUS

I’m just a simple girl who loves the country life… Oh yeah, & a good corn dog! Throw in a little Vanilla Ice, and shits bound to get crazy!

Be Brave!

Social media links:

Email: hjbellus@gmail.com

Hosted by:

Hard As You Can by Laura Kaye…Release Day Event & Review

Happy Release Day to Laura Kaye and Hard As You Can!

I’ve got tons of goodies to share today including an excerpt, my review and a Q&A with Laura! I’ve also got info on Laura’s fabulous giveaway!

Thanks for stopping by and ENJOY!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Five dishonored soldiers.

Former Special Forces.

One last mission.

These are the men of Hard Ink.

Ever since hard-bodied, drop-dead-charming Shane McCallan strolled into the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he’s shown a knack for getting beneath her defenses. For her little sister’s sake, Crystal can’t get too close. Until her job and Shane’s mission intersect, and he reveals talents that go deeper than she could have guessed.

Shane would never turn his back on a friend in need, especially a former Special Forces teammate running a dangerous, off-the-books operation. Nor can he walk away from Crystal. The gorgeous waitress is hiding secrets she doesn’t want him to uncover. Too bad. He’s exactly the man she needs to protect her sister, her life, and her heart. All he has to do is convince her that when something feels this good, you hold on as hard as you can—and never let go.

My review:

Hard As You Can is the second book in Laura Kaye’s Hard Ink Series. Being a huge fan of Laura’s work and this series, I was so excited to read this second installment…and it did not disappoint! Filled with action, emotion, intensity, and suspense, this book is a WIN!

Knee deep in a mission to answer some haunting questions, former Army medic Shane McCallan is working with the men he never thought he’d have the honor of doing so again. After half of his Special Forces until had been killed in a horrific ambush, the surviving members had pretty much gone their separate ways after returning from overseas. But his brothers in arms were never far from Shane’s mind. Now, they were trying to put the pieces of an act of betrayal together and figure out just what happened to their unit in the desert that day. Their first not-exactly-legal mission has come to and end but has left more questions. With hopes of finding the answers, Shane keeps thinking about the strip-club waitress who helped him and his team the night of the daring rescue they pulled off. If she hadn’t helped them, who knows what the outcome may have been. But that’s not the only reason Shane keeps thinking about her. She was beautiful and held a certain something that Shane knew was special. She didn’t belong in the dangerous world he and his buddies were up against. Little did he know just how right he would be and just how much that waitress would need the lifeline he gives her.

Cocktail waitress Crystal Dean has been pushed to her limits so many times that she isn’t sure she even has them anymore. But she only has eight more months of living this hell. The hell of working in this strip club, of being a thug’s girlfriend, and of paying off her father’s debt to one of the most dangerous gang’s in Baltimore. In eight short months, her sister will have graduated from college and they can start over in a new town, with new identities and really live life the way it was meant to be for two young women. The only problem now was the handsome grey-eyed stranger who kept coming back into her life and threatened to make her bad situation much worse. She had helped him when he and his men came in to rescue the poor guy being kept in the basement of the club and she sure as hell never thought she’d see him again. But he keeps coming back. To the club and to her apartment and she finds herself taking chances with him that she knows are potentially deadly for her and her sister. But there is something so good and honest about him that makes Crystal want more out of this hellish life she’s living. Maybe he can help her and she can get out sooner. Crystal has never wanted anything more. Could Shane be her savior? Could he be more?

The odds against Shane and Crystal are stacked a mile high and the dangers are severe but they won’t prove too great to defeat hope. Hope for a new life, hope for love, hope for becoming whole again. Both Shane and Crystal need those things more than ever and together they can accomplish them….but at what cost?

This book rocked. There was so much packed into the pages that I was excited and anxious for every chapter and to see what would happen next. Shane is delectable. He is charming and kind with a confidence most would envy. But under all of that, he has a huge heart and has his own painful past that has made him hold the ones he loves even closer. He is persistent in his pursuit of Crystal because he knows she’s in trouble and he knows she’s an anomaly in this world of crime and corruption. He can feel her attraction to him and he vows to get her out of this hell. His honor is immeasurable and I adored reading him. Crystal is in an awful spot and really could use someone to trust. She has been through so much all while showing a brave face to the world. I was so happy Shane found her. She proved to be an immensely strong woman and I was pulling for her and Shane to get together. Did they? Well, I won’t spoil anything for you but I will say this…..the sexual tension between them builds beautifully and ends in a most delicious way.

Of course, the heart of the story is the unraveling of the mystery surrounding Shane’s former unit’s commander and his betrayal of them. Laura is doing an amazing job of building this aspect of the story and I can’t wait to see how it all progresses as the series continues!

Thank you, Laura, for another kick ass Hard Ink book!

Four Loves

Excerpt:

Today, I’m excited to share Shane and Crystal’s first kiss! Don’t you love first kiss scenes? Gah! I so do. *grins* Here we go:

“Tell me not to,” Shane said, his voice a raw scrape.

“I can’t,” Crystal whispered in a shaky voice. “I don’t want to.”

Shane’s body took over then, all urgent need and basic instinct. The rest of the world be damned. He pulled her in and kissed her, his lips devouring, his tongue exploring deep. Nothing held back. Nothing denied. Not even as her lips reawakened the sting from the cut on his lip. Totally worth it.

Crystal’s arms came up around him. She trembled against him, and Shane wasn’t sure if it was caused by adrenaline or fear. Unable to tolerate the thought that she might feel forced, he eased off.

She moaned and held him tighter, like his retreat had made something snap within her. Their kisses deepened, and her body moved against his, sinuously, maddeningly, desperately.

They tasted one another again and again, giving in to the heat that had sparked between them from the moment Crystal had collided with him at Confessions. Little nips and bites of lips and teeth warred with long, sensual strokes of tongue that stole his breath and made him instantly hard. The sting in his lip, the throb of his GSW, the aches from Nick’s asskicking, every bit of it faded away—no, her touch made it all go away.

The few times they’d spoken, Crystal had most often been guarded, tentative, fearful. Just as she’d been when he first kissed her. But, now, she was revealing a passionate woman who could be fearless, giving and receiving openly and without hesitation. Christ, the thought that this fierceness was the real Crystal slayed him because it meant she was burying and denying her true self, not because she wanted to, but because she had to.

No, because someone forced her to.

The thought reminded him of the bruises on her arm. Shane had known this woman for three days, and twice in that time she’d been hurt by another man. And both as a consequence for things Shane had done.

A crack of thunder echoed from the heavens, making Crystal jump and gasp into his mouth.

“I’ve got you,” he rasped around a kiss.

Part of him wanted to say more, to tell her he had her and he’d keep her safe. But he couldn’t make himself give up her heat, her sweetness, her obvious hunger—for him.

So he made her a silent promise instead.

Never again, Crystal. He’ll never hurt you again. Not on my watch.

Because Shane McCallan had made a mistake like that once. And, as bad as his sister’s disappearance had been, something’s happening to Crystal would actually be worse because Shane knew it was coming. The one break he’d ever given himself over Molly was that he’d had no way to know she’d be abducted. Didn’t excuse the role he played in allowing it to happen, but he couldn’t have known. But with Crystal, while he might not know when or how this Bruno asshole would strike out to do the ultimate damage, it was all but a done deal at this point. Always was with guys like him. And Shane would go to the grave before he let it happen, before he failed another female for whom he cared.

Because he did care. Made no damn sense given how long he’d known her. And the timing was beyond piss-poor. But there it was all the same.

So that’s Shane and Crystal starting to give in to what they feel for one another – I hope you enjoyed! Did you have a favorite line? Thanks for reading!

~Laura

“Edgy, sexy, and full of suspense! A great read from a great new author!”

~J.R. Ward on Hard As It Gets

Q & A with Laura:

HARD AS YOU CAN is your second book in the “Hard Ink” series (after USA Today bestseller, HARD AS IT GETS). What can readers look forward to?

Readers can look forward to tons of sexy alpha male goodness, awesome bromance between the Hard Ink men, more antics from the Hard Ink puppy, and another great love story between Shane and Crystal. But readers should also be ready for a book that is darker, more intense, and more emotional. This book pushed me to emotional places that were tough as a writer, and might be tough for readers, too. But I think that just makes the payoff at the end so much sweeter!

Describe Shane and Crystal. What are their best traits? What are their weaknesses?

Shane and Crystal are such an amazing couple to me. They’re each exactly what the other needs. Shane’s best traits are his protectiveness, his fundamental kindness, and his soul-deep loyalty (his southern accent and humor are also right up there!). His biggest weakness for sure is a tragedy from the past for which he blames himself—and it’s something that continues to motivate him in Hard As You Can. Crystal’s best traits are her courage, protectiveness, and selflessness—she’s willing to do anything to keep her younger sister safe. Her biggest weakness is also that selflessness, because the sacrifices she’s required to make are getting bigger and bigger and bigger.

If you could describe your book in a 140 character tweet, what would it be?

When a woman in trouble assists an ex-soldier’s covert mission to regain his team’s stolen honor, he finds a new mission to save her, too

What are you most excited about with this second book release?

I’m really excited to take readers deeper into these awesome characters and into the mystery behind the Hard Ink team’s ambush and discharge!

What books are you reading right now?

I’m almost done with Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander (yes, I’m very late to the party but OMG JAMIE FRASER!!!). And I’ve recently devoured and loved Juliana Stone’s Offsides and Shelly Thacker’s time-travel historical romance, Forever His.

What can fans of your “Hard Ink” series look forward to next?

There will be two more Hard Ink books in 2014!

Hard to Hold on To – August 2014

Hard to Come By – November 2014

Read an Extended Excerpt of Book 1, Hard As It Gets

Buy Hard As You Can at Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Laura Kaye:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

ARC Review….Theirs to Cherish by Shayla Black

Theirs to Cherish releases March 4

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

The perfect place for a woman on the run to disappear…

Accused of a horrific murder she didn’t commit, former heiress Callie Ward has been a fugitive since she was sixteen—until she found the perfect hideout, Club Dominion. The only problem is she’s fallen for the club’s Master, Mitchell Thorpe, who keeps her at arm’s length. Little does she know that his reasons for not getting involved have everything to do with his wounded heart…and his consuming desire for her.

To live out her wildest fantasies…

Enter Sean Kirkpatrick, a Dom who’s recently come to Dominion and taken a pointed interest in Callie. Hoping to make Thorpe jealous, she submits to Sean one shuddering sigh at a time. It isn’t long before she realizes she’s falling for him too. But the tender lover who’s slowly seducing her body and earning her trust isn’t who he claims…

And to fall in love.

When emotions collide and truths are exposed, Sean is willing to risk all to keep Callie from slipping through his fingers. But he’s not the only man looking to stake a claim. Now Callie is torn between Sean and Thorpe, and though she’s unsure whom she can trust, she’ll have to surrender her body and soul to both—if she wants to elude a killer…

My Review:

Theirs to Cherish is the 8^th installment in author Shayla Black’s Wicked Lovers Series and can absolutely be read as a stand alone. Talk about a delicious thriller! This book was sexy, sensual, and mysterious all rolled into a delectable package. I adored it!

Callie Ward knows she’s been stationary too long. She’s been on the run since she was 16 after her seeing her family brutally murdered and almost becoming a victim herself. She’s also been unjustly accused of the brutal crime. It’s that mystery killer she’s been running from for years now. She’s been at Club Dominion for four years and fears the feelings she has developed for not only her Dom, but also the club’s master, will be her downfall. Callie has fallen, hard…for both men. Sean the sexy Scottish Dom and Thorpe, the club master. Both men have been kind to her over the years and they make her feel safe. Almost like feeling at home. To her, those feelings are practically as terrifying as a killer stalking her from the shadows. Deciding to flee Club Dominion was one of the hardest choices she’s ever had to make. Leaving the people you love is never easy. But Callie has no idea that these two men love her just as much and will do anything to protect her. They refuse to let her shoulder this mess on her own and with their help she may be able to live her real life again. But will she be able to live it with just one of these amazing, caring, sexy guys? Hopefully she won’t have to choose.

As if all of that wasn’t enough to deal with, the plaguing mystery of her family’s murders will come to light once more and Callie with Sean and Thorpe’s help, she may finally get the answers she needs. Hopefully without anyone else getting hurt or killed.

Wow. This book was fantastic. Callie’s life has been filled with heartache. She lost her entire family and has been on her own. She’s finally found a home within the walls of a BDSM club and went from loving no one to loving two very different, but equally desirable, men. I don’t blame her one bit for being torn. I don’t think I would have been able to choose between the two. Sean is smart, strong, understanding, kind, and ridiculously sexy. Thorpe is all of those things and more. He’s experienced and more dominant than Sean and holds the power to rein her in in a way she’s never known. It would be like asking someone to choose between two decadent desserts….who could?! I won’t say what Callie’s choice ended up being but I will say that the ending made me very happy.

Oh, and the mystery surrounding the murders? Wow. Shayla did an amazing job of weaving the who-done-it through the entire story and had me on the edge of my seat up until the very end. Really well done!

Fans of The Wicked Lovers Series will love this latest steamy installment and if you haven’t tried the series yet, I highly recommend you do! Thank you, Shayla, for a truly enjoyable read.

Four Loves

About the author:

Shayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 40 sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances produced via traditional, small press, independent, and audio publishing. She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Shayla’s books have been translated in about a dozen languages. She has also received or been nominated for The Passionate Plume, The Holt Medallion, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, and the National Reader’s Choice Awards. RT Bookclub has twice nominated her for Best Erotic Romance of the year, as well as awarded her several Top Picks, and a KISS Hero Award.

A writing risk-taker, Shayla enjoys tackling writing challenges with every new book.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Tyler & Stella (Tattoo Thief #2) by Heidi Joy Tretheway…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Welcome to my stop on the Tyler& Stella by Heidi Joy Tretheway Blog Tour!

Thanks for stopping by and please enjoy my review!

Book links:

Kindle | B&N | Print via Amazon | Createspace

Synopsis:

Stella Ramsey always says bad boys can’t break your heart. They don’t call, don’t cuddle and don’t send flowers—but what do you expect? For Stella, no strings means no regrets.

When the biggest story of her fledgling career as a music journalist nearly ruins her relationship with her best friend, Stella has one chance to redeem herself. Tyler Walsh could be that chance.

Stella promises the bassist for the rock band Tattoo Thief anything in exchange for behind-the-scenes access. But Tyler doesn’t want anything. He wants everything—and that’s more than Stella is prepared to give.

When Tyler’s explosive secret thrusts Stella into the media spotlight, she must choose between the selling the story and telling the truth—and exposing the truth about herself as well.

Tyler & Stella (Tattoo Thief #2) is a sizzling story of lust, lies, and sacrifice, revealing how much love can forgive.

My review:

Tyler & Stella is the second book in author Heidi Joy Trethway’s Tattoo Thief Series and the first in the series I have read. Well, after reading this book I have added this series as one I will be looking forward to more from. I freaking loved this book!

Anxiously looking for a way to further her music journalism career, Stella Ramsey knows she is holding that very thing in the palm of her hand. Literally. But she also knows that if she leaks what she has, she won’t just be reporting an über exclusive piece on hot rock band Tattoo Thief, she will be risking losing her best friend and her best friend’s trust. Without really thinking her actions through, she leaks it anyway and regrets it immediately. Now Stella finds herself having to gain her friend’s trust back. She also has to get more stories on Tattoo Thief, which means she’s going to have to gain their trust back as well. Enter Tyler Walsh. As Tattoo Thief’s hot and sexy bassist he steps in and gives her a chance to fix things while giving her material for a story. Tyler seems to good to be true but Stella knows all about the bad boy rocker types. The thing is, Tyler keeps surprising her. He turns out to be unlike any preconceived notion she had about him and that becomes dangerous. Dangerous because Stella doesn’t do the whole nice guy thing. She’s used to dysfunction and hurt. It’s all she’s known when it comes to guys. Could Tyler be the one to change her mind? The better question is, would Stella ever feel worthy of a guy like Tyler?

Rock star bassist Tyler Walsh has learned the hard way that he’s got to keep his guard up. He went from awkward teen to gorgeous and sexy rock star in such a short amount of time that he still isn’t used to all the attention that comes along with it. It was hard believing a girl wanted him for him and not just his fame and face. Then came Stella. She was sort of a mess when they met and he knew he could help her. He wanted to help her. The problem was he had to keep her at arm’s length until he got to know her better. Tyler finds himself hoping beyond hope that Stella could see past all the hype and into who he really is. He was willing to give her everything if she could do just that.

The attraction and chemistry between Tyler and Stella is positively delicious and they both feel it. But with old trust issues and constantly being in the spotlight, will they be able to find something true and real in a world of hype and tabloids?

*Dreamy sigh* Oh, how I loved this book. From the very beginning the story grabbed me and I was kept in its hold until the very end. I devoured it in 24 hours and loved every minute. Stella is kind of a mess. She drinks too much and hurt her best friend. She’s got a messed up past that has cut her deep emotionally and in turn has made her self-worth take a nosedive. But I loved her. She is raw, gritty and fresh at the same time. She wasn’t the flawless heroine that every guy drools over and I truly enjoyed that facet of her as a character. As for Tyler, all I can say is: yes, please! Talk about the complete opposite of the rock god persona. He is so amazing. He’s the good guy in a bad boy role. He’s kind and warm and has a huge heart. He’s got his share of secrets that he holds close to his vest and rightfully so. He treats Stella with such care both physically and emotionally and I absolutely fell in love with him. He is one of those book guys that I will hold future book guys up to for quite some time. I think one of the reasons I enjoyed this story so much was that Stella and Tyler’s roles were almost reversed. She was the one in need of love and kindness and he was the one who had so much love to give. The build up of heat between them was perfect. It was ever-present but acting on it was something that took time and when it finally happened it was sublime.

The secrets that both Stella and Tyler are keeping are two pretty big doozies and I let out a huge “whoa” when one of Tyler’s was revealed. Never saw it coming throughout the whole book. I love being shocked like that!

Overall if you love a good guy saving a damsel in distress with a modern rock and roll twist, this is a book for you! Thank you, Heidi Joy, for an amazing story! I can’t wait to see what’s next for Tattoo Thief!

Five Loves

About the author:

Heidi Joy lives in Happy Valley off Sunnyside Road. She swears she did not make that up.

Heidi’s obsessed with storytelling. Her career includes marketing, journalism, and a delicious few years as a food columnist. Media passes took her backstage with several rock bands, where she learned that sometimes a wardrobe malfunction is exactly what the rock star intends.

You’ll most often find Heidi Joy with her husband and two small kids cooking, fishing, exploring the Northwest, and building epic forts in their living room.

She loves to hear from readers via messages at facebook.com/author.heidi.

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads | Tyler & Stella Goodreads

Taking Something by Elizabeth Lee….Blog Tour Stop & Guest Post

Welcome to my stop on Elizabeth Lee’s Taking Something Blog Tour!

I have a fun guest post to share with you all today along with the tour-wide giveaway.

Thanks for stopping by and ENJOY!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

I know what you’re thinking. “You were such a jerk, Nick!” Believe me, I know I screwed up the best thing I had going in my life, but that was kind of my thing. I’d learned how to run cons before I could even form complete sentences, and I’d always been selfish. But I changed. Lila forgave me, my brother and I were getting along, and I was trying to make a name for myself in the music world.

At least that was what I was trying to do when I negotiated my way into the recording studio with pop superstar Sadie Sinclair. I thought it would be a piece of cake—charm my way into her heart and into her record label’s good graces.

Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I got mixed up in a web of lies, manipulation, and deception. A web that had me questioning my motives and desires altogether.

Was the fame and fortune really worth the price?

Elizabeth’s Guest Post:

10 Reasons Nick is the Perfect Book Boyfriend

1. He’s good with his hands. He knows how to push all the right buttons.

2. He’s a lover not a fighter.

3. Nothing is sexier than a guy who can dance.

4. He knows what he wants and he gets it.

5. Anybody who is related to Tucker Kline has to have a few good lines, right?

6. He’s a deejay, ladies. He knows exactly what songs will put you in the mood.

7. He knows just how to steal your heart.

8. You know those super soft old t-shirts that feel so good against your skin? Well, he’s got about a hundred of them and has no problem letting you slip one on.

9. Tattoos. Need I say more?

10. There’s a fine line between love and hate and he knows how to walk it with the best of them.

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

When I’m not writing or playing the part of wife and mother, you can find me dancing back-up for Beyonce, singing back-up for Miranda, or sunning myself on the beach with a drink in hand. Here’s the thing about being born and raised in a small town—you have a very vivid imagination! Now, I channel it all to create stories where the girl always ends up with the right guy, first kisses are magical, and a happy ending is just that!

LINKS:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Author Goodreads ~ Novel Goodreads

Reaper’s Touch by Eleri Stone….Guest Post & Review

Happy Friday!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I recently read Reaper’s Touch by Eleri Stone and really enjoyed it. I was also lucky enough to have Eleri stop by the blog with a fabulous guest post!

Please enjoy and thanks again for visiting!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Abby is a Ranger, part of an elite group who defend the border against Reapers—humans infected with a parasite that turns them into mindless cannibals. Rangers are immune to Reaper infection, and as one of the only female Rangers, Abby is expected to settle down and breed more Rangers—a fate she’s keen to avoid. When she’s ambushed on the plains, she’s ready to go out with guns blazing—until a mysterious, handsome cowboy rides to her rescue.

Jake has his own motives for helping Abby, beyond aiding a damsel in distress. He’s a Reaper, and while he’s learned to wrest control of his mind from the parasite, the effects won’t last without a permanent cure. And he needs Abby to get it.

Abby and Jake are natural enemies and unlikely partners. But when their search reveals a conspiracy between Reapers and the rich industrialists who own the mountain cities, they must work together to find the cure—or lose the border, and each other, forever.

My review:

Reaper’s Touch by author Eleri Stone is a cowboy meets zombie story with a steam punk feel that I really, really enjoyed!

One of a very few female Rangers, Abby is a rare breed. She is part of a select group born to defend the population against the Reapers….or zombies as we know them. These reapers are infected humans that have been taken over by a parasite and have turned from normal people to cannibals. The Rangers are blessed with the immunity of that parasite which makes them perfect to police the infected and keep the uninfected safe. Rangers rely not only on their physical training to fight but also an innate ability to actually sense a Reaper’s presence. It’s that combo that has kept Abby on the battlefield and not in a Ranger village somewhere having little ranger babies, which is what most female Rangers did. So not Abby’s style. So when Abby is sent to give a message to another Ranger camp, she is a little suspicious that her Captain may be setting a retirement in motion for her. Being strong-willed, Abby agrees to go on the mission but knows to keep her guard up. She was never going to do anything other than fight. That’s what she was good at. Imagine her surprise when the training she has relied on fails her when she meets Jake. A sexy and rugged cowboy who saves her ass from a nasty group of men while on her mission only to find out that he is exactly what she’s supposed to be fighting…..a Reaper.

Jake has been a reaper for over a hundred years now and has come so very far from those first mindless days of being infected. He has learned to control his urges and hopes one day to find a cure for the parasite he’s been infected with for far too long. This is where he needs Abby’s help. He never thought he would be asking a Ranger to trust him and ask for her help but that’s what he needed to do if there was any hope of eradicating this sickness. This was his last chance and his only hope….

Never would Abby and Jake have thought they would be working with the enemy for the common good but that’s exactly what needs to happen. Will Abby be able to trust Jake won’t hurt her when all she’s even known was killing reapers? Would Jake have what it takes to earn that trust? Only time will tell and unfortunately time isn’t something they have a whole lot of. Forming an unlikely alliance will slowly turn into something more for these two and oh how I loved it!

Again, I have to say that I loved this cowboy/zombie mash-up! It was different and exciting and interesting to read packed with suspense, intensity and even some sexy heat. Abby and Jake are on opposite teams in this war and the building of trust between them was really great to read. Neither one of them wants to be working with the other one but luckily they are pretty reasonable and realize they may be able to save the human race…together. There were more than a few twists and turns in this book that I enjoyed as well. Of course I won’t spoil it for you!

If you’re looking for something fresh and exciting, this is a book for you. Thank you, Eleri, for giving me a book I was excited to read from start to finish!

Four Loves

Guest Post:

Hi! Thank you so much for having me here to talk about my new release Reaper’s Touch. The inspirational “what if” question behind the Reaper series was: What if early explorers to the Americas discovered the fountain of youth but found that immortality came at a terrible price?

The story strayed from that original concept. The parasite that turned men into Reapers—immortal, violently aggressive cannibals—didn’t come from a fountain. Hurricanes and flooding contaminated the drinking water unleashing a plague on pre-Civil War era America. Because the parasite is killed by freezing temperatures, small populations of people survived by fleeing north or retreating into the mountains. Reapers migrate with warm weather, running south during the winter and rising again in the spring. A small percentage of the survivors are immune to the parasite and they become Rangers whose job it is to protect human farming and ranching settlements on the plains.

That’s the basic premise. Is it science fiction? Most biological plagues and apocalyptic stories fall into that category. The historical setting puts it more within the realm of alternate history/fantasy. And when you throw a strong romantic storyline into the mix, what the heck is it then? Not really paranormal romance, but what? I’ve spent a lot of time scratching my head trying to figure out what category to put this story in and it got me thinking about how much genre labels really matter.

Genre categories are supposed to aid in the discovery process and help set reader expectations. If you feel like reading Fantasy, you go find the shelf marked Fantasy and when you pull one of those books, you have a general idea of what you’re getting yourself into.

This traditional system works fine for physical bookstores and libraries. There are a limited number of books to look at and you can skim covers and blurbs until you find something close to what you’re looking for. Online is a different story. For one thing, there are so many titles available, especially if you’re looking at digital books. Browsing aimlessly isn’t really an option unless you have hours of time on your hands. And using the booksellers’ search engines can be an exercise in frustration.

Instead of browsing by genre-categories, what I’d really like to be able to do is type in a specific search “Epic Fantasy Romance Anti-Hero Sorcerer” or “Biological Plague Wild West” and get a list of relevant suggestions. Or maybe search for favorite tropes. But right now it can be hard to find what you’re looking for.

Reaper’s Touch ended up categorized as Paranormal Romance and Sci-Fi Dystopian. I’m curious about how much people pay attention to genre categories when they’re looking for books. And what would you call a cowboys vs. zombies + romance story?

Thanks for stopping by today, Eleri! ~Jillian

About the author:

Eleri Stone was born and raised in New Jersey. She graduated from the University of Iowa, married her college sweetheart, and settled in the Midwest where she still lives with her husband and their three children. A lifelong fan of fantasy, she started reading romance as an adult and was instantly captivated by the strong female protagonists and character-driven storylines. All of her stories have some element of speculative fiction and they all end with a happy-ever-after.

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