Category: Five Loves

Concerto by Skye Warren…Review

Concerto - BT banner.jpg

“Intriguing, dark and flirting with taboo, this sexy read left me wanting more!” –Lynda Aicher, USA Today bestselling author

Concerto, the highly anticipated second book in the North Security Series from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren, is available now!

Concerto

The spotlight lands on Samantha Brooks. Years of practice build to the opening night of a global tour. She plays her heart out, but there are darker forces underneath the stage.

There are eyes watching from the wings.

Liam North fights to keep her safe with every weapon he owns. She’s his greatest pride—and his greatest weakness. The danger comes from somewhere no one expected. Betrayal threatens to destroy everything he’s built. His business. His family. His life.

When the curtain falls, only one of them will be left standing.

Concerto - AN

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HXZQGY

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2JLcOdR

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/ConcertoSW

Nook: http://bit.ly/2V0BIqT

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2Wp15ms

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2HWGDWg

Excerpt:

One day I had been a man with a death wish—and the next I was responsible for a twelve-year-old girl. And then she grew up into a beautiful woman. At every turn she’s been a surprise.

I touch my fingers to her temple and stroke her cheek. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life it’s that everything will change. Don’t worry about your future. Do this because you love it, right now. Play. Compose. Perform. Sometimes all you have is right now.”

My hand trails down her jaw, until the backs of my fingers rest against her throat. Her vocal cords vibrate as she speaks. Ripples of pleasure and pain resound through my body.

“I’m not performing right now,” she whispers.

I have her tucked into the ivy, as deep as she can go. I’m blocking her with my body—keeping her within reach, keeping everyone else away. It’s the only way I’ve ever been able to breathe.

A knot forms in my throat. “What do you want?”

Right now. The words move between us like the cool night breeze.

It shouldn’t be possible for her to live up to the image in my head, the perfection that I’ve been imagining every goddamn night. Except it doesn’t even do her justice.

She’s living breathing perfection.

Somehow, I’m leaning close. Is it only me who wants this? Her breath brushes over my lips. What do you want? I asked her. “This,” she whispers, and then she closes the centimeters between us.

Four weeks. That’s how long I’ve been apart from her.

It might as well have been four years. A lifetime of silence. The moment her lips touch mine I’m suffused with music, thousands of notes that she’s played for me, a million heartbeats.

By the time she pulls back I’m breathing hard. I can run a marathon barely breaking a sweat. Being near this woman is enough to break my body into pieces.

 

YES!! YES!! YES!!

Skye Warren has left me stunned with Concerto. She has me so captivated with this trilogy that I don’t want it to end.

I purposely drug out reading this book – it was such a delicious, slow torture for me. It is so enthralling and Skye delivers so much in this book, I could feel myself wanting to devour this book in one sitting but kept myself from doing so.

Concerto is wrapped in sexiness, suspense, tension, passion and twists that I never saw coming. This book is so full of life and wonderment, and the characters, just amazing. Skye intertwines everything perfectly.

Concerto follows on the heels of Overture and continues the story of Samantha and Liam. Samantha has spread her wings, going out on her own and is on her first tour. Samantha has been sheltered for the past six years in the North securities compound and this tour opens her eyes to things she’s only imagined.

“It means you’re properly wary of the dangers of the wold, but still curious enough to go wandering. Don’t let anyone tell you different – Alice didn’t stumble upon magic. She created it.” 

Liam will stop at nothing to keep Samantha protected. He tried his best to stay away, but he trusts no-one with protecting Samantha, not even his family.

As secrets are unravelled and new twists are thrown into the story, Skye Warren keeps us glued to the pages. I love the Alice in Wonderland elements that weave themselves into the overall plot line and keeps things even more entertaining.

This book was so much more than I expected and I expected ALOT. Skye has once again blown me away with her writing, her creativity and her ability to weave the most intricate stories into something so lavish, that you want it to be real.

I cannot wait to see what she brings in Sonata. BRING IT ON!!!

 

Start the series with OVERTURE

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2TWpWgG

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2TPpoZz

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/Overture

Nook: http://bit.ly/2su8Bj5

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2RraYCa

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2ANRUDX

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2GMaxMv

About Skye Warren

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance such as the Endgame trilogy. Her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, sweet dogs, and evil cat.

Connect with Skye

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2DEpMn9

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2SQgiir

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2GDYiBq

YouTube: http://bit.ly/2ByI2OF

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2SyDFhh

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2STxF1I

Stay up to date with Skye Warren by signing up for her mailing list:

http://bit.ly/2N8gTXG

http://www.skyewarren.com

Release Day Blitz & Review…Requiem & Reverie (Sandman Duet #2) by Keri Lake

 

Title: Requiem & Reverie
Series: The Sandman Duet #2
Author: Keri Lake
Genre: Romantic Thriller/Romantic Suspense
Release Date: May 13, 2019
Blurb
It takes a killer to catch a killer.
And no one understands the motives of ruthless murderer, The Sandman, quite like Rhett Voss. 
Having spent his childhood in the shadows of the deranged lunatic, he’s become an expert on the topic. Killing is in his blood, and as a hitman for hire, Voss maintains a steady diet of carnage, himself.
Except lately, it’s lost its appeal. Until he’s enticed to track down the clever
Sandman who has his sights set on Nola Tensley.
The stunning single mom is a distraction Voss can’t afford, but to catch his elusive kin, he needs to watch the next victim closely. Consequently, stalking her soon becomes a dangerous obsession, turning a friendly game of cat and mouse into more than he bargained for, when someone close to Nola goes missing.
Suddenly, it’s no longer an old vendetta fueling Voss’s need to hunt down his enemy, but new stakes that are sure to mean more bloodshed. Voss knows better than anyone, though: to draw a killer out of hiding, one must have the right bait.
And both of them want Nola.
VISIT KERI’S FACEBOOK PAGE
FOR A RELEASE GIVEAWAY
Purchase Links
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited

 

The ARC for this popped up on my kindle and I immediately halted whatever I was reading so that I could dive into this one because I truly had to see where Keri was taking this duet and who the Sandman was!!

Requiem & Reverie picks up exactly where Nocturnes & Nightmares ended and it does not slow down one bit.

We are still getting viewpoints from Voss, Nola and the Sandman which just keeps the whole plot all the more entertaining and engaging. Something that I want to point out that may bother some readers, but something that I think takes great talent in a writer. Both Voss and Nola’s POV are written in first person while The Sandman’s is written in third. I loved this switch up and thought it was quite unique.

On to the book itself –

Keri holds nothing back in her writing and doesn’t sugarcoat anything. This is a romantic suspense/thriller and she keeps us at the edge of our seats the whole time.

I refuse to say anything about the plot except that it is non-stop suspense, action and steam. And I love how Keri ends this duet – just when you think you’re going to get a certain ending, you don’t. And I love that.

I thoroughly enjoyed this duet and I really hope she writes more like this.

Also Available
99c for release week only!
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Author Bio

 

Keri Lake is a dark romance writer who specializes in demon wrangling, vengeance dealing and wicked twists. Her stories are gritty, with antiheroes that walk the line of good and bad, and feisty heroines who bring them to their knees.  When not penning books, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughters, and their rebellious Labrador (who doesn’tretrieve a damn thing).  She runs onstrong coffee and alternative music, loves a good red wine, and has a slight addiction to dark chocolate.
Author Links

The Last Time I Saw You by Liv Constantine…..Review & eBook Giveaway

 

Synopsis:

The internationally bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish follows that success with an addictive novel filled with shocking twists about the aftermath of a brutal high-society murder.

Dr. Kate English has it all. Not only is she the heiress to a large fortune; she has a gorgeous husband and daughter, a high-flying career, and a beautiful home anyone would envy.

But all that changes the night Kate’s mother, Lily, is found dead, brutally murdered in her own home. Heartbroken and distraught, Kate reaches out to her estranged best friend, Blaire Barrington, who rushes to her side for the funeral, where the years of distance between them are forgotten in a moment.

That evening, Kate’s grief turns to horror when she receives an anonymous text: You think you’re sad now, just wait. By the time I’m finished with you, you’ll wish you had been buried today. More than ever, Kate needs her old friend’s help.

Once Blaire decides to take the investigation into her own hands, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems in Baltimore high society. As infidelity, lies, and betrayals come to light, and tensions rise to a boiling point, she begins to alienate Kate’s friends and relatives with her relentless, accusatory questions, as she tries to find Lily’s killer. The murderer could be anyone—friend, neighbor, loved one. But whoever it is, it’s clear that Kate is next on their list. . .

In The Last Time I Saw You, Liv Constantine takes the lightning pace of The Last Mrs. Parrish and raises the stakes, creating an exquisitely tension-filled and absorbing tale of psychological suspense in which innocent lives—and one woman’s sanity—hang in the balance.

 

My Review:

The Last Time I Saw You is the newest work from the dynamic sister duo Liv Constantine and if you know me at all, you know I have been singing the praise of their first book, The Last Mrs. Parrish, since it’s release.  To say I was super excited to get an advance copy of this book would be a serious understatement and as I started reading it, I knew these sisters had done it again….this book was FANTASTIC!

This book starts out with a huge blow and the hits just kept coming the more and more I read.  I loved it. From a childhood friend suddenly returning years after a major falling out to a husband with a coworker dying to get into his pants, and of course, a murder mystery and threatening anonymous texts, I could NOT put this book down.

Like our heroine Kate, I was kept guessing with each text she received.  I had no idea who to trust, who to keep an eye on, who to dismiss as a non-threat.  Honestly, I imagine I felt EXACTLY as Kate felt.  I could put myself in her shoes and with each chapter I read I got more and more involved in solving the mystery at hand.  It was SUCH a thrill ride! Along the way I had mixed emotions towards the childhood friend Blaire, her husband Simon, and even the police trying to help get to the bottom of things. I won’t spoil anything for you but I will tell you the twist at the end was one I never saw coming and it was absofreakingloutely brilliant. Oh so juicy and oh so perfect!

If you take one thing away from this review, it’s that you MUST read this book…..you won’t be disappointed!

Thank you, Lynne and Val, for another stellar read!  I can’t wait to see what you come up with next.

 

To be entered to win an ebook copy of THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU, share this blog post on any of your social media accounts and comment letting us know you did! 

Use the share button below or copy this link: https://wp.me/p2TH5g-778

Winner will be chosen and emailed on Friday, May 10, 2019. 

 

Book Links:

Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

 

Five Loves

 

About the authors: 

Liv Constantine is the pen name of USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and international bestselling authors and sisters Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine, co-authors of the Reese Witherspoon book club pick, THE LAST MRS. PARRISH. Separated by three states, they spend hours plotting via FaceTime and burning up each other’s emails. They attribute their ability to concoct dark story lines to the hours they spent listening to tales handed down by their Greek grandmother. Their next book, THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU, will be released on May 7, 2019.

Visit them at www.livconstantine.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debase by Rachel Van Dyken…Excerpt & Review

blog tour banner.jpg

Debase by Rachel Van Dyken

Release Date: April 30, 2019

Debase_eBook_PROOF5.jpg

Debase, the final book in the Eagle Elite Series and the first new book in the Elite Bratva Brotherhood by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Rachel Van Dyken.

With blood on my hands, I held her.

With death in my soul, I took from her.

With the devil in my heart, I coveted her.

There are many definitions of Hell.

My list was exhaustive, my definitions tragic.

Tonight I was adding something new to the very top.

Girl number six thirty-two.

She arrived on my birthday, the same day, every year, I play Russian Roulette and pull the trigger.

She was my omen.

My end game.

She made it personal.

And for the first time in my life, I gave in.

A virgin mob boss with no soul.

My name is Andrei Petrov.

They call me the devil.

All I want is for the pain to end.

All she wants is for me to share it.

I am the last remaining heir to a dynasty that should burn in Hell.

And my last wish remains for it to die with me.

Debase - AN.jpg

Download your copy today!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2FLoeJc

Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/Debase

Nook: http://smarturl.it/DebaseBN

AppleBooks: http://smarturl.it/DebaseApple

Kobo: http://smarturl.it/DebaseKobo

Smashwords: http://smarturl.it/DebaseSW

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2OyE6me

Blog Tour.jpg

Excerpt:

I slid my tongue into her mouth. I tasted, I took, I was greedy with each kiss. With blood on my hands, I held her.

With death in my soul, I drank from her.

With the devil in my heart, I coveted her.

I wanted closer.

More.

My gloves felt too hot for my hands.

My hands too big to contain the weeping leather as I pulled away from Alice and stared into her big blue eyes.

“You don’t want this,” I whispered.

She bit down on her swollen lip and reached for me, I stood still as her warm hands touched both of my cheeks. “Lie.”

I let out a hiss of air at her touch. “Walk. Away.”

“Kiss me again.”

“I can’t do that.” I needed to stop doing that.

“Can’t or won’t?”

I told myself one more kiss, one more touch. I told myself it would be okay, that I was still in control.

That I was above this.

That no woman had ever owned me.

No woman had ever taken everything.

My chest heaved as I stared at her mouth, unable to move, completely rooted to the floor.

Alice moved her hands to my jeans and slowly unbuttoned them. I didn’t stop her, I needed to fucking stop her, but it was like I’d drank this paralyzing poison from her lips and couldn’t function, could only watch her as my soul floated above my body, mocking my inaction, telling me that this would be the end of me.

The very end.

Letting her in.

Keeping her there.

I would give her everything.

And then I would lose control.

Lose my mind.

Lose my heart.

I would lose.

So would she.

“Alice…” My voice cracked. “I wish…” Her hands stilled on my jeans like she was ready to pull them down. “I can’t. I wish I could. I can’t.”

How could she possibly understand?

How could I explain the gut-wrenching fear of looking in the mirror and knowing that one choice kept me sane. One choice.

And that was sex.

He’d made that choice.

I wouldn’t.

I couldn’t.

I couldn’t trust myself, couldn’t trust it wouldn’t happen to me too, and hurt someone like her.

Someone so very… perfect.

Without blinking, Alice gripped my jeans, indecision etched on every pretty part of her face.

She was beautiful.

So damn beautiful.

I gripped her wrists with my hands and pulled them away from the very real temptation of getting completely naked and sinking into her, feeling her clench around me, her tight heat.

Shit.

I pulled her into my arms, and she rested her head on my shoulder. Just because I couldn’t let her touch me, couldn’t cross that line, didn’t mean I couldn’t make her happy, I would kill to watch her face in the throes of multiple orgasms.

I quickly gripped her by the hips and put her up on the cold granite countertop.

“Andrei what are you doing?” She looked down at me uncertainty in her blue eyes.

I moved my hands to her ass and pulled down the black leggings she’d been wearing, all the way down to her ankles, right along with a pair of lacy underwear that were bright pink, and perfect.

“Andrei?”

“Yes?”

“Seriously, what are you doing?”

I gripped her knees with my hands and then spread them wide. “What’s it look like I’m doing?” I smirked. “I’m feasting.”

Her eyes widened.

Never underestimate a virgin with an extremely vivid imagination and heightened sexual appetite.

I wasn’t a fucking monk.

I would like to think I knew more than most men, because I’d seen it all, watched it, inadvertently studied it.

If someone gave me a diagram of a woman, I could point out over twenty-two ways to get her off — with my tongue, a feather, my fingers, take your pick.

“You don’t have to—” She let out a gasp, gripping the edge of the granite, turning her hands white.

I chuckled darkly against her right thigh and bit. “I’m sorry, what was that? I don’t have to?”

“I’ve never, nobody has ever… done. This.”

“Tell me,” I asked gently before I dipped my tongue inside her and flicked.

Her entire body jerked.

“Tell me he never touched you like this, tell me nobody has ever touched you like this.”

“Never,” she rasped. “You.” That word was like a gunshot going off in my soul. “Only you, Andrei.”

“Me.” I flicked my tongue again, and gripped her by the ass, pulling her almost completely off the counter while I sat beneath her and sucked her off in the most primitive aggressive way I knew how.

With every ounce of energy I had in my physical body.

With my soul.

I used every weapon in my arsenal.

 

Debase is the start of spinoff series from RVD’s Eagle Elite series. While there are a lot of previous characters in this book, you do not need to know their stories to understand this book.

RVD has a family tree at the beginning of the book to give you an idea of who is who and how they are all connected, but I will be honest, that confused me and I have read ALL the Eagle Elite books. So it may be best to read this one without that knowledge at first.

Debase is Andrei’s book – the last of the Russian Mafia. He’s battling demons and trying to escape the path his father paved for him. He’s definitely a character that you will love but hate some of his decisions. His definition of a good time is torturing those who have crossed him. He lives up to the reputation that precedes him.

Alice is the one obstacle that Andrei did not see coming. Her intrusion into his life comes with complications. She’s an extremely strong woman, especially after all that she has endured. She quickly became a fave character of mine.

RVD does a great job of meshing the previous series characters into this book and providing new readers a whole new mafia to follow. I am really exited to see where this series goes.

“Sangue in non mai fuori” “Blood in. Never Out.”

About Rachel:

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Connect with Rachel:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelVanDyken
Website: http://rachelvandykenauthor.com
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/RVDNewsletter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachvd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachVD
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2cNVwL9
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/RVDGR
Rachel’s Rockin’ Readers: http://bit.ly/RachelsRockinReaders

Release Day Blitz & Review….Nocturnes & Nightmares (Sandman Duet) by Keri Lake

 

Title: Nocturnes & Nightmares
Series: The Sandman Duet #1
Author: Keri Lake
Genre: Romantic Thriller/Romantic Suspense
Release Date: April 29, 2019
Blurb
The most terrifying monsters aren’t found in dreams
…
Four young
socialites have gone missing in the Chicago area. Two found dead, bearing the
signature marks of a brutal serial killer. With the kind of tragedy that mars
Nola Tensley’s past, she should be concerned, but without a pot to piss in, all
the struggling single mom cares about is making a normal life for her son.
After all,
she’s clearly not the murderer’s type.
Or is she?
When Rhett
Voss, an enigmatic and handsome stranger, answers her ad for the outdated
in-law suite at the back of her property, offering double her asking price,
Nola really can’t refuse. Even though the supposed Wall Street Wolf seems
better suited for a high-rise downtown—a suspicion that quickly turns into
hindsight once she submits to the flirtations of her charming new tenant, and
consequently, unearths a series of disturbing revelations.
Her
curiosities lead her down the path of a madman, whose moniker, The Sandman, only hints at the grisly
nature of his crimes. He’s smart. Evasive. A cunning psychopath with a twisted
method of disposing his victims.
And his
hunting grounds are hitting too close to home.

Author note:
This book contains scenes of graphic sex and violence that some readers
may find disturbing. 

 

Enter the release giveaway 
on Keri’s Facebook Page
For more giveaways, 
join Keri’s group
Purchase Links
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited

 

When Keri said that she was going to write a romantic thriller, I was all-in, no blurb needed.

Just when I think that Keri has taken us to the darkest recesses her of mind, she draws us down another dark alley with her twisted musings.

Voss is a very twisted man that I am not sure we will ever understand. He may be able to “control” his wants, urges and desires but I don’t think he will ever be able to truly control himself.

Nola’s family is definitely fucked over by fate – no way else to say it. Somewhere along the time, someone in her family pissed off a higher being and now Karma is having her fun with them.

The Sandman – who is he really?!?! How does he know Nola and what he does want with her? We have an idea how Voss plays into this, but that still remains a bit of a mystery too. What does the Sandman want from him??

I have to say that I am quite intrigued by the whole suspense and thrill of this story. The romance definitely plays second fiddle to it but it’s a nice blended feature. The sex in this book is definitely more on the erotic side and even a bit disturbing at times. However – that is what adds to the thrilling part of this story – without the depravity of those scenes, this book would be lacking.

Overall, I have no doubt this duet will be a smashing hit as a romantic thriller. Aside from a thing or two that bugged me, this book is an amazing start to the duet. I am so glad that we do not have long to wait for the second book to release; I am anxiously waiting on pins and needles to see what else Keri can surprise us with.

Read at your own risk. 😉

Author Bio

 

Keri Lake is a dark romance writer who specializes in demon wrangling, vengeance dealing and wicked twists. Her stories are gritty, with antiheroes that walk the line of good and bad, and feisty heroines who bring them to their knees.  When not penning books, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughters, and their rebellious Labrador (who doesn’t retrieve a damn thing).  She runs on strong coffee and alternative music, loves a good red wine, and has a slight addiction to dark chocolate.
Author Links

Release Day Blitz & Review….Cruel Fortune by K.A. Linde

 

 
 
Lose yourself to
the dark and glamorous underbelly of the Upper East Side in the second book
in USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde’s new billionaire
romance Cruel Trilogy.I finally have everything I ever wanted–fame
and fortune and literary success.

Only one problem: I lost my muse.

He was tall, dark, and handsome. Broody,
enigmatic, alluring, and right for me in every way.

Until he wasn’t. Until I lost everything.

And I can’t lose it all again. I’ll do anything
to keep it.

Even seeing him again…

 

 

AVAILABLE NOW

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | AMAZON AU | AMAZON CA | B&N

| APPLE BOOKS | KOBO

 

You know it’s a damn good book when you completely ignore all your work and devour the book in hours because you are so invested in these characters. Whoops – not sorry at all. And now I need book 3 – pronto!!

Cruel Money is the 2nd book in Linde’s Cruel series and let me tell you, this is one series you MUST READ!!

We are thrown right into the heart of things at the start of Cruel Money and the story never dies down. The story is told from both Penn and Natalie’s POVs, however, I was hoping to get a bit inside of Lewis’ mind since he played a very large part in this book.

I won’t give anything away about the plot. You know what you are in for after reading the first book. The socialites and upper echelon of the East Side only live life one way – playing games and staying at the top by any means. Natalie finds herself back in their web, but this time thinks it might be a bit different since she’s more aware of how life is for the rich. Oh, if it were only that obvious.

Linde does a great job of weaving the perfect story and letting it play out so naturally in this world of riches. The secondary characters were once again the perfect antidote to the entire story and blended perfectly together. You know that someone is always up to something but it’s the intrigue and excitement of what is to come that keeps this story alive and thriving.

I cannot wait to see what she brings in the third book – the lies, deceit and games – does it ever end?!?

 

 

 
 
Lose yourself to the dark and glamorous underbelly of the Upper East Side in USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde’s new billionaire romance Cruel Trilogy.
She was supposed to be a one night stand.
A way to sate my sexual appetite.
I let her glimpse the man I am. The face that I hide behind my carefully cultivated life.
But she ripped open that divide–and there’s no going back.
Now, she’s here. In my city.
I don’t care that I’m Manhattan royalty and she’s the help.
Only that she’s living in my summer home. With me.
And I want more.

AVAILABLE NOW

✦ Amazon US ✦ iBooks ✦ B&N ✦ Kobo ✦ Google Play ✦ Paperback

 
K.A. Linde is the USA Today bestselling author of
more than fifteen novels including the Avoiding series and the Record series.
She has a Masters degree in political science from the University of Georgia,
was the head campaign worker for the 2012 presidential campaign at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and served as the head coach of
the Duke University dance team. She loves reading fantasy novels, geeking out
over Star Wars, binge-watching Supernatural, and dancing in her spare time.

 

She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her
husband and two super adorable puppies.

`

When We left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton….Review Tour Stop & Giveaway

When We Left Cuba

by Chanel Cleeton

Book Summary:

In 1960s Florida, a young Cuban exile will risk her life–and heart–to take back her country in this exhilarating historical novel from the author of Next Year in Havana, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.

Beautiful. Daring. Deadly.

The Cuban Revolution took everything from sugar heiress Beatriz Perez–her family, her people, her country. Recruited by the CIA to infiltrate Fidel Castro’s inner circle and pulled into the dangerous world of espionage, Beatriz is consumed by her quest for revenge and her desire to reclaim the life she lost.

As the Cold War swells like a hurricane over the shores of the Florida Strait, Beatriz is caught between the clash of Cuban American politics and the perils of a forbidden affair with a powerful man driven by ambitions of his own. When the ever-changing tides of history threaten everything she has fought for, she must make a choice between her past and future–but the wrong move could cost Beatriz everything–not just the island she loves, but also the man who has stolen her heart…

 

My Review in Short:

After falling in love with Chanel Cleeton’s first Cuban tale, Next Year in Havana, I could not WAIT to get my hands on this follow up and she did not disappoint.  I loved every single minute of this book.

The tale of the Perez sisters and their journey continues with Beatriz’s story in this emotional, lushly described, wonderful story. A strong, ahead-of-the-times heroine on a journey filled with turmoil, emotion, romance, and thrills had me glued to each page. This is a book for every fellow booklover out there!

Thank you, Ms. Cleeton, for another stellar read!

Five Loves

 

Book Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ICxV06

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2KQM6MG

iBooks: https://apple.co/2IjgX3m

IndieBound: https://bit.ly/2LoZFUz

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2rINd9V

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38193131-when-we-left-cuba

 

Learn more about When We Left Cuba including downloading the book club guide and more at: http://www.chanelcleeton.com/when-we-left-cuba

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Praise for When We Left Cuba:

 

A thrilling story about love, loss, and what we will do to go home again. Utterly un-put-down-able.

—PopSugar

A beautiful and utterly transporting novel.

—Publisher’s Weekly

Bold, unconventional Beatriz makes a heroine for the ages…A thrilling, thought-provoking read!

—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network

A gorgeously atmospheric homage to a country and a past that vibrates with emotion on every page.  Historic events, espionage, and a Kennedy-esque romance make this novel a rich read, but the addition of a formidable heroine truly makes it unputdownable.  This is not just historical fiction, but also an unrequited love story for a country and a way of life, as well as a journey of self-discovery for a woman torn between love and the two countries she calls home.

—Karen White, New York Times bestselling author

Cleeton once again delivers a masterful tale of political intrigue tinged with personal heartbreak. Her ferocity and fearlessness can be found on every page, and Beatriz’s story—one of vengeance, betrayal, and bravery—astonishes and thrills.

—Fiona Davis, national bestselling author of The Masterpiece

Atmospheric and evocative, When We Left Cuba captivates with its compelling portrayals of the glamorous Cuban exile community and powerful forbidden love set against the dangerous intrigue of the Cold War. Unforgettable and unputdownable!

—Laura Kamoie, New York Times bestselling coauthor of My Dear Hamilton

By turns a captivating historical novel, a sweeping love story, and a daring tale of espionage—I absolutely adored this gem of a novel.

—Jillian Cantor, author of The Lost Letter and In Another Time

Oozing with atmosphere and intrigue, When We Left Cuba is an evocative, powerful and beautifully written historical novel which had me completely captivated from the first page to the last. Take a bow, Chanel Cleeton!

—Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter

With a sure hand for historical detail, an impeccable eye for setting, and a heroine who grasps hold of your heart and never lets go, Chanel Cleeton has created another dazzlingly atmospheric and absorbing story of Cuba and its exiles. A beautiful and profoundly affecting novel from a writer whose work belongs on the shelves of every lover of historical fiction.

—Jennifer Robson, USA Today bestselling author of The Gown

Powerful, emotional and oh so real. One woman’s fight to reclaim her own country, against all odds and no matter what the cost is intertwined with the real history of our lifetime and creates an unforgettable story.

—Rhys Bowen, New York Times and #1 Kindle bestselling author of The Tuscan Child and the Royal Spyness mysteries.

Scintillating…. An intriguing dive into the turbulent Cuban-American history of the 1960s, and the unorthodox choices made by a strong historical woman.

—Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The Only Woman in the Room

Rich in historic detail, When We Left Cuba has it all—the excitement of a page-turning thriller, the sizzle of a steamy romance and the elegant prose of a master storyteller.

—Renée Rosen, author of Park Avenue Summer

Cleeton draws you into the glamour, intrigue, and uncertainty of the Cuban exile community just after Castro’s coup through a heroine who could give Mata Hari a run for her money…. You’ll be rooting for Beatriz to change the course of history—and find her own hard-won happily ever after.

—Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author of The English Wife

With a richly imagined setting and a heroine worth rooting for from the start, When We Left Cuba is thrilling and romantic, and timely to boot.

—Michelle Gable, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer I Met Jack

A compelling unputdownable story of love—for a man, for a country, for a past ripped away, and a future’s tenuous promise. When We Left Cuba swept me away.

—Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling author of Lighthouse Beach.

Electric and fierce. Beatriz Perez’s romance with a handsome, important senator will sweep you away, but it’s her profound loyalty to Cuba and her formidable determination to be her own woman despite life-and-death odds that will really hold you in thrall.

—Kerri Maher, author of The Kennedy Debutante

In a tale as tempestuous as Cuba itself, When We Left Cuba is the revolutionary story of one woman’s bold courage and her many sacrifices for her beloved country. An absolutely spectacular read!

—Stephanie Marie Thornton, author of American Princess

Beatriz Perez’s brand of vintage-Havana glamour dazzles with equal parts intrigue, rebellion, and romance to make for an unforgettable story.

—Elise Hooper, author of The Other Alcott

 

Author Information:

Chanel Cleeton is the USA Today bestselling author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick Next Year in Havana. Originally from Florida, Chanel grew up on stories of her family’s exodus from Cuba following the events of the Cuban Revolution. Her passion for politics and history continued during her years spent studying in England where she earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master’s degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics & Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She loves to travel and has lived in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.

 

Author Links:

 

Website:   www.chanelcleeton.com

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/authorchanelcleeton

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1545366192398558/

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/chanelcleeton/

Twitter:   www.twitter.com/chanelcleeton

Goodreads:  www.goodreads.com/chanelcleeton

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2GFim2N

 

 

Eleanor & Grey by Brittainy C. Cherry…Review Tour

E&G - BT banner.jpg

Eleanor & Grey, an all-new beautiful and emotional standalone from Brittainy C. Cherry is available now!

Eleanor & Grey FOR WEB

Greyson East left his mark on me.

As the young girl who first fell for him, I didn’t know much about life. I did know about his smiles, though, and his laughs, and the strange way my stomach flipped when he was near.

Life was perfect…until it wasn’t, and when we were forced to go our separate ways, I held on to our memories, let go of my first crush, and wished for the day I’d find him again.

When my wish came true, it was nothing like I imagined.

I couldn’t have known when I took the nanny position that it would be his children I looked after, that my new boss would be that boy I used to know, that boy who was now a man—a cold, lonely, detached man.

The smile and laugh I had loved so much were gone, now distant memories. Every part of him was covered in a fresh pain.

When he realized who I was, he made me promise to do my job and my job only.

He made me promise not to try to get to know him, not to recall the memories I’d treasured all this time.

But, sometimes, I saw the boy I’d once known in his stormy eyes. I saw the Greyson who smiled and laughed, who had stolen a young girl’s heart, and there was no doubt in my mind that this boy was worth fighting for.

I was given a second chance with the one who’d left his mark on me. All I hoped was that somehow I’d leave a mark on his soul, too.

E&G - AN

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FTOiSy

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/EleanorGrey

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2SYJ3dH

E&G - Teaser 2 AN.jpg

Excerpt:

Eleanor

Thirty-two years old

Greyson’s assistant, Allison, finished giving me a tour of the house. “Okay, I think that’s everything. I’m going to head out now, but go ahead and make yourself comfortable. Get used to the property. Mr. East knows you’re here today, so don’t feel like you aren’t allowed to wander around a bit. If you need anything, my cell number is on the contact list in the book, or you can email me. If nothing comes up, I hope your first day goes well. Claire will be with you Monday to make sure the transition goes smoothly.”

I must have looked terrified because as Allison grabbed her coat and purse to leave, she gave me a light squeeze on the shoulder.

“You’re going to be fine, Eleanor. Mind over matter. You got this. Let’s touch base later in the week so I can check in on how things are going.”

“Sounds great. Thanks, Allison.”

After she left, I took a deep breath and flipped through a few pages in the binder. Then, I did a once-through of the house, familiarizing myself with whose room was where. There was something so unsettling about the quietness of Greyson’s home. It was so dark with an odd gloomy feeling attached to it, haunting almost. I didn’t mean dark as in the lighting situation, rather it was the energy level. There was such a heaviness in the space.

The place felt like a house, not a home.

If I hadn’t known any better, I wouldn’t have believed a family lived there at all.

It felt so abandoned, almost like a memory frozen in time.

That might’ve just been my own thoughts, thought, due to knowing about the tragedy that had taken place in the lives of the individuals who lived there. With the number of books I’d read, it wasn’t inaccurate to say my mind wandered toward the dramatics.

I walked back into the kitchen, flipping through the binder, completely taken aback by the girls’ schedules. Between school, swim lessons, karate, piano lessons, physical therapy, and grief counseling, I wasn’t sure how they found the time to live a little.

“Eleanor.”

I leaped out of my skin at the sound of my name and turned to see Greyson standing behind me with an empty glass in his hand. He was dressed in a suit and tie, which was so strange to me.

Who wore a suit and tie in their own home?

I hardly wore pants when I was home alone.

“Oh, Greyson, hi. Sorry I’m still here. Allison was just giving me a tour, and she said it was okay to look around a bit more.”

“She made me aware.”

Wow. He had responded immediately, unlike the first time I saw him. I called that progress.

I smiled at him, but he didn’t smile back, and that felt like the oddest thing in the world. The old Greyson had been full of smiles.

“It’s a beautiful home,” I stated, unsure what else to talk about. “It’s massive. I swear, it’s like ten times the size of my place.” He blankly stared my way as I shifted from foot to foot. “I love the décor,” I blurted out, and I hated myself the second the words left my lips. Just walk away, Eleanor. Don’t be awkward. “Those throw pillows in your living room are to die for. Where did you get them?”

“The interior designer chose everything,” he replied dryly.

“Oh, right, of course. My interior designer is normally the clearance section at T.J. Maxx,” I joked. “Or on special occasions, Target.”

He didn’t laugh, probably because I wasn’t funny.

I wondered when was the last time he’d laughed.

Did he ever find anything funny anymore?

We kept staring at one another in the most uncomfortable silence, though I didn’t feel as if I could pull myself away from it. I probably stared at him too long, but how could I not? I’d gone fifteen-some years without looking at him. It was understandable that I wouldn’t be able to turn away quickly.

The awkwardness of it all finally came to a halt when Greyson cleared his throat.

“Eleanor?”

“Yes?”

“I came for water.”

“Oh?” I stared at him like an idiot, wide-eyed like a deer in headlights, waiting for his next words. I stood still as if he were going to expand on his interest in water. Was he offering me a drink? Were we going to sip water and catch up on things? Was I finally going to be able to ask him how he’d become the CEO of his father’s company at such a young age? What had happened to his father?

His stare narrowed, and his lips turned down in a displeased fashion. He nodded once.

“Hmm?” I asked.

He nodded more aggressively this time, gesturing past me.

I glanced behind me and realized I was standing right in front of the refrigerator, blocking the water dispenser. I stepped to the side, mentally beating myself up.

Idiot.

“Oh, right, of course. Well, I think I’m done here, so I’ll see myself out,” I stated, scrambling to grab my binder. “Have a good afternoon.”

He didn’t reply, but that wasn’t shocking. I was quickly learning that this new Greyson didn’t have nearly as much to say as the old one.

 

 

 

About Brittainy:

Author Brittainy C. Cherry is an Amazon #1 bestselling author.

She has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Creative Writing.

Her novels have been published in 18+ countries around the world. Brittainy lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin with her fur babies.

Connect with Brittainy:

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2Fc8izo

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2Oe1m8V

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Fltnc1

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Fk2jKg

GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2ThAciJ

Join Brittainy’s Golden Girls (And Boys) Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2Y4WEir

Stay up to date with Brittainy by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2oK1voU

https://bcherrybooks.com

Eighty-One Nights by Georgia Cates….Review Tour

Eighty-One Nights (Beautiful Illusions Duet #1) by Georgia Cates
Release Date: April 9th

 

Add to Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44284142-eighty-one-nights

 

 

AVAILABLE NOW!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2TG6DMB
B&N: http://bit.ly/2FhJ4ko
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2F8PvoN
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2F8Q1mJ

 

 

Blurb:
Beautiful, penniless American girl meets handsome, wealthy Scotsman.

Sounds like the beginning of a fairy-tale romance?

It’s not.

This story begins with a contract.

And an exchange of money.

A lot of money.

An angel perches nervously on one shoulder.

A devil lounges smugly on my other.

And even that dark little bastard is leery of what I’m doing.

Maxwell Hutcheson wants the girlfriend experience.

All of it.

And I’m going to give it to him.

I’m not supposed to enjoy being his whore.

I’m also not supposed to fall in love with him.

But I do. Both.

When our contract expires, I will walk away.

Because I have to.

But he’ll always have a piece of me.

I’ll mask my sorrow with a smile.

I’ll hide my love with indifference

… all while it’s killing me softly.

A fairy-tale romance.

It isn’t mine to have.

And this man I’ve come to love so dearly isn’t my happily ever after.

About Eighty-One Nights:

While the characters from Eighty-One Nights are entirely new, their storyline is a combination of fresh material and carefully selected themes, scenes, and settings from The Beauty Series, The Sin Trilogy, Dear Agony, and Indulge. This is intentional. I chose some of my favorite elements from previous releases and interjected them into Hutch and Lou’s story. Let’s call it a “story fusion” between our old favorites and new material. This work was briefly released under a pen name and was titled The Girlfriend Experience.

 

 

Excerpt:
“No one gets to call you a whore.”

“You can.”

He stops eating and looks at me. “I’d never degrade you by calling you a whore.”

“Not a whore. Your whore. There’s a difference.”

I can almost see the wheels turning in Hutch’s head. “You’re my whore?”

“Yes. Only yours.”

“My whore.” He grins. “I don’t think that I’m supposed to like that, but I do.”

“And I don’t think I’m supposed to like being your whore, but I do. Very much.”

He reaches out for my hand and brings it to his mouth, kissing it. “You never cease to amaze me.”

“Dirty talk. Never underestimate the power of it.”

 

I was a tad hesitant on how much I would enjoy this one. I love that Georgia was upfront with how she came about this idea but I still have some small reservations that it would be pulled off well. And boy was I wrong.

Do not go into this with any pretenses on what you have read before. I can assure you, whatever you are thinking, it’s not what happens in this book.

Max (Hutch) is a widow but his heart is not where one would think it is. Max is struggling to move forward in his life, but in ways no one can imagine. He holds a lot of secrets from everyone in his life and he has his reasons. But those secrets are also preventing him from being able to be himself in life.

Cait (Lou) is struggling to find a way for her last upcoming year in college. She’s found herself in a bit a pinch with money until her best friend lets her on in a little secret. A secret that will forever change Cait’s life – for better or worse.

Max and Cait meet in one of the most unusual ways but nothing about their lives is normal. So it’s only fitting that they meet this way. Their “girlfriend arrangement” meets both their needs and they follow the expectations set for one another. While Cait has her reservations on certain things, they both come to agreement that they both can agree upon.

I have to say – this story was so much more than I had expected. And I loved every for it. I love the interactions, the secondary characters, the nuances they learn about one another and the agreement to always say what they are thinking. And the sex in this book – WOW!! There was a lot more than I had anticipated but it definitely did not hurt the overall plot of this story. If anything, it only help serve the purpose and the deepening of the relations between Max and Cait.

Since this is a duet, I knew to expect a cliffy. While it’s definitely one I saw coming, I am still anxious to see what happens next. There are still some secrets that have not been spilt and some underlying problems that I am anxious to see play out.

Georgia Cates has definitely delivered on he promise of giving us a “story infusion” by blending the old with the new and giving us a story that we soon won’t forget.

 

 

About the Author:
Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author and hasn’t looked back yet.

When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. When she’s being domestic, she’s listening to her music and visualizing scenes for her current work in progress. Every story coming from her always has a song to inspire it.

 

 

Connect w/Georgia:
Website: http://www.georgiacates.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgia.cates.9
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeorgiaCates
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgeorgiacates/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/georgiacates1/
Bookbub:https://www.bookbub.com/authors/georgia-cates

Sign up for her newsletter: http://bit.ly/2HrWkV7

 

Heat Stroke by Tessa Bailey…ARC Review

Heat Stroke is available NOW!

Synopsis:

Marcus “Diesel” O’Shaughnessy is a brash, oversized CrossFit enthusiast with a naked lady tattooed on his rippling forearm. Jamie Prince is a private school teacher with an extremely low tolerance for bullshit. The two men have zero in common. Well, except for three things. 

They’re both moonlighting as lifeguards for the summer. 
No matter how hard they try, they cannot stay away from each other. 
And both of them have secrets they’re determined to keep. 

But what happens in the shadows of the Long Beach boardwalk can only remain hidden for so long, before the July sunshine reveals the hot, unrelenting connection they never expected, forcing Marcus and Jamie to decide if they’re simply caught up in a temporary heat stroke or if they’ve found something worth rescuing…

 

My Review:

Ok, so I’m sure you all know I’m a HUGE Tessa Bailey fan so I’m always super exited for a new book.  A little while back she wrote an M/M story and I freaking LOVED it so to say that I was doubly excited for this release would be an understatement and oh boy, it was just as incredible as I knew it would be! *fans self*

I adored everything about this book.  Marcus and Jamie are DELISH! Total opposites in almost every way possible with an attraction that burned up the pages.  It was sexy, it was sweet, it was emotional, it was one helluva ride. The bonus of getting to hang with the rest of the Prince family added the most fab layer and I can’t WAIT for the next in the series! Until then I’ll just be over here sitting in total book hangover mode… *dreamy sigh*

Thank you, Tessa, for another a-freaking-mazing read!

 

Five Loves

 

 

Book Links:

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Hn6TcV

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2UKZHul

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2T6VLSZ

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2HpTMYe

 

 

 

About the Author:

Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days

Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention

She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of eleven years and seven-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

​

Website: www.tessabailey.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tessabaileyisanauthor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TessaBaileyAuthor/?ref=bookmarks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mstessabailey

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6953499.Tessa_Bailey

Release Day Blitz & Review….Heart of the Devil by Meghan March

Heart of the Devil Release Day Blitz/Blog Tour Collateral

Release Date: March 12, 2019

Blurb

From New York Times bestselling author Meghan March comes the stunning conclusion to the Forge Trilogy. In this final volume, ruthless billionaire Jericho Forge faces his toughest challenge. To emerge victorious, he’ll have to give up the one thing he’s never offered a woman—his heart.

It started as a game. She was nothing but my pawn.

But I was quick to see the error in my ways, and now she is everything I never knew I needed.

The value of a woman like India Baptiste is beyond measure.

But the problem with being a man like me? I’ve already screwed this up, and there’s no guarantee India will take me on for one last bet.

I’ll do whatever I have to do. Drop to my knees and offer her the only thing I have left. The one thing that’s only ever been hers—the heart of the devil.

Add to your Goodreads TBR

http://bit.ly/HeartofttheDevilGR

Where to buy

http://meghanmarch.com/book/heart-of-the-devil/

 

Treat her like I’m going to lose her tomorrow.

WOW!! This was a great ending for this trilogy!! Meghan truly knows how to write this enigmatic characters in her trilogies that keep us glued to the pages til the very end.

Heart of the Devil is the conclusion to Jericho and Indy’s story and it is just as exciting as the other two books. We get all the answers we had but not without some added twists and shocks thrown our way still. I will just tell you that you may think you figured everything out, but I have no doubt you will be so off base, your jaw will drop – cause mine did. It is a fast read or maybe it felt that way because I devoured this book so quickly – I loved every bit of it.

As much as I wanted to finish this trilogy, I also didn’t want it to end. I fell in love with these characters and their lifestyles. Indy is definitely one of my more favorite heroines that Meghan has written. Jericho (Forge) – as with all of Meghan’s alpha men, slowly wormed his way into my heart. And the secondary characters were a perfect blend to bring it all together.

Meghan really knows how to deliver her trilogies without any of the books losing their momentum. I have no idea how she does it but I love it. Her story lines are always well developed and thought out. And her characters are also well developed and help make the story come alive. Everything is fast-paced and action packed which is what I love. There are no moments to catch your breath. Like this series – you live the book in the fast lane.

 

All about Meghan March

Making the jump from corporate lawyer to romance author was a leap of faith that New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Meghan March will never regret. With over thirty titles published, she has sold millions of books in nearly a dozen languages to fellow romance-lovers around the world. A nomad at heart, she can currently be found in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, living her happily ever after with her real-life alpha hero.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter

Rafflecopter

Meghan March is giving away a set of signed paperbacks for the complete Forge Trilogy. Three Winners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway