Read-Love-Blog

Book Promotion & Review

Dirty Wicked by Shayla Black…ARC Review

 

 

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Synopsis:

From New York Times bestselling author, Shayla Black…

After being framed for a crime he didn’t commit, former private eye Nick Navarro has nothing but revenge on his mind—until a woman from his past returns to beg for his help.

Beautiful widow Sasha Porter has been hunted by his enemies. Desperate, she offers him anything to keep her young daughter safe, even agreeing to become his mistress. The last thing either of them want are emotional entanglements but as they entrap the ruthless politician who arranged Nick’s downfall and passion sizzles between them, danger closes in.

Will he choose love over vengeance before it’s too late?

 

My Review:

Dirty Wicked by Shayla Black is part of her fabulous Wicked Lovers series as well as release number 17 in the 2016 1,001 Dark Nights line-up. I adore Ms. Black’s writing and was so excited for this story.  Well, she did not disappoint!  Filled with heat and suspense, this novella was just what the doctor ordered!

When a blast from his past knocks on his door, Nick can’t help but wonder what twist of fate has led to this moment. You see, he’d been in love with the woman knocking on his door for what seemed like a lifetime and now she was here, asking him for his help.  No way could he turn that down…for more reasons that one. But did she really want to trust an ex-con? More than that, could he take this chance fate has given him and ask for more from her after he helped get her and her daughter safe again? One thing he was sure of….he’d waited long enough.  She was going to be his.

Man, I loved this story!  I loved the history between Sasha and Nick.  I loved Nick’s restrained passion even though he has so much of it for her.  I loved that he was willing to wait for Sasha to acknowledge her feelings for him on her terms and he wasn’t going to push her even though he was hanging on by a thread. There is something so damn sexy about a man like that, right?? I also loved Sasha’ tenacity and resolve to keep her daughter safe at any cost.  She is 100% a gal all of us can relate to especially when it comes to that.  The heat and sexual tension between these two is so delicious and done so well.  And when they finally do come together?  Oh…my…goodness.  It was so hot and so emotional and just so amazing.  I also have to say how much I loved the suspense and action aspect of this story.  It was really well done and added a fantastic layer.

Whether you’re already a Shayla Black fan or she is totally new to you, I know you will love Dirty Wicked as much as I did!

 

5LovesRLB

Five Loves

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Kindle  | AmazonPrint 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty novels. For over fifteen years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.

Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past seven years.

Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her teenage daughter, and a very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

 

Connect with me online:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Website | Newsletter | Goodreads | Google + | YouTube | BookBub

 

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All the Ways You Saved Me by Jamie Howard…Release Day Blitz & Review

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ALL THE WAYS YOU SAVED ME by Jamie Howard
E-Original published by Swerve
Publication Date: November 1, 2016
ISBN: 9781250119926
Price: $3.99

BLURB

Bianca Easton is the perfect senator’s daughter.

Law school? Check.

Camera-ready smile? Check.

A dull and boring existence? Double check.

But that was before. Before she lost her best and only friend in a tragic accident. Before she found that friend’s unfinished bucket list. Definitely before she turned her life upside-down by deciding to stay in New York for six months to finish it.

It’s while she’s checking off her first item on the list–buy coffee for a stranger–that she meets Ian Mathis. Between the tattoo sleeve curling up his right arm, his guitar-roughened fingertips, and the secrets shadowing his past, he’s a complication Bianca doesn’t need but desperately wants.

With every item they cross off the list together, Bianca uncovers a piece of herself that she’s buried under what’s expected, all the while breaking her own rules by falling hard for Ian. But when her six months run out, Bianca has to decide if she’s willing to risk her empty but picture-perfect life for a chance at real, messy love.

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my-review

Who knew one book could draw such strong and powerful emotions out of you?!?!  This book can and did.  All The Ways You Saved Me was nothing short of an emotional ride that I have no regrets getting on.

“Anything worth doing is worth taking the time to get it right.”

I fell in love with Jamie’s writing from her debut book and she has never let me down since.  If anything, she’s only surprised me with each book.

All The Ways You Saved Me is story about growth and finding your place in life.  There are so many different facets to this story.  Learning from your past, dealing with the death of loved one, not allowing others to dictate your life, etc.  And it all just pieces together perfectly.

I love how Jamie tells this story in the present from Bianca’s POV and from Ian’s past POV.  We get to learn about both of them but told in this perspective, it gives us a better and deeper understanding of each character- their best parts, their flaws and everything in between.

“Life doesn’t play by the rules.”

Jamie wrote this story beautifully.  Her writing is flawless and the whole pace of the book is just perfect.  Another fantastic book by Jamie Howard!!!

 5LovesRLB

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BUY LINKS

SMP Romance: http://smpromance.com/contemporary.html#all-the-ways
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/allthewayskindle
B&N: http://smarturl.it/allthewaysnook
iBooks: http://smarturl.it/allthewaysibooks
Kobo: http://smarturl.it/allthewayskobo

AUTHOR BIO

JAMIE HOWARD spends her days as a legal and compliance specialist. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art from Ramapo College. When she’s not tapping away at the keyboard, you can find her devouring books and perfecting her gaming skills. She lives with her husband, son, and three dogs in New Jersey, and is almost always awake early enough to see the sun rise, even on the weekends.

Author Links
Website: https://jamiehowardauthor.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamiehowardauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JRHoward9/@JRHoward9

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Stroked Hard by Meghan Quinn…Release Day Blitz & Review



We’re celebrating the release of STROKED HARD! Check out the excerpt and teasers below!

 

STROKED HARD
Scheduled to release: November 1, 2016

Sports Romance
Cover Designed by: Indie Solutions by Murphy Rae

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2dGA5s9
iBooks: http://apple.co/2eQuMZR
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2dPh3Qc
Nook: to come!

He’s hot. Like, stop breathing kind of hot with his killer body, vivid blue eyes, and constant five o’clock shadow.
Did I mention his body?
Watching Hollis Knightly, Olympic diving gold medalist, man-pony specialist—and cocky bastard—stand up on the diving platform in nothing but a small piece of Spandex? Yeah, I’m beguiled.
And easily seduced.
I want to keep things light but he won’t leave me alone. And hell, if he’s not wearing me thin.
What is supposed to be a simple summer fling with a very hot man, has now morphed into a f*cked-up mess of feelings, attachment, and dare I say it…love. But I don’t do relationships. And Hollis Knightly does.
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my-review

I absolutely love this series.  Each and every book has been interesting and entertaining to read.  And they’ve all brought many emotions and smiles to my face.  Each of them can be read as standalone.  However, I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend that you read them in order as Meghan does give juicy tidbits away in each books about the previous characters.

Stroked Hard is the final book in this series and Meghan delivers another fantastic story.  Hollis is the jokester of the whole group and we get to see even more of that in this book.  Stroked Hard is Hollis and Melony’s story.  And it’s a very endearing and heartwarming story.

Hollis is training for the Olympics and his hopefully third  Gold medal in diving.  He’s best friends with Reese and is one the biggest smart asses I have ever come across.  Yet, he’s not annoying – he’s one of those enjoyable smart asses because you wish you could be just as witty as him.  Oh and his body – his abs of perfection – ones that should that be illegal.  Yea.  And he’s got his eyes on Melony from the first time he saw her.  And he refuses to let any obstacle stop him from getting her attention and then winning her over.  She’s his biggest competition yet.

Melony is a makeup artist and she’s working for Bellini, aka Queen Bitch.  She meets Hollis during a photo that Reese and Bellini are having.  She’s never been one to fall for any guys pickup lines, she definitely doesn’t fall for any of Hollis’ witty banter or quick comebacks.  She doesn’t do relationships and knows that Hollis  is off limits for that very reason.  True love isn’t real in her eyes – it’s not something that exists.  At least not for her.

I loved how everything plays out between these two.  It’s definitely a slow transition and Hollis never once gives up on Melony or the idea of them being together.  I enjoyed watching Hollis woo Melony.  Their interactions and banter w ere so perfect.  She definitely makes him work for it and he’s always surprising her around every corner.  They keep each other their toes.  This is one love story you definitely want to read.

Meghan never ceases to amaze me with her characters and their unique qualities.  They are always very life like and easily relatable.  I look forward to reading more from her.

5LovesRLB

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excerpt
A joke about Reese getting his makeup done is on the tip of my tongue when I turn to see a little brunette with sun-kissed hair, beautifully bronzed skin, and the biggest fucking green eyes I’ve ever seen standing behind Reese.
Holy shit.
The hottest fucking woman I’ve ever seen is standing behind him wearing ripped jean shorts, a tight-as-hell white tank top, and teal Converse. Her hair is shoulder length, wavy, and looks so fucking soft that all I want to do is bury my head in it. But what’s really causing my pants to grow tighter by the minute are her pink-glossed plump lips. I’m mesmerized by the way the lights bounce off them and I can’t fucking help the way my mind wanders, wondering all the ways I can have fun with those lips.
“Are you coming, man?” Reese asks as he walks away.
What? Oh shit.
“Sure. You need me to hold your hand like last time?” I ask, chasing after them. “I don’t mind, but when the scary blow dryer comes at you again, I won’t be cleaning your inner thighs again from pee dribble. I did it once and it was fucking creepy. Never again.”
I don’t get a response besides the middle finger directed at me from behind his back.
Reese sits in a black chair, his large body making the poor seat look like a toothpick. He exhales and slouches as Miss Pouty Lips starts to play around with his hair.
Jealousy instantly consumes me. I want to blast my best friend from his seat and take his place just to experience the feel of her pink painted nails running through my hair.
Are her toes painted pink as well? Or does she have them painted a different shade? Fuck, I don’t care, either way I’m hell-bent on figuring it out.
“Do you have dryland later today or do you want to grab dinner?” Reese asks, pulling my eyes off her fingers for a second.
“Are you paying?”
“Cheap fuck.”
I shrug. “I save my money for more important things, like dates.” The girl looks up at me and gives me a courtesy smile. Eh, I’ll take it. “Dude, you’re so fucking rude.”
“What did I do?” Reese asks.
“Uh, you didn’t introduce me to your friend.” I nod at the girl.
“Because I don’t even know her name.” Reese looks a little ashamed as he admits his fault.
I come closer and say, “Then you are fucking rude.” I hold my hand out. “Hi, I’m Hollis and this is my rude as fuck friend, Reese.”
The girl shakes my hand quickly, giving me a brief taste of how her palm would match up with mine. “Melony. Nice to meet you.”
“Melony, what a beautiful name.”
Reese snorts, right between us. Not in an awkward kind of a way, more in a dude’s blowing up my game kind of way.
He sits back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. “Oh shit, this is going to be good.”
Ignoring him, I keep my attention focused on Melony. “Do you frequent these shoots often?”
Another snort. “That’s the best you got?” Reese asks. “Come on, man. You’re better than the old ‘you come around here often’ pick-up line.”
He’s right, but fuck, I’m kind of thrown off my game a little. It’s the glossiness of her lips; they’re distracting me. Would that gloss help her slide right along my dick?
Melony ignores Reese’s barb and says, “I do all hair and makeup for the show, mostly for Bellini.”
Conversation door open.
“Oh shit, and you haven’t been burnt by dragon lady’s spitting fire yet?”
She flips her hair to the side and grins at me. “Why do you think my hair is short?”
Fuck. I like her. Just like that. The sexy grin, the flip of her soft hair, the mischief in her eyes. Yup, I’m a fucking goner.
But just as soon as the words slip from her mouth, she straightens up and looks at Reese. “Oh crap. I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry, Mr. King. Bellini is . . .” she swallows hard and continues, “a nice lady.”
Reese waves it off. “She can be a bitch.”
It’s all he says but I know what he really means. Bellini is the epitome of the devil reincarnated. Unfortunately, given his situation, he has to be politically correct. Frankly I don’t know why he’s putting himself through this kind of torture. Trials aren’t for six months; you would think his publicist could come up with something else for him to do after his last stint at the Olympics. If I were him, I would fire my publicist’s ass.
“Reese, can you spare a moment over here for a second?” a squirrely man I know by the name of Jasper asks. Reese excuses himself giving me the perfect opportunity to talk with Melony.
She’s washing some makeup brushes, busying herself and staying as far away from me as possible. Too bad for her, I have other plans.
“Where are you from, Melony?” She glances in my direction but turns back to her brushes.
“Here,” she says curtly.
“Born and raised a Cali girl, huh? That’s—”
“I’m going to stop you right there.” She holds her hand up. “I see where this is going.”
“And where is this going?” I ask, stepping closer to her.
She gives me the once-over and puts her hand on her hip. “You say some cheesy stuff trying to get to know me. To be polite, I’ll entertain you and then you’ll ask me out. I’ll say no and then you’ll take that as a challenge.”
I scrunch my nose. “You would say no?” That’s kind of a first for me, so I’m interested to hear her answer.
“Not used to the word? Does the Olympic diver always get what he wants?”
“Ah, so you know who I am.” I knowingly point at her. “I knew you did from the way you tried to see through my shirt. Don’t worry, sweetheart, the abs everyone talks about are real.”
She scoffs. “You’re pathetic.”
Well, that’s a first as well.
“Are you trying to make me cry?” I tease.
Rolling her eyes, she steps away, putting unwanted distance between us. “Seriously, not going to happen, Hollis, so pack up your pick-up lines and take them somewhere else.”
“Wow.” I rest my hip against one of the tables full of beauty shit and cross my arms over my chest. “Flatter yourself much? Who says I was even trying to pick you up? What if I was just trying to be nice? That’s kind of embarrassing for you, assuming such a thing.”
“Please, Hollis. Nice try. It’s not going to happen.”
Growing irritated, I ask, “And why not?”
“Because.” She points a makeup brush at me. “You’re not my type and I have zero interest in pursuing a relationship with you.” With that, she fucking wags her pert little ass away from me.
Well, fuck me. That didn’t go as planned.

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NOW AVAILABLE!

 

STROKED by Meghan Quinn
Released: July 19, 2016
Cover Designer: Murphy Rae
Sports Romance
Goodreads

BLURB:
Reese King: Olympic medalist, underwear model, Greek god.

His body is chiseled from rock, sculpted by the weight room, and refined by water.

On a daily basis his skin is completely bare for everyone to see, tan and defined, only covered up by a minuscule piece of spandex. There is no denying his sex appeal.

I hate to admit it, but I’m head over heels infatuated with him.

There is one HUGE problem though. His achingly gorgeous abs, inked up arm, and cocky swagger belong to my boss, the high-profile, reality star bitch from hell and certified heinous human being, Bellini Chambers.

What I think is going to be an easy job assisting a glorified wench turns into a cluster f*ck of epic proportions.

STROKED LONG by Meghan Quinn
Scheduled to release: September 20, 2016

Sports Romance
Cover Designed by: Indie Solutions by Murphy Rae

BLURB:
From his dirty-blond hair and breathtaking smile, to the abs from heaven and the irresistible V in his waistline, everything about Bodi Olympic-gold-medalist Banks screams hot piece of @$$.
Yet there’s more.
Dark shadows lurk behind his soulful, serious eyes.
I’m enamored. He’s captured me.
How can running an art foundation with Bodi Banks turns into a slow-burning, epic romance, even though he tries to push me away at every chance? How can I stay away from a broken, routine-driven man whose soul cries to be forgiven for a crime only he believes he committed? Or is that a lie?

**STROKED LONG can be read as a stand alone.

About the Author:

Born in New York and raised in Southern California, Meghan has grown into a sassy, peanut butter eating, blonde haired swearing, animal hoarding lady. She is known to bust out and dance if “It’s Raining Men” starts beating through the air and heaven forbid you get a margarita in her, protect your legs because they may be humped.
Once she started commuting for an hour and twenty minutes every day to work for three years, she began to have conversations play in her head, real life, deep male voices and dainty lady coos kind of conversations. Perturbed and confused, she decided to either see a therapist about the hot and steamy voices running through her head or start writing them down. She decided to go with the cheaper option and started writing… enter her first novel, Caught Looking.
Now you can find the spicy, most definitely on the border of lunacy, kind of crazy lady residing in Colorado with the love of her life and her five, furry four legged children, hiking a trail or hiding behind shelves at grocery stores, wondering what kind of lube the nervous stranger will bring home to his wife. Oh and she loves a good boob squeeze!
Find me on Goodreads:
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Kill Me by L.P. Dover…Blog Tour & Review

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“Kill Me is PERFECTLY dark and delicious! Nero and Una are two strong, badass characters that you can’t help but want more of. LP has a way with words that draws you straight into their twisted world and captures you. Definitely a 5 star read!” – New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author, Victoria Ashley

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BUY NOW!

US: http://amzn.to/2e7gQLW
UK: http://amzn.to/2djcSQn
AU: goo.gl/psAoae
CA: goo.gl/WZHH6y

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S Y N O P S I S:

Una

To many, I am little more than a myth. The Kiss of Death, a hired killer, revered by some of the greatest criminal organisations in the world. Trained by the bratva themselves, without conscience, without mercy, the perfect soldier. I’ll kill anyone… for a price. Death doesn’t discriminate, she sells to the highest bidder, but even I have a weakness.

Nero

I want one thing—power. But power is merely a game of strategy. The pieces are on the chess board. Death is my queen, and also my pawn. She’ll paint this city red in exchange for the one thing she wants. Now all I have to do is watch it all play out. She’s nothing more than a weapon, and yet, I find myself wanting to dance with death, to possess her. And I always get what I want.

A game of power. A risk that could cost her everything. An obsession that would see the world burn at their feet. A bloodied king. A broken queen.

Kill me or kiss me?

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my-review

 

This book hits the ground running from page 1!

With non-stop action mixed with a sultry game of cat and mouse, not only did it keep my attention, but my “adulting” responsibilities took a vacation for 2 days.

Shhh… don’t tell the boss.

Not only does LP Lovell deliver an amazing storyline, but the detail is on point! I can easily say that she is on my list of new favorite authors (and after only one book!). I will definitely own the entire series.

This isn’t a love story where the bad guy gets the good girl. It’s a story about blurring the line between good and evil and turning two lost souls into one.

Una. The kiss of death. A girl who was taken from an orphanage when she was 12 years old and trained to be a seductress, a fighter, and a killer. She is lethal, cunning, and the last person you’d expect to kill you.

“I was trained to be impassive, the elite, silent warrior. Death is a job, a necessity, we neither like nor dislike it, it just is. But for me, in a world where everything is a map of grey existence, this is my only spike of colour. It’s when I take the ultimate prize from someone else that I am given a gift, a moment of relief, a moment of bliss. And the possibility of that moment excites me.”

Nero. His terrifying and violent reputation precedes him. Killing everyone in his path, he will stop at nothing to become the city’s next Capo (leader) in the Italian Mob, not even when it comes to blood.

“The mafia are all about protecting women and keeping them out of it, they create these rules that make them untouchable, rely on honour, and it works, until a bastard like me comes along. I don’t have any fucking honour and I’ll use any means necessary to get what I want. If he wants to take what’s mine, he can be damn sure I’ll take what’s his.”

Separately, they each have the power and resources to ruin the other, but together they are indestructible. They forge a partnership on a foundation laced with threats, blackmail, and unbridled lust that their pride would never allow them to admit to.

“Una…

I stay there, feeling the rush of adrenaline in my system, revelling in the thrill of him. He scares me, and I like it.

Nero…
For the first time in a long time, I want something other than just power. I want her. She will be my jewel in my crown. My broken queen.”

This is the first book in a series and I am so excited to see Una’s and Nero’s adventures continue!

5LovesRLB

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Preorder Make Me NOW!
only 99c!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2dvTnAa
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2eg4Ie7

S Y N O P S I S:

0.5 in The Kiss of Death Series. Prequel novella to Kill Me.

At thirteen years old I was sold, doomed to become a sex slave.
Nicholai Ivanov, boss of the Russian Bratva, gave me the ultimate gift. He saved me from a fate worse than death. He promised to make me strong, because only the strong survive, and the weak die, forgotten and inconsequential.

I now live in a world of blood and violence, where humanity itself is a weakness. My life is not a battle of bad and good, but bad and worse. This is kill or be killed, survival of the fittest.

Make me or break me?

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About the Author:

Lauren Lovell is an indie author from England.She suffers from a total lack of brain to mouth filter and is the friend you have to explain before you introduce her to anyone, and apologise for afterwards.

Lauren is a self-confessed shameless pervert, who may be suffering from slight peen envy.

LP loves to hear from readers so please get in touch.

 
 Author Links:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | AMAZON | GOODREADS
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Written in the Scars by Adriana Locke…Blog Tour & Review

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Title: Written in the Scars
Author: Adriana Locke
Release Date: Oct 20, 2016
Add to Goodreads
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Falling in love is easy.
Falling out of love is the hardest thing in the world.
And Elin and Ty Whitt are terrible at it.
The first time the local basketball star smiled at Elin, she was a goner. It was just so damn easy to fall for the dark-haired hometown hero with his charming smile and strong, athletic build.
Thousands of sleepy smiles, aimless drives down country roads, and squeaks of the backdoor after a swing shift later, reality hits. And it hits hard. Falling in love was definitely the easy part. Watching it break apart was impossible.
Through the tears, the second-guesses, the memories of a life built together, the world keeps spinning. With each turn comes clarity and hope—sometimes in the form of a pair of muddy boots by the back door or from the words of a wise friend.
When Ty shows back up with a new found determination to put his family back together, Elin’s torn between the fights of the past and the possibility of a new start. This is the man that holds her heart, the man she loves beyond anything else. But this is also the one person in the world that can cause her the most pain.
Life’s not always easy. Love’s not for the faint of heart. But with life comes lessons and Ty and Elin have the scars to prove it. But it’s their love written in those scars that will hold them together … or break them apart.

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my-review

This book has left me an emotional mess on so many levels.  Ty and Elin’s story is one filled with angst, love, regret, hopefulness, and sorrow.  This book will leave you emotionally scarred.

“Life does pack a punch.  But it’s the scars that make us who we are, that tell the story of the life we lived.”

Ty and Elin’s journey is real life at it’s finest.  Every relationship goes through it’s ups and downs, good times and bad times.  But it’s how you react to those times that really tests your strength. 

This is a story about second chances and digging deep into your soul.  It’s also about loving people with your whole heart and loving them unequivocally.  Life throws you punches, you  just have to learn how to dodge them or sometimes learn how to heal from the pain.

The last bit of this book really hit me hard.  As the granddaughter of coal miner, I knew the risks every day that my grandfather took.  And each day, when he came home to my grandmother, was a gift to them.  Do not take people for granted.  Do not take life for granted.  Live every new day as though it’s your last.  Love every new day even harder than the day before.

“Don’t make decisions because you just want to end the pain.”

This book has different meaning for me than it will for most people.  But it’s a damn amazing story with a lot of meaning behind it.  It’s one book I will highly recommend to everyone to read.

5LovesRLB

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As soon as the call is ended, my finger is in his chest. “You lied to me!”
“Calm down,” he scoffs, clearly entertained by my reaction.
“I’m not calming down! She called you. The girl that you didn’t do anything with.”
I start to march to the door, but his arm is around my waist, dragging me into his arms. “Will you stop acting like this?” he laughs. “What’s wrong with you?”
My arms pinned to my sides, I struggle to break free. “You are what’s wrong with me.”
“Tell you what,” he says, resting his head on the top of my head. “Let’s make a deal.”
“I don’t deal with liars.”
“I don’t normally deal with lunatics, either, but I’m making an exception tonight, so I guess you can too.”
The complete lack of fear or frustration in his voice calms me a little. I stop fighting to pull away.
“Let’s go in and have dinner with our friends. Then we can go to bed and I will tell you everything you want to know about her.” He plants a kiss to the back of my head. “And if you’re a good girl, I’ll let you have my cock after we’re done talking.”
“I doubt I’ll want it,” I sigh, trying to not succumb to him.
“There you go, lying again,” he laughs. Swatting me on my ass towards the house, I reach for his hand. He laces our fingers together and we head inside.

happy barefoot couple at the kitchen, girl standing on tiptoe try to kiss husband

USA Today and Amazon Top 10 Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.
She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather’s nice and there’s always a piece of candy in her pocket.
Please contact Adriana at www.adrianalocke.com. She loves to hear from readers. Join Adriana’s Facebook group here or Goodreads group here.
    

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Preppy by T.M. Frazier….Blog Tour & Review

 

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The Bow Tie is Back!

PREPPY by T.M. Frazier is LIVE!

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Amazon US:  http://amzn.to/2cTDLel

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2dLPjxf

iBooks: http://apple.co/2dTC9Pe

Nook:  http://bit.ly/2dvflpI

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

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Blurb

Samuel Clearwater, A.K.A Preppy, likes bowties, pancakes, suspenders, good friends, good times, good drugs, and a good f*ck.

He’s worked his way out from beneath a hellish childhood and is living the life he’s always imagined for himself. When he meets a girl, a junkie on the verge of ending it all, he’s torn between his feelings for her and the crippling fear that she could be the one to end the life he loves.

Andrea ‘Dre’ Capulet is strung out and tired.

Tired of living for her next fix. Tired of doing things that make her stomach turn. Tired of looking in the mirror at the reflection of the person she’s become. Just when she decides to end it all, she meets a man who will change the course of both their lives forever.

And their deaths.

For most people, death is the end of their story.

For Preppy and Dre, death was only the beginning.

This is the fifth book in the King Series and it’s meant to be read after Soulless.

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my-review

PREPPY! PREPPY! PREPPY!

This book was so much more than I expected.  I knew Preppy’s story was going to be a long one based on the Part One in the title.  But damn, just not expecting ALL THAT!!

If you have not read any of the other books in this series, stop and start at the beginning.  You HAVE to read these books in order to understand Preppy and his story.  There is so much back story in the other books that you won’t get the true appreciation of his story without it.

Preppy is my favorite character in this series.  He had been since the first book and he carved a piece into my heart when he died.  There is no other character our there like Preppy.  He apologizes for nothing, speaks nothing but the truth (whether warranted or not), and lives life to the fullest.  But do not for one second think he’s a good guy – because he’s far from it.

“I never knew true fear until I met pure evil.  He wore a smile and a bow tie.”

We all know Preppy’s past and how he became the man he is today.  However, we finally meet the woman who touched a part of him no one else has.  Andrea – Doc. Dre.  She’s an addict to the nth degree.  Dre grew on me throughout this book.  I will be honest – I would have thrown her off the tower myself if I were Preppy, but he obviously saw something that I didn’t – or possibly just wanted to fuck her, who knows.  LOL

However, in the words of Preppy:

“But I motherfucking digress.”

Anyway – their story is not all rainbows and unicorns.  It’s the exact opposite.  They fight constantly.  They hate each other.  They distrust one another.  They are so wrong for one another yet somehow meld together to be so right.  They are each other’s yin and yang.

“We were over well before we had a chance to get started, but we were about to go out with a bang.”

Frazier has outdone herself with this book.  I can only imagine what she brings to us in Part Two.   And I need that now!

5LovesRLB

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Excerpt

“No! I hate you,” she spat, as I continued to tug her beside me.

“Good, you can hate me while I fuck you,” I said. “But first things first. My lesson obviously didn’t take in that brain of yours. You want what you want and I can’t stop you,” I said, as we approached the train tracks which were elevated on a mound of gravel several feet off the ground. The warning lights flashed orange, the neon reflective barriers dropped down to cover the service road, while the bells indicating an approaching train clanged away. “And since I can’t stop you, I’m going to help you out. Bullet in the head was so three hours ago. I’ve got something even better in mind now.”

“Wait. What?” she asked, her teeth chattering. “You…you wouldn’t.”

“Wouldn’t what?” I said, turning around to face her, almost losing my footing when I noticed the trail of dried tears on her cheeks. I looked away for a fraction of a second to regain my composure. “You think I wouldn’t kill someone?” I cocked an eyebrow. “You already know that I’ve been there, done that, bought the motherfucking t-shirt, doll.” Her eyes went wide and she made a move to step back. “Oh no, Doc, I read your letter and I saw what you wanted. And remember, I’m nothing if not accommodating.”

When I pulled her to climb the gravel mound her knees locked up so I bent over and picked her up by the waist, tossing her over my shoulder, carrying her onto the tracks while she beat on my back with her closed fists. When I got to the top I set her down roughly and she fell backwards onto her ass, bracing herself with her hands against the large pieces of gravel under the tracks.

The whistle of the train blew in the distance. It wouldn’t be long now. Dre made a move to stand up, but that wasn’t what I had in mind. I bent down and pushed on her chest, spreading her tiny frame across the tracks. I crawled on top of her, pinning her down with my thighs. I leaned over her, my chest to hers as we both breathed rapidly. She struggled underneath me to get up, pushing at my chest, but I wouldn’t budge. “Why the struggle, Doc? This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”

She glanced up at me as the train whistled again. Her gaze flipped to her right, where the single yellow light from the train emerged from around the corner, shining brighter and brighter as it chugged closer and closer. For a moment she stopped struggling, looking back and forth from the train to me.

“So what, you’re gonna die too?” she asked, hoping to appeal to my sense of self preservation.

I shrugged. “I get bored easily, maybe the devil will make me his errand boy or something.”

“Preppy, this isn’t funny. Get up and get off the fucking tracks,” she said, her concern shifting from herself to me.

I shook my head and yawned. She wiggled underneath me, and although there was a train barreling toward us my cock once again stirred to life. Maybe I should just rip down her panties and push inside of her. Train or no train, it would be one fuck of a way to go out.

“You have to choose, Doc,” I said, making my voice as serious as I was capable. “Life?” I asked, screaming over the sound of the train screeching against the track. I pushed my hard cock against her core and she gasped. Her trembling turned into a shiver, her mouth fell open. I glanced to the side at the blinding light of the approaching train as it bathed us both in a tunnel of light. I leaned down, so close that my lips were a whisper above hers, as I shouted, “Life? Or death? What’s it gonna be, Doc?” My hair blew around my face as the light grew brighter and brighter. “Answer the fucking question!” I demanded, my hands squeezing her shoulders, my fingers digging roughly into her skin. “DO YOU WANT TO FUCKING DIE?”

With only seconds left until we became shredded under the train, Dre closed her eyes and sighed. When she opened them again they were glistening, fresh tears spilling from the edges.

She started to speak, her lips forming the beginning of the word, but before it could fully leave her lips I stood, pulling her up with me. I lifted Dre into my arms and took a running leap off the tracks, my legs flailing in the air as we fell the seven or so feet. Dre’s decision still on her lips, her scream surrounding the air around us as we crashed down into the field.

“I wanna liiiiiiiiiiiivvvvvveeeeee.”

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About the Author

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T.M. Frazier is a USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR best known for her KING SERIES. She was born on Long Island, NY. When she was eight years old she moved with her mom, dad, and older sister to sunny Southwest Florida where she still lives today with her husband and daughter.

When she was in middle school she was in a club called AUTHORS CLUB with a group of other young girls interested in creative writing. Little did she know that years later life would come full circle.

After graduating high school, she attended Florida Gulf Coast University and had every intention of becoming a news reporter when she got sucked into real estate where she worked in sales for over ten years.

Throughout the years T.M. never gave up the dream of writing and with her husband’s encouragement, and a lot of sleepless nights, she realized her dream and released her first novel, The Dark Light of Day, in 2013.

She’s never looked back.

Visit her at www.tmfrazierbooks.com for news, information, and appearances.

Stalk Her: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Goodreads.

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The Sexy One by Lauren Blakely….Release Week Event & Review

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From NYT Bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes a swoony new standalone romance…

THE SEXY ONE!

Want a romance guaranteed to make you melt? Get ready to fall in love with THE SEXY ONE!

 

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“Swoony, passionate and oh-so-romantic!”

~NYT Bestselling author K Bromberg

 

“Insanely romantic and so genuinely charming…”

~Fresh Fiction

 

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From the NYT Bestselling author of MISTER O, comes a sexy new standalone romance…

Let me count the ways why falling into forbidden love is not my wisest move…
1. She works with me every single day.
Did I mention she’s gorgeous, sweet, kind and smart?
2. She works in my home.
Playing with my five-year-old daughter. Teaching my little girl. Cooking for my princess. Which means…
3. She’s the nanny.
And that makes her completely off-limits…But it doesn’t stop me from wanting her. All of her.

***

The other nannies in this city don’t call him the Sexy One for nothing. My boss, the amazingly wonderful single father to the girl I take care of every day is ridiculously hot, like movie star levels with those arms, and those eyes, and that body. Not to mention, the way he dotes on his little girl melts me all over. But what really makes my knees weak are the times when his gaze lingers on me. In secret. When no one else is around.

I can’t risk my job for a chance at something more…can I? But I don’t know how to resist him much longer either…

With all the heat, heart and humor readers have come to expect, this newest standalone will make you laugh, swoon and feel like you’re falling in love!

 Amazon US | Amazon Paperback | iBooks | Kobo | Barnes & Noble

My Review:

The Sexy One is the newest work form author Lauren Blakely and in this installment we get to dive into the complicated and sexy as hell story of Abby and Simon who have been circling each other for what seems like forever.  I was DYING for this story, I tell you, and it was worth very angst spent minute of wait.  So so so so so GOOD!

While you don’t have to read the other books in this series, I think in order to get the depth of the forbidden fruit/hidden attraction thing going on here, you really need to read them all.  And bonus?  ALL of them are just as freaking good.

Ok, moving on, what I want to start out by saying is that the characters Ms. Blakely writes are some of the most real, three-dimensional people I have ever read.  The nuances and character traits she writes into her people are second to none.  They feel so damn real.  Like I could call them up and meet for coffee…and man, how I wish I could! Abby and Simon, being two of those type of characters, were so amazing to read.  Simon is a freaking unicorn of a man and father.  I’m sure many ovaries exploded after reading him and his relationship with is daughter.  As if that wasn’t enough, he’s sexy as hell and so damn mindful and attentive when it comes to Abby that I was in total swoon-fest mode.  This guy just rocks my world! Abby is just as amazing and is a gal with a good head on her shoulders, great sense of humor, and is wicked smart.  She’s totally someone I would love to be friends with.  Together, the attraction and sexual tension is off the charts.  The tension didn’t just jump off the pages, it leaped out, grabbed me and gave one of those “snap out of it” slaps Cher did in Moonstruck.  It was SO GOOD! And when Abby and Simon finally give in to the attraction? Forget about it. It was so damn delicious and I ate it up with a spoon and wanted seconds and thirds.

Once again, Ms. Blakely delivers a Laughing Cow book served with your fave glass of wine.  This is a story, and series, I recommend with the highest of recommendations.  Thank you, Ms. Blakely, for another kick ass read!

5LovesRLB

Five Loves

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A swoony, forbidden standalone contemporary romance, THE SEXY ONE is a forbidden love story, the romantic tale of a single father falling head over heels for the smart, kind and beautiful nanny. Resistance is hard as these two fall deeply in love while she works in his home. But forbidden romances are fraught with their own challenges, and nothing comes easily for this couple. Told in dual POV, THE SEXY ONE is being called Lauren Blakely’s most romantic novel yet. THE SEXY ONE is swoony, sweet, hot and forbidden.

“A good old-fashioned love story with a forbidden twist.”

~Bookalicious Babe Blog

 

 

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Add it to Goodreads here!

 

 

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✮✮✮Celebrate the release of The SEXY ONE! Enter to win a NIGHT OF ROMANCE, including a $100 gift card to your favorite restaurant, Signed copies of Big Rock, Mister O, and Well Hung, $25 gift card to Fandango, $25 gift card to 1-800 Flowers, and a $25 gift card to Victoria’s Secret or Bath and Body Works for 1 winner. Second and Third place prizes include a Signed copy of Well Hung and $25 Amazon Gift Card.✮✮✮

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE!

 

 

author-pic-lauren-blakelyAbout Lauren Blakely:

Since self-publishing her debut romance novel CAUGHT UP IN US three years ago, Lauren Blakely has sold more than 1 million books. She is known for her sexy contemporary romance style that’s full of heat, heart and humor. A devout fan of cake and canines, Lauren has plotted entire novels while walking her four-legged friends. She lives in California with her family. With eleven New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than sixty times. Her bestselling series include Sinful Nights, Seductive Nights, No Regrets, Caught Up in Love, and Fighting Fire as well as standalone romantic comedies like BIG ROCK, MISTER O and WELL HUNG, which were instant New York Times Bestsellers. In the fall she’ll release THE SEXY ONE, a swoony contemporary romance. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter at laurenblakely.com/newsletter.

 

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Away From the Dark by Aleatha Romig…Excerpt & Review Tour

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Women are disappearing. What is happening when they step into The Light?

Nine months ago, Sara Adams awoke with no memory. The man holding her hand told her she’s a member of The Light, a tight-knit religious group led by the terrifying and charismatic Father Gabriel. As a woman in the community of The Light, her duty is to be unquestionably obedient and to submit to the will of her husband.

But as Sara’s memory starts to return and she remembers her past, she sees that everything she’s been told is a lie. The Light is an insidious and dangerous organization, and its corrupting influence reaches well beyond the confines of the remote campus where Sara is being held.

With everything at stake, Sara struggles to sort out her true memories from her indoctrination. The desire to escape consumes her, but who can she trust? And what other followers of The Light were forced into this life, brainwashed to believe they belonged? The more she remembers, the mort it becomes clear that Jacob, the man who calls himself her husband, is keeping shattering secrets of his own.

But Sara cannot flee alone, leaving innocents behind. She must fight to extinguish The Light.

AMAZON US / AMAZON UK / AUDIBLE / B&N

 

my-review

 

What do I say?  What can I say?  HOLY SHIT!!  That was one hell of ride that I truly wasn’t sure how it was going to end.  And I didn’t want it to!!
Away from the Dark is the sequel to Into the Light and you MUST read that first in order to understand anything going on in this book.  And trust me – this is two book series you want to read immediately!!!
This book started where Into the Light ended and we get to find out what happens to Jacob, Sara and The Light.  Cause let me tell you, the cliff hanger you are left with after book one, has you immediately jumping into this book going “OMFG.  HOLY SHIT. I NEED TO KNOW!!”
Just like the first book, this book is told in multiple POV’s and keeps everything moving at a great pace.  There is no lull in suspense or mystery.  If anything, it just adds to your anxiety and digging for more and more clues.  I refuse to say anything else.
Except this:
“Sara loves Jacob.  And Jacob loves Sara.  Please never forget that.”
 
I love how Aleatha ends this.  Everything that had me wondering was connected but still left things open.  Part of me wants another book – the part of me that needs to know everything.  And another part of me that is completely happy with how things are now.  Either way, I love this series and felt Aleatha wrote one hell of suspenseful and entertaining book.

 

5LovesRLB

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Sara

Shrill screams echoed throughout our dimly lit bedroom, accelerating my heartbeat and pulling me from the terrible nightmare. I waited for more, until the realization struck. The screams were my own.

“Jacob?” I called, my voice shaking with dread as I reached for my husband. Instead of reassurance, my fingers met cold empty sheets. He was gone—still away at another campus.

What just happened? Was it a dream?

I clung to the covers as I puffed my cheeks and slowly exhaled. While each breath helped to still the chaos, the exercise wasn’t enough.

Who am I? Who is he?

Jacob’s questions from months ago came back. They were my security. They’d worked before.

I am Sara Adams and my husband is Jacob Adams.

Pushing the images from my dream, or nightmare, away, I imagined Jacob’s comforting embrace. Slowly I threw back the down comforter and willed the cool air to soothe my perspiration-drenched skin. From the way my heart galloped in my chest, I might have been running a marathon, not sleeping.

In my sleep I’d been battling to escape a vehicle, and then an explosion of heat.
It had been a dream, I reassured myself—a nightmare. The accident I’d had, nearly nine months before, had been different. I couldn’t remember it, but I’d been told that I’d been injured and gone unconscious. In the nightmare I had been out and away from the wreckage.

I shook my head.

It seemed so real.

In my dream I hadn’t been able to see past the darkness, yet I’d known I wasn’t injured.
My arms surrounded my midsection as the memories replayed like pictures in my mind. Someone was hurting me—purposely harming me, and there was a voice—a deep voice.

Jacob’s voice?

No. He wouldn’t hurt me.

My entire body shuddered as goose bumps peppered my skin. Sitting upright, I reached for the bedside lamp. With trembling fingers I turned the knob and my eyes adjusted as the soft light combined with the sun’s perpetual summer glow.

I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on Jacob’s questions.

Who am I? Who is he?

This time I said the words aloud, praying that if I spoke the truth, the images would disappear. “I am Sara Adams. He is my husband, Jacob Adams.” I pulled myself from the bed and walked to the bathroom. Turning on the light and the faucet, I cupped the cool water and splashed my face. As I reached for the cup and began to fill it, a metaphoric dam that had been constructed to hold back my past burst.

My mind was flooded—no longer with simple images, but with scene after scene.

For the first time since I could recall, I knew the woman in the mirror.

I knew me.

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Into the Light

Book 1: Into the Light

An investigator’s search for a friend draws her into a world darker than she could have imagined.

Sara Adams awakes bling, unable to remember the most basic details of her life, but her darkness seems a blessing when she discovers the terrors of The Light.

Stella Montgomery investigates the news on the mean streets of Detroit, where she’s noticed a disturbing trend: young women are vanishing. When her best friend disappears, Stella investigates—despite warnings from her police detective boyfriend—following a twisted trail that leads her through the city’s most dangerous and forsaken precincts. There she uncovers something more sinister than she could have imagined: a shadowy organization known as The Light, led by the enigmatic Father Gabriel.

As Sara struggles to understand her place in these strange world she’s awakened to—an oppressive cult demanding unquestioning obedience—and her feelings for Jacob, the husband she can’t recall and whose harsh and tender attentions confuse and beguile her, Stella risks all to discover the truth. But enlightenment always comes with a price…

AMAZON US / AMAZON UK / AUDIBLE / B&N

my-review

OK.  So I totally didn’t see that ending coming at all.  But let me back it up and start from the beginning.

Aleatha has written one hell of book and a great start to this 2 book series.  I took my time reading this book because I wanted to soak it all in.  But I also had to take my time because I would get seriously pissed off at things going on and some of the characters.  I had to walk away before I did some serious damage to my kindle or screamed at someone around me accidentally.

In the Light is told in several POV’s but Aleatha transitions between them all very smoothly and has you feeling for Sara, our heroine.  She’s awoken in a clinic and has no recollection or memory of how she got there or her time before then.  Not only is she healing from an accident, but her eyes are bandaged up and she’s forced to rely on her husband, Jacob for everything.

There are some many intricate layers to this story, I don’t even know what to tell you. And truthfully, I can’t say anything that won’t ruin this book because it’s that damn mysterious and suspenseful.  God I absolutely loved this book.  I loved everything about this book.

We also get insights from Jacob, Sara’s husband and Stella, who’s searching for her missing friend Mindy.  She’s amazing at her and she’s using everything within her power and resources to try and find Mindy and anything that ties to her disappearance.

Let me tell you – Aleatha does a phenomenal job of painting the world of The Light.  She’s so damn good, I absolutely despise The Light.  Hate it.  Loathe it.   We learn the way of The Light as Sara relearns her way through it.  Avoiding corrections from her husband and the Commission.  Learning to never question anything and always be appreciative of being chosen to be a part of the Assembly.  But will her memories ever return?  Will she ever remember her time before her accident?

The story ends in a cliffhanger that I was not expecting at all and has left me speechless.  I can’t wait to read the conclusion to this story.  I will devour that book in heartbeat!

5LovesRLB

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aleatharomig1Aleatha Romig is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raise three children with her high school sweetheart and husband or nearly thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!

Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. The standalone thrillers continue Aleatha’s twisted style with an increase in heat.

In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romance with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK will be published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.

Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and represented by Danielle Egan-Miller of Browne & Miller Literary Associates.

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Savage Mafia Prince by Annika Martin…Blog Tour & Review

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THE SAVAGE IS HERE.
“I LOVE this book. One of my absolute favorite reads of 2016. I want…no, I NEED my own savage!!!” ~USA Today bestselling author Natasha Knight

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BUY Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/29TwIBb
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2a5ADpy

iBooks:http://apple.co/2cs5GiV
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2c1EfA1
Nook: http://bit.ly/2e617xv

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Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2cEULl6
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Synopsis:

Where is Kiro?

He’s the lost Dragusha brother, heir to a vast mafia empire—brilliant, violent, and utterly savage…and he’s been missing for years.

Ann

I’m supposed to be doing simple undercover research at the Fancher Institute for the Mentally Ill & Dangerous, but I can’t keep my mind off Patient 34. He’s startlingly young and gorgeous, but it’s not just that. He’s strapped way too tightly to that bed. And there’s no name or criminal history on his chart. What are these people hiding? My reporter’s instincts are screaming.

Here’s the other thing: the staffers here believe he’s so sedated that there’s not a thought in his head, but I catch him watching me when nobody’s looking. Our connection sizzles when I enter the room. When our eyes meet, I know he understands me in a way nobody else ever has.

I’m supposed to follow my editor’s orders—I have secrets, too—but everything about Patient 34 is suspicious. How can I not investigate?

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my-review

One hell of an amazing series and one hell of perfect ending to it.  If you have not read any of these books yet, I highly urge you to do so right now.  Every book is about one brother and can be read as a standalone, but to get the full effect of storyline, you should read them in order.

“If you don’t know your own story, it controls you.  The ignorance of your story is hurting us.”

This book is probably my favorite because of Kiro.  He stole my heart and I don’t want it back.  Kiro is the long lost brother.  He’s clueless to his heritage because that w as stolen from him when he was only months old.  After Kiro was found in the wild a few years, he’s been held captive in various places and institutes.  He trusts no one, not just because of his upbringing but because once he was found, he’s been lied to and used.  Until Ann.  Or so he thought.

“It comes to me that this is what she does everywhere – she pretends to be a nurse when she’s not.  Pretending to care.  It shouldn’t feel like a blade in my belly – she does it with everyone.”

Ann is a high profile journalist who has recently been shunned by her community.  She is now trying to work her way back up the ladder.  She takes on a less than stellar project at an institute for the insane.  Here is where she meets patient 34.  And she immediately feels something towards him that she can’t explain and quite frankly freaks her out a bit.  But that does not stop her at all.

Annika writes this story beautifully.  I truly could see everything unfold right in front of me.  From Kiro and Ann’s chemistry to their immediate bond they feel deep inside them.  Even with the distrust in the beginning, they couldn’t deny the connection.  I loved seeing everything build from the bottom up.

And things are far from easy, not just between them but everything else going on around them.  Lazarus is out to kill Kiro – and nothing will stop him.  I  love how everything played out so well.  Annika held nothing back with her action and suspense.

“Light is better than darkness.  Knowledge is better than ignorance.”

I am sorry my review seems all over the place.  I just don’t want to give too much away but I want to give you just a hint at what you can expect and make you go grab this book. It’s one hell of a story!

Another fabulous and extremely well-rounded book from Annika.  This series is a MUST READ!!

 5LovesRLB
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Start the series now!

Dark Mafia Prince – now available!
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Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2934GBU
iBooks: http://apple.co/28WBWJe
Google: http://bit.ly/2962PLk
Kobo: http://annikamartinbooks.com/dark-mafia-prince/
Nook: http://annikamartinbooks.com/dark-mafia-prince/

Synopsis:

They destroyed his family, stole his kingdom, hunted him to the ends of the earth.

Now the beautiful prince is back as a dark killer, ready to take everything.
And it starts with her.

Aleksio
Don’t look at me like that. So trusting.
Like you think I’m not a monster.
Like I won’t wrap your hair in my fist and bend you to my will.
Like I won’t sacrifice you, piece by bloody piece, to save my brother.

I’m the most dangerous enemy you’ll ever have.
Because every time you look at me, you see somebody good. That friend who died.

And when you look at me like that, I die again.

Mira
I spent years making myself invisible. A good girl, apart from the noise.
Then you returned, beautiful and deadly in your Armani suit.
Don’t look at me like you still know me, you say.
But I remember your smile. And I remember those sunny days.

Before they lowered your small casket into the ground.
Before they told us the prince was dead.

—————————————————
Wicked Mafia Prince – now available!

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Amazon US : http://amzn.to/2aiG6gW
Google: http://bit.ly/2a8SoZy
iBooks: http://apple.co/29EIuyY
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/ebook/wicked-mafia-prince

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

Synopsis:
Who is the nun who never shows her face?
She’s trapped in twisted brothel, stuck behind a webcam…or is she? Viktor doesn’t need to see this mysterious nun’s face to know she’s the woman he once loved…the assassin he once killed.
Viktor
You were the love of my life, beautiful and deadly.
Then you betrayed our mafiya family—the only family either of us ever knew.
Heartbroken, I did the honor killing. I threw you off a cliff.
When I learned you were innocent, it ripped me apart.Now, years later—somehow, impossibly—there you are, alive.
The nun who never shows her face, trapped on the other side of a computer screen.
How can it be? My brothers think I’m obsessed. Imagining ghosts. But I’ll always know you. And I’m coming for you.

Author Bio:

Annika Martin is a NYT bestselling author who enjoys writing dirty stories about dangerous criminals! She loves helping animals and kicking snow clumps off the bottom of cars around the streets of Minneapolis, and in her spare time she writes as the RITA award-winning author Carolyn Crane.

Author Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter | Dirty quote newsletter

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A Love Letter to Whiskey by Kandi Steiner…Release Day Blitz & Review

Title: A Love Letter to Whiskey
Author: Kandi Steiner
Release Date: Oct 13, 2016
Add to Goodreads
It’s crazy how fast the buzz comes back after you’ve been sober for so long.
Whiskey stood there, on my doorstep, just like he had one year before. Except this time, there was no rain, no anger, no wedding invitation — it was just us.
It was just him — the old friend, the easy smile, the twisted solace wrapped in a glittering bottle.
It was just me — the alcoholic, pretending like I didn’t want to taste him, realizing too quickly that months of being clean didn’t make me crave him any less.
But we can’t start here.
No, to tell this story right, we need to go back. 
Back to the beginning.
Back to the very first drop.
This is my love letter to Whiskey. I only hope he reads it. 
The first time I tasted Whiskey, I fell flat on my face.
Literally.
I was drunk from the very first sip, and I guess that should have been my sign to stay away.
Jenna and I were running the trail around the lake near her house, sweat dripping into our eyes from the intense South Florida heat. It was early September, but in South Florida, it might as well have been July. There was no “boots and scarves” season, unless you counted the approximately six weeks in January and February where the temperature dropped below eighty degrees.
As it was, we were battling ninety-plus degrees, me trying to be a show off and prove I could keep up with Jenna’s cheerleading training program. She had finally made the varsity squad, and with that privilege came ridiculous standards she had to uphold. I hated running — absolutelyloathed it. I would much rather have been on my surf board that day. But fortunately for Jenna, she had a competitive best friend who never turned down a challenge. So when she asked me to train with her, I’d agreed eagerly, even knowing I’d have screaming ribs and calves by the end of the day.
I saw him first.
I was just a few steps ahead of Jenna, and I’d been staring down at my hot pink sneakers as they hit the concrete. When I looked up, he was about fifty feet away, and even from that distance I could tell I was in trouble. He seemed sort of average at first — brown hair, lean build, soaked white running shirt — but the closer he got, the more I realized just how edible he was. I noticed the shift in the muscles of his legs as he ran, the way his hair bounced slightly, how he pressed his lips together in concentration as he neared us. 
I looked over my shoulder, attempting to waggle my eyebrows at Jenna and give her the secret best friend code for “hot guy up ahead”, but she had stopped to tie her shoes. And when I turned back around, it was too late.
I smacked into him — hard — and fell to the pavement, rolling a bit to soften the fall. He cursed and I groaned, more from embarrassment than pain. I wish I could say I gracefully picked myself up, smiled radiantly, and asked him for his number, but the truth is I lost the ability to do anything the minute I looked up at him.
It was an unfamiliar, warm ache that spread through my chest as I used my hand to shield the sun streaming in behind his silhouette, just how you’d expect the first sip of whiskey to feel. He was bent over, hand outstretched, saying something that wasn’t registering because I had somehow managed to slip my hand into his and just that one touch had set my skin on fire.
Handsome wasn’t the right word to describe him, but it was all I kept thinking as I traced his features. His hair was a sort of mocha color, damp at the roots, falling onto his forehead just slightly. His eyes were wide — almost too round — and a mixture of gold, green, and the deepest brown. I didn’t coin the nickname Whiskey until much later, but it was that moment that I saw it for the first time — those were whiskey eyes. The kind of eyes you get lost in. The kind that drink you in. He had the longest lashes and a firm, square jaw. It was so hard, the edges so clean that I would have sworn he was angry with me if it weren’t for the smile on his face.He was still talking as my eyes fell over his broad chest before snapping back up to his sideways grin.
“Oh my God, are you fucking blind?!” Jenna’s voice snapped me from my haze as she shoved Whiskey out of the way and latched onto my hand, ripping me back to standing position. I’d barely caught my balance before she whipped around to continue her scolding. “How about you brush that long ass hair out of your eyes and watch where you’re going, huh champ?”
Oh no.
I didn’t even have time to call dibs, I couldn’t even think the word, let alone say it, before it was too late. I watched it, in slow motion, as Whiskey fell for my best friend before I even had the chance to say a single word to him. 
Jenna was standing tall, arms crossed, one hip popped in her usual fashion as she waited for him to defend himself. This was her protocol — it was one of the reasons we got along. We were both what you’d call “spitfires”, but Jenna had the distinct advantage of being cripplingly gorgeous on top of having an attitude. She flipped her long, wavy blonde ponytail behind her and cocked a brow.
And then he did, too.
His smile grew wider as he met her eyes, and it was the same look I’d watched fall
over guy after countless guy. Jenna was a unicorn, and men were enamored by her. As they should have been — she had platinum blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, legs for days and a personality to boot. Now, before you go thinking that I was the insecure best friend – I had it going on, too. I worked hard, I was talented – just not at the things traditional high school boys valued.
But we’ll get to that.
“Hi,” Whiskey finally said, extending his hand to Jenna this time. His eyes were warm, smile inviting — if I had to pick the right word for him, just one, I’d say charming. He just oozed charm. “I’m Jamie.”
“Well, Jamie, maybe you should make an appointment with the eye doctor before you run over another innocent jogger. And you owe Brecks an apology.” She nodded to me then and I cringed at my name, wondering why she felt the need to spill it at all. She always called me B — everyone did — so why did she choose the moment I was face to face with the first boy to ever make my heart accelerate to use my full name?
Jamie was still grinning, eying Jenna, trying to figure her out, but he turned to me after a moment with that same crooked smile. “I’m sorry, I should have been watching where I was going.” He said the words with conviction, but lifted his brows on that last line because he and I both knew who wasn’t paying attention to the trail, and he wasn’t the guilty party. 
“It’s fine,” I murmured, because for some reason I was still having a difficult time finding my voice. Jamie tilted his head just a fraction, his eyes hard on me this time, and I felt naked beneath his gaze. I’d never had anyone look at me that way — completely zeroed in. It was unnerving and exhilarating, too. 
But before I could latch onto the feeling, he turned back to Jenna, their eyes meeting as slow smiles spread on both of their faces. I’d seen it a million times, but this was the first time I felt sick watching it happen.
I saw him first, but it didn’t matter.
Because he saw her.
my-review

Kandi has outdone yourself with this book.  ALLTW is her best book to date!!   I couldn’t put this book down once I started it.  And I never wanted it to end even though she put me through the ringer with this one.

I can honestly say that I am at an utter loss as how to write this review and what to say, without giving much away.  It’s been days since I finished this book and I am still taking it all in and recouping from all the feelings I went through.

“But sometimes, even when we know something is bad for us, we do it anyway.  Maybe for the thrill, maybe to cure our curiosity, or maybe just to lie to ourselves a little longer.”

Jamie is the most devoted best guy in the world.  He  never once gave up on B, in friendship or more.  He loved her with the everything he had and then some.  His love never wavered for her.

B is selfish bitch.  I said it – she is.  She’s got her own issues but it is completely blind to what’s right in front of her.  She’s allowed fear to rule her life.  But she’s also allowed her selfishness to push away the best thing to ever happen to her.

“There’s more courage in admitting you love someone and fighting for them than letting them go because it hurts less.”

These two go through so many ups and downs.  And yet, there was always one constant remaining at the end each time.  I am not sure my heart was going to be able to take a whole more.  These two tore me apart from the inside out with everything they went through.

Kandi tells this story beautifully. She pace the story extremely well and allows things to play out over the years without really missing anything that takes away from the story.  Kandi weaves together a heartbreakingly beautiful story.  You become invested in her characters and their wellbeing.  You find yourself caring deeply for them.

“Still, no one told me that once a whiskey girl, always a whiskey girl.”

I love this book. I loved these characters. I love everything about this book. 

Kandi’s best book to date!

5LovesRLB
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Kandi Steiner is a Creative Writing and Advertising/Public Relations graduate from the University of Central Florida living in Tampa with her husband. Kandi works full time as a social media specialist, but also works part time as a Zumba fitness instructor and blackjack dealer. 

Kandi started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic (like most girls brought up on Disney movies).

When Kandi isn’t working or writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys beach days, movie marathons, live music, craft beer and sweet wine – not necessarily in that order.

   

 

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The Bachelor Auction by Rachel Van Dyken…Blog Tour & Review

bachelor_auction_tour

Are you ready to Meet Brock Wellington?

Order your copy today!

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Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2cqtEJo

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2casLH2

iBooks: http://apple.co/2c4SmQS

B&N: http://bit.ly/1SKyEdn

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

GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2bNZuQE

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Blurb

Jane isn’t entirely sure that Cinderella got such a raw deal. Sure, she had a rough start, but didn’t she eventually land a prince and a happily-ever-after? Meanwhile, Jane is busy waiting on her demanding, entitled sisters, running her cleaning business, and . . . yep, not a prince in sight. Until a party and a broken shoe incident leave Jane wondering if princes—or at least, a certain deliciously hunky billionaire—maybe do exist.

Except Brock Wellington isn’t anyone’s dream guy. Hell, a prince would never agree to be auctioned off in marriage to the highest bidder. Or act like an arrogant jerk—even if it was just a façade. Now, as Brock is waiting for the auction chopping block, he figures it’s karmic retribution that he’s tempted by a sexy, sassy woman he can’t have. But while they can’t have a fairy-tale ending, maybe they can indulge in a little bit of fantasy . .

Man young handsome sensual elegant model in suit with black skinny necktie and smartphone looks in camera on grey background

my-review

RVD is always a one-click for me.  There isn’t one book by her that I have not read nor I have not loved.  And this is just another amazing example of why she’s a go-to author.

The Bachelor Auction is truly a modern-day fairy tale.  It’s very Cinderella-like but has so many new twists to it, you can’t help but fall in love with everything.

“She was the only woman who had offered something money couldn’t buy.  Her heart.”

Brock is the eldest brother and also the one who takes care of everything.  He can’t say no to anything and that’s caused him to forget about living for himself.  But there’s a deeper reason behind why he’s the way he is.

Jane took over family’s cleaning business and has been her sisters’ “maid” since they lost their parents.  I don’t think Essence or Esmeralda even knew how to function without Jane.  But Jane wanted to keep the promise she made to her father before he passed on – to keep the family together.  But at what cost?

Rachel wrote a very heart warming story with the perfect touches of humor and sexiness added in.  I loved how everything played out – from the ranch house to the ball. The twins, Bentley and Brant were a perfect addition to the story and made me laugh out loud more than once.   I truly can’t wait to read about both of their stores in future books.

“A woman like you doesn’t belong in the shadows.”

RVD has once again wrote another amazing and intriguing love story!!

 

5LovesRLB

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About the Author:

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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!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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