No Apologies by Sybil Bartel…Blog Tour Stop & Review

No Apologies Banner

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Synopsis:

Never apologize

Hard-edged rocker Graham Allen has it all. He’s flush with cash from playing bass in a band by night and restoring classic cars by day. And there are plenty of women willing to share his bed for a night, complication-free. Perfect, because if there’s anything he learned from his past, it was to never get attached—to anything. So when bartender Carly Sullivan flashes her innocent smile, Graham isn’t prepared for what happens next.

Never fall in love

Two rules, that’s all Graham has—never apologize and never fall in love. He knows Carly is everything he should avoid. Cheerful and sweet, she has “relationship” written all over her. But Graham can’t stay away from her probing questions and concerned blue eyes.

When Graham discovers Carly is hiding a crushing secret, he’s prepared to risk it all. Until in one single moment, everything changes and Graham’s past threatens to collide with his future. His life is crumbling down around him, and soon no apology in the world can save him.

He should’ve known to walk away.

 

My review:

No Apologies is the first book from author Sybil Bartel and one hell of a debut. I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down until I had finished it. The angst, emotion, and attraction were all done so well.

Graham Allen is a man of many talents. He’s a gifted musician, skilled mechanic, and one hell of a ladies man. He’s got the good looks, killer body, and a good amount of wealth. You could say he has it all…but he doesn’t. His childhood was plagued by abuse at the hands of his mother and by the time his father had decided to leave her and rescue Graham from the life on the streets he resorted to in order to escape the abuse, the damage was done. Now, he was a man with a huge chip on his shoulder and a deep seated anger that he feared he would never be able to get rid of. Enter Carly. The beautiful and sweet bartender that he knows damn well he should stay away from but just can’t seem to do it. She’s everything he isn’t. He finds himself looking for her smile every day and spends more and more time with her. And even though he knows he shouldn’t, he finds himself having all sorts of complicated feelings for her. But he knows she’s too good for him and she should never be with someone like him. But when Graham finds out she may be just as damaged as he is, things start to take a different turn. Could Graham ever deserve someone like Carly? God, he wanted nothing more…

After finishing, well more like devouring, this book I went on-line and looked at a few reviews. I found that a lot of people weren’t big fans of Graham and while I can see where they are coming from, I have to emphatically disagree. I loved him. He comes off as a total womanizing prick, and yeah there were times I wanted to slap him silly, but in the end I totally got why he was the way he was. He had a horrid excuse for a mother and in my mind he took all those feelings and years of hate out on the women he slept with. Yes, there were a lot of them. Yes, he treated them like crap. But I just couldn’t fault him for it because when we saw him with Carly and how much he wished he was the kind of man she deserved, it broke my heart. And lets be honest here…those girls weren’t exactly wholesome angels.

He was so broken and had no clue how to deal with it. He tried to push Carly away but on the flip side hated every minute they were apart. He was like the battered puppy that needed to be coaxed back into being happy and healthy. Carly was just what he needed in order to do just that…become happy and healthy. To see him slowly transform was a thing of beauty. Carly is one tough cookie. She’s been through her own tragedy and takes none of Graham’s crap, which I loved. She sticks to her guns and refuses to believe Graham is as damaged as he believes he is. She is unlike anything he’s ever known and even if it takes him a while to see it, eventually he does.

There’s a huge surprise toward the end that I never saw coming and it was another piece in helping Graham heal and become the man he was always capable of becoming….and it was so freaking perfect. I can’t give it away but I will give you a hint and say no, Carly doesn’t get pregnant. (you know that’s what you were thinking lol!)

All in all, if you love the tortured hero with a chance at redemption and a happily ever after, this is a book for you. Thank you, Sybil, for giving us Graham and Carly…. and Gunnar, too! I loved all of it!

5LovesRLBFive Loves

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Buy Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Sybil Bartel Bio:

SybilI grew up in Northern California with my head in a book and my feet in the sand. I dreamt of becoming a painter but the heady scent of libraries with their shelves full of books drew me into the world of storytelling. I love the New Adult genre, but really, any story about a love so desperately wrong and impossibly beautiful makes me swoon.

I now live in Southern Florida and while I don’t get to read as much as I like, I still bury my toes in the sand. If I’m not writing or fighting to contain the banana plantation in my backyard, you can find me spending time with my handsomely tattooed husband, my brilliantly practical son and a mischievous miniature boxer…

But Seriously?

Here are ten things you really want to know about me.

I grew up a faculty brat. I can swear like a sailor. I love men in uniform. I hate being told what to do. I can do your taxes (but don’t ask). The Bird Market in Hong Kong freaks me out. My favorite word is desperate…or dirty, or both—I can’t decide. I have a thing for muscle cars. But never reply on me for driving directions, ever. And I have a new book boyfriend every week—don’t tell my husband

 

Links:

Wesbite  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Author Goodreads  |  No Apologies Goodreads

Review….Funny Girl by Kate Baum

 

Funny Girl cover

 

Synopsis:

Janie was always the life of the party, gifted with a natural ability to make people laugh. Her fun world comes crashing down when she’s attacked coming home from a party. Two good Samaritans happen to come to her aid and save her from a tragic crime. She’s convinced to go to self- defense classes to help her cope with her fear.

Cullen, a professional boxer, can’t seem to stay out of trouble. When trouble befalls him again, an empathetic Judge looks at his upbringing and decides that Cullen needs one more chance. Judge Dillon recognizes that Cullen often looks out for the underdog and this trait may be the only way Cullen can find a purpose in his life. Cullen’s community service sentence is to teach a self-defense course.

Janie believes she will never feel safe among men again. Cullen doesn’t think he is capable of a loving relationship. The problem becomes obvious between them, as neither of them can stop thinking about each other.

****contains explicit sexual scenes. For adults only. This story contains references to a sexual assault and child abuse.

 

My Review:

Funny Girl is the third book in author Kate Baum’s Girl Series, a series I have really enjoyed reading. This story follows Janie, known as the funny one in her group of friends, and picks up after she was assaulted after returning home from a party. This is her journey of healing and it was phenomenal.

Growing up rather shy, Janie learned that she was able to come out of her shell when she turned on the humor. And damn she was good at it. Always making people laugh and bringing a smile to someone’s face. But it was that humor that attracted the attention of a predator at a party one evening and that lead to a terrifying assault while walking home that would have turned much worse if not for the help of two bystanders. But regardless, the damage was done. Just like she would never wear the same clothes she had from that night, she never wanted to be funny again. What had always been her shining asset was now something she never wanted to bring to the surface again. Sure she had her family and friends to support her through this but she knew deep down it would take a long time before she would ever bring out the funny girl again…if ever. But then she meets Cullen. The protective, handsome, and strong boxer at the gym she and her support group were learning self-defense from. She knew a bit of his back-story and that he was helping with the program because he had gotten into trouble himself…protecting someone who couldn’t protect themselves. She was thankful to be working with him and was thankful that part of his assignment was walking her and another girl home from the gym after their sessions. Their relationship grew into a great friendship and soon she couldn’t help but start to feel more. Was she ready for that? Knowing he had his own secrets and a painful past, was he ready for that kind of relationship?

Each with a painful past, Cullen and Janie have learned to start to heal but need that little bit more to complete the healing process completely….and they start to find that in each other. Can they take that last final step and make their lives better by opening their hearts and trusting once again? By believing there is still good on this world and that they deserve it?

Amazing. This book was freaking amazing. It ran through so many emotions, addressed very difficult situations, and was written so well that you couldn’t help but feel for Cullen and Janie every step of the way.

I totally got why Janie never wanted to go back to the person she was before the assault. I know I would try to change every single thing about myself as to avoid ever being in a horrific situation again. No, that wouldn’t guarantee safety, but I could see how it could give a bit of security in my mind. The most admirable thing about Janie is that she wants to put the assault behind her. She wants to heal and overcome and just move on. She tires every step of the way and becomes a fighter, and isn’t just “the funny girl” anymore. She really rose above adversity and took charge of her life. And with Cullen’s help she was able to open her heart as well.

As for Cullen, oh my God, I love that man. He is hiding a painful and heartbreaking past and when he finally tells his story I was sobbing my eyes out. I think I was most upset because his story is the real life story of many children in this world. I appreciate that Kate took the chance in giving Cullen the kind of past she did because it is a reminder that we must protect the innocence of children and never shy away from a child in need. Of course, I’m tearing up as I type this. But like Janie, Cullen is one hell of a fighter and didn’t become a victim. He stood up and now teaches others to do the same. He’s always standing up for the underdog and it makes him the complete package of the handsome and tough exterior with a huge heart.

Yes, this book had plenty of heavy moments but those moments make the triumphs so much more meaningful and I loved that. The highs outweigh the lows by far and overall I was left wearing a big, contented grin. Thank you, Kate, for writing Janie and Cullen and giving us an amazing story. I look forward to the next in the Girl Series!

4LovesRLB

Four Loves

 

Book Links:

Amazon  |  B&N

About the author:

I have always been a voracious reader. My favorite genres were tailored to YA type of horror, fantasy and science fiction. I guess it fit being that I am a middle school librarian. I have a young adult series in mind that I always told myself I would one day write. Then, at the young age of 46, I picked up an erotic romance book. I only read it out of curiosity. It was a best seller and ALL the teachers in my school were talking about this particular book. You know the one. It had a certain “tie” on the cover. Instantly, overnight, I became of fan of erotic romance. That summer, I think I read twenty erotic romance books. Since I work in a school, I have the beauty of summers off. I read day and night. My face was always plastered in front of my e-reader. I couldn’t get enough of erotic romance. The passion was exciting and contagious!
What this genre did for me was to bring out characters in my head that I had been dreaming about for years. I became obsessed at the idea of writing my own fantasies. Reading other talented authors gave me the inspiration to write stories about my favorite sexy alpha men. I created the “Girl Series”. Please email me with your comments. I would love to hear what you think!

Website  ~   Goodreads

 

Cover Reveal…Dante’s Fire by Jennifer Probst

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Here is the cover for DANTE’S FIRE, the upcoming title by New York Times Bestselling author Jennifer Probst. The book will be released on August 26th.

 

BOOK BLURB:

It’s Time To Meet A New Kind Of Hero…

 

Dante Stark has a dark secret–a legacy left to him by his father which is both a blessing and a curse. A traumatic experience as a small boy gave him special powers of healing, but it comes with a price. Destined to wander the world alone to heal others, he’s accepted his fate. Until Selina Rogers forces him to confront his deepest fears, erotic desires, and question his capacity to love.

 

Selina Rogers has made a name for herself at Inferno Enterprises. She’s tough, confident and prepared to succeed. She’s also built a world she believes is safe, until she’s attacked and then saved by a masked stranger. As he helps her heal physically and emotionally, she becomes fascinated by his overwhelming power and gentle touch. Determined to show Dante the love he’s been denying himself, Selina surrenders her heart, and dreams of a future with the mysterious man who completes her.

 

But will his dark legacy destroy them…or save them both…

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GOODREADS CONTEST:

Jennifer will be releasing 5 pages from Dante’s Fire for adds the book gets on Goodreads before the book releases.

800 adds gets 5 pages released

1500 adds gets 10 pages released

 

You can add it to Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22587388-dante-s-fire

 

COVER REVEAL CONTEST

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

PRE-ORDER LINKS:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1n4Bv2j

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1qcKNvl

 

DantesFire_Teaser2

 

Jennifer Probst

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://www.jenniferprobst.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferprobst
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferprobst.authorpage
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2965489.Jennifer_Probst

The Out of Line Series Box Set by Jen McLaughlin…Release Day Event

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RELEASE WEEK SPECIAL:
**Special introductory price. This is the cheapest you will EVER find these books! Will go up to full price after release week!**

**For release week only, get a SIGNED eBook edition!!**

BONUS CONTENT:
The OUT OF LINE Box Set contains 2 bonus scenes from Finn’s POV and the original ending of Out of Time. One scene is a never-before-released scene and the other is a scene that takes place between Out of Time and Out of Mind! Plus, the box set ebook comes SIGNED by Jen (for a limited time)!

BOOK BLURB: 

All three OUT OF LINE books in one volume.

 PLUS two bonus scenes AND the original ending to OUT OF TIME!

 

OUT OF LINE

 

I always follow orders. My job, my life, depends on it. I thought this job would be easy, all the rules were made crystal clear, but when I met Carrie Wallington, everything got muddy. She’s a rule I know I shouldn’t break, but damn if I don’t inch closer to the breaking point each time I see her. I’m ready to step out of line. And even worse? I’m living a lie. They say the truth will set you free, but in my case…

 

The truth will cost me everything.

 

OUT OF TIME

 

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

 

Time only gets us so far…

 

OUT OF MIND

 

All I wanted was to be worthy of Carrie. One mission, just one, and I’d be able to give her the future she deserved. Then everything went wrong, leaving me tainted and broken. Carrie wants me to be who I was, but all that’s left is what they made of me. I’m no good for her. No good for anyone like this. I have to figure out how to move forward. Alone.

 

Sometimes love isn’t enough…

 

 

Buy Links for individual books:

OUT OF LINE (Book #1)

Amazon – http://amzn.to/17HLrFu

B&N – http://bit.ly/17hfkvi

OUT OF TIME (Book #2)

Amazon – http://amzn.to/1daxXYL

B&N –   http://bit.ly/1g7hPas

OUT OF MIND (Book #3)

Amazon – http://amzn.to/1pUPjhY

B&N –  http://bit.ly/1mSkmpP

 

 

 

Author Information

Jen McLaughlin NEW picJen McLaughlin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sexy New Adult books. Under her pen name Diane Alberts, she is a multi-published, bestselling author of Contemporary Romance with Entangled Publishing. Her first release as Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line, released September 6 2013, and hit the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal lists. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and a cat. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

 

Website: http://dianealberts.com/

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianeAlberts6

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeAlberts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6921962.Jen_McLaughlin

Pocket Star eBook Summer Event & Giveaway

Apprehended - cover

Your summer Mondays just got more exciting!

XOXOAfterDark, Pocket Star’s romance and genre fiction community site, is hosting a special Summer eBook event!
Every Monday in July and August, you’ll find a Pocket Star-E Night post on XOXOAfterDark featuring three great Pocket Star eBooks…and Read-Love-Blog will also be highlighting one of the amazing titles each Monday!
So, mark your calendars to stop by every Monday to see what exciting new title is highlighted AND for a chance to win an copy of that title!

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Today Read-Love-Blog is thrilled to feature Apprehended by Jan Burke!

We will also be having a giveaway for 5 ecopies of Apprehended!

Just comment on this blog post to be entered to win.
Thanks for stopping by!

Apprehended - cover

SUMMARY:

From the New York Times bestselling suspense author Jan Burke comes a brand-new e-short story with the added bonus of three short stories from the Eighteen anthology.

Apprehended is a mini-anthology containing a brand new short story from Jan Burke: “The Unacknowledged,” which features the fan-favorite investigative reporter Irene Kelly, back in her journalism school days. Also included are three short stories from the previously published Eighteen: “Why Tonight,” “A Fine Set of Teeth,” and “A Man of My Stature.”

Praise for Eighteen:
“Astonishing…wry…these stories are sure to delight.” —New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Deaver

“A delightful collection of page-turners. At turns chilling, funny, poignant—and always insightful. With these stories, Jan Burke’s at the top of her game.” —New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman

 

EXCERPT:

I made sure we were alone. That was actually the hardest part. After realizing that no restaurant in the city would be free of people who might know Donna, I ended up inviting her over for dinner on a night when I knew Lydia had an evening class. Until two months earlier, Lydia and I had shared the place with another roommate, but she had married over the summer. We had been putting off finding another renter, but tonight I was glad for the lack of a potential eavesdropper, enjoying the emptiness and quiet that usually had me thinking that I was going to have to move back home again.

 

Donna and I made small talk until after I cleared the dishes. She seemed a little down. All the same, she was an easy person to talk to. I was fighting some very cynical thinking about that as I pulled out some photocopies I had made.

 

I had thought of going all Perry Mason on her ass, cross-examining her until she wept and admitted her crimes. I couldn’t do it. The truth is, I liked her.

 

“I had a special assignment given to me this week,” I said. “Do you know who Jack Corrigan is?”

 

She shook her head. My tone must have hardened, or my look, or—somehow I tipped her off that the nature of our little dinner party was about to change.

 

“Well, I suppose that doesn’t matter. I have a feeling that you do know who Cassie Chadwick was.”

 

She, who blushed so easily, turned pale. She looked at me with such desperation that, for a full minute, I wasn’t sure if she was going to cry, run away, or punch me. But she just nodded yes and looked down at her hands.

 

“If she hadn’t harmed so many people,” I said, “I could almost admire her cunning, not to mention her nerve. After running a number of other scams, she marries a naive doctor from Cleveland, just happens to convince him that they should visit New York at the same time a man from home is there—a man who is a high-society gossip in Cleveland. She asks that man to give her a carriage ride, and has him wait for her outside the home of Andrew Carnegie, a wealthy, confirmed bachelor. She goes into the house, comes out thirty minutes later, and—this part really interested me—trips as she’s getting into the carriage. Drops a promissory note for two million dollars—a note that appears to be signed by Andrew Carnegie, whom she blushingly claims is her father.”

 

She stayed silent.

 

“Too bad promissory notes aren’t what they used to be. Planning to borrow millions based on phony documents, and cause a bank or two to fail?”

 

“No.”

 

“I didn’t think so.” I let the silence stretch for a time, then said, “Who told you about Cassie Chadwick?”

 

“Aunt Lou, my great aunt. She grew up hearing stories about her. Aunt Lou claimed to ‘admire her brass’ as she put it. Aunt Lou doesn’t think women ever get a fair shake in this world.”

 

“Is Donna Vynes your real name?”

 

“My married name, yes.” She was tracing patterns on the tablecloth with one of her perfect fingers, still not making eye contact.

 

“So you’re really a war widow?”

 

The finger stopped moving. She looked up at me. “Oh yes. And my mother is dead. John, my husband, sent home all of his pay—a little over a hundred and fifty dollars a month at first. It was up to about four hundred when he was killed. Just about everything he saved for us got spent on my mother’s medical needs. But John also bought some life insurance through the service. So I had ten thousand from that.”

 

“That’s where the seven thousand comes from?”

 

“Yes.” She sighed. “There was this neighbor of Aunt Lou’s in Cleveland. Her daughter was about my age. Despite all my other faults, I’m not like Eldon, so I won’t name her, if you don’t mind. Anyway, at the end of last semester, she dropped out of school here. Looking back on it now, I think she was just really homesick.

 

“But what she told me was . . . well, once we got to know each other, she said the reason she left was because Eldon Naff slept with her and then told the world about it. She said she had been working as an assistant for Mr. Langworthy, or rather to someone on his staff. She said it was Mr. Langworthy who fired her, mostly based on Eldon’s gossip. I don’t know if that’s true, but I learned a lot about Mr. Langworthy from her. Including the fact that in early September, he was going on a Mediterranean cruise.

 

“And I couldn’t help thinking about Mr. Carnegie and Mrs. Chadwick. Especially because I never knew my dad. My mother always said my father died while she was pregnant with me, but I think she was lying. Aunt Lou all but confirmed that my parents weren’t married. So I am illegitimate, just not the child of a rich man.”

 

After a long silence, she said, “God, I don’t know how you did it, but I’m glad you figured it out. It’s a relief.”

 

 

 Link continuing the excerpt to XOXOAfterDark:

http://xoxoafterdark.com/2014/07/08/pocket-star-e-nights-apprehended-jan-burke/?mcd=z_140714_Burke_PSEN

Don’t forget to leave a blog post comment….
Thanks for stopping by!

 

Pocket books apprehended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Beautiful Thought by Alicia Rae….Release Day Blast

Banner Beautiful Thought photo ABeautifulThoughtBanner_zps989dfb0e.jpg
 photo 3035312_orig_zpse32ed60f.jpgTitle: A Beautiful Thought

Author: Alicia Rae

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publish Date: July 14th 2014

Cover Design: Okay Creation Sarah Hansen

 

 

~Synopsis~
As a physical sports therapist, Gail Bennett is accustomed to working with gorgeous athletes every day, but after falling for a few of these attractive men, she has been left heartbroken one too many times. When Gail’s hours at work are unexpectedly cut, she must find a way to continue helping her parents pay for her sister’s education. Reluctantly following her best friend’s advice, Gail takes on a roommate with the one man she has been avoiding since the first time she laid eyes on him.

Damon Johnson loves a challenge, and he is not the type of man to back down when he wants something. From the first moment he meets Gail for dinner, he feels an inexplicable pull between the two of them. In his determination to have her, he finds himself helping her in any way he can.

Can Damon break through all the barriers Gail has so carefully placed around her heart and prove that he’s different? Or will Gail’s reservations keep her from falling in love?

One thought could change everything.

 

Goodreads

 

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Alicia Rae photo Authorpic_zpse012118d.jpg

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

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

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

Believe in yourself and follow your dreams…

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

Fantasized by You by Steph Nuss…Release Day Event

Steph Nuss and Bandit Publishing are excited to share with you the RELEASE of “Fantasized by You” by Steph Nuss. Make sure to add to your Goodreads, pick up your copy and enter the GIVEAWAY below for SIGNED PAPERBACKS and Winner’s Choice of Amazon, iTunes and B&N GIFT CARDS! Don’t forget to join us at the Release Day and Blog Tour Event starting on July 14th – join by clicking the below link.

NOW AVAILABLE!

 

Fantasized by You

Love in the City – Book #2

(is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone – Book #2 is based on a different couple, but you will see characters from Book #1)

 

Celebrity fashion designer, Harper Jennings is only months away from turning thirty, and her dream of living a happily ever after has yet to come true.
She’s given up on her fantasy.
Personal trainer and gym owner, Maverick Jones isn’t thrilled about having a designer mentoring in his new clinic, but after meeting the brunette beauty face-to-face, he dreams of having his way with her.
He’s ready to turn his fantasy into reality.
But when their fantasies collide, love in the city becomes more complicated than they ever imagined.
 

Carter was captivated by Ellyson Evans the moment he laid eyes on her,
but she was the one girl who didn’t beg for his attention.
He wanted her.
Ellyson vowed to never fall in love, because love can destroy you,
but then she met Carter Jennings.
She wanted him.
Unwilling to risk their comfortable friendship, neither confessed their desires.
Losing touch after college, a chance meeting reconnects them.
They want each other.
But love in the city is never quite that easy.
Steph Nuss was born and raised in rural Kansas, where she currently resides with her black Labrador son named Gunner. She grew up with a passion for reading and writing. When she’s not immersed into the land of fiction, she enjoys listening to music that came before her time, watching movies and reruns of her favorite shows, and hanging out with her family and friends. She also has a bachelor’s degree in psychology that she’ll never use…unless she’s profiling her characters of course.
Website: http://stephnuss.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/StephNussAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephNuss13
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7392900.Steph_Nuss
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/StephNuss13/
 
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal…Drops of Rain by Kathryn Andrews

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Synopsis:

Ali Rain
Sometimes I think to myself, “How did I get here?” Then the pain hits and I remember…it’s because she’s gone. I now live in a new town, go to a new school, and I’m supposed to be moving on with my new life. Only, I no longer know who I am anymore. Dancing is all I have left and every day I feel completely alone. Silence has become the theme song to my life. She said to find some joy and light, but I don’t know how. Mostly, I feel surrounded in darkness…that is until I meet him.

Drew Hale
I have only one goal, in 298 days I’m going to drive away from this small beach town and never return. People are always watching me closely, too close, and I’m tired of wearing a mask. I need to be free. Swimming is my ticket out of here and I remind myself daily to fly under the radar, stick to my routine, and under no circumstances let anything distract me. I’m not as perfect as they think, most days I am drowning in guilt. I’m not sure I will ever be able to escape the feelings of shame, worthlessness, and just being unwanted…that is until I meet her

 

Available August 11

 

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Review….The Best Medicine by Tracy Brogan

The best medicine COVER

 

 

Synopsis:

Everyone in Bell Harbor thinks career-minded plastic surgeon Evelyn Rhoades needs a husband. Everyone, that is, except for Evelyn . . . sort of. Even if she did want a husband (which she doesn’t . . . most of the time), she’d never let something as intangible as fate determine who she marries. No, if she’s going to find someone to spend her life with, she’ll do it scientifically: with a carefully crafted list of criteria and an Internet dating site. But when intoxicated, law-breaking Tyler Connelly crashes into her life by way of a stolen Jet Ski, unruly emotions defy common sense. Sure, he’s sexy, charming, and determined to win Evelyn’s affection, but all evidence points to him being the worst possible choice. He’s too young for her. Too irresponsible. Too underemployed. And, oh yeah, he’s her patient. But Tyler knows firsthand how the best-laid plans can crumble under the weight of destiny. Now all he needs to do is to teach Evelyn that, in matters of the heart, love often supersedes logic.

 

My review:

The Best Medicine is the second book in author Tracy Brogan’s Bell Harbor Series and the first of Tracy’s work I have read. Well, after reading about Evie and Tyler, I am hooked!

Young and successful plastic surgeon Evelyn Rhoades hasn’t given much thought to marriage and family. After all, she had lived through the messy divorce of her parents and even messier were the years they were still married. So to say she focused primarily on her career wasn’t exactly an untruth. She had been ok with that until right about now. When her most recent birthday brings her into mid-thirties territory. Maybe she should start thinking about a husband and some kids. So reluctantly she makes a list of husband criteria and lets her friends set her up on a dating site and arrange some meet and greets. There’s just a few problems. One, the guys she’s taken chances on were total duds and two, she can’t stop thinking about the very handsome, very mysterious and very young patient she treated in the ER the week before. Tyler Connelly crashed a jet ski and in essence crashed into her life. Now not only can’t she get him out of her head but he seems to be popping up everywhere she is. Now she’d never get him out of her head. But he was entirely too young and had a good/bad rep around town depending on who you asked. But the guy was persistent and asked her out every time he sees her in the hopes she would give in. There’s only so many times a gal can resist Tyler’s charm…

Tyler Connelly is a mystery a lot of people would like to figure out. He hasn’t got the best reputation in his hometown and his family is a tad batshit crazy but he didn’t care what anyone thought of him or his family. Nope, he knew what kind of man he was and he didn’t need to prove it to anyone except himself. He protected his family and tried to stand up for what’s right even in sometimes that landed him in hot water with the law. When he meets Dr. Rhodes after his latest debacle, he knows he has to get to know her better. There’s something about her that calls to him in a way he’s never felt before. Now he just has to convince her that their age difference doesn’t mean nearly as much as she thinks it does. Good thing for Evelyn that he was a persistent guy and always gets his way in the end.

The chance Evelyn takes on Tyler seems like just another date but soon turns into so much more when Evelyn and Tyler realize they have an undeniable chemistry. Will Evelyn’s pursuit of a husband scare Tyler away? Will Tyler’s reputation and complicated family ties have Evelyn running for the hills? The better question is: will love conquer all?

Oh man, this story had me from the very first few paragraphs. No, it’s not because we meet the young, mysterious and handsome bad boy early on. What grabbed me from the beginning was Evelyn. Her inner monologue was sassy snark at it’s best and had me wishing I could be a fly on the wall in her life’s semi-mis-adventures. From her friends throwing her a birthday party she smiled thorough while secretly loathing inside, to her awful first few dates, she was truly one of the most fun characters I’ve read. She had me laughing out loud and groaning alongside her during more than a few embarrassing moments. And then there’s Tyler. Swoon worthy Tyler. He was a mystery for most of the book and layer by layer who he was is revealed and, my oh my, I adore that man. He turns out to be the exact opposite of the guy we thought he was. Introduced as a bit of a bad boy, he is anything but. He’s honorable and loyal with a stand up, modern knight in shining armor appeal that made me fall in love with him. He lands a top spot on my book boyfriend list for sure! And of course, he had me crying my eyes out during the last few pages. But if you know me, you know I adore that in a book!

The Best Medicine is s sweet and spicy read with just the right balance of snark, sassiness, romance, and heat. Thank you, Tracy, for giving us some fabulous medicine! I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next.

 

4LovesRLB

Four Loves

 

Book links:

Amazon  |  B&N 

About the author:

Past or present, Tracy Brogan loves romance.

She writes funny contemporary stories about ordinary people finding extraordinary love, and stirring historical romance full of political intrigue, damsels causing distress, and the occasional man in a kilt.

Tracy is a best-selling author, a 2013 RWA® RITA Best First Book Finalist for CRAZY LITTLE THING, a two-time Golden Quill winner in both contemporary and historical romance, and the winner of a Booksellers Best award for HIGHLAND SURRENDER.

Tracy lives in Michigan with her husband, her children and their overly-indulged dogs. Please stop by her website at tracybrogan.com, or visit her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorTracyBrogan

 

 

 

Cover Reveal….Worth Forgiving by Vi Keeland

worth forgiving cover

 

Blurb

They say men like a lady in the living room and a whore in the bedroom. I never knew the sentiment was reciprocal. Until I met Jax Knight. A gentleman in public, a commanding, dirty talking rogue in the bedroom.

Daughter of legendary fighter “The Saint,” Lily St. Claire knows firsthand how fighters can be. As the owner of a chain of MMA gyms, she’s no stranger to aggressive, dominating, and possessive men. That’s why she’s always kept her distance. But the day Jax Knight walks through her door she’s captivated by his charm. Stunningly handsome, well mannered, Ivy League educated, and confident, he shatters all the preconceived notions she’d come to think were true about men who trained to fight.

But falling for someone so soon after her breakup wasn’t something she’d planned on. And definitely not something her ex plans to allow.

 

worth forgiving full

 

 

 

 

MMA Series Reading Order:

 worth the fight

Worth the Fight (Book One)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1xC6epE

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1alpVES

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1dbzZ8R

Smashwords – http://bit.ly/1is0zNX

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1co2ZpF

 

It didn’t matter that the ref called it a clean hit. Nico Hunter would never be the same.

Elle has a good life. A job she loves, a great apartment, and the guy she’s been dating for more than two years is a catch and a half. But it’s boring…and she strives to keep it that way. Too many emotions are dangerous. Her own past is living proof of what can happen when you lose control.

Then Nico walks into Elle’s office and everything changes…for both of them. But what can the tattooed, hard-bodied MMA fighter and the beautiful and always steady attorney have in common? A lot more than they bargained for.

***Author’s note*** THIS IS A STAND-ALONE NOVEL. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

 

 

 

 

worth the chance

Worth the Chance (Book Two)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1xC71aa

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

Itunes: http://bit.ly/1gHMCZg

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1fqQcnj

Smashwords:http://bit.ly/NU2rCR

 

Meet Liv Michaels

It may have been seven years, but I’d know him anywhere. Sure, he’s grown, filled out in all the right places, but his captivating blue eyes and cocky grin are exactly the way I remember. Even though I’d much rather forget.

Liv Michaels is almost there. She’s smart, determined and weeks away from landing the job she’s dreamed about for years. Time healed old wounds, even her broken heart from the devastation of being crushed by her first love.

 

Meet Vince Stone

Women love a fighter, especially a good one. Lucky for me, I’m damn good. But there’s one woman that isn’t interested. Not again, anyway.

Vince ‘The Invincible’ Stone is every woman’s fantasy…strong, sexy, confident and completely in control. Growing up surrounded by chaos, he’s learned never to get too attached. Love will drag you down. He adores women, treats them well, puts their own needs before his own…for the night anyway. With the biggest fight of his life coming up, his focus should be on training.

When fate brings Vince & Liv back together again, there’s no denying the chemistry is still there. But can Vince erase the old scars their past left behind? Or will Liv hurt him instead?

 

***Author’s note*** THIS IS A STAND-ALONE NOVEL. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the 18.

 

Additional Books by Vi Keeland

First Thing I See

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1qLL4ET

Belong to You (A Cole Novel, Book One)

Amazon US : http://amzn.to/1jdAlRk

Made For You (A Cole Novel, Book Two)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1qLLdIk

 

About the Author:

vi keeland bioVi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn’t change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!

Website |Facebook |Twitter |Goodreads

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Cover Reveal…Temptation by Robin Covington

Temptation Cover

Title: Temptation

Author: Robin Covington

Expected Publication: August 5th, 2014

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About Temptation:

Temptation CoverShe needs to be good.

Five years ago, Kit Landry was homeless and alone at sixteen. Determined to ditch her crappy life, she moved to Nashville with only $200, her guitar, and a notebook full of songs. She hit it big as America’s country sweetheart, but a year of living like a rock star plus a stint in rehab has killed any good will she had with her label. The suits have ordered Kit to shape up or ship out of the limelight. The last thing she needs is a hot, sexy distraction with a sinful smile.

He doesn’t know the meaning of the word.

Max Butler is as far from a celebrity as you can get and he likes it that way. A Nashville firefighter, he’s living the single life with a revolving door of parties, friends, and a different woman in his bed every night. When his normal life suddenly collides with the girl on his favorite Rolling Stone cover, he sees the perfect chance to fulfill his ultimate fantasy and see just how bad Kit can be.

Sometimes bad is so very good.

With three weeks until Kit leaves for her big tour, Max promises to give her a break from being the good girl–no strings attached. But when hot days lead to sultry nights, the lines get blurred and suddenly three weeks of bad might not be good enough.

 



Excerpt:

Finished with his ribbon, I rested my hands on his chest and leaned up to kiss his cheek.

Under my hands, his chest constricted with his swift intake of breath at the moment my lips touched his skin. I inhaled deeply, soaking in his scent of cedar wood, citrus, and warm male while the blood pounded in my ears and my skin grew warmer. Pulling away, we both exhaled slowly as our eyes locked in a heated exchange of shock and desire.

There was no mistaking the look of desire in his eyes, and I’m sure it matched the one in my own. I wanted him with jaw-clenching intensity and the part of me that was all woman unfurled after being packed away for so long. I might as well have been back on that fire escape, because this felt just as dangerous. More dangerous.

Behind me, the gathered paparazzi began to call out above the murmuring of the crowd.

“Give him a real kiss, Kit!”

“Is that how you thank a hero?”¬

“Kiss him!”

At the sound of their voices, I glanced over my shoulder. Everyone was smiling encouragingly; the press wanted the photo, the other firefighters were cheering on their boy.

I looked back at Max for his opinion.

A smirk pulled at the edge of his lips. “I did save your life.”

I narrowed my eyes, not really mad at the suggestion. “That’s not fair.”

He shrugged his shoulders the slightest bit and grinned. “Chicken?”

Oh. Hell. No.

Determined and rising to the bait, I lifted my face, slowly closing the distance between our mouths. This would be quick, fun and flirty, and over before it began.

I had no fucking clue what I was talking about.

The first press of our mouths was like being hooked up to a live wire. We both broke contact in surprise but quickly began again, the lure of such intense pleasure already addictive.

I was the one who took it deeper, running my tongue along his, dipping inside to taste him. I couldn’t help myself; it was like putting my favorite dessert in front of me and saying that I could only have a sample. Good luck trying to stop me.

Max groaned and grabbed my hips, his fingers lightly digging into my flesh—tugging me closer and turning the kiss hotter, wetter. His mouth slanted over mine and his tongue stroked past my lips, taking what he wanted and what I freely gave. My knees went weak, and I clutched the fabric of his uniform, holding him close as the kiss went on and on.

The sound of whooping and clapping startled me and snapped me back to reality. This wasn’t good.

I distanced myself from Max, only far enough away to end the kiss but not far enough to lose the physical contact of his hands on me. I was breathing hard, my breasts swollen under the tight dress, my lips tender and tingly. Max was panting, his face hard and eyes hot.

Painfully aware of our audience and my management and label resident glaring at me from the other end of the room, I tried to pull back further but Max shook his head, holding me in his grip.

“We shouldn’t have done that,” I said.

“Maybe not, but I want to do it again,” he answered, his smile intimate and naughty enough to make me shiver. “And I want to do more.”

I sucked in a breath. I had thought the fire was dangerous, but I was wrong. Max was the thing I needed to worry about.

“You’re no angel,” I whispered.

“I’m glad you finally figured it out.”
 

About Robin Covington:

Robin CovingtonRobin Covington, who NYT Best Selling authors, Robyn Carr and Carly Phillips, said was their new “auto-buy author”, writes sizzling hot contemporary and paranormal romance.

A Night of Southern Comfort, her best-selling debut novel was a 2012 finalist in the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Awards, earned 4.5 stars and was touted by RT Book Reviews as bringing a “fresh, modern feel to the genre while still sticking to the things that get our adrenaline pumping — sex and danger”. When she’s not exploring the theme of fooling around and falling in love, she’s collecting tasty man candy, indulging in a little comic book geek love, and stalking Joe Manganiello.

Robin is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Washington and Maryland Romance Writers, a faculty member at Romance University, a member of the Waterworld Mermaids, and a contributor to the Happy Ever After blog at USA Today. You can find Robin on her website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter (@RobinCovington).

Robin lives in Maryland with her hilarious husband, brilliant children, and ginormous puppy.



Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Goodreads | Website

 

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