Adored by Lexi Blake…Review & Excerpt Tour Stop

Adored Review and Excerpt Tour banner

 

We are so excited to bring you the Blog Tour for Lexi Blake’s ADORED!

ADORED is a Contemporary Erotic Romance novella in Lexi’s Masters and Mercenaries Series! Check it out below and grab your copy today!!

 

Adored - cover

Amazon US Kindle ** Amazon Paperback ** Amazon UK Kindle

 

ADORED Review/Excerpt Tour

May 8

Aly’s Miscellany – Review & Excerpt

The Book Cellar – Review & Excerpt

Coffee Books & Art – Review & Excerpt

Books to Breathe – Excerpt

Agents of Romance – Excerpt

Books Can Take You There – Review & Excerpt

Mama She’s Crazy About Books – Review

Nerdy Book Freak – Excerpt

May 9

Read-Love-Blog – Excerpt

Bound By Books Book Review – Review & Excerpt

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

Rookie Romance – Review

Books to Light Your Fire – Excerpt

May 10

Literary Nook – Review

Roxy’s Reviews – Excerpt

Dark Faerie Tales – Review & Excerpt

The Sassy Bookster – Review

Romance Obsessed Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

May 11

Shawna Shauntia – Excerpt

random jendsmit – Excerpt

Reading Is My Superpower – Excerpt

Romance Reviews and More – Review & Excerpt

Jen’s Reading Obsession – Excerpt

May 12

Summer’s Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Hannah’s Words – Review & Excerpt

I Bookin’ Love To Read – Review & Excerpt

Country Gals Sexy Reads – Excerpt

Smut Book Junkie Reviews – Excerpt

Shayna Renee’s Spicy Reads – Review & Excerpt

Inner Goddess – Review & Excerpt

May 13

Romance Schmomance – Review & Excerpt

Read Catch Kiss – Review

Book Babes And Boyfriends – Excerpt

Reading Keeps Me Sane – Review & Excerpt

Mama Reads Hazel Reads – Review & Excerpt

Friends Till The End Book Blog – Excerpt

Book reviews by Sandra – Review

Greyland Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Kristi’s Book Cellar – Excerpt

May 14

Sultry, Steamy Reading – Review

Read My Mind – Review & Excerpt

Dirty Girl Romance – Review

Red Cheeks Reads – Excerpt

Collector of book boyfriends – Excerpt

Between The Lines – Excerpt

CJ’s Book Corner – Excerpt

Chris Book Blog Emporium – Excerpt

May 15

She Hearts Books – Review

Naughty Book Eden – Excerpt

Book Lovin’ Mamas – Excerpt

Hooker Heels Book Blog – Excerpt

Bookalicious Babes Blog – Review & Excerpt

Southern Yankee Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

May 16

Jax’s Book Magic – Review & Excerpt

The Book Bellas – Excerpt

Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt

JB’s Book Obsession – Review & Excerpt

Evermore Books – Review & Excerpt

Girls With Books – Excerpt

May 17

Indy Book Fairy – Excerpt

One Girl Lost in Romance Books – Review

Books Need TLC – Review & Excerpt

Once Upon An Alpha – Review

Renee Entress’s Blog – Review & Excerpt

G & Co. Book Blog – Excerpt

Vera is Reading – Excerpt

booklover4lifeblog – Excerpt

Wild and Dirty Book Blog – Excerpt

ADORED Synopsis:

A man who gave up on love

Mitch Bradford is an intimidating man. In his professional life, he has a reputation for demolishing his opponents in the courtroom. At the exclusive BDSM club Sanctum, he prefers disciplining pretty submissives with no strings attached. In his line of work, there’s no time for a healthy relationship. After a few failed attempts, he knows he’s not good for any woman—especially not his best friend’s sister.

A woman who always gets what she wants

Laurel Daley knows what she wants, and her sights are set on Mitch. He’s smart and sexy, and it doesn’t matter that he’s a few years older and has a couple of bitter ex-wives. Watching him in action at work and at play, she knows he just needs a little polish to make some woman the perfect lover. She intends to be that woman, but first she has to show him how good it could be.

A killer lurking in the shadows

When an unexpected turn of events throws the two together, Mitch and Laurel are confronted with the perfect opportunity to explore their mutual desire. Night after night of being close breaks down Mitch’s defenses. The more he sees of Laurel, the more he knows he wants her. Unfortunately, someone else has their eyes on Laurel and they have murder in mind.

 

Excerpt:

“Do you absolutely have to play tonight? It’s hard walking around without looking at things. I’m going to crash into someone’s scene,” a familiar voice said.

She turned and there was her brother coming up the stairs with Mitchell and Kai. Will’s eyes were firmly planted on the ground.

Kai gave her a smile. “He’s trying to avoid seeing you half naked.”

“She’s actually quite covered,” Mitch admitted.

He looked utterly delicious. No matter what kind of problems they might have, there was no denying the fact that this man got her motor running like no other. Sanctum was filled with gorgeous men, but Mitch seemed to stand above the rest. He was so masculine, with his broad shoulders and cut chest on display. She loved how petite she felt when he held her. He seemed to like to show off how strong he was by carrying her around.

Will brought his head up, his eyes opening cautiously. He seemed to relax. “All right. I suppose I can handle that. What kind of scene are you two doing tonight?”

Mitch moved to her side, his eyes going to the collar around her neck. She could practically feel the satisfaction pouring off him in waves. He might not want her as a wife, but she could tell he was enjoying keeping a submissive. “I’m doing a ropes demonstration, and no, you will not want to watch. We’re up very soon, so you and Bridget should stay on the east side of the dungeon. I hear Weston and his wife are doing an impact play scene.”

“I’m going to find a pretty little pain slut and get my freak on,” Kai promised. He looked nothing like his normal self. Kai was usually very intellectual looking. Like the professor at college every girl wanted to date. But with his hair down around his shoulders and dressed in leathers and motorcycle boots, the good psychologist looked dangerous. And definitely ready for some fun. Of course, his idea of fun had to do with pain.

 

Adored Teaser 1

 

 

Author PhotoAbout Lexi Blake:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. She began writing at a young age concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.

 

 

 

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Adored by Lexi Blake…ARC Review

Adored releases May 12

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Synopsis:

A man who gave up on love

Mitch Bradford is an intimidating man. In his professional life, he has a reputation for demolishing his opponents in the courtroom. At the exclusive BDSM club Sanctum, he prefers disciplining pretty submissives with no strings attached. In his line of work, there’s no time for a healthy relationship. After a few failed attempts, he knows he’s not good for any woman—especially not his best friend’s sister.

A woman who always gets what she wants

Laurel Daley knows what she wants, and her sights are set on Mitch. He’s smart and sexy, and it doesn’t matter that he’s a few years older and has a couple of bitter ex-wives. Watching him in action at work and at play, she knows he just needs a little polish to make some woman the perfect lover. She intends to be that woman, but first she has to show him how good it could be.

A killer lurking in the shadows

When an unexpected turn of events throws the two together, Mitch and Laurel are confronted with the perfect opportunity to explore their mutual desire. Night after night of being close breaks down Mitch’s defenses. The more he sees of Laurel, the more he knows he wants her. Unfortunately, someone else has their eyes on Laurel and they have murder in mind.

 

My review:

Adored is story number 8.5 in author Lexi Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries series as well as novella number 6 in the 1,001 Dark Nights 2015 line-up and from the synopsis alone, I was dying to read this latest installment.

Now, I’ve heard numerous times in the years I’ve been a reader that there are people who don’t really like novellas because it’s hard to build a relationship with the characters. That you can’t develop an emotional connection. Well, I am here to tell you that Lexi Blake and this novella will dispel all of those notions.

This story was packed with emotion, suspense and scorching heat but also had some mystery and more than a few chuckles along the way and I loved it!

Mitch is all alpha Dom and needs the lifestyle to maintain order and control in his life. It soothes him. Calms him. He’s had his share of failed relationships, his childhood was less than stellar and all of that pain and heartache has made him the man he is today. He truly has damaged hero written all over him. And when it came to Laurel, and all the feelings she brought about in him, he was a jumble of emotion. He wanted her but knew he had to stay away from her.  This was all something he wasn’t used to. It broke into his calm routine and it scared the hell out of him. He knew she wanted more from him above their working relationship and he was trying his best to keep her at bay…but Laurel was good at calling him on his crap and she pushed his buttons like no other. (My kinda gal!)

I loved that about her. She was one tough cookie and went after what she wanted but also knew Mitch and knew what he needed. She was willing to bend to him and try her best to be the woman he needed and wanted and I admired her for that. She also knew when enough was enough and made no bones about staying true to what she saw for herself and her future…even in if meant not being with Mitch.

They are a special kind of amazing when they are together. Despite being hard-headed, Mitch is patient with Laurel. When he introduces her into the BDSM world, he truly puts aside his own needs to make sure she is comfortable and at ease with the lifestyle. I absolutely loved that about him. They have many stumbles along the way and I went through moments of wanting to shake Mitch but like with any lovable damaged hero, in the end, they are worth all the heartache they caused and Mitch was no exception.

Now, as for the suspense aspect, author Blake did one hell of a job. She introduced quite a mystery in the beginning and left breadcrumbs along the way leading us on a path to one hell of an ending I never saw coming! It was certainly  a “whoa” moment!

There’s also a bit of a surprise that happens early on but I can’t mention it without spoiling things…so my lips are sealed!

Adored is the whole package. Sexy, emotional, suspenseful, it’s a page turner from start to finish. Thank you, Ms. Blake, for giving us Mitch and Laurel’s story!

 

5LovesRLB

Five Loves

 

Book Links:

Amazon  |  1,001 Dark Nights

Adored Teaser 2

About the author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook

 

Trailer Reveal….Hard To Let Go by Laura Kaye

Hard Ink Trailer Reveal Banner

 

We are over the moon about this Trailer Reveal for Laura Kaye’s Hard Ink Series! HARD TO LET GO-the final title in the Hard Ink Series, published by Avon Romance, is releasing June 30th!! Laura has a very special treat, through June 29, anyone who pre-orders HARD TO LET GO, and Fills Out This Form, will receive a Hard Ink Series Short Story! Just fill out the quick form here!

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Pre-Order at Amazon | B&N | iBooks| Kobo

Hard to Let Go on Goodreads

And now….The Amazing Hard Ink Trailer…

Link:https://youtu.be/qM45fjLJXXk

About HARD TO LET GO:

Beckett Murda hates to dwell on the past. But his investigation into the ambush that killed half his Special Forces team and ended his Army career gives him little choice. Just when his team learns how powerful their enemies are, hard-ass Beckett encounters his biggest complication yet—a seductive, feisty Katherine Rixey.

A tough, stubborn prosecutor, Kat visits her brothers’ Hard Ink Tattoo shop following a bad break-up—and finds herself staring down the barrel of a stranger’s gun. Beckett is hard-bodied and sexy as hell, but he’s also the most infuriating man ever. Worse, Kat’s brothers are at war with the criminals her office is investigating. When Kat joins the fight, she lands straight in Beckett’s sights . . . and in his arms. Not to mention their enemies’ crosshairs.

Now Beckett and Kat must set aside their differences to work together, because the only thing sweeter than justice is finding love and never letting go.

 

And don’t miss the other Hard Ink books, now available!

 

Hard as It gets

Hard As It Gets

Hard as You Can

Hard As You Can

Hard To Hold On To

Hard to Hold On To

Hard To Come By Cover

Hard to Come By

Hard to Be Good - Cover

Hard to Be Good

 

Praise for Hard to Let Go:

“Kaye wraps up her bestselling series with this action-packed story, highlighting her talent for alpha military heroes, hot romance, and an ensemble cast of characters who are unique and engaging. A supersexy, high-octane romantic suspense novel that concludes the popular Hard Ink series in a completely satisfying way.” ~Kirkus Reviews

 

Author PhotoAbout Laura Kaye:

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

 

 

 

Website | Facebook |Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

 

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Last Kiss by Jessica Clare & Jen Frederick…Release Day Event

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Meet Naomi and Vasily in the newest addition to the Hitman Series*

NOW AVAILABLE!

Published by Berkley, a division of Penguin

$7.99

Amazon US  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  iBooks  |  Google Play  |  Goodreads

 

*The first book in the series, Last Hit, has been optioned for a movie by Flame Ventures.

 

Blurb

Naomi: When I was kidnapped I thought only of survival. I don’t thrive well in chaos. That’s why I gave my captors exactly what they wanted: my skill with computers. Making millions for a crime lord who kept me imprisoned in his basement compound kept my family safe. When he was taken out, I thought my ticket to freedom had arrived. Wrong. I traded one keeper for another. This time I’m in the hands of a scarred, dark, demanding Russian who happens to be the head of the Bratva, a Russian crime organization. He wants my brain and my body. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued, but I can’t be a prisoner forever…no matter how good he makes me feel.

 

Vasily: At a young age, I was taught that a man without power is a puppet for all. I’ve clawed—and killed—my way to the top so that it is my heel on their necks. But to unify the fractured organization into an undefeatable machine, I need a technological genius to help me steal one particular artifact. That she is breathtaking, determined, and vulnerable is making her more dangerous than all of my enemies combined. But only I can keep her safe from the world that she now inhabits. Soon, I must choose between Naomi and Bratva law. But with every day that passes, this becomes a more impossible choice.

 

Excerpt:

“Do you wish for me to touch you?”

I nod, sucking in a breath when his thumb skates across my lower lip. I should be thinking GERMS BACTERIA CONJUNCTIVITIS HERPES SKIN CONTACT PATHOGENS but all I can focus on is how skittery and excited his touch makes me. My pulse jumps, and I realize that I’m as aroused now with him talking to me and touching me with his fingers as I was in the bathroom when I masturbated.

He pulls his hand away again, and I realize his other is gripping my shoulder, his arm wrapped around my back. I’m pulled against his chest, and I feel oddly secure here against him. Then, Vasily moves his fingers in the air again, as if to get my attention. I watch as his free hand now moves to my knee and firmly presses it back, nudging my legs apart.

And I’m helpless to protest. I want this. I want to know what’s going to happen when he touches me. I’m throbbing and aching with need, and my breath is coming as small, gasping little pants that are registering even in my distracted mind.

“Are you still unsettled?” he asks in a low voice.

“No,” I whisper, my tone matching his. “I’m aching.”

He groans softly, and then his hand glides up the inside of my thigh, the backs of his fingers skimming along my leg. Then, Vasily’s hand moves and he is cupping my pussy. He feels scorching hot against me, and just the sensation of his skin touching mine is making me anxious.

“You are very wet,” he rasps, and I notice curiously that his breathing is as rapid as my own. One of his fingers presses forward, parting the lips of my pussy and pushing in. “Very wet.”

“I can’t help it. It’s a natural reaction to stimuli, but I understand if it disturbs you—”

“I like it.” His voice is a guttural growl against my ear, and I shiver. I didn’t realize how close he’s pressed to me but I can feel his breath on my neck, and his head is canted toward mine, as if he is telling me secrets. “I like that your wetness is for me.”

“I don’t know if—” I begin to protest, but his finger taps against my clit, and I gasp, completely and utterly distracted by that quick touch. It feels . . . different to have a man do it for me. Very different. Intense. Raw. I grab his hand at the wrist and press my flesh against his fingers, asking for more.

“Tell me what you want, Naomi.”

“More.” I press his hand again, breathless, and my hips twitch. “Start with an even rhythm and circle the hood of my clit. Over time, speed up and increase the frequency of touches. You can change the pattern as you go but don’t let up until I come.”

He laughs again, and I stiffen, but then his finger begins to move against my clit, stroking it in tiny circles like I told him. “I like that you tell me exactly what you want, Naomi. There are no games with you.”

I’m confused at that. Isn’t that what he wants me to do? But then a second finger follows the first, and he’s rubbing wide circles around my clit, and adding an extra little stroke every now and then, and it feels like he’s taking my flesh between his fingers and just rubbing rubbing rubbing . . . And I love it.

“Just like that,” I tell him, closing my eyes and falling against his shoulder. I hold my knees open wider so he won’t stop touching me, and my hips begin to move, involuntarily following his fingers as he touches me.

“Do you like this?” His voice is rough, biting, and so close to my face.

I nod without opening my eyes, letting the sensations take over. “It feels much better when you do it,” I tell him, and cry out when one of his fingers dips lower and touches me . . . deeper. “What are you doing?”

“I am seeing if you like more touches.” His nose nuzzles against my face, and I press against him, seeming to need his caresses as much as I need his touch on my clitoris. “Are you frightened?”

“No, but I like the other touch better,” I tell him as his finger circles lower. “That one just makes me ache.”

“It makes your cunt ache to be filled,” he tells me. “Someday, you will let me fill it for you.”

I don’t reply; I don’t need to, because he circles a finger at the entrance to my core a moment longer, and then shifts his hand. My fingers graze over his, exploring—I feel too good to open my eyes and leave the sea of sensations—and I realize he’s now working my clit with his thumb. His finger presses deeper again, and I gasp when he sinks it into me.

I’m riding his hand.

He murmurs something in Russian and I feel his mouth press against my brow.

Then, as if he’s a car that’s changed gears, he begins to press his thumb against my clit rapidly. His speed is so fast that he practically feels as if he’s vibrating . . . and these motions carry down to the thick finger that’s buried deep inside me.

I’ve never experienced this double sensation before, and it’s overwhelming.

I bite my lip, and when that won’t hold my feelings inside, I burst into noisy gasps and my hands start clawing at him, at his shirt. I don’t know what I need, but this feels like too much. It’s overwhelming and twice as powerful as anything I’ve ever done to myself. “Stop, stop,” I breathe, even as I press my legs further apart and lift my hips against his hand.

“Vasily, stop. Vasily!”

“Keep saying my name like that, Naomi.”

“Vasily, please.” I pull at his shirt, practically butting my head against him as I writhe against his hand. “I need . . . something . . . more . . . not as fast. Too much!”

But he keeps twitching that intense thumb against my clit, stroking his finger inside me. He’s not stopping. If anything, he’s going faster.

And all of a sudden, my body can’t handle it anymore. I burst and a hard, choked noise rushes out of my throat, and my body clenches and I’m coming, coming, coming, endlessly coming.

I feel as if I’m being torn apart by pleasure so intense it’s making my toes curl even as the breath leaves my lungs. And all the while, I gasp like a dying fish and cling to his shirt.

Hypothesis? Destroyed.

kiss teaser

Hitman Series Reading Order

Last Hit

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  Google Play   |  iBooks

Last Breath

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  Google Play  |  iBooks

 

About the Authors:

Jen Frederick lives with her husband, child, and one rambunctious dog.  She’s been reading stories all her life but never imagined writing one of her own. Jen loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at jensfrederick@gmail.com.

Website: http://jenfrederick.com/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenFrederick

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jensfred

Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/p3ptasx

__________________

 

Jessica Clare has been an incurable romantic since childhood. She reads all the ‘naughty parts’ of books first, looks for a dirty joke in just about everything, and thinks to this day that the Little House on the Prairie books should have been steamier.

After devouring hundreds of paperback romances, mythology books, and archaeological tomes, she decided to write a few books of her own – stories with a wild adventure, sharp banter, and lots of super-sexy situations. She prefers her heroes alpha and half-dressed, her heroines witty, and she loves nothing more than watching them overcome adversity to fall into bed together.

 

Website: http://jillmyles.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJessicaClare?directed_target_id=0

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_JessicaClare

Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/q4272wf

 

GIVEAWAY

Signed set of Hitman Books

Apple Watch Sport

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Taking What’s His by Diane Alberts…Blog Tour Stop & Excerpt


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Synopsis:

A sexy category romance from Entangled’s Brazen imprint…

Some lines are meant to be crossed…

One explosive device was all it took to turn Holt Cunningham from ass-kicking Marine to IT technician. Hell, he’s still not over it. So when the cute little strawberry blonde at the bar asks him to kiss her, Holt can’t resist the temptation of a sexy distraction. Before he knows it, she’s blown his mind…and then skipped out the next morning.

Lydia Thomas never expected things with Holt to go quite that far, but oh, it was worth it. After being far too good for way too long, she was ready to be bad. Except that there’s that tiny detail that Lydia kept to herself-Holt just spent the night doing naughty things…with his best friend’s little sister.

One night isn’t nearly enough. But with his friendship on the line, how far will Holt go in order to claim what’s his?

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25331350-taking-what-s-his

 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon:  amzn.to/1JKT3Ie

B&Nbit.ly/1JKTHFx

iTunes: apple.co/1EwR8qT

Kobo:  bit.ly/1PMQJ7o

 

Excerpt:

Her heart picked up speed, but she wasn’t sure what from—the desire his dominant words brought out in her, or the intimidation that he’d managed to hold over her head.

He was good. “Why are you dangerous?”

“Why would you think I wasn’t?” His fingers skimmed over her cleavage. Her neckline was chaste and high, so he had to dip his fingers under her shirt to do so. “I went to that bar, looking for a good fuck, like always, and you sat next to me. That makes me opportunistic, but it doesn’t make me a good guy.”

She lifted her chin. “I came looking for the same thing. I sat next to you for a reason.” Liar, liar, pants on fire. She hadn’t, but then she’d seen him. She couldn’t think of a better guy to spend the night with than Holt. “So…there.”

“I don’t believe you. You said your boyfriend of two months broke up with you because you didn’t put out.” He gripped the tip of her chin, latching onto her gaze. “That tells me you don’t jump into bed with just any guy. You don’t even know me. And yet, here we are, and you’re ready to fuck me without a second thought. I’m not usually one to question such things, but with you…I am. I want to know you’re certain.”

“I didn’t sleep with him, no.” Her cheeks heated, and she pressed her thighs together. It was on the tip of her tongue to admit who she was to him, and why that made her more comfortable to take a chance on him, but she didn’t want to risk it. “That doesn’t mean I don’t want to do it with you, though.”

“Why?”

“You make me want to. Okay?” She blew out a frustrated breath. “You make me want you, so I’m going to take you. Is that such a horrible thing? Does there need to be more?”

His grip on her hands flexed, and he slipped his thigh in between hers. His mouth pressed against her pulse, sending her BPM through the roof. “Nope. But, squeezing your hot little legs together won’t make your pussy feel better. You need me for that.”

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

About the author:

Jen McLaughlin NEW picDiane Alberts is a multi-published, bestselling contemporary romance author with Entangled Publishing. She also writes New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling new adult books under the name Jen McLaughlin. She’s hit the Top 100 lists on Amazon and Barnes and Noble numerous times with numerous titles. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author.  Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. 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 fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

 

Author Links:

Website: http://dianealberts.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeAlberts

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5081315.Diane_Alberts

 

Cover Reveal…Taste Me

COVERREVEAL

taste me cover

SYNOPSIS
TASTE ME is a collection of sexy scenes from the hottest releases of 2015, both newly released and coming soon. This all-star lineup of authors includes bestselling authors…
Tijan, Alessandra Torre, Lauren Blakely, Skye Warren, CD Reiss, Anna Zaires, Red Phoenix, Cherise Sinclair, Kendall Ryan, Chelle Bliss, TK Leigh, Toni Aleo, Sam Crescent, Jenika Snow, Julia Sykes, Nina Levine, Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliot, Ainsley Booth, Katy Regnery, Shari Slade & Amber Lin, Shoshanna Evers, Pam Godwin, Carolyn Crane, Molly Joseph, Ella Sheridan, Karla Doyle, and Brooke Cumberland
This compilation is intended as a free preview of this year’s hot releases to help readers find their next hot read.

FLIRTYSUBSPR

The Scoundrel and The Debutante by Julia London….Excerpt & Giveaway Blog Tour Stop

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Synopsis:

The dust of the Cabot sisters’ shocking plans to rescue their family from certain ruin may have settled, but Prudence Cabot is left standing in the rubble of scandal. Now regarded as an unsuitable bride, she’s tainted among the ton. Yet this unwilling wallflower is ripe for her own adventure. And when an irresistibly sexy American stranger on a desperate mission enlists her help, she simply can’t deny the temptation.

The fate of Roan Matheson’s family depends on how quickly he can find his runaway sister and persuade her to return to her betrothed. Scouring the rustic English countryside with the sensually wicked Prudence at his side—and in his bed—he’s out of his element. But once Roan has a taste of the sizzling passion that can lead to forever, he must choose between his heart’s Julia London_author photoobligations and its forbidden desires.

Excerpt:

 

CHAPTER ONE

Blackwood Hall, 1816

It was an unspoken truth that when a woman reached her twenty-second year without a single gentleman even pondering the possibility of marriage to her, she was destined for spinsterhood. Spinsterhood, in turn, es- sentially sentenced her to the tedium of acting as com- panion to doddering dowagers as they dawdled about the countryside.
A woman without prospects in her twenty-second year was viewed suspiciously by the haut ton. There must be something quite off about her. It was impossi- ble to think otherwise, for why would a woman, prop- erly presented at court and to society, with means of dowry, with acceptably acknowledged connections, have failed to attract a suitor? There were only three possible explanations.
She was unforgivably plain. She was horribly diseased.
Or, her older sisters’ scandalous antics four years past had ruined her. Utterly, completely, ruined her.
The third hypothesis was presented by Miss Pru- dence Cabot days after her twenty-second birthday. Her hypothesis was roundly rejected by her scandalous older sisters, Mrs. Honor Easton and Grace, Lady Merryton.

In fact, when her older sisters were not rolling their eyes or refusing to engage at all, they argued quite vocifer- ously against her theory, their duet of voices rising up so sharply that Mercy, the youngest of the four Cabot sisters, whistled at them as if they were the rowdy pup- pies that fought over Lord Merryton’s boot.
Her sisters’ protests to the contrary notwithstand- ing, Prudence was convinced she was right. Since her stepfather had died four years ago, her sisters had en- gaged in wretched behavior. Honor had publicly pro- posed marriage to a known rake and bastard son of a duke in a gaming hell. While Prudence adored George, it did not alter the scandal that had followed or the taint it had put on the Cabots.
Not to be outdone, Grace had endeavored to entrap a rich man into marriage in order to save them all from ruin, and somehow managed to trap the wrong man. It was the talk in London for months, and while Grace’s husband, Lord Merryton, was not as aloof as Prudence had always heard, his entry into the family had not im- proved Prudence’s prospects in the least.
Nor did it help in any way that her younger sister, Mercy, had a countenance so feisty and irreverent that serious thought had been given to packing her off to a young ladies’ school to tame the beast in her.
That left Prudence in the middle, sandwiched tightly between scandals and improper behavior. She was squarely in the tedious, underappreciated, put-upon, practically invisible middle where she’d lived all her life.
This, Prudence told herself, was what good manners had gotten her. She had endeavored to be the practical one in an impractical gaggle of sisters. The responsible

one who had taken her music lessons just as faithfully as she’d taken care of her mother and stepfather while her sisters cavorted through society. She’d done all the things debutantes were to do, she’d caused not a whit of trouble, and her thanks for that was now to be con- sidered the unweddable one!
Well, Mercy likely was unweddable, too, but Mercy didn’t seem to care very much.
“Unweddable is not even a proper word,” Mercy pointed out, adjusting her spectacles so that she might peer critically at Prudence.
“It’s also utter nonsense,” Grace said tetchily. “Why on earth would you say such a thing, Pru? Are you truly so unhappy here at Blackwood Hall? Did you not enjoy the festival we hosted for the tenants?”
A festival! As if her wretched state of being could be appeased with a festival! Prudence responded with a dramatic bang of the keys of the pianoforte that caused the three-legged dog Grace had rescued to jump with fright and topple onto his side. Prudence launched into a piece that she played very loudly and very skillfully, so that everything Grace or Mercy said was drowned out by the music.
There was nothing any of them could say to change her opinion.
Later that week, Prudence’s oldest sister, Honor, had come down from London to Blackwood Hall with her three children in tow as well as her dapper husband, George. When Honor heard of the contretemps between sisters, she’d tried to convince Prudence that a lack of a viable offer of marriage did not mean all was lost. Honor had insisted, with vigor and enthusiasm, that her sisters’ behavior had no inf luence on Prudence’s lack of

an offer. Honor now reminded her that Mercy, against all odds, had been accepted into the prestigious Lisson Grove School of Art to study the masters.
“Well, naturally I was. I am quite talented,” Mercy unabashedly observed.
“Lord Merryton had to pay a pretty sum to sway them, didn’t he?” Prudence sniffed.
“Yes,” Grace agreed. “But if she were as plagued with scandal as you suggest, they would have refused her yet.”
“Refused Merryton’s purse?” Prudence laughed. “It’s not as if they had to marry her, for God’s sake.”
“I beg your pardon! What of my talent?” Mercy de- manded.
“Hush,” Grace and Prudence said in unison. That spurred Mercy to push her spectacles up her nose and march from the room in her paint-stained smock.
Grace and Honor paid her no mind.
The debate continued on for days, much to Pru- dence’s dismay. “You must trust that an offer will come, dearest, and then you will be astonished that you put so much stock into such impossible feelings,” Honor said a bit condescendingly as the sisters dined at breakfast one morning.
“Honor?” Prudence said politely. “I kindly request—
no, pardon—I implore you to cease talking.”
Honor gasped. And then she stood abruptly and f lounced past Prudence with such haste that her hand connected a little roughly with Prudence’s shoulder.
“Ouch,” Prudence said.
“Honor means only to help, Pru,” Grace chastised her. “Honor means only to help.”
“I mean more than that,” Honor said sternly, charg-

ing back around again, as she really was not the sort to f lee in tears when there was a good fight to be had. “I insist that you snap out of your doldrums, Pru! It’s unbecoming and bothersome!”
“I’m not in doldrums,” Prudence said.
“You are! You’re forever cross,” said Mercy. “And moody,” Grace hastened to agree.
“I will tell you only what a loving sister will tell you truly, darling.” Honor leaned over the dining table so that she was eye level with Prudence. “You’re a bloody chore.” But she smiled when she said it and quickly straightened. “Mrs. Bulworth has written and asked you to come and see her new baby. Do go and see her. She will be beside herself with joy, and I think that the country air will do you good.”
Prudence snorted at that ridiculous notion. “How can I possibly be improved by country air when I am already in the country?”
“Northern country air is vastly different,” Honor amended. Grace and Mercy nodded adamantly that Honor was right.
Prudence would like nothing better than to explain to them all that calling on their friend Cassandra Bul- worth, who had just been delivered of her first child, was the last thing she wanted to do. To see her friend so deliriously happy made Prudence feel that much more wretched about her own circumstance. “Send Mercy!” “Me?” Mercy cried. “I couldn’t possibly! I’ve very little time to prepare for school. I must complete my still life painting, you know. Every student must have a complete portfolio and I haven’t finished my still life.” “What about Mamma?” Prudence demanded, ignor-

ing Mercy. They could not deny their mother’s madness necessitated constant supervision from them.
“We have her maid Hannah, and Mrs. Pettigrew from the village,” Grace said. “And we have Mercy, as well.”
“Me!” Mercy cried. “I just said—”
“Yes, yes, we are all intimately acquainted with all you must do for school, Mercy. On my word, one would think you were the only person to have ever been accepted into a school. But you aren’t leaving us for another month, so why should you not have the least responsibility?” Grace asked. Then she turned to Pru- dence and smiled sweetly. “Pru, we’re only thinking of you. You see that, don’t you?”
“I don’t believe you,” Prudence said. “But it so hap- pens that I find you all quite tedious.”
Honor gasped with delight and clasped her hands to her breast. “Does that mean you’ll go?”
“Perhaps I shall,” Prudence sniffed. “I’ll be as mad as Mamma if I stay any longer at Blackwood Hall.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful news,” Grace said happily. “Well, you needn’t rejoice in it,” Prudence said mis-
sishly.
“But we’re so happy!” Honor squealed. “I mean, happy for you,” she quickly corrected, and hurried around the table to hug Prudence tightly to her. “I think your mien will be vastly improved if you just step out into the world, dearest.”
Prudence scarcely thought so. Out into the world was where she lost all heart. Happy people, happy friends, all of them embarking on a life that Prudence had al- ways hoped would be hers, made her terribly unhappy. Prudence was filled with envy, and she could not beat

it down, no matter how much she would have liked, no matter how much she had tried. Even mortifyingly worse, Prudence’s envy of the happiness surrounding her was apparent. Lately, it felt as if even sunshine was a cruel reminder of her situation.
But as Mercy launched into her complaints that so much attention was being paid to Prudence when she needed it, Prudence decided she would go. Anything to be free of the happy chatter she was forced to endure day in and day out.

Grace arranGed It all, announcing grandly one after- noon that Prudence would accompany Dr. Linford and his wife north, as they would be traveling that way to visit Mr. Linford’s mother. The Linfords would deposit Prudence in the village of Himple where Mr. Bulworth would send his man to come and fetch her and bring her to their newly completed mansion. Cassandra, who had come out with Prudence and had received several offers of marriage in her debut Season compared to Prudence’s astounding lack of them, would be wait- ing with her baby.
“But the Linford coach is quite small,” Mercy said, frowning so that it caused her spectacles to slide down her nose. She was seated at her new easel, drawing a bowl of fruit for her painting. That’s what the masters did, she’d informed them earlier. They sketched first, then painted. “Prudence will be forced to carry on a conversation for hours,” she added absently as she stud- ied her sketch.
“What’s wrong with conversation?” Honor de- manded as she braided the hair of her daughter, Edith. “Nothing at all if you care so much for the weather.

Dr. Linford speaks of nothing else. It’s a fine day, and what not. Pru doesn’t care so much for weather, do you, Pru?”
Prudence shrugged. She didn’t care much for any- thing.
On the day of her departure, Prudence’s trunk and valise were carried downstairs to a waiting carriage that would ferry her to Ashton Down, where Prudence was to meet the Linfords at one o’clock. In her valise, she included her necessities—some ribbons for her hair, a silk chemise Honor had brought for her from the new London modiste she raved about, some lovely slippers, and a change of clothing. She said goodbye to her overly cheerful sisters and started off at a quarter to twelve.
The ever-efficient Blackwood Hall coach reached
Ashton Down at ten past twelve.
“You needn’t wait with me, James,” Prudence said, already weary. “The Linfords will be along shortly.”
James, the driver, seemed uncertain. “Lord Merry- ton does not like the ladies to wait unattended, miss.” For some reason, that rankled Prudence. “You may
tell him that I insisted,” she said. “If you will deposit my things just there,” she said, waving absently at the side- walk along High Street. She smiled at James, adjusted her bonnet, and took herself up the street to the dry goods and sundries shop, where she purchased some sweetmeats for the journey. When she made her pur- chase, she walked outside. She saw her things on the sidewalk as she’d asked, and the Blackwood Hall car- riage was gone. Finally.
Prudence lifted her face to the late-summer sun. It was a warm, glorious day, and she decided to wait on the village green just across from her luggage. She ar-

ranged herself on a bench, folded her gloved hands over her package of sweetmeats and idly examined some f lowers in a planter beside her. The blooms were fad- ing…just like her.
Prudence sighed loudly.
The sound of an approaching coach brought her to her feet. She stood up, dusted off her lap, tucked her package in the crook of her arm and looked up the road, expecting to see the Linford coach roll down the street.
But it wasn’t the Linford coach—it was one of two private stagecoaches that came through Ashton Down every day, one midday, one later in the afternoon.
Prudence sat down heavily on the bench once more. The coach pulled to a halt on the road before her. Two men jumped off the back runner; one of them opened the door. A young couple stepped out, the woman carrying an infant. Behind them emerged a man so broad in the shoulder he had to turn to fit through the opening. He fairly leaped out of the coach, land- ing sure-footedly, and adjusted the hat on his head. He looked as if he’d just returned from an architectural dig, dressed in buckskins, a lawn shirt and a dark coat that reached his knees. His hat looked as if it was quality, although it showed signs of wear. And his boots looked as if they’d not been shined in an age. He had a dusty
shadow of a beard on his square jaw.
The man turned a slow circle in the middle of the street, oblivious to the young men who rushed to change the horses and deposit luggage onto the curb. What- ever the passenger saw caused him to suddenly stride to the front of the coach and begin to argue vocifer- ously with the driver.
Prudence blinked with surprise. How interesting.

She straightened her back and looked around, won- dering what the gentleman had seen to anger him so. But observing nothing out of the ordinary on the vil- lage green or on the high street, she stood up, and as casually and inconspicuously as she might, she moved closer, pretending to examine some rose blooms so that she might hear his complaint.
“As I said, sir, Wesleigh is just up the road there. A
half-hour walk, no more.”
“But you don’t seem to understand my point, my good man,” the gentleman said in an accent that was quite f lat. “Wesleigh is a house. Not a settlement. I understood I’d be delivered to an estate. An estate! A very large house with outbuildings and various people roaming about to do God knows what it is you do in England,” he exclaimed, his hands busily sketching the estate in the air.
The driver shrugged. “I drive where I’m paid to drive, and I ain’t paid to drive to Wesleigh. Ain’t a grand house there by no means.”
“This is preposterous!” the man bellowed. “I’ve paid good money to be delivered to the proper place!”
The driver ignored him.
The gentleman swept his hat off a head full of thick brown hair and threw it with great force to the ground. It scudded along and landed very close to Prudence. He looked about for his hat and, spotting Prudence at the edge of the green, he suddenly strode forward, the paper held out before him.
Prudence panicked. She looked about for a place to escape, but he guessed her intention. “No, no, stay right there, I beg you,” he said sternly. “I must have some-

one speak to that man and explain to him that I am to be delivered to Wesleigh!”
“Wesleigh?” Prudence asked. “Or Weslay?”
That drew the man up, midstride. He stared at her with eyes the rich color of golden topaz, which slowly began to narrow on her, as if he thought she meant to trick him. He hesitantly moved forward, the paper still held out before him. “If you would be so kind?” he asked through clenched teeth, practically shoving the paper at her.
Prudence took it between forefinger and thumb and gingerly extracted it from his grip. Someone had writ- ten—scrawled, really, in long bold strokes—“West Lee, Penfors.”
“Hmm,” she said, squinting at the scrawl. “I sup- pose you mean Viscount Penfors.” She peeked up at the stranger, who was staring darkly at her. She could feel the potency of his gaze trickling into her veins. “Lord Penfors resides at Howston Hall, just outside of Weslay.”
“Yes, exactly as I wrote,” he said, pointing to the paper.
“But this says ‘West Lee.’” “Just as you said.”
“No, sir, I said ‘Weslay.’ I’ve never heard of West Lee,” she said, trying to enunciate the subtle difference in the sound of the names. “And unfortunately, it ap- pears you’ve mistakenly arrived in Wesleigh.”
The stranger’s face darkened, and Prudence had an image of him exploding, little bits of him raining down on the street. “I beg your pardon, miss, but you are not making any sense,” he said tightly. He reached for the edge of the paper with his forefinger and thumb as she’d

done and yanked it free. “You have said West Lee three times now, and I don’t know if you mean to tease me or if there is something else at work here.”
“I am not teasing you,” she objected, horrified by the suggestion.
“Then it must be something else!”
“Something else?” What could he possibly mean? Prudence couldn’t help but smile. “I assure you, I am not privy to any scheme or conspiracy to keep you from Weslay, sir.”
His frown deepened. “I am happy to amuse you, miss. But if you would kindly point me in the direc- tion of at least one of these West Lees, and preferably the one where I may find this Penfors fellow, I would be most grateful.”
“Oh.” She winced lightly.
“Oh?” he repeated, leaning forward. “What does
‘oh’ mean? Why are you looking at me as if you’ve lost my dog?”
“You’ve gone the wrong direction.” “So I gathered,” he drawled.
“Wesleigh is just down the road here, a small vil- lage with perhaps five cottages. Weslay is north.” She pointed in the direction the stage had just come.
He looked in the direction she pointed. His face began to mottle. “How far?” he managed, his voice dangerously low.
“I can’t be entirely certain, but I’d say…two days?” The gentleman stranger clenched his jaw. He was big and powerful, and Prudence imagined his fury shaking the ground beneath his feet. “But that is indeed where you will find this Penfors fellow,” she hastened to add,

and once again tried not to smile. It was absurd to refer to a viscount as a fellow!
“North?” he bellowed, throwing his arms wide. Prudence took one cautious step backward and nod-
ded.
The man put his hands on his waist, staring at her. And then he turned slowly from her. She thought he meant to walk away, but he kept turning, until he’d gone full circle, and when he faced her again, his jaw was clenched even more tightly. “If I may,” he asked, his voice strained, “have you a suggestion for how I might reach this West Lee that is two days away?”
“It’s not West—” She shook her head. “You might take the northbound stagecoach. It comes through Ash- ton Down twice a day. The first one should be along at any moment.”
“I see,” he said, but it was quite apparent he didn’t see at all.
“You might also buy passage on the Royal Post coach, but it’s a bit more costly than the passenger stages. And it comes through only once a day.”
He eyed her distrustfully. “Two days either way?” She nodded. She smiled sympathetically. She would
not like to be sausaged into a stagecoach for two days. “I fear it is so.”
He shoved his fingers roughly through his dark brown hair and muttered something under his breath that she couldn’t quite make out but sounded as if she ought not to hear.
“Where might I purchase passage?” he asked briskly. She looked around him—that is, she leaned to her right to see around his broad chest—to the stagecoach
inn. “I’ll show you if you like.”

“That,” he said firmly, “would be most helpful.” He bent down, scooped up his hat, dusted it off by knock- ing it against his knee, then put it back on his head. His gaze traversed the length of her before he stepped back and swept his arm before him, indicating she should lead him.
Prudence walked across the street, pausing as the gentleman instructed the coachman to leave his trunk and bag on the sidewalk with the other luggage pieces to be loaded on the northbound coach. He stared wist- fully at the coach as it pulled away, headed south, be- fore turning back to Prudence and following her into the inn’s courtyard. She walked through a pair of doors that went past the public room and into a small office. It was close, and she had to dip her head to step inside. The ceiling was uncomfortably low, and the smell of horse manure permeated the air, as the office was situ- ated between the stables and the public rooms.
The gentleman passenger was well over six feet and had to stoop to enter. Once inside, his head brushed the rafters. He batted at a cobweb and grunted his dis- pleasure.
“Aye, sir?” said a clerk, appearing behind the low counter.
The gentleman stepped forward. “I should like to buy passage to West Lee,” he said.
“Weslay,” Prudence murmured.
The gentleman sighed loudly. “What she said.” “Three quid,” the clerk said.
The gentleman removed his purse from his pocket and opened it. He fussed through the coins there, exam- ining each one as he withdrew them. Prudence stepped

forward, leaned around him, and pointed at three of the coins.
“Ah,” he said, and handed them to the clerk, who in turn handed the gentleman a ticket.
“The driver requires a crown, and the guard a half,”
the clerk said.
“What?” the gentleman said. “But I just gave you three pounds.”
The clerk tucked the coins into a pocket on his apron. “That’s for the passage. The driver and the guard, they get their pay from the passengers.”
“Seems like a dodge.”
The clerk shrugged. “If you want passage to
Weslay—”
“All right, all right,” the gentleman said. He peered at his ticket and sighed again. He gestured for Pru- dence to go out ahead of him, then fit himself through the door into the inn’s main hall and followed her into the courtyard.
They paused there. He smiled for the first time since Prudence had seen him, and she felt a little twinkle of desire when he did. He looked remarkably less per- turbed, and in all honestly, he looked astoundingly pleasing to the eye when he smiled. It was a rugged, well-earned smiled. There was nothing thin about it. It was an honest, glowing sort of smile—
“I am grateful for your assistance, Miss…?” “Cabot,” she said. “Miss Prudence Cabot.”
“Miss Cabot,” he said, and bowed his head slightly. “Mr. Roan Matheson,” he added, and stuck his hand out.
Prudence glanced uncertainly at his hand.
So did he. “What is it? Is my glove soiled? So it is. I

beg your pardon, but I’ve come a very long way with- out benefit of anyone to do the washing.”
“No, it’s not that,” she said with a shake of her head, although her thoughts were spinning with the how and why and from where he’d come such a long way.
“Oh. I see.” He removed his glove and extended his hand once more. She noticed how big it was, how strong. How long and thick his fingers were and the slight nicks on his knuckles. A hand that was not afraid of work. “My hand is clean,” he said impatiently.
“Pardon? Oh! No, it’s just that it’s rather unusual.” “My hand?” he asked curiously, holding it up to have
a look.
“No, no.” She was being rude. She looked up at his startling topaz eyes. And at his hair, too, dark brown with streaks of lighter brown, and longer than the cur- rent fashion, which he had carelessly brushed back behind his ears. It was charmingly foreign. He was charmingly foreign and…virile. Yes, that was it. He looked as if he could move mountains about for his amusement if he liked. Her pulse, Prudence realized, was doing a tiny bit of f luttering. “It’s unusual that you are offering your hand to be—” she paused uncertainly “—shaken?”
“Of course I offered it to be shaken,” he said, as if it were ridiculous she would ask. “Why else would one offer a hand, Miss Cabot? To shake. To acknowledge a kindness or a greeting—”
She abruptly put her hand in his, noting how small it seemed in his palm.
He cocked his head. “Are you afraid of me?” “What? No!” she said, f lustered. Maybe she was
a tiny bit afraid of him. Or rather, the little shocks of

light that seemed to f lash through her when he looked at her like that. She curled her fingers around his. He curled tighter. “Oh,” she said.
“Too firm?” he asked.
“No, not at all,” she said quickly. She liked the feel of his grip on her hand and had the f leeting thought of his grip somewhere else on her altogether. “I beg your pardon, but I am unaccustomed to this. Here, men offer their hands to other men. Not to ladies.”
“Oh.” He hesitantly withdrew his hand. But he looked at her with confusion. “Then…what am I to do when I meet a woman?”
“You bow,” she said, demonstrating for him. “And a lady curtsies.” She curtsied, as well.
He groaned as he pulled his glove back on. “May I
be brutally honest, Miss Cabot?” “Please,” she said.
“I have come to England from America on a matter of some urgency—I must fetch my sister who is enjoy- ing the fine hospitality and see her home. But I find this country confounding. I sincerely—” He suddenly turned his head, distracted by the sound of a coach rumbling into town. It was the northbound stage, and it pulled to a halt on the street just outside the court- yard. Two men sitting atop the coach jumped down; two young men climbed down from the outboard. Another man was waiting on the sidewalk to catch the bags that one of the coachmen began to toss to him.
The coach looked rather full, and Prudence felt a moment of pity for Mr. Matheson. She couldn’t pos- sibly imagine how he would maneuver his large body into that crowded interior.
“Well, then, there we are,” he said, and began to

stride toward the coach. He paused after a few steps and glanced over his shoulder at Prudence. “Aren’t you coming?”
Prudence was momentarily startled. She suddenly realized he believed she was waiting for the coach, too. She opened her mouth to correct him, to inform him she’d be traveling by private coach, but before the words could fall from her tongue, something warm and shivery sluiced through her. Something silky and dark and dangerous and exciting and compelling…so very compelling.
She wouldn’t.
But why wouldn’t she? She thought of riding in a coach with the Linfords, and the talk of weather. She thought of riding on a stagecoach—something she had never done—and riding with Mr. Matheson. There was something about that idea that thrilled her in a way nothing had in a very long time. He was so mascu- line, and her pulse f luttered at the idea of passing a few hours with him. “Ah…” She glanced back at the inn, debating. She’d be mad to do such a thing, to put herself on that stagecoach with him! But wasn’t this far more interesting than traveling with the Linfords? She had money, she had her things. She knew how to reach Cassandra Bulworth. What was stopping her? Propriety, for heaven’s sake? The same propriety that had been her constant companion all these years and had doomed her to spinsterhood?
She glanced again at Mr. Matheson. Oh yes, he was very appealing in a wild, American sort of way. She’d never met an actual American, either, but she imagined them all precisely like this, always rebelling, strong enough to forge ahead without regard for society’s rules.

This man was so different, so fresh, so incurably hand- some and so blessedly lost! She might even convince herself she was doing him a proper kindness by see- ing him on his way.
Mr. Matheson misunderstood her look, however, because he f lushed a bit and said, “I beg your pardon. I didn’t mean to rush you.”
Prudence smiled broadly—he thought she wanted the privy.
Her smile seemed to f luster him more. He cleared his throat and looked to the coach. “I’ll…I’ll see you on the coach.”
“Yes,” she said, with far more confidence than she had a right to. “Yes, you will!”
He looked at her strangely, but then gave her a curt nod and began striding for the coach, pausing to dip down and pick up one of the bags with one hand, then toss it up to a boy who was lashing the luggage on the boot.
There was no time to debate it; Prudence whirled about and hurried back to the office, her heart pound- ing with excitement and fear. A little bell tingled as she walked in.
The clerk turned round and squinted at her. “Miss?” “A ticket to Himple, please,” she said, and opened
her reticule.
“To Himple?” he repeated dubiously, and peered cu- riously at her.
“Please. And if you have some paper? I must dash off a note.”
“Two quid,” he said, and rummaged around until he found a bit of vellum she might use.
He handed her a pencil, and Prudence dashed off a

hasty note to Dr. Linford that she would ask the coach boys to deliver to him. She jotted down the usual salu- tations, her wishes that the Linfords were well and his mother on the mend. And then she wrote an explana- tion for her change of plans.

I beg your pardon for any inconvenience, but as it happens, I have taken a seat in a friend’s coach. She is likewise bound for Himple and it was no trouble for her to include me in her party. Do please forgive the short notice, but the opportu- nity has only just come about. Thank you kindly for your offer to see me safely to my friends’, but I assure you I am in good hands.

She shivered at the sudden image of the gentleman’s hands.

My best wishes for your journey and your mother’s health. P.C.

She folded the note, smiled at the scowling clerk, and picked up her ticket. “Thank you,” she said, and fairly skipped out of the office.
Her heart was racing—she couldn’t believe she was doing something so daring and bold! So fraught with risk! So very unlike her! But for the first time in months, perhaps even years, Prudence felt as if some- thing astonishing was about to happen to her. Good or bad, it didn’t matter—the only thing that mattered was that something different this way came, and she was giddy with excitement.

 

 

 

Book links:

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Giveaway:

Enter to win a paperback copy of The Scoundrel and the Debutante by commenting on this blog post. (U.S. entries only, please)

About the author:

image003Julia London is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of more than thirty romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular Cabot Sisters historical series, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a Bride, and The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch and The Perfect Homecoming.

Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Sugar On Top by Marina Adair….Review

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“Marina Adair writes with heart and sizzling heat.”
–Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author on Sugar’s Twice as Sweet

Synopsis:

She’s sassy and sweet

The last thing Glory Mann wants is to become chairman of the Miss Peach Pageant in Sugar, Georgia. Spending months hearing nothing but the clinking of pearls and judgment? No thank you! But when Glory is forced to take the rap for a scandal she didn’t commit, the judge sentences her to head the committee. Even worse, her co-chairman is rugged, ripped . . . and barely knows she’s alive.

He’s ready and willing

Single dad Cal McGraw can’t take any more drama in his life. After a difficult divorce, his little girl became a boy-crazy teenager and his hands are full. The last thing he needs is to spend his down time with the town bad girl. Glory is pure trouble-tempting and tantalizing trouble. But he can’t deny the strong chemistry between them-or how her touch turns him inside out. Now as squabbles threaten to blow up the contest and the town of Sugar itself, Cal must risk everything on the sexy wild card to get a second chance at love . . .

My review:

Sugar On Top is the second book in author Marina Adair’s Sugar, Georgia series, and after falling in love with the series I was so excited to read this newest installment. Well, Marina has done it again. This book was just fantastic.

Poor Glory. Being stuck in a small town after having made a mistake when she was younger was proving to be hell. She would never be able to live it down and would always be reminded of that one slip up. But she was always willing to hold her head high and keep on moving forward. She was close to realizing her dream becoming a nurse and was beyond excited to start this new chapter. Of course just when she thinks all is well, she ends up in a bit of trouble and once again having to fight to get back to a good place. Only this time she had some help on her side and in her corner…Cal.

Deliciously handsome, loyal, steadfast and strong, Cal. He was also single dad and off-limits, Cal. But if there’s one thing Cal has excelled at his whole life os taking care of people and situations. He was doing a favor for his brother by rescuing Glory from this newest pickle she was in but almost immediately he realizes she could use more. More help. More support. From just one person, she could use more. She had never had that from the people in this town and it was about time he changed that. She was beautiful, smart, and one hell of a strong woman. She deserved more and he wanted to give that to her.

Small town talk, family, school, work, emotional walls a mile high. With so many complications in their way it had seemed Glory and Cal wouldn’t have their chance to explore the attraction between them. The attraction that had been going strong for too many years to count. Until fate steps in and works her magic…

This book. This series. This author. I have so much love for all! I was crying within the first ten pages of this book. Glory tugged at all of my heartstrings and I wanted nothing more than for her to prove all these busy body small town gossips wrong and to succeed in realizing her dreams with her career and her love life. I was cheering for her every step of the way. She’s one tough cookie and really deserved her happy ending. Which brings me to Cal…oh, Cal. He is the whole package. He’s a great dad, brother, and grandson. Loyal and loving with a huge heart all wrapped up in one sexy and buff package. The slow build between them was just delicious. Because of her past she’s not willing to just dive in. Because of his past, he isn’t either. But don’t worry…Cal and Glory are well aware of what’s happening between the and aren’t wiling to throw it away.

Of course, the entire cast of characters in this series is just as fantastic and play a huge part in every book. There are quirky grandmothers, interesting pets, and more than a few chuckle worthy situations.  I love that so much. It adds so much to a story and I always love how Ms. Adair combines it all into one entertaining package.

Ok, now that I’ve taken up way too much of your time (I can’t help it! I love this book so much!) let me just say that if you love to root for the underdog and enjoy a wonderful romance, this is a book for you!

Thank you, Ms. Adair, for once again giving us a wonderful and heartwarming story!

 

5LovesRLBFive Loves

 

Book links:

 Amazon  |  B&N 

About the author:

Marina Adair is a #1 National best-selling author of romance novels. Along with the St. Helena Vineyard series, she is also the author of the upcoming Sugar, Georgia series and Tucker’s Crossing, part of the Sweet Plains series. She currently lives with her husband, daughter, and two neurotic cats in Northern California.

As a writer, Marina is devoted to giving her readers contemporary romance where the towns are small, the personalities large, and the romance explosive. She also loves to interact with readers and you can catch her on Twitter or visit her on Facebook.

 

 

Books and Bull Riders, Oh My! Meet PBR Riders Harve Stewart & Zane Lambert

BullRiders

HARLEQUIN TAKES THE BULL RIDER BY THE HORNS

Professional Bull Riders Partner with Harlequin Books

Harlequin, the internationally-renowned publisher, is teaming up with the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), the world’s premier bull riding organization, to bring you four revived titles featuring swoon-worthy, rugged bull riders. This collector’s edition by USA Today and award-winning author Tina Leonard will feature covers showcasing real-life, top PBR riders Matt Triplett, Reese Cates, Harve Stewart and Zane Lambert.

Each book contains exclusive content, including biographies, interviews, photos, signed reader letters from the riders and $20 of value-added coupons for select PBR events, fan club membership and upcoming Harlequin titles.

Harlequin Pro Bull Riders stories are heartwarming contemporary tales of everyday women finding love in the arms of the quintessential American icon, wrapped up in manliness and romance. The stories showcase the charm of small-town America and the ruggedness of Western locales and regularly feature Western characters as protagonists.

Founded in 1992, the PBR pits the world’s toughest bull riders against the fiercest bucking bulls on the planet in an 8-second showdown. More than 600 bull riders compete in PBR-sanctioned competitions in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States each year. These events are attended by more than 2.5 million fans annually who respect the riders’ athleticism and courage. PBR broadcasts are televised weekly on CBS and CBS Sports Network and reach more than half a billion households in 50 nations and territories around the world.

Today I have a fab Q&A with (absolutely adorable) PBR Riders HARVE STEWART and Zane Lambert to share with you! 

Harve Stewart

Harve

 

How and when did you start getting into bull riding?

I grew up in Stephenville, Texas, which is a big rodeo town—a lot of legends have come from there. Ty Murray and the Carillo brothers (Adam and Gilbert) are just three of the greats to come from Stephenville. When I was 13 years old, I actually got on my first steers at their place and just fell in love with bull riding. They became my friends, and I felt kind of lucky that I was able to have that opportunity because not many people do. It was an opportunity for me to go and get on, and I didn’t turn it down.

What do you remember about your first Built Ford Tough Series ride?

My first Built Ford Tough Series ride was in Anaheim and it was a bull called Nacho Hero. He was just a cool little bull. I don’t think I was even many points—82.25—on him, but it was just neat to get that first one down. It is something you never forget and sticks with you forever. You will have a Top Ten list of your favorite rides, and your first might not make it on that list, but you will always remember it. We’d had two one-day events, and I bucked off at my first two events and then went to California for my third event and rode my first one there. You are nervous and everything. It is new. You see it on TV, but it’s not something that I got to see before I got on tour—I had never been to a Built Ford Tough event until then. It was something really cool to see, but it dang sure took a while to get used to.

In your career, what would you say was your most memorable moment? And why?

Probably when I rode Meat Hook in Thackerville, Oklahoma, a couple of years ago, in 2012. It was my first BFTS event win. I had gotten close quite a bit, finishing second and stuff like that, but I’d never won one. It came down to the last two guys and I stayed on mine. It was kind of a cool pressure situation—and to come out on top is something I will always remember.

What’s your idea of a romantic night out?

Just a steak dinner and a movie—maybe even at home. We would go to a nice steak house, like a Del Frisco’s. If it was me planning it, hell, we would go golfing and then to a football game. Though it kind of depends on the girl and what she wants to do.

 

Harve Stewart

@harvestewart

 

Harve2World Finals Qualifications: 6

Hometown: Stephenville, Texas

Residence: Stephenville, Texas

Height: 5-9

Weight: 160

Born: 12/28/87

Riding Hand: Right

BFTS Season: 9th

Career Earnings: $508,852

High-Marked Ride: 91 points on Savage Shaker in Tulsa, Okla., on July 22, 2007

                       

 

Personal

A former Texas High School Rodeo Association Champion, Harve rode his first bull at age 14 after watching a friend at nine-time World Champion Ty Murray’s ranch. He learned to ride from his father, Dee, who was a former bull rider and received further instruction from Murray and former PBR stars Adam and Gilbert Carrillo. Harve admits he doesn’t like to ride on an empty stomach and says if he had a choice, he would eat a steak before every ride, whereas most of his fellow riders choose that as their preferred meal after a contest. When it comes time to relax, Harve might be found hanging with fellow PBR riders or maybe watching a comedic movie. His most memorable ride was besting Meat Hook for 90.5 points in Thackerville, Okla. in 2012 to win his first BFTS contest. If he weren’t a professional bull rider, Harve would have liked to be a football player. When he retires he will probably spend more time golfing and envisions himself owning a business of some sort. “Anything where I can be my own boss.” says Harve.

2014 Highlights

Earned round wins in Billings, Montana, and Des Moines, Iowa…landed Top 10 finishes in Anaheim, California (8th), Fresno, California (T9), Des Moines, Iowa (T9), and Colorado Springs, Colorado (7th)…went 2-for-3 on his bulls in Colorado Springs for his highest finish on the season…fell out of the Top 35 following Springfield, Missouri, but competed as an alternate in Oakland, California, and Allentown, Pennsylvania.

 

 

ZANE LAMBERT

zane 

 

What would you say is your favorite thing about the riding community? It feels very close-knit, and you travel weekend to weekend?

Definitely the best thing about it is the people you meet. The guys you get ready with in the change room. The guys you travel with and hang out with the whole time. There is a huge community and we all interact with each other and it’s pretty cool. We go to different cities every weekend and it’s the same guys going down the road, so it’s really neat to travel all over the world and still have your friends there.

In your career what would you say was your most memorable moment? And why?

Two years ago, I won the Canadian title. That was probably the most memorable for me because I came in second the two years before that. To finally pull out the win—it was pretty special for me, and I finally got my title.

What would you say is the most romantic thing you have ever done for your wife?

I asked her to marry me at the CN Tower, in Toronto, and we went on our honeymoon to Hawaii. If I could do that again, I definitely would.

What’s your idea of a romantic night out?

I think because I’m on the road so much, a night in is more a night out for me. To sit at home—we like to cook, and that’s my idea of a nice night. Not traveling.

 

World Finals Qualifications: 1

Hometown: Ponoka, Alberta

zane2Residence: Westbourne, MB

Height: 5-11

Weight: 175

Born: 7/2/86

Riding Hand: Right

BFTS Season: 6th

Career Earnings: $321,876

High-Marked Ride: 87.50 points on Guns & Donuts during Round 3 of the World Finals on Oct. 24, 2014

 

* – 2013 Canada National Champion

 

Personal

This Canadian cowboy started riding and attended his first rodeo school at 10 where he won a rodeo card after which he competed in 4 contests that year and was permanently hooked. To keep in shape he definitely hits the gym hard and also has a routine he does in his hotel room on the road that includes pushups, sit-ups, etc. After his wife Stacey, whom he married in April 2013, Zane’s best pal is his English bulldog Ace, whom he calls his mascot and sometimes travels with. When not on the tour, Zane likes snowboarding and doing renovations on his friend’s houses. He and his wife also like to make wine from scratch – they’ve even ordered grapes from California before and done the crushing and fermenting at home. Someday he hopes to retire from bull riding with enough money to buy a big place in the country where he can raise a bunch of kids and of course, have a large wine cellar.

2014 Highlights

Competed in his first event this season in Sacramento, California, where he lead going into the championship round, going 2-for-3 for third place overall and his first Built Ford Tough Series Top 5 finish…collected four Top 10 finishes and two Top 5 finishes altogether, including tying for second place in Des Moines, Iowa, covering two of his three bulls and posting one of his two round wins on the year…earned his second round win in Nampa, Idaho…earned himself a BFTS career-high 87.50 points on Guns and Donuts (Silver Creek Pro Rodeo) during Round 3 of the World Finals.

 

 

PBR Sweepstakes Image (3)

 

(click on the photo to enter)

And, here are links to excerpts from each PBR title. At the end of each excerpt is a printable coupon!

A Family For The Bull Rider: http://www.harlequin.com/media/images/pdf/AFamilyfortheBullrider_chapter.pdf

Heart Of A Bull Rider: http://www.harlequin.com/media/images/pdf/HeartofaBullrider_chapter.pdf

One Wild Bull Rider: http://www.harlequin.com/media/images/pdf/OneWildBullRider_chapter.pdf

The Bull Rider Twins: http://www.harlequin.com/media/images/pdf/TheBullRiderTwins_chapter.pdf

 

About the Author

TINA LEONARD

USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Tina Leonard has sold over 3 million copies of her titles. She has made the USA Today Bestseller, Waldenbooks, Bookscan, and Ingrambook lists, and has written and contracted seventy-one books and special projects. She is best known for her sparkling sense of humor, endearing communities, snappy dialogue, and memorable characters that include sexy hunks with attitude and heroines with plenty of sass.

Website: http://www.tinaleonard.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTinaLeonard

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tina_leonard @Tina_Leonard

Cover Reveal….Easy Charm by Kristen Proby

Easy Charm Cover Reveal banner

 

We are so excited to bring you the Cover Reveal for Kristen Proby’s EASY CHARM! EASY CHARM is a Contemporary Erotic Romance novel and is the 2nd book in The Boudreaux Series. It is due to be released on July 7, 2015!! This awesome cover was designed by Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations with photography by Kristen Proby!

 

Easy Charm - cover

Add EASY CHARM on Goodreads

 

ABOUT EASY CHARM:

Gabrielle Boudreaux, the youngest of the Boudreaux clan, is a single mother of her young son, Sam. Running a Bed and Breakfast at the family plantation house at the edge of the Mississippi River, Gabby loves her inn, her boy and her family. She meets new people every day, and takes pride in the house and land that has been in her family for more than five generations. Blessed beyond measure, she’s also lonely, although she would never admit that to anyone. Until Rhys O’Shaughnessy walks through her door, brooding and wounded and the sexiest thing she’s ever laid eyes on.

Rhys has been at the top of his game as a major league pitcher for the Boston Red Sox for more than ten years. Baseball is in his blood. But when he tears his rotator cuff and has to sit a season out, he retreats to Inn Boudreaux at the recommendation of his cousin, Kate, to heal and work toward building his shoulder back to perfect shape with only one goal in mind: to return to the game he loves. But he didn’t plan on being utterly charmed by a devastatingly beautiful woman and her baseball-loving son.

When Rhys’ shoulder has healed and he’s given the chance to return to his team, will he leave the family he’s come to love behind, or will he stay with Gabby and Sam?

 

 

And don’t forget to grab the first book in the Boudreaux Series!

Easy Love

EASY LOVE

 

Author pic_MontanaABOUT KRISTEN PROBY:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Proby is the author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.

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Easy Charm cover ereader

Cover Reveal….Servicing The Target by Cherise Sinclair

We are thrilled to bring you the Cover Reveal for Cherise Sinclair’s SERVICING THE TARGET! SERVICING THE TARGET is the tenth novel in her Contemporary Erotic Romance Masters of the Shadowlands Series. It is due to be released on July 28, 2015!

Servicing the Target

Amazon ** iTunes ** GooglePlay

 

ABOUT SERVICING THE TARGET: A Masters of the Shadowland Novel:

A discharged Army Ranger, Ben considers his job as a BDSM club security guard to be an excellent hobby. He’s never been tempted to join in. But everything changes when the notorious Mistress Anne inadvertently reveals the caring heart concealed beneath her Domme armor.

Now, he’s set his sights on the beautiful Shadowlands Mistress. Maybe he’d considered himself vanilla, but she can put her stiletto on his chest any day, any time. He’ll trust her delicate hands to hold his heart. And if she wants to whip his ass on the way to an outstanding climax, he’s just fine with that too.

Sure, he knows she likes “pretty boy” slaves. And he’s older. Craggy and rough. And six-five. Minor hindrances. The mission is a go.

Author PhotoAbout Cherise Sinclair:

Having to wear glasses in elementary school can scar a person for life.

Dubbed a nerd at an early age, Cherise Sinclair has been trying to live up to the stereotype ever since. And what better way than being an author?

Known for writing deeply emotional stories, the USA Today Bestselling Author has penned sixteen erotic romance novels, most with a BDSM theme. (Please do not mention the phrase mommy porn in her presence.) Her awards range from a National Leather Award to a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice nomination to a GoodReads BDSM group award for best author of the year.

Cherise lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband. Their two fledglings have left the nest recently to try their wings and hopefully will fly high and strong. The “ascendant erotica queen” (Rolling Stone Magazine) now spends her days writing with occasional supervision from a sadistic calico cat.

 

Website**Facebook**Twitter**Author Goodreads**Novel Goodreads**1001 Dark Nights

 

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