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East of Ecstasy by Laura Kaye…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Synopsis:

Annalise Fallston made peace with postponing her big-city dreams to care for her ill father, but lately she’s been filled with a restlessness not even her beloved painting dispels. Worse, the colors don’t speak to her as they always have, and all her efforts produce dark, foreboding images of a dangerous man and a terrifying future.

Devlin Eston, black-souled son of the evil Anemoi Eurus, is the only one who can thwart his father’s plan to overthrow the Supreme God of Wind and Storms. But first, Dev must master the unstable powers he’s been given. Distrusted and shunned by his own divine family, he never expected to find kindness and passion in the arms of a mortal.

But Devlin’s love puts Annalise in the path of a catastrophic storm, and in the final Armageddon showdown between the Anemoi and Eurus, sacrifices will be made, hearts broken, and lives changed forever…or lost.

My review:

East of Ecstasy is the fourth and final installment in author Laura Kaye’s Hearts of the Anemoi Series, which is one of my favorite paranormal series to date. I am terribly sad to see the end of this series but the happiness I feel with the way the series ended far outweighs the sadness. This book was incredible.

Before I begin my sure-to-be-long-winded review, I will say that if you haven’t read the entire series, I don’t think you should jump right into East of Ecstasy…if for no other reason than the relationships that have been built throughout the series really shine in this book and I would hate for anyone to miss out on truly feeling the emotions associated with having gone on the journey with these characters since the first book, North of Need.

Ok, here goes….

Artist and painter Annalise (Anna) Fallston was used to seeing the beauty in things. Even in the most bleak of circumstances, she could usually find something of beauty to carry her through. She had lost her mother and brother years ago and had been the sole caregiver to her ailing father for a few years now but even in all of that, she could find beauty in her memories of when her father was whole and healthy and when her family was all still alive. She could even find a bright spot in being colorblind…because when she painted, she could somehow see the colors. But finding the good was really getting tough to do lately. She was getting more and more tired and had been having these unexplained urges to paint certain scenes. Dark scenes. And when the man from those dark scenes shows up in her studio one night, she truly believes she’s finally lost her grip on reality and the stress has taken over. He’s real though, and after he informs her he isn’t going anywhere because he needs her help and after she panics a bit, she decides that maybe there really is a reason behind the frantic urges to paint the scenes. Maybe there’s more to her ability to see colors when she paints, but not any other time. Maybe she’s meant to help this darkly handsome stranger. Time to do what Anna does best ….jump in with both feet and look for the positive in this strange situation.

Devin Eston isn’t exactly in good standing with the rest of the Anemoi and he didn’t blame them. Not when his insane and manically power hungry father had done his best to make Devlin look like he was responsible for so much death and destruction. Growing up knowing only pain and torture, Devin could say he was used to the feelings of hatred and anger. Those were the only things he’d ever known. But now, with the storm raging between his evil father and the Anemoi he realizes he’s had enough. He can’t let more death and destruction happen. No more blood on his hands and no more sins to atone for. He would help destroy his father once and for all. Trouble was, it was a whole lot easier said than done. Deviln still hadn’t figured out how to leash and wield the tremendous amount of power within him and he had no one who would believe he wanted to end his father. Until he meets Anna. He had no idea that sneaking into an old barn for shelter would lead him to the one person he may be able to count on and who may be able to help him and the Anemoi. Now, if Devlin could only believe he was worthy of that help.

With things between Devlin, Eurus and the Anemoi coming to this final conflict, where lives will be lost, bonds will be forged and family will be strengthened, Devlin will finally have a chance to prove he isn’t anything like his father….and he will need Anna every step of the way.

If you follow me on twitter, you may have caught the convo I had with Laura Kaye after finishing this book. If you didn’t I will recap it simply by saying that I was an emotional wreck while reading this story….of course I loved every minute.

I have loved this series since Owen’s book and cried my ever-loving eyes out on a flight home last year reading South of Surrender. I was dying to get to this book. Well, I’m actually at a loss for how to describe how much I loved Devlin’s story. Devlin has been painted as one of the bad guys since the beginning and I pretty much hated him…until we got a teeny peek at some goodness within him in the last book. And that did it. I wanted to believe he could be saved and that he wasn’t Team Evil after all. Devlin is broken and hurt and had been tortured and abused all at the hands of his father. He was forced to live a life he wanted no part of and had major trust issues because of it. He didn’t believe himself worthy of any kindness and when he shied away from Anna in the beginning, I cried. He was the battered puppy that had grown into a fearful but powerful animal. He carried so much guilt over his father’s actions and it broke my heart. He so needed someone like Anna. She is strong and giving and willing to help Devlin get over his personal demons. She is a brilliant match for him and they make a beautifully balanced couple. There were more than a few moments shared between them that were beautiful and touching and it was a gift to read.

Beyond their growing relationship there is the fight with Eurus that has risen to a fevered pitch. Of course, that means we got to see the entire cast: Owen, Megan, Zeph, Ella, Chrys, Laney…and a few more that I can’t mention because I don’t want to ruin anything for you. The situations are intense and highly emotional but it’s one of the things I admire most about Laura’s writing. She has that gift to make the reader feel everything. Case in point: me sobbing uncontrollably during a scene with Owen and Megan. That scene is the most touching scene I have ever read….in any book….ever. And it will stay with me for years to come. (of course, I’m crying while typing just thinking of it!)

If you take one thing away from this admittedly long-winded review I hope it’s how much I loved this entire series. I recommend this for any romance fans, paranormal or otherwise. Thank you, Laura, for the Hearts of the Anemoi. You will continue to be one of my go-to authors and I can’t wait to see what you’ve got in store for us next. Oh, and Team Boreas!

Buy at Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Catch up on the whole series with the Hearts of the Anemoi box set featuring the first three books: North of Need, West of Want, South of Surrender!

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Giveaways:

There are TWO fabulous giveaways happening with this tour!

~ The first is a set of four signed books (each book in the Heart of Anemoi Series) and swag in a basket. (enter in the rafflecopter)

~ The second is for a tote bag and swag, open to international, and based on blog comments – Please comment on this blog post to enter to win and have include your email addresses to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Laura Kaye:

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

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Review….Dyed and Gone by Beth Yarnall

Book links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Synopsis:

Hairstylist Azalea March is looking forward to a wild weekend in Las Vegas with her friends. Oh, sure, they’re supposed to be there on business, attending the biggest hair show on the west coast, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have a little fun. But fun quickly turns to drama. On the first morning of the show, Dhane, the biggest celeb of the hair-styling world, is found dead. As it urns out Azalea’s friend, Vivian, not only knew Dhane, but the tale she weaves of how they met is faker than a showgirl’s uh… assets. When Vivian confesses to the murder and is arrested, Azalea knows there’s no way she could have done it and suspects Vivian may be trying to protect someone. But who?

Azalea now has to convince Alex, the sexy detective from her past, to help her prove Vivian’s innocence and comb through clues more twisted than a spiral perm. But the truth is stranger than anything found on the Las Vegas Strip, and proving Vivian’s innocence turns out to be more difficult than transforming a brunette into a blonde.

My review:

Dyed and Gone is the first book in the Azalea March Mystery series by author Beth Yarnall and let me say kicked this series off with a fantastic start! Funny, entertaining, suspenseful, and witty, this book was all that and more.

When hairstylist Azalea March packed up for a weekend away in Las Vegas for the biggest hair event of the year she had no idea that it would go from trying out new shears and blow dryers to trying to solve a murder. The reigning king of hair, Dhane, has been murdered and Azalea finds herself smack dab in the middle of the investigation. Not only because she happens to be new friends with his inner circle but also because her business partner, Vivian, had a past with Dhane and that past would be called into question. Especially when Vivian confesses to the murder. A murder Azalea is positive Vivian didn’t commit. Now, Azalea has a bigger mess on her hands than if she forgot to wear gloves while dying a blonde to a dark brunette. Adding even more to the debacle is Azalea having to rely on her sort-of-ex-fling and detective, Alex, to help her and Vivian out of this pickle. And to think, Azalea’s biggest worry just days ago had been what shoes to pack.

When I say this book has it all, I mean it. There were parts that had me laughing out loud and there were parts that had me worried. Parts that had me fanning myself and parts that had my upset. I loved how much was packed into Dyed and Gone. The characters are wonderfully colorful and delightfully quirky with personalities that leap off of the page. The murder mystery had me guessing from the very beginning until the last few pages. I couldn’t put my finger on who I thought committed the crime and I loved that I was kept on my toes until the very end. I say “very end” because just when I thought I got my killer, BAM, we were treated to a great twist. Azalea is a smart and witty heroine that I can’t wait to read more of! I’m dying to see what adventures she has in store and if things heat up more with her kinda-sorta-ex/kinda-sorta-boyfriend Alex. He is so opposite Azalea in many ways and they really compliment each other well. Great chemistry that totally deserves exploring!

Overall, I loved this story and would recommend it to any reader whether a mystery fan or a chick lit fan. There really is something for everyone! Thank you, Beth, for Dyed and Gone. I can’t wait to read more!

Four Loves

About the author:

Best selling author, Beth Yarnall writes romantic suspense, mysteries and the occasional hilarious blog post. For a number of years, Beth made her living as a hairstylist and makeup artist and co-owned a salon with her very best friend. Somehow hairstylists and salons always seem to find their way into her stories. Beth lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their dog where she is hard at work on her next novel.

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Fix You by Christine Bell…Blog Tour Stop & Review

“Fresh, sexy, and addicting–you won’t want to put it down!“—New York Times Bestselling Author Jen McLaughlin

FIX YOU is part one in the new adult McDaniels Brothers serials from USA TODAY Bestselling Author, Christine Bell. Fans of Monica Murphy, Jen McLaughlin, and H.M. Ward will be seduced by Bash and Olivia’s story and will look forward to a new installment in this ongoing family saga every month!

Buy from Amazon

Synopsis:

Olivia Beckett’s once-charmed life is falling apart. Her family is about to lose everything, and she has almost no chance of continuing her college education. She can’t even seek solace from her high school sweetheart. He’s changed. She doesn’t recognize the boy she used to know— his violent behavior is escalating and it scares the hell out of her. Her whole world is crumbling, and she has no one to turn to……

Sebastian “Bash” McDaniels is an up and comer in the boxing world working nights at the local college bar until he can land the fight of his dreams that will get him the hell out of Boston and away from his family’s tragic past. He’s weeks from his goal when Olivia Beckett comes tumbling into his life in a flash of silky dark hair and haunted eyes. When he saves her from a potentially brutal beating, they begin to grow close, but Olivia’s ex isn’t ready to let her go so easily.

Bash can’t bring himself to walk away, but fixing Olivia just might leave him broken…

My review:

Fix You is the first book in author Christine Bell’s Bash and Olivia\McDaniel’s Brothers Series and I will warn you, has a bit of a cliff hanger ending. Now, I don’t mind those type of endings and even if you do, I totally say read this book anyway…it was THAT good! (and the second book comes out soon)

College student Olivia Beckett has entirely too much weight on her shoulders. Her family is going through a major rough patch and is losing all financial stability and she’s starting to realize her boyfriend since high school is turning into someone she doesn’t want to be with. His temper is getting out of hand and the excuses she’s been making for him come to an end when she is saved from a violent situation in a bar bathroom. As embarrassing as that was, it was the turning point she needed. There were no more excuses to be made for his behavior and her bartender in shining armor savior, Bash, is just what she needs to help her through this. But adding insult to injury, Bash loses his job over saving her. He insists it was just a job to tide him over until he gets in the ring, but she knows better. Seizing the opportunity, Olivia decides Bash is the perfect teacher for the self-defense lessons she fears she will need when she breaks things off with her boyfriend. Hopefully it will also help ease her guilt over getting him fired…the bigger question is, will is ease her wicked strong attraction to the gorgeous boxer?

Sebastian McDaniels, aka Bash, does not need this kind of distraction or complication in his life right now. He just needs to keep his focus on training and getting ready for his fights. He does not need to be involved in a clearly effed up relationship between some douchebag college kid and his girlfriend. Nope. Too bad there’s no way he could ever allow a girl to be hurt by a guy. Especially someone as beautiful as Olivia. Now he’s lost his job, thanks to his heroics, and she shows up asking for self-defense lessons. He wouldn’t be any better than her ass of a boyfriend if he turned her away and didn’t help her again. Now, if he can just convince himself that as soon as the lessons are over, he will be able to let her go….

What starts out as two people thrown into a situation by chance turns into a sizzling hot and undeniable attraction that will prove too strong to ignore. But with so many forces working against them, will they be able to make things between them work? Or will Olivia’s ex turn out to be more dangerous than just in the physical sense?

Oh man, I loved this book. Again, I will say that it has a kinda cliffy ending but please don’t let that turn you away from Bash. He is too delicious to ignore. He’s the strong, silent type that comes from the wrong side of the tracks but has a true moral compass and could never let a man hurt a woman. His hard edged looks are at odds with his soft heart and who doesn’t love that?! The bad boy boxer with a soft side is always a win for me and Bash was all that and a bag of chips. Olivia is in a pretty tough spot and I feel for her. She’s starting to realize her “boyfriend” isn’t who she thought he was and is changing right before her eyes. But she’s decided to get rid of him and knows it may become dangerous so she’s trying her best to prepare for the worst. I’m worried for her but knowing that she has forged a friendship with Bash comforts me a bit. I say a bit because something happens at the end and Olivia may be on her own for a little while, without Bash, and the boyfriend is mighty pissed. But the spark between Olivia and Bash can’t be denied and they are positively delectable together! (so HA to you, loser boyfriend!)

I cannot wait for the next installment in Bash and Olivia’s story and will be anxiously awaiting its release! Thank you, Christine, for one hell of a story!

Five Loves

Add FIX YOU to your TBR pile on Goodreads!

Want to learn more about FIX YOU? Be sure to check out this exclusive interview with Christine Bell!

Follow the tour and win some awesome prizes!

Prizes:

A $50 e-giftcard to Amazon or Barnes & Noble (winner’s choice, open internationally) and an opportunity to have a character named after the winner in serial #3 of The McDaniels Brothers series!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Christine Bell

Christine Bell is the USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romances, and one half of the happiest couple in the world. She doesn’t like clowns or bugs (except ladybugs, on account of their cute outfits), but loves movies, football, and playing Texas Hold ‘Em. Writing is her passion, but if she had to pick another occupation, she’d be a wizard. She loves writing fun, sexy romance and deep, emotional new adult novels, but also hopes to one day publish something her dad can read without wanting to dig his eyes out with rusty spoons.

Subscribe to Christine’s mailing list for exclusive content, ARCs, giveaways and more!

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ARC Review…The Collector of Dying Breaths by M.J. Rose

The Collector of Dying Breaths releases today

Synopsis:

A lush and imaginative novel that crisscrosses time as a perfumer and a mythologist search for the fine line between potion and poison, poison and passion…and past and present.

Florence, Italy—1533: An orphan named René le Florentin is plucked from poverty to become Catherine de Medici’s perfumer. Traveling with the young duchessina from Italy to France, René brings with him a cache of secret documents from the monastery where he was trained: recipes for exotic fragrances and potent medicines—and a formula for an alchemic process said to have the potential to reanimate the dead. In France, René becomes not only the greatest perfumer in the country but the most dangerous, creating deadly poisons for his Queen to use against her rivals. But while mixing herbs and essences under the light of flickering candles, Rene doesn’t begin to imagine the tragic and personal consequences for which his lethal potions will be responsible.

Paris, France—The Present: A renowned mythologist, Jac L’Etoile, is trying to recover from personal heartache by throwing herself into her work, learns of the 16th century perfumer who may have been working on an elixir that would unlock the secret to immortality. She becomes obsessed with René le Florentin’s work—particularly when she discovers the dying breaths he had collected during his lifetime. Jac’s efforts put her in the path of her estranged lover, Griffin North, a linguist who has already begun translating René le Florentin’s mysterious formula. Together they confront an eccentric heiress in possession of a world-class art collection. A woman who has her own dark purpose for the elixir… a purpose for which she believes the ends will justify her deadly means. This mesmerizing gothic tale of passion and obsession crisscrosses time, zigzagging from the violent days of Catherine de Medici’s court to twenty-first century France. Fiery and lush, set against deep, wild forests and dimly lit chateaus, The Collector of Dying Breaths illuminates the true path to immortality: the legacies we leave behind.

My review:

The Collector of Dying Breaths is the sixth novel in author M.J. Rose’s Reincarnationist series and admittedly the first in the series I have read. However, not having read the previous stories did not leave me loving this story any less. It was a work of art.

This novel is essentially two stories happening centuries apart being told in tandem all leading up to an emotional and fascinating end.

The early tale being of René le Florentin, perfumer to Catherine de Medici, and his life from orphan to alchemy apprentice to de Medici’s personal perfumer, friend, and loyal subject and importantly, collector of dying breaths. René had been fascinated and compelled to learn about the possibility of reincarnating souls using the dying breath captured on one’s deathbed. Ever since his mentor and teacher, Brother Serapino, had died and René collected his last breath, he had been attempting to complete the proper mixture of ingredients to make reincarnation possible. He was a renowned perfumer and cunning adversary to de Medici, using his knowledge of scents and poisons to help keep her reign intact. René had no way of knowing then that eventually his loyalty to Catherine would tragically cost him the only love he’d ever known. Fortunately, a bond of true love had been formed and would end up spanning centuries, looking for a chance to grow and blossom without being cut short.

The later tale being of mythologist Jac L’Etoile and her journey of healing after the devastating loss of her brother. It’s because of that loss that she finds herself in the middle of a project her brother had been working on before his death. The project involved a wealthy heiress and her obsession with immortality. The heiress had amassed an impressive collection of items needed to complete an elixir and finally harness the properties of the dying breaths that had been captured all those centuries ago. But Jac would need help and calls on her former love, Griffin, to aid in her quest. While working on the project, Jac has experiences that tell her that this is much more than an eccentric woman’s latest obsession. This could be the chance for two lost souls to finally be reunited after hundreds of years of trying to get it right. Could she and Griffin be fated to be together in this life?

The two stories weaved together to make one harmonious and entertaining read. On top of the rich and beautiful storytelling with detail that made me believe I could smell the scents being so richly described, there was deceit, mystery, and murder. I felt a connection to René from the very beginning and was so emotional reading the end to his part of the story. Jac was smart and full of emotion being torn between not wanting to believe she had a connection to the past and opening up to the notion that it was possible. The heiress, Melinoe, reminded me of an old porcelain doll. The kind that looks beautiful at a glance but if you really look closely, and stare long enough, becomes unnerving and frightening.

My favorite parts of this experience were how gorgeously author Rose described everything from the perfumery workspaces to the décor in rooms to the scent in each moment. And finally, how it all culminated into a heartbreaking yet beautiful ending.

This is quite different from the books I’ve been reading lately, and I’m grateful I had the chance to read The Collector of Dying Breaths….it was the coffee beans to my reading palate. Thank you, Ms. Rose, for a stunning read.

Five Loves

About the author:

M.J. Rose grew up in New York City mostly in the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum, the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park and reading her mother’s favorite books before she was allowed. She believes mystery and magic are all around us but we are too often too busy to notice… Books that exaggerate mystery and magic draw attention to it and remind us to look for it and revel in it.

She lives in Connecticut with Doug Scofield, a composer, and their very spoiled dog, Winka.

Rose is a the Co-President and founding member ofInternational Thriller Writers and the founder of the first marketing company for authors: AuthorBuzz. She runs the blog, Museum of Mysteries.

In 1998, her first novel Lip Service was the first e-book and the first self-published novel chosen by the LiteraryGuild/Doubleday Book Club as well as the first e-book to go on to be published by a mainstream New York publishing house.

Rose has been profiled in Time magazine, Forbes, The New York Times, Business 2.0, Working Woman, Newsweek, andNew York Magazine.

She has appeared on The Today Show, Fox News, The Jim Lehrer NewsHour, and features on her have appeared in dozens of magazines and newspapers in the U.S. and abroad, including USAToday, Stern, L’Official, Poets and Writers, and Publishers Weekly.

Rose graduated from Syracuse University and spent the ’80s in advertising. She was the Creative Director of Rosenfeld Sirowitz and Lawson and she has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.

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ARC Review…..Silent Bite by Tina Folsom

Book links:

Kindle | Amazon paperback | Goodreads | 1,001 Dark Nights

Synopsis:

New York Times Bestselling Author Tina Folsom presents: Silent Bite (A Scanguards Wedding), Scanguards Vampires 8 1/2

Newbie vampire Oliver and Ursula, the woman he saved from a blood brothel, are finally tying the knot. But with Ursula’s old fashioned Chinese parents arriving in town for the traditional wedding, chaos soon breaks out–with Oliver always one step away from accidentally revealing to his soon-to-be inlaws that he and his extended Scanguards family are vampires.

Amidst all the chaos and confusion, will there ever be a private moment for Oliver and Ursula to consummate their union in a blood bond?

My review:

Silent Bite is story 8 ½ in author Tina Folsom’s Scanguards Vampires Series as well as the 4^th novella in the 1,001 Dark Nights Series. I’m a huge fan of vampires and had been looking forward to this story and it was fantastic.

Oliver and Ursula come from two very different worlds. Sure, he’s a newborn vampire and she’s still human but besides that, Ursula’s family is Chinese and her parents believe in their traditions. Normally that wouldn’t cause too much of a headache except during a wedding, which is exactly what they are in town for. Ursula and Oliver’s wedding. Let the wedding stress begin! Of course adding the whole “my fiancée is a vampire” thing into the mix is bound to make things just a tad more stressful than the usual “what color taffeta should we use for the table runners” stress. And it does. As if all of that wasn’t enough, someone is lurking in the shadows, determined to kidnap Ursula and consume the blood that is calling to him.

Will their wedding go off without a hitch and will they finally be able to bind themselves together forever in blood bond union?

From start to finish I loved this story. I found myself laughing, fanning myself, and gripping my e-reader for dear life at points. Ursula and Oliver weren’t only sexy to read they were also very endearing and relatable. Relatable in the sense that their attempts at keeping things from Ursula’s parents brought me right back to the many times I tried to hide things from my own parents (sorry, mom!). The panic when you think you fudged your lie or your friends not remembering what they were supposed to say and the laughter that happens when it all comes out in the end anyway. Add that to the smoking hot connection they share and oh my, they are pretty amazing. The other aspect of this story I loved was the ever-present threat that was lurking in the shadows. The threat that no one knew about apart from the reader. It’s like those horror movies when you yell “don’t go into the basement!” at the screen. It was intense, nerve-wracking, and really well done. Now, I won’t give anything away but I will tell you that the ending was beautiful and I couldn’t have asked for a better one for Ursula and Oliver.

All in all, Silent Bite was the whole package. Elements of suspense, romance, sexy heat, and humor make this novella a win in my book! Thank you, Tina, for a fantastic read!

Five Loves

About the author:

Tina Folsom was born in Germany and has been living in English speaking countries for over 20 years, the last 11 of them in San Francisco, where she’s married to an American.

Tina has always been a bit of a globe trotter: after living in Lausanne, Switzerland, she briefly worked on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, then lived a year in Munich, before moving to London. There, she became an accountant. But after 8 years she decided to move overseas.

In New York she studied drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, then moved to Los Angeles a year later to pursue studies in screenwriting. This is also where she met her husband, who she followed to San Francisco three months after first meeting him.

In San Francisco, Tina worked as a tax accountant and even opened her own firm, then went into real estate, however, she missed writing. In 2008 she wrote her first romance and never looked back.

She’s always loved vampires and decided that vampire and paranormal romance was her calling. She now has 15 novels in English and several in other languages (Spanish, German, and French) and continues to write, as well as have her existing novels translated.

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Immortal Hunter by Kait Ballenger…Blog Tour Stop, Review & Giveaway

Synopsis:

Hunters of the supernatural, the Execution Underground are an elite group tasked with protecting humanity…but at what price?

As an exorcist, David Aronowitz grew up the target of demonic assassins. Now he’s a member of the Execution Underground and hellspawn everywhere fear his name. But when a demon slips into the seductive body of the only woman he’s ever loved, David must confront the heartbreak of their past to save her.

The piece of her heart Allsún O’Hare gave to David so long ago left her trapped between two worlds: the Fae and the human. And when David comes to her rescue, fate reunites her with her greatest temptation—and her biggest mistake. Now, as they’re swept together into a wicked game with the demon who controls her, David must decide if saving Allsún’s life is worth sacrificing his own—and the future of humanity itself

My review:

Immortal Hunter is the second book in author Kait Ballenger’s Execution Underground Series and admittedly the first book I have read. First let me say that I wasn’t lost at all while reading even though I hadn’t read the first book. Second I have to say….I loved this book and will be reading all of the installments from here on out!

Exorcist and Execution Underground member David Aronowitz is used to seeing some pretty gruesome things. In his line of work he’s come across some of the most heinous demons imaginable and all sorts of things that go bump in the night. But the particular demon he just killed has him scared the most he’s ever been. Not because the demon was particularly terrifying but because the demon told David something that left his blood running cold….that other demons knew about Allsún and that she was the last fae in this world. She was valuable and vulnerable to the demon world and had remained hidden until now. Allsún, the love of David’s life. Once his fiancé, he would still do anything to protect her and right now she was in dire need of that. Right now she was in a hospital bed recovering from the last time he couldn’t protect her and there’s no way he’d let that happen again.

Suddenly awakened out of a drug induced coma and being pulled by an indescribable force, Allsún O’Hare knew something bad was happening in the demon world. She didn’t know what or where, exactly, just that she had to follow this feeling to where it led her and fight whatever evil lay ahead. She never expected to see David at the house her feelings led her to. It shouldn’t surprise her, really. He was an exorcist after all. But the horror that she encounters at the scene was truly a shock. This wasn’t like anything either of them had seen before and instantly they both know things are bad.

With Allsún in danger and David on the hunt for the most diabolical demon he’s ever encountered, they will be forced to work together to end this reign of terror. Of course spending time together after years of being apart is bound to bring up all of the feelings they once shared. Feelings that never truly went away.

Oh man, I loved this book! I think one of the things I loved most about this book, and the series, is that it takes a different approach. Yes, it’s paranormal and deals with demons and the underworld, but the rituals and weapons they use are different than others I have read. There is a lot of Judaism in the methods David uses to exorcise and I found that really refreshing. One of the other things I loved about this book was the love story between David and Allsún really took a front row seat instead of being on the back burner. I really enjoyed that. The have a whole lot to work through and I wouldn’t have been happy if their issues were resolved in a chapter or two. Luckily, Kait gave us plenty to read and time to understand the feelings fro both David and Allsún’s POVs. It made the connection to the characters so much stronger, which for the ending of this book was imperative. I was a nervous wreck for the last few chapters because I was so worried for David, Allsún and the whole Execution Underground crew! They have one hell of a fight on their hands (no pun intended) and I had no idea what the outcome was going to be. I loved that feeling!

I also loved getting a peek into Damon’s very guarded emotions in the end and I am really hoping we get to see his story soon! I can imagine it’s going to be gut wrenching.

Thank you, Kait, for your take on good vs. evil and for giving me a series to look forward to reading more from!

Five Loves

Book links:

IH on Amazon | IH on Barnes and Noble

Giveaway:

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About the author:

Kait Ballenger is a full-time paranormal romance author, wife, professional bellydancer, and graduate student. She lives in Central Florida with her husband, their doggie-daughter Sookie (like Charlainne Harris’ character), and two kittens, Elliot and Olivia (like the SVU characters). Kait believes anything is possible, and one day, she hopes people name their pets after her characters, too.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Lie by Night by Cathy Marlowe…Book Tour Stop & Review

Lie by Night

by: Cathy Marlowe

Release Date: 3/24/14

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Synopsis:

When Emma Bailey’s brother disappears, leaving her in possession of dangerous information, there’s no one she can turn to for help. Her desperate search for her brother leads her to a remote island where she discovers the one man who can help her is a man she can’t trust.

Cole Stevens is on a mission to bring down the drug mastermind who threatens to destroy the lives of his family. His plans take an unexpected turn when Emma runs head first into his investigation. Not only is she a danger to his heart, but her brother is one of his key suspects.

Cole and Emma reluctantly join forces to unravel a web of deceit that reaches deeper into their lives than either had imagined. As the lies unravel they will be forced to choose between fear of betrayal and their willingness to put their emotions on the line in order to save the people they love.

My review:

Lie by Night is an Out of Darkness novel by author Cathy Marlowe and the first of her work that I have read. The cover alone had my attention and the story kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

Emma Bailey was used to not knowing where her brother was, what type of mission he was off doing, or how long he would be gone for but one thing she always knew was that he would call her every Sunday. After all, they only had each other as family. So it was extremely unnerving when she didn’t get that Sunday phone call. Even more unnerving was the package she received from her brother for her birthday a couple of days later. Enclosed in the package was a cryptic note telling her not to trust anyone along with some important looking information. Without a doubt she knew he was in danger and she knew she was the only one that could save him. So she did what any sister would do…packed her bag and went in search for him.

Right in the middle of his top-secret investigation into one of the most dangerous operations headed by one of the most devious men, the last person Cole Stevens expected to see was Emma Bailey. But here she was in a very dangerous spot…literally. After saving her from her precarious position, he now realizes there is no was she is leaving his side. For too many reasons to count. One being she needs help finding her brother, the brother he has a suspicion may be a part of the operation he’s trying to squash. The operation that has already hurt too many people. Cole wanted to make sure no one else had to suffer…especially Emma.

Each with reservations about working jointly, Emma and Cole decide that maybe working together could actually be beneficial to taking down an operation that time and time again has proved to be infallible. But as time passes, and they spend more and more time together, their relationship threatens to grow from old acquaintances to so much more.

The story line in Lie by Night was intricate and weaved with deceit, drugs, danger, disloyalty, and murder. It was also weaved with love and compassion. All of that created a great balance and it kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. There were a lot of players in the plot that I was unsure of and that kept me guessing and I really enjoy that aspect of a romantic suspense. Cole and Emma were well matched and were equally stubborn and yielding when it mattered. Overall, I was pleased with all facets of this story and the last few chapters had me almost speed-reading because I was so nervous! My lips are sealed but know that it was intense and, ultimately, very satisfying.

Thank you, Cathy, for a fantastic and suspenseful read!

Four Loves

Book links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | EP Link

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About the author:

Cathy lives in Missouri with a huge chocolate lab whose crazy antics occasionally appear in her books. She’s blessed with a supportive husband and three wonderful children. When not writing, she coaches soccer and works to create a safe world for children. She loves dark chocolate mint M&Ms accompanied by a steaming mug of coffee, and smart stories that touch the heart while making you laugh, cry and stay up all night turning pages.

When her children were young, she wrote stories for them. Her daughter encouraged her to pursue publication, presenting her with a card that read “God is cheering for you and so am I.” This sign of support has been a source of inspiration for her throughout her writing career.

She believes in the power of each of us to change the world, by word and by deed, in big ways and small.

Her first published novel, Lie by Night, was a winner in the Entangled Smackdown Competition held during National Novel Writer’s Month. A romantic thriller, Lie by Night will be available in March 2014.

Email: cathy@commonpurpose.biz | Website | Twitter: @Cathy_Marlowe | Facebook | Goodreads

Review…Perfect Pitch by Mindy Klasky

Book links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Reigning beauty queen Samantha Winger is launching her pet project, a music program for kids. All she has to do is follow the pageant’s rules—no smoking, drinking, or “cavorting” in public.

That’s fine, until D.J. Thomas—God’s gift to baseball—throws her a wild pitch. He slams her in an interview, and the video goes viral. Sam’s no shrinking violet. She parlays D.J.’s apology into a national T.V. appearance—and a very unexpected, very public kiss.

Soon, paparazzi catch the couple in a steamy make-out session, and Sam’s music program is on the block. The blazing hot relationship is threatened even more when D.J.’s son begs to trade in Little League for music class.

Can Sam and D.J. sizzle past the sour notes and find their perfect pitch?

My review:

Perfect Pitch is the first volume in author Mindy Klasky’s Diamond Brides Series and threw one hell of a home run. I loved this book!

Beauty queen Samantha Winger had given up a lot for this title. She had to pretty much act like a complete vanilla angel in public, lost a lot of her friends because she couldn’t go out and party, and certainly wasn’t allowed to go out on dates and be caught kissing anyone. You’d think it was the 1940’s with the rules this pageant had in place. But it was all worth it when she’s able to get her music education program into the local schools. She had become the person she was thanks to her love of music and she wanted other kids to be able to experience what she had. Things were going smoothly until baseball star D.J. Thomas belittles her on national TV. Ok, he didn’t exactly belittle her, just her title. He shows up a day later with an apology and she sees this as one hall of a golden opportunity….to help get her music program some TV exposure. Only problem was that from their first introduction, there are some serious sparks between the beauty queen and the baseball star. A problem because she couldn’t act on in while reigning as queen. It was written in the rules. And when they start spending time together, and are caught by the paparazzi kissing, her time as queen may be over. But like a run of strikeouts that bring the losing team back from being down to win the game, can D.J. make everything ok?

Oh man, the amount of heat packed into this story was positively delectable! Both Sam and D.J. were likeable characters from two pretty different backgrounds and with two pretty different views on things. But you know what they say about opposites attracting, right? Thanks to a baseball team road trip, their relationship was able to grow over hours long phone calls and that made their story even more special and believable. They learned one another inside out and backwards in those phone calls. They also had some sexy convos that I’m sure would have any eavesdropper blushing! Of course, it wasn’t all happy moments for this unlikely couple and they have more than one obstacle to overcome. But like all good love stories, they are able to make it all work out in the end.

Thank you, Mindy, for a sexy, sweet read! I will definitely be looking forward to the next in this series!

Four Loves

About the author:

Mindy Klasky learned to read when her parents shoved a book in her hands and told her that she could travel anywhere in the world through stories. She never forgot that advice.

Mindy’s travels took her through multiple careers, including copyright lawyer and law librarian. Mindy now writes full time. Her books fall in a number of genres — including traditional fantasy, urban fantasy, and category romance.

In her spare time, Mindy knits, quilts, and tries to tame the endless to-be-read shelf in her home library. Her husband and two cats do their best to fill the left-over minutes in her days.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

You Again by Ashlee Mallory….Blog Tour Stop & Review

You Again

by: Ashlee Mallory

Release Date: 3/24/14

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Synopsis:

A hopeless crush…

Back in high school, Allie McBride thought the sun set around Sam Fratto’s smiles, even if they were only friends. Now she’s older, wiser, hotter, and teaching at the same school they grew up in. When Sam joins the faculty, she has a chance to make good on the crush that got away. But when a dead body turns up on school grounds, they realize there might be a murderer in their midst. The heat keeps getting hotter between Allie and Sam, but more might be in danger than their hearts…

The cute kid from high school is all grown up…

A family crisis brings true-crime writer Sam Fratto back to town after more than a decade’s absence. Teaching at his alma mater seems like a good way to pass the time—especially when he sees that Allie, the geeky, sweet-mannered girl from high school, has blossomed into the saucy teacher in the classroom next door. Too bad finding a dead body transforms his return into one of his true-crime books come to life. And when it seems the killer might be after Allie next, it’s up to him to keep her safe…

A killer determined to keep the past buried at any price…

As if dealing with the return of one ghost from her past wasn’t enough, it looks like the killer might be the person they least suspected. Someone from the past. Someone with something to hide. Someone who thinks Allie and Sam are getting a little too close to the truth. If Allie and Sam are going to get out of this alive, these two friends to lovers will have to work together…or die together…

My Review:

You Again is the first book by author Ashlee Mallory that I have read and from start to finish I really enjoyed this suspenseful romance!

English teacher Allie McBride cannot believe he’s back. Sam Fratto. The one and only huge crush she had devoted her entire high school career to pining over from afar. He was smart, handsome and a star soccer player back then and everything a girl wants in those teen years. Of course now, he was just as desirable. Still handsome and even more sexy. And also a bestselling true crime author. SO it was a little bit shocking that he was here, back in their small hometown, offering to take up some of the English classes from a recently retired colleague at her school. As if Sam being back wasn’t emotionally jostling enough, a body has been found on the school grounds. The body of their beloved high school English teacher who had gone missing 14 years earlier. Allie soon finds herself working with Sam on trying to solve the mystery of what happened to Mr. Williams and also finds herself working on trying to squelch the attraction she thought had died out so many years ago….

Sam knew the beautiful blond looked familiar but he just couldn’t place her. Now being back at his old school and seeing she was on the faculty here with him, he figured out who she was. The shy, fresh-faced sweet underclassmen he had fond memories of working on the school paper with back in the day. She had turned into quite a stunning woman now and he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Determined to give a memorial to Mr. Williams, he offers to help her along the way and try to find out the truth of what happened to one of his favorite teachers. Will he also find more than an old friendship with Allie along the way?

The mystery surrounding the death of one of the kindest and well respected teachers in their alma matter will not only bring many suspects and scandals to life but will bring two people closer than they ever had imagined.

The suspense in this murder mystery had me guessing from the very beginning. The subtle hints that author Mallory dropped throughout were really well done and all came together in beautifully in the end. All the thoughts I had were validated when the pieces of the puzzle started fitting together. The story was well thought out and had more to it than just a murder. There was plenty of deceit, cover-ups and even infidelity, all leading to a “whoa” ending. The relationship between Allie and Sam built beautifully and believably along the way… something I really appreciate in a romantic suspense.

All in all, this was a very entertaining and suspenseful story with a juicy plot and unexpectedly devious characters. I enjoyed it from start to finish and will be putting author Mallory on my list of authors to watch for!

Four Loves

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Entangled

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Author Bio:

Ashlee lives with her husband, two kids, a dog, and cat surrounded by the majestic mountains of her hometown of Salt Lake.

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, she always wanted to know what it was like to live on the other side of the mountains. In college, she interned a semester in DC and later attended law school in Syracuse, New York, where she also ventured to Israel for a summer semester. After graduating law school with a taste of what it’s like living in the bigger world, she moved back home to Salt Lake and took the Utah Bar Exam, got married, and settled in with her hubby and two wonderful kids. After a few more years in the legal realm, she grew restless and turned her pen to one of her first loves—writing stories.

Currently, when she’s not working the day job as in-house counsel, she spends her time with the family and squeezing in writing time—anything to avoid the housekeeping. Just kidding, honey!

She writes with romance and humor at the heart of every story—and a healthy dash of mystery and suspense.

Hopefully she pulls it off.

Email: Ashleemallory7@gmail.com

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Gabby Revealed by Amy Gregory…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Welcome to my stop on the Gabby Revealed Blog Tour!

Title: Gabby Revealed (Finding Perfect #2)

Author: Amy Gregory

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: March 25, 2014

Event Organized By: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis

Gabby James didn’t have the idyllic childhood many in her little hometown of Renlend, Kansas had. High school was a living hell, but when she graduated she couldn’t bring herself to leave Renlend. The town was her prison, but her family’s bookstore, The Looking Glass, was her one true love. It was the place she could run to, and escape the prying eyes of the ones who taunted her.

Shane Compton was a literary agent in one of the most prestigious publishing houses in New York City. He found no greater rush than finding the next big talent, someone who could take the written word and turn it into an art form. In the span of one rude phone call Shane was drawn into the mystery of just who the fiery new author from Kansas was. When everyone else in the office refused to deal with her, Shane willingly accepted the challenge. There was no logic to the madness, but every time he had contact with her, she drove him wild.

Gabby tried every trick in the book to keep Shane at arm’s length, but he had made good on his promise to come to Kansas. He wanted to pull her out of anonymity, he wanted her in the public eye. Now here he stood, on the sidewalk in front her bookstore, and one look told her he was everything she was afraid he’d be. Too bad she was anything but who he thought she was.

Gabby quickly discovers Shane has more on his mind than just books and with a little help from an ornery matchmaker, he shows her a whole new life through her looking glass.

My review:

Gabby Revealed is the second book in author Amy Gregory’s Finding Perfect Series. I read and enjoyed the first book but had been dying to get my hands on Gabby’s story. We met Gabby briefly in the first book and there was something about her that I knew would make a great character. Well, I wasn’t disappointed…this book was amazing.

Gabby James has come to terms with small town life. Well, as much as a girl that had been tormented by the “in-crowd” all through high school could be. The thing was, if she could have moved out of this town, she would have been able to let it all go. But she could never leave this town because this town held the very thing she loved the most….her book store. Within the shelves of this store, among the typed pages, she could let go of those years of hurt and live in her own skin. Sure she still had to deal with the uppity mean girls when they came in from time to time to buy the latest bestseller from the current most popular author, but she could deal with them because she had a secret. A secret that kept her smiling inside and giving those mean girls the silent “eff you” every time she sold one of those best selling books from that über popular author. It’s also the secret that lands literary agent Shane Compton on her doorstep. The same agent she’s been trying to keep firmly outside of her emotional barriers for the last five years. Now that he’s here, she realizes she’s in big trouble and in danger of those very carefully erected walls to come crumbling down.

Lit agent Shane Compton was always up for the challenge and the chase of finding the next big author. He’s found more than a few but the one he is most proud of, and the one he’s determined to meet, is the one he’s travelling to small town Kansas to see. She has piqued his interest for the last five years he’s worked with her and as crazy as it sounds, he’s pretty much resigned to that fact that he’s fallen for her. A woman he’s never seen in person. But he knows her and he knows her amazing mind. He also knows her smart mouth and somewhat abrasive personality…a personality he truly adores. Now, standing on the doorstep of the address the checks have been coming to, he can’t believe his eyes. The beautiful storeowner was one in the same as his amazingly talented and smart-mouthed author.

In reality, they’ve known each other for years. They’ve talked on the phone millions of times and know a lot about one another for the most part. But meeting in person for the very first time proves to be life changing for Gabby and Shane. The feelings that have Shane convinced that Gabby is worth moving across the country to be with are the same feelings that had Gabby running for the hills and hiding behind the hurt she suffered years ago. Will Shane have what it takes to convince Gabby that love is worth taking a chance on? Because Shane is convinced what they have is real and worth everything.

Before I start the (probably) long-winded part of this review, I just have to say that I’ve been talking about this book to anyone who will listen since I finished reading it two days ago. Oh, how I loved it!

As I said earlier, there was something about Gabby that had me anxiously waiting for her story. She was the broken butterfly. The kind-hearted artist that just wanted to see the good in life and was knocked down at every chance. A victim of the mean girls in high school, Gabby tried for years to get over all of that hurt…but just couldn’t. It was always there, that nagging feeling of unworthiness. I hated that she felt that way. But as much as I hated what those girls did to her, I had to thank them because they turned Gabby into an amazing person. Yes, she’s foul-mouthed and far from sweet and fuzzy, but damn that’s why I loved her. I am not a fan of the fluffy heroines so Gabby had me from the very first time she called Shane a jackass. I want to go out and share a beer with her…cause she’s so awesome. I relate a lot to her because I’m not a warm and fuzzy gal myself (seriously, just ask Mr. Read-Love-Blog, he’ll tell you).

As for Shane? Damn. That guy paid such careful attention to all of Gabby’s personality traits for five years and when he shows up in person, she has no case against why they can’t make it work. He knows her inside out and backwards before they even laid eyes on one another. And he’s got a fight in him that kept going. He’s amazing and just what Gabby needed when she needed it most. What a catch he is!

I also have to mention (and give a shout out to a certain 4^th grade teacher for having tissues in her room at school) that there was a part that had me crying my eyes out. If you know me, you know I love that and that just added to how awesome this story was for me.

Amy, thank you for Gabby. This story is one that will stay with me for quite some time and one I will continue to recommend!

Five Loves

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Purchase Links

Gabby Revealed: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Mike’s Way Back: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the Author

When asked ‘when do you have time to write’, Amy Gregory simply laughs. The real answer is, “in bits and pieces”. She and her husband live in Kansas City with their three fantastic kids that keep them running in three very different directions. Because she sits so much, she always carries a notebook with her at all times.

She has an off the wall, snarky, off the cuff sense of humor that often shocks even those who’ve known her for years. And she loves that her children have all been blessed that ability to make others laugh as well. At least she’s grateful most of the time! Her husband often teases her about how she “makes this stuff up” when he’s reading a piece of her work. … The answer—“it just comes to me when I’m typing”. Scary thought, huh!

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

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Pretty Reckless by Jodi Linton…Blog Tour Stop, Review & Bonus Guest Post

She’s dead-set on giving one bullheaded cowboy the boot.

Pretty Reckless

by: Jodi Linton

Release Date: 3/24

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Synopsis:

Welcome to Pistol Rock, Texas where everyone knows secrets last about as long as the sporadic west Texas rain showers.

Laney Briggs has long been considered reckless by the denizens of her hometown, but she’s finally turned it all around—she’s happily engaged to the local veterinarian and she’s become a Pistol Rock deputy sheriff. Everything’s fine and dandy—until a dead body turns up and her ex, Texas Ranger Gunner Wilson, decides to stick his boots into the town’s first murder case. Of course, the troublesome cowboy’s rugged good looks and T-shirt-straining muscles are already leaving Laney knee-deep in hot water, but she’ll be damned if she lets Gunner trample all over her turf. She’s decided that, instead of conflict, she wants a contented, steady life with her vet—a life in which Gunner Wilson and his seemingly endless ability to undermine her resolve and her libido plays no part. Still, it’s hard to keep her head as forbidden sparks ignite and suspicions arise between old rivals and old flames. And when the bodies start to pile up, Laney has to ask the lethal bad boy for a hand—and a truce in exchange for his help. But after uncovering the pack of lies surrounding not only her job but her heart… Having an ex-boyfriend as an ally might not be the best idea, but it’s certainly the most reckless, and Laney has always been pretty reckless…

My Review:

Pretty Reckless is the first in author Jodi Linton’s Deputy Laney Briggs Series and really sets us up for what I think will be a great collection!

Sherriff’s Deputy Laney Briggs is used to the slow and somewhat boring country life in a small southern town. She’s been able to get past a pretty hurtful breakup and is adjusting to life as the fiancée of the town’s veterinarian. Life is pretty good. For Small Town, USA, that is. Things take a turn for the worse when there’s a dead body found up on one of the big local farms. Suddenly everything is turned upside-down. Not just because there’s clearly been a murder, but because her ex is now here working the case with her. He’s a Texas Ranger and is assigned to help on the case. A distraction she doesn’t need especially when this turns into a real humdinger case of who-done-it. The murder turns out to be the tip of the iceberg and Laney uncovers a huge case of debt, drugs and deceit. The likes she never thought she’d see in her small town. Add working alongside her sexy as sin ex and digging up all sorts of feelings she’d like to leave behind, and this may prove to be the hardest case of Laney’s life.

Whew, talk about a mystery that had me on the edge of my seat until the end! Laney sure had her hands full from the very beginning and with so many colorful townspeople and viable suspects; she had her work cut out for her. That poor gal was put through the ringer in this book but I loved that she never gave up…or even thought about quitting. One of my favorite parts of this book though was Jodi’s ability to write a small town that I truly felt a part of. The characters were described with such great detail that I loved some of them, hated others and laughed with many of them. I think this is a great start to the series and feel like we have a great foundation for the series to come.

Thank you , Jodi, for Pretty Reckless! I’m looking forward to what’s in store for Laney in the future.

Four Loves

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Guest Post from Jodi:

THE MAKING OF DEPUTY LANEY BRIGGS.

Often I’m asked how I came up with Laney Briggs. It’s a long story, so I’ll give the condensed version of it for now.

When we first moved to Austin from north Texas, my husband and I found ourselves thrust into a big city with small town charm. I worked various temp jobs for several months since having a bachelor’s degree in history really didn’t get the plum pickings in the job department. When it came down to the writing part of this story, I didn’t actually start typing away on the computer until I became pregnant with my first child. After several failed attempts at trying to complete a manuscript, I shoved writing aside and focused on raising my son for a few years.

Then, one day I decided to try my hand at writing again.

For the most part, the series started out with a brainstorming session I had with my husband. As I was in the middle of writing a manuscript (which will never see the light of day), I hit a wall and decided to trash the project until I could find my writing muse again. In the end, my husband suggested that I should write what I knew, and that was…Texas. My inner cheerleader wanted to shake her pom-poms when the name Laney Briggs popped into my head.

After that, it all sort of fell into place.

I grew up in a small town, so I knew the language and the fun peculiarities of small town people. Within days of that conversation with my husband, I had a clear vision of who my protagonist would be. There she was, a sassy female sheriff deputy whose sharp tongue could outwit any hunky cowboy.

Now if you want the longer version of the story, buy me a cold one if we ever cross paths later on down the road, and we’ll sit down for a spell.

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About the author:

Jodi Linton grew up across the street from a cow pasture, where she was more likely to be seen selling Kool-Aid in a Dixie cup at ten cents a pop, or inviting neighbors over to watch one of her plays staged on her father’s Bass boat.

In 2001, she traded in the rednecks, cowboys, and mesquite trees of her hometown to chase destiny out west. After a few years of mucking it around with the roughnecks, dust storms, and droughts, she decided to dust off her boots and head home. With a History degree in one hand and a marriage license in the other, she followed her husband in 2006 to central Texas the heartland, fabulous Austin.

After settling into the Texas Hill Country with her husband and two kids, she joined the Austin Romance Writers of America, and signed with The Belcastro Agency. Today she can be found cozied up to the computer escaping into a quirky world of tall tales, sexy, tight jean wearing cowboys, and a protagonist with a sharp-tongue quick enough to hang any man out to dry.

Twitter: @JodiLinton1 | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter