Read-Love-Blog

About the author:

Elora Ramirez lives in Austin, Texas with her chef-husband. At the age of four, she taught herself how to read and write, cutting her teeth on books like Dr. Seuss and writing anywhere she could find the space–including her Fisher Price kitchen set, the pages of picture books and Highlights Magazine. Since then, she’s grown to love the way words feel as they swell within her bones. Writing holy and broken is her calling, and pushing back the darkness and pursuing beauty through story is her purpose. She embraces the power of story and teaches women from all parts of the world how to embrace theirs. She has a knack of calling things out , the truth and the detail, the subversive threads that make a life a story. She loves hip-hop, wishes she lived by the beach and cannot write without copious amounts of coffee, chocolate, music, and her husband’s lavender liqueur.

Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Author Goodreads ~ Every Shattered Thing Goodreads

Book Blitz March 2014 New Reviews

Return to Branton Blitz…University of Branton Series by Nazarea Andrews

by Jilly

Author Note:

University of Branton is a special place for me. It’s a conglomeration of my hometown and the town I made my home when I got married and combines with it the small town feel of a college. College changed my life–and I wanted to share that in my stories. Each book focuses on a different romance–Atti and Avery, Dane and Scout, Megan, Asher and Luca–and challenges relationships pose, while circling back to the previous couples and friends you’ve made in earlier books. Each can be read as a standalone–much the way each family is a separate entity in a small town–while it still ties to the others. Which is my favorite thing about small towns.

So! Come spend a little bit of time in the sleep small Southern town. I hope you love the University as much as I do. <3

P.S- This attached bonus scene is set in the weeks after Beautiful Broken, after the fight that was never quite resolved between Dane and Atti. (scene below)

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ My review

Synopsis:

She wants a summer job and a ride to a wedding.

He wants an assistant and a distraction from the mess his life had become.

They didn’t know they needed each other.

Avery Emili needs two grand. Two grand and a plane ticket–her sister is counting on her to get to Jamaica for her wedding. But the semester is over, and tutoring college freshman and high school students has dried up until the fall.

Atticus Grimes needs help–the messy split with his wife left the twenty-eight year old professor scrambling to keep things together as the semester winds down. Now he’s got a research grant he has to actually do research for and all he wants to do is drown himself in a tall bottle of bourbon.

When Avery sees his ad for an assistant, all she’s thinking is a summer job. But as they spend time together, in the office and out, both of them begin to realize something is there. Something that can’t happen–he’s a professor and she’s a student. And both of them have histories, pasts that won’t let go. Can two broken people pulled apart by expectations find a way to be whole?

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ My review

Synopsis:

She’s been broken by her past. He’s been breaking for as long as he can remember.

Together, they can make each other whole–or destroy each other.

When his best friend asks for something, Dane rarely says no. But babysitting a newly sober Scout Grimes for three weeks isn’t exactly a normal request. And with their history, it’s a recipe for disaster. Not to mention, she’s drop dead gorgeous and he can’t touch her.

There are few people Scout trusts as much as Dane Guillot. He’s always been her safe place, where nothing can hurt her. He’s also been the only man she’s never let herself want–screwing up their friendship isn’t worth one amazing night together.

They have too much history, and too much personal baggage to ever work. But if they are willing to take a chance on love–it might be worth the risk.

Book links:

(releasing tomorrow 3/13)

Synopsis:

It’s good to be on top… Asher Knox has it all. Girls, wealth, a career most would kill for. He’s just landed the biggest job of his career. And he’s miserable.

She’s fighting her way from the bottom… Megan Beauchamp has no illusions about why she was chosen to be Asher’s PA. She’s pretty, and down to earth, and everything the Hollywood star always falls for. Too bad Megan is just paying her dues and has no interest in anything but advancing at her PR firm.

He’ll throw it all away…Luca James knows what he wants. And he’s waited a long time for the window to open—when it does, he’ll walk away from the career he’s built for a chance at something real.

When Megan’s boss threatens to fire her, Luca and Asher convince her to leave town with them. Between bad hotels and pit stop confessionals, the three are drawn closer together. And the lines blur even more in Branton, where Megan is forced to look at everything she left behind. But when the boys want more, Megan will be forced to choose between the men she loves and the life she thought she wanted. And in a town like Branton, the secrets she keeps won’t be hidden for long.

Bonus Scene:

It’s fucking freezing. One of the nice things about Louisiana, supposedly, is that it’s warm. But this winter has been colder than a witches tit. And I’m about over it. I blow on my hands, stomping the mud off my shoes.

The office is quiet, this early. None of my staff have shown up. I don’t mind–I wanted the quiet to get some work done before I was forced to be the boss.

But leaving Scout sleeping in my bed was probably one of the harder things I’ve done. I keep thinking leaving her will get easier, or the sex would get a little less hot. That seeing her wouldn’t turn me on.

But it does. Every fucking time. It would be annoying as fuck, except I’m enjoying it too much.

Like last night…

Wait. Stop that shit right now. There will be plenty of time for that later, but right now I have several cases demanding my attention and I’m still too far behind.

Taking time off when she was in her accident was a no brainer. I had come too close to losing her to want to be farther than her bedside. But it didn’t mean it was easy to leave the practice. I was still feeling the effects of that and I had to get my shit together before Tripp decided to come back and nose around.

There’s a sharp rap on the front door and then Atti’s voice, “You here?”

It’s an annoying question. Or maybe everything about Atti is annoying me lately. I’m still pissed at him and he knows it.

“Office,” I yell.

A few seconds later, he appears in the doorway to my office and I stare at my best friend, not sure what to say.

Fuck it. This is his party–he came to me. He can decide what to say. I glance back at my paperwork and Atticus curses. Walks into the office and throws himself into one of the chairs across from me.

Scout sat in that chair, before I kissed her for the first time. Hmm. Possibly not the best train of thought at the moment.

Atticus

He’s staring at me, a tiny smile on his face easing the scowl I’ve seen too often in the past month.

“Avery bitched me out this morning,” I say, stretching my legs. The scowl eases a little more, and Dane actually smirks.

“Is that why you’re out of her bed this early in the morning?”

I nod, “Pretty much the only reason.”

He laughs and I feel the tension in the room relax. “Look, I’m sorry, man. I was wrong.”

Dane looks like he swallowed something insectile and it’s still wiggling. He shakes his head slowly. “I don’t think you get how bad you fucked up, Atticus.”

Avery said the same thing. I wondered, distantly, if they had discussed it, then dismissed the thought—Avery and Dane tolerated each other. They would never be friend, never be much more than they were now—cautiously trusting because of me.

“Explain it to me,” I say.

“If you need to have it explained, you aren’t going to understand.” He snaps, a hint of heat entering his voice.

“We’ve both made mistakes, Dane. You dumped coffee on Avery.”

“That,” he points at me, “was a fucking accident and you damn well know it. You told Scout I wasn’t good enough for her. You told me she wasn’t my business. You left her with me—time after time after time. And you never once had an issue with it, until we fell in love. Do you know how fucked up that is?”

He’s furious, and I don’t know why. I don’t understand why he’s this mad. “Explain it to me.” I say again.

“Fuck you, Grimes.” He snaps. “I’m good enough to be friends with her. I’m good enough to be the shoulder she cries on and to be her surrogate brother. I’m good enough to carry her secrets, but I’m not good enough to be with her? Fuck you to hell and back.” He stands and I sit still, reeling.

Is that what he thinks?

Well of course it is. I haven’t given him no reason to think otherwise.

“You know, I’ll do anything for you. Anything in the world. But I’m doing this for me. Scout and me—we’re good together. I won’t give that up because you think it’s a bad idea or I’m a douchebag.”

“I don’t want you to,” I say, hoarsely.

Dane hesitates, staring at me with narrowed eyes.

I sigh and shake my head. “She’s happier than I’ve ever seen her, man. And I know it’s because of you. You’re happy—when you aren’t yelling at me. Why do you think I’d want to take that from you?”

He gives me a flat stare and I nod. “Ok, so I get why you’d think that.” I hesitate, and then say, “I’m a shitty brother, man. I get that. I’m going to try to be better—Scout deserves better.”

“You are,” Dane agrees and I choke on my laughter. His eyes sparkle when he grins at me, and the last of the tension vanishes. My best friend is grinning at me, and I haven’t seen that—not really—in almost a month. “She doesn’t need you to be her safe place,” Dane says. “She’s got me for that.”

I nod, and stand. “She does. And she’s a lucky girl.”

Dane blinks, startled and I walk backward a few steps. “Think you can leave her home alone tomorrow night?”

“Why?”

“I want your opinion. I need to go shopping.” I say, “For Avery.”

A slow smile spreads across his face and I add, turning away, “Don’t get any ideas, Guillot.”

He laughs, a low rumble that makes me grin as I leave.

GOODREADS links:

THIS LOVE ~ BEAUTIFUL BROKEN ~ SWEET RUIN

About the author:

photo-11 Nazarea Andrews is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. She loves chocolate and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, and overgrown dog.

Site ~ Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Yes, Master by Margaret McHeyzer….Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Synopsis:

My uncle abused me.

I was 10 years old when it started.

At 13 he told me I was no longer wanted because I had started to develop.

At 16 I was ready to kill him.

Today, I’m broken.

Today, I only breathe to survive.

My name’s Sergeant Major Ryan Jenkins and today, I’m ready to tell you my story.

“Master would flog me if I did, she won’t be happy when I tell her what happened here.”

“Master?”

“Stella.”

Oh, Master.

Excerpt:

I startle awake as I leap off the bed and sprawl on the floor.

“Ry!” Mason yells from the other side of the door. I jump up off the floor and swing the bedroom door open.

“You scared the shit out of me, Mason.” I run my hand over my eyes and face trying to wake up. “What do you want, man?” But I’m met with silence. When I look over at Mase, he’s staring at my body. He’s mouth’s open and his eyes are so wide. He rakes his stare down my body, then back up again. He lifts an eyebrow as he ogles me. I look down and notice I’m completely naked. I fell asleep on my bed with just the towel wrapped around me and he scared me with his bashing that now I’m standing before him totally exposed.

He’s not moving away, and neither am I.

“Mason.” I lower my voice as he looks up at me and just stares.

He can see straight through me, totally bare and open, for him to see all my secrets.

“We need to leave in an hour,” Mase says as he takes a step closer to me.

I can feel his heat, and my body instantly reacts to him.

Don’t be a coward Ryan, just reach out and touch him.

His brown eyes turn from a hard brown into a molten chocolate as we stand a mere step apart from each other.

Our breathing is labored and rapid.

Mason reaches forward and brings his hand up to my chest, but before he touches me, his demeanor changes and he retracts it, dropping it beside his body.

“I can’t,” he whispers as he turns away from me and goes into his bedroom.

My head spins as I close my door and stand completely ashamed in my room.

He doesn’t want me.

Why would he?

I’m broken.

My Review:

Yes, Master is the first work of author Margaret McHeyzer’s that I have read and has definitely left an impression on me. Emotional, heartwrenching, intense and touching, this book is certainly not for everyone but I imagine those who have read it feel the same way…you can’t help but love Ryan and want desperately for him to get his happy ending.

By all outward appearances, Ryan Jenkins has tried to make the best of the life he has been given. To say it’s been hard would be a gross understatement. You see, Ryan had been sexually molested by his uncle from the time he was ten until he turned thirteen. As if that wasn’t bad enough, his uncle at times had invited friends to join in. Ryan’s teen years ended with his mother sending him away to the Army and that ended up being the best thing for him…..until now, when even that couldn’t help him anymore. The nightmares were back. The vial and unpleasant memories were back. Feelings of confusion and uncertainty threaten to take Ryan down…for good. Things start to chance when his best friend, Mason, comes to visit and he is introduced to a lifestyle he never would have imagined could help take control of his inner demons and darkest secrets. It was somewhat shocking finding out his best friend was into the world of BDSM, but what was even more shocking to Ryan was his curiosity into that world as well as his curiosity toward the beautiful blond Domme commanding Mason. Is it possible Ryan may have found a way to cope with his heinous past in BDSM? God, he hoped so….there wasn’t anywhere else to turn at this point.

To say that this novel was graphic and heartbreaking would be putting it mildly. Again, I will repeat that this book will not be for everyone. Don’t get me wrong, because I really did enjoy this book. Ryan’s story was so touching and I just kept thinking that I’m sure there are so many similar and very real stories out there like Ryan’s and that’s what kept me reading. I was pulling for him from the very beginning. After a failed marriage, a horrific childhood, and the struggle just to live day to day, I wanting nothing more than for Ryan to find some sort of peace and happiness. Luckily, his best friend Mason comes to visit at a most dire time and unknowingly helps Ryan. He had never told anyone of his darkest years and when he was finally able to open up, and take a chance with Mason and his Domme, it was an immeasurable leap in the right direction. There were many moments that had me crying and there were many moments that had me wondering if Ryan could ever move past his abuse. I won’t give anything away, but I will say that the ending had me elated. This story really held a message of hope and the possibility to heal was right around the corner.

Thank you, Margaret, for one hell of an emotional and touching read.

Four Loves

Yes, Master is ON SALE for only 99 PENNIES!!!

** AMAZON US * AMAZON UK * AMAZON AUS **

I don’t do ‘normal’.

I’ve found that the more I write, the more I like being different to other authors. I write in first person, and I love to challenge a reader.
I take the normal and switch it around.
For me, I really enjoy getting a reaction from a reader. So if I can evoke an emotion (regardless of if it’s the emotion the reader wants) then I figure that I’ve done my job as an author I want to be.
I really quite revel in taking people out of their comfort zones and pushing them to read something different.
My genre of writing is, well quite frankly, where ever my mind goes. I won’t label myself because I don’t like sticking to one genre.
My goal with writing is just to take people away from whatever is going on in their lives, even if it’s only for a split second.
I’m a go with the flow sort of person and don’t really take a course of action to get where I am going. I live in the moment and don’t usually worry about tomorrow because whatever life is due to bring me, I’ll be happy to accept.
I love my family and friends and will help anyway I can if someone needs it. I really don’t like people that are nasty just because they can be, I don’t believe that’s necessary, I mean life’s hard enough as it is!
I hope you enjoy my books, I’ve had a hoot writing them. There’s more to come…..
Til next time.

M xx

** Visit Margaret on FACEBOOK **

March 2014 New Releases New Reviews

Review….Turn Up the Heat by Kimberly Kincaid

by Jilly

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

“It’s not you.”

There are only so many times a girl can hear those words before she believes that it is, in fact, very much her. Unexpectedly jilted by her locally famous boyfriend and haunted by a boss who makes Attila the Hun look like a lap dog, Bellamy Blake does what any self-respecting girl in her shoes would do. She rounds up her two best girlfriends and makes plans to get the hell out of Dodge.

But Bellamy’s escape plan takes a nose dive on the side of rural route 164 when her transmission self-destructs, leaving her in the middle of a cell phone dead zone with nothing but her wits. Oh, and Shane Griffin, the hottest mechanic who’s ever checked under her hood.

Yet this small-town man isn’t all he seems. Can Shane and Bellamy prove that sometimes the most unlikely ingredients make the most deliciously sexy mix?

My Review:

Turn Up the Heat is the first book in author Kimberly’ Kincaid’s new Pine Mountain Series and being a huge fan of Kimberly’s I was SO excited about this book. And, yep! It was deliciously fantastic!

Bellamy Blake has had a really, really, REALLY crappy week. First, she finds out her newscaster boyfriend is moving to California without her (in essence dumping her) and now her car has decided to call it quits on the way to a girl’s weekend in the mountains leaving her to walk a few miles in the middle of nowhere to find help because of course there’s no cell service. Harumph. Oh, and add Bellamy’s horrid boss into the mix and yeah, it’s been a really crappy week. Just when she thinks it can’t get worse, she has to deal with a less-than-warm-and-fuzzy mechanic. Yes, he’s ruggedly sexy and built like a dream, but his charm is seriously lacking. Unfortunately for Bellamy he isn’t un-charming enough to keep from making appearances in her mind and when she and her girlfriends run into him at the local dive bar, she can’t help but feel an attraction between them. And neither can he. Could a fling with a smoking hot grease monkey be just what the doctor ordered to erase the memories of this past week?

Shane Griffin did not need to get involved with a girl from the city. For far too many reasons to count and too many reasons he is trying to leave behind. Even though she was stunning and held a fire within her that had her giving as good as he gave, he shouldn’t be thinking about her. But hell, that’ was easier said than done. Especially when she seems to be everywhere he goes. First the market and now here at the bar. He wouldn’t have much luck staying away from her at this rate. The more frightening thought is that he didn’t exactly want to stay away from her. Yep, he was screwed…

What starts out as a tit-for-tat verbal fencing kind of relationship between Bellamy and Shane soon turns into a smoking hot attraction that refuses to burn out. An attraction that will pull them together and turn a weekend fling into the promise of so much more. Bellamy is soon questioning what truly makes her happy and may want to take a leap while Shane is questioning if he should tell Bellamy the truth of who he is. Can two people who seem to be such opposites turn out to be more alike than they could have imagined?

Oh man, I loved this story! Kimberly writes such an amazing balance between sweet and spicy that I found myself devouring this book and wanting seconds! Shane is sex on a grease stained, flannel clad stick. He is a little gruff to start but yields deliciously as the story progresses. He’s smart and skilled and has a big heart, even if he doesn’t like to admit it. He is hiding something for most of the book and that added even more to the mystery of him and I loved that aspect of it. (my lips are sealed as to what that secret is!) Bellamy is a real spitfire. She has some witty lines that had me wanting to high five her through the pages. She really needs the karmic universe to cut her a break and although she doesn’t realize it yet, being stuck in Pine Mountain with Shane is exactly that break. I loved these two together and the smexy scenes are delicious. Really freaking delicious! Oh, and the ending? It could not be more amazing and perfect and sweet and sexy and, well, awesome!

And of course, I can’t write this review without mentioning Bellamy’s girlfirneds. They are such a fun and entertaining support system. I would go away with these gals any time!

If you love a steamy romance with wonderfully written characters, this is a book for you! Thank you, Kimberly, for giving us Bellamy and Shane. I cannot wait for more from Pine Mountian!

Four Loves

About the author:

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. When she’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a 2011 RWA Golden Heart® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. Kimberly resides in northern Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

March 2014 New Releases New Reviews

ARC Review…Captured in Surrender by Liliana Hart

by Jilly

Captured in Surrender cover

Book links:

Kindle ~ Amazon paperback ~ Goodreads ~ 1001 Dark Nights

Synopsis:

This is a story about one of Cooper’s deputies so is a story that is very loosely connected to the MacKenzies, but is a standalone and can be read separate from the series.

Bounty Hunter Naya Blade never thought she’d step foot in Surrender, Montana again. Especially since there was a warrant out for her arrest. But when her skip ends up in the normally peaceful town, she has no choice but to go after him to claim her reward. Even at the cost of running into the cop that makes her blood run hot and her sense of self-preservation run cold.

Deputy Lane Greyson wants to see Naya in handcuffs, but he’d much prefer them attached to his bed instead of in a cold jail cell. She drove him crazy once before and then drove right out of town, leaving havoc in her wake. He’s determined to help her hunt down the bad guy so he can claim his own bounty—her.

My review:

Captured in Surrender is a novella by Liliana Hart and is the third novella in the 1,001 Dark Nights Series as well as connected to her MacKenzies Series. I have read, and loved, a few of Liliana’s other works and was so excited to read this novella. Well, from start to finish this story was deliciously fantastic!

Hot on the trail of her latest fugitive, bounty hunter Naya Blade can’t believe her luck and that’s she ended up back in Surrender. A town she never wanted to see again. Sure, the whole bar fight and trouble her brother had gotten her involved in and subsequent arrest warrant had something to do with it, but the bigger problem was Lane Greyson. Lane, the hot, sexy, strong and silent Sheriff’s Deputy. The fling she had with him last time she was in this town had stayed with her far too long. Longer than it should have and it scared the hell out of her. She couldn’t afford to get involved with a guy, especially a guy who had the potential to steal her heart…like Lane did.

Deputy Lane Greyson can’t believe she is back. He couldn’t get Naya out of his mind since her last whirlwind visit to Surrender and now that she was back, he knew he was in trouble. There was no way he would let her get away again. She was the second good thing he’s been able to find since leaving the army. The first being the town of Surrender itself. First order of business though was to get her arrest warrant taken care of and while he had her in handcuffs he planned on showing her exactly how much she’s affected him since she left…

Both hurt by loss in their pasts will end up bringing Lane and Naya closer than they had thought possible and will solidify their attraction…but will it be enough to build a real relationship on?

Holy yum, Batman! This novella was beyond smoking hot! The sexual tension between Lane and Naya was palpable from their very first encounter in this story and just got better (and hotter) from there. Lane has been somewhat of a loner and lives a very simple life in Surrender but wants Naya with a passion that I could feel and I loved that about him. He isn’t going to let her get away and the convincing he does to get her to stay is pretty amazing. Naya is a strong gal with a take no prisoners attitude but she’s not too stubborn to realize that Lane is pretty special. They end up working really well together in more ways then one and I really enjoyed their story! Oh, and did I mention it was SMOKING HOT? Man, the jail cell scene has me fanning myself while I’m typing this….

So, if you’re looking for strong characters with some action and plenty of heat, this is a story for you! Liliana fans will love this addition and if you haven’t read any of her work, this is a great place to get a taste! Thank you, Liliana, for an amazing story!

Five Loves

liliana teaser 4 final

About the author:

Liliana Hart spent five years teaching music in the public education system. She molded America’s youth, busted kids for smoking pot in the restrooms, and broke up illicit affairs behind the stage on a regular basis. She finally decided to hang up her hat and let someone else have all the fun. (Liliana’s Addison Holmes Mystery Series, about a small town teacher who gets into a whole lot of trouble, is somewhat autobiographical, but she won’t confess to which parts).

Liliana began reading romance novels with all her new found free time, and when she ran out of things to read, she decided to write her own novels. The result was a 150,000 word thriller—a dazzling adventure—where the heroine was a thirty-year-old virgin assassin (Yes, you read that right). She couldn’t imagine why people weren’t knocking down her door to read it, but she persevered and began writing a second book. She finally got the hang of things, and eventually learned that losing one’s virginity wasn’t all that romantic after all. All of her books involve some kind of suspense (she just can’t help herself), laughter, and a lot of steamy sex.

Since self-publishing in June of 2011, she’s sold more than 2 million ebooks all over the world, hit both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists, and been nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. Liliana is addicted to reading, kickboxing, and Bones. She lives in a big, rambling house in Texas with a couple of cats to keep her company. She loves to get emails from readers.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest

FB: https://www.facebook.com/StephNussAuthor

Wanted By You by Steph Nuss….Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Steph Nuss and Bandit Publishing are excited to share with you the RELEASE of “Wanted by You” by Steph Nuss. Make sure to check out the preview on itunes, add to your Goodreads, pick up your copy and enter the GIVEAWAY below for SIGNED PAPERBACKS and Amazon & iTunes GIFT CARDS! Don’t forget to join us at the Release Day and Blog Tour Event starting on February 27th – join by clicking the below link.

NOW AVAILABLE!

Synopsis:

Carter was captivated by Ellyson Evans the moment he laid eyes on her, but she was the one girl who didn’t beg for his attention.

He wanted her.

Ellyson vowed to never fall in love, because love can destroy you, but then she met Carter Jennings.

She wanted him.

Unwilling to risk their comfortable friendship, neither confessed their desires.

Losing touch after college, a chance meeting reconnects them.

They want each other.

But love in the city is never quite that easy.

My Review:

Wanted By You is the debut novel from author Steph Nuss and the first in her Love in the City Series. Wow…what a kick ass debut. I loved this book!

Carter and Ellyson met the very first day of their college career and became fast and close friends. But that’s all they ever were. Close friends. Oh, not because they didn’t have feelings that went beyond that because they both did. They both also had reasons for never acting upon those feelings and so it stayed in the ‘friend zone” for them. Soon college would be over and Carter had to head home to Texas to help his family’s business and they lost touch. Fast forward to five years later….

Carter Jennings can’t believe he’s finally back in New York and has landed a fabulous job as an English professor at his college alma matter. Of course being back here reminds him of Ellyson and has him wondering even more what she is doing these days and where she is. He can’t believe he let her slip away from him five years ago. He knew now without a doubt that she was the one woman for him. Now that he’s getting his life together back in NY, he knows his next mission is to tack her down. Little did he know that he wouldn’t have to look too far…

Psychologist Ellyson Evans has made her dreams come true after graduation by opening her own practice and doing what she’s dreamed of. Mental health and helping others. She loved being able to stay in New York and stay close to her dad. After losing her mom to cancer when she was younger, he was her only family and she wouldn’t dream of leaving. Not even to move to Texas. Not that Carter had asked her anything like that when he left. Elly was the one who secretly pined for Carter, not the other way around. She still missed him every day, even five years later. Turns out she wouldn’t have to miss him much more when she runs into him while visiting a professor friend and immediately knows she won’t let him get away twice.

Fate clearly had a plan for Carter and Elly and brought them back together at just the right time. It may have taken five years, but now they were both ready to admit their feelings and give love a try. But would it be enough to get past old fears?

Oh my, how I loved this book! I read it on my flight home from vacation and the poor man in front of me had to deal with my giggling, dreamy sighs and ugly tears….but I couldn’t help it! Carter and Elly’s story is just so good! I loved getting to read when they met and how close they became but what I loved more was that they went their separate ways and came back older and wiser. They were able to grow together as well as apart and when they were ultimately reunited, they were ready to admit they both held feelings that went much deeper than friends. Carter is just so amazing. He is sexy, smart, caring, and will do anything for Elly. He practically does. He had me in a puddle of lovey-dovey goo by the end of this book. Seriously, he may be one of the most perfect guys ever. He’s there for Elly when she needs him most (no spoilers but I will say she goes through some serious things and will really need him!) and I loved him even more for that. Elly is a great match for Carter. She is smart, beautiful, confident, and kind. She is also afraid. Afraid of loving and losing…the way she lost her mother. Luckily for her, Carter isn’t one to back away when the road gets rough.

The ending to this book was simply perfect and had me crying happy tears and grinning a big goofy grin. Oh, how I loved it!

There’s also a fabulous cast of characters in Carter and Elly’s friends. I can’t wait to read more of this series!

Thank you, Steph, for a fabulous book and for giving us Carter and Elly!

Four Loves

Steph Nuss was born and raised in rural Kansas, where she currently resides with her black Labrador son named Gunner. She grew up with a passion for reading and writing. When she’s not immersed into the land of fiction, she enjoys listening to music that came before her time, watching movies and reruns of her favorite shows, and hanging out with her family and friends. She also has a bachelor’s degree in psychology that she’ll never use…unless she’s profiling her characters of course.

Website: http://stephnuss.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephNuss13

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7392900.Steph_Nuss

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/StephNuss13/

Blog Tour March 2014 New Releases New Reviews

Cree by HJ Bellus….Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

As soon as I felt him go, I let go again, thrusting and rubbing on him as much as I could, milking every last sensation out of him.

My Way Series by H.J. Bellus

Whose parents abandon them in a trashy trailer when they are five years old? Oh Yeah! Mine do!

Hey Hoochies! I’m Milly, and I am tired of taking kicks to the gut. A broken family, an asshole husband and the loss of loved ones have left me crying Uncle, and declaring a serious case of the Fuck-Its!

I had my heart broken, stomped on and shattered before I ever started on my journey to find my little piece of happiness. With a bucket list, a ’66 Ford and wild dreams, I set out on an adventure that changed my life forever.

I found Cree…

A pirate with a little princess and they swept me off my ever lovin’ feet, filling my world with sprinkles, mac n’ cheese and the courage to live again.

They forced my fragile heart to trust and love without fear.

But the truth is, nobody’s past stays hidden forever. It’s an invisible monster waiting to attack and destroy. It has the capability to ruin everything you’ve worked to set right.

All it takes is one final blow to the gut to end everything…

My review:

Cree is the debut work from author H. J. Bellus and let me say, she started her writing career with a real bang! I was already hooked after reading the synopsis….and it only got better from there!

Milly starts out her story by giving us a glimpse into her awfully sad childhood…and I was crying by the second page. Things don’t really improve much for the funny, spirited, entertaining southern gal until the loss of the only person that has ever truly mattered in her life. That’s when Milly decides it’s time to take control of her life and happiness. This is where the fun begins! Starting off with a bucket list “thingy”, Milly takes us on an emotional ride that had be laughing hysterically one minute and crying the next. C’mon, you all know I love that kind of book! After she decides on a new place to start her new life, she finds true friendship and gets a chance at real love. We meet some amazing characters along the way…Lacey, her new BFF, and Cree, the new man in her life but typical for Milly, things are never easy. Cree has a past, and even though Milly is willing to take a chance and look past it, the past comes back to bite them in the ass. But Milly isn’t going to give up her new amazing life without a fight…and it’s one she’s determined to win.

I adored this book! ADORED! I finished it in a day, it was that good. Milly is just too amazing. She’s fun and bright and foul-mouthed and simply incredible. Her outlook on the craptastic cards life has dealt her is truly admirable. Life handed her lemons and she turned it into a spiked lemonade cocktail with a paper umbrella! She is a gal I would love to hang out with! Cree is freaking drool-worthy to the max. He’s gorgeous with a charm about him that had me sighing out loud on more than one occasion. Don’t even get me started on his magic sprinkles! (can’t spoil it for you, you just gotta read the book!) He is one hell of a catch and together Milly and Cree are book-couple perfection. They each bring the missing piece into one another’s lives and it’s magical to see play out.

I also have to mention that Lacey and Milly together are freaking HILARIOUS and have language that gives an insight on what girl talk is really like…at least for me and my gals it is!

So, add this book to your summer reading list and sit back and enjoy the ride….I know it’s going to be a book I will be recommending for quite some time! Thank you, H.J., for a kick-ass read and I can’t wait for more!

Five Loves

Also Check Out Book #2 in the My Way Series:

Coming Soon… May 2014
Miles- Book #3

Contact H.J. Bellus on Facebook (Click image)

Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros…Embrace Entangled Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Embrace Entangled Tour!

I was lucky to be a part of this tour and review Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros and I loved it!

Thank you for stopping by… please enjoy my review and be sure to enter the tour-wide rafflecopter below!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

Three knocks can change everything…

“She knew. That’s why Mom hadn’t opened the door. She knew he was dead.”

Twenty years as an army brat and Ember Howard knew, too. The soldiers at the door meant her dad was never coming home. What she didn’t know was how she would find the strength to singlehandedly care for her crumbling family when her mom falls apart.

Then Josh Walker enters her life. Hockey star, her new next-door neighbor, and not to mention the most delicious hands that insist on saving her over and over again. He has a way of erasing the pain with a single look, a single touch. As much as she wants to turn off her feelings and endure the heartache on her own, she can’t deny their intense attraction.

Until Josh’s secret shatters their world. And Ember must decide if he’s worth the risk that comes with loving a man who could strip her bare.

My review:

Full Measures is the debut from author Rebecca Yarros and one of the most amazing debut novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I will warn you now; this may be one of the hardest reviews I have ever had to write. Not for any other reason than I loved this book so much and I hope I can convey my feelings adequately. (feel free to ignore my blubbering from this point on and just buy this book….because it’s that good.)

When Ember Howard’s little brother came into her room that morning and said there was someone at the door, and her mother wasn’t answering it, she knew her life would never be the same. The men in uniform standing on the other side of her front door waiting to deliver their life-altering news would be certain of that. Now came the choice: break down or be the only person holding it together. Her father was dead. An army surgeon….killed in action. Her mother shuts down, her sister checks out and her little brother needed her. She could do this. Little did Ember know she would find strength in her brother’s hockey coach, and former high school hockey star slash huge past crush, Josh Walker. He’s different now, Ember realizes. He was something back then, but now? Now he was so much more. Mature, kind, patient, gorgeous, sexy…the whole package. Beyond that he will prove to be the rock she so desperately needs and will ignite the flame she had dismissed as a teenage crush. Could she be so lucky to call Josh Walker hers?

Josh Walker has more of a connection with Ember Howard’s family than he hopes she will ever know. Because if she ever knew how deep his connection went, she would never speak to him again. After losing her father, he knew she needed someone to help her carry the burden of caring for her family until her mom got herself together and he wanted to be that man. Wanted it with a passion he knew he couldn’t deny. As he and Ember spend more and more time together he knows he’s falling deeper and deeper and he’s so scared of losing her. He’s determined to do any and everything he can to prevent that from happening…but deep down he knows eventually she will find out the secret he’s hiding. Will the love they’ve found be strong enough to keep them together?

The stakes are high when you’re dealing with love this deep and intense and with emotions running high from an unimaginable loss, the obstacles Ember and Josh have to overcome are immense.

I can’t say that I remember that last time I got this emotional over a book. Yes, a whole lot of books make me cry but holy hell, this book had me sobbing uncontrollably. Please, don’t let that turn you away from reading this book. The emotions were intense from the very first few pages and carried on throughout but it was unlike recent books I have read in the sense that the emotions weren’t centered on one single relationship. These emotions were from a loss of a father, husband, son, and soldier and they were so very real and incredibly touching.

Ember is a heroine that commanded my respect from the very first chapter. She was able to push her own emotions aside to help care for her family. That, to me, is beyond admirable. She was strong when she needed to be and but her share of breakdowns and it gave her such a real feeling. Josh is just amazing. He gave Ember exactly what she needed, even if she didn’t realize it at the time. He was patient with her, and kind and caring beyond belief for a handsome guy with a player reputation. He goes down as one of the most amazing book boyfriends. And knowing how many books I’ve read, that’s saying something. The heat and chemistry between them was delectable and builds at a delicious pace…with Josh being the quintessential gentleman the entire book. He is just too amazing for words.

Ok, the secret that he’s keeping? Whoa. I can’t give it away but I will say this: just when I thought I had cried all the tears I could shed for this book, the waterworks were back. Full force. Big, ugly cry. That being said, I couldn’t be mad at Josh. In fact, I loved him even more and it in the end it brought a deeper meaning to Ember and Josh’s relationship and the relationship he has to her family.

Now, if you’ve stayed with me up until this point, I hope I’ve conveyed to you just how amazing this book is. I gave it a “five loves” and I would give it more than that if my rating system went higher. Rebecca poured heart and soul into this story and it showed with every page. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this awesome up and coming author!

Thank you, Rebecca, for giving me puffy eyes and for giving us Ember, Josh and this incredibly amazing story!

Five Loves

Giveaway:

About the author:

Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and lover of all things chocolate, coffee, and Paleo. In addition to being a mom, military wife, and blogger, she can never choose between Young Adult and New Adult fiction, so she writes both. She’s a graduate of Troy University, where she studied European history and English, but still holds out hope for an acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Her blog, The Only Girl Among Boys, has been voted the Top Military Mom Blog the last two years, and celebrates the complex issues surrounding the military life she adores.

When she’s not writing, she’s tying on hockey skates for her kids, or sneaking in some guitar time. She is madly in love with her army-aviator husband of eleven years, and they’re currently stationed in Upstate NY with their gaggle of rambunctious kiddos and snoring English Bulldog, but she would always rather be home in Colorado.

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Author Goodreads

Love, Lies & The D.A. by Rebecca Rohman…Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Love, Lies & The D.A. by Rebecca Rohman Blog Tour.

Thanks for stopping by and please enjoy my review!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Jada McLean is about to get married in nine days, when she walks in on her fiancé in a little more than a compromising position. Days later, she’s on a trip that she intends to be relaxing and a prelude to her fresh start, when she runs into the rude, obnoxious, but gorgeous Jonathan Kole.

Jonathan Kole is San Francisco’s newest District Attorney. When he finds himself deeply attracted to a stunning beauty, he has no idea that she’s about to get into BIG trouble with the law—and he’ll be the one presiding over her trial. To make matters worse, his father is the lawyer representing her in the high-profile case.

When a series of events force them together over New Year’s weekend, Jonathan’s feelings and ethics will come into question, while Jada comes to terms with the fact that she is falling for the man that will be responsible for attempting to put her behind bars… Little do they know, they’re both about to fall into a whirlwind so deep, it will send both their lives spiraling out of control.

My review:

Love, Lies and the D.A. is the latest release from author Rebecca Rohman and the first of her work I have read. Well, Rebecca has a new fan in this blogger. This book was wonderful.

Young, beautiful, smart, savvy and über successful businesswoman Jada McLean has worked hard at building her popular up-and-coming hotel chain and is now just a week away from the next meaningful chapter in her life….her wedding. It’s in preparation for that day that she heads home early one afternoon and finds her fiancée and her best friend in a very compromising position. A very naked, bent over her desk, hot and sweaty compromising position. Immediately Jada calls off the wedding and cuts her now EX-fiancée and EX-best friend out of her life. Trying to seek some solace and time alone, Jada heads to Lake Tahoe and almost immediately upon arriving meets an arrogant man who irritates her every time they run into one another. Unfortunately that seems to be an awful lot. Just when she can’t imagine things getting much worse, she gets the horrible news that her ex-fiancée has been murdered. Now, instead of mending a broken heart, Jada finds herself a suspect in his murder investigation. Jada also finds herself getting closer and feeling a bit warmer to the irritating man, who just happens to be the D.A.

Jonathan Kole has just been appointed to the position of D.A. and he couldn’t be happier. He’s smart, handsome and things seem to be going well…unless you count how many times he’s put his foot in his mouth with the beautiful new face around town in Lake Tahoe. It seems he can’t manage to stop being a jerk around him and he needs to change that. He gets his chance when she becomes his father’s law firm’s client and he starts seeing more and more of her. Jonathan also realizes that she is completely off-limits and could be career suicide considering her suspected role in a murder but he can’t help it. She needs a shoulder to lean on and dammit; he wants to be the one. Is she worth risking it all?

What starts out as a relationship of annoyance between them slowly builds into more when Jada and Jonathan find themselves in the middle of some intense situations. Murder, kidnapping, theft, and deceit, just to name a few. But can something good and true come from such an impure origin? Only time will tell.

This story started out with a one-two punch in chapter one and just got better from that point on. Jada has ben dealt quite a crappy hand and needs to pick up the pieces. That proves to be easier said than done and the hits just keep coming for her. Luckily, even though Jada and Jonathan’s relationship started out a bit strained, they find out pretty quickly that the attraction they feel is something that shouldn’t be pushed aside. In the meantime, the investigation into Jada’s ex-fiancée’s murder leads to some incredible findings that involve many more players in a plot that I never expected. I can’t give anything away but I will tell you this: You will be on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Oh, and the epilogue? Simply perfect. I had a big grin when I read it and let out a happy sigh.

If you enjoy romantic suspense with every emotion packed into the pages, this is definitely a book for you! Thank you, Rebecca, for an amazing story!

Four Loves

Excerpt:

The pretty, young host escorts me to a table for two near a window with panoramic water vistas. Within minutes, a server takes my order. As my café latté arrives, I can’t help but overhear a rude exchange between a man and his leggy blonde with the host that escorted me to my seat.

“Look, I reserved that exact seat yesterday,” he says.

“I apologize sir, but that seat is not available,” the host replies.

“Well, if you were doing your job in the first place, it would be available to me, wouldn’t it?”

“Sir, I’m sorry for the error, but it wasn’t written here. If you like, you can wait at the bar where I’ll be happy to serve you a complimentary beverage of your choice while you wait, or I can accommodate you at an available table now.”

I can’t help but look to see who this asshole is.

Everything about him smells of money. From the designer jeans that hug his ass, all the way to the Jaeger Reverso watch that graces his wrist. He’s hot—probably in his mid to late thirties, tall, broad shoulders, piercing grey eyes, and a head of black hair like I’ve never seen.

Ordinarily, I might have found him attractive, if only he would just shut up.

Everything he says to that poor young girl, who has tried so hard to rectify someone else’s mistake, pisses me off. He’s been nothing but rude and condescending. As I look up, my eyes land straight on his. Then I realize they’re all looking my way. I turn around to look behind me, but there is no one. Then it dawns on me that he’s arguing with the host about my seat.

My meal arrives. I mind my business, and I proceed to enjoy it. Before I know it, I see him approaching my table. I pretend not to notice and focus all my attention on my lemon ricotta pancakes before me, but within seconds, he stands beside me.

“Excuse me, my name is Jonathan Kole. Would you mind terribly if you were seated elsewhere?”

My eyes travel across my pancakes to his broad thighs, to his crotch, and to what I suspect is an extremely trimmed stomach beyond his black ribbed sweater. Then I stare into his grey eyes in silence.

“You see, my girlfriend and I met right here at this table a year ago, and I wanted to propose to her. Here. Today.”

“Actually, Jonathan, I do mind. Seeing that I’m enjoying my meal, surely you wouldn’t mind waiting until I’m done. Or perhaps you can let that polite host, who has done everything possible to accommodate you, have you seated elsewhere.”

“Do you have any idea who I am?” he asks.

Asshole! Your name might sound familiar but who cares…

“No. You could be the king of England and I wouldn’t give a damn.”

“Who the hell do you think you are?”

“You really want to know?” I ask quietly.

He lowers his head slightly, as if he’s seriously interested.

“I am a woman who walked in on her fiancé screwing her best friend one week before her wedding, so forgive me if I’m not in a sentimental mood.”

His mouth drops open at my response.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, Mr. Kole, I’d really like to enjoy my brunch.”

His piercing grey eyes are glaring into mine. I know he’s angry. His temple pulsates as he stares at me. He walks away completely flushed.

I don’t care. Perhaps if he had been nicer to that host I would have considered his request. However, because he comes from money doesn’t give him the right to speak to people any which way he wishes.

I continue to enjoy my meal and notice him walking hand in hand to the bar with Malibu Barbie. Half an hour later, I ask for the check then purposely make him wait an additional five minutes before I leave.

On the way out, the host looks at me bright-eyed. “No one ever speaks to Mr. Kole that way, Miss McLean.”

“Well, it’s time someone taught him some manners,” I reply. I hand her a healthy tip, and I’m on my way.

Giveaway:

About the author:

Rebecca Rohman is a wife and designer currently living in the Northeastern United States. She was a Sales Manager for a tourist magazine, and for many years prior, she was involved in marketing for a jewelry company, and later for a fine wine distributor.

About fifteen years ago, she started writing her first romance novel, Uncorked, just to purely entertain herself. It was not until early in 2012 when she decided to complete it and share it with the world. The story was published in February of 2013. Love, Lies & The D.A. is her second novel.

www.RebeccaRohman.com ~ Facebook Rebecca Rohman Page ~ Facebook Love Lies & The D.A. Page ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Blog Tour February 2014 New Reviews

In the Stars by Joan Duszynski….Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the In the Stars by Joan Duszynski Blog Tour.

I have my review to share with you all today as well as info on the tour wide giveaway and other fun things!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

Book links:

GoodReads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

Caroline Reyes is starting her second year of college nothing like the first. Following a car accident over the summer with her best friend Raleigh she is now stuck with a bitch for a roommate as Raleigh recovers at home.

One Saturday morning starts off with a bang, literally at Caroline’s door and leads to her needing to comfort a very distraught stranger. This brings Caroline into her first run in with Eric. She feels completely lust driven at just the sight of him, even though his words just piss her off. She can’t shake the sensations running thru her though even after their brief meeting is over. Then comes Kyle and he is determined to get to know Caroline better and she feels the same way dismissing her earlier run in as just crazy hormones.

Now she is left with decisions having to be made and knowing someone is going to get hurt in the process. That someone could be her alone.

Caroline has always looked into the stars for comfort and reassurance since she was a little girl with her Daddy. Now she is looking up into them praying for the right answers and hoping they can help her along with her Daddy who is amongst them now.

My review:

In the Stars is the debut work from author Joan Duszynski and kicks off her In the Moments Series. It was a sweet and hot beginning with potential to sizzle more as the series continues.

College sophomore Caroline Reyes is woken up early one morning by a very angry “other woman” and has no way of knowing it at the time, but things are about to change in almost status quo life. Turns out the angry gal, Tara, is the girlfriend of the guy her roommate has been shagging. They soon form a friendship that will introduce Caroline to a deliciously hot police detective….Tara’s brother. But before Caroline can explore that attraction, she catches the attention of a hottie physical therapist while attending one of her best friend’s therapy sessions. Torn between the two, Caroline finds herself wondering which her heart will end up choosing.

I enjoyed this book and the rock and hard place Caroline is stuck between is a pretty yummy place to be. Both of her love interests have great qualities and she certainly has a tough choice. The was a delicious build up and slow burn throughout the whole book and it ended with the choice of guy I would have made for myself. There was plenty of steamy scenes and they were written really well *fans self*. Of course, my lips are sealed and I can’t reveal who it is! I look forward to see what the rest of the series holds for Caroline, Tara and the gang as In the Stars builds a pretty good foundation for the series ahead.

Thank you, Joan, for an enjoyable read!

Three-and-a-Half Loves

Giveaway:

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

About the author:

I live inVirginia with my husband and our three wonderful (at least typically wonderful) children. I love the privacy I have back in the woods surrounding our home. Honestly thru out my school years I was not a big reader then something amazing happened and I finally opened up my mind to the world of stories. I have some of the greatest and most supportive friends ever that without my sanity might be gone.

Facebook ~ Goodreads