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Blog Tour February 2014 New Releases New Reviews

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Tyler & Stella (Tattoo Thief #2) by Heidi Joy Tretheway…Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Tyler& Stella by Heidi Joy Tretheway Blog Tour!

Thanks for stopping by and please enjoy my review!

Book links:

Kindle | B&N | Print via Amazon | Createspace

Synopsis:

Stella Ramsey always says bad boys can’t break your heart. They don’t call, don’t cuddle and don’t send flowers—but what do you expect? For Stella, no strings means no regrets.

When the biggest story of her fledgling career as a music journalist nearly ruins her relationship with her best friend, Stella has one chance to redeem herself. Tyler Walsh could be that chance.

Stella promises the bassist for the rock band Tattoo Thief anything in exchange for behind-the-scenes access. But Tyler doesn’t want anything. He wants everything—and that’s more than Stella is prepared to give.

When Tyler’s explosive secret thrusts Stella into the media spotlight, she must choose between the selling the story and telling the truth—and exposing the truth about herself as well.

Tyler & Stella (Tattoo Thief #2) is a sizzling story of lust, lies, and sacrifice, revealing how much love can forgive.

My review:

Tyler & Stella is the second book in author Heidi Joy Trethway’s Tattoo Thief Series and the first in the series I have read. Well, after reading this book I have added this series as one I will be looking forward to more from. I freaking loved this book!

Anxiously looking for a way to further her music journalism career, Stella Ramsey knows she is holding that very thing in the palm of her hand. Literally. But she also knows that if she leaks what she has, she won’t just be reporting an über exclusive piece on hot rock band Tattoo Thief, she will be risking losing her best friend and her best friend’s trust. Without really thinking her actions through, she leaks it anyway and regrets it immediately. Now Stella finds herself having to gain her friend’s trust back. She also has to get more stories on Tattoo Thief, which means she’s going to have to gain their trust back as well. Enter Tyler Walsh. As Tattoo Thief’s hot and sexy bassist he steps in and gives her a chance to fix things while giving her material for a story. Tyler seems to good to be true but Stella knows all about the bad boy rocker types. The thing is, Tyler keeps surprising her. He turns out to be unlike any preconceived notion she had about him and that becomes dangerous. Dangerous because Stella doesn’t do the whole nice guy thing. She’s used to dysfunction and hurt. It’s all she’s known when it comes to guys. Could Tyler be the one to change her mind? The better question is, would Stella ever feel worthy of a guy like Tyler?

Rock star bassist Tyler Walsh has learned the hard way that he’s got to keep his guard up. He went from awkward teen to gorgeous and sexy rock star in such a short amount of time that he still isn’t used to all the attention that comes along with it. It was hard believing a girl wanted him for him and not just his fame and face. Then came Stella. She was sort of a mess when they met and he knew he could help her. He wanted to help her. The problem was he had to keep her at arm’s length until he got to know her better. Tyler finds himself hoping beyond hope that Stella could see past all the hype and into who he really is. He was willing to give her everything if she could do just that.

The attraction and chemistry between Tyler and Stella is positively delicious and they both feel it. But with old trust issues and constantly being in the spotlight, will they be able to find something true and real in a world of hype and tabloids?

*Dreamy sigh* Oh, how I loved this book. From the very beginning the story grabbed me and I was kept in its hold until the very end. I devoured it in 24 hours and loved every minute. Stella is kind of a mess. She drinks too much and hurt her best friend. She’s got a messed up past that has cut her deep emotionally and in turn has made her self-worth take a nosedive. But I loved her. She is raw, gritty and fresh at the same time. She wasn’t the flawless heroine that every guy drools over and I truly enjoyed that facet of her as a character. As for Tyler, all I can say is: yes, please! Talk about the complete opposite of the rock god persona. He is so amazing. He’s the good guy in a bad boy role. He’s kind and warm and has a huge heart. He’s got his share of secrets that he holds close to his vest and rightfully so. He treats Stella with such care both physically and emotionally and I absolutely fell in love with him. He is one of those book guys that I will hold future book guys up to for quite some time. I think one of the reasons I enjoyed this story so much was that Stella and Tyler’s roles were almost reversed. She was the one in need of love and kindness and he was the one who had so much love to give. The build up of heat between them was perfect. It was ever-present but acting on it was something that took time and when it finally happened it was sublime.

The secrets that both Stella and Tyler are keeping are two pretty big doozies and I let out a huge “whoa” when one of Tyler’s was revealed. Never saw it coming throughout the whole book. I love being shocked like that!

Overall if you love a good guy saving a damsel in distress with a modern rock and roll twist, this is a book for you! Thank you, Heidi Joy, for an amazing story! I can’t wait to see what’s next for Tattoo Thief!

Five Loves

About the author:

Heidi Joy lives in Happy Valley off Sunnyside Road. She swears she did not make that up.

Heidi’s obsessed with storytelling. Her career includes marketing, journalism, and a delicious few years as a food columnist. Media passes took her backstage with several rock bands, where she learned that sometimes a wardrobe malfunction is exactly what the rock star intends.

You’ll most often find Heidi Joy with her husband and two small kids cooking, fishing, exploring the Northwest, and building epic forts in their living room.

She loves to hear from readers via messages at facebook.com/author.heidi.

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads | Tyler & Stella Goodreads

Reaper’s Touch by Eleri Stone….Guest Post & Review

by Jilly

Happy Friday!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I recently read Reaper’s Touch by Eleri Stone and really enjoyed it. I was also lucky enough to have Eleri stop by the blog with a fabulous guest post!

Please enjoy and thanks again for visiting!

Book links:

February 2014 Guest Post New Reviews

Synopsis:

Abby is a Ranger, part of an elite group who defend the border against Reapers—humans infected with a parasite that turns them into mindless cannibals. Rangers are immune to Reaper infection, and as one of the only female Rangers, Abby is expected to settle down and breed more Rangers—a fate she’s keen to avoid. When she’s ambushed on the plains, she’s ready to go out with guns blazing—until a mysterious, handsome cowboy rides to her rescue.

Jake has his own motives for helping Abby, beyond aiding a damsel in distress. He’s a Reaper, and while he’s learned to wrest control of his mind from the parasite, the effects won’t last without a permanent cure. And he needs Abby to get it.

Abby and Jake are natural enemies and unlikely partners. But when their search reveals a conspiracy between Reapers and the rich industrialists who own the mountain cities, they must work together to find the cure—or lose the border, and each other, forever.

My review:

Reaper’s Touch by author Eleri Stone is a cowboy meets zombie story with a steam punk feel that I really, really enjoyed!

One of a very few female Rangers, Abby is a rare breed. She is part of a select group born to defend the population against the Reapers….or zombies as we know them. These reapers are infected humans that have been taken over by a parasite and have turned from normal people to cannibals. The Rangers are blessed with the immunity of that parasite which makes them perfect to police the infected and keep the uninfected safe. Rangers rely not only on their physical training to fight but also an innate ability to actually sense a Reaper’s presence. It’s that combo that has kept Abby on the battlefield and not in a Ranger village somewhere having little ranger babies, which is what most female Rangers did. So not Abby’s style. So when Abby is sent to give a message to another Ranger camp, she is a little suspicious that her Captain may be setting a retirement in motion for her. Being strong-willed, Abby agrees to go on the mission but knows to keep her guard up. She was never going to do anything other than fight. That’s what she was good at. Imagine her surprise when the training she has relied on fails her when she meets Jake. A sexy and rugged cowboy who saves her ass from a nasty group of men while on her mission only to find out that he is exactly what she’s supposed to be fighting…..a Reaper.

Jake has been a reaper for over a hundred years now and has come so very far from those first mindless days of being infected. He has learned to control his urges and hopes one day to find a cure for the parasite he’s been infected with for far too long. This is where he needs Abby’s help. He never thought he would be asking a Ranger to trust him and ask for her help but that’s what he needed to do if there was any hope of eradicating this sickness. This was his last chance and his only hope….

Never would Abby and Jake have thought they would be working with the enemy for the common good but that’s exactly what needs to happen. Will Abby be able to trust Jake won’t hurt her when all she’s even known was killing reapers? Would Jake have what it takes to earn that trust? Only time will tell and unfortunately time isn’t something they have a whole lot of. Forming an unlikely alliance will slowly turn into something more for these two and oh how I loved it!

Again, I have to say that I loved this cowboy/zombie mash-up! It was different and exciting and interesting to read packed with suspense, intensity and even some sexy heat. Abby and Jake are on opposite teams in this war and the building of trust between them was really great to read. Neither one of them wants to be working with the other one but luckily they are pretty reasonable and realize they may be able to save the human race…together. There were more than a few twists and turns in this book that I enjoyed as well. Of course I won’t spoil it for you!

If you’re looking for something fresh and exciting, this is a book for you. Thank you, Eleri, for giving me a book I was excited to read from start to finish!

Four Loves

Guest Post:

Hi! Thank you so much for having me here to talk about my new release Reaper’s Touch. The inspirational “what if” question behind the Reaper series was: What if early explorers to the Americas discovered the fountain of youth but found that immortality came at a terrible price?

The story strayed from that original concept. The parasite that turned men into Reapers—immortal, violently aggressive cannibals—didn’t come from a fountain. Hurricanes and flooding contaminated the drinking water unleashing a plague on pre-Civil War era America. Because the parasite is killed by freezing temperatures, small populations of people survived by fleeing north or retreating into the mountains. Reapers migrate with warm weather, running south during the winter and rising again in the spring. A small percentage of the survivors are immune to the parasite and they become Rangers whose job it is to protect human farming and ranching settlements on the plains.

That’s the basic premise. Is it science fiction? Most biological plagues and apocalyptic stories fall into that category. The historical setting puts it more within the realm of alternate history/fantasy. And when you throw a strong romantic storyline into the mix, what the heck is it then? Not really paranormal romance, but what? I’ve spent a lot of time scratching my head trying to figure out what category to put this story in and it got me thinking about how much genre labels really matter.

Genre categories are supposed to aid in the discovery process and help set reader expectations. If you feel like reading Fantasy, you go find the shelf marked Fantasy and when you pull one of those books, you have a general idea of what you’re getting yourself into.

This traditional system works fine for physical bookstores and libraries. There are a limited number of books to look at and you can skim covers and blurbs until you find something close to what you’re looking for. Online is a different story. For one thing, there are so many titles available, especially if you’re looking at digital books. Browsing aimlessly isn’t really an option unless you have hours of time on your hands. And using the booksellers’ search engines can be an exercise in frustration.

Instead of browsing by genre-categories, what I’d really like to be able to do is type in a specific search “Epic Fantasy Romance Anti-Hero Sorcerer” or “Biological Plague Wild West” and get a list of relevant suggestions. Or maybe search for favorite tropes. But right now it can be hard to find what you’re looking for.

Reaper’s Touch ended up categorized as Paranormal Romance and Sci-Fi Dystopian. I’m curious about how much people pay attention to genre categories when they’re looking for books. And what would you call a cowboys vs. zombies + romance story?

Thanks for stopping by today, Eleri! ~Jillian

About the author:

Eleri Stone was born and raised in New Jersey. She graduated from the University of Iowa, married her college sweetheart, and settled in the Midwest where she still lives with her husband and their three children. A lifelong fan of fantasy, she started reading romance as an adult and was instantly captivated by the strong female protagonists and character-driven storylines. All of her stories have some element of speculative fiction and they all end with a happy-ever-after.

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads

Worth the Chance by Vi Keeland…Review & Tour

by Jilly

Book links:

Amazon | Kobo | Itunes | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Meet Liv Michaels

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

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

Meet Vince Stone

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

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

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

My review:

Worth the Chance is the second book in author Vi Keeland’s MMA Fighter Series and follows Worth the Fight, a book I simply adored. I was beyond excited for this book and I have to say…it was freaking amazing.

Vince Stone, or Vinny as some people know him, has got a chip on his shoulder a mile wide and the fight to back it up. He’s as skilled an MMA fighter as all of the best and he knows it. He’s had a pretty crappy life and fighting in the ring has saved him from a pretty bleak fate. The ring and Nico. Nico, the only father figure he’s ever known. His mother is a drug addict and has been less than worthless his whole life. He’s finally got his life somewhat together with a killer fight record, a whole lot of success with the ladies, teaching some classes at the gym, and keeping out of trouble. Besides his fighting, he’s only ever had one other bright spot in his life. A girl who helped tutor him in high school. A girl he fell in love with seven years earlier. A girl he knew deserved better than him…so he left her without a reason or a backward glance. A girl he’s regretted not having a chance with. A girl who just walked into one of his classes. Could fate finally be smiling down on him and be giving him a second chance? Does he truly deserve it?

Just about to land her dream job as a reporter for one of the biggest newspapers around, Liv Michaels has one more assignment before the final decision is made and she hopefully goes from intern to official reporter. Of course the last person she expected to see when walking into the gym for her assignment was Vinny. And of course HE was the one she was supposed to interview for her last big assignment. She wasn’t the same young and awkward girl anymore. Hopefully he wouldn’t recognize her. She sure as hell wasn’t ready to face the memories of the pain his rejection had caused her seven years earlier. She thought they had something between them back then but now, hindsight being 20/20 and all, she realizes there was no way the deliciously sexy fighter could have shared her feelings back then. Now she just needed to get through this class and get the hell out, unnoticed. Liv should have known it wouldn’t be that easy and trying to remember why it is she’s supposed to hate Vinny isn’t proving to be easy either. Not when he’s looking at her like she’s dessert. She couldn’t resist him back then and she her resolve to resist him now is looking pretty shaky too.

The history between Liv and Vinny proves to be a blessing and a curse for them. A blessing because the whole “get to know you better’ phase is out the window and a curse because all the old feelings of hurt surface almost killing their chance at a reconciliation. Luckily Vinny is one hell of a persistent guy and is used to getting his way….and his way is having Liv in his life. Permanently.

Oh my. You’ll have to give me a minute here. Just remembering this book while writing this review is enough to have me swooning and getting totally distracted. I LOVED this book. Yes, LOVED, in shouty caps. Vinny is the guy from the wrong side of the tracks, trying his hardest to just stay out of trouble with a huge heart buried deep down beneath a gruff (and gorgeous) exterior. He broke my heart more than once. He takes care of his junkie mother, even though he knows there’s no hope for her. He hangs onto the memory of his dead war hero father by wearing his dad’s dog tags and even though he has a tough time showing it, loves Nico and Elle. He’s harder on himself than anyone else and his belief that he wasn’t good enough for Liv back in high school killed me. God, I love him! Liv is one hell of a perfect match for Vinny. She’s been hurt by him in the past and is wary to start anything up again with him. Thankfully she gives him another chance. She is smart and sassy and takes Vinny on toe-to-toe and I loved every minute. They are hot and beyond sexy together. He needs to dominate their intimacy and she gives in willingly and it works so delectably well. YUM!

So yes, Liv and Vinny are freaking amazing but besides that, Vi throws a huge twist in toward the end and I literally said “HOLY HELL” when I read it. My lips are sealed, but I have to say, the added element to their story made me a nervous wreck and left me emotional and crying when I got to the end. Of course, I love that and it made Liv and Vinny’s story even better and their ending even sweeter.

Ms. Keeland is an author I know we will be seeing great things from because damn, that woman can write! I enjoyed every minute of this book. I never felt something was missing or was rushed or went too slow. The characters are well developed and interesting and I was invested in them from the first chapter. Oh, how I love that feeling!

Thank you, Vi, for another hot, sexy, raw, emotional, and gripping story. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next!

Five Loves

Giveaway:

(8) Sets of “Bookchick glasses” and 5 custom wine charms, one of each of Vi Keeland’s book covers – International

About the author:

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

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The Darkest Joy by Marata Eros….ARC Review & Giveaway

by Jilly

The Darkest Joy releases February 18th

Book links:

Synopsis:

A sexy and poignant new adult novel from New York Times bestseller Marata Eros, about two lost souls who find each other in the wake of tragedy, only to learn that love may not be enough to heal the wounds of a dark and tortured past…

Twenty year-old Brooke Starr has escaped the aftermath of a brutal tragedy by abandoning her music studies and moving north to take a summer position as a part-time deck hand on a deep-sea fishing boat. When her survivor’s guilt becomes unbearable, Brooke realizes there’s only one thing she can do to finally erase the pain.

Deep sea fisherman, Chance Taylor, has just wrapped his guitar set at the local saloon when he sees the silhouette of a young woman in repose, the full moon highlighting her shadow as she plummets from a pier too high for diving… into water too cold to survive. Without thinking, he plunges in after her, saving Brooke from drowning.

As Chance works to save her from her own emotional fragility, Brooke finally begins to learn how to save herself. But when their chemistry begins to consume them, Brooke withdraws. She’s determined to be the master of her own destiny… until the past catches up with her in a cataclysmic plan so dark, so final… it threatens their love and their very lives.

My review:

The Darkest Joy is the newest work from author Marata Eros. This story pulled me in from the very first chapter and kept hold until the amazing ending.

Gifted and talented young pianist Brooke Starr is dealing with more grief than possibly imaginable. Her entire family has been brutally murdered and she is left with no one. It’s because of this loss that she decides to give up everything and head to her late aunt’s cabin in Alaska and try to make sense of things. Try to overcome the unimaginable pain and grief. Of course that is easier said than done and she finds herself slipping deeper into a dark depression. She has found work on a fishing charter as a deck hand and hopes that is the distraction she needs. It’s there that she meets Chance Taylor, the owner of the charter. Chance will prove to be more than a boss when he saves her from her lowest point and starts to breathe life back into her broken soul.

Chance Taylor has lived his life for the sea. It’s where he feels most at home and at peace. In small town Alaska, there isn’t much more to life and that is ok with him. Being a single guy, he didn’t need the hassle of love and relationships and loved the freedom the ocean gave him. That all changes when he meets the new deck hand he hired. Sure he knew it was a girl, but he never expected the broken and fragile beauty that walks into his office. There is a pain within her he can sense…and relate to. He had no idea when he first met her that her pain would affect them both and end up bringing them together and finally give Brooke a chance to heal.

Together, Brooke and Chance make their way through the choppy waters of grief and pain and find a safe haven from the storm in one another’s arms. But there’s still one problem lingering….her family’s unsolved murder and an investigation into a similar murder. Will the nightmare for Brooke ever come to an end?

This book started out with heartbreak and slowly grew into something beautiful. It was gut-wrenching to read Brooke’s attempt at healing and moving on. She is such a lost soul. I admired her attempt to pick up the pieces and find solace in Alaska. For a young woman, she had immense strength. I also admired her willingness to embrace life again after the death of her family. Yes, there were many dark moments and she didn’t have a whole lot of hope in the beginning of the story but she eventually snapped out of it and it wanted to hug her! Chance is amazing. He’s strong and understanding with an insight into Brooke’s heart that had me swooning. They work so well together and create a beautiful match.

Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the suspense of the murder investigation! We knew there was a possible serial killer out there but were really kept guessing until the very end. Ms. Eros did such a fabulous job with not giving out too many details and letting the reader draw their own ideas….until about the last 20 pages. Then puzzle pieces really start to fall into place and it was a huge “whoa” moment when we learn the killer’s identity. Really well done!

Overall, I really enjoyed all of the different emotional layers within this story and recommend to all you romance and mystery fans! Thank you, Marata, for a wonderful read!

Four Loves

Giveaway:

February 2014 Giveaway New Releases New Reviews

About the author:

My name is Tamara Rose Blodgett and I write dark romantic erotica and new adult dark romantic suspense under the pen name Marata Eros, and new adult dark fantasy under my real name.

Reader feedback is important and I take it very seriously. I check my email each day. All questions about my dark erotica and romance should be directed to the above email address.

*As an aside, I just wanted to comment that: I am writing what I love to read. I enjoy dark paranormal and edgy romantic erotica with suspense and intrigue.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

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ARC Review….A Matchless Romance by Christi Barth

by Jilly

A Matchless Romance releases February 17

Book links:

Synopsis:

Tabitha Bell is the face of Chicago’s premiere matchmaking service. At least, she hopes it will be someday, once business really takes off. What she needs is more clients, so when she meets a sexy gamer in need of help, it’s the perfect opportunity.

His discomfort talking to women almost cost Drew Watson his job. He’d be happy holed up in his office, designing blockbuster video games, but his boss considers talking to investors a nonnegotiable requirement. Who better than a matchmaker to teach him how to be comfortable around the opposite sex? Trouble is, Drew wants to get more than comfortable with Tabitha, while she’s determined to keep their relationship all business.

Soon Tabitha learns that beneath the geek-chic hoodie lies six feet of sexy physique–and the more time she spends with Drew, the more she appreciates his brainy brand of charm. Will she succumb to his sweet-but-nerdy charm offensive or will it be game over before he can win her heart?

My review:

A Matchless Romance is the final work in author Christi Barth’s Aisle Bound Series, and if I had to vote on my favorite book in the series, this would be it. Oh, how I adored this story!

Video game designer Drew Watson and matchmaker Tabitha Bell meet by running into each other, quite literally, and forge a quick and unlikely friendship and business relationship.

You see, Drew doesn’t have what you would call great social skills and it has almost cost him his biggest career move and almost killed his dream of his newest game hitting mainstream blockbuster status. Enter Tabitha. After almost being run over by Drew, and after a quick chat, Tabitha thinks she may be the one person capable of helping him with his social cluelessness. He wasn’t awkward, per se, just totally clueless. Saying the first thing that came to mind and lacking a filter. Tabitha thought his personality was refreshing, but the big wigs in his company? Not so much. Drew ends up hiring her, not for her match making skills, but to smooth out his rough edges and get him out into the social scene. And always up for a challenge, Tabitha goes for it. She doesn’t really think this will be too hard considering Drew is completely gorgeous with a delicious tall and athletic build and a geeky charm about him that totally works well on him. But the rules in her matchmaking business are pretty strict about dating the clients…so her drool worthy client is off-limits. However, we all know the saying that some rules were meant to be broken…

Where to begin? There were so many little things that I loved in this story. All those little pieces added to the big picture and made up one hell of a great read! Drew is so freaking adorable and deliciously handsome. His geekiness cup overfloweth and it made him an incredibly endearing character. I wanted to hug him too many times to count over some of his dorky antics. But besides his adorable nerdiness, he’s an amazing athlete and has a brilliant mind. Can we say triple threat? Hell yes! The most lovable thing about him though is that he has no clue what a catch he is and just sees himself as a video game nerd. Don’t you just love that type of guy? I know I do! Tabitha was a colorful and spirited character with an interesting past and such confidence. She’s an amazing judge of character and nailed Drew and his quirks from the very first day. The chemistry between them is almost instant and builds beautifully…of course I can’t spoil anything for you so that’s as far as I can go!

Oh, and the ending? In typical Christi fashion, she wrote an ending so fitting and perfect for Drew and Tabitha. Honestly, it was one of the best endings ever! I get a big goofy grin just thinking about it.

We also catch up with the rest of the Aisle Bound crew and it was beautiful and bittersweet. I couldn’t be happier for all of the couples and where their futures are headed.

Thank you, Christi, for a fabulous ending to a series I have truly enjoyed. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next!

Five Loves

About the author:

Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage.

A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance.

Christi is President of the Maryland Romance Writers and lives in Maryland with her husband.

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Enticing Interlude by Michelle Mankin….Review & Blog Tour Stop

by Jilly

Make sure to check out the TEASER & enter the GIVEAWAY below for some Rockin’ prizes!

Now Available

Come join our Facebook Release Day & Blog Tour Event

Title: Enticing Interlude ~ Series: Tempest Series # 2

Genre ~ New Adult

To the talented vocalist Justin Jones, love is merely a game that he plays by his own rules.

But to Bridget Dubois, love and heartache are one and the same.

Broken too many times before, the delicate beauty keeps her emotions carefully concealed. Bridget has her own set of rigid rules when it comes to men. She prefers to avoid them altogether, especially dangerously seductive auburn haired emerald eyed players like Justin.

But the new lead singer of the rising rock band Tempest doesn’t like to be ignored. Justin is used to getting what he wants, and now he’s set his sights on Bridget.

Suddenly, it’s no longer a game.

What do you do when the one you can’t have turns out to be the one you can’t live without?

As the pressure builds, will it temper them or will it shatter them both like fragile crystal?

*Each book in the Tempest series focuses on a different band member so technically they could be read alone, BUT would be much more enjoyable if read in order because of character back stories & continuing story lines*

A portion of proceeds from this book go to Covenant House. http://www.covenanthouse.org/ They have a helping hand for single mother’s program that acknowledges that being a good mom is one of the toughest jobs in the world but also one of the most important. The program offers free on-site day care so moms can complete their education or hold down a job.

“It would be so much easier with someone else to rely on.”—Bridget Dubois

Review:

Enticing Interlude is the second book in author Michelle Mankin’s Tempest series and admittedly the first of her work that I have read. Both enjoyable and entertaining, this was a great read.

Single mom Bridget Dubois has recently lost the only family member she could ever count on and now faced with picking up the pieces has decided to start over in a new city. Thanks to a good friend she met in rehab, she has a place to stay until she can get her bearings in her new hometown. She has been hurt by too many people in the past and is beyond thankful to have found a true friend in Lace. It’s through her friendship that she meets Justin Jones, the talented and sexy musician and new front man of the rock band Tempest. After her less than stellar track record with men, Justin is a risk she isn’t willing to take. But trying to keep her distance gets really hard when Justin proves to be incredibly kind and sweet to both her and her son. Would she have the strength to stay away? More importantly, would she have the strength to give a relationship with Justin a chance?

Things are going really well for Justin Jones these days and after seeing the beautiful blond living with his friend Lace, things just got even better. He’s landed one of the most coveted positions in music, has finally managed to get his relationship with his family better than it ever has been and now after meeting Bridget starts to think in terms of a real relationship. Sure, it may seem fast but there’s just something special about her that he can’t ignore. After getting to know her better, he knows she’s been hurt in the past and Justin is determined to prove he won’t be one of the people to let her down. Her or her son. Justin wants to be in it for the long haul. Will she let him?

Together Justin and Bridget have a whole lot to work on as far as letting go of the past and moving forward together but with a little bit of luck and a whole lot of determination, they truly have a shot at a happily ever after.

The story of Justin and Bridget started out slow and steady and kept building at a terrific pace. I think that is one of my favorite things about this book. It was believable. Bridget’s guard is up and rightfully so. She isn’t going to just jump into things because she finds Justin attractive and attentive to her and her son. She’s got a smart head on her shoulders and I appreciated that. One of my other favorite things about this book was the relationship between Bridget and her son. Having a son of my own, I really enjoyed reading the interactions between mom and son. He’s an adorable and smart little boy and Bridget knows how lucky she is to have him. Justin is kind and patient, which is at total odds with his perceived bad boy rocker persona. I loved that about him. He was willing to wait for Bridget to learn to trust him and did everything in his power to make that decision an easy one for her. Together they make a great couple and family.

There were also a few side plots that were really interesting and added another layer to this love story.

All in all, I think this is a story all romance fans will enjoy! Thank you, Michelle, for a great read!

Four Loves

I got up, tagged last night’s jeans from the floor, and hastily pulled them on.

I found the remaining pieces of her scattered clothing and threw them at her.

“Get dressed and get out.” Succinct and decisive.

I didn’t make the slightest attempt to soften my words.

Her lips thinned. “Turn around while I put them on.”

“Babe, I’ve already seen everything you got. And believe me when I say I’m not interested in having a do over.”

“F**k you,” she huffed.

I resisted the urge to remind her that she already had.

Several times.

MICHELLE MANKIN is the author of the Black Cat Records series of novels. Romance with subtext. For many years she worked in the insurance industry as an underwriter. Somehow, the boredom didn’t kill her but the hour and hours of looking at facts and figures provided ample time for her mind to wander. Black Cat Records in Vancouver provides the central backdrop for all of Michelle’s current novels. Love Evolution, Love Revolution, and Love Resolution are a Brutal Strength centered trilogy, combining the plot underpinnings of Shakespeare with the drama, excitement, and indisputable sexiness of the rock ‘n roll industry. Things take a bit of a darker, edgier, once upon a turn with the Tempest series. These pierced, tatted, and troubled Seattle rockers are young and on the cusp of making it big, but with serious obstacles to overcome that may prevent them from ever getting there. When Michelle is not prowling the streets of her Texas town listening to her rock music much too loud, she is putting her daydreams down on paper or traveling the world with her family and friends, sometimes for real, and sometimes just for pretend as she takes the children to school and back. BRUTAL STRENGTH SERIES: Love Evolution Love Revolution Love Resolution TEMPEST SERIES: Irresistible Refrain.

Connect with Michelle Mankin on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-Mankin/233503403414065

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichelleMankin

On her website: http://www.michellemankin.com/

Irresistible Refrain – Tempest Series (Book #1)

Genre: New Adult

Two years ago everything changed for the remaining members of the Seattle rock band Tempest.

Two years is a long time.

Too long to keep on remembering.

Not nearly long enough to forget.

In trouble with nowhere else to go songstress Lace Lowell seeks refuge with the band during their stop in New York City. It’s a risky move for her because they are both there, two impossibly good looking men whose lives are inseparably entwined with hers. One who bruised her heart and one who smashed it into pieces.

Warren “War” Jinkins, the mercurial lead singer of Tempest, has always had a thing for Lace. But then again so does his best friend and band mate.

Bryan “Bullet” Jackson, the sinfully handsome tat-sleeved lead guitarist, has a bad boy reputation befitting his nickname. For the past two years Bullet’s had a rule with the groupies: one time, never twice, leave ‘em satisfied, but always leave ‘em.

Two guys, one woman, and a host of dark secrets all together within the tight confines of a tour bus as the group travels cross country.

Can the past be forgotten and buried?

Will friendships prevail?

Or will the three of them succumb to seductive impulses too addictive to resist?

** Irresistible Refrain is a gritty rock and roll tale intended for mature readers seventeen and up. Contains sexual situations, strong language, and drug use. **

Brutal Strength series:

Love Evolution:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/KZoJS4

B&N: http://bit.ly/1j25xkP

Love Revolution:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1aeXf43

B&N: http://amzn.to/1aeXf43

Love Resolution:

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

B&N: http://bit.ly/1cZkZ8T

“ultimate rocker pack” IR+ EI paperback with Black Cat Records tattoo, a BS and Tempest concert bracelet, and a Tempest lanyard with a piece of souloftherose.com rocker jewelry and concert bracelet and GNR & other band stickers.

“grand groupie pack” IR+ EI paperback with Black Cat Records tattoo, a BS and Tempest concert bracelet, and a Tempest lanyard and an Aerosmith moto inspired black jacket with zip off sleeves & a Black Cat Records luggage tag.

An e-pack with both IR + EI

Blog Tour February 2014 New Reviews

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Prince of Blood and Steel by Nazarea Andrews & AJ Elmore…Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Book links:

Synopsis:

Seth Morgan has returned home after two years spent building an alliance that will take his family’s crime syndicate to a new level in New York City’s black collar society. He expects a warm welcome as heir of the Morgan empire. He hopes to finally marry Nicolette, the woman he’s loved his whole life.

What he finds is a different world, one where his family’s legacy is in ruins. His big brother, Caleb, has changed into someone cold and bitter, plotting to overthrow their patriarch. And Nicolette, daughter of the criminal banking industry, has left the family entirely.

When a vicious misunderstanding leaves Caleb dead, Seth is left reeling. Desperate for truth, Seth is forced to turn to his only remaining cousin, Emma, for support. As he tries to mend his relationship with Nicolette, he begins a search for answers that will take him from the dirty streets to the highest reaches of their illicit empire.

Torn between the desire to protect those who mean the most to him, and a need to learn more about Caleb’s death, he grows distant to protect them. As each secret surfaces, he realizes that the only way to restore his family is to take his place at its head, and fully embrace the brutal way they live.

My review:

Prince of Blood and Steel is the collaborative work between authors Nazarea Andrews and AJ Elmore. I have been a fan of Nazarea’s other works and was really looking forward to what was in store with this book. It was different than what I am used to from her, but every bit as good!

Prince of Blood and Steel follows the young rising royalty in New York City’s world of organized crime and all of the deceit, bloodshed, pain, and corruption that comes with it.

The ability to trust never comes easy to the members of organized crime and Seth Morgan was no exception. He has just returned to New York City and is slated to rejoin the ranks in his family’s lucrative and illegal lifestyle and believes his brother Caleb is someone he can trust. He was proven wrong faster than a New York minute and his brother is murdered for that broken trust. Faced with being the sole heir to the crime world throne, Seth finds the number of trustworthy people dwindling down. He knows he can count on his cousin, Emma, and is hoping he can win back the trust of his one true love, Nicolette. But what about everyone else he’s supposed to trust? His uncle, his aunt, his father’s former right-hand man? Will Seth find out the hard way who he can’t trustTrying to navigate through the darkest and dirtiest organized crime has to offer, Seth will unearth many truths and will learn the hard way that sometimes people can smile the biggest while they are stabbing you in the back and that the saying “hold your friends close and your enemies closer” really does have worth.

This book really has it all. Crime, corruption, deception, greed, and plenty of evil but it also has heart and shows how strong some bonds can become. It played out like a movie while I was reading with young Hollywood owning all the starring roles. Seth is a tortured and confused mess without a direction and wanting no part of the responsibilities thrust into his hands. He’s young and isn’t prepared for the chaos that crime life is. He has no idea who he can trust and leans on the two women he thinks he can….Nicolette and Emma. What I will say about those two gals is that I wasn’t sold that either one of them would be a wise choice for Seth to be able to trust until almost the last quarter of the book. Well played, Nazarea and AJ. I was so worried for Seth and was really pulling for him to take control of all of his swirling emotions and take control. Now, you know I’m not going to give anything away here but trust me when I say, the ending climactic scene had me reading wide-eyes and white-knuckled and yelping a big “HELL YES!” when it was over.

If you’re a fan of The Soprano’s and movies like Cruel Intentions, then this is a book you really need to pick up! Fast paced with twists and turns and plenty of characters that keeps you guessing, there wasn’t a dull moment to be had. Thank you Nazarea and AJ for teaming up for one hell of a read!

Four Loves

Giveaway:

Blog Tour February 2014 New Releases New Reviews

About the authors:

AJ and Nazarea became friends in a writers group. Drawn together by a love of fictional bad boys and good wine, they are best kept several states apart but rack up a ton of emails and text messages arguing plot points.

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 – http://www.nazareaandrews.com/
Blog – http://www.nazarea-andrews.blogspot.com/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/NazareaAndrews
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nazarea-Andrews/43623123516

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/MtHwj

Aj has seven tattoos, two dogs, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She enjoys live music, and a diverse range of writing styles and genres. She has been writing creatively and therapeutically since childhood. She also supports artist collaboration and cross-media projects. She is an advocate of experience as inspiration. She lives and works in southern West Virginia as a bartender novelist.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aj-Elmore-author-muse/329812783118
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MissVish

February 2014 New Reviews

ARC Review….Crimson Twilight by Heather Graham

by Jilly

Crimson Twilight releases February 11

Book links:

Amazon Kindle ~ Amazon Paperback ~ Goodreads ~ 1001 Dark Nights

Synopsis:

It’s a happy time for Sloan Trent and Jane Everett. What could be happier than the event of their wedding? Their Krewe friends will all be there, and the event will take place in a medieval castle transported brick by brick to the New England coast. Everyone is festive and thrilled . . . until the priest turns up dead just hours before the nuptials.

Jane and Sloan must find the truth behind the man and the murder—the secrets of the living and the dead—before they find themselves bound for eternity—not in wedded bliss but in the darkness of an historical wrong and their own brutal deaths.

My review:

Crimson Twilight is the second novella in the 1,001 Dark Nights Series as well as part of Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunter series. This novella is packed with suspense from the very first page and I loved it!

What starts out as a wedding trip filled with friends, joy and happy times ahead for Sloan and Jane quickly turns into anything but. The priest scheduled to perform their ceremony winds up dead at the bottom of the castle staircase and their dreams of wedded bliss are postponed as a murder investigation begins. But, like all things involving the Krewes, this is anything but a routine investigation. Talk of castle ghosts and wedding curses will turn this situation into a who-done-it involving the living and the dead.

Don’t let this story being novella length fool you…the amount of mystery and suspense packed into these pages was divine. From the very beginning we are treated to a murder mystery involving ghosts of an unlucky couple set to wed in this very castle many years ago, who unfortunately never got the chance. I wasn’t sure what to believe. Could an apparition really be responsible for murder? Could it be a member of the castle staff? With so many possibilities, I was kept on the edge of my seat until the very end. Sloan and Jane work so well together both as investigators and as a couple. Their tender moments amidst the murder inquiry were a bright spot in the darkness. Also woven into the mystery is the beautiful love story of John and Elizabeth. The ghostly couple who never got the chance to wed. Their story added another layer to Crimson Twilight that I truly enjoyed.

Overall, this was a truly entertaining and enjoyable read with an exciting and thrilling ending. Thank you, Heather, for a fantastic read!

Five Loves

About the author:

Heather Graham New York Times and USA Today best selling author, Heather Graham, majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. Her first book was with Dell, and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult and Christmas family fare. She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages. She has been honored with awards from Walden Books, B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times and more. Heather has also become the proud recipient of the Silver Bullet from Thriller Writers. Heather has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, Mystery Book Club, People and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including Today, Entertainment Tonight and local television. The Unseen, The Unholy, The Unspoken and the Uninvited are available now. Let the Dead Sleep will be released in March, 2013. The Night is Watching, The Night is Alive and The Night is Forever will be released in Jne, August and October.

Blog ~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

1 Comment »

One Week by Elisabeth Staab…Review, TWO Signed Book Giveaways & Blog Tour Stop

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on Elisabeth Staab’s ONE WEEK Blog Tour! I have some exciting goodies to give away including a SIGNED paperback copy of One Week! (enter in the rafflecopter below)

Thanks for stoping by and enjoy!

One Week

(HaleStorm Series, bk #1)

By Elisabeth Staab

Synopsis:

HE HAS A LEGACY TO SAVE…

Michael Hale’s company is in jeopardy. In the wake of his father’s death and transitioning to CEO, projects are circling the drain and that may cost him everything. Come to find out, the consultant hired to fix things is the “one who got away” many years ago. This time he’s playing for keeps, and he intends to win.

SHE SHOULD NEVER SAY NEVER…

Elise Jackson swore she wouldn’t come near Michael Hale again. He sucker punched her professionally, and he broke her heart. Still, a job’s a job, and they can both be adults. But high emotion and late nights working lead to passion neither of them can deny.

They have one week. Can the two of them pull Michael’s company out of the fire and heal their old wounds?

My review:

One Week is the debut in author Elisabeth Staab’s newest series, HaleStorm. I have been a fan of Elisabeth’s for quite some time now and was so excited for One Week and yep, Elisabeth rocked it again! This book was fantastic!

Elise Jackson still can’t believe she agreed to take this assignment and has in turn agreed to put herself in the path of the man the broke her heart five years earlier. Michael Hale. With a little bit of luck she can avoid the man she had interned for all those years ago, get in, do her job, and get out with her heart intact. What Elise didn’t know is that would be nearly impossible considering he was now the CEO. She was a professional now and not that unsure intern, however, and she was determined to remain unaffected by his presence and show him exactly what he let walk out his doors five years earlier.

Michael Hale has just realized he’s in way over his head. Not only regarding his new title of CEO of a potentially drowning company, but also with the fiery redhead he thought he would never see again. Elise has haunted his memory since she finished her internship with his company….only now? Now she outshined all of those memories with her confidence and delicious sex appeal. He felt terrible about how things ended back then. She is here to help his company for one week, which meant he had one week to make things right with her and apologize for being a complete jackass. And maybe, have another chance with her.

With as much work as they have on their plate, Michael and Elise should be plenty busy with little time left for rekindling an old flame….but with a bit of luck and a whole lot of coffee, anything is possible.

If you follow me on twitter, you will probably know that I was hooked on this book from the very first chapter. I knew this book would be great, because Elisabeth is pretty freaking great…and it lived up to every ounce of expectation I had. Elise had her heart crushed by Michael and she totally used that experience to her advantage and has used it to shape the beautiful and smart businesswoman she is today. She’s got wit and brains and a wickedly funny sense of humor. Honestly, I was laughing out loud at some of the zingers that came out of her mouth! Michael has really learned a lot in the past few months. He had no choice but to grow up and take charge of his father’s company. He’s got so much on his plate, not just professionally but personally, and I really felt bad for the guy at times. Luckily he didn’t have so much on his plate that he couldn’t turn on the charm and try to woo Elise. Damn, that man can woo. The chemistry between them is instant and intense. I loved their backstory because it added to the intensity of their attraction. There was also a bit of mystery involved in the company and it really added a fantastic layer to the story. Oh, and there were more than a few surprises along the way which lead to a “whoa” ending!

I highly recommend One Week to all my fellow contemporary romance lovers. Thank you, Elisabeth, for a delicious start to a series I can’t wait to read more of!

Available for purchase at

Excerpt

“I should have looked for you.” He wrapped his arms
around her and groaned aloud at the warmth and softness of her skin against
his. The rough texture of her nipples against his chest, the dampness of her
hair on his shoulder. “Just touching you makes me crazy. My God, Elise. I
should have known. Fuck, I did know, and I ignored it. I’m so goddamned
stupid.”

“You’re not stupid.”

“I am stupid.” Michael
gripped her hips—fucking luscious, curvy hips—and ran his hands up that amazing
hourglass arc in her waist and over her shoulders, reveling in the magic of
Elise’s hands giving him the same treatment. “I’m stupid because I thought I
could push you away all those years ago and I’d forget and find someone else
who turned me on as much as your hand bumping my knee under a cubicle desk.
Christ, I tried to tell myself it was all innocent, but I lived for every
second.”

“Oh my God.” Elise’s eyes flew wide, her cheeks flushed
in the low light of her bedroom. “I had no idea.”

“You must have, if you
gathered up the nerve to kiss me.” He bent her back, one hand braced between
her shoulders, the other gripping her ass, trailing kisses along her jaw. Their
only-for-tonight agreement be damned, already he didn’t want to let her go.

“I hoped.” She gripped his
shoulders, smiling. “If I’m being honest, all that accidentally bumping your
knee wasn’t so much an accident.”

Read-Love-Blog Giveaway:

Signed paperback copy of ONE WEEK by Elisabeth Staab and signed swag!

(US & Canada entries only please)

About the Author

Elisabeth Staab still lives with her nose in a book and at least one foot in an imaginary world. She believes that all kinds of safe and sane love should be celebrated but she adores the fantasy-filled realm of paranormal romance the best. She lives in the Washington DC area with her family and one big scaredy cat, where she loves to spend time with good friends, go dancing, collect wacky coffee mugs from which to drink her favorite beverage, and sing off-key in her kitchen (when she isn’t making characters fall in love, that is).

You can stalk her, I mean find her at

Tour-Wide Giveaway

One winner will receive a signed paperback, a tote bag, some swag, and a Starbucks gift card

Blog Tour February 2014 Giveaway New Releases New Reviews Uncategorized

Presented by

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High-Heeled Wonder by Avery Flynn…Review & Guest Post

by Jilly

Book links:

amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

“When a fashionista and her bodyguard get tangled up together, watch out for sizzling sex and surprising plot twists.” New York Times best seller Rebecca York

Synopsis:

Sylvie Bissette may be one of Harbor City’s youngest glitterati, but only her best friends know her most closely guarded secret. She’s the woman behind The High-Heeled Wonder, a must-read blog for fashionistas everywhere. Gossip, fashion advice, exposés. Too bad some people can’t take a little criticism. When an Internet troll discovers her secret identity and escalates from stalking her to threatening her life, Sylvie turns to security expert Tony Falcon for help. The investigator from the other side of the tracks is the olive oil to her Evian water and aggravates her to no end, but it’s not just her temper he’s inciting…

Tony Falcon wouldn’t know a kitten heel from a tabby cat, but since most of the bad guys he tracks down aren’t wearing stilettos, it’s never been a problem…until he meets Sylvie. When a murder investigation leads him to the same place Sylvie works, he realizes the feisty fashionista may be his best chance at catching the criminals who killed his best friend. It all leads back to the cutthroat fashion world. But solving that case means going after the people Sylvie cares about, and soon his attraction for her—and the danger she’s in—has him wondering if solving the case is worth hurting the woman he can’t stop fantasizing about…

When Sylvie’s almost run over in broad daylight, Tony goes undercover as her boyfriend to infiltrate the close-knit fashion community. And when they discover Sylvie’s stalker may be linked to Tony’s own investigation, what started as a simple plan to find his friend’s killers turns into a hot bed of secrets and revelations. In a world full of overblown egos and dog-eat-dog ambition, Tony and Sylvie must work together to find her revenge-obsessed stalker before Sylvie ends up with a literal knife in the back.

My Review:

High-Heeled Wonder is A Killer Style Novel from author Avery Flynn and packs a one-two punch with a mystery and romance all rolled into a stylish package.

Fashion blogger extraordinaire Sylvie Bissette is content living her life behind the anonymity of the High-Heeled Wonder façade. A façade she has turned into an über successful fashion and style blog. That all changes when she starts receiving death threats and nasty emails telling her to shut down her site. Sylvie brushes them off but her dads aren’t as forgiving and hire personal security…without her blessing or her knowledge. When the situation enters more dangerous territory, and her anonymity is blown, Sylvie and her new bodyguard play the role of boyfriend and girlfriend in an attempt to get to the bottom of all of this. Annoyed at first, Sylvie soon changes her tune and starts to fall for the handsome ex-cop turned security buff.

Tony Falcon has been working on an important unsolved mystery and is closer to finding answers then he’s ever been. The investigation mingles with his role as personal security for Sylvie Bissette and suddenly Tony is more focused on not crossing client/sex lines than the task at hand. He has more on his plate than ever before and is determined to bring a killer to justice and safety to Sylvie. What he wasn’t planning on was falling in love with Sylvie along the way.

This book had so much goodness packed into the pages! Avery gave us heat, mystery, fashion, emotion, and action. Sylvie is a modern day gal used to living behind her blog and isn’t too thrilled with being in the spotlight, let alone a negative spotlight. And having to rely on a distractingly handsome bodyguard isn’t helping matters. She is a jumble of emotion most of the book and I was pulling for her to fix this mess and get back to her life…oh and of course I was hoping Tony would be a new addition! Tony is also a jumble of emotion being worried about Sylvie and trying to get to the bottom of a murder investigation that means so much to him. He’s hot and sexy and can cook! Hello!? Total package. The mystery surrounding the threats and identity leak kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end and was really well done. My lips are sealed, but I will tell you it was a “whoa” moment for sure!

One more special thing I loved about this book: Avery added a fashion related quote to the beginning of each chapter and I thought it really gave a little something extra to this book. I really loved that!

Thank you, Avery, for a fashionably sexy book!

Four Loves

Guest post:

Oh Tony!

Tony Falcon, the hero in High-Heeled Wonder, is a hot Italian private investigator/former vice detective with an over developed protective instinct, a banged-up heart and the ability to make pasta sauce from scratch. He is so delish.

Tony, like most of my heroes, shares some qualities with the Fab Mr. Flynn. Please don’t tell Mr. Flynn, his ego is big enough as it is. 🙂 But Tony has some hardcore baggage, a vendetta to carry out and justice to deliver after his partner was murdered during an undercover vice sting operation.

I spent ten years working as a police reporter and the vice officers were always my favorite to deal with. By virtue of their jobs, they’re fast on their feet with a quip, a plan and devious thoughts. Just what I love in a hero—a smartass alpha hero who is as good with a quip as he is with his *ahem* other God-given talents

And if you’re trying to put a face and a six pack with description of Tony, check out my High-Heeled Wonder pinterest board (http://www.pinterest.com/averyflynnbooks/high-heeled-wonder/). It’s okay. Go look. You know you want to. I’ll be waiting right here.

*Files nails.*

*Shops online for shoes.*

*Peruses hot dudes on Pinterest.*

You’re back? Whew. Hey. Right there. By the corner of your mouth. There’s just a little bit of drool. Okay. You got it. Don’t worry, we’re in the circle of trust. I’ll never tell.

Okay, now that we’ve got you set to rights, go enter the High-Heeled Wonder Shoes, Swag and Books Extravaganza Giveaway for your chance to win a $100 DSW Shoes gift certificate, books from Entangled Ignite authors releasing in January (Avery Flynn, High-Heeled Wonder; Jody Wallace, Angeli; Julie Rowe, Molly Gets Her Man; Caridad Pineiro and Cathy Perkins, Love International Style box set) and more!

~Thanks so much for stopping by, Avery! xo Jillian

Giveaway:

About the author:

Avery Flynn has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip.

She fell in love with romance while reading Johanna Lindsey’s Mallory books. It wasn’t long before Avery had read through all the romance offerings at her local library. Needing a romance fix, she turned to Harlequin’s four books a month home delivery service to ease the withdrawal symptoms. That worked for a short time, but it wasn’t long before the local book stores’ staffs knew her by name.

Avery was a reader before she was a writer and hopes to always be both. She loves to write about smartass alpha heroes who are as good with a quip as they are with their *ahem* other God-given talents. Her heroines are feisty, fierce and fantastic. Brainy and brave, these ladies know how to stand on their own two feet and knock the bad guys off theirs.

Find out more about Avery on her website, follow her onTwitter and Pinterest, like her on her Facebook page or friend her on her Facebook profile. She’s also on Goodreadsand BookLikes.

Join her street team, The Flynnbots, and receive special sneak peeks, prizes and early access to her latest releases!

Also, if you figure out how to send Oreos through the Internet, she’ll be your best friend for life.