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The Suicide Princess by Anthony Bryan…Blog Tour Stop, Excerpt, Giveaway & Review

by Jilly

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Synopsis:

“Not your mother’s romance, this is an erotic thriller that will leave you breathless and have you begging for more…”

Stephanie Bradford is a young, attractive, and successful District Attorney on her way to the top. She has the near-perfect life, with an amazing husband, and she has it all in the palm of her hand. When her marriage falls into a romantic rut, Stephanie is skillfully swooned by a charming, mysterious and intriguing stranger who looks to be the answer to all of her fantasies. A whirlwind and erotic affair quickly spirals out of control, and before long, she learns that things aren’t always as they appear and people are rarely who they seem. One poor decision becomes the catalyst for a series of events that rips her life apart, and Stephanie is left with nothing but the thirst for revenge against the man who viciously stole everything from her. The Suicide Princess is a sexually charged roller coaster ride where nothing is as it seems and everything is at stake!

My review:

Suicide Princess is the debut novel from author Anthony Bryan and a steamy hot debut at that!

Stephanie Bradford has a pretty great life. She really shouldn’t complain. She’s got a great career as a District Attorney, loving husband, nice home and good friends. So why does she feel like something is missing? She longs for something more out of her love life and after repeated failed attempts to get her husband to give into her desires she finds her attention straying elsewhere. It’s that straying gaze that lands on a sexy stranger. Before she realizes it, Stephanie is head over heels in lust with this man and in the middle of a torrid love affair. Stephanie thinks that worst thing that could happen is her husband finding out her dirty little secret but she couldn’t be more wrong….

Wow. Talk about one hell of a ride! Stephanie is in a situation that I’m sure a lot of gals can relate to. That itch that needs to be scratched that you just can’t reach. She thinks she finds the solution to her little problem but winds in way over her head. I had mixed emotions through most of this book with wanting to not like her husband but I just couldn’t. He’s a good guy, a nice guy…a safe guy. Oh, and the other guy? I could totally see why she was drawn to him. The tattooed bad boy with an ego a mile wide oozing sex appeal? No brainer, right? The good girl looking to be bad and the bad boy looking to corrupt a good girl is a winning combination from the very start. Now, where this book got really interesting to me is when we start to learn more about the bad boy. I can’t give too much away but I will say this: things are never as they appear. Besides having some seriously hot and sexy scenes and surprised me with more than a few twists I never saw coming. To me, that’s what put this particular book above the other erotica I have read lately. It just has that touch of “more” that I feel makes a great read.

Thank you, Anthony, for a steamy and suspenseful read!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

Excerpt:

Derrick leaned forward, inviting Stephanie to climb onto the back of his bike, and he said, “Let’s roll, bad girl.”

Stephanie climbed on, and she wrapped her arms around Derrick’s waist as he started the engine and brought the thunderous exhaust to life.

“Oh my God, that’s loud,” Stephanie yelled into Derrick’s ear.

“You just hang on,” Derrick said before suddenly driving through the parking lot and to the main road.

Derrick drove to the highway where he immediately drifted to the left lane and rapidly accelerated the bike to well over ninety miles per hour. Stephanie let out a thrilled scream as they blew past the slower cars. Stephanie yelled, “Where are we going?” but Derrick only replied by revving the motor and driving even faster.

Derrick drove about forty-five minutes west of Boston, and he exited the highway to a secondary country road. The back road rolled through gentle hills and curves, and the forest on either side of the pavement had grown so tall, a canopy of trees completely covered them. Derrick slowed his speed down, as this wasn’t a thrill ride, this was something different. This was an experience to be taken in slowly and not rushed.

Stephanie’s arms wrapped tighter around Derrick’s waist, and her hands rubbed against his abdomen and chest as she pressed the side of her face against his back. Stephanie closed her eyes as she felt the breeze blowing over her face, and the mixed smell of Derrick’s natural odor and the fresh forest air was the most intoxicating aroma she had ever sensed.

As the afternoon was wearing on, the sky began to darken from the clouds rolling in. The air became heavy with the smell of rain as the first sprinkle appeared. Derrick pulled off to the side of the road as the rain grew steadier.

As Derrick turned off the engine, Stephanie asked, “Why are you stopping? It’s raining.”

“The road’s going to be slick. I’m cool with risking it by myself, but not with you.”

“But Derrick, we’re in the middle of the woods, and it’s pouring!”

Derrick got off the motorcycle, and he lifted Stephanie to help her down. “It’s okay,” he replied. “Follow me.”

Derrick took Stephanie by the hand and he ran, pulling her behind him. He found a large tree which was filled with branches and leaves, and he led Stephanie under it.

“It’s not the best, but it’ll do. It won’t rain long,” Derrick said.

“It won’t be long?” Stephanie asked. “Then I don’t want to waste it.”

Her long brown hair was dripping, with rain falling down her face to her lips. Derrick’s hand grabbed the back of her neck, and pulled her in to kiss her deeply. Derrick stepped forward into Stephanie, causing her to step back until she was pressed against the tree. Derrick’s drenched shirt was clinging to his body, and it stuck to him as Stephanie began pulling it off. Derrick pulled Stephanie in close as he was kissing her, and each press of his lips against hers felt like her very first kiss all over again.

Derrick’s hands began unbuttoning Stephanie’s tiny shorts, and once undone, she couldn’t get them off fast enough. As the rain fell on them, Derrick lifted Stephanie off of the ground. She wrapped her legs around him, and with her back pressed against the tree, he made passionate love to her. Stephanie was overcome with emotion since this was so different from her other experiences with Derrick. This was the kind of powerful, connecting, and loving sex Stephanie had always dreamed of having. I love this man, she thought to herself but didn’t dare have the courage to say out loud.

As the passing rain began to let up, Derrick stopped making love to Stephanie. He kissed her gently and she asked, “You didn’t cum. Do you want me to finish you another way?”

Derrick kissed Stephanie and replied, “You didn’t either.”

“This time, it wasn’t about cumming for me,” Stephanie replied.

Derrick softly said, “It wasn’t for me either.”

Giveaway:

Who’s ready for one of the best giveaways of 2014 with an amazing prize-pack? Anthony Bryan is giving away a pair of custom high heels designed by Taylor Reeve herself, a bundle of signed paperback copies from your favorite authors, a Kindle e-reader, and possibly best of all, a Skype session with Anthony to video-chat about The Suicide Princess with him after you finish reading… But seriously, he’s giving away one hot pair of heels from Taylor Reeves’ “Legs for Days” collection to the lucky winner, and here’s how to win:

First, get over to Amazon, and if you haven’t already, get a copy of The Suicide Princess for Kindle – it’s only 99 cents all week starting on January 14! Then follow Anthony on Facebook, and watch for him to post the winning comment “Who wants to win a pair of heels?” The first person to reply with the comment, “I do! I do! I do!” will be asked to show him that you grabbed The Suicide Princess on Kindle prior to posting the winning response, and they win – It’s that simple! Anthony will post the winning comment sometime between January 13 and January 18 – but don’t worry, you don’t need to stay glued to Facebook to win. Throughout the week, he’ll be giving status updates narrowing down when the winning comment will be – so just follow his page, check back every day, and follow the clues to win this amazing prize pack. He’ll even be running daily giveaways of a secret prize that you’ll love! So, what are you waiting for? Get over to www.Facebook.com/AnthonyBryanAuthor and get ready to win!!

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About the author:

Born and raised in London, UK, Anthony’s hope, more than anything, is that his words can provide an escape for you, and he hopes they take you on a journey you won’t soon forget. His goal is to give you something different, refreshing and unlike anything you’ve ever read. In a sea of authors pumping out the same cookie-cutter stories, Anthony can only try to be the one who stands out and takes you on one hell of a ride. Find your favorite reading spot, pour yourself a drink (or two) and love every second of every page he writes… After all, he writes them for you!

At 27 years old, Anthony now resides in the U.S. where he divides his time between Boston, Massachusetts and Sarasota, Florida. He served with the American military in eastern Afghanistan, and he is a combat veteran as well as an accomplished fighter training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing. He has more tattoos than his mother would have liked, and he may not seem like the typical erotic writer – because he’s not. He’s different, and his work is different, so get ready to be blown away!

Throughout his entire life, even as a young child, reading has always been Anthony’s escape from reality. It was a way to temporarily leave the boring monotony of day-to-day life, and it allowed him to visit far off lands, meet unusual characters, take incredible adventures, and even learn about the very edges of our universe. Being able to take his love of reading and transform it to a passion for writing has been the greatest gift he has ever been given.

Facebook Fanpage ~ Goodreads Page ~ Personal Website ~ Kindle Amazon Page ~ P’back Amazon Page

Blog Tour Giveaway January 2014 New Reviews

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ARC Review….Forever Wicked by Shayla Black

by Jilly

Forever Wicked releases January 14, 2014

Book links:

Kindle ~ Amazon print ~ Goodreads ~ 1001 Dark Nights

Synopsis:

They had nothing in common but a desperate passion…

Billionaire Jason Denning lived life fast and hard in a world where anything could be bought and sold, even affection. But all that changed when he met “Greta,” a beautiful stranger ready to explore her hidden desires. From a blue collar family, Gia Angelotti wore a badge, fought for right—and opened herself utterly to love him. Blindsided and falling hard, Jason does the first impulsive thing of his life and hustles her to the altar.

Until a second chance proved that forever could be theirs.

Then tragedy ripped Jason’s new bride from his arms and out of his life. When he finds Gia again, he gives her a choice: spend the three weeks before their first anniversary with him or forfeit the money she receives from their marriage. Reluctantly, she agrees to once again put herself at his mercy and return to his bed. But having her right where he wants her is dangerous for Jason’s peace of mind. No matter how hard he tries, he finds himself falling for her again. Will he learn to trust that their love is real before Gia leaves again for good?

My review:

Forever Wicked is a novella from author Shayla Black’s Wicked Lovers Series and is also part of the 1001 Dark Nights Series. A fan of Shayla’s and excited for this amazing novella series to start, I was thrilled to get an early copy of Forever Wicked. Well, let me say….Shayla has kicked off this series to one smoking hot start!

Jason Denning has many things. Tons of money and all of the material things that accompany having billions of dollars at his disposal. The one thing he doesn’t have and the one thing he really wants is his wife. He and Gia had met and married in a whirlwind affair and he had been looking forward to building a life together with her until her brother’s murder. After the tragedy, she had left him almost as soon as the ink on their Las Vegas marriage certificate had dried. And he had been thinking of her ever since. Now, armed with information on the reasons she left and the determination to get her back, he derives a plan. Surely Gia wouldn’t be able to turn down his offer and with a little bit of luck she would be wooed enough to stay with him. Forever.

To say Gia Angelotti is stretched thin would be a gross understatement. Besides the grief over her brother’s murder, helping her family and working as a police officer she had the guilt of leaving her new husband eating at her every day since she left him. Now it was too late though. It had been almost a year since she left him and certainly he’s moved on by now. Handsome and successful, Jason wouldn’t have sat around playing “she loves me, she loves me not” with a bunch of flowers waiting for her to come back to him. Imagine her surprise when, after all this time, he tracks her down and asks her to spend the two weeks leading up to their first anniversary with him. And being Jason, he makes her an offer she desperately needs and can’t turn down. The question is, what will happen when the two weeks ends….

It’s a good thing I read this book during the coldest week of the year…because the heat coming off of these pages sure kept me warm. Jason and Gia are in quite a stalemate in their marriage. Gia left Jason without a backward glance. Jason has been privately pining for her since she left. Both of them are unhappy. Their relationship isn’t conventional by any definition and I loved many things about it. They met at a BDSM club, married quickly and then ended up apart almost instantly. But that’s not what I loved most about it. What I loved most was that both Jason and Gia were willing to give their marriage a shot. Now, it wasn’t without a whole lot of struggles and there was certainly more than a little reluctance on both of their parts during the story but that’s where I grew to admire these characters. Both Gia and Jason were doing what they thought was best for their partners but in the end all it took was a little step back for each of them to realize they were both wrong….and it takes strong people to admit it. That’s what drew me to this couple. Of course, the ridiculously sexy scene in the department store dressing room and bathroom counter scene didn’t hurt.

Characters with numerous personality facets, hot chemistry and heaps of emotion make this novella a total win for me. Thank you, Shayla, for an amazing story and for kicking off the 1001 Dark Nights Series with a BANG!

Five Loves

About the author:

Shayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 40 sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances produced via traditional, small press, independent, and audio publishing. She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Shayla’s books have been translated in about a dozen languages. She has also received or been nominated for The Passionate Plume, The Holt Medallion, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, and the National Reader’s Choice Awards. RT Bookclub has twice nominated her for Best Erotic Romance of the year, as well as awarded her several Top Picks, and a KISS Hero Award.

A writing risk-taker, Shayla enjoys tackling writing challenges with every new book.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

January 2014 New Releases New Reviews

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Review….The Descent by Alma Katsu

by Jilly

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

The final installment in the “mesmerizing” (Booklist, starred review) and addictive trilogy—find out who truly holds the key to Lanny’s heart and whether she’ll ever be reunited with her beloved in this gripping supernatural tale of magic, lust, and longing.

Lanore McIlvrae has been on the run from Adair for hundreds of years, dismayed by his mysterious powers and afraid of his temper. She betrayed Adair’s trust and imprisoned him behind a stone wall to save Jonathan, the love of her life. When Adair was freed 200 years later, she was sure that he would find her and make her existence a living hell. But things turned out far different than she’d imagined.

Four years later, Lanore has tracked Adair to his mystical island home, where he has been living in self-imposed exile, to ask for a favor. She wants Adair to send her to the hereafter so she may beg the Queen of the Underworld to release Jonathan, whom she has been keeping as her consort. Will Lanore honor her promise to Adair to return? Or is her intention to reunite with Jonathan at any cost?

Of all the forces of the universe, the most mysterious, confounding, and humbling is the power of love. The epic story of love and loss, magic and destiny that began with The Taker and sparked a chase around the world in The Reckoning comes to a surprising conclusion with The Descent.

My review:

The Descent is the final book in author Alma Katsu’s The Taker Trilogy. After reading, and loving, the first two books I was beyond anxious to see how things would end for Lanny, Adair, Luke and Jonathan. Well, the ending was far better and more awe-filled than I ever could have imagined.

After being curiously spared from Adair’s wrath over his imprisonment, Lanny had lived the last four years peacefully with Luke. All was well until the nightmares began. Nightmares of Jonathan being tortured in the underworld. Lanny had been able to dismiss these for quite some time but now the dreams were more frequent and more violent. Fearing these dreams were Jonathan calling her subconscious for help, she knew she had to do something about it. Knowing full well there was only one person who could help her, she sets off to find that person. Adair. Her journey not only takes her to a secluded and remote island and to Adair’s home, but also to the underworld and to visits with many of the people and places that make up her past. The question remains, will she be able to find and help Jonathan before it’s too late or was this whole trip wasted effort?

I just finished this amazing book and I am still in awe over this series ending. I have had mixed emotions since the very first book between Jonathan and Adair and who, if either, were the right choice for Lanny. I was leaning heavily toward Adair but had a sneaking suspicion that he wasn’t to be trusted and that there were tricks hidden up his sleeve that would end up hurting Lanny. On the flip side, I was tired of Jonathan and his inability to love Lanny the way she had been longing for since, well, forever. Then there was Luke, the safe choice. I wanted to like him much more than I did, but he was just too vanilla for Lanny. More and more I kept pulling for Adair and I wanted so badly to believe he was honest in the astounding changes he’s made within himself. Almost right up until the end, I wasn’t sure of who was right for Lanny. My choice ended up being Adair. But was it Lanny’s? My lips are sealed.

Lanny’s journey into the underworld to rescue Jonathan was like a trip down memory lane and gave her a chance to revisit some of the characters we met earlier in the series. Some were good visits, and some painful. Peppered in between the chapters of her journey are snapshots of Adair’s earlier life and how he came to be the man he was today. Magic, alchemy and the occult all playing a part in shaping him. But one thing Ms. Katsu has done from the very beginning was subtly letting the reader know that nothing is what it seems…and oh boy, by the end of this story it was clear that what we had believed to be true was anything but. The ending threw me and had me dumbstruck…but in the best kind of way! Many secrets are revealed and puzzle pieces made to fit.

In a word? Brilliant.

This series is beautifully written with description that makes characters seem real and places seem tangible. If you haven’t read the first two books, I do recommend reading them before this final installment for you to truly appreciate the web of relationships that has been spun from the very beginning. Thank you, Ms. Katsu, for a trilogy that will stay with me for quite some time and for characters I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Five Loves

About the author:

Alma Katsu’s debut, The Taker, has been compared to the early work of Anne Rice, Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian and Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander for combining the historical, supernatural and fantasy in one story. The novel was named a Top Ten Debut Novel of 2011 by the American Library Association and rights have sold been in 16 languages. The Reckoning, the second book in the trilogy, was published in June 2012, and the third and final book, The Descent, will be published in January 2014. The Taker Trilogy is published by Gallery Books/Simon and Schuster and Century/Random House UK.

Ms. Katsu lives outside of Washington, DC with her husband, musician Bruce Katsu. In addition to her novels, Ms. Katsu has been a signature reviewer for Publishers Weekly and an occasional contributor to The Huffington Post. She is a graduate of the Master’s writing program at the Johns Hopkins University and received her bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University, where she studied with John Irving. She also attended the Squaw Valley Community of Writers.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

January 2014 New Releases New Reviews

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Review….Hunting Kat by P.J. Schnyder

by Jilly

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

As a mercenary, Kat Darah doesn’t have to pass for a normal human. On the edge of the solar system, she’s just another biped. Most of the time.

Nearing the end of his military tour, Lt. Christopher Rygard debates the idea of hanging up his uniform for good. Looking for answers at the bottom of a glass of scotch, he meets Kat. One shared night of mutual desire seems harmless. But when attackers hunting Rygard interrupt their tryst, Kat must reveal her other form, the predator beneath the human façade.

Together they embark on a dangerous mission a race against time to meet the enemy’s demands, while trying to deny the passion between them. Rygard is faced with a terrible choice in the face of duty: Report the existence of a human turned shape-shifter. Or forget he ever met her.

My review:

Hunting Kat is the first in author PJ Schnyder’s Triton Experiment series and is a sci-fi romance that I absolutely loved!

Finally somewhat able to deal with her painful past, mercenary Kat Darah has found a place in life where she belongs. She has a Captain she trusts and one close friend and that’s been enough for her. The only empty spot in her life is where the only man she had ever been close to once was. He’s gone, though, and his death hit her hard. But if Kat kept herself busy she didn’t have time to let the lack of a man bother her. That was until her captain and best friend stuck her on leave for two days when their ship docked. Now she was stuck on this mini-vacation and too much time to think. Time to it the bar…of course just when Kat is looking to avoid being tricked by her friends into spending time with a man, she happens to find one that sends her senses into overdrive. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all?

Lt. Christopher Rygard is at a crossroads in his life. Deciding whether to stay in the military at the end of this tour or give up the only life he’s ever known. A few things happened on the last few missions that haven’t sat right with him. But you can’t exactly go against your CO’s orders. Which puts him here, in this bar, wondering what the hell to do. Luckily a sexy mercenary walks in and takes his train of thought away from anything other than her. He’s set his sights on her and if there’s anything he’s sure of at this moment it’s that he will have her.

What starts out as a hot night of passion and sex turns into a fight for their lives when the very problems Rygard was pondering come pounding on their door. Now, he has no choice but to right his wrongs and he needs the help of the sexy merc shifter.

What a fantastic story this was! I think what I liked most was that it wasn’t overly futuristic. It had just enough to create a vivid picture in my mind without being distracting with foreign terms. Kat is one hell of a strong gal and I loved her spirit. She’s loyal and takes her friendships very seriously. She knows how quickly a person can be taken from your life or how quickly things can go from good to bad. Rygard is totally delicious with confidence and swagger to spare without being too cocky. Their night together was written sinfully and sexily and damn the heat jumped off of my ereader! PJ sure has a way with words…yum. The mission they end up working on together had my pulse pounding and I was so worried for Kat! No spoilers from me but I will say that it ended with me feeling content but wanting more. The sign of a great beginning to a series!

Thank you, PJ, for a kick ass story! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Kat!

Four Loves

About the author:

Born and raised in the North East, PJ Schnyder spent her childhood pretending to study for the SATs by reading every fantasy and sci-fi novel she could borrow from the local and school libraries. She scored fairly high in the verbal portion.

She was introduced to the wonderful world of romance a decade later by her best friend at an anime convention in Seattle.

She now lives somewhere temperate watching the seasons go by with her two dogs and super stealthy ninja kitty, writing her stories.

PJ would love to hear from you. Whether it’s questions or comments regarding her stories or this website, please feel free to email her.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

January 2014 New Reviews

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Return to Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia….Blog Tour Stop, Giveaway & Review

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Return to Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia Blog Tour!

I am beyond excited for this release!

Along with my review today, and the tour-wide giveaway, I have a set of the Poughkeepsie eBooks to give away to one lucky winner! Comment on this blog post to be entered to win. I will be picking a winner on Saturday morning (1/4)…..

enjoy and thanks so much for stopping by!

Book Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Beckett Taylor is a murderer. His calling, his craft are destruction and intimidation—whether he wants it that way now or not. He left Poughkeepsie to keep his brothers safe, to keep Eve safe. Set up with happy lives to live, they’re better off without him, right?

But all his willpower crumbles when he hears his brother Blake’s frantic voice on the phone. An unknown enemy has moved in on his old territory, and Livia’s been taken. In an instant, Beckett knows it will take an attack only he and Eve can execute to bring her back. All his self-imposed embargoes are torn to shreds, perhaps along with the new man he’s struggled to become.

“Brother, call Eve. I’ll be there soon.”

In this emotional and action-packed sequel to Poughkeepsie, Debra Anastasia conjures a tale of love at its most raw and ragged. With Beckett and Eve, how could we expect anything less? But even when it’s messy, not magical, true love perseveres. Real love finds a way—for better or for worse until death does part.

My review:

Return to Poughkeepsie is the second book in author Debra Anastasia’s Poughkeepsie series and follows Poughkeepsie…..a book I adored so much so I got the tattoo (of course!). I have been DYING for this book and *dreamy sigh* Debra has done it again. It was amazing.

Ok…so you all know I don’t do spoilers and there is a whole lot I need to be tight lipped about, so bear with me here while I do my best to not ruin one single second of this kick ass book for you…..

Beckett Taylor has left Poughkeepsie behind…physically that is. There is no way he would ever be able to forget his brothers or Livia or Kyle…or Eve. He knows leaving was best for everyone, even if it still hurt like hell to be away from the only family he’s ever known. And don’t even get him started on missing Eve. He left his heart with her. He only hoped she had done what he wanted her to do and live a life without him filled with only the good things life had to offer. Not murder, death and deceit, which were the only things he could offer. He had settled in a small town and was doing the best he could, despite being a hardened killer. He still quietly kept tabs on Poughkeepsie and had been hearing there was a new player in town trying to take over his former “businesses” in the area. As long as nothing got too crazy, Beckett didn’t mind what was going on in the underbelly of society there. Yep, things were going ok until he gets a phone call from Blake. That phone call would change his life. Livia had been kidnapped and Beckett knew he had no choice but to go home and save his family. Yes, he was still a wanted man. Yes, he knew if he saw Eve his heart would break all over again. No, there was no way in hell he wouldn’t do whatever it took to get his brother’s wife back.

The crime-filled mess Beckett has to dive head first into to get Livia back was a way bigger and more “organized” mess than he ever expected. One his Eve was somehow a part of, too. Now, they’ve got to work their ass-kicking magic together to bring down a problem much bigger than just the kidnapping. But there’s nothing Eve and Beckett do better than kick ass and take names.

Hold on, I’ve give my fingers a stretch here, they are a bit cramped….I have just finished reading this book, you see, and I swear my hands practically crushed my eReader from the death like, white-knuckled grip I had on it while reading. Talk about one hell of a ride! I don’t think I can even begin to list all of the emotions I experienced while reading this book. Even if I did, it wouldn’t do this book justice. Equally gut wrenching and tender, hard assed and feather soft, Debra rocked my world. This book was a lot grittier than Poughkeepsie, and very fitting as it centers on Beckett and Eve. They are both just as wounded and dark as before but seeing their emotions in depth was so heartbreaking. If ever two wounded souls needed one another, these two are it. I love Beckett and Eve. They both had really awful lots in life and are the products of that. The amazing quality about them is that even though they have seen and been a part of so much darkness and pain, they have true emotions and are capable of such love…even if it is buried deep. Two broken pieces that make up an imperfect whole…but a whole nonetheless.

Blake and Livia are even more amazing than before…even through the horror of the kidnapping. The tender moments between the two of them reminded me of exactly why I adore them and their unique and beautiful relationship.

Cole and Kyle….broke my heart. Cole is just so freaking amazing and with every scene I grew to love him more. His words to Kyle are full of his love for her. He is real and wise and speaks from his soul. Kyle is the same feisty and foul-mouthed girl I love but shows a soft side that was humbling to read. I honestly love these two…big time. They are going through an exceptionally rough time in this book and I cried my eyes out more than once for them. My lips are sealed, but trust in Debra that she gives them happiness in the end….doesn’t she always?

Oh, and the even better thing? There’s another Poughkeepsie book in the works! Yep, if you didn’t already know, we will be getting book #3! *happy dance*

Now, I hope I was able to convey how amazing this book was without giving anything away. Debra wrote one hell of an emotional, pulse pounding book and it’s one that you deserve to experience first hand without knowing what’s coming next….truly, it’s a gift to read a book like Return to Poughkeepsie.

Thank you, Debra, for giving us more Poughkeepsie. Thank you for making me laugh, cry, gasp and smile like only you can do. Love you, girl! (and my tattoo loves you, too!)

Five Loves

My Poughkeepsie tattoo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Debra Anastasia is busy, just like every other mom. There’s dinner, the dogs, the two kids, and her violent IBS–which is under control thanks to medication except for occasional multi-tonal farts. Her first love and crowning achievement is her thriving career as the weirdest mom on the block.

Her writing started a decent handful of years ago when–along with the animals and humans in her house–the voices of characters started whispering stories in Debra’s ear. Insomnia was the gateway to plots that wouldn’t give up, wouldn’t let go. Now they stalk her everywhere. Halfway through making lunches, a twist takes hold and–fingers full of peanut butter–she finds somewhere, anywhere to write it down.

She’s eternally grateful to Omnific Publishing, which has now published four of her books: two in the Seraphim Series and two in the Poughkeepsie Brotherhood Series, as well as her novella, Late Night with Andres. That one is special because 100% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research. (So go get it right now, please!) She also very much appreciates her open-minded readers, who embrace everything she has to offer, with a focus on anti-heroes and bathroom humor.

Debra lives in Maryland with her family. You can find her at DebraAnastasia.com and on Twitter @Debra_Anastasia. But be prepared…

Blog Tour New Releases New Reviews

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Mike’s Way Back by Amy Gregory…Book Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Mike’s Way Back by Amy Gregory Book Tour!

Please enjoy my review below and as a treat during the tour Mike’s Way Back is on sale for .99! Yay!

Title: Mike’s Way Back (Finding Perfect #1)

Author: Amy Gregory

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: September 30, 2013

Cover Designed By: Davis Snodgrass

Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis:

Detective Mike Sterling walked away from his dream job telling himself it was to honor the promise he’d made his mother, while lying in a Chicago emergency room. A year later, he’s still fighting the demons that followed him back to his boyhood town.

Taryn Watts is an award-winning designer, going from project to project, living from a suitcase. Her plan for Renlend Kansas was the same as always. Go in, get the job done and get out, just the way she likes it. Growing up as a cop’s daughter, her every move was controlled. When she escaped to college she vowed to never fall in love with a cop –ever. Until she found herself sitting across from the ruggedly handsome stranger. Looking into Mike’s ice blue eyes they pulled her, called to her, but there was a haunting in them she knew too well.

Mike is drawn to Taryn, her passion for her work and her stunning beauty left him breathless, but what surprises him most is the peace he feels when he’s near her. Maybe it’s because Taryn is a temporary addition to his town and his secret is safe, or maybe it’s because she makes him feel safe. Mike knows he can’t keep up this charade and when Taryn moves to Renlend for an extended stay he can’t hide the truth any longer.

Can Taryn forget he’s a cop and give him her heart, or will his demons drive them apart?

My Review:

Mike’s Way Back is the first book in author Amy Gregory’s Finding Perfect Series and was an enjoyable kick-off!

Detective Mike Sterling is back in his hometown after leaving the police force in Detroit. Now, if he could just leave the horrible memories that went along with it. He’s settling into life with a quieter pace even if the nightmares haunt him at night. Things are looking up and start looking even better when a beautiful stranger shows up at his favorite pub. Determined to find out more about her, he shares a meal with her and is thrilled at the prospect that she may be spending a bit of time here and with any luck, he’ll be spending that time with her….

Designer Taryn Watts is at the top of her field and loves every minute of her success. She has worked damn hard to get here and is finally at a good place in her life. It’s this award-winning career that has brought her to this charming little town and into this charming local pub. Another charming thing about this town is the gorgeous blond detective sharing her table with her. Yep, she could really learn to like this place. It’s a crying shame she didn’t call this place her home because a gal could really get used to this town and this guy….

Mike’s Way Back was a sweet and beautiful romance with a very real feel to it. Taryn is smart and talented with a fantastic job and some amazing friends. She was an enjoyable character to read with reservations that are very relatable. The uncertainty of new feelings and what it could mean for the life she’s worked hard for. Mike is a delicious, smart and respectable man also with a great career and a close knit family. He is also very real and thoughtful with his relationship with Taryn. I think that’s one of the things I enjoyed most about this book….that Mike and Taryn are more adult in how they proceed with their feelings and ultimately their relationship. The secondary cast of characters is also terrific. Taryn’s business partners and close friends are the best! A fabulous addition to the story, indeed.

Overall this was a great true-blue romance with an ending that I adored. Thank you, Amy!

Three-and-a-Half Loves

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Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble

About the Author

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

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

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

Tour-Wide Giveaway

Book Tour December 2013 New Reviews

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Pushing The Line by Kimberly Kincaid…ARC Review

by Jilly

Coming January 2014

Goodreads

Synopsis:

Free-spirited artist Harper McGee is happy to go wherever the wind takes her…until her flight pattern sends her back to Brentsville, New York for her beloved grandmother funeral. Harper’s grief turns to shock, however, when she discovers her grandmother has named her sole proprietor of her candy shop, Luscious. But she has no intention of being anchored to one place, and anyway, she doesn’t know the first thing about running a kitchen or a business. Selling Luscious is the only viable option— until the shop catches fire due to old wiring. Fixing the damage requires major work, and if Harper wants to put it on the market, she needs major help.

Thrill-seeking firefighter Aaron Fisher has never walked away from a challenge or a friend. So when a fellow firefighter is hurt on a call and can’t complete a side job for his contracting company, Aaron’s quick to jump in. He’s done plenty of fix ‘er ups for his buddy in the past, and despite his silver spoon upbringing and his no-holds-barred attitude, swinging a hammer suits Aaron just fine. That is, until he discovers the client is the same impetuous woman he forcibly dragged from the flames of Brentsville’s local candy shop.

The more time Harper and Aaron spend at Luscious, the hotter their attraction burns, daring them both to shed their tough outer layers to reveal the tender desires beneath. But when a buyer makes Harper the offer of a lifetime, she must choose between roots and wings. Can two people who live in the moment learn to see past the moment, or will Aaron and Harper always live their lives pushing the line?

My review:

Pushing The Line is the latest in author Kimberly Kincaid’s Line Novella Series, a series that I love and always look forward to reading more of. Well, this was no exception. As a matter of fact, this novella is in a tie for my first place in the series. I loved it!

Harper McGee has only had two constants in her life….her grandmother and her grandmother’s candy store, Luscious. You could say that Harper lived by the saying “a rolling stone gathers no moss”. Unfortunately Harper’s whole life changes when her grandmother suddenly passes away. Never one to stay in one place for long, Harper is beyond shocked when her grandmother’s will reveals she is now the owner of Luscious. Her grandmother knew her so well, and knew she never put down any sort of roots. Why on earth would she have left the store to her? The answer to that question would have to wait when a fire rips through the candy store kitchen and effectively puts Harper in Brentsville until the repairs are completed and she can get the store up for sale. Funny how things work out sometimes though. This whole situation puts Harper working side by side the handsome firefighter/construction guru Aaron Fisher and before long Harper realizes that staying here in this town may not be such a bad thing after all.

The last thing firefighter Aaron Fisher thought he’d be doing when he got the call that there was a fire at Luscious was wrestling with a damsel in distress. Ok, so maybe he wasn’t exactly wresting, but he did have to physically drag her out after she insisted on grabbing one last thing from the flaming kitchen. He had no idea until his buddy’s construction company got the call to head up the renovations that the damsel in distress is actually the late owner’s granddaughter, and now the new owner. His friend had gotten hurt in the fire so it was now his responsibility to get this job done. He has no idea when he agrees to this job that the renovations aren’t just within the kitchen….Harper is in need of some emotional renovations and like the fire ravaged kitchen, Aaron is just the guy for the job.

The items being built between Harper and Aaron aren’t just new floors and drywall…there’s an undeniable connection that just keeps getting stronger with each day they spend working together. In the end, will what they’ve built be enough to keep Harper in this town…and with Aaron?

I was so excited for this story. We met Aaron earlier on the series and I have been waiting for his story since that first intro. Well, it was worth the wait. Aaron is self assured and confident in his abilities as a firefighter, in construction and as a man. He lives life to the fullest and loves with that same intensity. He is loyal, understanding and has a big heart. Not to mention, tall, dark, adorably dimpled and handsome! He’s got sex appeal to spare but without being cocky. A delicious combo, indeed. Harper is a tough nut to crack but when she finally starts to open up she is just as amazing as Aaron. She’s had a tough life and losing the only thing that mattered to her really hit hard. Her honestly from the very start was really refreshing and admirable. She is a really well rounded character with her equal measures of strength and vulnerabilities. The connection between Aaron and Harper was fast, furious and oh so fantastic. The way they just “got” each other was a treat to read. I also loved seeing the characters form the rest of the series hanging out in Mac’s and enjoying one another’s company. The joking and laughter between all of them warmed my heart and had me smiling from ear to ear.

One of Kimberly’s many talents is her ability to make characters so real to the reader. Just an example is that Aaron and Harper both have tattoos and their reasons for getting the designs they have are very personal and hold a special meaning. That character facet alone gave so much more depth to Harper and Aaron and really added to the story as a whole. It’s very easy to fall in love with these characters and that is a gift that I thank Kimberly for.

As always, I will be eagerly awaiting Kimberly’s next release and what she has in store for us. Thank you for another fantastic and enjoyable story!

Five Loves

The Line Trilogy:

Amazon

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

December 2013 New Reviews

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Death of the Mad Hatter by Sarah J. Pepper….Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

“Little mad, good. Lots mad, blissfully dangerous.” Pg 293

Welcome to my stop on the Death of the Mad Hatter by Sarah J. Pepper Blog Tour!

I have a great excerpt to share with you along with my review and info on the tour wide giveaway.

Thanks so much for stopping by and enjoy!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Kobo ~ Smashwords ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

The Jack prophesied: If the king loses his head, then the Queen with a Bleeding Heart would rule the Red Court until Time ceased to move forward. When a second carried on for infinity, every creature in Wonderland would tip their Hat to the misfit girl with a Boy’s name (or was it a boy with a Girl’s name?) who’d end the Reign of Terror. However, it all hinged on the One-Eyed Hare being able to convince an uninspirable Heir that the impossible was indeed possible—like stopping time—and that Love was worth a Beheading.

Heads would Roll…

Hearts would Break…

In the end, would it matter who Reigned?

My review:

Death of the Mad Hatter is the first work of author Sarah J. Pepper’s that I have read and being a book outside of my “norm” I was excited to give it a try. This is a retelling of sorts of Alice in Wonderland but with a new spin on it. Sometimes it pays to step outside of the typical reading box…this was one of those times.

High school senior Ryley Edgar was looking forward to getting out of high school and this small town. He and his mom have move around a ton growing up trying to outrun the rumors of his father’s mental illness. They had stayed in this town longer than any of the others and he was happy that no one had found out about his dad yet. What Riley doesn’t know is that his dad isn’t exactly mentally ill. Instead, his father had ties to Wonderland, a place Ryley unknowingly also has ties to. A magical and twisted world that Ryley would soon learn a whole lot more about courtesy of the new student in school, Alice Mae.

Working, reluctantly, for The Queen of Hearts, Alice Mae’s mission is to find the heir to the Wonderland throne….and ultimately send him to his death. All because the Queen had her husband killed and she wasn’t technically in line to rule. Oh, and there’s the little problem of the Jack’s prophesy. The problem arises when, somewhere in the middle of her mission, Alice Mae falls in love with Ryley….and he falls in love with her.

Between the Queen, the prophesy, two different realms and the emotional turmoil it seems like the odds are stacked against Alice Mae and Ryley. But, like all things in Wonderland, nothing is as it seems and almost anything is possible.

I will admit that this book took a little bit of time to really get in to but when it finally clicked, I was hooked and couldn’t wait to see what was happening next. The characters in this story range from evil and merciless to confusing and mischievous and at times innocently sweet. I thought the love aspect between Ryley and Alice Mae was a fantastic addition to the story and was cheering for things to work out between them from the first few chapters. They had a real love/hate thing going for the first half of the book that only added to the layers of story. The end chapters had me on the edge of my seat wondering and hoping that things would work out for them and they can find their own Wonderland version of a happy ending….because, after all, anything is possible in Wonderland.

Overall this was an enjoyable, magical story with loads of twists and turns. If you’re a fan of Alice in Wonderland and taking a trip down the rabbit hole, then by all means this is a book for you! Thank you, Sarah, for giving us Alice Mae, Ryley and their story!

Four Loves

Excerpt:

There were the types of girls who dressed for guys, the type who still played dress-up, the type who lived in sweatpants, and then there was an entirely different breed who wore mismatched socks with pride. This chick fell into the last category. Why anyone could possibly think bright orange and blue would go together, unless they were a Boise State fan, was beyond my thought process. Her shoes were quite possibly handcrafted a hundred years ago, and her tattered skirt looked as though she found it in a dusty box tucked away in an attic. However, the zebra patterned gloves actually appeared to be from this decade.

“Well, it’s rather fortunate that you didn’t dribble. Mr. Ruth would have a fit if he became familiar with the underside of your pet-soaked shoe,” the girl said, petting the stuffed animal’s head. Her accent was none that I’d heard before—and I’d lived in a lot of different places. She sounded like a British gal impersonating a southern bell. “It’d be quite regrettable if anything happened to him on the first day of school. He must have fallen out of his hidey-hole.”

“You named your stuffed rabbit, Mr. Ruth?”

She covered the bunny’s ears. “Rutherford is his real name, but he hates it and makes all the other rumperbabbits call him by his nickname.”

“Rumperbabbits?”

“Bunnies, rabbits, hares—rumperbabbits. Same thing,” she said with a wink. She had the most volatile light-blue eyes that were so electrifying I couldn’t look away.

Time out—just for reference, I didn’t believe in juvenile notions, like love at first sight. In my book, time didn’t cease to move forward when two people fell in love. As a matter-of-fact, I’d have to be drunk (not on love) for such an irrational thought to enter my mind.

But, there was something magical about her. A mischievous charm. I wouldn’t have said that I necessarily liked it, but it was intriguing. She was intriguing… and new. For a town whose newspaper’s biggest story was the harvest report, having a new girl in school would most likely be headlined on The Gossiper’s front page.

Giveaway:

Enter to win a signed paperback copy of Death of the Mad Hatter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

I specialize in dark, paranormal romance – think “happy ever after” but with a twisted, dark chocolate center. Real-life romance isn’t only filled with hugs, kisses, unicorns, and rainbows. True-love can be more thoroughly described in times of darkness and tribulation. It’s in those harsh moments where you see what a person is truly capable of – both the good and bad. Sometimes prince-charming isn’t always on time, and the glass slipper is a little snug. However, it doesn’t mean Charming is not Mr. Right, and who says every shoe is the perfect fit?

Website

Twitter: @sarahjpepper

Facebook author page

Facebook profile

Goodreads

Blog Tour December 2013 New Reviews

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Reaver by Larissa Ione…ARC Review & Giveaway

by Jilly

It’s Friday the 13h, one of my favorite days of the year and it’s only FOUR more days until Reaver by Larissa Ione releases!

I thought why not do something fun on this favorite day and to go along with my review?

So, in honor of that Reaver, that sexy angel, and because Larissa is awesome, I have THREE signed copies of Larissa’s Rogue Rider to give away!

Two copies are ARCs with a different cover than the mass market paperback, which is pretty cool if you ask me. Oh, and this contest is open internationally!

I hope you enjoy my review and thanks so much for stopping by!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ IndieBound ~ Powell’s ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

WARRIOR OF HEAVEN

Reaver is an angel with a past, a record, and a less-than-heavenly attitude. Powerful enough to fight alongside the fiercest battle angels-and crazy enough to risk his wings on a one-way mission to hell-he’s agreed to go where no angel has ever gone before…to steal the most seductive and dangerous prize of Satan himself.

ANGEL OF HELL

Harvester is one of the Fallen, a once-heroic angel who sacrificed her wings to work as an undercover agent in hell. But now her cover has been blown, and she’s been doomed to an eternity of agonizing torture. Even if Reaver can snatch her away from Satan’s lair, even if they can fight their way out of the underworld’s darkest depths, there is one thing Harvester can never escape-her newfound thirst for an angel’s blood…

My review:

Reaver is the fifth book in Larissa Ione’s Lord of the Deliverance Series and is also the tenth book in her Demonica Series. As some of you may know, I absolutely adore this series. It’s one of the series I will continue with as long as Larissa writes it and one that I will always recommend. I have been chomping at the bit to start this book and holy book gods in booktopia…..this book was truly amazing.

There are mysteries solved in this book as well as many secrets revealed…so I am going to do my best to give you a review without spoiling anything. Trust me, you would be mighty angry if I did because there are some major “WHOA” moments you need to experience for yourself. Okay, here goes nothing!

Reaver, the badass angel with a rebellious streak a mile wide, is a man on a mission. A mission he never would have thought he’d be on. Once again he will be breaking the rules set by the Heavens but this time, the stakes are much higher than they ever have been. He is going into enemy territory to rescue Harvester. The enemy being Satan’s lair, of course, and Harvester being the Fallen he has an extreme love/hate relationship with. Having been robbed of his memories, he had no idea what connection they shared, just that they shared one. What he learns about their connection had rocked him to his core and he knows, at the very least, he owes her this rescue and to be returned to safety. Many questions arise when his decision is made to go find her. Will they survive the journey back from the underworld? Will she agree to let him help her? What will she think when he tells her the truth of what they once were? That last question is the one that will plague Reaver and worry him most.

Harvester has pretty much accepted her fate in the underworld as the torture plaything for Satan. After she had been ousted as a traitor and spy, she knew it would happen. And yeah, it sucked but she knew what she was getting involved in when she volunteered to fall all those years ago and watch over the Horsemen. She would do it all over again for the angel she once loved and the one she made an oath to. The memories of that angel, Yenrieth, were the only things keeping her somewhat sane during the endless hours and days of torture. Memories were erased of Yenrieth so she was lucky that she still had any at all, even if she could never see his face. She had given up on ever getting out of this (literal) hell until Reaver shows up…to save her.

In the end, getting out of the underworld may not be the hardest journey for Reaver and Harvester. There’s five thousand years worth of history they will need to sort through and with the possibility that they shared more history than either one had imagined, putting up with Satan may be less complicated. Oh, and there’s also the itty-bitty problem of an impending war between Heaven and Hell. Yeah, lets just say the odds are stacked against them from the word GO.

I literally just finished this book ten minutes before I stared this review and I’m sill in awe of everything I just read. Larissa has blown my mind. I was already in love with Reaver from the previous books. On the flip side, I hated Harvester until the very end of Rogue Rider, the last book. Reaver was amazing in this story. His resolve and determination from start to finish is beyond anything I’ve read. He adapted to every twist and turn and proved himself a worthy warrior on the side of good. Harvester is beyond damaged, emotionally and physically, and broke my heart. When we finally learn her history and why she agreed to fall, oh my….she now goes down as one of my favorite heroines. She has a whole lot of rough exterior to break down and it was poignant when she showed her vulnerable side. Luckily Reaver realized what a gift that was and tried his best to handle her with care. As I had said earlier, there are MANY twists and surprises I never saw coming. Wow. Just wow. Larissa threw some zingers in this story that blew my freaking mind and I loved every single one! Oh, and the fight between Heaven and Hell is reaching a fevered pitch and had me on the edge of my seat until the last freaking chapter! Well done….

Oh, and I can’t go without mentioning how great it was to see our Demonica friends…Eidolon, Gem, Wraith, to name a few and of course the Horsemen and their other halves. Than talking about a play date between his kid and Wraith’s was priceless! The humor peppered into the story from these guys and enjoying their sibling bond was a treat to read.

And so here we are, at the end of my long, somewhat vague review and if you can take away one thing this should be it: BUY. THIS. BOOK. It was everything I was hoping it would be and ended exactly how I wanted it to for Reaver and Harvester (lips are zipped up tight!)

Thank you, Larissa, for an amazing, emotional, edge-of-your-seat, kick-ass read. You have done it again!

Five Loves

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Air Force veteran Larissa Ione traded in a career as a meteorologist to pursue her passion of writing. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

December 2013 Giveaway New Releases New Reviews

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Seamless by RL Griffin….Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Seamless by RL Griffin Blog Tour!

Be sure to enter the tour wide giveaway in the Rafflecopter below. Prizes up for grabs include to $50 gift cards and a signed copy of the entire trilogy!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my review…..enjoy!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Professional, successful, survivor Stella has mastered the art of appearances and conquering what life throws at her. Time after time, she chooses to fight even though she’s consistently poised to break. It’s that fight to get her life back, to make things right, to survive that defines who she is. She’s been loved, left, lost, blown up, shot, and exploited. Physically, she’s almost completely put back together. Mentally, Stella’s one step from a vindictive retaliation that may or may not be her best choice.

In Seamless, Stella has no choice but to step into the ring with someone who she once loved. It’s a dirty fight that will take all she has. Will she do what it takes to win? Will she make it out alive?

You’ll cheer her on until you realize all is not what it seems. Appearances can be deceiving.

My review:

Seamless is the final installment in author R.L. Griffin’s By A Thread Trilogy and let me say….whoa! What a pulse pounding, emotional finish. I loved it!

Stella has had just about enough of what life is dishing out. She’s buried a fiancé (or so she thought), grieved for her lost love, been shot, caught in an explosion and kidnapped. Yep, she’s just about done with all of it. Now, with the media hounding her and sick to death of all of the creative hashtag nonsense on twitter every time she leaves the house, she’s ready to just run away. But then she thinks of her best friends and her boyfriend and realizes that despite all the bad, she really does have a fantastic amount of good in her life. Now, with the unexpected, and in essence reincarnation, of the man who shot her, Stella’s biggest fight is on the horizon. She will need to get him to confess to the shooting and the treachery he is responsible for, all without killing him herself. Yeah, easier said than done when she is oozing the need for revenge. Between the ups and downs of her own mental state, wanting desperately to be worthy of her amazing boyfriend and friends, trying to catch a ghost and just wanting to live a normal life, you could say Stella’s plate is full. Will she make it thought the darkness and into the light? Only time and her will to survive will tell…

Holy hell! This book had me on the edge of my seat and cursing out loud too many times to count! What a wild and crazy ride. Stella, as in the other books in the series, is a force to be reckoned with. She’s smart, emotional, realistic, and intense and has phenomenal taste in heels. She’s tattooed, curses and drinks like a sailor and damn I adore her. She is a gal I would love to share a bottle of wine with. She is absolutely pushed to her limits by the end of this book and my heart broke for her as she finally herself broke. But like all amazing heroines, in the end she gets herself together and it was a Phoenix rising from the ashes moment. Her support system is amazing. Her friends are behind her and are there for her every step of the way but her boyfriend, George, is the one that had me swooning. That man is just freaking perfect. Gorgeous, sexy, intelligent and with a heart the size of Texas, he just kept winning me over from start to finish. The two of them together are freaking fantastic. The mystery and intensity of Stella’s situation was full throttle until the very last chapter. It was such a kick ass ride! The best part though? The epilogue. I could NOT be happier with that ending. It was pure perfection and I was crying big happy tears for Stella. Her tattooed, foul-mouthed self got her happy ending. No spoilers from me…just know you’ll love it. Promise!

Thank you, R.L., for an intense, emotional, kick ass ending to this series!

Five Loves

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

R.L. resides in the Atlanta area with her husband, son and two dogs. She was born and raised in the South. She attended Georgia Southern University and moved to Washington, D.C. to intern in the United States Senate during the impeachment trial. Falling in love with the city, she went to law school at American University, Washington College of Law. By a Thread is R.L.’s second book, but is the first in a series of books.

www.rlgriffinauthor.com

http://facebook.com/rlgriffinbyathread

http://www.goodreads.com/RLGriffin

@RLGriffinauthor

Blog Tour December 2013 New Reviews

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Piper Day’s Ultimate Guide to Avoiding George Clooney by Vanessa Fewings and Christina Cannarella….Book Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Piper Day’s Ultimate Guide to Avoiding George Clooney by Vanessa Fewings and Christina Cannarella Book Tour!

I hope you enjoy my review and thanks for stopping by!

Book links:

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble

Genre: Chick – LIt

Publication Date: December 3rd, 2013

Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis:

Finding romance in the world’s most glamorous city isn’t easy.

For Piper Day, fresh in town to work as a studio nurse on one of Hollywood’s busiest backlots, finding love seems impossible. Two men who couldn’t be more different vie for her affection: a wildly wealthy actor who gleefully bathes in the adoration of his public and a sweet, humble teacher who works at the on-lot childcare center.

Throw in the task of having to avoid one of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities or risk losing her job, Piper’s life is anything but smooth sailing.

On any given day, Piper can be helping a patient on the dusty set of a western or on the futuristic bridge of a starship or in the plush office of a studio executive. She never knows where a nurse will be needed once she enters the legendary gates of Gemstone Studios.

These are the adventures of Piper Day, a life where reality and fantasy tango in the dream-soaked world of Tinseltown.

My review:

This is the work of collaboration between authors Vanessa Fewings, whose The Stone Masters Vampire Series I love, and debut author Christina Cannarella. All I can say is that I hope these gals team up for more because this book was awesome!

Piper Day realizes she’s hit the jackpot when she was hired for her new job as a nurse at Gemstone Studios in Hollywood. I mean who wouldn’t want to practice nursing at one of the biggest studios, rubbing elbows with movie stars and seeing the amazing work that goes into putting movies and TV shows together? The only problem is that she was avoiding one of the biggest stars there was: George Clooney. It all started when she was on a junk food mission while having a break-up cry fest with her BFF and ended up running into George. In pajamas. With a cart full of George Clooney merchandise. And with chocolate smeared on her face. She’s convinced if he sees her on the lot, he will put her in the stalker category and she will lose this dream job. And so, Operation: Avoid The Clooney begins. Who would have thought that in her mission to avoid George she would end up catching the eye of two very different, very handsome, bachelors? How much more can a gal juggle?

Talk about a laugh out loud book! Piper Day goes down as one of the funniest, most adorable, kindhearted book gals in history. I adore her! Her antics and adventures ranged from hilarious to solemn and had every range in-between. She is an optimistic gal with a big heart and a fantastic sense of humor. There were more than a few of her avoidance scenes that had me crying with laughter. I couldn’t blame her for never wanting to show her face to George again after the chocolate-faced disaster! The people Piper meets along the way are almost as amazing as she is. Her two co-workers welcome her with open arms and become fast friends she is lucky to have found. There’s also a special man she meets in the beginning…but not in the sense you’re thinking. A very unassuming and kind older gentleman who turns out to be someone she never would have guessed. Almost a fairy godfather in a way. As for the two gents vying for her attention, well, I don’t envy Piper one bit in having to choose between the two! Very different guys but equally attractive, I do believe she chose wisely in the end *dreamy sigh* As for her best friend, I must admit I have a love/hate view on her. A few of the conversations Piper had with her left me a tad annoyed but luckily in the end, she came through for Piper.

I hope we get to see more of Piper in the future and I highly recommend this book if you want a fun, light hearted and entertaining read! Thank you, Vanessa and Christina, for teaming up and giving us Piper!

Four Loves

About the authors:

Vanessa Fewings (aka V.M.K. Fewings) is the award-winning author of The Stone Masters Vampire Series. Her first erotic novel, Enthrall, will be released later this summer. Prior to publishing, Vanessa worked as a registered nurse and midwife. She holds a Masters Degree in Psychology. She has travelled extensively throughout the world and has lived in Germany, Hong Kong, and Cyprus. Born and raised in England, Vanessa now proudly calls herself an American and resides in California with her husband.

Vanessa has been invited as a special guest to attend the Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Fan Club’s Annual Ball and Undead Con in New Orleans this Halloween. Alongside some of the most distinguished authors, including Anne Rice herself, Vanessa will be a guest on writer panels and at the author meet and greet where fans will get the chance to chat with her personally about her new vampire novel Bohemian.

Vanessa Fewings is repped by management firm IPG.

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Christina Cannarella is a Los Angeles-based creative writer, actor and medical consultant for tv shows and films. She fused her nursing career with Hollywood when she began working in the entertainment industry, both behind and in front of the camera over a decade ago. Some of the shows included in her resume are Parks and Recreation, Masters of Sex, Private Practice, Revenge and Parenthood.

Her first original sitcom script, “On the Boulevard”, was chosen as one of the winners of an FX Competition for “the next great half-hour comedy show.”

Christina grew up in an Italian family from Wisconsin, intermingling her midwestern values with her quick wit, she adds a sprinkle of this in all of her creative endeavors.

She is very excited to be releasing her first novel, Piper Day’s Ultimate Guide to Avoiding George Clooney in collaboration with Vanessa Fewings.

Connect with the Author Goodreads

Book Tour December 2013 New Reviews

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