Read-Love-Blog

Hard Beat by K. Bromberg…. Blog Tour & Review

by Courtney

Meet Tanner & Beaux in HARD BEAT – the newest stand alone in the

Driven Series by K. Bromberg!

NOW AVAILABLE

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/20laOb3

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1PZxwlp

Nook: http://bit.ly/1XIwjk2

Kobo:http://bit.ly/1k2fXVd

iBooks:http://apple.co/1Hlkve0

Cover & Book Summary

From the New York Times bestselling author of Sweet Ache comes a blistering new novel filled with danger, secrecy, and a desire that can’t be sated…

Foreign war correspondent Tanner Thomas is addicted to living on the edge. Needing the adrenaline rush of his job to help him cope with a personal loss, he throws himself back into the game, concentrating all his energy on getting the next big story. But when he meets his new photojournalist, Beaux Croslyn, he can’t help but feel like he’s losing his focus—and maybe risking more…

With secrets she won’t address, Beaux is far from your ordinary woman. Determined to keep her distance, she’s willing to pull Tanner in closer and hide behind the sparks flying between them. But as Beaux’s past begins to put their relationship—and their lives—at risk, Tanner’s determination to find the truth puts them both in jeopardy.

He’s ready to chase her to the ends of the earth to find out if what they had was real, or if the danger surrounding them was just an exquisite heat fated to burn out….

Ok – so don’t bite me head off, but this is the first time I have read a book by K. Bromberg. I know, I know – I have been completely missing out and I get that now. And I will be going back and reading the other books in this series.

This is the one book in this series that can be read as a standalone and I absolutely fell in head first. And I was pulled under completely. I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I jumped into this book. But all the thrills, excitement and holy sh*t moments kept me glued to my kindle.

Tanner immediately intrigued me. He’s very much an alpha in every way. He takes no sh*t and does what he wants. He’s very street smart and intuitive. But he throws himself into his work to avoid the tougher things in his life.

BJ/Beaux is not what he expected. She deals out sh&t as quickly as he. And she’s his new photographer who won’t back down from him. But she too has her own shit that she isn’t handling well.

I think another factor that made this book so damn enthralling was the setting. It’s fast paced and action packed. And that’s how the entire book plays out. These two are forced to be together practically 24/7 and that makes up for an explosive storyline. This book is full of suspense, surprises and lots of action.

Kristy – you have earned yourself another huge fan! Bravo.

Excerpt

“Beaux!” Even when I say her name, I’m cursing myself for it. “Beaux!” She just keeps walking, causing my better judgment to win out over my obstinacy.

“I said stay away . . . and it’s BJ to you.” She stops and turns around, but a passerby on the sidewalk bumps harshly against her shoulder. Her small frame sways from the contact, and I’m beside her in two strides.

“You can’t go that way unless you’re looking for trouble.” I decide to ignore her comment.

She just shakes her head and starts walking away from me, but at least she’s moving in the direction of the hotel. I swear I hear her mutter something about always looking for trouble, but I miss the rest of it when a car passes in between us, the sound drowning out her voice.

My feet kick up the dirt on the street as I try to catch up to her. I lie to myself that I want to talk to her to establish some kind of ground rules about how we’ll work together, try to restore a professional level, but I know I’m just making sure she gets back into the confines of the hotel safely.

The barely chilled air-conditioned lobby of the hotel meets us as we enter, but it feels like heaven in contrast to the stifling heat outside. If she knows I’m beside her, she doesn’t acknowledge it, and that’s fine with me. I just want to make sure she’s nice and tucked away in her room where I don’t have to worry about her for a bit while I try to drum up some leads.

The elevator car opens on cue as we approach. I step in right behind her, lean against the rear wall, and fold my arms across my chest to mimic her posture. The door closes, but neither of us moves in a game of chicken. Just when the doors start to open up again without the car ascending, Beaux steps forward and presses the button for the twelfth floor. She looks over to me and raises her eyebrows in question.

“My room, please. You remember where that is, right?” I angle my head, stare at her, and enjoy watching her cheeks flush with anger.

I wait for the snide comment to come, but she just turns and faces the doors of the elevator without pushing the button for the eighth floor. Tension is so thick in the car, you can all but see it.

“I don’t trust you,” I say evenly, but it cuts through the silence.

“Good,” she says matter-of-factly as the car alerts our arrival on the twelfth floor. “Be careful whom you trust—the devil was once an angel, you know.”

And with that she walks off the elevator without another word, her comment already replaying in my mind.

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

She’s a mixture of most of her female characters: sassy, intelligent, stubborn, reserved, outgoing, driven, emotional, strong, and wears her heart on her sleeve. All of which she displays daily with her husband and three children where they live in Southern California.

On a whim, K. Bromberg decided to try her hand at this writing thing. Since then she has written The Driven Series (Driven, Fueled, Crashed, Raced, Aced (releasing 1/11/16)), the standalone Driven Novels (Slow Burn, Sweet Ache, Hard Beat (releasing 11/3/15), and a short story titled UnRaveled. She is currently working on new projects and a few surprises for her readers.

She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media.

GIVEAWAY

Mystery Box (3 Winners)

This box will be filled with goodies from K. Bromberg!

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Blog Tour Book Tour Contemporary Romance Excerpt New Releases New Reviews November 2015 Romance

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Hidden Impact by Piper J. Drake….Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

HIDDEN IMPACT

by Piper J. Drake

An aloof bodyguard and mercenary puts his heart on the line in HIDDEN IMPACT, the first book in the Safeguard series by Piper J. Drake. Fans of Marie Force’s Fatal series or Laura Kaye’s Hard As It Gets, will love this brand new romantic suspense series.

Synopsis:

He’s not the hero she’s looking for…

As part of the elite Centurion Corporation team, military-veteran-turned-mercenary Gabriel Diaz is a natural defender. He’ll do anything to ensure a mission is successful. Anything but get emotionally invested—he learned the hard way that can be deadly. Easy bodyguard jobs in between the more challenging missions are all he’s interested in now.

Maylin Cheng is desperate and running out of time. Her younger sister has gone missing but no one seems to take her concern seriously. Her last hope lies in asking an aloof bodyguard for help. He dismisses her outright, but all that changes when she is almost killed in a not-so-accidental hit-and-run right before his eyes.

As Maylin leans on Gabriel, she begins to rely on him for more than just her safety. But as their attraction grows, so does the danger surrounding them. When the elaborate web they’re trapped in unravels, Gabriel will do anything to protect them. Even if that means putting his heart in the crosshairs.

Book one of the Safeguard series

My Review:

Hidden Impact is the first book in a new series from author Piper J. Drake and kicks off the series with a solid start. Romantic suspense, with me, at times is a hit or miss. This book was a definite hit!

Marlin’s sister is missing. having never gotten on a plane home to return from overseas. She needs help, and fast. She also needs the kind of help only a professional can give her and she’s sure was hell hoping Gabe could be that guy. He dismissed her as soon as she approached him, but soon enough he will realize not only is Maylin’s site in danger, but also Maylin herself, and not one to leave a person in harm’s way, has no choice but to take on her cause. He also has no choice but to acknowledge the attraction building between them.

It sure seems as though they were not only on a collision course with danger, but also with love…

For me, a good romantic suspense has an equal measure of heat, passion, suspense, and action. Some books are too heavy on one or the other and it just kills it for me. Hidden Impact was one of those great and perfect balances.

The mystery surrounding Maylin’s sister’s disappearance kept me glued to each page. Dying to know what had happened to her, and why it seemed as though someone was also after Maylin. There were more than a few attempts on Maylin’s life and she was lucky to have found Gabe and his team. That’s not to say Gabe was thrilled about helping at first, and I also liked his no-nonsense, at times gruff, attitude. He’s been through the ringer in the past and trust with him is hard to come by. He wasn’t ready to jump in the minute he saw a damsel in distress and that was a tad refreshing to read. Also refreshing was Maylin. She is one of the most unique heroine’s I’ve read. I loved that she had many layers to her personality. She cooks, says what’s on her mind, she’s inquisitive and determined, and I love her use of sayings and how she embraces her culture. She’s fresh, entertaining, and loyal. I just adored her! Together, these two are smoking hot and have a fun back and forth relationship…of course that’s after they give into the delicious building attraction.

I also really enjoyed the characters who make up Gabe’s team. I’m sure we will see more of the as the series moves forward and I can’t wait!

Whether you’re a long-term fan of the genre, or just getting into it, this is a book I know you’ll enjoy! Thank you, Ms. Drake, for a fantastic read!

Four Loves

Excerpt:

“What you need to do is hear me out.” Steel edged her voice now, and maybe a bit of desperation.

It was the former, not the latter, that made him take a real look at her.

Her eyes caught him first. Deep emerald green. Shocking, actually, set in a delicate Asian face framed by a cascade of hair so black the lighting caught blue highlights. Her features were naturally beautiful, accented with a minimal amount of makeup. Very different from the majority of the people in attendance, regardless of gender.

Color leached from her face as she must have realized she had his full attention. But she didn’t back away or break eye contact. Good for her. Lesser men had balked when Gabe had stared them down.

“My little sister is missing.” The edge was gone from her words but the desperation was still there.

Anger washed away. Damn. “I’m sorry, miss. But the police are the people to contact.”

Political targets, reporters and prisoners of war were the kidnap victims private military might be contracted to locate and retrieve. The kind of people held for ransom in places so far off the radar, even sunlight might not find them. And those weren’t his team’s specialty.

The woman in front of him was a normal civilian. Willowy, slender. The thought of a little sister conjured up images of some tiny waiflike kid. He and his partners were heavy hitters, not the kind of people you sent in to do anything but cause strategic destruction. They went into hot spots overseas and did the things politicians didn’t admit to knowing about at these glitzy events, things a US uniform wouldn’t be doing. Delicate, gentle—the sort of handling a traumatized girl retrieved from a kidnapping situation would need—was not their forte.

The older sister shook her head. “I’ve spoken to the police and the US Embassy. No one will do anything, not yet. And by the time they believe something’s actually wrong, I might never find her.”

Missing persons cases were tough. She was right about the time crunch. There was only a short window before the abducted was more than likely dead. Considering what could have already happened, death might not be the worst thing either.

Definitely not going to add to what this woman was already imagining. Hopefully she didn’t know what could happen.

“You’d do better hiring a private investigator.” He drew his eyebrows together, tried not to let the urge to squirm under her very direct stare show. Damn. Give him vapid groupies and a clueless entourage and he had no problem staring them down. This woman, it was like she could see straight through him and know how much he didn’t want to cause a scene at this very moment. There was nothing good he could do for her.

Get More information at: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

Piper J. Drake (or “PJ”) began her writing career as “PJ Schnyder” writing sci-fi & paranormal romance and steampunk. She has recently received the FF&P PRISM award for her work as well as the NJRW Golden Leaf award and Parsec award.

Now, PJ is exploring the complexity of romantic suspense, incorporating her interests in mixed martial arts and the military into her writing.

Blog Tour November 2015 Romantic Suspense

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Easy Melody by Kristen Proby….Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

ABOUT EASY MELODY:

Callie Mills never intended to return to New Orleans and the life she left behind more than a decade ago. There was no need to open old wounds when she had the life she’d worked hard for in Denver. But when she’s fired from her awesome job in Colorado and her father dies, she has no choice but to return home to run the derelict bar left to her in the heart of the French Quarter. Callie must not only face bad memories but turn The Odyssey into something she can be proud of.

And who better to help bring in crowds of people than Declan Boudreaux?

Declan is a sought-after musician who knows he’s good at what he does and loves doing it. Known to pack the house, he also loves women and doesn’t expect to be knocked back a step by the beautiful new owner of The Odyssey. Callie is sharp, gorgeous and funny, and makes him yearn for something he never has before… Commitment.

But when Callie’s able to turn the business around with renovations, making it one of the hottest bars in the Quarter, will she sell out and leave her past behind once and for all, or will Declan be able to convince her that’s she’s where she needed to be all along…in his arms.

My Review:

Easy Melody is the third installment in author Kristen Proby’s Boudreaux Series, a series I have loved since the very beginning. This book was just as wonderful as the first two and I can’t get enough of this family and their love interests!

A whole lot has happened in Callie’s personal life in a short amount of time. Her father died, she was left his bar in New Orleans, and now she has just been dumped both romantically and professionally by her long-term boyfriend. Things just about sucked. So when she returns to NOLA to figure out what to do to get this newly inherited bar running in the positive, the last thing she needed was any type of distraction. Especially of the male musician variety. Unfortunately all those intentions go right out the window when she sees Declan…

What starts out as a fling turns into something much more and it scares the hell out of both of them. Can two people looking for anything but a commitment finally desire one?

One of the things I love about Ms. Proby’s writing is whenever I start one of her books, I know it’s going to be an effortless read and an enjoyable experience. She writes with an ease that I know all readers enjoy, myself included. I can always count on wonderful dialog and interesting characters, especially with the Boudreaux clan! I loved Declan and Callie. Callie is strong and determined but also has a soft side that I just adored. Declan is a charmer indeed and has an ease about him that I could eat up with a spoon. And that accent? Swoon. Every time he calls Callie “sugar”, I melt! The heat and passion between them was delectable and there was a scene involving a piano that burned up the pages *fans self* mhhhmmmm! I also love reading the interaction between the siblings and the partners who have joined in the family. Coming from a large and close family myself, it’s always a joy to read their tight-knit group.

Once again, Ms. Proby delivers emotion, passion, and enjoyable characters from start to finish. I can’t wait to read more of my favorite New Orleans family!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** Kobo

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

EASY LOVE

EASY CHARM

ABOUT KRISTEN PROBY:

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

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Contemporary Romance Four Loves November 2015

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Doms of Her Life by Shalya Black, Jenna Jacob and Isabella LaPearl…Book Relaunch

by Jilly

Raine Kendall has been in love with her boss, Macen Hammerman, for years. Determined to make the man notice that she’s a grown woman with desires and needs, she pours out her heart and offers her body to him—only to be crushingly rejected. But when his friend, very single, very sexy Liam O’Neill watches the other Dom refuse to act on his obvious feelings for Raine, he resolves to step in and do whatever it takes to help Hammer find happiness again, even rousing his friend’s possessive instincts by making the girl a proposition too tempting to refuse. But he never imagines that he’ll end up falling for her himself.

Hammer has buried his lust for Raine for years. After rescuing the budding runaway from an alley behind his exclusive BDSM Dungeon, he has come to covet the pretty submissive. But tragedy has taught him that he can never be what she needs. So he watches over her while struggling to keep his distance. Liam’s crafty plan blindsides Hammer, especially when he sees how determined his friend is to possess Raine for his own. Hammer isn’t ready to give the lovely submissive over to any other Dom, but can he heal from his past and fight for her? Or will he lose Raine if she truly gives herself—heart, body, and soul—to Liam?

AMAZON *** AMAZON UK *** B&N *** iBooks *** Kobo *** Smashwords

Raine Kendall has everything a woman could want…almost. Sexy, tender Dom Liam O’Neill is her knight in shining armor, but Raine keeps pinching herself. Is he too good to be true or is this growing connection one that could last a lifetime? She’s constantly torn by her abiding feelings for her commanding boss, Macen “Hammer” Hammerman, especially in the wake of the mind-blowing night he cast aside the barriers between them and ravaged every inch of her body.

Hammer, Liam’s former best friend, can’t stop coveting Raine. But Liam is determined to hold and guide the woman he loves and see if she can be the submissive of his dreams. However, he’s finding that her trust is hard won and he needs a bloody crowbar to pry open her scarred soul. So he risks everything to win her once and for all. But once he’s put his daring plan in motion, will it cost Liam his heart if he loses Raine to Hammer for good?

Amazon *** Amazon UK *** B&N *** iBooks *** Kobo *** Smashwords

After spending weeks trying to reach Raine Kendall, Dominants Liam O’Neill and Macen Hammerman have finally broken past the walls to their submissive’s wounded heart. Before they can enjoy their newfound closeness, Liam’s past comes back to haunt him when his ex-wife drops in—with a secret that could tear his world apart. Forced to leave Raine in Hammer’s care, Liam is stuck on the outside, stewing in frustration and insecurity…and wondering if Raine no longer needs him or if Hammer alone completes her.

Always the pillar of strength, Hammer tries to help Liam while sheltering their woman. But Raine soon discovers the truth that threatens the trio’s chance of a happily-ever-after. Determined to hold them together, the two men cook up a scheme to uncover the ex’s secret. When an old nemesis returns and targets Raine, can Liam and Hammer come together to slay the danger and save the woman they both love?

Amazon *** Amazon UK *** B&N *** iBooks *** Kobo

Since Macen “Hammer” Hammerman shares the bond he’s long craved with Raine Kendall and his best friend, Liam O’Neill, he should be looking forward to a bright future. But a vengeful force from the past returns to cast a long shadow. As Hammer reels from a bombshell that exhumed struggles he’d buried after his late wife’s passing, he learns her death may not be ruled a suicide after all.

Worse, a figure from Raine’s childhood surfaces, determined to rip her away for good. As the threats against the trio multiply, Hammer must confront his demons while leaning on Liam to keep their new family intact. But with emotions running high and forces mounting against them, can their love survive so they can finally live happily ever after?

iBooks

ABOUT SHAYLA BLACK:

Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels. For over fifteen years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold well over a million copies and been published in a dozen languages.

Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past seven years.

Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her teenage daughter, and a very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

ABOUT JENNA JACOB:

Bestselling author Jenna Jacob paints a canvas of passion, romance, and humor as her Alpha men and the feisty women who love them unravel their souls and heal their scars to find their happily-ever-after kind of love. Heart-tugging, captivating, and steamy, Jenna’s books will surely leave you breathless and craving more.

A mom of four grown children, Jenna and her Alpha-Hunk husband live in Kansas. Jenna loves books, Harleys, music, and camping. Jenna’s zany sense of humor and lack of filter exemplify her motto: Live. Laugh. Love.

Meet the wild and wicked family in her sultry series: The Doms of Genesis. Or become spellbound by the searing love connection between Raine, Hammer, and Liam in her continuing saga: The Doms of Her Life (co-written with the amazing Shayla Black and Isabella La Pearl). Journey with couples struggling to resolve their pasts to discover unbridled love and devotion in Jenna’s new contemporary series: Passionate Hearts.

ABOUT ISABELLA LAPEARL

Hello Friends! My name is Isabella and I write sexy, erotic romance. I’m a wife, mother, writer, reader and I love to ride my motorcycle.

To say it’s been an extraordinary journey thus far would be an understatement…what a rush! What a thrill to realize dreams and see them go from a seed to fruition. So for all you aspiring Authors who like me, have a fire inside that burns brightly and demands to be sated by writing… Never give up.

November 2015 Special event

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The Harder You Fall by Gena Showalter…Teaser Blitz

by Jilly

Gena Showalter’s THE HARDER YOU FALL is coming! Being released on November 24^th, this fantastic contemporary romance in the Original Heartbreakers series is a scorching tale featuring an aloof bad boy and the rowdy Southern belle who rocks his world, published by HarlequinHQN! Pre-order THE HARDER YOU FALL from the links below for a sneak peek opportunity! And don’t miss the exclusive teaser we have for you below!

Pre-order THE HARDER YOU FALL here!

**Amazon * Kindle * Barnes and Noble * Nook * Book Depository * Powells * iBooks * BAM * Kobo * IndieBound**

THE HARDER YOU FALL Synopsis:

From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter comes another scorching Original Heartbreakers tale featuring an aloof bad boy and the rowdy Southern belle who rocks his world…

Millionaire video-game creator Lincoln West has a dark and tragic past. The sought-after bachelor lives by a rigid schedule and a single rule—one relationship per year, lasting no more than two months. No exceptions. When he gave up the big city for a small town, he hoped to escape the worst of his memories—until a brash beauty dredges up long-buried emotions.

A reformed party girl, Jessie Kay Dillon is determined to walk the straight and narrow. But her love-hate sizzle with West is just too irresistible. They can’t be near each other without tearing off their clothes, but the last thing she needs is to be his next two-month dump. Will she become the one exception? Because as any former girl-gone-wild knows: rules are made to be broken.

“Emotional, heart-tugging, kept me turning the pages!” —Carly Phillips, New York TimesBestselling Author

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

Pre-Order THE HARDER YOU FALL, Register your Pre-Order and be one of the first to have a sneak peek at the newest book in the Lords of the Underworld series!

About Gena Showalter:

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the spellbinding Lords of the Underworld and Angels of the Dark series, two young adult series–Everlife and the White Rabbit Chronicles–and the highly addictive Original Heartbreakers series. In addition to being a National Reader’s Choice and two time RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan (Red Hot Read) and Seventeen magazine, she’s appeared onNightline and been mentioned in Orange is the New Black–if you ask her about it, she’ll talk for hours…hours! Her books have been translated in multiple languages.

She’s hard at work on her next novel, a tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who brings him to his knees. You can learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com or Facebook.com/genashowalterfan

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November 2015 Teaser Blitz

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Quiet Lies by R.L. Griffin…Release Blitz & Review

by Courtney

I was broken before I met Sebastian Pryor, but he decimated me. I swept the ashes of myself into a pile that I kept safe for thirteen years. Believe me it wasn’t pretty, oh but people thought we were perfect. I hate myself most days. I hate that I feel for him as much as I loathe who I’ve become with him. This story is hard to hear. You know what the worst part is? You’ll see part of you in me. You’ll hate that. You won’t tell anyone.

My story is about cracks. A description or telling of how cracks in a marriage, a life, a personality, a heart and a mind begin and continue for years without anyone knowing. You don’t always see what causes the fissure, but you feel it. Can you remember who you were before all of this started, before your life became a jumble of deceit, longing and regret?

This book isn’t for anyone who needs a happily ever after.

This book isn’t for anyone who needs a fun time out from their life.

This book isn’t for anyone, but me.

This is my story. I won’t apologize for it.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book – thank you R.L. And I really enjoyed this story.

Rebecca’s story is one that will make you think and look at things in a different light once you finish it. You will find yourself analyzing things a bit more and questioning people’s actions more. Because her story is real, raw and gripping.

“The funny thing about eating things your body can’t process is it eventually comes out, ripping you apart in the process.”

Rebecca and Sebastian had the perfect life – at least on the outside they did. Rebecca was the perfect puppet but the kicker was she knew it! This story will make you see what she went through and why she endured it. It’s not pretty. It’s effed up in so many ways, you can’t fathom any of it.

I won’t give any details or specifics because one piece will take away from the whole book. Everything part of this book falls into the next part – everything is pieced together perfectly. I have mixed feelings on Rebecca – she is strong yet at the same time she is weak. Sebastian – I absolutely loathe this man – I have not ounce of any compassion towards him.

“My body is not my own. My mind belongs to someone else. I don’t know hot to get them both back.”

R.L. wrote a magnificent story that will touch everyone. It will open your eyes. It will move you in some way. My only teeny, tiny gripe is parts of the middle dragged on a bit for me but overall, I loved the flow of the book. I loved how we are given the present and then flipped to the past to things she remembers – not just pivotal points in her life but gives you a better understanding of her life.

This book will captivate you. It’s a story about love, betrayal, deceit. Just when you think you know everything, another bomb is dropped adding a whole new twist to the story. Everything is not what it seems.

A hauntingly beautiful story.

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R.L. Griffin published her first book in 2004. After that she focused on practicing law. A few years ago she began writing the By A Thread series, which is out now. Her goal is to keep readers on their toes, whether it’s the plot twist or the book itself, her books are outside any box. There is a little bit of grit in most of her books and a ton of cussing. Most books are enjoyed better with a glass of wine, or whiskey, whatever your poison may be.
She lives in Atlanta with her husband, kid and dogs. She loves to travel and meet readers.

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Dark Romance New Releases New Reviews November 2015 Release Day Event Romantic Suspense Suspense Teaser

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Thunder Rolls, Rising Storm Episode 8, by Dee Davis…Release Day Event

by Jilly

We are so excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for THUNDER ROLLS by Dee Davis! THUNDER ROLLS is Episode 8 in the Rising Storm Series brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights. Grab the last episode in Season One of this sexy series today!

Rising Storm Episode 8 (Nov. 12): Dee Davis’s Thunder Rolls
Amazon ** iBooks ** Barnes & Noble ** GooglePlay

Welcome to Storm, Texas, where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy…

Nestled among rolling hills and painted with vibrant wildflowers, the bucolic town of Storm, Texas, seems like nothing short of perfection.

But there are secrets beneath the facade. Dark secrets. Powerful secrets. The kind that can destroy lives and tear families apart. The kind that can cut through a town like a tempest, leaving jealousy and destruction in its wake, along with shattered hopes and broken dreams. All it takes is one little thing to shatter that polish.

Reading like an on-going drama in the tradition of classic day and night-time soap operas like Dallas, Dynasty, and All My Children, Rising Storm is full of scandal, deceit, romance, passion, and secrets.

With 1001 Dark Nights as the “producer,” Julie Kenner and Dee Davis use a television model with each week building on the last to create a storyline that fulfills the promise of a drama-filled soap opera. Joining Kenner and Davis in the “writer’s room” is an incredible group of New York Times bestselling authors such as Lexi Blake, Elisabeth Naughton, Larissa Ione, Rebecca Zanetti and Lisa Mondello who have brought their vision of Storm to life.

A serial soap opera containing eight episodes in season one, the season premiere of Rising Storm, TEMPEST RISING, debuted September 24^th with each subsequent episode releasing consecutively this fall.

So get ready. The storm is coming.

About THUNDER ROLLS: Episode 8 of the Rising Storm Series

Secrets, Sex and Scandals …

Welcome to Storm, Texas, where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy… Get ready. The storm is coming.

In the season finale …

As Hannah Grossman grapples with the very real possibility that she is dating one Johnson brother while secretly in love with another, the entire town prepares for Founders Day. The building tempest threatens not just Hannah’s relationship with Tucker and Tate, but everyone in Storm as dire revelations threaten to tear the town apart.

**Experience Rising Storm Here…**

Rising Storm Episode 1 (Sept. 24): Julie Kenner’s Tempest Rising
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Rising Storm Episode 2 (Oct. 1): Lexi Blake’s White Lightning
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Rising Storm Episode 3 (Oct. 8): Elisabeth Naughton’s Crosswinds
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Rising Storm Episode 4 (Oct. 15): Jennifer Probst’s Dance in the Wind
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Rising Storm Episode 5 (Oct. 22): Larissa Ione’s Calm Before the Storm
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Rising Storm Episode 6 (Oct. 29): Rebecca Zanetti’s Take the Storm
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Rising Storm Episode 7 (Nov. 5): Lisa Mondello’s Weather the Storm
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Rising Storm Episode 8 (Nov. 12): Dee Davis’s Thunder Rolls
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And don’t miss Season Two of the Rising Storm Series coming in 2016! Sign up for the newsletter here so you don’t miss a minute of the drama!

About Dee Davis:

Bestselling author Dee Davis has a masters degree in public administration. Prior to writing, she served as the director of two associations, wrote award winning PSAs, did television and radio commercials, starred in the Seven Year Itch, taught college classes, and lobbied both the Texas Legislature and the US Congress.

Her highly acclaimed first novel, Everything In Its Time, was published in July 2000. Since then, among others, she’s won the Booksellers Best, Golden Leaf, Texas Gold and Prism awards, and been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award, the Holt and two RT Reviewers Choice Awards.

Recently she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Romance Writers and has also been nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award for romantic suspense from Romantic Times. In addition, she is Hall of Fame member of the New Jersey Romance Writers and was awarded an Odyssey Medal from Hendrix College.

To date, she has written over twenty-five romantic suspense, time travel, and women’s fiction novels and novellas. Among her latest books you’ll find her A-Tac, Liar’s Game, and Last Chance series.

She’s lived in Austria and traveled in Europe extensively. And although she now resides in an 1802 farmhouse in Connecticut, she still calls Texas home.

Visit Dee Davis’ website.

Rising Storm Website | Facebook |Twitter | 1001 Dark Nights | Rising Storm on Goodreads

November 2015 Release Day Event Rising Storm

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Deep by Skye Warren….Cover Reveal

by Courtney

Photographer: FuriousFotog

Model: Shane Williams

Dark. Powerful. Dangerous.

Philip Mason has all of Chicago under his thumb. Except me.

We met in a perfect storm of violence and lust. He saved me and then disappeared from my life. Now I pretend I never knew that kind of darkness. I focus on midterms and campus parties, as if they can wipe the slate clean.

Then he turns up outside my dorm room—wounded and barely conscious. He’s the head of a crime syndicate, a powerful man, but he needs me now. There are traitors in his midst.

I can help him, but I can’t fall for him.

Not again.

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dark romance such as Wanderlust and Prisoner. Praised as a “true mistress of dark erotica”, her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Houston, Texas, with her loving family, three dogs, and one evil cat.

Author links

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Cover Reveal Dark Romance November 2015 Romantic Suspense Suspense

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Thunder Rolls, Rising Storm Episode 8, by Dee Davis…ARC Review

by Jilly

Thunder Rolls releases tomorrow, 11/12

Synopsis:

Secrets, Sex and Scandals …

Welcome to Storm, Texas, where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy… Get ready. The storm is coming.

My Review:

Thunder Rolls by Dee Davis is the eighth, and final episode in this season’s Rising Storm Series and, like all good season finale’s. ended it with both a few surprises, a few tied up loose ends and more than a few things to look forward to next season!

Warning: a tad spoilery ahead

Oh boy, do we have some culmination of some major drama in this episode! Dakota, my book version of Beverly Hills 90201’s Emily Valentine, drops one hell of a bomb on the entire town and, in just a few uttered sentences, manages to ruin more than a few people’s lives. At least from where we sit right now, it sure appears that way! I mumbled a few choice words when she pulls her stunt at Storm’s founder’s day celebration. She is a piece of work and a character I just love to hate!

On top of all that, the hidden and forbidden attraction between Hannah Grossman and her boyfriend’s brother, Tucker, hits a fevered pitch and they grab onto the passion that’s been simmering just below the surface for years. When they do, it is completely amazing and I was so happy they decided to act on it! Granted poor Tucker’s brother Tate gets hurt but he ends up being a bit of a pompous arse anyway so I didn’t waste too much sadness on him.

All in all, this was a finale that is sure to leave you wanting more, in the best way possible! I cannot wait to see what happens next season in my favorite fictional small Texas town. Thank you, Ms. Davis, for a heck of an end!

Five Loves

Book Links:

Thunder Rolls | Rising Storm Website

About the author:

Bestselling author Dee Davis has a masters degree in public administration. Prior to writing, she served as the director of two associations, wrote award winning PSAs, did television and radio commercials, starred in the Seven Year Itch, taught college classes, and lobbied both the Texas Legislature and the US Congress.

Recently she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Romance Writers and has also been nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award for romantic suspense from Romantic Times. In addition, she is Hall of Fame member of the New Jersey Romance Writers and was awarded an Odyssey Medal from Hendrix College.

She’s lived in Austria and traveled in Europe extensively. And although she now resides in an 1802 farmhouse in Connecticut, she still calls Texas home.

November 2015 Rising Storm

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Cover Reveal….Ride Hard by Laura Kaye

by Jilly

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Cover Reveal for Laura Kaye’s RIDE HARD! Releasing April 26, 2016, RIDE HARD is the first novel in Laura’s Raven Riders Series, a spin off from her New York Times and USA Today bestselling Hard Ink Series, published by Avon Romance an imprint of HarperCollins. Pre-order your copy of RIDE HARD today!

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Add to your Goodreads

About RIDE HARD:

Brotherhood. Club. Family.

They live and ride by their own rules.

These are the Raven Riders…

Raven Riders Motorcycle Club President Dare Kenyon rides hard and values loyalty above all else. He’ll do anything to protect the brotherhood of bikers—the only family he’s got—as well as those who can’t defend themselves. So when mistrustful Haven Randall lands on the club’s doorstep scared that she’s being hunted, Dare takes her in, swears to keep her safe, and pushes to learn the secrets overshadowing her pretty smile.

Haven fled from years of abuse at the hands of her criminal father and is suspicious of any man’s promises, including those of the darkly sexy and overwhelmingly intense Ravens’ leader. But as the powerful attraction between them flares to life, Dare pushes her boundaries and tempts her to want things she never thought she could.

The past never dies without a fight, but Dare Kenyon’s never backed down before…

About Laura Kaye:

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

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Cover Reveal November 2015

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Harlequin Spotlight….with Sharon Kendrick, Maisey Yates, & Liz Talley and Kimberly Van Meter

by Jilly

THE SHEIKH’S CHRISTMAS CONQUEST

Topics by Sharon Kendrick

Writer’s Space:

I write in a small room which I call my Writing Room (because I refuse to call it a “study”. It has a view over treetops which are currently brushed bronze and gold from the early Fall.

On one wall is a beautiful Bob Dylan print, of a woman sitting alone in a room – and that woman feels like me! (SEE PHOTO).

Next to the bookcase, I have an orange velvet chaise longue – where you can see a witch’s hat because next week is Haloween and I shall be wearing it at a dinner party in Italy!

My final indulgence is this delicious and delicate chandelier, in ruby-red and gold and mauve…I need it there so that I can look up and narrow my eyes, and imagine that I am in the Sheikh’s palace….

Q&A with Sharon Kendrick – The Sheikh’s Christmas Conquest

1.) Can you bring us up to speed on The Sheikh’s Christmas Conquest? It’s a shamelessly emotional story about a powerful Sheikh whose heart is empty because of something awful which happened in his past, and Olivia – a woman with demons of her own. Saladin needs something from Olivia – something she doesn’t want to give. Marooned in the snowy English countryside, the Sheikh’s most persuasive weapon is his sexual mastery and he sweeps Olivia off to his scorching desert kingdom. The trouble starts when a straightforward seduction becomes so much more…

2.) What was the first romance novel that you ever read? That would be PRIDE & PREJUDICE by Jane Austen (I still love it)

3.) What is one thing that you absolutely need when writing? My imagination! And coffee…

4.) What’s the best interaction you’ve ever had with a fan? Once I wrote a trilogy centered on a single wedding dress and a woman in her eighties sent me a lovely long letter telling me about a similar wedding dress in her own family, and all the different people who had worn it.

5.) Who would you fan cast for Sheikh Saladin and Olivia? The delicious Aiden Turner (who plays Poldark in popular UK TV drama) and Isla Fisher – for her red hair (just like Olivia’s) and her wonderful humor.

6.) Why do readers love Sheikh romances so much? Ah. For me, that’s simple. Because a Sheikh symbolizes many of our secret fantasies about men. He’s dark. Powerful. Masterful. And he’s irresistibly sexy. What woman wouldn’t want to be taken by horseback across the burning sands to be ravished by a gorgeous desert king? My Sheikhs often appear sophisticated and can be found in Paris, or New York – but beneath their urbane exterior beats the indomitable heart of the true alpha male.

7.) Where have you traveled to and how has this informed your novels? When I was a student nurse I travelled to the Middle East, which has been invaluable for my Sheikh books. Subsequently, I’ve taken in Australia, parts of the US and lots of Europe (especially Italy). I love to be immersed in countries and culture which are different from my own. When you’re on the outside looking in, that’s when your imagination is most on fire.

8.) Without giving away too much, what’s your favorite scene from The Sheikh’s Christmas Conquest? Well, a reader has described the epilogue as “heartwarming” and I tend to agree with her, but I love the part where Saladin reveals to Olivia what happened in his past. Yet after he opens up, he immediately kills off any hope that there’s some kind of future for them.

9.) Do you have any conferences/book signings/events coming up? I’m going to several UK-based author gatherings and I’m very excited to be attending the buzzy RWA conference in San Diego in 2016 where I’ll be signing books for Harlequin. Hope to see you there!

10.) What are you working on next? I’m currently writing a story about a Prince who visits his ex-lover one last time, mainly to prove to himself that he’s finally gotten her out of his system. Only, guess what? He hasn’t! Fireworks erupt and all kinds of consequences follow. Oh, and I’ve got an unbelievably sexy Irish hero coming up in THE BILLIONAIRE’S DEFIANT ACQUISITION, which is out in April, 2016.

Q&A with Maisey Yates – A Christmas Vow of Seduction

1.) Can you bring us up to speed on A Christmas Vow of Seduction and the Princes of Petras series? The Princes of Petras centers around two brothers – Andres, the spare and notorious playboys, and his older brother, Kairos, who has always done his duty to his country, but never to his heart. The series starts with A Christmas Vow of Seduction, and with Andres, when he’s gifted a princess from a neighboring country to be his wife. The strong-willed princess Zara refuses, but Andres is determined to step up and do his duty for the first time ever. But in order to do that, he has to seduce his intended bride before Christmas.

2.) What was the first romance novel that you ever read? It was a Presents by Miranda Lee and for the life of me I can’t remember the title.

3.) What is one thing that you absolutely need when writing? Coffee. I can write almost anywhere, any time under any circumstances but I need to have had my caffeine.

4.) What’s the best interaction you’ve ever had with a fan? I feel like there have been so many good ones! But one that stands out is when I went to register for RWA at the Nationals conference and said my name and the woman running the registration went: OH. MAISEY. I LOVE YOUR BOOKS!

5.) Who would you fan cast for Prince Andres and Princess Zara? Pedro Soltz and Emmy Rossum

6.) Why do you think romance readers love reading about royalty so much? Royalty is such a big fantasy, but the great thing about romance is you get to dig down deep and crack it open and show that, at their hearts, these people aren’t that different. They want love too. I think that’s a universal truth in romance and that’s one thing I love about it.

7.) What is your favorite type of hero to write about? Hmm…I do love a bad boy.

8.) Without giving away too much, what’s your favorite scene from A Christmas Vow of Seduction? I think it’s the first love scene. The hero is very intense, and I like that. 😉

9.) Do you have any conferences/book signings/events coming up? Nothing soon! Not until Summer 2016.

10.) What are you working on next? Right now I’m working on the 6^th book in my Western Contemporary series, Copper Ridge.

Bon Appétit and a Book:

In “Where There’s Smoke” a novella in the Wrong Bed Christmas book, my two characters Emma and Erik are stuck in an abandoned cabin with only a couple of granola bars, a box of expensive chocolates and a very nice bottle of wine. Not the worst to make a meal on, but if I were planning the perfect meal for being stranded with a sexy firefighter in the middle of Colorado, I’d go with something that would give me more energy for the night ahead 😉 Here’s the perfect rustic yet filling dish would appeal to any red-blooded American man (who wasn’t a vegetarian):

Seduce Me Beef Stew*

1 lb of lean good quality stew meat

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

2 tsp oil

2 onions (sliced into thin rings)

2 cups sliced mushrooms

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp tomato paste

2 cups of beef broth

3 cups sliced carrots

2 medium potatoes, sliced

1 cup green beans

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 tbsp cold water

Coat beef with flour, shaking off excess. In a large pot or dutch oven, heat oil. Add beef and cook about 5-7 minutes until slightly browned. Remove beef to a separate plate.
Add onions and mushrooms to the pot; saute for 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and saute for a minute or so. Return beef to the pot and stir in tomato paste. Next add broth and add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for an hour.
Add carrots, potatoes and green beans. Cover partially and cook for 15-20 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix water and cornstarch. Stir into stew and increase heat to a boil. Turn off and let cool slightly. Serve with cornbread or crusty French bread.

*Derived from Healthy Meals in Minutes

Excerpt from “Where There’s Smoke” by Liz Talley

The crackle of the lit fire drew her attention and instantly made the space cozy and—she licked her lips—intimate.

“Ah,” Erik said, stripping off his gloves and warming his hands in front of the blaze. “Good thing this wood is aged and dry. Instant warmth. Come on over and warm up.”

Emma hesitated for a moment, trying to regain a calm, less amorous demeanor. So they were alone in a cabin in the middle of nowhere with a bottle of wine, chocolate and a single double bed? Big deal. She could handle it. After all, she’d never allowed her attraction for him to show through.

She walked over and crouched beside him, sighing at the warmth. Exploring the cabin had kept her moving, but her fingers and feet were numb.

“Here,” he said, grabbing the nearest chair and dragging it close to the dancing flames. “Sit.”

Seconds later they each sat in matching chairs, thawing out.

“I can’t believe we’re stuck here,” she mused aloud, the warmth making her drowsy. She suppressed a yawn. “This is like a movie I once saw.”

“Misery?” he joked.

Emma laughed. “Are you planning on drugging me, incapacitating me and making me write you a romance story?”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “That could be fun. But I could think of better things to do.”

Harlequin Spotlight November 2015

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Book Promotion & Review

About the Author:

Synopsis:

My Review:

Four Loves

My Review:

Four-and-a-Half Loves

Pre-order THE HARDER YOU FALL here!

Amazon * Kindle * Barnes and Noble * Nook * Book Depository * Powells * iBooks * BAM * Kobo * IndieBound

About Gena Showalter:

Welcome to Storm, Texas, where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy…

So get ready. The storm is coming.

Experience Rising Storm Here…

Rising Storm Website | Facebook |Twitter | 1001 Dark Nights | Rising Storm on Goodreads

Thunder Rolls releases tomorrow, 11/12

Synopsis:

My Review:

Five Loves

Book Links:

Order on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Add to your Goodreads

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter Sign Up

**Amazon * Kindle * Barnes and Noble * Nook * Book Depository * Powells * iBooks * BAM * Kobo * IndieBound**

**Experience Rising Storm Here…**