Read-Love-Blog

End of Day by Jewel E. Ann….Blog Tour & Review

by Courtney

Meet Jack & Jill in End of Day by Jewel E Ann!

Be sure to grab your copy of this uniquely dark and funny read at the following retailers:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1TGxxgW

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1TGcu99

iTunes http://apple.co/1UEUj61

Kobo http://bit.ly/1JeJ1U6

Blurb

Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life.

Four caskets. Two bodies.

Jessica and Jude Day witness their funeral and that of their parents a few yards away from mourning family and friends. Stripped of the only life they’ve ever known, the Days say goodbye to San Francisco forever.

Four months later, two thirty-year-old misfits with elite self-defense skills and penchants for alcohol, sex, and trouble arrive like an earthquake to Peaceful Woods, a retirement community in Omaha, Nebraska, that thrives on rules and gossip. Welcome home, Jackson and Jillian Knight.

Jackson celebrates his new beginning by embracing his job and wiping his cavalier past clean with a temporary oath of celibacy. But Jillian’s past is branded into her soul—the deaths, the insanity, Dr. Luke Jones, and the need to make her lovers bleed. Her chance for redemption comes in the form of a next door neighbor, one Senior Master Sergeant Monaghan. He’s sexy, dangerously alluring, and riddled with emotional issues from years of service. He’s also … So. Damn. Grumpy.

Their mission is simple: Let go, start over, don’t kill anyone, and pray that nobody wakes the dead.

Excerpt

“Have you ever killed anyone?”

Jessica’s smile slipped. “If I told you then I’d have to kill you.”

“So you’re a secret agent?”

She flipped onto her stomach, resting her chin on her crossed arms. “If I said yes then it would no longer be a secret. Come on, Jones, you’re losing your focus. Don’t let me feel smarter than you or our time together will be over and I rather like hanging out here.”

“Luke,” he corrected.

“Lucas.”

“Luke.”

“Lukey.”

“LUKE!”

“Lulu.”

“I mean it!” Luke showed another rare moment of teetering emotion.

Jessica chuckled. “What are the chances of us having sex? I’ve never done it missionary, but you could possibly counsel me through it.”

He refocused on his crossword puzzle, filling in a word in pen. “Less than zero percent.”

“So, not in my favor, eh?

“Why not missionary?”

Jessica smiled in delight that Luke continued with the topic of conversation. “I’m sure you already know, but if you want me to say I need control, then sure, I need control. But the truth is I’d control any sex position you want to put me in.” Jessica winked as Luke gave her a fleeting glance. “I just don’t want you thinking you have control, even if I know it’s not the case. Pisses me off to see the smirk on a guy’s face when he thinks he has control.”

“Tell me why you need control.” Luke continued with his crossword.

“In bed?”

“Yes.”

“Someone has to have it.”

“Why?”

“Because someone initiates it.”

“So if I initiate sex with you will I have control?”

“There’s only one way to find out.” Jessica wiggled her eyebrows at an ill-humored Luke.

REVIEW

WOW! WOW! WOW!

First off – this is the first book I have read by Jewel E Ann and I abso-freaking-lutely loved it!!

I can’t really give you ANY of the plot about End of Day without explaining whole book, so I am going to apologize in advance for giving you nothing about it – expect a few character details.

You know that Jack/Jude and Jill/Jess are twins. They are starting (or trying to start) a new life together. And these two spar – physically and verbally with each other. They love each other alot so the abuse is just sibling love.

Jill is a no-holds bar, in your face type of woman. She doesn’t sugar coat anything and pretty much gives the new neighbors heart attacks every waking moment. However, she is having difficulty moving on from the past.

Jack is the more level-headed one and seems to try and make their new life better. He is the rock for Jill and tries to keep her from getting to caught up in the past and not able to enjoy their new life.

This story is told in 3rd person. If you are looking for a light, easy read – don’t read this. End of Day is in-depth and has some grey areas. It’s not extremely dark but it’s definitely not all pretty rainbows. I thoroughly enjoyed this story line. The characters are well-developed and complex. I love the added humor into this book – doesn’t allow things to get too dark and serious and keeps it more real.

Jewel did a wonderful job of writing a very unique and interesting plot. And she wrote it exquisitely. We get snippets of the past to explain why things are the way they are in the future and it doesn’t get confusing in the least.

And then we have the ending. The book ends in a cliffhanger, however you are given an optional cliffhanger that you can read her ending. I am not telling you if I chose to continue or not, but I will say that I need book 2 NOW!!!!

An extremely awesome start to a great series!!!

About the Author

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the Contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree at a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course…heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

GIVEAWAY

Maya Custom Design (by winner) Timbuk2 bag ($100 value)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

August 2015 Blog Tour Book Tour Excerpt humor Mystery New Adult New Releases New Reviews Romantic Comedy

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The Lies Between Us by M.N. Forgy…..Cover Reveal

by Courtney

Cover Reveal

The Lies Between Us (Book Four) in the

Devil’s Dust MC Series by M.N Forgy

releases on September 22nd!

Pre-order Cherry & Lip’s stand alone romance

at the following retailers:

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

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1E16YMH

B&N: http://apple.co/1MB3LpJ

Apple: http://apple.co/1MB3LpJ

Blurb

Cherry’s life growing up was nothing short of a nightmare. Having an abusive father forced her to fend for herself from an early age. Bruised and emotionally broken, she finally escaped, running straight into the comfort that Lip’s arms brought. In the beginning, everything seemed to fall into place perfectly. He made her forget the messed-up ways of her life. But secrets can’t stay neglected. They have a habit of revealing themselves regardless of the consequences. Terrified, Cherry can’t speak a word or she’ll lose it all.

Lip is no stranger to the criminal life. Growing up among convicts, he wanted nothing more than to show his worth. He’ll do anything for the club without question, including serving six years in prison. But nobody could have predicted life’s plan. Rugged, tattooed, and wanting nothing more than to have Cherry, Lip is no longer the man whom Cherry remembers. After his release, he came out a beast with more secrets and lies than his cage could hold.

Haven’t read this series yet?

Check out the Devil’s Dust MC Series here: http://amzn.to/1E16YMH

About the Author

M.N. Forgy was raised in Missouri where she still lives with her family. She’s a soccer mom by day and a saucy writer by night. M.N. Forgy started writing at a young age but never took it seriously until years later, as a stay-at-home mom, she opened her laptop and started writing again. As a role model for her children, she felt she couldn’t live with the “what if” anymore and finally took a chance on her character’s story. So, with her glass of wine in hand and a stray Barbie sharing her seat, she continues to create and please her fans.

Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

August 2015 Cover Reveal MC Series

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End Of Summer Blog Tour Stop: Back to You by Lauren Dane Review & Giveaway

by Jilly

Synopsis:

Former model Kelly Hurley has finally put the ashes of the past behind her. After a passionate but turbulent marriage to rock star Vaughan Hurley that ended in heartbreak and divorce, Kelly rebuilt her life in Portland, where she settled so their two young daughters could be close to their father. Just not so close Kelly couldn’t truly make her own way without interference from the man who shattered her heart. Now Kelly’s finally ready to move on, and she’s planning to marry another man.

But not if Vaughan has anything to say about it.

Vaughan knows he was a fool all those years ago. A young, selfish—and prideful—fool. Even as he buried himself in the fast, decadent rock star lifestyle, he could never drown out the memory of Kelly’s beauty and love. Or the sweet, searing heat whenever they touched. For years, he’s had to deal with the pain of seeing her only because of their daughters, but it was never enough. Now Vaughan must prove that he’s the only man Kelly needs, before he loses her for good. And there’s only one way to do it….

My review:

Back To You is the third book in author Lauren Dane’s Hurley Boys Series and admittedly, the first in the series I have read. That being said, I didn’t feel lost at all so I totally vote this as a book you can read as a standalone but I will certainly be going back and reading the other Hurley boys…because YUM!

This is really a wonderful story of second chance and realizing you don’t know what you’ve let go of until it’s gone. There was so much realistic emotion in this book and I really appreciated the very grown-up issues Kelly and Vaughn face. Kids, a broken marriage, moving on, letting go of hurtful pasts, former in-laws, not being able to get over a love….most of us can relate to at least one of those things, if not more. Of course those issues bring out a ton of emotion and there is plenty that Vaughn has done to Kelly in the past 8+ years that has led them to where they are today. That being said, all of that emotion also leads to a ton of heat between them and oh my, it was pretty delicious!

I also loved the whole cast of characters involved in this book…which leads me to believe the rest of the series is just as enjoyable when it comes to that aspect!

Thank you, Ms. Dane for a wonderful read! You’ve gained a new fan!

Four Loves

Book Links:

Amazon | B&N

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We also ask that all participating bloggers include this copy somewhere on their blog posts:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER. Purchase or acceptance of a product offer does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes opens 8/3/2015 at 12:01 AM (EDT) and closes 9/1/2015 at 11:59 PM (EDT). Enter online athttps://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/82ae250c9/. Open to legal residents of the U.S. and Canada who have reached the age of majority or older. Void where prohibited by law. Void in Quebec. One (1) prize available to be won consisting of: one (1) print copy of each of Back to You by Lauren Dane, Finding Glory by Sara Arden, Taking the Heat by Vitoria Dahl,Can’t Fight This Feeling by Christie Ridgway, and Second Chance with the Billionaire by Janice Maynard; one (1) e-book copy of Riding Dirty by Jill Sorensen; one (1) Harlequin tote bag; and a Fifty dollar ($50.00 USD) VISA gift card (Total ARV: $92.00 USD). Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Full details and Official Rules available online at https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/82ae250c9/. Sponsor: Harlequin Enterprises Limited.

About the author:

The story goes like this – While on pregnancy bed rest, Lauren Dane had plenty of down time so her husband took her comments about “giving that writing thing a serious go” to heart and brought home a secondhand laptop. She wrote her first book on it before it gave up the ghost. Even better, she sold that book and never looked back.

Today Lauren is a New York Times bestselling author of over fifty novels and novellas across several genres.

Visit Lauren on the web at www.laurendane.com
E-mail laurendane@laurendane.com
Blog www.laurendane.com/blog
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurendane
You can write to her at: PO BOX 45175, Seattle, WA 98145

End of Summer Blog Tour TOUR STOPS:

Monday, August 3rd: Reading Reality – Lauren Dane guest post, “Hurley Family Summer Itinerary“
Monday, August 3rd: Reading Reality – review – Back to You
Wednesday, August 5th: The Sassy Bookster – Janice Maynard guest post, “Sock it To Me Cake“
Wednesday, August 5th: The Sassy Bookster – review – Second Chance With The Billionaire
Friday, August 7th: The Bookish and the Romantic – Sara Arden guest post, “Lemonade,” and review – Finding Glory
Friday, August 7th: The Sassy Bookster – review – Finding Glory
Monday, August 10th: A Chick Who Reads – Christie Ridgway guest post, “Summer Crushes“
Monday, August 10th: Romance Novels for the Beach – review of Taking the Heat
Wednesday, August 12th: Urban Girl Reader – Victoria Dahl guest post, “Summer Adventure“
Wednesday, August 12th: The Sassy Bookster – review – Taking the Heat
Friday, August 14th: From the TBR Pile – Back to You excerpt
Friday, August 14th: The Sassy Bookster – review – Back to You
Monday, August 17th: Mignon Mykel {Reviews} – Jill Sorenson guest post, “A Sexy End-of-Summer Bucket List“
Wednesday, August 19th: Snowdrop Dreams – Janice Maynard guest post, “Summer Vacation“
Friday, August 21st: The Romance Dish – Sara Arden guest post. “True Story of Summer Love“
Friday, August 21st: Read Love Blog – review – Back to You
Monday, August 24th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – Christie Ridgway guest post, “Romantic Summer Dates“
Monday, August 24th: The Sassy Bookster – review – Can’t Fight This Feeling
Tuesday, August 25th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – review – Can’t Fight This Feeling
Wednesday, August 26th: Read Love Blog – Victoria Dahl guest post, “Summer Fling Cocktail Recipe“
Thursday, August 27th: A Chick Who Reads – reviews of Finding Glory, Can’t Fight This Feeling, Taking the Heat
Friday, August 28th: Romance Novels for the Beach – Jill Sorenson guest post, “Virtual Motorcycle Road Trip“
Friday, August 28th: The Sassy Bookster – review – Riding Dirty
Sunday, August 30th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – review – Finding Glory
Date TBD: Mignon Mykel {Reviews} – reviews of all 6

August 2015 Blog Tour Contemporary Romance Four Loves

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Blow by Kim Karr….. Reveal

by Courtney

Kim’s Official Announcement: Get ready to meet LOGAN & ELLE—they will BLOW you away. There’s been Aerie & Jagger, Ivy & Xander, Bell & Ben, Zoey & Nate, Phoebe & Jeremy, but not since Dahlia & River have I been so excited to share a story with you!! I am beyond thrilled to announce my new duet…

BLOW (book 1) will release on September 21st, 2015

Add to your TBR at: http://bit.ly/1Jg9zCr

CRUSH (book 2) will release on November 16th, 2015

Add to your TBR: http://bit.ly/1URdb1H

And don’t forget if you want to receive additional content, stay up to date with what’s next, and participate in exclusive giveaways, make sure you’re on my mailing list! ➜ http://bit.ly/1RzcHz3

OFFICIAL COVERS COMING SOON!

Blurb

2 fatal sides. 1 epic love. 7 days to survive. They met in the face of danger. They weren’t looking for love. They both knew better. But they couldn’t stay away, and they fell hard. He is heart-stopping handsome, fearless—and haunted by deadly ties. She is breathtakingly beautiful, determined—and in harm’s way. They should have parted. They didn’t. They never should have fucked. They did. And now time is running out. One hundred sixty eight hours. That’s all that remains. While Logan McPherson fights to save them, Elle Sterling is forced to make a choice that could change everything. When torn between right and wrong, tainted love doesn’t have a chance…

or does it?

About the Author

I live in Florida with my husband and four kids. I’ve always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, I wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. I went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise my family. I currently work part-time with my husband and full-time embracing one of my biggest passions—writing.

Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

August 2015 Blurb Reveal Contemporary Romance New Releases

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The Way We Rise by Cassia Leo…..Release Blitz

by Courtney

Get it at Amazon.

The Way We Rise is now available! This is the sequel to The Way We Break, which is on sale right now for $2.99!

EBOOK

PAPERBACK

AUDIOBOOK

Coming soon!

Description:

The highly anticipated conclusion to the USA Today bestselling Story of Us series.

With Liam’s fate no longer in the balance, Rory and Houston are poised on the precipice of a life-altering decision. When Rory’s father arrives in California to comfort Rory and make amends, Houston finds the decision becomes much easier to make.

When Houston suggests they take a break Rory thinks he must be joking. But he’s not. And his timing couldn’t be worse.

With Houston and Rory vowing to keep their new friendship strictly outside of the bedroom, their friends and family seize the opportunity to draw out the torture and surprises. Ensuring that Houston and Rory’s story has an ending they’ll never forget.

EXCERPT

Almost all he’s ever seen of Liam were his worst traits: the jealousy and anger and duplicity.

He didn’t know that Liam was a good person with a good heart, and the worst taste in music. He never saw Liam fall asleep on the sofa with Sparky in the middle of the day. He never heard Liam talk about his older sister as if she were his idol. He never caught Liam taking selfies in a Santa suit.

I wash up quickly in the shower and put on the clean outfit I brought with me when we went to pick up Sparky at three in the morning from the house Liam and I shared for the past month and a half, until yesterday. I open the bathroom door and Houston is sitting on the edge of the bed, leaning forward with his elbows on his thighs as both dogs lie at his feet.

He looks up as I come out of the bathroom and manages a weak smile. “How are you feeling?”

I sniff loudly and let out a deep sigh. “Never better.”

“Don’t do that, Rory,” he says, beating me to the doorway before I can leave the bedroom. “Don’t shut me out.”

I stare at his chest and wonder what’s going on inside there. Does his heart ache even a tiny fraction as much as mine does right now? Does he feel even the slightest bit of remorse for what happened last night?

I swipe my hands down my face then wipe the moisture on the front of my jeans. “I can’t. I can’t talk to you about him. It’s just… It’s not right. I’m sorry.”

He reaches out slowly and gently takes me into his arms. “It’s okay.”

His shirt smells like yesterday.

I reach up and close my fist tightly around the fabric, bringing it to my nose. I inhale the scent slowly and deeply, aching to be transported back to last night. To the moment when I could have chosen to stay in my damn hotel room.

Then a pitiful, involuntary whimper leaks out of my mouth. Houston tightens his grip on me as he feels my body becoming heavy. In one swift motion, he swoops me up in his arms and carries me to the bed. Then he sits on the edge and waits for me to speak.

I pull the sheet up, use it to wipe my eyes, hoping to conceal my grief and my shame, but Houston won’t allow it. He pries the sheet out of my hands and pulls it down, away from my face, so he can see me.

“Look at me, Rory.”

I angle my face upward to look at him and the change in position sends two fat tears sliding down my cheeks.

He reaches for me, wiping one of them away. “I realized something when I woke up this morning and found you lying next to me for the first time in five and a half years.”

I want to ask him what he realized, but I can’t bring myself to speak.

He tucks my damp hair behind my ear. “The world looks and feels different when I’m with you. Better and easier.” His gaze wanders over my face and hair for a moment before he continues. “That’s how I know we’re going to get through this, because we’re better together.”

The Way We Fall Trailer:

The Way We Rise Playlist:

August 2015 Contemporary Romance New Reviews Release Day Event

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9 Ways to Fall – Exclusive Collection of Stories…Cover Reveal

by Courtney

9 WAYS TO FALL (An Exclusive Collection of NINE Red-Hot Romances by bestselling authors, featuring Alpha Males, Fighters, Rock-Stars, Movie Stars, Sexy Bad Boys and more)

by Lexi Ryan, Kaylee Ryan, HJ Bellus, Cambria Hebert, Aly Martinez, Erin Noelle, Tessa Teevan, Ilsa Madden-Mills, and Tia Louise

What’s unique about this anthology? Well….most of these titles have NEVER been in an anthology and a few are very recent releases, not just first books in a series. The authors really worked hard at making this collaboration ONE OF A KIND!

PRE-ORDER NOW ONLY $0.99

AVAILABLE Until Oct. 1, 2015!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1JfDDOF

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

iBooks: http://smarturl.it/9WiB

B&N: http://bit.ly/1J0oRdk

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

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1WCk6xx

Blurb

Head Back to School with NINE COMPLETE (Full-Length) Romances from New York Times, USA Today, and Bestselling authors NEVER BEFORE in ONE Boxed Set!!!

NINE new book boyfriends are all here to make you sigh, swoon, and switch panties as you head back to school (or kiss the kids and send them out the door! *wink*)

INCLUDING:

UNBREAK ME, by Lexi Ryan: Returning home to be a bridesmaid in her ex-fiancé’s wedding to her sister, Maggie Thompson, a 21-year old college-dropout, hopes to salvage her long-tarnished reputation and strained relationship with her family. Instead, she finds herself caught in a web of secrets and deception between the man who once promised to fix her and the sexy ex-rocker who gives her permission to break.

LEVITATE by Kaylee Ryan: Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, you realize your puzzle is unfinished. With one touch you find a piece you never thought you needed. The piece that makes you Levitate.

BLUE by HJ Bellus: Blue Williams shines no matter the circumstance, until one night changes her forever. The beauty is gone, and all she has left are nasty, ugly memories. The man who saved her has a story of his own, with 90 percent of his body scarred. What happens when the Beauty falls for the Beast?

TATTOO by Cambria Hebert: An undercover cop on vacation, a bank teller just doing her job, and a group of bank robbers waiving a gun around. Just when Brody and Taylor think they’ll make it out a tattoo changes everything.

FIGHTING SILENCE by Aly Martinez: I spent my life dodging the punches reality threw at me. I had worthless parents and two brothers who depended on me. Meeting the love of my life at age thirteen was never part of my plan–neither was gradually going deaf at the age of twenty-one. They both happened anyway.

SPARK by Erin Noelle: Desperate to improve his younger brother’s worsening condition, Crew Elliott and his family decide to turn to unconventional treatments and move to Colorado. It is there, in the search for medical marijuana, he finds beautiful, free-spirited Hudson Shavell–a girl who may not only hold the key to heal his brother, but to fix him as well.

COMBUST by Tessa Teevan: When Virgin Queen Andi Kane meets Cohen Wellington, she’s sure he’s The One… She’s never been more wrong. Three years later, he’s the man she never wants to see again, she’s the one who got away, and this time, despite her protests, he’s not letting her go without a fight.

VERY TWISTED THINGS by Ilsa Madden-Mills: He’s a rock star with a past. She’s the heiress who’s lost everything. Welcome to Briarcrest Academy–Hollywood style–where sometimes the best things in life are VERY TWISTED THINGS.

ONE TO LOVE by Tia Louise: Fighting, tattoos, fame, love, LOSS… It’s the one thing Kenny and Slayde have in common, until the night Fate throws them together and everything changes. It’s a story about fighting, about falling in love; and it’s about losing everything only to find it again in the least likely place.

ONE-CLICK NOW – THIS 9-BOOK BUNDLE WILL BE GONE OCT. 1!!!

Anthology August 2015 Cover Reveal Pre-Order

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Capture by Rachel Van Dyken….Blog Tour & Review

by Courtney

Losing your ability to speak at the age of seventeen; it’s not normal or fair.

But trauma, has a way of throwing normality out the window.

Dani lives anything but a normal life.

Her sister is married to one of the biggest names in Hollywood.

Her best friends are rockstar duo AD2.

And she has more love around her than most people experience in a lifetime.

But that doesn’t change the fact their parents are dead.

Or that it’s her fault.

It seems her new normal is being a mute, living on the inside, unable to actually communicate on
the outside.

That is until Hollywood’s newest heartthrob Lincoln Greene hires her as his assistant for the summer.

He’s gorgeous, completely unavailable, and unobtainable.

But that doesn’t stop her from wondering…if things were different…would he want her?

If she was whole, would he be the other half?

AMAZON AMAZON UK AMAZON AU Barnes & Noble

REVIEW

Capture is the start of a spinoff series from RVD’s Seaside series. But you really don’t need to read the Seaside series to understand anything that is really going on in this series. But if you haven’t read that series, just my recommendation that you probably should cause it’s just as awesome!

Back to Capture…..

This book is why I love reading anything by RVD. She is one author that I love reading. Her writing style always captures me from the very beginning and keeps me glued in til the end.

Capture is a very light-hearted, sexy, sweet and funny story. It’s full of characters you will instantly love mixed in with a few characters from her previous book to round everything out.

Dani is selective mute due to an accident. But she is witty, funny and downright sassy – which I love! She may seem weak, but she is anything but.

Lincoln (Linc) – he’s the playboy Hollywood hottie. And Dani is hired to be his assistant. She’s surrounded by celebrities constantly but something about Linc makes her crave him.

The interactions and banter between these two is quite endearing and very funny. I like that they push each other buttons yet without realizing – rely on the other to get through the day. I won’t give away any of the plot or scenes. However, I will say that Rachel knows how to really build up to things and deliver some hot scenes!!

Rachel wrote a beautiful love story and built up another set of great characters – ones that I am looking forward to reading about more. Such as Zane – just the small snippets we learn about him from his friendship with Dani has my curiosity spiked.

Another great start to what I am sure will be a huge knock-out series!!!

EXCERPT

“Finally!” Jaymeson pointed at both of us. “Lincoln, show her to her mark. Dani, for this scene you’re simply staring at him like you want to eat him. Think you can do that?”
I nodded.
Any woman could do that.
Most men too.
“Cue music!” Jaymeson called out. “Action.”
A techno mix of AD2’s latest song filled the air as the extras started dancing around us. I stayed glued to the wall while Lincoln delivered his lines to Pris, and then he lifted his head, meeting my gaze.
It’s just a movie. It’s just a movie.
The breath left my chest on one slow exhale as he moved toward me, his body making fluid purposeful movements through the crowd.
My lips parted; my entire body felt heavy as he approached.
He stopped in front of me, his forehead grazing mine as he leaned in a few inches. Our breath mingled as the music and scene faded around me.
“Cut!” Jaymeson yelled.
Holy crap on a cracker. I almost experienced my first stroke — at seventeen.
“You okay?” Lincoln’s eyebrows knit together in concern.
I licked the lipstick from my lips and nodded quickly.
Jaymeson approached. “Time for the kiss, remember kissing, not hockey. Clearly, you were confused earlier.”
Lincoln gritted his teeth and let out a little groan.
I patted his arm and grinned, my way of encouraging him. He seemed to pale more.
My stomach sank.
Maybe it was me.
I was the problem.
Not the kiss, but me. If he’d had trouble kissing my gorgeous sister, how was he going to be able to kiss me?
“Hey…” Lincoln cupped my cheek. “… focus on me, nothing else, alright? It’s only us.”
I nodded.
“You ever been to a party?”
I rolled my eyes.
“Ever made out with a guy at a party that wasn’t your boyfriend?”
I thought about it then slowly shook my head.
“So that’s what this scene is about. It’s about a guy seeing a girl from across the room and wanting her so badly that he’s willing to cheat on his own girlfriend for just one taste. Granted, he’s supposedly drunk and high, but that just takes the romance out of it, doesn’t it?”
He released my cheek and stepped back. “Imagine you’re trying to attract me, make your body as inviting as possible. Hell, just stand there and look at me, and you’ll sell it.”
Sell it. I repeated the words in my mind.
I could do that.
Because I wanted him to kiss me.
It made my heart beat faster.
My blood pump harder.
And for the first time since my parents’ death, I was actually excited about something. Nervous, but excited.
“Okay,” I mouthed.
I must have surprised him again because his eyes darkened, and then he grinned. “One day, Dani. One day I’m going to hear my name coming from that gorgeous mouth of yours, and I’m not going to be held responsible for my actions… damn the consequences.”
My breath hitched.
“Quiet on set! And action!”
There was no warning. Suddenly, Lincoln’s mouth was fused against mine, no teeth, just his soft lips pushing, prodding, moving slowly back and forth until his tongue slid through and made contact with mine.
Heart racing, I opened my mouth enough to deepen the kiss as heat washed over me.
He groaned and dug his fingers into my shoulders then slid his hands down my back and gripped my butt. I let out a squeak of surprise as I flicked his tongue with mine.
“Cut!” Jaymeson yelled.
I kept kissing.
So did Lincoln.
His chest brushed roughly against mine; my breasts ached at the sharp contact. I let out a little hiss at the exact time Linc let out a groan and nudged his knee between my legs.
“Cut!” Jaymeson yelled again.
Slowly, Lincoln pried himself away from me, chest heaving.
“Good enough,” said Jaymeson.
“No,” Lincoln argued without taking his wild grey eyes off me, “I went off script. We need to do it again.”
“The hell you do,” someone mumbled. I wasn’t surprised to see Demetri glaring daggers at Lincoln’s back. Alec was next to Jaymeson, giving him an earful. I noted the strong tick in his jaw.
“Fine.” Jaymeson waved them both off. “We’ll do it again.”
“Take two, and action!”
This time the kiss was slow, languid in its movements. Hot waves of pleasure coursed through my body as his tongue slid seductively pass my lips. His taste, the feel of his mouth was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Greedily, I moaned, desperate for more of him as I reached for his shirt then fisting it with my hands and tugging him tighter against my body, wanting more contact with him. I felt every plane of muscle as he slowly turned us so his back was semi facing the camera. His knee nudged my legs apart as pressure increased down the middle of my body. I hadn’t really looked long at the script, but I was pretty sure that this wasn’t part of it.
Not that I was complaining.
He rocked into me, my back connected with the wall. With a possessive growl, he nipped my lower lip then started kissing down my neck. Kissing in public had never been my thing — but maybe that was because I’d never kissed Lincoln.
I would kiss him anywhere.
All he needed to do was ask.
Body humming with pleasure, I let out a little gasp as his warm lips met the pulse on my neck. Then his tongue licked where his lips had just been.
His knee rose higher and higher as my body sank onto his; the first contact of his leg had my body screaming with pleasure — just a little higher, just a little more.
“Cut!” someone shouted, though it didn’t sound like Jaymeson.
Suddenly, Demetri was pulling Lincoln away from me and glaring daggers at both of us. “I think you guys got the scene.”
Embarrassed, I looked down, tucking my silky hair behind my ear. Did I really almost just dry hump Lincoln Greene’s leg? In front of about twenty people, including my sister?
“You sure?” Lincoln asked, voice hoarse. I glanced up at him, his chest was heaving with exertion, his lips swollen. “Because I could have sworn I messed up my lines.”
“There are no lines, you bastard,” Demetri muttered under his breath.
“Damn it!” Jaymeson shouted. “Hey, guys, I’m going to need you to shoot it one more time. Remember, Lincoln, you’re supposed to proposition her.”
Lincoln grinned smugly at Demetri.
Demetri didn’t move.

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency
and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking
coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from
readers!

Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!

You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken
or join her fan group Rachel’s New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com

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

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Cocky Bastard by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland…Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Synopsis:

He was someone who belonged in my wildest fantasies instead of a rest stop in the middle of Nebraska.

A sexy, cocky, Australian named Chance was the last person I expected to run into on my cross-country drive.

When my car broke down, we made a deal. Next thing I knew, we were traveling together, spending sexually-tense nights in hotels and taking unplanned detours.

My ordinary road trip turned into the adventure of a lifetime. It was all fun and games until things got intense.

I wanted him, but Chance wouldn’t make a move. I thought he wanted me too, but something was holding him back.

I wasn’t supposed to fall for the cocky bastard, especially when I knew we’d be going our separate ways.

All good things must come to an end, right?

Except our ending was one I didn’t see coming.

My review:

Cocky Bastard is a new release from the talented duo of Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland. While I have read Ms. Keelend’s work in the past, and am a huge fan, this was my first taste of Ms. Ward’s work and I have to say: these two completely rocked my world with this book! I loved every second of this read!

Ok, I’ll spare you a retelling of the synopsis, because, well, you can read it up there and I just HAVE to dive right into telling you how much I loved this book…

So I kind of feel a bit overwhelmed these days. There are so many releases and so many great covers and titles and excerpts of books pulling a reader in so many directions and I never know where to turn. I can only assume that some of you must feel the same way at times. This is where I turn to you and urge you to just go and buy this book.

There are so many ridiculously amazing elements in this story. Chance is the whole hero package. Sexy, built, funny, saucy, and cheeky. But on top of all of that he’s in hell of a stand-up guy and loves with his whole heart. Which is so opposite the bad-boy sex-symbol image he rocks on his exterior. He had me laughing and crying too many times to count (just ask the poor father and son who sat in my row on my flight home while I was reading). I adore the emotional-back-and-forth in a book and to have a character pull such diverse emotions from me is a real treat. I also loved Aubrey. She is so opposite Chance in a million ways but also so like him in many others. She also loves with her whole heart and is in real need of a friend when she comes to the crossroad in her life that led her to getting Chance. The time they share is just so special and is filled with fun, laughter, and growing attraction and hard-core feelings.

But there are also some hard-core hiccups along the way that ripped my heart out and I honestly was in a full on panic more than once while reading. I wanted these two to get together and have a happy ending with such desperation! That being said, the bitter tasting parts only made the ending even more sweet and I simply loved it.

These two authors put so much personality and character into even the littlest pieces of this book and it made everything that much more enjoyable. Nothing fell flat. There was depth and meaning even in the mundane things like texting. From a fainting goat, princess flowers, a Starbucks staff I want to become friends with, and two Little White Chapel scenes, there was just so much to love. So much so that I sent more than a few “get on your e-reader and buy this book right now” texts (Michele and Liz!). I will also admit that I devoured this book until I got to about the 75% mark and stopped reading for a day…..because I didn’t want to finish it and be DONE! Yep, I loved me some Cocky Bastard.

So, just trust me when I say: buy this book! Thank you Ms. Ward and Ms. Keeland for writing one of my favorite books of 2015…if not of all time.

Five Loves

Excerpt:

A knock at the door made me jump.

With a huff, I got out of bed and stood on my tiptoes to look out the peephole. Why were those things always so high on the door anyway? I was surprised to find no one standing on the other side. Maybe I’d imagined it.

Another knock.

I flicked on the lights. The sound wasn’t coming from the entrance door. It was coming from an interior door I hadn’t even noticed before.

Chance’s door.

I unfastened the top lock and cracked it open just enough so I could see what he wanted. And there he stood.

Shirtless.

Wearing only dark gray boxer briefs that hugged him like a second skin.

It took a minute to understand what he was doing there, even though he was holding up a toothbrush in question.

“I thought we had established I wasn’t a serial killer already.”

I opened the door wider.

He smiled.

Oh lord. Stop that. Right now.

“I must have left my toothpaste in my saddlebag in the car.”

I swallowed hard. “Uh huh.”

He cocked his head to the side, and his brows dipped in. “Can I borrow yours?”

“Oh. Yeah, sure.”

He walked past me and let himself into my bathroom. I waited at the door.

“You got an awful lot of girly crap in here for one night,” he said with a jumbled mouth full of toothpaste from the bathroom. “Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia.”

He was reading my Estee Lauder perfume bottle.

I heard him rinse and spit. Then there was a gargling sound. He used my mouthwash, too. Sure, help yourself.

He walked out and flicked off the bathroom light. “Is tuberose a rose?”

I shook my head, still confused by the whole situation going on.

“That’s why,” he murmured.

“Why what?”

“I couldn’t figure out what you smelled like all day. Not sure I ever smelled a Tuberose before.” He shrugged and walked back into his room but not before turning back. “Even those little black lacy underwear smell like tuberose.”

My eyes bulged. I’d taken off my bra and panties and left them on the bathroom counter.

“You…you—”

“Relax. I’m teasing. Do I look like an underwear sniffer to you?”

Yes.

No.

Maybe?

“Night, Aubrey.” He graced me with a dimple and disappeared.

AH-BREE. Damn him.

I locked the door and checked it twice, unclear if it was for my safety or his. His voice saying my name was on audio replay inside my head, getting softer and softer like a soothing lullaby with each breath as I drifted off to dreamland.

Until the knock came again.

About the Authors:

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

Additional Books by Vi Keeland

Life on Stage series (2 standalone books)

Beat

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1MWanfu

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1fczMX5

iBooks: http://apple.co/1DnI6f6

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

B&N: http://bit.ly/1O1Ah0q

Throb

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1BgqIUD

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1CsRg9d

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1zk882K

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1x5c3P8

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

MMA Fighter series (3 standalone books)

Worth the Fight (MMA Fighter Series, Book One)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1xC6epE

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1alpVES

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1dbzZ8R

Smashwords – http://bit.ly/1is0zNX

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1co2ZpF

Worth The Chance (MMA Fighter Series, Book Two)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1xC71aa

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

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1gHMCZg

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

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/NU2rCR

Worth Forgiving (MMA Fighter Series, Book Three)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1wbsJEK

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

iBooks: http://bit.ly/XBTLFX

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1kWP4ka

The Cole Series (2 book serial)

Belong to You (Cole Series, Book One)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1fr26W2

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

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/belong-to-you-vi-keeland/1114962845

IBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/belong-to-you/id639401754

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/belong-to-you

Made for You (Cole Series, Book Two)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Mi0AzQ

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

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/made-for-you-vi-keeland/1115883225

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/made-for-you/id84550637

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/belong-to-you

Standalone novels

Left Behind (A Young Adult Novel)

Amazon US:http://amzn.to/1G9HdDK

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Rmi3xp

First Thing I See

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1fr3dF7

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

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1JWFo21

Meet Penelope Ward

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 10-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island.

Other books from Penelope Ward

Stepbrother Dearest

Amazon http://amzn.to/1mFNMeg

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

ITunes: http://bit.ly/YER0mT

kobo: http://bit.ly/1fJaaBs

Gemini

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1vgk1SE

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

iTunes: http://apple.co/1QTaONj

kobo: http://bit.ly/1BGJ2wu

Jake Undone (Jake #1)

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

B&N: http://bit.ly/1obAwJ6

iTunes: http://apple.co/1fJayQ8

kobo: http://bit.ly/1SPKl0M

My Skylar

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1obOG2F

B&N: http://bit.ly/SLO1qi

iTunes: http://bit.ly/SLNOTR

kobo: http://bit.ly/1kNrtAB

Jake Understood (Jake #2)

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

B&N: http://bit.ly/1FwJC0z

iTunes: http://apple.co/1DQQwgC

kobo: http://bit.ly/1LQ7Fvk

GIVEAWAY

$100 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/09964f03724/

August 2015 Blog Tour Contemporary Romance Five Loves

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Rage/Killian by Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright….Blog Tour Stop with Excerpt

by Jilly

We are thrilled to bring you the Review & Excerpt Tour for Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright’s RAGE/KILLIAN! RAGE/KLLIAN are TWO novellas in the Bayou Heat Series and part of the always fantastic 1001 Dark Nights. This amazing book with TWO novellas in it releases on August 11^th! Make sure you grab your copy today!

Amazon eBook ** Amazon Paperback

RAGE/KILLIAN Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule

August 12^th

I Heart YA Books – Excerpt

She Hearts Books – Review

Pages Abound – Excerpt

Books and Warpaint – Review

August 13^th

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

Oh My Shelves – Excerpt

Vampire Book Club – Excerpt

Roxy’s Reviews – Excerpt

August 14^th

Books That Hook – Excerpt

Angel’s Guilty Pleasures – Excerpt

SofiaLovesReading – Review

Sultry, Steamy Reading – Excerpt

August 15^th

Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt

Diane’s Book Blog – Excerpt

August 16^th

Dark Faerie Tales – Review & Excerpt

Penny For My Thoughts – Review

The Book Disciple – Review & Excerpt

August 17^th

I can’t help where my mind goes – Review

Romancing the Readers – Excerpt

August 18^th

Obsessive Reading Disorder – Review & Excerpt

A girl and her book – Review & Excerpt

Jen’s Reading Obsession – Excerpt

August 19^th

Boundless Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Coast to Coast Book Besties – Review & Excerpt

Kelsey’s Corner Time – Review

August 20^th

A Fortress of Books – Review & Excerpt

Read-Love-Blog – Excerpt

Confessions of a Bookfreak – Review

August 21^st

Evermore Books – Review & Excerpt

Once Upon An Alpha – Review

Literary Misfit – Review & Excerpt

JB’s Book Obsession – Excerpt

ABOUT RAGE/KILLIAN: Bayou Heat Novellas:

RAGE

Rage might be an aggressive Hunter by nature, but the gorgeous male has never had a problem charming the females. All except Lucie Gaudet. Of course, the lovely Geek is a born troublemaker, and it was no surprise to Rage when she was kicked out of the Wildlands.

But now the Pantera need a first-class hacker to stop the potential destruction of their people. And it’s up to Rage to convince Lucie to help. Can the two forget the past—and their sizzling attraction—to save the Pantera?

KILLIAN

Gorgeous, brutal, aggressive, and human, Killian O’Roarke wants only two things: to get rid of the Pantera DNA he’s been infected with, and get back to the field. But the decorated Army Ranger never bargained on meeting the woman—the female—of his dreams on his mission to the Wildlands.

Rosalie lost her mate to a human, and now the Hunter despises them all. In fact, she thinks they’re good for only one thing: barbeque. But this one she’s guarding is testing her beliefs. He is proud and kind, and also knows the pain of loss. But in a time of war between their species, isn’t any chance of love destined for destruction?

Excerpt:

“No,” he growled. “No, no, no.”

“I’m sorry.” Parish folded his arms over his chest, the air prickling with the force of his authority. The older male wasn’t the leader of the Hunters because of his sparkling personality. “Did you think that was a request? Because it wasn’t.”

Rage grimaced, deliberately leashing his instinctive aggression. He’d discovered at an early age he could use his natural charm to…encourage people to see things his way. It was only when his cat was provoked to violence that it was obvious why his faction was Hunter instead of Diplomat.

“Please, Parish,” he soothed. “Send someone else.”

“There is no one else.” Parish narrowed his golden eyes. “In case you missed the memo we’ve been having a few disasters lately.”

“Exactly. I should be out searching for the mysterious Christopher,” Rage said, referring to the head of Benson Enterprises, the shadowy corporation that was responsible for stealing Pantera, as well as vulnerable humans. “Or at least hunting down the Frankenstein labs. We still can’t be sure we’ve burned them all.” He pointed toward the window that overlooked the manicured grass of the communal area. Below them a few Pantera mothers were sharing a late lunch while their cubs tumbled across the spongy ground. It was winter in the Wildlands, but the Pantera embraced the brisk air. “Hell, I’ll even spy on the military. Someone needs to discover who can and can’t be trusted in the human government.”

Parish looked far from impressed by his logic. “Are you trying to tell me how to do my job?”

“Christ, no. It’s just…”

Parish frowned. “What?”

Rage hesitated. This was the first time he’d ever questioned a direct order, but there was no way in hell he wanted to deal with Lucie Gaudet.

The female Geek had been a few years younger than Rage, and growing up he’d initially felt sorry for the half-feral creature who’d lived in the outer parts of the swamp. She’d slunk around the edges of town with her hair matted and tangled, and her face covered in dirt. Almost like a fabled wood sprite who flitted among the trees, spreading mist and magic

But as they’d matured, his pity had changed to annoyance.

Instead of growing out of her odd preference for the shadows, she’d continued to lurk at a distance, and worse, she’d used her cunning intelligence to torment others. Including himself.

A born troublemaker.

ABOUT ALEXANDRA IVY:

Alexandra Ivy is a New York Times and USA Todaybestselling author. From Alexandra: “I’m not exactly sure when I fell in love with books. Probably on my mother’s knee listening to her read Dr. Seuss to me. I do remember that I was barely old enough to cross the street by myself when I discovered the delights of the local library.

Could anything be more wonderful than spending summer days surrounded by stacks of Nancy Drew mysteries? Over the years I fell in love with Victoria Holt, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, and J.R.R. Tolkien just to name a few. I read poetry, essays, biographies, and plays. In fact, I read anything I could get my hands on.

Years later (no, I’m not admitting how many) I’m still an avid reader, and my tastes are still as varied as they were in my youth, which I suppose helps to explain why I enjoy writing regency historicals under the name of Deborah Raleigh, as well as my contemporary paranormals as Alexandra Ivy. For now that is enough to keep me busy, but who knows what the future might hold!

I do have a few other loves in my life besides reading and writing, the most important being my unbelievably patient husband, David, and my two sons, Chance and Alexander. Without their constant support and belief in me, I never could have been able to follow my dreams. They are truly my heroes.

WebsiteFacebookTwitterAuthor GoodreadsNovella Goodreads**1001 Dark Nights

ABOUT LAURA WRIGHT:

Laura Wright is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. From Laura: “Unlike many of my peers in the writing world, I wasn’t a writer or a reader until I left high school. During my youth I was into theater, song and dance, commercials and boys. I loved romance surely, but I had never read a romance novel until my late teens. With that said, I remember the day I did like it was a moment ago – my aunt gave me the Jude Deveraux novel, Knight in Shining Armor and I couldn’t put it down until the very last word. Then I went straight to the library and got another – then another until I’d read everything she’d ever written. After that, it was McNaught, Howard, Schone, Kleypas, and the Silhouette line, Desire. I instantly loved those emotional, sexy reads, so much so that I began to carve out ideas for my own stories, themes that were unique to me and moved me. In 1997 I enrolled in UCLA extension writing classes, met my mentor and critique partners and since have never stopped writing. I was committed then and I still am now; the need to tell my own romantic stories a full on obsession. My first manuscript was rejected, and though the second one was as well the editor who’d rejected it wanted to see something else from me. I had something (note to authors; always keep working, even after you’ve sent in a proposal) and sent it right away. The day I got the call telling me Desire wanted to buy Cinderella and the Playboy was the best day of my life. That is until I married my husband, and had my two beautiful children. But I must say, writing is much like motherhood – tough, grueling, surprising, delicious and for me, a dream come true.”

WebsiteFacebookTwitterAuthor GoodreadsNovella Goodreads**1001 Dark Nights

August 2015 Blog Tour Dark Nights Excerpt

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Acts Of Creation by Elisabeth Staab…Spotlight And Exclusive Deleted Scene

by Jilly

About Acts of Creation:

He’s living a lie.

Dante Ramos: Champion. Ladies’ man. Party animal. Women want him, and men either want to be him or put his lights out for sleeping with their girlfriends. It’s all an act. Inside, he’s so full of self-loathing he’s on a fast-track to self-destruction.

She’s living in the shadows.

Meeting Michelle at a support group for assault survivors shows Dante a new world of possibilities. Finally, someone in his life might understand him, and she creates in him a fierce need to protect. Trouble is, Dante lives his life in the spotlight, and the only thing Michelle wants is a place to hide.

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

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25913434-acts-of-creation

Apple order: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/acts-of-creation/id1025617403?mt=11

B&N order: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/acts-of-creation-elisabeth-staab/1122449826?ean=2940152282894

About the cover:

Cover Photography by Michael Stokes | Cover Model – Quentin Elias | Cover design by Babski Creative Studios

Excerpt (Michelle’s POV):

I plod down the church steps, taking my time heading into the parking lot. A quick summer storm must have passed through while we were all inside, and the evening is cool and damp with the smell of fresh rain. I love that scent. I love the electricity in the air before a big storm, and the way it makes everything smell fresh and brand-new after.

I’m so busy lifting my nose to the sky to take a big whiff, wishing the rain could make me shiny and clean like the streets, that I don’t at first notice Dante standing by his car. I jump a little. He’s so big that I can’t believe I missed him.

Mental head smack, Chelle.

He looks apologetic when he says, “Didn’t mean to catch you off guard.”

“You didn’t.” My mother always said I should never sell used cars. I don’t agree with her about much, but she’s right that I’m not a good liar.

With my face burning, I expect him to call me out on the fib. He doesn’t. He only gives me a winning smile and pushes away from the car. He’s got two takeout cups in his hand. “Okay. So I couldn’t make it to the meeting tonight, but I didn’t like the idea of you out here waiting alone for the bus. Wanted to make sure you got home okay. Also…” He holds out one of the cups. “I broke down and picked up a milkshake, and I hate to drink alone.”

Wow. That’s either a little weird or really nice. Under the circumstances, I decide to go with option B. I’ve always thought Dante was a player, but I’ve never thought he was a bad guy. After the last couple of weeks, I’m not even sure what to think. “What kind of milkshake?”

“Double chocolate cookies and cream. Unless that’s not your thing, in which case I’m willing to trade you my birthday-cake flavored. And I don’t give up my rainbow sprinkles for just anybody, Michelle.” He leans in and whispers that last part with a gravelly suggestive something in his voice, and even though he stops short of touching me I’m surprised at the flush of heat his nearness and his words bring to my body.

“That’s…” Ooh. Maybe he is a player. I don’t know why else he’d be acting flirty with the likes of me. I know my loose clothes and long, un-styled hair don’t do much to attract guys. I dress the way I do for a reason.

I recover and grab hold of the first cup he held out to me. “Thanks, but I wouldn’t dare ask you to make that kind of sacrifice. Anyway, chocolate is one of my favorite food groups.”

“For you, I would. But I’m glad I made the right choice.”

His eyes gleam when he smiles and leans into my space. My snap-fleeting thought is that he’s definitely being flirty. The idea nearly makes me snarf my first drink of shake. No way. “I… Hey, this is really good,” I say, pointing to the cup. Maybe I’m being a dork. Probably.

I’m not sure what surprises me more. The idea that he could possibly be making a move on me, here of all places, or the idea that I kind of would like him to be.

DELETED SCENE (Michelle’s POV):

“So are you, like, off the diet this week?”

He pulls out a cheese stick and offers me one. It reminds me of the last time we ate them together, and my weird, sudden urge to get flirty. The memory makes my face warm.

“I guess you could say I’m having a hard time sticking to the plan, lately.” He looks down into the bag, but I feel like he’s trying to hide something. His face is cloudy, and an unusual slope to his shoulders makes my stomach tight.

“Hey.” I sit and scoot forward on the bench, pushing my drawing supplies out of the way until our knees are almost touching. “What is it that John Lennon said about life being what happens when you make other plans?” I put my hand on his leg, because it seems like the right thing to do. “It happens sometimes. Life.”

He looks up then, swiping his thumb down the side of my face. “That why you’ve been crying? Did life happen? Or is that my fault, for being a dick and bailing in the middle of the night last night?”

Damn. I blow out a breath. I’d tried to get myself under control before he showed up, but I must still have those awful tear-streaks going down my face. “My parents called with some bad news.”

He leans forward. His hand is still on the side of my face, and the size and heat of it my stomach wobble. My face gets hot.

“Then you and I should make some other plans.” The way he smiles at me this time is different. It’s not his usual life of the party grin. It’s.. I don’t know, if I was a girl who believed in that sort of thing, I’d think maybe he liked me or something. You know. “That way.”

It’s an absorbed smile that produces unsettling warmth in places I didn’t think could get warm any longer. Maybe it’s the way the sun in his eyes looks like diamonds. Or maybe it’s the fact that his smile reminds me about how lately whenever I need someone to lean on, there he is with his big, strong shoulders.

I guess in actuality he’s the one who’s needed support some of those times, but it’s been nice to be needed. It’s been nice not to be the only one with the big “BROKEN” stamp on their forehead. We’ve both got some dings, and we don’t have to explain that to each other.

I hate having to explain. I did so much of that after what happened with Craig and his crew. To the police, to the therapists. All for what?

Which is why I’m immensely grateful he hasn’t asked me what’s wrong. He’s just suggested we go do something else.

About Elisabeth:

Elisabeth Staab loves passionate stories and happy endings. Her books have been called “emotionally delicious,” “action-packed,” and “gloriously snarky.” When not writing romance, she enjoys date night with her husband, reading Harry Potter with her kids, and marathoning her favorite books or TV series. Find out more at ElisabethStaab.com, follow along on Facebook and Twitter, and keep up with new releases and giveaways by signing up for her newsletter.

August 2015 Exclusive

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Hot In The Hamptons by Liz Matis, Wendy S. Marcus, & Jennifer Probst…Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Summer Sins Synopsis:

Summer fun before my wedding…

I have one goal this summer. Hang with my besties for some much needed sun, sand, and relaxation while I put the final touches on my idyllic wedding. I didn’t count on meeting a smart-mouthed, bad boy biker whose gaze burns hotter than a beach bonfire. I never planned to lose myself, body and soul, and question my entire future. Now, I have to make a choice that’s tearing me apart, and could shatter the lives of the two men I love…

Turns into summer sins…

I have one goal this summer. CHILL. Do nothing. Nada. I need simple before I have to head into Manhattan to take on a high powered position on Wall Street. I didn’t count on a dark haired, inky- eyed spitfire who’d spin my world upside down, or make me burn for things I never thought I wanted. I vowed to make her my summer fling, but had no idea she was claimed by another. And now that she possessed not only my body but my soul, the stakes are too high for me to lose her…

Love burns hotter in the Hamptons. Come play.

The Hot in the Hamptons Series:
Summer Dreaming by Liz Matis
Summer Temptation by Wendy S. Marcus
Summer Sins by Jennifer Probst

Three separate novellas. Three different authors. One summer to remember.
Read them all, or just read one. It’s up to you!

But when read together, you’ll find extra story scenes to enhance your reading pleasure. No matter which route you choose, these standalone novellas will make you burn.

My review:

Summer Sins is author Jennifer Probst’s novella in the Hot In The Hamptons collection and being a huge fan of Ms. Probst’s, I was so excited to read this story. Well, Ms. Probst does it again and delivered a sexy story filled with romance and swirling emotions. I loved every minute of it!

Two people meeting at a crossroads in their lives. Two people with their paths set out in front of them to follow. Two people fate put together for a very good reason.

I loved everything about Storme and Holden’s story. Storme is getting married; Holden is about to start his career. Neither one of them planned on a summer fling turned hot and heavy, and they certainly never intended to fall in love. (Now, before you get all worried that Storme is cheating on her fiancée, I can assure you that she was open and honest with him once she realized her attraction to Holden. I can also assure you that things need well and you won’t hate her for doing what she did.)

They both have so much on their shoulders and are embarking on the rest of their lives after this summer ends. Their attraction is immediate, even though they don’t start off on the right foot. That made the chase all that more fun, if you ask me! I loved Holden’s persistence and cocky attitude. I loved Storme’s realistic thinking and her ability to be honest with her feelings. I loved all the ups and downs they faced in the weeks they spent together. I loved the heat and chemistry between them. Most of all, I loved how things turned out for them. I felt so many emotions for these two. I was a nervous wreck that things couldn’t work out for them but if there’s one thing I know about Ms. Probst is she always delivers one hell of an ending and this was no exception!

If you’re looking for an amazing, sexy, fun read to spend a few hours with, this should be it! Thank you Ms. Probst, for a wonderful story!

Five Loves

… and here is the rest of the Hot In The Hamptons Series:

Synopsis:

I’m looking for a hero. Not.

You’d think as a new college grad I’d be looking for the perfect job and the perfect man. Well, I’m not. Summer is here and instead of plotting my future, I’m playing in the Hamptons with my two best friends. Sun and sex is all I’m

looking for. Then I meet Sean Dempsey, my fantasy lifeguard in the flesh. But he is more than just a hot bod with a whistle. And after he makes a daring save, I’m thinking a hero is exactly what I’ve been looking for all along.

To the rescue…

By day I guard the beaches in the Hamptons, by night I’ve had my fair share of summer flings. Then I meet Kelsey Mitchell, a girl with eyes like the setting

sun and I burn for more. Something I have no right to ask of her…forever.

Love burns hotter in the Hamptons. Come play.

Synopsis:

Meet Leigh DeGray…

After graduating college with honors and landing the job of my dreams in New York City, I’m off to The Hamptons to spend the summer with my two best friends.

My life seems perfect, right? It’s not. The truth is, I have a secret that may make the future I’d planned so carefully completely fall apart. A hot summer romance is the absolute last thing I’m looking for… Until I meet a man who tempts me like no other and shows me a hot summer romance is exactly what I need.

Meet Nick Kenzy…

After two years of working my ass off as a Wall Street analyst, I’m out of a job, with no warning, no thank you, and no severance. Am I angry? You’re damn right I

am. So when I head to the Hamptons for the weekend to spend time with my granddad, I plan to regroup and relax before I return to the city to hit the job search hard. I don’t need any distractions. Then I meet Leigh. Suddenly, a summer temptation makes me question everything I want for my future…

Love burns hotter in the Hamptons. Come play.

BUY LINKS:

SUMMER DREAMING by Liz Matis Links:
Amazon: amzn.to/1HGw1Ak
Barnes & Noble: bit.ly/1J7kq1T
iTunes: apple.co/1HGwrqu
Kobo: bit.ly/1OdZ0j2

SUMMER TEMPTATION by Wendy S. Marcus Links:
Amazon: amzn.to/1MhtN0M
Barnes & Noble: bit.ly/1OdYv8t
iTunes: apple.co/1Jp8KTO
Kobo: bit.ly/1DniMTz

SUMMER SINS by Jennifer Probst Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1DVV5Sl
Barnes & Noble: bit.ly/1Ooj42V
iTunes: apple.co/1CIu5ee
Kobo: bit.ly/1IbokYw

SERIES BOOK TRAILER

LINK: bit.ly/HotintheHamptonsTrailer

GIVEAWAY:
Enter to win a signed set of the books from the Hot in the Hamptons series, and a $15 gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LINK:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/726d2572243/

AUTHOR LINKS:

JENNIFER PROBST

Website: www.jenniferprobst.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferprobst.authorpage

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferprobst

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2965489.Jennifer_Probst

———–
LIZ MATIS
Website: http://www.lizmatis.com/index.html

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LizMatis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Liz-Matis-Fan-Page/308197599253896

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ author/show/5289185.Liz_Matis

———–
WENDY S. MARCUS
Website: http://wendysmarcus.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendySMarcus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendy- S-Marcus-Author-Page/184507031577429

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4823224.Wendy_S_Marcus

August 2015 Contemporary Romance Five Loves

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Book Promotion & Review

Blurb

Excerpt

REVIEW

About the Author

Synopsis:

My review:

Four Loves

Book Links:

The Way We Fall Trailer:

The Way We Rise Playlist:

REVIEW

Synopsis:

My review:

Five Loves

Excerpt:

GIVEAWAY

Amazon eBook ** Amazon Paperback

RAGE/KILLIAN Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule

Excerpt:

Website**Facebook**Twitter**Author Goodreads**Novella Goodreads**1001 Dark Nights

Website**Facebook**Twitter**Author Goodreads**Novella Goodreads**1001 Dark Nights

About the cover:

Cover Photography by Michael Stokes | Cover Model – Quentin Elias | Cover design by Babski Creative Studios

Summer Sins Synopsis:

My review:

Five Loves

Synopsis:

Synopsis:

WebsiteFacebookTwitterAuthor GoodreadsNovella Goodreads**1001 Dark Nights

WebsiteFacebookTwitterAuthor GoodreadsNovella Goodreads**1001 Dark Nights