Read-Love-Blog

Book Promotion & Review

K.A. Tucker’s Secret Announcement

Fans of K.A. Tucker’s Ten Tiny Breaths, we have a SUPER exciting announcement:

On September 1, 2014, Atria is releasing a PREQUEL NOVELLA to Ten Tiny Breaths that tells the story from Trent’s point of view! It’s called IN HER WAKE, and we cannot wait one more breath to read it!

In Her Wake

Book links:

Amazon
iTunes
Simon & Schuster

 

About IN HER WAKE:

Cole Reynolds had it all. And then one night he makes a bad choice… and loses everything.

When a drunken night out at a Michigan State college party results in the death of six people, Cole must come to terms with his part in the tragedy. Normally, he’d be able to lean on his best friends. The best friends that have been in his life since he could barely walk. Only, they’re gone. Worse, there’s the shattered body of a sixteen-year-old girl lying somewhere in a hospital bed, her entire life ripped from her because of a case of beer and a set of keys.

Everyone assures him that they know it wasn’t intentional and yet he can’t ignore the weight of their gazes, the whispers behind his back. The all-consuming guilt he feels every time he thinks of that girl who won’t so much as allow him near her hospital room to apologize. As the months go by and the shame and loneliness festers, Cole begins to lose his grip of what once was important-college, his girlfriend, his future. His life. It’s not until Cole hits rock-bottom that he can begin to see another way out of his personal hell: forgiveness.

And there’s only one person who can give that to him…

Are you as excited about this as we are??

And…this is going to be available at the great price of $.99!!

Four Secondsto Lose

And while you’re at it, pre-order the gorgeous paperback of FOUR SECONDS TO LOSE, hitting bookstores on 4/1!

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Indiebound * BooksaMillion * Simon & Schuster

About FOUR SECONDS TO LOSE:

Owning a strip club isn’t the fantasy most guys expect it to be. With long hours, a staff with enough issues to keep a psych ward in business, and the police regularly on his case, twenty-nine year old Cain is starting to second guess his unspoken mission to save the women he employs. And then blond, brown-eyed Charlie Rourke walks through his door, and things get really complicated. Cain abides by a strict “no sleeping with the staff” rule. But being around Charlie challenges Cain’s self-control…and it’s been a long time since any woman has done that.

Twenty-two-year old Charlie Rourke needs a lot of money, really fast, in order to vanish before it’s too late. Taking her clothes off for men makes her stomach curl but Charlie tells herself that at least she’s putting her acting anddancing skills to good use. And though her fellow dancers seem eager to nab their sexy, sophisticated, and genuinely caring boss, she’s not interested. After all, Charlie Rourke doesn’t really exist—and the girl pretending to be her doesn’t need to complicate her life with romance.

Unfortunately, Charlie soon discovers that developing feelings for Cain is inevitable, that those feelings may not be unrequited—but losing him when he finds out what she’s involved with will be more painful than any other sentence awaiting her.

 

Author PhotoABOUT K.A. TUCKER:

Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

 

LINKS:

Blog: http://www.katucker.blogspot.ca/
Website: http://www.katuckerbooks.com/
Author Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/K.A.Tucker.Author?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kathleenatucker
Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4866520.K_A_Tucker
FOUR SECONDS TO LOSEGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17571140-four-seconds-to-lose?ac=1
Atria: http://imprints.simonandschuster.biz/atria

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Tied With Me by Kristen Proby…Release Day Event

We are thrilled that Kristen Proby’s TIED WITH ME has been released!! TIED WITH ME is a sexy Contemporary Erotic Romance novel and is the sixth book in Kristen’s With Me in Seattle Series.

Tied With Me -FrontCover

TIED WITH ME Synopsis:

A man whose lifestyle is so different from her own…

Nic Dalton’s cupcake bakery is thriving. She serves both rock stars and locals alike, content with her growing business. But one adventurous night out with her best friend, Bailey, turns her life upside down. She meets a handsome stranger who makes her skin sizzle and her heart race. Their one night together is explosive and unexpected, but when he has to suddenly leave without taking her phone number, Nic resigns herself to never seeing him again.

…What will it take to trust and submit to his every desire?

Matt Montgomery is one of Seattle’s finest. He works hard, loves and protects his family fiercely, and is loyal almost to a fault.

And he has a penchant for bondage.

Matt enjoys the way a woman looks wrapped up in his ropes, and makes no apologies for his preferences. When he meets Nic at a fetish festival, the small, beautiful woman catches his eye, drawing him to her. His one night with her was everything he’s ever looked for in a partner, but is cut short because of a family emergency. Even before he sees her again weeks later, he knows he’ll never get her out of his system.

And he’ll do whatever it takes to make her his.

“Give in to this, Nic. Let me prove to you that I will be one of the best decisions you ever make.” –Matt Montgomery

 

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iTunes

Tied With Me -Full Cover

 

EXCERPT:

I grin and offer her a fresh bottle of water, which she accepts, unscrews the cap and takes a sip.

Fuck, she has beautiful lips. Lips that look amazing wrapped around the head of my cock.

“It’s not a crime to belong to a gym,” I reply.

“My gym?”

“Do you own it?” I ask with a grin.

She laughs and shakes her head. “No.”

“It’s not far from my apartment, and it’s convenient to work, too, so here I am.”

She nods and glances down, not sure what to say next.

“The cake was delicious today,” I comment casually, giving her the opportunity to talk about her work.

“Oh, good!” She grins and joins me as I walk toward the smoothie bar, pull out a chair for her to drop into at one of the tiny two-person tables and sit opposite her. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“You do good work. Leo and Sam are always talking about your cupcakes.”

“Leo and Sam keep me in business, I swear.” She laughs, sending electricity down my spine. “They’re very good customers.”

I nod, watching her.

“I like your shorter hair,” I murmur and reach out to brush the ends with my finger, enjoying the softness.

“Most men like long hair,” she replies softly.

“I like long hair, too. You look beautiful in both.”

She frowns and glances away from me.

“Why did you cut your hair, Nic?”

She shrugs and won’t meet my gaze. “It was time for a change.”

“Try again,” I reply.

She turns her eyes to mine and squares her shoulders, firms her chin. “It was time for a change.”

That’s a lie.

I cross my arms over my naked chest and drag my finger over my lip, watching her squirm.

She isn’t a good liar.

Good.

“Okay.”

She sighs, relieved, before I continue.

“For now.”

She scowls at me, making me laugh. “Friends don’t lie to each other, little one. The sooner you remember that, the better.”

“You’ve known me for three minutes, Matt. Don’t assume you know all there is to know about me.”

“You know what they say about assuming,” I murmur with a grin.

“Well, you are an ass,” she replies and then giggles.

I lean in and rest my mouth next to her ear. “This ass would love to smack your pretty little ass until it glows,” I whisper so only she can hear.

 

Tied With Me RDL Banner

 

Author photoKRISTEN PROBY is the USA Today bestselling 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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Links:

Website: http://www.kristenproby.com/

Twitter: @handbagjunkie

Facebook: www.facebook.com/booksbykristenproby

Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/kristenproby

TIED WITH ME Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/17201111-tied-with-me

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Cover Reveal…Stripping Her Defenses by Jessie Lane

COVER REVEAL

 

Today we are revealing the cover for Jessie Lane’s upcoming romantic suspense, STRIPPING HER DEFENSES! 




Title: Stripping Her Defenses 
Series: Ex Ops #2
Author: Jessie Lane 
Expected Publication: April 2014
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Blurb: 

Riley Sullivan and the Ex Ops Team are headed to Miami undercover… as bikers. Following up a lead from a longtime friend of Commander Wall’s, the men will perform their investigation acting as nomad members of the Regulators Motorcycle Club with the club’s permission. Surrounded by hardcore bikers and investigating missing strippers, Riley finds the last person he ever expected to see again—his ex-wife.
Kara Sullivan left the man she loved after a tragic accident cost them their unborn son. After years of therapy, she’s come to grips with the loss and has re-emerged from the pain a brand new person. That doesn’t mean she’s ready to face the man who inadvertently broke her heart, and who she’s hurt in return.
Riley has never stopped loving her and he never will. He’s ready to fix their marriage and move on with their lives, however Kara’s reluctance to renew their relationship isn’t their only problem. Danger lurks just around the corner… and there’s a chance she could disappear permanently.

 





About the Authors:

Crystal and Melissa often live half their lives with their heads in the clouds dreaming of alpha military hunks, werewolves and kick ass heroines crazy enough to chase after creatures that they unquestionably should know better than to chase.

Their first YA novel, The Burning Star, was released in May 2012. Big Bad Bite is their second novel, but their first adult paranormal romance. They are now working on their next two novels, Walk On The Striped Side and Secret Maneuvers. With these projects underway, they are looking forward to showing the rest of the world their crazy stories, heroes and heroines that often plague their minds until written, and hope you will join them on their journey!

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | GOODREADS

 

Cover Reveal Participants:


[Insert Clever Quip Here]​http://chitsuen.blogspot.com

A Novel Review​http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/
A One-click Addict’s Book Blog​http://aone-clickaddictsbookblog.blogspot.com/
Anny books​http://httpswwwfacebookcomsexylmreftntnmn.weebly.com
As the Pages Turn​http://www.asthepagesturn.com/
Autumn After Dark​http://autumnafterdark.blogspot.com/
Babu’s Bookshelf​http://babusbookshelf.blogspot.com
Battery Operated Book Blog​http://www.batteryoperatedbookblog.com
Belle’s Book Bag​http://bellesbookbag.blogspot.com
Biblio Belles​http://bibliobelles.com
Blushing Divas Book Reviews​http://www.blushingdivasbookreviews.com
Book Babes Unite​http://www.bookbabesunite.blogspot.com
Book boyfriend reviews ​http://bookboyfriendreview.blogspot.com
Book Devotee Reviews​http://bookdevoteereviews.blogspot.com
Bookoholic Anom​http://www.bookoholicanom.com
Cocktails and Books​http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com
Confessions of 2 Book Lovers​http://confessionsof2booklovers.blogspot.com/
Creative Deeds Reads​http://creativedeeds.wordpress.com
DIVA DISCUSSIONS BOOK CLUB​http://divasdiscussions.blogspot.com/
Ebony and Ivory’s Book Harmony​http://ebonyandivorysbookharmony.blogspot.com/
EBookObsessed​http://ebookobsessed.com
Fictional Candy​http://www.fictionalcandy.com
GingerRead Review​http://ginger-read.blogspot.com
Got Fiction?​http://gotfiction.com
Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews​http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews.com/
I Read Indie​http://twimom101bookblog.blogspot.com/
I’ll Be reading ​http://www.illbereading.blogspot.com
Indy Book Fairy​http://paranormalbookfairy.blogspot.com/
Jenn Avery Romance Lover​http://jennaveryauthor.blogspot.com/
Just One More Romance​http://justonemoreromance.blogspot.com/
Kaidans Seduction​http://kaidansseduction.blogspot.com/
Keepin’ It Real Book Blog​http://www.krbblog.com
Little Read Riding Hood​http://littlereadridinghood.com
Love, Lust & all the Pages in Between​http://lovelustpages.blogspot.com.au/
mackable book babes​http://mackablebookbabes.weebly.com/
Made For You Book Reviews​http://www.madeforyoubookreviews.com
Maria’s Book Blog​http://www.marialovesbooks.com
Me, Myself & Books​http://www.mmandbooks.com
Megpie93’s Blog​http://megpie93.blogspot.com/?zx=5a26c1785c778d95
Miriam Smith​http://mirriamsmyth.wordpress.com
Miscellaneous thoughts of a Bookaholic​http://miscellaneousthoughtsofabookaholic.blogspot.com
Mommy’s Late Night Book-up​http://www.mommyslatenightbookup.blogspot.com
MsRomanticReads​http://msromanticreads.wordpress.com
My Secret Romance​http://www.mysecretromancebookreviews.com/
Naughty Edition Reviews​http://naughtyeditionreviews.com
Nette’s Bookshelf Reviews​http://nettesbookshelf.com
Nicole Pyles​http://readinglikewriters.blogspot.com
Novel Broads​http://novelbroads.com/
Paulette’s Papers​http://paulettespapers.com/
Pretty Lil Page Turner’s​http://prettylilpageturners.blogspot.com
Rage, Sex and Teddy Bears​http://ragesexandteddybears.blogspot.com/
random jendsmit ​http://randomjendsmit.blogspot.com
Rather barefoot than bookless​http://ratherbarefoot.blogspot.se/
Read Me​http://isatjung.blogspot.com
Readers Confession​http://www.readersconfession.com
Reading Between the Wines​http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.com/
Reading by the Book​http://readingbythebook.com
Reading In Pajamas​http://readinginpajamas.wordpress.com
Reading Past My Bedtime​http://www.readingpastmybedtime.net
Read-Love_Blog​https://read-love-blog.com
Recommended Romance​http://recommendedromance.com
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romancebookworm​http://www.romancebookworm.com
Romancing the Book​http://romancing-the-book.com
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SinfulReads Blog​http://sinfulreads.com/
Slitsread​http://slitsread.wordpress.com/
Snarky Mom Reads…​http://www.snarkymomreads.com
snsreviews​ http://snsreview.wordpress.com/
Straight Shootin’ Book Reviews​http://www.straightshootinbookreviews.com
Swept Away By Romance​http://www.sweptawaybyromance.com
Talk Supe​http://www.talkingsupe.com
Tattooed Book Review​http://tattooedbookreview.com
The Book Bellas​http://www.thebookbella.com
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The Book Nympho​http://thebooknympho.com
The Darkest Reader​http://thedarkestreader.com
The Pleasure of Reading Today​http://thepleasureofreadingtoday.blogspot.com/
The Romanceaholic​http://www.romanceaholic.com
The SubClub Books​http://thesubclubbooks.com
Turn the Page​http://turnthepagebookreviews.blogspot.com
Twinsie Talk Book Reviews​http://www.twinsietalk.com/
Under the Covers​http://www.underthecoversbookblog.com
Unwrapping Romance​http://unwrappingromance.blogspot.com
Urban Girl Reader​http://www.urbangirlreader.com

 

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Sex on the Beach Blog Tour Stop & Reviews

SOTB_BlogTour

Welcome to my stop on the Sex on the Beach Blog Tour!

I have two reviews to share with you all as well as information on the tour wide giveaway…

thanks for stopping by!

A note from the authors:

Dear Reader,

 Prepare yourself for Sex on the Beach, a trilogy featuring BETWEEN US (Jen McLaughlin), BEYOND ME (Jennifer Probst), and BEFORE YOU (Jenna Bennett). Three separate novellas. Three different authors. One literary world. Read them all, or just read one. It’s up to you! No matter which route you choose, these standalone novellas are sure to satisfy your need for sizzling romance and an emotion packed story.

 

GOODREADS LINKS: 

BEFORE YOU  ~  BETWEEN US  ~  BEYOND ME

 

BetweenUs Amazon GR SW

Book links:

Amazon  ~  B&N

Synopsis:

I’m just a girl…

I’m a famous country star who’s spent her life cultivating a good girl persona to avoid bad press, but I’ve reached my limit. I’m going away for spring break with my two best friends from college, and we’ve vowed to spend the vacation seeking out fun in the sun—along with some hot, no-strings-attached sex. The only thing I needed was the perfect guy, and then I met Austin Murphy. He might be totally wrong for me, but the tattooed bad boy is hard to resist. When I’m in his arms, everything just feels right.

And I’m just a guy…

I’m just a bartender who lives in Key West, stuck in an endless cycle of boredom. But then Mackenzie Forbes, America’s Sweetheart herself, comes up to me and looks at me with those bright green eyes…and everything changes. She acts like she’s just a normal girl and I’m just a normal guy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. My past isn’t pretty, you know. I did what I had to do to survive, and she’d run if she learned the truth about my darkness. But with her, I’m finally realizing what it’s like to be alive. To laugh, live, and be happy.

All good things must come to an end…

My review:

Between Us by Jen McLaughlin is the second novella in the Sex on the Beach Series.  Being a huge fan of Jen’s I was SO excited to get my hands on this novella.  Well, Jen has done it again! I adored this book!

Country music superstar sweetheart Mackenzie Forbes just wants to have a normal girls weekend with her two best gal pals.  Lay around, drinking cocktails and meeting guys.  Shuck the good girl image she is known for and just be free. Of course, being in the spotlight, she knows this is pretty hard to do without going unnoticed.  But so far so good!  Mackenzie seems to be flying under the radar and luckily it doesn’t seem that the sexy bartender she has taken notice of realizes who she is.  After talking with him and making plans to meet up, she is fairly certain her anonymity has remained, which is a huge relief.  Because there’s something about this guy that she really likes.  He’s different from anyone else she’s ever met and Mackenzie would love to get to know him better….without her fame getting in the way.

Key West bartender Austin Murphy can’t believe his eyes.  Is Mackenzie Forbes really sitting as his bar? She clearly doesn’t think he recognizes her and clearly she doesn’t want to be recognized.  Far be it from Austin to deny her that.  He knows what it’s like to want to be someone else.  After all, it’s why he moved here in the first place.  But he can’t deny the attraction between them and he sure can’t say no when she says she wants to spend some of her vacation weith him.  What would she say if she knew the dark things about his past?  Would she change her mind about him?  God, he hoped not.  She’s the best thing that has walked into his life and he would hate to give her up.

The dance Mackenzie and Austin are swaying to is slow and sensual with plenty of heat but there’s also the issue of trust lying just below the surface.  Will Mackenzie trust Austin with her true identity?  Will Austin trust Mackenzie with his past?  Will a weekend be enough for either of them to quench the thirst they have for one another?

Oh man, I loved this story.  Jen does such an amazing job with her book guys.  Austin is the quintessential bad-boy on the outside/good-guy on the inside and I absolutely adored him.  Mackenzie has been stifled by her life in the spotlight and craves the normalcy of a young woman.  Both wanting to escape their lives for even a day, both Austin and Mackenzie find solace in each other’s company…as well as plenty of heat.  The sexual tension between them is smoldering and absolutely delicious! Then, learning more about Austin’s past, I loved him even more.  Of course there was a big mess they have to deal with and it’s the test of their very new relationship….I won’t give anything away but I will say that I was so happy with how it ended.  *dreamy sigh*  Simply perfect!

Thank you, Jen, for yet another amazing, romantic, sexy, yummy read!

5LovesRLBFive Loves

BeyondMe Amazon GR SW

Book links:

Amazon  ~  B&N

Synopsis:

CAN FUN IN THE SUN TURN INTO LASTING LOVE?

Spring break in Key West with my besties was supposed to be casual fun. But I never expected to meet James Hunt. Sex and frolic? Yes! A relationship? No. But his hot blue eyes and confident manner drew me in. And when he let me see the man behind the mask, I fell hard, foolishly believing there could be a future for us. Of course I never considered our relationship might be based on lies…or that his betrayal could rock my foundation and make me question everything I believed in…

OR WILL A LIFE BUILT ON LIES RUIN EVERYTHING?

The moment I saw Quinn I knew I had to have her. She hooked me with her cool eyes and don’t touch me attitude. I had it all, money, social status, and looks. I could get any girl I wanted…until her. When my friends challenged me with a bet to get her into bed by the end of the week, I couldn’t pass it up. But sex wasn’t supposed to turn into love. She wasn’t supposed to change me, push me, and make me want more for myself. She wasn’t supposed to wreck me in all ways. And now, if I can’t turn my lies into truth, I just might lose her forever…

My review:

Beyond Me is a novella in the Sex on the Beach Series and being a big Jennifer Probst fan, I was so excited to get my hands on this story.  Jennifer didn’t let me down.  This story was just perfect!

On Spring Break in Key West with her two BFF’s, Quinn must venture out and meet a guy.  Why, you ask?  It was the deal her and her girlfriends had made.  They wouldn’t be spending a ton of girl time together.  They needed to branch out and get some action.  Some guy action.  It’s this deal that leads her to a house party at a gorgeous and sprawling mansion.  After being there only a short time, Quinn isn’t too impressed with what’s going on.  Scantily clad drunken girls and Ken doll perfect frat guys.  SO not her thing.  All that changes when she meets James Hunt.  He seems to be different than all these guys here and she immediately takes to him.  It doesn’t take long for Quinn to decide James should be the guy she throws caution to the wind with and enjoy a fling with….too bad she finds herself wanting more with him by the end of their trip. Forget the problem of the trip ending.  The bigger problem, Quinn soon finds out, is James wasn’t exactly honest with her from the very beginning.   Could his dishonesty ruin any chance for a long-term relationship?

James Hunt was used to throwing the parties at his parents house on Spring Break.  He was used to the girls and the booze and all the annoying nonsense that came with it.  And he was over all of it.  But he couldn’t be annoyed tonight.  Now when he sees Quinn.  She’s unlike any other girl at this party and he instantly knows he must have her and after spending even a little bit of time with her, he was sure of it.  Of course his friends take that as a chance to offer up a challenge to get her in bed before the weekend was up.  Just to shut them up, James accepts.  Quinn would never find out anyway, right?  The more time James spends with Quinn he sure hopes she doesn’t because he’s fallen hard and fast for her.  But even if she did find out about some stupid bet, she would surely know his feelings for her were true and very real….right?  Or could that one stupid bet risk it all?

Two people from opposite ends of the social status spectrum turn out to be a perfect match when it comes to matters of the heart.  Will they be able to overlook all of the silly mistakes that lead up to the present and give what they’ve found a chance?

I simply adored this book.  In true Jennifer fashion, she gives the reader two fantastic characters with an undeniable attraction that built beautifully throughout the story.  Of course, the whole matter of the bet had me a nervous wreck and I was so worried for Quinn and James because I really REALLY wanted things to work between them.  James, despite coming from loads of money, was a broken soul and I wanted to give him a great big hug when he let his true feelings about his childhood show and how he feels about his parents spill out.  Quinn was so amazing and strong.  She has been dealt a tough hand in life but is determined to make the best of things.  Their differences balanced out and I loved them as a couple.  I won’t give anything away as far as the bet and the ending but I will say this:  the thing I love most about Jennifer’s writing is her ability to write an amazing ending.  Chick-flick-movie-worthy type of endings, I tell you.  And this was no exception.

Thank you, Jennifer, for a sexy and loving story!

5LovesRLBFive Loves

 

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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 

JEN MCLAUGHLIN
Website: http://dianealberts.com/
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianeAlberts6
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeAlberts
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6921962.Jen_McLaughlin 

 

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No Ordinary Mistress by Robyn DeHart…..Blog Tour Stop & Excerpt

No Ordinary Mistress-2

Title: No Ordinary Mistress
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Robyn DeHart
Publisher: Entangled Scandalous
Language: English
Format: Ebook

 

Synopsis:

London, 1814

Remington Hawthorne, Earl of Latham, has spent his life protecting the Crown. When he’s assigned to play the part of lover to Emma Masterson, one of the few female spies in England and the one woman he can’t forget, he’ll have to risk his heart as well as his life.
It isn’t easy being an independent woman, much less a spy. Perpetually tasked with proving she is as valuable as any man in her profession, the last thing Emma needs is to be reunited with the one man who makes her want to forget her duties and get lost in passion.

Pretending to be his mistress isn’t difficult—remembering that it is all a charade is the challenge. With every glance, every touch, every kiss, she is drawn deeper under his spell and pulled further from her goals. She refused him once, but it will take every ounce of strength to not give in to the passion that still burns strong…

 

Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble 

Excerpt:

Prologue

June 1812, Paris

Emily Masterson lay quietly on the small bed. A screen separated her from
her partner who, by the sound of everything, had already awakened and was
moving about their small flat. The rich aroma of his tea steeping permeated
the little privacy she had in their dwelling. She noted every one of his
steps, though he moved quietly.

Chapter One

Two years later
August, 1814, London

Emma couldn’t breathe.
If she stayed in this closet for much longer, she was certain to expire, or
at the very least, faint. What little air there was clogged her nostrils and
coated her tongue. She was going to suggest the housekeeper air out the
closet and beat the dust from every item, assuming she survived this
encounter. Her charges were long in bed, and Lady Comfry had taken laudanum
for a headache and probably wouldn’t awaken until tomorrow afternoon.

Chapter Two
Emma Masterson.
Remy Hawthorne did his best to school his features as he returned to his
seat. It had been two years since he’d left her in Paris, since her
assignment to seduce Comte Gibrault. Remy had made certain she’d be safe
working with another member of the Seven, one he trusted, and then he left.
He knew she’d accomplished her task because they’d acquired the necessary
intelligence from Gibrault.

Chapter Three

The following morning, Emma felt remarkably well rested. She’d fully
expected a restless night, but after a long soak in the hot bath and some
bread and tea to settle her stomach, she’d fallen asleep. The last image in
her mind hadn’t been of Lord Comfry’s dying breath, but instead was Remy’s
expression as he stood at the foot of the stairs. He’d been so earnest with
his concern.

Chapter Four

Remy was thankful for the darkened carriage. He didn’t want Emma to see how
much the kiss had affected him as well. He’d kissed her for one reason only:
to startle her out of her prim and proper facade, to cut to the woman
beneath all the propriety. He hadn’t anticipated enjoying the feel of her
against him so much. He’d thought his desire for her long since dead, yet
his blood still hummed with lust.

About the author:

National Bestselling author, Robyn DeHart’s novels have appeared in the top bestselling romance and historical romance lists. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages. Her historical romantic adventure series, The Legend Hunters, were not only bestsellers, but also award-winners, snagging a Reader’s Crown and a Reviewer’s Choice award. She had three releases in 2013 and 2014 will see four more, all set in the popular historical romance Regency and Victorian eras.

Known for her “strong dialogue and characters that leap off the page” (RT Bookclub) and her “sizzling romance” (Publishers Weekly), her books have been featured in USA Today and the Chicago Tribune. A popular writing instructor, she has given speeches at writing conferences in Los Angeles, DC, New York, Dallas, Nashville and Toronto, among many others.

When not writing, you can find Robyn hanging out with her family, husband (The Professor) a university professor of Political Science and their two ridiculously beautiful and smart daughters, Busybee and Babybee as well as two spoiled-rotten cats. They live in the hill country of Texas where it’s hot eight months of the year, but those big blue skies make it worth it.

You can find Robyn online in a variety of places.
Sign up for Robyn’s newsletter www.robyndehart.com/newsletter/
Robyn’s website www.robyndehart.com
Robyn on Twitter twitter.com/RobynDeHart
Robyn on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Robyn-DeHart-H…
Robyn on Goodreads www.goodreads.com/author/show/288853….

 

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Captured in Surrender by Liliana Hart ebook GIVEAWAY

Happy Weekend!

To start your weekend off right, I have FIVE kindle copies of Liliana Hart’s CAPTURED IN SURRENDER to give away! (if you don’t have a kindle, not to worry! You can download free Kindle reading apps HERE)

Enter to win in the rafflceopter below…the contest runs through midnight next Sunday and winners will be announced Monday, March 24.

Thanks for stopping by!

Captured in Surrender 3D GIVEAWAY

I also had the pleasure of interviewing Liliana for the 1,001 Dark Nights newsletter….here is a peek:

I love that all of your books have suspense in them.  What are some of your favorite suspense films and have any inspired you to write?

I am a complete and total movie buff. It’s one of my favorite ways to let my brain recharge between books, so movies are definitely an inspiration to my books. All of the Mission Impossible movies, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, James Bond, The Last Crusade, all of the Jason Bourne movies, and pretty much anything that has lots of explosions and great fight scenes. Or Angelina Jolie. She kicks ass.

You currently write a few different series…how hard is it to keep track of what’s going to happen next in each series?

Oh, man. It’s getting harder and harder to keep them all straightened out, but it also helps that they’re all so different. I’m a mega-spazz when it comes to writing, which is why I have to change things up and write such different series. It keeps things fresh for me so I don’t get bored and I think it keeps it fresh for readers too.

Hmm, what’s going to happen next in each series? That’s a loaded question if I’ve ever heard one <g>. I get a lot of emails asking this exact question, because as you know, I like to leave my readers wanting more at the end of each book.

Everyone is waiting to see what happens with Shane MacKenzie in my MacKenzie series. I can tell you with absolute certainty that you’ll probably cry a little at his story. But I think you’re going to really like his heroine too, and you’ll be just as relieved as I am for him to finally get his happily-ever-after in SCORCH. That’s really all I can tell you <g>.

I also left Addison Holmes in a bit of a pickle with the whole pregnancy test thing. I can’t tell you what’s going to happen in WHISKEY, YOU’RE THE DEVIL, because what fun would that be? Just know it will be a wild ride.

As far as the J.J. Graves Series, I can tell you that J.J. and Jack will be getting married in DOWN AND DIRTY. But they’ll be solving a doozy of a crime while trying to get down the aisle.

Your steamy scenes in Captured in Surrender are pretty amazing and delicious.  What do you think the hardest part of writing a great sex scene is?

Should I admit that I love writing the sex scenes and they come pretty easy? No pun intended <g>. I’d say in general the hardest part of the sex scenes are making sure it’s not just body parts involved, but also emotions and dialogue. I think that’s what makes my sex scenes different. I love for my H/h to talk during sex.

Lane and Nayaare a great pair and I loved their story.  What made you choose them for your novella?

Well, sometimes people just pop into my head for no reason. Naya was one of those people, and I couldn’t get rid of her. But at the same time I wasn’t sure what book she belonged in. (I’m seriously amazed every day that men in white coats don’t try to have me committed, because I know that sounds crazy). I also figured she’d be a great fit in the MacKenzie universe, but I knew she wasn’t the heroine for any of the MacKenzies. But I thought she’d be perfect for one of their friends, so Lane Greyson was born and they hit it off immediately in my head.

Lane and Nayaalso make one hell of a bad-guy-ass-kicking team.  Will we see more of them in the MacKenzie Series?

It’s possible. I never know who’s going to show up when I start writing a MacKenzie book. They pretty much do and say what they want.

How much fun is it to work with police for you book research?  Have there been any intense moments?

I love, love, love getting to do research for my books, and I’ve met a lot of great people who do very intense and dangerous jobs, and my respect for them is at the highest possible level. Many of them have also become good friends. I’ve gotten to do some pretty incredible things in the name of research, and these guys are greatat getting the adrenaline going whether in a dangerous situation or not. I love going to the range and shooting, but I also really enjoy sitting around a table with a bunch of cops and just listening to them talk. Most of my characters come from real life people.

 

You can find the entire interview HERE

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About 1,001 Dark Nights:

1001 Dark Nights is a collection of novellas that are breathtakingly sexy and magically romantic. Some are paranormal, some are erotic. Each and every one is compelling and page turning.

Inspired by the exotic tales of The Arabian Nights, 1001 Dark Nights features 12 New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors.

In the original, Scheherazade desperately attempts to entertain her husband, the King of Persia, with nightly stories so that he will postpone her execution.

In our versions, month after month, each of our fabulous authors puts a unique spin on the premise and creates a tale that a new Scheherazade tells long into the dark, dark night.

Website  ~  Facebook  ~  Twitter   ~  Pinterest

About the author:

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

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

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

Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Goodreads  ~  Pinterest

 

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Kissing Eden by T.A. Foster….Blog Tour Stop & Excerpt

KE_BlogTour

Welcome to my stop on the Kissing Eden by T.A. Foster Blog Tour!

I have a fabulous excerpt to share with you all today…so thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

KissingEden

Book links:

Amazon  ~  B&N  ~  Smashworks

Synopsis:

Have you ever thought of taking a vacation alone? I mean step on a plane, check into your hotel, and lie on the beach completely and utterly alone. No? Me either, but then right before senior spring break I got dumped.

Something about break ups makes you do things you didn’t want to do, and try things you didn’t know you were capable of.

That’s how I ended up at the Palm Palace.

That’s how I met Grey.

That’s how my spring break turned into the most unforgettable week of my life.

KE_SaleNow

Excerpt:

“Grey—I …” My body was responding to every flick of his tongue and every time his lips moved against mine. He was the most incredible kisser. If he kept doing that thing with his tongue, he could convince me to do anything. I pulled myself into his lap, needing to be closer to him.

The roughness of his palm surprised me as it trailed over my leg, hiking the hem of my dress as he shoved the fabric out of his way. I moaned quietly as his thumb pressed deeply along my inner thigh. It was tender and possessive at the same time. The pressure in such a sensitive spot made my skin burn for more touching. I rocked my hips forward.

But just like that, he stopped. His hands went to his sides and his lips were gone. “I think we should head back.” His voice was breathy.

I froze, straddled across his hips and completely out of breath. “But— I thought—” Dammit. This boy was so hot and cold all the time. Although, I was completely turned on by the hot side of him. I crawled off his lap, not sure what had happened.

I stood to flatten my dress and took a few deep breaths.

“If you’re serious about helping, then we have an early morning.” He retrieved his T-shirt and pulled it over those abs I wasn’t done touching.

Annoyed he had abruptly stopped our second make out session, I wrapped myself back in his plaid shirt, picked up the beer, and trudged back to the boardwalk. Even if I wanted to have a spring break fling, I wasn’t so sure Grey was the guy to do it with.

He led me back to my room and deposited me on the doorstep. “Goodnight, Eden. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Goodnight.” I tried to take the poutiness out of my voice, hoping he would lean in for another kiss. He had to be as turned on as I was by what just happened. He, however, seemed to have more self-control than I was able to pull together.

I leaned against the room door and watched as he walked across the parking lot before disappearing into the room opposite of mine. My heart was still pounding from the kiss on the beach. How was I supposed to sleep after that?

 KE_OutNow2

Giveaway:

 Win a beautiful beach-inspired necklace and a $20 Amazon Gift Card.

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About the author:

T.A. Foster once spent a monthlong spring break on South Padre Island, where she soaked in the Texas sun, beach, and learned what real Texas country music is. Sometimes fiction does spring from reality.

She grew up catching rays and chasing waves along the North Carolina Outer Banks and now resides in the state with her adventurous pilot husband, two children, and two canine kiddos.

T.A. has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. When she’s not chasing her two-legged and four-legged children or trying to escape for date night, you can find her reading, writing, or planning her next beach trip.

 Author Links:

Blog: http://www.tafosterauthor.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/tafosterwriter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TAFosterauthor

Author Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7164289.T_A_Foster

 

 

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Review….Tempted by the Soldier by Nicolette Day

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Book links:

 Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

When one touch isn’t enough, why resist?

Road trips are supposed to be fun. Or, at least, full of hot sex. For photographer Lilly Grayson, the fifteen-hour drive to her friend’s wedding with Nate Jennings will be neither. Not that Nate isn’t sexy—the man is six-foot-three-inches of mouth-watering Marine. But Lilly’s been there, done that…and he walked away. Now it’s time for a little payback. The kind that’ll make a man desperate for a taste of what he can’t have.

And Nate wants a taste—so badly that he can barely keep his hands on the wheel. But the scars and ghosts of his last tour still haunt him. He can’t give into temptation, not this time. Lilly deserves a whole man—one who can love her the way she deserves to be loved, even if she doesn’t believe it can happen. And that can’t be Nate. Not when he’s leaving again in two weeks, and this time, he’s not sure he’ll return…

 

My review:

Tempted by the Soldier is the second book in author Nicolette Day’s Falling For You Series and holy hell….this book was drop dead delicious!

Photographer Lilly Grayson had never hated Mother Nature more than she did right at this very moment.  She’s supposed to by flying to Vermont for her friend’s wedding but of course, a freaking hurricane has to be blowing through so now she’s sitting and waiting for the absolute last person on this earth she wants to see to come pick her up so they can drive the 15 hours together.  Oh, joy.  Nate Jennings.  Brother of the groom, smoking hot Marine and former one night stand….and now she can add tardy to that list since he was two hours late.  Luckily sitting, and stewing, gives her time to formulate a plan.   A plan to get back at him for leaving her feeling cold and cheap after their one and only night of hot and steamy sex.  She shouldn’t be bitter because they really only had one night together but the fact was she couldn’t stop thinking about him since that night.  So now she was planning on using her female wiles to get back at him during their 15 hour excursion and leave him wanting her as badly as he left her wanting him. But you know what they say about the best laid plans, right?

Of all the dangerous missions Nate Jennings had been on, this was by far the most risky.  Why did he have to be stuck in the small confines of his truck’s cab with Lilly for a grueling 15 hours? It was bad enough he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since their one night together and now he had to deal with her animosity toward him.  Not that he could blame her.  She had every right to be pissed at him…but did she have to make pissed off so sexy?  There was no way he would be able to keep his hands off of her through this trip.  But he needed to stop thinking that way.  She deserved a man who was whole and not screwed up beyond repair…which is the exact opposite of what he was.  She wouldn’t want to be saddled with a Marine carrying more baggage than a department store.  The problem is, he wanted her with a desperation that defied logic.  It was going to be one hell of a roadtrip…

With so much raw emotion and lust crammed into such close quarters for hours on end, it will be one hell of a ride for Nate and Lilly….and one that will change their lives forever.

You know that one meme of the kids wearing their “time-out” shirt?  If you don’t, I’ll explain.  Two kids who love each other but fight like cats and dogs are forced to wear one extra-large shirt and work out their problems ultimately reminding them that they do, in fact, care for each other and that differences can always be figured out.  Well, Nate and Lilly’s situation reminds me so much of that shirt!  There is so much chemistry between them that it practically burns the pages but their differences are getting in the way.  Nate is delicious.  He’s smoking hot and is so alpha that I loved reading every man-handling and cave-man-like scene.  He’s also beyond stubborn.  He doesn’t see himself worthy of Lilly.  He’s got emotional scars that are in dire need of healing and if he could just take a step back and see that Lilly is willing to help him, he could have a chance at happiness.  Lilly is just as stubborn but in a different way.  She is trying so hard to deny her attraction to Nate and tries so hard to put up an angry front.  But in the end, they both let down their defenses and ultimately give in.  Dear God…when they give in it is pure passion.  Yum, yum, yum.  But there’s more than just smexy scenes to this story and the emotions run really high at times.  Hurt, loss, tragedy, and guilt all play a big roll and it made this story that much better.

Oh, and the end?  Freaking BEYOND perfect! I finished this book after midnight and was so tempted to wake my husband up just to tell him how much I loved this ending.  Lucky for him, I refrained!

I am really, really hoping we get more from this series because I absolutely loved these characters! Thank you, Nicolette, for one hell of a book!

 

5LovesRLBFive Loves

 

About the author:

A mom by day and a romance writer by night, Nicolette Day harbors a weakness for black and white mochas and books that steam up her Kindle screen. She grew up in a one stoplight town where she once upon a time she only dreamed of becoming a writer. Now she lives in a slightly larger town in North Carolina where they have at least three stoplights. If you love young adult romance, check out Nicolette’s alter ego, TaraFuller!

 TWITTER * FACEBOOK *WEBSITE *GOODREADS *BLOG

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Blog Tour & Review….Every Shattered Thing by Elora Nicole Ramirez

Every Shattered Thing Banner

Welcome to my stop on the Every Shattered Thing by Elora Ramirez Blog Tour!  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy my review.

EST amazon GR SW

Book links:

Amazon  ~  Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

Stephanie fights reality every day. The voices inside, the ones declaring her worth, deem her broken, used and dirty. She is an object. A toy. Something to be tossed aside when bored. Who will believe her if she whispers the truth about her wrecking ball of a family? Eventually, her secret explodes and the person who means the most to her knows just how shattered she is and why she’s so afraid. But rescue is closer than she realizes. Hidden in plain sight, her horror hasn’t been ignored by everyone. Racing against the truth of what she faces, forces are joining together and developing a plan to free her from the hell in her own backyard. And while she’s at her lowest point, she’s hit with the beauty of love at any cost – redemption in the face of ruin. Will it be enough?

*Warning: Contains mature content that may not be suitable for younger audiences*

 

My review:

Every Shattered Thing is a novel from author Elora Nicole Ramirez and deals with some pretty dark and upsetting situations but it’s those situations that left me loving the characters and really pulling for them from the very first chapter.

To say that Stephanie has had an awful life would be a terribly gross understatement.  Her father has abused her both physically and sexually for too many years to count and her mother isn’t much better.  As if that’s not horrid enough, her poor excuse for a father has some friends that like to use Stephanie as well.  What’s even worse is the community’s lack of action and empathy.  The teachers see her bruises, but do nothing.  Stephanie is actually relieved they stopped calling the police.  Why?  Because the police already know about it.   A few of the police are her father’s friends.  And they use Stephanie, too.  So calling the police or CPS only makes her life worse….as if that was possible.  There are two things keeping Stephanie in this town and in this situation.  Her little brother and her boyfriend.  Her little brother needs her to keep him safe from their abusive parents and she needs her boyfriend to remind her that there is at least one kind and caring person in this world.   But for all of the darkness and despair in Stephanie’s life, she always remembers there is hope. Hope for a better life someday.  Hope for some justice.  Hope to be free of all of this pain and suffering.  The sun always rises the next day and with that sunrise comes the hope of a brand new day with new possibilities….of peace and love.  Will she ever be free of her old life and able to find a new one?

Oh my, this book was really heavy.  But it was also a stark reminder that there are very similar and very real situations happening in this world right this very minute.  I appreciated Elora bringing these situations to life in this book because sometimes we need a reminder that there is someone out there in need of help.  Maybe it will be a call to action for some readers and that would be an amazing thing.  Stephanie absolutely broke my heart.  She broke my heart not because of what she is going through, but because her spirit, though buried deep, was never broken.  I can’t imagine living her life.  Now, onto the rest of the characters.  I wish Stephanie’s father a long afterlife in hell.  And I wish his “friends” ended up there to join him.  Oh, and her mom, too.  They all deserve a special kind of hell.  But Kevin, Stephanie’s boyfriend, is beyond special.  He’s a football star and I admired his ability to look past outer appearances and to be able to discover who Stephanie is a person.  He picks her up when she is beyond down and is always there to remind her that she is worthy of a happy life.  This brings me to the ending….which I have to say I had a love/hate relationship with.  It gave me some closure and hope for Stephanie but was also a bit of a cliffhanger.  (Knowing that some of you aren’t fans of cliffhanger endings, I feel as though I should mention it.)

There is (hopefully!) going to be a book two and I will be anxiously waiting to see what the future holds for Stephanie and Kevin.

Thank you, Elora, for a relevant, harrowing and poignant story that will stay with me for quite some time.  I will be thinking of Stephanie and Kevin until the next installment!

4LovesRLBFour Loves

 

 

 

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About the author:

1555334_10153643110030004_531682707_nElora Ramirez lives in Austin, Texas with her chef-husband. At the age of four, she taught herself how to read and write, cutting her teeth on books like Dr. Seuss and writing anywhere she could find the space–including her Fisher Price kitchen set, the pages of picture books and Highlights Magazine. Since then, she’s grown to love the way words feel as they swell within her bones. Writing holy and broken is her calling, and pushing back the darkness and pursuing beauty through story is her purpose. She embraces the power of story and teaches women from all parts of the world how to embrace theirs. She has a knack of calling things out , the truth and the detail, the subversive threads that make a life a story. She loves hip-hop, wishes she lived by the beach and cannot write without copious amounts of coffee, chocolate, music, and her husband’s lavender liqueur.

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

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Sweet Ruin by Nazarea Andrews….Release Day Blitz

Happy Release Day to Nazarea Andrews and Sweet Ruin!

 

Sweet ruin cover

Book links:

Amazon  ~  Amazon Paperback

 

Synopsis:

He’s just landed the biggest job of his career. And he’s miserable.

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

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

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

teaser 6

 

 

About the author:

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

Site  ~  Blog  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

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Cover Reveal…Pieces of Olivia by Melissa West

COVER REVEAL

Today, we’re revealing the cover for Melissa West’s upcoming NA contemporary romance, Pieces of Olivia!

 image-6

TITLE: Pieces of Olivia

AUTHOR: Melissa West

PUBLISHER: Penguin/InterMix

RELEASE DATE: July 15, 2014

 

Synopsis:

Olivia Warren used to be a normal girl with a bright future. But on one fated night, everything changed.

Hiding the scars of her past up her sleeves, Olivia transfers her enrollment from Columbia University to The College of Charleston, determined to pursue her own dreams for the first time in her life.

She intends to allow herself a bit of alone time to heal… that is, until she meets Preston.

Preston is best friends with her roommate, completely hot, and off-limits.  But the chemistry between them is instantaneous—and as the pair begins to spend more time with one another, their feelings for each other build into something undeniable, something powerful enough to heal Olivia’s deepest scars.

Olivia tries to put her own past behind her and trust Preston, but she discovers that his past might be more present than she ever bargained for…

 

 

Excerpt:

His eyes swept over my face, and I knew what was about to happen. I could see the resolve in his face. Feel the swift change in the air as the charge between us sparked. He leaned toward me, his eyes never leaving mine.

“I’m not going to kiss you,” I whispered.

“I didn’t ask.”

“Preston, we…”

He tucked my hair behind my ear and moved still closer. “I can’t promise anything. I have nothing in me to promise, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try.”

I swallowed, feeling the walls around me crumbling down.

“Let me be what you need.”

My breath caught, the fight in me diminishing with each spoken word. What was I so afraid of? I reached out, gliding my fingertips over his face and into his hair. Briefly, I thought of how often I’d dreamt of touching his hair, and then his mouth was on mine, and all thought was gone, except him and us and this moment. His lips took control, first soft and careful, and then full of urgency and need. Every unspoken word, every missed opportunity, was pushed into that single kiss.

Preston laid me back on the sofa, his body warm and inviting. My fingers gripped his hair, pulling him closer, and he left my lips, kissing a trail down my chin to my neck. A soft moan of pleasure escaped my lips, and he thrust his hips against mine in answer to my ache. Our bodies moved together, our clothes the only thing keeping us from taking this further.

I tugged his chin up so his lips were back on mine, the kiss growing to a frenzy of passion. His hand slid under the edge of my shirt, gliding over my stomach, before finding my breast. He groaned with pleasure, and I reached down to take his shirt off, eager to touch his impeccably toned chest and stomach. Preston slipped his shirt off and gripped mine, his intentions clear, when reality yanked me from pleasure and threw me into a sea of painful thoughts. I remembered my scars, Preston’s expression when he’d gotten a glimpse of them through my shirt at the pier. I shook my head, feeling myself tumbling deeper into sadness and farther from the moment.

Preston glanced down at me. “We can stop.”

“No.”

“Olivia, you don’t have to—”

I bit my lip, forcing myself to push away the fear and sadness and guilt that riddled my mind and peered back at him. “I don’t want to take my shirt off.”

“Okay,” he whispered.

“And I don’t want you judging that I don’t want to take my shirt off.”

“Okay,” he repeated. I felt his heart beat against my chest, fast and sure and strong. A part of me wanted to disappear, embarrassed and ashamed that I’d yet again shown Preston Riggs just how crazy I was deep inside. But another part, a greater part, felt a surge of happiness that he’d stayed. He knew that I was broken and scarred and more than a little crazy, yet still, he didn’t run. He staye

About the Author:

MelissaWestMelissa West writes young adult and new adult novels for Entangled Teen and Embrace and Penguin/InterMix. She lives outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two daughters and spends most of her time writing, reading, or fueling her coffee addiction.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and a M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange.

Connect with Melissa at www.melissawestauthor.com or on Twitter @MB_West.

 Website | Facebook | Twitter

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