Tell Me to Stop (Tell Me #1) by Charlotte Byrd

August 24, 2026Leave a comment

⭐ 2.5 Stars | All That Build-Up… FOR WHAT?!

Tell Me to Stop (Tell Me #1) by Charlotte Byrd

I went into Tell Me to Stop genuinely excited. The premise had me intrigued, Nick had that mysterious, potentially dangerous energy, and I was fully prepared for secrets, obsession, morally gray decisions, and some serious “girl, RUN…but also tell me what happens first” behavior.

And then…

The book ended.

Excuse me?! 😭😂

The story was progressing, things were being set up, questions were piling up, and I kept waiting for that moment when everything would finally hit.

It never did.

My biggest issue is that Book One feels less like a complete first installment and more like the opening section of a longer novel that suddenly stopped. It was way too short for the number of questions it introduced, especially considering how few answers we actually received.

And can we talk about Nick?

Sir. WHO ARE YOU?!

Nick is clearly supposed to be this mysterious enigma, and I was waiting for the layers to start peeling back. Give me the morally gray man. Give me the complicated motivations. Give me the darker, dominant edge the story seems to tease. Give me some emotional depth that explains why I should be fascinated by this man beyond the fact that he’s mysterious.

Instead, I finished Book One still waiting to really know him.

Then there’s Olive.

OLIVE?! GIRL?! 😩

I have soooo many questions about her, her choices, her circumstances, her motivations, and where exactly this story is taking her. Some mystery is great because it keeps me turning pages. But there’s a difference between leaving breadcrumbs for the next book and leaving me standing in the bakery wondering where the whole damn loaf went.

The frustrating part is that I actually think there’s an interesting story buried here. The setup has potential, the characters have room to become much more complex, and there are enough unanswered questions that, yes, I’m curious about what happens next.

But Book Two is going to have some WORK to do.

I need more character depth, more plot advancement, more development between Nick and Olive, and ANSWERS. Not every mystery needs to be solved immediately, but Book One needed to give me something substantial before asking me to invest in another installment.

Final verdict: ⭐⭐½
Interesting premise. Plenty of potential. Not nearly enough payoff.

And yes, I’m hella pissed that I’m probably going to read Book Two anyway because now I need to know what the hell is going on. 😂📚

FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED (KU): RISING WATERS – DARK PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER By ALEATHA ROMIG

August 21, 2026August 20, 2026Leave a comment

RISING WATERS – DARK PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER – IS ready to read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited

“Oh my gosh RISING WATERS kept my on the edge of my seat. At the end of chapter one I wanted to cry. I love the plot and how the story was written. I was so sad through many parts of the book. Jill and the others went through so much. I only wish the book hadn’t ended. It was so good!” ~ Tina Howell, 5-star Goodreads Review

In Blue Gil, secrets don’t stay buried — they drown.

Small town secrets

Ticking clock

Buried truths

Suspicious death

Everyone is a suspect

Code of silence

Twists you don’t see coming

Reality vs. illusion

STEM FMC

Danger escalates as truths emerge

Gritty

Sinister

Haunting

Slow-burn tension

DOWNLOAD TODAY:

Amazon US: https://bit.ly/4sWMQnK

Amazon International: https://mybook.to/RisingWatersAR

Universal: https://books2read.com/u/bP2por

Aleatha’s Store: https://452796.myshopify.com/col…/rising-waters-collection

August 2026 Reading Challenge Update

August 20, 2026Leave a comment

August Reading Update:

Today is August 20, 2026.
I have read 40 books toward my goal of 100 for 2026. I’m a little behind in read count, but 1-Click adding to my “TBR List” is going to get me in trouble. Not that I care.

Currently Reading:

I’ve been reading novel, after novel, after novel…..lol. However, here is what is occupying my spare time this week:

Hard Pass (Lone Star Rebels Book 2) by K. Bromberg —
Tell Me To Stop: Forced Proximity Fake Relationship Mafia Romance (Tell Me Trilogy, Book 1) by Charlotte Byrd —
Reel by Kennedy Ryan —
Death By Breathing by Arianniah Rain —

LIVE NOW! Hard Pass by K. Bromberg

August 20, 2026Leave a comment

Hard Pass by K. Bromberg is now live!

Falling for the one woman who has the power to end my football career was never part of the plan . . .

This was supposed to be Cole Valor’s record-breaking season.

Instead, the star quarterback can’t seem to find his game. Missed throws. Bad reads. And someone is making a fortune betting against him.

When suspicious betting patterns surrounding his performance raise red flags, the NFL assigns its top integrity investigator to determine if its golden boy is the victim . . . or the mastermind.

Dublin Locke has built her career on facts, not feelings. She’s determined to follow the evidence wherever it leads, even if it points back to the man whose kiss she’s never forgotten.

The deeper Dublin digs, the more the evidence points to Cole. Yet he insists on helping her uncover the truth. Is he proving his innocence . . . or trying to throw her off his trail?

Working side by side as the investigation tightens its grip, the line between professional and personal begins to blur—and every stolen kiss pushes them further over a line neither of them can afford to cross.

Because every instinct tells Dublin to keep her distance.
But the more she falls for him, the harder it becomes to know which to believe—the facts . . . or her heart.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited https://geni.us/HP_Am

Get notified when the audiobook goes live! https://geni.us/HPassAud

Goodreads: https://geni.us/HP_Gr

Blog Tour & Giveaway: “Book One: The Girl (The Sanctum)” by Madhuri Blaylock

March 17, 2014March 17, 2014Leave a comment

Book One: The Girl

(The Sanctum)
By Madhuri BlaylockBlurb:

The Sanctum, an all-powerful governing body founded by ten families, entrusted to maintain the peace amongst Magicals and ensure the ignorance of humans, has been corrupted by greed and savagery for generations, but is all Wyatt Clayworth has ever known.

Dev, the hybrid demon prophesied to bring an end to The Sanctum and destroy the world for Magicals and humans alike, is not what Wyatt expected to find when sent out on his latest mission. Believed to be hunting a killing machine, Wyatt finds little more than a broken girl with haunted eyes and a bit of a death wish. Drawn to one another for reasons they cannot begin to explain to themselves, much less anyone else, Wyatt is determined to protect Dev and help her realize her mission to avenge the deaths of her family at the hands of The Sanctum.

Set against the backdrop of New York City, THE GIRL is described as “outstanding, original, complex, deep and intoxicating”, a “well written, unique…fast-paced read” that begins as one girl’s simple quest for revenge and evolves into a complicated tale of trust, friendship, honor and love.

Available for purchase at

Excerpt

Without making a sound, Wyatt quickly found the exact place he was seeking. Ducking under some low-hanging tree branches, he ventured into the dark, partially-hidden lair only to be met with a less-than-welcoming blade at his throat. Dev had moved slightly from the hiding place Wyatt left her and although the lower half of her body remained immobile, her arms were functioning just fine, as evidenced by the blade drawing a thin trickle of blood from Wyatt’s neck. One wrong move and she would certainly kill him.

Wyatt slowly brought his hands up to Dev’s, wrapped his fingers around hers and painstakingly maneuvered the blade away from his neck. Only then did he dare make eye contact with her.

“You didn’t really think I was just going to leave you here, did you?” Wyatt asked as he moved to retrieve his blade from Dev.

She wasn’t quite ready to give it up and slashed at Wyatt’s outstretched hand, managing to nick his wrist.

“Crap!” Wyatt sat back on his heels, holding his wrist, and laughed, “fair enough. I deserved that. I should have told you I was coming back, but I couldn’t risk Ryker overhearing or suspecting anything. Trust me, if he thought I was coming back for you he would have spent all night watching me like a hawk. So I left you and walked away and it worked. Now get over it and give me back my blade.”

Despite the laughter in his voice, Wyatt wasn’t playing. He wanted his blade. Her name was Odara and she had been handed down the Clayworth line since the witnessing of The Code of Ten. She was sharper than any Raven blade and fit his hand like a glove. Many had fought and died at his hand thanks to Odara. She was his protector and he wanted her back where she belonged, safely strapped to his hip.

“Kill me,” Dev offered the blade at a price.

Wyatt stood up tall and glared down at Dev, clenching his jaw in irritation.

“Kill me,” Dev challenged him again, taunting him with her smug stare and grim request.

With blinding speed, Wyatt landed on Dev, knocking her to the ground. Before she even realized what was happening, he locked down her arms and liberated his blade from her grasp. Wyatt hovered above Dev, inches from her face, momentarily tempted to slice her throat and end all of this drama. She couldn’t move a muscle.

“You are in no position to bargain with me,” Wyatt angrily whispered, never taking his eyes off of hers. “I am faster and stronger than you. So don’t even think about toying with me like that again.”

Wyatt pushed himself off of her, replaced Odara at his hip and grinned mischievously. “For the record, my blade isn’t worth your life. I just want it back. And I asked nicely the first time.”

Dev remained in her prone position, staring up at Wyatt, uncertain of her next move. She didn’t have the strength necessary to pull herself into a seated position and she definitely was not going to ask for help.

“What?” Wyatt stared down at Dev, knowing she needed help to get up but determined to make her ask for it.

Even in the darkness, Dev could see Wyatt’s eyes sparkling with amusement. He was thoroughly enjoying this little moment between the two of them. His pleasure made her wish she had slit his throat when she had the chance. Rather than requesting his assistance, Dev focused every ounce of her energy on rolling over onto her stomach. If she could do that, she could easily pull herself into a sitting position, Wyatt be damned. She closed her eyes and focused every fiber of her being on the task at hand but nothing happened. Her body failed to react. It didn’t even twitch. The body that had so beautifully saved her from certain death at the hands of those Sanctum fools just hours earlier now couldn’t even roll over. She shook with frustration, wanting to scream to the heavens in rage, knowing such action was futile and beneath her. So she took a calming breath, opened her eyes and glared at Wyatt.

“Ahhhh, you’re back. I was starting to miss your charming scowl,” Wyatt bent low and absentmindedly pushed some of Dev’s hair out of her eyes, “was getting worried there for a second.”

Dev grabbed his hand in her vice-like grip. She hated him and his snarky comments.

“I realize you don’t like me,” Wyatt pulled his hand out of her grasp and gently placed his arms around Dev, helping her to sit, unable to look at her lying helplessly on the ground for another second, “but I’m all you’ve got so by all means, continue simmering in your hatred for me but do so with the understanding that I’m on your side.

“All this stabbing and cutting nonsense has got to end. If you want to hurt me, just imagine it, okay? Pretend. Don’t actually do it. I heal quickly but it still hurts like hell.”

“Now we’ve got to get out of here fast,” Wyatt checked his watch, alarmed at how much time had passed since he jumped out of his window, “and you still can’t walk, which means I’m going to have to pick you up again. Whether you’re okay with it or not.”

He leaned back on his heels and waited, for some reason hoping Dev would respond, all the while knowing she would not. Dev listened with keen interest to every word coming out of Wyatt’s mouth. She most certainly didn’t like him, but she had to respect his determination. He fully intended to get her out of this park and to somewhere safe and against her better judgment, a tiny part of her was relieved. It was the same, small part of her that was fiercely drawn to him, like a sickness almost. And it was the part of her she most wanted to destroy.

Dev hardened her resolve, focused on her intense hatred for all things Sanctum and shut down.

For an instant, Wyatt thought he saw a spark in Dev’s eyes and just as quickly, it was gone. At that moment, for reasons unknown to himself, Wyatt resigned himself to a one-sided relationship with her, one completely based upon his will to help her. He stood up and reached for her, praying she didn’t have a blade hidden somewhere, knowing that if she did, this time she would definitely kill him. To his surprise, Dev wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed Wyatt to scoop her up and into his arms, but he thought nothing more of it, knowing full well she was merely using him to further her agenda.

And that was all right.

About the Author

Madhuri Blaylock is a lawyer by day, writer and avid shoe and dress buyer at all other times. She lives in Jersey City, but her heart remains firmly planted in Brooklyn via Snellville, Georgia. Her husband, Henry, is also a lawyer, and only a lawyer because he actually likes being a lawyer (go figure), probably always wanted to be a lawyer and is really, really good at all things lawyerly. He’s also pretty hot.

She’s got a big kid, Miss Sydney, and a little kid, the one and only Dash. They’re awesome and fierce and supremely cool and able to make her laugh at the strangest things. She would love to add a dog, some chickens, a goat and a burro to this crew. Everyone needs a burro.

Some of her favorites, in no particular order: ice cream, Kill Bill, four-inch heels, Matt Damon, tattoos, Laini Taylor, scotch on the rocks, The Sanctum trilogy, Martha’s Vineyard, “The Girl” aka her Mini, Rihanna, Doc Martens, tulips, Coach and Tami, photo booths and dancing like a fool.

One day she plans to grow up. Right now, she’s enjoying the adventure.

You can find Madhuri here

Giveaway

e-book of “Book One: The Girl (The Sanctum)”

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Book Release Blitz: Deep Soul (Dark Souls #2) by Anne Hope

February 26, 2014February 26, 20141 Comment

Deep Soul

(Dark Souls #2)”

By Anne Hope

Blurb:

“Save her life or save mankind. His choice could cost him his soul. ”

For nearly two centuries, Marcus has been the Watchers most faithful soldier. Sworn to protect humanity, driven by an unrelenting compulsion to atone for past sins, he has rarely found a compelling reason to question his mission, let alone defy his leader.

His partner, Regan, is his exact opposite, an enigma he longs to solve. A free spirit and reckless to a fault, Regan acts first and thinks later. Her smart mouth and tender heart have fascinated Marcus for decades, but the Watchers strict vow of celibacy has forced him to ignore the sizzling attraction between them. Until now.

When Regan goes rogue to protect a very special little boy, Marcus is forced to make an impossible choice commit an act of treason or watch the woman he secretly loves die.

Hunted by enemies and allies alike, Regan and Marcus run for their lives, fighting to thwart an age-old prophecy and guard a boy whose destiny may very well be to destroy the world or save it.

Warning: Contains violent battle scenes, angels with twisted agendas, nail-biting suspense, intense emotion, burning-hot sexual tension, and a sexy, stubborn hero who would rather face death than admit what s in his heart.

Available for purchase at

Excerpt

Marcus found Regan standing at the top of one
of the numerous cliffs that barricaded the Watchers’ complex, staring down at
the sea, her features pinched with concentration. The rain had finally stopped,
but dampness still hung in the salt-laden air. A thin mist hugged her feminine
figure, making moisture bead on her skin. She looked intangible, as elusive as
the fog encompassing her. Regan was so strong and capable, he sometimes forgot
how delicate she was.

The sight of her standing so close to the
edge triggered all his protective instincts, and something else—the forbidden
desire to touch. “Penny for your thoughts,” he said, burying his fists in his
jacket pockets, where they wouldn’t be tempted to stray.

She smiled but didn’t turn to look at him.
“Is that all they’re worth?”

“You drive a hard bargain. How ’bout a
quarter?”

She laced her arms across her chest as the
sun slowly set behind red-hued clouds. “What’s going to happen to him, Marcus?”

He didn’t have to ask her who she meant. Ever
since they’d found Ben cowering in that kitchen, the boy had dominated her
thoughts, maybe even her heart. Marcus had never believed it was possible for
their kind to love, but recently he’d been forced to revisit that assumption.
He’d seen it firsthand with Jace and Lia, and now he was seeing it again with
Regan. Maybe one didn’t necessarily need to have a soul in order to love. Maybe
just the echo of it was enough, similar to a phantom limb that continued to
throb long after it was severed.

“Cal hasn’t come to any decisions yet,” he
told her.

A brisk breeze blew, sending her curls
rioting around her face. Again, he was seized by the urge to reach out to her,
to smooth back her hair, to run the pad of his thumb across her mouth.

A mouth meant to be kissed.

He gave himself a mental kick, focused his
attention on the churning waves below. He had no business kissing Regan. No
business even thinking about it. When he’d taken the blood vow, he’d made a
conscious choice to swear off sex, same as all those who bore the Watchers’
mark.

Only Jace and Lia seemed exempt from this
oath, and Marcus couldn’t for the life of him figure out why. He’d seen Cal
punish his followers for far less a crime. If there was one thing his leader
demanded, it was absolute loyalty.

Regan picked up a pebble, then flung it over
the cliff into the restless ocean. “Do you believe in destiny?”

The question took him off guard. “I’m not
sure. I know Cal swears by it.”

“I didn’t ask about Cal. I asked about you.” She
ran her fingers through her hair, exactly as he’d imagined himself doing.
“Cal’s always preaching about fate, and for the most part, I believe him. But
deep down, there’s this inkling of doubt, and it gets me thinking sometimes. If
everything really is preordained, what happens to free will? Does it even exist
or are we just being strung along?”

“When did you go all philosophical on me?”

She inhaled deeply, drawing his attention to
the gentle swell of her breasts. Ignoring the kick beneath his ribs, he looked
past her, fixing his gaze on the rocky shore again.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I’ve been having
this feeling lately, like there’s something I’m supposed to do, but I’m not
sure what that is. I only know it involves Ben. He’s important somehow.”

He’d been having the same feeling, but he
refrained from telling her. The last thing he wanted was for her to grow even
more obsessed with the boy. In their world, obsession and impulsiveness often
spelled disaster.

“Regan, you need to trust Cal to do the right
thing. You know the drill—no Watcher can deviate from the plan. If you do
anything, anything that compromises the mission, you will be labeled a Rogue.
And you know better than anyone how the Watchers deal with Rogues.”

They hunted them down and exterminated them.
The idea of that happening to Regan tore a painful strip out of him. He’d spent
too many years training her, working alongside her, fighting to keep her alive,
to lose her now. Had she been capable of reading his thoughts, she would’ve
argued that she was the one always bailing him out of trouble, and she would’ve
been right. She’d saved him more times than he could count. They were a team,
more in tune than most, able to regenerate each other with nothing more than a
touch, thanks to the Watchers’ bond.

The truth was, he couldn’t picture his life
without her.

Losing the battle, he clasped her arms and
turned her to face him. “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”

She tensed at his touch, inclined her head to
look at him. “Define stupid.”

Those sweet-looking lips hovered inches below
his, too damn appealing to ignore. Right there and then, standing at the edge
of a deadly overhang ensnared by Regan’s smoky gaze, Marcus understood the
precise meaning of stupidity.

He was tempted to demonstrate, but he didn’t.
Releasing her, he secured a safe distance between them. “Just think before you
act. That’s all I ask.”

She visibly deflated, and he could’ve sworn
disappointment momentarily flittered across her face. Above them, the sun’s
dying rays struggled to pulse against a sky determined to suffocate them. Regan
grabbed another pebble and sent it whizzing through the air with a note of
finality. “Thinking is overrated.”

A bitter laugh rumbled in his
throat. If he wasn’t so damned disciplined, he would’ve agreed.

About The Author

Anne Hope is the author of emotionally intense romances with a twist—a twist of humor, a twist of suspense, a twist of magic. All her stories, however, have a common thread. Whether they make you laugh or cry or push you to the edge of your seat, they all feature the redeeming power of love and the heart’s incredible ability to heal.

Anne’s passion for writing began at the age of eight. After penning countless stories about enchanted houses, alien girls with supernatural powers, and children constantly getting lost in the woods, she decided to try her hand at romance.

She lives in Montreal, Canada, with her husband, her two inexhaustible kids, a lazy cat and a rambunctious Australian Kelpie.

Book Release & Giveaway: HIGH STAKES LOVING by Fiona Archer

February 25, 2014February 23, 2014Leave a comment

Title: High-Stakes Loving (King’s Bluff, Wyoming #2)

Author: Fiona Archer

Genre: Erotica / BDSM

Publisher: Siren Publishing

Synopsis

Former SEALs Quinn and Mike have discovered in King’s Bluff, Wyoming, a town that embraces ménage and BDSM lifestyles. Even better, they found a sweet woman they could love–if they could only gain the shy librarian’s trust. Overhearing that she adores capture fantasy books, the two Doms know exactly how to get her attention.

Trapped between two experienced Masters, Reagan surrenders. They’re commanding, determined, yet gentle, and everything she ever wanted. Even as she learns what it is to be cherished, a secret from the past emerges, threatening her reputation. She hires her lovers to investigate, expecting them to be on her side. But the damning evidence they uncover rocks their relationship.

As pressure for the truth mounts, danger stalks Reagan. Someone out there believes secrets are best left buried.

Long-held misconceptions and fears stand in their way, risking their futures and allowing the threat closer. The three must fight as one for their love to survive.

Excerpt

Mike pushed the door closed with the kind of unhurried movement that reeked of confidence. He leaned back against the wood, crossing his arms over his chest. Quinn stepped forward, hat in one hand and a black gym bag in the other.

She frowned and glanced up at his face.

“A SEAL always keeps a bag handy. Mike and I have everything we need in here.” He dropped the bag at his feet, followed by his hat.

“Everything?” She guessed he meant more than a clean shirt and deodorant.

“For tonight anyway.” Quinn stalked forward, his body now so close she had to lift her chin high to meet his gaze. “Reality-check time. I’ll ask you again. Do you want this, Reagan? Because we’re not some pansy-ass Ken doll version of Doms.” He caught her wrists and drew them behind her back, holding them there with one hand.

Her pussy throbbed. She tested his hold, wanting, no, needing to struggle. He tightened his grip. Firm. Inescapable.

Quinn used his grip to push her up against him. “You’re caught, sweetness. And that’s just a preview of things to come. We’re gonna order you about, tie you up, eat your pussy till you’re begging us to let you come, say no because that’s the kind of bastards we are, then we’re gonna eat you up all over again.” He lifted his free hand and ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “I want to discover all the ways you light up when we bury our cocks inside that warm heaven between your legs. You’ll come when we say so and not before. Defy us and you’ll be punished. Still interested?”

Dominated. Tied. Theirs.

Her mouth opened but her voice refused to cooperate.

Mike pushed off the door. “We need the words, Reagan.”

“Y-yes.”

Quinn lessened his hold until her hands fell away to her sides. Somehow, the action left her…bereft.

“Strip,” Mike ordered.

“Here, in the hallway?” They had to be kidding.

Mike’s mouth pressed down in a harsh line. But it was his cold stare washing over her like an icy bath that made her gulp.

She hurried to remove her shirt and tank top. Her fingers struggled to get a grip, as if covered in woolen mittens. Why did the guys have to stand so close?

Dragging the tank top over her head, the easy-fit cotton now impersonated skin-tight spandex, hooking on her elbows until with one hard pull, she managed to lurch free. Sexy, Reagan. With her gaze lowered, she dropped the clothing at her feet.

Thank God for front-closing bras. Her breasts spilled out. Don’t think about all that pale skin. Just hurry. They’re waiting. The white cotton joined the rest of her clothing. After toeing off her sneakers, she pulled her panties down with her jeans.

The cool air wafted over her bare skin. She shivered. There she was, naked in front of Mike and Quinn. And yet, every part of her was alive with a slow burn that kindled from deep between her legs. She moved her gaze from Quinn’s boots to her chest. The hard points of her nipples stood like beacons, screaming her arousal.

Oh, heck, her breasts. She raised her arms.

“Hands by your sides, sugar.” Quinn’s deep voice cut in.

Lowering her hands was like refusing to swim even as the water closed over her head. Her fingers twitched. A tightness filled her belly. Standing there, like a horse on display, seemed so wrong. Shouldn’t she argue back?

“We’re going to push you, Reagan. Well beyond what you’re used to from a partner. In or out of bed.” Mike tilted his head. “Have you been with a Dom before?”

“No.” Only in her dreams. This reality was so much more.

Mike walked behind her.

She forced herself not to swivel around. Look ahead. Chin up.

A line of knuckles brushed against her butt cheek.

She started. Her breasts jiggled.

Mike’s chuckle singed her ears. “Easy, sub.”

She dragged her gaze up to Quinn’s face. The heat of his stare made her stomach muscles quiver, as if he’d twirled a feather over her belly button.

“Ever been tied up?” Mike’s hand curved over her hip.

“No.” Her face heated. It seemed so foreign and carnal, talking about bondage in such a matter-of-fact way.

“Spanked?”

“N-no.” She coughed past the shag pile carpet coating her throat. “I haven’t done anything, besides, you know, normal stuff.” Two lovers at college and an ex-boyfriend in Sheridan. All missionary men, and she wasn’t talking bibles.

This time Quinn chuckled. “We’re gonna open up a whole new world for you, sweetheart.”

Buy the Book

High-Stakes Loving (King’s Bluff, Wyoming #2)

US Amazon | UK Amazon | KOBO | Bookstrand

*******

Chloe’s Double Draw (King’s Bluff, Wyoming #1)

US Amazon | UK Amazon | KOBO | Bookstrand | B&N

About the Author

I live in the sunny environs of Sydney, Australia, and share a house with my dog, Letty. Oh, and the flock of cockatoos that take over the back yard each afternoon, demanding their feed of Arnott’s Milk Arrowroot Biscuits. Things get a little noisy around 3.00pm in our household.

My love of romance started back when I was twelve and my mum’s stash of Mills and Boon novels proved too much of a temptation. At fifteen, I decided the life of a romance writer was for me. Some…ah…years later, I’ve clawed together enough gumption to make my dream a reality.

When not sitting in front of the computer, I can be found in the garden or enthralled watching a murder mystery DVD. I limit myself to reading other authors’ work between writing my own stories. Books are my ‘shiny’ distractions.

Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Amazon Author Page | Twitter

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Book Release Blitz: Harder I Fall by Jessica Gibson

February 23, 2014February 23, 20141 Comment

Purchase on Amazon * B&N

Becca Langer was not a normal girl, she didn’t have normal girl problems. For most of her life, she’s had to take care of herself, her younger brother Chad, and her drunk mother. She’s lived under the shadow of what her father did when she was ten years old. Forever branded by his actions.

College was her escape, she could get away and finally live. Her dream was to make it in the New York Ballet Company one day. That for her meant a long road full of hard work and dedication. She didn’t have time for distractions, and Levi Klein was definitely a distraction.

Will Levi be able to crack through her tough exterior and really see the wounded soul underneath? Becca needs to be loved, but the question is, will she let Levi love her?

Come to the Facebook Party Release Event!

Teaser

About Jessica Gibson

Jessica Gibson is a recovering bookaholic, she’s down from four books a week to a more reasonable one. It was that love of words and creativity that made her dream about writing her first book. That dream was hidden for years, always put on the back burner, filed away in the “someday” section, until her husband Matt gave her the kick in the pants she needed to actually get off her butt and write.

Jessica and Matt live in Southern California and have a serious addiction to reality tv shows like Pawn Stars and American Restoration. They have one son and hope to add to the family in the near future.
Aside from writing, she runs an online event planning business called the Release Day Diva. In addition to novels, Jessica writes and maintains the blog Book on the Bright Side. Keep up with Jessica and her latest releases and events on her blog.

Website Blog Facebook Twitter Goodreads

Book Release & Giveaway: Deviant by Callie Hart

February 20, 2014February 19, 2014Leave a comment

Buy the Book: iBooks * Amazon US * Amazon UK

Synopsis:

Sloane

I’m not proud of the things I’ve done.
The things I’ve had to do.
The things I’ve given away.
but I’d give it all over again to find her.Even if i die trying,
I have to find Alexis.

Zeth

She wants me to help her,

But I won’t.

She wants me to save her sister,

But I can’t.

She wants me to be her hero,

But I’m not a good man.

I am her damnation.

Excerpt:

“You’re sick, you know that?” I say into the darkness. A soft rustling sound greets me, followed by the shift of movement. Yes, the lights are off but the corridor is lit behind me so it’s not like last time. I can see enough to make out the looming figure that slowly paces toward me.

“I know I’m not normal, if that’s what you mean.” A terrible devil’s mask appears before me, two feet away; Zeth is dressed entirely in black, the suit he wears obviously a thing of beauty even in the half light. His dark eyes shine from within the mask, sharp and hungry. “You’ve surprised me, Sloane. I like being surprised,” he rumbles.

“Well you’ve surprised me, too. Although I can’t say the feeling is mutual.”

He laughs, his voice so deep and powerful I can feel it in the soles of my feet. “You should open up a little. You never know what you might enjoy until you try it.”

“I know exactly what I enjoy, Zeth, and standing around watching fifty naked people grind on each other isn’t it.”

The eyes behind his mask flicker with annoyance when I say his name. He stalks toward me and reaches out, tracing his fingertips across my jawline. He seems pensive, intrigued by my stillness—I can’t freaking move—as he touches my skin.

“If you don’t like watching, Sloane, you can always join in.”

About The Author:

Callie Hart is a bagel eating, coffee drinking denizen of the greatest city on this earth. Born in Colorado, she moved to The Big Apple to study and undertake the Bar exam, and in the meantime she wrote this book! She lives on a ridiculously high floor in a way-too expensive building with her fiancé and their pet goldfish, Neptune. Deviant is the first installment in her Blood and Roses series. The next installment, Fracture, is scheduled to be released in April.

Stalk the Author:

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Giveaway:

Win a Kindle Paperwhite or GC of same value, a Signed paperback of Deviant or one of 4 Deviant bookmarks!

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V’S REVIEW:

ARC kindly provided by “Callie Hart” in exchange for an honest review (Thank you for this arc )

What are you willing to do for someone you love? For someone who was taken from you and you have no idea where to look for them? What are you willing to sacrifice?

Sloane enters into an arrangement to have sex with a man she’s never met, just to gain information that she so desperately wants. The only instructions she was given was to wear a mask, black lace lingerie and to meet at a particular hotel room and wait. Sloane was terrified, but her sister has gone missing and to get the information she needs all she needs to do is sleep with this mystery man. She’s prepared to do anything to get her sister back, and because of desperation, she places herself in a dangerous situation prepared to make an ultimate sacrifice of herself. Though her fear is heightened when this mysterious man arrives, Sloane finds herself in unchartered territory as she gets a shock of a lifetime. How can she be fearful and turned on all at the same time? She had no clue what to expect from the mystery man, but Sloane was even more baffled that her body betrayed her and turned into a wiling participant. As it’s dark in the room and she’s wearing a mask, Sloane never gets to see this man. So how is it that a total stranger has caused every nerve in her body to tremble, every coherent thought in her head to disappear, and nothing has ever felt more electrifying, EVER!! All she knows of him is the feel of his body, his scars, and most of all his deep, rumbling, sexy and commanding voice. The voice that will haunt her for years to come, as well as his touch. Though this arrangement was only meant as a one time encounter, it was a night not to be forgotten, and it was the start of a chain of events for both Zeth and Sloane.

Deviant was an awesome debut novel. The Blurb did nothing but enhance my curiosity as to why it was so vague, and I want to thank Callie for doing so (this was absolute genius). There is so much more to this book and that little passage did exactly what it was supposed to do which was entice the readers to want to find out what was going on. This is a novel that you won’t want to put down, as sexual awakening meets, organized crime syndicates; that will have you turning page after page. Author Callie Hart does a remarkable job of pulling you into the story from the very beginning. The first chapter alone sucks you in as it was mysterious, seductive and terrifyingly exciting all at the same time. Hart’s debut novel gives you jaw dropping kinky sex scenes, intensity, wit, and a sensational plot that has you wanting to know more about Zeth and Sloane.

Sloane is the heroine of this story and though she has inner scars, she is still a sexy, smart and secretly kinky seductive woman, who is hell-bent on finding her sister, but also exploring this sensual side that she didn’t know existed. As for Zeth, here we have another tall, dark hair, dark eyes, tattooed, and kinky as hell bad boy. Let’s not forget somewhat cocky and sure of himself, and YES, definitely my type of BFF. Just read this and let it sink in……

“I’m very particular about what I want. You need to do what I ask you without question

and this will go nicely for both of us, okay?”

Ummmm okay?? Abso-fu*king-lutly Zeth!!!! If his voice is anything like I imagine………*sighs* I’m a goner. I’ll do whatever he says, when he says and how. Talk about conceitedness!!! That’s and understatement here with Zeth. This is a bad boy who knows exactly what he wants and is going to make sure you like it as well. Any complaints???……..NOPE, none here?

“That’s not the game we’re playing, here. Own me, or I’ll own you. And trust me … you don’t want that.”

This entire first encounter that Sloane has with the mystery man (Zeth) screams “Run as far and as quick as you can”, and “Get out now”, but she’s totally turned on. Hell so was I. I think I said yes when I read this statement…….Yes, Zeth you can own me…lol. Trust me when I say that the things he says and does will have your panties wet ladies so you might want to read this one without them.

“She doesn’t know it yet, but she is perfect for me and my dark and nasty desires.”

You want to hear more of what Zeth says? Sorry ladies get the book.

I truly enjoyed this debut novel, the only downfall for me is that it was too short. I wanted more, much, much more. Though the ending isn’t technically a cliffhanger, it will leave you with a WTF!!!!!! As in you can’t end it there, I need to know more. This novel was also like a sea-saw to me, where Hart gave you just enough of the kinkiness of Zeth and Sloane that you were in this erotic haze but then teetering on the edge of all this mysterious organized crime going on in the background. The pace of this book is fast and hard and as you read the intensity gets stronger. The one thing I know for sure is that I want more…….Callie Hart I’m looking forward to a second book.

Book Release & Giveaway: INCINERATE by Tessa Teevan

February 18, 2014February 17, 20141 Comment

Title: Incinerate (Explosive #2)

Author: Tessa Teevan

Genre: New Adult Romance

Series: Explosive Series

Cover Model: Joshua Saari

Cover Photographer: Josh Norris

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b0rLpqwqeg

Buy the book:

Amazon US * Amazon UK * Amazon CA * Amazon AU

Synopsis

When Knox Wellington opens the door to Charlie Davenport, he’s not expecting the fiery brunette with whiskey colored eyes and a feisty personality. Sparks fly immediately, even though their initial meeting is nothing but hostile. Their chemistry is undeniable, but the chip on Knox’s shoulder threatens to destroy any hope of him wooing the sweet, southern volunteer sent to help with his rehabilitation.

Little does he know she’s no Southern Belle, as she gives as good as she can take. As unexpected circumstances push them closer together, heads butt, patience is tested, and flames ignite as they dance around their mutual attraction, both of them jaded from broken pasts.

They’ve both been burned before, so when their feelings of lust, desire, and wanting are inflamed in the heat of the moment, will they finally be able to get over the pain of the past or will their relationship be reduced to ashes before it can ever really begin?

*While this book is a standalone, characters from Ignite, book 1, will appear in Knox’s story.

Excerpt

Following after her, I find her bent over in front of the refrigerator holding the door open and staring at the contents inside. The way her ass is sticking out unleashes something inside me, and I go semi-hard just from watching her. I instantly feel the need to show her that I’m not some weak, damaged man. I walk up behind her and grab her by the waist, turning her around. Kicking the door shut behind me, I push her to the island, and if I thought I could get away with it, I’d be pressing myself up against so she could feel what she’s doing to me. She’s staring up at me with confusion in her big, brown eyes, and I wonder what the hell I’m doing.

“Hop up,” I tell her, and she complies immediately, surprising me by not fighting it.

I place my hands on her knees, spreading them and stepping closer to her so my hips are between her legs. As best as I can, I take a hold each one and wrap them around my waist, and she involuntarily tightens them around my middle, although her ass is still firmly planted on the counter. This isn’t how I imagined her legs wrapped around me for the first time, but I can’t deny that I don’t love the feel of her gripping my waist tightly.

“Arms around my neck, Charlie.” The confused expression on her face deepens, but she does as she’s told.

“What are you doing, Knox?” she asks, looking up at me, her face only inches from mine.

Swallowing hard, I ignore her question and bring my forehead to hers. “Just do this for me, okay? Don’t fight me on it. Just this once. I need to do this.”

She nods, and I’m not sure she knows what to expect, confirming it when I pull her off the counter. Gasping, she starts to struggle, and I have to brace myself against the counter to keep from falling. Jesus, this woman is so damn defiant, and it can be both sexy as hell and annoyingly irritating.

“Knox, what the hell?! Put me down!”

Fuck, I know I should probably listen to her, but I’ve gotten to this point and I’m not stopping until I can prove to myself that I haven’t completely lost all of my strength. She’s not exactly heavy, but her struggling is making it difficult to keep my one good arm around her as I make my way down the hallway, heading into the guest bedroom. Somewhere along the way she stops struggling, apparently having given up and figuring that it’s just easier to let me do this.

I’m slightly out of breath by the time I get to her bed, and I’m more than happy to release her from my arms. Relief washes over me when she plops on the bed, bouncing once. Whether the relief is from having been able to do it or from having freed myself of her weight. Either way, I’m fucking ecstatic, and even though I’m breathing heavy, it was a small victory for me and my bruised ego.

I begin backing away from her because I know the verbal assault is coming, and I don’t blame her, but I don’t regret it.

Ignite (Explosive #1)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Paperback

About the Author

I’m a twenty six year old book junkie who is also obsessed with sports. Bengals, Buckeyes, Reds are my teams! I work for the government during the day, hang out with Air National Guard on the weekends, and have been married to my own book boyfriend for over seven years. We currently live right outside of Dayton, OH with our two cats.

If I’m not writing or looking through tons of photos of hot men, all in the name of research, then you can probably find me curled up with my Kindle, ignoring the rest of the world. I love my sports almost as much as I love my books. My other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter.

I LOVE to hear from readers, so please feel free to contact via any social media site listed below.

Connect with Tessa

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Email

Giveaway

(10) $10 Amazon Gift Cards, (3) Ignite Signed Paperbacks, (3) Incinerate Signed Paperbacks. All Signed Paperbacks are US Only.

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Branded by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki

February 18, 2014February 17, 2014Leave a comment

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Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best.
Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home.

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain.

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.

The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me.
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter.
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

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About Abi and Missy

Abi and Missy met in the summer of 1999 at college orientation and have been best friends ever since. After college, they added jobs, husbands and kids to their lives, but they still found time for their friendship. Instead of hanging out on weekends, they went to dinner once a month and reviewed books. What started out as an enjoyable hobby has now become an incredible adventure.

Abigail Ketner

Is a registered nurse with a passion for novels, the beaches of St. John, and her Philadelphia Phillies. A talented singer, Abi loves to go running and spend lots of time with her family. She currently resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband, triplet daughters and two very spoiled dogs.

Melissa Kalicicki

Received her bachelor’s degree from Millersville University in 2003. She married, had two boys and currently lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Aside from reading and writing, her interests include running and mixed martial arts. She also remains an avid Cleveland sports fan.

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Uncovering You by Scarlett Edwards

February 17, 2014February 17, 2014Leave a comment

Title: Uncovering You

Genre: Dark Romance

Release Date: March 27th, 2014

Cover Reveal: February 18th, 2014

Hosted by: Xpresso Book Tours

Synopsis:

When I wake up in a dark, unfamiliar room, I have no idea what’s waiting for me in the shadows. My imagination conjures up demons of the worst kind.

Reality is much worse:

A collar with no leash. A prison with no walls. And a life stripped of meaning.

I am presented with a vile contract and asked to sign. It outlines the terms of my servitude. The only information I have about my captor are the two small letters inked at the bottom:

J.S.

Armed with only my memories, I must do everything I can to avoid becoming ensnared in his twisted mind games. But in the end, it all comes down to one choice:

Resist and die.

Or submit, and sign my life away

AUTHOR BIO

I’m Scarlett Edwards. I wrote my first book as a college sophomore. After six months of edits, it made its debut as Yours to Savor.

That was at the start of 2013. I’ve written more books since then. You can find them all here.

It’s funny how quickly life changes. I used to think I’d need a degree to get a “Real Job.” Then I wrote a few books, they got somewhat popular, and now I’m living the life as a full-time romance author.

Thanks to all my readers for making my dreams come true!

Author links:

www.facebook.com/ScarlettEdwardsAuthor

www.scarlettedwards.com

www.goodreads.com/scarlettedwards

Giveaway:

(Incl. Kindle Paperwhite, gift cards, signed copies etc) (Open to USA, Canada, Australia, and UK.)

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Book Release & Giveaway: My Dirty Little Valentine

February 16, 2014February 13, 2014Leave a comment

It’s the Valentine’s Day
The sexiest holiday of the year!

Ten of your favorite authors have come together to spin erotic tales of romance to make the holiday extra special in

My Dirty Little Valentine: An Erotic Anthology!

My Dirty Little Valentine is the latest anthology offered by Pure Textuality Public Relations as a FREE ebook.

My Dirty Little Valentine
An Erotic Anthology

Publisher: Pure Textuality Public Relations

Genre: Erotic Romance

Release Date: 2/14/2014

Format: Ebook Only

Price: FREE

FEATURED AUTHORS

Alex Laybourne
Bianca James
Chelsey J. Nichols
Damien Darke
Jessica Ingro
Julie Morgan
Regina Frame
S.A. Price
Scarlett Metal
T.H. Snyder

GIVEAWAY

In celebration of the release of My Dirty Little Valentine, the second Pure Textuality Public Relations promotional anthology, we are giving away a 6″ Kindle with Wifi!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

My Dirty Little Valentine was organized and published by
Pure Textuality Public Relations.

Book Spotlight: Daughter of the Winds by Jo Bunt

February 14, 2014February 13, 2014Leave a comment

Buy the Book: Amazon UK Amazon US

BLURB:

When the Turkish invade Cyprus in 1974 Pru, a young British Army wife, has her life turned upside down. Two weeks later she flees the country with a baby who isn’t hers.

Over thirty years later that baby, now a grown woman called Leni, returns to the island of her birth to find out about the chain of events that led her to be brought up as Pru’s child. She discovers the true cost of war, how the hurt still continues through the generations and what being a family really means.

In this story of love and loss Leni will lay ghosts to rest in more ways than one.

About the Author:

Jo Bunt was born in Cyprus to British parents. It made sense to her that her first novel should be based there.

Following the family’s return to England Jo went to school in Nottingham, university in Hull and then worked in London as a Recruitment Consultant for PwC for many years. Following a family illness Jo moved to Derbyshire where she now lives with her husband and her twin sons. This has enabled her to focus on her two great loves in life; her family and her writing.

She remembers writing her first ‘novel’ when she was seven but spent her angst-ridden teenage years writing miserable and dark poetry. She mostly writes mainstream fiction but is also working on a series of children’s adventure books, largely guided by her own children. When she is not writing or looking after the children Jo is an avid reader and self-confessed food snob. If she can combine the two she is a very happy lady indeed.

Book Release & Giveaway: Cowboys & Kisses by Sasha Summers

February 14, 2014February 13, 2014Leave a comment

Allie had big plans for the future. Falling for a cowboy wasn’t part of it.

1. Get out of Black Falls Texas – aka Redneck Hell
(Graduation was eight months away. After that, she was out of there.)

2. Avoid Wyatt Holcomb at all costs.
(Except he was everywhere and kind of hard to ignore since he was hot-and a really nice guy.)

3. Avoid her parents.
(Shouldn’t be too hard to do since her father hated her and her mother pretended nothing was wrong.)

4. Stop thinking about Wyatt.
(Which would be a lot easier if he wasn’t so sweet… and he’d keep his shirt on.)

5. Decide what she really wants.
(Instead of holding onto the past and the guilt.)

He froze, completely surprised. If his breath hadnít hitched, I wouldnít have known heíd heard me. He just stared at me, until I felt like a complete idiot. I stepped back then, lifting my hand from his arm.

It hurt. I hurt. I suspected his life was a lot more complicated than I knew, but I thoughtÖI hopedÖhe cared about me too. Maybe I just wanted him to?

ìNight.î The word was a garbled mess and I headed back in the direction Iíd come.

ìAllie,î he ground out, taking my hand and pulling me down one of the alleys between empty pens. It was darker, but I held on to him, my heart thumping in my chest.

He stopped and turned, his hands sliding up my bare arms to my shoulders, causing wicked delicious shivers the whole way. His hands, callused and rough, were feather-light along my neck, cupping my cheeks and tilting my head back as he bent low.

His lips were so soft against mine. I hadnít expected that. Or the way his breath mixing with mine made me dizzy. I swayed into him, gripping his dusty shirt tightly. His lips grew firm, a little demanding, and it was perfect. All I wanted was thisóand more.

When his lips lingered, the heat between us took over. Pressed against him, his heartbeat bounced with mine. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer. His hand pressed against my bare back, hesitantÖuncertain.

My hands moved, pressing against his hard chest and sliding up to cup his neckóknocking his hat offókeeping him there.

Why canít I stop shaking? It was okay. He was shaking too.

I parted my lips, sucking in a ragged breath. His lips followed.

He pressed us against the metal pens at my back, keeping us upright and tangled in each other. I didnít think, couldnít think. Feeling was everything. Hot and sweet and happy, I ran my fingers through the close-cropped hair at the base of his neck, pulling him in.

The tip of his tongue brushed my lower lip. I made a strange noise, tightening my hold on him, pressing myself flat against him. There was no room between us, none. And it still didnít seem close enough.

One of his hands traveled down my back, resting against the base of my spine, fitting me against him. Holy hell.

Sasha is part gypsy, stories have always played an important role in her life. Her passions have always been storytelling, Hollywood, history, and travel. Itís no surprise that her books†include a little of each.†Her first play, ëGreek Gods and Goddessesí was written for her Girl Scout troupe. Sheís been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when sheís doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

Connect with Sasha:

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway: The Heart Knows What The Heart Wants by Lori L Clark

February 13, 2014February 12, 2014Leave a comment

Title: The Heart Knows What The Heart Wants

Author: Lori L. Clark

Genre: Contemporary / New Adult Romance

Expected Release: March 6, 2014

Synopsis

Estelle “Star” Falconé, a thirty-year-old tattooed bartender, was once a free-spirited dreamer who dabbled in astrology for fun and secretly dreamed of becoming a rock-star some day.

Twenty-one-year-old Shane Harper was once the star of his high school basketball team. With a full ride scholarship, his dream was to play college basketball and study planetary science. When a tragic car accident permanently sidelines his basketball career, college is out of the question.

Sparks fly when their two worlds collide.

Can a relationship survive between a thirty-year-old starry-eyed woman who’s on the run from an extremely dangerous man, and a twenty-one-year-old science geek who’s hell-bent on protecting her at all cost?

***Caution*** for mature readers. Contains graphic violence including rape. This is a complete, standalone novel.

Excerpt

Finally giving up on sleep, she climbed from bed and gathered her clothes to take into the bathroom for a long hot shower, hopeful the hot water would dislodge the myriad of inappropriate thoughts that had started to march through her sleep-deprived brain.

Star knew Shane was too young for her. He’d barely begun to live his life and in her thirty years she’d already lived enough for both of them combined. There was an undeniable attraction, she couldn’t dispute that. Holding him, comforting him, as she had just a few short hours ago left her craving more of his touch.

She gritted her teeth and turned up the water temperature as she scrubbed her body. “Why is it the men I’m attracted to are always wrong for me? For once, why can’t I like the nerdy, science geek with a big brain instead of a big…ego,” she huffed.

After her shower, she wiped the fog from the mirror and studied the lines in her face. Time had not been kind to her, especially the time spent with Derek. She smoothed the skin around her eyes, suddenly wondering how much a face-lift would set her back. A more close-up inspection advised her that more than a couple new gray hairs had sprouted, seemingly overnight, as well.

“Are you going to be much longer?” Shane’s muffled voice asked from the other side of the bathroom door causing her to jump.

“Just a few more minutes, sorry,” she answered. She hurriedly dried off and scrambled into her clothes. When she opened the door, he sat on the floor facing her, his back against the wall. He beamed mischievously up at her, and something warm pooled inside of her. She smiled back and said, “I guess I kind of lost track of time.”

“No worries. As long as there’s hot water left, I don’t mind.” He held his hand out to her. “Help me up, Blue,” he asked.

She tugged him to his feet and he seemed reluctant to let go of her hand. He gave her fingers a quick squeeze. Holy hell I’m melting here. She thought. The tips of her ears started to burn and she withdrew her hand from his. “All yours,” she whispered and turned to go to her room.

She couldn’t be sure, it may have been her overactive imagination, or wishful thinking, but she could have sworn she heard him say “I wish,” before he disappeared into the bathroom.

Star fanned herself and sat down on the corner of her bed. If he had remembered having the nightmare, or her rocking him back to sleep afterwards, it wasn’t evident in the tundra-melting smile he’d given her. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Was she disappointed that he hadn’t remembered, or relieved?

About the Author

Ten things about me:

1. I’m an only child.
2. My only child is a Min Pin.
3. I was born in Iowa City, Iowa.
4. I worked as a professional psychic reader for 2 years.
5. I’m a Pisces Sun, Leo Moon with Aquarius rising.
6. I’ve written 7 books and am in the process of brainstorming the 8th.
7. I make my home near St. Louis, MO.
8. I ran my first 1/2 marathon at age 50.
9. I love 80’s hair band music.
10. I’m a vegetarian.

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Giveaway

(1) $10 Amazon Gift Card and (2) eBooks

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway: HIT THE WALL by Rochelle Paige

February 12, 2014February 12, 2014Leave a comment

Title: Hit the Wall (Blythe College #2)

Author: Rochelle Paige

Genre: New Adult Romance

Release Date: March 10, 2014

Cover Designer: Kari Avasha at Cover to Cover Design

Synopsis

Jackson thought he knew what love was and feels like he missed his chance at happiness. He realizes he wasted his chances by chasing after one-night stands instead of going after what he really wanted.

Kaylie knows what loss feels like and doesn’t want to take a chance on love. She puts up walls to keep her heart protected from experiencing that kind of pain again.

What happens when a guy who refuses to lose out again meets a girl who resists him as much as she can? Will Jackson be able to hit the wall Kaylie has put up and knock it down?

Excerpt

“What the fuck?!” I heard as the door was thrown open. My jaw dropped at the sight of Jackson Silver in Sasha’s room. I never would have thought he had it in him to care enough about any woman to get into a shouting match with her the way he blew through all the girls on campus, except maybe his sister and her best friend. Not that I didn’t totally get why so many girls went crazy over him with his tousled blond hair, wicked blue eyes and insanely hot body. But he was the epitome of love ‘em and leave ‘em, never spending more than a few nights with the same one.

“Ummmm…” I stuttered in response.

“You don’t want to get in the middle of this, little girl,” he growled at me.

I glanced at Sasha, who was standing behind him with tears streaking down her cheeks. She was usually so perfectly put-together, but she looked a total wreck right now with her hair mussed up and mascara smudged everywhere. She wasn’t my favorite person in the world, but it seemed like she could use a little bit of help right about now.

Push the Envelope (Blythe College #2)

Push_the_Envelope_ebook_barnesnoble_kobo

Goodreads | Amazon US | B&N

About the Author

I absolutely adore reading – always have and always will. My friends growing up used to tease me when I would trail after them, trying to read and walk at the same time. If I have downtime, odds are you will find me reading or writing.

I am the mother of two wonderful sons who have inspired me to chase my dream of being an author. I want them to learn from me that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it.

When I told my mom that my new year’s resolution was to self-publish a book in 2013, she pretty much told me “About time!”

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Book Release Blitz: Huntsman’s Prey by Marie Hall

February 12, 2014February 12, 2014Leave a comment

The long anticipated spinoff to the Bad boys series is finally here, the Dark Princess Saga begins with Hatter and Alice’s daughter…

Rumors abound in Wonderland, of a dark princess named Chrysalis who bears the Moon’s curse. Her beauty is beyond compare, and her madnessÖ even greater than her fatherís, The Hatter. Death follows wherever she roams, and Danikaófairy godmother of all villainsóknows this task is too great for her to handle on her own. She has no choice but to seek out the one they call Huntsman, his mission is simple: Find the creature, and destroy it.

But nothing is ever so simple in Kingdom. The moment the hunter Aeric steps foot in the mad, twisted realm he’s enveloped in a reality that is neither wholly true nor fantasy. The key, the Cheshire explains, to ending the madness is for one to become mad themselves. The Huntsman has one chance to figure out the riddle before the beauty destroys them allÖ

The rustling of leaves sounded like the rattling of dry bones. Treesótheir trunks twisted and distorted from the magic imbued within the very soil of Wonderlandóreached long, gnarly branches out toward Danika.

The stars shone a brilliant silver, winking from within the navy blue sky. A sickle shaped smile of sharp teeth gleamed from inside shadow and somewhere a voice howled. The haunting sound raised goose bumps on her arms and the fine hairs on the back of her neck.
She flew within the shelter of a hollow, staring at the ground below littered with the twisted, distorted bodies of sightless carcasses. Hundreds of dead animals, with limbs torn off and throats ripped open. A brutal slaughter that brought tears to her eyes.

Itíd been eighteen years since sheíd married off the last of her Bad Five, eighteen years of peace and quiet, eighteen years of being lulled into a false sense that all was well within her world.

But all was not well. Sheíd suspected this time was coming, had seen a glimpse of the future first time sheíd laid eyes on the child. Danika had tried to deny it, tried to wish it away, to hope that desire could stop reality.

Her heart bled to hear the sounds of the lonely, constant cries shuddering through the woods. The teeth returned, floating right in front of her face.

ìCheshire?î Dragonfly wings buzzed softly behind her back.

A face materialized around the teeth, a ghostly distortion of fur and stripes. Then a body followed suit, until finally, a fluffy tabby stared back at her with eyes the color of an inkwell.

ìGodmother?î His lazy drawl echoed with laughter. ìWhat are you doing in my woods?î
She scoffed. ìYour woods. You wish you fat alley cat. These woods belong to the Hatter.î
Cheshire did a strange rolling shoulder lift while he licked his paw. Danika shook her head, much as she loved Hatter, his woods were one she rarely visited and dreaded staying inside of for too long. The sensuous curl of white fog wrapped itself around the catís body, as if he were readying to vanish into the ether once again.

She may not like the cat, but she preferred his company to being alone in this warped portion of Kingdom.

ìHave you seen the creature?î she asked quietly, heart thumping loudly as she strained to hear every creak, groan, and whistle surrounding them.

ìMmmm. I have,î he purred, long and loud and low, the rumbling vibrations of it causing his fur to stir and fluff. ìBeautiful madness.î

ìWhere is it?î She hugged her arms to her chest, the howls had stopped, which meant it could now be anywhere. She wanted to leave, wanted to leave now.
ìIt? You mean she. Do you not?î

She closed her eyes. To think of it as anything other than an it would make this task impossible. Oh goddess, this wasnít supposed to happen. Not to Alice and Hatter, theyíd gone through so much, this shouldnít have happened. How she wished she had Miriamís wise guidance once again, her truest and best friend would have known what to do, how to fix this.

ìI meant exactly what I said. Where did you see it last?î She lifted her chin, voice stern, refusing to allow an ounce of sympathy to leak into her words.

His smile stretched from ear to ear, full of nothing but sharp, little teeth that made him look frighteningly macabre. An impossibly long tongue licked at the fur around his eyes.
ìSilver girds her loins, fire ripples at her feet.î

Marie loves books that make you think, or feel something. Preferably both. And while sheís a total girly girl and loves glitter and rainbows, sheís just as happy when sheís writing about the dark underbelly of society. Well, if things like zombies, and vampires, and werewolves, and mermaids existed. (Although she has it on good authority that mermaids do in fact exist, because the internet told her so.)

Sheís married to the love of her life, a sexy beast of a caveman who likes to refer to himself as Big Hunk. She has two awesome kids, lives in Hawaii, loves cooking and occasionally has been known to crochet.

Connect with Marie:

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RELEASE BLITZ & Giveaway: Twist Me by Anna Zaires

February 10, 2014February 9, 2014Leave a comment

Title: Twist Me

Author: Anna Zaires

Genre: Dark Erotica

Synopsis

Kidnapped. Taken to a private island.

I never thought this could happen to me. I never imagined one chance meeting on the eve of my eighteenth birthday could change my life so completely.

Now I belong to him. To Julian. To a man who is as ruthless as he is beautiful – a man whose touch makes me burn. A man whose tenderness I find more devastating than his cruelty.

My captor is an enigma. I don’t know who he is or why he took me. There is a darkness inside him – a darkness that scares me even as it draws me in.

My name is Nora Leston, and this is my story.

WARNING: This is NOT a traditional romance. It contains disturbing subject matter, including themes of questionable consent and Stockholm Syndrome, as well as graphic sexual content. This is a work of fiction intended for a mature, 18+ audience only. The author neither endorses nor condones this type of behavior.

Excerpt

It’s evening now. With every minute that passes, I’m starting to get more and more anxious at the thought of seeing my captor again.

The novel that I’ve been reading can no longer hold my interest. I put it down and walk in circles around the room.

I am dressed in the clothes Beth had given me earlier. It’s not what I would’ve chosen to wear, but it’s better than a bathrobe. A sexy pair of white lacy panties and a matching bra for underwear. A pretty blue sundress that buttons in the front. Everything fits me suspiciously well. Has he been stalking me for a while? Learning everything about me, including my clothing size?

The thought makes me sick.

I am trying not to think about what’s to come, but it’s impossible. I don’t know why I’m so sure he’ll come to me tonight. It’s possible he has an entire harem of women stashed away on this island, and he visits each one only once a week, like sultans used to do.

Yet somehow I know he’ll be here soon. Last night had simply whetted his appetite. I know he’s not done with me, not by a long shot.

Finally, the door opens.

He walks in like he owns the place. Which, of course, he does.

I am again struck by his masculine beauty. He could’ve been a model or a movie star, with a face like his. If there was any fairness in the world, he would’ve been short or had some other imperfection to offset that face.

But he doesn’t. His body is tall and muscular, perfectly proportioned. I remember what it feels like to have him inside me, and I feel an unwelcome jolt of arousal.

He’s again wearing jeans and a T-shirt. A grey one this time. He seems to favor simple clothing, and he’s smart to do so. His looks don’t need any enhancement.

He smiles at me. It’s his fallen angel smile—dark and seductive at the same time. “Hello, Nora.”

I don’t know what to say to him, so I blurt out the first thing that pops into my head. “How long are you going to keep me here?”

He cocks his head slightly to the side. “Here in the room? Or on the island?”

“Both.”

“Beth will show you around tomorrow, take you swimming, if you’d like,” he says, approaching me. “You won’t be locked in, unless you do something foolish.”

“Such as?” I ask, my heart pounding in my chest as he stops next to me and lifts his hand to stroke my hair.

“Trying to harm Beth or yourself.” His voice is soft, his gaze hypnotic as he looks down on me. The way he’s touching my hair is oddly relaxing.

I blink, trying to break his spell. “And what about on the island? How long will you keep me here?”

His hand caresses my face now, curves around my cheek. I catch myself leaning into his touch, like a cat getting petted, and I immediately stiffen.

His lips curve into a knowing smile. The bastard knows the effect he has on me. “A long time, I hope,” he says.

For some reason, I’m not surprised. He wouldn’t have bothered bringing me all the way here if he just wanted to fuck me a few times. I’m terrified, but I’m not surprised.

I gather my courage and ask the next logical question. “Why did you kidnap me?”

The smile leaves his face. He doesn’t answer, just looks at me with an inscrutable blue gaze.

I begin to shake. “Are you going to kill me?”

“No, Nora, I won’t kill you.”

His denial reassures me, although he could obviously be lying. “Are you going to sell me?” I can barely get the words out. “Like to be a prostitute or something?”

“No,” he says softly. “Never. You’re mine and mine alone.”

I feel a tiny bit calmer, but there is one more thing I have to know. “Are you going to hurt me?”

For a moment, he doesn’t answer again. Something dark briefly flashes in his eyes. “Probably,” he says quietly.

And then he leans down and kisses me, his warm lips soft and gentle on mine.

For a second, I stand there frozen, unresponsive. I believe him. I know he’s telling the truth when he says he’ll hurt me. There’s something in him that scares me—that has scared me from the very beginning.

He’s nothing like the boys I’ve gone on dates with. He’s capable of anything.

And I’m completely at his mercy.

I think about trying to fight him again. That would be the normal thing to do in my situation. The brave thing to do.

And yet I don’t do it.

I can feel the darkness inside him. There’s something wrong with him. His outer beauty hides something monstrous underneath.

I don’t want to unleash that darkness. I don’t know what will happen if I do.

So I stand still in his embrace and let him kiss me. And when he picks me up again and takes me to bed, I don’t try to resist in any way.

Instead, I close my eyes and give in to the sensations.

Buy the Book

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Anna Zaires fell in love with books at the age of five, when her grandmother taught her to read. She wrote her first story shortly thereafter. Since then, she has always lived partially in a fantasy world where the only limits were those of her imagination. Currently residing in Florida, Anna is happily married to Dima Zales (a science fiction and fantasy author) and closely collaborates with him on all their works.

After graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in Economics, Anna spent eight years on Wall Street analyzing stocks and writing research reports. In 2013, she became a full-time author, pursuing her lifelong dream of writing romance novels.

Dima Zales is the love of her life and a huge inspiration in all aspects of her writing. Every book Anna writes is a product of their unique collaborative process.

In addition to reading and writing, Anna enjoys drinking tea (coconut oolong, anyone?), watching addictive TV shows, and discussing book ideas during long walks with her amazing husband.

She loves hearing from her readers, so please don’t hesitate to contact her through her website or connect with her on Facebook, where she hangs out way too often. Also, please visit her husband and collaborator, Dima Zales, at www.dimazales.com and check out their fantasy & science fiction books.

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway: WEAK WITHOUT HIM by Lyra Parish

February 9, 2014February 9, 2014Leave a comment

Title: Weak Without Him (Weakness #2)

Author: Lyra Parish

Expected Release Date: April 2, 2014

Genre: New Adult Romance

Cover Designer: Cover It! Designs

Synopsis

“Love is an emotion that will destroy you if you let it. It can ruin your life or create a new one. Jealousy isn’t much different.”

Jennifer Downs treads in dangerous waters.
Finnley Felton is unaware.
With the help of Lady Luck, they will make it through.
Or will they?

Texas is nothing compared to Vegas but among the bright lights and busy streets, Jennifer discovers who she is. Her life has changed, and for better or worse, she continues to live like tomorrow will never come.

Sabotage. Hatred. Betrayal.

Although love is beautiful and kind, it comes with consequences.

Jennifer finds herself fighting. Fighting for her rights, for love, for Finnley, and for her life.

Hearts may be broken.
Lives will change.
But the ultimate question remains: can love win all?

Excerpt

I walked inside and placed my keys on the bar top, and a few minutes later, Finnley entered.

I leaned against the kitchen counter and smiled.

“You shouldn’t f*ck me with your eyes. I’ve already warned you about that.”

“I’m pretty sure I can do whatever I want.” I walked towards him, unbuttoned his suit jacket, and loosened his tie. “You’re not the boss of me anymore.”

He wrapped my hair around his fingers and tugged my head back to look into his eyes. “I will always be the boss of you, Ms. Downs.”

I loved it when he called me that. I loved it when he was rough. Lust and love mixed and created a crazy potion of emotions.

Finn’s lips collided with mine, and the intensity of him forced me to unbutton his pants and scoot them off his hips; then he yanked my hair just a little harder.

“I’m not your dildo, Ms. Downs. I’ve got an appointment at the office in the next thirty minutes. Shouldn’t take long. Meet me there in an hour?”

“I cannot believe you’re denying me.”

“You’ll learn that I do whoever and whatever I want, whenever I want.”

I crossed my arms and gave him my best ‘go to hell’ look. What a tease. He buttoned and zipped his pants and then looked at me with a raised eyebrow and pulled me into him.

He nibbled on my earlobe, and then whispered, “will you ever stop driving me crazy?”

I pulled away from him, looked at his mouth, and then into his green eyes.

“Not happening, ever.”

**Disclaimer: excerpt currently unedited. Copyright Lyra Parish.

Make sure to pick up Weak For Him if you haven’t!

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About the Author

Words make the world go round. I love to write, travel, and sing really loud at the top of my lungs in the shower. Sweet love stories (along with the dirty ones) make me gush. I am firm believer that a person can never have too many cats or cups of coffee, and that the F word is necessary.

Forget the beach! Give me a gel pen, a stack of blank paper, and beautiful mountains!

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