Saturday, February 28, 2015

Spotlight: Should've Known Better by Cassandra Carr


Should've Known Better
by Cassandra Carr
Genre: Sports Erotic Romance



Sarah Jenkins, a math geek and hockey fanatic, is thrilled when the NHL hires her as an advisor for the Buffalo Storm. She gets to marry her two loves in this perfect job.
Sebastian St. Amant is a young hockey player looking to make the jump from the minors to the big leagues. His lifelong dream is within reach, but he needs to convince the Storm's management and coaches he's ready.
When Sarah and Sebastian meet, sparks immediately fly. Both want to succeed, but neither can ignore the growing attraction and a relationship is out of the question—Sarah’s an influential staff member and Sebastian’s a player, not to mention over ten years her junior.
But the impossible becomes the necessary when they can no longer fight their attraction. As everything crashes around them, the strength of their relationship is tested. Will it weather the storm, or should they have known better?


Cassandra Carr is a multi-award winning romance writer. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out online. Cassandra's books have won numerous "Best Book Of" awards and her novella Unexpected Top was nominated in the E-book Erotic Romance category of RT's Reviewers' Choice Awards.

She thinks the best part of being a writer is penning stories about love and sex while most others struggle with commutes, micro-managing bosses and cranky co-workers.





Friday, February 27, 2015

Tour & Giveaway: Year of Living Blonde by Andrea Simonne

 

YEAR OF LIVING BLONDE

by Andrea Simonne

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~


A funny and sizzling romp about discovering your inner pin-up girl...

Plain-Jane bakery owner Natalie Anderson has always followed the recipe for a safe life. When her husband dumps her for a seductive older woman, it’s time to throw out that recipe and start from scratch. She cooks up a plan to transform herself from mousy brown to sexy blonde. Meanwhile, she’s trying to expand her Seattle bakery, La Dolce Vita, but runs into an obstacle in the form of her irritatingly handsome landlord.

Astronomer Anthony Novello’s good looks and charm usually guarantees him a free pass with women, though that’s not the case with his new tenant, Natalie. Plain, plump, and persnickety—he’s never met a woman more annoying. But when Anthony returns from a telescope observing run, he makes a discovery of the non-celestial kind. Natalie has changed. He’s amazed to find himself attracted to her. Sparks fly as he tries to convince her there’s more to him than meets the eye.

However, when Natalie’s ex-husband decides to win her back, she’s forced to choose. Is her year of living blonde over? Or is this the start of a new and much sweeter life….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt Two:

 

Natalie glances at the clock. It’s almost ten. Kind of late for visitors. Pausing the television, she goes over and peeks cautiously through the front window.

 

A bolt of lightning streaks through her.

 

Anthony is standing on her front porch. He’s wearing his motorcycle jacket and holding his black helmet at his side. The big bad wolf at her door.

 

What’s he doing here?

 

She glances at herself in the hall mirror. No makeup and her hair a mess. Great.

 

He rings the bell again and she marches over, ready to take the offensive. Ready to tell him to go away. But when Natalie yanks open the door and sees the expression on his face, she hesitates.

 

“What’s wrong?” she asks finally.

 

He takes his time with his reply. “I needed to see you tonight.”

 

“Did something happen?”

 

“It’s a long story.” He smiles, but there isn’t much humor in it.

 

She’s never seen Anthony like this before. He never looks anything less than perfect, but there’s strain on his face and around his eyes, and she suspects this is the real man

 

He takes a step toward her, lowering his voice. “Let me in, Natalie.”

 

Standing broad-shouldered and solemn in her doorway, he’s an imposing figure, but she isn’t afraid. Despite the fiasco with the bakery, she realizes she still trusts him.

 

Without a word, she steps out of the way to let him come inside.

 

The door closes and she walks back into the living room. There’s a sound and she sees that Anthony has dropped his motorcycle helmet on a chair.

 

“This is a bad idea,” Natalie tells him. “I don’t know why you came here. I shouldn’t even be talking to you.”

 

“I think you know exactly why I’m here.” His voice is low as it vibrates through the room.

 

There’s an erotic thrill at his words. “How can I be with you after what happened?”

 

“Because this isn’t about any of that.” For a moment, his eyes darken with regret, but then turn heated. “Whatever happens next is between you and me.”

 

Natalie shakes her head, but Anthony moves closer until he’s in right in front of her. She feels his hand on her cheek as the other cradles her head, gently holding her still. “Don’t,” he says, his tone imploring. “Don’t say no. Tell me to stay.” 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Andrea Simonne grew up as an army brat and discovered she had a talent for creating personas at each new school. The most memorable was a surfer chick named "Ace" who never touched a surf board in her life, but had an impressive collection of puka shell necklaces. Eventually she turned her imagination towards writing. Andrea still enjoys creating personas, though these days they occupy her books. She currently makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons.

 

You can find Andrea at:

Website: http://www.andreasimonne.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AndreaSimonne

FB: https://www.facebook.com/andrea.simonne.author

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8557240.Andrea_Simonne

 

You can buy Year of Living Blonde at:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Year-Living-Blonde-Sweet-Seattle-ebook/dp/B00RO1Z6YI/

 
Giveaway:
Andrea will be awarding one winner a $20 Gift Card to Amazon/Barnes&Noble
Find the tour stops HERE.
 

Spotlight: Scratch (Corporate Hitman 2)



Scratch (Corporate Hitman 2)
by Olivia Linden and Leteisha Newton
Genre: Multicultural Romantic Suspense






In part two of the Corporate Hitman Trilogy, the story centers around SCRATCH. 

SCRATCH knew exactly what he was in for when he sold his soul. 


Pierce Eaglemohr's offer of freedom was nothing more than a pair of invisible handcuffs. Now SCRATCH is at the center of an FBI investigation and time is running out. The wall of lies is beginning to crumble. 


It's the worst possible time for him to meet a woman and it's too bad that Monica Tidwell is the one woman with the power to destroy him. 


History may try to repeat itself, but this time he's not alone. The Hitmen have his back.






Catch the First in this Series
Glitch (Corporate Hitman 1)




Liam Gallagher, AKA Glitch, is the brain behind a trio of corporate criminals. Formerly known as one of the most notorious hackers in cyberspace, he now works to keep Hawk Global Industries one step ahead of its competitors.

But there's a catch. Being blackmailed to do what he does best isn't how Glitch plans to spend the rest of his life, and his partners in crime feel the same way. When an old flame crosses his path unexpectedly, Glitch and company learn that betrayal is on the horizon for them. It's time to put a plan in motion and reclaim their freedom, once and for all. Things are going to get pretty nasty along the way, even a little sexy, but it's all in a day's work for a Corporate Hitman.









ABOUT THE AUTHORS
OLIVIA LINDEN      
     
Olivia Linden, a native New Yorker, was raised between Queens and San Antonio, TX. Currently living in Florida with her tween aged son, she decided it was time to follow her dreams of becoming a full time author. Her creative itch began when her elementary school principal posted one of her stories in the halls of her school. She was only seven at the time, but old enough to understand how integral writing would be to her future. From that moment on, reading and writing became her two greatest passions.
It is her philosophy that laughter is essential to making it through even the toughest situations.

Find your passion with Olivia Linden.

Website: vialinden.com
LETEISH NEWTON



LeTeisha Newton is the author of a plethora of novels ranging from hot Interracial Erotica, Paranormal biters, Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy genres. She’s known for her extensive knowledge of shifter cultures, even outside of the generic werewolves and vampires, crazy world-building, and making shape shifters feel like they are living right next door. That has led to her being dubbed the Shifter Queen. Some of her series include the best-selling Claimed and Taken Series.

Spotlight & Giveaway: The Billionaire's Second-Chance Bride by Shadonna Richards



The Billionaire's Second-Chance Bride (The Romero Brothers, Book 1) 

by Shadonna Richards
Genre: Interracial/Multicultural Romance, Billionaire Romance

GIVEAWAY-1 FAN WILL WIN AN ECOPY OF A BRIDE FOR THE BILLIONAIRE BAD BOY FROM SHADONNA RICHARDS. SHARE THIS POST. COMMENT BELOW THAT YOU SHARED AND MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR EMAIL. GOOD LUCK!



Free Ebook

BOOK 1 - The Billionaire's Second-Chance Bride (Book one in The Romero Brothers Series is also book six in The Bride Series) 

Betrayed by Mr. Wrong. Could she ever trust Mr. Right? 

Meet Lucy Shillerton – twenty-nine, single and heartbroken. She’d lost her fiancé, Jeff, in a tragic accident with his mistress. But when she finds out that her eccentric aunt died and left her a company to run, Lucy braces herself for what is to come: Dream Weddings Inc. Her current project is to present an outrageous wedding for her latest client, a wealthy, older tycoon who wants to marry his young nurse. 

In comes sexy, rich, dripping-with-charm and sworn bachelor, Antonio Romero III, the grandson of said tycoon, who has a good reason to shut down Lucy’s “scam wedding” business. However, when he meets with sweet, wounded Lucy, shutting her down is the last thing on his mind. 

The new sizzling romance in the bestselling Bride Series and book 1 in the Romero Brothers series!




Thursday, February 26, 2015

Review: My Dragon Masters (Sanctuary, TX 2) by Krystal Shannan


23704416
 
My Dragon Masters (Sanctuary, Texas #2)
 
 
 
 

Review & Giveaway: Stupid Boy by Cindy Miles



Title: Stupid Boy
Author: Cindy Miles
Series: Stupid in Love #2 (Companion)
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Expected Publication: February 17, 2015

From Cindy Miles, bestselling new adult author of STUPID GIRL, comes the next installment of her blockbuster Stupid in Love series – STUPID BOY.

Brax Jenkins and Olivia Beaumont are the most envied couple at Winston University—but the so-called “virginity dare,” orchestrated by Brax’s old fraternity, almost tore them apart. Now, a new dare is taking shape, and it’s sure to set emotions ablaze--more than ever before.

Winston’s “It Girl” Harper Belle isn’t just president of the Deltas--she’s also a master at keeping her ugly past a secret. So, when the Kappas’ dare hits closer to home for her more than anyone realizes, she devises a competition of her own as payback. Three sorority sisters will seek out a notorious womanizer on campus and--unbeknownst their “mark”--secretly train him to be the perfect boyfriend. Always up for a challenge, Harper targets the biggest player she can find: Brax’s wickedly handsome foster brother Kane McCarthy.

But, Harper discovers there’s much more to Kane than girls, games, and partying. His easy smile belies the quiet, old soul reflected in his deep brown eyes. All it takes is one night, one secret laid bare, and one kiss from Kane to shift Harper’s world on its axis. Suddenly, the girl who’s always walked a straight and narrow path can’t think of anything else except losing control. 

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play

My Review:

While this was another captivating and emotional read from Cindy Miles, but I didn't fall as hard for it as I did the first book in the series Stupid Girl.
 It was very emotional and a healing story in ways. At times it was slow moving. But overall still really enjoyable.
The beginning with both Harper's and Kane's very traumatic and troubling childhoods drew me in really fast. They both are very closed off people who you really want to find out more about.
I really like Harper and felt for her. Her story really is sad and just goes to show that what may look good on the outside isn't always that way. She comes off as a very well put together and higher class person. Kane came off as very much an old soul. He's very quite and softer spoken. But extremely deep. I fell for him and wanted to know more about him.
The stories told mainly through Harpers POV with a few chapters from Kane's. Its a beautiful story of two people who both are broken and can help heal each other. I loved seeing them grow to trust each other and break down each others walls. The ending was a bit rushed to me but very sweet.  
So while this story may not have been as enticing as Stupid Girl, it was still a very enchanting and sweet read.


You can read my review for book one Stupid Girl HERE.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 


About Cindy

National bestselling author Cindy Miles writes edgy romance, ranging from contemporary love stories to sexy paranormals. A native of southern coastal Georgia, she loves reading (naturally), baking swoon-worthy desserts, traveling abroad, yoga, and classic rock. The cover for her upcoming New Adult romance, STUPID GIRL, was featured on USA Today’s Happily Ever After blog. In the novel, a volatile mix of bad boys, sassy smart girls, dark secrets, and red-hot romance add up to one wild ride through college.

Hang out with Cindy on her Facebook fan page at: https://www.facebook.com/officialcindymilesfanpage

Or check out her website: http://www.cindy-miles.com/

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

Giveaway

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Release Blitz: Review & Giveaway: Broken Honor by Tonya Burrows

 
 

Wounded warrior Travis Quinn, battles against memory loss and time to locate the mother of his unborn child, Mara Escareno, when she is kidnapped and sold into the dark and dangerous world of human trafficking.

 
Fans of Kaylea Cross, Cristin Harber, and Lynn Rae Harris will enjoy the dark, emotional and sexy third book in the Hornet series by Tonya Burrows.
 
 


Ice-cold and unbreakable, Travis Quinn is the HORNET team’s hard-ass. No weaknesses. Except, of course, for the accident that not only destroyed his career as a Navy SEAL, but left terrifying blanks in his memory. But Travis remembers everything about Mara Escareno—the curve of her lips, the feel of her body...and how he walked out on her suddenly six weeks ago. 
 
Mara could never resist the dangerously sexy Travis, which is probably how she ended up pregnant and disowned by her family. But before Travis can fully process the news, Mara is kidnapped by his enemies and plunged into the violent, merciless world of human trafficking. They want Travis—and the information locked within his damaged memory—no matter the cost. And now Travis’s enemies have discovered his only weakness...Mara.

Available at: Goodreads  Amazon  Barnes & NobleKoboiTunes
 
 

 

The connection is still there...

I chose to share this scene because there is so much emotion here, bubbling under the surface. It’s the first time Mara and Quinn see each other after he walked away from her 6 weeks earlier and there’s so much they’re not saying to each other, but the spark between them is still there, strong as ever, and eventually they decide giving in to it is easier than talking. This scene pretty much sets up their relationship throughout Broken Honor. Until they learn how to communicate with each other outside the bedroom, they can never have their happily ever after. 
***
“BJ!” Mara scolded and hung up her cell phone. She returned to the living room and scooped the little dog up, and Quinn was able to draw in a breath again.
“BJ,” he said on an exhale and then scoffed at himself. “Snippy as ever, I see.”
“She doesn’t remember you, that’s all.”
“I remember her.” He reached out to pet the animal, ignoring BJ’s grumble of annoyance. “And your ornery one- eyed cat, Hawkeye. You named them after the characters from your favorite TV show, M*A*S*H. You like it because it was your father’s favorite, too.”
“Your first day here we binge-watched it together,” she said softly. “And you laughed. Like, really laughed. I’d never heard you do that before.”
“Yeah, I did. It’s a good show.” He exhaled hard. “It was...a good week.”
“Then why—”
“Wait. Please.” He stepped toward her, but still didn’t touch her. He didn’t trust himself enough to touch her before he said what he needed to say. “Just let me... I need to say this. I didn’t ever tell you why I came back in November. During my last mission, things got really fucked up and for a while, it didn’t look like I was going to make it out alive. And even though the shit was hitting the fan and one of my teammates was bleeding out in front of me, the only thing I could think of was how much I wanted to see you again. How much I wanted more than only one night.”
Tears gathered in her eyes and, dammit, that wasn’t the reaction he’d been aiming for. He couldn’t stay away for a second longer, not when she looked at him with those big brown eyes brimming with emotion. He stepped forward and risked losing a finger by taking the dog and setting it on the floor, then he pulled her against him.
Christ, she felt good in his arms again. She felt right. And it scared the ever-loving hell out of him.
Her fingers tightened in the fabric of his shirt. “I don’t like that image,” she said, her voice muffled against his chest. “You, nearly dying alone in some foreign country.”
He didn’t bother telling her that was very likely going to be his end. He didn’t see himself living to be an old man in retirement that was for sure.
He rested his cheek on top of her head and breathed her in. Her hair smelled faintly of berries, a scent he remembered from when she’d leaned over as she rode him and her hair had fallen in a curtain around them both. The scent memory triggered an erection he had no hope of hiding, and she drew away slightly, gazing up with lust-darkened eyes.
“Travis.” She breathed his name, and the raspy sound of it went through him like a lava flow.
Holding her gaze, making sure she read his intentions loud and clear, he lowered his head until their lips were centimeters apart, silently asking permission.
Her breaths came faster, and her eyes half closed. “We need to talk.”
He weaved his hand into her drying hair. “I know.”
“Oh, this is such a bad idea,” she whispered, then pushed up on her toes to close the distance between their mouths.
The kiss was of the rock-your-world, knock-your-socks- off, never-gonna-stop caliber. In that moment, Quinn would have been perfectly content to stand there in Mara’s living room kissing her until his heart quit beating. But then she moved, set a tentative hand on his hip and stood higher on her tiptoes, pushing her breasts against his chest, and that idea suddenly held a lot less appeal. Kissing was good. Burying himself inside her heat would be even better.
Quinn spun her around so that her back pressed against the wall, shocking a gasp out of her. He lifted his head and stared down into dark eyes gone wide with shock.
Cursing himself but unable to stop tasting her, he bent to nip her puffy lower lip. “If you want me to stop, I will.”
She muttered something in Spanish. “No. God help me, no, I don’t want you to stop.”
“I don’t do gentle, Mara,” he felt compelled to warn even as he worked his way down from her lips, over her chin, to the tender spot where her neck met her shoulder. He scraped his teeth over the frantic beat of her pulse and reveled in the delicate shudder that shook her body. “So if that’s how you think this is going to go, back out now.”
“I know. I remember, and I don’t want gentle. I want you to...” She sucked in a breath as he shoved aside her robe and found her nipple with his teeth and tongue.
“Oh, God.” Throwing her head back against the wall, she hooked one soft leg around his thigh. “I want you to fuck me, Travis. Hard. Right here.”
 
My Review:
  This was one action packed read! While I really enjoyed it I probably would have loved it even more if I had read the previous books. But this one does stand alone well. I followed the story easily enough. It referred back to a lot of things that happened. I definitely plan on going back and reading them now!

 I love Travis. While he can be so frustrating he's a really good guy. I love how protective of Mara he is. Even if he keeps pushing her away.

 I really felt for Mara. She kept it together pretty well for being kidnapped and pregnant.

 All the secondary characters in this are great too! I loved the other members of the team and can't wait to read more about them. Some of my favorite parts are with them and the banter they have with each other.

 Its a great read filled with lots of action and hot service men. I definitely recommend it for those who love a good romantic suspense.

About Tonya Burrows
Tonya Burrows wrote her first romance in 8th grade and hasn't put down her pen since. Originally from a small town in Western New York, she’s currently soaking up the sun as a Florida girl. She suffers from a bad case of wanderlust and usually ends up moving someplace new every few years. Luckily, her two dogs and ginormous cat are excellent travel buddies.
When she's not writing about hunky military heroes, Tonya can be found at a bookstore or the dog park. She also enjoys painting, watching movies, and her daily barre workouts. A geek at heart, she pledges her TV fandom to Supernatural and Dr. Who.
Connect with Tonya at: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google + | Pinterest | GoodReads

Spread the love and enter to win the tour-wide giveaway!

4 Chances to win e books from Tonya’s back list and a grand prize of signed copies of Seal of Honor, Honor Reclaimed, and Vision of Darkness!
 

 
 
Keep up with the tour by stopping by one of these fabulous sites:
 
2/23/15- Blitz Stops:
The Book Nympho         
Splashes into Books       
 
2/24/15- Reviews
For the Love of Bookends           
Becky on Books               
Those Crazy Book Chicks              
Tangled Hearts and Boxer Briefs              
My Reading Reality        
Smut Book Junkie Reviews         
Kitty's Book Spot!           
Talking Books Blog          
Read Your Writes                            
 
2/25/15-Blitz Stops
Carpe Diem       
MsRomanticReads         
Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff             
 
2/26/15- Blitz Stop
 
2/27/15- Blitz Stop