Archives for September 2015

BOOK REVIEW – Seducing Seven – MK Meredith

Seducing Seven

4 STARS!

Sexy, sweet and adorable … lots of fun to read!

Just after arriving for the Romance Lovers Convention in Las Vegas, author Sevannah Michaels is being sort of stalked by an over-zealous fan.  She tries her best to politely distance herself from him, but when he’s following her to the elevator when she’s heading to her room just after checking in, she has to find some way to get out of this situation!

Enter Blake Turner.  Blake is in Vegas for an interview.  He’s a luxury salesman and is angling to get the VP of Sales position.  Though startled when Seven wraps herself into his arms and calls him her boyfriend, he plays along and gets rid of her fan.  Seven is appreciative of Blake’s help, but his cocky attitude and put downs to her industry, really irritate her.  She winds up placing a bet with him … if she can seduce him by the end of the weekend, he will buy 10 copies of her book and pass them out, selling them to his clients and coworkers … if he wins, she will announce to all of her fans and coworkers at the end-of-convention banquet that she’s a fraud and there’s no such thing as love.

It doesn’t take long for them both to be feeling more than they want to for each other.  In the end, will they take a chance on love or let their pride send them in separate directions?

** Received free from Entangled/Net Galley to review **

BLOG TOUR – REVIEW / EXCERPT – The Drowning Game – LS Hawker

Cover
4 STARS!

Filled with bizarre twists and intrigue!  By the end of the book, your take on the characters has taken a roller coaster ride back and forth.

Charlie Moshen has died in his bed at age 51.  His daughter Petty, was trained to call his friend Randy King if anything ever happened to him.  Randy shows up at the house with the police and coroner, and Petty stresses over letting them in the house.  No one’s allowed in the house, and Petty isn’t used to being around strangers.  She works up the courage to open the door and call off the dogs so they can come in.  Sheriff Bloch questions Petty about what happened with her Dad and she answers like a soldier giving report.  While upstairs, they can’t help but notice 6 deadbolts on the outside of Petty’s door and ask her about it.

Her father has been locking Petty up at night for most of her 21 years.  She hasn’t been allowed to go to school, she doesn’t interact with people, she’s never been inside another building other than her house.  She’s been taught to be suspicious of everything, trained to protect herself, trained to kill.

**  Received free from Edelweiss to review  **

 
 
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Release Date: September 22, 2015
BLURB:
 
They said she was armed.
They said she was dangerous.
They were right.
Petty Moshen spent eighteen years of her life as a prisoner in her
own home, training with military precision for everything, ready for anything.
She can disarm, dismember, and kill—and now, for the first time ever, she is
free.
Her paranoid father is dead, his extreme dominance and rules a
thing of the past, but his influence remains as strong as ever. When his final
will reveals a future more terrible than her captive past, Petty knows she must
escape—by whatever means necessary.
But when Petty learns the truth behind her father’s madness—and
her own family—the reality is worse than anything she could have imagined. On
the road and in over her head, Petty’s fight for her life has just begun.
Fans of female-powered thrillers will love debut author LS Hawker
and her suspenseful tale of a young woman on the run for her future…and from
the nightmares of her past.
 
 
COME CELEBRATE WITH LS HAWKER AT HER RELEASE PARTY https://www.facebook.com/events/856594864448466/
 
 
Purchase links  $1.99
 
 AMAZON *  B&N  *   iBooks  *   
 
 
 

AUTHOR BIO:

LS HAWKER grew up in suburban Denver, indulging her worrisome obsession with true-crime books, and writing stories about anthropomorphic fruit and juvenile delinquents. She wrote her first novel at 14.
Armed with a B.S. in journalism from the University of Kansas, she had a radio show called “People Are So Stupid,” edited a trade magazine and worked as a traveling Kmart portrait photographer, but never lost her passion for fiction writing.

She’s got a hilarious, supportive husband, two brilliant daughters and a massive music collection. She lives in Colorado but considers Kansas her spiritual homeland. Visit her website at LSHawker.com. 
 
 
 
 
 
EXCERPT:
Since he’d died on his stomach, the EMTs had turned Dad onto his back. He was in full rigor mortis, so his upper lip was mashed into his gums and curled into a sneer, exposing his khaki-colored teeth. His hands were spread in front of his face, palms out. Dad’s eyes stared up and to the left and his entire face was grape-pop purple.
What struck me when I first saw him—after I inhaled my gum—was that he appeared to be warding off a demon. I should have waited until the mortician was done with him, because I knew I’d never get that image out of my mind.
I walked out of Dad’s room on unsteady feet, determined not to cry in front of these strangers. The deputy and the sheriff stood outside my bedroom, examining the door to it. Both of them looked confused.
“Petty,” Sheriff Bloch said.                             
I stopped in the hall, feeling even more violated with them so close to my personal items and underwear.
“Yes?”
“Is this your bedroom?”
I nodded.
Sheriff and deputy made eye contact. The coroner paused at the top of the stairs to listen in. This was what my dad had always talked about—the judgment of busybody outsiders, their belief that somehow they needed to have a say in the lives of people they’d never even met and knew nothing about.
The three men seemed to expect me to say something, but I was tired of talking. Since I’d never done much of it, I’d had no idea how exhausting it was.
The deputy said, “Why are there six deadbolts on the outside of your door?”
It was none of his business, but I had nothing to be ashamed of.
“So Dad could lock me in, of course.”
 
 
 




TEASER BLITZ – All I Need Is You – Wendy S. Marcus

AllINeedIsYou_WendyMarcus_2

Today we are revealing some teasers from ALL I NEED IS YOU by Wendy S. Marcus. This book will be released on Tuesday, October 6th. Check out the blurb, graphics, and excerpt for the title below.

AINIYou_7days

BOOK BLURB:

Perfect for fans of Kristan Higgins and Robyn Carr, this sexy yet sweet military romance reunites a headstrong dancer and a rugged army soldier after one steamy encounter tears them apart.

As a dancer who creates mesmerizing visions onstage, Neve James is looking for the same kind of stability in her love life. Her pen pal, Rory McRoy, is on leave from deployment in Afghanistan, so she heads to Boston to surprise him. After corresponding for months as part of a “Support Our Troops” initiative—and exchanging dozens of “Read When You’re Alone” letters—Neve knows what Rory likes, and she intends to fulfill his every fantasy. But all they get are a few blissful moments together before they’re interrupted by a woman claiming to be Rory’s fiancée.

Rory has fallen hard for Neve’s letters. When he finally meets her in person, he has to have her, right then and there—until Neve takes off in a fit of anger. Forced to return to Afghanistan before he can fix things between them, Rory waits four agonizing months to prove that he’s not the man Neve thinks he is. But by the time he arrives in New York, she’s already made up her mind. Luckily, Rory never backs down from a challenge, and he’s prepared to put everything on the line for love.

AIWIYou_Teaser1

EXCERPT:

November 16, 2011

Dear SPC McRoy,
My name is Neve (rhymes with leave) Jaimes. My best friend Brooke tells me that due to a mix-up in the soldier bios approved for NYS Governor Howard’s Support Our Troops Initiative, you’re in the market for a pen pal. As luck would have it, with cold winter weather fast approaching here in New York, I’m in the market for some indoor activities to fill my time. Sitting by a warm fire, writing letters, works for me. I doubt I can be as entertaining as a class full of hyped-up-on-sugar third-graders, but I’ll do my best.
Soooo . . . what are you looking for in a pen pal? I’ve never done this sort of thing before, and I’d hate to screw it up. You want someone to keep you up to date on news and happenings back in the U.S.? Sports scores and highlights? Of course I’ll send out some care packages. Anything specific you want/need? I make a pretty good peanut brittle, if I do say so myself. Can I send packages with food to a U.S. Army base in Afghanistan? While I’m waiting to hear back from you, I’ll look that up.
I’m an up-for-anything kind of girl. So if you’re missing female companionship and think some sexy letters might help you to, uh, “pass the time,” I’ve got a pretty active imagination, and I’m happy to put it to work for you. Do you find the idea of a stranger offering to send you sexy letters shocking? Good, I’d rather be shocking than boring. Am I coming on too strong? I can tone it down . . . if you insist. But where’s the fun in that?
Ummm, probably now, before I fire off some letters meant to arouse, is a good time to confirm there’s no girlfriend/fiancée/special someone waiting for you somewhere. Only because if my guy were serving overseas and some random woman started sending him lust-filled letters, that’d definitely piss me off. Although my guy wouldn’t need another woman’s letters because I’d be sending him all he could possibly want. But you get my point . . . right?
And you’re not one of those amoral dog types who would cheat on his girl by engaging in any type of sexual interaction with another woman, are you, Rory? I’ve had too many dealings with that sort of guy, a particularly unpleasant experience very recently as a matter of fact. It ended with the rat bastard needing four stitches. (An unfortunate accident. Really.)
I just reread that last part and I sound like a nut job. I’m not. More like I’ve exceeded my limit of male bullshit for the year. So I’m taking a break from dating, which gives me lots of time to spend on you! If you want me to spend time on you, that is.
Let me tell you some stuff about me to help you decide. I’m a twenty-four-year-old, happily single gymnastics instructor who lives in Westchester County, New York. But my real passion is adagio, a combination of intimate dance moves that includes acrobatics and acro-balance. My partner and I perform across the Northeast, but if the money’s good we’ll travel anywhere.
When I’m not working or performing I’m usually at the gym. In the warmer weather I like to run outside, almost always with my overprotective older (by six months—it’s a long story) brother, who’s a cop, by the way.
My favorite food: Grilled chicken with avocado spread on whole grain bread. Favorite non-alcoholic drink: Water. Favorite alcoholic drink: Margaritas. Love them! Favorite color: A deep rich purple. Favorite edible treat: Dark chocolate covered almonds. Favorite part of the male anatomy: A full set of lips. *wink*
I’m enclosing a picture of what men seem to find their favorite part of my anatomy, something for you to visualize if/when I should come to mind. If you want to write back, Brooke set up a PO box. The address is on the envelope. If something has changed, and you’ve found another pen pal or no longer want one (or don’t want me in particular), no biggie.
Either way, take care, stay safe, and be well,
Neve

November 26, 2011

Dear Neve,
First off, please call me Rory (rhymes with story. Sorry, couldn’t resist.) Or Mic. We’re big on nicknames over here and that’s mine.
Thank you for your letter. I got it yesterday, which was the day after Thanksgiving. They try to do it up big here, to make the day special, but it’s not the same as being at home. And I was in a funk, thinking about my family and friends, all together at our pub, everyone there but me, stuffing themselves on Mom’s delicious turkey, Aunt Jackie’s honeyed ham, cousin Barbara’s mashed potatoes, and our neighbor Abigail’s macaroni and cheese, which is the best I’ve ever tasted. Damn it, now I’ve got my mouth watering again.
Anyhow, your letter came at the right time to cheer me up and give me something else to think about. Like the picture you sent. Hot damn. That had to be the finest female butt I’ve ever seen in a skimpy purple bikini bottom . . . or any bikini bottom for that matter. In fact it’s so perfect the guys are convinced you’re trying to catfish me—you know, sub someone else’s pic for your own. How about we prove them wrong? Send me another picture, a full body shot this time. In that same bikini would be my preference.
To answer your question, I don’t know anyone who would call me amoral. But a dog? There, uh, may be one or two girls from my past who think so. But I’m a guy, and any guy who tells you he’s never in his life exhibited some doggish behavior is a liar. One thing I am not is a liar. That said, when I’m in a relationship, I don’t cheat. Lucky for me, I’ve got no girlfriend or special someone at the moment. And being of high moral character—if I do say so myself—I would certainly have told you—without you having to ask—if I did.
So if you’re up for writing me some sexy letters (and hell yeah, the hotter the better!) I’m more than okay with reading them. For sure I like the entertainment you’re offering a helluva lot more than any entertainment I could have gotten from a classroom of third-graders.
Now, about me. My bio probably told you I’m a twenty-three-year-old Southie from Beantown. (Translation: From South Boston.) My family owns and runs an Irish pub there, McRoy’s. My mom, dad, and three brothers all live above it. I’m the oldest. Been working at that bar for as long as I can remember. Couldn’t wait to get the hell out. As soon as I graduated high school I went straight into the army.
I’m six weeks into a twelve-month combat deployment, and I can tell I’ll be seeing a lot more fighting this time around. I’ve already decided this tour of duty will be my last. I only hope I survive it.
On a happier note . . . what I’m looking for in a pen pal? Someone to take my mind off all the shit happening here—and so far you’re doing a bang-up job. Tell me about your day. Share the story of why you and your brother are only six months apart. Tell me about your childhood, your teen years, and your dreams for the future. Tell me about the loser who needed stitches. Talk dirty to me. I think we’re pretty evenly matched in the pen pal department. I just happen to be an up-for-anything kind of guy. I don’t shock easily. So give me all you got. I can handle it. Care packages? I’m happy to get whatever you want to send.
Favorite food: My dad’s corned beef and cabbage. Favorite non-alcoholic beverage: Lemon-lime sports drinks. Favorite alcoholic beverage: Guinness Draught. Favorite color: At this point anything that isn’t tan or green. New favorite treat: Peanut brittle. Favorite part of the female anatomy: (I’m laughing because you have no idea how long I’ve been sitting here trying to decide.) A butt that looks like the one in the picture you sent is certainly high on my list. Especially if it tops off a nice set of toned legs, which I bet you have since you’re a gymnast/dancer. But for some reason I am really attracted to a woman’s feet. Not in a toe-sucking, fetish kind of way. But if a woman takes care of her feet, she probably takes good care of the rest of her. I like small, feminine feet with painted toenails. Part of the reason I love summer so much is for the opportunity to see women’s feet in pretty sandals.
Okay. I sound like a creeper. But I’m not. Really.
In my downtime I like to work with my hands, building things or repairing stuff. I run when the mood hits, which it doesn’t often. But I think chasing after you might be fun. See, something nice to think about for a change.
Well, I gotta go. Time for lunch, then some training stuff. Send out your letters as often as you like. Please don’t wait to hear back from me. Sometimes things get crazy, but I’ll do my best to stay in touch. It’ll help if you’d include your e-mail address in your next letter.
Rory

AINIYou_PreOrder

PRE-ORDER LINKS

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | B&N | Kobo

AINIYou_Teaser2

Click here to add ALL I NEED IS YOU To Goodreads.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

WendySMarcus

Wendy S. Marcus is an award-winning author of contemporary romance. A nurse by trade, Wendy holds a Master of Science in Health Care Administration, a degree that does her absolutely no good as she now spends her days, nights, and weekends mucking around in her characters’ lives creating conflict, emotion, and of course, a happily ever after. Wendy lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her dog Buddy, and blogging/e-mailing/tweeting/facebooking with her online friends.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Newsletter

-zlogo

BOOK REVIEW – High Country Hideout – Elle James

High Country Hideout

5 STARS!

If you’re looking for lots of intrigue, with some feel-good romance to boot, I highly recommend this book!  I’m always a big fan of Elle James novels, but the characters in this one were especially endearing.

Angus Ketchum is fresh out of the Army after a 6 month hospital and rehab stay for injuries sustained in Afghanistan.  He’s been hired by CW Reinhardt, the foreman of Last Chance Ranch in Fool’s Fortune, CO to be a ranch hand secretly posing as a body guard for the ranch owner.

Ranch owner, Reggie Davis lost her husband last year and is raising their 5 year old son Tad with the help of CW and his wife Jo.  Too many convenient accidents around the ranch in recent months have CW worried that something sinister is going on.

Angus and Reggie are attracted to each other from the moment they meet and brush against each other during a fall from a horse.  As the days go by and they work the ranch together, they grow closer.  Tad also grows attached to Angus and his dog Ranger.  When the mystery all comes to a head and they catch who is sabotaging the ranch, will Angus be able to leave to head on to his next job with Covert Cowboys Inc, or will he decide he wants to stay on and enjoy this ready made family?

**  Received free from Elle to review **

REVIEW – White Lightning – Lexi Blake – Episode 2 Rising Storm

White Lightning

4 STARS!

Episode 2 of the Rising Storm serial soap opera picks up where Episode 1 left off with Hector Alvarez’s family realizing he has packed his belongings and left while they were at the funeral for Jacob Salt.  His favorite daughter Dakota, who he has spoiled rotten all of her life, is heartbroken and can’t believe he would leave her.  She is sure her Mom did something to make him go.  She goes off looking for him and runs into Senator Rush at a seedy bar.  Sebastian has been hitting on her for years, and since she’s feeling low, she starts to get drunk with him and allows his advances.

Sheriff Dillon Murphy smooth talks Marylee Rush into hiring Joanne Alvarez as her new assistant so she’ll be able to earn some extra money now that Hector isn’t there to support her.

Ginny Moreno gets settled in with Celeste and Travis Salt now that she’s out of the hospital, and her best friend Brittany Rush is staying with her for awhile now that finals are over and she’s back home for the summer.  We get some insight into Sebastian Rush’s twisted head in this episode as well.

And finally, we are introduced to nurse Francine Hoffman who is good friends with Payton Rush.

**  Received free in exchange for an honest review  **

REVIEW – Bossy: A Stepbrother Romance – Kim Linwood

Bossy

4 STARS!

HOT!!!  Don’t read if you’re timid and straight-laced!  🙂

Declan Riordan is attending an alumni party at his old college fraternity when he sees her across the room.  Gorgeous red hair flowing, Claire Anderson storms past him to blast her ex-fiance who is making a scene at the front door.

Claire just dumped her cheating, good-for-nothing man and is looking to forget him.  Declan offers to give her one night of hot sex to wipe all images of catching her ex screwing some bimbo in her bed right out of her mind.  After lusting after his muscles and tattoos, she decides to take him up on that offer.

Four months later, Claire is starting as an Intern at her soon-to-be stepfather’s law firm before starting law school at Stanford in a few months.  When she’s shown into the office of soon-to-be stepbrother, who she is to meet for the first time that day, she’s shocked to find Declan, her one night stand from months ago there.  Awkward!

Watch as the sparks fly between them as they learn how to work together and support each other as life hits them with one thing after another.  I started out thinking it was going to be just a hot sexy read, but I ended up liking these characters and rooting for them as their stories were told!

** Received free from Kim in exchange for an honest review **

REVIEW – I’ll Never Let You Go – Mary Burton

I'll Never Let You Go

5 STARS!

The title caught my attention, the description hooked me!  I devoured every minute of my first Mary Burton novel.  I thought I had it figured out, then BAM … what a twist!  Very good read!  I will be looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Four years ago on what would have been their 1 year wedding anniversary, Leah Carson’s estranged husband broke into her apartment and stabbed her 23 times.  Philip Latimer had been stalking her for months, calling at all hours of the day, sending flowers, leaving notes on her car, etc.  Because he was a cop and no one wanted to believe that he was abusing her and then stalking her after she left him, he was still roaming free while she was trying her best to get someone to believe that he was a threat.  She barely survived,  and when she was alert again, she was told that he fled the state that night and was killed in a car accident a few days later in South Carolina.

Leah has now returned to Nashville to live and work after finishing her schooling to become a Veterinarian.  She hides her scars as well as she can and is finally starting to be at ease enough to make a friend again and has even agreed to her first date with Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Agent Alex Morgan.  She thinks she’s crazy even considering a date with another cop, but there’s something about Alex that draws her and she found herself saying yes without even meaning to.

Odd things suddenly begin to happen.  Leah receives a bouquet of the same flowers that she carried on her wedding day, she receives a card from her aunt but her aunt claims she didn’t send it, her credit card has fraudulent activity, a moving company shows up to move her when she isn’t moving, etc.  Then suddenly the one friend she had made in town is found murdered.  Stabbed … 23 times.  Is her ex really alive … and coming for her on their anniversary again?

** Received free from NetGalley to review **

GHOST OF YOU by Kelly Moran

AVAILABLE TODAY!

REVIEW – Share the Moon – Sharon Struth

Share the Moon

4 STARS!

A heartwarming story of overcoming obstacles to find love and happiness!

Sophie Shaw, divorced mother of 3, is trying to purchase a neighboring vineyard to run it with her Dad and brother.  She’s days away from signing the deal, when a developer swoops in and steals the deal away from her.

Duncan Jamieson, widowed father of 2, is said developer.  He used to vacation in the area with his family when he was younger, and the property in question belonged to his adopted brother’s birth father, so he wants him to have a piece of his heritage.  He remembers having a crush on Sophie years ago when his family visited her father’s bait shop.

Sophie received anonymous tips at the newspaper she works at, leading her to investigate Duncan’s family because of a past police report that seems to have disappeared.  As time passes, she and Duncan grow closer and she feels guilty about questioning his word.  Duncan learns about the heartache Sophie has suffered, and together they solve the years old mystery of his family.

**  I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review  **

Thanks for the memories

JackieC2

A born storyteller indeed!  You shared such a legacy with us through the years.  #RIPJackieCollins