Thursday, April 30, 2015

Her Secret Prince

Her Secret Prince is the first book I've read by Madeline Ash, and I enjoyed it. Dee was heartbroken when her best friend and the boy she'd fallen in love with disappeared. Jed fell for Dee too, but he was forced to move when his mom uprooted them. 10 years later he tracks her down and wants answers about what happened the night he left. Both characters were well written and there was a strong plot throughout the book. I didn't always agree with the character's decisions, but I was pleased with how the story ended. I give this book a solid 4 stars and recommend reading it. Note: I was given a complementary copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Goodreads

At sixteen, Dee Johnson gambled her heart on her best friend Jed Brown – and lost when he disappeared without a trace.

Ten years on, Dee’s life is uprooted when Jed turns up on her doorstep, asking for her help.

Dee has been left behind by everyone she’s loved: her parents, her close friend Alexia, and a stream of lovers. She moves fast with men and suspects this is why they move on fast. Now that’s Jed’s back in her life, she’s taking no chances. Despite the attraction ripping at her seams, she holds back, knowing she wouldn't recover from being loved and left by him a second time.

A constant traveler, Jed has only felt at home once in his life – with Dee. Now that he’s found her again, he's determined to make up for lost time. He'll never leave her again.

Until an unexpectedly royal revelation threatens to strip Jed of his freedom and future – including his place by Dee’s side.


Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Cora Carmack's Secret Announcement

HERE’S THE SCOOP!

Fans of Cora Carmack’s Rusk University, we have a SUPER exciting announcement:

  ALL CLOSED OFF Coming 2016

ALL CLOSED OFF, Book 4 in the Rusk University Series, is coming!!!

 

Check out this message from Cora!

*WARNING: This letter contains spoilers for All Broke Down. If you haven't yet read that book, read at your own peril. SECOND WARNING: this letter talks about fictional characters as if they are real people. Sorry I'm not sorry. THIRD WARNING: The letter below broaches a serious topic that could be a trigger for some people*

  Hello beloved readers! The first person who read one of my Rusk University books was my older sister. I gave her All Lined Up when I finished, and her first question was "Are Ryan and Stella going to be together?" At the time, I told her no. I had plans for both of them that included their own storylines. I thought they were too much alike. They'd make great friends. They might even hook-up, but in the end... I couldn't envision anything serious for them. So I actually rewrote some of their scenes trying to make that aspect of their connection more obvious. And still, when All Lined Up released, amidst the chatter about sweet Carson and sassy Dallas, I had people asking if Stella and Ryan were next. I denied it again (and again and again). But sometimes in writing, the stars align and a character will become bigger and more real than you could have possibly imagined. It's a wonderful experience, but in Stella's case it was also incredibly heartbreaking. While I was writing All Broke Down, the news was inundated with information about the Steubenville rape trial and other tragedies and injustices like it. Tragedies where women have been violated first by an attacker, then by judgmental and hateful people, and finally by a justice system that repeatedly fails survivors of sexual assault. Having grown up in Texas, where too often football stars are treated like gods and can get away with just about anything, it hit particularly close to home. And since All Broke Down featured a passionate activist heroine, I felt compelled to reference this chronic dark underbelly of elite sports. I can remember vividly sitting on my couch, brainstorming how I would incorporate such an event into the book. I had thought the assault would happen to an unknown character, and maybe I would focus on the way it divided the team and the school and the town. But like I said... Sometimes a character will become bigger and more human than I anticipated. And it sounds crazy, but in my mind, I felt Stella push her way forward and say, "Mine. This is my story." I immediately began to cry. Sob, really. Because I loved her as a character. She was hilarious and strong and didn't take crap from anyone. She was everything I always hope to be. And I didn't want her to go through that. Even as I cried, my brain began to tell me that it made sense. Stella was vibrant and enjoyed a wild party. She was not afraid of her sexuality, and she had no problem with casual sex. She was the kind of girl that probably had a reputation. The kind of girl who could be heinously and violently taken advantage of, and people would STILL blame her. Because she was in the wrong place, wearing the wrong clothes, behaving in the wrong way. But just because it COULD happen to her, didn't mean I wanted it to. But once again, Stella was there in my head saying, "Someone needs to tell this story. And I'm strong enough to do it. Let me." And when Stella chose her story, she also chose the man I'd been adamant wasn't right for her. Because as it turns out... Those two characters who I thought were too alike aren't so alike anymore. And Stella needs Ryan to help her hold on to that vibrant and strong girl she was before. So I let go of all the plans I had for her, and allowed her to tell me her story, which is about more than just sexual assault. It's about the aftermath. Depression. Shame. Guilt. Anger. Injustice. Victim-blaming. Slut-shaming. It's about the way that kind of event can change everything-- how you relate to people, how you think, how you dream, how you love. It's about the way the rest of the world moves on to the next big tragedy, and you're still left holding the broken pieces of who you used to be, with no idea how to put them together again or even if you want to. It will be the most difficult story I ever tell. And the most important. Because it’s a story that belongs not just to Stella, but to millions of people around the world. It’s a story that belongs to a new person every 107 seconds*. And that’s just in the United States. Think about that for a moment. 107 seconds. Stella’s story won’t be any easier to read than it will be to write. But I hope you’ll help me drag this story into the light. So now I’ll step off my soapbox and just tell you about the book… ALL CLOSED OFF: Stella Santos is fine. Maybe something terrible happened to her that she can’t even remember. And maybe it drives her crazy when her friends treat her like she’s on the verge of breaking because of it. Maybe it feels even worse when they do what she asks and pretend that it never happened at all. And maybe she’s been getting harassing emails and messages for months from people who don’t even know her, but hate her all the same. But none of that matters because she’s just fine. For Ryan Blake, Stella was always that girl. Vibrant and hilarious and beautiful. He wanted her as his best friend. His more than friends. His everything and anything that she would give him. Which these days is a whole lot of nothing. She gets angry when he’s there. Angry when he’s not there. Angry when he tries to talk and when he doesn’t. When Stella devises an unconventional art project for one of her classes all about exploring intimacy—between both friends and strangers—Ryan finds himself stepping in as guinea pig after one of her subjects bails. What was supposed to be an objective and artistic look at emotion and secrets and sex suddenly becomes much more personal. When he hits it off with another girl from the project, Stella will have to decide if she’s willing to do more than make art about intimacy. To keep him, she’ll have to open up and let herself be the one thing she swore she’d never be again. Vulnerable. ***** ALL CLOSED OFF will be releasing sometime in early 2016. I don't have a date yet for several reasons. The first and most important, is that I want to do this story justice. And as such, I have no intentions of rushing the process. Secondly, I'll be returning to indie publishing for the remainder of the Rusk series. As you can probably tell, this story means a great deal to me. And by having the ultimate control over everything from timing to editing to price, I'll be able to ensure that I'm able to create exactly the story I envision. Unfortunately, that means you won't be seeing the paperback of ALL CLOSED OFF on the shelves in most stores. Nor is it currently available for pre-order. But I hope you'll add the book on goodreads, follow me on social media, and/or join my newsletter. I promise to shout it all over the place when I have a set release date or pre-order links. Thank you for listening as I told you the evolution of Stella's story. When it's finished, I hope you will feel as passionately about it as I do. All my best, Cora Carmack   *Statistic from RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network)   #WhenitHappened banner

And an opportunity to add your voice to Stella’s…

Stella’s experience is only one story of many. She was with someone she trusted when it happened, and the only memories she has are pieced together from her own blurred recollections and the things people have told her. Not everyone’s experience with sexual assault is the same. Each person reacts, copes, and overcomes differently. And while this book is about one specific character’s journey, I would like to tell as many sides of this story as possible. As Stella grapples with her thoughts and emotions she’ll be searching for advice, for comfort, for a place where people understand her and can identify with what she’s experiencing. There will be room for truth within the fiction, and if you’d like that truth to be yours, this is your chance. If you have a story like Stella’s, and you want your voice to be heard…. If there’s something you wish more people understood about what you’ve gone through…. If there’s something you’d like to tell people struggling with a story like yours… I’d like to give you the opportunity to add your voice to Stella’s. Use the hashtag #WhenItHappened and let your voice be heard on your own by posting on your own social media, or if you’d rather I share your words fill out this google document and tell me your story. You can fill out this form anonymously or not. I’d like to begin this discussion now because April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. But my hope is to include as many stories as possible within the book itself. So many have stories of #WhenItHappened. Your voice and your story deserve to be heard. I’m listening. #WhenItHappened Google Form: http://goo.gl/forms/4VRjWgZYSW   HeadshotABOUT Cora Carmack: Cora Carmack is a twenty-something New York Times bestselling author who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She now splits her time between Austin, TX and New York City and spends her days writing, traveling, and spending way too much time on the internet. In her books, you can expect to find humor, heart, and a whole lot of awkward. Because let’s face it . . . awkward people need love, too.      

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook **Newsletter **Author Goodreads

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Tuesday, April 28, 2015

The Cinderella Princess

The Cinderella Princess by Melissa McClone was a cute story. Luc made such a bad first impression when he met Emily that I couldn't help but laughing out loud as I was reading. I enjoyed watching their love unfold while Emily was focused on helping Luc find his future wife. The entire concept of this story was a great one. Spoiler Alert: there were a couple of things I would have liked to read tho: 1. Luc renouncing his title in front of his parents and their reactions; 2. A wedding or a little more beyond where the story ended; 3. At least 1 sex scene. I feel that they can enhance the story and this one was a little too G rated for my personal preferences. Overall, I did enjoy the story and it's one I could see myself picking up again. I give this book 4 stars and look forward to more from this author. Note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

AmazonGoodreads

Thanks to a philandering father, ad exec Emily Rodgers knows happily ever after doesn’t exist. Relying on a man only leads to heartache. She takes care of herself, and work defines her life. But Emily soon finds herself in the hands of a real-life prince who defines the words charming and sexy. Not to mention reckless. If Prince Lucas doesn’t find a royal bride, Emily’s dream of being named a partner at the advertising firm will die.

Luc’s fun-loving ways have made him a magnet for scandal. His father gives Luc an ultimatum—find a wife on a reality TV show or be disowned. Rules require him to marry nobility, but after he meets the uptight American sent to find him find a princess bride, his search for Cinderella might be over. Too bad Emily wants nothing to do with him. Perhaps he can show her that fairytale endings can happen in real life…

Taking What's His Release Day Launch

TWH_Blitz TakingWhatsHis

Taking What's His by Diane Alberts was released today! This is an adult, contemporary romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint. It is book #4 in the Shillings Agency series. Be sure to check out the contest below for a chance to win a gift card!

TWH_Teaser1 BOOK BLURB: A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint... Some lines are meant to be crossed... One explosive device was all it took to turn Holt Cunningham from ass-kicking Marine to IT technician. Hell, he's still not over it. So when the cute little strawberry blonde at the bar asks him to kiss her, Holt can't resist the temptation of a sexy distraction. Before he knows it, she's blown his mind...and then skipped out the next morning. Lydia Thomas never expected things with Holt to go quite that far, but oh, it was worth it. After being far too good for way too long, she was ready to be bad. Except that there's that tiny detail that Lydia kept to herself-Holt just spent the night doing naughty things...with his best friend's little sister. One night isn't nearly enough. But with his friendship on the line, how far will Holt go in order to claim what's his?  

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon: amzn.to/1JKT3Ie

B&N: bit.ly/1JKTHFx

iTunes: apple.co/1EwR8qT

Kobo: bit.ly/1PMQJ7o

TWH_Release1
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DianeAlberts   Diane Alberts is a multi-published, bestselling contemporary romance author with Entangled Publishing. She also writes New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling new adult books under the name Jen McLaughlin. She’s hit the Top 100 lists on Amazon and Barnes and Noble numerous times with numerous titles. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency. Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and a cat. Her goal is to write so many fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name. Website: http://dianealberts.com/ Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianeAlberts6 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeAlberts Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6921962.Jen_McLaughlinz-InkSlinger Blogger    

Monday, April 27, 2015

Breaking Her Rules

Breaking Her Rules by Katie Reus is a fast paced story that will suck you in from the beginning. I started the book with the intention of reading a chapter or two before bed, well a few hours later I was finishing the book. I absolutely loved Iris and Wyatt. Both characters were strong and came from military backgrounds. Wyatt was sexy and masculine, but also knew when to ask for help (he called in for extra security after the attempt on his life). Iris was a kick ass female, but when she let her guard down it was easy to see why Wyatt fell for her. The mystery was revealed in pieces and at a steady enough pace to satisfy, but it kept me guessing for quite a while. I give this book a solid 4.5 stars and a strong recommendation to read. (Note: I was given a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review).

AmazonGoodreads

Iris Tarango is a small-town girl from the wrong side of the tracks; she’s also a decorated former Marine who fought hard to become one of Red Stone Security’s most respected agents. But her perfectly ordered life is turned upside down when she’s assigned to guard the sexy, dominating tycoon she shares a secret history with. The instant Iris walks back into the billionaire’s diamond-studded orbit, the wild attraction flares between them…and her reputation, objectivity, and heart are in trouble.

After an attempt on his life, business magnate Wyatt Christiansen calls in major favors to hire Iris as his bodyguard. He knows she’s the best, though he has another motive too. He sees this as his final chance to win her heart. But when danger spins out of control, all Wyatt can think of is getting Iris out of harm’s way—even if it means losing her love in the end.

Unfortunately, the killer seems to know their every move. If Wyatt and Iris don’t figure out who put out the hit, they’ll lose more than their chance at happiness together.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Fierce Enchantment

Let me just say, I have loved Carrie Ann Ryan since I found her Holiday Montana series, but she has so many books I haven't been able to read them all. Well, I was gifted a review copy of Fierce Enchantment, and I have to say I really enjoyed it. It is the fifth book in her Dante's Circle series and I was a little bit worried about feeling lost. I didn't need to worry however. She explained things in a way that gave me enough information without retelling the other 4 books in the series. Faith and Levi have a complex relationship and her being in a coma at the start of it doesn't help things. Faith has insecurities like most people and Levi has to work through those to prove he's staying around for the long haul. This was an enjoyable paranormal romance and I give it 4.5 stars. Definitely recommend reading it and I'm looking forward to going back and reading the previous 4 books.

AmazonGoodreads

Humans aren’t as alone as they choose to believe. Every human possesses a trait of supernatural that lays dormant within their genetic make-up. Centuries of diluting and breeding have allowed humans to think they are alone and untouched by magic. But what happens when something changes?

Faith Sanders sacrificed her life to save her best friend—only to find herself trapped in an endless sleep. When she awakens, a year has past and everything has changed. Her friends have not only moved on with their lives, but now she’s forever bound to a man she’s never met.

When Levi Hughes created a mating bond with the raven-haired, fiery woman, he knew he’d have to face the consequences. Not only does the woman in question bring with her a new battle he might not be ready for, but his past has finally caught up with him. It will take more than the strength of their bond to not only survive their new worlds…but each other.

Warning: Contains a drop-dead sexy wizard with more than simple magic tricks up his sleeve, a lightning-struck, fierce woman who finds her paranormal half more shocking than she’d dreamed, an ex-wife who wants nothing but pain and death, and a mating bond so combustible that the world will be speaking of their seduction for an eternity.

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Dare to Hold

Dare to Hold by Carly Phillips is the latest story in the Dare family saga. Scott Dare met Meg Thompson in a hospital room, but there was an immediate attraction between them. Scott knew Meg was pregnant by her ex, but he went for it anyways. Meg had a history of picking the wrong men, so when she found out she was pregnant she was determined to do it on her own. Both Meg and Scott were strong willed people, but neither personality overwhelmed the other. I loved them as a couple and think that Carly couldn't have written two more perfect for each other characters. One of my favorite lines was when Riley (from Dare to Love) said that her husband was Scott times fifty on steroids and later adjusted that statement down to twenty five. I found myself smiling throughout the story and falling in love with Scott myself. My only complaint was Scott supposedly pulled away from Meg, but I didn't really feel that as a reader. In some ways it was good because I didn't want him to, but in others I didn't feel it was as strongly written as it could have been. Regardless of that one tiny complaint, I absolutely loved this book and give it 5 stars. Can't wait for more in the Dare series, and the teaser about Avery's story just made me want Dare to Rock even more. I recommend this book to all contemporary romance readers. (Note: I was given a complementary copy by the author in exchange for an honest review)

Amazon
Goodreads

Some women always get it right. Kindergarten teacher, Meg Thompson, on the other hand, consistently makes the wrong decisions — and she is currently single, pregnant and alone. Meg is determined to make changes in her life, to be a better mother than her own had been. No revolving door of men. No man, period. Just a single-minded focus on her baby. Her resolution would be easier to keep if not for hot cop, Scott Dare. He insinuates himself in her life, making Meg want to believe in happily ever after, even if history has taught her to know better. 

When Scott Dare hears Meg’s friends are determined she have a night of hot sex, before her life changes forever, he decides that man must be him. Their one night is mind blowing and life altering. And Scott, a man already burned by his ex-wife, finds himself all in anyway. While protecting Meg from her violent ex and becoming part of her increasingly complicated life, he’s falling hard and he can’t seem to find distance. Not when their bodies respond to each other with such heated intensity and he’s drawn to her unique combination of strength and vulnerability. 

But Meg’s future is one Scott has accepted he’ll never have, even if his growing feelings say otherwise … 
(love story, contemporary romance, alpha heroes, beach reads, sports heroes, bad boys, billionaire) 

Dare to Love Series Reading Order 
Book 1: Dare to Love (Ian & Riley) 
Book 2: Dare to Desire (Alex & Madison) 
Book 3: Dare to Surrender (Gabe & Isabelle) 
Book 4: Dare to Submit (Decklan & Amanda) 
Book 5: Dare to Touch (Olivia & Dylan) 
Book 6: Dare to Hold (Scott & Meg) coming in 2015 
Book 7: Dare to Rock (Avery & Grey) coming in 2015 
*each book can stand alone for your reading enjoyment 

Friday, April 10, 2015

Once Upon A Dare

Once Upon a Dare was my first book by Jennifer Bonds and I enjoyed it. I thought the story was well written overall, but there were a few points that I felt jumped further than I was expecting. Cole and Olivia had amazing chemistry and were definitely made for each other. She was strong and fiercely independent; afraid of being seen as a woman who slept her way to the top (even though she didn't), so she went to the other extreme and became the Ice Queen. Cole ended up taking Olivia's partnership without realizing it and that gets them off on the wrong foot professionally. What made things worse was the fact that they'd slept together the previous weekend. I really enjoyed reading their story and look forward to reading more from Jennifer Bonds in the future. I give this book 4 stars and suggest it to those who enjoy contemporary romance.





Amazon
Goodreads
Advertising guru Olivia Masterson is all work and no play. But on the eve of earning her dream promotion, her best friend dares her to drop her ice queen façade for one night and seduce a sexy stranger. Olivia’s worked her ass off to get where she is—why the hell not? 

Cole Bennett never thought he’d run into his feisty one-night stand at the office, furious that he stole her promotion. No matter how hard she tries to ice him out, they can’t seem to keep their hands to themselves…or their clothes on. 

Olivia's talented—maybe even more than Cole—so when his dropped hints to the boss net her a promotion of her own, he’s ready to celebrate...until she accuses him of fueling office rumors that she slept her way to the top. She wants to earn her own way? Fine. So what the hell does a guy have to do to permanently melt an ice queen?

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Once Upon A Dare


It’s release day for Jennifer Bonds’ Once Upon a Dare. I am so excited for this sexy new contemporary romance. Jennifer is sharing an excerpt with us and a fantastic giveaway, so be sure to check out all the release day festivities! OUaD RDL Ban
Release Day Launch:
Teaser 2 Exclusive Excerpt: “Look, the other night was fun, but it had nothing to do with this place, right? We both got what we wanted. Now we forget about it and move on.” “You can’t seriously expect me to act like it never happened.” Cole’s words were carefully measured, his playful smile nowhere to be seen. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought he was offended. His words flowed like silk, but his gray eyes held a different emotion as he pinned her with his gaze. Was she imagining it or did he look… disappointed? Shifting in her seat, she tried to quell her own warring emotions. They needed to be able to work together, at least until she could figure things out. And despite her racing pulse, she didn’t want him to know how hard this was for her. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Was it her fault she couldn’t look at him without her blood pressure spiking? Or that she couldn’t stop thinking about the smoking hot kisses he’d lavished upon her body? “And it would be so easy for you to forget?” he challenged, forcing her to remember the feel of his sinful hands claiming her body and the way he’d made her come over and over again. Damn him! “Yes,” she lied, struggling to keep her tone light. She stood and moved to the window. It was a desperate attempt to put more space between them. The room had grown insufferably hot, a fact that had little to do with the temperature and a lot to do with the way his gaze lingered on her mouth, like he was imagining all the dirty things she could do with it. Only he didn’t have to imagine, did he? He had firsthand knowledge. “Olivia.” She froze at the feel of his breath on her neck. With the protection of the desk gone, she was defenseless. His hand snaked around her waist, crushing her body to his. He leaned in, his breath hot on her cheek as he pressed her body to the cool glass of the window with his massive weight. His arousal found the swell of her ass and she melted against the hard muscles of his chest, an unexpected gasp escaping her lips as desire ripped through her. It was all the invitation he needed. About Once Upon a Dare: The first night was a dare. The second night was trouble… OUaD_500 (1) Advertising guru Olivia Masterson is all work and no play. But on the eve of earning her dream promotion, her best friend dares her to drop her ice queen façade for one night and seduce a sexy stranger. Olivia's worked her ass off to get where she is-why the hell not? Cole Bennett never thought he'd run into his feisty one-night stand at the office, furious that he stole her promotion. No matter how hard she tries to ice him out, they can't seem to keep their hands to themselves...or their clothes on. Olivia's talented-maybe even more than Cole-so when his dropped hints to the boss net her a promotion of her own, he's ready to celebrate...until she accuses him of fueling office rumors that she slept her way to the top. She wants to earn her own way? Fine. So what the hell does a guy have to do to permanently melt an ice queen? Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | KOBO | iTunes | Goodreads Teaser 1 Jennifer Bonds Bio: JBonds Head ShotJennifer Bonds writes sizzling contemporary romance with sassy heroines, sexy heroes, and a whole lot of mischief. When she’s not writing or wrangling toddlers, she can be found curled up with a good book and a bottle of wine. Jennifer lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where her overactive imagination and weakness for reality TV keep life interesting. She’s lucky enough to live with her own real life hero, two adorable children, and a pair of rambunctious dogs. Loves Buffy, Mexican food, the Winchester brothers, and all things zombie. Sings off-key. Twitter | Facebook | Website | GoodReads | Pinterest   Enter Jennifer's giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway