Sunday, August 31, 2014

REVIEW: THE SECRET OF ELLA & MICHA

Ella and Micha have been best friends since they were kids. But one tragic night shatters their friendship and their lives forever.

Ella used to be a rule-breaker with fiery attitude who wore her heart on her sleeve. But she left everything behind when she went to college and transformed into someone that follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. But now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home.

Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. If Micha tries to tempt the old her back, she knows that it will be hard to resist.

Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella’s skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he’s determined to bring his best friend, and the girl he loves back, no matter what it takes.

(New Adult Contemporary)

*Mature Content** Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language

Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Published February 12th 2013 by Forever
Source: Purchased
Purchase this book: Goodreads | Amazon


OUR REVIEW:

I will be honest here and say that I was more than a little nervous to start this book. I've read a few books of Jessica Sorensen's and I happen to know that she has the ability to put me on an emotional roller coaster..one I don't want to get off of once I've started it.  I know! Me too! This is the first book by her that I ever read...and it has been an insanity driven obsession ever since! 

So...I was nervous. Emotions. Young Adult Issues. Sadness. <---- these were all things flitting through my mind before I began. GOOD NEWS...while, yes, all of those things existed in this novel, I found it so sweet. The friendship/relationship between Ella and Micha was not as tortured or angsty as maybe some of her other characters/other novels. They both wanted, so badly, to respect each other, be there for each other, love each other...they just didn't know how to go about it. (It didn't help that Ella bailed at a critical juncture in their relationship...for 8 months). It took some trial and error...some willingness, mostly on Ella's part, to be open and honest about feelings and some patience on Micha's part to let her work through some things...but the journey with these characters was well worth any frustrations the characters gave me. 

Yes. The coming of age of Ella + Micha could ALSO be the title of this book, because they have some tough issues to deal with. We might find it hard to understand how things could be so entangled between them, but I love stories like this one. I can't say enough that wouldn't probably be a repeat of what Shelley just said, but there is a lot more to this story than we could explain, I think. 
I loved how observant both Ella and Micha were --they could read the other one so well. I loved how they knew when to push and when to back off. I loved how supportive they were...so much to love about these two characters. But like you said earlier. OH MY GOODNESS, does Ella make things hard for them. She pulls a disappearing act, and it is hard to know if they're ever going to get back to how they were before. So many secrets. So much angst. But I enjoyed it immensely. 

The secondary characters were great too--and I see that they have a spin off series that I'm sure I'll read. Of Course! 
I'm looking forward to seeing what happen to Ella and Micha as this series continues. Me too. I'm already nervous! 

Shelley: 4 1/2 stars
Courtney: 5 Stars

About the Author---






The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

BOOK PROMO: LOVE IN THE DARK BY ISABEL PIETRI

LOVE in the DARK
(MILAGROS & ADRIAN)
(VOLUME 1)
BY ISABEL PIETRI

NYPD surveillance expert, Detective Millie Angeles knows well that scintillating things can transpire under the cover of dark. Some of them happen to be quite pleasurable. Others, however, are nothing short of deadly. LOVE in the DARK lifts the cloak of darkness on one woman’s action-packed life, revealing high action and erotic encounters that are certain to enthrall and excite anyone who loves their intrigue served with plenty of sauce.
LINKS

TWITTER HANDLE: @sheba915
GOOGLE PLUS:
https://plus.google.com/+IsabelPietri/posts

INTERVIEW:


IN FIVE WORDS PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING STYLE:  
My writing style is conversational.
TOP THREE FAVORITE TITLES (BOOKS OR MOVIES):
Gone with the Wind, Casa Blanca, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
DO YOUR LEADING CHARACTERS COME FROM ANY PLACE IN PARTICULAR?       
You could say they are a composite of myself, my husband and people I know, past and present.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR DOWN TIME?
I read, write, play with my dog and two cats, play golf, swim, scuba, watch movies, drink good wine and observe people.     
TOP FIVE SNACKS WHILE WRITING:     
Wine (red or white, but mostly red, Malbecs from Argentina).
WHAT'S YOUR WRITING PROCESS?       
I daydream constantly re-playing a drama over and over again, tweaking here and there until I like the drama in my head. Then and only then do I sit to write. Once the actual writing starts, I find the story writes itself.
TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR BOOK, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OR CHARACTER?       
I love all the characters in LOVE in the DARK. Mr. Z is easy to love, but Millie is my favorite. Her character is complex. She is a rough and tumble sort of gal while at the same time loves playing the role of submissive to Mr. Z. Millie's sense of justice, her loyalty, and courage culminate at the end making it my favorite part of the book.
WHAT IS THE CRAZIEST THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE?      
Umm....I'd rather not say.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF BEING A WRITER?
I like writing for the sake of writing. To be able to use language to evoke emotions and thoughts and draw a person into an imaginary world where they can let go of reality for a while is a good feeling. Then there is self-discovery. I never thought I had the language to write explicit sex scenes. Imagine my surprise! Entertainment is what it is all about.


REVIEWERS SAY

This book is amazing. The suspense and writing are outstanding. The story leaves you wanting more! Please tell me there is a second part to this story?!?!?!!
Once you start reading the story you can't help but want to know more about the characters. The twist at the beginning had me hooked right away. Read the first few pages and you will be find yourself obsessed with this book! I dare you to read the first 5 pages and not want to keep going!” -PCTECH334
“I love this book! The detail the author used in describing scenes and situations really allowed me to become so fully engrossed in the book that I was upset when I completed it and wanted more. I could not recommend this book more. If you like suspense, romance, and little bit of erotica this is a must have. Also, who can resist a book when it's the female that saves the day.” –SHOE LOVER




 

Saturday, August 30, 2014

NEW RELEASE & GIVEAWAY: STRIKE BY JENNIFER RYDER

STRIKE_Banner
Title: Strike (Spark, #3)
Author: Jennifer Ryder
Genre: Erotic Romance
Release Date: August 30, 2014
goodreads

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000031_00006]
 
Synopsis
Fast. That’s how I like life, especially my two great joys: bikes and women. I’m committed to exclusively riding one, but not the other. Until April. A sexy-arse freelance photographer who’s travelled the world, and doesn’t do long walks on the beach or romantic candlelit dinners. She enjoys running with the bulls and food spicy enough to make your hair fall out. If that weren’t enough to get me hard, she rides a mean mother of a motorcycle. I’ve gotta have a taste of this wildcat.
~Spencer (Jones)
I don’t do fast. Not anymore. I’ve got my career, my independence, and since I fled Spain to come back home I promised myself that I wouldn’t be put second—or third, for that matter—again. Then I meet pretty boy Spencer. He’s smooth, oozing the most potent pheromones probably known to modern science, and he’s making a move on me. One kiss was almost enough for my promise to dissolve. My head says no—my treacherous body screams yes. I’m gonna make Spencer work for it. Make him fight for the chance to have me, because I know that deep down I’m worth it.
~April MacIntyre
Prologue
SPENCER (JONES)
My head pounds, alerting me to the fact that I’m alive. Barely. I run my hand over my bare chest to find a set of fingers clad with rings. The hand tightens, sharp nails scratching my skin as they sweep over my ribs. I shudder with the realisation that she’s still here. That was not part of the plan. Her hand continues over to my hipbone, and curls around my side. I turn to see her face buried in the pillow beside me, a cascade of fiery red curls tangled down her back, a strong contrast to her pale skin. I strain to lift my head off the pillow, and there he is. Ryan. On the far edge of my king-sized bed, face down, bare arse and all. I’m here again. My life on repeat. My liver screams out its hate for me, and my body aches in silent protest. And why the fuck is my arse sore? I wriggle to release myself from her hold. I don’t like them to stay, but Ryan and I were obviously too fucked-up to care. I must’ve passed out, because normally I deal with their exit. I don’t do mornings. I don’t do awkward. I like simple hook-ups, and then “see ya”; No expectations, no complications. This here looks complicated. Walking naked across my bedroom, the floor littered with condom wrappers and clothes, I pick up a rogue black leather shoe and throw it at Ryan’s arse. He chokes on his snore, and stirs. “Hey, what the fuck, man?” He rolls over, thankfully tugging the tangled sheets with him to shield his dick. I don’t need a vision of his giant cock in the back of my head today. “What’s up is that you and Princess Redhead need to leave, buddy. I gotta get to work,” I whisper loudly. Working for Dad today is totally gonna blow. Ryan swings his legs off the bed, and stretches his arms over his head. “Well, you never fail to disappoint, man. Guess I’ll catch ya next time I’m in town.” I take a white crumpled towel that I must have left on the floor yesterday and wrap it around my hips. “That depends, mate. If you’re the reason my arse is sore, then this was the last time. Oh, and you might just get the shit kicked out of you.” He chuckles quietly to himself. “You don’t remember?” He grabs his jeans from the floor in front of him, and slips them on. “Remember what?” Oh no. Ryan did not go there. I’ll kill him. On instinct, my teeth grind against each other, and I breathe out heavily through my nose as I stalk towards him. He holds up a hand. “Relax,” he says, as he juts his chin towards the redhead. “Miss Ginger Sex Fiend over there brought toys.” “Fuck,” I gasp. I’ve seriously gotta lay off the drink. “Now, get outta here. I’ll take care of Ginger.” Ryan winks, and runs his hands through his mussed up sandy-coloured hair. Yeah. I need to get to work.

Spark series-2
Spark (Spark #1)
 
Spike (Spark #2)
 
Strike (Spark, #3)
   
About the Author
7511241
New Adult and erotic romance writer, and author of the Spark series.

A sexy imagination, a life-long love of books and a sucker for romance, Jennifer Ryder couldn't stifle her creativity any longer.

Writing steamy adult romance has become her new focus. Living on a rural property in New South Wales, Australia, she enjoys the best of city and country.

Her loving husband is ever willing to provide inspiration, and her two young cherubs, and sheep that don't see fences as barriers, keep life more than interesting.

Jennifer placed third in the International Stringybark Erotic Short Fiction Award 2013.
 
Giveaway!
love 2

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: THE STORM BY LAURA LEXINGTON


Title: The Storm
Author: Laura Lexington
Release Date: Aug 30, 2014
Find on
Goodreads

Jana Cook was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but her fierce determination leads to a successful career in medical device sales. Toss in five-star meals, fabulous sex with her nearly perfect husband, Andrew, and a gorgeous new house … and Jana’s life is picture perfect before she hits the big 3-0. What more can a girl want?

Overnight, her life begins to unravel. When Jana discovers she is pregnant, she dives from hero to zero in the eyes of Covington Company. Despite a resume most would kill for, Jana finds herself unemployed and devastated. Challenging her employer could change her life … if she wins. Does she have the strength to handle the gossip and face the likely reality of being blackballed from her industry?

As Jana struggles to make the right choice, her vivacious best friend, Grace, is convinced her own heartthrob husband, Gavin, is hiding something. Despite Jana’s best efforts to convince her that she is wrong, Grace’s mental illness overpowers reality. Jana was a superstar in scrubs, but navigating first time motherhood is real work … especially in the midst of secrets, lies, and unthinkable tragedy.

She makes her decision. And while Andrew promises to never let her fall, will love be enough to spark the bravery she needs to survive the storm that threatens to overcome her?


Andrew laughed and shook his head. “When I met you, I never thought you would be so sexual. You seemed so ... quiet.”
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you to watch out for the quiet ones?” I raised my eyebrows and winked, grabbing him spontaneously and pulling him close. I brought my lips to his and lightly parted them, waiting for him to lead.
Now that my second trimester kicked into gear, sex regained its appeal.
Effortlessly, he kissed me, our tongues wrapping around one another’s, awakening an eagerness that zapped me of any other thoughts. “I want to be the only toy you play with tonight.”

I pulled away and gave him a glance at the fire in my eyes. “You can do whatever you want with me.”

“Shhh.” His voice rose slightly as he gently lowered me on the soft blanket I hadn’t noticed. “Take your clothes off for me. I will be right back.”

I obliged, slowly undressing with careful finesse, leaving my lacy panties for him to remove. Naked under the stars, I allowed the mystical, cool breeze to relax me as my eyes fluttered shut.

I never heard him return. Suddenly, he lay beside me, using his firm hands to massage me with the skill of a professional. I bristled with pleasure as he caressed warm liquid over every square inch of my body.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured as I gently spread my legs, my muscles reduced to mush. Embracing the sensation of floating in a realm between a memory and a daydream, I relished his magical touch.

After sliding off my thong, he teased one finger over my sensitive spot, and I sighed at the promise of what came soon. Maybe six seconds and I was soaking wet, dying for him to enter me. His intent was sweet romance, but I wanted to grab his body and force him inside me and rock him until he couldn’t see straight. My sex drive now wild and untamed, my body pulsed with intensity unfamiliar to my experience.

I reached up to unbutton his shirt, exposing his sexy arms and chest. I slid his pants and boxers down and unleashed a seductive smile, my eyes lifting from his hardness to his heated eyes. Not much foreplay would be necessary.

I slid my tongue up and down the length of his shaft, amazed when he got even harder.

He started to position himself on top of me, but I placed one hand firmly on his chest and pushed him away. A flicker of confusion crossed his face, but then he grinned as I slyly turned over and rose on my hands and knees.

“You feel so tight,” he breathed as his body became one with mine. He squeezed my ass and let a soft moan escape with the first hard thrust.

He was the perfect fit. With every move he made, my body longed for more of him, grinding against him until I matched his pace. I wanted to slow down, to enjoy this fabulous sex underneath a ceiling of glistening stars, but I lost every ounce of self-control and thrust against him faster and faster until he exploded with pleasure.

“Damn!” He gazed into my eyes, his wild with ecstasy, as I smirked with satisfaction. “You’re an animal.”

I rolled over, collapsing on the blanket cushioned with soft grass. I guided his hand back to where he started, my mouth forming a long “O” within seconds. Feverishly, I grabbed his other hand and placed it on my breast. He took the cue and fondled each nipple until they were both pebbled.

Hold off, hold off... I could have come on command.

He rolled his finger in a circular motion, changing his rhythm to make me last longer. I thought I might fall unconscious if my legs got any weaker.

I couldn’t take it anymore. I came with such power that my whole body jerked. My eyes flew open just in time for my release to coincide with the surreal blend of the majestic stars and distant heavenly bodies as they faded into the night.

Andrew smiled and lay on his back, gazing into the celestial sky, lacing his fingers with mine. The breeze intensified, serving as the perfect cool down as we cuddled under the glistening stars.

This was perfection.



Laura Lexington is a Contemporary Women’s Fiction and Contemporary Romance author. Her debut novel contains elements of suspense and explores elements of every part of life – love, sex, friendship, careers, faith, social issues, and family. She lives in the Southern United States with her family, where she hates the humidity but loves being close to the beach. She is the proud mother of one daughter, a rambunctious five year old who chopped her glorious hair the first week of kindergarten, and is the most awesome wife ever (or so she likes to think). When she’s not daydreaming up future stories, she’s wearing out her Kindle, thinking about shaking the dust off her treadmill, or planning her next trip to Orange Beach.

Laura works full time, and unlike the main character in her debut novel, is thankful to work for a company that recognizes employee talent regardless of age, race, or gender, and provides many opportunities for development. She firmly believes in the power of a good housekeeper, a strong cup of coffee (or two or three), and a novel that makes one’s senses spin with all the good stuff – drama, love, suspense, sex. If dancing with her rambunctious five-year-old in the kitchen counts as working out, she exercises daily, usually after several desserts she couldn’t resist.



Friday, August 29, 2014

TOUR GIVEAWAY + REVIEW: DEBT INHERITANCE (INDEBTED #1) BY PEPPER WINTERS


“I own you. I have the piece of paper to prove it. It’s undeniable and unbreakable. You belong to me until you’ve paid off your debts.”
Nila Weaver’s family is indebted. Being the first born daughter, her life is forfeit to the first born son of the Hawks to pay for sins of ancestors past. The dark ages might have come and gone, but debts never leave. She has no choice in the matter.
She is no longer free.
Jethro Hawk receives Nila as an inheritance present on his twenty-ninth birthday. Her life is his until she’s paid off a debt that’s centuries old. He can do what he likes with her—nothing is out of bounds—she has to obey.
There are no rules. Only payments.
A modern day Dark Erotic Romance

Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/1sgKu2C
Join the Thunderclap campaign here: http://bit.ly/1puZjvV

RELEASE DATE: August 18th

~Our Review~
24 hours later and I'm still trying to figure out WTF to say. This book horrified me as it kept me in its thrall until the end. It was like a train wreck you never want to admit you looked at--you don't want to see it but you can't look away. I know this doesn't sound like a convincing argument to read this book..and for some of you, I'm telling you right the eff now--some of you should NOT read this. If you are tenderhearted, like lighthearted or funny things, aren't into utter dark blackness when you look into the male character's POV..then consider yourself warned and don't read and don't complain about it. For the rest of us, trust me when I tell you that this book will have you reading until the wee hours of the morning and the entire time you're going to be asking yourself..WTF? I am. I do think that if you've never read Pepper Winters before...heed her warning. She is VERY upfront about what this book will contain. And really. Just wow. The idea behind this...I'm pretty much enthralled, and CANNOT WAIT to devour the next book (gah, I hope it comes out soon!) Wicked, insane, captivating...I think I loved every word of this wild ride. 

So without re-stating the synopsis (see above) and spoiling anything...the basics are this: Nila is a fashion designer who comes from a family history of tailors and weavers. She's been over-protected by her father and brother her entire life and while she's fairly naive. Jethro, on the other hand, is a mysterious presence who shows up on the day of her big fashion show and takes her away from everything she knows...and then life as she knows it is over and her horror story begins. Dun. Dun. Dun. 

If you've read any of Pepper's books in the Q series then you know she doesn't shy away from gruesome, hateful, vile characters; and while the first half of the book isn't all that gruesome, the minute Nila wakes up on her first morning with Jethro..the things she undergoes are enough to make you want to hurt someone. The vile nature of those she is surrounded by is hard to take, and Pepper doesn't relent until the last page of the book. So...prepare yourself. OMG! Completely. Pepper, girlfriend, you made me entirely entranced in this world. I am one that enjoys an insane bad boy (see: Jethro, in the dictionary, I'm sure that describes him) and continues to hold out hope that things will change. There will be a flicker of someone that I *want* to be a hero for our heroine. This book? Nuh uh. There is nothing but again, INSANE, thought process, actions, and debts to be repaid. JUST WOW! Where do these ideas come from! But again. I have to say. This is one of the fastest books I've read in a while...because you can't stop turning the pages to find out what happens next. And that, friends, is what I look for in a book. Dark + Twisty...my absolute forte. 

I'm feeling very conflicted about Nila. I appreciate her innocence and her strength and I'm so worried about her--how is she going to be strong enough to handle this? She rarely commits to one behavior or reaction and while it's sometimes infuriating, I think ...gah...how could she not go through all of the crap she does and NOT have a variety of reactions. I know it's unrealistic to think she's going to suddenly become a badass, but damnit, I want her to. I want her to annihilate the Hawks. And Jethro? I'm currently hating him. He's a sadistic bastard..as are his brethren and I just don't see how Pepper is ever going to make me like him. *hangs head in shame* I absolutely love them both. Why? Okay, Nila. I love the writing of her, because we honestly go through the intense emotions with her. She is an artist, in her own right, and the words that are projected are woven beautifully. One minute we're mad, then we're, honestly, a bit turned on...and then sad..mad...mostly mad...OMG, that motherfucker...and so on. 

I remember at about 40% in..it felt like I'd only read for 10 minutes..the book was flying by; I was interested and curious. I was intrigued to know who Jethro was and how in the hell he had any power over Nila. I wanted to know how, and why, and when, and ...I had (and still have) so many questions and it's fairly torturous to have to wait until the next one releases.  ME TOO! I cannot begin to tell you how many F bombs have been thrown around in the reading of this book. Because, literally, one word is all it takes to describe MANY things in our world...I think for one if you're looking for a story that is original in every way..even if it disturbs you...you will FEEL something with Debt Inheritance! 

Courtney: Honestly, 5 stars. Wicked time, y'all. 


About the Author:
Pepper Winters wears many roles. Some of them include writer, reader, sometimes wife. She loves dark, taboo stories that twist with your head. The more tortured the hero, the better, and she constantly thinks up ways to break and fix her characters. Oh, and sex... her books have sex.
She loves to travel and has an amazing, fabulous hubby who puts up with her love affair with her book boyfriends.

Her Dark Erotica books include:
Tears of Tess (Monsters in the Dark #1)
Quintessentially Q (Monsters in the Dark #2)

Her Grey Romance books include:
Destroyed

STALK Pepper: Website | Pinterest | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads

  
GIVEAWAY
 Signed Swag Pack (2 Winners)
ebook of Debt Inheritance (5 Winners)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NEW RELEASE & REVIEW: THIS IS FALLING BY GINGER SCOTT



We're celebrating the release of This Is Falling by Ginger Scott! Check out the excerpt below and let us know what you think! 


Title: This Is Falling
Author: Ginger Scott
Age: NA
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release date: August 29, 2014
Amazon | Smashwords | BN | iTunes


Blurb:
First, I had to remember how to breathe. Then, I had to learn how to survive. Two years, three months and sixteen days had passed since I was the Rowe Stanton from before, since tragedy stole my youth and my heart went along with it.

When I left for college, I put a thousand miles between my future and my past. I’d made a choice—I was going to cross back to the other side, to livewith the living. I just didn’t know how.

And then I met Nate Preeter.

An All-American baseball player, Nate wasn’t supposed to notice a ghost-of-a-girl like me. But he did. He shouldn’t want to know my name. But he did. And when he learned my secret and saw the scars it left behind, he was supposed to run. But he didn’t.

My heart was dead, and I was never supposed to belong to anyone. But Nate Preeter had me feeling, and he made me want to be his. He showed me everything I was missing.

And then he showed me how to fall.


OUR REVIEW:

I seriously don't think Ginger Scott has written a book that I haven't loved. I remember each one vividly and she's always one of my favorite writers to recommend. This is Falling will officially be added to the list of books that I will most definitely be recommending to anyone who asks. Repeats what she said! Huge fan! 

There are so many things to enjoy about this book..like: 

---Rowe's story, while it is heartbreaking, it shows us a little about risk and reward. She's a brave girl who could've easily hidden from life for ever (and honestly many people would or at the very least, wouldn't blame her for wanting to hide) but she doesn't; she goes way outside of her comfort zone and tries hard to live in the moment, in the world. I very much appreciated her strength. The age she is at! When all we are trying to do is be normal...gah. ((Now I know how wrong that idea is...but at 18...). A fantastic coming of age story from Ginger pulls at your heart strings, and it is definitely a topic I was not expecting to read about. I loved Rowe.

---Nate was a perfect mix of good and fun and naughty. He felt this instant connection with Rowe and with almost single-minded focus, went after her and patiently waited for her to be ready for what he had to offer. Not only was he amazing to/for Rowe, I loved how much he loved his brother, Ty. I have some serious love for Nate. Serious. Love. And those Preeter brothers..well, they make my heart go pitter patter pitter patter. YUSSZ. Nate Preeter is a baseball god in this story, and I lurrrrve that. Nate gets made fun of a lot for his "go to" girl, but I loved that he had a type that was Rowe. And how they met. Awkward. But hilarious. And fun. And that just goes with Nate as a person. He is confident, for his age. He is everything that you hope to find as a love when you're young. Grade-A Book Boyfriend, y'all! 

--Rowe and Nate. Gah. These two are freaking adorable together (once they get passed some uncomfortable moments). They're genuinely good people and they both want the best for each other and those around them. Oh..and they're also hilarious. The stunts they pulled on each other had me laughing with glee. ME TOO! I loved that. She's finding her footing, and he is helping her without wanting to push too hard. Then there are these moments that make them remember they're young, wild and free and can have fun without all of the heaviness of life. It was beautiful. 

--Ty, Cass, and Paige...these secondary characters round out the novel and enhance our understanding of Rowe and Nate. They add drama and humor and are great sounding boards for our main characters. Can I say that I am really excited for a Ty POV book? Hhhhmmm...That character is intriguing! 

-- Ginger's writing. Ginger has this way of hooking me into her novels in just a matter of sentences and then I have the hardest time putting her books down. The dialogue and pacing are perfect. The balance of humor and romance and steam and seriousness is exactly right. Her novels never leave me. I have distinct reactions and thoughts for each of them...I can remember, vividly, certain scenes that will never leave me, ever..and that's the best thing ever. LOVE YOU GINGER SCOTT! RIGHT! Each one of her novels finds a way to hook us in the best way possible. It is amazing that this novel is quite a bit different than the others in trope, but I still was 100% invested. Each character is someone I want to know, and for me, that is the best. 

I absolutely cannot wait to see where Ginger takes us next on her writing journey...and I bet you can't either. We hope come along for the ride. Yep. This bandwagon is looking for people to jump on it with us! And yaya for spoiler free. There is so much MORE to this book than what we have said. You just HAVE to read it to find out what is going on, and all of the deeper elements. Because they'll come out of nowhere and surprise you! 

Shelley: 5 stars
Courtney: 5 Stars

Excerpt
“You ever make wishes?” he says, out of nowhere. His voice breaks the thick silence, and it makes my heart jump. I think it would have jumped at hearing him anyhow.

“All the time,” I say. “You?”

“Nah,” he says, and I start to laugh, but I realize he isn’t. “I just made my first one in years.”

Breathe.

“Oh yeah? You want Barbie back?”

“No,” he smiles. “I wished you were over here instead of there.”

Oh.

More seconds pass, and I let them slip into minutes, my eyes unable to leave his. He didn’t ask. He didn’t come up with some transparent scheme. He was just honest—perfectly, beautifully, terrifyingly honest. We lie there for fifteen more minutes just looking at one another, this new feeling swallowing us both up whole, until Nate finally rolls to his back and then his other side, facing away from me.

More seconds. More minutes. I watch his body rise and fall with every breath, and it’s constant and regular, but I know he’s still awake. Being Cass’s friend, being Paige’s friend, even being Ty’s friend—that’s all part of healing. But what I’m about to do right now has nothing to do with my own personal growth and overcoming my trauma. Being Nate’s friend was a level I left in the dust the second I made his acquaintance. And right now is about me, and the pounding in my chest, and the voice in my head telling me to take what I want.

“Nate?” I speak, my eyes shut tightly.

“Yeah?”

“Can I come over?” I open my eyes as soon as I speak—amazed the words left my lips.

He rolls back over to face me, lifting his blanket open, and I somehow find my balance and tiptoe to the other side of the room, lying down next to him, in the most amazingly safe place I’ve ever felt.

He’s slow with his arm, pulling the top of the blanket over my shoulder and then reaching around the front of my body to pull me in close. He slides his other arm under my head for a pillow, and my head rests heavily on his bicep. I reach up and pull the tie from my hair, dropping it to the floor. Nate’s hand reaches along my arm when I do, and then he runs his fingers up my neck and into my hair, scooping my heavy strands into a pile along my skin. He continues to run his fingers from my hairline to behind my ear, each stroke like a wave crashing over me, making my eyes feel heavy.

“Hey Nate?” I say, my voice barely a whisper.

“Mmmmm,” he says, his nose pressed against the back of my head while he pulls me in closer, continuing to wind my hair through his fingers.

“You should make more wishes,” I say.

“I just made, like, about twenty. But don’t worry. I’m patient.”

Every nerve in my body is tingling from whatever it is we’re doing. This is no longer just flirting. This is levels beyond flirting. And I am about to fall asleep without the help of Ambien for the first time in months.






About the Author:

Ginger Scott is a writer and journalist from Peoria, Arizona. She is the author of four young and new adult romances, with her fifth title, This Is Falling, set to release in late August 2014.

Scott has been writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and blogs for more than 15 years. She has told the stories of Olympians, politicians, actors, scientists, cowboys, criminals and towns. For more on her and her work, visit her website at http://www.littlemisswrite.com.

When she's not writing, the odds are high that she's somewhere near a baseball diamond, either watching her son field pop flies like Bryce Harper or cheering on her favorite baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Scott is married to her college sweetheart whom she met at ASU (fork 'em, Devils).

COVER REVEAL: COVERTLY STRONG BY N.A. ALCORN

Covertly Strong Banner
Coming Soon 9/29/14…

Covertly Strong

Book One in The Strong Series

By: N.A. Alcorn


Covertly Strong Cover Ebook

Synopsis

She can track down the world's most dangerous drug lords, hack into any computer, and kill a man in fifteen different ways—but when she comes face-to-face with the only man who’s ever held her heart, it might be her most dangerous mission yet... Or is it? Sloan Walker. Dr. Felicia Santora. Agent L-55. Three very different personas, three very different names, but all have one thing in common. They’re all controlled, acted out, and lived by one woman. Her past has been long forgotten. Ten years have gone by since someone remembered the girl she used to be. The young girl with the big-brown eyes and beautiful dreams of happiness, dreams of love. She now lives a clandestine life. A life filled with top-secret missions and covert assignments. Only a handful of people know the true nature of her job. Her safety is constantly being pushed towards the brink of life-threatening danger. Then one day someone unexpectedly steps back into her life… A man who once owned her mind, body, and soul. A man who held her heart in the palm of his hand. He remembers. He knows. And this knowledge could threaten everything she’s worked so hard for. Nixon West is as intelligent as they come and his Navy SEAL training has made him one of the most dangerous weapons in the United States Military. The moment she reappeared into his life he promised himself that he wouldn't let her go. But the true question is…what extreme lengths will Nix go to for her? She will soon face another mission. And it will test everything. Time never seems all that important until your life hangs in the balance. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock…
 

N.A.’s Social Media

Email: authornaalcorn@gmail.com

About N.A.

I march to the beat of my drum. Can you hear that? That perpetual bang, bang, bang that’s continually drumming relentlessly inside of my head. Oh, that’s just me? Never mind then, carry on…
Beautiful words, lovely plot lines, and COFFEE...Three of my favorite things.
I savor the weird, embrace the pervy, and willingly open both arms to anything that will make me laugh.
My obsession is books. I like to read them, write them, and inhale them in any way my ravenous mind will allow.
I’m awkward and sarcastic and can’t take a proper selfie if my life depended on it.
I was once told by my high school English teacher that my colorful ability to state the obvious would be my biggest weakness. I thanked him and made it my life’s mission to make that my biggest strength.
At times, I’m bordering on obscene and have strongly considered tattooing the words Approach With Caution on some part of my body.
Procrastinator at heart who tries to tell herself that she’ll meet every deadline.
Tomorrow. I’ll finish it tomorrow, I swear.

COVER REVEAL: ALL WHO ARE LOST BY LINDSEY FORREST

All Who Are Lost
by Lindsey Forrest
Series: Ashmore's Folly Trilogy: Book One
Cover Design: Robin Ludwig of Robin Ludwig Design, Inc
Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction (Romance)
Expected Release Date: October 21, 2014

Summary: 

One man.
Too many betrayals.
Three women.
One last chance.

 


On a cold winter day, a woman calls a number halfway across the world.

A man answers.

After fourteen years, Laura St. Bride hears the voice she has never forgotten, the voice she will remember with her last breath…



What do you do
when the love of your life
is the last person you should love?




A great family estate in Virginia.

Three sisters growing up in the shadow of their father’s obsessive drive to recapture his lost muse, the woman he threw into the cold Irish sea.

The scion of an old family, falling in love with the wrong sister, blind to the ice at her core.

A woman haunted by a moment of blood and violence, when she reached out and took a man who didn’t belong to her.

A man living a life of regret and sacrifice, given a second chance to claim the woman he should have loved all along.

Excerpt:



I know you’re out there somewhere....

She stared out across a crowded London square, unknowing, unseeing, the serenity of her face captured in the flat surface of the theatrical poster. The light noon rain ran down in small diagonal rivers across her, crinkling the smooth plain of her forehead and the gentle cut of her jaw. She wept, large, abandoned tears that warred with the lovely turn of her mouth.

The Great Cat, they called her.

Many of those who had come to Leicester Square, hunting for half-price theater tickets, gravitated to her, beckoned by her eyes, lured on by the legend of mist and mystery that surrounded her. A few balked at the price of “An Intimate Evening with Cat Courtney.” Others realized to their sorrow that they had conflicting tickets, meals planned with in-laws, flights to catch. Three nights only, announced the poster, and this, unfortunately, was the last night.

She smiled out at them all, oblivious to their concerns, uncaring of the rain wetting her face.

The American tourist who came walking into the square, his daughter by his side, did not notice her at first. The rain had stopped for a few minutes, and other matters engaged him: folding up a handy umbrella, glancing at his watch, reading a guide book over his daughter’s shoulder. For one minute longer, he remained merely a tourist on a much-needed vacation. For one minute longer, the Great Cat never crossed his mind.

But the Great Cat could wait, and for this man she would wait forever.

She had left him a decade before, both of them reeling from the blood of their folly, in a deserted cottage on a desolate shore on the other side of the world. Had she eyes to see, she would know him instantly.

Eventually, respite ended. Eventually, Richard Ashmore lifted his head, his eyes scanning across the theatrical posters, in search of an evening’s entertainment suitable for a young girl. The titles made little impression – Les Miserables, The Graduate, Noises Off – until he saw her and everything around her blurred into oblivion.

He knew her too, instantly.

Laura.

His worst mistake.
e
“Dad?” Julie touched her hand to his. “Do you think we can get tickets?”

“We can try.” Richard closed his fingers around hers, a talisman to ward memory off. “Don’t get your hopes up, Julie. Her concerts usually sell out.”

“Let’s ask over there,” suggested his daughter, pointing across the square to the ticket kiosk. “Maybe someone bought tickets and can’t go. Maybe someone dropped their tickets, and someone turned them in. Maybe —”

“Maybe, maybe, maybe,” he teased, but already he was allowing her to drag him across the stones towards the waiting queue.

They took their places in line. Julie was glowing with excitement, the happiest Richard had seen her since the morning before her grandparents had died. He was less optimistic. Others ahead of them had requested tickets, and the possibility of stray tickets lessened as they moved up the line. He sought to cushion her against disappointment by letting her plan the afternoon. They were only a couple of blocks from the National Gallery, or would she prefer to hop the tube for Harrods?

“Harrods,” said Julie immediately. “And tea, Dad.” She leaned in against him to look at his guidebook. “I have my birthday money from Lucy. I want to get something to wear to the concert.”

“Keep your money, kitten.” He wished that they had never seen the poster. Selfish, yes, but if meeting her eyes in a poster disturbed him, how would he feel to see her again, even in the black anonymity of an audience? Better not to know, better to go back to an occasional evening of listening to her songs in the dark and trying to make some sense of what had happened.

And Julie had endured enough recently.

They were second in line now, behind a couple attempting to get tickets to the latest Andrew Lloyd Webber. Good luck, thought Richard, who had tried for three months. They bought him a few minutes of reprieve while they settled for a sex comedy instead.

“Two for Cat Courtney,” he said, and if the gods had been with him, just this once, he would have been told in that inimitable British way, Sorry, sir, but that show has just sold out....

“Yes, a few tickets have been turned in,” and his fate was sealed. He and Julie looked at the seating chart. She sparkled as she so seldom did, and as he paid for the tickets he thought that he would bear any pain, any guilt, to see that look on her face.

“Those are good seats,” said the man behind him, another American from the sound of him. “I’ve seen her before, and she’s worth twice the price.”

Julie forgot her usual shyness with strangers. “I can’t wait! I’ve wanted to see her for so long —”

A woman with a Southern accent said kindly, “You know, darlin’, you’re just the picture of her.”

“Thank you,” said Julie. “I’m glad I am. She’s my aunt.”

And Richard Ashmore looked at the tickets and realized, with a shock, that it was June 9, and he had been married for seventeen years.
e
In his life, Richard Ashmore had made three mistakes with women. Not that three was so unusual; no man reached his thirties without suffering the particular pain that women could inflict and without inflicting it in return. He was luckier than most men, perhaps, for he had erred early and grievously, and caution had been driven into him like a bullet. He carried with him permanent reminders of his follies: a marriage gone disastrously wrong, the painful conscience that he had not always been the upright man his daughter loved, a shoulder that ached in cold weather.

Ah, Diana, unattainable once attained, a monumental mistake made in all the first flush of adolescent desire and pride. Too young to marry, too blindly in love to recognize the ice behind her eyes, he had turned a deaf ear to his father’s warning that his princess was hollow at her core.

Francie, silver-quick smile and hungry eyes, and his own need for the warmth of a woman’s arms. The dangerous combination of a magnum of champagne on New Year’s Eve and three years of exile from his marriage bed had erupted into a springtime of madness. The gods had demanded their due: a marriage wrecked beyond salvage, a family foundered, two young women cast adrift.

And the third.... Oh, but even now, all these years later, he stood before her picture, and he still did not understand. She watched him from the poster, more animated in flat gray and white than he had ever known her. But he knew those eyes. He knew how they adored him, how they burned in fever and desire, how they haunted odd moments of the day and dark pockets of the night.

Diana. Francie. Laura the Cat.

He supposed he had a special weakness for shuttered eyes that invited a man in with promises implied and unkept, for wild autumn hair spread gloriously across a pillow, for tall, elegant figures and clear, sweet voices and beguiling, destructive ways. They all three had this and more in common, and why not? They were sisters, after all.
e
                                                                                         
About Lindsey Forrest:
Lindsey Forrest, a lead writer/editor for an international information company, writes about income tax but prefers to dream of heroes and heroines and grand romance. With the publication of her trilogy, she checks off the top entry on her bucket list. She lives in north Texas with her family and cat and has a five-year plan for becoming a full-time novelist and editor of indie fiction. When she isn’t working or writing, she amuses herself with reading, needlepointing, tramping around historical sites and houses, and outbidding everyone who gets in her way on Ebay.

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