Release Week Blitz + Excerpt + Giveaway: HE WILL BE MY RUIN by K.A. Tucker

It is the Release Week Blitz for K.A. Tucker’s HE WILL BE MY RUIN, a fantastic suspense novel you will not want to miss! Grab your copy of this intriguing read today and see what everyone is talking about! Check out more about the story and read an excerpt from the book! Make sure to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a signed copy of this book.

He Will Be My Ruin
KA Tucker
Genre: Adult Suspense
Release Date: February 2, 2016

The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series makes her suspense debut with this sexy, heartpounding story of a young woman determined to find justice after her best friend’s death, a story pulsing with the “intense, hot, emotional” (Colleen Hoover) writing that exhilarates her legions of fans.

A woman who almost had it all . . .

On the surface, Celine Gonzalez had everything a twenty-eight-year-old woman could want: a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, a job that (mostly) paid the bills, and an acceptance letter to the prestigious Hollingsworth Institute of Art, where she would finally live out her dream of becoming an antiques appraiser for a major auction house. All she had worked so hard to achieve was finally within her reach. So why would she kill herself?

A man who was supposed to be her salvation . . .

Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what’s left of her best friend’s belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a lethal cocktail of pills and vodka, and never woke up. But when Maggie discovers a scandalous photograph in a lock box hidden in Celine’s apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man Celine believed would change her life.

Until he became her ruin.

On the hunt for evidence that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine’s private life—and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer. A killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered.

You can purchase your copy of He Will Be My Ruin today from the retailers listed below! Don’t miss this incredible story.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

IndieBound | Book Depository | Audible

Edging along the side of her bed—I actually have to turn and shimmy to fit—I move toward a stack of vintage wooden food crates that serve as a nightstand. A wave of nostalgia washes over me as my finger traces the heavy latches and handmade, chunky gunmetal-gray body of the antique box sitting next to the lamp. The day that I spied it in an antique store while shopping for Celine’s sixteenth birthday, it made me think of a medieval castle. The old man who sold it to me said it was actually an eighteenth-century lockbox.

Whatever it was, I knew Celine would love it.

I carry it over to the living room, where I can sit and open it up. Inside are sentimental scraps of Celine’s life. Concert stubs and random papers, a dried rose, her grandmother’s rosary that Rosa gave to her. Rosa is supremely religious, and Celine, the ever-devoted daughter, kept up appearances for her mother, though she admitted to me that she didn’t find value in it.

I pull each item out, laying them on the trunk coffee table until I’m left with nothing but the smooth velvet floor of the box. I fumble with a small detail on the outside that acts as a lever—remembering my surprise when the man revealed the box’s secret—until a click sounds, allowing me to pry open the false bottom.

Celine’s shy, secretive eyes lit up when I first showed her the sizeable compartment. It was perfect for hiding treasures, like notes from boys, and the silver bracelet that her senior-year boyfriend bought her for Valentine’s Day and she was afraid to wear in front of Rosa. While I love Rosa dearly, she could be suffocating sometimes.

My fingers wrap around the wad of money filling the small space as a deep frown creases my forehead. Mostly hundreds but plenty of fifties, too. I quickly count it. There’s almost ten thousand dollars here.

Why wouldn’t Celine deposit this into her bank account?

I pick up the ornate bronze key and a creased sheet of paper that also sits within. I’m guessing the key is for the desk. I’ll test that out in a minute. I gingerly unfold the paper that’s obviously been handled many times, judging by the crinkles in it.

My eyes widen.

A naked man fills one side. He’s entrancingly handsome, with long lashes and golden-blond tousled hair and a shadow of peach scruff covering his hard jawline. He’s lying on his back, one muscular arm disappearing into the pillow beneath his head, a white sheet tangled around his legs, not quite covering the goods, which from what I can see, are fairly impressive. I can’t tell what color his eyes are because he’s fast asleep.

“Well then . . .” I frown, taken aback.

I’m not surprised that Celine could attract the attention of a guy like this. She was a gorgeous young woman—her Mexican roots earning her lush locks, full lips, and voluptuous curves tied to the kind of tiny waist that all men seem to admire.

Nor am I surprised that he’s blond. It has always been a running joke between us, her penchant for blonds. She’s never dated anything but.

But I am surprised that she’d have the nerve to take—and print out to keep by her bed—a scandalous picture like this in the first place.

I wonder if she ever mentioned him to me. She always told me about her dates, utter failures or otherwise. Though it’s been years since she was seeing anyone seriously, and she was definitely seeing this guy seriously if she was sleeping with him. Celine usually waited months before she gave that up to a guy. She didn’t even lose her virginity until she was twenty-two, to a guy she had been dating for six months and hoped that she would one day marry. Who broke up with her shortly afterward.

So who the hell is this guy and why didn’t I ever hear about him? And where is he now? When were they together last?

Does he know that she’s dead?

Worrying my bottom lip between my teeth—it’s a bad habit of mine—I slowly fold the paper back up. Celine’s cursive scrawl decorates the back side in purple ink. Words I hadn’t noticed before.

Words that make my heart stop now.

This man was once my salvation. Now he will be my ruin.

To celebrate the release of He Will Be My Ruin, Tucker is hosting a fun giveaway! Enter this Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win one of 5 signed copies of He Will Be My Ruin. Simply follow the instructions listed on the link provided and you will be entered to win! Don’t miss out on all the fun. Good luck!

Born in small-town Ontario, K.A. Tucker published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads | YouTube | Pinterest | Instagram

Cover Reveal: TALON (Uncompromising #1) by Sybil Bartel

I am so excited for more from Sybil! Her books have been high adrenaline and intense. Talon was one of my favorite secondary characters in the Unchecked Series and I cannot wait to dive into who he is and learn more about his past and future! Check out this fabulous cover and mark your calendars for March 1, 2016!

Talon
Uncompromising Series #1
Sybil Bartel
Publication date: March 1, 2016
Genre: Adult, Romance

Talon

I surf.
I f*ck.
I pretend to smile.

Two years ago my life was perfect, until it wasn’t. I scattered my wife’s ashes then walked away from the Marines. I didn’t think I had anything else to lose.

I was wrong.

The blond showed up at my surf shop, beaten and stabbed. I did what I was trained to do—I stitched her up. I didn’t have a clue who she was and I told myself I didn’t care. Until they came looking for her.

I swore I’d take my last breath before I let anyone else hurt her except I didn’t know she was keeping a deadly secret. Now I had two choices, her life or mine.

Marriage and combat taught me the same thing—I was no one’s hero. And I was about to prove it.

I grew up in Northern California with my head in a book and my feet in the sand. I dreamt of becoming a painter but the heady scent of libraries with their shelves full of books drew me into the world of storytelling. I love the New Adult genre, but any story about a love so desperately wrong and impossibly beautiful makes me swoon.

I now live in Southern Florida and while I don’t get to read as much as I like, I still bury my toes in the sand. If I’m not writing or fighting to contain the banana plantation in my backyard, you can find me spending time with my handsomely tattooed husband, my brilliantly practical son and a mischievous miniature boxer…

But Seriously?

Here are ten things you probably really want to know about me.

I grew up a faculty brat. I can swear like a sailor. I love men in uniform. I hate being told what to do. I can do your taxes (but don’t ask). The Bird Market in Hong Kong freaks me out. My favorite word is desperate…or dirty, or both—I can’t decide. I have a thing for muscle cars. But never reply on me for driving directions, ever. And I have a new book boyfriend every week—don’t tell my husband.

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Blog Tour + Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: HE WILL BE MY RUIN by KA Tucker

HE WILL BE MY RUIN is a K.A. Tucker’s first suspense novel, published by Atria books, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, and is set to be released February 2, 2016. This book was jammed full of suspense, drama, and intrigue. Everyone is a suspect and I could not wait to see what happened in the end. Check out more about this awesome book, read Tina’s Thoughts and an excerpt from the book, and enter a fabulous giveaway!

HE WILL BE MY RUIN
K. A. Tucker
Genre: Adult Suspense
Release Date: February 2, 2016

The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series makes her suspense debut with this sexy, heartpounding story of a young woman determined to find justice after her best friend’s death, a story pulsing with the “intense, hot, emotional” (Colleen Hoover) writing that exhilarates her legions of fans.

A woman who almost had it all . . .

On the surface, Celine Gonzalez had everything a twenty-eight-year-old woman could want: a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, a job that (mostly) paid the bills, and an acceptance letter to the prestigious Hollingsworth Institute of Art, where she would finally live out her dream of becoming an antiques appraiser for a major auction house. All she had worked so hard to achieve was finally within her reach. So why would she kill herself?

A man who was supposed to be her salvation . . .

Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what’s left of her best friend’s belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a lethal cocktail of pills and vodka, and never woke up. But when Maggie discovers a scandalous photograph in a lock box hidden in Celine’s apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man Celine believed would change her life.

Until he became her ruin.

On the hunt for evidence that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine’s private life—and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer. A killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered.

You can pre-order your copy today at the retailers listed below! HE WILL BE MY RUIN is LIVE on February 2, 2016!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | IndieBound | Book Depository | Audible

Suspense novels are quickly become some of my favorite books to read. Add in that this one is written by an author I have grown to adore, you have a winning combination. HE WILL BE MY RUIN is a fantastic suspense novel that keeps you guessing till the end. When I started reading this book we read in the prologue, which is the near end experience of the story, something that has the reader completely engaged from the life and death opening scene. It caused me to dive even deeper into this book from the very beginning. Everyone is a suspect and you are constantly attempting to see who is who they say they are and who is lying. There are false truths and fake smiles, all of which lead the heroine of this book on a crazy path.

This book primarily is told through Maggie’s POV. Seeing the situation unfold through her perspective allows the reader to analyze what we see and attempt to understand what exactly happened. As with all of Tucker’s heroines, I loved Maggie. First off, I could not help but admire her (and have a bit of hero worship) at what she did with her life. She is a woman who has found her calling and is making a huge impact on the world. The more I learned about her organization and passion, the more I liked her. She is a hardworking woman who carries those closest to her deeply. Celine’s death is a harsh reality for her to swallow and her search for truth is all consuming. This woman is smart and intuitive. Watching her work through the details and learn what really happened is brilliant to watch unfold. Seeing her put the pieces of this terrible situation and her best friend’s reality together carries a lot of weight and emotion. The few chapters in Celine’s POV add depth and gravity to what Maggie discovers. All of this weaves into a story that keeps you engaged and curious till the very end.

Tucker has broken into the world of suspense with brilliance and ease. Her grasp on writing in depth and meaningful stories creates a foundation for a full-fledged suspense novel to be brought to life. Her writing and descriptions allow the reader’s imagination to take root and explore the world that is created. When the imagination is engaged with what is happening, the book comes alive in ways that enhance the story unfolding. HE WILL BE MY RUIN is a story that leaves you assuming one thing and discovering so much more as it all unfolds. I hope that Tucker has many more suspense novels in the near future. You can be assured that they are something I will definitely be keeping an eye out for.

“Look, I’m just…” I stare at my reflection in the mirror, my eyes lined with bags, my skin sallow, my hair matted. I look like someone who sat in bed for twenty-four hours, eating cold pizza from the box I had delivered last night and polishing off a bottle of vodka, all while reading the deepest and darkest thoughts from the last fifteen years of Celine Gonzalez’s life. Discovering things that I could have happily gone the rest of my life without knowing.

Which is exactly what I’ve done.

I can barely keep my eyes open and yet I know that sleep will not grant me a reprieve. “I’m dealing with a few private matters.”

“Well, I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to fit you in when you decide that you’re ready.”

“You will, because your boss wants my money.” I hang up before I hear her snippy answer and stare at the journal in my hands.

I was torn between starting from the latest diary first and easing myself in with the oldest one, afraid that I wasn’t ready for what might lie within those last pages. That I wasn’t ready to witness just how Celine had lost herself.

And then I picked up a pink book with butterflies on it—the earliest dated journal—and read a thirteen-year-old Celine recount her major crush on my boyfriend at the time: a tall, gangly guy named Jordan who kissed her behind our house one day while I was changing into my bathing suit upstairs. She felt so guilty, she couldn’t sleep for a week. Through tears, I laughed—because I hadn’t even given that guy a moment’s thought in years—and I knew then that starting at the beginning of Celine’s story was the only way to do this.

And so I did, living the past fifteen years through Celine’s eyes, since the days she and Rosa still lived with me. It wasn’t hard to follow along. She dated every single entry. Some days she didn’t have a lot to say. Other days she’d fill an entire page, even writing along the margin. She seemed to follow a simple rule as the years progressed: one page per day, no more.

So many days.

So many confessions.

So many things that made my heart swell.

And so many that made my heart bleed with pain.

To celebrate the upcoming release and review tour of HE WILL BE MY RUIN, Tucker is hosting an awesome giveaway! For your chances to win one of 5 signed copies of HE WILL BE MY RUIN by K.A. Tucker, enter this Rafflecopter giveaway. Simply follow the instructions listed and you will be entered for your chance to win! Don’t miss out on this  awesome giveaway. Good luck!

Born in small-town Ontario, K.A. Tucker published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Novel Goodreads | Author Goodreads | YouTube | Pinterest | Instagram

Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: KILLER PURSUIT by Jeff Gunhus

Looking for a book that reads like an episode of your favorite crime show? The look no further! Killer Pursuit by Jeff Gunhus is a wild ride you will not want to miss. Check out more about this thrilling book, read Tina’s Thoughts about the story, and enter an awesome giveaway!

Killer Pursuit
Jeff Gunhus
Publication Date: January 10, 2016
Genres: Adult, Thriller

When a high-society call girl is murdered in her Georgetown home, investigators find two cameras hidden in the walls of her bedroom. One has its memory erased, presumably by the murderer. The second is connected to the Internet through an encrypted connection…and no-one knows who’s on the other end.

Special Agent Allison McNeil is asked by beleaguered FBI Director Clarence Mason to run an off-the-record investigation of the murder. The most direct path to apprehending the killer is to find the videos, but with rumors that the victim’s client list may have included Mason’s political enemies, Allison worries about the director’s motives. As she starts her investigation, she quickly discovers that she’s not the only one pursuing the videos. In fact, the most aggressive person racing against her might be the murderer himself.

You can purchase your copy of Killer Pursuit today on Amazon!

Killer Pursuit is a high paced story that takes you deep into an FBI case of murder, lies, and manipulation. This story takes the reader into a fast paced world where you attempt to find justice and race against the unknown. The thriller reads like a crime TV show, easing the reader in something that will make you think and analyze everything.

One of my favorite parts about this story is Allison McNeill, the main character. She is a woman fighting for respect and leverage in a male dominated environment. Jeff Gunhus does a great job of creating a strong female lead who is analytical, brilliant, and resourceful. Watching Allison muddle through the atrocities in this book allows the reader to build a solid respect and connection with her. She feels deeply. She fights for justice. She attempts to stay un-jaded in an occupation where she studies the worst of humanity. For me, Allison made this story great.

The fluidity of this book really brings the story to life. You read this story as an all seeing observer, filing in the details as you progress. You get glimpses into every cog and wheel of what takes place. This style allows the reader to immerse into what is happening and allows for a broader exciting yet terrifying read. You see the violence and the aftermath. You watch the pieces of the puzzle be sewn together. Lines are crossed and paths are set. Jeff does a good job of sharing the reality of the world you read and showing both the deplorable side of humanity alongside the hope and need for justice.

If you love thrillers, check this one out. This is a branch out story from my normal genres and I really enjoyed it. This story focuses on one woman’s mission to bring justice to a scenario filed with danger and politics that is so contentedly set in a world of harsh gray realities. The corruption wars with what is right and as a result we have a fast paced intriguing story! I hoping there are more Allison McNeill stories to come. She is a character I would love to read more about!

 

To celebrate the release and blog tour of Killer Pursuit, Jeff is hosting an awesome giveaway! Enter this RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a $50 Amazon Giftcard! To enter, simply follow the instructions listed and you will be entered for your chance to win. Don’t miss out. Good luck!

Jeff Gunhus is the author of thriller and horror novels for adults and the middle grade/YA series, The Templar Chronicles. The first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. His books for adults have reached the Top 100 on Amazon and have been Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Finalists.

After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active lifestyle in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter 

 

New Release: THE FINAL KO by Jessica Florence

Looking for a strong and sexy read? The Final KO is LIVE and ready to take you there! Check out more about this new release and grab your copy today!

The Final KO
Jessica Florence
Genre: Adult Romance

Release Date: January 14, 2016

 

I fight bitches for a living.

Which makes finding a decent guy hard when you’re a female MMA fighter. None of them have been my equal. I yearn for a man who can push me to reach new heights and challenge me. A man who will treat me like a lady then lift me up by my ass and impale me against the wall.

But when Arson Kade, MMA’s top fighter and notorious manwhore declares he’s that man for me I have my doubts. Any sane woman would.

There seems to be more to Arson than the rumors that surround him, but will it make me fall hard or run for the hills?

I know I’ve got no choice but to hold on for the ride.

It’s the main event and my heart’s on the line.

But will it be the Final KO.

You can purchase your copy today at the retailer listed below!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Itunes | Nook | KOBO

Jessica Florence, Kaleidoscope of Romance Writer of Surviving Valentine, the of The Heart trilogy, Evergreen, Guiding Lights, and The Final KO. When she’s not writing her next invigorating story. You can find her running her own business, and spending time with her husband and daughter in southwest Florida. Jessica loves to interact with her readers, find her on Facebook, her Blog, and Twitter. You can email her at JessicaFlorenceAuthor@gmail.com.

 

Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: SWEET BLISS by Helena Rac

Helena Rac is an author to keep your eye on! This debut novel was sweet and sexy, giving contemporary romance readers what they want! Check out more about Sweet Bliss, read Tina’s Thoughts, and enter the giveaway to celebrate this debut novel.

Sweet Talk
Helena Rac
Genre: Second Chance Romance
Release Date: November 30, 2015

From debut author Helena Rac, a sassy, sexy comic tale of second-chance romance and the many uses of icing.

Tessa loves cupcakes. They’re tasty and comforting, and they’ve made her bakery a success. Men, on the other hand, are unreliable jerks who are bound to break her heart. Even if they’re hot enough to melt her frosting.

Tessa is smitten with Luke after a less than graceful encounter on the streets of Chicago, and fate keeps reuniting them. She’s certain he’d be delicious in bed, but there’s just one problem: Tessa’s sworn off long-distance romances, and Luke lives in London. Besides, he’s proven himself to be bad news. Although Tessa’s sexy stranger swears to set aside his player ways after she carries out sweet revenge, she’s far too smart to believe in happily-ever-afters. Luke will need to use every weapon in his arsenal – including a spatula or two – to convince Tessa they’re meant to be together.

You can purchase your copy of Sweet Bliss at the retailers listed below!

eBook… Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Nook | Kobo | Apple | Google Play

Paperback… Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Barnes & Noble |Chapters/Indigo

Helena Rac has done it! With this book you can have your cake and eat it too! Sweet Bliss is a fun, flirty, sexy, and heartfelt contemporary romance that with hit all the sweet spots! If you don’t sigh with contentment and long for cupcakes and sweet treats as you read, you are doing it wrong. This story is one of those sweet stories of fate and the strength of two characters to take up where fate left off. It has moments of hilarity but also moments of grief and strife. This is a story of what could be and the beginning of something that could turn into a forever happily ever after.

Tessa and Luke. These two have what is takes to be a couple that makes it long term if they can just get past their hesitation and jump all in. Tessa has been burned before and those scars are still visible. Luke has never wanted to commit to more than a fling. When you get these two together, well it is bound to be messy. But the messy relationships are usually the ones most worthwhile. These two share a connection and it is fun to watch that connection grow from admiration to lust to something deeper. When these two decide to see where a step in the right direction would lead, there is much to anticipate. The lust is explosive. At times it was like BAM… sweet romance and then they just cannot keep their hands off each other. Normally this would annoy me a little bit but it works in this scenario. These two are connected and their lives weave in and out. They have both felt the pull towards one another and they decide not to hold back. That is terrifying to them both but it works really well. What starts as a physical connection delves into something more. They are unapologetic about their lust for one another, something that fits in this book.

Sweet Talk is the beginning of a relationship that could be the catch all and end all. So often we see the beginning, middle, and end in a love story. This story focuses on the beginning. We see Tessa and Luke meet for the first time, then their brief encounter again months later. We see them meet once more with a bit of history (a messy beginning to be sure) and the story progresses. There is no insta-love. There is definitely insta-lust and a bodice ripping romance, but the emotions stay at a realistic level. There is attraction, confusion, hurt, anger, like, and the progression to something more. That is something that makes this book great. It is a natural progression of an adult type relationship. Sure it is a bit more dramatic, but not everyone falls in love in chapter 3. The relationship evolves at a steady pace and leaves you with the contentment that a happily ever after is in the stars for these two if they can just open their eyes and grasp it.

Helena does a great job of bringing this story to life. The characters are well developed and intriguing. I loved watching how each person in the story interacts with one another. There is family, comradery, and friendship. Tessa and Luke are well developed main characters who have baggage that is believable and well presented in the story. Everything we learn about them is essential to what is happening and keeps the connection strong. The situations and thought processes are spot on in this story. I love that the relationship is complex in the beginning. Sure it is a physical relationship that cannot be denied and they enjoy each other’s company, but there is something more brewing and it makes things a bit more real. Helena Rac stole my heart with this story and I demand it back. Sweet Bliss is a fun and heartfelt story of love, lust, and cupcakes! Do not miss this debut novel and make sure to add Helena to your “authors to watch” list!

To celebrate the new release of Sweet Talk, Helena Rac is hosting a fun giveaway! Enter this RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a print copy of Sweet Bliss and a La Osa Bracelet (click on the giveaway link to see a picture of the lovely bracelet!). Simply follow the instructions listed for your chance to win. Don’t miss out on this chance. Good luck!

Life is sweeter with cupcakes. And romance novels. That’s why Helena Rac writes contemporary romances about sassy, everyday heroines and swoon-worthy heroes – stories that warm your heart, put a smile on your face, and make you fall in love.

When she’s not writing, Helena loves spending time with her two lovely girls and her incredibly supportive husband. She plays accountant by day; enjoys cooking, traveling, and exploring the outdoors; and reads way past her bedtime. Visit Helena at HelenaRac.com.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

 

Virtual Tour + Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: GUARDING SOPHIE (Love and Football #5.5) by Julie Brannagh

Guarding Sophie
(Love and Football #5.5)
Julie Brannagh
Release Date:  November 10, 2015

Hearts beat and sparks fly when two people find shelter in each other

Seattle Sharks wide receiver Kyle Carlson needs to escape and Noel, Washington, is the perfect place for him to do it and figure out his next step. He likes the seclusion and predictability of the small town…until the biggest surprise of his life turns up in the local grocery store.

Sophie Hayes has her own reasons for disappearing without a trace and moving to Noel. This mountain town makes her feel safe for the first time in a long time. But her quiet routine is threatened when Kyle walks back into her life. Growing up in the same Florida town, she always had a little thing for the sexy football player. This tie to her old life, though, could mean she has to run again, even if her heart wants to stay.

When the reason she fled shows up in Noel, Kyle and Sophie, with a little extra help from his teammates, must decide to stay and fight for the life, and love, they’ve found together.

You can purchase your copy today at the retailers listed below!

 Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo

There is nothing like a sweet novella to add to your READ shelf. Guarding Sophie was a quick story that is full of heart and a second chance. I love sports romances and this book has a hint of the football limelight and one of my favorite themes, a second chance to make it right. Julie Brannagh does a great job of giving us a story that is heartfelt and feels like there is more depth than you would anticipate. With a novella, there is always a chance that it will have gaping holes and be a small taste and not satisfying. With Guarding Sophie, the history that these two characters have and the situations that they encounter allow for the story to be bigger than it’s novella status. There is history between Sophie and Kyle, which allows them to jump into the romance without feeling too rushed (despite the inevitable insta-love theme). Sophie’s situation is something that is unfortunately very common in life, so that theme does not require tons of development. The reader is able to build an entire backstory from the glimpses given. It is what it is and after a bit of history, you have the depth you need. I have not read anything from the Love and Football series before. This novella gives you a taste of the series without bombarding you with too many people and plotlines. You meet Kyle’s teamates in this story, and the rest of the series is obviously about their HEAs, yet you never really feel lacking. It feels like you are thrown into a reunion of friends where you only know one person but they draw you in and make you feel welcome. This story is sweet, romantic, with a bit of danger and intriguing thrown in. This series from Julie Brannagh has been added to the TBR list and I am excited to see more of the stories we have glimpses of in this novella.

Kyle Carlson wore sunglasses, but they were no match for the brilliance of Noel, Washington’s late-spring sunshine. Noel was a mountain pass and a ninety-minute drive away from his life in Seattle. The small town was the perfect place to get lost for a while.

He shielded his eyes with one hand as the real estate agent and interior decorator he’d hired drifted into view. The real estate agent held out a shiny new set of house keys to him.

“It’s all yours, Kyle. Congratulations.”

“Thanks,” he said. “Everything’s ready to go?”

“Of course,” the decorator said. “You wanted simple but comfortable and earth tones. I hope you’ll love it. If you have questions or need anything else, please give me a call right away.” She dug into what Kyle knew was an expensive designer handbag and extended her brightly-patterned business card to him. “Thank you for the business and enjoy.”

“Take a look inside,” the real estate agent said. “I think you’ll love it.”

“I’ll do that,” Kyle said. “Thanks again.”

The real estate agent and interior designer shook hands with him and got into their car. He raised a hand in farewell as they followed the winding, narrow road back to downtown Noel, I-90 and civilization as quickly as possible.

Kyle longed for privacy like other people wanted drugs or alcohol. He hadn’t always been so anti-social. The past seven years of dealing with scores of family members, “friends” and others who thought he was their personal ATM machine since he was drafted into the NFL had finally taken its toll. He realized that his profession didn’t really lend itself to anonymity. Maybe he should have become a plumber or an auto mechanic instead of the starting wide receiver for the world champion Seattle Sharks. If he’d had a more unobtrusive life, he’d go to work from seven to four or so, go home, put his feet up, have a beer and quit worrying about the problems that came when one was lucky enough to earn a staggering income for catching a football six months a year.

Kyle walked up the front path and climbed two stairs to the A-line’s wraparound front porch. The front door of his new cabin was hardwood inlaid with baguettes of beveled, leaded glass. Two stories featured floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over a view of blue skies, puffy white clouds, and endless evergreens. Instead of the rustic, unfinished structure most people would imagine when hearing the word “cabin”, his new place was as luxurious as the stylish Seattle hotel he’d just checked out of. It was also the perfect place to hide out for a couple of months.

He stepped over the threshold of the cabin he’d spent a shocking amount of money on and took a deep breath. Sun-warmed, lemon-scented air surrounded him. The front door shut behind him as he glanced around.

The floors were hardwood. The furnishings were earth tones, man-sized, with a few brightly colored accents to draw the eye.  A gas fireplace with a stone surround dominated most of one wall in the living room. A long staircase led to a loft that overlooked the first story and three bedrooms. He’d thought long and hard about the extra two bedrooms before buying the place. If he had nowhere for anyone else to sleep, they’d be a lot less likely to visit, which worked for him.

He let out a contented sigh as he realized the only sound was his breathing. He’d bought the house in the name of a trust his family and friends knew nothing about. He’d moved out of his huge house in Newcastle two days ago and used the proceeds from its sale to fund the house he was currently standing in and a one-bedroom condo in a Bellevue high rise, also in the name of the trust.  It was his choice who found out where he was and what he was doing from now on.

He’d have almost two months of solitude before training camp started. He couldn’t wait.

Reprinted Courtesy of HarperCollinsPublishers

To celebrate the virtual tour for GUARDING SOPHIE, Julie and Tasty are hosting an awesome giveaway! For your chance to win one of 3 Digital Download Copies of GUARDING SOPHIE (Bluefire App Required), enter this RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY! Just follow the instructions listed and you will be entered for your chance to win! Don’t miss out. Good luck!

USA Today Bestselling Author, Julie Brannagh has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She lives in a small town near Seattle, where she once served as a city council member and owned a yarn shop. She shares her home with a wonderful husband, two uncivilized Maine Coons and a rambunctious chocolate Lab.

When she’s not writing, she’s reading, or armchair-quarterbacking her favorite NFL team from the comfort of the family room couch. Julie is a Golden Heart finalist and the author of contemporary sports romances.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 

 

New Release: THE PLAY by Karina Halle

Who is ready to meet yet another swoon worthy Scotsman from Karina Halle? Today is the day! It is time to meet Lachlan McGregor and fall in love with his bad boy ways. Check out more about The Play and make sure to grab your copy today!

The Play
Karina Halle
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 3, 2015

A troubled Scottish rugby player who doesn’t play by the rules.
A vivacious man-eater who’s given up on love.
When it comes to Lachlan and Kayla, opposites don’t just attract – they explode.

Kayla Moore has always been comfortable with her feisty, maneating reputation. At least it was fine until she hit her thirties and saw her best friends Stephanie and Nicola settle down with Linden and Bram McGregor, leaving Kayla to be the odd one out. Tired of being the third wheel with nothing but one-night stands and dead-end dates in San Francisco, Kayla decides to take a vow of celibacy and put men on the backburner.

That is until she lays her eyes on Linden and Bram’s cousin, hot Scot Lachlan McGregor. Lachlan is her sexual fantasy come to life – tall, tatted, and built like a Mack truck. With a steely gaze and successful rugby career back in Edinburgh, he’s the kind of man that makes her want to throw her vow right out the window. But Lachlan’s quiet and intense demeanor makes him a hard man to get to know, let alone get close to.

It isn’t until the two of them are thrown together one long, unforgettable night that Kayla realizes there is so much more to this brooding macho man than what meets the eye. But even with sparks flying between the two, Lachlan can’t stay in America forever. Now, Kayla has to decide whether to uproot her whole life and chance it all on someone she barely knows or risk getting burned once again.
Sometimes love is a game that just needs to be played.

You can purchase your copy today at the retailers listed below!

AMAZON | AMAZON UK | AMAZON AU | B&N | iTunes

With her USA Today Bestselling The Artists Trilogy published by Grand Central Publishing, numerous foreign publication deals, and self-publishing success with her Experiment in Terror series, Vancouver-born Karina Halle is a true example of the term “Hybrid Author.” Though her books showcase her love of all things dark, sexy and edgy, she’s a closet romantic at heart and strives to give her characters a HEA…whenever possible.

Karina holds a screenwriting degree from Vancouver Film School and a Bachelor of Journalism from TRU. Her travel writing, music reviews/interviews and photography have appeared in publications such as Consequence of Sound, Mxdwn and GoNomad Travel Guides. She currently lives on an island on the coast of British Columbia where she’s preparing for the zombie apocalypse with her husband and rescue pup.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

 

REVIEW: WET by Ruth Clampett

WET
Ruth Clampett
Genre: Adult Romance
Release Date: September 8, 2015

Hi Everyone! My name is Paul and I’m a recovering sex addict…

Paul McNeill loves sex. Good sex. Bad sex. Oral sex. Any kind of sex. You name it; he loves it. But Paul’s biggest passion is his greatest flaw. As a recovering sex addict, he’s been abstaining and managing his addiction for over two years. Now, all he wants is to fall in love and find that certain someone he can settle down with.

But when he finds himself on his knees on Elle Jacoby’s damp lawn, he knows there’s going to be trouble. Elle quickly becomes Paul’s biggest challenge yet. She’s instantly set him ablaze while he begs to be hosed down. As he gets to know her more, the flames burn even hotter.

How can he resist a hot divorcee who’s amped up to have all the fun she’s missed?

Stand-alone story-no cliffhangers. Warning: for mature audiences only.

You can purchase your copy on Amazon today!

This book was not at all what I expected and it blew every expectation out of the water. Another author recommended this book to me and warned me that it was not going to be what I thought it would be. I took that warning very lightly and basically disregarded it. As I began to read this book, I was captivated by such a well written and intriguing story. What I expected never happened and instead this story takes something interesting and gives it authenticity, character, and depth of feeling. Wet is a story about a recovering sex addict and a woman who is looking for physical affirmation and relationship, wherever she can get it and whenever the mood strikes. These two are quite opposite on the spectrum of sex and it was fascinating to watch them interact and strike up an unlikely friendship.

Paul was wonderful. This man had lived a life that almost destroyed him and he made a desperately needed change. There is still a struggle to fall into old habits but he has the will to be more and he is well on that road to a new life of control. I love how this story toes the line of what is acceptable and learning to define to whom it is acceptable. Paul is strong, stronger than he himself realizes, and when he is put to the test, we see his true character. I have never really read a story about a sex addict. I have always been hesitant for some reason. Ruth does an incredible job of humanizing Paul and his struggle but also showing the reader that he is more that his addiction. Yes, it is a part of his life but it does not control it. The constant push and pull was well balanced and eye opening. I love who Paul is and the transformation and confidence he has in this story.

Elle is hilarious. This woman has no off switch and is unapologetically who she is. Sure, sometimes her actions reflect a deeper pain and hurt. But she learns to embrace who she is in every way, creating a fascinating woman that can be understood and admired. Her sex drive is off the charts, both in regards to her need and her reaction to what has happened. Elle’s actions make complete sense. At first you think she is just a horny divorcee, but as you learn more about who she is, you understand her motivations. She has been run through the mud and she needs the confidence that owning her sexuality provides. I loved watching her learn the balance and her identity as her own person.

The relationship between these two is spot on. As I read this book, I found myself thinking that there is so much talk of sex but not nearly as much action as I had anticipated. I honestly wonder at what my expectations were when starting this story. I guess I thought it would be overrun with sex and the needs to fulfill the urge and so on. But instead there is a sexual tension you can feel as you read and talk about sexual needs but overall it was really clean in comparison to what I was expecting. This once again proves that you should not judge a book by it’s cover or synopsis. The chemistry is incredible between Paul and Elle. Their friendship is foundational to who they are and what they need. These two enter into a relationship emotionally without realizing they have crossed that line. I loved seeing how they fell in love with each other, never anticipating the outcome of what was happening.

Wet is an amazing story. It has everything that makes a great book. There is passion, humor, intrigue, and a fabulous story line. The characters are well developed and real. They are flawed and dealing with their issues but there is change, hope, and an inevitable peace with who they are. The romance is beautiful, transforming from a friendship into something real and lasting. Ruth is a fabulous author, one who is able to share a story that is equal parts realistic and hoped for. I am excited to dive into more from Ruth Clampett and fall in love with her other stories. Don’t miss out on Wet. It will surprise you and make you smile.

Blog Tour + Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: HEART-SHAPED HACK by Tracey Garvis Graves

I am excited to be a part of the HEART-SHAPED HACK Blog Tour! This book is now on my go to recommendation list! It is witty, smart, romantic, and fun, all laced with a good dose of intrigue! Check out more about this book, read Tina’s Thoughts and an excerpt, and make sure to enter the giveaway!

HEART-SHAPED HACK
Tracey Garvis Graves
Genre: Romance
Release Date: August 25, 2015

When Kate Watts abandoned her law career to open a food pantry in Northeast Minneapolis, she never dreamed it would be this difficult. Facing the heartbreaking prospect of turning hungry people away, she is grateful for the anonymous donations that begin appearing at the end of each month. Determined to identify and thank her secret benefactor, she launches a plan and catches Ian —a charismatic hacker with a Robin Hood complex—in the act.

Ian intrigues Kate in a way no man ever has. But after learning he’s snooped around on her personal computer, she demands retribution. Impressed with her tolerance and captivated by her spirit, he complies and begins to slowly charm his way past her defenses. Time spent with Ian is never boring, and Kate soon finds herself falling for the mysterious hacker.

But Ian has enemies and they’re growing restless. In the hacking world, exploiting a target’s weakness is paramount, and no price is too high to stop an attack. And when Kate learns exactly how much Ian has paid, she’ll discover just how strong her love is for the man who has hacked his way into her heart.

You can purchase your copy today at the retailers listed below!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks 

If you love books from authors like Penny Reid and Daisy Prescott, you might want to check out this book! Tracey Garvis Graves is a new to me author that I will definitely be stalking from this point forward! HEART-SHAPED HACK has everything I wanted! It is funny, smart, romantic, and mysterious. It was a story that sucked me in and I could not wait to see what Tracey had in store for us all. This book is a must read for anyone who loves a romance that is fun and smart with a bit of a twist.

This book had so many wins for me. First off, Ian and Kate are fantastically written characters. This story is told from Kate’s POV, which was something I appreciated as the story progressed. Ian is such a mysterious man and his cloak and dagger routine is important in the beginning. Learning who he is and what he does along with Kate allows for the reader to become even more intrigued into who this witty man is and what he does. In my opinion, the pace and development of this story would never have been so good if Tracey had not written the story this way. Both Kate and Ian are mature adults. I only state this because it was nice to read a book about well-adjusted adults after a long spout of angsty New Adults on my kindle. They are matured well adjust people who are living their lives one day at a time. Kate is pursuing her passion of helping people by running a non for profit food pantry in her community. Ian on the other hand is the sexy hacker, the Robin Hood who helps her in the pantry’s time of need. These two together are priceless. Their relationship is solid, their banter is hilarious, and their connection grows from sweet to passionate.

The romance between Kate and Ian is well written and paced really well. I loved watching Kate wrestle with her conscious, learning to accept Ian as he is and learning to trust her heart. Ian is so much fun and his charisma is something no female will be immune to. He is kind, doting, and challenges Kate, something she longs to find in a partner. Watching these two interact was a story of passion, mutual respect, and hope. As they fall further in love, I could not help but be giddy at the prospects of their developing romance.

A main theme in this story is hacking, obviously. I loved seeing how this theme played out in a book. I have not really read a book about a hacker and learning more about what you see in the movies was fascinating. The hacker world is a place of black and white and of full of so many gray areas, something the reader begins to understand the more we learn about who Ian is. There are scary realities in the hacking community and Ian does what he can to stop the evil from growing into a plague. The more that Kate learns about Ian and the closer they become, the more we learn firsthand the realities of what he does and who he is. I enjoyed watching the danger and excitement unfold and the decision Kate made in regards to his profession. When the unimaginable happens, you are on the edge of your seat, feeling everything with Kate as you attempt to make sense of the chaos unfolding. I was not prepared for this plot twist, but the build of the story alluded to something big happening. It was well played and perfect for the plot!

Needless to say, this is a top read for me this year. The writing was great. The characters were top notch. And the story as a whole was worth it all. I have another fabulous author to add to the list of people to keep an eye on. I am excited to see what more Tracey has up her sleeve and where she will go from here! Don’t miss this story.

Kate was taking a break and having coffee and a muffin at Wilde Roast Café when Ian slid into the booth and sat across from her. He was wearing a lightweight cream-colored sweater with a tan-and-green-patterned shirt underneath, and he smelled good.

“Hello again.”

Confused, Kate looked around. “Where did you come from?”

“I walked in the door like everyone else.”

“Do you live nearby?” Kate lived in the St. Anthony Main neighborhood of Northeast Minneapolis. The food pantry was conveniently located on SE Main Street, which was a short three-block walk from her apartment. The quiet brick-paved street was lined with restaurants, shops, and a movie theater and included a stunning view of the Mississippi River and St. Anthony Falls. There were also bars that featured live music and plenty of green space in nearby parks.

He shook his head. “Not really.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I felt like talking to you again. You’re seated, so you probably won’t try to strangle me this time.”

“How did you know where to find me?” She was tucked away in a back booth instead of one of the tables near the windows that looked out over SE Main, so it wasn’t like he’d walked by and spotted her.

He held a steaming cup of coffee and blew on it to cool it. “I tracked your credit card activity. According to Capital One, you bought a cup of coffee and a muffin here twelve minutes ago.”

“You tracked my credit card?” Her voice sounded rather loud and shrieky.

He held a finger in front of his mouth. “Shh, Katie Long Legs. That information is for your ears only. How’s your coffee? Would you like a refill?”

Kate did not appreciate being shushed, but she lowered her voice. “Are you some kind of cyberthief?” she whispered. And since when were criminals so well-dressed and impeccably groomed?

“I did not steal your credit card number. I simply accessed your account to see where and when you’d used it last. Then I came here.”

“If you wanted to talk to me again, why didn’t you just go to the food pantry?”

He looked at her like it was obvious. “Because you’re not there. You’re here at this café.”

“If you’re not a cyberthief, then what are you?”

“I’m a hacker.”

“Is there a difference?”

“Most definitely.”

“When you said you steal from the rich to give to the poor, I thought you were kidding. Is that how you get the money?”

“I don’t steal it. I appropriate it from people who shouldn’t have it in the first place. Then I give it to those who are more deserving.”

Kate twisted her napkin. “I can’t keep the money. I’ve already spent the first two donations, but if you come back to the food pantry with me, I can return the most recent one. It’s still locked in the safe because I wasn’t planning on going shopping until tomorrow.”

“No, Katie. I don’t want it back. It’s for you. It’s for the babies.”

“It’s wrong,” she said quietly.

“Is it?”

“It’s against the law.”

“Trust me when I say the people I took it from don’t want the law involved any more than I do.”

“What are you saying? That you’re a thief who steals from other thieves?”

He wrinkled his nose, and it was adorable.

Stop! Thief!

“It sounds so distasteful when you say it like that. I prefer master appropriator of ill-gotten funds. You can call me master for short.”

“I have lots of things I’d like to call you. Master is not one of them.”

© 2015 Tracey Garvis Graves

To celebrate the release of HEART-SHAPED HACK, Tracy is hosting a fun giveaway! For your chance to be one of four winners, enter this Rafflecopter giveaway. Follow the instructions listed for your chance to win one of two signed copies of HEART-SHAPED HACK or one of two $25.00 GiftCards! Don’t miss out on this fun chance. Good luck!

 

Tracey Garvis Graves is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Her debut novel, On the Island, spent 9 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has been translated into twenty-seven languages, and is in development with MGM and Temple Hill Productions for a feature film. She is also the author of Uncharted, Covet, Every Time I Think of You, and Cherish.

Tracey loves to interact with her readers and can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Goodreads | Amazon Author Page