New Release + Review: LAST CALL (Bad Habits #3) by Staci Hart

IT IS HERE! Last Call is in the wild! The world can finally fall for Tricky and Rose’s story. This is the perfect ending to the Bad Habits series! Staci has gone out with a bang and created an emotional story that will leave you breathless!

Last Call
Bad Habits #3
Staci Hart
Genre: Contemporary
Publication Date: February 15, 2016

Once Rose Fisher makes a decision, that’s it. End of story.

Like when her ex, Patrick, dumped her out of the blue, then showed up with a super hot, tatted up sex kitten on his arm. Then it was over for good. The end. Poof. Dead to her. Except he was everywhere — down the hall, at the bar with their friends, worming his way into her dreams.

But with their friends paired off, they’re left alone more and more. Rose is determined to keep him friendzoned — doesn’t matter that he stares at her with a smolder that drops all panties in a ten foot radius. She’s over him, and she’ll prove it by getting back into the dating game, Patrick be damned.

Patrick Evans is no stranger to consequences. When your mother walks out, your dad drifts away. When you leave home, you’re on your own. And when you run away from the girl you love, you lose her. He finally has an opportunity to rebuild the bridge he burned, and it’s not one he’ll take for granted. But he’ll have to fight for her, even if it hurts. Even if it means he’ll walk away brokenhearted. Because deep down, he knows that she’s it for him.

The trick will be to get her to admit she feels it too.

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

AMAZON | AMAZON UK | AMAZON CA | AMAZON AU

How do I even begin to explain my love for this book?

The story between Tricky and Rose is like the dying embers of a fire. If left alone, it could die away completely, leaving charred remains, or with one small breathe of life, it can become a raging inferno of passion and warmth. My heart had always been a bit broken from the failed first chance between these two. When I started reading LAST CALL, there was a twinge of pain in my heart and I wondered if Staci was going to break it even more. Every time something would happen there would be another twinge and then another. I doubted where she was taking me but in the end I realized she wasn’t breaking my heart. Instead Staci sewed it back together and made is whole again.

This book makes you feel BIG time. So let me share my thoughts about LAST CALL through my emotion…

1. Annoyance. When you read a book in dual POVs you get the big picture affect as well as the emotional turmoil. Being able to see and understand both Tricky and Rose’s thoughts and emotions just made me crazy. I wanted to smack them both upside the head and make them see what they could be. The annoyance displayed my investment in these two and my hope for something beautiful.
2. Jealousy. Let me tell you… This book makes me green with envy. I love every single person in this book. I want every single secondary character to come alive and be my friends forever. Their friendships and comradery is something that people long for. I was also jealous of Rose. Because… dayum that Tricky. Tricky has skyrocketed straight into my top 5 book boyfriends of all time. He is kind, loyal, and perfect. Add in a smokin’ body covered in tattoos and a smile that lights you up inside… Perfect.
3. Hope. Throughout the entire story, from cover to cover, all you can do is place the fragile hope in Staci’s hands. There is a lot of trust that takes place in that author and reader relationship but the reward far outweighs the risk. There is a beautiful thread of hope and excitement woven in this story that gives the reader something to hold onto.
4. Passion. This book is FULL of passionate encounters, both negative and positive. When these characters feel something, it is with their entire being. They are passionate about their hatred and their love. That in turn made me very passionate about the outcome of this book. Everything happens for a reason and being able to understand the raw emotion behind those actions leave a mark on your heart.
5. Obsession. The final emotion is by far the strongest. You know when you see the characters you love working through their issues and trying to stand on solid ground, you become obsessed with where the story leads them. I guess to say I was “invested in the outcome” is a less passionate way of saying it. Seeing everything from the emotion of the story to the reaction of the characters, your hope is intertwined in a way that is slightly terrifying and exciting.

Staci Hart rocked it. Tricky and Rose have the perfect story that embodies what they needed and what they had to do. This book is forever on my top recommendation list for years to come. LAST CALL is a story of second chances and learning to let the fear go. Those are some of my favorite themes, coupled with some of my favorite book people, well, the combination is perfection. I tip my hat to the Bad Habits gang, sad to see them go, but oh so satisfied in what has been!

With a Twist

AMAZON | AMAZON UK

Love is somewhere near the bottom of Lily Thomas’ list of life goals, right next to competitive eating and underwater cave diving. She’s spent six years pirouetting and pliéing her way up the ranks of the New York Ballet with her eye on the prize and love in the back seat. But now that Blane Baker — Lily’s long time crush — is finally single, she’ll throw her rules out the window without thinking twice.

Reality with Blane isn’t as epic as the fantasy she imagined, and the truth sends her spinning straight into the arms of the man she never knew she’d always wanted.

West Williams has been friends with Lily since the day she moved into their building and he saved her armoire from a swift, sudden death by staircase. Their friendship has always been easy, the boundaries clearly defined. With neither of them willing to risk their relationship, they’ve drifted happily through the years as companions, never considering more.

That is, until they do. And that realization changes everything.

 

Chaser 

AMAZON | AMAZON UK

Everyone knows you should never say never.

Cooper Moore never saw Maggie Williams coming. She was just his best friend’s little sister, the curly-haired, freckle-faced girl from Mississippi who was absolutely off limits. And he never thought about her any other way — not until he saw her that night, broken and brave. From that moment on, he knew he’d do whatever it took to protect her, even if it meant he had to stay away.

Maggie never expected to find her fiancé banging her maid of honor an hour before she was set to walk down the aisle, but life’s funny that way. The only option to save her sanity is to get the hell out of Jackson and move to New York where her brother lives. The only downside: Cooper is there too. And she just doesn’t know if she can stay away from him — the filthy rich, dead sexy playboy who’s allergic to commitment.

The second Maggie sees him again, she realizes he’ll be impossible to resist. Luckily, commitment is the last thing on her mind, and Cooper is the perfect escape. As long as she can keep her heart in check, everything will be just fine. Because she can never have feelings for him. Or at least that’s what she’ll keep telling herself.

Chaser is a standalone romantic comedy and book 2 of the Bad Habits series.

 

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life — a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can’t forget that. She’s also been a mom; she has three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She’s been a wife; even though she’s certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She’s also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she’s been drinking whiskey. Her favorite word starts with f and ends with k.

From roots in Houston, to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she’s not writing, she’s sleeping, gaming, or designing graphics.

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: DOLCE (Love at Center Court #2) by Rachel Blaufeld

Dolce
Love at Center Court #2
Rachel Blaufeld
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: January 21, 2016

“Who just stole my thunder across the Hafton airwaves, you ask? Right now, right this very second, listeners, I have Hafton’s one-and-only, the main man with the ball in hand, Blane Steele is in the studio. Mark my words—he’ll not only steal the ball, but your lady’s heart too. Watch out, gentlemen, the Stealer is in the house!”

— Sonny Be Knocking Boots, Hafton Radio 96.9

Coed antics.

Chaos.

Angst-ridden twists in fate.

Caterina is an intern. Sonny is her shock-jock boss. And Blane is a good-hearted baller…except when he steps on the court. Between on-air dares, an evil feminist professor, a straight-shooter of a coach, and rumors from the league surrounding Steele, these three are destined to screw it all up.

Rather than a love triangle, this is a friends-to-lovers story where the disc jockey acts as the catalyst, and a basketball player finds his life transformed when center court intersects with love.

Dolce, the newest stand alone to the Love at Center Court Series from Rachel Blaufeld, is NOW LIVE! You can grab your copy for only 99 cents for a limited time only at the retailers listed below!

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Dolce took me by surprise. It was a story I was not expecting taking a unique twist that was refreshing and out of left field. There are a lot of things happening between the covers of this book and the shock factor adds a deeper thread of interest. Rachel Blaufeld takes the typical sports college romance and gives it a face lift. She gives the characters overall struggles and life choices meaning, which allows the reader to look at something unexpected in a connected way. I will be vague in my review about what exactly happens. Needles to say, I was not prepared for what I read and spoiling the plot would take away from the experience. It was different than I expected but Rachel made it work in unexpected ways. Maybe this is the author’s normal way of writing, but as someone who has never read her books before, I am very intrigued with her storytelling and plan to explore her other books!

In this story, Cate and Blane seem like total opposites. On many levels they are. But at the core of who they are, we learn that they long to find their place of belonging. Blane finds his home on the basketball court and he longs for his chance to go pro in the end. Cate is a young woman attempting to find out what she believes and who she is at the very core of her being. I felt like a good chunk of this book follows Cate’s journey as she muddles through her choices and the consequences. It was a new adult story at heart in which this young woman learns to accept every part of who she is and fight for what she believes is right. This heroine is quite a fiery package. She embodies her heritage so well and her personalty draws the reader into her plight. I loved this woman’s tenacity and bravery. It took a turn I never saw coming, but as the story progresses it becomes a vital role to the story and the woman’s journey to find herself.

These two main characters experience so much in their own lives and grow throughout the book. Part of that growth happens individually and some together. They weave in and out of each other’s lives, never knowing when it is the right time to officially take a step towards more. The chemistry is there but it is a deep attraction that encourages and distracts. There is an insta-lust that you cannot deny, which fits perfect with the story. It is when the real feelings develop and hard truths come to light that they begin to understand what they have and how to fight for it. The romance between these two main characters is a large chunk of the story but the major character development and unexpected journeys are what made this book an intriguing read for me.

I am still a bit muddled (in a good way) in my overall feelings with this book but it was given me quite the curiosity of Rachel Blaufeld’s writings. She approaches issues with refreshing candor and writes stories that are filled with flaws and believable people. I am excited to dive into more of her stories and see what else she has come up with.

“I’m not doing anything. I’m hanging with a friend.”

Almost instantly, the spark winked out in her eyes. “What?”

Most girls would have bitten their tongue off rather than respond to the friend comment, but not Cate.

She glared at me. “You’re making my head hurt. You’re nice, and we’re friends. Then you wrap your arm around me, hug me tight, chat about porn, and ask me out for a drink, which seems like more than friends. And now we’re back to being friends again.”

“It’s complicated, like you said, with Sonny and the radio station. I’ve never done this before, actually liked someone or been intrigued. Whatever this is.”

“Well, I guess there’s a first time for everything.”

“It’s fucking just my luck, you know,” I said, shaking my head sadly. “I meet someone like you when Sonny throws down the gauntlet, and I can’t mess up because I’ve got Coach breathing down my neck. Everyone’s watching me. It’s been all eyes on deck since last season, when I decided to finish school before I go pro, and do what’s right. I must be jinxed or some shit.”

“Exactly,” Cate said firmly. “I may be all ‘I am woman, hear me roar,’ but I’m not about to trash your career over a silly friendship. You do what you need to do.”

She stood on her tiptoes, grabbed my shoulders, and placed a quick kiss on my cheek. “Take care of yourself, Blane. See you around. Thanks for walking me.”

To celebrate the release and blog tour for Dolce, Rachel  is giving away this coffee mug (perfect for sports romance lovers) filled with swag, along with signed copies of Vérité and Dolce! How great is that? To enter this giveaway, go to the RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY and follow the instructions listed. You will be entered for your chance to win! Don’t miss out. Good luck!

Verite, is book one in the Love at Center Court series and ONLY $0.99 for a limited time. Grab your copy today! Amazon US | Amazon UK

That’s me—Tingly Simmons—athlete, foreign-language major, professor lover, obsessed idiot girl. Definitely not a frat rat or sorority slut. I’ve never even played beer pong.

I ditched the vapid, soulless high-society life of Los Angeles for the promise of something more meaningful in rural Ohio. Accepting a track scholarship for college, I tried running my way to happiness, but instead I ended up sleeping with my French professor and falling head over heels for him.

When that relationship fell apart, so did I.

Barely hanging on by a thread and using the most absurd coping skills, I was determined to hide behind my past indiscretions. That was, until I met Tiberius Jones. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d learn the truth about love from a six-foot-five basketball player.

Rachel Blaufeld is a social worker/entrepreneur/blogger turned author. Fearless about sharing her opinion, Rachel captured the ear of stay-at-home and working moms on her blog,BacknGrooveMom, chronicling her adventures in parenting tweens and inventing a product, often at the same time. She has also blogged for The Huffington Post, Modern Mom, and StartupNation.

Turning her focus on her sometimes wild-and-crazy creative side, it only took Rachel two decades to do exactly what she wanted to do—write a fiction novel. Now she spends way too many hours in local coffee shops plotting her ideas. Her tales may all come with a side of angst and naughtiness, but end lusciously.

Rachel lives around the corner from her childhood home in Pennsylvania with her family and two dogs. Her obsessions include running, coffee, icing-filled doughnuts, anti-heroes, and mighty fine epilogues.  Sign up for her  newsletter for the latest news on releases, sales, giveaways and other updates.

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Cover Re-Reveal & Sale: BY HIS GAME Series by Emma Hart

The By His Game Series from Emma Hart has gotten a cover face lift and am I am loving it! Check out the new covers and drool over a few teasers below! To celebrate, all three books are on sale for only 99 cents a piece! That is a huge steal. This sale is LIMITED (January 8, 2016-January 10, 2016) so make sure to grab your copy today!

From Emma Hart, the New York Times bestselling author of the Game series, comes a brand new series where the game is realer, the tension is tighter, the sex is hotter, and the stakes are the highest of all…

Two people. Two agendas. Two games.

What happens when the out-there It-Boy of football meets the secret It-Girl of fashion?

As the daughter of Hollywood’s sweetheart, Leah Veronica can’t even buy a coffee without finding her face on a magazine stand, so it’s no wonder she’s launching her first fashion line in secret. With it debuting at New York Fashion Week in just under a month, extra time in the spotlight is the last thing she needs.

The son of the best quarterback the league has ever seen, filling legendaryshoes as the L.A. Vipers’ quarterback was inevitable for Corey Jackson. So was meeting Leah Veronica—the first girl to hand him his ass without putting a hair out of place.

Getting the handsome, prickly blonde into his bed becomes his number one goal. But getting the sexy, over-confident footballer the hell away from her becomes Leah’s—at least until she realizes the best way to do that is to give him what he wants.

If only it was that simple.

When Corey discovers who she is, and private photos of Hollywood’s finest find their way online, everything they thought they knew is thrown into disarray.

And when secrets are exposed and hearts are shattered, they have to figure out if they’ve been blindsided by love or reality, and if it’s worth running the extra yard to win the game they never meant to play.

You can purchase your copy of Blindsided for only 99 cents from the retailers listed below!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks |Amazon AU | Amazon CA

Three people. Three motives. Three reasons.

When the game leaves the field in the second book in the USA Today bestselling BY HIS GAME series and mixes with sex, lies, and betrayal, the future isn’t the only thing on the line…

 

Macey Kelly has sworn off men. Unless they’re going to zip in and out of her apartment—and her vagina—quicker than they can give her an orgasm, she’s not interested. Finding out her boyfriend of three years got her cousin pregnant was a total confidence knock. Luckily for Macey, confidence is

something she has in abundance, so all Mitch’s asshole move did was make her pretty cynical toward men.

The last thing Jack Carr needs at the start of the season is for a dark-haired, sexy as sin, gyspyesque beauty to be consuming his thoughts. Football is his life, which leaves no time for girls. Unless they’re the love ‘em and leave ‘em girls. Becoming one of the best running backs the league has ever seen by racking up the yards is his top priority… not bedding Macey Kelly, despite her affinity for blow jobs and total sexual abandon.

Avoiding each other is the perfect solution, but when your best friends are in a serious living together kind of relationship, that isn’t always an option. Sometimes, sex on tap is the easiest option. And the sweetest.

Until Mitch shows up with a bombshell that could shatter Macey’s perfectly carved out life. It’s been a year, but he isn’t giving her up, not now he has a chance at winning her back. And he knows her buttons. Every single one of them.

Unfortunately for him, Jack Carr isn’t a loser. The star running back has his eye on the Vince Lombardi—and on Macey. But seeing her hanging between them both isn’t something he’s down with, not when he discovers why she’s so against anything more-ish, as she puts it.Macey quickly realizes she’s the ball being passed between two desperate yet opposing teams, and that only one of them can score the touchdown. But will the winner be the guy she lived with and loved for three years, or will the winner be the guy who understands her and makes her body come alive?

In this game, someone will be sidelined, and calling the play isn’t always as easy as it seems

(SIDELINED is a full-length, standalone novel. It’s not necessary to read BLINDSIDED before this book, but it is advised.)

You can purchase your copy of Sidelined today for only 99 cents from the retailers listed below!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | iBooks | Barnes & Noble 

Four people. Four goals. Four endings.

In the third and final book of the USA Today bestselling By His Game series, the rules of the game no one knew they’d have to play are blurring, and when the past becomes the opposing team, hearts aren’t the only thing at stake of being lost…

Finding naked pictures of her best friend on her boyfriend’s phone wasn’t in Everleigh White’s five year plan. Neither was moving back to Los Angeles, the city of dreams that never managed to make hers come true. There’s only so many years you can be in love with your best friend before you realize he’s never going to love you back, after all. If only her ex would stop showing up at the gym where she works, she’d be much happier.

Being a father at nineteen wasn’t how Reid North, the Vipers’ wide receiver, imagined his life going, but when his ex-girlfriend tricked him into parenthood, he accepted it. Eventually. Now, with his ex on the verge of being released from prison, he’s holding onto full custody of his seven year old son, Leo. Football and Leo have left Reid no time for dating… Until Everleigh comes back.

His best friend his whole life, Everleigh never knew Reid loved her. She left before he could tell her. Now she’s back in front of him, and he’s not letting go. Even if all he gets is her friendship again. But in a city like L.A., dreams come true when you’re least expecting it.

So do nightmares.

With their exes beating down their doors with demands and explanations, their hesitant and building relationship is threatened at every corner. They’re at serious risk of being intercepted by the past, and that’s a ball Reid is determined to catch.

Except desperation can lead to stupidity—and Reid soon realizes he can’t catch every ball, no matter how perfectly it’s thrown to him. This time a fumble could cost more than a few points.

It could cost him everything.

(INTERCEPTED is the third and final book in the By His Game series and can be read as a standalone, although it is advised to read BLINDSIDED and SIDELINED before, in this order.)

You can grab your copy of Intercepted today for only 99 cents from the retailers listed below!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

 

By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to two beautiful little monsters. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of whatever she fancies – usually wine – and writes books.

Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta love.

She likes to be busy – unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.

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New Release + Excerpt + Giveaway: WITH EVERY BREATH by Lia Riley

Today is the long awaited release day of With Every Breath by Lia Riley! You need to grab this book! It has everything a New Adult reader could want. Exciting Adventures- check. Fun and Feisty Heroine- check. A sexy rugged Scottish Mountaineer- check. Passion that will set fire to the pages of this book- check. Check out more about this new release, read an excerpt from the story, enter the giveaway to celebrate, and make sure to grab your copy today!

With Every Breath (A Wanderlust Novel)
Lia Riley
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Release date: December 29, 2015
Forever Grand Central

BREATHE DEEP . . . AND JUMP IN

At the ends of the earth, Patagonia is a land where ambition trumps reason and the savage summit of La Aguja lures the most determined climbers. It’s also the last spot a “play-it-safe girl” like Auden Woods expects to find herself. But she’ll lace up her brand-new hiking boots and do whatever it takes to secure a dream job at an adventure magazine . . . even if it kills her. And it just might. When disaster strikes, her only chance at survival comes in the form of the surliest, sexiest mountaineer ever to come out of Scotland.

After a climbing accident cost him his brother, professional mountaineer Rhys MacAskill is at the end of his rope. Redemption is not in his future. That is, until a terrifying storm blows a budding journalist into his tent and it’s up to him to make sure they both survive until morning. Despite the demons weighing on him, Rhys can’t resist the temptation of the charming American and one wild night just isn’t enough.

Auden and Rhys soon learn there are no shortcuts as they navigate their way between life, death, and atonement, and discover something they never expected-love. “Riley writes a captivating story from beginning to breathtaking end.” -Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Inside Out

You can grab your copy of With Every Breath at the retailers listed below!

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

I clear my throat and project my voice into a shouty rasp. “Sorry. I don’t mean to bother you, but—”

“What do you want?” A guy—not a very happy one by the sound of it—growls from inside.

“Sorry?” I bend closer to the nylon to hear above the deluge.

“What. Do. You. Want?”

My unwilling savior has a testy accent and a worse attitude. British maybe? No one does disdain like the English. Under normal circumstances, I’d swoon. I’m such a sucker for Mr. Darcy fantasies, but this isn’t Pemberley. It’s the Patagonian wilderness.

I lurch backward and trip over a tent peg. The flashlight slips from my grasp and hits the ground, shining on a coiled rope topped by a helmet. A mountaineer. Wonderful. He’s not exactly going to roll out the welcome mat for my inept ass, and I’m the type of girl who hates asking for help carrying groceries to the car. But what’s the alternative? Hypothermic death in a bog?

The tent unzips. My thoughts are jumbled, but there’s enough common sense left remaining to not fall to my knees and praise Jesus, Mary, and all the angels.

The diffuse light reveals the guy inside rising to his knees. Too dark to make out a face, especially when his headlamp burns my retinas. He seems very big, very shirtless, and very alone.

My nails cut into my palms, but no feeling remains in my hands. This damsel-in-distress business sucks. “My tent, see. It’s short a pole, and I can’t set it up. Can I…? Can I…?” Out with it, like ripping off a bandage. Strange my mouth can be so dry when the rest of me is drenched. I have to get inside that tent. “May I come in? Please. I don’t know what else to do.” I have nothing left to say. My social skills toolbox is empty.

A few seconds tick by. “Can’t leave you out there.” He sounds disappointed by the fact. “Come in, then, but those muddy boots stay in the vestibule.”

I step forward unsteadily, half wishing I could see him better, get a good look at the situation, and half not caring. At least I’m going to have shelter, and surviving is worth dealing with the uncomfortable situation. As I bend to unlace my boots, the glow from his headlamp reveals carved abs and low-slung pants barely hanging on to narrow hips. My throat constricts. Looks like tonight will be spent between a rock and a hard place.

To celebrate the release of With Every Breath, Lia is hosting an awesome giveaway! Enter this Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win a signed paperback copy of With Every Breath and a Wanderlust Bracelet (pictured). Simply follow the instructions listed on the giveaway and you will be entered for your chance to win. Don’t miss out on all the fun! Good luck!

Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult and Contemporary Adult romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments.

A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn’t mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c’mon, who doesn’t love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about future books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. Right now, Icelandic hot springs and Scottish castles sound mighty fine.

She and her family live mostly in Northern California.

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: WICKED REUNION (Wicked White #2) by Michelle A. Valentine

Wicked Reunion is a story of love, loss, and second chances. Check out Michelle A. Valentine’s second book in the Wicked White Series, and prepare to fall in love with this story. Take a look at Tina’s Thoughts, more about the book and the series, and make sure to enter the giveaway to celebrate!

Wicked Reunion
Wicked White #2
Michelle Valentine
Genre: Rockstar / Second Chance Romance
Release Date: December 15, 2015

College sweethearts London Uphill and Jared Kraft were inseparable. He was a rising baseball star with a promising future, and she seemed destined to become “Mrs. Kraft.” Then a tragic night and a series of devastating mistakes caused Jared to walk away from his life, leaving London without any explanation and tearing the couple apart.

Five years later, Jared has reinvented himself by putting down the bat and picking up a guitar to play for the red-hot band Wicked White. In all that time, London hasn’t gotten over her forever love—or the pain—despite seeking solace in the arms of the one man no one dreamed she’d run to.

When Wicked White’s lead singer goes MIA, Jared finds the time—and courage—to return to his hometown and face the mess he made. He’s shocked at how London’s life has changed, yet he’s determined to prove their love is worth fighting for. Is this breakup too big for any hope of a reunion tour? Or can London open her heart to Jared once again?

You can purchase your copy of WICKED REUNION, the second in the Wicked White Series, today at the retailers listed below!

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Second Chance romance stories are some of my absolute favorites. I love seeing how the love and emotion evolves and how two people who loved before can love harder and stronger after time apart. Wicked Reunion overlaps in timing from the first book in this series, Wicked White. I enjoyed seeing how the band evolved and observing the controversy from multiple sides. In this tale, we focus on Jared’s story of love and loss. This story is told in past and present POVs, something that allows the reader to understand the present situation and learn the history of how each character ended up where they are. London and Jared are a couple that you would have seen in college and assumed that they would weather any storm and be together forever. I guess you would be right in that assessment in some regard but it is not the journey anyone would have thought for them.

This book has quite a few surprises. When you read the synopsis and begin the book you wonder what causes all the strife between these two characters. As the story unfolds in the past and the present, I was surprised at what happened but those surprises enhanced the story. It was nice to see a refreshing take on the rockstar romance story and read the highs and lows of what happened. I will not spoil the details but know that they add flair to the story that makes this book stand out. When London and Jared are reunited in the present, it was interesting to see how they reacted to each other. Their love and desire for one another has grown tenfold and that kind of love is what legends are written about. Things are hard and reality is brutal. Their hopeful reunion is not at all rainbows and butterflies. There were times that I wondered what would happen and where they could possibly go from where they were. But Valentine shows the reader that the journey is just as important as the destination, especially in matters of the heart.

My only complaint about this book is that I wanted more. When I hit 93% on my kindle, I was shocked. I did not realize I was so close to the end and I felt like there was so much more to know and experience. But Michelle takes it all in stride and gives us what we want in a precise way that made me content. After the last paragraph I was happy with how things turned out but I could have used an entire book between the last two chapters. This book shows the reconnection of soulmates and develops a story that was always meant to be both in the past and in the present, and well beyond into the future! The writing was fabulous and the story was well written. Fans of Ace’s book will love this story, giving us a different view of what happened in the first book and a glimpse into the future that Iris and Ace have.

Missed meeting Ace in WICKED WHITE? Grab it now! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

After his mother dies, rock star Ace White—lead singer of the red-hot band Wicked White—is done with the celebrity game. The phony people, the meaningless one-night stands: he doesn’t want any of it anymore. Quitting in the middle of a sold-out tour, Ace sets out to find some place—any place—where he can be alone.

Aspiring singer Iris Easton’s life has never been easy. First, her mother walked out on her when she was a kid. Now she’s buried in debt, weeks after losing her beloved grandmother. When a mysterious and sexy new guy moves in next door, Iris can’t help but be drawn to his soulful gaze. She can tell there’s something from his past haunting him—something he’s not telling her.

Just as Ace starts falling for Iris, the media go on a worldwide hunt to find the missing rocker. Will true love conquer all, or will the truth be the very thing that tears the couple apart?

Want to win a $20 Amazon giftcard? Now is your chance. To celebrate the blog tour of Wicked Reunion, Michelle is hosting a fun giveaway! Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway below for your chance to win. Simply follow the instructions listed and you will be entered for your chance. Don’t miss out! Good luck!

Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of erotic and New Adult romance. Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos, and sexy musicians inspired her erotic BLACK FALCON series. Be a little naughty – join Valentine’s Vixens on Facebook for sneak peeks at Michelle’s upcoming works, as well as fun and chatting with her and other readers!

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New Release + Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET by Heather Lyons

 I am so happy to bring you the Release Week Blitz for Heather Lyons’ ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET! ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET is a brand new standalone contemporary romance by Heather Lyons due to be released tomorrow on December 15, 2015! Grab ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET now for a limited time special sale price of $1.99! Price will rise on December 23. Check out more about this book, read Tina’s Thoughts and an excerpt from the story, and make sure to enter the fabulous giveaway to celebrate!

ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET
Heather Lyons
Genre: Royal Romance
Release Date: December 15, 2015

Every decade, the world’s monarchs and their heirs secretly convene to discuss global politics and social issues—and arrange marriages between kingdoms.

Elsa may be the Hereditary Princess of Vattenguldia, but she finds the entire situation archaic and unsavory. While she wants what’s best for her country, she isn’t about to jump into an unwanted relationship—let alone a marriage—with a virtual stranger. Of course, her feelings matter little to her parents, whose wheeling and dealings over trade pacts and alliances achieved at her expense begin the moment they set foot in California for the Summit. So when a blindingly handsome royal runs into her, she doesn’t hesitate to tell him there’s no way she’s marrying him.

Christian is all too happy to agree: no marriage. As the Hereditary Grand Duke of Aiboland, his main goal is to get through the summit without a bride being foisted on him. Which is why he suggests they help each other field potential intendeds. As Christian slowly gets to know Elsa, though, he realizes they have a lot more in common than just their feelings about the Royal Marriage Market. Only he can’t fall for her, because royal or not, they’re not meant for each other.

Elsa and Christian will have to evaluate matters of the heart verses those of state and crown, and decide whether or not tradition trumps love.

“The perfect royal romance.” Nichole Chase, New York Times bestselling author.

Grab Your Copy of ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET today for just $1.99 now through December 23, 2015!

iBooks | Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

This book is brilliant! Everything I love about romance, royalty, and sassy heroines shines bright in this story. Royal Marriage Market will draw you into a frustrating world of royal matchmaking, a world that is full of very few hits and more than enough misses. There is duty, honor, heartache, and passion spilling from this tale. Heather Lyons does an incredible job of sharing a beautiful love story, one that shows the stark line between duty to country and following your heart.

Where do I even begin with this book? It plowed into my top reads of 2015 at the end of the year and it stole my breath. When you start to read this story you have a little bit of an idea of what is going to happen based on the general genre of royal romance, but the story is perfected in the details. The details make this story phenomenal and allow the reader to dive deeper into Elsa and Christian’s tale. Taking traditions from hundreds of years of monarchy and translating that into a modern royal romance gives this story a push into something that every young fairytale lover longs to see. Elsa is a strong woman, one who is refreshing with a feisty personality and spunk for life that gives her a fresh outlook on her role and her country. She is opinionated, kind, loving, and adores her country, while abhorring some of the harsher traditions she is expected to uphold. Christian is a man determined to make a difference in his country. He is strong, intriguing, and so darn alluring. There is so much about him that appeals to Elsa but the situation throws a wrench into everything. These two strike up an unlikely alliance in a desperate situation and it blooms into something epic love stories are written about.

Royal Marriage Market is an insider’s look into the matchmaking of royalty in the modern times. It is about keeping hold of who you are in the midst of emotional chaos. It is about love and the cost of that love but more importantly about the desire and fight to stay true to yourself. There are so many times when these characters could have laid down and taken the brunt of the harsh reality that was forced upon them, but instead they stood for change and a better future of happiness. Every character you meet in this story shares a different personality trait of the situations you read in this book. There are manipulators who are crass and heartless. There are negotiators and blackmailers. But there are also so many innocent caught in the crossfire that long for love but find themselves in a do or die situation. Heather does an incredible job of expanding this story to include so many different royals and situations that weave into a well thought out and provoking story. Elsa and Christian are the main focus but their story it so deeply woven into the fabric of those around them, royals and non-royals alike.

I could have read a million more books featuring Elsa and Christian’s story. I would have loved to read hundreds of spin-offs giving me a glimpse into what happens to all the other people involved and the paths they decide to take. This story was fabulous! I don’t think I can completely communicate how much I loved it and how excited I am for everyone to read this book! Heather Lyons has proven in this book that love is magic and the power to follow your heart is pure and transformational.

“Heather Lyons has officially charmed me. Royal Marriage Market is an indulgent read that will have you flipping pages until the very end.” – R.S. Grey, USA Today bestselling author.

            A sly grin is thrown my way. “Luk got in even later than I did, looking like he’d been at the party of the century.”

“Ah. How very interesting. Who do you think he was cavorting with at sucha late hour?”

“I think the better question is, who wasn’t he cavorting around with?”

“Me.” I smile brightly. “And you. Our cavorting was limited to a very exclusive party of two.”

“Is that what we were doing? Were we cavorting?”

We were falling in love, I think. Wonderfully, miserably, tragically, beautifully falling in love. Or at least, I was. But I say, “Of course. You and I are natural cavorters.”

Bittersweet amusement sparkles in his eyes. “I thought our thing was to run amuck.”

“That, too.” I gently touch the back of his hand. “We run amuck and cavort.”

The smile on his face softens. “Only with each other, though. We cavort best when it’s with the other.”

“Shall we make a deal then? Shall we swear to the other that, when it comes time to cavort, we must only do it together?” My words are light, so is my tone, but part of me crumbles within, knowing what I jokingly request will never come to be.

Gravity invades his face as he shifts on the seat toward me, knees brushing up against one another. I am trapped by his gaze, motionless with his leg pressed against mine. “That’s a promise I can easily make.”

I am still as the golden princess before us when he slowly, gently pushes stray hairs freshly escaped from my ponytail behind my ears. The feel of his fingers, light as breezes against my cheeks, leaves me hot and desperate.

“Shall we shake on it?” I whisper.

The muscle within my chest ceases its rhythm when he shakes his head. He stares at me then, as if he is unraveling all my atoms, rendering me exposed and vulnerable.

But then he leans forward, lips caressing one corner of my mouth and then the other. “All the best agreements,” he murmurs, words just as soft as mine, “are sealed with a kiss.”

I consist only of nothing but exposed nerve endings when I replicate his promise. My lips tingle, my heart hammers, and tears swarm my closed eyes. “You have my promise in return.”

He tilts his head up, mouth pressing against my temple before resting his forehead against mine. “I’m going to hold you to that, Els.”

To celebrate the release blitz for ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET, Heather is hosting a fabulous giveaway! Enter this RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a signed copy of ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET and Kate Spade Ring (pictured to the left). Simply follow the instructions listed and you will be entered for your chance to win. Don’t miss out on this awesome prize pack! Good luck!

Heather Lyons writes epic, heartfelt love stories and has always had a thing for words. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. She and her husband and children live in sunny Southern California and are currently working their way through every cupcakery she can find.

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: LIES WE LIVE (The Truth Series #1) by Brenda St. Jame Brown

Holy Cappuccinos! This book!! It was fabulous and I need the second in the Duo ASAP! Brenda St. John Brown stepped her game and gave an intriguing story of ups and downs that will leave you breathless. Check out more about this book, read Tina’s Thoughts, enter the giveaway to celerbate the blog tour! Don’t miss out!

LIES WE LIVE
The Truth Series #1
Brenda St. John Brown
Release Date: June 22, 2015
Genre: New Adult Contemporary

Ella Ingraham is a best-selling novelist. She’s also a murderer. At least that’s what most of the world thinks after her ex brought a tabloid frenzy and a civil suit down on her for “negligence” following the stillbirth of their unplanned child at eight months. Her cross-country drive is meant to be an escape, and Horatio, AR is just another random exit off the highway. Until she meets Josh Devereaux.

Josh Devereaux – seductive, charming and hot, hot, hot – is a part-time farmer, full-time tech genius holed up in his hometown after a few years in New York turned him into someone else. Someone worse. His closetful of skeletons has been locked up tight since he returned to Arkansas, right along with his heart. He knows Ella could unlock both – and what a bad idea that would be.

Ella has no intention of getting involved with Josh, but as one date turns into more, feelings surface Ella hasn’t felt in years — like hope. As their relationship grows, Josh knows he should tell Ella the truth about his past. If only the lie wasn’t so much easier to believe.

You can purchase your copy of LIES WE LIVE today at the retailers listed below!

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

This book killed me. It was intriguing, hypnotic, and angsty. Lies We Live is a story that will combine the drama and angst that New Adult readers love with a bit of mystery. This story draws you in and will keep you on the edge seat until the very end. Even at the end with the surprise ending, you will be left reeling from what is to come and curiosity as to what could possibly happen in the end of the series. This story combines the drama of daytime TV with the pop culture and relativity of the CW. It has highs and lows and a while of action in between. This story takes you into the past and back to the present to develop the backstory as you go. You see parts of this book in Ella’s POV and others in Josh’s POV. Dual POVs allow the reader to better understand that something more is brewing. You expect, the more you read, for there to be a lot happening with Ella and what she is leaving behind. What I did not expect was everything that surfaces (or technically begins to surface) with Josh. There is an unease about what he is hiding the more you read. There is bound to be a HUGE explosion, one you will most likely be able to theorize while reading the first book, and it is going to escalate the story quickly.

Brenda St. John Brown does a fantastic job of presenting a story that hooks you from the beginning. Travelling back and forth along Ella’s timeline allows for a fun and intriguing way to absorb what is happening. Ella is not perfect. She has major flaws that are not shied away from in this book. She admits to her faults and her honesty is refreshing. Josh is a man who is still a mystery. You learn more about who he is in the big city and the small country town. But there is so much more lurking below the surface. Learning who he is in time with Ella allows the reader to fall in love with him just a little bit. I am so excited to see what happens. The second I finished this book I pre-ordered the second in the Duo. I hate that I have to wait to see where things lead but I am beyond excited to see what Brenda has up her sleeve!

To celebrate the blog tour for LIES WE LIVE, Brenda is hosting a fun giveaway! Enter this RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a $10 Amazon GiftCard! Simply follow the instructions listed for your chance to win. Don’t miss out! Good luck.

The stunning conclusion to the Truth Series is LIVE on December 8, 2015. Trust me. You will want this book assoon as it is LIVE! Check out more about this upcoming release below!

TRUTHS WE TELL (The Truth Series #2)

Amazon | B&N| iBooks | Kobo | Goodreads

Ella Ingraham makes up stories for a living, and even she has a hard time believing the turn her love life has taken.

Hot guy? Cue Josh Devereaux.
Even hotter night together? Hello kitchen counter.
Morning-after phone call to Josh from her ex? Um, what?

The truth about who Josh is and what he’s done are on the other end of that phone. He knows he lied. He also knows that isn’t the worst of it. It isn’t even that Ella’s ex thinks Josh is the right man to help destroy her. Again. The worst part is the way Ella looks at him now. Or doesn’t.

Ella isn’t sure what the worst part is – Josh lying to her about his past, or the fact she can’t stop thinking about him anyway. Not that he’s making it easy for her, with his idea to stop her ex’s slander campaigns against her before her next big book release. Even Ella has to admit it’s a better plan than she – or her lawyer – have come up with. But for the plan to work, Ella has to not only rely on Josh, but trust him. Implicitly.

Ella knows she’d be a fool to trust him a second time. So why does her heart keep trying to convince her otherwise?

Brenda is a displaced New Yorker living in the English countryside. She writes novels about teens and twenty-somethings kissing. Her characters do other things, too, but there’s always kissing.

When she’s not writing, Brenda enjoys hiking, running and reading. In theory, she also enjoys cooking, but it’s more that she enjoys eating and, try as she might, she can’t live on Doritos alone.

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New Release + Excerpt + Giveaway: MORE THAN ONCE (Chasing the Dream #4) by Elizabeth Briggs

Congratulations to Elizabeth Briggs on her latest addition to the Chasing the Dream series! More Than Once gives a couple of past characters their much deserved happily ever after and I loved this book so much! Check out more about the book and read an excerpt from the story! There is also a giveaway happening. Make sure to c heck it out. This book is on sale for 99 cents for a limited time only so grab your copy today!

More Than Once
(Chasing the Dream #4)
Elizabeth Briggs
Release Date: December 1,  2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

She’s trying to be good. He loves it when she’s bad.

Andrew West is done being the nice guy. After a marriage proposal gone wrong, he’s started over in a new city and he’s never risking his heart again.

Becca Collins is done being the bad girl. After quitting the band she played bass for, she’s going to prove to her family that she’s really changed.

When Becca’s dumped by her boyfriend and fired from her job on Christmas Eve, all seems lost, until she runs into a former one night stand–Andrew. To impress her parents, Becca convinces him to pretend to be her perfect boyfriend for their holiday dinner.

After Andrew shows Becca he’s all bad boy in the bedroom, neither wants to pretend anymore. But when Becca’s invited to rejoin her band for a show and Andrew’s forced to face his ex, they both wonder if they’re ready to take a leap again–or if they’re doomed to fail in life and love a second time.

You can purchase your copy today at the retailers listed below! Special release week price of $0.99! Get this stand-alone holiday romance now before it goes up to full price!

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Smashwords

She had to be cold, wearing only a black leather jacket over her clothes, but she didn’t show it. I shrugged out of my coat and stepped close, draping it over her shoulders, even though I’d be freezing in a few minutes in only my suit. Her eyes fluttered open, and she gave me a faint smile. “Thanks.”

I nodded, my throat tightening at the sight of that smile. She wore the sexy, bright red lipstick I remembered from before, and I had the strongest urge to kiss it right off her. God, this girl was dangerous. I’d spent the last few months completely dead inside, yet somehow she’d jolted me back to life in a matter of minutes. Problem was, I wasn’t sure I was ready to be resurrected yet.

She pulled the jacket tighter around herself and took a deep breath. “What about you? Any big plans for Christmas?”

“No plans.” I looked away so she couldn’t see what it cost me to admit that. “I just started at this job a few months ago and I’m trying to make a good impression, so I didn’t want to ask for any vacation time to visit my parents back in Michigan.”

“That’s rough. What about friends here? A nice guy like you must have made some by now.”

“Nope…it’s just me this year.” Friends? Ha. I shrugged it off, rubbing my hands together for warmth. “It’s all right. I have a lot of work to do, and the office will be nice and quiet. I’ll even get paid time-and-a-half if I come in on Christmas Day.” The excuse sounded pathetic even to my ears.

“No shit?” She let out a short, harsh laugh. “That is the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. You can’t be alone at Christmas!”

“It’s not that big a deal, really…”

She suddenly straightened up, her eyes widening. “I have the perfect idea.”

“You do?”

“It’s the best solution to both our problems. You come with me to my family’s holiday dinner tonight and pretend to be my boyfriend. You’re definitely the kind of guy who will impress my parents, and that way you won’t have to spend Christmas Eve alone.”

“Pretend to be your boyfriend?” A wave of panic swept over me at the thought. I wasn’t ready to be anyone’s boyfriend—fake or otherwise. “I’m not sure that’s such a great idea. Couldn’t you just tell your parents what happened?”

“Ugh, of course you would say that. Fine, forget it. It was a stupid idea anyway.” She pushed off the car and unlocked the door with her key.

“Hang on,” I said, taking her arm and turning her back to face me. If she got in that car, I’d probably never see her again, and I couldn’t let her go just yet. Not until I fixed things between us somehow. “What kind of food are we talking here?”

A slight grin touched her lips. “My mom always makes enough food to feed the entire neighborhood. Turkey and ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams with marshmallows, green bean casserole, five kinds of pies… I could keep going, but you probably get the idea.”

“Hmm, that is very tempting. But are you sure they’d be okay with me showing up unexpectedly?”

“They expect me to bring the perfect boyfriend I’ve been telling them about for weeks. You’ll fit the bill.” She tilted her head and considered. “That reminds me, you’ll have to go by the name Brett, too.”

“Brett?” She was kidding, right? One look at her face told me she wasn’t. I had zero desire to pretend to be some other guy on Christmas Eve, but after getting her fired, how could I possibly say no? I owed her this favor at the very least. “Anything else I should know?”

“Nah, I never told them that much. Just that I was dating a nice, handsome guy.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Hmm, not sure I fit that description.”

“You know you do, pretty boy.” She met my gaze head-on. “Look, after tonight you don’t have to see me again. Once the holidays are over, I’ll tell them we broke up, and we can pretend it never happened. So are you in or out?”

The smart thing to do was to say goodnight and high-tail it back to my car. I wasn’t ready to get involved with any girl, let alone one who turned my insides out with a single look or the slightest touch. But there was something about her that I couldn’t walk away from, not this time.

“All right, I’ll pretend to be your boyfriend tonight…but only if you agree to go on a real date with me later.”

To celebrate the release of More Than Once, Elizabeth is hosting an awesome giveaway! Enter this Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win one of 2 $50 Amazon Giftcards! Simply follow the instructions listed and you will be entered for your chance to win. Don’t miss out. Good luck!

Want more of this awesome series from Elizabeth Briggs? Check out the whole Chasing the Dreams Series listed below and grab your copies of these awesome books today!
#0.5 More Than Exes: get it FREE by signing up for Elizabeth’s newsletter!
#1 More Than Music
#2 More Than Comics
#3 More Than Fashion
#4 More Than Once
#5 More Than Distance (coming in 2016!)
>>Get the Chasing The Dream box set, which includes the first three full length novels in one set! <<

Elizabeth Briggs is a full-time geek who writes books for teens and adults. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in Sociology, currently mentors teens in writing, and volunteers with a dog rescue group. She’s the author of the Chasing The Dream romance series and the upcoming young adult novel Future Shock. Elizabeth lives in Los Angeles with her husband and a pack of fluffy dogs.

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New Release + Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: ACT LIKE IT by Lucy Parker

It’s release day for Act Like It by Lucy Parker! I am so excited to share this new contemporary romance with you! Lucy is sharing an excerpt for her new release with us all and a giveaway, so be sure to check it all out! You can read more about the book and Tina’s Thoughts below!

Act Like It
Lucy Parker
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 30, 2015

This just in: romance takes center stage as West End theatre’s Richard Troy steps out with none other than castmate Elaine Graham

Richard Troy used to be the hottest actor in London, but the only thing firing up lately is his temper. We all love to love a bad boy, but Richard’s antics have made him Enemy Number One, breaking the hearts of fans across the city.

Have the tides turned? Has English rose Lainie Graham made him into a new man?

Sources say the mismatched pair has been spotted at multiple events, arm in arm and hip to hip. From fits of jealousy to longing looks and heated whispers, onlookers are stunned by this blooming romance.

Could the rumors be right? Could this unlikely romance be the real thing? Or are these gifted stage actors playing us all?

You can grab your copy of Act Like It today at the retailers listed below!

Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

If you combined the Hallmark movie with BBC and added a healthy dose of dry humor and incredible banter, you would have the perfect representation of Act Like It. I love all those things so naturally I fell in love with this book. Lucy Parker takes a story that features a love affair behind the curtain and presents the reader with something that will make you chuckle.

Act Like It focuses on the behind the scenes and PR of a group of stage actors, primarily Lainie and Richard, two co-stars who are being controlled by the powers that be. Both of these characters have larger than life personalities that are very different. Lainie is the good girl in the theater, maybe a bit naïve in some ways but she keeps her head above water and remains unscathed for the most part when it comes to media blitzes. Richard, on the other hand, is in over his head in negative PR and cannot seem to find footing to bump his image back to where it needs to be. The solution that seems obvious to the those in control… Fake a relationship between these two co-stars that endears them to the public and all will be well in the end. What they didn’t anticipate was the chemistry, the sparks, and the undeniable passion between Lainie and Richard that could grow into a raging inferno and make it messy in the end.

This book gives the reader a glimpse into a world that is not displayed quite as much in books as others. We see the PR behind the scenes for rockstars and silver screen actors but not as much with those who take the stage. I loved that twist on the story and how it adds a new flair to a tale you might recognize. I loved to see how the story is enhanced by this theme and the way that it shapes the story. Lainie was an incredible character! She was by far my favorite person in the book. She is snarky, feisty, and hilarious. Her humor is fantastic and her love of life is contagious. I loved how she was a multi-dimensional character. We see her love of family, theater, and her community work, all vital parts of who she is as a whole. When she is with Richard, the banter is brilliant. I loved how these two circled each other. They each gave just as much as they got. There is tension that enhances the story and makes for a reluctant romance.

This book shows the good, the bad, and the ugly of the stage. There are so many different things that happen in this book and it flows continuously until the very end. I loved watching the characters individually and as a group. The writing in this story is well done and seamlessly flows from one POV to another. We have a birds eye view of what is happening but also a connection to the emotions and reactions of the characters. The romance between Lainie and Richard is well balanced and well suited to their characters. It is not all rainbows and butterflies. There is frustration, annoyance, and small smiles. These two hold strong to their personalities and views even when they are together, making them both unapologetically who they are both in and out of the romantic relationship. I loved that aspect. They did not change to accommodate but clicked in a fresh way.

Lucy Parker has a skill that is meant to be noticed. I loved this book and cannot wait to see she has coming next. The banter is refreshing and the pop culture references were spot on. The romance was perfect and the story was beautiful! Act Like It is a fantastic debut novel that you will not want to miss!

 

It would have helped if she’d got further than the couch part of the couch-to-5k training plan she’d printed off the internet. Lainie crossed the finishing line and immediately dropped her head toward the ground, leaning her hands against her thighs and fiercely rejecting the urge to vomit. She was embarrassingly unfit, but if the chain-smoking, foulmouthed comedian two steps ahead of her could finish with a smile on his face and no visible signs of nausea, then so could she. She straightened with an effort, cringing as her back made an audible cracking sound. Performing in a play was a physical job, for God’s sake. It required stamina. She didn’t even have the excuse of sitting behind a computer all day.

Camera lights flashed as more participants made it over the line. They included several soap actors, a controversial political commentator, a popular abstract artist, and a DJ from Radio 1. The fund-raising committee had managed to put together a respectable hit list of names for the Shining Lights UK 5k, considering that Fun Runs were among the least popular of charitable events. She couldn’t even say the term without an ironic inflection on the first word. What kind of half-witted masochist actually enjoyed running on a drizzly October morning in London? On a weekday, no less, when there were plenty of people about with laptops and coffee cups, observing the mania with perplexity.

Lainie had tried to suggest an alternative—a bake-off, a rock concert—but the director of the foundation was a jogging enthusiast who refused to believe that other people might not share his predilection for spandex. She saw him now, standing by the refreshment table, doing some kind of yoga stretch and looking cool and unfazed. He didn’t even have sweat stains in his armpits. Unnatural.

“Well done!” he called to her. “How was that?”

About thirty-five minutes of pure, wheezing hell, thank you for asking.

“Great,” she said, desperately sucking air into her abused lungs. “Brilliant way to start the day.” If you enjoy unrelenting pain. “I beat my personal best time.”

Which was true, in the sense that she had never run a 5k before and hopefully never would again.

Oh, well. It was all money for worthy coffers.

“Couldn’t agree with you more,” he enthused. “Nothing more invigorating than an early morning run.”

The poor man had obviously never had early morning sex. Or a caramel latte.

He nodded toward the throng of spectators, shivering under their support banners. “Good to see the SOs out in force, as well.”

“The SOs?” she asked blankly, trying to follow the direction of his gaze. Had she failed to swot up on necessary athletic jargon as well? Safety Officers? Sports Officials? Sulky Octopi? She had no idea.

“Significant others. Always helps to have a cheerleader on the sidelines, doesn’t it?” He chuckled. “Yours looks a bit worn around the edges. Dragged him out of bed early, did you?”

Completely at sea, Lainie didn’t respond. Then she finally saw what—or rather whom—he was looking at. Richard was leaning against a pop-up art installation. The enormous statue of a polar bear wore an identical frown and a similar amount of facial hair. The bear was evidently very worried about the status of global warming; a stroppy and still unshaven Richard appeared more concerned with his own warmth, or lack thereof. His hands were thrust in his pockets and he was doing the standing jig-dance of the cold and crabby, bobbing from one foot to the other.

Absently excusing herself from the grinning director, Lainie hurried over to him, blowing on her own ungloved hands. Now that she had stopped running, the chill was creeping in.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, amazed and irritable. This had not, as far as she knew, been on their agreed list of activities, and she couldn’t imagine he was pining for her company. She felt justifiably annoyed with him for turning up when she was a red-faced, snot-nosed mess. Not that she had ever exactly bowled him over when she was a painstakingly curled, professionally made-up siren, either.

Although he hadn’t seemed repelled during that one rain-saturated moment earlier in the week. Which she was never going to think about again. She’d been telling herself so all week.

He hadn’t wanted to kiss her.

Had he?

To celebrate the new release of Act Like It, Lucy Parker is hosting fun giveaway! Enter this RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY for your chance to win an eBook copy of Act Like It and Givenchy lip gloss. Simply follow the instructions listed and you will be entered for your chance to win! Don’t miss out on this chance. Good luck!

Lucy Parker lives in the gorgeous Central Otago region of New Zealand, where she feels lucky every day to look out at mountains, lakes, and vineyards. She has a degree in Art History, loves museums and art galleries, and doodles unrecognizable flowers when she has writer’s block.

When she’s not writing, working or sleeping, she happily tackles the towering pile of to-be-read books that never gets any smaller. Thankfully, there’s always another story waiting.

Her interest in romantic fiction began with a pre-teen viewing of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (Firth-style), which prompted her to read the book as well. A family friend introduced her to Georgette Heyer, and the rest was history.

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Blog Tour + Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: FLOURED (A Recipe For Love #1) by Lane Martin

I am on a debut novel high right now and my latest addition to that high is Floured! Check out this fun and sweet story from Lane Martin! You can see more about this book, read Tina’s Thoughts and an excerpt form the book, and make sure to enter the giveaway to celebrate the blog tour!

Floured

Lane Martin

Release Date: November 12, 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Emily Barnes likes things measured and timed, just like any baker. When she loses the apartment that she needs to run her home-based muffin business, she’s faced with a choice: couch surfing at her very loud best friends’ separated by thin walls or house sitting an otherwise empty Upper East Side luxury apartment overlooking Central Park. Obviously it’s a no-brainer for this smart cookie.

Declan Hayes is used to people asking things of him and saying no. However, for Maggie, his parent’s cook and housekeeper, he would do just about anything, including going over to his parent’s apartment to check on her pseudo niece who is staying there. His plan was to get in and get out, but the second he saw her, something changed. Something about her sparked the normally cold and dismal place to life; she made it warm and inviting. He finally understood the phrase “there’s no place like home.”

Can Emily and Declan trust the timing of their lives or adjust the lens from which they see them?

Hope, faith, trust and…love?

Will these things be enough for Emily and Declan to get the one thing they both never thought they needed in life?

It’s a good thing they are “Floured” because life is about to get sticky.

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

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

Books that want to make me eat muffins and baked goods are both a blessing and a curse. While reading this book, I found myself detouring to the local bakery more than normal and bringing treats home to eat while I read. Floured was such a sweet story that inspired me to embrace my inner dessert queen and fall in love with this sassy debut story from Lane Martin.

This book has everything you expect from a contemporary romance story, balanced well in a beautiful little package. There is drama, romance, a fun and flirty cast of characters, and two main people you hope will make it in the end. As cheesy as it may sound, the best analogy for this story was like baking. I imagine that Lane Martin takes a bright cherry red standing mixer and adds what we want. She puts in a dash of angst, some family drama, a pinch of heartache, two seemingly opposite characters who click, a spark of passion and electricity, and a slew of ups and downs. When it is all mixed together, the story starts off a bit choppy but once it smooths out, you are left with something you know you will enjoy.

Floured is a story filled with humor and love! I laughed out loud several times at the main characters antics. I especially loved Emily and her fun personality. I admired who she was and what she was doing. She followed her dreams and it lead her to another dream that she never saw coming. I loved her enthusiasm and creativity in the kitchen. Declan had everything you wanted in a book boyfriend. He was sweet with a hint of alpha in the mix. He was a bit of a tortured soul, one that makes you want to save him and hug him at the same time. Add to that his brilliant business mind and his sexy Irish accent and you cannot help but fall in love. These two together keep you on your toes. There are moments of frustration and miscommunication. There are definitely trust issues that need to be overcome. Both of these characters have dealt with a sort of emotional trauma from people they loved and that trauma has translated into their romantic relationships. It was sad but heartwarming to see them face those insecurities together and work to make what they had growing between them last.

This debut novel hit all the marks and leaves you wanting more. I will admit that I had no idea this was the first in a series. It is not a standalone. It ends with many loose ends and I was (slightly) frustrated by that fact. Not in a bad way. I just wanted to know what happened. I was hoping to have the full story of Emily and Declan but it looks like I will be stalking Lane’s social media to see when the next book is released. The ending was quite a surprise but I appreciated what Martin did and I am very interested to see what happens with these two love birds.

“He seems so perfect, Nat, but then he says things that confuse me.”

“Like?”

“He asked me to forgive him and said this was all new to him, and Marissa acted like she was a jealous ex or something. I don’t understand it. When I asked him if they dated, he said they had a “history” but that he wouldn’t call it dating.”

“Maybe they just bumped fuzzies in the wine cellar.”

“Did you really just say that?”

“What would you like me to say? They shagged, boinked, screwed, banged, humped, or fucked? Take your pick.”

“How much time a day do you spend on Urban Dictionary?”

“What has my bride to be said now? Do I need to wash her mouth out?” Gabe asked as he approached us. It was sweet that my two best friends were checking up on me.

“Oh, baby, you know you love this dirty little mouth.”

“God, do you two need a room?” I asked as they practically began to maul each other. “I need to grab a few things and head back to the apartment for a nap.”

“Is that code for something else?” Gabe asked. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at him.

“No, Gabe. I really need to go back to the apartment and get a few hours of sleep so that I can get ready for tomorrow.”

“Okay, but don’t forget about me, and it’s not too late to change your mind about coming to my parents tomorrow. You know the invitation is always open.”

“It’s all good, and I could never forget about you.” We said our goodbyes and I left.

I’m not sure if I walked or floated into the apartment. After placing my grocery bags in the kitchen, I headed back to bed. A fresh arrangement of flowers was on sitting on the nightstand. I was thankful that I had taken the time to remove one of the Bachelor Button’s from the arrangement to dry before I left. The faint scent of apple filled the room. The flowers were delicate and varied in color from white to pink. I quickly opened the card and read.

To the promise of more to come – Dec 

To celebrate the new release and blog tour for Floured, Lame Martin is hosting an awesome giveaway! Enter this GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a $50 Amazon GiftCard. Simply follow the instructions listed and you will be entered for your chance to win! Don’t miss out. Good luck!

 

I never thought that I would write a novel, although my English teacher my freshman year in college told me that he would hunt me down if I wasn’t published by the time I was thirty. Well, thirty came and went. I was busy being a wife and working mother of two, and nobody came looking for me.

I doubt my sister thought she was about to change my life forever when she got me a book of “mommy porn” for my birthday in 2012, but that’s exactly what she did. After reading the first book in the trilogy, I rushed out and got the other two books. I became obsessed and read the series several times before learning about Fanfiction. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t get enough. The idea fascinated me and I thought, “I can do that.” I was a nervous wreck when I posted my first story, a one shot about my new favorite couple. One story lead to another and then another. My readers encouraged me to write something that was all mine, so that‘s what I did. Thank you to everyone who told me that I could do it. It wouldn’t have been possible without you.

I love reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with my family.  Thank you for going on this journey with me.

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