Monday, September 30, 2013

**Blog Tour & Giveaway ~ No One's Angel ~ Kelly Walker**


Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Kelly Walker's No One's Angel. My stop includes all the details for the book, my review, and a giveaway.

If you want to check out the other blogs on the tour, click here. Also, during the tour, No One's Angel is only 99 cents.

******


No One's Angel by Kelly Walker
Publication date: September 17th 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:
Tess used to spend more hours than she’d care to admit playing her favorite computer game, using the nickname Angel. She could pretend her life was different, and she could pretend Arion was just a friend. But a girl needs more to keep her warm at night than pixels and she traded her virtual heaven for a real life hell. Now she’s on the run from a past she won’t talk about, and the only place she has to go is the doorstep of the friend she’s never actually met.

When Angel disappeared from their nightly games, it nearly destroyed Arion. He threw himself into work and women, but he can’t help knowing the one night stands will never compare to the angel who haunts his dreams. At first, when she shows up soaking wet and scared-shitless on his doorstep, he thinks his prayers have been answered.

But the more Arion tries to keep Angel close, the more her fear drives her away. If they are ever going to have a chance for a future, they’ll first have to deal with the past that hasn’t forgotten her any more than she’s forgotten it, and Arion will have to learn how to let her go.

No One's Angel is a New Adult(NA) Contemporary Romance and is recommended for mature audiences only due to language and sexual content.




No One's Angel took a familiar NA theme and put a little different spin on it. Ms. Walker's writing captivated me and I was immediately sucked into Angel and Arion's story.

Angel is a young woman on the run. I admired her for her gumption in escaping her situation. She has quite a spark and despite the things in her life trying to smother her light, it shines through nonetheless.

Arion is a young man just putting his life back together. He has his heart broken and headed in a downward spiral. Now he's running his bar and going to college. But he doesn't let any woman, aside his step-sister, anywhere near his heart.

Angel and Arion met online gaming. I admit to knowing next to nothing of the gaming world but that was okay. Ms. Walker explained all the necessary elements throughout the book. Angel and Arion (which are their screen names - they are actually Tess and Axel) became close - talking, flirting - over the years they were on the same team. Angel left the game abruptly, with no explanation, which tore Arion apart. But it's Arion she runs to when she needs a refuge.

These two clearly have feelings for one another and I only wished they'd been honest from the get-go. I understand they each had baggage - especially Angel - that made it hard to trust. But the internal, and sometimes external, waffling on their feelings and whether they should follow them, irritated me.

I loved the last portion of the book. Once the air was cleared between Angel and Arion - once revelations occurred and epiphanies had - Angel and Arion really shone. Their strength of character and depth of feelings conveyed, and I could help smiling.

No One's Angel started out strong, dragged a bit with the lack of honesty and openness between Angel and Arion in the middle and ended on a sweet note. I appreciated Ms. Walker's message of hope to any young woman who might find herself in Angel's predicament. And I enjoyed learning the different aspects of gaming. I especially liked seeing the strong spirited Angel and Arion after fighting through their challenges and coming out the other side stronger.







a Rafflecopter giveaway





Kelly Walker was born in Trappe, MD but she now calls Fredericksburg Virginia home. She has an unhealthy appreciation for chocolate, and a soft spot for rescued animals. Her best lessons on writing came from a lifetime of reading. She loves the fantastical, and the magical, and believes a captivating romance can be the most realistic magic of all. Kelly, her husband and her two children share their home with three dogs who walk her, and two cats who permit her to occasionally share their couch.

Friday, September 27, 2013

**Review ~ Addicted to Ansley ~ Linda Kage**

Addicted to AnsleyAddicted to Ansley by Linda Kage
Release Date: March 15, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: I received an ecopy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis
*contemporary sweet adult romance*
**no explicitness**

Through all the years that passed,
the memory of their love never faded.

Motivational speaker and drug rehab counselor Ward Gemmell can hold an audience in the palm of his hand-because he knows what it's like to have everything he loved slip through his fingers. When a particularly heartfelt speech reunites him with the daughter he never knew he had, suddenly the love of his life is back within his grasp. What could a guy like him do to earn a second chance?

Good girl Ansley Marlow was heartbroken the day Ward revealed his hidden life-the kind of secret that would tear anyone apart. But so many years have passed and so much has changed that it isn't as hard now for her to believe in fate and redemption, even when those around her are unforgiving. All she needs is the strength to reach out and reclaim the beautiful life she should have had so long ago.







I'm a total sucker for the second-chance romance trope. Addicted to Ansley is a sweet, sweet story of a couple who gets a second chance at a love that survived against all odds.

Ansley Marlow is a single mom doing quite well for herself and her daughter, Brooklyn. She hasn't always had it easy - becoming a teen mom and Brooklyn's dad being completely out of the picture. But she's a good mom and has raised a smart, compassionate sixteen-year old. In the back of her mind of her mind, she holds out hope she'll one day meet the only man she's ever loved.

Ward Gemmell is an ex-addict working as a counselor with troubled teens. He's worked hard to get where he is today but he's a real success story. He's been clean and works hard to be a respectable man, if only for the memory of the only girl he's ever loved. While doing a presentation at a local high school, he is approached by a lovely young girl wanting to volunteer at his center.

As I said, this is a sweet story. Obviously the second chance is for Ansley and Ward. They each have some reservations over re-connecting. Not only is Brooklyn a consideration but both have hurt feelings over the past and lots of doubts. There is also tension due to Ansley's current relationship. But love will always find a way, right? Their connection to one another is palpable - even after so many hurts and so many years.

Addicted to Ansley is a feel good read. Ms. Kage has a gift in telling a story and captured my attention immediately. The pacing was nicely done as well. Although I did feel things wrapped up a bit too quickly and neatly, I still really enjoyed getting to know Ansley and Ward's story. And I was delighted this couple, who'd had the odds stacked against them as youth, got their second chance.







Linda Kage
I grew up on a dairy farm in the Midwest as the youngest of eight children. Now I live in Kansas with my husband, daughter, and our nine cuckoo clocks. My life's been blessed with lots of people to learn from and love. Writing's always been a major part my world, and I'm so happy to finally share some of my stories with other romance lovers. 



**Cover Reveal & Giveaway ~ What's Left of Me ~ Amanda Maxlyn**


I'm really excited to be a part of the cover reveal for Amanda Maxlyn's What's Left of Me. I like the cover...I like the black & white with the pink font for the title. And I like the watermark descriptive words. I'm very intrigued. ;) How about y'all?

I have a steamy teaser for y'all and a giveaway! Enjoy!

This cover reveal was organized by Brandee's Book Endings.


******


What's Left of Me by Amanda Maxlyn
Release Date: December 13, 2013
Cover Design by: Mae I Design


Life works in mysterious ways.

Four years ago I became known as the girl with cancer.

I refuse to cry.

And I refuse to give in.

A relationship with a man is the last thing I’m looking for right now, but one night with Parker changes everything. He is persistent, and he knows what he wants. Me

He doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile.

But he doesn’t know, and I’m not ready to tell him. 

What if it changes everything? 

Tragedy found me when I was seventeen. 

Love found me when I was twenty-one.


My name is Aundrea McCall, and this is my journey.


***What's Left of Me Facebook Event***



I’m grateful when I reach the door to the ladies room that there isn’t anyone around. I reach for the handle when I hear from behind me, “Not going to use the men’s room again?” I know that sexy voice. It’s the same one as earlier this evening in this same area. 

With my heart picking up pace, I turn around smiling sweetly, “No, I’m going to sit down and pee this time.” My smile spreads a little wider and I say a silent thanks to sweet baby Jesus for letting me find my voice this time.

He doesn’t respond. He just steps closer to me with the corner of his lips spreading upward.

I don’t breathe.

I can’t breathe. Not when he is this close.

God he smells amazing. Like a mixture of spice and mint. Maybe a hint of beer too. It's the type of scent that would awaken a primal desire within any female, and good God do I feel awakened.

“You ran off before I could thank you for the dance earlier.” No, thank you. His voice is a faint whisper and his face is now so close that our noses are almost touching. I glance down at his very attractive red lips just as the corners of his mouth move up into the most beautiful smile. Shit. He knows I’m looking at his lips

I’m transfixed by him. In this very moment, I would do whatever he said or answer to any name he called; even if it was one of those fluffy names like baby or princess. All I can think about is the desire flowing through my body for those lips to be on mine. I would take him in this hallway. There I said it. Or, did I think it?

Do something.

Anything!

I look back at his lips. 

I lick my own.

I can’t think about anything but wanting to feel his lips against mine. All thoughts go out the window of me not being able to pick up a man at a bar. I don’t care, but I will say any cheesy pick up line if it means I get to go home with him.

I know he’s watching me. He has to be thinking about my lips too because just then his tongue comes out licking his own. I try to think of something else to do, but nothing comes to mind. I feel him close the distance between us. He puts a finger under my chin for the second time tonight lifting my face so I’m looking right into his eyes. Without taking his eyes off mine he speaks in a quiet, low, raspy whisper, “I’m going to kiss you now.”

Without waiting for my permission, his lips crash down against mine. He takes my top lip into his mouth tugging ever so gently. I let out a soft moan as his tongue lightly traces my lips- tasting me. I can smell the fresh mint and beer off his breath and all I can think about is tasting it. I grab his neck bringing him closer -opening my mouth- inviting him in. He groans as I wrap my arms around his neck running my hands through his hair. 

Shit, if I die tomorrow, I can die a happy woman knowing this was my last kiss.

His tongue enters my mouth and I meet it with my own. He reaches down to lift me up and I let him. I wrap my legs around his waist just as he slams my back against the wall in the corner of the hallway. There’s a rush of pain that shoots down my legs causing me to cry out. He must take that as a cry of pleasure because he kisses me harder.

I feel my dress rise all the way to my waist exposing myself for anyone that walks by. My head falls back against the wall and he immediately starts kissing down my chin to my neck, then up to my earlobe bringing it into his mouth biting down. “Do you want to get out of here?” He whispers so softly into my ear I almost don’t think I hear him correctly. When he asks me again I just nod in agreement. Afraid if I were to say anything it wouldn’t be yes, and I really want it to be yes.

Setting me down, he runs his hands over my dress laying it back into place, then grabs my hand and starts speed walking away heading towards the red exit sign.

What’s Left of Me. Copyright 2013. Amanda Maxlyn. Unedited and Subject to Change.



a Rafflecopter giveaway





I am the mother of two little boys, married to the love of my life, and living in one of the smallest towns in Minnesota. When I’m not chasing or cleaning up after my boys (yes, all three), I can be found writing or snuggled up with my kindle, a glass of wine, and spending time with my fictional friends and family.



**Cover Reveal ~ Seven Day Fiance ~ Rachel Harris**


I'm thrilled to be a part of the cover reveal of Rachel Harris' Seven Day Fiance. I think the cover fits just right with the premise of the book. It's sweet. :) What do y'all think?


******




Seven Day Fiancé (Love and Games #2)
by Rachel Harris
Release Date: 10/14/13
Entangled Bliss

Summary from Goodreads
Angelle Prejean is in a pickle. Her family is expecting her to come home with a fiancé—a fiancé who doesn’t exist. Well, he exists, but he definitely has no idea Angelle told her mama they were engaged. Tattooed, muscled, and hotter than sin, Cane can reduce Angelle to a hot mess with one look—and leave her heart a mess if she falls for him. But when she ends up winning Cane at a charity bachelor auction, she knows just how to solve her fiancé problem.

Cane Robicheaux is no one’s prince. He doesn’t do relationships and he doesn’t fall in love. When sweet, sultry-voiced Angelle propositions him, he hopes their little game can finally get her out of his head. He doesn’t expect her to break through all his barriers. But even as Angelle burrows deeper into his heart, he knows once their seven days are up, so is their ruse.




You can pre-order Seven Day Fiance here






Angelle stopped beside a folding table boasting boxes of fresh, crispy cracklins and selected a thick piece. Cane watched, mesmerized, as she puckered those gorgeous lips and blew on the sliver. With a flirtatious glint in her eyes, she held it up to his mouth, and he opened.

Holy crap.

He’d had cracklins before. Fried pork fat was a standard gas station treat, usually shrinkwrapped and stale as shit. But this, fresh from the pot and piping hot, was unbelievable. Cane widened his eyes, and it was possible he even moaned. It was that good. And as he
swallowed, Angel rewarded him with a rich, throaty laugh.

Ca c’est bon?” she asked, grinning when he grabbed another handful.

He touched her nose and popped a piece in his mouth. “Good would be an understatement.”

Grinning, she took a fried morsel for herself and sent the balding, overweight gentleman tending the table a wink. “Now that’s what we like to hear.” Then she closed her eyes as she savored the treat.

The sounds of Angel moaning, and watching her face soften in the throes of a foodgasm, had to be the sexiest damn thing Cane had ever seen. His pants tightened, embarrassingly so considering he knew the audience was still watching, but what pushed him over the edge was when her eyes opened. The pleasure in them was his undoing.

Feeling the weight of the crowd’s disapproving stares and not giving a damn, figuring now was as good a time as any to give the people the show they clearly wanted, he grasped her hip and tugged her forward, pausing only to inhale her gasp of surprise before brushing her mouth with his.

It was like setting off a damn forest fire.

Angelle, his shocking little hellcat, pounced. Forgetting all about their audience, or maybe not giving a damn either, she wound her arms around his neck, lifted onto her toes, and kissed him back with everything she had. Cane had intended to steal a quick taste, take the edge off his craving for her, and prove their point with the town’s people. But hell if he was gonna be the one to back down now. Tightening his grasp on her slim hips, he brushed his thumbs across the smooth, exposed skin near her waistband. He deepened the kiss, thrilling over her telltale shiver. Whimpering, she yanked on the hair at his nape and sucked his bottom lip into her mouth. Hot damn.

Okay, now he had to start backing down. With all her male relatives watching, not to mention the knives and axes still lying around from the butchering earlier, if Cane valued his life, he needed to wrangle control of the situation. He’d heard patience was a virtue. That was a line of bull—he’d always sucked at waiting for anything he wanted. But for Angel, he was willing to try.

Loosening his grip on her belt loops, Cane slowed the intensity of the kiss. He smoothed the hem of her shirt down, grazed her lips one last time, and, placing his forehead against hers, inhaled through his nose. Sunflowers mixed with cayenne may be his new favorite scent. Angelle released a heavy breath, a flush blooming on her cheeks. She darted a glance at the crowd, then looking into his eyes, grinned lazily. “My goodness. If anyone doubted we were a couple before, I guess that showed them.”









I grew up in New Orleans, where I watched soap operas with my grandmother and stayed up late sneak reading my mama’s favorite romance novels. Now a Cajun cowgirl living in Houston, I still stay up way too late reading my favorite romances, only now, I can do so openly. I firmly believe life’s problems can be solved with a hot, powdered-sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations. 

When not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, I homeschool my two beautiful girls and watch reality television with my amazing husband.

I write YA, NA, and Adult Fun & Flirty Escapes. Taste The Heat is my adult romance debut, and I'm also the author of MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY and A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES, as well as a ton of other books to come. I love hearing from readers and dishing books!




**Cover Reveal & Giveaway ~ The Undisciplined Bride ~ Ginger Voight**


I'm ecstatic over being part of the cover reveal for a new book from Ginger Voight....The Undisciplined Bride. Y'all know I love Ginger's writing and this is something completely different sounding. I'm excited to read it.

This cover reveal was organized by Brandee's Book Endings.


******




The Undisciplined Bride by Ginger Voight

Release Date: October 1, 2013

Synopsis
Throughout her 23 years, Peyton Prescott was used to running the show. That went into overdrive the minute she agreed to become a bride. Born into an affluent Southern family, she was expected to fulfill her social obligation to marry well, and found that unsuspecting groom in her pushover fiancé, Leland Goodreau. He, like the rest of her family, catered to her every whim to keep her happy, and she predicted a satisfactory, if not boring, existence as his missus. 

In fact, the only real human to stand up to this bridezilla from hell is Mateo Bravo, one of the chefs she considers to cater the blessed event. Sparks fly the minute they meet and out of sheer defiance, she hires Mateo and his sister Naomi for every social gathering in the remaining months until she marries.

Mateo, unlike any other man she's ever met, doesn't put up with Peyton’s behavior. With a masculine energy that she finds alluring and exciting, he turns her entitled existence upside down by showing her she's not always the boss. No one is more surprised than she is when she finds out that she kind of likes it.

Peyton decides to seduce, and then dump, the middle-class cook, just to get him out from under her skin. Instead she finds out that there are a few things in life even the great Peyton Prescott can’t plan.





***Join The Undisciplined Bride Facebook Event here***






She punched the button on the elevator to take her up to the roof where she hoped to get a breath of fresh air.

She stepped inside the luxurious box with the gold accents and glass wall facing out over the Houston skyline. Just before the doors closed a hand appeared and forced them back open.

Her mouth fell open when she saw Mateo enter the elevator, larger than life. He was tall and elegant in his finely tailored tuxedo, and his cologne filled her senses as he stepped closer so the doors would close.

“What are you doing here?” she stammered.

“Following you,” he answered softly as he caressed the curve of her face with the back of his hand. “We have an appointment, do we not?” She watched stupefied as he used his other hand to press every single button on the way up the high rise hotel.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking the scenic route,” he replied before he curled an arm around her waist and drew her up against his rigid body. Before she could protest, his mouth was on hers, gently probing her lips with his tongue until she wilted against him in perfect submission to his kiss. Her arms curled around his neck as she pressed against him.

His fingers wound in her hair, tugging her head back so he could explore the delicate curve of her neck with his mouth. She couldn’t suppress a groan as her fingers dug into his back. He was so exciting and so real and so raw… she couldn’t get enough. Even when the doors opened on that first floor that his fingers had accidently hit, she couldn’t tear herself away from him. Instead she wrapped one leg around his and pulled him back against the side wall.

He chuckled against the nape of her neck. “Aren’t you scared we’ll get caught?” he asked.

“I don’t get scared,” she whispered back, her mouth flushed from the power and intensity of his kiss.

“No?” he asked as he curled a hand around the back of her neck. He turned her toward the glass pane that looked out over the city. She gasped as she felt him step directly behind her. He ran his hands up her legs under her skirt until they cupped her ass. She gasped as she rested her face against the glass, staring down at the domed roof of the atrium below. It was though they were flying somewhere above the rest of the world.

He nuzzled her ear. “Tell me what you want, Peyton.”

“You,” she breathed.

He rocked his pelvis against her, pressing her into the glass. She could feel how much he wanted her, too. 

“Right here? Right now?”

“Anytime. Anywhere.”

“That’s a good girl,” he said before his mouth clamped on the arch of her neck. She shuddered beneath him. She thought the door opened again, but it was all a haze. She realized that she could see the reflection in the glass of the lit hallways behind them just as the doors closed.

She reached around him to grab his tight ass in both hands, pressing him closer. His arms slid down her body in between her legs, dragging the neatly trimmed fingernails up her bared thighs as he gathered her skirt into his hands. She leaned her head against his strong shoulder as she sighed when his fingers traveled in between her legs.

The door opened again to another empty hallway. Higher the elevator climbed as his fingers uncovered the hard little nub that sent electricity through her each and every nerve ending. He swirled his forefinger around this button of joy without applying direct pressure. She squirmed against him as he tortured her. She could see his reflection in the glass. His eyes were dark as they focused on her face while he fingered her. She couldn’t stop the gasps and groans if she wanted to. She was powerless beneath his hands and he knew it.

Another floor, another open door and empty hallway. She couldn’t even begin to care about that. Mateo had her teetering on the verge of coming just with his hands. If they got caught, they got caught. But she needed him to bring her over the edge more than she needed to breathe. Both her hands slapped against the glass as they ascended. The higher they climbed, the more crazed he made her. Finally a finger slipped inside and she couldn’t help but cry out.

“Is that what you want?” he murmured against her ear as he nibbled at the lobe. “You want something inside?”

“God, yes,” she whimpered. “I want you inside me, Mateo.”

He chuckled. “Not till we’re on top of the world, princess.”

“I’m already there,” she breathed as she pressed against him.

“Not yet,” he promised. He spun her around into his strong arms and crushed his mouth onto hers. He kissed her deeper than she had ever been kissed before, as if he couldn’t get enough. He was groaning in his throat as the door finally opened to the rooftop bar. With great difficulty he pulled away and led her from the elevator.




a Rafflecopter giveaway










Ginger Voight is prolific author, freelance writer and optioned screenwriter. Her fiction is diverse, with novels like the edgy, coming-of-age drama DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS, and the fun family adventure for kids of all ages, COMIC SQUAD.

Having grown up reading different authors like Danielle Steel and Stephen King, Ginger has always been drawn more to story than to genre. This shows up in her various stories. Titles such as MY IMMORTAL and TASTE OF BLOOD are a delicious, heady mix of horror, suspense, and romance.

Genre romance, however, has held a special place in her heart, ever since she read her first Harlequin novel when she was only eleven. As a result, Ginger is making a name for herself writing romances of her own, starring women who look more like the average American woman rather than those traditionally represented in the size-biased American media. Her Rubenesque romances were created especially for those heroines with fuller figures, who can still get the man of their dreams if only they believe they can. Such titles include UNDER TEXAS SKIES, LOVE PLUS ONE, GROUPIE and PICTURE POSTCARDS.

Ginger was included in the best-selling book by Smith Magazine NOT QUITE WHAT I WAS PLANNING, featuring her six-word memoir.

Website | Blog | Facebook |  Amazon | Twitter

Thursday, September 26, 2013

**Review ~ Breathless ~ Eve Carter**


Breathless (Jesse, #1)
Breathless by Eve Carter
Book One of Jesse
Release Date: June 19, 2013
Source: I received an ecopy of the book, from the author, in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis
The young, hot professional Motocross rider, Jesse Morrison, knows how to leave an impression. Except lately, it has been bad impressions. Frustrated and wounded, he surrounds himself with women, booze and drugs, until one day, he finds himself in a world of trouble. Kicked out by his brother, he relocates to California for the summer to help his uncle open Rookies, a local sports bar. 

In Santa Monica, Jesse meets the one woman who can lead him back on the right path, the beautiful 22 year old, Niki Milani. Only problem, she is not interested. Niki has her own demons to fight. A past that left her emotional abandoned by her own blood, her father. She keeps her heart guarded and finds it difficult to trust a man again. Especially not a bad boy player who is even more messed up than her. However, Jesse never backs down from a challenge. Blinded by a sizzling attraction, he is determined to prove to Niki that there is more to him than what appears on the surface. That he is the one who can heal her heart.

The story of Jesse and Niki is a New Adult Romance that will leave you breathless.






Breathless is a story of two young people with troubled pasts trying to find their way in the world. It's exactly what I love about the NA genre. But I had a hard time connecting with the characters through a lot of the book.

Niki Milani is a recent college graduate. She's decided it's time she take control over her life rather than living it to please others. The problem is, I didn't understand her feelings until later in the story. Once things were better explained, I felt more sympathy for her and I finally felt more of a connection with her. I came to like her determination to get what she wanted in life.

Jesse Morrison is a young man feeling like he had the world in his hands and then lost it. He comes across as shallow and narcissistic. I found myself wondering why I should care about his supposed plight. Once he and Niki began getting to know one another better, things became clearer. Then the true reasons behind his issues are revealed, and I found myself caring and rooting for Jesse.

Breathless is told in first person alternating POVs between Niki and Jesse. Being in Jesse's head isn't always pleasant. He's raw and vulgar, particularly in the beginning. However, once he starts fighting his way toward getting his life back, he cleans up his act. And I understood there was a vulnerability behind all his bravado.

I ended up liking Breathless despite my lack of connection with the characters at the start. I wish there had been more character development earlier on though -- or at least development in such a way that I felt sympathy for Niki and Jesse sooner, rather than feeling they were shallow. Breathless ends with a bit of a 'bang' and I will be picking up the next in the series, Fearless, to see where Niki and Jesse go from here.






Image of Eve Carter
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Eve Carter, is a true romantic at heart and with a modern contemporary erotic twist to her romance novels, you had better fasten your seat belt, as the ride is always fun, exciting and fiery.
Eve hopes you will enjoy her latest novel, Fearless, the follow-up to NY Times Bestseller, Breathless.