BOOK REVIEW: Hooked on the Game by C. M. Owens

5 Stars

Raya Capperton’s freshman year of college isn’t off to a great start. The prestigious rich kids treat her differently, her roommates have been expelled, her dad keeps trying to send her dirty money from prison, and the spoiled neighbor’s party just “crashed” into her living room. And things can only go from bad to worse when her only option for housing is living with said spoiled, rich boy Kade Colton.

Raya and Kade come from completely different worlds, and she’s not sure his inner circles will accept a poor girl with a con artist for a dad. But there is an abundance of chemistry between Kade and Raya that makes you root for them to take the plunge. 

“I wobble when his tongue delves into my mouth, and the hot metal of his piercing makes me heat up between my thighs, inviting my scandalous thoughts to dance in my mind.”

This is a cute new adult story with two love interests who are charming together. Told via Raya’s first person point of view, the reader sympathizes with her when Kade first seems like a brat and then falls along with her when she realizes he’s so much more than meets the eye.

Kade starts off moody and cocky but soon becomes pretty adorable. And hot. Wanted to grab the tongue pierced boy myself and kiss him. ;-)  I loved how he swooped in at the right moments during the party and acted cool during their trip to the trailer park. The story offers plenty of sweet moments alongside an engaging plot that is paced well and never drags.  And by the end, the meanings behind the title comes to light.

Can Raya and Kade keep money and social status from ruining their budding relationship? Is Kade hooked on the game? Will Raya get hooked on hers? And who is really running a con?

There was some nice unexpected twists to this story that allows it to offer a little “adventure” in addition to new adult romance. While I really wanted to see “HUPRIDE” get taken down a peg or too, I liked the way Kade at least showed up Raya’s former “friends.”  And while Raya was destined for Kade, Brody Sparks was pretty alluring too. I hope he gets his own book at some point. There’s certainly potential for a great story with him.

GOODREADS

  

Hooked on the Game can be purchased as a stand-alone: AMAZON   B&N

In a box set of four books in The Sterling Shore series: AMAZON   B&N

Or in Love & College: New Adult & College Romance Anthology: AMAZON   B&N

Meanwhile, I’ll be checking out #1.5, Kade's Game, which is the story from Kade’s POV! AMAZON   B&N

RELEASE BLITZ: Acquiesce by Cory Cyr

****18+ due to adult language and explicit sexual content*****

GOODREADS

Caspian Vance~former child prodigy, now an accomplished professor of human sexuality at twenty-six has it all—an IQ that's off the charts, a stellar career at which he excels, and the drop-dead looks and body that make women spontaneously combust with lust.

He's been studying sex and women's behavior since he was sixteen. When it comes to the science of human lust and the rewards of sexual pursuits, he has all the answers.

There's one thing he knows for sure: "love" has nothing to do with it.

Sex is a basic, primal human need—love is an unstable, emotional complication. Both are present in a person, but completely unrelated. His own world of logic and fact accepts this truth and now. . .

He's going to prove it.

When Cass takes a sabbatical to research his theory in order to write his third book, he enlists the help of a former lover and now owner of the world's most exotic and secretive male brothel catering strictly to wealthy older women. On this remote Caribbean island, he uses his keen sense of observation and research to prove "love" is merely a series of chemical reactions in the human brain—nothing more.

Nicola Barrington~ had the perfect life, married to her soul mate.Ten years into her one and only relationship, her idyllic world is shattered by the death of her beloved husband. The loss of her "one true love" sends her into seclusion where she spends the next eleven years pining for the man she still loves.

The beautiful heiress, stays hidden away, her only connection to the outside world being being the hired help and her two close friends. Her friends know Nic has much to live for and are eager to see her find love again. . . and if not love, they would settle for her rediscovering the throes of lust.

As her 40th birthday approaches, her two friends succeed in coaxing her out of her emotionally safe haven to celebrate with a trip to an exclusive resort known for "restoring an older woman's brilliant, inner glow."

Caspian’s superiority and logic combined with Nic's innocence and melancholy are on an imminent collision course. Sometimes even a genius has a hard time figuring out a woman.

AMAZON US AMAZON CA AMAZON UK AMAZON AU B&N CREATESPACE

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BOOK REVIEW: Sawyer Says by Carey Heywood

 4 Stars

Sawyer Sterling was orphaned as a child, brushed aside by her only remaining grandparent, and essentially raised in boarding school with the exception of the summers she spent with Jared Keller and his mom. Now adults, Sawyer and Jared have become roommates after hers moved away to get married, and Jared went through an emotional divorce.

Although friendship is all Sawyer claims to want, at her roommate’s wedding she hooks up with Jared. And who can blame her? Holy cow, Jared is hot, sweet, and extremely patient and understanding. As in if you look up ‘patience’ and ‘understanding’ in the dictionary you’ll find this boy’s picture there. He’s the gem of the book. Having grown up with her he knows what Sawyer needs and when she needs it. And he’s exactly what Sawyer needs because she has a few issues she has to work through.

As a result, Sawyer is a bit cold at times and totally pessimistic. Yes, I understand she’s been dealt some blows in life that caused her to put up walls and have some feelings of insecurity; but sometimes she makes some uncool moves that she seems to feel is okay or justified but hurt Jared and others who care about her. So there were places were I almost agreed that she wasn’t good enough for Jared. Again the guy is just swoon-worthy.

The story is just as much romance as it is a story of self discovery. Though told via Sawyer and Jared’s alternating first person point of views, it’s largely about Sawyer’s journey—to accept the past, uncover some family secrets, and move on so that she can learn to love and be loved. There’s a touch of mystery in regards to her grandmother which kept the story engaging, and plenty of sexy encounters with Jared which amplified the heat factor. And though they start hitting it right from the beginning, there is no insta-lust or insta-love here as their friendship is still core to their relationship.

I was a little disappointed that the story didn’t end with Jared getting the one thing that he seemed to long for and would definitely have been good at. Perhaps the epilogue just didn’t go far enough into the future, but I just felt that he did so much for her that he should have gotten a little “extra” as part of their happy ever after.

Sawyer Says is a spin-off novel from Him and Her (Sawyer's previous roommate Sarah and her husband Will's story) that can easily be read as a stand-alone as Sarah and Will just make minor appearances in this one. 

AMAZON   GOODREADS   B&N

BOOK REVIEW: Cherry Bomb by Shayna Snow

4.5 Stars

Dean Callahan is just out for a night with the guys at a strip club for his buddy’s bachelor party. He isn’t looking to find the girl of his dreams but when he lays his eyes on the erotic dancer on stage, performing as Cherry Bomb, he can’t resist a little more. Lucky for Dean their paths are fated to cross and he gets to meet the real girl, Cherie Tillman.

This is the second book in The Callahan Brothers series, but the stories are stand-alones (so you can read them in either order) with the previous book, At Her Service, featuring Dean’s slightly older brother Kyle, also in college in Florida. And like Kyle, Dean gets to be a bit of a hero as well as be quite the fantasy fulfilling gentleman. 

 “‛Just let me know how you want it, babe.’”

Told via Dean and Cherie’s alternating first person POV, it’s a cute, sexy, and sweet new adult story with plenty of hot scenes. Dean and Cherie are both likeable characters. I enjoyed the fact that Cherie wasn’t a stereotype and that Dean saw her for her personality and brains as much as his initial attraction to her body. At the same time the play on how they met was kinda cute. 

“I squeeze my eyes shut as irony hits me. I know exactly what she looks like naked. But yet, here we are on a first date.”

Will Cherie break the rules with Dean?  Can Dean keep her profession a non-issue? And what’s on their sexual bucket list?

For a fun, sexy read, about two college co-eds who met in an unconventional way, that you can devour in one sitting, Cherry Bomb is one to 1-click. This is a light-hearted and sexy series that lovers of new adult romance will want to follow.

AMAZON   GOODREADS

Shayna Snow lives in the Midwestern United States, enjoying the changes of seasons and the crazy weather extremes, from blizzards to heat waves.  She’s addicted to coffee and her Kindle and is hard-pressed to find a reason to read anything other than romance.

Read the blog's previous author interview with Shayna: "Five Questions with Shayna Snow"

Book-Bosomed Book Blog's Best Books of 2014

Making this list was…well…kinda hard. I felt like Santa making his list and checking it twice. Was I forgetting a really good book? Probably. Were all the ones on my list naughty? I certainly hope so. But by the time I was done I was itching to read them all again, a sure sign that they definitely needed to be on here.  That’s not to say that there aren’t plenty more great book released in 2014. If you’re reading this than I also encourage to check out the other reviews on the blog to find some more amazing books whether released this year or not. But for now, these are at the top of my recommendation list.

And so without further delay, Book-Bosomed Book Blog’s Picks for 12 Must Read Books Released in 2014….. drum roll please! I know we have a drummer around her somewhere.

(in no particular order other than how they appear in the song at the end)
The Rocker Who Shatters Me (The Rocker Series) by Terri Anne Browning

Part of Me/Inside of You by Haven Francis

Hothouse Flower (Addicted Series) by Krista and Becca Ritchie

Twist Me/Keep Me by Anna Zaires
Masquerade by Georgia Le Carre

He Belongs With Me by Sarah Darlington
Hostage by N.S. Moore

Prisoner by Annika Martin and Skye Warren

Monster in His Eyes/Torture to Her Soul by J. M. Darhower

So how and why did I pick these?

Well I think they are all titles that deserve extra attention because they have some really amazing elements to them. Some are more known than others, but all of them should be talked about more.

If you are looking for a theme within these books you might be hard pressed to find one that fits them all—some are darker, some are more light-hearted. Some incorporate mystery, some adventure. And the characters run the gauntlet of rockers, criminals, and young adults trying to figure themselves out. But there were certain aspects I felt they all excelled in…

The Characters

All of the main characters are fully developed.  They all have layers and transcend beyond stereotypes.

I do feel that there is one theme among all the female characters. They are all strong. Some more obvious, some buried more at their core.  I spent many a semester in college many years ago studying feminist literature so this is a big deal for me. And I think all these heroines do a good job of holding their own.

Pretty obviously the men are all some degree of badass. Some are just hot-heads, some have criminal records, and some either are or should be on the police’s radar ;-) But that guarantees that none of these books are lacking in excitement or adventure.

If you like your book boyfriends on the bad side, then this list is for you. Ignazio Vitale can make black ‘kill you with my bare hands’ gloves sexy; Julian Esguerra can make a syringe thrillingly erotic; Ryke Meadows can seduce you with his favorite four letter word; Devlin Cutter can make warping a tour bus tour insanely sexy; and if you want to meet the man that perfects the art form of dirty-talking then Jaron Rose is for you. 

If you are looking for a great ensemble cast, He Belongs With Me, The Rocker series, and The Addicted series will most definitely offer you that.  The characters have great banter and they are all developed uniquely often defying stereotypes and always making you feel like you know them (or wish you could hang out with them.)

The Couples

All of the couples have amazing chemistry. Whether they are opposites attract or each other’s perfect match, reading their story is a journey that you undertake with them. They overcome obstacles but they aren’t thrown ridiculous or repetitive hardships. The challenges they face fit their personas well.

There’s quite the diversity in the bedroom…or on the beach or in a tent or in a library or outside the club…you get the picture.

And if you are looking for a love story that’s a little darker, a little deeper, a little beyond normal conventions, you’re going to want to check out Monster in His Eyes/Torture to Her Soul, The Twist Me Series, Hostage, and Prisoner (the debut of the Criminals & Captives series which is off to a great start).

Plots & Original Scenes & Themes

Love among a riot, while sky-diving, after being hit with a golf cart, while being held captive (and even though that includes three of the titles on the list they all encompass it so differently), despite a bet, with your best friend, and with the very person you were never meant to fall in love with—each of these books offers something unique in the way the story unfolds.

If you are looking for that new adult ‘finding your place in the world and with the right person’ kind of story, He Belongs With Me, Hothouse Flower, Hostage, Part of Me, and Inside of You are all ones to pick up.

If you are looking for adventure, Masquerade, Hostage, and Prisoner should top your list.

If rock stars wet your panties, you should already be reading The Rocker…series and The Rocker Who Shatters Me is the newest one to keep them soaked ;-)

If you are looking for a tale that keeps you guessing the next turn while at the same time questioning conventions, Monster in His Eyes/Torture to Her Soul, Twist Me/Keep Me, Prisoner, and Masquerade are most definitely must-reads.

  

The Endings

I’m a big stickler about endings. I need the whole happily ever after, and I’m not fond of cliffhangers. I like my books to have closure and leave the characters in a good place. So I took a chance with a few of these, but thankfully it turned out okay.  Several of these titles are books that follow the character through more than one story, but they all execute the close to each book well. (I’m going to speak in general terms here but if you consider any of this a spoiler than be warned.) 

Terri Anne Browning is phenomenal with her sweet endings in each rocker installment that always leave you smiling…and a little envious of the life and love her couples share.

Haven Francis provides a great two part story with Jessa and Pax, but she closes the first book in a good place. You can stop there if you want and pick up the second one at a later time but the characters’ relationship is just so engrossing that I can’t imagine not delving into the next book.

Anna Zaires pulls off the ending to Twist Me wonderfully. I honestly think it’s not easy to carry the same characters over multiple books. I see it done a lot but I can’t say I always see it done well or with the necessity for more than one book. But Anna crafts a complete segment of Nora and Julian’s life with each book, and each book advances their characters further. They grow; they change; they encounter new challenges and roles, and thus it feels like a new adventure; another story of their life to tell.

J.M. Darhower knows how to keep the suspense…and anxiety brewing. I read Monster in His Eyes not wanting to read the end because I didn’t want the experience to end, and then I read Torture to Her Soul and couldn’t wait to get to the end just to know it ended okay!  Stylistically one of the great things about this two-parter is how the prologues and epilogues connect seamlessly so that it provides closure while at the same time leaving you wanting more. Oh and the book has some of the best lines that make it a definite re-read just to savor the Nazisms. 

So that’s my shout-out to these amazing books! I still don't feel like I've done them justice, and for more specific details on the stories and what makes them engaging in their own way, simply click on the title from the list to read the full review.

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

And in the spirit of the holidays, it’s time the old Christmas song got some updating, indie romance style. Because, come on ladies, if he was really your true love, he’d give you the books you must read! So let’s try this revised version!

I present…(though not spoiler free so you're warned)

The 12 Days of Christmas Contemporary Romance Style

♫♪♫♪♫♪

12 Drummers Drumming— don’t need 12 of them, Devlin Cutter will do just fine!
Eleven Pipers Piping Paxton fake proposing

Ten Lords a Leaping Lovers loving
Nine Ladies Dancing Sexy bad boys
Eight Maids a Milking  f-bombs from Ryke Meadows

Seven Swans a Swimming Eh, forget the swans, try picturing a sexy arms dealer swimming off the coast of his private island

Six Geese a Laying There’s lots of “laying” in these books so we can probably just leave it at that
Five Golden Rings (Did Jaron Rose steal them?)
Four Calling Birds  No birds calling; He Belongs with Me is like a double romance so that must be two different couples calling out in the throws of passion
Three French Hens mysterious men
Two Turtle Doves hostage takers
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree Monster in a black Mercedes!

And he's one mesmerizing monster ;-) Y Naz!

BOOK REVIEW: Winter Kisses by Addison Moore

5 Stars

A holiday auction to benefit the theater department at Whitney Brigs U. puts Laney Sawyer back in the orbit of her ex Ryder Capwell after twelve months.  Laney is still seething about how things went down between them last year, and Ryder is still pining for the girl that has his heart. But their one shot at a second chance rests on a night of alcohol and weakened inhibitions.  

Can they make up for 365 days in one night? 

“‘What comes next?’
 ‘You come next, Ryder….And if I’m lucky, I will, too.’”

Winter Kisses is a perfect holiday romance short story with two supporting characters from 3 AM Kisses. Although you don’t need to read 3AM Kisses first, if you enjoy this story, you’ll enjoy that one and vice versa.

Speaking of 3 AM Kisses, Baya and Bryson are back with some enjoyable appearances as this is a series where friendship is also key. Even with their small parts, Baya seems true to character with her sweet innocence although she is perceptive rather than naïve in this one—a nice touch to the story. Bryson’s male bonding scene with Ryder where Bryson is “packing” and doles out the “Halloween candy” is a very cute and hilarious guy scene.

As a couple, Laney and Ryder are cute together. Their banter and double entendre dialogue is adorable, and there’s plenty of steam between them.

“‘Are you propositioning me?’ 

‘Let’s see….I’m standing in your home—in your bedroom. You’re the one with a hard-on pointed in my direction, so logic only insists that you, Ryder Capwell, are the one who is blatantly propositioning me.’”

(slight spoiler) *While I would have preferred to see Mrs. Capwell and Meg receive a bigger take down,* it’s still a fun, sweet, and sexy story with witty alternating first person POV from both Laney and Ryder, cute dialogue, lots of romance, and hot love scenes. HEA.

Note to Ryder though: Buy that couch for the next time Laney stops by the office ;-)

AMAZON   GOODREADS   B&N

BOOK REVIEW: Isn't She Lovely by Lauren Layne

4.5 stars

The premise is one dating back through literature and film history. Guy tries to tranform girl (much different from him) for a ruse and ends up falling for her.  You’ve read it. I’ve read it. And Ethan Price and Stephanie Kendrick have seen it and read it. And it’s why they are using it for the plot of their film class screenplay as well as to work out the chemistry between them, whether they realize that or not.

Yep, Isn’t She Lovely is a modern new adult spin on the Pygmalion story as well as the theme of looking past appearances and social classes and finding your true self.  It’s cute; it’s funny; and it’s a sweet story that I couldn’t put down.

Ethan and Stephanie’s comical banter pulled me in right from the beginning. 

“‘Does this surly mood come with the goth outfit?...Or do you have to buy it separately?’ —Ethan  

‘Could you please watch where you’re pointing your teeth? The glare from your caps is hurting my eyes.’” —Stephanie

It certainly isn’t love at first sight for this mismatched pair. Ethan Price is a perfectly groomed, out-going, and privileged 21 year old college Frat boy with a penchant for Animal Planet references and who makes claims of endowment so large it’s lethal. (Oh that’s a hilarious scene!)  Stephanie Kendrick is a reserved, anti-social 21 year old film student Goth girl in combat boots, lots of black, and a rack that Ethan can’t quit staring at.  

They sound like stereotypes but really they are not. And that’s one of the many strengths of this novel—the characters are well developed right from the start and are much more layered than what they seem on the surface.  And while based on a familiar premise the story avoids clichés with the supporting characters, as well, who don’t necessarily fall into their own stereotypical personas either.

Ethan and Stephanie are both harboring secrets, stuck on sour lingering memories, and nursing their wounds. But don’t misinterpret—overall the story is quite light-hearted and fun. Those elements about their background and families are what make you relate and feel for their characters and create an engaging story that keeps you turning pages to find out what really has made Stephanie withdrawn and what caused Ethan to seek a summer escape in the film department.

This one is light on the steam scenes but has no shortage of chemistry and sexual tensions. Soft touches never seemed so sexy and well described kisses never felt so hot and sweet.

Ethan is incredibly likeable. He’s funny, quick-witted, sweet, and even when he’s working through his own issues he has his head on pretty straight.  He’s also has an adorable penchant for making memorable appearances at just the right time. 

“‘Hey, Dave, let me ask you something,…Before you hooked up with the ginger, did Stephanie ever make this weird bobcat noise when you guys were, you know…’”

Stephanie has some deeper stuff to work through and a few times I thought she let her teen angst lead her astray. The story is told via Ethan and Stephanie’s alternating first person point of view, and it works well for understanding what’s going through each of their heads and where they are romantically at all times.  

Once Ethan and Stephanie lay out the plot of their screenplay, will they bring their story to life in a successful act to fool Ethan’s social circle into believing he has a new love of his life?  Will their acting stop when they no longer have an audience? And what scenes will end up on the cutting room floor before their final draft is turned in?

If you are looking for a sweet, adorable, new adult read with a swoon-worthy male, some touching moments, and quite a few laughs, then Isn’t She Lovely is definitely one to spend an afternoon getting lost in. Opposites not only attract, they create quite a spark in this story.

AMAZON    GOODREADS    B&N

COVER REVEAL: It's A Date by J. Epps & S. Brümmer

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 15th 2015

Worlds are realigned on one winter’s night.

“The thunderous storm that he is intensifies and I'm about to beg him for this.”

The Ballerina
I've had plenty of practice being graceful, but he has my heart tripping over my pointe shoes. I've conditioned myself to rely on nobody else and I won't start now. I'll push back as hard as I can. However, he seems to be determined on pulling down the wall I use to separate myself from others. Removing myself from his vise grip just became excruciatingly difficult. The storm that follows this man—no, the storm that is this man—has given me more than what I’ve bargained for.

The Storm
The primal need I have for her is deeper than any I’ve experienced before. My world has shifted in more ways than one, and I’m not going to stand around and be held hostage where I don’t belong. The next move I make won’t be for anyone else but myself, and if it happens to bring my world to a screeching halt, then I’m not going to fight it. I’m determined. I want her.

Cover Designer: Judi Perkins

Jess & Sasha -

JSAuthors. The co-authors come as a package deal with extravagant ribbons laced on top. Their combined enthusiasm is seen as a pink sunrise, uniquely captivating. They share a love for writing, fictional romance, passion-fruit tea lemonade, sweetened and shaken on ice, as well as the color pink. Their combined efforts to share their internal monologues, since they share a brain, can be found in The Date Series.

J. Epps

Jess is a registered dental hygienist by day and a contemporary romance author by night. She currently resides in the Greater St. Louis area with her husband of over a year. When Jess isn’t writing (meaning her characters aren’t demanding her undivided attention), she enjoys reading books, scouring Pinterest, collecting fountain pens, and traveling with her husband.

S. Brümmer

A self-published author by night and all around busybody by day, Sasha is an international baby, born in gorgeous South Africa. Her cultured lifestyle is one that many don’t get to experience. Four countries and a co-author later, she has published her first book of The Date Series. When she’s not preoccupied with her imposing owl fixation, she’s hashing out new ways to translate a titillating and libidinous scene onto a page.

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BLOG TOUR: Jagged Love by Nicole Simone

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: December 9, 2014

~Synopsis~

The day I found my mother dead was the day I was set free. That might sound harsh but my mother was a drug addict. Had been since I was a baby. Pills were her salvation. Crack was her demise. I should have known though, even dead, my mother’s demons wouldn’t stop chasing me.

To the outside world, I’m a normal, twenty something year old woman - brown hair with caramel colored highlights, gray blue eyes and French manicured tips. What they don’t see are the map of scars etched into my skin or the barb wired wrapped around my heart. As the saying goes, it only takes one person to change your life. That person for me was Andrew.

From the moment we locked eyes, I was hooked. He was intriguing, a word that doesn’t get used lightly. Men were a dime a dozen, but Andrew – Andrew was special. I could tell in the way he spoke, passionately and without reservation. However, my type and his type didn’t mix. We were bound to explode yet I was powerless to the attraction between us. As our paths merge, secrets are revealed, past bleeds into present and danger lurks on the horizon.

 AmazonUS | Amazon UK |Barnes & Noble | KOBO

~Excerpt~

Andrew drew closer. Pure male exuded out of his pores, raw and primal. My skin heated as his crotch pressed against my behind. A smile could be heard in his voice when he spoke. “He has five kids and a wife. They run him ragged but he secretly loves it.”

“Do you want that?” I whispered. “A family to call your own?”

Andrew’s lips brushed against my ear, sending my pulse to skyrocket. I waited with bated breath for an answer I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear.

“I thought I did once but not anymore.” My shoulders sagged with relief. Andrew chuckled. “I’m guessing we are on the same page.”

This was an oddly intimate conversation to have facing the wall. I spun around and immediately second-guessed my decision. The air in the room grew thick with sexual chemistry as I fought against his magnetic pull. Alarms blared in my head. Roommates with benefits weren’t part of the package. Obviously, Andrew didn’t get that memo though. Captivated by his eyes as clear as a reflecting pool, he brushed a lock of hair from my face.

“When I look at you, I see color. Oranges, pinks, turquoise, and deep purples. You’re Technicolor amongst an otherwise bland world.”

My breath snagged in my throat. “No I’m not. I’m grays, black, and muted beige.”

“One day you’ll see how I see you and that day will be the greatest day of my life because then you’ll know you’re worth more than gold.”

His words poked at a raw and vulnerable place hidden amongst the scars. I acted self confident and assured, but it was a ruse. How did Andrew know that? My eyes fell to the floor.

He lifted my chin with the tip of his finger. Using his thumb as a paintbrush, he painted the lines of my face. With each feather light touch, the passion in his eyes grew brighter.

I could feel myself unraveling, thread by thread until there was nothing left. “Just fucking kiss me,” I growled.

As if coming out of a trance, Andrew stumbled backwards. His gaze became unfocused and wild. The cold slap of rejection sunk into my bones.

“Forgive me.” Andrew looked at his hands and shoved them into his pockets. “That was uncalled for.”

He skittered away before I could say otherwise. My back slid against the wall and I tucked my knees to my chest. Bewildered tears clogged my throat. Anybody in his right mind would have heard the need in my voice, so why did Andrew act like he’d stolen my virginity?

~About The Author~

Nicole Simone works in digital media by day and at night, pen’s character driven romance novels that will make your mama blush. She lives in Los Angeles, C.A with her fat bulldog named Humphrey.

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BLOG TOUR: Icy Pretty Love by L.A. Rose

~Synopsis~

Glass-doll beauty. A shy, proper smile. Georgette Montgomery is the perfect billionaire’s fiancé.

Or she would be, if she existed.

A dark past. A smile that hides everything. At nineteen, Rae Grove escapes her disaster life by pretending to be other people—specifically, whoever the man paying her that night wants her to be.

Until she’s offered enough money for a one-way ticket to a better life. All she has to do is fly to Paris and pretend to be the fiancé of young business tycoon Cohen Ashworth for one month. Within an hour of meeting Cohen, Rae knows three things about him:

1. He hates everyone and everything.

2. He has abundant wit and a knife-sharp tongue.

3. He uses 2 to make everyone aware of 1.

Before long, Rae’s determined to crack open his unbreakable shell. Cohen’s determined to stay unbroken.

But no one escapes unscathed when two opposite worlds collide.

Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo

 ~Excerpt~

“So you want me to change.” His jaw is taut.

“You need to change, or you’re not going to get what you want,” I say. He needs to hear it. “And you’re going to be miserable your whole life—”

“I don’t know how to change!” he says loudly.

I stop, half-expecting the divider separating us from the driver to roll down, but it doesn’t. We’re still alone in the backseat. I should be afraid, should be recoiling the way

I do whenever a man raises his voice to me. But when I reach for the fear, I don’t find it. All I find is…pity?

“I know what I am. What I’m like.” His voice cracks, just slightly, but he masters it. “If I

could be different, I would. Do you understand that? I’m not like you. I can’t slip on someone else’s persona like changing my clothes.”

That stupid twinge of pity turns into a full-fledged needle. I’m very familiar with that shadow in his voice, because it’s been in my heart for years. Self-loathing. At least I can escape myself by being other people. He doesn’t even have that luxury.

Stop it, Rae. Don’t you dare feel sorry for him. He has everything you’ve ever wanted, remember?

“That’s bullshit,” I say bluntly. “You can change. Anyone can change.”

“Show me.”

“What?”

He turns his full gaze directly on me, and I lose myself for a brief second in those ice eyes. “Show me how to be someone else. You do it so easily. You’re getting paid enough, I might as well get some use out of you.”

“You mean like…give you niceness lessons?”

He grimaces. “I’d rather we didn’t call it that.”

“Well…” I hesitate.

“Please,” he says emotionlessly. And if I had to bet on it, I’d say it was damn near the first time that word had passed through those perfect lips.

~

GOODREADS 

BOOK REVIEW

3.5 Stars

Rae Grove arrives in Paris ready to leave her working girl life behind after she’s paid a hundred thousand dollars to pretend to be Georgette Montgomery, the fiancé of a prominent businessman’s son, Cohen Ashworth.

Right away it’s obvious that while Cohen isn’t lacking in the looks or money department, his disposition needs a serious overhaul.  And giving him some lessons in manners becomes an additional part of the job.

Rae is an optimist and pretty upbeat for the rough, underprivileged life she’s led. In contrast Cohen, raised in the lap of luxury, is brooding and miserable.

Like L.A. Rose’s previous titles, there is a witty tone to the Rae’s first-person narration. There’s also a touch of mystery to the story. Where does Cohen disappear to for such long periods and in the middle of the night? What dark vices does he harbor? Can Arabelle be trusted? And who is the stranger that Rae is texting?

I struggled a little bit with the chemistry between Rae and Cohen—as in they didn’t click immediately and it took a while to connect with them as characters. That’s not to say that they don’t seem well-paired because it becomes pretty clear that despite their differences in class and money, they are a good thing for each other once able to look beyond the surface.

The message—of looking beyond the walls and facades and getting to know the real person—is a good one. Fans of Pretty Woman style love stories will adore this one. It’s much more romance oriented than sexy. There are quite a few fade-away scenes.  It’s well written and while at times I craved a little something more, both from the characters and the love scenes, it still delivers a sweet story and an HEA.

L.A. Rose recently made it out of college alive and with an English degree. She's a habitual beach bum, a cuteness aficionado, and a not-quite-recovered romance addict. She's a big believer in laughter as medicine and steaminess as...more medicine. You can never have enough medicine. Icy Pretty Love is her third New Adult standalone. She is also the author Adrian Lessons and James Games.

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COVER REVEAL: Never Forgotten Love by S.M. Stryker

Cover Design: Stephanie Tkach Page Weaving Covers

Release Date: 27^th December 2014

~Synopsis~

Beckett was smaller than most boys his age, having little to no self-esteem or confidence because of the verbally and physical abuse he faced at the hands of his mother, the one person who should love him unconditionally, because of this he was an easy target for other kids to pick on him.

But He found his best friend in Harlow. Not only was she beautiful, she was tough too. She was always there for him from the first day in first grade. They spent every minute of their time together as young children that was allowed, he even helped her with her interest in cupcakes.

As they grew older, that started spending a lot of time at the local park talking about their dreams for the future. That is until Beckett had to move and leave Harlow behind, he was thirteen and devastated. They promised to stay in touch, Harlow gave him a bracelet with a half of a heart medallion that when put together said 'Best Friends Always' but that ended when Beckett's mother took away his belongings including his computer and phone which had all of Harlow's information in it.

In high school, he was still the little guy, and continued to be the subject of bullying, so he started to take Krav Mega classes to learn to protect himself and regain his self-esteem and confidence.

After graduating high school he finally grew, he wasn't the same little boy that always seemed to have the kick me sign on his back. Even after Ten years, Beckett never went a day without thinking of Harlow, every decision he ever made, was made with her in mind.

He began working for Richard in high school in his computer software upstart. After college Richard talked Beckett into hiring a private investigator to look for Harlow, but she was off the grid. Will Beckett find Harlow? and if he does will she forgive him for breaking their promise? Or maybe she is married already, and what demons does she carry?

This story is about lost loves, best friends and second chances.

This book is a series, You won't have to read the first one to understand the following. but it will cross over.

 GOODREADS

~Other Books by S.M. Stryker~

Amazon US    Amazon AU     Kobo     Ibooks

S.M. Stryker grew up on a small farm in Oregon with her two brothers. She married her husband 27 years ago. It was important to her to be able to stay at home to raise their four daughters. She wasn't an avid reader, although she always thought her life would make a good book. A few years ago she picked up FSOG and The Crossfire Series and was drawn to the characters; the storylines moved her more than anything. Her life changed at that point, she could relate to the characters and what they had gone through. She devoured books after that, sometimes reading 8-10 books a week, and finding new authors she enjoyed reading. She couldn't be without a book, her IPad or IPhone anything that she could download her kindle app onto. Knowing she had always wanted to write but kept putting it off, she emailed a few of her favourite authors that gave her some very good advice. So she finally went for it.

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RELEASE BLITZ: Red Hot Alphas boxed set

From first kisses to dangerous encounters and second chances at love, we've gathered all 11 BRAND NEW novels in one big box, giving you a heart-pounding collection filled with confident, sexy, and mysterious alpha men you'll fall madly in love with.

All these novels are all brand new and exclusive to the Red Hot Alpha Box Set, and they are NOT available anywhere else! If you see your favorite author in here, then YES, this is a new story that you haven’t read yet.

These sexy, alpha men--from an orphaned tattoo artist, a partying rock star drummer with a secret past, a motorcycle club V.P. who’s an undercover cop, an actor with abs of steel, a world-famous billionaire entrepreneur, a werewolf shifter lost in his wild wolf, a jazz musician with darker tastes, a private investigator with a hunger for more than justice, a professional skateboarder that she used to know, to a European nobleman with a touch of magic, and a hunky firefighter with a killer smile and a dangerous job—will win your heart, your soul, and your body, because nothing less will satisfy them.

THE BOXED SET IS ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME! Over 1700 pages of brand-new novels from your favorite NYT and USAT bestselling authors!

Ready to get HOT? Eleven top-selling authors have banded together to bring you 11 ALL-NEW NOVELS of love, passion, romance, and thrilling suspense.

WHERE TO FIND ALL THIS WHITE-HOT ROMANCE
AMAZON    Barnes & Noble    GOOGLE PLAY    iBooks    KOBO

ELEVEN NOVELS TO CAPTURE YOUR HEART AND SET YOUR BLOOD ON FIRE!

MEETING MR. STEELE by Melanie Marchande - She hired an actor to play her romance author alter ego at public appearances, but she didn’t count on him stealing her heart.

MICAH (Damage Control 1) by Jo Raven - She saved his life but doesn’t know him. He knows her but won’t tell her who he is for fear of losing her. Isn’t love weird?

SOMEBODY TO LOVE (Rock Stars in Disguise: Tryp) by Blair Babylon - Meet Tryp, the rock star drummer for Killer Valentine. He's young, he's rich, and his life is perfect, just as long as he never sobers up.

HOT PURSUIT (An Iron Tornadoes MC Romance) by Olivia Rigal - What could be worst for an undercover cop than embracing the spirit of the MC he has infiltrated? Falling hard for a woman who loves the biker he is supposed to be.

MIXED UP by Sky Corgan - When Kira walked up the steps of the Enkidu Industries building for a job interview, she never expected to find her potential new employer completely naked.

MIDNIGHT MOONLIGHT by V. J. Chambers - A werewolf twist on “Beauty and the Beast:” Trapped with a wild man. Drawn to his ferocious heat. She will fight to get free and to tame him, to bring back his humanity.

SORORITY SAINT by Daizie Draper - When a brash musician entices a shy dancer into performing in his sexy jazz video, the heated tension between these polar opposites could ignite lasting passion or completely scorch them both.

CROSSED (A Prequel to the Crossed Series) by Lacey Silks - She is looking for the one. He never thought the one existed. But the one thing that connects them can also tear them apart.

GET TO ME (8th Sin Series, Book 1) by Holly Hood - Sometimes the past and present can cloud your future.

ELECTRIC BLUE BUTTERFLIES (Will o' the Wisp Series #1) by Irma Geddon - When an arranged marriage between childhood soul mates ends in tragedy, Constance learns to trust that love knows no limit---not even death.

SWEETEST TEMPTATIONS (Blue Collar Series, #1) by J.C. Valentine - A tenacious bakery shop owner has everything she ever wanted, until a hunky firefighter walks through her door.

GOODREADS

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COVER REVEAL: Saving Ayden by Muriel Garcia

Genre: MC Romance

Series: Last Hangman MC #1

Release Date: January 2, 2015

~Synopsis~ 

Ayden and Anthony have been best friends forever. They did everything together and grew up around The Last Hangman MC. They've stuck together through the good and the bad, realizing that what they feel for each other is so much more than friendship. They confess their feelings and start dating but their happiness is short lived.

Ayden's life is changed in an instant...One minute you think everything is perfect, that you've found your happily ever after and the next minute your whole world comes crashing down, forcing her to leave New Orleans.

She starts a new life in New York but realize it's not enough, that she needs to get back to her roots even if it means going back where the MC is.

Anthony let Ayden leave six years ago.

He's always regretted it and seeing her again confirms how much he wants her and needs her in his life.

He'll do all he can to have Ayden back in his life and explain why she took off years ago.

What happens when her past catches up with her and starts messing with her life again?

Will she give into the fear of what took place that night might occur again? Or will she trust Anthony and let him help her get through it?

What happens when she finds out who is behind all the bad things she went through in the past? Will she be strong enough to handle the truth? Or will it destroy her beyond repair?

WARNING : Contains foul language, sex scenes, mention of abuse and rape. 18+ 

 Goodreads

~Excerpt~ 

When the waitress leaves her after delivering Ayden her food, I walk over and just as she’s about to take a bite, she looks up and we make eye contact. I can’t help the smirk spreading across my face, at the look of excitement, laced with worry, and could it be lust on her face? I don’t know what it is, but I hold her gaze for a couple of seconds before she looks down at her plate, denying me those beautiful jade eyes.

I sit down across from her in the booth. I can see her squirm, I still have the same effect on her and she still holds the same power over me. I have to readjust myself, my jeans are getting tight.

“Ayden.” I see her shiver when I say her name. She finally looks back at me.

“Anthony.” Her tone is clipped. She’s clearly surprised and not very happy to see me.

“We need to talk Sweet Cheeks.”

“Don’t call me that. You’ve lost that privilege long ago,” she whispers, she’s getting pissed. Good, at least she’s still affected by my nickname for her.

“Now, I wasn’t the one running away. I didn’t do anything wrong. I can still call you that if I want to.” I smirk playfully. I’m still hurt, but I don’t want her to run away again.

“I deserved that. Now if you don’t mind I’m trying to enjoy my diner.” She takes a bite of her pickle. Fuck me she did that on purpose!

“I see that.” I steal a piece of bacon from her burger and take a bite.

“Hey, that’s mine!”

“Too bad, now it’s mine.” I wink at her and shove the rest in my mouth.

“Fucker! You don’t mess with a woman’s food!” She’s adorable and extremely hot when she’s pissed.

“Well looks like I did, now will you listen to what I have to say or not?”

“Or not.” She takes an angry bite of the pickle again.

“Kinky.” I smirk licking my lips.

“Piss off Ant!” she whispers loudly.

“We’re going to talk Sweet Cheeks, like it or not, we will very soon.”

“There’s nothing left to say. I know what’s been going on, my mom’s kept me updated on everything. I don’t need you to repeat it to me, I’m good. We don’t have to act like we are friends.” I know she doesn’t mean it. She’s trying to hold back her tears and her lower lip is quivering.

“As you wish Sweet Cheeks. But it will happen very soon… you can bet on it.” I look into her eyes. Showing her I’m very serious about this talk we need to have. I want to have our talk now but I don’t want to scare her away even more. The last thing I want is for her to leave town again. It would kill me. “Have a nice day.” I take a sip of her drink, wink at her, and bend down to kiss her cheek—her soft skin is like heaven. I make my way out of the restaurant knowing I managed to get her attention and that she won’t forget I exist anytime soon. I just can’t wait to be able to talk with her and lay it all out.

Muriel Garcia grew up in Belgium. She loves music, tattoos—especially on hot men, traveling, and cooking. She has always had an overly imaginative and creative mind but never thought of writing a book until a couple of months ago. Now she couldn’t imagine not writing stories that are near and dear to her heart. 

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