BLOG TOUR: Text 2 Lovers by K Webster and J.D. Hollyfield

 Publication Date: January 24, 2017

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romantic Comedy

~Blurb~

It’s the start of nothing good.
I fired off a storm of raunchy text messages…to the wrong number.
And he replied.
Him: Show me a picture.
Him: Tell me your name.
Why does the lure of anonymity have me craving to indulge a stranger?

It’s the start of everything right.
I received a slew of text messages…when everything in my life was wrong.
And she made me laugh again.
Her: You’re probably a creeper.
Her: Possibly a stalker.
Why do I have the overwhelming need to find this stranger who saved me and make her mine?

Him: Take a chance with me.
Her: This is crazy.
Him: I need to see you.
Her: What are we doing?
Him: We’re about to find out.

Her: PHOTO ATTACHED
Him: PHOTO ATTACHED

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~Book Review~

1.5 Hot Mess Stars 

The premise for this sounded cute and fun, and the reviews I saw said it was too. So I was looking forward to starting this read, and then I got a few pages into it...

I probably should have heeded my gut instinct to bail. Right off the bat, I didn’t care for the heroine, Dani, 25— no self confidence, no self esteem, no backbone, and scammed by her ex-boyfriend. I really have no patience for meek doormat leading ladies. Dani’s BFF Andie was equally annoying, if not more so, except in the complete opposite way. Loud, crass, obnoxious, physically abusive, and quite possibly mentally unhinged, she didn’t appeal to me either. But our hero Ram, 30, entered the picture and he seemed more promising.

Aside from a moment where I had to shake my head trying to figure out why Ram thought Dani quoting The Princess Bride affirmed they were from the same generation, (continuity error alert: Dani wasn’t even born when it came out) his chapters gave me some hope. And the story did pick up as Dani and Ram started corresponding and getting to know each other. It seemed like it might be headed in the right direction. But then several scenes were recapped rather than transpire in present chronological order. That threw off the flow a bit. But that wasn’t anything compared to how bad the story and the writing went off the rails around half way through.

The major theme of this book should be immaturity! Because that’s what dominates the plot and the characters. Had I been reading young adult, I surely would have cut it some slack. But these people are in their mid twenties to mid thirties and yet most of them behave like bratty, hormonal, preteens. Dani’s friend Andi and Ram’s older brother contributed greatly to this tone. And their presence in several of these scenes felt forced and contrived. Why would two grown adults need to bring their sibling and friend along on their dates? The only answer I could come up with was to force farcical drama into the story. Oh and to set up the next book, which I wouldn’t dream of considering, especially if it goes like this one…

• H’s brother & h’s best friend throw insults at each other like fourth graders 
• H’s brother & h’s best friend have sex??? 
• Silly fight between H&h 
• H & h have sex 
• H’s brother & h’s best friend throw insults at each other like fourth graders 
• H’s brother & h’s best friend have sex??? 
• H & h have anal sex 
• H & h have unprotected sex 

“Sure, we’re being irresponsible, but apparently she doesn’t care either. You don’t sleep with someone without birth control unless you love them.”

*taps on mic* NO! You don’t sleep with someone without birth control simply because you think you love them. I’m so tired of reading about heroes who belive impregnating the girl is a measure of their love or their claim to that person. Having a child is a huge responsibility. Unless you’ve both had an adult conversation about actively wanting to raise a child right now and you have the means to provide for that child, irresponsible sex shouldn’t be happening. Ram has no solid job, Dani can’t even say ‘I love you’ back, and neither of them have a place of their own. These two are not solid enough to become parents as evident by what happens next…

• OW drama—the clichéd psycho ex-girlfriend kind that leads to clichéd misunderstandings 
• H’s brother & h’s best friend have sex??? 
• Dani blows off work (not that she ever seems to put in a full day with her full attention) 
• Ram gets drunk and returns to his depression 

This is where I should probably note that mental health and depression are not a joke, but both the way it’s handled throughout the story and the way Dani handles a person who she knows has suffered with it is beyond a disservice to the mental health community. It shouldn’t be tossed around so lightly in a plot that’s labeled a rom-com even if it’s really a melodrama.

By the last few chapters, I was worn out with the whole thing (especially all the “cunt” and “bitch” talk) and getting chapters by Andi and Roman didn’t help. In fact, the epilogue isn’t even by Ram and Dani; it’s a total (ridiculous) set up for the next book.

My recommendation: There are lots of other true rom-coms out there in the current market. For a cute story and a good laugh, try one of them instead.

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K Webster is the author of dozens romance books in many different genres including contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, and erotic romance. When not spending time with her husband of twelve years and two adorable children, she’s active on social media connecting with her readers.

Her other passions besides writing include reading and graphic design. K can always be found in front of her computer chasing her next idea and taking action. She looks forward to the day when she will see one of her titles on the big screen.

You can easily find K Webster on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads!

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J.D. Hollyfield is a creative designer and first-time author. When she’s not cooking, event planning, or playing around with her husband, son and three doxies, she’s relaxing with her nose in a book. With her love for romance, and her head full of book boyfriends, she was inspired to test her creative abilities and bring her own story to life. Life in a Rut, Love not Included is her first novel. Hollyfield lives in the Midwest, and is currently at work on her next book.

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EXCERPT REVEAL: Tainted Kiss by Terri Anne Browning

Series: Tainted Knights #1

Release Date: March 7, 2017

~Blurb~

With one kiss she was his.

All it took was one look, one kiss.

The promises he made—I should have known better. He was a rock star and I had no time for a guy like him in my life.

I fell anyway.

I believed his promises. Held onto them and waited.

But the thing about rockers is that their private lives are never truly private. Seeing his face on the cover of every national tabloid from California to New York—with a new girl every single time—was the reality check I needed.

Now the memory of that first magical kiss was TAINTED.

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~Excerpt~

(Unedited and subjected to changes)

“Uh-oh,” Kassa’s sweet voice murmured as she joined us. “Is Kale coming down with something?” 

I pushed Kin’s hand away. “I’m fine.” 

“The last time you were this quiet, you had strep throat and couldn’t talk for three days,” Kassa reminded me. 

“Those three days where the most peaceful days of my life,” Kin teased, then turned serious. “But I don’t like seeing you all moody. That’s what Sin is for, not you.” 

“What are you three doing now?” Cash asked, handing me a bottle of water as he joined us. 

“Kale is sick,” Kassa told him, taking her turn to feel my forehead. “No fever, but you do have a glazed look in your eyes. Hmm,” she glanced over her shoulder and I knew she was looking at Santana, “maybe you aren’t sick after all.” Turning those bright blue eyes on me once again she stepped closer just as Kin had. “You got it bad for the photog? She’s hot.”

“Agreed,” Cash said half under his breath as he took a swallow from his water bottle. 

I tensed when I saw his eyes go toward her. “Don’t you even fucking think about it, dickhead.” 

Cash’s head snapped around. “What’d I do?” 

“Nothing yet, and you better keep it that way.” I straightened to my full height, which was only an inch taller than Cash, but the look in my eyes had his brows lifting toward the ceiling. “She’s mine.” 

“Dude, you haven’t even talked to her. How the hell can she be yours?” Cash shook his head. “You’re seriously losing your mind.” 

I took another step toward him, my fists balling at my sides as I fought the urge to knock his ass out. “She’s mine,” I said with a coldness that had rarely left my throat.

Pre-Order: AMAZON

Terri Anne Browning is the USA TODAY bestselling author of The Rocker...Series. She started writing her own novellas at the age of sixteen, forcing her sister to be her one woman fan club. Now she has a few more readers and a lot more passion for writing. Being dyslexic, she never thought a career in writing would be possible, yet she has been on best selling lists multiple times since 2013. Reese: A Safe Haven Novella was her first Indie published book. The Rocker Who Holds Me changed the tables and kicked off The Rocker... series featuring the sinfully delicious members of Demon's Wings. The Rocker... Series has since expanded to OtherWorld with Axton Cage and his band members. Other books by Terri Anne include the Angel's Halo MC Series as well as The Lucy & Harris Novella Series. Terri Anne lives in Virginia with her husband, their three demons---err, children--and a loveable Olde English Bulldog named Link.

REVIEW/RELEASE BLITZ: Bet Me by Lila Monroe

Genre: Romantic Comedy

~Blurb~

What happens when your sex strike goes viral -- and suddenly every man in town has their eye on your prize?

All I wanted was little old-fashioned romance. After a parade of Tinder disasters who think chivalry is giving me a pearl necklace on the first date, I made a pledge: until guys step up their game, this girl is off the market.

But one bottle of chardonnay later, and my drunken rant has gone viral. I’m the most famous person NOT having sex since the Jonas Brothers put on their purity rings. A men’s magazine has even put a bounty on my (ahem) maidenhead: fifty Gs to whoever makes me break the drought.

Be careful what you wish for...

Now my office looks like an explosion in a Hallmark factory, I’ve got guys lining up to sweep me off my feet - and the one man I want is most definitely off-limits. Jake Weston is a player through and through. He’s also the only one who sees through the mayhem to the real me, but how can I trust he’s not just out to claim the glory?

And how will I make it through the strike without scratching the itch - especially when that itch looks so damn good out of his suit?

The thrill of the chaste has never been so sexy in Lila Monroe’s hilarious, hot new romantic read!

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~Book Review~

3.5 Stars

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Ryan, 30, a curator at the Met and lover of Hollywood’s golden days, has had a string of bad dates and bad lays.

“‘Guys these days wouldn’t know romance if they passed out face down in it.’”

Jacob “Jake” Weston doesn’t believe in romance. He’s had his heart broken once and he’s lost all his faith.  He and Lizzie have crossed paths twice in one lifetime and while they seem to have a lot in common, they have very different outlooks on sex and romance.

Told via Lizzie and Jake’s first person POV, this story starts off with a lot of promise. The flashback scenes to their initial acquaintance were cute and fun. I liked that they were in the same post break up boat and became partners in crime dealing with heartbreak. In hindsight, I wish the plot would have sprung from that premise.  Instead it goes a predictable route culminating in an avoidable misunderstanding between two thirty something people that you’ll see coming a mile away.

The other things that prevented me from loving this story was that while Jake was a smooth, successful, mostly down to earth guy, he was also a little too cool and confident.  For this to work as a romance (rather than the chick-lit feel it sometimes had), I felt that the reader needed to feel Jake’s pull towards Lizzie in his POV much earlier on. Instead at times he came off indifferent and at other times it felt like he was simply looking out for Lizzie as more of a friend.  On the other hand, given all the food and booze Lizzie consumed throughout the pages, I’m not sure I’d blame him.

Did I believe that Jake was interested in having sex with her? Yes. Did the development of more than half of the story convince me that he wanted much more? No.

“‘All anyone wants to talk about with me these days is sex. Sex, sex, sex.’”

Everyone in this book is obsessed with sex! From their spoiled and entitled friends to Jake’s washed up manwhore grandfather. Pretty much every character acted like going without for a small while was a huge deal. And it didn’t come across as humorous as much as it came across as immature and oversexed. And yet the steam factor isn’t all that high.

In the end (and I stress the end) it does deliver the romance and the action (if you catch my drift) but for me, I think it was a case of too little, too late.

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Combining her love of writing, sex and well-fitted suits, Lila Monroe wrote The Billionaire Bargain. Lila enjoys writing, as it gives her a flexible schedule to spend time with her kids and a wonderful excuse to avoid them. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, who strips out of his well-fitted suits nightly.

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~Giveaway~

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COVER REVEAL: Love's Wicked Ways by LB Russell & Cheri Marie

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: February 27, 2017

~Blurb~

We’ve been best friends for a long time. Always my protector, it only made sense that we’d end up partners at the Oceanside Police Department. Now, with a killer on the loose, possibly targeting me, emotions are high and feelings are surfacing that I’ve never felt before.

Since the day I met her, quivering and scared under the jungle gym, I knew she would be a substantial part of my life. The years passed and I felt myself falling. With Skye seemingly the target of some sick fucks obsession, I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. But first, she needs to know how I really feel about her.

A killer is on the loose, Skye and my sisters’ lives are on the line.

Friendship. Love. A Secret Obsession. Murder.

If it came down to choosing between the people you love, could you make the choice?

Cover Design: Melissa Gill, MGBookCovers

~Excerpt~

“Don’t play stupid Skye! Us, I want to talk about us.” 

“Fucking Christ Colin, there is no us! What do I have to do to get it through to you?” 

“Say you don’t love me.” 

“What? Don’t be fucking ridiculous.” 

“Say it Skye. If there’s really no us, tell me right now that you don’t love me. That you don’t feel the same fucking way about me that I feel about you.” 

I take a step towards her. 

“I’m not going to say that because it isn’t true. I do love you. But like a friend.” 

“Just a friend?” I ask as I take another step closer to her, forcing her to take another step backwards, her back against the wall.

Our close proximity is getting to her, I can see it in her breathing and her body language. Leaning in, I brush my lips against hers.

Author of Hearts Aligned (Self-published 2016), a military romance, Cheri Marie lives for a good read with an alpha hero and strong, stubborn heroine. After many years of starting books and never finishing, she took to Word in April 2015 determined to write and finish her first novel. Nights that turned into mornings and a whole lot of unruly characters she finished Hearts Aligned. Currently, she is in the works of publishing her second and third novels set to release the beginning of 2017 while writing three others set to release in the Spring, Summer and Fall later in the year. Residing in sunny Southwest Florida, she lives with family, five dogs, a cat, a tank full of fish, and a bearded dragon named Toad.

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LB Russell lives in a small-ish town in northwest Georgia. After years spent in retail hell she took some time off to take care of her family. She still resides in that same town she grew up in with her husband, son and the behemoth cat that isn't really her cat. She sat down with a good friend this past summer and started writing what would be her first work for publishing. With several more titles planned she hopes to do this for a long time.

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~Giveaway~
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REVIEW/RELEASE BLITZ: Talk Dirty to Me by Lulu Wright

~Blurb~

Mark Carrington already broke my heart once.

This sexy, temperamental playboy might dominate the major leagues, but there's no way in hell I'm letting him play ball with my heart again.

Until I find myself facing him down every morning on our new radio show, and his undeniable hotness starts to break down my resistance--and almost erase all the memories of how he dumped me back in high school.

We've both grown up since then, and now Mark is even more gorgeous and infuriating than ever. But I can't get away from him--not when my beloved alternative rock station depends on his sexy ass to avoid getting bought out by a greedy corporation.

But when he corners me in the production room to compliment my sexy radio voice and admire my David Bowie T-shirt, it's all I can do to keep my clothes on and my hands off of him. So I don't.

And the more I get to know him, the more I realize he's hiding a big heart behind all that swagger. And the deeper we get, the deeper I fall.

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~Book Review~

4.5 Stars

Rose Taylor, 25, manages an alternative radio station in the NY/NJ area. She loves her rock music, but a stress free job she does not have. It only gets worse when her morning blows up over the airwaves and more complicated when she learns that her former classmate, now pro baseball player, Mark Carrington is joining the morning show team.

Mark’s day isn’t going much better. His very public fist fight with the sport’s world golden boy has him in hot water with his agent and part of his penance is a radio show gig that isn’t one of his career goals.

The opening scene hooked me on the story from the first pages, providing some laugh out loud moments. The writing was witty, painting colorful, quirky characters and vivid settings.

I also connected with Rose right away. I hate country music; love rock. Having graduated high school at the height of the grunge era, the station’s playlist spoke to me. (Oh and she went to a Rancid concert instead of prom—cue my envy!) I also loved how Rose was a strong female character, giving back every time Mark tried to rowel her up and keeping him on his toes.

“I wonder if anyone would notice if I undid my jeans right here, wrapped my fist around my cock and pictured exactly what I really wanted to do to Rose Taylor in that DJ booth…”

While Mark was a full of himself, sports celebrity with a big ego and anger management issues in the beginning, he was also a character who grows. I liked how the story developed his character, hinting at his background as a contriving factor to his issues but never using it as a scapegoat for blame. Both Mark and Rose were realistically flawed, and I appreciated how the message of learning from your mistakes and seeking professional help when needed were stressed throughout the story.  The themes of public and private self, the downsides to fame, self-esteem, and maintaining your integrity were also central to the plot.

There’s moderate drama with the anvil being dropped in the early chapters. But the romantic angle is developed well throughout the story as you wait for the other shoe to drop. There’s no insta-love. The two have good chemistry as they muster through their new work relationship while subconsciously working out their very different impressions of their high school days and adolescent selves.

 “He repositions his body against mine, deep in the zone now, and I don’t think he even feels my ass pressing against his hard dick anymore.”

There were a few places (such as their back-story) that lacked some explanation or could have been expanded further, and the ending felt just slightly rushed in the final chapter and epilogue. The humor is strongest in the beginning but drops off a bit as the plot progresses.

Told via Rose and Mark’s first person POV, this is an upbeat, second chances, love-hate standalone romance. 

Amazon US     Amazon UK

~About the Author~

Hi! I'm Lulu. Midwestern-bred, NYC author. My favorite things are wine, wine, and more wine, a steamy book, and a good laugh. If you like any of those three, we will certainly get along. Send me an email or a message and let's get to know each other!

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RELEASE BLITZ: Spring Fling by Elle Christensen

 

 Publication Date: January 23, 2017

Genres: Erotic Student/Teacher Novella

~Blurb~

Abbi and Logan burn for each other the moment they meet and it turns into a week of passion that neither of them expected. After spending spring break together, it’s clear they both want more.

But, when it turns out that Logan is a new teacher at Abbi’s school, it looks like their relationship is doomed to be nothing but a spring fling.

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~Excerpt~

I face Logan who is sitting behind his desk, leaning back with his arms crossed over his muscular chest. His gaze is dark and brooding as he stares at me, ratcheting up my trepidation with his continued silence.

“Abbi,” he finally says, his voice dark and dangerous. “You lied to me.” There is a tremble in his voice that betrays his struggle to stay in control.

I shake my head almost frantically. “I didn’t.”

Logan shoots to his feet and plants the palms of his hands on the desk, leaning toward me. “You told me you were a college student. Yet here you are, in my high school class of seventeen-year-olds. How is that not lying?”

A lightbulb flashes in my head—oh . . . “Logan—Mr. James—“ I pause and bite my lip for a second, thinking. I’m not sure what to call him right now… “I’m still in high school, but I turned eighteen over two months ago. And, I am enrolled in college classes. I’ll graduate high school next month and begin my sophomore year of college in the fall.” I run a hand through my short curls, look up at the ceiling and sigh.

“Mr. James”

My eyes fall and meet Logan’s. “What?” I ask.

“Mr. James,” he repeats. “I like that way that sounds falling from your sexy mouth.” His hazel orbs are still dark, except the anger has ebbed ever so slightly, replaced with hunger. He sweeps his gaze down my body and back up, the desperate edge growing. My thighs clench and my already wet panties are now flooded with arousal. “I think I’d like it a whole lot better if you were screaming it,” he mutters.

I gasp and glance at the closed classroom door. “You can’t say stuff like that here!”

Logan’s expression hardens and he straightens before prowling around the desk. I back up a step, but can’t go any further when he grabs my waists and hoists me onto the table top. He presses my knees wide, my attempt to keep them closed failing miserably against his strength and determination. He steps between them and then wraps his hands around my throat, his thumbs lifting my chin. “I’ll say whatever I want to you, when I want, Abbi. And you . . . you will say nothing, unless its ‘yes, Mr. James.’ Got it?”

I can feel the blood drain from my face and I peek at the entrance again, before staring at Logan once more. “We can’t—”

I’m cut off when his hands tighten around my neck. “Yes, Mr. James,” he insists. I’m kept from replying by his mouth when it crashes down over mine.

 Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

About Elle Christensen

I’m a lover of all things books, a hopeless romantic, and have always had a passion for writing. Between being a sappy romantic, my love of an HEA, my crazy imagination, and ok, let’s be real, my dirty mind, I fell easily into writing romance.

I’m a huge baseball fan and yet, a complete girly, girl. I’m an obsessive reader and have a slight (hahaha! Slight? Yeah, right) addiction to signed books.

I’m married to my very own book boyfriend, an alpha male with a sexy, sweet side. He is the best inspiration, my biggest supporter and the love of my life. He is also incredibly patient and understanding about the fact that he has to fight the voices in my head for my attention.

I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoyed writing them!

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COVER REVEAL: A Thousand Letters by Staci Hart

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: February 9, 2017

~Blurb~

Sometimes your life is split by a single decision.

I’ve spent every day of the last seven years regretting mine: he left, and I didn’t follow. A thousand letters went unanswered, my words like petals in the wind, spinning away into nothing, taking me with them.

But now he’s back.

I barely recognize the man he’s become, but I can still see a glimmer of the boy who asked me to be his forever, the boy I walked away from when I was young and afraid.

Maybe if he’d come home under better circumstances, he could speak to me without anger in his voice. Maybe if I’d said yes all those years ago, he’d look at me without the weight of rejection in his eyes. Maybe if things were different, we would have had a chance.

One regretted decision sent him away. One painful journey bought him back to me. I only wish I could keep him.

*A contemporary romance inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion*

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Cover Design: Staci Hart

Staci Hart 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, with 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, cleaning, or designing graphics.

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EDITORIAL: How Fiction Can Influence Reality

                The fictional world, especially the romance one, can be a great escape from the harsh realities of the real world.  It’s part of the reason why I chose the Henri Laborit quote in the blog’s banner: "In times like these, escape is the only way to stay alive and keep dreaming." 

                In times like these indeed. When the new leader of a nation sports rhetoric of hate, it makes the urge even stronger to turn to the pages of a book devoted to love. But simply being a fictional story doesn’t absolve it from having a greater purpose in the real world, a social consciousness, or a role in shaping reality.

“Fiction is like a spider’s web, attached ever so lightly perhaps, but still attached to life at all four corners.” —Virginia Woolf

                Feel free to explore those words further and in greater context in Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own. It really should be required reading for every woman writer and reader.  In the meantime, consider coming together in the romance community to make strides much like the 2.9 million women who came together yesterday to stand united in their devotion to keep moving forward with progress, equality, and so much more.  👏 (A big round of applause for everyone who participated in the Women's March and showed their support. Let's hope this is just the beginning!)

                There are so many ways to evoke social change—marches, rallies, legislation, fund raisers, volunteer work, voting...the list could go on. But let’s also make sure to include the written word. Because literature (like art and music) also has the power to produce change.

                As producers and consumers of the written word, we can make progress as well. We can focus on positive depictions of love and working together, emphasize strong female characters, and eliminate sexist heroes and restrictive gender roles.

                Because these representations have not only the potential for subliminal effects on the reader, but they can also speak volumes about the writer and the literary legacy that women today leave for women of the future.

                Take a moment to reflect or go to a book group and discuss the current depictions of women and men in romance. Choose your favorite book or your least favorite—analyze it, look at the characters, the dialogue, the tropes, the messages, and the themes.

                If that’s still too broad or you've never dabbled in feminist literary theory before, then consider these examples as starting topics for reflection and discussion:

•  Sibling’s best friend is a popular premise for romance novels. Hand up if you’ve read one. ✋ I’ve gravitated to this plot line myself. Now look deeper at the story. Why is the idea taboo? Who decides it’s taboo?  Don’t misconstrue where I’m headed with this; I’m not knocking this type of story. Some of them do a great job exploring the pros and cons of dating someone close to your family but also someone you’ll have to continue to be around if the relationship doesn’t work out.  Others simply give the brother character far too much power!  If the literary conflict of the story revolves around his feelings above and beyond that of the two people who actually have a mutual attraction to each other, then ask yourself what that says about the limitations of women’s freedom to make their own decisions about their love life. 

• Separations are a key ingredient in second chance romances. The building of the story requires not just the development of the couple’s past and present, but of the time they spent apart.  Have they spent those days, months, or years longing for each other? Have they moved on in life only to come face to face with each other again? Now here comes the sometimes misogynist part…what if one of them has lived life to the fullest, raking up a plethora of new sexual and romantic experiences, while the other has been lonely and/or left largely unfulfilled? An imbalance indeed, but a decidedly sexist one when the majority of the instances it’s the heroine who’s been celibate while the hero was a manwhore.

                Keep in mind these are just two examples where power is imbalanced, double standards come into play, and certain expectations are subtly inserted into the text. There are far more intricately woven ones out there as well as more blatant ones.  While I'd love to hear from readers directly about the sexist elements that they find still prevalent in fiction, the main call to action of this post though is be more conscious when we encounter them as readers and not give them a pass, and to be more diligent as writers by avoiding perpetuating them. Like anything, it involves working tougher as a team and making this reading community a place to be proud of, leaving a new legacy for our “daughters” while honoring the late and great women writers of the past who worked so hard to make this both a better profession and pastime for women.

  

                I’m closing this post with a quote from a speech made yesterday because I love the prospect of female empowerment alongside getting to know each other and striving for a better tomorrow. 

“We're staying together. And we're taking over. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Make sure you introduce yourselves to each other and decide what we're gonna do tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow and we're never turning back.” —Gloria Steinem

RELEASE BLITZ: Torpedo by Joanna Blake

~Synopsis~

There’s three things I love: my crew, my ship, and sinking my torpedo.

I wanted to serve my country for life, but then my ship blew up. Now I’m stuck on indefinite shore leave, holed up in my hometown with no crew, no ship, and definitely no women.

Until, after five years, she walks back into my life .

Tabitha Peterson.

Shabby Tabby, the beautiful girl from the wrong side of the tracks. She didn't have money for fancy clothes, but Tabitha still caught every eye in a hundred mile radius - especially mine. Back then, I’d have done anything to catch her - with zero luck.

I'd always wondered where she ended up.

Now I know - because she’s in my house, the caregiver sent to tend to me. I’m broken, maybe forever, but she’s more tempting than ever, with her crazy curves and big, beautiful eyes.

I go from being bored stiff to having the challenge of my life.

I have two missions: learn to walk again, and get Tabby where I've wanted her all this time. In my arms and in my bed.

We can do it lying, sitting, or standing on one leg - I don’t need both legs to show her a good time. I just want to tear her walls down as I tear her clothes off.

When they fall, I’m not prepared for what comes next. How badly she's been hurt… or how badly I want to protect her.

But I'll risk everything to make her mine, for good.

GOODREADS    AMAZON

Cover Designer: Mayhem Cover Creations

Photog: Furious Fotog

Models: Rachael Baltes and BT Urruela

Joanna Blake loves good old fashioned romance, men who open doors and work with their hands. Hot Blooded Heroes is a series of sizzling stories about True Blue American men and the women who love them. She's thrilled to be collaborating with Pincushion Press on her new series! Come along for the ride!

XoX,
Joanna

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REVIEW/RELEASE BLITZ: Friction by Emily Snow

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: HEA Press

~Synopsis~

Former overachiever Lucy WillIams sucks at adulting:

✔Recent divorce

✔✔Pending lawsuit

✔✔✔A move back to Boston to live with her mother

It can't get much worse, right?

When she starts her new marketing job at EXtreme Effects, she's positive shit’s stopped hitting the fan. Sure, what she's advertising is a little ... unorthodox, but it pays the bills. And since she's seconds away from becoming Lucy Williams: Wednesday Night Bingo Enthusiast, she needs money to get the hell out of her mother’s house.

The only problem is her boss, Mr. Extreme himself: Jace Exley. He’s everything any sane woman dreams of—alpha, successful, ridiculously gorgeous. He's also Lucy’s worst nightmare. Because like every overachiever, she has that underachiever she brushed off. The slacker who, once upon a time ago, was the object of her dirtiest schoolgirl fantasies.

Jace Exley—with his sarcastic smirk and delicious accent—just happens to be that guy.

And the friction between them?

Well, that's the only adulting Lucy seems to be winning at.

GOODREADS

~Book Review~

4.75 Stars

Lucinda (Lucy) Williams-Duncan, 27, is a conscientious, hard-working, good girl, go-getter who’s had her life turned upside down. She might just have reached her lowest point yet when her best job prospect comes from the former high school underachiever bad boy who she both loathed and desired as an adolescent. Upon first meeting with Jace Callum Exley, 29, it isn’t hard to see why Lucy is bulldozed over by him. He’s mesmerizing, colorful, and a distinct personality.

“‘When you stare at my hand like I’ve cocks for fingers, I automatically assume you’re afraid of what filthy things they’ve touched.’”

Jace is your rough around the edges, dirty talking (though he sweetens it with the endearment ‘love,’) bad boy. He shines as the star of the story, which pulled me in right from the beginning. Both Lucy and Jace are well developed, but Jace totally made the book for me. He’s the kind of guy that has a distinct edge, puts off a cool, doesn’t give a shit vibe, but he’s loyal and cares about those close to him, and while women might be a dime a dozen, once he’s found the one, he’s in. He’s certainly alpha and he likes to push Lucy’s buttons, but he’s never over the top ridiculous or chauvinist. I liked the “real” feel to him. And I felt his responses and actions always rang true to his character.

While Lucy has a total facepalm moment, I still found her a likable character, that incident aside. Her ‘fish out of water’ situations with Jace and EXtreme Effects were comical and kept the story lighthearted.

I adored their jobs and their work place; the supporting characters complimented the story well; the premise is sexy and fun, and the story well executed. Lucy assumes Jace’s company makes unique clocks. I think you can guess from the blurb he doesn’t. And thus Lucy’s out of her comfort zone moments begin.

“My new boss, on the other hand, strikes up a conversation with every naked person who wonders by. Like he doesn’t have a care in the world.”

Told via Lucy and Jace’s first person POV, Friction is a slightly slow burn (more like heated build), opposites attract romance. It's a standalone, but I hope Jamie and Bailon get a story too.

Amazon US  Amazon UK

Emily Snow is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the DEVOURED series and TIDAL. She loves books, sexy bad boys, and really loud rock music, so naturally, she writes stories about all three. Visit her blog at http://emilysnowbooks.blogspot.com for news, teasers, and contests.

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