Month: July 2013

TAKE ME, My Nights with Sole Regret (3/5)

Take Me (One Night with Sole Regret, #3)How does the lead singer of a rock band seduce his ex-wife’s sister?

With complete abandon.

People, TAKE ME, the third installment of the One Night With Sole Regret novella series by Olivia Cunning, really swings. As in sex swings…

Jacob ‘Shade’ Silverton is notorious for his wild nights–usually involving more than one frisky lady. In fact, I’d decided to just plain hate on the womanizing bastard, but when he finds himself begging his vindictive ex-wife, Tina, for just five minutes of visitation with their daughter for her birthday that lump of “Men Suck” ice in my heart absolutely melted.

Amanda Lange, Tina’s older sister, has had a secret crush on Jacob far longer than his marriage to her sister lasted. Since his failed marriage, Jacob never builds relationships with women. Yet, his friendship with Amanda is comfortable. They tease each other and get silly. Amanda hates the way Tina abuses Jacob and wields child custody like a weapon, and offers to drive Jacob home, which turns into an extended visit–for movies. Just movies.

Riiight.

Unfortunately, Jacob’s home isn’t empty. One of his regular gals has let herself in, and Jacob’s desire for a quiet night with an old friend is nearly set off-kilter. Amanda is almost out the door when Jacob insists she stay and sends his sure-thing back home.

Jacob and Amanda are adorable together. He wants her, but knows he risks losing any chance of seeing his daughter if Tina finds out. She wants him and knows he risks losing seeing his daughter if Tina finds out. They nearly tumble together in their awkwardness, and then they convince each other that no one will ever, EVER, find out.

Except one thing:  Jacob’s house seems busier that Grand Central Station on Thanksgiving Eve.

The only member of Sole Regret who doesn’t witness this ‘secret fling’ is Kelly.

And yes, Gabe, Adam, and Owen all agree: Shade is one dumb dude.

Still, the passionate night between Jacob and Amanda is more than a love song. It is a power ballad EP–that’s Extended Play for the non-audiophiles. Oh, and it comes with bonus features.

Can I take a nap on Shade’s bed? I’d love to see if my butt looks big on his Jumbotron.

There’s a reason the man never takes off his eyewear, but Amanda has a knack for knocking the megastar to his knees. And he’s absolutely brilliant there.

You can pick up TAKE ME solo or as part of a TRIPLE PLAY.

If you like it, come back and let me know!

TEMPT ME, My Nights with Sole Regret (2/5)

Tempt Me (One Night with Sole Regret, #2)TEMPT ME is second in the One Night With Sole Regret erotic romance series by Olivia Cunning.

Dating an ace guitarist isn’t easy. Especially when you’re his substance-abuse counselor.

Yet, Madison can’t seem to stay away from Adam. She’s willing to love the man, not the rockstar, and I’m not sure if it really works that way.

Firstly, because as his counselor, it is wholly unprofessional for her to have a relationship with him. And, secondly, because Madison wants a monogamous relationship–after having a series of one-night stands over the course of the prior year.

One thing about this episode, Madison and Adam are VERY comfortable with each other. There are no ‘getting to know you’ interludes. From the outset they seek to dive right on each other–and they do.

Adam displays the typical prima donna behavior we come to expect from a rockstar, yet Madison is able rein in his ego and facilitate the beginning of a reconciliation between Adam and Shade–one the rest of the members of Sole Regret have been seeking for four years.

What I liked here:  There is a great deal of intimacy. Madison is eager and willing to share her fantasies with Adam. And, Adam is finally able to open his heart in a way he never has–with anyone.

Surely Adam’s lies are problematic, but he eventually confesses all to Madison–from a recent slip in his drug use to the reappearance of his addict father in his life–and they seem to become stronger in the shared trials.

About the sex–lots, and lots, and lots. I’m not a fan of all the scenes, but let’s say they are pretty compelling. If you’re into anal…

Of the five Sole Regret published novellas to-date, I think this one is my least fave. Not because I dislike the story, but there is something so magical about a NEWLY sparked romance, that Madison and Adam’s hook-up tale falls a little flat. Also, Adam is the not the most likeable character. He puts up a lot of defenses and is deliberately destructive, so it’s harder to root for him as opposed to the other guys in the band.

On the whole, it’s a solid erotic romance, a fast read, and a springboard for the other novellas which are all separate, but share characters and plot threads.

It’s on sale all over the interwebs…as a stand alone, or in one of two box sets–ALPHA BAD BOYS or TRY ME TEMPT ME TAKE ME.

TRY ME, My Nights with SOLE REGRET (1/5)

Try Me (One Night with Sole Regret, #1) Who hasn’t dreamed of turning the head of a famous rock star?

That passion, that excitement of a sexy brush with fame probably started with Elvis and it’s more than an idle dream for some women.

And that’s what I love about Olivia Cunning’s novella series: One Night with Sole Regret–she gives us the fantasy from start to finish. Each night a separate member of the band finds a woman and the passion is explosive.

The first installment, TRY ME, follows the activity of Gabe “Force” Banner, the mohawked drummer and his encounter with accountant Melanie Anderson following a concert in Tulsa.

Melanie has tagged along with her friend Nikki, a girl after the attention of Sole Regret’s lead singer, Shade. Thing is, the only way Nikki and Mel can get backstage is to convince the roadies they are up for a wild night with Shade–together–and Mel is not down with it. She’s terrified of tattooed men and ends up insulting the copiously-inked, arrogant Shade right to his face, much to the amusement of Gabe.

Gabe, his own ink covered by cap and shirt, begins talking to Mel. He’s never known a woman to turn down Shade, and is drawn to her independence. Chatting casually, Mel inadvertently mistakes Gabe for another fan and is later appalled to learn that Gabe is not only the drummer, he’s also heavily tattooed… Of course by the time she learns all this, she’s hooked by his good looks and down-to-earth nature.

What cements it all? Gabe opens up about his closet-geek status and Mel is captivated. Gabe can’t understand why Mel being attracted to him for reasons other than his fame is so potent, but it really stirs him up.

I love the way they come together. He feels free to express himself in a way he never usually does, and Mel is just as open in return. They bond, and the following morning they both know more has happened than a one-night stand.

TO BE CLEAR– this is a STEAMER!! So super hot I thought my iPad might melt.

And what’s even better?

There are four more nights with Sole Regret! (So far…)

If you check TRY ME out, please let me know what you thought in the comments!

You can pick this title up on it’s own or as part of the ALPHA BAD BOYS box set I reviewed earlier. If you buy the box set you’ll get TEMPT ME, the second novella in this series–at a discount!

Who Doesn’t Love SEXY BERKELEY?

Sexy BerkeleyI had the pleasure to pick this Dani Lovell title up recently and I’m glad I did.

It’s THE HOLIDAY, without the cheating bastards…

So, yahoo!

Here’s what happens: Londoner Bea takes a spontaneous vacation with her friend Tilly to LA to visit Tilly’s sister. Bea suffers panic attacks in flight—particularly surrounding take-offs and landings. While she’s gripping the headrest in fear, a strong hand clasps hers and a connection is made.

Thankfully, that strong hand belongs to Daniel Berkeley, who is sexy, as the title proclaims.

Daniel invites Bea to the lounge for a drink and chat while the trans-Atlantic flight hustles on. And the chat ends with a more-than-pleasant ‘pash’ (That’s a ‘make-out’ for the Yanks). Skittish of holiday romantic entanglements, Bea turns down Daniel’s request for a date. Never fear—fate steps in to reunite these lovely folks two days later. Sparks fly, not just for Bea and Daniel, but for Tilly and Daniel’s BFF Luke Summers.

Bea is overwrought knowing that she’s developing serious feelings for a man that she can never truly have; she’s unwilling to move to the States, and Daniel’s a big wig at his father’s corporation. So, despite two passion-filled days and nights—she breaks off more visitations.

NO! How could she refuse to see Sexy Berkeley? you say.

Well, she does manage to drunk-text him the Friday before she leaves for London…

And the fire is even hotter.

In fact, the magma-like chemistry between Bea and Daniel eventually melts her objection to ‘trying’ a long-distance thing. Bea won’t concede to being long-distance lovers, but she agrees to chatting and texting every now and then, at least, until they work each other out of their systems…

But, Daniel doesn’t want Bea out of his system. And that’s probably the sexiest part of him.

Loved this. Hated that Bea would never relent to Daniel’s desire to simply be hopeful for a future, no matter how realistic her fears. See, I wanted her to throw caution to the birds and let them devour the scraps, but she just WOULDN’T! And yet, her stubbornness was decidedly what gave this story its satisfying ending. Also: Can I thank you, Dani Lovell, for creating a male lead who is attractive and uber-wealthy and yet not a kinked-out Dom? It’s nice to read a vanilla with sprinkles of heat for a change. (Not every book has to Out-Fifty, FIFTY, folks!)

SEXY BERKELEY is free at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It’s a perfect summer read.

Also, Tilly and Luke’s big fling sets up the next book in the SEXY series—SEXY SUMMERS. I have a feeling we’re going to find a new arrival to the States in that tale, in more ways than one.

Looking forward to it!

SPIRIT Book Blitz and Giveaway

Spirit (Elemental #5)
by Shauna Granger
Release Date: 04/30/13
Summary from Goodreads:
Not even a guardian angel is more powerful than Death.

Always careful to watch out for others, Shayna put too much trust her abilities to keep herself safe and has been cut down by crazed man. Now she is trapped in the land of the dead, watching as her two best friends suffer the consequences of her death; their powers are fading and soon they will too. Shayna is desperate to return to the land of the living to save them from a similar, cold fate. To save her friends Shayna must turn away from the Light and, in doing so, sacrifice her wings.

But the longer Shayna stays among the dead, the further she slips from sanity. If Shayna cannot find her way back she will be condemned and lost forever among the restless souls of the dead. With nothing left to lose, she will do whatever it takes to fight her way back, with or without her wings.

Available from:
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Excerpt #2:
Traffic was still zipping up and down Main Street, life moving on without me. I kept close to the building, in the darker shadows, as I glanced up, down, and across the street. The last thing I needed was for my guardian angel to take me by surprise again. The sidewalk was clear, and from this distance, I couldn’t see anything by the park across the street, next to Anthony’s building. I had never really registered that he lived across the street from Cemetery Park, so named because it was an active cemetery up until the early 1940s.

Sometime in the sixties, the city decided to convert it into a park, but they never moved the bodies. The place always creeped me out, especially when I saw people playing fetch with their dogs or taking a picnic with their kids, knowing they were on top of hundreds of unmarked graves. But I wasn’t prepared for what I saw that night.

Dozens and dozens of spectral entities were all around the park, obscuring the finely manicured lawn. In the last few days, I had seen other ghosts’ fleeting forms, but none as tangible as me and none returned my gaze. Here though, when I crossed the street and stood in front of the park next to Anthony’s apartment building, no less than four spirits turned their deathly gaze upon me. For a
moment, I felt as though I couldn’t move, like a mouse caught in a corner as the big angry cat hunkered down in front of it, just waiting.

Of the four staring at me, two were small girls who looked to be about nine and ten years old. They both wore plain white dresses that hung past their knees and cinched up to their necks. Their high-top black dress shoes were practically lost in the shadows. Another of the four was a war veteran. Of what war I couldn’t be sure, but he didn’t look much older than me as he glared my way. The last was an old, hunched over Chumash woman. Her bedraggled, dark hair swung down, obscuring her face from time to time as she swayed where she stood. Her face was a relief map of wrinkles, a testament to the long life she had before she died.

I wasn’t sure who to keep my eyes on; they were all glaring at me but spread out enough that I had to make an effort to look at each of them. The larger of the two girls tilted her head to the side, drawing my attention to her. Her large eyes looked black in the night. She blinked slowly, her mouth opening slightly, as she lifted one hand and crooked her pale finger, beckoning me to come. Absurdly, I felt the desire to step forward, to answer her call, just like the pull of the White Light.

I managed to keep my feet planted on the sidewalk, though my toes were dangerously close to the edge of the grass. I had the feeling that if I crossed the line of cement and desecrated ground, that tiny waif of a girl would be on me like a rabid dog on the last bone in the world. I shifted my weight and took one small step backward. I heard the howling of the lost souls milling about the grounds. The girl’s head snapped back, and her mouth opened into a terrible black maw. She screamed long and loud before she rushed for me.

Her fingers were crooked into claws and her hands stretched out as she flew across the ground in her mad rage. I flinched against the sounds she made, feeling something for the first time in days, and covered my ears. I panicked and scrambled backward, tripping over my own feet, and fell to the ground. She was nearly on top of me. I started to gather the shadows about me, ready to flee, but as she reached the edge of the grass, she slammed into an invisible wall, then bounced off and tumbled backward.

The milling mass of spirits began to shift toward us. The noise and reverberating energy drew their attention like moths to a flame. I pushed back, putting a little more distance between me and the edge of the cemetery, before I got to my feet. I dusted my hands off on my jeans out of habit and straightened my sweater. When I finally found the courage to look up again, the entire population of the cemetery was pressed close to the edge of the grass, practically looming over me. I clenched my hands into fists to keep them from shaking and lifted my chin. They couldn’t cross the line to get to me, and there was no way they would get me to do it for them. I was fine; I just had to stay on the sidewalk.

The soldier caught my attention, pulling it away from the still glaring, screaming girl in white. He stepped forward out of the crowd. A few tendrils of pale white slipped from his shoulders. He wasn’t quite at the grass line. His face was calm and sad. I watched as he inclined his head toward me in a nod, which I returned. One corner of his mouth lifted in a small half smile. I stepped forward.

He lifted his hand, his fingers splayed as if he would intertwine them with mine. I lifted my hand, opening my fingers and began to reach for him. I took another half-step forward, a few blades of grass bending over the toe of my boot.

“Shayna, no!” a voice called out like a ringing bell in the still, silent night.
***

Rest of the books in the Elemental series:
(link to Goodreads)
   
About the Author
Like so many other writers, Shauna grew up as an avid reader, but it was in high school that she realized she wanted to be a writer. Five years ago, Shauna started work on her Elemental Series. She released the first installment, Earth, on May 1, 2011 and has since released four sequels, with the series coming to an end with Spirit. She is currently hard at work on a new Urban Fantasy series, staring a spunky witch with a smush-faced cat named Artemis.

Author Links:
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***GIVEAWAY***
1 – Signed Paperback of winner’s choice of books 1-5 in
the Elemental series. (US only)
1 – e-book of winner’s choice of books 1-5 in the
Elemental series. (INT)

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My Weekend With HELLER

So, my hubby was away this past weekend. And, it’s rather lonely when he’s gone. Empty bed, and all.

Naturally, I sought out some companionship. My sis introduced me to HELLER, and yes, he’s all she said he would be.

How so? you wonder.

Well, when I first heard of JD Nixon’s series I thought…meh. Silly girl gets tied up in mysterious powerful man’s web of zaniness. Kinda old. I could smell the acrid fumes of a microwaved plot. In fact, I had it on my iPad a bit before I ‘broke the seal’. But, when my beloved sister tells me I should READ THIS! I do.

And, squee!

The HELLER series is a funny, heartwarming set of yarns that follow trouble-magnet Matilda “Tilly” Chalmers in her love-hate relationship with Heller, owner of HELLER’S Security.

Telling a reader that a book is funny is easy. Getting them to believe it? More difficult.

Say I mentioned that HELLER began with Tilly being told she was now let go from her current job because she refused to date her boss. Not funny, right? Especially as she’s flat broke and figures the only way to pay her rent is to have sex with her repulsive landlord. NOT FUNNY. But, what if I told you Tilly’s job was to act the part of a slice of watermelon in a children’s play. And, what if she needed help getting out of her watermelon costume, but the only one available was her lecherous boss. And, what if he told her the costume’s zipper was broken and she had to ride three public buses clear across town to get home—dressed as a watermelon slice–in the summer heat. And, when she finally manages to get home she’s exhausted, soggy with sweat, and must wait hours for her flat-mate to arrive and rescue her from the costume–only to learn that the zipper wasn’t broken after all!

Oh, poor Tils!

Her luck seems to turn around when Tilly applies to Heller’s as a receptionist/liaison who also provides companionship/security for wealthy female clients visiting the city while their husbands conduct business. Unfortunately, the ladies are often very hard to handle outside of their husband’s tight leases. Tilly finds herself caught up in capers, ranging from hilarious to downright dangerous. Our plucky heroine seems to collect stitches faster than a cheetah catches prey.

There is a lot of body comedy, and a definite attraction develops between Tilly and Heller, but, having been burned previously, she spurns his advances. No big. Heller’s drop-dead gorge and has no trouble finding available women. Much to Tilly’s chagrin.

I found the Australian slang charming and fell in love with Tilly from the first chapter. Which is how my weekend became ensconced in HELLER…so much so that I read HELLER’S REVENGE, HELLER’S GIRLFRIEND and HELLER’S PUNISHMENT, too.  I did manage to sleep. Yesterday.

Good thing the fifth installment, HELLER’S DECISION, comes out next month. I have time to plan another trip for the hubby…

You can check out HELLER for free, on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or iTunes Bookstore.  The sequels are cheap, and enjoyable. The sexual tension continues to build and the Tilly’s misfortunes get more outrageous. If you need another recommendation, try this one. HELLER is currently Book-of-the-Week at Apple’s iTunes Bookstore.

Let me know if you check them out and what you think!

Gems in the bargain bin–ALPHA BAD BOYS

So, I’m a frugal gal. I get ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) whenever I can. I download Amazon Freebies. I pick up $.99 specials. I buy secondhand books.

Before you condemn me, let me explain: I have to! Sadly, I spend more cash at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com than I do on shoes…

This isn’t only how I buy books. I buy clearance everything. Yes, I’m that lady in the grocery trying to discern if the  dented can with no label marked 25 cent is corn (YEA!) … or sauerkraut (Eep!).

Naturally, being the clearance queen, the Alpha Bad Boys box set piqued my interest. It’s out for $.99 now…and I scooped it up.

Well folks, it wasn’t corn.

It was BETTER.

If they put hot fudge sundaes in cans, that’s what I would have tasted when I broke the seal on my bargain purchase!

To be clear, there are 7 books in this pack. SEVEN!! for a $1. Granted there are 5 novellas and 2 novels, but still!

Absolutely the best deal.

Why? Because Olivia Cunning. There are TWO novellas from her Sole Regret series–and they are SMOKING! Oh! Who doesn’t love tatted rockstars finding love? NO ONE!!  TRY ME is delicious. I could snack on Gabe…if I was guaranteed I wouldn’t burn my lips on his hotness. And TEMPT ME has turned me into a fangirl. Purchased separately they are $2.99 apiece. [Did I mention this boxset deal is fantastic?]

I also loved ONE NIGHT FOREVER and ASK FOR IT–both contemporary romance, and both full-length novels with strong female leads and dreamy Alpha love interests.

An erotic romance collection can’t be complete without some BDSM–and it’s front and center in TUCKER’S FALL. Not my fave, but a decent tale.

The bookends:  THEIR VIRGIN CAPTIVE and EDUCATING ANSLEY are menage novellas with virgin leads and moderate-to-heavy Dom Alphas. Personally, I feel like crafting a menage tale is 10X harder than an ordinary erotic romance. Like the act itself, describing a menage relationship is a delicate balance requiring finesse. I’ll just say (in this genre) I’ve been spoiled by the mastery that is Nicole Edwards.  I wasn’t blown away by these, but hey, they weren’t sauerkraut.

So, in total, loved this collection. And, it’s cheap. You like all variety of erotic romance?

Embrace your inner dented-can-chooser….Pick it up.

Get caught in UNDERTOW and WIN!!

Undertow, the shocking sequel to Dragonfly, is OUT NOW!

Early Readers are saying…

“An incredibly powerful sequel to Dragonfly. I found myself riveted to the last page by the depth of feeling, loss, tragedy, and love in this gorgeously woven story. A definite must-read.” –Jolene Perry, author of Out of Play

“As far as a second book for a series goes, Undertow knocked it out of the park.” –Jessica, Bend in the Binding reviews

“My God I am so emotional! I have to give a huge KUDOS to Leigh because she knows how to write a story like no one’s business!” –Tee, Diary of a Book Addict reviews

“Undertow pulled me under and left me gasping for air and wanting so much more. I couldn’t stop thinking about these characters, and now I’ll never be able to get a shirtless Bill Kyser out of my head.” –Magan Vernon, bestselling author of The Only Exception

“Amazing! The characters are lovely, but they’re also flawed–that sort of ‘realness’ and honesty breathes life into them and is truly refreshing to come across as a reader. A fantastic story with a unique execution.” –Kristin, Goodreads reviewer

Book 2 in the Dragonfly series
by Leigh Talbert Moore
On Amazon
Falling in love will pull you under…
-Bill Kyser has a plan to take the sandy farms of his hometown and turn them into a world-class tourist destination–and become a billionaire in the process. 
-Alexandra “Lexy” LaSalle has a plan to change her life by becoming a world-famous artist. 
-Meg Weaver has a plan to hold onto Bill no matter what she has to do.

Three friends, three dreams.
One fatal decision will change all their lives forever.
In Dragonfly, Bill Kyser gave Anna the three journals that held the story behind the powerful developer’s seclusion and the damaged lives of his family members. 
Anna hopes to find a way for Julian to know the truth, but as she digs deeper into the tragic events of the past, she realizes silence could be the only option. 
Now she’s in an alliance with the man she formerly feared. And if Julian finds out what she knows, she could lose for good the boy she’s starting to love.

Get Undertow TODAY! 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

 (Print copies available on Amazon | Createspace)

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“The characters were intriguing, the mystery and story were interesting, and definitely have ME WANTING MORE!!!!!!!” –Mandy, The Romance Bookie

“Great book to dive into poolside, but I will warn you may get so swept up in it you may end up with some sun burn so I STRONGLY suggest you invest in some sunscreen as well as a copy of Dragonfly.” —Nichole, Book Addicts Not So Anonymous

 “Gossip Girl meets VC Andrews in this contemporary family saga. Love, lies, and betrayal become the new normal when Anna enters the world of Jack and Lucy Kyser.” –Magan Vernon, international bestselling author of The Only Exception

On Amazon
by Leigh Talbert Moore
Three bad things I learned this year:
-People you trust lie, even parents. 
-That hot guy, the one who’s totally into you, he might not be the one. 
-Things are not always how they appear.

Three good things I learned this year:
-Best friends are always there for you, even when they’re far away. 
-That other hot guy, the one who remembers your birthday, he just might be the one. 
-Oh, and things are not always how they appear.
Anna Sanders expected an anonymous (and uneventful) senior year until she crossed paths with rich-and-sexy Jack Kyser and his twin sister Lucy.
Pulling Anna into their extravagant lifestyle on the Gulf Coast, Lucy pushed Anna outside her comfort zone, and Jack showed her feelings she’d never experienced… Until he mysteriously withdrew.
Anna turned to her internship at the city paper and to her old attraction for Julian, a handsome local artist and rising star, for distraction. But both led to her discovery of a decades-old secret closely guarded by the twins’ distant, single father. 
A secret that could permanently change all their lives.

Get Dragonfly for just 99 cents (limited time):

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

(Print copies available on Amazon | Createspace)

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As a special, THANK YOU! enter for your chance to #WIN signed copies of BOTH books, your own private journal, and fun swag~

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