WISH FOR YOU–Release and Giveaway!

NEW RELEASE!!

A New Adult romance from best-selling author Marquita Valentine

What’s going on: a character’s perspective…

I’m Lacey Evans. There’s only one place in the world where I feel normal—the roller derby track. When I put on my skates and fasten my helmet, I’m powerful and in charge. I know exactly what to do and what to say. The rules are clear and everyone does exactly what they’re supposed to, penalties are enforced for those who don’t.

But in the real world, I’m far from powerful and in charge. I never know exactly what to do and say. For years, I counted on one person to be exactly who he said he was—my best friend -Wyatt Tanaka.

Only he’s changed. Being a Marine and serving in a war has made him different. Now I want to help him, but I also want to kiss him. And that’s not something best friends do.

Neither of us, it seems, is content being just friends anymore. If we cross that line, change the rules of our relationship, it could be wonderful and everything I’ve ever wanted.

But it might also mean I’ll lose the one person I’ve come to rely on and I don’t think my heart can take it.

Interested? You can find WISH FOR YOU at Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes and Noble

About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Marquita Valentine, writes sexy heroes that make you swoon and sassy heroines that make you laugh. She’s the author of the bestselling contemporary romance series, Holland Springs, and the new adult romance series, Boys of the South.

Marquita met her husband aka Hot Builder at Sonic when they were in high school. She suggests this location to all of her single friends in search of a good man—and if that doesn’t work, they can console themselves with cheesy tatertots. She lives in North Carolina in a very, very small town with Hot Builder and their two children.

You can find Marquita at her website, Facebook, and twitter.

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That will keep you reading long into the night, amiright?
Good luck, and as always, keep reading my friends!

Happy Book Birthday COMING HOME–Release and Giveaway

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY

*Throws confetti* *Blows silly paper horn*

Available today a New Adult romance from Author Priscilla Glenn

Synopsis:

Leah Marino hasn’t been on a date in two years. After discovering the man she loved had manipulated and deceived her, she refuses to even entertain the idea of a relationship. Instead, she focuses her attention on taking care of her family, a role she’s assumed since the death of her mother and the one place she knows her kindness won’t be taken advantage of again.

When a nostalgic trip back to her childhood home results in a chance encounter with Danny DeLuca, a smart-mouthed mechanic who’s as attractive as he is mysterious, Leah’s carefully cultivated walls begin to crumble. She finds herself unexpectedly drawn to Danny, despite his unreliable behavior and mixed signals.

But Danny has a secret…

One that could shake Leah’s already precarious foundation and bring her world crashing down around her. Suddenly, she’s faced with an incredibly difficult decision–is she willing to risk everything for the chance at finding the love she’s always wanted? Or are some obstacles just too big for the heart to overcome?

How about a little taste?

“Do you want to be alone?” she asked.

Danny turned to her, his eyes meeting hers before he shook his head.

“Okay,” Leah said gently, and he released her hand as she put the car in park and cut the engine.

They rode the elevator up to his apartment in silence; Danny’s eyes were trained on the floor as he chewed the inside of his lip, and Leah rested her head on his shoulder until they arrived at his floor.

He seemed distracted as he opened the door to his apartment, and Leah followed him inside, putting her purse on the entryway table.

“Do you want me to make you something to eat?” she asked.

“No,” he murmured. “Thank you.”

He was standing in the living room with his back to her, and she walked over to him, placing her hands on the sides of his waist as she rested her forehead against the back of his shoulder. After a few seconds, he turned to face her, and Leah lifted her head, looking up at him.

He stared down at her for a moment before he dropped his eyes, watching his hand as he hooked two fingers in the front pocket of her jeans. She saw him wet his lips, and then he gave a gentle tug, pulling her a step closer as his other hand came to the hem of her shirt, taking it between his thumb and forefinger.

Danny’s eyes were trained on his fingers as he toyed with the soft fabric, and then his knuckle grazed her belly button as he started pulling it up slowly. When her stomach quivered in response, he glanced up, his eyes meeting hers before they dropped again.

And then he slid it up a bit higher.

She lifted her arms out of reflex, and suddenly, her shirt was off. He tossed it somewhere behind her before he hooked his fingers in the front of her jeans and gave her another tug.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, pressing his lips to the top of her shoulder as his fingers came to the button of her jeans. She felt it pop open as he exhaled against her skin. “I’m sorry. I just…”

Leah closed her eyes as she brought her hand to the back of his head. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “Take what you need.”

He made a small sound in the back of his throat as he dropped his forehead to her shoulder. “God, how do you do that?” he asked, easing her zipper down.

“Do what?” she asked softly, running her fingers through the back of his hair.

“You make it stop hurting,” he said against her skin. “Every time.”

Leah exhaled as she brought her hand to his chin, lifting his head before she brought her mouth to his.

Wow! That’s a steamer, fo sho!

Interested? You can find COMING HOME on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble.

About the author:
Priscilla Glenn lives in New York with her husband and three children. She has been teaching English at the middle and high school levels for the past twelve years while moonlighting as a writer, mom, coach, student, and professional laundry-doer.

If you catch her when she’s feeling sophisticated, she’ll tell you her favorite things are great books and good wine. In the moments in between, she’ll admit her love for anything Ben and Jerry’s, UFC fights, and Robert Pattinson.

Glenn is the author of the contemporary romance novels Back to You, Emancipating Andie, and Coming Home. You can catch up with Priscilla on Goodreads, Facebook and twitter.

***GIVEAWAY***
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Good luck, and, as always, keep reading my friends!

Going Over THE NAKED EDGE–Review and Giveaway

Hi there! And, welcome to my stop on the blog tour for THE NAKED EDGE sponsored by AToMR Book Tours. For other stops on the tour, click here. Today’s book is a New Adult Romance from Charlie Webb–and man does it have it’s highs, and lows…

Book Summary:

The first time Skylar and Rowdy give themselves to each other completely–heart, mind, body and soul–is also the night Skylar disappears without a trace. Rowdy promised to love her forever. But forever is a long time when you’re only seventeen.

After years of waiting, Rowdy gives up on Skylar and tries to purge her from his memory with cheap tequila and one night stands.

When Skylar finally returns, Rowdy is no longer the shy, sweet boy she fell in love with. He’s bitter, angry and determined to protect what remains of his shattered heart. She’s determined to reclaim it, but first she has to put it back together.

Set in the eclectic town of Eldorado Springs, Colorado and Eldorado Canyon State Park, a rock climber’s paradise, “Naked Edge” is a new adult contemporary romance about perseverance, second chances and the healing power of love.

My Review:

I love Colorado. One of my uncles moved there decades ago, and since then I’ve visited many times. It’s lush beautiful place (once you get past the Front Range into the mountainous terrain!) I’ve read a few books settled there for that reason alone. In fact the opening scene reminded me of Simone Elkeles’ Chain Reaction–what with the rock climbing and the injury–but that’s where the similarity ended.

Skylar is hoping for a second chance. At sixteen she was whisked away from the love of her life due to unforeseen, uncontrollable events. Her step-father enrolled into the witness protection program and took Skylar and her mother underground with him. But that was four years ago and much has happened. Mom’s dead, and Sky has no allegiance to her philandering step-daddy. She’s going to fight for her love, Rowdy, and win back the life she lost when she disappeared without a trace.

Rowdy had been head over heels for Sky–throughout their childhood they were smitten. She was his first, and he promised to love her, only her, for all time. Then, she was gone.

His own personal tragedies delayed his search, but he soon discovered that Sky was lost forever. Until the rescue call brought him to the cliff face where Sky and her cousin Boone dangled due to a poorly planned climb.

Now Rowdy’s love-’em-and-leave-’em-to-hide-his-pain activity is brought to light, and he’s unwilling to invest his heart to Sky again. Or, is he…

So, as far as this book went, it’s a super quick read. I had thought we’d face more of a battle between Sky and Rowdy, but they both come to terms with each other eagerly. A big conflict to be resolved, however, is the entry of Rowdy’s step-sister, Anna, into the mix. She’s obsessed with Rowdy, though no one noticed it before Sky returned. Her psychopathic activity leaves Skylar fighting for her life and turns their mutual friends into a cloak-and-dagger society. This seemed a bit extreme, for me, but Rowdy’s one of those loyal sort–doesn’t want to hurt anyone openly–which I can admire. Had I been Sky, however, I’da wrung that dude’s neck!

The story’s got a decent pace and I learned a whole lot of fancy lingo to flash about the next time I encounter a rock climber. There’s something to be said for getting close to the setting, and I could almost taste the cliff as close as we got. If you’re looking for a quick read, one where the MC’s actually loved each other deeply once and reconnect with ease, you’ll like THE NAKED EDGE. It’s not too steamy and has some interesting–or crazy, in the Fatal Attraction-lunatic sense–plot twists.

Interested? You can find The Naked Edge on Goodreads and Amazon. (Currently priced at $.99!)

Charlotte Abel About the Author:

Charli Webb is a new to writing New Adult, but she’s not new to writing. Her alter ego–Charlotte Abel–has been active in the YA paranormal bibliosphere for years. Her Channie series “will make you believe in magic.”

You can otherwise find Charli on Goodreads, Facebook, and twitter.

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Liar Liar Hearts on Fire–Release and Giveaway!

An Adult Romantic Comedy

Released TODAY! Happy Book Birthday!

Violet Miller is a teacher savoring her summer break until she’s been called in as emergency reinforcements—of the dating kind. She volunteers to help an old flame by pretending to be his girlfriend. In Alaska. At a family reunion. Since the guy is a handsome, lumberjack-sized doctor she’s never quite forgotten, faking a relationship won’t be hard work.

Mike Ostranski is a desperate man on vacation. His mother wants grandchildren and sees a crazy Alaskan woman as a candidate for daughter-in-law. Mike needs Violet by his side to deflect the lady’s advances.

A week in Alaska as boyfriend and girlfriend should be easy for them. They grew up together, even had a brief fling. What could go wrong?

Everything.

How about a little taste, hmm?

For a guy so big, he was an incredibly good dancer. My brain was fighting a losing battle. He moved us both to the deep throbbing of the music, his palms holding me against him, his fingers resting on the upper swell of my ass. I wasn’t going anywhere. Knowing that, I gave over and my brain let go. For the moment, I was his and he was making it very well known to anyone watching.

One song in, I didn’t think I was going to make it. My morals were being sorely tried by the liquor and Mike’s dominating grip on me. Sweat pricked my skin, I knew my cheeks were flushed and heated. There was no doubt he could feel the hard tips of my nipples pressed against him. I’d become scorchingly aroused and when I felt vibrations right…there—

“Holy shit,” I panted, my forehead thudding against Mike’s hard chest. Was that a vibrator in his pocket? If I could practically have an orgasm on the dance floor, I didn’t think I’d survive if he ever got in my pants again.

I moved against him and it happened again. Felt the sensation zip through me from head to toe. My heart pounded and a soft moan escaped my lips. Mike leaned down, his breath hot on my ear, his lips lingering there. Did he know such a little spot could drive me crazy?

“Like that?” His voice was low so only I could hear. Dark.

I nodded my head shamelessly. He shifted me back a few inches, reached into his jeans pocket.

He pulled out his cell and smirked.

Oh, God. I was officially a hussy.

This one sounds hysterical! Really. I can’t WAIT to read it! Look for a review next week…and don’t forget to enter the raffle below for your chance to win a free copy!

About the Author

Jennifer Zane has lived all over the country–from Georgia to Maryland, New York to Colorado, including an exciting five years in Montana. Her time in Big Sky country was the basis for this book. When she’s not writing, she savors the insanity of raising two boys, is figuring out how many meals she can make with a pressure cooker, and teaches a pretty mean karate class. She currently lives with her family in Colorado.

Blog | Facebook | Twitter

***GIVEAWAY***
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HARD GLAMOUR–Release and Giveaway!

Out Now!

A smoking hot New Adult series by Maggie Marr!

A promise to keep….

Honoring her mother’s last wish, Lane Channing vows to follow her dreams. She takes the ‘big risk’ and leaves her small Kansas town behind and heads to LA, the city of dreams. She’s got a stellar job lined up, an old jeep, and 20 bucks to last her to her first paycheck. Her hopes shatter when she arrives to find her job’s been given to someone else. Now she’s broke and will soon be living on the streets if she doesn’t do something fast. Welcome to cutthroat – Lane is most certainly not in Kansas anymore.

On the cusp of success…

Dillon MacAvoy has one goal–to become a star–whatever it takes. Even if it means honing his bad-boy can’t-be-tamed-and-forever-single image. Besides the image isn’t far from the truth. Dillon cares only about his younger brother and his career. He’s on the brink of superstardom if he can just decide on the next right script. But for that, he needs a script reader he can trust.

In a strange twist of fate…

Lane Channing is Dillon’s last chance. If Lane lasts the summer without becoming MacAvoy’s latest conquest, she’s guaranteed a job in entertainment. No problem, as long as she can ignore the heat that pulses through her every time Dillon is in the room. After all, love and commitment with a sweet, hometown girl would only ruin the Dillon MacAvoy brand.

How about a little taste?

I might have been straight out of the fly-over states, but I wasn’t a moron. I definitely didn’t appreciate the looks or the attitude being shot my way. I stood in the center of the human resources department in my new suit and my new heels with my new bag and my new haircut, expecting to start my new job.

“What do you mean my job is gone?” My fingertips tingled and my heart jolted in my chest. I stared wide-eyed at the blonde behind the human resources desk. She settled her chin on her hand. She looked bored. My problem was definitely not her problem. A part of me wanted to reach over and shake her.

“A client needed a summer internship for his brother.”

“But you have something else for me, right?” My voice grew louder as the idea of what was going down sank into my brain. “I just drove two thousand miles for a summer job.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I need the money.”

Her eyes slitted and she tilted her head. “It’s an internship,” she said. “You don’t get paid for an internship in entertainment.” Her eyes roamed over me and my sixty-dollar suit like I was a hick from Hicksville, USA. When was the last time this little girl had ever paid for anything on her own? Her HR assistant gig wasn’t paying for those Loubies on her feet, which were peeking out from under her desk. Damn, those were some great-looking shoes.

“What kind of company doesn’t pay a person for summer work?” I asked.

“The kind of company that gets five thousand résumés a week.” She rolled her eyes toward the ceiling as though she was educating a Neanderthal and not someone who’d just locked down her third year of college. She resettled her gaze on me. “Who do you even know to get in here?” she asked as though there had been some tragic mistake other than CTA giving away my internship to some overindulged rich kid and me believing my internship would be paid.

Who did I even know? I cocked my hip to the side and sucked in my cheeks. Little Miss Attitude was not so great at HR. “A friend of my mom referred me,” I said. “But I nailed the Skype interview.”

“Who’s your mom?” She twisted her blond extensions between her finger and thumb, suddenly interested that maybe I was somebody she should know.

A piece of my heart broke with the word mom on her lips. Who was my mom? She was my world—had been my entire world—with her wild, curly golden hair and bright blue eyes, eyes that always seemed to smile even when things were remarkably bad. Tiny pinpricks of heat started at the backs of my eyes and I swallowed and forced myself to concentrate on the entitled girl in front of me.

“That’s not important.” I cleared my throat and looked around the gray room full of cubicles. “Is there anyone else I can talk to? You know, about a real job?”

I’d rolled into L.A. on gas fumes and grabbed a bed and a shower in a Best Western. I didn’t know a soul in Los Angeles. I had approximately seventy dollars to last me until my first paycheck, and I dearly hoped one of my coworkers needed a roommate for the summer. Call me a gambler, call me a risk-taker, call me crazy—I’d been called worse—but when I found out I’d gotten the gig for the summer at CTA, the biggest entertainment agency in L.A., I didn’t think twice about hitting the road from Lawrence for my opportunity of a lifetime. Especially after the hell of the past year. The only problem was that it appeared that my “opportunity of a lifetime” had evaporated.

“You can talk to Nancy,” the blonde said and jerked her head toward the door. “She’s the head of HR, but she won’t have anything for you either. Not if you need money.”

A flush blossomed on my neck and bloomed on my cheeks. Who didn’t need money? Oh, right, rich kids with trust funds and parents that stole other kids’ jobs. Yes, I was one of those people that needed money. No daddy to bail my ass out, no mama with a trust fund to pay for my entire life. I had to actually work and get paid to have clothes, a car, a place to live, and even school.

“Take a seat. I’ll see if she has time.”

Half a day later, after meeting with two other people, both of whom seemed grandly perplexed that I would assume my internship was paid, I had no job, no internship, and in twenty-four hours most likely no place to stay.

Man! I’d hate to be Lane right about then…but things do pick up, I’m sure. Can’t wait to read this one! Look for a review in the next week, or so.

About the Author

Maggie Marr grew up in the Midwest and made the move to Los Angeles to work in the movie business. She was a motion picture literary agent for ICM before becoming a full time writer. She’s written for film and TV and ghostwritten for celebrities. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and children.

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Forever BRANDED–Review and Giveaway

Hi there and welcome to my stop on the BRANDED blog tour sponsored by YA Bound Book Tours. For other stops on the tour, click here. Today’s book is a dystopian YA adventure romance from the writing team of Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki.

Summary from Goodreads:
Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best.

Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home.

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain.

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.

The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me.
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter.
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

My Review:
At first, I was thrown by the Lexi’s willingness to die–the opening scene was of her attempting suicide–but, as I got further into the story, I realized Lexi’s problem wasn’t depression. It was her unwillingness to be controlled any longer. See, ever since her father was murdered and her brother ran away, Lexi’s stepfather has been abusing her–emotionally and physically. Lexi’s mother has been checked out on drugs a long time, but she sobers up enough to catch Step-Daddy in the act of molesting Lexi–and turns her own daughter in to the Morality Guard.

With no trial and her mother’s accusation, Lexi becomes a branded Sinner and is dumped into the Hole. What is peculiar about her situation there? Lexi has a private guard. This, I couldn’t fathom for the life of me–especially as we learned more about Lexi’s real dad–and her brother Keegan. Before he died, Lexi’s dad was a champion against the brutal Commander. He wanted to restore the judicial system, instead of the “you’re accused, you’re punished” Commander’s dictum.

With her guard, Cole, Lexi’s safe in the Hole. Somewhat. Cole spends a lot of time helping Lexi dodge bullets and lecherous suitors–even his own fellow guards. Chaos reigns in the Hole, and a beauty accused of Lust is a shiny sex beacon for the riff-raff. One thing we learn quickly, loving a Sinner will get you executed, so Cole tries to maintain a professional distance from Lexi.

But, it’s so hard. Especially when the physicians find that Lexi isn’t guilty of the crime of premarital sex.

Background forces strive to keep Lexi alive. Dr. Sutton, her employer, and Cole both make choices to cover-up the budding attraction between Lexi and Cole. This romance seems ready to wither on the vine when Cole is assigned to hunt down Lexi’s long-lost brother, Keegan–a rising figure in the revolution against the Commander.

A daring escape actually leads Lexi to Keegan. And the rift between Lexi and Cole widens when Lexi decides she’s going to fight in the revolution. For her, making this decision is the first step to claiming her destiny.

In total, BRANDED dances over many themes. Child molestation, religious zealotry, suicide, rape, fighting a corrupt government, positive self-image, forgiveness, embracing forbidden love, doing the ‘right thing’ regardless of the consequences. These are all admirable, to be sure, but I had some issues with how they translated in the book. Likewise, at times I felt the story was too centered on the “we can’t love each other or they’ll kill us” device, and would have appreciated a quicker pace. Dialogue, for me, seemed stilted and info-dumpy and at times I was irritated by the inane comments some of the characters made. I wished that Keegan had been more supportive of Lexi, and was gratified that I called the identity of the Commander after reading the second chapter.

(A copy of this book was provided to me for the purpose of this blog tour/review.)

Interested? You can find BRANDED at Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

About the Authors:
Abi and Missy met in the summer of 1999 at college orientation and have been best friends ever since. After college, they added jobs, husbands and kids to their lives, but they still found time for their friendship. Instead of hanging out on weekends, they went to dinner once a month and reviewed books. What started out as an enjoyable hobby has now become an incredible adventure. You can find Abi and Missy at their website, Goodreads, twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and Pinterest.

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Rectifying A PERFECT MISTAKE–Review and Giveaway

Hi there, and welcome to my stop on the A PERFECT MISTAKE blog tour hosted by AToMR Book Tours. For other stops on the tour, click here. Today I’m reviewing a New Adult romance by Zoe Dawson, and it sizzles.

Book Description:
How can they have a future when their past is based on a lie?

The perfect preacher’s daughter, Verity Fairchild, has something that only she and God know about and she wants to keep it that way. Her mistake was easy to keep secret when she was out of town, but now that she’s come back to Hope Parish for the summer, she comes face-to-face with the guy responsible for it all. Boone Outlaw nearly ruined everything for her and despite the fact that he’s now working at her father’s church, she’s determined to stay as far away from him as possible.

Boone Outlaw doesn’t understand Verity’s anger towards him. He barely knows her. In high school she was Holy Mary Verity and she was off limits – except in his dreams where Verity seems way too real. Most of the time he was wasted in high school, not the type of boy Verity would ever look at twice, but he can’t shake the feeling that something might have happened between them. He’s going to break his own rules to get the answers he needs straight from Verity.

What will Verity do when she finds something in Boone that she never knew existed and her perfect mistake is the only thing that could stand between them and their happiness? Will she sacrifice Boone to keep her secret?

My Review

“Holy Mary” Verity has tried to live up to her parent’s expectations. Really. She wasn’t a party-girl, she wasn’t a promiscuous teen, but she also wasn’t in Kenya on the mission for the past year–as she had told them. No, Verity was in New York trying to rid herself of her perfect mistake. If only that freaking Boone Outlaw hadn’t tainted her drink at that graduation party, and her perfection.

Boone Outlaw has always wanted Verity Fairchild. Not that he could ever hope to deserve her. In high school he was perpetually wasted–and nobody cared. Why bother? Those low-life Outlaw triplets won’t do no good no how, right? Well that was then, and Boone’s built himself up from a Waste-oid to a successful business owner now. And Verity has finally returned. Shame her daddy, the Reverend Fairchild, wants her to marry his protege, Billy Joe Freeman.

Verity is stunned by the changes she sees in Boone. Perhaps the changes she sees aren’t actually changes–but the reality of a man she never got to know before this whole mess started. They had one night together after graduation–one night that changed her world–and he didn’t even remember, he was so drunk. But that reminder is in New York. And the secret shame is eating Verity alive. Particularly when he sees how tender Boone is with the kids at the parish daycare. Was her mistake hiding everything? Or was it not telling Boone her secret from the beginning?

As they forge a relationship, Verity learns that her concept of Boone was built on the town’s anti-Outlaw prejudice and the man he actually is, well, that’s a man to treasure. But will he still love her when he learns what Verity is hiding?

In the end, this dual POV love story has some shocking revelations, and some belly-twisting angst over both Verity’s ‘mistake’ and Billy Joe’s psychotic stalking. We get a neat and tidy ending and plenty of Louisiana heat–in the bedroom. It’s the second installment of the Perfect Series, and I’m still swooning over the better-than-this-town-thinks-we-are Outlaw triplets.

Interested? You can find A PERFECT MISTAKE at Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

And, to find out about Book One in the Perfect Series–A PERFECT MESS–you can check my review on Goodreads. It’s a great start to this New Adult series. Booker Outlaw is a delicious leading man–and he is besotted with Aubree Walker, class valedictorian home from college to care for her aunt after a debilitating injury. Booker and Aubree resolve their complicated history–and put to rest one big-bad problem in tiny Suttontowne, LA.

About the Author

Zoe Dawson is the alter ego of Karen Anders, award winning, multi-published author. Her writing journey started with poetry and branched out into fiction. With a couple of college English courses under her belt, she penned a historical, then moved onto contemporary romance fiction. Today, she is happy producing romantic suspense, romantic mystery, urban fantasy and paranormal novels. The words feed her soul and the happily ever afters feed her heart.

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He Knows How to STIR ME UP–Review and Giveaway!!

Hi there and welcome to my stop on the STIR ME UP blog tour hosted by YA Bound blog tours. For other stop on the tour, click here. Today’s book is a mature YA romance by Sabrina Elkins.

Summary from Goodreads:
Cami Broussard has her future all figured out. She’ll finish her senior year of high school, then go to work full-time as an apprentice chef in her father’s French restaurant, alongside her boyfriend, Luke. But then twenty-year-old ex-Marine Julian Wyatt comes to live with Cami’s family while recovering from serious injuries. And suddenly Cami finds herself questioning everything she thought she wanted.

Julian’s all attitude, challenges and intense green-brown eyes. But beneath that abrasive exterior is a man who just might be as lost as Cami’s starting to feel. And Cami can’t stop thinking about him. Talking to him. Wanting to kiss him. He’s got her seriously stirred up. Her senior year has just gotten a lot more complicated….

Praise for Stir Me Up:

“Fun, steamy, and leaves you hungry for more. Sabrina Elkins nails the vulnerability of becoming an adult and the choices that come with growing up.” —Katie McGarry, author of Dare You To

“Cami’s slow burn for a wounded hero will rivet readers. I seriously loved this book.” —Jennifer Echols, author of Dirty Little Secret

“This book is one of my favorite young adult contemporaries. Not only does it feature a hot romance, it’s also very meaningful and well, you just have to read it and see.” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

My Review:

I read this book on fast-forward. Cami is a high school senior who has grown up in her father’s restaurant. She’s always cooked, and wants to make it her career, despite her father constantly pushing college. That’s not the only force on her life, however. Her boyfriend is pushing her into a more physical relationship, and now her new step-mother is pushing her into a closet of a room to accommodate her nephew, an amputee returning from Afghanistan.

Julian is not happy to be “home”. Since he enlisted in the Marines his aunt, and former guardian, has married and his new step-cousin is…too much. He’s mean and nasty; angry at the world and his crap luck. His parents die, and his comrades die, and now this busted up young man feels he has nothing to offer the pretty girl who sees him, always, at his very worst.

Julian’s gruff demeanor would put anyone off, but, after years of prep work in a professional French restaurant, Cami’s used to overbearing men. Not that she’s looking for anything. Really, because she isn’t. She and Julian do develop quite a friendship, bonding over the pain of losing mothers–his to cancer, hers to abandonment. The boyfriend? Well, he doesn’t quite measure up to Julian, even as an amputee.

Their relationship does turn physical–after months of get-to-know-you–and it’s tender and caring, not a hot sticky mess. Through their love, Julian is able to move past his trauma (mostly) and Cami develops the confidence to take the next step in her professional world–pretty much tell her dad no college.

It’s a solid love story with well-drawn characters and patient affection. Due to the not-exactly-fade-to-black sex, the book is rated for upper YA readers. I think it’s acceptable for anyone who reads YA.

Disclosure: A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

Interested? You can find STIR ME UP on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, BAM, iTunes and ZOLA. So, pretty much anywhere!

About the Author
I am a former journalist who worked for the Los Angeles Daily News and other newspapers in the greater Los Angeles area. Prior to this I worked in advertising, writing ad copy for corporate travel accounts and major motion pictures. My first job out of college was as an administrative assistant to an executive chef and a food & beverage director at a Four Seasons hotel. I also spent some time working as a prep cook for Spago in Beverly Hills.

I received my Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California. While in graduate school, I had the privilege of studying fiction writing under renowned author Hubert Selby, Jr., and comedy writing under famed comedian Shelley Berman. I am a past participant of the Squaw Valley Community of Writers Summer Writing Workshop.

Raised in the woods of Vermont, I now live in the greater Los Angeles area with my husband and three children. STIR ME UP is my first novel.

Wow. Find Sabrina on her website, Goodreads, twitter, or Facebook!

***GIVEAWAY***
Click on this link: a Rafflecopter giveaway
to win 1 OF 3 STIR ME UP fun foodie gift packs!

Good Luck and keep reading my friends!

Cami’s Cookbook Pack
Le Petit Paris: French Finger Food by Nathalie Benezet
500 Soups by Susannah Blake
Godiva chocolate bar
Stir Me Up magnet

Julian’s Late-Night Pack
George Noory’s Late-Night Snacks by George Noory
Dinner and a Movie by Katherine Bebo
Godiva chocolate bar
Stir Me Up magnet

Sweet Desserts Pack
Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey by Jill O’Connor
Cutie Pies by Dani Cone
Godiva chocolate bar
Stir Me Up magnet

RULES AND RESTRICTIONS:
Contest is void where prohibited. Entrants must be 18 or else have parent or guardian’s permission to enter. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner’s name will be selected. Winning entries will be verified for authenticity.

LUMINARY–Review and Giveaway!!

Hi there! And welcome to my stop on the LUMINARY blog tour, hosted by YA Bound Blog tours. For other stops on the tour, click here. Today’s book is a Christian Speculative/Sci-Fi YA novel by Krista McGee. It’s the sequel to Anomaly.

Summary from Goodreads:
She was an anomaly with a death sentence. Now she’s free.

Thalli was scheduled for annihilation. She was considered an anomaly–able to experience emotions that should have been eradicated by genetic modification. The Scientists running the State couldn’t allow her to bring undue chaos to their peaceful, ordered world. But seconds before her death, she is rescued.

Now Thalli is above ground in a world she thought was destroyed. A world where not even the air is safe to breathe. She and her three friends must journey across this unknown land, their destination a hidden civilization. It’s their only chance of survival.

Broken and exhausted after an arduous journey, they arrive in New Hope, a town that survived the nuclear holocaust. When Thalli meets the people there–people actually “born” to “families”–her small world is blown wide open.

Soon after their arrival to New Hope, the town comes under attack. She has escaped imminent death, but now Thalli is thrust into a new fight–a fight to save her new home. Does she know enough about this world of emotions, this world of chaos, to save not only herself, but the people she has come to love?

My Review:

In this sequel to ANOMALY, we follow the escape of Thalli and her three companions from the State, an underground civilization created following a nuclear holocaust. Berk, a young Scientist, is Thalli’s pseudo-boyfriend. Rhen is Thalli’s logical BFF. And John is a 90 y/o man who is a devout Christian. Throughout this dangerous journey John is seeking help from the Designer (God) by means of prayer and spreading the Gospel.

The risks of death are high on the 900-mile trip to the nearest above-ground settlement. They are set upon my animals and injured, and their solar-powered transport fails taxing their physical and supply resources to the stretching point. But they make it to New Hope, a peace-promoting agrarian colony managed by escaped Scientists Kristi and Carey. They are welcomed in, and begin to really experience the love they had all been denied in the emotionally-sterile State, all without the knowledge that the State is monitoring their whereabouts. The State Scientists need these four intrepid (?) travelers to locate missing Scientists who *might* to be pressed into service to solve the State’s oxygen-problem. As to that, they are (somehow) running out of oxygen in their underground compound. [Methinks it could be solved by opening a vent at this point, but I’m getting ahead of the plot…]

A neighboring settlement, Athens, attacks New Hope. See, Athens is a militaristic settlement ruled by a despotic king hellbent on subjugating the peaceful and prosperous New Hopeians. King Jason always has his way–and maintains order through the liberal use of mind-control drugs. Thalli, in total meltdown over her jealousy of Rhen and Berk’s friendship, volunteers for the suicidal mission of being a spy in Athens. As an escapee from the State, she has technology secrets the King would desire.

Of course, she didn’t expect to be drugged, or named as Prince Alex’s bride-to-be. Now the murder and mayhem truly begins. Berk arrives to save her and they both end up condemned and blamed for a royal assassination. Throughout, Thalli is focused on prayer to the Designer, which brings about nearly instantaneous, miraculous, results. During this time of uncertainty, Thalli and Alex develop a bond–good, because she tests that bond repeatedly to save New Hope from destruction.

The bond between Thalli and Berk is tested as well. Especially when State Scientists return and Thalli and Berk are separated–perhaps for the final time.

For a YA Sci-Fi romance, LUMINARY is devoid of any intimate physicality. Which is in-line with the overt Christian theme of this novel. It also fully discredits science and the uber-villainous Scientists who ran the State. Which is in-line with the overt Christian theme of this novel. Nevermind that science and technology is constantly exploited. I had a bit of trouble with the plot of ANOMALY, and this one was not without issues, but the action made more sense here. Thalli’s raging jealousy was hard to take, at times. I kept having to remind myself that emotions seem to simply be stronger in her. Also, I was rather shocked at how much murder actually happens in this book. The psychotic slaughter would undoubtedly receive a nod from MacBeth, or The Dark Knight’s Joker, IMHO. The strong anti-science message is hard for a lifelong scientist (moi) to recommend, but I feel like this type of book already has a staunch audience to which it will appeal. It also has a super cliffhanger ending to whet one’s appetite for the final book in this trilogy.

Interested? You can Find Luminary at Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository,
and Kobo.

The publisher made both ANOMALY and LUMINARY available for me to read through NetGalley. My review of ANOMALY is posted on Goodreads if you wish to know more about how this dystopian adventure began.

You can find Anomaly at Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository and Kobo.

About the Author
Krista writes for teens, teaches teens, and more often than not, acts like a teen. She and her family have lived and ministered in Texas, Costa Rica, and Spain. Her current hometown is Tampa, FL.

You can find Krista at her website, Goodreads, twitter and Facebook.

***GIVEAWAY***
Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win
one of 3 sets of print copies of Anomaly and Luminary (US only)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Best of luck, and as always, keep reading my friends!

New Adult is UNWRAPPED!! Release and Giveaway…

RELEASE EVENT

New Adult Multiple Genre Novella Collection

Stories by Laurelin Paige, Sierra Simone, Melanie Harlow, Tamara Mataya, Katherine McGee, Gennifer Albin

Available December 23, 2013

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Six romance authors present six very different novellas in this anthology of new stories: Ménage a tango lessons. A bride DYING to say, ‘I don’t.’ A horny college boy at a purity rally. Time-traveling graduate students meet Victorian playboys. A rugby player who’s as dirty off the field as on. And kissing under the mistletoe with a Scottish exchange student. Something for everyone, the NAturals present sweet, funny, and erotic tales of new adults meant to be Unwrapped all year long and not just at Christmas.

TEASER FROM CHERRY POPPER By Laurelin Paige
Then all he could do was kiss her, kiss her the way he should have kissed her the first time—slowly, sweetly. She responded perfectly, molding her mouth to his, sighing softly.

TEASER FROM TRY FOR LOVE By Kayti McGee
But right here, right now, in the flickering candlelight, she’d show him how she felt one last time. Mischa stood on her tiptoes to press her lips against the soft hollow at the base of Clifford’s throat, his heart beating against her kiss.

EXCERPT FROM THREE TO TANGO By Melanie Harlow
Secretly I’m a smut fiend, but only when it comes to books. Until last night, the only outwardly kinky thing about me was my hair on a rainy day. I’m a kindergarten teacher, for heaven’s sake. I wear fuzzy slippers and granny panties. Ballet flats and sweater sets. I didn’t even have sex until I was twenty-one, and then it was a lights-out, missionary-position, TV-blaring-to-cover-the-squeaky-dorm-room-bed kind of experience. (I still remember the rerun of How I Met Your Mother that was on, and let’s just say that Marshall’s description of the perfect burger was way more orgasmic than losing my virginity.)

Eventually I learned how to get myself off (in the total privacy of my shower, of course) and figured out what all the throbbing and moaning in my books was about, and I did manage to have two lovely little orgasms with Guy #2 last summer, but it took a lot of work. And time. So much time that I kept apologizing to the guy, and I couldn’t relax. I mean, he stuck with it and all, but compared to the fast-building, toe-curling, earth-shattering, mind-blowing romps on my Kindle, my sex life was totally vanilla.

And then I took a tango lesson.

WHOA!! Take out some insurance on your e-Readers if you pick THIS collection up!

About the Authors
Laurelin Paige, Gennifer Albin, Melanie Harlow, Sierra Simone, Kayti McGee Downey, and Tamara Mataya are the six authors who blog for TheNaturalAuthors.blogspot.com. They each write romance and adore pushing the boundaries of the genre. Above all, they love reading smut, looking at pictures of hot men, and making up names for the band they’re always talking about forming.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter

***GIVEAWAY***
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Good Luck! And, as always, keep reading my friends!

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Happy Book Birthday COMING HOME–Release and Giveaway

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A smoking hot New Adult series by Maggie Marr!

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He Knows How to STIR ME UP–Review and Giveaway!!

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