Got STRIPPED? Review and Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the Stripped blog tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours.

Click HERE to see the full blog tour schedule!

Contemporary New Adult Romance

by Brenda Rothert

Available now!

Summary from Goodreads: Abby Gillis is used to being called a promiscuous, uneducated whore. It’s all in a day’s work when you’re a stripper. Since her job allows her to support her siblings, 24-year-old Abby takes it all off in stride. She’s never had trouble keeping men at arm’s length – until she meets ER physician Chris Reneau, who is sexy, sweet and interested in more than what’s beneath her clothes. As their relationship unfolds, Abby becomes increasingly aware of the desire building in her for the first time, and of her yearning to be wanted by the one man who truly sees all of her.

Commitment-averse Chris finds himself in uncharted territory. He wants Abby, that’s clear, but he can’t accept not having all of her. As the distance between them erodes, he tries to convince Abby to give up stripping for a chance at something real.

As the two of them get closer, Abby realizes that truly baring it all has nothing to do with her body. Chris makes her feel more exposed than she ever has, and she has to grapple with what’s left when her notions about herself and those around her are stripped away, leaving only the naked truth.

My review:
STRIPPED is a solid story. Abby is a young compassionate woman caring for her brother, two half-sisters and her addict mother by stripping. She’s clean–no drug use, no alcohol abuse, no easy catch–setting her wholly apart from the stripper paradigm. She respects herself and doesn’t let her history of being molested affect her. Much. Well, at least not when her mom calls her a whore. Or, when she pushes Chris–the tasty ER doc–away. Okay, then the molestation-survivorship totally kills her.

Still, Abby’s a college grad. She worked hard to get a good job that would support her family so she could quit stripping for her tuition money. She was nearly there when a colleague showed up for a bachelor party and recognized her. Pink slips suck.

Chris is kind, and attentive, and not going to date a stripper. That’s what he keeps telling himself. But he just can’t stay away. He’s wrapped up in the idea that she’s “Great…But.” So they continue to meet and he develops a sincere affection for her. Then HIS work colleagues learn of her work and show up in her club one night to torment her, making Abby feel horrid and cheap–mission accomplished for the jealous nurse who chases Chris.

Lots of fits and starts for this couple, and much drama surrounding Abby and her molester–the father of her two half-sisters. Also, the skeevy side of stripping gets loose and Abby finds herself under the careful attention of a stalker with a giant fist. Enough drama to keep the story moving and enough smexy bits to remind you this is a romance, baby. Suitable for older readers due to the smexy.

You can find STRIPPED at: GOODREADS and AMAZON

About the Author
Brenda Rothert lives in Central Illinois with her husband and three sons. She was a daily print journalist for nine years, during which time she enjoyed writing a wide range of stories.

These days Brenda writes New Adult Romance in the Contemporary and Dystopian genres.
Connect with her at: GOODREADS TWITTER or FACEBOOK

GIVEAWAY:

10 e-books of Stripped (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cephalopod Coffeehouse–featuring ROMANCING THE BOOKWORM

Welcome to my stop on the Cephalopod Coffeehouse tour! This month’s review features ROMANCING THE BOOKWORM, a New Adult contemporary romance by Kate Evangelista.

I finished this one a couple of week’s ago, but I’ve held back on the review because I had a feeling it would end up being a fave. So, here goes:

Romancing the Bookworm Xavier Solomon has it bad for bookish Tamara Winters. They go to college together—not that she’d ever know. She’s always trapped in a novel. Friends with Tamara’s bestie, Ronni, Xavier devises a plan to romance this little bookworm on spring break.

At sunny Maverick Bay Tamara’s out of her comfort zone—the third floor corner of the library where she spends her days and nights reading. But when Ronni begs her to waitress at her brother’s restaurant on the beach, Tam just can’t say no. Besides, she’s got a suitcase full of fiction to keep her busy. That is, until delish Xavier sweeps across her coastline.

In champion romantic hero form, Xavier plans little interludes for Tamara to experience–with him–all in the name of turning her head. Does it work?

Comme ci, comme ca.

As with all plans, there are small and large snafu’s—none-the-least of which is the appearance of Zander, Xavier’s hard-partying step-brother, who is by turns a cad and a competitor. His constant challenges cause Xavier to enter the surfing competition if only to take Zander out. Meanwhile, Tamara gets caught in the undertow between Xav, Zander and Ronni, and Xavier’s big romancing ends up as a near wipe out.

The dual viewpoint (which I adore) gives a clear window to the hopes and fears of these two romantic souls. It’s a fun romp with great repartee. I loved watching Tamara break free of her shell, and Xavier is such a gentle love interest. *swoon*

For a New Adult title, the tone is light and the pace is right. It’s got some spice as well. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes a good romance.

If you’re interested in ROMANCING THE BOOKWORM you can find it here:

GOODREADS AMAZON Barnes & Noble

If you think you might be interested in more of Kate’s work, leave me a comment HERE telling me what physical sense you’d sacrifice for your true love’s life, and you might just win a free eBook!

Cover Reveal!! JUST ONCE by Juliana Keyes

JustOnce_cover_rev

by Julianna Keyes and Omnific Publishing

Adult Contemporary Romance

Releasing October 29, 2013

Kate Burke is done making bad decisions. Thirty years old and belatedly determined to grow up, the successful travel writer and one-time party girl returns to work at the remote Ponderosa Pines Ranch to reassess her life.

Although her kitchen/cabin staff is lacking and the workload never relents, Kate’s main challenge is Shane Maddox, the ruggedly handsome and doggedly stubborn ranch foreman. Instantly at odds, they battle over everything from ceiling fans to bothersome bats—studiously ignoring the sparks they generate with each confrontation.

They can’t explain their explosive physical chemistry, but after a few frustrated weeks they can’t deny it either. Their solution? Just once. They’ll get past their inconvenient lust and move on.

Kate’s been trying to think with her head instead of her hormones, but is this just another bad decision in a lifetime of careless choices? Has she really changed at all?

Set in the striking and serene hills of southern Colorado, Julianna Keyes’ debut novel offers a sizzling and satisfying tale of unexpected chemistry and the power of second chances. Her characters will get under your skin and into your heart. Just once may not be enough for you either.

About the Author
Julianna Keyes is a Canadian writer who has lived on both coasts and several places in between. She’s been skydiving, bungee jumping, and white water rafting, but nothing thrills—or terrifies—her as much as the blank page. She has volunteered in Zambia, taught English in China, and dreams of seeing pink dolphins in the Amazon. This is her first book.
Website | Twitter

Frisky Freebie–SELLING SCARLETT

Selling Scarlett (Love Inc., #1) When your bestest best friend’s life is on the line, what’s the value in a hymen?

SELLING SCARLETT, New Adult contemporary romance by Ella James, endeavors to find out!

Elizabeth DeVille has two best friends, absentee parents, and a crush on her neighbor, the somewhat older, millionaire, poker-player, Bourbon heir Hunter West. And, one of her best friends–Cross–is in a coma following a motorcycle accident. His parents, his dad’s the Governor of California no less, plan to withdraw Cross from the swanky clinic where recovery seems imminent and transfer him to a less-than-desireable county clinic. This, because the good people of Cali wouldn’t want to pony up for the medical bill…

Hunter, playboy-with-a-secret, has anonymous sex with escorts because, well, it’s too dangerous to get close to people. They might find out he’s not such a great guy. And, he’s got a mommy-complex. But there’s something valiant buried within because he’s inordinately attracted to helping little Libby DeVille. She’s clearly in need of a boost, and rather fetching, in his opinion. Unfortunately he’s under the thumb of a vicious porn star who’s wielding secrets like Laboutin heels and Hunter doesn’t want Libby popping up on her radar.

Thus, we get the entanglement: Elizabeth wants to help her buddy Cross, but she’s broke. Hunter has plenty of cash, but he’s not able to approach Libby with it. Not that he really knows she needs it. Everybody in Napa has a trust fund, right? Wrong. Elizabeth’s dad cut off her support years ago when he shacked up with a new wife and her mom’s in and out of rehab too much to be of use. She only has one semester of grad school to finish and then she’s on her own. Not that she could pay Cross’s medical care on an ethics professor’s salary, mind you.

Elizabeth has a brilliant plan, however: sell the one thing she has–her virginity. (I guess you really can do anything in Vegas.) If the bidding goes well, she might just ‘earn’ enough to cover the medical bills and her tuition. Oh, and the experience could mesh with her master’s thesis on sexual autonomy.

While in Vegas, Elizabeth gets a crash-course in seduction from the inmates of the high-class brothel brokering her hymen-auction–which happens to be frequented by one deliciously messed-up, Hunter West.

You’d think this tale ends with Hunter buying LIbby’s cherry–and perhaps it does–but, in the meantime, we get kidnappings, blackmail, new friendships, BDSM sex acts, and human trafficking, alongside the heartbreaking recovery of Cross. So, SELLING SCARLETT is not a one-trick, erm, pony.

This one could have gone totally seedy. At times it borders on melodrama, but the characters are strong and the anguish feels real. There’s a sequel, TAMING CROSS, out now–but SELLING SCARLETT is a freebie–for the moment. It’s worth nabbing.

Couple caveats: It seems as though the distance between Napa and LA can be traversed by car in an hour. Not even a hovercar could mange this feat, so it jarred me. And, I’m not really sure the Gov of Cali needs high priced escorts. I mean, there’s all this housestaff just hanging around. No doubt one could dally with a maid.

Amiright, Governor Schwarzenegger?

Here’s the linky-links if you want to download SELLING SCARLETT.

GOODREADS KINDLE NOOK

Don’t forget to hit my comments and let me know if you like it!

And, as always, keep reading, my friends.

Totally smitten WITH GOOD BEHAVIOR–Review

With Good Behavior (Conduct #1) I’m wrapping up my summer reads–because, well, I’ve gotta get to my FALL reads and my pre-Christmas reads. So…

I finished WITH GOOD BEHAVIOR a couple weeks ago and haven’t had a chance to share how much I enjoyed it.

First off, Chicago. It’s my home. I will not carve your heart out with a rusty spoon if you say you don’t loooove it…but I will seriously question your judgment and count my silver when you depart my abode.

But, see, Chicago is not simply a setting for a book. It’s an experience. It’s stuffed pizza and tomatoes on hotdogs and art that looks like chrome spaceships and black dragon-lions and rattling El trains and sultry ozone action days that stink of exhaust and hot pavement.

And, that’s what Jen Lane gives us: The grit and grime of a city shrouded in corruption, with a hearty helping of Oh yeah–ROMANCE!!

Sophie Taylor and Grant Madsen are new parolees. They share a parole officer, and a deeper connection neither one knows about.

Sophie Taylor, a clinical psychologist, served a year in prison when police discover cash and guns hidden in her office. They were her lover’s. And he was a gangster. Oh, and a patient. Bam! Behind bars…

Grant Madsen, a naval officer, got collared trying to steal the money his brother lost in an illegal poker game. He’d been blackmailed into it–by his brother. And he never said a word.

Now these two ex-cons keep running into each other. Their mutual love of the White Sox (bonus points from this Southside reviewer!) and a mutual attraction turns into a very sweet relationship. Of course, they face the same struggles of any parolee. Sophie can’t get a job, risking re-incarceration. Grant can’t escape his family’s criminal influence. But, together, Sophie and Grant find solace and strength.

Both working for an architectural cruise line, they take on far more responsibility than they expect when their boss has a heart attack. Oh, how I love Grant’s Tequila-moment. Jose Cuervo is not friend of his! And yet, without that inebriated nudge Grant would never cut loose his inner Frank Sinatra.

This bittersweet tale is more sweet than bitter–and the climax continues through four chapters. Tensions ride super high when Grant learns his brother’s role in Sophie’s arrest. Man! That dude is toxic.

The narrative adopts many viewpoints, but it’s not distracting. I love when Jerry, the parole officer, narrates. His jaded view is so deadpan, but warms to his star-crossed lover parolees.

The good news–sequels! SQUEE!

Looking forward to BAD BEHAVIOR…and ON BEST BEHAVIOR is set to drop later this month!

WITH GOOD BEHAVIOR is such a steal at $.99, I’m hoping I don’t get pinched at checkout.

AMAZON B&N

If you’ve read it tell me I’ll love it in the comments!

WHAT REMAINS–Review, Tour and Giveaway!

Welcome to my stop on the What Endures blog tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours. Click HERE to see the full blog tour schedule!

What Endures
by Katie Lee
Contemporary New Adult Romance Available NOW!
Summary from Goodreads:

Jason Kincaid is young, hot and successful.

An All-Star outfielder for the Seattle Mariners, he finally had everything he ever wanted, including a second chance with his high school sweetheart, Megan Williams.

But their hopes for a ‘happily-ever-after’ are dashed by tragedy.

A horrific car accident wipes out most of Jason’s memories. Unable to recall anything from the last fifteen years of his life, Jason is suddenly adrift, his once charmed life now in ruins.

Megan finds herself in the untenable position of having to deal with the fact that the man she’s helping to rebuild his life may look, and even act, like her beloved fiancé, but in reality, isn’t any longer.

Trying to protect herself, as well as Jason, Megan fights the attraction between them. . .to no avail. As their potent connection inevitably draws them closer, Megan wonders,

With the memories of their relationship gone, can love endure?

WHAT ENDURES can be picked up…right now, in fact….right here:

Goodreads|Amazon

MY Review:

So, I’ll start with this one thing: I liked this story. Liked it enough to recommend it to my sister. But it took me a bit to get settled in. See, I’ve got a medical background. Been teaching or working in hospitals and med schools my entire adult life…so, when there’s a medical issue in a book I’m challenged to NOT look for all that is wrong with the author’s treatment of the illness. Mostly because I can’t stand when popular culture gets basic medicine wrong in order to tell a convenient story.

I’m not going to say that anything was ‘wrong’ here–I’m no expert on amnesia–but I was surprised that Megan moved out of her home to allow Jason to recuperate alone. She had been by his side for years. They had been through worse personal tragedy, and I really felt it an odd scenario that any medical provider would advocate a loved one to completely remove herself from a patient in need. But, then again, there is lots of goofy pseudomedical advice out there in the real world, and Jason had plenty of money to spend on professional care, unlike most people.

You may wonder why, with such reservations about plausibility, did I like the story?

Because, the tugged heartstrings!

Jason’s struggle to regain his lost memory is engrossing. And Megan’s effort to care for him without obligating him–well that’s admirable, too. With their history lost she doesn’t want to push him into a relationship he can’t understand. So, in essence, they must begin again.

While Jason and Megan’s new love story has some words on the page, they must write new passages, new scenes to bind them together. It is only when they both decide the past doesn’t matter that their future is possible. And, thankfully, it seems to be better than before.

A strong story is to be admired. And that’s what endures.

About the Author

Katie Lee has had a lifelong love affair with books. She fell in love with her first book in the second grade and hasn’t looked back since. She first took up writing as a hobby, wanting to craft her own magical adventures, and through the love and encouragement of family and friends, decided to get serious about writing and share her stories with the world.
She currently resides in Maryland in the United States. She works for the government during the day, and her spare time is devoted to writing. She gains inspiration from all sorts of things, but mostly from the fun and adventurous trips she takes when she can. She loves hearing from her readers so drop her a note!

Website|Goodreads|Twitter

***GIVEAWAY***

(1) $25 Amazon gift card (INT)
(2) Signed print copies of What Endures (US only)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

http://www.yaboundbooktours.blogspot.com/

HOLLYWOOD HOMECOMING–Review and GIVEAWAY!

Hollywood Homecoming (Red Carpet Series, #3)
by Sasha Summers
Available now from Inkspell Publishing

Summary from Goodreads:
Make-up artist to the stars. The favorite aunt. Dance teacher. Baby sister. Talented musician and song-writer.

Single.

Why did that word rank above the rest? Helen loved her family and understood they wanted her to have the real love they’d all found. It’s just that she’d found her someone special and learned to live without him. She’d been too young for the quirky, idealistic doctor-off to save the world-to notice. And, really, if she had it her way, he’d never know how she’d felt. Now, he was one of her best friends, a pen pal, losing him would be too much.

Seeing him at their parents wedding, Helen realizes the horrible truth: she still loves Joseph… which wouldn’t be so bad if she wasn’t in the situation she was in.

But she was. And her secret will change everything. Will it destroy hope for a Hollywood happy ending too?

My review:

This well-paced contemporary romance is a prime read. I’m a sucker for series fiction and in this third Red Carpet novel we get the best of Josh and Clarie (Hollywood Ever After), as well as Gunner and Jenny (Hollywood Holiday) as their relationships intertwine with the budding romance between Josh’s sister, Helen, and Claire’s brother, Joe.

Helen’s admired Joe from afar for years. Now he’s moved to LA and wants to make Helen the center of his world, yet one medical scare after another forces her to push Joe away. Having his love is all she ever dreamed of, but she’s afraid he’s only sticking beside her out of convenience, or worse…honor.

And, having their family’s blessing is only adding to the pressure.

Helen’s a pure spirit and her love for family is truly all-encompassing. It’s impossible not to root for her, in spite of her predicament. Add in the love triangle–competition for her affection by Jenny’s co-star, Chris, only magnifies the tension.

Honestly, I wanted to be right there, holding Helen’s hand, telling her it was all going to be okay. And I’ll be a liar if I didn’t say I wanted to reach through the pages and hug her at that terrible moment she experienced at the airport, praying Joe would come back.

Summers weaves some delightful romance. Not too nitty-gritty-down-and-dirty, but readers will feel the heart in the scenes.

Buy Links:

About this Fantastic Author:
Sasha is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, romance, and travel. She writes both lyrical romantic fantasy AND steamy contemporary romance. Her first play was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She’s been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she’s doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

***Author Links***

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***GIVEAWAY***
5-ebook copies of Hollywood Homecoming (INT)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t Wait UNTIL NEXT TIME…

Squished peas! Justine Dell writes a good book.

How does a grief counselor fall in love with an undertaker?

Absolutely, that’s how.

Piper Downing, sole proprietor of Downing & Sons Mortuary, is done dealing with the living. See, this family business has no family. Her parents died years ago leaving her alone. Her first boyfriend died in high school. After spending the past decade embalming people and arranging funerals, Piper knows that love is just plain selfish.

And Piper doesn’t do selfish.

Macy “Quinn” Oliver is a discharged Air Force pilot who works as a grief counselor for the VA. He’s seen his share of bad times. He vowed to never remarry when first love died one month following their wedding. He’ll love, but only temporarily. Twelve years later, he’s still single.

Piper and Quinn meet at Quinn’s grandmother’s wake and are drawn to each other. Piper senses she should keep Quinn at arm’s length, but can’t resist his gentle charm. Piper’s only interested in flings—no strings—and Quinn, terribly attracted to the elegant, aloof Piper, agrees.

Mother of chocolate! Sizzle. That’s what they do.

In bed, and in person—because when these two forces connect it’s a bit of an emotional tornado. Lots of break-up-with-delayed-make-up debris scattered around the countryside.

And, (GOODY!) there’s a convincing love triangle. The Challenger, Gavin—a mortuary supply salesman—makes no effort to hide his interest in Piper. He’s all set to swoop if Quinn messes up. Which, naturally, Quinn does.

I’m a sucker for a first-hand account of two adorable characters, so I love the dual viewpoint. Quinn is delicious. Such a relentless wooing! Piper eventually caves, realizing Quinn has invaded her heart despite her carefully constructed emotional barriers. Everything would be so easy if only she could accept Gavin’s offers, but well, Piper’s starting to feel a mite…selfish.

Justine Dell promised me a Happily Ever After.

Until Next Time delivers.

Don’t forget to let me know if you like this one! Comment at will…

Have a HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAY? Sure!

Hollywood Holiday (Red Carpet, #2) Sasha Summers spins a stellar sequel.

Try saying that three times, fast!

Yes dear ones, HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAY is everything we can expect coming off the HOLLYWOOD EVER AFTER high. In a delightful twist, the second book of the Red Carpet series focuses on two fresh characters—Jenny Fleming, and actress and good friend of Claire and Josh Wiley—and Claire’s younger brother Ben “Gunner” Foster, a combat veteran who lost a limb.

This unlikely pair meets en flight to LA. Jenny, a recovering alcoholic, is terrified of flying and Gunner comforts her through a panic attack…or two. Traveling under an alias to avoid paparazzi, Jenny is unsure if she should reveal herself to Gunner. Plus, she’s not interested in becoming another tabloid scandal. The spark they ignite isn’t wasted when they disembark, however.

They reunite at a community center where Jenny is completing service for a DUI conviction. Gunner is a volunteer helping the disabled athletes program. A few fits and starts as each character aims to self-defend, but soon we realize why Gunner won’t take off his clothes. Jenny is able to assuage his fear—OMG Thank Goodness!!—but he discovers her true identity in Jenny’s characteristically humiliating fashion and freaks out.

Without Gunner’s constancy, Jenny fears she’ll hit the sauce again, so she throws herself into training for her new action movie. And fending off the advances of her co-star, Chris Gibson—who I’ll call McGrabbyhands for the duration as this seems more accurate.

Oh! Guess who pops onto the set as a technical stunt coordinator…Gunner! Yea!

Jen’s determined to rebuild her career, McGrabbyhands is determined to capitalize on Jen’s notoriety, and Gunner’s determined to avoid the drama despite his attraction to Jen. Oh, and Gunner’s mom hates Jen for some drunken smooching months back. Thinks she’s a home wrecker. So, yeah, it’s complicated. Jenny’s heartbroken and takes off to a mountain retreat to rethink her life. Unexpected arrivals bring on the HEA.

In the end, we get a bit of separation and then no separation at all. And, really, I’m relieved I didn’t have to reach inside the book and smack sense into Gunner!

HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAY is a fast-paced contemporary romance with some sizzling scenes sure to please.

It’s available at all the usual spots, and probably your local bookstore as well…

HOLLYWOOD EVER AFTER…yes please!

Hollywood Ever After (Red Carpet, #1) I happened across this lovely title by Sasha Summers, and, wow. It reads like a script…go figure!

This contemporary romance tracks the budding relationship between divorced, mother of two, Claire Foster, and Hollywood leading man, Josh Wiley.

And…ACTION!

Here’s how it goes: Claire visits LA for the premiere of her BFF, Shannon’s, first big movie. Shannon is a studio exec. On the red carpet Claire stumbles and is assisted by the gallant, several-years-younger-than-Claire, Josh. For a change, it’s the blockbuster actor who’s star struck!

Josh seeks out Claire during the afterparty, and woos her successfully. But Claire isn’t looking for more. She’s a mom, after all. And she’s dealing with her ex–a serial batterer who continues to invade her life begging for another chance.

That Josh is smitten, well, that’s pretty hard for solid, dependable Claire to believe. Oh how fun it is to watch Josh dig his heels in! Especially so because Claire’s teenage daughter finds Josh terribly attractive. And, the paparazzi are relentless.

Still, one transcontinental extended family holiday convinces Claire that Josh is in this for the long haul. Marriage, parenthood, the whole ball of chocolate. Unfortunately, Claire’s past kicks back with a vengeance nearly stealing her HEA…

Sometimes I’m tempted to call a book like this a fantasy–only because it’s such a happily ever after–but I’ll tell you I was so rooting for Claire to find love again! Her little family really needs to be whole again and the dynamic between Claire’s mother and Josh’s father makes a nice subplot that sets the stage for future story lines.

Sasha Summers ties up the loose ends here, with the second book drawing on accessory character stories–so no need to fear The Cliffhanger.

You can find HOLLYWOOD EVER AFTER in the usual places:

HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAY (out already) and HOLLYWOOD HOMECOMING (coming soon) are both excellent reads, as well. Reviews to follow!

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