Newly Released!
ALL THE PRETTY POSES by M. Leighton
a Contemporary New Adult Romance
Book Description:
Reese never wanted to be a hero…until she needed him to be.
Strength…
It took Kennedy Moore years to put her life back together after Reese Spencer shattered it. But she did. Now, years later, strong and independent, she is in pursuit of a single dream—to dance with the Altman American Dance Theater. Unfortunately, Kennedy is learning that a girl from nowhere with no money and no contacts might never be able to realize her goal.
That is, until Reese reappears, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Kennedy just can’t pass up. In exchange for working on his yacht for a few short weeks, he’ll get her an audition with the famous dance troupe. All Kennedy has to do is keep her head down, work hard and resist Reese. That sounds easy enough, right?
Weakness…
Reese doesn’t want to make it easy for Kennedy. Seeing her again has started a fire in his blood—an unwelcome one—so Reese has a plan. It’s simple: Get Kennedy on his yacht, seduce her, get her out of his system, move on with his life. That sounds easy enough, right?
But the one thing Reese didn’t plan for was Kennedy herself—a girl so strong yet so broken, she makes him want to rescue her, to take care of her. To save her. Even if he has to save her from himself.
Interested? You can find ALL THE PRETTY POSES at Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Super giveaway! Click the linky-loo to enter!
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Good luck and keep reading my friends!
Shorter Bio: New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, M. Leighton lives in the deep South with her super-hero husband and super-smart maltipoo. She has a fondness for coffee and chocolate, loves the color red, laughs at almost anything and often stares out her window, daydreaming of far-away places.
Feel like stalking the fabulous prolific Michelle M. Leighton? Try her blog, or Facebook, or Goodreads, or Twitter, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and if all else fails, you can simply email her.
Other books by M. Leighton
Beginnings: An M. Leighton Anthology,
The Blood Like Poison Series: For the Love of a Vampire, Destined for a Vampire, To Kill an Angel
Down to You, Up to Me, Everything for Us
The Wild Ones, Wild Child, Some Like It Wild (March 4, 2014), There’s Wild, Then There’s You (June 3, 2014)
All the Pretty Lies (November 12, 2013)
Madly, Madly & the Jackal, Madly & Wolfhardt
Fragile
The Reaping
The Reckoning
Gravity
Caterpillar
Wiccan
Now Available–WAITING ON MY REASON–Review and Giveaway
Release Event
WAITING ON MY REASON BY DEVON ASHLEY
Release Date: January 21, 2014 New Adult Romantic Suspense
Barnes & Noble Amazon Goodreads Kobo
Synopsis:
Things always happen for a reason. I just wish I knew the why behind mine.
Five years ago, graduation wasn’t what it was supposed to be. Publicly humiliated, Melanie was more than happy to kiss off her high school sweetheart. But in doing so, she lost more than just her boyfriend, she lost the only other guy she truly cared for – his best friend, Shane.
Shane loathed the idea of returning to his small hometown. He just wanted to get in, help his best friend manage a legal matter, and get the hell back out again. But he wasn’t expecting to run into the one girl who got away, who always held a piece of his heart despite the animosity that lingered. Melanie could’ve been the one, but after everything that happened, trust was a serious issue.
Melanie just wanted to do right by her son. Shane just wanted to do right by his best friend. And just when they think they can find the strength to forgive the sins of the past, more secrets and lies bubble to the surface, threatening to push them even farther apart.
My Review:
I received a review copy of this book from the author. And I devoured it.
Shane Matthews has returned to his small town in Texas to secure the inheritance for his childhood best friend, Brad Montgomery. Brad’s had a bad run ever since Melanie busted his heart senior year. Booze and drugs have left Brad in a bad way–emotionally and financially. What Shane can’t understand is why Brad’s grandma didn’t leave him his fortune…and who did get it!
Back on his home turf, Shane encounters Melanie–the girl who got away, and destroyed his friend. She’s as good looking as ever, and clearly the interest is mutual, but Shane can’t get past his fury over Melanie’s role in Brad’s downward spiral. He insults her–terribly.
Melanie’s been considered the town tramp since senior year. Instead of escaping to Tulane for college, she’s stuck out her life, working hard and harder to support herself, and her son. Brad’s son. Not that people believe her story of an assault while on a college visit. Brad hadn’t. Then again, Brad was a lush in high school, and Shane should have known that–if he was such a good friend. Melanie knows exactly what happened to Brad’s “inheritance” but she’s not willing to spill the beans to Shane–or Brad. Why should she have to? Brad’s been gone for years, and hasn’t looked back once. Not for Melanie, their son, or his grandmother. Now broke, he certainly doesn’t deserve anything.
What we have here is a small-town, small-minds melodrama. It’s real, and engaging and reads like 2/3 of Maury Povich episodes. Lots of accusations and false leads. Even more hurt feelings and complete misunderstandings.
The whole time I wanted shake Shane and tell him to take good hard look at Brad. See him for the miserable conniving wretch he was. The DBag didn’t deserve gas money, let alone a dime of inheritance IMHO. When Shane does finally get the straight story, he’s introduced a whole lot more problems for himself, and Melanie. But he’s a stand-up guy and one with whom Melanie is overjoyed to reconnect. It seemed as though their love story was always waiting on the fringe, just out of reach in high school because of their own decency and friendship with Brad. In any case, the lovin’ is quiet, but considerate. It’s a satisfying read, for sure.
Interested? You can find WAITING ON MY REASON at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Goodreads, and Kobo
About the Author
I’m a mom, wife, a lover and a fighter, coffee addict, wicked knitster, Microbiologist, baker of fine yummy treats, and someone who will fight you to death for that last bag of M&Ms during the zombie-apocalypse. Seriously, my addiction is that important to me. Oh, and I say seriously way too much. Seriously.
You can find out more about Devon Ashley on GoodReads, Facebook, or her Blog.
***GIVEAWAY***
Click on the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win one of
(3) Signed print copies of Waiting On My Reason – US Only
or (1) $15 USD toward the Book Depository – International (countries the Book Depository delivers)
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Good luck, and as always, keep reading my friends!
Love is…WISH FOR YOU–Review and Giveaway!
Hi there and welcome to my stop on the WISH FOR YOU blog tour sponsored by AToMR Book Tours. Forother stops on the tour click here. Today’s book is a New Adult romance by best-selling author Marquita Valentine.
Book Summary:
There’s only one place in the world Lacey Evans feels normal- the roller derby track. When she laces up her skates and fastens her helmet, she’s powerful and in charge. She knows exactly what to do and what to say. The rules are clear and penalties are enforced for those who don’t follow them. But in the read world, she’s far from powerful and in charge. She never knows exactly what to do and say. For years, she counted on one person to be exactly who he said he was–her best friend, Wyatt Tanaka. Only she changed the rules on him, without any warning, and now she’s the one being punished.
Marine veteran, Wyatt Tanaka, came home to a heroes welcome. But he’s hiding a secret, one that could potential destroy his life. He’s doing the best he can, trying to cope with the guilt and the pain of the girl he loves pushing him away by doing all the things he’d sworn not too. Women, bars, drugs and drinking are what consume him. With Lacey’s new rules, he has nothing to hold on to. Nothing to keep in from feeling dead.
Then one night, he goes too far, gets in too deep, and when the truth comes out… will Lacey keep pushing him away or help save him?
My Review:
Well. This book took me through a few really squicky turns. I have a bit of insight into PTSD–family members who suffer(ed). And I also have known quite a few vets who wallow in intoxication, trying to bury their pain. Perhaps that’s why I had such a visceral reaction–because I know how real this experience is for countless men and women who’ve returned from the front lines.
At the time we join the story wounded veteran Wyatt is in full wallow. He feels responsible for the death of his battle buddy and has returned home where everyone wants him to be ‘normal’. He couldn’t find normal with a GPS and a set of MRE’s, yet he tries to pretend. He hungers for Lacey though they’ve only ever shared a few kisses. He’s sure he’s not good enough for her–and she confirms that by pushing him away. Booze and pot have helped mellow him out, but, without Lacey, he’s hitting the hard stuff–coke and prostitutes–looking for any release from his pain. Sure, he keeps his weekly appointments with his counselor; therapy only works if you’re honest. And he can’t be honest. Not about the drugs, not about the women, and not about the death of his buddy.
Lacey’s tortured by Wyatt’s downward slide. She loves him with every breath in her lungs, but she’s not the girl Wyatt deserves–in her opinion. Oh, and his mother’s opinion, too. See, Lacey’s not-alright. She has all-consuming panic attacks when her schedule deviates. And her schedule is about to get tossed into the recycling bin–now that her family is headed to Turkey as missionaries. Except for Lacey. She’s too old to go as a dependent and now she needs a place to live. Good thing Wyatt has a spare bedroom.
Wyatt’s almost a split personality. He can’t bear being just friends with Lacey. His counselor advises that he take whatever connection she’ll offer–and they each try to set the other up with dates. Total disaster, that. Fury drives Wyatt far past his usual binges and he nearly OD’s. Lacey is called in to support Wyatt, allowing his mother the chance to explain how sorry she was for ever questioning Lacey as a mate for Wyatt.
Still they have issues to work through. Wyatt needs more counseling, and Lacey’s diagnosis doesn’t help matters. There is a point of compromise, however, and a comfortable solution. It’s not the typical HEA–because we know there will be more bumps down the road–but there is confidence that their future will be good.
For me, I had a lot of trouble with Wyatt. He’s stubborn, abrupt and erratic with little consideration for himself, or Lacey. I wished like hell that he’d let go of his (irrational) guilt and just be the kind of guy Lacey needed. As for Lacey, I was a bit stunned how quickly she let Wyatt flop into her bed. She’s a devout Christian girl, and yes, she loves Wyatt–has for years–but it was lightspeed macking action. Their inability to communicate honestly really gave me (and them) fits. I’m not a huge fan of complications based on dishonesty–not saying that everyone must be candid all the time–I just want more of a romantic hurdle than simply “I can’t tell you the real problem.” Even in his biggest crisis, Lacey had to hear the real truth by eavesdropping before Wyatt would confess. By the end they were actually being truthful, and gained a bit more of my respect. And, Wyatt getting clean helped even more. I think readers who enjoy a good redemption tale will find their wishes fulfilled with this story.
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 stalk find at her website, Facebook or Twitter.
To celebrate WISH FOR YOU’s release, you can enter one of two giveaways!!
***Giveaway 1***
Continental US residents, click this Rafflecopter link for your chance to win
(1) Engraved set of dog tags from Things Remembered – Continental US Only
a Rafflecopter giveaway
***GIVEAWAY 2***
EVERYONE can click on THIS Rafflecopter link for your chance to win
(1) $100 USD Gift Card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble – International
Good luck and, as always, keep reading my friends!
Living With HARD GLAMOUR–Review and Giveaway
Hi there and welcome to my stop on the HARD GLAMOUR blog tour sponsored AToMR Book Tours. For other stops on the tour click here. Today’s book is a New Adult Romance 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.
My Review:
Lane is in a real mess. She’s broke in LA, with no job, and her car has just been towed. The brief encounter with a gay mailboy at the talent agency didn’t seem like a portent–but it should have. That mailboy, Choo, is about to become her personal savior. See, the delightful Choo is the younger brother of a (potential) rising star–Dillon MacAvoy.
Dillon had been recently plucked from obscurity while on UCLA’s campus–tapped for his All-American good looks, he posed for some underwear ads, and a year later he’s making movies. Not quite a household name, he’s got three movies poised for release and his publicist and agent are planning to capitalize on the “Unattainable Bad Boy” image they have cultivated to maximize his marketability. As with everything Hollywood–sex sells. So Dillon’s been having a lot of it. Dillon’s a fresh talent, but he’s a terrible script reader–and all his female readers, well…they don’t last long. If you want to get into a movie, you have to know the script, so chasing away all his readers after one-night stands means Dillon’s in professional trouble.
Choo picks Lane to be Dillon’s new reader–and it’s an offer she can’t refuse. Even if she struggles with attraction to her new boss. Dillon’s finally found a girl he won’t sleep with–because Lane is too pure for his jaded tastes. He knows she’s deep down good, not one of the countless starlets looking for a little fame pop with their action. See, Dillon’s driven to succeed. He needs these movies to go big time so he can bank enough money to support himself and Choo. Their parents have disowned them–well Choo anyway–for his ‘lifestyle’. Choo’s parents had previously subjected him to radical deprogramming therapy to “cure” his homosexuality–and it nearly killed him–something Dillon will never let happen again. So he’s All In on the image-building. The bigger his paydays the better he can protect Choo, after all.
Yet, he’s desperately drawn to Lane, and she to him. For her the security of their home: Dillon, Choo and their housekeeper, is something she hasn’t had for a bit. She has no siblings and her mom just died…so Choo’s friendship is a balm, even if Dillon’s attitude flexes between frostbite and thermonuclear. And, yeah, it does get hot.
But admitting that they want each other isn’t the hardest part. No, the hardest part is Dillon keeping up his Charade of Sexiness when Lane holds his heart. And, the hard truths of the glamour business are enough to send Lane packing back to Kansas…to save herself, and any shred of a career she might want when she graduates next spring.
It’s a satisfying read. Good smexytimes. Excellent tension. A insider’s look at the PR machine that is Hollywood. Some (rather) implausible scenarios that ultimately bring the naive Lane and the aloof Dillon into each other’s embrace, but it’s a romance so we’re all just as desperate to have them reach the HEA as they are… If you like Celebrity Romance (Think: Jasinda Wilder’s STRIPPED, Sasha Summers’ HOLLYWOOD EVER AFTER, or Beck Anderson’s FIX YOU) you will not be disappointed.
Interested? You can find HARD GLAMOUR on Goodreads, Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
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.
You can find Maggie on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or Pinterest.
***GIVEAWAY***
Click on the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win
one of 10 Print copies of Hard Glamour – US/Canada
or one of 10 eBook copies of Hard Glamour – International
Good luck, and as always, keep reading my friends!
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.
***GIVEAWAY***
Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win
1 $100 USD Gift Card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble – International
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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***
Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win
one of 2 Signed bundles (includes signed copies of Back to You, Emancipating Andie and Coming Home), plus bookmarks and swag – International
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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!)
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.
***GIVEAWAY***
Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win
one of six (six) ebook copies of THE NAKED EDGE.
Giveaway Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck, and keep reading my friends!
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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Tragically WRECKED–Review
Hi there, and welcome to my stop on the WRECKED blog tour sponsored by AToMR Book Tours. For other stops on the tour click here. Today’s book is a mature New Adult romance by USA Today Bestselling Author Priscilla West. A review copy of this book was obtained through NetGalley.
Book Description:
Two years ago, Lorrie’s mother was murdered. But that wasn’t the end of it. Reeling from the tragedy, Lorrie’s father spiraled into alcohol, depression, and finally suicide.
The two most important people in Lorrie’s life are both gone but she’s still alive.
Trying to recover from the tragedy, Lorrie returns to campus, ready to pick up the pieces of her life. All Lorrie wants is to get back to “normal.”
Then she meets Hunter. The man, the legend, “The Hammer.”
Hunter is a cage fighter who takes on every fight like he’s got nothing to lose. His life is a tangled mess of girls, booze, and fist fights. And while it may seem like he’s got a devil-may-care attitude, he’s fighting a private cage-match with a monster he can’t defeat.
Lorrie knows that Hunter is exactly the type of guy she should stay away from, especially in her fragile state, but Hunter has other ideas.
As Hunter and Lorrie grow closer together, will they be able to overcome their pain and heal each other? Or will they both end up wrecked?
My Review:
I’ve read a lot of New Adult lately, and WRECKED is in the upper tier. I was able to connect to Lorrie’s character–a girl striving to overcome her personal tragedy, even if it means shutting off her emotions for a while.
And that means love, too.
Meeting Hunter was a complete accident, but the connection is strong. Lorrie isn’t able to commit to any kind of relationship, but she does agree to be friends with Hunter. On such a small college campus gossip runs heavy, in this tale. I’m not sure how realistic that is, but Hunter’s a minor celebrity due to his brawling and womanizing and Lorrie’s infamous for her personal tragedy. It’s not hard to believe that some people would notice their friendship. I had a bit of trouble believing that Lorrie would encounter so many conversations on which to eavesdrop, however. That seemed a bit too convenient, IMHO.
While she hesitates to invest her heart, Lorrie also can’t completely ignore the connections that are developing between herself and Hunter. The jealousy is strong with this gal. As is the fear of losing yet another loved one. She does however develop the strength to be vulnerable allowing she and Hunter to experience a satisfaction neither had known before.
Then, Hunter disappears. At the exact moment Lorrie really needs him he’s all Radio Silence. When she does find him it’s in the company of his former girlfriend–and he seemingly values that gal’s feelings more than Lorrie’s. Emotionally adrift and academically floundering Lorrie decides to take care of herself the best she can–by leaving Arrowhart. We get a POV shift that allows Hunter to reveal all the gory details of his AWoL-ishness, and it’s a bit heavy-handed. I’d have liked SOME breadcrumbs in Lorrie’s POV that might have given the reader an inkling of what Hunter had going on. The book ends on a less-than-satisfying resolution and (arguably extreme) cliffhanger.
The book features a lot of raw talk, and some raw scenes. It’s recommended for readers over age 18. For my own self, I wish the pacing had been a little faster. Lorrie is an emotional mess, true, and at times she felt too self-centered, too worried about what others thought about her. The POV shift was jarring to me. If we were going to get Hunter’s POV–which I would have loved BTW–I would have appreciated it far sooner than the last 40 pages. I’m on a bit of a kick lately reading books that have a decidedly British vibe, although the setting/characters are American heartland. Diction and grammar constructs in WRECKED lead me to the same conclusion. That reduces my enjoyment of the story a bit, though it may not bother other readers as much.
Interested? You can find WRECKED at Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. The sequel, RESCUED, is due out in early 2014.
About the Author
Priscilla West is the author of the popular Surrender series. She likes to write stories with sassy heroines and strong but flawed heroes. She enjoys: cuddles, men in suits, eskimo kisses, life-sized teddy bears, and eggs over medium.
You can find Priscilla at her website and Facebook.
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.
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.
Here’s where to find her:
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V's Reads... 