Monday, March 31, 2014

Cover Reveal & Giveaway ~ MELTED & SHATTERED by Emily Eck


Cover Reveal  

Melted & Shattered by Emily Eck


Melted & Shattered (L & J #2)
By: Emily Eck
Publication Date: April 21, 2014
Genre: Romance/Trilogy
Cover Designer: Melody Simmons


Synopsis

Elle was never broken.
She wasn't shattered.
And she sure as hell never needed to be saved.
That is,
until she found out what the aftermath of love was capable of causing.

Doing her best to stay afloat amidst the sh!t storm that has become her life, Elle is hanging on by a thread. Between worrying about Fernie’s precarious future, an incident with a Shemar Moore look-alike gone terribly wrong, and an inability to let go of her feelings for J, Elle just can’t seem to get her head straight.

Deciding a change of atmosphere is what she needs, Elle heads to Mexico to study abroad for a semester.

She has no idea that she is walking into an even worse storm.

One that involves a pissed off MC President, a ruthless drug cartel, and a man willing to die to have her light.

***This is the 2nd book in the series L&J – cannot be read as a stand-alone***

Purchase Links

Steel & Ice (L&J #1)


J Speaks (L&J #1.5)


Excerpt

“I came here, baby, to tell you I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.”  He inhaled sharply, but said in an even voice. “And I can’t lose you before the greatest fight I will ever wage.”

Redemption. Could I absolve him? I lay in a hospital bed for two weeks. All of it at his hands. I’d been marred, though the scar on my skin was not the worst damage. It was a reminder of the scar I’d carried inside. Could he erase that scar? Could he heal a wound one could not see?

There was silence, deafening silence. I tried to keep it together. I used every ounce of energy I had to keep the fire at a low flame, but it blazed through me. He would’ve shot my kid, and I couldn’t let that happen. These kids, they’d become my lifeline. My light.

“Without those kids, I’m just as dark as you.” I said emotionlessly, empty. These last few weeks of pretending during the day, only to come home and sob until sleep graced me was maddening. “I’ve got nothing left to give you, J. Nothing.”

 I hung my head, losing the fight with the tears that had been threatening to erupt since J arrived. “I can’t be your light, when I have none.”

We lay on the floor, two damaged bodies searching for the light. J pulled my head into his hands, bringing us face to face. I could feel his breath against my lips. “You were a comet that bust into my life out of no where” he whispered. “I begged for you. On my knees in the dirt, I groveled to the sky to bring me light. And there you were, at Eight Oh Eight, staring up at me, even though I knew you couldn’t see through the window. I saw you, though. Elle, I saw you long before you saw me.”

“How could I love a killer?”

“How much pain was worth loving this man?

“Please, baby. Please. I need you. I love you. I can’t go into this without knowing you’ll be here when I return.”
“I’m not sure what to say. I want to tell you I’ll wait. That I’ll be here, waiting like a good girl for you. I want to because I love you. Fuck, I love you.” I turned, finally ready to look him in the eye. “I don’t know where I’ll be. I can’t tell you that. But I can tell you that I love the fuck out of you, and no matter how much I try to stop,” I paused. Fuck this mother fucker. Fuck! God, why was he doing this to me? Angry tears, sad tears, hopeless tears, tears filled with longing fell from my eyes. J caught then with his thumb, but there were too many. They ran over his fingers like a waterfall.

“Fuck, J. I don’t want you to die.”
He pulled me to him, and I inhaled his scent. I’d never be able to smell Acqua di mother fucking Gio again and not think of him. Today it was mixed with the smell of exhaust, like he’d been riding around all night. For what felt like the gazillionth time, I crumbled into his arms. How did two times come to be a number exponentially higher?


“I don’t want to die, baby. I want to fall asleep next to you. I want to wake up next to you. I’m fighting this war for you. To be with you.”


Teasers

 

Author Bio


Emily is a Midwestern Gal, but could be anywhere as you read this. She gypsy's the country, as well as south of the border. Adventure feeds her soul, and offers great writing material.

She loves kids and working with kids, but can only handle caring for four-legged furry friends. A crazy dog and laid back cat have trained her to be their partner in life.

Vices include Swedish Fish, ignoring chores in favor of reading, and caring too much for people in her life. She chose to write this bio in third person as she is an Aries, and found writing in first person ended up with her writing an excessively long life story.

Aries like to talk about themselves. It is something Emily is working on being more mindful of.

Connect with Emily



GIVEAWAY

Leave a comment on my Blog, Facebook or Twitter pages by April 16th to be entered to win an ebook copy of Steel & Ice (L&J #1)!!

Friday, March 28, 2014

Cover Reveal & Giveaway ~ LOVE ALWAYS, KATE by D. Nichole King


Coming April 2014...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20942357-love-always-kate

addtogoodreads

SYNOPSIS

Dear Diary,

Leukemia’s been my life since I was eleven. Now, six years later, I want my life back. Only I’m not sure what that is. The test results came back today. 22,000. Which means I’m officially out of remission—again. I have three options:
 
1) Another round of chemo.
2) A super-new experimental drug.
3) Dump it all— forget the meds and treatments and enjoy the time I have left.

I think I know what I want. Then, in walks Damian, changing everything.
 
I mean, everything…
 
He’s got his own set of issues. It binds us together, you know? We understand what it’s like to lose what matters most in seconds. Still, the last thing I need is to have someone else to crush if I can’t fight hard enough. And the last thing he needs is someone else to grieve.

Never mind. I’m down to two options now.
 
Somehow I know that whichever one I choose, the result will be the same. With the sand in my hourglass seeping to the bottom, I hope there’s enough left to show Damian that life’s worth living.
 
Worth fighting for. Worth dying for.
 
Love Always,
Kate


ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Born and raised in Iowa, d. Nichole King writes her stories close to home. There’s nothing like small-town Midwest scenery to create the perfect backdrop for an amazing tale.

She wrote her first book in junior high and loved every second of it. However, she couldn’t bring herself to share her passion with anyone. She packed it away until one day, with the encouragement of her husband, she sat down at the computer and began to type. Now she can’t stop.

When not writing, d. is usually curled up with a book, scrapbooking, or doing yet another load of laundry.

Along with her incredible husband, she lives in small-town Iowa with her four adorable children and their dog, Peaches.

CONNECT WITH D. NICHOLE KING

GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review & Giveaway ~ LIE BY NIGHT by Cathy Marlowe



Synopsis 
When Emma Bailey’s brother disappears, leaving her in possession of dangerous information, there’s no one she can turn to for help. Her desperate search for her brother leads her to a remote island where she discovers the one man who can help her is a man she can’t trust.

Cole Stevens is on a mission to bring down the drug mastermind who threatens to destroy the lives of his family. His plans take an unexpected turn when Emma runs head first into his investigation. Not only is she a danger to his heart, but her brother is one of his key suspects.

Cole and Emma reluctantly join forces to unravel a web of deceit that reaches deeper into their lives than either had imagined. As the lies unravel they will be forced to choose between fear of betrayal and their willingness to put their emotions on the line in order to save the people they love.

Can their web of lies protect them from the truth?

Review
   Emma’s brother Jacob has been missing a week when she receives a letter stating that if she wants to find her brother, she must travel deep into forest of Dark Island in the South Pacific.  While she knows she is not truly capable of a rescue mission, she has no choice.  Jacob told her to trust no one in his last communication to her and that is what she must do.  So with very few supplies, she makes her way to the island in hopes of saving her brother.    
    Cole is a total badass who works top secret missions and has been staking out the island in hopes of bringing down one of the largest cartels and their boss.  He has planted explosives in the only building on the island to draw out anyone around.  The last person he expects to see is Emma.  When she gets too close to the building he rushes in to save her and thus begins their fight to get off the island alive.
    When Emma tells Cole why she was there, he can’t believe she risked her life like that.  He vows to help her because in helping her, he hopes to uncover more information about the man he is after.  He believes Jacob may know something and may be possibly working on the wrong side of the law.  Thus begins their journey to find Jacob and hopefully bring down someone evil. 
    The more time they spend together, the more they have a hard time denying their attraction to each other.  They initially met six months prior and it did not end well, so they are both hesitate to go forward in any capacity.  The sexual tension between these two radiate off the pages and in the end is too much for either of them to ignore.  Neither one of them are ready for a long term relationship, but they keep finding it hard to stay away for each other.  The more they are put in danger, the closer they become.
    Will they get their HEA?  Will they ever find Jacob or who sent Emma the letter?  Will they be able to escape the long reach of a dangerous man?  To find out, you will need to get the book.  You will not be disappointed. 
     The story kept me on the edge of my seat and had so many twists, that I found it hard to put down.  You truly did not know what to expect next, the characters I thought were good/bad were just the opposite.  If you love suspense mixed in with your romance, this is the book for you.  It was easy to fall in love with Emma and Cole and you just hoped everything would work out for them.  This story was a really good read and I look forward to reading more from this new author!         

Book Links
Goodreads     Amazon    Barnes & Noble    EP 


Author Bio
   Cathy lives in Missouri with a huge chocolate lab whose crazy antics occasionally appear in her books. She’s blessed with a supportive husband and three wonderful children. When not writing, she coaches soccer and works to create a safe world for children. She loves dark chocolate mint M&Ms accompanied by a steaming mug of coffee, and smart stories that touch the heart while making you laugh, cry and stay up all night turning pages.
  When her children were young, she wrote stories for them. Her daughter encouraged her to pursue publication, presenting her with a card that read “God is cheering for you and so am I.” This sign of support has been a source of inspiration for her throughout her writing career.
   She believes in the power of each of us to change the world, by word and by deed, in big ways and small.
   Her first published novel, Lie by Night, was a winner in the Entangled Smackdown Competition held during National Novel Writer’s Month. A romantic thriller, Lie by Night will be available in March 2014.
 
Blog: To Come
Twitter: @Cathy_Marlowe

Giveaway

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Cover Reveal & Giveaway ~ IN SPADES by K. Pinson

Coming April 2014...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17510975-in-spades

addtogoodreads

SYNOPSIS

* In Spades (Book #1 in the Mirrored Series) *

Avalynn has been running from her past for a couple of years now....never very far…but extremely fast.

With an alcoholic father, a void of a mother, and a town full of gossip, she struggles to find her place in the world.

The only thing that saved her from her own path of self-destruction was her beautiful little sister, her miracle, Abby.

Desperately trying to save Abby she plots to take her away, yet the plan goes dangerously astray…leaving Avalynn beaten and broken in what once was the hallway mirror in her childhood home.

Abby is the only thing she cares about...until she meets him…

The man that can shatter her entire world with one glance.

Their relationship is roller coaster ride from start to finish. One that Avalynn never wants to get off of, but she may not have a choice.

Her happily ever after is coming to a screeching halt yet again…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


23 Years Young.

Manager for an assisted living program working with mentally challenged adults.

Currently pursuing my degree in Music Therapy.

Loves Music, writing and reading.

Has a cockapoo dog named Jezebella that is closest thing I have to a child. 
She's a handful, but I love her.

Currently resides in Michigan, USA.

Addicted to Lip Gloss, Oreos and Sleep.

CONNECT WITH K PINSON

* Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads *

GIVEAWAY
 

Review & Giveaway ~ 8 WEEKS by Bethany Lopez



Title: 8 Weeks
Series: Time For Love #1
Author: Bethany Lopez
Release Date: March 24, 2014

Summary

Is eight weeks enough time to earn back the love of someone you've betrayed...the only one you've ever loved?

Shelly has been in love with Cal since they started dating in eleventh grade. Despite everyone saying that the odds were against them, they got married after graduation and built a life together. Now, six years later, she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. Devastated, her first instinct is to call it quits…

After a drunken binge at his best friends’ bachelor party, Cal betrays the one person who has always been there for him, his wife, Shelly. Terrified and realizing she might divorce him, Cal must come up with a way to prove to her that his love is true…

Cal asks Shelly for eight weeks. Eight weeks to convince her that their marriage is worth the fight. Will Shelly be able to trust him again, or will their marriage end the way many others do when faced with opposition… In divorce?

8 Weeks is book 1 in the Time for Love series, but can be read as a stand alone.

Review

     Cal and Shelly have been together for eight years, six of which they have been married.   They have a great marriage and love each other deeply.  Neither one could imagine their life without the other one by their side.  So when Cal’s best friend has his bachelor’s party in Vegas, it is a no brainer that he is going to go and Shelly will have no issues with it.  On the last night, Cal ends up smashed and doesn't remember anything the next morning.  While he is trying to piece together his night, a blonde steps out of his bathroom and throws his world into a spin.  Cal can’t believe what happened, he loves Shelly with all his heart and can’t believe he committed the biggest mistake of his life.
    Cal knows he has to tell Shelly when he returns, he just hopes she will forgive him.  When he walks in, Shelly realizes something is wrong, but never thinks her life is going to change so quickly.  When Cal tells her what happened, she leaves him and goes to her father's house.  When she finally talks to Cal she tells him she wants a divorce.  Cal begs her to give him 8 weeks to prove that he loves her and their relationship is worth it. 
     This book is one mans journey to prove to his wife that she is the only one he will ever love.  Cal doesn’t want a divorce and will go to any lengths to win Shelly’s love again.  Each week Cal steps outside of his comfort zone to be a better man and strengthen their relationship.  During those eight weeks, Cal has to come to terms with what might happen if his dates don’t work. 
     This is truly a good read.  It sucks you right from the beginning and you can’t wait to see what Cal has planned next.   You can’t help but feel for both of them.  You know Shelly feels betrayed by the only man she has ever loved and doesn’t know if she can ever forgive him.  Cal is tormented by what happened and doesn’t feel like he can live without Shelly.  This is one couples journey to regain their love, trust and future. 
     The story was very well written and I really enjoyed it.  The supporting characters were wonderful and made the story that much more enjoyable.  I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, 21 DAYS, to see what is going to what is going to happen between T.J. and Sasha.  I also can’t wait for a book about Scott and Gabby.  Don’t miss out on this book, get your copy today!!

Excerpt
“I’m sorry, I don’t want to make it harder, and I don’t want to fight with you,” I implored. “But I will fight for you, Shelly. Give me a chance to.”
           She was shaking her head again, and a plan formulated in my mind.
           “Give me eight weeks,” I said desperately.
           “I’m not going to live with you for eight weeks, Cal.”
           “No, I get that,” I responded. “Give me eight Saturdays. Eight dates where it’s just the two of us. Give me time to show you why we're so good together, and that I’m willing to bend and compromise to make our marriage work.”
           Shelly looked at me thoughtfully.
           “Why eight?”
           “One week for each year that we’ve been together.”


Links:

Displaying 1111111111111.jpg

About Bethany:
Award-Winning Author Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in June 2011. Since then she has published various YA and NA books. She is a lover of romance, family, and friends, and enjoys incorporating those things in what she writes. When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible.


Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Review & Giveaway ~ YOU AGAIN by Ashlee Mallory


Synopsis: 

A hopeless crush…

Back in high school, Allie McBride thought the sun set around Sam Fratto’s smiles, even if they were only friends. Now she’s older, wiser, hotter, and teaching at the same school they grew up in. When Sam joins the faculty, she has a chance to make good on the crush that got away. But when a dead body turns up on school grounds, they realize there might be a murderer in their midst. The heat keeps getting hotter between Allie and Sam, but more might be in danger than their hearts…

The cute kid from high school is all grown up…

A family crisis brings true-crime writer Sam Fratto back to town after more than a decade’s absence. Teaching at his alma mater seems like a good way to pass the time—especially when he sees that Allie, the geeky, sweet-mannered girl from high school, has blossomed into the saucy teacher in the classroom next door. Too bad finding a dead body transforms his return into one of his true-crime books come to life. And when it seems the killer might be after Allie next, it’s up to him to keep her safe…

A killer determined to keep the past buried at any price…

As if dealing with the return of one ghost from her past wasn’t enough, it looks like the killer might be the person they least suspected. Someone from the past. Someone with something to hide. Someone who thinks Allie and Sam are getting a little too close to the truth. If Allie and Sam are going to get out of this alive, these two friends to lovers will have to work together…or die together…

Review

     When Allie’s high school crush comes back into her life and ends up working at the school with her, her world is turned is upside down.  She can’t believe Sam is back and looking better than ever.  How is she going to be able to function around him?  He was everything to her back then and he didn't even know she existed. 
     Sam has come back to his old high school to fill in for a teacher who has retired.  He is also back to help take care if his sick mother.  What he doesn't expect to find is a girl from his past all grown up.  Allie is sassy, spunky and sexy as hell.

“When I remember what you were like, I remember a fresh-faced young girl, hopeful and smart and sweet.  Maybe a tad on the young side for me.”  His eyes twinkled.  “Then.  But with a good heart and infinite possibility.” ~ Sam

     The school has just begun construction on a peace garden when workers find a body.  The person is identified as a former teacher and Allie is spearheading an effort to create a memorial for him.  However, when she starts digging through old videos, someone tries to kill her. As Allie and Sam try to find out who would want her dead and why, their chemistry is heating up.

Oh, Lord.  His mouth felt glorious, as did the thrumming pleasure that radiated low in her belly.  Much, much lower.  She opened her mouth instinctively to his warmth.  And although this was a moment she’d imagined many times –and would like to be able to replay many times more –she was helpless to the fluttering of her eyelids as they closed.  Leaving her to savor the whirling emotions building inside her. ~ Allie

     If you are looking for a second chance love story with some suspense and funny banter mixed in, this is the story for you.  I couldn't help but root for Sam and Allie to be together.  I mean, who hasn't dreamed of a second chance with the hunk from high school?  As for the suspense, I have to admit, I did not suspect the person responsible for everything until right before it was revealed.   And let’s just say that I was holding my breath for Allie to be ok. 
     The story was well written and I thought the development of the characters was just right.  I would love to have story about Allie’s sister, Laney and hopefully a HEA for her.  I highly recommend that you add this book to your TBR list today!!        


Book Links:  
Author Bio: 

Ashlee lives with her husband, two kids, a dog, and cat surrounded by the majestic mountains of her hometown of Salt Lake.

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, she always wanted to know what it was like to live on the other side of the mountains. In college, she interned a semester in DC and later attended law school in Syracuse, New York, where she also ventured to Israel for a summer semester. After graduating law school with a taste of what it’s like living in the bigger world, she moved back home to Salt Lake and took the Utah Bar Exam, got married, and settled in with her hubby and two wonderful kids. After a few more years in the legal realm, she grew restless and turned her pen to one of her first loves—writing stories.

Currently, when she’s not working the day job as in-house counsel, she spends her time with the family and squeezing in writing time—anything to avoid the housekeeping. Just kidding, honey! ;)

She writes with romance and humor at the heart of every story—and a healthy dash of mystery and suspense.

Hopefully she pulls it off.

Email: Ashleemallory7@gmail.com
Website: http://www.ashleemallory.com/

Review & Giveaway ~ TOUCHED by Vicki Green







Book: Touched
Author: Vicki Green
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Jade Morley was not your average stripper. Her rules. Her way. No sex. Touching only. 

D.J. Sexy Lady by day, Stripper Angel by night, her life became one with no emotions, no heart and no soul until one night he walked in.

Knox Dunway has one thing. Money. Women throw themselves at him every day and he takes what he wants, when he wants but there’s no feeling, no love and no commitment. He wants more. Growing tired of trying to find ‘the one’ he walks into a strip club one night and everything changes.

Will Jade ever give in to her heart or will her survivor instincts always win?

*Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.




Review

     This story sucks you in right from the beginning and doesn't let up.  Once I started it, I found it hard to put down.  Jade is a stripper who has her own room at a private club, but she has strict rules.  NO SEX! ONLY TOUCHING! NO BEATING OR ABUSE!  While she is not crazy about her job, it helps to pay the bills along with her other job as a DJ.  She doesn't believe she deserves anything better in life and is content for things to stay the way they are.  She has no clue her world is about to get turned upside down. 
     Knox is a very successful man and he didn't get there by not going after what he wants.  And currently, what he wants is Jade.  From the first time he sees her at the gym, she is all he can think about.  He feels a connection to her that he doesn't understand.  When he finds out she works as a stripper, he lets her know that she will only be stripping for him from now on.  He doesn't expect her to resist him and their chemistry. 
     When Knox rescues Jade from an abusive customer, he brings her back to his place to heal.  Jade doesn't know what to expect from him as she has never had anyone stand up for her and take care of her before.  Soon, they can’t deny that they are meant to be together and decide to move forward in their relationship.  However, someone from Jade’s past doesn't want her to be happy and will stop at nothing to make sure in the end she dies.
     Will Knox be able to save her yet again?  Will Jade have time to tell him what she discovers about their mutual past before it is to late?  In order to get those answers, you MUST get this book.  It is truly a great read and I could not put it down.  Jade has so much heartache in her life, that you just want her to finally get a HEA.  Knox, OMG, he is so strong, loving and will not give up on them.  You honestly couldn't ask for a better man. 
     This story has such angst, that there are times my heart hurt for both of them.  I will give a warning though, if you have trouble reading anything about child abuse or rape, this will be a tough read.  However, it is worth it.  I think the writer did a great job in telling the story and I loved how both Knox and Jade were able to come to terms with their past.  Don’t miss out on this great read, make sure to get your copy today!       
Purchase links:


Playlist:



Teasers!






About the author:
Vicki Green


Vicki Green grew up in Overland Park, Kansas and currently resides in Olathe, Kansas. Along with her husband and two teenage boys, she shares her home with her cocker spaniel's Shadow and Mocha. She has been working full time at the same Company for 35 years. Her life has been filled with the most loving and caring parents, who are both gone now but are still in her heart and mind daily.

Vicki enjoys reading Romance books which is what inspired her to begin writing this book. She has always admired Author's dedication and hard work. She had a dream that played out for over a year, came home one day after work and decided to put it on a word document to see how it read and that became 'My Savior Forever', the beginning of her Forever Series.


Social media links:




GIVEAWAY!



Tour hosted by: