Happy Release + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Unexpected Fate by Harper Sloan – Hope Town Series – Book 1 – A Spin off of Corp Security Series

Posted on 02/17/2015 by shellbellereads

Unexpected Fate

By Harper Sloan

Release Date: February 17, 2015

Synopsis

Have you ever felt like you were living your life for a future that was predetermined? Like there was some bigger picture you just prayed you would someday see clearly? That picture has been crystal clear to me since I was old enough to recognize it for just what it was.

Or I should say recognize him for who he was.

I’ve loved Cohen Cage since I was a small child. He’s been my everything for the last twenty-two years. I’ve loved him through every girlfriend he’s ever brought home. Through his college years and then mine. I’ve loved him through two deployments. And ever since the day I told him how I felt, he’s acted like I’m a stranger.

My name is Danielle Reid, and it’s time for me to get my man.

Our future is an unexpected fate, and no matter what our parents, siblings, and friends say…it’s going to be worth every second of the fight to make it happen.

**This book is a standalone, HEA, with mature themes and sexual situations**

Buy : Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Unexpected Fate by Harper Sloan

Excerpt

“Dani-girl.” His voice, that rich rumble of masculine excellence, washes over me and I shiver again before cursing under my breath. The rumble of his low laughter tells me that he definitely didn’t miss that little move.

Kill me now.

“Hey, Coh,” I say with a smile. “What brings you in? Last minute, I might add.” I pat the chair before walking around and holding the back while he sits down.

When his scent hits my nose, I almost come on the spot. Lord, he smells good. I wonder what he would smell like while his body covered mine, all sweaty from hours of good lovemaking. I run my fingers through the longer lengths on the top and feel my cheeks heat slightly, thinking about doing the same when his face is buried between my legs.

“…needed a trim.”

Shit. I missed what he said because, naturally, I was thinking about him naked. Naked and thrusting into my body. Naked and feasting between my spread thighs.

“You feeling okay? I thought Nate said you were better?”

“Uh, I’m fine. Just—is it hot in here?” I fan my face and avoid his eyes.

He’s silent, so I take that as a sign that it’s safe to bring my attention back to him.

Big mistake there. His knowing eyes are boring right into mine. The chocolate depths sparkling in a way that makes it clear he has a good idea about where my mind was going.

“Did you hear what I said, Dani-girl?”

“Of course I did, Cohen. What, did you think I was standing here daydreaming?” I joke.

“Well, yeah, that’s exactly what I think.” His eyes darken and he smirks a devilish grin. “Did you know you talk in your sleep, Dani?” he asks, and I drop my comb.

Oh, God. Shut up, shut up, shut up. This is not happening. No way.

“No, I don’t,” I childishly snap.

“Dani, you do. So, yeah, I do think you were standing there daydreaming. Want to know why?” He uses his booted foot to move his chair so that he’s facing me, and then he leans in so that his face is dangerously close to mine. Even when he’s seated, his head is almost level with my own. Curse my horizontally challenged self. “While you were zoning off into space with your fingers running through my hair, you had this smile on your lips. The same smile you had the other day when you were dreaming. About me, Dani. And don’t deny it, because you don’t moan my name if you’re dreaming about another man. Yes, Dani, you very much do talk in your sleep.” He smiles again before leaning back and looking down to his phone. “Clean up my neck please, cut the length off the top, and give me a buzz on the sides. Other than that, you’re clear to continue with your thoughts.”

I must have been standing there like an idiot because he looks up from his phone, laughs to himself, and, with one tan hand, reaches out and pushes my mouth closed.

“You’re going to catch flies that way, Dani-girl. One day, maybe you can clue me in on what those dreams are about.”

Drives me insane, the control he has over me. There isn’t a single person in the world, other than Cohen, who can turn me into a ridiculously stupid, sputtering fool. My normal confidence disappears. And clearly, he isn’t as oblivious to my feelings as I originally thought.

How in the hell am I supposed to handle this?

Wait a minute. Cohen or not, I’m not going to let him pull my strings when I know he is just doing this to make me feel uncomfortable.

So, time to call his bluff.

“Why? You planning on doing something about it?”

He looks up sharply, clearly not having expected me to actually say something in return since he was going for shock value.

“Try me,” he demands, his voice thick and even deeper than normal.

I throw my head back and reach out to run my fingers thought his hair again, just barely suppressing the shivers. Curling my fingers slightly so that I can grab a good hold, I lean in and pull his head back at the same time. With my nose just a hair away from his and our breaths mingling together, I say, “Cohen, you couldn’t handle the truth of my thoughts when it comes to you and we both know it. So how about you let me know when you’re ready for me to clue you in.” I give his hair a light tug and smile when he swallows loudly and shifts in his seat. “Ready for that trim?” I ask with a wink, and I’m rewarded with his groan.

I have no idea how I do it, but I manage to get through his cut without coming unglued. I can see Lyn trying to get my attention from across the room. Stella had to leave after she overheard my words to Cohen because her giggles were getting the best of her. Cohen has remained silent the whole time. His eyes though… They’re speaking louder than his words ever could.

They haven’t left my reflection in the mirror since I started. I can feel them every time I shift. When I stopped to go grab another comb after I dropped my fourth one, I felt his gaze follow me across the room to Stella’s station. The few times I stopped cutting to meet his eyes, the heated promise written all over his face almost did me in. I almost just said ‘fuck it’ and climbed on his lap to have a go regardless of the people watching our every move.

I finish the last buzz of my clippers around his right ear and move to brush all the stray hair off. “All done,” I say softly and unclip his cape.

He stands, shoving his phone in the back pocket of his jeans, and walks over to stand in front of me. I continue to pretend I’m busy with the cape I just removed, brushing stray hairs off here and there, when his hand comes up, his finger and thumb hitting my chin, and my face is lifted until I have no choice but to look in his eyes.

“Do not tease me, Dani. It’s not a game you want to play if you don’t intend to follow through.”

“I-I wasn’t… I wouldn’t,” I stammer.

“You did, and I have no doubt you’ll have the brilliant idea to do it again. The next time you allude to those dirty thoughts I know you have about me, don’t think for a second that I won’t drag you to the closest bed to show you just how fucking dirty they’ll get.” He leans close, his scent hitting my nostrils, and I involuntarily inhale deeply, earning me a rumbled chuckle. “What you don’t know, Dani—because contrary to what you think, you don’t know me well enough to assume what having me would really be like. But I promise you this: every little thought that you have had that causes you to moan my name while scissoring those perfect legs back and forth, praying for completion—it would be so much hotter than you could ever imagine.” He gives me a soft, sweet kiss against my temple that has fire racing from that spot all over my body until it ends in the awareness that I’m pretty sure I just came in my pants.

Michel’s Review

If you are a fan of Harper Sloan’s Corp Security Series you are going to love Unexpected Fate. If you have not read any of Harper Sloan’s books or the Corp Security Series, Unexpected Fate, book one in the new series Hope Town, is a good place to start. I can guarantee you will want to go back and read Axel, the book that started it all.

Unexpected Fate is the first book in the Hope Town series. It is a spin off from Corp Security series. It is a very mature, graphic New Adult series that features the children of the Corp Security clan and their world.

Unexpected Fate features Cohen Cage, the adorable three year boy that always wore a cape. We met him in Cage (book 2) and he stole our hearts. Now he is all grown up and living up to his legacy, Alpha Male the Corp Security way. He has bided his time and waited for the one woman that has been his soulmate all his life. He has been waiting for Danielle Reid, daughter of EXTREME Alpha Male, Axel Reid (book one-the Alpha that started it all). The timing has never been right. Their five year age difference set their lives on different paths. Now their paths are finally colliding and destiny is taking control.

Dani and Cohen will have to overcome a lot of hurdles before they can finally declare their love to the world and become the couple they were meant to be. They will have to conquer ALPHA-DADDY Axel, who will keep his “little princess” locked in a tower forever. They will have to keep a lid on their relationship so that the other Alpha Princes and “Little Princesses” don’t spill the beans. They will have to deal with reality tv that is “All Glitter and Gold” Sway Style. They will have to slay a Stalker Dragon. What happens next…besides ALPHA DADDY Axel having a coronary ?

The Alpha kingdom is being taken over by the Alpha Princes. The Little Princesses are stepping out and shaking their money makers. They are going to shake the Alpha Corp Security Kingdom and make it their world. We are going to see Alpha granddaddies, Queen-nannas, and a new dynasty to rule the Corp Security Kingdom. Our new Alpha Knights in shining armor will slay any dragon that threatens their Beautiful Princesses. New royalty will be introduced and their world will live on….

As our favorite magical Fairy Sway would say ” There’s new love that’s pure Glitter and Gold”.

I loved how Harper Sloan has added a new dynasty to the Corps Security world. I love how she is giving these seasoned Alpha’s a new foe to conquer….AGE! I love how she’s breathing new life into one of our favorite fictional worlds. I love that she is letting Sway wave his magic wand and giving us more Golden characters to love with all of our hearts. He has spun a road of Glitter & Gold for the Corp Security to have a new Hope Town.

Read Unexpected Fate… it will not disappoint!

About Harper Sloan

Harper lives in small town Georgia just a short drive from her hometown of Peachtree City. She (and her 3 daughters) enjoy ruling the house they dubbed ‘Estrogen Ocean’, much to her husbands chagrin. Harper has a borderline unhealthy obsession with books; you can almost ALWAYS find her with her eReader attached. She enjoys bad reality TV and cheesy romantic flicks. Her favorite kind of hero–the super alpha kind!

Harper started using writing as a way to unwind when the house went to sleep at night; and with a house full of crazy it was the perfect way to just relax. It didn’t take long before a head full of very demanding alphas would stop at nothing to have their story told.

told.Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

GIVEAWAY
$50 Gift Card (2 Winners)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Release + Giveaway : Becoming The Whiskey Princess by Toni Aleo- Taking Risks Series – Book 2

Posted on 02/17/2015 by shellbellereads

Becoming The Whiskey Princess

Taking Risks Series – Book 2

By Toni Aleo

Synopsis

For better or worse, for richer or poorer, ‘til almost death do they part…
Amberlyn Reilly took a risk and found a new life in Ireland. She did something drastic and jumped in front of a loaded gun for the one she knew she couldn’t lose. And with her mother’s last request, she did more than fall in love. She fell into Declan O’Callaghan—with her eyes wide open and her damaged heart and soul leading the way.
When Irish-born Declan O’Callaghan spotted Amberlyn across the lake, he knew his life was about to change. And it did. Now he has everything he’s ever dreamed of —he’s marrying for love, and with that love, the family distillery will now be his as long as he marries before the deadline.
Things are moving fast. It’s now or never. And as their beautiful relationship grows, time is something these two don’t have a lot of. Declan’s and Amberlyn’s souls are tightly tethered, but will the questions and second thoughts of others prevent them from having a life they’ve both only begun to dream of? Will family and the obligations that come with the O’Callaghan name push them to their breaking point? Or has the Whiskey Prince truly found his happily ever after taking Amberlyn as his Princess?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

On Sale For Limited Time

Whiskey Prince

Taking Risks Series – Book 1

Synopsis

Take a risk.
Do something drastic.
Fall in love.

When Amberlyn Reilly loses her mother, her whole world comes crashing down. Having been caretaker to her for most of her teenage years, Amberlyn is inexperienced in many aspects of life. She hasn’t had time to live, have fun, or enjoy even the little things. It’s only when a letter from her mother, asking her to fulfill three things, sends her off to Ireland to live a life she never thought possible that she begins to heal.

Declan O’Callaghan was born and raised in Ireland and has his family’s legendary whiskey in his veins. He’s shy and not a fan of the pressure and spotlight that comes with his family name, or the title he was given at birth—the Whiskey Prince. Declan knows just what he wants and that is to take over the family dynasty, but when his father gives him an ultimatum, everything he’s worked for could come undone in the blink of an eye.

With six months to get married, the reclusive Declan spots Amberlyn across a lake and instantly feels the need to know her. Soon, the two find themselves traveling down a path neither expected. However, like any road, there are bumps and side streets to derail them. Can Declan help find the pieces that will make Amberlyn whole again? And will Amberlyn stay or run when she learns of Declan’s deadline of marriage?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

About Toni Aleo

Toni Aleo is the author of the Nasvhille Assassins series: Taking Shots, Trying to Score, Empty Net, Falling for the Backup, and Blue Lines.

When not rooting for her beloved Nashville Predators, she’s probably going to her husband’s and son’s hockey games and her daughter’s dance competitions, taking pictures, scrap-booking, or reading the latest romance novel.

She lives in the Nashville area with her husband, two children, and a bulldog. Read more about Toni here.

Website – Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

GIVEAWAY!

Enter to win a $50 Gift Card to Amazon or B&N.
• Open international, as long as the gift card can be gifted to you via email.
• Contest ends Monday, February 24th.
• Winner will be announced on Toni Aleo’s Facebook, and via the Rafflecopter.
• Once the winner has been announced, winner has 48 hours to claim prize or else a new winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Release: Dirty Deeds by Karina Halle – Dirty Angels Trilogy – Book 2

Posted on 02/17/2015 by shellbellereads

Dirty Deeds

Dirty Angels Trilogy – Book 2

By Karina Halle

Synopsis

From The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of The Pact and Sins & Needles, comes the next standalone novel in the darkly romantic suspense Dirty Angels Trilogy – DIRTY DEEDS.

As a flight attendant, Alana Bernal has had her share of suitors. She’s also had more than her fair share of tragedy within her messed-up family. But what she hasn’t had is love. Real, rip-your-heart-out, tear-your-clothes-off, all-consuming love.

At least that was the case until she met an American tourist, Derek Conway, a ripped ex-soldier with steely eyes and a commanding presence.

What started as a chance encounter between the two in Puerto Vallarta, a weekend full of hot sex and mindless passion, has led to something more.

Something deadly.

Because Derek isn’t the type of man to fall in love. He’s not a man who sticks around.

And he’s definitely not in Mexico on vacation.

Derek is a mercenary, a killer-for-hire, a man who does the ugly jobs for the highest bidder.

Unfortunately for Alana and Derek, the highest bidder has the power to destroy whatever worlds they have created for themselves.

The highest bidder can destroy everything.

NOTE: this book follows Dirty Angels but can be read as a standalone. It has scenes of violence, harsh language and sexual situations. Not intended for those under 18.

Buy: Amazon

The Dirty Angels Trilogy

Dirty Angels

Dirty Angels Trilogy – Book 1

From the USA Today Bestselling author of Love, in English and The Artists Trilogy, comes a dark romance about a good girl and a very, very bad man. It’s a deliciously twisted take on forbidden love, set among the drug cartels of hot, steamy Mexico and is not for the faint of heart. It contains explicit sex, violence, abuse, drug use, bad language and sexy Mexicans. You have been warned…

For Luisa Chavez, a twenty-three year old former beauty queen, a better life has always been just out of her reach. Sure, she’s had men at her feet since she was a young teenager but she’s never had the one thing she’s craved – security. Having grown up in near poverty, her waitressing job in Cabo San Lucas can barely let her take care of herself, let alone her ailing parents. Every day is another unwanted advance, every day is a struggle to survive.

When Salvador Reyes, the depraved leader of a major Mexican cartel, takes an interest in her, Luisa is presented with an opportunity she can’t afford to pass up. She’ll become Salvador’s wife and exchange her freedom and body for a life of riches – riches she can bestow upon her deserving parents. But Luisa quickly finds out that even the finest wines and jewels can’t undo the ugliness in her marriage, nor the never-ending violence that threatens her every move.

Soon, Luisa is looking for an escape, a way out of the carefully controlled life she’s leading. She finally gets her wish in the worst way possible.

As it is, being the wife of Salvador makes her an ideal target for rival cartels and there’s one particular man who needs Luisa as part of his cartel’s expansion. One particular man whose quest for power has destroyed lives, slit throats and gotten him out of an American prison. One particular man who will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants.

That man is Javier Bernal. And he wants Luisa. He wants to take her, keep her, ruin her.

Unless she ruins him first.

Some men were born to create empires, some women were meant to be queen.

**Dirty Angels is the first standalone novel in the Dirty Angels Trilogy, in which all books feature or involve different characters. The character of Javier Bernal is from The Artists Trilogy, and while reading TAT is recommended if you want additional insight into this twisted character, it is not required.**

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Author Bio:

With her USA Today Bestselling The Artists Trilogy published by Grand Central Publishing, numerous foreign publication deals, and self-publishing success with her Experiment in Terror series, Vancouver-born Karina Halle is a true example of the term “Hybrid Author.” Though her books showcase her love of all things dark, sexy and edgy, she’s a closet romantic at heart and strives to give her characters a HEA…whenever possible.

Karina holds a screenwriting degree from Vancouver Film School and a Bachelor of Journalism from TRU. Her travel writing, music reviews/interviews and photography have appeared in publications such as Consequence of Sound, Mxdwn and GoNomad Travel Guides. She currently lives on an island on the coast of British Columbia where she’s preparing for the zombie apocalypse with her fiancé and rescue pup.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Excerpt Reveal: Bring The Rain by Lizzy Charles

Posted on 02/17/2015 by shellbellereads

Bring The Rain by Lizzy Charles

YA Contemporary Romance

Add To Goodreads

Purchase From Amazon

Synopsis

One summer to make the choice of a lifetime…

Everything is waiting in Paris for Autumn—her new home, her mom, the Louvre, and a life where she can experience art, and not just look at it. But to get there, she’ll have to survive the summer in the least colorful place she can imagine — her father’s Oklahoma cattle ranch

Autumn finds the perfect summer distraction in Colt, the one cowboy hotter than the July sun. But Colt is her father’s ranch hand, and he won’t go for the Manhattan-style fling that she’s used to. The closer they become, the more she questions which side of the ocean she belongs.

Then her father reveals an unforgivable secret, and Autumn’s illusions shatter. Will the secret destroy everything? Or could Oklahoma hold the greatest masterpiece of all—a love that could mend her heart?

Excerpt

Light arms make for easy dancing, even to drawn out country tunes. Turns out, cowboys aren’t bad dancers. They know where to put their hands on your waist to help you sway. They share well too, making sure a new hat accompanies each tune. When my chest burns, I know I’ve hit my limit. “Sorry,” I say to the only guy at the party wearing a baseball cap. “I need a break.”

“I can take you outside if you want?” This brown-haired-brute’s eyes are a bit swollen, and lips raw. I swear I saw him making out on the steps during my last spin on the dance floor.

“No thanks, I’m good on my own.” I quickly zigzag through the crowd and slip out the back kitchen door. If it wasn’t for the couple making out in a hammock, I would’ve barreled right into the gray weave. There’s a deserted tree a few hundred yards out from the house. Brushing my ballet flats through the crisp grass, I do a quick snake check. Phew. I take a seat, tilting my head toward the sky. The darkness is alive and glittering.

I breathe out, the beauty above. Stars like this never happen at home. Here, Hercules and the dippers are too obvious. And, with a jostle of my memory, I can find the Queen and the Dragon too. I wish I had my paints and a canvas so I could try to capture it. I’d make my own Starry Night, but my brush strokes would be looser here than Van Gogh’s.

A breeze moves through my hair, reminding me to take a deep breath. It instantly relaxes me; somehow one breath here is better than any oxygen bar in the city. I hate to admit it, but that’s another thing this place has going for it. It’s so much easier to breathe here.

“Can I join you?” a husky voice says from behind. I turn to find a tall, broad-shouldered, sandy-haired cowboy leaning against the tree. He doesn’t wait for my answer; rather he slinks down the trunk to sit next to me. His eyes turn toward the sky, but, even though I know it’s rude, my eyes can’t leave his face. His nose is almost perfect. It’d be easy to sketch with a soft pencil.

“Andromeda,” he interrupts my artistic vision, pointing up at the sky. “The Greater Bear,” he traces the outline in the air. “And my favorite…”

“Oh, please don’t say something about your big dipper.” I put the yellow cup to my lips, finishing my third refill. It slides past my throat. Finally, the beer’s tasting good now.

“Actually, my prime constellation is Aries, the ram. That line though? Golden. I’ll use it next time.”

“A goat?”

He smiles with a silent laugh and shrugs. “Sounds lame,” he turns toward me. His eyes sparkle and my heart jumps into my throat. His jaw is strong and chest obviously solid under his white button down shirt. “But it’s not.” He flips over my hand, tracing the constellation on my palm. Tingles crawl up my arm.

Now, this is a real cowboy.

“Aries is Zeus, in disguise. Ordinary, but full of power. Cool, huh?”

He lets go of my hand and returns his gaze to the stars.

My heart sinks. I want him to look at me. I’m not letting this cowboy get away. I lean in, close to his ear. “What kind of power?” I whisper. After Mom ditching me for Paris, I could use a little fun, and, as my hand caresses his rock hard biceps, I can’t help welcoming a distraction.

He doesn’t answer yet also doesn’t move away from my touch. Good. I take a deep breath and leap. If he didn’t like me, he’d have moved away already. I kiss the stubble on his jaw and he stills like a statue so I flip my leg over him, sliding onto his lap. The constellations spin. I nibble at his lips. His breathing deepens. Those full lips though? They don’t even flinch. I pull back, repositioning to press my lips down his jaw line and then make my way up toward his earlobe.

“It’s not fun if you don’t play,” I whisper.

He laughs, allowing my lips to return to his. He responds now, kissing me with a soft, steady pressure and pulling me close to his rock hard chest. I’ve never been held so securely. My heart trembles and my muscles melt.

“Okay darlin’,” he says, pressing his lips against mine, giving me a kiss that reminds me of chocolate and lemons, before gently helping me off his lap. “I think it’s time we go.”

“Sure,” I whisper. The ground becomes wavy water and my hand disappears in his as I struggle to stand. Take me away cowboy.

He lifts me, giving me his arm to lean on as he leads me through the house, passing Gina and Peter making out on the stairs. He stops, pulling Gina away too.

“Colt? What’re-ya-doin’?” she slurs.

He drops my hand, and it burns with the absence of his touch. “Do you have a ride home Gina?”

She shakes her head as Peter pulls her back to the step next to him. “I drove Autumn.”

Colt unwraps Peter’s arms. “Which is why I’m taking you both home.”

Peter stands up. “Hey man, if she wants to stay, she should.”

Colt only has to point to him and say, “Peter. Come on, you know not to try that with me.” Peter nods, holding his hands up in some mysterious man exchange.

“Fine,” Gina stumbles like a turkey into Colt’s arms. So funny. I laugh so hard, my goose noise sneaks in too.

“Was that a chortle?” Colt lifts his brow with a cocky grin.

“Chortles are very sexy.” I throw my shoulders back.

He laughs as he wraps his arm around Gina to support her and takes my hand, leading us out the front door. “Into the truck, girls.”

It’s warm in the truck, and with Gina to lean on, comfy too. Sleep takes me away with a few bumps of the road. Gina’s shoulder is soon replaced with a leather jacket. The smell lulls me in and out of sleep with Colt’s whistled tune. My shoulder rocks and I wake. He reaches behind me, propping me up.

“Want some?” He hands me a yellow cup of that watered down beer.

“Thanks.” I say. I am so thirsty. I put the plastic to my mouth, taking a small sip. The liquid slides past my tongue. This must be from the bottom of the barrel because it doesn’t taste right. It’s thin and a struggle to swallow. First goal of the summer, do not spit on the hot cowboy.

“Like it?”

“It’s super watery.”

“Yeah.” He laughs and my stomach tickles with the sound. “Have a few more sips.” He holds the cup back to my lips.

I sip again. It’s horrid, laced with iron and something else that I can’t pinpoint. It’s so hard to slide past my throat. What is he, like, trying to drug me? I hold the liquid poison in my mouth.

Wait. What if he is trying to drug me? Holy crap. While he’s focused on the road, I reach for the door handle, trying not to shake. I’m in a truck with a total stranger with his muscles of steel, in the middle of nowhere. What’s wrong with me? I’d never let this happen in New York. My heart beats in rhythm with the buzz in my ears. I need an escape plan, like now.

He flips off the headlights. We’re in complete darkness except for the stars. I glance out the window; a light from a lone farm-house is about a mile away. No one will hear me scream.

We’re completely alone.

Other books by Lizzy Charles

Available NOW!

Effortless With You

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1GgZN38

Perfectly Messy

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Ccwuup

Author Bio

When Lizzy Charles isn’t scrambling to raise her two spunky toddlers or caring for premature and sick babies as a neonatal intensive care nurse, she’s in a quiet corner writing or snuggled up with a novel and a few squares of dark chocolate. She married her high school sweetheart, a heart-melting musician, so it’s no surprise she’s fallen in love with writing contemporary YA romance novels.

Connect With Lizzy

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/17Y39bO

Twitter: @LizzyCharles_

Website: http://www.lizzycharles.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7149579.Lizzy_Charles

Email: LizzyCharlesScribbles@gmail.com

Subscribe to her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bbPGQj

Happy Release Day + Giveaway: You Only Love Twice by Lexi Blake

Posted on 02/17/2015 by Saucy Southern Readers

Synopsis

You Only Love Twice, Masters and Mercenaries Book 8

A woman on a mission

Phoebe Graham is a specialist in deep cover espionage, infiltrating the enemy, observing their practices, and when necessary eliminating the threat. Her latest assignment is McKay-Taggart Security Services, staffed with former military and intelligence operatives.They routinely perform clandestine operations all over the world but it isn’t until Jesse Murdoch joins the team that her radar starts spinning. Unfortunately so does her head. He’s gorgeous and sweet and her instincts tell her to trust him but she’s been burned before, so he’ll stay where he belongs—squarely in her sights.

A man on the run

Since the moment his Army unit was captured by jihadists, Jesse’s life has been a nightmare. Forced to watch as those monsters tortured and killed his friends, something inside him snapped. When he’s finally rescued, everyone has the same question—why did he alone survive? Clouded in accusations and haunted by the faces of those he failed, Jesse struggles in civilian life until McKay-Taggart takes him in. Spending time with Phoebe, the shy and beautiful accountant,makes him feel human for the first time in forever. If someone so innocent and sweet could accept him, maybe he could truly be redeemed.

A love they never expected

When Phoebe receives the order to eliminate Jesse, she must choose between the job she’s dedicated her life to and the man who’s stolen her heart. Choosing Jesse would mean abandoning everything she believes in, and it might mean sharing his fate because a shadowy killer is dedicated to finishing the job started in Iraq.

Buy Links:

Amazon | Google | iTunes

Print Book: Amazon

Author Bio

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

Her first novel, Their Virgin Captive: Masters of Ménage, Book 1, was a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black. There are four more books available in the series: Their Virgin’s Secret, Their Virgin Concubine, Their Virgin Princess and Their Virgin Hostage. The next book in the series, Their Virgin Secretary, is coming to Amazon this April.

In addition to the Masters of Ménage series, she is the author of the Masters and Mercenaries series. The first five novels, The Dom Who Loved Me, The Men with the Golden Cuffs, A Dom is Forever, On Her Master’s Secret Service, and Love and Let Die are available now, along with a novella titled Sanctum. The sixth novel, Dungeon Royale, is coming in February of 2014 along with two new novellas, Unconditional, releasing in January of 2014 and Dungeon Games, coming in May of 2014.

In 2013, Lexi also began releasing her urban fantasy series, Thieves. The first two books, Steal the Light and Steal the Day are available now on Amazon. Book 3 in the series, Steal the Moon, is coming in January of 2014.

For more information about her books, her appearances and her wacky life visit her Facebook page (http://goo.gl/q2IHnJ) or her website (http://www.lexiblake.net).

Other Books in The Masters & Mercenaries Series

The Dom Who Loved Me (Masters & Mercenaries Book 1)

Print Book: Amazon | B&N

The Men In The Golden Cuffs (Masters & Mercenaries Book 2)

Print Book: Amazon | B&N

A Dom Is Forever (Masters & Mercenaries Book 3)

Print Book: Amazon | B&N

On Her Master’s Secret Service (Masters & Mercenaries Book 4)

Print Book: Amazon | Barnes&Noble

Sanctum (Masters & Mercenaries Book 4.5)

BUY: All Romance | Amazon | B&N

Love And Let Die (Masters & Mercenaries Book 5)

Print Book: Amazon

Unconditional (Masters & Mercenaries Book 5.5)

Dungeon Royale (Masters & Mercenaries Book 6)

Print Book: Amazon

1001 Dark Nights (Masters & Mercenaries Book 6.5)

eBook: Amazon

Excerpt

Jesse pushed through the double doors, his whole being surprisingly calm. This was what he needed. He’d been sitting in his office waiting for her to wake up, thinking about how he would handle this interrogation with some modicum of civility.

It was so good to know civility wasn’t going to be required.

It wasn’t so good to realize that the minute she’d opened that bratty mouth, he’d gotten hard as hell and he wanted to fuck her more than he wanted to figure her out. There was a little voice playing in his head that told him to just get inside her and all those secrets would open for him. All he had to do was thrust inside her tight body and the mysteries of the universe would reveal themselves.

Yeah, he wasn’t going to do that. He was going to do his job and find out who she worked for and then he would walk away from her. He wasn’t going to hold her tenderly or hope she could love him. No. It was time to grow the fuck up. How was it being through what he’d been through in Iraq hadn’t managed to teach him what this one woman had? He needed to shut down and do his job.

But that didn’t mean parts of his job couldn’t be very pleasurable.

“Uhm, Jesse, don’t you think you should handle this in the conference room? It’s where Ian planned on keeping her.” Adam Miles’s voice was an unwelcome intrusion.

“No.” He knew the old Jesse would have stopped, but this was between him and Phoebe.

“Adam, I can really explain. This is all one huge misunderstanding.” Phoebe tried to bring her head up.

That was an easy move to counter. He brought his hand down on that sweet, sweet ass. Phoebe had the damn prettiest ass he’d ever watched for hours and drooled over, and now he had zero reason to not spank that gorgeous flesh. He heard that sound, that smack as his hand hit her, and he felt her shiver. She didn’t scream. Nope. He’d thought if he smacked her good, she would call him a fucking pervert, but he’d been a dumbass idiot and this Phoebe just moaned a little as the slap went through her.

It wasn’t the type of moan that would cause him to stop spanking a sub at Sanctum.

Motherfucker. He knew he hadn’t been wrong about her. He’d thought there was a submissive streak buried under her “I’m a good girl so don’t fuck my sweet little asshole” exterior.

“The only explanation is I’m a dirty little spy and I need to tell my captor everything in order to keep him from slapping my ass silly.” He couldn’t be professional with her. It wouldn’t work. It would only serve to put distance between them, and now he could see that distance was what she’d worked for the whole time. She hadn’t let him do more than hold her hand and give her an awkward peck. She’d had him convinced he just wasn’t her type, but he could smell her now. Yeah, that wasn’t sweet or gentlemanly, but then that obviously didn’t work for her. “She likes me slapping her ass. Take a deep whiff, Adam, and you’ll be able to tell she’s aroused.”

She gasped and her whole torso came up off his. “Jesse!”

Yeah, she sounded like a pissed off girlfriend, but she wasn’t his girlfriend. She was the woman who had played him and then nearly painted her initials on his chest. And he was the idiot who had stood there and almost begged her to do it.

He cringed at the thought of how stupid he’d been about her. He knew he was ping-ponging, caught between wanting to understand her and wanting to throttle her, but most of all, he wanted to get his hands on her.

He wanted to see just how much she’d lied about.

“You might want to think this thing through, Jesse,” Adam began.

He was just about to tell Adam where he could shove his thought process when Big Tag strode out of his office. A thunderous look clouded his boss’s face, but Jesse was ready to throw down with whoever he needed to. This was his op and his…fuck, he didn’t even know what to call her, but Phoebe was his.

Ian stopped in front of them. “Take her to your office. Do what you need to do but keep it down. Apparently we’re still having a baby shower and I have to attend or risk having my balls ripped off my body. I like my balls, Murdoch. Keep her quiet. Charlie’s serious about this party thing. When did I fucking lose control? She’s not even an employee here.”

“No. I’m part owner,” Charlotte said, her voice a sharp instrument. She was a beautiful woman with strawberry blonde hair. She rested her hand on the bump on her belly that seemed to get bigger every day. “Eve and I own half this company, you know. And we have all the boobs so try getting around us. Phoebe, I swear to god if I find out you’ve done one thing to put this company and our people in danger I will take you apart myself. Is that understood? You better hope you can prove you weren’t going to hurt Jesse. He’s one of my men and I will deal with you.”

Phoebe’s head came up again. “Your men? That’s a little presumptuous, isn’t it? You treat him like a puppy you can pat on his head and send away. He isn’t yours and if you think you can take me, you’re wrong.”

Charlotte’s lips curled up and Jesse realized Phoebe had just fallen into a trap. “She doesn’t like the fact that I said you’re mine, Jesse.”

Big Tag was frowning at her. “I didn’t either.”

She waved him off. “I meant as a friend and employee, but Phoebe’s brain goes straight for the sexual. I wonder why. Li’s right. You’re going to owe him a hundred bucks at the end of this thing. She’s all Stockholmed out. Who wants cake?”

Giveaway

Signed copy of You Only Love Twice

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt Reveal: The 27 Club by Kim Karr

Posted on 02/17/2015 by shellbellereads

The 27 Club

A Stand Alone Novel

By Kim Karr

Release Date: March 3, 2015

Pre-Order: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Synopsis

You don’t know when…
You don’t get to choose if…
When it’s time to join…you’ll know.
You might think you want to be a member—but trust me, this is one club you don’t want to join. It’s not a place where people go to live out their deepest, darkest sexual desires—there are no handcuffs or blindfolds.
The 27 Club only admits those who die young and tragically. Having just lost my brother to the club, I know there is no doubt. I’m next. This is my destiny… and I was ready to yield.
But then I met Nate. He awakened a sensuality in me that had never been explored, never satisfied. I knew then I could no longer accept my destiny. Nate’s presence controls me. I’m overwhelmed by his touch, his words; my every thought is consumed by desire. I believe he was brought into my life for a reason.
Nate doesn’t believe in destiny.
But I do.
And if there’s a way to cheat it—I must.

Excerpt

The wind howls and the palm trees whip against the windows as the storm seems to make its way closer to landfall. Thunder booms and lightning lights up the room, startling me. No, not lightning—a lamp.

“Hello, Zoey.” The voice is deep and husky.

As the sound registers, I scream. I quickly sit up and scan my unfamiliar surroundings. My eyes immediately land on the silhouette of a man standing beside me, and I scream again, this time scrambling off the bed in terror.

In this moment, my heart stops beating, my lungs stop breathing, and my brain stops thinking. I’m petrified.

The man raises his palms up in surrender. “Zoey, I’m Nate, Z’s friend. You don’t have to be scared. I’m not going to hurt you.”

My fear must be evident. I stare at him for a few long moments, both alarmed and trembling. Only once realization sets in, that yes, this is Nate, my brother’s best friend, do I attempt to calm my ragged breaths.

He takes a cautious step back. “Just cover up with something so we can talk.”

Oh my God, my clothes.

Tangled sheets catch on my limbs as I climb back onto the bed and unsuccessfully try to pull the covers over my practically naked body. Before humiliation grabs complete hold of me, I give up and dive for my soaking wet shirt lying on the floor.

Sliding the cold fabric over my head, I pull it down to cover my panties and stand up, quickly crossing my arms over my chest to shield any signs of the chill I’m feeling.

Not great, but better. At least I can look at him with a little dignity.

Finally, I glance up and my gaze catches his. As soon as it does, he drops his eyes.

The photos I’ve seen of him over the years, when my brother would text me a funny shot—a selfie of him and Nate at some top chef restaurant, at the beach, or at a coffee house—didn’t nearly do him justice. Those shots were goofy poses with baseball caps turned backwards and funny faces. Not that I didn’t think he was good looking in them, because I did, but there’s just something different about him.

I blink and focus on the matter at hand. “You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing here?”

Staring at the ground, he leans against the door jam. “You beat me to the punch. I was just about to ask you the same question.”

“Why would you ask me that?”

He raises a brow. “I guess I’m just curious.”

I sigh, feeling confused.

His gaze lifts, and those eyes, those bewitching emerald green eyes, stare back at me. “Not that I mind that you’re here. It’s just—a little warning would have been nice. That’s all.”

His tone is more bemused than apologetic.

I’m not sure what to think.

With a straight and confident stance, I clear my throat. “I e-mailed you earlier today to let you know that I was coming for the weekend. I’m really sorry about the late notice, but I decided at the last minute.”

He reaches into the pocket of his low-slung jeans and pulls out his phone. After a few taps and scrolls he looks up at me. “I guess you did. Here it is. I’m usually on top of my e-mails but today my . . . schedule was full. Had I seen your message, I would have tried to rearrange my plans.”

“That’s fine really. I managed. It’s not a big deal.”

I steal a glance at my reliable Timex—just after midnight. What is he doing in my brother’s house in the middle of the night? Just as I’m about to ask him, my eyes catch sight of the way he predatorily walks around the room and I’m momentarily distracted. He moves like a panther— slowly circling his prey, keeping his distance, not too close, but close enough to pounce if he feels the urge. He settles back against the wall, just a little closer now. “Zoey, did you hear me?”

I swallow. “Sorry, what?”

His tone grows more insistent. “I said I would have at least sent a car for you. You shouldn’t be out in this weather on your own.”

My brow furrows. Why is he still talking about the airport?

When I don’t respond, he crosses his arms over his chest like he owns the place.

It’s then that reality sinks in. And as cliché as this sounds, I am not going to let Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome intimidate me. It’s time to take charge. “There was no need. I managed just fine. But if you didn’t know I was coming, can I ask what you’re doing here?”

Confusion seems to have taken over his thoughts as he steps even closer—moving with a lethal grace that makes my body start to hum. I can’t help but study him as his features come into clear focus. His body is long and lean. His hair is dark, the most unusual shade of brown, maybe like the color of expensive chocolate, but not exactly. His eyes are languid, watchful, and the most beautiful shade I’ve ever seen—darker than emeralds or the deepest of forest greens. His lips look full and soft. He is handsome in a way that is unlike anyone I’ve ever seen.

My mind is going haywire.

A look of realization seems to cross his face as he stares at me.

“Nate, why are you at my brother’s house in the middle of the night?” I ask him again.

With a smirk, he ignores my question. Instead of answering me, he opens the door beside him. It’s a closet, Zach’s closet to be exact, and he steps right in, again like he owns the place.

“What are you doing?” I ask impatiently.

He comes back into the bedroom with a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt in his hand. “You’re trembling. How about you get changed and we sit down to talk?”

The audacity of this man is beyond comprehension. From his e-mails he seemed nice, but then again, you never can tell what lurks behind the words on a computer screen.

He stares and his small smirk really irritates me. “Take these, they’re mine. I’ll wait downstairs while you get changed.”

If I weren’t standing here, chilled and in my underwear, I might just tell him to go to hell. But instead I reach for the clothes, and as I do, I start to wonder if he’s been squatting in my brother’s house. Once the clothes are in my hands, his mouth spreads into a slow, easy grin.

Annoyance grabs hold of me as I pivot on my bare feet and head toward the bathroom, making sure not to glance over my shoulder. When I hear heavy footsteps, I let my body fall back and shut everything out of my mind for a few short seconds.

What is going on?

When I’ve gathered my composure, I quickly strip out of my wet clothes and redress. Then I make the mistake of looking in the mirror. A wet dog would look better than I do right now. In an effort to improve the image, I grab a towel and wipe the black mascara from under my eyes. Then I use my fingers to comb through my mass of curls and try to calm them, but that’s nearly impossible.

Okay, better—but not great.

Who cares anyway?

It’s not like I’m trying to impress him. In fact, I’ve never tried to impress a man.

Ever.

Author Bio:

I live in Florida with my husband and four kids. I’ve always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, I wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. I went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise my family. I currently work part-time with my husband and full-time embracing one of my biggest passions—writing.

Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Cover Reveal + Giveaway : Stay For Me by Megan Smith

Posted on 02/16/2015 by shellbellereads

Stay For Me

By Megan Smith

Synopsis

Eli Sabatino, determined to make a name for himself amid Seaside, New Jersey’s nightlife, has laid out the perfect plan for success. But that plan didn’t include Layla, the hopeful bartender who walked in for an interview. He knows, as an employee, this blonde bombshell is off-limits but he can’t fight the undeniable force of attraction that pulls him toward her.

Layla Del Duca has the weight of the world on her shoulders. With a full course load, a boyfriend, a sister to take care of, and an alcoholic mother, she needs to regain control of her life. Her job at Fierce is priority number one. But a complication she didn’t expect looms behind the eyes of Eli, her handsome new boss.

Emotions collide full force and they can no longer turn a blind eye to what their hearts are telling them.
But, can their passion survive when Eli can no longer promise the one thing Layla asks of him? Will everything change? Will he stay?

About Megan Smith

USA TODAY bestselling author Megan Smith is a New Jersey native managing purchasing for an award-winning business IT and software development firm – and by night creating the memorable characters her fans have grown to adore. Smith’s The Love Series introduces readers to MacKenzie Cahill – a hopeful young woman who experiences adversity, challenges and the bittersweet triumph of true, authentic love.
Smith is a wife and mother, who makes time for her family, professional life and the creation of the Cahill’s world. Fans of The Love Series – Trying Not To Love You, Easy To Love You, Hard To Love You – are captivated by relationships, special bonds and family ties pervasive in Smith’s emotional, energized and engaging work. Smith is also the author of the 2014 releases, Let Me Love You – continuations of The Love Series, Finding Us (Finding Series) and a few top secret projects.

Website ~ Facebook~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Release + Review: Heartsick by Caitlin Sinead

Posted on 02/16/2015 by shellbellereads

Heartsick

By Caitlin Sinead

Genre: New Adult Romantic Suspense

Synopsis

Quinn is looking forward to her senior year at Poe University. She has big plans to hang out with her best friend, flirt with a certain boy genius, party at her favorite dive bar and figure out what she’s going to do after graduation with her not-so-useful art major. But that’s before she meets Luke, a hot townie who’s moved back home to help take care of his dying sister. And it’s before a weird epidemic sweeps across campus, mysteriously turning people’s eyes purple.

Is it an odd side effect from a new party drug?

Is it a rogue virus developed in a campus lab?

Is it the mark of the devil?

Soon the town starts blaming the university and the student religious group becomes frighteningly aggressive in their on-campus accusations. Quinn and Luke are caught in the middle—until a tragic accident forces Luke to reveal the one part of himself he’s kept carefully hidden. That he’s so much more than the happy-go-lucky boy next door Quinn had believed him to be isn’t a surprise…but this truth might be too dangerous for her to handle.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Heartsick by Caitlin Sinead is refreshing change in the New Adult genre. It blended the Romantic Suspense and Fantasy genres to the mix. The plot was unique. There was some mild romance with a romantic triangle thrown into the mix.

What happens when a group of college friends start changing. Their eyes become lavender colored and their immune system is that of a super hero. Their ability to heal is surreal. What is causing this phenomena with these students?

Quinn is the main character in this book. She is an art major at the exclusive Poe University in Virginia. She is looking forward to her senior year. She doesn’t want to be tied down and wants to enjoy her final year with friends. Those hopes are about to change when her roommate’s eyes change to lavender.

It seems as though there is a virus or some kind of chemical change that is affecting a group of students. Their eye colors are changing and their DNA is changing. They are able to heal quickly from severe injuries and physical trauma’s. This phenomena is infecting Quinn’s inner circle of friends, including herself. When it starts to spread among the campus and small town, the government authorities are called in. The pandemonium begins.

At the same time Quinn has just met the sexy townie Luke. He is unlike most of the men she has ever dated. Although she doesn’t really want a relationship, she cannot deny her attraction for him. Luke is also a detective. When this odd virus begins to spread he puts his investigative skills to work.

When murder comes into play it is clear that everyone at Poe University and citizens of the town are in danger.

Heartsick was a riveting romantic suspense. I am going to say romantic very loosely. The reason I am saying loosely is that the build up, sexual tension, and desire between Luke and Quinn was not overly convincing. I never felt the heat between them. I never felt the attraction. In fact it didn’t feel like Quinn was overly interested at all. Then there was another contender added to the mix. Quinn had a history with Rashid. He was still vying for her interest. I never really felt any connection between these two at all.

Although this plot was unique, there were kinks throughout the story. The characters were obscure in some ways. It was hard to get a handle on who they were. Their personalities just didn’t come to life. Their connections to one another were confusing at times and hard to grasp. The sequencing of the story was hard to follow at times. I felt different passages were jumping all over the place. In the end I felt like the conclusion was somewhat rushed.

Overall Heartsick was an interesting story. I just felt like it needed some work to reach the potential it promised.

_____________________________

About Caitlin Sinead

I am represented by Andrea Somberg at Harvey Klinger, Inc. and my debut novel, Heartsick, will be published by Carina Press in 2015. My writing has appeared (or is forthcoming) in multiple publications including The Alarmist, The Binnacle, Crunchable, Jersey Devil Press, and Northern Virginia Magazine. I earned a master’s degree in writing from Johns Hopkins University in 2011 and have also studied writing at the College of William and Mary and Yale University. I currently work as an editorial manager and continue to keep an eye out for good stories.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release Day: Revealed by Caitlyn O’Leary + Giveaway

Posted on 02/16/2015 by Saucy Southern Readers

Synopsis

Tortured beyond Endurance…
Kelly Wachowski has no memory of her life before she was five. Despite being one of the ‘found’ children and her uncanny ability to assimilate languages, she’s managed to live a normal life for twenty years until the day she was kidnapped. Tortured beyond endurance she prayed for death while she dreamed of a boy long forgotten—Noah.

A Hero with a Secret…
Samson Noah Kukailimoku is another ‘found’ child. His existence was kept secret by the Polynesian family who adopted him. Now he’s a highly decorated naval officer, and part of an elite unit whose mission is to rescue children like Kelly. The closer he gets to finding her the more he connects to her and shares the pain of her torture and the dreams of their shared past.

A Love That Is More than a Dream…
After her rescue, Kelly is convinced she’s losing her mind as she experiences Noah’s life in a waking dream. Knowing she’s in danger, Noah must save Kelly from herself and those tracking her, moving Heaven and Earth to protect her. Linked by their past, danger and deception follow them everywhere. Together they discover a love and passion surpassing all of their dreams, but before they can have a future together they have to solve the mystery of their past.

Order Revealed for only $.99 cents for Release Week Only!!! Price goes up to $2.99 on Februrary 24th.

AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/1A2CXcJ
AMAZON UK: http://tinyurl.com/jwyt9m6
KOBO: http://tinyurl.com/n5bogu9
GOOGLE: http://tinyurl.com/nwauhzk

ITUNES: http://tinyurl.com/mraps33Kelly

Author Bio

I was born in Seattle Washington, but soon moved to a small town North of there, which is where I grew up. I’m the oldest of five children, so it was a lively household, and reading became my way to block out the noise. I am an avid reader. I love every genre, but romance and happily ever afters have always been my favorite books. I remember in middle school my biology teacher taking a Rosemary Rogers book away from me; I didn’t understand why—she was certainly teaching me aspects of biology!

As I grew up, I would write stories to entertain myself and my younger siblings. I often wrote their book reports for them. My brothers were only one year apart in age. I wrote a report for the oldest his senior year, he turned it in and got a B+. The next year John turned in the same report to the same teacher and got an A-, the year after that the youngest turned it in to the same teacher and got an A. The teacher liked it better each time he read it!

I’ve worked in corporate America for most of my life, where a lot of creative writing takes place (and if you don’t believe me, you really don’t know corporate America). I blogged to all my employees when I spent six weeks in India—they considered me quite the smartass. My corporate life has allowed me to live in Washington, Texas, Belgium and California.

I have been with the same man for seventeen years. He was born and raised in Texas, and twelve years ago I whisked him, kicking and screaming, to Southern California. Luckily he loves me and wants to be where I am, but he’s still a Texan at heart (although he doesn’t miss Texas summers). I’m a very lucky woman who enjoys swimming, traveling, babysitting her nieces and nephews and doing lots of “research” with her husband for upcoming books.

After being such a fan of romance all my life, I was reading Sophie Oak’s Bliss and Siren in the City series last year, and they weren’t coming out fast enough. I started thinking about a place up in the Northwest, and characters started spinning in my head. Then came Chance. Once he was there, he demanded to be put down on paper. I don’t really write the stories. For real, the stories just come out of my fingers onto the computer screen. Half the time I’m surprised by what ends up being typed!

Facebook ~ E-mail ~ Twitter ~ Website

Chapter One

“Tell me where you came from.”

It always started this way. First the question, then the excruciating pain as the electric paddles were held against her temples. The smell of her burning flesh. Then they would take the rubber bit from her mouth and ask another question. Another question she couldn’t answer.

“How many of you are there?”

She prayed to all the saints her mother taught her that this time she would pass out. It was the only thing to ever stop the questions. Stop the pain.

“I don’t know!” she wailed, as the bit was shoved into her mouth. She squeezed her eyes so tight she saw stars before the shocking red flames took over her very being.

“Where did you come from? Where are the rest of you now?” They yanked the bit from her mouth, making her lip bleed.

“Just tell me what you want me to say…” her voice didn’t sound like her own. For hours or months, she wasn’t sure how long she begged them to tell her what they wanted her to answer. The paddles were again placed on her temples. Fire exploded behind her eyes and her teeth actually tore into the rubber bit.

****

She wasn’t strapped down. She stretched and it felt wonderful, until the pins and needles started. Where was she? She wanted to see if they noticed they forgot to buckle the straps. She tried to look around. She couldn’t. She was blind. They’d blinded her, the shock therapy had blinded her. Oh God. She trembled in horror for long moments before realizing it was her eyelids, they were swollen shut. She tried to touch them to make sure it was the only thing wrong but pain seared her arm.

Moving slowly to restore some circulation to her limbs, she realized she was lying on something soft. Rolling just a little so she wasn’t lying on her arm, she fell on to a hard cement floor. It hurt, it was cold, but at least she could move. Trying to stand up, she used the cot as leverage, but her legs wouldn’t support her.

She crawled and bumped her head against a wall. Using it as a guide she followed it around the small room with cement walls, basically a cell. Mostly empty except for the cot and the toilet, there was a tray with something that felt and smelled like bread and cheese. She wolfed down some of the food, but there wasn’t anything to drink. Crawling over to the toilet she flushed it, then greedily drank handfuls of water.

“Good to see you’re back with us Kelly.” She hadn’t heard any door open or anything else to indicate she wasn’t alone.

“Who are you? What do you want from me?” Cringing at the desperate edge in her voice, she clamped her lips tight. God, how she wanted to beg for water that didn’t come from a toilet, for food, or a blanket, or to go home.

“Who are we? You don’t get to ask the questions, we do. We want to know who all of you are. We know about you and the four others. You all showed up twenty years ago. Why did you come here? Where did you come from?” The woman’s voice was calm and soothing. It was like they were having a polite conversation, but Kelly knew the horror awaiting her at the woman’s command.

“I told you, I don’t remember anything before waking up in Dad’s police car.” Kelly’s voice was raspy from all the screams, but at least it was even.

“But Kelly, Mike Wachowski isn’t really your father now is he?” Again the woman’s speech was calm and soothing. “You appeared out of thin air twenty years ago and were adopted into his family, isn’t that right?”

It wasn’t a question, and Kelly didn’t reply, but suddenly realized what was coming next. She’d forgotten. This wasn’t the first time she’d woken up in this room and drank from the toilet bowl. Doubted it was even the tenth time. It had to be the shock treatments. They were messing with her memory. She didn’t remember when she’d been kidnapped, but it had to have been well over a month, oh God, could it have been a year?

She sat there, turning her head away from the direction of the voice. She waited, and then heard more people entering the cell, knowing what came next. Holding up her arms she didn’t have long to wait, they were there, grabbing and dragging her out.

****

“Noooooo-aaaahhhhh!”

“Shove the bit in again. I don’t want her biting through her tongue. Hopefully this new dosage will break down the damn barrier.”

Whatever chemicals they gave her burned as they made their way into her system. She moaned around the rubber bit and struggled with the restraints as the paddles were placed against her temples. Maybe they’d finally kill her and her suffering would end.

First black, then white, and then the red of fire and pain. Coursing through her like molten fire, through every molecule, forcing her to lose control of her bodily functions.

The colors burst in front of her, yellows, purples, pinks and blues. Ripping the head off one wildflower she pushed it against her nose and inhaled the fragrance, and then threw back her head and laughed. The sun was up and warm against her bare shoulders. Charging forward, she giggled as the flowers brushed legs, the soft grass squishy between her toes. She soared over the log in her path, and then she saw him.

Noah was her best friend. She knew he wanted to be alone, but he needed her. Tiptoeing behind him, she jumped up to surprise him as he turned around. He gave her a dark look but she smiled at him and flung her arms wide, watching as his face suffused with laughter. He scooped her up and twirled her around. He was nine and she was five, but their age difference didn’t matter, they were best friends. Grabbing his silky black hair as he twirled her, she hugged his neck, and Kali was content. Nothing was better in her world than loving Noah, he belonged to her.

“Don’t be sad anymore, Noah.”

“I’m not sad, Kali.”

“Don’t lie.”

“I’m leaving with the others.” She’d known. But she didn’t want him to leave. “Kalani, you need to understand, let me show you.” He touched their foreheads together.

“No, I don’t want to see.”

“Open up Kali, you need to see. Let me show you.”

Kali relaxed and let him share the other universe needing their help. He revealed everything. So many things didn’t make sense, but the pain and suffering was easy to comprehend, and more, she could see what it was Noah and the others were supposed to do. It was simple, they were to be themselves and just help a little.

He was right, he had to go, it was important. Kali started to cry. She knew it meant she would have to leave everything she loved, her Nana, the meadow, and everything else, because there was no way Noah was leaving without her.

Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal + #Hashtag Series Review : #Player by Cambria Hebert – #Hashtag Series – Book 3

Posted on 02/16/2015 by shellbellereads

# Player

#Hashtag Series – Book 3

Release Date: March 9 , 2015

By Cambria Hebert

Synopsis

Players gotta play.

Hate is like a poison. It contaminates everything.

So does doubt.

Even though I deny what I overheard, even though I insist it isn’t true, the seed of doubt has been planted. I can’t help but be tormented with the endless what-if’s that have taken over our lives.

Romeo and I were happy in love. The future stretched before us brighter than any star in the darkest sky. Now everything is broken. Literally broken. Romeo’s entire career is at stake, my entire future is threatened… and my past?

It’s coming back to haunt me.

To haunt us.

Romeo says we’re in this together and right now the only sure thing is us. But how far can a love so new be pushed? The lengths we will have to go to save each other puts everything at risk.

Romeo is a #player but how much of the game can one person play?

The Hashtag Series

# Nerd – Book 1

Two people from completely different worlds are about to be thrown together…

In more ways than one.

She wants to keep her scholarship. He wants to stay on the team. An awkward alliance doesn’t even begin to cover Rimmel and Romeo’s relationship.

But that’s about to change.

It starts with a dare. An initiation. A challenge.

Quickly, it turns into more. But when you’re a victim of your status, there is no room for anything real. The rules are clear and simple.

Stick to your circle.

And never fall in love with anyone on the outside.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

I am a huge fan of Cambria Hebert’s books. Each and every book has kept me glued to the pages. Her books always have a special blend of genres with characters that are larger than life.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with the #Hashtag series. The synopsis seemed different from what we have come to expect from Cambria’s books. I thought that this was going to be more of a new adult romance that focused on college campus life (which I love). I was not expecting some romantic suspense to be added to the mix. I wasn’t expecting Romeo. Romeo has stolen my heart! Talk about a swoon worthy book boyfriend, Romeo has it in spades!

Rimmel is more than your average #Nerd. She has come to Alpha University not only to gain an education but also to escape her past in Florida. She keeps to herself, stays ahead of her assignments, and lives for her volunteer work at the animal shelter. She has trouble socializing with her fellow students. The only place she feels free to be herself is with her furry four legged friends. But that is about to change when she is forced to tutor the star quarterback and notorious player, Romeo. She is dreading dealing with the campus manwhore but in order to keep her scholarship she has to deal with it.

At first the tutoring sessions start out as expected. Romeo is more interested in his conquests and football. Rimmel is counting the minutes for each tutoring session to end. These two unlikely people are forced to spend time with one another. In the end they will both discover that they may just have more in common than they thought. The will discover that they both have many layers. They will discover love for the first time.

Meanwhile throughout the book Romeo is rushing for the top Fraternity on campus. His commitment to rushing will take him to an all time low. He will be challenged to do things that he has always considered wrong. When the final challenge crosses the line and threatens to hurt Rimmel he will have choices to make.

Not only is Romeo having to chose between status, image, and his quest to join the fraternity, he has unknowingly made a very lethal enemy.

The opening for the #Hashtag series is thrilling. The journey that Romeo and Rimmel make in this semester is life changing for them both. The love they have found for one another is unexpected. Can they hang onto their love with all the expectations of sports, social status, academics, and their different backgrounds? Will Romeo’s enemy destroy everything they both hold dear? We will find out in #Hater.

#Hater – Book 2

The effect of that look lingered, like an unspoken promise, long after it was gone.

Becoming a couple – becoming the other half of a campus celebrity wasn’t easy. I let down walls guarding my heart and he looked past my glasses and accident prone tendencies. Romeo and I are an unlikely match, a #nerd and a jock. But we made it.

And we’re happy.

Zach doesn’t want us to be happy. He wants Romeo to pay for getting him kicked out of Omega and for the night he spent in jail. He’s going to use anything and everything he can to get his revenge. Including me.

As the weather on campus grows cold and the days become dark, revenge becomes the center of someone’s life and the happiness Romeo and I worked so hard for is threatened.

I can’t help but worry that our love is going to be overshadowed by hate.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Rimmel and Romeo are settling into their relationship. Rimmel is becoming more confident and comfortable with herself. Romeo is moving on beyond what his social status requires.

Rimmel and Romeo are the couple that has become campus celebrities. Their every move is watched, tweeted,and posted by all. They are the stars that shine brightly.

Everything seems to be going well for them. Their relationship is growing. Romeo’s family is accepting Rimmel. Rimmel is building friendships and other relationships outside of the animal shelter. There is one thing that casts a dark shadow on their happiness.

Zach about ruined their relationship in #Nerd. He forced Romeo to quit rushing for the Omega Fraternity. He underestimated Romeo’s wits and tenacity. He underestimated Romeo’s power. Romeo has destroyed Zach’s status as the president of Omega. His influence has turned his brothers against him. Now he is going to destroy Romeo and Rimmel. He is out for blood.

As Zach’s vendetta escalates to the point of terror, Romeo and Rimmel will have other things coming at them from other parts of their lives. Both are enough to tear them apart and ruin their futures. Will they be able to overcome these adversities?

One moment of terror will destroy their hope for the future. It looks like Zach has had his final revenge that will destroy the rest of their lives. How can they overcome this? To make matters worse, Rimmel’s past is coming to haunt her. Secrets are being revealed that she may never be able to overcome.

What happens next? Cliffhanger! I cannot wait to get my hands on #Player, book 3, on March 9, 2015.

#Hater was consuming. I could not put this book down. I loved how Romeo handled everything. I loved how he brought out the best in Rimmel and gave her courage to be herself. I loved that Rimmel saw Romeo as more than a jock.

This couple will steal your heart!

Read the #Hashtag Series by Cambria Hebert!

Author Bio:

Cambria Hebert is a bestselling novelist of more than twenty books. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently resides in North Carolina with her children (human and furry) and her husband, who is a United States Marine.

Besides writing, Cambria loves a caramel latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching movies. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chorkie (the real boss of the house).

Cambria has written within the young adult and new adult genres, penning many paranormal and contemporary titles. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense. A few of her most recognized titles are: Text, Torch, Tryst, Masquerade, and Recalled.

Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Monthly Archives: February 2015

Happy Release + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Unexpected Fate by Harper Sloan – Hope Town Series – Book 1 – A Spin off of Corp Security Series

Happy Release + Giveaway : Becoming The Whiskey Princess by Toni Aleo- Taking Risks Series – Book 2

Happy Release: Dirty Deeds by Karina Halle – Dirty Angels Trilogy – Book 2

Excerpt Reveal: Bring The Rain by Lizzy Charles

Bring The Rain by Lizzy Charles

YA Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

Excerpt

Other books by Lizzy Charles

Available NOW!

Effortless With You

Perfectly Messy

Author Bio

Connect With Lizzy

Happy Release Day + Giveaway: You Only Love Twice by Lexi Blake

Excerpt Reveal: The 27 Club by Kim Karr

Cover Reveal + Giveaway : Stay For Me by Megan Smith

Happy Release + Review: Heartsick by Caitlin Sinead

Happy Release Day: Revealed by Caitlyn O’Leary + Giveaway

Cover Reveal + #Hashtag Series Review : #Player by Cambria Hebert – #Hashtag Series – Book 3

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Bring The Rain by Lizzy Charles

YA Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

Excerpt

Other books by Lizzy Charles

Available NOW!

Effortless With You

Perfectly Messy

Author Bio

Connect With Lizzy

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: