Cover Reveal: The Very Second Time by M. Mabie

Posted on 06/08/2015 by shellbellereads

The Very Second Time

—M. Mabie—

Synopsis

“Look into my eyes. Again.”

“Again, Felix. Always.”

This isn’t a story about how two young lovers meet, get to know each other, and how they effortlessly fall in love.

We’ve done that…repeatedly.

You don’t have to worry about the “Will they?” or “Won’t they?” We’re soulmates, but don’t assume our ending is a happy one.

Oh, it ends all right. And it ends. Then, it ends again.

No matter how hard I fight to save him, the outcome is permanently the same. Still—if there’s a shot—I have to try. He would. He’d be able to save me if our roles were reversed. I won’t give up until my last breath.

I always knew we’d be together for years and years; I just didn’t imagine it would be the same ones… over and over again.

If first impressions mean everything, then what happens… the very second time? What happens to forever? This isn’t a story about how two young lovers meet, get to know each other, and how they effortlessly fall in love.

They didn’t expect this either, but fate doesn’t come with a warning.

Add The Very Second Time to your Goodreads TRB HERE.

Listen to The Very Second Time’s playlist HERE.

The Very Second Time is a standalone novel. It is a one part contemporary romance and one part time-travel romance.

Expected release date is October 13, 2015. Pre-order will be available in the near future. For more information, feel free to contact M. Mabie at mmabie.ccom.

Cover design by: by Hang Le

M. Mabie lives in Illinois with her husband. She writes unconventional love stories and tries to embody “real-life romance.”

She cares about politics, but will not discuss them in public. She uses the same fork at every meal, watches Wayne’s World while cleaning, and lets her dog sleep on her head. She has always been a writer. In fact, she was born with a pen in her hand, which almost never happens. Almost.

M. Mabie usually doesn’t speak in third-person. She promises.

Connect with M. Mabie Website | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

Other Books by M. Mabie Fade In (Standalone Contemporary Romance) | Bait: Book One in the Wake Series | Sail: Book Two in the Wake Series

Heavenly Blog Tour + Giveaway + Release Party: Saving Evangeline by Nancee Cain

Posted on 06/07/2015 by Saucy Southern Readers

Saving Evangeline by Nancee Cain

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ iBooks ~ Kobo

Synopsis

Evangeline is the town pariah. Everyone knows she’s crazy and was responsible for the death of her last boyfriend. Even her mother left her and moved cross-country. Lonely and desperate, Evie decides to end her life.

Rogue angel Remiel longs to return to earth, but there’s just one problem. He tends to invite trouble and hasn’t been allowed back since Woodstock. The Boss sends him to save Evangeline, but there’s a catch: he can’t reveal his angelic nature, and he must complete the task as Father Remiel Blackson.

Forced together on a cross-country trip, a forbidden romance ignites and love unfolds. A host of heavenly messengers tries to intervene, but Remiel and Evangeline are headed on a collision course to disaster. Will his love save her, or will they both be lost forever?

Excerpt

“Evangeline, wake up!”

“No,” I whimper, squeezing my eyes harder and swatting at the hand on my shoulder.. The warm hand shakes me, again.

“Come on, Crazy Girl, you need to get out of the tub. This isn’t fair. I didn’t sign on for this kind of temptation. I’m only human remember,” Remi murmurs, his voice laced with frustration.

My eyes snap open, and I struggle to sit up, covering my nakedness as best as I can with my hands and knees. The bubbles are gone. The water is cold. And my skin burns with embarrassment. A rumble of thunder and crack of lightning splits the air and we’re plunged into darkness.

“Thank God,” he mutters followed by a grunt. I figure he must’ve run into the counter. Remi swears under his breath, and wind hits the side of the house, whistling with intensity.

Buy Saving Evangeline:

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ iBooks ~ Kobo

Author Bio:

Nancee Cain writes contemporary and paranormal romances with a serrated edge. In her stories she addresses some tough social issues, but always with a healthy dose of humor.

Her daytime hours are consumed by nursing in the never boring field of substance abuse. This is rather ironic since at age 22, she met her real-life hero in a bar. She swears the amount of alcohol she’d consumed had nothing to do with her boisterous proclamation she’d met her future husband. A year later, she married him.

Raised below the Mason-Dixon line, she dishes sarcasm like a Southern woman dishes blackberry cobbler, sweet and tart. She considers life too short not to laugh and too serious not to discuss. Her ultimate book hero will always be Atticus Finch.

An avid reader and admitted autographed book junkie, Nancee needs a 12-step program for her compulsive book buying. Her Devoted Hubby swears her To-Be-Read list qualifies her as a certifiable book hoarder.

Social Media Links:

Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Nancy is giving away a signed copy of Saving Evangeline

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Come to the Release Party and party with Nancee, Debra Anastasia, Helena Hunting, and AJ Harmon

https://www.facebook.com/events/1051070228254767/

Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Beyond The Cut by Sarah Castille – The Sinner’s Tribe Motorcycle Club – Book 2

Posted on 06/06/2015 by shellbellereads

Beyond The Cut

Sinner’s Tribe Motorcycle Club – Book 2

Release Date: June 2, 2015

By Sarah Castille

Synopsis

SHE’S HOLDING ON TIGHT.
As a teen, Dawn ran from a life on the streets straight into the arms of Jimmy “Mad Dog” Sanchez, a biker who promised to be her knight in shining armor. But his love was just another cage. Years later, Dawn’s former life still has its hooks in her and she’ll do whatever it takes to break free. When Cade “Ryder” O’Connor, a member of a rival club, makes her an offer, Dawn finds herself in a different, hotter kind of trouble with one irresistible Sinner…

WILL HE GIVE HER THE RIDE OF HER LIFE?
Cade is an outlaw biker with allegiance to one thing and one thing only: The Sinner’s Tribe Motorcycle Club. But when it comes to the stunningly sexy, fiercely independent Dawn Delgado, Cade finds himself…hungrier for more. Trouble is on Dawn’s heels and he wants to be the answer to her prayers, whether she wants him to be or not. What can’t be denied is the red-hot attraction between them. However, as they fall deeper, the danger rises and Cade may have to sacrifice it all…in Beyond the Cut by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Castille.

Buy : Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Excerpt

“We never danced before,” she said softly. Her breath was sweet, citrusy, and he was tempted to lick that sugar from her lips, but uncertainty held him back.

“We never did a whole lot of anything before except fuck.” Exactly what he wanted to do now. And afterward, maybe they could talk, or do what couples did, although never having really been part of a couple, he didn’t know what that would be. Watch TV? Go for a ride? Fuck some more?

“Maybe that’s ’cause that’s all we’re good for together.”

That gave him pause. Yes, he enjoyed sex with Dawn, but he genuinely liked her. She was smart, sweet, sensitive, and funny. She had more grit and determination than anyone he’d met, working three jobs, putting up with Shelly-Ann, never giving up hope she’d get her girls back. He wanted to spend more time with her, but she was always running away.

“Well, we gotta have something together, because now you’re wearing my cut and there’s no turning back.” He brushed his fingers through her beautiful long, blond hair. They had that in common. But Dawn was soft, where he was hard. Curved where he was straight. Sweet where he was bitter.

“If you’d told me three weeks ago I’d be in a biker bar, dancing with a biker and wearing a cut, I’d never have believed you. This was the last thing I ever thought I wanted. Me. A biker’s old lady again.”

His old lady. He liked the sound of it. He liked watching the words on her lips, tumbling over the silky softness and into his heart. Three weeks ago, sitting in his booth at Peelers with Delilah in his lap, he never would have believed he’d have an old lady. “Say it again.”

She licked her lips, and the sight of her little pink tongue made him hard.

“Old lady.”

“My old lady. Say it.”

Dawn studied him for a minute, considering. “Yours.” She leaned up and kissed him and he lost the last threads of his control.

Michel’s Review

Beyond The Cut by Sarah Castille is the second book in The Sinner’s Tribe MC series. It is a gritty, sexy, and intense story that I would recommend to MC Romance fans. It is not a light and censored romance. Sarah Castille paints a very vivid picture of the MC world and their rivals.

Dawn has dealt with the MC world most of her adult life. She married a biker at the age of sixteen. She thought she was building a strong family unit. Instead she is in an abusive relationship and fears not only for her life but the life of her twin girls. When she tries to flee her husband and start a new life , the power of MC rules over her life. She loses custody of her children and has limited visitation. Her ex husband refuses to let go of her.

Dawn moved to a town where her husband’s rival MC resides. He can’t get her in this territory. She is done with the MC world. The only problem is her attraction to Cade “Ryder” O’Connor. He is a lifer in the Sinner’s Tribe MC. He is an outlaw like her ex husband. The only difference between the two in her mind is the patches on their cut. That is until she gets to know Ryder. He is everything her ex husband is not. She can’t stay away from him. But she knows she has to if she wants to get her daughters back.

The more Dawn gets involved with Ryder the deeper the cesspool of her life gets. She is being blackmailed to ensure she can see her daughters. She is being stalked and threatened by her ex husband. There is a war brewing in the Sinner’s Tribe world. Dawn may get caught up in it or become a causality of the war. Can Ryder protect his club and his woman?

I enjoyed Beyond The Cut but I found a few things that didn’t quite sit right with me. This book did not seem to have the comadery and brotherhood unity that most MC Romances have. I didn’t really feel like the club was backing Ryder and that they were more concerned with the politics of the MC world. They didn’t seem to care that women and children could be causalities. I also felt like Dawn spent more angsting over Ryder rather than her children. When the danger prevailed it seemed like the children were an afterthought. Otherwise Beyond The Cut was a good biker romance. I would recommend this book and the Sinner’s Tribe Motorcycle Club series.

_______________________

The Sinner’s Tribe Motorcycle Club Series

Rough Justice – Book 1

From New York Times bestselling author Sarah Castille comes Rough Justice, a scorching new series featuring red-hot, hard-riding bikers and the women who can’t help but love them…
IT TAKES A GOOD, STRONG WOMAN
Raised in a motorcycle gang, tough, beautiful Arianne Wilder has always dreamed of a normal life. But no sooner does she escape her father’s domineering grasp than she wakes up to find herself in a rival gang’s clubhouse—at the mercy of the dangerously sexy Jagger Knight.
TO TAME A MAN WHO’S HELL ON WHEELS.
The alpha leader of the notorious Sinner’s Tribe, Jagger Knight is all muscle, all biker, and all man. But somewhere inside this hard, tattooed outlaw, Arianne senses a kindred spirit—and she can’t ignore their tempestuous attraction. Can she beat him at his own game in a revved-up blaze of glory? Or will their passion spark a war that’s the end of the road for them both?

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Beyond The Cut – Book 2

Release Date: June 2, 2015

Pre Order: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Sinner’s Steel – Book 3

Release Date: October 6, 2015

HE’S HELL ON WHEELS.
Tall, dark, and dangerously handsome, Zane “Tracker” Colter is the strong, silent type of tattooed muscle biker who drives women wild. But as a master of strategy for the outlaw MC club, Sinner’s Tribe, he doesn’t have time to play around with groupies and biker chicks-especially when he can’t stop thinking about Evie, the girl who got away…

SHE’S PLAYING WITH FIRE.
Evie’s been in love with Zane ever since they were children-until he broke her heart and disappeared. Now he’s back in her life, bigger and badder than ever. Zane is stunned by how beautiful and confident Evie’s become, using her artistic talent to customize motorcycles. He wants her so bad, he’d ride through fire to win her back. There’s one problem: Evie is dating his deadliest rival-the leader of the Black Jacks-and if Evie and Zane hook up, there’ll be hell to pay… in Sinner’s Steel.
Sarah Castille’s Sinner’s Tribe series is:

“Raw, rugged, and romantic.” -Eden Bradley, New York Times bestselling author
“A sexy and dangerous ride!”-Roni Loren, New York Times bestselling author

Pre Order: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

____________________________________________________

Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Sarah Castille, writes contemporary erotic romance and romantic suspense featuring blazingly hot alpha males and the women who tame them. A recovering lawyer and caffeine addict, she worked and travelled abroad before trading in her briefcase and stilettos for a handful of magic beans and a home in shadow of the Rocky Mountains.

Sarah loves to connect with readers. Sign up for her newsletter to hear about new releases:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

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Excerpt Reveal: King by T. M. Frazier

Posted on 06/05/2015 by shellbellereads

The King

Release Date: June 15, 2015

By T. M. Frazier

Pre Order : Amazon / Amazon UK

Synopsis

Homeless. Hungry. Desperate.

Doe has no memories of who she is or where she comes from.

A notorious career criminal just released from prison, King is someone you don’t want to cross unless you’re prepared to pay him back in blood, sweat, sex or a combination of all three.

King’s future hangs in the balance. Doe’s is written in her past. When they come crashing together, they will have to learn that sometimes in order to hold on, you have to first let go.

King is the first book in a two part series. Tyrant is the name of the second book due out August 2015.

Pre Order: Amazon / Amazon UK

Excerpt

King

Tattooing Doe was the single most erotic moment of my life. Marking her perfect, pale skin with a tattoo I’d designed for her made me so fucking hard I had to adjust myself every thirty seconds in order to concentrate on my work.

When I was done, I handed her the hand mirror, and she walked over to the full-sized mirror that hung on the back of the door, like she’d seen dozens of my other clients do before. When she held up the hand mirror, she gasped.

“What?” I asked in a panic, hoping she didn’t already see what I’d hidden in the tattoo. I was an asshole for putting it there. I was an asshole for tattooing her in the first place.

I was just an asshole.

But I couldn’t help myself. My name needed to be on her. It wasn’t enough just to call her mine. I needed to mark her as well. So hidden in the vine work under the quote I found that I thought was perfect for her, was my name.

KING was woven into the design. In order to see it you had to tilt your head or otherwise you wouldn’t notice it. But it was there.

I would tell her eventually of course, but I wanted it to be my secret for a while. She’d stopped being my possession a while ago, a lot longer before I cared to admit, but I still felt the need to mark her as mine.

I still liked the idea of owning her.

Only now, she owned me, too.

She didn’t notice the name. Tears filled her eyes. She stood there staring at the hand mirror in just her panties. Little cheeky ones where her ass hung out of the bottoms. Her tits were only inches from my face. Her tears of happiness made my dick twitch. Although her sad tears evoked the same response.

My dick wasn’t partial to which kind of tears he liked.

I took the mirror from her hand and lifted her up onto the counter. “You like it?” I asked, pushing her panties down her legs.

“I love it,” she panted, wrapping her legs around me, drawing me close. Her wetness soaking my boxers. I pushed them down with one hand. I’d been hard for three hours, the entire time I’d been working on her, and couldn’t wait any longer. I pushed inside her tight, wet heat.

We both moaned at the contact.

“You love it?” I asked, needing to hear her say it again.

“Yes, I love it!” she said as I thrust up into her, hard. “I love it. So much. I love you.”

I froze when I heard the words, and when I did, her eyes flung open.

“I didn’t mean—”

“Shut the fuck up.”

“Oh my god, I have that word vomit thing. I’m sorry. Shit, I just meant that—”

“Shut the fuck up!” I demanded, thrusting hard to get her attention. She closed her eyes, and her head fell back. “That’s fucking better. Now, keep that pretty mouth of yours shut while I fuck you.”

“Okay,” she whispered, breathless.

“Shut up,” I said again, and she closed her mouth. “Shut up so I can fuck you…and show you how much I love you.”

She nodded and although her eyes stayed shut, a tear rolled down her cheek. I sucked it off her chin before it could fall to the floor.

Then, I fucked her.

Hard.

I showed her how much I loved her until I couldn’t tell where I started and she began. Until all that was in that room was me and her and the thing between us that kept pulling us together like magnets. Until we were lost in sensations and orgasms.

And in each other.

I fucked her until we were one person, and in a way we were, because I’d lost myself along the way and I found myself again in the most unlikely place.

I’d found myself again in the haunted eyes of a girl who was just as lost as I was.

Or maybe, we didn’t find each other at all.

Maybe, we just decided to be lost together.

_____________________________________________________________

Author Bio:

T.M. (Tracey Marie) Frazier resides in sunny Southwest Florida with her husband and three feisty fur kids.

She attended Florida Gulf Coast University where she specialized in public speaking. After years working in real estate and new home construction, she decided it was finally time to stop pushing her dreams to the back burner and pursue writing seriously.

In the third grade she wrote her very first story about a lost hamster. It earned rave reviews from both her teacher and her parents.

It only took her twenty years to start the next one.

It will not be about hamsters.

Stalk Her: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Goodreads.

Cover Reveal : Step F*@k – The Series – Part One by Scarlett Ward

Posted on 06/05/2015 by shellbellereads

Step F*@k Series

Part One Release Date : June 18, 2015

By Scarlett Ward

Part One Synopsis

That’s all I did. A few too many glasses of wine with my best friend and the bitch convinced me to go on one of those dating websites.

A one-night stand.

A booty call.

And you know what? It.was.amazing.

I spent all night in a sexy stranger’s arms, hot and sweaty, until it was time to sneak out and do the walk of shame back to my apartment.

I never thought I’d see sexy stranger again, and I was totally fine with that – until my mother’s wedding.

She’s getting remarried, see. And sexy stranger just happens to be my new stepbrother.

All the wine in the world isn’t going to make this better.

Release Dates for Part 2-4 will be released soon!

Scarlett Ward lives in Los Angeles, California and is releasing her first series June 2015.

Follow Scarlett on Goodreads at: http://bit.ly/1dNiwHz

Free… A Dangerous Bargain by J. S. Scott

Posted on 06/05/2015 by shellbellereads

The first book In The Sentinel Demon Series, a paranormal romance by NY Times and USA Today bestselling author J.S. Scott.

27 year old Kat Larson is haunted by demons. Literally. And how was she to know that there was more than one type of demon? The Evils want to destroy her soul, while billionaire Sentinel demon, Zachary Winston, claims that he wants to protect her. Kat opts for Zach’s protection…but it doesn’t come without a price. It requires a demon bargain…and what he suggests surprises poor Kat almost as much as the fact that demons really do exist. Why would the handsome billionaire want to make such an agreement with a curvy, plain redheaded woman like her?

Billionaire Zachary Winston has a mission and it’s one that he vows to complete. As a Sentinel demon, his task is to protect Kat from the Evils that will corrupt her soul. His only problem is that she is his “radiant,” the one woman who can lighten the darkness of his demon existence and be his eternal mate. Zach has to fight an internal war between man and demon as he protects Kat, not quite sure which one will win. He’s one part demon, one part man, but they both yearn for Kat’s lush, full figured body and kind, compassionate heart. As Zach becomes more and more enchanted with Kat, he’s hoping she can learn to love a lonely man/demon that’s only slightly wicked.

This paranormal romance contains graphic language, steamy love scenes, and lovable alpha males that also happen to be mythological demons.

UNIVERSAL AMAZON LINK

myBook.to/ADangerousBargain

Amazon http://amzn.to/1uH4POL
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/ZxWrEE
Amazon CA http://amzn.to/1vF8Nco

ALSO IN THE SERIES

BOOK #2 Out Now

Dr. Talia Maris had lived her entire life as a freak—a too tall, too plain, too odd woman who sees and senses the presence of otherworldly entities. A total recluse, Talia spends all of her time on her research, living a contented, quiet life with only her loyal feline companion for company. Until that sedate existence comes crashing down around her when she starts being pursued by demon Evils. And if there’s one thing she hates…it’s demons. She ditches every one of them until Sentinel demon, Drew Winston, finally wins the game of pursuit by trapping her with a deceitful, underhanded trick. Not only is she infuriated by Drew’s stunt, but when he tells her she’s his mate, Talia wonders if the too handsome, too tall, too sexy Sentinel demon needs some serious psychological help. All she wants is to get rid of Drew as quickly as possible! But the stubborn Irishman isn’t budging, and her resistance slowly crumbles as she gets pulled deeper and deeper into the world of the Sentinels by the relentless attempts of the Evils to capture her. And what is she supposed to do with Drew Winston, a Sentinel demon who would do anything, even sacrificing his own life, to protect her?

There are two things Drew Winston loves about his life: being a billionaire Sentinel demon and food. He loves having everything he wants, and he’s perfectly happy slaying Evils and rescuing unsuspecting humans, until the irritating Dr. Talia Maris evades him one time too many. Yeah…sure…maybe he was a little devious in the method he used to finally meet her face-to-face, but he ends up being the one who is actually surprised when he discovers the elusive woman is actually his mate. Worse yet, she’s being pursued by ancient Evils, and it brings every protective instinct he has to the surface, making him want to kill anything that might hurt Talia. Maybe Drew had never wanted or expected a mate of his own, but once he has Talia in his grasp, he’s determined to keep her safe and make her want to stay with him forever.

18+ Plus Only. Not intended for Teens.

A Dangerous Hunger
Amazon http://amzn.to/1v7XOYM
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1nswkuf
Amazon CA http://amzn.to/ZI1H9i

BOOK #3 COMING SOON

Available for Pre-Order

A Dangerous Fury (Pre-Order)
Amazon http://amzn.to/1qpNtk3
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1sdIdTO
Amazon CA http://amzn.to/1z8QOxq
iTunes http://bit.ly/1rzKLrt
Google Play http://bit.ly/1vod2Yy

J.S. Scott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of steamy romance. She’s an avid reader of all types of books and literature. Writing what she loves to read, J.S. Scott writes both contemporary steamy romance stories and paranormal romance erotics. They almost always feature an Alpha Male and have a happily ever after because she just can’t seem to write them any other way!

https://www.facebook.com/authorjsscott

http://authorjsscott.com

https://twitter.com/AuthorJSScott

Also Free

http://joandisalovebooks.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/7-free-reads-by-bestselling-author-js.html

Summer Reads: All Of Me by Jennifer Bernard – Love Between The Bases Series – Book 1

Posted on 06/04/2015 by shellbellereads

All Of Me

Love Between The Bases Series – Book 1

By Jennifer Bernard

Synopsis

Jennifer Bernard, the USA Today bestselling author of the Bachelor Firemen series, scores another homerun with a brand-new series about sexy, single baseball players.

Playing for the Kilby Catfish is hotshot pitcher Caleb Hart’s last chance to salvage his career after a major league meltdown. But the day of his opener with the minor league team, Caleb strikes out with the gorgeous woman who is delivering a petition to run the unruly Catfish out of town. Now, to stay in the lineup, Caleb will need to score big with the feisty brunette he can’t keep out of his thoughts.

After the nasty lies Sadie Merritt’s rich ex-boyfriend spread about her all over town, she’s lucky to have a job at all. She can’t afford to screw it up by falling for the player who is supposed to be helping her change the image of the fun-loving Catfish. But that’s easier said than done when Caleb’s voice alone is enough to make her pulse race. And when he surprises her with a mind-blowing kiss, she knows there’s no turning back.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Tina’s Review

Judging a Book by it’s Cover —
Nice colors. But I’m not a big fan. Both models on the cover poorly depict the characters as described in the book. The male model looks older and “softer”, at the same time the pose makes him look like he’s one of those grabby PitA guys who think they’re cute but they’re not. Sadie also looks older and way more “buttoned up” than described. The model’s got that look like “Oh yeah? I don’t think so buddy”. It seems more playful and cheeky, but you really do not sense any romantic connection from the cover.
Synopsis sounds okay, not like something I’d pick up on my own though. I’m not a huge fan of baseball and it sounds a little too redneck as well. But, as a favor to a friend, I’ve agreed to read it. I have liked the author’s firemen series, so I’m hoping the writing style will transfer over to this new series as well.
Looking Deeper —
Caleb is a great brother. But, the way he approaches Sadie? I’m surprised the guy hasn’t been charged with sexual assault. He’s always pawing at her, and more! And, maybe it’s some sort of hole-in-the-wall small-town mentality, but if Sadie’s so dang shook up over what Ham did to her, without looking into the violation of privacy laws and reporting the photos and video to the proper channels, how did she expect to ever become a successful lawyer? I get the familial tie in the law enforcement thing, but once it hit the web, it became Federal and she would not have had to deal with Ham’s podunk father. Their parents were a damn mess, both of them. The cast of secondary characters were enjoyable, but are currently little more than filler… only one or two actually contributed to the plot. The whole slug cause seemed like an unusual mockery. The conflicts were rather plentiful and, with better communication, could have been resolved much more smoothly and efficiently. The plot, as a whole, was good. There was some predictability, but not enough to be off-putting. The conclusion was solid, with a completed HEA and hints of others to come.
I found it difficult to connect to the characters. Caleb and Sadie seemed to have some trouble connecting as well… almost like an engine with one cylinder misfiring. The dialogue was still classic Jennifer Bernard, however. Smart, sassy and fun. Maybe it’s because this is the series’ debut and a whole new world needs building, but I’m not really a fan of the small-town busybody mentality in Kilby and hope like hell that future books in the series will focus less on the narrow-minded, nosy inhabitants. Fans of Jennifer Bernard will also note that this book is quite a bit steamier than her Bachelor Firemen books ever were. I have a pet peeve about “boner” being used in adult plots, my opinion is that it’s a term used by children, teens, and up into college. It is suitable for Young Adult and New Adult, but I don’t feel it is a mature word for mature adults. Unfortunately, the terminology had made an appearance a few times throughout the book. I felt as though maybe Jennifer’s alter-ego had a more predominant hand in writing this book, expecially the sexy scenes.

Michel’s Review

Baseball and romance… the perfect way to welcome in the summer season. Jennifer Bernard has given the readers some new Boys of Summer to fall in love with. The great thing about a baseball romance is that at the end of the book the readers know that there is more coming. After all a baseball team consists of nine players.

All of Me is the first book in the new series Love Between The Bases by Jennifer Bernard. It is a good mix of romance, angst, humor, small town quirkiness, and baseball. One bad boy baseball player and one good girl with a bad reputation is the perfect blend. Both have made mistakes that they need to right. Both need second chances. Both need each other whether they know it or not. The chemistry between Caleb and Sadie is sizzling hot and could melt a popsicle in a flash.

All of Me was a very good book to start the summer.

Author Bio:

Jennifer Bernard is a graduate of Harvard and a former news promo producer. The child of academics, she confounded her family by preferring romance novels to … well, any other books. She left big city life for true love in Alaska, where she now lives with her husband and stepdaughters. She’s no stranger to book success, as she also writes erotic novellas under a naughty secret name not to be mentioned at family gatherings.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

5 Star Review…Moonlight On Nightingale Way by Samantha Young – On Dublin Street Series

Posted on 06/04/2015 by shellbellereads

Moonlight On Nightengale Way

Dublin Street Series

By Samantha Young

Synopsis

Logan from Echoes of Scotland Street is back with his own smoldering story, as the New York Times bestselling On Dublin Street series returns…

Logan spent two years paying for the mistakes he made. Now, he’s ready to start over. He has a great apartment, a good job, and plenty of women to distract him from his past. And one woman who is driving him to distraction…

Grace escaped her manipulative family by moving to a new city. Her new life, made to suit her own needs, is almost perfect. All she needs to do is find her Mr. Right—or at least figure out a way to ignore her irresistible yet annoying womanizer of a neighbor.

Grace is determined to have nothing to do with Logan until a life-changing surprise slowly begins turning the wild heartbreaker into exactly the kind of strong, stable man she’s been searching for. Only just when she begins to give into his charms, her own messy past threatens to derail everything they’ve worked to build…

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Tracey’s Review

Moonlight On Nightingale Way is the last book in Samantha Young’s beloved On Dublin Street series, and she really does go out with a bang. Logan MacLeod and Grace Farquhar get off to a prickly start, due mostly to a shared bedroom wall and her prickly response to his manwhoring ways. But it’s not long before friendship, then more, is in the air as life reveals surprises that bring them closer together.

I will happily read anything by Samantha. I am so in love with all the characters that we have come to know and love in this series. Diving into one of these books is like reconnecting with old friends, and, because Samantha writes about these people like they’re part of our own tribe, it really is so much fun to check in and see how what’s new with them. Not only do we meet Logan, Grace, and her friends, but the whole gang is here and very involved in all the goings-on. As well, Logan’s daughter Maia is a joy. Part über-responsible young woman, part typical teenaged girl, she is easy to love, and really adds to the story. Exploring complicated family dynamics and showing that real family is often chosen rather than dictated by birth, Samantha has written a story both romantic and poignant, and I loved every single page.

I am sad to see the end of the Dublin Street gang, but look very forward to what comes next from Samantha. With 5 ‘snarky, feel-good, so sexy I can’t stand it’ stars, Moonlight On Nightingale Way is a must-read, and you should add it to your TBR now.

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Author Bio:

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. She’s been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for her international bestseller ON DUBLIN STREET. ON DUBLIN STREET is Samantha’s first adult contemporary romance series and has sold in twenty-eight countries.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Summer Reads: 6 Star Review + 2015 Favorite: Gus by Kim Holden

Posted on 06/04/2015 by shellbellereads

Gus

A Sequel to Brightside

By Kim Holden

Synopsis

The journey that began in top-rated, best-selling Bright Side, continues …

This is the story of Gus.
Losing himself.
Finding himself.
And healing along the way.

“ … but the honest-to-God truth is I don’t even know how to function anymore. Bright Side wasn’t only my best friend; she was like my other half … the other half of my brain, the other half of my conscience, the other half of my sense of humor, the other half of my creativity, the other half of my heart. How do you go back to doing what you did before, when half of you is gone forever?”

Buy: Amazon

Robin’s Review

When author Colleen Hoover recommends a novel, I make a note of it. Not only is Hoover a gifted writer, but I respect her opinion when it comes to a book recommendation. The novel I’m referring to on this occasion is Bright Side by Kim Holden, and it apparently made a positive impression on her. It was impossible to ignore all of the positive feedback from readers who had already taken her recommendation to heart, so I decided to purchase and read Bright Side. Kim Holden’s gripping and emotional story about Kate Sedgwick was heartbreaking, inspiring, and beautiful. Optimistic. Bright Side earned a 6-star rating from me and a rare spot on my list of all-time favorite novels.

Because of my immense love for Bright Side, I have been looking forward to the day I could read Gus, the second novel of Holden’s Bright Side series. It’s a story about Kate Sedgwick’s lifelong best friend, Gus Hawthorne. Simply put, Gus found a way under my skin. This story grew on me, steamrolling into something just as special as Bright Side. Gus Hawthorne is the songwriter and lead singer for Rook. The novel sort of has a slow start, with Gus drowning in heartbreak and loss. His life is falling apart. While the band is touring Europe, Gus is doing his best to get through each day. In order to ensure the success of the U.S. tour, management decides to hire a personal assistant for Gus.

Scout Mackenzie doesn’t know anything about Rook or its lead singer. She’s just running away from her problems when she accepts the position to be a personal assistant to Gustov Hawthorne. Scout has recently been in an abusive relationship. She could use the money, and she definitely needs some time away. Taking this position is perfect for her because Rook is beginning its tour of the United States, and she will be traveling with the band on the tour bus.

Right from the beginning, Gus and Scout do not hit it off. They put up with each other because they have to. This may seem strange, but I love this aspect of Gus. I commend Kim Holden for going this route, although it might not be a popular choice. I believe both of these characters need time to heal – to get some perspective on the circumstances they have been through. I found it refreshing to read how a relationship develops between Gus and Scout. How they grow on each other. We see them become friends first, helping each other heal. Friends before lovers.

One of my favorite things about Bright Side is the characters, most of them full of positive energy and charisma, so I was super excited to see Kim Holden revisit them in Gus. You should expect to spend plenty of time with the members of Rook – Gus, Franco, Robbie and Jamie. And Gus’s Ma? I just love her, and the close relationship they share. Ma is definitely my favorite secondary character, and she has a special role in this novel. The characters from Grant, Minnesota? Keller and Stella, Duncan and Shelly and many more are found in Gus. Kim Holden ties her characters from Bright Side and Gus together nicely.

Gus is an emotional story. At times, the novel can be sad. I found myself in tears on several occasions, but Gus is also funny, hopeful and inspiring. I absolutely adored the many ways we visit Kate and Gracie throughout this story! The healing and love that flourishes between Gus and Scout is heartwarming and fulfilling, and they show growth as individuals. The author does a fantastic job of fully developing each main character.

Bright Side and Gus. There is something very powerful about each of these stories. Maybe what I am feeling is the mood or tenor. I’m not sure, but whatever it is, I continue to feel it long after I have finished reading. Both novels are very special to me. Gus receives a 6-star rating, and I am including it on my list of 2015 favorite novels!

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Don’t miss out on Brightside by Kim Holden!

Bright side by Kim Holden

Synopsis

Secrets.
Everyone has one.
Some are bigger than others.
And when secrets are revealed,
Some will heal you …
And some will end you.

Kate Sedgwick’s life has been anything but typical. She’s endured hardship and tragedy, but throughout it all she remains happy and optimistic (there’s a reason her best friend Gus calls her Bright Side). Kate is strong-willed, funny, smart, and musically gifted. She’s also never believed in love. So when Kate leaves San Diego to attend college in the small town of Grant, Minnesota, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with Keller Banks.

They both feel it.
But they each have a reason to fight it.
They each have a secret.

And when secrets are revealed,
Some will heal you …
And some will end you.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

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Author Bio

Some of my favorite things: reading, writing, the two coolest guys on the planet (my husband and son), my bicycle (my husband built it for me), Facebook (I’m fairly certain it’s an addiction at this point), iced coffee (hazelnut), and music (LOVE Sunset Sons, the 1975, Dredg, the xx, Balance and Composure, Teenage Bottlerocket, and 30 Seconds to Mars). I also love dreaming, which brings me to my next point. I have one bit of advice for anyone reading this … follow your dreams. It’s never too late. Get started today … heck get started RIGHT NOW! I wanted to write a book 20 years ago. Instead I waited. And waited. I should’ve been writing. But I didn’t. I don’t do regrets, because the past is just that, the past. But let me tell you there’s nothing in the world like achieving something you’ve dreamt about for years and years. So, get started. Make your dreams reality.
I love to hear from other readers. Send me a message or find me on Facebook (https://facebook.com/kimholdenauthor) and tell what’s up in your reading world.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Shattered By You by Nashoda Rose- Tear Asunder Series- Book 3

Posted on 06/04/2015 by shellbellereads

Shattered By You

Tear Asunder Series – Book 3

Release Date : June 22, 2015

By Nashoda Rose

Synopsis

What started out as a deal quickly became a friendship that conquered monsters.

I killed, but I escaped hell.

Emotionless. Disconnected. Cold. A mannequin. It’s what I’d become in order to survive the years held in captivity. I was able to endure the abuse and devastating loss as long as I remained detached.

But he wouldn’t let me.

Crisis, the bass guitarist in my brother’s rock band, Tear Asunder. He’s cocky, rude, a total man-whore. But the rock star has far more beneath the surface of his inked skin, and he’s determined to make me laugh again.

He made me a “deal”, but really, it was blackmail.

His terms were simple. Until his playful honesty became the building blocks to something unexpected. Something strong enough to pull me from the eye of the storm.

Because even though I escaped years of abuse, it didn’t mean I was free.

Warning: Shattered by You contains dark elements. If you are uncomfortable with harsh language and/or disturbing scenes, then this book might not be for you. Trigger warning for drug use.

*Mature audiences only.

Shattered by You is written as a standalone, however, it is recommended you read Book 1 and 2 in the Tear Asunder series.

Words: 98,000

This is a Contemporary Romance.

Haven’t read this series yet?

Grab Books 0.5 – Two in the

Tear Asunder Box Set

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1GjFMt1

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1RIiKhe

Nook: http://bit.ly/1AMtVkA

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Qo3kwg

iBooks: http://apple.co/1KLtuuh

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Author Bio:

Nashoda Rose is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Toronto with her assortment of pets. She writes contemporary romance with a splash of darkness, or maybe it’s a tidal wave.

When she isn’t writing, she can be found sitting in a field reading with her dogs at her side while her horses graze nearby. She loves interacting with her readers on Facebook and chatting about her addiction—books.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Monthly Archives: June 2015

Cover Reveal: The Very Second Time by M. Mabie

The Very Second Time

—M. Mabie—

Synopsis

“Look into my eyes. Again.”

“Again, Felix. Always.”

Add The Very Second Time to your Goodreads TRB HERE.

Listen to The Very Second Time’s playlist HERE.

Cover design by: by Hang Le

Connect with M. Mabie Website | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

Other Books by M. Mabie Fade In (Standalone Contemporary Romance) | Bait: Book One in the Wake Series | Sail: Book Two in the Wake Series

Heavenly Blog Tour + Giveaway + Release Party: Saving Evangeline by Nancee Cain

Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Beyond The Cut by Sarah Castille – The Sinner’s Tribe Motorcycle Club – Book 2

Excerpt Reveal: King by T. M. Frazier

Cover Reveal : Step F*@k – The Series – Part One by Scarlett Ward

Summer Reads: All Of Me by Jennifer Bernard – Love Between The Bases Series – Book 1

5 Star Review…Moonlight On Nightingale Way by Samantha Young – On Dublin Street Series

Summer Reads: 6 Star Review + 2015 Favorite: Gus by Kim Holden

Cover Reveal: Shattered By You by Nashoda Rose- Tear Asunder Series- Book 3

The Very Second Time

—M. Mabie—

Synopsis

“Look into my eyes. Again.”

“Again, Felix. Always.”

Add The Very Second Time to your Goodreads TRB HERE.

Listen to The Very Second Time’s playlist HERE.

Cover design by: by Hang Le

Connect with M. Mabie Website | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

Other Books by M. Mabie Fade In (Standalone Contemporary Romance) | Bait: Book One in the Wake Series | Sail: Book Two in the Wake Series

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