Licked 

By Brooke Blaine

Buy: Amazon / Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Amazon AU

Synopsis

As the owner of Licked, an eclectic ice creamery and bar, Ryleigh Phillips doesn’t have time for that love stuff. Serving up Nibble My Nuts sundaes and Drunken Sailor boozy shakes are as close to an orgasmic affair as she’s had in months thanks to her expanding empire—until the night of her ten-year high school reunion.

When Ryleigh’s crush, gorgeous ex-football god Cameron Mathis, comes streaking into her life (literally—streaking), she begins to wonder if she really can have it all.

Wouldn’t it just figure that the moment you think life is perfect is when it falls spectacularly apart?

Enter Hunter Morgan, the contractor in charge of Licked’s renovations. Devastatingly handsome, and a smartass to boot, he’s got his eyes on Ryleigh from the moment he finds her passed out on his couch (yeah, that’s a long story). There’s just one tiny complication—he happens to be Cameron’s best friend.

When the lines between relationships and friendships blur, and it’s impossible to choose between two delicious flavors, what’s a girl to do?  Taste a sample of each? Or go out and get LICKED?

Excerpt

“And then?”

I tugged at the edge of my apron in an attempt to avoid the three pairs of eyes staring bug-eyed at me. “And then he walked me to my car.”

“And then you…?” Shayne asked.

“Went home,” I said.

“Wait a minute, can we talk about the fact that he made you sleep on his couch?” Paige’s eyebrows were raised up to practically her hairline. “I’m sorry, but in what fucking universe is that acceptable? Why didn’t you call Quinn to pick you up?”

“He didn’t make me, geez. He passed out and it was late, and I thought maybe…you know. Morning sex.”

Shayne cocked an eyebrow. “And did that happen?”

“Well, no. Hunter made me coffee, and then Cameron woke up and…that’s it.”

“Wait,” Quinn interrupted. “You slept in an apartment with two guys and both of them had you sleeping on the couch? Jesus, Ryleigh, it’s against man-code for that to happen. Did you wear a chastity belt last night or something?”

I groaned, my head falling into my hands. Of course the girls would give me a hard time. I’d been talking up tackling Cameron at the reunion for weeks, so my body wasn’t the only one feeling let down.

Still, I was seriously regretting inviting them over for a powwow at my shop during our off hours.

“I think I need another shot of vodka in my Feisty Ho-bag now.” Paige pushed her glass stemware toward me, and I grabbed a liquor bottle from behind the bar and tipped some into her glass.

Boozy shakes. They were the bread and butter of Licked during the brunch and evening hours, and the main reason for the expansion next door. I glanced at the black tarp hanging over the doorway that led to the space I’d bought a few months ago and sighed. Construction was running behind, and it was too late to hire another company if I wanted to keep the launch date set.

And I had to keep the date set.

“So are you seeing him again?” Shayne asked, dunking her cherry through the layers of baklava bits and whipped cream on top of her Nibble My Nuts shake. “I will totally get involved if I need to.”

No doubt she’d be successful. She basically ran one of the top matchmaking companies in the city, not that you’d know it from her degrading pay scale. Her boss was a fucking nightmare, but Shayne was convinced she had to pay her dues.

“I don’t need your expert skills this time, but thank you. He’s got my number, so…we’ll see.”

“You can’t just wait around for a guy to call,” she said.

“I’m not waiting. I’ve got all that”—I gestured to the ugly tarp that hid the mess behind it—“to deal with, so I’m actually quite busy at the moment.”

The three of them gave each other “the look.” You know, the one that said, We’ve got to help our poor little friend get laid so she doesn’t end up gorging on the ice cream and boozy shakes she makes and be relegated to spinsterhood.

“Guys,” I said, placing my hands on the counter as I stood in front of them. “I’m not on my way to spinsterhood. I just have priorities.”

“I’m sure you could squeeze Cameron Mathis in,” Quinn said with a wink. “Get it? Squeeze him in…”

“More like blow off the dust, grab a key, unlock that shit, and pray there are no bats,” Paige agreed.

Oh for fuck’s sake. “All right, no more booze for either of you.”

Tracey’s Review

Boozy ice cream? Yes. Quirky girl with a penchant for retro wear and icons of fabulosity? Yes. One hot guy that’s good with his hands and his mouth? Oh, heck, yes!

I’d read the A Desperate Man trilogy, Brooke Blaine’s collaboration with Ella Frank, and really liked it. So when I saw that Brooke was releasing a new read, LICKED, it was definitely on my list of ‘I need to read this one!’ And, oh, my goodness, am I glad that I did.

Ryleigh Phillips has always been different. A longtime believer in being herself, even at the expense of popularity, she’s finally found her place. As the owner of Licked, an ice cream and booziery for the 18 and over crowd, Ryleigh brings joy (and some infinitely kick-ass product names!) to those around her. When a love connection with her high school heartthrob doesn’t go as expected, into her life stalks Hunter Morgan, friend of said heartthrob and contractor with a vision. Soon there’s more going on between Ryleigh and Hunter than just the collaboration of Licked-After Dark, and things couldn’t be hotter or more swoon-inducing.

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Many laugh-out-loud moments, some SERIOUSLY steamy interludes, and a band of zany girlfriends made LICKED one of my favorite reads of 2015. An easy 4.5-stars, I highly recommend that you add LICKED to your TBR; you can thank me later. 😉

***ARC generously provided by the author for an honest review.***

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About the Author

You could say Brooke Blaine was a book-a-holic from the time she knew how to read; she used to tell her mother that curling up with one at 4 a.m. before elementary school was her ‘quiet time.’ Not much has changed except for the espresso I.V. pump she now carries around and the size of her onesie pajamas. Flash Point is Brooke’s debut solo novel, and she is the co-author of the erotic serial, A Desperate Man, with Ella Frank. The latter has scarred her conservative southern family for life, bless their hearts. Licked, a romantic comedy, will be released on November 11th, 2015. If you’d like to get in touch with her, she’s easy to find – just keep an ear out for the Rick Astley ringtone that’s dominated her cell phone for ten years.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Giveaway

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A troubled Scottish rugby player who doesn’t play by the rules.
A vivacious man-eater who’s given up on love.
When it comes to Lachlan and Kayla, opposites don’t just attract – they explode.

Kayla Moore has always been comfortable with her feisty, maneating reputation. At least it was fine until she hit her thirties and saw her best friends Stephanie and Nicola settle down with Linden and Bram McGregor, leaving Kayla to be the odd one out. Tired of being the third wheel with nothing but one-night stands and dead-end dates in San Francisco, Kayla decides to take a vow of celibacy and put men on the backburner.

That is until she lays her eyes on Linden and Bram’s cousin, hot Scot Lachlan McGregor. Lachlan is her sexual fantasy come to life – tall, tatted, and built like a Mack truck. With a steely gaze and successful rugby career back in Edinburgh, he’s the kind of man that makes her want to throw her vow right out the window. But Lachlan’s quiet and intense demeanor makes him a hard man to get to know, let alone get close to.

It isn’t until the two of them are thrown together one long, unforgettable night that Kayla realizes there is so much more to this brooding macho man than what meets the eye. But even with sparks flying between the two, Lachlan can’t stay in America forever. Now, Kayla has to decide whether to uproot her whole life and chance it all on someone she barely knows or risk getting burned once again.
Sometimes love is a game that just needs to be played.

Robin’s Review

There’s a message of hope riddled throughout the passages of Karina Halle’s latest novel. It’s titled The Play. From the dedication, “For Bruce, Pit Bulls, and other misunderstood beings who are rarely given a second chance in life,” to the final words, hope is infused into this book. Karina Halle and her husband rescued a Pit Bull mix named Bruce from an animal shelter with a high-kill rate, but she decided it wasn’t enough. Halle has devoted this contemporary romance to the plight of strays – unloved dogs, cats and other animals that have been abused and/or abandoned. She’s donating a portion of the proceeds from sales of The Play to animal charities that are in need of funding.

As you can probably imagine, The Play has a strong message about helping stray animals. This message fits well with our male main character, Lachlan McGregor, who considers himself no better than a stray dog who grew up on the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland. Abandoned by his mother at an orphanage on his fifth birthday, Lachlan grew up feeling hopeless – unloved, cast aside, and unworthy of a good home. Lachlan identifies with stray animals, and he has taken up their cause by starting a non-profit organization in Edinburgh that rescues animals and places them in loving homes.

Our female main character is Kayla Moore. Kayla is somewhat jealous of her best friends Stephanie and Nicola. Halle first introduced us to Stephanie in The Pact, and she is now married to Linden McGregor. We met Nicola in The Offer, where she paired up with Bram McGregor. Kayla recently decided to take a vow of celibacy. For the time being, she’s sworn off dating and flirting with men. She figures if she doesn’t make an effort, she can’t be disappointed with her love life.

Lachlan is in San Francisco to help his cousin Bram obtain additional funding for his apartment complex. Because Kayla works in advertising at a local magazine, Bram asks her to put in a good word about his non-profit housing complex. If they publish an article about his cause to help people who can’t afford housing, it could possibly generate more donations. Kayla’s vow of celibacy goes out the window when she interviews the rugby-playing beast (Lachlan) about fundraising for the apartments.

This story felt realistic in many ways. It’s difficult enough to find a person to connect with, who you are comfortable with, on so many different levels. Falling in love is never easy, but when it’s with someone who lives across the ocean, on a completely different continent, it can be a challenge to make a relationship work. When you add in the type of demons that Lachlan faces on a daily basis, you wonder how this couple could possibly survive. Halle did an excellent job of portraying what it’s like to suffer from addiction. I also found the actions of both characters to be believable toward the end of the book.

The Play is a long novel. It’s essentially two books in one, and Halle actually divided it into two parts. The strength of this story undoubtedly lies in the second half, where it steamrolls to its conclusion. The fluctuation of emotions that I felt while I was reading, ranging from heartbreak and anger to angst and joy, left a very positive impression on me. I personally connected with both of the main characters, and they each showed true character growth. The Play is also educational – I learned a whole lot about the plight of unloved animals, dogs and cats who fight for their lives every day. Karina Halle is creative and writes beautifully, and these characteristics are especially true in the last half of this novel. That’s why I am adding The Play to my list of 2015 favorites and assigning it a 5-star rating!

 

The Off-Campus series is back…. Featuring

Dean Di-Laurentis … he knows how to score on and off the ice!

Pre Order Now….

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The Score

Off-Campus Series – Book 3

By Elle Kennedy

Synopsis

He knows how to score, on and off the ice

Allie Hayes is in crisis mode. With graduation looming, she still doesn’t have the first clue about what she’s going to do after college. To make matters worse, she’s nursing a broken heart thanks to the end of her longtime relationship. Wild rebound sex is definitely not the solution to her problems, but gorgeous hockey star Dean Di-Laurentis is impossible to resist. Just once, though, because even if her future is uncertain, it sure as heck won’t include the king of one-night stands.

It’ll take more than flashy moves to win her over

Dean always gets what he wants. Girls, grades, girls, recognition, girls…he’s a ladies man, all right, and he’s yet to meet a woman who’s immune to his charms. Until Allie. For one night, the feisty blonde rocked his entire world—and now she wants to be friends? Nope. It’s not over until he says it’s over. Dean is in full-on pursuit, but when life-rocking changes strike, he starts to wonder if maybe it’s time to stop focusing on scoring…and shoot for love.

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The Off-Campus Series

The Deal

Off-Campus Series – Book 1

By Elle Kennedy

Synopsis

USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

She’s about to make a deal with the college bad boy…

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice…even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.

…and it’s going to be oh so good

All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.

***New Adult/Contemporary Romance. First of a series, but each book will be a standalone***

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

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The Mistake

Off-Campus Series – Book 2

By Elle Kennedy

Synopsis

He’s a player in more ways than one…

College junior John Logan can get any girl he wants. For this hockey star, life is a parade of parties and hook-ups, but behind his killer grins and easygoing charm, he hides growing despair about the dead-end road he’ll be forced to walk after graduation. A sexy encounter with freshman Grace Ivers is just the distraction he needs, but when a thoughtless mistake pushes her away, Logan plans to spend his final year proving to her that he’s worth a second chance.

Now he’s going to need to up his game…

After a less than stellar freshman year, Grace is back at Briar University, older, wiser, and so over the arrogant hockey player she nearly handed her V-card to. She’s not a charity case, and she’s not the quiet butterfly she was when they first hooked up. If Logan expects her to roll over and beg like all his other puck bunnies, he can think again. He wants her back? He’ll have to work for it. This time around, she’ll be the one in the driver’s seat…and she plans on driving him wild.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

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About Elle Kennedy

A USA Today bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a BA in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!

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Good Girl VS. Bad Boy

Jessie Evans

Releasing November 12, 2015

Synopsis:

Let the battle of the sexes begin… He’s hot, wild, unpredictable, untamable, and her best friend’s older brother.

Colton Brody is everything a good girl like Phoebe Page should avoid. But since her sister Kelly’s death, Phoebe isn’t as worried about being good as she used to be. She wants to live big with no regrets, the way Kelly did, and she intends to start with having a top secret, super steamy, no-strings-attached holiday fling with the man she’s crushed on her entire life.

What could go wrong?

Except everything?

Wounded in action and discharged without a chance to prove himself, all Colton cares about is getting back into the Marine Corps where he belongs. He will not get sucked into small town drama, will not take that promotion at the firehouse, and certainly won’t fall in love with his little sister’s best friend. He’s down for friends-with-benefits, nothing more, and plans to leave town long before quirky, bossy, cute-as-a-button Phoebe can get under his skin.

He’s in control.

At least until a certain sexy brunette turns his world upside down.

It isn’t long before Colton finds himself buying flowers, talking feelings, and wishing Phoebe wanted more than another night of hot, no-holds-barred sex. Because when he’s with Phoebe even hot and dirty feels like making love.

Now Colton will have to decide what’s worth fighting for–the dreams a plane crash stole from him or the dream he’s holding in his arms.

WARNING: Good Girl vs. Bad Boy contains a mix of heart-warming romance, quirky characters, laugh out loud moments, and blisteringly hot banging. If you don’t like hot sex, laughter, mentions of humping unicorns, turkey bowling, off-beat town rituals, or graphic descriptions of artisanal pancakes, steer clear.

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About Jessie Evans

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessie Evans, gave up a career as an international woman of mystery to write the sexy, contemporary Southern romances she loves to read.

She’s married to the man of her dreams, and together they’re raising a few adorable, mischievous children in a cottage in the jungle. She grew up in rural Arkansas, spending summers running wild, being chewed by chiggers, and now appreciates her home in a chigger-free part of the world even more.

When she’s not writing, Jessie enjoys playing her dulcimer (badly), sewing the worlds ugliest quilts to give to her friends, going for bike rides with her house full of boys, and drifting in and out on the waves, feeling thankful for sun, surf, and lovely people to share them with.

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Reap

Scarred Soul Series – Book 2

By Tillie Cole

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Synopsis

Raised as a prototype for the Georgian Bratva’s obedience drug, 221 fails to think, act, or live for himself; he’s his master’s perfectly-crafted killing puppet. Standing at six-foot-six, weighing two-hundred-and-fifty pounds, and unrivaled in to-the-death combat, 221 successfully secures business for the Georgian Mafiya Boss of NYC, who rules the dark world of the criminal underground. Until his enemies capture him.

Talia Tolstaia dreams to break from the heavy clutches of Bratva life. She dreams of another life–away from the stifling leash of her Russian Bratva Boss father and from the brutality of her work at The Dungeon, her criminal family’s underground death-match enterprise. But when she stumbles upon her family’s captive who is more monster than man, she starts to see the man underneath. A powerful, beautiful, damaged man whose heart calls to hers. But sacrifices must be made–blood for blood…life for life…souls for scarred souls…

Michel’s Review

Wow!  Reap is the second book in the Scarred Souls series by Tillie Cole.  This series is phenomenal.  I could not put these books down and was quickly drawn into this dark and gritty world.

We have all read books about the underworlds of organized crime.  Whether it is the Italian Mafia, the Russian Mafia, or street organizations, the one thing they all have in common is criminal intent and violence.  They are the rulers of the underworld.  They are the parasites of humanity. They are ruthless, heartless, and without conscience.  They are in it for the power and the money.  The ruling sanctions are the ultimate power.

The Scarred Souls series dives into the world of the Russian Mafia.  There is a power struggle within the infrastructure of this organization.  The powerful families are vying for the power.  They will do anything to gain the ruling power including using their children as pawns.  Their children are being stolen.  Their children are being sold into slavery.  By taking the heirs they are leaving these powerful families weak.  But what happens to these children.  Are they murdered? Are they sold into slavery? Or are they turned into monsters?  If you guessed one of the above, you would be correct.  If you guessed all three, you are on the right track.

Reap is the second book and features 221.  221 was taken from his family when he was a young boy.  He was turned into a mindless killing machine through illegal drugs, drug enhancements, and mind control.  He is no longer a human but a living, breathing, weapon used as a prototype.  His existence is an example of making mindless soldiers and fighters to be used for the Russian Mafia.  Once again he is kidnapped from the only life that he knows.  But this time will be different.  This time he will either die or become a member of the human race once again.  221 will find out what kind of man he was meant to be from the ones he has known to be his enemies.  The truth will come out, he will find that he has a beating heart and the capacity to love.  It will come at a high price.  It’s a price worth paying.  He will learn the meaning of the age old saying “love thy enemy”.

Talia has lived her life under her father’s power.  She has always had to look over her shoulder.  She has been raised to hate her father’s enemies.  But when one is chained up in her basement she begins to question her heritage as well as her integrity.  She is beginning to see a man rather than an enemy.  She sees someone who needs her love more than her family does. She sees a man that has more heart than anyone she has ever met.  She sees her soulmate.

Talia and 221 are going to find that love is more powerful than anything their families and enemies can do to them.  They just have to know the right way to fight.  They have to fight with their hearts.

The Scarred Souls Series by Tillie Cole is captivating.  There is a powerful story behind each book that is not only emotional but gripping in every sense of the word.  I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series.

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Scarred Soul Series

Raze – Book 1

TO TAKE BACK LIFE, ONE MUST FIRST FACE DEATH…

Conditioned in captivity to maim, to kill and to slaughter, prisoner 818 becomes an unrivaled and unstoppable fighter in the ring. Violence is all he knows. After years of incarceration in an underground hell, only one thought occupies his mind: revenge… bloody, slow and violent revenge. Revenge on the man who wronged him.
Kisa Volkova is the only daughter of Kirill ‘The Silencer’ Volkov, head of the infamous ‘Red’ bosses of New York’s Russian Bratva. Her life is protected. In reality, it’s a virtual prison. Her father’s savage treatment of his rivals and his lucrative and coveted underground gambling ring-The Dungeon-ensures too many enemies lurk at their door. She dreams to be set free. Kisa has known only cruelty and loss in her short life. While working for her church-the only reprieve in her constant surveillance-Kisa stumbles across a tattooed, scarred, but stunningly beautiful homeless man on the streets. Something about him stirs feelings deep within her; familiar yet impossibly forbidden desires. He doesn’t talk. Doesn’t communicate with anyone.

He’s a man beyond saving. But Kisa becomes obsessed with him. Yearns for him. Craves his touch. Needs to possess this mysterious man… … this man they call Raze.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Reap – Book 2

Raised as a prototype for the Georgian Bratva’s obedience drug, 221 fails to think, act, or live for himself; he’s his master’s perfectly-crafted killing puppet. Standing at six-foot-six, weighing two-hundred-and-fifty pounds, and unrivaled in to-the-death combat, 221 successfully secures business for the Georgian Mafiya Boss of NYC, who rules the dark world of the criminal underground. Until his enemies capture him.

Talia Tolstaia dreams to break from the heavy clutches of Bratva life. She dreams of another life–away from the stifling leash of her Russian Bratva Boss father and from the brutality of her work at The Dungeon, her criminal family’s underground death-match enterprise. But when she stumbles upon her family’s captive who is more monster than man, she starts to see the man underneath. A powerful, beautiful, damaged man whose heart calls to hers. But sacrifices must be made–blood for blood…life for life…souls for scarred souls…

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

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Author Bio:

Amazon & USA Today Best Selling Author, Tillie Cole, is a Northern girl through and through. She originates from a place called Teesside on that little but awesomely sunny (okay I exaggerate) Isle called Great Britain. She was brought up surrounded by her English rose mother — a farmer’s daughter, her crazy Scottish father, a savagely sarcastic sister and a multitude of rescue animals and horses.
Being a scary blend of Scottish and English, Tillie embraces both cultures; her English heritage through her love of HP sauce and freshly made Yorkshire Puddings, and her Scottish which is mostly demonstrated by her frighteningly foul-mouthed episodes of pure rage and her much loved dirty jokes.

Having been born and raised as a Teesside Smoggie, Tillie, at age nineteen, moved forty miles north to the ‘Toon’, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, where she attended Newcastle University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in Religious Studies. She returned two years later to complete a Post-Graduate Certificate in Teaching High School Social Studies. Tillie, regards Newcastle to be a home from home and enjoyed the Newcastle Geordie way of life for seven ‘proper mint’ and ‘lush’ years.

One summers day, after finishing reading her thousandth book on her much loved and treasured Kindle, Tillie turned to her husband and declared, “D’you know, I have a great idea for a story. I could write a book.” Several months later, after repeating the same tired line at the close of another completed story, she was scolded by her husband to shut up talking about writing a novel and “just bloody do it!” For the first time in eleven years, Tillie actually took his advice (he is still trying to get over the shock) and immediately set off on a crazy journey, delving deep into her fertile imagination.

Tillie, ever since, has written from the heart. She combines her passion for anything camp and glittery with her love of humour and dark brooding men (most often muscled and tattooed – they’re her weakness!). She also has a serious side (believe it or not!) and loves to immerse herself in the complex study of World Religions, History and Cultural Studies and creates fantasy stories that enable her to thread serious issues and topics into her writing — yep, there’s more to this girl than profanity and sparkles!

After six years of teaching high school Social Studies and following her Professional Rugby Player husband around Europe, they have finally given up their nomadic way of life and settled in Calgary, Alberta where Tillie spends most of her days (and many a late night) lost in a writing euphoria or pursuing a dazzling career as a barrel-racing, tasselled-chap wearing, Stetson-sporting cowgirl… Ye-haw!

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Reaper’s Fall 

Reapers MC Series- Book 5

Release Date: November 10, 2015

By Joanna Wylde

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Synopsis

The New York Times bestselling author of Reaper’s Stand is back in her “uber-alpha rough world of MCs”* as one woman’s future is rocked by the man whose hardcore past could destroy her…

He never meant to hurt her.

Levi “Painter” Brooks was nothing before he joined the Reapers motorcycle club. The day he patched in, they became his brothers and his life. All they asked in return was a strong arm and unconditional loyalty—a loyalty that’s tested when he’s caught and sentenced to prison for a crime committed on their behalf.

Melanie Tucker may have had a rough start, but along the way she’s learned to fight for her future. She’s escaped from hell and started a new life, yet every night she dreams of a biker whose touch she can’t forget. It all started out so innocently—just a series of letters to a lonely man in prison. Friendly. Harmless. Safe.

Now Painter Brooks is coming home… and Melanie’s about to learn that there’s no room for innocence in the Reapers MC.

Excerpt

“You want to watch a movie or something?” she asked, nodding toward the TV. I had a decent one, too. Giant-ass flat-screen—homecoming present from the club.

“Sure,” I said, reaching for the remote. I didn’t have cable, but Ruger had set up some kind of box thingie for me so I could stream shit. “Whatcha in the mood for?”

“Not horror,” she said quickly, and I laughed again, remembering that first evening I’d spent with her at Pic’s house. She’d been so young and scared and vulnerable . . . I’d wanted to eat her up.

I still wanted to eat her.

“I can’t believe that you and Puck were supposed to be watching over me, and then you put in a slasher movie. That’s not how you make a girl feel safe.”

“No horror,” I agreed, although the thought of holding her for a couple hours while she was scared shitless appealed way more than it should. Watch it, asshole. “How about Star Wars?”

“You like Star Wars?”

I shrugged. “Everyone likes Star Wars. You know, I’m pretty damned sure Han Solo was a biker.”

She giggled. “You mean, like a space biker?”

“See, when you say it like that it sounds stupid.”

“I wanted to be Princess Leia. She’s badass,” she said, taking a deep drink of her beer. I watched as her lips wrapped around the neck, her throat swallowing. Oh fuck, that was good. She set the beer down on the coffee table with a clink, then let loose with the biggest burp I’d ever heard.

“Fucking hell,” I said, stunned. “I didn’t think girls could burp like that. Shit. Impressive, Mel. Very impressive.”

She grinned at me.

“We’re friends,” she told me. “And friends don’t need to worry about stuff like that. Let me guess—you’ve never had a female friend before?”

“Not really,” I admitted. “I’m think I’m a little scared.”

Scared and turned on, which was weird.

“You should be. I can do the whole alphabet.”

Damn. I kinda wanted to see that.

Michel’s Review

The Reapers MC Series is the first MC / Biker I had read.  In January of 2013 I picked up Reaper’s Legacy and became addicted to Biker Romances.  Joanna Wylde captured my imagination, my curiosity about MC life, and my need for a romance that was not neat and pretty.  I became hooked and biker romances have become my favorite.  Every time that I see Joanna Wylde is releasing a Reapers MC book or Silver Bastards MC book, I am instantly pre-ordering the book months in advance.  I don’t need to read the synopsis because I know Joanna can deliver.  But my insatiable curiosity gets the better of me and I have to read the synopsis.  I need to know which brother is getting their story.  I need to know what kind of deep waters the Reapers are diving into.  I need to know which brother is going to fall hopelessly in love and make it work in his world.  So when I saw that Reaper’s Fall was going to be Painter’s book, I was counting down the days for this release.  I have been crushing on Painter in the last few Reaper & Silver Bastard books.  I knew there was going to be an epic story there.  And I was right!  But I was also wrong… there was so much more to this story.  Something that most authors don’t deliver with brutal honesty like Joanna Wylde did.  She gave the readers a full blown, honest, and emotional perspective of what it’s like to be an Old Lady.  She didn’t sugar coat the emotions, the fears, the frustrations, and at times the hopelessness of it.  She didn’t let the  epic “love will cure all” ideology seep into the pages.  She allowed the readers to experience the harsh emotions that only comes from loving a man that has chosen this kind of life.  She also proved that it takes two people, a lot of give and take, and trust to make a relationship work.

We met Painter when he was a recruit for the Reapers MC.  We saw him get patched in and involved in the clubs troubles.  Painter embraced the life and became a one percenter.  He proved his loyalty time after time.  His biggest contribution was serving time and taking the heat off the club in a time of crisis.  The club was being threatened to the point of destruction.  Their powerful enemies needed to be taken down.  Painter took a fall so the club could complete this business.  But before Painter took that fall he took another kind of fall.  He fell in love with a young innocent girl that had no business being in his world.  While serving his time this young girl wrote him letters that made his life in prison bearable. Now he’s out, the young girl is not too young now, and he can’t force himself to stay away.

Painter and Melanie were meant for one another.  They both had terrible childhoods.  They both saw something in one another that nobody else saw.  They both were willing to give their hearts to one another.  The only problem was the Reapers MC.  Painter had already given his soul to the club.  They were the family he never had.  When he was faced with epic choices, the club or Melanie and their baby, he made the wrong choice.  Now he is living with regrets.  He lost the love of his life.  He destroyed a woman with a pure soul. He turned his back on his child.  Once again he sits in prison.  This time he is regretting his choices.  He would never turn his back on his brothers but… he should of never turned his back on the woman he loves.  This time there are no letters.  There is nothing to keep him hanging tight.  The only thing he can do is think about how to right his wrong.  He wants another chance to make it right.  He wants to be a good father.  He wants his baby to know he loves them with all his heart.  This time Painter is going to leap rather than fall.

Reaper’s Fall is by far the best book in this series.  The reader was able to experience both sides of the coin.  Melanie was a young woman with a big heart.  Although the Reapers MC was hard to understand, she accepted it.  She hated the demands it made on her man but stood by his side.  When the time came for him to stand by her side he chose the club and left her alone and pregnant.  It’s impossible not to resent the club for taking her man away.  It’s impossible not to resent the man that chose the club over his child.

This was Joanna’s best writing to date.  I cried right along with Melanie.  I ached right along with Painter.  The Reapers MC may not be the best choice but they are family.  Family has each others backs no matter what.  They never let Melanie or Painter down when all the walls came tumbling down.

Read Reaper’s Fall by Joanna Wylde.

About Joanna Wylde

Joanna is a freelance writer living in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She started writing fiction in 2002, then took a long hiatus to explore other writing opportunities. She returned to fiction in January 2013 with ‘Reaper’s Property’, the first book in the Reapers Motorcycle Club series, and has recently released ‘Reapers Legacy’, the second of the series.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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EASY MELODY is a Contemporary Erotic Romance novel and is the 3^rd book in The Boudreaux Series. It is due to be released on November 10, 2015! Grab your copy of the latest installment of this sexy series today!

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ABOUT EASY MELODY:

Callie Mills never intended to return to New Orleans and the life she left behind more than a decade ago. There was no need to open old wounds when she had the life she’d worked hard for in Denver. But when she’s fired from her awesome job in Colorado and her father dies, she has no choice but to return home to run the derelict bar left to her in the heart of the French Quarter. Callie must not only face bad memories but turn The Odyssey into something she can be proud of.

And who better to help bring in crowds of people than Declan Boudreaux?

Declan is a sought-after musician who knows he’s good at what he does and loves doing it. Known to pack the house, he also loves women and doesn’t expect to be knocked back a step by the beautiful new owner of The Odyssey. Callie is sharp, gorgeous and funny, and makes him yearn for something he never has before… Commitment.

But when Callie’s able to turn the business around with renovations, making it one of the hottest bars in the Quarter, will she sell out and leave her past behind once and for all, or will Declan be able to convince her that’s she’s where she needed to be all along…in his arms.

And don’t forget to grab the first book in the Boudreaux Series!

EASY LOVE

EASY CHARM

ABOUT KRISTEN PROBY:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Proby is the author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.

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We are thrilled to bring you the Release Day Launch for KISS THE FLAME by Christopher Rice! KISS THE FLAME is a standalone novella that combines the worlds of THE FLAME and his novel THE SURRENDER GATE, brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights. Grab your copy of this sexy novella today!

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EXCERPT:

Michael Brouchard has staged the congratulatory dinner she never had, the one her father effectively canceled a year before when he stormed out of the house in a rage. As if the balloons weren’t enough, there’s a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket next to the table. Laney hesitates behind her empty chair, grasping the back of it with one sweaty hand. She reads the champagne bottle’s label in the flickering candlelight. It’s VeuveClicquot, the vintage, her first year of high school.

They’ve only had one conversation that’s lasted longer than a few minutes, and already Michael has filled a gap in her life. Not only that, he recognized it was there in the first place, that it was pulling at the fabric of her self-worth more than she wanted to admit. She knew tonight would be full of seductive risks, but didn’t expect to start here, with an overwhelming sense of having been seen and heard and valued.

He gestures to her empty chair, waits for her to take her seat before taking his own. Only once she’s seated does she realize Michael had extended his hand toward hers and she’d been too distracted by the balloons and the champagne to notice. Now there’s no going back to rectify her rudeness without sounding like a sputtering idiot. The host, who has stood by politely throughout her hesitation, hands her a menu and departs. She’s folding her napkin across her lap when she sees a large envelope resting against the edge of her plate, as large as a wedding invite. Her name is written on the outside in precise, draftsman-like handwriting. Just her first name. Not her last name. And not Miss Foley, which they both agreed he wouldn’t call her anymore.

Laney.

Her hands shake as she tears open the envelope, as she unfolds the piece of heavy sketch paper inside of it. The breath goes out of her when she finds herself staring down at the amazingly detailed pencil sketch of—me. That’s me. That’s me holding a rosein one hand while more rose petals shower down all sides of me. Roses for the Rose Scholarship. Oh, my God. He drew me.

The card seems to waver suddenly. She’s blinking back tears.

She can’t remember the last time anyone has been this thoughtful, this kind. She’s never thought of herself as a victim of abuse. But what do you call an entire lifetime of having your own intelligence, your own competence used against you, an entire lifetime of everyone from your parents to your friends thinking they don’t really have to show up for you because you do such a good job of showing up for yourself?

Sometimes you don’t know you’ve got a shell around your heart until it cracks.

Get it together, Laney. Get it—

“Laney…are you all right?” Michael asks.

A sane and reasonable answer is right on the tip of her tongue.

About KISS THE FLAME:

In a standalone novella that combines the worlds of THE FLAME and his novel, THE SURRENDER GATE, New York Times bestselling author Christopher Rice returns you to a mysterious candle shop in the New Orleans French Quarter where the scents of passion provide the courage to embrace your heart’s desire.

Are some risks worth taking?

Laney Foley is the first woman from her hard working family to attend college. That’s why she can’t act on her powerful attraction to one of the gorgeous teaching assistants in her Introduction to Art History course. Getting involved with a man who has control over her final grade is just too risky. But ever since he first laid eyes on her, Michael Brouchard seems to think about little else but the two of them together. And it’s become harder for Laney to ignore his intelligence and his charm.

During a walk through the French Quarter, an intoxicating scent that reminds Laney of her not-so-secret admirer draws her into an elegant scented candle shop. The shop’s charming and mysterious owner seems to have stepped out of another time, and he offers Laney a gift that could break down the walls of her fear in a way that can only be described as magic. But will she accept it?

Light this flame at the scene of your greatest passion and all your desires will be yours…

Lilliane Williams is a radiant, a supernatural being with the power to make your deepest sexual fantasy take shape around you with just a gentle press of her lips to yours. But her gifts came at a price. Decades ago, she set foot inside what she thought was an ordinary scented candle shop in the French Quarter. When she resisted the magical gift offered to her inside, Lilliane was endowed with eternal youth and startling supernatural powers, but the ability to experience and receive romantic love was removed from her forever. When Lilliane meets a young woman who seems poised to make the same mistake she did years before, she becomes determined to stop her, but that will mean revealing her truth to a stranger. Will Lilliane’s story provide Laney with the courage she needs to open her heart to the kind of true love only magic can reveal?

About Christopher Rice:

After publishing four New York Times bestselling thrillers by the age of 30 and being declared one of People Magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive, award-winning writer Christopher Rice became the first author to make his erotic romance debut part of the 1,001 DARK NIGHTS series. THE FLAME: A Desire Exchange Novella kicked off a steamy new series set in New Orleans, featuring magical candles and a sexy new breed of supernatural beings, The Radiants, who are devoted to helping heroes and heroines realize their heart’s desire. THE FLAME earned accolades from some of the biggest names in erotic romance and was quickly followed up by THE SURRENDER GATE: A Desire Exchange Novel, available from Evil Eye Concepts as a Blue Box Special. Aside from authoring eight works of dark suspense, Christopher is also the co-host and executive producer of a streaming Internet radio show he launched with his best friend, New York Times bestselling author Eric Shaw Quinn. Each Sunday at 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT, THE DINNER PARTY SHOW WITH CHRISTOPHER RICE & ERIC SHAW QUINN brings you a new episode at TheDinnerPartyShow.com.

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Happy Release Day to Samantha Towle and her new book WHEN I WAS YOURS!

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“Marry me.”

“What?” I stared back at him, unblinking.

He moved closer, taking my face in his hands. “I love you, Evie. I look into the future, and the only thing I see clearly is you. Marry me.”

What’s an eighteen-year-old girl who was madly in love with her nineteen-year-old boyfriend say?

Of course, I said yes.

Twenty-four hours later, I married Adam Gunner at a Vegas chapel to the sounds of “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. Not the best omen. I get that now.

Then, exactly one week later, I left him. I walked out, leaving behind my wedding ring, annulment papers, and my heart, and he never knew why.

I haven’t seen him since. Not in ten long years.

Now, he’s here, standing before me. Looking at me with nothing but hurt and hatred in his eyes, he wants answers.

Answers I can’t give.

Release Date: November 10, 2015

Cover Designed By: Najla Qamber Designs

Adam POV

Making my way through the hotel, I exchange pleasantries with the staff on duty. When I reach the coffee shop, I push open the door and step straight into the past.

Evie.

She’s standing behind the counter. Her face is turned slightly to the right, her attention on the TV mounted on the wall, and her hair is pulled back into a ponytail.

But it’s her.

I feel like a speeding train has hit me, and I’m pretty sure my heart has stopped beating.

It’s really her.

She’s here.

“Evie?” I breathe out her name, like I’m taking my first real breath in a very long time.

Her body stiffens at the sound of my voice. And I watch as her face turns my way. Those big whiskey-colored eyes that I fell in love with all those years ago meet mine, and my world stands still.

Evie POV

My eyes rake over him as I remember the Adam I knew ten years ago and compare him to the Adam I see before me. The long hair is gone, replaced with cropped locks. The unshaven scruff on his face is still very much there though. At least some things haven’t changed.

“You cut your hair.”

“It has been ten years.”

“I know. I just…I remember a time when you said you’d never cut your hair.” A small smile touches my lips at the memory.

“Yeah, and I remember when you promised to love me till death do us part. Shit changes.”

My smile drops from my face. My cheeks sting like he’s just slapped me.

I deserved that. Doesn’t stop it from hurting like a bitch though.

Michel’s Review

I love second chance romances.  I also love Samantha Towle’s writing.  Put the two together and it’s perfection.  When I Was Yours by Samantha Towle is a solid 5 Star book. It has all the elements fans of New Adult and Second Chance romances look for in a book.

Adam and Evie came from two different worlds.  Their meeting was destiny that would forever change both of their lives.  One summer of magical love.  One year of pure bliss.  Ten years of heartbreak, torment, and pure hell.  Ten years of lies and deceit.  Now it’s time to face the truth.  It’s time to let go of the past.  It’s time for forgiveness.

Adam and Evie fell hopelessly in love at a very young age.  Due to their life circumstances they chose to marry rather than be separated during their college years.  One moment and one person tore their lives apart.  Evie disappeared without a trace.  Adam became the man he was expected to be.  He also became a harsh and unfeeling person.  He was on the fast track of being sucked into his parents world until he ran into Evie.  This time around he wants explanations and wants to punish Evie for destroying him.

Evie has spent the last ten years heartbroken and harboring a lot of guilt.  She has a ton of regret but would still make the same choices she did when she was eighteen.  Running into Adam will give her a chance to apologize.  She knows she’ll never get forgiveness.  She knows she’s lost his love.  She knows that she will always love him with all of her heart.  She knows she has to set him free.

But what happens when she finds out that she is still legally tied to Adam.  Can she convince him to let her go once again?

When I Was Yours was angsty, emotional, and heartbreaking.  Adam and Evie had the epic love we all dream of having in our lives.  Together they were perfection.  Apart they were broken.  How they found their way back to each other wasn’t easy.  But easy isn’t worth fighting for, complicated messy love is.

Samantha Towle once again delivered an epic romance that all readers will love.

New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and international bestselling author Samantha Towle began her first novel in 2008 while on maternity leave. She completed the manuscript five months later and hasn’t stopped writing since.

She has written contemporary romances, THE MIGHTY STORM, WETHERING THE STORM, TAMING THE STORM, TROUBLE, REVVED and REVIVED.

She has also written paranormal romances, THE BRINGER and the ALEXANDRA JONES SERIES, all penned to tunes of The Killers, Kings of Leon, Adele, The Doors, Oasis, Fleetwood Mac, and more of her favourite musicians.

A native of Hull and a graduate of Salford University, she lives with her husband, Craig, in East Yorkshire with their son and daughter.

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Samantha Towle’s WHEN I WAS YOURS Release Day and Blog Tour Giveaway