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Review: True Devotion by Liora Blake – True Series – Book 2

Posted on 07/22/2015 by shellbellereads

True Devotion

True Series – Book 2

Rock Star Romance

By Liora Blake

Synopsis

Find out if rock sensation Simon can break through tough-girl Devon’s steely exterior—if he can keep his head on straight, that is—in this second sizzling romance in the True series!

Devon Jenkins is a feisty blonde, and Simon Cole is the arrogant, sexy guitarist playing in her brother’s band. When they met for the first time, it went something like this: He hit on her, she shot him down, he made a lewd joke, she told him he was an idiot.

In the two years since then, not much has changed. From the way Simon flirts shamelessly with any set of ovaries within a 100-mile radius, Devon knows the smartest thing she can do is keep an impenetrable wall between them.

But sometimes the smart choice isn’t necessarily the right one…

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Michel’s Review

True Devotion by Liora Blake is the second book in the True series. I have not read the first book or any other book by this author. I have to say I am impressed with Liora’s writing. I found True Devotion very refreshing, especially in the Rock Star romance category. It stood out as being unique. The hero was not a tortured rock star. He didn’t have groupies following him around or plotting to become his main squeeze. There were no drug addictions, no overly wild antics, or horrific hidden secrets. This hero was multi layered in a wonderful kind of way. He was an up front good guy. I fell head over heels for him.

This book is told through the heroine, Devon, point of view. She is the one with issues and misconceptions. Once she lets go and opens her heart and mind, she is in for something wonderful.

Simon was swoon worthy. He was laid back but very intense at the same time. I loved how he was so in tune to Devon. He called her out when necessary and praised her when it wasn’t necessary. He made her feel important, loved, needed, and respected.

Liora Blake did a fabulous job with this story. I want to read the first book in this series. I will definitely be reading more of her works.

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Author Bio:

Liora Blake is a contemporary romance author living in Colorado. When she isn’t writing, she’s likely baking cookies she shouldn’t eat, inventing elaborate excuses to avoid going for a run, or asking the nice barista to sell her another quad-shot Americano.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Review: Manwhore + 1 by Katy Evans – Manwhore Series – Book 2

Posted on 07/22/2015 by shellbellereads

Manwhore + 1

Manwhore Series- Book 2

By Katy Evans

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Synopsis

The unexpected love story that began in MANWHORE continues heating up the pages in MANWHORE +1 by New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans…

Billionaire playboy? Check.

Ruthless businessman? Check.

Absolutely sinful? Check.

Malcolm Saint was an assignment. A story. A beautiful, difficult man I was supposed to uncover for a racy exposé.

I intended to reveal him, his secrets, his lifestyle–not let him reveal me. But my head was overtaken by my heart and suddenly nothing could stop me from falling. I fell for him, and I fell hard.

Malcolm Saint is absolute Sin, and I’ve become a hopeless Sinner.

Now that the assignment is over, Saint wants something from me–something unexpected–and I want this wicked playboy’s heart. But how can I prove to the man who trusts no one that I’m worthy of becoming his plus one?

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Excerpt

FOUR WEEKS

I’ve never been so hopeful as when I board the pristine glass elevator at the M4 corporate building. A handful of employees ride along with me, murmuring perfunctory greetings to each other and to me. I think my mouth must be on vacation because I can’t seem to force it to speak. But I smile in reply—my smile nervous, nervous but hopeful, definitely hopeful. My riding companions step out on their floors one by one until I’m alone, riding up to the executive floor on my own.

Toward him.

Toward the man I love.

My body is raging. My blood is pumping—my blood is storming—my thighs are shaking. My stomach feels filled with little earthquakes that just won’t quit, then they turn into a full-fledged roil when I hear the elevator ting at his floor.

Stepping out, I’m in corporate nirvana, surrounded by sleek chrome and pristine glass, marble and limestone floors. But I hardly have eyes for anything except the tall and imposing frosted glass doors at the far end of the room.

Framing those doors to each side is a pair of sleek designer desks, for a total of four.

Behind these desks are four women in identical black-and-white suits, sitting behind their gleaming dark-oak desks, working quietly behind their flat-screen computers.

One of them, the forty-year-old Catherine H. Ulysses—right hand of the man who owns every inch of this building—stops what she’s doing when she sees me. She arches her brow, then seems both tense and relieved as she lifts the receiver on her desk and murmurs my name into it.

Am. Not. Breathing.

But Catherine doesn’t miss a beat as she motions me toward the huge frosted doors—those intimidating doors—that lead into the lair of the most powerful man in Chicago.

The human being with the most powerful effect on me.

This is what I’ve been waiting for, for four weeks. This is what I wanted when I left a thousand messages on his phones and what I wanted when I wrote a thousand others that I left unsent. To see him.

For him to want to see me.

But as I force myself to step forward, I don’t even know if I’ll have the strength to stand before him and look him in the eye after what I did.

I’m wracked so hard with nervousness and anticipation and hope—yes hope, small but bright, even as I shake like a leaf.

Catherine holds the door open, and I struggle to hold my head high and walk into his office.

Two steps inside I hear the swoosh of the glass door shutting behind me and my systems halt at the familiar sight of the most beautiful office I’ve ever been in.

His office is all vast marble and chrome, twelve-foot ceilings, and endless floor-to-ceiling windows.

And there he is. The center of its axis. The center of my world.

He’s pacing by the window, speaking into a headset in a low, low voice—the kind he uses when he’s pissed. All I can make out are the words have to be dead to let her fall into his clutches …

He hangs up, and as if he feels me in the room, he turns his head. His eyes flare when he sees me. His green eyes.

His achingly familiar, beautiful green eyes.

He inhales, very slowly, his chest expanding, his hands curling a little at his sides as he looks at me.

I look back at him.

Malcolm Kyle Preston Logan Saint.

I just walked into the eye of the most powerful storm of my life. No. Not a storm. A hurricane.

Four weeks, I haven’t seen him. And he still looks exactly as I remember. Larger than life, and more irresistible than ever.

His striking face is perfectly shaven today, and his sensual lips look so achingly full I can almost feel them against mine. Six-feet-plus of perfectly controlled male power stand before me, in a perfect black suit and a killer tie. He’s the very devil in Armani; strong-boned, square-jawed, gleaming dark hair and those penetrating eyes.

He’s got the best eyes.

They twinkle mercilessly when he teases me, and when he doesn’t tease me, they’re mysterious and unreadable, assessing and intelligent, keeping me guessing about his thoughts.

But I had forgotten how cold those eyes used to be. Green arctic ice looks back at me now. Every fleck of ice in those eyes gleaming like diamond shards.

He clenches his jaw and tosses the headset aside.

He looks as approachable as a wall, his shoulders stretching his white shirt, which clings to his skin like a groupie. But I know he’s not a wall; I’ve never wanted to throw myself at a wall like this.

He’s walking towards me. Every step he takes makes my heart pound as he moves with that quiet and confident own-the-world stride of his.

He stops a few feet away and shoves his hands into his pants pockets; and he seems so big all of a sudden, and he smells so utterly good. I drop my eyes to his tie as the little candle of hope I walked in with starts to flicker with doubt.

Michel’s Review

After the major cliffhanger in the first book I was very anxious to get my hands on Manwhore + 1. This book did not disappoint and delivered a fast paced, over the top sexy continuation of Rachel and Saints turbulent romance.

Rachel has her hands full trying to win Malcolm Saint back after her betrayal was revealed. She hurt this man beyond devastation. His heart was truly broken. His trust was shattered. After a month of trying to reach this man’s heart once again she is about to throw in the towel. She’s willing to own her mistakes but doesn’t think she can rectify them at this point. But Malcolm Saint isn’t one to roll over and play dead. He didn’t get to where he was for no apparent reason. Malcolm Saint can be ruthless, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. He is taking control. He has a new proposition for Rachel. One she cannot refuse.

Rachel is now going to have to make some hard choices. Does she choose love or her career. Her job may be in jeopardy but more importantly her heart is on the line.

I loved this book. Katy Evans has a gift of creating heroes that are strong yet completely vulnerable. They love fiercely and you feel it with every passage throughout the book.

Manwhore + 1 is a great followup that will not disappoint. It ends with a solid resolution and no cliffhanger. The secondary characters are screaming for their own stories. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

I highly recommend the Manwhore series.

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The Manwhore Series

Manwhore

Manwhore Series – Book 1

By Katy Evans

Release Date: March 24, 2015

Synopsis

Is it possible to expose Chicago’s hottest player—without getting played?

This is the story I’ve been waiting for all my life, and its name is Malcolm Kyle Preston Logan Saint. Don’t be fooled by that last name though. There’s nothing holy about the man except the hell his parties raise. The hottest entrepreneur Chicago has ever known, he’s a man’s man with too much money to spend and too many women vying for his attention.

Mysterious. Privileged. Legendary. His entire life he’s been surrounded by the press as they dig for tidbits to see if his fairytale life is for real or all mirrors and social media lies. Since he hit the scene, his secrets have been his and his alone to keep. And that’s where I come in.

Assigned to investigate Saint and reveal his elusive personality, I’m determined to make him the story that will change my career.

But I never imagined he would change my life. Bit by bit, I start to wonder if I’m the one discovering him…or if he’s uncovering me.

What happens when the man they call Saint, makes you want to sin?

Buy : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Google

Manwhore + 1

Manwhore Series- Book 2

By Katy Evans

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

Synopsis

The unexpected love story that began in MANWHORE continues heating up the pages in MANWHORE +1 by New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans…

Billionaire playboy? Check.

Ruthless businessman? Check.

Absolutely sinful? Check.

Malcolm Saint was an assignment. A story. A beautiful, difficult man I was supposed to uncover for a racy exposé.

I intended to reveal him, his secrets, his lifestyle–not let him reveal me. But my head was overtaken by my heart and suddenly nothing could stop me from falling. I fell for him, and I fell hard.

Malcolm Saint is absolute Sin, and I’ve become a hopeless Sinner.

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

________________________________________________

About Katy Evans

Katy Evans grew up with books and book-boyfriends until she found a real sexy boyfriend to love. They married and are now hard at work on their own happily ever after. Katy loves her family and friends, and she also loves reading, walking, baking, and being consumed by her characters until she reaches “The End.” Which is, hopefully, only the beginning…

Katy Evans is the NYT and USA Today bestselling author of the Real series.

To find more about her, look her up on her website, Twitter, or Facebook, she’d also love to hear from you!

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + Review: Broken Oaths by V.L. Moon & J.T. Cheyenne

Posted on 07/22/2015 by shellbellereads

Broken Oaths

By V. L. Moon & J. T. Cheyanne

Synopsis

Betrayed by his peers and slandered as a traitor, Commander Thierry Donovan has nothing left. Locked away and targeted by the very men responsible for his incarceration, Thierry defies the odds and fights for the fundamental right to survive the hell-hole of his imprisonment. With no one to trust, Thierry finds solace in the last place he imagines…

The church is Ryan Flynn’s sanctuary. He craves the solitude and peace he finds in the hallowed halls. His oath to serve God is a calling Ryan has hidden behind all of his adult life; until his past catches up with him in the form of his foster brother, Special Agent Orrin Hunt…

Submerging himself within a world of danger, violence and corruption is the only way Orrin can cope with life. Rejected and tormented by the bitter remorse of unrequited love, Orrin is oblivious to the beauty of what life can offer him. If he’d only open his eyes, and maybe his heart….

Jaydan Callahan’s life is a wreck. Gangs, drugs and violence are a part of his normal day to day routine. For one so young, he’s seen it, been there, done it and gotten more than enough tee shirts as proof. Capable of smelling a cop from a mile away, it comes as no surprise to Jay when the guy he has the hots for is actually working under cover to bring down the town’s notoriously dangerous king pin.

Four men, four lives, each one of them stained by lies, corruption and doubt. Can love show them the path to redemption, or will broken oaths, fear and grief make the crosses they bear too heavy a mantle to carry.

Love is Love

Buy: Amazon

Lis’ Review

The authors of “Crimson Reign” and “Love, Life and Circumstance” have never been ones to shy away from digging deep to give their readers a story that pushes boundaries, makes the readers think and feel and clamor for more. Crimson Reign gave us the wickedly sexy vampire king and his angel in a paranormal world in upheavel. LLC gave us two men with a baby to care for in the South with all its prejudices. And now “Broken Oaths” gives us Ryan and Thierry, pushing the limits again with the story of a priest and a Navy Commander.

Thierry Donovan is a former Navy Commander falsely accused of treason and jailed in a super secure facility in solitary confinement. The only other people he sees are the guards who watch over him, including his friend A.J. who goes easy on the rules for the prisoner. Thierry has no outside contact until he asks for, and is sent, a priest, Father Ryan Flynn. Their connection is instant, but like anyone else whose life is tied up in the rules and restrictions of their chosen profession or current fall from grace, both try to deny what they feel.

We learn of their pasts right away. The opening chapters tell us why these men chose the path they did, and give us a glimpse of the obstacles they faced along the way. Thierry’s career and life have been destroyed by his imprisonment. Father Flynn’s profession is an effort to get rid of the sinner label he brought down on himself because of his and his foster brother’s teenage exploration of their growing attraction. Both hide behind these shields they use so effectively – for a while. Thrown together in the priest and penitent roles, they soon acknowledge that there is something more between them as they work to bring justice to Thierry and bring down the one who used him as a scapegoat in a treasonous plot. Their story is about learning to trust in themselves and in each other, never giving up on love no matter how hard the fight.

Orrin Hunt, Flynn’s foster brother, has loved Ryan since they were wayward teens who helped each other cope through the difficult nightmares they faced. He’s involved behind the scenes trying to find the truth behind Thierry’s imprisonment and as such, is the one who brings Father Flynn into Thierry’s life. Orrin’s love for Ryan has endured all these years, until he goes undercover in a local street gang and meets Jay Callahan, the young, smart mouthed leader of the group. Jay falls hard for Orrin, but Ryan is the white elephant in the room, the love Orrin has for Ryan a wall that blinds him to what’s staring him in the face. Their story is about letting go of the past and embracing the future, daring to take the risk for love.

And tying these two couples together is the intrigue, a plot very carefully constructed that makes the reader anxious to find out just exactly how the whole thing will be revealed. It builds like the walls of Thierry’s prison cell, brick by brick. And with four strong-willed characters, there is no doubt they will figure it out.

Unfortunately, the villains were the one area that let me down. Characterization and angst is definitely these authors’ strong suit and in this book the whole mystery was right up there with it. The plot was complex and excellently crafted, with all the characters’ actions and reactions to each other and to their situation adding to the edge of the seat reading experience. Until one particular scene that made me stop and go “Really?” I just didn’t buy it. With that one scene the villains, who up until then were wonderfully evil, became caricatures of themselves. That one scene weakened the intrigue, pushing it into campiness instead of suspense.
Everyday struggles for love, for recognition, for redemption made this book a winner, overcoming the problem with the villains. The love stories of Ryan and Thierry and of Orrin and Jay are well written and very realistic. They struggle with their feelings, each one questioning his worth, his actions, his heart. As they work through all the machinations of being together, we as readers realize right along with them that outer trappings don’t matter. It’s what’s in the heart that rules.

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About the authors

Laz and Lachi Publications is the combined writing team of J.T. Cheyanne and V.L. Moon. The two met in 2010, fell hard and fast for each other and married in April 2014. They write both independently and together in the gay erotica and gay paranormal genres. They also have a couple of contemporary romance novels under their belt.

Social media links

Our joint page

https://www.facebook.com/LazLachibooks

Website

http://www.lazandlachi.com/

JT Cheyanne

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jtcheyannestories

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JTCheyanne

VL Moon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VenusMoonstories

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VenusMoon5

Teaser Tuesday: Overtime by Toni Aleo – Assassins Series – Book 7

Posted on 07/21/2015 by shellbellereads

Overtime by Toni Aleo

Series: Assassins Series #7

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Goodreads

PRE-ORDER ON AMAZON

Down and out with an injury keeping him away from the game, Assassins’ defenseman Jordie Thomas lives for the blades of his skates on the ice and the feeling of oblivion off it. With no choice but to heal, he’s forced away from the sport that runs through his veins. With everything at stake and darkness setting in, he quickly finds himself spiraling even further out of control. As his life begins to come crashing down around him and his contract with the Nashville Assassins on the line, he’s given an ultimatum. Ready or not, Jordie is forced to face his past, the fears that consume him, and the one woman he let walk away.

Kacey King had her professional dreams come true, yet her heart was battered and broken. With an Olympic gold medal around her neck, she’s ready to look forward to the future but without the one man she wanted in it. She’s missing the key pieces of her heart she left months ago with the only person who was capable of destroying it, causing her to falter in all her plans to move on.

In the game of life, there are winners and losers, and neither Jordie nor Kacey want to be on the losing bench. If only Jordie could convince Kacey he’s a changed man and that he wants her right by his side as his MVP for the biggest and best parts of a life they build together. With emotions running high and the game on the line, can two proud people find happiness with each other, or will their hearts and souls be left in the cold? Will they see that sometimes having someone by your side who knows the good, bad, and broken is better than going it alone and losing everything through the back of the net? They are out of time on the game clock and fighting for the win of their lives.

But overtime was made for an Assassin like Jordie.

———- Teaser ———-

“And I won’t make an excuse—it was me and my issues. But to answer your question, I found who I was in rehab. I know him, I want to be him. And no, I don’t know how to love someone, but then sometimes I think maybe I do. Because when I look at Mena, I love her. So fucking much. I know I love your family, and I also know that I have thought of you every second of every day for the last ten months. I yearn for your touch, I wonder what you are doing, what you are thinking, and if you’ll ever have me again. So while I may not know fully know how to love someone, I don’t want to try with anyone but you.”

———- About the Author ———-

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

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

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

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Happy Release + 6 Star Review + 2015 Favorite : Uncharted by Claudia Burgoa – Unexpected Series – Book 3

Posted on 07/21/2015 by shellbellereads

Uncharted

Unexpected Series – Book 3

By Claudia Burgoa

***New Adult Romance that can be read as a Stand Alone novel or in series order ***

Synopsis

Jacob
As a rule, men don’t grow up believing in a happily ever after. We don’t believe in meeting the love of our lives; or the white picket fence, and 2.5 children. Every man thinks that those stupid dreams or fantasies are just nonexistent shit until it happens to them. We should have been forewarned.
I wish I was prepared for someone to appear in my life and change all my priorities. I suddenly wanted that fence and children. The part of meeting the love of my life became very real, but I wasn’t ready for suddenly losing it all, and my life plummeting into this shithole forever.
The heartbreak of losing your soulmate is one of the worst pains you will ever live with. I should campaign and warn the young people. Vaccinate against love because if you lose it, you could lose yourself for the rest of your life. The burden on your back will forever mark you and wither away your soul, darkening your days and the rest of your natural life.

This isn’t false advertisement or a dramatic display of one bitter soul.

Pria

I fought by my mother’s side until her last breath, and tried to help my father until his last memories dissipated. My sister is the last one standing, but her life is a miracle that can end at any given moment. All my life I’ve never been alone, but always felt lonely.

Today, my options on how to live my life are endless, yet my heart and my best friend limit them. Stay in Seattle, close to the one person that will never let me inside his world.

The thug, as mom would’ve called him. A man with a bad boy attitude and a heart bigger than the ocean.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / Kobo

Michel’s Review

Wow…Wow…Wow ! Uncharted by Claudia Burgoa took me by complete surprised. I was captivated, mesmerized, and a hostage of this book. I could not put it down. I loved every moment of this book. It was a powerful story of two young people’s life journey from being naive college freshmen to cynical adults that had experienced too much and not enough along the way. They both have went from searching for rainbows and chasing unicorns to dancing in the darkest storm waiting for lightening to strike. The only thing that has kept them semi glued together is their families. For one it was their curse in life. For the other it was their only anchor in turbulent times. Their precious memory of their young love wasn’t enough to hold onto hope. Their paths will cross once again and both of these people will find a new meaning to love, life , and happiness. It’s not what they dreamed of or what they thought it should be. Their new path was exactly what they needed. This time around they have life experience to draw upon and new dreams to follow.

Jacob…

Jacob Colthurst-Decker is one of the three Decker triplets. He has never had to do anything alone in his entire life. His unusual family is strong, solid, loving, and encompassing. His parents careers have kept him and his siblings sheltered and hidden from the world. At eighteen he and his brother are venturing into the world on their own. Their sister chose to go to another college and start her life adventure on her own. For Jacob and Mathew, they are biding their time in college before they pursue their musical careers they have dreamed of all their lives. College is the opportunity to expand their horizons, get acquainted with the opposite sex and have sex. It’s all about the beer, sex, and fun.

Jacob meets Pria in line while buying books for their first semester. It is love at first sight. He is intrigued with her dark beauty and proclaims they are going to get married, have a golden retriever named Max, and two children; one named Gabrielle.

That is the start of a beautiful star crossed love that enraptures both Jacob and Pria. Their short romance spirals out of their control. The world butts in and tears them apart.

Pria is forced to withdraw from school and return home to take care of her sick sister.

Jacob and Pria spend one week together in each others arms. They have an enchanted week that will forever touch their hearts. They will find magic in the stars shining brightly on their love with the promise of unicorns & rainbows in the future. The give their bodies and souls to one another. They make promises to keep their relationship alive once Pria leaves for home.

Jacob and Mathew are forced to leave school when they are almost exposed to the media. In a panic Jacob sets out to find Pria before he is forced home. The results will forever change his life and send him in a downward spiral for ten years.

This bright and shining boy will become a resentful, hateful man that no longer cares about himself, his family, or life in general.

Pria…

Pria has lived in the shadow of her sick sister all her life. She was forced into home schooling and seclusion because of her sister’s illness. When the opportunity to attend college presents itself, she is running as fast as she can. She wants to have a life that is her own and not overshadowed by illness, pending death, and a controlling mother.

College is more than the opportunity to get an education. It’s the opportunity to live life. A life of her own. She wants to experience everything she has missed out on. When she meets Jacob in line at the book store, she is almost afraid to open up and start a new friendship. Her mother is already starting in on her to return home.

Jacob is charming and has a way of drawing Pria out of her shell. He shows her the beauty of life, music, and romance. He steals her young heart. When her sister’s health begins to decline she is forced to return home to help with her care. This time it does not seem so bad because Jacob has promised he will be there for her and that their relationship doesn’t have to end because of distance.

Pria quickly learns that promises are made and promises are easily broken. Her young heart will be shattered by this. It will change her outlook for years to come. She will become her mother’s dream child. She will live someone elses dream. She will experience heartache, death, loss, pain, and still be tied down by her family’s chains. She dreams of escaping these chains one day but the only escape will be another death. Another loss.

In another heartbreaking day Pria will have to give up one thing she loves the most but will gain something else. She will make a friend that is very special. This friend will change her life. This friend will bring back the promise of hope and happiness. This friend will bring her back in the path of the Colthurst-Decker family once again. She will once again be a part of Jacob’s life. This time she is a different person. Jacob is a different man. Can they find that they love the new people they have become or was their young love rainbows & unicorns? Are they star crossed lovers or is their love written in the stars?

This book was an amazing journey. After I finished this book I had to go and buy the first two books in the series. The family dynamics in this series is astounding. The triplets themselves are intriguing. They have their own special way of communicating with each other. They have their own language. They are an integral part of each other. Watching these three grow and learn to become individuals on their own paths has been an incredible journey. Their famous parents are one of the most stable, loving, supportive, as well as protective role models that truly guided their children and taught them the true meaning of family. It was refreshing to see a stable home life / family life in an unusual environment. Their lives are very complicated and in many ways deceptive.They never took the the easy road and met the road blocks head on. How they handled their lives and family issues was admirable.

Claudia Burgoa is an extremely talented writer. She delivered an emotional story that will touch any reader that opens her books.

Uncharted can be read as a stand alone novel. I started out with this book but became so mesmerized by this family that I had to go back and read the first two books. It has been a powerful reading experience.

I can’t wait for Mathew’s book, titled Uncut.

The Unexpected Series has become one of my 2015 Favorite series.

The Unexpected Series

Unlike Any Other – Book 1

AJ
The name AJ Colthurst may not have any meaning to the public eye, but it should, as I’m the daughter of two famous celebrities. Like any superstar, they crave privacy; so much of it, they built a house in the middle of nowhere for us children. As we grew older, we discovered the lies they built as a fort to protect us from the media, ended up causing emotional damage along the way.
I carry a portion of the guilt on my shoulders; the other part I discovered is the separation of my parents. Their unorthodox ways may have driven me bonkers, but knowing they are no longer together is unacceptable.
That’s why I decided to rattle their cage by reminding at least one of my parents of the past and the reason they belong together. They need to remember why their love is so perfect and why they have to fight to keep it alive. Even if it means I have to dredge up some of my own painful memories along the way.
Gabe
Back in the early eighties, I set myself to succeed in the financial world. The first step had been moving to New York City to become a stockbroker, but things didn’t work out the way I had hoped. Instead, I ended up making movies and by the end of the decade, Gabe Colt had become a famous name. The downside to my career of choice: the paparazzi. In order to protect my family and our privacy, I maintained my family away from the circus. It had been for their own good; a decision we had made before we started our family.
However, those past decisions ended up chasing my entire family away and now I’m trying to put the pieces back together along with my little girl.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / Kobo

Unsurprisingly Complicated – Book 2

The lies between my parents and I came to light and now I’m working on a new life for myself. Along the way, I have my trusty superhero, Mason, to lean on when I have a hard time standing or when my crazy ex-boyfriend continues to feel he has a claim on me.

Porter has trouble understanding that there hasn’t been an ‘us’ for more than three years plus all the issues he had brought upon himself. My father was right, drugs do kill. My other confern is the growing feelings I am having regarding Mason. There’s something between us I want to explore but I keep getting mixed signals. Here, I thought that after telling my parents about my lies and having their full support, things wouldn’t be as complicated as they are.

Mason

My parents divorced before I even made my entrance into this world. My father has been obsessed with that love for years while my mother searches for love in all the wrong places. I don’t want a place to call home or a girl I can claim as mine. Except… Ainsley Janine — better known as ‘Nine’ — has some special power that makes me question my preferences. The more I try to stay away from her, the more she pulls me closer.

Exploring the possibilities of having something steady in my life isn’t a problem; it’s the long term that worries me. In addition to that, the scumbag she dated years ago keeps popping up everywhere we go. If I could use my license to kill, maybe I can stop worrying about one thing and concentrate on what to do with the green eyed girl who keeps me awake most nights.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / Kobo

Uncharted – Book 3

This isn’t false advertisement or a dramatic display of one bitter soul.

Pria

Today, my options on how to live my life are endless, yet my heart and my best friend limit them. Stay in Seattle, close to the one person that will never let me inside his world.

The thug, as mom would’ve called him. A man with a bad boy attitude and a heart bigger than the ocean.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / Kobo

______________________________________

About Claudia Burgoa

Born on the mystical day of October 30th in the not so mystical lands of Mexico City, Claudia grew up with a childhood that resembled a caffeine-injected soap opera. Seventeen years ago she ventured to the lands of her techie husband—a.k.a. the U.S.—with their offspring to start a new adventure.

She now lives in Colorado working as a CFO for a small IT company, managing her household filled with three confused dogs, said nerd husband, two daughters wrought with fandoms and a son who thinks he’s the boss of the house. To survive she works continually to find purpose for the voices flitting through her head, plus she consumes high quantities of chocolate to keep the last threads of sanity intact.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal + Excerpt: Resist by Heather C. Leigh – Sphere of Irony Series – Book 3

Posted on 07/21/2015 by shellbellereads

Resist

Sphere of Irony Series – Book 3

A Rock Star Series

By Heather C. Leigh

Release Date: August 9, 2015

Meet Gavin in Heather’s newest M/M standalone romance!

Pre Order: Amazon / Amazon UK

Synopsis

All Gavin Walker, bass player for the multi-platinum selling band, Sphere of Irony, wants to do is surf, play music, and occasionally get laid. The problem is that Gavin has a stalker. A potentially deadly one. The threats he receives always mention something about Gavin being gay, which isn’t public knowledge since the record label wants to keep it quiet.

Mitch Hale used to track serial killers for the FBI. A live-changing incident led him to quit the bureau and start his own company providing computerized security for Los Angeles’ wealthiest people. Mitch doesn’t know anyone when he moves across the country from D.C. to California, and all he has for companionship is a pathetic string of failed relationships with women.

When Gavin’s manager hires Mitch to find the stalker, the men instantly hate each other. Despite the constant fighting, attraction between the two blazes hot, confusing the former FBI agent. Spending time with Gavin forces Mitch reflect on what he’s denied about himself for the last ten years. Listening to Mitch’s plan to catch a madman thrusts Gavin’s personal life out in the open for the entire world to see.

Can Gavin and Mitch stop fighting long enough to stop a stalker before someone gets hurt? Or will they stubbornly resist the feelings that develop when they’re forced to work together?

This is book 3 in a 4 part series. It is a spin-off of the Famous Series. These can be read as standalones.

Pre Order: Amazon / Amazon UK

Excerpt

“I need a drink,” I mutter to no one in particular.

Adam Reynolds must hear me complaining because he places what I assume is a Jack and Coke in my empty hand.

“Here you go, mate.” He grins and I can’t help but smile back. The man’s enthusiasm is infectious.

Gavin, the sourpuss, is currently glaring at me from across the room. So much for us being an item. In the car, Gavin’s excitement at pretending to be boyfriends to lure out his stalker and the accompanying smile he gave had me sprouting questionable wood for most of the drive. Now he’s reverted right back to being a little shit. Hot and cold.

“Thanks, but I’m working—”

“I’ll take it, honey.” Gavin swoops in, steals the glass, and downs half of it before I can blink. I stand there, paralyzed, while I watch his pink lips caress the edge of the glass. “Thanks, dear,” he snaps, pulling me from my gawking. Before I can reply he turns and stomps off to pout somewhere.

I’m annoyed at his attitude and the distance he’s kept between us tonight. What. The. Hell. No way is he going to up and disappear on me at another party. Especially after we paraded ourrelationship in front of the media to lure his stalker out of the shadows.

“Sorry guys,” I apologize to Adam and his wife, Ellie. I was happy to finally meet them both after everything Gemma had told me about the couple when I gave her Adam’s phone number last year. Now I have to cut our conversation short because of yet another Gavin Walker temper tantrum.

Weaving through the crowd at the club, I follow Gavin to the back hallway that houses the kitchen and bathrooms. Once I’m out of sight of the other guests, I grab a shocked Gavin’s upper arm and shove him into the men’s room.

“Hey! Quit being an asshole!” Gavin wrenches out of my grip, turning to sneer. “I’ll put you on your knees again, Hale!”

The thought of being on my knees in front of Gavin sends a flush of heat up my body. I can feel the fire in my cheeks and by the way Gavin’s eyes widen, I’m betting he can see it too.

“I’m not the one behaving like a brat!” I growl in a low voice. Ducking, I check to make sure no one else is in the stalls. Once I’ve made sure it’s clear, I lock the bathroom door.

“Brat?” Gavin shouts. “I’m a brat?”

“Yes, you’re a brat. Ever since we had our picture taken outside, you’ve been unbearable to be around!”

“You’re not the one whose entire life was just turned upside down out there!” he yells.

I step closer, more furious than I’ve ever been. “Are you kidding me? You are so unbelievably self-centered!” Those damn hypnotizing full lips fall open in shock. “I was just outed too, and I’m not even fucking gay!”

Without thinking, I grab either side of his head, digging my fingers into that thick, blonde hair, and crush my mouth over his.

And it’s the hottest kiss of my life.

Just, damn.

________________________

A Sphere Of Irony Series

Incite – Book 1

Privilege, poverty, death, and self-loathing; these are the backgrounds of the men of the internationally famous rock band, Sphere of Irony.

Adam Reynolds is an impoverished teen raised by neglectful parents in one of London’s most dangerous boroughs. He turns to his love of music and countless girls to escape his sad reality.

Beautiful and naïve Ellie Palmer comes from a well-off family that suddenly finds themselves living in one of the poorest neighborhoods in London. Alone in a frightening new place, Ellie is afraid to leave the safety of her home, only going out to walk to school and back.

When Adam prevents Ellie from becoming the victim of a horrific sexual assault, they discover something that two teenagers never thought they would find in such a depressing place. Each other.

After tragedy, lies, and distance tear their future away from them; they each wander through life empty and hopeless no matter who or what they use to replace the feelings of loss.

From the crime-ridden streets of London’s East End to the over-the-top display of wealth in L.A. Can two broken souls must conquer their demons in order to find true happiness?

*This is book 1 in a 4 part series. It is a spin-off of the Famous Series. These can be read as standalones.*

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Strike- Book 2

Dax Davies has one job to fulfill in the Davies household. Earn money at the family business. The problem is that the family business was illegal underground fighting.

From a young age, Dax and his brothers are groomed to become money earners in their father’s club. Broken bones and bruises are commonplace. Their father pits the brothers against each other to ‘toughen them up’ for the ring, using his rules to bend his sons to his will. His future is in the cage, not on stage where he dreams of making music.

Kate Campbell loves one thing in life. Well, two. Soccer and Dax Davies. Growing up in the poorest part of London, soccer is her personal escape from reality and from the fact that Dax doesn’t seem to know she exists. She figures if she can be good enough at soccer, maybe she can get away from Hackney, and leave the poverty behind.

Kate doesn’t plan on ever getting to know Dax as more than a passing acquaintance. In fact, she isn’t meant to go with her friend to Dax’s father’s business, but that one night changes everything.

***This is book 2 in the Sphere of Irony Series. It can be read as a standalone. This is a spin-off of the Famous Series***

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Resist – Book 3

Can Gavin and Mitch stop fighting long enough to stop a stalker before someone gets hurt? Or will they stubbornly resist the feelings that develop when they’re forced to work together?

This is book 3 in a 4 part series. It is a spin-off of the Famous Series. These can be read as standalones.

Pre Order: Amazon / Amazon UK

___________________________

About Heather C. Leigh

I’m the author of the Amazon best selling Famous series. I like to write about the ‘dark’ side of fame. The part that the public doesn’t get to see, how difficult it is to live in a fishbowl and how that affects relationships.

I was born and raised in New England and currently live outside Atlanta, GA.

I love the Red Sox, the Patriots, and anything made of chocolate (but not white chocolate, that doesn’t count).

My favorite authors are Dan Wells, Tina Reber, Ken Follett, and Stephen King. Happy reading!

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + Review : Exposed by Brighton Walsh – Captive Series – Book 2

Posted on 07/21/2015 by shellbellereads

Exposed

Captive Series – Book 2

By Brighton Walsh

Synopsis

In this sexy, suspenseful New Adult novel, a young woman escaping her criminal past is snatched away and taken into hiding by her ex-boyfriend, the ultimate bad boy.

Evie is about to embark on the perfect life. Beautiful, poised, and engaged to the son of a Senator and a rising lawyer, she fits the part of trophy wife perfectly, except for one thing: her entire identity is a lie.

Five years ago she created a new identity for herself, but it all crashes back when something she witnessed years ago comes back to haunt her. Now she’s in danger of losing more than her social status.
Determined to protect the careful life she’s built for herself, Evie doesn’t want anything to do with Riley, the criminal for hire who stole her heart years ago. But Riley has other ideas. He’s never forgotten Evie, and to protect her, he steals her away. Hidden from the world, sparks begin to fly as old memories resurface and their passion reignites.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Michel’s Review

Exposed is the second book in the Captive series by Brighton Walsh. It is a New Adult Romantic Suspense book.

I loved the first book in the Captive series. It was intense, fast paced, and had a surprising plot. I was looking forward to Exposed because it featured Riley,the younger brother of Ghost. These young men were brought up on the streets of Chicago and learned a life of crime at a very young age. Although his older brother tried to keep Riley out of the crew, life circumstances made it impossible. Their involvement with the crew taught them both some very harsh lessons. Gage (Ghost) lost his own identity, Riley lost the love of his life. He lost his girlfriend when he was sixteen. He has been seeking revenge for years her death.

As it turns out, Evie is not dead. She became involved in something too dangerous and lost control. She faked her death and became a new person. For five years she has been Genevieve Meyer, socialite and now finance to a prominent family. She knows her time is numbered and her past is going to catch up with her sooner or later. She is hoping for later.

When the past finally comes knocking on her door it comes as a complete surprise. Riley has come to her rescue. Ghost gave away her secret and sent Riley.

Riley not only has been betrayed by his only love but also by his brother. They shattered his soul. When he finds out why he is ready to fight and kill if necessary.

Evie’s secrets will be exposed. She and Riley will have to figure out a way to survive and defeat their enemy once and for all. Time is not on their side.

This book had a good plot but was not as intense as I hoped it would be. It was predictable throughout the story. I really had a hard time connecting with Evie. I sympathized with her past issues but at times had a hard time understanding her reactions. Riley seemed to accept everything too easily. Somehow their story just didn’t seem to connect all the dots. I just could not invest myself in their relationship.

Overall the plot was good but not terrific. This book lacked the intensity we have come to expect in this series.

_____________________________

The Captive Series

Captive

By Brighton Walsh

Synopsis

He’s the most dangerous man she’s ever met…and she’s falling in love with him.

Madison Frost is desperate to escape her life. Daughter of a prominent businessman, she has everything a girl could ask for. Except for a family who’s present in her life, and anyone to talk to outside the four walls of the prison she calls home. Madison dreams of one day leaving her life behind. She never thought being kidnapped is how it would happen.

Now she’s being held captive by a man who’s as frightening as he is sinfully gorgeous. Enormous, muscular, and filled with secrets, the man they call Ghost is an enigmatic mercenary, and Madison is trapped with him. She doesn’t know who hired him or why, but the more time she spends at his mercy, the more she realizes he’s not what he seems. Beneath his rough exterior lies an unexpected gentleness and a heart as broken and battered as her own.

But as Madison lets down her walls, Ghost holds tight to his, hiding secrets that could destroy everything.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

Exposed

Captive Series – Book 2

By Brighton Walsh

Synopsis

In this sexy, suspenseful New Adult novel, a young woman escaping her criminal past is snatched away and taken into hiding by her ex-boyfriend, the ultimate bad boy.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

_____________________________

href=”https://saucysouthernreaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/brighton-author-photo_color.jpg”>Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with writing. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Wild Nights by Karen Erickson – Vegas Nights Series – Book 3

Posted on 07/21/2015 by shellbellereads

Wild Nights

Vegas Nights Series – Book 3

Erotic Romance

By Karen Erickson

Synopsis

A guy of her own? She’s not holding her breath—until he steals it away.

Vegas Nights, Book 3

Natalie’s girls-only weekend in Vegas is shot to hell, thanks to her friends ditching her for very sexy, very famous guys. Not that she blames them. She knows what lonely feels like. A nurse’s long hours leave little time for a social life.

Then she collides with and spills her drink all over a very fine, very exposed male chest. A chest belonging to Noah Wilde, lead singer for the infamous Wilde & Wicked rock band. Thankfully, he’s merely amused as she tries to take care of the mess she made.

Noah sure would like to make a mess of the gorgeous, petite lady with luminous blue eyes. There’s no resisting the urge to tempt her along for an adventurous night of gambling, drinking, eating, and sin.

But during the harsh light of day, Noah has a change of heart. Not about the fact he likes Natalie—a lot. He’s not sure he wants to drag this sweet lady through his sordid life. Even though sparing her could cost them both a chance at forever.

Warning: Contains a nurse who thought she knew all there was to know about anatomy, and a rock god who’s about to show her a few spots she missed. To say they both hit the jackpot would be an understatement.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Michel’s Review

This is the final book in the Vegas Nights series. I have dubbed them the Lunchtime series. Each book is a novella and reads quickly with some sizzling hot sex and a promise of love.

The third book features the rock star, Noah Wilde. One would think he is the wildest of the group, it is far from the truth. Noah is craving something real. When he meets Natalie she turns his world upside down with her straight forward attitude and untarnished beauty. Her beauty from within outshines the beauty that the world sees. Noah is taking notice and paying attention.

Natalie is going to rock Noah’s world in a very good way.

Wild Nights is my favorite out of the three novella’s. I loved the interaction between the characters and the realism of their wild weekend.

Vegas Nights Series

Wicked Weekend – Book 0.5

What happens in Vegas…could be a fantasy come true.

Vegas Nights, Book 0.5

Between nursing school and starting their careers, Reagan, Andrea and Natalie have had no time for dating. After saving up for a special vacation, they’re on their way to Vegas for a long-awaited weekend of fun, sun, gambling and partying.

When their luggage goes missing, an impromptu shopping trip leads them to James, who makes them an unusual offer—to be part of the female scenery at his boss’s upcoming party. Not just any scenery, but women who are pretty in a real way, not the nipped, tucked and dyed Hollywood version.

Accept a “private party” invitation from a complete stranger? These ladies weren’t born yesterday. Yet before “no thanks” crosses their lips, Reagan discovers who James’s boss really is: Declan Carter, an actor she’s crushed on for, well, forever. Now she’s determined to be the eye candy who catches Declan’s eye. No matter what it takes…

Warning: Epic shopping trip results in meeting hot men. It is recommended that all credit cards be placed out of reach before reading.

: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Reckless Nights – Book 1

Sometimes dream crushes do come true.

Vegas Nights, Book 1

Reagan can’t believe her luck—and not in a good way. One minute she’s hanging out with her friends at an exclusive party in Las Vegas. The next, she’s attracted the attention of a famous actor. Not just any actor. Declan Carter, the man on whom she used to—okay, might still—have a fangirl crush. Whose blue eyes leave her embarrassingly tongue tied.

All Declan wants is to meet a nice, normal woman who won’t use him as a stepping stone to fame. Something about Reagan tells him she could be that rare woman, and he follows his instinct to invite her back to his suite—where they proceed to have wild monkey sex. All. Night. Long.

What was supposed to be one night of no-regrets sex stretches out into a blissful weekend of two people who can’t get enough of each other. But when the glamour of Sin City wears off, they’re standing on the edge of a once-in-a-lifetime chance to turn a weekend fling into something lasting. Will they take the jump?

Warning: Smokin’ hot sexy weekend with a gorgeous actor? There shouldn’t be a warning—more like encouragement to indulge your fantasies!

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Endless Nights – Book 2

Sometimes dream crushes do come true.

Vegas Nights, Book 1

Warning: Smokin’ hot sexy weekend with a gorgeous actor? There shouldn’t be a warning—more like encouragement to indulge your fantasies!

: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Wild Nights – Book 3

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

__________________________________

About Karen Erickson

USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson lives in central California with her husband, three kids, one dog and too many cats. Being a romance writer and bringing her characters to life is her greatest dream come true.

She also writes new adult romance as NYT & USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway:

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Release Blitz + Excerpt + Giveaway: A Taste of Summer by Beverly Preston – The Mathews Family Series

Posted on 07/21/2015 by shellbellereads

A Taste of Summer

A Mathews Family Novel

By Beverly Preston

Synopsis

Most people know Hollywood heartthrob, Ryan Summer, as Ryan, no last name required. But once upon a time, he was just Summer to Carrie Ann—before a decade of blockbuster hits skyrocketed his success into superstardom.

Summer was smart, gorgeous, and cocky as hell. Nothing was out of his reach. Not even Carrie Ann Lowell. He was the love of her life—until he shattered her heart. Their breakup left more than a profound rift in her soul. It crushed her.

When Carrie Ann’s college flame forces his way back into her life, his dirty-talking, bold self-assurance re-ignites a passion she thought had long since been extinguished. Carrie Ann didn’t believe in second chances.

Not even for him.

No matter how deliciously tempting.

With sparks flying and hidden truths unraveling, will Carrie Anne be able to deny her desires to save herself from another heart break?

Buy: Amazon / Amazon UK

Excerpt

Carrie Ann tugged the earbud free from her ear, tossing the handsome young man a small smile. “Sorry, I couldn’t hear you. What did you say?”

He crossed a lanky somewhat defined arm in front of her, casually gripping the handlebar of her bike. “I said, you must be exhausted—” Before she could reply he continued, “—from running through my mind all day.”

Surely she must’ve heard him incorrectly. He was probably fifteen at most sporting a baby face and a patch of ten whiskers on his chin. Her brows tucked into a furrow. “Excuse me?”

A dose of youthful overconfidence drifted over his mouth in a sharp grin. “I seem to have forgotten my number. Can I have yours?”

“My phone number?” Carrie Ann scanned the near vicinity, row after row of workout equipment, for the practical jokester responsible for the madness. “Ha ha. Very funny. Who put you up to this?”

Her amusement only encouraged the boy’s macho bravado. “No one put me up to anything. I need a date. I just got into LA and I’ve got this Red Carpet event—”

“A date?” she scoffed at the ludicrous suggestion. Though she looked young for her age, Carrie Ann was still all of thirty-four years old.

“Yeah, you know. A date. You, me, hundreds of fans screaming as we stroll down the Red Carpet.” His voice cracked emphasizing the words Red Carpet…for the second time. A self-absorbed twinkle gleamed in his brown eyes as if he expected her to melt and drop to her knees right there in the gym.

“Kid, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

“I’m totally serious. My uncle has this movie premier and I can’t just bring anyone.” A chunk of blond hair fell on his forehead and he flipped his head to the side. My date needs to be…hot, and well, you’re the hottest girl I’ve seen since I got to LA.”

She sneered at the absurdity. Silliness turned to annoyance. Carrie Ann switched gyms a few months back, paying out the nose to invest in her fitness and more importantly her privacy. Her last gym was more crowded than a cattle call casting session.

Carrie Ann rolled her eyes. She moved around him, gathering her workout towel and reaching for her bag. “Look kid, you seem real sweet, but—“

“You’re right about one thing.” A familiar voice, deep and perfectly modulated, approached from behind. “She is the most beautiful woman you’ll ever lay eyes on. But, you’re reaching for the stars with this one, Drew. She’s a heartbreaker.”

An ice cold tickle ascended up her spine raising the hair on the back of her neck. Her head snapped, glancing over her shoulder, colliding with a pair of rich amber eyes from her past. Without breaking eye contact, Ryan Summer strolled right into her personal space sporting athletic shorts, a fitted muscle shirt and a killer smile.

Nowadays, most people knew the Hollywood heartthrob as Ryan. Just Ryan. No last name needed. But after nearly a decade of blockbuster hits and infamous relationships that skyrocketed his success into superstardom, to Carrie Ann, he was still just Summer. Her old college flame.

“Funny, I could say the same about you,” she countered his jab, marshalling a bit of annoyance in her tone to combat the rush of heat spreading to her already pink cheeks.

A sexy smile caught the curve of his wide firm mouth. “Hello, Red.”

“Hello, Summer.” Carrie Ann tossed a trivial nod toward the teenager. “Who’s this? Your new apprentice?”

“Apprentice?” Moving a step closer, he dragged his fingers through the short cropped layers of sandy blond hair. “This is Mark’s boy. Do you remember my nephew, Drew?”

“Your brother’s boy?” she questioned in surprise. Avoiding the view of his bicep curling into the size of a softball, Carrie Ann ran a quick scan over the young man at his side. “Whoa, you had to be four or five years old the last time I saw you.”

“I don’t remember meeting you.” Drew’s eyes flickered with bemusement and optimism.

She extended her hand. “I’m Carrie Ann. I knew you when you were—“

“You’re Carrie Ann? The Carrie Ann?” The boy spun toward his uncle, his blue eyes broadened in disbelief. “The One?”

Her stomach twisted hearing the title. A flash of perspiration instantaneously flooded her palms. Before she had time to renege on the clammy greeting, Drew clasped her hand, giving it a polite shake.

A low rumble of laughter simmered in Summer’s chest and a rosy shade of red burnished high on the bridge of his nose. He nodded, “This is The Carrie Ann. The One who got away.”

No matter how many years had passed, it never got any easier to see him. Each time she did, she suddenly found it harder to breath.

The pounding of her heart quickened as her gaze slipped over his rugged well-defined features. A three day scruff accentuated the slight dimple at the bottom of his chin. The disheveled layers of hair were wet from exertion near his temple and nape. Time had been very good to him.

She felt the warmth of his hand close around the back of her bare arm. The early morning stubble of his beard brushed against her cheek as he leaned closer pressing a small kiss near her temple. Carrie Ann squirmed at his nearness, ducking to the side attempting to put some space between them.

“I’m…I’m all sweaty,” she insisted breathily.

“It’s okay,” he murmured softly in her ear. The heat of his breath brought chill bumps to the damp skin near her neck. “I remember enjoying you all sweaty.”

Ryan’s golden eyes locked onto hers, anchoring her feet to the floor. The penetration of his stare momentarily tied her tongue in a knot, turning the awkward moment even more difficult. Carrie Ann hadn’t bumped into Ryan in at least three years and she hadn’t seen him covered in sweat in ten. An image of him, gloriously naked, flashed in her mind and her thighs. Frustration mounted as her body willingly betrayed her.

Carrie Ann’s jaw set rigid contemplating the idea of flipping off her hooha for its insubordination.

“That was a long time ago,” she snipped abruptly.

“Seems like only yesterday to me.”

The Mathews Family Series

Haven’t read this series yet?

Fall in love with the Mathews Family for ONLY $3.99

(Four Books for one low, low price)

The Mathews Family Box Set

Amazon / Amazon UK / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

_________________________

>Author Bio:

#1 Bestselling Author, Beverly Preston has been a stay at home mom for 21 years, although she prefers the title Domestic Engineer. Along the way, Beverly worked side by side with her husband Don, the love of her life, designing, building and selling custom homes. As her children begin to venture out on their own, she’s left to shed a tear—for a minute—wonder what’s next in life, and embrace the feeling of empowerment that surely must’ve been wrapped in a present she received on her fortieth birthday.

If Beverly isn’t at home riding her spin bike, you’ll find her spinning richly emotional and sinfully sexy romance stories.

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GIVEAWAY

In honor of Carrie Ann’s favorite line Beverly will be giving away this Triple F necklace and a $50 Amazon GC.

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Cover Reveal: Love Like We Do by Lori L. Otto

Posted on 07/21/2015 by shellbellereads

COVER REVEAL

Title: Love Like We Do – Side A

Author: Lori L. Otto

Cover reveal date: July 21, 2015

Release date: not set yet.

lovelikewedo-coverfront

lovelikewedo-coverpost

Cover designed by DCPdesigns

BLURB

The odds were stacked against Max Rosser when he was born sixteen years ago. A month before his birth, his father was put in jail for breaking parole, assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest. His single mother was an alcoholic, struggling to keep her job and her home. Already, she could barely take care of eight-year-old Will and twelve-year-old Jon.

Max’s older brothers hid their mother’s disease from him as best as they could, and they made sure Max had everything he needed to be a normal, well-adjusted kid, despite the fact that they lived at or below the poverty line for much of his childhood. When his oldest brother became engaged to Livvy Holland, the daughter of the richest man in the state, Max befriended her little brother, Trey, and the two remained best friends even though their home lives couldn’t be more different.

Through Trey, Max made more friends, including star athlete Callen McNare. Over the years, the boys played team sports, went on group dates, and worked summer jobs together. They became close; closer than anyone would have guessed. Before a real relationship could even begin, Max and Callen were forced apart when their secret was discovered.

In LOVE LIKE WE DO – SIDE A, family and friends reevaluate their associations with the boys. Callen’s parents are in denial. Trey feels betrayed by his two closest buddies and wonders how their friendship will change. Jon struggles to keep his family together, despite his mother’s devout beliefs and his brother Will’s immoral ways. Interactions with the people around them could bring enlightenment and understanding, or they could keep Max and Callen apart while doing irreparable damage to their families.

* This is Trey and Jon’s side of the story.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

loriotto

After graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1997 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Lori Otto worked in the billboard industry for ten years. Frustrated with trying to communicate entire messages in “seven seconds or less,” she decided to leave outdoor advertising and return to her love of creative writing.

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Author Archives: shellbellereads

About shellbellereads

Review: True Devotion by Liora Blake – True Series – Book 2

Review: Manwhore + 1 by Katy Evans – Manwhore Series – Book 2

Happy Release + Review: Broken Oaths by V.L. Moon & J.T. Cheyenne

About the authors

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Happy Release + 6 Star Review + 2015 Favorite : Uncharted by Claudia Burgoa – Unexpected Series – Book 3

Cover Reveal + Excerpt: Resist by Heather C. Leigh – Sphere of Irony Series – Book 3

Happy Release + Review : Exposed by Brighton Walsh – Captive Series – Book 2

Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Wild Nights by Karen Erickson – Vegas Nights Series – Book 3

Release Blitz + Excerpt + Giveaway: A Taste of Summer by Beverly Preston – The Mathews Family Series

Cover Reveal: Love Like We Do by Lori L. Otto

COVER REVEAL

BLURB

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