Release Day Blitz: Saved by Kelli Maine- Book 4 in the Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club Series

Posted on 01/12/2015 by shellbellereads

Saved

Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club – Book 4

By Kelli Maine

Synopsis

Soul of my soul.

Left with Lilith’s haunting words, Luc sees himself for the irredeemable man he truly is.

Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club’s reputation is ruined, the clubhouse is burned to the ground, and Angel is the only remaining loose end for the club to tie up.

With nothing left to lose, Luc makes the only move he has left and sacrifices everything for the only woman who ever made him want to be a better man.

SAVED is the fourth and final part of the Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club serial.

Excerpt

There’s fire, and I’m walkin’ through it naked. Angel’s somewhere in the flames, and I’m lookin’ for her. I can feel the flames against my skin but they don’t hurt. Then I see her. She’s screamin’. Burnin’ up. I run to her, and cover her with my body, to protect her. The flames start hurtin’ now. I can feel my flesh getting’ hot. I can feel my skin begin to peel, I scream in pain…

“Hey, you ok?”

I wake up feelin’ like I just slammed into a fuckin’ wall. My body’s hot, my blood pumpin’.

Angel puts a cool hand against my face, and it feels good against my hot, sweaty skin.

“It’s nothin’.”

I look at her. Seein’ her face next to me calms me down a little, makes me feel a little fuckin’ cooler, but I feel a whole new sense of frustration and edginess lookin’ at her.

“I need a drink,” I say, getting’ out of bed and walkin’ to the kitchen. I feel like somethin’ is pullin’ at me. A naggin’ feelin’ in my gut that somethin’ needs to be done. Soon.

I turn on the tap and put my head under it, gulpin’ down water into my dry throat. I splash some on my face. Angel walks into the kitchen.

“Coffee?” she asks. I nod.

I can’t be near her. I can’t look at her. I go to the bathroom, lock the door, and sit on the toilet, my head in my hands. Today. I have to do somethin’ today.

“Coffee’s done,” Angel calls from the other side of the bathroom door. I realize I’ve been sittin’ in there for a full ten minutes, just losin’ my mind, barely able to think. I have to get my shit together. Maybe coffee will help.

I join Angel in the room. There’s a little table by the window, and Angel has the cups there. She’s opened the shutters. I sit opposite her, lookin’ out of them, avoidin’ those eyes…

“Is there something…” Angel trails off. Maybe she sees the fire burnin’ inside me, the ragin’ fuckin’ forces that are beatin’ the shit out of each other, with me in the middle. I gulp my coffee.

“I feel a lot better,” Angel says.

I turn away from the window to look at her.

“Am I supposed to care?”

“I just thought–”

“You thought wrong, bitch. You don’t think at all when you’re with me, ok?”

Angel stiffens and looks at me, her eyes wide.

“O-ok.”

“Good,” I say. The frustration is fillin’ up in me, burstin’ to get out, and she’s close enough to feel it.

I can’t let myself get close to her. I can’t let her inside. She’s already under my skin. Makin’ me feel things I don’t wanna feel, think things that I don’t wanna be thinkin’.

This bitch will destroy me.

The Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club Series

Lilith- Book 1

Who am I?
I’m every woman’s worst nightmare.
A taker of lives.
You can call me Lucifer.

Luc “Lucifer” Bontrager is a nomad in Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club. Traveling chapter to chapter, he brings in big money kidnapping women, training them and selling them over the border. He’s heartless, brutal and all business.

And then he meets his match.

Lilith. Every man’s worst nightmare. A taker of lives. A sociopath on the run.

Inked up with satanic symbols and verses, she’s fearless and completely insane. Luc can’t train her, he sure as hell can’t ship her over the border to the cartel boss waiting for her, and—for the first time in his life—he can’t bring himself to put a bullet in her head either.

She’s his worst regret.

Her words and cold, calculating eyes haunt him. She’s the devil on his shoulder, reminding him of all his sins. He should’ve killed her when he had the chance, because when the unthinkable happens and Luc falls for the young, innocent girl he’s training, Lilith seeks her revenge, targeting the only girl he’s ever wanted to keep as his own.

Nomad- Book 2

I see you.
I know you.
I am you.

He should’ve put a bullet in her head when he had the chance.

When Luc “Lucifer” Bontrager wakes up to Lilith – the satanic, sociopath bitch he left for dead in the desert – holding a gun to his head, his first thought is the girl he’s got stashed in the club’s basement. That’s how he knows he’s fucked.

He’s lived his life kidnapping women and training them for Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club to sell as sex slaves. Now, he’s caught up in the innocent young girl he’s supposed to hand over to a Mexican cartel boss in a few days. There’s no way in hell he’s letting her go.

But Luc can’t save her if he’s dead, so this time Lilith won’t get away from him alive.

NOMAD is the second installment in the Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club series and continues Luc’s story from Lilith.

Angel- Book 3

On the run, Luc gets word from LLMC that the cartel has agreed to return Angel to them instead of killing her, but they need a replacement.

If Luc hands over Lilith, trained and ready to be delivered to the cartel, the club will forgive him his betrayal and welcome him back into the fold.

Luc must decide where his loyalty lies—with the club that saved his life and Angel who almost broke his resolve to never keep anyone for himself, or with Lilith, the crazy bitch who got inside his head and knows him better than anyone ever has.

Author Bio:

Kelli Maine is the erotic romance author of USA Today Bestseller and #1 Nook book, Taken, and the Give & Take series, along with the Dolls & Doms novellas and Chains. She lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband and kids. When she’s not writing, Kelli enjoys watching reality T.V., getting lost in random Wikipedia pages and searching online ads for vintage muscle cars.

Favorite Author: Diana Gabaldon
Favorite Food: Japanese
Favorite Superhero: Spiderman
Favorite Place I’ve Been: Yucatan Peninsula
Writing Must Haves: Coffee and chocolate
Plotter or Pantser: Proud Pantser

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal: For Authentication Purposes by Amber L. Johnson

Posted on 01/12/2015 by shellbellereads

PRESENTS. . .

A Cover Reveal

for

For Authentication Purposes

by Amber L. Johnson

Release Date: March 5 , 2015

Published by The Writers Coffee Shop

Dawn Sims has made a name for herself writing romantic fiction online. When she’s pushed to try her hand at publishing, she thinks she has everything figured out. The only problem? She’s never been in a relationship, especially one that has led her to finding The Big O.

So much for writing what you know.

Warner Green has had Dawn in his sights since she walked into his class in seventh grade. She broke his teenage heart not once, but twice, so seeing her in his night class at the local community college was an unexpected surprise.

Accidentally reading her bad erotica on her laptop was a blessing from the Smut Gods themselves.

It’s clear she has no idea what she’s writing about, but Warner does. In fact, he knows so much that he’s willing to offer her his services. The deal is simple: teach the good girl from high school everything she needs to know to write from experience. If he gets to live out a fantasy or two that he’s been harboring for almost a decade, then there’s no harm in that either.

The lessons turn more heated, and Dawn begins to question where Warner has learned his skills, but he’s not ready to talk, until his past comes back to haunt him at the worst possible time.

It shouldn’t matter when it’s for authentication purposes only.

I reached across the table and ran my index finger across the soft skin of her wrist. “Let me feel you up a little like a sophomore who just got his license.”

I loved it when she laughed because it wasn’t anything fake. Her entire body shook when she giggled, and when it was really funny there was no sound. Right now she was probably calling all the dogs in the alley.

“Yeah, okay. We can do that.” She smoothed out her hair when she’s collected herself, and I realized that I hadn’t noticed it before, but she didn’t wear ponytails anymore. It made me want to tug on the ends, fist it at the back of her neck.

Goodreads * Add to Want To Read List

A true child of music, Amber’s parents surrounded her with the loudest beats they could find, molding her into a girl who found inspiration and meaning in lyrics and chords. Raised on John Hughes movies, Luck Dragons, and pirate ships, she dreamed of love and adventure. When Amber began to create her own world, she envisioned a place where Happy Ever Afters do exist. Since then, she has authored several romance novels, all of which focus on songs and the way they can touch people’s lives. Music may not be able to fix a broken heart, but it can provide one hell of a soundtrack for healing.

A full-time wife and mother with a full-time job, Amber finds her muse in everyday life and the people who bring her inspiration.

Twitter * Facebook * Website

Sale Blitz + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: TAG by Shari J. Ryan

Posted on 01/10/2015 by shellbellereads

TAG

By Shari J. Ryan

Genre: New Adult Romantic Suspense

Synopsis

What if your family had a big secret . . . a life changing secret. My dad, the bigwig CIA agent, was always on the run, whether he was being chased or doing the chasing. I missed him. Then my mom passed away, and my sister was murdered. I turned my solitude to strength because the alternative was too bleak.

But my luck seemed to turn: I met Tango. And while I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my twenty-two years, danger lurks around every corner and I simply can’t take the chance of it finding me. But his tattoos, his smell, his darkness, and his body— that marine has taken over my every thought. But, what if he too isn’t what I think? A ticking time bomb isn’t going to leave me much time to waver. Even the bravest person can be in need of a miracle.

Before she was gone, my mom warned me to know everyone and trust no one. But what was I supposed to do when I found out I am the one not to be trusted? Turns out, I was always the bait in this conspiracy.

In author Shari J. Ryan’s gripping novel, TAG, the canyons hold secrets, the waterfalls provide safety, and romance has a pesky way of showing up when you are sweaty and dirty and least expect it.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / IBooks

Exceprt

I’ve been seated among the dozens of other passengers for the past two hours, watching the gate times change a number of times before I see the plane actually arrive. Just as I’m powering my phone down, preparing to board, an awful stench burns my nose from a few inches away. A middle-aged man with greasy black hair and a thick lip-covering mustache who smells exactly like the inside of a port-a-potty has found a reason to sit directly beside me in a row of empty seats. When my eyes unfortunately meet his, he takes the opportunity to speak to me. “Heading to Boston?” he asks. I raise my eyebrows and force a tightlipped smile. I simply follow that with a nod and give him a no shit look. “I heard winter’s coming early this year,” he continues.

“Cool,” I mumble with a sigh. I pull a magazine out of my bag and open it in front of my face, hoping to block my vision of the man’s blackened-stained grin. But it’s only seconds before I’m taken back when his finger sweeps down the bare skin of my collarbone.

“What does that mean?” he asks, pointing to my tattoo.

With a smooth motion, I lay my magazine down onto my lap and place my hand over his, giving him the false notion that I’m a gentle person. I take the opportunity to offer him a slight smile before I twist his forefinger backwards as far as it will go before the expectant snap. “I’m sorry,” I say sweetly. “Did I tell you it was okay to touch me?” I pull down a little harder, and he smiles in response to the pain. But as I hold my hand there, I see the smile begin to fade.

“It’s a free country, chicky,” he sputters as his tongue knocks around between his bare gums.

“Why would you think it’s okay to touch me?” I ask again, keeping my voice calm, yet stern. He licks his lips and looks me up and down, responding with only a look. “Do you go around touching girls half your age because you feel it’s okay?”

He clears his throat and looks around to see who’s watching or listening, but I don’t move my eyes from his. “Why not?” he says, shrugging his bony shoulders. “Besides, you’re definitely asking for it.”

He thinks I’m asking for it? I’m wearing a fucking scoop neck, black long sleeve shirt, jeans, and combat boots. “The only reason it’s okay, is because no one has ever probably told you no. But it occurs to me that after I snap your finger off your hand, you won’t be able to touch people inappropriately anymore, will you?”

He hoots with laughter, dragging in attention he probably shouldn’t want. “You think you could break my finger, little chicklette?”

I pull his finger a little further, and his smile grows. “Ow, stop. You’re hurting me,” he puckers his lips and winks at me.

“Oh, look, it’s your right hand. You a righty?” I turn his hand over and see deep callouses bubbling on his palm. “Yes, you are. So, if I rip this thing off, you wouldn’t miss it, right?” I turn his hand back over and glare into his beady eyes. He’s questioning my words. He’s unsure of my capabilities. And that’s fine. “Sound okay to you? Or are you going to leave and stop touching people?” His smile fades and his eyes widen. I release his hand and offer him a smart-ass smile. “Oh, and the tattoo means death. It’s a Maori Warrior symbol. They used to eat their enemies once they slaughtered them. Cool, huh?”

I see his Adam’s apple struggle to move. He lifts his bag from the ground and nearly trips over his own feet, darting away.

I reopen my magazine to the page I was reading and refocus my attention on an article as I hear a soft chuckle coming from the other side of me. I turn to see who was enjoying the free entertainment and I’m faced with a man who looks to be either a wrestler or in the military–black shaven hair, stiff jaw and bulging muscles on every inch of his arms. His eyes are currently focused on a book, and I suppose he could have been laughing at that, rather than me. But as I question it, his large shamrock green eyes lift and look right at me. A slight grin tugs on the corner of his lips, and he winks so quickly I’m questioning whether it was me who might have blinked. Before I can react, he stands up and walks away.

I swallow hard and refocus my attention on the magazine once more. Stupid attractive man causing a moment of feebleness. I didn’t react, though. He winked at me. I think. And I didn’t make a snide comment or scowl. Weakness.

I let out a few short breaths, regaining my composure. He’s gone. It’s fine.

Michel’s Review

TAG is the first book that I have read by Shari J. Ryan. I was given an ARC to review for this sale promotion. I was intrigued by the synopsis and by the fact that it combined two of my favorite genres to read.

TAG starts off on a pulsing fast pace. The very first chapter has your heart racing and mind intrigued. From there the reader is completely engaged in the story. It has an original plot, strong characters, sexual tension, climatic moments, and emotional passages that have the reader close to tears. The plight of these two people are on very different paths that merge together and lead them down the same road. For each of the them the outcome could be very different. For each the them it could be life changing. For each of them it is their only chance of survival. What they find along the way are some very rare gifts that neither thought they would ever have. They find the love that only happens once in a lifetime. They also find the one thing neither of them has in their lives. They find hope.

TAG is a very moving story. The intense storyline, the fast paced action, and emotional elements will have your adrenaline high and heart racing.

Shari J. Ryan’s writing is crisp, fresh, and engaging. She created charismatic characters and gave them life. Their story grabs the reader’s attention and their personalities grab the readers hearts.

I highly recommend TAG. It is a story that you will not forget.

Author Bio:

Bestselling author, Shari J. Ryan, hails from Central Massachusetts where she lives with her hubby and two lively little boys. Ryan has published the 3-book Schasm Series for Romantic Suspense/Thriller fans. TAG is her first book written solely for the Romantic Suspense audience, and she is hard at work on Red Nights, a standalone coming this spring. To learn more, visit her at: http://www.sharijryan.com

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Manwhore by Katy Evans- Book 1 in new Manwhore Series

Posted on 01/09/2015 by shellbellereads

Manwhore

By Katy Evans

Coming March 24,2015

Book One in Manwhore Series

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?

Pre-Order: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Author Bio:

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

Cover Reveal: Forbidden Nights by Lauren Blakely- Seductive Nights Series

Posted on 01/08/2015 by shellbellereads

It’s here! The cover for Lauren Blakely’s next title in her Seductive Nights Series, FORBIDDEN NIGHTS, is here and it’s a beauty! We are thrilled to get to share it with you today. But first, we want to share just a little bit about Lauren Blakely and a taste of FORBIDDEN NIGHTS with you.

Lauren Blakely is well known for writing sexy, heartfelt and humorous contemporary romance as well as deeply emotional new adult stories — one commonality in all her books is the scorching hot sexy times. And this book is absolutely no different! Nate Harper and Casey Sullivan have some thrilling moments together.

And… we have a surprise for you!

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS will release on February 17^th!

That’s a full month earlier than originally planned! So you will get to experience Nate and Casey and all of their sexy and heartfelt moments together even sooner! Still dying to get your hands on this smoking couple? Here’s a little taste for you from Lauren Blakely:

“Just relax and let me lead,” he said, whispering in her ear, a waft of her citrus scent drifting by his nostrils. She shivered briefly against him, and that nearly did him in. He stayed strong, swaying gently, guiding her in slow, sensuous moves. “I’ll show you how to let go, but you have to trust me. And that’s where it starts. I can show you how good it will feel when you give up control.”

She breathed in sharply, like she was acclimating to new air on a distant planet. “Why do men like a woman to give up a control? What is it about the lack of control that men like so much?”

“It’s not that they like a lack of control. They want a woman who wants to give herself to him. He wants a woman to melt into his arms, to get aroused from a kiss on the back of her neck,” he said, and traced a fingertip gently under her hair, watching her reaction as she drew in a breath. “It’s the hand on her arm,” he said, now trailing his fingers down her bare skin to her elbow as he leaned in to whisper. “Or warm breath near her ear.” She gasped, and he kept going. “He wants a woman who’s so turned on, she’ll nearly beg for it. He wants her abandon. He wants to be the only one to make her feel that way.”

She parted her lips to speak, but he shushed her with his fingertip against her lips. God, he was so tempted to let her suck on his finger right now, to watch her simulate a blow job, to let her show him what she could do. But that would come later. He needed to kiss her first.

That is, after he teased her…

Are you as excited as we are about this book?!

And now, here’s the fabulous cover for FORBIDDEN NIGHTS!

Cover created by Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations

ABOUT FORBIDDEN NIGHTS:

A smoldering and sensual standalone romance novel in the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Seductive Nights Series by Lauren Blakely…

Sinfully sexy hotel CEO Nate Harper knows exactly how to please a woman. He’s equally skilled in keeping his heart safe from the kind of hurt his ex inflicted on him years ago. But one thing he’s not so good at what-so-ever is getting his mind and all his dirty thoughts off the gorgeous, outgoing, and absolutely captivating Casey Sullivan, the new head of the Joy Delivered company.

They’ve been friends for years now, and Casey trusts Nate completely. So it makes perfect sense to her to ask him for hands-on guidance when she finds herself in need of some of his romantic expertise.

The trouble is, his heart may be signing up for more than it bargained for when he agrees to help her learn to abandon her need for control in the bedroom. Because as she experiences what it means to let go, he’ll start to experience what it means to feel again…

But what happens when all those forbidden nights turn into a deeper connection that’s much more than either bargained for?

*FORBIDDEN NIGHTS is a standalone full-length novel in the bestselling SEDUCTIVE NIGHTS series following the love affair of Nate and Casey. You can read it on its own, but you would likely enjoy the other books too.*

Read all about FORBIDDEN NIGHTS and the Seductive Nights Series HERE!

Pre-Order Your Copy Of FORBIDDEN NIGHTS coming February 17^thNow!

Amazon ** Amazon UK ** iBooks US ** iBooks UK ** Kobo

About Lauren Blakely:

Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in her novel, FAR TOO TEMPTING, she
thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. She loves hearing from readers! Her bestselling series include Caught Up in Love, Seductive Nights, and Fighting Fire. She recently released Nights With Him, a standalone novel in her New York Times Bestselling Seductive Nights series that became an instant New York Times Bestseller. Her next book in that series is Forbidden Nights, releasing in early 2015. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, text BLAKELY + your email address to 678-249-3375 (please use the actual + sign).

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Goodreads ** Novel Goodreads

Happy Release and ARC Review: Falling Away by Penelope Douglas- The Fall Away Series – Book 3

Posted on 01/06/2015 by shellbellereads

Falling Away

The Fall Away Series – Book 3

By Penelope Douglas

Synopsis

From the New Adult sensation and New York Times bestselling author of Rival

Jaxon is the guy she’s supposed to avoid. K.C. is the girl he won’t let get away….

K. C. Carter has always followed the rules—until this year, when a mistake leaves her the talk of her college campus and her carefully arranged life comes crashing to a halt. Now she’s stuck in her small hometown for the summer to complete her court-ordered community service, and to make matters worse, trouble is living right next door.

Jaxon Trent is the worst kind of temptation and exactly what K.C. was supposed to stay away from in high school. But he never forgot her. She was the one girl who wouldn’t give him the time of day and the only one to ever say no. Fate has brought K.C. back into his life—except what he thought was a great twist of luck turns out to be too close for comfort. As they grow closer, he discovers that convincing K.C. to get out from her mother’s shadow is hard, but revealing the darkest parts of his soul is nearly impossible.…

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

For fans of the Fall Away series this book has been highly anticipated. Jaxon Trent has been a real enigma since he was introduced into the series. He is the younger brother to Jared Trent. He came from an abusive background and multiple foster homes. He is smart, quiet, mysterious, and beautiful. His intelligence has opened doors, not necessarily good ones, and gave him power in his life. He is the extreme opposite of his brother Jared. He is not one to react. He bides his time, plans his actions, and strikes. All of those are just impressions the reader has walked away with. We really don’t know the true extent of all that is Jaxon Trent until we read Falling Away.

We also met K.C. Carter in book one and continued to see glimpses of her throughout the series. She is the snooty and frivolous girl that seems mindless. Although she was portrayed in a very negative manner in Bully, readers couldn’t help but like her anyways. Most of us understood the whole high school mentality and foolish decisions K.C. made. We also understood that she was involved in a very stifling relationship that was harmful to her being. What was odd and hard to understand was the attraction between her and Jax, who is a year younger and polar opposite. How could these two come together?

Falling Away has the turbulent and combustible plot we have come to expect in this series. It also had quite a few surprises. The biggest surprise was K.C. Carter. She is not what we were led to believe. Her life has been just as harsh as Jax’s life. While she might not have experienced all of the violence that Jax did, she did suffer from abuse.

When a bad decision and freeing moment forces K.C. to return home to serve out her sentence of community service, it also forces her to face everything she has deeply hidden away. It also puts her in Jax’s life once again. This time Jax plans on keeping her around long enough to conquer her and break her down. But Jax is for a big surprise. K.C. is more than he anticipated and when the real K.C. Carter is revealed she may just break Jax.

These two are not the polar opposites we were led to believe. Now they will have to break each other down and build each other up, one kiss and touch at a time.

This story kept me glued to the pages. It was well written, full of emotional angst, turbulent moments, steamy love scenes, and stunning surprises. The biggest surprise is at the end and left readers with their jaws hanging on the ground. I won’t spoil the moment. I will just say that readers are going to be pre-ordering the upcoming novella, Aflame, coming April 21, 2014. Let me say, I love the direction this series is headed.

About Penelope Douglas

Penelope Douglas is a writer living in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to “just get the damn degree!” She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she HATED public administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later she was married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, The Originals, and she shops at Target almost daily.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release and ARC Review: Falling Away by Jasinda Wilder- Falling Into You Series- Book 4

Posted on 01/06/2015 by shellbellereads

Falling Away

Falling Into You Series- Book 4

By Jasinda Wilder

Synopsis

My name is Benjamin Dorsey. You know my mom and dad’s story. You know Kylie’s parents’ story. You even know Kylie’s story.

You don’t know mine, yet.

You don’t know what a broken heart is until you’ve loved someone your whole life, only to have her slip through your fingers because you waited too long. That’s heartbreak. That’s regret. And how do you live with that? How do you go through the motions when she’s there as a reminder of what you lost, of what you could have had but were too damn chicken to go after? I couldn’t. So I left.

That’s right, I ran away. I found myself across the continent, playing minor league football. I mean, at least I still had football, right?

Nope. That got taken away from me too. A career-ending injury left me down-and-out, scraping the bottom of the barrel, hating myself and hating life. And then I met Cheyenne Leveaux, my physical therapist, who became my one and only friend, the one bright light in the darkness of my messed up life.

But of course nothing is ever simple, or easy.

Tragedy struck, and the rug was swept out from under me yet again, and this time the guilt, the doubt, the secrets, and the old heartbreak may threaten my one chance at true happiness, my one shot at my own happily ever after.

Reading Order: Falling Into You, Falling Into Us, Falling Under, Falling Away

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Falling Away is the epic ending to the Falling Into You series by Jasinda Wilder. It was a bittersweet moment opening this book and knowing that it was the last in one of my all time favorite series. The characters in this series have lived in my heart and are unforgettable.

After reading the last book, Falling Under, I was devastated for Ben. He was a great kid that had his heart shattered. He showed the ugly and uncontrollable side of his personality. He acted out in the worst possible way. His soul was wounded and he was reacting the only way he knew how. He had carried so many pent up emotions that when the door opened it was a floodgate of pain, betrayal, regret, and anger. I ached for this boy. I felt his deep pain. I wanted him to find the peace and love he so richly deserved. Ben found more than that. He found himself. He found a man that had honor, compassion, and hope.

The book starts a year after Ben left Nashville trying to run from his heartbreak and despair. What Ben didn’t realize at the time is that he was running from himself. It took many miles, odd jobs, new experiences, and new heartbreaks to open his heart once again. He finds his passion for football once again. He finds a place he may want to call home for a spell. He finds that he can be attracted to another woman other than Kylie. He finds a true friend that understands his heartbreaking journey. Just as things are looking bright in Ben’s life he is thrown into despair once again. He loses his only passion and he loses his only true friend. This time around Ben has grown emotionally and matured. He hasn’t come completely into himself but is much stronger than he was a year ago. He also recognizes that a new door is opening and that this time he doesn’t want to slam it shut. He’s not quite ready to welcome the new people & experiences at the door, but he isn’t turning them away. He is opening that door.

Ben meets Echo through a very tragic circumstance. She is unlike any girl or woman he has ever met. He sees a very beautiful woman that has a very wounded soul. Although he doesn’t understand all of her pain, he knows without a doubt he wants to ease it and help her cope. What starts out as a pain easing hookup turns into a soul searching friendship to a passionate love affair that stands the test of time. But first Echo and Ben have to face their pain and allow others into their soul.

Echo is a very troubled young woman. Her life experiences have led her to a self destructive and abusive path. She has trust issues, self worth issues, and loads of regret. Her escape is through music. When music isn’t enough to ease the pain she will have to face herself or destroy herself. Ben shows her a different look at life. He shows her that healing doesn’t erase the person you are, it makes you stronger and better.

Ben and Echo both have their journeys to travel but destiny has thrown their paths together. Now they have to learn to open their hearts and travel that path together.

I loved this book. The reader got to experience Ben’s transition from a wounded boy into a strong and steady man. A man with a bright and shiny future. He was given something better than he ever could of dreamed of having with Kylie. He was given himself as well as a love of a lifetime.

There were a few things in this book that I struggled with but did not affect my overall reaction to the story. There was an excessive amount of references to songs, the performers, and musicians. While I understand the importance of music in this series, I found it distracting in many passages. Another thing I found I disliked quite a bit was that Ben’s parents, Becca and Jason (from Falling Into Us- book 2 ), played a very small role in the overall picture. Jasinda emphasized Colt and Nell’s presence throughout the second part of the book. I understand that they are the foundation of the series but quite honestly I felt like Jason and Becca importance was slighted. They were both powerful characters that overcame advisory in a very positive manner. They experienced pain, heartbreak, abuse, and the hard knocks life had to offer. They overcame their plights and became very strong admirable adults. I feel like they had so much more to offer their son Ben than Jasinda allowed them to.

I am happy that Ben became the man he is today. I am happy that he found the peace in his life. I am happy that he found Echo.

I am very sad that this series has ended but am looking forward to the spin off series coming in the future.

I have nothing but pure praise for Jasinda Wilder. She writes a powerful and emotional reading experience that stays in your heart long after the book is finished.

Read this book. Read this series!

Author Bio:

NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, WALL STREET JOURNAL and international bestselling author Jasinda Wilder is a Michigan native with a penchant for titillating tales about sexy men and strong women. Her bestselling titles include ALPHA, STRIPPED, WOUNDED, and the #1 Amazon and international bestseller FALLING INTO YOU. You can find her on her farm in Northern Michigan with her husband, author Jack Wilder, her five children and menagerie of animals.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal: 12 Days of Forever by Heidi McLaughlin – A Beaumont Novella

Posted on 01/02/2015 by shellbellereads

Today we are revealing the cover of the novella 12 DAYS OF FOREVER by New York Times Bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin. This novella is part of the Beaumont series. The book will be released on February 1st.

Synopsis for 12 DAYS OF FOREVER:

Even though she’s living her life-long dream and dancing on Broadway, the city is a lonely place for Yvie James. The holidays are both her favorite time of the year and the worst. A last minute decision puts Yvie in Beaumont to spend time with her family

Alexander Knight is new to Beaumont, but he’s making the best of it. His dream of running a successful business is within his grasp, and Xander has a dedicated client base most trainers vie for. On the surface, Xander is happy, but he works long hours for nothing more than to avoid going home to an empty house.

Thrown together for Christmas shopping, holiday gatherings with friends and family, and a special anniversary party, Yvie and Xander find themselves seeking solace in each other for an unforgettable, romantic winter.

AUTHOR INFORMATION

BIO:

Heidi is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she’s writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting court-side during either daughter’s basketball games.

Author Links:
Website: http://heidimclaughlin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeidiMcLaughlinAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiJoVT
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6568302.Heidi_McLaughlin

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: When Fates Collide and When Fate Isn’t Enough by Isabelle Richards

Posted on 01/02/2015 by shellbellereads

Today we have the a double cover reveal, for Isabelle Richard’s When Fates Collide and When Fate Isn’t Enough. I absolutely love this series, and I’m so excited to share the covers with you today!!

Title: When Fates Collide and When Fate isn’t Enough.

Author: Isabelle Richards

Release Day: When Fates Collide—January 28^th. When Fate Isn’t Enough—February 25^th.

Genre: Romantic Suspense

About When Fates Collide

Life can change in the blink of an eye. One moment, Lily is trapped in a loveless marriage. In a split second she is free, but at what cost? Her mundane life is set into a freefall of tragedy and terror. Her husband may be out of her life, but he left a storm of collateral damage behind and the burden is on Lily to sort it out.

Fate connects Lily with Gavin, a charmingly handsome British gentleman that has been drawn into her tangled circumstance. Gavin is everything Lily’s husband wasn’t and gives her hope that love really does exist. Gavin wants nothing more than to sweep Lily up and carry her off into the sunset, far away from the devastation left behind by her husband. Gavin has been the first breath of fresh air in her life, but she isn’t looking to be saved. She needs to clean up her husband’s mess and find a way to save herself in the process.

Does she throw caution to the wind and open her heart? Or listen to her head that tells her and go it alone until she’s found herself again?

Goodreads

About When Fate Isn’t Enough

Can a romance that was written in the stars survive real life? Lily Clark and Gavin Edwards met when their lives collided in a crazy twist of fate. Their relationship started amidst chaos, fraught with lust, passion, and love. Building a life together will take more than destiny, especially when ghosts from their past try to tear them apart.
Needing a fresh start, Lily decides to escape her life in Washington, DC to join Gavin in London. Trust and faith have never come easily to Lily. She’ll be put to the test now that she and Gavin are living under the same roof.

To make matters worse, trouble finds Lily wherever she goes. She thought she’d rid herself of her late husband’s demons, but she soon learns that when you make a deal with the devil, he often comes back to up the ante. Can she learn to let Gavin in or will she continue to fight her battles alone? Find out what happens When Fate Isn’t Enough.

Goodreads

About the Author:

Isabelle Richards spent years as a speech writer before tackling fiction. An avid reader of all genres, Isabelle is drawn to romance novels as they provide an escape from daily life. Through her complex cast of characters, Isabelle creates a sanctuary for readers to dive into for a break from reality.

When she is not writing, Isabelle works as an advocate for persons with disabilities in Washington, DC. Her two yellow labs are her writing partners, although they frequently sleep on the job.

Facebook | Twitter | Website

Enter Isabelle’s Giveaway!!
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Cover Reveal: Easy Love by Kristen Proby

Posted on 01/02/2015 by shellbellereads

We are so excited to bring you the Cover Reveal for Kristen Proby’s EASY LOVE! EASY LOVE is a Contemporary Erotic Romance novel and is the 1^stbook in The Boudreaux Series! You can grab EASY LOVE on March 3, 2015 when it will be available across all retailers. Check out this beautiful cover created by Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations with the photography done by Kristen Proby herself!

Add it to your Goodreads Today!

ABOUT EASY LOVE:

Eli Boudreaux’s family has built ships and boats in Louisiana for generations. He comes from a hardworking, wealthy family and his empire is growing by leaps and bounds. At thirty, he is the youngest CEO to ever head Bayou Enterprises, co-chairing with his eldest brother. His head for business and his no-nonsense work ethic is also quickly making him the best the company has seen in generations. His staff admires him, women adore him and Eli’s family is solid. But he’s recently discovered that someone on the inside of his business is stealing from him and he’s determined to find out who.

Kate O’Shaughnessy is hired by companies all over the world to slip inside and investigate every member of the organization from the CEO down to the custodial staff to find the person or persons responsible for embezzling. She’s excellent at blending, becoming part of the team, and finding the weakest link. She’s smart, quick-witted, and she’s now been hired by Bayou Enterprises, specifically Eli Boudreaux. The attraction is immediate and the chemistry is off the charts, but Kate has heard all about Eli’s playboy past and she has a job to do. Sleeping with the boss isn’t a part of that job, even if just the sound of her name rolling off that Cajun tongue and the way he fills out a designer suit does make her sweat.

Eli’s southern charms surprise Kate. The man whose reputation labels him as a ruthless, callous womanizer is not the man she’s coming to know intimately. He’s generous, protective and makes her smile. Cracking through Kate’s cool, reserved demeanor and discovering her love of sexy, expensive lingerie is a challenge Eli can’t resist, but her sweet nature, love of family and sense of humor pull at him in ways no one else ever has.

But when the person responsible for trying to single-handedly dismantle Eli’s empire comes to light, and it’s time for Kate to move on, to what lengths will Eli go to keep the woman he’s fallen in love with by his side?

ABOUT KRISTEN PROBY:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Probyis 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.

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Category Archives: Blog Tour

Release Day Blitz: Saved by Kelli Maine- Book 4 in the Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club Series

Cover Reveal: For Authentication Purposes by Amber L. Johnson

A Cover Reveal

Sale Blitz + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: TAG by Shari J. Ryan

Cover Reveal: Manwhore by Katy Evans- Book 1 in new Manwhore Series

Cover Reveal: Forbidden Nights by Lauren Blakely- Seductive Nights Series

And… we have a surprise for you!

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS will release on February 17^th!

That’s a full month earlier than originally planned! So you will get to experience Nate and Casey and all of their sexy and heartfelt moments together even sooner! Still dying to get your hands on this smoking couple? Here’s a little taste for you from Lauren Blakely:

She breathed in sharply, like she was acclimating to new air on a distant planet. “Why do men like a woman to give up a control? What is it about the lack of control that men like so much?”

She parted her lips to speak, but he shushed her with his fingertip against her lips. God, he was so tempted to let her suck on his finger right now, to watch her simulate a blow job, to let her show him what she could do. But that would come later. He needed to kiss her first.

That is, after he teased her…

Are you as excited as we are about this book?!

And now, here’s the fabulous cover for FORBIDDEN NIGHTS!

Happy Release and ARC Review: Falling Away by Penelope Douglas- The Fall Away Series – Book 3

Happy Release and ARC Review: Falling Away by Jasinda Wilder- Falling Into You Series- Book 4

Cover Reveal: 12 Days of Forever by Heidi McLaughlin – A Beaumont Novella

Today we are revealing the cover of the novella 12 DAYS OF FOREVER by New York Times Bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin. This novella is part of the Beaumont series. The book will be released on February 1st.

Synopsis for 12 DAYS OF FOREVER:

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: When Fates Collide and When Fate Isn’t Enough by Isabelle Richards

Cover Reveal: Easy Love by Kristen Proby

Add it to your Goodreads Today!

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A Cover Reveal

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And… we have a surprise for you!

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS will release on February 17th!

That’s a full month earlier than originally planned! So you will get to experience Nate and Casey and all of their sexy and heartfelt moments together even sooner! Still dying to get your hands on this smoking couple? Here’s a little taste for you from Lauren Blakely:

She breathed in sharply, like she was acclimating to new air on a distant planet. “Why do men like a woman to give up a control? What is it about the lack of control that men like so much?”

She parted her lips to speak, but he shushed her with his fingertip against her lips. God, he was so tempted to let her suck on his finger right now, to watch her simulate a blow job, to let her show him what she could do. But that would come later. He needed to kiss her first.

That is, after he teased her…

Are you as excited as we are about this book?!

And now, here’s the fabulous cover for FORBIDDEN NIGHTS!

Share this:

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Today we are revealing the cover of the novella 12 DAYS OF FOREVER by New York Times Bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin. This novella is part of the Beaumont series. The book will be released on February 1st.

Synopsis for 12 DAYS OF FOREVER:

AUTHOR INFORMATION

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Share this:

Website**Facebook**Twitter**Author Goodreads**Novel Goodreads

Share this:

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS will release on February 17^th!

WebsiteFacebookTwitterAuthor GoodreadsNovel Goodreads