Blog Tour + Review: Driven By Destiny by Eve Carter- Destiny Series – Book 2

Posted on 03/23/2015 by shellbellereads

I’ve been burned! Again! I should know better than to let down my guard when it comes to matters of the heart, especially with regards to Lauren Mitchell.

A night in jail left Aedyn Cumberland feeling dejected, bitter and used by Lauren Mitchell. The only way forward is to return to Chicago and the impossible task of tearing Lauren out of his heart, for the second time in his life.

Meanwhile, in Granger, Lauren stands up for herself and makes a dangerous decision to take control of her destiny, clearing the way for a relationship with Aedyn. She only hopes it’s not too late.

Just when everything seems to be moving forward for Lauren, disaster strikes. No one realizes exactly how far, Chip Harrison, her former boyfriend is willing to go to save his own reputation.

Don’t miss the thrilling continuation to Flirting With Destiny by New York Times Best selling author, Eve Carter

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** DESTINY SERIES **

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Tracey’s Review

A night in jail has left Aedyn Cumberland angry and determined to leave Granger, Iowa, and all the memories of his past in his rear-view mirror. But as he tries to forget home and the betrayal by Lauren Mitchell, Aedyn finds himself unable to stop thinking about the woman that he loves.

Driven By Destiny is the second book in the AEDYN series by Eve Carter. I had not read the first book, and felt like I was missing out on the backstory with Aedyn and Lauren, so I do suggest that you read them in order. That being said, I enjoyed this story. It is fast-paced and full of action, not to mention some seriously hot scenes between Aedyn and Lauren. I was glad to see Lauren finally stand up to her bully of an ex and be strong enough to leave her old life behind to pursue her dreams with Aedyn.

There is more to Aedyn’s and Lauren’s story beyond the ending of Driven By Destiny, so this book ends on a cliff-hanger. It was well done, though, and left me wishing that I had Saved By Destiny (Book 3) ready to dive into. As it stands, I give Aedyn and Lauren 4 steamy stars, and look forward to the speedy of arrival of the ending to their story.B

I am a true romantic at heart and with a modern contemporary erotic twist to my romance novels, you had better fasten your seat belt, as the ride is always fun, exciting and fiery.
Living in Southern California, but a mid-westerner at heart, I find plenty of inspiration for my books in my own exciting life. I have always loved the arts and as a young girl, I took dance classes and spent the summers reading books from the local library. Fascinated with the written word and its power to guide the imagination, I started writing short stories and later took Creative Writing classes in college. I graduated from The University of Iowa with a B.A. in Journalism and an M.A. in Higher Education. I also have a Teaching Credential from Chapman University in Southern California.

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Happy Release: Katie In Love by Chloe Thurlow

Posted on 03/21/2015 by shellbellereads

Katie In Love

An Erotic Romance

By Chloe Thurlow

Synopsis

atie Boyd has nothing in common with Tom Bridge, the volunteer doctor she meets at a party – except in bed she finds a passion to match her own. Tom is intense, puzzling, a man who cares about others and compels Katie to question her own life drifting through the hip clubs and London party scene.

When Tom returns to his post in a Sri Lanka orphanage, Katie isn’t sure if their passion was lit by its brevity, or if love, unexpected and not entirely wanted, has edged its way into her life. Should she go back to being who she always was? Or follow Tom into the unknown?

Katie in Love is a compelling erotic-romance that will grip readers as they follow Katie’s journey to an ending they may have expected – but not in the way they expected it.

Brilliantly written and coolly self-aware, Chloe Thurlow was described by KM Dylan on Amazon as “…the Anaïs Nin of our times.” With Katie in Love – her sixth novel – Thurlow reveals a writer at the height of her powers.

Buy: Amazon / B & N

Tina’s Review

First-person female POV. Warning: The journey through Katie’s thoughts can be chaotic and unfiltered. 😉
Ms. Thurlow has an erratically whimsical writing style that is abundantly descriptive. The characters are well-written, each with their own very distinctive personalities and quirks. The dialogue is believable, the interaction is good. There are only a few places where things feel a bit disjointed and awkward, but it’s difficult to tell if perhaps it weren’t intentional. The plot holds the reader’s interest and flows smoothly most of the time. On occasion, I found myself re-reading parts due to the overly-descriptive style but it was not so much that it detracts from the story’s quality. In fact, I find that many books by Nora Roberts effect me in the same manner. The conflicts throughout the books are maturely resolved with little to no predictability. The conclusion is solid and welcoming, with no cliffhangers.

Author Bio:

After uni, I started working in PR and got bored to tears. It was more fun being a waitress and writing in the dark silent hours from 2am to 6. I managed to complete a novel I called “Being A Girl” and fell over in the street after Nexus published it and the editor gave me a bottle of champagne I drank too quickly. Now, here we are, penning away night and day, five novels and three naughty-shorties on the shelf with a study of EL James called “The Fifty Shades of Grey Phenomena” just out.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Review: Throttle by Sassie Lewis

Posted on 03/19/2015 by shellbellereads

Throttle

By Sassie Lewis

Synopsis

No Surrender…

Sin is a man who lives by his own rules. Large and in charge, he takes what he wants and makes no apologies about it. Running his custom bike shop and raising his son are the only things he’s ever cared about. That is, until a full-bodied goddess crosses his path.

No Regrets…

Georgia’s the forbidden fruit custom built for temptation. He knew she was off limits, for more than one reason, but there’s only so long he can fight his desires. When he ignores the rules and claims her, what price will he pay for that one taste of perfection?

Buy: Amazon

Tina’s Review

Novella: about 100 pages. A RARE first-person (MALE) POV.
The cover is mildly misleading, allows you to believe this may be a MC book. Not really. He’s a gear head… owns THROTTLE (garage/shop) and builds, rebuilds, customizes, and fixes bikes. He’s got an “in” with the bikers, but it’s NOT a MC book. Synopsis: Again, a little misleading. You’d think his son is a young child as opposed to a college graduate.
Cynfor (Sin) was a little hellion growing up; always in trouble and pushing the limits. That is, until a newborn is dropped at his parents’ doorstep when he’s only 17 years old. From then, his son, Tyson, had been his sole focus. Now, as a 38-yr old single dad, he finds his son’s college graduate status delivers mixed emotions. He’s hot for the girl on Ty’s arm. Georgia lives a pretty solitary existence with no parents or siblings and only an elderly unwell foster mother. She works numerous jobs to make ends meet and wears baggy second-hand clothes that Sin manages to easily see past which is good because she’s seriously attracted to Sin, despite the fact that he’s Ty’s dad and 14 yrs her senior.
The characters were well created and enjoyable. Dialogue was good, interaction felt natural. The plot flowed well, but was not as full and dynamic as it could have been if it were a full novel length. There’s plenty of sex, mostly Neanderthal worthy. Ms. Lewis is rather descriptive and often remarks on the audible elements of the deed, other than that, it was not overly graphic nor clinical. There were a few issues that were resolved in very human fashion. The characters were allowed to make mistakes, learn from them, and try to earn a second chance. I had Tyson figured out almost immediately, but that did not – in any way – detract from the story. The conclusion was solid, with no cliffhangers. There’s just enough going on at the end of this story that if there were another novel(la) written to follow this one, I’d not be surprised.
Only one spelling error noted, but it was easily over-looked. Overall, it was an enjoyable, quick read.

Author Bio

Sassie Lewis is a born and bred Australian. She lives on the outskirts of Brisbane Queensland, with her husband, two daughters, one son and a dog that hates having a bath.
She swears like a sailor, and blames her ability to over share personal matters – matters that fall into that TMI category – on a faulty brain to mouth filter, that forgets to tell her “This isn’t appropriate dinner conversation”.
An avid reader since childhood. Sassie came across erotic romance in her mid-twenties, falling deeply, madly in lust with the genre instantly. And has had wet panties ever since.
With her somewhat skewed and unique view of the world, along with a little encouragement from her father, she thought what the heck! and she penned her first erotic romance.
She hopes to drag you into the world she’s created, and leave you as breathless and wanting, for her fictional friends, as she became, while writing them.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + Review + Giveaway: Famous by Kahlen Aymes- The Famous Novels – Book 1

Posted on 03/18/2015 by shellbellereads

Famous

The Famous Novels – Book 1

By Kahlen Aymes

Synopsis

Caden Carlisle is a world-renowned superstar with good looks, million dollar movie deals and women throwing themselves at him wherever he goes. He has it all… but wants nothing more than a normal life without the paparazzi and glitz.

Brooklyn Holloway is an up and coming starlet with a solid head on her shoulders and her eyes wide open. It’s all about art for her and she isn’t looking to star in blockbuster films. She’s perfectly happy keeping a low profile and doing indie projects with a message.

When fate throws the two of them together on set; both are unprepared for their undeniable connection. Cade is drawn to Brook’s down-to-earth wholesomeness and she can’t help the irresistible pull of his good looks, sense of humor and chivalrous ways… So, when he begins to think he’s in love with her, resisting is next to impossible, despite being committed to someone else.

Only when filming ends and the world’s fascination with celebrity invades their bubble, can they decide if the emotions they felt on set were scripted, or forever.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Smashwords

Excerpt

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Cade.

I’d risen, and he was trying to rush through the crowd toward me, but was having a hard time making his way around all of the people. Part of me was thankful for that. I felt trapped, like I’d die an absolute death if I didn’t make an immediate escape.

I needed to get out of there fast, or soon, I was going to be a sobbing mess. I could feel the misery welling up and threatening to overflow.

I pushed my way through the crowd toward the other end of the bar, toward the entrance and away from Cade.

“Brook!” he called. “Brook, wait, please!”

I kept going, my eyes on Nathan a few yards in front of me. My vision blurred with tears, but I stumbled through the crowd, pushing my way toward him.

“Brook! Bloody hell! Stop!” Cade was beside me, and grabbed my arm. “Stop… Just wait a second, please.” His voice lowered as he looked at the tears running down my face, his scent enveloped me. Finally, I had the courage to meet his eyes but my face crumpled, and I cried hard.

“Cade, just please, let me go. It’s obvious that coming here tonight was a big mistake.” My voice broke, and more tears slipped from my lashes. I bowed my head when my shoulders began to shake. I couldn’t stop them from doing that, and it felt humiliating to be standing here, in the middle of a bar, in a place I’d never been, with a couple of hundred eyes boring into me… and worse, to witness what I’d just seen.

“Tell me why you’re here,” he commanded softly, his finger lifting my chin so I had to look him in the eyes. He looked sad and anxious. “When I saw you, I couldn’t believe my eyes.” His eyes searched my face, trying to read my mind. “I felt like the earth opened up to swallow me alive.”

I tried to speak, but nothing came out. I opened my mouth, closed it, and then shook my head. “It just… It doesn’t matter now.” I tried again to pull my arm free.

“Goddamn it, Brooklyn! Tell me why you’re here!” he pleaded, and grabbed my other arm, which completely prevented me from looking away from his face. We were both breathing hard; standing motionless; as if there was no one else in the room.

Finally, I looked away as I struggled for strength to control the tears in my voice.

Maybe if I tell him the truth, he’ll let me go.

I turned back to him. “I came here to tell you that what you saw in those photos wasn’t real, and that I was ending things with David. That you are who I want to be with.” I started to shake, my face crumpled. Cade took me by the shoulders, and pulled me tightly to his chest.

“But from the looks of things, you’re doing just fine. It didn’t take you long, did it?” A small sob escaped, as I resumed in earnest. “I thought I was going to surprise you for your birthday, but it looks like I’m the one getting the big surprise.” I was angry and hurt; my heart shattered into a million shards that ripped through my flesh and left me bleeding. I renewed my struggles to get free of him, but he was too strong. He moved me away a little to look in my eyes, his brow low over his eyes and his mouth tense.

“Brook, what was I supposed to think? You never said you were mine. How was I to know? Those pictures were like reliving the entire last year as I watched you with him when I wanted you for myself!”

“After the way it was between us… the way it felt! You saw how my heart was breaking when you left. After that, how could you doubt me? You don’t trust me at all.”

Michel’s Review

Famous by Kahlen Aymes is an emotional and angsty beginning for the new series.

The book starts out on the set for the movie featuring the Remembrance Trilogy. Brooklyn Holloway is playing Julia and Caden Carlisle is playing Ryan. Both of the actors are caught up in the powerful love story of the characters they are portraying. They are also realizing that they have an undeniable attraction to one another off the set. They are drawn together in so many ways. But their realities keep them from coming together.

Brooklyn Holloway has a boyfriend. She is also very young. It is her first motion picture. Caden Carlisle is a seasoned actor, he is a superstar, and he is from England.

Not only does their vast differences play against their relationship, their geographical dwellings do too. Add in Hollywood politics, iron tight contracts, and manipulating agents, and it seems this couple is doomed.

Brooklyn and Caden will do anything to be together. They were meant for one another.

Just as things are looking positive, life will rear it’s ugly head. They will have to fight for their love.

Famous was a good start for the new series. At first I was a bit concerned because the first few chapters seem to focus on the Remembrance Trilogy. After that the book takes on a whole new direction. At times the book seemed a bit repetitious and a bit slow. The overall story had good balance and interesting characters.

I am looking forward to the next book with hopes that Brooklyn and Caden will find the happily ever after they are striving for.

Author Bio:

I’m a single mother of one daughter, Olivia. She’s amazing in every way.

I was born in the Midwestern United States and educated at a private university where I received a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business Administration.

I’ve always been creative with art, music, theater and writing. I decided to write a story as a way to build a network for a business venture. The reader support of my stories and my overwhelming desire to find out where my characters would take me, soon had the writing morphing the business. No one was more shocked than I. When readers began nominating my work for online awards, it took my breath away and only made me love it more. It soon became clear that writing was, and should be, my focus.

Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Book Tour + Review + Giveaway : The Fear That Divides Us by M. N. Forgy – The Devil’s Dust Series – Book 3

Posted on 03/18/2015 by shellbellereads

The Fear That Divides Us

The Devil’s Dust Series – Book 3

By M. N. Forgy

Synopsis

Road Captain of the Devil’s Dust Motorcycle Club, Bobby has the scars to prove just how dangerous his life is. He gives the world he knows hell and loves every moment of it. Wearing a panty-dropping grin along the way, his fierce life has never been a problem for him, until her. Jessica is the only female who has him distracted in his game. After taking him to bed, she’s the only woman to tell him to take a hike. Waking with her gone, he can’t resist her pull. He’s seen the marks on her body, ones which tell the horrors she’s lived through. He’s also seen the fear in her eyes when she lets herself become weak to his advances. Bobby has a decision to make. Can he help Jessica, or will it mean giving up his carefree life?

Jessica, also known as Doc, lives life in fear. Years back, she ran to the Devil’s Dust for protection, seeking the demise of her abusive, dominant husband. Her mind and soul tortured by her past, she can’t allow herself to move forward. The only thing in her sight is her daughter’s safety. Even if she has the attention of one particular tattooed biker, she can’t succumb to his charm and drag her daughter back into a world of danger, no matter how much he thinks he can save her.

Mistakes will be made.

Fears will be faced.

Pain will be remembered.

Can Bobby and Jessica survive the dangers they bring upon themselves?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Excerpt

Do I fight my fear? Triumph the terror wracking my mind and soul and gamble on the chance that Bobby can reset it all, make me forget my past and actually restart and build a life without being afraid? Or do I do what I know best, resisting, and run home behind my door with the security of three deadbolts and wonder what if?

Michel’s Review

The Fear That Divides Us by M. N. Forgy is the third full length novel in the Devil’s Dust series. This book can be read as a stand alone or in series order.

The Devil’s Dust MC has had it’s share of violence, betrayal, and trouble. It has also had it’s fair share of good times. They are a strong brotherhood and family unit. They protect their own at all costs.

Bobby has been a member of the Devil’s Dust MC for quite a few years. He has seen it all. The one thing that made a lasting impression on his soul is Jessica, also known as Doc. She captured his attention when he was a recruit. She kept his attention as she healed from her ordeal and became a strong independent woman. Her beauty is more than what the eye sees. Her strength is beyond measure. But she is still holding Bobby at arms length.

Bobby has and will do anything for Jessica. He has killed for her. He has cried for her. He will protect her at all costs. Although they hook up occasionally, he wants more. He wants her to be his old lady. Her past and fears are holding her back. It will be up to him to show her how strong she really is. It will be up to her to let the past go.

This is the first book I have read in this series. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am planning to read the previous books. This book doesn’t particularly revolve around the Devil’s Dust MC and their club business. This book focuses on the couple itself and the problems they are facing behind the closed doors. It was well written with very strong charismatic characters. The backdrop of the MC added an interesting dimension in their relationship.

I am looking forward to reading more books in this series. M. N. Forgy has created an MC world readers will love. I highly recommend The Fear That Divides Us.Boo

The Devil’s Dust Series

What Doesn’t Destroy Us – Book One

When Dani’s sheltered life is turned upside down by her mother’s secrets, she finds protection with her estranged outlaw father. Against all warnings, she falls for bad boy biker, Shadow. He is beast and beauty sealed in a leather cut with a gun holster. Can Dani learn to live within the Club rules? Is she more like her father than she could imagine?

Shadow has grown up among drug addicts, whores and murderers. The only family he’s ever trusted has been the Devil’s Dust motorcycle club. He will do anything for a brother; even kill. In fact, killing is so easy, he’s made a career of it. His one regret is not being able to kill his own worthless mother. When Dani shows up with her provocative temper and innocent charm, Shadow begins to question his violent lifestyle. But can he trust her with his demons?
Sex.
Blood.
Betrayal.
Will Dani and Shadow let family ties destroy them?
***WARNING***
This novel contains explicit language, sex, drugs, violence, and sexual situations that some might find offensive. This book is intended for adults 18+ years of age.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

The Scars That Define Us – Book 2

The Devil’s Dust MC has a list of new threats to the club’s lifestyle. Dani, to prove her loyalty, is trying to embrace a part of herself that she never knew existed until now. A sinful beast lurking beneath her surface has been awakened and is ready to eliminate anyone that stands in its way. Looking at her stained hands, she rinses the blood from them. She resigns herself to innocence lost and welcomes her thirst for more blood.

After a breathtaking turn of events, Shadow is looking at life in a different perspective. Not knowing who he can trust or who he can forgive has left him feeling desolate and alone. As Shadow is laying behind his rifle, he wonders if he can pull the trigger to eliminate the threat. He takes a deep breath and squeezes the trigger, the rifle recoil ignites the fuel that drives him.

Retaliations will be required.

Boundaries will be shattered.

Redemption will be lost.

Betrayal so deep, yet they still yearn for one another. Can Shadow overlook Dani’s transgressions? Can Dani overlook the mistrust that Shadow has placed upon her?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

The Broken Piece Of Us – Book 2.5

***WARNING – This is not your typical happily ever after.

Babs is no stranger to the MC world. As an ol’ lady, she takes the hell that comes with it and dishes it out times two. When things take a turn for the worst, it leaves her questioning just how equipped she is for the hell she lives. She thought her marriage with Locks was it; that she had it all. But the past has a way of sneaking up and tearing life apart. Finding herself trapped as Locks’ ol’ lady, with the threat she will be his till the grave, her world spirals out of control. The only person risking it all to save her is the last person she thought would care: Bull.

The president of the Devil’s Dust MC, Bull, is good at running women off and is even better at pissing off his brothers. When he sees the way his vice-president is treating his ol’ lady, he tries to keep his thoughts to himself. The one thing Bull insists on in his club is respect and loyalty: respect for the patch, respect for your brother, and loyalty to the club. However, after finding Babs in a harsh predicament after a run in with Locks, he can’t help but step in.
Crossing lines and hurdling around life’s unpredictability, will they find refuge in each other or will they have to endure what life gives them?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Love That Defies Us – Novella

Dani has taken the role of a mother easily, and is loving the title ‘wife to be.’ But with that happiness, comes complications. Having children, and a fiancé involved in a motorcycle club, has her and Shadow becoming distant, and missing their sexy escapades. A spark that was once a vibrant flame is now a suppressing ember.

Shadow knows he has not been there for Dani, not like he should be. Doing the dirty work of the club, and taking on the responsibilities of Vice President of The Devil’s Dust, he’s had his hands full.

With violent murders unfolding around the club, it has thrown town locals into a panic. What they didn’t expect was for them to get caught up in the carnage.

Can Dani and Shadow survive the distance that has been wedged between them, or will it have them questioning their imminent marriage?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

The Fear That Divides Us – Book 3

Mistakes will be made.

Fears will be faced.

Pain will be remembered.

Can Bobby and Jessica survive the dangers they bring upon themselves?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

About M. N. Forgy

M.N. Forgy was raised in Missouri where she still lives with her family. She’s a soccer mom by day and a saucy writer by night. M.N. Forgy started writing at a young age but never took it seriously until years later, as a stay-at-home mom, she opened her laptop and started writing again. As a role model for her children, she felt she couldn’t live with the “what if” anymore and finally took a chance on her character’s story. So, with her glass of wine in hand and a stray Barbie sharing her seat, she continues to create and please her fans.

Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Happy Release + Review + Giveaway: Protecting Fate by Katee Robert

Posted on 03/17/2015 by shellbellereads

Protecting Fate

Serve Series – Book 6

By Katee Robert

Synopsis

He’ll keep her safe…but who will protect her from him?

Fixer Sara Reaver is in serious trouble. She’s stepped on the wrong toes, and now her uncle is sending her out of the city in an effort to keep her safe—and he’s assigning her a glorified babysitter. The last person she expects to show up is the gorgeous Z, or for him to tempt her and then reject her in the space of a single night. Twice. Now she’s out to prove to him just how good they’d fit up together in every way imaginable.

Mercenary Z Loreto hates protection jobs, but he’s willing to make an exception for his best friend’s little sister. The only problem is she calls up things he’s been doing his damnedest to keep under wraps for the last seven years. But when she pushes him too far, it all comes rushing to the fore, and the fact she’s willing to submit to his every desire only makes the loss of control sweeter.

Sara and Z have a boatload of issues between them, but they’re sure they can make things work if they take it one day at a time… Right up until things spiral beyond their control. Now Z’s playing for keeps in a big way, and Sara’s got to decide if a chance at true happiness is worth the risk of repeating history.

See where it all began with Tessa Bailey’s Owned by Fate and Katee’s most recent installment, Betting on Fate.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes

Tracey’s Review

Sara Reaver is a fixer. She cleans up messes of the illicit sort, getting her hands dirty so that others don’t have to. But when one of her former marks has Sara in his crosshairs, she finds herself in need of protection. Enter Zebadiah ‘Z’ Loreto, best friend of Sara’s brother. Hot and alpha, Z. knows that he should keep things strictly professional with Sara, but once the fires start burning, it’s hard to control them.

I have one word for Protecting Fate: HOT. This book started off with a bang, and just got better and steamier. Sara is a strong woman. She works hard and plays hard, and she’s not in the market for a relationship. When circumstance put her under Z.’s watchful eye, sparks fly, because the one place that Sara yields power is in the bedroom, and Z. is as alpha as they come. Try as they might, they are too drawn to each other to keep things all business, and it’s not long before they give in to their passion.

I love Sara’s feistiness. She knows what she wants, and how she wants it. Having watched her parents’ marriage fall apart, she is determined to stay far away from love, and to keep things casual. Z. has been burned by love, too, when he opened himself up and showed who he truly was. Afraid of driving Sara away, he’s willing to stick to the physical side of things, until he can’t.

This is a fast-paced and steamy read, and while there was a little bit of insta-love going on, Katee Robert was able to make the story believable for me. In all, I enjoyed Protecting Fate, enough that I would like to go back and read both Will’s and Garrett’s books, and that I gladly give it 4 steamy and sexy stars.

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About Katee Robert

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. She found romance novels at age twelve and it changed her life. When not writing sexy contemporary and speculative fiction romance novels, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her wee ones, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

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Captive Films: Season Two -Volume One by Jillian Dodd – Episodes One & Two and Giveaway

Posted on 03/17/2015 by shellbellereads

Captive Films: Season Two- Volume One

Captive Films Serial- Book 2.1

Includes Episodes 1 & 2

By Jillian Dodd

Synopsis

In reality TV form, this series follows the lives and loves of those who work at Captive Films.
Hot, successful, playboy Riley Johnson, whose business success far exceeds his success in love.
Movie star, Keatyn Douglas, whose epic love story has spawned a series of books and movies.
And Dawson Johnson, who joins Captive with a tragic past.
Expect lots of drama, sex, and tabloid-worthy events.

Fans of the USA TODAY bestselling series, The Keatyn Chronicles, will love reconnecting with their favorite characters as adults.
This series is meant for readers 18+.

Buy: Amazon / B &N / ITunes / Google Play

Excerpt

“Well, here’s a fun photo,” Tyler interrupts with a smirk on his face, holding a stack of photos out for all of us to see. “Jennifer, you were a lovely drunken bride. Which one of you was the lucky groom?”

Jennifer’s face goes white.

“What?!” Jennifer screeches as she grabs the photos out of Tyler’s hand. Looking at the first one, she says, “Oh! Look at me with Elvis! Ohmigawd that photo is priceless! But I was probably just dressing up like the pirate thing. No way we got married.”

Knox holds out a manila envelope. As he dumps the contents of it, I notice little beads of sweat have formed on his forehead. Knox rarely sweats.

Two shiny silver wedding bands clang onto the table.

“Oh fuck!” Jennifer groans. “Knox? What the fuck? Did we get married? I was joking when I said let’s get married in Vegas. Oh my god.” She flips to the next photo. “Look at me in this one. I’m in a veil. I have that silver ring on my finger and the other in my hand! I’m giving Elvis a thumbs-up! And, ohmigawd, look at this one. Knox, we’re at the altar, kissing!”

Michel’s Review

Captive Films: 2.1 is the next installment in the riveting serial by Jillian Dodd. This release includes episode 1 and episode 2 in Season 2. It should not be read as a stand alone or as a starting point for this series. The players have already started the game and are now trying to score their piece of happiness in their world.

Captive Films: Season One ended on a fairly big cliffhanger. Although there are many characters in the cast, Riley Johnson has the leading role. Riley is a powerful executive for Captive Films. His natural instincts, directing talents, and credentials has made him one of the most powerful players in the film industry. It doesn’t hurt that he is under thirty, very good looking, and extremely rich. He has embraced his notoriety and become one of Hollywood’s bad boys with a manwhore reputation. Riley wasn’t always this way. This wasn’t his dream. He wanted to be a successful director with his true love Ariela at his side. She was his first love, his high school sweetheart, and his ultimate downfall.

Ariela has come to California. Riley’s beginning to have hope that maybe they can rekindled their relationship. The only problem is that Ariela is still married. She says she is getting a divorce. He is having a hard time trusting her word. He did it once and it led to heartbreak and despair. When he witnesses Ariela kissing her husband it sends him into a tailspin. His reaction is much more worse than an angry man. He’s reacts like a petulant child by trying to strike out. He heads to Vegas. This time he is taking some friends along for the ride. They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Not this time, Vegas is going to become an ugly stain that may not be removed.

Movie Stars Jennifer and Knox may lose their leading roles. Riley may lose his position at the studio. Dawson will learn that life is worth participating in once again. Keatyn , Dallas, and Vanessa will have to figure out how to save their friends careers, protect the studio from bad press, plan a wedding, have a baby, and finally find love.

Captive Films is in a mess…. stay tuned for more….

Captive Films: Season One

Episodes 1-6

Captive Films Series

By Jillian Dodd

Synopsis

In reality TV form, this series follows the lives and loves of those who work at Captive Films.

Hot, successful, playboy Riley Johnson, whose business success far exceeds his success in love.
Movie star, Keatyn Douglas, whose epic love story has spawned a series of books and movies.
And Dawson Johnson, who joins Captive with a tragic past.
Expect lots of drama, sex, and tabloid-worthy events.

Fans of the USA TODAY bestselling series, The Keatyn Chronicles®, will love reconnecting with their favorite characters as adults.

Each Captive Films season contains six episodes, two in each volume.
Think of it as a TV show you hold in your hands!

So tune in and enjoy this week’s drama.

Please note that as the characters have grown up, so have their stories. This contemporary romance is intended for readers 18+.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

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Jillian Dodd grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where she developed a love for Midwestern boys and Nebraska football. She has drank from a keg in a cornfield, attended the University of Nebraska, got to pass her candle, and did have a boy ask her to marry him in a bar. She met her own prince in college, and they have two amazing children, a Maltese named Sugar Bear, and two Labrador puppies named Camber Lacy and Cali Lucy. She is the author of the That Boy Trilogy and The Keatyn Chronicles Series.

Stalk Her: Website |Facebook | Twitter |Instagram | Goodreads Pinterest

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Review: Captive Films: Season One by Jillian Dodd- Episodes 1-6 – Captive Films Series

Posted on 03/16/2015 by shellbellereads

Captive Films: Season One

Episodes 1-6

Captive Films Series

By Jillian Dodd

Synopsis

In reality TV form, this series follows the lives and loves of those who work at Captive Films.

Fans of the USA TODAY bestselling series, The Keatyn Chronicles®, will love reconnecting with their favorite characters as adults.

Each Captive Films season contains six episodes, two in each volume.
Think of it as a TV show you hold in your hands!

So tune in and enjoy this week’s drama.

Please note that as the characters have grown up, so have their stories. This contemporary romance is intended for readers 18+.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Captive Films: Season One is the complete collection of six episodes in the new explosive series by Jillian Dodd.

The Captive Films series is a spin off of the Keatyn Chronicles series by Jillian Dodd. The Keatyn Chronicles was a mature YA and NA series. It was based around an elite group of friends attending Eastbrooke Academy. Although the Keatyn Chronicles primarily focused on Keatyn (a famous young actress), it introduced some very interesting and strong secondary characters that caught the reader’s attention. The reader’s embraced these secondary characters and fell in love with them. Each one had a story to tell.

Captive Films is a fast forward to ten years later. The characters from the Keatyn Chronicles are now close to thirty, entangled in their perspective careers, building their own families, and struggling to keep it all in the right perspective. They are no longer teens with a carefree spirit. They are adults with real responsibilities. Their choices will not only affect their lives but also those around them. They are still struggling to keep the right kind of balance in their lives. To top it off, they have chosen a cut throat competitive industry to work in. They have built Captive Films into a monstrous film studio in the movie industry. Their lives are anything but dull. Welcome to Tinsel Town. Hollywood has a new group of players.

The Captive Films series is delivered by the season , in episodes. It is a serial. Each episode can be read within a short amount of time. It is the perfect kind of story to get involved with when your time is limited. An episode can be read on a lunch break. Each episode features the all the characters in the cast. Each of these characters has their own story going on that blends perfectly into the overall story.

The reader will meet movie stars, producers, rock stars, event planners, lawyers, and many more types of characters. The old cast will be present and new characters will be introduced. The scenery will vary from Hollywood landmarks to Napa Valley wineries. The book plays out like a television reality / soap opera series.

Captive Films can be read without reading the Keatyn Chronicles. The author gives a good background and description of all of the characters. She ties their connections to one another past and present in a seamless way. It is easy to connect the dots.

Captive Films: Season One has the right beginning to allure the reader and keep them fascinated with the overall story. The cliffhanger ending will have the reader’s staying tuned in for the Season Two.

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Stalk Her: Website |Facebook | Twitter |Instagram | Goodreads Pinterest

Review: Love Survives by Jennifer Foor

Posted on 03/13/2015 by shellbellereads

Love Survives

By Jennifer Foor

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Imagine being in love with the same girl since you were ten years old, only to have her fall for your twin instead. This story is rocky.

It will rip you apart and possibly put you back together again.

I know this because it’s my story.

The pain and anguish experienced in this is what it was like to hold onto hope that some day we’d find each other again. I won’t sugar coat the details of what I went through to have her, nor will I apologize for any actions that led me right back into her life.

Sometimes love isn’t enough.

Sometimes it takes a little fate.

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EXCERPT

I can’t help but wonder about my own broken heart. Why am I holding onto some hope that I’ll have her in my arms again? It makes no sense, and that’s the reason I won’t share my feelings about it with anyone. They’ll just laugh at me for loving her so much. When I close my eyes we’re together. She’s running through a field of tall grasses, while beams of sun are shining down, highlighting her brown wavy hair. The smile on her face makes me beam, and I stand there, arms open, waiting to catch her when she comes into my reach. I want to lay there in that field with her until the sun sets, and even after. It’s no longer about making love. In that moment I know she’s mine, and nothing can tear us apart again.

I just wish I could talk to her. I want to tell her that I miss her. I need to know she’s okay.

I need to know she’s still alive.

Michel’s Review

Love Survives by Jennifer Foor is the second book in the Love Suicide series. I have read the first book in this series, Love’s Suicide. It is from the heroine’s POV. The second book is from the hero’s POV. Love Survives can be read as a stand alone romance.

Out of the two books in this series, each from a different characters POV, I have to say I liked Love Survives better. Love Survives is from Brook’s POV. In my opinion, he was the main focus in this series. He is the one that was loyal to those he loved. He made great sacrifices that led his life in a direction he really didn’t want. He didn’t want to be a soldier. He wanted to build a life with Katy. He left his family and his ruined relationship with his brother behind. Although he was physically absent, his heart and mind still belonged to Katy. His life in the military was miserable. He witnessed horrific acts of war, watched friends die, and disconnected himself from the people that surrounded him. And then the letters from Katy started coming. She gave him hope again.

When he is injured and has to return stateside, he does everything in his power to be stationed near Katy. When his endeavors finally lead him to Katy, he will find that his hopes were all for nothing. Katy has once again deceived and betrayed him. It may have been for what seemed like the right reasons but it was the final straw that finally broke him. Now it is up to Brook to chose his future for himself. Is it with Katy? Or can he finally move on?

When I read the first book, Katy irritated me. When I read the second book, I absolutely hated Katy to the very end. No matter what her reasons were, good or bad, she was a self absorbed individual. She never really proved that she gave her heart completely. She couldn’t make constructive decisions. The decisions she made hurt the one man that would always love her. She about destroyed his family as well. And then her final betrayal was appalling. As a woman, I could not forgive or respect her. I could not understand how Brook could forgive her. She was weak and only truly cared about how she would come out of all the messed up situations. I have to honestly say that she is one of my most hated female characters.

Brook was an incredible person. His heart was pure. He was loyal to the ones he loved. When he made mistakes and betrayed his brother, he paid for it in more ways than the heart. He always forgave Katy even though she didn’t deserve it. When he finally had enough I was rejoicing for him. He stayed true to himself and never intentionally hurt anyone. He was a stand up guy.

Jennifer Foor aptly named this series Loves Suicide. It was an angsty story that was heartbreaking and infuriating. The book is well written and takes the reader on an emotional ride. I would recommend reading this book.

Get the beginning of the story with Love Survives

My heart belonged to Branch and Brooks Valentine since we were children, when we were all too naïve to know what that even meant. We didn’t understand that when we became adults, love would change us. I had to make a choice and when I did, it ripped our bond apart. Brooks left town, and he took half of my heart with him. It was difficult, but I coped and planned my future with Branch. I thought I’d made the right decision. I loved him and I always had.

Brooks showed up to be our best man the night before our nuptials. After drinks and too much reminiscing, I ended up in bed with the wrong brother. To avoid the humiliation and the fact that I’d ruined all of our lives, I left Branch and the only family I’d ever known.

That’s where my story should have ended.

Two years, one beautiful little girl and an abusive marriage later, I was standing there staring at the man that would always hold my heart.

The only question was…

Would I give it to him

I’m Katy Michaels and this is my story.

AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / iTunes

Jennifer Foor is an award winning Contemporary Romance Author. She’s best known for the Mitchell
Family Series, which includes ten books.

She is married with two children and spends most of her time behind a keyboard, writing
stories that come from her heart.

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Happy Release + Review: Addy and The Smart Guy by Carter Ashby- Big Girl Panties Series – Book 3

Posted on 03/11/2015 by shellbellereads

Addy And The Smart Guy

Big Girl Panties Series- Book 3

By Carter Ashby

Synopsis

If it weren’t for her best friends, Zoey and Maya, Addy Hart would be a prudish, uptight Barbie doll. Thankfully, through love and persistence, they’ve helped introduce her to her wild side. Unfortunately, even her wild side doesn’t have the courage to go after the one thing she wants more than life itself.

Dr. Greyson McDaniel has resisted his lovely teaching assistant for three years, now. He has no intentions of endangering his job or her reputation. But as spring break approaches, he’s seized with a wicked impulse. He invites her to his mountain retreat for a week. Just one week of intense escape.

What they both discover after their affair is that a week isn’t nearly enough. But as much as they long to be together, there are obstacles in their way, and the ethics of student-teacher relationships are the least of their problems. When she realizes how deeply rooted Grey’s commitment issues are, Addy begins to despair of ever having a happy ending with him. But Addy’s love might be just what’s needed to free him of his past.

Buy: Amazon

Tina’s Review

The synopsis is strong. The cover is not as impressive to me; the couple do not seem to capture the essence of Addy and Grey as they are describe and I’ve imagined. But aside from that, we’ve got the story itself. It’s the third in the series and includes the previous couples as secondary characters. While this can be read as a stand-alone novel, the reader would gain the most out of it if it were read in order of the series.
Addy’s been crushing on her college professor for years and even becomes his TA to be closer to him. She’s a 23-yr old virgin who’s saved herself for the man she thinks she can never have. He’s 12 years older and afraid of commitment and fears putting his career on the line for his young student-turned-assistant. Even though he knows he can’t have her, he’s just caveman jealous enough to want no guy to have her. <- I’m not sold on that whole storyline, the series was great without trying to add all of the taboo and obsession elements. There are moments that I really like Addy and others that I really, REALLY don’t. Same with Grey. Most of the time, I really truly liked him… but every now and again he’d screw it up by acting like an idiot. The cast of secondary characters, both new and old, were beneficial and supportive to the plot. Dialogue was believable, interaction felt mostly natural. His using “kiddo” as a nickname for her was a little off-putting. The plot certainly contained enough drama and plenty dynamics and writing style flows very smoothly. The conflicts were mostly resolved, but there really was no clear-cut resolution to the Gwen issue. Predictability was low. The conclusion was mostly wrapped up. It had the HEA, but I felt it could have benefited from an epilogue covering all three couples if this is meant to be the end of the series. Overall, I was a huge fan of the series and liked this book, but I hate to say this… I liked the other two books better.

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Author Bio:

When I got my first email from the man who would one day be my husband, it was very clear that he did not want to email me. Friends had set us up and he was obviously bowing to their pressure. His email consisted of a numerical list of facts about himself that he clearly meant to be the end of our correspondence.

My snarky response was a numerical list of facts about myself, and for some reason, he liked it. So that’s what I’m going to do here, since I’m not so good at writing about myself.

Carter is not my real name. Imagine how you would feel if your strictly right-wing religious family and friends found out you wrote stuff with sex and bad words in it.
I’ve been married 11 years and have three kids and two dogs.
I like to garden but I DO NOT like to talk about gardening. So please, let’s not talk about gardening.
I’m deeply introspective and welcome anyone who wants to bitch-slap me back into reality, should I float away a little too far into my own thoughts.
I think fiction is a basic and essential element of our existence as humans. I think it’s part of what makes us human. And I think we relate better to each other through stories than we do through fact–bitch slap me now, I’m getting introspective.
I’m a little flighty about hobbies. Reading, writing, and bread baking are the only ones that have stood the test of time. Current hobbies include mixing drinks, making mead, gardening, fermenting stuff from the garden…I think that’s all at the moment.
I’ll read anything. Most of my loved ones stick to their favorite genre, so I will go read what they’re reading so we can have stuff to talk about at the dinner table.
I homeschool my children. Not because of religious reasons. Not because I hate the system (although I’m not overly fond of it). But because I just want to be with them. And playing school is fun. Remember that? Playing teacher and making your younger sister do a bunch of homework? Was that just me?
Last one: The first time I dropped out of college was because I was having one of those existential crises teenagers are so fond of having. When I went home, I found stacks and stacks of notebooks in my closet full of unfinished (and god-awful) stories. I didn’t even remember writing them. But that’s when I realized that I was a writer. Because I have to do it. It’s who I am. The publishing thing is virgin territory, but I have always, and always will, write. Because I have to.

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Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Category Archives: 4-Star

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Captive Films: Season Two -Volume One by Jillian Dodd – Episodes One & Two and Giveaway

Review: Captive Films: Season One by Jillian Dodd- Episodes 1-6 – Captive Films Series

Review: Love Survives by Jennifer Foor

EXCERPT

Happy Release + Review: Addy and The Smart Guy by Carter Ashby- Big Girl Panties Series – Book 3

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