Release Blitz: Kara by Cheryl Douglas – The Starkis Family Series – Book 4

Posted on 09/28/2015 by shellbellereads

Title: Kara

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Starkis Family #1 (Can be read as standalone)

Kara Starkis is no stranger to stupid mistakes. At twenty-one she walked away from her fiancée days before their wedding and has regretted it every day since. A weekend of fun in the sun with Dustin leaves her with more questions than answers. But she needs to know… can he ever trust her again?

Dustin Matthews tried to forget Kara. He’s even tried hating her. But seeing her again reminds him how much he loved her. He never planned to let her back in his life, but now that he has, he’s not sure if he can move on without her.

But when Kara drops a bombshell that could change everything, can Dustin figure out how to forgive or will he choose to forget her?

Book Links

When one door closes, another one opens. I closed the door to my business for the last time in 2011, which left me with a decision. What now? Find another location and move my nutrition business, go to work for someone else, or take a chance on my dream? I chose the latter and I’ve never looked back!
I’ve always loved reading and writing, but it wasn’t until I jumped in with both feet and decided writing would be my career, instead of just a hobby, that my muse woke up from her deep slumber.

It was like someone flipped a switch inside my head and stories just came pouring out. At the end of the day, I would often look at the keyboard and wonder, ‘Who the heck wrote that? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure it wasn’t me!’

I don’t write books. I tell stories, or rather, I allow my characters to tell their stories through me. I’m not a plotter, never have been, never will be. Why? Because I have no idea how the story will evolve and it’s not my place to manipulate it. My job is to get to know these characters, figure out what makes them tick, then follow their journey wherever it takes me.

When I’m not writing, I’m daydreaming. Thankfully, I have an understanding husband and son who know I’ll re-join the land of the living just as soon as my muse decides it’s quitting time. I don’t work for myself. I work for her. She’s the boss. And I’m okay with that.

Website: http://cheryldouglasbooks.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/cheryldouglasbooks
Twitter – https://twitter.com/CherylDouglasNN
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5761770.Cheryl_Douglas

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Ultimate Seal Collection : Seal Brotherhood Series by Sharon Hamilton – Books 1-4

Posted on 09/28/2015 by shellbellereads

Ultimate Seal Collection Volume 1

Seal Brotherhood Series

Books 1 – 4

By Sharon Hamilton

Amazon

Ultimate boxed set of 4 full length and award-winning books and two prequel/novellas by NYT and USA/Today Bestselling Author, Sharon Hamilton. Boxed set includes: SEAL Encounter (prequel to Accidental SEAL), Accidental SEAL Book 1, SEAL Endeavor (prequel to Fallen SEAL Legacy), Fallen SEAL Legacy Book 2, SEAL Under Covers Book 3, SEAL The Deal Book 4. Over 900 pages of reads, with a value of over $22.00. For a limited time only.

******

Don’t Miss Out on Book 5

Cruisin For A Seal

Amazon

Synopsis

Mark Beale and several of his brothers from SEAL Team 3 board a cruise ship to bury a fallen buddy’s ashes at sea. A risky affair with a beautiful Italian the night before they leave begins to ease his survivor’s guilt.

Sophia Negri, suffering jitters over her engagement, falls for the handsome SEAL and pretends she speaks no English, letting their bodies do the talking. When Mark finds her on the ship and learns Sophia is half American, he is angry at first, but falls for her all over again as they set sail.

Terrorists take over the ship and hold the passengers for ransom, Mark and the other SEALs are the only ones who can stop the plot. Will Mark’s actions be enough to save Sophia or will he have to sacrifice himself to save the woman he loves?

_____________________________________________________________

Author Bio:

Sharon’s NYT and USA Today bestselling novels are almost-erotic Navy SEAL stories of the SEAL Brotherhood. Her characters follow a spicy road to redemption through passion and true love. This series continues with book 8, SEAL’s Promise, which will release November 11, 2014. All of her SEAL Brotherhood Series are available in audio book. She has maintained an Amazon top 100 author status in Romantic Suspense for since the end of 2012.

Her Golden Vampires of Tuscany are not like any vamps you’ve read before, since they don’t have to go to ground, and can walk around in the full light of the sun. Honeymoon Bite, Book 1 of the Golden Vampires of Tuscany Series, has earned the Amazon designation of #1 Gothic Romance. It and Book 2 in the series, Mortal Bite are both available on audio as well.

Her Guardian Angels struggle with the human charges they are sent to save, often escaping their vanilla world of Heaven for the brief human one. You won’t find any of these beings in any Sunday school class.

Sharon lives in Sonoma County, California, with her husband and two Dobermans. A lifelong organic gardener, when she’s not writing, she’s getting verra verra dirty in the mud, or wandering Farmer’s Markets looking for new Heirloom varieties of vegetables and flowers.

“True Love Heals in the Gardens of the Heart”

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon Author

5 Star Review : Initium by Courtney Cole – The Nocte Trilogy – Book 2.5

Posted on 09/25/2015 by shellbellereads

INITIUM Nocte Prequel by Courtney Cole

The end is coming. LUX is almost here. But everything has a beginning. A beginning before the night. Before Finn. Before Calla. Everything starts somewhere.

This is where the darkness is born. ANOTHER STORY.

INITIUM (Nocte #2.5), a Nocte Trilogy between-the-books novella, is now available…and only $0.99 for TODAY ONLY! Includes an exclusive FOUR CHAPTER sneak peek of Lux (Nocte #3)!†

Get it on Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo

Add it on Goodreads

I never knew what the consequences would be.
I say that like itís a defense, an excuse.
Itís not. Itís simply the truth.
I never knew what he would become to me.
Through everything, heís become everything.
My rock, my air, my love.
My everything.
And thenÖ.
Things changed.
Because it was wrong.
Because sometimes, our sons must pay for the sins of their fathers.
Or their mothers.
Iím afraid that Iím lost,
that Iím damned.
After you read this, youíll probably agree.
Really, it doesnít matter.
All that matters is that I save him.
Because he shouldnít pay for my sin.
Judge me if you like.
But keep reading.
This is our beginning.
This is where the darkness truly starts.

Get INITIUM on Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo
Add it on Goodreads

Get NOCTE, the first book in the trilogy
Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo†| Audible Audiobook

Get VERUM, the second book in the trilogy
Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo†| Audible Audiobook

LUX, the final book in the trilogy, is coming October 28, 2015.

Michel’s Review

Readers have been sitting on pins and needles awaiting the final book in the Nocte Trilogy by Courtney Cole. Courtney gave the Nocte fans a novella to tide over their anxious minds until the final book, Lux, releases in October. I don’t know if Initium is really going to tide the readers over. It is a total mind twister. It adds another layer to this complex story that has readers formulating more theories and adds a multitude of questions.

As I read this novella I was trying to pay attention to every word and subtle clues. By the end of this installment I had developed some pretty wacked out theories.

The Nocte series is one of those series that is unpredictable. It is downright psychotic. It is also brilliant! The writing is superb. I am sure that there are more surprises in store for the readers. I think we are in for the shock of all shocks.

Courtney Cole is brilliant!

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: Sins of Sevin by Penelope Ward

Posted on 09/25/2015 by shellbellereads

Sins of Sevin

By Penelope Ward

Release Date: September 21, 2015

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

Synopsis

From the New York Times bestselling author of Stepbrother Dearest, comes a new forbidden STANDALONE romance.

What happens when the one you want is the only one you can’t have?

My name is Sevin.

Homeschooled and sheltered by my ultra-religious family, I was always taught that lust was a sin.

Elle was the girl who’d been carefully chosen for me.

After a long-distance courtship, I’d be moving into her family’s guesthouse so that we could get to know each other in the months before the wedding.

Boundaries were set: no inappropriate touching, no kissing, no sex before marriage.

I’d accepted those rules and my fate.

Until I met the one I wanted to sin with.

That was when restraint became a problem…especially since the one wasn’t Elle.

It was her sister, Evangeline.

You know what they say about best laid plans.

My name is Sevin, and I have sinned.

Told in alternating points of view, Sins of Sevin is a full-length standalone novel. Contains graphic sexual content and harsh language. Only appropriate for adult readers age 18+.

Excerpt

As he gulped down the water, I watched his Adam’s apple moving up and down. I used the opportunity to glance over his sweaty body up close. The top of his underwear was sticking out of his jeans. The smell of him was intoxicating, a mix of cut wood, sweat and cologne. I thought about our talk the other night, how he’d confessed his sexual history. As much as it disturbed me, knowing he’d used that body to give a woman pleasure made me weak with desire. I could only imagine what that would feel like with him.

Elle would find out.

I was still looking down at his abs when he said, “Thank you.” My eyes immediately shot up to meet his incendiary stare.

He’d caught me checking him out.

“You’re welcome.”

His mouth curved into a smile as he handed me back the glass. “How have you been? I haven’t seen you much this week.”

“Yeah. I’ve been busy.”

“I have something for you,” he blurted out in a way that indicated he was anxiously waiting to say it.

“For me?”

“Yeah. Wait here, okay?”

Sevin ran over to where his truck was parked and grabbed something out of the open window.

He returned to where I was standing and handed me a CD.

“What is it?”

“If you like the Smiths, you’ll like some of the songs on here. I included a few Smiths songs—the ones from your favorite album, but there’s also The Lemonheads, The Pixies…and Pulp.”

“You made this?”

“Yeah. I made it for myself and burned you a copy.”

“Thanks.”

He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Number ten is my favorite.” Then, he walked away.

I immediately took it back to my room and dusted off my old portable CD player.

Lying down on my bed with the sun streaming in, I drowned out the world and listened to every song. When it got to number ten, I paid special attention, knowing he’d specifically called that one out.

The name of the song was Like a Friend. I later found out it was by Pulp. With each lyric, my eyes became heavier until they welled up in tears. The words described to a tee exactly how I’d been feeling about him. The singer was shouting out all his feelings about his friend, that she was everything he shouldn’t want, everything that was bad for him, but yet he couldn’t stop wanting her. He’d take what he could get even if that just meant being friends. Every single line spoke to me. It was the first time I realized that maybe I wasn’t alone in my torment. This situation—whatever was happening between us—was taking a toll on him, too.

I must have listened to the song five times before I went over to the window and looked down at him. At one point, he finally looked up and noticed me. He squinted his eyes to see me through the glare of the sun. I still had my headphones on. He knew I had heard number ten. The look on his face when our eyes locked only confirmed that number ten wasn’t just a song. It was his way of speaking to me.

Tracey’s Review

When Sevin Montgomery is offered the chance to trade in his less-than-perfect life for a new beginning in Dodge City, KS, there’s not much to think about. The only condition? He’ll have to marry the daughter of the man making the offer. Desperate for change, an agreement is struck, and Sevin prepares for his new role: husband. Too bad his bride-to-be is the wrong daughter.

When I start a book by Penelope Ward, it’s always with the understanding that I will not be stopping until I have finished every single page, and SINS OF SEVIN was no different. I love a forbidden romance, and this book has it in spades. Sevin has not lived a saintly life. Rebelling against the strict moral code imposed by his stepmother, he has done things that he isn’t very proud of. When he’s offered the chance to move to Kansas and court Elle, he knows that he’ll have to toe the line in order to respect the rules of her family. And he’s ready to do that, until, that is, he meets Evangeline. From the moment that these two lay eyes on each other, there is a connection that nothing, not his engagement, not the social mores of her family, not time and distance, can break.

Penelope has done her usual job of creating a story and characters that grab your heart and don’t let go. I was invested in Sevin, Evangeline, and the rest of the gang from page 1. Addie, Luke, Rose, and all the other members of Sevin’s and Evie’s ‘family’ are wonderful foils that round things out. There is joy, angst, bite-your-fingernails tension, and, ultimately, happiness here, and I could not recommend this book more. No surprise that this is a 5-star read, and one of my favorites this year. Add this one to your TBR; you will not be able to put it down.

********************

Penelope Ward is a USA Today Bestselling author.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers. She spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career.

Penelope lives for reading books in the new adult genre, coffee and hanging out with her friends and family on weekends.

She is the proud mother of a beautiful 10-year-old girl with autism (the inspiration for the character Callie in Gemini) and a 8-year-old boy, both of whom are the lights of her life.

Penelope, her husband and kids reside in Rhode Island.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Additional Books by Penelope Ward

Cocky Bastard– Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Stepbrother Dearest – Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

My Skylar – Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Gemini –Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Jake Undone –Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Jake Understood –Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Cover Reveal: Monster Prick by Kendall Ryan

Posted on 09/25/2015 by shellbellereads

Over my dead body.

That’s what I told Gracie when she informed me of her plan to pick some random guy she met online to get rid of her pesky virginity.

If anyone is touching her, it’s going to be me.

I shouldn’t even be considering it, but I can’t get it out of my head: her, under me, begging me.

***
Arrogant. Cocky. Prick.

Those are the words I’d use to describe my older brother’s dangerously handsome best friend.

When he learned of my plan to kick off my white cotton briefs, ditching my good girl persona once and for all by losing my virginity to the first eligible bachelor I could find, he flipped out. Said over his dead body.

He says if anyone’s going to do it, it’s going to be him.

I hate that I’m even considering his offer.

But I am … I sooo am.

Ever since he suggested it, all I can think about is his cocky smile on those full lips as he’s driving in to me.

But if we cross that line … will I ever be able to go back?

MONSTER PRICK, a sexy romantic comedy, is a spin off novella from SCREWED, but can be read as a standalone, as it features a new couple.

ADD TO GOODREADS

PRE-ORDER

AMAZON **** iBooks

EXCERPT

Hudson

“What if I could help you?”

I have no idea what the hell I was thinking. The words just leaped out of my mouth. Listening to Gracie talk about kicking off her granny panties and popping her cherry with some random Internet dick…I guess it drove me temporarily insane.

But there’s no taking back the idea now. Gracie sucks in her breath, blinking wide-eyed. “What do you mean?” she asks.

What do I mean? Here I am, sitting next to the world’s most beautiful girl—drowning in her eyes, her scent, the gentle puff of her breath on my mouth that begs me to close the distance. I know what I want, but I also know what will happen if I take it. My best friend will rip off my balls and feed them to me. And I’ll probably deserve every second.

But sweet Jesus, I’m pretty sure Gracie wants this, too, and that’s enough to blow my better judgment to pieces. All I care about right now is making her feel better. In as many ways as possible. And if her slightly quickened breathing, blown pupils, and flushed cheeks are anything to go by…

As an experiment, I dart out the tip of my tongue to wet my lips. Her darkened eyes drop like a magnet yanked them. Yeah, bingo. Having a little black book as thick as the dictionary has its advantages. I know damn well how to tell when a woman wants me.

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today
bestselling author of more than 18 titles, Kendall Ryan has sold more than a
million ebooks and her books have been translated into several languages in
countries around the world. She’s a traditionally published author with Simon
& Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as enjoying success as an
independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012,
she’s appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world.
Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller
list 23 times.

Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras.

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Release Blitz + Excerpt + 5 Star Review: Crazy About Cameron by Katy Regnery – The Blueberry Lane Series – The Winslow Brothers – Book 3

Posted on 09/25/2015 by shellbellereads

Crazy About Cameron

The Blueberry Lane Series – The Winslow Brothers – Book 3

By Katy Regnery

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Synopsis

Crazy about Cameron is the third of four books about the Philadelphia-based, wildly-handsome Winslow brothers who are all on the look-out for love.

(Say what? Not so much…Brooks and Pres are OFF. THE. MARKET, and Chris is so distracted with his campaign, he can’t see what – or who – is right under his nose.)

With her stiff posture, black-rimmed glasses and chestnut waves in a tight bun, Cameron Winslow’s downstairs neighbor, Margaret Story, has long been the unaware star of his filthiest dirty-librarian fantasies. But with a floundering business eating up all his time, Cam doesn’t have the open road he’d need to date a lady like Margaret.

Margaret, who grew up down the lane from Cameron, has always thought of him as a cross between a bully and a tease, as likely to pull her braids as pull her leg. But he’s grown up to be a smokin’ hot businessman, and Margaret can’t help daydreaming about what it would feel like to be under, um, with someone like him.

When hot-headed Cameron and buttoned-up Margaret start using the same shady contractor for apartment renovations, Margaret may find herself in some unexpected trouble, which forces long-concealed feelings to come out of hiding…and might just make way for two unlikely fantasies to finally come true.

Return to the world created in the English Brothers books with this fresh foursome of scorching hot Winslow Brothers!

*****

*All books in The Blueberry Lane Series can be enjoyed as standalone novels.*

Excerpt

Frankly, Cameron wasn’t sure if he was talking about the wine or about her.

She seemed so different tonight: less stiff, more soft. Less cautious, younger and, Christ, sexier, too. Was it just being in her own space that had wrought such a change in her? It made him wonder what space she inhabited on a daily basis that made her seem so tense and sharp all the time.

From the moment he walked through the door, he’d known that maintaining his thin veneer of disregard was going to be impossible. The way her huge brown eyes had widened, doelike and soft, as she gazed up at him? He was a goner. He’d gladly stand in her doorway forever if she’d look up at him like that for the rest of his life.

And of course he had to torture himself by wondering if those eyes went all wide and soft as she climaxed . . . or did she close them as her lips parted in ecstacy? Likely goddamned fucking Olson knew the answers to both questions, and it made Cameron’s blood boil.

He glanced over at her as she lifted the wineglass to her face, bending her head just a little, her eyes closing slowly as she inhaled the smell of the wine. She was a fucking work of art, this woman, and—Holy Christ!—the way she’d just purred “Ahhh, this one”? He was glad the denim of his jeans was still thick and new. Hopefully it would keep the fabric from tenting.

He watched, mesmerized, as she righted her head. Her eyes were still closed, but her voice was warm as honey, slow and smooth, as she murmured, “Candied black fruit. Spice.” She dipped her head again, and his mind went to filthy places watching it bob beside him. “Mmm. Fresh herbs. Kirsch. Oak. Mmm,” she sighed. “Heaven.”

And, oh fuck, even the hardest of hard denim wasn’t going to be able to combat the rush of blood that swelled his cock, pumping it longer and harder in his jeans with every word she whispered.

Cameron thought he was worldly. He thought he knew what sexy was. Five seconds ago, he would have answered it was a naked woman, spread eagled and willing on his bed, her skin flushed, her pupils dilated, her pussy hot and tight, ready to suck him forward and beg him to finish inside. But he’d known fuckall about sexy until Right. This. Minute.

Because Margaret Story—perched on the edge of her couch in a sweater dress that covered most of her body, her doe eyes closed, her pillowed lips making love to a glass of wine—had just officially blown Cameron’s mind.

Whoever he’d always thought she was? He was wrong. She wasn’t some sheltered librarian who needed him to come along and unleash her wild side. She wasn’t some helpless field mouse whom he’d swoop down on and catch in his teeth. Though she was self-contained, she was also passionate. She was sensuous and sexy as fuck without even trying, without even knowing, just because she was sitting there breathing, smelling like lilacs, and telling him what made a good wine great.

Michel’s Review

Crazy About Cameron by Katy Regnery is a delightful contemporary romance. I enjoyed every word. Although this story might be considered a fluff romance or a “cookie cutter” romance, it was delivered well and the characters were dynamic. With all of the dark romances and cutting edge subject matters, it is nice to come across a good classic romance that is easy to escape with. Crazy For Cameron is one of those “feel good” romances.

Cameron Winslow and Margaret Story have known each other since childhood. They both come from prestigious families in the Philadelphia area known as Blueberry Lane. The Winslow family is known for being wild and daring. The Story family, which is predominantly female, is known for their steady sedate presence. Each Story sister has their own distinct personality, as does the Winslow siblings. Cameron Winslow has always tormented the quiet bookworm, Margaret Story. He has teased her mercilessly. As teens each family lost contact with one another while the children were pursuing their educations. Now Margaret and Cameron are both adults, pursing their careers, and living in the same apartment building.

What starts out as a cordial relationship turns into a neighborly friendship between Margaret and Cameron. When they decide to share a contractor for some remodels on their apartments it brings them closer together.

Margaret has been working for her father’s corporation but her real passion is her winery that she has been building. When Cameron gets a glimpse of Margaret’s passion not only is he impressed but also intrigued. He realizes that he needs to have something other than his father’s legacy as a career. The opportunity arises when Cameron’s sister’s wedding is cancelled due to the venue booking clause. This opens new doors for Cameron and Margaret. They are going to venture together to build her winery into a thriving showplace and venue center. Along the way they will fall in love, find their true passion, face some danger, and bring all the families of Blueberry Lane together once again.

Katy Regnery has a gift of bringing her stories to life. The characters are as real as the people we meet on a daily basis. Their passions and motivations are realistic which makes it easy for the reader to identify with. Everything about this book and the overall Blueberry Lane series is romantic and charming. Each book can be read as a stand alone romance. Each story is wonderful.

I highly recommend Crazy For Cameron by Katy Regnery.

__________________________________

THE BLUEBERRY LANE SERIES:

THE ENGLISH BROTHERS
(Blueberry Lane Books #1-6 & 11)

Breaking Up with Barrett
Falling for Fitz
Anyone but Alex
Seduced by Stratton
Wild about Weston
Kiss Me Kate
Marrying Mr. English – available December 2015

THE WINSLOW BROTHERS
(Blueberry Lane Books #7-10)

Bidding on Brooks
Proposing to Preston
Crazy about Cameron – available 9.25.15
Campaigning for Christopher – available 11.17.15

**************
Other Series by Katy Regnery

Modern Fairytale Series

“The Vixen and the Vet” (Beauty & the Beast) – available now
“Never Let You Go” (Hansel & Gretel) – available June 2015
“Ginger’s Heart” (Little Red Riding Hood) – available TBD
“Don’t Speak” (The Little Mermaid) – available TBD (less)

__________________________________________

Author Bio

Katy Regnery, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author, started her writing career by enrolling in a short story class in January 2012. One year later, she signed her first contract for a winter romance entitled By Proxy.

Now a hybrid author who publishes both independently and traditionally, Katy claims authorship of the six-book Heart of Montana series, the six-book English Brothers series, and a Kindle Worlds novella entitled “Four Weddings and a Fiasco: The Wedding Date,” in addition to the standalone novels, Playing for Love at Deep Haven and Amazon bestseller, The Vixen and the Vet.

The Vixen and the Vet is included in the charity anthology Hometown Heroes: Hotter Ever After, and Katy’s novella “Frosted” will appear in the upcoming (Jan ’15) anthology, Snowy Days Steamy Nights. Additionally, Katy’s short story, “The Long Way Home” will appear in the first RWA anthology (Feb ’15), Premiere.

Katy lives in the relative wilds of northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, where her writing room looks out at the woods, and her husband, two young children, and two dogs create just enough cheerful chaos to remind her that the very best love stories begin at home.

Connect with Katy:

Katy LOVES connecting with her readers and answers every e-mail, message, tweet and post personally!

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

________________________________________________

Facebook Release Party:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1618577991739028/

Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: The Affiliate by K.A. Line

Posted on 09/24/2015 by shellbellereads

The Affiliate Synopsis:

On the day of her Presenting, in front of the entire Byern Court, seventeen-year-old Cyrene Strohm’s lifelong plans come to fruition when she’s chosen as an Affiliate to the Queen.

Or so she thinks. When Cyrene receives a mysterious letter and an unreadable book, she finds nothing is as it seems. Thrust into a world of dangerous political intrigue and deadly magic, Cyrene’s position only grows more treacherous when she finds herself drawn to the one man she can never have…

King Edric himself.

Cyrene must decide if love is truly worth the price of freedom. Find out in this first book in USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde’s new Ascension series.

Buy Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Itunes

Exclusive Excerpt:

“I see the way you look at her, Edric. Your eyes follow her, you dance the longest dances with her, and now, you’re sending her presents. I’ve known you too long not to know that this is unlike you. You’re not Kael. You don’t fraternize with the Affiliates who parade themselves in front of you, hoping for a scrap of your time. Yet here you are with this Cyrene. What is she to you?” Daufina asked.

At her question, Edric paced the long room. She watched him through the silence and wondered what he was thinking.

“You told me once that you would inform me if you wanted to take a mistress—”

“I do not want to take a mistress,” Edric snapped.

Daufina straightened in surprise. He never raised his voice with her.

“I apologize,” he said with a sigh. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Just talk to me.”

“Would you believe me if I said that I didn’t want anything to do with her?” His eyes were pleading.

“No,” Daufina admitted.

“No,” he agreed. “No, I wouldn’t either. I keep telling myself that I’m acting like a fool, Daufina, but then I see her again.” He stroked his chin as he tried to find the words. “She has this pull. When I’m with her, the throne slips away, and I’m just a man with a beautiful woman. It both intrigues and terrifies me.” He splayed his hands before him. “I can never be anything but the king…but when I’m with her, I want to be.”

Robin’s Review

In her acknowledgments, author K.A. Linde tells us The Affiliate was borne from her great love for reading fantasy and young adult fantasy. She explains The Affiliate has been a book that’s been “several years in the making.” Linde is the author of the Take Me Duet, and the Avoiding, The Record, and the All That Glitters series. Her typical writing falls into the new adult and contemporary romance genres. I was incredibly excited to learn Linde was writing The Affiliate! To the best of my knowledge, this is her first venture into the young adult fantasy genre. I really love seeing an author step out of his or her comfort zone, and it’s exciting when those efforts are successful!

Cyrene Strohm dreams of becoming an Affiliate. Although she was raised in a First Class family, it doesn’t guarantee her own placement in First Class. But on her seventeenth birthday, the day of her Presenting Ceremony, Cyrene catches the attention of handsome King Edric. She is named Affiliate to the Queen in First Class, just as her mother was before her. Even as the dreams for her future come to fruition, a whole world of court politics and intrigue opens up before Cyrene. She starts to notice strange occurrences and senses the presence of evil and deadly magic. King Edric and Prince Kael both vie for her attention, while she also garners the unwanted attention of Queen Kaliana. Cyrene has a long, dangerous road ahead of her as she navigates through the difficulties of her new life.

Linde plans at least four novels for her Ascension series, and much of the first novel is dedicated to world-building and the introduction of characters. She sets the Ascension series in a world named Emporia. Linde provides readers with a detailed map of Emporia to refer to while reading. This map includes locations of kingdoms, cities, mountains, lakes and rivers. Readers will also notice there is a pronunciation guide, which is important, because the names of characters and locations are unique and have unusual pronunciations. Linde explains the differences in the Class system, and she gives a very important history lesson about the Kingdom of Byern.

Linde begins The Affiliate with an intriguing prologue, sharing background information that immediately piqued my interest. Don’t cast aside what you read in the prologue. In my opinion, this information will be very important to the entire Ascension series. From the start, I was captivated by the fantasy, magic and intrigue. Royalty and court politics. The energy that flows between Edric and Cyrene. If you look beneath the surface of the story, I believe there much going on that is just beyond our reach. We are given a wealth of information to speculate about, and I have many theories. This is the type of story that I thrive upon – a story full of mystery, clues and foreshadowing, and I’m looking forward to finding out if any of my theories are correct!

While I was in the process of reading The Affiliate, thoughts of this story were in the back of my mind during my workday. I couldn’t wait to get home to pick back up in my reading. Although there are moments in the story where the pacing felt a little slow, my overall opinion of The Affiliate is very positive. The Affiliate is a strong start for the Ascension series, and I have no doubt this series will continue to strengthen with the addition of future novels. I’m giving The Affiliate a 4.5 star rating, and adding it to my list of 2015 favorites! Congratulations to author K.A. Linde!

________________________________________________

K.A. Linde Bio:

USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde is the author of The Affiliate, the first book in the Ascension Series. As a military brat, she traveled the world with her family, imaginary friends, and ever-increasing supply of books. She has spent much of her life dreaming up new worlds and characters and forcing them into uncomfortable, usually life-threatening scenarios. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a masters degree in political science, she began spending every waking hour putting those characters onto paper.

When not writing, she spends her time dancing, collecting paperbacks in the hopes of filling a Beauty and the Beast style library one day, traveling to visit her friends who live all over the country, and still reading anything she can get her hands on. She currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and two puppies, Lucy and Riker, where she is hard at work on her next novel.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Enter K.A. Linde’s fantastic giveaway!
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Release Blitz + Excerpt + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Kick by Carmen Jenner – Savage Saints MC Series – Book 2

Posted on 09/24/2015 by shellbellereads

Title: TANK

Series: Savage Saints MC #2

Author: Carmen Jenner
Genre: Adult/Dark Romance

Release Date: September 24, 2015

Enter an unsettling world of volatile relationships, hot bikers, and even hotter sex that will have you on the edge of your seat and force you to keep a white-knuckled grip on your e-reader.

Blurb

Killer. Criminal.
Sociopath.

All of these words have been used to describe me,
and for the longest time I believed that that’s all I was.

I’m the man you call in to clean up your mess,
assuming your mess is a guy who needs a bullet to the head. I’m the man the MC
calls when they want their dirty work done.

I’m the man who doesn’t feel.

Until now.

Until her.

Now my mess is a woman who won’t save herself. I’ll
fight like hell to save her, but at what price to the club? And at what cost to
me?

Warning: TANK
contains graphic violence, profanity, drug use, and explicit sexual situations
that may be a trigger and cause some readers emotional discomfort. Intended for
an 18+ audience only. Not intended for pussies.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / AU

iBOOKS / KOBO / B&N

Michel’s Review

*** Warning***

This book has graphic violence, graphic language, substance abuse, rape, and explicit sexual situations. This book can be.. but should not be… read as a stand alone novel. It should be read in series order. This book is recommended for a mature audience of 18 or older.

Tank by Carmen Jenner is the second book in the Savage Saints MC series. Although it can be read as a stand alone novel, I highly recommend reading this book in series order because of the subject matter and content. Tank coincides with Kick. Many of the scenes and passages take place at the same time as the scenes in Kick but from a different perspective or coinciding with the club business dealt with in Kick.

Readers were introduced to Tank, the assassin for the Savage Saints in the first book. He joined the Savage Saints with his best friend Kick when they left their former MC. He’s earned his status as a killer. He’s heartless except where Ivy is concerned. She is his woman and he has made his claim.

Readers also met Ivy in the first book. Ivy is one of the club whores and fixated on Kick. She’s a junkie and will do anything to get her next hit. When she caused all kinds of trouble for Kick, she was almost banned from the Savage Saints. Tank stepped in and claimed her. He took her home. He forced her to detox. He’s forcing her to stay off the drugs and away from the club. He is forcing her to stay away from Kick, the twisted man she thinks she loves. She hates Tank. She hates that he is forcing her to become clean. She hates that he can see through her facade. She hates that he knows what drives her addictions. He doesn’t know everything though. Her past is beyond the worst nightmare. Her past could get the entire club killed.

Ivy may hate what Tank is forcing her to do but she also appreciates it. He’s the first person to show her compassion. He’s the first person that cared enough to help her. He’s the first person to truly love her. She hopes his love is not for nothing. She hopes that he won’t end up dead because of her.

I am not going to say too much more about this story because it’s something a reader must experience for themselves. What I will say is that Carmen Jenner did not pull any punches and did not sugar coat this book at all. She gave a realistic accounting of what it’s like to have addictions. She gave a vivid view of the abuse that Ivy went through. I can thoroughly sympathize with Ivy and understand her addiction. Carmen Jenner took something that was horrifically ugly and turned it into something beautiful without making it perfect. She let Tank and Ivy’s imperfections fuel their relationship and make them stronger.

Tank was well written and I commend Carmen for having the guts to portray this story with an honest delivery. It’s not a pretty story. It’s a story of second chances and personal redemption.

Tank is a solid 5 Star Book.

Also Available

AMAZON US / UK / AU
iBOOKS / B&N / KOBO

Kick Trailer

Excerpt

“So, the usual?” Louis asks.“Yeah.” Tank intervenes by knocking Louis’ arm away when he tries to hand me a menu.

I glare at the obnoxious arse. “I don’t get to decide what I want?”

“Nope.” He smirks, and it’s quite possibly the millionth one I’ve seen today. “I know exactly what you want. You just need to trust me.”

“Okay then,” Louis says. “Coffee?”

“Yes,” I practically shout. “The strongest you have.”

Tank shakes his head. “Get her a latté.”

I swear if looks could kill, Tank would be burnt to a char right about now. No one takes my coffee from me and lives to tell about it.

“Your system doesn’t need any more stimulation.”

“It’s caffeine, Tank, not cocaine,” I argue. “I’m pretty sure I’ll be okay.”

He shrugs, and Louis glances nervously between us again. He looks as though he wants to flee. Tank has that effect on a lot of people. Then again, it could be the fact that I just admitted to being a junkie and at any second he’s expecting me to break out my stash and start snorting lines off of his fancy table. Louis says, “Okay, so latté it is then.”

“No, I want—”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but your man is too scary to say no to.” He backs away from the table, shouting, “But don’t you worry, it’ll be the best latté you’ve ever tasted. You just sit tight.”

“He’s not my fucking man,” I shout back, drawing the attention of every patron in the room, which is really only two other people, not including Louis and Kerri. I look around sheepishly and then wrap my arms around myself, turning my attention back to Tank. “Stop fucking smirking, you arsehole, or I’m walking.”

“Try it and see how far you get, Warrior Princess.”

“I’m betting I’d at least get halfway down the street before you caught up to me.”

“You wanna test that theory?” He challenges with a grin, though his gaze warms me head to toe with its intensity. “My money says you’ll make it to the door before I drag you back to the table, put you over my fuckin’ knee and spank your arse ’til it’s red raw.”

I let out a deep, shaking breath and lick my lips. Jesus Christ do I want that. I want it so fucking bad. My nipples turn rock hard and Tank’s gaze drops to my black singlet. I’m suddenly hot, wet, and hyper aware of his lingering gaze. This man is going to be the death of me.

SAVAGE SAINTS MC
SERIES

READING ORDER

KICK

TANK

JETT

GRIM

KILLER

Visit the Savage Saints MC Official Website

Author Bio

Carmen Jenner is a thirty-something, USA TODAY and international bestselling author of the Sugartown, Savage Saints, and Taint series.Her dark romance, KICK (Savage Saints MC #1), won Best Dark Romance Read in the Reader’s Choice Awards at RWDU 2015.

A tattoo enthusiast, hardcore MAC addict and zombie fangirl, Carmen lives on the sunny north coast of New South Wales, Australia, where she spends her time indoors wrangling her two wildling children, a dog named Pikelet, and her very own man-child.

A romantic at heart, Carmen strives to give her characters the HEA they deserve, but not before ruining their lives completely first … because what’s a happily ever after without a little torture?

http://www.carmenjenner.com

Published titles to date:

Welcome to Sugartown (Sugartown Series #1)

Enjoy Your Stay (Sugartown Series #2)

Greetings from Sugartown (Sugartown Series #3)

Now Leaving Sugartown (Sugartown Series #4)

REVELRY (Taint #1)

KICK (Savage Saints MC #1)

Author Links

WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
GOODREADS

Giveaway

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Review: Softer Than Steel by Jessica Topper + Love & Steel Series Reviews

Posted on 09/24/2015 by shellbellereads

Softer Than Steel

Love & Steel Series – Book 2

By Jessica Topper

Synopsis

From the author of Deeper than Dreams and the Much “I Do” About Nothing novels, a story that proves that you have to find yourself before you can find love…

As rock star “Riff Rotten”, Rick Rottenberg has enjoyed all the perks that fame can offer, especially now that he’s reunited with his former band mate, Adrian “Digger” Graves. But despite his success, Rick is a mess. Still reeling from the death of his wife years ago and terrified his demons will end his career, he agrees to seek help for his anxiety.

Burned by a musician in the past, Sidra Sullivan has closed her heart to love. So when Rick walks into her yoga studio, she wants nothing to do with him–until the bad boy shows an unexpected soft side.

As Sidra and Rick work through their painful pasts, they realize just how strongly opposites can attract. But when a crisis threatens the delicate balance they’ve forged, they’ll discover if their love is strong enough to weather another storm or just too broken to survive…

INCLUDES A PREVIEW OF THE FIRST LOVE & STEEL NOVEL: LOUDER THAN LOVE

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Excerpt

“Making music has got to be like . . . like childbirth, bringing something totally new into the world like that. Isn’t that scary?”

Rick contemplated her comparison and she waited, watching him with those incredible eyes, both dark and bright. “Yes, in a way it’s bloody terrifying,” he admitted. The creating and the coaxing, making sure what you envisioned in your head translated into reality and not just a shadow of itself. “But the excitement and exhilaration trumps the fear.” He popped a pair of headphones on her ears and backed out of the room with a grin.

Behind the console, he flicked switches, adjusted levels, and pressed the talkback button. “Pay no attention to the man behind the glass,” he whispered, but Sidra’s broad smile told him the console mic had sent his fluid murmur to her ears crystal clear.

She tentatively tapped the double-mesh screen of the microphone in front of her. “But don’t you worry, once it’s out in the world . . . what everyone thinks of it? Of you?”

“I used to get caught up in it. But you’ve just got to trust and make peace with the fact that you put in—and put out—your very best effort.”

The track he chose for her flowed not only through her headphones, but the speakers of the console in front of him as well, its beat and melody causing the indicator lights to jump and fall in time. Sidra’s eyes closed and her frame rocked slightly. To me, Rick thought.

That’s my music, moving her.

Michel’s Review

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Softer Than Steel by Jessica Topper. The Love & Steel series is an unique rock star romance series. Rather than featuring young rock gods making their rise to fame, Jessica chose to create rock god legends making a comeback from their super stardom of the eighties. These are middle aged men that can rock the house and still make the panties drop.

Softer Than Steel features Rick Rottenberg , aka Rick Rotten. He’s at crossroads in his life and the pressure is on. Rick is a widower, father, empty nester, perfectionist, and lead vocalist for the band. He can handle being on the stage in the spotlight better than he can handle most social situations. He has anxiety attacks that can be brought on by the slightest imbalance or new situation. He hasn’t engaged in relationships with the opposite sex since his wife passed fourteen years earlier. He carries guilt, grief, and remorse with stoic pride. He loved fiercely and lost his wife too early.

The band has been touring for the last four years. They were supposed to control their own destiny but the old patterns are playing out. Adrian is finally going to get married. The band is finally going to make an new album. For Rick this is his main focus and priority, for the other members of the band it is secondary to their own personal lives.

Rick’s panic attacks escalate and he starts to take yoga as a way of releasing his built up tensions. Rick wanted to learn how to control his panic attacks but he got a bonus to go along with it. He was learning to love again.

Sidra is a yoga instructor. Her vast knowledge of the practice keeps her students coming back for more. When the handsome English Professor joins her class, she finds herself deeply attracted to her new student. When she finds out he is a famous musician all bets are off. She’s been there, done that, and walked away deeply scarred. Never again! But Rick is persistent and he shows Sidra there are more sides this man than fame and music.

I really enjoyed the book but it felt a bit slower than the previous books in this series. The book was too well researched. The practice of yoga took over the story and the main characters seemed secondary. I did not feel the overwhelming chemistry, attraction, or passion between Sidra and Rick. I also think that there were too many secondary characters that hindered the flow of the book because the reader had to stop and think how they were connected to the story before they could move on in the passage. There were the band members, their business associates, Kat’s group of friends and their families, Sidra’s family and friends, yoga instructors, and other supporting characters. Also there were too many different themes going on. Sidra was half Indian and half Irish. There was focus on her culture as well as her family background. The reader also got to experience her past relationship with a musician that left heartbroken. Rick was English and Jewish and there was quite a bit of focus on that, not to mention the band’s past and present careers. There was also a focus on Rick’s personal past and his loss. There was just too much going on in this book and the romance got lost in many passages.

Overall it was a well written book but just not the same caliber as the previous books in this series.

I would still highly recommend the Love & Steel Series by Jessica Topper.

The Love & Steel Series

Louder Than Love – Book 1

In this powerful debut novel, a young librarian grieves the loss of her husband…and discovers a love that defies classification.

It’s been over three years since a train accident made a widow of Katrina Lewis, sending her and her young daughter Abbey back to the suburban town of her youth…the only place that still makes sense. Lauder Lake is the perfect place to hide and heal.

Recluse rocker Adrian “Digger” Graves survived the implosion of his music career, but his muse has long lain dormant. Until Kat hires him to play at her library—not on the basis of his hard rock credentials but rather, because of the obscure kids’ TV jingle he wrote years ago. In a case of mistaken identity, Adrian stumbles into the lives of Kat and her comically lovable daughter.

Using tattoos as a timeline, Adrian unfurls his life for Kat. But as the courtship intensifies, it’s unclear whose past looms larger: the widow’s or the rocker’s. Will their demons ever rest, or will they break these soul mates apart?

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Michel’s Review

Reviewed: September 2013

A strong debut for new author Jessica Topper.

Louder Than Love is an extraordinary love story. It’s about second chances in life. It is about making peace with oneself and moving on to become a better person. It is about letting go of grief and moving on.

Adrian “Digger” Graves was once a metal guitar god in the eighties. His star burned bright. Corroded Corpse was the metal band could shred the metal and rock the house. Fame, fortune, sex, drugs, and corruption ruled his life. It also sent him spiraling down into the depths of hell. It was time to pay the devil his dues. In the process he lost himself. He lost his family. He lost his self respect. He lost his band. It took him years to recover and become a part of the real world once again. He learned from his mistakes and vowed he would never make them again. Along the way he learned there were other things more important in life than fame and fortune.

Katrina Lewis had the perfect life. She had the perfect husband and child. One tragic moment takes it all away. Now she is a single parent trying to overcome her grief. She’s not ready to move on but she knows it’s time. When she seeks out the mysterious composer that created music for a popular children’s show to perform at her library, she’s in for a great surprise. Rather than getting an unknown musician, she gets Digger Graves from Corroded Corpse. The rock god that covered her bedroom walls as a teenager. Kat is going to learn that there is more to this legend. She’s going to meet the man who’s music touches her soul. It doesn’t matter if he’s playing a children’s song or shredding the metal, he controls the strings to her lost heart.

Louder Than Love is unique because of the characters. This is not your typical rocker book that is in the new adult genre. It is a mature contemporary romance with mature characters. They have both loved and lost. They both have had lives that most would of would envy and want for their own. Both their worlds tumbled out of control. Amongst the chaos they both survived their worlds and came out different people. They have both had to rebuild their lives, rebuild themselves, and face past mistakes. The end result is that they will experience a love that is extraordinary.

This is not a second chance romance where lovers reunited. It’s a second chance for happiness. It is a new romance that enriches their lives and brings out the best in both of them.

I truly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.

Deeper Than Dreams

Love & Steel Series – Book 1.5 – Novella

By Jessica Topper

Synopsis

Will wedding bells rock out for Louder Than Love’s most beloved couple in this Love and Steel novella?

Falling in love with rock star Adrian “Digger” Graves was a dream come true for former librarian Kat Lewis. But with a little help from friends and family–including Kat’s adorable daughter, Abbey–Adrian has planned an evening and a proposal beyond her wildest dreams.

The night before, Kat witnessed the triumphant reunion of Adrian’s rock band at Madison Square Garden. Tonight, he will escort her to the elegant, ultra-exclusive Library Lion’s benefit. It seems like a fairytale, but even fairytales have a deeper, darker side. When old habits return to tempt her knight in shining heavy metal armor, will Kat’s happily ever after come crashing back to reality?
THIS IS AN EPILOGUE NOVELLA THAT PICKS UP THE DAY AFTER LOUDER THAN LOVE ENDS. This novella is intended to be read after Louder Than Love.
Don’t miss the next Love and Steel novel, Softer Than Steel, coming in September 2015 from InterMix.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Michel’s Review

It”s been two years since the first book, Louder Than Love in the Love & Steel series by Jessica Topper released. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was excited to see the sequel novella, Deeper Than Dreams releasing. As I started to read Deeper Than Dreams, I realized that it picked up right where Louder Than Love left off. With such a lengthy time span between the release of these two books I had forgotten quite a bit of the story. Therefore I felt like I had to go back and reread Louder Than Love. After reading Louder Than Love once again, I had to revise my review. I was still enraptured by this story and felt like I had a more constructive review the second time around. I was anxious to proceed on and read Deeper Than Dreams.

Deeper Than Dreams cannot be read as a stand alone novella. It is more of an epilogue for Louder Than Love.

Adrian Digger Graves has just had his big comeback performance. He has reunited with his old band and played at Madison Square Gardens. He is on a high from the success. The music world is praising their performance. Corroded Corpse is on their second claim to fame. The first time almost destroyed him. Will the resurgence of Corroded Corpse be a good thing or bad thing for Adrian?

This time around he has life experience, maturity, and a strong woman in his corner. He knows that love and family come first. He’s determined to hang onto it all.

A dream date. A magical proposal. A perfect Cinderella. A beautiful princess. A solid support group. And finally a better band.

Adrian Graves has it all. Most of all he has the love that lasts a lifetime.

I loved this novella. It gave another happily ever after for Adrian and Kat.

About Jessica Topper

Jessica Topper is an ex-librarian turned rock n’ roll number cruncher. She can trace her love for the written word back to age three, when she memorized Maurice Sendak’s “Chicken Soup with Rice” in its entirety.

After her daughter was born, Jessica left the Manhattan library world and began working for her husband’s music management company. He offered her a part-time bookkeeping job so she could “stay home for the baby’s first year” and pursue her dream of writing.

The baby is now thirteen, and Jessica has been working her full-time, sold-her-soul-for-rock-n-roll job as Office Manager for veteran jam band moe. ever since. She may have traded in books for bookkeeping, but the written word is never far from her mind, or her heart.

Jessica lives in upstate New York with her husband, daughter and one ancient cat.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Author Spotlight…. Alessandra Torre

Posted on 09/23/2015 by shellbellereads

Alessandra Torre is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of ten novels. Her books focus on romance and suspense, all with a strong undercurrent of sexuality. Torre has been featured in such publications as Elle and Elle UK, co-hosted Dirty Sexy Funny with Jenny McCarthy, as well as guest blogged for the Huffington Post and RT Book Reviews. She is also the Bedroom Blogger for Cosmopolitan.com.

You can learn more about Alessandra on her website at www.alessandratorre.com, or you can find her on Twitter (@ReadAlessandra) or Facebook.

*** * ***

Cole Masten. Abandoned by his superstar wife, Hollywood’s Perfect Husband is now Hollywood’s Sexiest Bachelor: partying hard and screwing even harder. Watch out Los Angeles, there’s a new bad boy in town.

Summer Jenkins. That’s me, a small town girl stuck in Quincy, Georgia. I cook some mean chicken and dumplins, can bluff a grown man out of his savings in poker, and was voted Most Friendly my senior year.

We were from different worlds. Our lives shouldn’t have collided. But then Cole Masten read a book about my small town. And six months later, his jet landed on our dusty airstrip, and he brought Hollywood with him.

From the start, I knew he was trouble. For our town. And for me.

Sometimes, opposites just aren’t meant to attract..

🎬 🎥 🎬 🎥 🎬 🎥 🎬 🎥 🎬 🎥 🎬

Visit http://www.meetcolemasten.com/

🎬 🎥 🎬 🎥 🎬 🎥 🎬 🎥 🎬 🎥 🎬

Please like the Hollywood Dirt Book Facebook Page for updates!

Join Today

*** * ***

If You Dare

By A. R. Torre

═══ COMING NOVEMBER 10th ═══

Equal parts Dexter and 50 Shades, this is the eagerly awaited new novel from A. R. Torre, author of the award winning erotic thriller, The Girl in 6E.

The rules are the same. I can’t open the door. I can’t leave. I can’t kill anyone.

The only difference is, I don’t set the rules anymore. Guards in grey uniforms do. It is everything I never wanted and everything I always deserved. I write to you now, from a prison cell. My home for the next twenty to thirty years.

That’s the going term for murder.

*** * ***

Excerpt

*** Spoiler Free ***

“Where were you last night, Ms. Madden?”

I brought my eyes up from the water bottle and into the woman’s eyes. “I was here. In my apartment.”

The woman’s eyes darted, from left to right, like a pong paddle. “All night?”

“Yes.”

“Can anyone verify that?”

When she spoke, her eyebrows pinched together in a sharp V of distrust. I watched their narrow exclamations and wondered what they have on me. Anything? Was this a fishing expedition or a sharpening of the nails that would seal my coffin?

“Umm… yes. My next-door neighbor. Simon.” I tried to push into last night’s vault, but found nothing. Strange.

“He was with you?”

I felt the upward curl of my lip. “No. But he locked me into the apartment. From nine till sometime this morning.”

That surprised them. I felt the shift of air, the rigid tilt of the woman as she fought against turning her head to the man. He leaned in a little and spoke, “I don’t understand.”

I sighed, an action that bought me a moment to deliberate the wisdom of information sharing. “Simon lives a few doors down. He locks my door at night. So he can verify that he locked me inside last night, and I was here all night until he unlocked me.”

“Your door locks from the outside?” EyelinerCop found this very interesting. I watched the tip of her pen, the increased tremor of it as it scratched against the page of her notebook.

“Yes.” I lifted my eyes from the pen. “What evidence do you have against me?”

Her mouth widened into a grin, a stretch of raw lips that looked painful. I didn’t like that grin, that tell that I’d just stepped into a pile of shit. “Why, Ms. Madden, what an interesting question. An innocent person would be more interested in finding out what crime was committed.”

“Who said I was an innocent person?” The response slipped out, snarky and unnecessary. I’d wanted to shut the cop up, to wipe that smug grin off her face. The question was much more passive than what I wanted to do. To spring across the table and claw at her throat. Yank at her belt and palm her service revolver. Celebrate the gun’s weight in my hand in the moment before I pointed the gun at her temple and pulled the trigger. Take that, bulletproof vest. Compared to that scenario, my egotistic response was tame. Tame and stupid. The pair of detectives all but high-fived each other with their eye contact. I settled back in my chair and waited. Counted to ten and swore to behave.

The woman composed herself and spoke. “What are you guilty of, Ms. Madden?”

I wondered why she was in charge of this interaction. If it was her rank or if it was because they thought I’d associate with a woman more. Thought I would buddy up and confess away, all because a penis didn’t hang between her legs. I tapped my fingers against the arm of the chair. “I’d like you both to leave now. Unless you have something to charge me with.”

They had to have something. Surely they didn’t show up at my apartment on a whim. I must have slipped up somewhere, forgotten something. Left a gaping hole big enough for them to stick an arrest warrant through.

The man spoke. “Let’s get back to the neighbor. You said he locks you inside? Why would you let him do that?”

This was wrong, bad. I shouldn’t be here, shouldn’t be talking to them. I had asked them to leave, didn’t that mean they had to? I took a sip of my water and looked away from the man, making accidental eye contact with the woman. She leaned forward and pointed, her finger one long arrow of invasion. “What happened to your nose, Ms. Madden?”

“My nose?” I reached up and touched it. Felt the caked blood, the split across my bridge. I fought the urge to follow suit with my second hand to fully explore the damage. Focused on my pain and suddenly realized how much it throbbed.

“It looks broken.” She looked concerned, but she wasn’t. She was giddy, would probably have reached out and gripped my nose herself if she could have.

It looks broken. It felt broken. I pushed on the tip and got lightheaded. Pulled my hand away before I fainted. I stared at a strand of the woman’s hair that had escaped her ponytail. Focused on it until the spots cleared from my vision.

“Ms. Madden?” the man prodded.

“What?”

“What happened to your nose?”

Good question. I looked away from the strand of hair and into the man’s eyes. “I’m not sure.”

“You forgot?”

The seed of unease was growing in my stomach. Why was I talking to them? Why were they here? Why was I offering information when I wasn’t getting any? I stood up and watched for a reaction. A reach for a paper, for evidence to wave in my face, but they did nothing, just stayed in place and watched me. “I’d like to be alone.”

I walked to the door and waited, the pair slow in their stand, step, then pass through the open door. I was almost free, about to shut it, when the woman’s hand settled on my arm, a firm and hard grip that tightened against the sleeve of my Marilyn Monroe sweatshirt. I turned, raising my brows at her in question.

“Why did you kill him?” the cop whispered, her eyes glued on me.

I didn’t answer her. I held her eye contact while I reached down and pulled back on her index finger until she released my arm. Then I dropped my hand, stepped back, and shut the door, the slam of the steel against the frame loud and unfamiliar.

I didn’t not answer to be smart or mysterious. The main reason I didn’t answer was because I wasn’t sure how to answer. I wasn’t sure which death she was asking about. To be honest, I was starting to lose track.

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