Virtual Tour + Excerpt + Review + Giveaway: Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne

Posted on 08/25/2015 by shellbellereads

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BLURRED LINES

Lauren Layne

Releasing Aug 25th, 2015

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In
a novel that’s perfect for fans of Abbi Glines and Jessica Sorensen, USA
Today bestselling author Lauren Layne delivers a sexy take on the timeless
question: Can a guy and a girl really be “just friends”?

When
Parker Blanton meets Ben Olsen during her freshman year of college, the
connection is immediate—and platonic. Six years later, they’re still best
friends, sharing an apartment in Portland’s trendy Northwest District as they
happily settle into adult life. But when Parker’s boyfriend dumps her out of
the blue, she starts to wonder about Ben’s no-strings-attached approach to
dating. The trouble is, even with Ben as her wingman, Parker can’t seem to get
the hang of casual sex—until she tries it with him.

The
arrangement works perfectly . . . at first. The sex is mind-blowing, and their
friendship remains as solid as ever, without any of the usual messy romantic
entanglements. But when Parker’s ex decides he wants her back, Ben is shocked
by a fierce stab of possessiveness. And when Ben starts seeing a girl from
work, Parker finds herself plagued by unfamiliar jealousy. With their
friendship on the rocks for the first time, Parker and Ben face an alarming
truth: Maybe they can’t go back. And maybe, deep down, they never want to.

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Excerpt

I scoop up the last bite of cereal from my bowl as I stand. “We should probably get going,” I say, still chewing. “IKEA gets crazy on Saturdays, and I don’t want to risk them being out of stock on the extra-large shelves.”

“You have that many dolls?” Liz asks, looking torn between being creeped out and feeling completely sorry for me.

“Fifty-seven and counting,” I say, straight-faced. “And actually, Ben, if you’re going to be a while, I might just run upstairs and brush their hair? I noticed last night Polly was starting to develop a tangle.”

Ben drains his coffee, pushes back from the counter, and shakes his head at me. “You poor, sick weirdo.”

Then he turns to Liz, putting his hands on her skinny waist and pulling her forward with an apologetic smile. “You mind if I take a raincheck on breakfast?”

I barely hide the snort. In Ben’s world, raincheck is a synonym for I’m going to intentionally lose your phone number.

In under a minute, Ben is nudging Liz out onto the front porch, and, impressively, she doesn’t even look pissed. I follow them out, just to be annoying, watching as he whispers something in her ear. Her eyes go wide and sympathetic and she gives me an It’s gonna be okay, little buddy smile. She heads toward the sidewalk with a wave.

“What did you just tell her?” I ask, taking a sip of my coffee as we watch her leave.

“I told her you were an abandoned orphan and that the only thing your birth mother left you with was a doll named Polly. Hence the sad obsession.”

I shake my head. “You know I’m going to have to rewrite the house rules. And No dolls will so be going on there.”

Liz turns back and gives one last wave. Both Ben and I wave back, and I can’t help myself. “Enjoy your walk of shame!” I call after her, my voice sweet as sugar.

Liz’s head snaps back as though trying to determine if she heard me correctly, but Ben puts a hand over my face and shoves me back into the house before closing the front door.

He absently rubs a hand over his abs as he looks me up and down.

“You should change. You can’t wear your ratty booty shorts and that ugly T-shirt to IKEA.”

“First of all, you can absolutely wear your rattiest and ugliest T-shirts to IKEA. That’s pretty much the IKEA dress code. And second, we’re not going to IKEA. Really, are you getting so comfortable with your lies that they become fact in your mind?”

“We are going to IKEA,” he says, running both hands through his short brown hair before heading toward the stairs.

“For what?” I ask.

“I need a new dresser.”

“What’s wrong with your old dresser?”

“It broke.”

I wrinkle my nose. “How the hell do you break a dresser?”

He shoots me a look over his shoulder and wiggles his eyebrows.

It takes me only seconds before I put the pieces together. “Airhead?” I hitch a thumb over my shoulder at the departed female. “You banged her against the dresser?”

“Hey, she was unusually tall, which gave me the unusual opportunity and prime angle to—”

I slap my hands over my ears and start singing Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” my default protective gesture whenever Ben gets a little too colorful with descriptions of his sexual antics.

Another house rule: Parker absolutely does not want to know what happens in Ben’s bedroom.

“Hey, do you and Lance have plans today?” he asks.

“Maybe you should have asked that before you mandated an IKEA trip. But no, he’s got an all-day study group.”

Lance is getting his MBA from the University of Portland.

“Cool. Let’s grab lunch after.” He heads into his bedroom without looking at me.

Lunch, huh?

I narrow my eyes and sprint up the stairs after him, pushing open his door before he can shut it in my face.

Sure enough, his dresser is definitely leaning unhealthily to one side, and I count two, no make that three, condom wrappers.

He pulls a green polo from the tiny closet in the corner and looks around his messy floor until he finds his jeans.

I wait expectantly.

“What?” he asks.

“Lunch?” I lift my brows. And wait for the explanation.

Ben scratches idly at his slightly stubbled chin. Sharing a bathroom with the guy, I know he shaves every morning, but the stubble seems to be perpetual.

“Well, you know that girl I dated a couple weeks ago? Kim?” he asks. “She wanted me to go to her sister’s engagement brunch, and I told her I was busy all day. But she’s just crazy enough to stop by and see if I’m actually out of the house, so I thought we should be elsewhere. . . .”

I hold up a hand. “Fine. I’ll be your alibi. But I get to pick the restaurant, and you’re buying. Oh, and you have to put the toilet seat down every day for an entire week.”

He raises his hand as though wanting to say something in class. “I’d like to add a house rule: Parker isn’t allowed to tell Ben how to pee.”

“You don’t make the house rules. I do. And I didn’t tell you how to pee,” I say exasperatedly as he wrenches open a dresser drawer and pulls out a pair of boxers. “I’m trying to do your future wife a favor by teaching you how not to be a pig.”

He inches by me into the hallway. “Another house rule: Parker shalt not say profanities as future wife to a dedicated bachelor.”

“You’re not a dedicated bachelor. You’re just a typical horny twenty-four-year-old dude, and, again, you don’t make the house rules—hey!”

He shuts the door to our shared bathroom in my face, and too late I realize that I’d missed all the classic signs of a skilled Ben Olsen diversion. He’d just wanted to beat me into the bathroom.

“Don’t use all the hot water!” I shout, pounding my palm on the door.

The door opens just enough for me to see one blue eye blinking back at me. “Didn’t you say Polly had a tangle? You better go get on that.”

The door shuts again, and I pound a second time. “Remember, the green towel is mine. The white one is yours.”

I wait for confirmation, but there’s only silence.

“Ben, I know you can hear me! Don’t ‘accidentally’ use mine just because yours smells funny.”

More silence.

Damn it. He is so planning to use my towel.

So, yeah, my best friend is a guy. Doesn’t mean I have to like it all the time.

Michel’s Review

Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne was an absolutely charming feel good kind of book. I love the “Friends To Lovers” theme. These kind of books are easy to read because the characters already have an established close relationship and the reader doesn’t have to muddle through the meet & greet process.

Parker and Ben met in their freshman year of college and became best friends. Six years later they are still best friends. They know each other in and out. They know each others quirks, weaknesses, faults, and strengths. They have built a mutual respect for one another. They have established a platonic loving relationship.

When Parker breaks off with her long term boyfriend, Ben ,a one night stand kind of guy, starts looking at Parker in a whole new light. When Parker wants Ben to teach her how to embrace single life it puts a whole new twist on their friendship. They are going to be friends with benefits. Let the fun begin and falling head over heels in love take over.

This book was fun. The banter between Parker and Ben was witty, fun, and charming. Their relationship once it moved to the benefits phase was sizzling hot. When they hit the falling in love phase it was down right swoony.

I highly recommend Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne if you are looking for a warm and fuzzy romance.

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Lauren Layne is the USA Today
Bestselling author of contemporary romance.

Prior to becoming an author, Lauren
worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. In 2011, she and her husband moved from
Seattle to New York City, where Lauren decided to pursue a full-time writing
career. It took six months to get her first book deal (despite ardent
assurances to her husband that it would only take three). Since then, Lauren’s
gone on to publish ten books, including the bestselling Stiletto series, with
several more on the way in 2015.

Lauren currently lives in Chicago with her husband and spoiled
Pomeranian. When not writing, you’ll find her at happy hour, running at a
doggedly slow pace, or trying to straighten her naturally curly hair.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Release Blitz: Code of Honor by Missy Johnson – The Sontagio Family Series – Book 1

Posted on 08/25/2015 by shellbellereads

Code of Honor

Spontagio Family Series – Book 1

By Missy Johnson

Synopsis

In a series debut for fans of Tracy Wolff and Sylvia Day, New York Times bestselling author Missy Johnson asks a burning question: What happens when love is undeniable—and taboo?

Pietro Gustovi is loyal, polished, and hard as stone, the kind of guy women want and men respect. At twenty-three, he’s survived tragedies that would break men twice his age. And he owes it all to his father’s closest friend, Giovanni Spontagio, who took him in as an orphaned teenager. Pietro would give his life for Giovanni . . . but his heart belongs to Giovanni’s daughter.

Raised in Chicago under the spotlight of power and privilege, Lucia Spontiago feels most alive on stage. Determined to become a prima ballerina, she escapes her father’s protective gaze long enough to audition for the ballet in New York City. Soon, however, Lucy realizes that she is not alone. Pietro is watching her back. And though he’s like a brother to her, Lucy cannot deny the thrill she feels knowing his eyes are on her.

Pietro could never betray his mentor by sleeping with his only child. But Lucy follows her passions, no matter how forbidden. Soon their nights are consumed by explosive, red-hot temptation—a dance that will expose shocking secrets and burn everything else to the ground.

Note: Code of Honor ends on a cliffhanger. Pietro and Lucy’s story continues in Code of Love!

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Tina’s Review

** Provided by Netgalley in Exchange for an Honest Review **

Judging a Book by it’s Cover:
Sharp dressed man that looks to have the weight of the world on his shoulders and mind. Makes a gal want to try to alleviate some of his stress. 😉
Looking Deeper:
First-person POV, alternates with clear definition. Pietro feels indebted to Giovanni for taking him in when he was a teen after his parents were killed. His attraction to Lucia, Giovanni’s daughter must be kept a secret for fear of Giovanni’s reaction. He’s also determined to get to the bottom of his parents’ murder, although danger surrounds the case from every angle. Lucia was a little breathing room to become her own person, regardless of how much she loves her overly-protective father. She’s attracted to Pietro, even when everyone refers to them as siblings. Their chemistry is natural to two people that spend their teen and young adult years living together and discovering each other in new capacities. (Sort of similar to a Step-sibling story, but not quite.) There are some interesting secondary characters that add a nice depth and some dynamics to the plot. Their whole relationship and his past are nothing but conflicts, but they manage to work though them in ways that would be appropriate to the age and situation. There is some predictability, but not too bad. The conclusion was completely ABSENT. At no time were we informed that this was a SERIAL, ending on a cliffhanger. I’ve wasted hours of what little time I have for an incomplete story… not happy about that at all. HOWEVER, if I had been informed and forewarned, I’d think that the story in itself was pretty darn good so far.

____________________________________________

Author Bios:

Missy lives in a small town in Central Victoria with her husband, and her confused pets (a dog who think she’s a cat, a cat who thinks he’s a dog…you get the picture).

When she’s not writing, she can usually be found looking for something to read.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Virtual Tour + Excerpt + Review: Delayed Penalty – Pilots Hockey Series – Book 1

Posted on 08/24/2015 by shellbellereads

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DELAYED PENALTY

Pilots Hockey #1

Sophia Henry

Releasing Sept 1st, 2015

She closed her heart long ago. He
just wants to open her mind. For fans of Toni Aleo and Sawyer Bennett, the
debut of Sophia Henry’s red-hot Detroit Pilots series introduces a hockey team
full of complicated men who fight for love.

Auden Berezin is used to losing
people: her father, her mother, her first love. Now, just
when she believes those childhood wounds are finally healing, she loses
something else: the soccer scholarship that was her ticket to college.
Scrambling to earn tuition money, she’s relieved to find a gig translating for
a Russian minor-league hockey player—until she realizes that he’s the same
dangerously sexy jerk who propositioned her at the bar the night before.

Equal parts muscle and scar tissue,
Aleksandr Varenkov knows about trauma. Maybe that’s what draws him to Auden. He
also lost his family too young, and he channeled the pain into his passions:
first hockey, then vodka and women. But all that seems to just melt away the
instant he kisses Auden and feels a jolt of desire as sudden and surprising as
a hard check on the ice.

After everything she’s been through,
Auden can’t bring herself to trust any man, let alone a hot-headed puck jockey
with a bad reputation. Aleksandr just hopes she’ll give him a chance—long
enough to prove he’s finally met the one who makes him want to change.

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Excerpt

I’m pretty sure there were only two ways Crazy Hair could have looked better than he had at O’Callaghan’s. The first was as he did right now: sitting on a bench in the locker room wearing nothing but the lower half of his uniform, including his skates, sweat rolling over his sinewy pecs and creating a happy trail all the way into his hockey pants.

The second way—I can only assume—would be if he were completely naked.

“Aleksandr, this is Auden Berezin. She will be your translator.”

“I don’t need a translator.”

I almost laughed, because he’d said he didn’t need a translator in Russian.

“You must talk with the media at some point, Sasha. They’re riding my ass to get better answers from you than ‘was good game.’ ”

Aleksandr Varenkov, hot Russian hockey god, laughed, showing the perfect set of white teeth I’d noticed at the bar.

“You have your teeth in, but you haven’t even showered yet?” Orlenko asked.

Was Orlenko a mind reader? I sure hope not, because I would be fired for thinking about my client naked.

“I wanted to look good for pictures.” Aleksandr winked at me. Then he stood, and drops of sweat raced down the hard planes of his chest.

I’d never been so envious of perspiration in my life.

“Sometimes I talk in the shower. Will she translate for me in there?”

My cheeks began to burn, so I averted my eyes, lowering them to the black Cyrillic script tattooed down his sides, then thought better of that line of sight and studied the soiled beige carpet below my feet.

“Aleks—” Orlenko sighed, rubbing his forehead.

“Zhenya,” Aleksandr began. “You know I’m kidding, yes?” He shoved a towel onto the shelf above his nameplate and walked away without waiting for an answer.

“Yes,” Orlenko hissed. He’d said it under his breath, but I heard him and wondered what my grandpa had gotten me into. “Well, that was Aleksandr Varenkov, your client. He’s a talented player and a good man. But he can be a little—”

“Douchey?” I offered in English. I shouldn’t have said it, considering Grandpa’s professional reputation was in my hands. Then again, Evgeny Orlenko was Grandpa’s friend first, so maybe he wouldn’t be too hard on me. Besides, Grandpa knew what kind of mouth I had, and he’d sent me for the job anyway.

Orlenko laughed, and continued in Russian. “Wild was the word I was looking for, but your adjective may not be that far off.”

“I’ve got it, Mr. Orlenko.”

“Are you sure?” He inspected me through thick black-rimmed glasses that were too small for his puffy face.

“As a college student with an active social life, I’ve learned how to handle arrogant douche bags.” This time I was being paid to handle one.

“I shouldn’t be having this conversation about one of my clients,” Mr. Orlenko said, his lips quirking up, then back into a tight line. At least he was trying to keep a straight face. “You’re like a breath of fresh air, Audushka. I hope you stay that way even with his off-ice antics.”

Off-ice antics? What the hell did that mean and why would I have to deal with them? “Will I have to hang out with him outside of the arena? I thought I was here to translate for media interviews after games and some practices.”

“Aleksandr speaks very little English. He’ll need your assistance in all aspects of his career; interviews, community service. At least, until he gets acclimated. Vitya said you were here for the month, is that correct?”

“Yep. All of winter break.”

“You’ll be putting in a lot of hours.”

“I’m a hard worker. And I need the cash. Got cut from the soccer team, and I have to replace the scholarship money I lost.” I was running my mouth again. Maybe I did need to tone it down.

“Well, I’m sorry to hear that. The being-cut part.” He cleared his throat. “Here’s my card. I wrote my cell number on the back. If you have any trouble or if Aleksandr makes you uncomfortable in any way, please give me a call.”

“Thanks.” I scanned the card wondering if I should try to memorize his number now, since I wasn’t sure how stable this client sounded.

After Orlenko left the locker room, I realized I hadn’t asked him what I should do next, and he hadn’t given me instructions as to where I should wait while Aleksandr showered. Since I wasn’t part of the media, I was extremely aware of being the intruder standing in a room of half-naked men. A shower shouldn’t take very long, so I dug my e-reader out of my messenger bag and sat down on the stool that Aleksandr had just vacated.

“Ewww.” I jumped up and skimmed my palm against my damp backside. Hadn’t even thought about any runaway sweat that might’ve dripped from Aleksandr’s lean, hard body onto the stool.

Stop. Just stop thinking about the shiny, wet flesh covering his impeccably carved frame.

Michel’s Review

Delayed Penalty by Sophia Henry is the first book in the dynamic New Adult Hockey Series, the Pilots Hockey. Sophia Henry is a new author to the New Adult and Sports Romance genres. She has made an excellent debut with Delayed Penalty.

I am not going to say too much about the story itself because it would leave too many spoilers for the reader. What I will say is this is a really good book even though I did not give it 5 stars. The plot was solid, the pacing of the story was good, the characters were interesting enough to stay invested in the book, and the technical writing was well executed. There were some things that held me back from giving a higher rating. These things are the typical “new author” weaknesses that become stronger with experience, time, and investment in their series.

I really liked this story. It was a fresh and unique in both genres. This story also brings another interesting aspect that I think readers are going to love. Both of the characters are of Russian decent. The reader will get to experience the American Russian culture as well as authentic Russian culture.

I really liked both of the leading characters. They were both solid people with very real issues. They were both strong but also had flaws that made them more vulnerable. The only problem I had with them is that they just seemed a bit flat. These two people were dynamic and I wished the author would of brought them to life. I wanted to become deeply invested in them. I wanted to live their story with them rather than being told their story. I wanted to experience their emotions, their highs and lows, and their romance. I think if the author would of injected a little bit more emotion and personality these two characters would of stole the readers hearts. The chemistry between the two would of exploded off the pages.

The secondary characters were just okay. They didn’t seem to support the story enough. The reader did not get to know any of them personally or get a sense of their relationships with the leading characters. Because of the reader did not really get to know much about these characters, it doesn’t leave the reader “dying” for the next book in the series. I’m afraid that this series will be put on the back burner in the readers minds and could get lost amongst all the other sports romances and new adult romances.

The readers expect more lively, emotional, and larger than life personalities in new adult romances as well as sports romances. They want to see their fun carefree spirits as well as their issues. They want to feel their youthfulness. Readers also want to see the comaraderie among the teammates and the tight friendship bonds that come along with it.

This book could of stood a little more focus on the sport as well. It would of made the leading male character more credible with his talented playing abilities.

Readers like to be told a story but what they love more is becoming a part of the story and experiencing it right along with the characters.

Sophia Henry told an excellent story. I hope the next book in the series, Power Play, the characters will come to life and let me experience their story.

I would still highly recommend Delayed Penalty in spite of the things I found lacking. It is a good story and a good start to a new series.

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Sophia Henry, a proud Detroit
native, fell in love with reading, writing, and hockey all before she became a
teenager. She did not, however, fall in love with snow. So after graduating
with an English degree from Central Michigan University, she moved to North
Carolina, where she spends her time writing books featuring hockey-playing
heroes, chasing her two high-energy sons, watching her beloved Detroit Red
Wings, and rocking out at concerts with her husband.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

2015 Favorite + 6 Star Review: Hawthorne & Heathcliff by R.K. Ryals

Posted on 08/23/2015 by shellbellereads

Hawthorne & Heathcliff

By R.K. Ryals

Genre: Mature YA / New Adult / Coming of Age

Synopsis

Two names that didn’t belong to us. Two shoes that did.

Intense and introspective, seventeen-year-old Hawthorne Macy knows all about being abandoned. She’s felt the stark pain of being left behind by the people who are supposed to love her the most; her parents. Raised by her caring uncle on an old plantation, Hawthorne lives her life on the fringes of her small Southern town.

Until she meets his shoe.

Senior year, last period English class, and a pair of silent tennis shoes resting next to hers in the back of the room throws Hawthorne into a world she’d learned to stay outside of.

His name is Max Vincent, but in her mind, he’s Heathcliff. The handsome eighteen-year-old boy behind the shoes will pull Hawthorne into a passionate and unforgettable adventure of self-discovery during a time when love seems impossible.

Shoes can tell a lot about a person. The journey they take you on can tell a lot about how they’ll hold up.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Michel’s Review

Hawthorne & Heathcliff by R.K. Royals was recommended to me when it first released. I read the synopsis and thought this book sounded good. I purposely stayed away from Goodreads and Amazon reviews because I did not want to open this book with expectations or pre-formed opinions. I wanted to experience this book for myself.

I opened this book with an open mind and clear head. The very first page drew me in and I could not put the book down until the very last word was read. I read the book almost two weeks ago and could not think of how to write a review for this book. There are no words that can describe the beauty of this book. On the surface it is a coming of age romance that is beautiful within itself. But between the lines is where this book shines and makes an impact that will not be forgotten long after the last page has been read. It touches the very core of the human spirit. It shows how resilient the human spirit can be once we open our hearts & minds and allow life to happen. Life is messy. Life is chaotic. Life is unpredictable. It can also be beautiful and exalting. It’s how we process it all and allow it into our souls. We need to open our hearts and let life in with all it’s messy glory. To accept it and make it our own. Allow it to shape us to become a stronger and better person. To become the person we were meant to be rather than being the person we thought we should be.

This book was an emotional journey. I laughed, cried, ached,and rejoiced. My heart was engaged with every single word.

The writing in this book was brilliant. R.K. Ryals based part of the book on the poem Mirror by Sylvia Plath. It made the leading characters reflect about how they saw themselves and their lives. But that is only the beginning, she used shoes as a prop on how they saw other people and how those people fit into their lives. She also used classic literature by Jane Austin to showcase the leading characters. She added all of these elements to bring Max and Claire to life without letting them overshadow their own unique personalities. The subtle messages and examples the secondary characters delivered in this book is astounding. Their characters became just as important as the leading characters in a very different way. All of these elements make the characters and their romance shine. It is one of the most beautiful romances that I have read because it was honest and realistic.

Hawthorne & Heathcliff is a book for all ages. Whether you are a teenager experiencing first love or a senior citizen experiencing your last days, this book will touch your soul. It’s a celebration of the human spirit in all it’s glory.

Read Hawthorne & Heathcliff by R.K. Royals.

______________________________________

Author Bio:

R.K. Ryals is the author of emotional and gripping young adult and new adult paranormal romance, contemporary romance, and fantasy. With a strong passion for charity and literacy, she works as a full time writer encouraging people to “share the love of reading one book at a time.” An avid animal lover and self-proclaimed coffee-holic, R.K. Ryals was born in Jackson, Mississippi and makes her home in the Southern U.S. with her husband, her three daughters, a rescue dog named Oscar the Grouch, A Shitzsu named Tinkerbell, an OCD cat, and a coffee pot she honestly couldn’t live without. Should she ever become the owner of a fire-breathing dragon (tame of course), her life would be complete.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: End of Day by Jewel E. Ann – Jack and Jill Series – Book 1

Posted on 08/20/2015 by shellbellereads

End of Day

Jack and Jill Series – Book 1

By Jewel E. Ann

Release Date: August 17, 2015

Synopsis:

Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life.

Four caskets. Two bodies.

Jessica and Jude Day witness their funeral and that of their parents a few yards away from mourning family and friends. Stripped of the only life they’ve ever known, the Days say goodbye to San Francisco forever.

Four months later, two thirty-year-old misfits with elite self-defense skills and penchants for alcohol, sex, and trouble arrive like an earthquake to Peaceful Woods, a retirement community in Omaha, Nebraska, that thrives on rules and gossip. Welcome home, Jackson and Jillian Knight.

Jackson celebrates his new beginning by embracing his job and wiping his cavalier past clean with a temporary oath of celibacy. But Jillian’s past is branded into her soul—the deaths, the insanity, Dr. Luke Jones, and the need to make her lovers bleed. Her chance for redemption comes in the form of a next door neighbor, one Senior Master Sergeant Monaghan. He’s sexy, dangerously alluring, and riddled with emotional issues from years of service. He’s also … So. Damn. Grumpy.

Their mission is simple: Let go, start over, don’t kill anyone, and pray that nobody wakes the dead.

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Excerpt

“Have you ever killed anyone?”

Jessica’s smile slipped. “If I told you then I’d have to kill you.”

“So you’re a secret agent?”

She flipped onto her stomach, resting her chin on her crossed arms. “If I said yes then it would no longer be a secret. Come on, Jones, you’re losing your focus. Don’t let me feel smarter than you or our time together will be over and I rather like hanging out here.”

“Luke,” he corrected.

“Lucas.”

“Luke.”

“Lukey.”

“LUKE!”

“Lulu.”

“I mean it!” Luke showed another rare moment of teetering emotion.

Jessica chuckled. “What are the chances of us having sex? I’ve never done it missionary, but you could possibly counsel me through it.”

He refocused on his crossword puzzle, filling in a word in pen. “Less than zero percent.”

“So, not in my favor, eh?

“Why not missionary?”

Jessica smiled in delight that Luke continued with the topic of conversation. “I’m sure you already know, but if you want me to say I need control, then sure, I need control. But the truth is I’d control any sex position you want to put me in.” Jessica winked as Luke gave her a fleeting glance. “I just don’t want you thinking you have control, even if I know it’s not the case. Pisses me off to see the smirk on a guy’s face when he thinks he has control.”

“Tell me why you need control.” Luke continued with his crossword.

“In bed?”

“Yes.”

“Someone has to have it.”

“Why?”

“Because someone initiates it.”

“So if I initiate sex with you will I have control?”

“There’s only one way to find out.” Jessica wiggled her eyebrows at an ill-humored Luke.

__________________________

Michel’s Review

When I began reading End of Day by Jewel E. Ann, I had expectations that this was a paranormal type of book. I was completely off base. End of Day is a contemporary novel that may or may not be a dark thriller or it could be a dark romance. Or it could be something else entirely. It is in a class by itself, completely unique.

At first I had my doubts about this book. It was a slow start but once the it got going I was completely entangled in it’s web. It all begins when Jude and Jessica Day are witnessing their own funerals. Tragic circumstances in their lives have led them to fake their deaths,completely walk away from their old lives, and begin new ones. It is apparent they are in a witness protection type of program. These quirky, driven, successful twins become Jackson and Jillian Knight. Their new personas are completely different from who they were in their old lives. They chose to move to Nebraska. They chose a quiet senior citizen community to live in. The only thing exciting that happens within Peaceful Woods is taking the trash out on the wrong day or cutting the grass one inch too short.

Their new nosy neighbors are intrigued, enchanted, charmed, and curious about their new neighbors. They have charmed the community with the exception of their immediate neighbor, another younger resident in the community.

Senior Master Sergeant AJ Manoghan has lived in this quiet, peaceful community for quite a few years. He craves the nature of routine life and structured community. His new neighbors are beyond belief. They are brash, repulsive, noisy, immoral, and do not belong in Peaceful Woods. Especially Jill, the blonde bombshell sexpot that exposes her assets at every opportunity.

The neighbor wars begin. Jillian and AJ have declared war but beneath the surface they are insanely attracted to one another. Now this should be the meaty part of the story, the sizzling hot love affair and the red hot chemistry between the two. But no… this affair is only going to scratch the surface of this story.

AJ appears to be an uptight man with a stick up his butt. But appearances aren’t all that they are cracked up to be. AJ has issues with PTSD. He has a sketchy family background that indicates he may be a bit more unstable.

Jillian is an absolute contradiction. She appears to be this wild, somewhat slutty woman that lives by her whims rather than plans and direction. Beneath the surface she is a caring and sensitive woman. She also has some serious mental issues that may or may not be dangerous. She has a past that is questionable. She is also mourning the loss of her former lover & psychiatrist Dr. Luke Jones.

Jackson knows all of Jillian’s secrets. On one hand he tries to direct her in a positive manner. On the other hand he is allowing her to create a new life. No matter what he will stand by his twin sisters side.

Both Jackson and Jillian have a ton of secrets. There is the reason they are in Peaceful Woods. What happened that made them walk away from their lives? What kind of danger is lurking? Jillian has some serious demons that stem from something that happened in her past. Jackson also has some serious secrets lurking. And finally AJ rounds the secret circle out, he has his own secrets lurking around the corner.

Meanwhile they are living amongst the friendly senior citizens of Peaceful Woods.

This book ended on a major cliffhanger that has the reader screaming for more.

Jewel E. Ann is a brilliant writer and creates quirky characters living in a world only she could create. She is a master of blending romance, suspense, and erotic moments that leave the reader breathless. I loved how she played upon the characters identities with the Day and Knight and the Jack and Jill. Very creative! I can’t wait to see what happens next in Middle of Knight.

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Author Bio

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the Contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree at a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course…heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

GIVEAWAY

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Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Together We Heal by Chelsea M. Cameron – Rise and Fall Series- Book 4

Posted on 08/20/2015 by shellbellereads

Today we are celebrating the release of TOGETHER WE HEAL, the newest book in the Fall and Rise series by Chelsea M. Cameron. Check out the blurb, and links to the other books in the series, below. Each book in the series is on sale now!

BOOK BLURB:

Trish Grant is not a romantic. Okay, so she may read her share of romance novels, but that doesn’t mean she thinks that some fellow with a six pack is going to ride up on a horse and sweep her (literally) off her feet. Romance like that just isn’t for her. It belongs on the page.

Max Jackson noticed Trish at his cousin’s funeral, of all places. She was hard to miss with her citrus-colored hair, violet contacts and fiery attitude.

Trish was just as captivated by Max. He makes her laugh, which is rare, and it doesn’t hurt that he rocks blue hair and the most killer smirk that drives her crazy. Max is there for her during a rough time and even if she wanted to, she can’t shake him.

There are things about Trish that Max doesn’t know, and she’s not going to tell him. She hasn’t told anyone and doesn’t plan on it, thank you very much. But when Trish’s life is ripped apart by a dark piece of her past, will she let Max in? Or will she give up her potential fairytale to protect her already-scarred heart from further damage?

ADD TOGETHER WE HEAL TO GOODREADS

TOGETHER WE HEAL – BUY LINKS:

.99¢ FOR RELEASE WEEK ONLY!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Michel’s Review

Together We Heal by Chelsea M. Cameron is the fourth book in the New Adult, Rise and Fall Series. I am a huge fan of this series and have read every book the moment they were released.

Reader’s first met Trish Grant in the first book as a secondary character. Her character has been a strong supporting character throughout the series. She’s the girl that marches to her own beat and is extremely loyal to her family and friends. At the same time she is a bit snarky, sarcastic, and a realist. It’s obvious she has her own hidden secrets and inner turmoil. Readers have been anxiously awaiting to read her story.

Together We Heal is quite different from the other books in the series. This book starts with Trish already in a relationship with Max Greene. They met at a funeral and clicked. They began seeing each other on a regular basis. Their relationship is at a stand still. Although they are affectionate with one another in public it’s quite a different story behind closed doors. Trish is very reserved about letting the relationship progress into a more intimate relationship. She is dealing with demons from the past and fear of abandonment. She desperately wants to get past her issues because she really likes Max.

Max is a one of a kind guy. He sees beyond the outer layer Trish presents to people. He really likes her on all levels. He’s patient enough to stick by her side and help her with her issues. Once she opens up to him, he falls even more in love with her. She also understands that he has issues of his own. Seperately they are both a mess, together they are a beautiful portrait of a loving committed relationship.

The one thing that Trish and Max have going for them is their support system. The whole gang from the Rise and Fall series will always have their backs.

Once again Chelsea M. Cameron wrote a compelling emotional story that will touch your heart.

PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:

ON SALE NOW

FREE

DEEPER WE FALL (book #1)

Book Blurb:

Two years after her best friend was involved in a car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, Lottie Anders is ready to start her freshman year of college. Ready to move on. Ready to start forgetting the night that ripped her life apart.

Her plans come to a screeching halt when not one, but both brothers responsible for the accident end up back in her life again.

Zack is cruel, selfish and constantly rubbing what happened to her friend in Lottie’s face.

Zan is different. He listens to her awkward ramblings. He loves To Kill a Mockingbird as much as she does, and his dark eyes are irresistible. His words are few and far between, but when he does speak, she can’t help but listen.

The trouble is, Zan was the driver in the accident, and now Lottie’s discovered he lied to her about what happened that night. Now she must decide if trusting him again will lead to real forgiveness, or deeper heartache.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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.99¢

FASTER WE BURN (book #2)

Book Blurb:

Katie Hallman is done with douchebags. Done with guys who treat her like crap and leave her broken. But then Stryker Grant is there anyway. With his numerous piercings and bleached hair, he’s the polar opposite of all of her past relationships, which makes him the perfect candidate.

At first, Katie just sees him as a physical escape from her previous rocky relationship, and Stryker doesn’t seem to mind just being a distraction from Katie’s problems. But soon he’s getting under her skin, peeling back layers she’d rather keep covered. She tries to make it clear that she doesn’t want a relationship, but keeps breaking her own rules.

Then a tragedy sends Katie into the only arms who are there to catch her, and she’ll realize that she needs him more than she ever thought possible. But is she ready to let herself trust another guy with her already-battered heart? Or will she push him away to protect herself from getting hurt again?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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.99¢

SLOWLY WE TRUST (book #3)

Book Blurb:

Audrey Valdez didn’t mean to fall for Will Anders. He isn’t her type. At all. But his goofy smile, Star Wars quotes and athletic body make it impossible. She’s lived so long in the darkness and Will is like the sun. He makes her laugh more than she has in years and cares for her more than her own family.

But there are things about Audrey that Will doesn’t know, things he can’t know. She tries to push him away, but he just ends up getting closer to her, and to her secret. Is the risk of losing him forever worth the chance a being with the only person she’s ever loved who has loved her back?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Chelsea M. Cameron is a New York Times/USA Today Best Selling author from Maine. Lover of things random and ridiculous, Jane Austen/Charlotte and Emily Bronte Fangirl, red velvet cake enthusiast, obsessive tea drinker, vegetarian, former cheerleader and world’s worst video gamer. When not writing, she enjoys watching infomercials, singing in the car, tweeting (this one time, she was tweeted by Neil Gaiman) and playing fetch with her cat, Sassenach. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Maine, Orono that she promptly abandoned to write about the people in her own head. More often than not, these people turn out to be just as weird as she is.

AUTHOR LINKS:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: Laid Out by Sidney Halston – Worth The Fight Series – Book 4

Posted on 08/18/2015 by shellbellereads

Laid Out

Worth The Fight Series – Book 4

By Sidney Halston

Synopsis

Perfect for fans of Monica Murphy and Cecy Robson, Sidney Halston’s scorching new MMA romance proves there are no holds barred when it comes to seduction.

As an Army brat, Violet Channing could never meet her dad’s high expectations. But in the eyes of her best friend, she could do no wrong. He even insisted that he should be her first kiss. Now Cain Sorensen is all grown up, hardened by years in special ops and always looking for a good fight. Tall, with striking blue eyes and impossibly blond hair, he’s a modern-day Viking warrior. Of course, Violet’s all grown up, too, and she’s ready to surrender to his every command.

Cain knows he’s bad for Violet. His work is dangerous, and his hobbies are downright deadly. As a private mercenary and a mixed martial arts fighter, he could never let such an innocent soul into his world. And yet his most grueling combat training is no match for Violet’s killer curves, hot touch, and suggestive glances. Now all of Cain’s most explosive fantasies are coming true—but once they cross the line between friends and lovers, there’s no turning back.

BUY NOW

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Excerpt

She was kicking a rock out of the way when Cain grabbed her hand and pulled her to a nearby tree, causing her to yelp as she struggled to keep her balance. At nineteen, Cain was thin and lanky—all limbs. She was still short and stumpy. He turned her around brusquely and pressed her back against a tree, the bark digging into her. She looked up at him and saw an intensity in his eyes she’d never seen before. His cheeks were flushed and the vein by his neck pulsed. Suddenly she became nervous. He’d never looked at her this way—the way the cute guys looked at the pretty girls.

Lately she’d felt flustered when Jeremy was nearby, with his mess of curly dark brown hair and dimpled smile. Feelings that hadn’t been there before were now creeping in. In fact, she could’ve sworn Jeremy had been flirting with her lately—complimenting her clothes and hair, brushing against her “accidentally,” inviting her to the movies without Cain around. But these brief flirtatious moments were with Jeremy. Not with Cain. Never with Cain. Cain was just her friend. A little gangly, a little quiet, a lot overprotective.

That was until now.

Suddenly there was an awareness that had never been there before.

When he licked his lips, her pulse sped up. A foreign feeling—desire—began to take root. He reached toward her hair, and she flinched a little before he tucked a stray strand behind her ear. The tender action surprised her. For the first time, she noticed how clear his blue eyes were, how his hair was so blond it almost looked white. All of a sudden, he didn’t seem like just this boy who was always around. Unfamiliar feelings began to erupt throughout her body. She felt her cheeks flame and her heart race.

When he finally spoke, his voice shook a little. “I’m your friend because I want to be your friend. Not because of your parents or your dumb threats. I don’t like it when you call yourself fat. You’re not fat.”

She nodded and murmured, “Okay.” She drew her lower lip into her mouth and nibbled as her wide eyes gazed at his. Cain reached over and pulled her lip out of her mouth. “You’re nervous.” It wasn’t a question. He knew her well enough to be aware of her tells.

“I . . . uh . . . what are you doing, Cain?”

“I don’t want you to kiss just anyone to get it outta the way.”

Words failed her, so she just nodded again. There was a moment where neither spoke. He just looked at her as if trying to decide on his next move.

“I should be the first person you kiss,” he finally said as his tongue flicked out a little and wet his lips.

She gasped and looked up into his eyes nervously. His eyes never left hers, but his reddened ears and neck showed that he was also nervous. She too knew him well.

Like a fool, she bobbed her head up and down mostly because the words were stuck in her throat. It felt like he stared at her lips for an eternity until he finally leaned forward, causing her to press herself further back against the tree, her hands gripping the bark. He tilted his head to the side and she imitated the action.

Should I open my mouth? Leave it closed? What about my tongue? What should it be doing?

Softly, almost feather light, his lips brushed against hers. Her eyes instinctively closed tight, and she stopped breathing. It was less than ten seconds but it was forever. In that moment she fell into the category of girls who’d had their first kiss. She kept her eyes closed for far too long, and when she opened them he was standing upright, his face even more flushed. Her own tongue snuck out of her mouth to taste her lips. She swallowed and looked at him, her eyes as wide as saucers. What just happened?

Then, with the same intensity in his expression, he leaned back down, but this time he pressed harder against her lips causing her lips to part slightly. His body moved closer to hers, and then she felt his hands grip her waist and his tongue touch her lips before it moved into her mouth and brushed hers for a brief second, his fingers digging into her skin at her waist. She instinctively melded into him, her body seeking him out.

Again he moved away and looked at her. His expression never changed, and neither did hers. Her eyes were wide; she touched her lips, as if to determine whether the kiss had really happened. They just looked at each other, neither saying anything, her heart beating so loudly she was sure he could hear it. Finally she spoke and said the only thing that came to mind. “Wow, my cup runneth over,” she whispered. It was a phrase he teased her about constantly, but it was exactly how she felt: she could barely contain her happiness.

He chuckled, and the smile did her in: she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Hard. He wrapped his arms around her waist and walked them the half step back against the tree again. Their noses bumped. It was awkward, but as first kisses went . . . it was perfect.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Vi.” It was the last thing he said to her before leaving for war.

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Michel’s Review

5 Stars

I am a huge fan of the Worth The Fight Series by Sidney Halston. The WtF members, their better halves, and wacky animals are taking over Tarpon Springs, a small town in Florida. This series has captured my heart. Each and every character, whether it be human or animal has a story to tell.

Readers have come to know Cain Sorensen as the mysterious, silent fighter at WtF. He is part of the gym’s backbone. His fighting expertise and quiet nature has intrigued the readers. His mysterious job that takes him away from the gym adds to the intrigue. When he is around, he is completely focused on his training and support of the other fighters at WtF. His quiet self assured presence has earned him the respect of the other fighters. When he does talk, it’s with purpose, wisdom, and quite profound. But when Violet Channing shows up in Tarpon Springs, the WtF crew is going to see Cain Sorensen lose his cool and self assured confidence for the first time. They sense there is a history there. They are extremely curious ( in other words- downright nosey) about Violet and Cain’s past. They are more than ready to welcome Violet into the exclusive WtF family.

Violet and Cain grew up together. They were military brats and raised in very regimented families. Their fathers served together throughout their military careers. They were the best of friends. They also had another best friend, Jeremy, that shared their childhood and history. The three of them were inseparable until Violet turned sixteen . Cain and Jeremy shipped out to war. Violet was left behind to finish high school on her own. That moment in time changed all three of their lives forever.

Twelve years later Cain and Violet are reunited once again. Both of them has changed drastically. Cain became closed off and even more reserved. Violet has become independent and strong. No matter how much both of them have changed, their deep friendship is still the most important thing to both of them.

Violet is ready to move on in life and settle down. She feels awkward in the dating field. Cain has promised to help her out. But what happens when the friendship starts turning into something more? What do they do with this desire they have for one another? It can never work. Violet is too good for Cain. Cain has too many secrets. They no longer have Jeremy as a buffer between them? Will they find their lives together or once again torn apart?

Laid Out was quite different from the previous books in this series. The story revolves around their past in Texas. Rather than revolving around the gym, the WtF crew, and Tarpon Springs this story takes the reader into Violet and Cain’s anguished past. When they go back to Texas to face their past it will open the doors for their new beginning in Tarpon Springs. Rather than having the crazy alpha Chihuahua Drogo scaring the crap out of all the men in this series or fluffy little kittens owning some allergic fighters hearts, we meet a cursing Parrot named Bird. As in Bird’s own words…well I just can’t repeat them!

Laid Out was more than a friends to lover romance, it was a coming of age story blended with a story of forgiveness and acceptance. I absolutely loved this book! It touched my heart in many ways. Sidney Halston can write a book!

Read Laid Out! It can be read in series order or as a stand alone novel.

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The Worth The Fight Series

Against The Cage – Book 1

In her Loveswept debut, Sidney Halston turns up the heat as a sexy cage fighter shows a former bookworm how delicious a few rounds between the sheets can be.

For Chrissy Martin, returning to her Florida hometown always seems to bring bad luck. The day starts with a breakup text, followed by a jailhouse phone call from her troublemaker brother. Now a routine traffic stop has ended with her accidentally punching an officer . . . in a delicate place. Then Chrissy realizes that the hot cop on the receiving end of her right hook is none other than the man from her teenage fantasies.

Jack Daniels knows how to take a hit. After all, when he’s not chasing reckless drivers, he’s kicking ass in a mixed martial arts ring. So what takes his breath away isn’t the low blow, but the woman who dealt it: a gorgeous knockout with legs Jack wouldn’t mind being pinned under—who just so happens to be his best friend’s nerdy little sister, all grown up. Soon their instant chemistry leads to a sizzling affair, but Jack and Chrissy are fighting an uphill battle if they want to make love last beyond the final bell.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Full Contact – Book 2

Sidney Halston returns to steamy Tarpon Springs, Florida, where a hell-raising bad boy prepares to get down and dirty for the woman he loves.

How could she have been so stupid? When Jessica Cross decides to give her violently jealous boyfriend—the otherwise influential and charming Dennis Stavros—a second chance, she very nearly becomes a statistic. After weeks of healing from a broken rib and collapsed lung, and with Dennis behind bars, Jessica finally feels ready to come out of hiding. But will she ever be able to take a chance on love again with someone new?

Mixed martial arts fighter Slade Martin knows he has a bad reputation. Hell, he’s probably earned it. So it won’t be easy to convince beautiful, vulnerable Jessica that she can trust him—that from the moment she walked into his life, she’s been the only one he’s wanted. Powerful and confident, Slade knows he can honor his vow to protect Jessica body and soul. Winning her heart will be another matter . . . but a woman like Jessica is worth the fight.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Below The Belt – Book 3

Once one of the most sought-after names on the mixed martial arts circuit, Antonio “Scarface” Marino watched his career go down for the count as he chased skirts and made tabloid headlines. Now he’s finally making a comeback, and it’s all thanks to Francesca Silva, a Brazilian bombshell as tough as any of her fighters. But who’s the real Francesca: the trash-talking trainer who rides him hard, or the vulnerable woman who blushes at his touch?

Francesca went to the mat to sign Tony because she believes he still has the potential to bring big success to her gym—if she can keep his head in the cage and out of her personal life. After a short-lived marriage soured her on love, a one-night stand is all she can handle. Now Tony’s kisses are stirring up complicated feelings—especially when he agrees to face her ex in the ring. Francesca’s used to freezing guys out. But Tony’s tempting her to give in to the heat.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Laid Out – Book 4

Perfect for fans of Monica Murphy and Cecy Robson, Sidney Halston’s scorching new MMA romance proves there are no holds barred when it comes to seduction.

BUY NOW

Amazon | B& N | iTunes

______________________________________________________________________

USA Today bestselling author, Sidney Halston lives her life with one simple rule: “Just Do It” Nike, and that’s exactly what she did. After working hard as an attorney, Sidney picked up a pen for the first time at thirty years old to begin her dream of writing. Having never written anything other than very exciting legal briefs, she found an outlet for her imaginative romantic side and wrote Seeing Red, among four other novels currently in the works, including the sequel to Seeing Red. That first pen stroke sealed the deal and she fell in love with writing.

Sidney lives in South Florida with her husband and children. She loves her family above all else, and reading follows a close second. When she’s not writing you can find her reading and reading and reading… She’s a reader first and a writer second.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino

Posted on 08/18/2015 by shellbellereads

From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Sweet Thing and Nowhere But Here comes a love story about a Craigslist “missed connection” post that gives two people a second chance at love fifteen years after they were separated in New York City.

To the Green-eyed Lovebird:

We met fifteen years ago, almost to the day, when I moved my stuff into the NYU dorm room next to yours at Senior House.

You called us fast friends. I like to think it was more.

We lived on nothing but the excitement of finding ourselves through music (you were obsessed with Jeff Buckley), photography (I couldn’t stop taking pictures of you), hanging out in Washington Square Park, and all the weird things we did to make money. I learned more about myself that year than any other.

Yet, somehow, it all fell apart. We lost touch the summer after graduation when I went to South America to work for National Geographic. When I came back, you were gone. A part of me still wonders if I pushed you too hard after the wedding…

I didn’t see you again until a month ago. It was a Wednesday. You were rocking back on your heels, balancing on that thick yellow line that runs along the subway platform, waiting for the F train. I didn’t know it was you until it was too late, and then you were gone. Again. You said my name; I saw it on your lips. I tried to will the train to stop, just so I could say hello.

After seeing you, all of the youthful feelings and memories came flooding back to me, and now I’ve spent the better part of a month wondering what your life is like. I might be totally out of my mind, but would you like to get a drink with me and catch up on the last decade and a half?

AMAZON *** BARNES & NOBLE *** iBooks

Robin’s Review

I knew it would have to be a very special story to surpass my love for Sweet Thing, but I now have a new Renee Carlino favorite! Before We Were Strangers has all of the characteristics that I love to see in a contemporary romance. I love the friends-to-lovers scenario, and if it is done right, they can be so very satisfying. Carlino had me wrapped around her little finger with Matt and Gracie. I just love how they dance around each other as their feelings for each other evolve. Before We Were Strangers is also a second chance romance. These are characters that I absolutely adore, and I fell in love with them, their relationship, not once, but twice.

In many ways, Matthias William Shore and Graceland Marie Starr are a typical college couple. They meet at the beginning of their senior year at NYU. They are kindred, free spirits. A photographer and cellist, both having extremely artistic souls. Their relationship is lighthearted and sweet. Matt and Gracie are fast friends, confidants, and before the year is over, lovers. It is a whirlwind year, but graduation closes in around Matt and Gracie, and they are pulled in separate directions. Fast forward fifteen years. Matt and Gracie have been living completely separate lives. That is, until the day Matt sees Gracie on the subway train that is pulling away, and his heart aches to reconnect with her.

There is something very special about Matt and Gracie, and more specifically, how these two interact to each other. Their college relationship is playful, and their personalities are buoyant. They enjoy each other’s friendship, but there is a real tension which sparks between them. In reality, they face problems like all college kids do, but it’s the way they respond to their problems which sets this couple apart. I really connected with these characters, and I found myself fully invested in their story. I felt all of the emotions you are supposed to feel when you read a really good book – everything from pure joy to sadness and loss.

Renee Carlino included some very profound passages in Before We Were Strangers. You’ll find beautiful descriptions, including one which stood out to me that describes the intensity and importance of the first time you feel loved by another person. Another excerpt that caught my attention focuses on the passing of time. So many of us spend too much time focusing on memories or looking forward to the future, and we miss out on the beauty and opportunities of the now. Renee Carlino inserted a ton of wisdom into this story. Her writing has always been exceptional, but in my opinion, it continues to strengthen with each new novel. The writing in Before We Were Strangers is Carlino’s best yet.

I have nothing but positive things to say about Before We Were Strangers. It’s a solid 5-star novel. That’s the truth. It’s firmly on my list of 2015 favorites, and it may even make my top novels at the end of year. I highly recommend this contemporary romance!

Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of romantic women’s novels. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or
working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to
concerts, and eating dark chocolate.

FACEBOOK WEBSITE TWITTER INSTAGRAM

Giveaway

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZmI3ZDdhMzc3MTRjYzM5OTBkOWY1YmM5NmQ5OWMyOjE=/?

And a cute Missed Connections Link that is a great companion piece that you can use:
http://enterprise.supadu.com/images/ckfinder/26/files/sam-graham/48138-BeforeWeWereStrangers-MissedConnectionAd.jpg

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: The Darkest Flame by Christina Lee – Roadmap To Your Heart Series – Book 1

Posted on 08/17/2015 by shellbellereads

The Darkest Flame

Roadmap To Your Heart Series – Book 1

M/M Romance – LGBT

By Christina Lee

Synopsis

Vaughn O’Keefe has been part owner of the Hog’s Den for years. Privy to plenty of Disciples of the Road business, he’s never been more ruffled as when a new recruit named “Smoke” walks through the door. Something about the man gets his blood pumping, but he knows to keep his preferences under wraps around the club.

“Smoke” Callahan has done a couple of rehab stints and is finally clean, thanks to help from the Disciples. He’s on the right path and isn’t about to get sidetracked, no matter how much the guy who manages the bar gets beneath his skin. Besides, his last relationship with a man left him scared, alone, and with a nightmare of an addiction.

When the Hog’s Den becomes shorthanded, and Smoke is ordered to help out the one man he can’t have, his longing for the bartender reaches blistering proportions. Vaughn figures a night together should be enough to satisfy their mutual attraction. But neither banks on just how scorching hot it might be.

As Smoke’s past unravels and the one person he hopes never to lay eyes on again messes with all he holds sacred, it’s time to involve the Disciples. Problem is, he’ll have to risk his membership, his heart, and his own hide to keep everyone he cares about safe.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Excerpt

I grabbed my hold of keys and tried not to slam my way out the door. I didn’t know why the hell I was so rattled by Vaughn tonight. I mean, I had been every night, but something about the idea of him being with somebody else right in front of my eyes, made me crazy with need. Need that it felt like only he could fulfill.

As soon as I got to my bike I realized I’d left my cut in the break room. I stood outside attempting to rein in my uneven pulse. I didn’t know what the fuck had come over me.
Breathing more steadily, I stepped back through the door only to find the bar empty. I’d just grab my leather vest and leave him in peace.

“I forgot my…” I stopped in my tracks because Vaughn stood motionless in the middle of the floor, veins bulging in his neck, as if he’d implode at the slightest touch.
He was always moving and talking with a restless energy in this bar so his stillness was a bit startling.

“Hey.” I gingerly placed my hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry if I—”

There was instant recoil, as if he were attempting to contain the vortex of tension between us by vacuuming it in through his skin.

He twisted toward me, his eyes latching onto mine, right before I was slammed against the door.

The wind was practically knocked out of me as Vaughn sank his weight against my smaller frame. We were groin to groin, heartbeat to heartbeat.

“Fuck, Vaughn, you’re—” Heaving breaths surged through my nostrils. “I was going to suggest a truce.”

“Yeah?” he mumbled, his gaze fastening on my mouth. “What sort of truce?”

Michel’s Review

Christina Lee has done it again! The Darkest Flame is the first book in the new series Roadmap To Your Heart. The Darkest Flame is a spin off from the highly acclaimed New Adult – Between Breaths series .

Vaughn O’Keefe is the co owner and head bartender for the Hog’s Den bar. His business partners are the Disciples of the Road MC. He has seen and heard a lot through out the years and can be fully trusted. When he meets the new recruit, Smoke, it is instant attraction even though he knows there is no room for that kind of attraction in the bar or in the club. It’s obvious that Smoke is very tolerant of the gay community. When he was assigned to protect Jude and Cory it is evident that he has compassion and is sympathetic to their plight. Vaughn can sense that Smoke may be more than sympathetic but also empathetic towards their sexuality. When it comes to Vaughn, Smoke avoids him most of the time, but when he’s in his presence he sends out flirtatious signals.

When Vaughn and Smoke are thrown together tending bar the sparks fly. The chemistry between the two can send the bar up in flames. Their attraction to one another is sizzling hot. There is more to their attraction than sexual chemistry, these two are soul mates. They understand each other on every level.

Between Smoke’s mysterious dark background, his past addictions, the club business, and bar business it would seem that romance should be on the back burner. Vaughn and Smoke are in for a wild dangerous ride.

This book was riveting. The suspense combined with the sensual romance had me glued to the pages. This book is so much more than your typical MC romance or M/M romance. It can stand on it’s own merit in any genre and be rated as a 5 Star book.

Christina Lee has once again delivered a fantastic book!

________________________________________________

Author Bio:

Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son–her two favorite guys. She’s addicted to lip gloss, salted caramel everything, and believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Blitz + Excerpt + 6 Star Reviews + 2015 Favorite : Cocky Bastard by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

Posted on 08/17/2015 by shellbellereads

Cocky Bastard

A Contemporary Romance – Stand Alone Novel

By Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

Release Date: August 17, 2015

Synopsis

He was someone who belonged in my wildest fantasies instead of a rest stop in the middle of Nebraska.

A sexy, cocky, Australian named Chance was the last person I expected to run into on my cross-country drive.

When my car broke down, we made a deal. Next thing I knew, we were traveling together, spending sexually-tense nights in hotels and taking unplanned detours.

My ordinary road trip turned into the adventure of a lifetime. It was all fun and games until things got intense.

I wanted him, but Chance wouldn’t make a move. I thought he wanted me too, but something was holding him back.

I wasn’t supposed to fall for the cocky bastard, especially when I knew we’d be going our separate ways.

All good things must come to an end, right?

Except our ending was one I didn’t see coming.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Excerpt

This is an exclusive sneak peek of

COCKY

BASTARD

I wondered if the vibration would feel good between my legs.

The sun caught the chrome of a Harley Davidson parked a few spots over, gleaming in the sweltering midday sun. I waited until Maroon Five finished playing on the radio, oddly fixated on the two-wheeled-man-toy as I fished in my purse for my cell phone. The motorcycle was simple—high gloss black and shiny silver, worn leather saddlebags with a skull embossed below the initials C.B.

How good would it feel to ride? Wind blowing through my long hair, arms wrapped around a man with a tough sounding nickname, engine purring beneath my jean clad thighs. Horse? Drifter? Guns? Wait. No. Pres. My imaginary biker was most definitely called Pres. And he’d look just like Charlie Hunnam.

I glanced down at my iPhone and found a half dozen new messages from Harrison. Inwardly, I smirked. Certainly, there is no one named Harrison that ever rode a Harley. Tossing my phone back in my bag, I cut the engine of my packed BMW and glanced behind me into the backseat. Boxes piled to the ceiling were beginning to make my full-size car feel claustrophobic.

A bus full of travelers pulled into the rest stop. Great. I’d better go in now and get my lunch, otherwise I’d never get out of here. Ten hours into a cross-country trip from Chicago to Temecula, California, I was somewhere in the middle of Nebraska with about another twenty some odd hours to go.

After a fifteen-minute wait inside for Pepsi and Popeyes fried chicken bites that I planned to eat back in the car, I stopped into the small souvenir shop. I was so tired and didn’t really feel like driving the additional five hours I had to go before finding a place to sleep for the night. Yawning, I decided to stall and browse for a few minutes. Checking out some trinkets, I eventually picked up a Barack Obama bobblehead and shook it mindlessly, watching its maniacal smile as the head bounced up and down.

“Get it. You know you want it,” a deep, raspy voice said from behind my shoulders. Startling me, it caused a knee-jerk reaction that resulted in the bobblehead slipping from my fingers and falling to the ground. The head broke off of the spring neck and rolled away.

The woman at the register shouted, “I’m sorry, ma’am. You’ll have to pay for that. Twenty dollars.”

“Damn it!” I spewed, following the path of the rolling head. As I bent down to pick it up, there was the voice again from behind me.

“And to think, some people say he’s got a good head on his shoulders.” He seemed to have an Australian accent.

“You think this is funny, asshole?” I asked before turning around and getting my first look at the man behind the voice.

I froze.

Oh. Shit.

“You don’t need to be a fucking bitch about it.” His mouth curved into a wicked grin as he handed me the bottom half of Obama. “And for the record, I did think that was really funny, yes.”

I swallowed and seemed to lose my ability to speak as I took in the Adonis standing before me. I wanted to smack that cocky smile right off his face, though—his gorgeous, chiseled, scruffy face, framed by a thick head of copper-brown hair. Fuck me. This man was insanely hot, not someone I expected to come across out here. This was the middle of nowhere USA, not the Australian outback for Christ’s sake.

I cleared my throat. “Well, I didn’t think it was funny at all.”

“Then, you need to take the stick out of your arse and lighten up.” He reached out his hand. “Give it to me, Princess. I’ll pay for the damn thing.” Before I could respond, he grabbed the two broken pieces from me, and I cursed at the shiver that ran down my spine from the brief contact of his hand brushing against mine. Of course, he had to smell amazing on top of it all.

I followed him to the register as I fished through my messy purse for money, but he was too quick and had paid for it already.

He handed me a plastic bag containing the broken bobblehead. “There’s some change in the bag. Buy yourself a sense of humor.”

HUE-MA. That accent.

My jaw dropped as he walked away and out of the store.

What an ass.

It was. A fine one. A thick, juicy, round ass hugged tightly by his jeans. God, I really needed to get laid, because it didn’t seem to matter that this guy had just insulted me to my face; my panties were practically wet.

After several minutes of staring into space at a shelf of Nebraska Cornhuskers t-shirts, I gave myself a mental kick in the butt. My reaction to the incident proved that fatigue had gotten the best of me; I wasn’t usually that short-tempered. It was time to shake off the bizarre encounter and get moving. My stomach was growling, and I was looking forward to breaking into the fried chicken once I hit the road. I snuck a piece out of the box in my bag as I walked out of the building. My chewing ceased when I noticed him two spots down from my car—sitting on the very motorcycle I’d been fantasizing about earlier.

Approaching slowly, I hoped he didn’t notice me. No such luck. Instead, when he spotted me, he flashed an exaggerated smile and waved.

Frantically searching for my keys, I rolled my eyes and muttered, “You again.”

He snickered. “Did you end up buying a sense of humor?”

“I used the change to buy you some couth instead.”

Chuckling, he shook his head at me. Running his hand through his hair, he put his shiny black helmet on and cranked the Harley. The rumble shook me to my core.

Getting in the car and slamming the door, I couldn’t help taking one last look over at him, seeing as though I’d never see this guy again in my lifetime. He winked through the helmet, and my pathetic heart fluttered.

I watched through the rear view mirror as he backed out of the spot. I expected him to take off like a bat out of hell, but after moving away slowly, he abruptly stopped. He kept trying to rev the bike to get it to move, but nothing was happening. Eventually turning off the engine, he removed his helmet and ran his hand through his hair in frustration before getting off to inspect things. I should have just left, but couldn’t take my eyes off him as he struggled to get it to run. Man, that sucks.

I dipped one of the chicken bites into the honey mustard sauce and popped it into my mouth, continuing to watch this like a spectator sport for several minutes. At one point, he took out his phone and made a phone call as he paced back and forth.

Putting his phone away, he looked in my direction and glared at me. Caught in the act of watching him, I let out a nervous laugh. I didn’t mean to laugh at the situation, but it just came out. He raised his brow, and that made me cackle harder. He slowly walked toward me, clutching the helmet by his side. He knocked on my window, and I lowered it.

“You think this is funny, Princess?”

“Not really…maybe.” I snorted.

“Well, I’m glad you finally managed to find your sense of humor.”

HUE-MA.

God, his accent was sexy.

He arched his neck to look into the backseat and took notice of all the boxes. “You homeless or something? Living out of your car?”

“No. I’m in the middle of a cross-country move.”

“Where you headed?”

“Temecula.”

“California.” He nodded. “Me, too.”

I looked toward his Harley. “Well, it looks like you’re not exactly headed anywhere anytime soon. I guess it’s payback for calling me a bitch.”

“Well, that would seem to be the case.”

“That it’s payback?”

“No, that you’re a bitch.”

“Very funny.”

“You know what’s even better than payback?” he asked leaning into the window, his cologne intoxicating me.

“What?”

He wiggled his brows. “Karma.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Come around and have a look at the back of your Beemer.”

BEE-MA.

I got out and walked around to the back of my car to find my right rear tire was completely flat.

What? This cannot be happening.

With my hand on my forehead, I looked over at his smug expression. “Are you kidding me? Did you know my tire was flat all this time?”

“I noticed it right around the time I caught you popping chicken and laughing at me, yes. It was real hard for me to keep a straight face at that point.”

I didn’t know how to change a tire to save my life. I couldn’t believe what I was about to ask of him.

“Do you know how to change a tire?”

“Of course I do. What kind of a man would I be if I didn’t know how to change a tire?”

“Will you help me? I know you have no reason to want to…after our little altercation, but I’m seriously desperate. I don’t want to be stuck out here all alone at night.”

“Let me ask you a question.”

“Okay…”

He rubbed the scruff on his chin. “How badly do you want your tire changed?”

I backed away from him. “What exactly are you getting at?”

“Get your mind out of the gutter, sweetheart. I’m not fucking propositioning you if that’s what you think. You’re not my type.”

“And what exactly is your type?”

“I typically go for women who don’t have the personality of a door knob.”

“Thanks.”

“My pleasure.”

“So, what are your conditions?”

“Well, as you clearly know from your laughing fit, my Harley is experiencing a technical malfunction at the moment. It needs a part that I don’t have. I just called a tow company. But I’m on a deadline, and like you, I need to get to California.”

“You’re not suggesting…”

“Yes. Yes, I am. If I change your tire, you let me ride with you.”

“Ride with me?”

“Ride me, yes.”

“What did you just say?”

“You’re hearing things.”

I shook my head to rid the images now flashing through it. Did my tired mind only imagine that he just said that, or was he messing with me?

“I cannot drive hundreds of miles with a total stranger,” I said.

“It’s a fuck of a lot safer than driving alone.”

“Not if you’re a serial killer!”

“Look who’s talking. You’re the one who decapitated a U.S. president.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. This situation was seriously insane.

“Holy shit, Princess, is that a laugh at your own expense, I see?”

“I think you’re making me delirious.”

He stuck out his hand. “So, you in?”

I crossed my arms instead of taking it. “What choice do I have?”

“Well, you could always have him change your tire.” He gestured to a large and scary-looking man who seemed to be watching us. This guy looked like Herman Munster in the flesh.

Letting out a deep breath, I conceded. “I’m in. I’m in! Just get me out of here.”

“I thought you might say that. Please tell me you have a spare.”

“Yeah. But I have to move some of my boxes so you can get to it.”

He started to crack up when he got a load of the situation inside my trunk. “Damn, what the hell is all this crap?”

I looked into his eyes and answered honestly, “My entire life.”

I temporarily piled the contents of the trunk onto the pavement. He got the spare out and immediately got to work.

As he was changing the tire, his white t-shirt rode up, exposing his tanned, rock-hard abs and a thin trail of hair that ran into his underwear line. Unwanted tension built between my legs. I needed a distraction, so I walked over to his bike and sat on it, gripping the handles and imagining what it would be like to ride in the wind. But all I could envision now was him in front of me, and that wasn’t helping.

He slid his body from under my car. “Be careful, little girl. That’s not a toy.”

I hopped off and ran my finger along the letters emblazoned on the saddlebags. “What’s C.B. stand for anyway?”

“Those are my initials.”

“Let me guess…Cocky Bastard?”

“See…I would have told you my name, but since you’re so clever, I think I’ll just let you guess.”

“Whatever, Cocky.”

He lay back down on the ground. “I’m just tightening up these nuts, and we’ll be ready to go.”

“Nuts?”

“Lug nuts…on the wheel, dirty girl.”

“Oh.”

Hopping up, he lifted his shirt and used it to wipe his forehead. “All set.”

Damn.

“That was quick. Are you sure it’s on right?”

“I’ve got a few screws loose, darling, as you’ll soon find out, but none of them are on your wheel.” He winked and for the first time, I noticed his dimples. “We should probably stop tomorrow and get a new tire put on. This spare is really not meant for long term use.”

Tomorrow. Wow. This was really happening.

“We should get going,” I said. “I’ll drive. I need to be in control of this situation.”

“Whatever you want,” he said.

I could feel the tension in my neck as I backed out of the spot. This was going to be very interesting to say the least. He wasted no time digging into my chicken bites.

I playfully slapped his hand. “Hey, lay off my food.”

“Honey mustard? I prefer barbecue.” He licked his thumb, and I swore at myself for getting turned on a little. This was going to be a long ride.

He smirked and lifted the plastic bag from the souvenir shop. “Did you even open it?”

“No. What’s the point? It’s just a broken bobblehead.”

Handing it to me, he said, “Is it?”

With one hand on the steering wheel, I took out the bobblehead which was…in one piece.

“What the…how did you?”

“You seemed to like it, so I paid for the other and bought you a different one. You were too busy looking through your purse to notice.”

I couldn’t help but smile and shook my head.

“Well, whaddya know. A genuine smile.” He held out his hand. “Here…gimme.” When, I handed it to him, he took an adhesive strip off the bottom and stuck it to the dash. Obama’s head was now bopping up and down with every movement of the car.

I broke out in laughter at the ridiculousness but also couldn’t help the warm feeling that came over me with that sweet gesture. Maybe he wasn’t really a bastard at all.

We were quiet for a while as he lay his head back and shut his eyes. Somewhere along I-76 after the sun set into a bright orange glow that illuminated the horizon in the distance, he turned to me.

His voice was groggy. “I’m Chance.”

After several seconds of silence, I said, “Aubrey.”

“Aubrey,” he repeated in a breathy whisper, seeming to contemplate my name before closing his eyes again and turning his head away.

Chance.

Tracey’s Review

It all started with a bobble-head…

As an avid reader and blogger, I get to read some pretty awesome books. And there are my go-to authors, people that I’ll move right up to the top of my TBR every time. Imagine the universe aligning just right, so that two favorites write a book together. Perfection, all around. And, what a book it is.

COCKY BASTARD is the love-child of authors Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland, and it is now one of my absolute favorite books of this year. I started reading and did not put it down. Chapter One had me laughing out loud, and I didn’t stop until I was done with the epilogue. This is a total feel-good book, and Chance Bateman is the stuff that book boyfriends are made of. Cocky, as the title suggests, but with a heart of gold, he has Aubrey’s number from the minute they cross paths at a rest stop in the middle of Nebraska. To say that I love him would be an understatement.

This book is absolutely wonderful. Seeing the relationship between Aubrey and Chance unfold is by turns hysterical, tearful, and heartwarming. Their chemistry is full-blast, and I was pulling for a HEA from their first meeting. Throw in a goat named Pixy (although getting to that name is funny in itself), a super-helpful bartender, and Starbucks baristas that we all wish we had, and this read couldn’t get any better. If I could give COCKY BASTARD any more stars, I would, but 6-stars and a place on my ‘favorites’ shelf it is, along with the decree that you move every other book down on your TBR and grab this one now. You will thank me later, I guarantee!

Michel’s Review

Every once in a while a book comes along that is absolutely magical. It has that special blend of romance, humor, emotional angst, and heartwarming moments that tickle your soul. Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland, both phenomenal writers on their own, combined their super talents and created a magical story with charismatic characters that will steal your heart. They created a story that makes the reader tingle with pleasure and finish the book with a huge dose of the warm and fuzzies. After I finished this book I had to get in my different groups on Facebook, call all my reading buddies, and post on all of my social media with raving recommendations to read this book. It has definitely become one of my 2015 Favorite books.

Imagine a road trip across the country with a sexy, cocky guy that finds humor in everything you say or do. This sexy cocky guy tunes into all of your insecurities, secret desires, and knows exactly how to rev your motor. Along the way a fainting goat becomes a part of your travel entourage. The trip starts out in the mid west farmlands and ends in the city of sin. It is a once in a lifetime experience. But what happens after the trip is over and it’s time to face real life ?

Chance Bateman, aka Cocky Bastard, is going to prove what real men are made of. The kind of man every woman dreams of being pursued by. He will enlist the help of every avenue available whether it be the wise bartender, the baristas at Starbucks, and Pixie, the lovable fainting goat. He will bring out the big guns…Mr. Bastardo. Aubrey isn’t going to know what hit her. She’s going to have the best yard in the neighborhood and fresh pastries with her latte’s everyday. She is going to be taken over by the Cocky Bastard, Mr. Bastardo, and Chase Bateman. Be ready to swoon!

I loved this book and cannot recommend it enough! Read it!

____________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

About The Authors

About The Author: Vi Keeland

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn’t change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting New York Times & USA Today Best Selling smut author by night!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Additional Books by Vi Keeland

Life On Stage Series

Throb – Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

Beat –Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

MMA Fighter Series

Worth The Fight – Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Worth The Chance – Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Worth Forgiving –Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Cole Series

Belong To You – Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Made For You – Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Stand Alone Novels

First Thing I See– Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Left Behind – Amazon / Barnes and Noble

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

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

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

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Category Archives: Book Review

Virtual Tour + Excerpt + Review + Giveaway: Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne

Release Blitz: Code of Honor by Missy Johnson – The Sontagio Family Series – Book 1

Virtual Tour + Excerpt + Review: Delayed Penalty – Pilots Hockey Series – Book 1

2015 Favorite + 6 Star Review: Hawthorne & Heathcliff by R.K. Ryals

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: End of Day by Jewel E. Ann – Jack and Jill Series – Book 1

Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Together We Heal by Chelsea M. Cameron – Rise and Fall Series- Book 4

Today we are celebrating the release of TOGETHER WE HEAL, the newest book in the Fall and Rise series by Chelsea M. Cameron. Check out the blurb, and links to the other books in the series, below. Each book in the series is on sale now!

BOOK BLURB:

Trish Grant is not a romantic. Okay, so she may read her share of romance novels, but that doesn’t mean she thinks that some fellow with a six pack is going to ride up on a horse and sweep her (literally) off her feet. Romance like that just isn’t for her. It belongs on the page.

Max Jackson noticed Trish at his cousin’s funeral, of all places. She was hard to miss with her citrus-colored hair, violet contacts and fiery attitude.

Trish was just as captivated by Max. He makes her laugh, which is rare, and it doesn’t hurt that he rocks blue hair and the most killer smirk that drives her crazy. Max is there for her during a rough time and even if she wanted to, she can’t shake him.

ADD TOGETHER WE HEAL TO GOODREADS

TOGETHER WE HEAL – BUY LINKS:

.99¢ FOR RELEASE WEEK ONLY!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:

ON SALE NOW

FREE

DEEPER WE FALL (book #1)

Book Blurb:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

.99¢

FASTER WE BURN (book #2)

Book Blurb:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

.99¢

SLOWLY WE TRUST (book #3)

Book Blurb:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

AUTHOR LINKS:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: Laid Out by Sidney Halston – Worth The Fight Series – Book 4

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: The Darkest Flame by Christina Lee – Roadmap To Your Heart Series – Book 1

Release Blitz + Excerpt + 6 Star Reviews + 2015 Favorite : Cocky Bastard by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

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Today we are celebrating the release of TOGETHER WE HEAL, the newest book in the Fall and Rise series by Chelsea M. Cameron. Check out the blurb, and links to the other books in the series, below. Each book in the series is on sale now!

BOOK BLURB:

Trish Grant is not a romantic. Okay, so she may read her share of romance novels, but that doesn’t mean she thinks that some fellow with a six pack is going to ride up on a horse and sweep her (literally) off her feet. Romance like that just isn’t for her. It belongs on the page.

Max Jackson noticed Trish at his cousin’s funeral, of all places. She was hard to miss with her citrus-colored hair, violet contacts and fiery attitude.

Trish was just as captivated by Max. He makes her laugh, which is rare, and it doesn’t hurt that he rocks blue hair and the most killer smirk that drives her crazy. Max is there for her during a rough time and even if she wanted to, she can’t shake him.

ADD TOGETHER WE HEAL TO GOODREADS

TOGETHER WE HEAL – BUY LINKS:

.99¢ FOR RELEASE WEEK ONLY!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:

ON SALE NOW

FREE

DEEPER WE FALL (book #1)

Book Blurb:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

.99¢

FASTER WE BURN (book #2)

Book Blurb:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

.99¢

SLOWLY WE TRUST (book #3)

Book Blurb:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

AUTHOR LINKS: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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AUTHOR LINKS:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads