Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Cale by Victoria Ashley – Walk Of Shame Series – Book 3

Posted on 07/12/2015 by shellbellereads

Release Date: July 6th

My name is Cale Kinley and I’m a fucking Virgin…

Well, with the exception of my tongue. The countless things I can do with my tongue are bound to leave you breathless and begging for more, but more… is something that I can’t give. It’s a choice. My choice.

There’s a reason for that. A very good reason, and that reason is her.

Riley.

She’s the only woman that I want to bury myself deep in. The one woman I have wanted since I was old enough to fuck.

I never got my chance though, because she left. She had no choice and it stung like hell. But I couldn’t let her leave without telling her how I felt. I wanted her to be my first and I didn’t give a shit how long I’d have to wait.

It’s been six years and now she’s back and sexier than all hell. Just the sight of her stops my damn heart from beating. I want her and for more than just having her as my first.

I’m determined to have her in every way possible. She thinks this is still a game; that I’ve already given myself to countless women. What she doesn’t know is that I have a lot of willpower.

When I want something as badly as I want her, I don’t let shit stand in my way. I’m going to prove that to her. There’s just one little problem I need to take care of…

Him.

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After securing my apron filled with my lotions and oils, I turn to the table and my heart starts pounding like crazy in my chest as I see a body, barely covered by a small towel, just waiting to be touched by me. I swallow hard while letting my eyes roam over the stiff muscles of the tanned back on display. The top of the client’s ass peeks out of the towel, displaying the roundest, firmest ass I have ever seen before… and the dimples in his back are making it hard for me to gain some much-needed confidence.

Doing a silly little shake in an attempt to shake my nerves off, I squirt some oil in my hands and slowly run my hands up the bottom of his back, being sure to make it feel as insanely good as I possibly can.

The feel of his muscled back beneath my fingers and the deep, undeniably sexy moan that escapes his throat almost has me turned on as I start to go lower, until I’m right above his ass.

“Go lower,” the deep voice whispers. “Take the towel off.”

I almost deny his request, when I remember that Sensual Touches is clothing optional. That’s the one thing that almost kept me from applying, but comparing the pay that you get here versus the other options, I knew what my choice had to be.

“This is new to me,” I whisper, before speaking up. “Let me know if you get uncomfortable and I’ll replace it before you flip over on your back.”

“That won’t be an issue,” he says huskily.

Keeping my moan to myself, I lower my hands down to his ass, removing the towel little by little as I continue to get lower. As soon as my hands reach the bottom of his ass, I remove the towel completely and hold back the gasp that fights to escape me.

Holy hotness…

Remembering that this was per his request, and that it’s fully professional to be doing this here at Sensual Touches, I grip the back of his upper thighs and massage it while rubbing my thumbs over the bottom of his tight ass, enjoying every single moment of it.

In fact, I’m enjoying it so much that I almost feel guilty. Tyler and I have been broken up for less than a week, and here I am enjoying myself as I rub on another man’s ass, listening closely for each moan that he will grace my ears with.

After spending a good, long, fifteen minutes on his ass itself, I focus my attention on the rest of his muscular body, mentally preparing myself for the rest of his gloriousness that I’ll be seeing in the flesh as soon as I finish up on his backside.

Now I understand why that Hailey chick is going to be pissed off. Massaging this stud has to be the best part of her job here. How can you not enjoy this?

Pulling my hands away, I turn away to give him some privacy. “I’m ready for you to flip over, sir. Please let me know when you’re ready.”

“I’m always ready for you, Rile.”

Tracey’s Review

“Riley Raines is coming home and I know without a single doubt that she’s going to ruin me.”

Cale Kinley has loved Riley Raines ever since he can remember. Even though she left town six years before, Cale has made a vow to remain a virgin so that Riley can be his first. Very sweet, right? Except that Cale is one of the hottest exotic dancers at the hot Chicago nightclub Walk of Shame, an environment not exactly known for purity. But now Riley’s back, and things are heating up…

Victoria Ashley can write a darned hot book, and CALE is no exception. Über-hot guy that whips you into a frenzy? Check. Girl that said guy will do anything for? Check. Plenty of super-sexy scenes guaranteed to make your e-reader or paperback burst into flame? Check. And, I have to admit, the premise of the book hooked me before I ever opened it. I mean, really, what are the odds that this super-smoking man, constantly prancing around in next to nothing in front of tons of adoring women, is going to keep his V-card? But keep it, he has, and he can’t wait to show Riley how much she means to him.

As with the couples in the rest of the Walk of Shame series, the sexy times are off-the-charts sizzling, and Cale and Riley really do seem to have a pretty deep connection. The only thing that seemed a little forced, the proverbial fly in the ointment, is Riley’s ex. She’d been done with him for a hot minute after a two-year relationship, and seems to have very little trouble jumping right into things with Cale. But, true love can’t be denied, so I can live with it.

All in all, CALE was just what I expected, which is a short and steamy read, with characters that we’ve come to know and love, so I’m giving it 3.5 ‘smoking, sizzling, happily ever after’ stars.

*** ARC generously provided for an honest review ***

Victoria Ashley grew up in Rockford, IL and has had a passion for reading for as long as she can remember. After finding a reading app where it allowed readers to upload their own stories, she gave it a shot and writing became her passion.

She lives for a good romance book with tattooed bad boys that are just highly misunderstood and is not afraid to be caught crying during a good read. When she’s not reading or writing about bad boys, you can find her watching her favorites shows such as Sons Of Anarchy, Dexter and True Blood.

She is the author of Wake Up Call, This Regret, Slade, Hemy, and Get Off on the Pain. Victoria is currently working on more releases for 2015.

Victoria’s Facebook Page

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One Day Only…Kindle Daily Deal…The Billionaires Obsession Series …Books 2- 6 by J. S. Scott

Posted on 07/11/2015 by shellbellereads

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J.S.
Scott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of steamy
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Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: Call On Me by Roni Loren – Loving On The Edge Series – Book 7

Posted on 07/10/2015 by shellbellereads

Call On Me

Loving On The Edge Series – Book 7

By Roni Loren

Synopsis

Oakley Easton wants two things: to be a good mom to her daughter and to ditch her less than ideal night job. Hooking up with bad boy drummer Pike Ryland? Not on the agenda. She needs a promotion. Not sex, tattoos and rock ’n’ roll.

Pike isn’t about to let Ms. Prim and Proper shut him down so easily, especially when he stumbles upon Oakley’s sexy night job. She’s only playing a role on those late night calls with strangers, but when he gets her on the line, all bets are off. He won’t stop until that sultry voice is calling his name for real.

But as they move from anonymous fantasies in the dark to the flesh-on-hot-flesh reality of the bedroom, the risk of falling in love becomes all too high. And the safe, quiet world that Oakley’s worked so hard to create is about to be exposed to the one person who could ruin it all.

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

Excerpt

She startled and stiffened, instantly yanked out of her less than PG thoughts. “What?”

He leaned back in his chair, vague confusion on his face. “I asked if wanted to keep working in that back room? We could rehearse at the studio once they’re close to being ready to record. But until then, it’s probably more trouble than it’s worth to cart everyone over there. It’s not that big of a place.”

“Rehearse in the back room?” she repeated, running the words back in her head to make sense of them. “Oh, right, yes, that’s fine. I’m sorry. I thought you said something else.”

She eyed the small bellini she’d ordered with her meal. Maybe that had been a bad idea. She was hearing things now.

Screw in the bathroom? How the hell had she gotten that out of what he’d said? Of course, now all she could think of was him doing just that—taking her by the elbow and leading her to that dark alcove at the back of the restaurant, pushing her up against that wall with the faded Italian flag on it and putting his hands all over her. She licked her top lip, tasting the sweet remnants of her drink. Pull it together, woman.

Apparently, once her libido had been brave enough to peep its head out, it had decided it was Groundhog Day and needed to run around, declaring spring was coming early. She hated to break the news, but nothing and no one was coming anytime soon.

“What did you think I said?” Pike took a long sip from his drink, his snake charmer eyes never leaving hers.

She followed suit, hoping the fruity drink would cool off more than her throat. “Doesn’t matter.”

His lips twitched. “You’re all red.”

“I think it’s the bellini. I don’t drink very often.”

“No way.” His expression turned smug. “You thought I said something dirty, didn’t you?”

“Huh?” She smoothed her napkin in her lap, trying to loosen the tightness in her voice. “No. Why would I think that? You’ve been very professional since we got here—which I appreciate by the way.”

His gaze slid lazily down her body, like butter melting over toast, and goddamn it all to hell, she could feel her nipples go hard and obvious beneath her bra. No wonder he’d figured it out. Her body was waving all kinds of flags in his face. Hey! Over here! Horny girl, booth eight!

“I am capable of being professional, you know,” he said, but his tone was all sex and sin. “I’m also more than happy to turn that off when the occasion calls for it. So why don’t you tell me what you thought you heard and why it’s gotten you all flushed and nervous?”

“I’m not nervous.”

He grinned.

Dammit. She schooled her face into a stoic expression. “The music is too loud in here. I thought you propositioned me to defile the restroom.”

Hie eyebrow ring twitched. “Now you’re just trying to turn me on with those big, stiff words of yours.”

All she heard was big and stiff at first, but she managed to rein in her temporary insanity. “We’re so not going to do this.”

“Well, probably not here, you’re right. I saw those bathrooms. But—“

“No, I mean, any of this. Flirting. Teasing. Whatever this is.”

He leaned onto his forearms, looking all too pleased that he’d gotten a confession out of her. “You got a guy?”

“No,” she said before she could get wise and fib.

“Then why can’t we do this?”

“Because I’m not interested.”

“Liar.”

She huffed. “Are you always this cocky?”

“No, it’s dialed down right now. I can get way worse.”

She stirred her drink. “Not. Possible.”

His lips spread into a menacing smile. “Challenge accepted.”

Tracey’s Review

“This is a no-risk proposition. We don’t even have to talk about it face to face. Work is work. Fine. This–this is just a no-pressure, late-night anonymous phone call. Give yourself a little break, mama. Indulge a little.”

Oakley, former girl band star and mother of a special needs daughter, and Pike, badass drummer for Darkfall and all-around sex god with a phobia of kids, seem like an unlikely pair, but each are just what the other needs. When the two have to work together on a charity project, she’s sure that it’s a disaster in the making. Pike, though, is all in, because he knows what he wants, and what he wants is Oakley.

Pike was exciting on the phone, sexy and daring. But she could handle him in that venue. There was space, safety. But in person, the man was a full-frontal assault on her senses…The man could knock her on her ass with a few well-chosen words.

I have absolutely fallen in love with Roni Loren and her Loving On the Edge series. I can’t believe that it took me as long as it did to find them, but, now, I wouldn’t miss a book for anything. I knew a little bit about these characters, having met them in previous books in the series (Oakley in Yours All Along, Hunter’s and Devon’s book, and Pike in Not Until You). Then I read an excerpt of Call On Me, and I couldn’t wait to see what was in store for them. Once the two begin to let each other in, it’s no holds barred hotness. This is some sexy stuff, the kind that makes you blush, break out the fan, and check to make sure that no one is reading over your shoulder. When these two get together, forget the sparks, we’re talking major fireworks here. (On a side note, not many guys could make calling their lady ‘mama’ sound sexy, but, oh, my goodness, major hotness. Like, swoon city.) And the story is just what I love, an against-the-odds pairing that turns out to be a perfect match after all. Once I started reading, I could not put this book down.

“I know I can’t be the kind of guy you’re looking for. But I can give you this. I want to give you this.”
“What’s in it for you?”
“You are.”

I obviously loved this read, and could not recommend it any more highly, and if you haven’t read the rest of Roni’s Loving On the Edge series, there’s no time like the present. 5+ ‘hot as heck, are my cheeks red, oh, my gosh, I need a Pike!’ stars for this one. Grab it, read it, love it. ♥︎ 5

_______________________________________

About Roni Loren

Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has.

Though she’ll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son. If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars concerts.

She is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the The Loving on the Edge series and other sexy things.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Custom 4-Pack of Brownies from Wicked Cupcakes (US ONLY), a $25 Gift Card will be sent if winner resides outside of US.

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Release Blitz: First Verse by Emily Snow – Prequel Novella for Second Verse

Posted on 07/09/2015 by shellbellereads

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SECOND VERSE EMILY SNOW FULL JACKET FINAL FOR SHARING

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Title: Second Verse

Author: Emily Snow

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Cover Designer: LM Book Creations

Release Date: July 2015

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Synopsis

Kinsey Brock knew Emmett Hudson would be a star the moment he swaggered into her life. Hell, by the time she was released for the crime his scheming sister accused her of he already had a number one single.

Now, eight years and a helluva lot of heartache later, Kinsey’s long since given up on the boy who stole her breath away and took all the love she had. She has someone in her life, and he’s all she needs. She’ll challenge anyone who tells her otherwise. But after a chance encounter sends Emmett hurtling back into her life, every emotion she’s forced herself to forget since he gave up on her is pushed to the surface.

Because this time, the country megastar’s not giving up on her.

No matter how furious he is about the discovery of the other man who’s become Kinsey’s world.

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Emily Snow is The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Devoured series, Tidal, Wrecked, and Uncovered. She loves books, sexy bad boys, and really loud rock music, so naturally, she writes stories about naughty rockers. Visit her on Facebook, on her blog at emilysnowbooks.blogspot.com, or chat with her on Twitter @emilysnowbks for news, teasers, and contests.

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Blog Tour + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Seal’s Code by Sharon Hamilton – Bad Boys of Team 3 – Seal Brotherhood #10

Posted on 07/09/2015 by shellbellereads

SEAL’s Code
Bad Boys of Team 3 (SEAL Brotherhood #10)
By Sharon Hamilton

Blurb:

Danny Begay has tried to drive out the voices of his ancestors, but his Navajo roots will not die. Summoned back to Arizona to visit his dying grandfather, a former Navajo Code Talker, he knows he has disappointed his hero grandfather. He buries himself one more time in the arms of a stranger before going back to Northern California.

Luci Tohe teaches at a reservation school, safeguarding the health of her ailing mother and little sister’s future, her own life on hold. She doesn’t expect the young Dine warrior she meets to be anything but a distraction from her loneliness.

Danny decides to join the Navy, as a SEAL, becoming the man he knew he was destined to be. Before deployment, he goes back to visit the girl he cannot get out of his mind. A dangerous human trafficking element threatens Luci and her family. Danny vows to protect them all.

Available for purchase at

Excerpt

The Blue Fox bar, just outside the res from Flagstaff, where Wilson lived, was perfect. Like all the Ukiah dives Danny had spent time in, it was populated with pot growers and some over-the-hill hippies. Music choices ranged from Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash to Emilou Harris, the old ones. Seeing as they were in Arizona, it was also dotted with bikers and people just passing through. The legendary Route 66.

He and Wilson parted without him saying much at all about the revelation Wilson had made. Wilson threw the keys at Danny and took off. Danny grabbed a motel room and went searching to drown the spirits that wouldn’t stop their chatter.

A few local guys he knew from his childhood sat at dark tables in the corner, playing cards. As usual, they wore black, high crown felt hats; the same he used to watch White Owl make as he sat on his grandfather’s knee. Grandfather risked the ire of Danny’s mother by bringing him here starting as a boy of six; when he was old enough to not get into trouble. That was a long time ago.

He stalked over to the bartender, his cowboy boots knocking familiarly on the old plank floor that hadn’t been washed in a month. Returning to his roots required a couple doses of courage to smother the voices in his head. The singing way of his people was lilting up to the skies, no doubt announcing the arrival of Grandfather. He also heard the collective songs of his ancestors in celebratory response. It used to terrify him as a young boy, and it still did today. Especially today.

The place smelled of old piss and even older spilled beer. He’d forgotten how familiar the smells were, from a time when the world was simple, when all he worried about was making sure his balls didn’t get pinched because his skinny butt was perched on his grandfather’s thigh. It had been nearly thirteen years since he’d set foot in the Blue Fox, and yet it was like stepping back in time. Nothing had changed. Maybe that’s what terrified him most.

Scenes from his childhood tickled and danced all around him. White Owl would tell the stories, and Grandfather would request the music be turned down and would fill in the blanks, often correcting him. Grandfather was the keeper of the legends. He didn’t like embellishments or modern details.

“The old way is still the best. Been the best for hundreds of man-years. We honor those who came before to tell it to the young ones the way it was told to them. And then they can choose for themselves.”

White Owl told him in secret one day Grandfather had it in for him because White Owl got the girl Grandfather wanted to marry. But then his grandfather met Jenny, his grandmother, and all debts were forgotten. Not forgiven, just forgotten.

Music flooded the tiny, dark bar. The same twangy country tunes that hadn’t been played on the AM channels for thirty years and never on the XM, except for quaint oldies specials. These tunes debuted on eight-track tapes or LPs. Probably hadn’t been changed out of the jukebox since before he was born.

His grandfather had a whole collection of oldies in his garage. Danny and Wilson had tossed those precious records like flying saucers one afternoon, destroying the bulk of them. The two boys couldn’t sit down for nearly three days from the whipping they both got from Danny’s aunt, Wilson’s mother. They’d have gotten another one too if Grandfather had not been at a tribal meeting in Washington D.C. Something official was in the air that summer, and he spent a lot of it gone from the res.

Tonight, Danny was grateful for the fact that the music was loud. It competed with the shrill voices in his head which roared up in a near panic again when he tilted his forehead to the corner where the card players were. They answered him back with stoic indifference. They knew who he was. He wasn’t really coming back. They knew why, knew Grandfather and everyone else on the res, and distrusted him because of it. They probably thought he was being Native American when it suited him, when he could show it off. A fair-weather Indian, they called it.

The crying wind and whispering voices died down as he approached the bar.

“Beer.”

He knew there was not much choice. He was served two Route 66 Specials, a brewery owned by an old friend of his father’s. The signal probably hadn’t changed in over twenty years: if you ordered one drink and the house gave you two, you only had to pay for one.

An exotic scent drifted his way. Turning in that direction, he imagined some Asian or Parisian hooker on his right. But her skin was like the way he drank his chai latte, a light caramel brown. Her high cheekbones contrasted with her shiny obsidian black hair, which was held with a large clip made of polished turquoise and silver—a classic Navajo beauty. She could have been the ghost of his dead sister.

It was usually hard for him to look at Navajo women and find them attractive, because all he could see was Natomi’s lifeless face staring back up at him, her warm brown skin a chalkish purple. He told himself over and over that he preferred women with hair the colors of the fall back in California or the color of spun gold like in his dreams.

She glanced at his beer and ordered the same without looking at him, but he knew she’d taken stock of him and had probably selected the stool next to him on purpose. Something at the base of his skull buzzed and his ears started to get red. It was a sign he was too familiar with and meant one of two things. She turned him on big time or there was impending danger. Maybe both. Many times he couldn’t tell the difference. Most of the time there was no difference.

The large mirror over the bar was cracked, but he saw her cool smile, one full lip with its edge upturned, revealing an old thin scar. Her dark eyes pulled at him and he knew her instantly to be a sucker of souls.

“You’re new,” she said to the mirror.

He could feel her breathing, imagined what her flesh would feel like if he smoothed his fingers down her thigh. “Actually, I’m not here at all.”

She turned on the stool, grabbing her beer, and took a sip while she examined him. She was still smiling when she was done.

“You look pretty fuckin’ here, Dine kind. But then, maybe I’m a ghost, too, and maybe I see dead people.”

That deserved his attention, so he allowed his body to turn, facing her, knees touching hers. Through the stiff denim of his jeans, he could feel her body vibrate like the inner workings of an expensive Swiss timepiece.

“I’m Danny Begay. My mother is Miwok. My father’s side is from the Corn Pollen Clan. Chester Begay is my grandfather. I believe he will die tonight.” He watched it sink in, and wondered if his traditional side made a difference to her. She bit her lip just below the slight scar that slashed her upper lip, probably from an old injury. It made her look dangerous and sexy as hell. A slight worry line creased her right eye with just a touch of a twitch.

She turned back to the counter, staring down as if examining the head on her beer, allowing her unpolished nail on her left forefinger to dip into the sudsy froth and draw a figure eight. “Then it sucks to be you.”

He had to agree with her. It sucked he’d never made much of himself, and now his Grandfather was going to die knowing that too. He wasn’t sure of his potential for spiritual growth anytime soon either. His cousin had just scared the liver out of him. That sucked, too.

That left only one option for this evening. To get drunk. Maybe get her so drunk she’d go back with him to the motel. He glanced around the room and didn’t see any white boys, so figured he’d have a chance with her. With any luck, neither one would remember a thing in the morning. He’d get the call Grandfather was gone. He could pay his respects, stay for the ceremony, and then get his butt out of Arizona and back to Northern California. Forget this sandy hellhole for as long as the drink lasted.

“I am Luci Tohe of the Where Two Waters Meet Clan,” she whispered.

He noted she was not a clan cousin. “So why are you here?” he started. “Cheaper to drink at home, and a whole lot less dangerous, the drive, I mean.” He was surprised by his own words.

She answered the mirror again. “I know what you meant, Dine kind. I teach at the school.”

“Ah. First choice or last choice?” He knew it was a risk to ask, but he couldn’t help himself.

She almost spit her beer out. “Gawd, it must be true. That old fart gave you some of those visions.”

He turned and tilted his head, wondering what she meant. She addressed him this time by angling slightly so her knees wouldn’t touch his again. Her face in partial profile was masked. She was trying to hide something. “I’m not a do-gooder. Not one of those. I get to hide in plain sight. But I do carry a gun.”

“Running from something?”

“Nope.” She licked her lips, her tongue lingering there a little long, her eyes again focused down on the counter. “I am the sole breadwinner and protector of my little tribe. My mother and my little sister.”

“Except you drink too much.” He knew she’d not like that comment.

“As do you. I can smell an alcoholic a mile away.” Then she gave him the sultry look he was waiting for. “I seem to be drawn to them, like a string of bad pennies, little babbling storytellers. Can’t help it. My nature, I guess.”

Well, she’d already said twice as many words as he normally liked in a woman, and hadn’t given him nearly enough “looks,” but he was game.

“Humor me. What makes you drawn to me?”

Her full focus on his face almost made him blush. Her power and nature were strong, her soul deep. She did not possess the need to smile from nervousness or to hide the spirit that ran wild inside her. For him, right here and right now, she allowed him to absorb and be warmed by it. Her dark eyes peered back at him honestly.

“I like your jet black hair, Dine man, and the blackness of your eyes all the way through. The bottomless eyes of the tribal kind. But you weren’t raised here, so maybe you got away, maybe not. In any case, I gotta hurry if I’m going to meet you, because I think tomorrow you’ll be gone.”

“True.” She had him down to the color of his buttons.

“I like your stare, your full lips, and your frankness. I think you like to screw a lot, and I do, too. But that could just be a lie, but ask me if I care?”

“Why would I do that?”

She gave him a gracious smile, showing all her straight white teeth. As if sloughing off an old happy memory, she shrugged and finished her beer. “I’m ready for another, if you’re buying.”

“Oh, I’m buying, but my tab comes with strings,” he said, watching the graceful lines of her profile, all the way down her long neck to the top of her shirt with her breasts pushing up like smooth rounded stones he’d find in an ancient streambed.

Her eyes didn’t peer into his, but stayed focused on his lips. “I prefer rope.”

Book Trailer

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Enjoy this NOT PG excerpt from SEAL’s Code narrated by J.D. Hart

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Michel’s Review

Seal’s Code by Sharon Hamilton is her best book to date. This book stepped outside the norm for the Bad Boys of Seal Team 3 and Seal Brotherhood. This book focused more the main character’s cultural heritage and individuality rather than the Seal Team. This was a story of acceptance as well as romance. Sharon did a fantastic job!

Danny Begay has returned home to say goodbye to his dying grandfather. He has more or less denied his Navajo heritage and could not accept his “gift” of hearing the voices of his ancestors. His grandfather was a Navajo Code Talker during WWII. With the passing of his grandfather he joins the Navy and becomes a SEAL. As he follows his new chosen path he realizes that his heritage is more than blood, it is a part of him that he cannot forget. He also cannot forget the one girl that touched his soul in one night of passion.

While he was home awaiting his grandfather’s passing he meets Luci Tohe and has a one night stand. Luci fully embraces her heritage. She is dedicated to the children she teaches in school, she is dedicated to her family, and most of all she is dedicated to her heritage. Dealing with an alcoholic mother has made her strong. She has never forgot her one night of passion with Danny.

When Luci discovers several young girls have gone missing on the reservation and some have been found dead, She begins to investigate and finds her younger sister is a target.

With the help of the FBI, the Las Vegas police, and Danny’s cousin Wilson they will untangle a intricate web of horrific horror that targeted young women from the reservation.

Sharon carefully connected Danny’s past and present with perfection. She added so many layers to this story. There was a beautiful romance that unfolded within the story that tied Danny and Luci together in so many ways.

This book starts out on the reservation. The reader gets a strong sense of Danny Begay’s former years and the tensions that are ever present in that life. They also get a sense of his warrior spirit that will make him a stronger man.

This book is packed full of action, suspense, drama, emotional moments, heated romance, and cultural heritage. This book is a celebration of Danny’s place in life.

I loved this book. Seal’s Code can be read as stand alone novel or in series order. However you chose to read it, it will be an enriching and emotional reading experience.

————————–

About the Author

NYT and USA/Today Bestselling Author Sharon Hamilton’s SEAL Brotherhood series have earned her Amazon author rankings of #1 in Romantic Suspense, Military Romance and Contemporary Romance. Her characters follow a sometimes rocky road to redemption through passion and true love. Her Golden Vampires of Tuscany earned her a #1 Amazon author ranking in Gothic Romance.

A lifelong organic vegetable and flower gardener, Sharon and her husband live in the Wine Country of Northern California, where most of her stories take place.

You can find Sharon at

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Cover Reveal: Him by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Posted on 07/09/2015 by shellbellereads

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Him

By Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Release Date: July 28, 2015

Pre Order: B & N / ITunes / Kobo

AMAZON will be live on 7/14

Synopsis

Jamie Canning has never been able to figure out how he lost his closest friend. Four years ago, his tattooed, wise-cracking, rule-breaking roommate cut him off without an explanation. So what if things got a little weird on the last night of hockey camp the summer they were eighteen? It was just a little drunken foolishness. Nobody died.

Ryan Wesley’s biggest regret is coaxing his very straight friend into a bet that pushed the boundaries of their relationship. Now, with their college teams set to face off at the national championship, he’ll finally get a chance to apologize. But all it takes is one look at his longtime crush, and the ache is stronger than ever.

Jamie has waited a long time for answers, but walks away with only more questions—can one night of sex ruin a friendship? If not, how about six more weeks of it? When Wesley turns up to coach alongside Jamie for one more hot summer at camp, Jamie has a few things to discover about his old friend…and a big one to learn about himself.

Warning: contains sexual situations, skinnydipping, shenanigans in an SUV and proof that coming out to your family on social media is a dicey proposition.

Pre Order: B & N / ITunes / Kobo

AMAZON will be live on 7/14

About The Authors

Sarina Bowen

Sarina Bowen writes steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction from the wilds of Vermont.

The Year We Fell Down, Book #1 in The Ivy Years series, began breaking hearts in March 2014. Book #2, The Year We Hid Away, is brand new.

For Harlequin-E, Sarina writes the Gravity series. Coming in From the Cold features an angsty downhill ski racer and one of the most unique plot conflicts in contemporary romance today.

Sarina enjoys skiing, coffee products and a nice glass of wine. She lives with her family, eight chickens and more ski gear and hockey equipment than seems necessary.

She would be honored to connect with you at http://www.sarinabowen.com.

Sign up for Sarina’s Mailing List

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter~ Goodreads ~Amazon Author Page

Elle Kennedy

A USA Today bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a BA in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!

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Review: Player by Joanna Blake – New Adult Contemporary Sports Romance

Posted on 07/08/2015 by shellbellereads

Player

New Adult Contemporary Sports Romance

By Joanna Blake

Synopsis

JOCK, SPORT, MEATHEAD, PLAYER. I hate them all. Especially this one. He’s rude, he’s crude and he thinks he is God’s gift to women.

James Fitzpatrick might have started out on the wrong side of the tracks, but his skills on the football field have brought him fame and glory. Now he’s forgotten where he came from.

Hell, he’s even forgotten me, the snot nosed brat from next door. So much so that he hits on me when he comes in to eat at the barbecue place I work at to pay my way through school. But the jokes on him when I turn him down in front of all his meathead buddies. No one has ever turned down James. There’s a reason he’s got a rep as being talented on and off the forty yard line. And now he’s determined to make me pay with a pound of flesh.

Thing is, I’ve got some moves he hasn’t seen yet. It’s going to be a long, hot season.

PLAYER is a stand alone book with a guaranteed HEA and no cheating!

Michel’s Review

I was looking for a fun light book to read. There were a lot of posts in several of the reading groups I belong to on FB. The readers were excited for this release.

Player by Joanna Blake is a New Adult Contemporary Sports Romance. I love sports romance and I love new adult romance. This book sounded like my kind of book.

Player is a short novel and can be read rather quickly. Unfortunately I was disappointed with the book. As a seasoned reviewer and blogger I look for several things in a book. I look for good character development, a well executed plot, a good story flow – fluid pacing, good dialogue and interaction between the characters, and good editing. If the book is entertaining and keeps me interested I can overlook some of these things. After all when the first editions of Fifty Shades of Grey came out the editing was horrible and there were holes in the overall story. Despite the issues, the book was good and readers embraced it whole heartedly. I honestly don’t think that this is going to happen with Player. There were too many problems I found within this book.

The overall plot for the story was good. The problem was the execution. It was rushed and seemed to follow the outline rather than creating a world where the characters come to life. The chemistry between James and Nadine felt synthetic and forced. Their heated moments almost felt clinical at times. Their personalities didn’t seem to really connect in a personal and touching way.

There were other things that seemed too unrealistic. An example is James football career as a college student. Universities and Colleges are highly regulated concerning their athletes. Sure they can give their players some perks but not the kind that James was receiving. When he signed with the professional team, the Miami Dolphins, he insisted on getting Nadine into FSU as part of his signing package. Sounds good but totally impossible in this story. FSU is in Tallahassee, Florida. That is about 480 miles north of Miami. I think that it would be very hard for Nadine to commute to school and live with James in Miami. I absolutely hate when an author does not research the story background to make a story realistic. It insults the readers intelligence.

There were several editing problems throughout the book. I highlighted several editing problems that should of been caught before publishing. Readers are paying for this book with their hard earned money. It doesn’t matter if this book is .99 or 2.99. It reflects poorly on the author. Many readers will refuse to read future books because of editing problems.

I really wanted to love this book but had to force myself to finish it. I love adding new authors to my reading list. I will not let this one book dissuade me from reading other books by this author. She seems to have a solid fan base and reader love.

_________________________________________________

Author Bio:

Joanna Blake loves good old fashioned romance, men who open doors and work with their hands. Hot Blooded Heroes is a series of sizzling stories about True Blue American men and the women who love them. She’s thrilled to be collaborating with Pincushion Press on her new series! Come along for the ride!
XoX,
Joanna
*********

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: In Deep by Brenda Rothert

Posted on 07/08/2015 by shellbellereads

In Deep

by Brenda Rothert

Buy on Amazon

I’ve got a secret.

No one knows how I blow off steam, and that’s how I
like it. Most of the time, I’m happy just being part of a big family in a small
town. And those times I need to get away are mine and mine alone.

My secret stays safe until I meet her – the woman who
simultaneously pisses me off and turns me on. She seems like a wallflower at
first, but it turns out there’s a lot more to her than I realized. Despite her
hidden strength, she has a vulnerability I can’t resist.

As we open up to each other, I realize she’s starting
to mean everything to me. She doesn’t feel the same way, but that won’t stop me
from doing whatever it takes to keep her safe – even if it means exposing my
secret to her. I’m in way over my head, and all I can hope is that someday,
she’ll feel the same way about me.

April

I pressed my lips together, silencing my indignation. Mousy?
Librarian? Who the hell did Mason Lockhart think he was?

If only I was the kind of woman who’d fly out from behind
the corner I was hiding around and defend myself. Poke a finger against his
chest and show him just how unmousy I was.

But I wasn’t that kind of woman. His words hurt because of
the spark of truth they held. My cheeks were flaming with embarrassment as I managed
to sneak into another room to hide from view so they wouldn’t see me. I’d die
of shame if Reed and Mason saw me, or if they knew I’d accidentally overheard
their conversation.

I’d been waiting to meet Mason and thank him for helping
move my stuff in. Ivy and I got back early and I had headed down to my room to
start unpacking. But I heard the brothers talking as they headed to my room and
I didn’t want to interrupt so I managed to make myself scarce. But I still
heard every word of their conversation. Fat lot of good that had done me. Now I
knew Reed’s brother thought I was a frumpy, mousy bore.

But, seriously, did Mason Lockhart think people got dressed
up for moving day? I’d just pulled a U-Haul truck from Seattle to Lovely,
Missouri, stopping at motels on the way. Today I’d completed the last leg of
the journey and judging by the dark skies it looked as if I arrived in the nick
of time. I’d be willing to guess that snow was in the forecast. This morning,
after I’d showered and looked through my stuff for my hair dryer and clean clothes,
I hadn’t been able to find exactly what I wanted.

And that was why my long curly hair was wound into a bun and
I was wearing a random, longish skirt. But the cardigan? That was totally on
purpose because it was soft and warm. Mason Lockhart could piss off if he
didn’t like it.

I’d seen him at Ivy and Reed’s summer wedding. The Lockhart
brothers were pretty much impossible to miss. They were the quintessential tall,
dark and handsome man – times five. Other than Reed, I didn’t know any them.
Except, possibly, Mason. I doubted I’d ever forget his name now.

(Book 1) Down Deep Purchase Links

Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Tracey’s Review

Not only is Mason Lockhart the brilliant and successful owner of his own tech firm, he is also the epitome of the strong alpha male. Sexy and smart, he knows what he wants, and isn’t afraid to go for it. And April Byerly is NOT what Mason wants, he’s sure of it. Or is he…?Brenda Rothert is one of my go-to authors. Her books are always guaranteed to be full of heart, and to have characters and stories that touch me. After having met both Mason and April in DEEP DOWN, the first book in the Lockhart Brother series, I was excited to see that they would be getting their own story. Mason is deliciously alpha. He’s happy playing the field, dating women that he wouldn’t take home to meet his parents. He seems to have everything under control, but is harboring a secret that he hasn’t shared with anyone except a few others. April, who has come to Lovely to run the home for unwed mothers opened by Ivy and Reed Lockhart, is not the type of woman that Mason usually goes for. It isn’t long, though, before they find themselves drawn to each other, and down the path that neither one anticipated (HINT: It involves dirty-talking, late night texts, and using a library for other than its intended purpose… ;-)).

My only issue is that things proceeded so quickly, especially in the relationship between Mason and April. While I could see why Mason would fall for April, it was just so dramatically sudden that I was a bit surprised, and this is the only thing that keeps me from giving the book less than 5 stars. I am more than happy to suspend any disbelief, though, because I absolutely love all of the characters in IN DEEP, and the storyline as well (Miss Dee Dee and Kyle are two of my favorites, and I could not be happier to know that Kyle will be getting his own story very soon.). I am really enjoying this new series from Brenda. IN DEEP gets 4.5 stars from me; grab this one and enjoy.

*** ARC graciously provided for an honest review. ***

Brenda Rothert lives in Central Illinois with her husband and three sons. She was a daily print journalist for nine years, during which time she enjoyed writing a wide range of stories.

These days Brenda writes New Adult Romance in the Contemporary and Dystopian genres. She loves to hear from readers by email at bjrothert@sbcglobal.net.

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Review + Excerpt : Evanensce by Cassia Brightmore – The Darkness Series – Book 2

Posted on 07/08/2015 by shellbellereads

Evanesce

The Darkness Series – Book 2

By Cassia Brightmore

Synopsis:

If your soul has been plunged into the dark depths of despair, how hard would you fight to claw your way back to the surface? Can the life you lost be restored, or is it destined to be forever phased out of existence? Fated to dissolve into a distant memory.
The Black Market—a ferocious, starving beast. An endless sinkhole of precious valuables; the playground for blood-thirsty power seekers. Only one thing feeds its hunger like no other…human life.
A sinister criminal ring has descended on the small town of Norton Springs, instilling fear in the residents. A vicious wave of disappearances coupled with the gut-wrenching horror of infants being ripped from the arms of their helpless mothers has the town quaking in terror.
When Gabe Thornton strolls back into his hometown, his main goal is to claim the one woman that has always denied her feelings for him—Nora Jacobs. The last thing he expects is to be thrust into a storm of devastation and chaos. Will his strength be enough to save them from the dark souls that threaten to destroy their chance at happiness?
Broken futures. Shattered dreams. Mind-numbing loss. When your heart has been ripped away from you—how do you find the will to go on?
No one is safe. Everything you thought you knew is about to change in this second installment in The Darkness Series.
Warning: Due to adult content and graphic situations, this book is intended for readers 18 and up.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Excerpt

Gripping Red’s hand tight, the two ran up the stairs, Brooke wincing each time one of the boards squeaked under the pressure of their weight. At the top, the door was open, a fact that had Brooke’s heart jumping up her throat like it was on a damn trampoline. Peering out, she ensured there was no one in sight before tugging Red forward. A few steps into the carpeted foyer, the sound of voices drifted towards them. Panicking, she pulled Red into what she thought was an empty room and shut the door.
Panting, she leaned against the door, trying to catch her breath.
“We have to hide here, Red. I’ll check if it’s safe in a few minutes.” When there was no reply from Red, Brooke turned her head, searching. “Red?” The other woman stood frozen, unmoving in the middle of the room.
“What are you—ahh…” Brooke stepped up beside Red, concerned why she was non-verbal. The room was not empty as she had expected. It wasn’t empty at all and the scene before them was a terrifying one.
Cots. Rows and rows of cots and each one was occupied with a tiny infant. Some were sleeping, wrapped in thin blankets. Others were squirming, having come loose from their bundle. A few were wailing, a loud sound that would make any dog in the surrounding area sit up and take notice. How Brooke didn’t hear them, was beyond her. The adrenaline was a roar in her ears, blocking out everything except listening for footsteps of anyone that might be approaching. A quick count revealed twenty-four cots. Twenty-four babies either stolen are birthed by a mother that was likely a prisoner in the same house of horrors she was trying to escape from.
Covering her mouth, Brooke suppressed a scream of disgust. Children. Helpless infants all lined up and ready to be sold by the indescribable monster, Marcus. An auction straight from a mother’s worst nightmare.
“Red,” she tried to get her attention. “Red,” she said with more force. When that still didn’t work, she reached out and lightly shook her. The haunted, empty look in her eyes when Red finally acknowledged her, broke Brooke’s heart into a million tiny pieces.
“My sons. My daughters…” she moved towards the cots. “I—I have to find them. I—I—I didn’t get to—to hold them,” she stammered, peering over the cots at the tiny faces. Her heartbreak was written all over her face as she searched from cot to cot for her children.
Not being able to stand seeing her torment, Brooke rushed to her side, trying to tug her away. “Red, I don’t think they are here now. These…these are infants. As in just born, and you—” Red’s head whipped around to pin Brooke with furious eyes.
“Shut up. You know nothin’. My children are here. They are here.” Tears sprang to Brooke’s eyes at the utter despair in Red’s voice.
“I really wish they were, God, Red. But I promise you, we will make these bastards pay. We will find your children and make sure they can never do this to any other woman,” Brooke’s promise was fierce and true. She would shut this operation down, even if it killed her to do it.

Tina’s Review

** Provided by author via promotion in Exchange for an Honest Review **
Judging a Book by it’s Cover:
The cover is very dark in coloration as well as content, although it is rather murky, it sort of sets the mood to the story inside. The synopsis does a fairly good job at depicting the dark and disturbing world that Ms. Brightmore plunges her readers into.
Looking Deeper:
Third-person POV, from various characters’ perspectives; not clearly defined therefore you are several sentences in before realizing that the POV has shifted to another person. It makes for some necessary backtracking. WARNING: Ms. Brightmore once again fearlessly immerses her readers into a dark abyss of chaos, depravity, and some psychotically twisted, sick content. It is guaranteed to offend and trigger those sensitive to rape, abduction, sex slavery, human trafficking, trafficking, abuse.
There are two simultaneous story lines happening here…. One of Brooke and her fight to survive her abduction and subsequent horrors, the other of Nora and Gabe. There’s really no way to rate *a* lead male or female in that respect. The characters are well-developed and the interaction is fantastic. The dialogue gets a little tiresome when one character addresses the other by name every time they open their mouth to speak, but other than that, the context was great. I have to say, I was rather put off by how “animated” Nora’s pussy is…. first referred to as a dog on a leash, then an Olympian vaulter? That’s just a little disturbing and comically absurd. While the main conflicts are resolved, Ms. Brightmore throws yet another volley of curveballs at you, leaving you gaping at the final page and wondering…. what the ever-loving f—!?! The conclusion is not quite solid, there is unfinished business and loose ends – it felt abrupt and unfinished. Overall, fans of Malevolent will most likely love this. If they thought book 1 was a brain-screw… just wait. This one is pure insanity.

_____________________________________

Cassia Brightmore is a new indie author. Her debut novel, Malevolent is the first book in the Darkness Series and can be read as a standalone.

Writing has always been a passion of hers and publishing her first novel is truly a dream come true. She enjoys writing dark stories that she hopes will thrill the reader. When she’s not reading she can be found playing xbox one, watching re-runs of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and catching up on Revenge and Scandal. She also has an unhealthy obsession with Jon Snow from GOT (but who doesn’t??).

She lives in Grimsby, Canada with her two furbabies, Harley and Molly.

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Category Archives: Book Review

Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Cale by Victoria Ashley – Walk Of Shame Series – Book 3

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One Day Only…Kindle Daily Deal…The Billionaires Obsession Series …Books 2- 6 by J. S. Scott

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Blog Tour + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Seal’s Code by Sharon Hamilton – Bad Boys of Team 3 – Seal Brotherhood #10

Cover Reveal: Him by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Review: Player by Joanna Blake – New Adult Contemporary Sports Romance

Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: In Deep by Brenda Rothert

Review + Excerpt : Evanensce by Cassia Brightmore – The Darkness Series – Book 2

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