Saucy Southern Readers

Happy Release + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Unrequitted by Jen Frederick – The Woodland Series – Book 4

Posted on 04/13/2015 by shellbellereads

Unrequitted

Woodlands Series – Book 4

Release Date: April 13, 2015

By Jen Frederick

Synopsis

Winter Donovan loves two things: her sister and her sister’s ex boyfriend. She’s spent her whole life doing the right thing except that one time, that night when Finn O’Malley looked hollowed out by his father’s death. Then she did something very wrong that felt terribly right.

Finn can’t stop thinking about Winter and the night and he’ll do anything to make her a permanent part of his life, even if it means separating Winter from the only family she has.

Their love was supposed to be unrequited but one grief stricken guy and one girl with too big of a heart results in disastrous consequences.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Excerpt

“Are you humming?” Bo asked.
I looked up from pulling on the dingiest carpet I’d seen in months. This house I’d picked up was vile, worse than usual. Bo had suggested it was a meth factory, given the needles, rotten egg smell, and burnt patches on the walls and flooring. It could have been, or it might just have been an ordinary addict’s house, but there was shit everywhere.
If I was humming, I didn’t realize it, but I was in a decent mood. I figured once I got Winter to just sit and talk with me, we’d work it out. That was something worth humming about.
I just shrugged and went back to work. “Just trying to block out the god-awful music you choose to play. You’ve been up north here for almost a year. Can’t you play anything but country songs?”
“I could.” Bo paused to toss a handful of staples in the trash. “But I know it annoys the hell out of you. And that makes the music sound that much sweeter.”
“Too bad you don’t know shit all about constructing a house and you still have to hang on my dick until you can get it right.”
“Which is why I play music you hate. It fits our dysfunctional relationship.”
“I thought you were going to therapy to fix your problems.”
“If by ‘therapy’ you mean having a ton of awesome sex with my girlfriend, then yes, I’m in therapy all night and random times during the day.” I snorted but wisely said nothing. “But speaking of therapy,” Bo continued. My response was a loud groan that I hoped would be hint enough that I didn’t want to talk about whatever it was that followed. Bo ignored me. “How’s your mom?”
“Well, she texted that she got up and had coffee today, so I count that as a win.” I reached down to tug harder on the carpet. Did they glue it down instead of just stapling the edges?
“Mal says ‘Paradise lies under the feet of your mother.'”
That made me stop. I gaped at Bo. He threw up his hands, one still holding a crowbar he was using to pull up the tacking strips, the long thin lumber pieces that held the carpet on the edges of the room.
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Apparently it means if you don’t make your momma happy, you ain’t gonna be happy.”
“If I knew what would make her happy, I’d do it,” I replied.
“I suck at this comforting thing.” He pulled off his hat and scratched his head. “But maybe you outta talk to someone else?”
“Like Lana?” I grunted. “No thanks. Between her and Mal, it sounds like I should be taking my mother on a date.”

Michel’s Review

I can’t tell you how excited I was to read Unrequited by Jen Frederick. I am a huge fan of the Woodland Series and have been reading/reviewing this series since the first book released. The outstanding writing, the original plots, the dynamic characters ( leading and secondary) and sizzling hot romance makes the Woodland Series stand out among the numerous New Adult and Contemporary Romance Series. Each book can be read as a stand alone romance (except Undressed-novella) and does not have to be read in series order although I would highly recommend it.

Finn O’ Malley has finally gotten his own books. He has captured the reader’s attention throughout the entire series. He has been a bit of a mystery but also the backbone that supported all of his friends. He comes from money but chooses to make his own path in life. He is a stand up guy that is sincere in his friendships. He is a one woman kind of guy and not a real manwhore player. When his father passes away suddenly and he finds out about secret betrayals in his family he falls off the rails. Trying to deal with his grief and pain he turns to alcohol and meaningless hookups. His life is spiraling out of control until he runs into a girl from his past. The little sister of his ex girlfriend Ivy. She was always sweet, down to earth, and had a way of soothing him. A one night stand with Winter Donovan shakes his world and finally makes him wake up and take inventory of his life. He wants more time with Winter but she is off limits. She is his exe’s little sister. To Finn that doesn’t make a difference but to Winter it makes all the difference in the world.

Winter Donovan has always been in love with Finn O’Malley. She has had a crush on him since her sister Ivy dated him in high school. Although it has been several years since Ivy dated Finn he is clearly off limits. She doesn’t want to be second to her sister. She doesn’t want to be compared to her sister. She wants to be first in a man’s life. Not only are there those issues to deal with there are others. Her life is an absolute mess. She’s close to broke. She’s working two jobs that are not what she envisioned herself doing. She is also taking care of her junkie sister that just got out of prison and is newly sober and clean. She can barely keep her head above water let alone deal with a relationship even though she still wants Finn.

Finn is persistant. He wants Winter in his life permanently but she keeps rejecting him because of Ivy. He finds solutions that will help Winter and Ivy. But not only is Winter resisting their relationship, Ivy is throwing up every road block she can come up with. She is dependent on Winter and refuses to let her have her own life.

Finn and Winter are finally finding a way to make their relationship work when Ivy throws the biggest road block of all. Ivy is pregnant. Winter can’t leave her alone and Finn may be the father.

Read this book! It will pull at your heartstrings. It is a vivid picture on how addicts affect the lives of those who love them. It also portrays how lies and deceptions can destroy every life they affect. The one thing that stands above it all is the power of love.

Jen Frederick did an amazing job with Unrequited. I highly recommend the book!

The Woodland Series

Undeclared- Book 1

For four years, Grace Sullivan wrote to a Marine she never met, and fell in love. But when his deployment ended, so did the letters. Ever since that day, Grace has been coasting, academically and emotionally. The one thing she’s decided? No way is Noah Jackson — or any man — ever going to break her heart again.

Noah has always known exactly what he wants out of life. Success. Stability. Control. That’s why he joined the Marines and that’s why he’s fighting his way — literally — through college. Now that he’s got the rest of his life on track, he has one last conquest: Grace Sullivan. But since he was the one who stopped writing, he knows that winning her back will be his biggest battle yet.

Early Reviews:
From Obsession with Books
“I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next installment in the Woodlands series, the characters, storyline and gushing romance were all wonderfully written and Jen Frederick’s writing is extremely engaging – she is definitely an author to remember and this is a book I’m more than happy to add to my favourites list!”

From Craves the Angst
“Noah Jackson was perfect in every way! He was compassionate, considerate and sexy as hell! His old school values mixed with his slight debauchery made him a perfect alpha male and you can’t help but adore every part of his character.”

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Unspoken – Book 2

***USA Today Bestselling Book***

Whore. Slut. Typhoid Mary.

I’ve been called all these at Central College. One drunken night, one act of irresponsible behavior, and my reputation was ruined. Guys labeled me as easy and girls shied away. To cope, I stayed away from Central social life and away from Central men, so why is it that my new biology lab partner is so irresistible to me?

He’s everything I shouldn’t want. A former Marine involved in illegal fighting with a quick trigger temper and an easy smile for all the women. His fists aren’t the danger to me, though, it’s his charm. He’s sliding his way into my heart and I’m afraid that he’s going to be the one to break me.

Impulsive. Unthinking. Hot tempered.

I allow instinct to rule my behavior. If it feels good, do it, has been my motto because if I spend too much time thinking, I’ll begin to remember exactly where I came from. At Central College, I’ve got fighting and I’ve got women and I thought I was satisfied until I met her.

She’s everything I didn’t realize I wanted and the more time I spend with her, the more I want her. But she’s been hurt too much in the past and I don’t want to be the one to break her. I know I should walk away, but I just can’t.

Bonus Content Note
In celebration of Unspoken being a USA Bestselling title and cracking the Kindle to 100 (into the 30s even!), I wrote a 10,000 word extended epilogue and posted it on my website. The readers urged me to add it to the existing work and so I have. Redownload to receive the new version of Unspoken with the extended epilogue.

Note: This is a New Adult Contemporary Romance with mature content and sexually explicit scenes. 91,000+ words. Standalone novel.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Unraveled – Book 3

Twenty-five-year-old Sgt. Gray Phillips is at a crossroads in his life: stay in the Marine Corps or get out and learn to be a civilian? He’s got forty-five days of leave to make up his mind but the people in his life aren’t making the decision any easier. His dad wants him to get out; his grandfather wants him to stay in. And his growing feelings for Sam Anderson are wreaking havoc with his heart…and his mind. He believes relationships get ruined when a Marine goes on deployment. So now he’s got an even harder decision to make: take a chance on Sam or leave love behind and give his all to the Marines.

Twenty-two year old Samantha Anderson lost her husband to an IED in Afghanistan just two months after their vows. Two years later, Sam is full of regrets—that she didn’t move with her husband to Alaska; that she allowed her friends to drift away; that she hasn’t taken many chances in life. Now, she’s met Gray and taking a risk on this Marine could be her one opportunity to feel alive and in love again. But how can she risk her heart on another military man who could share the same tragic fate as her husband?

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Undressed- A Woodlands Novella

Noah and Grace’s happy ever after hits a stumbling block in the form of one shady professor threatening Noah’s scholarship eligibility. Noah is given the choice of throwing his New Year’s MMA fight for a big payoff or accepting that the true meaning of love isn’t measured by the thickness of his wallet but the depth of Grace’s big heart.

This is a 22,700 word sequel to the full length novel, Undeclared, but can be read alone.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Author Bio:

Jen Frederick lives with her husband, child, and one rambunctious dog. She’s been reading stories all her life but never imagined writing one of her own. Jen loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at jensfrederick@gmail.com

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

GIVEAWAY
Signed Set of The Woodlands Series
$50 Amex Gift Card

Happy Release + Review + Giveaway: Until July by Aurora Rose Reynolds – Until Her Series – Book 1 – A Spinoff of the Until Series

Posted on 04/13/2015 by shellbellereads

Until July

Until Her Series – Book 1

A Spinoff of Until Series

By Aurora Rose Reynolds

Release Date: April 13, 2015

Synopsis

Wes Silver wasn’t looking for love, but when July Mayson literally knocks him on his ass during their first encounter, his world is turned upside down by the quirky blonde, and every moment with her makes him more determined to protect her.

July Mayson doesn’t understand the pull she feels toward the bad boy biker Wes Silver, but she knows being with him is like nothing she’s ever felt before. Now all she has to do is tell her overprotective father, Asher Mayson, that she’s found her boom.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Excerpt

I sit up when I see a few bikes in the distance. I don’t recognize their patches, but that doesn’t surprise me. Tennessee has a huge MC community, and there are always new clubs popping up all over the state. I slow down as I close the distance between us.

The closer I get, the more details I can make out. The group of about five bikes in front of me are all Harleys, all ranging in colors from almost purple to black. None of the men are wearing helmets, which is the complete opposite of me, who is covered from head to toe in black leather. Even my helmet is all black, with leather piping.

I take the men in, noticing they are all well-built, their leather cuts displaying a large eagle, with its wings spread wide like it’s midflight. The talons of the bird are carrying a long stem rose, with petals falling off it onto their club name, The Broken Eagles. I begin to speed up and pass them one by one, thankful for the security of my helmet, the black visor making it impossible to see me.

I keep my head straight until the last guy, the one who is at the front of the group, catches my attention. From the back, his hair is the first thing I notice. It’s slightly long on top and buzzed on the sides. My eyes move to the expanse of his back, the wide set of his shoulders, and the tan skin covering his lean muscles. His bike is low to the ground, and the bars are in front of him in a way that he has to stretch his arms straight out, causing every muscle to flex and move, making it look like the tattoos are alive and dancing.

My eyes skim farther down over his chest, which is covered in a white tank top tucked into a pair of light jeans, and around his waist is a black belt with a large silver buckle. I continue to pass him, my eyes shifting from the road to him and back again. This time when I look over, his head is turned towards me, and if I didn’t know any better, I would have swear he is looking directly into my soul.

“Holy shit,” I whisper, taking in his hair, the set of his jaw that is covered in days of stubble, and a pair of light eyes I can’t quite make out through the tint of my helmet. He is seriously hot, but equally scary-looking. I look from him back to the road. It must not have been even a second, but when my eyes go to the asphalt in front of me, I see a bird that is trying to make its way across the road, its wing hanging in an awkward position. I swerve to the right just in time to miss the poor animal.

“What the fuck?” I hear roared, and I look over my shoulder at the man who is now coming up quick on my right side. I yell an apology over the sound of my engine and his pipes. Do a quick wave and take off, lowering my body and pulling back the throttle, wanting to get away from them. Dude looks seriously pissed off, and even though I hate leaving the bird behind without helping it, I would like to live to see my next birthday.

I think I’m in the clear, but then the sound of pipes fills my ears, and I don’t even know how it happens, but they all catch up with me, surrounding my bike. I can’t make out what they’re saying, but my stomach starts to roll at the sound of their voices. I feel my side to make sure I have the Taser my dad insisted I carry.

I see a clearing and pull my bike off to the side of the road. I know this is probably one of the stupidest things I have ever done, but if they keep chasing me like they have been, we could all end up seriously hurt. I pull over and don’t even shut down my bike. I just lower my kickstand as my heart, which was already beating hard, begins to bang violently against my ribcage as they surround me.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” the guy who was at the head of the group asks, stepping in front of my bike.

I shake my head as my words get lodged in my throat.

He pulls me off my bike, and the men who are with him begin yelling obscenities as well.

“Sorry,” I croak out, and I don’t even know if he hears me as his hand goes to the collar of my leather jacket, where he shakes me hard. My hand accidently presses down on the button that ignites the Taser. The loud crack fills the air, and his eyes go wide then he falls to the ground, and I fall on my ass and crabwalk backwards. I look up when I hit something, only to meet the eyes of another man, who looks pissed.

“Get up,” he growls, picking me up. My feet flail under me as I’m lifted off the ground with my hands restrained behind my back.

“Hold him still,” the guy who I had tasered growls in front of me as I try to get away from the anger I feel coming off him. His hands go to my head and he rips my helmet off, causing my hair to float down around me.

Complete silence descends I swear no one even takes a breath.

“Um.” I bite my lip.

Michel’s Review

Until July by Aurora Rose Reynolds was a pure pleasure to read. It is the first book in the Until Her series which features the lovely daughters of the Mayson men in the Until Series. It’s great witnessing Alpha Daddy’s lose their cool when their darling princesses start stepping out and making a life of their own. Not to mention allowing other men in their lives besides Alpha Daddy’s and Alpha Jrs. If the Alpha Daddy’s don’t have gray hair yet, their little princesses are going to give them a full head of it.

July Mayson is the first born in the Alpha Mayson family. She has grown up to be a strong, smart, and very beautiful young lady. She possesses the best qualities of both of her parents and sets a fine example for her sisters and cousins. She has become a vet because of her childhood doggie, Beast.

When she is out on her motorcycle she almost causes a collision with a bunch of bikers while trying to avoid hitting an injured bird in the road. What happens next is beyond her imagination. She has just tasered the future love of her life. It wasn’t just the taser that got Wes Silver’s attention. July Mayson has stunned him with her beauty and attitude.

Wes Silver is what Alpha men are made of. His good looks, tough attitude, and take no prisoners charm is going to knock Asher Mayson off his throne. He is no longer going to be the top man in his daughter’s life. Wes has what it takes and Asher knows it. Look out July there’s a new alpha in town and he’s stealing your heart!

As July and Wes begin to develop a meaningful relationship they will have to deal with all kinds of problems. There are some bad people in town doing some very bad things. Mortally injured dogs are showing up on July’s animal clinic steps. It’s clear there is a dog fighting ring in town. That is just the tip of the iceberg. This ring is into more than dogfighting, they are also into human trafficking. Wes’s MC club has been brought in to help Jax Mayson and his men shut this ring down. Not only are they dealing with this but also Alpha Daddy Asher, who is having some issues with letting his baby go. Then there are all the Alpha Mayson relatives that feel the need to protect their Mayson princesses. But mamma Mayson’s lay down the law. Mayson princesses scheme to overthrow their Alpha Daddy’s.

I really enjoyed this book. Aurora Rose Reynolds writes a red hot sexy romance that is full of fun and charm. Her alpha men are the sexiest men in print. I am so happy to see the Mayson legacy live on. I am happy to see the Mayson Alpha Daddy’s getting a taste of their own medicine. Well done Aurora!

Until Series

Until November – Book 1

November is looking forward to getting to know her father and the safety of a small town. After leaving the big apple and her bad memories for Tennessee, November starts working for her dad at his strip club doing the books. The one time she’s allowed there during club hours she runs into Asher Mayson. He’s perfect until he opens his mouth and makes assumptions. November wants nothing to do with Asher but too bad for November fate has other plans. Asher Mayson has never had a problem getting a woman that is until November. Now all he can think about is making November his and keeping her safe.

THIS IS NOT A CLIFF HANGER.

Newly Edited and Updated Version
*Recommended for mature audiences 17+ due to strong language and sexual content.*

Until Trevor- Book 2

From The USA TODAY BEST SELLING AUTHOR OF Until November.

THIS IS NOT A CLIFFHANGER

Trevor Mayson had his life planned out – make the family business successful and play the field for a few more years before eventually settling down. Then he sees her. Liz Hayes was beautiful, shy and everything that he could ever want…but she didn’t fit into his plans. After Trevor painfully rejects her, Liz finally starts to move on, but Trevor is finding it difficult to truly let her go. It seems the more he tries to stay away, the more intense his feelings for her become. Like a stretched rubber band, he can only take so much before snapping.

Liz Hayes is done waiting for Trevor and isn’t interested in getting her heart broken by him again, but Trevor is making it difficult for her to forget him when he shoves his way back into her life.

Can Trevor prove to her that he is worth falling in love with again, and is he ready to change his life plan to let her into his heart?

17 + due to sexual content

Until Lilly – Book 3

From the Bestselling author of Until November and Until Trevor.

When Cash Mayson was forced to choose between the love of his life and his unborn child, he knew exactly what he had to do. No matter how broken it left him.

When Lilly Donovan was forced to accept that the guy she loved wasn’t who she thought he was and became a single mother, she knew exactly what she had to do. Proving just how strong she was.
What happens when years later you find out that everything you thought you knew was a lie?
Can two people who once loved each other overcome the obstacles that are thrown at them and fall in love all over again?
Cash Mayson had forgotten how it felt to be loved Until Lilly came back into his life. And now that he remembers, he will do everything within his power to keep not only the woman that he loves, but also his children.
The power of love is a beautiful thing.
Recommended for 17+ due to sexual content and language.

Until Nico- Book 4

Sophie Grates has never had it easy, but she’s finding her way through life one step and one day at a time. That is, Until Nico comes in and flips her world upside-down. He forces her to see you cannot live life from the outside looking in, and sometimes you have to step out onto the ledge so you can really enjoy the view.

Nico Mayson knew the moment he saw Sophie Grates that she was the one. His whole life, he has been judged by what’s on the outside, so finding a beautiful woman who sees the real him only makes his feelings that much stronger.

Nico knows the kind of man he is, and the things he is capable of, and he will do everything in his power to help Sophie fight her demons so they can have their happily ever after. Everything in life worth having is worth fighting for.

18 and older due to explicit content

Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who’s husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She’s married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it’s beauty.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY
$50 Gift Card

Blog Tour + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Seal My Home by Sharon Hamilton – Bad Boys of Seal Team 3 – Book 2 – Seal Brotherhood Series -Book 9

Posted on 04/13/2015 by shellbellereads

Seal My Home – Bad Boys of Seal Team 3

Book 2-

Seal Brotherhood Series – Book 9

Release Date: March 31, 2015

By Sharon Hamilton

Synopsis

Bad boy Rory Kennedy was raised in foster care, bouncing in and out of trouble along the way. He finds his true family and real brothers as a Navy SEAL, one of the Navy’s elite warriors. When his BUD/S instructor barked the SEAL’s Motto: Only Easy Day Was Yesterday, he knew he had found home.

Megan Palmer works in a bookstore and finds her passion in life through reading steamy romance novels. Her brief affair with a man she later found out was married has left her damaged, until she meets the handsome SEAL, who stands ready to open her world and give her things she’s only dreamed.

On a skiing trip, Rory suffers a possible career-ending injury and also comes face to face with a past he never knew of, and a family who had abandoned him. His relationship with Megan is tested to the breaking point as Rory wades through the dark waters of recovery and whether or not he can live without the life he loves. A home-grown terrorist cell forces his hand and he discovers his true purpose.

Buy: Amazon

Excerpt

Whatever she’d bottled up had come loose. Her appetite met her need, which should have scared him. But for the first time, he wanted her to need him. He could fill he up. She was starving for it.

And so was he.

She was sleeping, and he fell into her rhythm, inhaling when she did, exhaling also in tandem, feeling her soft sex crowning his thigh. He thought of all the lovely things he wanted to say to her, but knew he shouldn’t. He knew the speaking part would mess up what he now felt, something he rarely felt.

Happiness.

He tried to breathe without making a sound, hoping that this time together, which was as precious to him as the love making part, was prolonged for as long as possible. She was fire and ice. The salt and the caramel. She tucked inside the hard exterior of his soul and shivered, rested there under his protection.

He must have twitched or done something, because she startled and rose up quickly, rolling to the side and covering herself up. He could almost feel her heavy thoughts tossing about the room as he viewed her light pink spine glowing in the near moonlight as she sat on the edge of the bed away from him. An inch of her butt crack was in shadow, but the alabaster surface of her skin was flawless and made her look like a statue.

He inhaled without a sound, and let his index finger trace down the middle of her back, traveling over the ridges of her vertebra. She stiffened at first, then rolled her head to the side and killed him with the blue gaze that showed him she was still hungry.

“Come here, Megan,” he said, worried he’d been a little too loud.

She touched her shoulder with her ear in a shy move that belied her real feelings for him. He could see it in the coral shaded corners of her lips, how they quirked up at the ends.

Michel’s Review

Sharon Hamilton has done it again. She’s given the readers another super sexy alpha Seal, nail biting suspense, red hot romance, and a sizzling hot page turner. Of course the Seal Team 3 could be nothing but explosive in more ways than the military. These guys are burning up the sheets and stealing their woman’s heart.

Rory Kennedy has found his place in life, he has found his home in the Seal Team 3. After being shuffled from one foster family to another , he has never felt like he belonged anywhere until he joined the Navy and became a Seal. His life now has a purpose. He now has brothers. Everything in life is great. When he meets the sexy bookworm, Megan Palmer, he has a new goal in his sites. He wants to show Megan that her fantasies and steamy romances are not only in books. He is going to prove he can be a romantic hero that will make her swoon and panties drop off. After all, he is a Seal.

When Rory is involved in an accident that could ruin his Seal career, he will find the support and love from his new family. A “home grown” terrorists sets his sites on Megan and Rory as a means to complete his mission to kill US citizens. The Warrior Prophet believes the more blood he sheds the cleaner his soul will be.

Rory and Megan will have find a way to survive to find their happily ever after. Rory is a Seal that won’t back down. He will protect his home, he will protect the woman that owns his heart.

Sharon Hamilton wrote another fantastic book. Her characters are strong people that will capture the readers heart. The romance is red hot and the suspense is a page turner.

Seal My Home can be read as a stand alone or in series order. I highly recommend this series, it will not disappoint.

The Seal Brotherhood Series

Accidental Seal- Amazon

Fallen Seal Legacy- Amazon

Seal Under Covers-Amazon

Seal The Deal- Amazon

Cruisin’ For A Seal- Amazon

Seal My Destiny- Amazon

Seal Of My Heart- Amazon

Seal’s Promise:Bad Boys of Team 3- Amazon

Seal My Home: Bad Boys of Seal Team 3- Book 2 (Seal Brotherhood Series 9)-Amazon

Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

“True Love Heals in the Gardens of the Heart”

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon Author

Giveaway

Aleatha Romig
B.L. Berry
Cassie Graham
Claire Contreras
Elisabeth Grace
Eliza Freed
Jasinda Wilder
Jennie Marts
Kimberly Knight
Kimberly Rose
Rebecca Yarros
Stephanie Rose
Whitney G.
Zoe York

6 Star Review + Exclusive Interview : Homefront by Jessica Scott

Posted on 04/12/2015 by shellbellereads

Homefront

Homefront Series – Book 1

By Jessica Scott

Synopsis

“Beautifully Written” JoAnn Ross – New York Times Bestselling author of the Shelter Bay series

He’s always loved her…

First Sergeant Gale Sorren waited a war and half a lifetime for a chance to get stationed near the ex-wife who left him years ago. When he finally musters the courage to see her, the life he imagined she was living was nothing close to the reality.

She’s never stopped loving him…

Melanie never stopped worrying about Gale each time he headed off to war. But he’s never been there when she needed him and she’s had fifteen years to steel her heart against him.

But when Gale moves to Fort Hood, he finally has a chance to make things right with Melanie and the daughter she raised without him.

Can Mel trust her heart to a man who has always let her down?

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes

Excerpt

“Jamie’s upstairs.” Her voice sounded off. Heavy and sultry. Her eyes were dark and clouded with shadows, and something else.

Something he thought he knew but was afraid to name.

He cleared his throat before he spoke. It was a long time before he found the words he needed to say.

The words he wanted to say started with please and ended with them naked. He wasn’t sure that would go over well.

And besides, he wanted to keep the moment untarnished in his memory. It had been so fucking long since he’d held her.

“So what’s our negotiating position?” he asked.

“On what?” She frowned and looked down at her wine glass.

“I’m going upstairs. Are there any things that are expressly forbidden? I don’t want to undermine you.”

She smiled and it was warm and sunny. “You sound like you know how kids play mom against dad.”

He grinned down at her, fighting the urge to stroke his fingers over her cheek. She was so fucking adorable. “It’s part of the duty description of being a first sergeant,” he said mildly.

She frowned. “I’m quite sure I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Soldiers will try to get between you and your commander. It’s up to the commander and the first sergeant to present a united front.”

She opened her mouth to say something then closed it.

He stepped close. “What?”

“I—” She paused, refusing to lift her gaze to meet his. “I guess I hadn’t thought about it.”

Something he’d said upset her. It cut at him, slicing away the moment before and replacing it with something raw and bleeding. “What, Mel?”

He lifted his hand to her cheek then, more to offer comfort than to steady her.

He was shocked when she didn’t pull away.

“I guess I never thought about you and me being a united front.” Her words were thick and uncertain, filled with fear and old hurts. Because he could find no other way to soothe the aching hurt in her eyes, he lowered his mouth to hers. A gentle kiss. Hesitant. A brush of lips.

Tentative and seeking. He sucked gently on her bottom lip, urging her to open for him, begging her with his mouth to not pull away.

There was fear in his kiss. Terror that she would pull away and slap at him.

But then her lips parted. Just a little, but it was enough for him to feel her breath on his tongue. She tasted sweet and sunny from the wine. He could get drunk on her taste. He deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue against hers and losing a piece of his soul.

He held himself viciously in check. Barely cupped her cheeks as he fought the turbulent need inside, as it surged up, wanting her, only her. To remind her that she was his, she’d always been his.

But this was a campaign, not a single battle.

He eased back before she could pull away. “I’m here now.” His words brushed against her mouth. “For as long as you’ll let me, I’m here.” He stroked his thumb over her cheek. “I know I haven’t been someone you can count on.” He brushed his lips against hers again. “But I’d like to be.”

Michel’s Review

Homefront by Jessica Scott is the first book in her new series featuring career military men and women that are in the precarious position of struggling with their careers and finding the right balance with their families. At times the military forces their men and women to make their jobs more important than family. It is a necessary evil that keeps them alive and able to return home to the ones they love. These choices not only leave scars on the soldier, they also leave scars on their families. Some wounds are impossible to heal. Others take time, effort, dedication, patience, and most of all, love.

Gale Sorren is a soldier. He has dedicated most of his life to the army. He has served two tours in Afghanistan and trained his men to be tough soldiers. He walked away from his wife and young daughter because he didn’t know how to be a soldier and be husband/ father. His immaturity and fear caused him to lose the one thing that should of been his foundation. He lost his family.

While in Afghanistan the reality of his loss hits home in a very devastating way. His young teen daughter is in the hospital and facing some serious psychological problems. He wants to be there for her and her mother. When he is denied leave because of miscommunications, he literally loses his cool. His reactions almost cost him his career. But it is also an eye opener. He realizes that he has never been there when his family really needed him. He never put them first. He never realized how his choices and actions affected their lives. He has vowed that once he is home he is going to do everything in his power to get stationed near his family. He is going to put them first. He only hopes that he is not too late.

A few years later he is finally stationed near his ex wife and teenage daughter. His daughter has gone from being a bright eyed little princess to a very troubled teen. She is screwing up in school, defying her mother, sneaking around with a boy, and making everybody’s life miserable. Gale is going to have to learn a new way to communicate with his daughter and his ex wife. He will struggle with it all. He will make mistakes. He will make some great strides. The one thing that is very clear is that he is going to do everything within his power to become a part of his family. He will show them how much he really loves them every moment of the day.

While Gale struggles to find his footing with his family, he is also struggling with his new post. Not only are there the usual army problems and issues, there are also problems among the officers. After a discovery of a domestic crime that could ruin one man’s career, the lines are drawn in the sand. Officers are taking sides and it is getting ugly.

Meanwhile two teenagers are in danger. It is up to Gale to make his daughter and her boyfriend’s homelife a safe environment. At the same time hang onto his career and win his wife back.

The one thing that makes everything different now is that Gale is a strong man and leader. Melanie is a strong woman and mother. They are no longer teenage kids trying to raise a baby. They are mature adults that look at life differently and understand the importance of effort. They also know that love is the foundation that makes the family work.

Jessica Scott wrote another powerful story that not only touched my heart but shocked me. As a parent of teenagers I could understand the difficulties in parenting. I could understand Gale and Melanie’s need to protect their child and any other child that may be in trouble. As a women I understood Melanie’s fears, heartbreak, and reluctance to trust Gale. I respected the way Gale handled every situation.

Homefront is an amazing book!

_________________________________________________________________________

Excusive Interview with Jessica Scott

Can you tell the readers how you became inspired to become a novelist while actively serving our country?

Jessica : I wanted to tell stories about normal soldiers coming home from war. I love a NAVY Seal romance as much as the next gal but I felt like I could tell a story about the everyman – not the special forces soldiers but the regular joes.

What type of books did you write first, fiction or non fiction?

Jessica :My first love has always been fiction. Nonfiction has come relatively easily but fiction took a lot of blood sweat and tears to get it right.

What inspired you to venture into the New Adult genre after being successful with Contemporary Romance.

Jessica: I don’t know, honestly. I was in that weird place I get at least once a year where I’m thinking I’m done, I don’t have anything left in me and then Beth and Noah kind of just jumped out of me. I wrote their book really quickly and honestly, I’ve never had it happen to me like this. I love the story and I’m so glad others are enjoying it, too.

Did you find it harder to write a New Adult book?

Jessica : Not really. I found writing in the first person really easy to slip into. I was able to get into their points of view more easily so it was a really refreshing change, if that makes sense.

Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration for your latest novel, Homefront?

Jessica : Homefront is a spin off series of the Coming Home series. It’s First Sergeant Sorren’s story and it’s 100% a reunion story (which I seem to write a lot). It’s about a man learning to become a father and a husband when he’s been gone for most of his daughter’s life.

What can readers look forward to in the future from Jessica Scott?

Jessica : Well, there are two more homefront books coming later this year. After the War comes out in May and hopefully, Face the Fire will be out in June (if I can get it finished by then). After that, there will be two more new adult books. Any further out, I think I have to hit the skids and think I’m done with no more stories to tell before I figure out what comes next.

About Jessica Scott

USA Today Bestselling author Jessica Scott is a career army officer, mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs, wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She is a terrible cook and even worse housekeeper, but she’s a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon and someone liked some of the stuff she wrote. Somehow, her children are pretty well adjusted and her husband still loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.

She’s also written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View Regarding War, and IAVA. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of OIF/New Dawn and has had the honor of serving as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas twice.

Most recently, she’s been featured as one of Esquire Magazine’s Americans of the Year for 2012. Learn More at http://www.jessicascott.net

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Pre Release + Excerpt + Giveaway: Intercepted by Emma Hart- By His Game Series – Book 3

Posted on 04/12/2015 by shellbellereads

By His Game Series

Emma Hart

Four people. Four goals. Four endings.

Intercepted – Book 3

So do nightmares.

Except desperation can lead to stupidity—and Reid soon
realizes he can’t catch every ball, no matter how perfectly it’s thrown to him.
This time a fumble could cost more than a few points.

It could cost him everything.

(INTERCEPTED is the third and final book in the By His Game
series and can be read as a standalone, although it is advised to read
BLINDSIDED and SIDELINED before, in this order.)

EXCERPT

“Why’d you leave, Ev?” I ask her quietly, sitting forward. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why’d you ignore me?”

“I didn’t want to,” she whispers. “But I had to. It was easier for me.”

“Not for me!”

Stupid, stupid girl.

I move along the sofa, closing the distance between our bodies, and pull her face toward me. “Don’t cry, Ev,” I whisper just before I lean in and cover her mouth with mine.

She draws a breath in through her nose, but she doesn’t push me away. She wraps her hand around my wrist at the side of her face and moves in toward the kiss.

Her lips are soft and sweet, and if the way I’m kissing her is half as tender as she feels, then dammit, I’m fucking screwed.

“I didn’t hate you for leaving,” I say in a low voice, threading my fingers into her long hair. “I didn’t hate you at all. I was fucking mad because you left before I could do that.”

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Blindside- Book 1

Two people. Two agendas. Two games.

What happens when the out-there It-Boy of football meets the secret It-Girl of fashion?

If only it was that simple.

When Corey discovers who she is, and private photos of Hollywood’s finest find their way online, everything they thought they knew is thrown into disarray.

Amazon / B & N / ITunes

Sidelined- Book 2

Three people. Three motives. Three reasons.

When the game leaves the field in the second book in the USA Today bestselling BY HIS GAME series and mixes with sex, lies, and betrayal, the future isn’t the only thing on the line…

something she has in abundance, so all Mitch’s asshole move did was make her pretty cynical toward men.

In this game, someone will be sidelined, and calling the play isn’t always as easy as it seems.

Amazon / B & N / ITunes

__________________________________

She likes to be busy – unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.

FACEBOOK –TWITTER–GOODREADS–AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Lift…Authors Raising Autism Awareness

Posted on 04/11/2015 by shellbellereads

It’s week two of LIFT: Authors Raising Autism Awareness!

More than 50 authors are banding together this month, donating their great work, and increasing awareness and acceptance for those living with Autism.

This Week’s LIFT Authors

The Rafflecopter is loaded with e-books, signed paperbacks, swag and gift cards from these amazing authors! Make sure you enter!

We are highlighting The Autism Society this week. With more than 50 years of service to the autism community, they are one of the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization. Please consider supporting their efforts!

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5 Star Review: When I’m Gone by Abbi Glines- Rosemary Beach Series – Book 11

Posted on 04/11/2015 by shellbellereads

When I’m Gone

Rosemary Beach Series – Book 11

By Abbi Glines

Synopsis

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines comes the next new adult novel in the Rosemary Beach series, in which we meet Mase, a Texas heartthrob first introduced in Take a Chance who comes to Rosemary Beach to stir things up.

I had an urge to fix all her problems. Which was stupid. She was doing fine without me. But something about those big eyes…

Mase Colt-Manning has always preferred his humble life as a Texas rancher to his birthright as the son of a legendary rock star. In fact, he rarely visits his father’s rarefied world in Rosemary Beach, especially if it means bunking at his vile half-sister Nan’s house—until one visit leads to a chance encounter with a young, gorgeous house maid who awakens him with her off-key but spirited imitation of a country music star…

Reese Ellis finally has her freedom. After escaping a lifetime of abuse from her parents and classmates for an undiagnosed learning disorder, she seizes the opportunity to be a house maid to some of the richest families in Rosemary Beach. But her job is in jeopardy when she causes an accident at the home of her most important client, Nan Dillon. When a hot, half-naked stranger with a cowboy’s swagger comes to her rescue, she’s intrigued—then afraid once he shows his own interest. Reese has never met a trustworthy man in her life. Will Mase be any different?

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Michel’s Review

It’s hard to believe that this is the eleventh book in the Rosemary Beach series by Abbi Glines. This series has captured the readers hearts. The dynamic characters from this series not only find their happily ever after, they have formed a deep bond of friendship and family. They look out for one another, protect the ones they love, and always have each others backs.

Mase Colt Manning may not be from Rosemary Beach, but he has a very important part in the lives of those that are. He is the illegitimate son of Kiro Manning, the lead singer of Slacker Demon. He is very close with his half sister Harlow. He has grown up with Rush Finlay and become very good friends. He has been around Grant and Nan all his life. He is a Texan that can fit in with country club gang at Rosemary Beach as easily as he fits in at his ranch.

While visiting his sister Harlow in Rosemary Beach, he meets Reese Ellis. She is his other half sister, Nan’s, maid. When an accident occurs in Nan’s home, it brings Reese to Mase’s attention. He’s determined to get to know her.

Reese is unlike any girl that Mase has met. She’s kind, witty, shy, and beautiful. She seems to be harboring a lot of insecurities and secrets. When Mase finds out one of her secrets, he’s determined to help her overcome it. He wants her to realize that she is just as good as any of the other people from Rosemary Beach.

They form a close friendship that is evolving into a relationship. Life has a way of throwing obstacles that can destroy their new found love. One of those obstacles is his sister Nan. She has a way of poisoning everything that comes into her path.

Reese will have to overcome her fears, her insecurities, and her past. If she can do this she will be able to experience the love of a lifetime with Mase.

As always, Abbi Glines wrote another fantastic book that made not only Rosemary Beach crew come to life, but also those quirky relatives in Texas. I absolutely loved Mase. He is the kind of man every woman can fall in love with.

When I’m Gone by Abbi Glines was a fantastic addition to the Rosemary Beach series. I am looking forward to seeing who is up next on the Rosemary Beach roster. And yes…I am still a Nan hater!

______________________

Author Bio:

Since publishing her first novel Breathe in May of 2011, Abbi has also released The New York Times bestselling Seabreeze Series which includes Breathe, Because of Low, While It Lasts, Just For Now and Sometimes It Last, The Existence Trilogy that includes the USA Today Bestseller Ceaseless. New York Times and USA TODAY bestsellers The Vincent Boys and The Vincent Brothers. Last but not least her most popular series to date, Rosemary Beach which includes The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers Fallen Too Far, Never Too Far, Forever Too Far, Twisted Perfection and Simple Perfection. Her newest book scheduled to be released on December 17th, 2013 is Misbehaving (Seabreeze).

When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

5 Star Review: Seth & Greyson by Jessica Sorensen- The Coincidence Series – Book &

Posted on 04/10/2015 by shellbellereads

Seth & Greyson

The Coincidence Series – Book 7

By Jessica Sorensen

After being betrayed by someone he thought he loved, Seth leaves for college hoping to get a new start. But leaving his past behind is more complicated than he expected, and underneath his upbeat attitude, Seth struggles with opening up to people.

Then he meets Greyson.

Seth is instantly drawn to Greyson and his sweet and charming personality. But even though he feels a strong connection with Greyson, Seth’s still hesitant to open his heart to love.

With the help of his best friend Callie, Seth realizes he needs to overcome his fear of commitment. But will he be able to finally admit how he truly feels about Greyson?

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

As I sit down in a desk toward the back of the room, I try not to think about what my mother said this morning, but I find myself assessing each person as they enter.

It’s not until the object of my stalking walks through the doorway that I consider maybe my crazy mother was right. I quickly realize how insane that would make me for believing her and force myself to stop thinking like my mother. I’ve always been more levelheaded than both my parents, and I want to hold onto the trait.

Tearing my attention away from him, I lean over to grab my textbook and a pen out of my bag. When I sit up, I’m surprised to find he’s taken the desk right next to mine.

Up close, he’s even better looking, but there’s a hint of nervousness in his eyes that I didn’t notice while looking through the lens, which is kind of strange. Usually, I see more when I’m taking pictures. Or maybe he was just happier when he was around his friend.

“Hey,” he greets me with a slightly nervous smile.

“Hey.” I rack my brain for something to say that won’t make me sound awkward, but he beats me to the punch.

“I’m Seth,” he says, extending his hand to me.

“Greyson.” I take his hand, noting it shakes a little in mine. “Is this your first class?”

“For the fall semester, yeah.”

“You’re not a freshman?”

“No, I am,” he replies. “I just started the year this summer.”

I smile, and decide to flirt a little, see where it goes. “So you should be a pro at classes by now.”

“You would think so,” he muses. “But I’m not a fan of school and being a fantastic student is at the bottom of my list, right between getting a good night’s rest and becoming friends with my slobbish roommate.”

“You live in the dorm?” I ask and he nods. “I actually thought about doing that, but my parents insisted I need a place of my own. That it’s good for my aura.”

His brow cocks. “Aura?”

“Yeah, they’re a little crazy like that, but in a good way.” I try to pick up on the vibe he’s giving. Is he just being friendly? Or is he interested in me?

I watch as his eyes trail down over my neck and chest, suddenly realizing that we’re still holding hands. Definitely a bit awkward, but in a good way. And that means he’s interested, right?

When his gaze reaches our joined hands, he startles and quickly pulls away. I catch a flash of alarm in his eyes as he scans the room before looking back at me.

He clears his throat. “So, you just moved here?”

I wonder why he’s acting so weird suddenly. Maybe I misread his interest. Doubtful, though, so what is it? “Yeah, from Florida.”

His eyes snap wide. “Holy shit. How the hell did you end up going from the sunshine state to cowboy central?”

“Is Wyoming cowboy central? I thought that was Texas?”

“Clearly, you haven’t been around when the fair rolls in. It’s like rodeo central. Nothing but cowboy hats, boots, and ridiculously tight pants as far as the eye can see.”

“Sounds… interesting, I guess.”

“Try horrifying. Some of the stuff I’ve seen through those tight jeans,” he shudders, “still haunts my nightmares.”

I laugh at him and he grins, obviously pleased with himself. Like how he was with the girl earlier, he seems to enjoy making people laugh.

I consider what my mom said about finding friends and going out on dates. He’s hot, nice, and funny. As long as I can keep the conversation going and find the right moment, I might ask him out. Get myself out of the damn rut I’ve been in.

Michel’s Review

I am so happy that Jessica Sorensen wrote Seth & Greyson’s book. These two guys have been the backbone that held all the other characters in this series together. They offered unconditional friendship and support. They lent their shoulders when needed. They helped their friends see the fun side of life. They showed their friends that love comes in many different ways and it is important to hold onto it.

We first met Seth in the very first book that started the series. He befriended a lost and socially inept girl. He drew her out of shell, accepted who she was, and began helping her become a better person. He is an old soul with a perceptive kind of wisdom. He was there when Callie fell for Kayden. He was there when Kayden needed support. He was there when Luke needed a friend even though he didn’t know he needed it.

During this time he met Greyson. He was reluctant to start a friendship, let alone relationship with him. Seth had a very horrific experience that not only left him scarred physically but also left him scarred emotionally. It has caused him to be cautious about showing people who he really is. He is cautious about exposing his sexual orientation.

Greyson is open about who he is and what he wants. He came from an accepting family and never had to hide who he was. Although he is free to be who he is, he has never really had a meaningful relationship. He has trouble expressing himself and comes across as aloof and reserved. Now that he has met Seth he wants to open his heart and soul completely.

Seth and Greyson will have to work through their inner issues. Together they will come out stronger and happier.

Seth and Greyson are phenomenal young men that captured my heart from the beginning. I am happy to know their story.

Jessica Sorensen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author from the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

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The Coincidence Series Reading Order

1. The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden

Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / ITunes

2. The Redemption of Callie and Kayden

3. The Destiny of Violet & Luke

4. The Probability of Violet & Luke

5. The Certainty of Violet & Luke

6. The Resolution of Callie and Kayden