Happy Release + 6 Star Review: The Virgin by Tiffany Reisz – The Original Sinners: White Years – Book 3

Posted on 03/31/2015 by shellbellereads

The Virgin

The Original Sinners Series -The White Years – Book 3

By Tiffany Reisz

Synopsis

The provocative story before the story continues in the critically acclaimed and award-winning series The Original Sinners

For years, Kingsley Edge warned Eleanor the day would come when she, the mistress of a well-respected Catholic priest, would have to run. She always imagined if that day came, she’d be running with Søren. Instead, she’s running from him.

Fearing Søren and Kingsley will use their power and influence to bring her back, Eleanor takes refuge at the one place the men in her life cannot follow. Behind the cloistered gates of the convent where her mother has taken orders, Eleanor hides from the man she loves and hates in equal measure.

With Eleanor gone, the lights have gone out in Kingsley’s kingdom. When he learns the reason she left, he, too, turns his back on Søren and runs. On a beach in Haiti, Kingsley meets Juliette, the one woman who could save him from his sorrows. But only if he can save her first.

Eleanor can hide from Søren but she can’t hide from her true nature. A virginal novice at the abbey sends Eleanor down a path of sexual awakening, but to follow this path means leaving her lover behind, a sacrifice Eleanor refuses to make.

The lure of the forbidden, the temptation to sin and the price of passion have never been higher, and Eleanor and Kingsley will have to pay it if they ever want to go home again.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Kobo / Google Play

Robin’s Review

I would like to express my appreciation to NetGalley and MIRA Books for the opportunity to read and review The Virgin.

When I turned on my Kindle to begin reading The Virgin, I expected a great novel. Tiffany Reisz always writes in a solid and dependable fashion. I agree some of her novels are more enjoyable than others, but I have always found them entertaining. Reisz wholeheartedly captured my attention with this story. My eyes were glued to the pages, and when I finished reading, I couldn’t wait to sit down and begin writing my review. The Virgin has the same magic of The Siren and The Angel, and I absolutely loved it!

For all intents and purposes, I began reading this story blind. I knew we would learn about the year Nora spent at her mother’s convent. I also knew Nora had an affair with a nun while she was staying at the convent, so I expected some sexy time between the two of them. This was, however, the limit to my knowledge of the plot.

If you follow The Original Sinners series, you may have noticed we are missing an important piece to the puzzle. I have read each of the novels in this series, and I have patiently waited for an explanation why Nora would walk away from Soren and Kingsley. Prepare yourself because it’s not just an explanation. You are able to experience what happened between these characters. Tiffany Reisz drops us right into an emotionally charged situation. It could possibly be the crowning moment of this series because what happened between them certainly changed the direction of each of their lives.

Nora and Kingsley and Soren. They have such a rich history together. Throughout the previous six novels of this series, Reisz has sprinkled bits and pieces and segments of their lives, but not necessarily in chronological order. We’ve seen Nora at many different stages of her life. Elle Schreiber in her teenage years. Eleanor as Soren’s submissive. Author of erotic novels, Nora Sutherlin. Professional Dominatrix of the Underground, Mistress Nora. We’ve read about the period of time Kingsley and Soren were lovers in boarding school. We’ve also met Kingsley Edge, the King of the Underground. And my personal favorite is Father Marcus Stearns, Catholic Jesuit Priest.

But in The Virgin, Reisz writes about a period of time we have not yet had the privilege to read about – the events which take place just before The Siren. I finally understand Nora’s state of mind during the early stages of her writing career – when Wes Railey was living with Nora, and she was working for Kingsley as a professional Dominatrix. Nora’s disposition towards Soren during that period of time has always been a mystery to me. And now that I have read The Virgin, everything has become so much clearer. I want to pick up my copy of The Siren and begin rereading the series!

I love Kingsley Edge, but his character has always been more interesting to me when he is with Nora and Soren. So I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading about Kingsley and Juliette. We have never had the opportunity to read how Kingsley met Juliette before now. We’ve never heard how she became such an important part of his life. The only thing I can tell you is it all goes back to Soren and Eleanor. Kingsley would have never had the opportunity to meet Juliette if the events between him, Nora and Soren had not occurred as they did. Their story is unusual, but I found it lovely.

The Virgin is the seventh novel of The Original Sinners series, and I’m awarding it a 6-star rating. If you have never had the opportunity to read The Siren, the first novel of this series, I highly recommend it. The characters are so compelling, and they each have intriguing backstories. The Original Sinners series is definitely untraditional and erotica at its finest!

________________________________

Author Bio:

Tiffany Reisz lives in Portland, Oregon with her boyfriend (a reformed book reviewer) and two cats (one good, one evil). She graduated with a B.A. in English from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and is making both her parents and her professors proud by writing BDSM erotica under her real name.

When not under arrest, Tiffany enjoys Latin Dance, Latin Men, and Latin Verbs. She dropped out of a conservative southern seminary in order to pursue her dream of becoming a smut peddler. Johnny Depp’s aunt was her fourth grade teacher. Her first full-length novel THE SIREN was inspired by a desire to tie up actor Jason Isaacs (on paper). She hopes someday life will imitate art (in bed).

THE SIREN was awarded the RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Erotic Romance 2012.

If she couldn’t write, she would die.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + 5 Star Review : The Closer You Come by Gena Showalter – The Original Heartbreakers Series – Book 1

Posted on 03/31/2015 by shellbellereads

The Close You Come

The Original Heartbreakers – Book 1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: March 31, 2015

By Gena Showalter

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter introduces the Original Heartbreakers, where three not-quite-reformed bad boys are about to meet the women who will bring them to their knees.

Just released from prison, Jase Hollister has only one goal: stay out of trouble. Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, sounds like the perfect place for him and his two brothers-by-circumstance to settle down and live a nice, simple life. Model citizen isn’t exactly this rugged bachelor’s default setting—especially when it comes to a certain hot-blooded Southern beauty—but he’s determined to play by the rules.

Brook Lynn Dillon has always been the responsible type. Not that it’s done her much good. The down-on-her-luck waitress is broke, single and wouldn’t know fun if it bit her. Or so she thinks. Jase makes bad look oh, so good. Dangerous, sexy and tempting as sin, he is everything she never knew she wanted. Passion sizzles between them, but is it enough to melt his resistance? After all, the right kind of trouble might be just what he needs…

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Google Play / Kobo

Michel’s Review

Wow, I loved the first book in the new contemporary series by Gena Showalter. It is fresh, sexy, emotional, and has a cast of unique characters that are all screaming for their own stories. The Original Heartbreakers Series is set in the small town of Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma. It is your typical mid-west small town. The residents are quick to judge, have long memories, and are a tight knit group. Although they may have the negative traits that most small towns have, they also have the charming traits and quirky characters that make this place a home.

The Closer You Come is the first book in the Original Heartbreakers series. It is one red hot book.

Jase Hollister has come to Strawberry Valley with his friends Lincoln West and Beck Oakley. They are brothers by choice. He has just gotten out of prison after serving for nine years. He wants to find a nice quiet small town where he can live in peace and mind his own business. But minding your own business is not a small town characteristic. You are the town’s business.

While Beck is a renowned ladies man ( man whore) and West is a known party animal, Jase is the recluse. Each of them hides behind an exterior that covers the pain and sorrow they have experienced in life. Strawberry Valley is a good place to hide it away.

When Jase meets Brook Lynn Dillion, it is not in a good way. He is bed with her wild sister Jessie Kay. Brook Lynn is known for her temper. Jessie Kay is known for her wild ways and disregard for convention. Brook Lynn is always bailing Jessie out of trouble, covering for her job, and paying her bills. She is working two jobs and not making ends meet. When she catches Jessie Kay in bed with Jase, her temper breaks loose. Letting go and losing it is going to cost her more than a bit of embarrassment, it is going to cost her her jobs and her heart.

Jase picked the wrong sister to sleep with. He feels guilty that Brook Lynn is paying for Jessie Kay’s sins. He offers her a job as his assistant.

Yeah, I think you can figure out where the job will lead. The exciting thing is the adventure along the way. Brook Lynn not only has to deal with Jase’s attitude, she has to handle West and Beck. She has to learn how to deal with Jase’s issues & secrets, Jessie Kay’s irresponsibility, Beck’s women, West’s meltdown, and find her place in her world.

Just as things are finally going in the right direction for Jase and Brook Lynn, the Strawberry Valley world spins out of control. There is a stalker in the midst, an old lover staking her claim, a secret love child, a wedding in the works, a party for a dead girl, and a whole lot of crazy coming out of the woodwork. Brook Lynn is just going to have to show Jase and Strawberry Valley that she is the one to be reckoned with. For once Brook Lynn is putting her happiness first.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters are not your run of the mill characters. They are seriously flawed and it’s okay. Gena did not try to fix them in order to have their happily ever after. She allowed them to be perfectly human. The results were perfect for Jase and Brook Lynn. They found a way to work around the flaws, accept one another, and allow peace & love into their lives. She built a great cast of characters, set the stage for their stories, and made the town of Strawberry Valley come to life.

The Closer You Come by Gena Showalter is her newest scorching hot romance. As I read this book I was going up in flames.

About Gena Showalter

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in paranormal and contemporary romances, as well as young adult novels. Her series include White Rabbit Chronicles, Angels of the Dark, Otherworld Assassins, Lords of the Underworld, Alien Huntress and Intertwined.

Her novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Seventeen Magazine, and have been translated all over the world. The critics have called her books “sizzling page-turners” and “utterly spellbinding stories”, while Showalter herself has been called “a star on the rise”.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Day Blitz + 5 Star Review + 2015 Favorite + Giveaway: Deep by Kylie Scott – Stage Dive Series – Book 4

Posted on 03/31/2015 by shellbellereads

Deep

Stage Dive Series – Book 4

By Kylie Scott

Release Date: March 31, 2015

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

Synopsis

Don’t miss a beat with the fourth and final novel in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Stage Dive series from Kylie Scott.
Positive. With two little lines on a pregnancy test, everything in Lizzy Rollins’ ordinary life is about to change forever. And all because of one big mistake in Vegas with Ben Nicholson, the irresistibly sexy bass player for Stage Dive. So what if Ben’s the only man she’s ever met who can make her feel completely safe, cherished, and out of control with desire at the same time? Lizzy knows the gorgeous rock star isn’t looking for anything more permanent than a good time, no matter how much she wishes differently.

Ben knows Lizzy is off limits. Completely and utterly. She’s his best friend’s little sister now, and no matter how hot the chemistry is between them, no matter how sweet and sexy she is, he’s not going to go there. But when Ben is forced to keep the one girl he’s always had a weakness for out of trouble in Sin City, he quickly learns that what happens in Vegas, doesn’t always stay there. Now he and Lizzie are connected in the deepest way possible…but will it lead to a connection of the heart?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

Excerpt

His laughter, it didn’t really sound the smallest bit amused. “Christ. You’re done here.”

“Ah, no. I’m actually not. Now see, this is where we have a problem.” I folded my arms. Then unfolded them because like fuck I’d look defensive. He was the one in the wrong, not me. “You’re not prepared to take me, or my feelings, seriously. What you want is to hide away in Mr. Too Cool for Commitment land and just play with my affections when it suits you. Okay, I’ve accepted that. But none of that means it’s okay for you to come in here and act like you’re the boss of me. None of it.”

“That so?” he asked, leaning down so that we were almost nose to nose.

“That’s so, baby.” I play-punched him in the shoulder, which it should be noted, I barely came up to. Okay, so maybe the alcohol on a mostly empty stomach had made me slightly/lots braver/sillier. “So why don’t you take your little caveman jealous tantrum bullshit somewhere else. See, I do this funny thing I like to refer to as whatever the fuck I want. Understand?”

He just stared.

“And as pretty as you are with your beard and your muscles, you are too damn tricky and . . . complicated and shit for me.”

“I am?”

“Yes, you are. Are you finally seeing my point here?”

“You bet.”

“Excellent. So take your hotness elsewhere, kind sir. I want no part of it!” Huh. I had so told him. Drunken bravado was the best.

Michel’s Review

This is a bittersweet moment writing the final review for the Stage Dive Series by Kylie Scott. Readers have been sitting on pins and needles waiting for Ben’s book to arrive. At the same time I think they were dreading the release day because we knew this was the last book in this phenomenal series.

I can honestly say that Deep was the perfect ending for our favorite band, Stage Dive, and the final tour. We’ve witnessed a deep feeling poet & lead guitarist shed the strings that held him back to find what true love is really about. We’ve rode the ADHD ,fueled my pure sugar hyped up on steroids crazy train, otherwise known as Mal Ericsson, the highly adrenalized drummer for Stage Dive ( still my all time favorite book boyfriend). We’ve gave the finger and the hi ho to the egotistical, self centered lead singer and forgave his transgressions. Yes, we wanted the jerk to find happiness and love. Through it all has been the quiet, strong and steady bass player. He rolls with the punches, lends a hand when necessary, never rocks the boat, and always plays with perfection. He is easy going, mild mannered, and a carefree spirit. He has a bit of wanderlust, a big dose of commitment issues, and no clue how to be in a relationship. He has quite a mystery throughout the series and peaked the reader’s interest.

Ben is going to steal the readers hearts. This man is a swoon worthy rock- n- roll fantasy wrapped up pure hunkiness and manly hair. As we all know, he is the beat and rhythm that keeps the band’s music flowing to perfection. His perfect beat and timing is going to rock the readers hearts.

As we have all suspected, Ben and Lizzy were definitely attracted to one another. All those text messages Ben seemed to be wrapped up in, you can only guess who he was texting. When the Elvis Vegas Wedding binds another Stage Dive couple, Ben and Lizzy make their own coupling. A one night stand results in the appearance of Little Bean, otherwise known as baby on the way. What happened in Vegas did not stay in Vegas.

Ben’s not ready to settle down. He doesn’t want commitment. He does want to be a stand up guy. He respects Lizzy and wants to be the friend she needs. But is he really ready to be a father?

Meanwhile backstage, other members of the band are up to all kinds of good & bad things. Jimmy and Lena are also expecting. Jimmy wants to railroad Lena and take care of her. Lena just wants to kill Jimmy ( not really), Could another wedding be in the near future? And Mal, well besides teaching Killer (the puppy) how to kiss with his tongue, he wants to kill Ben. Trouble is brewing between the band members and it is not pretty. All of this is happening just as they are starting a sixteen week world wide tour. This is a tour to go down in Stage Dive history.

The romance between Ben and Lizzy is a slow build that becomes something absolutely beautiful. It is a wonder to watch them both change for the better. It is a wonder getting to know who Ben really is beneath his easy going exterior.

Just as it looks like Ben and Lizzy are going to have their perfect Stage Dive Happily Ever After, the story will take another turn. An old nemesis will pop up with her claws sharpened and ruin the perfect tour. The Stage Dive series will go full circle and it will be up to Ben to stop the vicious cycle.

The Stage Dive Series is one of my all time favorite series. Kylie Scott has created magic with these colorful musicians and their leading ladies. She has given us humor, heartbreak, witty dialogue, interesting strong leading ladies, a tight knit family, and romance that makes the heart beat out of control. Each and every book is a 5+ Star Book.

Don’t miss out on the final show for Stage Dive. Read Deep…it will rock your soul.

The Stage Dive Series

Lick- Book 1

Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas’s plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man in her room, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.
One thing is certain, being married to one of the hottest rock stars on the planet is sure to be a wild ride.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

Play- Book 2

Kylie Scott returns with the highly anticipated follow-up to international bestseller Lick.

Mal Ericson, drummer for the world famous rock band Stage Dive, needs to clean up his image fast–at least for a little while. Having a good girl on his arm should do the job just fine. Mal doesn’t plan on this temporary fix becoming permanent, but he didn’t count on finding the one right girl.

Anne Rollins never thought she’d ever meet the rock god who plastered her teenage bedroom walls–especially not under these circumstances. Anne has money problems. Big ones. But being paid to play the pretend girlfriend to a wild life-of-the-party drummer couldn’t end well. No matter how hot he is. Or could it?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

Lead – Book 3

Stay up all night with the sexy rockers in Stage Dive, the epic New Adult series from New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott, author of Lick and Play.

Can rock n’ roll’s most notorious bad boy be tamed by love?
As the lead singer of Stage Dive, Jimmy is used to getting whatever he wants, whenever he wants it–now he’s caught up in a life of hard partying and fast women. When a PR disaster serves as a wake-up call and lands him in rehab, he finds himself with Lena, a new assistant hired to keep him out of trouble.
Lena’s not willing to take any crap from her sexy boss and is determined to keep their relationship completely professional, despite their sizzling chemistry. But when Jimmy pushes her too far, he just might lose the best thing that’s ever happened to him. Can he convince his stubborn assistant to risk it all and let her heart take the lead?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

Deep – Book 4

Positive. With two little lines on a pregnancy test, everything in Lizzy Rollins’ ordinary life is about to change forever. And all because of one big mistake in Vegas with Ben Nicholson, the irresistibly sexy bass player for Stage Dive. So what if Ben’s the only man she’s ever met who can make her feel completely safe, cherished, and out of control with desire at the same time? Lizzy knows the gorgeous rock star isn’t looking for anything more permanent than a good time, no matter how much she wishes differently.

Pre Order: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

About the Author:

Kylie is a long time fan of erotic love stories and B-grade horror films. She demands a happy ending and if blood and carnage occur along the way then all the better. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and one delightful husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet.

Kylie is represented by Amy Tannenbaum at the Jane Rotrosen Agency, New York.

Stalk Kylie Scott: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY
Win a SIGNED SET of the Stage Dive Series

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Release + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: It’s Always Been You by Jessica Scott

Posted on 03/31/2015 by shellbellereads

It’s Always Been You

Coming Home Series – Book 5

By Jessica Scott

Now Available in Mass Market Paperback

Synopsis

“Jessica Scott is an exciting new voice in romantic fiction who bursts upon the scene with an unputdownable debut novel!”
–Robyn Carr, New York Times bestselling author on Because of You

She plays by the rules . . .

Captain Ben Teague is many things: a tough soldier, a loyal friend, and a bona fide smart-ass. He doesn’t have much tolerance for BS, which is why he’s mad as hell when a trusted colleague and mentor is brought up on charges that can’t possibly be true. He’s even more frustrated with by-the-book lawyer Major Olivia Hale. But there’s something simmering beneath her icy reserve–and Ben just can’t resist turning up the heat . . .

. . . and he’s determined to break them

The only thing riskier than mixing business with pleasure is enjoying it . . . and Olivia can’t resist locking horns–and lips–with Ben. He’s got more compassion in his little finger than any commander she’s ever met, a fact that makes him a better leader than he realizes. But when the case that brought them together awakens demons from Olivia’s past, she will have to choose between following orders–or her heart . . .

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes

Paperback: Amazon / B & N / Books A Million

Excerpt

“You don’t like being in command, do you, Ben?” she whispered. The air was thick between them, heavy with unsaid things.

He shook his head. “It’s too much responsibility for other people’s problems. I’m not qualified to judge someone else’s screw ups,” he said.

He shifted so he could face her, his body angled toward hers. A shadow partially concealed his face, casting it in hard lines and a dozen shades of grey.

“You’re not supposed to be perfect to be a leader,” she whispered. Her voice cracked, hung on the tension in her neck from sitting a little too close.

Silence filled the space between them. Heavy and warm and crackling with latent energy.

He licked his bottom lip, his gaze locked with hers. “I don’t want to be either,” he said. His voice was a husky whisper filled with need.

Her breath caught in her throat. A hesitant movement. A breath closer. This was monumentally stupid. Infinitely so.

And yet she parted her lips, her entire body trembling in anticipation of the faintest touch of his. He was there, just there. A breath separated them. Nothing more.

It was a hesitant kiss. A light, teasing brush of his top lip against hers. Her breath mingled with his, threading between them and urging her closer. She met his eyes, waiting. Wanting. Needing more of this deeply sensual man who made her feel so many writhing, hungry things.

It was forever before either of them moved. Her breath was locked in her throat. Then she felt it. His palm slid over her cheek, his fingers rough on her skin. Warmth penetrated her, wound its way over the surface to slide beneath her skin and stroke something long dormant to life.

Need. It was need that made her lean toward him. Need that made her part her lips and trace his mouth with her tongue. Need that made her nip his bottom lip and thread her fingers in the short hair on the back of his neck.

Need that made her gasp in pleasure as his tongue slid against hers, twining in that sensuous dance that brought her blood to life. Heat pounded between her thighs, an aching, pulsing want that scorched her like nothing she’d ever felt.

She gave herself over to the sensation, to the pleasure of his touch. Knowing it was a mistake and far past caring as her breath finally released, mixing with the heated strokes of his tongue.

She eased back after a moment, before she did something monumentally stupid, like crawling into his lap in broad daylight.

“We really should talk about those legal packets,” she said against his mouth.

His smile was unexpected. “Wow, you are hell on a man’s ego,” he said.

The laugh caught her off guard and she rested her forehead against his as she struggled to regain her composure. Something opened against her heart, something unexpected and warm.

Something complicated.

For a brief moment, it was tempting to throw caution to the curb, to nuzzle his mouth with hers, to absorb his taste andwarmth.

And then reality kicked in.

“We really should head back. We’ve got that meeting in two hours,” she said.

He smiled. “Always responsible and focused.”

He brushed his thumb over her lip as he said it. This was something nice.

Unexpected.

It was going to be an interesting legal briefing, that was for damn sure.

Michel’s Review

I cannot praise Jessica Scott’s Coming Home series enough. I have raved about each book in this series. Jessica Scott combines military careers, civilian life, people with very real problems, and trying to build happy lives in situations that are very hard for those they love. This series has brought me to tears, opened my eyes to the problems the modern army faces, made me see a soldier as an individual person, and has delivered very real relationships. Each and every story is emotional. Each book addresses difficult situations that affect these courageous men and women. In the end, there is always the underlying message of hope and true love.

It’s Always Been You is Captain Ben Teague’s story. He is a stand up guy, always has your back, and has an understanding of human nature. He is a strong leader and recognizes each and every soldier under his command as an individual.

This story begins where All For You left off. The battalion has cleaned house and new commands are assigned. The objective is to clean up their newly assigned companies. Captain Ben Teague does not want the new Bandit Company he has been assigned to. He does not want to be a commander.

Overseeing the clean up is Major Olivia Hale, a lawyer whose sole purpose is to make sure this happens. Captain Teague is on her radar. This reluctant leader seems to want to protect his men rather than the true victims. His casual regard for the rules, his soft heart, and closed lip are not helping matters. One of his men, Escoberra, is under suspect for abuse of his child. She wants his family to be safe . Due to her past, her views, opinions, and drive are very influential in her actions. After she meets Ben, she will learn everything is not as black and white as they seem.

Ben and Olivia are drawn to one another even though they are on opposing sides of the fence. Both will have to learn from the other. Both will have to open their minds and hearts to the new dilemma’s this new Company faces. They will have to learn to combine their working relationship with their personal relationship. They will have to learn how to deal with mental health issues and legal issues their battelian will face. But together they will both become stronger individuals. They will learn from each other and they will teach each other very different things about life.

I loved Ben and Olivia’s relationship. It was tough, mature, compassionate, heart wrenching, and empowering.

It’s Always Been You by Jessica Scott is another powerful book in the Coming Home series. It can be read as a stand alone or in series order.

The Coming Home Series

Because Of You

From the war-torn streets of Baghdad to the bittersweet comforts of the home front, two wounded hearts navigate the battlefield of coming home from war in this explosive eBook original from newcomer Jessica Scott.

Keeping his men alive is all that matters to Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison. But meeting Jen St. James the night before his latest deployment makes Shane wonder if there’s more to life than war. He leaves for Iraq remembering a single kiss with a woman he’ll never see again- until a near fatal attack lands him back at home and in her care. Jen has survived her own brush with death and endured its scars. And yet there’s a fire in Shane that makes Jen forget all about her past. He may be her patient, but when this warrior looks her in the eyes, she feels – for the first time in a long time – like a woman. Shane is too proud to ask for help, but for Jen, caring for him is more than a duty -it’s a need. And as Jen guides Shane through the fires of healing, she finds something she never expected – her deepest desire.

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Anything For You

From the USA Today Bestselling author of Because of You comes an all new Coming Home short story.

Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison has spent a year recovering from his combat injuries. A year spent in the arms of the woman of his dreams. But loving Jen comes with a price: every time he touches her, he faces the uncertain fear that loving her might mean losing her forever.

Jen is a breast cancer survivor and with Shane, she’s found a man who loves her despite her scars. But her scars may be too much for their love to survive.

As their love grows, so does the risk to Jen’s life. And Shane must make the toughest decision any man can make to save the woman he loves.

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Until There Was You

From the author of Because of You comes an all-new contemporary eBook romance. He plays by the rules, she’s not afraid to break them. Now these two strong-willed Army captains will prove that opposites attract . . .

A by-the-book captain with a West Point background, Captain Evan Loehr refuses to mix business with pleasure–except for an unguarded instance years ago when he succumbed to the deep sensuality of redheaded beauty Claire Montoya. From that moment on, though, Evan has been at odds with her, through two deployments to Iraq and back again. But when he is asked to train a team prepping for combat alongside Claire, battle-worn Evan is in for the fight of his life.

Strong, gutsy, and loyal, Captain Claire Montoya has worked hard to earn the rank on her chest. In Evan, Claire sees a rigid officer who puts the rules before everything else–including his people. When the mission forces them together, Claire soon discovers that there is more to Evan than meets the eye. He’s more than the rank on his chest; he’s a man with dark secrets and deep longings. For all their differences, Evan and Claire share two crucial passions: their country and each other.

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

I’ll Be Home For Christmas

There’s nothing in the world Army Sergeant Vic Carponti loves more than his wife and his country. Smart-mouthed and easy tempered, he takes everything as a joke . . . except his promise to come home to his wife, Nicole, for Christmas. As he prepares to leave for his latest deployment into Iraq, Vic will do everything he can to shield his beautiful, supportive wife from the realities of war . . . and from his own darkest fears.

As a career army wife, Nicole Carponti knows just what to expect from her husband’s tour of duty: loneliness, relentless worry, and a seemingly endless countdown until the moment Vic walks through the door again. But when the unthinkable happens, Nicole and Vic’s bond is tested like never before and changes everything they believe to be true about the power of love and the simple beauty of being home for the holidays.

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Back To You

He’s in for the fight of his life . . .

Army captain Trent Davila loved his wife, Laura, and their two beautiful children. But when he almost lost his life in combat, something inside him died. He couldn’t explain the emptiness he felt or bridge the growing distance between him and his family-so he deployed again. And again. And again…until his marriage reached its breaking point. Now, with everything on the line, Trent has one last chance to prove to his wife that he can be the man she needs …if she’ll have him

. . . to win back his only love.

Laura is blindsided when Trent returns home. Time and again, he chose his men over his family, and she’s just beginning to put the pieces of her shattered heart back together. But when Trent faces a court martial on false charges, only Laura can save him. What begins as an act of kindness to protect his career inflames a desire she thought long buried-and a love that won’t be denied. But can she trust that this time he’s back to stay?

Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / ITunes

All For You

Can a battle-scarred warrior . . .

Stay sober. Get deployed. Lead his platoon. Those are the only things that matter to Sergeant First Class Reza Iaconelli. What he wants is for everyone to stay out of his way; what he gets is Captain Emily Lindberg telling him how to deal with his men. Fort Hood’s newest shrink is smart as a whip and sexy as hell. She’s also full of questions-about the army, its soldiers, and the agony etched on Reza’s body and soul.

. . . open his heart to love?

Emily has devoted her life to giving soldiers the care they need-and deserve. Little does she know that means facing down the fierce wall of muscle that is Sergeant Iaconelli like it’s just another day at the office. When Reza agrees to help her understand what makes a soldier tick, she’s thrilled. Too bad it doesn’t help her unravel the sexy warrior in front of her who stokes her desire and touches a part of her she thought long dead. He’s the man who thinks combat is the only escape from the demons that haunt him. The man who needs her most of all . . .

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

It’s Always Been You

She plays by the rules . . .

. . . and he’s determined to break them

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

All I Want For Christmas

From USA Today Bestselling author Jessica Scott comes an all new novella about a woman who came back from war changed and the man who loves her enough not to let her go.

All Major Patrick MacLean wanted was Christmas with the woman and child who were his family in everything but name. But Captain Samantha Egan has come back from the war a different woman than the one who left – and she doesn’t know if she can love him anymore.

But neither of them counted on the determination of a little girl they both call daughter and if Natalie has her wish, her parents may have no idea what’s coming for them. It’s going to take Christmas miracle to bring these two wounded warriors back from the edge of a broken heart.

This story has been featured in Home For Christmas: A Holiday Duet with JoAnn Ross.

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Release: Fall With Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout- Wait For You Series – Book 4

Posted on 03/31/2015 by shellbellereads

Fall With Me

Wait For You Series – Book 4

By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis

Jennifer L. Armentrout, New York Times bestselling author of the Wait for You series, delivers a new novel of first love, second chances, and scorching chemistry.

Eleven months ago, bartender and weird-shirt-wearing extraordinaire
Roxy and Officer Reece Anders had a one night stand. Well, kind of.
She’s been in love with him since she was fifteen, and he wishes that
night they shared never happened. She’s sworn him off forever, but the
past and future collide, forcing her to rely on the one man who broke
her heart not once, but twice.
Her best friend since birth has been in a long-term care facility
since he became a victim of a hate crime years ago, and the person who
put him in there is out of prison and wanting to make amends with him
and Roxy. She’s not sure she has room for forgiveness in her and when
she begins to receive frightening messages and is on the receiving end
of escalating violence, she thinks she knows who is to blame. The man
who already destroyed one life already.

But Reece isn’t convinced. The threats are too personal, and even if
Roxy doesn’t believe him, he’s not willing to let anyone hurt her.
Including himself. He’s already messed up more than once when it comes
to Roxy and he’s not going to let history repeat itself.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo / Google Play

________________________
About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website Facebook Twitter Novel Goodreads Author Goodreads

Review: Night Shift Anthology-Dirty Things Happen In The Dark- Kindle Alexander, Toni Aleo, Sawyer Bennett, Brenda Rathert, Chelle Bliss, and Eden Butler

Posted on 03/28/2015 by shellbellereads

Night Shift Antholgy

Dirty Things Happen After Dark

Six New Novellas by Toni Aleo, Sawyer Bennett, Chelle Bliss, Kindle Alexander,Brenda Rather, and Eden Butler

Buy: Amazon / ITunes

Synopsis

Summer in the Big Easy is hot.

Inside Tulane Medical Center the temperature is on the rise.

Six never before released stories that will leave you breathless.

Dirty things happen in the dark.

Off Duty
Sawyer Bennett

A member of the New York Fire Department, single father Tim Davis is about as tough as they come. But underneath the muscles and tattoos, he still nurses a bruised heart handed to him courtesy of his first love. While on vacation with his son in New Orleans, Tim runs into the very woman that taught him about love before pulling it all away.
Holly Reynolds is rebuilding her life as an orthopedic doctor, far away from her home in New York City and her controlling father – the man responsible for tearing her and Tim apart. While she knows the hurt she caused Tim could never be forgiven, she can’t help the overwhelming feelings she still has for her first and deepest love.
Truths are revealed as lies are exposed.

Rebound
Chelle Bliss

After losing the love of his life to another man, Flash is heartbroken and lost.
Wanting to forget, he heads to New Orleans. He finds the unexpected.
A chance encounter could alter his fate or will she become his rebound?

Wanting to Forget
Toni Aleo

Jordie Thomas is looking for something to take his mind off of the woman he let go—or rather, pushed away—and the terrifying prospect of what will happen if his broken leg doesn’t heal. He’s ready to get back to his family and fellow teammates on the Nashville Assassins and get back onto the ice. However, with his injured leg in the way and his mind clouded by a certain woman, he needs a break to clear his head and his heart. With New Orleans in his sights, can this player find a way to get back to the crazy and reckless life he used to live? Find out as author Toni Also takes readers on a wild journey in this Assassins novella.

Closet Confession
Kindle Alexander

Dr. Derek Babineaux is intelligent, dedicated, and one of the best ER physicians in the fast-paced world of critical care at TMC. Always on top of his game, he’s thrown off balance when the newest staff member unleashes his hidden desires.

Justin Delacroix’s job at the inner city’s busiest hospital might be just what he needs to ease back into civilian life. There’s only one problem, his attraction for one sexy ER doctor is off the charts, but he has reasons for not returning Dr. Baby’s advances. Or maybe he doesn’t.
.
Healing Touch
Brenda Rothert

She spends her nights treating patients, but Dr. Jocelyn Drake’s own wounds are unfixable. A fierce determination to continue her research project and a shred of remaining pride keep Joss from transferring out of the Big Easy.
Carson Stephens recently returned from a tour of duty in the Middle East, and now his closest companion is loneliness. His night-shift work supervising the electrical and mechanical systems at the hospital is a perfect fit – it’s solitary work putting broken things back together. If Carson has his way, his hands will work their magic on more than the wiring, and he’ll show Joss a night of passion that restores her shattered confidence.

Swimming in Shadows
Eden Butler

Neil Ryan was a good Navy SEAL. He was an even better detective, but when an unmarked envelope lands on Ryan’s desk, long-buried secrets are resurrected and Ryan questions everything he thought he knew about justice, including who killed his mother.
Now he’s chasing a ghost, swimming in the shadows of the past, searching for answers. Ryan lands in America’s wildest, sexiest city tangling with a redhead, chasing down a dead woman, and trying to get his best friend to stop hounding him about a business he wants no part of. When a set up sends him straight to Tulane Medical, and into the care of the girl he never forgot, Ryan finds the strength and healing to unravel the mysteries of the past.

Tracey’s Review

#loveislove

What do you get when you put together six of my favorite romance authors, hot little stories set in the Big Easy, and a book that is giving 100% of sales to worthwhile charities? A great big win, that’s what. NIGHT SHIFT: DIRTY THINGS HAPPEN IN THE DARK is a collection of six novellas, all set in New Orleans, at Tulane Medical Center. Each author has written a story guaranteed to raise the temperature and up the sexy quotient. NIGHT SHIFT is the perfect way to get a feel for each of the author’s styles, and I enjoyed seeing how they complemented each other.

One of the things that I like most about this collaboration is that the authors have not only given us their creativity, with stories that absolutely bring the sizzle, but have also done all of this to bring awareness to the very real issue of mental health and to help deserving charities. Do yourself a favor and grab your copy, because, after all, love is love, and Kindle, Toni, Sawyer, Brenda, Chelle, and Eden have done a great job of showing us just that.

6-Star Review: Consolation by Corinne Michaels

Posted on 03/26/2015 by Saucy Southern Readers

Consolation

The Consolation Duet – Book 1

Release Date : March 18, 2015

Synopsis

Liam wasn’t supposed to be my happily ever after.

He wasn’t even on my radar.

He was my husband’s best friend—forbidden.

But my husband is dead and I’m alone. I ache for him and I reach for Liam.

One night with Liam changed everything. Now I have to decide if I truly love him or if he’s just the consolation prize.

Buy: Amazon/ B & N / ITunes

Excerpt

Aarabelle sits in her high chair as I feed her dinner. She’s growing so fast. Already she’s eating cereal and a little baby food. Soon she’ll be crawling and I have no one to celebrate with. Her father will never see these milestones and it breaks me apart.

“You should really lock the door,” Liam huffs as he throws his coat over the chair.

“But then I’d have to get up to let you in,” I state matter-of-factly and go back to feeding the baby, trying to put aside my worries. The fact is…this is reality. I have to deal with it.

“Uh huh. Hey, Pumpkin,” his eyes alight as he crouches down by Aara. It’s adorable hearing grown men use a baby voice. It gets a little softer and higher pitched.

The corners of her mouth lift and she throws her arms in the air when he gets close. My heart sputters seeing how happy she gets seeing him. Liam kisses her head and she giggles.

“At least someone is happy to see me,” he says playfully.

“I’d be happy if you brought me a present,” I joke.

He laughs and goes into the pocket of his coat. “Just so happens I did, but since that’s the only way you’ll be nice, I’ll hold on to this until you’ve earned it.”

Practically leaping out of my chair, I rush over. “What is it?” I try to peer around his back as he holds the mystery item.

Liam’s lips curl as he sees how much I want this. I don’t even know what it is. Jeez, I’m an idiot. “Nope. We eat first, then maybe you’ll get it.”

“Watch, it’s a freaking Pez dispenser or something stupid.”

“Guess you’ll have to be nice to find out.” He shoves the item into his back pocket and I fight the urge to reach and get it. “How was work?”

We spend the next thirty minutes going over my day and Jackson’s return. Liam never mentioned that they spoke, but he’s surprised to hear he’s in Virginia. After we finish the pizza, Liam somehow convinces me we should watch a movie. I get Aarabelle to bed and come down to find him sprawled out on the couch.

“By all means, make yourself comfortable.”

Liam pulls his beanie higher on his forehead and his eyes glimmer with amusement. He sits up and puts the TV on. “I picked the movie.”

“What?” I ask with mock incredulity. “It’s my house. Why do you get to pick the movie?”

“Ummm, I’m the guest.” He shrugs as if this should be an obvious answer.

I groan and lean back. “What crappy, shoot-‘em-up movie do I have to endure?”

“You’ll see. It’s a classic.”

Kelley’s Review

Holy Helluva Cliffhanger!!!

I am a huge fan of this series. I went through a whole box of tissues when I read Beloved and Beholden and my dishes and laundry piled up for several days. Consolation was another emotional rollercoaster of a read that trapped me from the very first chapter. There was no putting this book down. I was on a flight to Charleston for work and started bawling my eyes out. The passengers looked at me like I was crazy. All I could say was “really good book”.

At the end of Beholden we are given the news that Aaron has lost his life in battle. His friends and his pregnant wife are devastated. You get to see the story unfold from Natalie’s point of view and you can feel deep down in your body and soul the anguish she feels after answering that knock on the door. The knock that knocked the breath out of her.

It is a miracle when Liam shows up in Natalie’s life when she is in her darkest hour. He becomes her light and her truth and puts a smile on her face again. He truly cares for her and wants to see her happy again. He also falls in love with her little girl who looks so much like the best friend he lost. We get to see Liam’s point of view feel as well and what he is battling as he begins to have feelings for his best friends widow.

Corinne does an excellent job developing her characters. I could feel the pain that these two lost souls were harboring. I consider myself a seasoned reader and can usually predict what happens and this time I was left with my jaw dropped and mouth open going what the heck just happened. I did not see the plot twist Corinne had in store. Wow! I can’t wait to read Conviction in May. Thank you Corinne for another amazing read!!

Conviction

The Consolation Duet – Book 2

Release Date: May 27, 2015

By Corinne Michaels

Synopsis

I fell in love with Liam only to be left shattered into a million pieces. Again. The idea of being without him cripples me but the reality is, he’s gone.

He doesn’t understand and I can’t make him.

If only he’d see the conviction behind my words—then Liam would still be here.

Pre Order : ITunes

About Corinne Michaels

Corinne Michaels is an emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children. She’s happily married to the man of her dreams and is a former Navy wife. After spending months away from her husband while he was deployed, reading and writing was her escape from the loneliness.

Both her maternal and paternal grandmothers were librarians, which only intensified her love of reading. After years of writing short stories, she couldn’t ignore the call to finish her debut novel, Beloved. Her alpha Navy SEALs are broken, beautiful, and will steal your heart.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest

Review: The One You Want by Gena Showalter -Original Heartbreakers Series- Prequel Novella

Posted on 03/26/2015 by shellbellereads

The One You Want

The Original Heartbreakers Series – Prequel Novella

By Gena Showalter

Free

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter introduces the Original Heartbreakers—about sexy bad boys each meeting their match—with a special prequel novella!

In small-town Oklahoma, reputation is everything, and Kenna Starr will do anything to overcome hers. The supposed bad girl is determined to walk the straight and narrow, a seemingly impossible task when Tall, Dark and Sexy shows up…
Rich and powerful, Dane Michaelson is every woman’s dream. When he returns to Strawberry Valley after a sixteen-year absence, he is unprepared for the redheaded girl he’s never been able to forget. She’s all woman now—and he’s never wanted anyone more. But to have her, he’ll have to break through her defenses…and surrender his own.

Look for the next books in the Original Heartbreakers—The Closer You Come, The Hotter You Burn and The Harder You Fall—from HQN Books!

FREE : Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Michel’s Review

Gena Showalter has a new contemporary series releasing soon. As an introduction to the Original Heartbreakers series, she released a prequel novella. The novella gives the reader a taste of what is to come. We are introduced to the small town, Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma. This is your typical small town that is quick to judge, easy to fall prey to money and power, and willing to overlook the wrong doings of some of their model citizens. It is a town where everyone knows each others business. Everyone puts their own spin on every story. At the same time there are the town misfits that march to their own beat and hold their heads high. The readers are going to meet some of these people in this novella and future novels to come. It is going to be sizzling hot! Strawberry Valley has some new residents coming, they are notorious bad boys ready to take Strawberry Valley by storm. The women better watch out. They better hang onto their panties. Most of all they better hang onto their hearts.

Although The One You Want is only a novella, it packed a punch. It set the stage for the Original Heartbreakers series. In this novella the reader gets introduced to Dane Michaelson, a former Strawberry Valley resident, that is forced to return. The reader is also introduced to the town slut & piranha, Kenna Starr ( sounds like a porn star name). These two have a history that dates back to their childhood. Their parents have a history that destroyed two families and provided Strawberry Valley with enough gossip to last a lifetime. Now Dane and Kenna are about to become siblings (step siblings). Can they put aside their hate for one another for the sake of the family name. Will the residents of Strawberry Valley accept this new family union?

When Dane and Kenna are re-introduced to one another there is an instant attraction. They have not seen each other since they were children. Their last moments together ended with hateful accusations that hurt both of them deeply. Dane has been gone from Strawberry Valley for over 16 years. He has heard all about the illustrious Kenna Starr. He’s just as quick to judge her as all of the residents of Strawberry Valley. He also knows exactly how she learned her skills. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Like mother, like daughter.

The only redeeming grace that Dane has in his assumptions and impressions is that he has been away from Strawberry Valley for a long time. He is able to look beyond the stories and decipher something more. Kenna is not the person they have led him to believe she was. Once he begins to know her, he is in for quite a surprise. She is an incredible woman with strength, intelligence, and compassion. He is falling hopelessly in love with her. Now he will have to get over his ill feelings towards her family, let go of the past, and open his heart. Strawberry Valley holds the key to his future and happiness.

Although this a novella, the story does not feel rushed. The characters are well developed and unique. The story has the right amount of twists and turns, ups and downs, and heated scenes that keep the reader glued to the pages.

Throughout this novella the reader will meet the characters that will be featured in the upcoming novels. They are charismatic and compelling people that have a story screaming to be told. I am looking forward to reading more!

Gena Showalter has once again proven what a powerhouse writer she is. Whether she is writing paranormal, sci-fi / urban fantasy, mature young adult, or contemporary romance, her books are captivating page turners.

Be on the lookout for The Close You Come by Gena Showalter, releasing March 31, 2015.

About Gena Showalter

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + Review + Giveaway : Revved by Samantha Towle

Posted on 03/26/2015 by shellbellereads

Race car mechanic Andressa “Andi” Amaro has one rule—no dating drivers. With a good reason behind the rule, she has no plans on breaking it.

Carrick Ryan is the bad boy of Formula One. With a face and body that melts panties on sight, and an Irish lilt that leaves women on their knees, begging for more. He races hard and parties harder. The youngest driver to ever sign with F1, he’s still at the top of his game five years later, breaking hearts on and off the tracks.

When Andi is offered her dream job working in the glamorous world of F1, she leaves her home in Brazil, positive she can handle working for Carrick. But she’s not prepared for the off-the-chart sparks that fly the moment they meet.

Now, Andi has a crush on the one man she can’t have, and her resolve is about to be put to the test, because Carrick has decided he wants Andi, and he plans on testing her to the very limit…

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

I run my fingertips over the blue-and-silver paintwork as I walk toward the back end. Bending over, I start poking around, taking a look at the engine.

“Please tell me that you’re my birthday present.”

The Irish drawl has the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

I turn my head to find Carrick Ryan standing behind me.

Oh. Wow.

He’s definitely better looking in the flesh than on television. I knew he was attractive. But blonds aren’t usually my thing. I’m more of a dark-hair-and-dark-eyes kind of girl.

But his dirty-blond hair, blue eyes laced with sin, and full lips—the kind of lips you spend hours sucking on—and that chiseled jaw decorated with stubble…yep, it all seems to be working for me. Well, my body anyway. Definitely not my head. Man-sluts are not my thing.

My eyes meet with his as he lifts them from blatantly staring at my arse. The look in them hits me straight in the gut, surprising the hell out of me. His eyes are profoundly blue and filled with heat. My skin starts to prickle as his intense stare burns me up.

I’ve never had such an instant visual reaction to a man before.

Fuck.

Take it easy, Andi. This isn’t a problem. You’ve met good-looking men before. You can turn this off. Drivers are a no-go area, especially ones you work for.

My job is too important to lose over a man.

Straightening, I turn to face him.

“Hello,” I say in my most confident and formal voice.

I get nothing back, and that’s because he hasn’t heard me. He’s too busy staring at my breasts.

Typical man.

I have the sudden urge to punch him in his handsome face.

But I won’t because I’m a professional. I’ll handle this in the best way I know when it comes to dealing with pervy dickheads like him.

“It’s your birthday?” I say sweetly, my smile a little on the flirtatious side.

He grins. “It sure is, and it’s definitely looking up now that you’re here. Are you going to make it extra special for me, sugar?”

He thinks he’s about to get lucky.

Far from it. Smarmy twat.

I tilt my head to the side, keeping the flirty smile on my face, as I walk up to him until there’s very little space between us. I press my fingers to his chest. God, that’s firm. I can feel the ridge of his muscles underneath my fingertips.

He’s tall, too, a good few inches higher than my five-nine. I’d say he’s six-one, which is tall for a driver, but he’s lean. He needs to be to fit into those cars. I bet, under those clothes of his, there’s nothing but toned muscle. Drivers have to be seriously fit, and Carrick Ryan certainly ticks that box on both counts.

Now, I’m imagining him naked. Great. Just fucking great.

I force my focus back to the now. “Well…” I lean in closer to him, hearing him suck in a sharp breath. I lower my voice as I whisper, “If you ever call me sugar again, you won’t see your next birthday. That’s for sure.”

He tilts his head back in amusement. “Feisty. I like it.”

I take a step back, dropping my hand from his chest. “There’s nothing here for you to like.”

His eyes run the length of me, lingering on my legs, the lusty look firing in them again. “I see plenty to like. Jesus…your legs go on forever.”

I wish I had something to hide my legs behind. Instead, I fold my arms to bring his focus up. “I’m not your type.”

Lifting his eyes back to mine, he gives me a confident smile. “Amazing arse. Great stems. Awesome rack. Beautiful face. Yep”—he nods—“you’re definitely my type.”

Michel’s Review

Ready to get Revved up with a sizzling hot book? Samantha Towle has delivered another exhilerating racy romance. You won’t put this book down until you have passed the finish line.

What happens when a beautiful Formula 1 mechanic joins the Ryan Racing Team ? What happens when the bad boy driver catches sight of his new mechanic? A race that will take wit, preservance, maneuvering around all the obstacles , throwing caution to the wind, and outlapping all the contenders to prove that love is the real champion.

Andressa “Andi” Amero has been around racing all of her life. She has learned to love cars and appreciate the synchronicity of well tuned engine. She is working in a world dominated by men. She has one rule about her profession that she will not comprise on. She will not date or get involved with a driver. It doesn’t matter how sexy, how handsome, or how charming the driver can be. It doesn’t matter if she desires that driver more than she desires picking up a wrench. She will not date a driver. Period. End of subject.

Carrick Ryan is the bad boy of Formula One racing. Not only is he one of the youngest champion drivers, he is sex on a stick. He has the charm, good looks, and moves that have women dropping their panties at his feet. He is a known player and rarely dates the same woman twice. When he meets his new mechanic, Andi Amero, he goes in for the kill. He wants her in his bed. When she continually turns him down he does what any man with his skill set would do, he plays the friend card. He will do anything to break Andi down and get her in his bed.

Andi and Carrick are intensely attracted to one another. Their personalities compliment each other perfectly. Their friendship is solid. When they give into their attraction it will send their lives spiraling out of control. It will bring out the caution flags. It may end the race.

Both Andi and Carrick have some serious issues. They both need to fix themselves before they can become a united team. Do they have what it takes to win the race of a lifetime?

Samantha Towle penned a sizzling hot and angsty romance that will keep the readers hearts Revved. Read the book!

New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and international bestselling author Samantha Towle began her first novel in 2008 while on maternity leave. She completed the manuscript five months later and hasn’t stopped writing since.

She has written contemporary romances, THE MIGHTY STORM, WETHERING THE STORM, TAMING THE STORM and TROUBLE.

She has also written paranormal romances, THE BRINGER and the ALEXANDRA JONES SERIES, all penned to tunes of The Killers, Kings of Leon, Adele, The Doors, Oasis, Fleetwood Mac, and more of her favourite musicians.

A native of Hull and a graduate of Salford University, she lives with her husband, Craig, in East Yorkshire with their son and daughter.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Giveaway

The author is giving away

1 – $50 Amazon Gift Card (US)
1 – $50 £ (pound) Amazon Gift Card (UK)
3 signed paperbacks of REVVED (open international)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Her Unexpected Hero by Melody Anne -Unexpected Heroes Series – Book 1

Posted on 03/25/2015 by shellbellereads

Her Unexpected Hero

Unexpected Heroes Series – Book 1

By Melody Anne

Synopsis

Would you recognize true love if it sat down next to you? In this unforgettable new spinoff of the Billionaire books from New York Times bestselling indie author Melody Anne, two strangers must look past their painful memories to make way for everlasting love.

Alyssa’s modeling career came to an abrupt end when her manager boyfriend emptied her bank account and ruined her professional reputation. Now she’s heading to a new town in Montana to rebuild her life—if she can even get there (stupid delayed planes!). But things are looking up when she’s upgraded to first class and a mysterious stranger sits down next to her…

Jackson Whitman doesn’t believe in love, or commitment, or forever—not since he lost his wife and daughter. But the beautiful woman sitting next to him at the gate has him rethinking that position. Can he convince her to be his for the night? Or will she convince him to be hers for a lifetime?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Fans of Melody Anne are going to love this book. Readers that are new to this author’s work are in for a pleasant surprise if they are looking for a contemporary romance that is an easy read and not overly thought provoking. For readers that are looking for that extra something special, this is not the book. The overall plot does not have a new formula that will have the reader oohing and awing over the originality. In the same token, although the overall plot was predictable, it was entertaining.

A random meeting in Paris leads to a one night stand. Alyssa is a famous model and Jackson is your brilliant billionaire. Alyssa is the rebound after getting out of hurtful relationship. Jackson is also gun shy where relationships are concerned.

Both end up in the same small Montana town. Alyssa ends up pregnant. Her trust issues hinder her from moving forward with Jackson. Jackson pretty much bends over backwards for Alyssa.

After a lot of back and forth, pushes from friends and relatives, and final surrender the two finally get together. Their precious child is the glue that kept them from completely falling apart.

I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Alyssa seemed a little too hard, too judgmental, and too unforgiving. Jackson also came across as a bit clueless, which contradicted his known intelligence. I also felt that this series made too many references to the series it spun off of. It almost felt like I had to back track and read that series in order to stay afloat in this series.

Overall Her Unexpected Hero was entertaining. Personally I look for a plot that is a bit more intricate, I look for stronger character development, and I look for twist and turns to make the story unpredictable. I had this story nailed throughout the book. There were no surprises that endeared me to this story.

Author Bio

Melody Anne is the author of the popular series, Billionaire Bachelors, and Baby for the Billionaire. She also has a Young Adult Series out; Midnight Fire and Midnight Moon – Rise of the Dark Angel. She’s been writing for years and published in 2011. She hold a bachelors degree in business, so she loves to write about strong, powerful, businessmen.

When Melody isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and pets. She lives in a small town that she loves, and is involved in many community projects.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Category Archives: Book Review

Happy Release + 6 Star Review: The Virgin by Tiffany Reisz – The Original Sinners: White Years – Book 3

Happy Release + 5 Star Review : The Closer You Come by Gena Showalter – The Original Heartbreakers Series – Book 1

Release Day Blitz + 5 Star Review + 2015 Favorite + Giveaway: Deep by Kylie Scott – Stage Dive Series – Book 4

Happy Release + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: It’s Always Been You by Jessica Scott

Happy Release: Fall With Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout- Wait For You Series – Book 4

Website Facebook Twitter Novel Goodreads Author Goodreads

Review: Night Shift Anthology-Dirty Things Happen In The Dark- Kindle Alexander, Toni Aleo, Sawyer Bennett, Brenda Rathert, Chelle Bliss, and Eden Butler

6-Star Review: Consolation by Corinne Michaels

Review: The One You Want by Gena Showalter -Original Heartbreakers Series- Prequel Novella

Happy Release + Review + Giveaway : Revved by Samantha Towle

Review: Her Unexpected Hero by Melody Anne -Unexpected Heroes Series – Book 1

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Website Facebook Twitter Novel Goodreads Author Goodreads