Review and Series Feature: All For You by Jessica Scott- The Coming Home Series

Posted on 11/28/2014 by shellbellereads

All For You

Coming Home Series- Book 4

By Jessica Scott

Synopsis

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 . . .

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

I cannot praise the Coming Home series by Jessica Scott enough. This series is an honest outlook at military life, those who chose the military as lifetime careers, the ramifications this career will have on their own personal being, how their professional and personal lives are affected by their choices and how love is the strength that holds these courageous men and women together. Each and every book has been outstanding and has featured different aspects of military life. The writing is exceptional, the romance is sizzling, the story themes are compelling, and the unique blend of humor mixed in with emotional issues keep readers begging for more of this series. All For You is no exception. It maintains the same excellence as all the other books in this series.

All For You is Reza Iaconelli’s story. Reza Iaconelli, known as Sarn’t Ike, has been an enigma throughout this series. He is a man of steel, a hardened warrior, a soldier you want protecting your back and a strong leader for his men. He has deployed several times and has faced almost every horror that comes with war. His strength, attitude, and dedication in times of war are what heroes are made of. Despite all his admiral traits and dedicated service, his flaws are the very thing that could destroy his military career. Reza is an alcoholic.

During deployment Reza is stone cold sober. He can deal with the realities that he has to face in the war arena. Being stateside is a different story. Without the high adrenaline rush of war he has to deal with the everyday stress, as well as the realities of wartime experience. He has to deal with his men on a different level. He has to deal with military politics, the chains of command and officers that should not be leaders. He is responsible for keeping his troop in tip top shape and molding them into solid soldiers. To top that off, he has to deal with his own personal demons as well as the nightmares from war. His coping mechanism is alcohol.

Some of his soldiers are having emotional issues that are leading to destructive behaviors that could lead to the end of their service. His commanding officer is demanding that these soldiers be evaluated and discharged. He is ordering Reza to get to the bottom of this and get their records from medical. It is another unpleasant duty that Reza will have to perform. As he follows through on his latest order he meets Captain Emily Lindberg, the psychiatrist working on his soldiers files.

Although Reza and Emily’s professional opinions clash, they are drawn together. They will enlighten each other and give each other a different view on military life and it’s affects on a soldier’s psyche. They will also find that, by leaning on each other, it will strengthen them both. It will give Reza a reason to cope with his past and look to his future. It will help him recognize that his drinking problem is more than he can handle on his own.

With the suicide rate up among the enlisted, the army will have to find new ways of dealing with their soldiers. They will have to learn to recognize when a soldier may be in trouble. Not only is PTSD a problem in the suicide rate, there are others that fall through the cracks because of their own personal backgrounds. There is a fine line in what can break a soldier.

This book is a real eye opener to one of the bigger problems in all branches of the military. What makes this problem harder to deal with is that the military is a combination of people from all walks of life coming together to make one unit. These people are molded into soldiers that will perform together in the best interest of their unit. They are not recognized as individuals. They are only a number in a large unit. It is harder to recognize the signals that something may be amiss until it has done damage. It is hard for leading officers to single out problems when they have so many that they are responsible for.

Jessica Scott wrote a very touching story that brings awareness of mental health issues in the military. Not only did All For You give an honest insight to this problem, it gave the readers a beautiful love story for a very flawed and damaged man. This man is a true hero because he faced his demons and recognized that his coping mechanisms did not work.

Well done Jessica Scott, All For You is by far the best book in the Coming Home series.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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 . . .

. . . open his heart to love?

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

It’s Always Been 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 . . .

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

Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: I Belong To You by Lisa Renee Jones- Inside Out Series- Book 5

Posted on 11/28/2014 by shellbellereads

I Belong To You

Inside Out Series- Book 5

By Lisa Renee Jones

Synopsis

Master…

Being that person, that man, is how I define myself, how I allow the

rest of the world to define me as well. And now, with a terrible loss

shredding me inside out and someone trying to destroy my family to

punish me, control is more important than ever. It is everything. It is

what I need. It is all I need. Or maybe I just need…her.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Excerpt

“Mark.”

I squeeze my eyes shut as Crystal’s voice stirs an odd sensation in my chest that somehow eases the ache in my gut. Desire rockets through me, and I tell myself it’s about fucking and control. I need it, and she’s my safe zone outside of the club.

“Are you okay?” she asks when I do not speak.

When our gazes meet the jolt is as unwelcome as it is intense. She feels it, too. I see it in the slight widening of her eyes, the way she curls her fingers into her palms on the counter across from me.

“You were furious with me a few minutes ago,” I say. “Why are you standing here now?”

“I’m not one-dimensional. I can be furious and worried at the same time.”

Unable to squash my intrigue over the unknowns of her past, I agree. “No, you aren’t one-dimensional. Nor are you simply a rich girl who wants to prove something to daddy.”

“Thank you.” She crinkles her brow. “I think.”

We fall into silence, a hum of electricity charging between us. “I still go back to you saying ‘The End’ to me a few minutes ago. You meant it this time, too. That doesn’t translate to you standing here.”

“Neither does much of what you do, where I’m concerned.”

“You’re absolutely right. It doesn’t. What does, though, is sticking to ‘The End.’ What doesn’t is how badly I want to drag you into another room and fuck you right now.”

She shakes her head. “It’s not me you want. It’s someone who’ll sign a contract and be your outlet and bridge to control. You left that bedroom thinking about the impossibility of a reason for Rebecca’s death, beyond your self-blame and guilt. You need that bridge.”

There is banked pain lacing her words, and a hint of the earlier anger I’d seen in her eyes. I could make those things go away by telling her what she’s said isn’t true. I could tell her she’s gotten under my skin. But I don’t even know who the man beneath the surface is right now. I’ve destroyed two women. Crystal doesn’t deserve to be number three.

“Is everything okay?” my father asks from the doorway, repeating Crystal’s earlier words.

“Yes,” I say, my gaze lingering on Crystal before I push off the counter, hands going to my hips. “We’re ready to talk to Mom about what’s been going on.”

“We are?” Crystal asks, sounding surprised. “Tonight?”

“We can’t risk her finding out from somewhere else,” I explain.

“She’d feel betrayed,” my father adds.

Crystal gives a choppy nod. “Yes. I can see that. But I am not looking forward to telling her.”

“None of us are,” my father says. “Right now, though, she wants us all to eat together. And since it’s the best chance we have of getting some food down her, I say we wait until after we’ve finished. I don’t want to jeopardize her appetite.”

“I’m all for getting food down her,” I say. “She’s skin and bones.”

“I’ve been force-feeding her what she does eat,” Crystal adds. “The nurse suggested some high-calorie protein shakes. I tried that, but she hates them.”

My father starts to turn, then pauses. “By the way, Crystal, Larry Prescot called me just before you got here. You won him over. Thanks for calming him down before he got to Dana.”

“My pleasure.”

He disappears into the hallway and I grab Crystal’s arm. “How okay is Prescot?”

“Very.”

“How can you be sure?”

“I threw out my father’s name—something that I normally would never do.”

“But?”

“I was on the phone with my father when the receptionist buzzed to tell me that Prescot had arrived for our meeting. My father overheard and insisted that I drop his name. I reminded him that I’m adamant about succeeding on my own merits. But I’m also not one to foolishly ignore resources when backed into a corner, and I was. Prescot was being a total jerk. I knew we were about to lose the business.”

“So you broke your rule.”

“I did. And it was an amazing turnaround. Prescot suddenly remembered the many ways people have tried to paint him as a monster in the media, and became sympathetic rather than judgmental. I called my father afterward, and it turns out that Prescot enjoys the benefits of his secretary beyond her exceptional organizational skills, and his wife of twenty years doesn’t know.”

“But your father does.”

“Yes. And now, so do we.”

My lips curve. “Sounds like I owe you and your father a thank-you.”

“All you’d get in return from my father is a demand that I quit my job. He hates me working for anyone but him, especially now with all this bad press.”

“Is he afraid it will overflow to him?”

“No. He’s afraid I’ll get hurt.”

Me too, I think. Me too. “And what did you tell him?”

“I told him I’m his daughter, not his possession. He doesn’t own me any more than you do, and neither of you gets to claim responsibility for my happiness. That’s all mine.”

As she leaves the room, I stare after her in silent agreement. I’m not responsible for her happiness. But I’m not going to be responsible for her misery, either.

Tracey’s Review

some of my favorite books, filled with twists and turns, mysteries, romance, intrigue, and danger. It is literally hard for me to put these books down when I’m reading them, because they are just so compelling. Lisa Renee writes great characters, angsty and real, that draw me in to their worlds, and storylines that hook me every single time. I BELONG TO YOU, the final chapter in Mark Compton’s and Crystal Smith’s story, was no exception.

Over the course of the series, we have come to see the different sides of Mark, but he has always been, without exception, in control. He is a Master, after all, careful to keep his emotions in check, even to the point of losing his beloved Rebecca because of it. In the novellas THE MASTER UNDONE and MY CONTROL, we began to see glimpses of a different Mark Compton, as his relationship with Crystal Smith awakened feelings in him that he kept buried deep down. Crystal also has a past that shaped her and made her a woman determined to forge her own way. She challenges Mark in every way, in the workplace and in the bedroom, refusing to hand over control.

I did not particularly like Mark in previous books. He was aloof, condescending, and very much in charge, and he took great pleasure in letting everyone know that he was the boss. Recently, though, the realization that his actions with Rebecca put her in a position that led to her death, and his feelings of helplessness around his mother’s illness have begun to change him. As his relationship with Crystal evolves and they become a real couple, learning each others’ secrets and earning each others’ trust, Mark emerges as the man that he likely would have been all along, if his past hadn’t taken such a painful turn. This is a Mark Compton that I could actually appreciate, as he has finally come to a place of peace.

Lisa Renee has done a nice job of weaving all of the pieces of this series together to get to the point where we understand the cause of each character’s pain, and are looking forward now to their continued growth. The final book in the series, ALL OF ME, releases in February 2015, and I am looking forward to seeing how she will wrap everything up for all the characters and answer any remaining questions. I would easily recommend both I BELONG TO YOU and the entire Inside Out series as some of my must-read books.

Inside Out – Reading Order

If I Were You – Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Being Me- Buy: Amaznon / Barnes and Noble

Revealing Us- Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

His Secrets: Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Rebecca’s Lost Journals Boxed Set (Includes Bk 3.1 & 3.3 and Master Undone)

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

My Hunger- Book 3.4- Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

No In Between- Book 4 – Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

I Belong To You – Book 5 -Coming November 18, 2014

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble/ ITunes

All Of Me – Book 6 – Coming February 22, 2014 –

Pre Order : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT SERIES, and is now in development by Suzanne Todd (Alice in Wonderland) for cable TV. In addition, her Tall, Dark and Deadly series and The Secret Life of Amy Bensen series, both spent several months on a combination of the NY Times and USA Today lists.

Watch the video on casting for the INSIDE TV Show HERE

Since beginning her publishing career in 2007, Lisa has published more than 40 books translated around the world. Booklist says that Jones suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann.

Prior to publishing, Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by Dallas Women Magazine. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at on her website and she is active on twitter and facebook daily.

GIVEAWAY

$15 Amazon Gift Card

10 I Belong To You Tote Bags
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Holiday Review: It’s A Wonderful Fireman by Jennifer Bernard- Bachelor Fireman Series

Posted on 11/25/2014 by shellbellereads

It’s A Wonderful Fireman

A Holiday Novella

Bachelor Fireman Series- Book 6.5

By Jennifer Bernard

Synopsis

Hard-edged fireman Dean Mulligan has never been a big fan of Christmas. Twinkly lights and sparkly tinsel can’t brighten the memories of too many years spent in ramshackle foster homes. Although he’s established himself as one of the top firefighters at San Gabriel Station 1, he doesn’t think he’s good enough for someone like gorgeous Lizzie.

Lizzie Breen is used to fighting—from her alpha male brothers, who try to smother her in the name of safety, to the life-threatening childhood illness she overcame. She knows what she and Mulligan feel for each other is a lot more than a fling, but she can’t get him to see that. The only gift Lizzie wants to give him this season is her love, but he’s not willing to accept it.

When Mulligan is trapped in the burning wreckage of a holiday store, a Christmas angel arrives to open his eyes. But is it too late? This Christmas, it’ll take an angel, a determined woman in love, and the entire Bachelor Firemen crew to make him believe … it is indeed a wonderful life.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tina’s Review

*** Provided by AVON and Edelweiss in Exchange for an Honest Review. ***

Dean Mulligan really does not like Christmas. In fact, he actually thinks Christmas should be banned… for safety reasons. He suffered an abusive childhood and fought on the street through his teen years. He’s a Topman and one of the best fire readers around.
Lizzie Breen, Fred’s little sister, recently finished her EMT training and has been looking to get her pilot’s license and helicopter certification to become a flight paramedic. She plans to reveal a bog job offer she just received in British Columbia, but for now she volunteers in the Children’s Wing at the hospital as often as time allows.
Mulligan and Lizzie have a… something… between them, sort of, that neither of them can explain or identify with certainty. When Mulligan falls through the roof of a Christmas store, of all places, his deluded imagination conjures up a sexy Christmas Elf Lizzie Angel while he lays trapped.
This short but sweet holiday novella has a definite IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE vibe to it. The storyline takes you through key points of Mulligan’s life, including highlights of his and Lizzie’s time together.

Mulligan is a hulking man trying to hide behind a tough and gruff exterior. Lizzie is a warm, kind-hearted soul with a competitive streak to rival her brothers’. Together, they balance one another. Many of the past characters to the series make cameos, almost as a proper Final Farewell to the readers as much as for the story itself. The plot is well written and flows quite smoothly, even with the switch between flashbacks and present situation inside and outside the incident. There’s plenty of emotions to dig through in this one. Conflict seems to be Mulligan’s middle name, so it ran throughout the book and most often was difficult to resolve, but Lizzie’s determination and Clarence’s guidance brought eventual resolution. There was very little predictability. The conclusion was solid. The readers were given a final update on all characters from the series’ previous books while allowing Mulligan and Lizzie to have their own unique ending.
This was a bittersweet read, knowing it’s the end of the firefighter era for Ms. Bernard. But she did manage to nicely introduce Caleb Hart from Mulligan’s past and he’ll be the Hero in her new baseball themed series. ALL OF ME is scheduled to release in May of 2015.

Author Bio:

Jennifer Bernard is a graduate of Harvard and a former news promo producer. The child of academics, she confounded her family by preferring romance novels to … well, any other books. She left big city life for true love in Alaska, where she now lives with her husband and stepdaughters. She’s no stranger to book success, as she also writes erotic novellas under a naughty secret name not to be mentioned at family gatherings.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Any Way We Want Vol. 1 by Grey Cole- Any Way We Want Series

Posted on 11/25/2014 by shellbellereads

Any Way We Want

Want Series – Book 1

Genre : Erotica

Menage-M/M/F ~ M/M/M ~M/M ~M/F/M

Synopsis

I couldn’t have picked two men more opposing than they. One dark-headed, slightly controlling, but intuitive. The other all unruly copper curls, somewhat bashful, but sensual. Yet, my fall for them felt the same—hard and fast.

I never slept around or cheated, but when you’re the girl who got dumped for being too kinky–you realize and accept you are different. Somehow, some way, they had to be mine. My mind spun with what could be, and I set out to entice them with my fantasy.

Only, my plot had a twist…Royce and Shea were already lovers. Luckily for me, they liked to share.

Warning: Contains a headstrong daughter of nudist, hippy parents, an Alpha with seriously protective instincts, positive representations of Asperger’s Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and oh yeah, M/M, M/M/M, M/M/F, and M/F/M.

Buy: Amazon

Excerpt

Champagne always made her giggly and warm and tingly. Especially tingly. If she’d had a man, you better believe she would be fucked six ways from Sunday right about now. Instead, Luna found herself finishing off a few reports after saying goodnight to the guys. It had been a stellar day. Phase Two—by far the largest coup in their plan—had been firmly achieved. Royce had broken out the champagne, and Luna managed to consume copious amounts before promising the men she would call a cab when she was ready to head out for the night. They were reluctant to leave her behind, but their desire to do a little personal celebrating of their own was palpable. Far be it for her to stand in the way of the double dose of the pure male need and testosterone that engulfed the room.

Since she and Shea had become fast friends, he had divulged more than his share of their passionate tale to her over the last six months, even though she felt sure that he’d kept it toned down for her benefit. Still, she felt like she could read them. When she noticed little things, like the way Royce’s fingertips would curl possessively around Shea’s bicep at the end of even the briefest touch or when Shea’s eyes would suddenly shine brighter while Royce presented the most boring of facts and figures, Luna would glance to the others present in the room to see if they, too, were aware of exactly how sexual … how sensual … their bosses were. But, it seemed she alone picked up on these things. No raised eyebrows. No gossip around the water cooler.

That made her wonder if she was actually picking up on things, or if she was just perving on the gorgeous duo. Her subconscious picked that moment to send X-rated images flitting across her brain, involuntarily making her squeeze her crossed legs tighter. In an effort to halt her mind’s deviant trajectory, she grasped at the water bottle to her right, only to send it spinning across the desk until it toppled over the edge and skittered across the floor to come to a halt by the door.

Deciding she had probably done enough damage for the night, she saved all her documents and logged out of the computer before jotting herself a note. Sticking it to the computer, she laughed out loud at the message. You were drunk and horny last night, double check your files before sending. A little unsteady, she made her way to the abused water bottle, figuring she should refill it to stay hydrated. She’d call for a cab and head home to finish off the night with some Pinot and some porn. This time she actually giggled out loud. Pinot and porn. God, if only to have the third P present. Oh well, she thought, wiggling her fingers in front of her face, you’ll have to do.

She ended up tiptoeing down the hall, cringing at how dark and still it was when no one was around. Just when she seemed to become accustomed to the difference, she heard them. Moans and groans and curses and near shouts. Luna froze for a moment before understanding hit her with her blunt force. Where her body tingled before—now it sang. Where she’d been warm—she blazed. Her eyes flew to the partially closed door of Royce and Shea’s office, only daring to listen for a moment longer before she turned on her heel and darted back to her own office.

Her water bottle hit the floor with a clang as she slammed the door behind her. Wincing at the loud noise, she waited a moment to see if she would be discovered before rushing over to her desk. Only a security light from the hall cast a dull ray of light into her office. She eased herself into her chair and spun it so that she faced the windows. Luna’s face burned anew as she recalled the frantic words exchanged between Royce and Shea. Even her wicked imagination had not done them justice.

She could make out her own expression in the glass—pupils blown, hair disheveled, clothes askew. Taking a few calming breaths, Luna closed her eyes tightly, but as soon as she did, images of the two men locked in a passionate embrace flooded her brain.

Fuck me, Royce.

Take every inch of me. You like that don’t you? When I pull your hair, you nearly come undone.

Fuck yeah. Please, Royce.

Luna would do anything to have those words lavished upon her, to be able to say those very things to them. So, she pretended they included her. That she was the object of their desire and they were hers. The little app on her iPad filled with the gay porn blogs she’d become addicted to after meeting the men had nothing on the heat those two created within her. She couldn’t have stopped her hands if she’d tried. The things had a mind of their own when they bunched her loosely flowing skirt around her waist and dove into her panties. Her fingers circled her clit for a moment before dipping into the searing wetness. She fingered herself hard for a moment, even throwing her own hand over her mouth to muffle the obscene noises threatening to bubble from her throat.

When her clit throbbed with need, she pushed her thumb to it.

Pressed.

Teased.

Pinched.

Repeated the pattern again and again.

When she felt herself on the verge of coming, Luna shoved both fingers in her vagina again.

Rotated them.

Spread them.

She liked it rough. Fuck, did she like it rough. She held her breath, knowing that would make her orgasm all the more intense. Her head slammed back against the chair. Her hips circled to ride her fingers to the finish.

Then her fingers were replaced by Royce’s. Fuck, but they were thick and demanding.

She needed Shea too. She pinched her lips together so that she could remove her hand. That hand flew down to squeeze one nipple. Hard. It was Shea thumbing the bud and then twisting so hard, asking if she liked that. Yes, Shea. Just like that, Luna moaned.

Royce told her to fuck his hand like she meant it, so she did. He needed to know she meant it. She cried out his name.

She bent and bucked and writhed. Then she came.

Silently.

Harshly.

Harder than she’d ever come before.

Her men smiled at each other. Then at her. Then they kissed, almost chastely, counteracting the wild moment. They kissed her. She tasted them on each other. Royce pressed his fingers into her mouth, and Luna licked them clean before he removed them and sucked her tongue into his mouth.

Luna’s body seemed to melt into the chair. Time was suspended. Her breaths were shallow and hot. Once she opened her eyes, she knew they would disappear, taking their sweet kisses and their panty-combusting commands with them. She almost couldn’t bear it. Right now, their presence was so strong she could almost feel it.

With a deep sigh, she let her fingers fall from her mouth and her breast. Both hands dropped to the chair with a thud. She giggled again at how deeply sated she was.

Only, her giggle seemed to echo. But it was deeper. Richer. More masculine.

She was drunker than she thought.

Luna’s eyes fluttered open and closed. Open and closed. She finally fixed her stare on the glass where twin gazes of amusement shone back at her. One an intense blue. The other a mesmerizing hazel.

Too late to pretend embarrassment, Luna swallowed her nerves and met their eyes with her own.

“Luna, dear girl,” Royce tsked, “if only we’d known.”

Shea dipped his head and bit Royce’s shoulder. “God, if we’d known,” he groaned.

Luna chose to believe that the champagne made her bold when she brazened, “And if you’d known?”

“That’s simple, darling. We could have celebrated. The three of us. Together,” Royce declared.

Inside, she gasped, even though she hoped she remained steadfast in appearance. But you’re both gay. Why would you want me? Her naïveté won in the end when she whispered, “But how would that even work?”

Royce spun her chair around to face them as they sat perched on her desk. “Any way we want.”

Michel’s Review

I can honestly say that Menage Romances are generally not my cup of tea. The reason I don’t tend to read these kinds of books is not because the kink bothers me, it is the content. Most Menage Romances tend to focus on the sex scenes and not the actual content of the story. The characters are hard to connect with because we don’t see their individuality but more of their sex drives and preferences.

When I read the synopsis for Any Way We Want by Grey Cole, I was intrigued. I can honestly say that this book was so much more than pages and pages of sex scenes. It is a rich story about three people who are in a very committed and loving relationship. Their commitment to one another is unquestionable. The problem is that they have kept their unique relationship a secret. They are not sure “modern” society is quite ready for this kind of relationship even though this goes on behind closed doors all the time.

Shea, Luna, and Royce have been in a happy relationship. Now Luna wants to rock their world by doing an interview about their unconventional lifestyle. Their relationship has already had enough of a rocky start.

Shea and Royce have been best friends for years. Somewhere along the way their friendship evolved into more. They became lovers, partners, and soul mates. Shea struggled with his sexuality for years. Royce has always been attracted to women. Shea is the one exception. Shea is the other half of Royce’s soul. When Luna comes into the picture, she adds the extra something special both men needed in their lives . Luna felt blessed to have the love of two very dynamic men.

Luna wants to tell the world about their love. Can their relationship survive this?

Any Way We Want Vol. 1 was an introduction into these three peoples lives. It mainly focused on Shea and Royces background and relationship. The reader got an insight on the love and commitment these two men have for one another. There was no question about their love for Luna, it just was not the focus of this installment in the overall story.

I think Any We Want Vol. 1 was building the foundation for an explosive story that is going to test every emotion we possess. This first volume was sizzling hot with it’s erotic scenes and emotional passages. I am looking forward to the next installment of the Any We Want series.

Author Information

Grey Cole

Grey Cole always dreamt of a book that featured hot male-on-male action that grew to encompass one lucky woman. Okay … maybe Grey really dreamt of this scenario playing out in real life and then decided to purge all those dirty thoughts onto the page.

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Release Day Blitz + Giveaway: Unraveling You- Book 1

Posted on 11/25/2014 by shellbellereads

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Lyric Scott has always had a good life. Outgoing, spunky, and musically talented, she’s constantly surrounded by family and friends, yet she still feels that there’s something missing.

Then she meets her new next-door neighbor Ayden Gregory. Mysterious, sweet, and sad, Ayden is the exact opposite of Lyric and exactly what she needs to fill the void in her life.

Ayden Gregory has been through more than most people and believes his life is always going to be rocky, so when he’s suddenly adopted, he’s thrown for a turn. But even with a new, loving family, he still finds himself haunted by the memories of his old life. The only true breath of fresh air is when he’s with his best friend, Lyric Scott.

As Lyric and Ayden grow closer, the lines of their friendship start to blur. But when Ayden’s past unexpectedly pushes its way into his new life, their friendship and newfound attraction will be tested.

When he grows silent again, I crack an eyelid open. He’s dazing off over my shoulder with undiluted pain in his eyes. The realness of him causes my heart to stutter, and my fingers yearn to jot down unwritten words.

God, what has he been through to create such a look?

When his focus lands back on me, his eyes burn fiercely, as if he’s terrified out of his damn mind “Shut your eyes,” he whispers, almost horrified.

I do as he says without question, trusting him completely, even though his intensity is enough to make the calmest person in the world feel disconcerted.

He sticks the earbud in my ear and the gloomy, unhurried beat of Radiohead’s “How To Disappear Completely” soaks through my wounded soul.

“You picked the perfect song,” I mutter as the music engulfs me. “This is exactly what I—”

His lips brush mine, stealing the words right from my mouth. My breath catches in my throat and my first instinct is to pull away. But I don’t want to pull away. I want to stay. Let him erase that last few hours from my mind.

I keep my eyes shut, too afraid to open them as his lips timidly start to move against mine. Just a whisper of a graze. A heart-stopping brush. A soul-drowning taste. He does it again and again, taking his time, erasing all the ickiness from tonight. As I absorb each soft graze, his tongue slowly follows, slipping into my mouth. I gasp, but still don’t open my eyes. I barely move. Can hardly think. And when he pulls back, gently biting at my bottom lip, I stop breathing all together.

That burn songs promise.

Blazes in me.

Hot and scorching.

So sweltering and mind-numbing.

I feel it in my veins.

Liquid fire.

Passion.

Driving me insane.

And the bar set so high.

Ayden has soared over.

Past the heavens.

And captured me eternally.

“Go to sleep, Lyric,” he whispers, his breathing ragged.

I nod, still terrified to open my eyes. Terrified I’ll lose this moment.

A moment I know I’ll be able to fill pages and pages with the most powerful lyrics I’ve ever written. All about him and that kiss.

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives in 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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Book .5 – The Prelude of Ella and Micha

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Book 1 – The Secret of Ella and Micha

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Book 2 – The Forever of Ella and Micha

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Book 3 – The Temptation of Lila and Ethan

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Book 4 – The Ever After of Ella and Micha

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Book 4.5 – Lila and Ethan: Forever and Always

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Book 4.6 – Ella and Micha: Infinitely and Always

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Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Hard To Come By by Laura Kaye- Hard Ink Series – Book 3

Posted on 11/25/2014 by shellbellereads

We are beyond thrilled to bring you the Release Day Launch for Laura Kaye’s HARD TO COME BY! HARD TO COME BY is the third full length novel in Laura’s Hard Ink Series, published by Avon Romance. As a special treat, through December 2, pre-order Hard to Come By or purchase it during release week, and receive exclusive bonus content! Just fill out the quick form here!

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Pre-order or purchase before December 2, and get awesome bonus content!

Excerpt:

Marz was playing with fire. He damn well knew he was. But that didn’t make him want to pull away.

He just wanted more of the heat.

Marz nuzzled the side of Emilie’s face with his nose, his lips. She turned her face toward him and offered her lips. He couldn’t refuse.

Capturing her mouth on a tortured groan, Marz poured every ounce of his longing and confusion and desire into the kiss. They grasped at each other and Emilie turned in his arms. He pinned her against the railing and planted his hands in her hair. She opened to him and accepted his tongue, sucking him in until Marz’s blood ran hot and his hard-on ached. He ground himself against her and devoured every little moan and whimper and gasp she spilled.

Trailing kisses from her mouth to her jaw to her ear, Marz dragged a hand down her body and grasped her breast in his palm. She cried out and her head dropped back, drawing his mouth to her neck, where he licked and sucked and nipped as he kneaded her soft flesh. “You are so damn sexy.”

Her hand flew to his hair and grasped the back of his head. “Touch me,” she said. “Don’t stop touching me.”

Marz pulled away long enough to do a three-sixty scan. The lighthouse cast a dark shadow over them, and the pier was otherwise empty. His heart raced and his pulse hammered. He dove back in, trailing kisses down her neck to her collarbone, which he traced with his tongue. Her nails scratched deliciously at his scalp and her grip urged him down.

Through the thin material of her blouse and bra, he mouthed and flicked at her nipple. He shifted the deep vee of the neckline to reveal a lacy royal blue bra. He tongued her through the lace until she was panting and moaning and writhing against the railing.

“Oh, my God,” she rasped as he shifted her shirt and moved to her other breast. This time, he tugged the lace down to bare the deep pink of her nipple. She tasted and smelled like something fruity and sweet, and it made Marz hunger for more. “Derek,” she gasped. “Yes, yes, yes.”

Her palm cupped and squeezed the bulge of his erection through his jeans. His hips jerked into the touch, craving more of her, all of her. He groaned and it seemed to egg her on, because she pressed and rubbed her hand against his trapped cock until he was panting and imagining taking her down to the ground.

“Jesus, Emilie, you’re driving me fucking crazy,” he said as he worked kisses back up her body to her mouth.

“I know just what you mean,” she said. Her molten hot gaze met his. Eyes hooded, lips shiny and swollen, cheeks flushed, she was a freaking goddess standing under the moonlit sky. He felt the force of her beauty every bit as much in his chest as in his cock.

“You sure about that, babe?” he asked as he took her mouth in a deep, wet kiss. “Because my imagination has me stripping you of those fuck-hot jeans.”

“Yeah?” She rubbed his cock in a long stroke with the heel of her hand. “Mine has us getting a room at the hotel back there. So I’m sure,” she said with a smile.

Marz’s heart hammered against his breastbone and his cock jerked, clearly liking her idea, too. Except, if he took her up on it, he was going to end up buried inside her for as long as she’d have him. And so long as this clusterfuck of a situation defined their relationship, he couldn’t take things that far. Could he?

About HARD TO COME BY:

Caught between desire and loyalty…

Derek DiMarzio would do anything for the members of his disgraced Special Forces team–sacrifice his body, help a former teammate with a covert operation to restore their honor, and even go behind enemy lines. He just never expected to want the beautiful woman he found there.

When a sexy stranger asks questions about her brother, Emilie Garza is torn between loyalty to the brother she once idolized and fear of the war-changed man he’s become. Derek’s easy smile and quiet strength tempt Emilie to open up, igniting the desire between them and leading Derek to crave a woman he shouldn’t trust.

As the team’s investigation reveals how powerful their enemies are, Derek and Emilie must prove where their loyalties lie before hearts are broken and lives are lost. Because love is too hard to come by to let slip away…

And don’t miss the other Hard Ink books, now available:

Hard As It Gets

Hard As You Can

Hard to Hold On To

Praise for Hard to Come By:

“Rough sex and explosive fights power Kaye’s third Hard Ink novel, a thrilling adventure that feels more like an action movie with a romantic subplot than a typical contemporary romance. New readers will head straight for Kaye’s backlist after powering through this installment.” ~Publishers Weekly Starred Review
“TOP PICK! If you’re looking for danger, gritty action, and sizzling passion, then Kaye has just the book and the series for you.” ~RT Book Reviews Magazine

Michel’s Review

Laura Kaye has added another superb addition to the Hard Ink series. If you have not read the Hard Ink series or any of Laura’s books, I would highly recommend all of her books. Her writing is flawless. She weaves a tale that is gripping in so many ways. Her books are emotional, witty, and loaded with suspense. Her characters are larger than life and jump off the pages. Readers easily embrace them in their hearts. The books are meticulously plotted and each passage is delivered with great care. Her books flow with ease and each scene is like watching a movie.

Hard To Come By continues the series plot. This special ops team was set up, betrayed, and dishonorably discharged. Their records have been tarnished. Their reputation has ruined. Their personal characters have been destroyed. They are trying to get to the bottom of this betrayal that destroyed their lives. There is more at stake than their personal reputations. The conspiracy runs deep.

Derek DiMarzio, known as Marz, is the techie of the group. He can break any password, find hidden info in the cyber world haystack, and is a data geru. He is also the comedian of the group and has a way of keeping the guys from getting mired down by the crap they have endured. He has sacrificed more than his reputation and career for the army. He has lost part of his leg. He will carry the memories of the Army, good and bad, for the rest of his life.

Intel has led the group to Manny Garza. He is a part of the Church gang that has been giving them trouble. He has connections to the organization that orchestrated the betrayal that led to their discharge from the Army. Intel has also indicated that Garza has a sister, Emilie, living in the area. They have assigned Derek to occupy Emilie so that they can investigate her home for information on Manny’s whereabouts.

Derek performs his duties well. He performs them so well that he ends up head over heals in love with Emilie. He wants to continue seeing her after their mission is accomplished. As you can conclude, his teammates don’t want this to happen. They don’t want Derek to fall for the enemy. We all know the saying, keep your enemies close. That is exactly what Derek intends to do.

Emilie is not blind to her brother’s illegal activities. She doesn’t condone his actions and behaviors. She remembers the brother he once was, caring and protective. She wants him to get help and out of the life he has committed himself to. She has suffered from a bad marriage and has trust issues where men are concerned. When she meets Derek things begin to change.

The relationship between Derek and Emilie is breathtaking. There is more than sexual chemistry that keeps them inflamed. Their openness and honesty about their feelings is one of the things that strengthen the bonds between them.

The road for Derek and Emilie is not easy. Can these two find a lasting relationship in the midst of betrayal and wrongdoings? What is Manny’s connection? Will they be able to find Manny and gain the information they are seeking? Or is this going to blow up in their faces just like their careers did? Will Emilie find out Derek was using her to get the information they desperately need? Will the truth destroy their relationship?

Read Hard To Come By. The Hard Ink series is fantastic. I can’t wait for the next book.

About Laura Kaye:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

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Release Day Blitz + Interview + Giveaway: The King by Tiffany Reisz- The Original Sinners Series-Book 6

Posted on 11/25/2014 by shellbellereads

The King

The Original Sinners Series – Book 6

By Tiffany Reisz

Synopsis

Cunning. Sex. Pure nerve. Only this potent threesome can raise him

to his rightful place as ruler of Manhattan’s kink kingdom.

Bouncing from bed to bed on the Upper East Side—handsomely paid in both bills and blackmail fodder—Kingsley Edge is brilliant, beautiful and utterly debauched. No carnal act or chemical compound can relieve his self-destructive apathy—only Søren, the one person he loves without limit or regret. A man he can never have, but in whose hands Kingsley is reborn to attain even greater heights of sin. He plans to open the ultimate BDSM club: a dungeon playground for New York’s A-list that’ll change the scene forever.

The club becomes Kingsley’s obsession—and he’s enlisted some tough-as-nails help. His new assistant Sam is smart, secretive and totally immune to seduction (by men, at least). She and Kingsley make a wicked team. Still, their combined—and considerable—expertise in domination can’t subdue the man who would kill their dream. The enigmatic Reverend Fuller won’t rest until King’s dream is destroyed. It’s one man’s sacred mission against another’s….

“Reisz’s Original Sinners series just keeps getting better!” —RT Book Reviews

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Excerpt

“King?” came a woman’s voice behind Kingsley. Without looking back he raised his hand and beckoned her inside. A beautiful young woman in a forties-style skirt and blouse stood next to his chair and waited.

He wrapped an arm around her hips and dragged her down to his lap.

“You’re interrupting,” he said to her. “Can’t you see how busy I am?”

“Oh, forgive me. I didn’t mean to interrupt your,” she glanced down at the table and back into Kingsley’s eyes, “card game?”

Kingsley pointed at Søren.

“Blaise, I would like you to meet my oldest and dearest friend…” he paused and looked at Søren when he realized he didn’t know if he was allowed to tell anyone Søren’s name. Out in the world he’d gone by the name his father had given him—Marcus Stearns. Even now he was Father Marcus Stearns, SJ according to church records. Søren was the name his mother had given him and few called him that. “Who the hell are you again?”

Søren stretched out his hand and took Blaise’s.

“Søren. Kingsley and I went to school together.”

“I’m Blaise,” she said and gave Søren her brightest smile and the most unapologetic bedroom eyes Kingsley had ever seen. So unfair. Why did Søren always turn every head in the room? Kingsley looked at Søren who today wore normal clothes. Normal? Black jeans, a fitted black long-sleeve t-shirt. They’d be normal clothes on anyone but Søren. In them, Søren looked like something out of a fever dream. He couldn’t blame Blaise for looking at Søren the way she did.

But he did wonder why Søren looked at her the same way.

“Blaise, might I inquire what you’re doing interrupting this incredibly important card game of mine?”

“Against my better judgment, I answered the phone and took a message for you. But don’t get any ideas that I’m your new secretary although you need to get a new secretary-”

“I will, chouchou. I promise.”

“You said that last week.”

“I got a new secretary last week.”

“Where is she?”

“She quit.”

“Did you fuck her?”

“I didn’t mean to. It was an accident.”

Blaise turned her attention back to Søren.

“Can you please tell your oldest and dearest friend to stop seducing his secretaries so they’ll stop quitting on him when they catch him fucking someone else?”

“Kingsley,” Søren said, shuffling the cards again. “Stop seducing your secretaries so they’ll stop quitting on you.”

“Thank you.” Blaise gave Søren a smile.

“My pleasure,” Søren said. Kingsley mentally slapped them both.

“Give me the message,” Kingsley said, running his hand up her thigh and caressing the bare skin above her flesh-tone stockings.

Blaise reached into her nearly translucent pale pink blouse and produced a folded note from inside her lace-trimmed bra.

Kingsley unfolded the note, still warm from her body and read.

Tonight at nine. – Phoebe

Kingsley tensed when he read the words and briefly considered lying his way out of the situation. She’d understand if he had to reschedule. He did have a guest after all. But no, he needed the leverage. He couldn’t risk losing this chance.

“I have to go,” Kingsley said to Blaise and Søren. “I won’t be gone long—an hour or so. You’ll keep my guest company, won’t you?” he asked Blaise.

“Happily.” Her thousand-watt smile brightened a few more watts. With her on his lap he could feel the heat emanating between her legs.

“Good. You two have so much in common, so much to talk about. Blaise, tell Søren what you do.”

“I run a non-profit,” she said, leaning forward on the table and resting her chin on her hand. The move allowed everyone in the room to get a much clearer view of her soft, ample cleavage.

“A non-profit?” Søren continued shuffling the cards while never once looking away from Blaise.

“Tell him what it does.” Kingsley pinched her on the thigh and she shuddered in pleasure. “Our Blaise is trés altruistic.”

“It’s called Slut Pride. We’re a non-profit that helps educate people about women’s sexual freedom, especially in regards to women’s participation in BDSM activities. Some people like to tell us that it’s not feminist to like to get flogged. I say it’s not feminist to tell a woman what she can and can’t do. Enough about me. What do you do?” she asked Søren.

“I’m a Catholic priest.”

Blaise said nothing. She gawked at Søren with her full red-lipped mouth ajar. And then she laughed, a warm throaty laugh that filled the room.

“You’re terrible. I almost believed you.”

Søren winked at Kingsley. Kingsley had never guessed Søren had this flirtatious side to him. Back in their school days Søren had been feared and envied by all the other boys and Søren had almost never spoken to anyone but the other priests. Kingsley realized that other than his sister, he’d never seen Søren around a beautiful woman before. Interesting. The man was human after all. Even if he was a priest.

“I must be off. You two chat, become friends. Blaise, peut-être you should explain BDSM to my friend. I’m sure he’ll find it fascinating.”

“I’m sure I will,” Søren said. “We’ll be fine, Kingsley. Have a lovely evening.”

Kingsley patted Blaise’s shapely bottom and she stood up and let him out. On his way from the dining room he heard Blaise asking Søren, “So what do you really do?”

And Søren replied, “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

Q & A with Tiffany Reisz

-Do you have a favorite book or author you like to recommend? Do you have a comfort read?

I have a set of books I regularly recommend to people. Want to read amazing literature? Read my favorite novel of all time All the King’s Men by Kentucky author Robert Penn Warren. Want to read the most moving love story I’ve ever read? Read The Vintner’s Luck by Elizabeth Knox. My comfort reads are Sherlock Holmes short stories and Agatha Christie’s Poirot novels.

-What is your guilty pleasure?

I’d need to feel guilt to have a guilty pleasure. Buying office supplies I don’t need is probably the closest I get to a guilty pleasure. I buy them and think about all the people out there who don’t have awesome office supplies like I do and I feel bad for them.

-Favorite Meal?

Coffee and an ice cream sandwich is my version of a “Power Lunch.” The combination of tastes is glorious.

-If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?

My non-writer dream job is train engineer (what? I like trains). My realistic non-writer job would be working in a bookstore. That’s what I was doing when I started my writing career.

-If you could time travel, what time period would you visit?

I would have to pick Palestine in the time of Jesus Christ. I have so many questions to ask him!

-What made you write Søren and Nora?

Zach Easton did. He came first. Once I had my stuffy Type A British editor nursing a broken heart in need of mending, I conceived of a Wild Child American woman to be his perfect foil and drive him nuts until he gets his head on straight. But I wanted Nora to be able to relate to Zach who was going through a separation from his wife so I had to have Nora separated from someone who was like a spouse to her as well and that’s where Søren came from—he was Nora’s ex-something who she’d never gotten over and knew she never would. Creating the happy endings for Zach, Nora, and Søren in the series has been the most fun I’ve ever had writing.

-What gives you inspiration when writing your characters?

Everything. Biographies I’ve read, people I’ve known and loved, people I’ve known and hated. Søren was based on God the Father which is why he’s so scary and so loving. The Old Testament depicts God as being both sadistic and compassionate and that makes for a wonderfully rich character. He’s a joy to write because he’s got these two seemingly diametrically opposed personality traits but in reality they’re just him being him.

-Did you get any response from the Catholic Church when you published your books?

Nah. The Catholic Church has better things to do than worry about me. I have lots of Catholic fans. Catholics are good at making fun of themselves. I should know. I am one.

-What has been the most exciting has happened in your latest writing endeavor?

The best part of writing is when I get it. There’s always a Eureka! moment about two or three drafts into a book when I realize exactly what I have to do to make the book work. It’s like solving a puzzle or figuring out a math formula or striking oil. Just the best feeling.

-Who is/are your favorite book characters?

Other people’s books:

Xas the angel from The Vintner’s Luck.

Sarah from The Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears (I have never loved a female character in a book like I loved Sarah)

Lord Crane in The Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles

Characters in my books:

Mick will always be my Angel

Sheridan’s my favorite minor character because she’s just so sexy and yet looks so innocent

Grace (sigh…I loved writing her)

Merrick in Seize the Night – I based him on Mercutio from Romeo & Juliet and like Mercutio, he stole the show

-What’s your favorite quote from THE KING?

Upon seeing sixteen-year-old Nora do bodily harm to an obnoxious teenage boy, Kingsley gets slightly aroused and says to himself, “You little sociopath, fuck me until I forget I’m French.”

-What will be your next read?

I odn’t know! So many great books to choose from. Since it’s almost Christmas I’ll probably read Jesus: A Pilgrimage by Jesuit priest James Martin. I adore Father Martin’s books on his spiritual journey.

– What was it like to write an entire novel from Kingsley’s POV?

Fun! Kingsley is a joy to write. He feels everything deeply. Pain and pleasure and longing. He could have been a cliché, the French Don Juan, but more than anything he desperately wants to be a father. That tension between his libertine tendencies and his desire to have children make for some fun drama to write.

– Do you have a personal favorite character in the series that you like to write more about than the others?

Søren. I get so happy when I can put Søren in a scene. He just throws everyone and everything in a tizzy when he shows up and he’s just standing there in the center of the chaos being calm and stately and sadistic.

-Can you give us a concrete overview of what’s next in store for this series or are there other projects as well that you’re working on?

Yes! So…book seven in THE ORIGINAL SINNERS series is The Virgin. We already know that at a point in Mistress Nora’s past, before she was Mistress Nora, she and Søren got into the fight of fights, and she left him. She hid from him in her mother’s convent because no men are allowed inside and she knew she’d be safe there. While hiding out at the abbey, she meets a young beautiful novice who changes her life. Meanwhile Kingsley runs off to Haiti to lick his wounds after a personal crisis and meets Juliette. You get two erotic romances in The Virgin for the price of one! Nora and her young nun. Kingsley and Juliette.

Oh, and you see King and Søren wearing kilts. So there is that.

– Is the BDSM club based on a real club?

Yes! The old Playboy clubs used to give their members keys. And the leather clubs (gay leather fetish clubs) had the flag and hanky system that’s used at The 8^th Circle.

– Was the vision of Søren as Alexander Skarsgard came from him… or when you saw Alexander he just clicked as the vision of Søren?

Actually Søren looks nothing like Alexandar Skarsgard and I’d never ever cast Alexander Skargard to play him in the movie. I wrote The Siren back in 2003/2004 and Søren’s look was vaguely based on Jeremy Irons. If I were to cast Søren now, I’d choose Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Now HE does look like Søren. Absolutely.

– Do you have a favorite adult website & if yes… what is it

Nope. Not really.

-Kingsley’s time spent with the French Foreign Legion has had a huge impact on the man he’s become. Will we learn anymore about that time in his life?

I have no plans on writing about that time in his life in detail. I prefer writing about my Sinners when they’re all together. They’re at their best when the three of them—Nora, Søren, and Kingsley—are in close proximity to each other.

-Was there a particular arc for Original Sinners you had planned on that didn’t pan out? If there was, are you willing to share any tidbits?

Well, I had early ideas that were discarded as the series progressed. I thought about killing Kingsley in The Mistress. I always knew I wanted to do a story where Nora was in real danger and had to have someone who wanted to kill her so years ago I thought I’d write about her running off to Ireland to hide from Søren and Wesley drama and she’d get kidnapped by the IRA. I know. Terrible idea. But that desire to put her in real danger led to the plot of The Mistress.

-Which character (out of any of your books) are you most surprised by your readers’ reaction? I love how you reveal little bits and pieces of each character slowly.

Thank you! I was pleasantly surprised by how much readers loved Michael and Griffin’s characters in The Angel. I get requests daily for more Mick and Griff stories. I never dreamed a love affair between a 17 year-old boy recovering from a suicde attempt and a 29 year-old ex-drug addict trust fund baby would resonate with readers so much. But it did!

-What do you have in store for your readers once this series is finished?

So many weird wonderful books! I hope anyway. The book I just finished writing is called The Angels’ Share and it’s a story of forbidden love, bourbon, and revenge set in Kentucky. Erotic suspense!

-Are you a plotter or a pantser? (when you writeJ )

Both. I plot but the book always surprises me so I often have to throw out the outline and start over. Basically I just write and rewrite and rewrite and rewrite until the book reveals its secrets to me.

-If you could change places with one of your characters for a day- who would it be and what would you do?

I want to be Kingsley for a day so I could have sex with all the beautiful perverts of Manhattan—men and women. We’d wear out the leather in the Rolls Royce.

-You’ve talked about wishing your books would be banned more. Do you think THE KING is the one to do it?

I don’t really want my books to be banned. It’s quite a nightmare I hear when they are. But if any book was going to do it, The King has a good shot. So much sex and violence and kink and more sex…

-Was there one book in the series that was harder to write than the others?

They were all nightmarishly hard to write and took twelve drafts, all of them. But The Siren was probably the hardest since I was starting from scratch. With the other books I at least had some characters I already knew to work with. The Saint was probably the next hardest simply because I had to throw out almost the entire first draft and start over. But that’s the book business for ya.

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.

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Release Blitz + Giveaway: Diamonds and Dust-Save A Horse…Read A Cowboy

Posted on 11/25/2014 by shellbellereads

Jessie Evans’ DIAMONDS AND DUST releases today and we’re celebrating by honoring some of our favourite cowboys! We’ve got a great giveaway from a ton of authors – check out the details below!

Giveaway

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About DIAMONDS AND DUST

A sexy second chance romance from NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Jessie Evans

The home run neither of them expected…

Pike Sherman is a legend in Lonesome Point, a hometown boy who made it to the big leagues. Literally. Professional baseball acquired one hell of a pitching arm and its latest celebrity bad boy when the gifted Pike was drafted seven years ago. Pike’s broken heart came along for the ride, too, but he kept that private, and since leaving Lonesome Point has kept his distance from his hometown. But when Pike’s little sister, Mia, begs him to be the Dude of Honor at her wedding, he can’t refuse. He takes advantage of a break in the season and returns home to find himself thrown together with the one woman he never wanted to see again.

Tulsi Hearst is on the verge of losing her Equine Therapy business, and letting down all the kids she’s come to love. After a mix-up with the grant board, she needs to concentrate on finding more funding, not dealing with Pike Sherman, the boy she sacrificed so much for, and the one person she’s ever lied to. And what a lie it is… Pike would hate her if he found out. She knows she should stay far away from the brooding man her summer love has become, but Tulsi can’t resist a slow dance with the only boy who ever made her blood rush.

After just a few days back in Lonesome Point, Pike can’t imagine life without the girl he left behind, but when Tulsi’s secret is revealed, his heart is broken all over again. The only thing worse than losing Tulsi, is losing six years with the daughter he didn’t know he had.

Add it to Goodreads here!

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About Jessie Evans

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessie Evans, gave up a career as an international woman of mystery to write the sexy, contemporary Southern romances she loves to read.

She’s married to the man of her dreams, and together they’re raising a few adorable, mischievous children in a cottage in the jungle. She grew up in rural Arkansas, spending summers running wild, being chewed by chiggers, and now appreciates her home in a chigger-free part of the world even more.

When she’s not writing, Jessie enjoys playing her dulcimer (badly), sewing the worlds ugliest quilts to give to her friends, going for bike rides with her house full of boys, and drifting in and out on the waves, feeling thankful for sun, surf, and lovely people to share them with.

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ARC Review: The Shape of My Heart by Ann Aguirre – 2B Trilogy- Book 3

Posted on 11/25/2014 by shellbellereads

The Shape of My Heart

2B Trilogy – Book 3

By Ann Aguirre

Synopsis

Some people wait decades to meet their soul mate. Courtney Kaufman suspects she met hers in high school—only to lose him at seventeen. Since then, Courtney’s social life has been a series of meaningless encounters, though she’s made a few close friends along the way. Especially her roommate, Max Cooper, who oozes damaged bad-boy vibes from every pore.

Max knows about feeling lost—he’s been on his own since he was sixteen. Now it’s time to find out if he can ever go home again, and Courtney’s the only one he trusts to go with him. But the trip to Providence could change everything….

It started out so simple. One misfit helping another. Now Max will do anything to show Courtney that for every heart that’s ever been broken, there’s another that can make it complete.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tina’s Review

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

Courtney’s not your stereotypical heroine. She’s a bisexual, Jewish college student studying business. Max is the resident bad-boy majoring in mechanical engineering. He tried to play himself off as a jokester and partier, but there’s a darker, more intense side to him. Angus is the brightness in the house and gay. They need to fill the fourth roomie spot that just opened when Nadia moves out. Angus suggests his friend, Kia, who’s trying to get out of a controlling relationship. These are the main characters of the story, with a primary focus on Courtney and Max.

Obviously, this is the last book of the trilogy, of which I have NOT read the previous two. I will be commenting and rating the book as if it were a stand-alone novel. These are New Adult characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, none without flaws or drama. The main characters are early-20s college students that co-habitate. Max needs to go back home, for the first time in over five years and asks Courtney to come with him for moral support. During their journey, they experience a shift in their relationship which neither are great at deciphering or communicating. The characters are well written, even though they are kind of angst-y. Drama and trauma seem to run amok among the characters, main and secondary. The plot moves along smoothly, but a little slow in places. Interaction and dialogue are age appropriate, full of snark and sass; emotions are conveyed pretty well. There were numerous conflicts throughout the book, giving it plenty of dimension. Some of the resolutions were well thought out, while others seemed too easy. There was some minor predictability in the later third of the book, but nothing glaringly obvious. The conclusion was solid and was followed up with a nice epilogue.

Author Bio

Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. She likes all kinds of books, emo music, action movies and Doctor Who. She writes all kind of fiction in multiple genres, both YA and for adults.

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Release Day Blitz: Yesterday’s Half Truths by Carey Heywood- Carolina Day’s Series – Book 2

Posted on 11/24/2014 by shellbellereads

Synopsis

She never thought it would go this far.It started out so innocently, but now has taken on a life of its own. Problem is, Lindsay Palmer doesn’t know how to stop. Even worse, she doesn’t want to stop. Her daily deceit has become both her greatest pleasure and deepest shame. Thousands of people love her, but would they if they knew the truth.A simple favor for his baby sister brings Lindsay into Luke Jamieson’s life. There’s something about this girl that keeps her on his mind hours and days after each time they meet. Now here he is, falling in love with a liar. All he wants is for her to let him in, and maybe together he can lead her out of the cage of her own construction.Will the truth set her free, or have her lies already destroyed everything?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Carey personally. She is a charming and bubbly person that captivates you with her aura. I was looking forward to seeing her again at the Rebels & Readers book signing in Huntington, WV. I wanted to talk to her about her upcoming book , Yesterday’s Half Truths. She told me some things about it that had me biting at the bits, wanting the ARC in my hands like yesterday. Then she told me one thing that made me go …uh oh ! My reaction left me skeptical. I was worried because the one thing she told me was there was something different about this book. It was missing something that most readers have come to expect, especially in Carey’s books. I am not going to tell you what that “one thing” is because that “one thing” did not matter in the least. In fact, I think it would of taken away from this exceptional book. Did I say exceptional? I should be shouting it from the roof tops. Yesterday’s Half Truths by Carey Heywood was phenomenal!

I am not going to say too much about the story itself and give a run down of the book. It would spoil the reading experience. Instead I am going to talk about the mechanics of the book, the creativity it took to plot this book, and the sensitivity to the obstacles these characters in their lives. Carey took two challenging problems and handed them to Lindsay. She told Lindsay to embrace these problems and make her work to find the right kind of hero and the right kind of solutions. Lindsay took Carey to heart and gave her one of the toughest stories to write. Carey took on Lindsay’s challenge and created Luke Jamieson. Luke Jamieson is the right kind of person to take on challenges, face opposition, and motivate even the most difficult person. He is compassionate, sympathetic, and positive. He sees beyond the surface and looks into a person’s heart. He saw the real Lindsay that she never saw. It is up to him to introduce this lost woman to the woman she has desperately hidden away for years.

Yesterday’s Half Truths was one of most emotional books I have read. I felt all the emotions that Lindsay was experiencing. I cheered and encouraged Lindsay right along with Luke. I celebrated every victory Lindsay experienced. I fell in love with Luke right along with Lindsay.

Carey Heywood has done a magnificent job with Yesterday’s Half Truths.

Read this book!

The Carolina Days Series

AMAZON / Barnes and Noble

New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author. She was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. Her books are full of emotion, humor and steam. She is inspired by everyday fairy tales. Her leading men are guys you might bump into at the grocery store; teachers, mechanics, and website designers. Supporting her all the way are her husband, three sometimes-adorable children, and their nine-pound attack Yorkie.

Connect with Carey

http://www.careyheywood.cominfo@careyheywood.com

FB: FB.com/CareyHeywoodAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Careylolo

Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6535777.Carey_Heywood

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Category Archives: Book Review

Review and Series Feature: All For You by Jessica Scott- The Coming Home Series

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Holiday Review: It’s A Wonderful Fireman by Jennifer Bernard- Bachelor Fireman Series

Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Any Way We Want Vol. 1 by Grey Cole- Any Way We Want Series

Release Day Blitz + Giveaway: Unraveling You- Book 1

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Release Day Blitz + Interview + Giveaway: The King by Tiffany Reisz- The Original Sinners Series-Book 6

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Diamonds and Dust-Save A Horse…Read A Cowboy

Jessie Evans’ DIAMONDS AND DUST releases today and we’re celebrating by honoring some of our favourite cowboys! We’ve got a great giveaway from a ton of authors – check out the details below!

Giveaway

About DIAMONDS AND DUST

ARC Review: The Shape of My Heart by Ann Aguirre – 2B Trilogy- Book 3

Release Day Blitz: Yesterday’s Half Truths by Carey Heywood- Carolina Day’s Series – Book 2

Connect with Carey

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Buy at Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes| Kobo

Pre-order or purchase before December 2, and get awesome bonus content!

And don’t miss the other Hard Ink books, now available:

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Jessie Evans’ DIAMONDS AND DUST releases today and we’re celebrating by honoring some of our favourite cowboys! We’ve got a great giveaway from a ton of authors – check out the details below!

Giveaway

About DIAMONDS AND DUST

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Connect with Carey

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