New Release + Review: Exploited by A. Meredith Walters – Zero Day Series – Book 1

Exploited

A Zero Day Romance – Book One

By A. Meredith Walters

Buy: Amazon

Synopsis

In this pulse-pounding novel from the bestselling author of Butterfly Dreams, a vigilante hacker plays a seductive game with the agent who’s chasing her online—and sharing her bed in real life.

At first glance, I’m nothing out of the ordinary. I am a daughter. A sister. A friend. When you look at me you won’t see anything that warrants suspicion. I don’t look like a criminal.

My name is Hannah Whalen, but most people know me as freed0mov3rdr1v3, or “Freedom Overdrive”—one of the world’s most prolific and notorious hacktivists. My goal—my purpose—is to shed light on the evil that lurks behind the corporate and government lies we have been force-fed for too long.

My story begins with the best possible intention. Devoting my life to exposing the corrupt. The dishonest. The unethical. For that, they label me a cyber-terrorist. Wanted by the FBI, I’ve always been one step ahead.

Until I fell in love.

Because I’m sleeping with the man who’s hunting me. And he has no idea that I am his prey. Now I have to decide what’s more important: my freedom or my heart.

Note: Exploited ends on a cliffhanger. Hannah’s story continues in Aftermath.

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Michel’s Review

Exploited by A. Meredith Walters is the debut book  in the new Zero Day series.  This new series has a fresh storyline which focuses on cyber crimes and the elite underworld of hackers.  With the stroke of a key a person’s life can be ruined.  Corporations can be bankrupted.  Powerful secrets can be revealed.  The almighty hacker has the power to destroy the world without a warning.

Freedom Overdrive… aka freed0mov3rdr1v3… has gained notoriety in the cyber world as the hacktivist exposing powerful corporations known for their corrupt misdeeds and control over the ordinary peoples lives.  This cyber vigilante’s actions are untraceable and has eluded the FBI for years.  Freedom Overdrive’s activities have waned in the past two years but suddenly resurfaced in a big way and once again gaining attention in the cyber world as well as the FBI.

Hannah Whelan is Freedom Overdrive.  She’s on a mission to destroy those who have destroyed ordinary people and ordinary families.  Her motivations are pure.  She covers her tracks and is untraceable.  On the surface she’s appears to be an ordinary person that no one really notices.  She lives her life quietly, doesn’t socialize, doesn’t have friends or family relationships, and never allows anyone to become close with her.  Her focus is revenge for her family. Her secret world behind the keyboard is expertly hidden and off the radar.   When she steps outside her perfectly structured domain and teams up with another hacktivist, TOx1cwrath, it becomes  the biggest mistake of life.  Her perfectly structured world spirals out of control.

Hannah targeted FBI agent Mason Kohler to stay one step ahead of the FBI.  What she didn’t count on was falling in love with Mason.  She also underestimated his brilliance and dedication to his job. She also underestimated her shadow partner TOx1cwrath.

Between her relationship with Mason and her partnership with TOx1cwrath, her life is spiraling out of control.  Her lies are catching up to her.  Her over inflated ego is blinding her.  Her new shadow partner has outsmarted her and is destroying her with her own weapon of choice, the keyboard.  One stroke and Hannah is exposed.  Mason knows who she is.  Her shadow partner, TOx1cwrath, has set her up.  Who is TOx1cwrath?  Can she outsmart him and take him down before it’s too late.  Can she let go of her love for Mason to save her skin or will she be ruined by her own inflated ego?

I found this book very intriguing.  It had a different plot line that kept me turning the pages. A. Meredith Rogers did an excellent job portraying the cyber world without making it too overly complex for readers to follow.  There were a few blips in the overall plot that left me scratching my head wondering what I missed because there wasn’t enough explanations. One was why she targeted Mason in the first place because at that point her endeavors were untraceable.  The other thing that threw me off track was the build up of some of the potential characters who could possibly be TOx1cwrath.  There just wasn’t enough background to understand the hostility or motivations.  While Hannah was a different kind of book character I will say that she really wasn’t a nice person.  She treated people with indifference or hostility.  I had a hard time seeing the connection between her and Mason.  The one thing that kept me intrigued and turning the pages was all the possibilities that haven’t been revealed at this point.  My faith in A. Meredith Walter’s writing ability kept me invested in the story because she is known for creating complex characters and unpredictable plots.  I want to see what comes next because I feel this book is only scratching the surface.

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Zero Day Series

Coming January 16, 2018

Aftermath – Book Two

Pre Order: Amazon

Synopsis

Can a thrilling love affair survive a scorched-earth cyber-war? The chase is online in the explosive conclusion to the Zero Day series from New York Times bestselling author A. Meredith Walters. 

Spoiler alert! The following reveals crucial plot points from Exploited.

I thought I had been so careful. I had planned, plotted, played the role, always staying hidden from the man who was hunting me. But now Mason Kohler knows who I really am. The cat has found the mouse—the agent has found the hacker.

And the worst part is, he thinks our love story is a lie.

I fell for him from the beginning. That was always real. But it doesn’t matter now. Mason’s waging a war against his heart, and he’s determined to bring me down at all costs. So now I live in fear, all because I was betrayed by someone I foolishly chose to trust.

See, all that time I thought I was exposing corruption, I was unknowingly conspiring with the worst kind of evil. Now, to prove myself to Mason and save what we have, I have one last hope. One obsession. I must learn the identity of my true enemy—the anonymous individual known as Toxicwrath—before it’s too late.

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A.Meredith WaltersThe New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary and Paranormal romance including The Find You in the Dark and Bad Rep series as well as the upcoming stand alone romance, Reclaiming the Sand, and a dark new adult series for Gallery Books.

A. Meredith spent ten years as a counselor for at risk teens and children. First working at a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault program and then later a program for children with severe emotional and mental health issues. Her former clients and their stories continue to influence every aspect of her writing.

When not writing (or being tortured with all manner of beauty products at the hand of her very imaginative and extremely girly daughter), she is eating chocolate, watching reality television that could rot your brain and reading a smutty novel or two.

A. Meredith is represented by Michelle Johnson with the Inklings Literary Agency.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

 

Release Blitz + 6 Star Review + 2017 Favorite: Savaged Vows by Jennifer Lyon – Savaged Illusions Trilogy – Book 2

Savaged Vows
Savaged Illusions Series – Book 2
Release Date: July 24, 2017
Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Synopsis:

How much will she risk for love?

Despite her dark past with a rock icon, Liza Glasner can’t walk away from the man she loves with a fiery passion—sexy rock star Justice Cade. A surprise pregnancy and marriage give Liza the family she’s craved since she was fourteen. But her love is tested when Liza’s worst nightmare—Gene Hayes—bursts onto the scene, spreading lies and smears to tear her and Justice apart. Can Liza trust Justice to choose her over fame?

How far will he go for fame?

Justice fiercely loves his beautiful and resilient wife Liza, and he’s determined to protect her from Gene Hayes. At the same time, he’s loyal to his band. The four other men in Savaged Illusions are his brothers, and together, they are battling hard to come back from a humiliating defeat. But just as the pinnacle of success is within their reach, Justice discovers a truth that will either decimate his band or destroy his wife.

Can their love survive?

Secrets and betrayals explode in a heartbreaking twist that threatens to rip Justice and Liza apart forever.

Savaged Vows is book 2 in the Savaged Illusions Trilogy, and ends in a cliffhanger. Book 3, Savaged Devotion, will be released in September 2017.

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The Savaged Illusions Trilogy by Jennifer Lyon has become my favorite rock star romance series!  This is not the typical rock star romance with a brooding rock star and sweet ordinary girl but rather a complex collection of different romance genres blended together in perfect harmony to make a thrilling, emotional story that will hold the readers captive.

Savaged Dreams – book one ended on a huge cliffhanger.  I had no idea where the aftermath of that cliffhanger would lead.  I can honestly say it wasn’t anything predictable. Savaged  Vows – book two took on a different life in itself that ended on an emotional irreparable cliffhanger and left me wanting more right now!

Savaged Illusions is trying regain their momentum after losing the tv reality battle of the bands competition.  They are trying not to let Liza become their Yoko Ono.  The band has hired a progressive manager that knows the business.  They are in the studio recording their album on their own dime.  The upcoming release and promotion of their album is draining them financially but they are willing to sacrifice the time, effort, and funds to make their future a success.  There is no room for anything else in their lives.  Their goal is to make the top 100 on the charts and secure a place on the World Rock Stage concert in Paris.  This concert will launch their band and give them world wide recognition and secure them a tour contract. Gaining this is going to cost more than money and hard work, they may have to sell their souls and compromise everything they hold dear. It’s a sacrifice their willing to make because the outcome is worth it all.  They naively believe they can control the circumstances without any repercussions. Little did they know it could cost them everything and make Liza a Yoko Ono.  Not only will affect the band, it will give the devil more than his due.

Liza survived the brutal attack after the final band competition.  Savaged Illusions lost the competition and they blamed her even though she was the real party targeted.  It left her on the outskirts of the band even though her boyfriend Justice was the lead singer.  Her past involvement with mega rockstar Gene Hayes has put Savaged Illusions in a negative light with the fans.  The band doesn’t want her involved with their next steps to fame.  She’s okay with that because she’s trying to finish school, graduate, and secure a job.  Things start going in positive directions for the band as well as herself even though she and Justice are juggling a long distance relationship.  They are secure enough in their relationship to make this work.  And it does until a surprise pregnancy enters the picture. Liza and Justice decide to get married before his schedule gets too busy. Not only is she supporting their household, building her career, managing Justice father’s stability, she is also experiencing the upcoming birth of their child alone.  Every occasional moment she has with Justice ends up in a negative mess with the press, which in turn alienates her more with the band members. Through unanimous vote, the band decides she cannot be near their album tour until they secure a spot on the World Rock Stage in Paris.  Justice promises to bring Liza to Paris with them so they can have their belated honeymoon and precious time together before the baby is born.  Liza is taking it all in stride even though she feels isolated and lonely.

Paris is exactly what their relationship needed to reconnect and jumpstart their future.  Paris was exactly what the band needed to claim the future they worked so hard for.  Paris is the city of love and everything was perfect. Paris is also the city of betrayal and destruction.  Savage Illusions gained their fame but lost their souls.  Liza paid the price.  The devil, Gene  Hayes, got his due and more.  Cliffhanger!

OMG… this book took the series to a whole new emotional level that left me devastated. It’s impossible to contemplate which direction it will go next because it seems so hopeless. The writing was brilliant because it added so many layers to the story. The suspense escalated and the ulitimate showdown was heartbreaking. This book touched on many issues in life such as PTSD, homelessness, pregnancy, rape, relationship issues, friendship issues, greed, and notoriety. In spite of it all, the best part is there is a beautiful romance and unquestionable love that shines brightly.

September can’t get here fast enough! I need Savaged Devotion now!

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Savaged Illusions Trilogy

Savaged Dreams

Savaged Illusions Series – Book 1

By Jennifer Lyon

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo


Synopsis:

How much will she risk for love?

Going away to college gives LIZA GLASNER a chance to escape her painful and dangerous past…or so she thinks. At fourteen years old, she survived an attack by a famous musician. After that, the media, groupies and crazies hounded her with a merciless cruelty that ruined her life. But now she’s thriving–until an internship brings her face to face with the sizzling hot lead singer of a rock band, and she finds herself drawn to the very thing that once destroyed her. Justice is a temptation she can’t resist…and one that could get her killed.

How far will he go for fame?

Sexy rock star JUSTICE CADE is determined to take his band, Savaged Illusions, to the top by winning the Court of Rock T.V. show. Tortured by guilt for failing his family, he believes fame is his only path to redemption. But when the fiery college-intern hiding her beauty beneath baggy sweaters and a snarky attitude bursts into his life, Justice is forced to choose between the woman he loves and the stardom he craves. The wrong choice will cost him more than he can bear.

**This is book one in a trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. However the next two books are being released in July and September so readers won’t be stranded on the cliff for long!

*****

Savaged Vows
Savaged Illusions Series – Book 2
Release Date: July 24, 2017
Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Synopsis:

How much will she risk for love?

Despite her dark past with a rock icon, Liza Glasner can’t walk away from the man she loves with a fiery passion—sexy rock star Justice Cade. A surprise pregnancy and marriage give Liza the family she’s craved since she was fourteen. But her love is tested when Liza’s worst nightmare—Gene Hayes—bursts onto the scene, spreading lies and smears to tear her and Justice apart. Can Liza trust Justice to choose her over fame?

How far will he go for fame?

Justice fiercely loves his beautiful and resilient wife Liza, and he’s determined to protect her from Gene Hayes. At the same time, he’s loyal to his band. The four other men in Savaged Illusions are his brothers, and together, they are battling hard to come back from a humiliating defeat. But just as the pinnacle of success is within their reach, Justice discovers a truth that will either decimate his band or destroy his wife.

Can their love survive?

Secrets and betrayals explode in a heartbreaking twist that threatens to rip Justice and Liza apart forever.

Savaged Vows is book 2 in the Savaged Illusions Trilogy, and ends in a cliffhanger. Book 3, Savaged Devotion, will be released in September 2017.

*****

Savaged Devotion

Savaged Illusions Trilogy – Book 3

Coming September 2017


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Jennifer Lyon is the pseudonym for USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer Apodaca. Jen lives in Southern California where she continually plots ways to convince her husband that they should get a dog. After all, they met at the dog pound, fell in love, married and had three wonderful sons. So far, however, she has failed in her doggy endeavor. She consoles herself by pouring her passion into writing books. To date, Jen has published more than fifteen books and novellas, including a fun and sexy mystery series and a variety of contemporary romances under the name Jennifer Apodaca. As Jennifer Lyon she created a dark, sizzling paranormal series, and The Plus Once Chronicles, an emotionally sensual adult contemporary series. Jen’s won numerous.

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: Flutter by Olivia Evans

Flutter

By Olivia Evans

Buy: Amazon

Synopsis

Dylan Walker has spent six years trying to move on from the loss of his girlfriend, Presley Cooper. Motivated by grief and the desire to do for others what he couldn’t do for her, he burns the candle at both ends to make it through medical school. After graduation he moves west, putting as much distance as possible between his past and his present.

Or so he thought.

Unknowingly, Dylan has been set on a path that will destroy everything he thought he knew. All the pain, all the grief, was all for nothing. With the help of an unexpected ally, Dylan must find the answers and save the girl he loves before it’s too late.

Deceit.

Betrayal.

Revenge.

A second chance at love.

But first, he must find a way to make her remember her past. Remember him. Remember everything.

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Michel’s Review

Flutter is the first book I have read by author Olivia Evans and it won’t be the last.

If you are looking for a highly emotional new adult / contemporary romance loaded with angst, Flutter by Olivia Evans is the perfect book. I must warn that this book does have some emotional triggers that readers may not be comfortable with.  These triggers in no way condone the actions or circumstances but rather showcase the effect these actions had in the characters lives.  The guilt over these actions changed both characters lives and  put them on very different courses in life, some beyond their control and others because of the need to feel in control.  I would highly recommend reading this book because it’s more than a romantic story, it’s a story of learning to live life.  This story is told through both leading characters POV’s and visits the past as well as the present.

Dylan and Presley were high school sweethearts who both came from prestigious families. Although both families were in the same social circles, their views and outlook on their social standings were quite different.  Presley’s family was conservative and had political agendas.  Dylan’s family was a bit more progressive and liberal, they could care less about social standings.  Presley’s family tried to control their teenage romance and had many restrictions.  Dylan’s family accepted and encouraged their growing relationship.  When the unthinkable happens it destroys both of their lives.  Presley was lost to depression which ended up taking her life.  Dylan was left heartbroken and unsure how to pick up the pieces of his shattered heart.  It led him to becoming a doctor specializing in psychiatry .

After graduation he accepted a position on the west coast which led him to an exclusive hospital for the mentally ill.  Obtaining a position at this hospital is an opportunity most residents in the field only dream of having.  This opportunity is a life changer in a completely different way when he discovers the only girl he loved is indeed very much alive but not the same girl he once knew and loved.  As a doctor he knows that Presley’s condition is very fragile and possibly irreversible.  As a man in love with this broken woman he wants to find the woman he once knew. This woman is lost in the madness.  Dylan is in a position that not only tests his heart but also his code of ethics as a doctor.  There is more at risk than his professional position and it puts him, Presley, and other patients in danger.

Wow, this book was a complex, emotional ride that broke my heart but also gave me hope.  I would highly recommend reading Flutter by Olivia Evans.

 

 

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Olivia Evans is a dreamer by day, writer by night. She’s obsessed with music and loves discovering new bands. Traveling the world and watching the sun set in every time zone sounds like heaven to her. A true Gemini, she follows her heart blindly and lives life to the fullest with her husband, son, and friends. Her other loves are: Chuck Taylors, Doc Martens, concert tees, gangster movies, sports, wine, beer and her shih tzu babies.

Release Week Blitz + Excerpt + Giveaway: The Hunting Grounds by Katee Robert

Release Week Celebration for THE HUNTING GROUNDS by NYT Bestselling Author, Katee Robert!

Download THE HUNTING GROUNDS and add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads! Then keep reading to get an EXCLUSIVE sneak peek at THE HUNTING GROUNDS and to enter the giveaway for a $25 Amazon gift card!

 

Title: The Hunting Grounds
Author: Katee Robert
Series: Hidden Sins #2
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: July 25, 2017
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Print Length:  318 pages
Format: Digital and Paperback
ISBN: 978-1503946705

 

 Synopsis:

 For two FBI agents with a past, love becomes a matter of life and death in the new Hidden Sins novel from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert.

Maggie Gaines used to be an FBI agent—top of her class and one of the bright, up-and-coming stars—until she spectacularly fell apart during her first high-profile case. That was eight years ago. Now she’s a ranger at Glacier National Park, and she’s found some measure of peace. But when the body of a murdered woman is discovered, she must finally put the past behind her and work with the one man she thought she’d never see again.

For months, Vic Sutherland has been hunting a killer who’s been targeting unsuspecting hikers in national parks—and now the predator has come to Glacier. Vic knows the case will bring him face-to-face with his former partner, yet nothing can prepare him for seeing Maggie again after all these years, or for the memories of passion it stirs in both of them.

As the investigation brings them closer together—and closer to the killer—Maggie and Vic fear they have only each other to trust. But even that might not be enough to make it out of Glacier alive.

 

Download at:  

Amazon: http://bit.ly/TheHuntingGroundsAmazon

B&N: http://bit.ly/TheHuntingGrounds

 

 

Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card and eBook copies of THE DEVIL’S DAUGHTER (Hidden Sins #1) from Katee Robert!

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29389/

  

The Hunting Grounds Excerpt

Copyright © 2017 Katee Robert

 

Vic’s gaze fell on his phone. Maggie’s number was now in the contacts folder. It would be easy to dial it, just to check on her.

Except it was late, and she hadn’t asked for him to babysit her.

He’d gone years without seeing her, and now that they were in the same general area, it was like they were two magnets that could barely resist the pull. He wanted to hear her voice, to sit her down and share a meal that wasn’t military issue, to actually talk.

His phone rang, which startled him so much he almost dropped it. Vic stared at the screen for several precious seconds, wondering if he was more tired than he’d thought, because it sure as fuck looked like Maggie was calling him. “Sutherland.”

“It’s me.”

He sat on the edge of the bed, suddenly painfully aware that he wore only a towel. It shouldn’t matter. She couldn’t see him, didn’t know what he was or wasn’t wearing, but it did matter. “Hey, Maggie.”

“I have to apologize.” He could almost feel her soft sigh. “You were right, and I was acting like a stubborn kid. This whole thing—the murders in the park and having to deal with my past and you—has got me all twisted up.”

Maybe it was the events of the last two days, but he was so goddamn tired of doing the noble thing. He never put himself or his personal shit before a case. Not once.

He’d never wanted to before.

“I twist you up?”

“As if you didn’t know. I had something of a crush on you when we were partners—which I’m sure you knew after I threw myself at you—and apparently I didn’t outgrow it as much as I thought.”

The dimness of the room evoked an intimacy he didn’t deserve. Was Maggie sitting in her bedroom in low light, too? He liked the picture that made. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

“I’ve been making an ass of myself since you stepped off that helicopter.” She shifted, the sound painfully loud in the near silence. “And I’m doing it again, apparently. My whole point was that I’m sorry and I’ll be professional from now on. You don’t have to worry about any breakdowns or hissy fits.”

If he was smart, he’d take her apology for what it was and allow it to move them back to solid ground. There were lives on the line and a condensed timeline that was only going to get more condensed with each body that popped up.

But when Vic spoke, he didn’t move them back to firm ground. He threw them right over the edge of the cliff. “Fuck being professional. I want you, Maggie. Not the former FBI agent. Not the park ranger. I want you.”

 

Praise for The Hidden Sins Series

 

“…a captivating read, made all the more rewarding when good triumphs.” —Washington Post

 

“Robert shows off her impressive versatility in this fast-paced and inventive new Hidden Sins series. The small-town setting is a masterful blend of quaint and oppressive, which ratchets the menace and thrill factor. The protagonists carry the full weight of their pasts with them, making their growing relationship as compelling as the mystery element in The Devil’s Daughter. With plenty of twists and betrayals, this is a book that is sure to earn Robert a wealth of new fans.” RT Book Reviews

 

 

Other Books in the Hidden Sin Series

 

THE DEVIL’S DAUGHTER

 

Get More information at:  Goodreads  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

About Katee Robert

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. Her 2015 title, The Marriage Contract, was a RITA finalist, and RT Book Reviews named it ‘a compulsively readable book with just the right amount of suspense and tension.”  When not writing sexy contemporary and romantic suspense, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her children, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

Connect with Katee at: Website | Facebook | Twitter| GoodReads | Instagram

Release Day Blitz + Excerpt + 4.5-Star Review: Swink by Adriana Locke

 

 

 

Title: Swink
Series: Landry Family #5
Author: Adriana Locke
Genre: A Standalone Bad Boy/Good Girl Romance
Release Date: July 21, 2017
Blurb

I’m that guy.

Camilla Landry rustles against me, the silky fabric of her overpriced lingerie slipping along my bruised rib. The porcelain perfection of her skin is even more innocent against the colorful ink dotting my own. It’s demure meets damage, pampered meets punctured. 

So, yeah, it’s obvious I’m that guy. Dominic Hughes. Her attempt at rebellion. Her bid to see what the other side of the tracks feel like. I’m okay with being used because, from where I’m sitting, the other side of the tracks have never looked so good.

 

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Excerpt

He’s standing in the doorway, one hand on the sweatpants that hang just below his chiseled hips and the other leans on the frame. The tattoos that mark his flesh are vivid against his bare skin, making the blues of his eyes shine.

He flashes a lopsided smile my way. “Took you long enough.”

“I don’t drive like a bat out of hell,” I laugh, stepping past him. “Did you shower already?”

“Yeah. I smelled like gym floors.”              

“As long as you don’t smell like gym whores,” I say, setting the bags on the table in the kitchen.

His laugh is contagious and I feel myself smiling. A set of arms cage me in from behind, grasping the table on both sides of me. My skin breaks out in a shiver as his lips find the sensitive spot behind my ear.

His face buries in the crook of my neck and he takes a long, leisurely breath. “You smell so good.”

“Keep doing that,” I say, relaxing my head onto his chest.

“What?”

“Talking with your mouth against me.”

“You like this?” he asks all breathily so that each word whispers across my skin.

My eyes fall closed as I relish in this moment of nothing but him. “No, I love this.”

“Can I tell you a little secret?”

“As long as you keep talking, you can tell me whatever you want.”

He chuckles, dotting kisses up and down my neck. “I love this too, feeling your body give up the fight of the day and let me take over.” He turns me in his arms so I’m facing him. “I love that you trust me enough to let your shoulders sink out of that perfect posture you walk around with.”

As he reaches up and undoes the elastic in my hair, I watch his features soften. He moves carefully, unwrapping the tie from the twisted mess in my locks, careful not to pull.

“There,” he says, cupping the back of my head through my long tresses, “that’s better.”

“You don’t like my hair up?”

“Not like you had it. You look to lunching-y,” he says, wrinkling his nose.

“Lunching-y?”

“Yes,” he grins.

“You are too cute.”

“You are too fucking sexy.”

Reaching up, I swipe the pad of my thumb over the cut above his eye. He flinches, but just for a second. “What happened?”

“Bond’s right hand.”

“I hate him.”

“So do I,” he snickers.

“Let’s get some ice for it.”

He leans in, his brows tugging together. “Let’s not.” His eyes hood as he takes me in, his tongue darting out and wetting his lips. My knees weaken, my body humming with delight at his reaction.

“I want to take care of you,” I whisper, although that’s really on the backburner now. “Let me baby you.”

Instead, he lifts me up and places me on the table. My stomach clenches as he positions himself between my thighs, my sundress curling at my waist. I ring my legs around him, pulling him so close that the soft cotton of his sweatpants rubs against my opening.

He looks down. “You aren’t wearing panties.”

 

Tracey’s Review

I cannot tell you how long I’ve been waiting to get Camilla Landry’s book from the lovely and talented Adriana Locke. Wait, yes, I will. I’ve wanted to know what’s been up Cam’s sleeve since her first appearance in SWAY, the first book in the Landry series, and, finally, we’ve got it in SWINK.

Camilla is definitely one of my favorite of Adriana’s female characters to date. She’s smart, sassy, and, when it comes down to it, ready to step out from under the safety of her family umbrella and live for herself. Watching the way that being with Dom allows Cam to blossom into a woman finding her place in the wider world, one that is sure of herself and her ability to make her own way, is truly heartwarming.

Dominic Hughes can more than hold his own with the Landry clan. Showing them that he’s more than a stereotype allows him to widen his own perceptions and horizons as well, and step up to be the man that Cam not only wants, but needs. His strength is in how different he is from anyone that Cam has known before, and his eventual understanding of how special he truly is stole my heart.

I am a sucker for a Romeo and Juliet sort of read, and SWINK definitely has some of that going on. But what is even more satisfying is the real, true emotion, the way that Cam and Dom truly have each other’s best interests at heart. Their road isn’t an easy one, but it’s worth every bump, and I thoroughly enjoyed traveling it with them.

Adriana can’t write a bad book, and SWINK is right up there with her best. The perfect mix of sexy, angsty, and passionate, with plenty of Landry shenanigans thrown in, this 4.5-star read belongs on the TBRs of romance lovers everywhere. This book is truly worth the wait, and I highly recommend it.

Also Available
All ebooks are free in Kindle Unlimited
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Author Bio

USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.

She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather’s nice and there’s always a piece of candy in her pocket.

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New Release + 6 Star Review + 2017 Favorite: Atheist Who Kneel And Pray by Tarryn Fisher

SURPRISE! #AWKAP is LIVE!!! Who’s ready for Yara and David?
Available NOW on

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Atheists Who Kneel And Pray

By Tarryn Fisher

Buy: Amazon

Yara Phillips is a wandering muse.

She dates men who need her, but always moves on to something new, never staying in one place for very long.

David Lisey is in need of a muse.

A talented musician lacking lyrical inspiration. When he first sees her, he knows he’s found what he’s been looking for.

Yara believes she can give David exactly what he needs to reach his full potential:

A broken heart.

David’s religion is love.

Yara’s religion is heartache.

Neither is willing to surrender, but religion always requires sacrifice.

 

Yara’s Yesterday Spotify List:

https://open.spotify.com/user/1226318453/playlist/6h5mCg008D4VxjkWuudzQ7

 

Dear Yara,

The bands in London, November 12th. Want to catch up?

David

So casual. So nonchalant. You’d think we were only acquaintances, that we’d once sipped a couple of beers together instead of tattooing love on our skin and reciting marriage vows. I read the e-mail again and analyze the shit out of it. How can I not? I count out the words: thirteen. The punctuation: four. His name, my name. A flippant, casual turn of phrase: catch up. In the end, there’s only so much psychoanalyzing you can do to a thirteen-word e-mail. I move on with my life, feeling rather pathetic. But not before I e-mail him back. And okay, sure, I don’t move on with my life. What does that even entail? Forgetting? Forgiving? Being happy? Besides, I know what he wants to talk about. I know why he’s coming.

Hi David,

Yeah, sounds good. Let me know when and where.

Yara

My e-mail is a word shorter.

I’m that petty.

_______________________________

Robin’s Review

With the words of her new contemporary romance, author Tarryn Fisher swept me to the heights of relationship bliss, then lulled me into a fear of impending doom. She shattered my lovesick heart, but then healed it and made me whole again. Right alongside the primary characters, I experienced ALL of the emotions in what may be one of the best romance novels of 2017 – Atheists Who Kneel and Pray!

Hailing from London, England, Yara Phillips has become a drifter. Every few months, she travels from one U.S. city to the next for a fresh start. David Lisey spots her through the front window of The Jane in Seattle, Washington, where she works as a bartender. And that’s when he knows. The lead singer of Lazarus Come Forth has found his muse. From the moment David pulls a splinter out of her thumb, he sparks her interest. Yara might be willing to be his muse, but at what cost?

Reminiscent of Caleb and Olivia from her first novel, The Opportunist, Tarryn Fisher made me fall in love HARD with David and Yara! David’s pursuit of Yara is delightful! Their conversations and flirting are endearing. The chemistry between them is palpable. Their connection is undeniable. Their love story is a journey, an experience which will cause them both to grow as individuals.

Tarryn Fisher’s writing is exemplary. She is deeply detailed in her descriptions of the sights and locations of her hometown. The businesses, landmarks and people of Seattle, London and Paris come alive through her words. Colors, buildings, and scenes were painted as visuals in my imagination as I turned the pages of the book. With some of the best descriptive writing that I’ve ever read, the whole feel of Atheists Who Kneel and Pray lures me to the Pacific Northwest.

Tarryn Fisher is skilled at drawing emotions and feelings out of her readers. You’ll find this especially true with her manuscript of Atheists Who Kneel and Pray. I encountered a broad spectrum of emotions while reading this novel, ranging from joyful exhilaration to feeling a great sense of loss. Fisher’s writing is a form of art. In this story, you’ll find it meticulous and poetic, vibrant and evocative.

Every once and a while, you come across a book that touches your heart in ways you can’t explain. It’s just special. For me, that book is Atheists Who Kneel and Pray, and I can’t wait to find the time to read it again! I’m honored to give Tarryn Fisher a 6-star review and will be adding this book to my list of 2017 favorites!

________________________________

Tarryn was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. She immigrated to America with her parents when she was thirteen, and spent the next eighteen years in South Florida where she earned her degree in Psychology, wrote her first novel, and had two children. In 2012, on a whim, she moved her family to Seattle, Washington where she currently makes her home safely away from the sun. Tarryn is the founder of Guise of the Villain, a fashion blog, and has written eleven published novels. Tarryn is a Slytherin.

Website:

www.tarrynfisher.com

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https://www.facebook.com/authortarrynfisher

Instagram:

https://instagram.com/tarrynfisher/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Tarryn__Fisher

 

 

 

 

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: Fractured Love by Ella James

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About the Book(1)

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I was sixteen when he came to our house. Landon Jones, a boy with nothing, from nowhere. He had cinnamon hair and blue eyes—light blue, just like mine. When we went out as a family with my foster brother, people asked if Landon was my twin. He wasn’t. That year, we found out how much he wasn’t. When my parents caught us, they threw Landon out like trash.

 

Now I’m twenty-nine, a soon-to-be surgeon, like my mom and dad. I know residency is going to kick my ass, but I had no idea that it would rip my heart out, too. Not until I see him—Dr. Jones.

A standalone that is part of the Off-Limits Romance collection.

 

Purchase on Amazon or Read for FREE on KU!
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Teasers

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Michel’s Review

The one thing I have come to realize is when I open an Ella James novel to expect the unexpected.  Ella James has a gift of creating complex twists in what should be a relatively simple romance novel.  She adds layers upon layers to the story and creates characters that are less than perfect but at the same time humanly endearing.  Their flaws are monumental and their strengths are admirable.  What’s in the middle is their muddied relationship, past and present, that evolves into an unforgettable love story that was earned through surviving the storm called life.

Evie and Landon were doomed from the beginning.  He was a foster child taken in by her loving but strict parents.  The family loved Landon and wanted the best for his future.  They wanted to give him a stable home and a family he could count on.  What they didn’t factor in is a budding relationship between two naive sixteen year old kids who were driven by their hormones as well as their hearts.  The only thing they could do was send Landon back to the system until both kids could mature and reach their future potential.  What they couldn’t foresee is the ramifications of their actions changing the course of both kids future.  Both Evie and Landon spent over ten years in their own personal hells but never forgot each other.  The problem was what happened in those ten years could never be undone or changed.  They both ended up reaching their academic potential and had bright futures as doctors but were still very damaged individuals.  Working together as interns in one of the best neurosurgery hospitals is a challenge.  Denying their feelings for one another was a hopeless endeavor.  Endangering their careers was inevitable.  Revealing their secrets is unthinkable because those secrets could tear them apart forever. Secrets can only be hidden for so long and the revelations are beyond devastating.

Two teenage hearts fell hopelessly in love.  Two adult hearts are still hopelessly in love.  The key word is hopeless.  Evie and Landon have to choose between finally letting go of each other or letting go of the past and hanging onto each other for life.

Ella James once again delivered an emotional romance that touches the readers hearts.

I highly recommend reading Fractured Love by Ella James.

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Release Day Giveaway

Enter Ella’a release day giveaway here > a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author

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Author Bio

Ella James is the USA Today bestselling author of sixteen teen and adult love stories. She’s an angst-a-holic who loves exploring difficult situations and the emotions of the people caught up in them. Also, smut. But always, always romance.

 

Ella’s obsessions include vanilla cream soda, hiking, other weird, crunchy things like rock collecting, and the antics of her three little monsters.

 

To find out more about her projects, follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ellajamesbooks, tweet her at author_ellaj or follow her on Instagram (authorellajames).

 

Interested in the foreign rights for one of Ella’s books? Contact her agent, Rebecca Friedman, at rebecca@rfliterary.com.

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Release Blitz + Excerpt + 4.5-Star Review: SIN by Emma Hart

 

 

Damien fox lived up to his name. Cunning, sly, and dangerous, fifty percent of Vegas’ strip clubs were his.

Whatever he wanted, money, attention, women, he got.

And now he wanted to buy my bar, no matter the cost.

I wanted him to go to hell on a first-class ticket.

He played a dirty game, and I followed his rules. I let him think he would win.

Despite our differences, it was clear to see that we were no more than two broken hearts colliding in the darkness.

Closed off, sexy, and holding a pain that would crush a lesser man, he was the ultimate sin.

One I couldn’t deny myself, even though I knew better than to trust a fox…

(SIN is book one of the Vegas Nights series. Each book in this series is a standalone novel.)

 

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

 

 

EXCERPT:

“Why wouldn’t you talk about your work in the restaurant?” I set my purse on the floor by my feet and shifted to face him. “I’ve never seen anyone get out of a dinner so fast.”

A small smile tugged the edge of his lips up. “Just like I said in there, some things shouldn’t be discussed in public.”

“Like politics and religion.”

“You have a very smart mouth.” He glanced down at said smart mouth. “Do you ever turn it off?”

“Never,” I reassured him. “Now, we’re no longer in public, so tell me about what you do.”

He rested an arm along the back of the seats. His fingertips landed just inches from my hair, and I gave a cursory glance at their closeness.

Shivers tickled their way down my spine as he stared at me. He was entirely still except for the way his eyes flicked left and right repeatedly. It felt an awful lot like he was taking me in, committing me to memory for some strange reason.

“A lot of people don’t like me. Pissing people off is part of business, and I’ve done that a lot, so I try to keep my work private. It’s that simple, sweetheart.”

“I get it. But now, it is private.” I wasn’t going to let this drop. I’d quit reading before I did that. “I’ve told you a lot about my bar tonight, so now tell me something.”

“You have the innate ability to make me feel like I’m back in high school and writing an essay about being reasonable.”

“If you’d done that, you might know how to be reasonable.” I paused when he laughed. It was low blow time again. “Look, Mr. Fox—”

“Damien.”

“You don’t have to tell me anything about your business and what you do, but given that you’re failing embarrassingly in your attempt to buy my business, it’s probably in your best interests to start talking.”

He leaned forward and took my hair between his finger and thumb. Slowly, he twirled the strands around his finger, each twist lightly tugging against my scalp. “You should have been a cop. You’re very persuasive.”

“In that case, you could probably learn a thing or two from me. Your own skills are lacking.”

“I don’t know.” He dropped his voice to a low murmur. “I think, if I tried hard enough, I could persuade you into a few things.”

I raised my eyebrows. We’d moved on from talking about business. Once again, the Master of Deflection was doing what he’d been doing for most of our evening together.

“I still haven’t forgiven you for your antics yesterday, so I wouldn’t even try it.” I tapped his hand so he released his hold on my hair. It tumbled away from his finger so I could smooth the strands back down and gave him a pointed look.

“Forgiven me, or yourself?” His eyes glinted knowingly. Almost self-assuredly.

Hell, there was no almost about it. He knew exactly how I’d felt when he’d left me. He knew exactly what he’d done to me, and I did, too. Denying that I was annoyed at myself because I could still remember how it’d felt when he’d taken my chin in his hand was pointless.

“Both,” I answered, sitting up a little straighter. “That doesn’t invite you to exercise poor judgment and make another attempt to mix business with pleasure?”

“Attempt? Sweetheart, if I’d attempted to do that, there would have been a lot less business and a lot more pleasure before I’d left you.”

“You think I’d give in to you so easily?”

At those words, Damien slid smoothly across the leather seats. His arm, still resting along the back of them, hung down behind me, his thumb just brushing against my back. The rest of his body was mere inches from mine, and I bit the inside of my lip as he trailed his fingertips up my bare arm. My eyes followed his feather-light touch while his stayed fixated on my face.

He coasted his fingers over my shoulder where he touched them to my jaw. Lightly, he tilted my face around and up until I had no choice but to look him in the eyes again—to look right there where I could see exactly how much he wanted me.

Dark.

Hot.

Full of temptation.

Heavy and intense, his eyes screamed of raw lust and selfish need.

“I don’t think you’d give in at all,” he whispered. “I think your body would do that for you, and you’d be helpless to it.”

“You think a lot of yourself, don’t you?” I said quietly. I touched my finger to his belt, then ran it up the length of his torso, ghosting it over the solid packs of muscle that made up his body until I flicked the starchy collar of his shirt. “You think you can do this and I’ll give in to what is essentially a biological reaction? I’m stronger than you take me for, you know.”

He curled his fingers around my chin and dipped his face to mine. “She says with a racing heart.”

I pressed one finger against his mouth and ran another along his strong thigh…right up to where his hard cock was straining against the soft material of his pants. “Don’t you hate it when your attraction to someone is so obvious?”

His jaw clenched. “If you have any sense at all inside that gorgeous head of yours, you’ll move your hand.”

Tracey’s Review

I believed in love stories. In the predictable and the obvious. In the unrealistic and the unpredictable. I loved them. I lived them. They were my passion and my escape.

Dahlia Lloyd may have known heartache, and she may have experienced loss, but she is none the weaker for it. No, Dahlia is a strong, take no prisoners kind of woman, and more than capable of going head to head with Damien Fox.

Damien Fox hides his pain well. Determined, tenacious, self-assured, Damien seldom takes ‘No’ for an answer, and he doesn’t intend to when it comes to Dahlia. Because what Damien wants, Damien gets; it’s just a matter of time. Except that he’s not counting on the very determined owner of a particular book-themed bar…

How excited was I to learn that one of my favorite authors was writing a new series? When it’s Emma Hart, the book is SIN, and Dahlia and Damien are on the menu, you can believe that I was over the moon. The fires of enmity burn strong between Dahlia and Damien at first meeting. She has what he wants, and that’s The Scarlett Letter, the very special bar left to her by her parents. Dahlia’s no wilting flower, and Damien has his work cut out for him, finding out soon enough that she’s more than a match for his powers of persuasion.

Emma has started off her Vegas Nights series with a bang, bringing heat, heart, and characters that I adored. Dahlia and Damien are well-matched, and it’s both entertaining and touching to watch the evolution of their relationship. The quirky supporting characters make for plenty of comic relief and lots of love, and look forward to seeing much more of them all when LUST comes our way. SIN is an easy 4.5 stars for me, and highly recommended for fans of contemporary romance with plenty of heat.

 

 

By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to two beautiful little monsters. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of whatever she fancies—usually wine—and writes books.

Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta love.

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

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Release Blitz and 5+ Star Review: The Iron Tiara by Beth Flynn … A Spinoff of the Nine Minute Trilogy

The Iron Tiara

By Beth Flynn

Buy: Amazon / B & N / IBooks / Kobo

Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Amazon AU

Synopsis

Anthony Bear and Christy Chapman are from two completely different worlds.

Anthony’s the leader of a motorcycle gang that terrorizes Florida’s West Coast. As a child, he ran away from his family and the Cherokee Indian Reservation to enter a life of crime. As an adult, he leads a multifaceted life managing his two businesses—his legitimate landscaping venture, and his loan shark and underworld dealings. Driven by anger and betrayal, Anthony begins the hunt for Christy’s father, Van Chapman, after he runs out on a loan.

Christy’s privileged life is not as it seems. She has kept painful family secrets and hidden some of her own. She’s determined to find out the truth and expose Van, but her search delivers her right into Anthony Bear’s hands, adding kidnapping to his list of crimes.

Their worlds are as contrasting as the color of their skin. The only thing they seem to have in common is their mutual disdain for Van Chapman…and each other.

They couldn’t be more wrong.

Michel’s Review

I’m sure the digital book retail world is working in overdrive today with the release of The Iron Tiara by Beth Flynn.  Readers have been waiting for a year to re enter the dynamic world from the Nine Minutes Trilogy.  Readers are taken back to South Florida in the 70’s where a corrupt world of lawless bikers committing unspeakable crimes that included drug trafficking and murder were as much a part of the scenery as the sunny beaches and gator infested waters of the Everglades. A world where men like Grizz and Anthony Bear ruled with an iron fist and a loaded gun without any conscience or remorse.  The readers experienced Grizz’s epic story that spanned over twenty years and now they are going to experience Anthony Bear’s reign of terror during those years as well.  Unlike Grizz’s complex story, Anthony’s story is just as charismatic with a very straight forward view.  He’s just a lethal (if not more) as Grizz was but he didn’t have to hide his actions and secrets the way Grizz did.  Anthony owned his kingdom and protected what was his no matter what the cost was and did it without apologies or explanations.

Before I go any farther I want to emphasize to the readers… do not go into to this book looking for more insight into Grizz.  This is not his book or his story!  His story has been told, his life has been exposed, he’s bled for the readers on the pages.  Grizz didn’t get to where he was alone, he had a few friends who helped him along the way and he trusted completely.  The one who always had his back without question was Anthony Bear.  Anthony Bear is just as enigmatic as Grizz.  His story is just as compelling.  Grizz and Ginny will only make cameo appearances as supporting characters.  It’s time for Anthony and Christy to tell their story.

It all begins with Anthony Bear as a twelve year old child on the Cherokee reservation in Oklahoma.  Readers get an insight of his heritage and what his life was like as a half breed on the reservation.  Being the nephew of the Chief doesn’t give him prestige or validation, he still has to prove himself as a person of integrity and value.  He’s learned the value of ethics and honesty from his uncle but has also learned corruption and dishonesty from his father.  When faced with choices that test his honor as an individual it sets him on a new path that leads him to South Florida and the beginnings of a life of crime.

By the mid 1970’s Anthony has established his ruthless reign of crime on the west coast of Florida.  No one crosses his line and lives to tell about it.  When a client reneges on a loan, he takes revenge and extracts whats due.

Van Chapman ran out on a loan and Anthony is going to get his due.  When an opportunity falls in his lap, he takes it.  He kidnaps Van Chapman’s only daughter, Christy Chapman, to hold for ransom.  It doesn’t take long to realize that Van Chapman could care less and the only thing being held for ransom is his heart.  Christy Chapman isn’t the white socialite he thought her to be.  She’s more than an heiress, she is the queen of his iron heart.

As most readers know… Beth Flynn delivers a complex, detailed story that spans decades.  She allows her readers to experience her characters lives throughout the years rather than just the moments where they fall hopelessly in love.  She allows the readers to experience their joy, their triumphs in life as well as their mistakes, pain, and tribulations that test their very souls.  She gives them life on the pages as well as in the readers hearts!

I am thankful to experience Anthony Bear’s beautiful, ugly life.  He is a man of honor and integrity as well as a ruthless criminal.  He is a hero in his own right!

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Book 1

Nine Minutes

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

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Book 2

Out Of Time

Buy: Amazon  /B & N / ITunes / Kobo

A gift of time cover

 

A Gift Of Time

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

 

 

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beth flynn

beth flynn bioBeth Flynn is a fiction writer who lives and works in Sapphire, North Carolina, deep within the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Beth and her husband, Jim, have spent the last 17 years in Sapphire, where they own a construction company. They have been married 31 years and have two daughters and two dogs. In her spare time, Beth enjoys writing, reading, gardening, church and motorcycles, especially taking rides on the back of her husband’s Harley. She is a five-year breast cancer survivor.

STALK HER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Release Blitz + Excerpt + 5 Star Review: Trust by Kylie Scott

 

Trust
A Mature YA Novel
By Kylie Scott

 

Amazon US | Amazon Aus | Amazon UK | iBooks US | iBooks Aus | Kobo | Nook

 

Synopsis

Being young is all about the experiences: the first time you skip school, the first time you fall in love…the first time someone holds a gun to your head.

After being held hostage during a robbery at the local convenience store, seventeen-year-old Edie finds her attitude about life shattered. Unwilling to put up with the snobbery and bullying at her private school, she enrolls at the local public high school, crossing paths with John. The boy who risked his life to save hers.

While Edie’s beginning to run wild, however, John’s just starting to settle down. After years of partying and dealing drugs with his older brother, he’s going straight—getting to class on time, and thinking about the future.

An unlikely bond grows between the two as John keeps Edie out of trouble and helps her broaden her horizons. But when he helps her out with another first—losing her virginity—their friendship gets complicated.

Meanwhile, Edie and John are pulled back into the dangerous world they narrowly escaped. They were lucky to survive the first time, but this time they have more to lose—each other.

 

 

 

Excerpt

“You were going to give it up to Duncan Dickerson?” he sneered. “Are you serious?”

I halted, staring at him. This was not good. “How do you know about that?”

“Anders overheard you and Hang talking.”

“Bastard.”

“Well?” he demanded, acting all authoritarian. Idiot.

“To be fair, I didn’t know his last name was Dickerson,” I said. “That’s unfortunate. Though, I wasn’t actually planning on marrying him, so . . .”

“Not funny.”

I shrugged.

“You barely know the guy.”

“Um, yeah. None of your concern. We’re not talking about this.” How mortifying! My face burned bright. People should just gather around and cook s’mores. “I appreciate that we’re friends. You mean a lot to me. But this is going to have to fall under definitely none of your damn business, so go away please.”

“We’re talking about it.” He advanced a step.

“No we are not.” And I retreated.

“You were going to let a complete stranger touch you.” Advance.

Retreat. “People do it all the time. You do it all the time.”

“But you don’t,” he said, taking the final step, backing me up against the side of his car and getting all in my face. “Edie, this is your first time we’re talking about. Isn’t it?”

“Yes, and it’s going to be messy and painful and probably horribly embarrassing and I just want it over and done with.” I tried to meet his eyes but failed, settling for a spot on his right shoulder. “You’re not a girl; you wouldn’t understand. Also, last time I checked, you’re not the gatekeeper of my hymen, John Cole. So back the fuck off.”

He said nothing.

Deep, calming breaths. “Look, someday I’ll meet someone I really like and we’ll have a deep and meaningful relationship and go at it like bunnies. But I don’t want to be the dumb virgin in that scenario.”

He slowly shook his head.

“Also, I do not want to die a virgin.”

“What? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Hey, you and I both know death can occur at any time.”

“This is crazy.”

“I’m seeing a therapist!” I told his shoulder. “I don’t know if you noticed, but I’m a little bit messed up these days. It’s hard for me to trust people. That’s not going to change anytime soon.”

He screwed up his face at me. “Wha—”

“I’m just trying to be practical.”

“Well, you’re being ridiculous. None of this makes sense.”

“It does to me.”

Again, he said nothing.

In fact, he said nothing for so long that I finally looked him in the eye. The anger had left him, replaced by an emotion I didn’t recognize. Worst of all, he still smelled like summer. A little sweat and the open night air, everything I loved. Liked. I meant liked.

“What?” I said, finally.

He let loose a breath. “I’ll do it.”

 

 

Michel’s Review

Wow!  Trust by Kylie Scott blew me away!  Kylie Scott ventured into the dramatic world of teenage angst and conquered those drama babies with a big dose of harsh realities, valid fears, and gave them the tools to become strong, independent adults with an arsenal of emotional experiences and new perspectives in life.  In other words… she gave them a chance to learn to trust themselves and trust their hearts by making them face themselves in a life changing situation where the scars were internal rather than external.  A life or death situation bonded two completely different types of people and opened their eyes to the realities of their lives.  It changed their perspectives and changed the course they were on.  It gave them the strength they didn’t know they needed to step outside of their individual destructive paths and reach for a better path.

Most teenagers can’t see past right now and really don’t have a concept of what they want for their future lives.  They can’t comprehend life beyond the drama induced world in which they are living in.  To them it’s a state of permanence rather than a stepping stone of becoming a mature adult.  They don’t understand that the moment they graduate high school that none of the crap they dealt with matters anymore.  Their choices and actions at that time in their lives can influence their future paths but the peer pressure is gone.  They are now accountable only to themselves.

Edie and John were put in each others paths during a convenience store robbery where they witnessed tragic horrific murders.  They were lucky to survive the ordeal but they didn’t come out of it without scars.  It opened Edie’s eyes to the way she saw herself as an individual and made her take a stand against bullying by choosing to remove herself from the negative environment.  She switched schools and refused to become a target. When she runs into the boy who saved her life, she knows she made the right decision. This boy sees her as a person rather than the poor fat girl.

John was on a bad path.  He was a party boy and small time school drug dealer.  After the robbery he began to see his life was on the same path as the guy who robbed the store.  When he sees the girl from the store at school and notices how positive her life is, he wants the same thing.  With her help, he’s changing into a boy with a bright future rather than a low life drug dealer.

These two find refuge in one another.  They become deeply bonded friends who give each other the confidence to become better people.  They help each other accept themselves and see the good rather than the bad.  In the process they find a love built by strength of character rather than surface beauty.

Kylie Scott captured the soul of a teenager in todays world and gave them the tools to become confident adults.  This book was more than a teenage romance, it was a suspenseful novel that allowed the characters to grow emotionally as individuals.  Life is never easy and it’s even harder when you don’t have the emotional maturity to handle the angst.  This novel is about learning to Trust oneself and Trust those who are willing to invest themselves in you.

I loved this novel and would recommend it to readers of all ages!

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kyliescottimageKylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013 & 2014, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet. You can learn more about Kylie from http://www.kylie-scott.com/

 

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