Review: Walk Beside Me by HJ Bellus- Walk Series- Book 2

Posted on 01/08/2015 by shellbellereads

Walk Beside Me

Walk Series- Book 2

By HJ Bellus

Synopsis

When Tess was forced to leave town, she vowed never to return. That meant no Finn and no Finn meant a life filled with heartache. It wasn’t her choice, but what in her life has been? Tess was never one to believe in fairytales while growing up, and her past has only confirmed her skepticism.

With a baby on the way and her family needing her, Tess has no choice but to go back to the small town she never thought she’d have to step foot in again. She has been gone for six months and a lot can happen in that time. Tess is slapped with this reality just when she thinks life couldn’t get any more complicated.

This is Tess and Finn’s ending…but will it be a happy one? Will Tess finally believe fairytales exist?

Buy: Amazon

Tina’s Review

Novella, under 100 pages.
It’s been six months since Finn’s father ran Tess out of town. Now, seven months pregnant, she’s returned to town with only two goals: attend granddaddy’s funeral and see her niece or nephew be born. Then she plans to leave town again before Finn’s father can act upon the threats he’d made against her loved ones. But things are not that simple. The closing scene of WALK ME DOWN overlaps with the opening scene of WALK BESIDE ME, providing a seamless continuance of the story. The characters are the same as before, only several circumstances have shifted or altered. Dialogue is believable, interaction is natural. HJ Bellus writes in a style that flows extremely smooth, making the pages fly by like nothing. It’s a very pleasurable experience. The plot is pretty good, for being so short. While it has plenty of dynamics to carry it, it lacks the fullness of a full-length novel. Several aspects of the conflicting elements were predictable, but it wasn’t until moments before the reveal that I knew what was going to happen (My Opinion: Blech! LOL)! This finale novella closes Finn’s and Tessa’s story off with solidly. I enjoyed this 2-piece set rather well.

Author Bio:

I am an independent author excited about releasing my first novel very soon. A big dream coming true!!! I’m all country…the kinda country where green grass grows and corn pops up in rows….love Miranda and her bad ass music!!! Just a simple country girl getting one story out of her head at a time…I always fall hard for a trucker style hat…especially if it’s a John Deere hat….loves me a good ol’ farm boy!!!!!!

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Forbidden Nights by Lauren Blakely- Seductive Nights Series

Posted on 01/08/2015 by shellbellereads

It’s here! The cover for Lauren Blakely’s next title in her Seductive Nights Series, FORBIDDEN NIGHTS, is here and it’s a beauty! We are thrilled to get to share it with you today. But first, we want to share just a little bit about Lauren Blakely and a taste of FORBIDDEN NIGHTS with you.

Lauren Blakely is well known for writing sexy, heartfelt and humorous contemporary romance as well as deeply emotional new adult stories — one commonality in all her books is the scorching hot sexy times. And this book is absolutely no different! Nate Harper and Casey Sullivan have some thrilling moments together.

And… we have a surprise for you!

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS will release on February 17^th!

That’s a full month earlier than originally planned! So you will get to experience Nate and Casey and all of their sexy and heartfelt moments together even sooner! Still dying to get your hands on this smoking couple? Here’s a little taste for you from Lauren Blakely:

“Just relax and let me lead,” he said, whispering in her ear, a waft of her citrus scent drifting by his nostrils. She shivered briefly against him, and that nearly did him in. He stayed strong, swaying gently, guiding her in slow, sensuous moves. “I’ll show you how to let go, but you have to trust me. And that’s where it starts. I can show you how good it will feel when you give up control.”

She breathed in sharply, like she was acclimating to new air on a distant planet. “Why do men like a woman to give up a control? What is it about the lack of control that men like so much?”

“It’s not that they like a lack of control. They want a woman who wants to give herself to him. He wants a woman to melt into his arms, to get aroused from a kiss on the back of her neck,” he said, and traced a fingertip gently under her hair, watching her reaction as she drew in a breath. “It’s the hand on her arm,” he said, now trailing his fingers down her bare skin to her elbow as he leaned in to whisper. “Or warm breath near her ear.” She gasped, and he kept going. “He wants a woman who’s so turned on, she’ll nearly beg for it. He wants her abandon. He wants to be the only one to make her feel that way.”

She parted her lips to speak, but he shushed her with his fingertip against her lips. God, he was so tempted to let her suck on his finger right now, to watch her simulate a blow job, to let her show him what she could do. But that would come later. He needed to kiss her first.

That is, after he teased her…

Are you as excited as we are about this book?!

And now, here’s the fabulous cover for FORBIDDEN NIGHTS!

Cover created by Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations

ABOUT FORBIDDEN NIGHTS:

A smoldering and sensual standalone romance novel in the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Seductive Nights Series by Lauren Blakely…

Sinfully sexy hotel CEO Nate Harper knows exactly how to please a woman. He’s equally skilled in keeping his heart safe from the kind of hurt his ex inflicted on him years ago. But one thing he’s not so good at what-so-ever is getting his mind and all his dirty thoughts off the gorgeous, outgoing, and absolutely captivating Casey Sullivan, the new head of the Joy Delivered company.

They’ve been friends for years now, and Casey trusts Nate completely. So it makes perfect sense to her to ask him for hands-on guidance when she finds herself in need of some of his romantic expertise.

The trouble is, his heart may be signing up for more than it bargained for when he agrees to help her learn to abandon her need for control in the bedroom. Because as she experiences what it means to let go, he’ll start to experience what it means to feel again…

But what happens when all those forbidden nights turn into a deeper connection that’s much more than either bargained for?

*FORBIDDEN NIGHTS is a standalone full-length novel in the bestselling SEDUCTIVE NIGHTS series following the love affair of Nate and Casey. You can read it on its own, but you would likely enjoy the other books too.*

Read all about FORBIDDEN NIGHTS and the Seductive Nights Series HERE!

Pre-Order Your Copy Of FORBIDDEN NIGHTS coming February 17^thNow!

Amazon ** Amazon UK ** iBooks US ** iBooks UK ** Kobo

About Lauren Blakely:

Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in her novel, FAR TOO TEMPTING, she
thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. She loves hearing from readers! Her bestselling series include Caught Up in Love, Seductive Nights, and Fighting Fire. She recently released Nights With Him, a standalone novel in her New York Times Bestselling Seductive Nights series that became an instant New York Times Bestseller. Her next book in that series is Forbidden Nights, releasing in early 2015. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, text BLAKELY + your email address to 678-249-3375 (please use the actual + sign).

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

Happy Release and ARC Review: Falling Away by Jasinda Wilder- Falling Into You Series- Book 4

Posted on 01/06/2015 by shellbellereads

Falling Away

Falling Into You Series- Book 4

By Jasinda Wilder

Synopsis

My name is Benjamin Dorsey. You know my mom and dad’s story. You know Kylie’s parents’ story. You even know Kylie’s story.

You don’t know mine, yet.

You don’t know what a broken heart is until you’ve loved someone your whole life, only to have her slip through your fingers because you waited too long. That’s heartbreak. That’s regret. And how do you live with that? How do you go through the motions when she’s there as a reminder of what you lost, of what you could have had but were too damn chicken to go after? I couldn’t. So I left.

That’s right, I ran away. I found myself across the continent, playing minor league football. I mean, at least I still had football, right?

Nope. That got taken away from me too. A career-ending injury left me down-and-out, scraping the bottom of the barrel, hating myself and hating life. And then I met Cheyenne Leveaux, my physical therapist, who became my one and only friend, the one bright light in the darkness of my messed up life.

But of course nothing is ever simple, or easy.

Tragedy struck, and the rug was swept out from under me yet again, and this time the guilt, the doubt, the secrets, and the old heartbreak may threaten my one chance at true happiness, my one shot at my own happily ever after.

Reading Order: Falling Into You, Falling Into Us, Falling Under, Falling Away

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Falling Away is the epic ending to the Falling Into You series by Jasinda Wilder. It was a bittersweet moment opening this book and knowing that it was the last in one of my all time favorite series. The characters in this series have lived in my heart and are unforgettable.

After reading the last book, Falling Under, I was devastated for Ben. He was a great kid that had his heart shattered. He showed the ugly and uncontrollable side of his personality. He acted out in the worst possible way. His soul was wounded and he was reacting the only way he knew how. He had carried so many pent up emotions that when the door opened it was a floodgate of pain, betrayal, regret, and anger. I ached for this boy. I felt his deep pain. I wanted him to find the peace and love he so richly deserved. Ben found more than that. He found himself. He found a man that had honor, compassion, and hope.

The book starts a year after Ben left Nashville trying to run from his heartbreak and despair. What Ben didn’t realize at the time is that he was running from himself. It took many miles, odd jobs, new experiences, and new heartbreaks to open his heart once again. He finds his passion for football once again. He finds a place he may want to call home for a spell. He finds that he can be attracted to another woman other than Kylie. He finds a true friend that understands his heartbreaking journey. Just as things are looking bright in Ben’s life he is thrown into despair once again. He loses his only passion and he loses his only true friend. This time around Ben has grown emotionally and matured. He hasn’t come completely into himself but is much stronger than he was a year ago. He also recognizes that a new door is opening and that this time he doesn’t want to slam it shut. He’s not quite ready to welcome the new people & experiences at the door, but he isn’t turning them away. He is opening that door.

Ben meets Echo through a very tragic circumstance. She is unlike any girl or woman he has ever met. He sees a very beautiful woman that has a very wounded soul. Although he doesn’t understand all of her pain, he knows without a doubt he wants to ease it and help her cope. What starts out as a pain easing hookup turns into a soul searching friendship to a passionate love affair that stands the test of time. But first Echo and Ben have to face their pain and allow others into their soul.

Echo is a very troubled young woman. Her life experiences have led her to a self destructive and abusive path. She has trust issues, self worth issues, and loads of regret. Her escape is through music. When music isn’t enough to ease the pain she will have to face herself or destroy herself. Ben shows her a different look at life. He shows her that healing doesn’t erase the person you are, it makes you stronger and better.

Ben and Echo both have their journeys to travel but destiny has thrown their paths together. Now they have to learn to open their hearts and travel that path together.

I loved this book. The reader got to experience Ben’s transition from a wounded boy into a strong and steady man. A man with a bright and shiny future. He was given something better than he ever could of dreamed of having with Kylie. He was given himself as well as a love of a lifetime.

There were a few things in this book that I struggled with but did not affect my overall reaction to the story. There was an excessive amount of references to songs, the performers, and musicians. While I understand the importance of music in this series, I found it distracting in many passages. Another thing I found I disliked quite a bit was that Ben’s parents, Becca and Jason (from Falling Into Us- book 2 ), played a very small role in the overall picture. Jasinda emphasized Colt and Nell’s presence throughout the second part of the book. I understand that they are the foundation of the series but quite honestly I felt like Jason and Becca importance was slighted. They were both powerful characters that overcame advisory in a very positive manner. They experienced pain, heartbreak, abuse, and the hard knocks life had to offer. They overcame their plights and became very strong admirable adults. I feel like they had so much more to offer their son Ben than Jasinda allowed them to.

I am happy that Ben became the man he is today. I am happy that he found the peace in his life. I am happy that he found Echo.

I am very sad that this series has ended but am looking forward to the spin off series coming in the future.

I have nothing but pure praise for Jasinda Wilder. She writes a powerful and emotional reading experience that stays in your heart long after the book is finished.

Read this book. Read this series!

Author Bio:

NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, WALL STREET JOURNAL and international bestselling author Jasinda Wilder is a Michigan native with a penchant for titillating tales about sexy men and strong women. Her bestselling titles include ALPHA, STRIPPED, WOUNDED, and the #1 Amazon and international bestseller FALLING INTO YOU. You can find her on her farm in Northern Michigan with her husband, author Jack Wilder, her five children and menagerie of animals.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Dominic by MJ Fields- Ties Of Steel Series- Book 2

Posted on 01/05/2015 by shellbellereads

Dominic: The Prince

Ties of Steel Book 2

Book Information:

Title: Ties of Steel Series – Dominic: The Prince

Series: Men of Steel Series

Author: MJ Fields

Publication Date: January 18th, 2015

Blurb

The Italian, seductive, quiet alpha, Dominic Segretti, is leaving Livorno, Italy and headed for the Jersey Shore.
His family’s business is in danger of crumbling under the management of a man who tormented and grossly underestimated his investment in a business he grew up loving and the hatred of a man who made his life hell for thirteen years.
He has been quietly waiting for the right moment to bring Benito Deluca to his knees. He comes to the US, armed with enough evidence to prove his case to, Josephine Steel, his aunt, and his cousins, Cyrus, Jase, Zandor, and Xavier.
The night before he plans to tell them of the corruption that could cause the demise of DeLuca INC, he decides to take a night to de-stress. He plans a night of relaxation and enjoyment for himself at the Hilton Casino on the shore.
Delaney Johnson is starting over after a break-up and graduating college. She has landed the job of her dreams in NYC. Arrangements had been made to stay with her best friend, Nikki Bassett, and her fiancé’, Abe O’Donnell.
Feeling that her luck has suddenly changed, she stops to play a few slots, just for fun. She finds herself winning big, and gains an admirer.
One hot night of uninhibited sex with a stranger takes her places she never knew she could go.
Dominic sees something in her, something familiar, something undeniable. Will this one hot night turn into many or will the Beast’s plans crush any hope of them exploring their future?

Ties of Steel Book 1 is available now

Abe: Four in Hand

Buy Link: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Author bio…

MJ Fields’s love of writing was in full swing by age eight. Together with her cousins, she wrote a newsletter for family members. The newsletter was put back into ‘publication’ in September of 2001 for the entertainment of her cousin on a Navy aircraft carrier in the gulf, (Her cousin is a female Navy
officer and helicopter pilot).

She self-published her first New Adult romance in January 18, 2013. Today, she has completed four self-published series, The Love series, The Wrapped series,
The Burning Souls series, and The Men of Steel series.

Ties of Steel, (the first series spun off of some the Men of Steel series) book 1 ABE is available now.

The Norfolk series, has two titles available now, Irons 1 and Irons 2.

MJ is an Amazon bestselling
author in multiple categories as well as all of Amazon as a whole.

MJ lives in central New York, surrounded by family and friends. Her house is full of pets, friends, and noise ninety percent of the time, and she would
have it no other way.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~TSU

5-Star ARC Review: Something Reckless by Lexi Ryan

Posted on 01/02/2015 by Saucy Southern Readers

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes

He talks dirty to me, but I don’t know his name.

He wants to tie me up, but I don’t know his face.

He turns me on, but I couldn’t point him out in a crowd.

I’ve fallen for an anonymous stranger, and tonight the anonymity ends. Tonight I want more than typed secrets and texted promises. I want something reckless. Heat. Passion. The thrill of being entirely possessed.

Because I suspect this anonymous stranger isn’t a stranger at all.

Lizzy Thompson met riverrat69 online through Something Real, a service promising to deliver meaningful relationships by forbidding its users to share names or photos until they’ve reached a certain benchmark. She was looking for love. He was researching an investment. They hit it off. Talked and flirted, hid behind screen names and cartoon avatars.

Now they’re breaking the rules and meeting in person. But Liz is prepared. She’s picked up hints and followed clues.

She’s ninety-percent convinced she’s discovered the identity of her dirty-talking online friend.

She wonders if her ex-lover Sam Bradshaw knows her identity too.

When she rolls the dice on one reckless night, her chance at something real could crumble.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22434551-something-reckless

Excerpt from Something Reckless

“You look amazing in this dress. I’ve been pretending all night that there’s something I want to do more than get you out of it.”

“What would you do with me if you got so lucky?”

“I’d keep you up all night, for starters.” He slides a hand into my hair and traces the side of my neck with his thumb. His groan rumbles through me. “Tell me what you came here for.”

I thought that was pretty clear. “I’m wearing extremely slutty underwear. What do you think?”

His nostrils flare and his breathing goes thready. “I think I’m going to have to up my game, because now I want to see it.”

I have to bite back a smile. “Good,” I say. My heart thumps out a beat, probably Morse code for please and thank you.

“How slutty is this underwear of yours?”

I lick my lips. “Oh, it’s damn near whorish.”

“Let me see it, Liz.”

I lift my chin and prop my hands on my hips. “Seriously? That’s all the seduction I get? Let me see it?”

He steps closer until I have to crane my neck to look at him, and holy hell he smells good. “What game are we playing here, Rowdy?” he murmurs against my ear. “Is this the one where we pretend we don’t want each other and sleep alone . . .” His fingers skim down my shoulder and my eyes float closed. “Or is it the one where I make you come so hard you scream my name and tomorrow you act like you want nothing to do with me?”

“Are those my only choices?” I ask, but I keep my eyes closed, focusing on the feel of his rough fingers dancing across my skin. The truth is, I don’t want to play either game. I’m done playing games when it comes to Sam. I’m done pretending I don’t want him when I do, and I’m done pretending our annual one-night stand is enough for me.

“Tell me you aren’t going to run away in the morning. Promise me you won’t shut me out again.”

I don’t know what that means, and I’m too scared to analyze it. My eyes are still closed when he takes my chin in his fingers and tilts my face up to his, still closed when he brushes his lips over mine and when I open under him because I’m helpless to this man’s kiss.

“Promise me,” he repeats.

“I won’t run away.” Then I unzip my dress and let it fall to the floor in a puddle, and my boldness is rewarded. Sam’s lips part and his breath escapes him in a rush.

He steps back and takes me in. The bra is strapless, black lace demi-cups that lift my breasts until they threaten to spill out. The panties—what there is of them—are a thong in matching black lace. Their fine lace straps sit in a sharp V high on my hipbones.

A ringlet of hair escaped my up-do, and he takes it between his fingers and twirls it around. I deserve a medal for not melting right here at his feet.

He hooks his index finger under the black bow between my bra cups. “Did you wear this for me?” His voice is a husky whisper that I can’t deny.

“Yes.”

His fingers skim my belly, trace over my hip, following the lace of my thong behind me to where the straps meet at the small of my back. My breath catches as he takes the fabric path over the curve of my tailbone and down, his fingers bringing every nerve ending to life as they pass. Electric pleasure whips through me.

“Fourteen months since I’ve touched you,” he says. “Fourteen months since I’ve gotten to hear the way you breathe when you’re turned on, since I’ve gotten to listen to you scream as I make you come. Tell me you haven’t thought about it.”

“I’d be lying.”

“Don’t lie,” he says, eyes hot and intense. “Just tell me you want me.”

Kelley’s Review

Lexi Ryan leaves us once again stunned and utterly speechless. Just when you think you have it all figured out she slaps you over the head and you are literally stunned.

I fell in love with Lizzy a long time ago. She just seems destined to never find the kind of love her sisters have no matter how much she tries. Drunken one night stands are getting kind of old and the one man that she wants more from will not give it to her so she decides to throw her hat into the online dating scene. New Hope is a fairly small town so how many people could truly be using the towns online dating site? Lizzy has been enjoying some scorching hot dirty talk via Something Real with riverrat69, one of the sites many investors. She has exchanged some racy photos with him and now he wants to meet. She is almost positive she knows who he is and is excited to meet the man who can turn her on with only his words. What happens when finds out the true identity of riverrat69 and he is not either man she thinks he is. Her reckless online behavior could cost her dearly in real life.

I wanted to scream and throw my kindle at the end of this book. I was like “No Friggen Way!!!” Lexi threw me for a serious loop and I loved every second of it. She had built up so much angst in this story that I skipped the last few chapters and went straight to the end because I could not take it anymore. I never ever skip to the end but she had me so tied up in knots that I just had to know who the heck Lizzy was talking to. OMFG!! I never saw what was coming. The question is now that we know riverrat69’s true identity how does this story shake out. I can’t wait for Something Real to see the path to Lizzy’s Happily Ever After. I am sure it is going full of twists and turns that will have our jaw dropping just like it did in this book. Lexi is the queen of cliff hangers that have you slack-jawed and at a loss for words. I know that I will be throughly entertained when I pick up one of her reads. Thank goodness this one is only a two-part read and part two will be here in March, hopefully sooner if I can twist her arm along with her other Midnight Readers.

Copyright Lexi Ryan, 2014

Adult Contemporary Romance

FREE introductory novella to the SOMETHING RECKLESS

“You need a good guy. A long-term guy. One who does dates and romance and emotional strings…I’m just an asshole who wants to tie you up, make you come, and walk away.”

Samuel Bradshaw is a man with a reputation—the kind of reputation that should have me running the other way. Instead, it has me searching for the shortest distance to his bed. I won’t be the starry-eyed girl who thinks she can change a man like Sam, and despite what he thinks, forever is not what I need. I need the things he makes me feel, the way he turns me on, and the promise of pleasure in his eyes. This promises to be SOMETHING WILD.

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author Lexi Ryan’s novels have been described as intense, emotional, and wickedly sexy. A former college professor, she now writes full-time from her home in Indiana, where she lives with her husband, two children, and a neurotic dog. Find her on Facebook or Twitter to chat about books, TV, and her children’s latest antics.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Review: Senses Series by Xavier Neal : Hush-Book 4, Vital – Novella, and Savor-Book 5

Posted on 01/02/2015 by shellbellereads

Hush

Senses Series- Book 4

By Xavier Neal

Synopsis

Senses Series Book 4

Logan “Unbreakable” Kellar finally has everything he’s always wanted in life. When a career opportunity, that could jeopardize everything, comes along, he’s put back in the position where he’s spent most of his life. Torn. Now, Logan has a hard hitting choice to make. Tell the only girl he’s ever loved exactly what he’s feeling or fall back on old habits and keep his feelings on the Hush.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tina’s Review

** Provided by Author in Exchange for an Honest Review. **
~ HUSH (part 4) – Released December 12, 2014 ~

Novella: under 150 pages
Alternating POVs with numerous, humorous mental asides as per the norm in this series. The serial continues where NUMB left off.
Logan, with the help of CJ and the support of the others, gains custody and provides a home for Dean. I really like the character of Dean and felt he was rather vital in further developing the other characters. Just as Logan and Maxx begin to define and solidify their relationship, Logan’s given the opportunity of a lifetime and Maxx receives a bombshell that will change her entire life. There are some strange undercurrents occurring with Erin and Luke that are not clarified. To be concluded in SAVOR…

—– —– —– —– —–

Vital

Senses Series-Novella

By Xavier Neal

~ VITAL (Prequel)(found in Interwoven: A Holiday Anthology) – Released December 3, 2014 ~

Entertwine is proud to bring you this wonderful mix of holiday stories featuring several of our authors. With stories ranging from heart warming to spicy, every reader is sure to enjoy this compilation.

Novella: approximately 30 pages. Serial Prequel.
Features the same main characters that we’ve grown to know and love so far… Erin, Logan, Luke, Maxx. It’s a Christmas Eve scene with a theme of believing in Miracles.

—– —– —– —– —–

Savor

Sense Series- Book 5

By Xavier Neal

Synopsis

Lately, Logan “Unbreakable” Kellar’s life has been a series of miscommunications with catastrophic consequences. However, this time around, the consequences threaten to not only damage his current relationships but erase a future he only ever dreamed of. Will Logan lose everything he’s ever hoped for or will he finally be able to break the cycle of his mistakes and get the future he is so desperate to Savor?

Sense Series Book #5

Warning: Contains adult content.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tina’s Review

~ SAVOR (part 5) – Released January 3, 2015 ~

Novella: approximately 140 pages. Serial Conclusion.
Same Alternating POV with eye-roll inducing mental asides. Same characters, plot picking up right where HUSH left off. Logan’s left for California after signing to go pro. Maxx still has shared her life-altering news, but rather decided she and Dean are going to surprise him in Vegas at his first professional bout. Once again poor reactions and miscommunication causes tempers to flare and creates yet another :poop: storm. Pride needs to be swallowed and some tough decisions need to be made if they want any chance and saving and keeping their dysfunctional family intact. The conflicts are mostly resolved now and the story is mostly concluded. There are hints that at least one book or serial will be in the future to follow Stuart, Luke, Erin, CJ, Tony and a more grown-up Dean. There were a few minor surprises and twists. Overall, I’d recommend reading the serial as a book, not part by part.

Author Bio:

Xavier Neal lives in Texas where she spends her time getting lost in writing, reading, or fandoms she recently discovered. (At the top of that list is Supernatural and BBC Sherlock) Whether she is enjoying books or movies, she continues finding inspiration at every turn to bring more exciting stories to life.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: Domino Effect by Kristin Mayer

Posted on 01/02/2015 by shellbellereads

It’s cover reveal day for Domino Effect by Kristin Mayer and I am so excited about this reveal!! Kristin is sharing an exclusive excerpt with us, as well as hosting a fabulous giveaway.

Title: Domino Effect

Author: Kristin Mayer

Release Day: Feb 3^rd

Genre: Contemporary Romance

About Domino Effect:

One small movement can impact the rest of your life, like a set of dominoes lined up one after another. It’s not until you step back and see the big picture that you realize the damage you’ve done…

Brandt Mattox had it all—love, success, and friends. One impulsive wrong decision led him down a path that ended in a prison of regrets. He now only dreams of the happiness he once had before the consequences of his actions cost him everything.

He lost his love—not just any love, but his soul mate.

Nikola Kingston has worked hard to keep the past in the past while she focuses on her career and spending time with her grandmother. On a random night, she runs into the one man who will forever hold her heart captive. Her heart knows she still loves Brandt, but her mind cannot forget the dreadful night that cost her the love of her life.

Will the domino effect of Brandt’s and Nikola’s decisions be too much to overcome? Or will the love they never thought they would get back have an everlasting effect?

Preorder Domino Effect now!

Exclusive Excerpt:

“If I had to wait another day, I was coming to get you. I’ve done it before.”

It was true. I would have started driving this morning.

I moved an inch forward and a police officer held up his hands for me to stop. I complied. Police were out to keep people for idling too long in front. The officer blew his whistle and signaled for us to keep going. I pressed the gas, but we were moving at a snail’s pace due to the congestion.

Nikola pulled the scarf down; she was smiling. “I remember. You came to get me during the last ice storm, three years ago, when I was stranded on Stone Mountain. I was at that conference and the company had put me up in a cabin. You ended up staying with me when they closed the roads for two days. Do you remember—” Abruptly, Nikola stopped and turned to face the window.

I finished her sentence with memories of my own. “I remember making love to you in front of the fireplace in that cabin. I remember what it felt like to be inside you. I remember having you as mine. I remember it was the first time we said, “I love you” to each other. Is that what you were talking about?”

Every chance I got, I’d remind Nikola of how happy we were—even though she seemed to remember everything, too.

She turned my way as we continued to inch along in the baggage claim traffic.

“It would be impossible to forget.”

About the Author:

Kristin Mayer is a wife, a proud mother, and a full-time Analyst and Import Manager. Since an early age, she has always enjoyed reading and writing. While visiting her father one weekend, he suggested that she should take up writing again. With family and a career, she didn’t give it a lot of thought, until a story entered her mind and wouldn’t leave. It just kept forming and developing over a couple of months.

At the beginning of 2013, she decided to sit down and write it all down, but she kept it to herself. One sentence developed into two, and before she knew it, she had the makings of a novel.

Kristin tries to live life to the fullest during every moment. She loves to travel and meet new people. She holds a degree in International Business and uses it daily in her job. Kristin now adds “author” on her list of jobs, and feels very blessed and thankful.

Links:

Author Goodreads | Authorgraph | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter

Enter Kristin’s giveaway!!
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Cover Reveal: 12 Days of Forever by Heidi McLaughlin – A Beaumont Novella

Posted on 01/02/2015 by shellbellereads

Today we are revealing the cover of the novella 12 DAYS OF FOREVER by New York Times Bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin. This novella is part of the Beaumont series. The book will be released on February 1st.

Synopsis for 12 DAYS OF FOREVER:

Even though she’s living her life-long dream and dancing on Broadway, the city is a lonely place for Yvie James. The holidays are both her favorite time of the year and the worst. A last minute decision puts Yvie in Beaumont to spend time with her family

Alexander Knight is new to Beaumont, but he’s making the best of it. His dream of running a successful business is within his grasp, and Xander has a dedicated client base most trainers vie for. On the surface, Xander is happy, but he works long hours for nothing more than to avoid going home to an empty house.

Thrown together for Christmas shopping, holiday gatherings with friends and family, and a special anniversary party, Yvie and Xander find themselves seeking solace in each other for an unforgettable, romantic winter.

AUTHOR INFORMATION

BIO:

Heidi is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she’s writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting court-side during either daughter’s basketball games.

Author Links:
Website: http://heidimclaughlin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeidiMcLaughlinAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiJoVT
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6568302.Heidi_McLaughlin

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: When Fates Collide and When Fate Isn’t Enough by Isabelle Richards

Posted on 01/02/2015 by shellbellereads

Today we have the a double cover reveal, for Isabelle Richard’s When Fates Collide and When Fate Isn’t Enough. I absolutely love this series, and I’m so excited to share the covers with you today!!

Title: When Fates Collide and When Fate isn’t Enough.

Author: Isabelle Richards

Release Day: When Fates Collide—January 28^th. When Fate Isn’t Enough—February 25^th.

Genre: Romantic Suspense

About When Fates Collide

Life can change in the blink of an eye. One moment, Lily is trapped in a loveless marriage. In a split second she is free, but at what cost? Her mundane life is set into a freefall of tragedy and terror. Her husband may be out of her life, but he left a storm of collateral damage behind and the burden is on Lily to sort it out.

Fate connects Lily with Gavin, a charmingly handsome British gentleman that has been drawn into her tangled circumstance. Gavin is everything Lily’s husband wasn’t and gives her hope that love really does exist. Gavin wants nothing more than to sweep Lily up and carry her off into the sunset, far away from the devastation left behind by her husband. Gavin has been the first breath of fresh air in her life, but she isn’t looking to be saved. She needs to clean up her husband’s mess and find a way to save herself in the process.

Does she throw caution to the wind and open her heart? Or listen to her head that tells her and go it alone until she’s found herself again?

Goodreads

About When Fate Isn’t Enough

Can a romance that was written in the stars survive real life? Lily Clark and Gavin Edwards met when their lives collided in a crazy twist of fate. Their relationship started amidst chaos, fraught with lust, passion, and love. Building a life together will take more than destiny, especially when ghosts from their past try to tear them apart.
Needing a fresh start, Lily decides to escape her life in Washington, DC to join Gavin in London. Trust and faith have never come easily to Lily. She’ll be put to the test now that she and Gavin are living under the same roof.

To make matters worse, trouble finds Lily wherever she goes. She thought she’d rid herself of her late husband’s demons, but she soon learns that when you make a deal with the devil, he often comes back to up the ante. Can she learn to let Gavin in or will she continue to fight her battles alone? Find out what happens When Fate Isn’t Enough.

Goodreads

About the Author:

Isabelle Richards spent years as a speech writer before tackling fiction. An avid reader of all genres, Isabelle is drawn to romance novels as they provide an escape from daily life. Through her complex cast of characters, Isabelle creates a sanctuary for readers to dive into for a break from reality.

When she is not writing, Isabelle works as an advocate for persons with disabilities in Washington, DC. Her two yellow labs are her writing partners, although they frequently sleep on the job.

Facebook | Twitter | Website

Enter Isabelle’s Giveaway!!
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Cover Reveal: Easy Love by Kristen Proby

Posted on 01/02/2015 by shellbellereads

We are so excited to bring you the Cover Reveal for Kristen Proby’s EASY LOVE! EASY LOVE is a Contemporary Erotic Romance novel and is the 1^stbook in The Boudreaux Series! You can grab EASY LOVE on March 3, 2015 when it will be available across all retailers. Check out this beautiful cover created by Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations with the photography done by Kristen Proby herself!

Add it to your Goodreads Today!

ABOUT EASY LOVE:

Eli Boudreaux’s family has built ships and boats in Louisiana for generations. He comes from a hardworking, wealthy family and his empire is growing by leaps and bounds. At thirty, he is the youngest CEO to ever head Bayou Enterprises, co-chairing with his eldest brother. His head for business and his no-nonsense work ethic is also quickly making him the best the company has seen in generations. His staff admires him, women adore him and Eli’s family is solid. But he’s recently discovered that someone on the inside of his business is stealing from him and he’s determined to find out who.

Kate O’Shaughnessy is hired by companies all over the world to slip inside and investigate every member of the organization from the CEO down to the custodial staff to find the person or persons responsible for embezzling. She’s excellent at blending, becoming part of the team, and finding the weakest link. She’s smart, quick-witted, and she’s now been hired by Bayou Enterprises, specifically Eli Boudreaux. The attraction is immediate and the chemistry is off the charts, but Kate has heard all about Eli’s playboy past and she has a job to do. Sleeping with the boss isn’t a part of that job, even if just the sound of her name rolling off that Cajun tongue and the way he fills out a designer suit does make her sweat.

Eli’s southern charms surprise Kate. The man whose reputation labels him as a ruthless, callous womanizer is not the man she’s coming to know intimately. He’s generous, protective and makes her smile. Cracking through Kate’s cool, reserved demeanor and discovering her love of sexy, expensive lingerie is a challenge Eli can’t resist, but her sweet nature, love of family and sense of humor pull at him in ways no one else ever has.

But when the person responsible for trying to single-handedly dismantle Eli’s empire comes to light, and it’s time for Kate to move on, to what lengths will Eli go to keep the woman he’s fallen in love with by his side?

ABOUT KRISTEN PROBY:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Probyis the author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Category Archives: Contemporary

Review: Walk Beside Me by HJ Bellus- Walk Series- Book 2

Cover Reveal: Forbidden Nights by Lauren Blakely- Seductive Nights Series

And… we have a surprise for you!

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS will release on February 17^th!

That’s a full month earlier than originally planned! So you will get to experience Nate and Casey and all of their sexy and heartfelt moments together even sooner! Still dying to get your hands on this smoking couple? Here’s a little taste for you from Lauren Blakely:

She breathed in sharply, like she was acclimating to new air on a distant planet. “Why do men like a woman to give up a control? What is it about the lack of control that men like so much?”

She parted her lips to speak, but he shushed her with his fingertip against her lips. God, he was so tempted to let her suck on his finger right now, to watch her simulate a blow job, to let her show him what she could do. But that would come later. He needed to kiss her first.

That is, after he teased her…

Are you as excited as we are about this book?!

And now, here’s the fabulous cover for FORBIDDEN NIGHTS!

Happy Release and ARC Review: Falling Away by Jasinda Wilder- Falling Into You Series- Book 4

Cover Reveal: Dominic by MJ Fields- Ties Of Steel Series- Book 2

5-Star ARC Review: Something Reckless by Lexi Ryan

Review: Senses Series by Xavier Neal : Hush-Book 4, Vital – Novella, and Savor-Book 5

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: Domino Effect by Kristin Mayer

Cover Reveal: 12 Days of Forever by Heidi McLaughlin – A Beaumont Novella

Today we are revealing the cover of the novella 12 DAYS OF FOREVER by New York Times Bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin. This novella is part of the Beaumont series. The book will be released on February 1st.

Synopsis for 12 DAYS OF FOREVER:

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: When Fates Collide and When Fate Isn’t Enough by Isabelle Richards

Cover Reveal: Easy Love by Kristen Proby

Add it to your Goodreads Today!

WebsiteFacebookTwitterAuthor GoodreadsNovel Goodreads

Share this:

And… we have a surprise for you!

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS will release on February 17th!

That’s a full month earlier than originally planned! So you will get to experience Nate and Casey and all of their sexy and heartfelt moments together even sooner! Still dying to get your hands on this smoking couple? Here’s a little taste for you from Lauren Blakely:

She breathed in sharply, like she was acclimating to new air on a distant planet. “Why do men like a woman to give up a control? What is it about the lack of control that men like so much?”

She parted her lips to speak, but he shushed her with his fingertip against her lips. God, he was so tempted to let her suck on his finger right now, to watch her simulate a blow job, to let her show him what she could do. But that would come later. He needed to kiss her first.

That is, after he teased her…

Are you as excited as we are about this book?!

And now, here’s the fabulous cover for FORBIDDEN NIGHTS!

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Today we are revealing the cover of the novella 12 DAYS OF FOREVER by New York Times Bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin. This novella is part of the Beaumont series. The book will be released on February 1st.

Synopsis for 12 DAYS OF FOREVER:

AUTHOR INFORMATION

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FORBIDDEN NIGHTS will release on February 17^th!

WebsiteFacebookTwitterAuthor GoodreadsNovel Goodreads