Review: Chains by Kelli Maine

Posted on 10/01/2014 by shellbellereads

Chains

An MMA Romantic Suspense

By Kelli Maine

Synopsis

Chained To The Past.

On the brink of going pro in MMA, Tyler Graves has defied his past—a past where going to jail for beating the hell out of his foster father took him away from the girl he loved and swore to protect, leaving her in the house of the man who abused them both.

Chained To Regret.

No matter how much time has passed, Danielle Debasco weighs on Ty’s mind and conscience. He was supposed to save her, instead he abandoned her.

Chained To Love.

To free Danny from the abusive man who still haunts her, Ty’s faced with sacrificing his future by finishing what he started four years ago—taking vengeance. But, this time will be different. This time he won’t stop until the horrors of their past are sealed not just in blood, but in death.

-ADULT CONTENT-
Sex, Language, Violence

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Excerpt

I grabbed a plastic cup and filled it with vodka. Weaving through a group of women who were dancing, I found myself surrounded, trapped by hungry, grinding hips, fingers that snuck up my t-shirt and lips that whispered in my ear. I couldn’t hear her words, but had enough sense to know when I was being invited into a woman’s bed.

I tipped my cup back and opened my throat, letting ounce after ounce of burning vodka slide down. When it was gone, I tossed the cup aside and grabbed the waist of the girl in front of me. I pulled her ass against me and grinded into her. She threw her head back against my chest, lifted her arms over her head and swiveled as she bent her knees, lowering herself below my waist. She turned, hooked her fingers behind my belt and looked up at me with smoldering eyes. She licked her lips. My cock twitched in anticipation. I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up. “Outside,” I said. “Now.”

We pushed through the crowd and stepped out onto the sidewalk. Her hand squeezed my ass. I reached over and tweaked her nipple, hard through her tight, stretchy shirt.

We rounded the corner to the side of the motel. A few people stood down at the far end of the building, but it was dark enough she could blow me. She put her hands on my chest and groaned low in her throat. “God, I want this body,” she said.

“I want your mouth on me.” I squeezed her tits, and her hands ran down over my stomach. She squatted down, unbuttoning my jeans. The zipper followed, and her hand pulled me out. I leaned back against the brick wall as her lips closed around my head. Her mouth was hot, and she knew how to stroke a cock. After the day I had, coming in this chick’s mouth was about all I had the strength left in me to do.

I watched her as she sucked me in. Her hand disappeared up her skirt, getting herself off at the same time. That should’ve done it for me, but I was distracted. I wasn’t even enjoying it. I don’t know what the fuck my problem was.

“That’s enough,” I said, hauling her to her feet.

“What’s wrong?” She stumbled in her heels, and I held her up.

“Nothing. It was perfect. I’m just　 not into it tonight.”

She looked disappointed. And pissed. “Yeah. Well. Whatever. No big deal. Your dick’s not that big anyway.” It was a lie. We both knew it.

I tucked it back in my pants and watched her retreat around the corner of the building. I waited a few minutes until my cock settled down, then went back around to the sidewalk. I should’ve stayed in my room. I was in no mood for a party and all the fake bullshit that went along with it.

When I got to the door to the party, this one chick wouldn’t move to let me by. “Hey,” I said. “Excuse me. I need by you.”

She turned and locked her bloodshot blue eyes on me.

Time froze as we stared at each other.

Her blond hair was dull, her complexion sallow, her body too thin. Drugs. I’d know their effects anywhere.

“Danny,” I said, catching her by the elbows. “Do you know who I am?”

Her eyes trailed over my face. Jesus, she was rocked out of her mind. Her pupils were dilated and sweat dripped down her neck between her small breasts into her low-cut shirt.

“Danielle,” I said, leaning closer. “It’s me—Tyler.”

“Tyler,” she said, and threw her arms around my neck.

Guilt crushed against my sternum. I left her, and look what she became. “Let’s get out of here.” I turned her around and steered her down the sidewalk.

Michel’s Review

If you are looking for a short book to read you may want to consider Chains by Kelli Maine. It is a gripping story of an MMA fighter stepping outside of the ring and taking on a new fight in the real world of life.

Tyler Graves has a bright future in the world of MMA fighting. He is about to turn pro. He just needs a few more fights in the amateur circuit. While competing in one of those fights his contender starts running his mouth about Danielle Debasco. The one and only girl he ever loved. A girl that shared his abusive past. A girl that he left behind when he escaped at age eighteen. A girl that deserves more than his desertion. A girl that owns his heart.

Learning that Danny’s life has gone even farther downhill than the abusive past they shared, Tyler is determined to find her. He will have to make choices that could ruin his life now. The choices can ruin his career. But if he can save Danny, any choice he makes will be worth it.

After Tyler beat their foster father to near death and left home, Danny has been subject to harsher abuses from him. Her escape is in the world of drugs. She is an addict that will do anything for another fix. She doesn’t want Tyler to rescue her from her life.

As this story unfolds the readers will experience the horrific past that Tyler, Danny, and their foster brother endured. Each came out of those experiences scarred. Each chose a different path in life. For Tyler it was professional fighting, for Alex it was controlling his life and wealth by dealing drugs, and for Danny it was escaping in drug abuse and trying to stay one step ahead of her obsessive foster father. These three will reunite and become the family they once were.

There will be some horrific events that will shatter them all. The one thing that ties them together will be the one thing that can destroy their lives. Their foster father, Striker.

Danny and Tyler will find the lasting love they have always craved but they will have to pay a high price for that love.

Chains was a good short book. I would of liked to seen this book a bit longer. The plot was strong and held me captive, but I did feel it was rushed. The events throughout the book happened in a matter of days. To me it didn’t seem like enough time for Danny to give up her addiction, for Danny and Tyler to form a strong relationship, and to escape the clutches of Striker. I was also unclear of the background of the story, such as where they were from, how Striker could easily find them, and what happened to Alex in the in between years.

If you are looking for a short book to read , Chains by Kelli Maine will fit the bill.

Author Bio:

Kelli Maine is the erotic romance author of USA Today Bestseller and #1 Nook book, Taken, and the Give & Take series, along with the Dolls & Doms novellas and Chains. She lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband and kids. When she’s not writing, Kelli enjoys watching reality T.V., getting lost in random Wikipedia pages and searching online ads for vintage muscle cars.

Favorite Author: Diana Gabaldon
Favorite Food: Japanese
Favorite Superhero: Spiderman
Favorite Place I’ve Been: Yucatan Peninsula
Writing Must Haves: Coffee and chocolate
Plotter or Pantser: Proud Pantser

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Silver Bastard by Joanna Wylde- The Silver Valley Series- Book 1

Posted on 10/01/2014 by shellbellereads

Silver Bastard

The Silver Valley Series – Book 1

By Joanna Wylde

Release Date: April 7, 2015

Synopsis

First in the new Silver Valley series from the New York Times bestselling author of the Reapers Motorcycle Club Novels

Fourteen months. For fourteen months, Puck Redhouse sat in a cell and kept his mouth shut, protecting the Silver Bastards MC from their enemies. Then he was free and it was time for his reward—full membership in the club, along with a party to celebrate. That’s when he saw Becca Jones for the first time and set everything in motion. Before the night ended he’d violated his parole and stolen her away from everything she knew.

Five years. It was five years ago that Puck destroyed Becca and saved her all in one night. She’s been terrified of him ever since, but she’s even more terrified of the monsters he still protects her from… But Becca refuses to let fear control her. She’s living her life and moving forward, until she gets a phone call from the past she can’t ignore. She has to go back, and there’s only one man she can trust to go with her—the ex-con biker who rescued her once before.

Puck will help her again, but this time it’ll be on his terms. No more lies, no more tears, and no more holding back what he really wants…

About Joanna Wylde

Joanna is a freelance writer living in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She started writing fiction in 2002, then took a long hiatus to explore other writing opportunities. She returned to fiction in January 2013 with ‘Reaper’s Property’, the first book in the Reapers Motorcycle Club series, and has recently released ‘Reapers Legacy’, the second of the series.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Special Announcement from Kim Karr: New Series-The 27 Club- Releases March 3, 2015

Posted on 10/01/2014 by shellbellereads

The 27 Club

By Kim Karr

Blurb

You don’t know when…
You don’t get to choose if…
When it’s time to join…you’ll know.
You might think you want to be a member—but trust me this is one club you don’t want to join. It’s not a place where people go to live out their deepest, darkest sexual desires—there are no handcuffs or blindfolds.

The 27 Club only admits those who die young and tragically. My brother was recently bestowed membership and joined many of our ancestors before him. I know I’m next. This is my destiny, and I was ready to yield.

But then I met Nate. He awakened a sensuality in me that had never been explored, never satisfied. I knew then I could no longer accept my destiny. Nate’s presence controls me. I’m overwhelmed by his touch, his words; my every thought is consumed by desire. I believe he was brought into my life for a reason.

Nate doesn’t believe in destiny.

But I do.

And if there’s a way to cheat it—I must.

Author Bio

Kim Karr lives in Florida with her husband and four kids. She’s always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, she wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. She went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise her family. Kim currently works part-time with her husband and recently decided to embrace one of her biggest passions–writing.

Kim wears a lot of hats! Writer, book-lover, wife, soccer-mom, taxi driver, and the all around go-to person of her family. However, she always finds time to read. One of her favorite family outings was taking her kids when they were little to the bookstore or the library. Today, Kim’s oldest child is seventeen and no longer goes with her on these, now rare and infrequent, outings. She finds that she doesn’t need to go on them anymore because she has the greatest device ever invented–a Kindle.

Kim likes to believe in soul mates, kindred spirits, true friends, and Happily-Ever-Afters. She loves to drink champagne, listen to music, and hopes to always stay young at heart.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Day Blitz + Giveaway: Seeds Of Iniquity by J.A. Redmerski- In Company Of Killers Series- Book 4

Posted on 10/01/2014 by shellbellereads

Seeds of Iniquity

Book #4

In the Company of Killers

Adult Crime/Suspense/Mystery

Released October 1, 2014

Victor Faust’s new Order is growing. Business is good as there is no rest for the wicked in an underground world of hardcore criminals and contract killing. Relationships among the operatives have changed little over the past year—but things are about to change now, and all six high-ranking members of the new Order will be blindsided by an unlikely enemy.

Loved ones whose only ties to Victor’s organization are their relationships with its members, are abducted. The price to get them back safely—the six must confess their deepest, darkest secret to this mysterious young woman named Nora, who is as deadly as she is beautiful, and who seems to know more about each of them than they know about each other. And although no one has any clue about who Nora really is, it becomes clear that she also isn’t who she appears to be.

So much more is at stake than secrets and the lives of innocent loved ones; with each member that Nora forces to confess, the truth about their dark pasts and their present objectives will cast suspicion, pit some against each other, and may tear others apart.

Before the game is over everyone will know who this woman is and why she is here, but the damage she will leave in her wake could be the beginning of the new Order’s destruction.

Whose dark secret will be the darkest of all? And can Victor’s Order survive any of them?

IMPORTANT NOTE: SEEDS OF INIQUITY is NOT a prequel about Fredrik Gustavsson as previously stated. It is a brand new present day book.

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Excerpt

Something inside of me snaps, and my eyes spring open wildly in my face. I scream out something I can’t even decipher and finally get my fingers between the chain and my throat. I pull it away with everything in me, spurred on by rage and vengeance and the will to live, until I overpower her and set my neck free, slamming her legs down against the floor.

She starts to crawl away on her hands and knees in the direction of my overturned chair. I leap to my feet, pulling Pearl from my boot before I’m fully upright, and I’m standing over her with the blade against her throat and the back of her hair in my fist, pulling her neck back as far as it’ll go without snapping.

“I’ll cut off more than your finger, bitch!”

She freezes; her hips and pelvis and legs pressed against the floor; the whites of her eyes visible to me as I stand over her from behind.

“Where is Dina?!” I yank on her scalp, pulling her neck back even farther; if she even flinches the wrong way the blade will break the skin and she knows it. “Fuck these games of yours! Tell me where you took her!”

“Come closer and I’ll tell you,” she says with difficulty, her voice strained.

Without even thinking about it I do, but I keep the blade against her throat as I sit down on her back.

“Try anything and I’ll kill you,” I growl, my lips next to her ear.

She doesn’t try to fight back, but I’m not feeling defeat from her. It’s something else. That confidence about her that I’ve grown to despise. Even though I’m the one sitting on top of her, the one with the knife pressed to her throat, I can’t help feel like she’s still the one in control.

“Where is she?” I whisper harshly against the side of her face.

“If you want Dina Gregory to live,” she says, still in a whisper too low for the audio to pick up, “then you and I need to have a talk about the specifics of the relationship you had with Javier Ruiz.”

It feels like an eternity that I sit on top of her, straddling her back, lost in some kind of stunned submission. I can’t find words. Or my heartbeat. And my mind is running away from me.

Then my knife hand begins to tremble and my breathing becomes unsteady.

I slide the knife away from her throat, push her head down forcibly against the tile with the other hand, shoving myself angrily to my feet and off of her. I don’t look at her when she gets up, struggling into a stand with her ankles bound. And I look only at the floor when she shuffles right past me, picking up her black heels along the way, and goes back over to her seat on the other side of the table.

I keep my back to her, unable to move; my eyes beginning to burn from the angry tears pushing their way to the surface. My knife is gripped within my hand firmly, resting down at my side. I feel like using it on myself.

“Shall we begin?” Nora says as calmly as ever, waiting for me at the table.

In The Company Of Killers Series

Killing Sarai

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

The first book in the series, KILLING SARAI, will be on sale for a limited time for $1.99 (Kindle and Nook) starting October 1st.

Reviving Izabel

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

The Swan and the Jackal

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

GIVEAWAY

The author is giving away (3) Signed Sets of the In the Company of Killers Series! If you would like to enter, please visit AToMR’s Facebook page.

About the Author

J.A. Redmerski, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas with her three children, two cats and a Maltese. She is a lover of television and books that push boundaries and is a huge fan of AMC’s The Walking Dead.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

ARC Review: He’s So Fine by Jill Shalvis- Lucky Harbor Series- Book 11

Posted on 10/01/2014 by shellbellereads

He’s So Fine

Lucky Harbor Series- Book 11

By Jill Shalvis

Synopsis

For Olivia Bentley, Lucky Harbor is more than the town where she runs her new vintage shop. It’s the place where folks are friendly to strangers-and nobody knows her real name. Olivia does a good job of keeping her past buried, not getting too cozy with anyone . . . until she sees a man drowning. Suddenly she’s rushing into the surf, getting up close and personal with the hottest guy she’s ever laid hands on.

Charter boat captain Cole Donovan has no problem with a gorgeous woman throwing her arms around his neck in an effort to “save” him. In fact, he’d like to spend a lot more time skin-to-skin with Olivia. He’s just not expecting that real trouble is about to come her way. Will it bring her deeper into Cole’s heart, or will it be the end of Olivia’s days in little Lucky Harbor?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Arc provided by publisher, via Netgalley, for a fair and honest review.

He’s So Fine by Jill Shalvis is the eleventh book in the Lucky Harbor Series. It is another Small Town romance at it’s finest.

He’s So Fine features Cole Donovan, one of the guys that runs the boat charter company in Lucky Harbor. He is a straight shooting and no nonsense kind of guy. He is a bit of a nerd and can fix about anything. He is always prepared for something to happen. He rolls with the punches and takes most things in stride. On the romance front, he is at a standstill. He has been betrayed, hurt, and left to grieve after a fatal accident . His bachelorhood is about to be tested when he meets Olivia Bentley.

Olivia Bentley is the eccentric owner of the vintage store across the street from the boat charter company. She is a free spirit. She is enjoying her life, paying her bills, becoming successful with her business, and the freedom from her former life. She is enjoying the delicious eye-candy across the street from her store. One piece of candy is extra tempting and Olivia is finding she wants a taste of Cole Donovan.

As these two opposites come together, the sparks fly. Neither one wants to be in a relationship. But their chemistry is through the roof. These two will go through the wringer to get to their happily ever after. The wringer is not always as bad as one would think. They both had incredible twists and turns. They will have to get past their secrets and old fears. They will have to learn to let go. They will have to learn to hang on. In the end, a red hot relationship will be just what they both needed.

The dialogue and interactions between Cole and Olivia was downright sexy and fun. The intensity these two shared was hot!

Jill Shalvis never fails to blend laugh out humor and emotional angst leading to a sizzling hot romance. Her characters are perfectly flawed and delightful. She creates a story that flows effortlessly and keeps the readers captivated. It is no wonder the Lucky Harbor Series is such a great success. I look forward to book twelve in the series.

I highly recommend He’s So Fine and The Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis.

Author Bio

New York Times Bestselling author Jill Shalvis wrote RESCUE MY HEART and FOREVER AND A DAY, along with many other romance novels including her acclaimed Lucky Harbor series. The Rita winner and 3-time National Readers Choice winner makes her home near Lake Tahoe. Visit her website at http://www.jillshalvis.com for a complete book list and daily blog, and http://www.facebook.com/jillshalvis for other news.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Blog Tour + 6-Star Review: Filthy Beautiful Love by Kendall Ryan

Posted on 10/01/2014 by Saucy Southern Readers

Filthy Beautiful Love – Book 2

By Kendall Ryan

Synopsis

**Warning: this book contains an addictively filthy alpha male who will dampen your panties and own your days and nights. Proceed at your own risk.**

Book 2 in the Filthy Beautiful Lies series.

I never expected to watch Sophie walk away. She was mine. I would own her. She just didn’t know it yet. New goal: Seal the deal and rock her world so thoroughly she never wanted to leave again.

Highly sexual and emotionally charged, Filthy Beautiful Love is the provocative conclusion to Filthy Beautiful Lies.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Kelley’s Review

I fell in love with Sophie and Colton all over again! Grab some Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and some tissues and get ready for an epic emotional journey that you never saw coming.

I loved Filthy Beautiful Lies. It had the perfect amount of angst, drama, and sexual chemistry. Kendall left it on a note that had me counting the days until Filthy Beautiful Love came out. I started Filthy Beautiful Love and thought wow things are really working out for Colton and Sophie. Everything is falling into place so easily. Colton has been up front and honest with Sophie about everything and Sophie is madly in love with Colton and can see what is really in his heart so she is very forgiving. Things were looking really good for the two of them. I thought to myself this is so different from Filthy Beautiful Lies and I put the book down for the night. What I am trying to say is hang on a minute. It’s coming. The plot twist that will turn your world upside down and inside out and have you crying those big crocodile tears. Colton and Sophie do indeed have to fight for their happily ever after and this time it is up to Colton to bring Sophie back into the light.

Kendall does an amazing job developing her characters all the way down to their deepest darkest fears. Colton is afraid to love again after being seriously burned. He has a ton of trust issues and Sophie has never lived for herself before, only for her sister. She has never done anything for herself. We really see Sophie’s fears come to life when Kendall throws in a heart-wrenching plot twist that had me crying no, no, no, this can’t be happening. We also get a really good look at Pace and Kylie in this read. Kylie is a single super hero mom who amazingly juggles it all. She can care for a teething infant and work on a multi-million dollar project at the same time. Pace has some serious soothing magic when it comes to babies and has his eyes on Kylie. It dumbfounded both Colton and Sophie that such a player and ladies man can be so suave with a crying baby.

This book is a six star read because of the amount of emotion that she evoked in me. I was hot and bothered one minute because of the insane sexual chemistry between Colton and Sophie and the next minute I was crying like a baby. I love my reads to take me on a full circle emotional rollercoaster and Kendall delivers.

If you like your romance to grip your heart and at the same time heat up your sheets you will love Filthy Beautiful Love. I can’t wait for Pace and Kylie’s story.

Excerpt

“What’s so funny?” he looks down at his penis and back up at me with a frown.

“Nothing.” I straighten my mouth, losing the smile.

“Sophie,” he chastises. “You were looking down at my dick and laughing.”

“I didn’t laugh,” I correct him.

“Fine, then you were smiling at him like the two of you were sharing some inside joke.

Everything good between the two of you?”

**Warning: this book contains an addictively filthy alpha male who will dampen your panties and own your days and nights. Proceed at your own risk.**

Meet Colton Drake…

I have no idea why she auctioned off her virginity for a cool mill. Regardless, I’m now the proud new owner of a perfectly intact hymen. A lot of good that will do me. I have certain tastes, certain sexual proclivities. My cock is a bit more discriminatory than most. And training a virgin takes finesse and patience – both of which I lack.

Sophie Evans has been backed into a corner. With her sister’s life hanging in the balance, the only choice is to claw her way out, even if that means selling her virginity to the highest bidder at an exclusive erotic club. When Colton Drake takes her home, she quickly learns nothing is as it seems with this beautifully troubled man. Being with him poses challenges she never expected, and pushes her to want things she never anticipated.

A sinfully seductive erotic romance where everything has a price and the cost of love is the highest of all from New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, Kendall Ryan

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Pace Drake loves sex. He knows where get it, what to say, what to do, and he makes no apologies for satisfying his needs. But when he meets single mom, Kylie Sloan, he’s enthralled by her, and begins to question his standard operating procedure. After all, there’s no chase, no mystery when banging a woman in a nightclub bathroom. Kylie’s depth and determination make the sloppy, drunken hookups that fill his weekends seem empty and shallow. She’s the opposite of the desperate, clingy women he’s used to. She doesn’t want or need anyone to take care of her and that only makes him want to care for her more.

Kylie’s trust in men has vanished. The last guy she was with played ding-dong-ditch-it with her uterus and left her with a baby to raise. Now her infant son is the only man she has time for, even if she misses sex and intimacy more than she’d ever admit. Opening her heart up to a younger man who’s best known for no-strings-attached sex and his casual lifestyle is probably the worst idea she’s ever had. But Pace wants to prove to her there are still a few good guys left, and watching the sweet way he interacts with her baby makes her want to try…but she can really trust that his days of hitting it and quitting it are in his past?

Filthy Beautiful Lust is the third book in the Filthy Beautiful Lies series, however it can be read as a standalone novel (no cliffhanger). To understand the full growth and development of the characters, it is recommended that you begin with book 1, Filthy Beautiful Lies.

Pre-order on Amazon

Author Bio

Kendall Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the contemporary romance novels HARD TO LOVE, RESISTING HER, UNRAVEL ME and MAKE ME YOURS.

She’s a sassy, yet polite Midwestern girl with a deep love of books, and a slight addiction to lipgloss! She lives in Minneapolis with an adorable husband and two naughty puppies, one of which may be part monkey.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Silver Bastard by Joanna Wylde- The Silver Valley Series- Book 1

Posted on 10/01/2014 by shellbellereads

Silver Bastard

The Silver Valley Series – Book 1

By Joanna Wylde

Release Date: April 7, 2015

Synopsis

First in the new Silver Valley series from the New York Times bestselling author of the Reapers Motorcycle Club Novels

Puck will help her again, but this time it’ll be on his terms. No more lies, no more tears, and no more holding back what he really wants…

About Joanna Wylde

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Day Blitz + Giveaway: Love Found In California by Melissa Rolka

Posted on 10/01/2014 by shellbellereads

This is a stand alone novella that is part of
The Washington Triplet Novella’s:

The Quiet One

Mikaela Washington, the middle Triplet, has always been labeled the quiet
one. Her parents claim her as the introvert or just shy. Of course she was,
what other role could she take? All the others had been fulfilled.

Going away to college with her sisters was always the plan until unforeseen
circumstances push Mikaela into a dark corner she can’t get out of. Her
sisters think she’s just being more unusual than normal and her dad barely
notices. The only person she can trust and confide in is her mom.

She stays back and lives at home with her parents. These years are
difficult, but she manages to find a career and go to therapy. During this
time she learns her family home is not what it seems. She sees and hears
things that her sisters know nothing about. Then when her mom suddenly dies
she’s left to deal with not only her tragedy, but also the secrets of her
family.
Finally Mikaela realizes it’s time… time to move on, live on her own like
her sisters and try to start new. When she moves to California she finds
the job of her dreams and the man of her dreams attached to it… Ryan
Chambers.

To read more about the Washington Triplet’s check out Love Discovered in
New York and Love Grows in Alaska.

Amazon

Melissa Rolka grew up in
the Chicagoland area all of her childhood and has always had a love of
writing. She started by keeping a journal at a young age and then in high
school she started writing poetry. A couple poems were published
anonymously. Then in college she majored in Philosophy, which required lots
and lots of writing. After graduating from Marquette University she
traveled west to Los Angeles. There she worked for the Writers Guild of
America and found herself submerged in the writers world. She worked on
small writings, but never pursued them. On the side she became involved
with a small theater group. Eventually she made her way back to the
Midwest, where her heart belongs, and worked in business for several years.
She found love, got married and has two beautiful children. Being at home
has allowed her to keep following her love of reading and writing. When
Melissa is not writing she is caring for, playing with and loving her two
kids. In between taking care of her family and writing she almost always
has her nose buried in her Kindle.

Connect with Melissa:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9706570337/

Release Day Blitz + Review +Giveaway: The Resolution of Callie & Kayden-The Coincidence Series- Book 6

Posted on 09/30/2014 by shellbellereads

The Resolution of Callie & Kayden

The Coincidence Series- Book 6

Book 3 in Callie & Kayden Saga

By Jessica Sorensen

Synopsis

Things are going good for Callie and Kayden. They’re still dealing with their past and the pain connected to it, but for the most part they’ve moved on. The biggest decision they have at the moment is what they want to do with their lives in the future.

Eventually, though, the past catches up with them and it leaves them with a choice no one wants to make. But Callie and Kayden learn that as long as they have each other, they can make it through just about anything. And in the end, they discover what they really want out of life.

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Excerpt

“She’s just being nice,” Kayden says gazing down at me. His hair is ruffled and his jawline is scruffy and he looks so happy. “And it’s nice… that she wants to be so nice… it could be worse than an overnice mother.”
“Yeah, I know.” I sigh, knowing he’s right, that it could be worse, that I could have a mother like his mother. “I just wish she’d be just a little bit less embarrassing.” I raise my hand and make a pinching gesture with my fingers. “Maybe just a teeny tiny bit.”
“Yeah, I doubt that’s ever going to happen.” Kayden slips his shirt off and chucks it aside. His jeans ride low on his hips, giving me a view of his abs and chest that is crisscrossed with scars. “I did find it funny when she kept cracking jokes all through dinner about how she thinks we’re going to end up getting married.” He kneels down on the mattress, nudging my knees open with his knees until I spread open my legs for him.
“Oh God.” Shaking my head, I cover my face with my hands. “I’m glad you find it funny because I’m sure most guys would be running for their lives.”
The mattresses moves as he leans over me and puts a hand on each side of my head. I crack my fingers apart and look at him. He’s been so much happier since he put the past behind him. He seems to breathe freer, smile more, and it’s probably the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. “Well, just make sure you really want this,” I say as he moves one of my hands away from my eyes. “Because you still have time to run.”
He shakes his head, his tongue slipping out of his mouth to wet his lips. “No running here,” he whispers in a raspy voice that I know only means one thing—he wants me. “Ever.” He moves my other hand away from my face then pins my arms above my head.
A while ago, the movement would have sent my heart soaring and not in a good way. But now… well, it freaking soars like a bird high up in the sky never wanting to return to land ever. It soars because it’s free. It soars for him.
“You want me,” I tease as he leans down to kiss me.
“You’re right,” he says. “And then I want to give you your present.”
“But you already gave me my present.” I pat my pocket where the tickets to the concert are that he gave me. He said it was for a redo of a night that should have been special, but he couldn’t give it to me then, but he was ready now to give me everything I deserve—his words not mine. My mom practically fainted when he said it. And me, well I think I fell in love with Kayden even more.
“Yeah, but that one was only the first part.” He kisses me, then softly bites my bottom lip before he leans back for air. “There’s more,” he breathes against my lips, coming in for another kiss. “But you have to wait.”
“Until when?” I wonder, my heart skipping a beat as his hands wander for the button of my jeans.
“Until we’re done with this.” He gives me a wicked smile as he flicks my button undone.

The Coincidence Series Reading Order

1. The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden

Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / ITunes

2. The Redemption of Callie and Kayden

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

3. The Destiny of Violet & Luke

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

4. The Probability of Violet & Luke

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

5. The Certainty of Violet & Luke

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

6. The Resolution of Callie and Kayden

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

7. Unbeautiful

Pre- Order – Amazon

8. Seth and Greyson

Pre-Order – Amazon

Michel’s Review

I thought that The Redemption of Callie & Kayden was a good ending to their story but I may have jumped too fast.

The Resolution of Callie & Kayden picks up one year later. After these two have finally found each other and new ways to cope with their horrific pasts, we get a glimpse on the struggles they encounter while moving forward.

For Callie, she has made complete peace with her past. She is happy to let go and love Kayden completely. But for Kayden, it is not so easy. Although he is getting therapy and moving in a positive direction there are still some things he has not come to terms with. He never had closure from the final incident with his parents. He is struggling to build a trusting relationship with his brother. He is questioning his ability to love Callie the way she should be loved. He has never experienced any kind of loving relationship and is afraid of failing Callie.

As these two people move forward as a couple, they will learn where their strengths and weaknesses are.

Kayden will finally find the resolution he desperately needs. Callie will reap the benefits of Kayden’s resolution.

This is a powerful story that shows healing takes time and great care. There is no easy fix in life. It takes work, commitment, and care. Their relationship is a learning process. Their ups and downs are the glues for their relationship. It is a story that portrays normal life and the wonders as well as the hardships of lasting relationships.

I am thoroughly happy with The Resolution of Callie & Kayden. They finally found the love and peace they fully deserved.

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

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Release Day Blitz + Review + Exclusive Interview + Giveaway: The Night Belongs To Fireman by Jennifer Bernard -The Bachelor Firemen -Book 6

Posted on 09/30/2014 by shellbellereads

The Night Belongs to Firemen

The Bachelor Firemen – Book 6

By Jennifer Bernard

Synopsis

Daring . . . Sexy . . . Irresistible . . .
They’re the Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel

When fireman Fred Breen rescues a bachelorette party after a construction crane collapses onto their limo, the media labels him the “Bachelor Hero.” But all Fred can think about is the petite brunette with the sexy mane of dark curls who bolted away from him faster than a wildfire after he carried her to safety. And when he discovers she’s none other than Rachel Kessler, the daughter of a tech billionaire, the girl whose kidnapping riveted the nation, he intends to learn every intimate detail about this intriguing woman who sets his pulse on fire.

Rachel can’t deny the lean-muscled firefighter is smokin’ hot. But after having one too many drinks at the bar where she first meets him, Rachel knows she’s made a fool of herself. Yet when he rescues her from the limo, she feels safe for the first time since she was held for ransom as a child. Then her overprotective father insists Fred be her bodyguard—and his close presence kindles a burning desire that only he can extinguish.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Exclusive Q & A with Jennifer Bernard

SBJ: Today, I sat down with Jennifer Bernard and talked a little bit about the end of one hot era and the beginning of a whole new ball game.
Mrs. Bernard has had a fabulous run with her “Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel” series and it’s told that her upcoming novel, THE NIGHT BELONGS TO FIREMAN, to be released on September 30, 2014 will be the FINAL novel, but there will also be a Christmas-themed novella, IT’S A WONDERFUL FIREMAN out on December 2, 2014.

Jenny: Welcome and Thank You for your time.

Thank you so very much for having me!

SBJ: What authors have left an impact on you as a reader and which have influenced you as a writer?

Jenny: The first book I remember really LOVING was Little Women. I adored that book and I think it had a huge influence on what I believe a book should deliver. I cried buckets over the death of one of the sisters. It was truly tragic for nine-year-old me. But despite that very sad event, I drew so much comfort from the book that I used it to lull myself to sleep when I was anxious. I still look for those two things in a book: emotional impact and a sense of hope. As a writer, I think it’s the same. My training as a writer comes from obsessive reading from an early age. As I got older, I wanted books that reflected the adult world. That’s when I got into romance and sexier books. The first sexy book I read was The Story of O — by mistake. Boy, did that one blow my mind!

SBJ: While we are reading the newest Jennifer Bernard book, who are you reading?

Jenny: I’m about to dive into Insurgent. Divergent wrecked me. I read it twice, watched the movie twice, read all the “Four” stories, and now I’m finally ready to approach Insurgent. These might be YA stories, but I think Veronica Roth has created such a fascinating world and characters, I get totally pulled into her work. I know once I start it I’ll lose a couple of days.

SBJ: In the past two and a half years, you’ve given us some fantastic “Bachelor Firemen” stories. The characters have been smart, heart-warming and fun, loyal and courageous, humble and brave. Where did these fantastic men and women come from? And although the series is said to be over, might we see any more of them in the future?

Jenny: Thank you, I love hearing all those kind words about my firemen and women! I like to think of them as being “everymen and women” in the sense that as human beings, we all have the capacity for amazing good. We have the opposite capacity too, of course. But when I write my heroes and heroines, I’m holding up a mirror to you and to everyone else and saying, ‘You’re beautiful and brave and down-to-earth and funny and wow, really really sexy. And you face struggles and triumph over hardship and you find strength in yourself you didn’t even know was there.” I guess I have a very hopeful view of humanity, and that’s where my characters come from. I’m not naive; I’ve seen and experienced plenty of the bad. But I believe the good is so fundamental that it will win out.

SBJ: Who was your favorite fireman? Why?

Jenny: Don’t make me choose!!! Please! I love them all too much. My favorite is always the last one I’ve written, so i suppose at the moment it’s Fred, who is the ultimate “everyman” hero. But I love them all. And back to the question of whether we’ll see them again, I would love that. I have more fireman story ideas, it’s just a matter of finding the time to write them in between contracted books. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Bachelor Firemen made some repeat appearances. After all, there’s the whole B shift to write about!

SBJ: Now that the Bachelors are all married off, what can we look forward to next?

Jenny: I’ve got baseball players on the brain. My next series is about the Kilby Catfish, a wild and fun-loving minor league baseball team from Texas. I am loving these guys and having a lot of fun immersing myself in their world. These stories are a little edgier and sexier than the Bachelor Firemen books. The first, ALL OF ME, will be out in June 2015. I can’t wait!

SBJ: Taken from your very own Hot Readers book group, the ever-intriguing question of “You are sitting at a table with three more chairs. Who’s sitting in those chairs with you?”

Jenny: Okay, now I feel bad posing that question, because it’s such a hard one! Do the other people have to be real? I’ll go with Professor Dumbledore, Mr. Darcy, and Bette Midler. That should make for a fun conversation.

SBJ: Thank you for taking the time to visit and answer some questions, it’s been a pleasure having you here with us. We wish you the best on your upcoming releases and new projects.

Jenny: It’s my pleasure, thank you so much for having me!

The Bachelor Firemen

The Fireman Who Loved Me

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Hot For Fireman

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Sex and The Single Fireman

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

How To Tame A Wild Fireman

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Four Weddings and A Fireman

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

The Night Belongs To Fireman

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Novella’s

One Fine Fireman

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Desperately Seeking Fireman

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

It’s A Wonderful Fireman- coming December 2, 2014

Pre-Order: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tina’s Review

***Provided to me by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. **

To be honest? I chose it because I have really enjoyed the entire series and Mrs. Bernard’s writing syle. She quickly became one of my favorite authors, but in no way does that effect my ability to critique it honestly.

Fred aka STUD, is one of the last-standing bachelor firemen. He’s coming off a martial arts tournament and has Mulligan along playing wingman. They decide to stop into the local bar to celebrate and he soon finds his trophy pilfered by a gal in a veil with a penchant for mishaps.

Rachel leads a normally secluded and overly-protected life for a reason, but when one of her best friends is getting married, she has to celebrate with them. Right? And if that means accepting a dare of stealing Mr. Sexy’s trophy, she just has to do it! After all, it IS a dare!
Fred and Rachel have a brief few encounters at the bar, all revolving around Fred pulling her cute little butt out of harm’s way, but it’s the accident leaving the bar that draws the two closer still. With a paranoid parent, a crazy kidnapper, lingering threats from 17 years earlier and REFUGE isn’t always what it seems, this story never has a dull moment.
— Why did I choose to read this book?
To be honest? I chose it because I have really enjoyed the entire series and Mrs. Bernard’s writing syle. She quickly became one of my favorite authors, but in no way does that effect my ability to critique it honestly.

This should not be read as a stand-alone novel.
Mrs. Bernard has truly done her research when capturing the persona, demeanor and general attitude of a fireman. Her heroes have all been sexy, heartwarming and humble. This is the last full-length novel in the series and I, for one, am sad to see it end. I’ve referred to her writing style in the past as being the equivelant to the tactile sensation of sun-warmed silk sheets or a fountain of flowing, rich dark chocolate. While I found THE NIGHT BELONGS TO FIREMAN to be extremely easy to read and the flow was perfectly fluid, I did not get the same rich and seductive vibe as from her other books. I think this is because of the character persona that was built up by his colleages throughout the series. I viewed him as “the kid” or “the little brother” that the bigger boys liked to lovingly pick on.  I have truly enjoyed this series as a whole, THE NIGHT BELONGS TO FIREMAN is a wonderful concluding novel. Fred’s light and joy truly made me smile countless times. Rachel’s stubborn determination made me want to cheer for her. Fred’s interactions with Mulligan and Vader made me laugh out loud, especially the scene at Double D’s house. The neighbor kids were wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable. The blend of humor and sass are perfectly mixed with the action and intrigue.
The plot was solid. The climax was chaotic, but not in a bad way (More like “when it rains, it pours”). There were a few loose ends that I would have liked seen resolved (ie: the outcome of the refuge and escapees from THE night. Who was TREE?). I’d thought for sure I knew who “he” was, but Mrs. Bernard was NOT that predictable.

Author Bio:

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

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

2 Ebooks- The Night Belongs To Fireman

1 Swag Pack

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Release Day Blitz + Review + Exclusive Interview + Giveaway: The Night Belongs To Fireman by Jennifer Bernard -The Bachelor Firemen -Book 6

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