Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: Saving A Legend by Sarah Robinson – The Kavanagh Legend Series – Book 2

 

 

Title: Saving a Legend
Series: Kavanagh Legends #2  
Author: Sarah Robinson
Publisher: Loveswept
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Release
Date: June 14, 2016

 

Blurb

Praised by Penelope Ward as “a unique story line with multiple layers to it,” Sarah Robinson’s Saving a Legend goes another round with the brooding Kavanagh brothers: MMA fighters who won’t call it quits in the ring, or in romance.His family’s gym has produced a roster of mixed martial arts legends, but so far Kieran Kavanagh hasn’t followed in their footsteps. After a brawl lands him in jail, Kieran is assigned to work at a center for at-risk youth. Though given a second chance, Kieran’s simply going through the motions—until he meets one very special kid, Shea Doherty, and falls hard for her very beautiful, very grown-up big sister, Fiona. The trouble is, Kieran’s best opening moves are getting him nowhere fast.Fiona Doherty has too many responsibilities to fool around, especially now that she has custody of Shea. Sure, she’d love to find a devoted partner. But she won’t jeopardize her sister’s happiness—or risk revealing her tortured past—on a love-’em-and-leave-’em type of guy like Kieran . . . so it’s up to him to prove her wrong. As Fiona spends more time with Kieran, she starts to see a softer side of the reckless warrior. Now she must admit that when it comes to the possibility of real love, well . . . there’s a fighting chance.

 

Purchase Links
AMAZON US / UK
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5Star
Michel’s Review
  The Kavanagh Family is nationally known for their MMA training, gym, and fighters.  Their name is legendary in the sport.  Their reputation was golden until one blemish by Kieran Kavanagh left a black mark on their name.  He was involved in the underworld of illegal fights and was prosecuted.  It has taken the family two years to recover from that black mark and the end of Rory Kavanagh’s fighting career.  Now they have a new upcoming champion, Kane Kavanagh, Kieran’s identical twin.  Along with the intense training for the upcoming fight they are also facing Kieran’s release from prison.  The Kavanagh’s are a very tight family with a huge capacity to forgive, support, and love fiercely.  They are also compassionate of others outside their family circle.
***
Saving A Legend begins with Kieran’s release from prison.  He has been behind bars for two years and is being released early for good behavior.  The conditions of his release are steady employment, community service, and probation.  He’s grateful to be out of prison.  He’s looking forward to being with his family again.  He’s remorseful of his crime and vows to take the straight and narrow road.  He’s a changed man.  He’s ready for a second chance to make a good , honest life for himself.  First he will have to gain back the trust of his family, earn forgiveness from his brothers, and prove he’s worth the effort.
***
He’s slowly finding his place in the world. His brother Rory has reluctantly gotten him a construction job.  He’s doing his community service at a local youth center for “at risk” kids.  He’s also met a beautiful, young florist that he wants to get to know better. The only problem is that Fiona is not interested.  She refuses to accept a date with him.
***
Destiny has put them in each other’s path.  Fiona is the legal guardian for her younger autistic sister, Shea.  Kieran has unknowingly befriended Shea at the youth center.  He has a special connection with Shea and can reach her in ways others cannot.
***
When Fiona and Shea find themselves homeless, the Kavanagh family steps in and brings them into the fold.  This is the perfect opportunity for Fiona and Kieran to explore their passion and growing friendship.  It’s an opportunity for them to have more in their lives.  They are both keeping secrets.  Kieran is hiding his past.  Fiona is one step away from losing custody of Shea.  Being involved with Kieran could be the final straw that breaks her guardian rights.  Kieran has vowed not to let that happen and needs to come clean.  Fiona has to let go of her fears, her dark past, and learn to trust.  Shea is happy with the Kavanaghs.  The Kavanaghs are fighters… they fight for what is theirs.  Shea and Fiona are  now their family.
***
Saving A Legend was more than a love story.  It was a story of compassion, family strength, forgiveness, and acceptance.  Sarah Robinson did a magnificent job creating Shea’s character.  She also did not give Kieran and Fiona an easy path.  They both had very real problems that were portrayed in a very realistic way.
***
I love the Kavanagh family.  I can’t wait to see what comes next.  Their lives are legends in the making.
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Also Available
AMAZON US / UK

 

Author Bio

Sarah Robinson is the bestselling
author of the Kavanagh Legends series, The Photographer Trilogy, and the Sand
& Clay rock star series. A native of Washington, D.C., Robinson has both
her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal psychology. She is married to a
local police officer who is just as much of an animal rescue enthusiast as she
is. Together, they own a zoo of rescue and foster animals.

Author Links

Release Blitz + Giveaway : Last Kiss by Laurelin Paige

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Last Kiss by Laurelin Paige
Series: First and Last #2
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Romantic Suspense/ Contemporary Romance

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“Visceral, enticing, shining with white lies and dark truths, seductive twists and turns, and a love that takes your breath away.” – Katy Evans, New York Times bestselling author

Synopsis:

A GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE FILLED WITH DARK DESIRES AND DANGEROUS SECRETS…

Emily Wayborn has made a decision.

She might not fully trust handsome and deadly Reeve Sallis, but he is the one person that gives her what she needs. With Reeve she can finally be herself. Submitting to him is the only thing keeping her grounded as the rest of her life falls apart. But the hotelier is a master at keeping secrets and as she continues her quest for answers someone is making sure she doesn’t find them.

Time is running out and she is questioning everything she thought she knew about friendship and love. She must now make an impossible choice that will determine if she will survive with her heart…or at all.

 

Add to your TBR on Goodreads

 

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Buy Links

Amazon / Amazon UK / iBooks / Barnes and Noble / Google / Kobo

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About Laurelin:

laurelinpaige

NY Times & USA Today Bestselling author Laurelin Paige is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender.

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Check out this Giveaway for a chance to win a signed paperback of Last Kiss or a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
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Release Blitz + Excerpt: Dominance Never Dies by Lexi Blake – Master & Mercenaries Series – Book 11

 

Blake DND Now Available (1)

 

 

 

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A loss he can’t forget

Since losing his twin brother, Theo, in the line of duty, Case Taggart has felt dead inside. The former Navy SEAL has dedicated himself to his family and their business but he can’t help but feel stuck as he watches everyone else move on with their lives. Only meeting the beautiful Mia brings Case out of his misery, until he discovered she was just a reporter looking for a story. Betrayed, he turned his back on her and never looked back.

An attraction she can’t deny

Mia Danvers can’t get Case Taggart out of her head. Though they hadn’t been lovers, she’d felt more for him than for any man she’d ever met. Growing up in the shadow of her over-protective, older brothers, she felt free when she was with Case and she longs to feel that way again. She knows that if she can find any trace of Theo Taggart, Case will be forced to let her back into his life. Months of searching have finally paid off and she knows this is her second chance.

A desperate search

Case and Mia follow the clues they hope will lead them to Theo and the villainous Hope McDonald, but the search becomes increasingly dangerous. From Dallas to South America and beyond, dark forces work against them and threaten their lives. With each step forward, Case and Mia are pulled closer together and forced to confront their mutual attraction. But when the truth about Theo is revealed, Case may have to make a choice between his brother and the only woman he’s ever loved.

GOODREADS / AMAZON / iBOOKS / BARNES & NOBLES / GOOGLE PLAY

 

 

“Who was that nightgown for?”

She was glad she wasn’t looking up at him or he would have seen her wince. Still, she’d promised him the truth. “I put it in there when I flew from Austin to Dallas. I knew it would be an overnight flight to Colombia. I needed something to sleep in.”

His hand found the top of her head and gently forced her to tilt up. One brow was arched over his blue eyes. “You expect me to buy that? You sleep in ridiculously sexy lingerie?”

She tended to sleep in a tank top and panties, but he didn’t need to know that. If he was anything like her friends’ Doms he wouldn’t let her sleep in anything at all. “No, Sir.”

“Then what was the plan? I know there was a plan in there somewhere.”

“I thought I might accidently need something from the main cabin after I’d gone to bed and then you would see me in my sexy nightie and very likely ravish me.” She’d read too many romance novels.

“Put it on.” He stepped back and offered her a hand up.’

“Case, I know it was a silly thing to do.” So why had she still snuck it into her bag? She’d casually made her way back to the bedroom after she’d landed the plan and carefully slid the gown into her overside Louis Vuitton overnight bag.

He frowned her way. “Mia, do you know how many women in my life have gone to the trouble to seduce me?”

She could only guess. Thousands, likely. “A bunch, I would suspect.”

“None,” he replied. “Not a single one. I was the easy hookup who could get them off in my hometown. In the Navy, it was a parade of women who thought it would be awesome to fuck a SEAL. In the last couple of years, it’s been women I picked up at bars. I’ve had two fairly serious girlfriends in my whole life and I initiated sex every single time. So yes, I want you to go to the bathroom and change into that filmy nightgown and I want you to show me how you would have played it.”

“Those women were crazy.” The words were out of her mouth before she could think about them. But they were also true. She’d planned to seduce that big cowboy from pretty much the minute she’d laid eyes on him. Schemed and plotted and planned to be with him any way she could.

His lips curved up in a sad smile. “They just knew I was a bed bet as a potential husband and honestly, the two girlfriends were probably more submissive outside the bedroom than I would have liked. But they were easy to be around and they didn’t give me trouble.”

She was trouble. A whole lot of trouble. She couldn’t seem to help it. “I’m not like them, am I?”

He smoothed back her hair, staring down at her. “You are the opposite of every girl I’ve ever been with before. You’re a woman who lied to me, used me to further your cause, and caused me to do the one thing I swore I wouldn’t. Be the guy a girl cheats on her man with. You put me in that position.”

She felt tears well. “I’m sorry, Case.”

“It upset me more than I like to admit. I didn’t like being the guy who hit on a taken woman, but beyond that I kind of wanted to know what the hell you were thinking getting engaged to him when it was so obvious you were meant for me. So go and put on that gown and show me how you would have seduced me.”

Mia grabbed the bag he’d set down when they’d entered the room and made for the bathroom. He’d said the one thing guaranteed to get her moving.

You were meant for me.

Lexi_Blake

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog int eh world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Release Blitz + Excerpt + 6 Star Review + 2016 Favorite : Into The Light by Aleatha Romig – The Light Series – Book One

 

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Into the Light

An investigator’s search for a friend draws her into a world darker than she could have imagined.

Sara Adams awakes bling, unable to remember the most basic details of her life, but her darkness seems a blessing when she discovers the terrors of The Light.

Stella Montgomery investigates the news on the mean streets of Detroit, where she’s noticed a disturbing trend: young women are vanishing. When her best friend disappears, Stella investigates—despite warnings from her police detective boyfriend—following a twisted trail that leads her through the city’s most dangerous and forsaken precincts. There she uncovers something more sinister than she could have imagined: a shadowy organization known as The Light, led by the enigmatic Father Gabriel.

As Sara struggles to understand her place in these strange world she’s awakened to—an oppressive cult demanding unquestioning obedience—and her feelings for Jacob, the husband she can’t recall and whose harsh and tender attentions confuse and beguile her, Stella risks all to discover the truth. But enlightenment always comes with a price…

AMAZON

 

 

 

Into the Light teaser 2

Sara

Though I’d hoped to learn more about his meeting, with the events of the day and the warmth of his silent embrace, in no time at all, I began to drift off to sleep. I was nearly there when Jacob moved. Rolling me to my back, he hovered close and smoothed my long hair away from my face.

“Are you still awake?” he asked, his minty breath blowing over me.

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry…”

His simple apology had my full attention. I wasn’t sure I remembered hearing those words from him.

“…I meant to tell you how well you did at service.”

I smiled. “Thank you. I was scared, but Raquel and Elizabeth were with me the entire time. And Brother Benjamin,” I added, suddenly fearful of not acknowledging that a man had helped. He continued to run his fingers through my hair. “I didn’t want you to think that I’d been quiet because of anything you’d done. You were perfect.”

It was difficult for me not to ask the questions running through my tired mind, but Lying on my back helped me remember. “Thank you, Jacob. I want you to be proud. I’m sorry that I embarrassed you. I’m sure that’s what Father Gabriel was speaking to you about.”

His hand and breath stilled, as if he was considering his words carefully. “We’re leaving the clinic tomorrow. However, instead of going to our apartment, we’ll be staying at the pole barn for a while.”

“I don’t remember our apartment or the pole barn, but I’ll go wherever you take me.”

His lips brushed mine. The light touch ignited a park that detonated flickers of yearning throughout my body. I lifted my lips to his, wanting more than the chaste endearment.

“Sara, I…” Jacob didn’t complete his sentence; instead his hand slipped behind my heard, pulling me toward him. His kiss, no longer apathetic, devoured. Zeal radiated from his lips, and soon his breaths were labored. Like magnets we were drawn toward one another, closer and closer. My body liquefied, becoming pliable to his touch, while conversely, his hardened, ready to claim what was already his.

As the heat of our passion washed over us, I forgot my punishment. My attention went elsewhere. A tug on my hair propelled my head to tilt, while the persistence of his minty tongue encouraged my lips to part. Whimpers and moans reverberated in my mouth and bubbled forth. They were wordless sounds declaring my body’s approval.

The large, strong hands that had delivered pain now brought pleasure. I reached for his broad shoulders, opening my arms and willfully surrendering to his kisses. With a palpable hunger, his mouth moved from my lips to my neck and down to my collarbone. His actions sent shivers to my toes and tremors to my insides. Each kiss moved lower until he reached the neckline of my nightgown. The bra I’d worn to service was gone. My breaths quickened as each button cam undone, leaving me bare and exposed to his desires.

The sound of my heart echoed in my ears as he praised my beauty and whispered admiration for what was his. When he wasn’t speaking, his lips moved lower as his five o’clock shadow tantalized my sensitive skin. It was as his skilled fingers joined the assault, kneading my breasts and twisting my hardened nipples, that primal sounds came from in my throat. It wasn’t that I feared speaking. It was that words weren’t forming. Wanting what he could give, I reached for his head, wove my fingers through his hair, and pulled him closer.

Suddenly he stopped and pulled away, leaving me open to the cool air.

Dazed and chilled, I reached for my nightgown. Embarrassed and hurt, I began to button it.

“Did I do something wrong?”

Into the Light teaser 1

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SBJ2016Favorite

6+star

Michel’s Review

Quite honestly… I don’t know how to review this book.  The first thing that comes to mind is… Aleatha Romig is a brilliant writer!  I am awed by her mastery of her craft.  She creates a mind blowing story that takes multiple twists and turns that keep the reader guessing.  Every theory is thrown out the door as the pages turn.  Each revelation adds another layer of intrigue and mystery.  By the time the reader gets to the final chapter they’ve gone through a mind boggling journey that ends with complete surprise and shock.  A jaw dropper.  A huge cliffhanger.  The reader is left with the impossibility of predicting what is going to come next.  BRILLIANT!

Into The Light is the first book in The Light Series.  It is considered to be a dark thriller.  It’s a combination of dark thriller and romance.  The beauty of this story is we don’t know who is the leading man or who the heroine is.  It will all make sense once the complete story is revealed.  In the mean time there are a ton of women going missing in the Highland Heights and Detroit area.  One of those missing women is an investigative television reporter.  Her best friend, another investigative reporter, the crew at the news station, a suspicious coroner, and a Detroit detective are all beginning to question the disappearances.  It’s a complete enigma.  There are no common factors, traits, or evidence that link these women in any way.  As the separate investigations begin to unfold there is one thing that is beginning to surface.  A secretive religious cult known as The Light.

Aleatha takes the reader into The Light.  The reader becomes very aware of the doctrines that govern The Light.  They get an in depth look of what it’s like to be a member of this congregation through the eyes of a married couple belonging to the fold.  It is downright creepy and hair raising.  There is more to The Light than living in the righteous way.

As this story begins to unfold, it takes many twists and turns.  The layers of deception, violence, and deadly implications continue to grow in abundance.  With each revelation it becomes more of a monster with far reaching claws.  The monster has many disguises and an invisible presence.  It has an insatiable hunger.  These missing women never had a chance.

Be prepared for shocking ending.  Just remember this is not the end… only a pause … until the next book, Away From The Dark,  releases in October 2016.

Aleatha Romig has earned the title of Bestselling author.  She has gifted her readers with her unquestionable brilliance.

________________________________

aleatharomig1

Aleatha Romig is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raise three children with her high school sweetheart and husband or nearly thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!

Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. The standalone thrillers continue Aleatha’s twisted style with an increase in heat.

In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romance with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK will be published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.

Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and represented by Danielle Egan-Miller of Browne & Miller Literary Associates.

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Release Blitz: Unchained by Elisabeth Naughton – Eternal Gurardians Novella – 1001 Dark Nights

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Elisabeth Naughton’s UNCHAINED is a Fantasy/Paranormal Romance novella in the bestselling Eternal Guardians Series! You will not want to miss this one! UNCHAINED is a standalone novella, brought to you by the amazing team at 1001 Dark Nights. Be sure you grab your copy of this novella today!

 

 

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Amazon ** Paperback

ABOUT UNCHAINED:

PROMETHEUS – One of the keenest Titans to ever walk the earth. Until, that is, his weakness for the human race resulted in his imprisonment.

For thousands of years, Prometheus’s only certainty was his daily torture at Zeus’s hand. Now, unchained by the Eternal Guardians, he spends his days in solitude, trying to forget the past. He’s vowed no allegiance in the war between mortal and immortal, but when a beautiful maiden seeks him out and begs for his help, he’s once again powerless to say no. Soon, Prometheus is drawn into the very conflict he swore to avoid, and, to save the maiden’s life, he must choose sides. But she has a secret of her own, and if Prometheus doesn’t discover what she’s hiding in time, the world won’t simply find itself embroiled in a battle between good and evil, it will fall in total domination to Prometheus’s greatest enemy.

 

 

UNCHAINED - RDL Teaser 1

 

 

Excerpt-

“Find me. I’m waiting, Titos. I’m waiting for you…”

She always called him Titos in his hallucinations. A nickname that translated to fire. One that now brought him around to stare down the dark and empty hallway even though he knew she wasn’t real.

Nothing moved. No sound met his ears. The castle was as silent as it had been since the day he’d arrived. But his spine tingled with apprehension, and his god-sense, something he rarely relied on because no one knew where he was, shot a warning blare straight through his ears.

The witches in the valley at the base of Mt. Parnithia had told him this castle in the Argolean realm had once belonged to an evil sorcerer who’d chosen darkness over light. That sorcerer’s quest for power had cost him his life, and he now resided in the lowest levels of Tartarus, tortured endlessly by Hades much as Prometheus had been tortured by Zeus. His energy still lingered, though. A vile and murky energy Prometheus felt vibrating in his bones. As a divine being, Prometheus wasn’t worried that energy would claim him—he was too strong for that—but he couldn’t help but wonder if the sorcerer’s dark energy was somehow affecting him. Could it be the source of the voice?

“Titos… I’m waiting…”

“Who’s there?” he called.

Silence met his ears. His pulse ticked up as he scanned the darkened corridor, the only light coming from the torch behind him. Still nothing moved. Even the wind outside the castle walls had died down as if it too were afraid to utter a sound.

His imagination. It had to be. A hallucination or whatever the fuck he wanted to call it. Frowning, he turned away only to catch a flash of white out of the corner of his eye.

He whipped back. Some kind of gauzy fabric disappeared into the library, followed by the sound of laughter.

Sexy, feminine laughter.

 

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Elisabeth Naughton - headshotABOUT ELISABETH NAUGHTON:

Elisabeth Naughton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. From Elisabeth: “I was never one of those people who knew they wanted to be an author at the age of six. I didn’t have imaginary friends. I didn’t write stories in my journal or entertain my relatives by firelight after Thanksgiving dinner. For the most part, I was just a normal, everyday kid. I liked to read, but I wasn’t exceptional at it. And when my teachers complimented me on my writing abilities, I brushed them off. I did, however, always have a penchant for the unique and absurd. And as my mother told me all throughout my childhood, I should have been an actress—I was a drama queen before my time.Visit Elisabeth Naughton’s website.

 

 

 

Website**Facebook**Twitter**Author Goodreads**Novella Goodreads

 

 

UNCHAINED - Available Now

 

 

 

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Release Blitz: Winning The Billionaire by JM Stewart -Seattle Bachelors – Book 2

In the tradition of E.L. James and Sylvia Day comes a
sultry new series 
starring women who want to live out their wildest dreams . .

 

WINNING THE BILLIONAIRE 
Seattle Bachelors #2
JM Stewart
Releasing June 14th, 2016
Forever Yours

 

In the tradition of E.L. James and
Sylvia Day comes a sultry new series starring women who want to live out their
wildest dreams . . . 


When it comes to love, this
billionaire is all business . . .


Software mogul Christina McKenzie
has loved billionaire Sebastian Blake since they were kids. So when Seattle’s
most famous bachelor-and perennial playboy-finally asks Christina out, her
fantasies kick into overdrive. Things become hot and heavy . . . but what’s she
supposed to do when she starts to fall for him?

Sebastian’s never been one to settle
down, and Christina knows she’s just another notch in his bedpost.


Sebastian
knows that smart, kind Christina deserves better than him. But after the
mind-blowing night they just shared, he’s ready to turn a sexy fling into the
real deal. Keeping his freedom is one thing, yet keeping Christina in his
bed-and in his life-is all Sebastian can think about . . .
 
BUY NOW
Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo

 

Don’t miss any of the Seattle Bachelors…
Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo
J.M.
Stewart
 is a coffee and chocolate
addict who lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two sons and two
very spoiled dogs. She’s a hopeless romantic who believes everybody should have
their happily ever after and has been devouring romance novels for as long as
she can remember. Writing them has become her obsession.

 
 

Blog Tour + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Broken Girl by Gretchen de la O

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Broken Girl

By Gretchen de la O

Buy: Amazon 

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Synopsis

My name is ROSE NEWTON, and I sell my body on the streets of San Francisco. I’m what you call society’s dirty little secret. On the outside, I’m in control, the woman who makes her own rules and gives nothing away for free. Inside, I’m broken and numb. Torn and shattered by my past, my life is nothing more than the lost fragments of what’s left of me. SHANE WEST represents everything that’s foreign to me. He’s brave, kind, funny, gorgeous and persistent. When fate brings us face to face, an undeniable attraction blazes between us. He becomes the constant I’ve never had and the only man I’ll ever trust. There is nothing simple about falling in love when you’re keeping a secret like mine. *Reader’s discretion advised. Certain content might not be suitable for some readers.

 

Handsome man watching her wife dressing black stockings

5Star

 Michel’s Review

In the last two years I have met Gretchen de la O at several book signings.  Each time I spoke with her she told me she was working on something very different and very dark.  She said it contained some very heavy subject matter and that it was a very difficult book to write.  She couldn’t put an exact time frame as to when the book would release because she wanted to get this story right.  She didn’t want to take the easy road with Rose’s story.  She wanted to give Rose the voice that would tell her story .

Broken Girl by Gretchen de la O is quite different from the books I usually read.  It’s a dark, gritty look inside of a truly broken person.  It’s a harsh reality with ugly truths, jagged revelations, and deep emotional scars.  This is not a fun, fluffy romance book where love fixes all.  Quite honestly I wouldn’t even consider this book a romance at all.  It’s a vivid portrayal of a young girl’s journey into a dark twisted adulthood. A lost little girl existing beneath the layers of betrayal, abuse,condemnation, and self destruction. If you are looking for light reading, this may not be the book to choose.  If you have hard limits in your reading preferences, don’t read this book.

Broken Girl contains childhood sexual abuse, violence, physical abuse, drug abuse, and self abuse.  It is vividly graphic.  It has hardcore subject matter that is quite disturbing.  Although most of the content is very dark there is also a progression to the light.  A broken individual finally finding the path to her own personal self redemption.  Take off your rose colored glasses and brace yourself.

Rose Newton never really had a chance in life.  Her childhood was horrific.  She encountered abuse on every level.  It’s only natural that her childhood would lead to a life of prostitution.  Prostitution gives her the power to control the abuse.  It’s the only source of income she can earn to survive in a very expensive world.  She’s not living in luxury, in fact she lives in poverty.  She views sex as a means to an end, no emotional or physical attachments.

She’s worked the streets since she was sixteen years old.  She has no illusions of a grand future. She doesn’t have hopes and dreams for the future.  Her life is pathetic. The few friends she has are people like her, living in the dark shadows of society.  Their friendships are conditional.  Each of them guards their inner secrets, emotional demons, and past lives.

Rose accidentally meets a handsome young man in a laundromat after he saves another prostitute from harm.  She’s intrigued that a stranger would help a person like her.  Her curiosity leads her to return to laundromat and to a reluctant friendship with Shane.  This is the first choice that will begin to take Rose in a different direction in life.  It will be the first step into her journey of self discovery. It may be her only chance at being truly loved.

As Rose’s journey begins to progress, her current life will spiral out of control.  She will start to experience real emotions and eye opening events.

Rose has to learn to forgive and love herself before she can attempt to becoming a whole person.  She has to learn that she is worthy and entitled to love just like every other person.  She has to find out who Rose is capable of becoming.

I admit this was a very hard story for me to read.  I had a very heavy feeling throughout the book.  Some parts appalled me, others broke me.  I did not find this entertaining but was fully engaged in the story.  It was the type of book that was based upon some very heavy issues and dark subject matter.  What made me give the books 5 Stars is it’s brutal honesty and realistic solutions.

Gretchen de la O wrote a very honest, brutal accounting of a broken girl’s life. It’s not a pretty story.  It’s a girl finding the glue to put herself back together. It’s a lesson of self respect and becoming whole.

Tender romantic young lovers holding each other in a close intimate embrace , view from behind the bare back of the man

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a headshot hi defGretchen de la O, is a writer of romantically unique stories. A proclaimed positive energy infuser by people who know her, she finds joy in helping those around her discover their creative process. Gretchen is a firm believer that anything is possible if you set your mind to it; and what you expect out of life, always finds a way of showing up. She’s authentic in her dedication to her own creative process, finds strength in her spirituality, and is always looking for the bright spot in every situation.

Gretchen released her first novel, Almost Eighteen in September of 2011, the first in a three book new adult student/teacher romance, The Wilson Mooney Series. In November of 2012, she followed with book two, Eighteen at Last, and concluded the series with Beyond Eighteen in October, 2013. Her Fourth novel, PROTOTYPE, a romantic suspense, the first book in the Possession Series was released in October 2014. BROKEN GIRL, Gretchen’s fifth novel, is a standalone contemporary romance slated to be released April 29th, 2016. Please visit Gretchen at www.gretchendelao.com .

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Release Blitz + Excerpt + Giveaway: Lovegame by Tracy Wolff

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LOVEGAME

Lovegame

By Tracy Wolff

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

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Synopsis

True Crime novelist Ian Sharpe has spent his career writing about serial killers for very personal reasons. For his latest exposé, he is taking on the sadistic madman known as the Red Ribbon Strangler, and when his research leads him to Hollywood’s most private and provocative actress, he will break every rule to uncover her truth.

The daughter of one of Hollywood’s golden couples, chased by paparazzi and treated as a commodity her entire life, Veronica Romero wields her sex appeal like a weapon. She expects Ian to be as easy to control as every other man she’s ever known. But from the beginning, he refuses to fall into line. Mysterious and cool, challenging and just a little bit dangerous, Ian somehow makes her feel safe—even as he digs into the deepest secrets of her life and pushes her to the breaking point.

As raw ecstasy gives way to agonized truths, their dark obsession exposes secrets that have been buried for far too long. Ian wants to tear down her walls and heal the sensual woman underneath. But if Veronica’s learned anything, it’s that the line between pleasure and pain is a narrow one—and when caught between them the only thing that matters is how you play the game.

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I take picture after picture, with a vintage champagne glass in my hand or my face buried in a huge bouquet of dahlias. Toward the end, Marc has the stylist and his assistant wrap me up in a long string of artificial belladonna since the real stuff can cause problems if it touches the skin. Then they heap my gloved hands with a mountain of the poisonous black berries and Marc has me hold my hands out to the camera in a deadly macabre offering.

Again and again Marc shoots me like that, taking pictures from every possible angle. On his knees in front of me, looking up. From a ladder above me, looking down. Beside me. Behind me. Across the room. Up close. Again and again he points and clicks. Again and again, I smile and pout and make every other expression he asks for. I even take his suggestion to tilt my head back with my mouth open wide and hold one of the berries between my thumb and index finger as I pretend to be about to drop it in. As I do, I close my eyes and pretend not to be totally icked out.

When I open them two minutes and twenty shots later, the first person I see is Ian. He’s leaning back against one of the mirrored walls and for once his omnipresent notebook is nowhere to be seen. Instead he’s staring straight at me, a half-snarl on his normally calm face and his eyes burning with a mixture of contempt and desire.

It’s the first time I’ve seen anything but pleasant or puzzled interest from him and it has the tiny hairs on the back of my neck standing up. Has ice skating down my spine and a desert taking up residence in my mouth. Because, in that moment, as our eyes lock and his turn impossibly darker, impossibly blacker, I don’t know who he sees. Can’t tell who he wants.

Me or her?

Actress or murderer?

Sentient being or a character he helped create?

It’s just more fuel to add to the fire of my earlier doubts and in that one tense and electric moment, it comes to me. What the cover shot should be.

What I need it to be.

Marc backs off a little, has his assistant come forward with a trash bag for me to throw away the last of the berries and the gloves I’ve been wearing. As she pauses to tie up the bag in front of me, I ask her for a couple wipes.

She quickly returns with a box of baby wipes and I smile my thanks even as Marc instructs me back against the mirror for what he calls “the last series of shots.”

I do as he instructs, but as he’s fiddling with the lighting, I turn toward the mirror and swipe the wipe over the right half of my face.

“What are you doing?” my makeup artist squawks as he comes racing across the room at me.

“Trust me, Dalton,” I tell him as I continue to scrub.

“Stop doing that!” he orders as he grabs on to the end of the wipe and actually tries to wrestle it away from me.

“Just wait,” I instruct, refusing to let go no matter how hard he tugs.

“But—”

“What are you up to, Veronica?” Marc asks. He sounds more intrigued than annoyed.

“I’ll show you,” I tell him, pushing gently at Dalton’s hand until he finally lets go with a whimper.

And then, with the whole room—including Ian—watching me intently, I wipe the entire half side of my face clean of any and all makeup. I do it carefully, making sure that the line that runs down the center of my face is exact so that both sides are completely symmetrical.

When I’m done, I reach up and take off my right earring and hand it to Dalton who still looks slightly shell-shocked. Then I step back and stare at this new reflection of myself in the mirror.

Half me at my most natural, half her at her most armored, it’s a devastating look. Made even more so by the elaborate fifties makeup Dalton has me in—all red lips and thick black liner and long, long lashes.

There is a difference, I tell myself fiercely as I study myself. I am not her. I will never be her, no matter what it felt like four months ago.

In the background I’m aware of Marc cursing softly, of him snapping picture after picture. I don’t turn around, instead continuing to give him my back so that he gets both me and my reflection in each shot.

“Turn around,” he breathes after he’s taken at least three dozen pictures.

Reluctantly, I do as he requests, then follow his impatient gesture for me to move away from the mirror. I step forward and then the camera starts again, clicking away to get the shot from this angle as well.

At that moment, Ian moves and I make the mistake of glancing his way. Our gazes lock and heat slams through me at the look he’s giving me, has my eyes widening and my lips parting on a gasp as I struggle to draw air into lungs that have abruptly forgotten how to work.

“Fuck,” Marc breathes from where he’s narrowing in on my face. “That’s it. That’s the money shot.”

I drag my eyes away from Ian, but it’s too late. For the first time in a very, very long time, I feel vulnerable. And I hate every second of it.

___________________________________________

About Tracy Wolff:

About Tracy Wolff:

 

Tracy WolffNew York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Tracy Wolff collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. Now an English professor at her local community college, she writes romances that run the gamut from sweet contemporary to erotica, from paranormal to Urban Fantasy and from young adult to new adult.

 

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

*****

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Giveaway:
1 winner will receive a $35 Amazon Giftcard and copies of the Ethan Frost Trilogy by Tracy Wolff
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Release Blitz + Excerpt + Giveaway: Dishonor Thy Wife by Belinda Austin

A Psychological Thriller of Sexual
Obsession and a Twisted Romance.
DISHONOR THY WIFE
Belinda Austin
Releasing June 13th, 2016
A Psychological Thriller of Sexual
Obsession and a Twisted Romance.
 
Ronni and Brad have an arranged
marriage. Six years ago, he broke off with his fiancée or else face jail time
for getting the then underage Ronni pregnant, i.e. statutory rape. The couple
has not slept together since. The spoiled Brad is resentful and can be verbally
abusive to both Ronni and their daughter who he mostly ignores.
 
Brad is not the only one trapped in an
unwanted marriage. Ronni was a dirt-poor teenager when her grandfather forced
her to marry the rich medical student. She is simply trying to make the best of
a bad marriage until she can finish college and be able to support herself and
Traci.
 
One day after a medical conference,
Brad returns home a changed man. He starts acting like a real father to Traci
who now adores him. Brad even treats Ronni with kindness.
As
her heart melts towards Brad, Ronni wonders if he is still seeing his mistress. As her heart melts towards Brad, Ronni wonders if he is still
seeing his mistress even as she begins to trust him.
 
Ronni finds she enjoys her husband spying through the keyhole of
her bedroom door. She begins to perform for him.
 
Once Ronni has a taste of forbidden
passion, she is addicted until Brad begins acting like a Jekyll-Hyde and his
violent outbursts return. She believes he may be bipolar, never realizing that
something far more sinister is going on, and she is playing a dangerous game
beneath the covers with Brad.
 
As secrets unfold, lies unravel, and
fraud is uncovered, what happened at a Philly medical convention sets off a
chain of events that begs the question, does a woman really know the cracks
beneath her husband’s skin?
 
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Well here goes, now it begins, a devious plan concocted in Philly. “You look nice, Ronni.” Wow! My voice had gone up as if she clenched my balls because the wife looked unbelievably sexy. In soft light, she appeared almost pretty with her hair mussed. One strap of her t-shirt drooped over her shoulder.

Okay, down boy! Quit picturing how she would look with pointy nipples tingling with excitement, and legs spread wide, hips humping. I cursed the desire welling inside my dark soul. I must not sleep with her—ever! That was our agreement. “Ronni?” I said in a eunuch voice.

“Well, who were you expecting, Brad? Fool!”

Next to the wedding picture was a photo of a child, supposedly my daughter. The oldest trick in the book was to trap a man with pregnancy.

“No one calls me a fool and gets away with it!”

She ran towards the stairs.

My legs were longer and I grabbed her arm, laughing at her kicking and missing.

I spun her around, trapping her with my arms. Our bodies touched everywhere and I held her even tighter. “You smell of jasmine,” I moaned, lowering her to the stairs and raining kisses across her neck. Her wiggling aroused me beyond belief. I throbbed, pounding with such pressure; all I could think of was easing my pain in Ronni. My blood rushed to that one spot where my need was desperate. At this moment, the act was worth any price. Guilt could come later. I closed my eyes, and muttered, “God, I promise to say ten Hail Marys later even though I’m not Catholic.”

I shoved her hand on my pants, rubbing her palm against me. “Please, I need you, Ronni. Feel how much I want you. I need you so much, Ronni. Please, stroke me, pet me. Yeah, that’s it. More!”

She quit struggling and groaned.

I removed my hand and she continued rubbing. Squeezing. Pulling. Caressing.

My breath came in deep gasps. “Unzip me,” I panted and tugged at the zipper of her pants, my fingers clumsily poking her.

“Ouch, get off me you oaf!”

She slapped my cheek hard, sobering me, making me remember who we were and that bed was out of the question between us. “Again, Brad? You’re raping me again?”

I stood, straightening my pants and feeling rather sheepish about the rape thing. I plunked down on a step to conceal my throbbing arousal, looking like a petulant child. Any moment now, I might have a temper tantrum—Ronni really should give out to her husband. She was a tramp, just as her mother had been.

“I wish you stayed in Philadelphia permanently, Brad, or the plane crashed,” she snapped.

I never struck a woman in my life and clenched my hands into fists, resisting the urge to punch her. It took a minute for my pants to deflate. I then stumbled up the stairs, banging my ankle against the last step.

Belinda is
a former Software Engineer and Web Developer. She is a Zumbaholic. Belinda
loves to create novels with twists and turns, and love stories that will
squeeze your heart. Her goal is to entertain and touch you by making you laugh,
cry, get angry: go through the emotional experience that makes us all human and
by doing so humanize her characters.
Her aim
with her books is to grab the reader by the shirt collar and drag him or her
into the novel, and not let go until the end. She hopes that the reader will
not just read her story, but experience it, with chills, blood pounding, brain
bursting, etc.
 
Belinda
was born in the Los Angeles area and lives in Texas.

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New Release: Stolen By The Sheikh by Lauren Hawkeye & Suzanne Rock

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New York Times bestselling authors Lauren Hawkeye and Suzanne Rock’s STOLEN BY THE SHEIKH is available now! Get swept away in Liv and Nayo’s story.

Stolen by the SheikhAbout STOLEN BY THE SHEIKH

Fast-talking career woman Olivia Bremer is at the peak of her profession. Employed by one of the country’s most influential magazines, she spends her days dining with celebs and taking her pick of free products from designers and cosmetic companies. Every woman’s dream job, basically. So what if it’s a little lonely at the top. Success often comes at a price, right?

Nayef “Nayo” Darzi is used to getting his way. The wealthy prince can have any beauty he wants—until danger throws him together with a stubborn American, perhaps the first woman unaffected by his alpha tendencies. Tattooed and contentious women aren’t his thing—normally. But there’s something about Olivia and her sexy curves that makes Nayo want to take a big bit. If he can keep her out of trouble long enough…

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Get a sneak peek of STOLEN BY THE SHEIKH:

“I apologize. I never meant to offend. It’s just, where I come from, women are meant to be provided for.” Nayo reached up and tucked a stray strand of her long red hair behind her ear. “And a woman as beautiful as you would have many suitors lined up for the job.” Her body betrayed her, reacting to that one simple touch in ways most men couldn’t elicit with their best efforts. Jesus. What was wrong with her? She should be telling this ass-backwards man where he could shove it, yet instead she was quivering at his touch. She needed to get out of there and get her head on straight, fast.

“Um. Thanks?” Listen, I’m already running late for my meeting, and I still need to clean myself up. Carrie will have a fit if I show up looking like this.”

She started to turn to walk away, but Nayo’s intense stare held her in place. He took in every inch of her from top to toes, and back up again. His eyes burned a trail of heat on her body as if his hands touched everywhere he looked. Finally his gaze stopped, lingering on the first green stain she acquired on her chest and to her own surprise, she found herself leaning forward ever so slightly to give him a better view.

“I think you look perfect,” he said. Stepping in close, Nayo reached his hand up to her face and slowly rubbed his thumb along her jaw. “Except for maybe this.”

“What are you…” Before she could finish, Nayo placed his thumb to his mouth and licked off the green smoothie that was there. A low growl escaped his lips. “Delicious.”

She felt heat rush her cheeks, flushing them a deep crimson. She couldn’t tell if it was from embarrassment or the sight of him licking his thumb, but it was probably a bit of both.

“I…uh..” Liv stammered over her words, lowering her head in hopes he wouldn’t notice how much he had affected her with his words, his actions. Fat chance though, it would be hard to miss the red in her cheeks, as her fair skin provided a great contrast.

Nayo leaned in close, breathing his next words into her ear “I’d love to taste more.” Her whole body shivered and Liv snapped her gaze up to meet his. She slowly tilted her drink toward him, offering it up without a second thought.

“I wasn’t talking about the drink.” Heat coursed through her body at his words. Her breath hitched in her throat as Nayo closed what little distance was left between them. Images of biting that luscious lower lip of his flooded her mind as Liv parted her own in invitation… Ding! Ding Ding Ding! “Oh, for fuck’s sake” Liv muttered under her breath, her boss’s incessant text messaging effectively ruining the moment. And she knew it had to be her boss. No one else would send her that many messages in a row.

 

About Lauren Hawkeye

Lauren Hawkeye/ Lauren Jameson never imagined that she’d wind up telling stories for a living… though when she looks back, it’s easy to see that she’s the only one who is surprised. Always “the kid who read all the time”, Lauren made up stories about her favorite characters once she’d finished a book… and once spent an entire year narrating her own life internally. No, really. But where she was just plain odd before publication, now she can at least claim to have an artistic temperament.

Lauren lives in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada with her husband, toddler, pit bull and idiot cat, though they do not live in an igloo, nor do they drive a dogsled. In her nonexistent spare time Lauren can be found knitting (her husband claims that her snobby yarn collection is exorbitant), reading anything she can get her hands on, or sweating her way through spin class. She loves to hear from her readers!

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About Suzanne Rock

A lifetime New Englander, Suzanne married her college sweetheart and has been with him for over twenty years. Every summer she drags her husband and two daughters to Maine on a quest for the perfect lobster dinner. Every fall she can be found down in Foxboro, Massachusetts cheering on her favorite football team. In between those trips, she’s a chauffeur, a maid, a chef, an event planner, a hairdresser, a wardrobe stylist, a tutor and a sometimes masseuse. To keep her sanity, she often drinks copious amounts of coffee and stares at the blank screen of her laptop, dreaming of great adventures. Sometimes she even writes them down for others to enjoy.

Suzanne is represented by Deidre Knight of The Knight Agency and writes mainstream romances under the pen name Ava Conway.

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