5 Star Review: Retribution by Katie Reus

Posted on 05/14/2015 by shellbellereads

Retribution

Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense

By Katie Reus

Synopsis

She sees brief glimpses of the future…

Nika and Alena Brennan will do anything to kill a vicious Russian crime boss and they’re using his only son to get to him. Yet when the time comes to execute their plan, psychic Nika hesitates due to an unexpected entanglement with sexy security expert Declan Gallagher. When her sister is kidnapped and all their carefully laid plans go awry, Nika must depend on Declan and her mortal enemy’s son to get her sister back.

He invades her dreams and teases her with sensual pleasures…

As a dream walker, Declan is capable of seeing anyone’s innermost thoughts as they sleep. With Nika, however, he finds himself playing a deadly, seductive game. He knows she’s not who she says she is and he’s determined to find out the real reason she’s in Miami before she gets herself or someone else killed.

Time is running out…

Nika’s window of opportunity is closing to save her sister and find a way to protect their secrets without landing them both in jail. With innocent lives at stake, Nika must decide if the retribution she’s waited a lifetime for is worth losing the man who has won her heart.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Michel’s Review

If you are looking for a fast paced, high octane romantic suspense book mixed with a hint of the paranormal, Retribution is the book you want to pick up. Both of the leading characters have physic kind of gifts. How they use they gifts will have the reader chilled to the bone one moment and fanning themselves the next moment.

Nika and Alena Brennan are on a mission. They are out for retribution for their parents deaths when they were young children. Although they witnessed the murders, they have been in protective custody most of their lives. Their identities have changed. Their history has been changed. One has developed a physic gift. Now the sisters are out for revenge. They will use their brains, their knowledge of the spy world, and the physic gifts to kill the three men that ruined their lives. Two down and one to go. They are after the Russian crime boss that is responsible for it all. They will use his son and his connections to complete their final execution. One sister is completely driven and the other sister is trying to protect her.

Declan Gallagher has been secretly hired by the FBI director to stop the Brennan sisters from their final murder. If these sisters murder this man the FBI will lose vital information on world wide organizations known for drug trafficking, illegal gun trade, and human trafficking. Declan has to go undercover and protect the son that has been targeted as a means to their intended victim. Declan has a special gift. He has the ability to enter peoples dreams and obtain information. He will use his ability to stop the Brennan sisters.

When Declan and Nika meet in the dream world the sexual sparks ignite. Their erotic encounters are sizzling hot. They can communicate with their bodies in their dreams. What Declan didn’t count on was how powerful Nika’s physic abilities are. No one should remember when he invades their dreams. Nika not only remembers their encounters, she questions his motivations and abilities.

The mission the Brennan sisters embarked on will change. Their lives will be the ones in danger. There are traitors in the midst of them. There are unseen enemies. There are opportunities to find something better in life than revenge. There are new ways to use their talents. If they can stay alive long enough to find out what direction their lives should go.

I could not put this book down. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The erotic dreams between Nika and Declan had me swooning. The build up of their relationship and revelations kept me guessing. Their physic gifts had me in awe.

Read Retribution. It will not disappoint!

______________________________________

About Katie Reus

Katie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, & IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

5 Star Review : Overruled by Emma Chase – The Legal Briefs Series – Book 1

Posted on 05/13/2015 by shellbellereads

Overruled

The Legal Briefs Series – Book 1

By Emma Chase

Synopsis

Emma Chase, New York Times bestselling author of the Tangled series, returns with the first installment of the Legal Briefs series!

A Washington, DC, defense attorney, Stanton Shaw keeps his head cool, his questions sharp, and his arguments irrefutable. They don’t call him the Jury Charmer for nothing—with his southern drawl, disarming smile, and captivating green eyes, he’s a hard man to say no to. Men want to be him, and women want to be thoroughly cross examined by him.

Stanton’s a man with a plan. And for a while, life was going according to that plan.

Until the day he receives an invitation to the wedding of his high school sweetheart, the mother of his beloved ten-year-old daughter. Jenny is getting married—to someone who isn’t him.

That’s definitely not part of the plan.

***

Sofia Santos is a city-raised, no-nonsense litigator who plans to become the most revered criminal defense attorney in the country. She doesn’t have time for relationships or distractions.

But when Stanton, her “friend with mind-blowing benefits,” begs her for help, she finds herself out of her element, out of her depth, and obviously out of her mind. Because she agrees to go with him to The-Middle-Of-Nowhere, Mississippi, to do all she can to help Stanton win back the woman he loves. Her head tells her she’s crazy…and her heart says something else entirely.

What happens when you mix a one-stop-light town, two professional arguers, a homecoming queen, four big brothers, some Jimmy Dean sausage, and a gun-toting Nana?

The Bourbon flows, passions rise, and even the best-laid plans get overruled by the desires of the heart.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / Kobo / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Overruled by Emma Chase is the first book in the Legal Briefs series. Once again Emma Chase has delivered a fun ,sexy romance that will keep the readers glued to the pages. The quirky characters, the southern charm, and fumbled romantic expectations are guaranteed to keep readers laughing out loud.

Stanton Shaw is a successful upcoming defense attorney. He is working at one of Washington D.C. s most prestigious law firms. He’s on fast track to making partner. His life is quite different from his simple southern roots in Sunshine, Mississippi.

Stanton couldn’t wait to get out of Sunshine. Although he was the star football player and offered a full ride at Ole Miss, he chose a different route. He accepted a full scholarship to Columbia in New York. But there is a hiccup in his plans. His cheerleader girlfriend , Jenny is pregnant. He is about to become a father before he graduates from high school.

Both Jenny and Stanton realize that Stanton needs to go to Columbia for their future. She is going to stay home in Sunshine and attend nursing school while he gets his degree in pre law.

What starts out as a temporary separation turns into more of a permanent one. Ten years later, one law degree later, and a different city has put Stanton Shaw on a different path in life. He is still planning on returning to Jenny to spend the rest of his life, just not at this time. He still has to make partner. He still has things to accomplish before he can pursue his life with Jenny. When he gets a wedding invitation everything changes. He has been invited to Jenny’s wedding in Sunshine, MS. It looks like he is going to lose his lifetime love. Stanton is finally going home and claiming his woman.

Stanton and Jenny had an open relationship. When he was home in Sunshine she was exclusively his. While he was away they were both free to date. Stanton has become involved in a friends with benefits relationship with his co council, Sophia Santos. Sophia is beautiful, brilliant, and the very definition of red hot sexy. She is his confidant and helps keep him focused. He is going to need Sophia with him to help win Jenny back. She will keep him on track, keep him from going off the deep end, and keep him focused on the prize. She has to go with him to Sunshine.

Once Stanton and Sophia hit the Sunshine city limits ( or should I say the one red light in town) the adventure begins. From the gun toting Nana on the front porch aiming at Stanton’s balls to the new age free love older brother that seems to frequently lose his clothes, Sunshine is at it’s finest. Everyone is ready for a wedding. Who will be the groom? A tractor race may decide the outcome.

Meanwhile Sophia is learning that she may fit into the Sunshine community. She also realizes that she wants to fit into Stanton Shaw’s heart. How can she help him land the bride when she wants to capture his heart? A tractor race won’t do the trick. It’s going to take a tornado to make Stanton sit up and take notice.

You can take Stanton Shaw out of Sunshine, MS. but you can’t take Sunshine out of Stanton Shaw. He may be able to charm the jurors but can he use his southern charm to win the case of a lifetime? Can he win the woman he was meant to love for the rest of his life?

Stanton Shaw has been Overruled.

Emma Chase delivered another fantastic book. I cannot wait to read the next two books in the Legal Briefs series.

The Legal Briefs Series

Overruled – Book 1

Buy: Amazon

Stanton’s a man with a plan. And for a while, life was going according to that plan.

Until the day he receives an invitation to the wedding of his high school sweetheart, the mother of his beloved ten-year-old daughter. Jenny is getting married—to someone who isn’t him.

That’s definitely not part of the plan.

***

Sofia Santos is a city-raised, no-nonsense litigator who plans to become the most revered criminal defense attorney in the country. She doesn’t have time for relationships or distractions.

What happens when you mix a one-stop-light town, two professional arguers, a homecoming queen, four big brothers, some Jimmy Dean sausage, and a gun-toting Nana?

The Bourbon flows, passions rise, and even the best-laid plans get overruled by the desires of the heart.

Sustained – Book Two

Coming August 25, 2015

Pre-Order: Amazon

A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight.

When you’re a defense attorney in Washington, DC, you see firsthand how hard life can be, and that sometimes the only way to survive is to be harder. I, Jake Becker, have a reputation for being cold, callous, and intimidating—and that suits me just fine. In fact, it’s necessary when I’m breaking down a witness on the stand.

Complications don’t work for me—I’m a “need-to-know” type of man. If you’re my client, tell me the basic facts. If you’re my date, stick to what will get you off. I’m not a therapist or Prince Charming—and I don’t pretend to be.

Then Chelsea McQuaid and her six orphaned nieces and nephews came along and complicated the ever-loving hell out of my life. Now I’m going to Mommy & Me classes, One Direction concerts, the emergency room, and am knee deep in a damn compost pit.

Chelsea’s too sweet, too innocent, and too gorgeous for her own good. She tries to be tough, but she’s not. She needs someone to help her, and defend her…and the kids.

And that—that, I know how to do.

Appealed – Book Three

Coming November 17, 2015

Pre- Order : Amazon

When Brent Mason looks at Kennedy Randolph, he doesn’t see the awkward, sweet girl who grew up next door. He sees a self-assured, stunning woman…who wants to crush the most intimate—and prized—parts of his anatomy beneath the heels of her Louboutins.

When Kennedy looks at Brent, all she sees is the selfish, Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue–worthy teenager who humiliated her in high school in order to join the popular crowd. A crowd that made those years a living hell for her.

But she’s not a lovesick social outcast anymore—she’s a Washington, DC, prosecutor with a long winning streak. Brent is the opposing attorney in her next case, and Kennedy thinks it’s time to put him through a little hell of his own.

But things aren’t exactly working out the way she planned. Brent has his sights set on Kennedy, and every fiery exchange only makes him want her more—and makes her wonder if he’s as passionate in the bedroom as he is in the courtroom. In the end, they may just find themselves in love…or in contempt of court.

Author Bio:

By day, Emma Chase is a devoted wife and mother who resides in a small, rural town in New Jersey. By night she toils away the hours bringing her colorful characters and their endless antics to life. She has a long standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.

Emma is an avid reader. Before her children were born she was known to consume whole books in a single day. Writing has also always been a passion and with the 2013 release of her debut romantic comedy, Tangled, the ability to now call herself an author is nothing less than a dream come true.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

It’s Live! Echo by E.K. Blair – Black Lotus Series – Book 2

Posted on 05/13/2015 by shellbellereads

Echo

The Black Lotus Series – Book 2

By e.k. blair

Release Date: May 12, 2015

Synopsis

It’s been said the longest echo ever measured lasted 75 seconds, but I can assure you, this will last much longer. The bang deafened the world around me, muting everything into nullity, allowing the reflection of its destruction to live far beyond its intended life.

It will follow me forever, destroying me—destroying you.

You want answers?

So do I.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes

The Black Lotus Series

Bang – Book 1

“BANG is one of the most talked about books of 2014, quickly earning E.K. Blair acclaim for her ability to weave a dark, twisted tale of revenge that will keep you on the edge of your seat till the last word.”

They say when you take revenge against another you lose a part of your innocence.
But I’m not innocent.
I haven’t been for a very long time.
My innocence was stolen from me. Taken was the life I was supposed to have. The soul I was born with. The ruby heart embedded in a life full of hopes and dreams.

Gone.
Vanished.

I never even had a choice.
I mourn that life. Mourn the what-ifs.
Until now.
I’m ready to take back what was always meant to be mine.

But every plan has a fatal flaw. Sometimes it’s the heart.

**Due to the dark and explicit nature of this book, it is recommended for mature audiences only.*

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes

About E.K. Blair

New York Times, USA Today, and International bestselling author, E.K. Blair, takes her readers on an emotional roller coaster with her books. A former first grade teacher with an imagination that runs wild. Daydreaming and zoning out is how she was often found in high school. Blair tends to drift towards everything dark and moody and has been noted as ‘The Queen of Dark and Twisted’. Give her a character and she will take pleasure in breaking them down, digging into their core to find what lies underneath.

Aside from writing, E.K. Blair finds pleasure in music, drinking her Starbucks in peace, and spending time with her friends. She’s a thinker, an artist, a wife, a mom, and everything in between.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + 5 Star Reviews: Under The Influence by L. B. Simmons

Posted on 05/12/2015 by shellbellereads

Under The Influence

By L. B. Simmons

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Dalton,

I loved you once. A love I thought irrevocable. A love I mistakenly believed could transcend both time and circumstance. Under the influence of my dimwitted, naïve, traitorous heart, I became intoxicated with what I now know was simply a figment of my self-indulgent imagination. So drunk on the feeling, I couldn’t see what was right in front of my face. So foolishly enamored, I blindly followed my heart into the depths of an emotion that would ravage me.

Years later, I know now what I wish I knew then. I am stronger. Smarter. Tougher. I will not allow myself to be broken again.

I loved you.

I raged for you.

I wept for you.

And now, I’m letting you go.

Author’s Note: Under the Influence is the journey of two childhood friends that spans the course of five pivotal years in their lives. It is a story about their discovery of true friendship as it blossoms into first love, their experience of crucial sacrifice and ultimate betrayal, and their endurance of agonizing heartbreak on the way to finding lasting redemption.

Dalton POV:

All that remains is the orange in the sky and the sweet scent of the angel lying next to me. Nothing else.

We watch in silence as we always do until the sun finally sets, then both breathe out a long sigh before I turn to face her. “I have something for you. It’s not much, but I saw it and thought of you.”

Her eyes widen with excitement as an equally joyful smile spreads across her beautiful features. I reach into my pocket and pull out the item I spied just a couple of days ago, buying it as a gift for her birthday, but it turns out I really suck at surprises. Who knew?

Dangling the long strand of black beads in her face, an unexpected rush of anxiety races through my system. I’ve never given anyone anything. Ever. I find it extremely unnerving.

Her grin widens further as she extends her hand, uncurling her fingers and exposing her palm. I lower the bracelet and watch as it coils into her grasp. My eyes rise to meet hers and I swallow deeply, trying to rid the nerves constricting my throat. “It’s uh …They’re onyx—the beads. I read that they offer protection for the person who wears them. I just…”I clear my throat. “I wanted you to be protected even when I’m not around.”

Her smile is hindered as her teeth graze her bottom lip. I fight the urge to take that pouty lip in between mine, breaking my stare from her mouth and bringing it back to the bracelet before glancing back to her sky blue eyes.

She turns to fully face me, the bracelet still secure in her clenched hand. Her expression timid, she inquires, “Put it on me?”

I nod and slowly uncurl her grip, allowing my touch to linger on the soft pads of her fingers with each one drawn away. She shivers in response and I breathe a light chuckle through my nose, still amazed each time I elicit those involuntary reactions from her. Once the bracelet is pinched between my fingers, she turns her wrist and waits patiently as I hook the ends together. Releasing it, I watch as it slides gracefully along the skin of her arm to land across the bones of her wrist. My hand instinctively rises and my fingers trace its traveled path, raking over the bracelet as I clench her hand in mine and press a soft kiss in the center of her palm.

Her breath shudders before she whispers, “I love it, Dalton. It’s…perfect. Thank you.”

I feel my face warm with her compliment, so break my eyes away from her to focus on the stars. After a couple of moments of peace-filled silence, I inquire, “If you were a color, what color would you be?”

Taking her eyes away from the bracelet, she giggles and twists to look at me. “What color would I be?”

I nod. “Yeah…”I stall, stunned with my need for honesty. “It’s just, sometimes I feel like a chameleon, you know? Forced to change my colors based on where I am in my life.”

I release a weighted breath. “Lately it feels as though I change them so often, I’m nothing more than a fucked-up version of an impressionist painting.”

Glancing to the side, my heart lurches as she crinkles her nose in confusion, my absolute favorite of her expressions. My eyes linger the light scattering of freckles on the bridge of her nose before once again seeking comfort in the obscurity of the night sky. “To those far away, I project a solid, recognizable image. But in reality, I’m comprised of nothing but a series of angry, incoherent brush strokes in every color imaginable. Disjointed.”

I twist my neck and pin her with my stare. “Broken.”

Her mouth dips at the corners before she turns on her side and tucks her hands under her cheek, her blue eyes sincere. “Do you think Renoir and Monet didn’t know what they were doing? That they didn’t purposely place each stroke of their paintbrush in order to create their envisioned masterpiece?”

She tightens her gaze. “You are a work of art, Dalton. Your own masterpiece, regardless if you choose to acknowledge it or not. Every experience that paints your picture is a stroke made just for you. Each one of them is essential in order for you to grow, to learn, and to teach.”

She shrugs her shoulders. “You ask me what color I would be? Well, I would be every single color I could because to me, those colors are emotions. Feelings. And life would mean absolutely nothing without the many colors that surround us. The many … experiences we live through that propel us forward into the people we are meant to become.”

Tracey’s Review

Dalton Greer and Spencer Locke have been best friends since they were very young, seeing in each other a safe place, the other half to each other. But Dalton is hiding the truth of his life from Spencer, a life that will ultimately bring devastation and division in its wake, and will test the love that has grown between them.

What makes a book a 5-star read for me? It has to grab me from the minute I start reading, to be a read that I can’t put down, that keeps me from doing anything else until I finish. And it will be the book that evokes emotion, that brings out all of the feels, running the gamut from joy to tears to angst. Under the Influence has all of this and more.

OMGoodness, L.B. Simmons, you’ve gone and done it. Nine percent into this book, and I was crying. You had me for the duration, and I had only made it through the first couple of chapters. I was hooked on Spencer’s and Dalton’s story from the very beginning, and it just never stopped. Both Dalton and Spencer have experienced the worst that life has to offer a child, and so find themselves irrevocably drawn to each other. But while Spencer has been able to move forward, Dalton has hardened himself, not allowing himself to love anyone.

“I find myself utterly fascinated, awestruck even, that there are people actually capable of truly loving someone without wondering when and how they will be betrayed. However, the knowledge of their existence also saddens me because the cold reality is, I will never know that type of love.”

Dalton breaks my heart. Capable of so much more than he has allowed his circumstance to dictate, he has closed himself off from feeling anything for anyone, except for Spencer, and for his friend, Rat. Just as he allows himself to admit his feelings for Spencer, he is faced with the ultimate loss, a loss that will completely alter the course of his, and Spencer’s, life. And Spencer shines, just beautifully exemplifies what true love is all about, in accepting Dalton, with all of his flaws, and loving him, perhaps more, because of them.

Under the Influence is ultimately a story about facing our demons and emerging stronger on the other side. L.B. Simmons has done an amazing job of crafting a book filled with characters that are flawed, yet redeemable, capable of love even when they don’t realize it, and stronger than the sum of their fears. This is absolutely one of the best books that I have read this year, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Filled with joy, pain, intrigue, and a healthy dose of passion, Under the Influence gets 5+ ‘I can’t put this book down to save my life’ stars from me. Do yourself a favor and add this to your TBR.

Michel’s Review

Once again L. B. Simmons has surprised me. After reading the synopsis for Under The Influence, I had formulated an idea of what this book was going to be about. When I dove into the story I quickly realized that this story was much more than I expected. It was a complete surprise!

One choice, one decision, one moment in time can forever change your life. It can send your life into a new direction. It can lead to new opportunities or it can hold you imprisoned in a world you didn’t understand.

Dalton and Spencer have been friends since their early teens. The two have a deep connection to one another. Spencer is everything good. Dalton needs her goodness. But he made choices at an early age that guarantee that his life is going to be anything but good. To protect Spencer from his ugly life he will make choices that will break both of their hearts.

Dalton made that choice. He never knew that choice would keep him from the woman that is the light in his world. He never knew that he needed someone when the sun set at the end of the day. He never knew he could love. He never knew what it felt like to be loved. That one choice could destroy everything.

I am not going to say much more about the book because this is one each reader needs to experience themselves. The story is captivating, emotional, and fast paced. L.B. Simmons has once again delivered a beautiful story of love and redemption.

I highly recommend Under The Influence by L. B. Simmons

Make sure to sign-up HERE for L. B Simmons newsletter for exclusive teasers.

L.B. Simmons is a graduate of Texas A&M University and
holds a degree in Biomedical Science.
She has been a practicing Chemist for the last 11 years. She lives with her husband and three
daughters in Texas and writes every chance she gets.

FACEBOOK TWITTER TSU WEBSITE GOODREADS AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Happy Release + Review: Fair Game by Monica Murphy- The Rule Series – Book 1

Posted on 05/12/2015 by shellbellereads

ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND fans…you are going to LOVE this new series by Monica Murphy! Check out the covers and the FAIR GAME excerpt below!

Fair Game

The Rule Series – Book 1

Release Date: May 12, 2015

By Monica Murphy

Pre Order: Amazon

Synopsis

FAIR GAME (The Rules Series, Book 1) May 12, 2015

Bad enough Jade Frost’s boyfriend drags her to a boring poker game. Even worse that he actually threw her into the betting pot during an intense round…and lost. Talk about the perfect excuse for Jade to make him her ex-boyfriend.

Now she supposedly belongs to the ultra rich, extremely gorgeous Shep Prescott. He could have anything he wants yet he seems to be in hot pursuit of her. No matter how rude, how snarky, how impossible she acts, it doesn’t stop him. More like her horrible behavior seems to make him want her more.

When she finds herself starting to fall for him, Jade’s confused. There’s more to Shep than the carefree rich charmer he portrays. He has secrets. And she wants to discover them, no matter how ugly they might be…

Buy : Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Excerpt

“What are you doing?” she asks, sounding the tiniest bit breathless.

“Making sure you’re not injured,” I answer, proud of how under control I sound. Inside, I’m chaos. My heart is thumping hard against my chest and my breathing’s accelerated. I grip her knee, and realize my hand is fucking shaking.

“I think you’re trying to get your hand up my skirt.” Leave it to Bitch Face to call me out. I can’t help but find her straightforwardness attractive. No girl is ever straightforward with me. They’re always coy. Playing games and flirting and never asking for what they really want. They always defer to me.

After awhile, that gets pretty damn boring.

“Maybe I am,” I say, moving my hand to rest on top of her knee.

Her lips curve into the smallest smile and seeing it feels like a victory. As if I’ve just won an extra difficult battle and that tiny curve of her lush lips is my prize. “You’re pretty determined, aren’t you?”

She’s not pushing me away. I need to take this moment. Seize this fucking moment and make it mine. Make her mine. At least for tonight. Her scent is making my head spin and just touching her knee has got me sporting wood. “I’m always determined.”

“Determined to piss me off?”

I chuckle and her smile grows. “Am I doing a good job?”

“You’re an expert at making me mad.”

“I think we’re having a moment,” I tell her. “A bonding moment.”

She looks the slightest bit horrified. “No. Way. That is the last thing I want to do.”

I raise my eyebrows, let my hand slide up a bare inch more. Then another. I’m so close to getting under that skirt, it’s not even funny. “You don’t like me very much, do you?”

“You don’t like me either. You call me Bitch Face.”

“You introduced yourself to me as Bitch Face.”

She tilts her head, all that wavy red hair tumbling over her shoulder. My fingers itch to touch it. “I did, didn’t I?”

“Yeah. I thought it was an unusual name…” I let my voice drift and she smiles once more.

“Says the man with an unusual name.”

“I told you it’s an old family name.”

“As a last name, not as a first.” She makes a little face. “It’s not very sexy.”

“You don’t think?” Interesting.

“I can’t imagine shouting out your name in the throes of passion.” Her cheeks go the faintest pink. That she’s even thinking like this gives me a secret thrill.

Forbidden. Unknown. This is the last girl I should consider getting naked with.

“Throes of passion?” I ask. “Someone’s been reading too many romance novels.”

“You know what I mean.” She waves a hand, dismissing her words.

“I don’t.” I pull the innocent act, which she isn’t falling for but it’s still fun. “What are you talking about exactly?”

“You’re not going to make me explain, are you?”

“I would love for you to explain. Or maybe I should help you.” I crawl my fingers up her thigh, playing with the frayed hem of her denim skirt. “Are you talking about…having sex?”

She nods, her cheeks blazing up. Hmm, she’s extra pretty when she blushes.

“And that moment…when we’re fucking…and you’re so damn close.” I lean in and inhale deep, my eyes almost falling shut as I absorb her scent, her warmth and that flush in her cheeks, the way her breathing quickens. “So fucking close as I push deep inside you. You don’t think it would be sexy to yell out my name just as I make you come?”

“N-no.” She shakes her head, that single word coming out as a squeak.

“Really.” I give in and settle my cheek next to hers, nuzzle her ear with my nose before I whisper, “Because by the time I have you coming, I’m fairly certain you’ll be crying out my name and begging me please.”

“You’re a real arrogant prick, aren’t you?”

I pull back from her the slightest bit, a little shocked. The girl doesn’t mince words. “Merely confident in my abilities.” I cup the back of her head, thread my fingers in the silky soft waves of her hair. I’d love to wrap her hair around my fist and tug her head back right before I kiss her…

“Proud of your manwhore status?”

“I can’t help it if the ladies flock to me.”

She rests her hand on my chest and gives me a gentle shove. “I’m not flocking to you.”

“Even after all that talk about coming and with my hand up your skirt?”

Jade looks down with a sharp gasp, dropping her hand to mine and shoving it out from beneath her skirt. “What are you doing?”

“I thought it was obvious.” When she says nothing, only glares at me, I continue. “I was going to kiss you and hopefully get you off with my fingers.”

Her mouth drops open. Instead of looking aroused, she looks…pissed. Vaguely horrified. “You’re disgusting.”

I lean back. Move way, way back though I’m not getting off the bed. Not yet. I still have a chance.

Or then again, maybe I don’t.

Michel’s Review

For fans of Monica Murphy and her new adult books the new Rule series is the ticket. Monica Murphy is going to have another smashing hit series.

The Rule series features some filthy rich bad boy college students running from commitment, responsibility, and love. They have no clue that cupid is going to shoot his arrow and bring these bad boys down.

First on deck is Shep Prescott. Shep Prescott has quite a reputation as a player and ladies man. He is the unattainable guy that every woman wants. He’s filthy rich, super cool, and drop dead gorgeous. Not to mention that he has a bad side to him. He is known for his illegal gambling house, wild parties, and bad boy antics. He is a seasoned poker player and always wins when the stakes are high.

When Shep has the opportunity to make an unreasonable bet he is balls to the wall. He has put up a $50,000 marker for the chance to win his opponent’s girlfriend. The snarky, smart mouthed, gorgeous redhead seems like quite the prize. Plus he caught her cheating and cuing her boyfriend. No one pulls anything over on Shep Prescott.

Jade Frost is pissed. Her stupid boyfriend bet her in a poker game. He fell for Shep Prescott’s bogus bet without one thought of the consequences. Now she no longer has said boyfriend and the school’s biggest player thinks she is his prize. He has another think coming as far as Jade is concerned. She is going to make the rules. Game On!

Jade is on the run. Shep is on the chase. The stakes are high. They both may lose their hearts.

Both Jade and Shep will find there is a lot more to life than a game of poker. They are going to learn the true meaning of love.

Monica Murphy has started another fantastic series. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

In The Dark

The Rule Series – Book 2

Release Date: August 25, 2015

By Monica Murphy

Synopsis

IN THE DARK (Book 2) August 25, 2015

Stuck spending the summer with his screwed up family, Gabriel Walker is bored out of his mind and looking for an adventure. And he seems to find it with the hot girl who lives next door. The attraction between them is instant. Electric. Soon they’re spending every stolen minute together. Talk about the perfect summer fling…

Lucy isn’t what she seems. She doesn’t live next door—she’s the maid who’s been hired to house sit for the summer while the family goes on a worldwide vacation. If Gabe wants to believe she’s a spoiled rich girl looking for some fun, she can go along with that. After the summer, she’ll never see him again.

They don’t count on running into each other at college. Now Lucy must keep up the pretense of being a rich girl—and it’s exhausting. She knows she’s falling in love with Gabe and she’s scared he feels the same. Will he still care about her when he discovers the truth?

Slow Play

The Rule Series – Book 3

Release Date: November 3, 2015

By Monica Murphy

Synopsis

SLOW PLAY (Book 3) November 3, 2015

Newly broke girl Alexandria Asher just wants to live a normal life. After her parents are sent to prison on embezzlement charges, she enrolls in college under her mother’s maiden name and tries her best to pretend she’s someone else.

Tristan Chadwick is everything Alex is trying to avoid. A seemingly egotistical, lazy, rich jerk, she dumps her beer on his head when he comes on to her one night at a party. This only spurs Tristan into action. He loves nothing more than a challenge. And the beautiful Alex is exactly the type of challenge that intrigues him.

Despite her reluctance, Alex finds herself quickly involved with Tristan. Underneath that playboy exterior is a good guy, a sweet and sexy guy who she is undoubtedly falling for. What they both don’t realize is the actions of Alex’s parents are the reason for so much tragedy in Tristan’s family. And when Tristan discovers who Alex and her family really is, can he forgive and forget?
______________________________________________________________________________

I write books. I have the best job ever. New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Writer of new adult contemporary romance-ish stuff. Published with Avon and Bantam. Mom and wife. Native Californian.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Blitz: The Other Fighter by Lauren Hawkeye and Tawny Stokes- Part One: Uncaged

Posted on 05/12/2015 by shellbellereads

NYT Bestselling Authors Lauren Hawkeye & Tawny Stokes are back with another three part story, THE OTHER FIGHTER. Make sure to get your hands on this sexy, intense read, which is available now!

About Part 1: Uncaged

I want lots of things out of life, but this… this is what I crave most. And with a dead-end relationship in my rearview mirror and a new business ahead, that freedom is finally within reach.

Of course, fate is an evil bitch.

People I have nothing to do with expect me to settle my brother’s debt— and if I don’t pay with cash, I pay with my life. I’ll be dead very soon… but not if a certain sexy-as-sin fighter with a Prince Charming complex has a say in the matter. One who’s decided to help me out of this mess, whether I want him to or not.

I might escape all of this with my life. But I already know it won’t be so easy to hold on to my heart…

Purchase links available soon!

Part 2 & Part 3 of THE OTHER FIGHTER coming soon.

Grab the complete bundle of THE OTHER BROTHER here!

Excerpt

I turn my attention back to Dream Girl. Her hands are on her hips, and she’s glaring at me. “I had it under control. I didn’t need the white knight routine.”

“I’m sorry.” I cock my head, my eyes drinking her in. I like the sass in her voice. “I didn’t realize being a gentleman was a crime.”

“I guess you didn’t get the memo.” She smirks.

“Nope, I guess I didn’t.” I shuffle my feet because the girl is shooting eye daggers at me, and I’m feeling… uncomfortable. Which is weird. I’m a laid back guy, comfortable in most situations, but something about this woman has me on alert.

“Prince of Pain.” She snorts out a laugh, which should look inelegant, but doesn’t. Maybe it’s her big brown eyes or her luscious plum stained lips, but I think this woman would be stunning any time, anywhere. “What is that? The name of your boy band?”

My mouth drops open a bit—I can’t help it. I can’t remember the last time a woman spoke to me like that. Can’t remember the last time my gut quivered with need.

I’ve never had butterflies before, not even back in high school. And because fate’s a cruel bitch, she’s looking at me like I need to turn my white ass around and march it back into the warehouse. Clearly I have zero play here.

“Well, then.” I swallow thickly. Where are my moves when I need them? “I guess I’m going to go.”

“Good idea.” She crosses her arms and leans up against her car, arching an eyebrow at me.

I turn and force myself to deliberately saunter back toward the warehouse, not wanting to show her how off my game she’s making me feel. At the door, I stop and look back over my shoulder. Her stare instantly snaps upward.

Was she checking out my ass? A little confidence seeps back into my bones.

“I’m Tristan, by the way.” I cast her my trademark grin.

“I don’t care.” She rolls her eyes, but I notice that her body is angled just the slightest bit in my direction.

“All right, baby. If you say so.” I smirk. “Then you won’t be watching my ass as I walk away, right?”

Before I turn back, I catch a slight twitch to her beautiful mouth.

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!

Website | Facebook | Twitter

About Tawny Stokes

Tawny Stokes has always been a writer. From an early age, she’d spin tales of serial killers in love, vampires taking over the world, and sometimes about fluffy bunnies turned bunnicidal maniacs. An honour student in high school, with a penchant for math and English, you’d never know it by the foot high blue Mohawk and Doc Martens, which often got her into trouble. No longer a Mohawk wearer, Tawny still enjoys old school punk rock, trance, zombie movies, teen horror films, and fluffy bunnies. She lives in Canada with her fantastical daughter, two cats, and spends most of her time creating new stories for teens.

Tawny also writes adult paranormal/urban fantasy fiction under the name Vivi Anna, and is an aspiring screenwriter.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Release Blitz + Giveaway : Compulsive by Lia Fairchild

Posted on 05/12/2015 by shellbellereads

It’s release day for Compulsive by Lia Fairchild! We are so excited to be sharing this new contemporary romance with you. To celebrate the release, Lia is giving away a gift card, and sharing an exclusive excerpt with us!

Compulsive (Liars, Book 1):

From Besteller author, Lia Fairchild.

Lies hurt.

Lies destroy.

But some lies protect…and heal. At least that’s what Gray Donovan had hoped for. She’s a compulsive liar using it as a defense mechanism to survive life and her shattered past

When she starts seeing therapist Daniel Harrison, she can no longer deny the truths that have haunted her for so many years. She must now stand and face them.

Opening up to Daniel leaves her exposed and vulnerable. When her soul is bared to him, she can’t contain the attraction or the feelings he elicits.

Daniel feels drawn to his new patient, but knows he will have to fight it in order to resurrect Gray from her demons. His will and his judgment are tested when he must overcome his own doubts and face his own secrets.

Buy Links:

Kindle | Paperback | Nook | Barnes and Noble Paperback

Advance Praise for Compulsive:

“Fairchild spins an emotional story that is saturated in sex appeal.”

“What a beautiful, beautiful story!”

“OMG! I honestly loved this just like every book I’ve read by this talented Indie author!”

“I was flipping pages like a maniac trying to figure out what in the heck was going on and what Gray was hiding.”

“This is my third book by this author and it won’t be my last!”

Exclusive Excerpt:

The ridges on the stark white ceiling blurred from my intense stare as I listened to the steady even breaths coming from the body next to me. He wasn’t a bad guy. Just an idiot. Maybe even married for all I knew. The clock read four twenty-three. That wouldn’t work for me. I waited for a nice round even number. Something that felt right. I held my phone with the message typed out: I need you. I keyed in the address, and when the clock hit four thirty, I hit Send.

At ten before five AM, I eased my body out of the bed the way a mother slips from her sleeping child, hoping not to rouse her angel. He stirred a moment and turned on his side, his arm involuntarily reaching for me.

“Sky,” he murmured with his eyes closed. His dark buzz cut hair was sprinkled with gray flecks, and a small rectangular scar bordered the hairline on the right side of his face. I hadn’t noticed that the night before, or I would have asked him. Now my curiosity had me pausing, conjuring up various scenarios for its origin. Whatever the cause would forever remain a mystery. With a gentle hold around his wrist, I lifted his hand and rested it on the comforter. His eyes flitted open and closed. Frozen, I waited to see if he’d wake. I didn’t worry about coming up with a story. It always came.

Still sitting on the edge of the bed, I reached over to an adjacent chair to snag my black silk shirt. When I pulled it over my head and then glanced down, two light blue eyes met mine.

“Hey, you,” he whispered. His soft, sweet smile almost made a dent, but I pulled my hand away.

“I’ve got to run.”

Surprise and confusion colored his face. “What time is it?”

“Around five. I’ve got early rounds.”

He seemed satisfied with my excuse and looked thoughtful. “Ah, yes, Dr. Phillips. Time to save lives.”

I gave him a nod and a tight smile just before a knock at the door sounded. I rose from the bed to pull on my skirt and slip my feet into my heels.

He sat up watching me closely like a cat that’d dart out of an open door. “Who could that be at this time?” he said.

“My ride,” I threw over my shoulder. I scooped up my purse from the dresser on the way out, catching his face in the mirror. They always had that same look the next day. Or perhaps I was the one who saw things differently.

I heard him jump out of bed and scramble for his pants as I made my way to the living room, picking up my pace. “Sky, wait.”

When I reached the door, he came in and leaned against the couch, folding his arms. “I could have driven you home.”

“It’s okay,” I said, pulling the door open.

Nathan stood in the doorway, hands stretched out to the jams on each side, his brown hair ragged from being dragged from the comfort of his bed. He shot me that look that said, you owe me and then let one hand fall and sweep to the side as if making a path for royalty.

“Wait,” a voice came from behind me. “Who’s this guy?”

Nathan took a step into the doorway. “Oh, hey, man.”

“John, this is my cousin, Nathan,” I said.

Unfortunately, Nathan had spoken at the same time I did and said, “I’m her neighbor.”

John walked over to the two of us, eyes darting between me and my partner in crime. “Well, which is it?”

Nathan and I exchanged looks, and I opened my mouth to speak.

John held up his hand. “No. Let me guess,” he said in a sarcastic tone. “He’s your cousin who lives next door.”

I half-shrugged while looking him dead in the eye. “I really should get going.” A split second later, I plastered on a smile. “I’ll call you.”

“You haven’t given me much choice,” he said to my back as I sidled past Nathan. “I don’t even have your number.”

I’d be willing to bet John wouldn’t be holding his breath.

About Lia Fairchild:

Bestselling author, Lia Fairchild, is both a traditionally published and independent author who writes women’s fiction, romance, and chick lit. Fans of her books praise her endearing, real characters who come to life in stories that will touch your heart.

Fairchild is addicted to the warmth of Southern California and holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a multiple-subject teaching credential. She is a wife and mother of two teenagers.

Look for updates on her and her books at http://www.liafairchild.com or follow her on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/#!/liafairchild or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lia.fairchild.author?fref=ts

Links:

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads |Newsletter

Enter Lia’s giveaway!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Release + Excerpt: Adored by Lexi Blake – A Masters and Mercenaries Novella – 1001 Dark Nights

Posted on 05/12/2015 by shellbellereads

We are so excited to bring you the Blog Tour for Lexi Blake’s ADORED! ADORED is a Contemporary Erotic Romance novella in Lexi’s Masters and Mercenaries Series! Check it out below and grab your copy today!!

Buy:

Amazon

Amazon Paperback

ADORED Synopsis:

A man who gave up on love

Mitch Bradford is an intimidating man. In his professional life, he has a reputation for demolishing his opponents in the courtroom. At the exclusive BDSM club Sanctum, he prefers disciplining pretty submissives with no strings attached. In his line of work, there’s no time for a healthy relationship. After a few failed attempts, he knows he’s not good for any woman—especially not his best friend’s sister.

A woman who always gets what she wants

Laurel Daley knows what she wants, and her sights are set on Mitch. He’s smart and sexy, and it doesn’t matter that he’s a few years older and has a couple of bitter ex-wives. Watching him in action at work and at play, she knows he just needs a little polish to make some woman the perfect lover. She intends to be that woman, but first she has to show him how good it could be.

A killer lurking in the shadows

When an unexpected turn of events throws the two together, Mitch and Laurel are confronted with the perfect opportunity to explore their mutual desire. Night after night of being close breaks down Mitch’s defenses. The more he sees of Laurel, the more he knows he wants her. Unfortunately, someone else has their eyes on Laurel and they have murder in mind.

Excerpt

“Do you absolutely have to play tonight? It’s hard walking around without looking at things. I’m going to crash into someone’s scene,” a familiar voice said.

She turned and there was her brother coming up the stairs with Mitchell and Kai. Will’s eyes were firmly planted on the ground.

Kai gave her a smile. “He’s trying to avoid seeing you half naked.”

“She’s actually quite covered,” Mitch admitted.

He looked utterly delicious. No matter what kind of problems they might have, there was no denying the fact that this man got her motor running like no other. Sanctum was filled with gorgeous men, but Mitch seemed to stand above the rest. He was so masculine, with his broad shoulders and cut chest on display. She loved how petite she felt when he held her. He seemed to like to show off how strong he was by carrying her around.

Will brought his head up, his eyes opening cautiously. He seemed to relax. “All right. I suppose I can handle that. What kind of scene are you two doing tonight?”

Mitch moved to her side, his eyes going to the collar around her neck. She could practically feel the satisfaction pouring off him in waves. He might not want her as a wife, but she could tell he was enjoying keeping a submissive. “I’m doing a ropes demonstration, and no, you will not want to watch. We’re up very soon, so you and Bridget should stay on the east side of the dungeon. I hear Weston and his wife are doing an impact play scene.”

“I’m going to find a pretty little pain slut and get my freak on,” Kai promised. He looked nothing like his normal self. Kai was usually very intellectual looking. Like the professor at college every girl wanted to date. But with his hair down around his shoulders and dressed in leathers and motorcycle boots, the good psychologist looked dangerous. And definitely ready for some fun. Of course, his idea of fun had to do with pain.

About Lexi Blake:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. She began writing at a young age concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.

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Happy Release + 5 Star Review: Under The Influence by L. B. Simmons

Posted on 05/11/2015 by shellbellereads

Under The Influence

By L. B. Simmons

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Dalton,

Years later, I know now what I wish I knew then. I am stronger. Smarter. Tougher. I will not allow myself to be broken again.

I loved you.

I raged for you.

I wept for you.

And now, I’m letting you go.

Dalton POV:

All that remains is the orange in the sky and the sweet scent of the angel lying next to me. Nothing else.

Dangling the long strand of black beads in her face, an unexpected rush of anxiety races through my system. I’ve never given anyone anything. Ever. I find it extremely unnerving.

She turns to fully face me, the bracelet still secure in her clenched hand. Her expression timid, she inquires, “Put it on me?”

Her breath shudders before she whispers, “I love it, Dalton. It’s…perfect. Thank you.”

Taking her eyes away from the bracelet, she giggles and twists to look at me. “What color would I be?”

I nod. “Yeah…”I stall, stunned with my need for honesty. “It’s just, sometimes I feel like a chameleon, you know? Forced to change my colors based on where I am in my life.”

I release a weighted breath. “Lately it feels as though I change them so often, I’m nothing more than a fucked-up version of an impressionist painting.”

I twist my neck and pin her with my stare. “Broken.”

Michel’s Review

I highly recommend Under The Influence by L. B. Simmons

Make sure to sign-up HERE for L. B Simmons newsletter for exclusive teasers.

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Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Category Archives: Genre

5 Star Review: Retribution by Katie Reus

5 Star Review : Overruled by Emma Chase – The Legal Briefs Series – Book 1

It’s Live! Echo by E.K. Blair – Black Lotus Series – Book 2

Happy Release + 5 Star Reviews: Under The Influence by L. B. Simmons

Happy Release + Review: Fair Game by Monica Murphy- The Rule Series – Book 1

Release Blitz: The Other Fighter by Lauren Hawkeye and Tawny Stokes- Part One: Uncaged

NYT Bestselling Authors Lauren Hawkeye & Tawny Stokes are back with another three part story, THE OTHER FIGHTER. Make sure to get your hands on this sexy, intense read, which is available now!