Happy Release + 5 Star Review: Broken Juliet by Leisa Rayven – Star Crossed Series – Book 2

Posted on 04/28/2015 by shellbellereads

Broken Juliet

Star Crossed Series – Book 2

Sequel to Bad Romeo

By Leisa Rayven

Synopsis

Some loves never let you go…
Cassie swore she’d never forgive Ethan for breaking her heart when they were in acting school years ago. He was her one great love, and when he refused to love her back, a part of her died forever…or so she thought. Now she and Ethan are sharing a Broadway stage, and he’s determined to win her back. Finally he’s able to say all the things she needed to hear years ago…but can she believe him? Has he really changed, and what makes this time different from all his other broken promises?
The answer lies somewhere in the past, and now the truth will come to light. Will Cassie rediscover what it’s like to be trusting and open again–the way she was before Ethan? Or is it too late for these star-crossed lovers?
Don’t miss this mesmerizing final chapter in the Bad Romeo duet, the unforgettable love story that captured the hearts of over two million fans online.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

The Star Crossed Series

Bad Romeo

Star Crossed Series – Book 1

By Leisa Rayven

Synopsis

While performing the greatest love story of all time, they discovered one of their own…

Cassie Taylor was just another acting student with big dreams at her prestigious performing arts college, then she met Ethan Holt. She was the good girl actress. He was the bad boy on campus. But one fated casting choice for Romeo and Juliet changed it all. Like the characters they were playing on stage, Cassie and Ethan’s epic romance seemed destined. Until it ended in tragedy when he shattered her heart.

Now they’ve made it to Broadway where they’re reunited as romantic leads once again, and their passionate scenes force them to confront the heartbreaking lows and pulse-pounding highs of their intense college affair. For Ethan, losing Cassie was his biggest regret, and he’s determined to redeem himself. But for Cassie, even though Ethan was her first and only great love, he hurt her too much to ever be trusted again. The trouble is, working with him reminds her that people who rub each other the wrong way often make the best sparks. And when it comes to love, sometimes it’s the things that aren’t good for us that are the most irresistible.

Don’t miss the intoxicating romance beloved by over two million fans online–a story that will captivate you and hold you breathless until the final page.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Robin’s Review

Leisa Rayven delighted readers with her debut novel Bad Romeo, a passionate and dysfunctional romance about Ethan Holt and Cassie Taylor. In this first novel of the Starcrossed series, Ethan and Cassie are students at The Grove, a prestigious acting school. Ethan is closed-off. Moody. Cassie is wildly attracted to Ethan’s bad boy ways. Their love is all-consuming and toxic. Their chemistry on fire. Push and pull. Flawed and real. Ethan ruins Cassie for all other men, and then he breaks her heart twice.

“He was my first true friend. My first love. First lover. The master of more pleasure than I knew existed, and the architect of more heartache than I thought I could endure.”

Broken Juliet is the conclusion to Ethan and Cassie’s tumultuous love story. Once again, chapters alternate between past and present, with the story being told from Cassie’s perspective. Rayven begins the story where she left off at the end of Bad Romeo. It’s been six years since Ethan and Cassie first met in acting school and three years since the last time they saw each other. Both of them have been cast as leads for a Broadway production. Ethan shows up at Cassie’s front door to ask for forgiveness. He admits he had trust issues. He knows he broke her heart. Ethan tells Cassie he has changed, and he hopes she will give them one more chance.

In chapters from the past, Cassie shares details about her relationship with Ethan. Our eyes are gradually opened to the truth behind Ethan’s brokenness, and why he was not able to commit to a relationship with Cassie. We begin to see the damage he inflicted on her life. Ethan reveals details about his road to recovery during the present chapters. This new and improved Ethan is endearing. Patient. Kind. Full of love. He knows what Cassie is going through because he’s experienced it himself. He broke her heart twice, but now he wants to help her put the pieces back together. There is an intense flame between Cassie and Ethan that never burned out, and both of them know it. It’s obvious they still love each other, but can Cassie trust Ethan with her heart again?

The Starcrossed series is refreshing and different. It’s apparent to me Leisa Rayven is knowledgeable about theatre and acting. She is also a very good writer. Her writing is a step up in quality from what I typically read. Dialogue between characters feels honest and real. Her written conversations capture my attention, and I’m not just referring to dialogue between the main characters. I enjoyed the lessons about acting taught by Erika to students at The Grove. Journal entries. Memories. Arguments. General discussion between characters feels natural in Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet.

Ethan and Cassie have chemistry that bleeds off the page. It was like this in Bad Romeo, and their attraction is smoking hot in Broken Juliet. Lovemaking scenes are passionate and fresh. It never felt cliché. Leisa Rayven encompasses the entire experience. Mental state. Emotions. Physical response.

Ethan and Cassie have experienced heartbreaking loss. Both of them are damaged. But these characters have evolved, and I feel their character growth is palpable in Broken Juliet. Make sure you read the fantastic conclusion to Cassie and Ethan’s story. I highly recommend 5-star Broken Juliet!

About Leisa Rayven

Writing has always been a passion for Leisa, and even though she originally intended to be an actress, it wasn’t long into her time at drama school that she began writing plays.

Those plays were bad. Very bad. Well, her friends thought they were good, but that’s because they were always cast in them and any opportunity to be on stage was met with an obnoxious amount of enthusiasm.

Since then, she’s honed her craft, and several of her plays have been produced and toured throughout Australia.

These days, playwriting has given way to fiction writing, and Leisa’s debut novel, BAD ROMEO, will be available in a worldwide release through Macmillan Publishing in December 2014.

Leisa lives in Australia with her husband, two little boys, three cats, and a kangaroo named Howard.

(Howard may or may not be her imaginary marsupial friend. Everyone should have one.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release: Twisted by Cynthia Eden – The Lost Series – Book 2

Posted on 04/28/2015 by shellbellereads

Twisted

(Lost Series, #2)
by Cynthia Eden

Blurb:

In the second seductive LOST novel from New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden, an obsessed Last Option Search Team agent goes looking for trouble—and finds her in the Big Easy.

Dean Bannon comes to New Orleans for one reason only: to track down a missing sixteen-year-old girl. That’s before he meets the drop-dead gorgeous con artist who makes him want to lose his legendary control.

With her past, Emma Castille doesn’t claim to be psychic. She just notices things other people don’t. Like the fear in a runaway’s eyes—or the pain in an ex-FBI agent’s heart. Her chemistry with Dean is blistering, but Emma follows her passion . . . not someone else’s orders.

Then a madman breaks into Emma’s home and leaves a twisted message: You’re next. Now Dean refuses to let her out of his sight until he pries every last secret from her full, sexy lips. And suddenly Emma’s aching to give him everything he wants.

Available for purchase at

Excerpt

“You’re not psychic.”

Were they back to that?

She put her hands in her lap. Emma didn’t believe in making nervous gestures. She didn’t believe in giving away anything at all with her body language.

“What you are …” Ah, now he did smile. Her father would have called it a shit-eating grin. The more PC term was probably a Cheshire cat smile. Whatever the name, that smile annoyed her. “What you are, Ms. Castille … is a criminal. A fraud.”

Maybe she should grab her chest and dramatically gasp. She didn’t. “Wonderful for you,” Emma said. “You pulled up a background report one me.” She let her eyes widen a bit. “It’s amazing just what one can find if a person knows how to use a search engine.”

A furrow appeared between his eyes.

“How about I say what … you are?” Emma asked him. “A washed-up FBI agent who snapped on the job. You held your control tight every single day, but the bad guys—they just didn’t stop, did they? You hunted them, you stopped them, and more appeared. While you were fighting the system, they kept coming, and the bodies kept piling up on your watch.”

He shot right back to his feet. The folding chair slammed down behind him.

“You and your father bilked desperate people,” he accused. “You told them you were psychic, that you could help find their missing children. And you—”

“We found them.” Two girls who’d vanished. They’d found them. “We just didn’t get to them in time.” And she would not go back to that place.

She motioned toward Manuel. He knew the signal meant he could take over her booth. There was no way, no way, that she was going to stay there with that prick while he slammed the most painful moments from her past in Emma’s face.

Manuel, pale, tattooed, with piercings in his lips and eyebrows, quickly claimed her spot.

Emma jumped to her feet. Muttered her thanks, and fled right past the guy she was starting to think of as Agent Jackass.

She pushed through the crowd. Wasn’t there always a crowd in Jackson Square? And that was why she loved the place. It was so easy to vanish in a crowd. To be anyone.

The crowd closed around her.

To be no one at all.

She hurried around the back of the cathedral. She knew the streets so well. Her home was close by. Emma would get inside and forget Agent Jackass.

I’m being followed.

Emma stilled at the intersection. A horse-drawn carriage rolled by her. Voices called out.

And he touched her.

Emma didn’t flinch. Didn’t scream. She looked down at the hand on her shoulder. “When a woman runs away from you, that means you need to stay the hell away from her.”

His hold tightened on her. “You and I aren’t done.”

She looked up at his face. Had she really thought the man was handsome? Annoying, that was all Dean Bannon was.

“I need to find that girl, and you’re the only lead I have so far.”

“Then you’re not a very good investigator.”

The Lost Series

Broken

Lost Series – Book 1

By Cynthia Eden

Synopsis

The first novel in New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden’s sizzling LOST series introduces the Last Option Search Team, an elite unit that must protect the only surviving victim of a serial killer.

Ex-SEAL and LOST founder Gabe Spencer is accustomed to the unusual in his job. But when knockout Eve Gray steps into his office, he’s rattled. For the mysterious woman is a dead ringer for the heiress thought to be the latest prey of the serial killer who goes by the name Lady Killer.

When Eve awoke in an Atlanta hospital, her past was a blank slate. Then she recognized her own face in the newspaper and vowed to learn the truth. Determined to confront the nightmares hidden in her mind, she never expects to find a partner in Gabe.

As Gabe and Eve work together, their explosive attraction becomes irresistible. Gabe knows that his desire for Eve is growing too strong, bordering on a dangerous obsession, but nothing pulls him away from her. And when another Eve lookalike disappears, Gabe vows to protect Eve at all costs. While Eve may have forgotten the killer in her past, it’s clear he hasn’t forgotten her.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

About the Author

USA Today Best-selling author Cynthia Eden has written over twenty-five novels and novellas. She was named as a 2013 RITA^® finalist for her paranormal romance, ANGEL IN CHAINS, and, in 2011, Cynthia Eden was a RITA finalist for her romantic suspense, DEADLY FEAR.

Cynthia is a southern girl who loves horror movies, chocolate, and happy endings. She has always wanted to write (don’t most authors say that?), and particularly enjoys creating stories about monsters–vampires, werewolves, and even the real-life monsters that populate her romantic suspense stories.

Cynthia’s foreign sales for her books include translations to Japan, Germany, Thailand, Greece, and Brazil.

(Back in the day…) Cynthia graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Alabama where she studied Sociology (because people interest her) and Communication (because she likes to write about said people). Cynthia has worked as a college admissions counselor, a teacher, and as an editor. But now, Cynthia is thrilled to be spending her days making up stories.

Presented By

Happy Release: The Reckoning by S. L. Scott – Hard To Resist Series – Book 2

Posted on 04/28/2015 by shellbellereads

The Reckoning

Hard To Resist – Book 2

By S. L. Scott

Synopsis

~The sequel to the New York Times and USA Today bestselling novel, The Resistance.~

Jack Dalton was charismatic.

Johnny Outlaw was irresistible.

Two sides
of the same man, passionate about two things–music and Holliday Hughes. With her intoxicating mix of strength
and vulnerability, confidence and sex appeal, he couldn’t get enough of her.

Together, love was a storm of chaos and calm. When fame became a
force to be reckoned with, could their love hold them together or would their
notoriety tear them apart?

“This isn’t how our melody goes. This
isn’t how we were supposed to play out.”

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes

The Resistance

By S. L. Scott

Buy: Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ ITunes

You don’t choose when.

You don’t choose where.

And you don’t get to choose who you fall in love with.

The minute he opened his sexy mouth, Holliday Hughes should have known Jack Dalton was trouble. His smooth pickup lines, broad shoulders, and ridiculously handsome face charmed her right out of her clothes. She gave into her desires, the instant attraction blinding her to the obvious.

One night. That was all it took for Holliday’s world to be flipped on its axis. Jack Dalton was cocky. Smug. Volatile. Demanding. He ignited something deep inside her like no other, but there was something more to this brooding bad boy. There was a dark side to him she couldn’t help but be drawn to.

Torn between what she knew about him and a mysterious side he tried to hide, could she walk away or was he simply too hard to resist?

About S.L. Scott:

S.L. Scott is a former high-tech account manager with a journalism degree pursuing her passion for telling stories. She spends her days escaping into her characters and letting them lead her on their adventures.

Live music shows, harvesting jalapenos and eating homemade guacamole are her obsessions she calls hobbies.

Scott lives in the beautiful Texas hill country of Austin with her husband, two young sons, two Papillons and a bowl full of Sea Monkeys.

Her novels include Naturally, Charlie, Good Vibrations, and A Prior Engagement.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon

Happy Release: Caress of Pleasure by J. Kenner – 1001 Dark Nights

Posted on 04/28/2015 by shellbellereads

CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner is available today! Dante is waiting…

Synopsis

I’d thought that he was mine, the dark, arresting man who commanded not only my body but my heart. Dante had swept into my life, and I’d succumbed to the burn of passion in his arms.

I’d believed we had a love that would last forever, but he’d shattered my dreams and broken me into pieces when he’d walked away, taking a piece of my soul with him.

Now he has come back seeking my help, and though I try to keep my distance and protect my heart, I cannot deny that the fire between us burns hotter than ever. And I cannot help but fear that this time our passion will reduce us both to ashes.

Amazon | Amazon UK

Excerpt

I fell in love with him once—and I’m honestly not sure that I ever fell out of love.

But I do know one thing for sure—Dante Storm is dangerous to my heart. And whatever we started just now is something that we can’t finish.

I meet his eyes and am about to say just that when he shakes his head. “No. Don’t say it. You don’t need to say it.”

“What?”

“That we can’t do it again.”

“We can’t.”

“I know.”

I stand in silence. I know why I can’t; it’s because he will break my heart.

But I don’t know why he doesn’t want me. I only know that he doesn’t. I only know that he walked away once, and that he has already told me he will walk away again.

That should be enough, but then I have to go and open my mouth. I have to ask— “Why? Why did you leave?”

For a minute, I don’t think that he’s going to answer. But he surprises me by saying, “Because I was looking at forever.”

“And you don’t think I was, too?” I’m baffled. With Dante, forever was my mantra.

He looks at me, his eyes so sad I want to cry. “No,” he says, “I know you weren’t.”

I start to protest, but he just shakes his head, like a dog shaking off water. “Let’s go transfer your money.”

“No,” I say, standing firm.

He cocks his head, then winces. “We shouldn’t have done this. It won’t happen again. But please don’t back out. I really need your help. I can’t tell you how urgent this is.”

“I’ll help,” I say. “But I don’t want your money. And I don’t want sex.” That’s not entirely true. I want it; I don’t think I can handle it.

“Then why?”

“I don’t know,” I say. “Maybe because I loved you once upon a time.”

Maybe because I still do.

____________________

Author Bio:

J. Kenner spent more than ten years as a litigator in Southern California and Central Texas, using her rare free time to indulge her passion for writing. California born, she now lives—and writes—in Texas, with her husband and daughters.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Day Blitz + Giveaway: Victorious by M.S. Force- The Quantum Trilogy – Book 3

Posted on 04/28/2015 by shellbellereads

We have been completely blown away by the first two books and are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Release Day Launch VICTORIOUS, the third novel in M.S. Force’s New York Times Bestselling Erotic Contemporary Romance Quantum Trilogy!! Each title in the Quantum Trilogy is currently $3.99 for pre-order only. These prices will go up to $5.99 one week after release. Grab this series now!

Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

You can also order SIGNED print copies of the Quantum trilogy now at marieforce.com/store (best price in print). The books will be available in audio on release day–or that’s the plan anyway!

ABOUT The Quantum Trilogy:

New York Times bestselling author Marie Force writing as M.S. Force…

He’s a sexual dominant. She’s sworn off sex. There’s no way they can make a relationship work—or can they?

After surviving a traumatic event at age fifteen and the ensuing estrangement from her family, Natalie Bryant has worked for years to reinvent herself into the woman she is today—a happy teacher fresh out of college and enjoying her first winter in New York City with her faithful dog, Fluff, by her side. Natalie isn’t expecting her life to change completely during a routine stroll through Greenwich Village on a blustery January day. But when Fluff breaks loose and charges into a park, Natalie gives chase and crashes into her destiny. Only after Fluff bites and draws blood from the man who accidentally knocked Natalie down does she realize Fluff has bitten the biggest movie star in the world.

He has no business being enthralled by the gorgeous, young, innocent teacher…

Natalie captivates Flynn Godfrey from the first moment their eyes meet while she is lying on the ground and he’s fighting off her ferocious little beast of a dog. The only thing Flynn knows for certain is if he lets Natalie get away, he’ll regret it for the rest of his life. After only a short time in her presence, Flynn is prepared to change who he is to be what she needs. He knows he’s in big trouble when she says she won’t sleep with him and he doesn’t care if it means he gets to keep her in his life. But can he turn his back on the lifestyle that has defined him? Can he deny the desires that drive him to give Natalie the introduction to love and romance she so deserves? And most of all, can he keep his truth hidden from her long enough to have forever with her?

Join Flynn and Natalie as their story unfolds in three full-length books released three weeks in a row: VIRTUOUS, VALOROUS and VICTORIOUS. From New York to Los Angeles, from Hollywood to Las Vegas, Flynn and Natalie’s whirlwind love affair has it all—romance, passion, steamy hot sex, relentless paparazzi and a murder that could be their undoing.

If you hate dirty-talking heroes who put it all on the line for the women they love, who leave no desire unfulfilled, who will do anything it takes to protect what’s theirs…If elements of BDSM make you queasy, if smoking hot sex isn’t your thing, if cliffhangers make you rage, if you hate first-person points of view from the heroine AND the hero… this trilogy is NOT for you! You’ve been warned…

Excerpt:

From New York Times bestselling author Marie Force writing as M.S. Force is the new erotic Quantum Trilogy releasing three weeks in a row! Hollywood superstar Flynn and New York schoolteacher Natalie’s story continues as movie award season comes to a close in the third book in the trilogy, VICTORIOUS, releasing on April 28, 2015. Get book three now before the preorder and release week price of $3.99 goes up to $5.99 one week after release!

April 14: Virtuous
April 21: Valorous
April 28: Victorious

And now, a little something from VICTORIOUS….

Natalie appears in the doorway to my office. “I talked to Aileen, and she doesn’t sound too good. She had chemo on Friday, and the kids are home today because of the snow. I was thinking I might go over there and entertain the kids so she can rest. Would that be okay with you?”

“Only if I can come with you.”

“I thought you had to work.”

“I did, and now I don’t have anything else scheduled until eight o’clock tonight.”

Her eyes drop and her cheeks flush at the mention of our date. “Oh, well, if you want to come, I’m sure the kids would love that.”

“You should check with Aileen first. I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable.”

“I’m sure she won’t mind, but I’ll ask her if we can hang out with the kids for a while so she can rest.” She sends a text and receives an immediate response. “She says they’d love it and that neither of us are to look directly at her or at the condition of the apartment.”

I laugh at the cute but sad reply. “We can’t drive, though. With everyone home because of the snow, we’ll never be able to park. We’ll take a cab.”

“How will we get out of here undetected?”

“I have the perfect solution.”

“I won’t wear Russian fur on my head.”

“I wouldn’t dream of making you do that. I’ve got something even better.” He disappears into the “bedroom and returns carrying two hats. When he hands one to me, I see they are knit ski masks with holes for the eyes, nose and mouth that cover the entire face. “No one will look twice at us in these today, because everyone will be wearing them.”

“I’ve always thought they were kind of creepy when I saw people wearing them on the street.”

“They do come in handy on days like this. And this way we can leave the security guys at home.”

“Where are they when we’re here?”

“In an office in the building next door. I call them when we need them.”

“That must cost a fortune.”

“It does, but it’s well worth it.”

We suit up in the warmest clothes we can find and head out a short time later with Fluff leading the way. In addition to the snow masks, we’re wrapped up in scarves, warm parkas and gloves. “I wish I had my boots.” The best she was able to do is a pair of black Nikes.

“I’ll carry you over any puddles.”

The doorman hails a cab for us, and as we’re on our way out the door, Fluff stops right on the sidewalk to pee. Natalie and I lose it laughing, which draws the attention of the photographers camped outside my place. “Quick.” I gesture to the waiting cab. I scoop up Fluff the second she quits peeing, and we make a break for the car before the photographers can get themselves organized.

Once inside the cab, we remove the masks.

“I can’t believe they stand out there in the snow hoping for a glimpse of you,” she says.

“And you.”

“But mostly you.”

“I don’t know… Liza says pictures of you are going for a pretty penny these days, too.”

After a slow ride through slush and ice, we arrive at Aileen’s building. The snowdrifts are so high that I have to make good on my promise to pick up Natalie—and Fluff—and carry them over the snow “to the vestibule.

“Our hero,” she says.

“I specialize in damsels in distress.”

And don’t miss the first two books in The Quantum Trilogy!

VIRTUOUS
Out on April 14, 2015

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Amazon CA Amazon UK Amazon Australia

VALOROUS

Out on April 21, 2015

Amazon Barnes and Noble iBooks GooglePlay Kobo

Amazon CA Amazon UK Amazon Australia

ABOUT M.S. Force:

M.S. Force is the erotic alter-ego of New York Times bestselling author Marie Force. The Quantum Trilogy is M.S. Force’s first foray into erotic romance, but it won’t be the last!

With more than 3.5 million books sold, Marie Force is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling, award-winning author of 40 contemporary romances. Her New York Times bestselling self-published Gansett Island Series has sold more than 1.8 million e-books since Maid for Love was released in 2011. She is also the author of the New York Times bestselling Fatal Series from Harlequin’s Carina Press, as well as the New York Times bestselling Green Mountain Series from Berkley Sensation, among other books and series, including the new Quantum Trilogy, written as M.S. Force.

While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and she is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two teenagers and two feisty dogs, Brandy and Louie.

Join Marie’s mailing list for news about new books and possible appearances in your area. Join one of Marie’s many reader groups at marieforce.com/connect. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.

Follow her on Facebook at Facebook.com/MarieForceAuthor, on Twitter @marieforce and Instagram at marieforceauthor.

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Giveaway

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Teaser Tuesday: Fair Game by Monica Murphy – Rule Series – Book 1

Posted on 04/28/2015 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

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…

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.

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.

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Release Blitz + Giveaway: Taking What’s His by Diane Alberts – Shillings Agency Series – Book 4

Posted on 04/28/2015 by shellbellereads

Taking What’s His

Shillings Agency Series – Book 4

By Diane Alberts

Bestselling Author Jen McLaughlin writing as Diane Alberts

Synopsis

A sexy category romance from Entangled’s Brazen imprint…

Some lines are meant to be crossed…

One explosive device was all it took to turn Holt Cunningham from ass-kicking Marine to IT technician. Hell, he’s still not over it. So when the cute little strawberry blonde at the bar asks him to kiss her, Holt can’t resist the temptation of a sexy distraction. Before he knows it, she’s blown his mind…and then skipped out the next morning.

Lydia Thomas never expected things with Holt to go quite that far, but oh, it was worth it. After being far too good for way too long, she was ready to be bad. Except that there’s that tiny detail that Lydia kept to herself-Holt just spent the night doing naughty things…with his best friend’s little sister.

One night isn’t nearly enough. But with his friendship on the line, how far will Holt go in order to claim what’s his?

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Author Bio:

Diane Alberts is a multi-published, bestselling contemporary romance author with Entangled Publishing. She also writes New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling new adult books under the name Jen McLaughlin. She’s hit the Top 100 lists on Amazon and Barnes and Noble numerous times with numerous titles. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and a cat. Her goal is to write so many fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

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Release Blitz + 2 Very Different Reviews: Black Iris by Leah Raeder

Posted on 04/28/2015 by shellbellereads

Black Iris

By Leah Raeder

Release Date: April 28, 2015

Synopsis

The next dark and sexy romantic suspense novel from the USA TODAY bestselling author of Unteachable, which was praised for its “lush, haunting prose, deft storytelling, and scorching sensuality” (M. Pierce, bestselling author of the Night Owl trilogy), and called “one of the best forbidden romances” (Lauren Blakely, New York Times bestselling author).

Laney Keating’s senior year of high school sucked. It began with one moment of weakness, one stupid gesture for a hopeless crush. Then the rumors started. Slut, they called her. Queer. Pillhead. Psycho. Mentally ill, messed up, so messed up even her own mom decided she wasn’t worth sticking around for.

If Laney could erase that whole year, she would. College is her chance to start with a clean slate.

She’s not looking for new friends, but they find her: charming, handsome Armin, the only guy patient enough to work through her thorny defenses—and fiery, filterless Blythe, the bad girl and partner in crime who becomes closer than a sister.

But Laney knows nothing good ever lasts. When a ghost from her past resurfaces—the bully responsible for everything, the boy who broke her down completely—she decides maybe it’s time to live up to her own legend. And Armin and Blythe are going to help.

Because that was the plan all along.

Because the rumors are true. Every single one of them. And Laney is going to show them just how true. She’s going to show them all.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Excerpt

April is the cruelest month, T.S. Eliot said, and that’s because it kills. It’s the month with the highest suicide rate. You’d think December, or even January—the holidays and all that forced cheer and agonized smiling pushing fragile people to the edge—but actually it’s spring, when the world wakes from frostbound sleep and something cruel and final stirs inside those of us who are broken. Like Eliot said: mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain. In the deepest throes of depression, when sunlight is anguish and the sky throbs like one big raw migraine and you just want to sleep until you or everything else dies, you’re less likely to commit suicide than someone coming out of a depressive episode. Drug companies know this. That’s why antidepressants have to be marked with the warning MAY CAUSE SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.
Because what brings you back to life also gives you the means to destroy yourself.

Robin’s Review

I was intrigued by the synopsis for Black Iris by Leah Raeder. When the cover was revealed in January, I fell in love with it. The cover is full of rich color and is absolutely stunning. It’s one of the most beautiful book covers that I have ever seen!

Black Iris is not a typical new adult novel. It’s a story of dark revenge, and there may be triggers for some individuals. It’s a story about a girl who is bullied for her attraction to females. There is a female/female relationship in Black Iris, but there is also a male/female relationship. Both types of relationships are represented. There is drug use and addiction. Attempted suicide. Mental illness. Violence. Blood. Hate crimes and vengeance. I’m not really sure what this says about me, but Leah Raeder snared my attention with this extremely dark story.

Delaney Keating is targeted by Brandt Zoeller while she is in high school. One meaningful gesture towards the girl she has a crush on destroys her life. Zoeller makes sure he gets deep inside her head, underneath her skin, completely breaking Laney down. Now she wants revenge. She becomes the predator. A hunter. Little wolf. Laney has a plan. She has her prey in sight, and she wants revenge on everyone involved.

Black Iris is a story written in layers. Each chapter is labeled with a name of a month. Raeder leaps back and forth between present and past with each new chapter. I found this confusing at first because I was attempting to keep up with all of the shifts to the timeline. But then I decided it was easier to sit back and experience Black Iris as it unfolds. There’s a reason Black Iris is written in this style. Raeder was meticulous with her writing, slowly revealing bits and pieces of information in a very calculated fashion. The plot of Black Iris builds to a fever pitch over the course of the entire story until the big picture finally snaps in place.

I knew I would be stepping outside of my comfort zone when I began reading Black Iris, but I enjoy reading dark novels. Psychological thrillers are some of my favorites. The writing is poetic and creative. The story is spellbinding. Unique. It made me think. When I finished reading Black Iris, I immediately began reading it again. All of those cryptic passages suddenly made sense. Black Iris is disturbing. It’s intense. Completely manic. I am giving Leah Raeder a 4-star rating for Black Iris and including it on my list of favorite novels for 2015!

Michel’s Review

Warning: Black Iris has many triggers that readers may not be comfortable with. There is drug abuse, psychological abuse, homophobic issues, gay issues (f/f), an unhealthy love triangle, mental issues, and sociopath tendencies.

I really hate writing this review. I am not a novice reader and usually find positive qualities in every book. I am a huge fan of dark thrillers. I love to read books that have unique plots and unique characters. I look for the entertainment value as well as the overall execution of the plot in the story. Black Iris brought me down a black hole and left me feeling deeply disturbed.

It’s interesting how two people can read the same book and walk away with completely different reactions. That is the beauty of the human spirit and mind.

Black Iris is one of those books that is going to have mixed reactions. It is not your typical New Adult novel. It is not a romance. It is a fictitious novel that has many triggers that are true portrayals of actual ugly situations, different sexual preferences, mental illness in many forms, cruelty, substance abuse, and murderous urges. It is diabolical. It does not have a promise of hope or redemption. It has a very dark tone throughout the book and never lightens up. I did not smile or feel good with any passage throughout the book. It was a book that I had to force myself to finish. The ending did not have a happy resolution.

I will say that Leah Raeder tackled some very controversial subject matter. The writing was good. The plot was well thought out. Each chapter is delivered within a year timeline and jumps from past to present. The problem I had with this timeline was that it was all over the place, there was no sequential order and I had a very hard time jumping from one moment to the next. It was just too much work. At the same time each of these chapters with different timelines all came together and made sense in the whole scheme of things. It made the plot have an impact.

As for the characters, I hated them all. I never connected with any of them. I also felt that they were too mature for their actual ages and life situations. Most people that age do not look and plan their futures out that meticulously. Most people that age are either living in the moment or just planning out generalized things for their future. The ruthlessness and very individualized planning just would not work in this situation because there is no way to predict the behaviors of the other individuals especially when you don’t know who they are or what their true motivations are.

Black Iris is a novel of true hate and vengeance. I don’t have the desire to waste my time with such evil. The ending did not redeem the characters, it just released them from the sexuality they hid away.

I would not recommend this book to anyone.

Author Bio:

LEAH RAEDER is a writer and unabashed nerd. Aside from reading her brains out, she enjoys graphic design, video games, fine whiskey, and the art of self-deprecation. She lives with her very own manic pixie dream boy in Chicago.

(And she still writes pretentiously lyrical fiction.)

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + Review: Who I Am With You by Melody Anne – Unexpected Heroes Series- Book 1.5

Posted on 04/27/2015 by shellbellereads

Who I Am With You

Unexpected Heroes- Book 1.5

By Melody Anne

Synopsis

A spinoff of Melody Anne’s New York Times bestselling Billionaire Bachelors series, this entrancing e-novella features motocross racer Taylor Winchester and little sister to Hawk, the hero of “Safe in His Arms” from the romance anthology Baby, It’s Cold Outside.

As a motocross rider, Taylor Winchester has made a career out of throwing herself headfirst into danger, as fiercely as any of the guys racing against her. But after a brutal crash, she takes a little forced R&R while her injuries heal. Her mom wishes she’d settle down, find love, maybe have a baby or two…but all Taylor wants is to get back on her bike.

She heads to her brother Hawk’s cabin to get a little peace and quiet—but is shocked to discover she’s not the only inhabitant. Ex-military man Travis, her high school crush, has also borrowed the cabin, and the two of them are each too stubborn to let the other one win. Nothing left to do but share the cabin…which quickly leads to sharing a bed! As Taylor and Travis discover that the heat between them is far more than a fling, they both struggle with letting go of control. But if they learn to give a little, what they could win is worth more than any prize…

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Michel’s Review

If you are looking for an entertaining, romantic quick read, Who I Am With You by Melody Anne is the perfect book. It is the second story ( a novella) to release in the Unexpected Heroes series and can be read as a stand alone or in series order.

Melody Anne created an unusual heroine. Taylor is not your typical girl. She is a strong competitor in the motorcross sport. When an injury knocks her out of the competitive field for lengthy period she is forced to stay put and heal. Escaping her parents home to her brother’s cabin seems like the ideal situation. The only problem is that her brother told someone else they could use his cabin. That someone else happens to be her first love, Travis, the guy that rejected her young heart.

Travis has just gotten out of the military and needs time to get himself together. He’s shocked when his best friend’s younger sister ends up in the same cabin he is.

Both Travis and Taylor are at crossroads in their lives. Their time in the cabin will bring self discoveries, new directions, and love. Both will find they have something better ahead of them.

This novella was the perfect quick romance that was packed with emotion, sincere characters, sizzling hot romance, and uncomplicated plot.

It was thoroughly entertaining. I look forward to more books in the Unexpected Heroes series.

Author Bio

Melody Anne is the author of the popular series, Billionaire Bachelors, and Baby for the Billionaire. She also has a Young Adult Series out; Midnight Fire and Midnight Moon – Rise of the Dark Angel. She’s been writing for years and published in 2011. She hold a bachelors degree in business, so she loves to write about strong, powerful, businessmen.

When Melody isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and pets. She lives in a small town that she loves, and is involved in many community projects.

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Deadly Obsession by Victoria Paige

Posted on 04/27/2015 by shellbellereads

Ella was his
weakness.

She could
shatter him into a million pieces.

And she was
the only glue that could put him back together again.

Title: Deadly Obsession

Author: Victoria Paige

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: April 16, 2015

Cover Designer: Robin Ludwig Design

Editor: Hot Tree Editing

*Warning. Romantic suspense with dark themes. Extremely obsessive and jealous hero. Strong sexual content and language. 18 years+

The first time Jake sees Ella he is struck by her beauty.

He becomes obsessed.

His obsession becomes a deadly affair.

You see, Ella belongs to someone else.

Someone determined to keep her … or kill her.

Only 99 cents during the tour!

Amazon US * Amazon UK * Amazon AU * Amazon CA

Kelley’s Review

Dark, Sexy, and Suspenseful..

Victoria Paige is an extremely talented author. She has become a one-click author for me. If she releases a book I will purchase it without hesitation. Deadly Obsession is a masterfully written suspenseful and dark thriller. This book had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next.

Deadly Obsession starts out with a lot of sex in the very beginning you begin to wonder if Jake is just a sex crazed power-hungry millionaire and if this is just going to be another one of those stories…I can tell you it’s not like any other story I have read. Jake is originally attracted to Ella’s beauty and Ella is attracted to Jake’ rough exterior. She craves normalcy in her sexual encounters. Jake gives her what she needs without pain and she becomes just as addicted to him as he is to her.

This story is very dark. Ella is trained to be a sadist and is sent undercover by the FBI into a very dangerous situation where she seduces a man who has some very dark tastes when it comes to sex. Samuel Clayton is twisted and sick. You end up hating him so much that you cheer when Jake gets his hands on him. There is no rape involved in this story. I don’t think I could handle that but there is a lot of pain and twisted sexual scenarios. To top things off there is a serial killer on the lose that is obsessed with Ella because she is the only woman who Samuel would not share with him. The killer is a level 4 sadist and Samuel would share his women with this man and would not ask questions when they turned up missing as he himself feared him. The question is who is this mystery man Samuel calls him and can the FBI find him before he finds Ella.

Get ready for a twisted and dark thriller that you soon will not forget.

You need to one-click this one while it is only $.99 cents. It is more than worth it.

Goodreads * Amazon * Facebook * Website * Twitter

I work as a freelance database administrator, and when I’m not geeking out, I write romantic suspense novels. I live in Richmond, Va–less than two hours away from Washington DC–so most of the settings of my books are in the nation’s capital–of course, I’m not averse to creating fictional towns and cities. 😉

When I’m not arguing with the alpha male characters in my head, I love to watch high-octane action movies.

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Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Category Archives: Genre

Happy Release + 5 Star Review: Broken Juliet by Leisa Rayven – Star Crossed Series – Book 2

Happy Release: Twisted by Cynthia Eden – The Lost Series – Book 2

Happy Release: The Reckoning by S. L. Scott – Hard To Resist Series – Book 2

Happy Release: Caress of Pleasure by J. Kenner – 1001 Dark Nights

CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner is available today! Dante is waiting…

Excerpt

Release Day Blitz + Giveaway: Victorious by M.S. Force- The Quantum Trilogy – Book 3

Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

You can also order SIGNED print copies of the Quantum trilogy now at marieforce.com/store (best price in print). The books will be available in audio on release day–or that’s the plan anyway!

And now, a little something from VICTORIOUS….

And don’t miss the first two books in The Quantum Trilogy!

VIRTUOUS
Out on April 14, 2015

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VALOROUS

Out on April 21, 2015

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Release Blitz + Giveaway: Taking What’s His by Diane Alberts – Shillings Agency Series – Book 4

Release Blitz + 2 Very Different Reviews: Black Iris by Leah Raeder

Happy Release + Review: Who I Am With You by Melody Anne – Unexpected Heroes Series- Book 1.5

Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Deadly Obsession by Victoria Paige

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CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner is available today! Dante is waiting…

Excerpt

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Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

You can also order SIGNED print copies of the Quantum trilogy now at marieforce.com/store (best price in print). The books will be available in audio on release day–or that’s the plan anyway!

And now, a little something from VICTORIOUS….

And don’t miss the first two books in The Quantum Trilogy!

VIRTUOUS Out on April 14, 2015

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** GooglePlay ** Kobo

Amazon CA ** Amazon UK ** Amazon Australia

VALOROUS

Out on April 21, 2015

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** GooglePlay ** Kobo

Amazon CA ** Amazon UK ** Amazon Australia

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VIRTUOUS
Out on April 14, 2015

Amazon Barnes and Noble iBooks GooglePlay Kobo

Amazon CA Amazon UK Amazon Australia

Amazon Barnes and Noble iBooks GooglePlay Kobo

Amazon CA Amazon UK Amazon Australia

Website FacebookTwitterInstagram Goodreads

Pinterest Newsletter Sign-Up**