Cover Reveal + Giveaway: Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh

Posted on 08/15/2014 by shellbellereads

Rock Addiction

Release Date: September 15,2014

By Nalini Singh

Synopsis

A bad boy wrapped in a sexy, muscled, grown-up package might be worth a little risk…

Molly Webster has always followed the rules. After an ugly scandal tore apart her childhood and made her the focus of the media’s harsh spotlight, she vowed to live an ordinary life. No fame. No impropriety. No pain. Then she meets Zachary Fox, a tattooed bad boy rocker with a voice like whiskey and sin, and a touch that could become an addiction.

A one-night stand with the hottest rock star on the planet, that’s all it was meant to be…

Fox promises scorching heat and dangerous pleasure, coaxing Molly to extend their one-night stand into a one-month fling. After that, he’ll be gone forever, his life never again intersecting with her own. Sex and sin and sensual indulgence, all with an expiration date. No ties, no regrets. Too late, Molly realizes it isn’t only her body that’s become addicted to Fox, but her heart…

Author Bio:

NEW YORK TIMES AND USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series Nalini Singh usually writes about hot shapeshifters and dangerous angels. This time around, she decided to write about a hot and wickedly tempting rock star. If you’re seeing a theme here, you’re not wrong.

Nalini lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing. If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. Once Rock Addiction is out, swing by the site to check out the special behind-the-scenes page, complete with photos of many of the locations used in the book.

STALK HER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

$50 GIFT CARD

Reader to receive an Advanced Read Copy (ebook, 2 winners) http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MDk5NjRmMDM5ZDM4YTBjYWM0YzAyYzM0NGI2ODRhOjQyMw==/

ARC Review: The Troublemaker Next Door and How To Handle a Heartbreaker by Marie Harte-The McCauley Brothers Series- Books 1 and 2

Posted on 08/14/2014 by shellbellereads

The Troublemaker Next Door

The McCauley Brothers Series- Book 1

By Marie Harte

Synopsis

He can fix her sink, but can he wrench his way into her heart?

Flynn McCauley never thought he’d be so cliché as to fall for the girl next door. But when Maddie calls him over to help fix her faulty sink, he’s a goner. Too bad the fiercely independent interior designer wants nothing to do with him. Even worse, he’s forced to rely on the advice of his nosy brothers—and his five-year-old nephew!—to figure out how to make her give him a shot.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

I have been reading books by Marie Harte for quite a few years . Marie has written several erotic contemporary romances, erotic paranormal romances, erotica, and erotic science fi romance. She has written for many different smaller publishers with an astounding success. She is one of the pioneers in the digital book industry. I remember back before ereaders were available, purchasing her books and reading on my computer. I was thrilled when the contemporary romance series , The McCauley Brothers was released by Sourcebooks (a large publisher). Hopefully more readers will read the fantastic books by Marie Harte.

I absolutely loved The Troublemaker Next Door. It was fun, snarky, steamy, and delivered a heartwarming romance.

Meet Flynn McCauley, the deliciously hot plumber. Flynn is your ordinary guy that likes to hang with his brothers, enjoy a few beers with the guys, and co- owns his own business with his best friend Brody . He is dedicated to his family. He loves being single and appreciates a sexy woman but has no intentions of settling down anytime soon.

While playing cards and drinking with the guys at his brother Mike’s house, he meets the new neighbors that rented the house next door owned by Flynn’s folks. The new neighbors knock on the door because they are having some plumbing issues. Seeing that these new neighbors are extremely beautiful and sexy, Flynn quickly volunteers to be the man to fix their problems. Three beautiful women and a plumbing issue, no problem!

While Flynn is finishing up, he hears ranting and shouting. Immediately he has to find out what is wrong. There he meets Maddie, one pissed off woman. It seems Maddie just had a run in with her boss because he tried to get her to have sex with him. It’s unfortunate that Flynn is a man at that moment. Maddie lights into him, berates him and his gender, and takes her anger out on him.

The next day Maddie is feeling a bit of guilt for chewing her new neighbor out and sets out to apologize. Things quickly take a turning point from there. To her great surprise the house is loaded with hot men. But the one man she is there to see is quite a sight. He has just woken up from a drunken stupor, in his underwear, and looking downright delicious.

Flynn and Maddie hit it off and are soon burning up the sheets. Neither wants a relationship or commitment. They make an arrangement to be “bumping” buddies. But the heart doesn’t always listen to the brain. No matter how many issues and insecurities it has. The heart always knows what is best.

Maddie will have to get over her commitment issues, her mistrust, and believe in herself. Flynn will have to show her how to do it.

The Troublemaker Next Door is sizzling hot. Flynn and Maddie will take you on a fun adventure. The McCauley brothers, friends, and roommates lend a fun hand in this romp and I am sure we will be seeing more of them in the upcoming books in The McCauley Brother series.

The ending, the hustling prank, and the carrots being dangled has me anticipating the next book.

I highly recommend The Troublemaker Next Door.

How To Handle a Heartbreaker

The McCauley Brothers Series- Book 2

By Marie Harte

Synopsis

HE CAN’T GET HER OUT OF HIS HEAD It’s lust at first sight when Brody Singer first lays eyes on Abby Dunn. The dark-haired beauty looks a lot like a woman he once knew, who died years ago. At first Brody fears his attraction is a holdover from that secret crush, but Abby’s definitely different. She’s a lot shyer, a lot sexier and, despite her attempts to dissuade his interest, absolutely mesmerizing.

SHE CAN’T GET HIM OUT OF HER BOOKS Abby isn’t having it. She’s still trying to put her last disastrous relationship behind her and overcome the flaws her ex wouldn’t let her forget. But somehow Brody isn’t getting the hint. It doesn’t help that when writing her steamy novels, she keeps casting Brody as the hero.

Brody is more than happy to serve as her muse and eager to help make sure her “research” is authentic. But when their research turns into something real…will she choose her own happily ever after?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

How To Handle A Heartbreaker by Marie Harte is the second book in the McCauley Brothers series. It was fantastic.

Warning readers, break out your fans, sit on a bucket of ice, and be ready for a very hot, steamy book.

Brody Singer is the blonde McCauley, the brother adopted by the McCauley family. He is Flynn’s best friend and dubbed the blonde twin. He is a jokester of the group and always has something up his sleeve. Whether it is cheating at cards or teaching Mike’s young son to be like him, he is always ready for a good laugh. But underneath all of his silliness is a wounded man with scars that run deep. His family life, before the McCauley’s came into his life, was horrific and abusive. He uses his humor to hide these emotional scars.

Abby Dunn is shy, introverted, and quiet kind of girl. She is an erotic romance writer. After a really bad relationship with an ex that made her feel depraved and dirty, she quickly learned to put her deepest desires on the page instead of experiencing them herself.

Abby and Brody are thrown together repeatedly. Their attraction for one another escalates. When Abby dons her Goddess of Love costume at a Halloween Party and partakes in some liquid courage, she finally opens the gate to all her pent up desires. Brody is there to help her unleash all that pent up passion. After all , he is a great guy to help her with research for her work.

These two quickly become involved in a purely analytical relationship. Abby needs to research the facts for her erotic romances and apply them to her characters. But as their research progresses they soon have new results to further investigate.

Abby and Brody are finding a deeper meaning to their research encounters. Abby is finding confidence and is owning her sexuality. She doesn’t need to hide behind a pen name. Brody is learning to share his issues with someone without hiding behind his humor.

Just when things are going great and both are learning to open up, accept themselves, and share their hearts, Brody’s past will come banging at the door with a vengeance.

Brody will have to meet his past head on. Abby will have to be secure enough to wait for Brody to battle his demons. Their research was not done in vain, it made them both stronger people with a bright and shiny future.

I loved Brody and Abby. Their relationship was fun, inspirational, and passionate. They played well together and had some great laughs. Their mutual trusts in one another led to some beautiful moments.

I can’t wait for the next McCauley Brothers book to release on October 7, 2014. I wonder what Marie Harte is going to stir up with Cameron McCauley and the sexy girl next door, Vanessa Campbell. I’m sure it is going to be a sizzling book.

Coming October 7, 2014

Ruining Mr. Perfect

McCauley Brothers Series- Book 3

by Marie Harte

Preorder: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Author Bio:

Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: The Exception by Adriana Locke

Posted on 08/14/2014 by shellbellereads

The Exception

Release Date: September 18, 2014

By Adriana Locke

Synopsis:

They say there is an exception to every rule…

Jada Stanley is starting over, refusing to repeat her past mistakes. Everything is going great until she meets Cane Alexander. He is gorgeous, cocky, and everything she needs to avoid.

Cane lives within a set of carefully constructed guidelines to ensure his life remains uncomplicated. When he sets his eyes on Jada, all of his rules are called into question.

As their worlds become intertwined, they find it impossible to stay away from each other. Will they be able to maintain the rules they’ve created to protect their hearts? Or will they make an exception?

Excerpt:

“I’m on it. I’ll bitch out Franklin for calling you. I was on the phone getting everything figured out when he decided we couldn’t handle this on our own.”

“Let me know if you have any problems. If they don’t show up tomorrow – call me. I’ll be by early in the morning to make sure everything is kosher.” I ended the call before tossing my phone on the passenger’s seat.

I needed to make sure I was there before the guys were in the morning. That’s what Dad would have done. He led by example and that’s why everyone respected him. He kept calm, made rational decisions and didn’t get worked up. Unfortunately for me, my maternal DNA was a little stronger.

“Treat me good, I’ll treat you better. Treat me bad, I’ll treat you worse.”

I saw that in a bar in Newport shortly before my world flipped upside down. I liked the little motto that had been carved into a wooden table and it had stayed with me. It appealed to the side of me that was more like her, the side of me that was a pure hedonist.

My shoulders tensed as I recalled playing with my black and yellow trucks, running them over and over the sand, waiting on her to come home. And the feeling of my hopes go down with the sun behind the palm trees.

Fuck her.

I tossed my sunglasses beside my phone as I glanced at the clock. 7:54 P.M.

I briefly considered turning around and heading back to the restaurant. Traffic was a motherfucker and it would be an hour to get back the other direction, so I continued towards home.

I zipped through the lanes, weaving in and out of the cars, my driving a little erratic – mirroring my thoughts. I had spent less than thirty minutes with the girl at the restaurant and now my mind was focused on her? What the fuck? That is not how I operated.

She told me no. I shook my head, a grin touching my lips.

Author Bio:

Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own. The Exception is Adriana’s debut novel and will be released on September 18th.

Adriana lives in the Midwest with her family. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. Her favorite things include sunshine, candy, and random quotes. Please contact Adriana at http://www.adrianalocke.com. She loves to hear from readers.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1eeafd78178/

Promo Blitz + Giveaway: Finding Jordie by HJ Harley

Posted on 08/13/2014 by Saucy Southern Readers

Finding Jordie

Jordan Spagnato Series-Book 1

By H.J. Harley

Synopsis

A widow of eight years, Jordie is devoted to her daughter and knows how to protect her own heart… until Nathan Harper lends a hand when she’s punched by a drunkard being forcefully removed from her NYC East Village bar.

Nathan is fascinated by the sassy bar owner, who doesn’t recognize him from the Silver Screen and who appears more interested in conversation than sex.

But when shared words spark mutual passion, the menacing phone calls begin, and a stalker, who will stop at nothing to have Jordie, turns his crosshairs on Nathan.

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / iTunes

Excerpt

“Fuck!” I blurted out as I reached my steps. Nathan was perched there halfway up and, my Lord, he was looking fine.

“Is that a statement or a request?” He grinned mischievously at me, a grin that touched those amazing blue eyes.

Oh shit, he’s here … on my front porch. My heart slammed into my throat and I was pretty sure I had lost the ability to form a coherent sentence.

“Hi?” was all I could manage to say. What was he doing here at three A.M.?

“I wanted to make sure you made it home safely,” he said, as if answering my silent question.

“Nut. Job,” I mouthed slowly to him.

He laughed, unveiling that beautiful, perfect, white-toothed smile that made his eyes even brighter. Then it happened. With that one smile, I surrendered to whatever it was inside of me I was fighting. I could no longer worry about how this story would end when all I wanted to do was start it. I walked past him. “Want to come up for a beer or something?” I unlocked the door and waited for the impact of the rejection.

“Or something.”

I could hear the smirk in his tone.

“Is that a statement or a request?” Ugh, what are you doing? Is this flirting? I silently sighed. Rachel had never been more correct — it had been too long. “Lock the door behind you, please.” I started the two-flight journey to my apartment. We reached my door, and I took a deep breath while I unlocked it. We walked in and I tossed my crap on the table as usual. He closed the door, and I heard the click of the lock.

“Want some breakfast?” I asked him, walking past the large sectional in my living room into the kitchen. Nathan followed but stopped in the dining room and took a quick glance around my place as he leaned against the wall.

“Assuming I will be here for breakfast?” he asked in a sultry voice full of humor. Flushed, I popped my head out from behind the fridge door. “Smart ass, I meant now. I’m starving. Yes or no?”

“Sure.” He got dimples when he smiled.

“Can you make some coffee?” I pointed to the pantry closet door.

“Yes, ma’am.” He stepped into the pantry. “Pop Tarts? You eat Pop Tarts?” His muffled words became clearer as he walked out, holding coffee in one hand and a box of Pop Tarts in the other. He closed the door with his foot.

“I enjoy a good Pop Tart.” I pouted, crinkling my eyebrows.

“Seriously? Strawberry? I thought you said you enjoyed a good Pop Tart.” He eyed me suspiciously.

“Shut up — it’s the sprinkles. They make me happy.” I quickly looked back down to the pan, trying not to stare at his amazing blue eyes.

“Do you know what these are made of?” He sounded appalled, as if I were eating a cockroach instead of an artificial pastry.

“No, please enlighten me.” I noticed my cheeks hurt because I had been smiling for the past five minutes.

“All right, sassy pants, I will.” He was attempting to be serious, but began to laugh while he poured water into the coffee maker.

“C’mon educate me, I need a good schooling, and have you ever made coffee before?” I playfully grabbed the coffee from his hands, swiftly dumped four scoops into the top of the machine, closed the lid, and pressed the start button.

“Impressive.” He hopped onto the counter holding the box of Pop Tarts again, watching me. “It’s a sugar coma is what it is. I can’t explain it. I just know anything that has a shelf life of fourteen years and is still edible after a nuclear winter can’t be good for you.” He held his head high and tightened his lips as if he was triumphant in convincing me.

I stared blankly at him, trying my damnedest not to laugh, but the corners of my mouth betrayed me as they tightened. We both burst out in laughter.

“Really? That’s all you got?” I snatched the box from his hands and put it back on the counter. “Like I said, it’s all about the sprinkles, so if there is in fact a nuclear winter, at least I’ll be happy.” I tossed him a loaf of bread.

“Can you make toast?”

“Can I make toast?” He hopped off the counter. “Of course I can make
toast.”

When I turned to look at him he was standing at the toaster with a confused look on his face.

“You’re kidding me, right?”

My mouth popped open wide in shock and he laughed.

“Gotcha.” He winked, pushing down the lever.

Oh my, no no no. I won’t survive this night if he keeps shit like that up.

Author Bio:

I grew up in Bricktown New Jersey, less than an hour away from New York City. As a teenager and my early twenties, I loved hanging out in the glamor of NYC. I was a “City Brat” so it was pretty hard for me when I packed up all my crap and three cats in 2005, for a life changing road trip and moved to California. I travelled around the country until I met my other half in 2005.

After serving twelve years in the Air Force, the man of my dreams ended his military career and we moved to Georgia six years ago. Since then, we’ve settled down in Leesburg GA, and had our first child.

No place has ever come close to replacing the magic of New York City in my mind. So when I decided to try this romance writing gig out, naturally I set my first book, ‘Finding Jordie’ there.

I enjoy reading, and spending time with my family. Reality shows are my guilty pleasure. I’m a sucker for romantic comedies and Robert Pattinson. I am a pro at goofing off, I talk with my hands, (I’m Italian!) I drink way too much coffee, and get too little sleep. Oh, and I have a thing for Jackie-O sized sunglasses. I have four furry kids and most importantly, I have a beautiful daughter. I’m always striving to be the best Mom possible.

I’m very passionate about the things I love, that’s why I was outraged when they cancelled SMASH and Southland! It should be considered to be a small miracle if you ever get to see a serious or pic of me posing all nice and pretty…yeah, I’m not that girl. I’m a spontaneous goof and believe the best things in life come naturally. Yes, that includes random no make-up selfies during a 2:00a.m. writing marathon.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

H.J. is giving away 3 signed copies of Finding Nathan and 3-e-copies of Finding Jordie.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Nights With Him by Lauren Blakely

Posted on 08/13/2014 by shellbellereads

Cover design by Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations

Releases November 11th!

Add NIGHTS WITH HIM on Goodreads

Pre-Order on iTunes Today

Releases October 21st!

Message from Lauren:

The Seductive Nights erotic romance series continues with a new installment starring a new couple later this fall! While the first four books in the series followed Julia and Clay, the next two will be about Michelle and Jack, and can be read without having read the earlier books. (Though, why wouldn’t you want to read about Clay and Julia?!)

I can’t wait to introduce readers to Jack Sullivan. He’s sexy, broody,witty, smart, and a little bit damaged and he’s also my favorite kind of hero – the kind who wears a suit! Jack Sullivan is a sex toy mogul and is the CEO of a high-end line of pleasure products – he’ll bring all that experience to the bedroom as he sweeps Michelle Milo off her feet – expect many steamy encounters between these two! Michelle needs some good loving after all – readers know her already as Clay’s friend from Night After Night who loved him unrequitedly from afar. Now it’s
finally her turn in the romance arena, and Jack will make sure she gets it good!!

To give readers a chance to get to know this newest dirty-talking alpha hero of mine, I will be releasing a free prequel novella called ONE NIGHT WITH HER on October 21 about the night they meet and the mind-blowing encounter they have in a New York City hotel. The novel itself will release on Nov. 11. NIGHTS WITH HIM is available to preorder on iBooks, with an Amazon preorder to go up about three weeks before the novel’s release.

About NIGHTS WITH HIM:

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

Jack Sullivan is a Sex Toy Mogul.

An extremely eligible bachelor in New York, he’s the full package,right down to his full package. Hell, this man could be the model forone of the toys his company, Joy Delivered, peddles. Instead, he’s thepowerful and successful CEO and he’s got commitment issues a mile-longafter the tragic way his relationship with his fiancée ended.

He’s looking for a way to erase the pain and that arrives in the formof Michelle Milo. From her pencil skirts to her high heels, she’s hisperfect fantasy, especially since she has no idea who he is the nightthey meet at a hotel bar. He doesn’t have a clue either that she’s thebrilliant psychologist his sister has arranged for him to see to helphim get over his past. She’s simply the stunning woman he takes to bedthat night and delivers many Os of joy too.

His touch helps her forget that other man.

When he shows up at her office door the next day, there’s no way inhell she’s going to treat him after they’ve slept together. Jack isn’twilling to let go of the first woman he’s felt anything for in yearsso he proposes a deal – share her nights with him for thirty days. Atthe end of one month of exquisite pleasure, they walk away, havinghelped each other move on from their haunted pasts.

But soon, all those nights threaten to turn into days as the linesbetween lust and matters of the heart start to blur. Can two people soterribly afraid of love truly fall head over heels?

**NIGHTS WITH HIM is a standalone full-length novel in the bestselling SEDUCTIVE NIGHTS series following the love affair of a new couple.**

About Lauren Blakely:

Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in FAR TOO TEMPTING, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. Her novels include Caught Up In Us, Pretending He’s Mine, Playing With Her Heart, and Trophy Husband. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney.

Cover Reveal: A Peek Beyond the Consequences by Aleatha Romig

Posted on 08/13/2014 by shellbellereads

Title: A Peek Beyond the Consequences

Author: Aleatha Romig

Genre: Dark Erotica Romance

Release Date: September 1st 2014

________________________________________

Synopsis:

Anthony Rawlings is a man most women love to hate or hate to love. Domineering yet caring, demanding yet sensual, he’s truly an enigma, but can he be the one Claire needs and deserves? Will she ever truly find happiness with the man who stole her life but gave her the world? For a glimpse into the future, take a Peek Beyond the Consequences, a novella.

________________________________________

Teaser:

________________________________________

About the Author:

Aleatha Romig is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, who has been voted #1 “New Author to Read” on Goodreads, July 2012 – Present!

Aleatha has lived most of her life in Indiana, growing up in Mishawaka, graduating from Indiana University, and currently living south of Indianapolis. Together with her high-school sweetheart and husband of twenty-seven years, they’ve raised three children. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her pastimes include exercising, reading, and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!
Aleatha enjoys traveling, especially when there is a beach involved. In 2011, she had the opportunity to visit Sydney, Australia, to visit her daughter studying at the University of Wollongong. Her dream is to travel to places in her novels and around the world.
CONSEQUENCES, her first novel, was released August 2011, by Xlibris Publishing. Then in October of 2012, Ms. Romig re-released CONSEQUENCES as an indie author. TRUTH, the sequel, was released October 30, 2012, and CONVICTED, the third in the series, was released October 8, 2013. Unexpectedly, the fourth book of the Consequences series came to life with REVEALED: THE MISSING YEARS. It is the fourth full-length novel in the series. It explores the missing years in CONVICTED that previously were only mentioned, as well as a complete character glossary and timeline. REVEALED was released May 20, 2014.
Aleatha also wrote reading companions for the Consequences Series. BEHIND HIS EYES CONSEQUENCES (Book 1.5) and BEHIND HIS EYES TRUTH (Book 2.5) are currently available for those times and scenes when the readers asked, “What was he thinking?” These companions also contain never before released behind-the-scenes scenes.
Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and represented by Danielle Egan-Miller of Brown and Miller Literary Associates.

::: Connect With the Author :::

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

________________________________________

Waiting on Wednesday Sneak Peak: Boarded By Love by Toni Aleo

Posted on 08/13/2014 by shellbellereads

Boarded by Love by Toni Aleo

Coming September 8th, 2014!

Add to Goodreads!

Jude Sinclair here, hockey player for the Bellevue Bullies and lover of all ladies. Hockey’s in my blood, and not to sound full of myself, but I’m good at it…really good. The draft is within my reach—it’s mine to take—but that’s not the only reason people know my name. They know me because of my way with women. They know the score, and I aim to please. I just tend to stay away from repeat performances. In other words, I don’t do relationships beyond my family and friends. I’m happy with life. However, I should warn you that my story and how I see it playing out is about to change due to a certain redhead on campus.

She’s beautiful. Stunning. Breathtaking.

She’s my game changer.

He’s trouble from the moment I see him. I don’t know what I’m thinking, but from the moment I meet his gaze, I’m his. It’s a scary feeling.

I’ve never trusted anyone outside my aunt and uncle—and even that took months. I didn’t have it easy growing up. My mom was usually strung out, and she didn’t give me a second thought. Drugs and the men who paid her were more important to her. It was horrible, but I’m stronger today. Because of my past, security is what I need most. Money assures me that I can take care of myself today, tomorrow, and next month. I don’t want to ever be hungry or go without again, so I work hard for every penny.

Oh, by the way, I’m Claire Anderson. I’m a hard-studying sophomore at the University of Bellevue, dancer for the school dance team, and a burlesque dancer at a club, but that’s my secret.

You may think you know how our story ends, but you have no clue. It’s not easy falling in love… or living happily ever after. At first it may seem so, but when is anything worth having ever won without a fight?

Especially when you’re boarded by love.

About the Author

Toni Aleo is the author of the Nasvhille Assassins Series: Taking Shots, Trying to Score, Empty Net, Falling for the Backup, and Blue Lines.

When not rooting for her beloved Nashville Predators, she’s probably going to her husband’s and son’s hockey games and her daughter’s dance competitions, taking pictures, scrapbooking, or reading the latest romance novel.

She lives in the Nashville area with her husband, two children, and a bulldog. Read more about Toni here.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Release Day Blitz + 6- Star Review + Giveaway: Captured by Jasinda and Jack Wilder

Posted on 08/12/2014 by shellbellereads

Captured

World of Wounded Novels

By Jasinda and Jack Wilder

Synopsis:

You go into combat, you fear death. It’s what keeps you careful, keeps you alive. I’ve faced death more times than I can count. I’ve taken bullets. I’ve taken lives.

But nothing can prepare me for the soul-crushing terror of being captured.

***

I married a Marine. I knew the risks. Every time my husband shipped out, I knew there was a chance he wouldn’t come back. But Thomas always did. Always. Then one day two officers in full dress uniform knocked on my door and shattered my world.

How do you keep going when you lose what made life worth living?

***This is a full length, stand-alone contemporary romance, set in the world of WOUNDED**

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

***6 STAR SALUTE ***

*** 2014 FAVORITE READ ***

*** Captured is a POWERFUL Book ***

Jack and Jasinda Wilder deserve a standing ovation for Captured ! It is a phenomenal reading experience!

Captured is one of those books that will engage all of your sensory factors, emotionally and physically. This book renders every emotion with a poignant, brutally honest insight into the human psyche. The explicit descriptions throughout the book will have the readers feeling the physical pain, the adrenaline highs and lows, the surreal feel of the environmental surroundings from the temperature to the geographical elements, the smells and tastes from those surroundings, and the pure physical joy of the ‘feel good’ moments.

Captured is written from duo POV’s throughout a three-year period. The reader experiences Derek West’s traumatic experience in the war arena and his re- introduction back into society. His journey will touch your soul.

From Reagan Barrett’s POV the readers will experience the emotional chaos that comes from loving a career Marine. They will see the strengths, weaknesses, and heartrending trials loved ones go through on the home front.

Derek and Reagan have traveled an emotionally tortuous road. Their journey is heartbreaking with a multitude of trials and tribulations. Along the journey they will discover the true meaning of love. Their final destination is one of peace and pure happiness.

Captured not only highlights the horrors of the war front, it also spotlights the pure joy of finding love. The sexual chemistry and romance between Derek and Reagan is smoldering.

From the war arena to the home front….one letter will touch the soul.

This one letter will

Give Hope
Give Peace In Death
Motivate one to Live
Bring the dawning of new life
Evoke guilt
Demonstrate the power of forgiveness
Bring people together to form a new family unit
Give second chances
Reconnect old friendships
Reaffirm Life

One letter will touch many lives.

The written word is powerful!

Captured showcases just how powerful the written word is!

Jack and Jasinda Wilder have Captured that power!

Kelley’s Review

Your heart, mind, body, and soul will be Captured…

Wow! What an amazing read. I could not put it down. Jasinda and Jack truely captured what life is like after love, loss, heartache, and pain. The lives that Marine Corps families live are not easy. Marines are deployed everyday and their wives do everything they can to show them the love and support they need, while keeping themselves so busy that they don’t have to think about the dangers their husbands are facing. I know what this feels like because I was the wife of a Marine and it is the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my entire life. He was deployed for 6-months while I went to school and worked three jobs to keep my mind off of what he was facing. The letters are the one thing that kept me going. I wrote to him every other day and when I would get a letter back it would be like time stood still and I would read those letters over and over again until the ink began to fade. Every night before I went to bed I read the letters and every morning when I woke up. I needed him with me and that is how I made it work. The letters in this story are heart-wrenching and full of love and devotion. Jasinda and Jack did their research and gave us something so beautiful, and so real that is brought tears to my eyes. It took me back 20 years ago when I was writing those letters. But, enough about me.

Reagan and Derek are two lonely souls that have been ravaged by war and loss. Both are dealing with shell shock. Reagan just can’t do it again. She can’t take the risk that her heart with be irrevocably broken and Derek is seriously wounded mentally after being a prisoner of war. He is skittish and easily startled. The journey to recovery for Derek is painful, emotionally and physically. His return to civilian life is toilsome as he has to conquer his demons everyday.

Reagan Barrett is tough. She is a widow and has been running her husband’s family farm on her own for the past ten years, all while being a single mom. She has the amazing support of her neighbors Hank and Ida who have become her extended family. Reagan has buried the idea that she will ever fall in love again.

When Derek West shows up on her doorstep all of the feelings she has buried start to come to life and Derek ignites a passion in her that she never knew existed. The chemistry between Derek and Reagan is off the charts, HOT.

Will these two broken souls be able to recover from all the wounds that war has inflicted upon them and find their happlily ever after? You will have to read Captured to find out.

Thank you Jasinda and Jack for a truly amazing story full of love, and loss and giving others a glimpse into the life of a Marine Corps family. Marines go in first and are the last to leave. They are tough and strong and their wives are amazing women who are selfless and give love easily to their husbands and others around them. Captured is a must read for anyone that wants to know what it is like to be a Marine Corps wife.

CAPTURED will show you:

Courage
Amazing Grace
Perseverance
Turmoil
Unity
Return
Everlasting Love
Determination

*** On a personal note, We want to thank the men and women of the Armed Forces for serving and protecting our nation. We would also like to thank their families and loved ones for enduring life on the home front while their loved ones selflessly serve and protect our country. You are all true heroes in every way.

Author Bio:

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

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

Jasinda and Jack have generously gifted our blog a signed copy of Captured to give away.

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ARC Review: Truly: The New York Series by Ruthie Knox- Book 1

Posted on 08/12/2014 by shellbellereads

Truly

The New York Series – Book 1

By Ruthie Knox

Synopsis

RITA finalist and New York Times bestselling author Ruthie Knox kicks off a steamy new series set in the city that never sleeps—alone, at least.

May Fredericks hates New York. Which is fair enough, since New York seems to hate her back. After relocating to Manhattan from the Midwest to be with her long-distance boyfriend, NFL quarterback Thor Einarsson, May receives the world’s worst marriage proposal, stabs the jerk with a shrimp fork, and storms off alone—only to get mugged. Now she’s got no phone, no cash, and no friends. How’s a nice girl supposed to get back to safe, sensible Wisconsin?

Frankly, Ben Hausman couldn’t care less. Sure, it’s not every day he meets a genuine, down-to-earth woman like May—especially in a dive in the Village—but he’s recovering from an ugly divorce that cost him his restaurant. He wants to be left alone to start over and become a better man. Then again, playing the white knight to May’s sexy damsel in distress would be an excellent place to start—if only he can give her one very good reason to love New York.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Ruthie Knox is an incredible writer. She has the gift of making ordinary people larger than life. She adds a special blend of humor, creative dialogue, unique characters, and an interesting plot with it’s own magical flare. It is a pure joy to read her books.

I have been looking forward to the release of Truly after following Ruthie’s fascination with the naked beekeeper in New York City. Only Ruthie could find an unusual subject to mold her leading male character after.

Meet Ben Hausman, a cranky former chef. He’s a major egotistical chef that has a stick up his butt in the kitchen. Add a very bitter divorce that forces him to sell his restaurant and ties his hands to opening a new restaurant for a year; he’s beyond angry. He has tried cooking shows and reality t.v., but it is just not him. His life is a mess. He deliberately pushes people away. He has anger issues and is struggling to keep them in check.

After a friend calls him on his behavior he decides to conduct an experiment. The experiment is to be nice to a stranger.

May Fredericks has been having a very bad day. She is a small town girl from Wisconsin that finds herself stranded in New York City after she dumps her NFL boyfriend on live TV. After the live breakup, she is mugged. Finding herself with only her metro card and $5.00 in her pocket, she does what every smart girl would do. She decides to go to the bar, get a drink, and plan her return to Wisconsin. There she meets the cranky chef, Ben Hausman.

When Ben offers to help her out, show her the city, and offers her a place to stay.

There the magic begins. These two vastly different people will discover the magic of life, love, and happiness in a new way. They will make discoveries about themselves that will enlighten them both. They will console each other about their past failures, cheer each other on, and find their chemistry is much more than sexual.

I absolutely loved this book. The chemistry between this couple was hot! The wooing through culinary skills to beekeeping will dazzle the reader.

I highly recommend this book.

Author Bio:

New York Times bestselling author Ruthie Knox writes contemporary romance that’s sexy, witty, and angsty–sometimes all three at once. After training to be a British historian, she became an academic editor instead. Then she got really deeply into knitting, as one does, followed by motherhood and romance novel writing.

Her debut novel, Ride with Me, is probably the only existing cross-country bicycling love story. She followed it up with About Last Night, a London-set romance whose hero has the unlikely name of Neville, and then Room at the Inn, a Christmas novella–both of which were finalists for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award. Her four-book series about the Clark family of Camelot, Ohio, has won accolades for its fresh, funny portrayal of small-town Midwestern life. She also writes New Adult romance as Robin York.

Ruthie moonlights as a mother, Tweets incessantly, and bakes a mean focaccia.

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Review: Sister Golden Hair by Juli Page Morgan -Illicit Series- Book 1

Posted on 08/12/2014 by shellbellereads

Sister Golden Hair

Illicit Series – Book 1

By Juli Page Morgan

Synopsis

Recently widowed and newly jobless, 42-year-old Rhett (yeah, she knows that’s a man’s name) Davis has a major life decision to make. She can either stay in the little Texas town where she was never really accepted, driving the same old beat-up Dodge and sliding toward genteel decrepitude, or she can buy a Jag, get some highlights, ditch the frumpy clothes, and strike out for the big smoke of Dallas. Hey, she never liked that Dodge, anyway.

The one thing she’s not looking for in the Big D is romance, but when her upstairs neighbor turns out to be the delectable and very single Rhys James, frontman for the band Illicit, Rhett decides that she just might give this love thing a shot…assuming she remembers how to go about it, that is. It doesn’t take her long to figure out that Rhys is anything but a predictable, paint-by-numbers sorta guy. Music is his mistress, and she’s not good at sharing. Throw in a scheming ex-wife and a demanding daughter, and Rhett’s quest for her old crush’s heart just got a hell of a lot harder.

But Texas women don’t scare easy. And Rhett will be damned if she lets this English Rock star go without a fight.

Buy: Amazon

Lis’ Review

Sister Golden Hair by Juli Page Morgan

“Well I keep on thinkin’ ‘bout you, Sister Golden Hair surprise,

And I just can’t live without you, can’t you see it in my eyes?”

BLURB: Recently widowed and newly jobless 42-year old Rhett (yeah she knows that’s a man’s name) Davis has a major life decision to make. She can either stay in the little Texas town where she was never really accepted, driving the same old beat-up Dodge and sliding toward genteel decrepitude, or she can buy a Jag, get some highlights, ditch the frumpy clothes and strike out for the big smoke of Dallas. Hey, she never liked that Dodge anyway.

The one thing she’s not looking for in the Big D is romance, but when her upstairs neighbor turns out to be the delectable and very single Rhys James, frontman for the band Illicit, Rhett decides that she just might give this love thing a shot..assuming she remembers how to go about it, that is. It doesn’t atke her long to figure out that Rhys is anything but a predictable, paint-by-the-numbers guy. Music is his mistress and she’s not good at sharing. Throw in a scheming ex-wife and a demanding daughter, and Rhett’s quest for her old crush’s heart just got a hell of a lot harder.

But Texas women don’t scare easy. And Rhett will be damned if she lets this English Rock star go without a fight.

_______________

by Lis Kellam

Okay, I admit it. I bought and read this book for two selfish reasons. One, it was written in third person so I knew I would get both sides of the story in one book. And two, the heroine is 42 years old. And what a refreshing read that was! Maybe because I can identify with Rhett and Rhys just a little bit better but I was ready for a story that dealt with themes a little closer to home.

Juli Page Morgan didn’t disappoint at all. This book was well-written, telling a great story in a way that brought out the emotions of it all. From Rhett’s hesitant steps back into living after being widowed, to Rhys’s heartbreak at discovering the betrayal that takes him away from the woman he’s come to love, every emotion is brought to light in a great story that made me feel like I was right there with them, experiencing every triumph and heartbreak along the way.

Rhett is a three-dimensional woman, with fears, dreams, and toughness, all of which we discover right along with her. Rhys is smokin’ sexy hot, and for the first time in a long time he gave me that thrill of excitement as he seduced Rhett with his confident, sensual ways. There’s humor in Ms. Morgan’s descriptions, there’s glamour in her depictions of the rock stars she writes, but there’s also real situations, real family dynamics and realistic depiction of the life of a hugely successful rock band. The secondary characters had distinct personalities of their own, and I hope we get to see more of them in the next book.

This is a must-read and I cannot wait for book two in the Illicit Rockers series.

Author Bio:

Bestselling author Juli Page Morgan’s former life as a Rock radio deejay gave her an All Access pass to the real world of Rock stars. She’s been on their tour buses, in their hotel rooms, and backstage in their dressing rooms and at the aftershow parties. She stood side-stage as they played, and was even on the stage a time or two to announce bands. Now she hands that All Access pass to you through her Romances that Rock, books that prove the reality is hotter than the fantasy! Juli’s an unapologetic lover of Rock ‘n Roll, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, and French onion dip, not necessarily in that order. Talk to her on Twitter (twitter.com/JuliPageMorgan), Facebook (facebook.com/JuliPageMorganAuthor) or at her website (julipagemorgan.com). ”There are few books out there that hit what rock and roll, and the people behind it, is all about. Given Juli’s history, you’ll immediately understand why her books rock on so many levels.” — Terri Herman-Ponce, author of the Past Life series.

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Saucy Southern Readers

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Category Archives: Genre

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh

ARC Review: The Troublemaker Next Door and How To Handle a Heartbreaker by Marie Harte-The McCauley Brothers Series- Books 1 and 2

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: The Exception by Adriana Locke

Promo Blitz + Giveaway: Finding Jordie by HJ Harley

Cover Reveal: Nights With Him by Lauren Blakely

Releases November 11th!

Add NIGHTS WITH HIM on Goodreads

Pre-Order on iTunes Today