Release Blitz + Review: Outside by Michelle Mankin

Posted on 07/20/2015 by shellbellereads

Get ready for rock stars, surf, and second chances in Outside by Michelle Mankin

Outside

By Michelle Mankin

Release Date : July 19, 2015

Pre Order: Amazon

Synopsis

Outside

Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances

When handsome California surf god Lincoln Savage suddenly rolls into Ocean Beach like a rogue wave, shy beauty Simone Bianchi’s foundation is shaken. No longer under the thumb of her domineering father, she’s made a simple quiet life for herself and her fluffy fourteen pound Havanese pup running a surf shop in her hometown of OB. Long ago she gave up her dreams for a future with Linc.

But now the notorious lead singer of the Dirt Dogs has returned, and Simone is reluctant to admit that she’s still vulnerable to his killer dimpled smile and easy charm. She finds that although she’s stowed away the mementos, it hasn’t been as easy to erase the memories of their epic summer love.

It seems he hasn’t forgotten, either.

Is the recording contract he’s offering merely a pretense?

Or does he have something more in mind?

Does he really believe that they can just pick up where they left off, despite all the bad luck and heartache?

And is she willing to risk everything again for one last chance at love?

Pre Order: Amazon

The walls vibrated as soon as the spotlights hit them. Feet stomped. Fans yelled. Some even stood on their chairs. Camera lights clicked on and so did Lincoln. Brightly. He strode to the center of the stage. Confident. Compelling. Controlled. A cosmic force.

He plucked the mic from the stand glared at the audience daring them to come along with him or get the hell out of the way, before he and the guys launched into a cover of ‘Satisfaction’ that kicked ass as righteously as the original.

It went uphill from there. Ramon on guitar flashing his flirt. Ash slamming sexy on his drums. Patch firm and steady on bass. And Linc my gorgeous warrior with depths of worth that he still failed to recognize eclipsing them all. The Dirt Dogs might still a bit rough around the edges but they were undeniably on the ascent. What had started out as something to occupy their time when the surf wasn’t up had transformed into a magical mélange of Pacific saltwater, California sun and hard rocking in your face attitude.

I moved quickly across the parking lot shielding my eyes from the glare when I reached the sand. The tension inside my stomach instantly ratcheted tighter. I recognized Lincoln right away. Even in his wet suit the way he moved across the surface of the ocean on his board was as unique as he was.

Under the curtain unleashing his fins.

Maxing out of the tube.

Finding steep wall and going nearly vertical.

Those were the maneuvers I knew, the others I didn’t but that didn’t make them any less awe inspiring.

`My favorite inspirational surf youtube video with music that captures the tone and spirit of Outside perfectly`

“You afraid?”

I shook my head. I was never afraid of him. Never.

He studied me a beat seeming to notice my parted lips, heavy breathing, hard nipples and trembling.

“Turned on?” he guessed.

I nodded.

“Get on my board then, babe. I aim to please if you’ll let me.”

Michel’s Review

If you are a fan of second chance romance, Outside by Michelle Mankin might be the book for you.

What happens the odds of your relationship are stacked against you? What happens when your dreams are blown to pieces without warning? What happens when your life takes a new direction that is beyond your control? While all of this is happening you are not secure enough or mature enough to handle it all. When love enters the equation it makes all the more difficult.

Michelle Mankin did a wonderful job of laying out a story where two young people lose each other because they weren’t really ready to hold onto to each other. They did not have the confidence, the courage, and the maturity to handle life events. Fifteen years later neither Linc or Mona have moved on. Their hearts are still in limbo.

While one went on to be a great success , the other went home licking their wounds. Linc hid behind fame. Mona hid within the four walls of her surf shop.

Linc turns back up at Ocean Beach to offer Mona an exclusive music deal. It is merely an excuse to get back into her life once again. He wants the girl that captured his heart back in his life. Has he left too many scars on her heart?

Mona wants nothing to do with Linc’s offer. She has built a safe quiet life for herself. When he reveals his real reasons for returning her heart begin to beat once again.

Personally I had a hard time embracing the characters. Their personalities seemed a bit flat. Their back story felt like I was being told the story rather than experiencing it. The back story itself did not have the build up that would convince me that both of these characters would pine for each other for fifteen years.

Overall the writing is solid and the story is well developed. It was a decent second chance romance book.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About Michelle Mankin

Reimagining classic stories with sexy rock stars and thought provoking issues.
For many years she worked in the insurance industry as an underwriter. Somehow, the boredom didn’t kill her but the hours and hours of looking at facts and figures provided ample time for her mind to wander.
Love Evolution, Love Revolution, and Love Resolution are a Brutal Strength centered trilogy, combining the plot underpinnings of Shakespeare with the drama, excitement, and indisputable sexiness of the rock ‘n roll industry.
Things take a bit of an edgier, once upon a time turn with the Tempest series. These pierced, tatted, and troubled Seattle rockers are young and on the cusp of making it big, but with serious obstacles to overcome that may prevent them from ever getting there.
Rock stars, myths, and legends collide with paranormal romance in a totally mesmerizing way in the Magic series.
When Michelle is not prowling the streets of her Texas town listening to her rock music much too loud, she is putting her daydreams down on paper or traveling the world with her family and friends, sometimes for real, and sometimes just for pretend as she takes the children to school and back.

Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Release Blitz: Sinfully Mine by M. Clarke- Book 2 of My Clarity

Posted on 07/16/2015 by shellbellereads

Meet Seth & Josefina in this second-chance romance

My Serenity

Book 2 of My Clarity

By M. Clarke

Synopsis

When tragedy strikes, Seth Stewart is forced to return home after the death of his beloved father. The unexpected detour forces him to oversee the family’s auto shop and restaurant business, and Seth must kiss the prestigious internship goodbye after his first year at Berkeley Business School. When he collides with his first crush after his arrival, Seth wonders what possibly could have happened to Josefina Anders.

Josefina has hidden many secrets she is too ashamed to share with anyone, especially Seth. When they cross paths again, the urge to relive their past lingers in her mind even though she knows he couldn’t accept her sketchy past. Things get even more complicated when her mother returns, as well as her overly possessive ex, who decides to crash into her fragile existence all over again.

Will Seth’s connection for Josefina be strong enough to see past her secrets, or will he realize he can’t rekindle an old flame?

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Exceprt

When she pulled away to look at me, our eyes locked and thousands of emotions rocketed through me. I felt so much, almost too much for my heart to handle…for my body to control. My hands glided up her back, and the soft silky blouse lured me to rip it off her. Lacing through her hair with my hands, I gave in to the temptation I could no longer control and kissed her in madness. Josie kissed me back and her tongue swirled in hunger. I got hard when she rocked back and forth on me. I thought I could come just from this action alone. I wanted so much of Josie, but not here…not now.

~*~*~*~*~*~

VIEW THE My Serenity Soundtrack (Lyrics by M. Clarke) HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYe1JeIJ9yU&feature=youtu.be

Available for download at: http://amzn.to/1O2pYKp

~*~*~*~*~

Join the Facebook release party HERE:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1017187578292699/

_______________________________

My Clarity Series

My Clarity -Book 1

* * * READERS’ FAVORITE GOLD MEDAL AWARD WINNER–ROMANCE 2014 * * *
Still reeling from the death of her father, Alexandria hopes to find both independence and reprieve from her grief by heading off to college. However, life throws her a serious curveball when she discovers that her roommate isn’t quite the person she had imagined.
Smoking, tattoos, and street racing for fast cash are Elijah’s only interests. A harsh life has made him apathetic and indifferent, until Alexandria enters his life. When their paths cross, turmoil abounds.
An inevitable encounter, an undeniable attraction, and an unexpected chance at love-will it be enough

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes

___________________________

Author Bio:

Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book-No Bullies Allowed

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ TSU

Release Blitz + Giveaway : King of Hearts by L. H. Cosway – Hearts Series – Book 3

Posted on 07/16/2015 by shellbellereads

Happy Release Day to L.H. Cosway and her new book King of Hearts! The King of Hearts release week event begins tomorrow. Be on the lookout for what the blogs have to say about Oliver King’s story! Take a sneak peek into the book below and make sure to enter the giveaway! Good luck!

Welcome to the City, London’s most prestigious square mile, where finance reigns and Oliver King is a rising prince.

I used to rule the world.

There might be wolves on Wall Street, but there were crocodiles in Canary Wharf. Some of us craved money. Some of us craved power.

I liked money, and power had its advantages, but what I really wanted was to excel, to surpass the men who came before me. I never cared much for love and romance until I met Alexis.

I could feel it the very moment she walked into the interview, with her outspoken charm and vivacious personality. She cast all the others in shadow, made me laugh when life held no humour. Our friendship should have remained professional, but it wasn’t long before the lines started to blur.

You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men? Well, I never foresaw where my plans would lead, and only in my darkest hour did I finally see the light…

You can have all the money and prestige in the world and still be the poorest man alive. And love, well, I hate to use a tired old cliché, but love can be the thing that truly sets you free.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes | Smashwords

What he said made me curious, so I went on, “What do you do to deal with the stress?”

He gave me a wan smile, and there was something in his expression that struck me as sad somehow. Rubbing at his chin, he answered, “Hmmm, when I’m stressed out…a nice glass of top shelf whiskey usually does the trick.”

“That makes sense,” I said and walked around his desk before taking a seat in front of him. “You know, I always thought it was poor people who did drugs, to escape the bleakness of their realities. Now I’m thinking maybe the practice is most common at the top and the bottom of the ladder. Perhaps the best place to be is somewhere in the middle.”

“Not necessarily. I’m at the top. Do I look high to you?”

The deadpan way in which he said it made me laugh. I leaned forward and teased, “I’m not sure. Let me have a look at your pupils.” Surprising me, King rose from his seat, walked around his desk and came to kneel in front of me. Before I knew it his face was mere inches from mine.

“Go ahead,” he said, voice low.

Whoa, Oliver King’s face right up close…I wasn’t sure what to do with that. I guess he didn’t realise the effect he had on this very non-gay lady, because he seemed entirely unselfconscious. His eyes were beautiful, his lashes long and golden, his skin smooth with a hint of stubble around his jaw, and his lips were just…I had no words. Sculpted and masculine was probably the only way I could think to describe them.

I realised I was staring at those lips a little too closely when my eyes flicked back to his. A moment ago he was smiling, but now that smile was transforming into a thoughtful frown.

I cleared my throat. “Your pupils look fine.”

King exhaled a small breath and I watched as his attention went from my eyes to my cheeks, nose, chin, and then finally to my lips. He looked like he was about to say something when suddenly Gillian’s voice filled the room.

“Mr King, Jenson Gellar is on the phone. Shall I put him through?”

L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

♥ READ THE BOOKS ♥

Six of Hearts

Hearts of Fire

Amazon | Smashwords | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

King of Hearts

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes | Smashwords

L.H. Cosway KING OF HEARTS Release Week Event

Release Blitz + Review : Inspiring You by Jessica Sorensen – Unraveling You Series – Book 4

Posted on 07/15/2015 by shellbellereads

Happy Release Day to Jessica Sorensen and her new book INSPIRING YOU! This is the final book in the Unraveling You series about Lyric Scott and Ayden Gregory! Take a sneak peek below!

Ayden knows it’s time to remember what really happened four years ago, so he can help save his sister. With the help of Lyric, he faces his past head on.

But dealing with the truth is difficult.

Will Ayden finally be free of his past so he can move forward to his future?

Michel’s Review

Inspiring You by Jessica Sorensen is the final book in the Unraveling You series. This epic series has had readers biting their nails to see the final results of Aiden’s haunting past.

Aiden has taken the final steps to regain his memory. He is trying the experimental hypnosis therapy. Although this therapy could be very dangerous to Aiden , he feels like this is his only option.

The revelations are frightening. Aides now knows the truth. But is the truth in time to save his missing sister.

This final installment is astounding. The reader’s are finally getting the answers to Aiden’s past and present danger.

I have loved this series from beginning to end. It was great to have a satisfying resolution.

Read the Unraveling You series by Jessica Sorensen. It is outstanding.

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

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

♥ READ THE SERIES ♥

Book 1 – Unraveling You

AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / ITUNES

Book 2 – Raveling You

AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / ITUNES

Book 3 – Awakening You

AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / ITUNES

Book 4 – Inspiring You

AMAZON / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Sweet As Sin by J. T. Geissinger – Bad Habit Series- Book 1

Posted on 07/14/2015 by shellbellereads

Sweet as Sin by J.T. Geissinger
Bad Habit Series – Book #1
Publication date: July 14th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:
Twentysomething Kat Reid is loving life as an in-demand Hollywood makeup artist. She has absolutely no interest in rock ’n’ roll, but in order to pay the mortgage, she agrees to work on the set of a rock video for the world-famous rockers known as Bad Habit…which brings her face-to-face with Nico Nyx, lead singer of Bad Habit and Adonis in the flesh.

However, the fiercely independent Kat isn’t impressed by the hard-living, womanizing rock star. But when Nico’s model girlfriend shows up to the set drunk and Kat is tapped to replace her as the video’s sexy bride, her combustible chemistry with Nico suddenly threatens to consume the set. Nico feels it, too—and becomes determined to win Kat over, body and soul. Yet behind his rock god swagger, Nico hides a dark secret. Can he rock Kat’s world forever, or will he just break her heart?

Buy: Amazon / B & N

“Here’s the thing, Nico—”

“Don’t overthink it, Kat. You wanna see me or not?”

My pulse was all over the place. I sat up, then regretted that move as the room began to wobble. “I do.”

“What’s the address?”

“I wasn’t done talking.”

He cursed. I ignored it. “I do want to see you, but I just want to lay a few ground rules before we start this whole . . . whatever this whole thing is.”

I waited for him to respond. He sounded like he was listening hard, and he didn’t answer, so I plunged ahead. “I don’t want to just . . . um . . . ”

“You got a three-date rule, sweetheart?”

I was relieved that he sounded amused. Thank God he had a sense of humor.

“Because I can respect that. But you should realize that when you see me today, it’ll be the third date. So the next time you see me, all bets are off.” His voice dropped. “And I wanna see you again tomorrow.”

“We haven’t even had one date yet!”

“The shoot, then the restaurant. That’s two.”

His idea of what comprised a date was seriously impaired.

“Those don’t count as dates! We were working on the shoot, and you were only at the restaurant for like five seconds. If I see you today, this will be our first date.”

I didn’t mention that he’d gotten the details of the three-date rule wrong. It was sex on the third date, not after. I was trying to buy myself as much time as possible, because he was moving at the speed of a rocket.

“Okay. I’ll give you the shoot. But the restaurant should count. Being with someone at a restaurant is textbook definition of a date. No matter how long it lasted.”

I could not believe we were actually having this conversation. I sighed.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Now give me the fuckin’ address, Kat, before I wear a hole in the damn rug.”

He was pacing?

“What part of town are you coming from? Because I need, like, a half hour to get cleaned up.”

Nico’s response was a growl. I gave him the address.

“You’re in luck. I’m comin’ from the Hollywood Hills. It’ll take me at least forty-five minutes to get to Venice in traffic.” He paused. “Or I could take the bike. That’ll get me there in thirty.”

Was he screwing with me right now?

“You still there, Kat?”

“I’m still here.”

“I’m gonna be there in thirty minutes. You gonna be ready for me?”

Oh, the dark promise in that tone. I felt like I was standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down. I already knew I was going to fall. The only question now was, how far?

And how hard?

And would the fall break me?

“I’ll be ready,” I whispered.

Nico’s voice was almost a purr. “Darlin’, that’s exactly what I’ve been waitin’ to hear.”

Before I could say another word, Nico hung up.

Michel’s Review

If you are looking for an intense rock star romance look no further. Sweet As Sin by J.T. Geissinger is just the ticket.

This book has a brooding rock star with personal issues. A heroine that is strong but also plagued by her past. Both characters have issues that make it almost impossible to come together. Their worlds collide in so many ways but somehow they find the strength to let it go. They find the strength in one another through love.

This book is intense and seems to be on the darker side. If you have issues with violent tempers and domestic abuse this may not be the book for you. It is a truthful look into the darker side. For me it was a hard book to read because of it.

The romance was intensely sexy and had me swooning.

Sweet As Sin is well written and well plotted.

Overall the book was very good. I am looking forward to more books in this series.

________________________________

AUTHOR BIO:
J.T. Geissinger is an award-winning author of paranormal and contemporary romance featuring dark and twisted plots, kick-ass heroines, and alpha heroes whose hearts are even bigger than their muscles. An entrepreneur since she began hand-addressing envelopes for a local beauty pageant when she was 14, she has owned businesses as diverse as a temporary employment agency to a flower shop. It wasn’t until hitting a significant birthday that she became motivated to realize her life-long dream of writing a novel.

Her debut novel, Shadow’s Edge, was a #1 Amazon domestic and international bestseller, and won the Prism award for Best First Book. Her follow-up book, Edge of Oblivion, was a RITA© Award finalist for Best Paranormal Romance from the Romance Writers of America. Book 6 in the Night Prowler series, Into Darkness, won the Golden Quill award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy. Her work has also finaled in the Booksellers’ Best, National Readers’ Choice, and Daphne du Maurier Awards.

Foodie, wine enthusiast, and nap connoisseur, she lives in California with her husband, on whom all her heroes are based.

To receive notification of new releases, contests, and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter at www.jtgeissinger.com

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

Kindle Paperwhite (US only)
3 eBook copies of Sweet as Sin (INTL)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Blitz : Sinfully Mine by Kendall Ryan

Posted on 07/14/2015 by shellbellereads

She was forbidden.

I didn’t care.

As my best friend’s little sister, Macey Hale was
off-limits, but the girl was tempting as sin and forbidden as fuck. I wish I
could say that stopped me. I wish I could tell you I behaved like a gentleman.

I didn’t.

When she waltzes back into my life with that same spark I
fell for, looking every bit the beautiful woman I knew she’d grow into, I have
to force myself to remember I’m different from the man she once knew. I’m
colder. Harder. And for good reason.

With my heart on lockdown and my hands aching to touch her,
I set out to prove that I can keep myself in check this time.

No strings. No attachments.

And definitely no falling for her again.

If you love steamy romance, you won’t want to miss this older brother’s best friend romance.

This is book two in the Lessons with the Dom series, following The Gentleman Mentor. Both are
complete standalone novels featuring sexy Dominant men you’re sure to fall in
love with. Enjoy!

AMAZON US AMAZON UK iBooks Barnes & Noble

Kendall Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance novels, including Hard to Love, Unravel Me, Resisting Her and When I Break.

She’s a sassy, yet polite Midwestern girl with a deep love of books, and a slight addiction to lipgloss. She lives in Minneapolis with her adorable husband and two baby sons, and enjoys hiking, being active, and reading.

Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras

Subscribe to Newletter Facebook Twitter Pinterest Goodreads Amazon Author Page

Release Blitz + Excerpt + Review + Giveaway: Bleeding Love by Harper Sloan -Hope Town Series – Book 2

Posted on 07/14/2015 by shellbellereads

Bleeding Love

Hope Town Series – Book 2

By Harper Sloan

Release Date: July 14, 2015

Buy: Amazon / B & N

Synopsis:

I’ve loved once. I gave everything that I had to that love. Blindly believing that nothing could ever take that feeling away from me. Away from us. And when my little world of happiness was ripped from my fingers, I felt a loss that still haunts me to this day.

Now I use that lingering grief as a shield to keep my heart from loving again. It’s that fear that keeps me from letting anyone, except my daughter, get close enough to make it hurt. To make my heart bleed when I inevitably lose again.

Until the day I met Liam Beckett and everything I thought I had protected myself from was shoved back in my face.

He’s on a mission to prove to me that a love worth having is a love worth fighting for.

*Bleeding Love is the second book in the Hope Town series. Each book in the series is a HEA and can be read as a standalone.*

Buy: Amazon / B & N

Excerpt

His mouth leaves mine and with his hand still on my leg, he demands, “Dig your heels in deep, baby.”

I give him what he wants, but not because he told me to. I give him what he wants because when his hand leaves my leg and pushes into the mattress, bringing his body up he goes even deeper into my body and those heels push hard.

Just as he demanded earlier, my hands go to his shoulders on my own accord and as he takes my body hard, my nails dig in with my heels still pushing hard against the small of his back. Our eyes never leave each other’s probing gaze. Never once do I take my eyes away from his, so full of lust that I know there isn’t an ounce of control left in his body.

He drops his head and I lift up to meet him in a kiss so sweet it doesn’t match the powerful way that he’s taking my body. A kiss that gives me more than words ever could at this moment. His hips slow and as his tongue rolls against mine, his hips start to take me in slow, deep rolls. He doesn’t pull back, just rocks his hips against mine.

I push up and cry out when he slips even deeper.

His lips come from mine and his hooded eyes open a sliver. “Feels like heaven,” he says softly. “Everything, darlin’. Feels like everything.”

Michel’s Review

Bleeding Love by Harper Sloan is the second book in the Hope Town series. It is a spin off of the Corps Security series and features the children of the charismatic characters readers have grown to love whole heartedly. Their children are just as charismatic and have inherited the very best from their parents. Each book in the Hope Town series can be read as a stand alone or in series order. It is not necessary to read the Corps Security series to begin the Hope Town series. I would highly recommend the Corps Security. It is a delightful series you don’t want to miss.

We met Megan in Unexpected Fate. She is the young widow of one Cohen’s teammates in his unit. She is a widow and single mother. She is struggling to get by each day and get past her sorrow and grief. For three years she has grieved the loss of her husband, her only love and best friend. The only bright spot in her life is her five year old daughter Molly.

When Cohen brought her into his family circle she not only gained new friends but also people that she knew she could depend upon. Slowly her new inner circle is drawing her out and offering her a chance to live again. Liam Beckett has not only become a good friend, he wants to become something more. Megan doesn’t know if she can let go of the grief and move on. She feels guilty that her husband lost his life and moving on seems to be betraying his memory. She is intensely attracted to Liam. But is attraction enough? Can she risk her heart again?

The moment Liam Beckett laid eyes on Megan he knew he had to make her his. She was the “one” he could see sharing his life with. He knew she was grieving and vowed to be patient. It seems that instead of processing her grief she is sinking further into it. It seems she has died right along with her husband . The only thing that brings life to her eyes is her young daughter Molly. He is determined to bring Megan back to life. He wants to show her how much she has to live for. He is going to do it one moment at a time. He is going to show her how to live and love again.

This was a beautiful story of coming to life . It is a story of acceptance. It is a story of friendship and family at it’s finest. It is a sexy red hot romance that will have the readers swooning. And precious Molly will steal the readers hearts just like she did to the families and tough alpha men at Corps Security. She is the princess of the kingdom that not one of these men can resist.

Bleeding Love was a delightful romance that not only touches the families of Corps Security but also the hearts of the readers.

The Hope Town Series

Unexpected Fate

Hope Town Series – Book 1

By Harper Sloan

Release Date: February 17, 2015

Synopsis

Have you ever felt like you were living your life for a future that was predetermined? Like there was some bigger picture you just prayed you would someday see clearly? That picture has been crystal clear to me since I was old enough to recognize it for just what it was.

Or I should say recognize him for who he was.

I’ve loved Cohen Cage since I was a small child. He’s been my everything for the last twenty-two years. I’ve loved him through every girlfriend he’s ever brought home. Through his college years and then mine. I’ve loved him through two deployments. And ever since the day I told him how I felt, he’s acted like I’m a stranger.

My name is Danielle Reid, and it’s time for me to get my man.

Our future is an unexpected fate, and no matter what our parents, siblings, and friends say…it’s going to be worth every second of the fight to make it happen.

**This book is a standalone, HEA, with mature themes and sexual situations**

Buy : Amazon / Barnes and Noble

About Harper Sloan

Harper lives in small town Georgia just a short drive from her hometown of Peachtree City. She (and her 3 daughters) enjoy ruling the house they dubbed ‘Estrogen Ocean’, much to her husbands chagrin. Harper has a borderline unhealthy obsession with books; you can almost ALWAYS find her with her eReader attached. She enjoys bad reality TV and cheesy romantic flicks. Her favorite kind of hero–the super alpha kind!

Harper started using writing as a way to unwind when the house went to sleep at night; and with a house full of crazy it was the perfect way to just relax. It didn’t take long before a head full of very demanding alphas would stop at nothing to have their story told.

told.Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

GIVEAWAY
$50 Amazon Gift Card (2 Winners)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review : Revived by Samantha Towle – Revved Series – Book 2

Posted on 07/14/2015 by shellbellereads

India Harris didn’t have the best start in life. Abandoned as a baby, she and her twin brother, Kit, spent their lives in foster care, only having each other to rely on. Then, at a young age, a relationship with the wrong man left India pregnant. Wanting to give her son the life she never had, she put herself through school and graduated with honors.

Now, at the age of thirty, she’s a highly respected therapist.

At the top of his game as a Formula One driver, Leandro Silva had everything—until an accident on the track left him staring death in the face. After enduring twelve months of physical therapy, Leandro is now physically able to race, but his mind is keeping him from the track. Frustrated and angry, Leandro’s days and nights are filled with limitless alcohol and faceless women.

Entering the last year of his contract, he knows he has to race again, or he’ll lose everything he spent his life working for. Forced into therapy to get his life back, Leandro finds himself in the office of Dr. India Harris.

Falling for his uptight therapist is not part of Leandro’s plan.

Having unethical feelings for her patient, the angry Brazilian race car driver, is not part of India’s plan.

But what if the wrong person is the only person who is right?

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Leandro

My eyes move to the magazines on the table. There’s a sports mag peeking out from under the fashion mags.

Leaning forward, I pull it out, instantly wishing I hadn’t.

Top of the magazine is a picture of me, with the caption ‘What the bad side of Formula 1 looks like’.

Nice.

So, now I’m the bad side of F1. Good to know.

I already know what the media say about me. How I’ve turned from a great racer into a drunk, and a whore.

They’re not wrong on the whore part – well, whore is a bit harsh, I don’t charge for my services. And I wouldn’t say I’m a drunk. I just like to drink, a lot.

I shouldn’t read the article, I know this, but the sadistic part of me has me turning those pages.

Finding the article, eyes scanning the text, I pick out the usual shit.

Why is Silva no longer racing? Physically he’s healthy. Is it mental problems? Fear over racing because of his accident. Is that why he drinks – drowning his misery in alcohol? Such a shame to see, a once great driver, fall from grace so dramatically.

Frustration and rage grip my chest like a vice.

Fuck this. I don’t need this shit.

Even though I can’t race, it’s not like I actually need to.

I don’t need to race. I just need to drink and fuck. That’s all I need now. All I’ll ever need.

Liar.

I am a liar, and a chicken shit. And that’s why I’m sitting in the waiting room of a therapist.

Maybe I’m beyond help.

Tossing the magazine back on the table, I get to my feet ready to leave this place, just as the door opens, revealing the epitome of what I could really do with screwing right now.

My eyes trail up the toned, tanned legs, to the fitted pencil skirt that I would happily hitch up to see the magnificent pussy that I bet lies beneath. A pale pink blouse is tucked into that skirt, covering what look like a fantastically sized pair of tits. Silky blonde hair sits on her shoulders. Hair that I would enjoy getting my hands all tangled in, while I fuck those bright red lips of hers, enjoying seeing that lipstick smeared all over my cock.

My dick pulses in my jeans, more than ready to proposition her with the offer.

“Mr. Silva.” She steps forward. “I’m Dr. Harris. But please call me India.”

She’s Dr. Harris?

This, hitch-your-skirt-up-and-let-me-fuck-you-right-now, woman is my new therapist.

Well that’s just fucking great. It’s not like I can bang my therapist.

I put my cock on hold, and giving her my best smile, the one that always has panties dropping to the floor, I say, “And you can call me Leandro.”

Michel’s Review

Revived by Samantha Towle is the second book in the Revved Series. I absolutely loved this book! I could not put it down.

We met Leandro Silva in Revved. At the end of Revved Leandro was in a near fatal accident in one of the most important races of the Formula One circuit. He died and was brought back to life. His life was saved but not without a price. One year later he has recovered from his injuries but is still unable to race. He can’t get behind the wheel of any car. He can barely ride in car let alone drive one. Not good for a man that has a career that depends on his ability to drive. Rather than facing his problem he hides behind booze and women. He needs to overcome this inability before he loses his sponsors and his position on the racing team.

He decides to go to therapy to overcome his inabilities. There he meets Dr. India Harris. The beautiful doctor not only has a solution to help him overcome his inabilities but she has also sparked his interest. Her genuine compassion and honest insights make Leandro not only want to get back to being a Formula One Driver, he truly wants to become a better man. She ignites his heart and soul. But Dr. India Harris is a woman he cannot have. It is unethical to pursue a relationship with his doctor. She could lose her career.

Dr. India Harris is attracted to her patient, Leandro Silva. She cannot succumb to this attraction. She could lose her practicing license and ruin her reputation as a doctor. She has a pre teen son that she needs to take care of. She has been on the other end of being taken advantage of by a licensed professional. She could never do this to another person. It would be wrong.

The heart wants what the heart wants. India and Leandro will have to choose between their love or their careers. It is going to break their hearts, devastate their lives, and change their worlds. Just as they have figured it all out the past will come back to haunt them both and tear their world apart.

This story was so touching. I love how strong India was as a woman and as a professional. She truly cared about her patients. She loved her son beyond measure. She rose above the ruin and became a beautiful strong woman. When she gave her heart , she gave it completely.

Aleandro Silva stole my heart. This man was vulnerable and not afraid to show his vulnerabilities. He proved he was more than a champion in the Formula One world. He was a champion of the heart.

The chemistry between India and Leandro was sizzling hot but it was their communications with one another that really captures the story. Both were beautiful souls.

Revived can be read as a stand alone romance or in series order.

New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and international bestselling author Samantha Towle began her first novel in 2008 while on maternity leave. She completed the manuscript five months later and hasn’t stopped writing since.

She has written contemporary romances, THE MIGHTY STORM, WETHERING THE STORM, TAMING THE STORM and TROUBLE.

She has also written paranormal romances, THE BRINGER and the ALEXANDRA JONES SERIES, all penned to tunes of The Killers, Kings of Leon, Adele, The Doors, Oasis, Fleetwood Mac, and more of her favourite musicians.

A native of Hull and a graduate of Salford University, she lives with her husband, Craig, in East Yorkshire with their son and daughter.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

♥ READ THE SERIES ♥

Book 1 – Revved

Race car mechanic Andressa “Andi” Amaro has one rule—no dating drivers. With a good reason behind the rule, she has no plans on breaking it.

Carrick Ryan is the bad boy of Formula One. With a face and body that melts panties on sight, and an Irish lilt that leaves women on their knees, begging for more. He races hard and parties harder. The youngest driver to ever sign with F1, he’s still at the top of his game five years later, breaking hearts on and off the tracks.

When Andi is offered her dream job working in the glamorous world of F1, she leaves her home in Brazil, positive she can handle working for Carrick. But she’s not prepared for the off-the-chart sparks that fly the moment they meet.

Now, Andi has a crush on the one man she can’t have, and her resolve is about to be put to the test, because Carrick has decided he wants Andi, and he plans on testing her to the very limit…

Available NOW

Amazon Kindle US | UK

Amazon Paperback US | UK

iBooks US | UK

Kobo

Barnes & Noble

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Sacrifice by Adriana Locke

Posted on 07/13/2015 by shellbellereads

Title: Sacrifice

Author: Adriana Locke

Release Date: July 13, 2015

Buy: Amazon

Blurb

My life changed forever the night my husband died. I was left with a shattered heart, a heap of bills, and our daughter, EVERLEIGH. I don’t want to rely on anyone, least of all CREW GENTRY. He’s my first love and the man who almost destroyed me, the man who has let me down every time I’ve needed him.

But when tragedy strikes a second time, Crew just might be my only hope.

My life changed forever the night my brother died.

I was left with a guilty conscience, a pile of mistakes, and little else. I take care of JULIA GENTRY, my brother’s widow and the love of my life, and their daughter. I know she doesn’t want my help, but she gets it anyway. I owe her that. When another disaster hits, I’m given the opportunity to make things right. I’m taking it. I’m willing to sacrifice it all.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Links to Buy

AMAZON US / UK

Excerpt

“She’s been missing him a lot lately.” Julia’s voice is barely a whisper and my chest constricts. Our conversations don’t normally make it to discussing Gage unless we’re already arguing. The fact that she just brought it up shocks me and I’m not comfortable with it. I don’t know how to take it. I feel my jaw pulse with frustration and scramble to change the subject again. “Why is it so chilly in here?”

Her smile disappears and she tugs her sweatshirt nervously. “I didn’t know it was.”

“How can you possibly not know?” I start to the thermostat across the room when she clears her throat.

“The heater isn’t working right. I asked Lane to come by and look at it earlier this week.”

“And he hasn’t been here yet?” I shoot her a look and she shakes her head. “He’ll be here tonight.” I dig my cell outta my pocket.

“Crew, don’t. Please. The last time you called my landlord he was a complete jerk to me for a couple of months. I just got on good terms with him again.”

I scroll through my contacts list, looking for his name.

“Crew …” I know her doe-eyes are pleading with me. I also know if I look up at her, I’ll be somewhat inclined to give in. So I don’t.

Tracey’s Review

“I hope you’re listening to me right now…I’m not praying for a victory…All I ask of you is that you do with me whatever you need to in order to clear my girls of any more harm.”
I slam my fist into the bag hanging in the corner.
“Did you hear me!? Do you? Take me! I’ll be your sacrifice!”Oh, my goodness, Adriana Locke has knocked it out of the proverbial park with this book. I loved both The Exception and The Perception, but she has completely won my heart with Sacrifice. The depth and emotion in this book, the amount of love, had me smiling and crying by turn. So many types and levels of love here: Julia’s complete and utter love for Everleigh, her constant love for Gage, her rediscovered love for Crew. And Crew, his commitment to Ever and Julia, his growth as a son, a father, a lover, and a brother. Adriana has crafted a cast of characters that touched me deeply, and I know that I will be thinking about them and their story for a very long time.

The Sacrifice is easily one of my favorite reads of this year. It touched me that much, because it is so much more than a love story, although it is that, too. It is the evolution and unfolding of lives that are inextricably woven together, a story of growth and completion, of truly knowing that to love is to give of oneself completely, with no expectations for personal gain. 5+ stars just doesn’t seem like enough; I cannot recommend more that you read this beautiful, heartbreaking, joyful, life-affirming book. It is absolutely not to be missed.

_________________________________

Author Bio:

Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, she has created her own.

The Exception was Adriana’s debut novel and released late last year. The Perception is a stand-alone that follows two secondary characters from The Exception. Her third novel, Sacrifice, will be released Summer 2015.

Adriana lives in the Midwest with her family. She spends copious amounts of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. Her favorite things include sunshine, candy, and random quotes.

She loves to hear from readers. You can find her:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: Call On Me by Roni Loren – Loving On The Edge Series – Book 7

Posted on 07/10/2015 by shellbellereads

Call On Me

Loving On The Edge Series – Book 7

By Roni Loren

Synopsis

Oakley Easton wants two things: to be a good mom to her daughter and to ditch her less than ideal night job. Hooking up with bad boy drummer Pike Ryland? Not on the agenda. She needs a promotion. Not sex, tattoos and rock ’n’ roll.

Pike isn’t about to let Ms. Prim and Proper shut him down so easily, especially when he stumbles upon Oakley’s sexy night job. She’s only playing a role on those late night calls with strangers, but when he gets her on the line, all bets are off. He won’t stop until that sultry voice is calling his name for real.

But as they move from anonymous fantasies in the dark to the flesh-on-hot-flesh reality of the bedroom, the risk of falling in love becomes all too high. And the safe, quiet world that Oakley’s worked so hard to create is about to be exposed to the one person who could ruin it all.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo / Google Play

Excerpt

She startled and stiffened, instantly yanked out of her less than PG thoughts. “What?”

He leaned back in his chair, vague confusion on his face. “I asked if wanted to keep working in that back room? We could rehearse at the studio once they’re close to being ready to record. But until then, it’s probably more trouble than it’s worth to cart everyone over there. It’s not that big of a place.”

“Rehearse in the back room?” she repeated, running the words back in her head to make sense of them. “Oh, right, yes, that’s fine. I’m sorry. I thought you said something else.”

She eyed the small bellini she’d ordered with her meal. Maybe that had been a bad idea. She was hearing things now.

Screw in the bathroom? How the hell had she gotten that out of what he’d said? Of course, now all she could think of was him doing just that—taking her by the elbow and leading her to that dark alcove at the back of the restaurant, pushing her up against that wall with the faded Italian flag on it and putting his hands all over her. She licked her top lip, tasting the sweet remnants of her drink. Pull it together, woman.

Apparently, once her libido had been brave enough to peep its head out, it had decided it was Groundhog Day and needed to run around, declaring spring was coming early. She hated to break the news, but nothing and no one was coming anytime soon.

“What did you think I said?” Pike took a long sip from his drink, his snake charmer eyes never leaving hers.

She followed suit, hoping the fruity drink would cool off more than her throat. “Doesn’t matter.”

His lips twitched. “You’re all red.”

“I think it’s the bellini. I don’t drink very often.”

“No way.” His expression turned smug. “You thought I said something dirty, didn’t you?”

“Huh?” She smoothed her napkin in her lap, trying to loosen the tightness in her voice. “No. Why would I think that? You’ve been very professional since we got here—which I appreciate by the way.”

His gaze slid lazily down her body, like butter melting over toast, and goddamn it all to hell, she could feel her nipples go hard and obvious beneath her bra. No wonder he’d figured it out. Her body was waving all kinds of flags in his face. Hey! Over here! Horny girl, booth eight!

“I am capable of being professional, you know,” he said, but his tone was all sex and sin. “I’m also more than happy to turn that off when the occasion calls for it. So why don’t you tell me what you thought you heard and why it’s gotten you all flushed and nervous?”

“I’m not nervous.”

He grinned.

Dammit. She schooled her face into a stoic expression. “The music is too loud in here. I thought you propositioned me to defile the restroom.”

Hie eyebrow ring twitched. “Now you’re just trying to turn me on with those big, stiff words of yours.”

All she heard was big and stiff at first, but she managed to rein in her temporary insanity. “We’re so not going to do this.”

“Well, probably not here, you’re right. I saw those bathrooms. But—“

“No, I mean, any of this. Flirting. Teasing. Whatever this is.”

He leaned onto his forearms, looking all too pleased that he’d gotten a confession out of her. “You got a guy?”

“No,” she said before she could get wise and fib.

“Then why can’t we do this?”

“Because I’m not interested.”

“Liar.”

She huffed. “Are you always this cocky?”

“No, it’s dialed down right now. I can get way worse.”

She stirred her drink. “Not. Possible.”

His lips spread into a menacing smile. “Challenge accepted.”

Tracey’s Review

“This is a no-risk proposition. We don’t even have to talk about it face to face. Work is work. Fine. This–this is just a no-pressure, late-night anonymous phone call. Give yourself a little break, mama. Indulge a little.”

Oakley, former girl band star and mother of a special needs daughter, and Pike, badass drummer for Darkfall and all-around sex god with a phobia of kids, seem like an unlikely pair, but each are just what the other needs. When the two have to work together on a charity project, she’s sure that it’s a disaster in the making. Pike, though, is all in, because he knows what he wants, and what he wants is Oakley.

Pike was exciting on the phone, sexy and daring. But she could handle him in that venue. There was space, safety. But in person, the man was a full-frontal assault on her senses…The man could knock her on her ass with a few well-chosen words.

I have absolutely fallen in love with Roni Loren and her Loving On the Edge series. I can’t believe that it took me as long as it did to find them, but, now, I wouldn’t miss a book for anything. I knew a little bit about these characters, having met them in previous books in the series (Oakley in Yours All Along, Hunter’s and Devon’s book, and Pike in Not Until You). Then I read an excerpt of Call On Me, and I couldn’t wait to see what was in store for them. Once the two begin to let each other in, it’s no holds barred hotness. This is some sexy stuff, the kind that makes you blush, break out the fan, and check to make sure that no one is reading over your shoulder. When these two get together, forget the sparks, we’re talking major fireworks here. (On a side note, not many guys could make calling their lady ‘mama’ sound sexy, but, oh, my goodness, major hotness. Like, swoon city.) And the story is just what I love, an against-the-odds pairing that turns out to be a perfect match after all. Once I started reading, I could not put this book down.

“I know I can’t be the kind of guy you’re looking for. But I can give you this. I want to give you this.”
“What’s in it for you?”
“You are.”

I obviously loved this read, and could not recommend it any more highly, and if you haven’t read the rest of Roni’s Loving On the Edge series, there’s no time like the present. 5+ ‘hot as heck, are my cheeks red, oh, my gosh, I need a Pike!’ stars for this one. Grab it, read it, love it. ♥︎ 5

_______________________________________

About Roni Loren

Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has.

Though she’ll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son. If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars concerts.

She is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the The Loving on the Edge series and other sexy things.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Custom 4-Pack of Brownies from Wicked Cupcakes (US ONLY), a $25 Gift Card will be sent if winner resides outside of US.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Category Archives: Release Day Blitz

Release Blitz + Review: Outside by Michelle Mankin

Release Blitz: Sinfully Mine by M. Clarke- Book 2 of My Clarity

Release Blitz + Giveaway : King of Hearts by L. H. Cosway – Hearts Series – Book 3

Release Blitz + Review : Inspiring You by Jessica Sorensen – Unraveling You Series – Book 4

Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Sweet As Sin by J. T. Geissinger – Bad Habit Series- Book 1

Release Blitz : Sinfully Mine by Kendall Ryan

Release Blitz + Excerpt + Review + Giveaway: Bleeding Love by Harper Sloan -Hope Town Series – Book 2

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review : Revived by Samantha Towle – Revved Series – Book 2

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Sacrifice by Adriana Locke

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: Call On Me by Roni Loren – Loving On The Edge Series – Book 7

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: