In the tradition of New Adult superstar Jessica Sorensen, Ellie Cahill’s debut novel is a charming friends-with-benefits story . . . with a twist!
What if after every bad breakup, there was someone to help “cleanse your palate”—someone who wouldn’t judge you, who was great in bed, someone you were sure not to fall in love with? “Sorbet sex” could solve everything—as long as it never got too sweet.
Joss and Matt have been friends since freshman year of college, meeting one night after Joss is dumped by her boyfriend. After a few drinks, Matt humors her with a proposition: that he’ll become her go-to guy whenever she needs to heal a broken heart. In return, she’ll do the same for him. The #1 Rule: They’ll never fall in love with each other. People scoff at the arrangement. But six years later, Joss and Matt are still the best of friends . . . with benefits.
Through a string of boyfriends and girlfriends—some almost perfect, some downright wrong—Joss and Matt are always there for each other when the going gets tough. No strings. No attachments. Piece of cake. No problem. After all, since they wrote the rules, surely they can play by them. Or can they?
“Hands down, one of my favorite New Adult reads . . . Ellie Cahill is definitely one to watch!”—New York Times bestselling author Cora Carmack
“This is one of those books that make you forget everything around you. Prepare to be consumed by this story.”—Sophie Jordan, New York Times bestselling author of Wild
“Fun, sexy, and full of amazing chemistry, When Joss Met Matt is an entertaining escape that will leave you smiling with every turn of the page.”—Cassie Mae, author of The Real Thing
Tina’s Review
Alternating timelines, clearly defined and spanning seven years. First person (Joss’s) POV.
They met as freshmen in college and fast became friends. After Joss suffers the breakup of a long-tern relationship, Joss and Matt agree that what is really needed is a “palate cleanser” aka Sorbet Sex, to get over the lingering “taste” of the cheating ex. From there, they build an impromptu “contract” of “DO’s and DON’T for Sorbet Sex” and kind of mutually agree to be each other’s unconventional Sorbet Sex partner of choice. The characters are very well portrayed as new adults, suffering from growing pains and new-found independence. They are witty and smart yet flawed and still learning. The secondary characters add fun, enjoyable layers with both their positive and negative contributions to the story. Some of their dates made me cringe & others (T.J.) had me laughing ’til I cried. Priceless stuff, that was! It was easy to buy into the dialogue and character interaction as the plot progressed smoothly, back and forth, from the past to the present unlike many books have been capable of doing. Kudos to Ms. Cahill for creating such seamless transitions. The conflict was subtly hidden in the background of the “NOW” while you read through short moments of the present and catching up with lengthier snippets of the past seven years. There was some minor predictability, as would be given for most feel-good rom-coms. The conclusion was strong and solid. If you are looking for a fun, romantic comedy that has the quality of “the big screen”, this is one to look at. I truly enjoyed this book, the characters and all the antics in between.
Author Bio
Ellie Cahill is a freelance writer and also writes books for young adults under the name Liz Czukas. She lives outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her husband, son, and the world’s loudest cat.
It’s release day for Jennifer Iacopelli’s Losing at Love. This is the second book in Jennifer’s Outer Banks Tennis Academy series, and I am so excited to be sharing it with you!! Check out all the fantastic release day info, and be sure to enter Jennifer’s giveaway!!
Exclusive Excerpt:
La Metropolian Hotel
Paris, France
Indiana Gaffney gasped, her eyes flying open and locking on the glistening object across the hotel room. It reflected the muted television behind her, the French Open final, the red of the court, blurry in the polished silver. A large, round plate, innocuous to the untrained eye, with the sizeable laser carved logo of Roland Garros at the center, was braced against the mirror hanging on the hotel room wall. The mirror reflected the match clearly, the broad steps and fierce rallies of two men battling it out for the French Open Men’s title. But those men were mere afterthoughts as her eye caught a set of shoulders stretching the material of his t-shirt thin, not a mere image from the television, but broad and warm and real. Strong hands slid down her back, fingers twining into the ends of her long blonde hair, tugging on it gently, drawing her gaze away from the mirror and back to the green eyes of the man in her bed.
He kissed her soundly, sending shivers down her spine and making her hips rock against his and her legs tighten around his waist. “It’s not gonna disappear if you take your eyes off it,” Jack Harrison muttered into the skin of her neck, nipping at it lightly with his teeth.
“Feels like it will,” she whispered back, tilting her head to give him better access. Most of her mind was focused on what he was doing with his hands and mouth, but that plate, the one that declared in no uncertain terms that she was the new French Open junior champion, would not be ignored. Not even for the guy who made her heart pound like no one else ever had before, the guy who, up until a few days ago, could barely look at her without his shoulders slumping with guilt. Their age gap hadn’t shrunk in the days full of soft kisses and nights far more intense — though perhaps not as intense as she’d like — but he wasn’t fighting their attraction anymore. She hadn’t chased him, not really, but he’d known she wanted him, almost from the moment they first met. Then he’d found out how old she was and he started treating her like a flashing red SEVENTEEN was stamped across her forehead, every year between them creating an accompanying foot of distance. In the end, the attraction had been too much, even for someone as painfully good as Jack Harrison.
“Hey, Champ, you in there?” Jack’s voice brought her back, his lips spelling out the words against her shoulder.
“Champ?” Indy hummed and smiled. “I like the sound of that.” In fact, she liked the sound of it so much she planned on winning again the next chance she got, on the grass courts at Wimbledon.
“I bet you do. Get used to it, baby,” Jack said, his whole face lighting up as he shifted his weight forward, tilting her back onto the bed. A shriek bubbled up through her throat and the giggles followed as he leaned over her, bracing himself on his elbows and then smothering her laughter with the press of his mouth. As his tongue slid against hers, she turned herself over to it, letting herself revel in the dreams of future victories and the celebrations that would follow.
Losing At Love Synopsis:
Grass courts, tennis whites and the fiercest competition in the world. Wimbledon. After two crazy weeks in Paris, the girls of the Outer Banks Tennis Academy are headed to London with just one thing on their minds: winning.
Indiana Gaffney is fresh off a surprise win at the French Open junior tournament. Sponsors are clamoring for her attention, but what she wants more than anything—aside from a wild card to Wimbledon—is to be with Jack Harrison, but international fame and a secret relationship rarely mix well.
When Penny Harrison dreamed of playing at Wimbledon she never imagined agonizing pain shooting through her ankle with every step. With just a month until the tournament and the whole world expecting her to win, she’s determined to play, with or without the support of her coach or the love of her life, Alex Russell.
For the first time ever, no one expects anything from Jasmine Randazzo. After a crushing first-round defeat in the French Open juniors, the tennis world has given up on her, but worse than that, so have her parents, her best friend Teddy and maybe even her coach. With everyone writing her off, can she find it within herself to go after her dreams?
Jennifer Iacopelli was born in New York and has no plans to leave…ever. Growing up, she read everything she could get her hands on, but her favorite authors were Laura Ingalls Wilder, L.M. Montgomery and Frances Hodgson Burnett all of whom wrote about kick-ass girls before it was cool for girls to be kick-ass. She got a Bachelor’s degree in Adolescence Education and English Literature quickly followed up by a Master’s in Library Science, which lets her frolic all day with her books and computers, leaving plenty of time in the evenings to write and yell at the Yankees, Giants and her favorite tennis players through the TV.
Genevieve “Genna” Galante knows a thing or two about causing trouble. After all, it’s engrained in her DNA. As the only daughter of Primo Galante, notorious boss of the Galante crime family, her life is dictated by a certain set of rules… rules Genna was never very good at following.
Matteo “Matty” Barsanti never wanted anything to do with the family business, but as the first-born Barsanti son, certain things are expected of him. It’s his duty, according to his father, to help take down the enemy… even if that enemy means something to him.
A chance encounter on an elevator changes the course of lives, causing the biggest trouble of Genna’s young life. The only good Barsanti is a dead Barsanti. She’s heard it said time and time again. So what happens when she falls in love with one of them?
The story of star-crossed lovers caught in the middle of the biggest rivalry New York has ever seen, determined to make it… if only they can survive their parents’ feud.
Teaser
“A Roman Coke,” Genna mused. “What’s that?”
“It’s rum and Coke. We just call it a Roman Coke around here.”
“Because you’re Italian?”
“And because when you get drunk enough, it all just slurs together anyway.”
“Ah.” Genna picked hers up, motioning toward him with it. “So what are we drinking to?”
“Today.”
“Today?”
He nodded. “Right now, this moment. Let’s drink to it.”
Smiling, she clinked her glass with his. “Today, then.”
They threw them back at the same time. The liquor hit Genna’s taste buds and she grimaced, the vicious burn seeping down her throat and settling deep in her chest. “Ugh, is there even any Coke in this damn thing?”
Matty laughed, setting his empty glass down. “Just a splash.”
“I couldn’t tell.”
“That’s because I prefer it that way,” he responded. “Strong and rough, enough to leave a lingering ache. I like it to hurt just a bit.”
Oh good God. Those words sent a chill down Genna’s spine, one she couldn’t hide, as Matty waved for the waitress. Eyes never leaving Genna, he ordered another round of drinks.
“Another?” she asked, picking up the water to take another sip, this one to soothe the sting in her chest. “You said one drink.”
A sly smile curved his lips. “I like to keep them coming.”
“Is that right?”
“Absolutely.” Matty stood, leaning across the table, his lips near her ear. “Maybe you’ll let me show you later.”
Robin’s Review
Two Mafia families at war. Close friends who are now bitter enemies. Family loyalty before love. Two children – a Galante daughter and a Barsanti son – have fallen in love. One romance destined for tragedy.
By Any Other Name is the first novel of the Forbidden series. It’s a modern-day version of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet from author J. M. Darhower, and I am extremely impressed with her interpretation of this famous star-crossed tragedy.
In New York City, there are five major crime families that control the underworld: the Galantes, the Barsantis, the Amaros, the Genevas and the Calabreses. While the Galantes and the Barsantis are at war with each other, the other three crime families attempt to remain neutral.
Matteo Barsanti is the oldest son of Roberto Barsanti. Matteo disappeared from society as a child. Hidden away by his father, his existence has largely become an urban legend. Matteo returns to his family in New York City only when he learns his mother has become critically ill.
Genevieve Galante is the only daughter of Primo Galante. Because she has been extremely sheltered by her family, Genna is naturally inclined to fight any and every rule. And fight the rules she does! Genna has been in trouble with the police “for everything from underage drinking to trespassing to vandalism,” but it’s her arrest for grand theft auto which lands her in criminal court.
Here is where the story gets interesting. When Genna leaves court, she has a chance encounter with a family enemy. She unknowingly steps onto an elevator with Matteo Barsanti……and then the elevator breaks down. Since Matteo has been missing from the circles of the New York City underworld, neither of them recognize who the other is. Stuck between floors of the criminal court building, Genna and Matty get to know each other, which leads to him asking her if she would like to go get a drink.
“If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it. Similarly, the payment must be hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.” Exodus 21:24 Old Testament Bible
Darhower is consummate when she writes about the Mafia. These stories are always packed full of intrigue, nail-biting action and romantic suspense. By Any Other Name no different. It was completely intense! And I just fell in love with Matty and Genna – I couldn’t help but pull for these star-crossed lovers. Of course, this had me unsettled because it felt as if I was waiting for a train wreck to happen! Remember Romeo and Juliet?
My mind is having trouble letting go of this story. Darhower states in her acknowledgments that By Any Other Name was her National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) novel of 2013. She also mentions she wrote By Any Other Name in thirty days. Thirty days! Honestly, the more I think about this novel, the more impressed with it that I am. If you are looking for an exciting new novel, I recommend By Any Other Name by J. M. Darhower. My rating is 4.5 stars.
JM Darhower is the author of countless stories and poems, most of which only she has ever read. She lives in a tiny town in rural North Carolina, where she churns out more words than will ever see the light of day. She has a deep passion for politics and speaking out against human trafficking, and when she isn’t writing she’s usually ranting about those things. Chronic crimper with a vulgar mouth, she admits to having a Twitter addiction. You can find her there.
We’re so excited to host the release day launch for Daisy Prescott’s Confessions of a Reformed Tom Cat!! Daisy is sharing an excerpt with us, and a fantastic giveaway, so be sure to read all the way down to check out all the release day excitement!!
Confessions of A Reformed Tom Cat
Modern Love Stories – Book 4
By Daisy Prescott
Synopsis
I, Thomas Clifford Donnely, am a manwhore.
I’ve been told I’m irresistible to women. Like catnip for a different type of pussy-cat. I guess you could call me a Tom Cat.
This is the story about how I lost my wingman, broke all my own rules, and found myself falling in love.
Tom Donnelly isn’t the marrying kind, or the dating kind. Even after losing his #1 wingman to love, he doesn’t see the point in relationships. When his sister’s best friend returns to Whidbey Island and propositions Donnelly for a one-night stand, he breaks one of his biggest rules—no fooling around with his sisters’ friends. It’s just sex, nothing more. That’s what Tom does and does well.
What happens when “just sex” isn’t enough?
Hailey King is more than a match for Tom’s flirtations. She’s known him most of her life and has heard the rumors about his “skills” for years. When her perfectly planned future falls apart, will the last man she should ever fall for turn out to be more than a one-night stand?
This is the first book I have read by Daisy Prescott. I absolutely loved her writing style, witty dialogue, and sense of humor. The Confessions of A Reformed Tom Cat was entertaining, fun, charming, sexy, and romantic. I loved that the book was written from Tom’s POV and each chapter was a confession. He is a fun guy that doesn’t take himself too seriously and recognizes his faults as well as strengths. He loves his family, he’s hard working, he’s honest, and he’s true. Watching this man whore fall was fun and swoon worthy.
Hailey is one of those heroines that is easy to love. She has known Tom since childhood. He is her best friend’s older brother. She’s got his number, she knows that he is a manwhore with a revolving door. She still can’t help falling for him. When it becomes clear that she is the perfect woman for him, she gives him a few lessons that will capture his attention and heart.
This book was a fun, witty, and sexy read. I highly recommend it. Daisy Prescott Bio:
Before writing bestselling contemporary adult romances, I dreamed of being an author while doing a lot of other things. Antiques dealer, baker, blue ribbon pie-maker, fangirl, freelance writer, gardener, pet mom and wife are a few of the other titles I’ve acquired over the years.
Born and raised in San Diego, I currently lives in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with my husband, our dog Hubbell, and an imaginary house goat.
She wants to forget he ever existed. He’d never give up her memory.
Quinn Westwood is completely over Sawyer Carson. He broke her heart years ago and disappeared from her life without a word. So yeah. She’s over him. Never even thinks of him. In fact, she’s spending her college summer break surfing and lifeguarding in the Outer Banks, while nursing a bruised heart from a different relationship gone wrong. She doesn’t have room in her mind or heart for Sawyer–until she runs into him at a beach bonfire and the sparks that fly between them are way hotter than the flames heating the sand.
Sawyer never got over Quinn. The only thing stronger than the way he feels for her is the secret keeping them apart, but sharing it would destroy more than just his life–it’d ruin hers, as well. Still, he can’t seem to keep away from her, can’t seem to keep his hands off of her soft, tempting skin. Especially since she has even less self-control when it comes to reigniting the physical side of what made them perfect together.
But secrets have a way of slipping out, and when Sawyer’s is revealed, it threatens to shatter everyone involved. He’ll have to face walking away a second time, and Quinn will have to decide if fighting for him is worth it when the fallout could affect more than just her heart, but also those of the people she loves most.
Surf & Surrender is the second book in Riley Edgewood’s Summer Love series, but can be read as a standalone.
“Lay off me.” My brother fights my grip, but I’ve got two inches and thirty pounds on him. Plus, I’m sober. And pissed.
I push his face closer to the stuff that’s already permeating through my entire car. “What did I tell you about throwing up in here?”
He’s really grappling against me now. And I’m really not budging.
“Let me go and I’ll tell you about Quinn.”
This—the shock jolting my system—loosens my grip more than anything else could. “What?”
He turns his face sideways to look up at me. I give him that much leeway. Because I’m still not sure I heard him right. Then he says, “I saw Quinn.”
Fragments of memories barrel through my mind so fast I almost lose my breath.
Long, slender fingers tracing hearts against my callused palms. A white daisy tucked into hair that’s brown like autumn and windblown and trailing down her back for miles.
The somehow both sweet and rough scents of salt water and sand. Laughter like sea glass wind chimes spinning in the breeze.
I want to ask where? How? When?
I want to crack his skull open and climb into his memory to see her again.
I rub my face with my free hand to wipe it all away. “Goddamn it, Jess. She’s the one person I told you we couldn’t see if we came back.”
“Two,” he slurs, squirming on his knees. “Two people.”
It’s true. But she’s the only one who matters. The only one who ever has.
Quinn.
Jesus. Just her name in my brain is enough to make my gut jump.
So I let go of Jess’s neck.
He face-plants into his own puke and comes up spitting, swearing. I shrug and try not to laugh at the horror in his expression. It’s hard. Which means I’m out of the grip of the past. “You wanted me to let you go, so I did.”
“You’re such a dick.”
I can’t deny it. Instead, I grab a beach towel from the backseat and let him use it to wipe off his face—and then my car. He gags the entire time, and nothing could bring me more pleasure.
“How’d she look?” I ask a few minutes and miles later. I don’t expect an answer. The kid’s eyes are closed so hard they look swollen.
“Skinny,” he slurs. “Stupid.”
“You sure you weren’t just looking in a mirror?”
He mumbles something I’m pretty sure is, “Fuck you,” but I let it slide because I’m remembering in more than just splinters of snapshots. More than a hand or a laugh. Quinn.
Skinny? Maybe. She’s always been slight.
Stupid? Not a chance in hell.
One of us would’ve run into her sooner or later. The Outer Banks is a big area, but the spots locals prefer are few. I’m surprised it’s taken the two months it has.
Thing is, though, if it happened to Jess, then statistically my chances seem smaller now. “Goddamn it, Jess.”
But he’s snoring. And I shouldn’t be asking about her anyhow.
I spend the rest of the ride trying to figure out how to get the smell out of my car—and quick, because I have a fucking date tonight.
Author Bio:
Riley lives in the DC area and spends most of her time with her characters, playing with her toddler and husband, and pretending she knows how to be an adult. Former dancer. Current writer. Lifelong lover of accessories, books, and the beach. And cats. Can’t forget the kitties. Of which she has two.
Sound is an abstract concept for most people. We spend our lives blocking out the static in order to focus on what we believe is important. But what if, when the clarity fades into silence, it’s the obscure background noise that you would give anything to hold on to?
I’ve always been a fighter. With parents who barely managed to stay out of jail and two little brothers who narrowly avoided foster care, I became skilled at dodging the punches life threw at me. Growing up, I didn’t have anything I could call my own, but from the moment I met Eliza Reynolds, she was always mine. I became utterly addicted to her and the escape from reality we provided each other. Throughout the years, she had boyfriends and I had girlfriends, but there wasn’t a single night that I didn’t hear her voice.
You see, meeting the love of my life at age thirteen was never part of my plan. However, neither was gradually going deaf at the age of twenty-one.
They both happened anyway.
Now, I’m on the ropes during the toughest battles of my life.
Fighting for my career.
Fighting the impending silence.
Fighting for her.
Every night, just before falling asleep, she sighs as a final conscious breath leaves her.
“Hi.” I stood up off the bed as he started climbing through the window.
His eyes went wide when he saw me, causing him to momentarily lose his balance on the windowsill and go crashing to the floor. “God. Damn,” he cursed as he rose to his feet while taking in my new wardrobe. “You… I…um…” His hand went to his lip.
He was rooted in place only a few steps away, but his eyes traveled over every inch of my body and back again.
Till was speechless. I had never felt so empowered in my life.
“Are you okay?” I feigned concern as I slowly approached.
“Not even close,” he told my breasts, making me giggle.
After sliding a hand under the edge of his T-shirt, I raked a fingernail over each of his abs before dipping it into the waistband of his jeans.
“I’m sore today,” I announced, closing the distance between us. My breasts were pressed against him, but he still hadn’t even attempted to touch me yet. I had plans to remedy that. I smirked then stood up on my tiptoes, kissing the base of his neck. “Make me sore for tomorrow too.” At the last second, I darted my tongue out to the hollow dip at the base of his neck. It was meant to tease him, but as the taste of his skin hit my tongue, I was flooded with memories of taking more of him in my mouth. The moan escaped before I’d even felt it coming.
A loud rumble shook his chest, but that was the only warning I received. Suddenly, I was off my feet and sailing through the air. Just as I landed on the bed, Till crashed on top of me. His mouth roughly landed on mine.
“Tell me we can’t do this again,” he demanded as his hands found my breasts.
“We’re definitely doing this again.” I arched into him.
“It’s gonna get so messy, Eliza. Please.” He groaned as I reached into the front of his jeans.
“I’m okay with messy,” I breathed, guiding his hand from my breast and into my panties.
“Fuuuuuck” he cursed when he discovered just how thorough I’d been with the razor earlier. His finger pressed inside me as his body traveled down the bed and settled between my legs, stripping my panties off during his descent.
He added another finger in a less than gentle but overwhelmingly intoxicating, rhythm.
“Tell me to stop, Eliza. We can’t do this again.” He grazed his teeth on the inside of my thigh.
“We’re already doing it.”
“Tell me to stop.”
“No.”
“It’s going to ruin us.”
“If you don’t stop talking, you’re going to ruin this.”
“I’m serious.” He kissed the inside of my other thigh, his fingers never faltering in their steady pace.
“So am I. Stop trying to talk yourself out of this while your fingers are buried inside me.” I threaded a hand into his hair and gave it a gentle tug.
“Goddammit. Tell me to stop!” he demanded one last time, but his fingers sped before twisting in the most delicious way.
I decided to give him what he wanted, but only because I knew he wouldn’t follow through.
“Stop.” I rolled my hips forcing him even deeper.
“Well, it’s too fucking late now.”
I would have laughed, but his mouth sealed over my clit and stole my breath, words, thoughts, and orgasm. My body shook as he pushed me higher even while I was falling. It shouldn’t have worked like that, but whatever voodoo magic Till Page was working with that night was all right with me. He didn’t stop swirling his tongue until I used his hair to pry his mouth away.
“Too much!” I cried.
He looked up with a wickedly proud grin. His hand disappeared, and seconds later, his cock replaced it.
Author Bio:
Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in South Carolina, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.
After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. Five books later, she shows no signs of slowing. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.
When a trio of demons kidnap Vdarra Jansen, her normal life is ripped away. Her abductors claim she is the “lost heiress” of the Underworld, and the commander of the mighty Army of Duemos. They don’t seem to care that she knows nothing about the Underworld, or that she only remembers the last ten years of her life…
Former archangel Jacob will do anything to bring back his lost love’s memories. But if he succeeds, it could mean the end of the world. Torn between love and duty, Jacob will do whatever it takes to save her.
Jacob and Vdarra must learn to trust each other, and push aside old hurts to find their way. They are in a race to find the one thing that will decide Vdarra’s, and the world’s, fate – the lost Seal of Solomon. It will mean choosing between innocent lives …and their hearts.
Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada where she spent most days at her grandmother’s house watching X-Men, Married with Children and The Simpsons, Nichole Severn migrated to the Salt Lake City valley to live life as scandalous romance author.
She graduated with a degree in psychology from Utah Valley University and resides with her very supportive and patient husband, as well as her terrorist of a toddler, in Sandy, Utah. When she’s not writing, she’s constantly injuring herself running, rock climbing, practicing yoga, and snowboarding.
Three years ago I vowed revenge. Now I’m married with secrets, desperate to get past them.
I set out to destroy the man I thought ruined my life. I never saw it coming when he turned out to be the love I couldn’t live without.
Damon was my target, now I’m determined to keep him.
Will he be able to get past my confessions, and forgive my actions? Will I be able to forgive his? We’ve come too far to lose it all now. It’s time to fight for us, fight for our happiness.
Not every story is as it seems but it’s time to avow our sins.
Both of us.
The Manipulation Trilogy
Corrupted
The Manipulation Trilogy- Book 1
By Alicia Taylor and Natalie Townson
Synopsis
**Warning**
This book is intended for a mature reading audience and isn’t suitable for younger readers. 18+ only.
I am going to marry a monster.
He is my everything.
He manipulates people for fun. He takes over their lives, consuming them. He dominates and crushes, ruling them, claiming their souls. No one can survive the games of Damon Hunt.
Before now. Before me.
I am Ella Knight. I am corrupted. My sister was a victim of Damon’s games. It’s my turn to play now.
Damon Hunt has been my sole focus, my everything for three years, since my sister’s death. I’ll manipulate him. I’ll take over his life, consuming and crushing him. I am going to take away his soul. Damon Hunt will not survive my games. I will win.
I hope.
Warped
The Manipulation Trilogy – Book 2
By Alicia Taylor and Natalie Townson
Synopsis
I won’t be caught off guard again. I won’t let them win. They played the first round and won. Now it’s time for me to even the score. Damon and Leona will pay for their twisted games. Leona is first.
His touch repulses me.
His fake affection disgusts me.
He sickens me.
I need to get my head in the game. I need to be smart and break their bond to more easily crush them. Damon is clever. He knows what he’s doing. He’s been playing the game long enough.
He’s twisted.
I’m warped.
It’s time to finally end this.
Time to finally win.
Natalie Townson is 31, a mother of one beautiful little boy and lives in Gloucester in the UK with her Husband.
Corrupted is her debut novel that is a book one of the manipulation trilogy, that she co writes with Alicia Taylor. She is currently working on book two of the series which is nearly complete.
Anna Kirby is sick of dating. She’s tired of heartbreak. Despite being smart, sexy, and funny, she’s a magnet for men who don’t deserve her.
A week’s vacation in New York is the ultimate distraction from her most recent break-up, as well as a great place to meet a stranger and have some summer fun. But to protect her still-bruised heart, fun comes with rules. There will be no sharing stories, no swapping numbers, and no real names. Just one night of uncomplicated fun.
Super-successful serial seducer Ethan Scott has some rules of his own. He doesn’t date, he doesn’t stay the night, and he doesn’t make any promises.
It should be a match made in heaven. But rules are made to be broken.
The Empire State Series comprises the novellas A Week in New York, Autumn in London and New Year in Manhattan.
Praise for the Empire State Series
“The Empire State Trilogy is one of the not only good ones, but GREAT ones. I am so in love with Ethan and Anna.” – Book Briefs
“The writing is excellent and you’ll be hooked from the very beginning.” – Love Between the Sheets
“5 “I don’t Bullshit” Stars! If you haven’t started this series, you need to now!! It’s an easy, quick, and smooth read that you are sure to enjoy.” – Book Bitches Blog
“I would give it 6, 7, 8, or 9 stars if I could.” -Obsessed with Books
About the Author
I write sexy, contemporary romance novels – the kind I like to read. My books Faithful and Hopeful are stand-alone novels although there are some overlapping characters. The Empire State Series of novellas starts with A Week in New York.
Ruined by romantic mini-series of the eighties, I love all things romantic. There’s not enough of it in real life so I’ll settle for books and films.
I love the rain, the West Wing, London, days when you don’t have to wear make-up, being alone, being with friends, elephants and champagne.
Hearing from readers is the best thing in the world so get in touch!
That is until the Cappo’s sister walked into my life.
And changed everything.
She’s a light who makes my darkness darker, her smile makes my heart turn to ice, and I can’t escape the fear her seductive looks instill–knowing it’s only a matter of time before I fail–again, and take her for myself.
This is the story of my redemption.
But it’s not pretty…I died, and now I’m alive, but not living, breathing but not surviving. I am Phoenix De Lange, son to a murdered mob boss, estranged brother, horrible friend, monster in the making, newest leader to one of the most powerful families in the Cosa Nostra.
And I will have my vengeance.
Or die trying.
I am Phoenix De Lange.
Death is all I know.
Until she offers me a piece of life–I can’t resist taking.
Once we were on the road, Phoenix chose the correct music for our drive. I say correct because, according to him, one didn’t start the day listening to hip-hop or anything remotely fun. No. Mr. Rogers had me listening to classical music.
Classical.
Mozart, to be exact.
Not that I wasn’t a fan of the arts, but really? It just seemed so against what you would expect from him. He was the bad boy personified; like, if you put his name in the dictionary, right next to it would be “And mothers warned their daughters to stay away, but the heart wants what the heart wants, and that heart wants that body… bad.”
He was all lean muscle and tight abs.
And I could have sworn he had a dimple, but I’d never actually seen it. Phoenix’s dimple was like Bigfoot; I’d seen glimpses in pictures and via rumors, but I had never actually seen it for myself.
One day.
One day I’d catch it and take a mental picture or five. Maybe ten. Needless to say, I knew that if I had one of his smiles, it would be a magical thing.
His hands gripped the steering wheel so hard I had a brief moment of panic thinking he was actually going to rip the thing from the dash and have a breakdown. Sad part? I half-expected it. He wasn’t acting normal… well, he was always moody, but this morning he seemed downright suicidal.
“So…” I tried to zone out the instruments assaulting my sanity. “You went to Eagle Elite, right?”
He was quiet for a minute then gave a swift nod.
“Wow, don’t talk so fast. I almost didn’t get all that.”
And crickets. Again.
I cleared my throat. “You graduate?”
“Sort of.”
“How do you sort of graduate?”
“Did you bring lunch money?” He asked in a tight voice.
I gaped. “Did you just ask me if I brought lunch money?”
He shrugged.
“You’re driving me to school, forcing Mozart on my poor sensitive morning ears, and just asked me if I had money for milk.”
“I’m concerned about you eating. Sue me.”
“Pretty sure the Nicolasi boss can afford to spare me a few dollars for a sandwich and a can of pop.”
“No pop.”
“Who died and made you my grandpa? Seriously. I want to know so I can steal your gun and point it at them.”
“Nobody touches my gun.”
“Which one?” I smirked, hoping he’d find the humor in my sexual innuendo, but who was I kidding? It was Phoenix. He simply grunted, rolled his eyes, and kept driving.
In a moment of pure rebellion, I undid the first two buttons of my white, collared shirt.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked, his voice calm, his eyes still on the road.
“Wow, you really are like a parent. You can see me even when you aren’t looking.”
“Button that shit to your chin before I pull this car over.”
“Put on Jay-Z, and we’ll talk.”
More cursing.
I undid another button.
“Son of a bitch, you’re annoying.”
“Is this our first lovers’ spat?”
“Were there drugs in your toast?” He finally glanced at me, his blue eyes chilling me to the bone. “Be serious. I don’t want to get called into the dean’s office because you’re high.”
“Do I look like I’m on drugs?”
“Is this a trick question?”
Michel’s Review
HOLY EVER LOVING CRAP! Ember, the fifth book in the Eagle Elite series was INTENSE!
Ember is Phoenix De Lange’s book. This man is a killer, a rapist, an abuser, a ghost, an enforcer, and a MONSTER. He has betrayed the family. He has betrayed himself. A death sentence is too easy and too painless for Phoenix De Lange. Redemption is impossible. Or is it?
Phoenix De Lange never stood a chance in life or in the family. He was a monster by birth. His father made him a horrific human being. His actions betrayed the family. He almost killed Nixon Abandonato’s ( the head leader of the families in the United States) woman, Trace Rooks (granddaughter of the Alfero family). His betrayal brought the Luca Nicolosi, leader of the original Sicilian family to the States to decide the fate of all five families. This should of been his death sentence. Luca Nicolosi issued a verdict worse than death. He made Phoenix De Lange a ghost, an enforcer, a protector, and a leader. He saw that there was redemption in Phoenix De Lange’s soul. He saw the man that was buried deep beneath the hideous surface. He saw a man with that craved absolution. He gave him a second chance.
Phoenix De Lange may still be physically alive and breathing but in his heart he is a dead man. He cannot forgive himself for his past. He will put his life on the line every time a family member is threatened. He will sacrifice himself before he allows any harm to come to his family and friends. He does not expect his family to forgive or forget. He continually punishes himself for his past. He is a haunted man without any hope. He does not understand why Luca chose him to lead the Nicolosi family. He does not understand why Luca gave him the key to all of the family secrets. He does not understand why Luca gave him Bee Campisi ( the Cappo’s, Tex Campsisi, little sister) to protect. He hates that he wants her. She is sunshine and rainbows. She is everything good. She is everything he does not deserve… and she loves him. Can he stay away from her and keep her untainted from his ugliness? Or will she be the final nail in his coffin?
There is a storm brewing within the family. The Russian’s are on the horizon. They are threatening the family. The FBI is knocking on their door. The Family is about to be destroyed. Someone in the family is betraying them all. Phoenix knows who it is, after all he knows all the family secrets. Can he save the family? Can he keep Bee from be touched by the war that is coming. Will he have to kill a man that is one of his brothers? Will he walk out with his heart as cold as it was or will he succumb to his true feelings for Bee?
Luca saw redemption within Phoenix’s soul. Now it is up to Phoenix to rise from the ashes and soar.
The war is coming. The Russians are at the door. One man will be sacrificed for his betrayal. One man will pay the price. Welcome to the family…blood in…no out.
The Eagle Elite series is a complex and intricately woven series. There are plots within plots. Each book features a different family and the individual members. They are tightly connected to all the characters throughout the series. The grand plot grows throughout each book. Ember cannot be read as a stand alone book. Phoenix De Lange’s story began in Elite and has progressed throughout the first four books in the series.
Phoenix De Lange is a character that has been quite a force throughout this series. In the beginning he was a monster that deserved to be hated. He proved that there many layers in his persona. He has evolved from being the devil himself to a broken man. My heart broke for him. I wanted him to find a slice of happiness that could be his and only his. Rachel gave him a life worth living and a future to look forward to.
Ember set up the next book in the Eagle Elite Series. The next book is Elude, will release in July 2015. It is going to be a shocker.
Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com
Ellie Cahill is a freelance writer and also writes books for young adults under the name Liz Czukas. She lives outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her husband, son, and the world’s loudest cat.
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