Happy Release: Under The Spotlight by Angie Stanton- The Jamieson Brothers Series- Book 3

Posted on 05/06/2015 by shellbellereads

We’re having a release day launch for Angie Stanton’s Under the Spotlight! I am so excited about this young adult romance!! Angie is sharing an excerpt and fantastic giveaway with us, so be sure to check out all the festivities!

Exclusive Excerpt:

Garrett’s head pounded, and not from the hangover that would greet him with the sunrise, but from being slammed against the wall. Or maybe it was from the few punches that came later when he crashed to the floor of Ye Ole Boston Brew Pub and knocked his head on the beer-stained tile.

He rubbed his unshaven face, and dried blood flaked into his hand. Great. He needed a shower and an aspirin, but the Boston city jail offered neither. Where the hell was Peter? It had been over an hour.

The sharp edge of the narrow bench he lay on cut into his back, making his already battered body even more sore. He only hoped the other guy felt worse. The jerk had the audacity to call him washed up. For Christ’s sake, he was only twenty-two. He’d accomplished more in the last five years than that asshole would in a lifetime.

Reaching for his phone, he remembered the cops had taken it, along with his wallet and keys. Damn it.

“Garrett Jamieson,” a bored cop with thinning hair announced, unlocking the cell. “You’re free to go.”

“About damn time,” Garrett huffed, rising slowly. He tugged his shirt into place, smoothed back his hair, and followed the officer down a long corridor past several cells with other perps. He couldn’t wait to get away from this hellhole. The officer opened a solid metal security door, and Garrett walked through, relieved to be free.

In the far corner of the waiting room, studying the Most Wanted posters, his brother waited, wearing faded jeans and a gray T-shirt.

“Hey Peter,” he called. “See anyone you know?”

Peter turned with a smirk on his face and his hair still ruffled from bed. “Just checking to make sure your ugly mug isn’t up here.”

Garrett sneered. “It wasn’t my fault.”

“Never is.” Peter sighed. “You realize this is becoming an annoying habit. You’re lucky your Jag is still in the shop from your crash last week, otherwise you might have added drunk driving to your record.”

“Stop acting like an old woman.”

“You have more to worry about than me. Dad isn’t going to be happy about this.”

“No reason Dad needs to hear about it.”

“You’re kidding yourself if you think you can keep this under wraps. A couple of photographers are outside. You’re busted. Again.”

Garrett stepped to the counter and signed his discharge papers.

“At least I know how to live a little. You’re tied down to a ball and chain.”

His brother grinned with a smile that melted millions of young girls’ hearts. “Well, I happen to have the hottest ball and chain on the planet.”

Under the Spotlight Synopsis:

After an embarrassing stint on a reality-TV music competition years ago, Riley vowed never to sing again. Now she’s behind the scenes, working at the prestigious Sound Sync recording studio, and life is looking up. But then Garrett Jamieson, the oldest brother in the famous Jamieson brothers band, crashes into her world.

Garrett has hit rock bottom, and he is desperate to reinvent himself. After calling in a few favors, he ends up working at Sound Sync to learn the ropes of record producing from the industry’s best. And he can’t believe his luck when he discovers that Riley has been keeping a secret—she is an amazing singer. By producing her album, he’s sure to top the record charts again. But Garrett is forced to use every trick in his arsenal to persuade the sassy girl to record.

Riley refuses to sing—or even entertain the thought of it—and sparks fly as Garrett finally meets his match. But in the heat of the moment, one stolen kiss changes everything. Will Riley be the first person to finally rein Garrett in, or will Garrett succeed in getting Riley back under the spotlight?

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Under the Spotlight Goodreads

Michel’s Review

Under The Spotlight by Angie Stanton is the third book in the very popular YA series The Jamieson Brothers. Although this is YA/ New Adult I found the book leaning more towards the YA genre. It is a sweet romance with very little angst, very little romance, very little sexual tension, and no sex at all. The first kiss does not happen until the reader has reached 70% of the book. From that point the romance does not progress much until the very end.

I found the characters very charismatic. The general plot of the book was well executed and very entertaining. I loved how the author focused on the procedures in the music industry. It was very enlightening.

Over all Under The Spotlight is a good book. I would recommend this book and series to mature teenage girls that are between tween and new adult. It is a clean romance that will capture the younger teen woman’s heart.

Angie Stanton Bio:

Angie Stanton never planned on writing books—she wanted to be a Rockette. However, growing up in rural America with her brothers’ 4-H pigs as pets, she found that dance didn’t quite work out. Instead, she became an avid daydreamer. After years of perfecting stories in her head, she began to write them down, and the rest is history. When not writing, she loves watching natural disaster movies, going to Broadway musicals, and dipping French fries in chocolate shakes.

Links:

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads | Instagram

Enter Angie’s Giveaway!!
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Happy Release + 6 Star Review: After The War by Jessica Scott – The Homefront Series – Book 2

Posted on 05/05/2015 by shellbellereads

Jessica Scott

After the War

Homefront Series – Book 2

5/5/2015

Blurb:

The second book in the emotional new Homefront series from USA Today Bestselling author Jessica Scott

A terrible loss…

Captain Sarah Anders lost her husband to the Iraq war and has nearly lost the career she loves. Sent to Fort Hood, she only wants to do her job and take care of the daughter she’s raising on her own. She never counted on running straight into a memory she’d tried to forget.

A love he never forgot…

Captain Sean Nichols never got over Sarah. He simply tried to forget her amidst the war and the chaos of combat. But when she’s assigned to investigate his unit, he comes face to face with the woman no war or any amount of time could make him forget.

A dark secret…

As Sarah gets closer to the truth, Sean must accept that actions he took during the war may end the tentative love building between them. And even if Sarah can forgive him, Sean may never be able to forgive himself.

Buy:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes/iBooks | Google Play

Excerpt:

“I’m sorry you have to go through this alone.”

“Thank you for saying that.” She blinked quickly, and she heard a rustle of blankets. Her mind detoured into a very unprofessional space. “Did you just get into bed?”

He laughed quietly. “Yeah. Are you?”

“Yeah.” There was something illicit in that simple agreement. Illicit and enticing all at once.

“So we’re in bed together?”

“Ha ha ha.” She cleared her throat, though, as a fresh heat traced over her skin, warm and needy. “Tell me more about Kearney.”

“Damn, and here I thought you were going to ask me what I was wearing to bed.”

She hesitated. Only for a moment, not giving herself time to talk herself out of her next words. “What are you wearing to bed?”

A silence that let her mind wander. “Sweats.” He paused. When he spoke, his voice was husky and thick. “Tell me what you’re wearing.”

“Yoga pants and a T-shirt,” she said softly, her cheeks turning hot. Was she really having this conversation?

“Sarah?”

“Yeah?”

“This doesn’t feel wrong to me. I just wanted you to know that.”

Michel’s Review

After The War by Jessica Scott is the second book in her new Homefront Series.

After The War is Jessica Scott’s best book to date. It was a powerful and emotional book that was obviously a very personal look into the person Jessica Scott is. Jessica poured a lot of herself into this novel and gave the readers a real look at the hardships of being a female officer, a mother, and a woman. The difficulties of combining a military career and family life are hard enough but add being a single parent to a pre schooler adds more to an already full plate. She also showed that even though one can be a soldier prepared for war that you are never prepared for the loss personally. The fears are very real. The devastation is even harder because no matter how the pieces fall you still have to soldier on. You still have to be a parent to your child.

Captain Sarah Anders has struggled and had adversity since she began her military career. She lost one man she loved because of her career. He could not accept her choice of being a soldier. He wanted a wife and children at home while he was pursuing his own career as a soldier. She lost her husband, the only man that accepted her choices and career, to the casualties of war. She gave birth to her daughter alone. She has spent the last five years trying to combine her career and be the best parent to her ability.

When she is fired from one position and sent to Fort Hood it is like a slap in the face for her endeavors in the Army. She is assigned to a senior officer that believes no single parent , especially a woman, should be in the Army. Her superior officer (although being a woman herself) is much harder on her female officers than she is on her male officers. Sarah is assigned to investigate a case of the arrests of two soldiers fighting in a local bar. It should be a cut and dry case but as the investigation begins to unfold there is much more buried below the surface. One the main problems is dealing with the soldiers commanding officer. That officer is the same man that could not accept her career choices and walked away. Now nine years later they are forced to work together.

A lot of changes can take place over nine years. Sarah is living proof of that. She is a mother and widow. She is an officer walking a fine line in her career because of Army politics and her home life.

Captain Sean Nichols has also changed. He was once an idealistic naive young soldier that thought he could change the world. He thought going to war would make a difference. War has a way of changing a man’s perspective on life and his view of the world. He may be a career warrior but he is also a compassionate man. He understands the nightmares and devastation that stays within a man’s soul after the war. He is trying to keep his men sane, focused, and prepared. Two of his soldiers are falling off course. It is more than homefront problems affecting these men. Something happened while they were on the front that is causing these men conflicts.

Sean never dreamed he would see Sarah again. He is shocked to find out she married soon after they broke it off. He was even more shocked that she was a mother. Then when he found out who her husband was, he was devastated. He witnessed her husband’s death. Now he wants a second chance to get to know Sarah once more. He has changed and respects her career. He also admires her sense of dedication to her young daughter. He wants another chance with Sarah.

Can Sarah put aside her fears, mistrusts, and resentments and give Sean another chance? Will she be able to hold onto her career and have a personal life? Can she still be a good parent and a good soldier at the same time? She thought she knew how to do it. Coming to Fort Hood has changed everything. It could be for the worse or it could be for the better. Sarah has tough choices to make. The one thing that seems most important is taking a second chance at love.

After The War was a powerful story of a strong woman surviving her losses, her career choices, and being the best person she can be.

I admire Jessica Scott for writing this story.

__________________________________________________________________

About Jessica Scott:

USA Today Bestselling author Jessica Scott is a career army officer, mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs, wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She is a terrible cook and even worse housekeeper, but she’s a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon and someone liked some of the stuff she wrote. Somehow, her children are pretty well adjusted and her husband still loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.

She’s also written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View Regarding War, and IAVA. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of OIF/New Dawn and has had the honor of serving as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas twice.

She’s pursuing a graduate degree in Sociology in her spare time and most recently, she’s been featured as one of Esquire Magazine’s Americans of the Year for 2012.

Find Jessica Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Happy Release + 5 Star : A Shattered Moment by Tiffany King – Fractured Lives Series – Book 1

Posted on 05/05/2015 by shellbellereads

A Shattered Moment

Fractured Lives Series – Book 1

By Tiffany King

Synopsis

In the new series by the bestselling author of the Woodfalls Girls novels, six friends—fresh from high school graduation—discover that the future can come at you from out of nowhere.

This is Mackenzie’s story…

Mackenzie Wilson once had hope for what life had to offer, but everything changed on the night of her graduation. A year later, the only way she can find comfort is by keeping her head down and hoping she remains unnoticed at college.

When Bentley James discovered Mac in that twisted SUV, he was just a newbie EMT on his first call. It was a gut-wrenching moment that made him realize not everyone can be saved—and sometimes they don’t want to be.

A chance encounter on campus brings Bentley back into Mac’s life. Despite her initial resistance, he sets out to discover the girl hiding beneath a shield of seclusion. He evokes painful memories in Mac—but also feelings. As the spark between them grows, Mac must decide if she can let go of the past and believe in something as fragile as love…

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Michel’s Review

Wow… the latest new series by Tiffany King, Fractured Lives series, is going to be an emotional and powerful series that readers are going to love. The first book, A Shattered Moment blew me away. This book had my stomach in knots at times, tears in my eyes at other times, and pure joy at the triumphs. It was an unforgettable story.

MacKenzie Wilson had the world in her hands. She had just graduated from high school, she had the perfect boyfriend, she was going to college with her best friends, and a shiny bright future in her perfect world. Life was a celebration. On their graduation day, MacKenzie and her 5 friends had a special celebration planned. What started out as a celebration of their future life ended up being a nightmare that would forever affect MacKenzie’s life. She no longer has a bright shiny future. She no longer has the perfect boyfriend. She no longer has five best friends. What she has is constant pain both physical and emotional. Every task in her life is difficult. Her world is haunted by her past and her future will always carry the horrific memories of graduation night. No one saw the semi truck coming. No one knew that this would be their last moments together.

One year later MacKenzie is trying to move forward with her life one baby step at a time. She is now handicapped after sustaining serious injuries in the accident. She is lucky to be alive all though she doesn’t feel like she is. She has survivors guilt to go along with her permanent injuries. She no longer has close friends she can confide in. Some are dead and some are just as damaged as she is. But MacKenzie is a survivor. She is determined to move forward in her life even though it is not the life she envisioned.

Attending college is difficult when you are physically challenged. Making new friends is difficult when you are hurting and grieving your old friends. MacKenzie is focusing on surviving school and keeping her academics up. When she meets Bentley James her life is about to take another unpredicted turn. Bentley James is the EMT that saved her life and gave her a second chance. Now he is going to save her life once again and give her another chance at life. A chance to find real friendship. A chance to find love. A chance to love the person she has become.

A Shattered Moment was an emotional story of second chances. I loved both of the characters. MacKenzie was a brave and resilient young woman. Bentley was a very special person that not only had the knowledge of saving the physical body but also the insight of saving a soul with unconditional understanding and friendship. This book has quite a few surprises that will floor the readers and have them anxious for the next book.

Read A Shattered Moment. It will touch your heart.

Author Bio:

USA Today Bestselling author Tiffany King is a lifelong reading fanatic who is now living her dream as a writer, weaving Young Adult and New Adult romance tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iphone and ipad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, zombies and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + Reviews : Lawless In Leather by Melanie Scott- New York Saints Series – Book 3

Posted on 05/05/2015 by shellbellereads

Lawless In Leather

New York Saints Series – Book 3

By Melanie Scott

Synopsis

SHE’S GOOD AT HER GAME.
Raina Easton never dreamed she’d end up playing ring master to a bunch of baseball cheerleaders. But when the New York Saints offers her a job to coach its new squad–the Fallen Angels–Raina can’t refuse. As the owner of a burlesque club, she can certainly show the girls more than a few good moves. But as for her new boss? That is, as they say, a whole ‘nother story. . .

AND HE’S GOT IT BAD.
Army veteran, biker, and all-around tough guy, Malachi Coulter isn’t your typical sports-team owner. For one thing, he doesn’t think cheerleaders belong on the baseball field. Another: he can’t seem to separate business and pleasure when he meets his somewhat scandalous new employee. Seems the major-league bad boy has met his match in the gorgeous, feisty Raina. All’s fair in love and baseball…could it be that, after all this time, Malachi is playing to win? Kobo

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Tina’s Review

Judging a Book by it’s Cover:
Cover design’s first impression is HOT, immediately followed by the question of who would want to wear a leather jacket with nothing underneath? The synopsis sounds like a lot of fun trouble and chemistry about to happen!
Looking Deeper:
It may be petty, but it throws me off that this is a New York team, with American owners, players and other cast members; however, the author often is noticed using terms not utilized in America (ie: Lift for elevator, Stag night for Bachelor party, Braces for suspenders). That said… Raina is a dancer, formerly of Broadway and currently the owner of a Burlesque club. She’s been hired by Alex to train the new Fallen Angels dance troupe (aka cheerleaders) for the Saints. Mal is the third of the trio that bought the Saints. Former special forces and now a security specialist, he’s trained to detect the slightest oddities. Both characters are strong, smart leads with not-so great pasts. The secondary characters consist of the couples from THE DEVIL IN DENIM and ANGEL IN ARMANI and a few minor characters from the previous installments as well as several new minor characters. All played the supporting role well, whether as plot filler or more significant support assistance. The plot had plenty of excitement and conflicts. Many of the conflicts were only vaguely resolved but the overall effect worked well. The story kept a steady pace and easy flow with little to no predictability. The conclusion was alright, but the big finale conflict was rather anti-climactic and simplistic. Overall, it was not a bad story. In fact, it was quite exciting and enjoyable. I only wish it had a stronger and more clearly defined conclusion, the epilogue was more of a wasted-potential piece of fluff catering more towards the other couples that of Raina and Mal.

Michel’s Review

Mal and his best friends have bought the worst baseball team in history. They need to get fans in the stands and behind the team. When one of them comes up with hairbrained idea to have cheerleaders to lure spectators into the stadium, Mal is purely capitol N..O..! Baseball does not have cheerleaders, period! He may be changing his mind when they bring in the burlesque dancer, Reina Easton. The attraction is undeniable.

Mal and Reina will butt heads, drive each other crazy, play the push and pull dance, but in the end both have been speared by cupid’s arrow.

The banter between these two is witty, the chemistry is sizzling, and the plot is well developed. Between the romance and suspense the story moves along at a quick pace and keeps the reader captivated.

I do have to agree with my blogmate Tina. Some of the word selections are not what Americans would use in their slang. I think the author needs to work on this and the publisher editors should of pointed this out. After all the book is a baseball themed romance. You don’t get more American than baseball.

Overall Lawless In Leather by Melanie Scott was a very good book.

The New York Saints Series

The Devil In Denim – Book 1

LIFE JUST THREW HER A CURVEBALL.

As the team-owner’s daughter, Maggie Jameson grew up in the New York Saints’ stadium–glove, cap, hot dogs, and all. Baseball’s in her blood, and she’s always dreamed of the day when she would lead the Saints to victory herself. That was before her dad had to sell the team to Alex Winters. The fast-talking, fiercely attractive businessman has a baseball pedigree that’s distinctly minor league. Maggie wants to hate him but his skills of seduction, however, are off the charts.

WILL LOVE BE A HOME RUN?

Alex could never have imagined how much this team means to Maggie. He needs her to help show the players that they’re still a family…even if he and Maggie are at the verge of exchanging blows. But her fiery determination and gorgeous looks prove irresistible to Alex. And much as he wants to relegate their relationship to the playing field–and get the Saints back in the game–Alex just can’t help himself: What he wants to win most is Maggie’s heart…in The Devil in Denim by Melanie Scott.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Angel In Armani – Book 2

WILL A LOVE OF THE GAME
Sara Charles is striking out on her own. With her dad out of commission, Charles Air has only one helicopter left–and only Sara to fly charters. With the family business in jeopardy, Sara needs all the clients she can get and the newest one is New York Saints team surgeon, Lucas Angelo. When an unexpected flirtation escalates into a night of pure blind passion, Sara is in agony over what she believes was extremely poor judgment on her part. She wants nothing more than to avoid Lucas. And keep her business her business. But she needs him–in more ways than one.

LEAD TO A FIELD OF DREAMS?But there is a catch: Lucas also needs Sara. Spring training is upon him, and his schedule is madness. So he asks Sara to be his personal pilot. It’s an offer she can’t refuse. She intends to keep him at arm’s length–especially when she discovers just what different lives they have. Little does Sara know that, for Lucas, the only thing more important than business is pleasure. He only plays to win. And he intends to hit it out of the park…

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Lawless In Leather – Book 3

Author Bio:

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Melanie Scott is an unrepentant bookworm. Luckily she grew up in a family that fed her a properly varied diet of books and these days is surrounded by people who are understanding of her story addiction. When not wrestling one of her own stories to the ground, she can generally be found reading someone else’s. Her other distractions include yarn, cat butlering, dark chocolate and fabric. She lives in Melbourne, Australia. To keep in touch, sign up for her newsletter at http://www.melanie-scott.net.

She also writes fantasy and urban fantasy as M.J. Scott To find out more about M.J’s books, check out her website or sign up for her newsletter at http://www.mjscott.net.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Yield by Sawyer Bennett – Legal Affairs Series- Cal and Macy’s Story – Book 3

Posted on 05/05/2015 by shellbellereads

Yield: A Legal Affairs Story (Book #3 of Cal and Macy’s Story)

By: Sawyer Bennett

Release Date: May 5, 2015

Buy: Amazon / ITunes / Google Play

Yield is the final book the Legal Affairs trilogy of Cal and Macy’s story. Clash and Grind, Books #1 and #2, are now available for purchase.

Yield Synopsis:

**Due to sexual content and heavy subject matter of an abusive nature, this book may not be suitable for all audiences.

Yield (verb): to surrender or submit (oneself) to another

Macy Carrington is broken. The strong, beautiful woman that I’ve unwittingly fallen in love with is all kinds of broken from a secret that she has carried for far too long.

A secret so dark, she has gone to great lengths to protect it.

A secret that I’m terrified will one day rip her away from me.

The only time Macy frees herself from the darkness is when she is naked and in my arms. When I am deep inside her body, there is nothing she fears. When she wraps herself around me, she is at peace.

If she would only yield to me completely, I know I can set her free.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25184992-yield

Purchase Yield: A Legal Affairs Story:

Amazon / ITunes / Google Play

Michel’s Review

Yield is the conclusion to Cal and Macy’s story. This couple has gone from mutual hate to friends with benefits to lovers. Their new found love is put to a test when Macy’s past comes back to haunt her. Her family has a closet full of secrets. They are under indictment for their underhanded business practices. The prosecutor needs leverage to make Macy’s father and uncle plea bargain. Macy is the one holding the chips. Her testimony could destroy her family completely. Macy doesn’t want to protect her family but she also doesn’t want her secrets spilled out into the world.

Cal has suspected that Macy had secrets that destroyed her once. He will not let them destroy her again. He doesn’t care if he knows what her secrets are, they are hers to hold close. He will do everything in his power and outside the legal box to get her family & prosecutor to back down. They are destroying the woman he loves. They are destroying his future happiness.

Somehow Sawyer Bennett always creates a hero that I fall head over heels in love with. Cal is at the top of the list. He is the perfect man.

Macy was a strong woman that dealt with her crappy life in a very unique way. She didn’t let her family destroy her and when all the chips were down she took complete control. She fought for herself and she fought for her life with Cal.

Sawyer Bennett has penned another winner.

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Sawyer Bennett is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Sawyer is the author of several contemporary romances including the popular Off Series, the Legal Affairs Series, the Last Call Series and the Cold Fury hockey series.

Connect with Sawyer:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bennettbooks
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Tsu: http://www.tsu.co/bennettbooks
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Giveaway

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Release Day Blitz + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Two of Hearts by Christina Lee

Posted on 05/05/2015 by shellbellereads

Two of Hearts

Spin Off of Between Breaths Series

Release Date: May 5, 2015

By Christina Lee

Synopsis

A gripping standalone adult contemporary romance about finding yourself while taking a second chance at your first love…

Dakota Nakos was always the resilient, strong-willed achiever. But when her father dies and she’s entrusted with the family’s casino, she feels vulnerable, scared, and more than a little emotional –not exactly the best time to see an old lover she’s never really gotten over.

Dakota once meant the world to Shane Garrity. Then suddenly he left town to train as a U.S. Marshal, and their love for each other crashed into a memory. Now he’s come home for her father’s funeral, and one look at the girl he left behind stirs up both memories and regrets, and reignites a fire he feared he’d lost forever.

Dakota may be the same driven girl she always was, but she’s also changed in ways neither could have anticipated. She’s not just a young woman searching for own identity in the Native American community in which she was raised, but one questioning her new life outside her father’s shadow. Above all she wonders if Shane can push past her weakened defenses to rekindle what they once had, or whether the intense blaze between them will ultimately reduce her heart to ashes.

Buy : Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Excerpt

She closed her eyes on a sharp breath, looking soft and vulnerable.

Because I couldn’t help myself, my fingers left her chair and glided up her arms to her neck. Her breaths released from her lips in short pants and I considered touching my mouth to hers.

Would she let me? Would she want me to?

“Yes,” she whispered, the heat of her breaths warming the tiny sliver of air still lingering between us. “But that’s in the past. We had our chance and I . . . I got over you. So let’s leave it there.”

My stomach completely flipped over. “You got over me?”

I studied her lips edge to edge, and they trembled in response. She was so not over me.

I didn’t know what the hell was driving me. I just knew I didn’t like hearing those words. Not one damn bit.

“You got over me?” I growled as my fingers gripped the nape of her neck.

My lips brushed the line of her jaw and she shivered.

“Shane, don’t. Please,” she mumbled, her hands at my chest. “You’ll just leave again and I can’t . . . I can’t . . .”

She sounded so helpless and sad. For the first time she was allowing me to see exactly what she might have been feeling, might’ve gone through five years ago. She sounded wrecked—as wrecked as I had been.

My lips trailed to her ear. “Angel.”

Michel’s Review

Wow, it has been a real treat to have two releases from Christina Lee in less than a month’s time. The Between Breaths series has been a true pleasure to read. Each book is unique, emotional, and entertaining. All of the characters each have a story that needs to be told. Two of Hearts is a spin off of the Between Breaths series. It is linked to Whisper To Me, book three in the Between Breaths series. It continues the story of the Nakos family and their heritage.

Two of Hearts opens up on a very sad note. Dakota and Kai’s father has been murdered in a senseless mugging. Although the family is freshly grieving his death, they are having to deal with their tribal laws, the fate of the casino, and the questions concerning the murder. They need to determine if it was a random crime or a calculated murder resulting from the political and economical arena of their tribe. Many of the casino owners within their tribe have coveted the power that their father had rightly earned. There is also the question of who should take over the casino. Although their mother is the rightful heir, she is not Native American, therefore cannot own a casino on Native American properties.

Dakota Nakos has worked by her father’s side for years. She has dedicated her life to the family business and their employees. She is fully aware that the casino has a strong influence on the economical life of their tribe. Families depend on the casino for their income. The tribe depends on the casino to keep their families from falling into economical poverty. The tribe also depends on the casino to support the traditional values and laws that have been established in their heritage. The leaders of the tribe are concerned that a non Native American will not put the tribal heritage first. They are concerned that greed will rule their hearts. They must establish ownership quickly. The Nakos may be forced to sell the casino in the best interest of the tribe. There are quite a few of the other casino owners that want the casino for themselves because of the success and reputation the Nakos casino has acquired. This brings into question the motives for the murder.

Shane Garrity returned to town for the funeral. He had left their community to pursue a career as a US Marshall. When he left town, he left the one girl he always loved behind. Dakota Nakos owned his heart. They were young and in love but could not find a solution for their future together. They both wanted very different things in life. They didn’t know how to communicate and express their feelings. They both needed to grow up and learn their paths in life. Now that Shane is back he is determined to win back the heart of the only woman he has loved. He has found that his career choices may not of been the right thing for him. Now he is going to take the time to find the path that is right for him with Dakota at his side.

When the threats to the Nakos family become very real, Shane will put his professional training to good use protecting the woman he loves and finding the person that is dividing their tribal nation apart.

Two of Hearts is more than a romance, it is a moving story. It is a story of heritage vs. modernism. Can the Native American tribes hang onto their heritage and move their tribe forward in the modern world without losing the traditions that make them who they are. The intrigue, suspense, and politics will keep the reader captivated. The final revelations will leave the reader stunned. The romance is a second chance love story that will melt the reader’s heart.

Christina Lee has delivered another captivating page turner. Two of Hearts can be read as a stand alone romance or in series order.

The Between Breaths Series

All of You- Book 1

In this powerfully emotional debut New Adult novel, Avery has just met her hot upstairs neighbor. He’s irresistible. Tattooed. And a virgin.

Nursing student Avery Michaels wants nothing to do with dating–she’s perfectly happy single. Privy to too many of her mother’s bad decisions and even worse taste in boyfriends, all Avery can handle is a string of uncomplicated hookups whenever the mood strikes.

When she meets smoking hot tattoo artist Bennett, she wants him–for just one night. But he won’t accept a no-strings-attached arrangement. He lives by a straight-laced code of values based on his own troubled upbringing.

Bennett sees something special in Avery and he wants more from her. Way more. As Avery wrestles with her emotions for Bennett, danger and tragedy force them to open up to each other. And Avery must face the terrifying realization that she wants more from him, too.

So she needs to make a choice–let Bennett go or finally let him in.

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

Before You Break – Book 2

A sexy, emotional New Adult romance about a bad boy on the edge and a good girl about to lose control…

A college baseball star isn’t supposed to have skeletons in his closet. But Daniel Quinn is hiding a guilty past so dark he refuses to let anyone get close. Except there’s something about gorgeous, studious Ella Abrams that goes beyond the electric attraction between them–something that makes him want to open up.

Ella has suffered enough heartache and guilt to fill one of her psychology textbooks, but she keeps that part of herself hidden behind a bubbly exterior. Until she receives an anonymous call while working a suicide helpline and the voice on the other end touches something inside of her that she can’t ignore.

Soon Ella and Quinn’s physical connection heats up, even as their deep and revealing hotline talks intensify. But by the time Ella realizes that her seductive jock and her sensitive caller are the same guy, it might be too late to save him–or to stop herself from falling too far…

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

Whisper To Me – Book 3

A hot and consuming New Adult romance about a wayward musician and the one girl who keeps him grounded…

At college, Rachel has a reputation for being a sarcastic flirt with a thing for star athletes. No one at school knows that she’d had her heart ripped to shreds by her high school sweetheart, who’d driven them both off the side of the road on a borrowed motorcycle, and then abandoned her. No one knows the real Rachel Mattson–except one person…

Ever since he helped nurse his sister’s feisty best friend back to health, pierced bass player Kai Nakos has been head over heels in love. But the supposed bad boy can’t risk letting Rachel know the truth–especially now that the two of them are back in their hometown for the summer, together for the first time since the months following that fateful night. Never mind that Rachel’s ex is back, groveling for her forgiveness.

Shaken by her ex’s return, Rachel finds herself turning to the one guy she knows she can trust. Kai is willing to hide his feelings for her, just to have Rachel touch him again. After all, this is only a temporary fling. Until it becomes something more. But maybe it had been more all along…

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

Promis Me This – Book 4

A new love will test the boundaries of passion between a privileged boy next door and the tattooed, blue-haired girl who helps him embrace his wild side…

Nate has developed quite a playboy reputation around campus. It’s not that he doesn’t respect or trust women; he doesn’t trust himself. The men in Nate’s family are prone to abusive behavior—a dirty secret that Nate’s been running from his entire life—so Nate doesn’t do relationships. But he can’t help himself around one girl…

Jessie is strong, independent, and works at a tattoo parlor. Nate can’t resist getting close to her, even if it’s strictly a friendship. But it doesn’t take long for Nate to admit that what he wants with Jessie is more than just friendly.

With Jessie, he can be himself and explore what he’s always felt was a terrifying darkness inside him. Even when Nate begins to crave her in a way that both shocks and horrifies him, Jessie still wants to know every part of him. Testing their boundaries together will take a trust that could render them inseparable… or tear them apart.

INCLUDES A PREVIEW OF TWO OF HEARTS.

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

There You Stand – Book 5

From the author of All of You and Before You Break comes a new Between Breaths male/male romance about the silent, inked up skateboarder and the tattoo artist who unravels him piece by piece…

Tattoo artist Cory Easton has worked long enough at Raw Ink to know, just by looking at a dude, what his body art reveals, what makes him tick, what even makes him scared. Until he meets the quiet and remote Jude York–so unreadable, so unreachable, and so unlike anyone else, he can’t help but arouse Cory’s curiosity.

As captivating and complex as his ink, Jude is a mystery–and Cory’s falling fast and hard under his spell. Against his better judgment to steer clear.

The rumors of Jude’s past overshadow him–whispers of prison and an unmentionable secret that’s kept him in the protective shadows of a local motorcycle club. As Cory probes deeper, he wonders how much he really wants to know. Especially since Jude has awakened something inside him that has been buried too long–and has him feeling completely alive for the first time in forever…

Includes a preview of Christina Lee’s upcoming adult romance Two of Hearts.

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

Two Of Hearts – Book 6

Release Date: May 5, 2015

A gripping standalone adult contemporary romance about finding yourself while taking a second chance at your first love…

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

______________________________________

Author Bio:

Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son–her two favorite guys. She’s addicted to lip gloss, salted caramel everything, and believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.

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$25 Gift Card (Winner’s choice of retailer) & Book Swag

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Happy Release: The Handler by D. R. Graham – The Noir ET Bleu Motorcycle Club Series – Book 2

Posted on 04/28/2015 by shellbellereads

The Handler

The Noir ET Bleu Motorcycle Club Series – Book 2

By D. R. Graham

Synopsis

A new adult novel from Entangled’s Embrace imprint…

He promised he would never be an outlaw . . .

While searching for the member of an outlaw motorcycle gang who murdered his dad, Cain Allen is offered a boatload of cash to “handle” the stunning teen popstar Lincoln Todd. Although he doesn’t need the headache of a high-maintenance celebrity, getting out of town will help him keep a low profile until he testifies against the other two killers.

Touring Europe with Lincoln proves to be more complicated than Cain anticipated, and despite his efforts, the line between their personal and professional lives blurs. She’s sweet, smart, and totally unpredictable. And he loves it.

But Lincoln’s association with Cain puts her in more danger than anyone could have imagined. When he joins forces with the Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club to protect her, Cain discovers the lengths he’s willing to go, and the person he’s willing to become to protect the people he loves…

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Michel’s Review

The Handler is the first book I have read by author D. R. Graham. I have to say that I am impressed by her writing and really enjoyed this book. It had a fresh plot, solid writing, interesting characters, and a smooth flow. Although this is the second book in the Noir Et Bleu Motorcycle Club series, it can be read as a stand alone novel. I was so impressed with this book that I plan on reading the first book in the series, One Percenter.

Cain Allen is at crossroads in his life. While trying to search for the man responsible for his father’s murder and his mother’s injuries, he is very low on cash. His girlfriend is pissed that he is so far away from home. His sister wants him home. He’s living with some guys from the Noir ET Bleu MC and needs to pay rent. When his friend Tomcat calls and offers him a job as a “handler” for a teen pop star, it seems like easy money. All he has to do is make sure the princess pop star , Lincoln Todd, is safe and secure while traveling.

Thus begins the unique relationship between Lincoln and Cain. Cain is brutally honest with Lincoln and tells her the way things really are. He doesn’t sugar coat or spoil her like all the other people in her life. He earns her trust and she wins his heart. How can he keep her safe when he can’t distant himself or his heart.

The dangers he went looking for are following Lincoln on her tour. Can they both survive and come out with their hearts in one piece?

This fast paced and highly suspenseful book is full of twists and turns. It was not predictable and doled out surprises throughout the book. The romance that bloomed between Cain and Lincoln was very touching. He started out the book with a girlfriend and ended with his heart belonging to another. The author handled this with a grace that won’t turn the readers off. This book was indeed a gem.

I highly recommend The Handler by D. R. Graham!

__________________

D.R. Graham is the author of young adult and new adult novels for Entangled Publishing and HarperCollins Publishers. Her books include: the NOIR ET BLEU MOTORCYCLE CLUB series (One Percenter, The Handler), RANK, the upcoming BRAMPTON BEACH series, and the Apple iBooks best selling young adult novel, HIT THAT AND YOU’RE DEAD. She is also an award winning columnist for the Richmond News.

She worked as a social worker with at-risk youth for seven years before becoming a therapist in private practice. The clients she works with are children and teenagers. Her novels deal with issues relevant to young and new adults in love, transition, or crisis.

She currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + 5 Star Review + 2015 Favorite: The Mistake by Elle Kennedy – Off Campus Series – Book 2

Posted on 04/28/2015 by shellbellereads

The Mistake

Off-Campus Series – Book 2

By Elle Kennedy

Synopsis

He’s a player in more ways than one…

College junior John Logan can get any girl he wants. For this hockey star, life is a parade of parties and hook-ups, but behind his killer grins and easygoing charm, he hides growing despair about the dead-end road he’ll be forced to walk after graduation. A sexy encounter with freshman Grace Ivers is just the distraction he needs, but when a thoughtless mistake pushes her away, Logan plans to spend his final year proving to her that he’s worth a second chance.

Now he’s going to need to up his game…

After a less than stellar freshman year, Grace is back at Briar University, older, wiser, and so over the arrogant hockey player she nearly handed her V-card to. She’s not a charity case, and she’s not the quiet butterfly she was when they first hooked up. If Logan expects her to roll over and beg like all his other puck bunnies, he can think again. He wants her back? He’ll have to work for it. This time around, she’ll be the one in the driver’s seat…and she plans on driving him wild.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Michel’s Review

It’s official…. I am a self declared PUCK BUNNY ! Elle Kennedy has delivered another fantastic book in her highly acclaimed Off-Campus series. Her latest release, The Mistake, features hockey player John Logan. John Logan is the latest college hockey legend to Grace the pages and make the readers swoon. This guy has it all… he’s a gifted athlete, he is hotter than hades, he’s a dirty talker that definitely can back up his banter, he’s a nice guy beneath the whorish reputation he carries, he’s dedicated to his family beyond expectations, and when he falls in love- he falls hard and takes everything down with him.

John Logan has been pining for his best friend Garrett’s girlfriend, Hannah. Hannah is everything he wants in a girlfriend. Logically he knows that she is off limits but he can’t help the way he feels. While trying to deal with his unrequited feelings he leans on his players reputation and sexual prowess for self therapy. He’s banging a different coed nightly and using frat parties as his playground. It may look like he is at the top of his game but deep down he is coming in last. Something has to give.

An accidental meeting with a freshman changes everything. When Logan meets Grace Ivers, he shares more than her gummy bears. The two start fooling around in a casual manner. He really doesn’t know much about Grace. He’s only interested in the distraction she provides him. But when the regular Puck Bunnies pull out their claws and start attacking Grace he steps in for the rescue. This leads to a huge mistake and wrong assumptions. When all is said and done, he has carelessly used Grace, led her on, and threw her away. When he realizes the consequences of his mistake he is full of regret. He wants a chance to rectify his mistake. He wants Grace. He wants another chance.

After numerous rejections, a long summer with his miserable family, and a harsh dose of reality, Logan is back at Briar ready to finish his senior year. He knows he has to make the most of the this year because it is his last chance before his future reality crushes him. The top of his list is making peace with Grace Ivers. He wants the opportunity to prove that he is a good guy and boyfriend material. But Grace has different ideas. She is going to put John Logan through the hoops. She’s going to make him dance to a new tune. She has a list. It’s a good thing that John Logan is a competitive athlete. He is going to get the workout and game that most players could never endure. John plans to win this game. This game is the only thing that matters in his miserable life. His future is riding on this game. He made have made the biggest mistake in his life but he learned a very value lesson. He learned the true meaning of love.

I absolutely loved this book as much as I loved the first book in the series. The tone of the story, the plot, the dialogue, and the characters are captivating. The Mistake is packed with humor, angst, heartbreak, redemption, and hope. Once again Elle Kennedy showcased her superb writing talent.

I am looking forward to the next books in this series. There are two hockey roommates screaming for a book. The very spoiled rich player Dean needs to be brought down a notch. Babyfaced Tuck needs someone to wrap him up in hugs & kisses and make sure he doesn’t forget to shave.

Each book can be read as a stand alone novel or in series order.

Read The Mistake by Elle Kennedy. It will not disappoint.

The Off-Campus Series

The Deal

Off-Campus Series – Book 1

By Elle Kennedy

Synopsis

USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

She’s about to make a deal with the college bad boy…

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice…even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.

…and it’s going to be oh so good

All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.

***New Adult/Contemporary Romance. First of a series, but each book will be a standalone***

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

_____________________

About Elle Kennedy

A USA Today bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a BA in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Newsletter

Happy Release + 5 Star Review: Wolf by Nicole James – Evil Dead MC Series – Book 4

Posted on 04/28/2015 by shellbellereads

Wolf

Evil Dead MC Series- Book 4

By Nicole James

Synopsis

The Evil Dead Motorcycle Club gave Wolf his nickname. They said it was because women stood about as much chance with him as Little Red Riding Hood stood against The Big Bad Wolf. And maybe that was true.

For Wolf, when it comes to his club, he’s all about loyalty. He loves his brothers, he loves the freedom of the road, and he loves his independence. When it comes to women, Wolf is all about the chase. He likes the hunt, he likes the challenge, and he loves women. And for the hot-as-hell badass biker, they’ve always come too easily. But they never fully satisfy him.

That is, until he met Crystal.

Buried under that hard-edged sexy-as-sin tomboy with the smartass mouth that can put any brother in the MC in his place, is a feminine side she only reveals when pushed. And Wolf is just the man to push. Problem is she’s the only woman to ever push back. Which only makes him more determined to have her.

Life in the Evil Dead MC isn’t easy, and neither is loving one of them. It’s a life that can leave a man scarred and bloody. And sometimes the fallout is far reaching and takes more than a man is willing to give.

It can be just as risky for any woman brave enough to love one of them.

The scars of life run deep, for both of them.

Sometimes life doesn’t give you a fairytale, sometimes you have to make your own.

And sometimes it takes a spitfire to tame a hell-raiser.

Buy: Amazon / B & N

Michel’s Review

I have been waiting for this book to release. The Evil Dead MC series by Nicole James is one of my all time favorite biker series as well as book series. Each book in this series is fresh, gritty, suspenseful, and loaded with testosterone driven alpha males that don’t take no for an answer. The other interesting thing about the Evil Dead MC Series is that it is not locked into a specific set of characters and ongoing plot. The Evil Dead MC is a national MC club that has chapters throughout the country. In one book it may feature some of the characters from the California chapter and in another it will feature characters from one of the Alabama chapters. We have met various characters from Mississippi, Louisiana, and the northwest. Although the characters are spread out geographically, they all blend together by their common connection to the Evil Dead MC.

We first met Wolf and Crystal in the first and second books of the Evil Dead MC series. Wolf is a member of the California chapter and Crystal is the bartender at their clubhouse. She is not a club whore. She is a valued member of the Evil Dead MC family but has no permanent ties because she is not an old lady. She has been having an ongoing affair with the Evil Dead brother, Wolf. Their relationship is not one with commitment. As far as Wolf is concerned he thinks he can sleep around, bring club whores around and that Crystal will always be there with open arms whenever he gets an itch. Crystal wants more from Wolf than he is willing to give. Their relationship has become toxic. It is affecting the peace within the clubhouse and causing all kinds of riffs between the members and whores. Mac ( the president) has laid down the law and ordered Wolf to cut Crystal loose. If he cannot abide by his decision then he is going to ban Crystal from stepping foot on any Evil Dead properties. The other members are pissed because Crystal is part of the family. Wolf is willing to abide by Mack’s order but is having trouble staying away from her. She is the only woman he has ever gone back to for more. She accepts his sexual preferences, she makes very little demands, and satisfies him completely. But when Crystal has finally had enough of his crap, she chooses to leave the Evil Dead MC world for good. She’s done. She’s finished with being a door mat and afterthought. She’s tired of explosive sex and toxic wordplay. She needs more.

That old saying “you never know what you had until you lose it” smacks Wolf in the face and in the balls. He finally realizes what he had after it’s too late. Crystal has left for good with no forwarding address. No one knows where she is.

Meanwhile back at the clubhouse there is a storm brewing. Someone is singling out the Evil Dead MC and their businesses. There is murder, arsen, and loss of income without a clue as to who is behead it. The Evil Dead MC is under attack.

Then there are the old ladies. It seems they have a mind of their own. They know where Crystal is and have been in contact with her. They meticulously plan a secret girls weekend in Vegas while their old men are trying to get to the bottom of the club’s troubles.

From here on out the book gets intense. Between a girls weekend in Vegas, a surprise wedding, some hot tattoo artists, and the rally in Sturgis : there is never a dull moment. When their final enemy makes a play it could cost some of the members their lives.

I was glued to the pages of this book. Although this book is more relationship driven than the previous books, the Evil Dead MC still plays a big part in the story. This MC club that Nicole James has created is worth their weight in gold. This series has the grit that fans of biker books want, has sensual romances, and something different in each books plot to make this series stand out.

I highly recommend Wolf and the Evil Dead MC series by Nicole James. It is guaranteed to thrill!

The Evil Dead MC Series

Outlaw- Book 1

Buy: Amazon / B & N

When outlaw biker, Cole Austin sees a young woman handcuffed and being dragged across the yard of the Dead Souls Motorcycle Club’s remote clubhouse, he’s stunned by the realization of just how dark his world has become. This scene is even more than his twisted soul can stomach. Compelled to intercede and save her, he has no idea his whole world is about to change. He believes he’s doing the right thing until a secret she’s hiding makes him question if saving her may be the biggest mistake of his life. The two strike a deal, a deal they may both come to regret. Can his soul be saved? Is there anything he won’t do for her? Are there some things he just can’t? And are there some things she can never forgive?

Crash – Book 2

Buy: Amazon / B & N

When outlaw biker Tyler “Crash” Shaw volunteers his services to his club brother, Cole Austin, VP of the Evil Dead MC, he suddenly finds himself a rich girl’s bodyguard and babysitter. Well, it’s a bitch of a job, but maybe he can have a little fun with it. He thinks he’ll get a kick out of teaching the pampered stuck-up girl a lesson or two on how the other half lives. She can cook and clean for him in exchange for his help. No free ride for her. He intends to teach her that money can’t buy her way through life.

The world saw a classy pulled-together wealthy lady. All he saw was a spoiled little rich girl. A troublemaker, that’s all she was to him. Until she revealed the shattered girl inside that tried so hard to hide her weaknesses and fears with a façade of arrogance, attitude, and sass.

He’d tear down those walls she tried so hard to build, if only she’d let him.

Could the love of a man so wrong for her be the only one to save her?

And in his darkest hour, would her love be enough to save him?

From the MC’s California charter in San Jose, to the casinos and brothels of Reno, to brother charters in the Deep South, this story will take you on a ride of highs and lows that lead ultimately to redemption.

Shades – Book 3

Buy: Amazon / B & N

Shades hadn’t seen Skylar in years, and now here she was, the love of his life, riding back into his life on the back of a brother’s bike.
For years after Shades had lost Skylar, he’d tried satisfying the emptiness of losing her with booze, pussy and the club. He’d turned his frustration at having to give her up into a determination to climb the ranks of the club, but he hadn’t counted on the fact that the pull he’d felt toward Skylar had only laid dormant in him all these years. Or that all it would take to reignite it was just one look at her. And he sure as hell hadn’t counted on her showing up on the back of a brother’s bike.
When Skylar finally comes back into his life, will his desire for earning that VP patch stand in the way of any future he could have with her?
And when a rival MC shows up looking for Skylar, things go from complicated to damn near impossible.
Does Skylar come with more baggage than Shades is willing to sign up for?

____________________________________

Author Bio:

Nicole James grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. As a child, she wrote her first book, Charlie the Firefly, at the age of eight. Her mother knew long before she did that she would someday become an author. Growing up, she spent many happy weekends and summers in Michigan at a cabin on a lake. Winters, she loved to ski. As an adult, Nicole has traveled all over the West and South. She has lived in Illinois, Arizona, Georgia and Alabama. She has a love of motorcycles, writing, reading and the beach. Her favorite city is New Orleans. She loves music of all kinds, but especially the blues. She has two wonderful sisters, two fabulous kids, one awesome son-in-law, and an adorable granddaughter.

Website ~Facebook ~Twitter ~ Goodreads– Amazon Author page

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

Posted on 04/28/2015 by shellbellereads

Black Iris

By Leah Raeder

Release Date: April 28, 2015

Synopsis

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

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

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

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

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

Because that was the plan all along.

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

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Excerpt

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

Robin’s Review

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

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

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

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

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

Michel’s Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I would not recommend this book to anyone.

Author Bio:

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

(And she still writes pretentiously lyrical fiction.)

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

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