Holiday Review Blog Tour + Giveaway: The Trouble With Christmas by Kaira Rouda

Posted on 11/19/2014 by shellbellereads

Trouble With Christmas

A Holiday Romance

By Kaira Rouda

Synopsis

At 35-years-old, Cole Stanton is burned out. His high-paced, uber-successful career has left him yearning to start over. He finds Indigo Island, buys a restaurant and settles into an uncomplicated life. But Christmas is a mess. He has over-committed the small restaurant’s resources again, and is over his head. He finds himself longing for everything he has left behind, until a chance encounter with gorgeous Lily offers a spark of salvation to his business and, perhaps his life.

Beautiful pastry chef Lily Edmonds is thirty years old and heartbroken. It’s just before Christmas and she’s just been dumped by via telephone by her fiancee. Her best friend Avery Putnam invites her to Indigo Island, hoping to add joy back into Lily’s life. A chance encounter with the sexy owner of a local restaurant makes Lily feel an attraction she thought she’d never feel again, and offers her a business challenge to keep her mind focused on something other than her broken heart.

Cole Stanton and Lily Edmonds are both starting over. Will the joy of the holiday season bring them together or will the troubles with Christmas push them apart?

Buy: Amazon

Michel’s Review

The Trouble With Christmas by Kaira Rouda was a charming southern holiday romance. This book is perfect for those who are foodies and appreciate the art of cooking. It is also perfect for those that enjoy a light romance with mature characters.

Pastry Chef Lily Edmonds has been dumped by her fiancé right before Christmas. Their long term relationship came to an end out of the blue. She is reeling from the shock, hurt by the betrayal, and dreading the holidays. Everyone has someone special to celebrate the holidays with. She feels like she is imposing on her friends by tagging along for the Putnam family holiday celebrations on Indigo Island.

Cole Stanton has moved to Indigo Island after experiencing a shocking blow that made him question his life and career choices. Indigo Island is place to start over and make a new life that helps people rather than destroys them. He has invested in a failing local restaurant. He is determined to help bring this business back to life. He is determined to make the other side of Indigo Island just as appealing as the tourist side.

When Cole and Lily meet by accident, they are instantly attracted to one another. Once they begin to get to know one another they realize they have a great deal in common. Cole has the drive and determination to rebuild the restaurant. Lily has the knowledge and know how to make their Christmas Dinner Special a success.

What starts out as a project to help Cole’s restaurant and local community turns into love. It also brings the entire Indigo Island together to celebrate the holidays.

The Trouble With Christmas was a lovely story about love and friendship. It focused on the best reasons for giving. It focused on friendship and community.

Kaira Rouda wrote a charming holiday romance.

Author Bio:

Kaira Rouda is an award-winning and bestselling author of both fiction and nonfiction. Her books include: Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs; Here, Home, Hope; All the Difference; In the Mirror; and the short story, A Mother’s Day. She lives in Southern California with her husband and four children and is at work on her next novel. Connect with her on Twitter, @KairaRouda, and on Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books. And of course, on Pinterest! For more about Kaira and her books, please visit her website KairaRouda.com.

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Holiday Review: Holiday On Ice by Jaci Burton- Play By Play Series-Book 8.5

Posted on 11/19/2014 by shellbellereads

Holiday On Ice

Play By Play Series- Book 8.5

By Jaci Burton

Synopsis

In this original holiday novella in the Play-By-Play series, New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton gives readers the gift of “plenty of romance, sexy men, hot steamy loving, and humor.” (Smexy Books)

Superstar hockey player Patrick “Trick” Niemeyer and dancer Stella Slovinski have picked up where they left off a year ago, resuming their hot, uncomplicated affair. Stella refuses to call it dating, or a relationship. But lately, Trick is looking for more…

Stella’s been burned before—in a relationship she never talks about—not with her family, not with her friends, and definitely not with Trick. But now it’s the holiday season and Trick is determined to give Stella his heart wrapped up in a bow. He knows Stella is the right woman for him, but he’ll have to melt the ice surrounding her heart to keep her from walking away.

Includes a preview of Jaci Burton’s QUARTERBACK DRAW and LOVE AFTER ALL.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tina’s Review

ARC copy provided by publisher, via NetGalley, for a fair and honest review.

Patrick “Trick” Niemeyer plays professional hockey for the Travelers. Stella Slovinski is a professional dancer and best friends with Carolina Preston. They met, originally, about a year ago through Carolina and Drew and had an off/on relationship for a few months. Now, she’s scored a lead on Broadway and he’s still concentrating game to game to make it to the finals, their schedules are even busier than ever. The magnetic attraction is still there between them and Trick wants to try again, but Stella is afraid to commit to a relationship.
———————————————-
A longer novella, this book is falls short of being a full-length novel. The only previous Play-by-Play characters that make an appearance in HOLIDAY ON ICE are the Travelers and new characters are even introduced. Trick and Stella are solid, likable characters. Stella is completely commitment-shy due to a bad experience in her past (quite a while back) while Trick is ready to settle down. The dialogue and interaction feel a little stiff, and almost too proper, in several places. The flow of the story is smooth, however it’s sometimes difficult to pack a lot of dimension into it when the book is so short. The plot was not flat, but could have benefited from a little more dynamics. There was a minor conflict which was fairly easy to resolve, extremely minor predictability, and a rock-solid conclusion.
Overall, it was a short and sweet Holiday Novella that fans of Ms. Burton and her Play-by-Play series should enjoy.

Michel’s Review

ARC copy provided by publisher, via NetGalley, for a fair and honest review.

Holiday On Ice was a great addition to the outstanding Play By Play series. Jaci Burton has created a series that features sports romances that are emotional and erotic. Each and every book has charismatic characters, red hot romance, and a thrilling escape in the world of professional sports.

Trick and Stella have had an on again off again relationship for the past year. It is a casual relationship without commitment . Trick has realized he wants more than a fling with Stella. He has to convince to take a chance on him. Stella pulls back every time he starts breaking down her walls. Trick shows his devotion throughout this story.

Stella has had a bad experience in matters of love. She does not want to go down that road again. Somewhere along the way her casual relationship with Trick is taking a new direction. Can she let go of the pain and let someone love her again. Can she open up and give Trick the love she has buried away.

What better time to find the true meaning of love than the holidays. The magic between Trick and Stella will warm your heart.

I highly recommend Holiday On Ice by Jaci Burton. It can be read as a stand alone novel or in series order. Holiday On Ice will warm up your holidays.

Author Bio:

Jaci Burton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of over 60 books. She lives in Oklahoma and when she isn’t on deadline, she can usually be found trying to convince her husband to remodel some room or another in their house (she blames HGTV for this). She loves gardening, sports, casinos and getting lost in a great book. She’s a total romantic and longs for the happily ever after in every story, which you’ll find in all her books.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Holiday Review Blog Tour + Giveaway: Holiday At Magnolia Bay by Tracy Solheim

Posted on 11/18/2014 by shellbellereads

Holiday At Magnolia Bay

A Holiday Romance

By Tracy Solheim

Synopsis

After a mission goes terribly wrong, ending in the death of a teammate, Navy Seal, Drew Lanham, is forced to take a leave from active-duty. Retreating to his godmother’s beach house in coastal Magnolia Bay, Drew plans to spend the three weeks R&R licking his wounds and catching some rays while the nightmares from his failed op fade. The last thing he wants to do is mingle with the locals. What he doesn’t count on is an early morning encounter with a goddess rising from the sea. His interest is piqued and his body put on alert when he finds out that same woman may or may not be after his godmother’s money.

Marine biologist, Jenna Huntley, has been searching her whole life for a place to call home and Magnolia Bay is that place. Unfortunately, she’s underutilizing her education giving tours at the town’s turtle rescue center. With the help of an octogenarian patroness, she maps out a proposal to develop a turtle hatchery on-site. Everything is going as planned until the older woman’s godson arrives. Suddenly, nothing is as it seems and Jenna’s future is hanging in the balance, with a sexy warrior pulling all the strings. Her natural tendency is to help the damaged hero, but she’s sworn off letting military men in her life ever again.

Will Drew and Jenna be able to put their pasts behind them and learn to trust their hearts long enough to enjoy their Holiday at Magnolia Bay?

Buy: Amazon

Holiday At Magnolia Bay was a very entertaining holiday romance. It had a fresh and original holiday theme that I think many readers are going to enjoy.

Drew Lanham has come to Magnolia Bay for some much needed down time after a mission has gone horribly wrong. Drew has been a Navy Seal for years and takes his call of duty to heart. After a mission he usually decompresses with fellow teammates by partying and sex. This time he needs something different. He needs a peaceful environment where he can get his head clear and come to terms with the fubar mission. He chose to spend his time with his eccentric godmother in Magnolia Bay.

When he meets marine biologist Jenna Huntley, he finds he is putting more than his Navy Seal career into perspective. He is changing his views on relationships, love, and sex. He is finding that he wants to get to know a woman outside of the bedroom.

Jenna Huntley was a military brat. She understands the demands and downfalls a military career can bring to those they love. She redirected her life to revolve around the one thing that brought her joy in her youth. The sea turtles at Magnolia Bay were one of the only things that stayed constant in her childhood. She has dedicated her career and life to protecting these turtles and is trying to build a sanctuary for them. With the help of Drew’s eccentric godmother, her dreams are finally going to come true.

Like the saying goes some things are too good to be true. Drew and Jenna will find that saying to come to life. But the good thing is they will find something that is better than what they hoped for. They will find the importance of love in all forms.

I really enjoyed this holiday romance. It had a fresh plot, charismatic characters, sizzling romance, and the holiday spirit. I highly recommend reading Holiday At Magnolia Bay to brighten your holiday spirits.

Author Bio:

Tracy Solheim is the international bestselling author of the Out of Bound Series for Penguin. Her books feature members of the fictitious Baltimore Blaze football team and the women who love them. In a previous life, Tracy wrote best sellers for Congress and was a freelance journalist for regional and national magazines. She’s a military brat who now makes her home in Johns Creek, Georgia, with her husband, their two children, a pesky Labrador retriever puppy and a horse named after her first novel. Her fifth book for Berkley, Back To Before, will be released in January. She also has a digital holiday novella for Tule Publishing’s Southern Born Books coming October 20. See what she’s up to at http://www.tracysolheim.com. Or on facebook at Tracy Solheim Books and Twitter at TracyKSolheim.

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: For Now by Chelsea M. Cameron- Rules of Love Series- Book 2

Posted on 11/18/2014 by shellbellereads

For Now

Rules of Love Series- Book 2

By Chelsea M. Cameron

Synopsis

Two people. A one-night stand. What could go wrong?

Javier Cruz definitely isn’t relationship material, but that suits Hazel Gellar just fine. She’s not a relationship girl and doesn’t plan on ever being one.

But after a mind-blowing, panty-ripping, bed-breaking night, she knows once isn’t going to be enough. Fortunately, Javi feels the same way. Soon, what started as just one night turns into a lot of nights, and Hazel doesn’t know what to do.

Will she and Javi make the choice to be together for longer than just right NOW?

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

If you are looking for light hearted New Adult book, For Real by Chelsea M. Cameron is the ticket. For Real is the second book in the Rules of Love series. It can be read as a stand alone novel or in series order.

For Real is the story of two ordinary college students. They are not mired with past angst and regrets. This is a story of a love / hate relationship. We meet Hazel and Javier. Their best friends are dating and they are thrown together all the time. Rather than make it an easy and light friendship, the two are always picking at each other. They live to to get under each other’s skin and enjoy annoying one another. Beneath the surface they are attracted to one another.

One night they finally give in to their attraction. It starts off with a kiss and leads to much more after weeks of fighting with one another. What was meant to be a hook up ends up in a full blown relationship. Hazel and Javier don’t know what hit them.

For Real was a light fun read. The characters were realistic and enjoyable. Their banter and dialogue was witty. The way they antagonized one another was entertaining. Their chemistry was sizzling hot and made it very clear that they were perfect for one another.

I would recommend For Real by Chelsea M. Cameron. It takes the heaviness out of the day and delivers a delightful moment in reading.

Previous book in the series…

FOR REAL Buy Links:
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

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AUTHOR INFORMATION

Chelsea M. Cameron is a YA/NA New York Times/USA Today Best Selling author from Maine. Lover of things random and ridiculous, Jane Austen/Charlotte and Emily Bronte Fangirl, red velvet cake enthusiast, obsessive tea drinker, vegetarian, former cheerleader and world’s worst video gamer. When not writing, she enjoys watching infomercials, singing in the car and tweeting (this one time, she was tweeted by Neil Gaiman). She has a degree in journalism from the University of Maine, Orono that she promptly abandoned to write about the people in her own head. More often than not, these people turn out to be just as weird as she is.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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ARC Holiday Review: Flirting On Ice by Veronica Forand and Susan Scott Shelley- Atlantic City Hustlers Series- Book 1

Posted on 11/18/2014 by shellbellereads

Flirting On Ice

Atlantic City Hustlers

By Veronica Forand and Susan Scott Shelley

Synopsis

Mr. Perfect has found his kind of trouble…

Professional hockey player Zac Elliott is in top form. He’s having the best season of his career, the local fans can’t get enough of him, and he’s in the middle of the most successful contract negotiations of his career. When the sexy little spark between Zac and the team owner’s daughter blazes to life, no matter how forbidden, he can’t resist.

Philanthropist Heather Ryan can’t keep her hands off of Zac. If her father finds out, it could end Zac’s career and ruin her reputation. What they share is deeply passionate and intensely private…until the press exposes their illicit relationship.

Now the fans have viciously turned against Heather, Zac’s game is faltering, and even his team has deserted him. The only way out of the penalty box is for Zac to play hockey like life—and love—depends on it…

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Looking for a new Hockey romance series? Flirting On Ice by Veronica Forand and Susan Scott Shelley is the first book in the Atlantic City Hustlers. This novella gave the readers an introduction to some of the team players and the dynamics of the Atlantic City Hustlers.

Heather Ryan is the princess of the Atlantic City Hustlers. Her father is the team owner. She is expected to be supportive of the team in all aspects. She is also expected to be involved in the team charities, youth programs, and community services. She embraces these expectations with great pride. There is one expectation that she can no longer live up to. Her father has forbidden her to date any of the players of the team. For four years she has secretly longed to get to know the team captain Zac Elliot better. He is a good man and takes a great deal of pride in all of the Atlantic City Hustlers activities on and off the ice. He is known as a bit of a player but when he is around Heather he seems very sincere.

Zac Elliot is attracted to Heather Ryan. She is the one woman who is off limits. His contract is up for renewal with the Atlantic City Hustlers. Now is not the time to be pursuing the owner’s daughter. A chance meeting changes everything. Now he wants Heather more than he wants his contract renewed.

The two will engage in a secret relationship that will get blown out of proportion when the press gets wind of their relationship. It will put Zac’s career on the line. It will put Heather’s pristine reputation in the gutter. Can their relationship survive?

I would of liked to seen more of Zac and Heather’s one on one moments. A large portion of the book focused on the trials and tribulations that were causing conflict in their relationship. The scenes that focused only on Zac and Heather were steamy hot, romantic, and well written.

Flirting On Ice was entertaining. It was a great start in a sports romance series. I am looking forward to the next book in Atlantic City Hustler series.

Author Bios:

Veronica Forand is an attorney and an award-winning writer of romantic suspense.

She’s lived in Boston, London, Paris, Geneva, and Washington, DC and currently resides near Philadelphia. An avid traveler, she loves to roam across continents with her husband and kids in pursuit of skiing, scuba diving, and finding the perfect piece of chocolate.

She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Kiss of Death, RWA’s chapter for romantic suspense and mystery, the RWA Contemporary Romance Chapter, the Valley Forge Romance Writers, the Washington Romance Writers, and the International Thriller Writers.

Veronica is represented by Michelle Grajkowski of 3 Seas Literary Agency.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Susan Scott Shelley is an award-winning author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense who spends her days writing about tough heroes, smart heroines, and love being the strongest magic there is.

A city girl at heart, she currently resides in a fairly rural

Philadelphia suburb with her very own Superhero, who laughs

at her jokes, makes the best cup of coffee ever, and encourages her to chase her dreams.

Her favorite things include running, sports, hard rock and old Hollywood movies. An unapologetic optimist, she believes life should be lived with laughter and a sense of wonder.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Naughty and Nice Tour + Review + Giveaway: Nights With Him by Lauren Blakely

Posted on 11/18/2014 by Saucy Southern Readers

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

ABOUT NIGHTS WITH HIM:

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

Jack Sullivan is a Sex Toy Mogul.

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

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

His touch helps her forget that other man.

When he shows up at her office door the next day, there’s no way in hell she’s going to treat him after they’ve slept together. Jack isn’t willing to let go of the first woman he’s felt anything for in years so he proposes a deal – share her nights with him for thirty days. At the end of one month of exquisite pleasure, they walk away, having helped each other move on from their haunted pasts.

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

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

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

FROM THE CATALOGUE OF JOY DELIVERED: Feeling a little adventurous? Then, we recommend our premium heart-shaped nipple clamps. Just a small tug on the hearts will send her soaring with that delectable mix of pleasure and pain.

“Stay like that,” he said. Turning around, he reached for a shelf behind his desk, and grabbed a black box with the letter J embossed in silver on the front. She shivered; just the look of the box was arousing.

“Open your shirt,” he said, his voice husky, laden with power.

She steadied herself, and began unbuttoning her blouse down to her waist, his eyes staying on her the whole time as she spread open the fabric. She wore a black lace push-up bra.

He drew a sharp breath, and ran his tongue over his teeth as he opened the box. “Don’t take the bra off. Just push it down, and free your tits,” he told her.

She did as she was told, her breasts tumbling free, resting on the underwire, framed by the lace. Heat spread fast through her body, whipping through her veins as he opened the box, and dipped his fingers inside. He lifted out something that looked like earrings. Each had a gold chain and red hearts on the end.

She knew they weren’t earrings.

Pressing one hand on the desk, he cupped a breast with his other hand, palming her. A moan escaped her lips as he rolled her nipple between his fingers. “Nipple clamps. May I?”

Tour Schedule:

November 12-The Literary Gossip

November 13-Give Me Books

November 14-Reviews by Tammy & Kim

November 15-The Book Enthusiast

November 16-A Book Whore’s Obsession

November 17-Two Book Pushers

November 18-Smut Book Junkie

November 19-Natasha is a Book Junkie

November 20-Schmexy Girl Book Blog

November 21-Vilma’s Book Blog

Kelley’s Review

Nights With Him is one of Lauren’s sexiest books yet. A sex toy mogul and a shrink make a powerful and explosive couple in and out of the bedroom. Michelle knows what she wants and is not afraid to tell Jack what she needs.

This story is about more than sex though. It is about intimacy, family, and friendship. Both Jack and Michelle have excess baggage from previous relationships that play a key role in the distance they keep between each other.

Jack also has a secret from his past that only his sister knows about that is eating him up inside and preventing him from letting his guard down. Michelle loved Clay from afar for so many years that any other man paled in her eyes and when she finally finds the man that makes her forget Clay she is afraid to give him her heart.

There are so many external variables at play that cause this couple to have quite the rocky relationship. The fact that Jack was on Michelle’s books as a potential patient is something that a well renowned psychiatrist does not want to happen. Michelle is very ethical in her practice and being with Jack could put her on shaky ground. There is also the fact that Jack sells sex toys to all sorts of people including those that own BDSM clubs. Michelle being a specialist on relationships and intimacy could be seen negatively as she steps into the spotlight with Jack Sullivan “Soldier-turned-Sex Toy Mogul”. The rollercoaster ride this couple ends up on will keep you turning the pages. When private emails become public and secrets are exposed you will find yourself wondering whether Jack is worth all the trouble.

In the end though, the heart wants what the heart wants even if it is not practical or in our best interest. When you fall in love you can’t help but fall fast and hard and nothing truly matters once you finally find your soul mate.

Lauren again weaves a very sexy and emotional story with several plot twists that will keep the reader turning the pages. She builds really strong characters that complement each other very nicely. Lauren gives us a very strong leading lady in Michelle Milo. Michelle is the perfect match for Jack as she is smart and sophisticated as well as sexy and seductive.

I am actually walking away from this read more in love with the heroine than the hero. Don’t get me wrong. Jack is sexy as hell and loves to dirty talk with his woman but Michelle gives it back to him even better. She is just as dirty, if not dirtier than Jack in the bed, up against the wall, on a train, or at a concert…

Nights With Him is an excellent addition to the Seductive Nights Series. Readers will fall in love with Jack and Michelle as much as they did with Julia and Clay. Bravo Lauren on another exciting and sexy read!

And don’t miss the FREE prequel novella, ONE NIGHT WITH HER, available now!

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** Google Play

First names only for one night of pleasure…

He’s only at the hotel to close a business deal. Then he sees her, and his agenda for the evening shifts–woo her, win her, and make sure she never forgets who gave her the most exquisite pleasure she’s ever had. Jack Sullivan, sex toy mogul, a billionaire, and one of New York City’s most eligible bachelors is captivated by the brilliant and beautiful Michelle Milo.

From her witty mouth to her sinful body, she’s his perfect fantasy. But there’s more than the undeniable chemistry; they both might be exactly what the other needs.

As soon as he has her between the sheets, he knows one night with her will never be enough.

The trouble is, he’s about to run into her tomorrow…in the last place he expects.

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** Google Play

About Lauren Blakely:

Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in her novel, Far Too Tempting, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. She loves hearing from readers! Her novels include Caught Up In Us, Pretending He’s Mine, Playing With Her Heart, Trophy Husband, Far Too Tempting, The Thrill of It, Every Second With You, Burn For Me, Melt for Him, Night After Night, After This Night andOne More Night. She recently released Stars In Their Eyes, the first book in her new adult series Wrapped Up in Love, spun off from the bestselling Caught Up in Love series. In November she’ll release Nights With Him, a standalone novel in her New York Times Bestselling Seductive Nights series. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney.

Message from Lauren:

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

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

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

NIGHTS WITH HIM Goodreads ~ Lauren Blakely Goodreads

Giveaway

Signed set of The Seductive Nights Series

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Review: Sexual Awakenings Volume Two-The Tango by Angelica Chase- Book 2

Posted on 11/17/2014 by shellbellereads

Sexual Awakenings Vol. 2

The Tango

By Angelica Chase

Synopsis

Weeks passed without hearing from Rhys; then I received a text that shook me to my core.

The Barracks. One hour. RED

I lied, he’s angry, and I’m about to pay for my lie with a pound of flesh.

RED.

I wasn’t supposed to fall for him. He blurred the lines and I stepped right over. Now I was facing his wrath, and my undeniable feelings for him. I had to find a way to make things right.

RED.

Rhys felt threatened by my secret, but little did I know, he was hiding one of his own.

FILTHY EROTIC ROMANCE. EXTREMELY EXPLICIT SEX. STRONG LANGUAGE

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Tracey’s Review

Tango: A sensual ballroom dance that originated in South America in the early twentieth century.

Sexual Awakenings Part 1 is subtitled The Waltz. A waltz is a smooth progressive dance (thank you, Wikipedia), and Book 1 is just that. As Violet moves from her old life into a more adventurous one where she can discover who she really is, she is aided by Rhys Volz, owner of The Rabbit Hole, an alternative lifestyle club. With Rhys’ help, Violet is able to begin to grow as a woman and strip away those things in her life, like her husband Alex and her sham of a marriage, that are keeping her from being truly happy. But then, the misstep: Violet lies to Rhys about her relationship with Alex, bringing about an abrupt and very definite change in the dynamics of their relationship.

But, if Part 1 is a waltz, Part 2 is most definitely a tango, as the tempo of Violet’s and Rhys’ interactions has changed from smooth and progressive to fiery and tempestuous. They have moved from an easy foray into a less vanilla lifestyle to Code Red territory, where Rhys calls the shots, and Violet obeys.

This book was a big change from the first one. Rhys makes absolutely no bones about the fact that lying is a deal-breaker for him, which Angelica has hinted at throughout both installments of the series. He is harder and crueler with Violet, taking their roles as Dom and Sub to some fairly dark places. But rather than be subdued by this, Violet finds a strength inside herself to really take charge of her life, and continue making the changes that will help define her the way that she wants to be. We find, too, that Rhys has been keeping a pretty big secret himself, providing a great segue into the next book.

I am completely hooked on this series, and cannot wait for THE LAST DANCE and CURTAINS, to find out what is in store for Rhys and Violet. Grab this one, book lovers, because it is not to be missed.

The Sexual Awakening Series

Sexual Awakenings

Volume One: The Waltz

By Angelica Chase

Synopsis

You know what they say… One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

After sacrificing years of my life on a cheating husband, I’d had enough. I set out to quench a thirst I had ignored for years. I gave myself one year to explore my sexuality—to delve into my deepest, darkest desires. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, I would have my sexual revolution. I would have my … awakening.

Unsure of where to start, I took a risk to make myself seen. Little did I know, the man who saw me would give me everything I ever wanted, one sweet orgasm at a time.

Diving into the world of both pleasure and pain, I was sure with Rhys I had found what I’d been missing … until he took it away.

Filthy Erotic Romance. For Mature Audiences only. Extremely Explicit Sex. Strong Language.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Connect With Angelica Chase

Facebook ~ Goodreads

Review + Giveaway: First Debt by Pepper Winters- The Indebted Series- Book 2

Posted on 11/17/2014 by shellbellereads

First Debt

Indebted #2

Series: Indebted

By Pepper Winters

Synopsis

“You say I’ll never own you. If I win—you willingly give me that right. You sign not only the debt agreement, but another—one that makes me your master until your last breath is taken. You do that, and I’ll give you this.”

Nila Weaver’s family is indebted. Stolen, taken, and bound not by monsters but by an agreement written over six hundred years ago, she has no way out.

She belongs to Jethro as much as she denies it.

Jethro Hawk’s patience is running out. His inheritance gift tests, challenges, and surprises him—and not in good ways. He hasn’t leashed her but he thinks he might’ve found a way to bind her forever.

Debts are mounting. Payment waiting.

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Michel’s Review

First Debt by Pepper Winters was another thrilling installment into the Indebted Series. After Debt Inheritance readers were left on the edge of their seats. First Debt adds a new edginess to the Indebted Series. This installment to the series will get into the minds of the characters. The horror of the royal decree will begin…

The Indebted Series is a Dark Erotic Thriller series. It is intended for ADULT READERS.

This book may touch on some of your hardcore limits. There is mental abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, implications of gang rape, and implications of murder. All of these situations are somewhat graphic. The way Pepper Winters delivers these elements in the story are mostly through the characters POV’s and manipulations. They are integral to the story.

A Family Feud between the Hawks and The Weavers

A Royal Proclamation

A 600 Year Debt

The Debt Will Be Paid In Full

The Families

The Hawks are one of the most influential families in England. Their influence has a strong reach internationally. They are the world’s leading diamond dealers. They are also the leaders of one of the most powerful motorcycle clubs in the world. They are powerful, ruthless, violent, and unyielding. They will come out on top at all costs.

The Weavers are world renowned for their influence in the fashion industry. They have clothed royalty. They are masters at their trade. Unlike the Hawks, they are not a powerful family. They have impeccable lineage that they value. The only mark on that lineage is their debt to the Hawks.

The Characters

Jethro Hawk is the 29 year old, first born son in the Hawk family. At age thirty he will take over the reigns of the Hawk Empire. As part of that legacy, being the first born son, he gets the Indebted Inheritance. He gets the first born daughter of the Weavers. He fully intends to collect his inheritance, carry out his family’s vendetta, and claim the legacy he has been born into. He is cunning, calculating, ruthless, uncaring, controlling, manipulative, and downright terrifying. He is a villain in the darkest way. He will claim his inheritance at all costs.

Nila Weaver is a young, naïve, and innocent 24 year old woman. Like her fore fathers she has taken her place in the fashion industry. Her designs are innovative, sexy, and flawless. She has just made her mark in the Haute couture world. What should have been a celebration has turned into a nightmare. Jethro Hawk has come to collect the debt her family owes. A debt she never knew existed. A debt she will have to pay.

First Debt

Jethro gave Nila the opportunity to try to escape knowing that she would fail. He had to admire her will and strength in character. He had to break that will and break Nila in order to carry out the first debt. What Jethro didn’t count on was Nila testing his strength of will.

As the plot unfolds the readers will get a glimpse of who Jethro Hawk is. He is more than meets the eye. Readers will begin to sympathize with Jethro even though he is a horrific villain that holds Nila’s life in his hands. Her fate has been decreed for over six hundred years. Why does she have to pay for the crimes of her ancestors. Why do the Hawks insist on carrying out a six hundred year old debt?

In First Debt the readers will get more of a history lesson about the sins committed by the Weavers towards the Hawks. The readers will witness Nila carrying out her first debt payment. It is horrific for both Nila and Jethro.

The Hawks are harboring more than a six hundred year resentment towards the Weavers. They see this six hundred year old proclamation as a way of proving their power, defying the common law, and testing the future Hawk Legacy. It doesn’t matter that they are enslaving and murdering innocent young Weaver women. These innocents are nothing but a pawn in the bigger picture of the Hawk Legacy.

As I said, readers will begin to see parts of the complex and troubled Jethro Hawk. We will also get an introduction to some of the other Hawk family members. It will leave readers puzzled about who is good and who is bad.

Enough of the history is revealed to keep readers hooked. The chemistry between Jethro and Nila will fuel a fire that could possibly burn them both. Their fates have been written by royal decree. Can they make their own fate?

Who knows…only the brilliant mind of Pepper Winters. The next book will be out in early 2015. How many more debts will Nila have to pay? Will Jethro be paying the debt with her? How can they defy a six hundred year old decree?

Indebted

Indebted Series

By Pepper Winters

Synopsis

“I own you. I have the piece of paper to prove it. It’s undeniable and unbreakable. You belong to me until you’ve paid off your debts.”

Nila Weaver’s family is indebted. Being the first born daughter, her life is forfeit to the first born son of the Hawks to pay for sins of ancestors past. The dark ages might have come and gone, but debts never leave. She has no choice in the matter.

She is no longer free.

Jethro Hawk receives Nila as an inheritance present on his twenty-ninth birthday. Her life is his until she’s paid off a debt that’s centuries old. He can do what he likes with her—nothing is out of bounds—she has to obey.

There are no rules. Only payments.

A modern day Dark Erotic Romance

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Author Bio

Pepper Winters wears many roles. Some of them include writer, reader, sometimes wife. She loves dark, taboo stories that twist with your head. The more tortured the hero, the better, and she constantly thinks up ways to break and fix her characters. Oh, and sex… her books have sex.

She loves to travel and has an amazing, fabulous hubby who puts up with her love affair with her book boyfriends.

Giveaway

One Signed Set of Indebted Series

(Debt Inheritance & First Debt)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MDk5NjRmMDM5ZDM4YTBjYWM0YzAyYzM0NGI2ODRhOjUxNQ==/

Blog Tour + Review: Backstage by A. M. Madden-The Back Up Series

Posted on 11/17/2014 by shellbellereads

Trey Taylor was loving life. Bass player to the world famous rock band Devil’s Lair, chicks falling to their knees at every turn, no one to be held accountable to for his actions…life rocked.

He had all he needed, food to sustain his body, sex to sustain his libido, rock to sustain his soul. For years he walked to the beat of his own drum, and made no excuses to anyone. Running and hiding can temporarily distract your fate, but it won’t derail it. Fate was coming for him, whether he liked it or not.

His past was gaining ground and threatening all the secrets he desperately tried to hide. His present was slowing him down, making him feel emotions he buried years ago. The two are about to collide. Will Trey survive the impact?

* AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE * SMASHWORDS *

Michel’s Review

Wow! Backstage by A.M. Madden was a fantastic rock star romance. It can be read as a stand alone novel or in series order. I would highly recommend reading the entire Back-Up series. Each book is well written and highly entertaining.

Trey Taylor has been an enigma throughout this series. He is a man of mystery that hides behind the shades he always wears. Those shades hide the true glimpse into Trey Taylor’s soul.

We meet Trey when he was eighteen years old. He has come from a very troubled home life. It has left deep scars upon his soul. He doesn’t depend on his parents and keeps mostly to himself. There is one exception, his girlfriend, Taylor. They are planning to run away together on her eighteenth birthday. Tragedy strikes and Trey is left alone and broken. The only solace he has is his guitar. He vows to leave home and never look back.

Trey has struggled along the way. His coping mechanism is sex and music. He doesn’t let anyone in and keeps everyone at arms length. His success with Devil’s Lair has kept him in the spotlight, available to women, and able to hide the pain he has carried around for years.

When the past and the present collide things will change. He will have to reveal his secrets. He will have to relive the pain. It is a heart wrenching and painful experience that could cost him his friendships that he has carefully built.

Trey’s history has made him feel unlovable. Will his present prove that he is or will destiny step in and prove him wrong? He has a chance at love with Leila if his past does not destroy it.

Backstage is a story of losing oneself because of the past. It is a battle of redemption. The redemption is learning to love oneself and accept the love of others. It is learning about self worth. Everyone deserves to be loved, even Trey Taylor.

Backstage was one the most emotional books I have read. My gut was in knots and my heart was breaking. Through it all the reader was able to experience the wealth of emotions that Trey Taylor had to experience to come full circle. This was more than a rock star love story. It was a story of learning about love in every form.

I highly recommend reading Backstage by A. M. Madden. It will not disappoint!

* Go Back To The Couple That Started The Series *

Amazon US * Amazon UK * Amazon CA * Amazon AU * B&N *

Amazon Best Selling Author ~ A.M. Madden’s debut novel Back-up is the first of three in The Back-Up Series. Book 2, Front & Center is also available on Amazon. Book 3, Encore will be released June 2014.

A.M. Madden is a wife, a mother, an avid reader of romance novels and now an author. In Back-up she aspired to create a fun, sexy, realistic romantic story. She wanted to create characters that the reader could relate to and feel as if they knew personally. A self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, she loves getting lost in a good book. She also uses every free moment of her time writing, while raising teenage boys.

* FACEBOOK * TWITTER * WEBSITE *

Release Day Blitz + Giveaway + Review: The Perfect Gift by Dani-Lyn Alexander- Holiday Romance

Posted on 11/17/2014 by shellbellereads

The Perfect Gift

A Holiday Romance

By Dani-Lyn Alexander

Synopsis

It’s the season of second chances in this heartwarming, contemporary holiday romance where two single parents find each other—and another chance at love—in the most unexpected of places.

’Tis the night before Christmas…and businessman and single father Jason is scrambling to find the dollhouse of the season for his seven-year-old daughter Emily. But when he finally strikes gold at an obscure toy store, he’s met with resistance—literally, as from the aisle across from him a beautiful woman named Leah is grabbing onto the dollhouse box with similar intent, determined to get the same Christmas present for her own daughter.

Desperate not to let the other win, Jason and Leah forge a pact: stay together until they find the same dollhouse at a different toy store. It sounds simple, but ten stores and many hours later, they still come up empty. They might not be finding another dollhouse, but they sure are finding a lot to talk about and, as their mutual attraction grows, the unlikely pair finds the greatest holiday gift of all—love.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Goodreads

Michel’s Review

With the holidays quickly approaching, everyone’s schedules will be full of holiday shopping, searching for the perfect gift, attending holiday functions, and finding time for all those forgotten things we tend to put aside throughout the year. It is a time of festivity and celebration. It can also be hectic and exhausting.

The Perfect Gift by Dani-Lyn Alexander is the perfect holiday novella to curl up with in the hectic holiday season. It is a charming Christmas romance that most readers can easily relate to. It is about finding love in the busiest time of year. It is about giving from the heart and not a physical gift. It is the perfect example of love in every form. I am not going to say too much about the story itself. I don’t want to give away spoilers in this holiday novella.

Finding The Perfect Gift is not about conquering all the stores in the search. It’s about searching your heart and giving it to someone unconditionally.

This book was charming, full of cheer, and had two special little girls that would rather have love than the Perfect Gift.

This novella will lift your spirits and dazzle your holiday spirit. It’s perfect to read in rushed times and stolen moments. I highly recommend this holiday romance.

Dani-Lyn Alexander Bio:

Dani-Lyn Alexander lives on Long Island with her husband, three kids and three dogs. She loves spending time with her family, at the beach, the playground, or just about anywhere. In her spare time, which is rare, she enjoys reading and shopping—especially in book stores. Some of her favorite things include; Bernese Mountain Dogs, musicals, bubble baths and soft blankets. She’s an incurable insomniac and has an addiction to chocolate.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Author Goodreads

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Category Archives: Reviewers

Holiday Review Blog Tour + Giveaway: The Trouble With Christmas by Kaira Rouda

Holiday Review: Holiday On Ice by Jaci Burton- Play By Play Series-Book 8.5

Holiday Review Blog Tour + Giveaway: Holiday At Magnolia Bay by Tracy Solheim

Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: For Now by Chelsea M. Cameron- Rules of Love Series- Book 2

Two people. A one-night stand. What could go wrong?

Javier Cruz definitely isn’t relationship material, but that suits Hazel Gellar just fine. She’s not a relationship girl and doesn’t plan on ever being one.

But after a mind-blowing, panty-ripping, bed-breaking night, she knows once isn’t going to be enough. Fortunately, Javi feels the same way. Soon, what started as just one night turns into a lot of nights, and Hazel doesn’t know what to do.

Will she and Javi make the choice to be together for longer than just right NOW?

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Previous book in the series…

FOR REAL Buy Links:
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

AUTHOR INFORMATION

ARC Holiday Review: Flirting On Ice by Veronica Forand and Susan Scott Shelley- Atlantic City Hustlers Series- Book 1

Naughty and Nice Tour + Review + Giveaway: Nights With Him by Lauren Blakely

Review: Sexual Awakenings Volume Two-The Tango by Angelica Chase- Book 2

Review + Giveaway: First Debt by Pepper Winters- The Indebted Series- Book 2

Blog Tour + Review: Backstage by A. M. Madden-The Back Up Series

* AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE * SMASHWORDS *

* Go Back To The Couple That Started The Series *

Release Day Blitz + Giveaway + Review: The Perfect Gift by Dani-Lyn Alexander- Holiday Romance

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Two people. A one-night stand. What could go wrong?

Javier Cruz definitely isn’t relationship material, but that suits Hazel Gellar just fine. She’s not a relationship girl and doesn’t plan on ever being one.

But after a mind-blowing, panty-ripping, bed-breaking night, she knows once isn’t going to be enough. Fortunately, Javi feels the same way. Soon, what started as just one night turns into a lot of nights, and Hazel doesn’t know what to do.

Will she and Javi make the choice to be together for longer than just right NOW?

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Previous book in the series…

FOR REAL Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

AUTHOR INFORMATION

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* AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE * SMASHWORDS *

* Go Back To The Couple That Started The Series *

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FOR REAL Buy Links:
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes