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New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt + Giveaway + 4-Star Review: When the Stars Come Out by Laura Trentham

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When the Stars Come Out

A Cottonbloom Novel

By Laura Trentham

 

Cottonbloom. A beautiful, faraway place where a woman can escape her past—and find reason to stay forever in Laura Trentham’s When the Stars Come Out. . .

Willa Brown never planned to stay in Cottonbloom. She was on the way to somewhere else when she landed there and found work at the Abbot brothers’ garage. . .and a sense of comfort and safety that she had never known. The same holds true for Jackson Abbott himself. With one glance in her direction, he can make Willa’s heart melt. But what begins as an unrequited crush turns into something far more powerful than Willa could have ever imagined. . .

Jackson’s most meaningful relationship has always been with his car—and he’s not afraid to admit it. Still, he can’t help but become emotionally entangled with his new star mechanic Willa, who is definitely hiding some dark secrets of her own beneath the hood. Jackson desperately wants Willa to trust him, and to seek protection in his arms. But even as the two slowly surrender to their shared attraction, the danger lurking in Willa’s past remains a stubborn obstacle. Can she open up enough to give them both a chance at having real and lasting love?

Book Links

Goodreads: http://smarturl.it/minm6t

Amz: http://amzn.to/2E23Amf

BN: http://smarturl.it/z4d8xz

iBooks: http://smarturl.it/5dles5

Kobo: http://smarturl.it/j60yyx

GooglePlay: http://smarturl.it/qvi0by

 

 

EXCERPT:

“I’ll have a pork plate and sweet tea to go.” Willa did a mental calculation for tax and pulled out two fives. More than she should spend, but her stomach vetoed any protest.

Now not only was she saving to fix her car, but she needed a cushion. If she had to move, money was a necessity. Any decent place required a deposit for rent. Not to mention utilities. And how long would it take her to find another job that didn’t require her Social Security number or real name? The thought made her stomach hurt from something other than hunger.

“Make that two for here, Rufus, and I’m buying.”

Willa spun around. Jackson Abbott’s chest filled her vision. The animallike noises her stomach was making must have drowned out his approach.

“Sure thing, Jackson.” Rufus favored them with a grin and turned to dole out barbeque, baked beans, and slaw.

She tucked her hair behind her ear, feeling intensely vulnerable without her steel-toed work boots, coveralls, and ball cap. Her flip-flops, worn-out jeans with a rip at one knee, and a black T-shirt with the emblem of a band she’d never listened to were from the thrift shop down the street.

“You don’t have to pay.” When she found her voice, it was breathy.

“I want to.” His words were low and rumbly and sexy, and she resisted the urge to lay her cheek against his chest, desperate to have someone, anyone, to lean on, even for a moment. Obviously, hunger was impeding her mental faculties.

In the two years she’d lived in Cottonbloom, she’d never run into Jackson outside of the garage. Her forays to secretly watch him race didn’t count since he’d never noticed her. The only place she was a regular was at the library, because it offered free Internet and entertainment—two things she couldn’t afford to waste money on.

Her mental faculties slipped further away as she allowed her gaze to wander over his shoulders before rising. He’d showered, his damp hair darker than its usual rich brown, but hadn’t shaved, his stubble even more pronounced from the afternoon. The scent of soap and clean laundry was mouthwatering in a different way than the barbeque was. The butterflies in her stomach did a slow bump and grind. God, she was hungry for so many things.

 

Tracey’s Review

The fifth book in the Cottonbloom series by author Laura Trentham, WHEN THE STARS COME OUT is Jackson’s and Willa’s story. As a fan of series that cover the lives and relationships of members of a family, this one satisfied on every level, and made for a very enjoyable read.

The relationship between Willa and Jackson is layered, ease and camaraderie infused with an undercurrent of emotional tension. For two years, they’ve worked side by side, but only as the secrets of Willa’s past threaten to send her away from Cottonbloom do the two of them understand that there’s so much more between them than friendship. When the two of them finally acknowledge the spark between them, things get really interesting, and friendly co-workers become so much more.

Since I just started this series with the previous book, there is still some backstory for me to catch up on, but Laura writes each book as a standalone, so it is possible to read WHEN THE STARS COME OUT without having read the others. I find that I’m enjoying the story arc and the characters so much, though, that I’d like to go back and read the first books, as well as continue with Mack Abbott’s story, the upcoming SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE.

WHEN THE STARS COME OUT is an easy 4 stars for me, and one that I would readily recommend. Fans of contemporary romance, family sagas, of series with a Southern setting, and storylines that cross over between books, will enjoy the Cottonbloom series, and should add these books to their TBR.

 

Giveaway

Enter to win the first four (4) books in the Cottonbloom series!

Kiss Me That Way, Book 1

Then He Kissed Me, Book 2

Till I Kissed You, Book 3

Leave the Night On, Book 4

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/746772683/

 

 

Author Bio

An award-winning author, Laura Trentham was born and raised in a small town in Tennessee. Although, she loved English and reading in high school, she was convinced an English degree equated to starvation. She chose the next most logical major—Chemical Engineering—and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years.

She writes sexy, small town contemporaries and smoking hot Regency historicals. KISS ME THAT WAY, Cottonbloom Book 1, won the Stiletto Contest for Best Long Contemporary and finaled in the National Readers Choice Award. THEN HE KISSED ME, Cottonbloom Book 2, was named an Amazon Best Romance of 2016 and was a finalist for the National Excellence for Romance Fiction. TILL I KISSED YOU, Cottonbloom Book 3, is a finalist in the Maggie contest. LEAVE THE NIGHT ON, the latest Cottonbloom book, was named an iBooks Best Book of the Month and a Recommended Read from NPR.

When not lost in a cozy Southern town or Regency England, she’s shuttling kids to soccer, helping with homework, and avoiding the Mt. Everest-sized pile of laundry that is almost as big as the to-be-read pile of books on her nightstand.

 

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraTrentham

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New Release + Blog Tour + 4-Star Review: Unlocking Fear by Kennedy Layne

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 About UNLOCKING FEAR

A chance mishap with a sledgehammer was the sole reason a chilling nightmare was unleashed in Blyth Lake.

Noah Kendall’s grisly discovery left him in the middle of a murder investigation and a neighbor who knew more than she was willing to say. Reese Woodward had returned to town with dark secrets, and he was determined to unravel them. While evil lurks in the darkness, seduction burns between them…only time was their enemy.

Will her secrets destroy what they’ve built, or can he earn her trust before the killer strikes again?

Add UNLOCKING FEAR to your Goodreads list here!

Get your copy of UNLOCKING FEAR now!

✦Amazon http://amzn.to/2GC5tYa
✦iBooks http://apple.co/2ouRvO6
✦Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/2AYCo5e
✦Kobo http://bit.ly/2odmleE

 

Tracey’s Review

Looking for answers to a decade-old tragedy brought Reese Woodward to the small midwestern town of Blyth Lake. In search of the truth about what happened to her cousin 12 years ago, Reese is determined to solve the mystery once and for all. What she’s not expecting is to find help in the person of Noah Randall, newly returned to town following a stint in the military. What starts as friendship evolves into more, and will put them right in the path of danger.

Romances with a twist are some of my favorites, and romantic suspense is one of my go-tos. UNLOCKING FEAR, the first book in the Keys To Love series by author Kennedy Layne, has all of the elements of a sexy small town romance, with plenty of twists and turns to keep things interesting.

The mystery, the whodunit and why aspects of this book were enough to draw me in and keep me reading. Kennedy does a nice job of throwing out plenty of red herrings to keep the reader guessing, and the blossoming romance between Reese and Noah is naughty enough for the folks looking for their romance. I didn’t really realize that this book ended in a cliffhanger, and, while I’m fine with that, if you’re not a fan of cliffies, consider yourself forewarned.

At this point, I am invested enough to want to continue with the next book to see where Kennedy goes with the story, so that earns UNLOCKING FEAR 4 stars from me. I would recommend this book for fans of romantic suspense, or anyone that enjoys a mystery with their romance.

About Kennedy Layne

Kennedy Layne is a USA Today bestselling author. She draws inspiration for her military romantic suspense novels in part from her not-so-secret second life as a wife of a retired Marine Master Sergeant. He doubles as her critique partner, beta reader, and military consultant. They live in the Midwest with their teenage son and menagerie of pets. The loyal dogs and mischievous cats appreciate her writing days as much as she does, usually curled up in front of the fireplace. She loves hearing from readers–find out how to connect with her at www.kennedylayne.com.

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New Release + Blog Tour + 5-Star Review: Respect by Aleatha Romig

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Respect – An Infidelity Stand-alone Novel

 

“The making of a man”

Standing at what I believe is the precipice of my life, I, Oren Demetri, was too young to understand that it wasn’t and too old to imagine that it couldn’t be.

The already hefty accumulation of my successes and failures, bravery and fears, and rewards and suffering, had brought me to this point. It was hard to contemplate the things I’d done, and yet, in reality I’d only begun to learn the possibilities.

I suppose that’s how it was for me at twenty-nine years of age on the brink of all I’d ever wanted without fully realizing the price I would pay. Yet in that moment, I knew there would be no cost too great or sacrifice I wouldn’t make. I had no idea how far-reaching that moment of self-discovery would be; because as the congregation’s murmurs quieted, bleeding into silence and allowing the thump of my heart to be the only sound I heard, I was a man filled with love and adoration, emotions in stark contrast to those I needed in the world I’d built or the one I was about to enter.

Angelina Costello was my dream and now my reality. I’d worked diligently to move beyond the actuality of being a dockworker’s son to becoming a self-made, successful entrepreneur, all in an effort to earn the right to call her my own. I’d overcome servitude to others, collecting their paychecks and lowly praises, to being the one who signed the paychecks and offered the accolades when they were rightfully earned.

The world was my oyster and walking toward me on the arm of her uncle was my pearl. I’d found her amongst the empty shells life had offered. There was no need to pry open another possibility. Angelina was all I wanted. Yet my path was uncharted. There was more for me to earn, lose, and willingly give.

The top of that list was respect.

This stand-alone novel may be read without reading the Infidelity series.

From New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Aleatha Romig comes a stand-alone novel based from her beloved Infidelity series. With classic Aleatha Romig twists, turns, deceptions, and devotions, this new epic romantic thriller will delve into a world where family takes on new meaning and even the inhabitants are suspicious of the next chapter.

Have you been Aleatha’d?

 

iBooks | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Nook | Kobo

 

 

EXCERPT:

Angelina Costello was the only woman to ever take my breath away. I couldn’t not speak to her. “I haven’t seen you since NYU.”

“I’ve been living overseas, studying history and architecture in Italy.”

“Italy! Molto bene. And now you’re back?” I asked.

“I am.”

“To stay?”

“I believe so.”

“Perhaps we could see one another,” I proposed, all the while hoping that she would say yes and saying a prayer that she would say no.

Her lips curved upward. “I see you now.”

“Si, and I would like to see more.”

With a glint to her gaze, she said, “I never forgot you. I thought at one time…” Her head tilted innocently as her lip momentarily hid behind her teeth. “Are you sure you aren’t still scared of me?”

“Angelina, I’m quite certain that I’m terrified of you.”

Her smile grew. “Bene. Then let me give you my number.”

(Copyright owned by Romig Works LLC)

 

Robin’s Review

As I read the final pages of Aleatha Romig’s Infidelity series, it occurred to me just how much I had fallen in love with one of the secondary characters over the course of five novels.  His name is Oren Demetri, and what I learned about Oren in the Infidelity series is only the tip of the iceberg!  Respect is a spinoff novel of the Infidelity series.  It can either be read before or after you read the series, OR it can be read as a novel standing by itself.  It’s an epic tale of love that is both courageous and bittersweet.  

During his time as a student at NYU, Oren falls in love with Angelina.  But when he learns her last name is Costello, Oren walks away.  When their paths cross five and half years later in Manhattan, Oren realizes that he’s given a second chance.  He’s never forgotten Angelina; the feelings are still there.  No matter who her family is, he decides she’s absolutely worth the risk.  From the moment Oren asks Carmine Costello for permission to marry his niece, he never looks back.

Aleatha Romig thoroughly fleshed out Oren’s character.  He’s multi-dimensional, flawed, and one of the more complex characters that I’ve run across in a contemporary setting. When he marries Angelina, he accepts a lifelong obligation to the Costello family. Inherently a good human being, Oren struggles between wanting to give Angelina her heart’s desires and the need to protect and keep her safe.  His attention is constantly tugged in three different directions:  his wife (love and devotion), Demetri Enterprises (drive for professional success), and Uncle Carmine (duty to family).

I’m an old pro at reading novels written by Aleatha Romig.  Romig tends to write in layers, thereby creating a great sense of mystery for her readers.  She laid excellent groundwork for the plot in Respect.  Carmine purposefully shelters Oren from the darker Costello family dealings.  Because Respect is narrated from Oren’s first person point-of-view, he’s uncertain about much of what is taking place during a very dangerous time for his family.  As a reader, I felt his confusion and fear build while being kept in the dark.  Those layers and clues?  I was able to look back and see clear indications of what had been amiss when Oren is finally told about events that occurred.

I LOVED so many of the secondary characters in Respect – Carmine, Rose, Silvia, Vincent, and Testa, just to name a few.  Having read the Infidelity series, it was intriguing for me to catch a glimpse of Lennox Demetri as both a child and teenager.  Seeing the relationship develop between Oren and Lennox helped me gain a better understanding of their relationship later on in life.  It gave me a whole different outlook on Oren’s actions during the Infidelity series!

Mafia reads are some of my favorites.  It was obvious Romig thoroughly researched the mafia/Cosa Nostra before writing this book.  She mixed good research with great creative writing.  What resulted is a mafia story with the right tone and characters who feel authentic.  Respect is mysterious, suspenseful, and Oren held my interest throughout.  I’m delighted to give Respect a 5-star rating.  It’s also the first book on my list of 2018 favorites!

 

 

Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams and bring your imagination to life!

Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha’s twisted style with an increase in heat.

In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.

In the spring of 2017, Aleatha released her first stand-alone, fun, and sexy romantic comedy with PLUS ONE, followed by the sweet stand-alone, ONE NIGHT.

Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

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Blog Tour + Giveaway + 4-Star Review: Rise by Sierra Cross

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Rise
Sierra Cross
(Coven of Fire, #1)
Publication date: June 15th 2017
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy

I closed the door on magic long ago…the day it made me an orphan.

Ten years ago, the Coven of Fire sacrificed their lives—my mother among them—to hold off an overwhelming demonic force. Now it’s back.

As a poorly-paid bartender, how can any of this be my problem? But Callie, another orphan of that battle, swears I’m the key to reviving the coven. And there’s an incredibly sexy guardian stranded on my couch who’s promising to help me stop the demons and keep the veil between the realms standing.

One problem: I’ve never been able to use magic. Our local bad boy warlock assures me I have the talent, but even if I did, we don’t have enough witches to complete a coven. The only way to survive is to pull together this pack of magicborn misfits, who have more secrets than spells, into a makeshift coven.

Can we—three untrained witches, a sarcastic warlock, and an overly intense guardian—take back the city…before the demongate falls and the forces that killed my mother destroy us too?

Goodreads / Amazon

Tracey’s Review

New adult paranormal romantic suspense. A mouthful, but it nicely sums up RISE, the first book in the Spelldrift: Coven of Fire series by author Sierra Cross. I am a big fan of the paranormal genre, especially if it has some contemporary romance and suspense thrown in, so this read was really right up my alley.

Sierra has created a world that exists right here in our own, a side, or underside, of Seattle that few but the magical can see. Although from a magical bloodline herself, Alix has always operated under the assumption that she just doesn’t have it, the spark, the power that made her mother such a strong witch. But Alix, along with her hunky Guardian Matt, are in for some major surprises, and they start coming more quickly than either one is expecting.

I like Alix. Even before her gifts become more evident, she’s a strong, kick-butt sort of woman. She’s been just fine taking care of herself, so it’s a bit of a challenge to accept Matt’s new role in her life. But their chemistry is right on, and they make a good team, taking on the task of ensuring that the good people of Seattle will continue thrive, unaware and unharmed by the evil that surrounds them.

The backstory is well-developed, and Sierra has done a fine job of blending the real and the mystical so that this story is entertaining and engrossing enough to make me want to read more. RISE is a solid 4-star read for me, and I am very much looking forward to reading the other books in the series. Fans of new adult romance with less angst and a solid paranormal bent will enjoy RISE, should definitely have it on their TBRs.

 

GIVEAWAY!
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Author Bio:

Spells and skyscrapers. Warriors and warlocks. Coven secrets and forbidden romances. Sierra Cross lives for urban fantasy, for modern magic and the bold supernatural beings who stalk our contemporary world. Her Spelldrift universe stars kickass witches and their heroic guardians, as well as vampires, shifters, mages, Fidei, and the dark demonic forces that threaten them all.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon

 

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New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt + 4.5-Star Review: Here Comes the Sun by Marie Force

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Today we are celebrating the release of HERE COMES THE SUN, a contemporary romance title that is part of the bestselling Green Mountain/Butler, Vermont series by Marie Force. Check out the buy links, and a snippet from chapter 1, below.

 

Here Comes the Sun by Marie Force


Book Blurb:

Wade Abbott is one and done.

One look, one conversation, one weekend, and he knows who he wants.

Except, Mia Simpson is not free to return his affection. In fact, he suspects she’s in an abusive marriage, but she never confirms that, and he has no choice but to mind his own business where she’s concerned.

Two years after they first met and a year after he last heard from her, Mia shows up half-frozen, bruised and beaten on his doorstep, needing something only Wade can provide.

 

He’s determined to make it work, no matter the cost. Grab the latest in a series you will fall in love with!

Purchase Here Comes the Sun now!

Kindle US | iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Google | Kindle CA | Kindle UK | Kindle AU

Order a signed copy from Marie’s store, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Excerpt:

Every time she’d left him, she’d done so under a veil of panic, certain this would be the time her secret friendship with Wade would be discovered by a man who would kill her before he’d let anyone else have her. But somehow, they’d gotten away with it. Other things had transpired that’d convinced her to stay away from Wade, for his safety as much as hers, but she’d never stopped thinking about him, wondering about him or wishing that things were different.

Had he thought about her, too? Or had he moved on with someone else? Was there a woman sleeping in his bedroom at this very moment? Would he hold her this way if he had someone else? If it meant saving her life, she knew for sure he would. But once her body was warm, would he leave her to join the woman he loved?

That was like a knife to her heart. Thoughts of him had kept her alive long before tonight, and all her hopes were pinned on him being willing to help her now. She wiggled even closer to him and encountered evidence that he wanted her as much as he always had.

He gasped as she rubbed against him. “Mia…”

The proof of his desire freed her to ask for what she wanted more than anything. “Will you kiss me, Wade?”

He stared at her, seeming incredulous. “Are you really here asking me to kiss you? Will I wake up tomorrow to find out I dreamed this?”

She placed her hand on his face because she’d wanted to for so long and now she could. “It’s not a dream. I’m really here, and I’ve been dying for your kiss for as long as I’ve known you.”

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and released it before opening them again. “What about your husband?”

“I don’t have a husband.”

A strangled sound escaped his tightly clenched jaw in the second before his lips found hers with the light of the fire and years of yearning to guide them. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I’m okay, and I really want you to kiss me.”

He kissed her like a man possessed. His fingers dug into her hair and shaped her skull, making it impossible for her to escape, not that she had any wish to be anywhere but right there with him. She’d waited what felt like forever for him to kiss her, and the reality was a thousand times better than the fantasies had ever been.

To call this a kiss didn’t do justice to the feelings that exploded inside her as his tongue found hers in an erotic, sensual dance that made her dizzy and weak with longing.

“Mia…” He withdrew slowly, gently kissing the uninjured side of her face, jaw and neck. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to kiss you.”

“Don’t stop.” She sounded desperate and wanton but couldn’t be bothered to care. Combing her fingers through his hair, she brought him back for more.

They kissed like they were afraid this was all they’d ever have. Perhaps it was. Perhaps he wouldn’t be able to help her, and if that were the case, she’d have no choice but to leave him. For his sake, as well as hers, it would have to be all or nothing.

One kiss became two and then three, and when they came up for air, he was pressed up against her, and she wasn’t cold anymore. Not even kind of.

He gazed at her, the firelight turning his hair and skin to pure gold. “Who hurt you, Mia?”

“The man I used to love.”

“Why would he do this to you?” He ran his fingertips gently over the bruise on her left cheek.

“That’s a very long story.”

“You can’t go back to him,” he said fiercely. “I knew he was hurting you, but I couldn’t prove it, and you’d never talk to me about him.”

“Because I couldn’t.”

“How did you get here?”

“I drove as far as I could, but my car got stuck in a drift on the way into town. I walked the rest of the way.”

“That’s miles from here!”

“I don’t know how far it was, but it took a long time, and then when I got here and you weren’t home… The last thing I remember is reaching for the door hoping you wouldn’t mind.”

“I wouldn’t have. Of course you could’ve come in.”

“I must’ve passed out before I made up my mind.”

“My place isn’t easy to find. You’d have to know where it is to find it, especially in this weather.”

“After you gave me your address, I looked it up on a map, and I memorized the route.”

“Why, Mia? Why did you memorize the way to my home?”

“Because I knew I’d come to you as soon as I could. I only hoped that I’d still be welcome after all this time.”

“You’re always welcome with me. You know that.” He looked at her with love and joy and hope. So much hope that her heart contracted. “You still haven’t told me what happened or why you came tonight, in the middle of a blizzard.”

“Because…” She swallowed hard, summoning the fortitude she needed to say the words. “I need you to do something for me.”

“I’d do anything for you.”

His fierce words made her want to weep from the relief of knowing she hadn’t misjudged him or his feelings for her.

“Tell me what you need, Mia. There’s nothing you could ask of me that would be too much.”

Looking up to meet his intense brown-eyed gaze, she said, “I need you to marry me.”

Tracey’s Review

I love pretty much everything that author Marie Force writes, so when I say that her Green Mountain/Butler, Vermont series are my absolute favorites, you know that I’m not messing around. I was über-excited for HERE COMES THE SUN, the latest book about the Abbott family of Butler, Vermont. This book has all of the usual madcap craziness that is part of every book about these characters, with the very happy bonus of seeing Wade Abbott finally make his match.

Wade and Mia are perfect for each other, and she fits seamlessly into the fray of the Abbott clan. Alongside the story of their romance is plenty of intrigue, suspense, and surprise after surprise, which kept me flipping the virtual pages to find out what was going to happen next. Marie has done a wonderful job of bringing these two extremely likable characters to life, and making their piece of the puzzle click perfectly into the bigger picture.

All of the favorites are here, from family patriarch Elmer, down to each and every Abbott sibling and cousin, as well as town fixture Fred the moose, and their shenanigans make reading this book an absolute pleasure. Marie has set the stage for the next tale out of Butler, and I cannot wait to see what she does with it. HERE COMES THE SUN is 4.5 stars’ worth of fun, intensity, and downright sexiness, and is an absolute must-read for Marie’s fans, or anyone looking for a family saga that does not disappoint.

—————

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE GREEN MOUNTAIN/ BUTLER, VERMONT SERIES

Welcome to Vermont and the Green Mountain and Butler Series, featuring the Abbott family, proprietors of the Green Mountain Country Store, and their Coleman cousins. Since All You Need Is Love was released in 2014, the Abbott/Stillman/Coleman clan has stolen the hearts of readers, and Fred the Moose has earned himself a cult following. Hope you enjoy Butler!

Green Mountain Series

Book 1: All You Need Is Love (Will & Cameron)

Book 2: I Want to Hold Your Hand (Nolan & Hannah)

Book 3: I Saw Her Standing There (Colton & Lucy)

Book 4: And I Love Her (Hunter & Megan)

Book 4.5: You’ll Be Mine, Will and Cam’s Wedding Novella

Book 5: It’s Only Love (Gavin & Ella)

Book 6: Ain’t She Sweet (Tyler & Charlotte)

Butler, Vermont Series (a continuation of the Green Mountain Series)

Book 1: Every Little Thing (Grayson & Emma)

Book 2: Can’t Buy Me Love (Patrick & Mary)

Book 3: Here Comes the Sun (Wade & Mia)

———————–

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

About the Author

M.S. Force is the erotic alter-ego of New York Times bestselling author Marie Force. All three books in her initial Quantum Trilogy were New York Times bestsellers in 2015, and the Quantum Trilogy became the Quantum Series with Rapturous and Ravenous, with more to come!

Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 contemporary romances, including the Gansett Island Series, which has sold nearly 3 million books, and the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books, which has sold 1.5 million books. In addition, she is the author of the Butler, Vermont Series, the Green Mountain Series and the erotic romance Quantum Series, written under the slightly modified name of M.S. Force. All together, her books have sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide!

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.

Join Marie’s mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Twitter @marieforce and on Facebook. Join one of Marie’s many reader groups. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com. Subscribe to her new blog to hear the latest and greatest news, including giveaways and other great prizes. Go to the blog and enter your email address on the upper right-hand side.

 

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Release Blitz + Blog Tour + Excerpt + 4-Star Review: xo, Zach by Kendall Ryan

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The first time we met was at a party.

Your ex arrived to show off the person he’d left you for last month, and you asked me to pretend to be your date.

I was more than happy to help. You were attractive, smart and witty–and that kiss we shared? It left me wanting you for days.

The second time we met was in my office on campus where we were both surprised to discover you were the new master’s degree student in poetry that I would be working with. You promised to be professional. I did no such thing.

The late nights and intense study sessions spent alongside you majorly throw me off my game. I want you, and I fight with myself daily over this fact.

I know I’m crass, that my sexual innuendos and dirty mouth annoy you, but I live for those two bright spots of color in your cheeks. If that’s the only reaction I can get out of you, I’ll gladly take it.

You hate Mondays so every Monday I slip an anonymous poem into your bag and your smile gets me through the week.

I think I’m falling for you, and I know it’s wrong. I know that I’m only supposed to be your adviser and nothing more, but here’s the thing. I think you’re falling for me too.

xo, Zach

 

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EXCERPT:

“This is serious, Poppy. Will you promise?”

“What am I promising?” This man had a way of getting me to say things, to feel things, to admit things that I might not have otherwise. I wasn’t sure if it was because he was older and wiser and that much more cunning at these types of discussions, or if it was just because being near him seemed to physically lower my inhibitions. He was like a walking shot of tequila.

“I need you to promise me that if anything physical happens between us—that it will be very consensual, and very sex-positive. I need you to understand that I will worship you and make you come So. Many. Fucking Times.”

He annunciated those words so clearly and slowly, I felt them with every beat of my heart, every pulse of heat between my legs.

Oblivious to my hammering heart, Zach continued. “But I also need you to know that if I do or say anything you don’t like, all you have to do is say so and everything will stop. Just the word no, Poppy. Use it and I promise to leave you alone.”

“Leave me alone as in stop mentoring me, stop helping me in the program?”

His face was serious and he shook his head without even considering it. “I will never stop mentoring you, as long as you want it. Giving in to our attraction—or not—will never be a condition for my help. I want you to succeed, and it has nothing to do with how much I want you in my bed. Do you understand that?”

I felt myself nodding my head.

I knew what he was saying. Despite how aggressively Zach put his feelings on the subject of us out there—I knew he’d never betray my wishes.

“Okay,” I murmured.

He considered me for a long moment, neither of us blinking.

“Why did you approach me that night at the party, Poppy. Did you find me attractive?”

Was he fucking serious?

Of course I find him attractive. Actually, attractive was too weak a word. I found him mesmerizing. Addictive. Enchanting. Impossible.

“I’m not saying I do, but if I wanted something to happen …” I swallowed a wave of nerves and took a shallow breath as Zach’s mouth curved into a grin.

“Something as in finding out how many times in a row I can make you come using my mouth, my hands, and my …”

I held up one hand. “Yes. That. How would it work, isn’t it, like, forbidden?”

God, why did the word forbidden make me feel even hotter?

Tracey’s Review

What’s sexier than a little forbidden romance, a fire that burns hot below the surface, but must remain hidden? Add a side of single mom, and you’ve got xo, ZACH, thw latest sweet and spicy story from author Kendall Ryan to hit the shelves.

Poppy Ellis isn’t like the other grad students that adviser Zach Austin has dealt with. A gifted poet and writer, she’s got all the talent necessary to really make a go of things. But there are other things that separate her from his other students, not the least of which is the white-hot desire that he feels for her, the sort that makes a man do crazy, crazy things.

Poppy isn’t at school to find a boyfriend, but heck if she can stay away from Zach. Forbidden as their relationship may be, Zach ignites a spark in her that she’s never experienced, one that makes it hard to remember just where her priorities lie.

Kendall Ryan has done her usual stellar job of giving readers a story filled with chemistry, with humor, and with tenderness, about people that just can’t fight that magnetic pull that will bring them together despite their best intentions.

I really like both Zach and Poppy. They’re down-to-earth, grounded and comfortable with themselves, dedicated to doing their best at their roles, be it scholar, lover, mother. But they’re also insanely attracted to each other, mind and body, and so drawn to each other that staying apart seems almost impossible. Even knowing this, I was rooting for the two of them to find their stride, and do whatever it took to make their ending a happy one.

The supporting characters are absolutely wonderful, and steal the scene many a time. Zach’s mom is a riot, and Jodie and Kody are the kind of best friends that everyone should have, bringing humor and warmth to this already delightful story.

xo, Zach is a little bit of a departure from Kendall’s most recent books, and, while no less sexy, has a softness to it that really worked for me. This is a solid 4-star read for me, and one that fans of Kendall’s books, or anyone looking for a sexy, sweet, sassy romantic comedy, should add to their TBR.

 

 

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She’s a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she’s appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.

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

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New Release + Excerpt + Review: Small Town Siren by Lexi Blake

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Re-released in a second edition with a prologue and three new chapters.

Two cowboys looking for love…

Jack Barnes and Sam Fleetwood met in foster care. Over the years, they’ve become best friends and partners. They share a business as cattle ranchers and a house. There’s only one thing missing: a woman to share. The men are sure they’ve found that woman when Abigail Moore arrives in their small town, Willow Fork, TX.

A woman trying to find her place in the world…

Abby left her hometown twenty years before under a cloud of scandal. She’s raised a daughter, forged a new life for herself, and is ready for the next phase when she meets the handsome cowboys.

One small town that’s ready to explode…

They’re a dream come true—Jack is the sexy Dom, and Sam the playful lover. It’s everything she’s ever fantasized about. There’s only one problem. She’s still not welcome in Willow Fork, and someone is willing to kill to keep her away.

 

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The door to the women’s room slammed open. Abby practically jumped, ready to beg whoever was walking through to give her some privacy. Jack filled the doorway with his presence.

“You can’t come in here, Jack.” She smoothed down her uniform and swept back her hair, trying to retain as much dignity as she could.

“Why not, darlin’? I am going to admit that I’m not a man who tends to let things like social conventions keep me out of a place I really want to be in.” Jack walked right up to her. The man really wasn’t big on personal space.

Sam walked in and closed the door. He leaned with his back against it. One boot rested negligently against the painted pink door.

“Sam, tell him he can’t come into the women’s room.”

“You’re the one who chose the venue for this particular conversation, Abigail.” There was nothing vaguely resembling a joke in Jack’s voice now. Abby looked to Sam for help.

Sam shook his head. He was grinning like an idiot. “Hell no, honey. You’re gonna have to learn that when Jack gets that hard edge to his voice, he means business. Besides, I’m happy with the way things went. Thank you, baby. You made this so much easier. Jack was talking about dating you and treating you like a lady. That was gonna take forever. It’s much simpler this way.”

“What’s simpler?” Abby was unable to keep the trepidation out of her voice.

“Taking you home, taking you to bed, and showing you where you belong,” Sam replied with a wink.

“Where do I belong?” Abby couldn’t take her eyes off Jack. There was a simple smile on his face that held a wealth of arrogance. He’d been serious. He really had been playing the gentleman. Abby got the feeling she was about to get a full dose of Jack Barnes, and damned if she wasn’t looking forward to it.

“Always between me and Sam.” Jack reached out and put his hands on her shoulders, his expression intense. “Tell me you don’t want us, Abby, and I’ll walk away right now. I won’t bother you again.”

“Don’t give her ultimatums.” Sam sounded a bit desperate. “I thought we’d give her a taste before we forced her to make a decision. Baby, why don’t you let us play around a little? I promise you’ll want us.”

She looked up into Jack’s forest-green eyes. They were very serious as he stared at her. His hand came up to cup her face. He forced her to look at him and Abby felt his will. It should scare the crap out of her, but she found it amazingly sexy. This was a man who would always keep his promises, no matter what it cost him.

“She already wants us.” Jack brushed his thumb across her mouth. It was all she could do to not open her mouth and suck his thumb in. “She just needs to admit it. Can you tell me you haven’t spent the last few weeks thinking about this? Thinking about you and me and Sam coming together in bed?”

“No,” she said. Jack’s eyes flared, and she felt compelled to continue. “I have thought about it, but I’m scared.”

The time for honesty was here. She could run, and they would probably accept her decision. She could give in and enjoy the sex and walk away. Or she could ask for what she wanted. She could be brave and tell them what she needed and what she was scared of. If she did that and it all fell apart, then she would have to forgive herself. She’d learned that one of the great joys of maturing was learning how to forgive herself.

“What are you scared of?” A deep crease appeared in Sam’s forehead. He walked up to her and leaned forward. “Honey, we want to take care of you. We don’t want to hurt you.”

She felt tears pricking at the edge of her eyes. Everything in her was screaming for that to be true. She wanted them. She craved them.

“You could be lying to me. You could want to make me look bad.” She could hear her teenaged self in the statement. She felt every bit as vulnerable as she had then. The last month she’d spent with these two disparately different men had been one of the best of her life. Every evening they’d spent together over the last month had made her want them more. More than once, she’d fantasized about them sweeping into the diner and carrying her away. Lately, when things went wrong, her first thought was to call Jack. Now that her fantasy seemed to be coming true, she didn’t trust fate.

Jack’s hands came out and soothingly rubbed the back of her neck. He hadn’t stopped touching her once. “Sweetheart, why would you say something like that? Why would we want to make you look bad?”

“Because the Echols family wants me out of town.” Her heart soared when she saw the complete confusion on their faces. They couldn’t make that up.

“Are you talking about that crazy old biddy who runs the church socials?” Jack seemed to struggle to place a name with a face. “She always looks at me funny.”

“Ruby. That’s her name.” Sam frowned. “She’s real unpleasant to me. Why would we do anything for her? For that matter, why would she care that you’re in town?”

Hope swelled inside her. They really weren’t gay, and they really weren’t working for Ruby Echols. If that was true, then she had to assume they wanted her. It suddenly didn’t matter that they were in a bathroom in a public place. She couldn’t wait to feel their mouths pressed to hers. It wasn’t forever. The universe didn’t work that way, but she could have this moment. She could have a few weeks with them.

“It doesn’t matter. Kiss me.”

“Which one?” Sam asked.

Abby continued to smile, looking from gorgeous man to gorgeous man. “It doesn’t matter, but one of you should kiss me.”

Jack’s eyes never left her face. “Sam, take care of that door. We wouldn’t want anyone walking in.”

Sam cursed and bemoaned his fate, but he walked back and took his previous position.

Jack took Abby’s face in both his hands. “I’m completely crazy about you, Abigail Moore.” He leaned over and finally, after what seemed to Abby like a lifetime of wanting, pressed his mouth to hers.

Abby felt helpless against the onslaught of desire that rocketed through her as Jack took her mouth. He plundered it, his tongue gently forcing its way in and dancing strongly around hers. She held on to his lean waist for dear life as he slanted over her mouth again and again. He poured his will into her and everything inside her responded. She felt that kiss in her pussy and already she was slick and warm. Jack’s hands reached up and pulled at the band that held up her hair. He set it free and pulled back to look at the mane of auburn locks he’d unleashed.

“You’re so fucking gorgeous,” Jack breathed almost reverently as he stroked her hair. In that moment, with Jack’s green eyes looking at her like she was some goddess he was worshipping, Abby felt gorgeous.

“Why don’t we take this home, people?” Sam’s voice was tight. Abby looked back at Sam, and his blue eyes were dark with passion.

He wanted to go home so he could join in. He wanted to have his turn. The thought should have turned her off, but all it did was get her hotter.

Jack’s lips turned up in a lazy smile. “You’ll have to forgive Sam, darlin’. He’s always so impatient. Always has been.” Jack suddenly lifted her up and set her on the counter. He looked back at his friend with great affection. “Do you have any idea how many times I’ve told him that anticipation is the best part?”

Jack’s hands pushed up the skirt of her uniform.

“Anticipation is damn frustrating, Jack. And I’ve been anticipating for weeks,” Sam complained.

Tracey’s Review

When the residents of Willow Fork, TX, had done their best to drive Abigail Moore away, she swore that she would never go back. When family business calls her back, she’s planning on doing her due diligence, then getting the heck back out of Dodge, so to speak. But things have changed in her little town, and soon leaving will be the last thing on Abby’s mind…

While alternative romance may not be everybody’s cup of tea, if you’re of ‘the more the merrier’ mindset, SIREN IN THE CITY by author Lexi Blake should definitely be on your radar. Lexi can write a ‘better when there are more’ story like nobody’s business, and Abby, Sam, and Jack and their love story make for a read that’s hard to put down.

It’s got to be difficult to craft this kind of story so well, to make the reader fall equally in love with every character, but Lexi makes it look so very easy. The story unfolds effortlessly and drew me in, so that I couldn’t wait to see where things were going.

I’d be hard-pressed to choose between Jack and Sam myself, but, luckily, we don’t have to, because they are, after all, a package deal. I loved seeing the way that they take care of Abby, the way that they support each other, and the way that they have overcome bad beginnings to be the kickbutt men that they are.

Being a woman of a certain age, seeing Abby get her turn at happiness makes me happy. The woman that left Willow Fork as a scared young girl has returned an accomplished, self-assured woman that can hold her head high in a town full of people that would continue to bring her down. We need more Abbys for sure, and I will happily read about them all.

SMALL TOWN SIREN is a solid 4-star read for me, and one that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to romance fans that are willing to step outside the box a bit. It’s nice to see the return of this series from Lexi, and I look forward to reading more about these characters.

 

 

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

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Release Blitz + Excerpt + Giveaway + 5-Star Review: Stud In the Stacks by Pippa Grant

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Title: Stud in the Stacks
Author: Pippa Grant
Genre: Sexy Romantic Comedy
 Release Date: January 5, 2018
Blurb
When it comes to women, I know what they want. And all day long, I give
it to them. Dark, broody, and sexy? You got it. Need to laugh? I’m your guy.
Desperate for something to put you in the mood? You’ve come to the right place,
kitten.
Every morning when my library opens, there’s a line around the block,
the ladies flocking to me in need of their next book boyfriend. I’m that dude.
The one who knows his way around the romance section. And if you think that
hasn’t gotten me plenty of action over the years, you’d be wrong.
But I’ve made a few miscalculations, and now my reputation has my job
in danger. If I can’t prove to my boss that I’m more than a playboy who
recommends romance in the hopes of getting some hanky panky in the stacks, I
can kiss my job goodbye.
Stud in the Stacks is a sexy, hilarious, sometimes
embarrassing romantic comedy told in both points of view, complete with tacos,
romance novel love, and unicorn parties with no cheating or cliffhangers.

 

 

Purchase Links
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Excerpt
Even though it’s been six years since I stripped for a
roomful of women, I’m pleased to report my loincloth still fits in all the
right places. Tad more snug in front than I remember, but if I had to grow,
might as well be in the junk.
I give the elastic one last test as the producer signals
that I’m up. Spider-Man gives me a fist bump. Thor smacks my ass. They’re the
last two bachelors going up on the block after me in tonight’s superhero-themed
auction.
There are some who might say Tarzan isn’t a superhero, but
Jane would beg to differ.
And I fucking own this costume.
Plus, if no one else bids on me, my Nana’s right up front,
ready to throw down the hundred bucks I slipped her before the show.
I’m hoping for a little higher than that though. Batman just
went for a cool five grand.
Batman was a dick, which I assume my Nana didn’t know when
she started the bidding on him. A grade-A, condescending asshat who thought
just because he had a few million bucks in the bank, he could call people gay
like that’s an insult and take a metaphorical shit on my favorite books.
I fucking want to beat Batman.     
Tracey’s Review
***5 Magical Unicorn, Taco Loving, Love Amongst the Books Stars***

What did I love about STUD IN THE STACKS by author Pippa Grant? The better question is, what didn’t I love about this book? With a heroine who’s less awkward than she thinks she is, a main man that is smart, sexy, and, oh, yes, he loves books, and so many laugh-out-loud funny moments that I embarrassed myself in various locations around town while reading, this is a book that instantly stole my heart.

I think that it is awesome that Pippa, a writer of romance novels herself, has no problem taking the oft-times maligned genre and running with it. From giving a nod to other romance writers (by name and title, mind you!), capturing the fan base so very wonderfully, and even hitting on recent current events within the community, she has done a stellar job of giving we readers exactly what we want, a book for romance lovers about romance lovers, with fabulously zany characters and a plot line that makes this one of the most riotously satisfying reads that I can remember.

Pippa has, thankfully, brought back all of my favorite characters from MR. MCHOTTIE, her first book, and given us even more fun with the introduction of Parker’s brothers. I mean, laughing so hard that I couldn’t breathe funny, these kooks are just everything in this book. And, while I love Chase and Sia from the first book, Knox and Parker (and Nana, oh, my gosh, we can’t forget Nana) are one of my most favorite book couples ever.

STUD IN THE STACKS is sitting pretty atop my list of books that fans of the romance genre, or anyone that wants to snort their beverage out of their nose while reading, really, should shove to the top of their TBRs right this very minute. As rom-coms go, you’d be hard-pressed to start your year off with anything better, and I obviously couldn’t recommend it any more highly.

 

Author Bio
Pippa Grant is a stay-at-home mom and housewife who loves to
escape into sexy, funny stories way more than she likes perpetually cleaning
toothpaste out of sinks and off toilet handles. When she’s not reading,
writing, sleeping, or trying to prepare her adorable demon spawn to be
productive members of society, she’s fantasizing about chocolate chip cookies.
Author Links

 

New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review + Trailer + Giveaway: Whore by Willow Aster

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Whore by Willow Aster is now LIVE!!!

PURCHASE YOUR COPY OF WHORE TODAY!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2B0fsEe

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2yY5D83

B&N: http://bit.ly/2iQYB1U

iTunes: http://apple.co/2yZTvHV

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2xx0EL8

“I need a reason to exist.”

Beautiful, intelligent, independent, strong-willed, wealthy—Lilith Fontenot seems by all appearances, to have it all. But that’s not how the highest paid prostitute in New Orleans sees herself.

A stain on society. A scourge. A waste. Outsider. Prisoner…

Any idyllic dream of the normal life she may have once imagined, Lilith buried long ago. Her only plan now is survival.

But mob boss Nico Santelli and community center owner Soti Christos have not given up on Lilith. Each has his own very specific, very opposing, plans for her, and neither will rest until it becomes a reality.

WHORE is a singularly bracing take on an ancient tale of tireless love, betrayal, and the possibility of redemption.

I take a sudden deep breath and my breasts brush against his chest. The contact surprises us both. I do it again, intentionally this time, trying to gain control in the only way I know how. His neck flushes and he takes a step back. I enjoy the rush it gives me, knowing that I affect him too.

“Hey, would you like to come around the corner with me to—”

I swallow my surprise and shake my head, holding my hand up before he says anything else.

“Please,” he says louder.

“What’s your name?”

“I am Sotirios … Soti.”

“Soti, what makes you think you know anything about me?”

He tries to make eye contact, but I focus on a spot just past his left ear.

“I just want to help you…” His words trail off.

The wind blows my hair forward, a sheet of black coming between us until I smooth the long strands down on either side. I gaze down the street and see a blurry little girl with black hair down to her waist in middle school, standing shy and hopeful in front of a group of girls.

“We know what you are,” they said. They hurled spit and names on her and she stood there, taking it, until the teacher came and helped her.

Help only got me so far.

“You listen to me, okay?” I say so softly he leans in to hear me. “I was born for this.”

When my eyes finally land on his again, I know his face will haunt me forever. He looks as bleak as I feel.

I clear my throat. “Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

With that, I loop my hand through the arm of my next income source, calculating how I can get the most money out of him for the least amount of time. It takes every ounce of willpower I own to not look Soti’s way one more time. Once we round the corner and I know he’s out of sight, all the adrenaline leaves my body, and I’m actually glad to have someone to hold onto.

I avoid my reflection as we walk back to the house. I don’t want to know what the rest of the world sees when they look at me.

Robin’s Review
Based on the Biblical story of Hosea and Gomer, the newest novel from author Willow Aster titled Whore is about the world’s oldest profession – prostitution.  As stated in the book synopsis, love, betrayal and redemption are indeed the focus of this mysterious romantic suspense novel set in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

Whore is narrated in the alternating, first-person points-of-view of Lilith Fontenot and Soti Christos.  Lilith comes from a long line of prostitutes who run a brothel named Maison D’Amour.  Just like her mother, and her grandmother before her, Lilith grows up knowing her future lies solely in the family business.  She can dream about something different, but there can be no other choice.  Not until she meets Soti, and he shows Lilith just how different life might be if she spent it with him.  Could it be possible?  Crime boss Nico Santelli has different plans for Lilith, and those plans have nothing to do with what Christos has to offer.  Which man will win the battle for her future?

Knowing her profession, Willow Aster characterized Lilith Fontenot perfectly.  This is especially important as Lilith begins to experience unfamiliar feelings.  Lilith knows exactly how to act and what to expect during a hookup, but when it comes to emotions, she struggles.  She’s shy and not used to being treated with kindness.  I also thought Aster thoughtfully characterized Soti to be cautious with Lilith.  I fell in love with both characters, separately and as a couple.  They each had to grow as individuals to make their relationship work.  I also enjoyed the secondary characters who work at the community center.  They softened the story, giving it a lighter feel!

One of the strengths of Whore lies in the descriptive writing, especially early in the novel as the architecture and setting in the French Quarter are being established.  Aster’s description of what’s required at the brothel – the dress, presentation and decorum – is nicely woven throughout the initial chapters.  Lilith narrates details in a matter-of-fact manner, while also making it seem as if the women who work at Maison D’Amour are very proud of their high class establishment.  I was truly impressed by the world building and just how well I was able to picture what I was reading in my mind.

Like most individuals, I tend to read the book synopsis before I begin reading the novel.  With only limited knowledge about the plot, I found myself pleasantly surprised to discover more depth to Whore than I initially anticipated.  An air of mystery surrounds Lilith, Soti and several of the secondary characters.  I felt compelled to keep reading into the late night hours to get to the bottom of things.  I had questions that needed answers!  Aster did a fantastic job holding all of her cards – holding my attention – until the final pages of the novel.

Although you’ll find some dark scenes in Whore, Willow Aster incorporates light and positivity to counterbalance the darkness.  I felt a connection to Lilith, so to see her experience happiness made this story very fulfilling!  Up to this point, I’ve read each novel written by Willow Aster, and Whore is close to being my favorite!  I’m so excited to give Whore a 4.5-star rating and name it as one of my 2017 favorite novels!


Whore by Willow Aster from Bibliophile Productions on Vimeo.

Willow Aster is the author of True Love Story, In the Fields, Maybe Maby, Fade to Red, and the upcoming release, Whore. Willow loves nothing more than writing the day away—anywhere will do. Her husband and two children graciously put up with her endless daydreaming and make fun of her for reading while cooking.

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New Release + Review Blitz + 5-Star Review: Sinful Empire by Meghan March

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The Mount Trilogy concludes with Sinful Empire!

What’s mine, I keep, and that includes Keira Kilgore.
It’s no longer enough to have her in my debt. No longer enough to own her body.
I want something more.
She can try to resist, but I’ll never give her up.
Nothing will keep us apart.
Not her. Not my enemies. No one.
Her debt will only be paid one way—with her heart.

*Sinful Empire is the third and final book in the Mount Trilogy.*

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | iBooks | BN | Kobo

 

Tracey’s Review

“Life is a chess game, Keira. Every single…day, you make moves that determine your future…You’ve been the queen from day one. The most powerful piece on the whole…board.”

Oh, my gosh, this series! Author Meghan March has brought things full circle in SINFUL EMPIRE, the action-packed, fierce, third book in the Mount Trilogy. Brutal, bloody, passionate, this book, and the two before it, will have you on the edge of your seat, and flipping pages like nobody’s business.

The unlikely romance, if you can call it that, between Lachlan Mount, self-made king of New Orleans, and Keira Kilgore, his hand-picked queen, has been hard fought and hard won. The desire, the passion, and the downright dirty deliciousness between these two literally jumps off the page, and I was a fan from the very first sentence.

Meghan continues to prove her role as one of the romance genre’s power authors, giving books that draw readers in hook, line, and sinker, and leave them wanting more each and every time.

The Mount Trilogy may be some of my favorite of hers yet, taking us back to New Orleans and giving us a new set of characters to win our hearts. SINFUL EMPIRE is the perfect end to this suspenseful series, and one that I happily recommend to readers of romantic suspense and anyone that loves a dark, dirty, action-filled read. 5 stars for Meghan, Lachlan, Keira, and their crew. Add these books to your TBR now, because they are not to be missed.

 

Get ready for the darker and dirtier side of New Orleans with a brand new alpha romance from USA Today bestselling author Meghan March.

New Orleans belongs to me.
You don’t know my name, but I control everything you see—and all the things you don’t.
My reach knows no bounds, and my demands are always met.
I didn’t need to loan money to a failing family distillery, but it amuses me to have them in my debt.
To have her in my debt.
She doesn’t know she caught my attention.
She should’ve been more careful.
I’m going to own her. Consume her.
Maybe even keep her.
It’s time to collect what I’m owed.
Keira Kilgore, you’re now the property of Lachlan Mount.

*Ruthless King is Book One of the Mount Trilogy*

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The Mount Trilogy continues with Defiant Queen…

I’m his entertainment. His toy. Payment on a debt.
I tell myself I hate him, but every time he walks into the room, my body betrays me. How can I want him and fear him in the same moment?
They told me he’d mess with my head. Make it go to war with my body.
But I didn’t realize it would be complete anarchy.
I should’ve known better. When Mount’s involved, there are no rules.
I will not surrender. I will not show weakness. I’ll stand my ground and make it out of this bargain with my heart and soul intact.
But he has other plans . . .

Defiant Queen is the second book of the Mount Trilogy. Mount and Keira’s story concludes in Sinful Empire.

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Meghan March has been known to wear camo face paint and tromp around in woods wearing mud-covered boots, all while sporting a perfect manicure. She’s also impulsive, easily entertained, and absolutely unapologetic about the fact that she loves to read and write smut. Her past lives include slinging auto parts, selling lingerie, making custom jewelry, and practicing corporate law. Writing books about dirty talking alpha males and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees is by far the most fabulous job she’s ever had. She loves hearing from her readers at meghanmarchbooks@gmail.com.

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