Release Blitz + 2017 Favorite + 6 Star Review : The Do-Over by Julie A. Richman

Posted on 01/26/2017 by shellbellereads

The Do-Over, an all-new emotional and sexy STANDALONE by Julie A. Richman is now LIVE!!

The Do- Over

By Julie A. Richman

Buy: Amazon / Amazon UK / B & N / IBooks / Kobo

***

Synopsis

~ Sometimes, one degree is all that separates you from the one you were meant to be with. ~

Wes Bergman was sex on a stick.

We’d been circling one another our entire lives, mingling at the same clubs… attending the same events…sharing mutual acquaintances…yet we’d never actually met.

Until . . . we both boarded a Windjammer Cruise in the Caribbean. And it was like meeting my long, lost best friend for the first time. I hadn’t ever connected with a guy that way before.

But Wes had a girlfriend. So, when the week was over, he walked off the ship, unknowingly taking a piece of my heart with him.

Now, over a decade later, newly divorced, I’m the proverbial fish out of water. Dating has totally changed. Apps. Swipe left. Swipe right. Catfishing. Men my age want two things: twenty-five-year-olds—like my ex’s new child bride of a wife—or just a quick hook-up.

After a string of bad dates, I finally did something I never thought I’d do. I had a hot one-night stand with a really handsome guy I met online who didn’t even know my real name.

Turned out Mr. Fling is a big shot for my company’s newest client. And just my

luck, that client’s CEO is none other than . . . Wes Bergman.

Now I’m separated by one degree again from the man who stole my heart.

And Mr. Fling could destroy my chance of what I want most –

A Do-Over with Wes.

Michel’s Review

Julie A. Richman is in a class by herself when it comes to romance. Her speciality is creating magical romances between mature adults while still including the wonders of young love in it’s purest form. The memories of what once was or could of have been if the world would of been in sync, are part of her special magic. The youthful mistakes, decisions in the works, and life dictating it’s own hand take her characters in new directions that are beyond their control. She adds layers of life experiences that allow her characters hearts to percolate for years, preparing them to grasp the epic love story that is to come later when they are completely ready for it. She allows them to mature and become the best kind of individuals they can possibly be. Along the way they gain wisdom, experience the good and bad in life, and become emotionally stronger people. They learn the true meaning of sacrifice, giving of oneself, and loving unconditionally. They learn that love is more than a word or an emotion in a heated moment. It is the true gift in life. A gift that completes a person as an individual as well as a partner.

It’s refreshing to read a romance that I can identify with as a mature adult. Life experiences are priceless and mold a person into something more than they could of dreamed about in their younger years.

Tara and Wes were each other’s “one that got away”. They met on a vacation cruise and instantly connected on so many levels. At the time they were in different places in their lives. Wes was living in California and was in a relationship. Tara was building her career in New York City. Their lives were miles apart and heading in different directions. What seemed like a slip of fate was only the beginning. Fate had something else in store for them.

Almost two decades later, Tara finds herself a new divorcee , single parent to her teenage daughter, and pushing forty. She is once again thrust into the dating pool. A pool that has changed severely since she last swam in it. The rules have changed. It’s not just herself that she has to consider. She has to put her daughter first and her own needs second. The players in the game have changed. Potential dates are no longer fresh faced young men with a boat full of dreams and the world unexplored. They are experienced men with their own suitcase full of baggage. The game itself has changed as well. Clubbing and hanging out with friends is no longer the way to play the game. Online dating sites are the way to go. She’s a fish out of water. Trying to survive in this new world of dating is like swimming against the tide. There are a lot of sharks, guppies, and minnows in the pool. After some disastrous dates and a really bad experience, she’s ready to throw in the towel once again. That is until she crosses paths with Wes Bergman once again. What could of been might just be what’s next.

Wes Bergman has changed from the charming young man to an intense successful CEO. His life’s journey has brought him back to New York and founder of a specialized clothing company. When his company hires a new advertising firm it brings him back to the charming young woman he met years ago on a vacation cruise with his sister. This woman has matured into a devastatingly beautiful, intelligent woman who still sparks his heart. What could of been is going to happen. It’s his second chance at happiness. This time he’s ready and he’s going to hold on.

Wes and Tara discover more than love. They discover completion when they are together. Fate is finally smiling on them, or so they thought. Fate is once again going to throw them in the waters without a paddle.This time around they are experienced swimmers in the game called life. Their life experiences are going to collide but they are also going to be their saving grace.

Without giving anything away, I can say Julie A. Richman brings so much more than swoon worthy romance to the table. She brings very real life issues to the table. She brings an awareness of how precious life really is. It’s not always sunshine and roses. It’s how one deals with life that makes the difference. Choosing to love is what matters most.

Julie A. Richman has once again floored me with her gift of storytelling, her compassion for mankind, her wisdom, and insightful observations. She created a story that is very real and emotional. It was a true pleasure to read The Do-Over.

______________________________________

About the Author:

USA Today Bestselling author Julie A. Richman is a native New Yorker living deep in the heart of Texas. A creative writing major in college, reading and writing fiction has always been a passion. Julie began her corporate career in publishing in NYC and writing played a major role throughout her career as she created and wrote marketing, advertising, direct mail and fundraising materials for Fortune 500 corporations, advertising agencies and non-profit organizations. She is an award winning nature photographer plagued with insatiable wanderlust. Julie and her husband have one son and a white German Shepherd named Juneau.

Connect with Julie:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Reader Group ~ Amazon ~ Newsletter

Release Blitz + Excerpt + 5 Star Review: Broken Pieces by Toni Aleo – The Patchwork Series – Book 2

Posted on 01/26/2017 by shellbellereads

Broken Pieces

The Patchwork Series – Book 2

Genre: Paranormal

By Toni Aleo

Release Date: January 24, 2017

Buy: Amazon US

iBooks

Kobo

Nook

Synopsis

The rules of The Works have remained unchanged for centuries. There is to be no romantic mixing between any of the five supernatural clans.

But from the moment Oceanus von Stein, second-in-command to the Patchwork family, caught sight of Taegan Conner, daughter of the leader of the Wolves, he knew he would never love anyone else.

Only now, Taegan has been promised in marriage to another, an arrangement to strengthen her family’s alliances—and she gets no say in the matter.

Neither does Oceanus.

While they both know they have their places and responsibilities in their clans, their love is too strong. How can they let go of what they have? Though it is forbidden, Oceanus and Taegan won’t stop until they can have each other. The only problem is that the world is against them, and Oceanus has a threat to his sister’s life to vanquish.

Can they find a way to be together, or will they both always be two Broken Pieces?

_________________________________________________

Excerpt

As I watch my father sit, he doesn’t do so smoothly. His movements are jerky before he folds his old, leathery hands together and his eyes scan the room. The scars are very prominent on his face and hands. All the experiments he did on himself are visible, along with the scar tissue that is ancient and freakish on him. While his eyes are bright, from the new pair he just obtained, he looks like death. And tired. Very tired.
Clearing his throat, he lets his gaze fall on me, and I meet it head on.
“I had a meeting with Kurt Conner.”
Kurt Conner.
The pack leader of the wolves.
My love’s father.
Clearing my throat, I sit up straighter as my forearms lay against the cool top of the old oak table. Before I can comment, though, he is going on. “He needed a loan for the wedding of Taegan.”
What?
My world stops.
I feel all eyes on me. My father is staring at me, waiting for a response, but I don’t have one.
Because what the actual fuck is going on?
Did I hear him wrong?
“A wedding?”
“Yeah, she is marrying some other pack leader’s son—you know how those wolves are. Wanting to unite families with arranged marriage and all that wolfish nonsense, I don’t know. But I didn’t give him the money until—”
“Until?” I gasp, my heart in my throat, my stomach on the ground, and every piece of me feeling as if I am falling into the fiery depths of hell because surely I am hearing my father wrong.
Taegan is to marry me.
“He offered up some information on Frank Kelley—”
“He hasn’t died yet?” Jonas asks, and I know it’s to give me time. To let me think, to let me process, but I can’t. Taegan is to marry someone else? She didn’t even tell me. We were together last night! Had she known? Was she playing me? Damn it, what the hell? How could she allow me to find out this way? I mean, I knew my time was running out, but hell, did she keep this from me? I’ve never experienced heartache or true heartbreak, but I’m pretty sure this feeling of my chest caving in and blowing up is just that.
She’s marrying someone else?
She isn’t waiting for me?
Gasping for breath as I try to push the bile back down my throat, I watch as my father shakes his head. “Not yet. And apparently, they are wanting to attack us in one more attempt to get the formula for him. They think they can kidnap Rebekah and use her as leverage.”
I feel Rebekah move as she squeaks. “Me?”
“You. So we are on high alert. Keep your eyes open, and, Rebekah, I don’t want you working at the bar until this is taken care of. I have a meeting with Frank Kelley on Friday.”
“Father, I’m fine at the bar. It’s owned by our family, most of our family is there, along with JJ. The Kelleys don’t even come that much.”
“Yes, but other families come to the bar, and that makes me uncomfortable.”
“I’m fine, I can take care of myself.”
He leans on his desk, and I don’t care about their melodrama. I can’t. Even though I know I should intervene, calm both sides—because my father is right, we need to keep Rebekah underground while this goes on—I can’t help but think of the fact that my love is marrying another. Someone other than me. How in the world is this fair? Why didn’t she fight them? She told me she was mine, and I was hers. Why didn’t she wait for me?
And then it’s like I’m being slapped back into reality.
She didn’t wait for me because we can’t.
We can’t be selfish and love each other because we have commitments to our families. Yes, we love each other. Yes, she is my world, and I’ll love only her. But just like I have to, she has to protect her family. I’m sure there is something more to this, and while I wish she had told me, I know I can’t be upset. I have to respect the process of our families.
Being the eldest, we have no choice.
We don’t get to be greedy.
Wow, I don’t even believe I’m trying to convince myself.
How could she?

___________________________________________

Michel’s Review

Are you afraid of things that go bump in the night? Are monsters really real? In our world deep within the darkness is another world where monsters exist in their own world known as The Works. A society full of different species of monsters and things that really go bump in the night. The Works consist of shifters, wolves, vampires, witches, and pieced together immortals known as the Patchworks. The creator of the Patchworks, the Von Stein family ( decedents of Dr. Frankenstein), are the absolute rulers of The Works. They hold the secret to immortality. Obey their rules or experience death. There isn’t any room for compromise or shades of gray. The rules are in place for a reason, for the survival of all the species within The Works. Intermarriage and intermixing of genetics is strictly forbidden.

Oceanus von Stein is next in line to rule The Works. He is vying his time to take over his father’s supreme rule. He has plans to bring the Works out of the last century into a more progressive society. The archaic laws are no longer working in today’s world. His biggest motivation is his love for Taegan Conner, the first princess of The Wolves Clan. Their love is forbidden and he has plans to change that. Taegan will be his queen. His father has different plans for Oceanus, which do not include Taegan Conner.

Taegan has been promised in marriage to the son of another prominent wolf clan. She is being forced to marry a man she doesn’t love. She is begging Oceanus to run away with her but Oceanus is too dedicated to his family and the legacy he will inherit. He is trying to buy them time but the clock is running out.

While Oceanus and Taegan are trying to find a way to have a life together other things are going on in the Works. The shifters are up to no good. An imposter has infiltrated the Works. His sister Rebekah is in grave danger. She has secrets that cannot be exposed to the Works. Other Patchwork clans are negotiating unreasonable alliances which could not only change Rebekah’s life but Oceanus’s life as well. His father refuses to relinquish his position and The Works is in very real trouble. The burden is on Oceanus’s shoulders. He may have to sacrifice the only thing that matters in his life. He may have to sacrifice his love. In a world full of monsters, the scariest one is his father, the man who gave him life.

Broken Pieces runs parallel to the first book, Pieces. I would strongly recommend reading that book first. It is the same story but from a different perspective and point of view. Another new forbidden romance is added to the mix. There are new situations and factors that are added to the overall story that could affect every single person within the Works. By the time the book reaches the last quarter Toni begins to take the overall story in a different direction which ends on a massive CLIFFHANGER.

Toni Aleo has written an authentic paranormal series with an original plot that has left me reeling.

The complex world of the Works was intriguing, frightening, and interesting. The characters were strong and dynamic in their own individual ways. I am looking forward to what happens next in this unique paranormal series. The monsters are on the prowl and the von Steins days may be numbered.

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PIECES

Pieces

The Patchwork Series – Book 1

***

In New York City, an underground society of supernatural beings exists, hidden among everyday humans. They don’t know of our activities or any of our secrets.

The districts of the Works are made up of vampires, wolves, shifters, witches, and I’m in the fifth and arguably most important district, the Patchwork. My father is the leader of our group, and he oversees all of the other factions.

As his only daughter, that makes me the princess of it all. Cool, right? Actually…no. Sure, I live in a mansion and money isn’t an object, but that doesn’t matter because I can’t leave. I have a guard who follows me around 24/7. My father and three older brothers treat me like I’m a fragile piece of glass, never allowed to take an independent step or make any decisions on my own.

It’s beyond frustrating—especially since my father essentially runs my life. He says what I do, when I do it, how I do it, and all that jazz. He tests his formulas and new techniques on me. I’m a walking science experiment.

I hate it.

I hate my life here.

But then he comes along: Killian.

He’s just some vampire…or so I thought.

But you’ll have to read my story to find out what I mean. To know my secrets. Until then, though, allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Rebecca von Stein.

And I’m a descendant of Dr. Frankenstein.

Welcome to the Works.

*****

Buy

AMAZON

ITUNES

KOBO

______________________________________________

About the Author

My name is Toni Aleo and I’m a total dork.
I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.
I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!
When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughter’s dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and reading the latest romance novel.
I have a slight Disney and Harry Potter obsession, I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, I might have been a Disney Princess in a past life… probably Belle.
… and did I mention I love hockey?

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Release Blitz + Excerpt + 2017 Favorite + 5 Star Review: Preppy: Part 2 – The Life & Death of Samuel Clearwater – The King Series – Book 6

Posted on 01/25/2017 by shellbellereads

Preppy : Part Two

The Life & Death of Samuel Clearwater

By T. M. Frazier

Buy: Amazon / Amazon UK / B & N / IBooks / Kobo

Full Blurb

Preppy finds himself back in a world he once loved, but no longer recognizes. His dim smile can’t hide his inner turmoil and the people he views as family all suddenly feel like polite strangers.

Except for one person. A girl with dark eyes and even darker hair.

A girl who isn’t even an option.

At least, not anymore.

Dre can’t decide who she’s going to listen to. Her heart, her head, or her body. Because two out of those three things have her heading right back to Logan’s Beach. Closure is what she tells herself she’s seeking, but when she unlocks doors that were never meant to be opened she soon discovers that when it comes to Samuel Clearwater, closure might NEVER be an option.

This is book six in the King Series and the second part of Preppy and Dre’s story.

Excerpt

“Oh yeah?” Preppy asked, taking a step forward, crowding me in, staring deep into my eyes with an intensity that had me biting down hard on my lower lip. “Do YOU like a clean look, Doc? Or do you like it dirty? Beards. Tattoos…scars?”

Yes, I like it dirty. So dirty.

I was stunned into silence. Preppy’s proximity was fucking with my brain, and I was afraid I was going to blurt out something that would dig me a deeper hole than I’d already dug for myself. I opened my mouth to answer, but I couldn’t get the words out. Not like I needed to. Preppy answered for me. “If I remember correctly, you like it dirty. Real fucking dirty.”

He took another step. “Remember that first time? In the field? By the train tracks? Remember how I pulled your hair while I fucked you from behind and stretched you open? Remember how it felt to have me moving inside of you? How it felt when you came and screamed in my fucking ear? I do. I remember. Thought of that scream every fucking day since. It was deafening.” He chuckled and pressed his teeth against his bottom lip. He groaned, the sound shot straight to my pussy. “I can still fucking hear it now.”

So can I.

The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. “What are you doing?” I asked, trying to step around him, but he pressed his hands against the wall, caging me in. The warmth of his chest radiated onto mine. I tried to look anywhere but into his eyes, afraid of what I might see, but there wasn’t anywhere else to look. He moved even closer.

Preppy pressed his knee between my thighs, parting my legs. “Me?” he asked, with mock innocence. “I’m just reminiscing with an old friend.”

“This doesn’t feel like just reminiscing.”

He stared intensely into my eyes. “No, not YET it doesn’t.” He grinned. “But it fucking will. Soon.”

Michel’s Review

As readers we all have our favorite type of books that capture our hearts and imaginations. The King series by T. M. Frazier is one of those series that readers have embraced whole heartedly. There is one particular character in this series who is not only the glue that holds them all together but is also larger than life. A character that every reader of this series adores because of his personality, his quirks, and his ability to put life in a perspective that is uniquely his own but also inspires those around him. He’s not perfect at all. He has a dark side that is just as strong as his light side. His bad is on an even playing field with his good. He doesn’t make excuses nor does he try to change who he is. He is just going to be himself whether you like it or not. He is Samuel Clearwater, also known as Preppy. Like his personality, Preppy has a story that is larger than life. His story has monsters,dungeons, castles, kings, princesses, knights in tarnished armor, and a kingdom where night is day and day is night. It’s all in the perspective and how he lives his life as a part of this kingdom. He is the missing royal prince of Logan Beach and he’s back in all his glory. Preppy is taking back his throne, his place in Logan Beach but first he has to wake up to claim his throne.

After reading the first book in Preppy’s story, the readers got to see what Preppy was up to during the missing years of King’s story. While King was sitting in prison Preppy was busy minding his kingdom and working effortlessly to get King’s daughter back. He met a junkie that would become a means to his end. She was the key to getting King’s daughter back. First he had to get her off the drugs and agree to help him. Things didn’t go quite as planned. He fell for the junkie and knew he had to let her go. He wasn’t what she needed in her life. She needed a clean break with people that could love and support her rehabilitation. Four years later life has taken a different path for them both.

Dre has returned to Logan Beach to sell her grandmother’s home. She also came back for closure. After the devastating news of Preppy’s death she knew she needed to say her final goodbyes and let go of their past. She would of never imagined that he was still alive but still unreachable. Finding Preppy alive and in a coma was a shock. Finding out she was legally married to Preppy was even more shocking. The most shocking thing of all was when Preppy finally became conscious and on the road to recovery, he was a complete stranger. He wasn’t the man she fell in love with. He wasn’t the man any of them knew. Preppy was still lost to them all.

After being tortured and mentally dead for quite some time, it’s impossible to grasp freedom. He lost himself to the darkness. Now he has his life back but he’s not the same man who owned that life. He’s lost in the darkness. Finding his way back to the light seems impossible even though he is awake and free from his captor. Life went on without him and now he is in a world that is different and doesn’t make sense to him. He still loves his family and friends with all his heart but doesn’t feel like he knows them any longer. He doesn’t feel like they know who he is either. The only thing that seems to be the same is his feelings for Dre. He never told her how he felt about her. He let her go when he should of held onto her. He swore if he got another chance he would come clean. How can he tell her how he feels when he is so broken. How can he love her when he doesn’t even know how to love himself? He’s not the man he once was. He doesn’t know if he will ever be that man again. Preppy was lost a long time ago. Samuel Clearwater died the day he became Preppy. Who is the man in the shell of a broken body and a tormented mind?

Dre, King, Ray, Bear, Ti, and the Logan Beach crew (including Rage) are thankful for the miracle of Preppy’s resurrection. When they lost him they lost a part of themselves. The man that came back from the dead is not Preppy. He is a lost broken soul in the body of the man they love. They will do anything to help him find himself again. It’s going to take patience, understanding, and at times hard love. Preppy is worth it all. The only thing they can do is offer a hand and love in his journey back from hell.

Preppy: Part Two is Preppy’s journey back to the living. The journey is not easy. At times it is heartbreaking and other times it is filled with hope. In the end, only Preppy can travel the road. Dre is his rainbow at the end of the road. She is his home.

Preppy found his way home and now he’s grabbing onto the life he has fought for. Nothing in Preppy’s life has been easy. He has had to work for his happiness. He’s earned it and he’s reaping the rewards. Just when he’s taken his life back, life throws another monster in his path. This time it could break them all. What does that mean…CLIFFHANGER!

T. M. Frazier has done it again… she has left us wanting more of Preppy.

____________________________________

Haven’t read this series yet?

Meet King & Pup in King (Book One)

The King

By T. M. Frazier

Buy : Amazon / Amazon UK/ ITunes / B & N

Synopsis

*****

Tyrant

King Series – Book 2

Conclusion to King

Amazon / Amazon UK

*****

Lawless

King Series – Book 3

Buy: Amazon / Amazon UK / B & N / ITunes

*****

Soulless

Lawless Part 2

King Series – Book 4

By T.M. Frazier

Buy : Amazon / Amazon UK / B & N / ITunes

*****

All The Rage

Connected to the King Series

By T. M. Frazier

Release Date: June 7, 2016

Buy: Amazon / Amazon UK / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

*****

Preppy : Part 1

The Life & Death of Samuel Clearwater

By T. M. Frazier

Buy: Amazon / Amazon Uk / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Synopsis

Samuel Clearwater, A.K.A Preppy, likes bowties, pancakes, suspenders, good friends, good times, good drugs, and a good f*ck.

He’s worked his way out from beneath a hellish childhood and is living the life he’s always imagined for himself. When he meets a girl, a junkie on the verge of ending it all, he’s torn between his feelings for her and the crippling fear that she could be the one to end the life he loves.

Andrea ‘Dre’ Capulet is strung out and tired.

Tired of living for her next fix. Tired of doing things that make her stomach turn. Tired of looking in the mirror at the reflection of the person she’s become. Just when she decides to end it all, she meets a man who will change the course of both their lives forever.

And their deaths.

For most people, death is the end of their story.
For Preppy and Dre, death was only the beginning.

This is the fifth book in the King Series and it’s meant to be read after Soulless.

_________________________________________________

Author Bio:

T.M. (Tracey Marie) Frazier resides in sunny Southwest Florida with her husband and three feisty fur kids.

She attended Florida Gulf Coast University where she specialized in public speaking. After years working in real estate and new home construction, she decided it was finally time to stop pushing her dreams to the back burner and pursue writing seriously.

In the third grade she wrote her very first story about a lost hamster. It earned rave reviews from both her teacher and her parents.

It only took her twenty years to start the next one.

It will not be about hamsters.

Stalk Her: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Goodreads.

_____________________________

Release Blitz + Review: Dirty Secret by Chelle Bliss and Brenda Rothert

Posted on 01/24/2017 by shellbellereads

DIRTY SECRET by Chelle Bliss & Brenda Rothert

Purchase now!

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Purchase it in paperback

Book Blurb:

*STANDALONE – ENEMIES TO LOVERS ROMANCE**

Agent: Kennedy Barnes
Target: Phoenix ‘Nix’ Ash
Crimes: Hacker and Heartbreaker
Mission: Get Close and Survive

After living her life in the shadows as the daughter of a congressman’s secret affair, Kennedy Barnes joins ‘Project Greenlight’ – a clandestine intelligence organization. She’s out to prove she’s more than her father’s dirty secret.

One of her first assignments is simple. Get close to Phoenix Ash, collect enough evidence to put him away for life, and get out unscathed.

Phoenix Ash is a world renowned hacker. He’s pulled off some of the biggest heists in modern history, but never leaves a trace. He knows people are after him and that every day may be his last, but when he meets Kennedy Barnes everything changes.

Lines are blurred and secrets are exposed as Phoenix and Kennedy both discover they do have a weakness – for each other.

This is a STANDALONE novel, but is interconnected with Dirty Work, which is now available.

Amazon US | iBooks | Nook | Kobo

Purchase it in paperback

Add it to your Goodreads TBR Pile

___________________________________________

Tracey’s Review

As the secret love child of a U.S. senator, Kennedy Barnes knows a thing or two about hiding who she really is. So, working undercover to bring down the bad guys? Piece of cake. Keeping her emotions out of it? Well, you can’t win them all…

DIRTY SECRET is the second collaboration between authors Chelle Bliss and Brenda Rothert, and together they have written a sexy, sassy, dangerous book that had me hooked from the first intriguing page.

Kennedy is a kick-butt chick. She’s been trained by the best of the best to do whatever it takes to close the deal and bring in the people doing bad, bad things. Sure, Phoenix ‘Nix” Ash is one of those guys, but Kennedy is sure that she can handle him with one hand tied behind her back. After all, she’s got some, erm, assets working in her favor. Problem? Soon enough, she’s all in with Nix’s own assets, and things are getting tricky.

Nix has been doing the thing he’s best at for a very long time, and he’s not about to be brought down by a long pair of legs and a take-no-junk attitude. So what if Kennedy makes him feel things he’s had locked down for forever? He’s in control. Until he isn’t.

DIRTY SECRET is all kinds of hot, filled with political intrigue and the seedy underbelly of the criminal world. Chelle and Brenda have done a stellar job of creating characters that can take are of themselves, and anyone else that should happen along, and writing their story in such a way that I just could not put it down. The chemistry between Kennedy and Nix fairly explodes off the page, melting panties left and right, and making for some seriously hot encounters that will not be forgotten anytime soon. 4.5 steamy, covert, hot-as-sin stars for DIRTY SECRET. Do not miss out on this one, I’m telling you. You can thank me later…

***ARC generously provided for an honest review.***

—————-

PREVIOUS NOVEL IN THIS STANDALONE SERIES

DIRTY WORK

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

iBooks | Nook | Kobo | GooglePlay

Buy it in paperback

———————

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

BRENDA ROTHERT:

Brenda Rothert is an Illinois native who was a print journalist for nine years. She made the jump from fact to fiction in 2013 and never looked back. From new adult to steamy contemporary romance, Brenda creates fresh characters in every story she tells. She’s a lover of Diet Coke, chocolate, lazy weekends and happily ever afters.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | | Wattpad | Amazon

—————————-

CHELLE BLISS:

Chelle Bliss, USA Today Bestselling author, currently lives in a small town near the Gulf of Mexico. She’s a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, and coffee fiend. She’s written over thirteen books and has three series available. She loves spending her free time with her boyfriend, 2 cats, and her hamster.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Google+

Release Blitz + Review: Dirty Dealers by Tia Louise

Posted on 01/24/2017 by shellbellereads

Dirty. Sexy. Deadly.
Dirty Dealers by Tia Louise IS LIVE!

“A gripping story that made my pulse—and other body parts—pound in anticipation of each turn of the page. Ms. Louise delivers on unexpected twists, heart-racing action, and most of all: a delicious hero in Logan Hunt.” ~ K.L. Kreig, USA Today Bestselling Author

★ BUY NOW ★

Amazon / B & N / IBooks / Kobo

“FIVE HOT STARS: What do you get when you mix a hot, strong alpha and a strong-willed, feisty heroine? The perfect mixture in Dirty Dealers! Page-turning, action-packed, panty-melting perfection on every page. I love the way Tia Louise’s weaves the perfect words to convey the emotions, grit, and suspense. She draws you into the story and never lets you go. Highly recommend!!!” –A.D. Justice, USA Today Bestselling Author

ADD it on Goodreads: https://goo.gl/Z1Y7Rw
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Blurb:

My job is to protect.
I’m the best, the king’s elite.
She’s the only thing strong enough to make me look away.

Logan Hunt is a guard. He’s constantly aware of his surroundings; he knows every angle; he searches and rescues. He’ll take a bullet.

His new assignment is to protect the queen regent, keep his eyes on her at all times. He’s more than up to the task…

Until a face from his past returns, and the one mission he’s sworn to complete becomes his biggest liability.

DIRTY DEALERS is an all-new stand-alone CONTEMPORARY ROMANTIC SUSPENSE coming Jan 24, 2017. It features secrets, lies, double-crosses, angst, a touch of darkness, and panty-melting sexytimes.

Tracey’s Review

“When I think of love and happiness, you’re the only face I see.”

As part of the Royal Guard of Monagasco, Logan Hunt has seen his fair share of action. But he’s ready for a change. When a week of enforced R&R finds him reunited with the one woman that he’s never forgotten, Logan finally believes that he can have the life he wants for himself.

As part of the Dirty Players series by author Tia Louise, DIRTY DEALERS has all of the elements that make these books so addictively readable. There’s the allure of a Grace Kelly sort of fairytale, where everyday people are swept into a life of favor, but there’s also plenty of intrigue, political maneuvering, and good old passion.

Logan has long been a member of the elite Royal Guard, and, after the action he’s seen in service to his country, he’s more than ready to step away and find a simpler life. When a seemingly chance encounter brings Cassandra back into his life, Logan begins to believe that he can have all the things that he’s been longing for while seeing those closest to him find their happily ever afters. But Kass has secrets, the kind of secrets that will thrust both her and Logan, as well as the Royal Family, right back into the middle of intrigue, danger, and betrayal.

As a fan of romances with a twist, I really enjoyed DIRTY DEALERS, finding the intricate dance of the characters more than compelling enough to keep me turning the pages to find the outcome of Logan’s and Kass’ story. And, just so you don’t think that it’s not a real romance, well, it wouldn’t be a Tia Louise book if there wasn’t plenty of heartfelt revelation and blisteringly hot passion. This 4-star read is the perfect addition to this series that has become a favorite, and is perfect for Tia’s fans, and anyone looking for a little bit of danger with their HEA.

***ARC generously provided for an honest review.***

About the Author:

The “Queen of Hot Romance,” Tia Louise is the Award-Winning, International Bestselling author of the ONE TO HOLD series.

From “Readers’ Choice” nominations, to picking up USA Today “Happily Ever After” nods, to winning “Favorite Erotica Author” (2015) and the “Lady Boner Award” (2014) (LOL!), nothing makes her happier than communicating with fans and weaving new tales into the Alexander-Knight world of stories.

A former journalist, Louise lives in the center of the USA with her lovely family and one grumpy cat. There, she dreams up stories she hopes are engaging, hot, and sexy, and that cause readers rethink common public locations…

Connect with Tia!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Release Blitz + Review: Any Time, Any Place by Jennifer Probst – The Billionaire Builders Series – Book 2

Posted on 01/24/2017 by shellbellereads

Today we are sharing the release of ANY TIME, ANY PLACE by Jennifer Probst. This is the second title in the Billionaire Builders series. You won’t want to miss this incredible book, and check out the links below for other titles available now from the series.

Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | GooglePlay

Purchase in Paperback

————————–

ANY TIME, ANY PLACE by Jennifer Probst

Billionaire Builders, #2

BLURB:

HGTV’s Property Brothers meets The Marriage Bargain in this second volume in the Billionaire Builders series, an all-new heart-wrenching and sexy contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst.

When she was a teen, Raven Bella Stratton’s father was killed in a horrible car crash. The bigger shock was the discovery of a woman with him—Diana Pierce—and their two fully packed suitcases with airline tickets to Paris. Devastated by her father’s betrayal, Raven went to live with her aunt, never truly overcoming the traumatic event. When she discovers that the mysterious woman had a family with a husband and three boys, Raven vows to leave the memory of her father behind.

Until Dalton Pierce visits one night and suddenly her past challenges her future…

Leaving his life in California behind to run Pierce Construction with his two older brothers, Dalton Pierce has enjoyed returning home and studying his passion of woodworking. But when he visits the local bar with his brothers one evening, he’s immediately drawn to the smart-mouthed, badass, sexy bartender who sets his body on fire. Unfortunately, she doesn’t seem as intrigued by him, and his multiple advances are met with rejection. When he offers to restore the bar back to its original glory, he begins to work with her on a daily basis, and falls harder. His plan of seduction slowly weaves a web around them both, until they are caught up in the spell. But Dalton doesn’t know the secret that can either destroy them both…or finally mend two broken hearts.

PURCHASE IT NOW

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Purchase in Paperback

Michel’s Review

The Pierce Brothers are back and their doing more than building million dollar homes. Any Time, Any Place by Jennifer Probst is the second book in the Billionaire Builders series.

Dalton Pierce is the youngest sibling. After the devastation of their mother’s death, the Pierce family fell apart. The two younger brothers left to pursue their own dreams rather than take their place in the family construction company. They are forced to return home for one year to help rebuild the company. The terms of their father’s will was very specific with harsh repercussions if they failed.

Dalton Pierce had spent his time away from home mastering his craft in woodworking. He is a truly gifted artist and master of his trade. He’s ready to take his place in the business and become a team player. While his brothers are managers and number crunchers, Dalton is the specialist that brings more to the table.

The Pierce brothers are finally together once again and working their way through past resentments and family problems. The are working together to build a better company than the one their father left behind. Dalton is known to be the charming ladies man of the three. His charms could be a hindrance rather than an asset. He’s intrigued with the sexy bartender/ restaurant owner Raven Stratton. On one hand she’s a brilliant bartender, business woman that knows how to handle her customers with the right drink and the right amount of snark. She doesn’t take any nonsense from her customers but always makes them feel at home in her bar. When it comes to the Pierce brothers, she doesn’t want their patronage, in fact she has thrown them out without cause or reason. They have declared an unspoken truce but Dalton wants more from the prickly bartender. He wants to get his hands on her bar ( literally) and restore her to her former beauty. He wouldn’t mind getting his hands on Raven as well.

Raven has struggled with her life after her father’s death. She went off the rails and lived a wild life for many years. She has finally made peace with her demons and has found her niche in life. She’s striving to become a successful business owner. Her bar is taking off and it’s time to invest in expansion and remodel. When Dalton Pierce makes an offer she can’t refuse she knows she is in trouble. She is going to have to suck up her ill feelings towards the Pierce family and let go of the past.

The past has tied Dalton and Raven together and almost destroyed both of their lives. This is their chance to redefine the past and make a new future. It’s their time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I can’t wait to see what is in store for the final Pierce brother.

________________________________________________

PURCHASE MORE BOOKS IN THE SERIES

PURCHASE EVERYWHERE AND EVERY WAY NOW

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PRE-ORDER ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL (Coming July 25, 2017)

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———————————————

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Jennifer Probst – Bio:
Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon’s Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at http://www.jenniferprobst.com.

AUTHOR LINKS:

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Release Blitz + Excerpt + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Taking Turns by J A Huss – The Turning Series – Book 1

Posted on 01/23/2017 by shellbellereads

Title: Taking Turns

Series: Turning #1

Author: JA Huss

Genre: Dark Erotic Suspense

Release Date: January 18, 2017

Blurb

Chella plays the game of Taking Turns with three men as she comes to terms with her sexuality.

I’ve never been afraid of the dark…but that doesn’t mean I wanted to live in it. And maybe everyone wants what they can’t have, but I should’ve thought it over before I accepted the key and unlocked the door to their forbidden world.

Number One is mostly silent. He watches me with them very carefully. His gaze never wanders. His interest never wanes.

Number Two is mostly gentle. But it’s the other side of him I like best. The wild side.

Number Three is mostly reserved. He refuses to cross the line. Even when I beg.

It was carnal, it was sensual, and it was erotic. That’s it. That’s all it was supposed to be. A trip into the dark. A peek into the forbidden.

I just didn’t expect to like them.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS

Trailer

Excerpt

QUIN

“You want it hard tonight?” I ask. “You want me to fuck you hard?” I grab her hair and pull, making her upper body lift up off the mattress. My other hand is digging into the flesh just below her hip.

I scoot back and reach under her thighs, drawing them up so she’s on her knees, and press her face into the pillow as I pound her from behind.

“Yeah,” I say, half speaking, half moaning. “You like it like this, don’t you? You let Bric fuck you like this all the time, don’t you?”

I reach around and smack her tit, which makes her yelp. A high-pitched yelp I’m not familiar with. For a second I think I’ve hurt her, and I slow down. But she backs up into me, covering my dick again. Burying it deep inside her. Everything is already so wet. She feels so goddamned good tonight.

“You fucking whore,” I say, letting go of her hair so she falls face-first back into the pillow. “You let Bric fuck you like this, Rochelle? You like the way he slaps you around? Hmm?”

Hell, I like the way Bric slaps her around. And as soon as that thought enters my head I laugh.

“Maybe we’ll do it rough next weekend. You want that? You want us to fuck you hard? Stick our dicks inside you at the same time?”

Another unfamiliar moan.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” I say, still kinda laughing. But then I let it go and just… fuck her. I grab onto her ass and do it hard. Pounding her with so much force, her head is inching closer and closer to the headboard of the bed.

I don’t stop when it finally makes it there. I just keep thrusting until the pounding is compounded by the headboard crashing into the wall.

She’s moaning. Close. So fucking close to coming. I reach underneath her body and strum her clit to the rhythm we’re making. She goes wild. Wild like I’ve never seen her before. Writhing, and moaning, and gasping for air.

I draw back, grab her hips, and flip her over, one hand pushing her head aside so her cheek is pressing into the pillow, the other one still playing with her pussy. I watch my dick as it slips in and out, just barely able to make it out in the dim, filtered light from outside.

I grab her hair, so fucking ready to come, and yank her head so she has to look at me. Her eyes are closed, but I don’t care. I press my hand over her mouth and close my eyes too. And then I spill inside her. Throwing my head back to let out a groan of relief.

Her legs are trembling from the exertion. Little spasms as she gasps for breath. I laugh a little as I roll off to the side and wrap my arms around her. “What’s wrong, baby? Too much for you tonight?”

No answer.

I bury my head into her neck and smell her hair.

“Did you get a new shampoo?” I ask. “You smell so different.”

No answer.

“You want a date with Bric on Sunday? Hmm? We can skip Smith if you want.” I kiss her neck and then pull back and open my eyes. Trying to get an idea if she’s up for this kind of fun. It’s been a while so I—

I blink my eyes. Three times, fast.

“Rochelle—”

“I’m sorry,” she says. “I’m sorry—”

But I’m up and out of the bed, fisting her hair and pulling her with me. She drops to the floor, whimpering.

“I’m sorry,” she says again.

“Who the fuck are you?” I ask. “Where the fuck is Rochelle?”

“I’m sorry,” she says. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

_____________________________

Michel’s Review

Spoiler Free Review

***

The Game

3 Men

1 Woman

4 Players

Very Detailed and Specific Rules

Specific Time Guidelines for each player

No Winner

No Loser

One Prize For All – Carnal Delight

End of Game

JA Huss is one of those authors that completely takes me by surprise with every new novel or new series she unleashes into the reading world. Expect the unexpected. Be prepared for twists and turns that add layers upon layers before reaching a concise conclusion or ending to a story. The ending may just be the beginning or an unexpected revelation. Be prepared to journey into the dark sensual world that not only fulfills the erotic fantasy but also delves into the minds of very unique individuals in the darkness. With JA Huss there is no black or white, light or dark, right or wrong, or good and bad. It’s a combination of it all melding together to make one outstanding and thought provoking story. The story holds the reader captive and leaves them wanting more.

After reading Taking Turns by JA Huss, I was completely floored by what I had just read. It was not the typical erotic romance novel that revolves around the darker side of sex or menage scenes that scorch the pages. It had those elements but also included so much more. This book is about four characters driven by a dark need. Taking Turns is told through each characters POV with a very clear understanding of who is who in each passage. Each character stands uniquely on their own merits with distinct and very likable personalities. While their motivations are questionable, the reader gets a sense of who they are until JA Huss throws another layer to their persona. What makes this book stand out was not the sex itself, it was how the sex scenes came into play, how each individual approached the situation, and what they gave to reach each situation.

In most cases, erotic romance walks a fine line in definition. The romance tends to get lost or overpowered by the erotic elements. I went into this book expecting that to happen. Throughout most of the book the erotic elements were the forefront of the story unfolding. It was questionable if a romance would develop and who would be the ones involved in the romance. As each man’s personality materialized I found myself hoping he was the one. As the sexual heat intensified between the four, one man began to surface to the top. It is at that point the reader realizes that this story has had the romance all along but it was cleverly disguised as something else. This is pure JA Huss brilliance at it’s best.

I can honestly say that I am still processing what I read in Taking Turns. I have many questions that I know will be answered by the end of the series. I have no doubt that JA Huss is going to throw some new kinks into the mix. She’s going to take the readers on a mind boggling journey before The Turning Series ends.

What started out as a game with no losers or winners has turned into a game of consequences. I can’t wait to see what comes next in The Turning Series. Turning Back will release on April 12, 2017.

Pre Order: Amazon

_______________________________

Coming Soon

Title: Turning Back

Series: Turning #2

Author: JA Huss

Genre: Dark Erotic Suspense

Release Date: April 12, 2017

Blurb

I lived in the dark for three years. My whole world revolved around the whims and happiness of three men. It was just a trip into the forbidden. A way out of a bad situation and forward into nothingness.

Quin, with his easy smile and charming good looks. He was always there for me… Until he wasn’t.

Smith, and his dispassionate attention. He was never there for me and he never regretted it.

Bric, the one who listened, but only to himself. Self-absorbed, self-obsessed, and self-serving. He was never the one I wanted.

And now he might be the only one I have left.

It was good while it lasted, I guess. But it could’ve been so much more. It could’ve been so much better.

And that’s why I’m turning back.

Pre-order Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS

Author Bio

JA Huss is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty romances. She likes stories about family, loyalty, and extraordinary characters who struggle with basic human emotions while dealing with bigger than life problems. JA loves writing heroes who make you swoon, heroines who makes you jealous, and the perfect Happily Ever After ending.

Author Links

NEWSLETTER
PRIVATE FAN GROUP
BLOG / AMAZON / TWITTER
FACEBOOK PROFILE

FACEBOOK PAGE
INSTAGRAM / PINTEREST

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New Release + 2017 Favorite and 6 Star Review: To Have It All by B N Toler

Posted on 01/20/2017 by shellbellereads

To Have It All

By B. N. Toler

Buy: Amazon

Synopsis

Rock bottom.

Liam had set up shop there.

After an accident left him injured and unable to work, it wasn’t long before he ended up on the street with his dreams in the gutter.

This was it.

This was his life.

Until the day he met Max Porter—a man who appeared to have it all. They didn’t meet so much as made eye contact as Max sneered at Liam, the bum occupying precious space on the sullied New York City street.

When Max stepped into oncoming traffic, a lesser man might’ve let him. But Liam risked his life to save Max only to be left to die without a second thought.

When Liam woke up days later, he wasn’t himself…at least he wasn’t in his body.

He was in Max’s.

And with Liam’s body on life support, there was only one logical conclusion: Max was trapped in Liam’s comatose body.

Somehow the twisted hands of fate had given Liam a second chance; a chance to have it all. But with all the perks of Max’s life also came his problems. Finding balance in his new identity was challenged more so once Liam fell for Waverly, Max’s beautiful ex.

Could Liam live out his life as another man or would he pull the plug and let fate decide?

Would he lose his chance at true love?

Would he lose the chance to have it all?

________________________________

Michel’s Review

Wow… what an extraordinary story! The blurb for To Have It All by B N Toler captured my attention on release day. I immediately downloaded it and devoured it in one sitting. It was unique with extraordinary circumstances that controlled the lives of two very different men. One man is a good soul in a bad situation. The other man has everything a person could desire but has carelessly wasted the gifts life has bestowed upon him. Karma stepped in and changed their lives in a matter of seconds. Liam and Max are bound together in life and death.

Max is trapped inside a dying body while he witnesses another man, Liam, stealing his life.

Liam is trapped inside Max’s gorgeous, fit body that possesses wealth, power, and a blessed life. Max has carelessly treated these gifts and threw away everything good in his life. He has treated others very badly and only cared about his own needs. Being trapped inside Max’s body, a man that is ugly to the core and hated by every person he has had contact with are hard shoes to fill when it goes against Liam’s own morals and ethics. Trying to live his own life without disrupting Max’s is even worse because Max has everything Liam ever wanted. He had the love of a good woman that he drove away. He was blessed with a beautiful child he didn’t want. Liam knows his time has an expiration date. He knows his real body is dying. Does he grab onto the gifts in Max’s life for a brief moment or does he proceed as Max would?

Sometimes there isn’t a choice. Sometimes you have to grab onto life and live it to it’s fullest. Sometimes you have to reap what you sow.

Only fate knows….

I was floored by the pure beauty of this book. It was truly an emotional story that had a powerful message. I have become a huge B.N. Toler fan. She is an amazing author that reaches deep and touches the soul.

______________________________

B N Toler lives in Virginia. When she’s not reading and writing, she’s thinking about reading and writing. Before she became a self-proclaimed writer, she worked as a real estate agent and as an orthodontic technician. **She will notice your teeth before your eyes or hair or anything.**
She enjoys shopping (way too much) and is on a first name basis with several employees at the local Target in her town.
She loves music,(bluegrass, country, 80’s, actually she loves most music ~her favorite song is American Pie by Don McLean and she worships anything that is Elvis and Johnny Cash and Eric Church) dancing, (even though she sucks at it)reading, writing, eating (too much) sleeping late, (which she rarely gets to do) and laughing. If you can make her laugh, she will love you forever.
Random and insignificant facts:
She is addicted to Coca Cola
She hates onions
She loves thunderstorms
She wants to have Karen Marie Moning’s babies
She curses….a lot…like way too much
She’s immensely afraid of snakes
She fangirls over M.Pierce
She HATES reality television
She could eat her weight in Snickers candy bars
She loves books and movies that make her cry
She cries over anything remotely sad
She loves the Lord
She LOVES Jack Daniels and Ginger Ale. (too much)
She hopes she hasn’t bored you to death.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

New Release + Excerpt + Review + Giveaway: Offensive Rebound by MJ Fields

Posted on 01/20/2017 by shellbellereads

Offensive Rebound

Holding Court Series – Book 1

By MJ Fields

Buy: Amazon / Amazon UK / B & N / IBooks / Kobo / Google Play

Blurb

TRAE
It’s a call that changes my life–and my little girl’s. Years ago, playing for the NBA was the dream, but the Seattle Stallions suck. Worse than that, my old teammate is now the star center–not to mention my number one rival. There has to be a catch, some sort of agenda. Before I was injured, I was the best. Now? There’s no way they want me.

But when I see the roster and salaries, it all comes together. It’s a chance to get on the court again and change our lives. And I just can’t wait for the opportunity to finally take him down. What I never counted on is Courtney Cohen being the game changer.

COURTNEY
I inherited the Bad News Bears of the NBA. When I discovered the star center, my ex fiancé, cheating on me, all I want is to jump ship before the whole thing sinks. But with revenge on my mind, I exact a plan. Take down the dirty player and save my father’s dream.

Suddenly twelve minutes is too little time, and a season is not long enough.

Excerpt

“You still afraid of me?” Courtney asks. I push her hair out of her face. “No.” “I’m afraid of you.” “No beer muscles tonight?” I ask, glancing at her empty glasses. She shakes her head. I scoot in closer to her. “Tell me what you’re afraid of.” “Liking you too much,” she says then takes a drink. I turn her in her seat so she’s facing me. “You’re gonna like me even more when I’m inside you.” Her body grows taut. “You can’t say stuff like that. It makes me uncomfortable.” “Well, now I’m going to have to do it more often to get you used to it; make you crave it, beg for it.”

Michel’s Review

I am a huge fan of sports themed romance books. I have read about almost every sport except for basketball. When I was presented with the opportunity to review Offensive Rebound by MJ Fields, I jumped on it because I knew it would be a new reading experience for me. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, liked the characters, and felt the passion, I found a few glitches in the story that held me back from fully investing in it.

Courtney Cohen has inherited the Seattle Stallions Basketball team. This team is relatively new and the joke of the NBA world. Her father had purchased the team and built a state of the art arena with the hopes of leaving a legacy behind for her. Before he could carry out his intentions and build the legacy he passed away from a sudden heart attack. Courtney was still in college and had no idea how to handle a multi billion dollar business. She handed the management over to her boyfriend, Brock Boehiem, who was the star player of the Seattle Stallions. Months later she’s informed that the organization is almost bankrupt and is about to go under. She is forced to take over the reins. Upon her arrival she not only finds out that her team has been mismanaged but that her boyfriend is also a lying cheat. He has a solid contract so she cannot fire him but she can take over the management.

The organization is a complete mess. She is going to have to rebuild the inner management from the ground up. She is also going to have to assert her management over the players and the coach. She is not a member of the good old boys club and is met with defiance, rebellion, and attitude. She must gain control of the players before the ball is in her court. The only player cooperating is the new guy, Trae Rhodes. Trae Rhodes is a washed up college player that was signed by her father before he passed away. Why would her father bring on a player that isn’t on the same playing level as her team members.

Trae Rhodes is grateful for the opportunity and a chance in the pros. His life had drastically changed after a college injury that left him unable to play the game he loved. His life went in a different direction and he had new priorities that outshine basketball. Playing at a professional level will give him the income he needs and the credibility he needs in the world of basketball. It is merely a stepping stone in his life. Becoming a Seattle Stallion will also give him the opportunity to settle an old score with Brock Boehiem, his most hated enemy. Charlie Cohen signed him on for a reason and it may not be for his playing abilities.

It’s become clear that Courtney Cohen is Brock Boehiem’s achilles heel. Trae isn’t sure if can use Courtney to settle his score. He had too much respect for her old man. He is beginning to immensely respect the powerful woman Courtney Cohen is becoming.

All is not right on the Seattle Stallions playing court. Courtney and Trae will soon learn there’s a different game being played. Together they can turn this team around and make it a contender in the NBA world.

I thoroughly enjoyed the romance between Courtney and Trae. I loved his dedication to the ones he cared about. I loved his sense of integrity. I enjoyed watching Courtney grow from a naive young woman to a powerful executive and sensual woman. The story had a good premise but I struggled with the professional aspects of it. My logical mind struggled with it. It takes more than one or two people to handle a multi billion dollar business. An organization of this magnitude has an army in the office. It takes multi managers, multi departments, micro managers, and a specialized staff. The players are professionals under contract. Their careers and lively hood depends upon their performances. Their performances dictate whether they stay within the professional world of basketball. In this book the players seemed to have a high school or college mentality that followed the leader rather than relying on their agents and attorneys. One player had too much control and that would never happen in the world of professional sports. The same goes for the coaches. Coaches and players are not involved in the financial aspect of the business other than receiving their earnings and meeting contractual obligations.

I enjoyed this basketball romance and would recommend to other readers.

______________________________________________

USA Today bestselling author MJ Fields love of writing was in full swing by age eight.

Together with her cousins, she wrote a newsletter and sold it for ten cents to family members.

She self-published her first contemporary, new adult romance in January 2013. Today she has completed seven self-published series, The Love series, The Wrapped series, The Burning Souls series, The Men of Steel series, Ties of Steel series, The Rockers of Steel series and The Norfolk series.

MJ is a hybrid author and publishes an Indie book almost every month, and is signed with a traditional publisher, Loveswept, Penguin Random House, for her co- written series The Caldwell Brothers. Hendrix, Morrison, and Jagger. All three books in the series are published. The Caldwell brothers don’t grow into alphas, when their mother passes away they become her legacy, her good in the world of bad.

MJ was a former small business owner, who closed shop so she could write full time. She lives in central New York, surrounded by family and friends. Her house is full of pets, friends, and noise ninety percent of the time, and she would have it no other way.

Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr

| Pinterest | Goodreads

Sign up for MJ’s monthly newsletter with giveaways: http://bit.ly/mjupdates

*****

GIVEAWAY

$25 Amazon Gift Card & Signed Paperback

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New Release + 5 Star Review : Friction by Emily Snow

Posted on 01/20/2017 by shellbellereads

Friction by Emily Snow

Publication Date: January 18th, 2017

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: HEA Press

Friction a SEXY All-New Standalone from Emily Snow is now LIVE!

Former overachiever Lucy WillIams sucks at adulting.

Recent divorce, check.

Pending lawsuit, check.

A move back to Boston to live with her mother, triple check.

It can’t get much worse, right?

When she starts her new marketing job at EXtreme Effects, she’s positive shit’s stopped hitting the fan. Sure, what she’s advertising is a little … unorthodox, but it pays the bills. And since she’s seconds away from becoming Lucy Williams: Wednesday Night Bingo Enthusiast, she needs money to get the hell out of her mother’s house.

The only problem is her boss, Mr. Extreme himself: Jace Exley. He’s everything any sane woman dreams of—alpha, successful, ridiculously gorgeous. He’s also Lucy’s worst nightmare. Because like every overachiever, she has that underachiever she brushed off. The slacker who, once upon a time ago, was the object of her dirtiest schoolgirl fantasies.

Jace Exley—with his sarcastic smirk and delicious accent—just happens to be that guy.

And the friction between them?

Well, that’s the only adulting Lucy seems to be winning at.

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Tracey’s Review

Have you heard this one? A girl walks into a room…and gets almost the biggest shock of her life…

And, once again, author Emily Snow has knocked it out of the park with this sexier-than-sin, frenemies-to-lovers read that is FRICTION. Yep, I still have flames coming out of my ears after this one, because it was STEAMY. But in typical Emily fashion, there is so much more to this book than just the combustible chemistry between the hot mogul and the uptight woman that finds herself working for him. So much more.

To say that life is not going Lucy Williams’ way is an understatement. So she’s hardly surprised when a blind job interview lands her squarely in the domain, and at the mercy, of none other than Jace Exley, the guy that Lucy once wrote off as the guy most likely to amount to nothing. Fate, Karma, Destiny, call her what you will, is a fickle, fickle lady, with a memory miles long, so how ironic that Lucy, out of a job and down on her luck, would need to make nice with her one-time nemesis.

Emily Snow can write a hot alpha guy, and she has done a superb job with Jace. Being in charge comes naturally to him, and he’s none-too-subtle about the fact that he’s the one calling the shots – and enjoying it – with Lucy. But Jace is more than just a guy with a thriving, um, alternative business and a body and face to die for. He’s got those layers, the ones that aren’t apparent at a single glance. Discovering those layers is a lesson for Lucy, and one that fans the flames of her attraction and admiration.

I like Lucy a lot. Like others of Emily’s heroines, she’s got spine. Those life lessons? Yeah, they’re coming fast and furiously, and she’s not just sitting back and focusing on how bad things have gotten, she’s moving forward and cutting the dreck out of her life. Seeing her loosen up as she gets to know Jace and his world better only makes me like her more. And, Emily, if you’re reading this, MORE JAMIE. Because a girl’s best friend, especially one as feisty as Jamie, deserves a story of her own.

A book is a success for me if I can’t put it down, if I feel strongly about the characters, if the story is original and fresh, and Emily hits all those markers expertly in FRICTION. This book is an easy 5 sexy, compelling, page-flipping stars, and one that I won’t forget soon. It needs to be on your TBRs, guys, so grab it now, and thank me later.

***ARC generously provided for an honest review.***

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About the Author:

Emily Snow is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the DEVOURED series and TIDAL. She loves books, sexy bad boys, and really loud rock music, so naturally, she writes stories about all three. Visit her blog at http://emilysnowbooks.blogspot.com for news, teasers, and contests.

Connect with the Author:

Twitter: @emilysnowbks

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/EmilySnowBooks/

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2jgw7ub

Website: http://emilysnowbooks.blogspot.com

The Do-Over, an all-new emotional and sexy STANDALONE by Julie A. Richman is now LIVE!!

~ Sometimes, one degree is all that separates you from the one you were meant to be with. ~

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DIRTY SECRET by Chelle Bliss & Brenda Rothert

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Book Blurb:

*STANDALONE – ENEMIES TO LOVERS ROMANCE**

Agent: Kennedy Barnes Target: Phoenix ‘Nix’ Ash Crimes: Hacker and Heartbreaker Mission: Get Close and Survive

After living her life in the shadows as the daughter of a congressman’s secret affair, Kennedy Barnes joins ‘Project Greenlight’ – a clandestine intelligence organization. She’s out to prove she’s more than her father’s dirty secret.

One of her first assignments is simple. Get close to Phoenix Ash, collect enough evidence to put him away for life, and get out unscathed.

Phoenix Ash is a world renowned hacker. He’s pulled off some of the biggest heists in modern history, but never leaves a trace. He knows people are after him and that every day may be his last, but when he meets Kennedy Barnes everything changes.

Lines are blurred and secrets are exposed as Phoenix and Kennedy both discover they do have a weakness – for each other.

This is a STANDALONE novel, but is interconnected with Dirty Work, which is now available.

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PREVIOUS NOVEL IN THIS STANDALONE SERIES

DIRTY WORK

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

BRENDA ROTHERT:

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CHELLE BLISS:

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Today we are sharing the release of ANY TIME, ANY PLACE by Jennifer Probst. This is the second title in the Billionaire Builders series. You won’t want to miss this incredible book, and check out the links below for other titles available now from the series.

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ANY TIME, ANY PLACE by Jennifer Probst

Billionaire Builders, #2

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PURCHASE EVERYWHERE AND EVERY WAY NOW

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Friction by Emily Snow

Publication Date: January 18th, 2017

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: HEA Press

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Agent: Kennedy Barnes
Target: Phoenix ‘Nix’ Ash
Crimes: Hacker and Heartbreaker
Mission: Get Close and Survive