Cover Reveal: Something Amazing by M. Clarke (aka Mary Ting)- A Spinoff of the Something Great Series

Posted on 12/04/2014 by shellbellereads

Something Amazing

By M. Clarke

A Spinoff of the Something Great Series

Release Date: January 12, 2015

Synopsis

Some nights have passion, some waves leave you wet, but everything is sexy at Knight Fashion Magazine…

From the International Bestselling, Reader’s Favorite Award winning author of My Clarity; M. Clarke has readers plunge into the depths of romance and desire with Rachel and Jackson’s story.

No one said breaking up was easy, but escaping to Kauai only adds to Rachel Miller’s confusion when fate collides her with Jackson Clark. He’s everything Rachel wants—confident, charismatic, and in charge—but his past catches up to them, creating rough waves that seems impossible to calm. Will their love for each other be strong enough or will it crash against the shore?

Pre-Order Sale $2.99…. $3.99 on Release Date

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View the Book Trailer to Something Amazing HERE

Something Great Series

Something Great – Book 1

Free for limited time

* This is a New Adult romance novel recommended for ages 18+ due to sexual content and mature subject matter.

She didn’t know what she was missing…until he found her.

Maxwell Knight was dangerously good-looking, seductively charming, and definitely
trouble. He was everything Jeanella Mefferd did NOT need now.

Fresh out of college, life was predictable and comfortable for Jeanella. She had the
strength of her friends, the security of her job, and she was dating a reliable
man; it was all smooth sailing. That was until one night, when she met someone
who made her feel things she’d never felt before–dangerous, heart pounding,
breathless heat. Never imagining she would see him again, Jeanella has no idea what to do when fate steps in and thrusts Maxwell Knight into her life, just as things were
beginning to change around her. When she lands her dream job and travels to New
York for Fashion Week, can she focus on her career instead of on Maxwell?

Will she ignore all the danger signs and jump straight into his arms; or would she
miss out on the chance of finding something great?

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Something Wonderful- Book 2

Jeanella’s confidence and trust in Max continues to grow, and life seems to be on track. Then Crystal decides to pursue a sexual harassment lawsuit, and Jeanella’s world turns upside down. Once again, she wonders if she will ever be enough for Max. Jeanella is forced to make a decision; stay and fight for her man or leave him for good.

Becky’s unexpected friendship with Matthew continues to blossom, as they try to define the boundaries of their relationship; but a one-night stand threatens to ruin it all. As Matthew’s feelings for Becky grow, he’s torn between guilt and heartache over his deceased fiancée. Can Becky break through his wall and help him heal?

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Something Forever- Book 3

A heated moment.

Desperate decision.

Life altering choices.

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Author Bio:

Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book-No Bullies Allowed

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Happy Release …Alison G. Bailey… Presently Perfect – Book 3 in The Perfect Series

Posted on 12/04/2014 by shellbellereads

Presently Perfect

The Perfect Series- Book 3

By Alison G. Bailey

Synopsis

Tweet was my heart, my soul, and my purpose.
She was my…everything.
Neither of us were perfect. We both made mistakes. Looking back, that was okay, because every choice brought us to where we needed to be at the time we needed to be there.
The one constant… our love and friendship.
There are two sides to every story and I wouldn’t trade our sides for anything in the world.

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Excerpt

A large hand came down and landed on my shoulder, causing my umpteenth beer to slosh over the sides of the red cup. “What the fuck?”

I bounced slightly when Travis plopped down on the sofa next to me. “Hey buddeeey. How’s my buddeeey?” he slurred, sliding his upper body along the back of the sofa closer to me.

I glanced over and threw him a lazy smirk.

With a cocked eyebrow and lopsided grin, he informed me, “I gotta surprise that’s gonna make that smile and other parts of you grow bigger.”

“You’re making me really uncomfortable,” I said, leaning away.

“There are two lovelies that want to spend time with our pulsating masculinity. Their names are Heather and Melanie.”

Travis’s head flopped to the side, his gaze and wave aimed at a cute blonde and brunette standing across the room.

“They’re all yours, buddy. I’m not in the mood.” I downed more of my beer.

His head rolled back toward me. “Heather won’t leave Melanie. They travel in pairs. I want to get my hands on Heather’s pair, so you get in the mood.”

“I’m sure your immense charm will pry her away.”

“Come on. Be a friend.”

“Sorry, not tonight.”

Glaring at me, he bit out, “Not tonight… then what fucking night? I’d like to put that date on my calendar so I can stop wasting my time.”

“What’s your problem?”

“You’re my problem. You and this pussy-whipped, no balls, coochie slave attitude you’ve been sporting around for months instead of a rock-hard dick.”

“Fuck you! You don’t understand.”

I pushed off the sofa, stumbling a few steps toward the back door. I needed some air and to get away from Travis’s bullshit. The room spun, and then I spun as Travis grabbed my upper arm, turning me to face him.

“I understand. You’ve been hung up on this fucking girl ever since I’ve known you.”

My fingers curled into fists as I got in his face and snarled, “Don’t you ever refer to her as this fucking girl.”

Travis took a step back, ran his hands over his face, and huffed in frustration. “What’s the deal? I thought I was finally getting my friend back. You see her for like two seconds today and it sends you into a fucking tailspin. You gotta get past this.”

I could see the sincerity in his eyes. He wasn’t telling me these things in anger or because he didn’t like Tweet. He knew I was in a constant struggle and he was being a friend.

“I’m trying,” I whispered.

“Try harder, dude.”

“I don’t know how.” It was pathetic how weak and defeated my voice sounded.

After seeing Tweet earlier, the rest of the day had been spent replaying the few seconds encounter over and over in my head. She looked incredible except for the sadness in her eyes. A pang of guilt pinched my stomach because I was glad to see that sadness. It meant she was as miserable as I was. She disappeared in a flash but I didn’t need a lot of time in order to take her all in. Her hair was that summer mixture of dark brown and gold. The light sprinkle of red across her nose and cheeks was either a result of being at the beach or seeing me. I hoped it was the latter. She had on a plain white tank top and a pair of black shorts that were molded to her adorable round ass. Tweet was the only girl I knew who could wear the plainest clothes, little makeup, and still look like a supermodel. The memory of her hips swaying back and forth as she darted away had my dick twitching. I turned from Travis and headed out the back door, needing that air more now than before.

Once outside, I propped myself up against the house, closed my eyes, and sucked in all the oxygen my lungs could handle.

I need to get her out of my head.

There were a few people hanging out around the pool so I concentrated on them. That was a dumbass move because most of them were hooking up. Sounds of kissing, moaning, giggling, and more moaning filled my ears. I shifted my attention to the sounds coming from inside the house. Another dumbass move. The only thing I could hear was the pounding music, which made me think of Tweet’s swaying hips, which made me think of grabbing those hips and pounding into… I had to get out of there.

As I shoved off of the wall, the back door swung open, Travis stepped out, and headed over toward me.

“It kills me to see you like this.” He paused, his eyes shifting from me to something over my shoulder. “I didn’t want to say anything because I don’t play into the rumor bullshit.”

“What are you talking about?”

His expression showed how much he was struggling with whether or not to continue. “I heard Amanda is hooking up with some guy.”

My brows scrunched together as my jaw went slack. A small chuckle of disbelief escaped me. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I care about you. You’re like a brother to me. Noah, stop pissing your life away waiting for something that’s not gonna happen.”

Glancing away, I shook my head, and said, “It’s a fucking lie.”

“How do you know?”

My eyes pierced his. “She wouldn’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because she’s my Tweet!” I screamed.

Out the corner of my eye, I could see the people around the pool unhooking from one another.

“She’s not your anything! When are you going to get that through your fucking head?!”

I lunged forward, landed both hands on Travis’s chest, and shoved. He stumbled back, but made no move to come after me.

“I’m not going to fight you, man.”

“Who’s the no-balls pussy now?!”

I shoved.

He stumbled back.

Party people scattered into the house.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice full of pity.

I shoved.

He stumbled back.

And then I tackled him to the ground.

I landed one hard punch to his jaw before he flipped me onto my back, wrapped his massive arm around my neck, and held me down. I jerked and twisted for several seconds trying to break free of his hold. Finally, the alcohol and pain took over and I gave up.

Pressing the heel of my hands into my eyes, I choked back tears, and mumbled, “We’ve shared all our firsts together.”

Author Bio:

Alison was born and raised in Charleston, SC. She attended Winthrop University and graduated with a major in Theater. While at school she began writing one-act plays, which she later produced. Her debut novel, Present Perfect, landed on Amazon’s Best Seller List and appeared on many “Best Reads of 2013” Book Blogs. The novel won Best Book at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention Awards. The second book from The Perfect series, Past Imperfect, was published in February of 2014 and hit many Top 100 category lists on Amazon

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Happy Release Day: Fight Me by Lacey Black

Posted on 12/04/2014 by Saucy Southern Readers

Fight Me
Rivers Edge Book 2
By Lacey Black
Release Date: December 4, 2014

Jake Stevens has it made. A local police officer with an open invitation to any number of beds around town, Jake has no desire to settle down with any of the ladies he entertains by night. After watching his best friend fall in love with his little sister, Jake is certain that love and marriage just aren’t in his cards. Heck, he’s not even playing with the same deck.

After Jake encounters a blast from the past one night, he finds himself swimming in uncharted waters. For the first time, Jake has found a woman he can’t get out of his mind. The kicker? The woman wants nothing to do with him.

Erin Anderson returns to the small Missouri town of Rivers Edge for a job after a twenty year absence. Erin spent years loathing the memory of Jake Stevens for his cruelness back in seventh grade. Now, Jake appears to be the same self-centered player he was in junior high, and no one seems to be able to push her button the way the cocky, yet devastatingly handsome cop does.

Between circumstances that keep thrusting them together and Jake’s persistence to annoy her, Erin struggles to fight her growing feelings for Jake. But, can Erin get past the hurt she felt all those years ago at the hands of a young Jake? Can Jake show Erin that what they have is worth fighting for?

*This book is intended for an audience of 18 or older due to graphic sex scenes and language.

**Can be read as a standalone.

Cover by Gin’s Book Notes

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1zMNxQ7

Excerpt

We don’t speak the entire ride back to my place. I still hold the melted bowl of ice cream in my hand when he pulls into my driveway and parks behind my Bug. I have no idea what he’s thinking. I’m sure he’s just dying to get this crazy, overly emotional girl out of his truck.

“Well, thank you for the ice cream. I guess I’ll see you around,” I say as I turn towards the door to hop out.

“Wait,” Jake says. The snow is coming down hard now and it’s hard to see my front steps. “Please don’t go.” Jake’s voice is raw with emotion. He sounds almost pained. I don’t want to turn and see his face. I know that if I turn around, I might actually believe whatever it is he is about to say. “Please look at me, Erin.”

I take a deep breath and slowly turn around, steeling myself for the reaction I know is coming. When my eyes lock on his, I can’t fight the tears that spring in my eyes. His eyes are so full of pain and hurt. It’s too much. I need to get out of this truck.

“I need to go inside.”

“Erin, I’m…I’m so fucking sorry for what I did back then. I have no excuse for why I did it. I was just a stupid kid who was trying to get a rise out of you; trying to get you to notice me.”

“Notice you? Why would you want me to notice you?”

“I wasn’t lying at dinner that night when I told you I was trying to get your attention. I liked you.”

“So you humiliated me and embarrassed me? Why? So I’d like you? Do you have any idea how messed up that is, Jake?”

“I didn’t say it was logical. I was a kid. A kid who was used to getting exactly what he wanted, when he wanted it. I went about it the wrong way. I’m sorry.”

“Well, you’re sorry. Great. Thank you.” I turn and open my door. “I’m going inside. Thank you for the ice cream, again. Have a great life.”

“Wait!” he yells as he whips open his truck door and meets me around the front of the truck.

“What, Jake? You’ve apologized. You don’t have to be nice to me anymore just to make yourself feel less guilt. I forgive you. You’re free.” I blink rapidly in the falling snow. It’s hitting and melting on my face, my hair, my coat.

“Is that why you think I’ve been nice to you? I’ve been hanging out with you because I’ve felt guilty for what happened twenty years ago?”

“Isn’t it?” I quip.

“No!”

I turn to walk towards my house, but Jake grabs my arm and spins me back around. My body crashes into his like it’s being slammed into a brick wall. He’s a foot taller than me so my face basically hits him straight in the pecs. “I’m tired, Jake. I don’t want to fight with you anymore.”

“I don’t want to fight with you either, Erin.” Jake strokes his thumb up and down my numb cheeks. His fingers feel warm against the frostiness of my exposed skin.

“Then what do you want?” I ask, my eyes pleading with him. For what, I’m not sure.

“I want…I just want…you,” he whispers the last word as his full lips descend onto mine.

Author Bio:

Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and a chocolate lab. Lacey loves watching NASCAR races and should only consume one mixed drink because she’s a lightweight.

Lacey welcomes the opportunity to chat with her fans.

Email: laceyblackwrites@gmail.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthLaceyBlack

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/laceyblackwrite/

Giveaway

$5 Amazon Gift Card

2 e-copies of Fight Me by Lacey Black

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Happy Release: The Accidental Assassin by Nichole Chase

Posted on 12/04/2014 by shellbellereads

We are so incredibly excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Nichole Chase’s THE ACCIDENTAL ASSASSIN! THE ACCIDENTAL ASSASSIN is a New Adult contemporary romantic suspense novel and it was so worth the wait!! Read the excerpt, enter to win, then go grab your copy today!

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On Sale For $2.99 ….Release Week Only

About THE ACCIDENTAL ASSASSIN:

Ava McKenzie is a creature of habit. Life is passing her by and she has nothing to show for it. She’s had the same job since she started college, she orders the same dish every time she goes to her favorite restaurant, and only reads books from authors she knows. There is nothing new or surprising in her life… until her best friend marries a man from London. When her newlywed friend asks her to house-sit while she honeymoons, Ava jumps at the chance. She thinks this could be the very thing she needs to shake up her life. Ava throws herself head first into her new lifestyle; she wants to try everything, go everywhere, and never get stuck in a rut again. Of course, offing a man in a car garage hadn’t been one of the things on her list to try.

Owen Walker spends every day in a new place with a new case. As one of the most renowned assassins in the world, he has his choice of marks—and he’s never failed in a mission. When a new hit takes him back to his hometown, he looks forward to spending time somewhere familiar. What he isn’t expecting is to help an attractive, confused American woman find out how she’s ended up on a hit man’s list.

As Ava and Owen dodge bullets, will they be able to escape their undeniable attraction to each other? Or will all of that chemistry blow up in a shower of hot and dangerous sparks?

Excerpt:

I twisted the steering wheel sharply as I exited the garage and almost knocked over the doorman. But he was holding a large gun in one hand and to my shock he fired directly at my window. The glass shattered, but I didn’t feel any pain, which I hoped meant I wasn’t hit. I ducked in a belated reaction and the car swerved wildly, but the gun-toting hottie next to me steadied the wheel.

“I knew that doorman didn’t like me.” I gritted my teeth. “What an asshole. He’s almost as bad as you are.”

“I’ll drive now, if you’d like.” He said it like we were taking turns on a road trip, not running for our lives. Maybe he wasn’t running for his life. But I was still running for mine. I didn’t know what this guy wanted with me. Was I supposed to just let him drive me to some creepy kill room? An image of walls draped in plastic, knives on a table, and a bed with chains filled my mind. I didn’t think so.

“Now? You want to drive now?” My voice rose with each word. “Sure, I’ll pull over at the corner for a snack and let you take over. Holy shit! Are you crazy?”

“Has anyone ever told you that for such a beautiful woman you have a very dirty mouth?” He smiled at me as my mouth worked silently. “I think I like the odd combination.”

“Fuck you.” I glared at the road.

“So does that mean you don’t want me to drive?” He nodded toward the traffic that was growing thicker. “Do you have a plan for where to go?”

“The cops.” I didn’t mention that I had no idea where they would be located. I’d just stop the first one I saw. “And you told me to get in the driver seat.”

“You’re sure you want to go to the police?” He leaned back into his seat, getting comfortable. He looked, for all the world, as if riding around in a car with a bomb attached to it was normal. “You killed a man and fled the scene in his stolen car—which has a bomb attached to it. Oh, and someone was trying to kill you. I’m sure being locked in a tiny room with nowhere to run will make their job much more difficult.”

“Maybe they were trying to kill you. I can imagine why they’d want to.” I growled and turned down a street that was one way only. And I was going the wrong way. I muttered under my breath as I dodged cars and people honked at me. “I should’ve stayed in bed today.”

“Possibly. They were very sloppy.” He pointed to a street. “You should turn here and take the roundabout.”

“Roundabout?” My heart dropped into my stomach and I broke into a cold sweat. “That seems like a bad idea.”

Roundabouts were the devil. If you’ve ever tried to drive through a roundabout after years of driving in America, you’d understand. Everything was completely backward to how you instinctually drove. It gave me an ulcer just thinking about it.

“We’re being followed. We need to lose them.” He looked at me with serious eyes. “If you want to live, we need to put distance between us and the people in the black sedan.”

“Oh, Jesus.” I jerked the wheel and our car shot down the road toward the evil traffic circle of death.

Nichole Chase Bio:

Nichole Chase is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Suddenly Royal, Flukes, The Dark Betrayal Trilogy, and several short stories. She is also the instructor of Say What? a dialogue class at the Romance Academy.

Nichole lives in Georgia with her husband, energetic daughter, superhero dog, Sulcata tortoise, and two cats. When not writing, you may find her reading, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads | THE ACCIDENTAL ASSASSIN Goodreads

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Cover Reveal: Jake Undone by Penelope Ward

Posted on 12/03/2014 by shellbellereads

Jake Undone

By Penelope Ward

Release Date: March 2015

Synopsis

From the New York Times bestselling author of Jake Undone, comes a full-length companion novel.

A different side to the story: Jake’s side.

“We’re getting a new roommate,” they said.

I thought nothing of it…until she walked in the door. Her hand trembled in mine as she looked at me with fearful eyes. My entire world spun on its axis.

Nina…

It was a mismatch made in heaven: innocent girl from the boonies moves in with tattooed, pierced, badboy engineer.

I came up with a bet, a plan to tutor her in math and coach her through her phobias. What I wasn’t betting on was becoming addicted to her.

But I was living a double life on weekends, and once she found out about it, she’d be gone.

I had to protect myself and that meant one thing: I couldn’t fall in love.

**In Jake Understood, pivotal scenes from Jake Undone are retold from Jake’s point of view combined with all-new material that will give readers a never-before-seen glimpse into Jake’s past, present and future. It can stand alone but if both books are read, should follow Jake Undone.
Author Bio:

Penelope Ward is a USA Today Bestselling author.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers. She spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career.

Penelope lives for reading books in the new adult genre, coffee and hanging out with her friends and family on weekends.

She is the proud mother of a beautiful 10-year-old girl with autism (the inspiration for the character Callie in Gemini) and a 8-year-old boy, both of whom are the lights of her life.

Penelope, her husband and kids reside in Rhode Island.

She is currently working on her fifth novel, Jake Understood. She is the author of Gemini, Jake Undone, My Skylar and Stepbrother Dearest.

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Holiday Review: Home For Christmas by Fiona Greene

Posted on 12/03/2014 by shellbellereads

Home For Christmas

By Fiona Greene

Synopsis

What began as an impersonal-but-cheerful holiday gift for a soldier far from home becomes so much more…

Sergeant Tate McAuliffe, stationed in Afghanistan, opens his Christmas care package from Australia and is stunned by both its contents and the sender.

Fun-loving Christmas tree designer Layla Preston is a breath of fresh air for loner Tate. Although they’ve never met, their email friendship quickly develops and their feelings for each other deepen.

But Layla knows the heartache that loving a soldier can bring and when Tate is injured, her deep-seated fear drives them apart. With their relationship in tatters, can Layla and Tate work through their differences, so Layla can welcome Tate home for Christmas?

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Tina’s Review

*** Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an Honest Review. ***

To say Sergeant Tate McAuliffe has had some crappy Christmases in his past would be an understatement and why should this year be any different? Stationed in Afghanistan, he’s taken by surprise by the gift he receives from a stranger.
Layla Preston lives in Australia and follows the troops’ mission in Afghanistan. She comes from a military family, but they are all gone now. Inherited from her dad, she has Bonsai Christmas, a tree farm her father purchased after retiring from the military.

This IS an Australian novella, some terminology translations may be helpful:
Ute= Utility Vehicle, Thong= flip flops, Esky= cooler, RSL= Returned and Services League (support organization for the ADF (Australian Defence Force)), doona= quilt or blanket

Short Holiday novella: under 100 pages. Stands alone.
Tate really is portrays as a broken spirit when it comes to family and holiday reunions, preferring his fellow soldiers to blood family. Layla is like an angel in spirit. She breathes life and vitality to all with her kindness and generosity. There’s a nice blend of secondary characters that help support the story. Believable dialogue and interaction enable the dynamic and dramatic plot to flow smoothly and swiftly. There was enough push and pull in the story line to create some conflict, although it was nothing of epic proportions, and a pleasant enough resolve was found. Predictability was blissfully low. The conclusion was solid and without cliffhangers. Overall, this was a very enjoyable read.

Author Bio:

I love books.

As a child we didn’t live near a library until one opened when I was nine. I was in heaven, then we moved and I traded my library card for one for a mobile library that visited the local shops. Ten months later, we moved again. This time to an older house on stilts with a dark and scary ground floor. Exploring the depths, I discovered a cupboard and stored inside were boxes and boxes of romance novels.

My early love of category romance morphed into a passion for historicals, romantic suspense and futuristic romance. In an attempt to widen my reading preferences, I still visit the library regularly, but choose all my books by the spine, without reading the back cover. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t.

My books and short stories range from journeys across time and space – futuristic and sci-fi romances to contemporary romance. After all, what’s not to love about a strong military leader with a spacecraft? Unless its a sexy farmer with a Ute?

A lot of my pre-writing is done while I’m pounding the pavement – either running or walking the family’s two large dogs. I’m always up for a challenge, so I split my time between my home town of Brisbane and an owner-builder project on a rural property in Queensland’s Southern Downs, where the air is crisp and clear and the view of the night sky is to die for.

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Holiday Review: Yours For Christmas by Susan Mallery- Fools Gold Series- Book 15.5

Posted on 12/03/2014 by shellbellereads

Yours For Christmas

Fool’s Gold Series- Book 15.5

By Susan Mallery

Synopsis

Step out of the winter chill and into the warmth of Fool’s Gold, California, the charming small-town setting for a new holiday novella from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery

Famous former NFL stars don’t date single working moms like Bailey Voss. She’ll allow herself to daydream about Kenny Scott’s muscles and killer smile, but wanting more would lead to post-holiday regret. Then Kenny volunteers to run a toy drive with Bailey, and she learns that he’s not just hot…he’s also generous, funny, nice. The whole package—tantalizingly out of reach.

The ache of past loss reminds Kenny why he needs to avoid getting too close to anyone. Especially to a gorgeous redhead and her adorable little girl. Mess it up, and he’d lose them both. Yet Kenny can only resist Bailey for so long. And as festive spirit spreads throughout the town, he’s all wrapped up in Bailey’s sweet, sexy kisses and determined to make this the first of many Christmases together…

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tracey’s Review

The good things about novellas: They’re short and sweet, they offer a chance for readers to have their author ‘fix’ between bigger books, and they can focus on just a few characters. On the other hand, because they’re so short, they tend to move relatively quickly, and there’s less time for a meaty storyline to develop.

YOURS FOR CHRISTMAS, a novella in Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series, is a sweet story, focusing on widowed mother Bailey Voss and former NFL player Kenny Scott. Bailey, mom to sweet little Chloe, has had a mad crush on Kenny forever. When the two are tapped to head up a Christmas charity event, they begin spending a lot of time together, and feelings deeper than friendship emerge on both sides. The trouble, though, is that Kenny has a rule: he doesn’t date women with children, ever. He’s been badly burned, and is unwilling to have his heart broken again, no matter how much he likes Bailey.

I liked this story, and didn’t feel like I needed to have read previous books in the series to enjoy it. I’m a sucker for stories about small town and community, and Susan has given us just that in the Fool’s Gold books. Her characters are real and likeable, and, while I wanted to pinch Kenny a couple of times, I totally bought the relationship between him and Bailey. Again, this is a novella, so things go a little more quickly than might seem completely realistic, but, heck, this is love, and it’s Christmas, so just go with it. I’m giving this four sweet and sexy stars, and am looking forward to getting to know more about the residents of Fool’s Gold, California.

Author Bio:

With more than 25 million books sold worldwide, New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery is known for creating characters who feel as real as the folks next door, and for putting them into emotional, often funny situations readers recognize from their own lives. Susan’s books have made Booklist’s Top 10 Romances list in four out of five consecutive years. RT Book Reviews says, “When it comes to heartfelt contemporary romance, Mallery is in a class by herself.” With her popular, ongoing Fool’s Gold series, Susan has reached new heights on the bestsellers lists and has won the hearts of countless new fans.

Susan grew up in southern California, moved so many times that her friends stopped writing her address in pen, and now has settled in Seattle with her husband and the most delightfully spoiled little dog who ever lived.

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Exciting Release: Easy Virtue by Mia Asher

Posted on 12/03/2014 by shellbellereads

Easy Virtue

Release Date: December 3, 2014

By Mia Asher

Synopsis

Love is selfish…

My name is Blaire.

I’m the bad girl.

The other woman.

The one who never gets the guy in the end.

I’m the gold digger.

The bitch.

The one no one roots for.

The one you love to hate.

I hate myself too.

Everyone has a story. Are you ready for mine?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Excerpt

What is love?

I don’t know.

I’ve never had it.

Is it even real?

No, I don’t think so. I mean, how can I believe in love when I’ve never witnessed it? When it seems to only exist in books and films, or in the lives of more fortunate people than me? Trust me, I know.

Love is my personal chimera.

I am gazing at brown eyes, admiring the richness of the color, the beauty of the man to whom they belong to.

“You’re so beautiful, Blaire … so wet,” he murmurs, his hand going between my legs as he begins to rub me. His fingers spread me open to their soft invasion, tuning my body to his wants and needs, preparing me to be taken as the hot friction of his touch lights a wild fire within my body. It’s not the first time he has touched me like this, but each time feels better and better—the sensations all-consuming and heady.

One finger.

Two fingers.

One finger.

Two fingers.

Over and over again.

His invasion is fast and slow, deep and shallow. His touch is soiled heaven.

As I open my legs wider for him, I wonder if it feels this good because of him or because I’m taking something that doesn’t belong to me and making it mine.

“Oh God … I love you, Blaire. I love you … I love you …” he pants in my ear.

“Don’t stop … it feels so good,” I breathe.

Okay, maybe it’s because at this moment in time this man thinks he loves me and no one else but me, however false his proclamation may be.

I close my eyes as his lips land on mine. He kisses me softly as if I’m made out of gold, kissing me with that familiar mouth I’ve seen smile tenderly at me so many times before. The assault of his tongue debilitates me but doesn’t incapacitate me.

“It’s four dollars, gorgeous,” the cute barista says, smiling at me.

I’m about to pay for my cappuccino when I hear a deep, manly voice say, “Let me get that for you.”

A man wearing a beige suit comes forward, standing next to me as he hands the barista some bills. “I’ve seen you around … you’re Paige’s friend.”

I smile, licking my suddenly dry lips. “Thank you, and yes … I know Paige.”

The smile on his handsome face seems to freeze as his gaze follows the tip of my tongue, the spark of hunger brightening his eyes. Inwardly, I smile because who knew it was so easy to make men desire me, particularly when I went without attention for so long.

“My pleasure. Are you,” he coughs, “here with someone else?”

I shake my head and look at him through fluttering eyelashes. “No, I’m here all by myself.” I pause, touching his arm invitingly, and smile. “Would you like to join me?”

He looks around the coffee shop, probably considering if he should, if it’s proper to do so, but less than five seconds later, he’s staring at me once again. “Sure.”

Yes, just like that.

The beige walls are spinning.

The clock is ticking.

The bedsprings creak as the moon cries outside the motel window.

And the man above me kisses me while he fingers me, preparing me for him. Gotta love such a thoughtful man.

I can taste his sweet saliva mixing with mine, and I love it.

“Please,” I beg against his lips, reaching for his hard cock and wrapping my fingers around it. “I’m ready.”

I feel his mouth leave mine as he begins to make his way down my partially dressed body. “Are you sure, Blaire? Are you sure you want to do this with me?”

I open my eyes to witness what I think I want him to do. No, what I’m sure I want him to do. I can’t help the smile I feel playing on my lips as I see him struggling with his conscience. He asks me if I’m sure when he has already fucked my mouth with his cock countless number of times, when his fingers have filled every orifice of my body. Should I laugh? No … I decide to take pity instead.

“I’m sure, so sure,” I say, letting my arms land like dead weight on the bed, the cheap fabric rough against my skin.

“All right.”

When I feel the bed dip between my legs, I instinctively open them for him and watch as he brings a condom package to his mouth. As he rips it open with his teeth, I admire his perfect full lips that emphasize how masculine he is.

I feel pleased with myself.

So fucking pleased because he wants me.

Mr. Callahan wants me. Me. Can you believe it? Chubby Blaire. Ugly and awkward Blaire.

Unlovable Blaire.

I guess I’m not that ugly anymore. My body? What was considered fat as a child is now called boobs and ass. Guys want it. They want me. They want to touch me, grope me, feel me … they want to screw me. And it feels good to be wanted … so good. It makes me feel powerful, and like a potent drug spreading inside your bloodstream, I want more.

I need more.

“Hurry up,” I say, not bothering to be shy or coy about it. I mean, he brought me here to have sex, right?

“Fuck, give me a second, Blaire. Trying to get the damn condom on my dick.”
As he rolls the rubber on his stiff dick, his eyes wonder over my bare chest, my face, my spread legs. Shaking his head as if trying to clear his mind, he mutters, “You’re so beautiful. I want you so much.”

That’s not the first time I have heard those words come out of a man’s mouth. Josh tells me all the time how beautiful I am, how perfect I am, how much he wants me, how much he loves me. But he’s my friend with benefits. The words kind of lose their meaning when it’s the same person saying them to you over and over again.

“Show me.”

Those two words are all it takes for him to spread my legs wider with his hands and finally enter me with his throbbing dick. Pain shoots through my body, and a groan escapes my mouth when he covers my body with his. I feel his whole length inside me in one deep thrust.

“Christ, you’re so tight.”

He lifts both my legs, wrapping them around his lean waist and starts to thrust. Hard. It hurts. But I like the pain. It sobers me.

And that’s when reality comes crashing down on me. It hits me with the speed and blinding power of a torpedo, making me realize what I’m doing. What I’m giving away and the man doesn’t even know it.

What the hell am I doing?

Proving that you are your mother’s daughter.

Making her proud.

The room is filled with the noises of the man grunting his pleasure and the wet slapping of our skin; it makes me want to gag. I want to throw up. Maybe it’s the alcohol I drank.

Maybe it’s self-disgust.

The initial pain is gone and now I just feel sore. And strange.

His beautiful face lowers, his lips about to connect with mine, and I feel the bile rise inside my throat. I turn my face to the side, his kiss landing on my cheek. My eyes watch the way the lights in the bathroom illuminate all its used and dirty ugliness.

“Oh God, I’m going to come … I’m going to come … I’m going to come,” he continues to pant in my ear, pumping in and out of my body. Before I know what’s happening, he half-screams and half groans, his body going tense on top of mine.

And just like that it’s over. In less than five minutes I’ve managed to kill a part of me.

Our breathing evens and he pulls out, moving to stand up. I push myself up on my elbows to see him inspect his condom. It still glistens. By the time he lifts his eyes, connecting with mine, I’ve already wrapped my body with the duvet cover.

Confusion, shock, and pleasure reflect in those brown eyes. “I-I didn’t know … I …” His hands go to his hair as we stare at each other. “I didn’t know you were a virgin.”

I shrug my shoulder carelessly, causing the duvet to slide down, exposing my bare breasts to him. His eyes immediately flare with lust. “It doesn’t matter … I wanted it to be you.”

And that’s the truth.

“But—”

“But nothing. If it bothers you, then forget it happened. I already did,” I say, ending the conversation.

This is my body. I will have the last word. Not him. Not anyone. This is my life. This is my decision.

Without giving myself a chance to doubt my next words, I turn to look at him in all his naked beauty, the gold wedding ring on his finger catching my attention. “Don’t worry, Mr. Callahan … I won’t tell your daughter that you fucked her classmate.”

And with that, I seal my destiny.

Author Bio:

My name is Mia Asher.

I’m a writer, a hopeless romantic, a wanderer, a dreamer, a cynic, and a believer. And, oh yes…I might be a bit crazy – but who isn’t?

Stalk Her: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads | Pinterest

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Play Me Series by Tracy Wolff- Review for Play Me Wild- Book 1

Posted on 12/03/2014 by shellbellereads

The Play Me Series

A Spin Off of the Ethan Frost Series

5 Novellas = 1 Sizzling Hot Romance

By Tracy Wolff

Play Me Wild – Book 1

In the seductive first installment of an eBook original serial from the New York Times bestselling author of Ruined and Addicted, a woman running from her past has finally found a bit of control . . . until her powerful new boss makes her go wild.

My name is Aria Winston. I’ve fought desperately to escape the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. Now I’m on my own, in control of my own life and my own destiny . . . just the way I like it. Until Sebastian Caine changes everything.

Working as a cocktail waitress at one of Vegas’s hottest five-star casinos means putting up with a ton of bad behavior from the big spenders. But it pays the bills—and that’s all that matters to Aria, who needs every last dollar to escape from her father’s destructive grasp and the brutal man he expects her to marry. But when she lashes out against a billionaire who won’t take no for an answer, she nearly loses everything—until Sebastian steps in. The owner’s son and handpicked successor, Sebastian is dark, sexy, and kinder than any rich man should be. And when he apologizes and offers to keep her job safe, Aria can’t help the way her body reacts to his. Suddenly her job, and the security it brings her, isn’t the only thing Aria wants.

Play Me is an erotic serial intended for mature audiences. Aria and Sebastian’s story continues in Play Me: Hot.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

The Play Me Series is a spin off of the Ethan Frost Series. This series features one of Ethan Frost’s best friends and his return to Las Vegas. There are 5 Books in this series and each is novella length. Each installment is sensual, breathtaking, addicting, and paced perfectly to keep the reader intrigued. Each installment ends on a major cliffhanger that leaves the reader wanting more. The final book does not end on a cliffhanger but leaves the reader anxious for the next Ethan Frost book. The characters from this series will be in the next Ethan Frost book and will be involved in Ethan’s mission to destroy his enemies.

The characters in this series are phenomenal. Their attraction and sexual chemistry is smoldering hot. Their erotic relationship will keep the readers fanning themselves. Their story is thrilling in so many ways. From their current lives, their secrets from the past, their steamy relationship, their smoldering sexual escapades, and complicated new directions , The Play Me series is addicting.

Each book in this series was released on December 2, 2014. Readers do not have to wait for the next book to come out. The pricing for each book is similar to other serial romances on todays market. The pricing for the series all together is equivalent to purchasing one book by one of the major publishing houses. It is well worth the price and I highly recommend this series.

Although this series is a spin off of the Ethan Frost series it can be read as a stand alone series.

_________________________________________________________________________

In Play Me Wild the reader gets an introduction to the characters and their lives. It sets the pace for the entire series.

Aria Winston is a strong woman. She is independent and never asks for help. She accepts her strengths and weaknesses. She is also hiding a very startling secret. But it is her secret to harbor. She is working as a cocktail waitress in one of the most popular hotel casinos in Vegas. She has moved up to serving the elite high rollers, otherwise known as the whales. She does her job well but when one customer gets out of hand it brings her to the attention of her boss, Sebastian Caine.

Sebastian Caine has returned to Vegas to take over his fathers hotel casino. He left Vegas ten years earlier determined to never return. His father has had a series of strokes and needs someone to step in and run the business he has been running into the ground. This is the last place Sebastian wants to be but also understands that this is his legacy. When a waitress is fired and the disgruntled customer wants restitution, Sebastian has to step in. When he views the actual occurrence on the video feed , he is appalled. He is appalled that these high roller men treat his waitresses with disrespect and disregard. He is also fascinated with the waitress that is involved in the situation.

When Sebastian and Aria meet face to face their attraction to one another is smoldering. Sebastian recognizes a kindred spirit. He also recognizes a need that Aria has that only he can show her how to fulfill. What happens in that meeting will leave the reader breathless. It ends on a cliffhanger that leaves the reader rushing to download the next installment in the series.

Author Bio:

Tracy Wolff collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. Now an English professor at her local community college, she writes romances that run the gamut from contemporary to paranormal to erotic suspense.

And for all of those who want the unedited version:
Tracy Wolff lives with four men, teaches writing to local college students and spends as much time as she can manage immersed in worlds of her own creation. Married to the alpha hero of her dreams for twelve years, she is the mother of three young sons who spend most of their time trying to make her as crazy as possible.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

ARC Review: Addicted by Zoey Williams

Posted on 12/03/2014 by shellbellereads

Addicted

By Zoey Williams

Synopsis

Talia Truman is a manager’s worst nightmare. A former child star, Talia traded in her braids and became a smart-mouthed party girl with a penchant for bad boys and even badder decisions. (Usually involving alcohol.) With a massive movie deal on the line, however, Talia needs to keep herself—and her purple thong panties—out of trouble. But sex-addiction rehab? Definitely not her idea…

Unfortunately, being stuck in rehab with emerging country music star Matt Skyler—aka The Most Delicious Man Talia Can’t Have—is testing Talia’s newfound chastity. All she wants to do is fall off the wagon and onto Matt. But Matt isn’t exactly the bad boy she thought he was. In fact, Talia is starting to suspect that this cowboy might secretly be a total gentleman. And worse still, she likes that.

Now, under the blinding glare of the paparazzi, this not-so-bad boy and trying-to-be-good girl must choose between their reputations…and who they really are.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tina’s Review

*** Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ***

Talia Truman was a television child star and is trying to break away from that persona with her partying, drinking and boys. She thought she scored a movie franchise deal only for them to threaten to take it away. She needs to clean up her act – now – if she wants any chance at keeping the movie deal. More for publicity than need, her manager decides that the best way for Talia to clean up her image is to admit her into a sex addiction rehab facility.
CMA’s “Best New Artist” nominee, Matt Skylar, is a bigger fake than Talia! He’s taking it real hard that although he’s nominated, he’s not KNOWN. All the publicity and attention falls to the Bad Boys of Country. So, a he figures he’d rough up his appearance and plan a stint in rehab that he purposely extended from two weeks to six weeks. On the eve before his “graduation”, Talia joins the facility and calls his bluff.

Novella, under 100 pages. Stand-Alone. No Cliffhanger.
The characters, all of them, have a caricature feel to them; like they are exaggerated for comedic purposes. In this, Ms Williams would be successful. The dialogue is witty and sharp. Banning the toothbrush was funny, but it escalates from there. There’s a fluidity of the read, making it an easy, joyful piece to read. The action causing the conflict is believable, the reactions to the building conflict are very appropriate for the characters and the resolve is perfect. There really is not a lot of predictability in whole and the conclusion is solidly wrapped up.

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We are so incredibly excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Nichole Chase’s THE ACCIDENTAL ASSASSIN! THE ACCIDENTAL ASSASSIN is a New Adult contemporary romantic suspense novel and it was so worth the wait!! Read the excerpt, enter to win, then go grab your copy today!

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