Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Against The Wall by Jill Sorenson

Posted on 02/02/2016 by shellbellereads

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AGAINST THE WALL
Jill Sorenson

Releasing on February 2, 2016

Loveswept

Fans of Katie McGarry, Simone Elkeles, and Tammara
Webber will love Against the Wall! As teenagers, they fell for each other
despite the odds. But now that Eric and Meghan are all grown up, they’re
reunited by fierce passion and dangerous secrets.

Eric Hernandez is the bad boy of every schoolgirl’s
fantasies—and every mother’s nightmares. But after serving time for manslaughter,
he’s ready to turn his life around. He just needs a chance to prove himself as
a professional tattoo artist. The one thing that keeps him going is the memory
of the innocent beauty he loved and left behind.

Meghan Young’s world isn’t as perfect as it looks. The
preacher’s daughter is living a lie, especially now that Eric is back. Tougher,
harder, and sexier than ever, he might be the only person she can trust. But
there’s no telling what he’ll do to protect her if he learns the truth, and that’s
a risk Meghan won’t let him take. And yet, back in the arms of the troubled boy
with the artist’s soul, Meghan can’t help surrendering to the man he’s become.

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Excerpt

I don’t want Chip to meet Eric.

I put on my clothes and makeup in a rush, hoping to slip out of the apartment before Chip gets home. Unfortunately he’s early. My stomach clenches as I hear him come through the door. He drops his backpack in a careless heap and strides down the hall. There’s nothing I can do to avoid him, so I continue to apply my mascara with a trembling hand.

He pauses outside the bathroom. I don’t look over because I’m concentrating on my eyelashes. Despite my lack of greeting, or perhaps because of it, he enters the tight space and puts his hands on my hips.

“Hey, babe,” he says, kissing my cheek. “Where you going?”

“To Noah’s.”

He grunts in disinterest. He’s only been to my brother’s house once. They didn’t hit it off.

I set aside my mascara and fix the smudge he made. Instead of wandering away to play videogames or watch sports, Chip frowns at my reflection in the mirror.

“Why are you all dressed up?”

I’m not wearing anything fancy, just a basic skirt and top. But I took pains with my hair and makeup and it shows. I want to remind Eric what he turned down, rub it in his face a little. Chip notices the extra effort. He’s got an eagle eye and a suspicious nature.

I think about lying just to avoid conflict. I’ve been doing that more and more these days. After a short pause, I push aside the urge and move his hands off my hips. “It’s a special occasion. One of April’s relatives just got out of prison.”

“Who’s April?”

“Noah’s wife.”

I know that Chip remembers her. He always takes note of pretty women. “I’m going with you.”

This is exactly what I was afraid of, but I don’t argue. I have to pick my battles with Chip. He can be hot-tempered, depending on his mood and the amount of alcohol he’s consumed. I tell myself it’s not his fault. He’s a dedicated athlete, big man on campus, born to a wealthy family. Guys like him expect their girlfriends to fall in line.

And I had. I did.

Chip follows me into the bedroom, where I choose a pair of ballet flats. He grabs a pair of metallic gold high heels instead. “Wear these.”

Saying nothing, I don the flashy shoes. He likes me to look a certain way when we’re together. I think he enjoys having a leggy blonde on his arm. Before we leave, I glance at our reflections in the mirror. He’s tall and handsome, with wavy brown hair. His jeans and polo shirt are sporty and expensive. We make an attractive couple, but there’s something missing between us.

We used to have fun together. When we first met, he was hard to resist. He followed me to my car after class one day, begging for a date. He was bold and brash and full of confidence. I felt flattered. He put a lot of effort into chasing me, and I liked the attention. I liked his persistence. Of all the girls on campus, he chose me.

Our relationship hit the skids as soon as I moved in with him. Then he stopped pursuing me and started trying to control me. It’s almost as if he considers me his property now that I live in his apartment. He seems to want a maid, a cook, and blowjobs on demand. I wouldn’t mind taking care of his needs if he returned the favor.

Maybe I’m expecting too much from him. He is what he is, an MLB-bound superstar athlete who bats .390 and fields like a dream. He’s got money to burn and family connections. I understood what I was getting into when I agreed to go out with him. There are dozens of girls who’d kill to be in my glittering sandals right now.

The problem isn’t Chip. It’s me. I haven’t told him that I’m not happy. I’ve stayed quiet instead of challenging him. We have a superficial relationship, and I’m reluctant to take it deeper. After what happened with Eric, I’m not up for another heartbreak.

I can’t bear to compare the two of them, either. That’s why I don’t want them in the same room together. There’s no contest between my live-in boyfriend and the love of my life.

Stupid.

After all this time, I still have feelings for Eric. I’m worried that seeing him again will bring up bad memories—or good ones. My desire for him might come rushing back. Or maybe the opposite will happen, and I’ll wonder why I ever gave him the power to hurt me.

Then I’ll be free.

Michel’s Review

Jill Sorensen has just released Against The Wall, a compelling new adult romance. Against The Wall is a unique love story about redemption, growth,and compassion. It touches upon physical abuse, gang brutality, incarceration in prison, and restructuring a new life after all the cards have been played. Eric and Meghan have walked through fire and found each other once again.

Eric and Meghan were teenage sweethearts just beginning their adult lives. They were from completely backgrounds and have experienced different kinds of lives. Eric has been brought up in the streets where gangs rule his world. Meghan comes from a sheltered religious background that smothered her. When they found each other, they found solace for their troubled souls. But young love is not enough to keep their lives off destructive paths. Eric is involved in a gang war which results with him being sent to prison for manslaughter. He willingly lets go of Meghan so that she can move on to a better life.

Meghan is devastated by Eric’s rejection. When she finally accepts it and moves on, she moves onto an even more destructive relationship. She is enduring physical and verbal abuse. She’s hiding the abuse from her family and friends. She knows she deserves better and that she should be stronger but she just can’t pull herself away the abuse… until Eric is released from prison. Her conflicting feelings towards Eric open her eyes.

Life has changed for both of them in the past three years. Eric has learned that he doesn’t need the gang life to be a man. He wants to build a new life where he can earn respect by working hard. He wants to build a career as an artist. He wants to be the kind of man that Meghan deserved.

This book starts the day Eric is released from prison. The reader will follow his journey as he re-enters society. In many ways the world has changed and in other ways it is the same vicious cycle he once was caught up in. It will be up to him to make the right choices and stay on an even path. The only thing that remains the same is his deep love for Meghan.

Meghan also has to face life in a different way. She has to gain her self respect and get out of a destructive relationship. It shouldn’t matter if Eric wants her or not, she needs to learn to love herself once again.

Against The Wall was very emotional on many levels. Jill Sorensen built a vivid, accurate picture of Eric and Meghan’s lives. She didn’t sugarcoat the harshness of their lives. She didn’t allow their love to fix their problems. She made Eric and Meghan work for what matters most in life.

I would highly recommend Against The Wall by Jill Sorenson.

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Jill Sorenson is the RITA-nominated author of
more than a dozen romantic-suspense novels. She has a degree in literature and
writing from California State University. Her books have been selected as
Red-Hot Reads by Cosmopolitan magazine, and have received starred reviews from
Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Library Journal. Sorenson currently lives in
the San Diego area with her family. She’s a soccer mom who loves nature,
coffee, reading, Twitter, and reality TV.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Blog Tour + Review: Dazzled by Jane Harvey-Berrick

Posted on 01/27/2016 by shellbellereads

Dazzled

By Jane Harvey- Berrick

Buy: Amazon

Amazon UK / Amazon CA

Synopsis

Miles Stephens is a young actor from London. Out of work, unemployable, and fired from his last job, he unexpectedly gets the chance to star in a big-time Hollywood movie.

The film is a great success, propelling him to worldwide fame – but when the dream doesn’t match the reality, he turns to Clare, lifelong friend and girl next door.

Clare knows two important facts: when you break chocolate, the calories fall out; and that she’s totally in love with clueless Miles.

* * * * *
with scenes only suitable for 18+

Excerpt

Clare

Mum and Dad were out at Aunt Paula’s party, so I had the house to myself.

I was glad of that, because I wanted to wallow. Preferably with chocolate. I got lucky when I found a Black Forest gateau that Mum had bought to celebrate with Prue, and proceeded to stuff my face. I ate well over half of it. A generous half. The kind of half that a miserable sod might call three-quarters. Whatever. I felt full and nauseous.

All I needed now was a sappy love story on the TV, and I was all set for a classic wallow in the time honored tradition.

The evening had been a complete and utter nightmare. From the moment Lilia had arrived, everything had gone wrong. And then she’d dragged him off to her lair, and when he came out again his shirt and tie were undone, and he had lipstick on his cheek. It was soooo obvious what they’d been doing. Especially when she followed him out, a smug smile pasted across her ugly trout pout.

She’d told me she’d get him back—it looked as though she was right. I really didn’t think he would have succumbed that quickly. I hated being proved wrong.

So I was as irritated as all hell when some bastard rang the bell and knocked on the door.

The last person I expected to see was Miles waiting on the other side, looking ridiculously beautiful and debonair in his tailor-made tux.

I, on the other hand, had changed into sweatpants and an old t-shirt. One of his. Oh, and I had crumbs down my cleavage.

The cold air rushed in as I stood in the hallway, my mouth open more widely than the front door.

“You left,” he said.

“You were busy.”

He frowned. “Can I come in?”

“If you want.”

I let the door hang open, then turned my back and headed into the warmth of the cozy living room.

I heard him close the front door and follow me inside. It had been a long time since we’d been in this house together.

He stood awkwardly while I gestured for him to come in, my eyes fixed on the TV.

After a moment’s hesitation, he pushed the living room door shut and hovered near one of the armchairs. We were alone together at last.

“I missed you,” he said, softly.

And I didn’t know if he meant tonight, or the last few days.

I folded my arms tightly in front of me and tried to smile.

“Yeah, me, too.”

He rubbed his head as if it ached, and took a step toward me.

I backed away, knowing that I’d crumble if I let him touch me. And I couldn’t go back to living like that.

He looked hurt and bewildered as I moved to the other side of the room, and slumped down onto the couch.

“You didn’t wear your bracelet,” he said, quietly.

“What?”

The pain in his voice tore my eyes away from the TV screen that I was pretending to watch.

“The bracelet I gave you—you’re not wearing it.”

“Oh…”

I couldn’t meet his eyes.

“Clare, I know I’ve been an idiot…”

“Yeah, you have. But that’s okay, I’m used to it.”

I was letting him off the hook, and he knew it. He gave a small smile.

“Around you I just seem to open my mouth to change feet,” he agreed.

There was an awkward silence. We’d never been uncomfortable sharing the same space, but everything had changed.

“So,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets, “how’ve you been?”

“Bloody hell, Miles! You make it sound like you haven’t seen me for a year. I saw you a couple of hours ago.”

“Feels longer.”

True.

When I didn’t respond, he sighed heavily and went to lean against the wall by the window, staring at the wintry street outside.

I fiddled nervously with the hem of my … his … my t-shirt.

I didn’t want him here.

Except I did. And I didn’t.

“Why did you leave like that?” he said, his voice soft and a little husky.

So fucking clueless!

I felt a spike of anger. “You don’t get it, do you?”

He shrugged helplessly.

“No, I don’t. Not really.”

In that moment, I realized we were never going to square this circle. There was no point prolonging the agony.

“Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. I just … I think you should go now.”

I hated saying the words and Miles looked stunned, but a tiny germ of self-preservation was forcing its way to the surface.

“What? Now? But…” his words ended abruptly, and he rubbed the back of his neck in a familiar gesture of frustration. “Please, Clare, I’m trying here.”

I held back a sigh.

“I know. It’s just … better if you go.”

His expression morphed into one of anger.

“Why did you even bother coming tonight if you don’t want to talk to me?”

Fury, long held back, flared inside me, and I pointed an accusing finger at him.

_______________________________

Michel’s Review

Dazzled by Jane Harvey- Berrick is a charming friends to lovers and Hollywood romance. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was not the standard Hollywood type romance because this book starts at the beginning of stardom and how difficult the climb to the top is.

Miles and Clare have been friends all of their lives. They are completely different types of personalities. The yin and yang to one another. When Miles has a downfall in the London Theater scene it looks like his acting career is at an end. As the old saying goes, when one door closes another one opens, applies to Miles acting career. He is offered to read for a part in an upcoming Hollywood teen movie.

Miles lands the part and has to leave London and Clare behind. He’s sucked into the Hollywood world and is trying not to drown in a world of sharks. When he brings Clare across the pond to help him maneuver his way in the new world, the dynamics of their relationship begins to change. When Miles finally opens his eyes and sees Clare as a woman rather than his best bud, it may be too late.

Clare has finally taken her blinders off where Miles is concerned. Going to Hollywood as his assistant was a huge mistake. It’s not her world. Miles is no longer her Miles. She has finally realized it’s time to wrap it up and head back to London to build her own life.

It takes a huge Hollywood scandal and two meddling mothers to bring these two back where they belong.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dazzled. It was a fun, witty, and sexy Hollywood romance. I loved the English charm and dry humor that was prevalent throughout the book.

Jane Harvey-Berrick always delivers a good romance book.

___________________________________

About Jane Harvey- Berrick

I lived in London for over 10 years and have a love affair with New York. It’s only since I have moved to the countryside, that the words have really begun to flow.

I live in a small village by the ocean and walk my little dog, Pip, every day. It’s on those beachside walks that I have all my best ideas.

Writing has become a way of life – and one that I love to share.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Review Tour + Giveaway : The Mother Road by Meghan March

Posted on 01/18/2016 by shellbellereads

We’re celebrating the release of THE MOTHER ROAD by Meghan Quinn!

THE MOTHER ROAD by Meghan Quinn

NA Romantic Comedy

Release date: January 12, 2016

Cover Designed by: Meghan Quinn

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1IS4PFc

Buy: Amazon / ITunes / Kobo

Blurb:

Never in a million years would I have pictured myself as an axe-wielding, dragon lady, chopping up multi-colored flannel shirts into my very own plaid mulch. But here I am, chopping away my frustrations.

It all started when my brother, Paul, convinced me to go on one last family road trip across the Mother Road with him and my dad.. Just like old times, right? Wrong. What Paul fails to mention is his best man, Porter, will be joining us, who just so happens to be my childhood crush and the man who broke my heart four years ago.

What is supposed to be a fun, family bonding experience across Route 66 turns into a war of pranks, awkward moments and bathrooms full of dirty flannel shirts and day old beard clippings. Paul’s know-it-all attitude and Porter’s devilish charm brings me to the brink of my sanity on my seven day trek across the United States with three bearded men in a small 1980’s RV.

Michel’s Review

The Mother Road by Meghan Quinn is a delightful book to start 2016. It’s a fun, sassy, snarky, and sexy story where girl power must prevail among the bearded, flannel shirts. A girl must be creative in order to survive beard clippings, man farts, and a variety of hotdogs while on the mecca of the mother road, the ultimate hotdog.

When Marley’s brother and dad from upstate New York show up at her apartment in California demanding she go on one last family road trip to pay tribute to her mother before her brother gets married, what’s a girl to do? How can she deny the two most important men in her life? She wants to finish that last family road trip their mother wanted them to have before her death. The ultimate road trip on Route 66 ending in Chicago, the home of America’s Greatest Hot Dog. What a great way to honor her mother’s memory. They will finally complete the last chapter in the old family scrap book.

What she didn’t anticipate is Porter, her brother’s best friend, best man, and her unrequited love to share their family quest. Marley and Porter have their own history that didn’t end well. She has had four years to fester. Now she has to face the creep for seven days. She’s angry that he didn’t grow warts and disgusting nose hair but became even sexier than he was four years ago.

Seven days is all she will have for her revenge or the best sex of her life. But can she survive being cooped up in a smelly RV with three men, their nasty smells, bad grooming habits, ratty flannel shirts, and stupid sense of logic? Can she survive her whiny brother turning into groomzilla and his best man turning into sexzilla? Marley is a resourceful girl. She is smart, sneaky, and diabolical. These three men think they have the upper hand but Marley can outsmart them any day. She just has to survive seven days. Seven days to stay sane and seven days to protect her heart.

Look out Porter… Marley is taking names.

I absolutely loved this book. Meghan Quinn wrote a fun, quirky, laugh out loud romance that kept me rolling with laughter. I felt like I was along for the ride on the Mother Road.

GIVEAWAY

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About the Author:

Born in New York and raised in Southern California, Meghan has grown into a sassy, peanut butter eating, blonde haired swearing, animal hoarding lady. She is known to bust out and dance if “It’s Raining Men” starts beating through the air and heaven forbid you get a margarita in her, protect your legs because they may be humped.

Once she started commuting for an hour and twenty minutes every day to work for three years, she began to have conversations play in her head, real life, deep male voices and dainty lady coos kind of conversations. Perturbed and confused, she decided to either see a therapist about the hot and steamy voices running through her head or start writing them down. She decided to go with the cheaper option and started writing… enter her first novel, Caught Looking.

Now you can find the spicy, most definitely on the border of lunacy, kind of crazy lady residing in Colorado with the love of her life and her five, furry four legged children, hiking a trail or hiding behind shelves at grocery stores, wondering what kind of lube the nervous stranger will bring home to his wife. Oh and she loves a good boob squeeze!

Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.co m/meghanquinnauthor

Find me on Goodreads:
https: //www.goodreads.com/author/show/7360513.Meghan_Quinn

Visit my website: http://authormeghanquinn.com/

Blog Tour + Review: Wicked Lust by Sawyer Bennett – Wicked Horse Series – Book 2

Posted on 01/12/2016 by shellbellereads

Wicked Lust

The Wicked Horse Series – Book 2

By Sawyer Bennett

Buy : Amazon / B & N / ITunes

Synopsis

Cain Bonham is as big and bad as they come. After serving in the Marines, he’s returned home to Wyoming and now works as head of security at the exclusive sex club, The Wicked Horse. His job is to protect not only the patrons, but to zealously guard the secret existence of the club itself.

Sloane Preston is all about discovering secrets. As an undercover reporter, she’s determined to reveal the truth behind the facade of The Wicked Horse and expose it for all the world to see. She just didn’t count on her pathway into the club coming at the hands of one gorgeously scarred and bad ass bouncer who manages to easily possess her body and soul.

While Cain’s not looking for anyone to catch his eye, Sloane did it all the same, and he’s not bemoaning the fact that she’s as wickedly kinky as he is. As both get caught up in the sinful fantasies that only The Wicked Horse can create, secrets and loyalties will be tested and hearts will risk being broken.

**Warning: this book has sex in it. Lots of sex. Dirty sex. The Wicked Horse Series is a bit different than what Sawyer Bennett normally writes. While you’ll still enjoy fabulous characters, a suspenseful story, some witty banter and an epic romance, there’s just… a lot of sex. You’ve been warned.

Michel’s Review

Ready for a red hot book to heat you up this winter? Wicked Lust by Sawyer Bennett will have your blood boiling, heart racing, and panties melting.

Wicked Lust is the second book in The Wicked Horse series. This series is based around a secretive, selective sex club. The Silo, that is located on the premises of the Wcked Horse Saloon. This is an exclusive club for a high profile clientele with a deviant sexual appetite . Anything goes in the Silo. The darkest fantasies and sexual depravities are just a few of the delicacies at the Wicked Horse Silo.

Cain Bonham is the man in charge of security at the Wicked Horse. While he takes his job very seriously, he also appreciates the fringe benefits that come along with the job. His job as head of security isn’t the only thing in his job description. He is also part of the fantasy crew. Add in his extra work at Wolff Jennings ranch, his incredible debt, and a jaded past relationship, and it adds up to one intense man. While he loves every minute of his job at the Wicked Horse, he is also more than his job description. His sexual appetite is fulfilled on every level until one intriguing lady starts frequenting the Wicked Horse. He has finally found a conquest that intrigues the inner Cain.

Sloane Preston isn’t the typical Wicked Horse patron, let alone a potential member for the Silo. She is a reporter undercover. Her assignment is to uncover the dirt on some of the political clients that frequent the Silo at the Wicked Horse. Her main target is Callie Hayes father and his dealings with the Silo. She’s determined to expose the existence of the secrets behind the Silo doors. Her way in is through the sexy security chief, Cain Bonham. It will be a pleasure to use Cain Bonham to get her dirty story. She will do anything to get her story.

The sexual chemistry between Sloane and Cain is red hot. The two of them experience the most erotic scenes and find something more along the way. When Sloane’s cover is blown and her secrets are revealed, it is the defining moment for each of them as individuals as well as their relationship.

Sawyer Bennett has always written an enthralling story. She has come to master the erotica romance genre. Her characters are always dynamic and come to life. I must say that Sloane and Cain were not one of my favorite couples she created. Cain came across a little too hard and lacked compassion. Sloane’s character was a bit flighty. One moment she came across as a strong, decisive woman and the next moment she was whiny and weak.

The overall impression was that Cain and Sloane were much better together in the bedroom. Outside of the bedroom, I didn’t feel the tenderness and romance that I was hoping for.

Overall Wicked Lust was a very good book and kept me glued to the pages. I am ready for the next book in the Wild Horse series.

__________________________________________

The Wicked Horse Series

Never in your wildest dreams could you begin to imagine all the filthy and depraved things that go on inside The Wicked Horse. Step inside and Woolf Jennings will make every one of your dirty fantasies come true.

He’s covered in a facade of deception. An enticing blend of multi-millionaire and hot-as-hell Wyoming rancher, those that think they know Woolf Jennings admire his abilities to preside as CEO of his family’s cattle and oil empire. But only a privileged few truly understand what fuels the glitter of depravity in those gorgeous blue eyes. Only a few know he’s opened up a sinfully erotic and private sex club named The Wicked Horse right at the base of the beautiful Teton Mountain range.

Sweet Callie Hayes has returned home to Wyoming and is looking forward to starting her life over again. After a night of impetuosity, she’s managed to put herself right in Woolf’s line of sight… the man who she foolishly offered up her virginity to years ago and was flatly turned down.

Now Woolf is seeing that Callie is all grown up and has a kinky side to her that leaves him as confused as it does turned on. Worse yet, both Callie’s dirty desires and sweet heart are getting under his skin, and making Woolf question everything he’s ever believed about himself.

Buy : Amazon / B & N / ITunes

*******

Buy : Amazon / B & N / ITunes

________________________________________

About the Author

USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

2 Reviews = 5 STAR & 4 STAR : The Year Of Falling In Love by Jessica Sorensen – The Sunnyvale Series – Book 2

Posted on 01/12/2016 by shellbellereads

The Year of Falling In Love

Isabella Anders / Sunnyvale Series – Book 2

By Jessica Sorensen

Buy : Amazon

Book 2 in Sunnyvale Series.

Synopsis:

Isabella Anders just found out Lynn and her dad want to send her to a reform school. But with the help of Grandma Stephy, Isa’s dad agrees to let her move in with her grandma.

Isa is more than relieved to be moving out. And after going on an unofficial date with Kyler, she wonders if maybe her life is starting to turn around. But then she discovers the truth about what really happened to her mother.

Not ready to fully accept that her mother is a murderer, Isa turns to Kai for help. Kai is more than willing to help, but to protect Isa, he keeps some of the more brutal details about her mother’s case to himself until he can find out more.

But when a mysterious blue car starts showing up everywhere, and Isa receives a threatening text message from an unknown caller, Kai realizes someone is dead set on destroying Isa. And he might not be able to protect her.

_______________________________________________

Robin’s Review

Just a few months ago, author Jessica Sorensen published The Year I Became Isabella Anders, the first novel of her new Sunnyvale series. It’s a great pleasure for me to read the young adult genre, so I jumped at the opportunity to begin reading a series from the ground floor. Sorensen had a strong start to her Sunnyvale series, writing a multifaceted story composed of several subplots and intriguing characters whose backgrounds seem to be shrouded in mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed The Year I Became Isabella Anders, giving Sorensen a 5-star rating which I felt was well-deserved.

The Year of Falling in Love picks up where the first book of this series left off. Having been emotionally abused by her family for years, Isabella is a confused and lonely teenage girl. When her father and stepmother threaten to send her away to a boarding school in Montana, Isa finds a new home with her Grandma Stephy and cousin, Indigo. She also finds friendship and support from the two Meyers brothers who live next door. Kyler, the boy she’s had a crush on for years, convinces Isa to hang out with him to help keep her mind occupied. However, it’s his troubled brother, Kai, who is Isa’s true friend and protector.

Told from the alternating first person points of view of Isabella and Kai, readers are able to see several subplots which seem to unfold all at once. Isa is being followed by someone in a mysterious blue car, and she’s also noticing camera flashes out of the corner of her eye. At the same time, Kai’s life seems to be spiraling out of his control, leaving him in much the same position as Isa. Because a portion of this novel is told from Kai’s point of view, we should be able to gain some understanding of his position. But instead of finding answers from his perspective, I found this created even more questions about Kai, his relationship with his family, and the trouble he’s gotten himself into.

One of the very best parts of this story is the developing relationship between Kai and Isabella. His feelings for Isa appear to be genuine, and although she’s supposed to be dating Kyler, it’s becoming harder for her to ignore the growing feelings that she has for Kai. Subplots involving Isa, the Meyers brothers, and both families are becoming more complex as they continue to unwind. Jessica Sorensen has done an outstanding job of creating mystery and intrigue in this series. She appears to be world-building in this novel, guiding her Sunnyvale series to what I can only assume will be a dramatic conclusion. Although not as strong as the first novel of this series, The Year of Falling in Love is still a very good, and I’m assigning it a 4-star rating.

Michel’s Review

It’s interesting how different people can read the same book and walk away with different perceptions. While my blog mate, Robin , felt this book was not as strong as the first book in the Sunnyvale Series, I walked away with a different opinion.

First of all a reader must understand that Jessica Sorensen has a unique way of delivering a story. She slowly builds the story with mystery, intrigue,and adds subplots that tie into the main plot. She introduces the readers to the main characters and their issues that drive the story. She then slowly begins to unfold the story creating sexual tension, revealing passages, and creates intrigue. The romance is a slow build that becomes stronger throughout the story. There are dark moments and beautiful light hearted moments throughout the story that make her characters become more compelling. It doesn’t happen in one or two novels, it takes time to build the perfect story. Jessica Sorensen is a genius at building this kind of story that keeps the reader invested in the story.

I saw this novel as part of an intricate puzzle that was being revealed piece by piece. The first novel, The Year I Became Isabella Anders, gave this puzzle a center. The second book, The Year Of Falling In Love, built the borders around this puzzle and added a few pieces to the overall picture. The next installments will fill in all the gaps,add more color to the picture, reveal secrets hidden deeply among all the pieces, and will complete the compelling story into a beautiful portrait of two people finding themselves and falling in love.

Some readers may feel like The Year Of Falling In Love was too busy. My impression was that it was building a solid plot in a dynamic, compelling story. It moved the series along and built the intrigue.

In the first novel of the Sunnyvale Series, The Year I Became Isabella Anders the readers were introduced to the main characters, Isabella Anders, Kai Meyers, and Kyler Meyers. The readers got a glimpse of who the characters were and how their family life was a driving factor in their story. It added a mystery of Isabella’s past, gave the readers an insight of the abusive nature of Isabella’s family, and introduced problematic factors behind the closed doors of the Meyers family. A love triangle began to develop between Isabella and the Meyer brothers. The readers were left with mixed impressions of both of the Meyer brothers. While one brother seemed sincere in his interest and genuine friendship, the other brother seemed a superficial with his sudden interest in Isabella.

The second novel of the Sunnyvale Series, The Year Of Falling In Love, began to showcase the mystery and intrigue that is driving this series. The tension with Isabella’s family, her newly found strength to rebel against her family, and the beginning of revealing secrets about her mother, keep Isabella’s head spinning. Add the tension of a love triangle with a boy she has crushed on all her life and a boy that has always been her friend and this book becomes more than a mystery, it becomes a complicated romance.

In the first book the reader gets a good insight of who Isabella is as an individual. In the second book the reader begins to see her grow and become a stronger young woman. The first book introduces the Meyer brothers and the reader begins to see the differences between them. The second book gives a stronger impression of who Kai and Kyler Meyers are. Kai seems to have the same issues with his family as Isabella has with hers. He has always had Isabella’s best interest at heart. Kyle, the perfect Meyers brother, is still a bit of a mystery. While it seems that he is interested in Isabella, it also seems like he has his own agenda. He has no compassion for his younger brother. There’s a bit of a mystery as to where he fits in the overall puzzle. My creep radar was going off where he was concerned.

Although there was minimal romance in this book, Jessica gave the readers enough romance to keep the readers satisfied. Isabella had romantic encounters with both of the Meyer brothers. Each of those encounters left a solid impression. I think the readers will begin to choose which Meyers brother they want to win Isabella’s heart.

Jessica Sorensen did an excellent job creating the love triangle tension between these three characters. She also did an excellent job adding more layers to the mystery and intrigue of Isabella’s past. She created enough mystique and tension to keep the readers wanting more of the Sunnyvale series.

Jessica Sorensen has once again created a dynamic series and delivered a captivating installment to the story.

I can’t wait for the next book in the Sunnyvale Series. I want the rest of the story!

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Isabella Anders has always been the girl that never fit in. Most days she feels invisible, especially when she’s around her older sister, Hannah, who catches the eye of everyone, including Kai and Kyler, the boys who live next door.

Isabella has had a crush on Kyler for years, but knows he’ll never see her as anything more than Hannah’s little sister, unless she finds a way to standout.

When Isabella gets an offer from her grandmother to travel overseas for the summer, she seizes the opportunity, hoping she’ll discover more about herself. And she does, but not in the way that she expected.

Three months later, Isabella returns home an entirely new person. The change is enough to catch both Kyler and Kai’s attention. But Isabella is still struggling with what she discovered over the summer and until she deals with the truth, she’ll never truly be herself.

Buy: Amazon

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Jessica Sorensen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author from the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

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Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: TAP by Georgia Cates – Lovibond Series – Book 1

Posted on 01/11/2016 by shellbellereads

A faceless name. That’s all she was when I agreed to play a part in deceiving her. But then the unplanned happened.

We met. And all I wanted from her was a dirty weekend . . . until that wasn’t enough and I longed for so much more.

Lawrence Thorn suddenly means the world to me. And that’s a problem. She’s my business partner’s sister. Forbidden fruit. Pursuing her can mean trouble for me at Lovibond Brewery. But I don’t care.

I yearn for her skin against mine.

I crave her smell on my body.

I want to make her laugh and then hear her moan my name.

And she does for a brief moment in time.

But Lawrence wants more than I’m able to give. And it’s a damn shame because there’s no one on earth I want more than her.

An epic love.

A miserable ending.

Unless it’s not.

Amazon / Amazon UK

Lucas Broussard

“I told you I didn’t need a man to feel complete. I meant that.” I’m going to make her come

so hard she’s going to know what she’s been missing.

I stroke the back of my hand down her cheek. Soft. Smooth. Delicate. “You’re beautiful,

Wren.”

Most of the women I’ve been with are too skinny, and they hide behind masks of cosmetics.

But not Wren. She’s an all-natural woman.

She’s very different from Bridgette, yet alike in many ways.

Both make me laugh.

Both put me at ease.

Both are so genuine.

I rub her hip and there’s actually something there to grab instead of skin-covered bone.

Skinny isn’t attractive to me. I like curves and shape. Wren is everything I like in a woman.

She strokes my face again, running the tips of her fingers through my facial hair. “I love this,

Brou. It’s my idea of manly beauty.” I’m used to being called Boudreaux. But I can get used to

Brou if it’s coming from her.

“Manly beauty.” This is the second time she’s made a reference about me being manly.

Makes me wonder if she’s ever been with a man she considers masculine. Well, I’m going to

show her how much of a man I am. And not just once.

I lower myself until I’m hovering over her. I press my lips to the side of her neck as I grasp

the back of her thigh and bend it at the knee. That’s it, baby. Wrap it around me.

I glide my hand up the back of her smooth leg until it’s inside her shorts. And panties. Same

song from last night. Second verse. But it’s palm against bare ass this time.

I wonder what she’d do if my fingers left the safety of her ass cheek and moved to that

sensitive place between her legs. Let’s find out.

It’s been a long time for Wren. I don’t want to rush this so I move slowly, gliding my hand up

to her waist before moving it lower. She jolts when I touch her groin. “Sorry. I’m terribly ticklish

there.” Duly noted. I’ll use that to my advantage later.

I move my hand away from the bend of her leg closer to her center. “What about that?

Better?”

“Yes.” The single word comes out in a soft whisper. Time to take her breath away, as

promised.

She pants as the tips of my fingers stroke her through the wet crotch of her panties. I’ve

barely touched her and she’s drenched. Physical proof of her arousal and desire for me. Fucking

beautiful.

I push her panties aside and drag my finger up her wet center. She jolts when I graze her clit.

Given it’s been a long time, she’ll be more sensitive than ever. That’s going to make this even

hotter.

I take my hand out of her panties and suck her slick moisture from my fingers. “Mmm . . .

you are delicious. I can’t wait to taste you fully.”

She reaches up a

nd rubs my bottom lip. “You have a dirty mouth.”

“I have a greedy mouth. Lucky you.”

Michel’s Review

Georgia Cates has another hit to add to her outstanding lists of publications. I was pleasantly surprised and enchanted by TAP, the first book in the Lovibond Series. It was a realistic, mature, and emotional romance that had dynamic characters and an interesting plot.

The Lovibond Series is based around the three owners of the highly successful Lovibond Brewery. Three completely different men partner in a brewery business and make it a huge success in the micro brewery industry. Each man has his own talents he brings to the table. Together they make a dynamic trio even though their personal lives are on different pages.

TAP features the sexy Cajun numbers man of the company, Lucas Broussard. Lucas has an unusual history that has left him jaded. He no longer believes in marriage and has no desire to start a family. He’s happy to have casual hookups and is completely honest with his intentions. But when he meets his partner’s sister, Lawrence Thorn, he begins to look at love, romance, and relationships differently. Although he may be ready to fall in love, he still harbors the same feelings towards marriage and children. Can Lawrence be the one that changes TAP or will he let go of the only woman that touched his heart?

Georgia Cates did a wonderful job creating a touching romance that was not overloaded with angst that drove the story. She gave her characters very viable and challenging issues that many modern day couples face in their relationships. She allowed her characters to fumble, make mistakes, and learn from those mistakes to make wise choices that would lead to life long happiness.

I cannot wait for the next two books in the Lovibond Series. Georgia Cates has created the perfect recipe for the Lovibond Brewery crew. Romance at it’s finest.

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Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author and hasn’t looked back yet.

When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. When she’s being domestic, she’s listening to her iPod and visualizing scenes for her current work in progress. Every story coming from her always has a song to inspire it.

Representation: All questions regarding subsidiary rights for any of my books, inquiries regarding foreign translation and film rights should be directed to Jane Dystel of Dystel & Goderich.

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Release Blitz + Review: Shifting Gears by Audra North – Hard Driving Series – Book 2

Posted on 12/01/2015 by shellbellereads

Shifting Gears

Hard Driving Series – Book 2

By Audra North

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Synopsis

She’s not at all what he expected. He’s just as sinfully sexy as she remembered. And together they’re about to heat up the track.

Grady Hart is the black sheep of his family. For years he’s managed the Hart Racing team, but while racing is in his blood, his real passion lies under the hood. Ready to start out on his own, all he needs to do is find a replacement for his old job. However, the best candidate for crew chief isn’t someone he would have expected: sweet, proper Annabelle Murrary, the literal Girl Next Door who’s definitely grown up since high school.

All her life Annabelle has tried to fit into the role of perfect daughter-and failed. Divorced, broke and living back home with her mother, she’s tired of trying to live up to her parents’ impossible standards. Taking on the position as crew chief for a successful racing team-and getting her hands dirty-is just what she’s looking for…but first she has to get past her old crush on her new boss. After all, it’s never smart to mix business with pleasure, or is it?

Tina’s Review

⭐ ⭐ Provided by Publisher in Exchange for an Honest Review ⭐ ⭐

Judging a Book by it’s Cover:
Bright, bold colors, young edgy couple.
Looking Deeper:
Third-person POV, novella length. Second book in series, but can stand alone.
Grady is passionate, but a bit low on self-confidence. Annabelle is learning to stand on her own two feet. Both crushed on one another during there teens without the other knowing. Now she’s back and they’re just as in lust. She gets hired on at Hart Racing, he’s branching out with Carbon Works.
Secondary characters mostly consist of the Hart crew and racing community that we’ve meet in book 1, however there are some additional characters included to create additional drama and conflict. Grady and Annabelle’s chemistry is rather smokin’ hot. Beware: Workplace Sex does occur! The dialogue and interaction are perfectly natural feeling. The plot is not bad, but was not as full and dynamic as I think it could have been – but given the length of the story, I’m pleased with what was packed in. The writing flowed smoothly. There were a few minor conflicts, but most were self-imposed or -inflicted. Problems were resolved in mediocre manners. There was some predictability, but not enough to ruin things. The conclusion was okay, but with all the hoopla throughout this installment around Kerri and Ranger’s wedding, I’d thought for sure we’d read a little about the wedding. It was a bit of a disappointment when it did not happen.

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Author Bio:

Audra North fell in love with romance at age thirteen and spent the next twenty years reading as many romance novels as she could. Even now, after having read over one thousand of them, Audra still can’t resist the lure of a happily ever after, and her collection continues to grow. She lives near Boston with her husband, three young children, and a lot of books. Visit her website at audranorth.com or find her (way too frequently) on Twitter @AudraNorth.

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Review & Excerpt Tour: Kiss The Flame by Christopher Rice

Posted on 11/20/2015 by shellbellereads

Amazon eBook Amazon Paperback**

EXCERPT:

Michael Brouchard has staged the congratulatory dinner she never had, the one her father effectively canceled a year before when he stormed out of the house in a rage. As if the balloons weren’t enough, there’s a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket next to the table. Laney hesitates behind her empty chair, grasping the back of it with one sweaty hand. She reads the champagne bottle’s label in the flickering candlelight. It’s VeuveClicquot, the vintage, her first year of high school.

They’ve only had one conversation that’s lasted longer than a few minutes, and already Michael has filled a gap in her life. Not only that, he recognized it was there in the first place, that it was pulling at the fabric of her self-worth more than she wanted to admit. She knew tonight would be full of seductive risks, but didn’t expect to start here, with an overwhelming sense of having been seen and heard and valued.

He gestures to her empty chair, waits for her to take her seat before taking his own. Only once she’s seated does she realize Michael had extended his hand toward hers and she’d been too distracted by the balloons and the champagne to notice. Now there’s no going back to rectify her rudeness without sounding like a sputtering idiot. The host, who has stood by politely throughout her hesitation, hands her a menu and departs. She’s folding her napkin across her lap when she sees a large envelope resting against the edge of her plate, as large as a wedding invite. Her name is written on the outside in precise, draftsman-like handwriting. Just her first name. Not her last name. And not Miss Foley, which they both agreed he wouldn’t call her anymore.

Laney.

Her hands shake as she tears open the envelope, as she unfolds the piece of heavy sketch paper inside of it. The breath goes out of her when she finds herself staring down at the amazingly detailed pencil sketch of—me. That’s me. That’s me holding a rosein one hand while more rose petals shower down all sides of me. Roses for the Rose Scholarship. Oh, my God. He drew me.

The card seems to waver suddenly. She’s blinking back tears.

She can’t remember the last time anyone has been this thoughtful, this kind. She’s never thought of herself as a victim of abuse. But what do you call an entire lifetime of having your own intelligence, your own competence used against you, an entire lifetime of everyone from your parents to your friends thinking they don’t really have to show up for you because you do such a good job of showing up for yourself?

Sometimes you don’t know you’ve got a shell around your heart until it cracks.

Get it together, Laney. Get it—

“Laney…are you all right?” Michael asks.

A sane and reasonable answer is right on the tip of her tongue.

About KISS THE FLAME:

In a standalone novella that combines the worlds of THE FLAME and his novel, THE SURRENDER GATE, New York Times bestselling author Christopher Rice returns you to a mysterious candle shop in the New Orleans French Quarter where the scents of passion provide the courage to embrace your heart’s desire.

Are some risks worth taking?

Laney Foley is the first woman from her hard working family to attend college. That’s why she can’t act on her powerful attraction to one of the gorgeous teaching assistants in her Introduction to Art History course. Getting involved with a man who has control over her final grade is just too risky. But ever since he first laid eyes on her, Michael Brouchard seems to think about little else but the two of them together. And it’s become harder for Laney to ignore his intelligence and his charm.

During a walk through the French Quarter, an intoxicating scent that reminds Laney of her not-so-secret admirer draws her into an elegant scented candle shop. The shop’s charming and mysterious owner seems to have stepped out of another time, and he offers Laney a gift that could break down the walls of her fear in a way that can only be described as magic. But will she accept it?

Light this flame at the scene of your greatest passion and all your desires will be yours…

Lilliane Williams is a radiant, a supernatural being with the power to make your deepest sexual fantasy take shape around you with just a gentle press of her lips to yours. But her gifts came at a price. Decades ago, she set foot inside what she thought was an ordinary scented candle shop in the French Quarter. When she resisted the magical gift offered to her inside, Lilliane was endowed with eternal youth and startling supernatural powers, but the ability to experience and receive romantic love was removed from her forever. When Lilliane meets a young woman who seems poised to make the same mistake she did years before, she becomes determined to stop her, but that will mean revealing her truth to a stranger. Will Lilliane’s story provide Laney with the courage she needs to open her heart to the kind of true love only magic can reveal?

Tracey’s Review

Laney Foley has never felt like she is enough. Not rich enough, not smart enough, not lovable enough. Michael Brouchard, though, sees Laney in a different light. And he’s more than willing to help Laney face her fears and see herself the way that he sees her.

KISS THE FLAME by author Christopher Rice is part of the 1001 Dark Nights novella series. Christopher has done a great job of painting a picture of New Orleans as a city filled with passion and sensuality, a place straddling the line between darkness and light, where even the most seemingly fanciful ideas are a possibility. Laney, who has been made to feel like less for most of her life, wants to be with Michael, but is held back by all of the ‘what ifs.’ When she’s given the opportunity to have her heart’s desire, to trust in the unknown, she’s tempted, until a very unique visitor helps her to see that the she already has the power within herself.

Maybe there was no one thing or one act that could make your fears go away forever. The best you could do was to wake up each day and make a resolution to ignore fear’s invitations to false comfort and illusory safety–its invitation to say less, risk less, to love less, to be less. It was a daily decision, being willing to fall in love, and now it was hers to make.

Ultimately, KISS THE FLAME is a story about choices, the choices that all of us face on a daily basis, that will either keep us imprisoned by our own weaknesses, or free us to live life to its fullest. I enjoyed this read very much, and am now on a mission to go back and read more of Christopher Rice’s work. 4 mysterious, passionate, empowering stars for this one. This one definitely needs to be added to your TBR.

***ARC generously provided by the publisher for an honest review.***

About Christopher Rice:

After publishing four New York Times bestselling thrillers by the age of 30 and being declared one of People Magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive, award-winning writer Christopher Rice became the first author to make his erotic romance debut part of the 1,001 DARK NIGHTS series. THE FLAME: A Desire Exchange Novella kicked off a steamy new series set in New Orleans, featuring magical candles and a sexy new breed of supernatural beings, The Radiants, who are devoted to helping heroes and heroines realize their heart’s desire. THE FLAME earned accolades from some of the biggest names in erotic romance and was quickly followed up by THE SURRENDER GATE: A Desire Exchange Novel, available from Evil Eye Concepts as a Blue Box Special. Aside from authoring eight works of dark suspense, Christopher is also the co-host and executive producer of a streaming Internet radio show he launched with his best friend, New York Times bestselling author Eric Shaw Quinn. Each Sunday at 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT, THE DINNER PARTY SHOW WITH CHRISTOPHER RICE & ERIC SHAW QUINN brings you a new episode at TheDinnerPartyShow.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | KISS THE FLAME on Goodreads

Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Feisty Princess by Michelle A. Valentine – A Manhattan Fairytale – Book 2

Posted on 10/15/2015 by shellbellereads

Didn’t get enough of Alexander in NAUGHTY KING? Us either. Get more of him in FEISTY PRINCESS by New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author, Michelle A. Valentine – available now!

Feisty Princess

By Michelle A. Valentine

A Sexy Manhatten Fairytale – Book 2

Synopsis

I’m fucked.
Royally.
She tempted me—screwed with my head—and gained the upper hand.
She’s the enemy.
I can’t forget that.
My weakness jeopardized my company.
The Feisty Princess of Manhattan will not win this war.
No matter how fantastic her lips felt around my cock.

Book two in a three part erotic romance series. Super naughty new series From NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Michelle A. Valentine (Rock the Heart, Phenomenal X, Demon at My Door).

Buy Links coming soon…..

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

About Naughty King (A Sexy Manhattan Fairytale: Part One)

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Google Books | iBooks

Dirty Royals (A Sexy Manhattan Fairytale: Part Three) — Coming Soon

EXCERPT

The soft ding of the elevator stopping on this otherwise quiet floor catches my attention. I practically leap out of my seat, not wanting to be in a position to be talked down to if it is Alexander.

It’s only seven. Most of the employees don’t start rolling in for at least another forty-five minutes, but I know that Alexander is always the first one at the office every morning.

I hold my breath as I hear heavy footsteps head in my direction.

Our gazes meet as soon as he rounds the corner and turns into my office. He’s always so put together, and today is no different as he waltzes toward my desk in his perfectly pressed black suit. I stare into Alexander’s gray eyes, ready to begin our verbal sparring match, but I never get the chance to say a word. He turns without so much as a word to me and storms into his adjoining office, slamming the door shut behind him in the process.

My mouth drops open. So much for my thought-out plan of attack.

I plop down in my chair and do my best to pretend the man, who is now my husband, isn’t on the other side of that door, avoiding me at all costs.

Asshole.

I flip off the door but refuse to go chasing after him to demand answers. If he wants to play ‘let’s pretend last weekend never happened,’ then so be it.

Game on.

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Tracey’s Review

When I told you to marry some schmuck for money, I didn’t mean me!

Following the ‘Oh, HECK, no!’ ending of NAUGHTY KING, Book 1 in the Sexy Manhattan Fairytale series by Michelle Valentine, Alexander King and Margo Buchanan are back and in fine form in FEISTY PRINCESS.

After giving in to their mutual combustible passion while on a trip to Las Vegas, the King and his Princess find themselves married. To each other. Which wouldn’t be a problem if they didn’t detest each other so much. Still determined to clear her father’s name, and bail out his failing company, Margo finds the ball squarely in her court, because, no matter what he does, Alexander will find himself one-half poorer. King is nothing if not a brilliant businessman, though, and knows that Buchanan Industries could well slip away from him if he doesn’t play his cards right.

FEISTY PRINCESS is just as infinitely readable as NAUGHTY KING. There is no shortage of sexy-as-sin action, as well as the ever-growing feelings between Alexander and Margo. Michelle also shows us more of the softer side of Alexander, by introducing those closest to him, and offering a look into the man behind the suit. Finally, this wouldn’t be part of the Sexy Manhattan Fairytale without Yamada, and he is in fine form. An instigator to the nth degree, it is also clear that he cares deeply about Alexander, and wants him to be happy. Watching him engineer events to make that happen is the icing on the cake.

As with Book 1, things are left up in the air as FEISTY PRINCESS ends, but this just makes me all the more ready for DIRTY ROYALS, the third and final book of the series. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and grab this flirty, dirty, hot read, and enjoy.

***ARC generously provided by the author for an honest review.***

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ABOUT MICHELLE A. VALENTINE

Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of erotic and New Adult romance. Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos, and sexy musicians inspired her erotic BLACK FALCON series.

Be a little naughty – join Valentine’s Vixens on Facebook for sneak peeks at Michelle’s upcoming works, as well as fun and chatting with her and other readers!

Release Blitz + Excerpt + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh – Rock Kiss Series – Book 3

Posted on 10/09/2015 by shellbellereads

Rock Redemption

Rock Kiss Series – Book 3

By Nalini Singh

Release Date: October 6, 2015

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

Kit and Noah’s rock star romance is finally here in the newest addition to Nalini Singh’s Rock Kiss Series!!

Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh comes the next contemporary romance in the Rock Kiss series…

Kit Devigny could have loved rock guitarist Noah St. John. Their friendship burned with the promise of intense passion and searing tenderness…until the night Noah deliberately shattered her heart.

Noah knows he destroyed something precious the night he chose to betray Kit, but he’d rather she hate him than learn his darkest secret. All he has left is his music. It’s his saving grace, but it doesn’t silence the voices that keep him up at night. Chasing oblivion through endless one-night-stands, he earns a few hours’ sleep and his bad boy reputation.

When a media error sees Noah and Kit dubbed the new “it” couple, Kit discovers her chance at the role of a lifetime hinges on riding the media wave. Wanting–needing–to give Kit this, even if he can’t give her everything, Noah agrees to play the adoring boyfriend. Only the illusion is suddenly too real, too painful, too beautiful…and it may be too late for the redemption of Noah St. John.

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

Excerpt

Kit groaned at the sound of her phone. Reaching out blindly toward the nightstand, she hurled mental curses upon herself for forgetting to turn it off so she could catch some uninterrupted sleep before her four-a.m. makeup call.

It’d be fun and great for her career, her agent had said when recommending Kit take the superhero flick. Coming off two serious and emotionally wrenching projects, Kit had taken Harper’s advice and jumped on board the high-budget, high-octane venture. Unfortunately, Harper had forgotten to mention the four hours it would take to put her into the head-to-toe makeup required for the role. Daily.

“What?” she snarled into the phone without checking to see who it was.

“Hey, Katie.”

Every cell in her body snapped wide awake. Lifting her eyelids, she just stared at the ceiling through gritty eyes. Her heart thumped, her throat moving convulsively as she swallowed. She hated that he could still do this to her, hated it, but her visceral response to Noah wasn’t something she could stop. She knew because she’d tried for the past two years and three months.

“Noah,” she said flatly. “Do you know what time it is?”

“Two fifteen,” he answered.

Kit should’ve hung up. God, he’d hurt her. So much. But there was something in his voice that had her sitting up. “Are you drunk?” One thing she knew about Noah: no matter his bad-boy rep, he was never wasted. He might give a good indication of it, but look closely and those dark gray eyes were always sober.

“Probably.” A silence, followed by, “I just wanted to hear your voice. Sorry for waking you.”

“Wait,” she said when he would’ve hung up. “Where are you?”

“Some dive.” He took a deep breath, released it in a harsh exhale. “I’m sorry for being an asshole. I wanted to tell you that. I don’t want to go without saying that.”

“Noah,” she said, a horrible feeling in her stomach. “Where exactly are you?”

“The Blue Flamingo Inn off Hollywood Boulevard. Far, far, far off.” He laughed, and it held no humor. “It has a neon sign of a blue—surprise!—flamingo that’s flashing right through my window. Looks like someone stole the curtains.”

Having already grabbed her laptop, which she’d left beside the bed after answering some e-mails before sleep claimed her, she found the Blue Flamingo Inn. But Noah was already gone, having said, “I love your voice, Kit,” in an oddly raw tone before hanging up.

He didn’t pick up when she called back.

“Damn it! Damn it!” She shoved aside the blanket under which she’d been buried, having turned the AC to ice-cold as she usually did at night. Shivering, she tugged on a pair of jeans and an old sweatshirt over the panties and tank top in which she’d gone to sleep.

Pulling her black hair into a rough ponytail to keep it out of her eyes, she ran through the house, phone in one pocket, credit card and driver’s license in the other. In the kitchen, she grabbed her keys off the counter and shoved her feet into the tennis shoes by the door that led to the garage.

She was in her car and on the way to the motel three minutes after Noah had hung up, mouth dry and an ugliness in her gut. “Please be okay, please be okay, please be okay,” she kept saying, the mantra doing nothing to calm her down, but at least it kept her mind focused.

She wanted to call Molly and Fox, or the others in the band, but no one was currently in the city. Schoolboy Choir had completed the final show in the band’s hugely successful tour just over two weeks earlier. Day after that, they’d all gone their separate ways to recharge and regroup.

“Much as I love these guys,” David had said with a grin that reached the dark gold of his eyes, “I’ve been looking at their ugly mugs daily for months. We need to go blow off some steam separately before we start snarling at each other.”

At the time, Kit had nodded in understanding, having had that same experience while working on location for long periods. Tonight, however, she wished the others were all here, not scattered across the country, because something was very wrong with Noah.

“Noah doesn’t do drugs,” she told herself as she drove as fast as she dared, not wanting to risk getting pulled over and further delayed. “He isn’t the kind to—” She couldn’t say it, couldn’t even think of Noah ending his life. “No,” she said firmly, her hands white-knuckled on the steering wheel. “Noah isn’t like that.”

If you’d like to read the rest of this chapter, as well as the next, click this link: http://nalinisingh.com/books/rock-kiss-series/rock-redemption/

Michel’s Review

Readers have been anxiously awaiting the release of Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh. Rock Redemption is the third book in the Rock Kiss series.

Readers were introduced to the mysterious and dynamic lead guitarist of Schoolboy Choir, Noah St. John, in the first book. Noah is the typical rock god manwhore on the surface. Beneath the surface is a very tortured soul. Noah is his own worst enemy. He pushes away the people that mean the most to him. He doesn’t know how to love. He doesn’t know how to accept love. He does value his friendships and brotherhood with the guys in the band. They are his chosen family. He also values his deep abiding friendship with movie star Kit Divegny.

Kit met Noah when they both were starting out in their careers. Kit came from a privileged background but wanted to do things on her own. She started her acting career like most starving actors do and paid her dues. She paved her own path. The one constant thing from the beginning to present day is her deep friendship with the guys from Schoolboy Choir. She has a developed a very close relationship with Noah. He has always supported her career, her choices, and encouraged to reach for the stars. After years of friendship their relationship starts evolving into a more meaningful relationship. It is leading to that once in a lifetime kind of love. Noah can’t handle any relationship let alone a romantic relationship. He does the unforgivable and betrays Kit in the worst way. Not only has he ruined the chance of a beautiful loving relationship, he has also ruined his friendship. He has lost his best friend. He has lost the one person that would never betray him. He has completely lost himself.

Noah has finally hit rock bottom. In drunken desperation he calls Kit out of the blue. Kit has finally moved on in her life and her career is taking off into the super stardom realm. Noah coming back into her life could be a disaster in many ways. It could destroy her. She doesn’t know if she can survive it again. But Noah is in trouble and she can’t turn a blind eye.

As this story evolves it is gut wrenching. It focuses more on Noah and his troubled life. It is his journey to finally letting go of the past and learning about love in every aspect. He will have to learn to open his heart up to those he holds dear. He will also have to learn how to show how he feels. He will have to earn Kit’s trust and prove to her that he is worth taking a chance on.

This book mainly focused on Noah and Kit’s troubled friendship. It took a lot to repair because Noah is truly one messed up individual. The real romance didn’t evolve until the later part of the book. Readers only got a small fraction of the romance that Noah can be capable of. I am hoping there will be a novella featuring Kit and Noah now that they are a couple. I would love to see how Noah has grown as an individual as well as a soulmate.

Nalinin Singh didn’t pull any punches where Noah was concerned. She showed the ugliness of his soul. At times I felt like I hated him. She allowed him to be completely exposed so that when he started to heal we could fall head over heels for the man he was meant to be.

I highly recommend the Rock Kiss series. Each member of Schoolboy Choir has a story to tell.

______________________________________________

Rock Kiss Series

Rock Addiction – Book 1

A bad boy wrapped in a sexy, muscled, grown-up package might be worth a little risk…

Molly Webster has always followed the rules. After an ugly scandal tore apart her childhood and made her the focus of the media’s harsh spotlight, she vowed to live an ordinary life. No fame. No impropriety. No pain. Then she meets Zachary Fox, a tattooed bad boy rocker with a voice like whiskey and sin, and a touch that could become an addiction.

A one-night stand with the hottest rock star on the planet, that’s all it was meant to be…

Fox promises scorching heat and dangerous pleasure, coaxing Molly to extend their one-night stand into a one-month fling. After that, he’ll be gone forever, his life never again intersecting with her own. Sex and sin and sensual indulgence, all with an expiration date. No ties, no regrets. Too late, Molly realizes it isn’t only her body that’s become addicted to Fox, but her heart…

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Rock Courtship – Book 1.5

What happens when the Gentleman of Rock decides to play dirty?

A drummer for the hottest rock band on the planet, David has a single, powerful weakness: Thea, the band’s publicist and the woman who steals his breath away with her every move.

Only problem is, Thea doesn’t date clients—or musicians. Emotionally scarred by a cheating ex, she’s not about to risk her heart with a man who has groupies buzzing around him like flies. Even if his sexy smile ties her up in knots.

What she doesn’t know is that David is a one-woman man…and he’s madly in love with her. David’s determined to prove he’s worth the risk, and willing to court her, step by exquisite step. Thea’s about to discover just how long and hard this handsome drummer can play.

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Rock Hard – Book 2

In New York Times Bestselling author Nalini Singh’s newest contemporary romance, passion ignites between a gorgeous, sinfully sexy man who built himself up from nothing and a shy woman who has a terrible secret in her past…

Wealthy businessman Gabriel Bishop rules the boardroom with the same determination and ruthlessness that made him a rock star on the rugby field. He knows what he wants, and he’ll go after it no-holds-barred.

And what he wants is Charlotte Baird.

Charlotte knows she’s a mouse. Emotionally scarred and painfully shy, she just wants to do her job and remain as invisible as possible. But the new CEO—a brilliant, broad-shouldered T-Rex of a man who growls and storms through the office, leaving carnage in his wake—clearly has other plans. Plans that may be equal parts business and bedroom.

If Charlotte intends to survive this battle of wits and hearts, the mouse will have to learn to wrangle the T-Rex. Game on.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

________________________________________________________

Author Bio:

NEW YORK TIMES AND USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series Nalini Singh usually writes about hot shapeshifters and dangerous angels. This time around, she decided to write about a hot and wickedly tempting rock star. If you’re seeing a theme here, you’re not wrong.

Nalini lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing. If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. Once Rock Addiction is out, swing by the site to check out the special behind-the-scenes page, complete with photos of many of the locations used in the book.

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