Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: Commanding Her Trust by Lili Valente – Under His Command Series – Book 2

Posted on 03/04/2015 by shellbellereads

Commanding Her Trust

Under His Command Series – Book 2

By Lili Valente

Synopsis

**Warning: This book features a Dominant alpha man who will push your boundaries until you beg for more. Read at your own risk.**

Blake Roberts is falling hard for his old flame and won’t stop until Erin is his. He doesn’t simply want her body; he wants her submission, her abandon, and the wounded heart she’s trying so hard to hide.

He wants all of her and he’s pulling out all the stops–in the bedroom and out–until she surrenders.

For Erin, what started as a charade has become all too real. She’s never experienced anything like the savage bliss she’s discovered in Blake’s arms. He tests her, dominates her, and if she doesn’t gain her freedom, soon he’ll own her–body and soul.

She has to escape even if running from Blake feels like running from the only home she’s ever known.

Cliffhanger Alert: This steamy read ends in a cliffhanger. If you don’t like being teased, steer clear. The entire UNDER HIS COMMAND series, Erin and Blake’s complete love story, will publish in February and March of 2015.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tracey’s Review

Holy hot cliffhanger, book lovers! After reading Controlling Her Pleasure by Lili Valente, I could not WAIT to get my hands on Commanding Her Trust, the second book in Lili’s Under His Command series. Let me tell you, this book did not disappoint. Talk about off-the-charts hot, this book absolutely scorches. Every single scene is alive with the passion that Blake and Erin have for each other.

Blake and Erin have moved forward in this book. Although their desire for each other is always simmering just below each interaction, each of them knows that their relationship cannot move forward without inspiring trust in the other. If they are to get past the events that have brought them to Blake’s remote cabin, they have to start being honest with each other. But when Blake takes his role as Dom to a level that has Erin retreating, it’s going to take a lot more than passion and the love that hasn’t gotten any less powerful to make a go of it.

I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see what Lili has in store for Blake and Erin. Claiming Her Heart (Book 3) can’t get here quickly enough, but, in the meantime, another 5+ smoldery stars for Commanding Her Trust.

Under His Command Series

Controlling Her Pleasure – Book 1

Blake Roberts has everything he’s ever wanted—fame, money, and ownership of the hottest chain of tattoo parlors in the country. But he’s haunted by his first love, the matching tattoo they share a constant reminder of who he was before he learned how to control his emotions, his desire, and a woman’s pleasure.

He needs to purge her from his heart, and he’ll do whatever it takes to be free.

Erin Perry’s been burned by love and she’s not ready to put her body under a man’s control, let alone her heart. But then Blake shows up, the only man she ever truly loved. Blake is ruthlessly handsome, and seething commanding energy that has her aching to submit.

To be pleasured, tamed, owned, and put under His control.

Warning: This book features a big, tattooed, Dominant alpha male—give him your trust and he’ll command your pleasure. All. Night. Long. Cliffhanger Alert: This steamy read ends in a cliffhanger. If you don’t like being teased, steer clear. The entire Under His Command series, Erin and Blake’s complete love story, will publish in February and March of 2015.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Commanding Her Trust – Book 2

March 2, 2015

He wants all of her and he’s pulling out all the stops–in the bedroom and out–until she surrenders.

She has to escape even if running from Blake feels like running from the only home she’s ever known.

Claiming Her Heart – Book 3

March 16, 2015

Blake has what he thought he wanted–Erin’s submission, her trust, and the woman he loves back in his bed. But with her submission comes protection of her secrets. Erin is in trouble and an innocent life hangs in the balance.

Blake knows he can help her break free of the past, but he doesn’t know if a man like himself belongs in her future.

How can he swear to protect her from danger when he has a dark side of his own?

Pre Oder: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes
About Author

Lili Valente has slept under the stars in Greece, eaten dinner at midnight with French men who couldn’t be trusted to keep their mouths on their food, and walked alone through Munich’s red light district after dark and lived to tell the tale.

These days you can find her writing in a tent beside the sea, drinking coconut water and thinking delightfully dirty thoughts.

Lili loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her via email at lili.valente.romance@gmail.com

Website ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

5 Star Review + Giveaway: Very Twisted Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills – The Briarcrest Academy Series – Book 3

Posted on 03/04/2015 by shellbellereads

Very Twisted Things

A Standalone Briarcrest Academy Novel – Book 3

By Ilsa Madden-Mills

Release Date: March 1, 2015

A sassy violinist who lives next door…

The rock star who spies on her…

And the one night she bares it all.

Life will never be the same in Tinseltown.

Synopsis

Vital Rejects front guy Sebastian Tate never imagined his YouTube music video would go viral, sky-rocketing him to acting success in Hollywood. Okay, maybe he did. After all, he’s a cocky dude who knows he’s hot-as-hell, and it was only a matter of time before his stars aligned.

But life in Tinseltown is never what it seems.

After being cheated on by his ex-lover, his only rule to falling in love is simple: Keep Calm and Don’t Do It. So, spying on his mysterious new neighbor with binoculars seems innocent enough, but quickly escalates into an erotic game between two very unlikely people.

Twenty-year-old Violet St. Lyons is a world-renowned violinist who’s lost her mojo on stage. She hides away in a Hollywood mansion, trying to find her way through her twisted past in order to make her future.

He’s the life of the party with girls chasing him down for his autograph. She’s the introvert with a potty mouth who doesn’t even know who he is.

When they meet, stars collide, sparks fly, and clothes come off. Yet, giving his heart to a girl isn’t Sebastian’s plan; falling for a guy who craves attention isn’t Violet’s.

Welcome to Briarcrest Academy—Hollywood style—where sometimes the best things in life are VERY TWISTED THINGS.

This book is a standalone even though it’s part of a series. Everything you need to know is in this book. Genre: 18+ Hot New Adult Romance.

Buy: Amazon

Prologue

Violet

“Fairy dust is not real. This I know.” —from the journal of Violet St. Lyons

Boom!

I, Violet St. Lyons, who once believed herself the luckiest girl in the world, was born on the same day that the Violette–Sells comet was discovered. My parents, two avid stargazers, said it was a sign of how special I was and promptly named me Violet. They claimed my life had been blessed with fairy dust.

At the very least, comet residue.

I’d foolishly believed it for eighteen years, until the moment of my death.

Which was now.

Boom! Another explosion rocked the plane and metal ripped away as a section of the aircraft to my right vanished. Luggage flew through the air. People disappeared. The mom with the baby who’d sat in the aisle across from us—gone. The redheaded flight attendant who’d been collecting trash—gone. Disembodied screams echoed from the surrounding passengers as my own scream took up most of the space in my head. Air sucked at us viciously from the outside as a tornado of people banged around the space and one by one got pulled out into the swirling abyss.

I watched, helplessly transfixed, as I sat between my parents, gripping each of their hands as the plane we’d boarded six hours earlier for Dublin spiraled toward the Atlantic Ocean. I was going to die. My mother was already dead, a twisted piece of shrapnel sticking grotesquely from her chest as her head lolled around her neck. Blood had already soaked her shirt, yet I refused to let go of her hand. She’d be okay. We were always okay. We were the St. Lyons family of Manhattan, an icon of old money wealth with deep political ties. Page six of the New York Times featured pictures of us on a monthly basis. We couldn’t die on a plane.

Reality dawned as we plummeted. The yellow breathing apparatus dropped and dangled in my face, taunting me with its pointlessness. Fire and black smoke boiled in front of us where the cockpit had been, and my mind recognized that the pilots had to be dead. Just a few minutes ago, they’d come over the intercom and announced that the plane was making its descent into Dublin Airport exactly on schedule.

Then the first explosion had gone off.

Bits of debris flew around, narrowly missing me. My elderly father grabbed my hand and squeezed, his face drawn back in a horrible grimace. Fear and then horror flickered across his face as he saw Mother, but there was no time to comfort him.

Paralyzed in my seat, we spun like a drunken top, and a part of my brain noticed the sun was rising, its pink tinge lending a soft glow, catching the reflection of clouds and making them silver-lined. The rocky coast of Ireland glittered in the distance. Mocking me. We’d been headed there to celebrate my eighteenth birthday.

Just then my violin case flew past my head from the overhead compartment and crashed against the wall of the plane. Shards flew. I shuddered and wanted to vomit. God, help us. We were here because of me. Our deaths were my fault. I spared a glance at the diamond promise ring Geoff had given me before we’d left. Would the Mayor of New York’s son go on without me?

The air was turbulent yet thin, and my chest tightened as dizziness pulled at me. I resisted. Had to stay awake. Had to be with my dad. I was younger, stronger, faster. My eyes went to the gaping hole in the plane. Had to think ahead. Plan. Water would fill up the plane on impact, ensuring we’d sink rapidly.

My fear escalated as the ocean rushed at us, its surface choppy and ominous. I took in a giant breath and braced myself. We hit at an angle, the plane a torpedo as it sliced into the sea. Daddy disappeared, ejected by the impact, and I yanked on my seat belt, unclicking it to go after him. Heart thundering, I sent a final look at my mother. I wanted to take her with me, but she was gone.

Water everywhere, bubbling and gurgling as it filled up the plane. Salt water stung my eyes. People floated by, some alive as they floundered for the opening. I kept my gaze off the dead ones. Focus. Get out. Only seconds left.

I swam from my seat and fought my way out of the large hole in the plane, lungs exploding. Burning. I’d been under too long.

Daddy! I caught a glimpse of his red shirt above me and kicked harder.

Up, up, up. Must get up. My arms moved. My legs kicked. Excruciating pain. Ignore it. Almost there. So close that I could see the daylight breaking through the water.

The hottest fire I’ve ever known lit in my chest. Scorching.

Air. Just want to breathe. Just get to the top. Please.

My body rebelled and I inhaled and swallowed water, the burn racing down my throat making it spasm as I tried to cough it out. I struggled but took in more and more, the cold liquid filling my lungs.

Dark spots filled my eyes. This was drowning.

Exhausted.

Done.

My body twitched. I grew disoriented.

I let go of the fight. My hands floated in front of me.

Oblivion.

Darkness.

No bright lights, no tunnel.

No heaven, no mother, no father.

No comets.

No fairy dust.

Michel’s Review

Very Twisted Things by Ilsa Madden- Mills is the third full length novel in the Briarcrest Academy Series. It can be read as a stand alone novel or in series order. Either way, it is a book that will keep the reader glued to the pages.

Violet St. Lyons is not your ordinary young woman. She is a prodigy. She has also lived through one of the most horrific tragedies to happen in the world. She was the sole survivor of a plane crash caused by a terrorist bombing. She lost her family and her fairytale life. She may have been the only survivor but she is not really living. The emotional and mental scars have inconpacitated her life. She is no longer attending college, no longer performing, and no longer interacting with others. She left her home in New York and moved to LA to escape the memories. She has closed herself off and become a recluse.

Sebastian Tate has moved to LA. His huge success with his band, Vital Rejects, has put him in the limelight. He wants to further his career and pursue an acting career. Moving to LA, being seen with the right people, and being a part of tinsel town is exactly what he needs to land the coveted role for an upcoming movie project. He has to tone down his rock star reputation and prove that he is a stable person.

When he spies his beautiful neighbor playing her violin in the moonlight he is mesmerized. Her moonlight serenades have captivated a part of his soul that he locked away. She is bringing his soul back to life.

When these two finally meet, the one on one interaction is intense. Their attraction for one another is undeniable.

Their lives are on very different paths. Violet has to learn to live in the real world again. She will have to chose how she wants to live the new life she is building. Will Sebastian be her future or will she go back and claim the stardom she left behind. Sebastian will have to figure out what is more important in his life, his career or a chance with Violet.

The sparks fly. The passion is intense. Their worlds are tilted on an axis. Will these moonlight serenades make them or break them?

Ilsa Madden-Mills has delivered another fantastic book to her highly successful Briarcrest Series. She has created characters that pull at your heart strings. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had the right amount of angst, emotional moments, humor, and romance. The love scenes were smoldering. The book was fantastic.

Read Very Twisted Things.

Author Bio

New York Times and USA Today best selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills writes about strong heroines and sexy alpha males that sometimes you just want to slap.

She spends her days with two small kids, one neurotic cat, and one husband. She collects magnets and rarely cooks except to bake her own pretzels.

When she’s not crafting a story, you can find her drinking too much Diet Coke, jamming out to Pink, or checking on her carefully maintained chocolate stash.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Instagram ~ Amazon Author Page

★ Sign up for her newsletter★

Receive a FREE Briarcrest Academy novella ($2.99 value) plus get insider info and exclusive giveaways!

Want to join her BA Street Team on Facebook? Click here to message Ilsa Madden-Mills

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Release + 5 Star Review: Becoming Rain by K. A. Tucker – Burying Water Series – Book 2

Posted on 03/03/2015 by shellbellereads

Becoming Rain

Burying Water Series- Book 2

By K. A. Tucker

Release Date: March 2015

US BUY LINKS:

Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-a-Million IndieBound Apple Blio Books-a-Million ** Google

UK BUY LINKS

Amazon Barnes & Noble Apple Google Waterstones ** Foyles

About BECOMING RAIN:

Luke Boone doesn’t know exactly what his uncle Rust is involved in but he wants in on it-the cars, the money, the women. And it looks like he’s finally getting his wish. When Rust hands him the managerial keys to the garage, they come with a second set-one that opens up the door to tons of cash and opportunity. Though it’s not exactly legal, Luke’s never been one to worry about that sort of thing. Especially when it puts him behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 and onto the radar of gorgeous socialite named Rain.

Clara Bertelli is at the top of her game-at only twenty-six years old, she’s one of the most successful undercover officers in the Washington D.C. major crime unit, and she’s just been handed a case that could catapult her career and expose one of the west coast’s most notorious car theft rings. But, in order to do it, she’ll need to go deep undercover as Rain Martines. Her target? The twenty-four-year old nephew of a key player who appears ready to follow in his uncle’s footsteps.

As Clara drifts deeper into the luxurious lifestyle of Rain, and further into the arms of her very attractive and charming target, the lines between right and wrong start to blur, making her wonder if she’ll be able to leave it all behind. Or if she’ll even want to.

Michel’s Review

Becoming Rain was fantastic. It is the second book in the Burying Water Series. We met Luke Boone in Burying Water. He was Jesse’s roommate and worked with him in the garage. The garage is owned by Luke’s Uncle Rust. Uncle Rust is more than a suave business man in the car export business and car repair business. He is involved in an international car theft ring that is mainly operated by the Russian Mafia.

Luke grew up fatherless and his Uncle Rust stepped up to the father role. Luke wants to be like his Uncle. He wants the clout, the luxuries, and the exalted business reputation his Uncle has. He is willing to overlook the fact that his Uncle has some illegal underground operations. He is willing to become a part of that underground world. He has been blinded by greed. On the other hand, Luke is a good guy. He has compassion for those who are down and out. He is a loyal friend. He is a family oriented guy. He loves as hard as he plays.

It would seem that Luke Boone has the world in his hands. Life is sunshine and roses. His world is about to crash. His illegal activities are about to rain on his ideal world.

Clara Bertelli has joined forces with the FBI to go undercover. Her job is to infiltrate the car theft ring and bring them down. Her mark and way in is through Luke Boone. Her new alias is Rain Martines. She is going to bring Luke’s world to the ground. She is the rain.

Like the old saying goes, “look beyond the surface”, applies ten fold. When Rain gets to know Luke, she sees a very different man than she was led to believe. She sees the goodness in him. She is hoping that his goodness will win over his greed. She does not want to bring him down. She has fallen in love with her target.

Just as the case begins to escalate and Rain is getting close to the real players in the car theft ring, the game changes course. It has become dangerous. It has become more than car thefts, it has now become murderous. She fears for Luke’s life. It may threaten her life as well. Can she bring them down before more violence occurs?

Luke and Rain have developed a very real and solid relationship even though Rain is keeping secrets. There is no way their relationship can survive?

There may be Rain but the sun always comes out afterwards. Hopefully Luke and Rain can bask in the sun.

Becoming Rain was an intense, emotional, and thrilling book. K. A. Tucker did a phenomenal job portraying the dark underworld of international crime. Her characters were very compelling. Their story was exciting and passionate. I loved that their four legged friends were an important part of their world.

I highly recommend Becoming Rain. It will keep you captivated.

**And don’t miss the first book in this thrilling series BURYING WATER…**

Amazon Barnes & Noble iBooks Kobo IndieBound

About BURYING WATER:

The top-selling, beloved indie author of Ten Tiny Breaths returns with a new romance about a young woman who loses her memory—and the man who knows that the only way to protect her is to stay away.

Left for dead in the fields of rural Oregon, a young woman defies all odds and survives—but she awakens with no idea who she is, or what happened to her. Refusing to answer to “Jane Doe” for another day, the woman renames herself “Water” for the tiny, hidden marking on her body—the only clue to her past. Taken in by old Ginny Fitzgerald, a crotchety but kind lady living on a nearby horse farm, Water slowly begins building a new life. But as she attempts to piece together the fleeting slivers of her memory, more questions emerge: Who is the next-door neighbor, quietly toiling under the hood of his Barracuda? Why won’t Ginny let him step foot on her property? And why does Water feel she recognizes him?

Twenty-four-year-old Jesse Welles doesn’t know how long it will be before Water gets her memory back. For her sake, Jesse hopes the answer is never. He knows that she’ll stay so much safer—and happier—that way. And that’s why, as hard as it is, he needs to keep his distance. Because getting too close could flood her with realities better left buried.

The trouble is, water always seems to find its way to the surface.

About K.A. Tucker:

Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads ** YouTube ** Pinterest ** Instagram

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review : The Perception by Adriana Locke

Posted on 03/03/2015 by shellbellereads

The Perception

By Adriana Locke

Synopsis

There is no greater burden than a secret, and Kari Stanley has been carrying one alone for a long time. But fate intervenes in the form of a broken down car and the kind offer of assistance from a handsome stranger with a sweet, southern drawl. In exchange, all she has to do is go to dinner with him. Temptation was never so sweet.

Max Quinn has secrets of his own. His good deeds aren’t just a product of his southern upbringing; they’re his atonement. As one dinner turns into two, he realizes that Kari just might be his salvation.

As they struggle to find their path together, their secrets weigh heavier on them. Will they be able to trust one another with the truth, or will their secrets keep them apart forever?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Prologue

Max

Well, well, well. What do we have here?

I spotted a woman standing in front of her car a few spots from mine in the parking lot. Her head in her hands, she stared at the front of her vehicle. I just finished my meeting and really wanted to go back home, but I couldn’t leave a woman stranded in the heat.

Not with a clear conscience.

And not with an ass like that.

“Somethin’ wrong?” I asked, shutting my truck door behind me and walking slowly towards the brunette.

She turned her head and a smile slowly spread across her pretty face. She stood, wiping her hands down the sides of her green workout shorts. Her body was lean and tight and I wanted to run my hands all over it.

She was little as hell, probably a good foot shorter than my 6’2” frame. Her tight white tank top showcased her breasts in the best way possible. Her hair was piled on top of her head, strands sticking to the back of her neck.

Her smile grew wider as I made my way across the parking lot. Sweat dotted her smooth, tanned skin and she wiped her brow with the back of one hand.

The beauty raised her eyebrows, her green eyes lighting up. “My car won’t start.” She ran her gaze down my body, making little effort to conceal the fact that she liked what she saw.

That makes two of us.

I flashed her a smile and cleared my throat. I needed to focus, but that was easier said than done. The last thing I wanted to do was come across like Cane, my friend with no couth.

“What seems to be the problem?” I unlatched the hood and raised it open.

“I turned the key and got nothing but a buzzing sound,” she huffed, crossing her arms in front of her.

I looked up, the movement catching my attention, and my gaze landed right on her chest.

“What are you looking at?” she asked cheekily.

“Nothin’ you shouldn’t be proud of.” I blew out a breath and laughed.

She giggled and I immediately wanted to hear it again. I wanted to make her giggle, to see that smile, over and over.

Trying to put some distance between us, I made my way to the side of the car. I felt her eyes on me, the smell of her coconut perfume messing with my mind. I needed to focus on the task at hand and not on the thing I wanted to be handling.

Damn, I’d love to handle that little body.

I checked the battery and saw the problem right away. I tightened the loose cable and checked the other before standing back up. I leaned against the car and folded my hands in front of me. I had to figure out how to play this to my advantage. My mind raced through possibilities and I shot her a serious look.

“This is just my luck,” she said, reading way too much into my expression. “And I thought this week couldn’t get any worse.”

“Wanna talk about it?” I grinned, watching her cute-as-hell act. I didn’t know what her week had been like, but I knew I was more than willing to take her mind off of it for a couple of hours.

“So you’re a mechanic and a counselor?”

“I can be whatever you want me to be.”

Her mouth twisted in amusement, her eyes lighting up. “Is that so? You’re a jack-of-all trades then, Mr.—”

“I’m Max Quinn, the man that can service any and all of your needs.”

She laughed, her cheeks blushing. “Okay, Max. The first need I have is getting this car running.”

“The first need, huh? Does that imply that there may be more needs that require my services?”

She pressed her lips together, obviously enjoying the innuendos. “It’s a possibility. You know how things go—you take care of one thing and then suddenly something else, you know, pops up.”

“Pops up? Interesting choice of words…”

She laughed again, tossing her head back. Drops of sweat rolled down her neck and it took everything I had to not leap across the car, throw her over my shoulder, and into the back of my truck. I could imagine that little body wrapped around mine, that giggle piercing the air as I had my way with her.

“If I can get this car running, and that’s a big ‘if’, what do you think is a fair price for my time and effort?”

I figured I’d give her a chance to either play along or opt out. As much as I’d like to get to know this little beauty, I wasn’t going to press myself. It wasn’t my style.

“I’m not sure,” she smiled. “What are you thinking?”

“Well, I don’t really have anything else to do today. But it could take hours.”

“Really?” She looked alarmed. “I don’t want you—”

“It might take minutes,” I cut her off, shrugging.

She tossed me a flirty smile, one hand on her narrow hip. “Are you sure you’re up for the challenge?”

“Ah, sweetheart. You have no idea.”

Biting her bottom lip, her eyes sparkling, she ran a hand down the side of her neck. She knew exactly what she was doing to me. “Fair enough. What’s it going to cost me?”

“It’s going to cost you two things.” I tapped my fingers against the hood of the car and waited for her response.

“Two things?” She sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes for effect. “Well, my options seem pretty limited, so let’s hear it.”

“The first thing is your name. Only seems fair that I know whose car I’m fixin’.”

The gorgeous girl in front of me cocked her head to the side. She was smarter than I gave her credit for. I knew she was attracted to me and I knew she’d give me her name, but she was smart enough to consider it first.

“Kari Stanley,” she said finally.

“Alright, Kari Stanley. The second thing you need to do before I fix your car is say yes.”

“Say yes?”

“Say yes to having dinner with me tonight. I think that’s totally fair. If I get this fixed, the least you can do is share a meal with me.”

She pretended to consider my proposal, her tongue darting out to lick her bottom lip.

“How do I know you’re not a serial killer?” she asked playfully.

I grinned mischievously. “I never said I didn’t bite.”

Her jaw dropped. She started to speak but nothing came out but another laugh.

“But I promise you’d like it if I did.” I narrowed my eyes, fighting the grin on my face, too.

She looked shocked for a split second and then regained her composure, trying to play it cool. “Okay. If you can get this started, I’ll go to dinner with you. But I have to say—I’m a little disappointed in your creativity. For some reason, I expected you to want more than a meal.”

I tossed her the keys and a wink. “Don’t be. You don’t know what all dinner entails.”

She caught her key ring with a grin. “Fair enough.”

“It’ll be better than fair, I promise. Now quit wastin’ time and use those,” I said, nodding to the keys in the palm of her hand.

“What do you want me to do with them?”

“I want you to start the car.”

She stared at me blankly. “What part of ‘this car doesn’t start’ don’t you understand?”

“What part of ‘start the damn car’ don’t you understand?”

She eyed me curiously before climbing into the driver’s seat. A look of disbelief crossed her face as the engine roared to life. “What the…”

I shut the hood of her car.

“Meet me at Maisano’s on Scottsdale Road at six, sweetheart.”

“Wait. How did you…”

I laughed, starting towards my truck. “Maisano’s at six—be there.”

Tracey’s Review

Max Quinn is many things. Smart, loyal, honorable, a family man, and absolutely head over heels in love with Kari Stanley, Max will do whatever he has to to let Kari know how much she means to him. Kari is broken yet resilient, capable of standing on her own, but fearful of losing Max if he should find out the secrets that she is hiding.

After meeting Max and Kari in THE EXCEPTION by Adriana Locke, I was thrilled that they would be getting their own story in THE PERCEPTION. Let me tell you, it was well worth the wait, because Adriana has delivered in a big way. Max is the whole package. He’s super-swoony, sweet, loves his mama, and is hot and sexy to boot. He’s found the woman of his dreams in Kari, but is beginning to wonder what it will take to make her realize that he’s in their relationship for keeps. I love the way that Adriana has written Kari. She has dealt with some serious loss, but is living her life in spite of it. My only wish is that she had seen earlier just how very deserving she is of having a life with Max.

THE PERCEPTION had me from the first page, the kind of book that I just didn’t want to put down. There was intrigue, drama, lots and lots of feels, and good old sexy time, and it made for a really great read. Seeing Jada and Cane again was like visiting old friends, and Adriana did a wonderful job of fleshing out all the characters so that they became even more real, and their stories resonated even more. Also, when I read a book, and get to know and love everyone in it, I enjoy seeing how things are once the story has ended, so having the epilogue to wrap things up really was the perfect way to leave things. Five sweet and sexy stars for Max and Kari and their Post-It notes; grab this one, you’ll love it.

Also By Adriana Locke

The Exception

Release Date: September 18, 2014

By Adriana Locke

Synopsis:

They say there is an exception to every rule…

Jada Stanley is starting over, refusing to repeat her past mistakes. Everything is going great until she meets Cane Alexander. He is gorgeous, cocky, and everything she needs to avoid.

Cane lives within a set of carefully constructed guidelines to ensure his life remains uncomplicated. When he sets his eyes on Jada, all of his rules are called into question.

As their worlds become intertwined, they find it impossible to stay away from each other. Will they be able to maintain the rules they’ve created to protect their hearts? Or will they make an exception?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Author Bio:

Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, she has created her own.

The Exception was Adriana’s debut novel and released late last year. The Perception is a stand-alone that follows two secondary characters from The Exception. Her third novel, Sacrifice, will be released Summer 2015.

Adriana lives in the Midwest with her family. She spends copious amounts of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. Her favorite things include sunshine, candy, and random quotes.

She loves to hear from readers. You can find her:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Review + Giveaway : When Fate Isn’t Enough by Isabelle Richards – When Fates Collide Series – Book 2

Posted on 02/28/2015 by shellbellereads

Can a romance that was written in the stars survive real life? Lily Clark and Gavin Edwards met when their lives collided in a crazy twist of fate. Their relationship started amidst chaos, fraught with lust, passion, and love. Building a life together will take more than destiny, especially when ghosts from their past try to tear them apart.

Needing a fresh start, Lily decides to escape her life in Washington, DC to join Gavin in London. Trust and faith have never come easily to Lily. She’ll be put to the test now that she and Gavin are living under the same roof.

To make matters worse, trouble finds Lily wherever she goes. She thought she’d rid herself of her late husband’s demons, but she soon learns that when you make a deal with the devil, he often comes back to up the ante. Can she learn to let Gavin in or will she continue to fight her battles alone? Find out what happens When Fate Isn’t Enough.

Kindle | Kindle UK | Kindle Australia

Exclusive Excerpt:

Oxford in a suit… hot damn. It’s obviously a custom job because it fits him perfectly, showing off his broad shoulders and tight, toned torso. The allure of the suit is more than just the way it highlights his ridiculous body. His commanding presence while wearing it, the air of confidence that surrounds him. Everything about him screams “power”. Or more accurately it screams, “Don’t fuck with me or I’ll destroy you.” I may not give a shit about his money but power seems to be a bigger turn on than I would have expected.

“What? What’s wrong?” He looks in the mirror, trying to figure out what isn’t working.

“Your ass in those pants! I can hardly contain myself. How does anyone get any work done? All your female employees must just swoon with you strutting around like that. I bet you actually stop traffic. You do, don’t you?”

A sexy smirk spreads across his face. “Trousers, Lily. They’re called trousers. I can assure you I’m a slave driver. My employees are too busy to notice me.” He straightens his tie and looks back at me. “And only occasionally.”

“Occasionally what?”

He winks. “Occasionally I stop traffic.”

I throw a pillow at him. “You’re an arrogant bastard, you know that?”

He sits on the edge of the bed and slips his shoes on. “Hey, you asked! Don’t ask a question unless you can handle the answer.”

I scoot down on the bed and wrap my arms around his stomach. I rest my chin on his shoulder and say, “You’re just lucky I’m prohibited from attacking you, or there’s no way in hell you would be leaving this bedroom. Not for a good long while anyway.”

He peels my arms off of him, stands, and then kisses each of my hands. “I’m going to hold you to that after the doctor clears you.” He walks to his dresser and puts his watch on.

I smirk. “Oh, you’ll be holding something to me all right.”

Gavin closes his eyes and leans against the wall. “You’ll be the death of me, woman. Can’t you talk about football or skiing or carpentry? Anything other than… this?”

“You want to show me what you can do with a hammer, Gavin?” I bat my eyes at him.

He glares at me.

I cock my head and flash him a coy smile. “What? You said carpentry,” I say innocently. “Fine, soccer? You want to come over here so I can show you how to score? I’m sure you’re amazing at getting it in the goal! No? Not better?” I explode into laughter as he storms out of the room.

“Goodbye, Lily,” he yells from the hallway.

I don’t know what he’s so pissy about. I’m just as sex starved as he is! I lie down and close my eyes for a few moments, mentally calming my libido. Suddenly, I feel his weight on me, and he kisses me with a passion that literally takes my breath away. I feel my heart pounding as if it’s going to fly out of my chest.

I pull back. “You change your mind about staying in bed with me all day?”

“If only, Lily. If only. I couldn’t leave without a proper goodbye.”

“Well that was one hell of a sendoff. You’d better go. Don’t want to be late. I hear your boss is a real bastard.”

He kisses my forehead and walks out the door. Damn, that man knows how to make an exit.

Michel’s Review

When Fate Isn’t Enough by Isabelle Richards is the second book in the When Fates Collide Series. It should not be read as a stand alone novel. The first book When Fate Collides establishes the characters personalities along with situations that bring them together as a couple. The reader gets an understanding of their motivations and choices that will be made in the second book.

Lily and Gavin have been through hell. Their relationship came to be after they suffered dearly from their exes. Now they are starting a new life together. The book starts with them going to London.

Gavin is one of those men that draws women to him without even trying. He is dedicated to Lily heart and soul. Their relationship is the most important thing to him. He cannot help that his looks attract women. It is one of the things that Lily is going to have accept. She needs to be secure about his love for her. She needs to feel secure about their relationship. Lily knows that Gavin’s past with his ex Brooke still haunts him. At times Lily feels like she can’t compete with their history.

Not only will they have to deal with their pasts to move forward, they will have new road blocks keeping their relationship on rocky ground. Lily made a deal with the cartel that is going to come back and smack her with a force. Olivia, the wicked woman from the first book, is back as well. She is going to test every bond that holds Lily and Gavin together.

This book takes a bit of a different course than book one. This book is more of a relationship driven book. It is emotional, heartbreaking, enraging, humorous, sexy, and romantic. It had every combination a reader wants in a book. The pacing in this story was perfect. I never felt like scenes were being drawn out or abbreviated. The book ended on a shocking cliffhanger that has me anxious for the third book, When Fates Align, on May 6, 2015.

Isabelle Richards has given the readers a couple that started as complete strangers entangled in a world of treacherous danger to a passionate relationship that only happens once in a lifetime. Are they strong enough to fight for that love and hang onto it no matter what the cost is? I sure hope so. I can’t wait to see what happens with Lily and Gavin next.

When Fates Collide

Fates Series – Book 1

Sometimes everything needs to crash and burn before life can begin again.

Life can change in the blink of an eye. One moment, Lily is trapped in a loveless marriage. In a split second she is free, but at what cost? Her mundane life is set into a freefall of tragedy and terror. Her husband may be out of her life, but he left a storm of collateral damage behind and the burden is on Lily to sort it out.
Fate connects Lily with Gavin, a charmingly handsome British gentleman that has been drawn into her tangled circumstance. Gavin is everything Lily’s husband wasn’t and gives her hope that love really does exist. Gavin wants nothing more than to sweep Lily up and carry her off into the sunset, far away from the devastation left behind by her husband. Gavin has been the first breath of fresh air in her life, but she isn’t looking to be saved. She needs to clean up her husband’s mess and find a way to save herself in the process.
Does she throw caution to the wind and open her heart? Or listen to her head that tells her and go it alone until she’s found herself again?

Kindle / Barnes and Noble /Kindle UK / Kindle Australia /

When Fates Align

Book 3

Coming May 6, 2015

PreOrder: Amazon

Why would fate bring them together only to tear them apart?
Lily and Gavin were brought together in a clash of tragedy and chaos. Amid the ashes of lives gone wrong, they thought they found a second chance at love. With trouble from their previous lives lurking around every corner, they quickly learned that love from a star-crossed romance isn’t enough to survive.
Lily has slipped through Gavin’s fingers, and he feels as though he’s been sentenced to an eternity in hell. But if he’s going to perish in the ninth circle, everyone responsible for coming between him and Lily will go down with him.
Perhaps their love was never meant to be. But, if he’s learned anything from his time with Lily, it’s that sometimes everything has to crash and burn before life can begin again.

Isabelle Richards Bio:

Isabelle Richards spent years as a speech writer before tackling fiction. An avid reader of all genres, Isabelle is drawn to romance novels as they provide an escape from daily life. Through her complex cast of characters, Isabelle creates a sanctuary for readers to dive into for a break from reality.

When she is not writing, Isabelle works as an advocate for persons with disabilities in Washington, DC. Her two yellow labs are her writing partners, although they frequently sleep on the job.

Facebook | Twitter | Mailing List| Author Goodreads

Happy Release + Giveaway + 5 Star Series Review : Untamed by Jessica Sorensen – Unbeautiful Series – Book 2 : Review for Unbeautiful and Untamed

Posted on 02/27/2015 by shellbellereads

Happy Release Day to Jessica Sorensen and her new book UNTAMED! This is book 2 in the Unbeautiful Series following the story of Emery and Ryler. Make sure to enter the giveaway below for a chance to win an ebook copy of this book. Good luck!

Emery
No matter how hard I try, I never seem to be able to escape my family’s world. Their madness controls my life, just like insanity consumes my mind.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s real.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell who I really am. The person everyone sees? Or the one I keep trapped inside?
I wonder which person Ryler sees. Just like I wonder who I can trust.
Wonder. Wonder. Wonder.
I wonder too much.
I wish I could just find a way to escape it all and finally be free.

Ryler
I live a double life and sometimes I hate myself for it. Watching Emery fall apart—pretending I don’t care—is killing me inside.
I want to tell her the truth, but I also want a new life.
Want. Want. Want.
I want too much. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what I really desire.
I wish I could be free from the confusion, free from this life.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

“If you want to dance, dance. There’s no judgment at these things, which makes them pretty awesome.”

She smiles, and then threads her fingers through mine. “Okay, let’s dance, then.”

I don’t bother mentioning that dancing can be extremely sexy when done under the right circumstances—circumstances that usually include alcohol and sexual tension.

At first, Emery is cautious, keeping her distance from me as she rocks her hips to the music. I move with her. I’ve never really been into dancing, but I can rock out to a little garage rock any day. The longer the song goes on, the more into it she gets, until she finally spins around and presses her back against my chest. That’s when the two of us decide to start playing a dangerous game of Want But Can’t Have. A very, very dangerous game that is really fucking tortuous to play yet impossible to give up.

Emery starts grinding her hips to the sultry beat of the song. With each movement, her ass brushes against my cock, making me go rock hard. I grip the curves of her hips and my hands unnecessarily slip underneath the bottom of her shirt. My fingers delve into her soft flesh, and I bite back a moan. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve forgotten just how soft her skin is, how amazing she smells, how incredible she feels against me.

She shivers from my touch and presses closer, rolling her hips and driving my body absolutely mad. She repeats the movement over and over again, until finally, I damn near lose my mind.

Gripping her waist, I spin her around to face me. “I thought you didn’t know how to dance?”

Michel’s Review

The Unbeautiful Series is a spin off from the Violet & Luke books. It is separate from the Violet & Luke books and can be read without reading the Violet & Luke books. The Unbeautiful Series has to be read in order.

The Unbeautiful Series is unlike the previous books that Jessica Sorensen has written. Jessica is known for her dark characters that are struggling with issues from their past that has led to present day problems. Her books usually focus on the characters dealing with these issues and overcoming them to the best of their abilities. The Unbeautiful series does have a taste of this but also adds something more. It adds mystery, intrigue, and suspense. The focus is on two characters equally struggling with their past and present. Their life situations put them in very real danger for different reasons. Both of their reasons are life threatening. The one thing that they have in common is the enemy.

The Unbeautiful Series will keep you glued to the pages. It will keep you wrapped up in the mystery that unfolds. It will have you biting your nails, hoping that Ryler and Emery make it out alive and have a chance of a normal happy life.

The Unbeautiful Series will not disappoint.

————————————————————————————-

In the first book, Unbeautiful, the reader gets an introduction to the characters. Ryler was introduced in the Violet & Luke books. Ryler is Luke’s cousin from Las Vegas. Ryler was brought up in foster homes his entire life. His father was a shady professional gambler that couldn’t be bothered with raising a child. Ryler was abandoned until he turned eighteen and could be a useful asset to his father’s shady dealings.

While living in the foster homes throughout his childhood, Ryler experienced abuse, violence, neglect, and rejection. He became a juvenile delinquent. At age sixteen he landed in some very serious trouble with the law for aggravated assault. He was protecting another foster kid from abuse. In the alteration he was seriously injured and lost his voice. Once he turned eighteen his father finally decided to claim him and take him under his dirty wings. This leads to more trouble with the law. It puts the final mark on Ryler’s criminal record that will destroy his hopes for a future life away from darkness and crime. After meeting his cousin Luke and his girlfriend Violet, Ryler wants a normal life. He wants to attend college, make something of himself, and escape the ugly world he has lived in. His only hope comes from the FBI. The FBI is willing to relocate Ryler and erase his criminal record. This opportunity comes with a high price. Ryler will have to infiltrate the underworld as an informant in Laramie, Idaho. The FBI has been trying to build a case against known Mafia Kingpin leader, Donny Elderman. The FBI wants Ryler to infiltrate his network and find the location of the elusive warehouse where Donny’s operations take place. It is a very dangerous job that could cost Ryler his life. Is it worth risking his life for a chance at a normal life?

Emery has come to Laramie to attend the university. It took a miracle to convince her parents to allow her to leave home. She has had a condition of psychosis and hallucinations her entire life. Her parents have been abusive in horrific ways using her psychosis as the reason. She has had to hide her condition beneath the facade of perfection all of her life. She has had to become a person that doesn’t really exist. Her parents have plotted and planned her entire existence . She is forced to be the perfect girl. She is forced to date the perfect boy. She is forced to live the perfect life. It is expected of her to marry the perfect boy and become the perfect wife. She does not want this even if it means going completely insane. She wants to have control of her life.

Her parents have been hiding many secrets. She is forced to hide them as well. When she finally is able to convince them to allow her to attend the university it is with conditions. They are still controlling her life from afar. She is willing to concede to these conditions in order to escape her life. She figures she can take control one moment at a time. What she doesn’t realize is that they are still watching. She is also in danger because she rebelled against them.

When she meets the mysterious boy that lives in her apartment building, she is hopeful of starting a normal life with normal friends. She is intrigued with Ryler.

Just as it looks like both are heading towards friendship and possibly more, their lives will spiral out of control. Ryler’s job with the FBI will escalate into a dangerous situation. He will become part of the underworld. His new boss will force him to do things he would never do. To make matters worse, his new boss is Emery’s father.

Emery will start getting threatening letters. Strange and dangerous things will start happening to her. Her parents know all about these things before she has a chance to tell them. The one person she has come to trust is now working for her father. Ryler has been assigned to protect her. To make matters worse, her perfect boyfriend, who is not so perfect, has showed up on the scene.

Life is spiraling out of control. Who can Emery trust? She no longer feels safe with Ryler even though he still stirs desires within her.

This book has so many things happening. There are two storylines that spin a web of deceit and danger. By the end of the book these two storylines begin to merge together and becomes a dark mystery with danger hanging over them all.

—————————————————————————————–

Untamed is the conclusion in the Unbeautiful series. It cannot be read as a stand alone novel.

The danger has escalated. Ryler is in deep with Donny Elderman’s crew. He has been taken under Doc’s (Emery’s father) wing and is being molded into his soldier. Doc is exposing Ryler to more and more of the operations. At the same time he is forcing Ryler to keep Emery in line.

Not only is Ryler frightened for his own life, he is also frightened for Emery’s life as well. Things are not adding up. Other informants are disappearing. The FBI is forcing Ryler to participate in the underground world until he can find the location of the warehouse. Ryler fears that his cover is being blown and that he is going to end up in a shallow grave.

The threats against Emery are escalating. It has become clear that her nice boyfriend, the one she is forced to date, is abusive. She has begun to have hallucinations again. Her parents are threatening to take her home. Her secrets are starting to surface. She is frightened and has no one to trust. The one person she thought she could trust works for her father. But at the same time, Ryler seems different than the men that have worked for her father. He seems to care about how she feels and what she wants.

The life threatening situations escalate into dark danger. So many REVELATIONS come into play. The suspense and danger comes from many directions. The REVELATIONS are shocking. It has readers fearing for both Ryler and Emery’s life. They are just pawns in the overall game.

It will be up to Ryler and Emery to figure out how to survive. The world of good and evil is colliding and they are stuck in the middle. The only thing that is pure and abundantly clear is their feelings for each other. Can they both survive and find the normal kind of life they both desperately crave?

Untamed does not end on a cliffhanger. Reader’s will be very satisfied with the outcome. Ryler and Emery will find their “normal”.

I highly recommend the Unbeautiful Series. It is intense, frightening, emotional, and has a pure romance that will make your heart race.

Jessica Sorensen went beyond her excellent writing standards and delivered a powerful story.

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.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

♥SERIES READING ORDER♥

Book 1 – Unbeautiful

Emery
You want to know my secrets? What lies beneath the pretty? The scars I can’t let anyone see? The scars tied to my secrets?
On the outside I appear normal. Some might even say perfect.
They say that I’m a pretty girl. They say I should be happy. They say that I have nothing to be angry about. That I’m popular. A cheerleader. That I’m perfect.
Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.
But all they see is what’s on the outside.
On the inside I’m raw, open, bleeding. Scars that can’t seem to heal the wounds.
Carrying dark secrets about who I really am.
How afraid I am to tell the truth.
And it’s slowly killing me.

Ryler
Tattoos. Piercing. Scars. The guy who can’t speak.
Gothic freak. Mute. Punk. I’ve heard it all.
They say that I’m probably dangerous. They say people should stay away from me.
They say. They say. They say.
But who are they anyway?
To decide what I am.
They don’t know what’s hidden beneath the scars. Beneath the piercings and tattoos.
The secrets I keep hidden beneath the silence.
Maybe if they knew, they wouldn’t fear me so much.
Then again, maybe they’d fear me more.

Unbeautiful: A Novella Series (Part One)

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords

Book 2 – Untamed

Emery
No matter how hard I try, I never seem to be able to escape my family’s world. Their madness controls my life, just like insanity consumes my mind.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s real.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell who I really am. The person everyone sees? Or the one I keep trapped inside?
I wonder which person Ryler sees. Just like I wonder who I can trust.
Wonder. Wonder. Wonder.
I wonder too much.
I wish I could just find a way to escape it all and finally be free.

Ryler
I live a double life and sometimes I hate myself for it. Watching Emery fall apart—pretending I don’t care—is killing me inside.
I want to tell her the truth, but I also want a new life.
Want. Want. Want.
I want too much. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what I really desire.
I wish I could be free from the confusion, free from this life.

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Review : Beyond Limits by Laura Griffin – Tracers Series – Book 8

Posted on 02/25/2015 by shellbellereads

Beyond Limits

Tracers Series – Book 8

By Laura Griffin

Synopsis

An FBI agent and a Navy SEAL race against time in New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin’s newest Tracers novel. “Griffin delivers the goods!” (Publishers Weekly)

FBI agent Elizabeth LeBlanc is still caught in the aftermath of her last big case when she runs into the one man from her past who is sure to rock her equilibrium even more. Navy SEAL Derek Vaughn is back home from a harrowing rescue mission in which he found evidence of a secret terror cell on US soil. Elizabeth knows he’ll do anything to unravel the plot—including seducing her for information. And despite the risks involved, she’s tempted to let him. Together with the forensics experts at the Delphi Center, Derek and Elizabeth are closing in on the truth, but it may not be fast enough to avert a devastating attack…

Following in the bestselling tradition of the Tracers series, including Exposed, Scorched, and Twisted, Beyond Limits pulls out all the stops with Griffin’s most gripping thriller yet.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

What happens when you put a Navy Seal and an FBI agent together? The answer is obvious… you have another outstanding Tracer novel by Laura Griffin. Beyond Limits is the latest release in the Tracer series. It is fast paced, action packed, intriguing, sexy, and romantic. This book is a page turner. Laura Griffin is the MASTER of romantic suspense.

Navy Seal LT. Derek Vaughn’s Seal Team uncovered a terrorist plot planned on US soil while on a mission in Afghanistan. The intel that was recovered on that mission has stirred up all of the government agencies on the home front. The intel indicates that a terrorist cell has plans to attack Texas. Now he has to team up with FBI Agent Elizabeth LeBlanc to uncover the cell before the attack.

Derek and Liz have a history. They both have lingering feelings for one another. Now they will have to work together in their professional fields and in their private relationship. But before they can explore their relationship they have to find the cell that seems to be eluding all of the agencies. They are always one step ahead and beyond reach.

Both Derek and Liz approach the case differently. Derek is a man of action. He gets in and gets the job done. Liz takes the investigative approach and follows the legal avenues. As in most government agencies, there is a lot of red tape and bureaucracy procedure. Time is of the essence and Derek is ready to go after the terrorists himself. He needs the intel that Liz has access to. Liz may seem a bit timid but she knows what she has to do to get the job done. If it takes working with Derek to get it done then that is how it be.

From this point Derek and Liz are in for an intense mission that not only will save lives, it will be the factor that seals their fate.

This book was non stop action and suspense. It touched on several different subject matters. It gave the reader an understanding of government bureaucracy, FBI procedures, Seal’s code of honor, the effects of war, and the impact these careers have on their lives. The romance was not overly hot but the build up of sexual tension between the characters was enough to keep the reader satisfied. The main plot kept the reader on the edge of their seat and enthralled to the end.

I highly recommend Beyond Limits by Laura Griffin. It can be read as a stand alone novel in the Tracer Series.

_____________________________________________

About Laura Griffin

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laura Griffin started her career in journalism before venturing into the world of writing romantic suspense. Her books have won numerous awards, including a RITA Award (Whisper of Warning) and a Daphne du Maurier Award (Untraceable). Laura currently lives in Austin where she is working on her next book.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + 5 Star Review: Tempt The Night by Dixie Lee Brown – Trust No One Series – Book 5

Posted on 02/24/2015 by shellbellereads

Tempt The Night

Trust No One Series – Book 5

By Dixie Lee Brown

Synopsis

Dixie Lee Brown concludes her thrilling Trust No One series with the fast-paced tale of a damaged hero and the sexy fugitive he can’t help falling for.

Samantha “Mac” McCallister barely believes her own tale of dirty cops and murder that landed her in the hands of the sexy Jim Brady. One minute she was enjoying a ride-along in her best friend’s cruiser, the next he’s dead and she’s wanted for his murder. Mac never expected to be hiding out from the law, but with Jim by her side, maybe she can survive long enough to clear her name. The question is, can she survive the way Jim makes her feel?

Former Navy Seal Jim Brady works best under pressure. At least he used to. Now, fighting flashbacks from his time in Iraq, he has given up everything he knows in order to protect the innocent … from himself. So working with a woman on the run from the law? Not in his plans for this lifetime. Still, something about the blue-eyed beauty tells him she’s not the source of the danger—she’s running from it. Deep down he knows he’ll protect her no matter what. But his heart? That’s another story.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Tempt The Night is the final book in the Trust No One series by Dixie Lee Brown. It can be read as a stand alone novel or in series order. This book will not disappoint. It is action packed, immersed in thrilling suspense, and has a red hot romance.

This book is well written with charismatic characters that encompass the traits readers love. Who doesn’t like an alpha man that has issues but still is able to draw upon his personal strengths ? The leading lady has strength, guts, and the right amount of softness. The pacing of this book kept the reader’s attention and never hit any bumps that made the story stall. I couldn’t put this book down. The story kept me captivated to the end.

Samantha ( Mac ) McCallister has witnessed a horrific murder committed by some Alaskan State Troopers. She is in fear for her life, accused of murder, and on the run. Jim Brady, a former Navy Seal, now working for Joe’s group of merceneries, stumbles upon Mac while doing surveillance for a case. Even though he doesn’t usually get involved in other people’s business, he can’t help but want to protect Mac. But can he protect her from himself and the mind games his PTSD plays?

As the story plays out there will be many twists and turns that keep the reader guessing to the end. Amidst the twists and turns Mac and Brady will find a smoldering hot attraction that cannot be denied.

Tempt The Night was thrilling. This is the kind of book I love to curl up with and lose myself.

Author Bio:

Dixie has been writing stories for years, storing ideas and first drafts of manuscripts in every spare closet and drawer. Then one day she decided she wanted to be an author more than anything, pulled out one of those story ideas and got serious!

Her romantic suspense novels are great for curling up and losing yourself in the story. Dixie’s first novel in the Trust No One series, All or Nothing, placed 3rd in the romantic suspense category of the 2011 TARA (Tampa Area Romance Authors) Contest. The second, When I Find You, has just been released. The third book in the series – If You Only Knew – is coming soon!

Dixie moved from Montana to a small town in Central Oregon in 1972, married and raised two daughters. Today her two small dogs hold down the back of the couch and watch for intruders as she works on another novel.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + 5 Star Review : Only For Him by Cristin Harber – Only Series – Book 1

Posted on 02/24/2015 by shellbellereads

Only For Him

Only Series – Book 1

Genre – New Adult

By Cristin Harber

Synopsis

Grayson Ford and Emma Kinglsey–close since they were kids, opposites in every way. He’s the stuff high school crushes are made of, Mister Popular, and captain of every team. She’s artsy, cute, and not in his league, though fully aware of Summerland’s “I Dream of Dating Grayson Ford” support group.

I can’t say no. The girl’s had my heart since before I knew it went missing.

He hides a life of hell. His father hates him, his mother’s gone. Emma is his only savior, yet she doesn’t know her power over him. She’s the only girl he wants, the only one he could ever tell–though he won’t.

I’m stronger, bigger, more of a man than he’ll ever be, but because I ruined his life, I’ve taken his crap, his attacks, the vulgar nature of his existence.

Until she discovers Gray’s embarrassment, his humiliation. Emma fights for him and for a chance. Theirs is a Cinderella story that she believes impossible. But as the layers peel back, it’s just a guy who needs a girl in order to keep breathing.

My mind is already doodling Mrs. Grayson Ford in imaginary notebooks. He has no clue where my head is at… But, given that I didn’t see what just happened coming, maybe I have no clue where his head is at either.

Only for Him. Only series, Volume One.
All novellas will release Spring 2015.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Only For Him by Cristin Harber is the first book I have read by this author. Although this was a novella, it packed a punch. I didn’t feel like the story was rushed or the plot was abbreviated. The characters were very well developed and easy to relate to. The emotional impact this book delivered pulled on all of my heart strings. The friendship between the characters was endearing. There was never a question of the bond between them. When their friendship began to evolve in something more it was quite clear that it was not going to be easy. The love between the two is full of heartbreak, turmoil, happiness, and hopes of a forever kind of love. The obstacles and impossibilities that keep these two from developing a real relationship is valid. The girl is pushing for more and the boy is holding back.

Emma and Grayson are very close friends. It would seem like this friendship would be impossible because Grayson is the golden boy and Emma is the artsy nerd. These differences are what makes their friendship work.

Grayson is the boy girls fantasize about. On the surface he is perfection. Beneath the surface he is hiding a lot of insecurities, hurt, and horrific secrets. His home life is abusive. The only moments of serenity he gets is when he is with Emma. She is his safe place. She doesn’t know the secrets he is hiding.

Emma wants more than a friendship with Grayson. She has always loved him. She knows that she is not the type of girl that Gray is attracted to. She hides her feelings well and settles for friendship. When she discovers some of the secrets Grayson has been hiding she no longer wants to settle. She is going to fight for Gray. She is going to prove that her love is worth the it all. She is going to prove that he is worthy of love.

This book’s emotional journey escalates as the secrets begin to surface. As the secrets surface it is clear that their world may implode.

The ending was a cliffhanger that has readers anxiously awaiting for the next book.

Cristin Harber is an amazing writer. The book is well written. The emotions portrayed throughout the story touch your soul. The characters are full of life and come across as very real people. The pacing of this story blew me away. This novella felt like a full length novel.

I highly recommend Only For Him.

ABOUT CRISTIN HARBER

Cristin Harber is a USA Today bestselling romantic suspense and military romance author. Fans voted her onto Amazon’s Top Picks for Debut Romance Authors in 2013, and her debut Titan series was #1 romantic suspense, #1 military romance, and a USA Today Top 100 bestseller.

She lives outside Washington, DC with her family and English Bulldog.

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Happy Release + 5 Star Review – 2015 Favorite : Thoughtful by S. C. Stephens- A Thoughtless Series Novel

Posted on 02/24/2015 by shellbellereads

Thoughtful

Thoughtless Series – Book 4

By S. C. Stephens

Synopsis

In Thoughtless, Kiera told her story. Now it’s time to hear from the sexy rock star who captivated us all . . .

THOUGHTFUL

The only place Kellan Kyle has ever felt at home is onstage. Gripping his guitar in a darkened bar, he can forget his painful past. These days his life revolves around three things: music, his bandmates, and hot hookups. Until one woman changes everything . . .

Kiera is the kind of girl Kellan has no business wanting-smart, sweet, and dating his best friend. Certain he could never be worthy of her love, he hides his growing attraction . . . until Kiera’s own tormented heart hints that his feelings might not be one-sided. Now, no matter the consequences, Kellan is sure of one thing-he won’t let Kiera go without a fight.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Our favorite rock star is back! Kellan Kyle stole our hearts in the Thoughtless trilogy. The latest release, Thoughtful is Kellan’s POV from Thoughtless, the book that began it all.

I have to admit I was a bit nervous about this book. I was fearful it was going to be the exact same book as Thoughtless with the same character motivations. I was also fearful that Kellan’s voice was going to come across more like a female POV. Many writers have attempted to retell a story from a different character’s POV and had epic fails. S. C. Stephens knocked Thoughtful out of the park. This book made me fall in love with Kellan Kyle’s character all over again. It actually endeared him to my heart more so than he already was. I closed this book with a happy heart and a satisfied mind.

S. C. Stephens has grown as a writer and mastered her craft. It is quite evident when you compare Thoughtless to Thoughtful. The writing has matured. This book clearly showcased the characters personalities with more depth and realism.

Thoughtful begins when Kellan first meets Kiera. His reaction to her was more than we were led to believe. It was beyond a physical reaction. I felt the intensity of his emotions and his deep need for her. I felt the longing he had deep in his soul.

As Kiera’s and Kellan’s relationship begins to progress the reader gets a better understanding of Kellan’s obsession for his best friend’s girl. Her rejections hurt more than his male pride and ego. They added more wounds to his deeply scarred soul. Her indecisiveness broke his heart. He wanted her to find him worthy of her love. He wanted to be her “one” that captured her heart.

Thoughtful gives the reader more insight to Kellan’s abusive childhood and a better understanding of his adult behaviors. The reader got to see where his insecurities developed and drove him to his manwhore obsessions. It validated the behaviors that led to Kellan being a manwhore. He was never shown love or affection. He never had any kind of healthy relationship whether it be a platonic , romantic, or family.

The reader got to experience all the swoon worthy love scenes, forbidden moments, and sneaking around in a whole new light. These moments affected Kellan just as deeply as they did Kiera if not more so. It seemed Kellan had more at stake because he allowed himself to become vulnerable. He never allowed himself hope.

The best part of Thoughtful was how it portrayed Kellan and Kiera’s love for each other. This book validated every action they were driven to take. They did it all for the possibility of a love that would last a lifetime. They did it because it was what their hearts needed to survive.

The moments of love, heartbreak, betrayal, and hope made this book a solid 5 Star book and 2015 Favorite. It made Kellan Kyle the man we love so dearly.

Kellan Kyle owns me!

The Thoughtless Series

Thoughtless – Book 1

For almost two years now, Kiera’s boyfriend, Denny, has been everything she’s ever wanted: loving, tender, and endlessly devoted to her. When they head off to a new city to start their lives together—Denny at his dream job and Kiera at a top-notch university—everything seems perfect. Then an unforeseen obligation forces the happy couple apart. Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source—a local rock star named Kellan Kyle. At first, he’s purely a friend she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything changes…and none of them will ever be the same.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Effortless – Book 2

After being caught in the middle of a love triangle that led to a devastating betrayal, Kiera pledged to learn from the mistakes she’d made. She was determined to never again inflict that kind of pain on anyone, especially the soulful, talented man who held her heart. But life offers new challenges for every relationship, and when Kiera’s love is put to the ultimate test, will it survive? Love is easy…trust is hard.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Reckless – Book 3

Can love survive when life gets Reckless?

When the band hits it big, Kiera and Kellan must ask themselves: Can their love for each other withstand the constant pressures of superstardom? The friendships they’ve formed, the new family they’ve found, and the history they’ve forged will all play a part in helping them navigate the turbulent waters of the band’s exploding popularity. A greedy executive hell-bent on success, a declining pop star looking for an edge, and a media circus that twists lies into truths are just some of the obstacles the lovers will have to overcome if they are going to remain together. Fame comes with a price—but will it cost Kiera and Kellan everything?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Thoughtful – Book 4

In Thoughtless, Kiera told her story. Now it’s time to hear from the sexy rock star who captivated us all . . .

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

About S. C. Stephens

S.C. Stephens is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who enjoys spending every free moment she has creating stories that are packed with emotion and heavy on romance.

Her debut novel, Thoughtless, an angst-filled love triangle charged with insurmountable passion and the unforgettable Kellan Kyle, took the literary world by storm. Amazed and surprised by the response to the release of Thoughtless in 2009, more stories were quick to follow. Stephens has been writing nonstop ever since.

In addition to writing, Stephens enjoys spending lazy afternoons in the sun reading fabulous novels, loading up her iPod with writer’s block reducing music, heading out to the movies, and spending quality time with her friends and family. She currently resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her two equally beautiful children.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~Goodreads

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Tag Archives: 5 Star Review

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: Commanding Her Trust by Lili Valente – Under His Command Series – Book 2

5 Star Review + Giveaway: Very Twisted Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills – The Briarcrest Academy Series – Book 3

Happy Release + 5 Star Review: Becoming Rain by K. A. Tucker – Burying Water Series – Book 2

Becoming Rain

Release Date: March 2015

US BUY LINKS:

Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-a-Million IndieBound Apple Blio Books-a-Million ** Google

UK BUY LINKS

Amazon Barnes & Noble Apple Google Waterstones ** Foyles

**And don’t miss the first book in this thrilling series BURYING WATER…**

Amazon Barnes & Noble iBooks Kobo IndieBound

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review : The Perception by Adriana Locke

Review + Giveaway : When Fate Isn’t Enough by Isabelle Richards – When Fates Collide Series – Book 2

Happy Release + Giveaway + 5 Star Series Review : Untamed by Jessica Sorensen – Unbeautiful Series – Book 2 : Review for Unbeautiful and Untamed

Review : Beyond Limits by Laura Griffin – Tracers Series – Book 8

Happy Release + 5 Star Review: Tempt The Night by Dixie Lee Brown – Trust No One Series – Book 5

Happy Release + 5 Star Review : Only For Him by Cristin Harber – Only Series – Book 1

Happy Release + 5 Star Review – 2015 Favorite : Thoughtful by S. C. Stephens- A Thoughtless Series Novel

Share this:

Share this:

Becoming Rain

Release Date: March 2015

US BUY LINKS:

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** Books-a-Million ** IndieBound ** Apple ** Blio ** Books-a-Million ** Google

UK BUY LINKS

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** Apple ** Google ** Waterstones ** Foyles

And don’t miss the first book in this thrilling series BURYING WATER…

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iBooks ** Kobo ** IndieBound

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-a-Million IndieBound Apple Blio Books-a-Million ** Google

Amazon Barnes & Noble Apple Google Waterstones ** Foyles

**And don’t miss the first book in this thrilling series BURYING WATER…**

Amazon Barnes & Noble iBooks Kobo IndieBound