Blog Tour + Excerpt: Breaking Without You by Carrie Ann Ryan

Posted on 04/15/2019 by cafemamanc7

About BREAKING WITHOUT YOU

Available April 16, 2019

From NYT bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan, comes a brand new series where second chances don’t come often, and overcoming an unexpected loss means breaking everything you knew.

I fell for Cameron Connolly at the wrong time. And when he left, I thought my life was over. But then, after the worst happened, I truly understood what that phrase meant. Now, he’s not ready for a second chance, and I’m not offering one. Though given that our families have been forced together after losing one of our own, I know there’s no turning back. Not this time. Not again. Not when it comes to Cameron.

I never wanted to hurt Violet Knight, but there were reasons I had to leave all those years ago—not that she’d believe me if I told her what they were. I not only left her, I also left my foster brothers. Honestly, I didn’t want to come back to Denver to help run my father’s failing brewery. But when it comes to my brothers, I know I’ll find a way to make it work. Perhaps I’ll even earn Violet’s forgiveness and face the connection we both thought long forgotten in the process. Because I wanted her then, but now I know I need her. I just hope she needs me.

Get your hands on BREAKING WITHOUT YOU:

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Add BREAKING WITHOUT YOU to your Goodreads shelves!

EXCERPT:

A couple of hours later, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

I knew it was her before I heard her voice.

Violet was here. And so were the others.

I hadn’t known that they came to this bar. I hadn’t seen them since I came back to town, but here they were, in my place.

“I got this,” I said to Beckham as I went over to where Violet, Sienna, and Harmony were sitting.

“Hey.” I stuffed my hands into my pockets, wondering if I could be more of an idiot. Probably.

“Hi,” Sienna said, kind of smiling. The expression didn’t really reach her eyes, but I didn’t blame her. Everything was still so raw and emotional for them. Violet’s little sister felt things strongly. She always had, even when we were younger. I didn’t know how she felt about Allison.I didn’t know how any of them were feeling. Hell, I didn’t know how I was feeling about Allison.

But I was glad that they were here, even if it confused me.

“It’s good to see you, Cameron,” Harmony said softly. She grinned, but like Sienna, it didn’t reach her eyes. Damn it. I wished I could help these three, but I was already out of my depth with so many other things, this would just make it worse for everyone.

I looked over at Violet, clearing my throat. “Can I get you ladies something to drink? To eat?”

“We’re here to make sure that the Connolly brothers know that we’re supporting the bar,”Sienna said when Violet didn’t reply.

I turned to Violet’s sister. “Really?”

“Of course. We’ve come in on and off over the years, but it’s been more off since we’ve been so busy with our lives. But that’s going to change. We need a new place to actually sit and drink that’s not our house with a bottle of wine. Because while that’s good, sometimes, you just need to get out. So you’re stuck with us. And we need booze. We need lots of fucking booze.”

Her eyes filled, and Harmony reached out and grabbed her friend’s hand. I cleared my throat and nodded.

“So, what are we having?”

“Beer and shots,” Violet said.

My brows rose. “Really?”

“Do you think we can’t handle it?”

I met Violet’s gaze and shook my head. “I think you can handle just about anything, Violet.” I regretted the words as soon as they left my lips. “I know what you guys like. I’ll be right back.”

Then I walked away, wondering if I really knew anything at all.

Because, right now, it felt like I was nothing.

About Carrie Ann Ryan

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.

New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt: Crazy For Your Love by Lexi Ryan

Posted on 04/12/2019 by cafemamanc7

Crazy for Your Love by Lexi Ryan

Release Date: April 9, 2019

Crazy for Your Love, an all-new standalone contemporary romance by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Ryan

A family wedding with a fake boyfriend, meddling parents, and an obsessive ex . . . What could go wrong?

The only thing worse than being single at my sister’s wedding is finding out that my ex will be there too. Not just any ex—the guy everyone expected me to marry, the man I came to Jackson Harbor to escape.

Now I need a date, and fast. Enter Carter Jackson—the firefighter who’s dealing with an unwanted five minutes of fame ever since a shirtless photo of him saving a puppy went viral. He’s warding off propositions left and right, and he needs a fake relationship as much as I do.

Sweet and sexy, Carter is completely off-limits. See, I have a rule. A no heartache rule. Not only is Carter my friend and a known heartbreaker, but his job as a firefighter puts him in danger daily, and that’s something I just can’t handle.

The commitment between us might be pretend, but the passion all too real. As crazy as it makes me, I have to keep Carter at an arm’s length. Even that might not be enough to spare my heart.

Download your copy today!

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Excerpt:

“The whole drive from the hospital, I told myself I wanted to check on you.” Carter wraps his hands around his coffee and looks up at me through thick, dark lashes most women would pay a premium for. “But the second I walked in the door, I knew that wasn’t what brought me here. I want to finish what we started.”

I bite my lip and whimper. “You’re killing me.”

“And when you look at me like that, all I want to do is seduce you into ignoring your better judgment.”

That! my traitorous body cries. Yes, let’s do that!

“But I get it,” he continues. “We’re friends, and as tempting as I find you—as tempting as I’ve always found you—if adding sex to our friendship is out of the question for you, this conversation is over. I want you, but I’m not enough of an idiot to ruin this just to take you to bed.”

My brain stumbles on as tempting as I’ve always found you before landing on adding sex to our friendship. Is that an option? Does that ever work? Crap on a cracker. I’ve known Carter for four years, and I’ve never had to exert so much self-control for something as simple as not straddling his lap.

“Tell me what you’re thinking.” His voice is low, a husky rumble that bypasses my brain and speaks directly to the parts of my anatomy I’d rather exclude from this conversation.

I’m thinking I want you too. I’m thinking we could be naked and in my bed in less than sixty seconds. “I’m thinking you should leave,” I blurt, pushing the words past the other really bad ideas on the tip of my tongue.

He blinks at me, then nods as he pushes out of his chair. “Sure. I understand.”

Jumping up, I catch his arm. I can feel the heat of his skin through the cotton of his shirt sleeve. “I’ve never done this.”

His eyes go wide. “Wow. I thought . . . Seriously?”

“Not sex, you idiot. The whole friends-with-benefits thing. I’m not sure I’m made that way.”

He’s quiet for a long beat. “If you need more than that from me, Tea, I—”

I press my fingers to his lips and shake my head before he can say anything else. I’m not hoping for more. More is out of the question for me with someone like Carter. But even so, I don’t want to hear that he doesn’t want anything either. I know it’ll feel like rejection—even if that makes me a hypocrite. “I don’t want more, but I don’t know if . . .”

I drop my hand from his mouth and lift onto my toes to press my lips to his. I want to know if it’ll feel like it did last night, and the second our mouths touch, I have my answer. Electric need zips through me. I loop my arms behind his neck, planning to take the kiss deeper.

He doesn’t let me. With a hand on either of my wrists, he pulls my arms away and steps back, his eyes dark. “I’ll go. You think. If we do this, it needs to be a decision, not an accident.”

I nod and watch him leave, but I stand there for a solid five minutes, considering running after him.

About Lexi:

Lexi Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of emotional romance that sizzles. A former academic and English professor, Lexi considers herself the luckiest girl around to make a living through storytelling. She loves spending time with her crazy kids, weightlifting, ice cream, swoony heroes, and vodka martinis.

Lexi lives in Indiana with her husband, two children, and a spoiled dog. You can find her at her website: http://www.lexiryan.com

Connect with Lexi:

Website: http://www.lexiryan.com/
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/writerlexiryan
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2856947.Lexi_Ryan
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2bIYjGa

New Release + Release Blitz + Excerpt: My Life In Shambles by Karina Halle

Posted on 04/12/2019 by cafemamanc7

My Life in Shambles by Karina Halle

Release Date: April 11, 2019

My Life in Shambles, a full-length contemporary standalone romance by Karina Halle.

When Valerie Stephens made the resolution to say yes to new adventures, she never thought she’d end up in the tiny town of Shambles, fake engaged to one of Ireland’s top rugby players. But there’s a first time for everything.

They say bad things happen in threes.

After my boyfriend broke off our engagement, and I lost my apartment, and was laid off from my job, I can more than attest to that.

They also say life happens when you say yes to new adventures.

So when my two sisters invited me to ring in the new year in Ireland, I decided to throw all caution to the wind and go for it. I was going to let “saying yes” be my new resolution.

Little did I know I’d spend New Year’s Eve having a hot and dirty one-night stand with Padraig McCarthy, one hell of a sexy Irishman. I also didn’t know that the brooding and intense sex god was one of Ireland’s top rugby players.

A rugby player with a proposition for me:

Come with him to his tiny hometown of Shambles and pretend to be his fiancé for a few days, just so that his ailing father can have some peace of mind.

It sounded simple enough.

It was anything but.

Not when a town gets up in your business, not when the media hunts you down, not when your past comes back in the picture, not when there are real hearts and feelings at stake.

Not when there are secrets that could break you.

They say life is what happens when you say yes to new adventures.

This is my life in Shambles.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

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Excerpt:

The rest of the evening starts to pass by in a bit of a blur.

The food comes, and suddenly I’ve never been so hungry in my life. I don’t even pull any of that dainty eating nonsense, you know the type you do on a first date with someone, all tiny nibbles and delicate wiping of the mouth with a napkin. No, I fill my damn mouth with food, dumplings and spicy meats and rice. I eat with abandon, like there’s no tomorrow.

Padraig does the same. It’s freeing. It’s funny. I keep making orgasm noises over it all and he keeps laughing, and we eat and eat, even feeding each other won tons at one point with shaky chopstick skills. Honestly, there’s never been anything sexier.

When we’re finally finished, we’re both full, more drunk than before, and a little greasy. I try to pay the bill but he insists (although I don’t even think they charged him for anything), and then as we leave the restaurant he grabs my hand.

I’m not a small-boned girl, but with his hand over mine, I feel like I’ve been reverted back to the hapless woman being led by an alpha caveman and I don’t mind one bit. The fact that his palm is warm in this snowy weather with the skin-to-skin contact sends consistent shivers down my back.

We stroll down the streets and I almost slip a few times, my bad balance combined with the snow making for a dicey situation. But each time Padraig grabs me and keeps me upright, and I have to admit, it’s kind of fun to be constantly falling into him. It’s like having a wall of bricks for support, if that wall of bricks was shaped like a rugby god.

I have no idea where we’re going. All I know is that it’s not even midnight yet.

He takes me to a bar and then a club, both of which are packed to the doors and have crazy long lines, both of which we bypass with ease because he’s Padraig McCarthy.

I’m not one for dancing and Padraig doesn’t strike me as the type either, but there’s something about the deep bass beats in this place, and the free-flowing champagne, courtesy of the club, that has us falling into a rhythm together.

At first we’re dancing apart but it’s not long before the inches between us close. The heat from his body and mine brews, and the electricity is flowing in sparks and jumps, moving to the erotic pulse of the music, mixed with the hope and hedonism of the crowd on this once-a-year night.

His hips bridge the gap, his strong palms running down the sides of my waist, my hips slowly swaying then grinding against him. I feel his erection burning through his jeans, the width and length taking my breath again, making me blush in such a way that I’m glad the lights are dim.

I’m both a young girl, naïve and inexperienced and shy as the very touch and proximity to him hurls me toward a sexual awakening, and at the same time I’m an old soul who has found her equal in another, whose body wants to know this stranger intimately, who isn’t scared at what’s transpiring, but is hungry instead.

Both of these sides are at war inside me, dancing around each other like a caduceus, until I’m dizzy with my feelings for him. This want, this yearning, this need for something new, something exciting and terrifying, it claws through me until I can’t ignore it anymore.

I glance up at Padraig and see only his eyes. Those deep, dark haunting eyes that glimmer with the pulsating lights and yet radiate with something as wanting and wicked as the feelings inside of me.

His hands go to the back of my neck and the small of my back. My chin tips up. The rest of the world fades away and I know when it comes back into focus, everything will be different.

Everything will change.

It takes a moment to change someone.

Sometimes it just takes a kiss.

Meet Karina:

Karina Halle is a former travel writer and music journalist and The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author of The Pact, Love, in English, The Artists Trilogy, Dirty Angels and over 20 other wild and romantic reads. She lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband and her rescue pup, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails and devours a lot of books.

Halle is represented by the Root Literary and is both self-published and published by Simon & Schuster and Hachette in North America and in the UK.

Connect with Karina:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkarinahalle/
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http://authorkarinahalle.com

New Release + Excerpt and 5 Star Review: Cipher by Larissa Ione – A Demonica Underworld Novella

Posted on 04/12/2019 by shellbellereads

In the war between good and evil, sometimes the biggest battles take place inside the soul…and the heart.

From New York Times **and USA Today bestselling author Larissa Ione, comes CIPHER, a passionate and spellbinding novella from the Demonica Underworld Series, brought to you by 1,001 Dark Nights! Be sure you grab your copy today!**

About CIPHER:

**From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Larissa Ione comes a new story in her Demonica Underworld series…**

It’s been seven months since Cipher, an Unfallen angel who straddled a razor thin line between good and evil, woke up in hell with a new set of wings, a wicked pair of fangs, and a handler who’s as beautiful as she is dangerous. As a laid-back cyber-specialist who once assisted guardian angels, he’d been in a prime position to earn back his halo. But now, as a True Fallen forced to use his talents for malevolence, he must fight not only his captors and his sexy handler, but the growing corruption inside him…before the friends searching for him become his enemies and he becomes his own worst nightmare.

Lyre is a fallen angel with a heart full of hate. When she’s assigned to ensure that Cipher carries out their boss’s orders, she sees an opportunity to take revenge on those who wronged her. All she has to do is appeal to Cipher’s burgeoning dark side. But the devastatingly handsome fellow True Fallen has other ideas — sexy ideas that threaten to derail all Lyre’s plans and put them in the path of an approaching hell storm.

Danger and desire explode, even as Cipher and Lyre unravel a sinister plot that will fracture the underworld and send shockwaves into Heaven itself…

Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

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“Ione has made a major name for herself with her amazing Demonica series.”
~ Romantic Times Book Reviews

Lyre watched Cipher try to get his powers and wings under control for just over twenty-four human hours.

It hadn’t gone well. His wings seemed to have minds of their own and his fallen angel gifts were powerful but unpredictable, like natural disasters spawned by a child’s imagination.

Finally, after he exploded a tree with a superheated stream of blue light and nearly fried himself with the blowback, she called down to him.

“You hungry?” she yelled. “Because I could eat.”

He let out a frustrated shout accompanied by a stomp of his foot, and a crack appeared in the ground under the sole of his boot. A deafening boom and a slow rumble started up, and within seconds the crack lengthened and began to widen as the walls collapsed and chunks of earth tumbled into the fissure.

That couldn’t be good.

“Run!” she shouted

He sprinted toward her, away from the growing gap. And then, suddenly, he spun around and ran toward it.

“Cipher! No!” What the hell was he doing?

She extended her wings, ready to go after him as he leaped across the fissure. He wasn’t going to make it to the other side of the sheer cliff face. Not if his wings wouldn’t work—

His great wings flapped, lifting him easily skyward. He banked and soared in a glorious, elegant arc. A shout of pure joy rang out as he flew toward her, reminding her of the excitement she’d felt the first time she’d tried out her fallen angel wings. Hers had taken a year to grow, but it had taken only minutes to get them working. Cipher had to be thrilled to finally have his under control.

Folding her own black leather wings against her shoulders, she watched him come in for a landing, but as he did, one wing went rogue, freezing in a closed position. He clipped a tree and went into an unrecoverable spin before hitting the ground and tumbling to a stop next to her.

She coughed at the resulting cloud of dust. “That was graceful.”

He eyed her from where he lay sprawled in the dirt. “Tell me you got that on video.”

She didn’t want to be charmed, but she laughed anyway. Humor was something she missed since entering Sheoul. No one had a sense of humor here. And those who did seemed to have found it puddled on the floor of a torture chamber.

“No such luck,” she said.

“S’okay. But I’ll bet it would have gone viral.” Wincing, he shoved to his feet and tried to push his left wing into the retraction position. “I don’t get it. I can’t control these things. It’s like they’re fighting me. They don’t feel right.”

They didn’t look right, either. Marred by what seemed to be scars and ragged edges, they weren’t like any newbie wings she’d ever seen.

“Hmm. Maybe they were damaged by the restraints.” She moved around behind him, silently admiring his broad, muscular back. It would look even better with scratch marks from her fingernails after a long, sweaty round of sex.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/embed.animoto.com/play.html?w=swf/production/vp1&e=1554132528&f=qUeoQwCZ7gdFxMjQM7F0zA&d=0&m=p&r=360p+480p+720p&volume=100&start_res=720p&i=m&asset_domain=s3-p.animoto.com&animoto_domain=animoto.com&options=autostart

Michel’s Review

It’s hard to believe the Demonica Underworld Series is still going strong after eleven years and 21 Books & Novellas. Readers have taken the adventure to the underworld and witnessed the battles between the ruling demonic hierarchy as well as the near end of the world. The Four Horsemen have made their presence known and the Apocalypse almost came to pass. Some of Heaven’s warrior angels and fallen angels are desperately trying to hold the world as we know it together while keeping Satan and his minions at bay. The only positive thing happening within both worlds is the fact that Satan has been imprisoned for over 1000 years in an inter-dimensional prison. There are only three angels who hold the secret key to release him from his prison. Azogoth, the grim reaper, who is in charge of Sheoul-gra is one of those angels. Releasing Satan would be the end of humanity along with the end of the world.

There is a dark sinister plot within the realms of hell and Sheoul-gra to release Satan. Two of Satan’s faithful followers, also fallen angels, are carrying out a plan to bring Azagoth to his knees and force him to surrender the key. They have kidnapped one of his fallen angels to gain access to secret information in order to force Azogoth to surrender to their will.

Cypher is a brilliant fallen angel who works in Sheoul-gra for Azagoth. His job is maintaining records and data within all the realms. Cipher not only writes the computer codes but he can also hack any secret codes available in all realms. Bael and his brother Madoc believe they have the perfect incentive to force Cypher to break Azagoth’s secret files. They have recruited fallen angel Lyre to seduce and break Cypher.

Lyre is a fallen angel for a reason. She wants revenge against certain residents in heaven. Her only hope is working for the evil fallen angels in Sheoul to get what she wants. What she didn’t count on was the goodness radiating off of Cypher. No matter how severe the torture is, he never breaks. She’s starting to rethink her stance and regrets her actions after she fell. The longer she is around Cypher the more she wants to help him. Time is running out. They need to get to Sheoul-gra and warn Azagoth. They need to stop the evil at all costs even if it damns their own souls for eternity.

Love is the only thing that makes makes hell bearable. Love is the only thing that will give them the strength to escape.

Escaping is only a reprieve… the war is coming. Evil may try to defeat Azagoth but they don’t call him the grim reaper for nothing. No one messes with Azagoth or those under his care!

Larissa Ione has kept the Demonica Underworld fresh and exciting. Every time I think this series is close to an end she throws in a whole new twist that makes the Demonica world expand. This complex series has dynamic characters that are intense, charismatic, sexy, humorous, and downright scary. I can’t wait for Reaper to unleash on October 15, 2019. Everything we thought we knew about Azagoth is just a blip on our radar. He is coming to claim our hearts and souls. I am not running… he can take me down his fiery path.

******

About Larissa Ione:

Larissa Ione is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. An Air Force veteran, she traded in a career as a meteorologist to pursue her passion of writing. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | 1001 Dark Nights

New Release + Release Blitz + Excerpt: Nobody Does It Better by Lauren Blakely

Posted on 04/08/2019 by cafemamanc7

Best friend’s brother who she’s wanted for years? Check.

Off-limits woman who he’s been warned to stay away from? Yep.

One helluva snowstorm? More than eight inches!

Less than a dollar for a brand new romance? One-click!

NOBODY DOES IT BETTER is a red-hot forbidden romance novella from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely. You can get it for just 99 cents now! But grab it at this amazing price NOW because the price will be going up at the end of release day! Get ready for wit, charm, and a whole lot of heat! Don’t miss this delicious standalone best friend’s brother romance!

Get your copy of NOBODY DOES IT BETTER today!

✮✮✮ NOBODY DOES IT BETTER is here! Grab your copy today! ✮✮✮

Some women are just forbidden.

Like—off the top of my head—MY SISTER’S LIFE-LONG BEST FRIEND.

Sis has made it patently clear that Vanessa is hands-off, as in keep my ladies’ man paws far away from her clever, go-getter best friend who’s ready for the real deal. That should be an easy guideline to follow, except Vanessa is deliciously flirty, easy to talk to, and laughs at my jokes. Translation – my libido has been craving her many, many years. So many that we might have stolen a kiss or two.

Can you say pent-up, crazy, raw desire?

That’s exactly what we’re both feeling when the storm of the century hits and it’s 10 inches of snow with Vanessa and me trapped in a cabin all night long…

The trouble is—Vanessa isn’t interested in my playboy ways, and I have one night to convince her that I’m the real deal.

ORDER YOUR COPIES HERE!

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EXCERPT:

~VANESSA~

I have this fantasy.

The details vary a little. Sometimes I’m in the town diner, other times I’m walking across the square. Most of the time, I’m right here at the one-stop check-in and shoe counter at my bowling alley.

The rest of it goes like this: This guy strides up to me. A rush of tingles spreads down my chest at the sight of his dark hair, his five-o’clock shadow, and his big, burly frame. He drums his fingers on the Formica, lifts a brow, then smiles.

I mean one of those world-class, panty-melting grins that make you swoon.

But the real swoon is what comes next.

He’ll say, “Level with me, Vanessa. I’ve had it bad for you for most of the last two decades, and I’ll wager it’s the same for you. If you feel even one ounce of what I feel, let’s shed this whole ruse and make it official. Go out with me. Go out with me tonight.”

The rest? It’s a montage of oh yeses; hot, wet kisses; and messy lipstick.

That’s the fantasy. My reality on a Wednesday evening in February?

The door opens and a familiar figure strolls in. Even from a distance, he catches my gaze then tips his chin and mouths hey.

My stomach flips, and then it somersaults again when he reaches my post, winks, and asks for a pair of shoes. I know his size, so I hand him the fourteens.

“You know what they say about big shoes?” His deep, raspy voice makes my chest flutter.

I quirk up my lips. “That they’re perfect for clowns?”

And that smile? Oh boy. It spreads into the sexiest grin. “Vanessa Maria Marquez, are you saying I’m a clown?”

I shrug, a little playfully, looking at the shoes in his hands. “If the shoe fits…”

He leans closer. “The other thing they say about big shoes is that it’s hard…”

I wait for him to make a dirty joke, to lob an innuendo. Breath held, I wait for him to say Let’s do this, because hope never dies. And then I wait for the abject guilt of keeping a secret from Perri to subside. Perri, one of my two best friends in the universe, the girl who’s been there for me through every up and down, who attended the theatrical productions I worked on in high school, the friend who rushed to my side in the hospital room when I broke my leg skiing in college, even though she was two hours away, the woman I gave the kick in the pants to last year with her guy when she needed it.

Shaw’s hazel eyes flicker, and I know he’s waiting for me to set up his dirty joke.

My guilt hardens—and my hope deepens, too. The longing for this man beats on.

I return to his “hard” comment. “Hard for what?”

“Hard to find socks.”

I laugh, shake my head, and shoo him off. “Go bowl some strikes, Shaw.”

He gives me a tip of the imaginary hat and heads off to lane twenty, joining a few fellow firemen. I do my damnedest not to stare at his sexy butt, or admire his big frame, or, honestly, even think about him like that.

It’s something I’ve been trying to do for years.

When a group of older ladies—twice my age and totally fabulous—comes in, I shift my focus, setting them up at one of the lanes and serving them wine.

For the next thirty minutes, I don’t even look at lane twenty.

Well, maybe I peek once or twice.

✦ This audiobook includes not one, not two, not three, but FOUR all new novellas! And they’re performed by some of your favorite narrators! NOBODY DOES IT BETTER is narrated by Joe Arden and Erin Mallon with special cameo appearances from Carly Robins, Jason Clarke, Savannah Peachwood and Virginia Rose!
Then, treat yourself to the brand-new story ONCE UPON A RED-HOT KISS, read by Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon. This novella is ONLY available in audio.
Next, you’ll find TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, premiering in audio and read by Andi Arndt and R.C. Bray (from Birthday Suit!)– it’s the story of Flynn’s sister Olivia (from Come As You Are)! And it’s only available in audio!
Finally, you’ll finish with CAUGHT UP IN HER, available in audio for the first time and performed by Jason Clarke and Carly Robins.
This audiobook is 6 hours of brand new, original content, and it will not be in the romance package. Get your copy today! ✦
✦Audio ➜ https://amzn.to/2VjEzvq
✦Audible ➜ https://adbl.co/2uN2yaE

ADD IT TO YOUR GOODREADS TODAY!

About Lauren Blakely:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sweet, sexy and witty. Her heroines are strong and smart and her heroes have hearts of gold and fantastic funny bones. She lives in California with her family, including her smoking hot and hilarious husband and her two brilliant and kind children. She has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs — she might have four dogs, or maybe five. If she’s lucky, she’ll soon have six dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 100 times, and she’s sold more than 3 million books. In April she’ll release NOBODY DOES IT BETTER, in May THE DATING PROPOSAL, and in June SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter

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New Release + Release Blitz + Excerpt: Repeat by Kylie Scott

Posted on 04/08/2019 by cafemamanc7

**From New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott comes REPEAT, a sexy, standalone contemporary romance! REPEAT is now available! Grab your copy today!**

About REPEAT:

**From New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott comes an irresistible new romance.**

When a vicious attack leaves 25-year-old Clementine Johns with no memory, she’s forced to start over. Now she has to figure out who she was and why she made the choices she did – which includes leaving the supposed love of her life, tattoo artist Ed Larsen, only a month before.

Ed can hardly believe it when his ex shows up at his tattoo parlor with no memory of their past, asking about the breakup that nearly destroyed him. The last thing he needs is more heartache, but he can’t seem to let her go again. Should they walk away for good, or does their love deserve a repeat performance?

Grab your copy of REPEAT today!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2IdZddA
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2RxBrdl
Amazon Aus: https://amzn.to/2DYUObd
Nook: http://bit.ly/2Pip4jx
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2zHcnK6
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2UdwSqc
Paperback: https://amzn.to/2Ge8ekm

EXCERPT:

“Amnesia,” he mutters for about the hundredth time. Usually, ‘fuck’, ‘shit’, or some blasphemy follows that statement. This time, however, there’s nothing. Maybe he’s finally getting used to the idea.

I sit on the opposite side of the booth, inspecting the cocktail menu. It’s as gross and sticky as the table.

“Can I get you guys something else?” asks the waiter with a practiced smile.

“I’ll have a piña colada.”

“You hate coconut,” Ed Larsen informs me, slumped back in his seat.

“Oh.”

“Try a margarita.”

“What he said,” I tell the waiter, who presumably thinks we have some kinky dom-sub thing going on.

Ed orders another lite beer, watching me the entire time. I don’t know if his blatant examination is better or worse than my sister’s furtive looks. He’d suggested going back to his place to talk. I declined. I don’t know the guy, and it didn’t feel safe. So instead we came here. The bar is dark and mostly empty, given it’s the middle of the afternoon, but at least it’s public.

“How old are you?” I ask.

In response, he pulls his wallet out of his back pocket and passes me his driver’s license.

“Thank you.” Information is good. More definites. “You’re seven years older than me.”

“Yeah.”

“How serious were we? Did we stay together for long?”

He licks his lips, turns away. “Don’t you have someone else you can ask about all this? Your sister?”

I just look at him.

He frowns, but then sighs. “We saw each other for about half a year before moving in together. That lasted eight months.”

“Pretty serious.”

“If you say so.” His face isn’t happy. But I need to know.

“Did I cheat on you?”

Now the frown comes with a glare.

Despite his don’t-fuck-with-me vibes, it’s hard not to smile. The man is blessed in the DNA department. He’s so pretty. Masculine pretty. I’m not used to being attracted to people, and he’s giving me a heart-beating-harder, tingles-in-the-pants kind of sensation, which is a lot new and a little overwhelming. Makes me want to giggle and flip my hair at him like some vapid idiot.

But I don’t. “It’s just that I’m getting some distinct vibes that somehow I’m the bad guy in all this.”

“No, you didn’t cheat on me,” he growls. “And I didn’t cheat on you either, no matter what you might have thought.”

My brows jump. “Huh. So that’s why we broke up?”

“This is fucked. Actually, it was fucked the first time.” He turns away and finishes the last of his beer. “Jesus.”

I just keep quiet, waiting.

“You have no memories, no feelings about me whatsoever?”

“No, nothing.”

A muscle jumps in his jaw, his hands sitting fisted on the table.

“It’s called traumatic retrograde amnesia,” I say, trying to explain. “What they call my ‘episodic memory’ is gone—all my memories of events and people and history. Personal facts. But I can still make a cup of coffee, read a book, or drive a car. Stuff like that. Things that were done repetitively, you know? Not that I’m allowed to drive at the moment. My car’s sitting outside my sister’s house gathering dust. They said to give it some time before I got behind the wheel again, make sure I’m okay. Also, apparently the part of my brain in charge of inhibitions and social restrictors, et cetera, is a bit messed up, so I don’t always react right, or at least not necessarily how you’d expect me to behave based on previous me.”

“Previous you?”

I shrug. “It’s as good a label for her as any.”

“She’s you. You’re her.”

“Maybe. But she’s still a complete stranger to me.”

“Christ,” he mutters.

This is awkward. “I’m upsetting you. I’m sorry. But there are things I need to know, and I’m hoping you can help me out with some of them.”

Buy on Audible now!!

ADD TO GOODREADS

About Kylie Scott:

Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013 & 2014, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet. You can learn more about Kylie from http://www.kylie-scott.com/

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New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt + Giveaway: Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan

Posted on 04/03/2019 by cafemamanc7

“Kennedy Ryan weaves prose like a magician (or voodoo priestess) without sacrificing heat or page-turning angst to create authentic, living, breathing characters you want to root for to the end. Hook Shot is simply beautiful.” — Emma Scott, Bestselling Author

Hook Shot, a deeply emotional standalone set in the worlds of professional basketball and high fashion from Kennedy Ryan, is available now and FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Enter the Release Giveaway for a $50 Gift Card +Signed HOOK SHOT Paperback here:

https://www.facebook.com/KennedyRyanAuthor/

Divorced. Single dad. Traded to a losing squad.

Cheated on, betrayed, exposed.

My perfect life blew up in my face and I’m still picking up the pieces.

The last thing I need is her.

A wildflower. A storm. A woman I can’t resist.

Lotus DuPree is a kick to my gut and a wrench in my plans

from the moment our eyes meet.

I promised myself I wouldn’t trust a woman again,

but I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want Lo.

She’s not the plan I made, but she’s the risk I have to take.

A warrior. A baller. The one they call Gladiator.

Kenan Ross charged into my life smelling all good, looking even better and snatching my breath from the moment we met.

The last thing I need is him.

I’m working on me. Facing my pain and conquering my demons.

I’ve seen what trusting a man gets you.

Don’t. Have. Time. For. This.

But he just keeps coming for me.

Keeps knocking down my defenses and stealing my excuses

one by one.

He never gives up, and now…I’m not sure I want him to.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FPhLNj

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/HookShot

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2IcDbXB

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2RQ7p81

Audiobook Alert: http://bit.ly/2UyzQFI

Audiobook Release: April 30th

Start the HOOPS series with LONG SHOT today for only 99¢!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2TPnW9b

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/LongShotKR

BLOCK SHOT: https://amzn.to/2HWloEU

HOOPS Holiday: https://amzn.to/2OMRzas

EXCERPT

After talking to Kenan for the last few minutes, and looking under his hood, so to speak, I’ve found that he’s a classic. They don’t make them like him anymore, and if I don’t change the subject, change the course of this conversation, I’ll fool myself that we don’t have to keep things simple and that we could be more than just friends, not just for the summer, but for a long time to come. As long as I’d like.

“Okay,” I say, switching gears without a clutch and pulling a tie off another of Amanda’s racks. “I think that shirt could work really well with this tie.”

He doesn’t look at the tie I’m holding up, but keeps his eyes fastened on me. He’s not playing along. I’ve boxed myself into a corner with him. And the quarters are too tight. His scent. His warmth. His intelligence. His thoughtfulness. He is pressing in on me, overtaking my good intentions in all the ways I never thought a man could.

“Try this on,” I say, blindly shoving the mint green shirt at him.

When I look at him, he’s already peeled one shirt off and is reaching for the one I chose. I didn’t think this through. Didn’t forecast that Kenan changing from one shirt into another would mean his naked chest. I lose my train of thought and all my chill. Besides my mouth dropping open at the sight of the sculpted terrain of his chest and abs, I give no other indication that he affects me. Taut, bronze skin stretches across his broad shoulders like supple canvas pulled over a frame, the foundation of a masterpiece. He’s a big man. Not bulky, but instead chiseled to the specifications of a master sculptor: arms roped with muscles, biceps like rocks under skin glowing with health. The forearms Chase raved about are lined with veins and sinew. And I die for a great chest. I’ve never seen one more spectacular than Kenan’s.

Two words.

Male. Nipples.

Jesus, my mouth is literally watering at the thought of tasting them, sucking them, licking them. And if that pectoral perfection weren’t enough, the two columns of muscles, four each, are stacked over his lean stomach arrowing down to a narrow waist and hips. I can’t look away. I lick my lips, imagining how he would feel under my mouth. How I’d lick around his nipples and drag my tongue down that shallow path bisecting his abdominal muscles. I’d slip that belt off and sink to my knees. Unzip those pants and take him out. God, hold him in my hands and then take him all the way to the back of my throat. I’d choke on him. A man this big . . . I’d be so tight around him.

“Lotus,” Kenan says, jarring me from my torso trance. “Should I go ahead and put this shirt on? Or did you need a little more time?”

I snap a glance up to his face, embarrassed to find him laughing at me. Oh, God. I’m as bad as Amanda. I turn to leave, but he catches my elbow with a gentle hand and turns me back around, walking us behind two of the racks. He bends until he’s almost eye level with me.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” he says, searching my face intently. “I’m glad you like my body.”

“I didn’t say I . . .” My words trail off at his knowing grin. “Okay. So you have a nice body. I work in fashion. Do you have any idea how many great bodies I see on a daily basis?”

“I’m sure many,” he says, his smile still firmly in place. “I can’t speak for any of them, only for the way you looked at me.”

“And how do you think I looked at you?” I ask defensively, forcing myself not to look away.

In the quiet that follows, his smile fades, and heat replaces the humor in his eyes. “You looked at me the way I bet I’ve looked at you every time you walk into a room,” he says, the timbre of his voice rolling over my sensitive skin like a caress. “Like I would eat you if I could. Head to toe, everything in between.”

“Kenan,” I protest, closing my eyes on a groan. “We said friends. We said simple. This is not how you start a simple friendship.”

His large hand cups my jaw and lifts my chin. I open my eyes, blinking dazedly at him. I wasn’t prepared for how his touch makes me feel. How I instantly crave more of it; want to lean into the warmth; to turn and trace his lifeline with my tongue. Tell him all the things I could discover just from reading his palm and looking into his eyes.

How can such a large hand feel so gentle, like it’s capable of treasuring, cherishing?

“Okay, Lotus,” he says, regret and reluctance woven around my name. “Simple. Friendship.”

About Kennedy

A Top 25 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy Ryan writes about women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. Her heroes respect, cherish and lose their minds for the women who capture their hearts.

She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine and Frolic, Kennedy’s writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Atlanta Autism families, she has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other media outlets as an advocate for families living with autism.

Connect with Kennedy

Never Miss A Release! Follow Kennedy on BookBub: http://bit.ly/2HcRuee

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New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt: Downfall by Jay Crownover

Posted on 04/03/2019 by cafemamanc7

**From New York Times bestselling author Jay Crownover comes DOWNFALL, a sexy, standalone contemporary romance! Check out all the stops on the tour, and grab your copy today, or read in Amazon KU!**

About DOWNFALL:

Solomon Sanders doesn’t have time to fall in love. Until a stunning, skittish, single mother forces him to pause and recognize just how empty and hollow his busy life has become.

From the start, it’s been ingrained in Solo’s DNA to fight.

Fight for what he believes is right.

Fight for the people he loves.

Fight for the traces of good in a place which tends to be filled with a variety of bad.

Fight for survival, so at some point, his life will quiet down and find a normal pace.

He wasn’t ready for the impact his secretive, shy, obviously out of place new neighbor was going to have on him. And never in a million years was he prepared to fall head over heels for her and her young daughter.

Now, he’s facing the most important, and the hardest fight he’s ever fought… the battle to win Orley’s damaged heart.

Orley Vincent’s heart is full of fear, leaving no space for love. Until a big, brash, brawler of a man forces his way in and makes her realize facing her fears is the only way she can ever be free.

From the start, Orley was groomed to believe she wasn’t good enough.

She wasn’t the perfect daughter. Or student. Or girlfriend.

But, she has always been the best mother she could be to her daughter, Noble.

Keeping Noble safe has always been the one thing she was determined to do, which ironically, is how she ended up on the wrong side of the tracks, living next door to an unlikely hero. Orley’s a woman on the run. She had no idea her frantic sprint was going to land her in the tattooed arms of a man ready to teach her how to fight for herself… and for love.

DOWNFALL is now available in KU!

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon FR
Amazon Paperback: Coming soon!

EXCERPT:

~SOLO~

“I’m not anyone’s savior, Orley. Don’t get that confused.”

She sighed again and pushed herself up off the floor. “I’m not confused. I’m incredibly lucky.” She sounded like she felt anything but lucky. “I want to do something nice for you. I have limited options, but if you want to come next door for dinner one night, Noble and I would love to have you.” She waved a hand around my kitchen, “I may have noticed you don’t keep much of anything edible on hand when I was looking for the coffee.”

Guiltily, I glanced at the abandoned bag of tater tots on the couch. “I’m on the go a lot. I usually just grab something I can eat on the run. Plus, I can’t cook.” My mom was a great cook, though, or she had been at one point. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a home-cooked meal. “Do you cook?” She was so young, it was hard to picture her slaving over a hot stove on the regular.

Orley nodded. “Sure. I mostly throw stuff together geared to the palate of a toddler, but I’m sure I can figure out something adult appropriate for one night. I really owe you more than I can ever repay. Being a good neighbor is the least I can do.”

I did a mental rundown of my week trying to find a hole where I could fit her in. Not for the first time a wave of exhaustion washed over me when I realized how every hour of my days were packed. It shouldn’t be nearly impossible to eke out a night for something as easy as dinner. Finally deciding I was just going to have to skip a training session or get up even earlier to work on school work, I told Orley I would be over on Wednesday night.

She nodded at me and took a step forward. I went to move out of the way so she could get out of the small space without feeling crowded, but she caught me completely off guard when she walked right up to me and wrapped her arms around my waist. I felt her soft breath against the base of my throat and her soft hair brush against the bottom of my chin. I reflexively put an arm around her shoulders and returned her embrace. If she tilted her head back just a little, there wasn’t enough self-control in the world for me to keep my mouth off of hers. I would kiss the shit out of her, even though I knew it was the last thing she needed.

“I’ve never had anyone like you in my life, Solo. You terrify me.” She hugged me hard enough I had to bite my tongue to keep the yelp of pain from my jacked-up ribs at bay.

“That street goes both ways, Orley. I’ve never met anyone like you either.” I never thought I would to be honest.

She let me go and took a deep breath. She was halfway across the room when I realized something. “Hey, what about you. You never told me your last name.”

She stopped by the door, her back to me. For a minute I thought she didn’t hear me, but then she pulled the door open and called softly, “I’ll see you on Wednesday night.”

She slipped out the door without another word, leaving me with one more piece of a puzzle I was determined to put together. Figuring out my pretty neighbor was going to have to wait. I still needed to shower and drive out to see my mom. My obligations were never-ending and usually I liked being busy enough I didn’t have to think about much of anything. Lately, I found myself resenting every minute that took my attention away from the mysterious redhead I couldn’t stop thinking about.

Jay Crownover’s DOWNFALL – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

March 29^th

Bookgasms Book Blog – Review

Books, Coffee & Passion – Excerpt

Cyndy’s Read’s – Review

Milky Way of Books – Review

North & South Book Blog – Review

Obsessed by books – Review & Excerpt

People Like Books –Review

Readers Retreats – Excerpt

Two Book Pushers – Review & Excerpt

Words We Love By – Review & Excerpt

March 30^th

Adventures in Writing – Excerpt

Book Starlets – Review & Excerpt

Books 4 Girls – Excerpt

Kinky Girls Book Obsessions – Review

Lo’s Lo-Down on Books –Review & Excerpt

Red Hot + Blue Reads –Review & Excerpt

Seraphim Book Reviews – Review

Sweetheart Reads –Review

The Lovely Teacher Addictions – Review & Excerpt

March 31^st

Always a happy ever after – Review

Bad boys and bedtime stories book blog – Review

Devilishly dirty book blog – Review & Excerpt

Movies, Shows, & Books – Excerpt

Nicole’s Book Musings – Review

Reviews by Tammy and Kim (Rachel and Jay) – Review & Excerpt

Sofia Loves Books – Review & Excerpt

The Secret World of Book Lovers – Review & Excerpt

April 1^st

A crazy vermonters book reviews – Review

Bookishly Nerdy – Review & Excerpt

Booknerd1107 – Review & Excerpt

Ceres Books World – Review

I Heart Books – Review & Excerpt

LETSHAVEAKYA – Excerpt

Little Shop of Readers – Review

Red Cheeks Reads – Review & Excerpt

Tara’s Book Blog –Review & Excerpt

Whoo Gives A Hoot –Review & Excerpt

April 2^nd

A Book Nerd, a Bookseller and a Bibliophile – Review & Excerpt

Book Angel Booktopia – Review & Excerpt

Booked All Night – Review & Excerpt

Cat’s Guilty Pleasure – Review

Family, Books and Food – Excerpt

Jeri’s Book Attic – Review

Kiss and Tell Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Literary Misfit – Review & Excerpt

Renee Entress’s Blog – Review & Excerpt

Stephanie’s Book Reports – Review

The bookworms obsession – Review

April 3^rd

Anne & Melissa’s Book Love – Excerpt

Bobos Book Bank – Excerpt

Book Fancy – Review

Crazii Bitches Book Blog –Review & Excerpt

Jax’s Book Magic – Review & Excerpt

KDRBCK –Review & Excerpt

Obsessive Reading Disorder – Excerpt

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews – Excerpt

The Book Maven – Review & Excerpt

April 4^th

All Things Dark & Dirty –Excerpt

BOOKS to LUST BY – Review & Excerpt

Curvy and Nerdy – Review & Excerpt

I Heart Romance & YA – Review

Love Notes Bok Blog – Review & Excerpt

Marie Stuck In A Book – Review& Excerpt

My Girlfriend’s Couch – Excerpt

Onceupon_a_bookdream –Review & Excerpt

Shayna Renee – Review

Verna Loves Books – Review

April 5^th

abibliophobia anonymous book reviews – Review

CoensK Reviews – Excerpt

K&M Sultry Reads – Review & Excerpt

Lolas Book Blog – Review

Megan’s Media Melange – Review

Messy Bun Book Blog – Excerpt

Nerdy Chic – Review

Reese’s Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Soly’s books – Review & Excerpt

The Bookish Sisters – Review & Excerpt

About Jay Crownover:

Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men series, the Saints of Denver series, the Point series, the Breaking Point series, the Getaway series, and the Loveless, Texas series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.For more on Jay and her books, visit www.jaycrownover.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

New Release + Excerpt + Giveaway and 5+ Star Review: The Cursed Series Part One & Part Two by Rebecca Donovan

Posted on 03/28/2019 by shellbellereads

The Cursed Series

Parts 1 & 2

By Rebecca Donovan

Synopsis:

“Trust no one. Everyone lies. You can only save yourself.”

It was supposed to be a Friday night like any other for Lana and her best friends. Three girls out to cause a little trouble. Break a few hearts. And try not to get caught. Except on this night, Lana Peri is the sole witness to a horrific crime, and she can’t say a word. Not if she wants to protect her friends. No one will believe her word over his, so he gets away with it. And she’s forced to pay for her silence.

Instead of serving time in juvie, Lana is sentenced to a boarding school for privileged teens. Removed from everyone she knows and cares about, she’s abandoned at Blackwood School in Vermont, where everything is an illusion, including the lives of those who attend the elite institution. Lana isn’t wealthy or privileged. The only thing she has in common with the sons and daughters of celebrities and politicians is that she’s a delinquent, just like them. And they’ve all been forced to grow up much too fast.

Just when Lana begins to feel accepted, mysterious notes start showing up in her belongings and ominous threats are painted on her wall. Only someone she knows could have done it. Someone she thought was a friend. As the pieces fall into place, secrets begin to emerge, leaving Lana with too many questions and not enough people to trust.

The Cursed Series is a thrilling and tangled mystery that explores the sacrifice of love and the secrets kept to protect friends. How do you know who to trust when no one is telling the truth?

“This is Screaming Point.”

“That’s what it’s called?”

“It is now. As of today. Because it’s what we need it to be.” She takes my hand. “Ready?”

I look out at the dwindling light dancing on the dark surface like the lake is capturing every last bit of the sun before it disappears. I close my eyes and find that place inside that is always angry. That hates my curse. That needs Allie to live. And Vic to burn. That wants to hurt every man who has ever broken my mother’s heart. Or touched what wasn’t theirs. And every person who has ever lied when they claimed to love. I don’t have to search for long, because it’s always there, waiting to explode.

I open my eyes to look into Ashton’s sapphire blue ones, and nod.

We face the water and inhale deeply, giving our anger, frustration and sadness a breath of life before we unleash it onto the world in the most powerful scream that’s ever been launched from this cliff. And it’s freeing. More than I ever thought possible. I allow my heartache to take flight, releasing it into the setting sun to be dragged down beneath the horizon.

And what’s left when there aren’t any more screams to give is a radiant smile. Ashton and I face each other, our hands still clasped, and we start laughing. It’s a true, bonding laughter because we just shared something sacred. If anyone were to witness it, they would think we’re insane. And maybe it’s that crazy within each of us that makes the laughter louder and deeper until I have to wipe away the tears creeping out the corners of my eyes.

“Thank you, Ashton,” I tell her as we start back across the field. “My soul needed that.”

***

Michel’s Review

The Cursed Series by Rebecca Donovan is one readers don’t want to miss. The release of Part 1 and Part 2 are taking the reading and blogger world by storm. All who have read the book are praising the series and begging for the next two installments, myself included. This series grabbed my attention within the first few pages and held me captive through both parts. Although this series is considered mature YA geared for the 16 and up age group, I think this series steps out of it’s “specified genre”. It will appeal to all readers because of it’s mature content mixed with intrigue, mystery, and romance while still capturing the freshness of youthful optimism. The writing is superb. The plot is delivered in an interesting and subtle way by blending two worlds together in an unique way. The main characters are defined by their strongest virtue which is also their biggest weakness and flaw. Their personal curse is what propels and defines each of their roles within this story.

Pay attention to the headers at the beginning of each chapter in both Part One and Part Two. Part One is the perspective from Lana’s grandmother. Part two is from a fairytale story. All of these chapter headers propel the story in a new direction.

Part One – If I’d Known

The readers are introduced to Lana, the narrator of The Cursed series. Lana has been brought up to believe that virtues are the curses that destroy lives. She’s the only child of a single mother who conceived her at a young age. They were abandoned by the baby daddy before she was born. Her mother has spent her life searching for love and happily ever after. Her search has left Lana somewhat emotionally neglected. Lana was mostly raised by her grandmother until she passed away.

Her life experiences have taught her that virtues are the downfall for everyone she has loved. She has witnessed Belief, Trust, Kindness, and Boldness destroy those she holds dear.

Lana has been brought up in the rougher side of a small city in Massachusetts. It’s obvious that Lana and her friends have had to grow up fast and learn street smarts in order to survive. Although they are one step away from crossing the line to the darker side, they have each other’s backs and protect each other no matter what. In a sense they all know they will cross the line at some point. It’s just a matter of when or how. Loyalty to each other is how they survive in their world.

Lana’s biggest problem is her virtue. Her virtue is absolute “HONESTY”. She cannot lie no matter how much it can hurt someone else or herself. This is what leads her to her demise ( Part 2) when she is in the wrong place at the wrong time and very bad, unspeakable things happen that could destroy them all. Rather than lie about what happened she chooses silence and takes the punishment.

Part Two – Knowing You

Instead of being convicted and sent to Juvenile Detention, Lana is sent to Blackwood,an exclusive correctional boarding school for troubled rich kids. Rather than punishing the troubled students, they are managed and guided to make better life choices. The students are cut off from social media, technology, and the outside world. Their time is managed to fit their personal needs for improvement in all aspects of their lives including academic weaknesses to personality flaws. They are all required to work to pay back restitution for the damages they have done prior to coming to Blackwood.

Lana arrived at Blackwood at the beginning of the summer session. There are very few students on campus. The students that are attending quickly become her tribe although she doesn’t really trust any of them. They all work at the local country club and socialize with the other kids from town working there. Lana quickly realizes that although these kids are from privileged backgrounds they are all basically the same. They are all defined by their Virtue.

Lana becomes a part of the Blackwood life even though she misses her friends from her old life. She is learning that people are people no matter where she goes. There are good and bad things everywhere. She still doesn’t trust easily but she is also learning life lessons about the true meaning of love and friendship. Things seem good on the surface but she is getting threatening notes that are escalating into something sinister and dangerous. As the threats escalate it becomes apparent that her past world is connected to her new world. It may not be the VIRTUE that destroys her. Two worlds are colliding. Virtues are colliding. Her life is spiraling out of control.

CLIFFHANGER!

Rebecca Donovan knocked it out of the park with the Cursed Series. She delivered an enthralling story that readers cannot get enough of. I highly recommend this series!

***

http://bit.ly/FirstChapterTheCursedRD

Enter to win the Giveaway HERE!

Rebecca Donovan

Rebecca Donovan, the USA Today and Wall Street Journalbestselling YA author of The Breathing Seriesand What If, lives in a small town in Massachusetts with her son. Influenced and obsessed with music, Rebecca can often be found jumping around at concerts, or on a plane to go see one. She’s determined to experience(not just live) life. And then write about it.

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New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt: King by Cassia Leo

Posted on 03/27/2019 by cafemamanc7

We are beyond excited about the release of KING, a new romance about taking chances, double lives, and falling madly in love with the one person you’re supposed to want dead by New York Times bestselling author Cassia Leo. Be sure to grab your copy today!

About KING

From New York Times bestselling author Cassia Leo comes a romance about taking chances, double lives, and falling madly in love with the one person you’re supposed to want dead.

Never steal from a king.

Down on her luck in Las Vegas, Isabel “Izzy” Lake turns to the regulated prostitution industry. But her first day on the job ends abruptly when her client dies, and his suitcase contains over a million dollars.

Izzy takes the money and sets off to a small town on the other side of the country, where she attempts to live a low-profile life. A few weeks into her new country girl lifestyle, she finds owning an old fixer-upper isn’t so fun when you’re a city girl with zero DIY skills.

Izzy’s handsome new neighbor, Kingston Jameson, is all too eager to fix her leaky faucet and warm the cold side of her bed. It’s not long before she finds herself falling for King. But is he really the sweet-talking country boy he claims to be, or has he come to collect more than her heart?

***

Kingston “King” Jameson knew he shouldn’t have let Garrett pick up the suitcase full of cash. And he sure as hell never expected Garrett to die at a brothel and get robbed by a prostitute.

King needs to get the suitcase – and the secret item hidden in the lining – before his boss kills him.

He has one problem: The girl who stole the suitcase has hidden it very well. She left her entire life behind in Las Vegas. She’s got nothing left to lose. If King wants that suitcase, he needs to get close to her. Close enough to watch her every move. To know her deepest secrets.

Okay, he has two problems: He’s also fallen in love with the girl he’s supposed to kill.

Add KING to your Goodreads TBR!

Get your copy of KING today!
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Excerpt

The drive home is relatively silent, save for the occasional heaving noises from Izzy. When I pull into her driveway, I make sure to park with the passenger side as close to her front door as possible. Then, I carefully open her door, catching her so she doesn’t tumble out, and carry her up the front steps.

“Try not to collapse, okay?” I say, setting her down gently. “I have to look for your keys.”

“Are you feeling me up?” she asks as I slide my hand into each pocket of her jeans.

Her breath is coated in the sickly sweet scent of whiskey mixed with a trace of vomit. Her hair smells like the smoky atmosphere in the bar. But her body is dangerously warm and soft under my touch.

“No, ma’am,” I reply, pulling a set of keys out of her front pocket.

She reaches up and clumsily traces her fingertip down the front of my lips. “Why not?”

I shake my head. “Believe it or not, I’m not in the habit of taking advantage of women who are too drunk to remember their own name.”

“That’s a shame,” she pouts as I unlock the door. “It’s… It’s Jolene.”

She laughs as I scoop her up in my arms and carry her into the house, where we’re greeted by Steve. The gentle beast wiggles her butt violently as she sniffs me up and down, taking in the smells of the bar.

“Hey, Steve,” I greet her as I use my foot to push the door closed behind me.

“You have to call her Steve-Bella until she’s used to Steve,” Izzy corrects me.

Maybe I should refer to you as Jolene-Izzy until you’re used to your new name.

I lower her onto the worn-in beige sofa, which I assume she purchased second-hand at The Junk Drawer. Taking a step back, I watch with slight amusement as she adjusts a throw pillow under her head and closes her eyes with a big smile on her face.

“How did you learn those fancy moves?” she slurs.

“What are you talking about?” I reply, taking a seat on the edge of the coffee table so I can keep an eye on her for a bit.

I tell myself I need to make sure she doesn’t choke on whatever’s left inside her stomach, but I know I’m only kidding myself.

Her eyelids flutter open, her gaze unfocused as she looks me up and down. “You tackled that guy like a defensive lineman, but you don’t look like a lineman. You’ve got quarterback written all over that hard body.”

I shake my head. “I used to be in the military. How did you learn those fancy moves? That was quite an elbow you dealt that guy.”

“I used to be in the military,” she replies with a cheesy grin.

“No, you weren’t.”

“No, I wasn’t.”

This girl just made off with 1.4 million dollars cash from a criminal organization. She’s obviously drinking to cope with the sudden loss of her friends and family. Yet, she still remembers to clam up about the details of her former life when she’s drunk.

I’m more impressed with her by the second.

“All right. I’ll let you keep your secrets,” I reply, getting to my feet now that I’m pretty sure she doesn’t need me here to watch over her.

“Thank you,” she says, closing her eyes again.

“For what?”

“For saving me.”

About CASSIA LEO

New York Times bestselling author Cassia Leo loves her coffee, chocolate, and margaritas with salt. When she’s not writing, she spends way too much time re-watching Game of Thrones and Sex and the City. When she’s not binge watching, she’s usually enjoying the Oregon rain with a hot cup of coffee and a book.

About BREAKING WITHOUT YOU

Get your hands on BREAKING WITHOUT YOU:

EXCERPT:

About Carrie Ann Ryan

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In the war between good and evil, sometimes the biggest battles take place inside the soul…and the heart.

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Larissa Ione, comes CIPHER, a passionate and spellbinding novella from the Demonica Underworld Series, brought to you by 1,001 Dark Nights! Be sure you grab your copy today!

About CIPHER:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Larissa Ione comes a new story in her Demonica Underworld series…

Danger and desire explode, even as Cipher and Lyre unravel a sinister plot that will fracture the underworld and send shockwaves into Heaven itself…

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do. **

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

“Ione has made a major name for herself with her amazing Demonica series.” ~ Romantic Times Book Reviews

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Best friend’s brother who she’s wanted for years? Check.

Off-limits woman who he’s been warned to stay away from? Yep.

One helluva snowstorm? More than eight inches!

Less than a dollar for a brand new romance? One-click!

Get your copy of NOBODY DOES IT BETTER today!

✮✮✮ NOBODY DOES IT BETTER is here! Grab your copy today! ✮✮✮

Some women are just forbidden.

Like—off the top of my head—MY SISTER’S LIFE-LONG BEST FRIEND.

Can you say pent-up, crazy, raw desire?

That’s exactly what we’re both feeling when the storm of the century hits and it’s 10 inches of snow with Vanessa and me trapped in a cabin all night long…

The trouble is—Vanessa isn’t interested in my playboy ways, and I have one night to convince her that I’m the real deal.

ORDER YOUR COPIES HERE!

✦Kindle ➜ https://amzn.to/2I5v8g8

✦Amazon Paperback ➜ https://amzn.to/2D2I9mC

✦Apple Books ➜ https://blkly.pub/AppleNobody

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✦Goodreads ➜ https://blkly.pub/GRNobody

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From New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott comes REPEAT, a sexy, standalone contemporary romance! REPEAT is now available! Grab your copy today!

About REPEAT:

From New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott comes an irresistible new romance.

When a vicious attack leaves 25-year-old Clementine Johns with no memory, she’s forced to start over. Now she has to figure out who she was and why she made the choices she did – which includes leaving the supposed love of her life, tattoo artist Ed Larsen, only a month before.

Grab your copy of REPEAT today!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2IdZddA Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2RxBrdl Amazon Aus: https://amzn.to/2DYUObd Nook: http://bit.ly/2Pip4jx Kobo: http://bit.ly/2zHcnK6 Apple Books: https://apple.co/2UdwSqc Paperback: https://amzn.to/2Ge8ekm

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“Kennedy Ryan weaves prose like a magician (or voodoo priestess) without sacrificing heat or page-turning angst to create authentic, living, breathing characters you want to root for to the end. Hook Shot is simply beautiful.” — Emma Scott, Bestselling Author

Hook Shot, a deeply emotional standalone set in the worlds of professional basketball and high fashion from Kennedy Ryan, is available now and FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

EXCERPT

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From New York Times bestselling author Jay Crownover comes DOWNFALL, a sexy, standalone contemporary romance! Check out all the stops on the tour, and grab your copy today, or read in Amazon KU!

About DOWNFALL:

Solomon Sanders doesn’t have time to fall in love. Until a stunning, skittish, single mother forces him to pause and recognize just how empty and hollow his busy life has become.

From the start, it’s been ingrained in Solo’s DNA to fight.

Fight for what he believes is right.

Fight for the people he loves.

Fight for the traces of good in a place which tends to be filled with a variety of bad.

Fight for survival, so at some point, his life will quiet down and find a normal pace.

He wasn’t ready for the impact his secretive, shy, obviously out of place new neighbor was going to have on him. And never in a million years was he prepared to fall head over heels for her and her young daughter.

Now, he’s facing the most important, and the hardest fight he’s ever fought… the battle to win Orley’s damaged heart.

Orley Vincent’s heart is full of fear, leaving no space for love. Until a big, brash, brawler of a man forces his way in and makes her realize facing her fears is the only way she can ever be free.

From the start, Orley was groomed to believe she wasn’t good enough.

She wasn’t the perfect daughter. Or student. Or girlfriend.

But, she has always been the best mother she could be to her daughter, Noble.

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Enter to win the Giveaway HERE!

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We are beyond excited about the release of KING, a new romance about taking chances, double lives, and falling madly in love with the one person you’re supposed to want dead by New York Times bestselling author Cassia Leo. Be sure to grab your copy today!

About KING

Get your copy of KING today! Amazon | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | GooglePlay

About CASSIA LEO

Share this:

From New York Times **and USA Today bestselling author Larissa Ione, comes CIPHER, a passionate and spellbinding novella from the Demonica Underworld Series, brought to you by 1,001 Dark Nights! Be sure you grab your copy today!**

**From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Larissa Ione comes a new story in her Demonica Underworld series…**

Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.

“Ione has made a major name for herself with her amazing Demonica series.”
~ Romantic Times Book Reviews

Website Facebook Twitter Newsletter Goodreads

**From New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott comes REPEAT, a sexy, standalone contemporary romance! REPEAT is now available! Grab your copy today!**

**From New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott comes an irresistible new romance.**

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2IdZddA
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2RxBrdl
Amazon Aus: https://amzn.to/2DYUObd
Nook: http://bit.ly/2Pip4jx
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2zHcnK6
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2UdwSqc
Paperback: https://amzn.to/2Ge8ekm

**From New York Times bestselling author Jay Crownover comes DOWNFALL, a sexy, standalone contemporary romance! Check out all the stops on the tour, and grab your copy today, or read in Amazon KU!**

Get your copy of KING today!
Amazon | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | GooglePlay