Today is release day for BRODY, the third book in the new adult contemporary romantic comedy series, Frat House Confessions, by USA Today bestselling author, Bethany Lopez. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR, and details on her giveaway.
BRODY (Frat House Confessions Series #3) by Bethany Lopez
Synopsis She’s looking for someone with a rich character, not bank account…
Emma’s life has not been easy. Rather than using her disadvantages as a crutch, they have fueled her passion for helping others. She believes in working hard, loves her brother unconditionally, and has no time in her busy life for a certain cocky playboy who has obviously never been denied a thing in his life.
He’s searching for something, but isn’t sure what…
Brody may come across as a fast-talking rich boy with a sweet car. He’s secured a position in the hottest frat on campus and has the attitude of a guy who’s never known what it’s like to go without. So, yeah, it’s a pretty accurate description. But there’s more to the youngest Temple brother than meets the eye.
When Brody keeps showing up in Emma’s world, her initial assumption is that he’s still playing games. As his confessions come to light, Emma starts to see beneath the surface. Will it be enough to change her perception of him? And will she be able to teach Brody that love is worth more than all his money can buy?
About the Author Bethany Lopez is a USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty books and has been published since 2011. She’s a lover of all things romance, which she incorporates into the books she writes, no matter the genre.
When she isn’t reading or writing, she loves spending time with family and traveling whenever possible.
Bethany can usually be found with a cup of coffee or glass of wine at hand, and will never turn down a cupcake!.
I’ve teamed up with seven amazing young adult authors to bring you some fresh reads to help you escape from reality along with a chance to win an $80 Amazon gift card. See below for information on all the books and details on our giveaway.
I hate your floppy hair and your lopsided grin and those laughing blue eyes that always seem to be laughing at me.
I hate that you’re the most popular guy in school and I’m still the girl who sneezed and spit out her retainer on someone at a middle school dance. It’s just such a cliché.
I hate that I’m being forced to tutor you in English and keep it a secret from everyone. Because otherwise it might put our basketball team’s chances at winning State in jeopardy, and even though I hate you, I love basketball.
I hate that it seems like you’re keeping a secret from me…and that the more time we spend together, the less I feel like I’m on solid ground. Because I’m starting to realize there’s so much more to you than meets the eye. Underneath it all, you’re real.
But what I hate most is that I really don’t hate you at all.
Synopsis Alive, Kate Dunlap breezed through high school with meaningless friendships and relative ease. But after an accidental overdose ends Kate’s human existence, she’s granted the opportunity of a lifetime.
Return to Earth. Save Jake Barton. Prove her worth.
Success guarantees Kate an all access backstage pass to heaven. But as she falls in love for the first time, the reformed superficial social butterfly must risk her chance at redemption to guarantee Jake’s life on Earth.
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NOT OKAY, CUPID (High School Heartbreakers Series #1) by Heidi R. Kling
Hazel McCallister loves her life. Perfect grades. Perfect best friend. Perfect boyfriend. Until her perfect boyfriend cheats on her with her perfect best friend. Now Hazel’s in free fall—until her best friend’s brother, Felix, gives her the perfect idea. Reclaim her power by taking revenge on her cheating ex.
Felix James loves his life. Casual relationships. Loads of surfing. He’s as drama-free as they come. But he can’t stand by when his sister steals her best friend’s boyfriend, and the dude insists it was Hazel’s fault. So Felix vows to help turn Hazel into a girl her ex can’t resist—so then she can break his heart.
With an alliance in place, Hazel’s revenge is all but assured. But with each piece of payback, she feels a stronger attraction to Felix, even though revenge will turn her into a girl Felix could never be with. And soon Hazel has to make an impossible choice: revenge…or Felix, the boy who’s stolen her heart.
WARNING! This book contains betrayal, revenge, and that most tempting vice of all, the bad boy you know you can’t have.
Synopsis Olivia Brownlow is no damsel in distress. Born in a workhouse and raised as a boy among thieving London street gangs, she is as tough and cunning as they come. When she is taken in by her uncle after a caper gone wrong, her life goes from fighting and stealing on the streets to lavish dinners and soirees as a debutante in high society. But she can’t seem to escape her past … or forget the teeming slums where children just like her still scrabble to survive.
Jack MacCarron rose from his place in London’s East End to become the adopted “nephew” of a society matron. Little does society know that MacCarron is a false name for a boy once known among London gangs as the Artful Dodger, and that he and his “aunt” are robbing them blind every chance they get. When Jack encounters Olivia Brownlow in places he least expects, his curiosity is piqued. Why is a society girl helping a bunch of homeless orphan thieves? Even more intriguing, why does she remind him so much of someone he once knew? Jack finds himself wondering if going legit and risking it all might be worth it for love.
Olivia Twist is an innovative reimagining of Charles Dickens’ classic tale Oliver Twist, in which Olivia was forced to live as a boy for her own safety until she was rescued from the streets. Now eighteen, Olivia finds herself at a crossroads: revealed secrets threaten to destroy the “proper” life she has built for her herself, while newfound feelings for an arrogant young man she shouldn’t like could derail her carefully laid plans for the future.
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ALONG FOR THE RIDE by Rachel Meinke
Title: ALONG FOR THE RIDE Author: Rachel Meinke Publisher: Wattpad Books Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance Release Date: August 10, 2021 Links:Goodreads
Synopsis Imagine if your brother was a Justin Bieber-like pop star? And your parents forced you to go on tour?
Connor Jackson. These two words make every girl go crazy, screaming and begging for a chance to meet him. He’s the world’s biggest pop star, but for seventeen-year-old Katelyn Jackson: he’s just her older brother. When she’s forced to put her competitive soccer dreams on hold to go along on his US summer tour, she’s unimpressed. But when she meets the lead singer of his opening act, everything changes and life on the road takes a whole different turn.
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PROM-WRECKED by T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni
Synopsis Their prom night ended in a jail cell with forty of their closest friends. But that’s hardly the worst thing that happened to them…
When the principal announces prom is canceled this year, senior Riley Hart is determined to save it. Armed with little more than her own enthusiasm, she ends up working closely with Owen Locklear, who is more than completely off-limits. Because he’s the boyfriend of her ex-BFF, Catherine Reed. Still, Owen knows Riley better than almost anyone, and his charming ideas for turning the prom upside-down and backward win Riley over.
Then they lose their deposit. Twice. And book a band full of octogenarians. And don’t even get her started on the act of God that takes down their venue…
Riley will have an unforgettable teenage experience, damn it, if it’s the last thing she does…
Synopsis Teen witches in magical juvie, because they really messed up!
Genevieve Howe, a 16 year-old witch, is not a bad kid, she’s just a really lousy witch. Sometimes her random thoughts unintentionally turn into actual spells, causing all kinds of trouble.
Now the administration needs Genevieve’s help to find a student/inmate who escaped. Why her? Because there’s something ‘wrong’ with Genevieve, and she seems to be able to do what others can’t.
If she can find Logan, will she turn him in, join him on the run, or find some other way to help without violating the code of honor among magical misfits?
A comedic fantasy romp about incarcerated teen witches, the one that got away, and the only one who can find him.
Synopsis Amanda gives a whole new meaning to cool…
Amanda Smith is sick of getting chased from town-to-town. So when she lands in tiny Trifle, Arizona, she hopes it’s her last move for a long time. Despite hating the smallness of the town, she settles in and finds a best friend, and even a boyfriend. Normality at its finest.
But for a girl who can shoot snow from her hands and lift a two-ton truck over her head like a bag of feathers—normal is not an option.
The scientists who murdered her mother come barreling into Amanda’s quiet life. She must decide if she’ll run again or stay and fight. The price of either choice might be her life or the lives of those she’s come to love…
Welcome to the blog tour for LET’S GET PHYSICAL, the second book in the adult contemporary romance series, Love Is…, by Cassie Cross. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL (Love Is… Series #2) by Cassie Cross
About The Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited
Title: LET’S GET PHYSICAL Series: Love Is… Series #2 Author: Cassie Cross Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance Release Date: March 26, 2020 Links:Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
Synopsis Corinna McKnight is a chronically single girl in need of toned abs and a hot date for a wedding that her highly successful, deliriously happy lifelong frenemy will be attending. The wedding is only six weeks away and she doesn’t have much time to make it look like she has her life together. Luckily, her best friend’s boyfriend owns the hottest gym in town and sets her up with Noah, the best personal trainer he has on staff.
Noah Cutter is at a pretty good place in his life. He has a job and he loves working for his best friend, Hunter. Noah is in high demand, mostly for his talent, but sometimes for his body and Hunter has one very firm rule: no fooling around with the clients.
It’s an easy rule to follow until he meets Corinna, who makes him want more out of life and leaves him straddling the line between breaking a promise and betraying his heart.
Let’s Get Physical is the standalone second book in the Love Is…series!
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Excerpt Noah’s standing there with this wild, desperate look in his eyes. The heartbeat that I so carefully returned to normal speed kicks up again, pounding in my ears.
There’s just a moment, one beat of anticipation before he rushes forward, wrapping me up in his strong arms, pressing his lips against mine. He does some kind of magic ninja move, moving us inside the apartment without breaking the kiss. He kicks the door shut.
We kiss like our lives depend on it, like we’ll stop breathing if we don’t. My whole world narrows down to the softness of his lips, the taste of his tongue, and the silky feel of his hair threaded through my fingers.
I’ve kissed a lot of people in my life, but this feels like the first time I’m actually being kissed. It’s different, it’s…more, somehow. I know Noah feels it too, because the franticness gives way to softer, gentler kisses. I feel like I’m floating, like if the two of us completely drifted away in this moment, everything would be just fine.
We part too soon, totally breathless.
“I wanted to do that since I was fourteen,” he says, smiling. I think his post kiss smile is my favorite. The dimples are on display, he looks relaxed and happy. The best.
“I don’t think it would’ve been that good at fourteen,” I tease, playfully brushing my nose against his.
He laughs. “Probably not.”
His arms are wrapped around my waist, holding me close. It’s the safest feeling in the world. He squeezes me closer for a second, and then…
“I want you, Corinna. It’s just…”
“I know,” I breathe. I don’t want to hear all the reasoning for it right now. What I want is to take him to my bedroom and do the dirtiest things to him, then let him lay on me like a warm, sweaty human blanket. “It’s just once, to get it out of your system.”
About the Author Cassie Cross is a Maryland native and a romantic at heart, who lives outside of Baltimore with her two dogs and a closet full of shoes. Cassie’s fondness for swoon-worthy men and strong women are the inspiration for most of her stories, and when she’s not busy writing a book, you’ll probably find her eating takeout and indulging in her love of 80’s sitcoms.
Today is release day for LET’S GET PHYSICAL, the second book in the adult contemporary romance series, Love Is…, by Cassie Cross. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL (Love Is… Series #2) by Cassie Cross
About The Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited
Title: LET’S GET PHYSICAL Series: Love Is… Series #2 Author: Cassie Cross Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance Release Date: March 26, 2020 Links:Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
Synopsis Corinna McKnight is a chronically single girl in need of toned abs and a hot date for a wedding that her highly successful, deliriously happy lifelong frenemy will be attending. The wedding is only six weeks away and she doesn’t have much time to make it look like she has her life together. Luckily, her best friend’s boyfriend owns the hottest gym in town and sets her up with Noah, the best personal trainer he has on staff.
Noah Cutter is at a pretty good place in his life. He has a job and he loves working for his best friend, Hunter. Noah is in high demand, mostly for his talent, but sometimes for his body and Hunter has one very firm rule: no fooling around with the clients.
It’s an easy rule to follow until he meets Corinna, who makes him want more out of life and leaves him straddling the line between breaking a promise and betraying his heart.
Let’s Get Physical is the standalone second book in the Love Is…series!
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Excerpt: I look down at the napkin in my lap to keep myself from saying something that I might wind up regretting.
Noah notices.
“What?”
“It’s just…what is wrong with me?”
“There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re beautiful and funny, and—”
“And I have the worst luck with men. It’s not this guy necessarily, because he seemed kinda smarmy when I talked to him, but it’s just, like, impossible for me to find a good guy? And it’s not just now, it’s…months. Years. I’m always finding men who can’t commit, who are flakes, who have issues I can’t even begin to address. I even went out with one guy five times before I found out that he was married. It’s been a non-stop steady string of badness since…well, since you actually.”
The second I register the words that came out of my mouth, I clamp my lips together. I went a bit too far there, unfortunately.
Noah caught on. It would be difficult not to. “Me?”
“Forget I said anything.”
“Kind of impossible to do that now,” he says, and I can tell he’s not going to let this go.
“I had the biggest crush on you. We went to Centerville for the summer for years and you were just Noah. And then, one year, I set eyes on you when we pulled up at my grandparents’ house and you were Noah. I think you were mowing the grass. I looked at you, and things felt different. There might’ve been cartoon hearts flying around you at the time, I can’t remember.”
He laughs as he leans in close, like I’m telling the most intriguing story in the world.
“I started tagging along with you and Mike more that summer. I was positive you were going to get tired of me; I know Mike was.”
“I never got tired of you,” he admits. “I made up reasons to see you when Mike wasn’t around.”
About the Author Cassie Cross is a Maryland native and a romantic at heart, who lives outside of Baltimore with her two dogs and a closet full of shoes. Cassie’s fondness for swoon-worthy men and strong women are the inspiration for most of her stories, and when she’s not busy writing a book, you’ll probably find her eating takeout and indulging in her love of 80’s sitcoms.
Welcome to the book blitz for RISE OF MAGE, the first book in the new adult paranormal romance series, Resurrecting Magic, by USA Today bestselling author, Keary Taylor. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
RISE OF MAGE (Resurrecting Magic Series #1) by Keary Taylor
Synopsis College is hard—classes, homework, bullies. But, being the daughter of renowned professors, I grew up at Alderidge University and was on track to have an easy start to my freshman year. Until I met Nathaniel Nightingale.
Aloof and mysterious, Nathaniel’s hands were covered in scars that told me he had a violent history. He started asking questions about my own, and then dark secrets in our family lines collided after a strange discovery in the library. We found words with power, and they unleashed abilities in the both of us that had been lost to the world.
Turns out, the witch trials weren’t entirely the product of mass hysteria. As far as we can tell, almost every mage was wiped out – killed for their knowledge and their capabilities. And now I have to wonder if my mother’s disappearance is related.
This is dangerous. It’s feels impossible. We have the weight of an entire lost race resting on our shoulders.
But we’ve got this. Together, we’ll bring it all back. Together, we’ll resurrect magic.
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Excerpt “Did you know that while the Salem witch trials were the last and only here in America, that there is still official litigation against witchcraft in parts of the Middle East?” With those long fingers of his, Nathaniel opened the book and flipped a few pages. He opened to a section and handed me the book, pointing to a particular passage. My eyes scanned it, searching for what he wanted me to see.
It was a list of the names of the men and women who were killed at the Salem Witch trials. And there, almost to the bottom, was the name of Mare McGregor.
My blood chilled, seeing her name there, listed among the accused and executed. I knew her name. I knew her story, as much of it as had been recorded by her son, my great-something-grandfather, Collin. But it was always so stark, the reality that she’d been hung. Killed.
“The entire world has a history of witch hunts,” Nathaniel said, turning to the bookshelf again. He grabbed another book, opening it to a section. “Egypt and Babylonia.”
He took another book, opening it and laying it on his desk. “Across the Holy Roman Empire.”
My heart rate picked up. Sweat broke out on my palms.
Still, Nathaniel grabbed another book and another. “Russia, India, and even Africa to this day.”
I watched Nathaniel, who stood with his back to me. His shoulders were tight. His head was bent low. His words were growing lower with each one spoken.
Gingerly, almost reverently, he reached for another book. The red binding was worn, and there were no words left. Gently, he grabbed it, and he held it to his chest, his arms carefully wrapped around it.
“It is estimated at around 60,000 people were killed for being witches over the course of three hundred years, in western Europe and central Europe alone. Tens of thousands more in Asia, countless more in Africa. Miraculously, only nineteen here in America.”
There was a deep sound rushing in my ears and it took me a moment to realize it was the sound of my own blood. There was a heavy feeling of anticipation and uncertainty in my gut.
Nathaniel turned back toward me, and in his eyes, I saw something big.
“I cannot confirm that I am a direct descendant, but there was a William Nightingale killed during the Lancashire witch trials in England in 1612.” His eyes were fixed on me, but I could tell, he wasn’t seeing me. He had fallen into history, into ancestry. “There are thousands of stories of accusations and trials and deaths.”
“Yes,” I said, wanting to bring us back to a place that wasn’t so dark. I wanted everything to go back to being light. “And they were the result of mass hysteria and superstition. They wanted something to blame for bad harvests and hard financial times. A lot of innocent people died.”
Nathaniel’s focus returned to me. Three seconds passed, and finally he gave a little nod, but it didn’t seem like a complete act of agreement.
He stepped forward, and gingerly, he laid the book in his arms on the desk. I recognized it then as the one from the library, the first day we had met.
“You said you cannot read Gaelic,” he said in a low voice. He opened the book and looked down at it, gazing at the words with wonder. “But maybe you should try again.”
“Nathaniel, I-” I began to protest. But he looked up at me and begged me with his eyes.
So, I crossed to the desk to stand beside him. I looked down at the words, remembering the silly experience with it before, now weeks ago. I could recognize letters, as I’d concluded before, some of them were of Latin origin. But I couldn’t read any of it.
“I haven’t learned Gaelic in the last few weeks, Nathaniel,” I said, looking over at him. He looked at my face intently, as if he were waiting for something spectacular to happen. “I still can’t read it.”
Gently, he reached for my hand, wrapping his fingers around my wrist. I didn’t know what he was doing, but I decided I trusted him enough to humor him.
He brought my hand forward, and gently, he set my fingertips down on the edge of the pages.
It was as if I’d blinked, and it turned into a different book.
One moment it was in unreadable Gaelic. The next, it was in perfect English.
I blinked, leaning in closer to the book.
A simple matter of will and asking, levitation is one of the simplest forms of magic.
My eyes read the line without a second of hesitation or translation.
I ripped my hand back from the book and took half a step back.
Instantly, the book was once more in a language I could not read.
The room was utterly silent. So quiet it pushed in on my ears and the only sound was my own heartbeat.
I felt Nathaniel’s eyes on me. I felt meaning filling the air. I felt anticipation. But also, momentous confusion.
Cautiously, I reached my hand forward again. Filled with fear and wonder, I touched the edge of the pages.
In levitation, most users have certain affinities, whether they be metal, earth, wood, life forms, etc.
Because it was the scientific method of proving a hypothesis, I removed my hand one last time and the words became unreadable.
I touched the pages, and my eyes relaxed as the words became readable.
“You can read it, too.”
I looked up at Nathaniel and startled when he stood there with his right hand held up, his fingers generally pointed at the ceiling. And floating around his fingertips there were three paper airplanes, swirling, dipping and rising through the air. And that air around his hand had this…shimmer. Almost as if glitter floated in the air. But I couldn’t quite focus on it. And the air seemed more…golden.
“What kind of trick is this, Nathaniel?” I asked, my words hoarse and quiet.
I’d never seen this look in his eyes. They were filled with…excitement. And hope. He shook his head. “It’s not a trick, Margot,” he said. He waved his fingers, and the airplanes set off toward the opposite end of the solarium. Gently, they floated toward his bed, flying in a circle over it. They followed each other in a line, doing a flip in the air and then flying over to the couch, where they dipped down low, soaring beneath it, before they aimed back at Nathaniel. There, they swirled around his fingers once again before they gently floated down to the table and landed on the book. “It’s in my blood. And I believe it’s in yours, too.”
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Author Keary Taylor
About the Author KearyTaylor is the USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels. She grew up along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where she started creating imaginary worlds and daring characters who always fell in love. She now splits her time between a tiny island in the Pacific Northwest and Utah, with her husband and their two children. She continues to have an overactive imagination that frequently keeps her up at night.
Welcome to the release blitz for BAYSIDE FANTASIES, the sixth book in the adult contemporary romance series, Bayside Summers, part of the Love in Bloom series, by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Melissa Foster. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
BAYSIDE FANTASIES (Bayside Summers Series #6) by Melissa Foster
Synopsis Fall in love at Bayside, where sandy beaches, good friends, and true love come together in the sweet small towns of Cape Cod. Bayside Summers is a series of standalone steamy romance novels featuring alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They’re fun, flirty, flawed, deeply emotional, and easy to relate to.
In BAYSIDE FANTASIES… Tegan Fine has never had a plan—life, business, or otherwise. But she’s always had goals—to laugh daily and to pay it forward as often as she is able, just like her favorite uncle always did. After inheriting her great-uncle’s amphitheater, Tegan makes a risky move to a charming small town on Cape Cod to carry on her uncle’s legacy and hopefully expand the business with her new friend, Harper. Unfortunately, those goals aren’t doing much to help her plan a business strategy for her new endeavor. With Harper counting on her and her uncle’s legacy at stake, she swears off all distractions, determined to succeed. If only she could stop bumping into a certain arrogant, witty, and excruciatingly hot businessman who tweaks her nerves and invades her every thought. Including her late-night fantasies.
Self-professed workaholic Jett Masters never slows down. He lives life with no attachments—except to his clients, to whom he gives his all. A reluctant trip to his hometown has him itching to shake the ghosts of his past and get back to spinning deals and adding to his investments. But when he comes face-to-face with a gorgeous, handsy woman who is quite possibly the snarkiest and most disorganized person he’s ever met, sparks fly, and his sharp mind stumbles. He doesn’t even know her name, but he can’t get her out of his mind.
A chance encounter turns into a wild, sexy night, and their chemistry is off the charts—even if their ideals, and their lives, are worlds apart. Neither Jett nor Tegan is looking for more. Becoming friends with benefits seems like the perfect solution. But when they are trapped together in torrential weather, they work side by side in the aftermath, and every passionate kiss deepens their connection. Secrets are shared, trust is built, and no promises dare be made. As their lives move on, lines begin to blur, hearts get hurt, and their true selves come into focus. Tegan and Jett are left wondering if they make the perfect storm, or if they’ve reached the end of their bayside fantasy.
“With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!” -NYT Bestseller Julie Kenner
“Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!” -NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely
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Bayside Summers is part of the Love in Bloom romance collection by New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Melissa Foster. While each book may be read as a standalone, you might enjoy reading the entire Love in Bloom series. Characters from each sub-series appear in future books. Visit Melissa’s website for family trees, series checklists, and more.
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Excerpt He moved more aggressively than he had at the café, exuding raw masculinity that made Tegan’s mouth go dry. His virility was not like Dean’s, wrapped around sheer size. No, this man had an innately captivating presence driven by confidence. Every woman there was dressed for sex, and Tegan knew she was nowhere near the best-looking one of them, but his eyes never left hers.
When he reached her, he said, “Five minutes ago I was wondering how I was going to cut the night short without insulting anyone.” He stepped closer. So close, his chest almost brushed hers. “Now all I want to do is make sure you don’t run off again without giving me your phone number, because I’ve got to tell you, searching sticky-note girl on Instagram got me nowhere.”
She laughed softly, enjoying this flirtatious side of him. “Sticky-note girl?”
“I tried searching hot chick at Sundial Café, but no luck there, either.”
“You did not.”
He flashed a coy smile that was so different from what she’d seen earlier, she could do little more than stare…and wonder how many other smiles he had yet to share. Did he have a wolfish one in the bedroom? Or was he all business there? Was there a carefree smile tucked away somewhere? One that came out when he wasn’t being Mr. Suave or Mr. Business? He may not be her pay-it-forward soul mate, but she wasn’t at the Cape looking for love anyway. She’d had a couple of flings in college, but it had been years since she’d done anything so reckless. She wondered if it would be considered reckless if her friends knew and trusted him? No, she decided. It’s just impulsive.An adventure.
He was looking at her with a playful, sexy expression, causing her pulse to quicken even more. God, he wore that look well. Maybe a fling with the object of her fantasies would help her focus on the business she was supposed to be working on.
“I also searched Miss Fine, but you were nowhere to be found. What’s a guy to do?” His brow furrowed, and he said, “I didn’t think to search Fuckable Flirt. That’s a nice surprise. One I can definitely attest to.”
“Wha—” She gasped, then remembered her eye mask. She tore it off, quickly reading the tag. Fuckable Flirt. She was going to kill Jana.
About the Author Melissa writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big-family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summer, Harborside Nights, Wild Boys and Bad Boys After Dark, and the Montgomerys. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented– perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex and relatable issues.
Melissa also writes sweet and clean romance under the pen name Addison Cole.
Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.
Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on social media or her personal website.
Welcome to the blog tour for TEMPTING TALK, the third book in the adult contemporary romantic comedy series, Tempt Me, by Sara Whitney. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
TEMPTING TALK (Tempt Me Series #3) by Sara Whitney
Synopsis Deejay Mabel Bowen rocks the morning airwaves, but once she signs off, she’s happy going home alone; a long-ago humiliation taught her that women in the public eye should be cautious about dating. Then she meets the Clark Kent-ish accountant overseeing the sale of her radio station and starts wondering if she should break her own “girl, don’t date him” rules.
Since he was teenager, Jake Carey has worked to lift his family out of poverty, and he’s now on the verge of a promotion that’ll secure their financial future. Why, then, is he so quick to set aside his spreadsheets whenever the gorgeous morning show host is around? After years of using work as an excuse to avoid searching for emotional connections, he’s now jumping at every chance to spend time with Mabel and her maple syrup voice.
Despite their initial reservations, Mabel and Jake move from conversations over coffee to flirty office lunches to a night out that obliterates all their previously drawn lines. Then a professional betrayal sends Mabel fleeing back to the safety of her single-girl rules. But Jake isn’t ready to give up on this once-in-a-lifetime love and sets out to balance their work/life books. Can he convince Mabel to turn up the volume on their future, or will she decide that the numbers don’t add up?
Excerpt #1 When they signed off for the day, Mabel and Dave exchanged deejay fives—air slaps that didn’t require lazy radio hosts to get out of their chairs and actually smack palms—and then they both jumped when a knock on the big studio window startled them. It was the new station owner, Brandon, grinning like a kid tapping away at fish in an aquarium. He gestured for them to step into the greenroom.
“Shall we?” Dave asked.
She lifted her chin. “No other option. They’re between us and the exit.” But her heart pounded harder than it should have as she stepped through the door Dave held open.
“Dave and Mabel, this is Jake Carey.” Brandon turned and gestured to the man standing next to him. “He’s the accountant here to sort out the books.”
Jake’s assessing gaze landed on her, and blood rushed to Mabel’s cheeks at his bold stare, but no way was she backing down. She lifted her chin and studied him right back.
Tall. Thick black hair. Strong square jaw. Suit that cost more than her car. Muscular body filling out that suit with—
Nope. Her brain was galloping away from her toward an entirely off-limits target. She swallowed the excess saliva suddenly pooling in her mouth and forced her eyes away from what was clearly Superman in his Clark Kent persona.
“Would you two have a seat?” Brandon pointed at the greenroom couch like a king commanding his subjects. “I’d love to talk a little bit about what you see for your future here at WNCB.”
Although the battered couch was comfortable enough for a deejay who needed a quick nap between shifts, it was also covered in a number of suspicious stains and tended to sag toward the middle. When she and Dave settled in, they ended up shoulder to shoulder and sitting much lower than Brandon, who stood in the middle of the room to address the peasants, while Jake leaned against the greenroom desk. Its uneven legs wobbled under his weight, but he just shifted to accommodate the instability, the navy suit fabric stretching taut over his thighs. Wishing she could be so unflappable in the face of uncooperative furniture, Mabel surreptitiously tugged the hem of her skirt as close to her knees as she could get it and fought the urge to fluff the headphone divot out of her hair.
“Congratulations on having the second-most popular morning show in this market!” Brandon boomed once they were settled. “You two are a big reason that Lowell Consolidated purchased your station.”
Mabel studied Brandon as he spoke, wondering why he didn’t leave her as flustered as his partner. He was handsome enough with blue eyes and sharp, clean features. But her gaze slid over to Clark Kent three feet away from him to confirm that yep, Brandon came across as a lesser specimen of manhood. A little less imposing, a little less handsome. A little… less. Meanwhile, Jake had assumed enough control over the rickety desk to cross one ankle over the other, looking artfully posed and a little bored.
It wasn’t like her to let broad shoulders and thick, shiny hair distract her. Ditto that long stretch of neck running from Jake’s jaw down to his crisp white shirt collar. That was definitely not worth a second glance. And—
And oh God, Brandon had been talking this whole time.
About the Author Sara Whitney writes sassy, sexy contemporary romance novels packed with wit, heat, and heart. A 2019 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award finalist, Sara worked as a newspaper reporter and film critic before she earned her Ph.D. and landed in academia. She’s a good pinball player, a so-so karaoke singer, and an expert TV opinion-haver.
In a funny twist of fate, Sara’s married to a divorce attorney, and she likes to think that her happily-ever-afters help keep their household in balance. She and her husband live in the Midwest surrounded by books, cats, and half-empty coffee cups. Keep up with Sara by subscribing to her mailing list here.
EMOTION AMPLIFIERS (A Companion to the Emotion Thesaurus) by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
Synopsis When writing fictional characters, it’s hugely important to convey their emotions effectively so readers will be drawn in and become invested in those characters. The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression was written to help writers convey the quality and depth of their characters’ feelings through their thoughts, body language, and visceral reactions. But there are also ways to amplify what a character is feeling, thereby heightening their emotional responses.
In Emotion Amplifiers, a companion guide to The Emotion Thesaurus, we explore 15 common states that naturally galvanize emotion. States like exhaustion, boredom, illness, pain, and extreme hunger can push characters to the limit, compromising their decision-making abilities and decreasing the likelihood of them reaching their goals. Emotion Amplifiers is a great tool for any writer wishing to tighten the screws on their characters and amp up the tension in their stories.
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My Review This is the perfect companion to The Emotion Thesaurus. The authors expand on some of the most common emotions, providing example scenarios where those emotions will ramp up, giving authors even more ideas for torturing, I mean, challenging our characters in ways we may not have thought of on our own. Once again, the authors provide an introduction on what emotion amplifiers are, how tension can enhance emotions, and how best to use the guidance they provide in your own writing. They provide fifteen amplifiers that may take an ordinary emotion and dial up to a ten, such as pain, addition, and attraction. Within each amplifier are both physical and internal manifestations of a particular emotion based on the amplifier as well as mental responses, cues of long-term exposure and suppression. Additionally, they provide specifics to a particular amplifier as well as tips to help writers utilize this resource to the fullest.
Bottom Line A must-have resource to take your character development to the next level.
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About the Book
Title: EMOTION AMPLIFIERS: A Companion to the Emotion Thesaurus, A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression Authors: Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi Publisher: JADD Publishing Publication Date: December 4, 2014 Pages: 72 Category: Writing Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
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Author Angela Ackerman
About the Author ANGELA ACKERMAN is a writing coach, international speaker, and co-author of 7 bestselling books for writers, including The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression (now an expanded 2nd Edition). Her books are available in six languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world.
Angela is also the co-founder of the popular site Writers Helping Writers®, as well as One Stop for Writers®, an innovative online library built to help writers elevate their storytelling. A strong believer in writers helping and supporting other writers, she tries to pay-it-forward however she is able to..
About the Author Becca Puglisi is a speaker, international writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via her newest endeavor: One Stop For Writers—a powerhouse online library like no other, filled with description and brain-storming tools to help writers elevate their storytelling. You can find Becca online at both of these spots, as well as on Facebook and Twitter..
Welcome to the book blitz for HUSH OF STORM & SORROW, a novella between books two and three in the adult fantasy series, Earthsinger Chronicles, by L. Penelope. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
HUSH OF STORM & SORROW (Earthsinger Chronicles #2.5) by L. Penelope
Synopsis While battling a vicious winter storm, Roshon ol-Sarifor, along with his father and twin brother are kidnapped and thrust on a journey that takes them far from home—leaving his sister Jasminda believing them dead. Their captors claim that the Queen Who Sleeps is behind their abduction—She wants them to reclaim a magical object hidden in a deadly part of the ocean. But a violent encounter with a gang of pirates forces the ol-Sarifors to seek refuge on a smuggler’s ship, where Roshon meets a girl unlike any he’s encountered before.
Ani Summerhawk never met a risk she didn’t take. But with a price on her head, she and her older brother need to make a quick getaway from a deal gone bad. Every ship in the sea is seeking the reward for returning her to a ruthless captain who believes she’s his property. But when her brother agrees to transport three passengers to a dangerous destination, Ani’s heart is put on the line for the first time.
The two families battle a treacherous sea, greedy sailors, and a powerful mage as they struggle to retrieve and secure the ancient artifact. And the attraction between a high-spirited girl and a cautious boy comes to a head when they discover that their biggest fight just might be with each other.
Set two years before the events of Song of Blood & Stone, this action-packed novella answers the question of what happened to Jasminda’s family and sets the stage for the events in Cry of Metal & Bone (Earthsinger Chronicles, book 3).
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Excerpt #2 Tai walked around the back of the sample crate they’d brought and levered it onto the rolling dolly. She knew just how heavy it was, but he made it look effortless. Another thing Father had taught them: make everything appear easy. A good negotiator is a blank slate—no emotions, no challenges, no problems. A deal was just a deal you could take or leave, as far as the other party was concerned.
They were halfway to the exit when Bor spoke up. “How about another offer for you, Summerhawk?” A counter had been expected. It was all a part of the bargaining process, after all, but something about Bor’s tone made the hair on the back of Ani’s neck stand up.
“And what’s that?” Tai called without looking back.
“You take my price and I don’t tell Noa about his apprentice being here with you instead of on his ship, as contracted.”
Tai whipped around, anger flashing in his eyes. He didn’t even look at Ani before his own blade was out, ready in his hands. The four men chuckled, and a sick feeling hit Ani’s gut. She’d been itching for a fight, but something wasn’t right here. The fact that these men knew about her mother’s deal for her meant a bounty had gone up. They’d known it was a possibility when she hadn’t shown up for her apprenticeship but hadn’t thought that Mother would go so far. That’s the last time Ani would underestimate the woman’s ruthlessness. The price of the cargo Tai possessed was nothing in comparison to the benefits of being in both Noa’s and Mother’s good graces. Besides, Noa would pay handsomely for the retrieval of his property—her.
“Ani, go. Now,” Tai said from the side of his mouth.
“You can’t take them all alone,” she replied. Bor’s three friends were tall, though none as wide as their leader. Their builds were similar to Tai’s, lean and ropy from living on boats most of their lives.
“As your captain, that’s an order,” he hissed.
“And as my brother?” she asked, not taking her eyes off their adversaries.
Tai growled low in his throat as the men approached. Between them lay a jumble of boxes and crates, leaving no clear shot for any of her blades.
She was a member of her brother’s crew and should really obey his order, but she was also a Summerhawk. Ani shook her head and planted her feet. “Raunian women don’t run. We fight,” she said through gritted teeth.
About the Author L. Penelope has been writing since she could hold a pen and loves getting lost in the worlds in her head. She is an award-winning author of fantasy and paranormal romance. Equally left and right-brained, she studied filmmaking and computer science in college and sometimes dreams in HTML. After living on both coasts, she settled in Maryland with her husband and their furry dependents. Sign up for new release information and giveaways on her website: http://www.lpenelope.com
Author Cookie O’Gorman is unveiling the cover to THE BEST MISTAKE, the first book in her new adult contemporary sports romance series, Southern U O’Brien Brothers, releasing April, 2020. See below for information on the book and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
THE BEST MISTAKE (Southern U O’Brien Brothers Series #1) by Cookie O’Gorman
About the Book
Title: THE BEST MISTAKE Series: Southern U O’Brien Brothers Series #1 Author: Cookie O’Gorman Release Date: April 2020 Genre: New Adult Contemporary Sports Romance Links: Goodreads
Synopsis Honor Tierney just wants one night with the playboy.
One hot, steamy, meaningless hookup, and then she’ll happily go back to reading her favorite books, studying to be an accountant and writing for the campus-paper-nobody-reads. Too bad she ends up in the wrong bed, with the wrong brother…who gives her the hottest night of her life.
Archer O’Brien just wants to play ball.
Well that, and for his brothers to stop acting out, so he won’t have to worry 24/7. As the oldest O’Brien and team captain, it’s his duty to make sure they don’t drink too much, party too much, or get in too much trouble. But when she walks into his bedroom—mistaking him for his brother—life throws him a curveball.
She’s determined to guard her heart. He’s not giving up.
And when Honor gets assigned to cover the Wolves baseball team, it’s game on.
This new adult sports romance features one hot (and hilarious) case of mistaken identity and a sexy set of brothers guaranteed to make you swoon.
Sometimes, the best mistakes are worth making.
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Author Cookie O’Gorman
About the Author Cookie O’Gorman writes YA romance to give readers a taste of happily-ever-after. Small towns, quirky characters, and the awkward yet beautiful moments in life make up her books. Cookie also has a soft spot for nerds and ninjas. Her novels ADORKABLE and NINJA GIRL are out now! Her third book, THE UNBELIEVABLE, INCONCEIVABLE, UNFORESEEABLE TRUTH ABOUT ETHAN WILDER, was released April 5, 2018!.
USA Today bestselling author Sybil Bartel is unveiling the cover to SHAMELESS, the eighth book in her adult contemporary romance/romantic suspense series, Alpha Bodyguard, releasing June 18, 2020. See below for the cover, information on the book and series, preorder links, and details on her giveaway.
SHAMELESS (Alpha Bodyguard Series #8) by Sybil Bartel
The Marines trained me to be a weapon. Tactical warfare was in my blood. I didn’t think twice when I was deployed for the fifth time because I was born battle ready. Then a mission went south and left me with a medical discharge.
Too many years downrange, I didn’t fit in the civilian world. Taking a job with the best security firm in the business seemed like a solid plan…until I was assigned babysitting duty for a spoiled little rich girl. The only thing worse than the assignment was the client’s smart mouth. She thought she could run it—all over me—and not suffer the consequences. She was wrong.
Now she was about to find out how shameless a bodyguard could be.
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SHAMELESS (Alpha Bodyguard Series #8) by Sybil Bartel (Full Cover)
Sybil Bartel grew up in Northern California with her head in a book and her feet in the sand. She dreamt of becoming a painter but the heady scent of libraries with their shelves full of books drew her into the world of storytelling. She loves the New Adult genre, but any story about a love so desperately wrong and impossibly beautiful makes her swoon.
Sybil now resides in Southern Florida and while she doesn’t get to read as much as she likes, she still buries her toes in the sand. If she isn’t writing or fighting to contain the banana plantation in her backyard, you can find her spending time with her handsomely tattooed husband, her brilliantly practical son and a mischievous miniature boxer…
But Seriously?
Here are ten things you probably really want to know about Sybil.
She grew up a faculty brat. She can swear like a sailor. She loves men in uniform. She hates being told what to do. She can do your taxes (but don’t ask). The Bird Market in Hong Kong freaks her out. Her favorite word is desperate…or dirty, or both—she can’t decide. She has a thing for muscle cars. But never reply on her for driving directions, ever. And she has a new book boyfriend every week—don’t tell her husband.
To find out more about Sybil Bartel, be sure to follow her on Twitter (she loves to hear about your favorite book boyfriend!), visit her website, like her on Facebook or join her Facebook group Book Boyfriend Heroes for exclusive excerpts and giveaways.
You know what sounds awesome right about now? A road trip! Each day, a different Entangled YA author will be hosting a stop on this crazy ride, along with an awesome giveaway. Make sure you visit each location so you don’t miss any of the fun.
For today’s destination, we’re stopping in Hamilton, Ohio, where unbelievably awful bad luck unfolds on the cast of PROM-WRECKED. When two frenemies team up to make prom happen, everything that can go wrong, does, and in the worst possible way. Read on for an excerpt from the book and a teaser, and don’t miss the grand finale on Entangled Teens Facebook page next Wednesday, March 25, were Jen and I will be giving away a paperback copy of PROM-WRECKED. Be sure to stop by Chris Cannon’s blog tomorrow for more excitement!
Don’t miss any of the fun along the way to your final destination:
PROM-WRECKED by T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni
About the Book Title: PROM-WRECKED Authors: T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: May 6, 2019 Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romantic Comedy Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
Synopsis Their prom night ended in a jail cell with forty of their closest friends. But that’s hardly the worst thing that happened to them…
When the principal announces prom is canceled this year, senior Riley Hart is determined to save it. Armed with little more than her own enthusiasm, she ends up working closely with Owen Locklear, who is more than completely off-limits. Because he’s the boyfriend of her ex-BFF, Catherine Reed. Still, Owen knows Riley better than almost anyone, and his charming ideas for turning the prom upside-down and backward win Riley over.
Catherine is willing to join Owen and Riley on the prom committee, but only because her legacy as prom queen is at stake. She’s already suffocating under the weight of her parents’ expectations for after senior year, and compared to that, ensuring prom happens should be easy. At least until everything starts to go wrong.
First they lose their deposit. Then they book a band full of octogenarians. And lose their venue… Twice.
Riley will have an unforgettable teenage experience, damn it, if it’s the last thing she does…
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Excerpt:
CATHERINE –SIX WEEKS UNTIL PROM
I order a coffee for the road and head across the parking lot before turning left onto the main thoroughfare in front of Starbucks.
My thoughts turn to my ever-growing list of things to do, but after my call with Owen, finding potential prom sponsors gets knocked to the top. The scent of warm cinnamon wafts from the bakery across the street, giving me an idea. I grab my phone and snap a picture of the large gilded window stocked with tiered plates displaying this afternoon’s fresh baked goods. Then I turn to my right and capture the phone number screen printed across the blue and white striped awning above Hamilton Custom Tees. Farther down is Riley’s parents’ photography studio, and beyond that is the simple, yet elegant storefront of Posies & Petals.
Wrapped up in capturing the names and phone numbers of local business I hope will be sympathetic to our cause, I don’t notice a car slowing beside me until a voice calls out, “Need a lift?”
Startled, I turn to find Jordon Oswald in an ancient monstrosity of a car making so much noise, I can’t believe he snuck up on me. His lanky frame is hunched, wrists resting atop the steering wheel. He shakes his head to get his dark blond hair out of his eyes.
“Um, sure?”
Jordon is your basic nerd, but we’ve done several school plays and musicals together, and he’s a decent guy. He reaches a long arm across the front seat and opens the door for me. I climb in and search for a cup holder to put my drink in, but there doesn’t seem to be one.
“Here,” Jordon says, reaching for my cup.
I hand it to him and grab for a seat belt, coming up empty-handed.
Jordon chuckles. “It’s just a lap belt. Down on your right.”
Good lord, what have I gotten myself into? This is a death trap. My fingers fumble with the buckle, which is similar to the ones on airplanes, and tighten it until I can barely breathe. Jordon hands me back my cup, and I grip it with my left hand while I grab onto the armrest on the door with my right. The car rumbles even louder when Jordon presses the gas pedal.
“What is this thing?” I ask, inclining my head toward the dash so he knows I mean the car.
“This thing is a pristine 1966 Pontiac GTO. And her name is Sarah.”
“Ohh-kay.” Duly noted. His nerdiness has just hit a new level.
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Giveaway Winners will be revealed on March 25, at the Entangled Teen Facebook Event. It starts at 6 pm PST/9 pm EST. That’s March 26 at 1 pm Aus/EDT.
Welcome to the blog tour for MATZAH BALL SURPRISE, a stand-alone adult contemporary romantic comedy, from Entangled Lovestruck, by Laura Brown. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
Synopsis This Passover is starting to feel like the ten plagues might be coming back to haunt them before the weekend is over…one hilarious misstep after the next.
Gaby Fineberg just wants to get through Passover Seder without her “well meaning” family playing matchmaker. She needs a date, just for one simple meal—that includes singing, the history of her forefathers, and not one bit of yeast. The hot guy at her gym would be perfect. He probably hates bread, anyway, with a body like that. But when she finally works up the nerve to ask him…he doesn’t hear a word she said.
Levi Miller is deaf and happily single. Initially, he doesn’t know why this beautiful woman is talking to him, but it’s clear she needs help—and suddenly so does he. In a very complicated situation, Levi finds a simple solution. Gaby will pretend to be his new girlfriend to bail him out, and he’ll return the favor. But he didn’t bargain for a family dinner quite like this one…
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Excerpt #2 While I may be an actual college professor, there is nothing student-teacher about my feelings for Gaby.
Sure, the whole student-teacher thing had an entire genre of fantasies from all genders, but that wasn’t Harry’s point. He handed his phone over as Gaby appeared beside him, standing close like a girlfriend would. He hadn’t a clue if she’d read the notes or simply knew her uncle, but he appreciated her timing.
And maybe he liked having her close, enjoyed looking at her. Her dress crisscrossed between her breasts, giving him a world-class view of cleavage, making her about the sexiest thing he’d ever laid eyes on. She shifted an inch closer and while their positions alone proved Harry wrong, he knew what he needed to do, ignoring that need and want had intertwined beyond separation.
Levi ran a hand down Gaby’s cheek, landing on her arm. Her head tilted up, tongue snaking out to moisten her lower lip, and all his blood pumped south. He hadn’t squeezed her arm yet, and they both knew what came next. He should check on their audience, but he didn’t want to risk breaking the moment. He wanted this kiss.
Her pulse raced below his hand as he gave her two quick squeezes. The world around them faded as he angled his head and pressed his lips against hers, then even rational thought ceased when she kissed him back.
Her kiss was akin to the most delectable cookie: sweet, addicting, and impossible to resist. He angled his head, taking more of her, one hand on her back. He didn’t pull her closer, though he wanted to. Some small notion of reality kicked him in the nads. This was for show, not to enjoy.
Oh, but how he enjoyed it.
Levi pulled back, watching Gaby to ensure she hadn’t changed her mind. She smiled at him, and he fought the urge to yank her back to him.
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Author Laura Brown
About the Author After spending her childhood coming up with new episodes to her favorite sitcoms instead of sleeping, Laura Brown decided to try her hand at writing and never looked back. A hopeless romantic, she married her high school sweetheart. They live in Massachusetts with their two cats and son. Laura’s been hard of hearing her entire life but didn’t start learning ASL until college, when her disability morphed from an inconvenience to a positive part of her identity. At home the closed captioning is always on, lights flash with the doorbell, and hearing aids are sometimes optional.
Author Susan Mohel is revealing the cover to THUNDERSTORM, the third book in her adult contemporary romance seres, The Perfect Storm, releasing April 9, 2020. See below for the cover, information on the book and series, preorder links, an exclusive teaser, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
THUNDERSTORM (The Perfect Storm #3) by Susana Mohel
Synopsis Adrik Houston means nothing but trouble. I’ve spent years building my career, and I’m not about to let him push me away from the goal I’ve set for my future. I don’t care if he’s handsome, cocky, and fixated on getting me. On my charts, he’s Lucifer himself filling a panty-melting uniform.
But he doesn’t know how stubborn I can be when my heart is in the line of fire. He’s ready to fight. So am I.
We aren’t a match made in heaven. We’re two energy charged clouds ready to collide.
I’m Jordania Zanetti. In war the winner takes it all, and the battle is about to start.
About the Author Author, wife, and mother of a girl and a puppy. I love the happily ever after. Believer & dreamer. I live in my own world, sipping Ginger Ale and lime. I’m always plotting my next book, coloring pages, and reading.
Today is release day for TEMPTING TALK, the third book in the adult contemporary romantic comedy series, Tempt Me, by Sara Whitney. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
TEMPTING TALK (Tempt Me Series #3) by Sara Whitney
Synopsis Deejay Mabel Bowen rocks the morning airwaves, but once she signs off, she’s happy going home alone; a long-ago humiliation taught her that women in the public eye should be cautious about dating. Then she meets the Clark Kent-ish accountant overseeing the sale of her radio station and starts wondering if she should break her own “girl, don’t date him” rules.
Since he was teenager, Jake Carey has worked to lift his family out of poverty, and he’s now on the verge of a promotion that’ll secure their financial future. Why, then, is he so quick to set aside his spreadsheets whenever the gorgeous morning show host is around? After years of using work as an excuse to avoid searching for emotional connections, he’s now jumping at every chance to spend time with Mabel and her maple syrup voice.
Despite their initial reservations, Mabel and Jake move from conversations over coffee to flirty office lunches to a night out that obliterates all their previously drawn lines. Then a professional betrayal sends Mabel fleeing back to the safety of her single-girl rules. But Jake isn’t ready to give up on this once-in-a-lifetime love and sets out to balance their work/life books. Can he convince Mabel to turn up the volume on their future, or will she decide that the numbers don’t add up?
The thought materialized like the sharp clang of a bell. Single. It had only taken listening to Mabel’s radio show once for Jake to develop an appreciation for her fast wit, and now he couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that she was single.
But obsessing about that wasn’t what he’d been hired to do. He closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose, and sucked in a breath, picturing that empty partner office on the fifty-sixth floor of his building that was waiting for him to fill it. The image helped push thoughts of Mabel’s voice from his mind, and he exhaled slowly, calm back in place.
“Everything okay?” Brandon was looking at him with curiosity.
“Yep.” Of course. He was reliable, work-first Jake Carey. The same as always.
“So who’d you leave behind in Chicago?” Brandon spoke as if Jake’s thoughts were printed above his head. “Wife? Girlfriend? Boyfriend?”
Thumb, meet another tender spot.
“Not even a potted plant,” Jake said flatly. “The job keeps me busy.” Which was true, even if it wasn’t the whole story.
Brandon just sighed. “God, you workaholics wear me out. At least I’ve got an ex pestering me about shared custody of the dog.” He pinned Jake with his sharp blue eyes. “Is it worth it?”
Brandon’s suddenly serious tone was a 180 from his normal flippancy, and Jake didn’t even have to think about the answer. “For a partner’s salary? Of course it’s worth it.”
Worth not pledging a fraternity in college so he could spend all his free time taking course overloads to graduate faster. Worth not investing time in his dating life, searching for relationships with the potential for more. Worth every skipped vacation, every weekend in the office, every family holiday where he’d paid for the meal but hadn’t left in time to eat it while it was hot.
Fuck, it had to be worth it.
“What a drag.” The man across from him shook his head as he tucked his phone into his pocket. “In your next life, I recommend being born rich.”
Jake huffed a laugh. How perfectly ridiculous and perfectly Brandon. “Sure. I’ll get to work on that.”
He might not have been born rich, but he’d busted his ass, and now he had a fat 401(k), a condo with a view of Lake Michigan, and enough in savings to allow him to sleep soundly at night. A partnership at his accounting firm would be the keystone in the life he’d been building from the moment he’d realized as a teenager that he wanted more for his worn-down mom and his hungry, big-eyed sister than constant money worries and a shitty walk-up apartment in one of Chicago’s bleakest neighborhoods. And if that required spending a few months sorting out the books at a downstate Illinois radio station, so be it. Nothing was going to knock him off course.
“Knock, knock.”
Jake’s shoulders tightened when the woman with the sharp brain and the supple voice invaded the office. How? How did Mabel summon goose bumps with only a handful of words? He dragged his eyes to the doorway to confirm that the blonde he’d met on Wednesday still vibrated with the same bright energy he’d first glimpsed through the studio window.
About the Author Sara Whitney writes sassy, sexy contemporary romance novels packed with wit, heat, and heart. A 2019 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award finalist, Sara worked as a newspaper reporter and film critic before she earned her Ph.D. and landed in academia. She’s a good pinball player, a so-so karaoke singer, and an expert TV opinion-haver.
In a funny twist of fate, Sara’s married to a divorce attorney, and she likes to think that her happily-ever-afters help keep their household in balance. She and her husband live in the Midwest surrounded by books, cats, and half-empty coffee cups. Keep up with Sara by subscribing to her mailing list here.
Author Kennedy L. Mitchell is revealing an all new, updated cover to A COVERT AFFAIR, a stand alone adult romantic suspense. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, and an exclusive teaser. For a limited time, you can buy the eBook for just $0.99, or read for free with your KindleUnlimited subscription.
A COVERT AFFAIR by Kennedy L. Mitchell
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: A COVERT AFFAIR Author: Kennedy L. Mitchell Release Date: March 29, 2019 Genre: Adult Romantic Suspense Links:Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT
Synopsis He wants her off his base . . . and in his bed.
The last thing Senior Officer Gabe Wilcox wants on his base is some CIA agent snooping around except when it turns out to be Agent Lucia Rizzo with her smart mouth, killer curves, and legs he can’t wait to have wrapped around his waist. She should be off limits . . . but then, Gabe didn’t become a Navy SEAL by backing down. He’ll help Lucia with her investigation—and show her his commands will be far more pleasurable behind closed doors.
She’s there to work . . . not fall for the rock-solid senior officer in charge.
Agent Lucia Rizzo has spent her entire career with a singular objective—become the very best the CIA has to offer. There’s just one last mission standing in her way: uncover a traitor within the SEALs and recruit the sexy-as-hell SEAL, Gabe Wilcox. From the moment she arrives on base, Gabe, with his cocky grin and cute as hell dimples, proves he’s the undeniable distraction she never saw coming.
As the investigation heats up, and truths become lies, Gabe and Lucia must work together to answer the only question that matters: When everyone’s lying, and lives are at stake, can they even trust each other?
A Covert Affair is a stand-alone military romantic suspense with a take-no-prisoners CIA Agent and the Navy SEAL who brings her to her knees.
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Author Kennedy L. Mitchell
About the Author Kennedy lives in Dallas with her husband, son, and 80lb Goldendoodle who still believes he’s a lap dog. A bookworm at heart, Kennedy loves to snuggle up in bed or by the campfire with an unputdownable book. She began writing two years ago with Falling for the Chance and has no plans of stopping. Her novels are witty, action-packed, and offer enough steam for a great facial. If you like strong heroines and sexy, tattooed men who can’t keep their hands off them, then this author is the one for you.
Today is release day for MATZAH BALL SURPRISE, a stand-alone adult contemporary romantic comedy, from Entangled Lovestruck, by Laura Brown. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
Synopsis This Passover is starting to feel like the ten plagues might be coming back to haunt them before the weekend is over…one hilarious misstep after the next.
Gaby Fineberg just wants to get through Passover Seder without her “well meaning” family playing matchmaker. She needs a date, just for one simple meal—that includes singing, the history of her forefathers, and not one bit of yeast. The hot guy at her gym would be perfect. He probably hates bread, anyway, with a body like that. But when she finally works up the nerve to ask him…he doesn’t hear a word she said.
Levi Miller is deaf and happily single. Initially, he doesn’t know why this beautiful woman is talking to him, but it’s clear she needs help—and suddenly so does he. In a very complicated situation, Levi finds a simple solution. Gaby will pretend to be his new girlfriend to bail him out, and he’ll return the favor. But he didn’t bargain for a family dinner quite like this one…
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Excerpt He held up a thumb—no skin off his back—and eyed the new app on his phone. He switched to Gaby’s message thread.
Levi: Can you test something out for me? My friend gave me a new speech-to-text app to try, but I have no clue how well it works yet.
Gaby read, then looked at him and nodded. He opened the app, waited for the program to load, then showed it to Gaby. She bit her lip, eyes flickering upward in thought, and all he could focus on was that plump bottom lip dented by teeth.
He really wanted a taste. Could that be part of the ploy?
She started speaking, and thinking dots appeared on his app. He waited for words to show up, but nothing did.
Gaby had stopped, and he held up the empty screen to her. She frowned, then held the phone closer to her mouth, speaking again, and he got transfixed by those lips again, until words appeared on the blank app screen and forced his attention to shift.
Let’s see…not sure…what food…lucky as fucking.
Levi blinked, then blinked again. What the hell? He stopped paying attention to the app, looking at Gaby, whose lips still moved as if she talked about the sky, not…
He swallowed, the off handed suggestion crawling under his skin. But it couldn’t be right. Could it?
She stopped talking, eyebrows lowered, and he turned the phone for her to see. Her gaze roamed over the screen, then her lips burst open and curved and her shoulders shook. She leaned forward, laughing hard enough her cheeks turned pink.
So, she didn’t say fucking.
Gaby collected her phone, shoulders still bouncing as she typed.
Gaby: Wow, that program is bad, huh? I didn’t know what to say so I mentioned food. I believe that was the “we’ll have turkey not stuffing” line. While turkey can be lucky, I don’t put it on par with fucking. Chocolate, maybe, but not turkey.
He made the mistake of locking eyes with her. Something simmered below the good humor, and thoughts of chocolate and Gaby and very little clothing filled his head.
He closed the app. Time to focus on their mission.
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Author Laura Brown
About the Author After spending her childhood coming up with new episodes to her favorite sitcoms instead of sleeping, Laura Brown decided to try her hand at writing and never looked back. A hopeless romantic, she married her high school sweetheart. They live in Massachusetts with their two cats and son. Laura’s been hard of hearing her entire life but didn’t start learning ASL until college, when her disability morphed from an inconvenience to a positive part of her identity. At home the closed captioning is always on, lights flash with the doorbell, and hearing aids are sometimes optional.
Author Wrenn Montgomery is revealing the cover to PRIDE AND PERSUASION, the second book in her adult contemporary romance series, Inspired, releasing April 16, 2020. See below for the cover, information on the book, and preorder links.
PRIDE AND PERSUASION (Inspired Series #2) by Wrenn Montgomery
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: PRIDE AND PERSUASION Series: Inspired Series #2 Author: Wrenn Montgomery Release Date: April 16, 2020
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT
Synopsis Elliott James is a control freak. After being told she was nothing special by her ex, Baker Williams, she’s spent the last eight years proving him wrong. She’s built a life she loves— prominent attorney, partner at her firm, a luxurious penthouse, and the best friends a girl could ask for. After a harrowing encounter last year, she’s determined to get her life back on track. She’s succeeding, until a case brings her face to face with the one man that’s ever made her want to lose control.
Baker Williams started with nothing but determination to make a better life for himself. He’s built an empire he’s proud of, by acquiring companies and working his way up. So when a rogue employee threatens to bring his kingdom tumbling down, he hires the best to defend his case. His only fault is not realizing that the best is Elliott James, and she’s ready to remind him of all the damage he did years ago.
Eight years ago, Elliott and Baker were matches and gasoline. Explosive and hot. Back then, they both walked away burned. When they’re forced to work together long after the flames have died down, they discover they’re just as combustible as ever. Now, they have to figure out how to save each other without their spark burning down everything they’ve worked so hard for in the process.
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Author Wrenn Montgomery
About the Author Wrenn Montgomery resides in North Carolina with her husband and three daughters. She spends her time psychoanalyzing strangers and writing about them in steamy romances.
Welcome to the blog tour for A SIMPLE WEDDING, a Heart’s Landing adult contemporary sweet romance from Hallmark Publishing, by award-winning author Leigh Duncan. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
A SIMPLE WEDDING (A Heart’s Landing Novel from Hallmark Publishing) by Leigh Duncan copy
Synopsis Fall in love with Heart’s Landing, a romantic wedding destination, in the first book of a Hallmark series.
Jenny always dreamed of getting married at Heart’s Landing. But when she finally visits the charming small town, she’s there to make wedding arrangements for someone else: her cousin, who also happens to be her boss and a famous movie star. Her cousin wants a simple wedding, not a media circus. To keep the event top-secret, she’s talked her assistant Jenny into pretending she’s the one getting married.
Nick, a baker and lifelong resident of Heart’s Landing, is intrigued by this bride-to-be who starts visiting his bakery for sweet treats and conversation. It seems strange that her fiancé isn’t at least little involved with the wedding plans.
As Jenny tries to keep up with her fickle cousin’s ever-changing demands—which exasperate the florist, the caterer, and several other vendors—she tries to hide her attraction to Nick. Meanwhile, the people in town talk Nick into trying to distract Jenny with a sightseeing tour in order to keep her from changing her mind again. The more time Nick spends with Jenny, the harder it becomes to remind himself that she’s already spoken for.
Planning this wedding couldn’t be more complicated…and what will happen once the truth comes to light?
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Excerpt: Jenny pointed to her empty plate. “No wonder you’re busy. I was beyond thrilled when Denise said you could fit me in for a tasting.”
We make exceptions for certain people.”
“Like people you mow down?”
“Not exactly.” He chuckled, glad to know the day’s events hadn’t doused Jenny’s feisty spirit. “Denise vouched for you, and that’s good enough for me. So, when’s the big day?”
Faint lines around her eyes tightened. “In four weeks? On June thirteenth? At three in the afternoon?”
The tentative answers weren’t what he’d expect to hear from a true Heart’s Landing bride. Determined not to leap to a hasty decision, he gave her one more chance. “Tell me about the ceremony.”
“We’re holding it in the Captain’s Cottage. The roses will be in bloom then. They surround the veranda, climb the trellises, you know.” As if she were standing on the porch surrounded by flowers, a faraway look filled her eyes. Her features relaxed. The taut expression on her face melted. “I’ve heard that the scent is absolutely heavenly.”
There it is.
The dreamy expression on Jenny’s face was exactly what he’d hoped to see. It made her stand out from the other brides who flooded Heart’s Landing during the wedding season.
He nodded. It didn’t matter that her wedding was only four weeks away, that she’d already cost him a dozen cupcakes, or that his schedule was so full he’d have to skip a few nights’ sleep in order to fill her order. He didn’t have a choice. He had to do whatever it took to give this bride the wedding of her dreams. “Have you had a chance to get your bearings yet? I’m free for the next hour or two if you’d like the nickel tour of our little town.” He held his breath, not sure why it mattered but suddenly quite certain he wanted to be the one to introduce her to a few key shop owners.
Across the table, Jenny’s eyes narrowed. “I appreciate the offer, but—”
“Look, it’s no trouble.” A sudden anxiousness rippled through him. Would she turn him down? “We only have a little while before most of the stores close for the day. You can meet some of the owners and get a feel for which ones are best suited to help with your wedding plans. Besides…” He glanced pointedly at blue and green streaks on her jacket. “You owe me.”
“Hey!” Jenny’s eyebrows slammed together. She brushed a hand over her stained jacket. “I think you’ve got that backward.”
“The chance to make it up to you, I mean,” Nick finished, his voice light and teasing.
“Well, there is that.” Grinning, she rubbed at a smudge of blue icing.
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Author Leigh Duncan
About the Author Leigh Duncan, an Amazon bestselling author and a National Readers’ Choice Award winner, has written over two dozen novels, novellas and short stories, including A Simple Wedding,A Country Wedding, and Journey Back to Christmas for Hallmark Publishing, the Glades County Cowboys series for Harlequin, and her own Orange Blossom series. Leigh lives on Central Florida’s East Coast where she writes complex, heartwarming, and emotional stories with a dash of Southern sass.
Welcome to the blog tour for STING, a young adult dystopian adventure/romance by Cindy R. Wilson. See below for information on the book, buy links, my five-star review, and details on her giveaway.
STING by Cindy R. Wilson
Synopsis They call me the Scorpion because they don’t know who I really am. All they know is that someone is stealing from people with excess to help people with nothing survive another day.
But then a trusted friend reveals who I am―“just” Tessa, “just” a girl―and sends me straight into the arms of the law. All those people I helped…couldn’t help me when I needed it.
In prison, I find an unlikely ally in Pike, who would have been my enemy on the outside. He represents everything I’m against. Luxury. Excess. The world immediately falling for his gorgeous smile. How he ended up in the dirty cell next to mine is a mystery, but he wants out as much as I do. Together, we have a real chance at escape.
With the sting of betrayal still fresh, Pike and I will seek revenge on those who wronged us. But uncovering all their secrets might turn deadly…
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My Review This is a fun thrill ride from the opening pages through the pulse-pounding conclusion. Cindy R. Wilson creates fascinating characters and throws them into impossible situations against a rich dystopian backdrop. Scorpion is just a teenage girl who was unfortunately on the wrong side of the bride when the world came tumbling down. Living in a “bunker” in an abandoned gaming center, Tessa, aka the Scorpion, shares her “home” with Cass, a twelve-year-old orphan. The two form a tight family unit, which not only do whatever it takes to survive, but also helping others who live in the Dark District get what they need. This makes her public enemy number one of the Light Sight, which is under the control of Campbell, who also happens to be the father of her best friend, Elle. But when someone betrays her, Tessa is thrown into prison where she meets Pike, a former enforcer in training who wants to take down Campbell almost as much as Tessa does. The two form a friendship that borders on something more as they plan to escape and help the Dark Side and exact revenge on Campbell. But Tessa’s hate for Campbell is powerful and may get in the way of what she needs to do.
There are a lot of similarities between STING and THE HUNGER GAMES. So if you enjoy a good dystopian adventure of the oppressed rising up against their oppressor, a badass heroine with a younger sister figure she’ll do anything for, and a couple of swoony boys fighting over the protagonist, this is right up your alley!
Plot The main plot centers on Tessa and her quest for revenge against Campbell, the man who has kept the Dark District in the dark. There are strong subplots involving Tessa’s search for Cass, and her relationships with both River, another darksider, and Pike, the lightsider she meets in prison. The story shines in all of these areas. The action is well-spaced ensuring perfect pacing and twists and turns kept me engaged. Some I saw coming, others not so much. Everything is expertly woven together to create a compelling story that is nearly impossible to put down.
Characters The characters are superb! Scorpion will go down in history as one of my all-time favorite heroines. River, Pike, Cass and the rest are all deep, complex, compelling. Even the antagonists are more than just shallow stereotypes for the most part. Mongo and even Elle at times seemed sort of trope-y, but they served a necessary purpose. I love Tessa so much. She’s tough but vulnerable. Her inexperience with romance makes her stumble over her feelings for those around her, but her fierce loyalty is what endears her to me from the very beginning. Pike is my Peta. He’s also loyal, brave, smart, and he gets Tessa on a deep level. River is my sweet, sweet Gale. He loves Tessa so much, he’d do anything for her. Elle is complex and conflicted as the best friend and daughter of Tessa’s rival, and Campbell, well, he’s easy to believe these days as a greedy bastard who sees the poor people of the world as a drain on his power and wealth.
What I Loved About STING 1. Tessa. She’s the perfect blend of strength, fearlessness, loyalty, and vulnerability.
2. Pike. He’s wonderfully patient, brave, and would do anything for Tessa.
3. Action. There is a lot of it and it’s pulse-pounding and intense.
4. River. Another great guy who will risk everything for the people he cares about.
5. Twists and Turns. Really well done and caught me by surprise more than once.
What Didn’t Quite Work for Me Nothing! Though I hope this is the first book in a series. It doesn’t end on a cliffhanger and I have no idea what the author would do in a second book, but I love this world and these characters so much, I don’t want to let them go.
Bottom Line A thrilling dystopian adventure with plenty of romance!
About the Author Cindy lives at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and loves using Colorado towns and cities as inspiration for settings in her stories. She’s the mother of three girls, who provide plenty of fodder for her YA novels. Cindy writes speculative fiction and YA fiction, filled with a healthy dose of romance. You’ll often find her hiking or listening to any number of playlists while she comes up with her next story idea.
