Red Velvet by Tess Oliver and Anna Hart Release Blitz with Excerpt and Giveaway

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Synopsis

“There’s a fine line between reality and fantasy and all it takes is the right amount of desire to cross that line.” ~Coco, owner of the Silk Stocking Inn

An erotic confection from bestselling authors Tess Oliver & Anna Hart.

Jessi has it all, success, money and a corner office with a view. The only thing she doesn’t have is the right man. But when a wrong turn lands her at the welcome mat of the Silk Stocking Inn, and in the arms of hot handyman, Grayson, Jessi’s well-planned life is turned upside down . . . both in and out of bed.

Jessi is about to get a tasty sample of love, erotic fantasies and red velvet cupcakes.

Red Velvet is a standalone book and the first installation of the sexy Silk Stocking Inn series.

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Amazon US I Amazon UK

Teaser

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Excerpt

I stepped into the water. Teeny, opalescent bubbles floated up as my body sank down into the lavender scented water. I put the blindfold over my head and pulled it down over my eyes. My elbow hit the bar of soap resting on the edge of the tub. It thudded on the floor. I was too cozy in my bubble quilt to reach for it.

The tub was designed perfectly for reclining. I relaxed back with a long sigh.

A rush of cool air ushered inside the bathroom and footsteps plodded over the tile floor. Coco returning with the towels, I decided.

“Coco, I think I just invented a new type of sigh. It’s one that goes perfectly with the act of melting one’s body into a splendid tub of warm water.” I repeated the sound, and it swished around the room like a lost whisper. “Thank you so much for this. If you don’t see me in the morning, you’ll find me still sitting beneath the bubbles. You can just leave the towels. If it’s not too much trouble, could you retrieve the bar of soap? I knocked it off the edge.”

Footsteps tapped the tile as Coco neared the bath. I was growing drowsy behind the blindfold as I lazily lifted my hand above the bubbles. Surprisingly callused fingertips grazed my palm as the soap landed on my hand.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” The deep voice echoed off the walls and sent me upright.

I yanked off the blindfold and was staring at a faded pair of jeans. The bulge in front assured me of what my terror-filled mind had already surmised. Coco wasn’t the second person in the room.

I peered up at the impossibly tall man. His broad shoulders cast a giant shadow over the tub. His dark blue eyes stared down at me, more specifically at my breasts, which I’d now revealed by sitting straight up out of my bubble cloak.

I sank back down into the water. “I don’t know how you got in here, but—”

“Came in through the door, and I heartily approve of the new type of sigh. Works well in this context.” He stooped down next to the tub with a crooked smile that could only be described as a knee wobbler, a term Cara and I had come up with for a man whose smile caused a woman’s knees to turn to jelly. The rest of his face went well with the smile.

His hand curled around the edge of the bath. I scooted away, which was comical considering I could only move about two inches before coming up against the far side of the tub.

“Coco sent me up here with the towels.” He inclined his head toward the vanity where he’d placed the towels. He made no attempt at hiding the fact that he was staring down into the bubbles.

“Thank you for the towels. Now please get out.”

He didn’t move. His smile pushed a nice crease alongside his mouth that only added to its appeal. His eyes were a dark blue, framed by thick black lashes. Dark brown hair was just messy and long enough to make me take a long, steadying breath. The hair curled up nicely on the collar of his flannel shirt. For a brief, scandalous moment, I imagined running my hand through his thick head of hair.

My uninvited bath guest rested his chin on the edge of the tub, bringing his face even with mine. One foot closer and our mouths would be pushed together.

“Are you always this uptight when you’re soaking in a bubble bath?” he asked.

“Only when I have a big, intimidating stranger hanging on the edge of the tub.”

“I can’t do anything about the big, or intimidating”—he raised a brow about that assessment—“but—” He stuck out his hand. It was huge and looked as if it could wield a hammer as well as it could finger me into a raging orgasm. Whoa, where the heck did that erotic thought come from? Must have been the sugar high and the heady scent of lavender. The gorgeous man staring at me didn’t hurt either.

“I’m Grayson.”

Giveaway

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AboutTheAuthor

Tess Oliver

Tess Oliver is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Freefall.

She is a former teacher, who now dedicates her morning caffeine rush to writing romance instead of teaching math and reading. Tess lives in California, the land of perpetual sunshine and traffic, with her husband, kids and five dogs. She is a longtime romance junkie, who likes her hero to be an alpha with a twist of compassion and if he has long hair and rides a horse or a motorcycle all the better. She writes young adult, new adult and adult romance in both contemporary and historical settings. When she’s not reading or writing romance, she can be found hiking, vacuuming up dog hair or baking goodies for her family.

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Anna Hart

Anna Hart is the author of the sexy new romance series, Stepbrother Cowboy and Stepbrother Fighter. She writes edgy romances that are filled with bad boys, alpha males and plenty of steam.

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Shannon Hunt (Owner) & Michelle Dare (Operations)
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The Prince & The Player by Tia Louise Cover Reveal

A BRAND-NEW STAND-ALONE CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE featuring secrets, lies, royal high jinks, scams and double-crosses; breathless, swooning lust, cocky princes, dominant alpha future-kings, and crafty courtiers,

who are not always what they seem. #Dirty #Royal #Cinderella #PrinceandPlayer

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Coming May 17, 2016!

Get it ON SALE!!! Get The Prince & The Player at the special PRE-ORDER/RELEASE WEEK PRICE of $2.99! (Reg. $3.99)

Amazon US/UK: *Click here to get an email when Amazon pre-orders go LIVE!*

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★ SEE the inspiration board on Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/AuthorTiaLouise/the-prince-the-player/

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Blurb

Cinderella meets Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in this tale of power, lust, and royal deception…

One crown prince; one “playboy prince”…

One con artist; one petty thief…

One twisted plot for revenge.

When Grand Duke Reginald Winchester is exiled in disgrace, he vows he won’t go down without a fight. Crossing paths with Zee Wilder and her younger sister Ava at a gambling resort in Miami is the stroke of luck he needs.

Zee is the counterfeit courtier in Reggie’s plan to humiliate Rowan, the controlled heir who kicked him out of the kingdom. In return, the sisters get a permanent spot on Easy Street.

If only Zee didn’t keep finding herself in a clutch with Cal, Rowan’s playboy younger brother. Ava’s no help, as she finds quiet walks in the moonlight discussing poetry and leadership with the brooding, future king irresistible. Even more irresistible is kissing his luscious lips.

The whole plan is falling apart, and neither sister is sure she wants to stop it.

About the Author

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Tia Louise is the Award-Winning, International Bestselling author of the One to Hold series.

From “Readers’ Choice” nominations, to USA Today “Happily Ever After” nods, to winning the 2015 “Favorite Erotica Author” and the 2014 “Lady Boner Award” (LOL!), nothing makes her happier than communicating with fans and weaving new tales into the Alexander-Knight world of stories.

A former journalist, Louise lives in the center of the USA with her lovely family and one grumpy cat. There, she dreams up stories she hopes are engaging, hot, and sexy, and that cause readers rethink common public locations…

Books by Tia Louise:

One to Hold (Derek & Melissa), 2013

One to Keep (Patrick & Elaine), 2014

One to Protect (Derek & Melissa), 2014

One to Love (Kenny & Slayde), 2014

One to Leave (Stuart & Mariska), 2014

One to Save (Derek & Melissa), 2015

One to Chase (Amy & Marcus), 2015

One to Take (Stuart & Mariska), 2016

The Prince & The Player, 2016

Paranormal Romances (all stand-alones):

One Immortal (Derek & Melissa, #SexyVampires), 2015

One Insatiable (Koa & Mercy, #SexyShifters), 2015

SIGNED COPIES: http://smarturl.it/SignedPBs

Connect with Tia:

Amazon Author Page: http://smarturl.it/TLMAA

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

Website: http://www.AuthorTiaLouise.com

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Instagram & Twitter: @AuthorTLouise

Tsu.com: https://www.tsu.co/TiaLouise

Hook by Elisabeth Grace Excerpt Reeal

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Excerpt

“I’m here because you’re paying me,” I bit out.

His muscles stiffened and Marco pressed his lips together. “Of that, I am fully aware.” His hands dropped to his sides and his jaw ticked.

“I just meant…” I trailed off, unsure how to rectify the situation. I’d let my anger get the best of me. Marco looked down with such intensity in his dark gaze that I drew in a breath and held it.

Eventually, he wrapped his hands around me and I exhaled a shaky breath. He drew me to his firm chest and dropped his forehead to the top of my head. Being locked in his embrace and pressed against his body left me breathless. Tingling started in my extremities as Marco’s hand caressed up and down my back. He nuzzled his face into my neck and drew in a deep breath, inhaling my scent.

“Profumi d’estate. You smell like a sweet summer breeze.” His lips grazed my neck and I shuddered before he brought his forehead to mine.

His scent—a combination of expensive cologne with a hint of bergamot—drifted into my nose. Suddenly, I wanted to pleasure this man. Not because I was being paid to do it, but because I wanted him to want me, I wanted to make him happy, and I wanted to know him intimately. As fucked up as all that was.

I moved my hands to his chest, feeling his hard pecs flex beneath my palms as I dragged them down his abdomen, eventually lowering myself to my knees. The outline of his swollen cock was clear through his suit pants and I traced the shape with a single finger. When I reached the tip and squeezed, he hissed and pushed his hips forward. Wetness pooled between my thighs and my clit pulsed, demanding attention.

I looked up at him as I undid his belt and slowly pulled his zipper down. His large hands threaded into his hair, his eyes a little wild. My nipples hardened when I opened his pants and saw that he wore no underwear. Did he always go commando?

I licked my lips at the sight of his large, uncircumcised cock, stiff and straining in front of me. Before I could act, Marco bent at the waist and reached down, gripping my wrists and stilling me. He squeezed them, and with only a look he told me to let go of his dress pants. I did, unable to help myself from doing his bidding.

Marco gently pushed one strap of my dress off my shoulder and then the other. He pulled the fabric down, and since I wore no bra, my breasts sprung free. His eyes flared and he bit down on his bottom lip, sucking it into his mouth as he did. Unable to control my reaction, my back arched, silently begging him to put his hands, mouth—hell, anything—on me.

My breasts felt swollen and heavy, my nipples almost painfully erect. Marco ran the back of his hand softly along the outside edge of one breast as my heart hammered in my chest like a tribal drum, the beat picking up speed the longer I was forced to wait. His heavy-lidded gaze drifted up to meet mine at the same time his fingers clamped around one of my nipples and squeezed. I cried out, my head dropping back at the pure ecstasy of pain that was matched with equal parts pleasure.

“Sei perfetta,” he said, falling to his knees.

He palmed my breast, and I brought my head up just in time to watch his head dip down. He sucked the nipple he’d just delivered such exquisite torture to into his hot mouth, soothing the ache that remained. With no warning, he twisted my other nipple. My hands dove into his hair while his steady gaze watched my reaction. His full lips dragged across my hot skin until he reached my other nipple and laved it, erasing the sting of his assault.

Then he squeezed both of my breasts, pressing them together. “I am going to fuck these beautiful tits. Soon.”

God, I hoped Marco was a man of his word.

His stiff shaft bobbed with his movements while he played with me a little longer, sucking and pinching and pulling and tugging. Everything he did was driving me wild.

Finally, he pulled away from me and stood back up, his pants wide open and displaying his impressive manhood. Marco unbuttoned his shirt as I kneeled below him, watching the buttons give way, one by one, revealing even more of his chiseled chest.

The man definitely spent time working on his physique. Starting at his protruding pecs, I reached up and ran my hands down his eight-pack and along the deep V carved into the lower half of his abdomen. Both the V and his dark treasure trail seemed to be pointing to the one thing that could ease the steady heat burning inside of me.

I hadn’t realized how hard I was biting my bottom lip until Marco pushed his shirt off so that his cock was front and center, begging for attention. Dark, assessing eyes looked down on me, and a smug grin tugged on one corner of his mouth. “Open up, bella.” His hand pushed into my hair and pulled me forward.

He didn’t have to ask twice.

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Meet Marco Valenti on April 25th!

Add to your TBR:  http://bit.ly/1Uy5IqM

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Blurb

Women loathed me without even knowing my name.

Men coveted the very idea of me.

Escort. Call girl. Prostitute. Hooker. Whore.

I’d heard it all. Done it all.

Over the years I’d felt a lot of things about my occupation…but not regret–never regret. I had my reasons for doing what I did and nothing and no one had ever made me question them.

UNTIL MARCO VALENTI.

He’d changed me and I’d naively fed into the fairy tale.

But Marco wasn’t my Prince Charming.

He had secrets of his own.

Secrets that would eventually rip away everything I held dear.

 

About the Author:

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USA Today Bestselling author, Elisabeth Grace, has a soft spot for romance novels with happily ever afters and a hot spot for alpha males! She currently lives outside Toronto, Canada with her hubby and two small children. Life is busy, but never to busy for a good story and to share her love of reading and writing with others.

Website: http://elisabeth-grace.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1ElisabethGrace

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorelisabethgrace/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7276641.Elisabeth_Grace

Sweetest Venom by Mia Asher Blog Tour and GIVEAWAY

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Blaire’s epic love story concludes in Sweetest Venom

by Mia Asher!

NOW LIVE!

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Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1W26Z9g

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1V1zbtf

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Blurb

Ronan

I fell in love with a lie …

She was beauty and destruction.

Kissing her was a tender song.

Fucking her, a wild poem.

Loving her, my downfall.

But she was mine.

Or so I thought.

Lawrence

I told her I wanted her body

and not her love.

I lied.

Blaire

One man offered me his love.

The other, the world.

I’m falling, falling, falling …

And there’s no end in sight.

Check out our 4.5 smooches review HERE.

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Excerpt

He watches me closely. His gaze, sparkling with lust, roves over my figure.

    “Like what you see?” I tease.

    “Not sure. Why don’t you come a little closer so I can take a better look?”

    “Oh yeah?” I get on the bed and crawl toward him, taking my time as I close the space between us. I straddle his lap, rocking my pussy on his cock. “Well, what’s the verdict?”

    “Let’s see …” he grabs me by the hips, his long fingers gripping my ass firmly, and pulls me forward until I’m kneeling over his face. I reach for the headboard for support and look down as my breathing accelerates.

    “Perfect,” he says, his voice as thick as smoke. Smiling sinfully, his eyes are on me when his fingers spread my folds apart and his thumb begins to rub me in small circles.  “Fucking perfect.”

    He plays my body like a damn maestro. I bite down hard on my lower lip the moment he drags his tongue along my soaked pussy. He breathes me in, his hot breath caressing my thighs as his hands move me against his eager mouth.

    “And so damn sweet.”

Copyright 2016 Mia Asher

 

Haven’t met Blaire yet? Now is your chance, Easy Virtue is NOW ON SALE!

Grab your $0.99 copy at the following retailers:

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Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1AhIp7A

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1FOfY2m

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1zO1Fsn

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1rSEK0k

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1ROEaHo

 

About the Author:

Mia Asher

My name is Mia Asher.

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

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

GIVEAWAY

Signed Set of the Virtue Series (Easy Virtue & Sweetest Venom)

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Sweetest Venom by Mia Asher Review

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4.5 Smooches!

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Synopsis

Ronan
I fell in love with a lie …
She was beauty and destruction.
Kissing her was a tender song.
Fucking her, a wild poem.
Loving her, my downfall.
But she was mine.
Or so I thought.

Lawrence
I told her I wanted her body
and not her love.
I lied.

Blaire
One man offered me his love.
The other, the world.
I’m falling, falling, falling …
And there’s no end in sight.

Review

‘Her kisses were deceit that tasted like the sweetest venom, her laugh a lure to my demise, and her body the damn devil’s playground.’

OH GOD!  This book, guys!  The book.  I will have a book hangover for days because it surely put me through the emotional wringer.  I feel emotionally drained after all of this drama and I loved it so much!  SO MUCH!

So, Sweetest Venom is the conclusion to Easy Virtue.  You must read Easy Virtue first, otherwise you will be quite a bit confused!  But anyways, Lawrence, Ronan and Blaire are back and they are just as nutty and crazy and just so all in love with each other that I just can’t stand it.  But I can stand it because even though it was painful to read, I couldn’t look away.  This has to be one of the most tortuous love triangles I have ever read because I loved both Ronan and Lawrence!  Gah, Blaire, who could blame you, really?!  I can’t choose either!  Not even a little bit!

‘He crawls deep inside my skin.  He’s the fire on my tongue.  Is it heaven or is it hell?  It must be both.’

So many surprising things happen this time and I do not want to ruin it a bit for you.  All I have to say is get ready to be heart broken either way.  These two guys are both amazing book boyfriends so good luck, guys!  Great book!  Fabulously written, angsty as hell, and so freaking sexy!  I loved it!

“Give me a thousand lives and a thousand eternities, and I would still find you and make you mine.  Always.”

~Amie

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Stripped by Allie Juliette Mousseau Blog Tour

Title: Stripped

Author: Allie Juliette Mousseau

Genre: Romantic Comedy Standalone

Published: March 29, 2016 

Stone Wright is Foreplay’s hottest act. While entertaining at the popular L.A. strip club known for catering to the feminine wild, the fever-inducing Aussie with the sex-saturated accent and moves to match is preparing for the audition of a lifetime on the sensational hit reality show Then Prove You Can Dance.

When retired principal dancer and ballerina Emilie Cartier stumbles into his dressing room, she’s still reeling from the one wrong spin that altered her entire life and obliterated her dreams.

After a humiliating public, albeit meteoric, orgasm—the kind so desperate to escape, it took over her body without her brain’s permission—and a second, more intimate and deliriously deliberate one, Emilie makes a deal with Stone: he helps her get her dancing mojo back and she readies him for his national audition.

But she insists he keeps his wily, wandering hands to himself and his dirty mouth shut. Of course, that’s going to be an extremely hard challenge—one of herculean proportions.

Emilie is not prepared for Stone—the way he spins her mind dizzy, rocks her body into sweet oblivion or dirty dances into her every daydream—and falling in love with him is so definitely not an option.

The closer Stone gets to Emilie, the more he realizes he’d do anything to make her his own. Problem is, he’s a real f*ck-up with relationships. And that means he’s dangerously close to becoming her next major f*ck-up.

What happens when all of the emotional layers—along with the stage props, their dancewear and every last shred of their clothes—are ultimately stripped?

 

 Check out our review HERE.

“What’s up with these sexy Aussie men anyway? Forget the Canadian, I want an Australian. Lol. This funny, refreshing amazing story gets a much deserved 5 star review.” ~Diane (Amazon Review)

“Light, fun, witty banter, hot sex and my new book boyfriend , Stone, of course…….There wasn’t anything not to like, rom-com done to perfection.” ~Stacey (Amazon Review)

“Oh boy, was this book sizzling my fingers from the pages! Just a few words to describe this book… Hot, sensual, sexy, mouth watering and dang good.” ~Cutting Muse Book Blog

HEAD ON OVER TO ALLIE’S AUTHOR PAGE AND CHECK OUT

THE PINNED POST PAPERBACK GIVEAWAY!  

DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A REVIEW TO WIN A KEY CHAIN!

 

Allie Juliette Mousseau is a USA Today Bestselling Author.

She can always be found writing, playing in puddles with her children, hiking with her husband, or adventuring somewhere in the world. Her favorite place to write on warm days is outdoors, but when the weather gets too cold, she’ll be inside at her desk inspired by the mountain view from her home office in Montana where she lives with her loving husband, children, and golden retriever. She loves to travel and lived for three years in her RV with her family while visiting the national parks and forests of the U.S. and a couple Canadian provinces. She is excited to add all of Canada and Alaska in the near future!

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Stripped by Allie Juliette Mousseau Review

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3.5 Smooches!

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Synopsis

Stone Wright is Foreplay’s hottest act. While entertaining at the popular L.A. strip club known for catering to the feminine wild, the fever-inducing Aussie with the sex-saturated accent and moves to match is preparing for the audition of a lifetime on the sensational hit reality show Then Prove You Can Dance.

When retired principal dancer and ballerina Emilie Cartier stumbles into his dressing room, she’s still reeling from the one wrong spin that altered her entire life and obliterated her dreams.

After a humiliating public, albeit meteoric, orgasm—the kind so desperate to escape, it took over her body without her brain’s permission—and a second, more intimate and deliriously deliberate one, Emilie makes a deal with Stone: he helps her get her dancing mojo back and she readies him for his national audition.

But she insists he keeps his wily, wandering hands to himself and his dirty mouth shut. Of course, that’s going to be an extremely hard challenge—one of herculean proportions.

Emilie is not prepared for Stone—the way he spins her mind dizzy, rocks her body into sweet oblivion or dirty dances into her every daydream—and falling in love with him is so definitely not an option.

The closer Stone gets to Emilie, the more he realizes he’d do anything to make her his own. Problem is, he’s a real f*ck-up with relationships. And that means he’s dangerously close to becoming her next major f*ck-up.

What happens when all of the emotional layers—along with the stage props, their dancewear and every last shred of their clothes—are ultimately stripped?

REVIEW

“You’re fun to be with.”

I joke lightly, “I bet you say that to all the girls.”

He answers in a serious tone. “No, baby, I don’t say that to any of the girls.”

Kindred spirits, Emilie Cartier and Stone Wright have much in common. Both have sustained devastating injuries that have changed the course of their lives; both are now in Los Angeles in an effort to move forward to the next phase of their lives, whatever that may be; and both of them share an unparalleled passion for dance. Although they’re in different places, they both find so much more than they ever expected in each other. Stone is the spark that reignites Em while she becomes his muse.

“…the stripper and the ballerina. “

A deal is brokered, a goal is set and plans are in place. He has the opportunity to finally chase his dreams, and she will help him prepare for it. What she doesn’t anticipate, though, is what the experience of training him will bring to her. Being with Stone has brought her happiness, he’s healed her soul, and he’s opened her heart and mind to possibilities she thought were out of her reach. And during all of their late nights training, this incredibly sweet, romantic and dirty-talking Aussie weaves his magic, and the impossible happens – Em’s tattered and tender heart heals. But has she fallen as hard for Stone as he has fallen for her? When faced with a completely out-of-character, once-in-a-lifetime chance, will Em take his hand and follow through with the greatest risk of all?

“…we were born to be together – born to dance together.”

So…I started this book loving every single second. It was so, so funny! I’m talking tears streaming down my face, holding my sides, pain in my abdominals, uproariously laughing-out-loud funny. The non-romance portion of the plot was GOLDEN. Well written, with fabulously witty dialogue, characters I loved and exceptionally well developed. I adored every word of it. Awesome, right? Yeah!

Em and Stone were so ridiculously perfect together – sexy, silly and so natural – I couldn’t wait to see their romance bloom. I was eagerly anticipating where all of this dirty-talking, flirtatious foreplay Stone was dishing out was going to go. In my mind, there was no way it wouldn’t be anything but great when they got there, right?  <sigh>  WRONG. And the worst part? The potential was so great; it really could have been incredible.

In her attempt to carry Em and Stone’s witty banter from outside the bedroom into it, the author went too far, too over-the-top with the cutesy body part renaming. Oh, how I wished she had just dialed back – or preferably, dropped it all together. Those cringe-worthy gardening and feline references doused the heat the burned between Em and Stone, turning what would have been some seriously hot scenes into ones that were goofy and immature.

Without all of that juvenile talk, which came off more sophomoric than sexy, this book would have absolutely been a candidate for one of my top romantic comedies of the year. But, disappointingly for me considering how much I thoroughly enjoyed everything that happened outside of the bedroom, the sex scenes – of which there were plenty – were so overshadowed by the use of these words, that each time I hit on one of these references, I was taken completely out of the moment, out of the scene and out of the whole story. They were so disruptive, they made not only the scene, but the entire book difficult to get through, and it actually pains me to say that, because I truly did enjoy everything that happened in this book outside of the bedroom. But the sex – which between these two characters who were so organically sexy and hot together – was just so disappointing and uncomfortably silly.

Stripped could have definitely been a knock-it-out-of-the-park, grand-slam homerun. Unfortunately, for the reasons I stated, it devastates me to say that, ultimately, it just didn’t work for me. I’ve never been in this position before, both loving and disliking a book in such equal measure and then having to review it in a public forum. I want to both apologize to the author and then rail at her for it.

3.5 smooches for Allie Juliette Mousseau’s Stripped from me.

~ Danielle Palumbo

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Feels Like Summertime by Tammy Falkner Review

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5 Smooches

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Synopsis

Jake:

Katie Higgins was the first girl I ever loved. We spent one summer together at Lake Fisher when we were sixteen and then I never saw her again. My life is shit, my job is gone, and my dad had a stroke, so I find myself back at Lake Fisher once again. And so does Katie. Her last name isn’t Higgins anymore, because Katie is married with three kids and one more on the way, but when she shows up at Lake Fisher with her kids, danger trails her all the way there. I could do a lot of things. I could leave and go home. I could stay and deal with it. But what I want most of all is just to take care of Katie. If I concentrate on her, maybe I won’t have to face my own problems. Yeah, that’s it. Fix Katie.

Katie:

I haven’t seen Jake in eighteen years, but the moment I lay eyes on him, I feel safer than I have in a very long time. Memories swamp me every time I look out over the clear, cool water. A first kiss. A first boyfriend. A first love. That old spark is still there. I just can’t act on it, and neither can Jake. Our story started eighteen years ago, and then we both made lives with other people. Jake is willing to tell me about his, but I can’t share mine with him. Ever. We can be friends and spend another summer together, right? Sure, we can.

Review

WOW! I have read a TON of books by Tammy Falkner (and I do mean a TON) and none have made me tear up and touch me much on an emotional lever as Feels Like Summertime. I can honestly say that this is one of my all time favorite second chance romances.

‘And that was the day I knew I was head over heels for Jake.’

Katie and Jake fell in love one summer when they were both sixteen one summer at the lake. But like most teenage romances it sadly fizzled out due to the distance and simply growing up. But now both are in their late thirties and find them both back at the same lake. Only now Jake is harder and dealing with a tough instance at work and Katie is married with three kids and one on the way. Both have secrets but both are so happy just to have the other back in their lives again. But Katie is running and whatever it is she is hiding from is coming for her. Can Jake save her and prove that you can fall in love more than once?

“To me, you feel like summertime. You feel like warm weather and sunny skies. You feel like the occasional storm, but they always pass, and they keep things interesting. You feel like my future.”

I love Tammy’s writing style she brings the humor without diminishing the seriousness of everything that is going on. The emotions feel real and strong and I honestly had no clue where this story was going through out most if it, it was a journey I would happily take again and again. When the story started I honestly felt like Jake was going to be the one tough to love but as soon as he sees Katie you cannot help but fall for him. He immediately knows that his feelings for her never died and embraces her children from the start. He is gentle and patient even when she refuses to open up to him. But he never waivers in his devotion to her even if it just as a friend. Their flirty banter kept the story moving and his dad and her kids provided the perfect amount of lightheartedness and comedic relief. I truly hope that Tammy writes more stories like this one because I completely plan on devouring each one.

~miranda

Dirty by Kylie Scott Excerpt Reveal

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Excerpt

Heavy footsteps roused me from my stupor. I don’t know how long exactly I’d been sitting in the bathtub, staring off at nothing, pondering the catastrophe my life had become. Couldn’t have been too long since sunlight still lit the room.

The footsteps came closer and closer. And then they entered the room. Oh, shit. I froze, not even daring to breathe. There was a loud yawn, followed by the cracking of joints. Then a large hand reached in beside the closed shower curtain and turned on the tap. A torrent of ice cold water poured down. It was like a billion itty-bitty knives stabbing at my skin. All of the scratches and raw patches from earlier stung like shit. I gritted my teeth, shoulders hiked up to around my ears as if that would provide any protection.

Yep, I sat there, all huddled up, listening to the man take a leak.

Awesome. Just plain awesome.

Wasn’t like I could jump out and interrupt the man midflow. And say what? I knew this was not a good situation to get caught in.

  1. I’d basically broken into this guy’s house.

  2. And had then gone on making myself right at home, having a messy emotional breakdown in his bathtub.

Normal, rational people didn’t do this sort of thing. I didn’t even have a criminal record, had never particularly done anything outlandish or interesting until now. This was all Chris’s fault, the bastard. I’d just have to make the best of it and hope this guy had a sense of humor.

Just as the water began to warm, he flushed the john and freezing cold water drenched me anew. I’d been about to open my mouth and announce my presence, but that put an end to that. Needles of icy cold water pelted down on my skin. I fucking froze. Teeth gritted, I suppressed a squeal of pain and rage.

Then the shower curtain flew back.

“Shit!” The man was very tall, very naked, and very surprised. He stumbled back a step, a hand clutching at the bench behind him, eyes furious and wide. “What the hell?”

Good question.

I opened my mouth, closed it. Language skills had apparently abandoned me. In total silence, the man and I stared at each other.

Even with no clothing to take cues from, the dude was clearly the epitome of cool. He looked about my age, or maybe a little older. He had longish red-blond hair, dark blue eyes set in an angular face, a lean but muscular torso covered in tattoos, and a rather large cock. Not that I meant to check him out, it’s just kind of hard to ignore a penis and scrotum when they’re dangling right in front of your face. I tilted my head, trying to get some perspective. Every viewpoint, however, was equally shocking. There was dick as far as the eye could see.

And I should stop ogling him. Right.

“Hi.” With a calm I didn’t even vaguely feel, I reached up and turned off the tap. Much better. His monster penis had momentarily derailed me, but I was back on track now. Time to talk myself out of this mess. “Hey.”

“What the fuck are you doing in my house?” he asked flatly.

“Right. Well . . .” I neatly tucked my dripping-wet shoulder-length blond hair back behind my ears. As if that would help. My winged eyeliner and false lashes were probably halfway down my cheeks. “I, um, I . . .”

“You what?”

“I’m Lydia,” I said, the first thing to come to mind.

No reply. His handsome face, however, took on a distinctly pissy expression. Even his strawberry-blond hair seemed a fiery hue. Fine, so we weren’t swapping names and getting cozy. Fair enough. You wouldn’t believe how hard it was, keeping my eyes on his face. The struggle was real. It might have been due to my not seeing one in so long, but his dick seemed almost hypnotic. The thing had magical powers, I swear. It was so big and mobile, subtly swaying every time he moved. My gaze kept darting down despite my best efforts.

Finally he put me out of my misery, grabbing a towel off a nearby rack and wrapping it around his waist. It made for quite the hot-looking miniskirt. Not just any man could have pulled off such a look.

But back to my explanations.

“Ah, firstly, I’d just like to say sorry about this.” I waved a hand at him and his bathroom and, well everything, really. “For any inconvenience I might have caused here in your bathroom.”

The guy stood tall, looming over me with his hands on hips. Tattoos covered his arms to his wrists. Still, he had a whole lot of sinew on show. Definitely not the kind of man you’d want to mess with. Dude could probably snap me in half in a second. I bet he was a tattoo model, or a biker, or a pirate, or something. Something a lot hot and more than a little scary.

Shit. I really should have chosen another house.

“I don’t normally break into people’s places and hide out in their tub,” I babbled, on the verge of incoherency. “So I’m really sorry. Seriously. So very sorry. But you’ve got a lovely home.”

“That so?”

“Not that, I mean, that’s not why I’m here. I just . . .” Fucking hell, my mind was a disaster. I took a deep breath, letting it out nice and slow, before trying again. “I love the old Arts and Crafts bungalows, don’t you? They have such soul.”

His brows drew tight. “Are you high? What the fuck are you on?”

“Nothing!”

“You haven’t been popping any pills or snorting something?”

“No, I swear.”

“Nothing to drink?”

“I haven’t had anything,” I said, but the suspicion and anger still lined his face. Paired with the stubble on his chin and the shadows beneath his eyes, my unwilling host was one tired, cranky man. Couldn’t really blame him.

“So you’re completely sober,” he said.

“Completely.”

A pause.

“You’re thinking I’m bat-shit crazy now, aren’t you?” I asked, despite the answer sitting plain as day on his pretty face.

“Pretty much, yeah.”

Oh, god. “I’m not. I’m sane.”

“You sure about that?” He looked down the long line of his nose at me, distinctly unimpressed. “Seen a lot of weird shit in my years. Stuff like you wouldn’t believe. But I got to tell you, right now, this . . . you, are taking the cake.”

“Great.” And I was so definitely probably going to jail. Someone ought to give me a cookie. My ability to take a bad situation and make it worse today was amazing.

“You touch any of my stuff?” he asked. “Take anything?”

“Yes, your sofa is cunningly hidden down the front of my dress. You won’t believe where I fit the TV.”

Again, his eyes narrowed dangerously. “Between you and me, probably not the time to be funny, babe.”

Crap. “Sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. You have every right to be mad.”

“Damn right, I do.”

I nodded, contrite. “I haven’t touched any of your things.”

The dude just stood there, staring. Lots going on behind his eyes. None of which I could read.

A stray tear trickled down my face. It must have saved itself up just for the occasion. Gah. How pathetic. I sniffled, brushing it off hurriedly with the back of my hand.

“Fuck’s sake,” he muttered.

“I really am sorry about this. The truth is, I just needed somewhere to hide for a little while. I didn’t mean to freak you out.”

He sighed. It wasn’t a happy sound. “Lydia?”

“Yes?” Despite my best efforts, my voice trembled slightly.

“Look at me.”

I did so. He still looked cranky and crazy cool while I remained a hot mess.

“I’m Vaughan,” he said.

“Hi.”

He tipped his chin and silence fell between us once more.

With the tip of his tongue rubbing at his upper lip, he looked at the wide open window, and then back at me. Yep, that’s how I’d gotten in. Houdini had nothing on my mad skills.

“What are you doing in my house, Lydia? The truth.”

“It’s kind of a long story, actually.” Along with being excruciatingly embarrassing. But then, what wasn’t about this day?

Vaughan crossed his arms over his wide chest and waited me out while I fussed with my ruined skirts and tried to come up with a way to spin the story to not make me look a complete fool. Christ, the holes in my stockings were huge. On one side, my entire foot stuck out. So screwed.

Vaughan crouched by the side of the tub, resting his arms on the side. Up close the shadows under his eyes seemed even bigger and darker against his pale skin. And there were bags big enough to use as carry-ons. Despite the strong lines of his lean face, the man looked done-in. Ready to sleep for a hundred years.

I knew that feeling.

“Looks like a wedding dress,” he said quietly.

“Yes, it is. I was going to get married today.” I took a deep breath, wiping my face with my hands. Just as expected, my palms came away smeared with black eye makeup. “Ah, boy. I must look a wreck.”

Without comment, Vaughan reached out and grabbed a towel, handing it to me. It was sort of threadbare, old. Dated like the rest of the house. I hadn’t seen more than one room, but real estate agents got a feel for these sort of things. Minimal upkeep for the past five or so years would have been my guess. Perhaps it’d even been left empty. Bushes out front hid the house from view, so I’d never gotten a good look at it before.

“Thank you.” I patted myself dry with the towel as best I could. What remained of my beautiful dress was a sopping wet ruin. “I’m sorry I broke into your house, Vaughan. I swear I don’t normally do this sort of thing.”

“No,” he said, his voice deep. “Figured as much. Where’d you come from?”

“The big house at the back.”

His brow wrinkled. “You climbed over the fence?”

“Yes.”

Tired, red-tinged eyes appraised me anew. “That’s a tall fence. Must have been one hell of an emergency.”

“It was a disaster.”

For a long moment he studied me, deep in thought. Then he sighed yet again, climbing to his feet.

“Are you going to call the cops on me?” I asked, my throat tight with tension. “I know you have every right to, I’m not disputing that. I’d just, I’d like to know. Mental preparation and all that.”

“No. I’m not.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” My whole body sagged in relief.

Then he clapped his hands together, startling the crap out of me. “Okay, Lydia. Here’s what we’re going to do.”

“Yes?”

“I arrived late this morning, have only had a few hours sleep. If I don’t get some coffee soon, things are going to get ugly. And you probably need to get dried off.” With no fuss, he held out his hand. “Let’s get shit sorted out. Then we can sit down and you can tell me the long story of how the hell you ended up in my house. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” I said, voice lightening.

He pulled me up. Then, with strong hands on my waist, lifted me out of the tub. Immediately water started dripping off of my saturated dress, pooling on the scuffed wooden flooring at my feet. Chris would have been distinctly unimpressed. Chris didn’t like messes. But as Vaughan didn’t seem to care, neither did I.

“You’re really not going to call the police?” I asked.

“No. Hold still,” he said, carefully plucking a fake eyelash from my cheek.

“Thank you.”

“Your dress is kind of fucked.” He looked me over from top to toe.

“I know,” I said sadly.

“I’ll leave you to get changed.”

“Wait. Please. I can’t get out of it on my own.”

More frowning.

“It’s vintage,” I explained with a grim face. “There’s no zip, just a line of little buttons up the back.”

“’Course there is.” Without another word, he turned me around and got started in on said buttons. As he worked, he hummed beneath his breath, the song vaguely familiar.

“Aren’t you still mad?” I asked, perplexed.

“Nuh.”

“But I broke into your house.”

“Window was open.”

“I still trespassed.”

Busy fingers kept working on undoing the dress. “You sat in the tub and cried because some dickhead fucked you over.”

That shut me up.

“Or that’s what I’m assuming, given the dress and all. I take it he’s the one that gave you that shiner on your cheek?”

“No. No one hit me. And yes, you assumed right about the being fucked over.” I tried to look back at him, but I couldn’t see a thing beyond my wild-ass hair. Impressive how it’d survived the shower. The stylist clearly knew her shit.

“You sure no one hit you?” He did not sound convinced.

“Yes. I lost my grip and hit the floor when I was climbing in the window. My home invasion skills need work.”

“I’d suggest you try a different career.” He finished with the buttons and took a step back, scratching his head. “You okay with the dress now?”

“Yes, thank you,” I told his reflection in the mirror. “For everything, I mean.”

“Sure.” He almost smiled and gave a small shake of the head as if he couldn’t quite believe what was going on. Or maybe it was disbelief that he wasn’t kicking me straight back out the window through whence I’d come.

Lord knows, it’d shocked the shit out of me.

He turned toward the door. “See you out there.”

02

Are you ready to get Dirty?  

Dirty is Book One in Kylie Scott’s Dive Bar Series.  

Meet Vaughn & Lydia on April 19th!

Pre-order your copy of DIRTY here:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Q7LCyb

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1OYc53N

iBooks: http://apple.co/1TOAhIG

Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/1MetF1F

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Mez6t6

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Blurb

The last thing Vaughan Hewson expects to find when he returns to his childhood home is a broken hearted bride in his shower, let alone the drama and chaos that comes with her.

Lydia Green doesn’t know whether to burn down the church or sit and
cry in a corner. Discovering the love of your life is having an affair on your wedding day is bad enough. Finding out it’s with his best man is another thing all together. She narrowly escapes tying the knot and meets Vaughan only hours later.

Vaughan is the exact opposite of the picture perfect, respected businessman she thought she’d marry. This former musician-turned-bartender is rough around the edges and unsettled. But she already tried Mr. Right and discovered he’s all wrong-maybe it’s time to give Mr. Right Now a chance.

After all, what’s wrong with getting dirty?

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About the Author:

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Kylie is a long time fan of erotic love stories and B-grade horror films. She demands a happy ending and if blood and carnage occur along the way then all the better. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and one delightful husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet.

Kylie is represented by Amy Tannenbaum at the Jane Rotrosen Agency, New York.

Stalk Kylie Scott: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The Matchmakers Playbook by Rachel Van Dyken Book Tour and Excerpt

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The Matchmaker’s Playbook (Wingmen Inc. 1)

RELEASE DAY APRIL 5th, 2016

Publisher: Skyscape (April 5, 2016)

Publication Date: April 5, 2016

Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Language: English

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SYNOPSIS:

Wingman rule number one: don’t fall for a client.

After a career-ending accident, former NFL recruit Ian Hunter is back on campus—and he’s ready to get his new game on. As one of the masterminds behind Wingmen, Inc., a successful and secretive word-of-mouth dating service, he’s putting his extensive skills with women to work for the lovelorn. But when Blake Olson requests the services of Wingmen, Inc., Ian may have landed his most hopeless client yet.

From her frumpy athletic gear to her unfortunate choice of footwear, Blake is going to need a miracle if she wants to land her crush. At least with a professional matchmaker by her side she has a fighting chance. Ian knows that his advice and a makeover can turn Blake into another successful match. But as Blake begins the transformation from hot mess to smokin’ hot, Ian realizes he’s in danger of breaking his cardinal rule…

 

Check out our 5 smooches review HERE.

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Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1V6Utox
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1V6UCs6
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1QS5BTc
Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1MipuP3

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The Matchmakers Playbook Creed

  1. Head held high.

  2. Always smile.

  3. Never slouch.

  4. Wear clothes appropriate to the season.

  5. Let him open the door.

  6. No kissing on the first date.

  7. He comes to you.

  8. Lingering is frowned upon.

  9. NO facebook stalking.

  10. NO STALKING stalking.

  11. Don’t be too available.

  12. LIsten to Lex and Ian.

  13. See Number 12.

  14. No seriously, go back, re-read #12.

  15. If after one week you aren’t satisfied, we will dissolve the contract.

TRAILER:  

Link: https://vimeo.com/158708617

The Matchmaker’s Playbook by Rachel Van Dyken from Becca the Bibliophile on Vimeo.

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Excerpt

“If you  hurt her, I’m going to break off your favorite appendage.”

“Silly Gabi.” I grinned. “Is that an invitation to touch?”

“Guarantee  if I ever do touch you, it will only end badly.”

“Tease.” I winked.

“Stop that.” She flicked me on the nose. “Your sexual prowess is dead to me. Dead!”

Rolling my eyes, I wrapped an arm around her and steered us both into the kitchen, where the smell of French bread and spaghetti filled the air. “Have I told you how much I miss our weekly dinners? Think we should do it daily? You know, so I don’t starve?”

Gabi shrugged out of my embrace. “Learn how to cook.”

I jutted out my lower lip. “It’s not for lack of knowledge.” I broke off a piece of warm bread, then poured myself a large glass of wine. “It’s because yours always tastes better.”

Gabi groaned loudly. “Damn, do the girls really fall for that? Still?”

“Eh.” I shrugged and made a so-so motion with my hand. “Nine out of ten.”

“You disgust me.”

“You say that every day.”

“Because it’s true every day.”

“When’s dinner ready?” Serena bounced into the room, literally, her head bobbing from left to right. Maybe that’s how girls like her built up more brain cells. They shook the air, and the pressure between their ears exploded, making tiny little brain-cell babies.

Gabi poked her head into the fridge. “When Lex gets here.”

“So it’s ready now?” she asked.

Never mind. No brain-cell babies. I fought the urge to point to the steaming spaghetti and bread sitting on the breakfast bar. Didn’t it look ready, kiddo?

“Technically,” I answered for Gabi. “But we aren’t eating”—I stressed the word “eating” even though I’d just taken some bread—“until my sidekick gets here.”

“Sidekick, huh?” Serena crossed her arms, forcing her boobs to kiss one another and nearly hit her in the chin.

“Oh, I thought you knew.” I gave her a sad face. “I’m the hero in this scenario . . . Even own my own cape. He’s basically the Robin to my Batman.”

“Batman’s hot.”

“So is Robin,” Gabi said defensively.

Whoa. Did she just defend Lex? I felt her forehead. She pushed my hand away and handed me some parmesan cheese.

The door flew open, and Lex stepped through, holding up two bottles of Cab. “Sorry, traffic was shit.”

“Language,” Gabi called.

Lex and I shared a look before Lex stomped over to the swear jar and tossed in a dollar bill.

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ABOUT RACHEL VAN DYKEN:
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Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!
You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken  or join her fan group Rachel’s New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com .
Links:
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/8l7hP
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelVanDyken
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachVD
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4882127.Rachel_Van_Dyken?from_search=true
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Van-Dyken/e/B0054TW5AA/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1407369649&sr=8-2-ent

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