FALLING STAR by Brandy L Rivers

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Combustible #2 – Standalone

– SYNOPSIS –

One day of hell changed her forever.

Ella Cross wanted to bury her on-screen persona even before her abduction. Being in the spotlight grew worse after the ordeal. She left Raven Star behind to find herself again.

A fresh start.

No ties to her past.

In a small town where only her oldest friend knows who she was, she believes her secrets are safe. But secrets never stay hidden forever. Sooner or later the past always resurfaces.

Then she meets him.

Trent Ward can’t resist his new neighbor. Ella is familiar, but he can’t place why. He knows she’s running from something. As much as he wants to protect her, he wants to unravel her mystery.

Between his demons and her past, Trent may not have the strength to explore the growing connection to Ella.

Will he save her from her worst nightmare?

Check out our 4 smooches review HERE.

– PURCHASE –

AMAZON | GOOGLE PLAY | iTUNES | B&N | KOBO

– COMBUSTIBLE SERIES –

HEART ON FIRE: KINDLE | PAPERBACK

– EXCERPT –

Ella noticed the condensed milk behind her and set her phone in the shopping cart before turning back. She ran right into a solid wall of man and stumbled back, pulling her hands up in a defensive stance.

He caught her upper arms before she fell and pulled her upright. She jerked away as her breath came in heavy pants.

“Hey, you all right?” His warm baritone eased the building panic, followed by pale blue eyes holding her gaze, calming the sudden fear.

Once her heartbeat slowed, she quickly took him in. Hair as black as night, icy blue eyes, pale skin, full pink lips. The emblem on his uniform struck a chord and the rest of her tension rolled away.

A nervous laugh escaped. “Sorry. I didn’t see you there.”

He ducked his gaze, a slight smile on his lips. “My fault.”

“Mine. I wasn’t looking.” I’m an idiot.

He chuckled. “I’ll admit, I was staring. You look familiar. Just trying to figure out why.”

No, no, no! He can’t know who I am. Shaking her head, she backed toward her cart and closed her eyes. Her heart tried to pound its way out of her chest.

“Sorry. Too forward?” He shuffled away one step and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I wasn’t trying to come on to you. You really do look familiar, and I can’t figure out why.”

She pushed the black frames up her nose and shrugged. “I’ve been in town all of an hour. Never been here before in my life.”

Recognition lit up his face and her heart sank. Maybe settling down was a really bad idea.

“Mila’s friend? Ella, right?”

Nodding, she took a relieved breath. “Yeah.”

“Must have seen pictures of you over at her house.”

“Oh.” A frown pulled at her lips.

He shook his head. “Damn. Hey, sorry. I’m Trent Ward.” He held out his hand, and she took it cautiously.

“Hi, Trent. Look, I’m doing a little shopping now that I’m finally here. I drove all day long and I’m tired, but I need food. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

Her nervous rambling made him smile. “You will. I live across the street from you.”

“Huh. Have a nice night.” Dipping her head, she grabbed the condensed milk and dropped it into the cart before hurrying out of the aisle.

– ABOUT THE AUTHOR – 

Brandy L Rivers is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her two main series are Others of Edenton and Others of Seattle. She has also written a couple contemporary stories. An avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home-mother. Her secret lair, guarded by a pint-sized pound puppy who imagines himself a hellhound, contains a file full of manuscripts she plans to edit and put out with new creations she is constantly dreaming up. Living in rainy Western Washington with her husband and three kids, Brandy is already working on future stories in each of the series, and several other projects.

–  social media links –

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | WEBSITE | GOODREADS

Turn it Up is Book Two in The Detroit Duet & releases on

May 16th, 2016

Add Turn It Up to your TBR list on Goodreads!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27157412-turn-it-up

Blurb

Charlotte Lane was the tomboy who lived next door.

Eyes the color of the summer sky.

Mounds of curly blond hair.

A little bit of sassy and a whole lot of sweet.

She was my best friend. My confidant. My salvation.

But when circumstances tore us apart, it put more than just miles between us. I hated her. Blamed her for my worst nightmare. And I never wanted to see her again.

Then one wrong turn brought her back into my life and now she’s under my skin. In the midst of all the chaos surrounding us, she’s what’s changing me. Practically bringing me to my knees. Driving me to want to be a better man.

But nothing is ever easy.

And as our worlds begin to crumble…so do we.

Our bond withstood the test of time, but when the future brings the unexpected, it will either draw us closer or tear us apart.

Can we weather the storm?

Set the Pace (Book One) is NOW ON SALE!

ONLY $0.99

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1rfSbs2

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1XGoY46

Meet Kim Karr

I live in Florida with my husband and four kids. I’ve always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, I wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. I went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise my family. I currently work part-time with my husband and full-time embracing one of my biggest passions—writing.

Stalk Her:

Website:  http://www.authorkimkarr.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorkimkarr

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6644044.Kim_Karr

Meet Marco Valenti in Hook by Elisabeth Grace!

NOW LIVE!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/24dsDKh

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/23SGrgl

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.

Check out our 5 smooches review HERE.

Excerpt

Marco leaned into me, his breath fanning across my face, causing goosebumps to race across my skin. “You’re very stubborn for someone who’s paid to provide me pleasure. É una fortuna che mi piacciono le sfide.”

“What was that?” I asked softly.

“Good thing I enjoy a challenge,” he replied without blinking.

I cleared my throat, uncomfortable with the level of attention he was giving me. “Why don’t we get on with what I’m here for,” I suggested in a sultry voice.

His eyes narrowed. “As you wish. Your madam says you are like a…” He looked off toward the ceiling. “The animal that changes color.”

“A chameleon?”

“That is the one.” He smiled widely, showcasing a dimple in his left cheek, made more pronounced by the dark stubble on his jaw. As sudden as the ferocity had flared up inside of him, it quickly disappeared.

“It’s true. I can be whatever you want,” I replied in a seductive voice. I closed the distance between us, placing my hand on his chest. He flinched at the contact like I’d scorched him. Not a lot, but enough that I noticed.

Looking up into the depths of his dark eyes, I said, “Why don’t you tell me what you’re looking for, and then we can discuss any extras in my payment.”

The smile dropped from his face and he reached for my wrist, pulling my hand from his chest. “What I want from you will be very different than most men.”

My eyes widened and I sucked in a breath. This ought to be interesting. I’d had all manner of things proposed to me before, but the fact that Marco felt the need to warn me set off alarm bells ringing in my head.

“And what is it you want from me, Mr. Valenti?” I whispered.

“Call me Marco.”

“Alright, Marco.”

He traced his thumb along my hairline and stared down at me, intensity pouring out of his gaze like a waterfall. My breathing hitched, and I found myself wanting to lean into his caress to further close the distance between us.

Then the hum of his cell phone vibrating from his pocket broke our connection. He reached into his pocket, glanced briefly at the screen, and stepped back to take the call.

“As always, your timing is impeccable.” The corners of his mouth dipped, and I had the distinct impression that he wasn’t pleased with whoever was on the other end of the line.

Marco listened for a moment while staring out the wall of glass down to the strip below. His hand holding the phone flexed around it for a second at something the other person had said.

“Give me five minutes,” he bit out.

Another pause.

“Well, if you want it to happen tonight, you have no choice but to wait.” Without a goodbye, he ended the call and placed the phone back into the breast pocket of his suit jacket.

With his hands on his hips, he remained facing the window for a moment, drawing in deep breaths of air.

“I must go.”

Not what I was expecting to hear. “Okay…”

He turned and stalked forward until only mere inches separated the two of us. His large hand came to rest at the swell of my hip before he leisurely dragged it across my waist and brushed the side of my breast with his palm. My nipples tightened inside my lace bra.

Marco dropped his hand and leaned into me. My heart picked up pace inside my chest as I waited for his lips to touch mine. He stood solid and still before me while I waited, my anticipation like a live wire setting every nerve ending in my body on fire.

Just when I thought he’d close those final few inches, he brought his face alongside mine and his low voice sounded in my ear, “I’ll get you your money.”

His words were like a bucket of cold water, and I stepped back as if he’d slapped me. It pissed me off that he’d left me wanting.

He stalked back over to the bar and returned a moment later with an envelope. I eyed the cash inside before placing it in my purse. It seemed ridiculous to me that I’d be paid for having a conversation in the man’s room for such a short time, but I wasn’t about to argue with him about it.

“It’s been a pleasure, Mr. Valenti.” I made sure to use his last name since he’d asked me not to. I had a tendency to lash out when I was upset.

An amused grin formed on his face, but he said nothing. I strutted around him to the suite door.

As I unlocked the dead bolt then slid the chain across, Marco’s hand landed on my ass, skimming over it a few times before his other hand pulled my hair to the side to expose my neck.

I hadn’t even heard him come up behind me.

He pressed a kiss to the base of my neck and I shuddered, shivers racing up my spine. I felt his smile against my skin before he removed his lips and stepped away.

Without a backward glance, I turned the door handle and left the suite.

The warm feeling that had invaded my chest remained, but my stomach fell into a nauseous churning. Somehow my body knew what I didn’t already. Marco Valenti would be the springboard in my life that caused everything to change.

Book Trailer

Hook by Elisabeth Grace from Becca the Bibliophile on Vimeo.

About the Author:

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

The Player and the Pixie

by L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid

Publication Date: April 12, 2016

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Sports, Humor

Purchase: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | iBooks | Kobo | Barnes & Noble

How can someone so smokin’ hot be so bad in bed? I mean, Sean Cassidy is absolute rubbish. RUBBISH. He is the epitome of walking, talking false advertising and I want a refund! Plus he’s an arsehole. So… what is wrong with me that I can’t stop thinking about him?

The Pixie and the Player is a full-length, romantic comedy novel, can be read as a standalone, and is the second book in the Rugby Series.

THE PIXIE

Lucy Fitzpatrick doesn’t like rugby.

As the little sister of Ireland’s most infamous rugby player, Lucy can’t seem to escape the championship-sized shadow cast by her big brother, or her mother’s frequent attempts to micromanage her future. Her rainbow hair is as free-spirited as her quest for inner peace, yet overbearing expectations keep bringing her down. And when she’s down, her compulsive little problem lands her in seriously big trouble.

THE PLAYER

Sean Cassidy is a cold-hearted brute… or so he’s been told. Frequently. By everyone.

His blonde locks, baby blues, and rock hard bod make ladies the world over drool with desire. As the rugby world’s second most infamous player, he should be basking in his success. But Sean has never been content settling for second place, and his frequent confrontations with Lucy’s big brother leave him cold. And when he’s cold, his compulsive little problem lands him in the lap of Lucy Fitzpatrick.

THE PLAN

Sean has a problem only Lucy can solve. Lucy has a problem only Sean can fix. The solution seems obvious: you scratch my back, and I’ll bail you out of jail. But when their business arrangement unexpectedly leaves Sean scorching hot and Lucy on the precipice of inner peace, can they convince the world—and Lucy’s big brother in particular—that this is the real deal?

Either way, both the Player and the Pixie are about to teach each other some pretty monumental lessons about family, life, but most importantly, love.

Check out our 5 smooches review HERE.

Excerpt

*Sean*

I didn’t know what I was doing.

Requests, things I wanted, words I would never speak or allow myself to think were now uncontainable.

It’s the sex, I reiterated. Again. I’d used this explanation, now on repeat, as a simple justification for the complex cacophony of my mind.

“Be with you?” Her long, dark lashes fluttered, beating like distressed butterfly wings against warming pink cheeks.

I licked my lips, tasting her there. “Yes.”

She stared at me, confused. I was also confused. And oddly frightened.

Because it wasn’t the sex.

Several seconds ticked on as we studied each other in breathless silence. She found her voice before I did. “What does that—”

“Lucy?” Annie’s voice was paired with a soft knock on the bathroom door. “Are you okay?”

I opened my mouth to whisper a clarification to the question Lucy hadn’t quite posed, because I was compelled to tell her it wasn’t the sex. We didn’t have to have sex. We could just . . . talk. Or play cards. Or touch. Or look at each other from across the room.

We could merely be together.

But she covered my mouth with her hand. Her features arrested with unmistakable panic.

“Yes. I’m fine! I just . . . started my period is all. Made a mess in my jeans, like a crime scene.” Lucy hollered in response then grimaced. She immediately mouthed I’m sorry to me. Her cheeks flushed red.

I lifted an eyebrow. She rolled her eyes, ducking her head with obvious embarrassment. I pressed my lips together so I wouldn’t laugh.

Issuing me a quelling look, Lucy released me and skittered out of the stall, whispering, “Stay here and count to three hundred.”

“Oh! Do you need anything?” Annie’s voice was less muffled and I surmised she’d opened the bathroom door.

“Ah, no. Have it all sorted now. Thank God Tom has these nice absorbent napkins instead of those troublesome hand driers. Although I feel like I’m wearing a nappy. They’re bad for the environment, so I should talk to him about replacing the napkins. Maybe make a few available for emergencies . . .”

Lucy’s anxiety-riddled chatter faded as the bathroom door clicked shut.

I released an audible exhale. My heart was beating as though it might leap from my chest. I needed to catch my breath. Neither had anything to do with being caught.

What the fuck were you doing?

It was the sex. She’s phenomenal in bed. You’ve never had that before. It was just sex.

I nodded, reiterating the logic of my justification for the uncharacteristic behavior. If I repeated it enough, perhaps I would believe it.

I didn’t count to three hundred as instructed. I counted to one hundred and twenty-three, then realized what I was doing.

“You’re mad, Sean,” I muttered, shaking myself and promptly leaving the ladies’ room. I checked the cufflinks on my dress shirt—a nervous habit—and strolled back to the table, eyeing the assortment of eejits gathered.

L.H. Cosway

L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favorite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.

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Penny Reid

SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).

By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.

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