May 20

Quirks and Kinks by Laurel Ulen Curtis Promo and Excerpt

Quirks and Kinks
Laurel Ulen Curtis

Releasing: June 23rd, 2015

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Blurb:

“It’s a new show, Quirks and Kinks. We’ve already selected a male reenactment actor to be your co-host, so you’re the last piece of the puzzle. There’s some seriously f@$%ed up sh*t out there that people are into, and the two of you are going to be the face of it.”

“I’m going to be the face of people’s freakish fetishes?” I asked disbelievingly.

Larry shrugged his nonchalance, shoving it directly down the throat of my panic. “Half of it.”

That conversation was the beginning of more than a show.

It was the beginning of mystery, friendship, and love, and the outcome of mixing all three together with two unsuspecting victims.

Easie Reynolds and Anderson Evans were drawn to the same, simple thing—each other.

But, sometimes, undeniable chemistry isn’t enough. After all, how easy is it to get know someone when they’re constantly pretending to be someone else?

Preorder:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Fgyx2F
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/quirks-kinks/id994899160?ls=1&mt=11

SNEAK PEAK EXCERPT:

“I’m still not even sure what we’re doing here,” I told Ashley as I glanced around at the cheap Tex Mex themed decor of El Loco Restaurant.

All around us, business-suit-clad, young singles chatted and laughed, sinking deeper into their margaritas and each other. A life untraveled stared me in the face, but it didn’t make me feel bitter or regretful. All I felt was stupid for being out and spending money that we didn’t have.

“You just landed a job,” she cooed before sipping delicately from the free water.

Giving her my undivided attention, I narrowed my cat-like blue eyes.

“Granted, it’s not a job you’re exactly thrilled about, but it comes with money, and that’s worth celebrating a little.”

“Pff,” I huffed. “So far, all it’s come with is a bag of muffin mix and humiliation.” Exaggeratedly, I checked my purse. “Nope, no money.”

Ashley just shook her head. “We’re eating one dollar tacos. Peanut butter and bread are more expensive. Relax.”

My fingers itched for a cigarette, and astute twenty-three year old lady that she was, Ashley didn’t miss it.

“Besides, if we’re going to get on the money discussion you’re going to have to take a closer look at some of your other expensive habits.”

Ashley had been trying to talk me into quitting for years, and I knew my lungs would thank me if I somehow managed to follow through. But for as desirable as it sounded, I just…couldn’t. It wasn’t so much the addiction and the work it would take to kick a years-in-the-making habit. It was that smoking had become my emotional crutch. My timeout in any moment of need and my excuse to busy myself with something other than being a bitch. I was scared of the chasm I’d fall into, the unclimbable hill I’d create with my auger-like anxiety.

My sister didn’t know any of that. No one did.

“I smoke for my career.”

Her eyes practically rolled all the way out of her head. “This ought to be good.”

“You know this industry is unbelievably vapid, and vapid means skinny. Smoking keeps me that way.”

She shook her head in disdain.

“And it’s cheaper than a gym membership.”

“Global warming, anyone?” she called dramatically. “You’re argument is balancing on some pretty thin ice.”

“Shut up.”

Suddenly, warmth wafted up into my face as our waiter shoved the toasty basket of complimentary chips into the center of our table. My eyes drifted naturally from the basket to the hand holding it, where a large, oval, heavy metal ring sat in blazing contrast to the tan expanse of his long ring finger, up the line of his muscular—deliciously veiny—forearm, to the cuff of his rolled up black sleeve. On a runaway mission of their own, my eyes wouldn’t stop, eating up the expanse of his bicep in an instant, stutter-stepping up the corded column of his slender throat, and landing on one of the most attractive male mugs I’ve ever seen.

A mixing bowl of ethnicity, his naturally tanned skin and dark features stood in stark contrast with the minty green of his eyes. Directly on me and smirking, they were mesmerizing.

And mocking.

Ashley spoke, as I’d apparently lost all of my normal snarky ability.

“Thanks.”

A small glance from me to her preceded his polite answer. “You’re welcome.”

She smiled her prettiest smile, the one that infused her entire being from chest to eyes, and the corner of his mouth notched higher in response.

A foreign heaviness settled in my chest as I watched, and its completely unwelcome presence nearly made me sick.

He turned to leave slowly, one last lingering look in my direction making my nerves ratchet up to an eleven.

Fuck. I did not like to be rattled. Confident words were my modus operandi, but a good earthquake could wreck even the strongest of routines. My table at El Loco, tonight—this guy—was the epicenter.

The man in question had just earned himself automatic placement on my shit list.

Straight, white, top teeth just barely teased the plump pillow of his bottom lip. It was unintentional, completely innocent, and hot as Jesus’ sauna.

Shit list position confirmed.

“You’re, like, really attractive,” Ashley noted, evidently drunk on her water and speaking via a direct link to my brain.

His chuckle was like a full body vibrator, skating through the nerves on every inch of my skin. One long-fingered hand shot straight to his neck, rubbing the uneasiness of Ashley’s compliment out quickly.

“Thanks.”

“Are you an actor?” she continued. “You’ve got to be, right?”

LA. Every attractive person you meet must be in the business.

I would have laughed at Ashley’s assumption and how ridiculous it was if I hadn’t been thinking the same thing.

He looked slightly bashful, but fought straight through the discomfort and answered her frankly. “Uh, yeah. I mean, I’m trying anyway. I’m not particularly successful.”

Distracted by my reaction to him and his honesty, I didn’t run a pre-check on anything coming out of my mouth. Not that I normally had the best filter. “So you’re another one of those actors, waiting tables to pay the bills and pass the time?”

He bristled, and rightfully so. But he did it with an otherworldly calm, meeting my eyes directly and speaking in a soft, polite—if only slightly teasing—voice.

“One of those? Oh. No. Waiting tables is my dream. I just act to fit in.”

My cheeks felt hot with embarrassment and shame, and the glint in his eyes told me that he saw it.

Sometimes I hated that my default setting was bitch. Such a dominant trait was hard to overturn. “Okay, so maybe that was a little rude.”

One corner of his mouth—the smug one—rose just slightly. “It’s a distinct possibility.”

Silence hung between us, but while my time was spent avoiding eye contact, his was spent calculating his next blow.

“I guess you must be something really impressive then?”

“Huh?” My wandering eyes shot to his with the focus of a heat-seeking missile.

“Well, you obviously aren’t on the waiting tables slash acting track that the rest of us losers are.”

“Um—”

“I mean, you must do something that really matters, right? Educating orphaned kids. Curing Cancer. Coming up with the way to end all of the world’s unrest.” Attractive arms crossed over an equally nice chest. “Am I right?”

For as confident as I usually was, and as many comebacks as I normally had, I couldn’t think of one single thing to say.

Unfortunately, my sister wasn’t suffering from a similar problem.

“Hah! She’s an actor too. But she’s too busy to wait tables.”

“Working?” he asked, one manly eyebrow cocking in time with his question. If I wasn’t mistaken, he actually looked impressed for a minute.

I was ready to leave right then, but Ashley, being the one of us with a conscience, had a knack for ruining a good thing.

“Oh. No. She’s just too busy being her. You know, cutting people like you down in her spare time.” She looked away, bopped to the music in the background. “But, she doesn’t do it on purpose. She was born this way. Cold, dead heart and all. I guess that’s why people like me still love her.”

I tried not to let her words hurt. After all, if I were describing myself, I probably would have chosen the exact same words, and because I knew her so well, I knew she was just trying to make a joke and bail me out of a situation of my own making.

And yet, I still couldn’t stop the smile from slipping and sliding its way off of my face.

It only took a few seconds to recover, but when I looked back up at the waiter, he was looking at me differently. Assessing.

Uncomfortable was too cushy a word for what I was feeling. Bombs exploded and sprayed shrapnel, the sharp edges of his scrutiny digging into the flesh of my muscle and making it twitch just beneath the not-protective-enough layer of my skin.

About Laurel Ulen Curtis

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Laurel Ulen Curtis is a 27 year old mother of one. She lives with her husband and son (and cat and two fish!) in New Jersey, but grew up all over the United States. She graduated from Rutgers University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology, and puts that to almost no use other than forecasting for her friends! She has a passion for her family, laughing, and reading and writing Romance novels.

Website: http://laurelulencurtis.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LUCurtisAuthor

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6912103.Laurel_Ulen_Curtis?from_search=true

May 20

Bear The Consequences by Rochelle Paige Review

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4.5 Smooches

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Synopsis

Alasdair McMahon isn’t focused on finding his mate. He only has one thing on his mind – avenging his sister. Knowing the damage his dad’s fated mate had done to his family, he isn’t even sure he ever wants to find a mate of his own. Alasdair quickly discovers that sometimes the thing you want the least is what you need the most when his journey leads him straight to the woman fate has chosen for him.

Finley Woulffe is the beloved daughter of an alpha. Her parents’ marriage set the example of what she thought life would be like when she meets her fated mate. She accepts Alasdair’s mark without a second thought but soon learns of the grudge her new mate and his family have against her father. Will she have to bear the consequences of his mistake?

This is book one in the McMahon Clan series, a spin-off from the Black River Pack series. Each novella features a different couple.

Review

“I spent a lot of time with my nose stuck in a book, dreaming of the day my fated mate would sweep me off my feet so we could rife into the sunset.”

Bear the Consequences is the first book in the spin off series the McMahon Clan, the original series the Black River Pact series is a favorite novella series of mine so I was really eager to see where the author was taking these new characters we met. I am gonna be honest and say when I started this book it felt rushed, I couldn’t imagine things getting that heated that fast, like super fast. But, by the time I was done I had a big ole Ah-Ha moment when I realized that everything Rochelle did was for a very specific reason.

“You’re mine, my little mate. Every single inch of you is mine and only mine.”

Finley and Alasdair had very different lives. She was raised by her loving parents who were a model of what mates should be. Dair was raised by his single dad who loved him very much but sadly was not destined to be with his mate. So when Dair and Finley meet and become mated (and intimate) very very quickly she is convinced that she will have what her parents have. But things are never perfect and without communication and a relationship built on trust the two face some tough struggles.

“I need you to want me for me! Not just because I’m the woman fate stuck you with.”

This might be the best paranormal book that Rochelle Paige has written so far, which is ironic because for the first twenty percent I was telling myself that I didn’t think I would love it as much as the others. This will teach me to judge anything too soon. The plot points that I was worried about in the beginning were all incredibly vital for the growth of the characters and led to developments that they would not have been able to make otherwise. For their part Dair and Finley were both naïve in what it takes to build a relationship and watching them struggle to learn to get it right gives me hope that since they put the effort in they will make it a long time together. I loved them and I loved this story. All I can say is bring on the McMahon boys I am ready for more.

Afternote: I giggle still that these bear shifters run strip clubs called The Honey Pot lol

~miranda

Buy It Now

May 20

Rock My Heart by Jean Haus Cover Reveal

Rock My Heart

by Jean Haus

Luminescent Juliet #4

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Blurb

This story can be read as a standalone.

Raised in poverty and violence, Gabe Reed wears a could-care-less attitude like a shield. He expects life to suck. It always has, and he is usually the one to screw it up even more. Drumming for the college band Luminescent Juliet started as a way to release the built up rage inside of him. But when the band signs with a label, Gabe begins to envision a different life. He just needs to stay out of trouble and follow the court orders of his probation.

April Tanner knows most people view her as perfect. From her icy looks to her college four point, she cultivates the persona since it helps keep people at a distance. Because behind her perfection, April constantly struggles with a past that she is trying to atone for but can’t face.

Though Gabe and April seem worlds apart, fate throws them together and forces them to see beyond the fronts they each present. But even an emerging friendship mixed with a growing lust might not be able to overcome the walls built of guilt and insecurity and abuse that stand between them.

*New Adult for language and sexual situations.

Excerpt

Here’s a little peek from the POV of Gabe’s love interest. She’s actually a blast from the past, as in a character from one of the previous books. Not saying who, but you’ll come across her name toward the end. The book is mostly in her POV but Gabe has several chapters too. I’m hoping Rock My Heart will be out in mid-spring.

(*This is not the final edited version)

A louder knock sounds.

Maybe it’s Riley, drunk and upset I left her party.

I set the sandwich on a paper towel as a third set of knocks sound.

Of course, it’s Gabe.

“This is getting a little weird,” I say, my hand on my hip,  while a bit elated that he left rocker chick to see me. The feeling of elation is not good, and so not a way to get a handle on my growing infatuation.

“Maybe you shouldn’t have run off,” he says, stepping forward, which forces me to step to the side and let him inside my apartment.

“Well, why don’t you come in?” I shut the door just short of a slam.

“Huh,” he says, stepping farther into the main room and looking over the apartment. “I expected something more swanky.”

Behind him, I roll my eyes. Half of my furniture, like the loveseat and coffee table, is cast off items from my mother that were in our basement. The other half, like the end tables and TV stand, came from Walmart. “I don’t need swanky. I need some where to sit and eat.”

He passes at the kitchen counter and swipes the half-eaten sandwich from the paper towel. Taking a bite, he continues onto the bookshelves behind the couch. While munching on my sandwich, he peruses through the different academic titles. Bending over, he begins to read titles. “General Psychology, Adolescent Psychology , Behavioral Psychology , The Psychology of Addiction…” He stands and glances at me, his brown eyes nearly twinkling with sarcasm. “I’m getting psyched out just reading the titles.”

“Ha, ha. Understanding people and their motives takes a lot of knowledge.”

“Yeah,” he says in a patronizing tone. “Humans can be wrapped up in the pages of books.”

“We’re taught to take environment and circumstances into account also.”

“Well then, aren’t you just Little-Miss-Figure-everyone-out.” He pops the last bit of sandwich in his mouth and moves toward the hallway, his jean clad sexy butt defined with every step.

Trying to ignore the shape of his backside and not interested in his views on Psychology while more interested, as in fearing, the direction of his roaming curiosity, I snap at him, “Ever heard of privacy?”

He pauses reaching for the bathroom light. “Privacy?” he repeats, before flicking on the light. “Hmm…I haven’t ever heard of it.”

My glare boils simmered rage at him. He just gives the bathroom a quick glance and moves on toward the bedroom. Part of me is quite upset at his intrusion. Another part of me is slightly giddy, wondering why he’s so interested in my apartment. But really, my bedroom is off limits.

“All right, this is getting ridiculous,” I say, following him. “You need to go back to the party.”

He stops just outside the door of my bedroom, turning part way toward me, his profile sharp with a devilish grin. “You hiding something?” His brows slant in suspicion. “Just what am I going to find? Dirty mags? Sex toys? A half written poem about me?”

“Oh, shut up,” I say, then let a laugh out that I can’t contain at the thought of writing a poem about him.

He gives me a half grin, flicking on the bedroom light.

My laughter dies. There’s just one thing that I don’t want him to see.

Gabe steps into the room, his gaze scanning the space. “Hmmm…unmade bed. Dresser covered with stacks of clothes and other miscellaneous crap. Dirty clothes on floor. Books piled haphazardly on the night stand…”

Jaw tight, I stand in the doorway.

He turns to me, eyes wide with obvious fake shock. “Why, April, you’re a slob.”

“Yup,” I agree. “You’ve found my secret out. Now, if you’re done invading my privacy…” I sweep an arm toward the living room and the front door.

He studies me in contemplation before his gaze moves back over the room.

Dammit.

His gaze stops at the far corner.

Dam. Dam. Dammit. That’s exactly what I didn’t want him to notice.

About The Author

When Jean Haus isn’t writing, she’s usually reading. Anything from young adult to historical fiction as long as there’s at least a bit of romance, she’ll load it on her Kindle. She also loves to cook. And someday she will create the world’s best potsticker.

Website

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May 20

What Caroline Wants by Amanda Abbott Review Tour

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WHAT CAROLINE WANTS (Pushing the Boundaries #1)

Release Date: May 18

 

Caroline and Jason Stratton have always been hot for each other. Married right out of college, they’ve had a great sex life. But when they discover that their best friends and neighbors, Piper and Michael Collins, have experimented with a few extracurricular adventures during their ten year marriage, Caroline and Jace’s sexual world is rocked.

The Strattons quickly find that inviting others into their bedroom might be something they want to explore. But getting Caroline to reconcile her Southern guilt is another matter altogether. So they decide to take it deliciously slow, exploring every avenue.

Their adventures lead them to Emma and Pete, and after a fun, sexy dinner date out, and an incredibly hot car ride home, they’re in. But once they decide to scale that mountain, all bets are off. In the end, Caroline must make a decision—and it’s one she’ll have to live with forever.

*This book is ridiculously sexy, filled with high-octane moments between the couple as they figure out what makes them tick. The book contains: explicit sex, voyeurism, and light couple swap. **There is no cheating, everything is consensual between all participants.

 Check out our review HERE.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1E5OqtV

Website: http://www.authoramandaabbott.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAAbbott

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13778727.Amanda_Abbott?from_search=true

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1GzfRb1

Bio:

Amanda Abbott lives in the Midwest. She’s the author of many books, both on her own and some published in New York. She loves traveling, seeing the world, and above all she loves to write. These stories have blossomed out of her pure love of all kinds of romance, but especially humor + sexy combined. Taking the question of “what if” and making it real was an absolute thrill to write. And there’s more in the hopper! To keep up with new series and new releases, head to her website www(dot)authoramandaabbott(dot)com and be sure to sign-up for her newsletter!

May 20

Only Forever by Christin Harber Release Blitz and Excerpt

of-releasedayThe final part in Grayson and Emma’s epic love story is available now! Grab ONLY FOREVER by Cristin Harber today! And if you missed the first part of their story, you can read ONLY FOR HIM here!


Aonlyforeverbout ONLY FOREVER

The fourth and final installment of the Only series. Must be read in order.

There comes a time when Emma must face the secret she kept from Grayson. But she never thought it would be while she stood on stage at Emerald’s. The seconds she has to convey that her life is in danger are lost in the devastation that she sees rip through him.

She pinches her eyes closed. “Don’t leave me. No matter how mad you are, please, please don’t leave me here alone.”

But there’s more on the line than just Emma’s safety. There’s the danger that brought Titan’s Delta team in to the strip club in the first place. A threat that’s too close to home, too close to the family, the daughter and woman Grayson plans to claim.

I push away the sudden spring of fear. Life’s too unknown, with hidden enemies and unseen terrors. The idea that I could lose her again… it’s unbearable.

A love story like Grayson and Emma needs a forever love, and somehow they’ll find their way to her fairytale.

Amazon US / iBooks

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EXCERPT

“You’ve always been by my side. From the day we met. And God knows there were years of secrets and storms and pain and tears, until I came out the other side.”

“Gray…”

“I’m a better man, and I exist for you, for us.” I hold my breath and watch her silence. My chest hurts; my lungs burn. My throat is tight as I choke on the decades’ worth of sentiment. “I love both of you so deeply that my survival, my sanity, would be gone if I couldn’t be yours.”

My voice cracks, and her lips find mine. It’s a soft kiss but packs a powerful punch. She whispers, “We’re yours forever.”

GIVEAWAY

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ABOUT CRISTIN HARBER

Cristin Harber is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author. She writes sexy, steamy romantic suspense and military romance. Readers voted her onto Amazon’s Top Picks for Debut Romance Authors in 2013, and her debut Titan series was both a #1 romantic suspense and #1 military romance bestseller.

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Team Titan Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

You can become a Titan Agent for exclusive scenes, details, and more! Visit the official Titan website here!

Text TITAN to 66866 to sign up for exclusive emails!

May 20

What Caroline Wants by Amanda Abbott Review

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3.5 Smooches

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Synopsis

Caroline and Jason Stratton have always been hot for each other. Married right out of college, they’ve had a great sex life. But when they discover that their best friends and neighbors, Piper and Michael Collins, have experimented with a few extracurricular adventures during their ten year marriage, Caroline and Jace’s sexual world is rocked.

The Strattons quickly find that inviting others into their bedroom might be something they want to explore. But getting Caroline to reconcile her Southern guilt is another matter altogether. So they decide to take it deliciously slow, exploring every avenue.

Their adventures leads them to Emma and Pete, and after a fun, sexy dinner date out, and an incredibly hot car ride home, they’re in. But once they decide to scale that mountain, all bets are off. In the end, Caroline must make a decision—and it’s one she’ll have to live with forever.

*This book is ridiculously sexy, filled with high-octane moments between the couple as they figure out what makes them tick. The book contains: explicit sex, voyeurism, and light couple swap. **There is no cheating in any of my books, everything is consensual between all participants. 

Review

Caroline and Jace have a wonderful marriage and a great sex life; but after hearing about their best friends more adventurous sex lives they both become intrigued. Getting another couple involved whether it’s having a foursome, watching them or each other have sex, Caroline and Jace want to see if this is what they need to spice up their sex just that little bit more. But Caroline has always struggled with guilt when it comes to doing anything outside of the missionary position. Will she be able to give into both her and Jace’s desires? Or will their attempt to try something new ruin their marriage?

“You know I love it when you talk dirty to me. And this takes the fucking cake. If I could get away with it, I’d haul you onto my lap at this light and drill myself into you and make you come against this steering wheel.”

This is a hot, sexy and sweet, short story; a great little read to pass away a few hours on a little erotica. It’s not just the sex that makes this story good however, it’s also the sweetness in Jace and Caroline’s relationship; the way they both love each other so much and how obvious it is that they are perfect for each other, will put a smile on your face.

“I’m so sorry,” he murmured into her hair, stroking her back. “It’s never going to happen again. I’m perfectly happy to just do our thing. I love you, Care. None of this is worth risking you or our life together.”

The sex scenes are hot and something a little different to what I’ve read before, due to the element of another couple watching. There’s also a surprised added element of laughter. Caroline’s best friend is bold, funny, caring and says what ever is on her mind, which most of the time is quite hilarious!

“Our husbands have given us a great gift, but they’ve also given us a curse. They’ve gifted us ultimate pleasure, but it’s a drug, and like any drug, you need a bigger dose each time you take it.”

This book is just that though; about a couple trying something new for their love life. So it isn’t packed full of drama, suspense or diverse story line BUT it is a great, hot, sexy, little story to pass the time!

~Bethany

BUY IT NOW

May 20

Get Even by Amanda Heath Blog Tour and Giveaway

Title: Get Even

Author: Amanda Heath

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 30, 2015

He broke my heart.

She died.

He used me.

She made my world go round.


He tore me apart, put me back together and tore me up again.


She was the only person who truly loved me.

My mental state is…questionable. My life is in ruins. My heart is ripped to shreds and it’ll probably never be put back together again.

My twin sister, Sarah, passed away a few days ago. She was the sun in my sky, the grass between my toes and the light to my dark. I miss her so much. I don’t know if I can go on without her.

My ex-boyfriend, Tate, has come back into town for the funeral. I feel rage. I feel despair. I have violent urges. I have this need for revenge where he’s concerned.

My brother-in-law, Max, is acting…strange. I think he’s hiding something, something I don’t want to find out. He might be the glue though, the glue I need to hold me together.

My name is Farah and I want to get even for every single lie I’ve been told. I want to get even for all the things people have hid from me. Mostly, I want to get even for this black hole my heart has been turned into.

Check out our review HERE.

“What the hell are you doing?!” Max yells out from the top of the stairs.

I bite my lip and look down at Tate. The play sword is still in my hand over my head waiting for another chance to hit him. I’m straddling his hips and I kind of forgot how we even got this way, “Ummm…” I stutter out.

Tate clears his throat and looks up at his brother, “Just a bit of foreplay.”

My face screws up in anger and the sword comes down on Tate. “You wouldn’t know foreplay if it bit you on the ass!” I say, repeatedly beating Tate with the plastic sword. I know it stings because Blake’s hit me enough times with it.

Tate finally throws his arms over his head trying to protect himself, “You lie! You’re the one who is always telling me to ‘put it in’ or ‘fuck me now, Tatum’ it’s your fault!”

“She calls you Tatum in the bedroom?” Max asks.

I glare down at Tate with all the pissed off anger I can muster. “You answer that question and I’ll show you foreplay with this sword and your ass.”

 

 

I live in southern Arkansas with my husband and young daughter. There is also an insane Boston Terrier running around. I’ve always been a lone wolf and find my friends in books. I started writing at a young age and I haven’t stopped since. Most days you can find me either glued to my laptop or my kindle. My first novel, This Beautiful Thing was an Amazon best seller for 11 weeks and a year later I’m still tickled to see people enjoy it. I may not be a huge seller but I have the best fans ever and I thank God everyday for every single one of them.

 

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May 20

Get Even by Amanda Heath Review

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4 Smooches!

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Synopsis

He broke my heart.
She died.
He used me.
She made my world go round.

He tore me apart, put me back together and tore me up again.

She was the only person who truly loved me.
My mental state is…questionable. My life is in ruins. My heart is ripped to shreds and it’ll probably never be put back together again.
My twin sister, Sarah, passed away a few days ago. She was the sun in my sky, the grass between my toes and the light to my dark. I miss her so much. I don’t know if I can go on without her.
My ex boyfriend, Tate, has come back into town for the funeral. I feel rage. I feel despair. I have violent urges. I have this need for revenge were he’s concerned.
My brother-in-law, Max, is acting…strange. I think he’s hiding something, something I don’t want to find out. He might be the glue though, the glue I need to hold me together.
My name is Farah and I want to get even for every single lie I’ve been told. I want to get even for all the things people have hid from me. Mostly I want to get even for this black hole my heart has been turned into.

*Complete standalone. Not connected to any other series. That is the only warning you’ll get. 

Review

This book begins during a dark and intense time for the main character, Farah, as her twin sister and best friend, Sarah, has just died very tragically but not unexpectedly. Farah needs her sister like she needs air, and she is not sure how she is going to go on without her or if she even wants to go on. Her pain and desolation during this time is a palpable thing. Farah’s feelings of despair at the loss of her sister are all the more magnified by the fact that she is still recovering from a sudden and unexpected breakup a few months earlier with her much beloved boyfriend, Tate, who left her without giving her a reason, a warning or even a goodbye.

“My sister, my best friend, my other half, is gone. She’ll no longer to be to catch me when I fall.”

All Farah has left is her three year old nephew, Blake; her brother-in-law, Max, who also happens to be Tate’s half brother; and her grandfather, affectionately known to everyone as Pops. She has a toxic, tumultuous relationship with her parents, especially her mother, who has always been cruel and obvious in her hatred of Farah. She has been physically, mentally and emotionally abusive towards Farah, and only Farah, her entire life, and she’s never known her mother’s reasons for the deplorable way she was treated.

“When life throws you nothing but shit, you shouldn’t ever expect anything but shit.”

While Farah grieves for the loss of her sister, she is also dealing with the nearly overwhelming anger, hatred and rage she feels toward Tate, who is now back to supposedly support his brother as he grieves for his wife. Tate’s reappearance in Farah’s life throws her further into a tailspin as the chaotic thoughts churning through her head as well as the haunting hallucinations of her sister cause her to spiral into a deep depression that has her questioning her mental stability as well as acting out unpredictably. Surprisingly considering she always assumed he hated her, it’s Max that is holding Farah together as much as she is holding him together. Undoubtedly, Sarah’s death brings Max and Farah together in ways they never have been before but are interestingly natural.

“I’m lost, broken, hurt and full of despair. How do I go on?”

Weeks after her sister’s death, while still reeling from the loss and consumed by depression, Farah discovers letters addressed to her, Max and Blake from Sarah. The contents of her letter from Sarah changes Farah’s life as she knew it, and she is completely rocked by what Sarah confesses to her in that letter. Farah is taken completely by surprise and is utterly devastated by the magnitude of the lies, manipulations and deceits perpetrated against her by Sarah and Tate and, to a very much lesser extent, Max. As a result, Farah becomes overrun with the need to get even with Tate for these lies and manipulations. But exacting her revenge on him isn’t quite as cathartic as Farah expected it to be as his hurled words during this violent confrontation open her eyes to some hard truths, as well as some surprising ones. Ultimately, it is this encounter with Tate that sparks Farah’s healing process and begins her on a journey of reinvention after the loss of her sister. However, the biggest surprise to come out of all of this is the knowledge that Max loves her and has been in love with her for a long time. After much reflection, and over some time, Farah realizes that she loves him as well. The question is, though, can Farah get past her self-doubts, fears and reservations about Max being her sister’s widower to actually allow herself to pursue a relationship with him that would surely result in real, true happiness?

“You forgive because you love that person more than you love yourself.”

The beginning third of the book was all about Max and Farah’s grief and loss, and the author did an amazing job of expressing those emotions so the reader truly felt the depth of them right along with the characters. This book was full of gut-wrenching emotion, and I cried right along with Farah. The middle of the book really focused on Farah’s anger in the face of the lies and manipulations she unknowingly experienced at the hands of those she loved and her reactions and responses to that anger. The final third of the book saw Farah moving on from her anger and forgiving her sister, Max, and to some extent, Tate, as she also accepted her role in everything that had happened. It took a long while for Farah to embrace love with Max, and I admit that I was frustrated by several false starts after Farah had mini freak-outs that could easily have been abated by a conversation with him. For two people who know exactly how fleeting time can be, they sure did waste a lot of it. Thankfully, they got there in the end.

“I love you. Whether it’s wrong or right.”

This story was very well written, and it was an intensely emotional, angsty read. The author did a fantastic job of conveying the characters’ emotions in such a way that the reader was drawn in and feeling them. I loved the alternating points of view; it was interesting getting into these characters heads. I truly enjoyed this emotional rollercoaster of a story. 4 smooches!!

~ Danielle Palumbo

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May 19

Rebel Ink by Laura Wright Review

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4 Smooches

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Synopsis

Vincent

Hot chicks and cool ink have been my life, my everything, for the past five years. But with one phone call that bliss is totally shot to shit. Don’t want to hear it. Don’t want to deal with it. But oh yeah, it’s coming for me. The motherfucking past. And who’s along for the ride? You’re never gonna believe it. That’s right, another blast from my past. The one and only rejection. Blondie. Hey…maybe it’s not all bad. Maybe I can finally get her – legs up and back to the mattress, that is.

Lisa

Yes, I’m getting married. And yes, it’s to ‘Buttons.’ I’m not embarrassed and I don’t think it’s a failure. Unfortunately, my bestie doesn’t agree. In fact, she thinks she has to rescue me. But ladies and gents, I’m beyond help. I’m cooked. I just want to fade into the Santa Barbara’s overly polished woodwork. If only a gorgeous tatted, foul-mouthed problem from my past would stop showing up and showing off what I’m never going to allow myself to have.

Length: 30,000 words
Note: This is a New Adult book

Review

“He’s such a prick. A total dick. A bastard. And yet . . .”

I have been a fan of this series since I picked up First Ink free on amazon and got lost in the story. After reading and loving Rush and Addison’s story I was extremely eager to see where fellow tattoo artist and somewhat slimy man whore Vincent and very blue blooded Lisa would take me and where I landed was a journey I was not expecting.

“You’re hurting, like, hardcore. And instead of dealing with it, talking about it, letting it out, you ask me to sit on your face.”

The story is told from multiple point of views and while I loved both hearing Vincent and Lisa’s takes on their tale I was thrown off a bit by the few chapters told from the POV’s of Vincent’s conquest. The book opens with one of the POV’s and since I was not paying close enough attention for half the story I thought that it was Lisa’s side and that changes a lot of how I view her. But rest assured that there are only a couple of these point of views and overall they fo not take away from the book itself.

“Leave it to me to fall for a chick who’s taken.”

Being such a fast and sexy read I was not expecting the depth to which this story went. Full of light hearted quips what is mostly a fun read also dealt with some tough topics and handled them with a dash of drama and angst. For all that Vincent went through I along with Lisa was powerless not to fall in love with him and this story. Once again Laura Wright had me devouring her book and eager for more.

~miranda

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May 19

One More Shot by Victoria Denault Review

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4 Smooches

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Synopsis

They say you only get one shot at making your dreams come true.

Jordan is determined to take two.

Drafted by the NHL at eighteen, Jordan Garrison was headed for fame, and there was only one person he wanted to share it with—Jessie Caplan. He was crazy in love with her, and had finally told her so. They shared an amazing night . . . and then everything fell apart.

Jessie tries not to think about the night she gave herself to Jordan—or how he broke her heart. She tries not to think about it, but she does. Especially now, when she’s staring into his sky-blue eyes for the first time in six years. After so much time and torment, she can’t tell if she loves him or hates him. But Jordan has learned enough to know a connection like theirs is rare. He was lucky to find Jessie once. No way will he lose her again.

Review

“He came all this way and he can’t do anything more than stand there like he’s Krazy-Glued to a Ford? Suddenly I hate him more than I ever have before.”

This book covered so many of my favorite themes I just could not control myself and had to have it. Friends to lovers, love/hate and a hockey book. Umm . .. yes please. Jordan and Jessie have been the best of friends since she and her sisters moved to town to live with their grandma and they got all wrapped up in the Garrison boys.

After a tragic event with her boyfriend in high school leaves her sad and vulnerable and Jordan there to comfort her. The two of them share one passionate night before shit hits the fan and misunderstandings lead to years of radio silence and animosity between the two.

Years have passed and the friendship the two once shared is gone and in its place is anger and hatred. Jessie for her part has had to watch famous hockey player Jordan all over the news man whoring it up all over the northwest. Jordan thought he lost the only girl he could ever love and instead of ever truly moving on he uses hockey, alcohol and a string of nameless women to ease the pain he still feels. When a funeral back home brings these two back together all Jessie wants to do is run away but this time Jordan might be willing to chase her down.

“All this bullshit . . . is she worth it? I take a deep calming breath. Yeah. She is.” 

One More Shot is a debut book for Victoria Denault and I think she did a superb job. Told from dual point of view the story was engaging and the writing clean and easy to follow. For me the first 70% of the book was spot on 5 star reading. Full of angst and drama I loved following these two throw their range of emotions from friendship to young love to hurt and betrayal to flat out hate and anger. Once we get to acceptance and building a new relationship parts of the book did start to feel somewhat rushed. I know that Jessie and Jordan has years of foundation before rekindling but I would have loved to see more wooing. That being said none of that should deter anyone from picking up this book and reading it because overall I loved the story and I am incredibly excited to read the next one.

~miranda

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