Predestined Hearts by Kelly Elliott and Kristen Mayer Blog Tour and Giveaway

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Love has existed since the beginning of time. For Ashlin Thomas, love was an illusion that she desperately wanted to make a reality.

Returning home to Savannah, after her aunt’s death, Ashlin must deal with the harsh realities life has dealt her.

As Ashlin begins sorting through her aunt’s personal effects, she stumbles upon a journal. Not just any journal, but the words of her great great great grandmother, Sophia.

Two love stories intertwine with each other as Ashlin reads the beautiful words, written over a hundred years ago.

The intense connection Ashlin feels with Sophia begins to allow her to find herself. Never thinking love was possible for her, Ashlin now sees it is within her grasp.

But, life is never perfect. Life is never fair.

When faced with the decision that could change Ashlin’s future … will she sacrifice one love for another, or will her predestined heart lead her home?

Check out our review

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BUY LINKS:

AMAZON http://amzn.to/1CZVrKz

iBooks  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/predestined-hearts/id975872246?mt=11

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/predestined-hearts-kelly-elliott/1121398621?ean=2940151731423

Kobo  https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/predestined-heart

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ABOUT Kelly Elliott:

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Kelly Elliott is married to a wonderful Texas cowboy who has a knack for making her laugh almost daily and supports her crazy ideas and dreams for some unknown reason…he claims it’s because he loves her!

She’s also a mom to an amazing daughter who is constantly asking for something to eat while her fingers move like mad on her cell phone sending out what is sure to be another very important text message.

In her spare time she loves to sit in her small corner overlooking the Texas hill country and write.

One of her favorite things to do is go for hikes around her property with Gus….her chocolate lab and the other man in her life, and Rose, her golden retriever. When Kelly is not outside helping the hubby haul brush, move rocks or whatever fun chore he has in store for her that day, you’ll find her inside reading, writing or watching HGTV.

LINKS:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KellyElliottAuthor

Twitter: @author_kelly

Website: http://www.kellyelliottauthor.com/

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Elliott/e/B00EUIN5XC/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1413213230&sr=8-2-ent

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6581091.Kelly_Elliott

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ABOUT Kristin Mayer:

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Kristin Mayer is a wife, a proud mother, and a full-time Analyst and Import Manager. Since an early age, she has always enjoyed reading and writing. While visiting her father one weekend, he suggested that she should take up writing again. With family and a career, she didn’t give it a lot of thought, until a story entered her mind and wouldn’t leave. It just kept forming and developing over a couple of months.

At the beginning of 2013, she decided to sit down and write it all down, but she kept it to herself. One sentence developed into two, and before she knew it, she had the makings of a novel.

Kristin tries to live life to the fullest during every moment. She loves to travel and meet new people. She holds a degree in International Business and uses it daily in her job. Kristin now adds “author” on her list of jobs, and feels very blessed and thankful.

Stay connected with Kristin Mayer:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKristinMayer

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7134265.Kristin_Mayer

Website: http://www.authorkristinmayer.com

Twitter: @author_kristin

Email: kristinmayerwrites@gmail.com

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Teaser

“Why don’t we go downstairs, get our wine, and I’ll make a fire. Did you bring the journal?”

I followed Gael out of the room as he grabbed my hand. “Yes, but there’s still no way I’m reading to you.”

My face would be ten shades of red if I were to speak the thoughts Sophia had as Daniel made love to her.

Gael’s deep voice resonated deep within me as he spoke. “Grab the journal. I’ll get the wine and food. I’ll meet you in the living room and build a fire.”

“I’m not reading it. There’s no amount of wine, delicious food or tempting kisses that will change my mind.”

He gave me a quick kiss on the lips. “I like that you think my kisses are tempting. I want to read it to you.”

“Really?” Imagining Gael’s deep voice reading to me had the feelings from earlier in his office returning. The attraction was undeniable.

“Yes.”

That one word spoken had my heart racing with excitement. I grabbed the journal from my purse on  the chair and made my way to the couch in the living room. My thoughts returned to what had happened with Gael upstairs. The fact that he hadn’t slept with me made Gael more endearing. It wasn’t lost on me that Gael had said when we make love to each other. I bit my lip and gave a little giggle.

Within me, happiness bubbled to the surface. We hadn’t defined what we were doing and I was okay with that. I liked that I wasn’t being confined to a box and left to be free while I became my own person again.

After a few minutes, Gael came in with the wine and food on a tray. He handed me my glass.

“Thank you. A girl could get used to this type of treatment.”

He gave me a wink. “Good, it’s only the beginning. Let me start the fire.”

The open-ended innuendos were sexy and left me wanting Gael more. I watched him move with ease as he put the logs in and used newspaper as a starter. Striking a match, he lit the paper before placing it strategically between the logs. There was something about a man who could start a fire versus hitting a button and having instant flames that had me wanting to tackle him on the floor. Down girl. Down.

He looked at me over his shoulder. “You like what you see?”

“I do. The logs are amazing looking. It looks like they were cut at just the right angle.”

His mouth dropped in shock. I had to set my wineglass down as I became tickled at his lost, self-assured expression. The fire caught as he made his way back to me with a predatory gate. “I hoped maybe there was something you liked in the man who was building the fire.”

I shrugged. “He’s all right.”

He sat beside me and drew his finger across my lips, leaving a wake of fire in its path. “He better be more than all right to you.”

“He is.” My voice was barely above a whisper.

Gael kissed me, but kept it sweet. “Good. That’s what I like to hear.” I could feel his breath on my lips.

“I’m ready for my story.”

Gael’s answering grin made my heart skip a beat as he settled in to the couch. He took the journal off my lap.

Grabbing my wineglass, I snuggled into him. My body fit perfectly against his. Peace and contentment settled over me. I glanced into my wineglass and remembered looking into one at Amelia’s wedding. My feelings were the opposite now. There was hope.

“Let’s see if Sophia and Daniel desecrated my upstairs office.”

I shook my head. “Oh geez, I hope she quickly summarizes the deed. I wonder if Sophia ever considered who would read her personal thoughts one day. I’d be mortified.”

Gael laughed as he opened to the journal and removed my metal bookmark. His deep, soothing voice filled the space as he read the thoughts of Sophia.

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Giveaway:

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Predestined Hearts by Kelly Elliott and Kristin Mayer Review

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3.5 Smooches

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Synopsis

This is a DUEL GENRE novel containing both contemporary and historical romance. 

Love has existed since the beginning of time. For Ashlin Thomas, love was an illusion that she desperately wanted to make a reality. 

Returning home to Savannah, after her aunt’s death, Ashlin must deal with the harsh realities life has dealt her. 

As Ashlin begins sorting through her aunt’s personal effects, she stumbles upon a journal. Not just any journal, but the words of her great great great grandmother, Sophia. 

Two love stories intertwine with each other as Ashlin reads the beautiful words, written over a hundred years ago. 

The intense connection Ashlin feels with Sophia begins to allow her to find herself. Never thinking love was possible for her, Ashlin now sees it is within her grasp. 

But, life is never perfect. Life is never fair. 

When faced with the decision that could change Ashlin’s future … will she sacrifice one love for another, or will her predestined heart lead her home? 

Review

This is a story about two different times, two different women and two different love stories but they are also intertwined in more ways than just through a journal.

“Why wasn’t I able to find the love we saw in fairy tales? Everyone I loved eventually left me.”

I had a huge love/hate relationship with this book. What I loved was the plot and story line; so beautiful, sad, heart-warming and heart-breaking but what I didn’t like was the fact that sometimes the writing seemed a bit young considering the tone of the book and there were too many occasions or insta-love/lust.

“I can’t let you go and I won’t. I want it all. Don’t ask me to give up anything. I’m keeping you, Ashlin. I won’t let anyone else have you. This isn’t a battle you’re going to win. We were meant to be together.”

Firstly the plot; like I said I loved the plot. It was so beautiful, I cried many times but I also felt uplifted and happy during many parts of the story. It’s such an interesting concept; Ashlin finding the journal and reading her great great great relatives love story but at the same time she herself is going through a passionate but not easy love story. I have to say I think Sophia and Daniel’s story was my favourite by quite a bit but I did love Ashlin and Gael’s as well. We had drama, passion, romance, heart ache; so much to keep you entertained. Neither story was a simple, straight forward love story; there were ex-boyfriend, bitter and mean mothers….but it is all worth it in the end because you truly feel both couple’s love for each other. However I did have a problem with the writing, sometimes it just didn’t seem mature enough considering the topics and I also hated the really really sudden insta-love; it took away the believability of each romance.

“My world had changed so much over the last few days. Now, I was completely alone. Part of me was devastated. Part of me was terrified. Part of me was liberated.”

I loved the main characters, both Sophia and Ashlin were strong, beautiful women who knew what they wanted and were not afraid of the consequences. They were honest and kind and women you could look up to. Daniel and Gael were both knight in shining armour boyfriends. They were passionate, caring, weren’t afraid to show how much they loved their partners and were both so strong when things started to go horribly wrong. They never gave up hope in either of their partners and believe their love would conquer all.

“Sophia Marie Stowe. You shall always remain the keeper of my heart and soul. Each night I close my eyes, I shall see your eyes. Each morning I wake, I will dream of your smile. You will forever be the love of my life.”

I found it really hard to rate this story, if it was purely on the plot I would give it 4.5 stars but due to the writing and minor plot elements that irritated me I’ve had to give this story a 3.5 but I would encourage all romance readers to give this a go because it really will have you weeping but also smiling over two beautiful love stories.

Bethany

BUY IT NOW

White by Monica James Cover and Blurb Reveal

Title: White

Series: I Surrender Series, #4

Author: Monica James

Genre: New Adult

Release date: May 5th, 2015

 

Blurb

Ava Thompson has

at long last surrendered to her true love, Jasper White, and this time, there’s

no going back.

They’re both determined

to forget their rocky past and focus on their promise to be together forever. However,

with Ava living in New York, and Jasper in L.A., their future is held in the

balance on where to call home.

So what’s the

compromise?

Ava doesn’t want

to leave, and Jasper doesn’t want to stay. They’ve reached an impasse in their

relationship and Ava soon realizes that for them to be together, one of them

will have to give up their dreams for good.

But who? And

more importantly, what happens when one of them sacrifices their dreams for the

other? Whatever choice is made, Ava knows they’ll both lose.

Adding to the

heartache are two new players who are set on breaking up the ill-fated pair for

good.

Do

Jasper and Ava have the strength to survive this final test of love?

About the Author

Monica

James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare and

Emily Dickinson.

 

When

she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always

finds a balance between the two.

 

She

enjoys writing honest, heartfelt and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers, and her

inspiration comes from every day life. She is an Amazon best selling author in

the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

 

Monica

James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie

of animals.

 

She

is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she

was a ninja on the weekends.

Instagram: authormonicajames 

E-mail: authormonicajames@gmail.com

 

Other Books in the Series

                                   AMAZON US          AMAZON US          AMAZON US

                                   AMAZON UK         AMAZON UK         AMAZON UK

                                   AMAZON CA         AMAZON CA         AMAZON CA

                                   AMAZON AU         AMAZON AU         AMAZON AU

                                           B&N                         B&N                         B&N

                                          KOBO                      KOBO                      KOBO

                                  SMASHWORDS      SMASHWORDS     SMASHWORDS

Giveaway

Unblocked by Marni Mann: Episode Two Release Blitz and Giveaway

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Unblocked, Episode Two Blurb:

One taste was all it took.
Derek Block demands more.
Frankie Jordan wants to run.
Pleasure complicates business.
But some passion is just too hard to resist.
Things are getting hotter as real estate gets real….

This is Episode Two of the five-episode Timber Towers novella series.

Check out our 5 smooches review HERE.

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Unblocked, Episode One Buy Links:

Amazon Link:http://amzn.to/1agkeia

Barnes & Noble Link: http://bit.ly/1N3yQmR

iTunes Link:http://apple.co/1CimnQS

Unblocked, Episode Two Buy Links:

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1yawL1S

Barnes & Noble Link: http://bit.ly/1Pg3tUD

iTunes Link: http://apple.co/1a1tDKa

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Excerpt:

I held her wrists above her head and leaned down so she could feel my words, not just hear them. “I give you what I want, when I want – my fingers, my mouth, my tongue…” My hand dropped to my zipper. I fisted the crotch of my jeans. “Even my fucking cock. Understood?”

I expected her to pull back, but her focus seemed to soften as her eyes traveled down my stomach and settled on my hand. I released the bulge so she could get a better look at my dick.

She licked her lips. “Got it.”

I knelt on the bed and straddled her body, holding her hands against the headboard. I had made a special request for this bed, I wanted something wooden, with slats on the headboard, carved and sanded, so the finish was smooth on all four sides. I knew she could handle the rubbing, but I didn’t want her skin cut or splintered.

“You’re not going to tie me up…”

I weaved the flannel around her wrists and secured the knots to the headboard. “I’m not?” The shirt was tight enough to prevent her from moving, but loose enough to allow circulation.

She glanced at my handiwork. “You warned me that you would do this…I never thought you really would.”

“Don’t ever doubt me, Frankie. I always keep my promises.”

Marni’s Social Media Links:

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

Twitter:https://twitter.com/marnimann

Instagram:https://instagram.com/marnimann/

Rafflecopter Giveaway:
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Unblocked Episode Two by Marni Mann Review

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5 Smooches!

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Synopsis

One taste was all it took.
Derek Block demands more.
Frankie Jordan wants to run.
Pleasure complicates business.
But some passion is just too hard to resist.
Things are getting hotter as real estate gets real….
This is Episode Two of the five-episode Timber Towers novella series.

Review

The first installment of Unblocked had me salivating and desperate for more which is sometimes the upside and downside to a serialised novel- the anticipation in between episodes. Episode Two picks up where the first left off with Frankie trying her damndest to resist the charismatic allure of her soon-to-be boss Derek and have their friendship remain strictly platonic if not professional.

‘“Because when I tie you up and lick every inch of your body, things like whether I’m wearing flannel or a ten thousand dollar suit aren’t going to matter. You won’t be aware of anything other than my tongue. I promise.” She leaned her head into the back cushion of the booth and closed her eyes. I felt the deep breath as she inhaled. “I need to be your realtor, and nothing, and nothing more. That’s the only way this is going to work.”

It’s so hard to keep serials interesting enough so that the reader is willing to pay for each one thereafter but Marni Mann has managed that feat with tremendous ease. Unblocked part two is sensual and fun with a gritty slightly sinister and mysterious edge. With Derek’s myriad of secrets and revenge plots in play on the peripheral of the story, as well as trying to tempt the intelligent and brilliant Frankie into his bed Unblocked has enough steam and drama and intrigue to put most full length novels to shame. The writing is flawless and the characters diverse and often quite funny even when battling sexual tension or catty colleagues. Be forewarned though, this episode ends on another semi cliffhanger but rather than irritate you it just leaves you needing the next part of the story

Nicole

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Private Getaway by Anie Michaels Release Blitz

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Synopsis

Lena never anticipated the man she fell in love with would betray her, but she found herself alone, in a hotel room, having walked away from her marriage with nothing but one hundred thousand dollars in debt and an affair that turned out to be a sham.

There was only one thing she could do.

Get away.

On the idyllic beaches of Hawaii she sought peace, reflection, and a new beginning.

But a new beginning meant new challenges and new relationships.

Would she ever grow to trust after everything she’d been through?

The only place she felt safe was her own Private Getaway.

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Check out our 5 smooches review HERE.

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Author Bio

Anie Michaels is the author of the Never series, The Space Between Us, and the Private Serials. She started writing her first novel in June 2013. When she is not reading, writing, or spending time with her family, you can find her spending time with her close friends. Anie lives in Portland, Oregon, with her family.

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Buy The Series

Private Affair (1)

AMAZON US

Private Encounters (2)

AMAZON US

Private Getaway (3)

AMAZON US

Private Getaway by Anie Michaels Review

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5 SMOOCHES

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Synopsis

Lena never anticipated the man she fell in love with would betray her, but she found herself alone, in a hotel room, having walked away from her marriage with nothing but one hundred thousand dollars in debt and an affair that turned out to be a sham.
There was only one thing she could do.
Get away.
On the idyllic beaches of Hawaii she sought peace, reflection, and a new beginning.
But a new beginning meant new challenges and new relationships.
Would she ever grow to trust after everything she’d been through?
The only place she felt safe was her own Private Getaway.

**This is volume three of a multi-volume serial. Readers should not expect a resolution at the end of this publication. It is 28,000+ words. For mature readers only due to explicit sexual situations.

Review

“I’d wanted to stay in bed forever, sleep as long as the vodka would let me, and try desperately not to deal with the catastrophe I’d left behind.”

When we left off in Private Encounters a big ball was dropped and it looked like nothing would ever be right again. To say I was eager to get Private Getaway to see how this plays out for Lena and the man she thought she could trust is an understatement. As has become the par with this series, I was on the edge of my seat desperate to find out how all the pieces of this puzzle would wind together in order for Lena and Preston to get the HEA we are all rooting for.

“That’s the second time  today you’ve said that today,”  “What?”  “That you love me.”  “I’ve said it to you in my mind a million times.”

After everything that went down in Private Encounters Lena needs to get away and start over and Hawaii is as good as any place. Together with the help of a new female roommate and a male running partner she is starting to put her life back together again. But without the love she thought she had with Preston she isn’t sure where to go from here. But Preston is not giving up that easily, he is coming for her and he will use any advantage he can to get back in Lena’s good graces.

It was a hungry kind of kiss, the kind of kiss that was vocal. I could hear him kissing me, all the growls and groans. I didn’t need to worry about breathing because, somehow, the kiss was breathing for me.”

The Private Serials are quickly becoming the kind of series that has be abandoning whatever I am reading when they show up on my kindle. Well written and full of suspense, steamy sex and characters that work their way into your brain and refuse to leave, this is one series you won’t want to miss!

~miranda

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Wait For Morning by Nicole Edwards Release Blitz and Giveaway

 

 

Welcome to Sniper 1 Security.  Wait for Morning is the first in a new series called Sniper 1 Security. This series

will focus around two families that are in the private security business. This

book is different for Nicole as it’s the first for her in the romantic

suspense genre. For readers, they will find the normal Nicole Edwards style of

writing, with a nice mixture of excitement, suspense and her erotic touches

where needed. For the die-hard Nicole Edwards fans, they will see a bit less of

the erotic, but when it’s present it will set your e-reader on fire!

 

Check out our review

 

Trace Kogan will go to any length to protect those who need protecting. That is the business he is in; the business his father, Casper Kogan, started with Bryce Trexler more than thirty-five years ago. Trace spends day and night eliminating threats to clients, so when the danger hits too close to home, he won’t let anything come between him and the woman who desperately needs his help.

His fear… the physical reaction he has to Marissa may pose a bigger danger than the ghost that they find themselves up against.

Marissa Trexler has spent the last twelve months of her life in hiding, tucked away in one safe house after another for her own protection. The threat to her is real even if the reason is still unknown. Strangely, whoever is after her seems to find her no matter where she goes, leading her family to believe it’s an inside job.

So when the decision is made that Trace will provide personal protection, she can’t say no, even if being close to him adds another level of danger… and this one is to her heart.

 

 

New York

Times

and USA Today bestselling author

Nicole Edwards lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, their three kids, and

four rambunctious dogs. When she’s not writing about sexy alpha males, Nicole

can often be found with her Kindle in hand or making an attempt to keep the

dogs happy. You can find her hanging out on Facebook and interacting with her

readers – even when she’s supposed to be writing.

Nicole also writes contemporary/new adult romance as Timberlyn Scott.

Find out more about Nicole on her website:

www.NicoleEdwardsAuthor.com

Website – Facebook – Twitter – Blog

Instagram – Goodreads – Amazon – Google + 

 

Be sure to stop by the Nicole & Colt Edwards Group for release day giveaways! Plus we have a Rafflecopter running through April 17th with 5 signed paperbacks up for grabs and this grand prize: ONE winner will receive an iPad Mini***, $50 iTunes gift card, $25 Amazon gift card and a signed Wait for Morning paperback!

***Details:Brand: Apple  Storage: 16 GB Operating system: iOS Screen size: 7.9 inch color     Connectivity: Wi-Fi Only

Camera resolution: Rear-facing 5 megapixel camera  Model: MF432LL/A. Restrictions apply, see contest for full details. 

PRE ORDER LINKS:

When I’m Gone by Abbi Glines Release Blitz

 

We’re celebrating the release of WHEN I’M GONE by New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Abbi Glines! 

TitleWhen I’m Gone (Rosemary Beach)

Author: Abbi Glines

Publisher: Atria Books (April 7, 2015)

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines comes the next new adult novel in the Rosemary Beach series, in which we meet Mase, a Texas heartthrob first introduced in Take a Chance who comes to Rosemary Beach to stir things up.

I had an urge to fix all her problems. Which was stupid. She was doing fine without me. But something about those big eyes…

Mase Colt-Manning has always preferred his humble life as a Texas rancher to his birthright as the son of a legendary rock star. In fact, he rarely visits his father’s rarefied world in Rosemary Beach, especially if it means bunking at his vile half-sister Nan’s house—until one visit leads to a chance encounter with a young, gorgeous house maid who awakens him with her off-key but spirited imitation of a country music star…

Reese Ellis finally has her freedom. After escaping a lifetime of abuse from her parents and classmates for an undiagnosed learning disorder, she seizes the opportunity to be a house maid to some of the richest families in Rosemary Beach. But her job is in jeopardy when she causes an accident at the home of her most important client, Nan Dillon. When a hot, half-naked stranger with a cowboy’s swagger comes to her rescue, she’s intrigued—then afraid once he shows his own interest. Reese has never met a trustworthy man in her life. Will Mase be any different?

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author:

Abbi Glines is a #1 New York TimesUSA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, and Existence series. She has a new YA series coming out in the fall of 2015 titled The Field Party Series . She never cooks unless baking during the Christmas holiday counts. She believes in ghosts and has a habit of asking people if their house is haunted before she goes in it. She drinks afternoon tea because she wants to be British but alas she was born in Alabama. When asked how many books she has written she has to stop and count on her fingers. When she’s not locked away writing, she is reading, shopping (major shoe and purse addiction), sneaking off to the movies alone, and listening to the drama in her teenagers lives while making mental notes on the good stuff to use later. Don’t judge.

You can connect with Abbi online in several different ways. She uses social media to procrastinate.

Facebook: AbbiGlinesAuthor

Website: AbbiGlines.com

Twitter: abbiglines

Instagram: abbiglines

Snapchat: abbiglines

Lessons In Pure Life by Audrey O’Conner Release Day Launch and Giveaway

Today is the release day launch for Lessons in Pure Life by Audrey O’Conner!! We’ve got a fantastic excerpt and giveaway, so check it all out!!

 

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Exclusive Excerpt:

Diego approaches at last. Dead serious.

Christ, that’s a big man.

He’s next to me, standing so close I feel the heat of his body. His body. I don’t dare look directly at it or my head will turn into a big, red factory whistle with steam shooting out, like in a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

“Emilia Noble, this is Diego Valverde.” Jose’s accent slurs a little, the hard edges of the English words sticking together in the tropical heat. Funny to have such a formal introduction in such a leisurely setting. I picture us all wearing striped ties with our swimwear.

My heartbeat pulses in my throat, an invisible necklace with a throbbing pendant. I smile tentatively, craning my neck because he is almost a foot taller than I am. Don’t be intimidated.

I want to be as lucid as possible, considering at least sixty percent of my brainpower is devoted to not mounting him like an overzealous cowgirl. “Lia,” I say too loudly.

Me Lia. You Diego. I can has your biceps?

My hand goes out automatically. We both look down at it like it’s a curious urchin, coral nails like anemone. Finally he takes it. Between us for those few seconds it’s comfortable, warm, and strong. Our palms touch, and in a way we’re holding hands. Mano en mano.

And that’s it. We are officially People Who Know Each Other.

But it’s going downhill. His expression is irritated and distracted, like I’m inconveniencing him with my presence. When he finally, really looks me in the eyes, I’m startled by how loveless his gaze is, cool hostility sharpened by pale gray irises. Like the sky when you’ve stayed up until daybreak.

He’s covered in smooth, youthful skin, but his muscular system is a man’s, with a wide, toned chest and broad shoulders that slope down and then curve back up at the ends like a hockey player’s.

His skin glints. Flecks of quartz sand.

Good god. It’s all a bit much, so I pull my hand away. I have to think of something to say to this stud in case this is a lucid dream.

“How’s it going?” I manage. I’ve forgotten all my Spanish. Classic.

I’m hyper-aware of the tone of my voice, how my lips move over my teeth when I speak. I’m not wearing a spot of makeup; I wasn’t planning on running into a dreamboat-surfer Valverde. And makeup at the beach is bullshit, anyway.

“Pura vida,” he says without much life at all. …

He shifts his weight uncomfortably, looks into the distance, and runs his fingers through his grown-out surfer hair. One forearm is covered in black ink, a tattoo of moons or planets in orbit, looks like. I want to ask him about it, but I don’t. I’ve already looked for too long.

Barely nodding at us, he walks off toward the bathroom facilities without another word. I may have scared him off, but I can’t help but feel confused and hurt. Is that it?

 

Lessons inPure Life_cover

Lessons in Pure Life Synopsis:

Freshly minted grad Emilia Noble arrives in Costa Rica to teach English in the tropical community of Pacifica. Its carefree, pura vida lifestyle is a welcome contrast to her dark and wintry origins. Tossing caution aside like an old winter coat, she plunges headfirst into an exotic cocktail of sensory pleasure.

Diego is a local whose surfer body and cool detachment make Lia buzz with a long-lost thrill. Fascinated by her new environment, she can’t help but wonder about the moody inner workings of the boy with triceps like Wolverine and a grimace to match.

Diego seems to have no problem ignoring Lia, though. Caught up in his family’s conflicted attitude toward foreigners, he notices her only when it’s convenient. But as Lia thrives in her new surroundings, Diego might just find reason enough to defy his embattled, insular father. When north and south are mixed together, the results are intoxicating.

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Audrey O’Conner Bio:

Audrey O'Connor_author photoAudrey O’Connor can’t help but color outside the lines with big, bright markers. She’s fascinated by the influence of popular culture on the female experience and inspired by creative boldness and the breaking of the dumb rules women are supposed to follow. Audrey lives in Chelsea, Quebec, where she can be found DJ-ing at local events or scanning a cafe for outlets for her laptop.

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