January 26, 2015 by Tina Williams

RELEASE DAY BLITZ for Jade: Special Operations Command, book 2, by S. Reynolds

Blurb:

Conner is taking a big risk, working undercover as a drug buyer. His team is desperately trying to intercept and stop the importation of a wicked new drug into South Florida. In the middle of a buy, he meets a young woman, who seems utterly out of place. Alli Reed is helplessly trapped, having foolishly made the wrong choice. Now, she must deliver the drugs or die.Worse, she the sister of one of the team members: the case just took the worst possible turn!

Jade is only $2.99 and is available through Amazon at the moment

(Will soon be on all major networks)

Buy Links:

US CA UK

Social Links:

Facebook Twitter Website

Email – authorsreynolds@gmail.com

Goodreads

Want to learn more about S. Reynolds?

Author Bio:

Stephanie is a new indie author who loves to write and read. She lives in West Virginia with her two children and her dog. She has a BS in Criminal Justice and has spent her years reading about and exploring the mind. She has many projects scheduled for 2015 and beyond and hopes to also start a fantasy series this year. Her next project will be Ryker, Book 3 in the Special Operations Command Series.

January 22, 2015 by Tina Williams

~RELEASE DAY BLITZ~ ONE Penny by M. Sembera (includes excerpt)

Foolish is the heart that leaves itself open to falling in love. Reckless is the person who steps away from tradition to claim a life of their own. Irreplaceable is the moment one takes the risk.

One Penny (Marked Heart #3)

Contemporary Romance

M. Sembera

January 22, 2015

Penny Caffrey seems to make all the wrong choices in life. From the men she dates to her career path; most of what she does is either hidden from or frowned upon by her large Irish family.

Seth Chevalier has been labeled a disappointment by his entire family. He has a good job at a large accounting firm that he devotes the majority of his time to. His is used to and comfortable living a solitary life.

When her latest boyfriend, the drummer for a local band dumps her Penny takes a step back to do some self-evaluation and decides to lay off of dating for a while.

Even with an overbearing father, Seth is determined to be his own man and moves into an upscale apartment complex in an effort to prove he is successful.

Seth’s solitary life is thrown completely off track when he moves in next door to Penny and she decides they are going to be friends, whether he likes it or not.

Excerpt:

Standing on the balcony right outside Penny’s door, Seth reached down and wrapped his hand around hers.

“Would you like me to walk you in?”

Pursing her lips into a smile, she replied, “I’m sure Braden’s on the couch already so…”

Not wanting the moment to pass him by, he offered, “Would you like to walk me in, then?”

“Sure,” with a sweet expression on her face.

Leading her to his door, Seth let go of her hand and unlocked it allowing her to go in first.

Once they were both inside, he closed his door and turned to her. Taking her hand in his again, he lifted it, lightly smiling at her tattoo. Two interlocking hearts, one upside down and the other, right side up.

“Did it hurt?” he asked focusing on the space in the center of both hearts.

Drawing in a slow breath, she whispered, “Yes.”

Lifting her wrist higher, he leaned down and carefully touched his lips to the center where there was no ink just bare skin directly in the center of one heart pointing toward him and the other to her.

Seth placed his thumb in the center of her tattoo where his lips had just been as he looked down at her softly sharing, “I can feel your heart beat.”

Penny let out a short breath as she closed her eyes tilting her chin up towards him.

Keeping his gentle hold on her wrist with one hand, Seth could feel Penny’s pulse quicken as he slowly brushed his fingers against her cheek and down the side of her neck with the other. He moved closer drawing out the moment as long as possible, just in case this was his one and only chance with her and it never happened again. As he watched her lips part in anticipation, Seth closed his eyes and touched his lips to hers.

True to her nature, Penny’s lips were warm and sweet as they moved against his. There was comfort in the feel of her smooth skin under his fingertips and the flavor of her lips when he took the opportunity to taste them. She was the cream and sugar that soothed and sweetened all the doubt and anxiety in Seth’s otherwise embittered life. And he could only imagine what feeling the rest of her would be like.

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January 19, 2015 by Tina Williams

COVER REVEAL ~ Sweetest Temptations, J.C. Valentine (includes giveaway)

Sweetest Temptations
by J.C. Valentine
Blue Collar #1
Publication Date: February 17, 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Pre-order: Amazon

Synopsis:

From USA Today Bestselling Author J.C. Valentine comes a sizzling story about a young entrepreneur, a hot firefighter, and a first date that will change their paths forever.

Tenacious bakery shop owner Abby is following her dreams. She has everything she could ever want in life—except the fairytale ending. Then she meets Kennedy, a hunky firefighter whose killer smile and easy charm makes her heart pound. But with the kind of danger he faces on the job each day, Abby knows there’s no happily-ever-after in the cards. The harder she tries to hold onto her heart, the faster it seems to slip away, but when a series of mysterious events threaten the future of her business and her life, their happiness may be shorter-lived than she realized.

Someone is out to get her, and it’s up to Abby and Kennedy to uncover who’s behind the destruction. Can they do it before tragedy strikes?

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author J.C. Valentine is the alter-ego of Brandi Salazar, whose enjoyment of tales of romance spurred her to branch out and create her own.

She lives in the Northwest with her husband, their wild children, and far too many pets. As a university student, she studies literature, which goes well with her dream of becoming an editor. Brandi entertains a number of hobbies including reading and photography, but her first love is writing fiction-in all its forms.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

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January 18, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Review Round-Up Jan ’15

Hi readers, we are well into January now but we do hope that you enjoyed the holiday season and that you have a Happy New Year. I am amazed that over the last month Tina and myself have managed to review fifteen books and hope that you enjoy reading all about them.

Romance is certainly a strong theme for the following books but we still cover the historical, contemporary, chick-lit, erotica, paranormal and sci-fi (and festive) genres, as well as having a paranormal thriller/horror and a crime drama in the mix too!

As always, you can click on the book title for the full review and more!

Caroline & Tina ❤

Tempting his Mistress by Samantha Holt, historical romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: What could possibly induce at woman to follow in the footsteps of her mother and further sully her reputation by becoming a mistress?

Lilly Claremont is well used to being at the centre of gossip. Being the illegitimate child of a rich businessman never failed to titillate the gossips and while she cared little about the wagging tongues she never intended to reinforce their opinions of her by ruining herself completely.

But it seems Lord Hawksley is determined to make the fascinating Lilly his mistress…

Evan has no doubt her bold tongue and beautiful body could keep him entertained for some time. Captivated by her, he must find a way to burn through his desire for her. He cannot marry a woman of such social standing so why not make her his mistress?

After the murder of her father, Lilly is searching for answers and they lead her directly to Lord Hawksley. But will they also lead her to his bed…?

All I Want for Christmas by Amy Silver, contemporary holiday romance, chick-lit (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: It’s Bea’s first Christmas with her baby son, and this year she’s determined to do everything right. But there is still so much to do: the Christmas menu needs refining; her café, The Honey Pot, needs decorating; and she’s invited the whole neighbourhood to a party on Christmas Day. She really doesn’t have time to get involved in two new people’s lives, let alone fall in love…

When Olivia gets knocked over in the street, however, Bea can’t help bringing her into The Honey Pot and getting to know her. Olivia’s life is even more hectic than her own, and with her fiancé’s entire family over from Ireland for Christmas, she shouldn’t be lingering in the cosy warmth of Bea’s café. Chloe, on the other hand, has nowhere else to go. Her affair with a married man has alienated her friends, and left her lonelier than ever.

But Christmas is a magical time, and in the fragrant atmosphere of The Honey Pot, anything can happen: new friends can be made, hearts can heal, and romance can finally blossom…

A True Alpha Christmas (novella of the True Alpha series) by Alisa Woods, new adult, paranormal romance (reviewed by Caroline)

STAND-ALONE NOVELLA – best enjoyed after reading the True Alpha Box Set (Vol 1-6)

Blurb: Shifters live in the shadows of Seattle, just under the skin of the alpha male, dot-com entrepreneurs who are building a new Silicon Valley in the Emerald City. Mia is your everyday college girl, trying to earn her business degree—and a shifter who’s long hidden her identity from everyone, including her mother, who believes shifter is synonymous with criminal. Six months ago, sexy and powerful alpha-male Lucas rescued her in an alley and claimed her for his mate. Now Mia’s heart belongs to Lucas, and everyone in the world of shifters understands the magic of their mating has bonded them for life. But in the human world, there’s no wedding ring on her finger to show for it. With Christmas looming, Mia’s mother wants to finally meet Mia’s mysterious and high-powered live-in lover. With her human and shifter lives about to irrevocably collide, Mia fears there will be nothing but broken hearts in the end.

A True Alpha Christmas is 80 pages or 20,000 words. This novella can be read as a standalone, but readers will enjoy it more if they read the True Alpha serial (Vol 1-6) first.

Long Gone Girl (short story) by Amy Rose Bennett, erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: After returning home from the Korean War a widow, former MASH surgical nurse, Ginny Williams, heads to the Jersey Shore for a weekend of much needed R&R. But her plans to do nothing more than relax on the beach go seriously awry when the boy who broke her heart on Prom night nine years ago—the now hotter-than-hot ‘fly-boy’ Jett Kelly—shows up on her patch of sand. To make matters worse, Captain Kelly seems to be on a mission to win her trust, and maybe even her heart again. But the last thing Ginny wants is a man—especially one like Jett—in her life. She’s a career nurse now, and that’s that. If only Jett wasn’t so damned charming and attractive…

US air force pilot, Captain Jefferson ‘Jett’ Kelly Junior is blown away to have stumbled across the beautiful yet shy and bookish girl he used to have a huge crush on in high school—especially now that Ginny is all grown up and sexy as hell. Problem is, she’s also not backward in coming forward when letting him know she hasn’t forgiven him for the Prom-kiss-gone-wrong incident. Even though Jett knows he’ll have his work cut out for him to get a second chance with her, he’s definitely going to give it his best shot…

Despite Ginny’s determination to keep her head—she’s certainly not the naïve girl she used to be—when Jett starts to unashamedly woo her, she soon realizes that maybe her heart didn’t get the memo…

Falling Dragons (Moon Shadow series #3) by Angela Castle, erotic paranormal romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Drugged and running for her life, Dragon Princess, Ophelia, jumps off a rooftop to escape her captors.

Immortal Demon Hunter Simon, is shocked when he catches a falling, redheaded woman. His surprise is short-lived when he faces not only a vicious demon, but those hunting his newly acquired redhead.

In desperate need of protection, and knowing he is her mate, Opie spell-tethers the sexy Demon Hunter to her, not realizing he’s a seventeen-hundred-year-old dragon slayer.

The sexual chemistry explodes between them as they fight each other, in and out of the bedroom. Together, they must battle an evil enemy set on unleashing a soul-sucking demon army into the world, threatening to destroy everything they hold close to their hearts.

Bethany’s Heart (Unearthly World #3) by C. L. Scholey, sci-fi erotic romance (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Amidst the snow and icy wasteland, Earth has become a watery grave to many. Zargonnii warriors Finn and Blu search for any remaining human females. Luck abounds and six females are found struggling to survive. The moment his blazing red eyes settle onto Bethany Finn feels in his heart she is the one he wants to end his loneliness. When Bethany encounters two massive aliens, eyes alight, long white hair wildly flying, she knows the pair are either death or salvation. Their encounter leads Bethany on the wildest adventure of her life. After the Zargonnii ship is annihilated by the enemy a shuttle leads Finn and Bethany straight into the path of peril more times than the couple care to count.

Help, I’ve Been Abducted by an Alien! (short story) by Juliet Cardin, sci-fi erotic romance (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Jen joins an alien-abductee group in order to secretly write an article on the subject. Her plans take an unexpected turn when she encounters a UFO in her neighborhood park and gets abducted for real.

Lysander, her sexy captor, informs Jen he’s not taking her home. Earth, he confides, is soon to be impacted by an asteroid and then invaded by a hostile lizard race. Jen is determined to find a way to escape Lysander–who is hell-bent on having her for himself–and return to Earth, before it is too late to prevent its annihilation.

Drug (The Kassidy Bell trilogy #1) by Lynda O’Rourke, paranormal thriller, horror (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Out of work and out of luck, 19 year-old Kassidy Bell finds herself in desperate need of money.

Coming across a mysterious advert in her local newspaper offering a reward, Kassidy believes she’s found the answer to her prayers.

But Kassidy soon realises that if something is too good to be true then it usually isn’t what it first appears to be. Finding herself in a desperate situation, Kassidy realises that she must run if she is to escape the new horrors she has discovered however great the reward might be.

Mr X by Clarissa Wilde, dark, erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

18+/Adult Read

Author Note: This is not your average romance story. Some people will kill for love.

Blurb: He’s come to kill me. I’m a user and abuser of my own body. In my darkest hour I sold my soul to the devil and now I must pay the price. With his gun to my head I have no choice but to listen and obey, but I refuse to go down easily. Nothing is stronger than the will to survive. My instincts kicked into full gear the second he stepped into my motel room.Except when I look at him I see my own heart staring back at me. A history tainted by blood.I don’t know his name, but I know he wants me. To save myself I’ll sacrifice my sanity. My body. My soul. Something tells me the x-shaped scar that marks his eye is the only escape I have. He is Mr. X: the man who comes to claim my life. Can I save myself before he demands my heart?

WARNING: This book contains very disturbing situations, dubious consent, breath deprivation, strong language, drugs and alcohol, and graphic violence.

Taken by the Sheikh (Boxed Set) by Christina Phillips, Mel Teshco & Cathleen Ross, contemporary erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

Book 1: Hostage to the Sheikh ~ Mel Teshco

Sheikh Shahzad Salah al Din doesn’t have time for hearts and flowers, not when his parents’ bodies are barely even cold in their graves and his country, Omana, is on the brink of revolt. He has to secure peace by honoring a long ago arrangement to make English rose, Lexi Galvin, his wife. The trouble is strong-willed Lexi isn’t aware of her royal Arab lineage let alone her destiny. There is only one way Shahzad can guarantee she will be his queen … and he isn’t above using force to get it.

Book 2: The Sheikh’s Mistaken Bride ~ Christina Phillips

In order to secure a powerful alliance for his country, Khalid has no choice but to marry a neighboring princess. It’s not what he wants, but duty must come before pleasure. Yet when he meets the beautiful Sanura he changes his mind… only to discover the virgin in his bed is not his destined bride.

Book 3: Sold to the Sheikh ~ Cathleen Ross

He’d paid a fortune for his bride and he was determined to collect, whether she liked it or not. Rafi Salah al Din doesn’t trust easily. In charge of security for his country Omana, he devotes his life to duty. With his parents murdered it is his duty to stabilize his country by finding his parents’ assassin, marry and produce a son to ensure the Salah al Din line lives on. So why does the wife he bought disagree?

Heart Grow Fonder by Cristy Rey, adult contemporary romance (reviewed by Tina)

Wrong place. Wrong time. Right people.

Jessie Bravo knows what’s wrong with her life; she just doesn’t know what to do about it. Eleven years ago, she saved Tyler Cantrell from getting his ass kicked by gay-bashing high school jocks. Since, they’ve been the closest of friends. Years later, Jessie circled the drain of chronic depression, spiralling out of control, and it was Tyler’s turn to save her. Who knew her best friend would become a Hollywood A-lister? Though Jessie credits Tyler for keeping her together, living in the shadow of her best friend’s celebrity isn’t all it’s cut out to be. It’s up to Jessie to figure out what she has to do to be happy: get better or get lost.

Stardom is on the horizon for British television actor Boyd Kerrington. He’s starring opposite Tyler Cantrell in an American feature film sure to blow his career out the water. For all the years he’s focused on his career, however, he’s settled in his personal life. That is, until he meets Tyler’s best friend, Jessie. Jessie is refreshingly cool, passionate, and compelling…but she’s also complicated. Worse yet, she’s not interested in remaining in the celebrity stratosphere, even for her lifelong friend.

Triple D Dude Ranch by Beverly Ovalle, erotic western contemporary romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Blaire is a freelance photographer on assignment. She is heading home to Texas, armed with her camera to do a photo feature for the Tribune. Taking photos of the dude ranch, she gets an eyeful of an uninhibited cowboy through her lens. The summer heat of Texas has nothing on the heat he generates in her.

Dan was expecting a photographer but not the sexy urban cowgirl that arrived. He knew it was hot out, he just hadn’t expected the hot and sexy woman to make him burn the minute he caught sight of her. One look and he had to quench this fire inside.

One touch between Dan and Blaire sparks a wildfire that burns hotter than the Texas summer and is just as hard to put out.

Playing the Field (Duty & Desire #4) by C.J. Pinard, contemporary military romance, chick-lit (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: An overachiever in uniform…

Jace Lawless is an overachiever, a go-getter, and determined to accomplish everything he sets his mind to. After serving his country in the U.S. Marine Corps, and receiving his college degree, he’s picked up by a popular minor league baseball team, all while continuing his service in the USMC reserves.

When Jace meets a beautiful, breathtaking single mother named Miranda Cates, it takes him by surprise. Her shady past and beautiful little girl are the conundrum that both confuses and fascinates Jace. He can’t tear his thoughts away from Miranda, and eventually he believes he can win her over with his dimpled smirk and witty charms.

Once Miranda becomes his, the part of him she hated the most – the part he had kept secret from her for so long – rears its ugly head. Will Miranda lean on her friend Cara for support while staying by his side once he tells her that duty is calling… or will she decide she can’t handle it and take her daughter and leave?

Playing the Field is the fourth and final installment of the Duty & Desire series. Contains adult situations and minor scenes of war.

Dead of Night (A Tom Mariner Mystery #7) by Chris Collett, police procedural, crime drama, thriller (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: When a young woman disappears on her way home from work, Detective Inspector Tom Mariner tackles his most challenging investigation yet!

18-year-old Grace Clifton vanishes on her way home from work in the centre of Birmingham late at night, the case is remarkable in that not a single witness comes forward. The more he has to deal with Grace s wealthy and overbearing father, Council Leader Bob Clifton, the more Tom Mariner is inclined to believe that Grace left of her own accord.

Then the package arrives. It contains Grace s clothes, neatly pressed and laundered. A second woman disappears. And a disturbing pattern begins to emerge.

Still adapting to a new investigation team and struggling to pull its members together, Detective Inspector Mariner is about to tackle one of his strangest, most challenging cases to date.

Once Upon a Rake by Samantha Holt, historical romance (reviewed by Tina)

In Victorian England, Little Ellie Browning swiftly discovered happily ever afters did not exist and rakes were simply rakes. When the man she had adored for years kissed her and left her heartbroken and she was forced to marry an elderly earl to save her reputation, she resolved to put any dreams of fairy tales aside.

Seven years later, the now widowed Eleanor, Countess of Hawthorne, has returned to England after years of travelling and is now part-owner of a cotton mill left to her by her late husband.

But the owner of the mill, and the very same handsome rake who hurt her years earlier, has no desire to let a woman interfere with his business, let alone little Ellie Browning—no matter how fascinating he finds her since her transformation from coltish scarecrow to almost graceful countess.

Lucian is still recovering from the after-effects of one of his mills succumbing to fire, and now he’s fighting to save the other in a tough economic climate. He doesn’t need this new distraction, especially when, after a series of accidents, it becomes clear someone wishes the mill to close and he has to find the culprit—fast.

With things heating up between Ellie and Lucian, it’s apparent that not only is the mill in peril—they are both at risk of getting burned…

January 15, 2015 by Tina Williams

REVIEW ~ Triple D Dude Ranch, by Beverly Ovalle

Erotic Western Contemporary Romance

Hot, Darn Hot!

Adult/18+ read

25 pages

Blurb

Blaire is a freelance photographer on assignment. She is heading home to Texas, armed with her camera to do a photo feature for the Tribune. Taking photos of the dude ranch, she gets an eyeful of an uninhibited cowboy through her lens. The summer heat of Texas has nothing on the heat he generates in her.

One touch between Dan and Blaire sparks a wildfire that burns hotter than the Texas summer and is just as hard to put out.

My Review

A Hot Number ****

This is a very quick read but it contains ALL the essentials to hit the spot – a hot cowboy and a woman who has escaped from the city who is hell bent on enjoying herself in the Texas heat! It also has a great twist at the end which I did not see coming.

As soon as the story kicks off we learn a little about the sensual heroine Blaire and what has brought her on this assignment. I enjoyed the descriptions of how Blaire reacts to the heat and the dust she finds herself engulfed in. When she reaches her destination the author is not shy when describing her heroines’s thoughts and actions. Indeed, when a cowboy, who we later learn is called Dan, arrives on the scene I was absolutely gobsmacked with what transpires between the two. Indeed the scenes which occur satisfy more than a couple of my cowboy fantasies!

Recommended for readers who enjoy a highly erotic read who are looking for something quick but wholly satisfying!

Reviewed by Tina Williams

A copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Published by Secret Cravings Publishing

Purchase Links

Amazon US Amazon UK

Connect with the Author

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ovalleba

Website: http://ovalleba.wix.com/beverly-ovalle

Goodreads at http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6982787.Beverly_Ovalle

Book Blogs: http://bookblogs.ning.com/profile/BeverlyOvalle

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SSLYblog

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

January 13, 2015 by Tina Williams

COVER REVEAL ~ Playing with Fire, by Paisley Walker

Erotica

(Adult/18+ read)

TITLE: Playing With Fire

AUTHOR: Paisley Walker

GENRE: Erotica

PUBLICATION: February 2, 2015

COVER DESIGNER: MGBookCovers

My name is Laken Thompson, and I have come up with an idea that is too good to surpass. Being a twenty five year old that just graduated college and has accrued an insane amount of debt it’s the best thing I can think of. I am auctioning off the most precious thing I have. My virginity. What I wasn’t planning on was the man that changed everything. Asher Braxton, the epitome of stunning. The man that has everything, except for me. I’ve run for months from the devilishly handsome man stalking me like some prey. Just when I thought I evaded his advances his voice is the one I hear to make a bid. On shaky legs I pray that someone will outbid him, but the thought in my head is… I’m playing with fire and this time I hope I don’t get burned.

Paisley Walker is from a small town outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She has been reading for years, and is a very avid reader. She loves loosing herself in a book, it’s the best way to escape reality. She started writing because she wanted to offer people the same escapes she herself gets.

Facebook ~ Twitter

Goodreads ~ Blog

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January 12, 2015 by Tina Williams

BLOG TOUR ~ Includes REVIEW, Heart Grow Fonder by Cristy Rey

Intense and Emotionally Gritty

Adult Contemporary Romance

We are delighted to host the blog tour for Cristy Rey’s new release, Heart Grow Fonder. Last year I had the pleasure of reading this author’s super paranormal romance, the Incarnate Series, Taking Back Sunday and Trail of Dead and also her contemporary romance Weeping Angels, one of my Top Reads for 2014. Scroll down for the blurb and an excerpt from Heart Grow Fonder and read my review. Tina ❤

Heart Grow Fonder

Cristy Rey

Adult Romance

Goodreads

Blurb

Wrong place. Wrong time. Right people.

Jessie Bravo knows what’s wrong with her life; she just doesn’t know what to do about it. Eleven years ago, she saved Tyler Cantrell from getting his ass kicked by gay-bashing high school jocks. Since, they’ve been the closest of friends. Years later, Jessie circled the drain of chronic depression, spiraling out of control, and it was Tyler’s turn to save her. Who knew her best friend would become a Hollywood A-lister? Though Jessie credits Tyler for keeping her together, living in the shadow of her best friend’s celebrity isn’t all it’s cut out to be. It’s up to Jessie to figure out what she has to do to be happy: get better or get lost.

Purchase Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK

**Excerpt – It was… to meet you.**

“What was that?” Tyler said in a hoarse whisper.

Wide-eyed, his face shimmered as if he’d been doused with glitter under a blinding white spotlight. Dumbstruck, Jessie remained staring into the gaping hole of the universe where Boyd Kerrington sat only seconds earlier.

“That was…” Jessie struggled to get out even those two words, and she couldn’t think of another to follow them.

That was Boyd Fucking Kerrington. It was Boyd who’d stopped her world spinning on its axis for a suspended series of seconds that, for all she knew, could have lasted a whole year. She’d acted a brat and he’d thought it funny. When she realized she was embarrassing herself in front of Boyd, she stopped dead in her tracks and swallowed her pride, painfully.

Then their eyes met. She’d looked at him dead in the eyes a million times, but those instances had all been through the television. Sure, those eyes were the same—icy blue like a frozen-over lake in the dead of winter—but they weren’t Astor Welles’s eyes this time; they were something altogether new and different. For the first time in weeks, she felt something other than a vacuum of nothingness.

While he looked away, returning to his breakfast, Jessie watched him, for the first time free of the veneer his character. But he avoided her gaze, keeping his attention, instead, on Tyler.

Layers of stage makeup and all the smart hairstyling of Astor Welles peeled away to reveal a real human being with complicated expressions and a wealth of idiosyncrasies. Despite his severe, angular features, Boyd’s manner was approachable, even a little bit sweet. His voice was the same, but the cadence wasn’t. Astor Welles cut through steel with a crisp arrogant timbre as much as with his cheekbones’ daring angles. Boyd Kerrington wasn’t as clipped.

Sensing she was doing nothing to benefit her friend’s morning with him, Jessie excused herself.

“I have some writing to do,” she said, standing and stepping toward the sliding glass door.

Though she expected Boyd would relax a little at her departure, he reared to face her with an unmistakable tinge of remorse. She bit into her lip and reiterated her need to get to work. Boyd nodded shortly, his handsomely sloppy curls lifting in the breeze for a second before settling down again. Tyler said something that sounded like “Good idea,” but that melded with the white noise of Vancouver.

“It was… to meet you.” Red with embarrassment, she tucked into the suite and shuffled into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

With no one watching her, she banged her head against the door. Boyd Kerrington was currently sitting on the balcony of her suite, talking with Tyler over cigarettes and a king’s brunch feast. Rather than join them, Jessie relegated herself to the bed. She curled up beneath the comforter, fully clothed, and stared into the oblivion of her private bathroom.

My Review

Intense and Emotionally Gritty *****

Wow, what a read! Heart Grow Fonder kept me literally glued to my Kindle. It is an intense, heart-rending, emotionally gritty novel, which examines the consequences of celebrity life. The central story focuses on Jessie and Boyd, two people who are PERFECT for each other BUT who fate has conspired that they meet in the WRONG place and at the WRONG time.

Jessie is in the depths of depression, so bad that even her long-time friend Tyler, a top celebrity, feels powerless to help her. It is at this point that she meets Boyd, a British actor, who is working with Tyler on a new film. Jessie is already a big fan of Boyd, admiring him for his role in a TV series. When she meets him in the flesh she is even more enamoured with the reality of the man. Boyd is similarly entranced with Jessie. Yet Jessie fears involving herself with a man who is seeking fame and fortune as she has been so unhappy living in Hollywood. She also feels too broken to succumb to the passion that exists between them and realises that to help herself she must leave LA, where she feels at once stifled and alienated, and recover on her own terms. Before they can get together Jessie flees, cutting herself off from Tyler, Boyd and her life there.

The couple are not physically together throughout much of the book but nevertheless they are rarely out of each other’s minds and communicate through a heart-rending series of emails, where vulnerabilities are exposed and hearts are broken. Will Jessie recover from her illness? Will Boyd accept her for herself? Will Jessie be able to cope with his acting career? Will she reconcile with her friend Tyler? I could not see what was coming until the denouement and my heart was in my mouth waiting to see whether Jessie and Boyd would opt to be together or stay apart!

Jessie is a troubled individual and I admired her determination to get well on her own terms, although I despaired at the effect her actions had on Boyd, Tyler and those closest to her. The way the author portrayed her depression and how she deals with it was believable and realistic.

Boyd is an intense and serious individual who feels alive for the first time when he meets Jessie who bowls him over. He is confused by her behaviour, upset by her refusal to let him help her and devastated when she leaves LA. His growing friendship with Tyler and the support they give each other when Jessie walks out of their lives is also a major aspect of the story.

The writing in this novel is deeply emotional and there are many poignant scenes. However, there are also moments of humour, warmth and passion and the promise of a future between the main couple, if only they will take a chance on love.

I recommend this novel to readers who are looking for a deep and emotional reading experience.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

A copy of this novel was given to me for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Dreamcast

Meet Jessie

Meet Boyd

Playlist

1. Miss Misery, Elliot Smith

2. Brand New Friend, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

3. Dear Catastrophe Waitress, Belle & Sebastian

4. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t Have)?, Buzzcocks

5. I Shatter, Magnetic Fields

6. Can’t Hardly Wait, The Replacements

7. Cactus, Pixies

8. Stay Out of Trouble, Kings of Convenience

9. Never Talking to You Again, Husker Du

10. A New England, Billy Bragg

11. International Small Arms Traffic Blues, The Mountain Goats

12. Screaming at a Wall, Minor Threat

13. Andy’s Chest, Lou Reed

14. I Think She’s Starting to Like Me, The Queers

15. Long-forgotten Fairy Tale, Magnetic Fields

16. Rudie Can’t Fail, The Clash

Listen via Spotify

About Cristy Rey

Cristy Rey is the author of the romantic urban fantasy Incarnate series. Taking Back Sunday, Trail of Dead, and the prequel novelette, Edge of Seventeen, were released in 2014. The third full-length installment, Wolf Parade, will be released in 2015. She also writes and publishes unconventional romantic women’s fiction. Weeping Angels and her second, Heart Grow Fonder are available now.

Cristy lives in Miami, FL where she is a reader and writer most of the time, and a knitter much less of the time than she was six months before she took up writing again. She writes the books that she likes to read. She describes her writing style as riot grrrl Jane Austen sprinkled with a little magic. There’s always a killer soundtrack running in the background of her novels – all you need to do is turn to the playlist to know what’s up.

Find Cristy Online

Cristy’s website http://www.cristyrey.com
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/cristywrites
Goodreads http://bit.ly/1iD1Ujy
Twitter @CristyReyWrites
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/cristyreywrites
Google+ http://bit.ly/1sAQyRd
Sign up for Cristy’s monthly updates http://eepurl.com/SHB1j

Get Cristy’s Books

Amazon http://amzn.to/1g4erJ0
Barnes & Noble http://bit.ly/1inMdi8
Apple iTunes bookstore http://bit.ly/1sIbP9v
Smashwords http://bit.ly/1nvp7rF
Signed Paperbacks http://www.cristyrey.com/?p=1214

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January 9, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Review Newly released: Playing the Field (Duty & Desire #4) by C.J. Pinard

Playing the Field (Duty & Desire #4) by C.J. Pinard

FRESHLY RELEASED January 15th, 2015, contemporary military romance/chick-lit

Blurb: An overachiever in uniform…

Playing the Field is the fourth and final installment of the Duty & Desire series. Contains adult situations and minor scenes of war.

REVIEW

After reading Book 3, Boots Beneath My Bed (Miranda’s Story), Playing the Field goes hand-in-hand as the final story of this sweet, contemporary, military romance series focuses on Jace’s point of view, his background with the U.S. Marine Corps and minor league baseball team, as well as his strong feelings for Miranda. If you’re looking for a refreshing, cheeky, fun and romantic read then this is a series for you!

From early on in the story the reader has a sense of just how much baseball and the Marines mean to Jace. As well as both being an enjoyment of his, he is also incredibly talented at both and his skills are noticed. They both play a huge role in his life, but it could all be about to change with Miranda about to enter it.

Not a fan of a military man, as she has been let down more than once, Miranda makes it clear to Jace that she would never date another! This leaves Jace wondering when he should let her know of his background. You can sense his genuine worry of losing her if she found out but knows that she has to know. How can he make her see his point and that he isn’t a player?

We learn that despite Jace’s macho appearance and strong masculinity, he is actually a rather sweet hottie. He is considerate towards Miranda, and yet has the self respect to follow his dream and remain with the Marines until his contract is up at least! But will he be able to convince Miranda to stay with him?

It isn’t too long before Jace realises his feelings for his ex, Samantha, were nothing compared to how he loves Miranda. Not only does he absolute love her delectable, curvaceous body, he also admires her strong will. Yes, Miranda holds his heart both physically and emotionally. And, he also adores her young daughter, Ashlynn, and has a strong sense that he can’t let these ladies out of his life.

Although his relationship is the core of the story, Jace is also tackling nightmares from when he was once deployed. The author writes with such care over these dark and serious events, and yet still manages to keep the read, as a whole, light. As the story continues some of these events are more frequent and add more power as the reader begins to see just how much the Marines mean to Jace, and also how he doesn’t want it to affect a life he longs for with Miranda. This could be one of the biggest battles he has ever had!

Playing the Field is a delight to read and, as the whole series has been, very refreshing! Fans of Duty & Desire books 1 and 2 will also be pleased to hear that Cara and Riley also have an appearance in Playing the Field, as the author carries on a little of their storyline too and how their relationship affect Miranda and Jace (Cara being Miranda’s best friend, and Riley a military man himself with a story to tell of his own). Yes, to thoroughly enjoy I would strongly recommend that the series be read as a whole, as these lives intertwine and each book is from a different perspective. They fit together superbly well and you truly get to see all angles. What a way to honour the military and their families, C.J.!

A copy of Playing the Field (Duty & Desire #4) was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

Playing the Field is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

You can also find Books 1 & 2 available!

Patriotic Duty (Duty & Desire 1) series previously entitled ‘When Riley Met Cara’

Blurb: Newly divorced party girl Cara Reid just wants to have fun. Much too young to even be a divorcee, she and her bestie, Miranda, set off to have fun and maybe a few casual hookups and live life. One night at a military bar, Cara meets Riley Forrester, a hot Army soldier who makes her melt with one look of his deep ocean blue eyes. But Riley is only staying the summer in California and then has to go back to Colorado when it’s over. Cara tells herself he’s just a summer fling and is determined to enjoy herself and let him go once the summer is over. But when Riley receives orders he wasn’t expecting, she’s forced to make a decision on whether she’s going to be there for him when he gets back, or move on with her life. What she wasn’t expecting was to fall so hard for the beautiful soldier boy, and now she’s faced with accepting her feelings or letting him go.

For readers 18+. Contains adult content.

Our review link

Amazon US link – currently FREE (please be aware prices are subject to change)

Amazon UK link – currently FREE (please be aware prices are subject to change)

Tour of Duty (Duty & Desire #2)

Blurb: Army Sergeant Riley Forrester knew all about love, loss, and pain. He knew the love of a woman just to lose it. He had spent the best summer of his life with a beautiful single mother named Cara Reid, and then desperately needed her love to get him through a long, cold deployment. When things went horribly wrong overseas, he decided it was best to let Cara go and let her move on with her life. Cara wouldn’t be forgotten that easily, though. She had seeped her way into his heart and his dreams, and Riley knew he’d never love another like her. Contains adult content, for readers 18 and older. Also contains minor scenes of war.

Our review link

Amazon US link

Amazon UK link

Boots Beneath My Bed (Miranda’s Story) (Duty & Desire #4)

Blurb: Miranda Cates finally graduates from college and is excited to begin her dream career in law enforcement. After the final betrayal and heartbreak of her college boyfriend, Chris, she moves back home with a firm plan in place for her life.

However, the life she has carefully mapped out for herself takes a serious left turn. Miranda finds she not only has to be strong for herself, but for the daughter who hadn’t been part of her plan.

Determined to still believe in true love, life throws Miranda one more wicked curveball. She meets Jace Lawless, a hot minor league baseball player, whose warm aqua eyes and big dimple have her unraveling her carefully laid plans. A man who may be just be too good to be true.

Boots Beneath My Bed (Miranda’s Story) is book 3 in the Duty & Desire series, and while it is recommended to read the books in order, it’s not necessary.

Our review link

Amazon US link

Amazon UK link

AUTHOR LINKS

If you would like to contact C.J. Pinard you can reach her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CJPinardAuthor or you can e-mail her at cjpinardauthor@gmail.com.

January 7, 2015 by Tina Williams

REVIEW – Taken by the Sheikh (Boxed Set), by Christina Phillips, Mel Teshco and Cathleen Ross

Erotic Contemporary Romances

Sheer Indulgence! *****

Three Desert Sheikhs, three captive brides……

Bound by duty to honor their father’s dying wish, three royal brothers must marry their destined brides… by whatever means necessary…

One of my Top Reads for 2014

This boxed set was just what I needed to combat the cold winter nights, containing not one but THREE desert hotties to fulfill my fantasies.… I really liked the overarching plot which linked the three stories and characters together. Also kudos to the authors for exploring the cultural differences between the heroes and their three chosen brides and the self-sacrifices those in their position are expected to make for their country. Of course the scorching love making scenes, of which there are many (frantically fanning self) were also a definite plus! Scroll down for the book blurbs and for my reviews. Tina 🙂

Book Blurb

Book 1: Hostage to the Sheikh ~ Mel Teshco

Book 2: The Sheikh’s Mistaken Bride ~ Christina Phillips

Book 3: Sold to the Sheikh ~ Cathleen Ross

My Reviews

Sheer Indulgence!

Erotic Contemporary Romances

Book 1: Hostage to the Sheikh ~ Mel Teshco *****

Mel Teshco’s Hostage to the Sheikh kicks off this sheikh love fest: To secure peace for his beloved homeland and the continuation of his dynasty Shahzad prepares to do his duty and marry the woman selected for him. I loved how bowled over he is by the very sight of Lexi, his unsuspecting bride, who is so refreshingly different to the women he is used to. Observing Lexi from afar he realises that she may not come quietly, and I loved the masterful way he kidnaps her in an emotionally charged and oh so sexy scene! Please note that I am particularly fond of the captor/captive romantic fantasy, where the kidnapper turns out to be ‘the one!’

What follows is a delightfully written tale of seduction amongst the desert sands, where Shahzad tries to convince Lexi to accept her fate. I loved the fact that although she is equally attracted to Shahzad and goes along enthusiastically with their lovemaking, she is no pushover. Indeed, unhappy about being kidnapped and being totally unaware of her Arab lineage, let alone any marriage contract, Lexi has an awful lot to contemplate. This does not prevent the couple from enjoying some sizzling smexing! With a plot that also includes possible threats from rebels and deceit and you have an exciting, emotional and nail biting read.

Book 2: The Sheikh’s Mistaken Bride ~ Christina Phillips *****

Christina Phillips excels at writing erotic romances where the reader experiences each and every emotion felt by the hero and heroines and this was no exception. There are so many emotional ups and downs in this story: one minute I was wiping a tear from my eyes and the next I was immersed in yet another scorching scene between the hero and heroine.

Khalid is my favourite hero from this series, as he is passionate, caring and impetuous. For me fact that he is half French just added to the attraction! At one point however, I did want to smack him, for although he is a real hottie and it is clear he loves Sanura, he does not excel in how he deals with the situation once he realises that he has mistaken Sanura for his bride! Fortunately Sanura is a strong heroine and I really liked how she stood her ground as the tale progressed. I felt Sanura’s heartache but also Khalid’s turmoil too, torn between burgeoning love and duty. Just what is a sheikh to do? I won’t give anything away but I was pleased with how the dilemma resolved itself and loved the dynamics of Khalid and Sanura’s relationship!

Book 3: Sold to the Sheikh ~ Cathleen Ross *****

This read has one of the hottest opening scenes I have ever read, in which the hero and heroine first meet and I was immediately hooked! The way the very dominant Rafi apprehends and abducts May is supremely erotic and I also loved how she tries her best to resist him, despite her attraction. She is desperate to remain in the West for reasons that become clearer as the story progresses. However, the methods Rafi chooses to seduce all her uncertainties away are supremely divine!

Neither Rafi or May are all that they first appear to each other and I enjoyed finding out about them as they revealed themselves to each other not just physically but emotionally as the story progresses. It becomes evident that they have a lot more in common that they first thought. May in particular has a troubled past and I could empathise with her actions.

Rafi is the serious younger brother who blames himself for the death of his parents and who takes his role as head of security very seriously. Although there are certainly a lot of erotic scenes, there is also a lot of action in this story, as the overarching plot is brought to its conclusion and the main characters from all three books are brought together at the end.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

A copy of this boxed set was given to me for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Connect with the Authors

Mel: Facebook Twitter

Christina: Facebook Twitter

Cathleen: Facebook Twitter

Capture Taken by the Sheikh at the special low introductory price of $0.99 for six weeks only!

ARe Amazon Amazon UK Kobo Nook Page Foundry

January 6, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Double Promo ‘Forgotten’ and ‘Arranged’ by Catherine McKenzie

We are delighted to be working with Catherine McKenzie this year, Canadian author of Spin and Spun (novella sequel to full novel, Spin) – both of which are on my review list, as well as her Forgotten, and due for release on February 1st, Arranged, which is to be reviewed by Tina. These contemporary romance/chick-lit novels have been translated into French, Portuguese, and several other languages, and are international bestsellers, as well as being freshly released in the UK!

Please find below information for Forgotten and Arranged, with links for further details, and a short bio on the author.

Caroline xx

FORGOTTEN

When everyone thinks you’re dead, how do you start your life over again?

Emma Tupper, a young lawyer with a bright future, sets out on a journey after her mother’s death: to Africa, a place her mother always wanted to visit. But her mother’s dying gift has unexpected consequences. Emma falls ill during the trip and is just recovering when a massive earthquake hits, turning her one-month vacation into a six-month ordeal.

When Emma returns home, she’s shocked to find that her friends and colleagues believed she was dead, that her apartment has been rented to a stranger and that her life has gone on without her. Can Emma pick up where she left off? Should she? As Emma struggles to recreate her old life, everyone around her thinks she should change: her job, her relationships, and even herself. But does she really want to sacrifice everything she’s working so hard to gain?

“McKenzie has created a charming character in Emma, witty, extraordinarily level-headed, and blessed with grace under fire in the most trying of circumstances. Forgotten is the story of one young women’s life, broken down, reconstructed, and forever altered. It is an endearing story of discovery and transformation and the importance of turning lemons into lemonade.”— BOOKLIST

For more info on Forgotten please check out the following links:

Goodreads

Amazon UK

Amazon US

ARRANGED

Anne Blythe has a great life: a good job, good friends, and a potential book deal for her first novel. When it comes to finding someone to share it with, however, she just can’t seem to get it right.

After yet another relationship ends, Anne comes across a business card for what she thinks is a dating service, and she pockets it just in case. When her best friend, Sarah, announces she’s engaged, Anne can’t help feeling envious. On an impulse, she decides to give the service a try because maybe she could use a little assistance in finding the right man. But Anne soon discovers the company isn’t a dating service; it’s an exclusive, and pricey, arranged marriage service. She initially rejects the idea, but the more she thinks about it-and the company’s success rate-the more it appeals to her. After all, arranged marriages are the norm for millions of women around the world, so why wouldn’t it work for her?

A few months later, Anne is travelling to a Mexican resort, where in one short weekend she will meet and marry Jack. And against all odds, it seems to be working out-until Anne learns that Jack, and the company that arranged their marriage, are not what they seem at all.

“With good dialogue, three-dimensional characters, and page-turning scenes, McKenzie expertly explores what makes a successful marriage work and the lengths to which some people will go to find true love.” –Publisher’s Weekly

For more information on Arranged please click on the following links:-

Goodreads

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Author Bio:

A graduate of McGill University in History and Law, Catherine practices law in Montreal, where she was born and raised. An avid skier and runner, Catherine’s novels, SPIN, ARRANGED, FORGOTTEN and HIDDEN, are all international bestsellers. She is currently working on her fifth novel, SMOKE, slated for release in 2015. Her novels have been translated into French, German, Portuguese Czech, Slovak and Polish. And if you want to know how she has time to do all that, the answer is: robots.