June 2, 2014 by Tina Williams

RELEASE DAY BLITZ for ~ LITTLE THINGS (Second Chances #1) ~ by Madison Street

Super New Adult/Romantic Suspense 18+ read

A HUGE welcome today to author Madison Street! We are thrilled to share with you her novel Little Things and wish her every success!

Join us in checking out the blurb for this emotional and suspenseful love story, read an excerpt and teaser, immerse yourself in the playlist and connect with Madison. This novel is available for 99c for a limited time.

Tina ❤

Book Blurb

From the moment they meet, Duke is drawn to her, not only for her natural beauty and her stunning crystal blue eyes, but because he’s aware there’s more to this girl than just his alluring pull to her. He senses secrecy and fear.

Throughout the year, their bond grows stronger, and his feelings for her become undeniable. Just when he is about to express his love, tragedy strikes and Raya disappears.

For six years, Duke is tortured by his struggles, as he’s unable to find her and blames himself for failing to protect her. Until the day, she’s found, and he’s given a second chance. Will Duke become her beacon of hope and make her see that it’s the little things that make life worthwhile? Can Raya overcome her fears and fight against the terrors that haunt her? Or will her dark and torturous past be too much for her to battle against?

*Warning: This book contains some disturbing situations, strong language and sexual content. Suited for 18 years and over.*

Little Things (Second Chances #1)

Madison Street

Genre: New Adult/Romantic Suspense

Release Date: June 2, 2014

Photography: Lindee Robinson Photography

Purchase Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Add to Goodreads

Early Reviews

“This book is a standalone and the epilogue is just the sweetest thing ever and it had me crying for a good 30 minutes and I mean ugly cry.

So eventhough this book talked about loads of things I’m not into reading this is probably one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m so glad I was given a chance to read it before it got out and discover this little gem.

Thank you Madison for such a beautiful heartwrenching story!” ~ Fictional BookHos

“I was impressed with Little Things simply because it doesn’t follow the usual mold. Madison Street breaks outside of the mold in the gripping story about love, friendship, and struggle.” ~ Mad in Wonderland Reviews

“Let me start by saying “Little Things” was flipping fantastic! I started reading thinking oh wow what a great love story….and then boom..pow..bang….I got my socks knocked off my feet!

What an emotional roller coaster ride! I was literally tapping my leg and biting my nails through the suspense!” ~ Tricia, ARC recipient

Teasers

Playlist

Excerpt

I hear a whisper come up from behind me, “So, how’s your first party?” I know that voice anywhere. I turn around to find Duke smiling at me.

“It’s great! I’m having so much fun!”

“I’m glad. You’ve danced with Taylor all night. Usually he doesn’t dance at parties, so that was surprising.”

I glance towards Taylor who’s across the room, talking to Adam. “Oh well. He’s a good dance partner.”

“Wanna bet?” Duke grabs my hand and leads me onto the dance floor just in time for a new song to start. The speakers start to play “Timber” by Pitbull and the crowd goes wild as people begin to flood the dance area. My heart literally stops beating and I swear I can’t even breathe, I’m so freaking nervous. I notice that my hand fits so perfectly in Duke’s hand.

The crowd is so packed together that Duke and I are forced to dance closely; maybe a little too close. As the song starts, he sings the lyrics and we begin to groove to the music.

I laugh out loud and raise my hands above my head and sing along with him. The crowd is compact and everyone’s bodies continuously bump into one another. Duke looks at me and places his hand on my lower back. A shocking jolt of electricity flows through his touch and my eyes widen. He immediately removes his hand from my back and instead keeps his hand by his side. I can still feel the heat flow, where his hand was placed, and I miss it being there. We continue dancing as I give him a reassuring smile. He winks and continues to sing and twirls me around.

I bob my head to the beat and shake my body with every fiber I have. As we dance together, I no longer pay attention to what’s around me. It’s as if Duke and I are the only ones dancing and as I stare at him, I get lost in the wonder of what could be. Someone from behind me pushes me forward and I fall against Duke’s strong and broad chest as he catches me. We stare into each other’s eyes for a brief moment before he breaks the contact and helps me stand on my own.

“You alright?”

I laugh nervously, “Yea sorry. Just crowded, that’s all.”

The song ends and the crowd begins to clear leaving only a few stragglers. Duke looks at his watch. “It’s getting late. We should get going.”

“Ok. I have to use the restroom first.”

After I use the restroom, Duke finds Melanie among the crowd and we say our goodbyes. Taylor tells me he will call soon and he hugs me and kisses me on the cheek. As we pull up to my driveway, Melanie asks, “So, was it a night to remember?” I smile and catch Duke looking at me through the rearview mirror, “Yes, yes it was.”

About Madison Street

Madison Street was born in New York City and was raised in the Bronx, where she resided until she was 17 years old. After 9/11, Madison joined the United States Navy to serve her country.

During the deployments, Madison constantly wrote short stories and she discovered her passion for writing. You will find Madison always on the computer, whether she’s on Facebook, designing websites, messing with Photoshop, or writing for her blog.

Besides writing, her second passion is music and dance. Even though she’s a terrible singer, she’ll still belt it out in the shower, especially if the song is her jam! She currently resides in Virginia with her husband of 8 years, 2 children, a dog, and a cat. She is so excited to start this amazing journey and is honored to be part of such a compassionate and loving community.

Contact Madison

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Google +

May 21, 2014 by Tina Williams

~ COVER REVEAL & EXCERPT ~ SEAL My Destiny, by Sharon Hamilton

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – SEAL My Destiny

SERIES – SEAL Brotherhood #6

AUTHOR – Sharon Hamilton

GENRE – Romantic Suspense

PUBLICATION DATE – June, 1, 2014

LENTH (Pages/# Words) – Full Length Novel

PUBLISHER – Al Publishing

Navy SEAL Luke Paulsen, on the verge of PTSD stemming from the death of his fiancée and a brutal tour overseas, knows he is damaged goods and unsuitable for relationships. While paying respects to a fallen comrade, he is unprepared for the chemical attraction he feels for the carefree dark-haired beauty playing in the surf one evening.

Julie Christensen befriends the troubled SEAL, motivated by her yearning to soothe the young man’s troubled soul. Fueled by intense mutual desire, they succumb to one night of mind-numbing passion. Afterwards, he is unable to shed the memory of his lost love and disappears.

When they meet again at a wedding that will forever bring their two families together, their passion and longing for one another forces them to confront their pasts in order to find a future together.
But soon the trauma of his service separates them. Julie goes back to teaching and Luke deploys for North Africa with SEAL Team 3. Upon his return, he receives a frantic call that Julie’s life is in danger. Will he make it in time to save the woman he now knows he wants to marry and spend the rest of his life with?

Pre-orders available now

AMAZON KINDLE US / AMAZON KINDLE CA / AMAZON KINDLE UK

He wanted to say something but suddenly became hesitant. Everything had gone so fast, he didn’t want to spook her. He was unafraid to show her how much he loved being with her, especially since she’d promised to visit him in Coronado and they’d see where things went from there. It would have been like the cart before the horse, but he wanted to ask her to marry him at that impulsive moment, but he held himself back. Being the wife of a SEAL was a special assignment and there was no training for that, except the school of hard knocks. There was a community of wives that looked out for each other. And not all the stories from overseas made it home to them. The smart wives knew this. He knew it was a lot to ask of someone. He didn’t want to fall for a lady who didn’t really understand what she’d be getting herself into. But that was a completely crazy thought, because he’d already fallen for her. He decided he’d just put it out of his mind, and not discuss anything future-related, to keep the pressure off them both. Nothing wrong with having a little bit of—well, a lot of—fun in the next few days before his deployment. He held her under the starlight. Feeling eyes on him, he saw Julie’s parents eyeing him from their kitchen window, smiling. He couldn’t keep up the eye contact because odds weren’t in his favor. He wasn’t prince charming, or Sir Galahad riding in on his white horse. He was just a guy other guys sent in to blow stuff up, grab people and hopefully get out before getting shot or caught. And his intentions, although he liked to think of them as honorable, were merely to do everything in his power to be as irresistible as possible to her so that when he left, he’d be the one hard to miss. And then maybe she’d wait for him. Maybe she’d wait until he got fully well. It was a lot of ifs. The music stopped while he was kissing her ear through her hair, while he was holding her tighter as she melted into him. He liked that they were dancing because their thighs made soft caresses and the dress, that yummy dress, made all that noise. He just knew every time he heard the sound of layers of chiffon, he’d get hard. It was going to be something he’d have for the rest of his life.

AND NOW THE MOMENT YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR

Sharon’s award-winning almost-erotic Navy SEAL stories of the SEAL Brotherhood, have consistently made best sellers lists and review sites. Her characters follow a spicy road to redemption through passion and true love. She has been an Amazon top 100 author in Romantic Suspense since last fall.

Her Golden Vampires of Tuscany are not like any vamps you’ve read before, since they don’t have to go to ground and can walk around in the full light of the sun. Honeymoon Bite, Book 1 of the Golden Vampires of Tuscany Series was recently named the #1 Gothic Romance by Amazon. It is now available on Audible.

Her Guardian Angels struggle with the human charges they are sent to save, often escaping their vanilla world of Heaven for the brief human one. You won’t find any of these beings in any Sunday school class.

Sharon lives in Sonoma County, California with her husband, and two Dobermans. A lifelong organic gardener, when she’s not writing, she’s getting vera vera dirty in the mud, or wandering Farmer’s Markets looking for new Heirloom varieties of vegetables and flowers.

Amazon Author Page / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Google+ / Goodreads / Shelfari

Tour Organized By:

April 20, 2014 by Tina Williams

COVER REVEAL Little Things, by Madison Street

Today we are fortunate to be hosting the COVER REVEAL for Madison Street’s forthcoming release, LITTLE THINGS, a super romantic suspense. Scroll down for the book blurb, cover reveal, teasers and how to connect with the author. Tina 🙂

Book Blurb

Everything in Duke Grayson’s life was all he could ever ask for: A loving family, loyal friends, a beautiful girlfriend, and a scholarship to his top choice college. It’s his senior year of high school, and all he needs is to focus on his grades, lacrosse, and keeping his girlfriend happy. That is until Raya walks into his life.

From the moment they meet, Duke is drawn to her, not only for her natural beauty and her stunning crystal blue eyes, but because he’s aware there’s more to this girl than just his alluring pull to her. He senses secrecy and fear.

Throughout the year, their bond grows stronger, and his feelings for her become undeniable. Just when he is about to express his love, tragedy strikes and Raya disappears.

For six years, Duke is tortured by his struggles, as he’s unable to find her and blames himself for failing to protect her. Until the day, she’s found, and he’s given a second chance. Will Duke become her beacon of hope and make her see that it’s the little things that make life worthwhile? Can Raya overcome her fears and fight against the terrors that haunt her? Or will her dark and torturous past be too much for her to battle against?

*Warning: This book contains some disturbing situations, strong language and sexual content. Suited for 18 years and over.*

Little Things

Madison Street

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: May 2014

Photography: Lindee Robinson Photography

Add to Goodreads

Teaser

About Madison Street

Madison Street was born in New York City and was raised in the Bronx, where she resided until she was 17 years old. After 9/11, Madison joined the United States Navy to serve her country.

During the deployments, Madison constantly wrote short stories and she discovered her passion for writing. You will find Madison always on the computer, whether she’s on Facebook, designing websites, messing with Photoshop, or writing for her blog.

Besides writing, her second passion is music and dance. Even though she’s a terrible singer, she’ll still belt it out in the shower, especially if the song is her jam! She currently resides in Virginia with her husband of 8 years, 2 children, a dog, and a cat. She is so excited to start this amazing journey and is honored to be part of such a compassionate and loving community.

Contact Madison

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Google +

April 7, 2014 by Tina Williams

A Reckless Soul, A Secrets of the Zodiac Series #2, by Elizabeth Cole

Romantic and Suspenseful Regency Spy Novel

A Reckless Soul is the second book in the Secrets of the Zodiac, a series that blends romantic suspense with the rich background of the Regency period. I reviewed the first book in the series, A Heartless Design last year and loved it!Just in case you missed my review you can find it by scrolling down after you have read my thoughts on A Reckless Soul.

Book Blurb for A Reckless Soul

A seductive agent, a disillusioned lord, and a web of deceit only they can untangle…

Sophie Bertrand is skilled in acting, espionage, and the subtle art of seduction. An independent spirit, she fought her way from rough streets to the top secret circle of spies known as the Zodiac. Her newest assignment is one of her most delicate yet: hunt down a traitor within Britain’s own government. But there’s a catch…this time she can’t work alone.

Bruce Allander has a title, honor, wealth…but he’d trade it all to restore his family. The Zodiac gives him a chance for justice in a world that’s already taken too much from him. Now he finds himself close to this captivating Frenchwoman—possibly too close. Sophie defies all his expectations, yet in her he senses a kindred soul.

Passion draws the two together, but a web of betrayals threatens to tear them apart. To survive, they have to trust each other. They have to be a little reckless…

A RECKLESS SOUL is the second book in the Secrets of the Zodiac, a series that blends romantic suspense with the rich background of the Regency period.

My Review

Having read Elizabeth’s Cole’s A Heartless Design, the first book in the series, which I LOVED, I had high expectations of this book, the second in the series. I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed and I ADORED this read!

To secure the evidence for a traitor in the British government, the Zodiac agents in this novel must impersonate another couple at a house party hosted by a Frenchman of questionable morals. Although both agents, Sophie and Bruce, prefer to work alone, with the safety of the country on the line the stakes are high and they must put their personal prejudices aside to fulfil their mission’s objectives. Their mission is fraught with danger and deceit and the author once again weaves an inventive plot containing strong male and female leads and credible adversaries. If you like suspense with your Regency romance, complete with lashings of danger, sexy scenes and characters who turn the rules of the establishment on its head, than this series is for you.

The hero and the heroine in this novel are fascinating characters. Sophie, as Libra, the only female agent, is far from your usual simpering Regency miss. She is an independent woman, skilled in the art of seduction and disguise. She prides herself on the success of her missions and uses her body and mind to reach her goals, taking advantage of opportunities as they arise. Her life is totally devoted to her work for the Zodiac, the organisation whose agents commit their very lives to protect the safety of the realm. Sophie has a low opinion of men in general and includes Bruce in this category after sparks fly at their initial meetings. Despite this, she is attracted to him and throughout their mission, where they are compelled to work very closely together, finds it increasingly difficult to maintain her usual emotional distance.

Bruce, agent Scorpio, is a Viscount. He is a lonely man, his parents are both deceased and his brother is estranged. As the eldest son he knows that he will have to continue the family line one day but not whilst he is working as an agent. In contrast to Sophie, he takes great care to plan his mission down to the last detail. He is not happy at all with Sophie’s approach of seizing the initiative, believing it is risky, although he does acknowledge her many skills, particularly in the art of seduction…… Bruce is both attracted to and confounded by Sophie, torn between protecting her and strangling her! He also begins to question whether or not he can trust her given the fact that she is French and could be working for the enemy as a double agent……

When this couple are not performing their assigned roles they are either involved in a heated exchange or trying to fight their feelings for each other. The sexual tension between them is high and there are a number of passionate and heartfelt lovemaking scenes, the emotional intensity of which rapidly increase as the tale progresses. This novel has a strong plot and is also one sexy read!

Although much of the plot concerns Sophie and Bruce at the house party, we also get to meet other agents, including their handler Aries and Sebastien Thorne and his wife Cordelia, the hero and heroine of A Heartless Design. The villains and their methods are truly evil and there is never a dull moment.

I recommend A Reckless Soul to readers who enjoy a Regency romance, especially those who enjoy some adventure, mystery and suspense and a strong male and unconventional female lead.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

Purchase Links

Amazon UK Amazon US

Publisher

Skyspark Books http://www.skysparkbooks.com/a-reckless-soul/

Connect with the Author

http://elizabethcole.co/

https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethColeWrites

March 14, 2014 by Tina Williams

BLOG TOUR Forever Doomed, by Mary Ann Kempher

A Readers Review Blog is THRILLED to be participating in the blog tour for FOREVER DOOMED, a sexy romantic suspense. Read on for the book blurb, an exciting excerpt and 10 fun facts about the author Mary Ann Kempher!

book blurb

It’s not wise to wander the cruise ship Forever alone at night. You might not live to see daylight.

Detective Jack Harney agrees to do an old Army buddy a favor. Curt Noble had some personal business to attend to, he didn’t say what. What he did say was he needed someone to temporarily take over his duties as head of security on the struggling cruise ship Forever. Jack hesitates, but he owes Curt his life so agrees. He’s told the worst mischief he can expect to encounter will be the occasional shoplifter, or drunk. Instead, one week into the cruise, a beautiful red head and a member of the crew are ruthlessly murdered. Are the two murders connected? It’s up to Jack to find out. He must find the killer before the ship returns to Tampa’s port, or worse, before another dead body is found. This won’t be easy. The ship is old, it’s security systems outdated, and clues are few, or so it seems at first

It’s not just a sense of obligation that motivates Jack to agree to Curt’s request;

Jack moved thousands of miles, started over, and still can’t get Amy O’Brian out of his heart or mind. When she shows up on the ship, as part of a large wedding party, Jack must fight to stay focused. To make matters worse, Amy isn’t his only distraction; a sexy and mysterious woman has made it her mission to seduce Jack.

As the body count rises, and time slips away, Jack has to ask himself, “Did someone commit the perfect crime?”

forever doomed

maryann kempher

goodreads

purchase links

amazon us | amazon uk | barnes & Noble | kobo

excerpt

She quickly opened the pantry door and stepped inside. Oh good, my cake. By the sound of the wind, rain, and even the occasional thunder, she could tell the back door had finally been opened. She cracked the pantry door an inch and peeked out. A tall, muscular man was there, he was making a sandwich. She’d wait him out. The lights in the kitchen flickered on and off, then on again. Suddenly, another man entered the kitchen. Jeez, I’m never gonna get out of here.

“What are you doing in here?” she heard him ask. His tone concerned her. He seemed annoyed, maybe even angry. At least I’m not the only person in the kitchen that’s not supposed to be here.

The other man didn’t answer. He picked up a rolling pin and hit the guy on the side of the head, hard. The man fell to the floor with a thud. His head lay outside where she was hiding. Through the crack in the door, she could see blood on the side of his head, his eyes wide open and vacant. She swallowed hard and willed herself not to freak out. She’d need all her composure so she didn’t give herself away. She watched, shocked, as the man rushed to the kitchen’s swinging doors, looked out, then quickly returned. He picked up the dead guy and walked outside.

She wasn’t thinking straight. Should she wait, see if he was coming back? Should she run like hell and hope he didn’t see? She did what any good stripper would do. She went to the other side of her cake, bent down, and with all her strength pushed that cake out of the pantry, through the kitchen, and out of the cafeteria. She pulled up the hood up on her overcoat and kept it there until she arrived at her destination.

ten fun facts about maryann

1. I spent my honeymoon in Saudi Arabia. Someone approached our guide and offered to buy me.

2. I spent a year in Korea, about 90 miles from Seoul.

3. I’ve written two books. My first is a romance with a murder mystery, my second is a mystery with a dash of romance.

4. I grew up in Milwaukee Wisconsin, but moved to Reno NV when I was 15 years old.

5. My first job was at the Circus Circus casino in Reno. On their second floor, they have arcade games similar to a carnival, and a stage where acts are performed. I worked all the different games.

6. I’ve been married for 21 years.

7. My favorite food is spicy squid. My least favorite is cabbage.

8. I love to travel, but don’t get to do it as much as I’d like. My last big trip was to New York City. My last mini-trip was to St. Augustine Florida.

9. My first book is entered into a contest hosted by Romance Writers of America. Fingers crossed.

10. My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice.

about the author

MaryAnn Kempher loves to write mystery with a dash of romance. She spent her teen years spent living in Reno NV where her first book, Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder is set. The setting for her second book, Forever Doomed, was inspired by her love of the ocean. Her writing influences include favorite authors Agatha Christie, Jane Austen and Janet Evanovich. Her guilty pleasures include any and all sweets, including a good cup of Mocha. She is married with two children.

contact maryann

facebook | website | twitter | goodreads

previous books

goodreads

Instead of feeding her late-night appetite, a midnight food run nearly gets 28-year-old Katherine O’Brian killed. She’s the only person to see the man who brutally murdered a local woman, and the killer is hell-bent on making sure she doesn’t talk.

Scott Mitchell left a broken engagement behind when he moved to Reno, and the last thing he needs is more melodrama. But when he and Katherine are paired for a college project, that’s what he gets. It can be very distracting when someone is out to kill your lab partner. Together, they try to figure out what the police haven’t been able to—the identity of the murderer. Passion flares, but with Katherine’s life in danger, romance seems like more than a bad idea.

Scott and Katherine will face jealousy, misunderstandings, lust, and rivals, not to mention attempted murder—and all before their first real date

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February 20, 2014 by Tina Williams

Not Another Soldier, by Samantha Holt

We are THRILLED to welcome Samantha Holt to A Readers Review Blog today. Samantha has long been one of our favourite authors of historical romance and now she has published her first full length contemporary romantic suspense, NOT ANOTHER SOLDIER, which we reviewed a few weeks ago. We are showcasing this today by participating in the book’s blog tour organised by My Family’s Heart Reviews and Tours.

Read on for the book blurb and purchase links and read a super hot teaser which will have you panting for more! Also find out how to connect with Samantha and enter the giveaway to win some super prizes. Tina and Caroline 🙂

Title: Not Another Solider
Author: Samantha Holt
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Release Date: 17th January 2014

I’ve just buried my husband. I was going to divorce him and now he’s dead.

After five years as a military wife, Sienna is moving on. She’s keen to leave behind the misery of her marriage to Rob but for some reason the past won’t let her go. It doesn’t help that her closest friend, Nick, is also a soldier. Unfortunately Sienna is struggling to deny her attraction to the sexy marine, even knowing there can be no future in it. When the injured soldier admits he wants her just as badly, and has always wanted her, the fight to control her feelings becomes harder.

And now she’s learning things about her late husband that surprise even her. When the secrets of Rob’s life come to light, Sienna finds herself involved with some very nasty people and Nick is determined to protect her, no matter what.

As the danger grows to both her heart and her life, Sienna needs to decide if it was the army that was the problem or her late husband. Is Nick worth the heartache of being a military spouse again? And will he be able to protect her from the ring of drug dealers slowly closing in?

AMAZON KINDLE | GOODREADS

Drawing in a breath, I open the door. Hopefully Nick’s all settled and I won’t even have to—

He’s sitting on my bed.

Damn the man. He studies me, slow and languorously, and I flex my fingers, longing to splay my hands across myself. My simple PJs now feel sexy and I’m definitely showing off too much skin.

“Can I—” I cough. “Is everything okay?”

Nick nods slowly, his eyes saying everything is more than okay. My skin heats and I hope he can’t see the redness that’s no doubt in my cheeks and on my chest.

“Yeah,” he says finally, gaze lingering on my bare legs. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I’m fine.”

Though I don’t sound fine. Having your heart going the same rate as a freight train or your blood boiling beneath your skin probably isn’t fine. But that wasn’t what he meant.

He doesn’t look convinced.

“It’s been a crazy day and I am a little shaken but I’m okay, I swear. I just need a little rest and I need to get this place back to normal and then I’ll be great.”

Nick takes a moment to study me once more and stands. “All right. Just checkin’.”

“Oh.” I go to my closet. “Here’s some blankets.” I draw out two old ones that I usually use if the temperature drops and pass them over.

“Thanks.” He takes them from me.

“Do you need something to sleep in?” I bend down and rummage through the bottom drawer. “I might have some old T-shirts.” I find one and come up to standing.

His eyes are wary and he looks tense, slightly like he’s going to explode at any moment.

Baffled, I thrust out the T-shirt. “It’s one of Rob’s. I don’t know why I still have them really. Or would it be weird wearing his stuff?” He doesn’t respond so I hesitate before turning around and chucking the T-shirt back in the drawer. That was a stupid idea. “Sorry, guess it would be.”

With a wry laugh, he nods. “Yeah, I don’t want to be wearing his stuff, but I got to tell you, babe, I’m more worried about your night clothes.”

“What?”

“If you’re sleeping like that,” he motions with one hand down me, “then it’s going to make me sleeping there,” now he points to the couch, “a real trial. ‘Cause when you bend over in those shorts, all I want to do is take you to bed and peel them from you.”

Samantha lives in a small village in England with her gorgeous twin girls and husband who is a trained bodyguard and ex-soldier (Yes, seriously!). She traditionally writes historical romances involving chivalrous knights and hot highlanders, but occasionally dabbles in contemporary romance. When she reluctantly leaves her computer, she enjoys exploring old ruins and indulging an early midlife crisis. Adrenaline filled suggestions for the bucket list are always welcome!

Find Samantha on Facebook

Prizes
1 Paperback copy of Not Another Soldier
3 x $2.99 ebook of readers choice

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

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February 14, 2014 by Tina Williams

Spotlight on Forever Doomed, by Mary Ann Kempher

Today’s Book Spotlight is on Mary Ann Kempher’s Romantic Suspense FOREVER DOOMED!

Scroll down to peek at the book blurb and cover, read an excerpt, check out the purchase links and find out about the author and her previous work.

book blurb

It’s not wise to wander the cruise ship Forever alone at night. You might not live to see daylight.

It’s not just a sense of obligation that motivates Jack to agree to Curt’s request;

As the body count rises, and time slips away, Jack has to ask himself, “Did someone commit the perfect crime?”

forever doomed

maryann kempher

goodreads

purchase links

amazon us | amazon uk | barnes & noble | kobo

excerpt

Jack watched Marni leave, torn. Did he think she’d killed Pam? No, but she was keeping something from him, something to do with Pam’s murder. He looked down at his arm, seeing her small hand. His heart was still beating hard. It had taken real effort to hide his feelings when she’d touched him. After a few minutes, he started walking, and was soon standing outside Marni’s cabin door. He hesitated. He told himself he was just going there to talk to her, to try to make her tell him what he sensed she was holding back. But that was a lie. He reached up and knocked. She opened the door wearing a towel.

“I was about to take a shower,” she said.

Jack didn’t respond. He walked into her room, shoving the door shut behind him. He took hold of her towel and pulled her tightly against his body, his mouth covering hers, his tongue searching for hers, his hands yanking the towel off and tossing it to the floor. He easily picked up Marni and carried her to the bed. She pulled his shirt up over his head, her hands running themselves through his thick chest hair. She reached for his belt buckle, undoing it slowly, her eyes watching his. Then she pulled his pants down and gasped.

Oh my.

about the author

contact maryann

facebook | website | twitter | goodreads

previous books

goodreads

Scott and Katherine will face jealousy, misunderstandings, lust, and rivals, not to mention attempted murder—and all before their first real date

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February 3, 2014 by Caroline Barker

The Lakeside Legacy (a South Carolina Romantic Suspence, Book 1) by Jean Jennett

Mystery, action and a HOT romance! (Warning: recommended for 18yrs+)

Book blurb (please scroll down for the review): What Krista Lucas finds when she arrives in picturesque Camden, South Carolina, is beyond all expectations. Her biological father, a man she never knew, has left her a large house in town and beautiful lakeside wooded acreage. How he came to own the property is a mystery Krista needs to solve for her own peace of mind.

Jake Thornton maintains that his family owns the house and land, and he can prove it with a document his own father left.

… Or can he?

Jake isn’t the only one with an interest in the property. His three brothers are ready and eager to develop the land, and nothing is going to stop them.

Including Krista Lucas.

With Krista’s life in danger, whose side will Jake take? His family … or Krista? Will the truth be discovered in time?

Early readers have said that The Lakeside Legacy has it all: suspense, danger, mystery, romance … and love.

The Lakeside Legacy is the first book in the South Carolina Romantic Suspense series.

WARNING: This book contains graphic sexual descriptions.

Review:

I LOVED The Lakeside Legacy. It is more than a love story. It has everything: romance, mystery, action, suspense and sensual scenes. Not only is there a great romance blossoming between Krista and Jake, it is like a Romeo and Juliet scenario. These two strong characters are from opposing families where the house and land surrounding the lake are concerned. Both believe that they are the proprietor, and both believe they have the proof.

Initially, Krista is oblivious to another claim for the ownership of the land, believing it to be her inheritance. And so, after moving to South Carolina to her new home and being befriended by Jake she feels that she is moving forward with her life. Her feelings for Jake become apparent and the possibility of romance is close.

I love the way in which Jean Jennett builds up the love scenes. This really takes the intensity to an almost unbearable pleasure as it is so good. And at a moment when Krista feels comfortable to love again, after what happened to her in Manhattan, Jake’s family and the developers have other plans, making any chance of a romance impossible.

Jake’s family and developers are quite relentless and will do all they can to get Krista out of the picture. But what is Jake to do? Does he stand by his family, to claim the house that he was once raised in, the land that could be developed, or does he choose to protect Krista?

There are some dark, fearsome moments with threats and attacks towards Krista that really put the reader on edge. The suspense is quite intense and the reader has no clue as to what will happen next. The following excerpt is written in context of when Krista is alone on a dark evening. Most of the townspeople are being entertained at a festival and she decides to walk on into the town alone.

“She didn’t notice a pickup truck parked a block up the street, didn’t see it roll forward with its lights off, and didn’t see a man jump out of the passenger side at the end of her driveway.”

The Lakeside Legacy provides a great deal of mystery: who does the house/land really belong to? What will become of Krista? What happened all those years ago between their fathers? Who will the property be left to and how will this affect Krista and Jake’s feelings for each other?

This novel also holds a smaller mystery as to what happened in Manhattan with Krista. As the novel continues and unfolds the reader is given an insight every now and again into what happened. This makes the reader understand why Krista does not run from this threatening situation. In some way she is facing her own demons. After what happened in Manhattan, she is not going to let this one ride. She is defiant and will fight for her rightful inheritance until the bitter end.

One of my favourite aspects of this book is that, although the reader is provided with Krista’s point of view, we also have an insight into Jake’s. This allows the reader to connect strongly to both of them and understand both claims. The reader sympathises at times with Jake’s predicament, whilst still annoyed that he befriended Krista in the beginning.

I love reading about significant background characters, even if they only show a brief appearance. And Frank Arcola is a great character who I would have liked reading more about. It would be a shame to elaborate much more without spoiling the story but he is a very strong and meaningful part of the story. I also liked reading about Jake’s brother, Nick, who was someone to confide in, someone to talk to, and someone who could try to put the other brothers straight. I was hoping to read a little more of him towards the end.

I clearly enjoyed this book very much. Whereas most authors tend to concentrate on the one genre in particular, I found that there was always an element of meaningful action and love in The Lakeside Legacy. There is never a dull moment. And the sexy scenes in The Lakeside legacy are fantastic. It is a great suspense. I’ll look forward to reading the next book in the South Carolina series.

I would like to thank the author, Jean Jennett, for providing a copy of The Lakeside Legacy in return for an honest and fair review.

You can find The Lakeside Legacy on Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

January 16, 2014 by Tina Williams

Not Another Soldier,by Samantha Holt

A Hot, Sexy and Suspenseful Read!

Sensual Military Romance

Samantha Holt writes fabulous medieval romances and she has now produced her first full length contemporary romance in Not Another Soldier. Once again she has penned a super sensual read, simmering with sexual tension and hot love making scenes, in a plot containing strong characters, danger and suspense.

In Not Another Soldier – Sienna has just buried her husband Rob, a Marine, the very man whom she was about to divorce due to her unhappiness with their marriage. Rob’s best friend Nick, also in the military, has been drawn to Sienna for years and has disliked how Rob treated her. Both Sienna and Nick have been aware of their mutual attraction, as Sienna’s marriage crumbled around her, but have refused to acknowledge it, valuing their own friendship. Nick has never made a move on Sienna, being an honourable man and loyal to his friend. Similarly Sienna has stayed true to her marriage vows. Nick feels that now all bets are off and determines to make Sienna his. However, despite her attraction to Nick, Sienna resolves not to get involved with another soldier, believing that it can only lead to isolation and unhappiness.

Emotions run high after Rob’s death and Nick and Sienna succumb to their mutual attraction in some emotional and smoking hot scenes! Sienna tries to stick to her guns and is determined to remain a singleton for a while, to regain her self-confidence and independence and not get involved with another military man. Yet Nick is not so easily rebuffed, and when Sienna is in danger due to the criminal activities of her deceased husband he will use everything in his arsenal to protect her. NOTHING will prevent him from making Sienna his woman, not the ghost of Nick, not Sienna herself and certainly not a drugs cartel from Rob’s past, which is putting Sienna’s life at risk. When danger closes in, Nick wants to be there to protect her. However, will she let him into her heart and life and realise that he is NOT just another soldier and nothing at all like her deceased husband? Also will she survive the attention that she has attracted from the leader of the drugs ring?

I absolutely ADORED Nick! He is loyal and honourable and above all single minded in his determination to protect Sienna and to overcome her doubts to ensure that they have a future together. I liked that he was honest with her about his feelings, and whilst respecting her views he never gives up on her and takes every opportunity he is presented with to foster a physical and emotional bond between them. A determined Alpha male, with a heart of gold, is just SO SEXY! He is conscious of the injury to his leg that he sustained whilst serving for his country but loves Sienna even more for the fact that she neither pities him nor puts him on a pedestal for it. Sienna has been through a lot during her marriage and her self-confidence has been eroded. Despite this she is a strong and sassy character. Her attraction to Nick, which she finds impossible not to succumb to, wars with her determination to maintain her independence and she feels that everything is happening too quickly.

The book is a fantastic read, with an exciting but credible plot, characters who you can believe in and great pacing which maintained my interest throughout. As with all Samantha Holt’s writing sexual tension oozes from the page whenever the hero and heroine appear together and the love making scenes are sexy, sensual and sublime. The novel is written in the first person and whole chapters are recounted either from the POV of Sienna or Nick. I felt that this gave the novel a more contemporary feel and also worked well as it allowed the reader to get into the minds and the motivations of the two main characters and view the different scenes through their eyes. The element of suspense and danger in the novel certainly added to my enjoyment. I feel that this author has found another sub genre of romance in which she can showcase her writing talents.

If you like your contemporary romances to be sensual and contain strong characters and an element of suspense then this is definitely a read that you should consider. I expect that readers who are already fans of Samantha Holt’s historical romances will enjoy her foray into contemporary romance as well as readers of contemporary romances who are new to her work. I sincerely hope that she will be writing more full length contemporary romances.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

Purchase links: Amazon UK Amazon US

Find and connect with Samantha Holt:

https://www.facebook.com/romanticfiction

http://www.samanthaholt.org.uk/

http://www.samanthaholtauthor.blogspot.co.uk

January 10, 2014 by Caroline Barker

Summer in Rye (novella) by Lucy Oliver

Summer in Rye

Book blurb: A tragedy brought Eva Brookwell and Samuel Shaw back into each other’s lives. But will lies from the past destroy their chances of a future?

Left penniless after the death of her philandering father, Eva Brookwell takes a job as a governess at Rye Hall, but didn’t expect to find her young charges scarred and blinded from smallpox. Rye Hall is an unhappy house with a tyrannical master and Eva is forced to turn to her pupils’ uncle, Samuel Shaw for help.

Eva and Samuel had once been engaged, until his lies drove them apart. Still in love with him, Eva knows she could never trust him again; however he is her only ally in the dark and disturbed household she now lives in.

Absolutely gripping, high intensity and powerful novella! It will certainly steam up your cold January evening!

Summer in Rye is an exceptionally captivating historical love story, with truly good, strong characters that instantly draw the reader in. It has a hot and steamy moment, with the ongoing tension that Eva is feeling for all of the right AND wrong reasons. This intensity continues through the whole story as Eva battles her feelings for Samuel against her fear of the future turning out the only way she can possibly see it to be.

It must be quite tragic and embarrassing for Eva, coming from a well-to-do family, having to work as a governess for a family that are already only too aware of her downfall. However, Eva is a strong woman and holds her head high. Although not made to feel too welcome by Lady Florence Shaw (Samuel’s sister-in-law), after meeting the children she feels compelled to ensure their wellbeing and make a living to support her mother and sister.

For this novella, Lucy Oliver has packed a great deal of emotion and described the relationship that Eva has with each character really well. There are only a few characters but the reader is provided with a great idea of who they are and what they care most for. Eva clearly has to decide on her feelings for Samuel, try to maintain a civil relationship with Florence and also be aware of the intentions of Edward, Samuel’s brother, towards her.

Eva’s feelings for Samuel may only be explored in one moment. It is very erotic and sensual, with the reader believing that this will be the only time these two greatly matched people will ever be as one. Eva finds it difficult to follow her heart entirely and decides to have what she can, while she can – without the risk that she may someday marry Samuel, for him to gallivant with mistresses and push her aside just as her father did to her mother.

Despite of all the doubts that Eva has regarding Samuel’s love, it is pretty obvious to the reader that he thinks fondly of her from the first time the reader is acquainted with him. It isn’t too long before we realise that Samuel loves everything there is to love about Eva. As a reader, I longed to strongly urge Eva to just go and be with him. He is hers, completely. The feelings that these two characters have are overwhelmingly strong. And I love that Eva keeps him at arms length mostly and considers her family. She is using her mind but instinct should surely show her to follow her heart on this occasion.

The story’s novella length is perfect as the story continues at a steady pace with every intensity and passion you can imagine. There is certainly no opportunity for the mind to wander anywhere else. Lucy Oliver’s writing style is quite direct and easy to follow, at a good pace and leaves the reader intrigued with the characters and how they feel for each other.

There is no reason why Summer in Rye couldn’t be a Top Seller. I would certainly like to read more of Lucy Oliver’s work in the future.

I think one conclusion I can draw from this is for all those doubtful ones amongst us to go and grab the bull by it’s horns. Go grab your man, girls, before you miss that chance. Sometimes it is good to follow your heart, especially when it is being heard by another!

A copy of Summer in Rye was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

Summer in Rye is available on Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker