*RELEASE DAY* ~ Distant Love, by Layla Merritt

Congratulations to Layla Merritt on the release of Distant Love, a contemporary romance where danger and family commitments threaten the future of a couple drawn together across the miles. Tina ❤

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!

Distant Love

Layla Merritt

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synopsis

Kate Braxton has fallen into the role most women do by putting someone else’s needs above her own. In reality, she lives day to day unable to overcome the scars of her past to allow herself to move on with her life. Her divorce and a new job just might open the door to a brighter future for her.

Brayden Bennett is sexy and successful in the marketing firm he works for, but has been used and discarded by women, leaving him hurt and guarded. The beautiful new hire in Atlanta captures his attention in ways he didn’t think possible and he can’t help but wonder if she holds the key to his caged heart.

Kate is taking care of her ill father in Atlanta and Brayden’s son ties him to Chicago. Can they dare to dream of a future together? Can Kate survive the freak accidents that keep occurring, or will their relationship end in tragedy before they can figure out a way to be together?

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BLOG TOUR *Unbearable* ~ The Case Files of Dr. Matilda Schmidt, Paranormal Psychologist (#4) ~ Includes Giveaway!

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Unbearable, The Case Files of Dr. Matilda Schmidt, Paranormal Psychologist (#4) 

By: Cynthia St. Aubin

Paranormal Romance/Humor/Contemporary/Mystery

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  SYNOPSIS

When you can’t grin and bear it… Paranormal Psychologist, Matilda Schmidt is sick of secrets. But when her troubled mother falls into dangerous hands, she must enlist the help of the two men who may be hiding the most: the hot-bodied demigod who’s suddenly tight-lipped about his current client, and the delicious hit man who’s been concealing much more than a gun in his pocket. Faced with the destruction of her tidy life at the paws of three rowdy werebears, and protected only by an immortal egg on the edge, Matilda will have to come riding to her own rescue, or risk a life that’s anything but happily ever after. 

BOOK LINKS

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Unbearable Teaser final

EXCERPT 

“What are you wearing?” Crixus’s voice was clear and unsullied by sleep—a direct contrast to my own, which hovered right at the edge of ‘do not operate heavy machinery.’ He had answered on the second ring, a good sign he wasn’t plowing Goldilocks like a spring field, or so I told myself.

“My raincoat and galoshes. But I’m taking them off as we speak.” My cell phone, thankfully, like the bed I settled onto cross-legged—had remained mostly dry.

“Anything under the raincoat?”

“Save it,” I said. “I need your magic.”

“Now you’re talking.” The smile in his voice was as radiant as the sun reaching gilded fingers into the gray dawn.

“Not that kind of magic. So far tonight, my apartment has been home to three bears, eight firemen, and one immortal egg. I’m in no mood.” Twice now, I had depended upon Crixus to undo the damage wrought upon my apartment and office by his retinue of squirrely supernatural guests. It was the one power the demigod possessed I wouldn’t mind stealing for myself.

That, and the spontaneous orgasms.

“And you didn’t invite me?”

“Since when did you need an invitation?” Crixus’s propensity to pop into my life at his leisure had been a contention of mine since we first met. My office, my car, even my bedroom, he invaded with the carefree indifference of a child hopping rides at the amusement park. And still, he managed to be frequently unavailable when I needed him.

“If I could be there, I would.” His voice lacked its usual cocktail of arrogance and caprice. He almost sounded earnest.

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AUTHOR INFO:

Cynthia St. Aubin wrote her first play at age eight and made her brothers perform it for the admission price of gum wrappers. A steal, considering she provided the wrappers in advance. Though her early work debuted to mixed reviews, she never quite gave up on the writing thing, even while earning a mostly useless master’s degree in art history and taking her turn as a cube monkey in the corporate warren.

Because the voices in her head kept talking to her, and they discourage drinking at work, she started writing instead. When she’s not standing in front of the fridge eating cheese, she’s hard at work figuring out which mythological, art historical, or paranormal friends to play with next. She lives in Colorado with the love of her life and three surly cats.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Find out more about Cynthia St. Aubin on her website.

Like me: https:// www.facebook.com/ cynthia.saintaubin

Follow me: https://twitter.com/CynthiaStAubin

Visit me: http://www.cynthiastaubin.com/

Email me: cynthiastaubin@gmail.com

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Unbearable teaser 3

Review of *THE PRINCE’S EX* by Nadene Seiters

Fun, Flirty and Entertaining!

Book Blurb

22041506Amelia Radley thought she had it all when she met a man in a bar and he ended up being royalty. Their love affair was anything but boring, and yet he dumped her almost exactly a year after asking her out to their first dinner date. While the wound was deep and fresh thirty days after their separation, she picked up the morning paper only to see that the man she thought she loved had already become engaged to another woman.

Her best friend, Tina, suggests the only thing she knows would make her feel better. Amelia should start dating any man she meets that she likes so that she can get over her ex. The idea is ludicrous, and yet Amelia agrees to a date with a man she has never met before. All the while, she considers herself nothing more than the prince’s ex, a woman who could not hold the affections of every woman’s dream.

When she finds love in an unexpected place, it’s challenged by the past and the future looks rocky. Amelia’s insecurities might get in the way of her finding true love, in more ways than one.

My Review

Fun, Flirty and Entertaining!

The Prince’s Ex is a fun and flirty read which also examines the deeper side of relationships and shows that love can often be found in the most unlikeliest of places!

The heroine Amelia, is in tatters after the news that her ex, (a prince who dumped her a mere month ago) has become engaged hits the media. Amelia’s BFF, Tina, persuades a reluctant Amelia that she needs to embark on some fun and carefree dates with other men to expunge her ex from her memory. What follows is a hilarious tale of Amelia’s attempts at dating!

Her first date, with a dentist called Ryan, seems to be going well until it turns out that his liking for a bit of slap and tickle strays into the realm of S & M, which sees Amelia running a mile before Ryan’s paddle sees any action! Turned off by the whole experience Amelia strikes up a friendship with Peter, the barista at the coffee bar where she and Tina get together on a daily basis.

After a promising romance with the big boss at the firm where Amelia used to work falls flat, Amelia questions what she is doing with her life. It also turns out that what started off as a friendship with Peter has developed into more……… Yet Peter is not the type of guy Amelia is used to dating and he has a secret past which he only divulges to her as they become closer. Although their relationship is passionate and loving, up until now Amelia has only had her own needs to accommodate and she has to decide if she is willing to put the needs of others on a level footing and sometimes above her own. The novel has a number of twists and turns and surprises from Peter’s past before their HEA is in reach.

I really enjoyed this novel. What started off as a fun and sexy read soon became a lot deeper. I adored Peter, who is one helluva character – a good looking, dependable, sexy guy, who has his own insecurities and who becomes a good friend and lover to Amelia. He has had a lot to deal with in his life and I prayed that Amelia would be strong enough to work through things with him. For me the inner journey that Amelia undertakes is at the centre of the novel. At first she comes across as little shallow and selfish – traits which at one point she acknowledges in herself. However, she begins to mature in her outlook and considers others a lot more. I certainly liked her a lot more at the end and thought that she and Peter made a lovely couple.

I suspect that Amelia’s friend Tina has her own secrets and backstory which has made her the female Lothario she appears to be! I am interested in finding out more about her character in the author’s forthcoming novel Adonis’ Kiss, where she is the heroine. I also hope we will get to see little more of Amelia and Peter in it too and maybe even Ryan, who piqued my interest!

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

Purchase Links

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All’s Fair in Love and Weddings by Christine S. Feldman **SPOTLIGHT with excerpt**

AllsFairinLoveandWeddings 500x750-3We are delighted to bring to your attention the latest release by Christine S. Feldman, ‘All’s Fair in Love and Weddings’! This contemporary romance focuses on an opposites attract romance and the blurb alone makes out for a fun read! But you can also take a sneaky peak at more with an excerpt (below), which will leave you feeling curious after an awkward and tense, but playful, moment. I will be looking forward to reviewing this one in the New Year! Don’t miss your chance – go grab a copy tomorrow on the release day – 30th September 2014 (or pre-order available)!!! (Purchase links below.)

BLURB: Prudence Collier spent the better part of her reckless youth proving that she was not aptly named, and unfortunately she burned a few bridges in the process, including where her family is concerned. So when her long-estranged sister invites her to her destination wedding in the Virgin Islands, Prue leaps at the chance to mend at least one broken family relationship and prove that she’s a changed person. 

Tucker Davies, on the other hand, has come to the islands for a very different reason: to stop the wedding. As a childhood friend of the groom, he has reason to believe that his friend is about to make a huge mistake and is intent on not letting that happen. One thing he didn’t count on, though, was going up against Prue. 

Determined to make up for the past, Prue resolves to keep Tucker from interfering with her sister’s happiness in the present and is willing to go to any lengths necessary to do so. Any. And if that requires a few tiny deceptions here and there, the occasional brush with the local authorities, and perhaps even instigating a barroom brawl, so be it. A sister has to do what a sister has to do. 

But so does a friend, and Tucker has no intention of backing down, no matter how aggravating or even—to his surprise—appealing Prudence Collier can be. 

The war is on, and neither side believes they can afford to surrender. 

Which is a shame, because they’re both beginning to suspect surrendering would be a lot of fun…

EXCERPT

She froze in front of him like a deer caught in the headlights, and despite the fact that she had some serious explaining to do, the first thought that went through Tucker’s mind when her eyes widened was that they certainly were a remarkable shade of green, weren’t they?

“Good morning,” she returned warily, and then those green eyes of hers narrowed.

Well, that seemed like an odd reaction. If either of them ought to be upset, he was fairly certain it should be him, not her. And had he not been so intensely curious as to why she had sent him on a wild goose chase yesterday, he might have been more upset than he already was.

“Coffee smells good,” Tucker said conversationally with a nod toward her cup. “Is there more where that came from?”

“Depends,” Prue returned, eyeing him as if she expected him to make a sudden move at any time. “Are you a guest of the resort?”

“Are you kidding? At their prices? No.”

“Then I think you’re out of luck.” And she drained the rest of her drink in front of him.

He watched her, unfazed. “Yeah, my luck has been pretty poor the past twenty-four hours.”

“Has it?”

She seemed to be avoiding his gaze. Under the circumstances, he was not surprised. “But it’s taking a turn for the better now, because I was hoping to run into you again.”

“I’ll bet,” she muttered, so much under her breath that he almost missed it.

“Mainly because I was hoping you could explain something to me. Like why you sent me racing after the wrong ferry?”

After a moment’s pause, she turned to look directly at him and widened her eyes again with what – in any other situation – he might have interpreted as innocence. It was almost, but not quite, convincing. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“I think you do know what I mean. You sent me to the Water Island ferry.”

One of her eyes twitched before both of them grew even wider. Too wide. “That’s the one you wanted, wasn’t it?”

He looked at her evenly, wondering what kind of game she was playing at here. “No. It wasn’t.”

“Well, that’s what I heard you say. You specifically said Water Island, I’m sure of it.”

“I said St. John.”

She shook her head. “I think you must be confused.”

Understatement of the year, he thought. “Very, yes, but not about the islands. And neither are you, are you?”

“I think you must be remembering wrong.”

“I fell for that line once already, remember? What else have you got?”

Instead of answering, she played with the empty coffee cup in her hands.

“Look, sweetheart, I don’t know if you just like to do this kind of thing to other people for kicks, but I’m really not in the mood for it today. I had a very long night, and it would be hard to say if the crowning moment was when one of the tires on my car blew up or when the tow truck guy discovered he was lactose intolerant while I was still riding beside him in his truck, but—” He caught another twitch around her eyes then, one that almost looked like guilt taking its toll. And then another thought occurred to him for the first time, and he stared at her, incredulous. “Wait—did you have something to do with that?”

“A lactose-intolerant truck driver? Not likely.”

“I meant my tire.”

She played with her cup some more without looking up, and he realized he had his answer.

“Are you kidding me?” He was almost too bewildered to be angry. Almost. “Do you usually screw over the people who do you favors, lady, or am I just special?”

Her head shot up then, and she had the nerve to look indignant. “Screw people over? You’re one to talk!”

“Huh?” Tourists all over these islands, and he had to cross paths with the one who appeared to be an escaped mental patient. A very attractive mental patient, he thought as a distracting curl escaped from the band she’d used to pull her hair back into a loose ponytail, but a mental patient nevertheless. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about that wedding you’re so anxious to stomp all over, that’s what.”

His irritation grew. “I don’t want to ‘stomp’ on anything. I just want to—”

“Ruin the bride’s special day. I know.”

“The bride—”

“Is my sister.”

He blinked and then stared at her, and she nodded back, her displeasure with him written all over her face. “No…” he breathed in disbelief.

“Guess again.”

PURCHASE LINKS:

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*COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY* ~ CHARLOTTE (MARKED HEART), by M. Sembera

Intense and Emotional Contemporary

I just love the cover of M. Sembera’s upcoming contemporary romance, Charlotte! This book sounds like an intense and emotional read and well worth checking out! Scroll down to read the synopsis, a hot teaser and enter the Goodreads giveaway. You will also find all of the links to find out more about the book and the author. Tina ❤

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The true measure of a person’s worth lies not within what they can offer you but what you have to offer them. No matter how desirable, are they worth your time, patience, forgiveness, loyalty, friendship, love, respect, understanding, compassion, trust. If not, they are worth more than you have to offer.

They deserve for you to let them go.

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Charlotte Roberts and Augustus (Auggie) Caffrey may never have known each other, if it were not for William Caffrey. They would have simply moved on with their own lives without the anger and resentment that followed, when William fell for Charlotte almost six years ago.

Under the pretense of introducing Trace Delgado, her soon to be fiancé, to her adoptive parents, Emerson and Amila Roberts, Charlotte arrives back in her small southern hometown to personally collect on the forgiveness William promised he would give her if she ever returned.

Spending his days at the hospital with his brother William and his nights tending bar at The Dog House, Auggie knows it is only a matter of time before he loses the brother he has tried his entire life to protect.

When Auggie finds out Charlotte is in town, to no doubt torment his brother on his death bed, he wants her to stay as far away from William as possible. All Charlotte wants is to be forgiven and move on with a clear conscience. While, William’s dying wish is to ensure the two people he cares about most step outside of their comfort zones and see that life is not as cut and dry as they think it is.

Charlotte’s guilt and Auggie’s brotherly devotion compel them to, secretly, follow through with William’s last requests forcing them to begrudgingly spend time together. The more time they spend together, the closer they become. And the harder it is to keep what is taking place between them secret.

Late nights visits and stolen moments cause Charlotte to fall hard. But when a reminder of what brought them together stops Auggie dead in his tracks, he starts to question how far he’s willing to go with someone who was his brother’s first.

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Charlotte by M. Sembera

Charlotte

by M. Sembera

Giveaway ends October 03, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

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COVER REVEAL and GIVEAWAY for Madison Street’s **LITTLE BEGINNINGS** ~ Second Chances #1.5

We are very happy to reveal the new and gorgeous cover of Little Beginnings, a Second Chances novella by Madison Street. Little Beginnings is the continuation of Duke & Raya’s story. Tina ❤

 

Little Beginnings (Second Chances #1.5)

Madison Street

Cover designed by Lindee Robinson Photography

Goodreads

Expected Release: Fall 2014

Synopsis

After you took her from me, everything changed. I knew my life would never be the same, and it wasn’t. But just because I was isolated, trapped, and afraid, I never gave up. I kept on fighting. You thought you could control me, but you were wrong.

There’s one thing that you could never take from me; HOPE. And with that, I overcame the struggles and the despair. I battled against my inner demons and confronted the tortures that surrounded me. And here I am today; free.

And now, it’s you that’s confined. You cannot escape; you cannot win. There’s no one to help you now. Everyone sees you for what you truly are; a monster.

I’m not afraid of you anymore. I will start a new life; one that you cannot control. And as I take steps toward a new beginning, I won’t ever look back.
****WARNING: Suited for 18+ years of age. This book contains some disturbing situations, strong language and sexual content.****

Little Things (Second Chances #1)

Goodreads

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.

Purchase Links

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

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

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**REVIEW** After Wimbledon by Jennifer Gilby Roberts

After-Wimbledon_Cover_SmallAfter Wimbledon is a light, refreshing romance mixed with a dash of quirky and fun instances. Lucy Bennett’s career and love life could be falling down around her or she could be starting a new life with the man of her dreams. She has the whole duration of the Tennis World Championships to find out how she really feels towards her tennis career and her current boyfriend. But how will it all end?

The story follows British tennis player, Lucy Bennett, as she considers this year to be her last professional year at Wimbledon. She feels that she has reached as far as she can at the age of 28. She begins thinking of her future and longs to settle down and have a family of her own. The only problem Lucy faces is that her current boyfriend, American tennis ace Joe Harker, doesn’t share her desires but preferring to stay in the game. Oh, and her parents (especially her mother) feels that she will be throwing her career away far too early and her mum possibly longs to relive her own tennis dreams through her daughter!

I’m sure many of us have felt the need to go down our own path, even when against our parents’ wishes. At this point you tend to question whether what you are doing is right or wrong and at times there is a lingering pang of guilt. But you must do what feels right for you and this is exactly where Lucy is at.

As After Wimbledon focuses mostly on Lucy, the reader can understand her actions and empathise with her emotions, thus making Lucy a realistic and likeable character. Lucy is like any of us with her indecisiveness and at times she does ‘put her foot in it’ and has the potential to cause a scene. However, she also has guts and after much deliberation at times she does begin to stand up to those around her. Needless to say that I do love Lucy’s character!

To mash Lucy’s thoughts around even more are the unexpected encounters she has with Joe’s tennis rival, New Zealander Sam Pennington. Sam is the No. 1 and hopes to win it for England this time round. Lucy has always had a crush on him and admired him from afar and so when she meets him by chance at her parents’ tennis club they begin talking and Lucy lets slip some of her thoughts. Sam is patient, caring and honourable as well as being a great listener. After accidentally meeting up with Sam a number of times it becomes clear that these two certainly have chemistry, but then Lucy also has Joe!

Joe had initially dismissed Lucy’s idea of settling down, not really believing it. As time goes on he realises she meant it and his attitude towards her becomes increasingly arrogant and threatening, especially when he sees her support for Sam – with Sam playing for Britain and all, as well as a closeness between Lucy and Sam is reported in the media. Is Joe’s reaction an insight into his true nature or is he jealous and hopes to keep Lucy for himself?!

There is a great build up of momentum and suspense during both Lucy’s love life and action on the courts. Not being a huge tennis follower I was surprised how Roberts had written the on court scenes in a manner that was so easy to follow and gave the reader the chance to feel the excitement and tension. There were also intimate moments that were quite descriptive, making it feel more real, although towards the end I found myself wanting more deeper scenes like there previously had been.

With action on the courts, two boyfriends to choose from, pressure from the media, helping her parents sort out their lives and finally deciding whether or not to stay in professional tennis Lucy really has her mind buzzing! But which way will she finally go? With many more years still left she could make the most of her career before retiring from tennis! And is it worth losing the man she’s had for years to settle with someone new when it may not work out? She would surely be alone then. And so After Wimbledon explores Lucy’s options and maybe you can decide whether or not she chooses the right one!!

A copy of After Wimbledon was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

To read an author post (with links to the author) and an extract from After Wimbledon please click here. (Please take note that the giveaway mentioned is now closed.)

After Wimbledon is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US. (Prices currently at 99p and $1.65 – bargain!! But please be aware prices are subject to change.)

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

Back to Storafalt (Finally Ever After), by Holley Trent ~ *REVIEW*

Will Love Succeed Second Time Around?

Contemporary Romance – 61 pages

22038123Book Blurb

He stood her up. Now she’s standing out.

The last time Justine Eklund had heard from Gray Voss was when he’d agreed to take her to her sister’s wedding. He stood her up. Twelve years later, he’s back in Wyoming as the new owner of Storafalt’s only pharmacy. He didn’t come alone, though. He brought along the small cowboy town’s best-kept secret—his preteen son, Danny.

Gray wants to pick up where he left off. He never stopped loving the beautiful rabble-rouser, and thinks she’ll fit seamlessly into his little family. Justine yearns to reignite that old torch, but she’s wary. She’s not convinced her high school sweetheart will stick around.

Storafalt’s only school is on a rapid decline, so Gray may have no choice but to return Danny to the life they built in Austin. If he goes, there’s no way Justine can go with them. Unlike Gray, she’s rooted too deeply to leave.

My Review

This novella, packs in real punch as it contains plenty of emotional angst, humour and a smexy scene or two – the opening scene in particular is very memorable! Gray, the hero and Justine, the heroine, immediately reconnect after an absence of 12 years, but Justine is reluctant to trust him again and commit to a relationship, after he let her down in the past. Add to this the unexpected complication of Gray’s son Danny and the scene is set for the hero having to do all he can to convince the heroine that he is the man for her.

I enjoyed the small town setting of the story in which the couple’s lack of anonymity brings their actions into sharp focus. Gray is a real hottie and we come to understand his reasons for standing Justine up when he did. Justine is smart cookie and a thoroughly likeable heroine, with strong ties to Storafelt. The couple must grapple with the realities of life that maturity brings to achieve their HEA and to win her heart Gray needs to encourage Justine to trust in him again and boy does he have his work cut out!

However,it is not always easy to return to the place of our youth and rekindle your first love. The author manages to reflect both characters’ dilemmas in a sensitive and humorous way and we are left wondering if life in Storafalt will be enough to meet Gray’s expectations and whether Justine will decide to risk trusting him again. I enjoyed how this tale panned out and also the author’s pacing and writing style and her characterisations of the main couple and the supporting characters.

I would definitely read another book by Holley Trent and recommend Back to Storafalt to readers of contemporary romance who like tale of second chances.

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

Purchase Links

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Connect with the Author

http://holleytrent.com/blog/

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**RELEASE DAY** ~ *MY FIRST, MY LAST* by Lacey Silks

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 CONGRATULATIONS to Lacey Silks on the release of My First, My Last, her hot and emotional novel where the hero and heroine are given a second chance at love. Scroll down to read the synopsis, a sexy teaser and excerpt, buy links and more, including a Rafflecopter giveaway where some Amazon Gift Cards and e-books are up for grabs. You can also find out about the super Facebook party taking place today where you can have oodles of fun, hang out with some bestselling authors and win some prizes.

Synopsis

Fate has kept them apart for twenty years.
Their roads hadn’t crossed and the stars didn’t align until now…

Matured, more experienced, pierced, tattooed and hot as hell, Adrian steps back into Mia’s life to reclaim his first love.

And the moment she sees him she can’t even remember her own name.

Adrian Reed had always remained in Mia’s heart. After all, he was her first boyfriend and the man she’d lost her virginity to, but that was twenty years ago. His sudden appearance at a bar, on a girls night out, has Mia acting like the fifteen year old girl she was when they parted.

But life now is not as simple as it was twenty years ago. With two kids, a hopeful ex-husband and new insecurities, Mia finds opening up to a new relationship more challenging.

Will she give her first love another chance, or will she push him away, this time for good?.

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 AmazonUS | AmazonUK | AmazonAU

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Excerpt

Stepping over the threshold, within inches of his reach, I removed my shoes and waited. He simply pulled me inside, shutting the door, and set the wine bottle and my purse aside on the hall table.

His silence buzzed through me with pleasurable tingles.

He cupped my face, tilting my head to the side. I closed my eyes, breathing in his scent. Adrian’s mouth brushed mine and my hands fell to my sides. His lips traced along the bow of my upper lip before his tongue dipped inside. I opened wider. He slowly walked backward. My foot brushed against his every few steps. Keeping my eyes closed, I followed wherever he led me until a hard surface touched my back. By this point there was nothing innocent about the way his mouth was dominating me. I heard myself moan and whimper pure lust with each breath. My hand lowered to his jeans and curved around his arousal, stroking the hard length underneath. I wasn’t sure what came over me, but I was so desperate for him, for us, I could no longer control my body. His hips pressed in as he groaned inside my mouth.

When he pulled away, his gaze bored through me with penetrating heat. If he had wanted to, he could have melted those buttons right off my dress. Adrian took me by my waist and lifted me up to the kitchen counter. His fingers slowly trailed down my nose, over my lips and chin, and then along the middle of my neck and upper swell of my breasts until he reached the buttons on my dress. My chest swelled, and all I could think about was how fast he could get this dress off me. With each passing second I found it more difficult to breathe. The fabric was restraining me as if I were locked away in a coffin.

Unfasten these damned buttons! my mind screamed, but my mouth couldn’t form a coherent sentence.

But the eager fingers from our teens now had unbelievably arousing patience and experience. Adrian undid the top button open and I looked down, following the movement of his hands.

He stole a lingering kiss again, and then flicked open one button after another, trailing a downward path until he reached the hem. Parting the fabric to the sides, he took me in, slowly scanning my body.

“You wore white the first time we made love.”

“I know.”

Everything inside me turned and twisted into knots of nerves. As he watched me, my chest tightened inside yet swelled on the outside. The heat coming off his breath and skin was too much and not enough at the same time. My cleavage and stomach were partly exposed for him, and I couldn’t help but hold my breath.

The skim of his fingers down my arms as he admired every inch of my skin sent beautiful tingles through my body. Adrian seemed in no hurry. I grasped the hem of his shirt, lifted it up and off his torso, and then pushed my dress from underneath me and moved it to the side. It fluttered to the ground, freeing my hips and legs.

And as we stared at each other, I knew that there was no one else I had ever wanted more than him. He was the soulmate I’d once lost and been lucky enough to find again. That little piece of my heart I’d locked him away in had begun expanding the moment he reappeared in my life.

Looking at him now, I couldn’t believe how much his body had changed over the past twenty years. I held my breath, admiring the marvel of a man he’d become. His naturally toned torso and sun-kissed skin mesmerized me. The tattoo weaving up his upper arm hid beyond his shoulder and all I could think about was the need for my tongue to trace those dark lines and for my lips to kiss the new patterns inked over his skin. I wanted to throw myself at his hips, wrap my legs around him, and feel him dive into me. How in the world did he have so much control? Or did he do this on purpose? It was as if he compelled me to inspect his pecs and abs and that beautiful path, sprinkled with a shadow of hair, that led beyond the buckle of his pants, just to excite me. I devoured his taut body as he leaned forward, splaying his hands against the counter at the side of my thighs. His thumbs gently brushed against my hips. The flex of his arms and that sexy way he had of focusing just on me—really, really looking at me—made me hungry for more than just baked apples.

“There, that’s much better.” He leaned in and kissed me. “Hi, Thumbelina.”

“Hello.”.

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~** BLOG TOUR**~ RED HOT OBSESSIONS ~ Review and Excerpt plus super giveaway!

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This boxed set of contemporary romance, containing both sensual and erotic tales is downright HOT! I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC for review and I’m delighted to be sharing my thoughts and also a SCORCHING excerpt from one of the tales. You can also read the book blurb and enter a super giveaway where you can win a KINDLE!
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Title: Red Hot Obsessions (Boxed Set)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Wordcount: 800000+ or about 3000 pages

 

***10 TALES OF ROMANCE FROM 10 BEST SELLING AUTHORS***
Over 3000 pages worth of books!
ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME~ ONLY 99c
Ten top selling authors come together to bring you ten titillating full-length novels of love, passion, discovery, and anticipation designed to tease the senses.
Your next obsession starts here.
Hot men. Lusty women. Dirty, raw, and arousing. Enough angst to twist your insides. From first kisses, to dangerous encounters and college seductions, we’ve collected all your favorite stories and combined them into one scintillating read filled with the confident, sexy and mysterious bad boys that will make even the nicest girl’s heart throb with desire.

  • His Wicked Games (Ember Casey): Lily would do anything to save her father’s failing business – even take on the infamous billionaire Calder Cunningham. But she’s not prepared for the wicked terms he has in mind…
  • Fierce (Clarissa Wild): Hot, brooding college bad-boy Hunter turns out to have more secrets up his sleeve than geeky book-worm Autumn can handle. Too bad for her he doesn’t give up the fight easily.
  • That First Kiss (J.C. Valentine): Playboy and rising author Tate Larson is focused on his work with no plans of settling down anytime soon… that is, until a chance encounter with Southern beauty Piper Donovan derails all his plans
  • Slow Burn (V.J. Chambers): A college junior, in hiding from a corrupt shadow wing of an arms corporation, finds herself saddled with a restrained, no-nonsense bodyguard—who also happens to be jaw-droppingly gorgeous.
  • Layers Deep (Lacey Silks): He needs her to save a friend. She needs him to plan her revenge. Their pasts scar them Layers Deep. Their passion distracts them… and distractions can be fatal.
  • Learning Curves (Olivia Rigal): Ariane wanted to spice up the life of her cooking school but one of her American students may be hotter than she expected.
  • Can’t Shake You (Molly McLain): Carissa’s gotten herself into a mess with an impromptu renovation project, and the only contractor available to help her out happens to be the one man she’s never been able to forget. Josh is also her ex-boyfriend’s best friend, therefore completely off-limits…unless they don’t get caught.
  • His Indecent Lessons (Sky Corgan): When Cheyenne started her first year of college, she didn’t expect to fall head over heels for one of her professors. His interest is totally academic though, and he’s going to give her private lessons she’ll never forget.
  • Sorority Pledge (Daizie Draper): Inexperienced college students, Addison and Logan, recognize the need for power play in one another when they first meet. But as they dive into a BDSM lifestyle while trying to balance college life, they discover their sizzle doesn’t come without consequence.
  • Rae Omnibus (Blair Babylon): Rae will do anything to stay in college and for her dream of a clinic for autistic kids, but when the sexy and mysterious owner of The Devilhouse offers her job, she realizes that her small-town definition of “anything” was far too limited.
That First Kiss by J.C. Valentine
His finger stroked the inside of her thigh, seeking higher ground as his thoughts rolled forward. Piper’s eyes trained on his face, hanging on his every word. “I didn’t intend for things to get as heated as they did, but as soon as I touched you, I needed more. I couldn’t help myself. You possessed me.”
The glazed look in her eye told him that she was remembering that night as vividly as he was. Placing both hands on the cushions on either side of her body, he hemmed her in, bringing their faces so close that when he spoke, his lips grazed hers. “The way you danced that night, pushing that sweet little ass of yours against me. It’s haunted me, Piper,” he whispered.  “You need to understand, I tried to resist you, just like I have been trying to resist you, but you drive me crazy. When I’m with you, it takes everything in me to stay away. All I think about, all I dream about is burying myself inside you.”
Piper licked her lips and Tate zeroed in on the tiny movement. “I want to suck those plump lips into my mouth,” he murmured. Shifting, he brought his knee up so it rested on the couch alongside hers and hovered over her. Her face was flushed and her chest rose and fell heavily. She wasn’t unaffected.
“You need to leave,” she said weakly.
Tate chose that moment to drop his head into the crook of her neck, nuzzling her. She smelled faintly of roses, and his cock jumped at her soft, feminine scent. “Do you want me to leave?” he asked softly.
He could feel her softening beneath him, her breath coming out in shudders as he skimmed his lips lightly up her neck to her ear, where he licked the pulse beating rapidly beneath her sensitive skin. “Yes.”
The single word left her on a stilted breath, only solidifying his need to get inside her. “I don’t think you do,” he murmured. With sure hands, Tate grabbed the backs of her thighs and yanked her toward him, seating her firmly beneath him on her back with her legs spread wide.

 

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I enjoyed ALL of the novels in this super smexy boxed set and award the collection a sizzling 4 stars. I felt that some of the reads warranted five stars and where this is the case I have indicated in the reviews below.

His Wicked Games, by Ember Casey *****

I LOVED this erotic contemporary take on Beauty and the Beast! The tale concerns the reclusive Billionaire Calder Cunningham and Lily Frazer, who trespasses onto his estate, to convince him not to pull the plug on his family’s funding of the community arts centre she runs with her father. I adored the increasingly passionate encounters between the couple as Lily risks all, including her heart to secure the future of the centre. Both characters were fun to get to know and the love-making scenes were particularly inventive AND super sizzling! Suffice to say that I have added a couple of fantasies to my list after reading this novel. I am looking forward to reading His Wicked Games, book #2.

Fierce, by Clarissa Wild *****

This is an emotionally intense and oh SO sexy New Adult read. I ADORED how the author pairs geeky Freshman Autumn with the super-hot bad boy Hunter and how they bring out the best in each other. Hunter is following a dark path and when Autumn falls hard for him will he drag her down with him or will she be his light and saving grace? The plot is full of suspense and twists and turns and Clarissa Wild has a real gift for character building. There are some sizzling scenes and plenty of angst as Autumn unravels the many secrets that Hunter is hiding behind his rough persona. The read contains lots of hot and sweet sex between the couple and also violence and drug references. Book #2 Flame, which continues their romance promises to be a must read.

That First Kiss, by J. C. Valentine *****

A sexy and memorable read featuring a sassy heroine and a loveable playboy, which brims with passion, humour and some great characterisations. It is impossible not to like the spunky heroine Piper who wants to escape her poverty stricken roots as she is hardworking, fun loving and independent. The scene where she first hooks up with Tate is a SIZZLING one! There were times when I could have cheerfully slapped Tate for being such a cad to Piper, but he DID grow on me. I particularly loved how Piper stood up to him and tried to ignore the attraction between them. Of course, although Tate has commitment issues he cannot deny the attraction he feels for Piper, yet will he lose her before it is too late?

Slow Burn, by V.J Chambers ****

In this romance I loved the fact that the hero Griffin and the heroine Leigh, two individuals who are very much broken in their own way, come together and help each other to mend. Leigh is leading an aimless life at college, indulging in drugs and meaningless sex, until Griffin appears. Realising she is in dire danger and at the same time becoming more and more attracted to the taciturn bodyguard hottie that is Griffin, Leigh decides to turn her life around. Despite their attraction, Griffin hides a dark secret that could jeopardise their future relationship and enemies are hot on their heels trying to destroy them. The tale contains some hot scenes, jealousy, drugs, violence and suspense. There are also references to psychological and physical abuse. Slow Agony is the next read in this series.

Layers, by Lacey Silks *****

This is SUPER SEXY erotic Romantic Suspense and one of my favourite within the boxed set in terms of its sizzling scenes and its intricate plot which kept me guessing. The heroine Allie wants revenge on a man responsible for destroying her life. The hero Tristan needs her expertise to help him rescue someone close to him and the mission puts her in great danger. I LOVED the chemistry between them – it is off the Richter scale and they cannot keep their hands off each other! Yet will Allie escape physically and emotionally from the mission once it’s complete and will she succeed in garnering Tristan’s help in exacting revenge? The read is very suspenseful and secrets are slowly revealed as the story progresses. It does end on one helluva cliff hanger and I will definitely read the next book, Layers Peeled, as I badly need to know what happens next!

Learning Curves I and II: French Cooking 101 and Advanced French Kissing, by Olivia Rigal ****

This novel is cleverly and expertly written – just when I thought that I had got the measure of some of the main characters I began to question my opinions and wonder if they are at all what they seem! I liked how it was written from the different POV of the main characters, giving me a real insight into their motivations and their actions. The novel is inter-dispersed with delightful French recipes, much humour and some hot lovemaking scenes. The principal characters have some baggage from previous relationships which they have to come to terms with. The book mainly focuses on the romances of siblings Mary and Peter. Peter, a widowed academic, who has accompanied his sister to Paris. Both siblings find romance – Mary with the taciturn George, an author and Peter with the owner of the cooking school, Ariane. The path to true love is not straightforward for Ariane and Peter however, as there are sacrifices ahead and also secrets from the past that the couple will have to contend with. Also is Peter the right man for Ariane after all she has been though? The next book in the series, Learning Curves 3, Detention, continues the tale.

Can’t Shake You, by Molly McBain *****

This romance is also a favourite of mine from this boxed set. It tells of Josh and Carissa, who spent a passionate night together four years ago, after which fate drew them part. Yet a few years down the line Josh returns to the small town and he finds himself honour bound to assist Carissa with a property renovation. A permanent relationship seems out of the question as since their initial encounter, Carissa has had a relationship with Josh’s best friend. I loved the emotional and physical attraction between the couple and how their mutual lust turns to passion and they become friends with benefits and more! Will Josh’s sense of honour, coupled with the fact he does not feel good enough for Carissa mean their relationship is doomed? Carissa also has her own emotional issues to deal with. Can these two wounded people help each other to heal? An unexpected enemy puts adds an element of danger and suspense to the scorching plot.

His Indecent Lessons, by Sky Corrigan ****

This is a bold piece of work as it deals with what is regarded as a taboo subject – a relationship between a student (albeit one who has reached her majority of 18) and a college professor who is older than her. Whereas Cheyenne fantasized about meeting a more mature student who would show her the ropes in terms of sex, she strikes gold with her sexy college professor Damien. The way Cheyenne inadvertently draws his attention to her is a scene that I will NOT forget in a hurry and had me cringing and laughing out loud at the same time! Little does she realise the consequences of her actions as she embarks on college lessons of a totally unexpected kind, where she begins to explore her sexuality more fully! Yet is there a future for them when she is so young and Damien has his position as a professor to protect, not to mention the age gap? Is it just sex or is there something more? This works well as a standalone but Sky Corrigan continues their romance in His Indecent Training, which promises to take their relationship to the next level.

Rae Omnibus. Billionaire In Disguise: Rae, by Blair Babylon *****

OMG – this book is by far my favourite! It is downright sexy, the scorching love-making scenes being something very special indeed. I just loved the characters of both the hero and the heroine and as the plot progresses the emotionally intense scenes at times moved me to tears. When Rae Stone agrees to work at the Devilhouse, a BDSM club run by Wulf a mysterious and controlling Dom, so that she can fund her college course and her dream of a clinic for autistic children, little does she know how her life will never be the same again. The imagination of the author knows no bounds, the love-making scenes are sublime and their rollercoaster romance went in directions that I could not have anticipated, but the storyline flowed beautifully. I was totally emotionally invested in the characters and I will certainly be seeking this author out again. This book is a standalone, but the next book in the series, Falling Hard: (Billionaires in Disguise: Lizzy) sounds a must read too.

Sorority Pledge (Books 1-6), by Daizie Draper ****

This is a coming of age story, comprising the first six books in a ten book serialization that follows a rocky romance where the hero Logan and the heroine Addison delve into the BDSM lifestyle in a big way! It contains many heated scenes of power play between the couple as they explore the dynamics of the BDSM lifestyle for themselves and what their own limits are. It balances this with the impact this has on their studies and their growing bond with one another. It is sexually explicit and a good introduction to readers who are not familiar with reading books on this lifestyle but want to read more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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