Audio Review: Rock Chick Reckoning by Kristen Ashley

Title: Rock Chick Reckoning (Rock Chick #6)
Author: Kristen Ashley
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Action & Adventure
Length: 16 hours and 52 mins

Synopsis
Stella’s the lead singer and lead guitarist of The Blue Moon Gypsies and Stella used to be Mace’s girl. Mace broke up with her, though, and the loss of him rocked her world. But Stella gets a call, late at night (again) from one of the members of her crazy band. She has to go play clean up (again) and runs into Mace and a shed load of police, and ends up getting shot.

Mace finds he doesn’t like it much that his ex-girlfriend got shot right in front of him but it’s worse. A very bad man has thrown down the gauntlet and all the Rock Chicks are in the firing line. Stella doesn’t want Mace to be the one to keep her alive, but she has no choice. Mainly because Mace isn’t giving her one.

Grace’s review
Story: 5 stars
I went into this book with no expectations. I didn’t feel like I knew much about Mace.  He has been a quietly active presence (if that makes sense) in the previous books.  His story, was unknown until now.  And his story broke my heart.  But before I get ahead of myself, let me backtrack.

Unlike the other books, Stella is not a new character in Mace’s life. How she came to be in his life and then leave it, was a bit confusing. They broke up for what?!?  A tragedy brings them back together, physically.  Emotionally, took a bit more time.  One day, while confessing her thoughts to the Rock Chicks, unaware of Mace’s presence in the room, seems to changes everything.

What I loved about this story was how Stella interacted with Mace. The Rock Chicks, as we all know, are some looney stubborn women. Stella had her moments too, but nowhere near as many as the previous ladies.  One brief hiccup in their second chance at love, was all Stella needed as a wake-up call.  She readjusts her attitude and is solely focused on battling Mace’s demons.

There were so many beautiful moments between these two, when Stella sings to Mace or when she surprises him with some visitors. But the moments that had me the most emotional, involved a ring. You’ll have to read it to understand it, because I don’t want to give it away, but its not what you might be thinking.  As this ring passed between several people, I was unable to control the tears.

While Mace has never taken center stage among the Hot Bunch crew, he won me over, and is now my favorite Alpha of the series.  He is a BADASS with a beautiful heart.  Of course, with 2 books left, this could change again.  KA always seems to deliver one fresh new Alpha to replace the previous one.

Side note: I wish I could capture some of the awesome quotes in this book – that’s the downfall of listening to audio while you commute. But I am absolutely trying to work in “shitsofuckit” into my everyday vocabulary.  Loved it!

Performance: 5 stars
I’m guessing this book was one of the harder ones for this amazing narrator, Susannah Jones.  But once again, she did not disappoint. While the other books feature a range of voices, this one has multiple POVs.  While Stella and Mace share the bulk of the POVs, the other Rock Chicks have reoccurring POVs, and this narrator still makes each voice distinctive.  She truly captures each Rock Chick, with all of their attitude and sass.  I’d personally like to know how she captured Stella’s raspy sexy rocker voice.  Really well done!

Overall: 5+ stars
For the first five books of this series, my ratings have ranged from 4 stars to 5 stars.  So after I finished this book, I was wondering, can I do more than 5 stars?  Because this was easily my favorite book in the series.  I loved Stella!  I loved Mace!  I loved Stella and Mace together! Unlike the previous Rock Chick books, the fighting between them was minimal and it was more about the two of them healing each other.  Since I’m playing catch up on the series, I don’t know what KA intended, but this seemed like the last book in the series.  The epilogue would make any Rock Chick fan smile.  Just EPIC!

Parting thoughts: Since this is the “Rock Chick” series, music is obviously a part of the stories, but not more so than in this book. Stella and her band entertain the reader and her groupies, the Rock Chicks, with some awesome Rock classics.  And while the singer (of the video below) doesn’t fit the description of Stella, the overall sound of this band is how I imagine The Blue Moon Gypsies.  Rock on!

– Grace

Book Review: Black Lies by Alessandra Torre

Title: Black Lies
Author: Alessandra Torre
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 290 pages
Rating: 5+++ Stars

Synopsis
Brant:
Became a tech billionaire by his twentieth birthday. Has been in a relationship with me for 3 years.
Has proposed 4 times. Been rejected 4 times.

Lee:
Cuts grass when he’s not banging housewives. Good with his hands, his mouth, and his cock. Has been pursued relentlessly by me for almost 2 years, whether he knows it or not.

Go ahead. Judge me. You have no idea what my love entails.

If you think you’ve heard this story before, trust me – you haven’t.

Michelle’s Review
1. Alessandra Torre is a fucking genius and I will continue to always read her books.

2. This book is NOT and repeat NOT like Sex, Love Repeat! If you have read it, good, if not, WTF are you waiting for????

I have read most of Torre’s books, but I have yet to read the Girl 6E and I will be reading that book ASAP. When I received this ARC from the author, I couldn’t wait to share it with my two fellow bloggers, Grace and Yaya. We initially were all going to do a book read with some of our followers, but Grace (she’s the mastermind of After Dark) emailed me and Yaya and said “I have a change of heart, start reading”).  Grace will be doing the buddy read, but Yaya and I (well Yaya first lol) started reading.  So while I was vacationing in New England, I couldn’t wait to get back to my B&B to start reading this book because I remembered whenever Alessandra was tweeting that she was working on a “mystery project”, all I could think about is wow how is she going to top Sex Love Repeat, which left me with a book hangover.  Well fuck that, now Black Lies has left me with the ultimate book hangover.  So I will try to give you some insight to this awesome book without any spoilers.

Layana “Lana” Fairmont is trust fund baby, but not your typical trust fund baby.  On her twenty-fifth birthday she got a large sum of cash that allowed her live the lifestyle she has been accustomed to.  Of course, her mom wants her to add a husband to adorn her arm just like herself, but Lana is nothing like her mother (thank God).  Lana, is loving, passionate, and very giving.  Lana wants to find a man that shares the same feelings and someone to set her body on fire and feed her soul.

“I wanted the happily-ever after of movies. Where my family would share their day while eating at a round table. Wanted to visit life in a world where mothers hugged daughters with bruises and consoled them after their first dates went awry.”

Enter Brant Sharp.  Lana meets Brant who happens to be the most sought after eligible bachelor, a self made billionaire and philanthropist.  He is also a freaking genius.  The connection between these two is immediate.  Lana really falls for how attentive he is, his focus on her pleasure and happiness, something she has never had before with any other man.  Then again, there is always a challenge when dealing with meddling relatives (more so his aunt Jillian whom I hated the most and I will leave it at that).  The more they try to discourage Lana from being with Brant, the more determined she is in trying to stay with him.  It’s branded into her heart that this is the “Love” of her life. Her “Forever”.  Yet, she questions how.

“It didn’t make sense. He was too perfect. How was I the first woman to tie him down?”

So you think it’s going to be a walk in park, right?  Think again. Lana discovers the one flaw Brant has and now she has to think long and hard if this one flaw will make them or break them.

Enter Lee.  Nothing like Brant.  Cocky, arrogant, a sexual God.  Upon Lana’s first meeting with Lee, you knew that it was going to be literally balls-to-the-walls hot and boy is Lana addicted to Lee.  She is so addicted to Lee that she will do anything in her power to keep him. She believed he belongs to her.  In comes the dirty lies.  This is a man who holds the power to break everything between Brant and Lana. He’s the missing link to what Lana has been craving. Is she being selfish?  You tell me.

I want to add so much more to this review, but I will not because you have to read this book.  I remember texting Yaya at 48% and telling her I think I know what’s going on.  After I was done, my email to her was “holy shitballs”.  Total mind-fuck.  You will have a lot of WTF moments.  You’ll be going through some crazy emotions.  I know I was during my drive back home from New England.  I kept tensing up.  My husband was like “are you ok?”  All I said was “I’m having a moment, keep driving”.

This was truly a mind fuck of a read.  Alessandra Torre takes you there and back, but she does it so well and so beautifully written that when you come back to reality you will forgive her lol.  Listen I can keep going on and on that is how good this book is.  Of course I recommend it and when Grace is done it will be Shorties Approved.

Note from Grace: Yes, this is one book we can all agree on, it is a MUST READ!
Side Note from Michelle – Special thanks to Yaya for her input and wonderful teasers.

– Michelle

*An ARC was received for an honest review.

​

Blog Tour (Review, Guest Post and Giveaway): Within These Walls by J.L. Berg

Title: Within These Walls
Author: JL Berg
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 323 pages
Rating: 5 hearts

Synopsis
Within these walls, he became my solace, my sanctuary and my strength.

I am not strong. I am just a survivor of circumstance.
Isn’t that what we all do? Survive?

Each of us has our own set of circumstances to muddle through. Mine are just more…complicated.

Born with a severe heart defect, I’ve seen the inside of a hospital room more than my own bedroom.

I was drowning, a prisoner to the illness that owned me, until he appeared. He thinks he’s blocked out the world with his tattoos and hard exterior, but I see the real Jude, the one he so desperately wants to forget.

But is he the answer to my prayers or will he break my already damaged heart forever?

My name is Lailah Buchanan, and this is our story of hope, redemption and sacrificing it all for the one you love.

Grace’s Review
Within the walls of Memorial Hospital, two hearts were hurting.

One heart was never healthy – its beat not right without medical intervention.  Its owner, Lailah, fighting every day for a chance to live.

One heart was broken – its beat not right after a tragedy took away the ability to love.  Its owner, Jude, giving up and focusing on just getting by, rather than living.

Within those same walls, could two damaged hearts come together and heal each other?

The two hearts initially connect in the sweetest of ways, with a chocolate pudding cup.  (Side note: from this day forward, a pudding cup will always make me think of this book.) The relationship then evolves to a list, one that Lailah kept as a “to do” list of sorts, only more special, called the Someday list.

Does Jude reach out to Lailah out of guilt?  To redeem himself from past selfish mistakes?  Does it really matter?  Not in my mind.  What he ends up doing for Lailah is more than any average person would do.  While he insists that he is void of emotions and can no longer love, the minute he steps into her room, you can tell that his emotion isn’t lost.  It just needed to find a new purpose.  A new person to care about.  As he sets about to help Lailah tackle her Someday list, you will fall in love with Jude.

It starts out small but quickly evolves into elaborate activities that often require assistance from other hospital employees.  My personal favorite was the dancing in the rain.  Given her stay in the hospital, Jude had to get creative here, so he brings her to the shower, with their clothes on, to dance.  *sigh*  It may sound silly, but that didn’t stop my tears from falling.

While Jude couldn’t personally repair Lailah’s heart, he gave her the chance to experience a range of feelings, including the big O.  Yes, their relationship moves quickly from a friendship to something neither thought they would experience.  For Lailah, stuck within the walls of a hospital for most of her life, she had low expectations on finding love, although various wishes are on her Someday list – such as being kissed breathless.  For Jude, the loss of his “soul mate” gave him no hope in finding love again.  But just as he helps Lailah, she does the same for him.  Helping him let go and live his life once again.

While there is angst in this book, I actually didn’t mind it.  The heartbreaking moments felt meaningful.  Although they were sad, and you knew they were other options the characters could have taken, it felt like they were doing the right thing, so I wasn’t upset by it.

I truly fell in love with this book.  As two damaged hearts began to heal within the walls, my heart soared with theirs.  Although this book is very emotional, I didn’t have any ugly tears.  Only happy ones. Especially at the end when you get to read Lailah’s full Someday list. This is an absolute MUST READ!

– Grace

*An ARC was received for an honest review.

Add it to Goodreads here!
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GUEST POST
Ten Random Facts about J.L. Berg

1.  I love embarrassing my kids. Seriously, it should be a requirement of all parents to embarrass their kids on a daily basis. My favorite? Using words like “totes”, “fo’rizzle” and “cray” in normal sentences.
2.  I’m actually a little on the shy side. Put me in a room of people I don’t know and I will become invisible.
3.  I hate most shoes except for sandals and Uggs. It’s the Californian in me.
4.  I throw random dance parties in the living room with my daughters. We crank up the music and shake our booties—it’s a blast.
5.  I may write pretty steamy sex scenes, but there are still some words I can’t use when writing intimate scenes between my characters. They make me blush and giggle like a child.
6.  I have no talent with the outdoors. I can kill a plant with one glance.
7.  I am allergic to caffeine. No joke. It literally doubles me over. I love coffee so much, I’ve built up a tolerance just so I can have a cup of decaf (which still contains a small amount of caffeine) in the morning. I’m dedicated.
8.  I’m a huge history nerd. My husband and I spent a week in Ireland for our 10-year anniversary. We roamed around old ruins and castles for days—I was giddy the entire time.
9.  I’m always, always cold. If it’s less than 80 degrees outside, I carry a sweater with me.
10.  I’m obsessed with yoga and Pilates, but pretty much hate all other forms of exercise. I think it’s because they all require shoes.

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About J.L. Berg

J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis.

When she’s not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.

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Book Review: Hard Knox by Nicole Williams

Title: Hard Knox (The Outsider Chronicles #1)
Author: Nicole Williams
Genre: New Adult
Length: 310 pages
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis
Knox Jagger. The name inspires resent in every male at Sinclair University, want in every female, and contempt in Charlie Chase.

Charlie can be summed up in three words: independent, independent, and independent. To Charlie, Knox epitomizes everything that’s wrong with college males: prolific one-night stands, drunken senseless fights, and a body that hints at prioritizing gym time over study time.

As an up-and-coming writer for Sinclair University’s newspaper, Charlie’s tasked with getting to the bottom of who’s been dropping little white pills into girls’ drinks at parties. In an ocean of All-American boys sporting polo shirts and innocent smiles, Knox is the obvious suspect. As evidence piles up against the bad boy of Sinclair, Charlie becomes more and more certain it isn’t Knox. But when her drink is dosed at a party and she wakes up on Knox’s couch the next morning, Charlie’s left with more questions than answers when it comes to Knox Jagger.

How can Charlie ever hope to uncover the truth behind a guy so closed off he’s become . . .

Grace’s Review
This story has an interesting setup.
– A judgmental virginal reporter, Charlie Chase, looking to make a mark for herself in the journalistic world.
– A man-whoring bad boy Knox Jagger (great name), best known for collecting ladies underwear as a mean for choosing the night’s conquest. Is he her enemy or her savior?
While the descriptions above are common in the romance book world, what brings them together is anything but common.

The two’s interact for the first time at a college party, which is far from pleasant as they trade insults.  Despite all of Charlie’s attempts to ward him off, Knox won’t go away.  When he finally does leave, Charlie finds herself in a world of trouble, with the introduction of the date rape drug, Rohypnol.  Luckily, nothing bad happens to her, but she  and her negative self are quick to blame Knox as the culprit.

I found it strange how a reporter like Charlie was so quick to judge Knox and label him the bad guy.  You’d think she would take the time to gather facts first, but just like everyone else, she seems to believe rumors before facts.  However, Knox is persistent and eventually convinces her of his innocence.

This story is intriguing as the two join forces to determine who is using roofies in multiple rapes across the college campus.  If you are leery of the rape theme, this book does no go into much depth. But it doesn’t gloss over it either, so consider that your warning.  While I figured out the main offender fairly quickly, I had no idea how it would play out.

Initial impressions of Knox are blown away and he turns into quite the hero on more than one occasion.  His past isn’t perfect, and it is upsetting to see what drives him, but it was honest and it appears he has paid his dues.  I did like his protective nature around Charlie, and his violence has meaning behind it, which is later explained.

While this is a sensitive subject, the two together right some wrongs, drive away past demons, and develop an unbreakable bond.

“Would I be standing here in front of you, holding my breath for your willpower to run out, if I could hate you, did hate you, or one day would? Stop talking about hate, Knox, and show me the opposite.”

The only issue I had with the book was who Charlie resembled, which I found a bit creepy.  But that’s just my opinion.

This book touches on a very real subject plaguing college campuses. This may come off sounding corny, but I’m serious in saying that I wish more schools had people like Charlie and Knox who put it all on the line for truth and justice.

– Grace

*An ARC was provided for an honest review.

About the Author
I’m the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the CRASH series (HarperTeen, S&S UK), LOST & FOUND series, UP IN FLAMES (S&S UK), The EDEN TRILOGY, and a handful of others. I write stories about everyday kinds of people who find themselves in extraordinary kinds of situations.
I tell love stories with happy endings because I believe in making the world a better place, and that’s one tiny way I can make it so. I’m one of those people who still believe in true love and soul mates, and would rather keep my head in the clouds any day over having my feet firmly on the ground.

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Book Blitz (Review, Excerpt and Giveaway): Who I’m Becoming by Shanora Williams

Title: Who I’m Becoming
Series: FireNine Series #4
Author: Shanora Williams
Release Date: August 25, 2014
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis
Montana Delray is the most laid back of the popular rock band, FireNine. He’s goofy, charming, blatantly honest, talented, a massive flirt, and extremely handsome. The girls literally throw themselves at him, and he accepts it. He loves the attention. The fame. The parties. His single life.

With so many women to choose from, it’s not in his nature to chase after just one, but when Lauren Harkin enters his life, that all changes.
Lauren is smart, sexy, confident, and knows exactly how to get under his skin… and although he hates to admit it, he loves it. He wants her in every way possible, but she doesn’t want anything to do with him. Famous FireNine rocker, Delray isn’t the kind of guy Lauren needs to bring into her life. After having her emotions tampered with repeatedly, she refuses to give into someone who will most likely take her for granted and make things worse.

But with much effort and some sexual manipulation, Montana and Lauren come to an agreement neither of them can resist. As their fling carries on, though, everything intensifies, and once they realize it true fear sets in.

Soon they come to the realization that they care for one another more than
intended, and they both know caring for someone other than themselves means opening their hearts.

The reality they face with each other is totally unexpected and becomes their biggest fear… and neither of them is ready for it.

Grace and YaYa’s Review
Grace: Finally we get Montana’s story!  I’ve been curious about him since book 1 when he helped Eliza through Gage’s jackass moments. Montana is a Rock star to the core.  He loves to party, loves to get drunk and high, and especially loves his women.  Given his success, he has no trouble getting women into his bed on a nightly basis.  Until Lauren.  This elusive woman kept him guessing.  Flirty yet distant. And she’s the first woman to tell him no.  A challenge!  Just what Montana has always wanted.  So when he finally get to scratch that itch, he should be stated, right?  Maybe not.

“I’ve been waiting to taste you for months now. Sweet and juicy, babe…just how I like it.”

YaYa: Montana Delray, the last bachelor of FireNine.  Who was going to be brave enough and try and tame this bull?  Grace, you think Lauren can?  BTW I think it was the European accent she has that intrigued Montana the most.  She is a little spitfire at times and I think she can give him a run for his money,  BUT, her baggage is pretty heavy.  Lauren makes me see Red.  I kept mentally slapping her instead of feeling sorry for her.  I have big issues with her choices.  This is not going to be easy.

Grace: For a good portion of the book, I couldn’t figure out Lauren. She was all over the board, emotion-wise.  Needy at times, then standoffish.  Wanting to make Montana jealous, then pissed at him for talking to another woman.  Even Montana commented on her bipolar ways.
YaYa: Shall I get started on I hate this heroine.  No more comments.
Grace: While I liked Montana, I’m not sure what it was about Lauren that made him want more from her.  Power pussy?  Maybe.  Montana definitely seemed to be enamored with her, so it had to be something.

YaYa: I’m still pleading the 5th.

Grace: Despite Montana’s man-whoring past, he quickly caught on to the ways to romance his woman.

“Kiss me,” he murmured.  “And don’t give me any bullshit either.  Kiss me like you mean it.  Like you’ve missed me…’cause I know you have.”

YaYa: Now we’re talking.  What Montana wants, Montana gets!  It was fun knowing him as a the last single man of the band. The party animal, crazy and all.  He wants Lauren and it’s not something we saw before.  Women chased Montana willingly.  All it took was one look and they fell into the net.  This is the part I liked about Lauren.  She didn’t make it easy.  Still frustrating as shit at times, but she was a little naughty vixen. The chemistry was sizzling.

Grace: There’s a bit of a side story regarding Montana’s parents.  This helps to explain some of his reluctance to get involved in relationships since he’s been witness to the pain they can cause.  But it was nice to see how his new family, his band, had his back and wanted him to repair broken ties.

YaYa: The band shares an inseparable Brotherhood.  They gave each other what they each lacked.

Grace: We also eventually learned of Lauren’s secret.  It was obvious that this past relationship affected how she was with Montana, but I wasn’t sure why she handled it the way she did.

“You want me to make you forget?” he said, gently kissing the corner of my mouth. I melted. “I’ll make you forget, Lauren.”

YaYa: Because she’s a Stupid Bitch!  I promise I won’t say anything else about her. *Grace smirks*

“I don’t want to be angry with you anymore. I don’t want to forget about you and I damn sure don’t want to get over you.”

Grace: Overall, I wasn’t particularly sold on this couple, but I liked Montana.  I’m glad to finally hear his story and have him find happiness.

YaYa: Can I get an Amen?!  Lauren is NOT who I would’ve wanted for Montana, but he showed her love, vice versa, and they grew from their experience.  A well deserved HEA for Bob characters.  For all the characters because this band grew with each other.  Their love made them a family. The FireNine.

– Grace and YaYa

*An ARC was received from the author for an honest review.

Excerpt
I pressed the button to my floor and it opened several seconds later. Silence crept between us but it wasn’t an uncomfortable one. It was sort of… nice.  After taking nearly decades to find the hotel key in my pockets, I stuffed it into the lock of the door and stumbled inside, laughing at my own idiocy.
She followed in behind me, and I flipped the light switch. A dim light
illuminated above her head and she smiled. “Well… you’re here,” she breathed.
“I am,” I said.
“Do you… need anything?”
“Nope…”I paused. “Well maybe just for you to stay.”
She let out a girlish giggle. “Montana, you know I can’t stay.”
“Why not?” I asked, stepping in.
She dared a step as well, angling her head and locking eyes with me.
Bringing her hand up, she ran it across my cheek and a faint smile appeared on her lips. “Because it would be wrong of me to sleep with you.”
My dick pulsed. Her voice was smooth and seductive. It was sexy as hell with that accent. “Why would it be wrong?”
“It’s a long story. Just know it would be.”
“Don’t beat around the bush, Princess.”
She smirked. “I’m not. Maybe when you’re sober…”
I laughed, throwing my head back. “I guess that’s never then.”
“Well, then I guess we’ll never have that experience, huh?” She was teasing the hell out of me. Her voice. Her body… so warm and close. Fuck.
What made it worse was how she turned around and walked away, swinging her plump ass in those tight blue jeans. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Big show, right?”
“Yes,” I whispered. I couldn’t stop staring.
“Good…”She opened the door.
“Wait,” I called before she could make it out.
She lifted both brows, glancing over her shoulder. “Yeah?”
I walked towards her, licking my lips. “Tell me your name. I need to know it.”
She lowered her head, biting a smile. “If I tell you my name will you take it easy for the rest of the night?”
“I will… for you, Princess.”
She paused, batting her mascaraed eyelashes while running her eyes up and down the length of my body. Her smoky eyes then met mine, she stepped back, and a warm hand pressed against my chest. She stood on the toes of her high-heels and whispered, “Lauren Harkin. Don’t forget it,” she murmured.
“Because if you do, I won’t tell you my name again… you’ll just have to suffer with not knowing the name of the woman that, in every way, intrigues you.”
My eyes stretched.
And she smirked.
And it was right there, in that moment, when she had me. It was in that moment when I realized I had to have her. I had to get her up under me. I had to dick her down at least once. She was begging for it, and my body wasn’t denying it. I wanted her and I wanted her something serious.

Teasers

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Author Bio
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author Shanora Williams considers herself a wondrous, down-to-earth author who’s all about romance, paranormal, and the historical fiction. Coffee and Oreos are her addiction. Reading is a necessity.
Whenever she isn’t writing or reading, she’s most likely spending her time with family and loved ones, or watching hit TV series’ on Netflix.

Social Media
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram – Goodreads

Giveaway 1
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Cover Reveal and Excerpt: Shame by Rachel Van Dyken

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Synopsis
Everything done in darkness, will eventually be brought into the light.

I ran, but all it did was keep me one step ahead of my past. I tried to
start over; new name, new identity. But you can’t change your soul.
A fresh start at college was just what I needed. For a while, it worked. I
was the party girl, the one that seemed confident, but it was a lie.
When guys kissed me–I felt only pain.
When they touched me–Nothing but fear.

Deep inside, every girl wants to be the beauty in the story, to find
someone that will see you as their world.
But the truth? I was the beast. And as much as I wanted redemption, I
wasn’t fool enough to think I’d ever get it.
Until he walked into my life.

I wasn’t prepared to fall for someone. My scars were too deep, the
wounds too raw. But he offered me peace, he offered me security. I should have known it was just
another lie–I should have known that falling in love with my professor was a bad idea.
But I was powerless to stop myself from falling.
And he was powerless to catch me.

Because the darkness finally caught up to me, and as fate would
have it, a cruel twist almost bled me dry. But I’m stronger than I knew. I’m stronger than you think.
You think you know my story, but you don’t….after all everyone has
Shame in their lives– and I’m no longer afraid to show you mine.

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EXCERPT

“Just hold still!” I yelled, holding up my phone while Gabe gave me the finger. I
grimaced and dropped the camera away from my face. “Nice, thanks for that.”
“I’m a giver.” He smirked.
Saylor, his wife, smacked him on the arm and rolled her eyes.
“Ouch.”
I scrunched up my face when he leaned in and took Saylor’s mouth with his,
kissing her senseless in the local Starbucks like they were doing a romance scene in a
movie. I coughed.
They didn’t pull apart.
So I took a picture.
I earned another finger, but Gabe still didn’t dislodge from his wife.
“Whoa!” Wes’s voice sounded from behind me. “They been at it long?”
“Are all newlyweds disgusting?” I voiced aloud.
Wes moved around the table with his wife, Kiersten, and gave me a goofy shrug.
I wanted to roll my eyes, but Wes was too nice and hot. Let’s not forget the hot part.
Both he and Gabe were like walking poster boys for GQ. Both blond, now that Gabe
had decided to dye his hair back to his original color. It was like staring at two really
bright superstars.
Hating them was like hating the Easter bunny. Try all you want, but you’ll eat
every piece of chocolate in the basket, just you wait.
“So, classes?” Kiersten leaned forward. “I heard you got stuck with that hot new
psych prof.”
Wes growled low in his throat.
“Down boy.” I braced my hands on the table and laughed. “Besides he’s not that
“A girl passed out.” Kiersten’s eyebrows shot up. “Like in class.”
“Dehydration?” I shrugged, taking a sip of coffee.
“Or…” She leaned forward. “…the rumors are true.”
“Rumors…” Gabe backed away from Saylor, his lips swollen. “…are always
based on truth.”
“So you really did do a naked dance in your underwear last week after getting
drunk downtown at Pike Place Market?” I tilted my head and waited while Gabe rolled
his eyes and popped his knuckles. “Exactly.”
He opened his mouth.
I took a picture.
With a grimace, he snatched my phone away from me. “Never thought I’d have to
tell you to lay off the pictures, Miss Paparazzi.”
I slumped in my seat. “It’s for an assignment with that hot professor.”
“Aha!” Kiersten jabbed her finger at me. “I knew it.”
I pinned her with a look. “Sarcasm, friend, sarcasm.”
“Boys get girls pregnant,” Gabe offered, while Wes choked on the coffee he’d just
stolen out of my hand.
Serves him right!
“Don’t date them.”
“You’re going to be a great dad.” I smiled sweetly. “What? You’re just going to
lock your girls in their rooms and go—” I mimicked his voice. “—uh, you see boy parts
are bad, they make girls have lots of babies, like rabbits, and you know how rabbits
make dad nervous and—”
“Hilarious,” Gabe’s eyes narrowed. “And please don’t talk about kids yet…”
Saylor laughed quietly next to him then squeezed his arm.
My heart dropped.
A very long time ago, I’d wanted to be that for Gabe, then Taylor happened and
well… I shuddered, blocking out the painful memories, the things I’d done, the things
he’d done, the things we’d done.
“You okay?” Wes asked, his voice soft. He was way too perceptive for my taste.
If I’d wanted to share, he’d be the guy I’d talk to, but I was a vault. Sharing meant
admitting my guilt, and admitting meant I’d probably go insane just like he had.
“Yeah…” I straightened in my seat. “…I just don’t want to fail my class, and I
need to write down nonverbal cues and take at least one picture. And pretty sure I need
to ace this first assignment on account that I was late to my prof’s class, and I got in
trouble.”
“He spank you?” Gabe’s eyes mocked across his coffee.
“Yes, Gabe,” I said calmly. “Because that’s how they punish bad students here at
UW — with a yardstick and a smile.”
“I wish.” He whistled. “What I wouldn’t give to have Saylor—”
I plugged my ears.
He threw his head back and laughed while Saylor turned bright red and put her
hand over his mouth to shush him.
“So…” Wes ignored Gabe as was his usual and leaned across the table. “…why
don’t you take pictures of people here in the coffee shop? I mean, ask permission, but
most people here are super interesting, right? Studying? Stressed out? Tired?” He
pointed to a guy in the corner. “He looks like he’s running on five cups of coffee and one
hour of sleep. Go ask, take the picture, make some notes, project done.”
“You make it sound so easy,” I grumbled.
He grinned. “I’m Wes Michels.”
I hung my head lower and grimaced.
“Phone.” He held out his hand and stood.
Within minutes, not only had he snapped two pictures for me but had taken
notes on two pre-med students who had stayed up all night cramming for what they’d
assumed would be a pop quiz, only to find out that they’d been in the wrong class on
the wrong day.
“And that’s why I’m not pre-med.” Gabe shuddered.
“Really?” Kiersten asked. “I thought it was because big words scared you?”
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. What now?” He nodded. “Keep talking,
Kiersten, or keep walking.”
“Spell it.” She smirked.
“So this professor…” Gabe changed the subject. “If he tries anything, use the
Mace or the rape whistle.”
“Right.” I nodded. “I’ll be sure to do that. In class. With a hundred other students.
When he looks at me cross-eyed.”
“Good,” he huffed.
“I was kidding.”
Saylor patted Gabe’s shoulder. “Gotta let the baby birds out of the nest someday,
Gabe.”

 

 Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The  Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at http://www.rachelvandykenauthor.com.

Links:

 FACEBOOK

 TWITTER

 GOODREADS

 AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Book Series Blitz (Giveaway, Excerpt, Cover Reveal): Follow/Like by JA Huss

Social Media is a brand new novella series by JA Huss that will feature one book released
every other Wednesday for twelve weeks.

Release dates are:
8-27 – FOLLOW
9-10 – LIKE
9-24 – BLOCK
10-8 – STATUS
10-22 – PROFILE
11-5 – HOME

FOLLOW (Social Media #1)
By @JA Huss
Publication Date: August 27. 2014
Novella (150 pages)
Adult Contemporary Romance

Description:
#Women.

I fuck them. I use them. I pay them off. I find another. My demands are never denied. My contracts are always signed. They submit to me. Willingly. Completely. Temporarily. This is how it’s always been.

Until I saw that filthy tweet.

@VaughnAsher My bare pussy. Your tongue. #ThingsIThinkAboutToGetOff

“FilthyBlueBird” thinks she can tease me with hashtags and then hide behind a Twitter handle?
She thinks I wouldn’t be more than happy to #RockHerFilthyWorld? She’s wrong.

Her online fantasy is about to collide with her public reality, and it’s about to happen… now.

GIVEAWAY

Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)

–50$ Amazon Gift Card

–Signed copy of Follow

–Swag pack

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LINKS
Pre-order Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/FOLLOW-Social-Media-JA-Huss-ebook/dp/B00MSBAHES
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22928394-follow

EXCERPT
I gulp some air and then look over my shoulder. He’s standing near the concrete pathway, leaning up against a closed concession stand, looking as free and content and in control as any person I’ve ever seen.

And why not? Why shouldn’t he feel that way? He’s beyond rich, he’s beyond beautiful, he’s beyond talented, and he’s so far beyond sexy, I’m powerless to resist his offer and he knows it.

“Say yes,” he commands. “You want to say yes, so just say yes.”

He’s so right about that. I do want to say yes. In fact, I’m a yes girl. I hate telling people no. I really do. But for some reason, this one person who I want to say yes to more than anything else in my entire life has reawakened the no girl inside of me and I’m having difficulty understanding why.

“Say yes right now or I walk away and you never see me again. Because I require your commitment tonight or I’ll just find someone else.”

“I want you,” I say breathlessly, my heart pounding in my chest. God, that was the total wrong move. What the hell am I doing?

“Of course you do.”

“I want you, but I’m not signing that paper tonight. I need to think about it. I need to be sure.”

“Grace, you have one more day left here on Saint Thomas and then you’re gone. So you’re wasting time.”

“Wait, you said you’d punish me when I was ready, implying we had lots of time to figure this out and now you’re in a rush?”

“Yes,” he says matter-of-factly. “I’m in a rush because I want to fuck you, woman. I want to fuck you bad. I’m dying right now because I’m all the way over here and you’re all the way over there, and all I want to be doing is fucking you. But instead I’m having this stupid conversation, convincing you, of all things, to let me pleasure you back if you pleasure me. But if you work out and you meet my needs, I might see you again. Some other place, some other time.”

“Then no.” I hang up the phone. Oh my God! I did it again! Where the hell are all these no’s coming from?

My phone buzzes in my hand but I ignore it.

A few minutes later I feel him walk up behind me. “May I join you on the beach?”

“It’s a free beach. Or is this one your personal property too? Am I just a beach to you?

Something you own and enjoy at your leisure?”

“I don’t own you, Grace. Not yet. So I’m asking if I can join you so we can sort this out. And that’s one more spanking.”

“We’re never going to get to the spankings, Asher. You just admitted to it, so stop.”

He chuckles. “That’s it, isn’t it? You want the spankings and you’re afraid I’m not going to make good on my threats.”

Pfft. “You wish.”

He kneels down and then sits. “Grace?” I look over to him, annoyed, and as soon as I look him in the eyes, he grabs my arm and pulls me to his lap, forcing me to lie across his knees.

“Would you like a taste and a promise? Panties on or bare ass for your sample?”

And introducing the cover reveal for PART TWO – LIKE

LIKE (Social Media #2)
By @JA Huss
Publication Date: September 10, 2014
Novella (120-ish pages)
Adult Contemporary Romance

Description:
#WhatADick

Vaughn Asher. I’ve stalked him relentlessly. I shaped and formed my lust into the perfect dirty hashtag…day after day… weekend after weekend. He was my prince. My fairy tale. My fantasy.

I gave him the best years of my online life and what did he do for me?

Ruined my social media experience one tweet at a time. That’s what.

#Fantastic #BackToNatureFucking
#MissingSomething #You

And now #TheDickWhoIsVaughnAsher thinks he can weasel his way back into this filthy blue bird’s Twitter account? He’s wrong.

His public fantasy is about to collide… ah, fuck it. He’s hot as hell, bitches. I need more than a free sample. This time I want it all and I’ll do whatever it takes to get it.

LINKS
Pre-order Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/LIKE-Social-Media-JA-Huss-ebook/dp/B00MS3B3DU
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23002756-like

AUTHOR BIO

J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

Author Links:

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

 

Cover Reveal: Ruin by CD Reiss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title: Ruin (Songs of Corruption, #2)
Author: C.D. Reiss
Genre: Erotic Romance
Release Date: October 14, 2014

Synopsis

What happens when a mob capo falls for a lawful woman?

Does he ruin her, or does she ruin him?

Do they live together, or die together?

This is Antonio Spinelli’s story.

WARNING: This book contains delicious sex scenes with a hot man dirty-talking in Italian; women handling firearms and explosives; and scenes of violence with a crystal virgin Mary cigarette lighter.

 Pre-Order Ruin today!

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

 Spin (Songs of Corruption, #1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Mafia capo,

Antonio Spinelli blew through my orderly life like a cyclone.

Gorgeous and passionate, with a breathtaking brutality, he put me
under his spell the moment he touched me, drawing me into his underworld of risk, violence and betrayal.

And I found, just as this sophisticated savage didn’t trust me, I didn’t trust myself. Something happened to me. Some alchemy from the heat between us.

I discovered I was a savage, too.

 About the Author

CD Reiss lives smack in the middle of Los Angeles with her children and husband. She likes to make pretty pictures and write dirty scenes. She eats dark chocolate and chili, together, sometimes with bacon, and doesn’t care what you think about that.

There are a million more things she could tell you about herself besides that, but they’re all too boring to mention in company.

Goodreads | Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter| Website | Pinterest

 

Book Blitz (Review, Excerpt and Giveaway): Vanquish by Pam Godwin

Title: Vanquish (Deliver #2)
Author: Pam Godwin
Genre: Dark Romance
Rating: 4.5 stars

Synopsis
Her life is like a prison cell.
A self-made, to-hell-with-the-free-world existence that locks from the inside.
Stop judging. Her agoraphobia doesn’t define her. It simply keeps her safe.

He belongs in a prison cell.
The 6×8, make-me-your-bitch variety that locks from the outside.
But he’s free. To hunt. To take. To break.
And he just found a sexy new toy.

Capturing her is the easy part. Her fucked-up mind, however, makes him question everything he does next.
But he’s a determined bastard. If all goes his way, this will hurt like hell.

Warning: Graphic sex and violence. Age 18+ only
It is recommended to read after Deliver, but it can be read as a stand-alone.

YaYa’s Review
Most times I don’t like it when an author changes the characters around.  If you remember Van from Deliver, then you remember him as Liv’s abductor.  The man who kept her enslaved for 7yrs.  Who also made her a sex trafficker in order to keep her and their daughter alive, amongst his little obsession.  But if you really remember towards the end he was going to tell Liv the whole truth until she shot him.  He did love her in his own way.

So at the beginning I was a little worried.  I was wondering about the big change in Van.  Was he looking for a Redemption?  I don’t think so. He’s always clear of his intentions and he never asked for remorse. But he did want something.  He wanted to be in his daughter Liviana’s life. I kept my fingers crossed and hoped Pam could pull this off.

Van may have grown up in the streets and his father turned him into a monster, but he still had some good in him.  He did love.  The problem was no one was loving him back.  Pam managed to show us a side of Van which left me speechless and creeped out at the same time.  Then again, creepy Van was what I wanted all along.  Boy was he creepy. Not only creepy, he was mean, heartless, and his stalking ways still on full alert.  It all had a reason.  That reason being Amber.  This time he didn’t seek her out, she stumbled into him.

First impressions of Amber…Dr. Phil and Oprah couldn’t help her out. This girl needed a miracle.  The only problem this miracle came in the form of a dark angel.  A woman broken so badly by her ex-husband she has stayed confined to her home.  Terrified of the outside world. She works from home and even has the deliver guy bring the mail directly into the house.  She also has sex with him but with the lights off.

Weird.  Talk about having issues.

I believe what Van saw in Amber was a broken soul who was more broken then he was.  One he might be able to put back together like his dolls.  One of my favorite scenes was when Van explained to Amber about the dolls.  Not so creepy anymore Van.  I felt for him. Amber understood him.  It may have not been right his actions towards her but in the end it all worked out.  Of course not without the pain and suffering.  Pam is really good at making you feel all those emotions as you read her stories.  Best part, she makes you love someone you should really hate.

Am I happy with the outcome?  Absolutely.  How did she change this man but still gave me what I wanted to see in Van?  Only she knows the answer to that.  At times I even laughed at some of the things Van did to Amber.  No I’m not being heartless.  It truly was funny.  If you have OCD you’d understand.  Don’t mess with my shit!!  I recommend that you read Deliver first and see where it all began and maybe you can forgive Van like I have.  Oh and hands down on the HEA.  I read the last chapter probably like 3 times.  It was BEAUTIFUL. The perfect ending. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

– YaYa

*An ARC was received from the author for an honest review.

Vanquish Purchase Links
Amazon US – Amazon UK – Amazon CA  – KOBO – Smashwords

EXCERPT
He stalked toward her, mirroring the tilt of her head, knees and shoulders loose, and his gaze
holding her prisoner. A breath away, he paused, soaking in the subtleties of her tipped-up chin,
parting lips, and glossy but resolute eyes.

With the next breath, he launched, hands on her jaw, fingers spread around the back of her
head.

His elbows dropped, shoulders raised, and he yanked her to him, lifting her on tiptoes, guiding
her mouth, taking it. His grip twisted through her hair as he drew in her upper lip and shoved her
against the fridge, following her with the weight of his body.

The kiss went fucking wild, their lips mashing in a frantic battle. His tongue plunged her mouth,
attacking, thrusting in and out, possessing her movements, owning her. Breath for breath, lick
after lick, he ate at her mouth, tasting, devouring.

He dropped his hands to her breasts, squeezing ruthlessly as he rolled his cock against her
cunt.

His tongue tingled, his skin burned, and his head swam. God, she was a drug, and he was so
fucking high.

She gripped his biceps, bit at his lips, and threw her arms over his shoulders, her fingers
scratching the fuck out his back. He shuddered, loving it, but he was in control.

Reaching back, he grabbed her wrists and slammed them above her head. Their bodies ground
together, his forearms pressing hers to the fridge, their tongues dancing and clashing. Chest-to-
chest, hips fused together, he flexed his ass, dry humping her like a horny teenager.

Jesus, fuck, he didn’t care. He wanted her.

He leaned back to study her face and found strong smoldering eyes, sharp breaths, and swollen
wet lips. Whatever she saw in his expression made her mouth chase his and her fingers curl
around his hands. They kissed endlessly, fueling the fire and pushing his control long past the
point of discomfort before pulling back and starting all over again.

When he broke the kiss with a hand on her jaw, they panted as one, mouths open and so close
their bottom lips brushed. She peered at him through lowered lashes, and he stared back in
awe. What trembled between them wasn’t an if? Or even a how hard? Those were foregone.
The question they shared was simple.

Ready?

Teaser

Author bio

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Pam Godwin, lives in the Midwest
with her husband, their two children, and a foulmouthed parrot. When she ran away,
she traveled fourteen countries across five continents, attended three universities, and
married the vocalist of her favorite rock band.

Java, tobacco, and dark romance novels are her favorite indulgences, and might be
considered more unhealthy than her aversion to sleeping, eating meat, and dolls with
blinking eyes.

Author Links
Facebook – Twitter – Website – Amazon Author page –
Goodreads Author page

Giveaway
4 signed copies of Vanquish by Pam Godwin (Open International)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Deliver Purchase Links
Add to Goodreads
Amazon US – Amazon UK – B&N

New Release Blitz & Giveaway: Dante’s Fire by Jennifer Probst

Today is the release day for DANTE’S FIRE, the newest title from NYTs bestselling author Jennifer Probst. Be sure to check out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win some fabulous prizes from Jennifer.

DANTE’S FIRE Synopsis:

It’s Time To Meet A New Kind Of Hero…

Dante Stark has a dark secret–a legacy left to him by his father which is both a blessing and a curse. A traumatic experience as a small boy gave him special powers of healing, but it comes with a price. Destined to wander the world alone to heal others, he’s accepted his fate. Until Selina Rogers forces him to confront his deepest fears, erotic desires, and question his capacity to love.

Selina Rogers has made a name for herself at Inferno Enterprises. She’s tough, confident and prepared to succeed. She’s also built a world she believes is safe, until she’s attacked and then saved by a masked stranger. As he helps her heal physically and emotionally, she becomes fascinated by his overwhelming power and gentle touch.
Determined to show Dante the love he’s been denying himself, Selina surrenders her heart, and dreams of a future with the mysterious man who completes her.

But will his dark legacy destroy them…or save them both…

GIVEAWAY:
GRAND PRIZE: Win a customized necklace.
2 RUNNERS UP: Receive a “winner’s choice” signed book by Jennifer Probst. US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Jennifer Probst – Bio:

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English
Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.
She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her
active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon’s Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

Author Links:

Website
Facebook Fan Page
Twitter
Goodreads