Krista Ames's Blog, page 104

Release Day Blast ~ Anything But Love by Beth Ciotta

Anything But Love
By: Beth Ciotta
St. Martin’s Press


Blurb For Reagan Deveraux, Sugar Creek, Vermont, and the Cupcake Lovers are a dream come true: A cozy little town where family and friends come before everything else. She’s never experienced anything like it—especially not growing up with her mother, a fickle, fame-hungry
heiress. But Rae’s plan to hide out in anonymity for a year until she can claim her inheritance—and her independence—changes with one kiss from gorgeous pub owner Luke Monroe. Luke’s charm is legendary, but he’s never been a one-woman man. Until Rae captures his attention, that is, and then disappears. With a little help from a friend, Luke tracks her down—and unearths secrets almost too wild to be true, as well as the fact that Rae lied to him, and to all of Sugar Creek. Luke’s not sure if he can forgive her, but he definitely can’t forget her, and when she returns to save the Cupcake Lovers from disaster, he knows it’s his chance to get the truth—and get the girl, this time for good…




Buy Links:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Anything-But-Love-Cupcake-Lovers/dp/125000134X B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/anything-but-love-beth-ciotta/1114205440?ean=9781250001344 iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/anything-but-love/id665701852?mt=11
Link to Follow Tour:  http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/08/now-booking-release-day-tasty-book_17.html




Excerpt“I’m looking for a woman who just came in. Gorgeous redhead in a green dress?”
The man raised a brow and Luke realized he probably sounded like a stalker.
“Reagan Deveraux,” Luke added. “I was supposed to meet her in the lobby.”
“I believe the woman you’re looking for went into the lounge.”
Luke thanked the man and headed toward where he pointed. He found Rae sitting at the bar throwing back a shot of tequila. He had no idea she did shots. He’d only ever seen her sip beer. Now she was licking salt from her hand like a pro. He watched, transfixed, as her red lips closed over a wedge of lime and sucked.  
He wasn't the only man watching.
Luke felt a jab of jealously when a designer-suited dude eased in and offered to buy her a drink.  Then a surge of relief when Rae turned the man away. Luke cursed his whacked-out emotions.  He shouldn't be feeling anything for Rae aside from betrayal and confusion.
He joined her at the bar. “What are you doing?”
“Treating myself to a birthday drink.” She barely cast him a glance while attacking her second shot. 
Luke clenched his jaw as she repeated the ritual. Salt, tequila, lime. Lick, drink, suck. Not overtly sexy, but sexy all the same. He gestured to the bartender. “Two Coronas, please.” Then he looked back to Rae. “Drinking alone on your birthday is sort of pathetic.”
“I’m not alone.” She met his gaze.  “Unfortunately.”
Luke searched her eyes, his gut clenching when he caught a glimpse of Rachel Lacey, the same vulnerability that had intrigued him all those months ago. He had a weakness for women in need. Hell, he had a weakness for women period. 
The bartender served two longnecks.
Luke waved off the glasses.  
“Put it on my tab,” Rae said.
“It’s on me.” Luke paid cash for two of the most expensive beers he’d ever bought in his life. 
“As for the cab,” he said to Rae, “thank you, but I can manage.” He pulled five twenties from his wallet and when she refused, he shoved the money in her purse. “Three months ago you were desperate for money. Or so you said. Jayce called you a trust fund baby. You might not have inherited your fortune until today, but you must have had access to a monthly allowance.”
“I didn’t want to touch that money.”
“Why not?”
“I can’t believe you had me investigated.”
She sounded somewhere between hurt and outraged. Luke knew the feeling. “I had you tracked, which I wouldn't have done if you had had the decency to say good-bye.”
Gaze averted, she sipped her beer then ordered another shot. “I felt awful about hurting Sam.  Plus I was compromising the success of the Cupcake Lover’s recipe book by refusing to participate in any publicity.” 
“So you ran away?”
“I didn't think I’d be missed.”
What the freaking hell? “Are you that insecure or that oblivious?”
“People come and go all the time, Luke.”
“You’re missing the point, Rae.” He nabbed her wrist as she reached for the salt shaker. Her pulse raced beneath his thumb.  His own heart bucked. He’d always had a talent for reading and finessing women. He had no clue how to handle Rae. Did she have the tolerance to withstand a third shot? He didn't want to take the chance. He grabbed her shooter and downed the Cuervo himself.  “Why don’t we sit at one of those tables and talk?”
“Why aren't you on your way to the airport?”
“Why won’t you tell me why you paid for a false identity?
She glanced away, picked at the label on the beer bottle. “I needed to be someone else for a while.”
“Why?”
“It’s personal.”
One thing hadn't changed. Reagan Devereaux was every bit as aloof as Rachel Lacey. Luke wanted to shake the crap out of her. Kissing her came to mind, too.  He’d never been so angry and turned on at the same time. He told himself it was because she was smoking hot and he’d been celibate for weeks. Aching to jump her bones was natural. It wasn't because he was jonesing to re-create the magic he’d felt the one and only time they’d locked lips. Who needed that kind of misery? Having a thing for a woman beyond his reach. A woman of privileged birth. A woman who’d earned a master’s degree. A woman worth a freaking million!
Hit the road, Monroe.
He wasn't getting the answers he wanted so why was he wasting his time? As it was he’d be lucky if he got home before Christmas morning.  Part of him had been desperate to see for himself that Rae was okay. She was more than okay.  Except for her obsessive lying and the tension between her and her mom and that dickhead Geoffrey Stein. Every family had drama, right? The Monroes certainly had their fair share. More often than not, Luke played mediator. He should be home making peace, not here waging war. Besides, reasoning with this woman was a losing battle.      Luke reached down for his backpack and when he straightened the infuriating enigma was finishing off another shot. 
For the love of. . .
He couldn't leave Rae in this bar.  What if she drank herself under the table? What if one of the several men watching took advantage? 
“Do you think your mom and Stein left the house yet?”
“I’m sure of it. God forbid they miss a moment of the party.”
“Then come on. I’ll drop you home before I head to the airport.”
“I’m not going home.” She flashed a key card. “I’m staying here tonight.” 
“Then I’ll walk you to your room.”
“Not necessary.” She stood, swaying a little on those sexy four-inch heels. 
Luke groaned. “Humor me.”  


         


Author Bio Storytelling comes naturally to award-winning author Beth Ciotta. Dubbed "fun and sexy" by Publisher's Weekly, Beth specializes in contemporary, historical, steampunk, and paranormal romantic fiction. Beth lives in NJ with her husband, two zany dogs, and a crazy cat. A retired professional performer, Beth now pours her artistic passion into her writing. To learn more about her colorful life, visit her website at www.bethciotta.com

Author Linkshttp://www.bethciotta.com/https://www.facebook.com/BethCiottaBookshttps://twitter.com/BethCiottahttp://bethciotta.blogspot.com/


Rafflecopter Giveaway (Cupcake Tote including FOOL FOR LOVE, TROUBLE WITH LOVE and Signed Cover Flat of ANYTHING BUT LOVE)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Day Blitz ~ The Billionaire's Best Friend by Christina Tetreault + giveaway

Welcome to Day 2 of the Release Day Blitz for

The Billionaire’s Best FriendBook 4 of The Sherbrooke's of Newport series by
Christina Tetreault

2 Day Release Blitz ~ Sept 23rd & Sept 27th



Blurb: Despite a wonderful family, a career she loves, and great friends, a void has existed in Lauren McDonald's life ever since her best friend Callie married billionaire Dylan Talbot. Although they haveremained close, Lauren and Callie now lead very different lives, that is until Lauren meets wealthy CEO Kevin Walsh. Lauren believes he could be the man who will help make her life whole again.  That is until the night Nathaniel Callahan, her high school sweetheart and the one man she has always loved, shows up.

Although Nate ended things with Lauren before heading off to The Naval Academy and his life with the Marines, he never stopped loving her. Now 15 years later he is back to correct the mistake he made all those years ago.
With Nate back in town, Lauren must decide between the man who promises her the world and the man who has the power to crush her heart again.



Buy Links:

Amazon    http://amzn.to/15Nr0quB&N    http://bit.ly/1dBP4i2KOBO    http://bit.ly/16SbQjPSmashwords    http://bit.ly/14xrBMh
Apple   https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-billionaires-best-friend/id695849588?mt=11




 Some short Teasers:
1) The one man she never stopped loving is back in town.  Now Lauren McDonald must decide between the man who promises her the world and the man who has the power to crush her heart again.
2) Lauren McDonald never stopped loving Nathaniel Callahan even though when he left it nearly destroyed her.  Now with him back in town, she must choose between playing it safe or risking her heart again.
3)After graduation Nate Callahan left Lauren McDonald behind when he entered The Naval Academy and his life with the Marines. Now fifteen years later he's returned with one goal, to win back the woman he never stopped loving and failure is not an option.




Excerpt:
The main doors of the room opened as Lauren paused her scan; the guest of honor was about to enter. Grabbing her camera, Lauren stood—only to immediately collapse back down into her chair when her knees gave out at the sight of Nathaniel Callahan standing in the doorway.            “Oh my God.” Her stomach hit the floor.            “What's the matter? Are you okay?” Callie's concerned voice sounded as if it were traveling a great distance to reach her.            Lauren glanced over at Callie and then toward the door again. Perhaps she'd imagined him. After all, why would he be here? The last time she'd heard anything about him, he was doing his third tour in the Middle East. Despite her hope that she'd started to hallucinate, when she looked again, he was still there, dressed in a black suit rather than his Marine uniform, his brown hair cut military short and looking much the same as he did the summer he'd broken her heart. She latched her hand onto Callie's arm. “Nate Callahan. He's here.”            She kept her eyes on him. Since that awful day the summer after senior year, she'd only seen him once. She'd been home visiting her parents during holiday break her freshman year of college. She’d spotted him in his parents' driveway from her bedroom window. They'd received more than two feet of snow the night before and he was helping his father shovel. That morning she'd stood and watched until the entire driveway was cleared. When he and his dad finished, he went back inside his house without so much as a glance toward her home.            “What?” Callie asked, her voice louder than necessary.            Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kevin and Dylan headed back to the table. "Nate just walked in," Lauren hissed.            "Lauren that . . ." Callie's voice trailed off and she sat up straighter. Her head moved to keep him in sight as he walked toward his parents. "What's he doing here?" she asked, her voice lower now.            Leaning closer, Lauren whispered, "I don't know. We don't exactly speak."






Author Bio: I wrote my first story with characters similar to those in the Sweet Valley Twins books at the age of 10 on my grandmother's manual typewriter. As I got older my stories and characters became more mature. During my freshman year at UMass Dartmouth, I read my first romance novel and fell in love with the genre. I have been writing contemporary romance ever since.
Today I live with my husband, three beautiful daughters and two dogs in Massachusetts. Whenever I have a free moment you'll find me either reading a romance novel or working on my most current story.

                              

Author Links:
Website:  www.christinatetreault.comfacebook:  www.facebook.com/christinatetreaultauthortwitter: @cgricciBlog:  http://happilyeverafter-cgtetreault.blogspot.com/


*******

Christina will be giving away, a $15 Amazon or B&N gift card,winner’s choice !


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link to Bridging the Gap Release Blitz: 
 http://www.bridgingthegappromotions.b...

Review: Black Amaranth by Sasha Hibbs

Black Amaranth by Sasha Hibbs






Eighteen-year-old Ally Watson arrives home from high school graduation, more than a little annoyed that her Uncle Argyle—Ally’s legal guardian and only surviving relative—didn’t even bother showing up.  But instead of berating him for his forgetfulness, Ally finds him in a life-or-death battle with a monster. Argyle manages to kill the creature, and gives Ally a parcel containing a destiny she never knew existed.
Ally, along with her best friends Michael, Jessica, and David, hurry to Georgia to uncover the truth of Uncle Argyle’s secrets, and the meaning of the mysterious marks that Ally bears. Are the marks related to the blacksmith mythology of her ancestors? Who are these heavenly warriors who show up in the oddest of places? And will an ancient gypsy curse destroy the very things Ally fights to save?  
Black Amaranth: a simple flower, a symbol with an ancient legacy, a conduit for prophecy…while faith and hope are essential to the journey, Ally soon discovers that love is the most powerful force of all.    
Buy Links:       Amazon      ~       Barnes and Noble      ~      Evernight Teen
My Review: An intricately detailed story line full of twists and turns that sucks the reader in until the last page!   I am loving these Young Adult Paranormal stories !

This is the story of Ally Watson, your typical 18 year old who has been dealt a hand that will literally change her life forever.  I did like the dialogue between the heroine and her secondary characters; made me think i was reading about my own teen at times lol.

I'm impressed with the world that Ms. Hibbs has created and the hoops Ally has to go through and around to decide the fate of her future.  This is all followed up by an epic conclusion that really isn't the end at all, only the beginning.

I can't wait to read the next book in this series.   Great job creating awesomeness Sasha Hibbs!!  I'll be handing this to my teen to read as well.





Extended Excerpt:

“LOU’S HOUSE OF BLUES?” Dave read the large neon sign in disbelief. “You’re taking us to a…bar?”
“To the Gypsies, and the one I am seeking out in particular,” Parthenia looked straight ahead, “happens to spend most of her time in this bar.”
“Mom thinks we’re going to church camp.” Dave’s face spread into a big smile. “I wonder what she would say if she knew we were going to a bar.”
“We’re eighteen,” Jessica said, reminding him. “Just once, Dave, please be cool.” Jessica winced.
“Cheer up, Jessica.” Brandi patted her mockingly. “There’s a first time for everything.”
“Whatever. I’m sure this beats your lame keg party,” Jessica said.
Nothing surprised Ally anymore, not even the rough-cut lumber bar staring back at her. Motorcycles and beat up trucks lined the gravel parking lot. A wraparound porch with live oaks bordered the outside. Looking determined, Parthenia motioned for them to follow her up there. As Ally ascended onto the creaky porch, her eye caught a slumbering black dog. She sidestepped to miss treading on the dog. Instinctively, Ally bent down and brushed her hand along the thick black coat.
“Good Lord, Miss,” a voice said. Ally looked up into an old pair of friendly brown eyes. “You must be somebody special,” he said, swaying back and forth in a dilapidated rocking chair, the ripened wood groaning with each sway, paint chipping up the back spindles. “Miss Elma doesn’t like anybody,” he said. His deep Southern accent drew out each syllable slowly.
“Sorry,” Ally apologized.
“No need to be sorry, Miss.” Ally could see a warm smile through the grey stubble wrapped around his aged features. “That there dog showed up one day and she’s been laying here ever since like she’s been waiting on someone.” He turned his head out to the horizon, pulling out a battered harmonica and bringing it up to his lips, he paused and said, “You have a good day, Miss.”
Ally looked down at the dog. Lids slowly peeled back revealing deep-set hazel eyes. The dog stretched out her tired limbs, stood to her full height, and nudged Ally’s knees, placing her head under one of Ally’s open palms. Her long silky hair fell between Ally’s fingers.
“Looks like you’ve got a friend—a very large black German Shepherd friend,” Michael said, his eyes smiling.
“Ally,” Parthenia interrupted, “please tell her to sit. I’ve got a feeling this one’s going to follow you.” Parthenia met Brandi’s gaze, their intense eyes implying something they weren’t saying. “Eli, perhaps it would be best if Solomon and Jeb waited out here with Lucy.”
Eli turned, instructing them to wait and watch over his little sister.
“There are three Ravenscraft women: Denaulda, Griselda, and Irini.” Parthenia looked deeply into Ally’s eyes and then shot a look of caution to Michael and the twins. “Denaulda is the eldest sister, and by right, the acting leader of the Gypsies. She is the most powerful next to their holy woman, Belle Crow. Let me caution you now. Do not cross them. They prove to be useful and good allies, but can also prove to be fearful enemies if you’re not on the same side as them. Remember, the curse of the elder Gypsies coupled with Vulcan crossing them is what caused all of this to ensue in the first place. Their magic runs deep, it’s old, and just as the blaxxmiths have a particular affinity for a single element, Gypsies have a strong affinity for magic.”
“Ooo, this should be fun,” Brandi purred mischievously.
“Try to curb your enthusiasm, will you?” Parthenia glared back at Brandi.
“I’ll not say a word.” Brandi winked and said, “Promise.”
“Are they witches?” Jessica asked, a noticeable trace of anxiety in her voice.
“They’re worse than witches,” Eli barked out.
“What is your problem? Considering how you treated me last night, I doubt that your dislike is exclusive to Gypsies. I’m guessing that you hate everyone and everything.” Jessica’s face flushed with anger. Eli fumed, but said nothing.
“No, they are not witches,” Parthenia said, interrupting the awkward silence. “They are Gypsies, and if you want to get on their bad side quick, call one of them a witch.” She turned and looked down her nose at Dave.
“Gotcha,” Dave said, seeming to understand she worried most about what might come out of his mouth.
“Stay behind me and try not to stare at anyone,” Parthenia said.
“Stay, girl.” Ally pointed her finger down at the porch. Miss Elma was obedient, sliding her long muscled legs down, crossing them over top each other and resting her head on her large paws. “Good girl.”
Ally stepped in behind of Parthenia, leaving the rest to trail in after her. Ally looked around in awe. She had never been in a bar before, and wasn’t too disappointed by the one she was standing in now. Red booths lined the unevenly cut board and batten walls, and a few were occupied by men and women who stared directly at them. Round tables just big enough for two were scattered throughout, leading up to a large empty dance floor. Strings of colored bulbs hung down low from the walls, casting dim shadows that mixed in with smoky air. Bar stools surrounded the long slab bar, while behind it a large, intimidating man eyed them up as he casually wiped his hands off on a white towel.
“Hello, Lou,” Parthenia said. “Denaulda around?”
He jerked his head in the direction of the stage, Parthenia following the line of his gaze, sighed softly and said, “Great.”
“Remember me just saying that Gypsies were gifted with a particular talent? Strong magic?” Parthenia whispered close to Ally’s ear. 
“Uh-huh,” Ally said, looking straight ahead to the empty stage.
“Well, you’re about to find out what Denaulda’s is,” Parthenia said, sitting on a barstool and turning to face the stage. “Might as well have a seat and try to stay there.”
Michael and Dave eased down into an empty booth, leaving the opposite side open for the girls. Eli and Brandi opted to sit with Parthenia on barstools.
At the corner of the wooden stage, men were pulling out and tuning guitars and harmonicas. As a slow sultry rhythm played out of their instruments, a petite, dark-haired woman emerged from behind beaded curtains onto the stage. She slinked her way up to the microphone stand like a snake closing in on its prey. She curled her slender fingers around the mic as she cocked her head to the side, looking at her audience with thoughtful, heavy-lidded eyes. Ally’s arms erupted in goose bumps, a surefire warning that something otherworldly was about to happen.
She began to sing, sound floating dreamingly out of her mouth, weaving in and around the crowd like an invisible serpent, creeping up around their heels, sliding up and into their souls.
Michael and Dave twisted around, their heads following the direction of the eerie tune as Jessica mechanically stood up from the bench.
“What are you doing?” Ally whispered between her teeth while tugging on Jessica’s sleeve.
“Just one…dance.” Jessica didn’t look down at Ally; she walked slowly onto the dance floor as though the melody willed her to do so. Problem was, Jessica was a wallflower, or at least when they went to the prom Ally couldn’t peel her away from the wall if her life depended on it.
Ally looked around wondering if Denaulda’s music was having the same effect on everyone else. Brandi smiled naughtily which told Ally there must have been some part of her that expected this. Beside her, Eli watched Jessica through burning eyes. A few patrons joined Jessica on the dance floor, swaying back and forth to the beat, their bodies sweeping in and out in circular motions.
From the wall, a steely gaze followed Jessica. A boy with a shock of blond hair materialized from the shadows and inched his way towards the dance floor. He didn’t look much older than they did but he carried himself like a prowling marauder. His arms encircled Jessica’s waist as he closed the distance between them. To Ally’s surprise, Jessica welcomed him.
Denaulda’s lips curled up into a wicked smile. The tune hung in the air, like a poisonous gas. Ally couldn’t ignore the soothing, rich words.
When we were young and full of life
you reached in deep, and pierced my heart with a knife.
The night cries out, sweet and high,
weeping for her children with a gentle sigh.
Young nights, young nights, where did you go?
I can smell the night air, and how the moonlight glowed.
Young nights, young nights, come back to the home we both know.
“Where’s Lucy?” Dave kept his eyes fixed on Denaulda. “I think I should…” Dave’s words drifted off into the chorus.
Jessica reached her hands up and tangled her fingers into the thick blond hair of the boy she’d glued herself to. They appeared to only have eyes for each other as though no one else existed in the room. Ally was ready to get up and separate the two when another wave of lyrics poured out from Denaulda, nailing Ally to her seat.
I have loved you tender and loved you long,
but you were caught in the crossfire, we got it all wrong.
Can we ever go back to the way it used to be?
Young nights under the Spanish moss, just you and me.
I can smell the night air, and how the moonlight glowed.
Young nights, young nights, come back to the home we both know.
Ally couldn’t budge. “Michael?” She looked up, knowing he would fix this, but when she met his eyes, her breath caught in the back of her throat. Heat spread up through her face as his blue eyes bored into hers. The Michael staring at her now wasn’t looking at her as friends look at one another, but as something much different: as a man who looks, really looks, at a woman. Without Denaulda’s enchanting music, Ally wondered if his penetrating gaze would have bothered her or not.
Eli crossed the floor in long strides, catching Ally’s attention. She sat there unable to move, nervous, knowing that the direction Eli was currently going in wasn’t a good one. Eli’d had a chip on his shoulder since they all met, but more so towards Jessica than the rest of them. Ally just didn’t know why, though.
“Enough.” Ally could barely hear what Eli was saying to Jessica over the music. Denaulda looked entertained by what was transpiring on the dance floor. Jessica paid no attention to him, moving in closer to her partner, so close you couldn’t wedge a piece of paper between them.
Eli’s lips twisted into a snarl as he grabbed Jessica’s wrist. The next few moments happened before Ally could fully register what she was seeing. The blond boy swung at Eli, whose hand cupped the boy’s fist, holding him there effortlessly. He jerked Jessica to the side, causing her to rock on her heels, attempting to balance herself. He flung the boy’s fist down in disgust. “You’re done here,” Eli said to the boy through clenched teeth.
“Oh, no we’re not,” Jessica said, seething and stepping away from Eli, going back into the arms of her dance partner.
Eli growled as he grabbed her arm. Jessica spun around and slapped Eli across the face, sending an echo throughout the bar.
“Do not ever touch me again!” Jessica’s face reddened, almost matching the color of her hair. “Do you understand me?”
Eli stood there blinking in disbelief, raising a hand up to where hers had just been.
“Okay, boys.” Denaulda motioned for the band behind her to stop. “I think it’s time for a break.”
As soon as Denaulda quit singing, her spell dissolved. All those affected shook their heads, clearing up the lingering fog, all except Eli. He stood still, tracing the outline of where Jessica’s fingers touched him.
“Um…” Jessica looked back and forth between Eli and the blond boy staring at her and said, “Hmm, this is awkward. Excuse me.” Jessica quickly brushed past them and darted back to sit down. “What was I doing?”
“Let’s just say that you gave Brandi a run for her money,” Ally said, sugar-coating the truth as Jessica slouched down further in the booth.
“Parthenia,” the words were rich, alluring, “what brings you to my neck of the woods?” Denaulda’s eyes slid past Parthenia and landed directly on Ally.
Denaulda tilted her head, studying Ally through suspicious eyes. “I read the stars last night. Do you know what they told me?” Her eyes, the color of ash, rounded as she studied Ally.
Ally couldn’t speak, her voice was jammed. Looking at this sorceress was unnerving. Ally just shook her head no.
         “They told me Death would be coming to visit me today.”

Author Bio:
By age 5, Sasha Hibbs' favorite movie was Gone With the Wind. By age 12, she completed her 7th grade book report on the sequel, Scarlett. By 18, she met and married her very own Mr. Rhett Butler and as it turns out, she never had to worry about going back to Tara to win the love of her life back. Fortunately, he stuck with her.  
With a love of all things paranormal, the ambiance of the South with its gigantic antebellum mansions and canopies of Spanish moss, and a love for her husband’s rich storytelling of blacksmiths and the mythology surrounding their origins, it wasn’t long until the world of her debut novel, Black Amaranth, was born.
When not working her day job as a nurse, you can find Sasha dreaming of her next beach trip, reading the latest YA novel, and drinking more white chocolate mocha than she should.  
Sasha lives in mountainous West Virginia with her husband, Tim, and their two daughters, Aeliza and Ava. She is currently hard at work on book two in The Vulcan Legacies series.
  Facebook    Blog    Website   Goodreads   Twitter

Review: Bikers and Pearls by Vicki Wilkerson + giveaway

   Bikers and Pearls  by  Vicki Wilkerson     Blurb: 

Who said tempting a sweet Southern belle would be easy?

When rebel biker Bullworth Clayton gets tangled up with pastel-and-pearls-clad April Church, sparks fly. Sure, April would clearly rather work with anyone else, but if teaming up with Bull means a successful charity event for a sick little boy they both care about, then so be it.
April is baffled at how drawn she is to the leather-wearing, tattooed Bull—he just doesn’t fit with her simple, safe, country-club life. And as much as the handsomely rugged man tempts her, she still can’t shake the images of the tragic motorcycle accident from her past, which left her scarred and her father broken.

 Bull tempts her to don a pair of leather pants and go for a ride with him, while April desperately tries to resist her attraction to the wild side and keep her exploits hidden from her small town. Will they be able to navigate their differences and find a middle road to love?
 
  Buy Links Amazon 
Barnes and Noble
 Entangled Publishing
   My Review I've read nothing but great things from the Bliss line and that absolutely includes Bikers and Pearls .   I grew up on the back of my dad's bike so I do have my own personal feelings and fears about motorcycles so I felt a kinship with April.  And then there's Bull, what's not to love about him.   It's a funny statement, 'opposites attract' and in this story these two complex characters couldn't be anymore different but the attraction is most definitely there.  April is so desperately seeking the prestigious socialite status while Bull (an awesome name btw)  owns a garage and rides a motorcycle.   Ms. Wilkerson created a great emotional base perfect for a budding relationship, pushing both characters to overcome obstacles from their past to have a possibility at a future, together.   They learn what they really want in life and what truly makes them happy while working to know each other.    Such a sweet story, I loved it !    Praise for Bikers and Pearls
“A sweetly Southern story with a deep heart.” –Deborah Smith, New York Times bestselling author of A Place to Call Home
 
Excerpt from Bikers and Pearls
© 2013 Vicki Wilkerson
 
Chapter One
 
Motorcycles were everywhere. April Church had never seen so many in one place in her entire life. Row after row and side by side, they had been lined up like opposing armies. Was there some kind of biker rally in town that she didn’t know about? No. That couldn’t be. Surely, something like that would have been announced in the Summerbrook Gazette.
She looked for a well-lit parking spot near the door of the buffet steakhouse, but after circling the bikes three times, she finally squeezed her car into the last space at the rear of the dark lot. Motorcycles flanked both sides of her car. Flames embellished the tank of the bike immediately to her left and razors decorated the one to her right.
She was trapped.
Trapped like she had been in her father’s car the night he’d accidentally hit a motorcycle—the night the dead man’s “pack” had surrounded them like wolves. And here she was again, encircled by bikes. She looked toward the building. In that steakhouse were the same kind of people who had left her father with a limp, bound to a cane for the rest of his life.
Why on Earth did she tell Mr. Houseman that she’d go to the meeting? Well, for many reasons, but the most important was Ben. He was special. Every time he saw her, he gave her a hug. Started out when she first helped him learn to climb a tree when the Humanity Project volunteers built his home. When he dropped down from that tree and into her arms, he also dropped into her heart. Ever since that day, he drew pictures of trees and gave them to her as gifts. Yep. He was special, and she had to do something to help the little boy’s parents with the mounting medical bills. Mr. Houseman was her mentor at the Humanity Project, and she owed him, too. She also thought about Miss Adree, the sweet, elderly lady in her condo building who taught Ben music lessons every Thursday evening. April loved picking up the little guy and remembered Miss Adree doing the same for her when she was a child. It was time to return favors.
Inside would be all the civic-minded organizations from town that were helping Ben, including the Summerbrook Ladies League. The bikers were probably at the restaurant for a completely different reason—some ride or party they had to plan. She glanced around at all the motorcycles again. There were so many.
Taking a deep breath, she gingerly opened the car door. But before she got the chance to put her foot on the asphalt, the painted flames on the motorcycle next to her pitched—almost imperceptibly at first. Or perhaps she was simply denying what was happening.
Down it went. The mirrors tilted and flashed the light of a distant streetlamp over the body of the beast. Stop!Somehow, it appeared to have picked up momentum on its way to its death. And then it crashed against the pavement, the clang grating up her spine as it hit. No! She couldn’t have touched that bike. She had been so careful.
As she stepped outside the car, a shiver iced down her spine in a cold gust of March air. The motorcycle lay there like a fallen soldier. The crash had amputated its rearview mirror, which was now in the middle of the lane. She looked all around her.
For a brief moment, she thought about bolting. But she’d never do that. She worked at a local insurance company as a risk assessment manager. Assessing her own risk, she determined that she was in real trouble.

 

Author Bio:


Vicki is a native of the Charleston, South Carolina, Lowcountry and loves to share her enchantment with the area with readers through her writing. Even in childhood, she enjoyed penning stories and poems—no doubt fueled by her grandfather's enthusiasm for telling tales himself. Where else—but in the South—could one find the interesting blend of salt water, eerie swamps, unwritten traditions and unique characters? In her spare time, she loves traveling, spending weekends at her family's lake house, playing golf and cooking (with lots of wine). Visit Vicki at http://www.vickiwilkerson.com .

 

There is a tour wide giveaway of this Pearl Necklace (US winner only) http://www.amazon.com/Sterling-Freshwater-Cultured-5-5-6mm-Necklace/dp/B001U88B48  



  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Seizing Fate by Heather Van Fleet

(so excited for this book :)...just sayin')


Seizing Fate (Predetermined #2)Young adult Paranormal romance

Seizing Fate blurb:
And you thought Emmy’s life was a hot mess before…
Jack’s gone off to Arizona with his brother, but for how long? Emmy doesn’t have a clue. In his place, though, is Zachary. The whiny, miserable, alpha wolf–boy who is more than ready to take on the duty of her mate/boyfriend — if she’d let him, that is. But the last thing Emmy wants is to deal with a boy who believes that the world should fall solely at his feet whenever he demands it.
But hey, at least her step–douche is gone, and her life is back to an almost normal sense, right?
Wrong again, Emmy’s life will never again be normal…
With her Uncle Prick in town and her best friend acting as secretive as ever, Emmy finds new challenges to overcome — challenges that no seventeen–year–old girl should ever have to deal with. For one thing, what is up with her dream–liaison status anyway? What does it mean, really? And why does her little brother have to go through it too? And then there’s her mom. The lady is acting a tad bit odd, to put it nicely. After all these years, she finally wants to step up and be a parental figure? Heck no! Emmy’s definitely not copacetic with that idea.
But with the bad, there’s got to be some good out there for her somewhere, right?
Add in the wolves, witches, drama, and lots of kisses and you get Emmy the Extraordinaire, the girl with strawberry–colored hair, and a chip on her shoulder. She’s finally on her way to finding out what her life and her future both have in store for her, even if the road to getting there is nowhere near as easy as she hoped it would be. But Emmy is tough, and more than ready to take on life with her bare hands. It’s just too bad she’s madly, desperately, insanely in love with a boy who insists on making her life both a miserable hell and utter perfection at the same time.


Excerpt:
Pressure, fire, wetness, tongues — single words were all I could think as our mouths battled. God, I’d never been kissed like this before. Ever, and if we stopped, I’d die a happy woman from his lips touching mine alone. He tugged his hand into the back of my hair, pulling my chin upwards, yanking me towards him. I clawed at his shirt, ready to rip it from his massive body. I pulled at his jacket first, lowering it over his shoulders until it fell to the floor. The buttons jingled against the tile, scattering over our feet. Damn, if he didn’t care about his signature black coat falling apart, then I had to wonder what else I could get away with.



Resisting Fate ,Book 1 is available now:


Amazon buylink for Resisting Fate 
Goodreadslink for Seizing Fate 
Goodreadslink for Resisting Fate






Author Bio:
Young Adult paranormal and contemporary author Heather Van Fleet is an Illinois born native, raised in a town that borders both Iowa and Illinois. She’s a wife to her hubby (and high school sweet heart) Chris, as well as a mom to her three little girls, Kelsey, Emma and Bella. When she’s not obsessing over her fictional book characters, cooking dinner, or running around chasing her crazy kiddos, you can usually find her with her head stuck in her Kindle, drinking White Chocolate Mochas like they were water.

  Twitter    ~    Facebook    ~    Website     ~     Goodreads

2 Day Release Book Blitz & GIVEAWAY ~ The Billionaire's Best Friend by Christina Tetreault

 The Billionaire’s Best FriendBook 4 of The Sherbrooke's of Newport series by
Christina Tetreault

2 Day Release Blitz ~ Sept 23rd & Sept 27th



Blurb: Despite a wonderful family, a career she loves, and great friends, a void has existed in Lauren McDonald's life ever since her best friend Callie married billionaire Dylan Talbot. Although they have remained close, Lauren and Callie now lead very different lives, that is until Lauren meets wealthy CEO Kevin Walsh. Lauren believes he could be the man who will help make her life whole again.  That is until the night Nathaniel Callahan, her high school sweetheart and the one man she has always loved, shows up.

Although Nate ended things with Lauren before heading off to The Naval Academy and his life with the Marines, he never stopped loving her. Now 15 years later he is back to correct the mistake he made all those years ago.
With Nate back in town, Lauren must decide between the man who promises her the world and the man who has the power to crush her heart again.



Buy Links:

Amazon    http://amzn.to/15Nr0quB&N    http://bit.ly/1dBP4i2 KOBO    http://bit.ly/16SbQjPSmashwords    http://bit.ly/14xrBMh 
 Some short Teasers:
1) The one man she never stopped loving is back in town.  Now Lauren McDonald must decide between the man who promises her the world and the man who has the power to crush her heart again.
2) Lauren McDonald never stopped loving Nathaniel Callahan even though when he left it nearly destroyed her.  Now with him back in town, she must choose between playing it safe or risking her heart again.
3)After graduation Nate Callahan left Lauren McDonald behind when he entered The Naval Academy and his life with the Marines. Now fifteen years later he's returned with one goal, to win back the woman he never stopped loving and failure is not an option.




Excerpt:
The main doors of the room opened as Lauren paused her scan; the guest of honor was about to enter. Grabbing her camera, Lauren stood—only to immediately collapse back down into her chair when her knees gave out at the sight of Nathaniel Callahan standing in the doorway.            “Oh my God.” Her stomach hit the floor.            “What's the matter? Are you okay?” Callie's concerned voice sounded as if it were traveling a great distance to reach her.            Lauren glanced over at Callie and then toward the door again. Perhaps she'd imagined him. After all, why would he be here? The last time she'd heard anything about him, he was doing his third tour in the Middle East. Despite her hope that she'd started to hallucinate, when she looked again, he was still there, dressed in a black suit rather than his Marine uniform, his brown hair cut military short and looking much the same as he did the summer he'd broken her heart. She latched her hand onto Callie's arm. “Nate Callahan. He's here.”             She kept her eyes on him. Since that awful day the summer after senior year, she'd only seen him once. She'd been home visiting her parents during holiday break her freshman year of college. She’d spotted him in his parents' driveway from her bedroom window. They'd received more than two feet of snow the night before and he was helping his father shovel. That morning she'd stood and watched until the entire driveway was cleared. When he and his dad finished, he went back inside his house without so much as a glance toward her home.            “What?” Callie asked, her voice louder than necessary.            Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kevin and Dylan headed back to the table. "Nate just walked in," Lauren hissed.            "Lauren that . . ." Callie's voice trailed off and she sat up straighter. Her head moved to keep him in sight as he walked toward his parents. "What's he doing here?" she asked, her voice lower now.            Leaning closer, Lauren whispered, "I don't know. We don't exactly speak."






Author Bio: I wrote my first story with characters similar to those in the Sweet Valley Twins books at the age of 10 on my grandmother's manual typewriter. As I got older my stories and characters became more mature. During my freshman year at UMass Dartmouth, I read my first romance novel and fell in love with the genre. I have been writing contemporary romance ever since.
Today I live with my husband, three beautiful daughters and two dogs in Massachusetts. Whenever I have a free moment you'll find me either reading a romance novel or working on my most current story.

                              

Author Links:
Website:  www.christinatetreault.comfacebook:  www.facebook.com/christinatetreaultauthortwitter: @cgricciBlog:  http://happilyeverafter-cgtetreault.blogspot.com/


*******

Christina will be giving away, a $15 Amazon or B&N gift card, winner’s choice !


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link to Bridging the Gap Release Blitz: 
 http://www.bridgingthegappromotions.b...

My Sexy Saturday #MSSWeek16

Hi and welcome to the 16th week of My Sexy Saturday.



I have so much fun doing this and hope you do too.  Today i'm going to share a 7 snippet from my almost finished WIP Morgan's Mountain !
She’s mad because I’m cutting wood?  He couldn't help but laugh at her stance.  She’d placed both hands on her hips and if the snow weren't so deep he’d be able to see her tapping her foot.
“Now what’s so funny?  Do you think this is all a game?”
“I’m sorry okay?  You just look too darn cute standing there.”  She rolled her eyes and turned to walk away so he dropped the ax and stomped around her, stopping her progression when he clasped her shoulders.  “No wait, seriously.  I’m sorry.  If you want me to stop chopping so you can finish I will but I was just trying to help.  At least let me do this Morgan.”  He raised his eyebrows; silently pleading with her then dropped his hands to his sides.
“Fine.  I’m going back inside; I have other things to do.”  Morgan turned from him heading toward the cabin. “Oh, Luke?”
She had faded slightly from his sight but he could still see her enough to see that the look she gave brooked no argument.
“Please keep your distance.  Letting you do this doesn't change anything.”
“Whatever you say, sugar.”  Whatever you say.  He smirked and once she was out of sight completely, he pulled down his face mask and picked up the ax. 
*     *     *     *     *     *
Thanks so much for stopping by today and make sure you visit the other sexy stops !!!

Review: Riverside by Tess Thompson + GIVEAWAY @tesswrites

[image error]

River Valley SeriesRIVERSTAR
By: Tess Thompson

Riverstar (The River Valley Collection #3)
[image error] After ending an affair with a married movie producer, feisty Hollywood makeup artist Bella Webber finds herself back in the quaint Oregon town of River Valley, the location of a famous director’s latest film. Despite trying to distract herself with work, Bella is unnerved by the proximity of Benjamin Fleck – a man who once so expertly made love to her she’d temporarily forgotten everything painful about her life. But now Ben sees her as nothing more than a heartbreak waiting to happen.

When an actress is found murdered after she’s seen leaving the restaurant Riversong with Ben, he is accused of the crime and arrested. Convinced of his innocence, the River Valley ‘gang of misfits’ band together to find the real killer, and Bella must face her biggest fear to ensure the truth is revealed.

Riverstar - Amazon   Barnes and Noble     iTunes    Kobo

My Review:
Suspense in a story is quickly becoming another part of the romance genre i'm liking along with the fantastic author Ms. Tess Thompson.  Readers, she has truly done it again !!!
Another star is born with this book.  Riverstar is book 3 in The River Valley Collection and River Valley is another town I've absolutely fallen in love with!
Ms. Thompson has held fast to creating unforgettable and amazing characters that readers can't help but fall in love with.  It's so easy to feel what each character is going through and it really makes the book mean so much more!  
It's nice to have Bella & Benjamin finally get their chance, even after all this time and everything they had to go through.  I really believe it just makes a relationship so much stronger when two people can find a way to stand by each other and make it through the bad stuff without giving up.  
Will there be a book 4?  Boy do I sure hope so :)
Thanks to Author Tess Thompson for such a great series.
5 stars well deserved !!



Author Info [image error] Tess Thompson is a novelist and playwright with a BFA in Drama from the University of Southern California. In 2011, she released her first novel, Riversong, which subsequently became a bestseller.
Like the characters in the River Valley collection, Tess is from a small town in Oregon. She currently lives in a suburb of Seattle, Washington with her two young daughters, Emerson and Ella. She is inspired daily by the view of the Cascade Mountains from her home office window.
Tess is working on her next novel and regularly blogs about her journey as a mother, author and friend at www.tesswrites.com.


Author Links:www.tesswrites.com@tesswriteshttp://www.facebook.com/AuthorTessThompson?fref=tshttp://www.amazon.com/Tess-Thompson/e/B004W3WOTG/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1http://pinterest.com/tesswrites/

Rafflecopter Giveaway($10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card and Digital Copy of CARAMEL AND MAGNOLIAS)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Unwanted Proposal by J.N. Johnson + giveaway!

Unwanted Proposal by J. N Johnson

Caleb Myers watched as his sister and brother-in-law, Joshua, drove away from Clearwater for a much needed vacation, leaving him to housesit, and take care of the family business. The idea of a long weekend of peace and quiet at their country cabin turned out to be a short-lived dream when a phone call from his employee at Winter Lilly’s Outfitters brings news of an unwanted visitor. Riley Campbell wants nothing more out of life than to impress the pig-headed bosses who like to use her as client eye candy at her Houston law firm, and put her career on the fast track for partner. Nothing made her happier than legal battles and paper pushing, but when she is sent miles from her normal city life, and thrown into the country setting of Clearwater, Wyoming, she fears she may have met her match. With an offer in hand to buy Winter Lilly’s Outfitters, Riley tries to convince Caleb to take the deal, but his good ole boy ways, country charms, and fierce loyalty leaves her wanting more than just his name on the dotted line. Can two people from opposite worlds come together under such an Unwanted Proposal?
Amazon   WEBSITE   FACEBOOK
CLEARWATER WEBSITE



My review:

You know.....I seriously love Clearwater.  If I knew it would all be there when I got there, I'd have been in the car 10 minutes ago.  I just finished reading Unwanted Proposal and was blown away!  I LOVED IT!  Truly, I got to the epilogue and started giggling like a giddy school girl.  Ms. Johnson you rock!

I was extremely impressed with the way you so cleverly described everything.  I really felt like I was standing at the glass patio doors with Caleb after feeding the dog or lying in the back of his truck while he and Riley watched the stars.  And the love scene? Whoa!

And, I was pissed and hurt right along with him when he stood in the lobby of the Winterbloom B&B staring at his family.

Can't say I'm a fan of lawyers, having had used them in my own past but Riley stole my heart as well and what a decision for her to make.

Please tell me you have another book waiting in the wings because I seriously need more from you!  A seriously talented writer here people!

Readers, you won't regret visiting Clearwater, only the leaving.   CLEARWATER HAS A FANTASTIC FUTURE!

5 stars JN Johnson and bravo!




About J.N Johnson:

Living in her hometown of Charleston, West Virginia, JN Johnson is the proud mother of two beautiful little girls and is married to her high school sweetheart (and greatest supporter ) whom she considers the rock that keeps her grounded.
She was first introduced to the world of fantasy when she was seven years old reading The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe making her never want to read about “the real world” again. Her mother and grandmother’s love of romance novels gave her the opportunity to learn about book trading, taking all of their old books to the local flea market to trade for anything that sparked her interest. Those days are long gone; her books now stay safely on her book shelves at home and out of harm’s way.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Riverbend by Tess Thompson

[image error]



River Valley Series
RIVERBEND
By: Tess Thompson


Riverbend (The River Valley Collection #2)
"Tag. I found you."

[image error] Just as Annie Bell's reputation as one of the best chefs in the Pacific Northwest grows to new heights, she receives a threatening phone call from her abusive ex-boyfriend. Marco is out on parole and hungry for revenge, blaming her for his ten-year imprisonment. Fearing for her life and that of her young son, Annie reluctantly accepts help from Drake Webber, a cold and wealthy recluse hiding a dark history of his own. Supported by the gang of misfits from their restaurant Riversong, Annie forges ahead despite her growing terror that Marco will appear at any moment and make good on his threats.


Author Tess Thompson (formerly known as Tess Hardwick) reunites the colorful cast of endearing small-town characters from her bestselling novel Riversong and takes you on a journey that will renew your faith in love, friendship and the power of community - even in the face of seemingly insurmountable grief and fear. You'll find yourself once again cheering for the residents of River Valley, especially the big-hearted and compassionate Annie Bell.


Buy Links:     Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, Barnes and Noble



My Review:
What a great read!  This is the second book in The River Valley Collection and I'm really loving this author and the town.  I think Tess Thompson hooked me in with Annie's little boy she's trying to keep safe.  As a mom, there is nothing more important!


I really like how this author has created very passionate characters and a believable story line with true-to-life situations and fears.

I usually like to reference different scenes & such in my reviews but you know what?  Not this time!  Go buy the book, oh heck with that, go buy the series!  You won't be disappointed.

Tomorrow I'm reviewing book 3 :) and after reading these books, I sure hope things continue in River Valley!

Ms. Thompson, you rock!




Author Info:
[image error] Tess Thompson is a novelist and playwright with a BFA in Drama from the University of Southern California. In 2011, she released her first novel, Riversong, which subsequently became a bestseller.Like the characters in the River Valley collection, Tess is from a small town in Oregon. She currently lives in a suburb of Seattle, Washington with her two young daughters, Emerson and Ella. She is inspired daily by the view of the Cascade Mountains from her home office window.Tess is working on her next novel and regularly blogs about her journey as a mother, author and friend at www.tesswrites.com.


Author Linkswww.tesswrites.com@tesswriteshttp://www.facebook.com/AuthorTessThompson?fref=tshttp://www.amazon.com/Tess-Thompson/e/B004W3WOTG/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1http://pinterest.com/tesswrites/



Rafflecopter Giveaway ($10.00 Amazon or B&N Gift Card and Digital Copy of CARAMEL AND MAGNOLIAS)a Rafflecopter giveaway