Heather Gunter's Blog, page 28

Book Tour: Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars by Codi Gary

Title: Good Girls Don’t Date Rock Stars Author: Codi Gary Genre: Contemporary Adult Romance Publish Date: April 22, 2014 Publisher: Avon Impulse an Imprint of HarperCollins Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.  

Gemma Carlson didn’t plan on waking up married.

She also didn’t count on running into her old flame—and her son’s father-turned-country-rock star—Travis Bowers, followed by a night of drunken dares. Apparently one of those involved a ring on her finger and a vow…neither of which she intends to keep. Now with a hangover from hell, this good-girl-gone-bad knows there’s just one thing to do: run.

Travis has been all over the world, but Gemma has never been far from his thoughts. So when he had the chance to catch up over a few drinks, he didn’t hesitate. Of course he didn’t expect it would lead to marriage, or a runaway bride! Travis finally has a second chance and doesn’t plan on losing Gemma again—or the son he didn’t know he had. He proposes—albeit belatedly—a date. Or rather, a few. If they can make this marriage work by starting over, he stays. If not…

Gemma’s not interested; she’s got a son to protect and a heart to heal. But having Travis around could make both a little easier. Still, good girls don’t date rock stars…right?




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How many glasses of champagne did I have last night? 

Gemma Carlson groaned, gritting her teeth against the stabbing pain that seemed to be spreading through her brain. She didn’t want to open her eyes, afraid of what she would find. Right now she was only sure of two things. One, her head hurt like a son of a bitch and two, she was very, very naked. 

Prying open her right eye, she tried to focus on her surroundings, but instead of seeing intricate, golden wallpaper, she found the walls were now light colored. A couch sat in the corner of the room, though her room had had a tiny office chair and desk. The landscape on the wall was new, too. She opened both eyes, blinking rapidly at the dryness, and realized she had no idea where she was. Which meant she obviously wasn’t in her hotel room. A light snore behind her caught her attention and she stiffened, turning her head slowly to look at her bedmate. She sucked in a breath at the sight of dark curls and a broad back, the only things visible above the heavy comforter. What have I done? Sitting up, she swallowed down the rolling nausea and fought the splitting headache, catching her face in her hands. And then she felt it. Something cool and metal on her finger. Something that definitely shouldn’t be there. Pulling her hands back, she stared at the large three-stone diamond ring on her left index finger and froze.



 
An obsessive bookworm, Codi Gary likes to write sexy small-town contemporary romances with humor, grand gestures, and blush-worthy moments. When she's not writing, she can be found reading her favorite authors, squealing over her must-watch shows, and playing with her children. She lives in Idaho with her family



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Giveaway Entry

New Release: Stone of Destiny (Book #2 in the Danaan Trilogy) by Laura Howard

Title: Stone of Destiny Series: The Danaan Trilogy Book 2Author: Laura HowardGenre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Allison thought it was crazy enough when she found out her father, Liam, wasn't entirely human. But now she has to join his magical allies to unravel his former mistress's plans. Aoife wants to keep Allison's parents apart forever.

Despite Allison's efforts to keep Ethan, the only guy she's ever cared about, out of this supernatural mess, fate keeps throwing him back into the mix.

Will Allison be able to find the amulet that holds the enchantment Aoife placed on Liam and destroy it? Are Ethan' s feelings for Allison strong enough to endure the magic of the Tuatha De Danaan?






Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known.





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The Forgotten OnesBook One in The Danaan Trilogy
Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.
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Blog Tour: Choose Us by Caylie Marcoe

Title: Choose UsAuthor: Caylie MarcoeRelease Date: 4 April, 2014


Travis Grayson is my best friend—and I’m his. It’s been like that for the last fifteen years. I would do anything for him, go anywhere for him…and I have, countless times. Except now, now he’s asking for too much. Our friendship has reached a breaking point and I don’t know how to go back.

When he decided to go pro in the BMX circuit, I traveled with him as often as I could and was always the most supportive best friend I could be. When I graduated college and he asked me to be his personal assistant, we spent every waking moment together. We never fought or argued, in fact, our friendship was stronger than ever.

But a fractured ankle has put his career on hold and has given him more downtime than he knows what to do with. Always one for excitement, he agrees to become the bachelor on a televised dating show. He only agreed to do the show, if I would come along and go undercover to help him weed out the girls. Reluctantly, I agreed to give up my eight weeks of freedom.

Now I’m stuck in hell surrounded by girls desperate for his attention. He promised me this show would be smooth sailing. He promised he would listen to my advice on which girls should be eliminated. Except now he’s breaking those promises. He’s stopped listening to my advice and I’m afraid he might be falling for the worst girl here.

I shouldn’t care. Except, there’s one girl here that I’m realizing I don’t want him to eliminate. There’s one girl who I want to see go all the way to the end, and I want Travis to choose her.

That girl is me. I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with my best friend and it looks like he will break my heart in front of the entire world on national TV.



 

“Riles. Riles wake up!” My shoulder was being shaken so hard I thought it was going to dislocate.

“Mmm, five more minutes.” I groaned, rolling to get out of the horrible grasp.

“Riles, you don’t have five minutes! It’s 7:30. You need to get up and get back to the house!” This time I recognized Travis as the shoulder nudging culprit.

“Trav, go away.” I threw my arm out, hitting him in the jaw.

“Doll, I can’t go away when I have to be at the house in an hour!”

Wait, did he say an hour?

I shot up, rubbing my eyes against the bright light streaming through his bedroom windows.

Shit, I had fallen asleep in his bed. Now I had to find some way to sneak back into the house, with all the girls awake. Double shit.

“Trav, you weren’t supposed to let me fall asleep!” I whined, crawling out of bed. “How am I supposed to get back into the house undetected?” I walked over to his windows, throwing my hair up into a messy bun at the top of my head.

I peeked through his curtains and could see the main house just through the trees. People were moving about throughout the house. I turned to the other window which looked directly out to the pool.

“Nice view you have here.” My voice dripped with sarcasm. I could make out two figures drinking coffee out on the patio.

Crap, getting back there under the radar was going to be next to impossible.

“Trav, how am I going to get back there?” Groaning, I followed him into his kitchen.

“I don’t know. I uh…” Travis glanced around the kitchen trying to come up with a plan. His eyes landed on something and he broke into a smile. “That’s it.”

I looked down to what he was staring at and laughed. “My shoes? What genius plan did you come up with using my shoes?”

“You went for a morning run. You can go out my back door. There is a pathway that leads to the beach and isn’t seen from the house. You can run back up to the house on the beach. No one would know!” He was getting super excited about this plan, except there was one major flaw.

“Travis, I don’t run. You know this!” My arms were flailing wildly around, trying to make the point.

“The old Riley Logan didn’t run. The new Riley Logan, who all these girls know, does.” He popped that damn cocky grin on his face.

“I just want you to know, I hate you,” I mumbled, resigned to putting my shoes on. I really didn’t have an option and he knew it. He came up with the best plan we had, and I’d have to follow through.

“If by hate, you mean love. Then yes, yes I know.” Travis led me to the back door of the house and opened it, making sure the coast was clear.

I punched him in the arm before heading down the path to the beach.

“If I die from this thing you call running, it’s all on you,” I yelled lowly over my shoulder. Travis’ laugh followed me as I made my way down to the beach.




Born and raised in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin, Caylie fell in love with reading at a young age. With her lively imagination, she created numerous stories in her head throughout her childhood and teenage years. Finally at 16 she sat down at the computer and wrote out her first full length novel. That pacified her for a time. However, the stories kept swimming through her mind. Finally in 2013 she typed out Chapter One of three different novels and sent them off to a close friend for review. At her friends advice, she started exclusively writing Choose Us. When she isn’t slaving away at the keyboard, Caylie is an avid reader, and lover of coffee… copious amounts of coffee. She also has an unhealthy addiction to tv shows—binge watching is her favorite.

She chases her two kids around the house all day, and has a husband whom she adores.
Author Fun FactsI have one tattoo and want two or three more. I am obsessed with football. I wish it was football season year round. And I have been playing fantasy football for 9 years now.I am a night owl. I frequently stay up until 1am, and am always out of bed by 7am with the kids. My celebrity crush is Joshua Jackson – has been so since 1992. My hubby always asks if I have to finish a book in one sitting… Yes, yes I do.My favorite color is green. I have an unhealthy addiction to coffee mugs. Show me a cute one, it’ll probably end up in my cupboard.I love the smell of freshly cut grass…but my allergies don’t.I have to have my toenails painted at all times… but I hate having polish on my fingernails. I love board games. A night hanging out with friends and Cards Against Humanity, Smart Ass, Dominos, Loaded Questions or The Game of Things is probably the perfect night. 


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Release Blitz: Love, in English by Karina Halle

Title: Love, In EnglishAuthor: Karina HalleGenre: Contemporary RomanceRelease Date: April 20, 2014






He’s thirty-eight. I’m twenty-three.
He speaks Spanish. I speak English.
He lives in Spain. I live in Canada.
He dresses in thousand-dollar suits. I’m covered in tattoos.
He’s married and has a five-year old daughter.
I’m single and can’t commit to anyone or anything.
Until now.  Because when they say you can’t choose who you fall in love with, boy ain’t that the f*#king truth.
***
To a restless dreamer like Vera Miles, it sounded like the experience of a lifetime. Instead of spending her summer interning for her astronomy major, she would fly to Spain where she’d spend a few weeks teaching conversational English to businessmen and women, all while enjoying free room and board at an isolated resort. But while Vera expected to get a tan, meet new people and stuff herself with wine and paella, she never expected to fall in love.

Mateo Casalles is unlike anyone Vera has ever known, let alone anyone she’s usually attracted to. While Vera is a pierced and tatted free spirit with a love for music and freedom, Mateo is a successful businessman from Madrid, all sharp suits and cocky Latino charm. Yet, as the weeks go on, the two grow increasingly close and their relationship changes from purely platonic to something…more.

Something that makes Vera feel alive for the first time.

Something that can never, ever be.

Or so she thinks.





Claudia shrugged and pulled down at her yellow tee. “Not my problem. Eduardo is nice but Ricardo is really nice.”“How did it happen?” I asked, kinda wanting the sordid details.She was coy. “The way it usually happens.”“Did you make the first move?”Another shrug. “Why not?”I swear, a shrug and a “why not?” were the Spaniards’ go-to answer for everything.“Well, then I guess it seems safe—and a little boring now—to tell you that I have a crush on someone.”Her brows quirked up. “Other than Mateo?”“What?”“You are sleeping with Mateo, no?”“WHAT?!”“No?”“No!” I exclaimed, appalled. “Why does everyone keep thinking that?”“Because you are always together,” she said simply. She took a sip of wine. “The attraction is very obvious. So, I figured you must be sleeping together.”“He’s married!”“Yes, but you are not.”I shook my head adamantly. “It’s wrong. I don’t want to be the other woman. I’ve seen my dad go for the other woman, and I can’t put Mateo’s daughter through that,” I said. “Or his wife,” I quickly added.“That doesn’t mean that you can’t have feelings for anyone else.”“Yes, it does mean that.”“Maybe you are meant to be together.”“We’re not! There isn’t even a together. We’re just friends. I haven’t done anything about it, and so far my feelings are totally one-sided.”Claudia got up off the couch and brought a pack of cigarettes out of her front jean pocket. “If you think it is on the one side, you have not seen the way he looks at you.”She walked over to her small patio table and pulled out a chair. I got up and stormed after her, my nerves dancing excitedly.“What do you mean, the way he looks at me?” I asked, lowering my voice in case there were people around listening. I felt like bouncing off the walls.She slid the ashtray toward her as I sat down. “You do not see it. But I do. I think everyone does. He looks at you like…like you’re his favorite food.”“Favorite food?”She lit her cigarette. “Yes. You’re like his favorite food in the whole world. He wants to have you, eat you, devour you. He thinks about you all the time, craves you. But he cannot have you for one reason or another. Perhaps you upset his stomach. Maybe he is on a diet, yes? All he wants is a taste, but he cannot even have that. That is how he looks at you.”I sat there, stunned, as some of her smoke blew in my face. That’s how Mateo looked at me? Like he wanted to eat me? I was pretty sure that’s how I looked at him. Just last night I was contemplating nibbling on his earlobes.“And yes,” she said, leaning closer to me, a small smile on her lips, “that is also how you look at him.” Great, a mind reader. “But you are more subtle about it. You try not to let everyone know. But, we know.”“There is nothing to know,” I reminded her, poking the table with my finger for emphasis. “We are not sleeping together. He is married. I have a crush. That is it. The end of the story.”“A crush?” she questioned. “Vera, I think you’re in love with him.”No fucking way. Not love. That did not happen with me, not ever and not now.“You can’t fall in love in a week,” I told her heatedly.“You can fall in love in a second,” she said with a snap of her fingers. “The heart has no regard for time.”With that sobering thought, Claudia told me about her ex-boyfriend and how they fell in love at first sight then took the conversation back to Ricardo and their exploits. I envied her so badly right then and there. She could fawn over Ricardo, kiss him, fuck him, and no one would ever bat an eye. It was okay for them to be together. It wasn’t forbidden.I gulped the rest of the wine and left her apartment, heading back to reception to meet Cristina for my next one-on-one, my mind and heart and hormones all over the place. Lo and behold, Mateo was walking up the path toward me.He was on the phone, smiling.His shirt was off and slung over his shoulder, exposing his bare chest, abs, and arms.Holy fuck.For a moment, I was sure that time had stopped. Or maybe ever single nerve, cell, vein, bone, muscle in my body just slowed as I took him all in.From his thick-veined forearms to his sculpted shoulders and broad chest peppered with neatly-trimmed chest hair, to his six-pack abs, he had, by far, the best body I’d ever seen on a man. He kept himself in fine-ass shape, looking more like a young athlete than anything else. He and David Beckham had more in common than I thought, although David’s skin tone wasn’t as mesmerizing. Mateo’s color was amazing, just beautiful, this dark, golden bronze that covered him everywhere. I wanted so badly to just touch him, to lick the sheen of sweat off his skin. I bet he tasted like victory.And to think this was the man that Claudia said wanted to taste me.I really, really wanted to believe her.Meanwhile, I was just standing there like I was melting into a puddle of myself. I clamped my mouth shut as he walked past and I heard him say into the phone, “No, mi tesorito, it was easy, I didn’t injure myself.” He was beaming, talking about the game, to his wife. To his tesorito. And he called their relationship complicated? This was complicated.He winked at me in acknowledgement, his smile becoming broader. I tried to smile back but it wouldn’t come. I just stared at him, feeling stupid, foolish, and strangely rejected. In a perfect world I may have been his favorite food, but it still wasn’t what he got served every day. I turned around and walked down the hill, my heart feeling like a pincushion.“Vera!” I heard him call out from behind. I stopped and nervously glanced over my shoulder. He was holding the phone’s receiver to his chest, grinning at me. “I need to ask you your question.”“What?” I asked, hoping it was quick.“Who is your favorite Spaniard here?”Seriously?And yet I couldn’t lie to him.
“You,” I said, more to myself than to him. Then I turned around and walked away as quickly as I could.

With her USA Today Bestselling The Artists Trilogy published by Grand Central Publishing, numerous foreign publication deals, and self-publishing success with her Experiment in Terror series, Vancouver-born Karina Halle is a true example of the term "Hybrid Author." Though her books showcase her love of all things dark, sexy and edgy, she's a closet romantic at heart and strives to give her characters a HEA...whenever possible.Karina holds a screenwriting degree from Vancouver Film School and a Bachelor of Journalism from TRU. Her travel writing, music reviews/interviews and photography have appeared in publications such as Consequence of Sound, Mxdwn and GoNomad Travel Guides. She currently lives on an island on the coast of British Columbia where she’s preparing for the zombie apocalypse with her fiance and rescue pup.
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Cover Reveal: Above the Noise (In Too Deep #3) by Michelle Kemper Brownlow

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Title: Above the NoiseSeries: In Too Deep #3Author: Michelle Kemper BrownlowRelease Date:  10 June, 2014Cover Reveal hosted by: Book Plug Promotions

Becki Mowry’s journalism expertise keeps her busy as she spends her waking hours filling a calendar with gigs and public appearances for up and coming band, Alternate Tragedy. Radio interviews and TV spots result in sold out concerts and rowdy groupies hot for her lead singer boyfriend, Calon Ridge. But, as fame would have it, their time in the limelight also brings ulterior motives and false accusations. The rug is pulled out from under the band when they must make a decision they never dreamed they’d be faced with.

In this third book of the In Too Deep series, Becki and Calon struggle to find balance as they navigate their intense relationship while living amid the rock world’s nocturnal chaos. When life’s unexpected obstacles come out of nowhere, they focus on finding their own private solace Above the Noise.


As a special treat - you can get a preview of Chapter One of Above the Noise here

[image error] Michelle Kemper Brownlow has been a storyteller her entire life. Her debut was on the high school cheerleading bus granting requests to re-tell her most embarrassing moments for a gaggle of hysterical squadmates.

Earning her Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in Art Education and then marrying her very own “Jake,” she moved to Binghamton, NY where she taught high school. After having two children she quit work and finished her Master’s degree in Elementary Education at Binghamton University.

The Brownlow family of four moved to Michelle’s hometown of Morgantown, PA while the children were still quite young. A few years after moving, her family grew by one when they welcomed a baby into their home through the gift of adoption. The family still resides in PA, just miles from where that high school cheer bus was parked.

Michelle has been an artist for as long as she can remember, always choosing pencils and crayons over toys and puzzles. As a freelance illustrator, her simple characters play the starring roles in numerous emergent reader books published by Reading Reading Books.



Visit my Author blog: MICHELLE KEMPER BROWNLOW
Follow me on Twitter: @MK_Brownlow
"Like" me on facebook: Michelle Kemper Brownlow/ Author


My debut New Adult romance, IN TOO DEEP, and its sequel, ON SOLID GROUND, were released in 2013 and have spent time on 3 of Amazon's Top 100 lists!

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COVER REVEAL HOSTED BY: [image error]

Spotlight Tour: Distorted and Discovering Lucy by Laura Dunaway

Today we are thrilled to be shining a spotlight on author Laura Dunaway and her two books: Distorted and Discovering Lucy.



Aly Chase has worked for Paul Pierce for years, loving him from afar. He is handsome, rich, and the powerful CEO of Pierce Homes. Just when Aly has decided her love for him is futile and vows to move on, Paul begins to give Aly the attention she had always desired, forcing her to feel confused by his actions.

Then there's Aly’s best friend, Ethan Baker. He's sweet, handsome and charming. He is also in love with her. He's accepted that Aly and he will only be friends, until one day Aly realizes that her feelings towards Ethan are way more.

Aly is caught in between the man she’s loved for so long and the man that has always been there for her. As her feelings are pulled and tugged in both directions, she must make a choice before her distorted life loses both of them.

Who will end up winning Aly's heart?




When we got to the threshold of our office door, Paul appeared. I smiled at seeing him and I heard Trisha take a breath. He looked absolutely gorgeous with his hair still wet from the shower and in his grey dress slacks with a black button down shirt, unbuttoned at the top. My mouth watered just looking at him.

“Good morning, ladies,” he said smiling. “Trisha is it? How are you doing?”

Trisha stifled a giggle as she tried to compose herself. “I’m fine, Mr. Pierce. How are you?”

Paul shot me a puzzled look, then glanced back to Trisha. “I’m doing great, thanks. Everything okay?”

Trisha nodded. “Yep, I was just getting back to work. And thanks again, Ms. Chase. I appreciate your talking with me.” I gave her a smile and watched her head back to her cubicle. I wasn’t convinced she was totally giving up on pursuing Paul, but I knew he’d never give her the time of day beyond the work relationship.

Paul looked at me as he walked toward his office. “What was that about?” he asked.

I smiled as I perched on my desk. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I teased.

He unlocked his office door and turned to face me. “Well, yeah. Now I would even more.”

I put my hand to my chin and tapped my cheek. “Well, I could tell you, but I probably shouldn’t. It’s really nothing.”

He got a gleam in his eye at my teasing. “Oh, Chase. You are so going to tell me now,” he said as he came toward me.

I stayed put on my desk and pretended not to feel the butterflies that had sprouted in my tummy. “Oh am I?” I asked.

He reached my desk and stood right in front of me, invading my personal space. “Yes, you are.”

Pushing myself onto my desk so I was sitting on it, I leaned back on my palms. “Well, you see, Trisha just wanted to ask me something about you.”

His face turned into a scowl. “What?” he asked.

“Oh, lighten up. I told her you’re not available and even if you were, you don’t date people who work for you.”

He took a step toward me. “Good. I mean, don’t get me wrong, that girl is hot, but no way.”

I felt a little sting. “Oh, she’s hot, huh?” I asked, trying to come off as teasing.

He grinned. “Yeah, she is, but there are others here who are hotter.”

My head started spinning. “Oh, well that’s good to know.”

He took another step toward me, now pinning me to my desk. “Is it? Don’t you want to know who I’m thinking of?”

I was dying to and cringing at the same time. While I realized it was very stupid of me to think I had a chance with him, I still didn’t want to know who my competition was. Knowing he thought Trisha was hot was enough.

“Not really,” I lied.

He drew a finger down the side of my face. “Now why don’t I believe you?” he asked in a hushed tone.

Vibrations went through me at his touch and I shivered. “I don’t know. Not my problem,” I whispered.

He chuckled. “Well, I’ll tell you anyway. That girl in PR is hot. I think her name is Jenny.”

My heart fell. I tried to turn my head away, but his hand caught me. “That’s nice,” I said.

He chuckled again. “It is, isn’t it? Yeah, she’s pretty hot. I also think that chick in our graphic design department is hot. What’s her name again?”

Lola. The only “chick” that worked in the graphic design department. “Lola,” I said with a bite. Again I tried to distance myself from his proximity, but he wouldn’t budge.

“Then there’s the girl I work with. She’s really hot, sexy actually. Her long blonde hair drives me crazy. Like the way she twirls it around her fingers when she’s nervous. Though when it’s up in a twist, like today, she fidgets with her fingers. Her dusty, olive green eyes make me want to fall to my knees every time she looks at me.” He paused and stared at me for what seemed like a very long time, “You may know her. Her name is Aly,” he said barely above a whisper as he caressed my cheek with the back of his fingers.

My heart slammed against my chest. Jerking my head up to fully look at him, I stared into his eyes. There was no humor or teasing in them. They were filled with sincerity and if I wasn’t mistaken, desire. I struggled to find words.

“Um, what?” I asked, staggered. I was in shock. He had never talked to me this way before, never this direct. His lips curled into a ghost of a smile.

“Yep, and the outfit she’s wearing today is going to torture me all day long, showing off all of her curves in every possible way. So, yeah. That’s who I think is hot,” he said as he dropped his hand from my face and turned to walk into his office. I sat there staring blankly at the doorway, wondering what the hell just happened.





After three long years of living in a hell she never could have imagined, Lucy Jane Simmons courageously escapes to New York City for a fresh start.

A new beginning...
When Lucy meets Knox Taylor, the intoxicating man in the business suit, everything she thought she knew about relationships changes. He is strong, seductive and makes her feel safe. But can she open up enough to let him in?

Will Lucy Jane escape the scars of her past? Can Knox give her the future she ultimately deserves?

A story of rediscovery...



I didn’t see the blow coming. I was standing at my dresser, eyes focused on my reflection in the mirror as I pinned my hair into a bun when I felt a sharp pain in my lower back. Time seemed to slow down as the bobby pins dropped from my hands and I fell to my knees. I gasped for air, trying to catch the breath that had been knocked out of me.

“Don’t you ever think of doing that again, bitch,”

I heard Drake tell me in his menacing deep voice, his dirty brown work boots in front of me. I had no idea what it was I’d done. Most of the time I hadn’t done anything. I put my hands on the floor, still trying to take deep breaths.

“Wh-what did I do?”

I asked in a strained voice against the agony burrowing in my back. Suddenly, my head was yanked back, and my hair was being pulled so tight that I yelped at the searing sensation. Tears stung my eyes at the torturous pressure as I balled my hands into fists, trying to resist grabbing at his hand. I knew that would make my situation worse.

“I saw you. I saw you talking to that prick at the grocery store. You think I don’t know what you do every hour of the day? Huh?”

He pulled back harder on my head, and tears streamed down my face as I tried not to scream. I tried to remember whom I’d talked to at the grocery store. I had gone there to get a few items, but I didn’t remember having any conversations. Unless…

“You mean the guy who took my cart when I was done putting the groceries in the car?”

He finally released my hair and the relief was immense. I fell to the floor and rubbed my scalp as he towered over me. I ignored the desire to scoot away from him because I’d learned the hard way that it only angered him more. Instead, I sat down and hugged my legs to my chest as I rocked back and forth.

“Yes, Lucy, the guy who took the cart from you. Do you realize how bad it looks when you talk to other guys? Good lord, how stupid can you get?”

He started pacing back and forth, swiping his hands through his dark blond greasy hair. His footsteps were strong and loud, especially when he wore those big, ugly, work boots that were always caked with mud. I did my best to stop shaking and rocking—I needed to appear as calm as possible. You would think I’d be used to his rage by now, but each time he assaulted me, it made me shake to my core.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, even though I knew I’d done nothing wrong. I’d been taught that it was always better to apologize than to try to explain the situation. I’d been with him for three years, and it was all I could do to stay sane. The numbness that had taken over my mind and soul was the only way I survived. He stopped pacing and turned to face me.

“You’re what?” I looked into his cold gray eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I said in a louder voice.

He walked toward me and bent to his knees, his ugly eyes softening somewhat as he took my face in his sandpaper rough hands. I wanted to cower and throw up, but I looked him in the eye because I knew if I looked down, it would anger him even more.
“Lucy Jane, you know I hate having to lash out at you, but you give me no choice. I can’t have you prancing around town talking to every asshole you see. It makes me look bad, baby.



Laura Dunaway has been married to her prince for 18 years and together they are raising three amazing kids. While she's always had a passion for reading and writing, it wasn't until a few years ago that she finally realized she should pursue her dream of writing and publishing a book. After many many attempts at starting one, her first book, Distorted, was finally the one that flowed and before she knew it, she'd written The End. Discovering Lucy is her second book and she is currently at work on her third.






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Both books are currently on sale for just $0.99!

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Discovering Lucy: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

Release Day Blitz: One to Protect by Tia Louise

Readers are saying…
“Derek is hot! Patrick is equally hot! Put these two hot men together and what do you get?!? Panty Dropping holy mother of god hotness! The gang is back and I couldn't be happier!” —Karrie, Panty-Dropping Book Blog
“Each scene flowed into the next effortlessly… drama, suspense and then a scene that will have your pulse racing and your eyes dilating.”—Daphnie, Bound by Books blog
“5 of 5 breathtaking stars.” –Lisa, Goodreads reviewer
“The sex scenes are hot, and the story is great! The love Derek has for Melissa just pulls you in and you know he would do anything in his power to make sure she is safe, which makes him a new addition to my book boyfriend list!” —Chrissy, Reading Past My Bedtime blog
“I love this series. I think I enjoyed this book the most because of the suspense element.” —Helen, Kinky Book Klub


Title: One to Protect (One to Hold #3)Author: Tia LouiseRelease Date: April 21, 2014Genre: Contemporary RomanceTour Host: The Book Nuts Author Promotions

One scar.
One betrayal.
No escape.

When Sloan Reynolds beats criminal charges, Melissa Jones stops believing her wealthy, connected ex-husband will ever pay for what he did to her.

Derek Alexander can’t accept that—a tiny silver scar won't let him forget, and as a leader in the security business, he is determined to get the man who hurt his fiancée.

Then the body of a former call girl turns up dead. She’s the breakthrough Derek’s been waiting for, the link to Sloan’s sordid past he needs. But as usual, legal paths to justice have been covered up or erased.

Derek’s ready to do whatever it takes to protect his family when his partner Patrick Knight devises a plan that changes everything.

It’s a plan that involves coloring outside the lines and taking a walk on the dark side. It goes against everything on which Alexander-Knight, LLC, is based.

And it’s a plan Derek’s more than ready to follow.

Note: Standalone, M/F, HEA.




“What have you done?” His voice is full of warmth as he watches me from the sofa. “Since you’ve been working too hard—”“Exaggeration.”“Since you’ve been working too hard,” I repeat, “I decided to recreate our relaxing spa vacation in the desert.”Placing the tray on the coffee table, I hand him his flute and lift mine. “To family restrooms.”He laughs and clinks back. “To the gorgeous woman who drives me to crazy extremes.”We sip and I crawl forward on the couch to kiss him and tell him again. “I love you.”He leans forward, placing his flute, the tray, my flute, all of it on the coffee table. Then his hands move through the open robe to pull me onto his lap in a straddle, facing him. Just that fast, his mouth is on my neck, nibbling and kissing. My eyes are closed, and I’m powerless.“I love you more,” he says beside my ear with a deep inhale. “You smell so good.”Threading my fingers in his hair, I kiss his temple. “I wore the red lace…”A rumble of approval, and his lips touch that spot behind my ear, a light scruff against my skin, sending shivers flying down my legs. “My favorite.” His voice is thick as I pull his cheeks, reuniting our mouths. For a moment, we make out like teenagers, hot and breathless, tongues entwining. He holds me against his bare chest, my elbows are bent, and my palms are on his cheeks. His mouth is like some rich, decadent chocolate I can never get enough of tasting. As we kiss, I feel him relax, and my hands slide behind his neck, my lips travel up to his brow. He hugs me against his torso and doesn’t move. Neither do I.This big, strong man saved me twice. If comfort is what he needs, I’m here to give it to him. I’m here to give him anything. After a few more breaths, his arms relax. I lean back and study his face a moment. The robe has dropped around my shoulders, so I’m basically sitting nude on his lap, but I don’t care.“Hungry?” I reach for the sandwich plate and hold it between us, right at our chins. “You probably won’t think it’s as good as Central Grocery, but I think it’s delicious.”His blue eyes take me in before he bites. “Mmm…” is all I get.Giggling, I lean forward and take a bite myself. The tangy, savory flavor of olives and smoky provolone fills my mouth.“Delicious!” My voice is muffled.His smile glows as he watches me, his voice full of love. “How’s the baby?” Lowering the sandwich to the plate, I turn and put it on the side table again. “I can’t feel a thing, but the doctor said he’s doing great.”My last checkup was a week ago, and we both agreed unless something unusual occurred, Derek could miss the routine exams. So far everything has been by the book.“So he’s a boy now?” I love his grin at the prospect of a little son.Shrugging, I acquiesce. “Maybe… it’s too soon to know.”His attention moves from my face to my abdomen. Large hands span my bare stomach before he leans forward and kisses me right below my sternum, right at the top of my belly. “I love you,” he whispers to the little bean growing there.I’m certain my heart melts in that instant, and I catch his face again to cover it with kisses. He’s right with me, lifting me in his arms and carrying me to the master suite. A California king-sized bed fills the space, and he spreads me out on the soft mattress, lying on his side next to me.I trail my fingers lightly over his brow, to his temple, following a line to his strong jaw. He looks at me like I’m the most fragile thing in his bed—another detail he knows isn’t true.We don’t disturb the moment, though. The truth might be that both of us are strong as iron, tough as flint, but holding each other, we know how precious it is that we’re here, together. The randomness of chance keeps us both in awe, and for that, we treasure these moments. After working so hard, our reunions are the sweetest bliss. He holds me, and I feel very needed and extremely sexy. This man is like water in the desert to me, and it isn’t hard to see the feeling is mutual.“I’m sorry I interrupted dinner.” Leaning forward, he nibbles the skin at my neck, and a surge rises between my legs. “Can you wait?”My voice is thick as I answer. “I guess so…”



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Tia Louise is a former journalist, world-traveler, and collector of beautiful men (who inspire all of her stories... *wink*)--turned wife, mommy, and novelist.

She lives in the center of the U.S.A. with her lovely family and one grumpy cat. There, she dreams up stories she hopes are engaging, hot, and sexy, and that cause readers rethink common public locations...It's possible she has a slight truffle addiction.
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One to Hold

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One to Keep

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WIN!!! One of two signed copies of One to Protect, an Amazon Gift Card, or a grab bag of SWAG, including signed postcards, official Team Derek/Patrick dog tags, and more!

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Cover Reveal: He + She by Michelle Warren

HE is trying to piece together his broken life.

SHE is running away from her wedding day.

TOGETHER, their world is a beautiful lie.

APART, their world is a perfect mess.

He + She is a free-spirited romance about soul-awakening second chances, heartbreak, and hopeful beginnings.





Michelle Warren didn't travel the road to writer immediately. She spent over a decade as professional Illustrator and designer. Her artistic creativity combined with her love of science fiction, paranormal and fantasy led her to write her first YA novel, Wander Dust. Michelle loves reading and traveling to places that inspire her to create. She resides in downtown Chicago.



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Blog Tour: Bird After Bird by Leslea Tash

Title: Bird After BirdAuthor: Leslea TashRelease Date: 14 April, 2014Genre: New Adult/Contemporary RomanceBlog Tour hosted by: InkSlinger PR

Dear Birdy, Princess Birdzilla von MuffinStuff, Keeper of Dreams, Lover of our Fine Feathered Friends, queen of my life and light of my world, I hope this letter finds you well. If you are reading this then I am gone, and sweetheart, I am so sorry.

Chi-town professional Wren Riley is 25 and a rising star in the business world. She can eat a man alive and laugh about it to her girlfriends in seconds flat--and she does, on the regular. Behind the power suits and the flashing, flirty eyes, however, Wren has a secret, vulnerable side. Following a devastating loss and the discovery of a bird journal she and her father made together years before, Wren sets out to seek peace, closure, and something she just can't name. Is that something tied to the little paper cranes she keeps finding along the way?

Laurence Byrd grew up a lanky Hoosier kid with the good/bad fortune of having the same name as the state's perennial basketball legend. With a better affinity for dogs than sports or school, he ends up in the Army instead of the Chicago art school of his dreams. Still, his service to our country is something he can be proud of--until an argument with the girl who means the world to him results in a series of events that blows his life apart. With no one left to understand him, black sheep Laurie pours out his heart into letters and drawings he never intends to send--then he folds them into paper cranes that he leaves behind like messages in little winged bottles. He never dreams someone might be finding them.

God damn it, Sylvia, for a few moments I tricked myself into feeling really alive. I cut it off before anyone got hurt, but just for a moment or two, I really thought I might feel something again--something like trust. Something like love. Not the kind of love we had, but something new. Something like hope.

Spoiler alert: Wren and Laurie are going to meet. And when they do, their lives are never going to be the same. 


 

He had pretty eyes. Almost too pretty, with long lashes that curled at the end. If the set of his jaw hadn’t been so square and covered with five o’clock shadow, if his grown-out high and tight haircut hadn’t screamed “Army Reservist,” I would have sworn those eyes were mascaraed and lined.“You talking to me?” I dabbed at my face with the wet paper towels. My skin was blotchy beneath my makeup, but I’d managed to wipe up most of the mascara from my cheeks. Even with false eyelashes I couldn’t duplicate the kind of eyes the man in the doorway had. Now that my makeup was wrecked, they were like short spindly spider legs. Ugh.“Yeah, you,” he said. He had short brown hair and a friendly face, and he extended his hand to me like he was ready to fish me out of the water instead of a restroom. “No use herding Billy outta here. He hit up the men’s room first and it was locked—I was supposed to stand guard and keep anyone from going in after him, but you moved so fast I couldn’t stop ya.”The man in the stall contributed more sound effects to the situation. I will spare you the details.“C’mon and bail,” the nice guy said. I took his arm. There was something soothing about him. The thought briefly flickered through my mind that he could be a dog whisperer or a horse trainer—something to that effect. He had a gentle vibe about him, despite his height and the reservist look. “Thanks,” I said. “I, uh, guess I better find some other place to freshen up.”
He smiled and looked down at his boots. They were work boots—the kind with steel toes and a buff leather finish. They disappeared beneath the frayed cuffs of faded jeans, and he scratched his forearm as I dropped it, beneath the sleeve of a light blue work shirt. I expected there would be a red oval with a name embroidered on the chest, but it was just out of sight at this angle.

Leslea Tash is a journalist-turned-novelist, an avid bird nerd and the happily married mom of four. She has been a professional writer for many years. This is her first romance novel.



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Blog Hop: The Problem with Crazy by Lauren McKellar

Welcome to our stop on the Blog Hop for The Problem With Crazy by Lauren McKellar.This book is getting amazing reviews and everyone I'm talking to is describing it as a 'must read' ... although apparently it's a highly emotional read, so tissues and chocolate are required.  I have it queued on my Kindle ready to go as soon as I can get to it!
Oh and as a special treat, it's on sale for just $0.99 so be sure to grab it quick!



The problem with crazy is that crazy, by itself, has no context. It can be good crazy, bad crazy . . . or crazy crazy—like it was when my ex-boyfriend sung about me on the radio.
Eighteen-year-old Kate couldn’t be more excited about finishing high school and spending the summer on tour with her boyfriend's band. Her dad showing up drunk at graduation, however, is not exactly kicking things off on the right foot—and that’s before she finds out about his mystery illness, certain to end in death.
A mystery illness she is likely to inherit.
When your whole life goes from adventure and ecstasy to sad and suicidal, what’s the point? Not knowing who to love, and who to trust . . . where does it end?
The Problem With Crazy is a story about love and life; about overcoming obstacles, choosing to trust, and learning how to make the choices that will change your life forever.







Lauren K. McKellar is an author and editor. Her debut novel, Finding Home, was released through Escape Publishing on October 1, 2013, and her second release, NA Contemporary Romance The Problem With Crazy, is self-published, and is available now. 
As well as being a magazine editor for a national audited publication on pet care, Lauren works as a freelance editor for independent authors, and was a Runner Up Editor of the Year in the Publishers Australia awards in 2013. 
Lauren is a member of the Romance Writers of Australia and is obsessed with words--she likes the way they work.
She lives on the Central Coast of New South Wales with her fiance and their two super-cute puppies.






























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