Heather Gunter's Blog, page 34

Blog Tour: Breaking Spades by W. Ferraro

Welcome to our stop on the Breaking Spades by W. Ferraro blog tour!The men of Hamden series is a great one, and each book impossibly seems to get hotter than the last.  Read on for all the details of book #4 where we meet Ce Ce and Jarod.



Cecille “CeCe” Cervetti lives her life by one rule: Never let a man control her heart, ever again.

CeCe has built a life to be proud of--she’s successful in business, and in lust. Men are her playground, to take from, and use to her body’s content. They can only have what she is willing to give, so don't try asking for more.

When an unknown stalker raises the stakes, ripping away her hard won control, CeCe reluctantly seeks help from the first, and last, man she gave her heart to before he vanished from her life--Jarod Gates.

As they struggle to unmask the stalker, CeCe and Jarod learn of each other’s scarred pasts—scars that made them who they are today. But when her body screams for Jarod’s touch, can CeCe manage to keep her control? Or will Jarod make her question the one rule she’s built her life on?

 






I live in New England with my young family. I’m a stay at home mom to two very active children. For all of you who are familiar with the stress of this job, I decided to complete an item on my bucket list and write a book. When I’m not writing, you will find me cooking, reading, shopping or being silly with the kids. In my opinion, one of life’s greatest pleasure is being able to get lost in a book.

I wish you all happy reading and hope you fall in love with the men of Hamden.



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Other Prizes!

Four Signed Breaking Spades Paperbacks
Four Signed Swag Sets
Four $5 Amazon Gift cards
Four Breaking Spades E-Books

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Cover Reveal: Storm of Ekkos by Heather Allen

Our very dear friend Heather Allen has announced her next project - a YA Paranormal series.  We're so excited about this and today, we get to share with you the cover for book #1 in the series Storms of Ekkos. We love it, what do you think?

Title: Storm of EkkosAuthor: Heather AllenGenre: Paranormal Young AdultPublication Date: May 18, 2014Publisher: Heather Allen

Sixteen year old Elijah Weston thought the small town of Lincoln wouldn’t ever be interesting. As far as he was concerned the place had an identity crisis. It wasn’t fully in the mountains and not close enough to the ocean to be called a beach town. It was the epicenter of boredom. With the throngs of churchgoers and bible preachers surrounding him, nothing ever seemed to change. He believed growing up, that his chance at ever leaving his home was a possibility that would never happen.

Until…

A terrible storm rolled in from out of nowhere and he saw her. At first he thought she was a mirage off in the distance, a trick of the rain pelting down on him. Surely his eyes had deceived him. Certainly he couldn’t have seen her walking out of the side of a mountain, could he? Yet, when she appeared again, suddenly coming to his rescue, he knew she was real and different than anyone he had ever seen. What he didn’t know was that she was here on Earth for a reason and she would do anything to get back home to Ekkos.

Hadley Morrow had a purpose, go to the other Earth, kill the intruder and return to Ekkos. She was to complete her task without anyone on the planet seeing her. It was a test, her first opportunity to prove herself. But he almost died because of her and she had to act. It was stupid but it happened. Now she finds herself stuck on the wrong planet with a boy she resents, but can’t leave behind.


Heather Allen is the author of The Just Breathe Trilogy, Feeling This, The Sound of Shooting Stars and her recently released New Adult novel, Let Go about an MMA fighter. Heather finally realized her dream of becoming an author just over a year ago with her mermaid trilogy. She savors every moment on this journey and the wonderful friends she has met along the way. She has many more books planned. Ideas pop up faster than she has time to write.

Heather currently resides in the sunny state of Florida with her husband and three children. She holds degrees in education from The University of Central Florida and Nova Southeastern University. She is a hopeless romantic who loves to read just about anything. While writing she indulges in coffee and Jelly Belly jellybeans. When she isn’t teaching, writing or reading, Heather can be found at the beach or out on the water boating.


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Blog Tour: Undone by Rebecca Shea

I absolutely fell in love with Landon in Unbreakable -  couldn't wait for his story to come out - and the wait is over, Undone by Rebecca Shea is available now - and it is safe to say I was not disappointed!





Companion to Unbreakable -- Landon's story

**This book is a Contemporary Romance and contains mature subject matter.It is not intended for those under 17 years of age.**
I’ve found it’s easier to share my body but not my soul. I need no one, yet I crave her.

Self-assured and independent, she doesn’t need me—but she wants me, and undeniably I want her too. At war with myself as I battle the secrets of my past, I don’t know if I can allow her to see the darkest parts of me, the parts I’ve left untouched—undone.

As she chips away at the walls I’ve built for years, I fear those secrets will hold me hostage from love—forever.




“What are you doing up?” I reach out and tuck a strand of her long hair behind her ear.

“I thought you left,” she whispers. I don’t know how to respond to her, because part of me did want to leave—to flee where I don’t have to deal with these unknown feelings. Feelings that leave me scared to death. So instead of saying anything, I pull her into a hug. I love that she’s so tall. Her head fits right into the crook of my neck.

“You need to sleep,” I say quietly. “You have to be at work in a few hours. Go rest; I’ll be here when you wake up—I promise.”

She pulls away and looks at me skeptically, but nods her head and shuffles down the hallway toward her bedroom. Stopping just outside her door, she looks back over her shoulder at me, then turns around slowly, walking back to me. Without a word, she weaves her fingers through mine and walks us back to her bedroom. I don’t hesitate. In fact, I long for her touch and grip her hand tighter.

“Just lie with me,” she whispers, pressing her finger to my lips so I can’t argue or refuse.

Pulling me toward the large bed, she pulls the covers back and slides in, moving to the center. I hesitate as I watch her, wondering if it will ever be possible to “just lie with” her and not touch her. Her long body stretches from the pillows to the end of the bed, and her fair skin is begging me to touch it.

Sliding in next to her, she pulls me to her. Wrapping her arm across my waist, she rests her head on my shoulder. She settles in as if she’s done it a thousand times—and it feels natural, right.

“Thank you, Landon,” she mumbles sleepily.

“For what?” I ask, confused.

“Trying. Thank you for trying.”






I had such high expectations for Undone after finishing Unbreakable. I absolutely fell in love with Landon - his strength, his integrity and his vulnerability. I couldn’t wait to get under his skin and understand him better and hopefully to see him get his happily ever after!

I got all of the things I was hoping for in Undone - it was a beautifully written story about taking a chance in love and about having the courage to move from what you’ve always known without the certainty that what you’ve got will last forever. Landon continued to be a favourite character and I absolutely got to understand why he is the way he is and the consequences of his past for the man he had become.

Reagan is the game changer for Landon - she touches him in a way that causes him to question everything. Carrying her own hurt from the past she is unlike the women Landon has been with in the past. She has expectations and she is willing to say what she means. The two dance around each other as they discover their feelings and explore their growing relationship - and it is not a smooth path that they follow.

Undone is a wonderful next chapter from Rebecca Shea. I loved how Landon’s character evolved in this gorgeous story. And what’s even more exciting is the prospect of Matt and Linday’s story, Unforgiven!
4 out of 5 stars



Rebecca Shea is the USA Today Bestselling author of Unbreakable. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her family and her beagle, Miles. From the time Rebecca could read she has had a passion for books. Rebecca spends her days working full-time and her nights writing, bringing stories to life. Born and raised in Minnesota, Rebecca moved to Arizona in 1999 to escape the bitter winters. When not working or writing, she can be found on the sidelines of her sons football games, or watching her daughter at ballet class. Rebecca is fueled by insane amounts of coffee, margaritas, Laffy Taffy (except the banana ones), and happily ever afters.



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3 ebooks of UNDONE
3 signed paperbacks of UNDONE
3 ebook sets of UNBREAKABLE and UNDONE
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Cover Reveal: Heart in Wire by R.L. Griffin

Heart in Wire is a companion novel to the By a Thread series by R.L. Griffin.  I don't know if you remember those covers but they are stunning - and we think Heart in Wire continues the tradition ... your thoughts?

Cover Model: Assad ShalhoubCover Reveal hosted by Love N. Books

Have you ever been involved in an epic love story where you wound up alone? Have you devoted yourself so completely to someone that you lost yourself in their abyss?

Patrick Greer spent the past five years revolving around Stella Murphy. He fought like hell to not feel the emotions for her that were hidden deep in his gut, until he couldn't anymore. He was so sure of them, of her, of what they were to each other, until he wasn't.

Patrick couldn't even imagine the things he'd done for her, with her and to her. El broke him.

He was a liar, a friend, a lover, a fixer, a runner and a killer.

Now he had to figure out who he was without her.



I live in the Atlanta area and I'm surrounded by awesome dudes: my husband, son and dog. I went to law school at American University, Washington College of Law, but only after I fell in love with D.C. I worked in the Senate during the impeachment trial and wanted to stay. After law school I worked for a bit in the area, then moved to Atlanta.

If you ask anyone who knows me they know I love reading and read all sorts of books. Any free time I have I'm either reading, writing or drinking with friends.


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Blog Tour: The Perfect Emotion by Melissa Rolka

Check out all the details on book #2 in the Perfect series, The Perfect Emotion, by Melissa Rolka.





The story of Kate, Kyle and Reed continues in this second novel of The Perfect Series.

Kate (Katherine) Monroe is finally coming to heads with the decisions she’s made in the past to keep herself distracted at any cost. Learning to move on and forward with the conflicts in her life is harder than she expects though. With Kyle continuing to attempt reconciliation and Kate’s mom back at home, avoiding and running are no longer an option.

All along Kate’s mind and heart are consumed with Reed, but she fights to push her feelings and desires to the side. Despite the obvious pull and connection she has with Reed she finds it difficult to let him in… and trust in herself. However, Reed’s perseverance and patience never wavers and eventually he uses the one thing that had always brought them together… tennis.

As Reed and Kate begin to embark on a new relationship they face the past and the present head on. Along the way, new challenges and emotions arise testing the direction of their future together.

Can Kate forgive herself and trust Reed in order to latch onto the one emotion she needs most… love?




Chapter 14 Excerpt
“Jesus, Katherine,” he mumbles as I kiss my way across his jaw and over to his ear. “What are you doing to me?”

“Kissing you,” I whisper in his ear and brush my lips against his ear lobe.

“Mmmmm hmmmm.” His hands move to my waist and guide me onto him. I’m straddling his lap and his fingers dig into my hips. I rush my hands into his hair and his head presses all the way against the couch, the leather giving in to my demands. Our tongues clash against each other exploring as if it’s our first kiss, yet knowingly anticipating our next ridge or groove. My heart races in ways I never knew possible. My hands run down to the hem of his button down shirt and to the top of his pants. I start to pull at his shirt to un-tuck it, but his hands come around and lock around my wrists restraining me from pulling anymore. I whine into his mouth.

“Why?” I mumble against the softness of his lips and smile.

“This is the first time I’m in your house and I just met your parents… maybe the second time,” he jokes and then nibbles on my bottom lip.

“Grrrrr,” I grumble in his mouth. “You are always being too good.” His eyes narrow at me and he let’s out a rough chuckle.

“Katherine, I think you know that’s not true and I’ll show you just how bad I am when we are back up at school.” His hands snake up to my shoulders wrapping around the back of my neck. Pulling me towards him and his lips find mine again. Softly he kisses me across my jaw to my ear. “Patience,” he whispers.

“I don’t want to be patient,” I pout as I push my body into him. He laughs into me and un-straddles me from his lap. We face each other and I smile shyly at him feeling a little funny by my boldness.

“Stop,” he says, and his hand latches onto my pinky finger gently rubbing it. “Don’t be embarrassed. I don’t like you having to be patient either,” he says, just before he plants a firm kiss to my forehead. I lean myself against him and rest my head on his chest. His arms wrap around me tightly making my insecurities fade. As I take in his familiar pine and masculine scent he shifts us back against the arm of the couch allowing me to snuggle myself even closer.








Melissa Rolka grew up in the Chicagoland area all of her childhood and has always had a love of writing. She started by keeping a journal at a young age and then in high school she started writing poetry. A couple poems were published anonymously. Then in college she majored in Philosophy, which required lots and lots of writing. After graduating from Marquette University she traveled west to Los Angeles. There she worked for the Writers Guild of America and found herself submerged in the writers world. She worked on small writings, but never pursued them. On the side she became involved with a small theater group. Eventually she made her way back to the Midwest, where her heart belongs, and worked in business for several years. She found love, got married and has two beautiful children. Being at home has allowed her to keep following her love of reading and writing.

The Perfect Distraction is her first full length novel. A second continuation of this story is in the works with hopes for a third. When Melissa is not writing she is caring for, playing with and loving her two kids. In between taking care of her family and writing she almost always has her nose buried in her Kindle.



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Release Blitz: Discovering Lucy by Laura Dunaway

Happy release day Laura Dunaway - Discovering Lucy is available now!!
Read an excerpt, check out the book trailer and enter the giveaway with prizes including a $25 gift card, signed paperbacks and ebooks.

Title: Discovering LucyAuthor: Laura DunawayRelease Date: March 7, 2014Genre: Contemporary Romance

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 17 years and together they are raising three amazing kids. While she’s always had a passion for reading and writing, it wasn’t until this past year that she finally realized she should pursue her dream of writing a book. After many many attempts at starting one, Distorted was finally the one that flowed and before she knew it, she’d written The End. When she’s not busy shuttling her kids to lessons and practices and making dinner, she’s busy behind her computer writing her next book, Discovering Lucy, which will be out winter of 2014.



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Blog Tour: Toxic (Ruin #2) by Rachel Van Dyken

Today we have the pleasure of sharing an excerpt from Toxic  by Rachel Van Dyken with you!  And it's a good one - I'm ready for my piano lessons ;) Don't miss the giveaway while you're here either.


Everyone has a secret...

Gabe Hyde is on borrowed time. He's been hiding his identity for over four years-hidden from the world that used to adore him--obsess over him--driven to the edge of insanity by one poor choice.
But that one choice, altered the course of his life forever.
Pretending isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially when pretending means hiding your real self from the people that care about you the most. But if anyone ever discovered the truth it wouldn't just be his life at risk--but hers.

Saylor doesn't hate men.
Just Gabe.
Only Gabe.
He's a reckless, happy-go-lucky, silver spoon fed pain in her ass. Everything about him makes her more and more confused. Unfortunately they both donate time at the same Group Home. If she wasn't afraid of flunking, she'd be long gone. She hates that she's attracted to him almost as much as he hates that he's attracted to her--and she can tell, especially since their first encounter ended up making her knees so weak she couldn't form coherent sentences for weeks afterwards. But the closer she gets to him, the more confused she becomes. He isn't who he says he is, and he's hiding something big.

What happen when two worlds collide? Two worlds that never should have met in the first place? Some secrets are too big to be hidden forever--the only question? Will his destroy everyone he loves? Or finally bring about the redemption he's been craving for the past four years?

Everyone has a secret...What's yours?



Life has two stages. Birth and death. That’s it. What you do in between the two? Well, that’s up to you, isn’t it? —Wes M
Saylor

Behind me, Gabe ceased all motion. The only way I knew he was still there was from the heat that seeped into my back from where his body touched me. More warmth rolled off his hands where they seemed fused to mine. Any minute now, I expected him to pull away, to slip into mask number one or mask number two. Instead, he flipped my hands over, gripping them with his fingers and exhaled, long and slow. Seconds went by, but they may as well have been years. Each time he let out a breath, my heart skipped a beat of longing, needing more of his touch — more of something. My back tingled as the hard planes of his stomach pressed against me. I was in a Gabe cocoon.And I loved it.Until the music started.With slight pressure, Gabe moved my hands to the piano, slowly, effortlessly placing them on each key.He was playing through me, using my body as an instrument to convey the story of his life. Each time he pressed down on one of my fingertips or guided me to another area of the piano, I felt the sadness of the song clench deeper. The notes became floating tendrils of pain, each one of them slowly invading my body and taking hold until it hurt to breathe.He moved faster and faster, my hands couldn’t keep up. I pulled back as he continued the song, in such a rush it was like he was yelling but doing it with music. Unable to convey it in any other way.With a final burst of movement, he lifted his hands off the piano and smashed them against the keys, causing a chaos of notes to burst forth.Gabe’s breathing was uneven, ragged as he leaned heavily against me, his chin resting on my head, and he whispered brokenly, “I can’t.”“You were doing so good.”“It’s like getting into a car with suicidal tendencies. You keep going faster and faster, needing the adrenaline to keep you alive until suddenly you turn the wheel and everything goes black. The notes, they go higher and higher, and right when I feel like I can change the outcome — I panic. Some things…” He sighed and pulled away. “Some things are better left in chaos.”“Are you sure about that? Are you sure about perfection?” I folded my hands in my lap, but didn’t turn around.“Sure.” He moved from behind me and sat on the bench. “If life was perfect, how in the hell would we ever learn to depend on someone other than ourselves? If anything, that’s what life’s taught me. The need to be perfect is stemmed in the very belief that it’s actually something we can achieve. Self-actualization — doesn’t exist.”I licked my lips and looked down at the keys. “Does that mean we don’t try then?”“No.” Gabe tickled a few of the ivory keys in front of him, the music note tattoos on his fingertips looking darker against the white of the piano. “It just means when you reach the end of your rope, you shouldn’t regret a damn thing, but applaud yourself for trying to do the impossible.”I felt like he was using double meanings. The philosophical Gabe was a bit terrifying because he made me feel more insecure than the jackass Gabe. But the guy sitting next to me right now? I was beginning to understand, he wasn’t just one person. He was every person, everything, whatever he needed to be, he was.Like a chameleon.And suddenly the ending to the story made sense.Ten different notes all clamoring at once.Chaos.Gabe was Chaos.“So.” He sniffed and cleared his throat. “Now that I’ve totally ruined the moment by talking in my serious voice and scaring the shit out of you — why don’t we work on one of your performance pieces?”“Okay.” I placed my hands on the piano again, careful to angle my wrists at the perfect degree and keep my eyes on the music ahead. Sometimes I wondered if my posture was better than my playing.“What the hell are you doing?” he asked in calm voice.I turned and gave him a firm nod. “I’m getting ready.”“To go to battle?”“What?” I relaxed my hands a bit. “No.” I straightened. “This is the right posture, it’s—”“If you say perfect, I’m going to kill myself.”“Someone should have majored in drama.”He burst out laughing. “Oh, honey, you have no idea.”“So?” I lifted my wrists again and looked ahead.“Fine.” He smirked. “Play just like that.”“Okay.” I started one of my harder pieces, Piano Sonata 14. It felt exactly the same. The movement wasn’t as fast as some of the others, but the timing for it had to be perfect.“Close your eyes,” Gabe instructed.“But—”He swatted my wrists. “No arguing with your piano master.”“Fine.”“Say ‘yes, master’.”I smiled tightly, my eyes focusing on the music in front of me. I started slowly playing. “Not in this lifetime.”“Bet I could make you say it.” His voice had an arrogant lift to it, which made me all the more irritated. Master? Um, no.“Eyes.” He growled again.With a resigned sigh, I closed my eyes. “Better?”“Immensely,” he said smoothly.Darkness enveloped my world. All I had were the notes at my fingertips. All I had was the music — that and Gabe.He wasn’t saying anything.Which killed me.It also made me want to open my eyes, but I knew he’d probably just tell me to close them again, so I kept playing.And then, with a teasing touch, his fingers grazed my chin, slowly tilting it down toward the piano while his other hand went to my upper back then slowly moved down until it was in the middle, with a gentle push, he urged my body closer to the keys.Eyes closed, posture completely off, I leaned over the piano. Everything felt wrong as I continued playing.“Slower,” he said softly.With a sigh, I started playing slower. His hands moved to my hips. And stayed there. Other than jumping a foot, I was still able to concentrate.“The music,” he whispered, “It’s not just your story — it’s your lover.”“Okay,” I squeaked. Heat washed over me as the word lover bounced around in my brain. I knew it, but I’d never experienced it. How was I supposed to use something I didn’t know how to use? And how embarrassing was it that I was stuck in that tiny room having never been… stuck in a tiny room with any guy? Lover. I’d take him. If I got a choice. It would be him. But people like Gabe, beautiful people who had music in their soul, who knew how to speak without words… they weren’t for girls like me.“Each stroke…” His hands pressed against my hips making me gasp. “You need to feel it not just on your fingertips — but everywhere.”Holy. Crap.“Feel it here,” he squeezed and then ran his hands lightly up my sides, then resting right underneath my breasts, he pressed again. “And here.”My breathing picked up speed, as did my music.“Slow down,” he commanded in that same irritating patient tone. “Where is this story taking me? Where are you taking your lover?”“Huh?” I breathed.“Use your hands to tell me the story — use your body to propel the story forward, what happens next… Tell the story, Saylor. Make me feel it without even touching you.”“But — that’s impossible.”“You can feel a kiss without touching someone’s lips.”“I’m confused.”“Concentrate.” Gabe’s voice was firm. “I want to kiss you.”“What?” He was lucky I didn’t actually collapse against the piano this time.“In the story.” He chuckled. “I want to kiss you in this story, so kiss me.”“You want me to get up and kiss you?” Mind you, I was still trying to play a difficult piece as he was asking me this, which basically meant I must have had talent, because my body was on fire.“Without our mouths meeting.”“Through the music.” I clarified in a doubtful voice.I could hear the smile in his tone as he answered. “Yes, through the music, show me what the kiss would feel like. I want to taste it.”“But how?”He laughed softly. “I’m touching them.”“What?”“My lips,” he countered. “They’re soft, open, wet…”I squirmed on the piano bench, squeezing my eyes shut. “What else?”“As I part my lips… I wonder what your tongue tastes like, what type of pressure you’d use as you pressed your velvety smooth mouth against mine. I imagine exploring your mouth not just because I want to — but because I can’t help it. I’m lost. And your kiss is my salvation… so, Saylor, will you save me?”My fingers glided effortlessly over the piano as I imagined his mouth — the way he smiled, the way he took his lower lip hostage when he was deep in thought. The dark look he got in his eyes when there was something he wanted. Our kiss would be epic.The music picked up speed as I leaned over the piano, pounding each note with the rhythm of my footsteps as I approached him.His hands would reach for my hips as he pulled me closer. My hands hovered over the keys making my hesitation known.And then I pressed softly against the ivory, leaning forward as if I was leaning into Gabe with my body pressed against his. My breasts brushed the keys. I moved closer to the piano and then slowed the music.His eyes would close.His lips would part.And we’d meet in the middle — because both of us wanted the same thing. Both of us wanted to taste, to explore, to feel.I slowed my left hand as my right hand moved quicker across the keys, to show the anticipation.And then, our mouths would touch.I pounded the keys with my left hand, making it the loudest part of the piece which wasn’t normally how it was done.Our tongues would tangle.I pounded the piano harder.His fingers would dig into my arms as he lifted me into the air.I pulled back from the piano, stopping the music, and then gently started the rhythmic cadence again.Our kiss was the perfect joining of music.He was the left hand, I was the right.Separate they sounded like silly scales.Together — they were beautiful.When I stopped the piece, I was sweating.“Open your eyes,” Gabe whispered.He was breathing so heavily it looked like he’d just run a marathon. With a smile he tucked my fallen hair behind my ear and tilted my chin toward him.“That…” He leaned in. “…is how you perform. Like every kiss is both your first and last — like you’re saying both hello and goodbye — like you’ve just been born… like you’ve just died.”

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers!




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Release Day Blitz: Anomaly (Causal Enchantment #4) by K.A. Tucker

We're extremely excited to be able to participate in the Release Day Launch for K.A. Tucker's Anomaly . This is book #4 and the final instalment in the Causal Enchantments Series - which has been fabulous so far.  I can't wait to read the conclusion to Evangaline's story!!




She was merely a pawn in their game. And then something happened.
Once the fragile, naïve human, Evangeline has become altogether … different.
A being who holds formidable power, she may be the key to changing the course of fate.
Or she could be the final nail in the world’s coffin.
But Evangeline doesn’t know exactly what she is, what she can do. She knows only that she has to stop an enemy far worse than the Sentinel and the sorceresses—one driven by revenge.
And he’s hunting the man she loves.
As Evangeline fights to keep Caden alive and the human population from eradication, she can’t help but sense the imminent doom.
Find out if fate will prevail in the harrowing conclusion to the Causal Enchantment series.



So …” One of his fingers tucked a strand of blond hair behind my ear. “How are you feeling?”

I didn’t know how to answer that question. “Completely uneven, though my balance is better than ever,” I admitted. How long would it take to get used to the new me? Would I ever? Drawing breaths out of habit rather than necessity? The air still pulled in and out of my lungs, though I no longer needed it to survive. If I made a conscious effort to stop the repetitive act, no pressure built in my chest, no dizziness threatened my consciousness.

I would never grow old or die by natural means. My face, my hair, my body would never change. Not again anyway.

“Is it a good feeling?” Caden’s fingers clasped my hand, his thumb rubbing over the meaty part of my palm. I closed my eyes and tipped my head back, reveling in the sensation, like an all-consuming itch finally scratched. Since waking, the urge to be in constant physical contact with Caden had been almost overwhelming. It was as if my skin had been stripped back, exposing every nerve ending. Only it didn’t hurt.

Far from it.

It was a euphoria I’d never experienced and I couldn’t get enough.

Cracking an eyelid to peek at him, I caught a smirk that told me he could sense my reaction to his touch, though I knew that’s not what his question referred to. “I don’t know. How am I supposed to feel?” My new life had begun mere hours ago, when I woke on a dank dirt floor to a world of possibilities. And unpleasant anticipation. “I guess I’m just … waiting for the inevitable.” For the uncontrollable urge to kill to hit me.

Despite other distractions competing for my attention, that anxiety lingered like a vicious thorn. Sofie promised me that it was only a matter of time until the first human crossed my path and tested my control. And she also promised me that I would have none.

I dreaded that.

I desperately wanted to skip over that part. Heck, I wanted to not need any blood to survive at all. I wanted to be immune to it.

But nothing I wanted had ever come easy so there was no reason to believe it would be different now.

“Yeah, so am I,” Caden whispered under his breath, a hint of wariness in his tenor. He followed it quickly with, “But how do you feel?”

How did I describe this? “Alive? I guess? Like I’m bursting with energy? Like I could run forever.” This strange bubble of something had taken up residence in the pit of my stomach. A ball of energy or thrill or eagerness. Or all three. I didn’t know what it was exactly but I was keenly aware of its presence, almost a tangible force inside, ready to explode. Perhaps that was the impending hunger?




Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.




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Cover Reveal: Frayed (Connection Series #4) by Kim Karr

Kim Karr Connection Series fans I've got some great news for you!!  Book #4 - Frayed - has a cover and we get to share it with you today.

Title: Frayed (Connections #4)Release date: Sept 2, 2014


He didn’t think, he didn’t question—he just acted.
What she wanted, she took—without regard. It was only one night, but it changed everything.

After losing his fiancée, Ben Covington is unsure he’ll ever love again. But he’s so deeply drawn to Bell Wilde that he’s thrown for a loop. Maybe it’s purely sexual chemistry that’s igniting their spark… or maybe it’s his second chance at love.

Bell has just gotten her life back on track and may not be up for the challenge of Ben Covington. But once they’re reunited, there’s no holding back—even if a secret from Bell’s past just might shatter them both.








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Other books in the series TORN (Connections #2)
Rock star River Wilde brought Dahlia London back from the brink of hopelessness with his unwavering love and devotion. But their entwined history is about to test the strength of that love…

Dahlia was certain she had found true love and met her ‘Once in a Lifetime’ when she reconnected with River. But Dahlia’s world comes crashing down when someone from her past resurfaces, and all of River’s carefully hidden secrets are exposed.

River wants to show Dahlia that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass—it’s about dancing in the rain! But how many times can one broken heart be mended? Will River and Dahlia be able to face the turmoil together or will they be torn apart?

Available for purchase at:

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Connected (Connections #1)
What if a ‘Once in a Lifetime’ could happen twice?

Suffering from a past full of tragedy, Dahlia London's soul has been left completely shattered. Happily ever after is a far cry from reality in her world. But, when she is reconnected with her past, the bonds that form are irrefutable.

When River Wilde, lead singer of The Wilde Ones, comes back into Dahlia’s life, the intensity that fires their relationship combined with underlying feelings that have never died lead her to believe she has met her soulmate.

Struggling with confusion as old connections fade and new ones begin, Dahlia's grief begins to lift--but guilt remains. River wants to be the one to mend all that is torn within her.

But with a past that is never really gone, can their future survive?

Available for purchase at:

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** DAZED ** (releases 4/1/2014 - novella)
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** MENDED ** (releases 6/3/2014 - novel)
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Blog Tour: Bound to the Fallen by Stevie J. Cole

Within all legends, within all myths, lies a glimmer of truth. . .

Since the beginning of time there have been stories of demons and tales of darkness; creatures that stalk our dreams. Beings we pray in reality will never touch us. It is easily forgotten that evil can be veiled by breathtaking beauty. After all, few things in this world are truly as they seem.

Brooke Davis was well aware that people can pretend to be someone they are not. She'd had several life experiences that had taught her that. When she met Gavin Hunter she thought she knew exactly what kind of man he was - but she couldn't have been more mistaken in her assumption.

Gavin Hunter was successful, dominant, and had an innate weakness for women. A weakness that, if not controlled, could lead to a dangerous attraction. To make certain that he remained in control he never pursued an innocent mortal — until Brooke. The temptation she posed was a sin he could not deny, a pleasure he wanted to own. His desire for Brooke possessed him.

Brooke and Gavin quickly became entangled within a passionate love founded on deception. Not even the darkness could keep his secrets hidden forever, for it was only a matter of time before Gavin’s past would try to tear their love apart.

Prophecies can rarely be changed, fate seldom turns, and Brooke would soon find herself clinging to sins most would run from.

There was no escape. She had been bound the moment that he fell.

Due to language and sexual content this book is intended for mature audiences.









  

Oh, so many things I could say... but I'll behave.

I grew up in the south listening to a ton of grunge rock. I was forced to pursue an "acceptable profession" by my parents. They refused to let me major in creative writing or theater because they were not "reliable professions".

When I hit 30 I decided to start a bucket list and publishing a book was on the top (followed shortly by meeting a certain celebrity).

So, here I am with my first novel and working on the second one. The journey of writing Bound to the Fallen has been amazing and allowed me to meet many wonderful individuals.

I hope if you read my work that you will enjoy it. After all, writing is the most amazing magic trick of all... it puts the reader in the mind of the writer (kind of creepy if you think about it).

I hope you love my little world as much as I do.



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