Casey Peeler's Blog, page 31
March 24, 2014
Our stop on the Uncovering You Blog Tour!
Book Info:
Title – Uncovering You
Genre – Dark Romance
Release Date - March 27th, 2014
Series (Y/N) – Yes, first book in series. Second will be out April 20th, 2014.
GoodReads Link:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20512700-uncovering-you
Description:
When I wake up in a dark, unfamiliar room, I have no idea what’s waiting for me in the shadows. My imagination conjures up demons of the worst kind.
Reality is much worse:
A collar with no leash. A prison with no walls. And a life stripped of meaning.
I am presented with a vile contract and asked to sign. It outlines the terms of my servitude. The only information I have about my captor are the two small letters inked at the bottom:
J.S.
Armed with only my memories, I must do everything I can to avoid becoming ensnared in his twisted mind games. But in the end, it all comes down to one choice:
Resist and die.
Or submit, and sign my life away
Excerpt:
“Lilly.”
Oh God. It’s him. There’s no mistaking that rich, masculine treble.
What’s he doing down here?
“M-Mr. Stonehart,” I stutter, turning. I curse my inability to hide my surprise. He totally caught me off-guard. I have to look up to meet his eyes. Then up some more.
The face that I find is so striking it should belong to a Greek god.
He’s younger than I expected. Late thirties, maybe early forties.
That means he started his company when he was younger than me!
Dark scruff lines his angular cheeks. His jet-black hair is styled in long, natural waves. My fingers itch to run through it.
Totally inappropriate.
He has a prominent nose that might be too big on a less imposing man, but on him, it’s perfect.
In short, he’s a package of the purest masculinity I’ve ever seen.
And then there are his eyes. Oh my God. His eyes. They pierce into me like honing missiles. They are the deepest black I have ever seen. They would be frightening if they weren’t so beautiful. When the light reflects a certain way, you catch a glimpse of the purple underneath.
They are like midnight sapphires. His eyes reveal a cunning intellect. Those eyes do not miss a thing.
Add all that to his towering height, his wide shoulders, his confident-yet-at-ease posture… and Stonehart cuts an intimidating figure.
My gaze darts to his left hand before I can stop it. No ring. He’s unmarried.
He looks down at me, expectantly. His eyes narrow ever so slightly, and I feel like I’m being dissected, measured up, and tucked away in some small corner of his brain. I imagine this is what a gemstone feels like under the magnifying class of the most critical appraiser.
Stonehart clears his throat. I come to with a start, realizing I haven’t said anything in ages. I open my mouth, but the capacity for speech seems like a foreign concept to my brain. “I—”
Somebody bumps into me from behind. I stagger forward. I’m not used to these shoes, so my heel steps the wrong way. My ankle twists under me, and I start to fall.
I don’t fall far. The hand still on my elbow tightens, and Stonehart pulls me into him.
I plaster myself onto the solid steel wall the man has for a body. I catch a scent of his cologne. It’s a deep, musky smell with a hint of charred spruce that is all male. It scrambles my thoughts even more.
“Sorry!” a rushed voice calls out. From the corner of my eye, I see the postman giving a hurried, apologetic wave.
Although the sequence lasts less than a second, it feels like an eternity. Pressed up against him like that, I don’t want to move. I know that I couldn’t have made a worse first impression.
Stonehart eases me off him with a firm yet gentle grip. Our eyes meet. I flush the most vibrant red. His fingers graze my forehead as he brushes a lock of hair out of my face.
Any tenderness I may have imagined vanishes when Stonehart takes out his cell. He long dials a key and growls an order. “Steven. See the delivery boy leaving right now? Have his building pass revoked.”
I gape. Stonehart keeps speaking. “Wait. I thought of one better. Bar his company from accessing the building.” There’s a pause. “For how long? Indefinitely. FedEx can talk to me when they have an improved employee selection program in place.”
The phone call gives me just enough time to compose myself. My heart’s still beating out of my chest. But nobody has to know that.
I speak without thinking. “You’re going to restrict the entire company from serving this building because of that?”
Stonehart humors me with an answer. “A company’s employees are its most important asset. Their behavior reflects the organization as a whole. If FedEx decided that clown is good enough for them, it tells me they’re sloppy. I do not do business with sloppy organizations.”
“What about the other tenants in the building?” I ask. “Won’t that piss them off?”
When I hear myself and realize how improper my question is, my cheeks flame red again.
Stonehart’s eyes darken, as if he cannot believe I asked that question. I open my mouth to apologize for my imprudence, hating the way my professional skills have evaporated into thin air. I’m cut off by a short, barked laugh.
“Miss Ryder.” He sounds amused. “I believe that is the most direct and honest question anybody has dared ask me in weeks.” He takes my elbow again and leads me to the elevators. I have to take two quick steps to match one of his long strides.
“Yes,” he continues. “They will be ‘pissed off.’ But the perk of owning a building—” he hits the elevator call button, “—is that you get to make executive decisions.” He gives me an unreadable glance as the doors open. “That is, at the risk of being questioned by inexperienced interns.”
If that isn’t a loaded remark, I don’t know what is. I flush scarlet red for the third time since I’ve met him. I’ve never had a man throw me so off balance.
The elevator is packed, for which I’m infinitely thankful. The trip up will give me some time to properlycompose myself.
Gratitude turns to panic when the crowd files out, meek as mice, when Stonehart steps in. None of the people waiting in the lobby follow us.
The doors close. I’m alone in here with him. My heart’s beating as fast as a hummingbird’s wings.
He catches me staring. “Impressed?” he asks.
“They know you,” I manage.
His dark eyes flash with amusement. “Astute.”
Chelly’s Thoughts
“My biggest goal in life is complete self-sufficiency. No reliance. No strings. I want to make my own decisions, and have life be within my control.”
After being at the mercy of her unreliable mom and her mom’s revolving door of boyfriends since she was a child, that’s how Lily Ryder is determined to live her life, no matter what it takes. When she wakes up in a dark room alone and has no idea how she got there, she is left with a lot of questions. With nothing to keep her company except her memories, the question of HOW she ended up there slowly starts to get answered…but WHY is she there?
In her quest to be independent and make it on her own, Lily has racked up a TON of debt from student loans. When she receives an offer that is too good to refuse, one that will help pay off a big chunk of her debt, she immediately takes a leave from school and jumps at the chance…and that’s when things start to go downhill. Fast forward a few days (weeks, months?) and she’s in a room alone, with a collar around her neck that will electrocute her if she goes too far, and a tray full of delicious food juuust out of reach. All she has to do is sign a contract and the food is hers. After starving for days and days, the food almost proves to be too tempting. If she signs the contract, she will be a slave to the mysterious J.S., but if she doesn’t, she will surely die. One thing is for sure, she will not go down without a fight…
It’s hard to review this story without giving too much away. It is a serialized series, with each book being around 125 pages, and there is a little bit of a cliffhanger at the end, but the author has already set book 2 to release in April. In Uncovering You, we basically slowly learn how Lily ended up where she is, not much else, but it left me dying to know more. I was a little confused in the beginning with the flashbacks going back and forth, but it didn’t take me long to get sucked in. Lily is an extremely strong character and I can’t wait to see what happens when she finds out who J.S. really is.
About the Author
I’m Scarlett Edwards. I wrote my first book as a college sophomore. After six months of edits, it made its debut as Yours to Savor.
That was at the start of 2013. I’ve written more books since then. You can find them all here.
It’s funny how quickly life changes. I used to think I’d need a degree to get a “Real Job.” Then I wrote a few books, they got somewhat popular, and now I’m living the life as a full-time romance author.
Thanks to all my readers for making my dreams come true!
Author Links:
www.facebook.com/ScarlettEdwardsAuthor
www.scarlettedwards.com
www.goodreads.com/scarlettedwards
March 22, 2014
…It ruined me… A review of Nicole Reed’s Ruining Me
Synopsis
Eighteen year old Jay Stevenson is living a horrible nightmare.
Two years ago, she had the world in the palm of her hand, but in one moment, it was ruined. Secrets, lies, and the worst imaginable betrayal haunt her new reality. Burying her problems under a cold façade seems to be the only way to cope until it all catches up with her. Soon, she loses control of the lonely world she built around her, and the past, present, and future collide.
Three guys are there when it all comes crashing down: JT, the perfect boyfriend she never wanted to give up; Rhye, the local bad boy “rock star” who made her forget the past; and Kane, the funny and sweet tattooed bartender who wants her future.
Secrets must be kept. Choices must be made. Is it possible to move forward while still chained to the wicked vices of the past?
Recommended for readers 17+ due to sexual situations, violence, and language.
Chelly’s Thoughts
James Stevenson (aka Jay) used to have it all. She was once the school sweetheart, everyone loved her and she had the perfect life, until that one devastating day that ruined everything. Now it’s her senior year in high school and everyone thinks she’s a stuck up bitch, but that’s part of the plan to push everyone away – her best friends, her longtime boyfriend, her parents – everyone, in an effort to cut down on the pain she will cause them all when she ends it. That’s the only way she sees out of this life and away from the nightmares, she just has to find the right time.
Despite all of this, Jay still has not one, not two, but THREE guys that are head over heels in love with her, and she still cares for each one of them in their own way. First, we have JT – her first boyfriend and the love of her life. He promised her in kindergarten that he would marry her someday, and that was the plan, until THAT day. She lied and told him there was someone else and broke up with him suddenly, but she still loves him and he never got over her, it almost ruined him. He won’t give up on her and he is determined to find out what really happened.
Next, there’s Rhye, her ex-friend-with-benefits, until he cheated on her. He’s the typical bad boy in a rock band, and not only was he sexy, but he offered her an escape with sex and drugs. Despite the bad-boy persona, he actually cares for Jay and is truly sorry about what he did, and he will do anything to keep her safe. He still wants Jay, and she doesn’t want to like him, but he’s hard to resist.
Finally, there’s Kane, the new drop-dead-gorgeous, tatted up bartender at Jay’s favorite bar. At first he comes across as super cocky, but the more she talks to him, the more she likes him. After THAT day, Jay has been known for having a few one night stands, and normally she’d go for that with Kane, but for some reason she feels one night wouldn’t be enough with him. She’s never felt the pull for anyone else that she feels for him. He knows she’s hiding something and he will be there for her when she finally decides to tell.
So, the obvious question would be which one does she choose – her first love that she never really stopped loving, the bad boy who could make her forget everything, or the guy who makes her face everything and move on, start fresh? But the deeper questions are what is the secret Jay is hiding from everyone? Can she get past it for love? Who is leaving the mysterious notes on her car everyday at school? She doesn’t want anyone to know what really happened, they wouldn’t believe her anyway. Besides, what’s in the past is in the past. As long as it stays there, it can’t get any worse. Right?
I don’t even know what to say about this story, I was blown away. There is a lot more to it than the love triangle (or square?), but I can’t really say much else without giving something away. As others have said, I never saw that ending coming in a million years, and I was completely floored. This book did exactly what the title says…it ruined me…and I can’t wait to read more.
About the Author
About me…… I love angst….I thrive on it, but only the fictional kind. I adore a story that grips the reader from the beginning and doesn’t let go…EVER. I’m an avid reader who just recently discovered my love of writing. My favorite things in life include my three wild & crazy kids, Reese’s Pieces, and every genre of music. Please come find me @ nicolereedbooks.com or www.facebook.com/nicolereedauthor
March 19, 2014
Tangled by Emma Chase
Synopsis
In New York Times bestselling author Emma Chase’s sizzling and hilarious debut novel, Drew Evans—gorgeous, arrogant, irreverent, and irresistibly charming—meets his match in new colleague Kate Brooks.
Drew Evans is handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed? He’ll tell you he has the flu. But we all know that’s not really true.
Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful and ambitious. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating.
Tangled is not your mother’s romance novel. It is an outrageous, passionate, witty narrative about a man who knows a lot about women…just not as much as he thinks. As he tells his story, Drew learns the one thing he never wanted in life, is the only thing he can’t live without.
Chelly’s Thoughts
“I see something I want and I go after it. I’m used to getting what I want.”
Meet Drew Evans, the handsome, arrogant, wealthy, top-notch investment banker with a love for the ladies – well, not really love, more like “wham, bam, thank you ma’am”, time for another but never the same one twice. At least that’s how he normally is, but lately he’s been holed up in his apartment with the “flu”…riiight, that’s what it is. When his sister finally comes to see if he’s still alive, he admits that it finally happened…he went and fell in love, but he screwed everything up. Let’s go back in time a few months and find out what actually happened…
Drew is a lady’s man. His Saturday night ritual involves going to the club and finding a girl (or two) to satisfy his “needs”. After all, sex for a guy is purely physical, an itch that needs to be scratched, and every girl he’s with knows this up front. One night, he meets a gorgeous dark-haired angel in a red dress and he knows he has to have her. When she doesn’t give in (because she’s engaged) he’s intrigued and determined to change her mind, until a set of twins offers him a good time…why work for it when you’ve got willing volunteers? Still, he can’t get her out of his head…
Drew has a rule about not sleeping with anyone he works with. This has never really been a problem until Monday morning, when his father introduces him to a new employee and it’s HER…the angel from the bar…Katherine Brooks. He thinks he can control his need for her, but every time she comes near, he just can’t help himself. Until his father tells Drew that Kate is competing with him for a new account…then it’s on. The only thing more important to Drew than women is his job, and a newbie is NOT stealing his thunder. This is the start of a month long fight for the account, consisting of sabotage, pranks, and stooping to childish levels, along with sexual tension that is off the charts.
Kate’s been with her fiancé for 10 years, and at this point it’s more a friendship than anything else, but she won’t cheat on him, even though Drew knows she wants him just as much as he wants her. At some point, his feelings for her went from just wanting a one-nighter to get her out of his system, to actually wanting a relationship with her, something he’s never had before. Drew has shown he’s the epitome of an asshole on more than one occasion, but can he convince Kate to actually give him a shot? Could Kate be the one to tame Drew, or has he screwed it up before if ever got started?
Tangled is told solely from Drew’s point of view and I absolutely LOVED it! It gives you a crystal clear view of the inner workings of a man’s mind, however crude it may be, and is full of (what I assume) is pretty accurate wisdom and advice. If you’re a fan of Alice Clayton, Tangled is right up your alley. If you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud, can’t-put-it-down, quick read, you won’t be disappointed with Tangled.
Buy it on Amazon
Faltering by Julia Danes is LIVE!
Title: Faltering
Genre: New Adult romance
Synopsis
One exotic location, one sex-filled week, one secret to hide …
Bad luck. Emma’s life has been full of it lately. Abandoned by her best friend. Stranded in a foreign country without cash or a passport. She’s ready to give up her dreams of an exotic adventure and head home. But when a sexy stranger offers to help how can she say no?
A challenge. Alec Hawthorne is handsome, charismatic, and used to getting what he wants. So when he spots Emma, alone and in trouble, he can’t resist pursuing her. But meeting Emma threatens to undo all his carefully laid plans.
Consuming desire. Emma didn’t plan on finding romance while studying abroad, but that doesn’t stop her from from being seduced by Alec’s intense, demanding charms. When he asks her to spend the week with him how can she refuse?
Difficult choices. Little do they know their instant attraction spells trouble. When Emma finds out the secret Alec’s been keeping can she learn to trust him again? Is Alec willing to give up everything he’s been working for to be with Emma?
Buy it on Amazon
Excerpt
I make it back to my dorm without any further mishaps. Shutting the door behind me, I kick off my heels and pad barefoot over to my bed. I throw my bag onto Freya’s bare mattress and lie back, my head hitting the pillow with a soft thump. I’m exhausted. I close my eyes for a second and take a couple of calming breaths, in and out. I need a few minutes to get my head together.
As soon as my eyes close, flashes of seductive golden-green eyes and broad muscular shoulders invade my brain. Alec Hawthorne. Holy hell. I let my mind wander for a couple of minutes, imagining the feel of those strong hands exploring my body, sliding slowly up my inner thighs. That big, hard body pressing into me, pinning me to the mattress. My skin flushes as one hand reaches below my waist, the other making slow circles around my nipples.
Just when the tension begins to build, my phone rings. I jump, startled out of my daydream, and sit up clumsily to reach for my phone. I don’t recognize the number.
“Hello?”
“Emma.” The deep, sexy voice washes over me and I have to bite my lip to stop from crying out. Did he know what I’d been doing? I shake my head to try and clear it. Of course not, how could he know?
“Yes?” I try to sound normal but my heart is suddenly racing.
“I just wanted to make sure you made it back safely.” In the background I can hear traffic noises, like he might be in the back of a taxi.
“Yeah, thanks, no more problems.” I smile into the phone. It feels good to have someone worry about me.
“Let me take you to dinner.”
The offer is tempting. My stomach is empty and the only thing I have are some stale peanut butter crackers from the vending machine. But . . . the effect he had on me was a little intimidating. Do I trust myself around him? I don’t want any romantic complications.
“Say yes, Emma. I’ll pick you up at seven.” His tone is confident, commanding even. It didn’t leave a lot of room for debate.
“Sure, okay. Where are we . . .” The phone clicks before I can finish my question. He cut me off! But I can’t stay annoyed; I’m going to see Alec again.
About the Author
Julia Danes loves to read and write romantic stories about smart women and sexy men.
With a degree in English literature from Boston University and a master’s in library science, she has spent the last decade working in publishing as a freelance editor before turning to her childhood dream of being a novelist.
Raised in the Boston area, she now lives in Florida with her husband and three children.
Faltering is her debut novel.
Facebook – www.facebook.com/authorjuliadanes
Twitter – @authorjdanes
Web – http://juliadanes.blogspot.com/
Goodreads – www.goodreads.com/user/show/19521098-julia-danes
March 18, 2014
Behind His Eyes Truth is LIVE!
Synopsis
BEHIND HIS EYES TRUTH is the second of CONSEQUENCES SERIES three reading companions, by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Aleatha Romig. It is recommended to be read after completing all of the CONSEQUENCES SERIES: Consequences, Truth, and Convicted. It is not a standalone book and should not be read as such.
This reading companion explores the thoughts and motivations of Anthony Rawlings and his struggle to accept the truth behind the consequences. It is not intended as a total rewrite of TRUTH, but meant to enhance the reader’s understanding. BEHIND HIS EYES TRUTH contains significant scenes from the novel TRUTH, as experienced from Anthony’s point of view. It also contains never before read, behind the scenes information, a glossary of the characters, and a timeline which grows from Consequences to include the array of new characters and revelations found in the pages of Truth.
BEHIND HIS EYES TRUTH is the continued journey inside the mind of the man who supplied and survived the consequences. This companion allows readers the opportunity to witness first hand as Anthony’s world changes forever. His rules and control begin to slip away, threatened by the most unlikely foes—something completely unfamiliar.
Can something as pure as love and forgiveness wreak havoc on his well-planned existence?
BEHIND HIS EYES TRUTH, because there is more to learn about a man who:
Once upon a time, signed a napkin that he knew was a contract. As an esteemed businessman, he forgot one very important rule—he forgot to read the fine print. It wasn’t an acquisition to own another person as he’d previously assumed. It was an agreement to acquire a soul.
—Aleatha Romig, CONVICTED
Continue the long and painful acquisition, as the TRUTH becomes evident, from Behind His Eyes!
Excerpt
Glancing at the numerous pictures from his years of surveillance, Tony wondered if he and Claire had come full circle. Would it be like this again? Would his only connection to her be through this new investigator? Would he only see Claire in two dimensions? Tony searched for their contract, the beginning of their personal journey together. He knew it wouldn’t be that easy again. If he were to get her back to Iowa and into his life, it wouldn’t be because of a signature on a napkin.
Then he shook his head. He didn’t want her back, did he? Hell, the lack of sleep was making him sentimental. He stopped his search. The damn contract was no longer valid; it never had been—legally. Pushing the box back into its hideaway, he contemplated throwing it all away. Having her back wasn’t his goal; learning her location was. She had no right to disappear.
With the necklace in his hand, Tony settled upon the soft leather sofa in front of his fireplace. If Phillip Roach were correct, in a few moments he’d hear the voice that used to fill his suite and his house. When her voice came through his phone, Tony wanted to feel her presence. He imagined the sound as he looked up at her wedding portrait and saw the emerald green that haunted his dreams. What did he want to hear? He wanted to know she was safe and unharmed. He wanted to know where she was, and he also wanted to bring her back to Iowa—because that was where she belonged.
It didn’t make sense. To the world she was the woman who tried to kill him. To Tony she was more than that. The past twenty hours had proven it. She was his drug. Claire Nichols ran through his system like ecstasy, sending him on otherwise unobtainable highs. He reasoned that lows followed highs, and she’d given him those, too; they’d given them to each other. Nevertheless, without the right stimulant, the euphoria could never again be achieved. Whether it was elation or misery, neither would be obtainable without the exhilarating potency of Claire. He didn’t want an empty envelope. He wanted her. Nathaniel was wrong: Claire wasn’t gone; she was just misplaced.
For the last twenty-four hours, his entire being had surged with anticipation. Claire may not understand it—hell, Tony didn’t understand it, but he couldn’t deny it. Now that she was gone, he needed her back in his life, and he would have her.
Amazon / Barnes & Noble/ Kobo
About the Author
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, who has been voted #1 “New Author to Read” on Goodreads, July 2012 – Present!
Aleatha has lived most of her life in Indiana, growing-up in Mishawaka, graduating from Indiana University, and currently living south of Indianapolis. Together with her high-school sweetheart and husband of twenty seven years, they’ve raised three children. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her pastimes include exercising, reading, and creating heroes/ anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!
Aleatha enjoys traveling, especially when there is a beach involved. In 2011 she had the opportunity to visit Sydney, Australia to visit her daughter studying at the University of Wollongong. Her dream is to travel to places in her novels and around the world.
CONSEQUENCES, her first novel, was released August 2011 by Xlibris Publishing. Then in October of 2012, Ms. Romig re-released CONSEQUENCES as an indie author. TRUTH, the sequel, was released October 30, 2012, and CONVICTED, the final installment of the Consequences Series, was released October 8, 2013! She is now releasing the CONSEQUENCES READING COMPANIONS: BEHIND HIS EYES – A trilogy of companions, from Anthony Rawlings’ POV.
Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and represented by Danielle Egan-Miller of Brown and Miller Literary Associates.
March 14, 2014
Taking Chances by Molly McAdams
Synopsis
Her first year away is turning out to be nearly perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything
Eighteen-year-old Harper has grown up under the thumb of her career marine father. Ready to live life her own way and to experience things she’s only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father’s unit, she’s on her way to college at San Diego State University.
Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family, and emotions. She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with both her new boyfriend, Brandon, and her roommate’s brother, Chase. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both men adore Harper and would do anything for her, including taking a step back if it would mean she’d be happy.
Chelly’s Thoughts
I have put off this book for a long time because I knew it was going to kill me just based on what everyone else was saying about it. I refused to read any reviews until I was brave enough to read it, but I still knew it would get me. Now, how do I review it without giving anything away?
Let’s start with Harper Jackson. After living her entire life on base with her single Marine father, she is finally getting away and going to college in California. She was home schooled and went to work with her father everyday, but he did little to raise her. She was basically raised by a bunch of jarheads in his units, who she looked at as all her brothers. She never wore make up, never went to a mall, never been on a date or even been kissed – college was going to be a real eye-opening experience for her.
When Harper gets to college, the first person she meets is her new roommate (and new BFF), Breanna, who insists on taking her shopping and giving her a makeover before taking her to her first party. This is where she meets Chase, Breanna’s extremely gorgeous, blonde, tattooed, man-whore of a brother. On the outside Harper is appalled by the way Chase treats women and she repeatedly shuts him down, but on the inside she can’t help but be attracted. She says she’ll never let him touch her, but he says one day she’ll be begging him to. No matter how many other girls Chase has, he’s always there for Harper and protects her from the other guys in the house, because none of them are good enough for her – not even himself.
Except for maybe Brandon. He’s another guy from the house, but he seems different. With his grey eyes, dark hair, muscles, and sexy, deep voice, Harper is immediately drawn in. He gives her butterflies and makes her feel beautiful, not like a piece of meat like most of the other guys. Despite Chase’s best attempts to keep her away from him as well, Harper is falling for Brandon hard. He is perfect – sweet, protective, loving – but even with all of that, Harper can’t stop thinking about Chase.
One guy gives her butterflies in her stomach and the other sets her on fire (in the best way possible). Where Brandon is sweet and charming, Chase is hot and wicked. Chase is your typical bad boy, and I usually like that kinda guy myself, but what girl doesn’t want the perfect gentleman who treats her like a princess? How do you choose? Sometimes your choices, and fate, have a way of choosing for you…
Taking Chances is one of those stories that stick with you looong after you’ve finished. It is as heart warming as it is heart wrenching, as frustrating as it is passionate, and I both loved and hated it with everything I have. I did get a little annoyed with the way Harper kept going back and forth between the guys, but I can see where the decision would be difficult, especially coming from the sheltered life she lived…I don’t think she really knew what she wanted. I have recommended this story to everyone with a warning – have lots of tissues and try not to throw your book (Kindle, tablet, etc.) across the room.
Buy it on Amazon
March 11, 2014
Cover Reveal ——–> Beautifully Done by Riley Mackenzie
Title: Beautifully Done (Beautifully Awake #2)
Authors: Riley Mackenzie
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Expected Release Date: June 2014
Synopsis
Diagnosis: Borrowed time
Treatment: Trust
Prognosis: Beautifully Done
Asher Craig drives fast, flies high, and screws hard. But make no mistake, he’s a gentleman.
He learned way too young that we’re all on borrowed time. Fair or unfair, you only get one ride. He vows to live for the moment because it’s the only time he owns. The past is beyond his control and the future may not exist. With his only loyalties being his family, he thrives for that edge where plunging over is always in the realm of possibility.
When a beautiful familiar face tilts his axis, he re-examines everything and realizes that second chances are overrated and a lifetime of firsts are irreplaceable. In the end, it’s not her medical degree but his trust that needs to prove that the ride together is worth it … until it’s Beautifully Done.
***Author’s note*** This can be read as a stand alone novel, however, it does contain spoilers from Beautifully Awake. We recommend reading Chase and Lili’s story first.
Excerpt
Pain pierced my shin and I jerked back. “What the hell was that for?” I bitched at the half pint spit-fire, sporting auburn highlights this week. Sierra changed her hair color as often as her shoes. And tonight she was in some pointy fucking boots.
“You have a freakin’ plane? For real? You never told me you had a plane! Lil, did you know green giant had his own private plane. And he flies it?”
“Hold up, Green giant?” I questioned trying to get a word in edgewise. These two women spoke their own estrogen dialect. It could get out of control especially when Sierra went off on a tangent. And there it was, with both hands in the air, her drink–which I assumed was a margarita–splashed down the front of her light grey sweater dress. She didn’t flinch. Sam, on the other hand, jumped to pat the excess liquid off her c cups.
Cant. Make. This. Shit. Up.
Chase buried his head in his wife’s shoulder to hide his laughter, Lil bit her fingernail, and Dodd feigned a coughing fit.
In her oblivion, Sierra manually removed the red-headed beauty’s hand from her chest. “I’m good, no really. Besides, it’s all padding, babe. Breastfeeding sucks the life from the girls.” If Dodd shook his head one more time he was in serious jeopardy of herniating a neck disc.
About the Authors
Yep. That’s an “s.” There are two of us!
We’re East coast girls separated by Long Island Sound who met in Physician Assistant School and have been besties ever since. We can safely say that thirteen miles of water does not get in the way because we talk or text, no exaggeration, at least 150 times a day. No, really, we do—about everything and nothing. Shockingly, we never (we mean never) run out of things to say. Umm, ever. We definitely laugh A LOT and we’re a tad sarcastic. And if we’re being totally honest, one or two people might have, on occasion, used our names and ‘dramatic’ in the same sentence. But it’s hard to trust the sources since they married us.
It only took twelve years, two husbands, five kids, two dogs, and a two-week vacation in Cape Cod later to decide the romance world needed a splash of medicine. Write what you know.
So you can easily find us at 4 o’clock on Bank Street beach with a glass of cold Prosecco brainstorming. And guaranteed if we bump into you, literally, it’s only because our iPhones are glued to our hands (totally out of our control) either writing or editing our next novel (and yes, it is possible to do from your iPhone, we mastered it … damn those straight quotations).
When we are not working on our book or reading the latest angsty romance on our kindles, you basically name it and we have it going on. Soccer, lacrosse, golf, swimming, dance, gymnastics, football, chess, baseball, basketball, skiing, ice skating, school, homework, and more school.
Oh yeah, did we forget to mention our careers in medicine?
Needless to say, we realized fast that something had to go, so we opted for sleep. It’s completely overrated (yet so AMAZING) and delirium makes everything funnier. Good thing we share a brain and can pretty much complete each other’s sentences (definitely weird, we know), otherwise it might have taken us two years to write Beautifully Awake rather than one.
So that’s our story, who we are … just add AUTHORS to the list!
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Giveaway
It’s all about Love & Basketball! Defensive by @writerjdrivera
Synopsis
The follow-up novel to the novella Guarded
Once you find the love of your life, it’s all sunshine and roses, right?
Not for most relationships and definitely not for Vanessa Smith and Jackson Berrios.
Vanessa Smith is finally divorced from her awful ex-husband and is in a committed relationship with basketball star, Jackson Berrios.
Vanessa’s ex-husband has come back into her life just when she needs a friend. The friendship could complicate the relationship between her and Jackson. Will the couple be able to get through their pasts coming back to the surface? Can two different circumstances tear them apart or sear them together? Will they iron out their problems and have a happily ever after…?
Casey’s Thoughts
I feel in love with Jackson Berrios in Guarded, but what’s not to love about a hot, perfectly chiseled body of an OCK Thunder basketball player? Oh, I might add that he is a really good guy as well… or at least tries to be. 
One thing I might need to add is that you defiantly need to read Guarded first. In fact, that’s what made me fall for all of these characters, and have a strong dislike for Shane. In Guarded, we are hit with a major bombshell from the get go. I just knew this was going to tear Vanessa and Jackson apart.
Vanessa is as stubborn as they come. She has a major bombshell herself and chooses to keep quiet because she believe that is what’s best for Jackson. Truth be told, it only makes it harder on all of them.
Defensive was the perfect novel to follow up Guarded. I love how each of the characters are real, what you see is what you get, and had me questioning other people’s motives.
In Defensive, you will fall in love with Amanda. She honestly is my favorite. Even over smoking’ hot Jackson! She’s spunky, a true bff, and keeps it real with Vanessa. You will also get to know Shane. He’s not my favorite, and I just kept waiting to see if their was something he wasn’t telling. Jackson and I both have mutual feelings for him. He did keep this story interesting to say the least.
If you are looking for a quick read that will have you wanting to be a part of their world, Guarded & Defensive are for you! Get your copy today!
Add DEFENSIVE to you TBR list on Goodreads
About the Author
J.D. Rivera lives in Oklahoma with her husband and two boys. Her life consists of school projects, homework, cartoon shows, and little league sports. She loves Diet Mountain Dew, the OKC Thunder, costume jewelry, the beach, and reading.
See where the story begins…Guarded. Currently $0.99 on Amazon
**Cover design by E.M. Tippetts**
March 10, 2014
Get Lucky this St. Patty’s Day!
Join your favorite YA and NA authors as we celebrate being Irish for a day and play on Pinterest. There will be over 45 e-book giveaways!
You can join the Facebook party HERE!
You won’t want to miss it!
Participating Authors:
Lila Felix A. W. Exley Melissa Pearl
Jessica Gibson Cindy M. Hogan Sarah Ashley Jones
Marie Landry Rachel Morgan Jennifer Snyder
Stacey Marie Brown Jessica Therrien D.L. Raver
Stacey Wallace Benefiel Marilyn Almodóvar Angee Taylor
A.O. Peart Devyn Dawson Rick Chiantaretto
Raine Thomas L.P. Dover Tamara Hart Heiner
Leigh T Moore Meradeth Houston Amber Argyle
Tawdra Kandle Carlyle Labuschagne Lisa Collicutt
Christy Dorrity Stephanie Fowers Kristina Renee
Faith McKay Charlotte Abel Jamie Ayres
A.M. Hargrove Charli Webb Amy Harmon
Alyssa Rose Ivy Kristie Cook Lani Woodland
T.M. Franklin Laura Howard Sharron Riddle
Eliza Tilton S. M. Boyce Bethany Lopez
Dawn Leigh L.A. Casey Emma Adams
Amber Garr Liz Long
March 8, 2014
Today the light is on BJ Harvey!
THE LOST ANTHOLOGY
BY BJ HARVEY
ADD TO GOODREADS
AMAZON | B&N
Lost in Distraction (Lost #1)
Elise Halliwell has been alone, shut off from the world in a self-imposed emotional exile.
But her exile is dramatically cut short by the entrance of a dark haired, blue-eyed, smirking man who shakes her to the core.
Full of twists and turns, danger and revelations that no-one could predict, you won’t be the only one Lost in Distraction.
Lost For You (Lost #2)
What would you do if you were told that everything you had ever believed in and everything you had ever known, was a lie?
Elle’s life is altered forever after an unexpected phone call and an unwelcome visitor. Trying to put her life back together, Brax’s last words continue to echo through her mind. Why she is being followed and why is she suddenly in danger? Don’t miss this thrilling conclusion to the Lost series.
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
Title: Lost Without You (Lost #2.5)
Add to Goodreads
Lost Without You Links:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N Kobo
BJ Harvey is the Amazon Bestselling Author of The Bliss Romantic Comedy Series and The Lost Romantic Suspense Series. An avid music fan, you will always find her with headphones when writing, and the speakers blaring the rest of the time. She’s a wife, a mom to two beautiful children, and a full-time university student. BJ resides with her family in what she considers the best country in the world—New Zealand.
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | GOODREADS
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