Serena Akeroyd's Blog: All Things Serena! , page 233
June 22, 2014
Release Day Event: Grim Encounters by Holly Hood
Book Title: Grim Encounters
Author: Holly Hood
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance (novella)
Release Date: June 21, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Darkness is all around and Hope could be the next victim. Things just keep getting worse, but Hope’s determination to save those that she loves is strong.
Cherry is even more dangerous, and Hope is even more determined. She will fight to the bitter end to get her life back to the way that it once was. She soon realizes fighting for not j...
Release Day Event: Grim Encounters by Holly Hood
Book Title: Grim Encounters
Author: Holly Hood
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance (novella)
Release Date: June 21, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Darkness is all around and Hope could be the next victim. Things just keep getting worse, but Hope’s determination to save those that she loves is strong.
Cherry is even more dangerous, and Hope is even more determined. She will fight to the bitter end to get her life back to the way that it once was. She soon realizes fighting for not just herself but those she loves is almost impossible. Especially against Kenny Carlo. When everything starts to fall apart she realizes just how far she must go to save it all.
In the most sexy and fast paced book yet, Grim Encounters will leave you on your knees begging for more.
Holly Hood is a Ohio native with a knack for writing dysfunctional adult romances.On the days when she’s not writing she’s probably engrossed in a good reality show, or spending time with her family. She loves Sunday family dinners, cooking out, and movie nights.
She’s a mother of four, and wife to a wonderful husband.
“Now is not the time. If we’re here it’s for a good reason.” He ran a hand down the back of his neck.
Kenny rested his glass on the table. “Listen to your boyfriend before you piss me off.”
I opened my mouth to say more but stopped.
“You think I give a shit about the bartender hearing you talk about the dead body in my trunk?” He cocked his head sideways, several heads turned.
“She’s done.” Slade touched my arm. “She won’t say another god damn thing.”
I shut my mouth when his hand slammed down on the table, the hand that killed my dad.
Kenny put an arm around me and pointed across the room. “See the blonde?”
I searched the crowd of drunks and found a skinny blonde wiping a table.
“She’s the girl who can bring your daddy back to life. Unless of course you’ve changed your mind and want us to dump him on the side of the road somewhere.”
I pulled away from his fingers toying with my hair. “I haven’t changed my mind.”
“Alright, work your magic.”
I waited for Slade to stand.
“Why can’t you go ask her?” I looked at Kenny. He made everything so complicated.
“I don’t know why I didn’t think about that.” He nodded at the bartender and took his glass. “Oh that’s right. She hates me.”
I sighed. “Doesn’t everyone?”
Slade interrupted us. “What’s the issue?”
“I sort of beat the shit out of her husband and threatened to make the rest of her life miserable.” He shrugged.
“And you think we can convince her to help?” I rolled my eyes. “By the way is there anyone that can stand you or do you like it that way?”
Slade shook his head.
Kenny raised an eyebrow. “I love how even though you know I hold your dad’s life in my hands you’re willing to talk shit to me. It’s kind of a turn on.”
I swallowed.
Slade sat his beer on the table. “I said we would help. I didn’t say I’d let you sexually harass my girl.”
“You call it sexual harassment. I call it foreplay.”
I grabbed my drink the sweat soaking my fingers. “What are we supposed to say to her?”
“Say whatever you need to, do whatever you need to. Just get her to agree to a meeting.” Kenny downed his. “And do it fast she’s off soon.”
I share the same birthday with Prince William
My favorite band is One Republic
When I wake up in the morning I usually have one sock on and one sock off
I have four tattoos and they all are on my left arm
I am six feet tall
I am addicted to Pretty Little Liars
I don’t use ketchup
I eat way too much salt
I get motion sickness if I read in the car
I have never broke anything
I’ve known my best friend since the third grade
I hate the sound of people chewing
I don’t drink , like ever. Never has been my thing
I hate just about any winged bug and spiders
I love EOS lip balm
I shaved my head because I got tired of my hair and it’s just now growing back
I bite my nails
My favorite color is teal
I love cows MOO!
My next tattoo will be a peacock in memory of my mom jr
June 21, 2014
Cover Reveal: The Stage by Shelby Rebecca
Book Title: The Stage (A Phoenix Rising Novel)
Author: Shelby Rebecca
Genre: New Adult Rock Star Romance
Release Date: July 2, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Mia the saint.
Kolton the sinner.
Kolton Royce is a tatted, bad boy rock star at the top of his game.
Mia Phoenix is an overly responsible nineteen-year-old striving for stardom since losing her parents in a house fire.
When Mia ends up on Kolton’s team for the debut of the new nationwide singing competition, The Stage, she’s n...
Cover Reveal: The Stage by Shelby Rebecca
Book Title: The Stage (A Phoenix Rising Novel)
Author: Shelby Rebecca
Genre: New Adult Rock Star Romance
Release Date: July 2, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Mia the saint.
Kolton the sinner.
Kolton Royce is a tatted, bad boy rock star at the top of his game.
Mia Phoenix is an overly responsible nineteen-year-old striving for stardom since losing her parents in a house fire.
When Mia ends up on Kolton’s team for the debut of the new nationwide singing competition, The Stage, she’s not sure if it’s her or her voice that he’s hellbent to control.
After he takes special interest in her welfare, they’ve been warned, any contact between them outside of filming is strictly forbidden.
He has other ideas.
She’s a phoenix rising from the ashes, the only one who understands the pain that lies beneath the persona. Though he’s not sure if he’s too bad for her, he can’t stay away.
All sinners have a past. All saints have a future. But, does being born in fire make the fissures weak in all the wrong places, or stronger than they’ve ever known?
The Stage is written for an adult audience 18+. This excerpt contains adult language. Copyright, Shelby Rebecca, 2014. All rights reserved.
In this excerpt of THE STAGE, Kolton Royce has made his team on the nationwide singing competition, The Stage, wait all day and into the evening to film a group scene together. Mia Phoenix has just found out that Kolton has hired a nanny to take care of her little nine-year-old sister, Riley (who she’s raising alone after the house fire that took the lives of both parents) so she can still compete on the show. After filming the scene, he offers to take her to the hotel where she’s been staying while they’ve been filming. He picks up her sleeping sister and gets in the back of his car. This is what happens next.
Chapter Four
Call me Kole
“Something funny, Mia?” he asks, his face half shadowed as the car begins to move us forward.
“Riley hates boys,” I say. “She’d be so pissed if she knew she was all nestled up to you like that.”
“Well, it can be our secret,” he says, and a chill runs up my spine. I want out of this car, now.
“Are we going to the hotel?” I ask to appease the odd feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“We need to talk about that,” he says. His chin sticks out and he rubs the stubble on his cheek.
“What are you doing?” I feel brave all of the sudden, but my voice gives away how aware I am of my own lack of control over this situation.
“I want you to call me Kole.” His voice is deep. He sounds troubled. Nothing like the entertainer I’m used to watching on TV.
“Why do you want me to call you Kole?” Adrenaline. Heart pounding. Take a breath.
“Say it again,” he says, shutting his eyes. His voice sounds carnal and filled with need. It scares me.
“I’m not going to call you that. I just need you to take us to our hotel?” I need his help, but I can tell he’s not being honest with me.
“Mia,” he says. And oh, the way my name comes out of his mouth. “I saw you the other day outside the studio, then your voice up there. You’ve really stood out to me, overall. I want to, no—I need to help you.”
“Kolton, I—”
“I’ve read your file,” he says, interrupting me. “I’ve watched the media footage about your parents and the fire,” I have to cover my mouth with my hand.
“I don’t—”
“We have a lot in common.” His voice sounds like tears when they’re stuck in the throat. “I feel very protective of you,” he admits, and clears his throat.
My hands are shaking. Is he crazy or something? Like one of those celebrities who owns a puma and wants only red M&Ms in his dressing room? Plus, we’ve been driving for too long. Where is he taking us?
“Are we on the freeway?” I ask. It’s hard to see out of these black windows. They’re eerily dark like shadows and secrets. I feel agitated—my eyes too wide to blink.
“Yes,” he says, his eyebrows furrowed.
“Why?” I ask, noting the slight tremors of my hands.
“I’d rather just show you.”
“Listen, just because I’m on your team doesn’t mean—,” I start.
“It’s all or nothing for me,” he interrupts. He’s rubbing his thumb into the palm of his hand and talking to the shadow window.
“You’re really controlling.”
“Don’t say that,” he scolds, as his jaw tenses up.
“Like that’s going to help,” I say.
“What?”
“Snapping at me.” I fold my arms and lean back into the seat.
“I don’t want you to be afraid of me. When I want something, I get it. Does that make sense?”
“And what you want is?”
“Hmm,” he says, contemplating. “To help you, to help take care of your sister so you have limited distractions, and you can go all the way to the finals. For now, that’s what I want.”
“I’m not a groupie who’s willing to be abducted and taken wherever you want me to go.” But then again, I guess he did exactly that. Anger boils up in me like boiling water.
He ignores me. We stare at opposing black windows, sitting in silence. Only the hum of the tires on asphalt and the in and out of Riley’s slumber-breaths between us.
I’m too agitated to ask him where we’re going. If he refused to tell me again, I’m going to go off. We take a slight right, getting off the freeway and head down a road lined with high-rise buildings. The car stops and I can’t control the tremors in my hands as I wait for him to say something. Explain himself.
“Kolton? Where are we?” I ask, my voice higher than I’d meant it to be. We’re parked in front of a brick high-rise with two huge ferns outside the front entrance.
“The Wilshire Thayer,” he says. “I didn’t have a chance to talk to you. It was a split-second decision.” He pinches between his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. “I’ve moved you to the penthouse here. It’s an exclusive building. The security is tighter than the hotel. I feel better about you staying here while I’m gone.”
“What? I—you—I’m? You moved our stuff out of the hotel?”
“Not personally, no.”
“Is this something you’ve done for your whole team? Like, we’re all staying here?”
“No, Mia, they’re not,” he says, as he leans slightly forward, his green eyes are being highlighted by the street light. They look predatory and possessive. “I only want what’s best for you.” I’m shaking my head no. I put my hand out to ward off any more talking from him. This is not fucking okay.
“Just take us back to the hotel,” I demand.
“No. That’s not going to be possible.” He leans back into the partial shadows.
“This is why you were late today?” I ask, feeling honored, but smothered all in the same moment.
“Partly, yes,” he admits, looking straight through me again. My whole body shudders. I do not want to be under anyone’s control. “Let’s get her inside,” he says, as he taps the window. The door is opened from the outside, and he motions for me to get out first.
“We need to talk about this!”
“Not now, Mia,” he admonishes me like a child. “I’ve had a very long day—and nothing you say is going to change anything at this point. Let’s go inside and discuss it.”
I stomp out of the car and then he comes out, holding Riley, and walks past the front desk. The doorman nods to him, and we are ushered into one of the elevators. His driver is with us, and I notice a gun strapped under his arm. He must also be his bodyguard. I feel dizzy, nauseated. I put my hand over my stomach to ease the rumbling, boiling rage.
The older man has inserted a key into the elevator control. I’m assuming it’s because he’s taking us to a floor that’s off limits to the rest of the building.
There’s twelve floors and then a “P”. Penthouse, I guess. What! There’s thirteen floors? What’s up with me and the number thirteen these days?
I look at Riley. She’s so tired. She’s not moved a muscle. She’s even snoring a little.
“You don’t live here, do you?” I ask, hearing the shaking in my own voice.
“Some of the time, yes.” I’m pursing my lips together and biting the inside of the bottom one. “I also have a house in the hills.” My fingers have unknowingly chipped off almost all of my dark nail polish.
“Does it have a fire escape?” I ask. If we’re going to the top floor, that really worries me.
“It has the best built-in alarm, and that includes fire. It’s completely up to code. I had the sprinklers installed myself before I moved in. And yes, there’s a fire escape—just installed,” he says. “It reaches down to the floor below you.” He looks like he’s in pain as he says it, like it makes him sad that I asked.
“Since I have no way to leave tonight, we’ll stay the night. But we’re going back to the hotel tomorrow.” I’m mad at him. Furious. Someone had to go through our belongings to pack them up. And shouldn’t he have asked me first?
He doesn’t answer me. “I’m not some slutty girl who sleeps her way up the ladder,” I say, defensively. To that, he laughs a little.
“No, I didn’t think you did.”
Shelby grew up between two mountains and a lake in Wasilla, Alaska. She used to run around in the tall grass, catch frogs, rescue dragonflies, ride horses, and ice-skate during recess. She still likes adventures and has even gone skydiving. Today she lives in Northern California with her husband, John, and their daughter, Elise, their two dogs, and a fish named Jade.
June 20, 2014
Book Blitz: Morning After by Melissa Hale
Book Title: Morning After
Author: Melissa Hale
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: January 2, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Erica has never met anyone who made her want to deviate from her carefully laid out life plan. She is going to find a man who is good husband and father material. She has a plan and a timeline. She is not interested in passion. Passion is overrated.
Then in walks Ethan Reynolds a former Marine who runs a successful security company across the street. Even though he’s not what she was looking for, when he sets his sights on her he’s hard to resist.
When he makes it his job to protect her from a stalker she didn’t even know she had, her perfectly ordered world is thrown into upheaval and it’s only a matter of time until she discovers passion’s not so overrated after all. Too bad her stalker may end it all before she has a chance to really enjoy it!
Melissa lives with her husband and four children in the Pacific Northwest. She is an technology junkie and loves the gadgets. She believes the best thing ever invented was the e-reader and wishes the paperbacks already on her shelf were equally protected and accessible.
“Erica I want you to be safe.” He reached out and took her hands looking into her eyes. “Please.” The way he was looking at her lit up her whole body. She could feel everything. Every stitch of clothing she had on. The fabric of the couch. Most especially the way his thumbs were stroking the backs of her hands.
“Why.” She had to stop and clear her throat. “Why do you care so much?” He smiled then and released one of her hands so he could stroke the edge of her lower lip with his thumb.
“Because,” he whispered. “I like you. I think this is the beginning of something amazing and I want you to be around so we can experience it.” He drew closer and kissed her lower lip. “You have a really beautiful mouth.” he whispered, his hot breath mingling with hers. She ached low in her belly and realized she was experiencing something she had never experienced before. Full blown arousal. Now she knew what women meant when they said they were caught up in the moment. She didn’t care about anything at the moment except getting closer to him.
She leaned into him sealing her mouth fully against his. The flavor of him filled her with a heady rush. He pulled her lower lip into his mouth and sucked it then nipped it gently. She heard a soft moan that sounded remarkably like her but she knew her brain didn’t tell her to make that noise. No; her brain had deserted her completely. She felt his hands on her waist as he lifted her into his lap. She felt his arousal pressing against her thigh but even that wasn’t enough to make her pull back. His mouth broke from hers moving to her neck. The feel of his tongue on her neck made her quiver. Her normally cool and collected exterior was gone. Replaced by a woman who wanted to be bold and impulsive. A woman who wanted to tear her clothes off and say to hell with the consequences.
June 19, 2014
Book Blitz: After Days by Scott Medbury
Book Title: After Days
Author: Scott Medbury
Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian
Release Date: May 30, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
15 year old Isaac Race has already lost everyone close to him. He is about to lose a lot more. We all are. A mystery outbreak sweeps North America, it is chilling in both its speed and deadliness. The odd thing is though, it is only fatal to adults. Too late it becomes clear to authorities that the virus is man-made, a biological weapon, and that the U...
Book Blitz: After Days by Scott Medbury
Book Title: After Days
Author: Scott Medbury
Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian
Release Date: May 30, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
15 year old Isaac Race has already lost everyone close to him. He is about to lose a lot more. We all are. A mystery outbreak sweeps North America, it is chilling in both its speed and deadliness. The odd thing is though, it is only fatal to adults. Too late it becomes clear to authorities that the virus is man-made, a biological weapon, and that the United States is at war…a war it has already lost. As his country is invaded and occupied by the Chinese army, Isaac must lead a ragtag group of survivors across three states in the depths of winter, avoiding not only the invaders, but also other dangers unleashed in a world suddenly deprived of adults and authority, to a safe haven that may not even exist.
Scott Medbury is a father of four from the beautiful Blue Mountains of Sydney Australia. He started writing as a boy after his Grandmother gave him an adventure book for Christmas but for various reasons didn’t actually publish anything until 2012 when he began publishing adult short stories under a pseudonym. Since that time he has sold over 60,000 short stories, collections and books in 13 countries. After Days, his first novel is the next stop in the journey that began so long ago with the gift from his Grandmother.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS
June 18, 2014
Cover Reveal: New Point (The Point Series) by Olivia Luck
Book Title: New Point (The Point Series)
Author: Olivia Luck
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: August 19, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Imagine the worst day of your life. Immerse yourself in the details. How did you feel? Who were you with? What were the consequences?
Recalling my darkest day is as simple as typing a few search terms into a web browser. It only took thirty minutes for me to become the center of a media frenzy that caught the attention of an entire country....
Cover Reveal: New Point (The Point Series) by Olivia Luck
Book Title: New Point (The Point Series)
Author: Olivia Luck
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: August 19, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Imagine the worst day of your life. Immerse yourself in the details. How did you feel? Who were you with? What were the consequences?
Recalling my darkest day is as simple as typing a few search terms into a web browser. It only took thirty minutes for me to become the center of a media frenzy that caught the attention of an entire country.
So I hid.
Nine months later and I’m getting better. Moved two hours from home, landed my dream job, and met a delicious new guy.
Healing is that simple, right?
Wrong.
“New Point isn’t known for much breaking and entering, but I have to admit, this looks mighty suspicious,” an unmistakably Midwestern accent drawls from behind me, effectively scaring the sweat off my bare shoulders.
A shriek escapes from my lips as I teeter preciously on the wood chair and my hands lose their grip on the white doorframe. The rubber of my flip flop doesn’t provide much traction and my body pitches sideways. In just a second I’ll crash against the deck floor and I’ll spend the summer recovering physically instead of gaining back my old–
Sturdy muscular arms slide around my waist and yank me against an equally firm chest. “Woah, there. I didn’t mean to scare you.” The masculine voice has a smile behind it.
“Probably shouldn’t go sneaking up on someone then,” I mutter once I catch my breath and untangle myself from his grasp. He chuckles at my retort, a rich baritone that makes me feel like shivering.
When I’m a step or two back I’m nearly breathless again, but this time for completely different reasons.
Sturdy was one way to describe his muscular grasp, but now that I have a full frontal view of him, I see my mistake. He’s perfect. Thick arms with nicely defined muscles that don’t bulge too aggressively beneath his white T-shirt, a broad chest, trim waist with low riding blue exercise shorts. And that’s just his body. Bright white teeth gleam at me from behind a broad smile. Thick, dark curly hair begs to have fingers run through it and he has coffee colored eyes framed by long lashes most girls want desperately.
He’s a combination of sultry sex appeal and mischievous intentions as displayed by the twist of his lips. Less than one minute in his presence and I’m practically swooning.
“Who are you?” I blurt out.
With a smirk, he crosses his arms across the planes of chest. “Shouldn’t I be asking the questions, Ms. Breaking and Entering?”
Olivia Luck lives in the middle of America with her loving husband and her obsession with writing. She wrote her first romance novel at age eight. When she’s not reading, editing, or writing, you can find her in the kitchen learning to cook. Olivia loves to travel and spend time with her family.
Get in touch with Olivia, she adores emails: olivialuckauthor@gmail.com
Olivia Luck lives in the middle of America with her loving husband and her obsession with writing. She wrote her first romance novel at age eight. When she’s not reading, editing, or writing, you can find her in the kitchen learning to cook. Olivia loves to travel and spend time with her family.
Get in touch with Olivia, she adores emails: olivialuckauthor@gmail.com
June 17, 2014
Release Day Event: Forbidden Attraction by S.R.Watson
Book Title: Forbidden Attraction
Author: S.R. Watson
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Siobhan Gallagher has just started her senior year at the University of Southern California. She has her best friend and her boyfriend of five years by her side. As the countdown to graduation begins, her world comes crashing down when her boyfriend confesses that he has cheated on her. Her past has shown that love is volatile, but she had hoped that this...
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