Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Blog Tour: All the Pretty Poses by M. Leighton




Title: ALL THE PRETTY POSES
Author: M. Leighton
Release date: January 24, 2014
Age Group: NA/Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tour organized by: WordSmith Publicity & AToMR Tours


Strength…
It took Kennedy Moore years to put her life back together after Reese Spencer shattered it. But she did. Now, years later, strong and independent, she is in pursuit of a single dream—to dance with the Altman American Dance Theater. Unfortunately, Kennedy is learning that a girl from nowhere with no money and no contacts might never be able to realize her goal.

That is, until Reese reappears, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Kennedy just can’t pass up. In exchange for working on his yacht for a few short weeks, he’ll get her an audition with the famous dance troupe. All Kennedy has to do is keep her head down, work hard and resist Reese. That sounds easy enough, right?

Weakness…
Reese doesn’t want to make it easy for Kennedy. Seeing her again has started a fire in his blood—an unwelcome one—so Reese has a plan. It’s simple: Get Kennedy on his yacht, seduce her, get her out of his system, move on with his life. That sounds easy enough, right?

But the one thing Reese didn’t plan for was Kennedy herself—a girl so strong yet so broken, she makes him want to rescue her, to take care of her. To save her. Even if he has to save her from himself.



Let me start by saying that I LOVE this cover and it couldn't be any more perfect!

I was curious as to what Reese's story would be. It was completely different than I imagined. He's definitely an Alpha and likes to have his way but when he sees Kennedy who just happens to be the girl from his past, things ignite in more ways than one. He sees a chance and takes that moment to seize it.

Kennedy sees an opportunity that could be beneficial to her dance career. And why shouldn't she take it? Life hasn't been all that easy. Here's her chance to better herself and see where her career could go, even if it means being cooped up with Reese in the process.

Great story, great characters and a great series. Bring on the next one my friend!!!

4 out of 5 stars

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding wild horses, skiing the slopes of Aspen or scuba diving with a hot rock star, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.



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Other books by M. Leighton



Some Like It Wild (March 4, 2014)
There’s Wild, Then There’s You (June 3, 2014)

All the Pretty Lies (November 12, 2013)








 

Blog Tour: Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1) by Aly Martinez


Welcome to our stop on the blog tour for Changing Course book #1 in the Wrecked and Ruined series by Aly Martinez.

If you're looking for a love story with a bit of mystery and a hot police officer then look no further.  


Title: Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1)
Author: Aly Martinez
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 29, 2014


I met Sarah Kate Erickson when I was 21 years old. I was lucky enough to keep her for seven years before a tragic accident stole her from me. She didn’t die, but sometimes I think it would have been easier if she had.

I lived in a haze for those four years after the accident. Catering to her every need, even though she hated the very sight of my face. I tried to hold on to her and the future that we were supposed to build together. But you can’t hold on to someone that doesn’t exist anymore.

It wasn’t until I met Jesse Addison, a barista at the local coffee shop, that I realized I didn’t just lose Sarah that tragic night, I lost myself as well. Jesse taught me how to let go of the past and learn to love again. But what happens when your past haunts your present and the woman you used to love refuses to accept the woman you can’t live without?



"I'm broken Jess, but I need you to hear these words before I go. Trust me, I know saying this makes me a selfish bastard, because I've seen you cry three times in the five days we have been together. But for me, these last few days have been an awakening. I now see the sun behind the fog, and it's a damn good feeling.

“I'm sorry about all of this, I truly am. Please believe me, and think about what I've said. I can't promise you anything more than tomorrow, but maybe one day, the fog will disappear leaving only sunny days ahead." He doesn’t stall even a minute longer. He simply walks to the corner, cleans up the broken glass, then walks out the front door.


I was intrigued by the synopsis for Changing Course and very keen to get inside this story.  The premise of the main character having lost his partner, yet she appeared to still be alive, and then meeting and falling for someone else definitely captured my interest.

The Prologue was intense, gripping and had me sucked into the story immediately.  There was just enough information for me that I had to know what the hell had happened seven months ago, whether Sarah was going to live and just where the rest of the story was going to go.

Initally told from Brett Sharp's point of view we learn the background to his current circumstances, the development of his relationship with Sarah and the events that led to the scenario played out in the prologue.  The first half a dozen chapters are brilliant (and this is not to say the balance are not - just that they do an amazing job of setting up the context for the story). 

Brett is attractive (of course!) and witty and this comes through as he tells his story.  A man of integrity, evident through pretty much everything he does, right down to his career choice as a police detective Brett is really in a state of limbo when it comes to his relationship status.  Obligated to care for the woman he once loved, who is a shell of the woman she was, his life just happens around him, without him enjoying or even engaging in much of anything.  That is until Jesse Addison invites him to a football game.

From this point the story is told in both Jesse and Brett's point of view.  I really liked the switch and the added depth this gave to my understanding of what was going on.  Jesse could not be more different from Sarah - which I actually really appreciated.  She is shy, petite and not at all confident in her skin.  She puts herself out there by asking Brett out, with no idea of what that will mean for her.  All she knows is that she wants to get to know the hot police officer that comes into the cafe where she works for breakfast every day - and she definitely gets that.

A relationship develops between the two and there are many challenges for them to overcome.  I liked Jesse as a character.  She was feisty and her confidence grew the longer she and Brett were together.  Brett had a feistiness to his character as well - sometimes his anger was quite scary and it surprised me that Jesse managed it as effectively as she did.
There is a lot of sex, a lot of swearing and some very disconcerting scenes involving Sarah.  There are some great supporting characters to the story too, particularly Caleb, so I was thrilled to see the next book in this series is his story.  I’ll confess to being a little confused by some of the concluding scenes, although I understood what the author was seeking to achieve, it didn’t really work for me. 

Overall this was a really enjoyable read.  Well written with characters that I grew to love.  The story was rather unique, although I did predict the outcome.  I will absolutely read more from Aly Martinez.

3.5 out of 5 stars


I’m a 32 year old wife and stay at home mom to four kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. My life is crazy, which is probably why I drink entirely too much wine. Oh who am I kidding, I had a love affair with wine long before the kids came along. I was born and raised in Savannah Georgia, but we recently moved to Chicago. Let me tell you, this southern girl was not ready for the cold weather up here!

I’m an avid reader, but I haven’t always been that way. A few years ago my sister loaned me her Nook Color, and it changed my life forever. In the span of about two years, I read over 500 books. My newfound love of reading led me to start a book blog with two of my best friends. (Insert shameless plug here: WhiteZinBookends.com). Through WZ Bookends, I've had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing authors, bloggers, and readers out there. Now that I have taken the leap into writing my own book, they’ve all shown me endless amounts of encouragement and support.

While driving home from Walmart one day in late October, a story embedded itself in my head and would not let go. It spiraled out of control until I finally opened my laptop and started writing. This journey has been a wild ride filled with tears, hand cramps, and tons of laughs. I love company, so follow me at one of the social links below and join me aboard this crazy train!



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GRAND PRIZE: Kindle Fire (7" HD Display, Wi-Fi, 8GB)
(2) Signed Paperback of Changing Course (US Only)
(1) Signed Paperback of Until November by Aurora Rose Reynolds (US Only)
(1) eBook copy of the Hart Family Box Set by Ella Fox
(1) eBook copy of Ignite and eARC of Incinerate by Tessa Teevan
(1) eBook copy of Save Me From Myself by Stacey Mosteller
(1) eBook copy of Push the Envelope by Rochelle Paige
(1) eBook copy of The Infamous Ellen James by NA Alcorn
(1) eBook copy of Goodbye Caution by Jacquelyn Ayres
(1) eBook copy of Tempo by Kelly Collins
(1) eBook copy of At Death It Begins by Elle Jefferson
(1) eBook copy of Broken by K Webster



Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Release Day Launch: Be With Me by J. Lynn



We are extremely excited to say that J. Lynn's BE WITH ME has been released!!! BE WITH ME is a New Adult contemporary romance being published by Avon (William Morrow), an imprint of HarperCollins, and is a part of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s With You Saga. This book is smoking hot and one you need to go get today!





From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wait for You


Do Teresa and Jase have a real shot at getting together or will life get in the way?

Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she's in love with her big brother's best friend, but he hasn't spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, life-changing kiss. Then she got out of a terrible relationship. Now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It's time for plan B: college. And maybe she'll have a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.

Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he's not telling anyone—especially not his best friend's incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn't have time for a relationship. But it doesn't help that all he can think about is kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.

As they're thrown together more and more, Jase and Teresa can't keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they're willing to risk to be together and what they're willing to lose if they're not. . . .



“You got a visitor, Tess.” He rested his chin atop my head, which caused my pulse to try to outrun my heart. “Two of them to be exact.”

“Okay.”

There was a pause. “Are your eyes closed?”

“No.”

His chin slid off my head and then his chest rumbled as he laughed. “Your eyes are closed.” He laughed again. “Open them up.”

Cursing under my breath, I pried one eye open and then jerked against him. His arm tightened. “Oh wow …”

The black-and-white horse was the closest, standing mere feet away from me. The brown one wasn’t too far, shaking its head and making soft snorts. My eyes were wide as they bounced between the two creatures. “They’re not carnivorous, right? Because at their size, they could eat me.”

Jase laughed deeply as his hand shifted up, resting in the center of my stomach, just below my breasts. “Horses do not eat people, you little idiot.”

I started, eyes narrowing. “There’s always a first.”

The lips pulled back on the black-and-white horse as if it was smirking at me.

“This one right here? Mr. Friendly? Jack calls him Bubba One,” he said in a quiet, calming voice. But air hitched in my throat when his thumb moved in a slow circle over the thin material of my tank top, hitting against the wire in my bra. “And the brown one is Bubba Two.”

Mouth dry, I wetted my lips. “That’s good for remembering names.”

He chuckled as his pinkie and forefinger started to move up and down, reaching my belly button and then sliding back up. It was almost as if he was unaware of what he was doing, or the electrifying response the tiny motions were dragging out of me. “I think so too, but his real name is Lightning.”

Said horse shook his head, tossing the shaggy mane.

“Lightning seems to be a more suitable name,” I admitted, relaxing as the seconds passed. Maybe that was his intention. Distract me with the soft, almost innocent touches. It was working. “What about Bubba Two?

“Ah, the one who is staring at the pail like it’s the holy mecca of grain?” His cheek grazed mine as I laughed. “That’s Thunder. And we’re going to feed them. Together.”

The friction his fingers created with my shirt sent tiny shivers up and down my back.

“With our hands?”

His answering laugh tipped the corners of my lips up. “Yes. With our hands.”

“After checking out the choppers on them, I’m not so sure about that.”

“You’ll be okay.” He slid his hand off my stomach and wrapped it around my wrist.

Slowly, he lifted my hand out in front of me. “Hold still.”

My heart lurched. “Jase—”

Lightning trotted forward and pressed his wet nose against my hand. I cringed, waiting for him to eat my poor fingers. The horse didn’t. Nope. It nudged my hand as it whinnied softly.

He guided my hand up over Lightning’s jaw, all the way to the pointy, twitchy ears.

“See?” he murmured. “That’s not too bad, is it?”

I shook my head as my fingers curled along the soft coat. Lightning seemed to anticipate the direction of the petting, pressing his long head against my hand as my fingers tangled in his mane. It wasn’t bad at all.

Jase shifted behind me, and in an instant all thoughts of the horses evaporated. His hips lined up against my backside, and I bit down on my lower lip as I focused on the white splotch covering Lightning’s muzzle.

I could feel him—feel Jase. And there was absolutely no doubt in my mind that he was affected by how close we were standing. That knowledge and the hard length of him left me dizzy, just like it had done that Saturday night. An all too warm flush spread down my neck. In the back of my head, I was rationalizing his physical reaction. He was a guy. Our bodies were pressed together. If a wind blew on a guy’s private area, they got hard. So I should just ignore it, but my body was so not on board with my head. My body was operating on a different playing field. An ache centered low in my stomach. A sharp and sweet yearning raced through my veins.

“Not so scary, right?” His voice was deeper, richer. “They’re like dogs. Well, like a dog that can carry around two hundred pounds, if not more.” Hand sliding off mine, he stepped back, and the sudden emptiness of his body was like a cold shock. “Trust me.”

Then he smacked my ass.


# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.


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Cover Reveal: Always at First (Not at First #2) by Phalla S. Rios



Title: Always at First (Not at First #2)
Author: Phalla S. Rios
Release: February 21, 2014


Angel Mabbot is the perfect daughter.

Perfection has always been an expectation set forth by her adoring father and her overbearing, neglectful mother. Knowing she can never live up to their standards, Angel falls into a life of partying, drinking and pills in an effort to dull the pain of her insecurities and perceived failures.

Kevin Hawken, a former business partner of Angel’s father, has always loved Angel, although she has no idea who he is. Angel's substance induced state of mind forces her to question what is real.

And Kevin is too good to be real.

Caught in the clutches of Roman Conti, a notorious and dangerous Mob boss from Italy, Angel slips under Roman’s control. A control she can't escape.

And the only man who can rescue her...

Is a man she believes existed only in her dreams.




Nostalgia washes over me as I start to walk down the hall.

“Angel?” A surprised, sad whisper floats to me.

That voice. I’ve been dreaming endlessly about the man who belongs to that voice; his timbre is solace to the empty existence I now possess. The ache in my heart deepens, and the pain I felt when I watched him get pushed into the plane intensifies.

I force my legs to move faster down the hall. Every step feels laden as my feet drag me toward the door of my classroom, but fingers grip my arm and haul me to a stop before I can make my escape.

“If you think I’m just going to let you walk away from me…” He growls, his words trailing off.

He pulls me away from the door, and his body envelopes mine, crushing me to him, my back to his front. I’m hyperaware of how great he feels against me. His arms are around me, a hand right underneath my breasts, the other gripping my chin, turning my head so I can meet his blazing hazel eyes – the green shinning brighter. I take a big inhale, branding his intoxicating scent in me. I don’t ever want to forget him.

“What the fuck is going on, Angel?” The harshness of his words doesn't match the soft tone spilling out of his beautiful mouth. “Why are you running away from me?”

“I’m staying with him,” I say, choking on my tears. “I've realized I love him, and I don’t want you anymore.”

Kevin’s face twists in pain as if I've just stabbed a knife through his heart, and his arms tighten around me uncomfortably.

“I’m leaving to go back to him after the day ends.”

“Over my fucking dead body. I’m not letting you go back to that motherfucker.” His words echo loudly.

I break free from his hold not wanting to bring more attention to us, and stand directly in front of him, not meeting his hard, penetrating gaze.

“Look at me,’ he commands gently, lifting my chin up with his finger.

My resolve breaks into a million pieces.

A tear slips down my cheek, falling onto his hand, and Kevin curses, crushing our bodies together again. I claw and cling to him with as much force as he’s giving me, but not feeling close enough, and I cry out in sorrow.

I let his warmth promise me the possibility of a happily ever after as I let go of his jacket and snake my arms around him, pulling him closer. I want to give him back what he’s been giving me - a love deep enough to cure our broken souls. He saved me all those years ago, and he’s saving me now.

I tilt my head back to take in the site of the gorgeous man holding me. His eyes pools with tears, his face awash with deep longing, adoration for me. Just me.

Our lips smash together as his tears start to fall. The sweetness of his mouth and the saltiness of our tears tastes magical.

I don’t want a life without him.



Phalla S. Rios lives in California with her husband, a daughter and two goofy pit bulls. She loves to read and write while drinking her favorite tea, Joy, from Starbucks. During her spare time, she is usually at the movies or looking for the next best place to eat. She often refers to herself as a foodie. Her debut novel is Not at First. She is currently writing the sequel, Always at First.



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Monday, February 3, 2014

New Release: Unwanted Stars by Melissa Brown

Happy Release Day to Melissa Brown! Unwanted Stars is LIVE! Unwanted Stars is book four in the Love of My Life Series and is Auden & Campbell’s story! 


Be sure to grab your copy at the following retailers:





It’s funny how the tiniest of things can change your life… an invitation, a simple kiss goodnight, a matchbook…

Auden Kelly is in need of a change.

She’s trading in her nine-to-five sales job for the adventure of a lifetime: a one year contract with a European tour company.

For one full year, Auden will get paid to see the world. What could be better? Her brother gives her a journal, instructing her to document all of her adventures as she travels from country to country. And that’s exactly what she does.

When a mysterious stranger enters her life, however, everything changes: her expectations, her priorities and her view of the world. And nothing for Auden will ever be the same.

Note: Although these books are part of a series, they do not need to be read in order


Other books in the Love of My Life Series

Bouquet Toss - Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

Champagne Toast - Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

Picturing Perfect - Amazon | Goodreads



Blog Tour: Used by Lynetta Halat




Title: Used (Unlovable #1)
Author: Lynetta Halat
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: January 19, 2014
Series: Unlovable


I am a slut. No worries. I've come to terms with it, and you will too. I’m not one of those girls who thinks she’s too plain, too fat, too skinny, too shy … no, I don’t have that kind of luck. I’m the girl who knows she’s just right for everyone. That’s a whole other dilemma in itself. — Denver

A reputation as Montana State’s favorite manwhore–with–a–heart–of–gold tends to precede me, or so I’ve been told. But, I don’t do girls with issues, that is until this girl. It's this girl I want to fix. This girl I want to protect. And maybe … more. — Ransom

Being in love with the same girl your entire life isn't all it's cracked up to be. She uses me in every way imaginable. How does she see me? I am her perpetual one-night stand. No strings, no attachments. Just mind-numbing sex ... for her anyway. — Greer

Feeling like the life is being choked out of her in the small town of Anaconda, Montana, Denver Dempsey craves the escape that college offers …even if that means leaving her “best friend with benefits” and looking for a new way to forget. Thinking she's found the perfect hookup in Ransom, Denver's outlook on college is bright. That is, until Greer shows up looking for a second chance, and Ransom's interest turns to hatred.

Love. Hate. Triangle.

Who's using who?












Shut Up, and Kiss Me

After a few minutes, Greer stretches out beside me and searches for my hand. Only his hand touches mine, but my whole being tingles. He threads his fingers through mine and runs his thumb over my palm. Something in me twists and splinters, shooting chills all through my body. My breath hitches in my throat because I can’t breathe around the knot that has formed there.

“You feel it too,” he says simply.

I close my eyes tighter, suddenly embarrassed by the fact that I’m not slick. “Yes,” I admit in a whisper.

“Look at me, Denver.”

Turning my head to the side, I open my eyes to find his blue-eyed gaze roaming over me. His eyes find mine, and we just take each other in. I want to say something, but I can’t think of one darn thing that sounds intelligent or even … sexy. Do I even want to be sexy for him? Yes. Yes, I do. I see stupid girls flirt with him all the time. I don’t want to be that girl, but I do want him to see me as a girl and not just his friend. Ironic, since I’ve spent my whole life telling him not to treat me like a girl.

“I want to kiss you so bad … but if I kiss you, it will change everything,” he says in that gravelly voice.

“Change is good,” I whisper.

Rolling to his side, his mouth is centimeters from mine. I can’t make myself move although I’m aching with want. But I haven’t been kissed—ever. And I haven’t kissed anyone since that time on the monkey bars in seventh grade when I stuck my tongue in Brian Thomas’s mouth on a bet. I shocked the shit out of him, and he didn’t even kiss me back. When the bell rang, he jerked back and hit his head hard, sending him to the nurse for the rest of the afternoon. Not my finest moment.

“I don’t want to lose my best friend,” he tells me.

I bring up my other hand and run it over his jaw. “You’re not going to lose me. No matter what. We’ll still be friends.”

“Relationships ruin friendships. We’ve seen enough of that.”

I shiver with that truth. “True. But we’re different. We’ve been together since before we were born. I can’t live without you, so I won’t hurt our friendship.”

Bringing our entwined hands up, he kisses my knuckles. “Me either. We’ll take it slow, all right?”

“All right, my golden boy,” I whisper.

The effect of my words is instantaneous; the blue in his eyes intensifies to boiling. He leans in, his lips brushing mine softly. “Denver,” he whispers against me. “I’ve always wanted to make you mine. Ever since I understood what that meant. I’ve never seen anyone but you.” And even though his eyes burn with passion, I hear a little tremor in his voice. Now, him always putting off those girls makes a whole lot more sense.

“I thought we were taking it slow,” I chastise, but I delight in knowing that he feels something more for me.

“I just want you to know that I don’t take this lightly. You’re the most important person in my universe. And I’ll do anything to protect us.”

His declaration unleashes a torrent of need in me, and I no longer want him to kiss me—I need him to kiss me. “Greer, will you shut up and kiss me, please?”




Since the dawn of time, Lynetta Halat has lived to read and has written innumerable stories and plays. A lover of good books, bad boys, and kickass tunes, she'd always dreamt of penning books that people could connect with and remember. She also has a secret penchant for wringing the emotions out of unsuspecting readers, and she collects reader's tears in much the same way that wine connoisseurs collect their favorite vintage.

Her first novel, Every Rose, was the perfect catalyst to launch her into the world of publishing, effectively burrowing her way into the hearts and minds of readers throughout the world. Everything I've Never Had was her follow-up adult romance novel. Now, she has penned Used, a New Adult Romance that she hopes sinks its teeth into you and doesn't let go.

Her love of the English language prompted her to pursue a Master's degree in English from Old Dominion University in Virginia, where she also minored in snark and interpretive dance. She lives somewhere along the Mississippi Gulf Coast with her adorable husband, two amazing sons, and two loveable dogs. When she's not writing riveting stories, she likes to focus on her macramé art and her scouring of eBay, where she buys locks of hair from her favorite rock stars, most especially Bret Michaels and Dave Grohl.


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