Thursday, May 31, 2018

On My Way to Space Coast Book Lover's 2018


Hello Readers!

I am on a mission!  I am, along with approximately 70 authors and a whole bunch of readers, currently traveling to Cocoa Beach, home of our space program and home to Space Coast Book Lovers!

We are hoping that Subtropical Storm Alberto will have cleared far enough away so that we can enjoy the glorious beaches and all the fabulous activities planned for us this weekend.  And if you are anywhere near this area on Saturday, be sure to stop by for the free event at International Palms Resort.  These fabulous authors will have a supply of their books on hand ready for you to purchase and ready to sign each copy.  Many of them have little prezzies on hand too.

I'll be posting some pictures and giving you the daily rundown on what we are up to, so be sure to check this blog each day and feel free to make comments.  I'll answer whatever questions I can and if you have any special requests... like a picture of Julie Morgan's new hair, a question or an interview you want from one of the attending authors, or a sneak preview of a soon-to-be-released novel, just ask!

And if you are an attending author and you do not want me to hug you, please let me know.  I'm a grandma.  Grandma's give hugs.  But not to worry... I won't pinch your cheeks.




Wednesday, May 30, 2018

#BookReview - When We Found Home by Susan Mallery

Title:  When We Found Home
Author:  Susan Mallery
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Release Date:  July 10, 2018 (Available for Pre-Order)


About the Book:
Life is meant to be savored, but that’s not easy with no family, limited prospects and a past you’d rather not talk about. Still, Callie Smith doesn’t know how to feel when she discovers she has a brother and a sister—Malcolm, who grew up with affection, wealth and privilege, and Keira, a streetwise twelve-year-old. Callie doesn’t love being alone, but at least it’s safe. Despite her trepidation, she moves into the grand family home with her siblings and grandfather on the shores of Lake Washington, hoping just maybe this will be the start of a whole new life.

But starting over can be messy. Callie and Keira fit in with each other, but not with their posh new lifestyle, leaving Malcolm feeling like the odd man out in his own home. He was clever enough to turn a sleepy Seattle mail-order food catalog into an online gourmet powerhouse, yet he can’t figure out how to help his new sisters feel secure. Becoming a family will take patience, humor, a little bit of wine and a whole lot of love. But love isn’t Malcolm’s strong suit…until a beautiful barista teaches him that an open heart, like the family table, can always make room for more.

In this emotional, funny and heartfelt story, Susan Mallery masterfully explores the definition of a modern family—blended by surprise, not by choice—and how those complicated relationships can add unexpected richness to life.


Buy Links: Amazon 
Available for Pre-Order - Release Date July 10, 2018

My Review:

Susan Mallory is one of my go-to authors for whenever I'm in the mood to read a really good contemporary romance, filled with emotion and a bit of humor.  Although I did get those ingredients in When We Found Home, this one didn't rate up there with some of the others.

I absolutely loved the characters Kiera and Callie.  Kiera is a twelve-year-old girl who was living in foster care when it was discovered that she was the granddaughter of Alberto Alfresco, the very wealthy but very lovable old man who had been searching for his son's illegitimate daughters. Many years earlier he had been introduced to his grandson Malcolm who had come to live with him and it wasn't until after his son's death that he realized that his son had fathered two additional children.  Kiera is a spunky, out-spoken girl on the edge of becoming a teenager.  When Callie, the older granddaughter, was located and invited to come to Seattle to be a part of their family, Callie and Kiera hit it off immediately.  It took a while, however for their brother Malcolm to mellow out and learn how to be a brother.

I couldn't quite grasp Delaney Holbrook's character because she changed so frequently and couldn't seem to make up her mind what she wanted.  I get it that she had undergone some emotional trauma a while back, but her wishy-washy attitude started getting on my nerves.  Just as I was starting to like Malcolm, she pretty much threw a sledgehammer at his heart.

The story line was interesting and shared a whole new light on dysfunctional families.  And it was interesting to see how this author handled Callie's rocky past.  There were times that I wanted to stand up and cheer for Callie and how she handled situations.

All in all, it was a good story.  A bit repetitive at times, and not my favorite of Susan Mallory's books, but still a good story.

Disclosure: A complimentary copy was provided by NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

My Rating: 

About the Author:


Susan Mallery is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of books about the relationships that define women's lives—romance, friendship, family. With compassion and humor, Susan keenly observes how people think and feel, in stories that take readers on an emotional journey. Sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, and always uplifting, Susan's books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list, thanks to her ever growing legions of fans.

Critics, too, have heaped praise on "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!"

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month, January of 1992. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.

Susan lives in Seattle with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a tattletale toy poodle. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Animals play a big role in her books, as well, as she believes they're an integral component to a happy life. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

#BookBlitz & #Giveaway - Pink Slips by Emma J. Wolfe


Pink Slips
Emma J. Wolfe
Publication date: Summer 2018 (relaunch)
Genres: Adult, Romance
Happily married and the head of a prestigious ad agency’s venture capital division, Hope Hunter has it all. Then, disaster strikes as an attack on her reputation ends her marriage and puts her career in jeopardy.
Hurting and still recovering from a whirlwind affair with a man who reveals an unforgivable secret, Hope flees Chicago for London, England. There, she tries to pull herself together and decide what, if anything, of her old life is worth fighting for.
They say you can’t have it all, and the events of the last few months seem to be trying to prove that. Hope’s not ready to give up, however. After all, where is it written that a woman must choose between passionate love and an exciting career?
A story about beating the odds, Pink Slips is the first installment in Emma J. Wolfe’s Hope Hunter Chronicles.

EXCERPT:
The next morning, she awoke with an odd feeling of vigor and excitement. Somehow the turn of events made her happy. How that could be, she was not sure, but she felt inspired—hopeful—in a way she had not for so long. Finally, she would be free of David; he would no longer abuse her emotionally. Her future was ahead of her. Her marriage was over…but so was a caging relationship that kept her from real happiness. Being alone would be better than being with him. She was about to launch one of the most successful new companies focused on the new condition of a contemporary woman. She would bring a voice to so many. She would channel her pain into helping others—and maybe even herself. And now, thankfully, David had cheated, and so she didn’t have to. She could escape and be free—free to live and to love.
She wore her favorite blue Armani suit that day with beautiful nude pumps and a matching Valentino handbag. She piled on as much eye serum as she could to hide the evidence of the tears and shame from the night before. She wasn’t sure if she should go home first or not, but she decided not was a better answer. She threw all her things in the trunk of her car, unsure where she would spend the night but certain today would bring something new and better. I have my courage and conviction. I have me, Hope, she thought. No pun intended.
Today, she thought, would change everything.


Author Bio:
Emma J. Wolfe is a technology entrepreneur and attorney. She is currently working on the second installment of the Hope Hunter Chronicles, Southern Life.





XBTBanner1

Monday, May 28, 2018

#BookBlitz & #Giveaway - Renegade by Sharonlee Holder



Renegade
Sharonlee Holder
(Blood Of The Custodians, #2)
Published by: Changing Tides Publishing
Publication date: May 28th 2018
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
He’ll risk his heart to save her soul.
As the war between the Fates and the resistance rages on, Colin Murphy—bastard son of Hades—finds himself caught between his loyalty to Eros and a past that threatens to destroy him.
Pursued by Persephone’s bounty hunters, and with a pissed-off daemon to contend with, there is one thing that Murphy knows for sure – Hailey, the human he now shares his mind and body with, is innocent in all of it. She is a firefly flickering in the darkness of his black existence, and he will do anything and everything to protect her.
Hailey was groomed to be a socialite, with her entire future mapped out for her. Nothing could have prepared her for the abrupt ending to that life—or the impact of living in such close, intimate confines with a forsaken son of Hell. He’s powerful, he’s dangerous…and he’s her only hope of escaping the dark forces that pursue her.
Boundaries will be tested, loyalties questioned, and hearts pushed to the limits in this action-packed paranormal romance that continues the epic Blood of the Custodians saga by Sharonlee Holder.
This steamy, fast-paced paranormal romance series by Sharonlee Holder is perfect for fans of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward and Sacrificed to the Dragon by Jessie Donovan.
EXCERPT:
Murphy didn’t bother with the door. He came straight through the hearth, travelling through the fiery elements of his heritage. Mayhem was close. Writhing beneath the surface, tearing at the restraints, howling to be set free.
Clamping down on his base self, he swept the small front room of his mind, a red haze gathered behind his eyes and found …
You’re making a mess,” said the toffee-eyed temptress with hands on her curvy hips and chin jutted at the coals littering the stone flooring.
Murphy glanced down and began to toe aside embers. Wait a fecking minute! This was his house–so to speak.
Growling, he took a step forward. “Where is she?
Hailey–goddamn her–stood her ground, threw her shoulders back, maximising the swell of luscious breasts, and arched a slender eyebrow. “I’m not sure how things work where you come from, but where I come from, you catch more bees with honey,” she stated with all the hauteur of a tiny hive queen.
No. Not gonna happen. She’d tricked him once, and that was shame on her. He wasn’t about to give her another opportunity to force the fool’s hat onto his head. For all he knew, she was working with Valazhor. Come to think of it …
What did she offer you?” he asked.
Candy apple lips parted then snapped shut again, a believable impression of affront arranged across her features. “Excuse me?
She wanted to play it the hard way, did she?
Dainty hands dropped from her hips and tucked into the crooks of her arms when she crossed them under her breasts. Carnal desire hijacked the moment and served up a confused reminder of plush curves undulating against him, open-mouthed kisses along his neck…
You heard me,” he growled, cursing the throaty throb in his voice. “What was to be your reward for distracting me so that the Medusan hybrid could get close enough to deliver Persephone’s message?
Anger ignited in her eyes, flaming cognac over toffee, the scent of burnt caramel licking the air. “I don’t appreciate what you’re implying.”
Anger he could do. Anger was safer. Way safer than the alternative.
Closing the gap, Murphy crowded in, using his size to dominate. Again, she refused to back down and craned her head all the way back, daggers in her eyes. Dynamite, as the saying goes, comes in small packages. The masochist in him toyed with the ignition switch.
Lowering his head, he said in her ear, “I’m only going to ask one more time so think carefully before you answer.” This close, her scent was richer, more exotic. Harder to ignore. “What was the deal Valazhor made with you?
She didn’t move, though her breathing became shallower. “Or what?” Hailey murmured. “You’ll lock me in my room?” She turned her head toward him, her lips millimetres from his, candy scent invading his nostrils.
His mouth watered, and the base of his spine knotted with need. It took greater effort than he wanted to admit to make his brainbox line up the threat he had ready. “Or, I’ll save myself a whole lot of fecking trouble and give you to Persephone myself.
Thick black lashes, swept upward, revealed the brandy fire in her eyes. Her aura in life had read as human. Nothing about her had suggested hybrid, much less witch. Even the background check Ross had him run before allowing her to visit the penthouse revealed little more than a classic case of daddy’s pampered princess. And yet, her eyes burned with a soul fire that intrigued and disturbed him, agitating something deep inside of him.
What are you waiting for?” she challenged in a whisper. “Do it. Hand me over.
Caught in the blaze of her eyes, everything else ceased to exist. In the lull, that thing she had disturbed, rose up. Intensely territorial, fiercely possessive, spiked with a craving so intense… he acted before thought could catch deed.


Author Bio:
South African, born and bred, Sharonlee Holder lives in one of the outer suburbs of Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa.
Life is a happy and creative jumble consisting of a husband, three grown daughters, one super cute grand-daughter, three dogs, a cat, and a mouthy African Grey parrot.
Endless hours at the keyboard are supported by copious amounts of frothy coffee and ‘What ifs?’. Writing breaks are a blend of the big outdoors astride a motorbike, reading or watching anything and everything to do with fantasy, romance and the paranormal.

XBTBanner1

Saturday, May 26, 2018

#BookReview - Kah Key Seal by Dick Peddler and Kah Key Billionaire by Pinky Haversnatch


Title:  Kah Key Seal (Kah Key Club Series - Book 1)
Author:  Dick Peddler and Kah Key Writer
Genre:  Satire, Adult Romance
Release Date:  May 10, 2018

About the Book:

Welcome to Kah Key, an exclusive, adults-only island resort located in the Florida Keys, where adults do adult things and the tongue in her cheek might not be a tongue.

When Alph A. Maille retired from the SEALs and moved to Kah Key to be the head of security, he figured his days would be filled with warm sun, cool water, cold drinks and hot babes. And he was right—until one ballsy B-actress shows up and pisses all over his little piece of paradise. 

But luckily for Alph it turns out that her assistant, Stella Virgin, just might be his soul mate...

Buy Links: Amazon 



Title:  Kah Key Billionaire (Kah Key Club Series - Book 3)
Author:  Pinky Haversnatch and Kah Key Writer
Genre:  Satire, Adult Romance
Release Date:  May 14, 2018

About the Book:

Welcome to Kah Key, an exclusive, adults-only island resort located in the Florida Keys, where adults do adult things and the tongue in her cheek might not be a tongue.

Scientist Ivanna Bonier wants some hot, steamy sex like she’d read about in her favorite romance novels. Where better to find heat and hot men than on a tropical island in the Florida Keys? But in the six months she’s been at Kah Key as the island librarian, the only thing she’s found is plenty of frustration. Ivanna was about to close the book on her adventure, until adult-toy magnate Jake Koker walked out of the pages onto the island. The naughty librarian has just found her ticket to paradise, but will it expire once the sand settles on the sheets with the cocky playboy billionaire?

NOTE: All books in this series are stand alone novellas. There is no particular order in which they need to be read.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

These are short stories and a quick, fun read. If you are not an author, or an avid reader who keeps up on what is happening in the world of authors, these books may seem silly and just plain weird to you.  But to those of you who get pulled into the drama, no matter how hard you try not to, these books will be priceless to you. This series illustrates the vast creativity of authors and their ability to let their feelings be known.  This series is filled with so much satire that you will choke on your bagel or snort your mojito out your nose from laughing.  Talk about tongue in cheek!  By all means, read the prologue. And be prepared to laugh.
#KahKeySeal, #KahKeyBillionaire

My Rating:


Thursday, May 24, 2018

#BookRelease - The Anti Cinderella by Tawdra Kandle

 
 It's been such a wonderful week of release fun since The Anti-Cinderella debuted on May 15th. What better way to celebrate than with a real royal wedding! How nice of Harry and Meghan to schedule their big day when they did. I really appreciated the boost and the nod. Did you get your copy of the book yet?

iBooks/Amazon/Nook/Kobo/Google/Books2Read

You can read teasers right here and here. And you can check out the play list here!
 

What reviewers are saying . . .

"I enjoyed (it) that much that I read it in one sitting. Through the book I felt everything they were feeling, laughed with them and felt sad with them as well."
 "This story made me have all the "feels"."
 "The characters are strong and the story flows smoothly. This is the first book of the series and I will be watching for the next one."
 "The book has real emotion, characters with depth, humour, sadness, romance, love, supportive friends and family. I couldn't put it down."
 "With powerful, realistic emotions, sweet love, drama, humor and passion this is a pleasurable and entertaining read."
 "The book has real emotion, characters with depth, humor, sadness, supportive friends and family, romance, humor and love. I was thoroughly invested in the characters and could not put the book down once I started it." ***

More news!

I'm thrilled to share that this book is only the beginning of the fun! There will be two more installments in the main Anti-Cinderella story: The Anti-Cinderella Takes London and The Anti-Cinderella Conquers the World. You can preorder the London book exclusively on iBooks . The preorder will go live on Amazon, Nook, Kobo and Google in the fall. And if you want to see the amazing cover, it'll be revealed later this summer on my Temptress group.

The Anti-Cinderella Takes London

Falling in love with a prince wasn't something I planned . . . When I reconnected with the first guy I ever kissed, I never dreamed I'd end up moving to England to be closer to him. But Nicky and I are in love, and living together was the next logical step. If I thought dating royalty was a tough gig when I was living in the USA, I'm learning that it's even more challenging now that I'm in London. Every move I make, every word I say, is under the microscope. Becoming part of Nicky's family while staying true to who I am isn't easy. Nicky makes everything worthwhile. The hours when we're alone together are paradise. And if the press and the pressure are the price I have to pay for him . . . I'll choose Nicky, every single time. After all, London's just another town. Right?


Tawdra Kandle writes romance, in just about all its forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Her books include young adult and new adult paranormal romance, new adult and adult contemporary romance and adult paramystery romance. She lives in central Florida with a husband, kids, sweet pup and too many cats. And yeah, she rocks purple hair. You can follow Tawdra on Amazon to receive updates on her releases. You can also visit her website for more information, and subscribe to her newsletter for sales announcement, special exclusive content and promotions! If you enjoy Tawdra's books, join the Naughty Temptresses!

Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest/Spotify/

BookBub/Books2Read

 

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Book Review - Sibling Rivalry (The Harper Twins - Book 1) by Robbie Cox


Title:  Sibling Rivalry (The Harper Twins - Book 1)
Author:  Robbie Cox
Genre:  Contemporary Adult Romance
Release Date:  April 13, 2015

About the Book:

Will the rules be broken?
Aimee Harper just wants her car fixed. She doesn't need her sister's kind of help, the manipulation, the sexism, the way her sister uses her body to get whatever she wants. Aimee prefers her life simple, her peaceful existence, even if she doesn't have the adventures her sister has or meets the men her sister tends to wake up with on the weekend. Yet, to battle Karla's plans, Aimee needs to go on a date with Mitch Greenway but what's confusing to her is that he actually wants to go out with her and not her seductive sister. But what about their rule?

Karla Harper can't believe her sister still hasn't learned to play the game. There's a reason women have all the power; it's because men want what's between their legs. A wink here, a wiggle of the backside there, and soon men are panting to help you accomplish your dreams. Of course, that is, until Mitch Greenway steps into the picture. No matter what Karla throws at him, the dark, powerful man still wants her timid sister. Aimee's close to breaking the rule of the twins and Karla can't believe it.

Mitch Greenway has seen plenty of women such as Karla Harper, but quiet, shy Aimee draws his eye and grabs his attention. She doesn't want to run a game on him, but rather to just enjoy the moment without her sister's interference. He's heard about their rule, the rule that states that no man can date both sisters, and he knows that Karla believes since she's already slept with him that he won't go out with Aimee. However, Karla doesn't know him, and what's more, her sister is no longer playing by Karla's rules.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

Another fun and sexy read by Robbie Cox!  SIBLING RIVALRY is a contemporary adult romance with sizzle.  Lots of sizzle.  And definitely on my “Adults Only” read list!

The Harper twins may look alike, but their personalities are worlds apart.  Karla is a bit of a free spirit who knows how to use people to her advantage, and she knows how to use her body to get men to do her bidding.  Aimee, on the other hand, is much more independent and traditional, working things out for herself... even if she has to dip into her concert money to pay for car repairs.  When Mitch, the auto mechanic, seems to prefer sweet Aimee over come-hither Karla, Karla makes her claim on Mitch and insists Aimee abide by their long-standing rule of not dating the same man.  Ahhh!  The sibling rivalry begins!

Along comes Clint, the single dad who Aimee had been fantasizing over and Karla does what Karla does to catch his eye.  Will this rivalry escalade into an all out war? Or will sisterly love prevail?  

I loved how Karla's character came out when she went into sisterly-protective mode as Bonnie, Clint's soon-to-be-ex-wife shows up.  Great story line!  Can't wait to read the next two books in this series.

#BookReview, #SiblingRivalry, #RobbieCox

My Rating:

About the Author:

For the latest news on Robbie's releases, upcoming events and appearances, and special giveaways, join his newsletter - http://bit.ly/23CFhQQ

Robbie started writing as a way to escape - escape his teachers, escape his fears, even to escape his insecurities and doubts. However, his stories of seduction and adventure, not only allowed him to hide in the lives of his characters, but also captivated those who wanted to escape with him. Now, he enjoys a full-time career as a storyteller and novelist, and invites readers to runaway with him- to escape, getting lost in the seduction of adventure.

When he is not writing, Robbie can be found on his back porch enjoying a cigar, a scotch, and a good story. He derives pleasure from his large family and his crazy group of friends who provide the inspiration for his blog The Mess that Is Me. 

He is the author of the Urban Fantasy series, The Warrior of the Way, along with the paranormal series, The Witches of Savannah. His Contemporary Romance series includes The Rutherford Series, The Harper Twins, and the Fangirls series. 

You can learn more about Robbie at his website - http://www.robbiecox.net




Monday, May 21, 2018

#BookBlitz - Offsides by Natalie Decker


Right Text Wrong Number
Natalie Decker
(Offsides, #1)
Published by: Swoon Romance
Publication date: July 11th 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Cheerleader Layla and football player Tyler are complete opposites. She thinks he’s the biggest jerk in school and he thinks she’s too high on her horse to even be worth a second glance. When the two of them are near one another, sparks fly in all the wrong directions. They can hardly endure speaking, let alone dating.
But when Layla unknowingly sends Tyler a smack-down text meant for the girl sending naked photos to her then-boyfriend, Adam, Tyler has no idea it’s Layla and decides to play along. After all, Tyler cannot resist messing with the pissed off girl firing off texts about junk pictures, cheating, and girl code.
As the fallout from Adam’s scandalous texts plays out in front of the entire school, Tyler and Layla secretly continue to text each other using fake names. But as days and weeks pass, things take a turn for the serious between them, and suddenly, their texts mean more. Maybe it’s time to come clean about who they are and risk taking the relationship from texts to dates, then kissing, and maybe more.
They say there’s a thin line between love and hate. Can reality live up to the fantasy, or will Layla and Tyler be forever offsides?
Book 2:
Right Kiss, Wrong Guy
You’d think a girl with the most romantic name in the world would have her pick of boyfriends.
But Valentine’s Day sucks when you’re single. Just ask Juliet Valentine, whose last name happens to also be the name of the most dreaded made-up holiday ever.
A romantic at heart, this year is especially hard on Juliet. Her sister, Layla, is in a new relationship, her mom’s match-making business is doing great, and her school’s new fundraiser is “Love-Grams.”
Juliet’s miserable, a little jealous, and lonely.
Quarterback Jared Black is the most popular guy in school. A star athlete, Jared tops the most-eligible bachelor list year after year. But to Juliet Valentine, he’s all but invisible. She isn’t impressed.
Jared’s never had to work hard to get the attention of a girl before. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and he’s determined to ask Juliet out. After all, if Tyler can win over Layla, Jared ought to have a shot with Layla’s sister.
Unlike Tyler and Layla, charm, flattery and good looks won’t work on Juliet. So with the V-Day dance coming up, Jared uses the school’s Love-Grams to let Juliet know how he feels. Should be simple enough, right?
Wrong. Each attempt ends up either in the trash or thrown in someone’s face. Juliet won’t play his game.
Now, without a date to the dance Jared realizes it’s going to take a Hail Mary to win the girl of his dreams.


Author Bio:
Natalie Decker is the author of RIVAL LOVE series and the Scandalous Boys series. She loves oceans, sunsets, sand between her toes, and carefree days. Her imagination is always going, which some find odd. But she believes in seeing the world in a different light at all times. Her first passion for writing started at age twelve when she had to write a poem for English class. However, seventh grade wasn't her favorite time and books were her source of comfort. She took all college prep classes in High school, and attended the University of Akron. Although she studied Mathematics she never lost her passion for writing or her comfort in books. She's a mean cook in the kitchen, loves her family and friends and her awesome dog infinity times infinity. If she's not writing, reading, traveling, hanging out with her family and friends, then she's off having an adventure. Because Natalie believes in a saying: Your life is your own journey, so make it amazing!

XBTBanner1

Thursday, May 17, 2018

#BookReview - Come, Our Butterfly: Suit Romance by Tilly Greene

Title:  Come, Our Butterfly: Suit Romance
Author:  Tilly Greene
Genre:  Multicultural, Adult Romance, Ménages, Shifter
Release Date:  December 1, 2017


About the Book:


Dimitri Alexeev and Sergei Petrov were both born in Russia. They both work for the same family with a job description of bodyguard but they do quite a bit more. The men are best friends, live in the same Manhattan apartment and have white hair for a reason … a Siberian white tiger reason.
Parvaneh Thompson was born in America to a father from the United States and an Iranian mother. Parva is a Muslim and wears a hijab to honor her elder relatives whom she lives with in Harlam. Shopkeeper at the family-owned corner shop, she’s finished law school and will soon take the bar exam.
These three people couldn’t be more different and yet their worlds collide with an expected bang, resulting in fireworks and emotions.
What’s more important: where they’re from, what they do, where they live or does none of it matter when love is involved?


Buy Links: Amazon 
My Review:


This was a short story of only about 63 pages. I would have liked for it to have been longer in order to more fully develop the characters, but all-in-all, it was a quick, fun read and these three main characters certainly had chemistry!  I really liked the two Russian guys, Dimitri and Sergei...All manly and protective, yet being just sensitive enough to make them truly yummy. 

Tilly Greene writes hot romance and this book certainly did not deviate from that!

My Rating:




About the Author:
Whether traveling or sitting in her office, Tilly Greene researches and writes erotica and erotic romance novels in a variety of genres and sub-genres like shape shifter, paranormal, contemporary and futuristics, and themes such as BDSM, multiculturalism and ménages. Every day she looks forward to writing about women who are independent and confident, the men who love them, and their twisting passionate path to each other.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

#BookBlitz & #Giveaway - Forged in Ember by Trish McCallen


Forged in Ember
Trish McCallan
(Red-Hot SEALs #4)
Publication date: May 15th 2018
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense
In the final novel in the scorching Red-Hot SEALs series, a desperate mother and a Navy SEAL fight fire with fire to protect their love and save the world…
Amy Chastain has made a lot of enemies—none so ruthless as the insanely powerful New Ruling Order (NRO). When they killed her husband, it was hell. Then they targeted her children by injecting them with a dangerous, experimental isotope. Now Amy trusts only one man to help her: the ex-commander of SEAL Team 7.
In the company of Navy SEALs, Jace “Mac” Mackenzie was in his physical element. Now he’s on the run from the same cabal that poisoned Amy’s children. That doesn’t stop him from launching a mission to bring down the NRO—and find an antidote. But the clock is ticking. And as the sparks fly between him and Amy, Mac realizes he has more to lose than ever before.
As Mac closes in on the NRO, he uncovers a plot that threatens more than Amy’s children. Now it’s a race against time to stop a global conspiracy, save the woman he loves, and protect the family that’s starting to feel like his.
EXCERPT:
“You can talk to him after you’ve eaten, Benji. Now skedaddle.” She waited for Brendan to herd his brother across the cafeteria floor before turning a suddenly grave face in Mac’s direction. “The boys’ doctor asked to see Amy in private, and I suspect the news is less than good. Nobody should have to face something like that alone, but she needed help with the boys, so I couldn’t stay.”
Ah hell . . . Stiffening, Mac took a step back. “Beth or Kait—”
“Aren’t here. You are. The meeting with the doctor will be over by the time I find them. Amy needs someone now.”
Mac took another step back. “I’m sure Mrs. Chastain would prefer to have a woman with her.”
“The only woman available is me, and I promised her I’d take care of her children. Trust me, she’d be much more comfortable with me watching over her boys than holding her hand. Which means you’re currently the only person available to step up.” She leaned toward him, a militant look sheening her gaze.
Fuck.
“She’s at the clinic, Commander. Alone. She needs you.” The resolve shifted to entreaty in her eyes and voice.
Double fuck.
He spread his feet and tensed his muscles, powering up for an uncompromising refusal. No way in hell was he taking on Amy Chastain’s troubles.
“Fine.” The surrender grated as it rumbled up his throat and out his mouth.
Where the hell had that come from?
Mac scowled, regrouping. Time to nip this in the bud and retreat to safety. “Look, I’ll check in on her. That’s all I’m promising.”
He groaned beneath his breath. Agreeing to check up on the damn woman wasn’t exactly retreating.
Marion’s expression softened in relief. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate that, Commander.”
Grunting an acknowledgment, Mac brushed past Marion before she talked him into doing anything else. Of course, just because he’d agreed to check on Amy didn’t mean he had to do so. It would be easy enough to skirt that duty by heading in the opposite direction. Except his feet developed a mind of their own and carried him two streets to the right and through the clinic’s sliding glass doors.


Author Bio:
Trish McCallan was born in Eugene, Oregon, and grew up in Washington State, where she began crafting stories at an early age. Her first books were illustrated in crayon, bound with red yarn, and sold for a nickel at her lemonade stand. Trish grew up to earn a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a concentration in creative writing from Western Washington University, taking jobs as a bookkeeper and human- resource specialist before finally quitting her day job to write full time.
Forged in Fire, the first book in her Red Hot SEALs series, came about after a marathon reading session, and a bottle of Nyquil that sparked a vivid dream. She lives today in eastern Washington. An avid animal lover, she currently shares her home with four golden retrievers, a black lab mix and two cats.

XBTBanner1

Monday, May 14, 2018

#BookBlitz - The Rainmaker (Saga of the Chosen #2) by Petra Landon


The Rainmaker
Petra Landon
(Saga of the Chosen #2)
Publication date: March 30th 2018
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy
As they race to untangle the past and thwart a power-hungry Wizard, Tasia must face her toughest decision yet. Can she take a leap of faith and risk her deadliest secret?
Tasia Armstrong is no longer a nondescript, friendless and naïve Wizard flying under the radar on the fringes of Chosen society. With her fate now publicly entwined with that of a powerful Shifter Pack, she must navigate the minefield of Pack politics while keeping her secrets and cover safe from the Chosen who hunt her. With a Pack to defend her, a powerful Alpha to protect her interests and friends to watch her back, her life is a far cry from before. But living with the Shifters holds new challenges for a Chosen more used to the shadows.
The stakes have never been higher as old fault lines, long-buried secrets, Wizard dysfunction, and Lady Bethesda’s ruthless machinations draw the Chosen ever closer to a civil war. While Tasia grapples to avoid the pitfalls and confront her demons, it is an unlikely nemesis who forces her to face her moment of truth. Tasia finds herself at the crossroads – at stake are her carefully constructed house of cards and her tangled relationship with the man who holds her enemies at bay. Will Tasia risk opening Pandora’s Box or will she disappear into the shadows again?
Author’s Note : The Rainmaker continues the story from The Prophecy. The books are not standalone and are intended to be read in order.
On sale for 99¢ for a limited time only!
EXCERPT:
“I …” Tasia paused, choosing her words with care this time. “My work with your Pack …” “Fuck the Pack.” His voice was very even. “This has nothing to do with the Pack. I’m talking
about us — you and me.”
“No.” She shook her head, wishing the noise in her head would abate and allow her to think
more clearly. “There’s no us.”
An eyebrow arched up in the near darkness. “So, that kiss in the cave …”
Tasia interrupted him. “I didn’t kiss you.”
He shot her a look.
“You kissed me” she insisted, responding to that look. “Both times.”
“No” he said unequivocally. “We’ve both been willing partners in this dance. I lead, but you’ve
been with me every step of the way.”
They stared at each other, the air between them charged with an awareness that they stood on
the edge of a precipice. She couldn’t discern his expression but she wondered what he read in hers, with his night eyes.
“Any time you’d like a demonstration, let me know” he remarked sardonically.
Tasia flushed. They’d been leading up to this moment, she realized. This was the dance he talked about. She should have put a stop to it before. Now, she’d have to defuse it carefully or the resulting conflagration would destroy her.
“I’ve been around the block a few times, witchling. You and I — we make our own fire, no tinder required. That’s not it. Something else has you stepping back. What is it?”
Tasia thought furiously, through the fog in her head. “You don’t get involved with Pack” she reminded him.
“I’m willing to make an exception for you” he said clearly.
Tasia blinked, once. He wasn’t going to make this easy for her.
“I did tell you once that I’d ignore my principles for the right person.” It was his turn to remind
her.
Tasia, who remembered the occasion well, said nothing.
“Am I to continue with the Pack?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She hesitated. “What happens if things … uh … don’t work out between us?”
He laughed, a sound singularly devoid of amusement.
“You’ve walked away from the Pack before. I didn’t let that stop me from going after you,
when I thought you were in danger. What does that tell you, witchling?”
Tasia couldn’t refute him. There was nothing to say. He would not let his personal feelings get
in the way of his responsibilities to his Pack or to her, no matter how bad things got between them. Then, something seemed to strike him. “Is it because I’m a Shifter?”
Tasia wondered wildly if he would accept that. Perhaps his pride would not let him pursue her if he believed that she wanted no part of a relationship with a Shifter. It would make her sound like a bigot. But she’d take that.
“Will you let this be if … if I have reservations about Shifters?” she asked hopefully.
“Hell no.” His response was immediate and forceful. “I’ll do my damnedest to change your mind.”
He frowned, something about her answer registering finally. “Is that what this is about — being with a Shifter?”
Again, he was forthright with his query, and Tasia realized she could not bring herself to lie to him. Like him, she too was willing to make an exception. For him.
“No” she admitted softly.
There was a short silence while Tasia tried to get her jumbled thoughts into order. The wild cacophony in her head was now so loud that it drowned out everything but his voice, even the gentle lap of water against the wall and the whoosh of the wind behind her.
“Let me simplify this for you” he said, the gold eyes holding her gaze. “Tell me what you want, and we go from there.”
“What I want?” Tasia repeated mechanically.
I can’t have what I want.
“Don’t tell me you don’t know what you want.” His eyes narrowed in the darkness.
Tasia shook her head, her eyes darting away as if to seek an escape. She’d have to walk away, she thought despairingly. She saw no other way out.
His initial fury having abated, Raoul was starting to use his connection to her, much as he had before, when he’d been so attuned to her unspoken words. He had realized it almost immediately, taking it in stride. He wondered if she had picked up on it yet.
“You told me once that you don’t run away” he reminded her, picking up hints of her roiling emotions.
Tasia said nothing.
“If you run from me because you don’t want to deal with whatever is between us, witchling, I will come after you.” His voice hardened as a spike of anger flared in him. “I won’t stand by again while you run recklessly into the fire.”
Tasia looked away from him. There seemed no way out of this impasse. He would not back away, not without an explanation from her. She could not give him one, not without endangering all sorts of secrets, and she was very much afraid that, unless she convinced him to walk away first, she’d eventually succumb to him.
Talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire!
Raoul stared at her, puzzled by her inexplicable desire to deny that which sizzled like a living entity between them. He tried to piece together what he could sense from her.
Suddenly, it hit him. “You’re afraid!” he muttered incredulously.
This was the primary emotion he sensed from her, overriding everything else. He had sensed many emotions from her before but terror, the kind he sensed now, had thus far been reserved exclusively for the Clan.
She said nothing, neither confirming nor refuting his statement. Jolted, he took a step back. “Of what?”
Tasia stared at him mutely, her hesitation palpable.
“Of me?” he asked, his voice hoarse.


Author Bio:
An avid reader all her life, only recently has Petra allowed her own imagination to run riot. She loves to travel, loves the outdoors and reads everything she can get her hands on, time permitting. Her taste in books is very eclectic – she tends to like stories with vivid and quirky characters that have elements of fantasy, adventure, romance and mystery interspersed together. A good book for her is one that makes the reader think long after it has been finished and set aside. And, one that draws the reader back to it, again and again.
To share the tales that have lived in her imagination for so long is a labor of love and a lifelong dream come true for her.

XBTBanner1

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

#BookReview - Victory on the Home Front by Lilly Robbins Brock

Title:  Victory on the Home Front
Author:  Lilly Robbins Brock
Genre:  History, Military
Release Date:  January 15, 2018


About the Book:


Love, Marriage, Separation. A young couple’s marriage is interrupted by war. Their idyllic life is about to change. Will their love survive?


After Priscilla and Dean celebrated their first wedding anniversary in October 1941, the unimaginable happens. Pearl Harbor is attacked on December 7th. They know it’s only a matter of time before Dean is called to serve.


Victory on The Home Front is an insightful and heart-warming Memoir/Biography that shines a light on the women who contributed to the war effort during World War II.
This is a story about one of those women. Through historical research, several hours of interviews with Priscilla, her personal diary that had remained closed since 1940, and Dean’s letters from the war front, the author narrates Priscilla’s life story. Her story begins in a small lumber town where she falls in love and marries her high school sweetheart.
When the United States entered the Second World War, the couple put their marriage on hold to support their country. Each played an important role—Priscilla worked in a Boeing factory building planes as a Rosie the Riveter, and Dean joined the Navy to become a new kind of soldier--a fighting Seabee.
Buy Links: Amazon 
My Review:


Victory on the Home Front is more than just a historic novel.  It is more than a memoir.  It is more than a biography.  Victory on the Home Front is a personal account of what it was like to live as a young couple during the throws of World War II.  It is also a book that describes the turning point in the evolution of women in this country.  No longer are they the frail delicate flowers that must be protected by big strong men.  It was during this time that women realized their potential.  It was during this time that women realized their strength, emotionally and physically.

Lilly Robbins Brock, through her historic research and first-hand account with a real live "Rosie the Riviter", tells us the story of how women rolled up their sleeves, tied back their hair, and built airplanes at the Boeing plant... planes that helped us win WWII.  She takes us through the budding romance of a young couple, Priscilla and Dean Messinger, and how the war affected them both.  Dean went off to join the Navy as a fighting Seabee, and Priscilla went off to work building planes.

What the reader finds in this novel is so much more than you would find in a history book. The author quotes from actual letters written between Priscilla and Dean during the war, allowing the reader to feel what it was like to live through that time in U.S. history.  Not to get political here, but perhaps if our current generation could learn more about our "Greatest Generation", we could all be truly great again.

My Rating:




About the Author:


Lilly Robbins Brock and her husband live in a quiet country setting on the shores of the Columbia River in Cathlamet, Washington. She began her business as an interior designer in 1980, and has recently retired. Living in the country is the ideal environment for Lilly to pursue her lifelong desire to write. She also enjoys gardening, and realized her pioneer family’s planter blood is alive and well within her. 

Her book, Food Gift Recipes From Nature’s Bounty was inspired by the garden and orchard. Preserving the food evolved into the idea of sharing some of that food—the gift of food. 

Lilly loves history and one of her passions has been researching the genealogy of her family. She was born and raised in Olympia, Washington where her pioneer family homesteaded in the late 1800s. She has been working on a historical fiction novel, Intrepid Journey, about a family in the 1850s traveling on a paddle wheel steamship from New York to the rugged Pacific Northwest via the dangerous South American route. It’s a revealing glimpse into the past of what life was like at that time. 

Her book, Intrepid Journey, was put on hold when she discovered two letters written by her now deceased father while he was on the battlefront of World War II. The letters inspired her to find a World War II veteran still living and tell his story. She found her veteran and wrote Wooden Boats & Iron Men to honor him and all veterans. She recently finished her second book about another World War II veteran, Ever A Soldier. He turned one hundred years old in July 2017. Lilly feels that every veteran has a story, and at least she has been able to shine a light on these two extraordinary men. Now she is shining a light on the women who contributed to the war effort during World II, and has written about a Rosie the Riveter, now ninety-five years old, in her latest book, Victory on the Home Front.
 

The Novel Lady Published @ 2014 by Ipietoon